Eastern Life Publication of the Byzantine Catholic of Passaic

VOL. LI, NO. 4 APRIL 2015 Christos Voskrese! Voistinnu Voskrese! The Harrowing of Hades Kurt’s Pastoral Message for Pascha 2015

fter a bitterly cold winter again and again; for forgiveness, that Himself, and when He sacrificed turns that in the north, the blessed is, , has risen from the grave. Himself on the cross as both vic- passage upside down, and makes it warmth of spring has ar- tim and high , “surely He has a prophecy of the descent of Jesus rived.A The snow is melting, and What kind of sadness do you live borne our griefs, and carried our into Hades. Like the King of Baby- the damp earth is exposed, soon to with? Is it pain in the flesh, a health sorrows, … and the Lord has laid on lon, Jesus has lost everything on the be broken by new plants pushing problem that will never get better, or Him the iniquity of us all.” cross: His dignity, His friends, His through to the surface. The dead just old age that overtakes us all? Or followers, His flesh, and finally His branches of trees are covered, first is it the pain of the family, the loss There is a passage in Isaiah that de- life. And when Jesus descends into with tiny red points, and then green of loved ones, or fighting and divi- scribes the descent into the under- Hades, all the dead stand up to greet buds, and finally fresh leaves, as if Him, but not to mock Him as they they were dressing for a party—the mocked the King of Babylon, but to feast of , the feast of the Lamb. hear the Good News. As Saint Pe- ter tells us in his first Epistle, Christ Without the winter, we don’t ap- went in the Spirit to preach to the preciate the spring, and without fac- spirits in prison. ing death, we don’t feel the full joy of the resurrection. Imagine the joy that those souls must have felt in the underworld— “Let no one mourn that he has Adam and Eve, who spent thousands fallen again and again; for forgive- of years watching their children and ness has risen from he grave.” How grandchildren arrive in the under- comforting are these words of Saint world, weighed down with their John Chryostom in the winter of our own sins and the sin of Adam and sins, whether truly deadly ones that Eve—Moses who saw his students make us weep for risking our eternal arriving in the underworld, con- , or the soul-numbing ha- demned because they didn’t listen bitual sins that wear us down year af- to his admonition—David who saw ter year with discouragement. Like his kingdom divided and his sheep snow and ice, sin seems beautiful carried off by lions and his house through a window, and like the cold, ravaged all because of his own adul- it saps our strength and deprives us tery and murder. But then a change of life without protection. There of mood when arrives, is a phenomenon called paradoxi- according to our hymns, he tells cal undressing. When people are Isaiah, “Your prophecy is fulfilled, freezing to death, they sometimes the has given birth.” And he start removing their clothes because tells King David, “Rejoice, for God they feel extremely hot. A man in has kept his promise to you—your New Jersey was found in that state Son and your Lord is taking His this winter. And so it is with any- throne for all eternity.” And finally, one who is completely given over to The Descent into Hades after the Crucifixion with its mighty evil—he believes himself righteous earthquake, the Creator of Life it- and confidently tears off all protec- sion? Or is it loneliness, or a feeling world of the King of Babylon when self arrives to take His to the tion, sneering at everyone else. But that life has no purpose or nothing he is dead. It says that Hades is in a new promised land. Imagine the joy for those who have been touched ever gets better? Regret over lost commotion, and all the dead kings when He preached to the spirits in by evil and escaped, the memory of opportunities? An unkind word to get up off their thrones to greet him, prison. looking over the cliff and being gen- your husband or wife that you can’t and remind him that he has lost all tly pulled back by the loving hand of take back? his earthly splendor. It’s a passage King David prophesied in Psalm God is a memory of comfort and re- that ridicules this one time master 15(16), “For you will not leave my lief as well as overwhelming humili- Easter is your feast day to rejoice! of the world. Just as Jesus Christ soul in Hades, you will not allow ty. Let no one mourn who has fallen For Jesus took all of these things on turned everything upside down, Continued on page 2

Cathedral Schedule of Ser- Hungarian Greek Catholic Dome Raising of Saint What’s Cooking for Pascha— vices for Great Week—p2 Elevated—p3 Nicholas —p7 pp8-9 Page 2 Eastern Catholic Life APRIL 2015

all you mortals! For Jesus has laid The Harrowing of Hades down His life, destroying the power Pastoral Reflections of Bishop Kurt of evil and all of its offspring, paying Continued from page 1 the price for our sins, throwing hell into an uproar. your holy one to undergo corrup- Speaking in Jerusalem after He tion.” King David was talking about cured the man born blind, Jesus Rejoice all people! For the win- himself, but he did stay in Hades, said, “The good shepherd lays down ter of our sins is over, the warmth and his body did decay. Then, with His life for His sheep.” And Jesus did of spring is melting the deathly the into the underworld of lay down His life for us, His sheep. ice. The damp ground is mov- Jesus, Son of David, King David was And then He said, “I lay down My ing—pushed aside by new life, as restored; he was not left in Hades. life, that I may take it again. No man the green plants come out of the But he also was prophesying about takes it away from Me: but I lay it underworld and reach towards the Jesus Christ Himself: His soul did down of Myself, and I have power light. Our burdens are lifted, our joice and walk into the new spring not stay in Hades, and His body did to lay it down: and I have power chains are unlocked, and the doors with Christ! not undergo corruption. to take it up again.” Rejoice today, of our prison are flung open. Re-

Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel, Passaic Schedule of Divine Services For Great Week and Pascha Great and 10:00 AM - (Chapel) Office of Holy Anointing of the Sick 7:00 PM - (Cathedral) Hierarchical Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts with Office of Holy Anointing of the Sick Celebrant: Most Reverend Kurt R. Burnette Great and Holy Thursday 6:00 PM - (Cathedral) Great Vespers with Hierarchical of Saint Basil and Washing of Feet Celebrant: Most Reverend Kurt R. Burnette Great and Holy Friday 9:00 AM - (Cathedral) Office of Matins and the Reading of the Passion Gospels Celebrant: Most Reverend Kurt R. Burnette 3:00 PM - (Cathedral) Vespers and Burial with the Holy Shroud Celebrant: Most Reverend Kurt R. Burnette Great and 5:00 PM - (Cathedral) Great Vespers with Hierarchical Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great followed by Procession, Resurrection Matins, Blessing of Paschal Foods Celebrant: Most Reverend Kurt R. Burnette The Great Day - The Resurrection of our Lord 9:00 AM - (Cathedral) Hierarchical Divine Liturgy - Blessing of Paschal Foods Celebrant: Most Reverend Kurt R. Burnette 11:00 AM - (Chapel) Divine Liturgy - Blessing of Paschal Foods Celebrant: Most Reverend Kurt R. Burnette Bright Monday 9:00 AM - (Cathedral) Divine Liturgy Celebrant: Very Reverend Marcel Szabo Bright Tuesday 9:00 AM - (Cathedral) Divine Liturgy Celebrant: Very Reverend Marcel Szabo

Eparchial Registration Information Youth Congress will provide interactive programs • Please go to designed for young people to play, listen, serve, build http://www.worldmeeting2015.org and embrace the mission of love in a family. for more information and to register.

