Ambo ST. THEODOSIUS ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL

Mailing: 733 Starkweather Avenue JANUARY 31, 2016 Cleveland, Ohio 44113 UNMERCENARY T 216. 741. 1310 SS. CYRUS AND JOHN F 216. 623. 1092 www.sttheodosius.org ATHANASIA - Archpriest John Zdinak, Dean MEETING OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE [email protected] Cell: 216. 554. 7282 - Dn. Boerio

- Subdeacon Theodore Lentz, Sacristan

- Reader Julius Kovach, Ecclesiarch & Choirmaster

- Casandra Vasu, Office Administrator Office Hours, M-F 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

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 * AMBO: Articles for publi- cation should be submitted to: [email protected] by Wednesday of each week before noon. * CALENDAR: Event dates must be submitted by the 15th of each month. FEBRUARY 2

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Today the Church commemorates an important event in the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 2:22-40). Forty days after His birth the God-Infant was taken to the Temple, the center of the nation’s religious life. According to the Law of (Lev. 12:2-8), a woman who gave birth to a male child was forbidden to en- ter the Temple of God for forty days. At the end of this time the mother came to the Temple with the child, to offer a young lamb or pigeon to the Lord as a purification sacrifice. The Most Holy Virgin, the Mother of God, had no need of purification, since she had given birth to the Source of purity and sanctity without defilement. However, she humbly fulfilled the requirements of the Law.

At this time the righteous Elder Simeon (February 3) was living in Jerusalem. It had been revealed to him that he would not die until he should behold the promised Messiah. By inspiration from above, St Simeon went to the Temple at the very moment when the Most Holy and St had brought the Infant Jesus to fulfill the Law.

The God-Receiver Simeon took the divine Child in his arms, and giving thanks to God, he spoke the words re- peated by the Church each evening at Vespers: “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32). St Simeon said to the Most Holy Virgin: “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spo- ken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be re- vealed” (Luke 2:34-35).

At the Temple was the 84-year-old widow Anna the Prophetess, daughter of Phanuel (February 3), “who did not leave the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day. She arrived just when St Simeon met the divine Child. She also gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who were looking for redemp- tion in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:37-38). In the of the Feast she holds a scroll which reads: “This Child has estab- lished Heaven and earth.”

Before Christ was born, righteous men and women lived by faith in the promised Messiah, and awaited His com- ing. The Righteous Simeon and the Prophetess Anna, the last righteous people of the Old Testament, were deemed worthy to meet the Savior in the Temple.

The Feast of the Meeting of the Lord is among the most ancient feasts of the Christian Church. We have sermons on the Feast by the holy Methodius of Patara (+ 312), (+ 360), Gregory the Theolo- gian (+ 389), Amphilocius of Iconium (+ 394), (+ 400), and John Chrysostom (+ 407). Despite its early origin, this Feast was not celebrated so splendidly until the sixth century.

In 528, during the reign of Justinian, an earthquake killed many people in Antioch. Other misfortunes followed this one. In 541 a terrible plague broke out in Constantinople, carrying off several thousand people each day. During this time of widespread suffering, a solemn prayer service (Litia) for deliverence from evils was cele- brated on the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, and the plague ceased. In thanksgiving to God, the Church estab- lished a more solemn celebration of this Feast.

Church hymnographers have adorned this Feast with their hymns: St Andrew of Crete in the seventh century; St Cosmas of Maium, St John of Damascus, and St Germanus of Constantinople in the eighth cen- tury; and St Joseph, Archbishop of Thessalonica in the ninth century.

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 2 On this day we also commemorate the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos known as “the Softening of Evil Hearts” or “Simeon’s Prophecy.” The Mother of God is depicted without Her Child, with seven swords piercing her breast: three from the left side, three from the right, and one from below.

A similar icon, “Of the Seven Swords” (August 13) shows three swords on the left side and four from the right.

The icon “Simeon’s Prophecy” symbolizes the fulfillment of the prophecy of the righteous Elder Simeon: “a sword shall pierce through your own soul” (Luke 2:35).

