synaxis of the saints of carpatho-rus june 21, 2020 st...

Synaxis of the Saints of Carpatho-Rus June 21, 2020

Weekly ScheduleAll services are available for viewing through Facebook Live

Sunday, June 21—9:30 AM; Divine Liturgy & Panachida for Departed Parish Fathers

Sunday, June 28—9:30 AM; Divine Liturgy

Sunday, June 28—1:30 PM; Virtual Parish Semi-Annual Meeting

Confessions are by appointment only until further notice.

If you would like to receive the Eucharist, please call Fr. Nick to schedule an appointment.

If there is an emergency, please call Fr. Nick immediately.

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Fr. Nicholas Mihaly, Pastor

1123 East Avenue Erie, PA 16503 H: (814) 453-4902 C: (203) 241-1027 [email protected]

More Information

Parish Website: www.stnicholaserie.org

Diocesan Website: www.acrod.org

www.facebook.com/StNicholasErie/

Welcome!

If you are new to our parish, welcome! St. Nicholas is a welcoming Orthodox Christian parish. As a reminder, only those Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves are invited to receive Communion. For all of our visitors, Orthodox or non-Orthodox, please join us for coffee downstairs; meet Fr. Nick & the parishioners!

ST. NICHOLAS ORTHODOX CHURCH “Let us therefore strive to preserve the holiness of our souls and to guard the purity of our

bodies with all fervor”-St. Nicholas of Myra

American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese | Ecumenical Patriarchate

http://www.stnicholaserie.org

http://www.acrod.org

http://www.facebook.com/StNicholasErie/


http://www.stnicholaserie.org

http://www.acrod.org




Parish Statement on Covid 19Out of concern for the safety of our parishioners, the Erie community and the world at large, all services at St. Nicholas are closed to the general public. In addition, all other social activities are also canceled or postponed. These drastic measures are being taken to help decrease the risk of infection. It is important that we not be selfish in trying to “keep business as usual” and that means giving up social and fundraising activities at this point in time. However, while you may not be in Church physically on Sunday morning or during the Lenten services, you can still pray with Fr. Nick as the services will be live-streamed via Facebook at www.facebook.com/StNicholasErie. It is the teaching of the Church that the Divine Liturgy, even if it is attended physically by only one or two people, is offered “in behalf of all and for all.” Thus, through the Holy Spirit, you are still present in the Church and made part of the Body of Christ during every Divine Liturgy. May our prayers during this difficult time in our world’s history bring health, peace and holiness to a world in desperate need of God’s mercy and love.

Semi-Annual Parish MeetingThis is the third of three official announcements for our parish semi-annual meeting which will be held virtually on Sunday, June 28. All parishioners who have fulfilled their spiritual and financial obligations are encouraged to attend. If you do not have internet access, you can still participate in the meeting via phone. Please see Board President Richard Koerner for more information.

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Upcoming Events

• June 28—Semi-Annual Meeting (more details will be provided)

• August 30—Parish Picnic

Thank You!

Many of you have, without prompting or asking, sent in your weekly envelopes and other donations to your church. Thank you for remembering your parish family during the economic uncertainties at this time.

We also want to thank the Irwin Family for their tireless efforts in cleaning and sanitizing the church before and after services, especially during the COVID19 pandemic.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

If you would like Many Years to be sung for you or a loved one, please let Fr. Nick know prior to the beginning of Divine Liturgy

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25 Luke & Lisa (Schmidt) Turin—20th Anniversary

29 Kevin & Kathleen (Beveridge) Mizak—34th Anniversary

30 Reader David & Debra (Johnson) Tarasovich—13th Anniversary

http://www.facebook.com/StNicholasErie


Easter Egg HuntOur parish Easter Egg Hunt that was originally scheduled for April 4th and then postponed due to the pandemic has officially been cancelled.

Confessions and Sick CallsAt this time, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory, confessions and non-emergency pastoral visits can resume (emergency pastoral visits were never suspended by our hierarch). If you would like to go to confession, it is by appointment only until further notice—NO EXCEPTIONS. All confessions will take place with appropriate social distance measures. If, at this time, you are uncomfortable attending Divine Liturgy due to health issues and concerns, please call Fr. Nick to schedule an appointment if you would like to receive communion. And as always, if there is an emergency, do not hesitate to call Fr. Nick.

