St. Alexis of Wilkes-Barre Orthodox

Address: PO Box 134, 108 E Main St, Clinton, CT 06413-0134 Phone: 860-664-9434 Web: http://www.stalexischurch.org Email: [email protected] Fr Steven Hosking Rector Phone: 860-866-5802 (Message) Email: [email protected] Dn Timothy Skuby Attached Phone: (808) 341-1813 Email: [email protected]

Services Schedule Please see our online calendar for dates and times of Feast Day services.

Bulletin for Sunday, July 18, 2021

racism and bigotry. All human beings share Welcome one common identity as children of God. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor Jesus Christ taught us to free, male nor female, for you are all one in love and serve all people, Christ Jesus" (Galatian 3:28) regardless of their ethnicity or nationality. Members of our Parish Council are: To understand that, we Joseph Barbera - Council Member at Large need to look no further Dori Kuziak - Council Secretary than to the Parable of the Carolyn Neiss - Vice President Good Samaritan (Luke Marlene Melesko - Council Member at Large 10:25-37). Every time we Kyle Hollis - President celebrate the Divine Roderick Seurattan - Treasurer Liturgy, it is offered "on behalf of all, and for all." As Orthodox Christians we stand against Pastoral Care - General Information Nun-Martyrs Gr. Duchess Elizabeth and Barbara Emergency Sick Calls can be made at any time. Please call Fr Steven at (860) 866-5802, This Sunday is the commemoration of one of when a family member is admitted to the our Patrons (whose relics have been placed in hospital. the altar), St Elizabeth the New Martyr. Anointing in Sickness: The of Because it is also the observence of the Unction is available in Church, the hospital, or Fathers of the first Six Ecumentical Councils, your home, for anyone who is sick and the commemoration for St Elizabeth and her suffering, however severe. companion is defered. Please remember to ask Marriages and Baptisms require early for her intersessions for this parish. planning, scheduling and selections of sponsors (crown bearers or godparents). See — Tone 4 Father before booking dates and reception Emulating the Lord’s self-abasement on the halls! earth, / you gave up royal mansions to serve Funerals are celebrated for practicing the poor and disdained, / overflowing with Orthodox Christians. Please see Father for compassion for the suffering. / And taking up a details. The Church opposes cremation; we martyr’s cross, / in your meekness / you cannot celebrate funerals for cremations. perfected the Saviour’s image within yourself, / therefore, with Barbara, entreat Him to save Announcements us all, O wise Elizabeth.

Dormition Fast — Tone 3

This fast begins August 1st. I strongly In the midst of worldliness, / thy mournful encourage you to use the fast as an heart dwelt in Heaven; / in barbaric opportunity to renew your Baptism thourgh godlessness, / your valiant soul was not confession, particularly as many have not yet troubled; / you longed to meet your fully returned to a full liturgical life. If you Bridegroom as a confessor, / and He found you have not yet returned to a full sacramental worthy of your martyric purpose. / O life, through receiving the Eucharst, please Elizabeth, with Barbara, / your brave consider talking with me as to how we might companion, / pray to your Bridegroom for us. accomplish this. Presentation of New Catecumens Faith Study On Sunday, July 25th, Hawkins and There will be no Faith Study this coming Daniel Cummings will be received into the Thursday (7/22) as all the of New catecumenate of the Church. This brief England will be on a Zoom call with His ceremony will be performed between the Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon. Third Hour and the beginning of Liturgy. Prayers, Intercessions and addictions, abuse, abandonment and Commemorations despair; those who are homeless, those who are institutionalize, those who Archpriest Dennis, have no one to pray for them; Archpriest Michael, All Orthodox seminarians & families; all Timothy, Evelyn, Orthodox monks and nuns, and all Katheryn, Anne, Aaron, those considering monastic life; all Veronica, Richard, Orthodox missionaries and their Nancy, Susanne, Carol, families. Alexander, Gail, Vincent, All those who have perished due to Nina, Ellen, Maureen, hatred, intolerance and pestilence; all Elizabeth, Christopher, those departed this life in the hope of Joshua, Jennifer, Petra, the Resurrection. Olivia, Jessica, Sean, Sarah, Justin, Arnold, ___ Carol-Anne, Anthony, Fathers of the 1st Six Ecumenical Councils. Natasha, Gene, John, John, Michael, Kelley, Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria (363). Krisha, Alix, Natalie, Edward, Nathan, Caila, Martyr Hyacinth of Amastridea (4th c.). Ven. Julianna, Paul, John, Jacob, Lynn, Anna, John the Long-suffering of the Kiev Caves Richard, Robert, Dorothy, Elaina (Near Caves—1160). Ven. Pambo, Recluse, of Many Years to: to Marie-Christine deGiers and the Kiev Caves (Far Caves—13th c.). Ven. Christine Jankura on the occasion of their Pambo, Hermit, of Egypt (4th c.). Monastic Name's Days; and to Glenn PenkoffLedbeck on Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Barbara the occasion of his birthday. (1918—July 5th O.S.).

