Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearers
St. Nicholas Bulletin - May 16, 2021 - Third Sunday of Pascha
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Christ is Risen! Христос Васкрсе! Χριστός Ανέστη! Cristo ha Resucitado! |
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Homily on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women
from His Emminence Sotirios, Metropolitan of Pisidia
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Christ is Risen!
When reading the Holy Gospels, one of the most striking things we see is that after the Lord’s Resurrection, His Disciples were not the first to see Him. Instead, it was the women who had anointed Jesus’ dead body with myrrh, who would receive the blessing to see the Lord first. These pious women, who remained faithful to Him since the beginning, kept the flame of devotion constantly burning in their hearts. They followed Jesus and the Twelve Apostles during their public ministry, and served them in the needs of daily life. St. Luke the Evangelist notes that the women who accompanied Jesus provided for His needs from what they had (see Luke 8:3). Some of them were wealthy, such as Joanna, the wife of Chuza, who was an official for King Herod.
What is most remarkable about the Myrrh-bearers is their dedicated love for Christ, which was constant. They were there from the start, and remained with Him always. They were not only there with Him when He was speaking, doing miracles and attracting crowds, but also when He was abandoned by everyone else. They were there when He was arrested and crucified on the Cross as a criminal. They remained at the foot of the Cross, and stood by as He was taken down. They were there for His burial by Joseph and Nicodemus, and then returned to the tomb on Sunday morning to offer myrrh in their worship of Christ.
They would not allow fear or any threats to keep them away from the Lord. What a great example for all of us! To maintain our devotion to Christ to the very end, and to His Holy Body, the Church.
Sadly, sometimes there are many who have been with Christ in the Church for a long time, believing in Him and following Him, but are later separated from the Church. They can be clergy or laypeople, and it happens for a variety of reasons. What this reveals is that these people have not really understood who Christ is, or what the Church is. Some view the Church of Christ in a human way, as if it was just a club that people go to in order to see friends on a Sunday morning. If those “friends” stop coming to Church, they also do not come. They forget that the Church is where we go to meet Christ, Who is the best and most faithful friend we could ever have. What other friend is there who sacrificed for us, loves us and embraced the Cross for our salvation? It is Christ alone, Who also calls us His friends. Not only do we rejoice in our fellowship and conversation with Him, but we also unite with Him and commune with Him in the Holy Mysteries! Our Lord Jesus Christ waits for us in His Holy Church with love, to relieve us of our burdens. All hardship, pain, sorrow and anxiety are healed in His loving embrace, curing us of the anguish caused by our sins. We are nourished by His Holy Body and Blood, and receive strength, peace of mind and the joy that enables us to continue to struggle towards the Heavenly Kingdom. If a person fails to realize this, then it will be easy for them to fall away for some frivolous reason. Perhaps they stay away because of a personal conflict with someone in the Church, it could even be their priest or bishop. They may also become jealous of another because they think they receive more honor or attention. It is painful to see brothers and sisters overcome by such things.
On the other side, when we see the steadfast love of the Myrrh-bearers to Christ, we are inspired. Even though we do not have Jesus Christ with us physically as He was then, we know that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He Himself told us, “I will always be with you to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). This constant living presence of the Lord among us comes through the Church, which the Lord Himself founded (Matthew 16:18), Himself being the Head (Ephesians 5:23), and “the Church is the Body of Christ” (Ephesians 1:23).
There have been countless women of great faith associated with the Resurrection of Christ and His Church through the centuries, even to today. They too are “myrrh-bearers,” offering their service to the Church in many ways. This includes charity, catechism, missionary work and serving the needs of others. They know that whatever they do for the poor, hungry, sick, and the stranger, the Lord accepts it as an offering to Him. Just as the Resurrected Lord appeared to the Myrrh-bearers, so too will He be revealed in all His glory to call upon those who have loved Him, and remained united with Him through His Church, to enjoy His eternal blessing.
May God enlighten us all to understand the great truth in all of this. Amen.
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NOTE: We do not know the names of all the pious women who accompanied Jesus from Galilee to Calvary, and brought their gifts to the Tomb that morning of the Resurrection. St. Luke the Evangelist writes that along with the Virgin Mother of the Lord there were many others who had come to adorn Him (see Luke 8:3). Of these, only seven are mentioned in the Holy Gospels:
St. Mary Magdalene, who was possessed by demons before being healed by the Lord. She followed Him with gratitude and devotion to the very end. St. Mark the Evangelist writes that after His Resurrection, Jesus first appeared to her (see Mark 16:9).
St. Mary, the wife of Alpheus and mother of St. James the Less, as he was called, in order to distinguish him from St. James the Greater, both Apostles.
St. Salome, wife of Zebedee and mother of the Apostles James and John.
St. Mary, wife of Cleopas. St. John the Evangelist call her “Jesus’ Mother’s Sister” (John 19:25). This is because her mother was the wife of the brother of St. Joachim, the father of the Theotokos)
St. Joanna, wife of Chuza, who was a Commissioner of King Herod.