Food ’n CruzeOur Food ’n Cruze has been postponed until further notice. Please follow our parish Facebook page and website for updates. We will keep everyone informed as more information about our parish activities becomes available.

Altar Boy Retreat & Young Women’s EncounterDue to the ongoing pandemic, the Diocese has decided to move the Altar Boy Retreat & Young Women’s Encounter to an online format June 29-July 1. The cost for each retreat which includes a t-shirt and postage for retreat materials is $30.00. For more information and to register, please see Fr. Nick.

Camp NazarethDue to the ongoing pandemic, Camp Nazareth will be held virtually this year. Our deanery’s week of virtual camp is July 19-24. The cost is $25.00 and will cover a care package and a T-shirt. Please go to www.campnazareth.org to register or see Fr. Nick.

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http://www.campnazareth.org


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Parish Prayer List“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of

a righteous man has great power in its effects.” James 5:16

For the Health of…Fr. John Baranik, Fr. Lawrence Barriger, Fr. Kenneth Bachofsky, Fr. James Gleason, Fr. John Gido, Fr. George Livanos, Fr. Michael Polanichka, Fr. Michael Rustick, Fr. Peter Staviski, Fr. Jonathan Tobias, Fr. David Smoley, Pani Donna Smoley, Pani Dorothy Hutnyan, Pani Marie Brancho, Pani Eleanor Herbert, Pani Connie Miloro, Pani Eleanor Pribish, Pani Dolores Zuder, Matushka Gail Mathewson, George Arghyrou, Ashley Barber, James Battaglini, Gregory Beskid, Douglas Borkowski, Christian Brown, Emma Burkell, John Candia, Robert Carlisle, Sandy Carlisle, Neil Chaudhary, Gail Collister, Robert Collister, Thomas Decerbo, James DeHaven, Mark DeHaven, Mary Ellen Demyanovich, Maribeth Derer, Peter Dimitriadis, Helen Douglas, Curtis Elrod, Chad Feli, Irene Fendya, Ann Fuller, Bennett Heberle, Joseph Hulse, Alan Irwin, Tom Izzi, Athanasios Kehagias, Aggie Kiehart, Richard Koerner, Jean Kramer, Olivia Kuzmin, Evelyn McCambridge, Mike McCambridge, Orestes Mihaly, Sadie Mihaly, Mark Mizak, Theodore Molly, Nicole Naccash, John Novak, Nina Paliouras, Stavros Rallis, Donna Rowald, Barbara Scheibeck, Richard Schrader, Alyn Shedden, Emily Silvera, Athena Silvestri, Elizabeth Skalko, Joseph Skalko, Isabella Smith, Eric Spiegelberg, Anastasia Thompson, Vicktor Volpe, Leona Vukmer, Cheryl Walker, David Walker, Jake & Lauren, Steven, Inna, Justin, Katlyn Wyant, Adam Wyborski, Elaine Wyborski, George Yurcan, Fred Zetts…through the prayers of St. Nectarios the Wonderworker & St. Panteleimon the Great-Martyr and Healer

For the Repose of…Fr. George Havrila, Fr. George Hutnyan, Fr. Michael Shuster, Fr. Thomas Parthenakis, Fr. Michael Psenechnuk, Pani Charlotte Conjelko, Pani Patsy Joseph, Lee Anthony, Elizabeth Beck, Ed Griffith, John Halama, Sr., Martin Howley, Miko Jovanovich, John Kloss, David Lee, Dawn Marie Lucas, Diane McConkey, Richard Molly, Serge Mihaly, Gregory Nakonecznyj, Donna Novak, Edward Pehanich, Sr., Robert Perevuznik, Sr., Natalia Petrashevskaya, Stelian Popescu, Laura Robinson Russo, Edith Serke, Irene Schwab, Maureen Sekel, Peter Sima, Evangelia Spiridoulias, Dorothy Steiner, Paul Tobias, Eugene Weisser, Barbara Wisnosky, Steve Zulovich, Guillermo…May their memories be eternal!

