OCTOBER 2019 Feast of the Protection of the Virgin Theotokos October 1 Excerpted from the Liturgical Year of the Byzantine Slavonic Rite by Father Basil Shereghy

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VOL. LV, NO. 10 OCTOBER 2019 Feast of the Protection of the Virgin Theotokos October 1 Excerpted from The Liturgical Year of the Byzantine Slavonic Rite by Father Basil Shereghy

he Feast of the Wise in 903 AD, when Whichever account The feast was first in- In both the troparion by asking your Son, Patronage of a dreadful epidemic af- we accept as being troduced in the Church and kontakion, there is Christ our God, to save theT Most Holy Mother flicted Constantinople, true, the theological of Constantinople a brief description of our souls’” (troparion). of God commemorates killing great numbers content of each dem- and from there spread the event on which the “Today, the Virgin is the constant help that of people. The faithful onstrates the undeni- among the Greeks and feast is based: “Protect- present in the Church our heavenly Mother prayed in their church- able fact that “never Slavs. The Slavic peo- ed by your coming, O and with the armies of gives to those who ask es, imploring God to was it known that any- ple embraced the feast Mother of God, faith- saint invisibly prayers her help and protec- be merciful, and called one who fled to Mary’s in the twelfth century. ful people solemnly to God for us; the an- tion. The feast came gels worship with the into being because of archangels and the the following event: apostles rejoice with during the reign of the prophets, because Constantine VII Por- in our behalf, the phyrogenitus, 913-959, Mother of God prays the Saracens were try- to the eternal God.” ing to take Constanti- (kontakion) nople and had begun the decisive battle. The history of the feast is repeatedly The terror-stricken described in various people gather in vari- hymns and chants. Let ous churches of the us take, for example, city [of Constanti- one from the litija of nople] to pray. In the the feast: “Let us, the Blachernae Church assembled faithful, near Constantinople, honor on this day the during the night ser- immaculate Queen vices when the faithful of all, the Virgin most implored the Mother pure and the Mother of God for help, Saint of Christ our God, for Andrew, the Fool for she always entreatingly Christ’s sake, and his extends her hands to disciple. Saint Epipha- her Son. The admira- nius, saw the Mother ble Andrew saw her in of God appear in a the church as she was cloud and pray with protecting the faithful outstretched hands to- with her venerable veil. gether with the people. To her, let us sincerely Then, at the close of sing: “Rejoice, patron- her prayers, she re- ess, protectress, and moved her beautiful salvation of our souls.” veil (omophorion) from her head and held It is well to notice it over the faithful as that on the next day, a sign of her unfailing October 2, the Church protection. The next honors Saint Andrew, day, the city was freed the Fool for Christ’s Icon of the Protection of the Theotokos from danger. sake, who was deigned worthy to see the According to anoth- on the help of the protection, implored After the fall of Con- celebrate today and Mother of God dur- er source, this miracu- Mother of God. It was her help or sought her stantinople, the Greeks gazing upon your im- ing her apparition at lous appearance of the at this time that she ap- intercession was left discontinued its cele- maculate image, they Blachernae. Mother of God took peared holding her veil unaided.” (Saint Ber- bration, but it has been humbly say, ‘Watch place during the reign over the people. From nard) kept among the Slavs over us with your of Emperor Leo the that hour, the plague until the present day. noble protection, and ceased in the city. deliver us from all evil

Special celebration for Blessed Young Adult Divine Liturgy in Carpatho-Rusyn Genealogy and Priestly vocation discernment Miriam Teresa Demjanovich—p6 Manhattan and online classes—p7 Heritage Conference—p9 retreat—p12 Page 2 Eastern Catholic Life OCTOBER 2019 I Lift Up My Eyes... Pastoral Reflections of Bishop Kurt So Shall He Startle Many Nations

