ST. ELIA’S NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2018

CONTACTS СЛАВА ІСУСУ ХРИСТУ! СЛАВА НАВІКИ! Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Elia 11833 – 66 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5B 1J2 GLORY BE TO CHRIST! Office:780-471-2288 / Kitchen: 780-479-8824 GLORY FOREVER! Kitchen Contact: Donna Marianych 587-784-7082

Websites St. Elia: www.uocc-stelia.ca Sunday Worship Hours: Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada: www.uocc.ca 9:30 AM CONFESSIONS Western Eparchy: www.uocc-we.ca 10:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY

St. Elias 2018 AGM Meeting: CLERGY Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 Priest: Very Rev. Mitred Archpriest Fr. Georg Podtepa Home:780-477-2583 / Cell: 780-984-6290 [email protected] Rev. Fr. Dr. Roman Shiyan SHUMKA’s Home:780-439-7217 / Cell: 780-994-8721 with guests from Ukraine’s Kyiv Ballet [email protected] December 22 at 7:30 pm December 22 & 23 at 2:00 pm COUNCIL at Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium Tickets at www.shumka.com President: Rev. Fr. Dr. Roman Shiyan 1st Vice-President: Alex Werstiuk 780-462-6468 / [email protected] 2nd Vice-President: Tammy Ewanec 780-474-4867 / [email protected] Secretary: Sub Dcn. Evan Panchuk “Come, let us wonder at the virgin most 780-203-3439 / [email protected] pure, wondrous in herself, unique in Treasurer: Walter Marcenuik 780-463-9646 / [email protected] creation, she gave birth, yet knew no Hospodar: Al Hayduk 780-476-1115 / [email protected] man; her pure soul with wonder was filled, Directors: Bill Ewanec 780-474-4867 / [email protected] daily her mind gave praise in joy at the Helen Hayduk 780-476-1115 / [email protected] twofold wonder: her virginity preserved, Dan Kobasiuk 780-473-4081 / [email protected] her child most dear. Blessed is He who Orest Macyk 780-417-5294 / [email protected] shone forth from her!” Club Trident President: Ivan Sawchuk 780-988-5862 / [email protected] UWAC President: Donna Marianych St. Ephraim the Syrian, Songs of Praise 587-784-7082 / [email protected] Mission Outreach: Myrna Kostash [email protected]

Newsletter submitions ~ feel free! Sunday Bulletin and Newsletter Contacts: Myrna Kostash 780-433-0710 / [email protected] * If you want to share an event, story, or photos with Barbara Panchuk 780-710-5052 / [email protected] our Ukrainian Orthodox community, please send the information to [email protected] Message from Parish President, Rev. Father Roman Shiyan

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Very Reverend Father, fellow parishioners, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I would like to extend my sincerest greetings to you with the fast-approaching Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus, and to wish all of you the blessed time of celebrations, spiritual reflections,

joy, spiritual uplifting, and peace, both on earth and in your hearts.

It has been truly a blessing and a privilege serving you as parish president for these past years. You have always presented me with an example, inspiration, and a reminder of what it takes living one’s life as an Orthodox Christian, a priest, in an Orthodox Christian community. Even though I am no longer discharging my responsibility as parish president, I look forward to continuing our spiritual journey together for the years to come. May our faith guide us every step of our way. And may the blessings of Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ be upon all of you! Thank you for your invaluable support during my years of service as president of our parish.

With Christian greetings,

Rev. Fr. Dr. Roman I. Shiyan, Parish President (outgoing)

DECEMBER FEASTS AND SAINTS

December 4: Entry of the Theotokos The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, also called The Presentation, is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church.. Among those Orthodox Christians who use the “Old” (Julian) calendar as their Church calendar, the date of this feast corresponds to December 4 in the secular calendar.

According to Tradition, the Theotokos was taken - presented - by her parents Joachim and Anna into the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem as a young girl, where she lived and served as a Temple virgin until her betrothal to St. Joseph. One of the earliest sources of this tradition is the non-canonical Protoevangelion of James, also called the Infancy Gospel of James.

