KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ST. MARY’S UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SUNDAY BRUNCH Церква Матері Божої Неустанної Помоч і Our Mother of Perpetual Help Sunday, April 13th 155 Catherine St. Yorkton, SK S3N 0B9 St. Mary’s Cultural Centre Vol. 51, No. 14 Parish Bulletin April 6, 2014 Христос Посеред нас ! Christ is Among Us ! Following the 9:00 am & 11:00 am Divine Liturgies Є і буде ! He is and will be ! Adults - $8.00, Under 12 - $5.00, Under 5 - Free, Family $24.00
The Knights Would Appreciate your Support! Everyone Welcome !
DATE TIME EPISTLE CANTOR USHERS ORGANIST GREETERS
Sat Apr 5 5:00 pm Sr. Suzanne Peter Dan MacLean English Kokuruds Kobylka Rose MacLean
Sun Apr 6 9:00 am Mykhaylo Ed Ukrainian Catholic F i f t h Sunday of Lent Ukrainian Zotov Pindus Brotherhood
11:00 am Terry Laurie Fedorowich Terry Ruf I r i s Gloria Rhinas English Ruf Ron Wizniak Nadia Ruf Skehar Gordon Rhinas
Sat Apr 12 5:00 pm Evelyn Peter Metro Mosiondz English Tymko Kobylka Martha Mosiondz The parish community of St. Mary’s would like to extend a warm Sun Apr 13 9:00 am Peter Ed Ukrainian Catholic We l c o m e - Вітаємo Willow / Palm Sunday Ukrainian Moroz Pindus Brotherhood to everyone who is with us today, especially all Visitors. We are pleased that you have come to pray with us this Sunday. May the Lord bless You. 11:00 am Emil Laurie Fedorowich Emil Strutynski I r i s Adeline English Strutynski Ron Wizniak Paul Shewchuk Skehar Wytrykush Pastoral Care of the DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE Ukrainian Redemptorists Sunday Received in 209 Regular Envelopes ……………………...... …. $ 4,346.00 SUNDAY Fr. Peter Pidskalny, CSsR - Pastor Collection Loose Change ……………………………………………...... $ 256.00 Saturday 5:00 pm English Fr. Raymond Lukie, CSsR - Assistant Pastor Mar. 30, 2014 Received in 10 Other Envelopes ……………………...... $ 140.00 Sunday 9:00 am Ukrainian F r. Methodius Kushko, CSsR - Assistant Pastor 11:00 am English F r. Thaddeus Krawchuk, CSsR WEEKDAYS OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 7:30 AM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday O f f i c e : [email protected] P a s t o r : [email protected] 9:15 am - 12:00 pm 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm 9:00 AM Saturday We b : www.saintmarysyorkton.com Eparchy of Saskatoon: www.skeparchy.org Office 306-783-4594 Fax 306-782-4214 Eparchial Pastoral Council - Pat Thompson 306-782-9425 Info Line 306-782-0654 LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS Parish Council President - Dave Spelay 306-782-5320 Knights of Columbus - Steve Popowich 3 0 6 - 7 8 3 - 5 4 4 1 7:00 PM Wednesday & Friday English UCWLC - Elizabeth Zahayko 306-783-6232 U C Y- SICK CALLS - Anytime UCBC - Peter Moroz 306-783-6293 Cultural Centre - Russ Thompson 3 0 6 -782-9425 BAPTISMS & MARRIAGES* by Appointment Golden Agers - Verna Moroz 306-783-6293 Cultural Centre Manager - Stan Shymanski 3 0 6 -782-1010 WAY OF THE CROSS *Please contact the pastor at least six months Young Adult Ministry Office - Phone: 1-204-799-1060 7:00 PM Sundays E n g l i s h / U k r a i n i a n Email: [email protected] Web: www.yorktonredemptorists.com before the wedding date. ST. MICHAEL'S CAMP 2014 Madge Lake, Saskatchewan Upcoming Events “Bible Boot Camp - The Armour of God” April 13 1st Solemn Holy Communion Class 9:45 am April 13 Knights of Columbus Brunch 10:15 am & 12:15 pm TEEN CAMP (Ages 13-16) July 20-25 April 14 Cultural Centre Board Meeting 8:00 pm YOUTH CAMP (Ages 8-13) July 6-12, July 13-19 April 15 Knights of Columbus Bingo 7:00 pm April 20 Resurrection - Easter For further information contact: April 27 Parish Easter Potluck Dinner - Спілне Свячене 5:00 pm St. Michael's Camp Director at [email protected] April 28 Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood Meeting *Note change of date 7:00 pm or visit our website at www.stmichaelscamp.com April 24 Golden Agers Birthdays and Anniversaries 1:00 pm May 2 Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood Bingo 7:00 pm May 3 Eparchial Sobor in Saskatoon - **NO Divine Liturgies in Yorkton** St. Michael's Camp 2014 is inviting applications for the positions of cook and May 5 Knights of Columbus Meeting 7:00 pm maintenance persons. May 5 UCWLC Meeting 7:00 pm For more information or to apply contact May 11 First Solemn Holy Communion 11:00 am St. Michael's Camp Director at [email protected] or May 13 Holy Rosary Hour 12:00 Noon Box 55, Tuffnell, SK S0A 4G0 May 20 Parish Council Meeting 7:00 pm May 25 Blessing of graves at Memorial Gardens 2:00 pm ARE YOU INTERESTED IN USHERING OR READING THE EPISTLE?? May 29 Feast of Ascension of Our Lord We are looking for vo l u n t e e rs to usher at Divine Liturgy on Sat u rd ay evenings at 5:00 pm and June 8 Pentecost S u n d ays at 11:00 am. We are also seeking vo l u n t e e rs to read the Epistle at the 11:00 am Divine June 8 Blessing of graves at Yorkton City Cemetery 2:00 pm L i t u rg y. Please call Andy Mathuik at 306-783-3835 for more info r m ation or to vo l u n t e e r. June 14 Yorkton Deanery 5th Annual Golf Tournament
