FOURTH SUNDAY OF PASCHA: 

SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC

 

ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕСЕ! ~ CHRIST IS RISEN!

 

Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!

Христос Воскресе! Воистину Воскресе!

Χριστος Ανεστη !  Αλιθως Ανεστη !

Hristos a înviat! Cu adevărat a înviat!

ქრისტე აღსდგა!  ჭეშმარიტად აღსდგა! 

 

Sunday Confession – 9:30 a.m. Reading of the Hours 

Divine Liturgy – 10:00 a.m.

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Donna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), 

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei, Elijah, Andrew (Yukhnavets/Seasholtz), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine and Elias (R. Guglielmi), Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, May 7th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei, Elijah, Andrew by Seasholtz Family

Nadia, Sophia, Lucy, Lisa, Evgeniya by Family

Vera (Sunny Lawrence) 

 

For the Memory of Departed servants: 

Newly departed +Peter (Popelak) on his passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Evgenia (Sinitsky) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Nicholas (Roberts) on his passing into eternal life

+Mary (DeMeo) and +Olga (K. Shast) on their birthday by Alexei, Lucia, and Amelia

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of +Mary (DeMeo) and +Olga (K. Shast) on birthday by Alexei, Lucia, and Amelia. Vechnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal! 

 

Schedule of services this week

 

Sunday School Pascha Project - The Journey through Great Lent and Pascha Map is on display, and will be filled with crafts each week through Pentecost. The school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Nadine Sokoluk

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed – Please help us continue coffee hours – See the sign-up poster on the kitchen door and remember we are now in great Lent so all food should be meat and dairy free. 

 

Ukrainian Prayers for Peace and Refuge Relief - we pray for the protection and well-being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. To help with this our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Giant Gift Cards – A good way to support the church all through the year – Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the Lenten Season – Drop your nonperishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

  

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

 

 

Readings for Fourth Sunday of PASCHA, The Paralytic

 

Sunday of the Paralytic, Troparion, Tone V, Christ is risen from the dead, trampling on death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life.

 

Kontakion, Tone III, By Thy divine presence, O Lord, raise my soul which is terribly paralyzed by all kinds of sins and misguided actions, as of old Thou didst raise the paralytic, that saved I may cry to Thee: O compassionate Christ, glory to Thy power.

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone III Let the heavens rejoice, / let the earth be glad! / For the Lord has shown might with His arm,/ He has trampled down death by death. / He has become the first-born of the dead. / He has delivered us from the depths of hell, / and has granted the world great mercy!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, Tone III We praise you as the mediatrix of our salvation, / O Virgin Theotokos. / For your Son, our God, Who took flesh from you, / accepted the passion of the cross, / delivering us from corruption as the Lover of man.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, Tone III On this day Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Merciful One, / leading us from the gates of death. / On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; / with the prophets and patriarchs they unceasingly praise / the divine majesty of Thy power!

 

Holy Martyr Sabbas the General, Troparion, In their sufferings, O Lord,/ Thy martyrs received imperishable crowns from Thee our God;/ for, possessed of Thy might,/ they set at nought the tormentors and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons.// By their supplications save Thou our souls. Or this troparion, Abandoning earthly rank and honor, O athlete,/ thou didst confess Christ God/ before the false and tyrannical emperors,/ and for His sake thou didst undergo many sufferings, O glorious one./ Wherefore, splendidly adorned with the armies of heaven,/ thou hast been crowned with a most beautiful wreath of vic­tory by the King Who reigneth over all./ Standing before Him, O Sabbas,// pray thou that He save our souls.

 

Kontakion, Tone IV, Shown to be an invincible athlete,/ thou didst overcome the wiles of the barbar­ians, O glorious one,/ and having contended most steadfastly,/ thou didst vanquish a multitude of the invisible foe./ Wherefore, thou hast woven a wreath of victo­ry./ Entreat Christ, O most blessed Sabbas,// in behalf of us who honor thee with faith.

 

EPISTLE ACTS 9:32-42  Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed." Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 

 

GOSPEL JOHN 5:1-15 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed." He answered them, "He who made me well said to me, 'Take up your bed and walk.' " Then they asked him, "Who is the Man who said to you, 'Take up your bed and walk'?" But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

 

THIRD SUNDAY OF PASCHA: 

SUNDAY OF THE HOLY MYRRHBEARING WOMEN

 

ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕСЕ! ~ CHRIST IS RISEN!

 

Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!

Христос Воскресе! Воистину Воскресе!

Χριστος Ανεστη !  Αλιθως Ανεστη !

Hristos a înviat! Cu adevărat a înviat!

ქრისტე აღსდგა!  ჭეშმარიტად აღსდგა! 

 

Sunday Confession – 9:30 a.m. Reading of the Hours 

Divine Liturgy – 10:00 a.m.

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Donna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), 

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei (Yukhnavets/Seasholtz), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine and Elias (R. Guglielmi), Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, April 30th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei by Seasholtz Family

Nadia, Sophia, Lucy, Lisa, Evgeniya by Family

Vera (Sunny Lawrence) 

 

For the Memory of Departed servants: 

Newly departed +Peter (Popelak) on his passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Evgenia (Sinitsky) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Nicholas (Roberts) on his passing into eternal life

+Robert (Luczak) on 10th anniversary of his passing by Marlene Blaskevitch

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of +Josephine (Yankovoy) on 3rd anniversary by Alexei, Anna, Luke, Lucia, Margueritte and Amelia. Vechnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal! 

 

Welcome today to Father Alexander Tsygankov serving in absence of Father Gregory

 

Schedule of services this week

 

Luminaries for Pascha- Luminaries for Pascha night– These bags have the names of your loved ones “for the health of” or “In memory of”. It is a wonderful way to remember them as we process around the church at midnight and sing Christ is Risen! Thank you for your support!

 

Sunday School Lenten Project - The Journey through Great Lent Map is on display, and will be filled with crafts each week through Pascha. The school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Nadine Sokoluk

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed – Please help us continue coffee hours – See the sign-up poster on the kitchen door and remember we are now in great Lent so all food should be meat and dairy free. 

 

Ukrainian Prayers for Peace and Refuge Relief - we pray for the protection and well-being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. To help with this our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Giant Gift Cards – A good way to support the church all through the year – Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the Lenten Season – Drop your nonperishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church 

www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

  

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

 

 

Readings for Third Sunday of PASCHA, The Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women

 

Sunday of Myrrhbearing Women. Troparion. Tone II When Thou, the Deathless Life, didst go down to death, then didst Thou slay hell by the lightning flash of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst raise the dead from the lower world, all the Powers of Heaven cried aloud: Christ our God, Giver of Life, glory to Thee. Noble Joseph took Thy immaculate Body down from the Tree, wrapped It in a clean shroud and spices, and having embalmed It laid It in a new sepulchre. But on the third day Thou didst rise, O Lord, granting to the world great mercy. To the myrrbearing women at the sepulchre an Angel appeared and cried: Myrrh is fit for the dead, but Christ has shown Himself a Stranger to corruption. So cry: The Lord has risen, granting to the world great mercy. 

 

Kontakion, Tone II Thou didst command the Myrrbearers to rejoice, O Christ our God, Thou didst dry the tears of our first mother Eve by Thy Resurrection, and Thou didst command the Apostles to preach: The Saviour has risen from the tomb.

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone II When Thou didst descend to death, O Life immortal, / Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead! / And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead, / all the powers of heaven cried out: / O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, All beyond thought, all most glorious, / are your mysteries, O Theotokos. / Sealed in purity, preserved in virginity, / you were revealed to be the true Mother who gave birth to the true God. / Entreat Him to save our souls.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, Tone II Hell became afraid, O Almighty Savior, / seeing the miracle of Thy Resurrection from the tomb! / The dead arose! Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoiced with Thee! / And the world, O my Savior, praises Thee forever.

 

EPISTLE ACTS 6:1-7  Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

 

GOSPEL MARK 15:43-16:8 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away-for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples-and Peter-that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you. So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. 

 

SECOND SUNDAY OF PASCHA: ANTIPASCHA

SAINT THOMAS SUNDAY

 

ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕСЕ! ~ CHRIST IS RISEN!

 

Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!

Христос Воскресе! Воистину Воскресе!

Χριστος Ανεστη !  Αλιθως Ανεστη !

Hristos a înviat! Cu adevărat a înviat!

ქრისტე აღსდგა!  ჭეშმარიტად აღსდგა! 

 

Sunday Confession – 9:30 a.m. Reading of the Hours 

Divine Liturgy – 10:00 a.m.

 

Today, Visitation to Oakland Cemetery for Blessing of the Graves 

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Donna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), 

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei (Yukhnavets/Seasholtz), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine and Elias (R. Guglielmi), Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, April 23rd Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei by Seasholtz Family

Vera (Sunny Lawrence) 

 

For the Memory of Departed servants: 

Newly departed +Peter (Popelak) on his passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Evgenia (Sinitsky) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Nicholas (Roberts) on his passing into eternal life

+Josephine (Yankovoy) on 3rd anniversary of her passing by Alexei, Anna, Luke, Lucia, Margueritte & Amelia

+Peter (Compo) on the 23rd anniversary of his passing into eternal life by Sandra Compo

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in honor of Amelia (Sokoluk) on her birthday by Alexei, and Lucia. Mnoghaya Lyeta! Many Years! 

 

Schedule of services this week

 

Luminaries for Pascha- Luminaries for Pascha night– These bags have the names of your loved ones “for the health of” or “In memory of”. It is a wonderful way to remember them as we process around the church at midnight and sing Christ is Risen! Thank you for your support!

 

Palm Sunday Fish Dinner – On Palm Sunday, April 2023, the Women’s Fellowship hosted our annual Fish dinner – appetizers, Fish, sides, wine and dessert! Thank you for your support!

 

Sunday School Lenten Project - The Journey through Great Lent Map is on display, and will be filled with crafts each week through Pascha. The school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Nadine Sokoluk

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed – Please help us continue coffee hours – See the sign-up poster on the kitchen door and remember we are now in great Lent so all food should be meat and dairy free. 

 

Ukrainian Prayers for Peace and Refuge Relief - we pray for the protection and well-being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. To help with this our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Giant Gift Cards – A good way to support the church all through the year – Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the Lenten Season – Drop your nonperishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church 

www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

  

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

 

 

Readings for Second Sunday of PASCHA, Antipascha, St. Thomas Sunday

 

St. Thomas Sunday, Troparion, Tone VII, When the tomb was sealed, Thou, the Life, O Christ our God, didst rise up from the grave; and when the doors were closed, Thou, the Resurrection of all, didst stand among the disciples, and through them renew a right spirit in us, according to Thy mercy. 

 

Kontakion, Tone VIII, With his inquisitive right hand, Thomas probed Thy life-giving side, O Christ our God. For when Thou didst enter, the doors being shut, with the rest of the Apostles he cried to Thee: Thou art my Lord and my God.

 

Holy Martyrs Terence, Pompey & Companions, 

No Troparion is given in the Menaion.

 

Kontakion, Tone II,  “Today the honored memorial/ of the martyrs Terence and his companions/ hath arrived, gladdening all things. Wherefore, let us hasten, that we may receive healing;/ for they have received from God the grace of the Holy Spirit,// for healing the infirmities of our souls.

 

Hieromartyr Gregory V, Troparion of the holy hierarch, Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast given strength to the godly patriarch, sending down upon him Thy grace from on high, and through him hast restored the race of the Hellenes to their ancestral glory.

 

Kontakion, All the true children of Greece, assembling today in the city of Odessa, now splendidly celebrate Gregory the patriarch with divine hymnody.

 

EPISTLE ACTS 5:12-20  And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.

 

GOSPEL JOHN 20:19-31 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. 

PASCHA - RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

 

ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕСЕ! ~ CHRIST IS RISEN!

 

Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!

Христос Воскресе! Воистину Воскресе!

Χριστος Ανεστη !  Αλιθως Ανεστη !

Hristos a înviat! Cu adevărat a înviat!

ქრისტე აღსდგა!  ჭეშმარიტად აღსდგა! 

 

Saturday April 15th Nocturne 11:20PM, 

Pascha Matins and Liturgy Midnight, followed by Blessing of Baskets

 

Sundays Confession – 9:30 a.m. Reading of the Hours 

Divine Liturgy – 10:00 a.m.

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Donna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), 

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei (Yukhnavets/Seasholtz), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine and Elias (R. Guglielmi), Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, April 16th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei by Seasholtz Family

Vera (Sunny Lawrence) 

 

For the Memory of Departed servants: 

Newly departed +Peter (Popelak) on his passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Evgenia (Sinitsky) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Nicholas (Roberts) on his passing into eternal life

 

Many Years! We wish Many Years to our parishioner Mary Kaczmar who turns 101 years old this, Monday, April 17th. God grant her Many Years!

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in honor of Reader Samuel (Sokoluk Jr) on his birthday by Alexei, Lucia, and Amelia. Mnoghaya Lyeta! Many Years! 

 

Great Lent: Fasting from meat and dairy through Pascha Sunday April 16th.

 

Luminaries for Pascha- Luminaries for Pascha night– These bags have the names of your loved ones “for the health of” or “In memory of”. It is a wonderful way to remember them as we process around the church at midnight and sing Christ is Risen! Thank you for your support!

 

Palm Sunday Fish Dinner – On Palm Sunday, April 2023, the Women’s Fellowship hosted our annual Fish dinner – appetizers, Fish, sides, wine and dessert! Thank you for your support!

 

Sunday School Lenten Project - The Journey through Great Lent Map is on display, and will be filled with crafts each week through Pascha. The school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Nadine Sokoluk

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed – Please help us continue coffee hours – See the sign-up poster on the kitchen door and remember we are now in great Lent so all food should be meat and dairy free. 

 

Ukrainian Prayers for Peace and Refuge Relief - we pray for the protection and well-being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. To help with this our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Giant Gift Cards – A good way to support the church all through the year – Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the Lenten Season – Drop your nonperishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church 

www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

  

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

 

 

 

The Bright Resurrection of Christ, Troparion. Tone V Christ is risen from the dead, trampling on death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life.

 

Kontakion, Tone VIII Though Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet didst Thou destroy the power of hell, and didst rise again as Conqueror, O Christ our God, saying to the myrrhbearing women, Rejoice! and giving peace to Thine Apostles, and offering to the fallen resurrection.

 

Troparion O great and holiest Passover, Christ! O Wisdom, Word and Power of God! Grant that we may more perfectly partake of Thee in the unending Day of Thy Kingdom.

 

Exapostilarion Having slept in the flesh as a mortal, O King and Lord, Thou didst rise on the third day. Thou didst raise up Adam from corruption and abolish death, O Passover of incorruption, Salvation of the world!

 

Kontakion Though Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet didst Thou destroy the power of hell, and didst rise again as Conqueror, O Christ our God, saying to the myrrbearing women, Rejoice! And giving peace to Thine Apostles, and offering to the fallen resurrection. 

 

Troparia  In the grave bodily, in hell with the soul as God, in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit wast Thou Who fillest all things, O Christ the Infinite.

 

St. Nicetas the Confessor, Abbot of Medikion No Troparion is given in the Menaion.

