Ambo ST. THEODOSIUS ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL

Mailing: 733 Starkweather Avenue JANUARY 13, 2019 Cleveland, Ohio 44113 T 216. 741. 1310 SUNDAY AFTER F 216. 623. 1092 THEOPHANY www.sttheodosius.org - Archpriest John Zdinak, Dean [email protected] ST. NINA OF Cell: 216. 554. 7282 - Protodeacon Daniel Boerio

- Subdeacon Theodore Lentz, Sacristan

- Reader Julius Kovach, Ecclesiarch & Choirmaster

- Reader Paul Pangrace, Ambo Editor

Divine Services Eve Sundays & Feast Days 5:00 PM Confessions 6:00 PM Great Vespers Sundays and Feast Days 8:40 AM 3rd and 6th Hour 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy * AMBO: Articles for publication should be submitted to: [email protected] by Wednesday of each week before noon. * CALENDAR: Event dates must be submitted by the 15th of each month. JANUARY 14

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The virgin Nino of was a relative of Great-martyr George and the only daughter of a widely respected and honorable couple. Her father was a Roman army chief by the name of Zabulon, and her mother, Sosana, was the sister of Patriarch Juvenal of Jerusalem. When Nino reached the age of twelve, her parents sold all their possessions and moved to Jerusalem. Soon after, Nino’s father was tonsured a monk. He bid farewell to his family and went to labor in the wilderness of the Jordan.

After Sosana had been separated from her husband, Patriarch Juvenal ordained her a deaconess. She left her daughter Nino in the care of an old woman, Sara Niaphor, who raised her in the Christian Faith and related to her the stories of Christ’s life and His suffering on earth. It was from Sara that Nino learned how Christ’s Robe had arrived in Georgia, a country of pagans.

Soon Nino began to pray fervently to the , asking for her blessing to travel to Georgia and be made worthy to venerate the Sacred Robe that she had woven for her beloved Son. The Most Holy Virgin heard her prayers and appeared to Nino in a dream, saying, “Go to the country that was assigned to me by lot and preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will send down His grace upon you and I will be your protector.”

But the blessed Nino was overwhelmed at the thought of such a great responsibility and answered, “How can I, a fragile woman, perform such a momentous task, and how can I believe that this vision is real?” In response, the Most Holy Theotokos presented her with a of grapevines and proclaimed, “Receive this cross as a shield against visible and invisible enemies!”

When she awoke, Nino was holding the cross in her hands. She dampened it with tears of rejoicing and tied it securely with strands of her own hair. (According to another source, the Theotokos bound the grapevine cross with strands of her own hair.)

Nino related the vision to her uncle, Patriarch Juvenal, and revealed to him her desire to preach the Gospel in Georgia. Juvenal led her in front of the Royal Doors, laid his hands on her, and prayed, “O Lord, God of Eternity, I beseech Thee on behalf of my orphaned niece: Grant that, according to Thy will, she may go to preach and proclaim Thy Holy Resurrection. O Christ God, be Thou to her a guide, a refuge, and a spiritual father. And as Thou didst enlighten the Apostles and all those who feared Thy name, do Thou also enlighten her with the wisdom to proclaim Thy glad tidings.”

When Nino arrived in Rome, she met and baptized the princess Rhipsimia and her nurse, Gaiana. At that time the Roman emperor was Diocletian, a ruler infamous for persecuting Christians. Diocletian (284-305) fell in love with Rhipsimia and resolved to marry her, but , Rhipsimia, Gaiana, and fifty other virgins escaped to . The furious Diocletian ordered his soldiers to follow them and sent a messenger to Tiridates, the Armenian king (286-344), to put him on guard.

King Tiridates located the women and, following Diocletian’s example, was charmed by Rhipsimia’s beauty and resolved to marry her. But Saint Rhipsimia would not consent to wed him, and in his rage the king had her tortured to death with Gaiana and the fifty other virgins. Saint Nino, however, was being prepared for a different, greater task, and she succeeded in escaping King Tiridates’ persecutions by hiding among some rose bushes.

When she finally arrived in Georgia, Saint Nino was greeted by a group of Mtskhetan shepherds near Lake Paravani, and she received a blessing from God to preach to the pagans of this region.

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 2 With the help of her acquaintances Saint Nino soon reached the city of Urbnisi. She remained there a month, then traveled to with a group of who were making a pilgrimage to venerate the pagan idol Armazi. There she watched with great sadness as the Georgian people trembled before the idols. She was exceedingly sorrowful and prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, send down Thy mercy upon this nation

...that all nations may glorify Thee alone, the One True God, through Thy Son, Jesus Christ.”

Suddenly a violent wind began to blow and hail fell from the sky, shattering the pagan statues. The terrified worshipers fled, scattering across the city.

