Divine Liturgy Group Schedule through the Coming Week v Saturday, August 1, Liturgy at 9:15am – D (Procession of the Cross) v Saturday, August 1, Great Vespers at 7:15pm – ALL – Live-Streamed v Sunday August 2, Matins/Liturgy at 9:30am – E – Liturgy Live-Streamed v Wednesday, August 5, Transfiguration, Vesperal Liturgy at 6:15pm – F / G v Saturday, August 8, Liturgy at 9:15am – H / I v Saturday, August 8, Vespers at 7:15pm – ALL – Live-Streamed v Sunday, August 9, Matins/Liturgy at 9:30am– J / K – Live-Streamed To view Group Assignments or to Sign-up for the Divine Liturgy Group click HERE. To view the overall Schedule for when Liturgies are assigned see the SERVICES/SCHEDULE page of the Church website. (Links are not active in the bulletin – so click the links in the email.) Note on Coming to Vespers (Saturday night or for a Feast) If you plan to come to Vespers – everyone should sign in for contact tracing. If you are new here or a visitor please leave contact information. Thank you. “Dormition” Fast – August 1-15 The summer fast that accompanies the Feast of the Transfiguration and the "Falling-Asleep" (Dormition, i.e. Christian death) of the Theotokos begins August 1. This fast is kept with the same discipline as Great Lent by fasting from meat and dairy, accompanied by an increased effort in prayer, spiritual reading, and acts of kindness. Feast of the Transfiguration – August 6th The Transfiguration of Christ is one of the central events recorded in the gospels. Immediately after the Lord was recognized by His apostles as “the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Living God” He told them that “He must go up to Jerusalem and suffer many things…and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Matthew 16) The announcement of Christ’s approaching passion and death was met with indignation by the disciples. And then, 8 th Sunday after Pentecost Translation Relics Protomartyr Stephen ~~~~~~~ Tone 7 ~~~~~~~ I Cor. 1:10-17 ~~~~~~~ Matthew 14:14-22 Saint John Orthodox Cathedral Sunday Bulletin August 2, 2020 Homilist: Fr. Marc Dunaway Reader: Stan Snider O Apostle John, speaker of Deity, the beloved of Christ our God, hasten to deliver your people powerless in speech, for He on Whose bosom you lean accepts you as an intercessor. Beseech Him, therefore, to disperse the darkness of ignorance and pray for peace and great mercies to be shown upon us.
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Divine Liturgy Group Schedule through the Coming Week
v Saturday, August 1, Liturgy at 9:15am – D (Procession of the Cross) v Saturday, August 1, Great Vespers at 7:15pm – ALL – Live-Streamed v Sunday August 2, Matins/Liturgy at 9:30am – E – Liturgy Live-Streamed v Wednesday, August 5, Transfiguration, Vesperal Liturgy at 6:15pm – F / G v Saturday, August 8, Liturgy at 9:15am – H / I v Saturday, August 8, Vespers at 7:15pm – ALL – Live-Streamed v Sunday, August 9, Matins/Liturgy at 9:30am– J / K – Live-Streamed
To view Group Assignments or to Sign-up for the Divine Liturgy Group click HERE. To view the overall Schedule for when Liturgies are assigned see the SERVICES/SCHEDULE page of the Church website. (Links are not active in the bulletin – so click the links in the email.)
Note on Coming to Vespers (Saturday night or for a Feast) If you plan to come to Vespers – everyone should sign in for contact tracing. If you are new here or a
“Dormition” Fast – August 1-15 The summer fast that accompanies the Feast of the Transfiguration and the "Falling-Asleep" (Dormition, i.e. Christian death) of the Theotokos begins August 1. This fast is kept with the same discipline as Great Lent by fasting from meat and dairy, accompanied by an increased effort in prayer, spiritual reading, and acts of kindness.
