Sunday, May 16, 2021 + Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women

Saints Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Christian Church A Parish of the Diocese of New England of the Orthodox Church in America

Fr. John Hopko,  Protodeacon Paul Nimchek

860.582.3631  email: [email protected] www.terryvilleorthodoxchurch.org  www.facebook.com/TerryvilleOrthodoxChurch

Sunday, May 16, 2021 Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women 3rd SUNDAY OF PASCHA — Tone 2. Myrrh-bearing Women. Ven. Theodore the Sanctified, disciple of Ven. Pachomius the Great (368). Translation of the Relics of Ven. Ephraim, of Perekop (Novgorod, 1545), Ven. Cassian (1537) and Lavrentii (Laurence) (1548), of Konel’ (Vologda). St. Alexander, of Jerusalem (213-250). Martyrs Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia, at Lucania (ca. 303). Bl. Child Musa of Rome (5th c.). St. George, of Mitylene (9th c.). New Martyr Nicholas of Metsovo (17th c.). Brendan the Navigator (577).

https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2021/05/16

Schedule of Services and Events, Upcoming  Wednesday morning worship, May 19, 8:00 AM: Wednesday Morning Prayers Service (a simplified order of Matins for local parish usage), beginning at 8:00 AM. In-Person, at Church.  Bible Study, Thursday evening, May 20, 7:00 PM, online: We will have Bible Study this Thursday evening, May 20, at 7:00 PM, online, via ZOOM video teleconference. We will resume our reading of the Holy Apostle Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.  Saturday evening worship, May 22, 6:30 PM: Saturday evening Vigil (Great Vespers, with the Reading of the Matins Gospel), beginning at 6:30 PM. In-Person, at Church. [Note: Fr. John will be away on Saturday afternoon, May 22, at a Baptism. In his absence, Protodeacon Paul will lead the Saturday evening service.]  Sunday morning worship, May 23, 9:15 AM: The weekly Sunday morning Lord’s Day celebration of the , beginning at 9:15 AM. Sunday of the Healing of the Paralytic, the Fourth Sunday of Holy Pascha. In-Person, at Church.  Wednesday morning worship, May 26, 8:00 AM, Feast of Midfeast of Pentecost: Wednesday Morning Prayers Service (a simplified order of Matins for local parish usage), beginning at 8:00 AM. In-Person, at Church.  Bible Study, Thursday evening, May 27, 7:00 PM, online: We will have Bible Study this Thursday evening, May 27, at 7:00 PM, online, via ZOOM video teleconference.  Saturday evening worship, May 29, 6:30 PM: Saturday evening Vigil (Great Vespers, with the Reading of the Matins Gospel), beginning at 6:30 PM. In-Person, at Church.  Sunday morning worship, May 30, 9:15 AM: The weekly Sunday morning Lord’s Day celebration of the Divine Liturgy, beginning at 9:15 AM. Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, the Fifth Sunday of Holy Pascha. In- Person, at Church.

A Pastoral Letter from Fr. John to the Whole Parish Community

Dear Members and Friends of Saints Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Church, Terryville, CT:

Christ is risen!

For over a year now, all through the COVID-19 event, I have been regularly preparing and distributing resources for home worship. However, beginning this weekend, May 15-16, 2021, I am ending that practice. I am doing so because, with almost no exceptions, the members and friends of our Parish are back to attending in-person Church services here in the Terryville Parish. Not every person is attending regularly, but almost every person has been attending at least some of the services.

Worshipping together, in-person, in the Parish temple, following the salvific liturgical tradition of our Orthodox Christian Faith, is how Orthodox Christians worship. So now, at a time when COVID-19 has waned significantly here in Connecticut, and when the majority of us are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, we should be coming to Church and participating as fully as possible in the liturgical life of the Orthodox Church.

In our Parish, so that every person can feel comfortable, we are still keeping the following basic health safety protocols, which, we freely admit, go above and beyond what is being enforced now in many places: We are still doing health screening, wearing facemasks, and maintaining social distance. In order to avoid overcrowding the available space, we are still managing attendance via pre-registration. We are also asking (as we always have, and always will) that people who feel unwell with symptoms consistent with communicable illnesses stay home from Church until they feel better.

Very soon, we hope, we will put away the facemasks and fill the Parish Temple with an unlimited number of attendees. However, for now, we will continue these basic practices of masking and distancing, which help many of us feel comfortable attending services.

