9650 Johnnycake Ridge Road • Mentor, Ohio 44060 • 440-946-9571 • fandrew@saintnicholas-oca.org • saintnicholas-oca.org

Weekly BulletinSt. Nicholas Orthodox Church

A Community of the Orthodox Church in AmericaWitnessing to the Apostolic Faith in Lake County for over 45 Years

Father Andrew Clements, Pastor

STEWARDSHIP / Aug 9Operating $5,845.00OCA Assessments 55.00 Maintenance 275.00Zoe 5.00Icons 10.00Charities 125.00Memorial 50.00Flowers 20.00Uganda 30.0COUNCIL MEETING Thursday, Aug 20 at 6:30 pm.IN OUR PRAYERS Please keep Sophia Schelkanov in your prayers this week as she prepares for Holy Illumination next Sun-day during Liturgy.ST JAMES SOUP KITCHEN Saturday, Aug 22 beginning around 10:00 am. The food is prepared as usual but then packaged for at ‘to go’ distribution. So, not as many people are needed for ‘set up.’ We need a family of four or four people from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and another from 12:00 - 2:00 pm. If you have any questions, contact Kurt Hardman.

Volume 34 2020 Number 33

Celebrating 50 Years of Autocephaly as The Orthodox Church in America

PRAYER CORNER + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Perry (Capitan), Sbdcn Leonard, Ted Geletka, Nina Stehnach (Fr’s frnds), Julian, John Clements, Sarah Crivella, Joella (LuAnn D’s dghtr) Linda Peterman (Gloria H’s cousin), Kristen Robinson, our Parish Faithful, the Furman family, Joe Chupa, Marie Gaydos (Maryann S’ csn), Mary Ellen (Ruth B’s mom), Fred Bessel (Jean M’s frnd), Bill Rausch (Dan’s dad), suf-fering Christians in the Middle East.Our Catechumen: Joseph Chupa.Anniversaries: Peter & Sharon Georges (8/16), Greg & Diane Kochan (8/18).Birthdays: Cindy Banjoff (8/16), Adam Chongris (8/17), Galina Povozhaev (8/20).Newborns: Charlie (Matt & Lea), Patrick (Ryan & Valeria), Nikolai (Cole & Sarah), James (Tom & Mi-randa), Sophia (Vitaly & Luba).Expecting: Vitas & Inga, Andy & Mara. Newly Illumined: Michael DiMattia.Newly Departed: Ivan Kucmanic (David’s grandpa 8/2), Anthony DiMattia (Joe’s dad, 8/1).

Sunday Aug 16 10th Sndy aftr Pntcst / Tone 1 / St Herman of Alaska 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Outdoor Coffee Hour

Wednesday Aug 19 Martyr Andrew Strateletes 9:00 am Divine Liturgy

Saturday Aug 22 Virgin Martyr Eulia 4:00 pm Confession 5:30 pm Great Vespers Confession

Sunday Aug 23 11th Sndy aftr Pntcst / Tone 2 / Leavetaking of Dormition Readings: 1 Cor 9:2-12 Matt 18:23-35 9:30 am Divine Liturgy / Schelkanov Baptism Outdoor Coffee Hour

The Dormitionof the Mother of GodThe Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God is celebrated on August 15. Through her womb, heaven and earth were joined together. Through her, all mankind has been reborn. Her death and burial show us the completion of God’s plan for all mankind. The Feast celebrates the Mother of God as the Mother of Life.

In powerful imagery and poetic verse, the Matin Hymns of the Feast relate this mystery:

At the all-powerful com-mand, the assembly of the Apostles from the ends of the earth, and the mu-litude of Angels from on high made haste to Zion, there to minister in fitting manner at your burial , OLady.

The gates of heaven were opened wide and the Angels sang as Christ re-ceived the virgin-treasure of His own Mother. Cherubim withdrew before you in your exultation while Seraphim glorified you in your ioy.

We remember the death and burial of the Mother of God, and we celebrate her resurrection and ascension.

The lcon of the Dormition represents the Virgin lying on her deathbed, surrounded by the Apostles; with Christ in glory receiving her soul into His arms. All hints of black sorrow are overcome by a certain-colorful sobriety. This mood is explained

in the words of the Kontakion of the Feast:Neither the tomb, nor death could hold the Theotokos, who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions. For being the Mother of Life, she was translated to life by the One who dwelled in her virginal womb!

We behold in this icon the “Mother of Life” be-ing transferred to life by her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Since she is the Mother of God, it was right that He Who dwelt in the womb of the Ever-virgin should take her to Himself in her falling asleep. The Apostles are painted surrounding the Mother of God. Behind them is the figure of Christ. He holds in His left arm a small child clothed in white garments and crowned with a halo. This is the luminous soul of Mary which He receives at the moment of death.

The multitude of Angels present at the Dormition forms an outer border around Christ. Also pres-ent are the six-winged seraphim. The lcon of the Dormition gives us a picture of Christian death. We find our salvation in Jesus Christ Who raises to lifeall who believe in Him.

TROPARION In giving birth you preserved your virginity! In falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos! You were translated to life, O Moth-er of Life, and by your prayers you deliver our souls from death!