Saint Nino made her home beneath a bramble bush in the garden of the king, with the family of the royal gardener. The gardener and his wife were childless, but through Saint Nino’s prayers God granted them a child. The couple rejoiced exceedingly, declared Christ to be the True God, and became disciples of Saint Nino. Wherever Saint Nino went, those who heard her preach converted to the Christian Faith in great numbers. Saint Nino even healed the terminally ill Queen Nana after she declared Christ to be the True God.

King Mirian, a pagan, was not at all pleased with the great impression Saint Nino’s preaching had made on the Georgian nation. One day while he was out hunting, he resolved to kill all those who followed Christ.

According to his wicked scheme, even his wife, Queen Nana, would face death for failing to renounce the Christian Faith. But in the midst of the hunt, it suddenly became very dark. All alone, King Mirian became greatly afraid and prayed in vain for the help of the pagan gods. When his prayers went unanswered, he finally lost hope and, miraculously, he turned to Christ: “God of Nino, illumine this night for me and guide my footsteps, and I will declare Thy Holy Name. I will erect a cross and venerate it and I will construct for Thee a temple. I vow to be obedient to Nino and to the Faith of the Roman people!”

Suddenly the night was transfigured, the sun shone radiantly, and KingMirian gave great thanks to the Creator. When he returned to the city, he immediately informed Saint Nino of his decision. As a result of the unceasing labors of Equal-to-the-Apostles Nino, Georgia was established as a nation solidly rooted in the Christian Faith.

Saint Nino reposed in the village of Bodbe in eastern Georgia and, according to her will, she was buried in the place where she took her last breath. King Mirian later erected a church in honor of over her grave.

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 3 BIBLE READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 13

Jan. 13 Eph. 4:7-13 Jan. 15 Heb. 4:1-13 Jan. 18 Heb. 7:18-25 Matt. 4:12-17 Luke 21:12-19 Luke 21:37-22:8

Jan. 14 Heb. 3:5-11,17-19 Jan. 16 Heb. 5:11-6:8 Jan. 19 Eph. 2:11-13 Luke 20:27-44 Luke 21:5-7,10-11, Luke 13:18-29 20-24

Jan. 17 Heb. 7:1-6 Luke 21:28-33

As Fr. John had mentioned, we are going try to assemble a small group of volunteers to serve dinner at St. Herman's. We can do as much (prep, cook, serve, clean up) or as little (simply serve) as we would like, and we can do it anywhere from each week to once a quarter. What's important is that we have dedicated folks involved. There are 2 couples who have stepped up the plate, but we can use more help. We would like to be ready to go before Great Lent. We don't need to have a lot of people, we need commitment If you would like to help, please see Dan Morris. Thank you for your consideration.

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 4 We have an update on the status of the proposal to change the existing dome lighting to LED:

We now have pricing for the complete project, including labor and a new time clock, as follows:

PROPOSED PROJECT COST A total of 12 fixtures approximately $1,500/ea. = $18,000.00 Mounting brackets, a new time clock, labor and 85’ lift rental = $18,000.00 TOTAL PROJECT COST: $36,000.00

To-date, we have received donations amounting to $7,000.00. We continue to seek your support. However, we will not begin the project until we have 75% of the funds in-hand. Therefore, we will be taking donations in the form of pledges. Michael & Joyce Tabeling and Fr. John are available to answer any questions you may have.

(to clarify: the image above is a computer generated image of the proposed new lighting)

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 5 PRAYER REQUESTS

Departed:

Love Ward (Susan Lentz’s mother) Joseph Gammalo Debra Parhamovich (Karen Felon’s sister) 12-06-18 Aleksei Green Grace Parhamovich (Karen Felon’s Don Hinkle mother) Ill Afflicted & Matthew Hunly (Phyllis Tala Pavicic Special Intentions: Gindlesperger’s brother-in-law) James Peter Petkac Joy Jahans (friend of Paul Pangrace) Anastasia Pogorily Fr. Basil Stoyka Stephen Jahans (friend of Paul Matushka Susanne Senyo James Marshall Prock Pangrace) Elena Rich (Jerry Czajkowski’s Matushka Laryssa Hutnyan Diane Kearsey (Janice Tkacz’s sister) daughter) Archpriest Theodore Bobosh Lacey Kihn (friend of Michael Udell) Julia Sankovic (Child) Child Katie Repasky (friend of Fr. Mara Kilbane (Melissa John) McCutcheon’s granddaughter) Andrew Sykaluk Child Mary Kate Zweidunger John Kovalski (friend of Paul Elaine Sudnick (Joy Pfeiffer’s Melissa (cousin of Mary Ann Kovach) Pangrace) mother) Julia Kathy Kuzmins Tony Sykaluk (friend of Lydia Dan Aleksandrovic Janet Laganiak (cousin to Pogorily Mytrohovich) Mollie Aleksandrovic family) Janice Tkacz Christopher Baymiller (friend of Chris Magee (Erin Zawolowycz’s Gregory Verbick (friend of Paul Paul Pangrace) brother) Pangrace) Paula Baymiller (friend of Paul Melissa McCutcheon Eleanor Wachovec (friend of Karen Pangrace) Michael McCutcheon Felon) Debbie Bazelides (Judy Schwind’s Marguerite Mihal (Paul Mihal’s Robert Walsh (friend of The Felons) cousin) mother) Colleen Walsh (friend of the The Carol Bohurjak Paul Mihal Felons) Marie Borland Natalya Miller (Arlene Neale’s Elisabeth Wright (friend of Paul Sandra Brello great-niece) Pangrace) Gregory Cervo Andrew Mytrohovich Malcolm Wright (friend of Paul Elsie Conrad Bert Nielsen (Paul Pangrace’s Pangrace) Arlene Czajkowski brother-in-law) Erin Zawolowycz Jerry Czajkowski Carol Nielsen (Paul Pangrace’s Theodore Zolikoff (Nick Zolikoff’s Horia Dascalescu (Lavinia Morris’s sister) father) brother) Daniel O’Donnell Debra Ellis Pat O’Donnell Jeremy (Nisi Pozderac’s son) and Gregory Galan Patricia Owens Yvonne Pozderac & Unborn Child