 

Kontakion, Tone II: "Seeking the highest..." Having acquired a heavenly mind and life,/ thou shinest forth as brightly as the sun/ in the splendor of thy deeds/ and enlightenest them that are in the darkness of life,/ O father Nicetas, leading all to God.// Pray thou unceasingly in behalf of us all.

 

EPISTLE ACTS 1:1-8 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

 

GOSPEL JOHN 1:1-17 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' " And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

 

GOSPEL JOHN 20:19-25 (VESPERS, GOSPEL) Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." 

 

 

SUNDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE ENTRY OF THE LORD INTO JERUSALEM

 

Confession – 9:30 a.m. Reading of the Hours 

Divine Liturgy – 10:00 a.m.

 

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Donna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), 

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei (Yukhnavets/Seasholtz), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine and Elias (R. Guglielmi), Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, April 9th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei by Seasholtz Family

Vera (Sunny Lawrence) 

 

For the Memory of Departed servants: 

Newly departed +Evgenia (Sinitsky) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Nicholas (Roberts) on his passing into eternal life

+Samuel and +Julianna (Sr, Sokoluk) on his 9th anniversary of passing by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia

+Olga (Candelori) on the first anniversary of her passing into eternal life by The Bedard Family

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of +Samuel (Sokoluk, Sr) on the 9th anniversary of his passing into eternal life by Alexei, Lucia, and Amelia. Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! 

 

Great Lent: Fasting from meat and dairy through Pascha Sunday April 16th.

 

Luminaries for Pascha- Luminaries for Pascha night– Now that it is lent, we are selling luminaries to be lit on Pascha night! These bags will have the names of your loved ones “for the health of” or “In memory of”. It is a wonderful way to remember them as we process around the church at midnight and sing Christ is Risen! Please see Tatiana Veres. They are $5 per bag or 6 for $25. 

 

Palm Sunday Fish Dinner – On Palm Sunday, April 2023, the Women’s Fellowship is hosting our annual Fish dinner – appetizers, Fish, sides, wine and dessert! Adults and children are $15 – please see Suzanne Veres or Diane Patrick.

 

Sunday School Lenten Project - The Journey through Great Lent Map is on display, and will be filled with crafts each week through Pascha. The school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Nadine Sokoluk

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed – Please help us continue coffee hours – See the sign-up poster on the kitchen door and remember we are now in great Lent so all food should be meat and dairy free. 

 

Ukrainian Prayers for Peace and Refuge Relief - we pray for the protection and well-being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. To help with this our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Giant Gift Cards – A good way to support the church all through the year – Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the Lenten Season – Drop your nonperishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church 

www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

  

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

 

 

Readings for Sunday of Holy Week: The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem 

 

Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem, or Palm Sunday, Troparion, Tone I Thou didst give a pledge of the general resurrection before Thy Passion, O Christ our God, by raising Lazarus from the dead. Therefore, we too, like the children, carry the symbols of victory and cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the Heights! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.

 

Another Troparion, Tone IV As by Baptism we were buried with Thee, O Christ our God, so by Thy Resurrection we were granted immortal life, and praising Thee, we cry: Hosanna in the Heights! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord. 

 

Kontaklon, Tone VI On the throne in heaven and riding a colt on earth, O Christ our God, Thou didst receive the praise of Angels and the chorus of the children who cried to Thee: Blessed art Thou Who comest to recall Adam.

 

EPISTLE PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

GOSPEL JOHN 12:1-18  Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always. Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' The King of Israel!" Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey's colt." His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign.

 

 

THIRD SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT

ADORATION OF PRECIOUS CROSS

Confession – 9:30 a.m. Reading of the Hours 

Divine Liturgy – 10:00 a.m.

Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great 

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Donna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), 

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei (Yukhnavets/Seasholtz), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine and Elias (R. Guglielmi), Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, March 19th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei by Seasholtz Family

 

For the Memory of Departed servants: 

+Archpriest Vincent (Saverino) by Saverino Family

Newly departed +Anatole (Nasobkow) on his passing into eternal life by his brother Stephen and family

Newly departed +Victor (Belokon) on his passing into eternal life by Evgeniya and family

+Samuel and +Julianna (Sr, Sokoluk) on anniversary by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia

+Alexander and +Olga (Sokoluk) on his birthday and on anniversary of her passing by Sokoluk Family

+Alexis (Yanokovoy) on anniversary of passing into eternal life Alexei, Anna, Luke, Lucia, Margueritte &Amelia

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of +Alexander (Sokoluk) on his birthday and +Olga (Sokoluk) on the anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family and +Alexis (Yankovoy) on the anniversary of his passing into eternal life by Alexei, Anna, Luke, Lucia, Margueritte, and Amelia. Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! 

 

Great Lent: Fasting from meat and dairy through Pascha Sunday April 16th.

 

Luminaries for Pascha- Luminaries for Pascha night– Now that it is lent, we are selling luminaries to be lit on Pascha night! These bags will have the names of your loved ones “for the health of” or “In memory of”. It is a wonderful way to remember them as we process around the church at midnight and sing Christ is Risen! Please see Tatiana Veres in church to purchase them. They are $5 per bag or 6 for $25. 

 

Palm Sunday Fish Dinner – On Palm Sunday, April 2023, the Women’s Fellowship is hosting our annual Fish dinner – appetizers, Fish, sides, wine and dessert! Adults and children are $15 – please see Suzanne Veres or Diane Patrick. 

 

Sunday School Lenten Project - The Journey through Great Lent Map is soon on display, and will be filled with crafts each week through Pascha. The school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Nadine Sokoluk

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed – Please help us continue coffee hours – See the sign-up poster on the kitchen door and remember we are now in great Lent so all food should be meat and dairy free. 

 

Ukrainian Prayers for Peace and Refuge Relief - we pray for the protection and well-being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. To help with this our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Giant Gift Cards – A good way to support the church all through the year – Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the Lenten Season – Drop your nonperishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church 

www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

  

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

 

 

 

Third Sunday of the Great Lent: Adoration of Cross, Troparion, Tone I O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory over their enemies to Orthodox Christians, and protect Thy people with Thy Cross. 

 

Kontakion, O Christ our God, Who wast voluntarily lifted up on the Cross, grant Thy mercies to Thy new people named after Thee. Gladden with Thy power Orthodox Christians and give them victory over their enemies. May they have as an ally that invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace. 

 

Another Kontakion, No longer does the flaming sword guard the gate of Eden, for a glorious extinction has come upon it, the wood of the Cross. The sting has been drawn from death and the victory from hell. And Thou, my Saviour, didst come and shout to those in hell: Enter Paradise again.

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone VII By Thy Cross, Thou didst destroy death! / To the thief, Thou didst open Paradise! / For the myrrhbearers, Thou didst change weeping into joy! / And Thou didst command Thy disciples, O Christ God, / to proclaim that Thou art risen, / granting the world great mercy!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, Since you are the treasure of our resurrection, / we put our hope in you, O all-praised one. / Lead us from the abyss of transgressions, / for you have saved those guilty of sin, / O evervirgin Mother of our salvation.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, The dominion of death / can no longer hold men captive, / for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers! / Hell is bound, while the prophets rejoice and cry: /”The Savior has come to those in faith! / Enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!

 

The 42 Martyrs of Amorium, In their sufferings, O Lord,/ Thy martyrs received imperishable crowns from Thee our God;/ for, possessed of Thy might,/ they set at nought the tormentors and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons.// By their supplications save Thou our souls.

 

Kontakion, Having suffered on earth for the sake of Christ,/ and been shown to be pious crown-bearers,/ ye have received the reward of dwelling in joy in the heavens;/ for, having set at nought every wile of the enemy,// by the pain and blood of your wounds ye ever bestow remission of sins from on high upon them that praise you.

 

Kontakion, With wreaths of praise, as is meet, let us all crown the newly-revealed stars of faith/ who suffered ardently for Christ/ and who pray to Him in our behalf,// in that they are pillars and ramparts of the Christian realm.

 

EPISTLE HEBREWS 4:14-5:6  Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:"You are My Son, Today I have begotten You." As He also says in another place:"You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek";

 

GOSPEL MARK 8:34-9:1  When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power." 

 

 

The Sunday of Forgiveness 

Sunday of Cheesefare: Expulsion of Adam from Paradise

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Donna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), 

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei (Yukhnavets/Seasholtz), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine and Elias (R. Guglielmi), Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, February 26th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei by Seasholtz Family

 

For the Memory of Departed servants: 

Newly departed +Anatole (Nasobkow) on his passing into eternal life by his brother Stephen and family

Newly departed +Victor (Belokon) on his passing into eternal life by Evgeniya and family

Newly departed +John (Evanina) on his passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Samuel (Sr) and +Julianna (Sokoluk) on anniversary by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia

+Rose Marie (Staso) on first anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Charles (Staso Sr) on his birthday and their anniversary by Staso Family &

+Justina (Staso) on 25th anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Staso Family

 

Forgiveness Vespers, today following Divine Liturgy 

 

Today, enjoy our annual freshly made Waffles and Ice Cream! 

Maslenitsa week concludes today with a special coffee hour menu featuring delicious dairy inspired delicacies. All proceeds benefit the Sunday School youth program. Thank you in advance of your support and may it bring a warm feeling of summer in these cold winter months.

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of +Charles (Sr) and +Justina (Staso) on his birthday and their anniversary & on the 25th anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Staso Family. Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! 

 

Great Lent begins Monday February 27th. Fasting from meat and dairy through Pascha Sunday April 16th.

 

Cheese Fare Sunday, Kontakion, Tone VI O Lord, Who art the guide to wisdom, the bestower of prudence, the instructor of the thoughtless, and the protector of the poor, strengthen and enlighten my heart. Give me the gift of expression, O Thou Who art the Word of the Father; for behold I will not prevent my lips from crying to Thee: O Merciful Lord, have mercy on me who have fallen.

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone IV When the women disciples of the Lord learned from the angel / the joyous message of Thy resurrection, / they cast away the ancestral curse / and elatedly told the Apostles: / Death is overthrown! / Christ God is risen, / granting the world great mercy!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, Tone IV The mystery of all eternity, / unknown even by angels, / through you, O Theotokos, is revealed to those on earth: / God incarnate, by union without confusion. / He voluntarily accepted the cross for us, / by which He resurrected the first-created man, / saving our souls from death.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, Tone IV My Savior and Redeemer as God rose from the tomb and delivered the earthborn from their chains. He has shattered the gates of hell, and as Master, He has risen on the third day!

 

Venerable Father Martinian, Troparion, With the streams of thy tears thou didst quench the flames of temptations, O blessed one,/ and taming the billows of the sea and the raging of wild beasts, thou didst cry out:// Most glorious art Thou, O Almighty, Who savest me from fire and tempest!

 

Kontakion, Tone II "The steadfast" As a skilled ascetic of piety,/ an honored athlete by volition,/ and an inhabitant and citizen of the desert,/ we praise the ever-honorable Martinian in hymns, as is meet;// for he trampled the serpent underfoot.

 

EPISTLE ROMANS 13:11-14:4 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. 

 

GOSPEL MATTHEW 6:14-21 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.  Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

 

News released by the Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA 

"The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land announced for Spring 2023 Pilgrimages to the Holy Land The Patriarchal Parishes is organizing pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Details attached. Russian speaking group led by Fr. Andrey Kovalev will travel March 6-17 (2nd/3rd week of Lent) Russian Group Itinerary: Click here  English speaking group led by Fr. John Vass will travel April 24-May 6 (2nd/3rd week of Pascha). English Group Itinerary: Click here  To register for a pilgrimage and to receive important updates Click Here  

 

Antiochian Patriarchal Vicar visits St. Nicholas Cathedral On Thursday, February 2, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Patriarch of Antioch, Metropolitan Anthony (El-Suri), who temporarily heads the Antiochian Archdiocese in North America until the election of its primate, visited St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York. His Eminence was accompanied by the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Antioch, Archpriest Thomas Zain, an employee of its office, Rev. Paul Matar, the Metropolitan's personal secretary, Hieromonk Porfiry (Ibrahim), and Subdeacon Elio Nicholas. Metropolitan Anthony was met by the Rector of the Nicholas Cathedral and Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, and Vice-Chancellor Priest Mark Rashkov. After a short tour and veneration of the cathedral shrines, Metropolitan Anthony conveyed the best wishes of His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East and thanked the clergy of the cathedral for their hospitality and the opportunity to visit the temple. In memory of this visit, Father Igor presented Metropolitan Anthony as a gift with an icon depicting the founders of St.Nicholas Cathedral: St. Tikhon, Patriarch of All Russia, and Hieromartyr Protopresbyter Alexander Khotovitsky. The conversation continued over a meal offered to the guests at the representation of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA."The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

Archbishop Daniel of Chicago & the Midwest celebrates Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Cathedral On Sunday, January 29, at the invitation of the Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Archbishop Daniel of Chicago & the Midwest (OCA) celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City. His Eminence was concelebrated by Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, cathedral rector and Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Priest Alexander Koranda, Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago, and Priest Mark Rashkov, Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA. At the end of the service, Archbishop Daniel congratulated those gathered on Sunday and addressed the parishioners with a sermon dedicated to the gospel reading. On behalf of Bishop Matthew, the clergy and parishioners of the cathedral, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov addressed Archbishop Daniel with a word of gratitude for the joyous celebration and, in memory of the divine service, presented him with a gift of an icon depicting the founders of St. Nicholas Cathedral: St. Tikhon, Patriarch of All Russia, and Hieromartyr Protopresbyter Alexander Khotovitsky. Interaction between His Eminence, the clergy and parishioners continued at a fraternal meal prepared by Matushka Alla Vyzhanova and the cathedral sisterhood. "The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Father to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please call 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

 

2023 February

 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

 2023 Pre Lent, Great Lent, and Pascha Dates

Sunday of Forgiveness / Cheesefare Sunday February 26th

Great Lent Begins Monday February 27th

Feast of The Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, The Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary April 7th 

Feast of Entry of Our Lord Jesus Christ Into Jerusalem / Palm Sunday April 9th

Holy Week Monday April 10th - 15th

Pascha Sunday April 16th, 2023

 

Sunday School News The Journey through Great Lent Map is soon on display, and will be filled with crafts each week through Pascha. The school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Nadine Sokoluk.  

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Father is available. Please speak with Father to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Father to receive a blessing. 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2023 (*subject to change during Great Lent & Pascha)

 

Panikhida, Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! 

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile is no longer in service. 

 

Giant Gift Cards – A good way to support the church all through the year –  Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2023 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). Amount of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

Annual Meeting, was held on Sunday January 29, 2023. Nominations from the floor were accepted, then votes were cast by ballot. Election results are as follows for 2023: 

 

President Suzanne Veres

Vice President Denise Rutherford

Treasurer Deborah Barth

Assistant Treasurer Charles Staso

Comptroller Gregory Shast 

Assistant Comptroller Joel Patrick

Assistant Comptroller Justine Paul

Recording Secretary Genevieve Veres

Trustees 

Marlene Blaskevitch

Nikola Filipovic

Kenneth Koscinski

Reader Thom Nickels

Subdeacon Michael Peleszak

Joseph Rutherford

Tatiana Saverino Sarris

Nadine Sokoluk 

Reader Samuel Sokoluk, Jr

Maryann Storey

Tatiana Veres Getler

 

2023 Church Calendars and 2023 Envelopes – 2023 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the Winter Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! for supporting the Spaghetti Dinner on Meatfare Sunday, February 19th. 

