Volume V, Number 8 A friendly Orthodox Christian ‘Zine AUGUST 2010

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST Celebrated August 6

The Grand Mosaic of the Transfiguration Monastery of St. Catherine located at the foot of Mt. Sinai

One work within the Monastery’s main church (Katholikon), deco- rating the sanctuary apse, is particularly notable. The subject of the Transfiguration is very appropriate to this holy site, which is associ- ated with the two instances when God was “seen” by the Prophet and by the Prophet Elijah, the latter of whom had felt God as a light breeze on , below the Peak of the Decalogue. (continued on page 5) THE FRUIT BASKET Edited and published monthly by An Orthodox Christian The goal of this publication is to provide a friendly, light, Orthodox Christian ’Zine (a mini-magazine) that contains a blend of “something to exercise our minds, something to make us laugh, and something to make us meditate on spiritual matters.” It is also a venue for sharing our insights and interests. Articles or comments from our readers are welcome. We reserve the right to edit for suitability, clarity and space. Printing of items does not imply endorsement by the church or the priest or even the editor of this publication. Please call if you need more info. Send comments or articles by phone to Margaret Rusynyk 440-238-7867 after 6 pm. Email to [email protected] or by snail mail to The FRUIT BASKET, 18893 Howe Road Strongsville, OH 44136 © 2010 The FRUIT BASKET

www.sttheodosius.org Click Parish Publications for back issues.

We Got Mail...

Dear Margaret, As a member of the Lay Visitors Ministry Team at St. Matthew’s Orthodox Church, I look forward to visiting members of our parish... We take along on our visits copies of the church bulletin, reprints of recent homilies, and of course, copies of The Fruit Basket. With respect to the latter, I cannot begin to tell you how much our members enjoy reading your publication—they find the articles and special features to be inspirational as well as educational and very entertaining. Keep on bringing us the “good news.” Sincerely, Ralph P. Thank you, Ralph, for your kindness and for letting me know that the goal of The Fruit Basket is being achieved. That is encour- agement indeed! The Editor 2 The FRUIT BASKET AUGUST 2010 MEDITATION FOR AUGUST Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. —A.S. Roche Lord, help me to release my worry and fretting to You—knowing that You hold the future and You want what is best for me. Amen

the Bless Your Heart Each New Day Cal- endar donated by Kathy Z, of Parma

Mount Sinai—Mount Moses John Lloyd Stephens said that “Among all the stupendous works of Nature, not a place can be selected more fitting for the exhibition of Almighty power. is both the name of a collection of peaks, sometimes referred to as the Holy Mountains, and the biblical name of the peak on which Moses received the . Mount Mousa (or Musa), also referred to as Mount Moses or the Mountain of Moses is considered to be that biblical peak. The 7,497 foot mountain has 3,750 steps hewn out of stone by monks of St. Catherine’s Mon- astery, which is located just to the North. The peak is accessible by the steps, or by a gentler path east of the monastery. Both lead to an amphitheater known as the “Seven Elders of Israel”. From there, one must ascend the remaining 750 steps to reach the summit where the Chapel of the Holy Trinity was built in 1934 (on the location of the original chapel built in 363 and rebuilt by Justinian in 530) and affords a truly breathtaking view. It is recommended that you take the steps down, as they will lead you past the fountain of Moses, a small chapel of the Virgin, and two arches, the Gate of St. Stephen and the Gate of the Law. (continued ) 3 ST. CATHERINE’S MONASTERY Located at the foot of Mount Moses, St. Catherine’s Monastery, was constructed by order of the Emperor Justinian between 527 and 565. It is built around what is thought to be Moses’ Burning Bush, which has a chapel built atop it. It is a spectacular natural setting for price- less works of art, including Arab mosaics, Greek and Russian , Western oil paintings, paintings on wax, fine sacerdotal ornaments, marbles, enamels, chalices, reliquaries, including one donated by Czar Alexander II in the 19th century, and another by Empress Catherine of Russia in the 17th century. But of perhaps even greater significance is that it is one of the largest and most important collec- tion of illuminated manuscripts in the world (The Vatican has the largest). The collection consists of some 4,500 volumes in Greek, Coptic, Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Slavic, Syriac, Georgian and other languages.