Memory Eternal to Olga Kurcharski on this anniversary of her repose. Parish Calendar ___ Parish Calendar Pray for: All those confined to hospitals, nursing homes, and their own homes July 18 to August 2, 2021 due to illness; for all those who serve in the armed forces; widows, orphans, Sunday, July 18 prisoners, victims of violence, and New Martyr Elizabeth refugees; Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th All those suffering chronic illness, financial hardship, loneliness, 9:15AM

Monday, July 19 Repose of Olga Kurcharski Macrina the Righteous, sister of St. Basil 6:30PM Catecumenate 8:30AM to St Seraphim of Sarove Wednesday, July 28 Tuesday, July 20 Prochoros, Nicanor, Timon, & Parmenas the Mother Maria Skobtsova Apostles of the 70 The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah) 4:30PM Open Doors 8:30AM Akathist to Prophet Elijah 6:30PM Parish Council Meeting Thursday, July 29 The Holy Martyr Callinicus Wednesday, July 21 Chobor John and Symeon the Fool for Christ 7:00PM Faith Study 4:30PM Open Doors Friday, July 30 Thursday, July 22 Silas, Silvan, Crescens, Epenetus and Mary Magdalene, the Holy Myrrh-bearer and Andronicus the Apostles of the 70 Equal to the Apostles Saturday, July 31 Friday, July 23 Forefeast of the Precious Cross Phocas the Holy Martyr, Bishop of Sinope 5:30PM Great Vespers

Saturday, July 24 Sunday, August 1 Christina the Great Martyr of Tyre Procession of the Lifegiving Cross Glenn PenkoffLidbeck 6th Sunday of Matthew 9:00AM Great Vespers 9:30AM Divine Liturgy followed by Lessor Blessing of Water Sunday, July 25 Repose of Sonja Geyer Monday, August 2 Reception of Catecumens Akathist to St Stephen 5th Sunday of Matthew Translation of the Relics of Stephen the 9:15AM Divine Liturgy Protomartyr

