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The Blind Man
St. Nicholas Bulletin - May 21, 2023
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Christ is Risen! Христос Васкрсе! Χριστός ἀνέστη! Cristo ha resuscitado! El Messieh Qa’am! | |
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We should Approach a Person As a Mystery
By St. Anthony of Sourozh
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We heard today the story of the man born blind. We do not know from experience what physical blindness is, but we can imagine how this man was walled in himself, how all the world around him existed only as a distant sound, something he could not picture, imagine. He was a prisoner within his own body. He could live by imaginations, he could invent a world around himself, he could by touch and by hearing approximate what really was around him; but the total, full reality could only escape him.
We are not physically blind, but how many of us are locked in themselves! Who of us can say that he is so open that he can perceive all the world in its width, but also in its depth? We meet people, and we see them with our eyes; but seldom it happens that beyond the outer shape, features, clothes, – how often does it happen that we see something of the depth of the person? How seldom it is that we look into a person’s eyes and go deep in understanding! We are surrounded by people and every person is unique to God, but are people unique to us? Are not people that surround us just ‘people’, who have names, surnames, nicknames, whom we can recognise by their outer looks but whom we do not know at any depth?
This is our condition: we are blind, we are deaf, we are insensitive to the outer world, and yet, we are called to read meanings. When we meet a person, we should approach this person as a mystery, that is as something which we can discover only by a deep communion, by entering into a relationship, perhaps silent, perhaps in words, but so deep that we can know one another not quite as God knows us, but in the light of God that enlightens all and each of us.
And more than this: we can do, each within his own power, within his own gifts, what Christ did: He opened the eyes of this man. What did this man see? The first thing he saw was the face of the Incarnate Son of God, in other words, he saw love incarnate. When his eyes met the eyes of Christ, he met God’s compassion, God’s tenderness, God’s earnest concern and understanding. In the same way could so many people begin to see, if by meeting us they meet people in whose eyes, on whose face they could see the shining of earnest, sober love, of a love that is not sentimental but is seeing, a love that can see and understand. And then, how much could we be to people around us a revelation of all the meanings that this world holds and contains through art, through beauty, through science, through all the means by which beauty is perceived and proclaimed among human beings.
But are we doing this? Is our concern to convey the width, and the depth, the beauty and the meaning of things to every person whom we meet? Are we not rather concerned with receiving than with giving? And yet, Saint Paul who knew what it meant to receive and to give, said, ‘It is a more blessed thing to give than to receive’. And yet how much had he received! He had received the knowledge of God in his own experience; he had received teaching, and knowledge, and experience within the Old Testament, and then Christ revealed Himself to him: what did he not receive! And yet, he exulted more in giving than in receiving, because he did not want to be the owner of all the richness that had come his way; he wanted to share it, to give it, to set aglow and afire other lives than his own.
Let us reflect on how rich, how richly endowed we are, how much it was given us to see, and to hear. And let us realise at the same time how tragically walled we are within ourselves unless we break this wall in order to give, as generously, as richly, as abundantly as we were given. And then indeed, our joy will be fulfilled according to Christ’s promise. And no one, nothing will ever be able to take it away from us. Amen!
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Commemorating Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, Venerable Arsenius the Great, Venerable Arsenius the Lover-of-Labor of the Kiev Far Caves, Venerable Pimen the Ascetic of the Kiev Far Caves
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.
EVANGELIST JOHN TROPARION—TONE 2
O beloved Apostle of Christ our God, come quickly to deliver your helpless people. He on whose breast you leaned, will accept you as intercessor. Entreat Him, O Theologian, to disperse the clouds of darkness, granting us peace and great mercy!
HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION—TONE 4
In the middle of the feast, O Savior, fill my thirsting soul with the waters of piety as You cried to all: “If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink!” O Christ God, Fountain of our life, glory to You!
HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS KONTAKION—TONE 3
Your relics have moved like a star from the East to the West, O Hierarch Nicholas; and the sea has been sanctified by your passage. The city of Bari receives grace through you, for you have shone forth for us as a wonderworker, illustrious, most wondrous, and merciful.
SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN KONTAKION —TONE 4
I come to You, O Christ, blind from birth in my spiritual eyes, and call to You in repentance: “You are the most radiant Light of those in darkness.”