Feast of the Transfiguration – August 6th The Transfiguration of Christ is one of the central events recorded in the gospels. Immediately after the Lord was recognized by His apostles as “the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Living God” He told them that “He must go up to Jerusalem and suffer many things…and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Matthew 16) The announcement of Christ’s approaching passion and death was met with indignation by the disciples. And then,
8th Sunday after Pentecost
Translation Relics
Protomartyr Stephen ~~~~~~~ Tone 7
~~~~~~~ I Cor. 1:10-17
~~~~~~~ Matthew 14:14-22
Saint John Orthodox Cathedral Sunday Bulletin August 2, 2020 Homilist: Fr. Marc Dunaway Reader: Stan Snider
O Apostle John, speaker of Deity, the beloved of Christ our God, hasten to deliver your people powerless in speech, for He on Whose bosom you lean accepts you as an intercessor. Beseech Him, therefore, to disperse the darkness of
ignorance and pray for peace and great mercies to be shown upon us.
after rebuking them, the Lord took Peter, James and John “up to a high mountain”, by tradition Mount Tabor, and was “transfigured before them.”
…and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as snow and behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if You wish I will make three booths here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My Beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one of the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” (Matthew 17:1-9)
In the Transfiguration, the Apostles see the glory of the Kingdom of God present in majesty in the person of Christ. They see this before the crucifixion so that in the Resurrection they might know who it is who has suffered for them, and what it is that this One, Who is God, has prepared for those who love Him. This is what the Church celebrates in the feast of the Transfiguration. The feast of the Transfiguration is presently celebrated on the sixth of August, probably for some historical reason. The summer celebration of the feast, however, has lent itself very well to the theme of transfiguration. The blessing of grapes, as well as other fruits and vegetables of this day is the most beautiful and adequate sign of the final transfiguration of all things in Christ. It signifies the ultimate flowering and fruitfulness of all creation in the paradise of Gods unending Kingdom of Life where all will be transformed by the glory of the Lord. (Excerpts from “The Orthodox Faith - Worship Volume ii” by Fr. Thomas Hopko)
See “Tips for Celebrating at Home” on the last page of the bulletin”
Fr. George Shalhoub and his wife with us for the
picnic on August 6 2015.
Looking to Borrow Do you have a small soft sided dog or cat carrier? The Stallman’s are looking to borrow one. It can’t be
any bigger than 17” x 11” by 9 ½”. Give them a call at 696-1441.
“One Accord” “Concepts create idols; only wonder comprehends anything. People kill one another over idols. Wonder makes us fall to our knees.” —St. Gregory of Nyssa
Local Community News and Personal Notes
“Checking In” with Each Other Since we are unable to see much of each other – Is there something you’d like to share about what your family is up to this summer? Please email [email protected] Hope to hear a little something from you – it might help us feel a little more connected.
Photos from George and VaLori’s Wedding last
weekend.
Remembering Those Who Have Fallen Asleep This Month
Birthdays This Week
August 3 – Kyra Lineer August 7 – Georgianna Moses August 4 – Kh. Laura Frizelle August 8 – Josephine Stiehr August 5 – Laurie Snider August 8 – Isaac Kies August 5 – Kyle Hawi August 9 – Stina Dozier August 6 – Tia Beson
M A N Y Y E A R S !
Anniversaries This Week Kerry & Gwyn Jones – August 4, 1979 Sam & Jenny Stogsdill – August 6, 1977 Brian & Sylvia Okuley – August 6, 2006
M A N Y Y E A R S !
Clare House Meal – 4th Saturday of Each Month For the Month of AUGUST – our scheduled meal that we provide Clare House is: Saturday, August 22. Sign up on the Downstairs Bulletin Board.
Warren Wasile – August 12, 2001 Richard Eckert – August 19, 2013
M E M O R Y E T E R N A L !
