A Monthly Publication of

1240 Broadbridge Ave, Stratford, CT 06615

Vol. 5. No. 46 - November 2015

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Pastor’s Message...... Page 2 Life Passages ... Birthdays, Anniversaries...... Page 3 St. John’s Stewards..... Coffee Hour, Cleaning, Reading Schedules...... Page 3 Community Outreach...... Page 4 Month In Review, Parish and Diocesan News, Photos and More...... Pages 5 -9 November News and Announcements & Coming Events...... Pages 10-14 St Nectarios – Feast Day Observance, Life, Miracles & Teachings ...... Pages 15-18 Scripture Readings & Prayer List………..…………………………………..……Page 19-20 November Calendar……………………………………………………………………....Page 21 November Calendar of Services and Events...... Page 23

Fr Peter s Message The Prophet ’

The Official Monthly Publication of Dear Parishioners & Friends

The Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of John the Baptist Christ Is In Our Midst!

1240 Broadbridge Avenue, Stratford, CT 06615 He Is And Ever Shall Be! Parish Website: www.sjoc.org

Email: [email protected] During the month of November we honor the memory Pastor: Very. Rev. Protopresbyter Peter Paproski of one of the most beloved of the twentieth Phone & Fax: 203-375-2564 Cell: 203-260-0423 century, St. Nectarios of .

Parish Council President: William Bilcheck, Jr. We have had a devotion in this parish and the Diocese to 203-421-3121 email: [email protected] St. Nectarios for nearly a quarter of a century. Since

assuming the pastorate at St. John’s in 1994, I have Divine Services celebrated the Moleben to St. Nectarios on a monthly Vespers: Sat: 5:00 pm, Eve of Feasts: 7:00 pm basis which has been a blessing for our parish. Divine Liturgy Sunday & Week Day 9:00 am Services of Intercession as Announced Throughout the Diocese, many miraculous healings have Coffee Hour Fellowship Sundays 10:30 am been attributed to St. Nectarios, especially those Church School (Sept- May) Sundays: 10:45 am

suffering from cancer.

Parish Ministries Coordinators

St. Nectarios stands as a beacon of light, manifesting the Church School Coordinator: Pani Carol Paproski power of love and holiness. In his life, St. Nectarios was falsely accused of wrong doing and was forced to Sr. ACRY Youth Group: Hailey Meyernick live as a simple monk, being deprived of his Episcopal Jr. ACRY Youth Group: Josef Samilenko

See and in his latter years, he experienced many health

Outreach Coordinators problems which caused him great pain and suffering. In Community & Mary Householder/ spite of this suffering, St Nectarios never lost faith and Soup Kitchen Eve Nucifora grew even stronger in his love for Almighty God. Bereavement Jean Lomme Young Families Michelle Mihaly In today’s world, more than ever, we need to familiarize The Sick /Shut-ins M.Allis/E. Nucifora ourselves with the lives of the saints, the heroes of the faith, to provide us with the much needed Financial Investment William Bilcheck,Jr. encouragement and guidance in leading a godly life, in William Booth, Jr. the midst of turmoil. Thomas Decerbo Matthew Mihaly I encourage you to read the short synopsis of the life of Orestes Mihaly this blessed Saint along with real life testimonies of his miraculous intercessions and the short excerpt from his Property Maintenance/ Thomas Decerbo writings on prayer that are included in this edition of Improvements Frank Meyernick Th e Prophet . You will see that he was a man of great humility and love, which are the foundational building Scholarship Eve Nucifora blocks for growth in the spiritual life. Helen Guman

Database Coordinator: Christine LeClerc May we be ever inspired by his holy example to love and serve the Lord and all whom he places in our path in Webmaster: Michael Decerbo life with even greater zeal, being ourselves agents of joy and healing that our world so desperately needs

SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR THE Assuring you of my prayers, I remain

DECEMBER ISSUE OF THE PROPHET

me 2 With Love In Christ, NOVEMBER 23, 2015 Fr. Peter

Life Passages – November 2015

Date Name Event Nov 3 Michael Decerbo Birthday Nov 11 Rochelle & Ken Corby Wedding Anniversary Nov 13 Karen Ivers Birthday Nov 15 Donna Pierce Birthday Nov 20 Daniel Paproski Birthday Nov 20 Rachel Reeves Birthday Nov 20 Samantha Schulte Birthday Nov 22 Florence Gachi Birthday ______rd ______Nov 27 Bishop Gregory 3 Anniversary of Consecration

nd

Nov 27 Fr. Peter 22 Priestly Ordination Anniv. ______

St John’s Stewards: Doing the Work of the Church

CHURCH READING CHURCH CLEANING

COFFEE HOUR

Date Host Date Hours Epistle Date Cleaner 11/ 1 Decerbo 11/1 Brett Serge 10/26-11/7 Cleaning Service 11/ 8 Lomme/Mihaly 11/8 Pani Carol Bill 11/9-11/21 Cleaning Service 11/1 5 Ivers 11/15 Holly Matt Jr. 11/23 -12/5 Householder