PASCHA 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 Myrrhbearing 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:
This Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Nick Govelovich
Next Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Grant Govelovich
EPISTLE: Acts 16: 16-34, John 1: 1-7
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Eighth Tone: Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God!
CHOIR: Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God!
READER: v: In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel.
CHOIR: Pray and make your vows before the Lord, our God!
READER: Pray and make your vows ...
CHOIR: … before the Lord, our God!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Look upon me and have mercy on me!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Guide my steps according to Your word!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Дјела Ап. 16:16-34, Јован 1:1-7
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 8 Молите се и извршујте своје завете Господу Богу нашему.
Хор: Молите се и извршујте своје завете Господу Богу нашему.
Читач: Зна се у Јудеји за Бога, у Израиљу је велико име Његово.
Хор: Молите се и извршујте своје завете Господу Богу нашему.
Читач: Молите се и извршујте своје
Хор: завете Господу Богу нашему!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: читање из књиге дјела апостолских
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: И кад иђасмо на молитву, догоди се пак да нас срете једна робиња која имаше дух погађачки и гатајући доношаше велики добитак својим господарима.
Ова пође за Павлом и за нама, и викаше говорећи: Ови су људи слуге Бога Вишњега, који нам јављају пут спасења. И овако чињаше много дана. А када се Павлу досади, окрену се и рече духу: Заповиједам ти именом Господа Исуса Христа, изиђи из ње! И изиђе у тај час. А када видјеше њезини господари да изиђе нада њиховог добитка, узеше Павла и Силу и одвукоше их на трг пред поглаваре. И кад их доведоше војводама, рекоше: Ови људи узбуњују наш град, а Јевреји су, И проповиједају обичаје које нама не приличи примати ни творити, јер смо Римљани. И слеже се народ на њих, и војводе им раздријеше хаљине, и заповједише да их шибају. И пошто им ударише много батина, бацише их у тамницу, и заповједише тамничару да их добро чува. Примивши такву заповијест, он их баци у најдоњу тамницу и ноге им метну у кладе. А око поноћи Павле и Сила мољаху се и слављаху Бога; а сужњи их слушаху. Одједном пак настаде велики земљотрес, тако да се потресоше темељи тамнице; и одмах се отворише сва врата и свима спадоше окови. А кад се пробуди тамничар и видје отворена врата тамничка, извади нож и хтједе да се убије, мислећи да су сужњи побјегли. А Павле повика јаким гласом говорећи: Не чини себи зла никаква, јер смо сви овдје! А он заискавши свјетиљку улетје и дрхтећи паде пред Павла и Силу; И извевши их напоље рече: Господо, шта ми треба чинити да се спасем? А они рекоше: Вјеруј у Господа Исуса Христа и спашћеш се ти и сав дом твој. И говораху му ријеч Господњу, и свима у дому његову. И узевши их у онај час ноћи опра им ране; и одмах се крсти он и сви његови. И уведе их у свој дом и постави трпезу, и радоваше се са свим домом својим што је повјеровао у Бога.