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

Commemorated January 30 / February 12

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Donna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), 

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei (Yukhnavets/Seasholtz), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine and Elias (R. Guglielmi), Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, February 12th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Subdeacon Michael (Peleszak) on his special birthday by Alexei

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei by Seasholtz Family

 

For the Memory of Departed servants: 

Newly departed +John (Evanina) on his passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Julianna (Sokoluk) on first anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia

+Rose Marie (Staso) on first anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Nicholas (Nayko) on anniversary of passing into eternal life by Alexei, Anna, Lucia, Luke, Marguerite & Amelia

+Carol Irene (Kauriga) on anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Gregory P. Kauriga and Family

+Anna (Kowal) by Mr. Dennis Starr

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of +Nicholas (Nayko) and +Carol Irene (Kauriga) on anniversary of their passing into eternal life by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia. Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! 

 

The Prodigal Son, Kontakion, Tone III Having foolishly abandoned Thy paternal glory, I have squandered on vices the wealth Thou gavest me. Therefore I cry to Thee, O compassionate Father, receive me who repent, and treat me as one of Thy hired servants.

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone II When Thou didst descend to death, O Life immortal, / Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead! / And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead, / all the powers of heaven cried out: / O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, All beyond thought, all most glorious, / are your mysteries, O Theotokos. / Sealed in purity, preserved in virginity, / you were revealed to be the true Mother who gave birth to the true God. / Entreat Him to save our souls.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, Tone II Hell became afraid, O Almighty Savior, / seeing the miracle of Thy Resurrection from the tomb! / The dead arose! Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoiced with Thee! / And the world, O my Savior, praises Thee forever.

 

Three Holy Hierarchs, Troparion, Tone IV In that ye share in the ways of the apostles, O teachers of the whole world, entreat the Master of all, that He grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls.

 

Kontakion, Tone II, "The steadfast" The sacred and divinely eloquent preachers, the foremost among the teachers, O Lord, hast Thou received into the delight of Thy good things and into rest; for Thou hast accepted their pangs and labors as greater than any wholeburnt offer­ing, O Thou Who alone dost glorify Thy saints.

 

EPISTLE 1 CORINTHIANS 6:12-20 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh." But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

 

GOSPEL LUKE 15:11-32  Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 'I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants. ' And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 'And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 'for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 'But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 'It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.' "

 

EPISTLE HEBREWS 13:7-16 (HIERARCHS)  Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

 

GOSPEL MATTHEW 5:14-19 (HIERARCHS) You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

News released by the Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA 

Pilgrimages to the Holy Land The Patriarchal Parishes is organizing pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Details attached. Russian speaking group led by Fr. Andrey Kovalev will travel March 6-17 (2nd/3rd week of Lent) Russian Group Itinerary: Click here  English speaking group led by Fr. John Vass will travel April 24-May 6 (2nd/3rd week of Pascha). English Group Itinerary: Click here  To register for a pilgrimage and to receive important updates Click Here  

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Father to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please call 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

The Spaghetti Dinner is back! The spaghetti dinner will be held on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023 in the church hall following services.Cost: Adults: $15.00; Children ages 3-10: $10.00; Under 3: Free; Take out will be available if you cannot stay for the festivities.Donations to offset the cost and/or donations of beverages and desserts are greatly appreciated. BYOB Contact: Diane Patrick.

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

 

Liturgical Calendar 

 

2023 February 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

2023 Pre Lent, Great Lent, and Pascha Dates

Sunday of Publican and Pharisee Sunday February 5th

Sunday of Prodigal Son Sunday February 12th   

Sunday of Last Judgement / Meatfare Sunday February 19th 

Sunday of Forgiveness / Cheesefare Sunday February 26th

Great Lent Begins Monday February 27th

Feast of Entry of Our Lord Jesus Christ Into Jerusalem / Palm Sunday April 9th

Holy Week Monday April 10th - 15th

Pascha Sunday April 16th, 2023

 

Sunday School News The Journey through Great Lent Map is soon on display, and will be filled with crafts each week through Pascha. The school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Nadine Sokoluk.  

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:  

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Father is available. Please speak with Father to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Father to receive a blessing. 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2023 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). Amount of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

Annual Meeting, was held on Sunday January 29, 2023. Nominations from the floor were accepted, then votes were cast by ballot. Election results are as follows for 2023: 

 

President Suzanne Veres

Vice President Denise Rutherford

Treasurer Deborah Barth

Assistant Treasurer Charles Staso

Comptroller Gregory Shast 

Assistant Comptroller Joel Patrick

Assistant Comptroller Justine Paul

Recording Secretary Genevieve Veres

 

Trustees 

Marlene Blaskevitch

Nikola Filipovic

Kenneth Koscinski

Reader Thom Nickels

Subdeacon Michael Peleszak

Joseph Rutherford

Tatiana Saverino Sarris

Nadine Sokoluk 

Reader Samuel Sokoluk, Jr

Maryann Storey

Tatiana Veres Getler

 

2023 Church Calendars and 2023 Envelopes – 2023 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the Winter Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! for welcoming our dean of Atlantic States, Fr John (Vass) on Sunday, February 5th. 

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

 

Commemorated February 05 The Sunday after the Sunday of Zacchaeus is devoted to the Publican and the Pharisee. 

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Donna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), 

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei (Yukhnavets/Seasholtz), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine and Elias (R. Guglielmi), Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, February 5th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei by Seasholtz Family

 

For the Memory of Departed servants: 

+Archpriest John (Udics) on 7th anniversary of his passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +John (Evanina) on his passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Julianna (Sokoluk) on first anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia

+Rose Marie (Staso) on first anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Nikolas (Nayko) on anniversary of passing into eternal life by Alexei, Anna, Lucia, Luke, Marguerite & Amelia

+Carol Irene (Kauriga) on anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Anna (Kowal) by Mr. Dennis Starr

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of +Archpriest John Udics and +Nicholas (Nayko) and +Julianna (Sokoluk) and Rose (Staso) on their first anniversary of their passing into eternal life by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia. Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! 

 

Today, Installation of Parish Council for the year 2023 will be at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy

 

Week of the Publican and the Pharisee, Fast Free Week February 5th through Feb. 11th

 

After Matin Gospel, Publican and the Pharisee, Troparion, Open to me the doors of repentance, O Life-giver. For my spirit rises early to pray towards Thy holy temple, bearing the temple of my body all defiled. But in Thy compassion, purify me by the loving kindness of Thy mercy. 

 

Theotokion: Make straight for me the paths of salvation, O Mother of God. For I have profaned my soul with shameful sins, and have wasted my whole life in easy-going indifference. But by thy intercessions deliver me from all uncleanness. 

 

Tone VI — Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgression. When I think of the multitude of ghastly things I have done, wretch that I am, I tremble at the fearful day of Judgment. But trusting in the mercy of Thy loving kindness; like David I cry to Thee: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy. 

 

(Note: These penitential songs are sung on Sundays during the Great Fast from the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee to the fifth week.)

 

Kontakion, Let us avoid the proud speaking of the Pharisee and learn humility from the groans of the Publican, and let us cry in penitence: O Saviour of the world, be merciful to Thy servants.

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone I When the stone had been sealed by the Jews; / while the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure Body; / Thou didst rise on the third day, O Savior, / granting life to the world. / The powers of heaven therefore cried to Thee, O Giver of Life: / Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! / Glory to Thy Kingdom! / Glory to Thy dispensation, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, When Gabriel announced to Thee, O Virgin, “Rejoice!” / with that word the Master of all was incarnate in Thee, O Holy Ark. / As the righteous David said, / Thy womb became more spacious than the heavens, bearing Thy Creator. / Glory to Him Who took abode in Thee! / Glory to Him Who came from Thee! / Glory to Him Who freed us by being born of Thee!

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, As God, Thou didst rise from the tomb in glory, / raising the world with Thyself. / Human nature praises Thee as God, for death has vanished! / Adam exults, O Master! / Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage, and cries to Thee: / Thou art the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ!

 

Hieromartyr Clement, Bishop of Ancyra, Troparion, Thou hast been given to the faithful, O most sacred one, as a branch of holiness and a stem of struggle, a most sacred flower and divinely bestowed and everblossoming fruit. As a fellow sufferer of the martyrs and a fellow-prelate of hierarchs, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.

 

Kontakion, Thou wast a precious scion of Christ the branch, O much-suffering and most lauded Clement, and thou didst cry out with those who suffered: "Thou art the radiant joy of the martyrs, O Christ!"

 

EPSITLE 2 TIMOTHY 3:10-15 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra-what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

GOSPEL LUKE 18:10-14  Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. 

 

EPISTLE ROMANS 8:28-39 (MARTYRS) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:"For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."  Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

GOSPEL LUKE 21:8-19 (MARTYRS) And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately. Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls.

 

News released by the Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA 

Pilgrimages to the Holy Land The Patriarchal Parishes is organizing pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Details attached. Russian speaking group led by Fr. Andrey Kovalev will travel March 6-17 (2nd/3rd week of Lent) Russian Group Itinerary: Click here  English speaking group led by Fr. John Vass will travel April 24-May 6 (2nd/3rd week of Pascha). English Group Itinerary: Click here  To register for a pilgrimage and to receive important updates Click Here  

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Father to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please call 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

The Spaghetti Dinner is back! The spaghetti dinner will be held on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023 in the church hall following services.Cost: Adults: $15.00; Children ages 3-10: $10.00; Under 3: Free; Take out will be available if you cannot stay for the festivities.Donations to offset the cost and/or donations of beverages and desserts are greatly appreciated. BYOB Contact: Diane Patrick at dianepatrick07@gmail.com or 609.870.744

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

Liturgical Calendar 

 

2023 February 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

2023 Pre Lent, Great Lent, and Pascha Dates

Sunday of Publican and Pharisee Sunday February 5th

Sunday of Prodigal Son Sunday February 12th   

Sunday of Last Judgement / Meatfare Sunday February 19th 

Sunday of Forgiveness / Cheesefare Sunday February 26th

Great Lent Begins Monday February 27th

Feast of Entry of Our Lord Jesus Christ Into Jerusalem / Palm Sunday April 9th

Holy Week Monday April 10th - 15th

Pascha Sunday April 16th, 2023

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade.

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:  

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Father is available. Please speak with Father to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Father to receive a blessing. 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2023 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). Amount of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

Annual Meeting, was held on Sunday January 29, 2023. Nominations from the floor were accepted, then votes were cast by ballot. Election results are as follows for 2023: 

 

President Suzanne Veres

Vice President Denise Rutherford

Treasurer Deborah Barth

Assistant Treasurer Charles Staso

Comptroller Gregory Shast 

Assistant Comptroller Joel Patrick

Assistant Comptroller Justine Paul

Recording Secretary Genevieve Veres

 

Trustees 

Marlene Blaskevitch

Nikola Filipovic

Kenneth Koscinski

Reader Thom Nickels

Subdeacon Michael Peleszak

Joseph Rutherford

Tatiana Saverino Sarris

Nadine Sokoluk 

Reader Samuel Sokoluk, Jr

Maryann Storey

Tatiana Veres Getler

 

2023 Church Calendars and 2023 Envelopes – 2023 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the Winter Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! for joining us for the Annual Parish Meeting and for welcoming our visitors from Michigan, Fr. Lawrence (Bacik) and Matushka Marie.

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

Commemorated January 16 / January 29 The Veneration of the Honorable Chains of the Holy and All-Praised Apostle Peter: In about the year 42, on the orders of Herod Agrippa, the Apostle Peter was thrown into prison for preaching about Christ the Savior. In prison he was held secure by two iron chains. During the night before his trial, an angel of the Lord removed these chains from the Apostle Peter and led him out from the prison (Acts 12:1-11).

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Donna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), 

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei (Yukhnavets/Seasholtz), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine and Elias (R. Guglielmi), Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, January 29th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei by Seasholtz Family

 

For the Memory of Departed servants: 

Newly departed +Nikolai (Onopchenko) on his passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +John (Evanina) on his passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Julianna (Sokoluk) on first anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia

+Rose Marie (Staso) on first anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia

+Carol Irene (Kauriga) on anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Gregory P. Kauriga & Family

+Mary (Prokopczek) by Mr. Dennis Starr

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of +Julianna (Sokoluk) and +Rose (Staso) on their first anniversary of their passing into eternal life and +Samuel (Sokoluk, Sr) and +Valentina (Kunasz) on their birthday by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia. Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! 

 

Welcome, Father Lawrence (Bacik) and Matushka Marie, who are visiting our parish today, from St. Elias Eastern Orthodox Church in Battle Creek, Michigan (Patriarchal Parishes of the USA, Moscow Patriarchate). 

 

Today, Annual Meeting, Sunday January 29, 2023 

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone VIII Thou didst descend from on high, O Merciful One! / Thou didst accept the three-day burial to free us from our sufferings! / O Lord, our Life and Resurrection: glory to Thee!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, Tone VIII For our sake Thou wast born of the Virgin / and did endure crucifixion, O Good One, / destroying death by death. / Revealing the resurrection as God, / do not despise the work of Thy hand. / Reveal Thy love for man, O merciful One, / and accept the Theotokos praying for us, / and save Thy despairing people, O Savior.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, Tone VIII By rising from the tomb, Thou didst raise the dead and resurrect Adam. / Eve exults in Thy Resurrection, / and the world celebrates Thy rising from the dead, O greatly Merciful One!

 

The Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy Pre-eminent Apostle Peter, Troparion, Tone IV Without leaving Rome thou art come to us in the precious chains which thou didst bear, O first-enthroned of the apostles; and, bowing down before them with faith we pray: through thy supplications unto God grant us great mercy!

 

Kontakion, Tone II, "Seeking the highest" Christ the Rock most splendidly glorifieth the rock of faith, the first-enthroned of His disciples; for He summoneth all to celebrate the wonders of thy precious chains, O Peter, and granteth forgiveness of offenses.

 

And this Kontakion, Tone II, "The Theotokos who is ever-vigilant in prayer" Let us praise the great Peter, the chief and first among the apostles, the divine disciple of the Truth, and with faith let us kiss his chains, receiving release from our transgressions.

 

EPISTLE 1 TIMOTHY 4:9-15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

 

GOSPEL LUKE 19:1-10  Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. 

 

EPISTLE ACTS 12:1-11 (APOSTLE) Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."

 

GOSPEL JOHN 21:15-25 (APOSTLE)  So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish. This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me." Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. 

 

News released by the Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA 

Pilgrimages to the Holy Land The Patriarchal Parishes is organizing pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Details attached. Russian speaking group led by Fr. Andrey Kovalev will travel March 6-17 (2nd/3rd week of Lent) Russian Group Itinerary: Click here  English speaking group led by Fr. John Vass will travel April 24-May 6 (2nd/3rd week of Pascha). English Group Itinerary: Click here  To register for a pilgrimage and to receive important updates Click Here  

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

The Spaghetti Dinner is back! The spaghetti dinner will be held on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023 in the church hall following services.Cost: Adults: $15.00; Children ages 3-10: $10.00; Under 3: Free; Take out will be available if you cannot stay for the festivities.Donations to offset the cost and/or donations of beverages and desserts are greatly appreciated. BYOB Contact: Diane Patrick.