Held every three years and sponsored by the Holy • Once you have registered, please See’s Pontifical Council for the Family, the World forward a copy of your registration Meeting of Families is the world’s largest Catholic to the Eparchy of Passaic at he World Meeting of Families will take place gathering of families. Each World Meeting of Fami- [email protected]. Tin Philadelphia, PA, from September 22-25, lies has a theme that energizes and enlivens the event 2015. This gathering will offer an Adult Congress and while adding great depth of meaning to our under- • Bishop Kurt is planning a special event that a Youth Congress for ages 6 to 17. The Adult Con- standing of families. The theme of the World Meeting will bring together everyone who will be gress, for ages 18 and older, will consist of keynote of Families – Philadelphia 2015 is “Love Is Our Mis- attending. The Eparchy will also be offering a presentations and breakout sessions that address the sion: The Family Fully Alive,” emphasizing the impact partial registration reimbursement to families many ways in which families can strengthen their of the love and life of families on our society. who attend with children. bonds, especially in the face of significant challenges If you have any questions, please e-mail facing the family globally in the 21st century. The We are hopeful that many of our families of the Ep- archy of Passaic will participate. Father Ed Cimbala at: [email protected] APRIL 2015 Eastern Catholic Life Page 3 Breaking News! Greek in Hungary Elevated to Status

n Thursday, March 20, 2015, it was an- We wish Blessed nounced that Francis has elevated Years and heartfelt, theO Hungarian Greek Catholic Church to the sta- prayerful congratula- tus of Metropolitan Church sui iuris, at the same tions and best wishes time elevating the Eparchy of Hajdúdorog to a to newly-elevated Met- Metropolitan Archeparchy, with its seat at De- ropolitan Fülöp and brecen, appointing Bishop Fülöp Kocsis as the Bishop Atanázt and the first Metropolitan. The Holy Father also elevated faithful of the Greek the Apostolic Exarchate of Miskolc to the status Catholic Metropolitan of Eparchy, making it a suffragan of the Metro- Church of Hajdúdorog! politan See of Hajdúdorog, appointing Bishop Atanázt Orosz, formerly Apostolic of Adjon nekik az Isten Miskolc, as its first Eparchial Bishop. In addition, sok boldog esztendőt! erected the Eparchy of Nyíregy- háza, with territory taken from the Metropolitan Archeparchy of Hajdúdorog, making it a suffra- More information about the Church in Hungary to gan of the same Metropolitan Archeparchy, and appear in a future issue. appointing Bishop Atanázt Orosz as Apostolic Administrator . Photo courtesy Father Joseph Bertha

+Cantor Andrew Petruska Called to Eternal Repose Bristol, CT

n Tuesday, School System for 34 years and was a member of Dallas, TX; Andrew, Jr., of Bristol, CT; Mark February 17, of the CT Retired Teachers Association. He had and his wife, Donna, of Bristol, CT; as well as by 2015, Andrew Petruska, 85,O retired long time lived many years in Newington , CT, before set- his sisters and brothers, Sister Maria Petruska, Cantor and Choir Director of Holy Byz- tling in Bristol, CT, where he was a member of OSBM, of Uniontown, PA; Fathers Gregory and antine Catholic Church in New Britain, CT, fell the Senior Citizens Club. Mr. Petruska’s heavenly Christopher Petruska, of Los Angeles, CA; and asleep in the Lord at The Pines of Bristol, CT. tenor voice made its presence known especially at Theresa Ortmann of Pittsburgh, PA; and his pre- Born in Mahanoy City, PA, on September 20, Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church where cious grandchildren, Jessica and Dylan Petruska. 1929, he was the son of the late Andrew and he was Cantor, Choir Director, and a parishioner Funeral services were celebrated beginning Sat- Mary (Ciparik) Petruska. Mr. Petruska was a for many years, and in the New Britain Chorale, urday, February 21, 2015, at 8:45 a.m. from the graduate of Saint Procopius College in Lisle, IL, Saint Ann Church. He was preceded in death by Burritt Hill Funeral Home, 332 Burritt St., New and received his master’s degree from Duquesne his beloved wife, Carol (Kowar), in 1990, and Britain, CT 06053, with a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Di- University in Pittsburgh, PA. to retire- by his sisters, Helen Petruska and Margaret Pe- vine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic ment, in addition to his faithful duties as Cantor truska. He is survived by his children, Dr. Janet Church, 121 Beaver St., New Britain. Interment and Choir Director, he was a dedicated teacher (Petruska) Hamilton and her husband, Dr. Rus- followed at Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic of Latin and English in the New Britain Public sell Hamilton of West Orange, NJ; Beth Kowar Cemetery. Eternal memory!

+Irene Juba Called to Eternal Repose Dunmore, PA

rene Juba of Dunmore, PA, mother of events. She was a devoted wife, mother, grand- Nicholas Juba and George N. Juba, Jr., President and CEO of mother, sister and daughter. She was a beauti- Christopher Juba; four theI Greek Catholic Union (GCU), fell asleep ful homemaker, talented cook, and baker. Her great-grandchildren in the Lord at Heritage Valley Hospital, Beaver, warmth and kindness will be missed by the many and several nieces and PA. She was preceded in death by her husband, lives she touched. nephews. George N. Juba, a prominent Dunmore banker and community and political leader, who died Her family would like to thank the dedicated She was also preceded in death by a son, Ed- March 12, 2006. They were married for 56 years. staff at Beaver Meadows, where she resided in her ward G. Juba; and a sister, Aldona Wright. later years, for the care they provided. Born in Old Forge, PA, daughter of the late John The funeral was held from the Albert P. and Julia Ambrutis Dolinish, she was a graduate Surviving are a son, George N. Juba, Jr.; daugh- O’Donnell Funeral Home, 2025 Green Ridge of Pittston High School and a member of Saint ters-in-law, Susanne Juba, Beaver, and Anne St., Dunmore, with a Panachida at 9:30 a.m., fol- Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, Dunmore. Jeanne Juba, Scottsdale, AZ; a , Edward lowed by the Funeral Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Dolinish and wife, Alice, Old Forge; sisters, at Saint Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, 511 She was also an active member of the GCU, Mildred Dunda, Elmhurst, PA; and Mary Close E. Drinker St., Dunmore. Interment followed at Lodge 945, where she shared many wonderful and husband, Courtney, Dunmore; four grand- Saint Catherine Cemetery, Moscow, PA. Eternal times with family and friends at golf and bowling children, Edward C. Juba, Kimberly Gilligan, Memory! Page 4 Eastern Catholic Life APRIL 2015 People You Know In Wilkes-Barre... by James Hayer Provincial Visits as weekly visitations to the hospitalized Wilkes-Barre and homebound. Sister Seraphim Olsafsky, OSBM, Provincial In service of all five Superior of the Order of Sisters of Saint Basil the Byzantine Catholic Great in Uniontown, PA, recently visited Saint Parishes of the Wyo- Mary Parish and Convent in Wilkes-Barre. She ming valley, the Sis- had visited the parish and convent annually dur- ters visit between 30 ing the past 10 years of her 2 terms as Provincial and 40 nursing facili- Superior. This year marked her last official visit as ties each month. as her term is expiring. Saint Mary Parish There have been Sisters of Saint Basil the Great in Wilkes-Barre is serving at Saint Mary Church for nearly 90 years. served by Archpriest In 1925, Father Nicholas Chopey petitioned James Hayer with the Mother Macrina to send several Sisters of Saint assistance of Sister Seraphim, Sister Regina, Archpriest James Hayer, Sister Theodosia, Basil to teach at Saint Mary’s Parochial School, the Edward Frey and Dea- Server Leo Krugel, and Deacon Basil Soroka first Byzantine catholic Parochial School in the con Basil Soroka. Saint United States. Upon arriving in 1925, the Sisters Mary’s Protection Par- tance of Deacon Lawrence Worlinsky. have had a continuous presence in the Wyoming ish in Kingston and Saint John the Baptist Parish in Wilkes-Barre Township are served by Father May God grant to Sister Seraphim, Sister Theo- Valley, with residence at Saint Mary’s Convent in dosia, Sister Regina and all the Sisters of Saint Ba- Wilkes-Barre. The two Sisters currently serving Mykhaylo Prodanets; Saint Michael the Archan- gel parish in Pittston and Saint Nicholas of Myra sil the Great peace health and happiness for many here are Sister Theodosia Alishofski, OSBM, and years! Sister Regina Adams, OSBM. The Sisters pro- Parish in Swoyersville are served by Father Gary vide catechetical and cantoring ministry, as well Mensinger, regional Syncellus, with the assis-