У почетку је била Реч, и Реч је била са Богом, и Реч је била Бог. Био је на поиетку са Богом. Све ствари су направљене преко Њега, и без њега ништа није направљено. У њему је био ћивот, а ћивот је био светлост људи. И светлост сија у тами, а тама је није разумела. Послат је човек од Бога, чије је име Џон. Овај човек је дошао по сведока, да сведочи Светлости, у коју би сви кроз њега могли да поверују.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Погледај ме и смилуј се на ме.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Утврди стопе моје у речи Твојој.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
John 9: 1-38, John 19: 25-27, 21: 24-25
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?” Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.” He said, “I am he.” Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.” Then they said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.” They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.” He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?” Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.” The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.” They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Јован 9: 1-38, Јован 19: 25-27, 21: 24-25
И кад Исус пролазаше, видје човјека слијепа од рођења. И запиташе га ученици његови говорећи: Рави, ко сагријеши, овај или родитељи његови, те се роди слијеп? Исус одговори: Не сагријеши ни он ни родитељи његови, него да се јаве дјела Божија на њему. Мени ваља чинити дјела Онога који ме посла, док је дан. Долази ноћ кад нико не може радити. Док сам у свијету, свјетлост сам свијету. Рекавши ово, пљуну на земљу и начини блато од пљувачке, и помаза блатом очи слијепоме. И рече му: Иди умиј се у бањи Силоамској, што преведено значи: послан. Он оде, дакле, и уми се, и дође гледајући. А сусједи и они који га бијаху видјели прије да бјеше слијеп говораху: Није ли ово онај што је сједио и просио? Једни говораху да је он. а други да је налик на њега. Он говораше: Ја сам. Тада му говораху: Како ти се отворише очи? Он одговори и рече: Човјек који се зове Исус начини блато, и помаза очи моје, и рече ми: иди у бању Силоамску и умиј се. И кад отидох и умих се, прогледах. Тада му рекоше: Гдје је он? Рече: Не знам. Онда њега, некадашњега слијепца, одведоше фарисејима. А бјеше субота кад Исус начини блато и отвори му очи. А фарисеји га тада опет питаху како прогледа. А он им рече: Блато ми метну на очи, и умих се и видим. Тада говораху неки од фарисеја: Није овај човјек од Бога, јер не светкује суботу. Други говораху: Како може човјек грјешан таква знамења чинити? И наста раздор међу њима. Опет рекоше слијепцу: Шта ти велиш за онога што отвори очи твоје? А он рече: Пророк је. Тада Јудејци не вјероваше за њега да је био слијеп и прогледао, док не дозваше родитеље тога што је прогледао, и запиташе их говорећи: Је ли ово син ваш за кога ви кажете да се роди слијеп? Како, дакле, сада види? А родитељи његови одговорише им и рекоше: Знамо да је ово син наш, и да се роди слијеп; А како сада види не знамо, или ко му отвори очи ми не знамо: сам је већ одрастао, питајте њега, нека сам каже за себе. Ово рекоше родитељи његови јер се бојаху Јудејаца; јер се Јудејци већ бијаху договорили да буде одлучен од синагоге ко год њега призна за Христа. Зато рекоше родитељи његови: Одрастао је, њега питајте. Тада по други пут дозваше човјека који је био слијеп. и рекоше му: Подај славу Богу, ми знамо да је онај човјек грјешан. А он одговори и рече: Је ли грјешан, не знам; једно знам – да ја бијах слијеп, и сада видим. Тада му опет рекоше: Шта ти учини? Како отвори очи твоје? Одговори им: Већ вам казах и не слушасте. Шта опет хоћете да чујете? Да нећете и ви да постанете ученици његови? Они га изгрдише и рекоше: Ти си ученик његов, а ми смо ученици Мојсејеви. Ми знамо да је Мојсеју говорио Бог; а овога не знамо откуда је. Одговори човјек и рече им: У томе и јесте чудо што ви не знате откуда је, а он отвори очи моје. А знамо да Бог не слуша грјешнике; него ако ко Бога поштује и вољу његову твори, тога слуша. Откако је вијека није се чуло да ико отвори очи рођеноме слијепцу. Кад он не би био од Бога, не би могао ништа чинити. Одговорише и рекоше му: Ти си се родио сав у гријесима, па ти нас да учиш? И истјераше га напоље. Чу Исус да га истјераше напоље, па нашавши га рече му: Вјерујеш ли ти у Сина Божијега? Он одговори и рече: А ко је он, Господе, да у њега вјерујем? А Исус му рече: И видио си га и онај који говори с тобом, тај је. А он рече: Вјерујем, Господе! И поклони му се.