Sts. Mary and Martha, the sisters of St. Lazarus, who was resurrected by the Lord.
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PASCHAL TROPARION—TONE 1
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death; and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 2
When You descended to death, O Life Immortal, You destroyed hell with the splendor of Your Godhead. And when from the depths You raised the dead, all the powers of heaven cried out: “O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to You!”
JOSEPH TROPARION—TONE 2
The noble Joseph, when he had taken down Your most pure Body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen and anointed it with spices, and placed it in a new tomb. But You rose on the third day, O Lord, granting the world great mercy.
MYRRHBEARING WOMEN TROPARION —TONE 2
The Angel came to the Myrrhbearing Women at the tomb and said: “Myrrh is fitting for the dead; but Christ has shown Himself a stranger to corruption! So proclaim: The Lord is risen, granting the world great mercy.”
MYRRHBEARING WOMEN KONTAKION —TONE 2
You commanded the Myrrhbearers to rejoice, O Christ God. By Your Resurrection, You stopped the lamentation of Eve, the first mother. You commanded them to preach to Your Apostles: “The Savior is risen from the tomb!”
PASCHAL KONTAKION—TONE 8
You descended into the Tomb, O Immortal. You destroyed the power of death; in Victory You arose, O Christ God, proclaiming: “Rejoice!” to the Myrrh-bearing Women, granting peace to Your Apostles, and bestowing Resurrection on the fallen.
Instead of “It is Truly Meet…”
The Angel cried to the Lady, full of grace: “Rejoice, O pure Virgin! Again, I say: ‘Rejoice, your Son is risen from His three days in the tomb! With Himself He has raised all the dead.’” Rejoice, O Ye people! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem! The glory of the Lord has shone on you. Exult now, and be glad, O Zion! Be radiant, O pure Theotokos, in the Resurrection of your Son!
Priest: “Blessed is the Kingdom…” Choir: Amen. Priest: Tropar 2 1/2 times. Choir: Finishes.
Priest: “In the fear of God …” Choir: “Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord … “
Priest: “O Lord, save Your people …” Choir: “Christ is risen from the dead … “ (slow version)
Priest: “Always, now and ever …” Choir: “Let our mouths be filled …”
(At the Dismissal, the Priest says: “Glory to You, O Christ….,” and the choir sings “Christ is risen from the dead….” (thrice).
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ |
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READERS:
Matins: Nicholas Ressetar Epistle: Marko Rocknage
Matins Next Week: Milan Radanovic Epistle Next Week: Nicholas Govelovich
EPISTLE: Acts 6: 1-7
EPISTLE: Acts 6: 1-7
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Sixth Tone: O Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance!
CHOIR: O Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance!
READER: v: To You, O Lord, will I call. O my God, be not silent to me!
CHOIR: O Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance!
READER: O Lord, save Your people...
CHOIR: ...and bless Your inheritance!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: O Lord, You have been gracious to Your land; You have turned back the captivity of Jacob.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Mercy and truth have met, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Дјела Ап. 6: 1-7
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 6 Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Хор: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Читач: Теби, Господе Боже мој, вапим: немој ме оставити без одговора.
Хор: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Читач: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој
Хор: и благослови наследство Своје.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: читање из књиге дјела апостолских
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, и у оне дане, када се множаху ученици, подигоше јелинисти вику на Јевреје што се њихове удовице заборављаху кад се дијељаше помоћ сваки дан. Онда Дванаесторица, сазвавши мноштво ученика, рекоше: Не доликује нама да оставивши ријеч Божију служимо око трпеза. Потражите, дакле, браћо, између вас седам освједочених људи, пуних Духа Светога и мудрости, које ћемо поставити на ову службу. А ми ћемо у молитви и у служби ријечи приљежно остати. И ријеч ова би угодна свему народу. И изабраше Стефана, човјека испуњенога вјером и Духом Светим, и Филипа, и Прохора, и Никанора, и Тимона, и Пармена, и Николу прозелита из Антиохије. Ове поставише пред апостоле и они помоливши се Богу положише руке на њих. И ријеч Божија растијаше и веома се множаше број ученика у Јерусалиму, и велико мноштво свештеника покораваху се вјери.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Смиловао си се, Господе, на земљу своју, повратио си робље Јаковљево.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Милост и истина срешће се, правда и мир пољубиће се.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Mark 15:43-16:8
Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Марко 15:43-16:8
