Ambo ST. THEODOSIUS ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL

733 Starkweather Ave. FEBRUARY 8, 2009 Cleveland, Ohio 44113 34th. Sunday after Pentecost Mailing: Publican and Pharisee 733 Starkweather Avenue Greatmartyr Theodore Cleveland, Ohio 44113 Stratelates Prophet Zechariah

T 216 741.1310 F 216 623 1092 Greatmartyr "the General" www.sttheodosius.org

• Archpriest John Zdinak Dean • Dn. Boerio • Subdeacon Theodore Lentz Sacristan • Reader Julius Kovach Ecclesiarch & Choirmaster

Divine Services Eve Sundays & Feast Days 5:00 PM Confessions 6:00 PM Great Vespers Sundays and Feast Days 8:40 AM 3rd and 6th Hour 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy

Fr. John Office Hours Tuesday & Wednesday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

*Articles for publication in the AMBO should be sub- mitted to: [email protected] by Wednesday of each week before noon.

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 1 The Great Theodore Stratelates came from the city of in Asia Minor. He was endowed with many talents, and was handsome in appearance. For his charity God enlightened him with the knowledge of Christian truth. The bravery of the saintly soldier was revealed after he, with the help of God, killed a giant serpent living on a precipice in the outskirts of Euchaita. The serpent had devoured many people and animals, terroriz- ing the countryside. St Theodore armed himself with a sword and vanquished it, glorify- ing the name of Christ among the people. For his bravery St Theodore was appointed military commander [stratelatos] in the city of , where he combined his military service with preaching the Gospel among the pagans subject to him. His gift of persuasion, reinforced by his personal example of Christian life, turned many from their false gods. Soon, nearly all of Heraclea had ac- cepted Christianity. During this time the emperor (311-324) began a fierce persecution against . In an effort to stamp out the new faith, he persecuted the enlightened adher- ents of Christianity, who were perceived as a threat to . Among these was St Theodore. Licinius tried to force St Theodore to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. The invited Licinius to come to him with his idols so both of them could offer sacrifice before the people. Blinded by his hatred for Christianity, Licinius trusted the words of the saint, but he was disappointed. St Theodore smashed the gold and silver statues into pieces, which he then distributed to the poor. Thus he demonstrated the vain faith in soulless idols, and also displayed Christian charity. St Theodore was arrested and subjected to fierce and refined torture. He was dragged on the ground, beaten with iron rods, had his body pierced with sharp spikes, was burned with fire, and his eyes were plucked out. Finally, he was crucified. Varus, the servant of St Theodore, barely had the strength to write down the incredible torments of his master. God, however, in His great mercy, willed that the death of St Theodore should be as fruitful for those near him as his life was. An healed the saint's wounded body and took him down from the cross. In the morning, the imperial soldiers found him alive and unharmed. Seeing with their own eyes the infinite might of the Christian God, they were baptized not far from the place of the unsuccessful execution. Thus St Theodore became "like a day of splendor" for those pagans dwelling in the darkness of idolatary, and he enlightened their souls "with the bright rays of his suffer- ing." Unwilling to escape martyrdom for Christ, St Theodore voluntarily surrendered himself to Licinius, and discouraged the Christians from rising up against the torturer, saying, "Beloved, halt! My Lord Christ, hanging upon the Cross, restrained the and did not permit them to take revenge on the race of man." Going to execution, the holy martyr opened up the prison doors with just a word and freed the prisoners from their bonds. People who touched his robe were healed instantly from sicknesses, and freed from demonic possession. By order of the emperor, St Theodore was beheaded by the sword. Before his death he told Varus, " Do not fail to record the day of my death, and bury my body in Euchaita." He also asked to be re- membered each year on this date. Then he bent his neck beneath the sword, and re- ceived the crown of martyrdom which he had sought. This occurred on February 8, 319, on a Saturday, at the third hour of the day. St Theodore is regarded as the of soldiers. He is also commemorated on June 8.

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DEPARTED: PRAYER REQUESTS Helen Zawisza (Joe Rusynyk’s sister) Archpriest Pavel Soucek + 1/15/09 Joyce Franks Julia Zimmerman Wojnicz + 1/23/09 Julia Grabowski Maria Hanzel Russell Carleton & Tanya Klimova ILL-AFFLICTED: Annaliese Jacak & Unborn Child Mat. Paula Donna Jacak Gianni & Nicole DeAngelis Fr. Anthony Dimitri Sarah Kersey & Unborn Child Fr. Andrew Stevens Dorothy Laskovich (Friend of Nikol Zdinak) Helen Antonik Paul Laskovich Kimberly & Brian Warren Dan Arangelovich Walter & Grace Parhamovich & Unborn Child Jerry Arangelovich (Karen Felon’s parents) Alice Artino Roman (nephew of Wil & Maura Oprisko & Helen Baldner Margaret Rusynyk) Newly Baptized George William Carol Bohurjak Mary Ann Silberhorn Thomas & Marie Broslawik CATECHUMENS: Elsie Sudnick John Clements Daniel McNeilly and children Melvin Timm John Conrad Sonia Vorell