11/ 22 OK Mihaly 11/22 Brett Rob 12/7-12/19 Cleaning Svc 11/29 Pierce 11/29 Pani Carol Cantors 12/21-1/4 Cleaning Svc Bilcheck

SPONSOR A CLEANING OF THE CHURCH

We are now soliciting sponsorships from our parishioners who wish to assist with the cleaning of the Church, but are not able to join the cleaning roster. You may offer a single cleaning sponsorship2015 of $30.00 or multiple cleaning sponsorships. If you are interested in doing so, please place your donation1/5-1/17 in - aDECERBO donation envelope clearly marked with your name and the amount, indicating it is a Cleaning 1/19Sponsorship-1/31 -and place it in the metal collection box. You may also mail it to the Church. Thank you for your consideration of this request. HOUSEHOLDER ATTENTION HOLY ROLLERS! STUFFED CABBAGE WORK SESSIONS

Wed Nov 4, 2015 & Thurs Nov 5, 2015

See Pani Carol or Father Peter if you can help with the various workshops. Special help will be needed preparing items for the workshops ( you can bring night before) and package Stuffed cabbage in evenings of 11/4 and 11/5

CHRISTMAS PASTRY ROLL SALE BAKERS NEEDED FOR PASTRY SALE

Workshops Bakers are needed to assist making nut, poppy, Date Time prune and apricot filled rolls for our Christmas Sat Dec5 th 9:00 am Pastry Roll Sale. Please See Pani Carol if you Sat Dec 12th 9:00 am can help. Thank You! Wed Dec 16th 9:00 am 3 Parish Outreach & Community Service

COMMUNITY SUPPER PROGRAM UPDATE

We are responsible for providing supper once a month at Christ Episcopal Church from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm and quarterly on Mondays at St. George Episcopal Church, Bpt.

If you are able to work at a supper, or if you are able to make a salad or dessert for a scheduled meal, please see Mary Householder or Eve Nucifora. If you would like to Sponsor a meal, a donation of $100.00 would cover an entire meal.

Many thanks to all who helped during the Month of October.

PARISH COMMUNITY SUPPER SCHEDULE

Date: Location Nov 30 Christ Church, Stratford December Parish Not On Schedule

FOOD FOR THE NEEDY

Our Food Drive for Sterling House is ongoing and their needs are especially crucial in this difficult

economy. Child-friendly food items are needed. Among the items needed are hot and cold cereals, juices,

pancake and waffle mixes, frozen breakfast foods, peanut butter, jelly, tuna fish, instant puddings, crackers,

snack foods, canned soups and fruits, powdered drink mixes, boxed and canned potatoes and macaroni and cheese, as well as microwavable and single-serving meals. Now refrigerated items such as milk and eggs are also accepted. Also: We need some basic items for a needy, mentally disabled person whom we directly help to tide him over until the beginning of each month. Here are items our friend can use: Creamy Peanut Butter and Crackers, Vanilla Wafer cookies, 2 Liter Bottle of Regular Pepsi, Paper Towels, Shampoo, (large bottle any brand), Folgers coffee. NO MORE RAVIOLI’S PLEASE. Also, gift cards from Stop and Shop would be helpful so that we may purchase perishable food items such as bread, milk, meat and other foods items that are needed.... If you can contribute any of these specific items, please leave these items in Father Peter’s Office, not in the general food collection basket. Cash donations/gift cards should be put in an envelope marked clearly for needy food purchase and placed in the collection box on the candle desk. Thank You! “For I was Hungry and You Fed Me”

4 The Month In Review

Church School News

The students in Eve Nucifora’s class are learning about Jesus' Life on earth, as they follow His path thru icons and bible readings. The first few lessons have been a review of the Old and New Testaments, learning how to find passages themselves by book, chapter, and verse, especially Old Testament psalms and prophecies of God's Promise, Jesus Himself.