Wyoming Valley Sunday Lenten Vespers Children from Wyoming Valley ECF parish programs par- ticipate in the procession Each Sunday of the Great Fast, the and Vespers and the opportunity to receive the Holy to parish each Sunday provides everyone with faithful of the five Byzantine Catholic Parishes of Mystery of Reconciliation. Of course, there is the opportunity to share in community prayer, the Wyoming Valley of Northeast Pennsylvania also a fellowship social afterwards with an array see other churches, and meet new friends. gather in a different parish for the celebration of of delicious Lenten foods. Traveling from parish The celebration of vespers on the first Sunday of the Great Fast, which is dedicated to the resto- EASTERN CATHOLIC LIFE POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: ration of the Holy Images, included an Icon Pro- Eastern Catholic Life cession at Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church (USPS 165-600) (ISSN 0894-9786) 445 Lackawanna Avenue, in Wilkes-Barre, where children from the various Official Publication of the Woodland Park, NJ 07424. Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic ECF programs carried in procession. Most Reverend Bishop Kurt Burnette, Subscription Rate: $15.00 per year. President and Publisher The five Byzantine Catholic Parishes of Penn- News and Photo Services: Reverend James Badeaux, Editor sylvania’s Wyoming Valley include Saint Mary’s Catholic News Service, CNS Picture Service Reverend Ronald Hatton, Associate Editor Protection in Kingston, Saint Michael the Arch- and Member of the Catholic Press Associa- Deacon Lewis Rabayda, Layout Editor angel in Pittston, Saint Nicholas of Myra in tion of America. Mrs. Diane Rabiej, Copy Editor Swoyersville, Saint John the Baptist in Wilkes- Mrs. Maureen French, Circulation Editor Barre Township, and Saint Mary of the Assump- Published monthly by the ([email protected]) Eastern Catholic Press Association, tion in Wilkes-Barre. The parishes are served by 445 Lackawanna Avenue, E-Mail us at: Archpriest James Hayer, Father Gary Mensinger, Woodland Park NJ 07424. [email protected] regional syncellus, and Father Mykhaylo Pro- Phone: 973-890-7777. Fax: 973-890-7175. danets, with the assistance of Deacon Edward Postage Paid at Little Falls, NJ and additional Eparchial Website: Frey, Deacon, Basil Soroka, Deacon Lawrence office at Bellmawr, NJ. www.EparchyofPassaic.com Worlinsky, and the ministry of the Sisters of Saint Basil the Great. APRIL 2015 Eastern Catholic Life Page 5 Around the Eparchy In Smithtown… Meatfare Sunday

More than two hundred parishioners and Fr. Jack Custer offered a few hours of Lenten char- guests turned out on Meatfare Sunday for “Car- ity on Saturday, February 21, by volunteering to nevale in Italia” at Resurrection Byzantine Cath- sort and organize the grocery stock of the Smith- olic Church in Smithtown NY. Featuring the town Emergency Food Pantry. Maintained by Neapolitan spaghetti and meatballs with seven local congregations, Resurrection Church “Sunday sauce” prepared under the direction of among them, the Food Pantry has provided gro- Josephine and Joe Andrews, the meal included cery packages to needy families on Long Island salads, garlic bread, home made Italian desserts, for thirty one years. All seven congregations con- Italian wines and beer and an espresso bar. Table tribute foodstuffs weekly and take turns staffing service was provided by parish teens and friends. the Pantry on a monthly rotation. The music of Rosalba Ranieri delighted the guests throughout the afternoon. ByzanTeens, ByzanTeen alumni home from Chefs Joe and Jo Andrews take a break from the kitchen college, parents and moderators Bob Knapp and Young Adult Marian Pilgrimage Sponsored by the Orientale Lumen Foundation

The Orientale Lumen Foundation, a “grass arranging events for this pilgrimage. roots” non-profit organization that promotes Eastern , will sponsor a Marian Pil- The pilgrimage will include attending the large grimage to Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria on outdoor gathering on Zvir Mountain near Lit- August 7-18, 2015. Byzantine Catholic young manova, Slovakia where an apparition of Mary adults, age 20-29, from across the US, are invited appeared to several Greek Catholics 20-25 years to participate in this exciting trip to religious sites, ago. This year is the 25th anniversary of the last churches, and cultural centers of Eastern Europe. apparition. It will also include touring wooden In addition to learning more about their “roots,” churches of the Carpathian Mountains, visiting they will meet other Byzantine Catholic young the cathedrals of our , and traveling to adults in Presov and Bratislava, and experience the famous Mariapocs icons in Hungary and Vi- the vibrant, growing Churches in that region. enna, Austria. This pilgrimage is designed to provide those who Local transportation, accommodations, and attended the ByzanTeen Rallies, and are now in some meals are included in the pilgrimage pack- their twenties, with an enjoyable and educational age for only $1,995 per person, double occupan- way to keep involved in the Byzantine Catholic cy. Any who do not register with another person Church. Similar to the seminary Concert Tours will be assigned a roommate. Air travel to and organized by the OL Foundation, this pilgrimage from Vienna is not included, but can be arranged will also promote further direct communication through the OL Foundation office. between young American and European Byzan- tine Catholics. A registration deposit of $500 is due by May 1, 2015, with monthly payments due until August Father Andrew Deskevich, Protosyncellus of 1st. Only a limited number of spaces are available, Visit the website for more details, to download the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, and frequent so register early to insure your place in this won- a flier or detail itinerary, or to register online. visitor to Eastern Europe, will be the pilgrimage derful spiritual and cultural experience. Parents Click on the Pilgrimage button at www.olconfer- . The Tour Director will be Lector Jack and grandparents of young adults might want to ence.com. Or call 703-691-8862 for more infor- Figel, who has been traveling to this area for more consider this pilgrimage as a gift for graduation, mation. than 30 years. He also successfully arranged the or some other purpose, to help younger genera- Ecumenical Pilgrimage in October 2014 that had tions learn about their religious background in August 7-18, private audiences with Pope Francis and Ecu- Eastern Europe. menical Bartholomew. He is directly 2015

Passport Name:______Date of Birth:______Street:______Circle One: Male Female City:______State: ______Zipcode: ______Phone:______Email:______Credit Card: ______Expiration Date: ______Amount Enclosed: _$______Make checks payable to: Reservation deposit of $500 due by May 1, 2015. Orientale Lumen Foundation Full payment due by August 1, 2015. PO Box 192, Fairfax, VA 22030-0192 SPACE LIMITED – RESERVE EARLY Page 6 Eastern Catholic Life APRIL 2015

Annual Water Blessing Wilkes-Barre, PA By Archpriest James G. Hayer

On Sunday, January 18, the Vigil banks of the Susquehanna typi- of the feast of Theophany according cally overflow from time to time, to the Julian calendar, the clergy and and the prayers of the faithful are a faithful of the Byzantine Catholic great source of comfort. Following Parishes of the Wyoming Valley of the blessing all were invited back to Northeast Pennsylvania, processed Saint Nicholas Church in Swoyers- to the banks of the Susquehanna ville for hot chocolate and dessert. River in Wilkes-Barre for the bless- ing of the waters. The five Byzantine Catholic Par- ishes of Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley are served by Archpriest James Hayer, Father Gary Mensing- er, and Father Mykhaylo Prodanets with the assistance of Deacon Ed- ward Frey, Deacon, Basil Soroka, Deacon Lawrence Worlinsky, and Archpriest James Hayer blesses the faithful the ministry of the Sisters of Saint Basil the Great. Several dozen people, including The annual River Blessing in the clergy and faithful, from all five Byz- Wyoming Valley area has special antine Catholic Parishes gathered significance for long-time residents at the Nesbitt Park Boat Launch on who recall the Great Flood of 1972 Archpriest James Hayer recites a prayer a cold, blustery, but prayer-filled as a result of Hurricane Agnes. The Sunday afternoon. This includes the parishes of Saint Nicholas, Swoy- ersville; Saint Michael, Pittston; Saint Mary’s Protection, Kingston; Saint John the Baptist, Wilkes-Barre Town- ship; and Saint Mary of the Assumption, Wil- kes-Barre. Father Mykhaylo Prodanets mingles the blessed water with the Susquehanna Wyoming Valley Clergy bless the water Cross bearers lead the procession to the river Jersey City Choir Offers CDs and Cassettes St. Mary Church Byzantine Catholic Church announces the sale of their four com- pact disc (CD) recordings and their four stereo cassette recordings.