Mary was solemnly received by the temple community which was headed by the priest Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. She was led to the holy place to become herself the “holy of holies” of God, the living sanctuary and temple of the Divine child who was to be born in her. 3 Tropar: Today is the preview of the good will of God, Of the preaching of the salvation of mankind. The Virgin appears in the temple of God, In anticipation proclaiming Christ to all. Let us rejoice and sing to her: Rejoice, O Divine Fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.

DECEMBER 13: APOSTLE ANDREW, FIRST-CALLED

This Saint was from Bethsaida of Galilee; he was the son of Jonas and the brother of Peter, the chief of the Apostles. He had first been a disciple of John the Baptist; afterwards, on hearing the Baptist’s witness concerning Jesus, when he pointed Him out with his finger and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1.29,36), he straightway followed Christ, and became His first disciple; wherefore he is called the First-called of the Apostles. After the Ascension of the Saviour, he preached in various lands; and having suffered many things for His Name’s sake, he died in Patras of Achaia, where he was crucified on a cross in the shape of an “X,” the first letter of “Christ” in Greek; this cross is also the symbol of Saint Andrew.

Legend has it that he preached in the lands of Rus. Once, before reaching a mountain, he placed a cross and prophesied great glory the city which arises at this point. Later, there was formed the city of Kiev - Ukraine`s heart.

St. Andrew the Apostle: 4 things to know and share

1) He was the brother of St. Peter, who was also known as Simon bar-Jonah. He and Andrew shared the same father, so the latter would have been known as Andrew bar- Jonah. Like his brother Peter, and their partners James and John, Andrew was initially a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee.

2) What is significant about his name? The name Andrew (Greek, Andreas) is related to the Greek word for “man” (Aner). It originally meant something like “Manly,” expressing the parents’ hopes for their baby boy. It is interesting that Andrew’s name is of Greek origin, not Aramaic. The fact that their father—Jonah (or Jonas)—gave his elder son (Simon) an Aramaic name and his younger son (Andrew) a Greek name reflects the mixed Jewish-Gentile environment of Galilee.

3) How close was Andrew to Jesus? In the synoptic Gospels and Acts, the twelve apostles are always listed in three group of four individuals. The first of these groups indicates those who were the closest to Jesus. It includes the two pairs of brothers: (1) Peter and Andrew, the sons of Jonah, and (2) James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

Andrew was thus one of the four disciples closest to Jesus, but he seems to have been the least close of the four. This is reflected in the fact that, several times, Peter, James, and John seem to have privileged access to Jesus, while Andrew is not present. For example, Peter, James, and John were those present for the Transfiguration, but Andrew was not present. They were the closest three, while Andrew was a distant fourth. 4) What happened to Andrew in later years? Peter, his brother, travelled from Jerusalem through Antioch and reached Rome to exercise his universal mission; Andrew, instead, was the Apostle of the Greek world. So it is that in life and in death they appear as true brothers -- a brotherhood that is symbolically expressed in the special reciprocal relations of the See of Rome and of Constantinople.

As the successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis noted the role of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as the successor of St. Andrew and referred to him as “my brother, Andrew,” casting the two of them in the roles of the original brother apostles. http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/st.-andrew-the-apostle-11-things-to-know-and-share

DECEMBER 19: WONDERWORKER NICHOLAS

Our father among the saints Nicholas of , Wonder-worker, was the archbishop of Myra in southern Asia Minor in the fourth century and is also the basis for the legends and imagery which accompany celebrations in much of the world.

While widely honored and venerated, not only in the Orthodox Church, but throughout most Christian groups, little is known historically of the life of Nicholas. He is the patron of many occupational groups, most notably of sea-farers.

By tradition, Nicholas born in the province of Lycia in the southern part of Asia Minor in the city of Patara to well-to-do parents. The date of his birth is not known. Having inherited his parents’ estate, he became known for his generous gifts to those in need. As a youth, he made pilgrimages to Palestine and Egypt. He was subsequently consecrated Archbishop of Myra as the fourth century began. Nicholas was noted for his defense of Orthodoxy against the Arians. He died in Myra on December 6 in a year uncertain, but between 342 and 352.