If you have someone you would like to be added to the prayer list, please see Fr. Nick


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WEEKLY OFFERINGS – Sunday, June 14, 2020

DONOR $2.00 WEEKLY CANDLES FOR HEALTH GIVEN FOR Tamara Kloss Brother George Hazuda Tamara Kloss Uncle Very Reverend Protopresbyter Michael Polanichka John Lipchik Jr. & Kathleen Boyce Aunt Marge Sima Kathleen Boyce Families of Brother John Lipchik Jr. and Husband Gary Boyce David Lipchik His Family Phyllis Tarasovich Herself and Family Phyllis, Reader David, & Debra Tarasovich Sister-in-law/Aunt Margaret Lucas’ Birthday, June 18 Patricia Molly Husband Theodore Molly George Kramer Jr. & Joanne Coursin Theodore Molly Mark & Jenny Beskid Theodore Molly DONOR $2.00 WEEKLY CANDLES FOR THE DECEASED GIVEN FOR Tamara Kloss Parents Very Rev. Proto. Ronald & Pani Dolores Hazuda Tamara Kloss Husband John Kloss Douglas & Jean LaBoda and Family His Father Michael LaBoda Douglas & Jean LaBoda and Family His Mother Virginia LaBoda Richard & Susanne Demchak Beloved Parents Joseph & Susan Demchak Dr. George & Kitty Kuzmishin Beloved Family Members John Lipchik Jr. & Kathleen Boyce Parents John Sr. & Helena Lipchik and Uncle Peter Sima Atty. Janet Belliveau Parents Douglas & Anne (Demyanovich) Liebel David Lipchik Parents Steve & Ann Lipchik Phyllis Tarasovich Deceased in the Tarasovich and Kelley Families Phyllis Tarasovich Miko Jovanovich Reader David & Debra Tarasovich Grandson Carter Robert Egloff Reader David & Debra Tarasovich Her Sister Diane McConkey Mark & Jenny Beskid Her Mother Agnes Wilson’s 35th Anniversary of Death, June 18 CATEGORY AMOUNT CATEGORY AMOUNT Candles 63.00 Wish List* 1,000.00 Regular Envelopes 539.01 Total Income 1,602.01 *Thank you to St. Nicholas ACRY Chapter #49 for their Wish List donation towards the newly installed Stair Lift. ATTENDANCE MAXIMUM OF 24 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE BESIDES FATHER NICK (ALL SERVICES WERE LIVESTREAMED ON FACEBOOK) Divine Liturgy for the Synaxis of the Holy Spirit (Mon., Jun. 8): 2 (Over 180 Views) Baptism of Azariah Noah Mihaly (Sat., Jun. 13): Over 590 Views Divine Liturgy (Sun., Jun. 14): 20 (Over 140 Views) MAY 2020 CHURCH YEAR 2020 YTD (11/01/19 TO 05/31/20) Income 12,864.89 Income 72,635.80 Expenses 10,545.16 Expenses 58,946.18 (Loss)/Gain 2,319.73 (Loss)/Gain 13,689.62


By Fr. Edward Pehanich

Many modern advertisers promote their products by showing a before/after picture of a person who used their cleaning product, diet pills, etc. The point of the commercial or ad is to show results, that is, proof that the product “works”. The two Sundays after Pentecost are a meditation and a celebration of the impact of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of men and women throughout history. It is in the lives of holy men and women – the Saints – that we see the fruit of the descent of the Holy Spirit and the reason why He was sent: for the sanctification and enlightenment of the faithful. The first Sunday after Pentecost is known as the Sunday of All Saints in which we honor all the known and unknown holy men and women throughout history who were sanctified by the descent Holy Spirit. The second Sunday after Pentecost is another Sunday of All Saints but more focused: it honors the holy men and women of a certain nation or region such as All Saints of Russia, All Saints of Mount Athos. In 2005, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of blessed memory established within our Diocese the commemoration of All Saints of Carpatho-Rus on the second Sunday after Pentecost. The descent of the Holy Spirit has produced many fruits of holiness and virtue among the people of Carpatho-Russia, even within our own time until the present day. Along with the holy men and women of more ancient times such as Sts. Cyril and Methodius and St. Moses Uhryn there many modern examples of the work of the Holy Spirit:

St. Alexis of Wilkes-Barre was one of the original Greek Catholic priests to arrive in America to minister to the Carpatho-Russian immigrants in the late 19th century. Finding rejection and ignorance from the Roman Catholic bishops, he embraced the Orthodox Faith in 1891 and began a ministry of freeing the Carpatho-Russians from the domination of Rome. He suffered lies, slander and violence as he ministered in the steel and mining towns of the United States. He presented himself to the Lord from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1909.