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

Liturgical Calendar 

 

2023 January 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

2023 Pre Lent, Great Lent, and Pascha Dates

Sunday of Publican and Pharisee Sunday February 5th

Sunday of Prodigal Son Sunday February 12th   

Sunday of Last Judgement / Meatfare Sunday February 19th 

Sunday of Forgiveness / Cheesefare Sunday February 26th

Great Lent Begins Monday February 27th

Feast of Entry of Our Lord Jesus Christ Into Jerusalem / Palm Sunday April 9th

Holy Week Monday April 10th - 15th

Pascha Sunday April 16th, 2023

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:  

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2023 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). Amount of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

Annual Meeting, Sunday January 29, 2023 

 

2023 Church Calendars and 2023 Envelopes – 2023 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the Winter Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! for joining us in celebration of the Great Feast of Theophany, on Thursday, January 19th. Divine Liturgy and Great Blessing of Waters was served, followed by a simple meal. Holy Water is available in the church nave.

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

 

Commemorated January 9 / January 22 Saint Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow, in the world Theodore, was descended from the illustrious noble lineage of the Kolichevi, occupying a prominent place in the Boyar duma at the court of the Moscow sovereigns.

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Donna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), 

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei (Yukhnavets/Seasholtz), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine and Elias (R. Guglielmi), Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, January 22nd Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Peter, Anna, Nicholas, Alaric, Natalia, Alexei by Seasholtz Family

 

For the Memory of Departed servants: 

Newly departed +John (Evanina) on his passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Julianna (Sokoluk) on first anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia

+Rose Marie (Staso) on first anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia

+Samuel (Sokoluk Sr) on his birthday by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia

+Valentina (Kunasz) on her birthday by Sokoluk Family 

+Mary (DeMeo) on anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Marya and +Trofim, +Ludmilla by Natalia Seasholtz

+Olga and +John (Candelori) by Justine

+Gabriel (Kowal) by Mr. Dennis Starr

 

3rd Sunday Monthly Panikhida/Parastas offered today for the souls +newly departed & departed servants of God, offered by Justine Paul & Family; Justine & Greg; Stephen Nasobko; Sokoluk Family; Staso Family; Peleszak Family; Natalia Seasholtz; Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat!

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of +Julianna (Sokouk) and +Rose (Staso) on their first anniversary of their passing into eternal life and +Samuel (Sokoluk, Sr) and +Valentina (Kunasz) on their birthday by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia. Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! 

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone VII By Thy Cross, Thou didst destroy death! / To the thief, Thou didst open Paradise! / For the myrrhbearers, Thou didst change weeping into joy! / And Thou didst command Thy disciples, O Christ God, / to proclaim that Thou art risen, / granting the world great mercy!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, Tone VII Since you are the treasure of our resurrection, / we put our hope in you, O all-praised one. / Lead us from the abyss of transgressions, / for you have saved those guilty of sin, / O evervirgin Mother of our salvation.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, Tone VII The dominion of death / can no longer hold men captive, / for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers! / Hell is bound, while the prophets rejoice and cry: /”The Savior has come to those in faith! / Enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!

 

Holy Martyr Polyeuctus of Melitene in Armenia, Troparion, In his suffering, O Lord,/ Thy martyr Polyeuctus received an imperishable crown from Thee our God;/ for, possessed of Thy might,/ he set at nought the tormentors and crushed the feeble audacity of the demons.// By his supplications save Thou our souls.

 

Kontakion of the Martyr, Tone I, "Thou hast appeared today" When the Savior bowed His head in the Jordan, the head of the serpent was crushed; and the decapitated head of Polyeuctus hath put the deceiver to shame.

 

EPISTLE HEBREWS 13:17-21 (HIEROMARTYR PHILIP) Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

GOSPEL  JOHN 10:9-16 (HIEROMARTYR PHILIP) I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

 

EPISTLE EPHESIANS 4:7-13 (SUNDAY AFTER BAPTISM OF OUR LORD AND GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST) But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore He says:"When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men." (Now this, "He ascended"-what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

 

GOSPEL MATTHEW 4:12-17 (SUNDAY AFTER BAPTISM OF OUR LORD AND GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST) Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned."  From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

 

News released by the Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA 

Pilgrimages to the Holy Land The Patriarchal Parishes is organizing pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Details attached. Russian speaking group led by Fr. Andrey Kovalev will travel March 6-17 (2nd/3rd week of Lent) Russian Group Itinerary: Click here  English speaking group led by Fr. John Vass will travel April 24-May 6 (2nd/3rd week of Pascha). English Group Itinerary: Click here  To register for a pilgrimage and to receive important updates Click Here  

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

The Spaghetti Dinner is back! The spaghetti dinner will be held on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023 in the church hall following services.Cost: Adults: $15.00; Children ages 3-10: $10.00; Under 3: Free; Take out will be available if you cannot stay for the festivities.Donations to offset the cost and/or donations of beverages and desserts are greatly appreciated. BYOB Contact: Diane Patrick.

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

 

Liturgical Calendar 

 

2023 January 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:  

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2023 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). Amount of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

Annual Meeting, Sunday January 29, 2023 

 

2023 Church Calendars and 2023 Envelopes – 2023 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the upcoming Holiday Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! for joining us in celebration of the Great Feast of Theophany, on Thursday, January 19th. Divine Liturgy and Great Blessing of Waters was served, followed by a simple meal. Holy Water is available in the church nave.

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

 

Commemorated January 2 / January 15 Saint Seraphim of Sarov, a great ascetic of the Russian Church, was born on July 19, 1754. His parents, Isidore and Agathia Moshnin, were inhabitants of Kursk. Isidore was a merchant. Toward the end of his life, he began construction of a cathedral in Kursk, but he died before the completion of the work. His little son Prochorus,the future Seraphim, remained in the care of his widowed mother, who raised her son in piety.

 

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Nadine (Schmidt), Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine (Guglielmi), Elias (R. Guglielmi) Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, January 15th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Kenneth (Koscinski) on his birthday by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia

 

For Memory of Departed servants: 

+Julianna (Sokoluk) on first anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Kunasz and Williams Family 

+Rose Marie (Staso) on first anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Kunasz and Williams Family

+Samuel (Sokoluk Sr) on his birthday by Kunasz and Williams Family

+Valentina (Kunasz) on her birthday by Kunasz and Williams Family 

+Mary (Demeo) on anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Mr. Dennis Starr

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in honor of the Great Feast of Nativity of Christ. Christ Is Born! Indeed, He is Born! Glorify Him!

 

Sviatki (fast free period) now until January 18th 

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone VI The angelic powers were at Thy tomb; / the guards became as dead men. / Mary stood by Thy grave, / seeking Thy most pure Body. / Thou didst capture hell, / not being tempted by it. / Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life. / O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead: glory to Thee!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, Thou Who didst call Thy mother blessed / came of Thine own will to the passion. / Shining on the cross, desiring to recall Adam, Thou didst say to the angels: / "Rejoice with Me, for the lost coin has been found." / Thou Who hast ordered all things in wisdom, / O our God, glory to Thee! (1x) Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forever more.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, Tone VI When Christ God, the Giver of Life, / raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand, / He bestowed resurrection on the human race. / He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.

 

St. Sylvester, Pope of Rome, Troparion The truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith,/ a model of meekness and a teacher of abstinence/ wherefore thou hast attained the heights through humility/ and riches through poverty.// O hierarch Sylvester our father, entreat Christ God that our souls be saved.

 

Forefeast of the Theophany, Troparion Make ready, O Zebulon!/ Adorn thyself, O Nephthali!/ O River Jordan, leaping up,/ receive thou the Master Who cometh to be Baptized!/ Rejoice, O Adam, with our first mother!/ Hide not yourselves as ye did before in paradise;/ for He that beheld you naked hath appeared,/ that He may clothe you in your primal raiment.// Christ hath appeared, desiring to make all creation new!

 

Kontakion of the hierarch As a conversor with the ascetics, thou becamest a priest among the priests of God the King; wherefore, thou rejoicest now with the angelic choirs. O father Sylvester, thou God-bearing shepherd, dwelling in the heavens, save those who with love celebrate thy memory.

 

Kontakion of the Forefeast In the streams of the Jordan the Lord crieth out to John today:/ Fear not to baptize Me,// for I have come to save Adam the first-created!

 

EPISTLE 2 TIMOTHY 4:5-8 (SUNDAY BEFORE THEOPHANY) But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

 

GOSPEL MARK 1:1-8 (SUNDAY BEFORE THEOPHANY) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets:"Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You."  The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.' "  John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

 

EPISTLE GALATIANS 5:22-6:2 (VENERABLE) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

 

GOSPEL LUKE 6:17-23 (VENERABLE)  And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

News released by the Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA 

Pilgrimages to the Holy Land The Patriarchal Parishes is organizing pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Details attached. Russian speaking group led by Fr. Andrey Kovalev will travel March 6-17 (2nd/3rd week of Lent) Russian Group Itinerary: Click here  English speaking group led by Fr. John Vass will travel April 24-May 6 (2nd/3rd week of Pascha). English Group Itinerary: Click here  To register for a pilgrimage and to receive important updates Click Here  

 

Liturgical Calendar 

 

2023 January 

 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:  

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2023 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). Amount of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

2023 Church Calendars and 2023 Envelopes – 2023 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the upcoming Holiday Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

Synaxis of The Most Holy Theotokos

The Sobor-Assemblage of the Most Holy Mother of God: On the day after the Nativity of Christ is celebrated the Sobor-Assemblage of the Most Holy Mother of God, commemorating together with Her also Saint Joseph the Betrothed, King David (an ancestor by flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ), and Saint James the Brother of the Lord, a son of the first marriage of Saint Joseph the Betrothed. Saint James accompanied his father Joseph and the Mother of God and the Divine-Infant Jesus on the Flight into Egypt.

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Nadine (Schmidt), Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine (Guglielmi), Elias (R. Guglielmi) Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, January 8th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Kenneth (Koscinski) on his birthday by Alexei, Lucia and Amelia

 

For Memory of Departed servants: 

+Julianna (Sokoluk) on her passing into eternal life by Staso Family 

+Rose Marie (Staso) on her passing into eternal life by Staso Family

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in honor of the Great Feast of Nativity of Christ. Christ Is Born! Indeed, He is Born! Glorify Him!

 

Sviatki (fast free period) now until January 18th 

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone V Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, / Co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, / born for our salvation from the Virgin, / for He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, / to endure death / and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, Rejoice, O impassable gate of the Lord! / Rejoice, O wall and protection of those who run to you! / Rejoice, O unshakable refuge! / Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of your God and Creator! / Do not cease praying for those who praise you and worship your Son. (1x) Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forever more.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, Thou didst descend into hell, O my Savior, / shattering its gates as almighty; / resurrecting the dead as Creator, / and destroying the sting of death. / Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Man, / and we all cry to Thee: "O Lord, save us!"

 

Troparion of Righteous David, Joseph and James. Proclaim the wonder, O Joseph, / to David, the ancestor of God: / you saw a Virgin great with Child, / you gave glory with the shepherds, / you worshipped with the Magi, / you received the news from the angel. / Pray to Christ God to save our souls!

 

Kontakion of Righteous David, Joseph and James. Today godly David is filled with joy; / Joseph and James offer praise. / The glorious crown of their kinship with Christ fills them with great joy. / They sing praises to the One ineffably born on earth, / and they cry out: "O Compassionate One, save those who honor You!"

 

Synaxis of the All-Holy Theotokos; Troparion of Nativity, Thy nativity, O Christ our God,/ hath shone forth the light of knowledge upon the world;/ for therein those who worship the stars/ have been taught by a star to worship Thee,/ the Sun of righteousness,/ and to know Thee the Orient from on high.// O Lord, glory be to Thee!

 

Kontakion of the Synaxis, He Who was born of the Father without mother before the morning star/ hath today become incarnate of thee on earth without father;/ wherefore, the star announceth glad tidings to the magi,// and the angels and shepherds hymn thine ineffable birthgiving, O thou who art full of grace.

 

EPISTLE COLOSSIANS 3:12-16  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

GOSPEL LUKE 18:35 - 43  Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight." Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. 

 

EPISTLE (SUNDAY AFTER) GALATIANS 1:11-19  But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. 

 

GOSPEL (SUNDAY AFTER) MATTHEW 2:13-23 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son." Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more." Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead." Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

News released by the Patriarchal Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA 

Pilgrimages to the Holy Land The Patriarchal Parishes is organizing pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Details attached. Russian speaking group led by Fr. Andrey Kovalev will travel March 6-17 (2nd/3rd week of Lent) Russian Group Itinerary: Click here  English speaking group led by Fr. John Vass will travel April 24-May 6 (2nd/3rd week of Pascha). English Group Itinerary: Click here  To register for a pilgrimage and to receive important updates Click Here  

 

Liturgical Calendar 

 

2023 January 

 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:  

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2023 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). Amount of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

2023 Church Calendars and 2023 Envelopes – 2023 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the upcoming Holiday Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

 

The Holy Fathers have instituted the Commemoration of the Genealogy of our Saviour Jesus Christ, in which we include not only His ancestors according to the flesh from Adam to Joseph the Betrothed of the Mother of God, but all the Righteous and the Prophets, who, by their words or deeds, announced the coming in the flesh of the Son of God." (Synaxarion)

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Nadine (Schmidt), Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine (Guglielmi), Elias (R. Guglielmi) Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, January 1st Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

 

For Memory of Departed servants: 

Newly departed +Julianna (Sokoluk) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +Rose Marie (Staso) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in honor of servant of God, Lucia (Sokoluk) by Amelia and Alexei, Mnoghaya Lyeta! Many Years! 

 

Nativity (St. Philip's) Fast now through January 6th 

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone IV When the women disciples of the Lord learned from the angel / the joyous message of Thy resurrection, / they cast away the ancestral curse / and elatedly told the Apostles: / Death is overthrown! / Christ God is risen, / granting the world great mercy!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, Tone IV The mystery of all eternity, / unknown even by angels, / through you, O Theotokos, is revealed to those on earth: / God incarnate, by union without confusion. / He voluntarily accepted the cross for us, / by which He resurrected the first-created man, / saving our souls from death.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, Tone IV My Savior and Redeemer as God rose from the tomb and delivered the earthborn from their chains. He has shattered the gates of hell, and as Master, He has risen on the third day!

 

Sunday Before the Nativity of the Savior, Troparion, Great are the accomplishments of faith,/ for the Three Youths rejoiced in the fountain of flames as though in the waters of rest;/ and the prophet Daniel appeared/ a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep.// So by their prayers O Christ God save our souls

 

Kontakion, You did not worship the graven image,/ O thrice-blessed ones,/ but armed with the immaterial Essence of God,/ you were glorified glorified in a trial by fire./ From the midst of unbearable flames you called on God, crying:/ Hasten, O compassionate One!/ Speedily come to our aid,// for You are merciful and able to do as You will.