Сада је стајао поред крста Исуса Његове мајке, и сестре његове мајке, Мери, ћене Клопаса, и Марије Магдалене. Када је Исус стога видео своју мајку, и ученика поред кога је волео да стоји, рекао је мајци: "Жено, погледај свог сина!" Онда је рекао ученику: "Гледај своју мајку!" И од тог сата тај ученик ју је одвео у свој дом. Ово је ученик који сведочи о тим стварима, и писао је те ствари; И знамо да је његово сведочење истинито. А постоје и многе друге ствари које је Исус урадио, а које ако би их писале једну по једну, претпостављам да ни сам свет не би могао да садржи књиге које би биле написане. Амин.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
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~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
Newly Illumined Bennett Noah Spangler, his parents and sponsors, Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, Popadija Sara Golic, Matushka Barbara Ealy, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and Michael Repasky, the child Metodija and his parents Fr. Dn. Milan and Mira Damljanovic, the child Danijela and her parents Mark and Jennifer Belo, the child Louise Bare and her parents Zachary & Elizabeth, Isadora Lazarevic and the newborn Luka John, Bethany Peterson and the newborn Delilah Marie, Emma Howell and the child to be born of her, Kyranna Radanovic and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Lori Bare, Dori Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Darlene & Larry Black, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Walter “Bud” Brown, Guiliana & Aleksandar Carricato, Leann Cox, Joseph Derk, Art Dils, Draga Donato, Tommy and Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Anaya Garvin, Christian & Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Nick & Terry Govelovich, Kata Gruich, George Gutshall, Dan Hazlett, Basil Havalchak, Travis Heilman, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Kay Himes, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Myong Sook Kim, Spencer Klinge, Dorothy Krnjaich, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Catherine Lewis, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Boro Lojpur, Stephen Lundingrin, Dianne & Jim Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, Marija Miljkovic, Daria Milletics, Infant of God Ryan Leigh Moffitt, Dave Morris, Peter Mrgich, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Eva Orr, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Logan Roszkowski, Nathan & Jane Rush, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Pat Shoemaker, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Tim Stefan, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Dewey Yetter, Mileva “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Ashley Ziobrowski, Demetrios & Eleni Ziogas, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski
Those Who Need Special Care
COUNTRY MEADOWS MECHANICSBURG: Florence Ivanoff; MASONIC HOME ELIZABETHTOWN: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic; SPRING CREEK: Chuck Belic
Those to be Baptized
Sloane Ivey & Berkeley Blythe Semic, Emilia Renee & Delilah Marie Peterson, Barrett Scott, Divna & Danica Mitrovic, Nora Katherine & Maeve Noelle Van Huysen, Sloane York
Our College Students
Anastasija Gligorevic, Cayden Healy, Matthew Hoover, Kalei Howard, Sophia Mummert, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Ioanna Radanovic, Kyranna Radanovic, Madison Vorkapich
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Protopresbyter Srboljub Jockovic, Djordje Kojic, Kristina Turuntas, Djuro Miljevic, Constantine Vloutely, Robert Bazdar, Ljuban Kosovac, John J Milakovic
~Our Deepest Sympathy~
We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of John Joseph Milakovic, who reposed in the Lord on Sunday, May 14. Funeral Services will here on Thursday, May 25 with a viewing at 11 am and service starting at 12 pm. May his soul dwell with the righteous and be numbered among the just! Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
~Vigils Offered~
CAMERON BARBER Offered in celebration of her graduation from Lower Dauphin HS. We are so proud of you, love Mom, Dad & Kyle. We wish you the best year of your “College Life’ and ‘New Adventures’, love Baba & PapPap
NIKKI LEWIS Offered in celebration of my beautiful daughter’s birthday (May 24). Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta! Much love, Mom
NIKKI LEWIS Offered in joyful celebration of my Godchild’s birthday (May 24). May God shower her with His blessings for good health & happiness for many years. Mnogaja Ljeta! With Love Kuma Tootsie. Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
CATHERINE LEWIS Offered in joyous celebration of her birthday (May 26th). May God bless you with many more! Ziveli! Mnogaja Ljeta! With love from Brian, Nikki, Putz, Chloe, Dennis and Baba.
PAULA WERNER Offered prayerfully for improvement of health. May our Patron Saint Ponteleimon be ever present in her recovery. With love from her family.
TOOTSIE KRNJAICH Offering vigils and prayers for our Kuma Tootsie. May God’s blessings be with her during her rehab period. From her Godchildren, Kat and families.
DARLENE BLACK Offered with love by the Barber & Geib Families for God’s Blessings during her recovery. We pray that He will bless her with good health. Our Love & Prayers are with her.
MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health and God’s blessings and loving care during his recovery.
†MILES BODLOVICH Offered by Joyce and family in loving memory of his birthday (May 22). We miss you so very, very much. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†CASS JAJICH Offered in loving memory of her repose (14 years—May 24) by the Gruich family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
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Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no race.
LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!
