sign in sign up
<<
Home , Entrance (liturgical), Prosphora

St. Mary's Orthodox 65159 CR 33 Goshen, Indiana 46528

MonthlyNewsletter ~ April 2021 also the morning bulletin!

Divine Variables on , April 04, 2021 Third Sunday of ; Tone 2 / Eothinon 10 Veneration of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross Venerable George of Mt. Maleon; Martyrs Theodoulos the reader and Agathopodos the of Thessalonica; Venerable Theonas, archbishop of Thessalonica; Isidore, of Seville ** of St. Basil the Great**

“If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. ~ of the Cross to follow the Liturgy

His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America His Grace Bishop ANTHONY, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo and Midwest Rev. Fr. Matthew Wade, pastor V. Rev John Schmidt, resident . Dn's Kenneth Timothy Hull and Gerasimus Brandow Subdns, John, Matthew, Justinian; Readers Matthew, Adrian St. Mary's Parish Council: Richard Worsham, Anthony Lopez, Nicole Schwalm, Bruce Batson, Christopher Beachy, Ashley Smith Sunday Morning Bulletin Weekly Litrugical Variables & OIKOS FOR THIRD SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT (Plain Reading) The fiery sword no longer guards the gate of Eden, for in a strange and glorious way the wood of the Cross has quenched its flames. The sting of death and the victory of hell are now destroyed, for Thou art come, my Savior, crying unto those in hell: “Return again to Paradise.”

Pilate set up three crosses in the place of the Skull, two for the thieves and one for the Giver of Life. Seeing Him, hell cried to those below: “O my ministers and my powers! Who is this that has fixed a nail in my heart? A wooden has pierced me suddenly, and I am torn apart. Inwardly I suffer; anguish has seized my belly and my senses. My spirit trembles, and I am constrained to cast out Adam and his posterity. A tree brought them to my realm, but now the Tree of the Cross brings them back again to Paradise.” THE SYNAXARION (Plain Reading) On April 4 in the Holy , we commemorate the Venerable George of Mount Maleon; Martyrs Theodoulos the reader and Agathopodos the deacon of Thessalonica; Venerable Theonas, archbishop of Thessalonica; and Isidore, bishop of Seville. On this same day, the Third Sunday of the Fast, we keep the feast of the Veneration of the honorable and life-creating Cross. Let the whole world entire worship the Cross through Which it truly knew to worship Thee, O Word. Every hard and strenuous work is accomplished with great difficulty, which appears especially in the middle of such work; for the effort in this performance brings with it fatigue which makes the accomplishment of the rest difficult. Having arrived with God’s grace at the middle of the Fast, our compassionate Mother—the Holy Orthodox Church —thought fit to reveal to us the Holy Cross as the joy of the world and power of the faithful to help us carry on the struggles of the divine Fast. By its power, O Christ God, preserve us from the crafty designs of the evil one and account us worthy to worship Thy divine Passion and life-giving Resurrection, as we achieve the course of the Forty Days with ease, and have mercy on us, as Thou alone art good and the Lover of mankind. Amen.

THE (For the Third Sunday of Great Lent) O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Unto Thee, O Lord, will I cry, O my God! The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (4:14-5:6) Brethren, since we have a great High Priest, Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the . For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our infirmities, but one Who has been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest, being taken from among the people, is appointed on behalf of the people in things pertaining to God, that he may offer up both gifts and sacrifices for sins; who can have compassion on the ignorant and on those who are erring, since he himself also is encompassed with infirmity. Because of this he is bound, as for the people so also for himself, to offer up for sins. And no one takes the honor upon himself, but as being called by God, as was Aaron. So Christ also did not glorify Himself to become a High Priest, but it was by the One saying to Him, “Thou art My Son, today I have begotten Thee.” As He says also in another place, “Thou art a Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.

THE (For the Third Sunday of Great Lent) The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (8:34-9:1) The Lord said, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy .” And Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” Appropriate dress is expected for all services in the church and is especially true of the Divine Liturgy. Consider the Divine Liturgy like going to a wedding. Our present culture assumes that casual dress is appropriate in nearly all events or situations. This attitude is not appropriate for us as Christians. We ask for wisdom from the to dress our lives with the virtues of Jesus Christ and entertain modesty always; our Faith is never to be approached with a casual attitude. We ask those in attedance to respcet one another with modesty, which is first expressed in the heart of the individual. Please avoid cassual dress, clothing with logos, shoes that light up etc, and be covered appropriately.

