Sunday, September 15, 2019 Tone 4 Gospel: St. Matthew 21:33-42 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 16:13-24 13th Sunday after Pentecost Greatmartyr Nicetas (Nikita) the Goth Sunday after Elevation SEPTEMBER Bulletin Sponsor: Fr. Andrew In memory of His Grace, Bishop John Martin DANBURY FOOD PANTRY - Liturgical & Events Schedule

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F Shooting victims from Odessa TX Chandelier: ($50) OPEN H Altar Candles: ($50) OPEN Candles on the tomb: ($25) OPEN Eternal Light & Icon Screen: ($25) Jean H: SEPTEMBER SPECIAL memory of her mother, Helen Pipenur COLLECTION Support our Seminarians Month (SOS)

110 E Main Street, Marblehead, OH 43440 Rectory 419-798-4591 / Cell 570-212-8747 www.holyassumptionmarblehead.org [email protected] ATTENDANCE - SEPTEMBER Bishop Paul's Travel Schedule Sunday September 1: 33 Total (22 members; 2 non-member reg.; 3 children; 6 guests; 24 Christ the Savior Church, Chicago, IL, September Communicants; 13 attended Vespers 13th to 15th  Feast of the Exaltation Sunday, September 8: 34 Total (22 members; 1 st non-reg; 3 children; 8 guests; 28 communicants; 27 St. Nicholas Church Joliet, IL, September 21 to attended Vespers 22nd Holy Resurrection Church, Fargo, ND, September 28th to September 30th MONTHLY TITHING ONLY  10th Anniversary of Mission, church to be Goal Pledged per month: $4,100 elevated to parish status

Sunday, September 1: $790 Sunday, September 8: $869 September Cleaners Readers Social OTHER WEEKLY INCOME 1 Tina R. Wayne Open Sunday, September 1: $27 candles; $55 Vigils; 8 Open Tim POT-LUCK $45 Special Collection (SOS Month). 15 Laura K Joe S Open 22 Joe & Valerie S Ron Open Sunday, September 8: $27 Candles; $120 Vigils; 29 Sandy Martin Natalie Open $110 Special Collection for August; $260 Special Collection (SOS Month); $110 Cemetery; $225 into Building Fund. PRAY FOR OUR CATECHUMENS

VIGILS-SEPTEMBER 8 Tim Heffernan Rachael Adamcio Basil Glovinsky (1) Birthday blessings to Julia Luke Welch Lydia Welch Tristen Welch Susan Guzy (4) Special intentions Laura Kovach (4) Safe travels for family; Health of Possible Catechumans: Maddie, Joe, Joe, Mark, Lisa, Dana, Julia, Steve; Special intentions; Special intentions Loreen Welch Cheyenne Welch Sandy Martin (1) Special intentions May God & the Holy Spirit guide them in their Jim Mazur(2) Health of family and friends journey in the Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Darlene, Nick and Gabe Mazurik (2) Special way of Life. intentions Twarek (7) Safe travel for Bishop Paul and all servers; Health and recovery of Steve Turinsky; Last weekend during his visit, His Birthday blessing to Julia; Birthday blessings to Grace Bishop Paul officially in- Zach (9/8); Birthday blessings to Chris and stalled Fr. Andrew as Rector of Brandon (9/7); Health of Liz, Christine, MaryAnn Holy Assumption. and Bob, Joe, Sonya, Julia, Diane, Stella, Ron, John, Becky, Jake, Helen; Special intentions Congratulations Fr. Andrew!