St. Maxym Sandovich served as a missionary priest among the Carpatho-Russians after his

ordination in 1911. After less than a year of ministry, he was arrested by the Catholic Austro-Hungarian authorities spending two years in prison. Released in 1914, he continued his priestly ministry only to be arrested again within a few months. This time Father Maxym was dragged before a firing squad, his priestly cross ripped from around his neck and he received the crown of a martyr on August 6, 1914.

St. Gorazd Pavlik Bishop of the Orthodox Church of Czechoslovakia who worked tirelessly to build up the

Orthodox Faith in that nation and among the Carpatho-Russians. When the German Nazi governor Heydrich was assassinated in 1942 the assassins fled to the Orthodox Cathedral in Prague. Attempting to end the violence, Bishop Gorazd went to the Nazis and offered himself in exchange for the safety of his priests and his people. Bishop Gorazd was arrested, tortured and executed by a Nazi firing squad on September 4, 1942.

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Lights from the Carpathians


St. Alexis Kabalyuk of Khust, Apostle of Carpatho-Russia Missionary among the Carpatho-Russian Greek Catholics who desired to return to the Orthodox Faith eventually leading over 14,000 people into Orthodoxy. For his efforts, the Hungarian authorities arrested Father Alexis and sentenced him to four a half years in prison. When Tsar Nicholas II heard of the priest’s sufferings, he awarded him a gold pectoral cross for his confession of the Faith. Upon his release at the end of World War I, Father Alexis helped to establish the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox church. He presented himself to the Lord peacefully in 1947 and was glorified as a saint in 2001.

St. Job Kundria of Ugolka St. Job was a monk, abbot of the monastery in Mukachevo and later exiled by the Communist authorities to the remote village church in Malaya Ugolka. Here in the village church, Father Job faithfully served for 23 years, becoming known as a starets or elder as people flocked to him for advice and guidance. He was known to be clairvoyant and the worker of miracles. He died peacefully in 1985 and was glorified as a saint in 2007

Holy Saints of Carpatho-Rus, pray to God for us!

Along with these saints who have been officially recognized by the Church, there are many individuals whose light from the Holy Spirit burned brightly in the Carpathians but who have not yet been numbered among the Saints:

Other Righteous Lights

Joachim Vakarov This Carpatho-Russian peasant was arrested by the Hungarian authorities in 1904 when he and his fellow villagers of Iza returned to the Orthodox Faith. Sentenced to fourteen months in prison his land, home and livestock were auctioned to pay fines. After his release from prison, he and his family were destitute. Joachim was arrested again and this time tortured to death. Since no Orthodox priest could legally minister in Carpatho-Russia, the villagers conducted his funeral.

Abbess Nina Born with the name Juliana Prokop she embraced a life of prayer and fasting at a young age. In 1914 she and her companions were arrested, taken out in the middle of winter, stripped, drenched with water and beaten. She was arrested again in 1918 and this time beaten almost to the point of death, remaining unconscious for three days. Despite the torture, Juliana refused to renounced Orthodoxy or her monastic life. She later becoming the abbess and founder of the Convent of Lipcha and Abbess of the Convent of St. Nicholas in Mukachevo where she lies buried.

Father Theophan Sabov was the administrator of the Mukachovo-Presov Diocese, arrested by the Communists and executed by them in 1945.

Father Vasily Pronin A spiritual son of St. John Maximovitch while living in Serbia, he was a priest-monk who labored in various parishes in Carpatho-Rus. Clairvoyant elder and Spiritual Father of the Convent of St. Nicholas in Mukachevo. A highly educated and cultivated man who spoke 14 languages he was described as a pastor who “loved everyone, forgave everyone and warms the hearts of all with his spiritual father’s love. He died peacefully in 1997, having predicted the day of his death. He was buried in the cemetery at the Convent of St. Nicholas but his body has since been placed in a shrine inside the church where healings are said to occur.

Righteous men and women of Carpatho Rus: Vicnaja jemu pamjat! Eternal memory!