St. Catherine’s has a rich history indeed. So rich that it is a sparkling example of an undiscovered jewel of travel. It has been called the oldest working Christian monastery and the smallest diocese in the world. The Chapel of the Burning Bush was originally ordered built by Empress Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great, but the monastery itself was actually built by Emperor Justinian to protect the monks in the region and to honor the site of the Burning Bush. St. Catherine, whose body was reportedly carried away by angels, was discovered five hundred years later at the top of the peak that now bears her name. Her relics are stored in a marble reliquary in the Basilica. We have additional 4 The FRUIT BASKET AUGUST 2010 pictures of this church, and of its interior. St. Catherine’s is also a formidable fortification, with granite walls measuring 8 to 35 meters tall, surrounded by gardens and cypresses. Prior to probably the twentieth century, the only entrance to St. Catherine’s was a small door 30 feet high, where provisions and people were lifted with a system of pulleys, and where food was often lowered to nomads. It has withstood numerous attacks over its 14 hundred year existence, thus protecting a rich store of art. Today, while it is one of the oldest monasteries in the world, its original, preserved state is un- matched. Though patronized during much of its history by the Russian Orthodox Church, it is now under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Church. Most of its monks are also of Greek origin, though their ranks include an international flavor.

The Grand Mosaic of the Transfiguration (continued from front cover) Moreover, this has been par excellence the favorite subject of the monks who aspire to holiness, to become worthy of contemplating and viewing God’s ineffable glory, the increate Taborian Light. Christ is portrayed with black hair and beard in an oval “glory” between Moses and Elijah who represent the Law and the prophets. Below, the three awed disciples are pictured in different poses. This superb mosaic must have been made by master mosaicists who had come from Constantinople. Cleaning and conservation operations, undertaken in 1958 by American experts, revealed the brightness and delicacy of the colors, the lively treatment of the subject and the excel- lent quality of this unique work of art. Because of the sanctity and spirituality of the site and the famous mosaic of the Transfiguration, the Monastery’s church (Katholikon) became known with the passing of centuries as “Church of the Transfiguration of Christ the Savior”. To this day it is known under this name, in addition to the original name in honor of the Virgin of the Burning Bush and the later one in honor of St. Catherine. á Condensed Articles and photos were obtained from the following website: http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/catherines2-49.htm 5 Procession of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord (First of the three “Feasts of the Savior” in August) Commemorated on August 1

Kontakion - Tone 4 As You were voluntarily crucified for our sake, Grant mercy to those who are called by Your name; Make all Orthodox Christians glad by Your power, Granting them victories over their adversaries, By bestowing on them the invincible trophy, Your weapon of peace!

á

Troparion - Tone 1 O Lord, save Your people, And bless Your inheritance! Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians Over their adversaries. And by virtue of the Cross, Preserve Your habitation!

6 The FRUIT BASKET AUGUST 2010 The Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ (Second “Feast of the Savior” in August) Commemorated on August 6

Kontakion - Tone 7 On the Mountain You were Transfigured, O Christ God, And Your disciples beheld Your glory as far as they could see it; So that when they would behold You crucified, They would understand that Your suffering was voluntary, And would proclaim to the world, That You are truly the Radiance of the Father!

Troparion - Tone 7 You were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, revealing Your glory to Your disciples as far as they could bear it. Let Your everlasting Light also shine upon us sinners, through the prayers of the . O Giver of Light, glory to You!

7 THE DORMITION OF THETHEOTOKOS AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY Commemorated on August 15 Kontakion - Tone 2 Neither the tomb, nor death could hold the Theotokos, Who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions. For being the Mother of Life, She was translated to life by the One who dwelt in her virginal womb.