Many of the details of his life that we have appeared during medieval times. St. Methodius, Patriarch of Constantinople, in the middle of the ninth century produced a life of Nicholas in which he noted that the life of Nicholas was unknown to most of the Christians of the time, thus indicating his composition was probably based mainly on legend. Methodius noted that Nicholas was raised well by pious and well-to-do parents and related how Nicholas contributed from his inheritance the dowry for three daughters of a citizen of Patara who had lost all his money.

After Methodius’ life of Nicholas became available, Nicholas was acclaimed and honored throughout Europe and especially in Italy. His fame increased. The story of his rescue of sailors in the Aegean Sea during his lifetime established him as the patron of mariners.

In time his fame in northern Europe as a saintly bishop began changing to that of a giver of gifts to children, usually done on December 6. As immigrants from the Germanic and Nordic lands settled in the United States the image of St. Nicholas, or “,” as he is known among the Dutch, slowly changed to that of “Santa Claus” with little tie to the spirituality of Christianity.

Kondak: You revealed yourself, O saint, in Myra as a priest, For you fulfilled the Gospel of Christ By giving up your soul for your people, And saving the innocent from death. Therefore you are blessed as one become wise in the grace of God. 5

Patron of Children – St. Nicholas is regarded as a patron of children due to a popular legend that has about a thousand different versions. Here is my version which is a hybrid of a few: St. Nicholas met a man in Myra that had three daughters and he could not afford their dowry to be wed which in those days meant that the girls would likely become prostitutes. St. Nicholas then decided, so as not to shame him, that he would throw three bags of gold through their window for each of the girls so that they would not live a life of prostitution and shame. The man was very grateful and never discovered who donated the money. Other versions have the man discovering St. Nicholas or have throwing one bag every year for three years. Some also have Saint Nicholas throwing the last bag down the chimney of the house in order to avoid discovery.

https://www.catholiccompany.com/getfed/st-nicholas-facts-legends/

IN PRAISE OF THE “NEW EVE” — THE MOTHER OF GOD AND THE DIGNITY OF WOMEN

For a tragically long time, men have neglected, exploited and abused women using the excuse that it was Eve who caused the Fall, and therefore, the “daughters of Eve” “have it coming to them”. Such a line of reasoning is not only abominable but also runs contrary to some of the fundamental tenets of our Holy Orthodox Faith. First of all, Orthodoxy maintains that no one is guilty of a sin except the person who committed it. … Secondly, we must keep in mind that Adam and Eve together represent the fullness of humanity. The Fall was not caused by Eve sinning, but by both Adam and Eve sinning. In fact, the fathers point out that it was not even Adam and Eve sinning that caused the Fall; rather, their common unwillingness to take responsibility for their actions – that is, their unwillingness to repent – is what closes the gates of paradise on them…. The third point to be made against the “Eve-was-bad-therefore-all-women- are-bad” philosophy is that Eve is not the end of the spiritual legacy of “womankind”. In Orthodoxy we teach that, as Christ is the “New Adam”, Mary, the Mother of God is the “New Eve”. In the same way that sin and death come into the world by the rebellion of both man and woman; sin and death are overcome in the world by the faithfulness of both man and woman.

If women are daughters of the first Eve [the first person to rebel against God], then they are also daughters of the Second Eve [the person in all of human history who is the greatest example of dedication to God]. In the spirit of the second Eve, we honour many women Saints as role models of Christian service to the Lord – role models for all people, women and men alike.

Published by the Office of Missions and Education, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada A head’s-up from Saskatchewan Orthodox Retreat Committee

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever! Hello Retreat attendees past and present, With God's Blessing we are looking forward to the 2019 Retreat.

Date: June 7, 8 and 9, 2019. Location: Queen's House Retreat Centre, Saskatoon. Theme: "Laying Aside All Earthly Cares" Presenter: Fr. Gregory Horton of Holy Myrrhbearers Orthodox Church, Antiochian Archdiocese, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

We hope you will join us for a weekend of spiritual refreshment, prayer and fellowship. Note the specials being offered this year. The Mother/Daughter registration is $200 for the first, and $100 for the second registration. There is also a special rate of $150 for a first time registrant.

