St Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church

February 25, 2024 Bulletin

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sat. 24: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

First & Second Findings of

The Head of John the Baptist

For the parishioners

Sun. 25: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

2^nd Sunday of Great Lent

+Joe & +Ann Sweetko and

Son +Joseph Sweetko from

Ronald & Lynda Sweetko

Mon. 26: NO LITURGY

Tues. 27: NO LITURGY

Wed. 28: 6:00 pm @ Infant Jesus

Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

Lenten Education Classes to

Follow

Thurs. 29: NO LITURGY

Fri. 1: 5:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

Sat. 2: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

3^rd All Souls Saturday

+Paul & +Margaret Bayus

From Tara Metzger

Sun. 3: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

3rd Sunday of Great Lent

Veneration of the Cross

For the Parishioners

Collection Report

Week of 02/18/2024

$ 676.00 Offertory

$ 3.00 Children

$ 81.00 Garage Rental

$ 3.00 Initial

$ 140.00 Candles

$ 1787.00 TOTAL

Attendance from last week’s Liturgies:

Saturday: 27

Sunday: 18

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PARISHIONERS:

Michael Volsko- Inn at Glenellen, Kevin Ulrich Ivywoods Manor, Minerva Zepeda at Oasis, Fr. Nicholas Kraynak at Shepherd of the Valley on Western Reserve Rd. and Margaret and William Zigarevich at home. May God grant to all the sick and homebound of our parish many blessed, happy and healthy years.

UPDATE-CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:

The NEW total collected is $122,647.10 for the Capital campaign. We continue to work towards our goal of $200,000. Thank you for your continued generosity and support to our church.

SANCTUARY CANDLE REQUEST:

The sanctuary candle request sheet for 2024 is on the back table in the church. Cost remains $10 per candle. Please call Paula @ (330) 799-5983 for specific requests. Money can be deposited in the weekend collection.

LENTEN EDUCATION CLASS:

This year, following all Wednesday Pre-Sanctified liturgies at Infant Jesus of Prague, there will be again, a Lenten adult education class. All parishioners, family and friends are welcomed to learn about our Byzantine faith.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS RAFFLE:

The Knights of Columbus are holding a raffle on May 18, 2024 with numerous monetary prizes. All proceeds benefit local charities. Tickets are $5.00. Please see Fr. Michael for tickets.

SANCTUARY CANDLE:

The Sanctuary candles will be lit for the entire week for your intentions. The week of February 25-March 2, 2024 there are no request for the sanctuary candles.

SECOND SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT

Collegeville Bible Commentary

2:1-12 “My son, you are forgiven/ healed.” Back in Capernaum, Jesus is surrounded by great numbers of people again (v. 2; see 1:33). As he preaches to the crowd, four friends of a paralyzed man lower him on his mat through the roof so that he can be close enough for Jesus to see him and cure him (vv. 3-4). (Such extraordinary means to get close to Jesus emphasized the faith of these friends as well as the overwhelming size of the crowd Jesus attracted.) Jesus responds to this act of faith, not by healing the man immediately, but by touching off the first of a series of controversial dialogues with the onlooking scribes and Pharisees. When Jesus says, “Child, your sins are forgiven” (v. 5), he is as much as saying, “It is God whom you approach.” (In the Old Testament, only God is capable of forgiving sins; and it was expected that he would do so only at the end of time.) It thus becomes clear why the scribes murmur “he is blaspheming” (v. 7) and why Jesus brings it all out in the open. His claim to be able to forgive sins better reveals his identity as Son of God than do the miracles he performs. Aware of the silent censure his forgiving word has caused in the crowd, Jesus proceeds to prove that “the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” by commanding the man to rise and walk in the sight of everyone (vv. 8-11). In concluding this miracle, Mark asks his readers to praise God for his presence in their midst as the forgiver-healer, just as the crowd did (v. 12), even in the face of those who do not believe. It is significant that Mark has chosen to present this miracle and teaching about Jesus’ power to forgive sins so early in his Gospel drama. It shows that the need for the experience of God’s forgiveness was as important to first-century Christians as it is today. Mark’s readers praise God for saying clearly, even today, “My sons, my daughters, I absolve you from your sins.”