Troparion - Tone 1 In giving birth you preserved your , In falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. You were translated to life, O Mother of Life, And by your prayers, you deliver our souls from death. 8 The FRUIT BASKET AUGUST 2010 SELECTED DIRECTIVES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE Compiled by Father George Timko

We are created to be mindful of God. Therefore the spiritual worker must struggle with his mind toward the goal of perfectly enshrining the mindfulnessof God within his heart. The mindfulness of God is estab- lished within us through watchfulness and attention. But for this to happen within us, there is the need of a mental warfare more difficult than any physical warfare. For it is by means of the mind that the spirits of evil wage an invisible war against the Soul. But by keeping watch with the mind, we can kill all the sinful spirits and win the war.

Working with the mind is the true philosophy of Christ. We engage in this work by innerly watching the mind and by guarding the mind. We must begin this work by exercising self-control with regard to our food, eating and drinking as little as possible. Working with the mind trains and purifies the mind and changes it from an impassioned state to a dispassioned state. Working with the mind is like creating a window full of light through which God enters and reveals Himself to the mind. Watchfulness of mind may properly be called a spiritual path leading both to the Kingdom of God within us and that which is to come. —Philotheos of Sinai—

Our mind is very volatile. If it is not secured by some meditation, it never stops wandering around. The mind cannot be kept from wander- ing without the practice of psalmody and prayer and reading the Divine Scriptures. These activities strengthen the mind and keep the thoughts from roaming about and constantly implant in the soul the mindfulness of God. All this recollects the mind into singleness, and keeps it from whirling about until true contemplation comes. —Isaac of Syria—

Do you seek the Lord? Then seek Him within yourself. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him. Simply fold the wings of the mind and descend into the place of the heart. For everyone who meets the Lord meets Him there. —Theophan the Recluse—

9 CAN YOU FIND A FACE IN THE PICTURE?

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Submitted by Kathy B.

Submitted by June K 10 The FRUIT BASKET AUGUST 2010 UNIVERSAL LAWS Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you’ll have to use the restroom. Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner. Law of Probability - The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act. Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers. Law of the Alibi - If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire. Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now. Law of Close Encounters - The probability of meeting someone you know in the grocery store increases dramatically when you are looking your worst. Law of the Result - When you try to prove to someone that a machine won’t work, it will. Law of Biomechanics - The severity of the itch is inversely propor- tional to the reach. Law of the Theater - At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last. The Starbucks Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold. Murphy’s Law of Lockers - If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers. Law of Physical Surfaces - The chances of an open-faced jelly sand- wich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug. Oliver’s Law of Public Speaking - A closed mouth gathers no feet. Wilson’s Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy - As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it. Doctors’ Law - If you don’t feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you’ll feel better. Don’t make an appointment and you’ll stay sick.. á Submitted by Kathy B. 11 WORD SEARCH FOR AUGUST

ZYCPHNO I TARUG I FSNART NSRRRCMCFWTSUSEHPELC J ELXFOBRNLDFMCROSSL B Z I VKMDPDEOGCRQXHLZVO VLEYPQLHTDRRARFNGQXJ PFNCDRHREFNYAATNLFMN TRHMOZZTVTSAMPSLRBKE ME E J RNR L Z NS T XRE I NXQV RTRKMLZNAHJATEYSNFLV TTMDI TMKNODKMI LTJEQN WU AR T C J WN J F J B U K A R T V G RBNI I VTJ ATVBRXEHTARH RHOGOWLHSSMYRYVLOSMQ SCFHNKTTUFQPQWJFDNJY ERATORTGSONMXBRTKKSS VALEFNBNRGHMKNFJWWRE ENAOTZQDYNYLNNCKEEH I NOSUHZCXT I J VXGMETTMM SMKSEL JMRDBRMKTAFALS L N AGOVDN A AMQMCWOGN E K EYTATMRXMEBLOFNEAVNL E L KMOL VL THRROOOMEXML PVCAKTDMNENG I F I NTWXG EMLLOKLAFBNSCSMPMTLR RP L I SF I RP I SHOAXDLFDV SZXEML BRSERZRLNNCLWM OZQL I ZNSC I NTSTHERMAN FJ ZMQTEOSEYL VBRCZNCM ZWENGLRTVRJ YBWNGFL TN BTRBBPLMSLBBHJ NNTQDR SXEMORFOECNERWALNKHR LDORMI T I ONFASTXBMHBT