During his lifetime, Jesus worked the Scandinavians were the Icelanders. as the fruit of the tree in the Garden of many signs and wonders to show who They claim to have the oldest parlia- Eden brought death, so the new tree of He is. I consider it an even greater mir- ment today, the Althing founded in 830 life bears the fruit of eternal life Jesus. acle that alacrity with which pagans left AD, because they were never ruled by a When Jacob, the father of the twelve behind their elaborate and even beau- king even in ancient times. If you take a tribes, blessed the sons of Joseph, he tiful religions for the Gospel of Jesus tour today of Iceland, you will see their crossed his arms, thwarting Joseph’s Christ. It is popular nowadays for the famous waterfalls. Their word for falls plan for the blessing, and the cross of enemies of the Gospel to say that peo- is “foss,” and there is one called Gotha- Christ thwarts all of the plans of the hen the Prophet Isaiah de- ple were forced to become Christian in foss, or the Waterfall of the Gods. The evil one and contradicts all of our own scribes the death of Jesus the Roman Empire, but if you read the reason it is called that is that after the plans and ambitions. All who sign ChristW in astonishing detail, he con- histories for yourself you will see the Icelanders heard about Christianity themselves with the cross are protected cludes “So shall He startle many na- opposite. For example, a major force and were on the fence, one of the chiefs from peril. The angels gather around tions; kings shall shut their mouths in the Empire was the Greeks. No one called all the other chiefs together and the cross in awe as the source of peace. because of Him.” At the time of Christ, ever successfully forced a Greek to be- at that waterfall. He said to the others, The source of peace! the Chosen People who knew God’s lieve something. Even after their con- “If we are going to accept his new God, If you are blessed to live in a parish laws were living on a globe covered quest, the Greeks were famous as both we must get rid of our old ones.” He where the priest has vespers and matins, with pagans who did not know God’s learned intellectuals and as gainsayers, then threw his idols into the waterfall. then you heard certain Old Testament law. Killing and slavery and worse were that is, they loved to argue. We can read If any of the other Vikings were expect- readings for the cross at Vespers. One as accepted by them as house mortgag- in ancient sources that they were just as ing a divine reaction, they were disap- of those readings describes how Moses es are accepted by us. Self-aggrandize- argumentative in the Roman Empire pointed. Eventually, all of the other sat on a hill watching a battle and when ment was encouraged and humility was as they are today in the bars and coffee chiefs brought their idols to the same he prayed with his arms in the form of scorned. Whenever I read the passage shops of Greece. In the Roman Empire waterfall and disposed of them. [If I a cross, the battle went well. When he from Isaiah, “so shall He startle many they were quite proud of their intellec- might say on a tangent, there are many grew tired and lowered his arms, the nations; kings shall shut their mouths tual independence and their tradition of us a thousand years later who should battle went badly. So, the young men because of Him,” I think of the many of personal freedom. In addition, the ask ourselves the same question. Are held his arms up, just as the wood of pagan nations that abandoned their an- Greeks were spread out on thousands we ready to give up our idols and throw the cross held up the arms of Jesus, and cient pagan religions when they heard of islands, just as they are today, each them into the waterfall?] the Israelites won their battle. So too, about Jesus Christ. If you told a pagan with its ancient temples and unique Speaking of Iceland, there is an Ice- the cross protects us in our battle with king that he would soon turn from his religious beliefs and customs. How is landic poem that has been recently evil and Jesus has already won victory god of strength, his god of war, his god it humanly possible that they all aban- popularized on the internet. It was in that battle for us. In another reading, thunder, and accept a new God who al- doned their gods and 2000 years later written eight hundred and eleven years the Chosen People are stymied in their lowed Himself to be executed as com- are still fiercely Orthodox in the Chris- ago in the year of our Lord 1208 by a travels by a bitter supply of water. God mon criminal humiliated on a public tian faith? Saint Paul tells us, when he powerful chieftain facing death. Called instructs Moses to toss a certain wood highway, who allowed Himself to be led preached to the Greeks in their philos- “Heyr himna Smithur,” it begins by ad- into the water, and the water becomes like a sheep and opened not His mouth, ophy, he failed, but when he preached dressing God as the heavenly smith. I sweet. In the same way, the cross of who Himself foretold that He would be Christ crucified, he succeeded. The recently met a young man named Smith Jesus makes our bitter lives sweet. For mocked beaten and spat on, that pagan Greeks abandoned their beloved god- and told him I really appreciated his last Christians, suffering has purpose. The king would have laughed at you. And dess of wisdom, and their beautiful sun name because of this hymn. After I told Cross makes bitterness sweet, sorrow yet in an astonishing short period of god, and the Romans abandoned their him about the hymn, he beamed and joyful, and suffering noble. Some- time, when these pagan nations learned beloved god of war, when they learned said he always thought of his name as times, our sins are described as a debt about Jesus Christ, they abandoned the about the God of peace and gentle- common, but now he sees it in a noble that must be paid, as though we mort- gods of their ancestors to accept the ness who only asks for repentance—a light as one of the titles of God. The gaged our souls when we chose false God of the Jews and the Son of God change of heart. Heavenly Smith, of course, means that gods. Another of our hymns describes who offered Himself for their sins. As I recently spent some time studying God is the heavenly craftsman who the Cross as a giant pen—God dipped Isaiah says, “Who has believed what we Egyptian religion, mainly because I try made the world and made us too. The the pen in the blood of Christ and can- have heard? And to whom has the arm to study all the cultures that appear in poet is facing death and says, “I call on celled our note. of the Lord been revealed?” the Bible and might help me to under- you because you made me. I am your In the English language we are When Pelagia wrote to Bishop Non- stand the Bible. The strangest thing servant and you are my Lord.” One of blessed to possess very great poems nus seeking the cleansing water of bap- about Egyptian religion is how stable it my favorite parts is when he addresses about the Cross, one that might even tism she said, “I have heard of this God was. It was accepted by the people of God as “mild one.” As I said at the be- be older than many of the hymns in of yours who lowered the heavens and Egypt with almost no change for thou- ginning of my column, if you told the our Byzantine Liturgy. Some of it came down to earth, not to save the sands of years. The only significant Icelanders a few centuries earlier that was already inscribed on a stone cross righteous but sinners. His humility was change occurred when, at some point, they would abandon their gods of war called the Ruthwell Cross in the 600’s. such that He ate with tax collectors, and its promises became available to all the for a “mild one,” they would have been In 1822, the complete poem was dis- although the cherubim dare not gaze people and not just the pharaoh and his incredulous. Just as Isaiah said about covered in manuscript in the northern upon Him, He lived among sinners family. But the doctrines simply didn’t Jesus on the cross, “So shall He startle Italian city of Vercelli. It is one of the and spoke to harlots.” When Pelagia change. Yet when the Good News of many nations; kings shall shut their greatest poems in the English language, heard about the God who died on the Jesus Christ reached Egypt, the ancient mouths because of Him.” The poem if not the world. The compact story is cross for her sins, she abandoned all of religion vanished even faster than the has many other beautiful parts, asking so powerful, and the rich metaphors are her wealth and success and beauty and Greek religion. God as the “King of Suns” to drive out so intricate and so dense that the un- fame and ran after the righteous God every sorrow from the “fortress of the As mentioned above, it is popular known poet must surely be an ancestor with all her might. Indeed, when Bish- heart.” Finally, he asks the “Son of the nowadays to believe that Christian- of Shakespeare. The poem is the earli- op Nonnus meets with her, he tells her Virgin” to give him noble motives in his ity was forced on people, but mov- est known “dream poem” in the English that the canons forbid the baptism of a heart. ing farther north, it is even more clear language and is called “The Dream of harlot unless there is surety that she will how false that story is. The Celts and I’m so grateful to God for putting the Rood.” “Rood” is an old word for not relapse. So, she throws herself on Germans had their own religions, dif- me in our Church where we have the the cross, and we still see the word in the ground and proclaims, “If you do ferent from the Greeks and Romans greatest collection, I think, of beautiful English cathedrals where they have a not baptize me immediately, you will and Egyptians. If you look at flags of hymns that explain in sublime poetry divider like our iconostasis called the be responsible for all my sins.” The pa- countries, you will see that every Scan- the truths of the great Christian faith. “rood screen.” The Ruthwell Cross gan gods promised all of the things that dinavian country is simply a cross. Ice- At this season of the cross, our hymns may date from the 600’s and predates Pelagia had earned with worldly clever- land, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and present so many things for us to think any manuscripts with English written ness: wealth, health, fame, success, and Denmark all have a cross for a flag. about in such lovely and profound im- down. It was smashed into pieces in yet she abandoned both those things The Roman emperor had no power agery. Our hymns call the cross the 1642 by Presbyterian iconoclasts and and her gods for Jesus: humble, gentle, up there whatsoever! Certainly, the tree of life, planted at the place of the the pieces were left lying on the ground and forgiving. most rugged and individualistic of all skull in the middle of the earth. Just in the church yard. It was reassembled OCTOBER 2019 Eastern Catholic Life Page 3 in 1823 and is now preserved in a in the most ancient churches in Rome, splattered with sins and wounded with God from His torment. He rested for a church in Ruthwell. the “Croce Gemmata.” It’s impossible guilts. As he gazes entranced at the while, weary from His fight. This is only to translate croce gemmata into English gold and jeweled cross, he begins to a glimpse of this poem, which I encour- As mentioned earlier in the article, because it is a pun in Latin and in Ital- see underneath these treasures, blood- age you to read for yourselves. Then one of the great miracles of Jesus is the ian. It means both “gemmed cross” stains that remain from the struggle willingness of the pagans to abandon and “budded cross.” TheCroce Gem- with wretchedness that occurred on their gods that promised power and mata is portrayed as a cross that is en- that cross long ago. He is drenched success and to turn to the God who crusted with gems, but has little leaves with sorrow at the sight. It seems to al- died on the cross for their debts. When or buds coming off of the corners. It’s ternate between the lovely jeweled trea- the Anglo-Saxons invaded England, not difficult to understand the mes- sure and the bloodstained wood. a monk writing at the time referred to sage, the cross was both the instrument them as the “most cruel and evil race on of death and of public humiliation for As he lies in awful contemplation of the face of the earth.” They had taken the Romans. They crucified slaves and the vision before his eyes, he becomes land from its previous owners in Sax- foreigners, but not other Romans. Cru- aware that the Cross is speaking. And ony some centuries earlier, and now cifixion on a public highway was both so begins the second part of the poem. they took most of the Britain after be- physically painful and also shameful The Cross tells the story from its point ing invited to fight the Vikings. They and humiliating. The powers of the of view. It was in the forest with the were by no means Christian when state intended to send a message to other trees when it saw enemies come they invaded, but when they learned the uncooperative and unsubmissive. into the forest and carry it away. They about the one true God who created When Our Lord was crucified, the made the trees into gallows for crimi- all things, they turned away from their Cross became something of great value nals, and it saw many criminals hung on old gods by their own free choice. Cer- like gems, but also it became the source wooden crosses. Then the Cross says the tree is buried in the earth, and is re- tainly, no government had the power to of life, the new tree of life. It seems that that it saw its Lord and Maker rush- covered, it says, by the Lord’s “thanes,” force them to convert. the Anglo-Saxon poet was familiar with ing toward it as if to climb on it. The that is, Saint Helena and company. The this image because in the first part of criminals are hung up against their will, Lord honored it above all other wood, The Dream of the Rood is told in but Christ hastens to do His good work three parts. The poet begins with the image he sees the Cross as covered just as He honored the Virgin above all with gold and also jewels. The place- with great zeal. If you recall the kind of other women. The Cross concludes its “What I wished to say…,” that he had people the ancient Anglo-Saxons were, a dream or vision in the middle of the ment and number of the jewels seem to narrative by saying that He rose from have significance, in particular five jew- you can see that Jesus is portrayed as an the dead, ascended, and will return on night, as he says, when people who eager warrior who rushes into battle, talk are now silent. In this first part, he els that might represent the five wounds Doomsday to judge the earth. of Christ. In addition, the sleeping poet sacrificing His life willingly if necessary, tells us that a vision of the Cross came to win the battle. The Cross, whom In the third part of the poem, the the poet affectionately calls “the best Cross has finished speaking, and the wood,” finds itself as the battle com- dreamer returns to his own thoughts. panion of Jesus, like a faithful retainer In the description of the Doomsday, who stands beside his Lord in mortal the Lord asks each if he is willing to combat and holds him up when he is die as He did, and each will be fearful wounded. The Cross says, “I trembled and not know what to say. But then when the warrior embraced me.” What we find that we can find our way to the an inspired poem! In one short sen- Kingdom by the wood of the Cross on tence, he describes the willingness of which Christ died. The dreamer com- Jesus to endure the death struggle for mits his life to turn more to the Cross of love of us, and also describes the pas- Christ, and less towards the attractions sionate love of the creature for its Cre- of this world—to look for the tree of ator. The wood that thought it was victory more often than men. He also to be used for a vulgar purpose finds meditates on his friends who have al- itself in love with its master and cre- ready died and are now in the kingdom ator and a partner in His great cosmic of glory before him. He hopes for the work. The wood says, “I was raised up a day when the cross he saw in the sky cross. I lifted up the King of the World. will fetch him for joy and bliss after his I dared not bend or falter.” One can world of sorrows. Far away from the easily imagine an unimportant squire centers of civilization and literature, who finds himself assisting in the final this Anglo-Saxon poet captures the combat of the King himself. How ear- heart of the Christian message in his nestly he does his duty, despite lack of own warrior culture and creates a mas- experience or preparation. He stays terpiece to enthrall and inspire today strong for his master until through the fourteen centuries later. last struggle. The tree describes the wounds of Christ, itself pierced with Isaiah prophesied twenty-seven cen- the same nails, and it thinks it must not turies ago, “Behold my servant shall do anything to make the wounds worse. prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, It becomes enmeshed in the final pas- and shall be very high. As many were sion of salvation. The tree goes on to astonished at him—his appearance was describe those coming from all over to so marred, beyond human semblance, the cross, presumably a vision outside and his form beyond that of the sons of of time. As Isaiah said, “So shall He men—so shall he startle many nations; startle many nations.” Finally, the cross kings shall shut their mouths because Icon of the Elevation of the Cross says that it bent down so that these peo- of him; for that which has not been told ple could relieve the savior of His pain- them they shall see, and that which they to him in the night, which he calls the sees every angel of heaven keep guard. have not heard they shall understand.” He calls this such a glorious sight in the ful struggle. “I saw the God of Sabaoth “greatest tree” and it is in the sky. In ear- stretched out.” Darkness enveloped all ly Christian art, there is an image that sky of a world yet to come. Contrasting with this brilliant sight, he sees himself the land and creation wept at the sight was very popular and can still be seen of the corpse. They lifted Almighty When traveling to the South, please visit our churches