BIBLE READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 31

Jan. 31 Col. 3:12-16 Feb. 2 Heb. 7:7-17 Feb. 5 James 2:1-13 Matt. 25:14-30 Luke 2:22-40 Mark 10:23-32

Feb. 1 Heb. 11:17-23,27-31 Feb. 3 James 1:1-18 Feb. 6 Col. 1:3-6 Mark 9:42-10:1 Mark 10:11-16 Luke 16: 10-15

Feb. 4 James 1:19-27 Mark 10:17-27

Yearly contribution letters were mailed out early last week. If you discover that any amount on your letter is incorrect, whether it be the yearly total or the total of any particular month, please contact the Parish Office at 216-741-1310 to have a new letter drafted.

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 3 Dear Church School Parents: Glory to Jesus Christ!

The next Church School session is as follows:

We will distribute teaching resources to parents after Liturgy on Sunday, January 10th. We will meet in the Temple immediately after Liturgy. Formal classes will be held on the first Saturday of each month as follows: February 6th @ 4:45 PM March 5th @ 4:45 PM April 2nd @ 4:45 PM

We will conclude on Lazarus Saturday - April 23rd @ 9:00 AM for Liturgy (with Fr. John teaching during or after Liturgy). We will also ask students to stay after Liturgy for our traditional cleaning of the Cathedral and making pussy-willows/palms for Palm Sunday.

Please mark your calendars now and see Paul Pangrace or Joyce & Tabeling for details.

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 4 PRAYER REQUESTS

Departed:

Ralph Magee (Erin Zawolowycz’s father) 12-23-15 Maude Palumbo (Michelle Rajisch’s Vladimir Fowler mother) Theodore Hristo (Marie Maty’s Julia Grabowski Debra Parhamovich (Karen Felon’s brother) Roger Haupt (Lisa Theodore’s sister) 01-16-16 cousin) Grace Parhamovich (Karen Felon’s Janet Hennig (friend of Judy mother) Josh Zdinak Schwind) Daria Petrokowski 01-20-16 Sandee Holod Cindy Powkowski Matthew Hunley (Phyllis Cheryl Regrut (Deb Ellis’s Ill Afflicted & Gindlesperger’s brother-in-law) sister-in-law) Special Intentions: Donna Jacak Valerie Rolls (Fr. John’s cousin) Victor Jacak Dorothy Romig Father John Udics Kevin Jackam (Sonia Vorell’s cousin) Julia Sankovic (Child) Matushka Catherine Jula Patrick Jacobson (friend of Paul Elaine Sudnick (Joy Pfeiffer’s Archpriest Theodore Bobosh Pangrace) mother) Mary Joy Jahans (friend of Paul Pangrace) Janice Tkacz Michael Stephen Jahans (friend of Paul Elisabeth Wright (friend of Paul Betty Balasz Pangrace) Pangrace) C. Baringer (friend of Karen Diane Kearsey (Janice Tkacz’s Erin Zawolowycz Felon) sister) Elizabeth Zimmerman Judy Baughman Maher Khalil Theodore Zolikoff (Nick Zolikoff’s Carol Bohurjak Thomas Khalil father) Julie Byndas John Kovalski (friend of Paul Alice Zdinak (Fr. John’s Mother) Elsie Conrad Pangrace) John Conrad Dorothy Laskovich & Shyanne Tabeling Metodije Damljanovic (Child) Susan Lentz & Unborn Child Horia Dascalescu (Lavinia Morris’s Paul Mihal brother) Anna Mysiw (friend and neighbor of Congratulations: Cindy Durkalski Helen Antonik) Nadine Ellis Paul Palisan (neighbor of Lydia Douglas & Kaitlyn Evans Nashwa Fam Mytrohovich) & Newborn Cameron Dorothy Fowler

Please note that names will remain on the list for approximately one month and then removed. If you would like a name to be relisted, please contact the office at 216-741-1310.

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 5 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 Coffee Hour: Greeters: 1/31/16 Lauren Miklos & Chandra Czaruk Igor Gajewsky & Karen Felon 2/7/16 Nick & Kate Zolikoff Tammy Ponomarenko 2/14/16 Steve Rusnak & Judy Schwind Nina & Elizabeth Antonik 2/21/16 Joyce Tabeling & Judy Schwind Paul Pangrace & Michael Tabeling 2/28/16 Joy & David Pfeiffer Mat. Jenn Boerio & Karen Felon 3/6/16 Mat. Cindy Zdinak & The Van Sickle Family Linda Smotzer & Sonia Vorell 3/13/16 Cathy Weber & Mat. Jenn Boerio Igor Gajewsky & Michael Tabeling