Compact discs are $12.00 each, or any four Select from for $43.95. Stereo cassette recordings are $7.95 (1) Great Fast and Resurrection each or any four for $29.95. All orders are post- age and handling free. (2) Divine Liturgy in Old Slavonic (3) Divine Liturgy in English (4) Christmas Caroling

Send orders to: St. Mary Choir, 231 Pacific Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07304 APRIL 2015 Eastern Catholic Life Page 7 Dome Raising at Saint Nicholas Parish Danbury, CT

On February 17, 2015, a cold, blustery morn- ing, but with the sun shining brightly, the parish- ioners and neighbors of Saint Nicholas Parish, in Danbury CT, were able, once again, to see an onion dome perched atop their church, now un- der re-construction after the devastating fire of June 28, 2013. A group of parishioners braved the single-digit wind chill and joined Father Ron- ald Hatton, of Saint Nicholas, to bless the dome and watch as it was raised to its home on the bell tower. The dome was manufactured by Architectural Fiberglass, Inc., Brecksville, OH, and had to have “wide-load” permits to travel the highways through Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. The dome weighs 1800 pounds, more than half of which is the weight of the cross. The crane used to erect the dome had to raise it 127 feet at an angle of 50 degrees, and was prevented from getting close to the building due to the amount of snow on the ground around the church. Despite the conditions, the dome was expertly inched on top of the bell tower. Father Ron prays the prayer of blessing for the dome, while Father Ron blesses the dome with Holy Water as part Caldwell & Walsh Building Construction, Inc., parishioner, Sharon Siwik, participates. George Fairchild, of the Ritual of Sandy Hook, CT, is the General Contractor of Site Superintendent, looks on the project, and anticipates completion by the end of May. The Parish family of Saint Nicholas is looking forward to re-occupying its parish home in June, with a re-dedication by Bishop Kurt later in the summer.

The dome is gently placed atop the tower

The new dome is a witness to the Danbury community of Christ’s presence in our world Page 8 Eastern Catholic Life APRIL 2015 What’s Cooking for Pascha? By Georgia Zeedick lavic people everywhere will ½ cup sugar 3 bottles horseradish (Do not use 2 eggs be taking baskets loaded with l cup melted butter creamed horseradish.) ½ cup honey (optional) holidayS foods to church for the tra- ½ large cake yeast or equivalent Combine sugar and nuts. Beat Grind beets, using fine grinder at- ditional Paschal blessing which is a portion of dry yeast eggs and add to mixture, add honey tachment. The juice can be saved for must prior to eating those exquisite 12 to 14 cups flour. and milk. Cook over medium heat, soup. Add horseradish to beets; mix foods. In a large bowl, combine milk, stirring constantly. Bring to boil, re- sugar, with butter and cool to luke- well, refrigerate. An empty horse- move from stove; let cool. Roll out Neatly arranged in the baskets warm. Save 2 tablespoons of the radish jar (washed, label removed dough to ½-inch thick; brush with will be sunka (ham), slanina (ba- eggs and add the rest of the eggs and dipped in boiling water to steril- butter; place filling on dough and con), chrin (beets with horserad- to the milk mixture. In a separate ize it) can be filled with the mixture roll up. Bake. ish), salt, pascha, kolbassi, hrudka bowl, crumble yeast in water and let and placed in the Easter basket. The (sirets), butter, pysanki (ornately stand for 10 minutes. Add to above jar’s cap can be disguised with alu- Poppyseed Filling decorated eggs for decoration), col- mixture. Add flour, about 2 cups at minum foil, thus hiding any adver- l lb. ground poppyseed ored eggs for eating, and kola- a time, until the dough can be han- tisement. ½ cup honey chi. Some people may add candy dled. Kolachi______½ cup sugar and a bottle of wine (or other items 2 Tsp. butter, melted of Lenten sacrifice) to their baskets. Knead on floured board for 15 minutes. Place dough in greased (Nut and poppyseed) ½ cup milk After the foods are placed in the bowl, grease top and let rise in a Combine sugar with poppyseed. 8 egg yolks Add melted butter. Then add honey basket, an embroidered cloth cover warm place for about 1½ hours. 8 cups flour is placed over them and a blessed and milk. Cook over medium heat, Punch down, and let rise a second ½ lb. butter stirring constantly until blended. candle is fastened upright near the 1 cake yeast time for about 45 minutes. Cool and spread over dough that basket handle. I cup sugar 2 cups scalded milk has been rolled out to ½-inch thick- For the first-timers who have After second rising, shape into ness and brushed with butter. Roll four balls and place into greased 4 tbs. shortening never put together a Paschal bas- Beat eggs and sugar. Melt butter up and bake. ket, let alone prepared foods for pans. Small, 1½ quart enameled saucepans can be used for baking. and shortening in hot milk, saving it, the whole process can be mysti- ½ cup for the yeast. Dissolve yeast Ham______fying. Every cook has his or her fa- Let rise. Brush tops with 2 table- spoons eggs to which some milk has in lukewarm milk and let stand for The ham is decorated and baked vorite way of preparing these foods a few minutes. Combine both mix- according to your favorite recipe. and of measuring the ingredients for been added. To achieve that glazed appearance on the loaves, brush tures in large bowl. How large a ham you buy and use them, and asking for recipes can re- depends on how many people you sult in confusion. are serving. For a 20-pound ham: To take some of the mystery out Cut it in half, decorate the halves, of the preparation of the traditional bake them and place one of them in foods, here are a few recipes gleaned the basket. from my own experience and a few Slavic cookbooks. Kolbasi______Again, the amount of kolbasi pur- Hrudka (Sirets)______chased depends on how many eager 1 doz. eggs eaters you are serving. 1 or 2 tsp. vanilla 1 qt. milk Place the kolbasi in a pan, cover ½ cup sugar with water and boil for about 45 minutes. Some cooks, after the kol- Combine all ingredients in a white bassi is boiled, place a few into a enameled pan. Cook over medium baking pan and sprinkle them with to low heat, stirring constantly, un- about 2 tablespoons of brown sugar til mixture curdles. Pour mixture and honey. This is then popped into into a colander that is lined with the oven for about 15 minutes at several thicknesses of cheese- 350 degrees. Cool before refrigerat- cloth. Once mixture is drained, Photo by Bob Bruce. ing. pick it up, cheesecloth and all, and shape into a ball by twisting the top Butter______tops several times prior to removing Add flour and mix well with hands part of the cheesecloth. Tightly tie them from the oven. Bake at 325 de- until dough leaves the hands. Re- If you prefer not to use already open end with string, placing string grees for about 1 hour. frigerate overnight. In the morning, prepared butter for the Easter feast- very close to top of ball. Caution: divide the dough into eight balls ing, the butter can be made by whip- This will be hot. Hang over sink un- Note: Before placing dough in and let rise for one hour. Roll out on ping heavy cream. Use either one til cool. Remove cheesecloth when pans, about 1 cup of the dough can floured board and spread with fill- pint or one-half pint heavy whip- cool; wrap and refrigerate. (The be saved and shaped into designs ing. Roll up gently, tucking in ends. ping cream. Place in bowl and mix whey from the hrudka can be saved (plaits, crosses, etc.) and placed on with hand beater until butter forms. and used when making pascha. To top of the unbaked paschy. These Bake at 350 degrees until brown, Place sample of butter in a small conserve the whey, place the colan- fancy shapes can be prevented from about 45 minutes. fancy bowl and decorate for use in der over a large pot before pouring scorching in the oven by placing Easter basket. mixture into cheesecloth.) aluminum foil on top of the pascha Brush tops of rolls, prior to put- during baking. ting into oven, with an egg-milk (The above is a revised version of an article Pascha______mixture. Doing so produces beauti- that originally appeared in the April 10, 1979, Hrin ______fully browned, shiny rolls. edition of the Homestead, PA, Daily Messen- 3 cups scalded milk, or enough ger.) scalded milk added to whey Beets with Nut Filling from hrudka to make 3 cups ½ tsp. salt Horseradish) 1 lb. ground walnuts 6 beaten eggs 8 cans whole beets, drained 1 cup canned milk ½ cup lukewarm water ½ cup sugar APRIL 2015 Eastern Catholic Life Page 9