Monday, July 26 Saints and Feasts Akathist to Venerable Moses of Carpathians Repose of St. Jacob Netsvetov Paraskeve the Righteous Martyr of Rome July 18 Samuel Boyd 8:30AM Akathist to St Jacob Netsvetov Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council Tuesday, July 27 Repose of Ann Kiernan On the Sunday that falls from the 13th to the Akathist to St Panteleimon 19th of the present month, we chant the Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer Service to the 630 Holy and God-bearing 8:30AM Akathist to St Panteleimon Fathers who came together for the 4th Ecumenical Council who assembled in Chalcedon in 451, to condemn Eutyches, who July 20 taught that there was only one nature, the divine, in Christ after the Incarnation, and The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah) Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who illegally received Eutyches back into Elias of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, communion and deposed Saint Flavian, a town of Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. Patriarch of Constantinople, who had He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary excommunicated Eutyches. and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a In the Slavic tradition, on this Sunday, the leathern belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah Fathers of the first six Ecumenical Councils is my God." His zeal for the glory of God was are all commemorated. compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. July 19 Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness Translation of the Holy Relics of of Ahab and his wife Jezebel. He shut up Righteous Seraphim of Sarov heaven by means of prayer, and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens The uncovering of the holy relics of Saint brought him food for his need when, at God's Seraphim of Sarov on July 19, 1903 was command, he was hiding by the torrent of attended by many thousands, among them the Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil foremost of the clergy and royalty; the holy of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon, who Tsar Nicholas II (see July 4) was one of the had given him hospitality in her home, and bearers of the relics in procession, and the when her son died, he raised him up. He Grand Duchess Elizabeth (see July 5) wrote an brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount eyewitness account of the many miracles that Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered took place. Not only had the Saint foretold the to God before all the people of Israel, that they coming of the Tsar to his glorification, and might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson, that from joy they would chant "Christ is he slew 450 false prophets and priests who Risen" in summer, but he had also left a letter worshipped idols and led the people astray. He "for the fourth sovereign, who will come to received food wondrously at the hand of an Sarov." This was Nicholas II, who was given Angel, and being strengthened by this food he the letter when he came in 1903; the contents walked for forty days and forty nights. He of the letter are not known, but when he had beheld God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is read it, the Tsar and future Martyr, though possible for human nature. He foretold the not a man to show his emotions, was visibly destruction of the house of Ahab, and the shaken. For the life of Saint Seraphim, see January 2. death of his son Ohozias; and as for the two and intellectual circles in St. Petersburg. By captains of fifty that were sent by the king, he eighteen she was a published poet and burned them for their punishment, bringing married to a Bolshevik. Her desire to actively fire down from Heaven. He divided the flow of serve the needy - more than simply discuss the Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisseus social change - led her back to a faith in passed through as it were on dry land; and Christ. She then became the first woman finally, while speaking with him, Elias was accepted to study at the Theological Academy suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in of the Alexander Nevsky Monastery in St. the year 895 B.C., and he ascended as though Petersburg. into heaven, whither God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. After the Bolshevik Revolution, she was 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from thence also, elected Mayor of Anapa but had to flee Russia after seven years, by means of an epistle he for Paris in 1923. Elizaveta was inspired to reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is devote her life completely to serving the poor written: "And there came a message in writing after her daughter, Nastia, died of meningitis to him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus in 1926. After her second marriage ended in saith the Lord God of David thy father, 1932, Metropolitan Evlogii of Paris tonsured Because thou hast not walked in the way," and her a nun with the name Maria and blessed so forth (II Chron. 21:12). According to the her to live a "monasticism in the world" opinion of the majority of the interpreters, devoted to social service. this came to pass either through his disciple Initially devoted to the Russian emigres in Elisseus, or through another Prophet when Paris, she founded a sanatorium along with Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared homes to serve single mothers, families, and on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ (see single men. By 1937, 120 dinners were served Aug. 6). each day. Much of the work she did herself: begging for food, cooking the soup, and even embroidering the for their chapel. July 20 By 1942, Maria's work turned to assisting the Mother Maria Skobtsova, New-Martyr of Jewish population. She helped Father Dimitri France Klepinin issue fake baptismal certificates for Jews that came to their aide. In a mass arrest Saint Maria Skobtsova of Paris lived a life in July of that year, 12,884 Jews were taken to devoted to serving the poor and the a sports stadium before being transferred to marginalized. She was born Elizaveta Pilenko Auschwitz. Maria spent three days visiting the in 1891 in Riga, Latvia to devout Russian prisoners, bringing them food, and even Orthodox parents. Her father died when she rescuing some of the children by smuggling was fourteen, and her grief led her to atheism. them out in trash cans. She also aided Jews in As a young teenager she became involved in escaping the socialist to Southern France which was unoccupied by spices for anointing the body of the Lord. And the Nazis. on the Lord's day they came very early to the tomb, even before the Angels appeared Maria was arrested in February, 1943, and declaring the Resurrection of the Lord. When was sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp Mary Magdalene saw the stone taken away in Germany. For two years, she raised the from the tomb, she ran and proclaimed it to spirits of her fellow prisoners, helping them Peter and John. And returning immediately to remember their human dignity. She led the tomb and weeping outside, she was discussion groups on literature, history, and deemed worthy to be the first of the Myrrh- theology, despite her weakening health. On bearers to behold the Lord arisen from the March 31, 1945, a short time before the camp dead, and when she fell at His feet, she heard was rescued, Saint Maria was taken to the gas Him say, "Touch Me not." After the Lord's chambers; some prisoners say she took the Ascension, nothing certain is known place of a fellow Jewish prisoner. concerning her. Some accounts say that she went to Rome and later returned to Jerusalem, On January 18th, 2004, the Holy Synod of the and from there proceeded to Ephesus, where Ecumenical recognized Mother she ended her life, preaching Christ. Although Maria Skobtsova as a saint along with her it is sometimes said that Saint Mary three fellow workers who also died in German Magdalene was the "sinful woman" of the concentration camps: her son Yuri, Fr. Dimitri Gospel, this is nowhere stated in the tradition Klepinin, and Ilya Fondaminsky. They are all of the Church, in the sacred hymnology, or in commemorated in the on the Holy Gospels themselves, which say only July 20th. that our Lord cast seven demons out of her, not that she was a fallen woman. "Madeleine" is a form of Magdalene. July 22

