Twenty-Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

The Legendary Nicholas

Icon of Saint Nicholas of Myra -- December 6th

Eastern Christian Bulletin Service -- PO Box 3909 -- Fairfax, VA 22038-3909 www.ecbulletin.com Ph: 703-691-8862 Fax: 703-691-0513 - 2 - December 6, 2020: 27th Sunday After Pentecost Epistle: Eph. 6: 10-17 Gospel: Lk. 17: 12-19 Mon., Dec. 7 9:00 + Johnathan Sawko (Pat, Cathy & Patrick Marcinko) Tues., Dec. 8 9:00 + Nicholas Zinsky (Dorothy Zinsky) Wed., Dec. 9 Maternity of the Holy Anna 9:00 + Myroslaw Iwasiw (Father Nestor) Thurs. Dec. 10 9:00 + Matthew Beckage (John & Mary Ann Turko) Fri., Dec. 11 9:00 + Anna Chaykosky (Shirley Romanovitch) Sat., Dec. 12 No Morning Divine Liturgy. 2:00 Confessions. 4:00 + Michael & Rose (Carol) Sun., Dec. 13 10:00 For Our Parishioners + Father John Fields Your Excellencies, Dear Fathers, Sisters and Brothers, I regret to inform our priests, religious, and faithful that Father John Fields has passed away in his home. Cause of death is yet to be determined. Among the numerous services that Father John rendered to the Church was ministry as long-time pastor and, in recent years, Religious - 3 - Education and Communications Thanksgiving Father John was in good Director of our Archeparchy. Father spirits and seemingly improving in his John had many assignments in different health. parishes and various capacities I express my heartfelt condolences throughout our Archeparchy. to Father John’s family and friends. A lawyer by first profession, Father As Father John preached and John had a bright and inquisitive mind. professed, our hope is in the Lord and He was a builder of churches, an avid His Resurrection. conversationalist, a communicator. Let us remember him in our Animated, quick-witted, and with an grateful prayers. incisive sense of humor Father John May his memory be eternal. kept us alert. He loved to share news Вічная пам’ять! and was adept at doing so. In our last conversation before +Borys The Feast of St. Nicholas, of Myra, Wonderworker St. Nicholas stands out in the Church as a “model of faith and an example of virtue.” Nicholas was Archbishop of Myra in Lycia in the fourth century. He is called the Won- der-worker. His greatness lies neither in theological works nor in writing. He is a personification of a shepherd, a defender, and an intercessor. For us, Nicholas is a man of faith. He shows us what humility is and teaches us the values of moderation and poverty. All generations have acknowledged him as a holy . St. Nicholas, called “of Bari”, was bishop of Myra in the fourth century. - 4 - The great veneration with which this rion on the other side. This is an obvi- saint has been honored for many ages ous reference to his choice as Bishop and the number of altars and churches of Myra. It is common for events from which have been everywhere dedi- the lives of the to be shown in cated in his memory are testimonials their icons. In a vision to his elec- to his holiness and of the glory which tion as Bishop, Nicholas beheld Christ he enjoys with God. He is said to have handing him the Book of Gospels, and been born at Patara in Lycia, a prov- the Mother of God placing the omo- ince of Asia Minor. Myra, the capital, phorion on his shoulders. not far from the sea, was an episcopal The celebration of the Feast of St. see, and this church falling vacant, the Nicholas, on December 6, is a holiday holy Nicholas was chosen bishop, and celebrated with much joy in Ukraine, in that station became famous by his where it is a traditional custom to visit extraordinary piety and zeal and many and distribute gifts. Many Ukrainian astonishing miracles. communities continue this old tradi- The Greek histories of his life tion, which helps Ukrainian children agree that he suffered imprisonment remember that before Santa Claus for the faith and made a glorious con- there was a holy man called Nicholas. fession in the latter part of the perse- Named the patron saint of children, cution raised by Dioletian, and that he Nicholas was the son of a wealthy was present at the Council of Nicaea bishop and shared his fortune with and there condemned Arianism. He the poor. He was said to have secretly died at Myra, and was buried in his left bags of gold in the night for those cathedral. who could not afford dowries for their The Icon of St. Nicholas brings daughters. Legend says that maidens him into our life. He is shown with his need only pray to the patron saint and right hand raised in blessing and his they will have good husbands in the left hand clasping a scroll. As bishop, future. he blesses his people in the name of With St. Nicholas we stand in faith Christ and brings the Word of Truth and worship, seeing him as a model to them. The Icon encloses the image for our Christian lives and a model for of Christ holding the Gospel Book on Christian leadership. We ask him to one side of the Saint, and the Mother pray to Christ for us. of God holding the Bishop’s omopho- - 5 - On the Feast of the Maternity of the Holy Anna The U. S. Ukrainian of obligation were promulgated and the Hierarchy issued the following letter Feast of the dated November 30, 2006: was not included as a day of obligation. To the Clergy, Sisters, and the As the feast of the Conception of Faithful of the Metropolitan Province St. Anne is