This letter from Fr. Marc was emailed to everyone earlier this week…
Dear Faithful of Saint John's, Reflections
How long can this go on? I imagine each of us asks this question once a day. When will Covid 19 be over and things go back to normal? Realistically, the answer is probably longer than we want to believe. I took sometime this summer to build a fort for our grandchildren. They sit in it and laugh when I grab the supports and shake them back and forth, shouting, "earthquake!" I picture God doing this to our whole globe with this pandemic. It shakes us, but I know the fort isn't going to fall, and God knows it too for our globe. Some have wondered if this time is a test of our faith. Others talk about it being a spiritual desert. But if it is a test God is allowing, then I hope we can pass through it with patience and courage, faithfully doing each day what we should. And if we are in a spiritual desert, perhaps we will gain new insights into our life, since the night sky in the desert reveals things we cannot see at home. Trusting in God can be a frightening thing, but it can also be bracing, as we wait for Him to show us new things and to strip away things that need to change. This is why the Apostle Paul reminds us, "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Fasts and Feasts This coming Saturday, August 1, the Orthodox Church calls us to enter into a two-week fast that centers around the Feast of Transfiguration (August 6) and the Feast of Dormition (August 15). In the Antiochian tradition the service called the Paraklesis is sung especially during this time. It is a lengthy hymn asking the Theotokos to pray for us. An online version of the one we are familiar with can be found here as sung by Eikona. I know it will be more difficult for us to keep this fast since we are not able to be all together. In years past we would have had special Church services, our summer Institute, and then looked forward to a Salmon Potluck on Transfiguration. But even without these, each of us can perhaps find some way to heed this call and be more mindful of God. The circumstances of each person vary greatly, and so will our means of doing this. Perhaps some will pray more for their family, for the rest of us, and for the whole world. Others might read something uplifting or listen to beautiful music. All of us can try to be kind to others. We can also remember to thank God for everything and also to ask for His help. And, yes, some will even find a way to fast, even if ever so simply, for fasting reminds us that the pleasures of this world are fleeting and that we were made ultimately to be filled up with God. Whatever we do, the goal is not just to burden ourselves with more to do, but rather to allow ourselves rest in this weary world and to be refreshed by God. So please think about this and do as you are able.
News As for parish news, the new, "self-directed" program at the Saint James House is filling up. Five young men have applied to be there and two young women. If you have not already read about this new program, check out the Saint James House page on our Cathedral website. Saint John's School is gearing up to begin with in-school classes. We have a much easier situation than the public school. Our School will be creating four "cohorts" in which a team of teachers and their students will remain isolated from the others as they go through the day. Please pray for Saint John's School.
Resources Finally, it seems that every day there are online lectures and internet blogs offering instruction and help. I can't keep up with them all and honestly look at very few. That said, I will still pile on a few more links below that some might find helpful. Check them out as you wish. Connecting Through Communication - This 2-minute video came across my desk from Focus on the Family. The good thing is that the videos are short, but still good reminders about communication in marriage. You can find more of these and other resources here. Also, one website we use for marital and premarital counseling, "Prepare/Enrich," recently published an article "I'm So Annoyed with My Spouse," with tips on working through these times. Perhaps no one else will find it helpful, but Betsy said she was very interested in looking at it, so I am including it. I have previously recommended the website Covenant Eyes as a source for help and information about helping teens (and others) be aware of the dangers of internet pornography. It is vital for parents to stay aware of this pernicious threat. Lastly, if you only want to look at only one link, check out this music performed by a virtual choir, written and compiled by Eric Whitacre, with 17,572 voices from 129 countries: "Sing Gently" Prayers and blessings for you all.—Fr. Marc Note: Links not active in the Bulletin – refer to the email for links.
Translation of the Relics Protomartyr Stephen,
August 2nd
THE SYNAXARION On August 2, in the Holy Orthodox Church, we
commemorate the recovery of the sacred relics of the holy Proto-martyr and Archdeacon Stephen.
Verses O Jerusalem, you are the habitation of many
strange and divine things So the Church now offers up the sacred relics of
Stephen. Then on the second Stephen’s body was
transferred to the holy city of Constantinople.