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 6 Welcome Visitors Our parish welcomes you and thanks you for joining us at today’s Divine Liturgy. While only Orthodox Christians may approach the chalice for Holy Communion, everyone is welcome to partake of the Holy Bread after Liturgy. You are also invited to join us for fellowship in the Parish Hall following Liturgy.

COFEE HOUR & GREETERS SCHEDULES Coffee Hour: Greeters: 1/13/19 Joyce Tabeling & Judy Schwind Paul Pangrace & Michael Tabeling 1/20/19 Shawna Whitlock & Gayle Vidovich Sonia Vorell & Virginia Medvec 1/27/19 Lauren Miklos & Chanda Czaruk Karen Felon & Michael Tabeling 2/3/19 Cathy Weber & Mat. Jenn Boerio Tammy & Eva Ponomarenko 2/10/19 Mat. Cindy Zdinak & Tammy Ponomarenko The Eppele Family 2/17/19 Paul & Deborah Finley Mat. Jenn Boerio & Paul Pangrace 2/24/19 Dan & Lavinia Morris Linda Smotzer & Michael Tabeling

FOOD PANTRY

Our Food Pantry ministry continues through Merrick House. They currently use the bags in their Moms First program. We can always use your help by "sponsoring a bag". Envelopes are in the foyer, $10 fills a bag. Thank you and God bless you for helping those in need. - Dan Morris

Dome Lighters Donations to offset the cost of lighting the domes can be made for The Health Of or In Memory Of your loved ones. Contact the Parish Office if you are interested. For the entire 2019 year:

In loving memory of Olga Fritskey from John & Ruth Fritskey

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 7 St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 8 Please join ZOE for Life! as we

Pray for the Unborn

Sunday, January 20, 2019 6:00 Supplication Service at The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 8235 Memphis Road Brooklyn, OH 44144

Guest Speaker: Fr. Andrew Harmon Light Refreshments Will be Served For Information call: 440-893-9990

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral Ambo - Page 9 WEEKLY

SCHEDULE

Sunday, Jan. 13 2019 Thursday, Jan. 17 SUNDAY AFTER THEOPHANY VEN. AND GOD-BEARING FATHER MARTYRS HERMYLUS ANTHONY THE GREAT AND STRATONICUS REMINDER: 11:00 AM Faith Enrichment @ Copper Stone ST. HILARY OF POITIERS Please be sure 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy that cell phones are turned off before entering Friday, Jan. 18 the temple. ST. ATHANASIUS THE GREAT Monday, Jan. 14 ST. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA HOLY FATHERS SLAIN AT RAITHU ST. NINA OF GEORGIA, EQUAL-TO-THE-APOSTLES Saturday, Jan. 19 VEN. MACARIUS THE GREAT JANUARY ST. MARK, ARCHBISHOP OF Tuesday, Jan. 15 EPHESUS VEN. PAUL OF THEBES Special Collection 6:00 PM Great Vespers VEN. JOHN CALABYTES VEN. GABRIEL OF LESNOVO THE DEANERY Sunday, Jan. 20 VEN. EUTHYMIUS THE GREAT Wednesday, Jan. 16 MARTYRS INNAS, PINNAS VENERATION OF THE CHAINS AND RIMMAS OF THE HOLY APOSTLE PETER 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy ST. HONORATUS OF ARLES 6:00 PM Zoe for Life! Supplication Service @ Good Shepherd Church

St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral 733 Starkweather Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44113 JANUARY

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