 

Holy Martyr Boniface No Troparion is given for this service in the Menaion.

 

Kontakion, Tone IV "Thou hast appeared" Of thine own will thou didst bring thyself as an unblemished sacred offering/ to Him Who was born of the Virgin for thy sake,// O all-wise Boniface, holy crown-bearer.

 

EPISTLE (SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST) HEBREWS 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40  By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented-of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

 

GOSPEL (SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST) MATTHEW 1:1-25 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, "God with us." Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

To all parishioners and friends, we are going to be putting out a Christmas card for January 7th this year as a fundraiser for the church! The cost is $15 per listing in the card. Please email either Deborah Barth or Genevieve Veres with what you would like listed. Please let us know by January 5th. Best, Genevieve Veres and Deborah Barth

 

Liturgical Calendar 

 

2023 January 

 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:  

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2023 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). Amount of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

2023 Church Calendars and 2023 Envelopes – 2023 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the upcoming Holiday Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2023, in memory of their departed loved ones.

 Commemorated December 25 / December 12 Saint Spyridon of Tremithus was born towards the end of the third century on the island of Cyprus. He was a shepherd, and had a wife and children. He used all his substance for the needs of his neighbors and the homeless, for which the Lord rewarded him with a gift of wonderworking. He healed those who were incurably sick, and cast out demons.

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Nadine (Schmidt), Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Schiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine (Guglielmi), Elias (R. Guglielmi) Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, December 25th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Lucia  (Sokoluk) on name day by Alexei and Amelia

 

For Memory of Departed servants: 

Newly departed +Julianna (Sokoluk) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +Rose Marie (Staso) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Olga and +John (Candelori) on passing into eternal life by Justine

+Frank (Krewda) on his passing into eternal life by Marlene Blaskevitch

+Maria (Kowal) on anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Mr. Dennis Starr

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in honor of servant of God, Lucia (Sokoluk) by Amelia and Alexei, Mnoghaya Lyeta! Many Years! 

 

Nativity (St. Philip's) Fast now through January 6th 

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone III Let the heavens rejoice, / let the earth be glad! / For the Lord has shown might with His arm,/ He has trampled down death by death. / He has become the first-born of the dead. / He has delivered us from the depths of hell, / and has granted the world great mercy!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, We praise you as the mediatrix of our salvation, / O Virgin Theotokos. / For your Son, our God, Who took flesh from you, / accepted the passion of the cross, / delivering us from corruption as the Lover of man.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, On this day Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Merciful One, / leading us from the gates of death. / On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; / with the prophets and patriarchs they unceasingly praise / the divine majesty of Thy power!

 

Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, Troparion, Tone II Through faith Thou hast justified the Forefathers,/ betrothing through them the Church of the gentiles./ These saints exult in glory/ for from their seed came forth a glorious fruit:/ She who bore Thee without seed.// So by their prayers, O Christ God, have mercy upon us.

 

Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, Kontakion, You did not worship the graven image/ O thrice-blessed ones,/ but armed with the immaterial Essence of God,/ you were glorified in a trial by fire./ From the midst of the unbearable flames you called upon God crying:/ Hasten O Compassionate One!/ Speedily come to our aid,// for Thou art merciful and able to do as Thou willest.

 

St. Spyridon the Wonderworker, Bp. of Tremithus, Troparion, The very truth of things revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, a model of meekness and teacher of abstinence. Wherefore, thou didst attain the heights through humility, and riches through poverty. O father Spyridon, entreat Christ God that our souls be saved!

 

Or this Troparion, Thou wast shown forth as a champion of the first Council/ and a wonderwork­er, O Spiridon, our God-bearing father./ Wherefore, thou didst speak to one dead in the grave,/ and didst change a serpent into gold./ And, whilst chanting thy holy prayers, thou didst have angels serving with thee, O most sacred one./ Glory to Him that hath given thee strength!/ Glory to Him that hath crowned thee!// Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee!

 

St. Herman, Wonderworker of Alaska, Troparion, O venerable Herman, ascetic of the northern wilderness/ and gracious advocate for all the world,/ teacher of the Orthodox Faith and good, instructor of piety,/ adornment of Alaska and joy of all America;// Entreat Christ God, that He save our souls.

 

Kontakion for St. Spyridon, Wounded with love for Christ,/ and giving wings to thy mind through the radi­ance of the Spirit, O most sacred one,/ thou didst find thy work in thine active divine vision,/ O thou that art pleasing unto God,/ being a divine oblation,// and asking divine illumination for all.

 

Kontakion for St. Herman, O beloved of the Mother of God, who received the tonsure at Valaam,/ new zealot of the struggles of the desert-dwellers of old:/ wielding prayer as a spear and shield, thou didst show thyself to be terrible to demons and pagan darkness.// Wherefore, we cry out to thee: O venerable Herman, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved!

 

EPISTLE COLOSSIANS 3:4-11 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

 

GOSPEL LUKE 14:16-24 Then He said to him, "A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, 'Come, for all things are now ready.' But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.' Still another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.' And the servant said, 'Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.' Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 'For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.' "

 

EPISTLE HEWBREWS 13:17-21 (ST. SPYRIDON) Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 

 

GOSPEL LUKE 6:17-23 (ST. SPYRIDON) And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

 

 

News released by The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA

 "The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

Eastern States Deanery Clergy convene in Little Falls On December 17, the feast day of Great Martyr Barbara, a conciliar Divine Liturgy was held with the clergy of the Eastern States Deanery in St. John the Baptist Church in Little Falls, NJ The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.

Fr. Igor was co-served by: Dean of the Eastern States Priest Yulian Ryabtsev, parish rector Priest Aleksey Paranyuk, Archpriest Igor Tarasov (Rector of St. George Church in Bayside, NY), Archpriest Mikhail Kapchits (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Bayonne, NJ), Priest Stephen Kaznica (rector of Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral in Passaic, NJ), Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Priest Mark Rashkov, Priest Andrew Massey (rector of Elevation of the Holy Cross Church in Hacketstown, NJ), Priest Dimitry Sukhorukov (cleric of St. Nicholas Church) Priest Artemy Kulikovsky (rector of All Saints of Russia Church in Pine Bush, NY) and Deacon Nikolai Arabidze (cleric of St. Nicholas Church). Also praying at the Divine Liturgy was rector emeritus of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Elizabeth, NJ, Archpriest Emil Minkovich.

Following Divine Liturgy, Fr. Igor greeted the assembled rectors and clerics of the parishes of the Eastern Deanery, as well as the parishioners and guests of the church. After a joint meal, an official meeting of the deanery was held, at which the current problems of the parishes included in it were discussed. In the afternoon, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov and the clergy who accompanied him visited Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral in Passaic, where they met with the rector Fr. Stephen who gave a tour of the cathedral and spoke about the history of the parish. "The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

Priest Eugene Solodky reposed in the Lord On Monday, December 19, the feast of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas the Wonderworker, Priest Eugene Solodsky reposed in the Lord after a length illness. He was 85 years old. Fr. Eugene was ordained on March 19, 1967 by Metropolitan (future Patriarch) Pimen of Krutitsy & Kolomna in Moscow’s Holy Theophany Yelokhovo Cathedral. According to his brother priests, he was a pious man of prayer, zealous of the divine services, and tried to serve as often as possible.

After his arrival in New Jersey, he served as acting rector of the neighboring Holy Trinity and St. Nicholas Churches in Vineland and Millville, respectively. He later transferred to the jurisdiction of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, attached to St. Andrew Naval Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA.

Fr. Eugene was predeceased by his Matushka Anna on May 26, 2017. They are survived by their daughter, Vera, who conducts the choir at Holy Trinity Church. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 21, in the above-named church. The burial will take place at nearby Holy Protection "Novaya Kuban" Cemetery in Buena. Memory Eternal to the newly reposed Priest Eugene!  "The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

 

Liturgical Calendar 

 

2022 December/January 

 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, on Sundays after services. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:  

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2022 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). Amount of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

2022 Church Calendars and 2022 Envelopes – 2022 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the upcoming Holiday Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! for joining us in celebration of Feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, on Monday, December 19th. Divine Liturgy was served, followed by a simple meal. Children received a gift of fruit and sweets.

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2022, in memory of their departed loved ones.

 

Commemorated October 24 / November 06 How much consolation is contained in just the name of this Icon - awakening, strengthening the people's faith in the Mother of God, as a wondrous helper, who hastens everywhere where the groan of human suffering is heard, who wipes away the tears of those who mourn, and in sorrow itself, bestows moments of delight and heavenly joy. Rejoice always, O Heavenly Joy of all who Sorrow. 

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Nadine (Schmidt), Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Shiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine (Guglielmi), Elias (R. Guglielmi) Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, November 06th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Gail and Gregory (Shast) by Sokoluk Family

Nancy Anastasia (Smith) by Sunny Vera Lawrence 

 

For Memory of Departed servants:  

Newly departed +Frank (Krewda) on his passing into eternal life 

Newly departed +Anne (Kobasa) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +Ian (Mellanby) on his passing into eternal life by Saverino Family 

Newly departed +Madeline (Popelak) on her passing into eternal life 

Newly departed +Helen (Yurkow) on her passing into eternal life by Veres Family

Newly departed +Olga and +John (Candelori) on their passing into eternal life by Justine 

Newly departed +Julianna (Sokoluk) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +Rose Marie (Staso) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in honor of servant of God, Fr Luka, by Alexei, Mnoghaya Lyeta! Many Years!

 

Memory Eternal Ian Mellanby 

The Saverino and Mellanby families invite you to join us in celebrating the life and spirit of Ian Mellanby on Saturday, November 12 from 1-4 PM. The celebration will begin with a panikhida and then we will go downstairs to the hall to share stories and memories. For more information: https://www.fletchernasevich.com/obituary/DrIan-Mellanby 

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone IV When the women disciples of the Lord learned from the angel / the joyous message of Thy resurrection, / they cast away the ancestral curse / and elatedly told the Apostles: / Death is overthrown! / Christ God is risen, / granting the world great mercy!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, The mystery of all eternity, / unknown even by angels, / through you, O Theotokos, is revealed to those on earth: / God incarnate, by union without confusion. / He voluntarily accepted the cross for us, / by which He resurrected the first-created man, / saving our souls from death.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, Tone IV My Savior and Redeemer as God rose from the tomb and delivered the earthborn from their chains. He has shattered the gates of hell, and as Master, He has risen on the third day!

 

Troparion of the Icon of the Mother of God, “Joy of All Who Sorrow”, Let us, the sinful and humble,/ now ear­nestly flee to the Theotokos,/ and bow down, crying out in repentance from the depth of our souls:/ Help us, O Lady, who hast had mercy upon us./ Haste thou, for we perish from a multitude of transgressions./ Turn not thy servants away,// for thee do we have as our only hope.

 

Another Troparion of the Icon of the Mother of God, “Joy of All Who Sorrow”, Unworthy though we be,/ we cannot cease to proclaim thy power, O Theotokos;/ for if thou shouldst not intercede in prayer,/ who would deliver us from such misfortunes?/ Who would have kept us free until now?/ We shall not forsake thee, O Mistress,// for thou dost ever save thy servants from all evil.

 

Kontakion of the Icon of the Mother of God, “Joy of All Who Sorrow” We have none other help, we have none other hope, save thee, O Lady./ Do thou help us. We hope on thee and in thee we glory./ Let us never be confounded,// for we are thy servants.

 

EPISTLE GALATIANS 2:16-20  knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

 

GOSPEL LUKE 16:19-31 There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, 'for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' 

 

EPISTLE (THEOTOKOS) PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. robbery to be equal with God, And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

 

GOSPEL (THEOTOKOS) LUKE 10:38-42; 11:27-28 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!" But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. Funds raised for Ukraine are being sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

Liturgical Calendar 

 

2022 November

 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, thus a Moleben was served on Sunday September 11th for students and teachers as they begin their academic studies. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:   

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2022/2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2022 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). A of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

2022 Church Calendars and 2022 Envelopes – 2022 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the upcoming Fall Harvest Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2022, in memory of their departed loved ones

 

 

 

Commemorated October 17 / October 30 The Holy Prophet Hosea the first of the minor prophets, belonged to the tribe of Issachar. He lived during the ninth Century before Christ, in the kingdom of Israel. He was a contemporary of the holy Prophets Isaiah, Micah and Amos. During this time, many of his fellow Israelites had forgotten the true God, and worshipped idols. The holy Prophet Hosea attempted to turn them again to the faith of their Fathers by his wise counsels.

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List:Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Nadine (Schmidt), Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Jeffrey (Poedubicky), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Shiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine (Guglielmi), Elias (R. Guglielmi) Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, October 30th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Gail and Gregory (Shast) by Sokoluk Family

 

For Memory of Departed servants:  

Newly departed +Frank (Krewda) on his passing into eternal life by friend

Newly departed +Anne (Kobasa) on her passing into eternal life by Veres Family

Newly departed +Ian (Mellanby) on his passing into eternal life by Saverino Family 

Newly departed +Madeline (Popelak) on her passing into eternal life 

Newly departed +Helen (Yurkow) on her passing into eternal life by Veres Family

Newly departed +Olga and +John (Candelori) on their passing into eternal life by Justine 

Newly departed +Julianna (Sokoluk) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +Rose Marie (Staso) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Sydor and +Mary (Hrynick) by Sunny Vera Lawrence 

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in honor of servant of God, Fr Luka, by Alexei, Mnoghaya Lyeta! Many Years!

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone III Let the heavens rejoice, / let the earth be glad! / For the Lord has shown might with His arm,/ He has trampled down death by death. / He has become the first-born of the dead. / He has delivered us from the depths of hell, / and has granted the world great mercy!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, We praise you as the mediatrix of our salvation, / O Virgin Theotokos. / For your Son, our God, Who took flesh from you, / accepted the passion of the cross, / delivering us from corruption as the Lover of man.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, On this day Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Merciful One, / leading us from the gates of death. / On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; / with the prophets and patriarchs they unceasingly praise / the divine majesty of Thy power!

 

Venerable Martyr Andrew of Crete, Troparion, Struggling first in fasting upon the mountain,/ with the whole armor of the Cross/ thou didst destroy the noetic hordes of the enemy, O most blessed one;/ and after­wards thou didst manfully array thyself for thy contest,/ slaying Copronymus with the sword of faith./ And for both hast thou been crowned by God,// O ever-memo­rable venerable martyr Andrew.

 

Kontakion of the venerable martyr Today the imperial city doth celebrate/ the all-splendid feast of thy radiant memo­ry,/ summoning every city and land;/ for it rejoiceth, possessing thy much-suffering body as a great treasure,// O martyr Andrew, beacon of Orthodoxy.

 

Kontakion of the venerable martyr, Out of love for thee, O divinely blessed one,/ we utter hymns of praise as thanks­giving to the namesake of manliness,/ to the teacher of the mysteries of piety./ As thou hast boldness before the Lord, save us from all evils,// that we may chant: Rejoice, O ever-memorable father!

 

EPSITLE  GALATIANS 1:11-19  But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.