All Saints Epiphany of Our Lord Holy Dormition Our Lady of the Sign Saint Therese 10291 Bayshore Road 2030 Old Alabama Road 17 Buckskin Lane 7311 Lyons Road 4265 13th Avenue North North Fort Myers, FL 33917 Roswell, GA 30076 Ormond Beach, FL 32174 Coconut Creek, FL 33073 Saint Petersburg, FL 33713 1-239-599-4023 1-770-993-0973 1-386-677-8704 1-954-429-0056 1-727-323-4022 Saint Anne Saint Basil the Great Saints Cyril and Metho- Saint Nicholas of Myra 7120 Massachusetts Ave. 1475 N.E. 199th Street dius 5135 Sand Lake Road New Port Richey, FL 34653 Miami, FL 33179-5162 1002 Bahama Avenue Orlando, FL 32819 1-727-849-1190 1-305-651-0991 Fort Pierce, FL 34982 1-407-351-0133 1-772-595-1021 Page 4 Eastern Catholic Life OCTOBER 2019 People You Know In Freeland... n August 10, 2019, more than 80 parishioners of Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Freeland, PA, surprised their pastor, Father Scott Boghossian,O with a party to celebrate his 50th birthday.

In Jersey City... Saint Mary Parish Celebrates the Dormition of the Theotokos

n August 18, 2019, Saint Mary set, NJ, and Saint Joseph Parish in New Byzantine Catholic Church of Brunswick, NJ. Responses were sung JerseyO City, NJ, celebrated the Divine by a choral group under the direction Liturgy for their patronal feast, the Dor- of Allen Biehl. mition of the Virgin Theotokos. Con- celebrating with Father Gregory Lozin- Before the Divine Liturgy began, skyy were Father Jack Custer, Rector of a burial shroud of the Mother of God Saint Michael Cathedral and Syncellus and a new set of blue vestments were of the New Jersey Syncellate; Father blessed. After the Divine Liturgy, pa- John Zeyack, retired priest of the epar- rishioners gathered outside for the chy; and Father Mykhaylo Kravchuk, of crowning of our Blessed Mother. A re- Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Somer- ception followed in the church hall.

EASTERN CATHOLIC LIFE Published monthly by the POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Mrs. Diane Rabiej, Copy Editor (USPS 165-600) (ISSN 0894-9786) Eastern Catholic Press Association Eastern Catholic Life Mrs. Maureen French, Circulation Editor 445 Lackawanna Avenue 445 Lackawanna Avenue ([email protected]) Official Publication of the Woodland Park, NJ 07424 Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic Woodland Park, NJ 07424 E-Mail us at: Phone: 973-890-7777 Fax: 973-890- Most Reverend Bishop Kurt Burnette [email protected] Subscription Rate: $15.00 per year. 7175 President and Publisher Eparchial Website: News and Photo Services: Postage paid at Little Falls, NJ, and ad- Father James Badeaux, Editor www.EparchyofPassaic.com Member of the Catholic Press Associa- ditional office at Bellmawr, NJ. Father Ronald Hatton, Associate Editor tion of America. Father Lewis Rabayda, Layout Editor OCTOBER 2019 Eastern Catholic Life Page 5 Around the Eparchy In New Port Richey... he parish family of Saint Anne Byzantine Catholic Church in New Port Richey, FL, celebrated their patronal feast of the Dormition of Saint Anne onT Sunday, July 28. Before the Divine Liturgy, Father Oleksiy blessed new stich- aria for eight altar servers, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Father Felix Ull- rich Council #5869, which is affiliated with Saint Anne Parish. During the Liturgy, Father Oleksiy administered the Holy Mystery of Chrismation to some young parishioners – seven boys and three girls. Saint Anne Parish is blessed to have faithful families that set a good example to their children. After the celebration of the Lit- urgy everyone enjoyed delicious dinner prepared by our parishioners in the hall. The administrator of Saint Anne Parish is Father Oleksiy Nebesnyk.

Special Guest at Intereparchial Liturgical Commission Meeting ister Vassa Larin kindly attended a meeting with the Intereparchial Liturgi- cal Commission in Phoenix, AZ, on September 11. She holds a doctorate in Sliturgy from the Pontifical Oriental Institute and is a student of the late Father Robert Taft, SJ. She fielded questions from the members and shared her vision of the future of our churches of the Constantinopolitan rites. In particular, she urged us to see the Church as a home for sinners, not an exclusive club. From left to right, Sister Vassa, Bishop Kurt, Father Michael Hayduk, Deacon Jeff Mierzejewski, Father Robert Pipta, Father Elias Rafaj, Father Hrihory Lozinskyy, Father Edward Higgins, and Father David Petras. +Deacon Michael Tisma Falls Asleep in the Lord By Carol Evanco Administrator of All Saints in North server, minister to the sick, and deacon. der to fulfill the purpose which He has Fort Myers, FL; Deacon James Smith, in mind. That restless heart which I ex- and Subdeacon John Reed, both of Throughout these many years, Mi- perienced my entire life finally found Epiphany of Our Lord, Roswell. Inter- chael continued to experience a rest- peace.” ment took place at Arlington Memorial less heart. He felt there was something Park, Sandy Springs, GA, with Father missing in his life. He answered God’s Deacon Michael was ordained to the Rabayda and Father Galuschik cel- call and entered the Deacon Formation Diaconate at Epiphany of Our Lord on ebrating. Program in 2011. It was on the Third June 5, 2016. He served the parish pas- Sunday after Pentecost in 2016, with sionately after his ordination and was Deacon Michael was born in Union- the imposition of Bishop Kurt’s hands, instrumental in re-energizing Byzan- town, PA, and later attended high that he committed himself completely tine Catholic traditions at the parish. school and college in Cleveland, OH, to God’s service. He served his church well as a deacon before moving to Atlanta with his fam- both liturgically and administratively, ily. Michael traces his desire to serve When asked to reflect on his ordina- as he was also the parish administrative God’s people back to the days when his tion, Deacon Michael recounted the assistant and accountant. “baba” would take him as a youngster to deep emotion which came over him help her work at Mount Saint Macrina; as Bishop Kurt placed his omophorion Deacon Michael had a strong devo- he also remembers the many priests on his head: “As I knelt at the Holy tion to the Byzantine Catholic faith Table at which our Lord was present, and Church shown most in his deep eacon Michael Paul Tisma, age and sisters who educated, encouraged, Bishop Kurt prayed. At that moment I love for the Holy Eucharist, Our Lord 69 of Duluth, GA, fell asleep and inspired him throughout his life to felt deeply connected with my Bishop Jesus Christ, and His Most Blessed in Dthe Lord on September 13, 2019, as answer God’s calling to a religious vo- and the entire Church as this incredible Mother. All the clergy and parishioners he was preparing to travel to his annual cation. After graduating from college, surge, which could only have been the of Epiphany of Our Lord will greatly retreat. Visitation was held in Epiphany his 45-year business career included Holy Spirit, came over me. I became miss Deacon Michael, and we pray for Byzantine Catholic Church, Roswell, positions as financial controller for ma- overwhelmed with tears and realized his blessed repose, and that his mem- GA, on Sunday, September 15, fol- jor hotels in GA, NC, and FL; general in my heart what our Lord was telling ory may be eternal! He is survived by lowed by the Parastas. The Office of manager and finance director for an in- me all these years. In order to be His his brother, Steven Jon Tisma of Brasel- Christian Burial with Divine Liturgy ternational tour operator; and world- deacon, I must courageously follow and ton, GA; niece, Kari Tisma of Wartrace, was celebrated on Monday, September wide marketing, event planning, and choose the same path as Jesus Christ TN; nephew, Jon Tisma of Destin, FL. 16, by Bishop Kurt, Father Lewis M. European tour operations. He was an and submit myself completely to Him He was preceded in death by his par- Rabayda, Administrator of Epiphany of active member of his parish for 35 years so that He can transform me into the ents, Michael and Rose Tisma. Our Lord; Father Stephen Galuschik, where he served as cantor and choir director, adult education instructor, altar person He wants me to become in or- Page 6 Eastern Catholic Life OCTOBER 2019