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Stewardship Offering Information
Date 5/14/2023
Collection: $1,763.00
Date 5/7/2023
Collection: $5,026.00
Date 4/30/2023
Collection: $3,040.00
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May Birthdays
Nicholas Hernjak (May 1), Cody Hewitt (May 2), Berkeley Semic (May 3), Jelena Bowser (May 7), Chloe Ruff (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), Heather & Craig Heilman (May 14), Mike & Carole Radosinovich (May 15), Ben & Jovanka Shaffer (May 15), Rod & Angie Vorkapich (May 20), Jelena & Christopher Harmantzis (May 21), Nina & Eric Gilroy (May 26), Matt & Pam Healy (May 29), Greg & Haley Book (May 29)
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120th SLAVA
Today, we celebrate our 120th Slava celebration for our St. Nicholas Church. Before we sing “Budi Imja/Blessed be the Name” we will process around the Church, blessing the four sides of the Church. We will complete the Liturgy outside, with the blessing of the kolach and koljevo. We congratulate our Kumovi this year Steve & Doni Cashman.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES
We congratulate our graduates this year as they begin a new portion of their lives: Highschool—Cameron Barber, Michael Geppert, Anastasija Vukalo; College—Anastasija Gligorevic and Sophia Mummert. May God bless you in this new portion of your lives.
BETHESDA MISSION WOMEN’S SHELTER OUTREACH
On the second Saturday of every month, volunteers from our four Orthodox churches prepare and serve lunch for shelter residents. St Nicholas is scheduled to host the lunch on Saturday, June 10, 2023. We also help with various projects and activities that assist with shelter operations. If anyone would like to volunteer or learn more about this important program, please contact Andrea Gunther.
SAVE THE DATE—OCTOBER 28-29, 2023
SSS Josif Marinkovic 90th Anniversary Weekend! Concert, Banquet, Dance, etc. More information will follow!
SOTAYA GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER
Thinking of a gift for someone, a special occasion, birthday or a reward for yourself? Panera Bread gift card is a good choice! And there is no need to go to the store, SOTAYA is selling them at a face value of $25. Just see any SOTAYA member or Sladjana for a purchase. Thanks for your support!
SUMMER ROOM NEEDED
There is an Orthodox Christian young man, Stephen Pyle, a student at Millersville University who is in need of accommodations for the summer to do an internship in Middletown. He is recommended by Susana Troop of Holy Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster, as a faithful Orthodox Christian and a young man of good character. If you have a room available and are willing, please contact Fr. Chris at fr.chris@stnicholassteelton.org.
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SECOND WEDDING BANNS—Sunday, May 21, 2023
This is the second announcement of the upcoming wedding of the servant of God, Christopher Aaron Longin Baker, of the Orthodox Faith, son of Frederick Baker and Patricia Grant of Modesto, CA to the handmaiden of God, Kyranna Radanovic, of the Orthodox Faith, daughter of Reader Christopher and Dr. Jevgenija (nee Orshal) Radanovic of Etters, PA. If anyone has an objection to this union, please contact Father Christopher Rocknage immediately.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9 am until noon. You may call the office during these hours at (717-939-3872) or come by the office in person. Office hours will be adjusted when services are occurring during those hours.
BULLETIN REQUESTS
Bulletin deadline is Wednesday at 11 am. Please email bulletin requests to
office@stnicholassteelton.org
You may also call (717-939-3872).