When the wicked Jewish leaders stoned Stephen to death, they left his body for the dogs to eat. After two nights Paul’s teacher, Gamaliel, and a secret follower of Christ, came and took Stephen’s body to Caphar Gamala, and buried it there in a cave. Eventually, Gamaliel, along with his friend
Nicodemus, and his nephew Abibos, were laid to rest in the same cave. The graves were forgotten, but in 415, in the time of Patriarch John of Jerusalem, Gamaliel appeared three times in a dream to the Priest Lucian, in Caphar Gamala, and told him the exact location of the burial place. With the Patriarch’s blessing, Lucian and others dug up the graves. A strong and fragrant odor from the relics of these saints filled the cave. The relics of St. Stephen were solemnly moved to Jerusalem and buried there with sacred ceremony. The relics of the others were taken to a high place above the cave and there laid to rest in a church. Later, Stephen’s healing relics were transferred to the holy city of Constantinople.
On this day, we also commemorate the Venerable Photini the wonderworker of Carpasia in Cyprus; and Blessed Basil the fool-for-Christ, wonderworker of Moscow. By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Tips for Celebrating at Home: Drawing of the Transfiguration to Print Out for Coloring Purchase Grapes for your household (Hold them up when the grapes are blessed near the end of Liturgy, during the live stream) If you have it – Cook up some Salmon (Look up a good recipe online) This one is copied from the ADN Friday edition by Julia O’Malley:
This lazy, beautiful salmon recipe is just what you need for weeknight grilling
We’re deep in the heart of salmon season, and I wanted to share what has become my extra lazy weeknight grilled salmon recipe this summer. This one features chive blossoms, which are edible and beautiful and very abundant right now. If you happen to have only chives, it still works, but isn’t quite as picture-perfect. I happen to have a lot of chives in my garden, which is right next to my grill so this dish evolved naturally, when one day I just threw a couple of them on a fillet. Then, I figured out how to make a drizzle for the fish that’s warm and infused with chive flavor and everything came together. The most important part of the recipe is the grilling technique, because overcooked salmon is the worst. The idea is to take the fish from the grill when it’s rare and hot but still translucent in the middle. This gives the fish a soft, sashimi-like texture. The warm chive drizzle and the warm plate cause the fish to cook a bit more, but remain custardy. The other important part is using quality soy sauce or tamari. Not all soy sauce/tamari is created equal. You can definitely go down an internet rabbit hole with this, but I think Eden brand tamari, which is widely available and affordable, has nice depth and salt. I recommend serving the fish with short-grain white rice and maybe some grilled bok choy tossed with lemon, olive oil and gochujang (Korean Chili Paste).
CHIVE BLOSSOM SALMON 4 1-2 pound fresh salmon fillet 4 Two chive blossom balls, deconstructed into individual blossoms 4 2-3 tablespoons fresh chives, diced 4 ¼ cup good quality soy sauce or tamari 4 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional) Place a ceramic fish platter in a warming drawer or the oven at the “keep warm” setting. Heat the grill to 400 degrees. Lay the salmon fillet, skin-side down, on the hot grill and lower the top for 4 minutes. Check for doneness by sliding a spatula between the layers of flesh to check how far into the fillet the fish has cooked. When it’s close, the flesh should pull apart easily. It’s done when it’s mostly cooked through but there is still a slightly translucent oval in the middle of the flesh in the thickest part of the fillet. (You can slice off and remove the tail piece at 5 minutes, if it’s getting done before the rest of the fish.) Most red salmon fillets take no more than 7 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the soy sauce or tamari, olive oil and red pepper flakes on the stove until just bubbling, and ready the warm fish plate. To remove fish from the grill, slide a thin metal spatula between the meat and the skin, leaving the skin on the grill. (I like to let the skin crisp up for 30 seconds or so and then I slice it with a sharp knife and eat it with dinner.) Place the fish on the warm plate. Sprinkle with chive blossoms and chives, pour the hot soy sauce mixture over it. Serve immediately with warm calrose rice.
Saint John Orthodox Cathedral P.O. Box 771108 18936 Monastery Drive Eagle River, Alaska, 99577