Pani Carol's class began their study of the Acts of the Apostles by finding its location in the New Testament, i.e. after the four Gospels. It was mentioned that the author of Acts is St. Luke, one of the evangelists, and a short biography of his life was read from the workbook. The first lesson in the workbook began with the events that occurred immediately after Christ's resurrection, in particular the many occasions that Jesus Christ appeared to His disciples after the Resurrection and how the disciples were able to recognize Christ even though His body was changed. The Ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven and the election of new apostle to replace Judas Iscariot were also discussed. The second lesson in the workbook discussed the "birthday" of the Church during the feastday of Pentecost. During this feastday the Holy Spirit came down upon the Apostles with a loud rush of wind and in the form of tongues of fire. This point was emphasized in class using cupcakes with birthday candles, the flames of which looked like tongues and which were blown out with a big rush of wind from the students! The third lesson that has been covered discussed the students' personal Pentecost--the event in their lives when they received the Holy Spirit, their Chrismation. Since each person is a holy "temple" which contains the Holy Spirit, a discussion followed on ways in which we honor or renew that Holy Spirit within us or on ways in which we dishonor the Holy Spirit within us.

Fr. Peter during his monthly Clergy Rap led the parish teens on a discussion related to the Bee The Bee video, Is Church Boring? During their discussion, they came to the conclusion that the Liturgy is boring, if one is not fully engaged in it and/or he/she does not understand what is taking place in the Liturgy. During Divine Liturgy, we enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and interact with the saints and martyrs of the Church who were so committed to the Gospel that they were willing to lay down their lives for Christ. They then watched a short video clip of the events leading up to the martyrdom of the 20 Coptic Orthodox Christians in by members of Isis this past March.

As a reminder, those children who have already made their first Confession should confess their sins on a regular basis. To this end, we are encouraging them to do so on the First Sunday of the Month. Those who are able to come to Confession the evening before at the conclusion of Vespers are encouraged to do so. Confessions will always be available before or after any Sunday/Weekday Liturgy or Vespers Service, or at any other time by mutual arrangement

ACRY News

Our parish SR ACRY chapter scheduled a meeting for Sunday October 25, 2015 to set in motion plans for social activities and service projects in the new Church Year. The National ACRY will again be holding an Advent Mission Project to support the Habitat For Humanity Building project in New Orleans which is being undertaken in memory of Fr. Michael Rosco. The goal is to raise $70,000 to cover the cost of the building materials and construction team expenses. Volunteers are being sought to help with construction which will take place in August of 2016. Also to be discussed was the parish’s participation in a special Christmas outreach project for the patrons of the Lord’s Kitchen.

5 The Month In Review

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Parish Council News Een  Church Parking – Contact has been made with the Town Wetlands Department. We have been advised to contact the Town Zoning Commission for approval of the expansion of the paved driveway area. The Parish Council is actively pursuing the approval process and will report its findings to the Parish in the

near future.  Property Maintenance - Many thanks to Frank Meyernick and Tom Decerbo for installing a new door in the Church Kitchen. A new exhaust fan and re-installation of cabinets will take place soon to finish the

kitchen renovation project.  Church Wish List – The Parish Council will be compiling a Parish “Wish List” of items that our parish is in need of that parishioners may wish do donate as a gift to the parish. Parishioners are invited to

submit ideas to the Parish Council for possible inclusion on the list

News From Across The Diocese  Ordination – Many Years to Daniel Vaskalis who was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Grace Bishop Gregory on Sunday Oct 18, 2015 at St. Michael’s Church in Freeland, PA.

 Camp Nazareth Cabin Expansion Project – On Thursday Oct 8, 2015, ground was broken on the Cabin Expansion project at Camp Nazareth. All existing cabins will be expanded to include a full bathroom with shower stalls, an expanded common room, a covered porch and a new climate control system in each cabin.

 Eternal Memory – On Oct 1, Katherine Macura, the mother of Fr. Michael Macura of St. John’s Church – Silver Lane – Stratford, fell asleep in the Lord. On Sunday Oct 18, 2015, Joseph Parimucha, former Diocesan Board of Trustees member and Architectural Engineer for the Camp Church and Holy Resurrection Church in Potomac, MD, reposed in the Lord. May their memory be Eternal.

 Archpastoral Visitations. – His Grace, Bishop Gregory travelled to the following parishes during the month of October: St Mary’s in Cheektowaga, NY, St Michael’s in Freeland, PA and St. Nicholas Church, 10th Street, NYC.

A NOTE OF THANKS FROM FATHER PETER & PANI CAROL

Dear Faithful of St. John’s, Glory To Jesus Christ!

