SAINT MARY OF EGYPT ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA Newsletter – OCTOBER 2011

925 Beaver Ruin Rd. Norcross, GA 30093 770-923-7790

Clergy Lay Leadership Reader Thomas Hobbs Archpriest Peter Smith – Warden Rector Matushka Terri Smith [email protected] [email protected] Choir Director 706-338-0347 678-924-0004 [email protected]

678-924-0004 Taylor Hostetter Hieromonk Cyprian DuRant) [email protected] [email protected] Chris Romano 770-682-7020 678-765-7357 [email protected]

706-548-4688 Debra Peterson Deacon Lazarus Muska [email protected] [email protected] Janice Douglass 404-372-4354 770-638-0472 Co-Treasurer

[email protected] McKinley Archpriest Dimitri Oselinsky 770-921-2565 Secretary (attached) [email protected] [email protected] DeMar 770-645-7941 678-765-6027 Co-Treasurer

Priest Thomas Alessandroni [email protected] 404-791-3066 (attached) May God teach [email protected]

678-373-9433 every one of us to

strive for His truth,

Calendar Highlights and for the good of the Holy Church,

Oct. 1 – Protection of the

Oct. 10 – Knit and Chat (Natalia Makarova) rather than

Oct. 16 – Parish Council Meeting something for our Oct. 22 – Demetrios Saturday

own sake." Oct. 31 through Nov. 4 - All American Council (Seattle; - St. Tikhon – of Please pray for our delegates: Fr. Peter, Fr. Cyprian and Moscow and Apostle to Aftan Romanczak) America

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION ARE NEEDED FOR: Memory Eternal: Archbishop Dmitri The Orthodox Church in America Orthodox Christians were deeply saddened to hear of the Diocese of the South and the Episcopal Search Committee falling asleep in the Lord on Sunday, August 28, 2011, at Metropolitan ; Nikon, Our Holy Synod, 2:00 am [CDT] of His Eminence, The Most Reverend Archpriest Peter, Matushka Anastasia DMITRI, retired Archbishop of the Diocese of the South, Hieromonk Cyprian, Priest Thomas; Matushka Angela Orthodox Church in Archpriest Dimitri; Matushka Maryanne America. The Archbishop Deacon Lazarus was eighty-seven years old. Archbishop Seraphim Ordained in 1954, then Metropolitan Theodosius; Metropolitan Herman, consecrated to the Our catechumens: Kristina, Yolanda, Matthew episcopacy in 1969, his The newly illumined Ioanna, Maria and Victor ecclesial ministry spanned The infant Juliana & family David, Elizabeth and David fifty-seven remarkable Danielle and Michael (Ralph Geeza’s niece and brother) years. Demetrios, Tamara, Maura Faith, Caroline Hope and