✟ GR E A T LE N T - SC H E D U L E O F SE R V I C E S ✟ UKRAINIAN CHOIR Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (English) Wednesdays & Fridays - 7:00 pm - Thursday, April 10th 6:45 pm : practice - Willow Sunday, April 13th : 9:00 am Divine Liturgy Way of the Cross (English & Ukrainian) Sundays - 7:00 pm - Resurrection Sunday, April 20th : 7:00 am Matins and Divine Liturgy
SURVEY OF THE FAITHFUL OF THE EPARCHY OF SASKATOON CO-MISSIONARY FUND Co-Missionary Fund - Contributions can be made monthly, quar- 2013 -14 terly, semi-annually or annually. Our goal is to contribute $250/month The Eparchy of Saskatoon is conducting a survey of members to assist in the reflection process that or $3,000/yr. Please make your cheques payable to “St. Mary’s” but each parish is asked to make as part of Vision 2020, a program of renewal of our entire Church, initiated in **OUR TARGET FOR THIS memo the cheque Co-Missionary Fund. 2011 by our Patriarch, Sviatoslav, and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Synod of Bishops, and present- YEAR IS $3000.00** ed by His Beatitude in his letter, "The Vibrant Parish a place to encounter the living Christ". We are also build- SICK & VISITING ing upon the foundation of the 2005 Sobor which recognized the need for examining and evaluating avail- If you know of someone who is in the hos- able programs and other resources, and communicating this information to parishes. $3,000 pital and has not been visited by one of the Results of the survey will be compiled and made available to parishes and to all the faithful of the $2,500 Fathers, please call the Parish Office 306-783- Eparchy to provide a better understanding of the overall direction of the Eparchy and to offer each individual 4594 to inform them. The Yorkton Regional Health $2,000 parish a perspective on its situation within the context of the entire Eparchial community. Centre has recently switched over to a new patient The survey should be completed by every member of the Eparchy who is 13 years of age or $1,500 record program and there have been issues with patients’ n a m e s more. For more information, and to complete the survey online or print a copy for completion on paper, visit $1,000 being deleted from the visiting list. the Eparchial website: www.skeparchy.org $ 500 Members who do not have access to the internet may request copies from the pastor or parish Listen for the UKRAINIAN HOUR office. Please participate in this very important project which will help all of our parishes to develop pastoral Sundays 3:00 - 4:00 pm Mondays 10:00 - 11:00 pm plans that fit their particular circumstances and needs. Year 2013 Year 2014 on 98.5 the ROCK Thank you...... FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT APRIL 6, 2014 Thank you to everyone who attended our musical “His Promise”. With The theme of Sunday is always Resurrection. the funds raised we are now able to move forward on our Habitat for Humanity We invite you to refrain from kneeling during the Divine Liturgy. Faith Build. We are at the stage where we can begin the process of looking for a family to build a home for. To d a y ’s special liturgical parts & readings are found on pages 39-40 in the Application forms are available in the church entrances. If you know of a family who is in need of Tropars, Kondaks, Epistle & Gospel Readings a home and who meets the criteria set out by Habitat, please encourage them to make an application. booklets that are found at the entrances of the church. We are also looking for a lot on which to build. If you know of available lots that are for sale at a Next Sunday’s Readings: E p i s t l e : Philippians 4:4-9 G o s p e l : John 12:1-18 reasonable price or if you wish to donate a lot please contact a Habitat representative. We still have some fund raising to do and will be making further plans to achieve this at our meetings. This Week at St. Mary’s Thank you to St. Mary's UCWLC for the donation of supper for the cast and crew prior to one of the performances. Cast and crew came straight from work to prepare for an evening's performance as they did Sunday 9:00 am & 11:00 am...... Divine Liturgy not have time to go home for supper. 