We would like to thank all of you for your beautiful card, generous gifts and delicious cake on Clergy Appreciation Sunday. We were humbled by your kind gesture and for remembering us.

It is a joy to serve you as pastor and pani. We are truly family and love each and everyone of you!

We look forward to working with you God-willing for many more years.

Please be assured of our love and prayers always.

In Christ, Fr. Peter and Pani Carol 6 The Month In Review

Around the Diocese

Newly Ordained Priest Daniel Vaskalis With His Ordaining Bishop

Construction Begins on Cabin Expansion Project At Camp Nazareth

7 . Around the Parish : October 2015

Parish Youth And Friends Helping Out At The Oct Community Supper at Calvary St. George Church, Bpt.

Enjoying The Corn Maze and Hay Ride at Castle Hill Farm in Newtown .

8 8 Around the Parish : October 2015

UCONN Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF)

Tim Paproski With Fellow OCF Students Taking A Break From A Service Project Cleaning The Local Orthodox Parish

On The Job Training - . Tim Paproski had the opportunity to direct the choir at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Willimantic, CT during a recent Divine Liturgy Tim has been blessed with the opportunity to be mentored by choir director Mary Ellen Junda, who serves as Professor of Music at the University of Connecticut.

9 November News and Announcements

Christmas Bread/Pastry Roll Sale

Our Annual Christmas Bread and Pastry Roll Sale will take place on Saturday, Dec 19, 2015.

This is a “Pre-Order Only” Sale .

Raisin Paska Bread ( $6.00) and Nut, Poppy, Prune and Apricot Rolls ($12.00) will be offered for sale.

As we have in the past, our parishioners will have the opportunity to place their orders first, before the general public. If you would like to order, please fill out the order form on Page 11 of this edition of the Prophet and return it to the Church as soon as possible. Beginning on Nov 18 orders will be accepted from the general public by phone only.

Please support your parish by ordering some of these delicious baked items. They make excellent Christmas Gifts! As you know, this is one of our major parish fundraisers. Your Support Will Be Greatly Appreciated

Please see Pani Carol if you are able to help make the pastry rolls.

Weekly Bible Study /Adult Education

Father Peter would like to resume a parish Bible Study and/or Adult Education Classes for interested parishioners. Please See Fr. Peter and let him know what might be a good day and time.

Active, thriving parishes are those who have adult parishioners who are desirous of growing in the knowledge of the Orthodox Christian Faith.

Holy Trinity in Danbury has two active adult study groups in their parish, as so many others in our Diocese. Let us “kick it up a notch” in our parish and commit to gathering on a regular basis for spiritual fellowship and study. .

10 St. John The Baptist Church PARISHIONERS 2015 CHRISTMAS PASTRY ROLLS& BREAD SALE PRE-ORDER FORM

Name

______

Phone

______

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Nut Roll Quantity X $12.00 Total

______

Poppy Roll Quantity X $12.00 Total

______

Prune Quantity X $12.00 Total

______

ApricotRoll Quantity X $12.00 Total

______

Raisin Bread Quantity X $6.00 Total

______

------

Total Amount Due $ ______

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Order Deadline is November 8, 2015 Orders From General Public Begin November 18, 2015 Will be available for Pick up on Sat December 19, 2015

11 Coming Events

Nov 7 Slavic Food Fest Dec 19 Christmas Pastry/Bread Sale Dec 20 St. Nicholas Brunch

WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF EASTERN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCHES PAJAMA PROGRAM Sunday November 15th . The Women’s Council of E astern Orthodox Christian Churches is holding its annual Holiday Pajama Collection Program . to benefit children in sorry circumstances, such as homeless shelters, orphanages, and victims of disasters. Since December of 2006, they have donated 938 pairs of pajamas to this worthwhile cause.

Please take part in this program by bringing a pair of new pajamas, in a ziplock bag with BOY OR GIRL and the size written on the ou tside and leave it on the table in the entrance of the church.

All sizes are needed, infant thru adult, for teenage children.

Adults -$10.00 Children (under 12) -$6.00 Donations will accepted until the end of January. – Thank you for your help!