Thomas Reilly Pridmore; Sasha, Natalie, Kristina and Peter His Eminence was born Anthony Alessandroni Robert R. Royster on Babylos, Tatyana, Natalie and the newly illumined child November 2, 1923, into a Leah Anastacia Baptist family in the town Jason & Elizabeth, Coleman Patrick and the newly born of Teague, Texas. He often Eleanor Michelle credited his mother for Niphon, Thea and the child to be born of her providing him and his sister Dawn and Mike Bloechl in Anchorage and their 4 year old with a strong, initial faith in daughter Ellie battling leukemia; Logan and Connor in Christ. After discovering Alaska (brothers requiring kidney transplants) Orthodoxy as teens they Deacon Kevin, Kamilla Joy, Justin Peter, Abigail Marie, Symeon Basil and Miranda Rose Smith; Lottie Sivulich; asked their mother for a blessing to convert, whereupon Dena Smith; Gordon and June Smith, Mary Kowalski (Fr. she asked one basic yet predictive question: "Does the Peter & Mother Terri's families) Orthodox Church believe in Christ as Lord and Savior?" As Robert and Xenia Peterson it turned out, a specific emphasis on the person and work Ellen , Michael & Serah (Ioanna’s family) of Jesus Christ became the hallmark of the future Elaine Calugar and family, Carole; Nicodemus and hierarch's ministry, profoundly influencing his preaching Elizabeth and writing. Anna, Victor; Tanya and family - especially Veronica; Ed, Allan, Pauline; Having received their desired blessing, and after a period Todd, Kimber, Mathew, Maggie, Amanda and Scott; of inquiry and study, brother and sister were received Irene and Jimmy (Vilma Irene’s daughter in law and son) "Baby Leo" - the son of Fr. & Matushka Tregubov. together as Orthodox Christians at Holy Trinity Greek Meghan; Nick as he battles a brain tumor Orthodox Church in Dallas, Texas in 1941. It was at that Millie, Ron, BJ, Gail, Dustin, Jordan, Donna and Christopher point that the two received the names of Dmitri and Karen Elrod Williams Dimitra. Adam and Rachel Harris and their family Carol, Peter Vien, Henry and all of Peter’s family Dmitri was drafted into the US Army in 1943, after which Devon, Matthew & Tracey Bonaker, Steve & Earlene he underwent intensive training in Japanese and linguistics Nesselrote; Pat and Dave Bonaker in Ann Arbor, Michigan and the Military Intelligence Thomas, Emilia, Maria, Catherine; Craig Service Language School in Fort Snelling,Minnesota. Tikhon; Anna (Lynne); Harvey Ghiz Following this he served as a Japanese interpreter at the All those who have suffered and/or are suffering at the hands of others or without friends or family rank of Second Lieutenant on the staff of General Douglas MacArthur.After his military service Dmitri completed his Those Who Have Fallen Asleep in the Lord: education, receiving a Bachelor's Degree from the Archbishop Dmitri (now) University of North Texas in Denton, just outside of Ruth (Peter Vien’s mother) Dallas, and a Master's Degree in Spanish in 1949 from Mary (Janice Douglass’ mother) Southern Methodist University. He completed two years of Nellie Pridmore (Todd’s grandmother) post graduate studies at Tulane University in New Elizabeth (Ralph Geeza’s Aunt) Orleans whereupon he returned to his home in Dallas. Christian Teaching. The Dallas community grew steadily; In 1954, as a subdeacon with the Ukrainian Orthodox Fr. Dmitri had a unique gift for relating to all people. Both Church under Constantinople, Dmitri worked with the young and old looked to him as a loving father. Mexican Orthodox Community of Our Lady of San Juan de From 1966 to 1967 Fr. Dmitri attended St. Los Lagos, at which time he began translations of Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary in New York while Orthodox liturgical services into Spanish. In April of 1954 concurrently teaching Spanish at Fordham University. He Subdeacon Dmitri, his sister Dimitra and their priest, Fr. studied with people like Fr. Alexander Schmemann, Fr. Rangel sought permission of the local hierarch, Bishop John Meyendorff, and Professor Serge Verhovskoy. In Bogdan, to establish an English language Orthodox mission 1969 Fr. Dmitri was elected to the episcopate. On June 22 in Dallas, the future St. Seraphim Cathedral. Dmitri was of that year he was consecrated Bishop of Berkeley, ordained to the diaconate and priesthood that same year California as an auxiliary to Archbishop John (Shahovskoy) and assigned as rector of St. Seraphim's. In 1958 of San Francisco. The consecration of Bishop Dmitri is permission was sought and given to bring both Fr. Dmitri regarded by some historians as the first consecration of a and the parish into the Russian Metropolia, predecessor to convert to the episcopate in America (though Ignatius the Orthodox Church in America. During his pastorate Fr. (Nichols) was consecrated in 1932 but subsequently left Dmitri served as an the Church). instructor of Spanish at In 1970 Bishop Dmitri was given the title, Bishop Southern of Washington, auxiliary to Metropolitan Ireney. He would Methodist later recall the helpful training he received as an auxiliary University. He under both Archbishop