11:00 am...... Little Angels Class The response from people attending the musical was very positive and some have commented on 7:00 pm...... Way of the Cross the personal blessings they felt they received. The Musical truly had God's blessings. Monday 7:00 pm...... Knights of Columbus Meeting Once again, thanks for your support. 7:00 pm...... UCWLC Meeting Gwen Bilyk Tuesday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm...... Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Faith Build representative for St. Mary's 7:00 pm...... Parish Council Meeting *Note change of date SCENT FREE Wednesday 7:00 pm...... Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts Out of concern for those with allergies or asthma, we ask that you refrain from Thursday 6:45 pm...... Ukrainian Choir Practice using products with perfume or scent when coming to church. Friday 7:00 pm...... Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts Thank you. Saturday 9:00 am ...... Divine Liturgy 5:00 pm...... Divine Liturgy YORKTON DISTRICT PARISHES ME LV I L L E : Congratulations 1. Choir practice - April 6 and April 13 at 7:00 pm at the church. Sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation & Eucharist ~ Knox Alexander Petillion 2. Lenten Services: You are invited to participate in Lenten Services at 7:00 pm on Thursdays during Lent. Многая Літа May God Grant Him Many Years Многая Літа Schedule of Services in the Yorkton Pastoral District WEDDINGS PLANS ??- If you are planning to be married at St. Mary’s or any of the Yorkton District parishes, please contact Fr. Peter (306-783-4594) at least six months before the wedding date. MELVILLE Every Sunday 9:00 am EADLINE for submissions to the bulletin will be Tuesdays at 4:30 pm. Sunday, April 13 9:00 am Willow Sunday D Friday, April 18 1:00 pm Shroud & Confessions OFFERINGS - to assist the Parish Accountant in recording your offerings correctly, please write Sunday, April 20 8:30 am Easter Div. Ltgy & Basket Blessing the amount of your offering on the outside of your envelope. Sunday, April 27 10:00 am* Divine Liturgy & Parish Easter Dinner Sunday, May 18 9:00 am Divine Liturgy & blessing of graves EMAIL BULLETIN - If you would like to have the Bulletin emailed to you please send your BEAVERDALE Friday, April 18 5:30 pm Shroud & Confessions request to: [email protected] Saturday, April 19 8:00 pm Easter Div. Ltgy & Basket Blessing BIRMINGHAM Sunday, May 18 (following Melville) Grave blessing only Deepest Sympathy CALDER Sunday, April 13 11:00 am Willow Sunday We also express our sympathy & prayers to the family & friends of Friday, April 18 3:00 pm Shroud & Confessions +Mary Bogutski, +Emily Byblow and +Lena Sedlovich who passed away recently. Saturday, April 19 8:00 pm Easter Div. Ltgy & Basket Blessing PLA I N V I E W S u n d a y, May 18 (following Birmingham) Grave blessing only Вічная Память God Grant Them Eternal Rest Вічная Память DIVINE LITURGY INTENTIONS Saint Maryʼs Building Fund Donations SUNDAY, APRIL 6 Fifth Sunday of Lent Hebrews 9:11-14 ~ Mark 10:32-45 MON April 7 Venerable George Colossians 3:12-16 ~ Luke 11:34-41 In Memory of John Maduck In Memory of Nick Wasylynka Nick & Lorraine Maduck $100.00 Alice & Family $600.00 7:30 am +John Pidskalny...... Pidskalny Family 7:30 am +John & + Antonia Yawney & families, +Steve Perzan & families...... Family In Memory of Irene Strilchuk In Memory of Harry Lazurko 7:30 am +Bernie Fedorowich, +Betty & +Metro Drushka...... Janice Fedorowich & family Scott & Julie Knapp $ 40.00 Mary F. Lazurko $ 40.00 TUE April 8 Apostle Herodion 1 Thessalonians 5:14-23 ~ Mark 8:30-34 7:30 am Health & Salvation for Brothers & Sisters...... Iris Balance of the Fund to date: $ 320,458.86 Thank You Very Much 7:30 am Health & God’s Blessings for Ruby Pedde...... Della Chizma & family WED April 9 Martyr Eupsychius Ephesians 4:7-13 ~ Luke 12:16-21 Donations may be given anytime. All funds collected will be used for the future renovations of our church. 