Eve Nucifora – Program Chairman

Become Distinguished! Distinguished Diocesan Donor Program 312 Garfield Street Johnstown, PA 15906 ddd.acrod.org

YES! I would like to support Diocesan Ministries & Apostolates! Enclosed is my check made payable to “Distinguished Diocesan Donors” in the amount of: $100 Entry $250 Bronze $500 Silver $1,000 Gold $10,000 Platinum Other $______

Name______Address______City ______ST ______Zip______Phone ______Email______Parish______

***Please invite others to become Distinguished also*** Parish youth listen to Gospel 12 Reading during Paschal Procession

13 th St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble to Open 5 Season of Music on the Mount Concert Series November 28, 2015

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church – Danbury, CT

On Saturday, Nov.28, 2015, the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble on tour from Russia will be performing at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church at 74 Joes Hill Road in Danbury, CT. Tickets are available by calling 203-797- 8326 or by email to [email protected].

The St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble will offer a concert of Slavic music They will be performing Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil (Op. 37) and other Russian Folk Songs

Following the concert, everyone is invited to a wine and cheese reception, which will offer an opportunity to meet the artists and discuss the evening’s program.

The St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble has been led by Kirill Sokolov since 2003. Its members are professionally trained and have been part of many vocal ensembles and choirs. The group’s goal is to help audiences become more deeply familiar with Russian spiritual music and to also acquaint them with the incredible diversity and content of Russian folk songs.

Music on the Mount concert series is offered by Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, which is gifted with an excellent acoustic space. It is a way to share the parish’s love of music and contribute to the community, of which it has been a member for over 100 years, not only spiritually, but also culturally.

Seating for this concert is limited and advance reservations are highly encouraged. Tickets will be sold at the door, if available.

14

FEAST OF ST NECTARIOS

We have been invited by Fr. Vladimir Aleandro and the faithful of Christ the Saviour Church in Southbury, CT to join them on the the Eve of the Feast of St. Nectarios of Aegina on Sunday, November 8th at 4:00 pm for the celebration of Great Vespers. His Eminence, NIKON of the Diocese of New England (OCA) and the Albanian Archdiocese will preside at Vespers.

For the past twenty-three years, the fall season at Christ the Savior brings memories and anticipation of the Feast of St. Nectarios of Aegina. "Miracles happen on St. Nectarios night" and they do. We will gather for Great Vespers on the eve of St. Nectarios' commemoration, Sunday November 8th at 4:00 pm. There will be a procession with his relics, prayers for the sick and annointing. A light buffet will follow. Please invite friends and relatives to come with you to this powerful evening of faith! On the feast, Monday November 9, there will be a Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am.

Christ The Savior Orthodox Church, Southbury, CT

15

November Feasts: St Nectarios of Aegina November 9

ST NEcTARIOS was born on October 1, 1846, in Selymbria in Thrace to a poor family. Baptised Anastasios Cephalas, he took a teaching post until he became a monk at the age of thirty.

Three years later he was ordained a deacon, taking the name Nectarios. After graduating from the University of in 1885 (and writing several books, pamphlets, and Bible commentaries) he went to , , where he was ordained a priest and served the Church of Saint Nicholas in with great distinction, being consecrated Bishop/Metropolitan of Pentapolis (an ancient diocese in , in what is now Libya) by the Greek Orthodox Sophronios in 1889.

He served as a bishop in Cairo for one year, but was then removed from his post following a smear campaign by jealous rivals, without being granted right of reply. Returning to in 1891, he was subsequently appointed director of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School for the education of priests in Athens, and in 1904, at the request of several nuns, he established Holy Trinity Convent on the island of Aegina.

In December of 1908, at the age of 62, St. Nektarios resigned from his post as school director and withdrew to the Holy Trinity Convent on Aegina, where he lived out the rest of his life as a monk. He wrote, published, preached, and heard confessions from those who came from near and far to seek out his spiritual guidance. While at the , he also tended the gardens, carried stones, and helped with the construction of the monastery buildings that were built with his own funds. He was also the Metropolitan of the island of Aegina.

St. Nektarios died on the evening of November 9, 1920, at the age of 74. Many people regarded St. Nektarios as a saint during his lifetime because of his prayerful life, his humility, his purity and other virtues, and his writings, as well as the miracles he performed. St. Nektarios also had the gift of prescience.

The relics of St. Nektarios were removed from the grave on September 2, 1953, and gave out a beautiful fragrance. Official recognition of Nektarios as a saint by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople took place on April 20, 1961. Thousands of miracles have been attributed to his intercession, particularly cases of cancer or other serious illnesses being cured.

Kontakion To St. Nectarios

In joy, let our hearts praise the latest shining star of the Orthodox, the newly erected rampart of the Church. For, glorified by the work of the Spirit, he abundantly pours forth the grace of healing to those who cry out, "Hail, Father Nektarios".