John and Metropolitan Ireney, functioned in this particularly the many periods of instruction in Church capacity for a Slavonic. number of years. Dmitri also taught On October 19, 1971, Bishop Dmitri was elected Bishop at Tulane of Hartford and New England. In 1972 the Holy Synod of University in New brought Mexico under the auspices of the Orleans for a brief Orthodox Church in America, which had received its period during his autocephaly (the right to govern itself) in 1970 from tenure as student. the Moscow Patriarchate. Given his knowledge of and fondness for Mexican culture and the Spanish language, During the early Bishop Dmitri took on additional responsibilities from the years of St. Holy Synod as Exarch of Mexico. He was as much beloved Seraphim's Fr. by the Mexican people as by those in his own Diocese. Dmitri continued In 1977 at the 5th All American Council convened his missionary in Montreal, Bishop Dmitri received a majority of popular activities among votes in an election for a new Metropolitan of the the Mexican Americans but was intent on developing the Orthodox Church in America. For the sake of continuity -- a new community placed in his care. As a direct result of his cradle Orthodox occupying the Primatial See was more in desire that people from all walks of life hear the message keeping with the contemporary challenges of a young of Orthodox Christianity, the Cathedral remains to this territorial Church -- the Holy Synod chose instead The day, a multi-ethic parish, consisting of both cradle Right Reverend Theodosius (Lazor), Bishop of Alaska who Orthodox and converts. became an advocate and supporter of missionary work in the southern United States. While working outside the Church and tending to priestly responsibilities, Fr. Dmitri found time to print his own In 1978 the Synod of Bishops took an important step by original articles in a weekly Church bulletin. In the 1950's creating the Diocese of Dallas and the South. His Eminence and 60's Orthodox theological works in English were became its first ruling hierarch, taking St. Seraphim Church scarce, particularly on a popular level of reading. Fr. Dmitri as his Episcopal See. Christ the Saviour Church in Miami, saw a need and sought to address it. Later, his curriculum Florida, a prominent Orthodox community in the South, for catechumens used at St. Seraphim's would be became the second Cathedral of the newly formed published by the Department of Christian Education of the Diocese. The Archpriest George Gladky, a veteran Orthodox Church in America, with the title: Orthodox missionary and rector of Christ the Saviour, was named Chancellor. He and Bishop Dmitri worked admirably with new missions, the ordinations of men to the priesthood or others to establish Churches and teach Orthodoxy in a diaconate, and the reception of others into Orthodoxy region of America where Orthodox Christianity was were continual sources of delight. In addition he patiently relatively unknown. The first Diocesan Assembly of the dealt with clergy and laymen during his tenure who South was convened in Miami, August 25-26, 1978. needed correction. In fact, it would be difficult to recall an In 1993 the Holy Synod elevated Bishop Dmitri to the rank instance where he strongly reprimanded anyone, at least of Archbishop. During his tenure as hierarch the publicly. Private, gentle advice when needed was more Archbishop chaired various departments of the Orthodox "his style." At times his approach confused and frustrated Church in America, and was instrumental, early on, in some who believed that his manner of oversight should be speaking with representatives of the Evangelical Orthodox stricter; that he should be more demanding in his Church seeking entrance into canonical Orthodoxy. expectations. Again, this was never the Archbishop's way. It was not in his character to remind people bluntly of their On September 4, 2008, following the retirement of responsibilities. The Archbishop chose to lead by example Metropolitan Herman, the Holy Synod named Archbishop rather than by decree. Ultimately and personally this Dmitri as the locum tenens. Archbishop Seraphim became a source of his extraordinary influence and (Storheim) assisted him as administrator. In November of popularity. Accordingly he lived in a modest manner and 2008, Archbishop Dmitri's role as OCA locum tenens ended was generous to a fault, not only giving beyond the tithe with the election of Bishop Jonah (Paffhausen) of Fort to his Cathedral, but donating to seminaries, charities, Worth as Metropolitan. On March 22, 2009, the diocesan missions, and persons in need. Archbishop requested retirement from active duty as a Diocesan Bishop effective March 31, 2009. Under his As stated, leadership the Diocese of the South grew from Archbishop approximately twelve communities to over seventy at the Dmitri's present time and remains one of the most vibrant episcopacy was Dioceses in the OCA. strongly characterized During the past two years the Archbishop has lived quietly by a single- at his home, writing, making occasional visits to Diocesan