Young children Please do not allow young children to roam about the nave nor come and go as they please. Our goal as parents and as a parish is to teach the children to participate and be attentive as they are able. A good adage is to keep them within arms reach; nine square feet. If an infant or a young child is fussy, a parent can take the little one out of the nave, then when he/she is quiet reenter the service. A wise parent will never reward a little one once outside of the service. This is true in church, at school, at the store or home. If a child dislikes the service and learns that departure to the fellowship hall will be rewarded by a toy, a snack etc...then this is what they will do...cause a fuss...get a snack! Newsletter Annoucements and notes. The patristics study group has met for five and a half years. This is a study gruop which requires reading through patristic texts especially prior to the 9th century. The group presently meets at St. Mary's Saturdays at 7:30 am and is an excellent way to grow in one's faith . One may read these texts even if not a part of the group . The current book being read is: ""On the Holy Spirit" St. Basil See Nathaniel Miller for books and information as he is now the facilitator.

Announcements and schedules: Coffee hour is at a minimum during the Covid restrictions. Usher's schedule: April: 4th Ashley and Adam 1th Bruce and Natalie 18th Katina and Sawyer 25th Nicole and Connie Reading Groups: in process. Readers for Matins: April: 4th Jack and Catherine 11th Nate and Hannah 18th Jack and Catherine 24th Nate and Hannah The reading of one morning for Sundays usually begins at 8:45 and read by Jack Wilson. (all readers and chanters please be punctual. If absence is required please contact Fr. Matthew so the task will be filled by another. Puntuality will help a great deal. "To be early is to be on time..." April: 4th Batsons 11th Hulls 18th Doves 24th Deb French 25th Brandows 29th Holy Thursday Morning Worsham May 1st Morning Nicole May 1st Evening Pascha. Schmidts Dn. KT will speak April 11 Sun of St. John of the Ladder 2021 Calendars are $3 per...not many left! All Holy Week evening services will be starting at 6 pm Sunday the 25th through Friday evening.. Morning services will begin at 9 am with the exception of Holy Friday. Holy Friday Royal Hours 8 am. Taking down of the Cross 4 pm. Lamentations 6 pm. Liturgy morning Liturgy 9 am May 1st Holy Pascha Evening 10 pm Rush/Matins Liturgy evening of May 1 into May 2

Average attendance for March on Sunday morning was 85. All other services for Great Lent have been well attended.

February montly funds $454.95 in the positive. Building fund account has $50,767 The offering for The Sunday of raised $620 for seminarians. We remain greatful. Please bring food for the Hungry boxex at /Pascha. Pascha baskets are very appropriate. to bring at Pascha.

In response to occasional parish needs, the of St. Mary's will established a deacons fund. Both deacons, Fr. M. and the parish council are working out details and funding. The parish council all agreed the ministry will not be funded by the gereral funds of the church but by other means.

Sundays for April: April 4 Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross Hebrew 4:14-16; 5:1-6 April 11 Sunday of John the Ladder Hebrew 6:13-20; Mark 9:17-31 April 18 Sunday of Mary of Egypt Hebrew 9:11-14; Mark 10:32-45 April 25 Sunday of the into Palm Sunday Philippians 4:4-9; John 12:1-8

Weekly schedule for April: Fourth week of Great Lent Wednesday 7th ~ 3rd hour morning lenten prayers 8:45 am ~ student lend with Fr. Matthew; 9th hour lenten prayers with typica 5:15 pm. Presacntified liturgy at 6 pm. Friday 9th ~ evening to the 6 pm. Fourth week Saturday morning 10th Patristics 7:30 am. Saturday evening 10th Great Vespers 6 pm.

Fifth Week of Great Lent Wednesday 14th ~ 3rd hour morning lenten prayers 8:45 am ~ student lend with Fr. Matthew; 9th hour lenten prayers with typica 5:15 pm. Presacntified liturgy at 6 pm. Thursday 15th ~ Little Compline with Thursday of St. Andrew of Crete and Story of Mary of Egypt. Friday 16th ~ evening Akathist to the Theotokos 6 pm. Fifth and last week in which the entire text is sung. Saturday morning 17th Patristics 7:30 am. Saturday evening 17th Great Vespers 6pm.

Sixth week of Great Lent Wednesday 21st ~ 3rd hour morning lenten prayers 8:45 am ~ student lend with Fr. Matthew; 9th hour lenten prayers with typica 5:15 pm. Presacntified liturgy at 6 pm. Saturday 24th Lazarus Saturday liturgy 9 am. Lite Breakfast follows with clean up projects. Palm Sunday weather permitting procession with palms.

Who can Answer these catechetical questions?