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. 12 The FRUIT BASKET AUGUST 2010 WORD SEARCH LIST FOR AUGUST BEHEADING OF ST JOHN BLESSING OF WATERS SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESUS DORMITION FAST ST ALEXANDER DORMITION OF THEOTOKOS ST EMILIAN GRAPES ST HERMAN IMAGE OF CHRIST ST TIKHON LAWRENCE OF ROME SWEET CORN MARTYR MYRON TRANSFIGURATION MARTYR SUSANNA VEN HERMAN OF ALASKA MONARCH BUTTERFLIES VEN ISAAC PROCESSION OF THE CROSS VEN JOB PROPHET SAMUEL VEN ZOSIMA RIGHTEOUS GAMALIEL SEVEN MARTYRS

BIBLE BRAIN WORKOUT FOR AUGUST 351. Where do we find the most ancient example of a snob? 352. Where is Moses spoken of as being a king? 353. Which two men in Scripture are described as threshing wheat? 354. Who was commanded to make a picture of Jerusalem on a tile? 355. Which king paid two talents of silver to purchase a hill, on which he built a city and named it after the original owner of the hill? 356. Which prophet predicterd that a stone shall cry out and a beam shall answer it? 357. Under what circumstances was a Hebrew thief to be sold into slavery? 358. Where do we read of a fighting man who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot? 359. At what solemn festival is it recorded that the noise of the shout of joy couldn’t be distinguished from the noise of the weeping of the people? 360. The Bible only twice mentions science, once in a good sense and once in a bad sense—where? Answers on page 19 How did you score? A+ Bible Scholar 6 or more Correct ; A Superior 5 +correct; B+ Pretty good 3+ correct: C Fair 2+ correct; Less than 2, an opportunity to make reading the Bible daily a wonderful habit! 13 DOUBLE MEANING WORD PUZZLES Each of the word puzzles below is a visual representation of a common word, phrase, or cliche. Can you decipher them? You need to think outside the box-- Example Answer to puzzle A is the common expres- sion for having cheated A. on one’s lover. two-timed

B. OVER Answer: Over the edge

Est. Est. RIGHT Est. Est. 1.______2.______

1 3 5 7 EKORTS U 9

3.______4.______

Submitted by John S.

These are pretty hard. Let me know if you can get any of them. The Editor

14 The FRUIT BASKET AUGUST 2010 CRYPTOGRAM CHALLENGE FOR AUGUST The following message is written in code.Your task is to figure out which real letters the code letters stand for. Start by writing the real letters (shown in the Cheat Chart below) above the code letters in the mes- sage. That should help you to figure out some of the words and addi- tional letters.

H X G E Q J W G T X P W Z X S X V M O

R J N W R J Y Y W W N , C W M V G

G B X K M W K X M G R Z X S X S R H H

M X V K V B V M D X Q G R C S X N W

J W G Y R D X E K . Y V H V G R V J Q

To make this more of a challenge cover up or have somebody cross out some or even all of the Cheat Chart.

CHEAT CHART--IT GIVES YOU SOME OF THE LETTERS. REAL LETTERS a e i g o d r y t CODE LETTERS V X R Y W N M O G

Tougher Challenge for the Whiz Kids!

Y X T A E S Y W O E G J E O W W P

K T D R Y E Y G W J G Q Y W Y K S Y W

Z T A X E Y S W R P T Q G K T Y W

E D D T E K .