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Homily on the Sunday of the Blind Man
St. Anthony of Sourozh
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Before his meeting with Christ the blind man had never seen anything. Everything was dark, he had to guess at things, to explore them by touch, to use his imagination. He had no clear authentic image of things. Then he met Christ, and Christ opened his eyes. And what was the first thing this man saw? The face of Christ, His gaze; the face of God become man, the divine gaze full of attentive, compassionate love resting on him, on him alone out of the whole crowd. Straight away he came face to face with the living God and encountered the miracle which so astonishes us: that God can focus His attention on each one of us — as on the lost sheep — and not see the crowd but see the one and only person. After that the man probably surveyed everything around him, and what he had known by description, by hearsay, became reality — "now I see". It happens at the present time also; it can happen to each one of us. Like the man born blind we live most of our lives on alms, we sit like beggars at the roadside holding out a hand in the hope that someone will notice, if not us at least our hand, and give us something to sustain us for the next few hours at any rate. Such sustenance comes for us in the form of a friendly gaze resting upon us, a word spoken to us, a kindness done to us. But all this still leaves us by the roadside, blind and begging for help. When Christ was passing another blind man, Bartimeus, that one did not wait for the Saviour to come up to him and ask him if he wanted to be saved, if he wanted his sight. As soon as he sensed that something unusual was happening in the noisy crowd, and in answer to his question was told who was passing by, he began to shout for help. True, people tried to stop him; true, a slight doubt may have crept into his mind, was it worth shouting, calling for help, would the Lord hear, would he respond to such a trifling need as his? He went on clamouring for help because his suffering was so great, his need was so desperate. He was prepared to push past the people, fight his way through the crowd in order to reach God and be heard by Him. If only we could realise how blind we are. If only we could realise that our knowledge of life, not only eternal, divine life, but earthly life, depends almost entirely on hearsay, that the life around us is dim and ghostly because we are blind, or (like the other blind man in the Gospel, not immediately cured by Christ) see things in a mist. If only we could remember what the Saviour tells us about the beauty and the glory of both eternal and earthly life and not be satisfied with our blindness, how earnestly would we try to detain Christ, so that He might pierce us with His gaze and speak His sovereign, healing, life-giving word to us. Then indeed we might see the astonishing beauty of Christ's face, the fathomless beauty of the divine gaze resting upon us with mercy and compassion and tenderness. We use our eyes so easily, but we see little, and that superficially. Let us seek the vision that can be ours only, when our hearts become bright and pure. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God; and in the brilliance of God's presence we might see each other, each one either illuminated by God's love, shining with the glory of eternal life, or else wounded, darkened, expecting from us not just alms but the surrender of our whole life through love in order that he might receive sight, that to him also the Kingdom of Heaven might already be revealed on earth.
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Sermon on the Ascension of the Lord
St. Nicholai of Žiča, Ochrid and All America
Thus did the One ascend to Heaven Who held heaven within Himself. He who carries hell within himself will end up in hell, but he who bears heaven within his soul will ascend to heaven. And truly, no one can ascend to heaven other than those who have heaven within; and no one can end up in hell besides those who have hell within. The familiar is drawn to what is familiar and unites with the familiar; but it rejects what is not familiar. Matter submits to the spirit to the extent that the human soul is filled with the Divine Spirit; and the laws of nature are obedient to moral laws, which govern the world. Because the Lord Jesus Christ is the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the perfection of moral law, to Him is subject all matter—the entire physical world, with all the laws of nature.
Any person, as a spirit, can be victorious in his life over a certain law of nature, with the help of another law of nature—that is, he can overcome it with his own spirit. Christ, as the God-Man, could subject the laws of nature to Himself through the law of the Spirit, which is the supreme law of the created world. However, this concept, just as any other spiritual concept, can be but partially explained by ordinary earthly conceptualizations and reasoning—and that only by examples and comparisons.
Spiritual things only become clear beyond a doubt when the spirit sees them and perceives them. In order to see and feel the manifestations of the spiritual world, long and exhausting spiritual practice is needed, after which, by God’s grace, spiritual vision may be opened in a person; this vision allows him to see what seems unbelievable and impossible to ordinary mortals. Nevertheless, a person must first believe those who have seen the unbelievable, and strengthen their faith from day to day, striving to see what is inaccessible to the common gaze.
Not in vain does the Lord say, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” [John 20:29]. The Lord God rejoices in their faith just as a father on earth rejoices that his children believe his every word. All the apostles were present at the Ascension of the Lord, gathered on the hill. This was their last collective meeting. However, this was not the last appearance of Christ. Later He appeared in a vision to the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus, to the Apostle John on the island of Patmos, and to other apostles, as well as to martyrs, holy hierarchs, and confessors, over the course of the entire history of the Christian Church.
But the day will come—and that day is not far off—when all the righteous men and women who firmly believed in Him throughout their lives will see Him. And around Him in the heaven will gather all those who were baptized on earth in His name—not only with water, but also with the Spirit and Fire. And they will enter into His joy, which the Heavenly Father has prepared for all His chosen, and will inherit a joy that they have never known before.
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The Transfer of the Relics of Saint Nicholas to Bari in Italy.