FOOD PANTRY

GOD’S GIFTS TO US - Our Food Pantry ministry continues through Merrick House. They currently use the bags in their Moms OUR GIFTS TO GOD Weekly expenses: $ 6,538.00 First program. We can always use your help by "sponsoring a bag". Envelopes are in the foyer, $10 Last week’s collection $ 2,630.00 fills a bag. Thank you and God bless you for helping Over/Under < $ 3,908.00 > those in need. - Dan Morris

Dome Lighters Donations to offset the cost of lighting the domes can be made for The Health Of or In Memory Of your loved ones. Contact the Parish Office if you are interested. For the entire 2016 year: In loving memory of Olga Fritskey from John & Ruth Fritskey

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 6 The Threat of the Glorious Ones

This weekly bulletin insert complements the curriculum published by the Department of Christian Education of the Orthodox Church in America. This and many other Christian Education resources are available at http://dce.oca.org.

On February 4th we read the entire third chapter, verses 1 to 18, of 2 Peter. The letter was probably written between the years 80 and 90.

Part of the second chapter, verses 9 to 22, is read on February 3rd. Here we find a strong warning against false teachers. These are people who, though they accepted the Christian faith themselves, are now finding it difficult to adhere to Christianity's strict moral teachings while living in a far more permissive pagan society. So they are attempting to downplay those teachings, minimizing their importance. They are working to convince other Christians to go along with their ideas.

The words Peter uses to describe them and their efforts are unequivocal. They are "waterless springs and mists driven by a storm," and they speak "bombastic nonsense." He compares them to a sow that is washed, only to wallow in the mud. They are "blots and blemishes, reveling in their dissipation." The danger of their malicious behavior is that they "entice unsteady souls."

To emphasize the danger, Peter writes of them that "bold and willful, they are not afraid to slander the glorious ones." At first reading, we might think that he is saying that they defame the angels who do God's will. But in fact, he is accusing them of doing something even more serious. The "glorious ones" here are the powers that work against God. By slandering them, or disrespecting their power, the false teachers do something that even God's angels fear to do: "The angels, though greater in might and power, do not bring against them a slanderous judgment from the Lord." The false teachers "slander what they do not understand," and in so doing they bring a terrible penalty not only on themselves but on those they can lure into following them.

In describing their fate, Peter reminds his readers of the story, in Numbers 22, of a soothsayer named Balaam. He is hired by the Moabite king to pronounce a curse on the Israelites.

Balaam is riding on his donkey and doesn't see the angel of the Lord standing in his path with a sword. But the donkey sees the angel three times, and stops. Balaam strikes the animal, still failing to see the angel blocking his path. Finally God makes the donkey speak, and makes Balaam realize that he is to bless, not curse, the people of Israel.

In the letter's third chapter, Peter writes that some scoff at God because they don't see the fulfillment of the "promise of His coming." But Peter says that God is not slow. Rather, He is patiently giving all of us time to repent. We can trust Him to know when the "Day of the Lord" should come.

There are still "glorious ones" in the world that beckon us with power beyond our ability to understand. Scoffing at that power is still mortally dangerous. But God will always try to save us, even by the embarrassing strategy of making a donkey smarter than we are.

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 7 WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday, Jan. 31 2016 Thursday, Feb. 4 UNMERCENARY VEN. IDISORE, PELISIUM SS. CYRUS AND JOHN VEN. CURIL, NOVOEZERSK MARTYR ATHANASIA REMINDER: 11:00 AM Faith Enrichment @ 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy Agostino’s Please be sure that cell phones are turned off Monday, Feb. 1 before entering Friday, Feb. 5 MARTYR TRYPHON the temple. MARTYR AGATHA VEN. BRIDGET OF IRELAND REPOSE ST. THEODOSIUS, ABP. OF CHERNIGOV Tuesday, Feb. 2 MEETING OF CHRIST Saturday, Feb. 6 IN THE TEMPLE ST. BUCOLUS, BP. SMYRNA FEBRUARY ST. PHOTIUS, PATRIARCH Wednesday, Feb. 3 Special Collection OF CONSTANTINOPLE

RIGHTEOUS GODBEARER 4:45 PM Church School SIMOEN AND ANNA THE DEANERY 6:00 PM Great Vespers THE PROPHETESS Sunday, Feb. 7 ST. PARTHENIUS NEW HIEROMARTYRS METR. VLADIMIR, KIEV & ABP. PETER VORONEZH 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy

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

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