2019 Triennial National Collection For the Archdiocese for the Military Services By Mary Lavin Article and images appear courtesy of the Archdiocese for the Military Services

he next National Collection for lation, in a Department of Veterans Af- Sponsored Seminarian Program, the the 2019 Triennial National Collection the AMS, approved by the U.S. fairs Medical Center, or on the campus only vocations program in the U.S. that so that the AMS is not only able to con- ConferenceT of Catholic Bishops to be of one of the five U.S. Military Acad- provides priests who will serve in their tinue its mission but is able to further taken every three years, is scheduled for emies, these men, women, and children home diocese before and after their ser- its reach and impact. the weekend of 9-10 November 2019. are members of your own diocese or vice as a Military Chaplain. AMS co- The 2019 Triennial National Collection parish who would not otherwise have sponsored priests will likely serve more is a critically important opportunity to the opportunity to receive the sacra- years in their home diocese than they Unlike a territorial diocese, it is for- increase awareness about the AMS, the ments, counsel from a priest, evan- will on active-duty. Finally, the funds bidden that a percentage of the collec- faithful it serves, and to seek financial gelization and catechesis, participate received enabled initial steps to be tak- tions taken up in chapels on military support for the same. in young adult ministry programs, or en towards the building of an endow- installations be automatically given to simply receive a copy of a sacramental ment with the goal of one day creating the AMS; however, AMS faithful will You know that the AMS is a separate record. a self-sustaining source of funding. U.S. diocese while many Catholics do also have the opportunity to participate not. The AMS continues to work dili- Funds received from the first two Na- Ninety-five percent of all gifts re- by making individual gifts. gently to make known that its mission tional Collections for the AMS in 2013 ceived by the AMS are from individu- is global and that it is responsible for and 2016 made possible several new als; no funding is received from the the pastoral care of Catholic men and and important initiatives, including the Government or the Military. After 18 women – and their families – who hail widespread certification of catechists at years of war, with no end in sight, con- from all U.S. dioceses while they serve, military installations around the world. stant transition and increasing uncer- have served, or prepare to serve our They also ensured that the AMS could tainty for Catholic military families, Country. Whether on a military instal- continue to underwrite the AMS Co- please help the spread awareness about

Visiting New York City? Come Worship With Us! Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church Father Edward G. Cimbala, D.Min.—Pastor

246 East 15th Street, Manhattan, New York 212-677-0516 Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM 6:00 PM OCTOBER 2019 Eastern Catholic Life Page 7

The Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic subscribes to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Eparchy, within all its parishes, institutions and programs, is committed to assuring a safe environment in ministry for its children and young people that conforms to Charter requirements. For further information regarding the Eparchial Safe Environment Program please contact: Father David J. Baratelli, Ed.S., M.Div. • Safe Environment Program Coordinator • 973.890.7777 Dr. Maureen Daddona, Ph.D. • Victim’s Assistance Coordinator • 516.623.6456

GOD WITH US ONLINE is an outreach project of the Eparchial Directors of Religious Education (ECED) and the Eastern Catholic New Byzantine Catholic 2019 ONLINE AssociatesEDUCATIONAL (ECA) and is dedicated OFFERINGS to the catechetical renewal of East- Community Forming in ern Catholics in the United States in accord with the Church’s call for All courses are offered as live webinars, free of charge. Register at EasternCatholic.org/Events. Greater Charlotte, NC, a new evangelization. Area GOD WITH US ONLINE is an outreach project of the Eparchial Directors of Religious Education (ECED) and the Eastern Catholic Associates (ECA) and is dedicatedTHE FACEto the catechetical OF GOD renewal of An Introduction to Byzantine Faith & Spirituality Eastern Catholics in the United States in accord with the Church’s call for a new evangelization. Byzantine Catholic community is forming at Rev. Deacon Daniel Dozier Saint Philip Neri Church, 292 Munn Rd., Fort Wednesdays, September 11 and 18 @ 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. ET Mill,A SC. Please join us as we grow our community IN PARTNERSHIP WITH“Christianity is not an abstract doctrine divorced from reality and from history. Nor and celebrate the Byzantine Divine Liturgy. Father is it some momentary, flickering light which shines for a brief while and then is gone. Steven Galuschik of All Saints Byzantine Catholic Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine CatholicChristianity Eparchy isof a Phoenixcontinual celebration of life and love between God and man lived out in Church in North Fort Myers, FL, along with bi-ritual concrete history.”- Archbishop Joseph Raya Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg in the USA & Canada Deacon Ron Volek are now offering weekly Divine Liturgy in the area. This community will serve the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St Peter the Apostle MAKING DISCIPLES northern part of South Carolina as well as Charlotte, Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy ofThe Stamford Art of Bringing Others to Christ NC. Please share this information with your friends Rev. Alexander Wroblicky St Nicholas of Chicago for Ukrainians and family – especially those who have moved “down Wednesdays, October 9, 16 and 23 @ 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET South.” We will be celebrating the Byzantine Divine St Thomas Syro Malabar DioceseMany of Chicagofaithful Catholics are inspired by the Church’s call to a new evangelization, yet don’t Liturgy on Saturdays at 4:00 PM. If you would like to Melkite Eparchy of Newtonknow where to begin, because evangelization is more of an art than a science. In this participate in any way, or have questions please contact 3-part series, Fr. Alex will guide us to create room in our communities for people to grow Ron Somich at 440.477.6389 or ron.somich@gmail. Chaldean Eparchy of St Thomasinto the a matureApostle and life-giving faith. com. Please check the website for news, upcoming Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady UNLOCKINGof Lebanon THE MYSTERY gatherings, and service times at https://carolinabyz- antine.com/ Byzantine Catholic Eparchy ofAn Passaic Introduction to Eastern Christian Bible Study Joshua Mangels Eparchy of Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Diocese in the USA Wednesdays, November 6 and 13 @ 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET Eparchy of St Maron in Brooklyn“We have learned the plan of our salvation from no one else other than from those Syro-Malankara Catholic Eparchythrough in the whomUSA the gospel has come down to us. For they did at one time proclaim the October: gospel in public. And, at a later period, by the will of God, they handed the gospel down to Eparchy of Parma us in the Scriptures-to be the ‘ground and pillar of our faith.’” - St. Irenaeus the Godbearer 5, 12, 19, 26 Eparchy of St George in Canton for the Romanians THE GIFT OF GOD Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St Josaphat-ParmaPreparing for the Feast of the Nativity Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy Rev.of Pittsburgh David Anderson Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy ofWednesday, Philadelphia December 16 @ 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET As the Great Feast of the Nativity of the Lord draws closer, using the prayers of Carpatho-Rusyn the Church in this holy season as our guide, we will ponder God’s gift of Himself to us, and consider how we can respond by making a gift of ourselves to Him. Society’s New Branches BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!The Mystery of Initiation & Identity of the People of God Rev. Sebastian Carnazzo, PhD The Carpatho-Rusyn Society has developed branches in Georgia (near Atlanta), Western NC Wednesdays Jan 8, 15 and 22 @ 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET GodWithUsEC (Asheville), Eastern NC (Charlotte), and mini- The celebration of baptism, chrismation and Eucharist together is not simply a practicality. branches in the cities of Gainesville, Lakeland, These mysteries are closely connected and must be understood in light of each other. Using Scripture, Fr. Sebastian will show us how these mysteries are not just a symbol, but truly make Leesburg, Boca Raton, and Nokomis in the us the People of God. state of Florida. Meetings are held two to three times a year to learn, share, and perpetuate the Carpatho-Rusyn culture. For more information visit the website at c-rs.org or contact Bonnie at 2019 ONLINE EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS [email protected].