celebrated on December of Philadelphia for Ukrainians: 9th in ALL of the Eastern Churches As long as anyone can remember, (Gregorian Calendar) and specifically we have celebrated the Feast of the in the Ukrainian Church, we, the Immaculate Conception in the United undersigned, promulgate that the States on December 8th as a Holy Day Feast of the Conception of St. Anne of Obligation. This was done so we is to be celebrated on December 9th may be in solidarity with our brothers in the United States of America. This and sisters of the as this will enable our Church to be title of the Mother of God is the patron of one accord in its celebration of the of our great country. In accordance Liturgical life of our Church. This is to with the decree (1.4) of the Synod of take effect immediately. Given on the of the Ukrainian Catholic Feast of St. Andrew (November 30) Church during the Synod of 1997 2006. (September 14th - 20th), the holy days + +Robert M. Moskal +Richard S. Seminack +Paul Chomnycky, O.S.B.M. Andrew’s Pence The Synod of Bishops of the Ukrai- and freedom. Many settled on another nian Greek (UGCC) continent, where church buildings of has decided to hold a collection, called the UGCC are not everywhere, so that Andrew’s Pence, to support faithful of the faithful could not attend services UGCC abroad where there is no per- in their native Church. Wishing to manent ecclesiastical structure. provide all faithful of the UGCC with More than 100 years ago Ukraini- spiritual care, the bishops call upon all ans started to leave their native land in to support the faithful of the UGCC search of a better life, material welfare, abroad in prayer and financially, col- - 6 - lecting the so-called Andrew’s Pence. Philadelphia, the “Andrew’s Pence” According to the Protocol of the collection is to be taken in all parishes Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of each year in the month of December. Tis the Season for Decorating St. Cyril’s Church for Christmas 2020 We will asking for the men be decorating and women who the Church can help, to show for Christmas up today. If need today (Sunday, be, the decorating December 6th) will continue on beginning at Monday, Dec. 7th, NOON. The after the morning past few years, Divine Liturgy. our Church We need was decorated someone so beautifully specifically to help with the extra put the garland on Christmas trees the Iconostas and and poinsettias the columns of setting the mood for Christmas. the Altar. As the trees are set up, the Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we garland is put upstairs on the Choir are asking parishioners to wear a mask balcony, trees are “fluffed”, the lights as we proceed with this Church activity. are all working, wreaths and lights We understand that not everyone is are put on the windows, we will work comfortable being in contact with together to make the Christmas Season others during this time. But, we are 2020 at St. Cyril’s memorable! Important Reminder For those who have ordered from 3:00 to 7:00 in the church hall on poinsettias, they will be available for 207 River Street. Please remember to pick-up MONDAY, DECEMBER 7TH wear a mask and keep socially distant. - 7 - Christmas Bake Sale Orders for the Christmas Bake Ann 570-489-4648. Pick-up of the Sale must be received by Monday, orders will be on Monday, December December 7th. Order forms are 21st from 3:00 to 7:00 at the church available in the back of the church. hall on 207 River Street. Please help You can, also, place an order our by participating in this by calling: Jule 570-357-6171, third phase of our fund raiser. Michaelene 570-209-2026, or, Mary 2021 Church Calendars The 2021 Church Calendars are Church. The Calendars are free, but available in the Vestibule of the any donations will be appreciated. Cookie Sale Saint Nicholas of Myra Byzantine linzer, fruitcakes and many many Catholic Church 320 Vine St. more. Cost is $9 per pound. Preorders Old Forge is holding their annual can be placed by calling Betty 570- Christmas Cookie Sale on Saturday, 457-9292 or Maria 570-457-8275. December 19th from 10 am to 12 pm. Preorders will be accepted until All cookies will be sold on a preorder December 7th. Preorders will not be basis only. Cookie are homemade and accepted after this date. All Covid 19 include anise wedding, thumbprint, safety guidelines have been followed pepper cookies, chocolate chip, for this sale. peanut butter kisses, nut rugalach, Collection Processing Team... The Collection Processing Team for #4: Ron Barkofsky and Joe Smagula. the month of December 2020 is Team Sunday Collection for Nov. 28 & 29, 2020: $2,617.40 Thank you to everyone who continues to support our Parish financially in our weekly collections. If you are still staying at home due to the pandemic, and are able to send any amount, it would be a blessing. Twenty-Seventh Sunday After Pentecost - 8 - Ss. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church

135 River St., Olyphant, PA 18447-1435

Telephone: 570-291-4451 Fax: 570-489-6918

Web Site: stcyrils.weconnect.com

E-Mail: [email protected]

Rev. Nestor Iwasiw, Pastor

The Legendary Saint Nicholas

Icon of Saint Nicholas of Myra -- December 6th

Eastern Christian Bulletin Service -- PO Box 3909 -- Fairfax, VA 22038-3909 www.ecbulletin.com Ph: 703-691-8862 Fax: 703-691-0513