У оно вријеме дође Јосиф, из Ариматеје, угледан савјетник, који и сам Царство Божије чекаше, и усуди се те уђе Пилату и заиска тијело Исусово. А Пилат се зачуди да је већ умро; и дозвавши капетана, запита га: Је ли давно умро? И дознавши од капетана, даде тијело Јосифу. И он купивши платно и скинувши га, обави платном, и положи га у гроб који бјеше исјечен у камену, и навали камен на врата гроба. А Марија Магдалина и Марија Јосијина гледаху гдје га полагаху. Мироносице на гробу. И пошто прође субота, Марија Магдалина и Марија Јаковљева и Саломија купише мирисе да дођу да га помажу. И врло рано у први дан недјеље дођоше на гроб око изласка сунца. И говораху међу собом: Ко ће нам одвалити камен од врата гроба? И погледавши видјеше да камен бјеше одваљен; а бјеше врло велики. И ушавши у гроб, видјеше младића обучена у бијелу хаљину гдје сједи с десне стране; и уплашише се. А он им рече: Не плашите се. Исуса тражите Назарећанина, распетога. Устаде, није овдје; ево мјеста гдје га положише. Него идите и кажите ученицима његовим и Петру, да ће пред вама отићи у Галилеју; тамо ћете га видјети, као што вам рече. И изишавши побјегоше од гроба, јер их ухвати страх и трепет, и ником ништа не казаше, јер се бојаху.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ |
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May Birthdays
Nicholas Hernjak (May 1), Cody Hewitt (May 2), Jelena Bowser (May 7), Chloe Lewis (May 8), Kaila Chung (May 8), Bobbi Lynn Wenner (May 10), Bella Gilroy (May 10), Meghan Livingston (May 11), Brankica Skinder (May 12), Trenton Petrovich (May 13), Maria Bowers, (May 21), Jelena Lojpur (May 22), Inna Reznitchenko (May 23), Nikki Lewis (May 24), Ryan Spangler (May 25)
May Anniversaries
Michelle & Donald Kingsbury (May 1), Heather & Erik Barber (May 1), Pete & Arlene Barber (May 3), Fr Srboljub & Protinica (May 14), Mike & Carole Radosinovich (May 15), Ben & Jovanka Shaffer (May 15), Rod & Angie Vorkapich (May 20), Sam & Peggy Radanovic (May 25), Nina & Eric Gilroy (May 26), Matt & Pam Healy (May 29), Greg & Haley Book (May 29)
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THE DEADLINE IS TODAY
If you are not receiving envelopes and wish to, or receiving envelopes and no longer wish to receive them, or you need to make an address change, please inform the office TODAY May 16!
COMMITTEE FOR LAND USE
The first meeting of the Committee for Land Use will occur on Wednesday, May 19 at 6:30pm via Zoom video chat. Those who volunteered have already received the link. If you would like to participate in this brainstorming session, please contact Fr. Christopher as soon as possible.
2021 STEWARDSHIP CARDS
We thank God for you all, and your commitment to Him in the form of your Time, Talents and Treasures. Take some time this week as you complete your card to consider how your offering reflects your thanksgiving to God for all that He has given you: family, kumovi, friends, life, livelihood— and most importantly—Eternal Salvation through the Sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ!
DRIVE THRU PICNIC DONATIONS
We are in need of donations of Apple Strudel, Cherry Strudel, Savory Plain Cheese Gibanica and Potato Salad. If you are able and willing to donate any of these items for our drive thru picnic, please contact Popadija Andreja by May 30th. Please note we are only accepting those items to allow for easier packaging/selling/ordering. Donations can be dropped off in the church hall anytime Friday, June 4th but need to be delivered by 10am on Saturday the 5th.
DRIVE THRU PICNIC—ADVERTISING
If you can help us get the word out by hanging fliers in local establishments, please see Daria Milletics.
GIFT SHOP HAS NEW ITEMS
The gift shop in the lobby has added Vintage Bulgarian Souvenirs which are available for purchase. Stop by after Liturgy.
SERBIAN/AMERICAN CLUB 2021 DUES
Peggy Radanovic is collecting club dues once again. Please mail your dues to her at her new address (203 Community Circle, Palmyra 17078) or here at church. You may call her with questions at 717-641-4249. Dues are $5 for the year.
ST NICHOLAS SENIORS 2021 DUES
JoAnn Filepas is collecting 2021 dues for the St Nicholas Seniors. Please mail your dues to her at (7054 Red Top Road, Harrisburg 17111). Dues are $5 for the year.
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May Charity
OCMC
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) is the official international mission agency of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and was created to "establish vibrant Eucharistic communities throughout the world, to develop and support indigenous church leaders, and to strengthen the infrastructure of their churches." OCMC recruits and trains Orthodox missionaries to minister to people in need of spiritual, physical and emotional support. OCMC missionaries are currently serving in Albania, Romania and Tanzania. Orthodox Mission Teams are periodically organized to serve where needed and you may volunteer to participate in this activity. Mission teams have built churches and offered training and services to communities in need. OCMC also operates a Support a Mission Priest (SAMP) program offering financial assistance to priests living in extremely poor areas in more than a dozen countries around the world. Through SAMP donations, priests can tend more fully to the needs of their flock. The donation you make this month will support an Orthodox Christian organization that provides important services and spiritual comfort to many people in Eastern Europe and Africa. Visit the OCMC website at www.ocmc.org for more information.
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We hope you enjoy this new addition to our weekly bulletin. Each week, we will include lessons and activities for our children to help them navigate the Church year. May it enable us all to bear the good fruit of a life in Christ!
Take some time this week to review this with your children or grandchildren by clicking on the button below to download the PDF.
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