Of course, we must also pray at home, our own private prayers, and each of us should have a “rule” of prayer, a specific order of prayer, which we pray every day, at least once a day. Here is a link to our Parish Prayerbook, which can serve as a guide for your personal prayer, at home, in your own icon corner. Many of you have and use a physical copy of the Parish Prayerbook.

And, of course, each of us should own our own personal Bible (a great privilege not always available to our ancestors) and we should be reading from it every day. One suggestion for reading from the Bible is that we read, at minimum, several Psalms and a chapter from the Gospels, each and every day. That is a practice that only takes a few minutes to accomplish. (Note: I strongly suggest reading from either the Orthodox Study Bible or from an edition of the Bible using the RSV [Revised Standard Version] translation, since, for decades now, the RSV is the English-language version we have used in our liturgical services here in Terryville, and, thus, it is familiar to our eyes and ears.)

I look forward to seeing you, the members and friends of the Parish, here at Church for liturgical services.

With love in Christ,

Fr. John H.

Archpriest John Hopko, Pastor

Michael “Mike” L.—ongoing health issues PARISH PRAYER LIST child George—9-year-old son of a Kenyan Orthodox priest; quite unwell We pray for all victims of disease, disaster, difficulty, Bill M.—has experienced some health issues lately, please keep in prayer and senseless violence throughout the world, especially Paula—friend of Jim L.; struggling with cancer Dimitri— of Carolyn P.; health issues in this time of pestilence and civil unrest. Maryna B.—dealing with some health issues + THOSE WHO HAVE DEPARTED THIS LIFE: Memory Eternal! Thomas—Patty N.’s nephew; battling cancer Wayne—Donna O.’s father First of all, we pray for all the thousands of victims of COVID-19. Memory Eternal! Sarah—a young woman for whom we have been asked to pray (D.B.) Newly Departed Richard—a man struggling with cancer, for whom we have been asked to pray Peter Pawlack—former Waterbury pastor d. 4/19/2021 Maria O.—dialysis three times a week Archpriest Antonio Perdomo—priest in Texas d. 4/1/2021 George K.—our fellow parishioner; unwell at this time Genevieve (“Gen”)—prayed for at the request of John K. d. 5/4/2021 Lorraine—friend of Joan M.; cancerous blood disease Roger—prayed for at the request of the Hopkos d. 4/15/2021 Joseph—friend of Jeanne M.; in need of prayers Michael—prayed for at the request of a Hartford parishioner d. 4/15/2021 Joan—dear and close friend of Carolyn P.; recovering from serious back surgery Anniversaries of Repose – Memory Eternal! Antonio—brother-in-law of a parishioner; suffering with COVID-19 Roy Johnson 5/18/2012 Elaine H.—recovering from hip replacement surgery; our fellow parishioner Steven Panasuk 5/18/2018 Dianna—Jennifer W.’s mother; suffering some health problems Gregory Broda 5/19/1940 Thomas—fighting cancer; father of a friend of the Parish Sylvester Kostyk 5/19/1969 Jayne—our fellow parishioner; recent knee joint replacement surgery Matushka Catherine Semanitsky 5/19/1972 James B.—husband of a Waterbury parishioner; very unwell recently Feodor "Pat" Senetcen 5/19/1995 Matushka Ann S.—recently suffered fall, was hospitalized, now back home Dennis Tichon 5/19/2005 Shut-ins and those resident in long-term Care Facilities Olga Gabor 5/20/1939 Alex—John D.’s brother; suffering permanent effects of stroke THOSE IN NEED OF GOD’S MERCY AND HELP Dolores—Bob M.’s mother; resident in long-term eldercare First of all, we pray for all those suffering due to the present pestilence which is Expectant Mothers COVID-19, and those working to alleviate their suffering. Katherine and the child to be born of her—Fr. John’s nephew’s wife and her child Persons captive and suffering for the Faith New Mothers and the Children Born of Them Metropolitan Paul and Archbishop John—hostages in Syria Raisa (Rosie) and the daughter newly born of her Those who are sick and suffering Travelers, Those Soon to be Traveling, and Those Apart from Us Archpriest Michael K.—former pastor of our parish; reoccurrence of illness All those who are traveling, soon to be traveling, or apart from us Fyodor (Frank) G.—suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Paul and Claudia Dolores T.—permanent colon malfunction following colon cancer treatment Those from among us serving on active duty in the Armed Forces child Drew—grandson of friends of the Nimcheks; ongoing treatment for eye cancer Fr. James Parnell, Chaplain (MAJ)—deployed with the CT ARNG Darlyne—facing health challenges; daughter of Bob and Vera Martin Joel O.—U.S. Navy; hospital corpsman (“medic”) Donna—Ann S.’s niece, Deb W.’s cousin; kidney disease Joseph B.—a Terryville neighbor; U.S. Marine Corps Dayrl—Ann S.’s niece, Deb W.’s cousin; kidney disease Joshua P.—husband of a niece of Fr. John’s; U.S. Army officer and pilot JoAnn—acquaintance of Jeanne Moore; ovarian cancer Alexander—relative of Carolyn P.; 82nd Airborne Division soldier MaryEllen—Louine K.’s daughter-in-law; suffering with Huntington’s Disease Derek—relative of Carolyn P.; serving in Afghanistan in the U.S. Army Yelena “Lenna” M.—overcoming, by God’s grace, serious health challenges Ian H.—Fr. David K.’s son-in-law; overseas deployment, U.S. Army Katie and Aubrey—a mother and daughter for whom we have been asked to pray Anniversaries of Marriage Tanya B.—suffering long-term and lingering effects of brain hemorrhage George & Jennifer Wegh 5/19 Mary Lynn—friend of Donna O.; battling breast cancer Elena & James Watras 5/22 Barbara—friend of Patty N.; unwell and in need of prayerful support Birthdays Dorothy F.—Waterbury parishioner; still recovering from a serious surgery NONE THIS WEEK Rosie D.—ongoing health issues