In the eleventh century the Byzantine Empire was going through some terrible times. The Turks put an end to its influence in Asia Minor, they destroyed cities and villages, they murdered the inhabitants, and they accompanied their cruel outrage with the desecration of churches, holy relics, icons and books. The Mussulmen also attempted to destroy the relics of Saint Nicholas, deeply venerated by the whole Christian world.
In the year 792 the caliph Aaron Al’-Rashid sent Khumeid at the head of a fleet to pillage the island of Rhodes. Having lain waste this island, Khumeid set off to Myra in Lycia with the intent to rob the tomb of Saint Nicholas. But instead he robbed another tomb standing alongside the crypt of the saint. Just as they succeeded in committing this sacrilege, a terrible storm lifted upon the sea and almost all the ships were shattered into pieces.
The desecration of holy things shocked not only Eastern, but also Western Christians. Christians in Italy were particularly apprehensive for the relics of Saint Nicholas, and among them were many Greeks. The inhabitants of the city of Bari, located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, decided to save the relics of Saint Nicholas.
In the year 1087 merchants from Bari and Venice went to Antioch to trade. Both these and others also proposed to take up the relics of Saint Nicholas and transport them to Italy on the return trip. In this plan the men of Bari commissioned the Venetians to land them at Myra. At first two men were sent in, who in returning reported that in the city all was quiet. In the church where the glorified relics rested, they encountered only four monks. Immediately forty-seven men, having armed themselves, set out for the church of Saint Nicholas. The guards, suspecting nothing, showed them the raised platform, beneath which the tomb of the saint was concealed, and where they anointed foreigners with myrrh from the relics of the saint.
At this time the monks told them about an appearance of Saint Nicholas that evening to a certain Elder. In this vision Saint Nicholas ordered the careful preservation of his relics. This account encouraged the barons, they saw an avowal for them in this vision and, as it were, a decree from the saint. In order to facilitate their activity, they revealed their intent to the monks and offered them money, 300 gold coins. The guards refused the money and wanted to warn the inhabitants about the misfortune threatening them. But the newcomers bound them and put their own guards at the doorway.
They took apart the church platform above the tomb with the relics. In this effort the youth Matthew was excessive in his zeal, wanting to find the relics of Saint Nicholas as quickly as possible. In his impatience he broke the cover and the barons saw that the sarcophagus was filled with fragrant holy myrrh. The compatriots of the barons, the priests Luppus and Drogus, offered a litany, after which the break made by Matthew began to flow with myrrh from the saint’s sarcophagus. This occurred on April 20, 1087.
Seeing the absence of a container chest, the priest Drogus wrapped the relics in the cloth, and in the company of the barons he carried them to the ship. The monks, having been set free, alerted the city with the sad news about the abduction of the relics of the Wonderworker Nicholas by foreigners. A crowd of people gathered at the shore, but it was too late.
On May 8 the ships arrived in Bari, and soon the joyous news made the rounds of all the city. On the following day, May 9, 1087, they solemnly transported the relics of Saint Nicholas into the church of Saint Stephen, not far from the sea. The solemn bearing of the relics was accompanied by numerous healings of the sick, which inspired still greater reverence for God’s saint. A year afterwards, a church was built in the name of Saint Nicholas and consecrated by Pope Urban II.
This event, connected with the transfer of the relics of Saint Nicholas, evoked a particular veneration for the Wonderworker Nicholas and was marked by the establishment of a special Feast day on May 9. At first the Feast day of the Transfer of the Relics of Saint Nicholas was observed only by the people of the city of Bari. It was not adopted in the other lands of the Christian East and West, despite the fact that the transfer of the relics was widely known. This circumstance is explained by the custom in the Middle Ages of venerating primarily the relics of local saints. Moreover, the Greek Church did not establish the celebration of this remembrance, since they regarded the loss of the relics of Saint Nicholas as a sad event.
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Please pick up your letter today in the lobby for our new “Burn the Mortgage” Campaign. Consider what our St. Nicholas parish means to you and your family. Consider what would happen if we were not able to continue… and help pay our mortgage so we can thrive here! | |
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May Charity
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
St Augustine, FL
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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SAVE THE DATE!!
Club Picnic.............. July 30
Serb Fest.................. Sept 23
90th Anniversary of the SSS Marinkovic...... October 28-29, 2023
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