February 18, 2024 Bulletin

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sat. 17: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Commemoration of the

Miracle of the Great-Martyr

Theodore

+George & +Ann Migletz

From Mr. & Mrs. Gerald

Migletz

Sun. 18: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

1^st Sunday of Great Lent

For the Parishioners

Mon. 19: NO LITURGY

Tues. 20: NO LITURGY

Wed. 21: 6:00 pm @ Infant Jesus

Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

Lenten Education Classes to

Follow

Thurs. 22: NO LITURGY

Fri. 23: 5:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

Sat. 24: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

First & Second Findings of

The Head of John the Baptist

For the parishioners

Sun. 25: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

2^nd Sunday of Great Lent

+Joe & +Ann Sweetko and

Son +Joseph Sweetko from

Ronald & Lynda Sweetko

Collection Report

Week of 02/11/2024

$ 1327.00 Offertory

$ 3.00 Holy Day

$ 6.00 Initial Offering

$ 10.00 Renovation Fund

$ 165.00 Garage Rental

$ 96.00 Candles

$ 1607.00 TOTAL

Attendance from last week’s Liturgies:

Saturday: 26

Sunday: 24

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PARISHIONERS:

UPDATE-CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:

The NEW total collected is $122,647.10 for the Capital campaign. We continue to work towards our goal of $200,000. Thank you for your continued generosity and support to our church.

SANCTUARY CANDLE REQUEST:

LENTEN EDUCATION CLASS:

THANK YOU:

Thank you to all who came out this past Tuesday to change the altar linen for Lent. Your continued time and support of our parish is greatly appreciated.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS RAFFLE:

The Knights of Columbus are holding a raffle on May 18, 2024 with numerous monetary prizes. All proceeds benefit local charities. Tickets are $5.00. Please see Fr. Michael for tickets.

PRE-SANCTIFIED LITURGY:

Please note that Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at St. Nicholas on Friday is now at 5:00 pm.

SANCTUARY CANDLE: The Sanctuary candles will be lit for the entire week for your intentions. The week of February 18-24, 2024 the right and left sanctuary candles are in memory of +George & +Ann Migletz from Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Migletz.

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT is dedicated to the triumph of the Church’s teaching over the “Iconoclasts” or “Destroyers of Icons.” The Second Council of Nicea, held in 787, clearly established the proper teaching concerning the veneration of images.

The Vesper service of this Sunday explains this teaching: “In assuming our body, You (O Christ) accepted all its properties. Therefore, we represent Your likeness and embrace it with the model in mind. We go up to Your love and, following the divine tradition set by the apostles, we draw from it the grace of healing.”

“Truly the Church of Christ received honorable adornment in the noble and holy icons of Christ the Savior, of the Mother of God, and of all the Saints. We lift them up with joy and gladness as the Church rejoices in grace, happily glorifying her God, the Lover of Mankind, who patiently suffered for her sake.”

“As the tabernacle of the Covenant held the presence of God, so do the icons show forth the presence of the One we worship and revere. By venerating them, we never go astray. It is glory for us to kneel in true worship of the Incarnate Christ. O believers, let us then embrace His icon and cry out: “O God, save your people and bless your inheritance. “

February 11, 2024 Bulletin

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sat. 10: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

All Holy Ascetical Fathers &

Mothers

For the parishioners

Sun. 11: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday of Cheese-Fare

+Mary & +Nicholas Terlecky

From Myron Terlecky

Mon. 12: NO LITURGY

Tues. 13: NO LITURGY

Wed. 14: 6:00 pm @ Infant Jesus

Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

Lenten Education Classes to

Follow

Thurs. 15: NO LITURGY

Fri. 16: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

Sat. 17: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Commemoration of the

Miracle of the Great-Martyr

Theodore

+George & +Ann Migletz

From Mr. & Mrs. Gerald

Migletz

Sun. 18: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

1^st Sunday of Great Lent

For the Parishioners

Collection Report

Week of 02/04/2024

$ 1159.00 Offertory

$ 68.00 Holy Day

$ 3.00 Children

$ 75.00 Garage rental

$ 70.00 Renovation

$ 172.00 Candles

$ 1547.00 TOTAL

Attendance from last week’s Liturgies:

Saturday: 29

Sunday: 26

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PARISHIONERS:

UPDATE-CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:

The NEW total collected is $122,647.10 for the Capital campaign. We continue to work towards our goal of $200,000. Thank you for your continued generosity and support to our church.