minded communities, and maintaining a quiet involvement with devotion to the the life of St. Seraphim Cathedral. He was blessed in his person and last days to have many parishioners who visited and cared work of Jesus for him at home twenty-four hours a day as well as Christ. His medical professionals who came to his bedside to treat publications are testimony to this dedication. They include and evaluate his condition. The community in turn commentaries on: The Sermon on the Mount, The Parables received a great blessing from the love and courage with of Christ,The Miracles of Christ, St. Paul's Epistles to which the Archbishop welcomed them and approached his the Romans and to theHebrews, The Epistle of St. James, illness. He remained courteous, hospitable and dignified and the of St. John. His works also include the throughout, even attending Church when his strength aforementioned Introduction to Orthodox Christian allowed. These unexpected visits to the Cathedral by the Teaching, as well as A Layman's Handbook on The Doctrine Archbishop were sources of joy and inspiration to the of Christ. Some of these have been translated into other faithful. languages, enthusiastically received as instructional tools by the faithful abroad. When asked to document his For his former Diocese and the Orthodox Church in personal thoughts concerning evangelism or American America, His Eminence leaves behind a progressive vision Orthodoxy the Archbishop consistently hesitated, of evangelism and ecclesial life, a solid foundation upon preferring instead to dwell on the teachings of the fathers which to develop future communities and schools. He regarding Scripture and Church doctrine. leaves the faithful the experience of having had a compassionate father whose enthusiasm was contagious, For many years His Eminence was the editor of the first inspiring many to look profoundly at their own vocations diocesan newspaper in the Orthodox Church in in the Church. America: The Dawn. This modest publication was a primary means of education and an instrument of unity Archbishop Dmitri's greatest joys as well as sorrows were amongst members of a Diocese spanning over one million connected to his episcopal ministry. The establishment of square miles. One full page in The Dawn was regularly devoted to making available his translations of Orthodox for our sake she prays to the Eternal God!" Spanish material. Later the Archbishop included a Russian This miraculous appearance of the Mother of God occurred page to minister to the needs of new immigrants. in the mid-tenth century in Constantinople, in the Blachernae The dignity that he brought to his episcopacy was well church where her robe, veil, and part of her belt were known. People commented on his bearing, the way he preserved after being transferred from Palestine in the fifth century. carried himself as a bishop of the Orthodox Church. Some found it surprising that such an august figure possessed On Sunday, October 1, during the All Night Vigil, when the great love and respect for others, that he presented church was overflowing with those at prayer, the Fool-for- Christ St Andrew (October 2), at the fourth hour, lifted up his himself as one of the people. eyes towards the heavens and beheld our most Holy Lady Theotokos coming through the air, resplendent with Without exaggeration it can be said that His Eminence was heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the . St and the holy Apostle John the a rarity, a unique combination of faith, talent, intelligence Theologian accompanied the Queen of Heaven. On bended and charisma. For the Diocese of the South, indeed for the knees the Most Holy Virgin tearfully prayed for Christians for Orthodox Church in a long time. Then, coming near the Bishop's Throne, she continued her prayer. America, he was the right person at the After completing her prayer she took her veil and spread it right time. over the people praying in church, protecting them from enemies both visible and invisible. The Most Holy Lady Theotokos was resplendent with heavenly glory, and the Forty- two years a protecting veil in her hands gleamed "more than the rays of bishop, each day the sun." St Andrew gazed trembling at the miraculous vision offered in service to and he asked his , the blessed Epiphanius standing beside him, "Do you see, brother, the Holy Theotokos, Christ with Whom praying for all the world?" Epiphanius answered, "I do see, he now enjoys the holy Father, and I am in awe." blessedness of the The Ever-Blessed Mother of God implored the Lord Jesus Kingdom. We pray Christ to accept the prayers of all the people calling on His for hiscontinued Most Holy Name, and to respond speedily to her prayers and we intercession, "O Heavenly King, accept all those who pray to You and call on my name for help. Do not let them not go thank the Lord for away from my unheard." having given His flock the gift of of this holy prince also established in the Russian Church the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God, about the Archbishop Dmitri. May his Memory Be Eternal. year 1164.

"Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the At Novgorod in the twelfth century there was a of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos (the so-called Word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the Zverin monastery) In Moscow also under Tsar Ivan the outcome of their conduct" (Hebrews 13:7). Terrible the cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God was built at the church of the Holy Trinity (known as the "For though you might have ten thousand instructors in church of St Basil the Blessed).

Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus On the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos I have begotten you through the gospel..." (I Corinthians 4: we implore the defense and assistance of the Queen of 15) Heaven, "Remember us in your prayers, O Lady Virgin Mother of God, that we not perish by the increase of our sins. Protect us from every evil and from grievous woes, for in you do we hope, and venerating the Feast of your Protection, we magnify you."

St. Tikhon – Patriarch of Moscow and Apostle to America - Commemorated on October 9

St Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Apostle to America was Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos - Pokrov Commemorated on October 1 born as Vasily Ivanovich Belavin on January 19, 1865 into the family of Ioann Belavin, a rural priest of the Toropetz The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos: "Today the district of the Pskov diocese. His childhood and adolescence Virgin stands in the midst of the Church, and with choirs of were spent in the village in direct contact with peasants and Saints she invisibly prays to God for us. Angels and Bishops their labor. From his early years he displayed a particular venerate Her, Apostles and prophets rejoice together, Since religious disposition, love for the Church as well as rare meekness and humility.

From 1878 to 1883, Vasily studied at the Pskov Theological Seminary. The modest seminarian was tender and affectionate by nature. He was fair-haired and tall of stature. His fellow students liked and respected him for his piety, brilliant progress in studies, and constant readiness to help comrades, who often turned to him for explanations of lessons, especially for help in drawing up and correcting numerous compositions. Vasily was called "bishop" and "patriarch" by his classmates.

In 1888, at the age of 23, Vasily Belavin graduated from the St Petersburg Theological Academy as a layman, and returned to the Pskov Seminary as an instructor of Moral and Dogmatic Theology. The whole seminary and the town of Pskov became very fond of him. He led an austere and chaste life, and in 1891, when he turned 26, he took When St Tikhon was transferred to Lithuania on December monastic vows. Nearly the whole town gathered for the 22, 1913, the people of Yaroslavl voted him an honorary ceremony. The meek and humble young man was given the citizen of their town. World War I broke out when His name Tikhon in honor of St Tikhon of Zadonsk. Eminence was in Vilnius. He spared no effort to help the

poor residents of the Vilnius region who were left without a He was transferred from the Pskov Seminary to the Kholm roof over their heads or means of subsistence as a result of Theological Seminary in 1892, and was raised to the rank of the war with the Germans, and who flocked to their archimandrite., On September 14, 1898, Bishop Tikhon was archpastor in droves. made Bishop of the Aleutians and Alaska. As head of the

Orthodox Church in America, Bishop Tikhon was a zealous After the February Revolution and formation of a new Synod, laborer in the Lord's vineyard. St Tikhon became one of its members. On June 21, 1917,

the Moscow Diocesan Congress of clergy and laity elected He did much to promote the spread of Orthodoxy, and to him as their ruling bishop. He was a zealous and educated improve his vast diocese. He reorganized the diocesan archpastor, widely known even outside his country. structure, and changed its name from "Diocese of the