All courses are offered as live webinars, free of charge. Register at EasternCatholic.org/Events.

THE FACE OF GOD An Introduction to Byzantine Faith & Spirituality Rev. Deacon Daniel Dozier Wednesdays, September 11 and 18 @ 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. ET “Christianity is not an abstract doctrine divorced from reality and from history. Nor is it some momentary, flickering light which shines for a brief while and then is gone. Christianity is a continual celebration of life and love between God and man lived out in concrete history.”- Archbishop Joseph Raya

MAKING DISCIPLES The Art of Bringing Others to Christ Rev. Alexander Wroblicky Wednesdays, October 9, 16 and 23 @ 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET Many faithful Catholics are inspired by the Church’s call to a new evangelization, yet don’t know where to begin, because evangelization is more of an art than a science. In this 3-part series, Fr. Alex will guide us to create room in our communities for people to grow into a mature and life-giving faith. UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY An Introduction to Eastern Christian Bible Study Joshua Mangels Wednesdays, November 6 and 13 @ 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET “We have learned the plan of our salvation from no one else other than from those through whom the gospel has come down to us. For they did at one time proclaim the gospel in public. And, at a later period, by the will of God, they handed the gospel down to us in the Scriptures-to be the ‘ground and pillar of our faith.’” - St. Irenaeus the Godbearer

THE GIFT OF GOD Preparing for the Feast of the Nativity Rev. David Anderson Wednesday, December 16 @ 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET As the Great Feast of the Nativity of the Lord draws closer, using the prayers of the Church in this holy season as our guide, we will ponder God’s gift of Himself to us, and consider how we can respond by making a gift of ourselves to Him.

BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST The Mystery of Initiation & Identity of the People of God Rev. Sebastian Carnazzo, PhD Wednesdays Jan 8, 15 and 22 @ 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET The celebration of baptism, chrismation and Eucharist together is not simply a practicality. These mysteries are closely connected and must be understood in light of each other. Using Scripture, Fr. Sebastian will show us how these mysteries are not just a symbol, but truly make us the People of God. Page 8 Eastern Catholic Life OCTOBER 2019

Life, Love, and the Human Person By Ann M. Koshute, MTS What Do You Want?

What are you looking for? (John 1:38) As I waited and prayed in one of the his seat. When it came to my turn to to His healing touch and then did what long lines for my turn to be anointed, be anointed, I prayed that I might re- was necessary to “activate” the healing. What do you want me to do for you? I couldn’t help but observe two chil- ceive the Holy Spirit and God’s healing Of course, when Jesus meets us in any (Luke 18:41) dren who’d approached the Mystery, mercy as those children had, with total of the Mysteries, it is He who bestows esus posed the first of these ques- and their actions after receiving it. The trust, and the confidence that He will grace, forgives sins, and transforms our tions to two of the disciples who first, a little girl, was anointed and then heal me precisely where I need it most. lives. But these Mysteries are not sim- heardJ Him preaching and began fol- stepped aside to return to her seat. She ply actions “done to us,” but in which paused for perhaps ten seconds to very The children applying the holy oil to we fully participate. If the Mystery lowing Him. The second, posed also in the places where they hurt offers a good Matthew’s and Mark’s Gospels, was di- carefully pull down one frilly sock and unites us in marriage, then we must rub some of the oil onto the top of her example for us, and it relates to those spend our lives working to live up to rected to a man desiring to be healed of questions from Jesus about what we’re blindness. In both instances Jesus asks tiny foot. When she was finished, she the covenant God created between us continued back to her place. Right be- looking for, and what we want from and our spouse. If God washes away what might seem like obvious ques- Him. It’s a deeply spiritual example tions, considering the circumstances, hind her came a little boy, perhaps her our sins in Confession, then we must brother or a cousin. He, too, stopped that should move us beyond our physi- resolve to avoid sinful patterns and ac- but He does so to prompt thoughtful cal ailments to the spiritual weaknesses consideration on the part of the ques- for a few moments and pulled up his tions and live a new kind of life. The pant leg, careful not to rub off any of and sickness we experience throughout same goes for all of the Holy Mysteries. tioners. There is an immediate need or our struggles in this life as followers of something that compels them to draw the precious oil from his palm. He then Each one is an encounter with Christ very deliberately rubbed some of the oil Jesus. The children knew their wounds who effects a transformation and op- near to Jesus, but He wants them to go and where they needed God’s healing. deeper than that. Jesus is asking these onto the shin of one leg, where I could portunity for healing in us. But in each see a noticeable scrape that looked like Applying the oil from their hands to case Jesus is asking us those same two men to consider bigger questions than those places was an act of trust and a what they want in a teacher, or whether it was maybe a week old. His mission important questions about why we seek accomplished, the boy ran back to way of cooperating with God. In the Him and what He can do for us. He can restore sight to the blind. Jesus Holy Mystery they met Jesus, yielded is speaking to the depths of their hearts and asking if they want to enter into a relationship and a way of living that will change their lives beyond their expec- tations. We might read the subtext in Jesus’ questioning as, “Do you want to live a new life, and will you let Me live it in you?”

I thought about these questions from Jesus during the service of the Holy A RETREAT FOR WOMEN Mystery of Anointing when I was on pilgrimage in Uniontown, PA, over the Presented by: The Springs in the Desert Ministry Team Labor Day weekend. A lot of people had gathered there to pray for God’s Saturday, December 7, 2019 healing, with a diversity of illness, pain, or spiritual suffering. Some had obvi- 8:30am-5:30pm ous physical difficulties or illness; oth- Infertility affects every woman and marriage differently. While each of our stories ers carried suffering or sickness not is unique to us, there is a shared experience of loss, isolation, self-doubt, readily seen. It’s probably not a good testing of faith, and pain in our marriages. idea to “rank” the Holy Mysteries, but But God transforms our grief and loss into a fruitful expression of His love when I’d have to say that Holy Anointing is we shoulder each other's burdens. Join us for a day of talks, personal prayer/reflection one that I particularly love, in part due and community as we walk together through the seasons of infertility. to the fact that it is so rarely experi- Please look for more details at https://springsinthedesert.org/the-seasons-of-infertility enced. For Eastern Christians, this sacramental mystery is not to be given just Springs in the Desert is a Catholic ministry devoted to helping women anytime, without thoughtful consider- and couples struggling with infertility to process and move beyond ation. It is not a gift we may receive as their grief to find the fruitfulness God has planned for their marriage. We hope our Springs in the Desert community can provide frequently as the Eucharist or confes- refreshment for your soul as you find others who share in your same suffering. Instead of suffering the additional pain of isolation, please sion. At the same time, it is a gift given know there is a place where others can identify with your struggle, perhaps more “liberally” and under providing solace and solidarity. You are not alone. You are not meant to bear this Cross on your own. Learn more at more circumstances than are allowed www.springsinthedesert.org in the Western Church. The Mystery of Anointing is not reserved only for one’s Mother Boniface Spirituality Center welcomes groups and individuals of all faiths to our spacious and fully equipped deathbed, or before surgery, for exam- facility and grounds located in Northeast Philadelphia. We ple. Our Tradition calls for the Mystery offer a variety of retreats, speakers and programming in addition to hosting groups for retreats, meetings, and times of to be celebrated during Great and Holy renewal. Learn more at WWW.MSBT.ORG/MBSC Week, in recognition that each one of us is in need of being healed: physically, "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive emotionally and spiritually. This is the it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." - Isaiah 43:18-19 reason Jesus became man and died for us: that we would be healed from the rift created by sin (with all of the nega- tive effects we experience in body and spirit) and given the grace to live a con- verted life that will lead us to our ultimate destiny with Him. There are also other times during which the Church, for particular pastoral reasons, will celebrate the Mystery for the good of all the faithful. OCTOBER 2019 Eastern Catholic Life Page 9 Every one of us is on a spiritual pil- eas where we most need to be healed spiritual wounds and difficulties we me to do for you?” What will be your grimage, and we know well to what and fortified against further spiritual carry and resolve to cooperate with His answer? temptations we are most vulnerable. illness. Like those children who ap- outpouring of grace. At this moment, Jesus is asking us today to look into our plied the holy oil to the places that were Jesus is asking each one of us, “What hearts and honestly reflect on those ar- hurting, we must ask God to heal the are you looking for? What do you want