SANCTUARY CANDLE REQUEST:

HRAMOTY:

We are still taking Hramoty requests for All-Souls Saturdays during Lent. Please fill out the Hramoty envelope that you received with your monthly envelopes and place in the collection baskets. .

ECF CLASSES:

ECF classes are resuming this Sunday, February 11^th for all students.

VOLUNTEERS WELCOMED:

The Sacred Heart Society will be changing altar linens for Lent on Tuesday, February 13^th @ 10:00 am. Volunteers who can assist will be greatly appreciated.

REGULATIONS FOR THE GREAT FAST:

The Great Lent begins THIS MONDAY February 12^th, the following are Lenten restrictions.

STRICT ABSTINENCE: (fast) is to observed on Pure Monday, February 12th-the 1^st day of the Great Fast & on Great & Holy Friday, March 29th. This includes no use or consumption of all meats, eggs and dairy products.

SIMPLE ABSTINENCE: Thisforbids the use of meat on all Wednesdays & Fridays during the Great fast but allows eggs and dairy products.

LENTEN EDUCATION CLASS:

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS RAFFLE:

The Knights of Columbus are holding a raffle on May 18, 2024 with numerous monetary prizes. All proceeds benefit local charities. Tickets are $5.00. Please see Fr. Michael for tickets.

SANCTUARY CANDLE:

The Sanctuary candles will be lit for the entire week for your intentions. The week of February 11-17, 2024 the right sanctuary candle is in memory of +Mary Terlecky from son Myron Terlecky. The left sanctuary candle is in memory of +Aunt Marge & Uncle Ed Sekerak from Kim & Pamela Trevis.

Why We Should Fast

By St. Isaac the Syrian

If the lawyer Himself fasts, how can any of those who have to obey the Law, be exempt from fasting? This is why the human race knew no victory before fasting, and the devil was never defeated by our nature as it is: but this weapon has indeed deprived the devil of strength from the outset. As soon as the devil sees someone possessed of this weapon, fear straightway falls on this adversary and tormentor of ours, who remembers and thinks of his defeat by the Savior in the wilderness; his strength is at once destroyed and the sight of the weapon, given us by the Supreme Leader, burns him up. A man armed with the weapon of fasting is always afire with zeal. He who remains therein, keeps his mind steadfast and ready to meet and repel all violent passions.

February 4, 2024 Bulletin

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sat. 3: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

1^st All Souls Saturday

For the parishioners

Sun. 4: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday of Meat-Fare

+Mary & +Nicholas Terlecky

From Myron Terlecky

Mon. 5: NO LITURGY

Tues. 6: NO LITURGY

Wed. 7: NO LITURGY

Thurs. 8: NO LITURGY

Fri. 9: NO LITURsGY

Sat. 10: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

All Holy Ascetical Fathers &

Mothers

For the parishioners

Sun. 11: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday of Cheese-Fare

+Mary & +Nicholas Terlecky

From Myron Terlecky

Collection Report

Week of 01/28/2024

$ 501.00 Offertory

$ 13.00 Holy Day

$ 8.00 Initial Offering

$ 10.00 Renovations

$ 40.40 Gas royalties

$ 105.00 Candles

$ 677.40 TOTAL

Attendance from last week’s Liturgies:

Saturday: 23

Sunday: 17

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PARISHIONERS:

UPDATE-CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:

The NEW total collected is $122,674.10 for the Capital campaign. We continue to work towards our goal of $200,000. Thank you for your continued generosity and support to our church.