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Page 10 Eastern Catholic Life APRIL 2015

Searching the Scriptures Father Jack Custer, S.T.D. “Let God Arise”—Psalm 68 and Pascha

e huddle with anticipation been used at their local shrine on offers us a chance to kill off a bit the of the Church. outside the closed doors of Mount Tabor (the site of Our Lord’s more of the defeated but not yet ourW parish church early on a spring Transfiguration). The reference to destroyed power of sin in our own We offer Christ a hymn of vic- Sunday morning. The priest in- Jerusalem (v. 30), which was con- lives. tory (“the triumphal hymn”) in ev- tones the tropar “Christ is risen” quered by David several centuries ery Divine Liturgy, because every for the first time. The bells ring, the later, marks the next stage, when The Entrance Hymn for the Divine Divine Liturgy makes the sacrifice doors open, we stream into a temple Psalm 68 would have been sung in Liturgy of Pascha (Psalm 68:27) of Calvary and the victory of Pas- bathed in light and filled with flow- the Temple built by David’s son, looks forward into God’s plan and cha present and available to us. It is ers to find an empty tomb. There King Solomon. When the psalm- sees us: “In the churches bless God; this same victory—Christ’s victory can be no better moment than this. ist singles out Egypt and Ethiopia from Israel’s wellspring bless the over sin and death—that we cel- (v. 32), he may be pointing to even Lord.” The word Our tradition links the Paschal more recent hostilities. “churches” translates tropar with the first three verses of the Hebrew qahal. Psalm 68. We know these verses by All of these historical references In the singular, this heart, but have probably never given are milestones on the path of sal- word often describes them much thought: (1) Let God vation. They foreshadow in some the liturgical gather- arise, and let His enemies be scat- partial way what God had planned ing of the people of tered, and let those who hate Him to realize completely in His Son, Israel in the Old Tes- flee from before His face. (2) As Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1). Ethio- tament. It is used in smoke vanishes, so let them vanish; pia and Egypt received the Good the plural only here, as wax melts before a fire. (3) So let News from the Apostles and came implying something the wicked perish at the presence of to know new life in the Risen Christ. more, something God, but let the righteous ones re- In the end, the Enemy is no momen- new, a multitude of joice. tary threat like Sisera or any hostile gatherings around nation. Saint Paul teaches that “The the world, to which Psalm 68 has had a long and com- last enemy to be destroyed is death” all nations are invit- plex history reaching all the way (1 Corinthians 15:26), and Saint ed (Matthew 28:19). back to the conquest of the land of John’s Revelation describes how the In God’s plan, Tabor Israel by Joshua and his successors, Devil (20:10) and then Death and and Jerusalem point perhaps as early as the 15th century Hades (20:14) are finally thrown forward to the little BC. It is a hymn sung in the after- into the eternal pool of fire by the temples of our own math of a battle in which the Lord victorious Christ. parishes. Yet there has led His people to victory. That remains only one battle may well have been the one Pascha celebrates this victory over “wellspring,” one described in the Book of Judges sin and death. Christ has already single source of life and victory, “the ebrate with the verses of Psalm 68. (chapters 4 and 5), when Israel de- won it for us (Revelation 3:21). It fountain of immortality, springing The long journey that Psalm 68 has feated the Canaanite King Jabin, remains for us to deal with the re- up from the tomb of Christ,” as Saint taken through more than 3000 years and his general Sisera was killed in sidual skirmishes of sin in our own John Damascene teaches us to sing of history leads right to us and the a most humiliating way by Jael as lives and, with God’s , to make in his Paschal . It flows on in victory over sin and death that we he attempted to flee. The particular an end of them as the virtuous wom- the preaching of the Apostles, flows celebrate this Pascha. mention of the tribes of Benjamin, an Jael made a shameful end of cow- through their successors the bish- Napthali and Zebulun (v. 28) sug- ardly Sisera (Judges 4:17-24). Each ops of the Church, flows through gests that this psalm may have first year, the discipline of the Great Fast

Byzantine Catholic Family Day — 2015 Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, PA Sunday, May 17, 2015 APRIL 2015 Eastern Catholic Life Page 11

Catechetical Reflections Father Robert F. Slesinski, Ph.D. OMG: A Shout in the Street? Installment 2 of 6

n the inaugural entry for this column, a justification of the title was Holy Names of Jesus [Jan. 2] and Mary [Sept. 12]). And, sad to say, most drawn from a couple of sources found in world literature of the last probably most of these offenders may never cross the threshold of a church. century.I Regarding a “shout in the street,” there is another striking passage Yet, is there no hope for these forlorn souls? I would definitely not think from a true classic of world literature. But this one dates to the Medieval so, as their very cries, however mindless, still indicate some awareness of a Ages, the fourteenth century to be exact. It is found in The Divine Comedy higher order, however indifferent they may seem to it, however oblivious of Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) and unlike the cases of Rozanov and Joyce, they may be to the true power behind these Names. it is suffused with a vibrant faith. Specifically in hisPurgatorio , Canto V, we find Dante traversing this state of suffering, gaining insights into why More importantly, however, in the very misuse of the Holy Names of people are found there. In short order, he comes across one of his rivals God, Jesus, and Mary—not to forget the saints—we do, oddly enough, find from the past, a one Buonconte (ironically meaning “Good Count”), some- ourselves in a position for possible incipient dialogue with those otherwise one he knew to be a true reprobate whose life of nefarious deeds should unmindful of religion and the faith. Seemingly everyday discourse presents have landed him in hell. But how could he have earned for himself a spot itself to us as a point of departure for a journey toward more permanent in purgatory that will in time after his purgatorial suffering enable him to and, yes, ultimate things in life, if only we can be sensitized to it. enter heaven for all eternity? Curiously—most interestingly, indeed—he The Name of the Lord is, indeed, the All-Name; all human discourse—in is ranked among the “unshriven” (to use an archaic term, but one which is fact, the entire created order—is founded upon it. As we read in the Gospel still used in such terms as “Shrove” Tuesday), namely, those who died un- of Saint John, confessed, those who died not having availed themselves of the sacramental grace of confession. In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God’s presence, and the Word was God. He was present to God in the beginning. Through Him all As “things” turned out, on a battlefield at the moment of his being about things came into being, and apart from Him nothing came to be. Whatever to be killed, this reprobate warrior cries out “OMG!”—not invoking the came to be in Him, found life, life for the light of men. The light shines on Name of the Lord in vain, but that of the Lord’s Mother—“O Mother of in darkness, a darkness that did not overcome it (John 1:1–5). God!” Yes, on hearing her name, the Mother of God did, indeed, intervene and whisked him away from the grasp of Satan and found refuge for this In this fashion, it would seem, we can postulate that all human discourse— inveterate sinner in purgatory. The words of Dante on this incident bear yes, even banal, everyday discourse—has the seed of the Logos planted quotation in full: within it. As novel an idea as this may seem, it actually is a very ancient one in Christian understanding. It harks back to Saint Justin Martyr (b. Just at the junction, where its name perforce between 100–110 – d. ca. 165), who shrewdly coined the term “Christians is lost, I arrived, stabbed in the throat, fordone, before Christ” in referring to noted pagans like Socrates and Heraclitus. Ex- fleeing on foot and bloodying my course. panding upon the prologue of Saint John’s Gospel, he speaks of the logos There I lost sight, and with my latest groan spermatikos (Gr.), rendered in Latin as semina Verbi or “seeds of the Word.” I uttered Mary’s name, and there I fell: With this term, he insightfully heralds Christ the Word as the true causative And in that spot remained my flesh alone. principle of the Universe, which is at work everywhere and at all times in I’ll tell the truth: do thou the same re-tell the world as we know it. And, thus, whenever anyone—non-Christians in- ‘monst living men; God’s angel snatched me, and “Why cluded—speak true words about true things they do so because the seed of dost rob me, O thou from heav’n?” cried he of hell. the Logos in implanted in them. “Thou carriest off and dost to me deny this man’s eternal part for one small tear: What Saint Justin attributes to the great pagan thinkers of antiquity can, I but deal with the other otherwise will I.” would maintain, be applied to even the lowly and base characters we meet Now in our day-to-day world, whether at work or while shopping in life in that nothing in the created order is beyond the purview and reach or just being “on the street,” we hear the Names of the Lord and His Mother, of Divine Providence and Sustenance. OMG!—what hidden power lies the Holy , taken in vain so contrary to their true sublimity (one within this interjection—even when mindlessly uttered! should note that the even has two feast days in honor of the Open to ALL Parishioners, Family, Friends, GCU Members and Guests - Rain or Shine! Tentative Schedule 12:00 pm Park Opens 1 pm - 2 pm Catered Lunch! (optional) 3:00 pm Bingo / Games for Adults (with prizes!) 4:00 pm PRAYER SERVICE (Moleben) 4:30 pm Kids Games with prizes! 5:30 pm Evening Entertainment / Sing-A-Long! 7:00 pm Park Closes - hope you had a great day!