 

GOSPEL LUKE 8:5-15  A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold. When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?" And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.' Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

 

News released by The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA

 

Clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA serve funeral for newly-reposed Archpriest Nikolai Babijtchouk On Sunday, October 23, the clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA bade farewell to Archpriest Nikolai Babijtchouk who reposed in the Lord on October 19. The evening prior, the funeral rite for a priest was served in the Church of All Saints who shown forth in the Russian Lands in Pine Bush, NY. On Sunday morning, the Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA celebrated the Divine Liturgy co-served by Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov; dean of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City), Priest Mark Rashkov (Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes), Priest Artem Kulikovsky (parish rector) and Protodeacon Igor Panachev (cleric of St. Nicholas Cathedral). The church was filled with faithful, wishing to raise up their prayers to their newly-reposed pastor. Condolences were relayed on behalf of the Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, a litia was served after which Archpriest Nikolai was interred in the parish cemetery. A memorial repast was held in the parish hall. 

 "The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov appointed Chancellor of Patriarchal Parishes & Rector of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, in accordance with the decision of His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Russia and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of March 24, 2022 (Journal №. 28), appointed Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov rector of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City and Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.

 "The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

Liturgical Calendar 

 

2022 October/November

 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, thus a Moleben was served on Sunday September 11th for students and teachers as they begin their academic studies. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:   

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2022/2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2022 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). A of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

2022 Church Calendars and 2022 Envelopes – 2022 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the upcoming Fall Harvest Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you for joining us in celebration of Greg Kauriga, as we thanked him for his many years of dedicated service as our parish choir director.  On behalf of Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of The Moscow Patriarchal Parishes of the USA, Fr Luka made the formal presentation of a gramota to Gregory, a priceless token to over five decades of service to The Holy Church and community. A luncheon was enjoyed in the church hall after Divine Liturgy, on Sunday October 22nd.

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2022, in memory of their departed loved ones

Commemorated October 10 / October 23 Today the Church remembers the 350 holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council under the holy Patriarch Tarasius (February 25). The Synod of 787, the second to meet at Nicea, refuted the Iconoclast heresy during the reign of Empress Irene and her son Constantine VI.

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List:Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Nadine (Schmidt), Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Jeffrey (Poedubicky), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Shiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine (Guglielmi), Elias (R. Guglielmi) Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, October 23rd Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Gail and Gregory (Shast) by Sokoluk Family

Gregory (Kauriga) on his birthday by Kauriga family

 

For Memory of Departed servants:  

Newly departed +Frank (Krewda) on his passing into eternal life by Veres Family 

Newly departed +Anne (Kobasa) on her passing into eternal life by Marlene Blaskevitch

Newly departed +Ian (Mellanby) on his passing into eternal life by Saverino Family 

Newly departed +Madeline (Popelak) on her passing into eternal life by Veres Family

Newly departed +Helen (Yurkow) on her passing into eternal life by Veres Family

Newly departed +Olga and +John (Candelori) on their passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Julianna (Sokoluk) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +Rose Marie (Staso) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Sydor and +Mary (Hrynick) by Sunny Vera Lawrence 

+Robin (Read) by Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Starr 

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in honor of servant of God, Gregory (Kauriga), on his birthday, by Sokoluk Family, Mnoghaya Lyeta! Many Years!

 

Join us in celebrating Greg Kauriga, as we thank him for his many years of dedicated service as our parish choir director. There will be a luncheon in our church hall after Divine Liturgy, today. 

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone II When Thou didst descend to death, O Life immortal, / Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead! / And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead, / all the powers of heaven cried out: / O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, All beyond thought, all most glorious, / are your mysteries, O Theotokos. / Sealed in purity, preserved in virginity, / you were revealed to be the true Mother who gave birth to the true God. / Entreat Him to save our souls.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, Hell became afraid, O Almighty Savior, / seeing the miracle of Thy Resurrection from the tomb! / The dead arose! Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoiced with Thee! / And the world, O my Savior, praises Thee forever.

 

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council Troparion, Most glorious art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our fathers upon the earth as beacons, and hast thereby guided us all to the true Faith! O greatly Compassionate One, glory be to Thee!

 

Kontakion The Son Who ineffably shone forth from the Father hath been born in two natures of a woman, and beholding Him we do not disdain to depict the form thereof. But, tracing it piously, we honor it in faith. Wherefore, the Church, holding to the true Faith, doth vener­ate the icon of the incarnation of Christ.

 

EPISTLE 2 CORINTHIANS 11:31-12:9  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands. It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows- how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

 

GOSPEL LUKE 7:11-16  Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people." 

 

EPISTLE HEBREWS 13:7-16 (FATHERS) Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

 

GOSPEL JOHN 17:1-13 (FATHERS) Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

 

News released by The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA

 

Archpriest Nikolai Babijtchouk reposed in the Lord  On October 20, 2022, after a severe & prolonged illness, rector-emeritus of the Church of All Saints who Shown Forth in the Russian Land at the Patriarchal Metochion in Pine Bush, NY, Archpriest Nikolai Babijtchouk, reposed in the Lord. ***The future pastor was born on October 10, 1957 in the village of Kizya in the Kamianets-Podilsk district of the Khmelnytskyi province to a family of workers. After graduating from school and serving in the army, he married Ekaterina Dudchak, who was a faithful companion and assistant to Fr. Nikolai in all places of his ministry. Fr. Nikolai and Matushka Ekaterina raised three daughters, who became faithful helpers in his parish service. On March 8, 1985, as a student at the Moscow Theological Seminary, he was ordained by its rector, Bishop Alexander (Timofeev) of Dmitrov, to the diaconate, and on October 6 of the same year, a priest. In 1987, after graduating from seminary, he served in the parishes of the Khmelnytskyi diocese. By the decision of His Holiness Patriarch Pimen and the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in February 20, 1989, he was appointed rector of the Church of all Saints who shown forth in the Russian Lands at the Patriarchal Metochion in Pine Bush, New York, of the Patriarchal parishes in the United States of America, where he served until his repose. Fr. Nicholas’ zealous service was celebrated by the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church with many ecclesiastical and church-wide awards, including the right to wear a mitre, which Fr. Nicholas was awarded by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on Holy Pascha, 2010. Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, expresses his sincere condolences to Matushka Ekaterina, the rector of the church, Priest Artemy Kulikovsky, children, relatives and spiritual children of Fr. Nikolai, and he calls on the clergy and faithful of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States to lift up their prayers for the newly repose. Eternal & grateful memory to Archpriest Nikolai!  "The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

Liturgical Calendar 

 

2022 October/November

 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, thus a Moleben was served on Sunday September 11th for students and teachers as they begin their academic studies. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:   

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2022/2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2022 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). A of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

2022 Church Calendars and 2022 Envelopes – 2022 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the upcoming Fall Harvest Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2022, in memory of their departed loved ones

 

Commemorated October 9 / September 26 The Holy, Glorious All-laudable Apostle and Evangelist, Virgin, and Beloved Friend of Christ, John the Theologian was the son of Zebedee and Salome, a daughter of Saint Joseph the Betrothed. He was called by our Lord Jesus Christ to be one of His Apostles at the same time as his elder brother James. 

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List:Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Nadine (Schmidt), Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Jeffrey (Poedubicky), Frank (Krewda), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Shiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine (Guglielmi), Elias (R. Guglielmi) Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, October 9th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Gail and Gregory (Shast) by Sokoluk Family

 

For Memory of Departed servants:  

Newly departed +Anne (Kobasa) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Madeline (Popelak) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Helen (Yurkow) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Olga and +John (Candelori) on their passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Julianna (Sokoluk) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +Rose Marie (Staso) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Sydor and +Mary (Hrynick) by Sunny Vera Lawrence 

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of servant of God, +Anne (Kobasa), on her passing into eternal life, by Sokoluk Family, Vechnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal!

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone VIII Thou didst descend from on high, O Merciful One! / Thou didst accept the three-day burial to free us from our sufferings! / O Lord, our Life and Resurrection: glory to Thee!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, For our sake Thou wast born of the Virgin / and did endure crucifixion, O Good One, / destroying death by death. / Revealing the resurrection as God, / do not despise the work of Thy hand. / Reveal Thy love for man, O merciful One, / and accept the Theotokos praying for us, / and save Thy despairing people, O Savior.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, By rising from the tomb, Thou didst raise the dead and resurrect Adam. / Eve exults in Thy Resurrection, / and the world celebrates Thy rising from the dead, O greatly Merciful One!

 

Repose of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, Troparion, O beloved apostle of Christ God,/ haste thou to deliver a defenceless people./ He Who permitted thee to recline against His breast/ receiveth thee, prostrate in supplication./ Him do thou beseech, O theologian,/ that He dispel the gloom of the nations which doth beset us,// asking for us peace and great mercy.

 

Kontakion, Who can recount thy mighty works, O virgin apostle?/ For thou pourest out miracles and causest healings to flow forth;/ and thou prayest for our souls,// in that thou art a theologian and the friend of Christ.

 

EPISTLE 2 CORINTHIANS 6:16-7:1 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:"I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." Therefore Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty." Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

GOSPEL LUKE 5:1-11 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

 

EPISTLE 1 JOHN 4:12-19 (APOSTLE) No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

 

GOSPEL JOHN 19:25-27; 21:24-25 (APOSTLE) Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

 

News released by The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA

 

Archpriest John Kassatkin reposed in the Lord 

On October 6, 2022, the feast of the Conception of the Holy Prophet and Baptist John, after a short illness, one of the senior-most clerics of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Archpriest John Kassatkin, rector emeritus of the Elevation of the Cross Church in Hackettstown, NJ, reposed in the Lord at the age of 82. The Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Archpriest George Konyev, performed the Sacrament of Unction and the Canon for the Departure of the Soul over the newly-departed just prior to his repose.

 

***Archpriest John was born on September 28, 1940, into a priest’s family of Priest Constantine and Matushka Josephine Kassatkin in Export, Pennsylvania. Having lost his father early, John took care of his mother and younger brother and sister, combining work with schooling. Despite a difficult childhood, John never abandoned his desire to receive a spiritual education and devote his life to serving God and the Holy Church. In his autobiography, the future priest wrote about it this way: “After the death of my father, I was more and more possessed by an ardent desire to become a priest. I saw that in our material age, few of my peers were ready to devote themselves to the Church. And I understood that the priesthood was more of a burden than a blessing, but my love for the Church put those fears into hindsight.”

 

In 1962, John Kassatkin entered full-time study at the Holy Trinity Theological Seminary in Paris. Due to family circumstances, he was unable to complete his studies. Returning to the United States, he married a parishioner of Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral in Passaic, NJ, Maxine Bernhardt. In 1972, the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Bishop Macarius of Uman (+2007) ordained John to the holy diaconate, and in 1974 he was ordained a priest, being assigned to serve as a full-time cleric of St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York City. In 1976, he was accepted for the distance learning program at the Leningrad Theological Seminary, where he completed his spiritual education under the rector, then-Bishop Kyrill, the current Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. In 1982 he was appointed rector of Elevation of the Cross Church in Hackettstown, New Jersey, where he served until the end of his days.

 

Due to Fr. John’s zealous and meritorious service, he was awarded by the hierarchy all the priestly awards, medals and orders of the Russian Orthodox Church including the right to wear the mitre in 1992. Father John was an unsurpassed connoisseur of the liturgical rubrics, generously sharing his experience of serving with the younger generation of clergy of our Church, actively participating in all diocesan events, and for many years was a member of the Bishop’s Council of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States. The Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, as well as his hierarchal predecessors, express their sincere condolences to the families and friends of the newly departed Archpriest John and pray for the repose of the sol of the faithful servant of the Church in the mansions of the righteous. Memory Eternal to Archpriest John!

 

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES FOR THE NEWLY-DEPARTED ARCHPRIEST JOHN KASSATKIN all services to be held at Elevation of the Holy Cross Church 909 County Rd 517, Hackettstown, NJ. Sunday. October 9 9:00am Arrival of the body of the newly-reposed Archpriest John; 9:30am - Divine Liturgy with visitation afterwards; 7:00pm - Rite of the Funeral of a Priest. Monday, October 10 10:00am - Divine Liturgy, Litiya; Interment at Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Saddle Brook, NJ 2:00pm - Repast "The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

 

Liturgical Calendar 

2022 October

 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, thus a Moleben was served on Sunday September 11th for students and teachers as they begin their academic studies. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:    

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2022/2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2022 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). A of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

2022 Church Calendars and 2022 Envelopes – 2022 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the upcoming Fall Harvest Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2022, in memory of their departed loved ones

Commemorated October 16 / October 3 Saint Dionysius lived originally in the city of Athens. He was raised there and received a classical Greek education. He then went to Egypt, where he studied astronomy at the city of Heliopolis. It was in Heliopolis, along with his friend Apollophonos where he witnessed the solar eclipse that occurred at the moment of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ by Crucifixion.

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List:Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Nadine (Schmidt), Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Jeffrey (Poedubicky), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Shiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine (Guglielmi), Elias (R. Guglielmi) Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, October 16th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of:  

Gail and Gregory (Shast) by Sokoluk Family

 

For Memory of Departed servants:  

Newly departed +Frank (Krewda) on his passing into eternal life 

Newly departed +Anne (Kobasa) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Ian (Mellanby) on his passing into eternal life by Saverino Family 

Newly departed +Madeline (Popelak) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Helen (Yurkow) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Olga and +John (Candelori) on their passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Julianna (Sokoluk) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +Rose Marie (Staso) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Sydor and +Mary (Hrynick) by Sunny Vera Lawrence 

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of servant of God, +Frank (Krewda), on his passing into eternal life, by Sokoluk Family, Vechnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal!

 

3rd Sunday Monthly Panikhida/Parastas offered today for the souls +newly departed & departed servants of God, offered by Justine Paul & Family; Justine & Greg; Stephen Nasobkow; Sokoluk Family; Staso Family; Peleszak Family; Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat!

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone I When the stone had been sealed by the Jews; / while the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure Body; / Thou didst rise on the third day, O Savior, / granting life to the world. / The powers of heaven therefore cried to Thee, O Giver of Life: / Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! / Glory to Thy Kingdom! / Glory to Thy dispensation, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, When Gabriel announced to Thee, O Virgin, “Rejoice!” / with that word the Master of all was incarnate in Thee, O Holy Ark. / As the righteous David said, / Thy womb became more spacious than the heavens, bearing Thy Creator. / Glory to Him Who took abode in Thee! / Glory to Him Who came from Thee! / Glory to Him Who freed us by being born of Thee!

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, As God, Thou didst rise from the tomb in glory, / raising the world with Thyself. / Human nature praises Thee as God, for death has vanished! / Adam exults, O Master! / Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage, and cries to Thee: / Thou art the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ!

 

St. Dionysius the Areopagite, Troparion, Having learned goodness and been watchful in all things,/ arrayed as befitteth a priest, in a good conscience,/ thou didst draw forth ineffable things from the chosen vessel;/ and, having kept the Faith, thou didst complete a course like unto his.// O hieromartyr Dionysius, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.

 

Kontakion, Having, through the spirit, passed the portals of heaven,/ as a disciple of the apos­tle who reached the third heaven, O Dionysius,/ thou wast enriched with all under­standing of ineffable things/ and hast illumined those who sit in the darkness of unbelief.// Wherefore, we cry out: Rejoice, O universal father!