16

Some Miracles Associated With St. Nectarios

Saint Nectarios, Metropolitan of Pentapolis, attained the same enviable level of sainthood as the great luminaries and Saints of our Church. He did not ascend upon pillars, nor did he withdraw to hermitages, nor did he contend with cruel persecutions and tragic tortures, like those great combatants of our holy religion, the Martyrs. What we can say is that his whole life was nothing else than a continuous doxology to God, and a tireless effort and assiduous concern to benefit suffering society morally and religiously. He lived in the world, but was not, as the Saviour says, of the world. He trod on the earth yet conducted himself like a citizen of heaven. He had the form of man, but lived like an angel. He was clothed with flesh, but was a strict keeper and guardian of chastity. He associated with various kinds of persons, but spoke as a spiritual man, alien to the present world. He was transported by sublime ideals and warmed by the aspiration for moral perfection, and hence he abided in a state of inner calm and blessedness. His was a peacemaking holiness, inspired by evangelical virtue and meditation on the eternal Kingdom of God.

St Nectarios surrendered his spirit to the Lord on November 9, 1920 at the age of seventy-four.

During the last days of his life, the Saint was in the room for the incurables of the hospital, among many poor patients who were at the point of death. Beside his bed there was a patient who was paralysed for years. As soon as the Saint gave up his spirit, a nurse of the hospital together with the nun who had accompanied the Saint, began to prepare the holy body for transportation to Aegina and burial. When they removed the old sweater of the Saint, they placed it for convenience on the bed of the paralytic and continued preparing the body. Strangely, the paralytic patient at once became well and rose from his bed, praising the Lord. This was the first miracle after the repose of the Saint, through which God our Lord confirmed the sainthood of Nectarios.

II

Mrs. Anna loannou Katsounaki, a resident of Piraeus, relates the following: In 1949, I was operated on at the anticancer hospital "Saint Savvas" because I was suffering from cancer, and they removed my entire uterus. When the definite period of therapy was over, Doctor Papaconstantinou joyfully declared that I had now escaped from the danger of death. "Do not be afraid any longer," he said. "However, if you should ever see blood, then realise that your end has arrived, because it is a sign that cancer has appeared somewhere again and has produced a new malignant spot."

Eight years passed since then, when in May, 1957, I felt pains in my abdomen, which resulted in the appearance of blood one evening, that is, of that sign which was notifying me of my end. I spent all that night sitting in my bed and crying inconsolably. In the morning my sister Eleftheria and her husband Nicholas Mortzanos, returning from Aegina, where they had spent the Easter holy days, visited me at home. Although I wanted to conceal my misfortune, in order not to make them unhappy, my sister, seeing my pitiful state, insisted on learning what troubled me. As she insisted, my husband revealed the truth.

My sister at once, displaying no fear, but with composure and confidence, which she drew from her faith in the miracle worker Saint Nectarios, approached me and consoled me, saying:

"Don't be afraid, my sister. You believe in God and accept the many miracles of St. Nectarios which have taken place in our family." At this point she took a small bottle from her handbag. containing oil from the sacred lamp (kandela) of Saint Nectarios, gave it to me and said: "Take this and pray to the Saint to make you well. I shall pray, too. Daub your abdomen with this blessed oil of the Saint, and rest assured that in this way you shall become well."

17 Miracles Associated With St. Nectarios

(Continued From Page 17)

I complied fully with her suggestion, prayed, sought the help of St. Nectarios. And behold the miracle! From that time my pains stopped, I felt well, and the flow of blood ceased. Blessed be the name of Saint Nectarios!

III

Miss Catherine Drettakis, a resident of 13 Strategou Koutouli Street, Koukaki, Athens, relates the following: My father, Emmanuel Drettakis, suffered from kidney stones. On July 17, 1962, he had a crisis of the kidneys. He went to the physician Androulakis and was examined. The latter said that stones had been formed and his condition was critical. Every day his condition became worse, and at the advice of the same physician he entered the Clinic "Precious Cross," on July 26, 1962. As soon as he was admitted, they tested his blood and found that the urea had reached 1.95. They made an X-ray examination of the kidneys and found that they were swollen and thus the flow of urine was blocked. The physician told us that an operation had to be performed on July 28, but my father entreated the doctor to postpone the operation, so he postponed it to July 30.

The afternoon before the operation, my father begged my mother to bring him some oil of Saint Nectarios. As soon as she brought it, he got up, prayed for five minutes, and drank it. The same evening I had a photograph of the Saint, which I placed on my pillow, and I prayed almost during the whole night to the Saint to restore my father's health.