SANCTUARY CANDLE REQUEST:

LENTEN ETHNIC FOOD SALE:

St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church in Hermitage is having a Lenten Ethnic Food & Bake sale on March 6^th from 2:00-5:00 pm. Pre-orders only-all food is homemade and pierohi is frozen. Pierohi (potato &cheese, sauerkraut, prune & cabbage are $10/dozen and haluski (1 quart) is $9.00. Call Bill @ 724-962-4618 or Christine @ 724-866-0058 to place an order.

HRAMOTY:

We are still taking Hramoty requests for All-Souls Saturdays during Lent. Please fill out the Hramoty envelope that you received with your monthly envelopes and place in the collection baskets.

REGULATIONS FOR THE GREAT FAST:

The Great Lent begins NEXT MONDAY February 12^th, the following are Lenten restrictions:

SIMPLE ABSTINENCE: Thisforbids the use of meat on all Wednesdays & Fridays during the Great fast but allows eggs and dairy products.

LENTEN EDUCATION CLASS:

SANCTUARY CANDLE:

The Sanctuary candles will be lit for the entire week for your intentions. The week of February 4-10, 2024 the right sanctuary candle is in memory of +Nicholas Terlecky from his son Myron Terlecky. The left sanctuary candle is for the special intentions of Barb Benedict.

Inherit the Kingdom.

Chrysostom: He commended them for doing what was right. He reveals how great is his bond of love for them and has been from the beginning. “Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'” To what other blessedness could this blessedness be compared? To be blessed of the Father! Why were they counted worthy of such a great honor? “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink.” What honor! What blessedness!

He did not say “take” but “inherit” as one’s own, as your Father’s, as yours, as due to you from the first. “For before you were,” he says, “these things had been prepared and made ready for you, because I knew you would be such as you are.” the gospel of Matthew, homily 79.2.

January 28, 2024 Bulletin

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sat. 27: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

For the parishioners

Sun. 28: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

+Paul & +Margaret Bayus

From Marty & JoAnn Stock

Mon. 29: NO LITURGY

Tues. 30: 6:00 pm @ Infant Jesus

Three Holy Hierarchs

+Leonard Slemons from

Dr. David & Toni Crans

Wed. 31: NO LITURGY

Thurs. 1: 6:00 pm @ Infant Jesus

Eve of the Meeting of Our

Lord with Simeon & Anna

For the parishioners

Fri. 2: 9:00 am @ Infant Jesus

Meeting of Our Lord With

Simeon &Anna

For the Living & Deceased

Members of the Sacred Heart

Society of St. Nicholas

Sat. 3: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

1^st All Souls Saturday

For the parishioners

Sun. 4: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday of Meat-Fare

+Mary & +Nicholas Terlecky

From Myron Terlecky

Collection Report

Week of 01/21/2024

$ 1344.00 Offertory

$ 3.00 Children

$ 131.00 Garage Rental

$ 15.00 Holy Day

$ 19.00 Initial Offering

$ 182.00 Candles

$ 1694.00 TOTAL

Attendance from last week’s Liturgies:

Saturday: 16

Sunday: 25

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PARISHIONERS:

UPDATE-CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:

The NEW total collected is $122.647.10 for the Capital campaign. We continue to work towards our goal of $200,000. Thank you for your continued generosity and support to our church.

SANCTUARY CANDLE REQUEST:

END OF YEAR STATEMENTS:

There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the church for parishioners who want their end-of year contribution statement.

PARISHIONER NEWS:

Congratulations to our parishioner Frank Bero who was recently sworn in as a firefighter for the city Youngstown. We thank you for your service!

CONDOLENCES:

Our sympathy and prayers to family and friends of Monsignor Russell Duker who passed away on January 22. Blessed repose to his servant Monsignor Duker.

LENTEN ETHNIC FOOD SALE:

MEN’S RETREAT:

The Third Annual Men’s Retreat sponsored by St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Marblehead Ohio will be held on March 15-17, 2024. Please see brochure for more information.

SANCTUARY CANDLE:

The Sanctuary candles will be lit for the entire week for your intentions. The week of January 28-Feb. 4, 2024 there are no requests for the sanctuary candles.

THE FATHER WELCOMES THE PRODIGAL TO THE DIVINE FEAST AS A SON.

ATHANASIUS: Then he shall get up, come to his father, and confess to him, “I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me like one of your hired servants.”