To this list of righteous men and women of Carpatho-Rus, can we hope and pray that one day the name of His Eminence, Metropolitan Orestes Chornock can be added? Confessor of the Faith? He suffered much in his return to Orthodoxy: court cases, slander, lies, deprivation. Apostle? He led at least 30,000 people in their embrace of the Orthodox Faith. May his memory be eternal! Vicnaja jemu pamjat!

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Diocesan COVID-19 Prayer List

Our Diocese is compiling names of those who have contracted COVID-19; those who have reposed from COVID-19; and those medical professionals working on the front-lines. If you have someone

you would like to add to this list so that the whole Diocese can raise them in prayer, please speak with Fr. Nick. May God grant healing to those afflicted with this virus and strength to those on the

front-lines; and may the memories of those lost be eternal!

PRAYER REQUESTS CONNECTED TO PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 UPDATE #6 (as of 6-5-20)

Those who have fallen asleep in the Lord

William Ann Katherine Andrew Sr.

Anthony David Warren Tekla

Edward Margaret Susanne Helene

Mary Katherine Annette Warren

Barbara John Bernadette Sara

Mary Lydia Eileen Gloria

Darline Andreas David Helen

Gabby

Those who are sick Ronald Mario Olivia

Tairy Jayden John

Daniel Jackson Jennifer the Nurse

Heriberto Luz Marie

Patricia Adelaine Nicole

Thaddeus Aaron Nicole

John Amancio Natalie

Michael Bertha Timothy

Vincent Edda Alex

Nina Barbara A.J.

Josephine Sonia Adrian the Deacon

Juliana Melissa Alex the Priest

John Karen Chuck

Megan David Chris

Lisa Bertha John

Sara Krystal Anna

Ed Natalia Pauline

Darren Nicholas Holly

Emily Gregory Desiree the Nurse

Chester Candice Justine

Kenneth the Priest Maribeth Anna

Carlos Athanasios Michael the Priest

Yennifer Paul Melissa

Elena Olivia Regina

Helene John Eleanor

Vanessa Jennifer the Nurse Yolanda

Corona Margaret Karen

Enrique Patrick James

Gabby Gregory Nona

William James Bill

Neil Diana Anna


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Those who are healthcare providers and first responders Jennie the Nurse Lisa the Provider Thomas the Doctor Mercedes the Nurse Colleen the Provider Randy the Provider Mike the EMT Fundador the Nurse Helen the Provider DJ the Firefighter Ava the Provider Marita the PA Kenny the Firefighter Michael the Doctor Marissa the Nurse Melissa the Nurse Jennie the Provider Jordan the Provider Anne Marie the Nurse Mary the Nurse Julia the Provider Maria the Nurse Alexandra the Nurse Sara the Provider Nicholas the Paramedic/EMT Melanie the Provider Katrina the Nurse Meghan the Nurse Ashley the Provider Sandra the Nurse Kathryn the Nurse Naomi the Nurse Sharon the Nurse Nancy the Nurse Angela the Nurse Stephanie the Nurse Jennifer the Nurse Kim the Doctor Laura the Nurse Matthew the First Responder Angela the Doctor David the Firefighter Ashley the Nurse Natalia the Nurse Amelia the Nurse Nicholas the EMT Marina the Nurse Aaron the Doctor Lori the PA Svetlana the Provider Matthew the Doctor Lauren the Nurse Nellie the Provider Rhiannon the NP Peter the EMT Matthew the First Responder Cheryl the Nurse Mariana the Pharmacist Linda the LPN Suzanne the CMA Silvio the Doctor Patricia the Nurse Jennifer the CMA Irene the Provider Natalia the Nurse Debbie the Med Assistant Paige the Provider Lazarus the Doctor Martha the Med Assistant Carole the Provider Philip the Doctor Marina the Med Assistant Brandt the Provider Jamie the PA Andrea the Med Assistant Jessica the Provider Bonnie the PA Megan the Doctor Marc the Provider Maria the Provider Natalie the Nurse Danielle the Provider Michele the Nurse Stephanie the Nurse Dawn the Provider Linda the Doctor Greg the Paramedic/Firefighter Shannon the Provider John the Doctor Megan the Nurse Mary Ellen the Provider Richard the Doctor Mary the Provider Coleen the Provider Allison the Doctor Anna the Provider Jamie the Provider Peter the Doctor Irma the Doctor Marc the Provider Thomas the Doctor Peter the Deacon/1st Responder Judy the Provider Joseph the Doctor Joseph the Provider Danielle the Provider Mary the Doctor Wesley the Provider Peter the Provider Elizabeth the Nurse Kelly the Nurse Lauren the Provider CG the Firefighter Jennifer the PA Meagan the Provider Maureen the Nurse Scott the First Responder Helen the Provider Lillian the Doctor Bill the First Responder Marianna the Provider Michael the Priest and Doctor Vincent the First Responder Oksana the Provider Julia the Nurse Daniel the First Responder Ann the Provider Nabiel the Nurse Elaine the Provider Paul the Provider Patricia the Provider Serena the Pediatric MA