7:00 pm Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts Building Fund Envelopes are available at the entrances of the Church. THU April 10 Martyr Terence Galatians 4:4-7 ~ Luke 18:18-27 HANDICAPPED PARKING - Parishioners are reminded to leave the handicapped spots 7:30 am +Rita Ohochinsky (1 Year) ...... Nestor & family on the North side of the church for those who truly need them. 7:30 am +Jason Bilokreli...... Harold & Rosanna Bilokreli FRI April 11 Priest Martyr Antipas Ephesians 2:4-10 ~ Matthew 4:1-11 ST. MARY'S OUTREACH The Outreach Committee wishes to thank you for your continuous support. We'd greatly appreciate food 7:00 pm Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts items donations for St. Mary's School lunch program and for those in need in our community. Please see SAT April 12 Lazarus Saturday Hebrews 12:28-13:8 ~ John 11:1-45 the list below: 9:00 am Special Intention...... N.N. cereal bars pasta apple sauce pork & beans granola bars pasta sauce canned fruit kidney beans 5:00 pm Health for Madeline...... Allan & Evelyn canned soup Cheese Whiz macaroni peanut butter DIVINE LITURGY INTENTIONS - If you are paying for this service by cheque, please make your jam (all kinds) pudding snacks powdered milk juice boxes cheque payable to: Ukrainian Catholic Mission. Non-perishable food items only, please. Bins are located at each entrance. HOLY FATHER’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR APRIL If you wish to give a monetary donation, please find the envelopes at the entrances. Vatican City, 31 March 2014 (VIS) – Pope Francis' universal prayer intention for April is: “That SA C R E D HE A R T HI G H SC H O O L DR A M A CL U B governments may foster the protection of creation and the just distribution of natural resources”. presents its annual Dessert Theatre on Tuesday, April 8, beginning at 7:00 pm in the Sacred Heart High School Performing Arts Theatre. The evening will fea- His intention for evangelisation is: “That the Risen Lord may fill with hope the hearts of those ture three one act plays. Tickets are $5 for pre-schoolers and $10 for all other who are being tested by pain and sickness”. ages. Tickets include complimentary desserts and beverages at intermission. EASTER CARDS - we have a selection of boxed Easter cards for sale at the Parish Office. If you are interested in purchasing these or one of the other many items we have for sale, please stop by Tickets are available from the School Office or from any cast member. the Parish Office during regular office hours. A Traditional Ukrainian Easter Divine Liturgy Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be broadcasted on GX94 Radio On Tuesday, April 15th the hours of Adoration and Lenten Devotions Easter Sunday, April 20th will take place from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Everyone is invited to come and participate. 12:00 Noon - 2:00 pm Plenty of literature and guidance will be available. The two hour program will consist of Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy & Easter hymns. **There will be no Adoration on Tuesday, April 22nd.** This was recorded by the Ukrainian Choir under the direction of Colette Karapita YORKTON DISTRICT PARISHES ST. MARY’S UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SCHEDULE OF EASTER SERVICES YORKTON SCHEDULE OF EASTER SERVICES SATURDAY, APRIL 12 5:00 pm (English) - Divine Liturgy & blessing of Pussy Willows
MELVILLE SUNDAY, APRIL 13 - WILLOW SUNDAY Sunday, April 13 - Willow Sunday 9:00 am (Ukrainian) - Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Pussy Willows 11:00 am (English) - Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Pussy Willows 9:00 am - Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Pussy Willows Friday, April 18 - Good Friday MONDAY, APRIL 14 1:00 pm - Vespers - Laying of the Shroud 7:00 pm - Presanctified Liturgy - Confessions TUESDAY, APRIL 15 Sunday, April 20 - Resurrection Sunday 6:30 pm - Confessions 8:30 am - Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Easter Foods 7:00 pm - Presanctified Liturgy Sunday, April 27 - St. Thomas Sunday WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 10:00 am - Divine Liturgy & Parish Easter Dinner 6:30 pm - Confessions 7:00 pm - Presanctified Liturgy & the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
