Saint Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church
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Saint Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church 146 Third Avenue, Rankin, PA 15104 Pastor: Very Reverend Nicholas Ferencz, PhD Cantor: Professor Jerry Jumba Parish President : Carole Bushak Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever! Slava Isusu Christu! Slava vo v’iki! Rectory Phone: 412 271-2725. E-mail: [email protected] Hall Phone: 412-294-7952 WEB: www.stmichaelsrankin.org APRIL 18, 2021 REMEMBERING OUR HOLY MOTHER MARY OF EGYPT Sun., Apr. 18 5th Sunday of Lent. Remembering our Holy Mother Mary of Egypt. 2 Lazaruses: The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, and the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Martyrs Theodoulos, Agathopodes et al. 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy Panachida: Jake Ingelido – by family. Mon., Apr. 19 Bishop Methodius, Apostle of the Slavs 8:30 AM – Service Master Cleaning Tue., Apr. 20 Bishop George of Mylitene 8:30 AM – Service Master Cleaning Wed., Apr. 21 Apostles Herodian, Agabus et al of the 70. Bishop Celestine of Rome 5:30 PM Holy Mystery of the Anointing of the Sick Fri., Apr. 23 Last Day of Lent! New Martyr Bishop Gregory of Constantinople 5:30 PM Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts SAT., APR. 24 LAZARUS SATURDAY 8:30 AM Holy Mystery of Confession 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy SUN., APR. 25 PALM (FLOWERY) SUNDAY. Confessor Basil of Parium 8:45 AM Liturgical Hymns 9:00 AM Blessing of Palms and Pussy Willows. Divine Liturgy – Red Pew Book, pp 210–214 Holy Mystery of Confession: You can make an appointment. Also, Service of the Mystery of Confession, Sunday, April 11 after Divine Liturgy. PEOPLE STUFF Prayer List: Deceased: Maxim Lysack, Sr. Living: Fr. George Livonas. Kristina Anatakis. Gregory Michael Aurelio. Walter Bolbat. Nicholas Burkhart. Barbara Chappie. Rebecca, David & Bradley Noah Cozad. Delores Cubakovic. Martha Danchak. Nicholas Page 1 of 5 Duranko. Margaret Dorogy. Breanne Glass. Dorothy Glass. Eddie Gombos. Joseph Hlavac. George Hrabchak. Raymond Hrabchak. Shirley Hrubic. Gary Ingelido. Andrea Kerkentzes. Bobby Malackany. Joan Martell. Michael Mehalik. Helen Mihalik. Teresa Onuska. Millie Phillips. Dimitri and Kelli Stathogiannis. Milton and Thelma Supak. Diana Terezis. Trudy Trifanoff. Josh Walendziewicz. Prosphora Bakers: Trudy Trifanoff. Delores Cubakovic and their intentions. F(E)ASTING Lazarus Saturday: This Saturday, April 14, we celebrate Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead after he had already been dead for four days. This Sign is one of the main reasons that people gathered to honor Jesus as He processed into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). So, it is kind of the beginning of Holy Week, which starts with such joy and ends with such sorrow. Liturgy at 9 AM. Reminder! Looking Ahead to Holy Week Services: As mentioned last week, some minor changes have been made to the Holy Week Schedule. Please carefully check the framed poster at the end of this bulletin for days and times of services. Highlights of changes: ! There are some time changes. ! Services Moved: " The Sacramental Mystery of the Anointing of the Sick is being moved to THIS WEEK, and so will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 21, at 5:30 PM. " The Mystical Supper Liturgy will be celebrated Holy Thursday Evening at 5:30 PM " The Matins of the Passion (the 12 Gospels) will be celebrated on Good Friday Morning, at 10:00 AM. " No Thomas Sunday Lunch: This year, unfortunately, we have to cancel this annual event. But Next Year! ! Staying the Same: " Resurrection Matins and Liturgy on Easter Sunday as usual. " We will bless Easter Baskets this year after the Easter Liturgy. " We will distribute the Red Easter Eggs at the end of the Divine Liturgy, for those who wish them. LENTEN FASTING: Our Gifts to God and our Traditional Guidelines: Church ! On weekdays (Monday through Friday inclusive) in the fifth Sunday, April 11, 2021 and sixth weeks, one meal a day is permitted, to be taken in the Attendance 23 afternoon following Vespers, and at this one meal xerophagy Communions 8 [Strict Fast] is to be observed. Collections Monthly 90.00 ! On Saturdays and Sundays in Lent, with the exception of Sunday 770.00 Holy Saturday, two main meals may be taken in the usual way All Votive Candles 187.00 [i.e., cooked], around mid-day and in the evening, with wine Blding Maintenance 240.00 and olive oil; but meat, animal products and fish are not Dioc Membership 99.00 allowed. Paschal Candles 135.00 ! On Palm (Flowery) Sunday, fish is permitted as well as wine St. Cyril Pantry 40.00 and oil, but meat and animal products are not allowed. Special Donation 100.00 A Pastoral Interpretation: Try to fast and