Aleutians and Alaska" to "Diocese of the Aleutians and North On August 15, 1917, a local council was opened in Moscow, America" in 1900. Both clergy and laity loved their and Archbishop Tikhon was raised to the dignity of archpastor, and held him in such esteem that the Americans Metropolitan, and then elected as chairman of the council. made Archbishop Tikhon an honorary citizen of the United The council had as its aim to restore the life of Russian States. Orthodox Church on strictly canonical principles, and its

primary concern was the restoration of the Patriarchate. All On May 22, 1901, he blessed the cornerstone for St council members would select three candidates, and then a Nicholas Cathedral in New York, and was also involved in lot would reveal the will of God. The council members chose establishing other churches. On November 9, 1902, he three candidates: Archbishop Anthony of Kharkov, the consecrated the church of St Nicholas in Brooklyn for the wisest, Archbishop Arseny of Novgorod, the strictest, and Syrian Orthodox immigrants. Two weeks later, he Metropolitan Tikhon of Moscow, the kindest of the Russian consecrated St Nicholas Cathedral in NY. hierarchs.

In 1905, the American Mission was made an Archdiocese, On November 5, following the and a Molieben and St Tikhon was elevated to the rank of Archbishop. He in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, a removed one of had two vicar bishops: Bishop Innocent (Pustynsky) in the three ballots from the ballot box, which stood before the Alaska, and St (Hawaweeny) in Brooklyn to assist Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Metropolitan Vladimir of him in administering his large, ethnically diverse diocese. In Kiev announced Metropolitan Tikhon as the newly elected June of 1905, St Tikhon gave his blessing for the Patriarch. St Tikhon did not change after becoming the establishment of St Tikhon's Monastery. primate of the Russian Orthodox Church. In accepting the

will of the council, Patriarch Tikhon referred to the scroll that In 1907, he returned to Russia, and was appointed to the Prophet had to eat, on which was written, Yaroslavl, where he quickly won the affection of his flock. "Lamentations, mourning, and woe." He foresaw that his They came to love him as a friendly, communicative, and ministry would be filled with affliction and tears, but through wise archpastor. He spoke simply to his subordinates, never all his suffering, he remained the same accessible, resorting to a peremptory or overbearing tone. When he had unassuming, and kindly person. to reprimand someone, he did so in a good-natured, sometimes joking manner, which encouraged the person to All who met St Tikhon were surprised by his accessibility, correct his mistakes. simplicity and modesty. His gentle disposition did not prevent the truth of Christ, especially today, when unbelief and him from showing firmness in Church matters, however, atheism are audaciously attacking the Church of Christ. May particularly when he had to defend the Church from her the God of peace and love be with all of you!" enemies. He bore a very heavy cross. He had to administer and direct the Church amidst wholesale church In 1924, Patriarch Tikhon began to feel unwell. He checked disorganization, without auxiliary administrative bodies, in into a hospital, but would leave it on Sundays and Feast conditions of internal schisms and upheavals by various Days in order to conduct services. On Sunday, April 5, 1925, adherents of the Living Church, renovationists, and he served his last Liturgy, and died two days later. On March autocephalists. 25/April 7, 1925 the Patriarch received Metropolitan Peter and had a long talk with him. In the evening, the Patriarch In order to save thousands of lives and to improve the slept a little, then he woke up and asked what time it was. general position of the church, the Patriarch took measures When he was told it was 11:45 P.M., he made the Sign of to prevent clergy from making purely political statements. On the Cross twice and said, "Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to September 25, 1919, when the civil war was at its height, he Thee." He did not have time to cross himself a third time. issued a Almost a million people came to say farewell to the message to the Patriarch. The large cathedral of the Donskoy Monastery in clergy urging Moscow could not contain the crowd, which overflowed the them to stay monastery property into the square and adjacent streets. St away from Tikhon, the eleventh Patriarch of Moscow, was primate of political struggle. the Russian Church for seven and a half years.