 

EPISTLE 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-11  But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

 

GOSPEL LUKE 6:31-36  And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 

 

EPISTLE ACTS 17:16-34 (HIEROMARTYR) Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean. For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing. Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter." So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. 

 

GOSPEL MATTHEW 13:44-54 (HIEROMARTYR)  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old." Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

 

News released by The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA

Sts. Peter & Paul Church celebrates Quasquicentennial On Sunday, October 9, the feast of Holy Apostle & Evangelist John the Theologian, Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Scranton. PA joyously celebrated the 125th anniversary of the parish’s founding. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by parish rector, Archpriest Basil Micek, joined by Archpriest Roman Star (rector emeritus of St Innocent Church in Redford MI), Archpriest Michael Lepa, (parish administrator of St. Nicholas Church in Wilkes Barre PA), and Archpriest John Vass, (dean of the Atlantic States, rector of Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore MD). During the Liturgy, prayers were raised at the Litany for the Departed for the reposed parish parish rectors. At the end of Liturgy a Thanksgiving Moleben was served in honor of the 125th anniversary of the parish. A custom icon was written for the occasion depicting the Chiefs of the Apostles Peter & Paul along with Saint Alexis (Toth) founding rector, and Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia. The Icon was blessed at the end of Liturgy with copies given to all in attendance. Archpriest John Vass, read the greetings from His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA. On behalf of the Chancery of the Patriarchal Parishes, Fr. John presented an icon of the Holy Apostle Paul to the parish to commemorate the occasion. A festive banquet was held for all at a local restaurant after Liturgy.  "The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

New York City street dedicated in memory of St. Tikhon (Belavin), Patriarch of Moscow & all Russia On October 7, 2022, the 228th anniversary of the establishment of the Orthodox Mission on the North American Continent in 1794, at the intersection of Madison Avenue and East 97thStreet in Manhattan, where St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral is located, with the blessing of the Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the opening of the street sign "Saint Tikhon Way" took place. The ceremony was attended by the clergy of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, parishioners, management and partners of the Russian American Heritage Center (RACH-C). The decision of the authorities of New York City to award the honorary name of a section of the street in honor of St. Tikhon, who built and consecrated the cathedral in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in 1902, was the result of more than a decade of work by the clergy, parishioners, religious and public organizations. The initiator of perpetuating the memory of St. Tikhon in the tautonymy of New York and the first chairman of the working group was Archbishop Justinian (Ovchinnikov) during his tenure as Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA (2010-2014). On Sunday, October 9, the feast of the glorification of St. Tikhon (1989), Divine Liturgy was celebrated in St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York City amongst a large gathering of believers. After the service, it was announced to the parishioners about the dedication of the street. The Secretary of the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov), expressed deep gratitude for the invaluable help in organizing work with the authorities of the city at all levels, to the President of the Russian-American Heritage Center, Olga Sergeevna Zatsepina, and, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Russia, awarded her the Patriarchal medal in honor of St. Tikhon. O.S. Zatsepina noted that she perceives the sign of Patriarchal attention as a reward to all those who have worked to perpetuate the memory of St. Tikhon: parishioners, the Youth Department of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States, representatives of local religious and public organizations, members of the New York State Assembly, the business community of New York and those who composed official letters of support to the initiative of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Liturgy ended with the glorification to St. Tikhon and the polychronion to His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill, the authorities of New York and all those who labored for the good of the Holy Church. "The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

Clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA serve funeral for newly-reposed Archpriest John Kassatkin On Monday, October 10, the clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA bade farewell to one her senior-most clerics, Archpriest John Kassatkin who reposed in the Lord on October 6. On Sunday evening, October 9, the dean of the Eastern States, Priest Julian Ryabtsev served the Funeral Rite for a Priest co-served by clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes and other local jurisdictions. The church was filled with faithful who wished to raise up their prayers for their departed pastor. On Monday morning, the Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Archpriest George Konyev celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Elevation of the Cross Church in Hackettstown, NJ co-served by Archpriest Basil Micek (rector of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Scranton, PA), Archpriest Michael Lepa (parish administrator of St. Nicholas Church in Wilkes Barre, PA), Archpriest John Vass (dean of the Atlantic States), Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov; dean of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City), Archpriest Igor Tarasov (rector of St. George Church in Bayside, NY), Priest Julian Ryabtsev (dean of the Eastern States), Priest Andrew Massey (parish rector) and Priest Nicholas DeGraaff (cleric of Three Saints Church in Garfield, NJ). Singing at the Divine Liturgy was a combined choir of choristers from Three Saints Church in Garfield, NJ and the parish, under the direction of Rdr. George Konyev. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, a memorial litiya was served, after which the body of the newly-reposed Archpriest John was brought in procession around the church which he had served for almost forty years, with the singing of the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. Archpriest John was interred in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Saddle Brook, NJ amongst other departed priests of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA. "The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

Liturgical Calendar 

 

2022 October

 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, thus a Moleben was served on Sunday September 11th for students and teachers as they begin their academic studies. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links:   

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2022/2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2022 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). A of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

2022 Church Calendars and 2022 Envelopes – 2022 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the upcoming Fall Harvest Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2022, in memory of their departed loved ones

 

 

Commemorated September 27 / September 14 Troparion, O Lord, save Your people, / and bless Your inheritance. / Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians / over their adversaries. / And by virtue of Your Cross, / preserve Your habitation.

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List:Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Nadine (Schmidt), Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Jeffrey (Poedubicky), Frank (Krewda), Anne (Kobasa), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Shiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine (Guglielmi), Elias (R. Guglielmi) Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, October 2nd Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of: 

Ann (Kobasa) 

Gail and Gregory (Shast) by Sokoluk Family

Denise (Rutherford) on her birthday by Alexei, Amelia and Lucia

Daniel (Vogel) on his birthday by Sunny Vera Lawrence

Jacob (Vogel) on his birthday by Sunny Vera Lawrence

Kathryn (Vogel) on her birthday by Sunny Vera Lawrence

Deborah and Nicholas (Reeves) on their anniversary by Sunny Vera Lawrence

 

For Memory of Departed servants:   

Newly departed +Metropolitan Hilarion 

Newly departed +Metropolitan Herman

Newly departed +Ian (Mellanby) on his passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Madeline (Popelak) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Helen (Yurkow) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Olga and +John (Candelori) on her birthday

Newly departed +Julianna (Sokoluk) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +Rose Marie (Staso) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Katherine (Shelby) on anniversary of her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Mary (Hrynick) by Sunny Vera Lawrence 

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of servant of God, +Katherine (Shelby), on anniversary of her passing into eternal life, by Sokoluk Family, Vechnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal!

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone VII By Thy Cross, Thou didst destroy death! / To the thief, Thou didst open Paradise! / For the myrrhbearers, Thou didst change weeping into joy! / And Thou didst command Thy disciples, O Christ God, / to proclaim that Thou art risen, / granting the world great mercy!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, Since you are the treasure of our resurrection, / we put our hope in you, O all-praised one. / Lead us from the abyss of transgressions, / for you have saved those guilty of sin, / O evervirgin Mother of our salvation.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, The dominion of death / can no longer hold men captive, / for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers! / Hell is bound, while the prophets rejoice and cry: /”The Savior has come to those in faith! / Enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!

 

EPISTLE 2 CORINTHIANS 6:1-10 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

 

GOSPEL MATTHEW 25:14-30 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours. But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

EPISTLE GALATIANS 2:16-20 (SUNDAY AFTER THE UNIVERSAL ELEVATION) knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

 

GOSPEL MARK 8:34-9:1 (SUNDAY AFTER THE UNIVERSAL ELEVATION) When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power."

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

Liturgical Calendar

 

2022 October

 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services are upstairs in the Church proper.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, thus a Moleben was served on Sunday September 11th for students and teachers as they begin their academic studies. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Registration remains open until October 1st. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links: 

 

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2022/2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2022 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). A of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

2022 Church Calendars and 2022 Envelopes – 2022 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the upcoming Fall Harvest Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2022, in memory of their departed loved ones

 

Apodosis of the Nativity of the Theotokos

Commemorated September 25 / September 12 

Your Nativity, O Virgin, / has proclaimed joy to the whole universe! / The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, / has shone from You, O Theotokos! / By annulling the curse, / He bestowed a blessing. / By destroying death, He has granted us eternal Life

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List:Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Nadine (Schmidt), Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Jeffrey (Poedubicky), Frank (Krewda), Anne (Kobasa), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Shiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine (Guglielmi), Elias (R. Guglielmi) Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, September 25th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of: 

Ann (Kobasa) 

Gail and Gregory (Shast) on their anniversary by Sokoluk Family

Alexei (Sokoluk) on his birthday by Amelia and Lucia

Tatiana (Sokoluk Porch) on her birthday by Amelia, Lucia and Alexei

Daniel (Vogel) on his birthday by Sunny Vera Lawrence

Jacob (Vogel) on his birthday by Sunny Vera Lawrence

Kathryn (Vogel) on her birthday by Sunny Vera Lawrence

Deborah and Nicholas (Reeves) on their anniversary by Sunny Vera Lawrence

 

For Memory of Departed servants:   

Newly departed +Metropolitan Hilarion 

Newly departed +Metropolitan Herman

+Archpriest Vincent (Saverino) on anniversary of his passing by SaverinoFamily

+Carol Irene (Kauriga) on her birthday by Kauriga Family

Newly departed +Madeline (Popelak) on 40th day of her passing into eternal life by Peter Popelak

Newly departed +Helen (Yurkow) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Olga and +John (Candelori) on her birthday by Goddaughter Tatiana Sokoluk Porch

Newly departed +Julianna (Sokoluk) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +Rose Marie (Staso) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Mary (Hrynick) by Sunny Vera Lawrence 

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of servant of God, +Madeline Popelak, on the 40th day of her passing into eternal life, Vechnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal!

 

3rd Sunday Monthly Panikhida/Parastas offered today for the soul of +Madeline (Popelak) on her 40th day offered by Peter Popelak, and souls +newly departed & departed servants of God, offered by Justine Paul & Family; Justine & Greg; Stephen Nasobkow; Sokoluk Family; Staso Family; Peleszak Family; Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat!

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone VI The angelic powers were at Thy tomb; / the guards became as dead men. / Mary stood by Thy grave, / seeking Thy most pure Body. / Thou didst capture hell, / not being tempted by it. / Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life. / O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead: glory to Thee!

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, Thou Who didst call Thy mother blessed / came of Thine own will to the passion. / Shining on the cross, desiring to recall Adam, Thou didst say to the angels: / "Rejoice with Me, for the lost coin has been found." / Thou Who hast ordered all things in wisdom, / O our God, glory to Thee! (1x) Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forever more.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, When Christ God, the Giver of Life, / raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand, / He bestowed resurrection on the human race. / He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.

 

Troparion of the Feast Thy nativity, O Virgin Theotokos,/ hath proclaimed joy to all the world;/ for from thee hath shone forth Christ our God,/ the Sun of righteousness,/ Who hav­ing annulled the curse,/ hath given His blessing,// and having abolished death, hath granted us life everlasting

 

Kontakion of the Feast In thy holy nativity, O all-pure one, / Joachim and Anna are freed from the reproach of childlessness, / and Adam and Eve from mortal corruption. / And, delivered from sin, thy people celebrate it, crying out to thee:// A barren woman giveth birth to the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life!

 

EPISTLE 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6-15  For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed- always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 

 

GOSPEL MATTHEW 22:35-46 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" They said to Him, "The Son of David." He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord,' saying: The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"'? If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son? And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore. 

 

EPISTLE PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11 (THEOTOKOS) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

GOSPEL LUKE 10:38-42; 11:27-28 (THEOTOKOS) Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!" But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

 

EPISTLE GALATIANS 6:11-18 (SUNDAY BEFORE THE UNIVERSAL ELEVATION) See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. 

 

GOSPEL JOHN 3:13-17 (SUNDAY BEFORE THE UNIVERSAL ELEVATION) No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

Liturgical Calendar

 

2022 September/October

 

On Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, services remain downstairs in hall chapel until further notice.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, thus a Moleben was served on Sunday September 11th for students and teachers as they begin their academic studies. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Registration remains open until October 1st. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links: 

 

News released by The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA

 

NEW YORK CITY: BISHOP NICHOLAS OF MANHATTAN ELECTED FIRST HIERARCH OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OUTSIDE OF RUSSIA On Tuesday, 13 September, the election of His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, as the new First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia by its Council of Bishops took place. In accordance with the Act of Canonical Communion, signed on May 17, 2007, the Council will send the Act of Election, drafted by the vote-counting committee, to His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, with a request to bless the electee to assume the duties of the First Hierarch entrusted to him by his brother-archpastors, and for confirmation of the election by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. The rite of enthronement of His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, newly elected First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, will take place on Sunday, September 18. 

 

Schedule of Divine Services for the Enthronement of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad: Saturday, September 17 ‒ All-Night vigil in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign at 6:00 PM. At the end of the service, the newly elected Primate will emerge through the Royal Doors in a black klobuk and common bishop’s mantle and face the congregation. Two senior hierarchs will then present a white klobuk and blue mantle, which the newly elected First Hierarch will don, aided by subdeacons. At this moment, the senior-most hierarch will announce "Axios" ("he is worthy") which will be repeated first by the bishops then by the choir. After this, the Primate will bless the clergy and congregants. Before this, the blue mantle and white klobuk will be blessed with holy water by the senior-most hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad during the reading of the First Hour.

 

Sunday, September 18 ‒ Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral at 9:30 AM. After the reading of the entrance prayers and the customary vesting of the two senior hierarchs, the new Metropolitan will be escorted to the vesting area, when "Axios" will be repeated by the hierarchs and clergy, then by the choir. Divine Liturgy will commence in the customary manner. After the service, a moleben will be performed along with the entrusting of the archpastoral staff to the new Primate, which was blessed on the crypt of the Holy Hierarch Tikhon, Patriarch and Confessor of All Russia. Eastern American Diocese | Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia https://www.eadiocese.org

 

Prayers & Offerings

 

The Blessing of Graves 

If you are interested in having grave visitation at Oakland or a different cemetery, Fr. Luka is available. Please speak with Fr. Luka to make special arrangements.

 

The Blessing of Travelers

If you are leaving soon to travel away from home, please speak with Fr Luka to receive a blessing. 

 

The Blessing of Houses 

The priest comes to the home because he wants God's blessing to be upon it, and to know those in his flock better and to be available to them. Invite Fr. Luka to your home for a visit. A house can be blessed at any time. Please speak with Fr. Luka at 215-627-6148 to make special arrangements, or by emailing the office@saintmichaelsroc.org (House Blessings: 10 Things, http://www.orthodox.net/10things/theophany-house-blessings.html) 

 

Choir members needed – Our church choir could use some new members! If you like to sing, consider joining our choir. It is a rewarding way to use your voice to praise God. Please talk to our interim choir director to see if our choir is the place for you.  

 

Departed Servants of God Remembered / Praying for our Loved Ones

Throughout the church year, especially during Great Lent, there are special times to remember your loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord. On Soul Saturdays, Liturgy is served with a special memorial service for souls now departed from this life. Those names are read at the Litany for the Departed.  All of the names of the departed submitted are read at services automatically, throughout the year, including the monthly group commemoration of the dead service, Panikhida/Parastas. 