When he confesses like chat, he will be considered worthy of more than that for which he prayed. His father neither takes him in like a hired servant nor treats him like a stranger. Oh no, he kisses him as a son. He accepts him as a dead man come back to life again. He counts him worthy of the divine feast and gives him the precious garment he once wore,

Now there is singing and joy in the father’s home. What happened is the result of the Father’s grace and loving kindness. Not only does he bring his son back from death, but also through the Spirit he clearly shows his grace. To replace corruption, he clothes him with an in-corruptible robe. To satisfy hunger, he kills the fatted calf. The Father provides shoes for his feet so that he will not travel far away again. Most wonderful of all, he puts a divine signet ring upon his hand. By all these things, he begets him anew in the image of the glory of Christ. FESTAL LETER 7.

January 21, 2024 Bulletin

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sat. 20: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

For the parishioners

Sun. 21: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday of the Publican &

Pharisee

+Paul & +Margaret Bayus

From Tara Metzger

Mon. 22: NO LITURGY

Tues. 23: NO LITURGY

Wed. 24: NO LITURGY

Thurs: 25: NO LITURGY

Fri. 26: NO LITURGY

Sat. 27: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

For the parishioners

Sun. 28: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

+Paul & +Margaret Bayus

From Marty & JoAnn Stock

Collection Report

Week of 01/14/2024

$ 677.00 Offertory

$ 200.00 Christmas

$ 3.00 Initial Offering

$ 25.00 Renovation

$ 92.00 Candles

$ 997.00 TOTAL

Attendance from last week’s Liturgies:

Saturday: 17

Sunday: 18

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PARISHIONERS:

UPDATE-CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:

The NEW total collected is $122,647.10 for the Capital campaign. We continue to work towards our goal of $200,000. Thank you for your continued generosity and support to our church.

SANCTUARY CANDLE REQUEST:

END OF YEAR STATEMENTS:

There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the church for parishioners who want their end-of year contribution statement.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS:

Thank you to all who helped take down the Christmas decorations last Sunday. Your continued time and support of our parish is greatly appreciated.

MEN’S RETREAT:

The Third Annual Men’s Retreat sponsored by St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Marblehead Ohio will be held on March 15-17, 2024. Please see brochure for more information.

THANK YOU!

To Diane Battaglini for her generous donation of $1000 dollars toward church! May God grant her many and blessed years!

SANCTUARY CANDLE:

The Sanctuary candles will be lit for the entire week for your intentions. The week of January 21-27, 2024 there are no requests for the sanctuary candles.

IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO CONFESS ONE’S SINS THAN ONE’S RIGHTEOUSNESS.

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: In the case of that Pharisee who was praying, the things he said were true. Since he was saying them out of pride and the tax collector was telling his sins with humility, the confession of sins of the last was more pleasing to God than the acknowledgment of the almsgiving of the first. It is more difficult to confess one’s sins than one’s righteousness. God looks on the one who carries a heavy burden. The tax collector therefore appeared to him to have had more to bear than the Pharisee had. He went down more justified than the Pharisee did, only because of the fact he was humble. If this Pharisee had been sinful, his prayer would have added iniquity to iniquity, but the Lord purified the tax collector of his iniquity. If just by praying, the Pharisee’s prayer provoked God’s wrath, then as a result of that provocation, the prayer of the tax collector proved all the more potent.

COMMENTARY ON

TATIAN’S DIATESSARON I5.24.

January 14, 2024 Bulletin

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sat. 13 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Saturday after Theophany

For the parishioners

Sun. 14: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday of Zaccheus

+Paul & +Margaret Bayus

From Marty & JoAnn Stock

Mon. 15: NO LITURGY

Tues. 16: NO LITURGY

Wed. 17: NO LITURGY

Thurs: 18 NO LITURGY

Fri. 19: NO LITURGY

Sat. 20: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

For the parishioners

Sun. 21: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday of the Publican &

Pharisee

+Paul & +Margaret Bayus

From Tara Metzger

Collection Report

Week of 01/07/2024

$ 497.00 Offertory

$ 105.00 Holy Day

$ 28.00 Initial Offering

$ 100.00 Garage Rental

$ 55.00 Renovations

$ 57.00 Candles

$ 842.00 TOTAL

Attendance from last week’s Liturgies:

Saturday: 15

Sunday: 17

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PARISHIONERS:

UPDATE-CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:

The NEW total collected is $122,647.10 for the Capital campaign. We continue to work towards our goal of $200,000. Thank you for your continued generosity and support to our church.

