SUNDAY, July 15, 2018 + The 7th Sunday after Pentecost

Saints Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Christian

A Parish of the Diocese of New England of the Orthodox Church in America

Fr. John Hopko, Pastor  Protodeacon Paul Nimchek 860.582.3631  email: [email protected] www.terryvilleorthodoxchurch.org  www.facebook.com/TerryvilleOrthodoxChurch

Sunday, July 15, 2018

The 7th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 6 Schedule of Services 7/15 Sunday ------9:15 AM – th The 7 Sunday after Pentecost, annually, is the day on 7/18 Wednesday which we commemorate the Holy Fathers of the first six of 8 :00 AM – Matins (Morning Prayers) the seven Ecumenical Councils

7/21 Saturday ------6:00 PM – Vigil Followed by Monthly General Confession July 15, annually, is the date of the commemoration of the Great Prince Vladimir, Enlightener of Rus’ (10th c.) 7/22 Sunday 9:15 AM – Divine Liturgy ------

------Fr. John, together with our Lay Delegate Deb Wegh, will be in St. Louis, MO, representing our parish at the 19th Orthodox Church in America What is an ? All-American Council (OCA AAC), from Monday morning, July 23, until Saturday, July 28. Fr. John will be present to preside at the Divine An Ecumenical Council is a council which is recognized as having universal Liturgies here in Terryville on both Sundays, July 22 and July 29. authority in the Church. In other words, the decisions of a council that is ------formally recognized as “Ecumenical” are decisions that Church sees as

7/28 Saturday binding upon all members of the Church. The word “ecumenical” comes from 6:00 PM – Vigil the Greek word “oikoumene,” which means the “inhabited world,” so an ecumenical council is, therefore, a universal council gathered from 7/29 Sunday throughout the Christian world. 9:15 AM – Divine Liturgy The Orthodox Church accepts seven councils as Ecumenical Councils. In 7/30 Monday actual practice, these councils were among those councils of the Church’s 7:00 PM – Parish Council Meeting bishops that were called together by the Emperor of Constantinople, the

8/1 Wednesday decisions of which were then enforced by the Emperor as imperial law in the

First Day of the Dormition Fast Byzantine (Late Roman) Empire in which was by then the state 8 :00 AM – Matins (Morning Prayers) religion. Byzantine Emperors, in fact, called together more than seven such

8/4 Saturday councils of bishops, but of them only seven have been recognized as truly

6:00 PM – Vigil authoritative and trustworthy. Followed by Choir Rehearsal The Orthodox Church recognizes the decrees of the following seven councils

8/5 Sunday as binding on all Orthodox Christian believers—these are the Seven 9:15 AM – Divine Liturgy Ecumenical Councils: Nicea I (325 AD), Constantinople I (381 AD), Ephesus

(431), Chalcedon (451), Constantinople II (553), Constantinople III (681) and 8/8 Wednesday Nicea II (787). 8:00 AM – Matins (Morning Prayers) The first two Ecumenical Councils resulted in the agreement upon the 8/9 Thursday Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (usually just called the ), Feast of Saint Herman of Alaska which is the Creed that we still use today in the Orthodox Church during every 9:00 AM – Prayer Service to St. Herman celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The word “Creed,” comes from the Latin 8/11 Saturday word “credo,” which means “I believe,” which is, of course, how the Creed 6:00 PM – Vigil begins. The Creed defines the divinity of the three persons of the Holy : 8/12 Sunday Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 9:15 AM – Divine Liturgy This article, “What is an Ecumenical Council?”, continues on page two of this bulletin