W=0 More clues if needed on p. 19

15 WHY WOMEN LIVE LONGER THAN MEN

Submitted by Augie

Wonder what he makes At least someone’s hold- an hour? ing the ladder steady! It can’t be enough.

It starts at a young age and only gets worse! 16 The FRUIT BASKET AUGUST 2010 HOW ADAM GOT EVE Adam was hanging around the garden of Eden feeling very lonely. So, God asked him, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ Adam said he didn’t have anyone to talk to. God said that He was going to make Adam a companion and that it would be a woman. He said, ‘This pretty lady will gather food for you, she will cook for you, and when you discover clothing, she will wash it for you. She will always agree with every decision you make and she will not nag you, and will always be the first to admit she was wrong when you’ve had a disagreement. She will praise you! She will bear your children. and never ask you to get up in the middle of the night to take care of them. She will NEVER have a headache and will freely give you love and passion whenever you need it.’ Adam asked God, “What will a woman like this cost?” God replied, “An arm and a leg.” Submitted Then Adam asked, “What can I get for a rib?” by Augie Of course the rest is history...... !!!!

HAR-DEE HAR HAR! I was in the express lane at the store quietly fuming. Completely ignoring the sign, the woman ahead of me had slipped into the check- out line pushing a cart piled high with groceries. Imagine my delight when the cashier beckoned the woman to come forward looked into the cart and asked sweetly, ‘So which six items would you like to buy?

John was on his deathbed and gasped pitifully. ‘Give me one last request, dear,’he said. ’Of course, John,’ his wife said softly. ’Six months after I die,’ he said, ‘I want you to marry Bob. ’But I thought you hated Bob,’ she said. With his last breath John said, ‘I do!’

The reason congressmen try so hard to get re-elected is that they would hate to have to make a living under the laws they’ve passed. 17 FOOD FOR THOUGHT I Believe...That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them I Believe...That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. I Believe...That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others— sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief. Submitted by Augie

submit- ted by June K.

“You idiot, He said, “Cast the nets!” Answers to Word puzzle 1. Right Angle [the word Right is written at an angle.] 2. Forest (Four--EST. s ) 3. Back STROKE [stroke is written backwards.] 4. Odds are against you [odd numbers are typed against the letter U] These are really tough to figure out. If you guessed any of them you are to be congratulated. Better luck next month. The Editor.

BIBLE BRAIN WORKOUT answers for AUGUST 351. Gen. 24:29-31 356. Hab. 2:11 352. Deut. 33:5 357. Ex. 22:2-3 353. Judg. 6:11; 358. 2 Sam. 21:20 1 Chron. 21:20 359. Ezra 3:12-13 354. Ezek. 4:1 360 Dan. 1:4; 1 Tim.6:20 355. 1 Kings 16:24 18 The FRUIT BASKET AUGUST 2010 The Talking Centipede A single guy decided life would be more fun if he had a pet.. So he went to the pet store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet. After some discussion, he finally bought a talking centipede, (100-legged bug), which came in a little white box to use for his house. He took the box back home, found a good spot for the box, and decided he would start off by taking his new pet to church with him. So he asked the centipede in the box, “Would you like to go to church with me today? We will have a good time.” But there was no answer from his new pet. This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked again, “How about going to church with me and receive blessings?” But again, there was no answer from his new friend and pet. The guy decided to invite the centipede one last time. This time he put his face up against the centipede’s house and shouted, “Hey, in there! Would you like to go to church with me and learn about God?” ..This time, a little voice came out of the box, “I heard you the first time! I’m putting on my shoes!”

Save Monarchs. Plant Milkweeds

submitted by June K. Clues for Tougher Cryptogram D=p S=y 19 THE FRUIT BASKET 18893 Howe Road Strongsville, OH 44136 Sunshine Greetings from St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral

CALENDAR for AUGUST 1 Procession of the Lifegiving Cross 1-14 Dormition Fast Blessing of Waters 6 Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 9 Ven. Herman of Alaska 15 Dormition of the Most-Holy Theotokos 29 Beheading of St. John the Baptist