SANCTUARY CANDLE REQUEST:

HOLY WATER:

Holy water is available in the front of the church next to right side altar – please bring your own containers.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS:

We will be taking down Christmas decorations THIS Sunday, January 14^th after11:00 am liturgy. All help will be appreciated.

END OF YEAR STATEMENTS:

There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the church for parishioners who want their end-of year contribution statement.

MEN’S RETREAT:

The Third Annual Men’s Retreat sponsored by St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Marblehead Ohio will be held on March 15-17, 2024. Please see brochure for more information.

SANCTUARY CANDLE:

The Sanctuary candles will be lit for the entire week for your intentions. The week of January 14-20, 2024 there are no requests for the sanctuary candles.

To See Christ.

Cyril of Alexandria:

Come and let us see what was the method of Zacchaeus’s conversion. He desired to see Jesus and therefore climbed into a sycamore tree, and so a seed of salvation sprouted within him. Christ saw this with the eyes of deity. Looking up, he also saw Zacchaeus with the eyes of humanity, and since it was his purpose for all to be saved, he extends his gentleness to him. To encourage him, he says, “Come down quickly.” Zacchaeus searched to see Christ, but the multitude prevented him, not so much that of the people but of his sins. He was short of stature, not merely in a bodily point of view but also spiritually. He could not see him unless he were raised up from the earth and climbed into the sycamore, by which Christ was about to pass. The story contains a puzzle. In no other way can a person see Christ and believe in him except by climbing up into the sycamore, by making foolish his earthly members of fornication, uncleanness, etc.

Commentary on Luke, Homily 127.

January 7, 2024 Bulletin

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sat. 6: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Theophany of Our Lord

For the parishioners

Sun. 7: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday after Theophany

+Paula Angelo from Kathy &

Karen Kollar

Mon. 8: NO LITURGY

Tues. 9: NO LITURGY

Wed. 10 NO LITURGY

Thurs: 11 NO LITURGY

Fri. 12: NO LITURGY

Sat. 13 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Saturday after Theophany

For the parishioners

Sun. 14: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday of Zaccheus

+Paul & +Margaret Bayus

From Marty & JoAnn Stock

Collection Report

Week of 12/31/2023

$ 522.00 Offertory

$ 45.00 Holy Day

$ 6.00 Initial Offering

$ 170.00 Christmas

$ 20.00 Charities

$ 107.00 Candles

$ 870.00 TOTAL

Attendance from last week’s Liturgies:

Saturday: 27

Sunday: 20

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PARISHIONERS:

Michael Volsko – Inn at Glenellen, Kevin Ulrich Ivywoods Manor, Minerva Zepeda at Oasis, Fr. Nicholas Kraynak at Shepherd of the Valley on Western Reserve Rd. and Margaret and William Zigarevich at home. May God grant to all the sick and homebound of our parish many blessed, happy and healthy years.

UPDATE-CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:

The NEW total collected is $121,397.10 for the Capital campaign. We continue to work towards our goal of $200,000. Thank you for your continued generosity and support to our church.

SANCTUARY CANDLE REQUEST:

HOLY WATER:

Holy water is available in the church-please bring your own containers.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS:

We will be taking down Christmas decorations on Sunday, January 14^th after11:00 am liturgy. All help will be appreciated.

BLESSINGS OF HOUSES:

Father Michael will be blessings homes the week after Theophany (January 8-12). There is a sign-up sheet in the vestibule if you would like your home blessed. If you have a specific date and time, please add to your information. Father Michael will contact you with specifics.

END OF YEAR STATEMENTS:

There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the church for parishioners who want their end-of year contribution statement.