The summer of On September 26/October 9, 1989, the Council of Bishops of 1921 brought a the Russian Orthodox Church glorified Patriarch Tikhon and severe famine to numbered him among the saints. For nearly seventy years, the Volga region. St Tikhon's were believed lost, but in February 1992, In August, they were discove red in a concealed place in the Donskoy Patriarch Tikhon Monastery. issued a message to the It would be difficult to imagine the Russian Orthodox Church Russian people without Patriarch Tikhon during those years. He did so much and to the people for the Church and for the strengthening of the Faith itself of the world, during those difficult years of trial. Perhaps the 's own calling them to words can best sum up his life: "May God teach every one of help famine us to strive for His truth, and for the good of the Holy Church, victims. He gave his blessing for voluntary donations of rather than something for our own sake." church valuables, which were not directly used in liturgical services. However, on February 23, 1922, the All-Russian Central Executive Committee published a decree making all valuables subject to confiscation.

According to the 73rd Apostolic , such actions were regarded as sacrilege, and the Patriarch could not approve As we begin our 2012 Stewardship such total confiscation, especially since many doubted that Drive – an excerpt from an article the valuables would be used to combat famine. This forcible confiscation aroused popular indignation everywhere. Nearly by Archbishop Dmitri two thousand trials were staged all over Russia, and more In light of the Gospel and Christian Tradition, it is than ten thousand believers were shot. The Patriarch's appropriate for the Church to be a real item in the budget message was viewed as sabotage, for which he was of each family and each individual. The concept of total imprisoned from April 1922 until June 1923. commitment, which is the only acceptable way of life for a Christian, means that we must begin, as indeed many When Renovationist priests and hierarchs repented and parishes have already done, to encourage people to returned to the church, they were met with tenderness and consider seriously the urgency of adopting the pledge love by St Tikhon. This, however, did not represent any system, tithe, or any other system in which they could give deviation from his strictly Orthodox policy. "I ask you to freely and generously to God’s work, to respond to the believe me that I will not come to agreement or make responsibility of mission, to complete the work of concessions which could lead to the loss of the purity and sanctification of their whole lives. strength of Orthodoxy," the Patriarch said in 1924.

Being a good pastor, who devoted himself entirely to the Parishes, in their turn, rather than being selfishly turned in church's cause, he called upon the clergy to do the same: upon themselves must make the work of the whole "Devote all your energy to preaching the word of God and Church and the carrying out of its mission their own concern. This means that parish budgets should include regular and generous contributions and allotments to work outside their own boundaries — to mission, to education (particularly to seminaries), and to works of mercy.

Finally, it should be understood that there is a close relationship between the spiritual life and one’s financial commitment to the Church. Over and over again in the Bible, it is made clear that one’s willingness to give of his possessions to God’s work is the measure of his willingness to give himself, and one’s self if the only acceptable offering. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34)”

Sophia Jaravine lighting candles at their parish in Faithfulness Moscow during a special 9/11 commemoration. from Fr. Thomas Hopko’s Rainbow Series - Spirituality (Ephesians 4:7) Such faithfulness is the main teaching in Christ's parable of the talents. The one who faithfully and According to the scriptures, one of the main characteristics without fear develops and grows with that which the Lord of God is His absolute faithfulness. This virtue in man is has provided is the one who hears the voice of the Master. also considered to be one of the "fruits of the Holy Spirit." Well done, good and faithful servant; you have (Galatians 5:22) been faithful over a little - faithful in a very little (Luke 19-27); 1 will set you over much, enter into To be faithful means to be absolutely true to one's word, the joy of your master. (Matthew 25.-21) to be totally loyal in one's devotion, to be completely The main enemies of faithfulness to God and man are steadfast and unswerving in one's own calling and pride, covetousness, cowardice, envy and the refusal to vocation. It also means to remain in humble service, in serve humbly where one is, with the conditions and gifts truth and in love, no matter what the conditions or which God has provided. Faithlessness is born when one consequences. To be faithful means to be courageous and "thinks of himself more highly than he ought to think" to be and to do that which one must be and do by God's (Romans 12:3), fears that he cannot do with what God has will, regardless of any rejection by others and in spite of given, covets his neighbors' talents and gifts, and moves any lack of recognition or appreciation. God Himself is from place to place seeking to be satisfied and filled by the perfectly faithful. He has made promises and declared things of this world. covenants, keeping His word no matter what man does. When men are adulterous and faithless, God remains Faithfulness is characterized by stability of body and soul; faithful (Cf. 3, Ezekiel 16); for "the Lord has the utter refusal to move or be moved for any unworthy sworn and will not change His mind." (Psalms 110:4, reason; the complete dedication to what God gives one to Hebrews 7:21) do, with the faith, grace and strength that God gives to do ... if we deny Him, He will deny us; if we are it. As it is written in the sayings of the fathers of the faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot deny desert: "As a tree cannot bear fruit if it is often Himself. (2 Timothy 2:12-13) transplanted, no more can a monk (or any person) that is Christ is faithful to His Father and to His creatures until the often changing his mind and moving from place to place." end. He does not swerve from His mission but The only way to receive the "crown of life" is to be accomplishes all that God the Father has given Him to do. "faithful until death" in the place where God has put us. (Cf. John 17:4) According to the book of Revelation, the (Revelation 2:10) The only way to find joy, wisdom and name of Jesus, the Word of God, is "Faithful and True"; He peace is to be faithful to one's own uniqueness, knowing is called "the faithful witness" by Saint John. (Revelation that each person has his own specific life and vocation 19:11, 1:5) from God which no one else has; his own specific mission which no one else can perform.