 

Monthly Panikhida Dates for 2022/2023

 

Memory Eternal! Vechnaya Pamyat! Departed Servants of God Remembered are offered by family and friends: Sandra Compo; Stephen Nasobkow; Justine Paul and Family, Justine and Gregory; Peleszak Family; Sokoluk Family; Saverino Family; Novakovic Family; Yankovoy Family; Yuschak Family; Yurkow/Pauluch/Kaczmarczik Family; Winsky Family; Veres Family; Sumilas Family; Storey Family; Staso Family; Smarkola Family; Sevast Family; James Patrick Family; Patrick/Weber Family; Mlynar Family; Kuzmich-Lawrence Family; Kunasz Family; Kobasa/Puglia Family; Kobasa/Bergantz Family; Kauriga Family; Ervin/Taylor Family; Compo-Pratt Family; Carlin Family; Candelori Family; Marlene Blaskevitch; Sidorsky/Barth Family; Melnick Family

 

Commemoration, Prayer and Service requests are being accepted through the mail. Please clearly state the preferred date(s) for service(s) and name(s) of person(s) to be prayed for and specify for health or departed, Health: Proskomedia - during the litany of mercy, life, peace, health, and visitation. For those that have passed: (specify newly departed, or in memory of) Proskomedia Litany for the departed Panikhida. Thank you. 

 

Candle Requests, we will light candles in your absence at Divine Services. Please submit by mailing your requests to the church address. Donations gladly accepted by check. Please earmark on memo line: "candles." All requests will be honored at Divine Liturgy on Sundays. 

A. 7-day vigils $4.00

B. Beeswax Regular $2.00 

C. Beeswax Thin Taper $1.00

D. Tea Lights  .50 cents 

 

Sponsors needed - Fresh Flowers on the tetrapod and altar – We would welcome sponsors for the fresh flowers on the tetrapod and altar. Donations help to defray the costs. Remember your loved ones by flowers “in memory of” or “in honor of” or donate just so we can beautify our church. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions. Thank you. 

 

Weekly Bulletin: Sponsors are welcome to help defray the costs of printing the weekly bulletin. We share the bulletin digitally, however, the paper version is appreciated by many. A hardcopy is important for those who are not tech-savvy, which is why we print and mail to those parishioners to keep them informed and connected. Donations are graciously accepted "in memory of/ in honor of" individuals/families. Please contact Ken Koscinski with any questions about the process. Thank you. 

 

 

Fundraisers

 

Amazon Smile – and Giant Gift Cards – Two good ways to support the church all through the year – first, when you shop online on Amazon – remember to choose St Michael the Archangel Russian Orthodox Church, Philadelphia – at smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our church. For details on the Amazonsmile program see Ed Veres. And Giant and Shoprite gift cards are available all year round – We have an existing fundraising program where for the amount you spend at these supermarket chains, they will return a portion of your total sales to the church directly. Details upon request in the office. 

 

 

Administration

 

Cards for your Wallet – Parishioners can get a “I am an Orthodox Christian” card to keep in your wallet. Pick one up in the office.  This is good to have in case of emergencies to let people know your religious affiliation. They were donated by Tatiana Saverino Sarris from a suggestion by Marlene Blaskevitch. Thank you to our parishioners!

 

2022 Membership Dues - are being accepted in the office on Sundays, or by mailing a check to the church address. Individual adult is $75 and Family $150 (adult(s) and children). A of $50 per adult is sent onto the Patriarchal Parishes of the USA and a general donation of $25 remains in the parish. If you require further assistance, please contact office@saintmichaelsroc.org

 

2022 Church Calendars and 2022 Envelopes – 2022 church calendars and envelopes are now available. Pick them up in the church vestibule. Thank you Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home for sponsoring the calendar.

 

Sunday Parking, please remember these helpful tips for parking in church lots, while attending services: 

 

Update Contact Information, Please send an email to office@saintmichaelsroc.org with any updates to your address, phone number(s), email address(es) and/or preferred methods of communication for you and/or your family. 

 

Friendly Reminder, Add address, FROM <saintmichaelroc@gmail.com> to your contacts list in order for you to help these parish emails arrive directly to your inbox. Without notice, emails may be delivered into your Spam folder, so please check. Adjustments to your settings and/or filters may also be helpful. 

 

 

Community & Caring

 

Philabundance – is the focus of our Sunday School Children’s charity drive during the upcoming Fall Harvest Season – Drop your non perishable food donations in our church hall. The Items you donate will be sent to shelters, food pantries, and after school feeding programs within our region. Donated food should be in boxes, cans, or plastic bottles and do not require refrigeration. Bread and baked goods are not good because of their shelf life. Requested Items include – canned fish, canned meats, canned stew chili, juice, breakfast cereal oatmeal, peanut butter among other items. Let’s support this important charity! 

 

 

Important Reminders

 

URGENT UPDATES: In the event of important news, information will be shared via parish Facebook page, email and parish website. Please remember to keep those who may not have email or internet service, up-to-date on advisories. If you have any doubts, call the church. Thank you.

 

Masks are Optional -The city of Philadelphia has lifted the indoor mask mandate therefore, masks are optional. Hand washing and hand sanitizer is available and it’s always good to be mindful of others personal space.

 

Live streaming of services from St. Michael the Archangel: Please visit our Facebook page (link at the bottom of this email) or navigate through our website to view streaming on Facebook. There is a small icon "f" on the upper right hand corner page of the homepage of our website. To view, Facebook membership is not required, to our understanding. In the event of technical difficulties, please note that services are also streamed by our dean, Fr. John Vass of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church www.youtube.com/user/HolyTrinitySermons 

 

How to participate in Divine Services at home?  What do you need? To fully participate in the Divine Services, undivided attention is most important. Prepare yourself as if you are leaving to attend in person by dressing for church. In front of you, place an icon (if you are not in the presence of your icon corner); a candle (safely, in a glass votive holder or lampada & never leave unattended); incense (safely, in an approved home censer & never leave unattended); Stand, sit, make the sign of the cross, bow and respond reverently as if you are present inside the church; May God hear your prayers as well as ours, together, as we lift our hearts and voices to the Lord our God. If you have properly kept Holy Water in your home, a drink from the cup will help nourish the soul and body. 

 

 

Thank you  

 

Thank you! Every week for the entire year there are 7-day vigil candles lit for the Large Lampada hanging above the Royal Doors; the two Lamps on the Tetrapod, and the two Lamps on the Confession Table. Thanks to the three individual families who are sponsoring these vigils for the year of 2022, in memory of their departed loved ones

 

 

Commemorated September 18 / September 05 

 

  The Holy Prophet Zachariah and the Righteous Elizabeth were the parents of the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John. They were descended from the lineage of Aaron: Saint Zachariah, son of Barach, was a priest in the Jerusalem Temple, and Saint Elizabeth was the sister of Saint Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos.

 

Spraznikom!

 

Prayer List: Archpriest Victor (Potapov), Priest Anthony, Hieromonk Savvaty, Hieromonk Sylvester, Abbot Tikhon, Mother Raphaela, Reader Samuel, Matushka Bridget, Nadine (Schmidt), Shirley (Blessing), Joel and Johanna (Patrick), Jeffrey (Poedubicky), Frank (Krewda), Anne (Kobasa), Arleen (Pauluch), James (Chafin), Elaine (Walsh), Joan (Sarchese), Sunny Vera (Lawrence), Lyubov (Pavuk), Janet (Grzybowski), Lisa (Shiede), Steve (Collinelli), Paul (Kauriga), Karen (Zukowsky), Elynore (Whelan), Daria (Champion), Ameila (Sokoluk), Lucia (Sokoluk), Christopher (Patrick), Lorraine (Guglielmi), Elias (R. Guglielmi) Michael (Champion), Roman (Ron Vroon), Justine (Paul)

 

Sunday, September 18th Divine Liturgy offered:

For the Health of: 

Gail and Gregory (Shast) by Sokoluk Family

Daniel (Vogel) on his birthday by Sunny Vera Lawrence

Jacob (Vogel) on his birthday by Sunny Vera Lawrence

Kathryn (Vogel) on her birthday by Sunny Vera Lawrence

Deborah and Nicholas (Reeves) on their anniversary by Sunny Vera Lawrence

 

For Memory of Departed servants:   

Newly departed +Metropolitan Hilarion 

Newly departed +Metropolitan Herman

Newly departed +Madeline (Popelak) on 40th day of her passing into eternal life by Peter Popelak

Newly departed +Helen (Yurkow) on her passing into eternal life

Newly departed +Olga and +John (Candelori) on their passing into eternal life 

Newly departed +Julianna (Sokoluk) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

Newly departed +Rose Marie (Staso) on her passing into eternal life by Sokoluk Family

+Mary (Hrynick) by Sunny Vera Lawrence 

+Gilbert (Read) by Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Starr

 

Flowers on the tetrapod and on the altar are in memory of servant of God, +Madeline Popelak, on the 40th day of her passing into eternal life, Vechnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal!

 

Troparion of the Sunday, Tone V Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, / Co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, / born for our salvation from the Virgin, / for He willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh, / to endure death / and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.

 

Hymn to the Theotokos, Rejoice, O impassable gate of the Lord! / Rejoice, O wall and protection of those who run to you! / Rejoice, O unshakable refuge! / Rejoice, O Virgin Mother of your God and Creator! / Do not cease praying for those who praise you and worship your Son. (1x) Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forever more.

 

Kontakion of the Sunday, Thou didst descend into hell, O my Savior, / shattering its gates as almighty; / resurrecting the dead as Creator, / and destroying the sting of death. / Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Man, / and we all cry to Thee: "O Lord, save us!"

 

Troparion of Holy Prophet Zachariah In the vesture of a priest, according to the Law of God,/ thou didst offer unto Him well-pleasing whole-burnt offerings,/ as it befitted a priest, O wise Zacharias./ Thou wast a shining light, a seer of mysteries,/ bearing in thyself clearly the signs of grace;/ and in God's temple, O wise Prophet of Christ God, thou wast slain with the sword.// Hence, with the Forerunner, make entreaty that our souls find salvation.

 

Kontakion On this day Zacharias, the prophet and venerable priest of the Most High,/ the father of the Forerunner,/ setteth the table of his memorial, feeding the faithful;/ for he hath distributed the food of righteousness unto all.// Wherefore, he hath reposed as a divine initiate of the mysteries of the grace of God.

 

EPISTLE 2 CORINTHIANS 1:21-2:4 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand. But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you. 

 

GOSPEL MATTHEW 22:1-14  And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding." ' But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 'Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen. 

 

EPISLTE HEBREWS 6:13-20 (PROPHET)  For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

 

GOSPEL MATTHEW 23:29-29 (PROPHET)  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.' Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us continue to fervently pray for the protection and well being of the people of Ukraine, for the immediate cessation of all military action and hostilities and for the complete restoration of peace. Let us always remember that, first and foremost, we are Orthodox Christians. And our Holy Orthodox Church, throughout history, has united Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and people of all ethnicities into the one, true, Orthodox faith. We are brothers and sisters regardless of borders!

 

Ukrainian Refuge Relief - Our parish is collecting funds to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering in Eastern Europe - please consider donating to help the refugees as they will need help for much time to come. You can donate with a check or cash in the office, or see Elijah Williams who is heading up this charitable project.

 

Back to Pre-Covid ways – We are on our way back to our days before COVID! Social activities have resumed and all are welcome!  We have resumed passing the basket so please remember that your donations keep our church going – please be as generous as you can! We thank you in advance for your generosity.

 

Coffee Hour Help Needed We are happy to announce that Coffee Hour is now being offered in the church hall. It has been some time and we are looking for volunteers to be hosts. Debbie Barth is leading the effort and has created a sign up calendar in the hall. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please see her. Thank you!

 

Fr. Luka has returned from his time away. Our sincere gratitude to Fr. Gregory (Winsky) for providing coverage for our parish while Fr. Luka was away. Please do not hesitate to contact Fr Luka (215) 627-6148 for any reasons, questions or concerns. Thank you.

 

Liturgical Calendar

 

2022 September

 

Schedule returns to Winter Hours on Sundays, Divine Liturgy will be at 10AM, beginning Sunday, September 18th; services remain downstairs in hall chapel until further notice.

 

Sunday School News A new school year is underway, thus a Moleben was served on Sunday September 11th for students and teachers as they begin their academic studies. Program welcomes youth from Pre-K through 12th Grade. Registration remains open until October 1st. Please speak with Fr Luka or Nadine Sokoluk. 

 

Commemoration of Saints

Please visit links: 

 

News released by The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA

 

In Memoriam His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)

On September 6, 2022, His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko), retired Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 90. He had served as Metropolitan of All America and Canada from 2002 until his retirement in 2008. May Metropolitan Herman’s memory be eternal! oca.org

 

Patriarchal Condolences on the repose of His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko) His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Russia expressed condolences on the death of the former Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, Metropolitan Herman (Svaiko), who reposed in the Lord on September 6, 2022. 

His Beatitude, Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada

Your Beatitude, beloved in the Lord Brother and concelebrant at the throne of God! With sorrow I received the news of the repose of the former Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, Metropolitan Herman. I express my sincere sympathy to Your Beatitude, the episcopate, the clergy and all the faithful children of Church in America in connection with this heavy loss. The reposed hierarch devoted his life to the Great and Marvelous God: for almost sixty years he was a zealous servant of the Lord's altar, of which for almost half a century in the episcopal rank. As Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, Vladyka made efforts to develop good relations with the Moscow Patriarchate and often visited our Fatherland. I will always keep warm memories of Metropolitan Herman and numerous meetings with him in my heart. The merciful Lord, who gives the dead resurrection and immortality (canon of the 5th tone on Saturday Matins), establish His faithful servant in the heavenly abode and grant him memory eternal. With condolences, +KYRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA "The Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA - www.mospatusa.com"

 

NEW YORK CITY: BISHOP NICHOLAS OF MANHATTAN ELECTED FIRST HIERARCH OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OUTSIDE OF RUSSIA On Tuesday, 13 September, the election of His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, as the new First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia by its Council of Bishops took place. In accordance with the Act of Canonical Communion, signed on May 17, 2007, the Council will send the Act of Election, drafted by the vote-counting committee, to His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, with a request to bless the electee to assume the duties of the First Hierarch entrusted to him by his brother-archpastors, and for confirmation of the election by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. The rite of enthronement of His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, newly elected First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, will take place on Sunday, September 18. 

 

Schedule of Divine Services for the Enthronement of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad: Saturday, September 17 ‒ All-Night vigil in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign at 6:00 PM. At the end of the service, the newly elected Primate will emerge through the Royal Doors in a black klobuk and common bishop’s mantle and face the congregation. Two senior hierarchs will then present a white klobuk and blue mantle, which the newly elected First Hierarch will don, aided by subdeacons. At this moment, the senior-most hierarch will announce "Axios" ("he is worthy") which will be repeated first by the bishops then by the choir. After this, the Primate will bless the clergy and congregants. Before this, the blue mantle and white klobuk will be blessed with holy water by the senior-most hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad during the reading of the First Hour.