St. Nicholas Orthodox Church a Parish of the Diocese of New England ✜ Orthodox Church in America

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church A Parish of the Diocese of New England ✜ Orthodox Church in America

February 23, 2020

SUNDAY OF MEATFARE — Tone 3. Sun- day of the Last Judgment. Hieromartyr Poly- carp, Bishop of Smyrna (167). Ven. Polycarp of Briansk (1620-1621). Ven. John, Antiochus, Antoninus, Moses, Zebinas, Polychronius, Moses, and Damian, Ascetics, of the Syrian deserts (5th c.). Ven. Alexander, founder of the Monastery of the “Unsleeping Ones” (ca. 430). Ven. Damian of Esphigmenou (Mt. Athos— 1280). Monastic Martyr Damian of Philotheou (1568).

In Memory of Archbishop Nikon (9/1/2019) Matushka Elizabeth Bacon (01/15/2020 - 40 Days)

For the Health and Well-being of:

Archpriest Joseph Elena (recovering from surgery) Mat. Myra Abdullah (brother of Tony) Galina Paul (father of Fr. Tristan) Anne (cancer, friend of Dolores) Gregory (father of Tanya) Rick Anleye (stroke, mother of Helen (mother of Emilie) Svetlana (mother of Tanya) Banchi) Irina (eyes) Vladimir Y Charles (brother of Emilie) Len Vladislav David (homebound) June (sister of Rick) Dolores Upcoming Services Today ...... Divine Liturgy with Fr. Mark Sherman ....9:30 am

Sat. Feb 29 ...... Reader’s Vespers ...... 3:30 pm Church in Salisbury All Saints on March 1 Sun. Mar 01 ...... Divine Liturgy in Salisbury, CT ...... 9:30 am with Fr. John Kreta and Metropolitan Tikhon followed by Pot Luck Luncheon and Forgiveness Vespers Mon. Mar 02 ...... Canon of St Andrew of Crete (Readers)...... 6:00 pm Tue. Mar 03 ...... Canon of St Andrew of Crete (Readers)...... 6:00 pm Wed. Mar 04 ...... Canon of St Andrew of Crete (Readers)...... 6:00 pm Thu. Mar 05 ...... Canon of St Andrew of Crete (Readers)...... 6:00 pm Fri. Mar 06 ...... Akathist to Theotokos (Readers) ...... 6:00 pm

Readings: Today Next Week Epistle: 1 Corinthians 8:8 - 9:1 Romans 13:11-14 Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 Matthew 6:14-21 Next Week Pot Luck at All Saints ...... Bring a non-meat dish

Please Welcome Back: Fr. Mark Sherman! Important— Divine Liturgy Next Week: There will be no Divine Liturgy next Sunday here at St. Nicholas. We will instead gather at All Saints at Salisbury, CT where Fr. John Kreta and Metropolitan Tikhon will serve a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, followed by a Pot Luck luncheon and then Vespers of Forgiveness. We need to know today who is going, if you need a ride (we will try and match ride shares) and if you can bring a pot luck dish (non-meat). Please sign up at Coffee Hour and/or see Tanya or Irene. Movie Night: Thank you to everyone who made last night’s Movie Night a memorable event. Barton’s Crossing March Meal: Because many people will at- tend church in Salisbury next Sunday, Team C will prepare and deliver the meal on Sunday, March 8th. All Parish Meeting: Last Sunday we had a productive All Parish Meeting. We thank everyone who attended and who presented or spoke. Fr. John Kreta will ask the blessing of Metropolitan Tikhon for the Parish Council members were elected, and as soon as this happens we can hold the oath of office on the following Sunday.

To day : Sunday of Last Judgment: Today’s Gospel reading is Matthew 25:31-46, the parable of the Last Judgment. It reminds us that while trusting in Christ’s love and mercy, we must not forget His righteous judgment when He comes again in glory. If our hearts remain hardened and unrepentant, we should not expect the Lord to over- look our transgressions simply because He is a good and loving God. Although He does not desire the death of a sinner, He also expects us to turn from our wickedness and live (Ezek. 33:11). This same idea is ex- pressed in the prayer read by the priest after the penitent has confessed his or her sins (Slavic practice). The time for repentance and forgiveness is now, in the present life. At the Second Coming, Christ will appear as the righteous Judge, “Who will ren- der to every man according to his deeds” (Rom. 2:6). Then the time for en- treating God’s mercy and forgiveness will have passed. …Today is the last day for eating meat and meat products until Pascha, though eggs and dairy products are permitted every day during the coming week. This limited fasting prepares us gradually for the more intense fasting of Great Lent. from OCA.org February Charity: Last Sunday to donate to the Elizabeth Freeman Center, which provides services for families and chil- dren suffering from domestic and sexual abuse. According to their website they reach over 5,000 people annually in Berk- shire County. Wintry Weather: We hope you will use caution if snow/ice condi- tions make for dangerous driving. We will always post Cancellation an- nouncements on the home page of our website! Please check there for cancellations before driving to church. stnicholaspittsfield.org

Stewardship Appeal Please return your Stewardship Pledges if you haven’t already

Birthdays 02/15 ...... Sofia M. 02/21 ...... Elanor 02/22 ...... Vladislav Z 03/03 ...... Alla G

Previous Collecons Total $6,154.00 Collecon 02/16/2019 $1,771.00 Total Collecons to date $7,925.00 Proposed Budget 2020 $89,400.00 % Collected towards Budget 8.9%