SANCTUARY CANDLE: The Sanctuary candles will be lit for the entire week for your intentions. The week of January 7-13, 2024 the left sanctuary candle is in memory of +Katherine Fuzer from her grandson Myron Terlecky. There is no request for the right sanctuary candle.

The call to repentance. Chromatius: The voice of the Lord urging the people to repentance—the Holy Spirit made it known to the people that they might take heed, saying, “Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as in the day of testing in the wilderness.” In the same psalm above, he made clear that he was urging the sinful people to repentance and showed the state of a repentant soul, saying, “Come, let us fall down before him and lament before the Lord who made us, for he is our God.” The Lord urges the people to repentance, and he promises to pardon their sins, according to Isaiah’s words: “I’m the one who wipes out your iniquities, and I will not be mindful of your sins. But you be mindful, declare first your iniquities that you may be justified.” Rightly then does the Lord urge the people to repentance when he says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” so that through this confession of sins they may be made worthy to approach the kingdom of heaven. For no one can receive the grace of the heavenly God unless one has been cleansed of every stain of sin by the confession of repentance, through the gift of the saving baptism of our Lord and Savior. Tractate on Matthew 15.3

December 31, 2023 Bulletin

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sat. 30: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Saturday after Christmas

For the parishioners

Sun. 31: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday after Christmas-

David, Joseph and James

+Sister Leocadia Sevachko

From the Slemons Family

Mon. 1: 6:00 pm @ Infant Jesus

Circumcision of Our Lord

Basil the Great Archbishop

For the parishioners

Thurs. 4: 9:00 am @ Infant Jesus

For World Peace thru the

Blessed Mary & the Rosary

From the Sacred Heart

Society of St. Nicholas

Fri. 5: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Vigil of Theophany

H&W Petro Tokach from Family

6:00 pm @ Infant Jesus

Vigil of Theophany

For the parishioners

Sat. 6: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Theophany of Our Lord

For the parishioners

Sun. 7: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday after Theophany

+Paula Angelo from Kathy &

Karen Kollar

Collection Report

Week of 12/24-25/2023

$ 960.00 Sunday Offertory

$ 38.00 Holy Day

$ 4280.00 Christmas

$ 20.00 Christmas Flowers

$ 15.00 Christmas Candles

$ 12.00 BCW

$ 610.00 Candles

$ 5938.00 TOTAL

Attendance from last week’s Liturgies:

Sunday: 25

Christmas Eve: 84

Christmas: 39

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PARISHIONERS:

Michael Kisak- Inn at Glenellen, Kevin Ulrich Ivywoods Manor, Minerva Zepeda at Oasis, Fr. Nicholas Kraynak at Shepherd of the Valley on Western Reserve Rd. and Margaret and William Zigarevich at home. May God grant to all the sick and homebound of our parish many blessed, happy and healthy years.

UPDATE-CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:

The NEW total collected is $121,397.10 for the Capital campaign. We continue to work towards our goal of $200,000. Thank you for your continued generosity and support to our church.

SANCTUARY CANDLE REQUEST:

THANK YOU:

Thank you to all parishioners, families and guests for the generous donations this Christmas. May God bless all of you for your continued support to our parish.

THANK YOU:

Thank you to generous donation of $1000 in memory of Frances Reid, mother of Sylvia Shirilla. She was thankful for being able to pray in our Church for pas two years! May God grant His servant Frances eternal life!

HOLY WATER:

Next Saturday, January 6th, is the Theophany of Our Lord and Father Michael will be blessing holy water. Please bring in your containers for you to have holy water in your home.

BLESSINGS OF HOUSES:

HAPPY NEW YEAR:

Father Michael, Marina, Andriy, Emma and Nica wish all parishioners, families and friends a Happy New Year. May our Lord bless all with health and happiness in 2024!

SANCTUARY CANDLE:

The Sanctuary candles will be lit for the entire week for your intentions. The week of December 31-January 6 the right sanctuary candle is in memory of +Mary Terlecky from her son Myron Terlecky. There is no request for the left sanctuary candle.

why a nazarene?