Discounted ride-all-day passes and tickets! Free admission! Free Parking! Lunch ticket purchase will not be required to join us in Pavilion “O” Families may instead bring a picnic lunch or buy food in the park. Questions? Call Christie Petty: 1-800-722-4428 x3923. Page 12 Eastern Catholic Life APRIL 2015

Understanding Icons Father Joseph Bertha, Ph.D. : Instanbul’s Ancient Mystery The PBSNova Special Original air date 25 February 2015, down- metician and physicist Isodore and loadable on iTunes, also on YouTube Anthemius who were not architects. Photos courtesy of Deacon Lewis Rabayda As the program clearly shows Hagia Sophia was a completely innovative he title of the upcoming pro- endeavor. Four arches, supported gram on PBS was intriguing: by exterior piers, and crowned with HagiaT Sophia: Istanbul’s Mystery! I a dome supported in the four cor- set my DVR to record the program ners by pendentives form the con- at 1 a.m. and eagerly watched the fluence of the basilica type building presentation the following morning. used by Romans for law and other While the program was presented assemblies, culminate in the soaring from a scientific point of view, the vi- dome reaching 180 feet tall. While sual effects are a feast for the eyes and the Nova episode details Hagia So- make it well worth watching! Scien- phia’s earthquake withstanding char- tists discussed earthquake prepared- acteristics, it overlooks the religious ness, searching for hidden mosaics, significance of church architectural as well as displaying the physical di- Interior of Hagia Sophia features; articulating the incarnation mensions of Hagia Sophia in models of the Son of God, Jesus Christ as the event: “Today, O Solomon I have fessor Branham also stressed the from an architectural point of view. Wisdom (Sophia) of God. outdone you!” A Byzantine emperor link between Muslim and Christian Since Justinian’s Hagia Sophia is con- has claimed that he has shown the architecture, showing how the Ot- sidered to be the jewel in the crown Byzantine Christians visualize the mystery of the incarnation of the Son toman Turks in 1453 within days of of Byzantine Christendom, it served mystery of the Incarnation by show- of God in architectural form. The its seizure adopted Hagia Sophia as as the model for construction of all ing Our Lord descending from the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem was the a mosque for Friday prayer services. Byzantine churches worldwide. central dome, the highest point of place of the presence of God, where Hagia Sophia served not only as a the church, down through the archi- he dwelled on the face of the earth. place of prayer for Moslems for sev- The masterpiece built by Em- tectural supports, which are not vis- In Constantinople, the entire Justin- eral centuries, it also served as the peror Justinian with unlimited ac- ible at Hagia Sophia. They continue ian church is the embodiment of the model for Turkish Islamic architec- cess to imperial funds and solemnly to extend down to the earth through Wisdom of God, Jesus Christ. ture. The central dome in both reli- blessed on Christmas Day in 537 the four arches and the pendentives. gious symbolism signifies the dwell- was planned and built by the math- They reach the earth in the nave of The religious aspects were only ing place of God in heaven. the church at hinted at briefly and included a few the base of the and far between in the Nova Special, Having been turned into a muse- four piers. The but several keen insights were offered um in the twentieth century, Hagia incarnation of by Professor Joan Branham of Provi- Sophia is one of present day Istan- the Son of God dence College, a Dominican Catho- bul’s most visited tourist sites. All which occurs lic College in Rhode Island. kinds of visitors flock to view the mysterious Hagia Sophia, pondering on Christmas She pointed out the innovative Day, 25 Decem- upon its awe inspiring soaring central design which was used to build this dome and glittering mosaics. Many ber, is the day Imperial church, a basilica type Hagia Sophia of these viewers are moved to silent crowned by a central dome, and that meditation or even prayer upon see- on which Jus- it signifies the interplay between the tinian dedicated ing these visual treasures created so spiritual world of the dome with the many centuries ago! Thanks to the this master- earthly represented by the nave. She piece. PBS team at Nova for showing so remarked how people even today are many details of its creation, and help- Justinian is awestruck at how the central dome ing to unveil the mystery of Istanbul! reputed to have seems suspended from heaven with no visible means of support. Pro- The Dome from the interior of Hagia Sophia boasted at the

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey APRIL 2015 Eastern Catholic Life Page 13

Seasonal Reflections John. T. Sekellick, JCL Nazareth, Jesus’ Home

biblical messianic prophecies in- Nearby is the location of the syna- remained known as “Jesus of Naza- volving the Messiah described by gogue in which Jesus prayed. It was reth” (Matthew 2:13-23). Isaiah in the eleventh chapter of his in that synagogue where Jesus de- prophecy. scribes His ministry as fulfilling the Nazareth is mentioned in several prophecy of Isaiah to “…bring good hymns of our Vespers and Matins Nazareth itself has been called news to the oppressed, to bind up for the Annunciation such as this the cradle of Christianity since it the brokenhearted, to proclaim lib- example: “The Archangel Gabriel Icon of the Annunciation was there that Jesus spent his child- was sent from heaven to bring to the of the Virgin Theotokos erty to the captives, and release to hood and youth. The city is located the prisoners, to proclaim the year Virgin glad tidings of her concep- s our Church solemnly cel- in the heart of a valley surrounded of the Lord’s favor” (61:1-2). He tion. When he came to Nazareth, he Aebrates the Feast of the An- by mountains that embrace some of then added, “Today this Scripture marveled at the miracle and thought nunciation, the Gospel account of the most important Christian sites has been fulfilled in your hearing” to himself: How is it that He Whom Luke (1:26-38) identifies the town in the world. Nazareth began as a (Luke 4:23). the heavens cannot comprehend to which God sent the Archangel tiny, culturally and politically insig- is now being born of a virgin? The Gabriel to announce this important nificant Jewish village more than Jesus, however, was unceremoni- one Who has heaven for a throne event to the Virgin Mary as Naza- 2000 years ago but has since grown ously rejected by those who heard and earth for a footstool is being en- reth. The Archangel tells Mary that extensively for pilgrims to visit the those words. Luke records their un- closed within a virgin’s womb. He, she will conceive in her womb and place where Jesus, Mary and Joseph toward reaction: “When they heard upon Whom the six-winged Sera- bear a son whom she shall name Je- had lived. Its very distinguished this, all in the synagogue were filled phim and the many-eyed Cheru- sus. “ordinariness” may have caused with wrath. They rose up and put bim cannot gaze wills to become Nathaniel’s first reaction to Jesus Him out of the city and led Him to incarnate of her by a single word….” The evangelist Matthew frames in John 1:46, “Can anything good the brow of the hill on which their {Vespers at Psalm 140, Glory…now Jesus’ residing in Nazareth as a ful- come out of Nazareth? city was built that they might throw and ever] fillment of an unspecified Jewish Him down headlong, but passing quotation, “He shall be called a Naz- The city’s stunningly unique through the midst of them, He went As we celebrate on March 25 this arene” (Matthew 2:23) The source church of the Annunciation was away.” (Luke 4:28-30) Jesus then grand Feast, may we devoutly reflect of this quotation and its connection its first church. Next to it can be made the base for His ministry in on the mystery of God’s taking hu- with Nazareth, according to some found a church dedicated to Saint Capernaum in the northwest shore man flesh for our salvation through Scripture scholars can be traced to Joseph where, according to Tradi- of Lake Galilee; nonetheless, He the cooperation of the ever-Virgin tion, Joseph had his carpentry shop. Mary so long ago in Nazareth. Holy Dormition Friary to Host Icon Retreats Contact: Father Carmen at [email protected] or 570-788-1212 x406 Christ the Bridegroom Guardian Angel Icon Retreat with Peter Pearson Icon Retreat with Marylyn Barone