THURSDAY, APRIL 17 - HOLY THURSDAY BEAVERDALE 7:00 pm - Vespers & Divine Liturgy Friday, April 18 - Good Friday FRIDAY, APRIL 18 - GOOD FRIDAY 5:30 pm - Vespers - Laying of the Shroud 9:00 am - Passion of Our Lord - 12 Gospels - Confessions 3:00 pm - Vespers - Laying of the Shroud Saturday, April 19 (anticipated for Resurrection Sunday) 7:00 pm - Jerusalem Matins 8:00 pm - Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Easter Foods SATURDAY, APRIL 19 - HOLY SATURDAY 1:00 pm - Vespers & Divine Liturgy 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm - Blessing of Easter Foods CALDER 8:00 pm - (English) Resurrection Matins & Easter Divine Liturgy Sunday, April 13 - Willow Sunday 11:00 am - Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Pussy Willows SUNDAY, APRIL 20 - RESURRECTION SUNDAY 7:00 am - (Ukrainian) Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Easter Foods Friday, April 18 - Good Friday 10:00 am - (English) Easter Divine Liturgy 3:00 pm - Vespers - Laying of the Shroud - Confessions MONDAY, APRIL 21 - BRIGHT MONDAY 9:00 am - Divine Liturgy Saturday, April 19 (anticipated for Resurrection Sunday) 8:00 pm - Resurrection Matins, Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Easter Foods TUESDAY, APRIL 22 - FRIDAY, APRIL 25 9:00 am Divine Liturgy
SATURDAY, APRIL 26 5:00 pm (English) - Divine Liturgy SUNDAY, APRIL 27 - ST. THOMAS SUNDAY 9:00 am (Ukrainian) - Divine Liturgy 11:00 am (English) - Divine Liturgy 5:00 pm - Parish Easter Potluck Dinner - Спілне Свячене PASTORAL LETTER OF HIS BEATITUDE SVIATOSLAV and devastating infidelity that would bring so many people immense suffering and pain. How can we also on the occasion of the renewal of the Act of Consecration of Ukraine not call to mind Univ and Pochaiv, Zarvanytsya and Hoshiv, all of which are signs of the Most Holy Mother of God's care for our land during its turbulent history. Finally, let us not forget Hoshiv, and that turning point to the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God in the life of our church and country, when exactly a year after the Chernobyl disaster, the Lord gave us a We have no other help, we have no other hope, but You, O Most Pure Virgin. sign from heaven, freeing us from fear and awakening in us a new life in a renewed country. At that time, Aid us, for we hope in You and praise You; we did not yet know how our race would end, but we felt a great hope and trust, for She, the Mother of May we, Your servants, be not put to shame God, was with us and through Her the Lord and Master of heaven and earth was with us. (Canon of the Moleben to the Most Holy Mother of God) The Theotokos is near to us in a special way during the Liturgy. She unites with us in endless praise of the Most High and-at the same time-as a loving Mother, She continually intercedes for us before the Lord. The Dearly beloved in Christ! church expresses its faith in the Most Pure Mother of God's unceasing and prayerful intercession in the well-known prayer: “The Virgin today stands in the church and together with the choir of the saints she In these days, when our nation and fatherland is once again experiencing a great ordeal-with the prays for us to God. The angels worship with the hierarchs; the apostles exult with the prophets; for the occupation of a part of our land-our hearts are filled with anxiety for the future, uncertainty and fear. Theotokos prays for us to the Eternal God.” These words, taken from kontakion of the feast of the Amid these present circumstances, the Lord Himself sends us a sign of hope, just as He did to King Protection of the Mother of God bring us comfort in our affliction, give us strength in our trials and hope in Ahaz in the ancient days of the Old Testament. Jerusalem was under mortal threat from hostile neighbours our sufferings, because we know that this “today” does not express some distant and alien past, but rather and its ruler, King Ahaz, desperately sought support from the world powers of the time. The inspired author our present with its own threats and anxieties. In the words of our Patriarch Josyf, She is “the immovable conveys eloquently the sentiments of the king and his vassals: “the heart of the king and of the people shook sign of our strength and hope for victory.” This is because “the Most Holy Mother of God-beneath whose as the trees of the forest shake before the wind” (Is. 7:2). Lord sent to King Ahaz the prophet Isaiah to reas- honourable and miraculous Protection, we, Her children, flee in times of trouble and distress-is the invio- sure him and to call him to fully trust in God. The king, however, continued to doubt and waver. Thus, God lable shelter, sign and pledge of the unity of our Ukrainian Christian family.” placed in the mouth of His prophet these words of promise: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Given the new historical circumstances, I wish to turn your spiritual eyes towards the Mother of Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Is. 7:14). This prototype God and, in response to Her loving and caring presence in our lives, entrust all of you to Her maternal care. of the protection of the Mother of God became a sign of God's personal and omnipotent