News and Notes

Annual Blessing of the Terryville Parish Cemetery, May 16: The Annual Blessing of the Graves in the Terryville Parish Cemetery will take place, weather permitting, on this Sunday afternoon, May 16, beginning at 12:15 PM. The Cemetery is located at 23 E. Plymouth Rd., Terryville, about 1.3 miles from our Church. We will begin the event at the Cemetery that afternoon with a General Memorial Service served at the central Cross, located in the middle of the Cemetery. At the conclusion of that service, we will bless all the graves with Holy Water, while singing Paschal hymns. Christ is risen! Memory Eternal!

Annual Blessing of the Waterbury Parish Cemetery: The Annual Blessing of the Graves in the Waterbury Parish Cemetery will also take place on a Sunday afternoon in May or June, with the exact date still to be determined. When that date has been finalized, we will share it with you. Fr. John away at a Baptism, Saturday, May 22: Fr. John will be away from Terryville, attending a Baptism on Saturday, May 22. Protodeacon Paul Nimchek will lead Vespers that evening here in our Parish.

Bible Study Resumes—Thursday evenings, at 7:00 PM, ONLINE: We are restarting our weekly Bible Study sessions. On account of Fr. John’s schedule, we are moving our Bible Study sessions to Thursday evenings. We are planning to keep gathering our Bible Study online, via ZOOM video teleconference. Please, join us for Bible Study this coming Thursday evening, May 20, at 7:00 PM. The necessary ZOOM link will be shared, via email, to the Parish email list, closed to the time of the online gathering.

LOOKING AHEAD – Graduates: If you or a member of your family is graduating this spring, please let us know, so that we might share the news with our Parish Family, and offer our congratulations and prayerful best wishes.

How to Support our Parish, financially: Donations to the Parish may be submitted via checks made out to and mailed to Saints Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Church, 34 Fairview Avenue, Terryville, CT 06786-6329. Also, a PayPal Donation “button” (https://www.terryvilleorthodoxchurch.org/donatenow) is located on our parish website to make online donations possible. Our parish is registered as a charity with PayPal, so we have slightly lower fees connected to the use of that means of receiving donations. For us, PayPal’s fees are 2.2%, plus $0.30 per transaction. (So, for example, a donation of $100.00 given via PayPal will realize us actual income of $97.50.)

Readings from Holy Scripture Scripture Readings for the Third Sunday of Pascha, called the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-Bearers The Reading from the Acts of the Holy Apostles (Acts 6:1-7) At that time, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. The Reading from the Gospel according to St. Mark (Mk. 15:43-16:8) At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether Jesus was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back--it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.