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Cassandra the Provider Louis the Provider Melissa the Nurse Danielle the Respiratory Therapist Matthew the Provider Kathy the Nurse Katarina the Nursing Student Nicole the Physical Therapist Helen the Nurse Debra the Nurse Susan the Provider Donna the Provider Will the Provider Cameron the Provider Karen the Provider Tamra the Provider Saundra the Provider Michael the First Responder Michelle the Provider Kathy the Provider Jerry the First Responder Eric the Provider Sara the First Responder Collin the First Responder Pat the First Responder Mark the Essential Worker Nicholas the Essential Worker William the Essential Worker Chad the Nurse Gabriella the Nurse Joshua the PA Heather the X-ray Tech Jeff the X-ray Tech Lisa the Pharmacist Michael the Nurse Maria the Doctor Justin the Doctor Ying the Doctor Stephanie the Doctor Eli the Doctor Ethan the Doctor Cassandre the Doctor Shadi the Doctor Alpha the Doctor Johann the Doctor Jeffery the Doctor Helen the Doctor Dana the Doctor Joseph the Doctor Joe the Doctor Brian the Doctor Nishan the Doctor Robert the PA Lisa the Nurse Lisa the Nurse Jackie the Nurse Caryl Ann the Nurse Carol the Nurse Lisa the Dietician Heather the Dietician Rachel the Dietician Merideth the Dietician Laure the Dietician Sarah the Social Worker Caitlin the Social Worker Natalia the Social Worker Renjbar the Pharmacist Anastasia the Pharmacist Courtney the Pharmacist Lori the Provider Meghan the Provider Matthew the Provider Joe the Provider Lina the Provider Rita the Provider Christina the Provider Shirley the Provider Sue the Provider Susan the Provider Sandra the Provider Helen the Provider Shari the Provider Sandy the Provider Tammy the Provider Jessica the Provider Tara the Provider Maria the Provider Chen the Provider John the Provider Bob the Provider Sean the Provider Hannah the Provider Doreen the Nurse Liz the Nurse Jessica the Nurse Suzanne the Nurse Nicole the Nurse Andrew the Doctor Spencer the Doctor Henry the Nurse Ryan the First Responder Sarah the Nurse Athanasia the Pharmacist Laura the Nurse Deborah the Ultrasound Tech Alina the Doctor Grigory the Doctor Oksana the Nurse Doris the Nurse Kerry the Nurse Randy the Nurse Justin the Nurse Markella the First Responder Timothy the First Responder Catherine the Histologist Katia the Nurse Carla the Nurse Valerie the Nurse Robin the Nurse Becca the Nurse Carmen the Nurse Adrienne the Provider Elaine the Nurse Stephen the Pharmacist Lisa the Nurse Claudia the Care Giver


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PRAYER REQUESTS CONNECTED TO PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 UPDATE #6 (as of 6-5-20)

Those who have fallen asleep in the Lord

William Ann Katherine Andrew Sr.

Anthony David Warren Tekla

Edward Margaret Susanne Helene

Mary Katherine Annette Warren

Barbara John Bernadette Sara

Mary Lydia Eileen Gloria

Darline Andreas David Helen

Gabby

Those who are sick Ronald Mario Olivia

Tairy Jayden John

Daniel Jackson Jennifer the Nurse

Heriberto Luz Marie

Patricia Adelaine Nicole

Thaddeus Aaron Nicole

John Amancio Natalie

Michael Bertha Timothy

Vincent Edda Alex

Nina Barbara A.J.