110 E Main Street, Marblehead, OH 43440 Rectory 419-798-4591 / Cell 570-212-8747 www.holyassumptionmarblehead.org [email protected] PG 2 PRAYER LIST Updated 9-10 Clergy: Helen Jean Rofkar (Elchisco) Mat. Carley & her unborn Joe Rose His Beatitude, Metropolitan Theodosius baby (Cathedral in Chicago) Margaret Rose His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman Elizabeth McDonald & her Steven Schirtzinger (Soski) John Duranko (Father’s home pastor) unborn Baby (Fr’s friend) Christy Schutt (Joe’s sister) James Gleason (Father’s Spiritual Father) Peter Truta (Jean H’s cousin) Moses Barry Diane Tryon Military: Joseph Gibson Greg Tryon Craig Cassell Emilian Hutnyan Christine Twarek Nathan Brown Josef Von Klarr Valentin (Cassell) Vladimir Lecko Bob Whitham (Fr’s cousin) Christopher Phillips Captives: Katie and her newborn Bodhi Metropolitan Paul Peter Tutko (Cassell’s daughter-in-law) Deacon Paul Mitchell (Orthodox Archdiocese of Deacon Mark Sauskojus Aleppo) Sub-deacon Wylie Meath Other Requests: Archbishop John (Syriac Archdiocese of Alexia Aleppo) George Bicheler Matushkii: The UN & IOCC humanitar- Dick Biro (Natalie’s friend) Pani Patricia Duranko ian aid workers in & around Anna Burch (Wayne’s friend) Virginia Lecko Syria; Those suffering perse- Mary Ann Cook (Twarek) Sonya Tutko cution in Iraq, Syria, Israel, Bob Cook (Twarek) Victoria Kopistiansky Egypt, and through- Danielle (Cassell’s friend) out the world Parishioners / & their Family: Ben Franklin (Laura friend) Theodore Geletka John Beadle (Elcishko) NOTE: Please let Fr. Andrew (St. Michael Broadview Heights’ MaryAnn Cook (Cousin to Twarek’s) know when someone needs to choir director) John Richard Elchisco go on or come off the list. Brad George (Christi’s friend) Ruthe Flewelling Donald Gresh (Basil) Debbie Garnek (Roddie’s sister) Elliot Joy (Police chief’s son) Michael Glovinsky (Basil’s nephew) Tommy Leonchik (Fr’s friend) Basil Glovinsky Jake Lipstraw (Twarek) Ernest Gresh (Basil’s nephew) Anna Maiani (Friend of Wayne) For Your Prayers Shirley Gresh (Wife of Ernest) Pauline Meath (Fr’s) Aldin Griffith (Soski) Julia Guzy (96 yrs old) Charlie Nowak (Avery’s) Julia Guzy 1601 Church Rd Debbie Pribanic (Golob) Joseph Habegger (Laura brother-in-law) Marblehead, OH 43440 Beth Reinhard (Diane friend) Alice Jackson (Mazurik) Elvis Reyes (Fr’s friend) Michael Kouznetsov (Mary Hiser’s son) Please remember her & Susan Sandy Scafaria (friend of Jean) Kristen (Cassell’s daughter) (her daughter) in your prayers. Matthew Sterling (Tyron) David LaValle (Fr.’s cousin) Send a card of greeting. Janice Timko Eileen Libb (Royhab) Becky Yatsko (Twarek) Helen Lis Rachel (Darlene M.) Walter Litzie (Fr.’s cousin) Bonnie (Cassell) Maria (Terrie’s mom) Kim (Cassell) Greg Mazur Sharon (Cassell) Jim Mazur Susan (Cassell) Judy Mazurik (Paul Mazurik’s) Dominic (Cassell) Baby Stella Miller Alllison Spoerl (Cassell) Katelyn Pipenur (Niece of Jean)

110 E Main Street, Marble798-4591 / Cell 570-212-8747 PG 3 Locum Tenens announced for the Diocese Fr. Georges Florovsky, John Kolchin, Metropolitan of New England and the Albanian Makary, Fr. John Meyendorff, Nicholas Ozerov, An- Archdiocese thony Repella, and Fr. Alexander Schmemann. In On Tuesday evening, September 3, the Holy Synod of addition to this vast resource of physical materials, Bishops of the Orthodox Church met via teleconfer- patrons of the Library also enjoy access to the Ameri- ence in Special Session under the presidency of His can Theological Library Association Serials (ATLAS) Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon. At this meeting, the Database and collections of other libraries in the New Holy Synod declared vacant the sees of the Diocese of York Area Theological Libraries Association (NYAT- New England and the Albanian Archdiocese following LA), of which St. Vladimir’s Seminary was a founding the death of His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon. member.

