THE INVISIBLE SERPENT, the originator of evil, is inventive, versatile and extremely skillful in contriving wickedness. He has means to hinder our good purposes and actions as soon as they begin. But if he fails to prevent them initially, he sets up other devices by which he can render them useless once they are underway. If he is unable to make them worthless when they are half way to completion, he knows other tricks and ways to in- validate them even once they are finished, and makes them a source not of THE reward but of harm to all but the most careful. First of all he points out how laborious and difficult it is to accomplish virtue. In this way he fills us with laziness and despair, as though we were attempting difficult and impossible St. Orthodox Church things and were therefore incapable of putting our intentions into action. Then he engenders disbelief in the rewards which God has promised to those St. Clair, Pennsylvania who struggle. But we, brethren, should rise above this trap by our soul’s courage, eager- ness and faith. We should bear in mind the fact that just as the earth cannot yield worthwhile fruit without labour, so the soul cannot acquire anything which pleases God or leads to salvation without spiritual struggles. But while it is possible to find earth which is unsuitable for cultivation, every human soul is naturally suited to virtue. As we are all unavoidably condemned, however, by the judgment given against our forefather, to live by labour and toil, let us turn necessity into an honour and willingly offer to God what is ours. Let us give up transitory things in exchange for things that endure, and receive what is beneficial in exchange for what is harmful, transforming short-lived toil into a means to gain eternal ease. If we labour here for the sake of virtue we shall certainly attain to the rest promised in the age to come. He who promised is trustworthy and is at hand to help all who readily take on the struggle for virtue. If He who can do all things gives us His help, is anything impossible to achieve?

—St. Gregory Palamas August 27, 2017 + Please Remember St. Michael Orthodox Church in your Will +

Rev. Fr. Jeff L. Zias: 570-429-0670

Joseph T. Yarashus: 570-691-4143 Holy

(Parish Council President) Epistle: 1 Corinthian 15:1-11 The Gospel of St. Matthew 19:16-26

Website: www.stmichaelorthodox.org

The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE 4

Liturgical Schedule

August 27, SUNDAY Prophet Micah

10:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers with Litija (Blessing of Flowers!)

August 28, Monday Dormition of the Mother of God 9:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (Blessing of Flowers!)

August 30, Wednesday +Harry & Sally Zias 9:00 a.m. Memorial Liturgy, offered by the Zias Family

~ St. Michael’s Calendar of Events ~ September 02, Saturday 6:00 p.m. Vespers (Tone-4) September 03, SUNDAY Apostle Thaddeus

Sept. 11: Holyday Liturgy: Beheading of St. , 9:00 a.m. Sept. 12: Cemetery Work at 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Confessions Sept. 21: Holyday Liturgy: Birth of the , 9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Hours of Prayer Sept. 21: Parish Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sept. 22: Stewardship Conference @ Camp Nazareth (22-24) September 05, Tuesday +Ronald Homa Sept: 23: Citizen’s Club Bean Soup Sale! 9:00 a.m. Memorial Liturgy, offered by Jack & Stephanie Shandor

Sept. 27: Holyday Liturgy: Elevation of the Holy Cross, 9:00 a.m. September 07, Thursday +John Holobetz Oct. 24: Holyday Liturgy: Protection of the Mother of God, 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Memorial Liturgy, offered by John & Lydia Malusky

Oct. 28: The Wedding of Katie Verbitsky & Tyler Cawthern Oct. 28: St. Michael’s Food Fair September 09, Saturday 6:00 p.m. Vespers (Tone-5) Nov. 10: Citizen’s Club Lobsterfest! September 10, SUNDAY Venerable the Ethiopian

Nov. 19: Our St. Michael’s Patron Banquet, following Liturgy 9:00 a.m. Confessions 9:30 a.m. Hours of Prayer Nov. 21: Holyday Liturgy: Archangel MICHAEL, 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

The Holy Prophet Micah was a companion of the holy CONGRATULATIONS to Amanda Sura, newly received into Holy Orthodoxy. prophet Elias. He prophesied the ruin of King in a Amanda was Baptized and Chrismated yesterday, and received the Holy Eucharist war with the Assyrians, for which he was cast into prison. today. May God bless you, Amanda— May you see the good things of the Heavenly Set free after the downfall of Ahab (3 Kings 22: 8-22), the holy all the days of your life. Many Years and God’s Choicest Blessings!

prophet Micah died as a in the ninth century B.C.

—Orthodox Wiki

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