The 2018 Holodomor Wreath presented at the Holodomor Commemoration Ceremony at Edmonton City Hall on Saturday, Nov 24, 2018

The sheaf of wheat represents the grain stolen from Ukraine by Stalin and the ragged red ribbon, the blood of the Ukrainian men, women and children who perished. The wheat stalks are enclosed in a cage; as was the travesty of this genocide hidden from the entire world. When the Canadian government initiated Holodomor Memorial Day, they agreed on the figure of 10 million deaths in Ukraine. There are 10 flickering candles in the wreath each representative of one million souls. The evergreen (everlasting) wreath is a symbol of the resilience of the Ukraine people.

2018 Holodomor Wreath Created By Betty Corlett

Upcoming news and events at our sister parishes and in the Ukrainian Community

Friday, December 7, 2018 - Pyrohy Super and Christmas Bake Sale at St. Andrew’s

Sunday, December 09, 2018 - St. Apostle Andrew Feast Day Celebration at St. Andrew’s

Saturday, December 15, 2018 - St. Nicholas Night - St. Anthony’s

Sunday, December 16, 2018 - St. Nicholas Dinner & Concert @12:00 pm at St. John’s

Friday, December 28, 2018 - Pyrohy Supper @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at St. John’s 7

ACUA (Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts) Events ACUA Gallery & Artisan Boutique (9534 - 87 Street)

Crafting Christmas Workshop Retreat

Crafting Christmas is back for its 3rd year! Join us at the ACUA Gallery & Artisan Boutique on December 8 participating in workshops, listening to , and enjoying coffee and Christmas treats on us! Register for 1 workshop or for a morning and afternoon workshop!

- Felting Necklaces with Nataliia Iashnikova - Saturday, December 8, 2018 @9am - 12pm

- Malanka Goat with Myroslava Oksentiuk - Saturday, December 8, 2018 @10am - 12pm

- Yavoriv Painting with Myroslava Oksentiuk - Saturday, December 8, 2018 @1pm - 3:30pm

- Didukh with Lessia Petriv - Saturday, December 8, 2018 @1pm - 3:30pm

St Nicholas Day at ACUA with Myroslava Oksentiuk on December 15, 2018

Celebrate St. Nicholas Day at ACUA!

Instructor: Myroslava Oksentiuk December 15, 2018 | 10:00 - 11:30AM Register by: December 12, 2018 Registration Fee: Free

Bring your childern to ACUA and they can celebrate St Nicholas Day with Myroslava. She will read and will have the children make a special Christmas Angel they can take home to decorate their . This is a free activity, but donation will be accepted to help cover the cost of supplies.

ACUA’s Annual Christmas Mixer!

FRIDAY DECEMBER 14, 2018 6:30 to 8:30 PM

Share some Christmas cheer with ACUA! Join ACUA for a Christmas Cocktail Mixer! Member and patron appreciation night. Light snacks and beverages provided. Live music.

Meet ACUA artists and visit new and old friends. Browse the gallery and boutique to do some Christmas shopping, all while supporting your local non profit organization and local artists and artisans! Wine and cocktail tasting with light snacks! UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ST.ELIA.

ORDER OF SERVICES FOR DECEMBER 2018.

2. - SUNDAY……….. 27-th.SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST ...... 10:00 A.M.

9. - SUNDAY……….. 28-th.SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST ...... 10:00 A.M.

16. - SUNDAY……….. 29-th.SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST ...... 10:00 A.M.

23. - SUNDAY……….. 30-th.SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST ...... 10:00 A.M.

30. - SUNDAY.…….…...... SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY ...... 10:00 A.M.

ORDER OF SERVICES FOR JANUARY 2019.

6. - SUNDAY…...... EVE OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST.…………...... 4:30 P.M.

7. - MONDAY…...... THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD………………….....10:00 A.M.

13. - SUNDAY………... SUNDAY AFTER NATIVITY ...... ……………..10:00 A.M.

18. - FRIDAY…...... EVE OF THEOPHANY. BLESSING WATER ……....5:30 P.M. JORDAN BLESSED MEAL AFTER SERVICE

19 - SATURDAY……. HOLY THEOPHANY. BLESSING WATER ……...... 10:00 A.M.

20 - SUNDAY………... SOBOR OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST ...…………..10:00 A.M.

27. - SUNDAY………... ST.NINA THE ENLIGHTENER ...... ………..10:00 A.M.