At this same meeting, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon informed the members of the Holy Synod that The Universal Exaltation of the Precious he would be the locum tenens for these two dioceses. and Life-Giving Cross Commemorated on September 14

St. Vladimir’s Seminary launches search The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Creating Cross of the Lord: The pagan Roman emperors tried to for new librarian completely eradicate from human memory the holy St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary [SV- places where our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and was OTS] has announced a job opening for a full-time resurrected for mankind. The Emperor Hadrian (117- librarian for the Seminary’s Father Georges Florovsky 138) gave orders to cover over the ground of Golgotha Library. and the Sepulchre of the Lord, and to build a temple of the pagan goddess Venus and a statue of Jupiter. The position opened September 1 following the retire- Pagans gathered at this place and offered sacrifice to ment of longtime Seminary Librarian Eleana Silk. Silk idols there. Eventually after 300 years, by Divine Prov- had worked for SVOTS since 1985. idence, the great Christian sacred remains, the Sepul- The new librarian will take charge of the Florovsky chre of the Lord and the Life-Creating Cross were again Library and be responsible for acquiring, organizing, discovered and opened for veneration. This took place managing, and distributing library resources and en- under the Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337) suring that the library meets the needs of all its patrons. after his victory in the year 312 over Maxentius, ruler of the Western part of the Roman empire, and over To fill this important position, the Seminary has Licinius, ruler of its Eastern part. In the year 323 Con- launched a search for qualified candidates who have stantine became the sole ruler of the vast Roman Em- backgrounds in both library science and pire. theology/religious studies. To read more about the job requirements and apply, visit the Seminary’s website. In 313 he had issued the Edict of Milan, by which the Christian religion was legalized and the persecutions About The Father Georges Florovsky Library against Christians in the Western half of the empire The Father Georges Florovsky Library at St. Vladi- were stopped. The ruler Licinius, although he had mir’s Seminary is considered one of the richest re- signed the Edict of Milan to oblige Constantine, still sources available in North America for research in fanatically continued the persecutions against Chris- Eastern Christianity, and is particularly strong in the tians. Only after his conclusive defeat did the 313 Edict areas of Orthodox Christian church history, theology, of Milan extend also to the Eastern part of the empire. philosophy, and culture. The Library currently holds The Holy Equal of the Apostles Emperor Constantine, approximately 200,000 volumes and receives over 330 having gained victory over his enemies in three wars periodicals. The holdings have been immensely en- with God’s assistance, had seen in the heavens the Sign riched by the donation of the following private collec- of the Cross, and written beneath: “By this you shall tions, among others: Nicholas Arseniev, conquer.” Con’t Pg 6 110 E Main Street, Marblehead, OH 43440 Rectory 419-798-4591 / Cell 570-212-8747 PG 4 www.holyassumptionmarblehead.org [email protected] S E P T E M B E R C E L E B R A T I O N S

ANNIVERSARY BIRTHDAY NAMESDAY 3- Frank & Crystal Batura 1-Denny Bird 9-9: Retired Metropolitan 11- David & Roddie Mazurik 2- Julia Guzy Theodosius 11- Wayne & Heidi Golob 5-Chico Elcisko 9-30: Archbishop Michael of 13- Sam & Angie Dardovski 11- Fr. John Beskid NY & NJ 13- Fr. Peter Zarynow (priestly anny.) 18- Fr. David Lis 13- Tom & Jean Hileman 19- Cooper Kowal 21- Vitaly & Karen Muzyka 20- Fr. Matthew Moriak 24- Mike & Diane Tryon 20- Charisse Hileman 9-28-1990: Retired Bishop Lazar of 23- Rita Mazur Ottawa 25- Nikki Twarek 25- Noah Adamcio 30- Jaxson Monschein

If there are those names to be added or removed, please contact Fr. Andrew. He would like to list all members of your family Orthodox and non-Orthodox.