Peter Pearson has forty years experience writ- Having studied under Phil Zim- ing icons for churches, private individuals, and merman, Marylyn has written institutions around the world. He is noted for teaching both painting technique and the icons since 1997. She gives work- spirituality of creating icons. He has given pre- shops in parishes from Ohio to sentations to groups ranging from school chil- New Jersey. She has written icons dren and senior citizen groups to artists and for many parishes and individu- seminarians and is the author of A Brush with als, also teaching individuals and God: An Icon Workbook. Samples of his ico- nography are available online at http://www. groups of all ages and abilities. peterpearsonicons.com/ or may be seen in Ha- zleton at St John Byzantine Catholic Church or Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church. Cost: $280 Cost: $250 May 7-9, 2015 July 23-26, 2015 Thursday—Sunday Thursday—Sunday Retreatants will follow step by step instructions to produce an icon Each Student will write a 10”x12” icon of a Guardian Angel on a gesso of Christ the Bridegroom similar to the image on this flier. We will also covered board, using a prepared prototype and 23k gold-leaf gilding, discuss the development of iconography, the spirituality of creating an learning techniques for painting details. All supplies included. icon, and praying with icons. Housing and other meals available at added charge: room & board $50/night, shared bath Page 14 Eastern Catholic Life APRIL 2015

Faith and Community Issues By Father Carmen Scuderi, OFM, Ed.D., P.C.C. Suicide: Its Effects on Family Life

ome requests have been made to supply into the act of suicide and avenues of coping and Historical Context of Suicide information on suicide and its causes and grieving that will lead to a measure of closure and prevention.S To respond to these requests, the understanding. All of these actions will aid the There is precedent in history for suicide. It is next few presentations will deal with the issue of family members to move on and permit the let- even recorded biblically. Comer (2011) reports suicide, its causes, effects, and possible options ting go so necessary in a healthy grieving process. accurately that the Old Testament succinctly re- for prevention. The study will lead us through cords the death of Saul in the First Book of Sam- suicide attempt experiences; the kinds of persons Suicide: The Act uel Chapter 31 verse 4: “So Saul took his own and circumstances that are high risk scenarios for sword and fell upon it.” There are the accounts “He/she was so young; they had everything go- among the Samurai of Japan and the Chinese of suicide; what the statistics tell us about the prob- ing for them. What happened? Was it my fault? ability of suicide attempts (parasuicides); and re- those who have lost honor due to inappropriate What did I miss? How could this have happened? or illegal behavior committingseppuku , the act of peaters who eventually succeed in the attempt to Who would have thought?” These are but a very end their lives. disembowelment, in order to restore lost honor few of the many questions often left unanswered to family and ancestors (The Code of Bushido, An overview of options for suicide intervention when a suicide occurs. The act of suicide is pro- The Art of Manliness, www.artofmanliness.com, will be discussed, what signs are evidence that sui- found in its shocking and horrific violence per- 2008, the code of bushido). The Greeks have cide is either contemplated (ideation) or about to petrated both toward the individual victim and the Phaedo by Heraclitus, the life and death of be carried out in a short period of time and what to the family members and individuals invested Socrates, where Socrates, upon the sentence of one can or cannot do to thwart a suicide attempt. heavily in a relationship with the victim. the court for committing heresy, takes hemlock Triggers for suicide occurrences will be examined Sadly, it is becoming all too commonplace to- in the presence of his friends. Comer (2011) as well as the underlying factors that bring about day. Suicide is an act of extreme violence which cites the deaths of Ernest Hemmingway, Mari- the act of suicide. Is there a link between suicide fractures both the individual committing the act lyn Monroe, the contemporary rock star Kurt and factors of aging that may place the very old and the relationships that were shared by and Cobain, and the mass suicides of various cults and the very young at risk? What is available in with the victim. Many unanswered questions ac- such as Heaven’s Gate (Comer, 2011, p. 230), the medical-psychiatric world in the form of pre- company the experiences of shock and guilt that as indicative of suicidal activity into the present ventative treatment or intervention to intercept remain in the wake of a suicide. The impact of the day. Schneidman and Mandelkorn (1983) are or prevent a suicide attempt from occurring? sudden, often unexplained loss long endures, of- cited by Comer (2011) as stating that the time it How effective are these medical interventions in tentimes taking many years to process and finally takes to read an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of printed mate- suicide prevention? These and similar questions release. rial someone in the USA will attempt suicide and will be examined throughout this article. The within 24 hours from this moment 60 Americans information discussed in these articles comes In his text, Comer makes the analogy of salmon would have attempted suicide and succeeded. primarily from the textbook: Fundamentals of spawning and subsequently dying and the story Abnormal Psychology, Sixth Edition by Ronald J of lemmings rushing over the Dover Cliffs into In the next installment the statistical data of Comer, Worth Publishers, 2011. the sea as an instinctual urgent behavior. The act suicide in the US will be examined, opening the of suicide on the part of human beings is unique, door to answering the question, what is suicide, Ultimately, an informed realistic perspective however, in that, “in the human act of suicide do which will be approached and developed in the concerning suicide and what preventative in- beings act for the specific purpose of putting an next installments. terventions can be had to assist the families and end to their lives” (Comer, 2011, p. 229). friends of the suicide victim, will give insight