Jesus gives him a more difficult task. Like that other loner, the Samaritan FatherSearching Jack Custer, S.S.L., S.T.D. the Scriptures woman (John 4:28-30), this former demoniac is challenged by Jesus to reach out and share the Good News with oth- Everyday Demons ers in his own home town. The demoniac is not the only per- ntirely by coincidence, we of- saints sought the wilderness for prayer rounded by filth and death, it comes as son in Gadara who has fallen under the ten hear the most dramatic ac- and penance. This possessed man wants no surprise that his demons multiplied. spell of evil, however. The reaction of countE of Jesus driving out demons right to flee all human contact. So, as soon the townsfolk to Jesus’ powerful act of around Hallowe’en (Luke 8:26-39; 23rd as he catches sight of Jesus, he tries to When Jesus drives these demons out, healing and liberation is to ask Him to Sunday after Pentecost). Saint Luke’s drive Him away, arguing that they have the change in the man’s behavior is im- leave. Saint Matthew’s account of this description of what Jesus encountered nothing to do with each other. mediate and amazing. The townsfolk same miracle shows us how these peo- when he stepped ashore in Gadara has find him clothed, in his right mind, ple think. When the swineherds rush little in common with Hollywood’s typ- The solitary world the demoniac cre- and sitting at Jesus’ feet. His first, new, back to town to tell the others what has ical depiction of evil spirits. The symp- ates for himself is focused on the ugly healthy relationship is with the Lord. If happened, it’s all about the drowning toms of the presence of evil among the and the impure. He rejects clothing he is clothed, it must be because Jesus of the pigs; the salvation of their rela- Gadarenes are to be found in very ordi- and a normal home with other people. Himself has clothed him, removing his tive and neighbor is mentioned as an nary things. Instead, he prowls naked and dishev- shame and restoring his dignity, just as eled among the corrupt bodies of the He did for each of us at our Baptism. afterthought (Matthew 9:33). It’s clear As described in the Gospel, the pos- dead. The empty space in this man’s life left by what matters to Gadarenes: property, sessed man wanted desperately to be the departure of thousands of demons prosperity, and pigs, much more than a alone. If people restrained him to keep Finally, we are told that this man suf- is filled with the Lord. person restored to his original dignity. him at home, he would even break fers not just from one demon but from Demonic possession is one thing; sin, chains and run off into the wilderness. a whole “legion” (which, in Roman mil- By the end of the Gospel account, even habitual sin, is another. But there This is nothing like the way Jesus or itary terms, meant five thousand men)! this former loner wants to follow Jesus is only one power of Evil, although John the Baptist or our great monastic Cut off from any positive influence, sur- along with the other disciples. Instead, its minions are legion. The Gadarene demoniac would warn us against suc- REGISTER NOW ! cumbing to that power of evil in our own lives in the most ordinary ways. The Eastern PA Chapter Are we tempted to push other people of the Carpatho-Rusyn away? To avoid healthy relationships? Society is Celebrating their To be alone with our “demon” (whether that’s bitter memories, compulsive 10th Anniversary worrying, or addictions to drink, drugs, and pornography, shopping, entertainment, gambling, gaming, or digital devices)? 7th Annual Genealogy & Are we tempted to turn away even from Heritage Conference God by refusing to join the Church at worship and to pray regularly at home?

In our thoughts, our conversations Saturday October 12, 2019 and our entertainment, are we tempted 8:30am- 4:30 pm. $45.00 to focus on the ugly, the violent or the impure? Isn’t this exactly what “cel- RSVP DEADLINE OCTOBER 7th ebrating” Hallowe’en means for many adults? But isn’t even judgmental gos- ethnic lunch books mugs maps license plates shirts tiles sip about other people’s sins a sneaky CASH OR CHARGE way of getting to focus on these things? Kings College •133 N. River St.•Wilkes-Barre, PA.•18711 Have you noticed that one bad habit will often lead to another? That one in- 119 Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center 3rd ﬂoor dulgence in sin invites the next? That Maryann Sivak...... President of the National C-RS Society will open bad companionship drags us down Bill Tarkulich...... The battle for Dukla Pass slowly? There are many ways for one John Righetti...... One people, 6 churches. How did that happen? demon to become a legion. Tom Peters...... The Perils of Pelagia and Petro Kathryn Peters ...... Five Rusyn artists Finally, and most dangerous because Displays ...... Genealogy (Tom Peters ) it is the most “normal” of all: how often ** Friday October 11th FREE documentary “ The Resurrection of a Nation “ do you find yourself tempted to value Maria Sylvestri and John Righetti material things over people? An honest evaluation of what we fight over, what Burke Auditorium • Kings College at 6:30 pm we hold grudges about, and what mo- —————————————————————————————————————— tivates our political and social attitudes REGISTRATION FORM may surprise us.

Name (s)______These familiar faces of evil are at Number of attendees______our doors every day—not just on Hallowe’en. The Gadarene demoniac Email ______Phone______warns us that these everyday demons may be cluttering up a place in our lives Registration by check mail to : Sharon Jarrow. • 599 Fehr Rd. •Nazareth,PA. •18064 that Jesus wants to clear out and fill ($45 payable to EASTERN PA CHAPTER CARPATHO-RUSYN SOCIETY) with His life and His love for us. Registration online : go to Carpatho-Rusyn Society website, go to event page ,click on registration

CONTACT : Sharon Jarrow: 610-759-2628 Or [email protected] Page 10 Eastern Catholic Life OCTOBER 2019

The Byzantine Liturgy By Archpriest David Petras, SEOD The Anaphora: The Words of Institution he anaphora has a very clear is very ancient. In 2001, the Catho- gifts into the Body and Blood of Christ, therefore, when the eucharistic prayer structure. God is addressed, lic Church recognized this anaphora but Christ Himself, who gave Himself had been said, the bread and wine had andT this is followed by a narration of as valid, for the reality of the Lord’s to be crucified. The priest, who utters become the real Body and Blood of His works. In the anaphora of Saint Supper is still proclaimed. The words these words, is only an image of Christ, Christ. John Chrysostom, these are creation, are not “magic,” and the priest him- but the power and grace are from God. redemption, liturgy, and the Lord’s sup- self does not perform the miracle of He says: ‘This is My body.’ These words The Divine Liturgy is the reality of per. What stands out is that the climax changing bread and wine into the Body change the sacrificial elements. Just the Gospel of Saint John. Here Jesus of the narration of God’s saving deeds and Blood of Christ, but it is our Lord as the words: ‘Increase and multiply teaches us, “I am the living bread that is the institution of the eucharist by the Himself who enacted this mystery of and fill the earth’ (Gen 1:28) although came down from heaven; whoever words, “This is My body,” “This is My faith at the mystical supper in the upper spoken once, give our nature the eats this bread will live forever; and blood.” The Byzantine Liturgy follows room. When we now say the words, permanent power of procreation, so the bread that I .... Jesus said to them, the Matthew-Mark tradition, “This is we remember the power of God’s grace also these words once pronounced, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you My blood,” while the Roman Anaphora and His divine salvation in giving us are effective on all the altars from eat the flesh of the Son of Man and follows the Luke-Paul tradition, “This His Body and Blood as food and drink, that time until now and will be to His drink His blood, you do not have life is the cup of My blood.” These words and it is, therefore, through God’s second coming.” (First Homily on the within you. Whoever eats My flesh of our Lord have a special status in power that this becomes real in our li- Betrayal of Judas, 6) Chrysostom is not and drinks My blood has eternal life, the liturgy. In the Byzantine Liturgy, turgical thanksgiving today. talking about the moment when the and I will raise him on the last day. For the faithful respond, “Amen,” “So be gifts change, nor, indeed, is he even My flesh is true food, and My blood is what the Lord has said” when these If we analyze the words of talking about the words that the priest true drink.” (John 6:51-55) We pray words were said by the priest. “Amen” institution themselves, they are says. He is speaking about the words before Holy Communion, “I also usually belonged at the end of a prayer. a part of the enumerations of that Christ said, and which echo or believe and profess that this, which I In the Western tradition, these words God’s benefits toward us through reverberate throughout time to am about to receive, is truly Your most are called the “consecration,” and the prayer addressed to the effect the change in a manner similar to precious body and Your life-giv- Roman Catholic theologians have Father. They are a mystical and creation. According to Chrysos- ing blood, which, I pray, make me explained the words of Jesus as the liturgical, but not a dramatic tom, the priest “stands in the place of worthy to receive for the remission of words which effect the substantial re-enactment of the Last Supper. They Christ,” when he says these words, for all my sins and for life everlasting.” The change in the bread and wine into his do not only convey the dogmatic truth the presbyter obviously does not mean Eucharist, therefore, is not only real very Body and Blood. of the presence of the Body and Blood that the bread is his body, but the Body food for our bodies but also for our of the risen Christ, but also reveal the of Christ. The important thing is that souls, which is why frequent reception All Christian liturgies, except one, action by which these gifts save us. Chrysostom is not referring to the of this holy mystery is so important. contain the words of the institution, They are “broken for you,” “poured words of the priest actually pronounced and give them a prominent role. The out for you and for many,” and they in the Liturgy, but to the words said by reason for this should be obvious: also proclaim one of the ways in which Christ at the Mystical Supper. the liturgy was commemorating, they are saving: “for the forgiveness of remembering, and calling to mind sins.” All forgiveness and reconciliation In Byzantine theology, the priest the Lord’s supper, the breaking of really flow from the eucharistic sacrifice, is a passive instrument of God. This bread in which we recognize Jesus. precisely because in partaking of this is why all sacramental formulas are We proclaim, therefore, the first meal mystery we are truly united both passive (e.g., “The servant of God is at which this “remembrance” was done, physically and spiritually with the Son baptized....”). In Chrysostom’s time, connecting it to the presence of Christ. of God, our Redeemer. the question of the exact moment when The one eucharistic prayer that does the gifts changed had not been asked. not have these words is the East Syrian Saint John Chrysostom explained the What was important was the reality of Anaphora of Addai and Mara, which meaning of this mystery. He preached, the mystery of faith. For the Fathers, “It is not man that converts the holy