Josephine Sonia Adrian the Deacon

Juliana Melissa Alex the Priest

John Karen Chuck

Megan David Chris

Lisa Bertha John

Sara Krystal Anna

Ed Natalia Pauline

Darren Nicholas Holly

Emily Gregory Desiree the Nurse

Chester Candice Justine

Kenneth the Priest Maribeth Anna

Carlos Athanasios Michael the Priest

Yennifer Paul Melissa

Elena Olivia Regina

Helene John Eleanor

Vanessa Jennifer the Nurse Yolanda

Corona Margaret Karen

Enrique Patrick James

Gabby Gregory Nona

William James Bill

Neil Diana Anna

Christ Healing the Sick


By Fr. Gabriel-Allan Boyd

A few years ago, in Arizona, I had the privilege of working with in a prison ministry for teenage boys at the Black Canyon Department of Juvenile Corrections. Most of these boys were there because of trouble they’d gotten into with gangs. Others were there because an addiction to drugs or alcohol sent them down a path of other crimes. Still, others of them were there simply because of violent crimes committed against members of their families. As far as the state was concerned, this place was their last prospect for help before being sent to adult prison, or worse, before meeting with inevitably violent deaths. So, the hope was that while they were being incarcerated there, they might be rehabilitated and reconciled-back-to-society in meaningful and lasting ways. Thus, I was permitted to come there once a month, to offer a ministry in participation with that hope. One Saturday I gave a presentation to about 50 boys on a topic that I suspected might perk-up their interest…“Manhood.” On previous visits, when I spent time talking with these boys, I’d noticed that every single one of them was trying with every ounce of their being to be seen by their peers and by the guards as manly. But I knew that every single one of them had also learned (if not from their fathers, at least from each other) some pretty destructive things about what it meant to be a man—from having numerous sexual exploits; to out-drinking someone else; to using violence to keep others subservient...and you name it—they’d all been given a recipe for manhood that insured a life of disappointment and pain for everyone in orbit around them. Most of them, even if they had fathers at all, you could pretty well bet on the fact that they had ones who were dreadful examples of what it means to be a man...and even though they might not have been able to articulate this, I think that they intuitively knew that the mentoring (or lack of) they’d received from male figures at home so far didn’t contribute in any way to their flourishing. Thus, they desperately wanted to learn what it meant to be a man.

What I didn’t realize would happen was just how

much this topic would resonate, not only with them, but also for the 5 guards who were there with them during this presentation on “Manhood.” Just like the boys, these grown men were also on the edge of their seat, entirely engaged in the conversation that was going on. Of course, they too truly cared about the potential outcome for these boys. So, just as desperately as any of those boys, they too wanted to know how to articulate the path to manhood. It made me realize just how much this question resonates universally. “What does it mean to be a man?” Both men and boys want to know what it means to be a man. And men getting the right response is important for all of us. Whether we are a son or a daughter, or a sister or a brother, or a father or a mother, or a grandfather or a grandmother, the manhood of the men we know has a profound effect on everything around us and touches upon every single one of our lives.

As we look around us today, we can see a world who’s suffering the effects of leaders and men-in-general who have, long-ago, in pursuit of more self-absorbed things, neglected what it means to truly be a man. Even in polite, middle-to-upper-class culture, while our ways are certainly more sophisticated, we still have destructive examples of what it means to be a man. Loving, self-sacrificial, heroic offering of oneself for the sake of the oppressed is seldom observed. Similar to the guys I talked with in that prison ministry years ago, we may also find ourselves imprisoned in the

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Fathers & Manhood


consequence of poor examples of manhood passed along to us. And so, what we discover, eventually, is that the Church, most especially, has suffered the effects of men who have abdicated their manly, heroic vocation as priest of their household, no longer passing on to their families the example of a man who goes through the daily grind of being transformed to Christ-likeness. So, how can a father man-up to become priest of his household?