Chromatius: Our Lord and Savior is called “the Nazarene” as much after the name of the place, the city of Nazareth, as from the mystery of the law. For, according to the law, those are called Nazarenes who make an extraordinary vow of chastity to God, maintaining that vow with the hair of their heads, which the ordained law had commanded them to offer as a sacrifice. Therefore, because the author and ruler of every act of sanctity and piety is Christ the Lord, who said through the prophet, “Let them be holy, since I am holy, says the Lord,” it was not undeservedly that he was called “the Nazarene.” It was he who, following truly what was preordained in the law, offered as a pledge to God the Father the sacrifice of his own body. David spoke about this pledge when he said of the Lord, “Just as Jacob swore an oath to the Lord, he was offered a pledge to God. “The Lord would show himself as the Nazarene at the time when he became a creature of flesh. tractate on Matthew 7.2.

December 24, 2023 Bulletin

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Sat. 23: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Saturday Before Christmas

NO LITURGY

Sun. 24: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday before Christmas-of

The Ancestors

For the parishioners

4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Christmas Eve Liturgy

+Paula Angelo from Steve &

Bernadette Stanislav

Mon. 25: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Christmas-Birth of Our Lord

For the parishioners

Tues. 26: 6:00 pm @ Infant Jesus

Synaxis of the Theotokos

For the parishioners

Wed. 27: 10:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Stephen Protomartyr

For the parishioners

Sat. 30: 4:00 pm @ St. Nicholas

Saturday after Christmas

For the parishioners

Sun. 31: 11:00 am @ St. Nicholas

Sunday after Christmas-

David, Joseph and James

+Sister Leocadia Sevachko

From the Slemons Family

Collection Report

Week of 12/17/2023

$ 937.00 Offertory

$ 45.00 Christmas Flowers

$ 15.00 Holy Day

$ 27.00 Christmas Vigil Lights

$ 340.00 Christmas

$ 12.00 BCW

$ 3.00 Children

$ 10.00 Charities

$ 75.00 Garage rental

$ 100.00 Renovations

$ 169.00 Candles

$ 1733.00 TOTAL

Attendance from last week’s Liturgies:

Saturday: 26

Sunday: 26

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PARISHIONERS:

UPDATE-CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:

The NEW total collected is $121,397.10 for the Capital campaign. We continue to work towards our goal of $200,000. Thank you for your continued generosity and support to our church.

CALENDARS:

Our yearly church calendars are available on the back table. Please feel free to take one for your home.

SANCTUARY CANDLE REQUEST:

MERRY CHRISTMAS:

Father Michael, Marina, Andriy, Emma and Nica wish all parishioners, families and friends a very Merry Christmas and all of Gods blessings this holiday season.

SANCTUARY CANDLE:

The Sanctuary candles will be lit for the entire week for your intentions. The week of December 24-30, 2023 the right sanctuary candle is in memory of +Mary Terlecky from her son Myron Terlecky. There is no request for the left sanctuary candle.

Mt. 1, 21. And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.

ST. AUGUSTIN. But shall we therefore say that the Holy Spirit is the Father of the man Christ, that as God the Father begot the Word, so the Holy Spirit begot the man? This is such an absurdity, that the ears of the faithful cannot bear it. How then do we say that Christ was born by the Holy Spirit, if the Holy Spirit did not beget Him? Did He create Him? For so far as He is man He was created, as the Apostle speaks; He was made of the seed of David according to the flesh. For though God made the world, yet is it not right to say that it is the Son of God, or born by Him, but that it was made, or created, or formed by Him. But seeing that we confess Christ to have been born by the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, how is He not the Son of the Holy Spirit, and is the Son of the Virgin? It does not follow that whatever is born by anything is therefore to be called the son of that thing; for, not to say that of man is born in one sense a son, in another a hair, or vermin, or a worm, none of which are his son, certainly those that are born of water and the Spirit none would call sons of water, but sons of God their Father, and their Mother the Church. Thus Christ was born of the Holy Spirit, and yet is the Son of God the Father, not of the Holy Spirit.

CHRIST IS BORN!

GLORIFY HIM!

KHRYSTOS RAZHDAYETSA!

SLAVITE YEHO!