Spiritual Reflections Father Lewis Rabayda Good Fathers Give Healing Gifts

e each have different experi- age of God within us. And sometimes ourselves in both father and son roles. 11:11-12). If we ask God the Father for ences of fathers in our lives. these attacks are too powerful, and our And after we have experienced the fail- any good thing necessary for our salva- SomeW of us have had the blessing of be- own prayers and abilities to withstand ure of a father, it should inspire each tion and eternal life, He will oblige us, ing loved and cared for by our earthly and heal from them, are not sufficient. one of us to not fail those who look to He will not, instead, distance us from fathers. Others may not have had the It is then, when we seek healing from us as fathers because, too often, neglect His holiness. So, in order to break the comfort of their biological father, but someone who is able to give it, we seek and abuse can be handed down from fa- cycle of poor fathers, each one of us can have other encouraging father figures healing and wholeness from the many ther to son, and so on. But if we are able follow the example of the Apostles, of in their lives. Some still, may not have fathers in our lives. to recognize this destructive behavior Jesus, and of God the Father: to give experienced either of these situations being exemplified to us, then, with the good, healing, gifts to those who ask of and have had to rely on God the Father, But sometimes when we approach grace of God, we will be able to stop its us. And by our example of discipleship, alone. But regardless of our experience, our earthly fathers for these blessings, spread, and in turn sow the uncondi- we strengthen and affirm others in holi- physical or spiritual, there come times sometimes when we need them most tional love of the best father we know, ness and direct them to the ultimate Fa- in our lives when we need the love of a to give us direction, we find that these God the Father. ther, the One, True, God. father to affirm us, to build us up, and to fathers have failed their obligations and give us healing gifts. are not able to supply what is needed. When teaching us God’s desire for our When we encounter this neglect, we happiness, Jesus taught us that when we We become broken down by the should not be overwhelmed with grief are in need, we should ask God to fulfill many trials and temptations that come or disappointment, but we can accept a our needs. “What father among you, if our way as we attempt to live transfig- greater responsibility in our own lives. his son asks for a fish, will instead of a ured lives in Christ. These evil elements Each of us at one point or another, in fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for gnaw at us and try to destroy the im- relation to one person or another, finds an egg will give him a scorpion?” (Lk OCTOBER 2019 Eastern Catholic Life Page 11

Seasonal ReflectionsFather Ronald Hatton Seeking the Protection of the Theotokos

ith all the attention in the During the time, the people in the city have mercy on our city and all people amazement, Andrew saw her in a cloud, Catholic Church surrounding were threatened by a barbarian inva- who glorify the feast of her Protection.” protecting the faithful with her mantle. theW Marian Apparition of Fatima dur- sion. After the appearance of the Moth- Let us fervently sing to her: Rejoice, O ing the month of October, the Eastern er of God, the danger was averted, and “All the leaders of the heavenly protection, defense, and salvation of Christian feast of the Protection or Pa- the city was spared from bloodshed and armies form a spiritual choir of and re- our souls.” –Litija for the Vespers tronage of the Theotokos, is an impor- suffering. Because Saint Andrew was joice with all of us when they see the tant feast for us which we celebrate on a Slav, the celebration of this appear- Lady and Queen of All praised by the “O most holy Lady, Virgin Mother the first of October. The day celebrates ance is more fervently celebrated in faithful. The spirits of the just also re- of God, extend you holy mantle over the appearance of the Mother of God at the Slavic Churches than in the Greek joice as they witness the vision of the us; guide and protect our rulers and the Church of Panagia (All-holy One) Churches with a 12th century Russian Queen praying with outstretched arms. all your people from every evil. As the of Blachernae, in modern-day Istanbul, chronicle describing the establishment She asks for peace in the world, power holy Andrew saw you in a vision while and was a place of pilgrimage in Con- of this day as a feast day in the Russian and strength for our Church, and salva- praying, so today, O holy Lady, show stantinople during the time of the Ro- Church. tion of our souls.” –At Psalm 140 for the us your loving protection.” –Hymn of man Empire. The apparition of the The- Vespers of the Feast. Light at the Matins of the Feast otokos which is commemorated this Many of our parishes are dedicated to the feast of the Protection of the The- During this month, whether in the As we sing in our Divine Liturgy, month took place in the tenth century. Roman or Byzantine Catholic Church, “Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Tradition says that, during a time of otokos. Our Festal Menaion (the book containing the texts used for Vespers we should especially devote our prayer O Savior, save us!” siege of Constantinople, Saint Andrew to asking our Blessed Mother for her (of Constantinople) with his disciple and Matins of our feast days) provides for a Great Vespers with Litija as well as protection, as we face the uncertain- Saint Epiphanius, and a group of peo- ties of life, the attacks of demons, ill- ple, saw the Mother of God, Saint John a Matins for the feast, though, unfortu- nately, we seldom see these celebrated ness, or external crisis in our daily lives. the Baptist, and several other saints and She intercedes always for us, as a good angels during a vigil in the Church of in our parishes. Associated with these services are very beautiful hymns to our mother should, but we should never Blachernae, nearby the city gates. The take that intercession for granted, but Blachernae Palace church was where blessed Mother, which we should not allow to fall out of use in our worship. offer praises to her and venerate her several of her relics were kept. The rel- as the Mother of God and the Saint of ics were her robe, veil, and part of her “Heaven and earth are sanctified. The Perfect Submission to the will of God. belt that had been transferred from Pal- Church is radiant and all the people are I will offer here a couple more hymns estine during the fifth century. rejoicing. Behold, the Mother of God, which we can use as special prayer dur- In her apparition, the Theotokos ap- together with the angelic hosts, the ing this month: Forerunner, and the Theologian [the proached the center of the church, knelt “Let us assemble today, O faithful, down and remained in prayer for a long Holy Apostle and Evangelist John], with the prophets and the apostles has and praise the immaculate Queen of time. Her face was drowned in tears. all, the most-pure Virgin, the Mother of Then she took her veil off and spread it invisibly entered. She prays to Christ in behalf of all Christians that He may Christ our God; for she always merci- over the people as a sign of protection. fully extends her hands to her Son. In