SEPTEMBER REPOSED LIST 2- David Douglas (2015) 5- Peter Rindfleisch (2006) 27- Karen Milano (2017) 4- John Mataleska (1986) 16- John George Mazurik (1997) 28- William Felenchak (1977) 4- Archpriest John Grandziuk 18- Bernie Labouda (2018) 30- Bishop John Martin (1984) (1947) Former Pastor 20- Nora Bird (2017) William Rose (1980) 5- Archpriest Michael Dziama 21- Joseph Mazur (2002) Joseph L. Mazurik (1944) (1944) Former Pastor 27- Michael Ittescu (1968) Anna Mazur (1945) 6- Anna Dahulich (2017) 27- Alison Pickney (2017) Anna Danchisen (1945) 14- Archpriest George Breyan (2009) Former Pastor 14- Mary Kamiotis (2017)

1 Corinthians 16:13-24 (Epistle) Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. I urge you, brethren – you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints – that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. The salutation with my own hand – Paul’s. If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

110 E Main Street, Marblehead, OH 43440 Rectory 419-798-4591 / Cell 570-212-8747 PG 5 www.holyassumptionmarblehead.org [email protected] Exaltation Con’t he accepted a martyr’s death for Christ (see October 28). Ardently desiring to find the Cross on which our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, Saint Constantine The holy empress Helen journeyed to the holy places sent his mother, the pious Empress Helen (May connected with the earthly life of the Savior, building 21), to Jerusalem, providing her with a letter to more than 80 churches, at Bethlehem the birthplace of Saint Macarius, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Christ, and on the Mount of Olives where the Lord ascended to Heaven, and at Gethsemane where the Savior Although the holy empress Helen was already in prayed before His sufferings and where the Mother of her declining years, she set about completing the God was buried after her death. task with enthusiasm. The empress gave orders to destroy the pagan temple and the statues in Jerusa- Saint Helen took part of the Life-Creating Wood and lem. Searching for the Life-Creating Cross, she nails with her to Constantinople. The holy emperor Con- made inquiry of Christians and Jews, but for a long stantine gave orders to build at Jerusalem a majestic and time her search remained unsuccessful. spacious church in honor of the Resurrection of Christ, also including under its roof the Life-Giving Tomb of the Finally, they directed her to a certain elderly He- Lord and Golgotha. The temple was constructed in about brew by the name of Jude who stated that the Cross ten years. Saint Helen did not survive until the dedication was buried where the temple of Venus stood. They of the temple, she died in the year 327. The church was demolished the pagan temple and, after praying, consecrated on September 13, 335. On the following day, they began to excavate the ground. Soon the Tomb September 14, the festal celebration of the Exaltation of of the Lord was uncovered. Not far from it were the Venerable and Life-Creating Cross was established. three crosses, a board with the inscription ordered by Pilate, and four nails which had pierced the Another event connected to the Cross of the Lord is Lord’s Body (March 6). remembered also on this day: its return to Jerusalem from Persia after a fourteen year captivity. During the reign of In order to discern on which of the three crosses the the Byzantine emperor Phocas (602-610) the Persian Savior was crucified, Patriarch Macarius alternate- emperor Khozroes II in a war against the Greeks defeated ly touched the crosses to a corpse. When the Cross the Greek army, plundered Jerusalem and captured both of the Lord touched the dead one, he came to life. the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord and the Holy Patri- Having beheld the raising of the dead man, every- arch Zachariah (609-633). one was convinced that the Life-Creating Cross was found. The Cross remained in Persia for fourteen years and only under the emperor Heraclius (610-641), who with the Christians came in a huge throng to venerate the help of God defeated Khozroes and concluded peace with Holy Cross, beseeching Saint Macarius to elevate his successor and son Syroes, was the Cross of the Lord the Cross, so that even those far off might reverent- returned to the Christians. ly contemplate it. Then the Patriarch and other spiritual leaders raised up the Holy Cross, and the With great solemnity the Life-creating Cross was trans- people, saying “Lord have mercy,” reverently pros- ferred to Jerusalem. Emperor Heraclius in imperial crown trated before the Venerable Wood. This solemn and royal purple carried the Cross of Christ into the event occurred in the year 326. temple of the Resurrection. With the emperor went