Fathers Determine Their Children’s Faith

We get an important clue about this husbandly and fatherly priesthood in the Orthodox marriage ceremony. In that ceremony there’s the epistle reading (Ephesians 5:21-33). It essentially calls men to the role of priest of their household. How do they become these lay-priests? It says they do it by offering themselves up “just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her” (v. 25). Why? Why does Christ do this…and thus, why should the husband/dad to this? Saint Paul says our Lord did this “to sanctify her, to make her holy” (v.26-27) or in other words, ‘so that He could lead her to

become set apart unto God.’ That was Christ’s reason for offering Himself to the Church, self-sacrificially, and it’s the reason every man of a household should also live that way…to make his family holy, to set them apart unto God. Essentially, our Lord wants every husband and father to know that the most important role that they have in life is to lead their families to heaven through their own self-sacrificial, heroic, spiritual leadership.

Believe it or not, this selfless spiritual leadership begins, first and foremost, with dad’s regular and enthusiastic participation in the sacramental life of the Church. This was a significant find in a study done a few years ago by Werner Haug and Phillipe Warner.

In that study, questions were asked to determine whether a person’s religion carried through to the next generation, and if so, why—or if not, why not. What they discovered is powerful. Stunningly, they discovered that there is one critical factor: “The religious practice of the father of the family, above all, determines the children’s future attendance at—or absence from Church.” In short, the study

determined that if a father does not go, or rarely goes to Church, no matter how faithfully his wife is devoted, only 1 child in 50 will become a regular worshipper. However, if a father enthusiastically attends Church services weekly, regardless of the practice of the mother, then between 65%—75% of their children will become active practitioners of their faith.

This is because, when children begin to grow up, engaging with the world “out there,” they look increasingly to dad as the role model of what it means to do adult things. Where dads are indifferent, inadequate, or just plain absent from their faith…it becomes much harder for the child to see their faith as important to adulthood. When adult children see that church was mostly a “women and children only”

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thing, they’ll respond accordingly—by not going to church as an adult, or going much less. Curiously, both adult male and female children of such fathers will conclude subconsciously that Dad’s absence indicates that going to church is not really a “grown-up” activity.

So, when children see their dads attending Church services weekly, offering the stewardship of their treasures; enthusiastically participating in the ministries of the Church; becoming devoted disciples (or student/followers) of Christ’s teachings, then those children will grow up realizing that this is what it means to be a mature, responsible adult. The chances are high that we will see those children carry the Orthodox Christian Faith into their adulthood, and in meaningful and transformative ways to the world around them.

Men, this Fathers’ Day how do you want your families to remember you? Can you imagine their fondest memory of you being an icon of Christ? What if, at the end of your life, your family’s fondest memory of you was as someone who was willing to man-up self-sacrificially to lead them to heaven? Can you imagine the day when your family will know, from the pattern of your life, what it looks like to be an authentic follower of Jesus Christ? Receive the blessing from God that comes from offering yourself up for your children, so that by your example, they will become set apart unto God, finding the blessed path to the everlasting Kingdom.

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The Children’s Word is a weekly bulletin for Orthodox Christian young people. Copyright 2020 Alexandra Houck. Email is orthodoxchildrensword (at) gmail.com. Find it each week at myocn.net.

Follow me!

“Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for to such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Mark 10:14

Sunday, June 21, 2020 Volume 8, Issue 25

The buddy systemThe buddy systemThe buddy systemThe buddy system Have you ever used the buddy sys-tem? Sure, you have! Maybe a teacher or a camp counselor sent you off with a friend to do some task. Or maybe your parents told you and a sibling to work on something together. When you have a buddy with you, you might feel safer and stronger.

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear how Jesus called His first disciples. First, He saw Peter and Andrew fishing in the sea. Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus called them, and they followed Him. Later, He saw two other broth-ers, James and John, and Jesus called them too. We know that these two sets of brothers (who were buddies too!) worked together to help the Lord. They followed Him even after Jesus had left for heaven! They used the buddy system for good.

When we are together with a buddy—a brother or a sister or a friend—we can choose to do the right thing together or the wrong thing together. We can do what our parents told us to do, and we can go where our teacher or camp counselor told us to go. Or...we can’t. Let’s choose to use the buddy system to help each other do the right thing. Let’s remember these two sets of buddies in the Gospel today. They helped each other help God. And they helped God build up the Church! They worked together to do great things!

A Ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network


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synaxis of the saints of carpatho-rus june 21, 2020 st...

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