Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Sunday, 12/31/17 Sunday after Christmas —Commemoration of the Holy and Righteous Joseph, Spouse of the Mother of God; Saint David the King
9:00 a.m. +Michael Lipcan requested by Barbara and Patrick Bagley
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Galatians 1:11:19
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23, Tone 5

Monday, 1/01/18 Circumcision of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ; Saint Basil the Great —New Year’s Day

10:45 a.m. Lytija and Blessing of Bread
11:00 a.m. For the people of the parish
~at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy there will be a Myrovannia (anointing with oil)

Tuesday, 1/02/18 Holy Father Sylvester, Pope of Rome
9:00 a.m.  God’s blessing and health for Ulana and Volodymyr Zinych and family

Wednesday, 1/03/18 Holy Prophet Malachi
9:00 a.m. +Paraskevia Paluha requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Thursday, 1/04/18 Synaxis of the Seventy Holy Apostles
9:00 a.m. +Theodore and Ellen Paluha requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Friday, 1/05/18 Vigil of Theophany; Holy Martyr Theopemptus and Theonas

Saturday, 1/06/18 Holy Theophany of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ
9:15 a.m. Great Compline
10:00 a.m. For the people of the parish
~Great Sanctification of Water AND at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy there will be a Myrovannia (anointing with oil)

Sunday, 1/07/18 Sunday after Theophany —Synaxis of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
9:00 a.m. +Mychajlo Kuchnij requested by Jaroslaw Paluha

Nativity of the Lord (Julian Calendar Christmas)

9:45 a.m. Great Compline
10:30 a.m.  For the people of the parish
~at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy there will be a Myrovannia (anointing with oil)

(Readings for Sunday after Theophany)
Epistle: Ephesians  4:7:13
Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17, Tone 6

Divine Liturgy this week will be served at 9:00 a.m.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 12/17/17 Sunday of the Forefathers —The Holy Prophet Daniel, the Three Holy Youths Ananiah, Azaraih and Mishael
9:00 a.m. For the people of the parish
10:30 a.m. +Eugene Koziupa requested by Lydia Koziupa

Epistle: Colossians 3:4:11
Gospel: Luke 14:16-24, Tone 3

Monday, 12/18/17 The Holy Martyr Sebastian and companions

Tuesday, 12/19/17 The Holy Martyr Boniface

Wednesday, 12/20/17 Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ —The Holy Priest-Martyr Ignatius the Godbearer

Thursday, 12/21/17 Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ —The Holy Martyr Juliana of Nicomedia

Friday, 12/22/17 Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ —the Holy Great-Martyr Anastasia

Saturday, 12/23/17 Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ —the Holy Ten Martyrs of Crete

Sunday, 12/24/17 Sunday of the Holy Fathers —Christmas Eve—The Holy Venerable Martyr Eugenia
9:00 a.m. For the people of the parish
10:30 a.m. Special Intention

Epistle: Hebrews 11:9:10;17-23;32-40
Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25, Tone 4

Monday, 12/25/17  The Nativity in the Flesh of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ – Christmas
9:45 a.m. Great Compline
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish
Anointing and distribution of prosphora (Myrovann)

Glory to Jesus Christ

Sunday, 12/10/17 27th Sunday after Pentecost —The Holy Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes and Eugraphus
9:00 a.m.  For the people of the parish
10:30 a.m. +Ivan & Olena Godenciuc requested by the Family

Epistle: Ephesians 6:10:17
Gospel: Luke 17:12-219, Tone 2

Monday, 12/11/17 Our Venerable Father Daniel the Stylite
8:30 a.m. God’s blessing and health for Johanna Patrylak requests by Maria Radawiec and family

Tuesday, 12/12/17 Our Venerable Father Spiridon the Wonderworker
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 12/13/17 The Holy Martyrs Eustratios, Auxentius, Eugenius, Mardarius and Orestes and the Holy Martyr Lucia the Virgin
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 12/14/17 The Holy Martyrs Thyrsus, Leucius, Philemon, Apollonius and Callinicus
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 12/15/17 The Holy Priest-Martyr Eleutherius; Our Venerable Father Paul of Latra; Our Holy Father Stephen the Confessor
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 12/16/17 Holy Prophet Haggai
9:00 a.m. +Warwara Bodnar (Pan.) requested by Maria Wysowskyj