Patri- arch Zacharios. At the gates by which they ascended During the discovery of the Life-Creating Cross Golgotha, the emperor suddenly stopped and was not another miracle took place: a grievously sick wom- able to proceed farther. The holy Patriarch explained to an, beneath the shadow of the Holy Cross, was the emperor that an angel of the Lord was blocking his healed instantly. The elder Jude and other Jews way. The emperor was told to remove his royal trappings there believed in Christ and accepted Holy Bap- and to walk barefoot, since He Who bore the Cross for tism. Jude received the name Cyriacus and after- the salvation of the world from sin had made His way to wards was consecrated Bishop of Jerusalem. Golgotha in all humility. Then Heraclius donned plain During the reign of Julian the Apostate (361-363) garb, and without further hindrance, carried the Cross of Christ into the church. Con’t Pg 7 110 E Main Street, Marblehead, OH 43440 Rectory 419-798-4591 / Cell 570-212-8747 PG 6 www.holyassumptionmarblehead.org [email protected] Exaltation Con’t The Two Calendars Impacting Family Life In a sermon on the Exaltation of the Cross, Saint There are two calendars that many Orthodox Christians Andrew of Crete (July 4) says: “The Cross is observe during the year: the public school calendar and exalted, and everything true gathers together, the the liturgical calendar. The attention given to these two Cross is exalted, and the city makes solemn, and has a significant impact on how well-connected kids are the people celebrate the feast”. to their local church and their experience of parish life. If children are involved in several sports activities or musical programs at school, chances are they are tied up with practices, recitals, actual sporting events, or week- Matthew 21:33-42 (Gospel) end band competitions. Parents become a taxi cab service Hear another parable: There was a certain land- during the week ushering their children to and from these owner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge events. That means there is not a lot of time left for around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. getting involved in anything church related, whether that And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a be a service or a youth activity. What complicates things far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, even more is that people no longer seem to live close the he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they parish they attend. It is not unusual for some people to might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took have a 45 minute to a one-hour drive to get to their his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned church. I had a priest recently tell me that whenever he another. Again he sent other servants, more than tries to plan a time for kids to get together for a particular the first, and they did likewise to them. Then last event, it is a real challenge getting a commitment from of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will families to bring their children. respect my son.’ But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the So why is this so? It seems children find these school heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheri- activities fulfilling and enjoy participating in them. Sec- tance.’ So they took him and cast him out of the ondly, if they don’t show up for practice, they face the vineyard and killed him. Therefore, when the possibility they won’t be able to play in a game or partic- owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to ipate in a school play or music program. I think there is those vinedressers?” They said to Him, “He will also a philosophy many believe that by getting involved destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease in school activities, it keeps kids busy and out of trouble. his vineyard to other vinedressers who will ren- All of the above are powerful motivators for participating der to him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said in school related activities. to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has be- This active observance of the school calendar does nega- come the chief cornerstone. This was the tively impact a family’s participation in the liturgical LORD’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? calendar of the church. It is a big reason why for many, church life is a Sunday only experience. This leaves little time for youth to connect with their parish and their HEARTBEAT FUNDRAISING fellow friends. EVENT (DINNER, DANCE, DO- NATE) How do we address this issue if it is a concern for fami- WHEN: Saturday, September 28 lies? It is easy for me to tell parents they just