pray more than last Total Offerings: 1661.00 year, with more focus and concentration. Who knows, in fifty Building and Repairs Donations or sixty years, if we keep trying, we may become more perfect! which are available for upcoming repairs to date are $7016! God bless your generosity! Page 2 of 5 PARISH STUFF Just a reminder in case you did not see it last week: Hospital and Home Visits to our parishioners who cannot get out. I have been purposely extra cautious about visiting folks during this pandemic. Given the fact that most of us fall into the “high risk” category, I have felt it best for all of us to just stay away all this time, except in cases of imminent death. That said, I have received my first vaccine shot and will get the second in a couple of weeks. After the appropriate time has lapsed, I will be working on being able to visit those of our parishioners who are unable to come to church. New! Church and Hall Cleaning We have contracted with Service Master for $2400 to do a thorough cleaning of the church and hall. They will be here tomorrow and Tuesday! We will have to pick up everything in the pews, on the tables, etc. SO! Please take all your personal items (prayerbooks, pew books, umbrellas, etc., etc.)with you when you leave today! Anything left will be boxed and moved, and you will have to search the boxes when you return. Thank you much! Reminder! Triangle Hoagie Sale! Back by popular demand! We will be selling Triangle Hoagies (for the uninitiated, that means Hoagies from the Triangle Bar, not 3-sided hoagies. Although, that is an interesting idea). Jeanne Zajac will be taking orders starting next Sunday, April 18, through Sunday, May 16. Pick up Day is Thursday, May 20. Hoagies are $8.00 each. We are taking orders for all flavors and types (that Triangle makes, of course. There will not be any anchovy hoagies available. Sorry). Reminder! Easter Candle Offering for Special Intention: As we have done in the past, we will collect donations for the Festal Pascha candles which we use in front of the Iconostas during the Easter season. All are welcome to participate. Jim & Jeanne Zajac – health of all health care workers Zoe Mehalik – memory of family Millie Phillips – memory of Ed Phillips Jeanne Lesko – memory of Ron Lesko and family Joan Martell – Martell & Kedalick families Building and Repairs Donations which are available for upcoming repairs to date are $7016! Reminder! Tickets for The Spring Lottery Basket Raffle are now available!. You will be able to pick up yours in the church hall this Sunday. DRAWING SUNDAY, May 9, 2021. DONATION $5 Get ‘em today!! A PREVIEW OF THE LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT by St. John Climacus Last Sunday we remembered St. John Climacus (I.e., “Of the Ladder”) Here are a few excerpts from his most famous Book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. ! The natural property of the lemon tree is such that it lifts its branches upwards when it has no fruit, but the more the branches bend down the more fruit they bear. Those who have the mind to understand will grasp the meaning of this. ! Do not attempt to talk much when you pray lest your mind be distracted in searching for words. One word of the publican propitiated God, and one cry of faith saved the thief. Loquacity in prayer often distracts the mind and leads to phantasy, whereas brevity makes for concentration. ! “When you pray, forget how you may appear to others. Concentrate entirely on your prayer, withdrawing into your heart. Demons fear spiritual concentration more than thieves fear dogs.” - In the Book of Mark we read, “[Jesus said,} “Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trail; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again He went away and prayed.” Page 3 of 5 ! I saw an inexperienced disciple who in the presence of certain people boasted of the achievements of his teacher [spiritual father], thinking to win glory for himself from another’s harvest, but he only earned for himself dishonour, for everybody asked him: ‘But how could a good tree grow such a barren branch?’ ! The lazy monk is famous and skilled at talking; but when reading is about to begin, he cannot keep his eyes open. At the sound of the trumpet the dead will rise, and when idle talk is afoot those who were asleep come to themselves. ! When the air is cleared of clouds, the sun shines brightly; and a soul freed from its former habits and granted forgiveness has certainly seen the divine light. ! Meekness is an immovable state of soul which remains unaffected whether in evil report or in good report, in dishonour or in praise. ! The beginning of freedom from anger is silence of the lips when the heart is agitated; the middle is silence of the thoughts when there is a mere disturbance of soul; and the end is an imperturbable calm under the breath of unclean winds.