sheltering of His During his reign, the pious Prince Yaroslav the Wise consecrated the people of Rus'-Ukraine to the people. At that time, the Most High asked His people and their rulers not to place undue confidence in the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. powerful ones of world, but rather to surrender themselves into His mighty hands by returning to His law: “In In 1995, Myroslav Ivan Cardinal Lubachivsky, of blessed memory, renewed this consecration in returning and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” (Is. 30:15). Zarvanytsya. During our Great-Fast journey, the Lord God sends us His word, calling us to sincere conversion, Continuing the ministry of my great predecessors on the throne of Kyiv- Halych, I desire-in com- to an inner change, and as a guarantee of His blessing, He gives us a sign-the Most Holy, Most Pure, Most munion with the whole of our Church, both in Ukraine and abroad-to renew once again this act of conse- Blessed, our Glorious Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary. cration of the Ukrainian people to the mighty Protection of Mother of God. By this act, we recognize God's In all times, God has come to the aid of His people. As a sign of victory and hope is “the virgin” care for us, we manifest our love for the Most Holy Theotokos and our willingness to fulfill all that is com- announced by the prophet Isaiah-the Immaculate Virgin Mary. In Sacred Scripture, the Theotokos is present manded us by her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; and, finally, we manifest our desire to serve God and our from the first tragic moments of history, when-after the fall-the Creator announces the defeat of the serpent, nation in accordance with the light of His law. Let make manifest this consecration in our lives in the form mankind's murder, by the woman's offspring, who shall bruise the serpent's head (cf. Genesis.3:14-15). And of a prayer to the Immaculate Mother of God, either personally or communally, beseeching from our Lord in the last book of Scripture, the Revelation of St. John, the inspired author sees in a prophetic vision a great a blessing upon our long-suffering people through Her intercession. This prayer can be a Paraklesis, sign in heaven: “A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of Moleben, Akafist, Rosary or any other pious practice, which we recite daily in honour of our Heavenly twelve stars” (Rev. 12:1). From the mouth of the Red Dragon, who hunted this holy Woman, a deadly stream Queen and Intercessor, putting in Her motherly heart all of our hopes and dreams for the renewal and of water came forth, but he could not overcome Her. Rather, by the power of Archangel Michael, the ancient strengthening of our nation in Christ's truth. serpent was cast down to the earth and his power over the human race was destroyed forever (cf. Rev . I invite and encourage all the bishops, priests, monks, nuns and the laity of our church to perse- 12:7-17). vere in hope and prayer to the Most Holy Mother of God, so as to always remain beneath Her Protection, The Mother of God accompanies humanity not only through the recorded history of Sacred Writ; and when the spiritual labour of the Great Fast has reached the light of our Lord Jesus Christ's she dwells with Her children always and everywhere, in all times and in every circumstance. The Most Pure Resurrection, that we may also be witnesses and partakers in the renewal of our beloved fatherland. Theotokos has graced many places on earth with her special presence. These unique places have become May the blessing of Almighty God, through the prayers of the Theotokos, descend upon our peo- for many people, and even entire nations, signs of refuge and salvation. Such are the sites in the Holy Land ple-in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. near and dear to heart of every Christian-Nazareth, Bethlehem, Ein Karem, Jerusalem, all of which still attract hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. One should also mention-Lourdes in † SVIATOSLAV France, Loretto in Italy, Aparecida in Brazil, Guadalupe in Mexico, Mariazell in Austria, Czestochowa in Poland, Máriapócs in Hungary, Litmanová in Slovakia .How can we also not mention the small Portuguese Given in Kyiv village of Fatima, where the Immaculate Mother of God, at the beginning of 1917, appeared to three shep- at the Patriarchal Sobor of the Resurrection of Christ herd children, asking us to pray for Russia so as to prevent the spread throughout the world of a menacing 20 March 2014.