After he took the oil, his water began to pass like a stream and simultaneously the stones began to come out one after the other. The next day, the blood and the urine were tested. They were normal; and my father returned home full of health, thanks to the miraculous power of the Saint.

On Prayer – By St. Nectarios

TRUE PRAYER is undistracted, prolonged, performed with a contrite heart an alert intellect. The vehicle of prayer is everywhere humility, and prayer is a manifestation of humility. For being conscious of our own weakness, we invoke the power of GOD.

PRAYER unites one with GOD, being a divine conversation and spiritual communion with the Being that is most beautiful and highest.

PRAYER IS FORGETTING EARTHLY THINGS, AN ASCENT TO HEAVEN. THROUGH PRAYER

WE FLEE TO GOD.

PRAYER is truly a heavenly armor, and is alone can keep safe those who have dedicated themselves to God. Prayer is the common medicine for purifying ourselves from the passions, for hindering sin and curing our faults. Prayer is an inexhaustible treasure, an unruffled harbor, the foundation of serenity, the root and mother of myriad's of blessings.

18 Daily Scripture Readings

Prayer Before Reading Holy Scripture - O Master Who loves mankind, illuminate our hearts with the pure light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our mind to understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill

in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, that we may overcome all carnal desires, entering upon a spiritual life and understanding and acting in all things according to Your holy will. For You are the

enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O Christ God, and to You we give glory together with Your eternal

Father and Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen

WEEK OF OCTOBER 26, 2015

M. Colossians 2:13-20 Luke 7:36-50 Preist-Martyr Carpus T. Colossians 2:20-3:3 Luke 8:1-3 Holy Martyr Nazarius W. Colossians 3:17-4; Luke 8:22-25 Venerable Euthymius the New Th Colossians 4:2-9; Luke 9:7-11 Holy Martyr Longinus F. Colossians 4:10-18 Luke 9:12-18 Holy Prophet Hosea St 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 Luke 6:1-10 Holy Apostle Luke

S. Galatians 6:11-18 Luke 8:5-15; Holy Prophet Joel

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2, 2015

. I Thessalonians 1:1-5 Luke 9:18-22 Great Martyr Artemius T. I Thessalonians 1:6-10 Luke 9:23-27 St. Hilarion the Great W. I Thessalonians 2:1-8 Luke 9:44-50 Holy Apostle Abercius Th 1 Thessalonians 2:9-14 Luke 9:49-56; Holy Apostle James F. I Thessalonians 2:14-19 Luke 10:1-15; Holy Martyr Arethas St 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Luke 7:1-10 Holy Martyr Marcian

S. Ephesians 2:4-10 Luke 16:19-31 Great Martyr Demetrios

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 9, 2015

M. 1 Thessalonians 2:20-3:8 Luke 10:22-24 Holy Martyr Nestor T. 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 12:42-48; Holy Martyr Terrence W. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; Luke 12:48-59 Holy Martyr Anastasia Th 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8 Luke 11:14-23 Holy Martyr Zenobius F. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-13, 24-28 Luke 11:23-26; Holy Apostle Stachys of the 70 St. 2 Corinthians 11:1-6 Luke 8:16-21 Sts Cosmas & Damian S. Ephesians 2:4-10 Luke 8:26-39 Holy Martyr Acindynus

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 16, 2015

M. 2 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Luke 11:29-33 Holy Martyr Acepsimas T. 2 Thessalonians 1:10-2:2 Luke 11:34-41 St. Joannicius the Great W. 2 Thessalonians 2: 2-12 Luke 11:42-46 Holy Martyr Galacteon Th. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 Luke 11:47-12:1 St. Paul the Confessor F. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 Luke 12:2-12 33 Martyrs of Melitene St. Hebrews 2:2-10 Luke 10:16-21 St Michael & Bodiless Powers S. Ephesians 4:1-6 Luke 8:41-56 Holy Martyr Onesiphorus

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 23, 2015

M 1 Timothy 1:1-7 Luke 12:13-15,22-31 Holy Apostles Erastus & Olympas T. 1 Timothy 1:8-14 Luke 12:42-48 Holy Martyr Menas of Egypt W. 1 Timothy 1:18-20;2:8-15 Luke 12:48-59 St. John the Merciful Th 1 Timothy 3:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 St John Chrysostom F. 1 Timothy 4:4-8, 16 Luke 13:31-35 Holy Apostle Philip St Galatians 3:8-12 Luke 9:37-43 Martyrs Gurias, Samonas & Habib S. Ephesians 5:9-19 Luke 10:25-37 Holy Apostle Matthew 19 Prayer List