PLEDGE FORMS For those not pledging, Pledge forms for 2009 are dues payments by available at the Candle Stand. credit card are no longer If you have any questions, Dome Lighters accepted at the Bookstore. Donations to offset the cost of lighting the please see Paul Pangrace, Credit card payments can domes can be made for the health of or Treasurer. be made at Ridge Manor in memory of your loved ones. or at the Parish Office. Contact the Parish Office if you are interested. Check and cash payments accepted at the Candle ATTENTION If anyone is interested in serving on 2008 CONTRIBUTION REPORTS Stand. If you have any either the Auditing Committee or on the 2008 Contribution reports questions, please see Finance Committee, please contact Fr. are available. If you Paul Pangrace. John or Frank Tkacz would like a copy, please call the office or see Paul Pangrace, Treasurer GOD’S GIFTS TO US - OUR GIFTS TO GOD ANNOUNCEMENT Weekly expenses: $6,538.00 All receipts submitted for reimbursement must be Last week’s collection: $6,090.00 turned in to the church office within 90 days of date Over/Under < $ 448.00 > of event or date of purchase. After 90 days, Attendance Members 118 Visitors 13 expense will be considered a donation the the Total 131 Cathedral - no reimbursement.

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 3 Welcome Visitors Our parish welcomes you and thanks you for joining us at today’s Divine Liturgy. While only Orthodox Christians may approach the chalice for Holy Communion, everyone is welcome to partake of the Holy Bread after Liturgy. You are also invited to join us for fellowship in the Parish Hall following Liturgy.

COFEE HOUR & GREETERS SCHEDULES At this Sunday’s Coffee Hour all Coffee Hour Hosts: Greeters: apricot and nut rolls 02/08/09 Dan & Lavinia Morris Debby Pinta/Tom Broslawik will be on sale for 02/15/09 Karen Felon/Joyce Tabeling Maca Tyler/Judy Schwind $5.00. 02/22/09 Karen Felon Linda Smotzer/Virginia Medvec Homemade rolls 03/01/09 Mat. Jeanne Homik, Mat. Cindy Zdinak, Debby Pinta/Tom Broslawik are also available at the Ridge Manor Party Center. and Mat. Jennifer Boerio Please call Sharon Glagola at 03/08/09 Nick and Kate Zolikoff Maca Tyler, Sonia Vorell 216-749-5509.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS 2008 PRE-LENTEN LECTURE JAMES, VICTORIA and JIMMY DANKO What! Great have recently joined our parish community. Lent Again? God bless them and grant them many years with us! Reader Roger John Pinta ST. THEODOSIUS CATHEDRAL Monastery SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2009 Evening BOYS’ NIGHT OUT 11:30AM Registration Friday, February 13 Tuesday 12:00 Noon - Lunch 8:00 PM February 10 1:00 PM Presentation Great Lakes Brewing Co. 7:00 PM 4:00 PM Dinner 6:00 PM Great Vespers V. Rev. Fr. John Ojaimi Taste and see why we should look for- from Eastern Orthodox Women’s St. George Guild Pan-Orthodox Luncheon ward to Great Lent instead of dreading it. Antiochian, Cleveland Saturday, February 21 Finance Committee Topic: St. Ephraim 12:00 noon Tickets $12.00 Meeting His Prayers ~ Chinese Auction ~ Tuesday, March 10 Spiritual Loyalty St. Andrew’s 3:00 PM Monastery Marcha Orthodox Church @Parish Center 5095 Broadview Road 16069 Maple Park Drive Maple Hts., Ohio Richfield Parish Council News Contact Darrell Felon at 440-238-3837 The next Parish Council Meeting ANNUAL MEETING (St. Theodosius Cathedral will be held on Tuesday, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 members, please bring salads.) March 10, at 6:00 PM @ Ridge Manor St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 4 Sunday, February 8 Weekly Schedule Publican And Pharisee Thursday, February 12 Greatmartyr Theodore St. Meletius, ABP. Of Stratelates, Prophet Zehariah St. Aleksy, Met. Moscow 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy 11:00 AM Faith Enrichment FOCA Bowling Tournament @Ridge Manor DEADLINE Sunday of Orthodoxy Patron Ads Friday, February 13 Monday, February 9 Ven. Martinian Martyr Niceporus Ven. Simeon Relics St. Innocent The Myrrhgusher Of Irkutsk 8:00 PM Boys’ Night Out

Tuesday, February 10 Saturday, February 14 Hieromart. Haralambos Ven. Auxentius Virfgin Ennatha St. Cyril, Teacher Of The Slavs Valentina & Paula 4:30 PM Church School 7:00 PM Lecture Monastery Marcha 6:00 PM Great Vespers

Wednesday, February 11 Hieromartyr Blaise Sunday, February 15 Ven. Dimitri Of Priluk Apostle Onesimus Of The 70 Ven. Euphrosyne Of 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy Annual Meeting Parish Hall SPECIAL COLLECTION WINDOWS

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral 733 Starkweather Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44113

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