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The Byzantine Liturgy By Archpriest David Petras, SEOD The Descent Into Hades and Origen become quite explicit about Christ’s body and soul or with His soul only? The body descent to liberate the captives. For Clement, reposed in the tomb on the blessed Sabbath, Christ preached in Hades and those who be- therefore, it would seem only the soul went into lieved in Him were saved. Clement extends this Hades. However, we must take care not to con- preaching not only to the chosen people but also ceive of this as an actual measurable journey to to righteous Gentiles. ( Bishop Hilaron Alfeyev, some place with an address in our space and time, “Christ the Conqueror of Hell,” ) There is also and of Hades as an actual existing person. The The Descent into Hades the tradition in the Byzantine Liturgy that John mystery of the descent is that “by death Christ the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ even trampled upon death. The mystical concept is he most important question about the in Hades, “”You fought for the truth and with that Hades personified - to be sure - seized upon concept of Hades is: what is its meaning joy proclaimed the Good News to those in Ha- Christ precisely in the act of dying, which we can in Tfaith? As we have written, there is no narra- des that God has appeared in the flesh to take define as “the separation of the soul and body,” tion of the descent into Hades in the New Testa- away the sins of the world.” ( for the and in this act of seizure was destroyed by the ment. There are, however, the seeds of this story. Feast of the Beheading) The death and resur- eternal Word, the one Person of Jesus the Mes- Let us follow here the Catechism of the Catholic rection of Christ becomes also His descent into siah, giving to all existing human persons the gift Church , ( §§ 631-637 ) which corresponds to the Hades in order to lift up the righteous who had of resurrection. Perhaps this is why the Gospel general teaching of the Orthodox Church also. fallen asleep. This is the meaning of the Paschal of Saint Matthew describes the resurrection of In the New Testament, we do find statements Troparion: “Christ is risen from the dead ... “ is many of the souls of the just in the Paschal mys- of Christ’s “descending” after his death on the the statement of fact from the Gospels. “By death tery of our salvation. He trampled death ... “ means He descended into Cross: “What does ‘he ascended’ mean except By the time of Maximus the ( An- that he also descended into the lower [regions] of Hades, death personified, and trampled upon the bronze gates to free those imprisoned there. swers to Thalassius 7 ) and John Damascene ( the earth? The one who descended is also the one Orthodox Faith 3, 29) in the seventh century, who ascended far above all the heavens, that he “And to those in the tombs He granted life,” that is, to those in Hades, and by implication to all of this teaching reaches its maturity. It is the theme might fill all things. (Ephesians 4:9-10)” and “For of the Stichera at Psalm 140 of the Paschal Vigil: Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous us who must pass through the kingdom of death to attain resurrection. “Today Hades sighs and cried aloud: My power for the sake of the unrighteous, that He might is destroyed! I received a mortal as if He were lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, He was For Saint Gregory the Theologian, Christ had merely one of the dead, but I was powerless to brought to life in the spirit. In it He also went to to enter Hades in the flesh to deceive death per- hold Him; and along with Him I shall lose those preach to the spirits in prison. (1 Peter 3:18-19)” sonified, and trick him into seizing the Messiah, over whom I ruled, I held the dead from all ages; This was thought of as the preaching of the hoping to seize His power, but instead was defeat- but behold, He is raising them all! He trampled Gospel even to the departed: “For this is why ed: “As the ruler of darkness could not approach the brazen gates, and, being God, He raised up the gospel was preached even to the dead that, the presence of the Light unimpeded, had he not the souls which once I held. O Lord, glory to though condemned in the flesh in human estima- seen in Him something of flesh, then, as soon as Your cross and resurrection.” tion, they might live in the spirit in the estima- he saw the God-bearing flesh and saw the mira- cle performed through it by the Deity, he hoped In a way, the harrowing of hell is considered al- tion of God. (1 Peter 4:6)” “Amen, amen, I say to ready the resurrection: “Since the time that You, you, the hour is coming and is now here when the that if he came to take hold of the flesh through death, then he would take hold of all the power the Master of all things, rested in the tomb, then dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and crushed the power of death, death has become those who hear will live. (John 5:25)” contained in it. Therefore, having swallowed the bait of the flesh, he was pierced by the hook of the nothing more than sleep for those who believe in These basic ideas then became elaborated in Deity, and thus the dragon was transfixed by the You.”“ ( Aposticheron, Tone 4, Saturday ) The Christian meditation. Perhaps there was some hook.” ( The Homily on the Three-Day Period ) very center of this expression of the Paschal mys- influence from Old Testament prophecies (Pss. Christ could achieve this victory only through tery is that Jesus, by His death on the Cross, has 48:16; 29:4; Hosea 13:14; Zechariah 9:11) or the mystery of the Incarnation, in that He was destroyed the power of death (“Where, O death, apocryphal works (Ascension of Isaiah 9:16). both human (hence subject to death) and divine is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55) and brings Certainly by the end of the second century, par- (hence the conqueror of death). A question may us to divine salvation, ultimately in Resurrection. ticularly in Alexandria, Clement (Stromateis 6.6) be raised, did Christ descend into Hades with His By venerating this icon, the faithful Christian ac- knowledges Jesus as Savior.

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Spiritual Reflections Deacon Lewis Rabayda Hope in the Resurrection of Body and Soul amily members and close and what is not so important. If, as ation through decay, we would do will be raised and reunited soul with friends who attend the funer- faithful Christians, we properly con- well to not allow that to discour- body, but to which end: eternal life, alsF of their loved ones often experi- template death, it would be difficult age us. Our bodies are just one as- or eternal death? ence a great deal of mourning. This for us to see anything else in life be- pect of our person, and our soul is mourning usually manifests itself ing more important than our devo- the other aspect. That is why we do We mourn the loss we experience during these services and especially tion to God and to living our lives in not say that we have died, but that in this world, or in this stage of our at the climax of internment when service of Him. Attending these fu- we have “fallen asleep in the Lord.” existence. But if we can say with the casket is lowered into the earth nerals and mourning brings us to re- confidence that we believe in Jesus and the cantor sings, “Oh gaping alize the paths we travel in our lives. Christ and participate in the Church earth, receive the body formed from The death of others reminds us that that He established for us, then our you by the hand of God.” This pro- we, too, cannot escape death. When mourning is only for the temporary cess of mourning is natural for us to we die, will those who attend our state. That mourning can then lead experience; is a beautiful testament funeral say that “They’re in a better to exceeding joy, knowing that the to the lives of those who have fallen place,” with confidence and hope suffering of this world is only a mo- asleep; and is also a healing process for a life well steeped in devotion to ment in our existence, and that we for those who are left behind. Je- God? Or will those words be empty have the opportunity to spend eter- sus Himself mourned deeply at the gestures of politeness, full of uncer- nity with the loving God who creat- death of His friend Lazarus, which tainty of destination because of a life ed us and wants us to be happy with may have been one motivating fac- not lived so faithfully? Him. Jesus resurrected in a state of tor in why He raised Lazarus from physical being which theologians the dead. But even though mourn- Since those who are reading this call The Glorified Body. His body ing is appropriate and helpful, Jesus are still alive, what can “we, the liv- that was severely beaten, disfigured, taught His disciples that death from ing, the survivors” do that will help and crucified is now no longer sub- this world is not the final death. us, with confidence, approach that The aspect of our person that is still ject to pain or corruption. Jesus is most sacred time of life that is our alive is our soul, which will be re- known as the first-born of the dead, Death is a time to contemplate the transition to another state (1Th. united with our bodies at the final and has shown us through His resur- important things in our lives, that is 4:17)? For one, we can think of resurrection. But Jesus tells us in rection the splendor that we have to why the “Fear of death is a property this life as not being the climax of John’s Gospel, “for the hour is com- look forward to after we endure the of nature due to disobedience, but our existence. We are a creation of ing when all who are in the tombs suffering of this fallen world. May terror of death is a sign of unrepent- God, made with a body of flesh and will hear His voice and come forth, our Lord’s resurrection bring joy to ed sins” (Saint , The a spirit given to us by God when He those who have done good, to the our hearts, and may He give us the Ladder of Divine Ascent, 6). In this breathed His own Spirit into Adam, resurrection of life, and those who strength to take up our crosses so contemplation, the thought of death his creation. When our bodies give have done evil, to the resurrection that we may be found worthy of His brings into focus what is important, way to the order of the fallen cre- of judgement” (Jn 5:28-29). We gift of salvation. Christ is risen!

Christ is risen! Upcoming Events for April Indeed He is risen!! Eparchial and Parish Events April, 2015 3 Great and Holy Friday Chancery closed 1 Great and Holy Wednesday 4 Great and Holy Saturday 2 Great and Holy Thursday Chancery closed 5 PASCHA * THE GREAT DAY * The Resurrection of Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen! Eastern Catholic Life Circulation Department 6 Bright Monday 445 Lackawanna Avenue Chancery closed Woodland Park, NJ 07424 12 Thomas Sunday Next Issue: 3:00 p.m. Vespers at Saint Nicholas, May, 2015 Swoyersville, PA, followed by reception Copy Deadline: (reservation only) at Knights of Columbus April 17th Hall, Luzerne, PA

The current issue of the ECL was print- 23 Holy Great Martyr George ed at Evergreen Printing, Bellmawr, NJ and was distributed from the U.S. Post Office via second class mailing in 27 Beginning of Presbyteral Days Bellmawr, NJ.