Sunday, 12/17/17 Sunday of the Holy Forefathers —The Holy Prophet Daniel, the Three Holy Youths Ananiah, Azaraih and Mishael
9:00 a.m. For the people of the parish
10:30 a.m. +Eugene Koziupa requested by Lydia Koziupa

Epistle: Colossians  3:4:11
Gospel: Luke 14:16-24, Tone 3

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 12/03/17 26th Sunday after Pentecost —The Holy Prophet Zephaniah

8:30 a.m. Akathist to the Mother of God
9:00 a.m. +Sophie Waselik (16th Anniv.,) requested by the Family
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Ephesians 5:9-19
Gospel: Luke 18:18-27, Tone 1

Monday, 12/04/17 The Great-Martyr Barbara; Our Venerable Father John of Damascus
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 12/05/17 Our Venerable and God-bearing Father Sabbas the Sanctified
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 12/06/17 Our Holy Father Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra
9:00 a.m. Special Intention: Teodor, Olena Cholodnytschi (Panachyda) and Stefania Tisaridi

Thursday, 12/07/17 Our Holy Father Ambrose, Bishop of Milan
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 12/08/17 The Conception of Saint Anna, When She Conceived the Most Holy Mother of God

9:00 a.m. Special Intention
7:00 p.m. For the people of the parish

Saturday, 12/09/17 Our Venerable Father Patapius
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 12/10/17 27th Sunday after Pentecost —The Holy Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes and Eugraphus

9:00 a.m. For the people of the parish
10:30 a.m. +Ivan and Olena Godenciuc

Epistle: Ephesians  6:10:17
Gospel: Luke 17:12-19, Tone 2

This coming week is dedicated to the welfare, physical and spiritual, of our sisters and brothers who are persecuted for their faith. Here are the texts for the Litanies to be used during the Divine Liturgy.

Byzantine Litanies for Persecuted Christians

O Lord, hear our supplicating voices for the servants of God, those who are suffering persecution for our Christian faith, that the Holy Spirit may strengthen them with the courage to persevere in faith, hope and charity and for the grace to forgive their unjust persecutors, we pray you hear and have mercy. (Lord have mercy 3x)

Again and again we cry aloud for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are fleeing persecution at the hands of both the unjust heathen and the godless unbelievers throughout the world, that they may find safe haven and protection and that they rebuild their lives in safety and dignity, we pray you hear and have mercy. (Lord have mercy 3x)

We pray, O Lord, for those who provide charitable assistance to Christians fleeing persecution and violence that they may be blessed in their generosity and may continue to see the face of Christ in those who suffer and are in need, we pray you hear and have mercy. (Lord have mercy 3x)

We pray, O Lord, for all those in our Armed Forces who seek to thwart the evildoers in their plans and to protect the innocent. Look down with mercy and compassion upon every soldier who is facing a daily struggle with war, aggression and terrorism. Protect them by your Right Hand and preserve them and watch over them at every given hour. Guide their steps, give wisdom and discernment to all who are in leadership, that your holy will may prevail, and that they may return safely to their homes and loved ones. We pray you hear and have mercy. (Lord have mercy 3x)

We also pray for the unjust heathen and godless unbelievers who persecute Christians and other religious minorities throughout the world, that the light and truth of Jesus Christ and His Gospel of mercy may penetrate the hardness of their hearts so that they might come to believe in the true path of righteousness and peace, we pray you hear and have mercy. (Lord have mercy 3x)

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 11/26/17 25th Sunday after Pentecost —Our Venerable Father Alypius the Stylite
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Ephesians 4:1:6
Gospel: Luke 13:10-17, Tone 8

Monday, 11/27/17 The Holy Martyr James of Persia
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 11/28/17 The Venerable Martyr-Stephen the New
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 11/29/17 The Holy Martyr Paramon and the Holy Martyr Philomenus
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 11/30/17 The Holy and All-Praiseworthy Apostle Andrew the First-Called
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 12/01/17 The Holy Prophet Nahum
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 12/02/17 The Holy Prophet Habakkuk
9:00 a.m. +Ivan and Halyna Lobay requested by Maria Lobay

Sunday, 12/03/17 26th Sunday after Pentecost —The Holy Prophet Zephaniah
8:30 a.m.  Akathist to the Mother of God requested by the Sestrichi
9:00 a.m. +Sophie Waselik (16th Anniv.) requested by the Family
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Ephesians  5:9:19
Gospel: Luke 18:18-27, Tone 1