FatherSchool G. Scott Boghossian of Prayer Rise Early to Pray aints, Olympic athletes, wealthy In the Sermon on the Mount, Je- before things get busy. Even if we have nial and mortification, how much more entrepreneurs, and successful sus tells us to “seek first the kingdom scheduled a time to pray later in the day, do we? Our Lord said, “if anyone wants peopleS in every field get up early to of God” (Mt. 5:24). Yes, this means emergencies and unexpected events to be my disciple, let him deny himself, begin their day. Motivational speaker put God first in order of priority. But can intrude and foil our plans. and take up his cross daily and follow Brian Tracy calls the first hour of the let’s also understand “seek first” as an me” (Lk. 9:23). Get up as soon as the day the “Golden Hour.” He says that the instruction to connect with God in Prayer is the great means of grace. alarm goes off in the morning and pray. thoughts that fill our mind in the first prayer as the first thing we do every day. In prayer, we find the strength to obey hour of the day strongly impact how God. Temptations will come, and if we Rising early to pray demonstrates our the rest of the day will progress. Hal El- If we get up early and spend time haven’t done some serious prayer and spiritual enthusiasm. Some people get rod authored the best-selling book, The in prayer and spiritual reading, we are reading in the morning, we will crash up very early on “Black Friday” to get to Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious proving to ourselves that we are serious and burn. An irritating person will all the stores for the best deals. Others Secret Guaranteed to Transform your Life about spiritual things. Some people provoke us to lose our patience; a frus- do the same to stand in line for tickets – (Before 8 AM). Can you guess what spend time in prayer daily but put it trating inconvenience will tempt us to to a show, football game, or the latest the secret is? Get up early! off until the end of the day. By the af- curse or complain. But if we pray first, iPhone. If only we were as enthusiastic ternoon or evening, they are tired, dis- we will have grace for the day to come, about spiritual things! Let’s be as en- The Evangelist Mark tells us that Our tracted, and out of sorts. After a long and escape the snares that the devil has thusiastic about our Savior and Lord Lord Jesus got up early: “Rising very day at work, they want to eat and relax. placed in our path. as the world is about material things early before dawn, He left and went off Then, if they pray at all, they rush “just by getting up early every day to be with to a deserted place, where He prayed” to get it done” and pray and read with- Getting up early to pray forces us to Him. (Mk. 1:35). Be like Jesus; get up early out much attention or devotion. Not deny ourselves and mortify our flesh. If to pray! The Woman of Proverbs 31, good. we want to get to heaven, we can’t let Maybe you’ve been putting off your a type and foreshadowing of our Lady the body always have its way. “The flesh prayers till the end of the day, and find and of all holy women, “gets up early Busy mothers, who hardly ever have fights against the spirit, and the spirit that you don’t pray well, and sometimes before daylight to prepare food for a quiet moment to themselves, will tell fights against the flesh” (Gal. 5:17). don’t pray at all. Make a change. Set her family and for her servants” (Prov. you to pray first and to pray early. Once Saint Paul said, “I treat my body harshly the alarm. Experience the power of ris- 31:15). Saints and ascetics of ages past everyone else is up, forget about it! Af- and make it my slave, lest by any means, ing early to pray. rose early to pray and seek God. ter the sun rises, every kind of distrac- after having preached to others, I myself tion and interruption wreaks havoc on should be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27). “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the our plans. Get into prayer and reading If Saint Paul needed to practice self-de- dead, and Christ will give you light” (Eph. 5:14). Page 12 Eastern Catholic Life OCTOBER 2019 Byzantine Catholic Seminary to host “Come and See” Retreat of Discovery unity, integrity, and missionary spirit with a commitment to ecumenism.

Founded in 1950, the Byzantine Catholic Seminary is a free-standing, English-speaking theological seminary, welcoming all those seeking the knowl- edge possessed by the Eastern ecclesial traditions.

The seminary is authorized to grant graduate degrees by the Common- wealth of Pennsylvania and accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. The seminary operates as a non-profit he Byzantine Catholic Semi- “Come and See” is a retreat weekend 501(c)(3) organization incorporated Tnary of Saints Cyril and Metho- that takes place at the Byzantine Catho- in Pennsylvania and is governed by a dius is pleased to host the “Come and lic Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA. The re- Board of Directors under the leader- See” Weekend of Discovery from Fri- treat includes sharing liturgical services ship of the Metropolitan Archbishop of day, November 1 to Sunday, November and meals with the seminary communi- Pittsburgh. seminary office at 412-321-8383 or 3, 2019. ty and an introduction to the Seminary email at [email protected]. formation program. It will also include If you would like more informa- Invited to this retreat are men, ages a tour of the seminary, gatherings with tion about this topic, please call the 18 to 35, single or married, who may the seminarians, and witness talks. be considering a vocation to the priest- hood in the Byzantine Catholic Church. There is no tuition for this “Come The atmosphere will be prayerful, posi- and See” Retreat of Discovery. The tive, and fraternal. retreat, meals, and lodging are free. The application deadline is October 9, A past retreatant noted about his ex- 2019. For more information and to ap- perience that the weekend was helpful ply, please see the seminary’s website for his “seeing both the difficulties and www.bcs.org. joys of seminary and ordained life.” It was also noted that “watching the semi- The Byzantine Catholic Seminary narians look out for one another and is a community of mentors, teachers, serve parish communities was a great and students forming leaders for the witness to the Gospel.” Church in an environment of Christian

When traveling to the Mid-Atlantic, please visit our churches Maryland Patronage at Hagerstown meet- Epiphany Mission Ascension of our Lord Phone 919-239-4877 Patronage of the Mother of ing at: 9301 Warfield Road 114 Palace Lane Web www.sscyrilmethodius.org God St. Ann Catholic Church Gaithersburg, MD Williamsburg, VA 23185 Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00 am 1265 Linden Avenue 1525 Oak Hill Avenue Web www.eolmission.org Phone 757-585-2878 (rectory) District of Columbia Baltimore, MD 21227 Hagerstown, MD 21742 Sunday Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM Web www.ascensionva.org Phone 410-247-4936 Saturday Vigil Liturgy 6:45PM 2 per Sunday Divine Liturgy 11:00 am Byzantine Ruthenian Chapel Virginia Basilica of the National Shrine Web www.patronagechurch.org month Epiphany of our Lord Our Lady of Perpetual Help Sunday Divine Liturgy 9:15 am Call Baltimore for schedule 400 Michigan Avenue, NE 3410 Woodburn Road 216 Parliament Drive Washington, DC 20017 Patronage at Abingdon meet- Saint Gregory of Nyssa Annandale, VA 22003 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 Phone 202-526-8300 ing at: 12420 Old Gunpowder Road Spur Phone: 703-573-3986 Phone 757-456-0809 Web www.nationalshrine.org Stone Chapel at Saint Francis Beltsville, MD 20705 Web www.eolbcc.org Web www.olphvb.org No regularly scheduled Sunday de Sales Church Phone 301-953-9323 Sunday Divine Liturgies 8:00 am & Sunday Divine Liturgy 8:00 am Liturgy. 1450 Abingdon Road Web www.stgregoryofnyssa.net 10:30 am North Carolina To reserve a date and time, priests Abingdon, MD 21009 Sunday Divine Liturgies must call the Liturgy Office and submit Sunday Divine Liturgy 5:30PM Church Slavonic 8:00 am Saints Cyril and Methodius a current letter from their eparchy’s Sunday Matins 9:30 am 2510 Piney Plains Road Safe Environment Office. English Liturgy 10:30 am Cary, NC 27518

Upcoming Eparchial and Parish Events Eastern Catholic Life 28-29 Thanksgiving Holiday Circulation Department October, 2019 445 Lackawanna Avenue 1 Protection of the Theotokos Civic Holiday*Chancery closed Woodland Park, NJ 07424 Solemn Holy Day December, 2019 14 Columbus Day 6 Our Holy Father Nicholas of Myra Next Issue: Civic Holiday*Chancery closed Solemn Holy Day*Chancery closed November, 2019 November, 2019 8 Maternity of the Holy Anna 8 Holy Archangel Michael and All Holy Solemn Holy Day 24 Vigil Eve of Christmas Copy Deadline: Bodiless Powers of Heaven 25 The Nativity of Our Lord October 18 Solemn Holy Day* Chancery closed 11-14 USCCB General Assembly Holy Day of Obligation The current issue of the ECL 26 Synaxis of the Virgin Theotokos was printed at Evergreen Baltimore, MD* Bishop Kurt in attendance Printing, Bellmawr, NJ, and 14 Beginning of the Christmas Fast 27 Holy Protomartyr Stephen was distributed from the 24-27 Christmas Holiday Begins at sundown U.S. Post Office via second Chancery closed class mailing in 21 Entrance of the Virgin Theotokos 31-January 1 New Year’s Holiday Bellmawr, NJ. into the Temple Chancery closed *Happy New Year Solemn Holiday