need to say TIME: 6:00pm-9:30pm “no” to some of the school activities, so that they can go WHERE: Port Clinton Elks Lodge to church for a planned event like a Festal or Lenten COST: $40 per person (419-734-9359) service or youth retreat. I am sure many priests have told Join us for a night of food and fun. Special parents the same thing. I don’t know if this approach has guest: Actress, Sarah Hernandez from the movie worked all that much. If families do choose to cut down “Unplanned” on some of the school related activity, what do we have Featuring: Classic Trendz Entertaiment to offer as the Church that will encourage children to make a closer connection? Con’t Pg 8 110 E Main Street, Marblehead, OH 43440 Rectory 419-798-4591 / Cell 570-212-8747 www.holyassumptionmarblehead.org [email protected] PG 7 Two Calendars con’t Martyrs Theodotus, Asclepiodotus, and I will continue this theme next week. Maximus, of Adrianopolis Commemorated on September 15 The blessing of the Lord be upon you, The unworthy +Paul The Holy Martyr Theodotus suffered with Saints Max- imus and Asklepiodote, at the beginning of the fourth Greatmartyr Nicetas the Goth century under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305- 311). Eminent citizens of the city of Marcianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 Maximus, and Asklepiodote led a devout Christian life. By their example they brought many to faith in The Holy Great Martyr Nicetas was a Goth (a Ger- Christ and to holy Baptism. manic tribe). He was born and lived on the banks of the River, and suffered for Christ in the year During the persecution Tiris, the governor of Thrace, 372. The Christian Faith was then already widely went around the city subject to him and persecuted spread throughout the territory of the . Saint those believing in Christ. He summoned Maximus and Nicetas believed in Christ and accepted Baptism from Asklepiodote before him and demanded they abandon the Gothic bishop Theophilus, a participant in the First the Christian Faith. When the martyrs refused, he Ecumenical Council. Pagan Goths began to oppose the ordered that they be beaten. spread of Christianity, which resulted in internecine strife. Then a certain pious man named Theodotus, began to reproach the governor for his inhumanity and cruelty. After the victory of Fritigern, heading a Christian They seized him also, and hanging him on a tree, they army and inflicting defeat on the pagan Athanaric, the tortured him with iron hooks. After this, they threw the Christian Faith began to spread increasingly among three martyrs into prison. Tiris traveled for two weeks the Goths. The Arian bishop , the successor to more and took the holy martyrs along with him. Bishop Theophilus, created a Gothic alphabet and translated into the Gothic language many priestly In the city of Adrianopolis he put them to still greater books. Saint Nicetas worked intensely among his fel- tortures, commanding that their bodies be scorched low Goths at spreading Christianity. By his personal with white-hot plates. In the midst of their suffering example and inspired words he brought many pagans they heard a Voice from Heaven encouraging them to to the Christian Faith. persevere. After several days of torture they threw the martyrs to be eaten by wild beasts in the circus, but However, after his defeat Athanaric again contrived to instead the she-bear released upon Saints Maximus gather his own forces, return to his own country and and Theodotus began to cuddle up to them. regain his former power. Since he remained a pagan, he continued to hate Christians and persecute them. Saint Asklepiodote was tied to a bull, but she seemed to be rooted to the spot, and did not budge. Tiris Saint Nicetas endured many tortures, and died after resumed the journey and stopped in the village of being thrown into a fire. His body remained unharmed Saltis before reaching the city of Philippopolis. Again by the fire and was illumined by a miraculous light. By he urged the martyrs to renounce Christ. When they night, a friend of the martyr, a Christian named Mari- refused, he ordered them to be beheaded. God’s wrath anus, retrieved the body of Saint Nicetas, and buried it overtook him when a bolt of lightning struck him as he in Cilicia. Afterwards, it was transferred to Constanti- sat upon the judgment seat. nople. Part of the relics of the Great Martyr Nicetas were later transferred to the monastery of Vysokie Dechani in . Saint Nicetas received an unfading crown of glory from Christ in the year 372. We pray to Saint Nicetas for the preservation of children from birth defects.

110 E Main Street, Marblehead, OH 43440 Rectory 419-798-4591 / Cell 570-212-8747 PG 8 www.holyassumptionmarblehead.org [email protected]