Alex—John Dubnansky’s brother, suffering permanent effects of stroke PARISH PRAYER LIST Darlyne—facing health challenges; daughter of Bob and Vera Martin Gregory Shesko—long-time laborer in the Diocese of New England; lung cancer Please pray for all victims of disaster, difficulty and child Asa—great-grandson of friend of E. Watras; child with developmental challenges senseless violence throughout the world. Barbara—Arlene Osuch’s sister; epilepsy with complications William “Bill” Markovich—unwell and in need of prayerful support Samantha—extremely ill child for whom we have been asked to pray + THOSE WHO HAVE DEPARTED THIS LIFE: ! Eugene—Tania Bouteneff’s uncle; battling cancer Newly Departed Donna—Ann Sovyrda’s niece; kidney disease Anne Topek—a Waterbury parishioner d. 6/25/18 Dayrl—Ann Sovyrda’s niece; kidney disease Ludena Reader—M. and J. Liverman’s grandmother d. 6/26/18 JoAnn—acquaintance of Jeanne Moore; ovarian cancer Anthony Jones—relative of the Livermans d. 6/29/18 MaryEllen—Louine King’s daughter-in-law; declining due to Huntington’s Disease Rita—friend of Ann Sovyrda d. 7/8/18 Virginia (“Gina”)—Elena Watras’ sister; unwell and in need of prayers Paul Hrabsky—friend of J. Osuch d. 7/12/18 Dawn—friend of Joan Markovich; Stage Four lung cancer Anniversaries of Repose – Memory Eternal! Vera Bouteneff—Tania Bouteneff’s mother; presently unwell Martin Wallick 7/14/1970 Joan Spencer—has asked for our prayers Tessie Panchak 7/17/1969 Michael—nephew of Joan Markovich; in need of prayerful support Makar Krivoy 7/17/1975 Anna Szepel—Waterbury parishioner; underwent surgery recently Anastasia Kovaleski 7/17/1975 Vera—Waterbury parishioner; unwell and in need of prayerful support Anna Tczap 7/17/1977 John Mamchuk—presently in hospice care Steven Duke 7/17/1982 Louine “Anna” King—our fellow parishioner; recently unwell Alexander Rewak 7/19/1994 Anthony—friend of D. Kowaleski; recent surgery Metro Glowa 7/20/1992 Eleanor—Rdr. J. Boruch’s mother; upcoming surgery; chronic health challenges Stephen Letish 7/21/1917 Carleen—major heart surgery; acquaintance of C. Palleria Eugene Kymanov 7/21/1927 Maria Oraschewsky—presently undergoing inpatient rehabilitation therapy Audi Khish 7/21/1934 Shut-ins and those resident in long-term Care Facilities James P. Casey 7/21/1965 Eva Kopcha—at Sheriden Woods, Bristol Michael O'Hazo 7/21/1973 Sonya Petroff—at Sheriden Woods, Bristol THOSE IN NEED OF GOD’S MERCY AND HELP Irene Kiehart—Jayne Grasso’s mother; now resident in Connecticut Mary Fomenko—shut-in at home Persons captive and suffering for the Faith Robert (Bob)—Patty Nimchek’s brother; recently worsening health Metropolitan Paul and Archbishop John—hostages in Syria Expectant Mothers and the Children to be born of them Those who are sick and suffering Juliana and the child to be born of her Archpriest Nicholas Timpko—presently unwell Anya and the child to be born of her—Fr. John’s niece Fyodor (Frank) Guba—increasing sufferings from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Dolores Twombly—permanent colon malfunction following colon cancer treatment Those from among us serving in the Armed Forces Karen—Mary Fomenko’s niece; unwell and in need of prayers Joel Orelup—U.S. Navy, hospital corpsman (“medic”) serving with the Marines child Drew—grandson of friends of the Nimcheks; ongoing treatment for eye cancer Joseph Bellmay—a Terryville neighbor; U.S. Marine Corps child Matthew—son of friends of M. Osuch; genetic disorder with medical complications Those traveling, soon to be traveling, and apart from us child Ava—young daughter of friends of Melanie Osuch; suffering seizures Protodeacon Paul and Patty Nimchek Alexander—acquaintance of M. Osuch; suffering and in need of God’s mercy and help John, Effie, and Anna Saltourides Michele—very close friend of M. Osuch; troubled and in need of God’s mercy and help Helena Guba Anna Osuch—suffering in ill health And all those travelling during these summer months Jadwiga [“Yahd-vee-gah”]—mother of an acquaintance of E. Watras; cancer Anniversaries Steven Belonick—Cynthia Belonick’s father; unwell Jayne & Gerard Grasso 7/17 Archpriest Steven Belonick—Cynthia Belonick’s brother; chronic illness Phyllis George—Donna Kriniske’s cousin; battling breast cancer Birthdays Anna Saltourides 7/15 ______This article, “What is an Ecumenical Council?”, continues here from page one of this bulletin The Third and Fourth Councils dealt in greater detail with the Church’s teachings about Jesus Christ, about whom and what He was and is. The Third Council defended the use of the term “” (a Greek word meaning “Birth-giver of God”) to refer to Jesus’ mother, the Virgin Mary, so as to defend the teaching of the Church that Jesus Christ is truly the incarnate (“made flesh”) Son and Word of God. The Fourth Council, following up on the work of the Third Council, stressed the fact that Jesus Christ is both fully and perfectly human, and fully and perfectly divine, thus possessing two “natures” in union in one person. Thus we say of Jesus Christ that he is one person, fully God and fully Man. The Fifth Council reaffirmed and confirmed the teachings of the first Four Councils, in a mostly unsuccessful effort to heal the serious and significant splits in the Church that had developed over the five centuries of Christian history to that point. The Sixth Council affirmed the true humanity of Jesus Christ by insisting upon the reality of his human will and action: In the one person, Jesus Christ, there are both divine activity and will, and human activity and will; just as there are in the one person, Jesus Christ, two natures, human and divine. The Seventh Council affirmed and declared the correctness of as true expressions of the Christian faith against those who saw them as idolatrous. Indeed, icons are not just acceptable, they are necessary, for icons affirm what is taught and affirmed by the previous six Councils: that human and divine have been made one in Christ. So, all the Councils have at their heart the same issue—the issue of what is called “Christology,” that is, the teachings about Christ: who He is and what He is. In order for us truly to be Christians, we must know these essential teachings so that we might then enter into a proper relationship with Him—our Lord, our God, and our Savior. NEWS AND NOTES