Living Members of Parish Family And Friends

Protopresbyter Luke Barbara (Reeves) Shirley Sedlock Protopresbyter. John Pani Patricia (Duranko) Florence (Gachi) Priest Seraphim Richard (Kaschak) Karolina Kassiani (Nickolakis) Pani Linda (Barriger) Charles (Householder) Audrey (Fatse) Richard (Kaschak Jr) Greg & Kim Frank (Meyernick) Lou (Gregory) Serge (Mihaly) Michael ( Banik) Kelly (Friend of Eve) Regis (LeClerc) Mary (Nichols) Nina (Kuchma) Esther (Johnson) Joshua (Habansky) Geoffrey & Jennifer Roger (Vanhouten) Zachary Matushka Mara (Burns) Child Diana Irene (Knapp) Carol Judy Elsi (Lotufo) Penny (Elsi’s daughter) Propresbyter John (Gido) Thomas (Ivers) Kennedy Family Karen (Ivers) Christopher (Zinski) Rachel (friend of Karen) John (Cybul) Gregory (Cybul) Priest James (Gleason) Marge (Allis) Robert Victoria Randy & Janice Caleb (Goneau) Regis Marilyn Garry & Barbara (Nichols) Nicholas (Papillo) Cynthia (Dion) Marion (Fallon) Virginia (friend of Eve) Alice (VanHouten) Nicholas (Gachi) Judy Donna (Pierce) June (Friend of Marcia L) Ernie (Friend of Marcia L) Stephen

Michael (Lomme) Carolann Betty Sean Daniel Child Emma Walter (Litzie) Child Oliver Amada & Will Grace (Sawczyczn) Robert (Franco) Nina Cheri-Lynn Ricky Mary Ann Samantha Andrew

Departed Members Of Our Parish Family And Friends

Sandra (Roberts) Helen & Mickey (Michaels) Julia (Kraynak) Robert (Nichols) Julie Ellen (Nichols) Protopresbyter Joseph (Mihaly) Vasil (Petrik) Wilma (Wargo) Katherine (Macura) John & Anna (Mihaly)

A Prayer For The Departed

O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who has conquered death and destroyed Satan, and Who has granted life to Your world; O Lord, rest the soul(s) of Your departed servant(s) [Name] in a serene, luxuriant and peaceful place where all pain and sorrow and lamentation are absent; as a gracious God Who loves mankind, forgive all transgressions committed by (him, her, them) by word or deed or thought, for there is no one who lives and does not sin; You alone are without sin, Your truth is truth in eternity and Your Word is Truth. For You, O Christ our God, are the resurrection, life and repose of Your departed servant(s) [Name], who (has, have) fallen asleep, and we give glory to You and Your eternal Father, and Your Most-Holy, Gracious and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

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SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST ORTHODOX CHURCH LITURGICAL SERVICES & EVENTS NOVEMBER 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 9:00 am Liturgy 2 3 4 5 6 10am Liturgy 7 10 am – 1 pm Church School 9:00 am 9:00 am Cambridge Manor Slavic Food Fest Decerbo Coffee Hour Stuffed Cabbage Stuffed Cabbage Rep. John & Anna 5:00 pm Vespers - Workshop Workshop Mihaly

8 9:00am Liturgy 9 10 7:00 pm 11 12 13 14 9am Liturgy + Panachida.APruckner Church Cleaner: Moleben to St. Kraynak/Roberts Lomme/Mihaly Cleaning Service Nectarios/ 7:30pm Michaels Families Coffee Hr, Church Parish Council St John’s Mill Hill School /Teen Class Meeting Christmas Fair 5 pm Vespers 15 9:00 am Liturgy 16 17 18 19 20 21 St. Michael Panachida W.Wargo 7:00 pm 9:00 am Liturgy Ivers Coffee Hour Moleben to the Panachida Fr. Church School Mother of God Mihaly.V Petrik Seniors Fellowship 22 9 am Liturgy 23 Church 24 25 26 27 28 OK Mihaly Coffee/ Cleaner: 7 pm Thanksgiving 5:00 pm Vespers Church School Householder Service

29 9 am Liturgy 30 31 Pierce Coffee Hr, 4:00 pm Lord’s Panachida E. Witiak. Kitchen Church School

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