If He Who Can Do All Things gives us His help, is any- thing impossible to achieve?

When we remember this and eagerly apply ourselves to virtuous actions, the evil one, knowing that nothing can be good unless it is done in a good way, strives to persuade us not to accomplish any good work with the object of pleasing God or of winning His approval, but to THE ARCHANGEL look for other people’s approval. By this means he can deprive us of our reward from God and of all spiritual and heavenly honours. Let us frustrate these efforts of his by considering the great recompense St. Orthodox Church stored up for those who live as God pleases, and how insignificant oth- St. Clair, Pennsylvania er people’s approval is. Not only is it not worth mentioning in compar- ison with the great and holy glory to come, but it is also insufficient reason to neglect and waste our flesh.

Even after suffering this defeat, the originator of evil undermined us with pride, the last and worst abyss. He suggests conceited thoughts and persuades us to boast as though we had managed to be virtuous through our own ability and intelligence. But let us remember that the Truth says, “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5), and fend off all the evil one’s schemes. Let us do good works in a good way, with appropriate humility. If someone has a jar of precious per- fume, whether he pours is out on to dung, or pours dung into the jar, he ruins and destroys the perfume. Be aware that, in the same way, whether someone rejects and discards virtue by his inaction, or mixes evil with his virtuous actions, he equally ruins and destroys virtue.

—St. Gregory Palamas September 10, 2017 + Please Remember St. Michael Orthodox Church in your Will +

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

Joseph T. Yarashus: 570-691-4143 the Ethiopian

(Parish Council President) Epistle: 2 Corinthian 1:21-2:4 The Gospel of St. Matthew 22:1-14

Website: www.stmichaelorthodox.org

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

Liturgical Schedule

September 10, SUNDAY Venerable Moses the Ethiopian 9:00 a.m. Confessions 9:30 a.m. Hours of Prayer 10:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

September 11, Monday Beheading of St. Moses lived in Egypt during the fourth century. He was an Ethiopian, and 9:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (Strict Fast) since he was black of skin he was called “Murin” (“like an Ethiopian”). In his youth he September 17, SUNDAY Hieromartyr Babylas

was the slave of an important man, but after he committed a murder, his master ban- ished him, and he joined a band of robbers. 8:45 a.m. Orthodox Education Class Because of his bad character and great physical strength, they chose him as their leader. 9:30 a.m. Hours of Prayer Moses and his band of brigands were feared because of their many evil exploits, includ- 10:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

ing murders and robberies. People trembled at the mere mention of his name. September 20, Wednesday Moses the brigand spent several years leading a sinful life, but through the great mercy 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers with Litija of God he repented, left his band of robbers and went to one of the desert . Here he wept for a long time, begging to be admitted as one of the brethren. September 21, Thursday Nativity of the Mother of God

(Read more about St. Moses in our latest edition of The Church Messenger) 9:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

September 24, SUNDAY Theodora of Alexandria

Sept. 12: Cemetery Work at 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Sept. 21: Holyday Liturgy: Birth of the , 9:00 a.m. September 26, Tuesday Sept. 21: Parish Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers with Litija Sept. 22: Stewardship Conference @ Camp Nazareth (22-24) Sept: 23: Citizen’s Club Bean Soup Sale! September 27, Wednesday Elevation of the Holy Cross 9:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (Strict Fast) Sept. 27: Holyday Liturgy: Elevation of the Holy Cross, 9:00 a.m. Oct. 24: Holyday Liturgy: Protection of the Mother of God, 9:00 a.m. October 01, SUNDAY St. Eumenes of Gortyna

Oct. 28: The Wedding of Katie Verbitsky & Tyler Cawthern 8:45 a.m. Orthodox Education Class Oct. 28: St. Michael’s Food Fair 9:30 a.m. Hours of Prayer Nov. 10: Citizen’s Club Lobsterfest! 10:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Nov. 19: Our St. Michael’s Patron Saint Banquet, following Liturgy Nov. 21: Holyday Liturgy: Archangel MICHAEL, 9:00 a.m.

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