The 19th OCA AAC, July 23-27, 2018, St. Louis, Missouri: The 19th Orthodox Church in America All- American Council (the 19th OCA AAC), will take place soon. Fr. John Hopko, Delegate, and Deb Wegh, Lay Delegate, will be representing our parish at the 19th OCA AAC, from Monday, July 23, through Friday, July 27. This OCA AAC is the 19th in our Church’s history, and will take place in St. Louis, Missouri. Once every three years, the AAC brings together all the bishops of the Church, along with clergy and lay representatives from all the parishes and institutions (monasteries, seminaries, etc.) of the OCA, for meetings establishing the direction of the Church for the next three-year period (triennium). According to the OCA Statute (the “bylaws” of the Orthodox Church in America), the All-American Council “is the highest legislative and administrative authority within the Church. The Council brings together the various elements of the Church to bear witness to her identity, unity, and mission.” To see, in much more detail, how the All-American Council is described in the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America you may visit this part of the Orthodox Church in America’s official website www.oca.org/statute/article-iii, which is the section of the OCA Statute about the OCA AAC.

Choir Rehearsals: First Saturday of the Month: Our Choir has decided to have monthly rehearsals on the first Saturday evening of each month, following the conclusion of the usual Saturday evening Vigil service. One goal of these rehearsals will be to continue the good work accomplished at the recent Choir Workshop. We are all so grateful for our fine Parish Choir and their wonderful ministry among us! Thanks, Choir!

Terryville Parish Council Meeting, Monday, July 30: The Terryville Parish Council, which, by custom, only meets once during the summer months, will next meet on Monday evening, July 30, beginning at 7:00 PM.

The Dormition Fast begins on August 1st: The Dormition Fast is the two-week-long fast (August 1 -14) that comes before the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. That Feast is always kept on August 15. The Feast of Dormition marks the day that the Virgin Mary died and, also, commemorates the fact that, after her blessed repose, the Virgin Mary was received bodily into the Kingdom of Heaven by her son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Monday, August 6, The Feast of the Transfiguration – Pilgrimage to New Haven! The Feast of the Holy Transfiguration this year falls on Monday, August 6, and we will NOT have services here in Terryville that morning. Rather, we will travel to Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, New Haven, CT, in order to celebrate the patronal feast of that parish together with Fr. Michael Westerberg, the pastor there, and the parishioners of that parish. In recent years, every part of the entire interior of Holy Transfiguration Church has been magnificently adorned with incredible frescos (icons, in the form of large wall paintings). This beautiful array of iconography is worth experiencing in person. So, we hope that all those who are able will join us for this pilgrimage to coastal Connecticut. We will be arranging carpools for this trip, so, please, check future parish bulletins for more information about this upcoming opportunity.

The Annual Diocesan Youth Rally, August 13-18: Youth Rally 2018 will take place from Monday, August 13, through Saturday, August 18, at the usual campsite in Contoocook, NH. Fr. John Hopko will once again be serving as Rally Rector and Director, and Macrina Hopko will once again be serving as Rally Nurse. Fr. John has been participating in Youth Rally since 2003 and leading Youth Rally since 2004. At least five other members of our parish will also be participating in Youth Rally that week, either as youth participants (“Rallyers”) or as staff members. Please pray for the success of Youth Rally, and the well-being and edification of all those who will be participating.

LOOKING AHEAD: Sunday, September 9, Visit of the Archbishop: His Eminence, Archbishop NIKON, will be visiting our parish on Sunday, September 9. Please, enter that date into your calendar now, and plan to be present when His Eminence the Archbishop is with us in September.

LOOKING AHEAD: Sunday, September 23, Parish Open House: On Sunday afternoon, September 23, our parish will be hosting an “Open House”. Please, note this date in your calendar now, and plan to participate. We look forward to sharing with our friends and neighbors about the truth and beauty of the Orthodox Christian Faith. Readings from Holy Scripture

Readings for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, which this year is July 15

The Reading from the Letter of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans (Rom. 15:1-7) encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May Brothers and Sisters: We who are strong ought to bear with the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let live in such harmony with one another, in accord with each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the whatever was written in former days was written for our glory of God. instruction, that by steadfastness and by the

The Reading from the Gospel according to St. Matthew (Matt. 9:27-35) they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was At that time, when Jesus was passing by, two blind men brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, David." When he entered the house, the blind men came "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then Jesus demons." And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they infirmity of the people. went away and spread his fame through all that district. As

Readings for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, which this year is July 22

The Reading from the First Letter of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1:10-18) thankful that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Brothers and Sisters: I appeal to you, by the name of our Lord Gaius; lest any one should say that you were baptized in my Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.) For mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified the power of God. for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I am

The Reading from the Gospel according to St. Matthew (Matt. 14:14-22) ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the At that time, when Jesus went ashore he saw a great throng; five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five said, "They need not go away; you give them something to thousand men, besides women and children. Then Jesus eat." They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the two fish." And Jesus said, "Bring them here to me." Then he other side, while he dismissed the crowds.