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 11/19/17 24th Sunday after Pentecost —The Holy Prophet Obadiah; the Holy Martyr Barlaam
9:00 a.m. +Emilia Dubno requested by the Family
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Ephesians 2:14:22
Gospel: Luke 12:16-21, Tone 7

Monday, 11/20/17 Forefeast of the Entrance of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple; Commemoration of Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska, First Superior of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Tuesday, 11/21/17 The Entrance into the Temple of our Most Holy Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary
9:00 a.m. Special Intention

Wednesday, 11/22/17 Post-feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God; The Holy Apostle Philemon and companions
9:00 a.m. +Ivan Sowa (Pan.) requested by Bohdan Sowa

Thursday, 11/23/17 Thanksgiving Day; Post-feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 11/24/17 Post-feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God; The Holy Great-Martyr Catherine
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 11/25/17 Leave-taking of the Entrance of the Mother of God; Our Holy Father and Priest-martyr Clement, Pope of Rome
9:00 a.m. +Eugenia Kozak Harvey (4th Anniv., Pan.) requested by Carl Harvey

Sunday, 11/26/17 25th Sunday after Pentecost —Our Venerable Father Alypius the Stylite
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
10:30 a.m. For the people of the parish

Epistle: Ephesians 4:1:6
Gospel: Luke 13:10-17, Tone 8

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Sunday, 11/12/17 23rd Sunday after Pentecost —The Holy Priest-Martyr Josaphat, Archbishop of Polotsk
10:00 a.m. Lytija and Blessing of Bread with Anointing following the Liturgy
10:30 a.m.  For the people of the parish and for the deceased members of the Ukrainian-American Veterans

Epistle: Ephesians 2:4:10
Gospel: Luke 10:25-37, Tone 6

Monday, 11/13/17 Our Holy Father John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople
9:00 a.m. +Fr. Ivan and Sophia requested by the Walnycky Family

Tuesday, 11/14/17 The Holy and All-Praiseworthy Apostle Philip
8:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, 11/15/17 The Holy Martyrs and Confessors Gurias, Samonas and Abibus
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Thursday, 11/16/17 The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew
8:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Friday, 11/17/17 Our Holy Father Gregory the Wonderworker, Bishop of Neocaesarea
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 11/18/17 The Holy Martyrs Plato and Roman
9:00 a.m. no special intention for the Divine Liturgy

Sunday, 11/19/17 24th Sunday after Pentecost —The Holy Prophet Obadiah, the Holy Martyr Barlaam
9:00 a.m. +Emilia Dubno requested by the Family
10:30 a.m.  For the people of the parish

Epistle: Ephesians  2:14:22
Gospel: Luke 12:16-21, Tone 7

Ephesians 2:4-10; Luke 10:25-37

This gospel must be read very carefully. Jesus tells a story to make a point. It is just a story, it didn’t happen. However, we get the point. The scholar of the law knew the basic message of faith. We must love God and we must love our neighbor as ourselves. Then he asked a question to justify himself. He saw a loophole in Jesus’ teaching. Yes, love your neighbor, but who is your neighbor? That is the problem. Jesus then tells a story in which those you would expect naturally to give help to the beaten man, the priest and the levite (in early Christianity, another name for deacon, one who gives service) pass the poor man without a thought. Who gives help?

It is the “other,” the heretics to the Jews, the hated Samaritan. He, the “other,” shows mercy. Whether this story happened or not is irrelevant. Jesus tells us that our neighbor may be someone we do not expect. Therefore, we cannot “justify ourselves” by prejudice and racism, by hating the other. This gospel preaches itself. When I was a young priest, the “other” in our church were blacks and Jews. Today they are immigrants and Moslems. And we, like the “scholar of the law,” are still racists. Racism is the ugly face of our church today. It blocks us from being “true-believing Christians. The scholar got the point, but he couldn’t say the hated word, “Samaritan,” but only “the one who treated him with mercy.”

Jesus responds “Go and do likewise,” that is, do not hate the other, but always show mercy and care for the other. This is what God does, saves us even if we are still in sin, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-6)”. God’s word is clear, but do we have eyes that do not see, and ears that do not hear?