The spiritual person is the one who is faithful to his calling, The spiritual person develops his own life in faithfulness, fulfilling every good resolution, and bearing fruit patiently without envy or fear, and so accomplishes and becomes with the gifts and talents given by God. The spiritual that which God has willed for him before the dawn of person is faithful in every little thing - every thought, every creation. word, every deed -"according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him" (Romans 12:3), "according to the measure of Christ's gift" which is "given to each." Building with the SCRIP Program

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Pay for Your Orders: Bring your payment or mail your payment to St. Mary of Egypt. All order payments are due in full prior to us processing the order.

Fulfilling Your Order: We will log into the system from the Coordinator side on Mondays and release all orders that have been paid in full. These cards will then be shipped to us the next business day, your order prepared and ready for pick up the next Sunday.

Parish Council Corner Parish Pledge Drive Our parish pledge drive kicks off Oct. 2nd. The forms this year have been redesigned to be much smaller and faster to fill out. Our pledge drive will run for the month of October. Please give as much as you can. As you may know, last year the parish approved a budget that took us right to the limits of our giving. In fact, this budget runs slightly in the negative, however it’s what is required for us to fulfill our responsibilities to each other, our diocese, and our clergy. The budget presented to the parish for next year is likely to be similar. Please do what you can to support your parish; we regularly come and receive God fully and in the flesh; giving thanks with the treasure that he has loaned us is the least we can do. Thank you.

This and that The temple and hall were recently pressure washed and sealed by A+ Cleaners, and they look wonderful! Additionally, we will be having our sheds permitted by the county (at long last), removing an impediment preventing us from moving forward fully with the building plans. Speaking of building plans, things are afoot with the building committee. The announcement of the SCRIPS program, coupled with the shed permitting, and the “behind the scenes” work being done are very exciting! Please contact a building committee member to tell them “Thank you!”, and to find out more of what’s going on there. The building committee members are: Fr. Cyprian, Taylor Hostetter, Anya Gill, Aftan Romanczak and Tim York. Finally, we should complete the quotes on a security system this month. We will probably target an installation date of November. As mentioned before, this was an unplanned, yet necessary expense. We will be soliciting donations to help defray this cost. If you have any other questions or comments, please contact a member of the parish council. The list of members appears on the front page of this bulletin.

Donated items In an effort to keep things neat and tidy, we ask that no donations be made without first making prior arrangements for storage and for finding a recipient for the donation. As can be seen, we don’t have a great deal of space to store donated items. If you have items that you would like to donate, please consider donating this to a local charity or other organization equipped to store and handle such items. Above all, please don’t simply leave items in the hall to be “discovered” and disposed of. Thank you for your cooperation!