Mary Magdalene, the Holy Myrrh-bearer July 24 and Equal to the Apostles

Saint Mary was from Magdala in Galilee on Christina the Great Martyr of Tyre the Sea of Tiberias, and for this was named Saint Christina was from Tyre in Syria, the Magdalene. When the Lord Jesus cast out daughter of a pagan named Urban. seven demons from her, from which she had Enlightened in her heart to believe in Christ, been suffering, she became His faithful and she broke her father's idols, made of gold and inseparable disciple, following Him and silver, and distributed the pieces to the poor. ministering unto Him even to the time of His When her father learned this, he punished her crucifixion and burial. Then, returning to ruthlessly, then cast her into prison. The rulers Jerusalem together with the rest of the Myrrh- subjected her to bearers, she prepared the fragrant imprisonments, hunger, torments, the cutting Tone 8 Kontakion (Fathers) off of her breasts and tongue, and finally impalement, in the year 200, during the reign The Apostles’ preaching and the Fathers’ of the Emperor Septimius Severus. doctrines have established one Faith for the Church. Adorned with the robe of truth, woven from Hymns of the Day heavenly theology,// It defines and glorifies the great mystery of Tone 3 Troparion piety. (Resurrection) Tone 3 Prokeimenon (Resurrection) Let the heavens rejoice! Sing praises to our God, sing praises! / Sing Let the earth be glad! praises to our King, sing praises! For the Lord has shown (Ps. 46:6) strength with His arm. He has trampled down V. Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God death by death. with loud songs of joy! (Ps. 46:1) He has become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell, Tone 4 Prokeimenon (Song of the Three and has granted to the world// Holy Children) great mercy. Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, / Tone 8 Troparion (Fathers) and praised and glorified is Your Name forever! (Song of the Three Holy You are most glorious, O Christ our God! Children, v. 3) You have established the Holy Fathers as lights on the earth. Tone 3 Through them You have guided us to the true Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Faith.// O greatly compassionate One, glory to You! V. In You, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never be put to shame! (Ps. 30:1a) Tone 3 Kontakion (Resurrection) V. Be a God of protection for me, a house of refuge in order to save me! (Ps. 30:2b) On this day You rose from the tomb, O Tone 1 Merciful One, V. The Lord, the God of gods, speaks and leading us from the gates of death. summons the earth from the rising of the sun On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; to its setting. (Ps. 49:1) with the Prophets and Patriarchs// they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Communion Hymn Your power. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest! (Ps. 148:1) Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous; praise At that time, as Jesus entered Capernaum, a befits the just! (Ps. 32:1) centurion came forward to him, beseeching Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress." And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." But the centurion answered him, "Lord, I am not

worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be Gospel and Epistle Readings healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and Epistle Reading he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to it." When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and the Romans 6:18-23 said to those who followed him, "Truly, I say Brethren, having been set free from sin, you to you, not even in Israel have I found such have become slaves of righteousness. I am faith. I tell you, many will come from east and speaking in human terms, because of your west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and natural limitations. For just as you once Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons yielded your members to impurity and to of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer greater and greater iniquity, so now yield your darkness; there men will weep and gnash their members to righteousness for sanctification. teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; be it done for you as you have believed." And When you were slaves of sin, you were free in the servant was healed at that very moment. regard to righteousness. But then what return did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free Wisdom of the Fathers from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, "But whosoever shall do and teach," said He, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but "shall be called great." For not to ourselves the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ alone, should we be profitable, but to others Jesus our Lord. also; since neither is the reward as great for him who guides himself aright, as for one who with himself adds also another. Gospel Reading

The Reading is from Matthew 8:5-13 St. Homilies 15 and 16 on Matthew 5, 4th Century Convent of Saints Martha and Mary, a community of nuns which focused on worshiping God and also helping the poor. She Since he who cannot teach himself, yet moved out of the palace into a building she attempts to set others right, will have many to purchased on Ordinka. Women from the ridicule him. Or rather such a one will have no nobility, and also from the common people, power to teach at all, his actions uttering their were attracted to the convent. voice against him. Saint Elizabeth nursed sick and wounded soldiers in the hospitals and on the battle St. John Chrysostom front. On Pascha of 1918, the Communists ordered her to leave Moscow, and join the royal family near Ekaterinburg. She left with a Homilies 15 and 16 on Matthew 5, 4th Century novice, Sister Barbara, and an escort of Latvian guards.

Beyond the Sermon After arriving in Ekaterinburg, Saint Elizabeth was denied access to the Tsar’s family. She Grand Duchess was placed in a convent, where she was Elizabeth warmly received by the sisters.

Saint Elizabeth was the At the end of May Saint Elizabeth was moved older sister of Tsarina to nearby Alopaevsk with the Grand Dukes Alexandra, and was Sergius, John, and Constantine, and the young married to the Grand Count Vladimir Paley. They were all housed in Duke Sergius, the a schoolhouse on the edge of town. Saint governor of Moscow. Elizabeth was under guard, but was permitted She converted to to go to church and work in the garden. from Protestantism of her own free On the night of July 5, they were all taken to a will, and organized women from all levels of place twelve miles from Alopaevsk, and society to help the soldiers at the front and in executed. The Grand Duke Sergius was shot, the hospitals. but the others were thrown down a mineshaft, Grand Duke Sergius was killed by an then grenades were tossed after them. Saint assassin’s bomb on February 4, 1905, just as Elizabeth lived for several hours, and could be Saint Elizabeth was leaving for her heard singing hymns. workshops. Remarkably, she visited her The bodies of Saint Elizabeth and Saint husband’s killer in prison and urged him to Barbara were taken to Jerusalem in 1920, and repent. buried in the church of Saint Mary After this, she began to withdraw from her Magdalene. former social life. She devoted herself to the