1. Why are we called Christians? 2. What does the word Christ mean? 3. What is Christ's mission? 4. How can we live Christ's life? 5. What are some of the names given to Christ in the Scriptures? Taken from "Entering the Orthodox Church" by Metropolitan HIEROTHEOS

All answers may be discussed with anyone and all; the text answers will be published in the next monthly newsletter with additional questions.

Needs: 1. Flowers always welcome. 2. Wine and oil are always great gifts for the parish. 100% olive oil and presently Oliver's sweet red wine. sweet. 3. new dish washer ~ please see Bruce Batson.

"Nothing is more ruinous than talkativeness and more harmful than an uncontrolled tongue; and, nothing is more destructive and disorganizing to the treasure of the soul. For whatever we succeed in building in ourselves every day is destroyed by much talking, and what we collect together with great labor our soul dissipates again through this disease of the tongue." St. Philotheus of Sinai Forty texts on Sobriety

"Do not winnow with every wind and do not follow every road; for a double-tongued sinner is of such a kind. Be established in your understanding and let your word be consistent. Be quick to lsiten, and give your answer with patience. If you have understanding, answer your neighbor. But if not, let your hand be over your mouth. There is glory and dishonor in speech, and a man's tongue may cause him to fall. Do not be called a slanderer, and do not lie in ambush with your tongue; for shame awaits a thief, and a grievous condemnation will come upon a double-tongued man. In a great or in a small matter, do not go wrong. Wisdom of Sirach 5.

The Untamable Tongue My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a [a]perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 [b]Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of [c]iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of [d]nature; and it is set on fire by [e]hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the [f]similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? [g]Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. James 3

"Each person you encounter enriches you, brings you a piece of light and joy. Even if he brings you his grief you will find in everything the will of God." Fr. Arseny.

Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop in Persia, and those with him Commemorated on April 17 The Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during a persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II (310-381). They accused the saint of collaborating with the Roman Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor. In the year 344, the emperor issued an edict which imposed a heavy tax upon Christians. When some of them refused to pay it, this was regarded as an act of rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce persecution against Christians.

Saint Simeon was brought to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and Ananias. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered, “Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you ask me to renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow to you.” The emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to eradicate in his land if he refused. But neither urgings nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear of the emperor, now worshipped the sun.

The eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out bitterly, “Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut off. Here was Simeon, and he has turned his back on me!” The emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man’s sudden decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers had reverenced. But Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him to death. Saint Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian. The emperor granted his request.

Saint Simeon also learned about the death of Usphazanes, and he gave thanks to the Lord. When they brought him before the emperor a second time, Saint Simeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and confessed his faith in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders to behead all the Christians in the prison before the saint’s eyes. Without fear the Christians went to execution, blessed by the holy hierarch, and they bent their heads beneath the sword. Saint Simeon’s companion, the Priest Habdelai, was also beheaded. When they came to the Priest Ananias, he suddenly trembled. Then one of the dignitaries, Saint Phusicus (Pusicius), a Christian, was afraid that Ananias would renounce Christ, and he cried out, “Do not fear the sword, Elder, and you will see the divine light of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Saint Phusicus betrayed himself by this outburst. The emperor gave orders to pluck out his tongue and to flay the skin off him. Along with Saint Phusicus, his daughter Askitrea was also martyred. Saint Simeon was the last to go before the executioner, and he placed his head on the chopping-block (April 13, 344). Executions continued all during until April 23. Saint Azates the Eunuch, a close official to the emperor, also received the crown of martyrdom, along with Saints Abdechalas, Usthazanes, and Azades. The sources indicate that 1,150 Martyrs perished because they refused to accept the Persian religion.

CONFESSION "The Great Fasts of the Church (Great Lent, Advent and Dormition) are excellent times to prepare one’s Confession, and I recommend that all of you use these times to purify your souls and increase the Holiness that God has for you. Confession takes time and repeated efforts. It takes prayer and . We weep over our sins, which the Holy Fathers refer to as a ‘second ’ of tears. Confession is a lot of work." ~ Metropolitan Joseph. Please make every effort to come to confession during this blessed season of repentance and renewal. ~ Fr. Matthew

Books to read:

1. Fr Arseny: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual father. St. Mary's has this book for sale. $25 True stories and encounters with the Hiermonk Arseny when he was prisoned for his faith in communist Russia and upon his release.

2. "Live Not by Lies: A Mannual for Christian Dissidents" by Rod Dreher. This book is written and published 2020. He is an Orthodox writter; the book covers the seriousness of our modern social climate and its likeness to communist Europe. A good read.