Dumitru & Paraschiva
Vasu-Family IMO parents &
grandparents, Viorel &
Paraschiva Sârbu. Always in
our hearts! Memory Eternal!
Time of Decision
Each one of us struggles to
know more about our roots, our ances-
tors and implicitly who we are. This
enables us to better understand our
genetic code and cure our medical
weaknesses. This is true in terms of
the faith. As we pass our Faith to the
next generation, we are either inspired
by the examples of those who remained in the lineage of
the Faith.
On this second Sunday, before the Birth of our
Savior Jesus Christ, the Church commemorates the ances-
tors by faith, whom we embrace as ours. Among them are
the three holy youths (Ananias, Azarias and Misael) from
the book of Daniel, who were burned alive but protected
by God who appeared in the flames. In the harshest of
times, God is also with all those who believe in Him.
Most of the ancestors, by faith, of Christ greatly suffered
for their stance, but God rewarded them and accepted
them into His joy.
On this Sunday, we will read the Gospel from St.
Luke 14, 16-24, of the Great Banquet. This is a reading
that prompts us to decide our ancestry by faith. Who are
our heroes? Whom do we imitate? We are invited to the
Great Banquet of God. Complacency is not the answer.
He expects a Yes or No from us. Christmas is coming
soon. Ask yourself: How will I participate in the grace of
the Birth of Christ? Those who reject God’s calling have
already made their choice, while those who love Him,
know what they have to do. Our ancestors have done their
share and shine like the stars on the walls of our churches.
Those who rejected the invite have no seat at the great
supper. For us, here and today, it is still the time of decision.
Fr. Remus Grama
VOLUME 62 December 13th, 2020 NO. 49
St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral A parish of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America
Weekly Bulletin
3256 Warren Road Cleveland, Ohio 44111
Phone: (216) 941-5550 Office - Fax: (216) 941-3068
E-mail: [email protected] - www.smroc.org The Most Reverend Archbishop Nathaniel
The Right Rev. Vicar Andrei, Bishop of Cleveland
Very Rev. Dr. Remus Grama, Dean
Rev. Deacon Nick Neagoe
SPIRITUAL CALENDAR: 28th Sunday after Pentecost (Forefathers of the Lord)
8:30 Matins (Utrenia); Tone 2, Mat. Gos. 5. 9:30 am Divine Liturgy (Sfânta Liturghie). Epistle: Colossians 3:4-11.
Gospel: Luke 14:16-24 (Parable of the great banquet).
ALTAR BOYS: Matthew Muntean, Christopher and Kevin Oancea, David Sumedrea.
Vremea Deciziei
Fiecare dintre noi ne străduim să ne
aflăm rădăcinile, strămoșii și implicit
cine suntem. Acest efort eventual ne ajută
să ne descoperim codul genetic și să
tratăm slăbiciunile medicale. La fel se
întâmplă și în chestiuni de credință.
Atunci când înmânăm bastonul credinței
generației care ne urmează, suntem
inspirați de exemplul celor care ne-au precedat pe făgașul
credinței.
În această a doua Duminică de dinainte de Nașterea
Mântuitorului Iisus Hristos, Biserica pomenește pe
înaintașii Săi prin credință, care sunt și strămoșii noștri.
Între ei sunt cei trei tineri din cartea prorocului Daniel
(Anania, Azaria și Misail), aruncați în cuptorul încins
cărora Fiul lui Dumnezeu le-a apărut în flăcări ocrotindu-i.
În cele mai grele încercări Dumnezeu este alături celor care
se încred în El. Cei mai mulți dintre acești strămoși după
credință au suferit pentru atitudinea lor, iar Domnul i-a răs-
plătit primindu-i în bucuria Sa.
În această Duminică, vom citi Evanghelia de la
Luca 14, 16-24 (A celor poftiți la cină). Această pericopă
ne cheamă să hotărâm starea noastră potrivit credinței: cine
ne sunt eroii și pe cine imităm? Indiferența nu este un
răspuns. Dumnezeu așteaptă de la noi un Da, sau un Nu!
Crăciunul se apropie. Întreabă-te și tu: Cum voi participa la
bucuria Nașterii Domnului? Cei care refuză chemarea lui
Dumnezeu la cină și-au făcut decizia, iar cei care Îl iubesc
știu ce au de făcut. Strămoșii după credință și-au plinit
datoria și strălucesc ca luminătorii pe cer și pe pereții
bisericilor noastre. Cei care au refuzat invitația nu vor avea
loc la marea Cină. Pentru noi, cei de azi și de aici, este încă
vremea deciziei. Să ne ajute Domnul.
Pr. Remus Grama
THE CALENDAR IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE! POT INTERVENI
SCHIMBĂRI ÎN CALENDAR!
Altar Boys for: (Dec. 20th): Daniel Conțiu, Marcus
Durleșteanu, David Popa, Ryan Judele.
Nursing Home
Radu Petrescu .............................................................................................. Greenbrier Angela Netcu ......................................................................................... Eliza Jennings
Assisted Living
Victoria A. Morin ...................................................... Greenfield at Oak Ridge, TN Ruth Lazăr .......................................................................................... Royalton Woods Carlotta Miclău ............................................................................... Brighton Gardens Mary Secue ..................................................... Normandy-Lakeside, Rocky River
Hospitalized
Draga Trifu ................................................................................... Hollywood, Florida
THIS WEEK:
SUN., December 13th: 8:30 am Matins, 9:30 am Divine Liturgy.
TUE., December 15th: Last day to order Nut-Rolls, Stuffed
Cabbage & Meatballs Soup.
WED., December 16th: (F,W,O - P,U,V) 6 pm Akathist &
Confessions.
FRI., December 18th: 9 am Akathist, 10-11 am Confessions by
appointment.
SAT., December 19th: 10 am Parastas IMO Maria Puipetrescu;
5 pm Vespers & Confessions.
NEXT WEEK:
SUN., December 20th: 8:30 am Matins, 9:30 am Divine Liturgy,
11:30 am Nut-Rolls, Stuffed Cabbage & Meatballs Soup pick-up -
Social Hall Lobby.
TH., December 24th: OFFICE CLOSED, 5 pm Great Vespers,
Litia & Confessions.
FRI., December 25th: OFFICE CLOSED, (+) Birth of our Lord,
God & Savior Jesus Christ, 9 am Matins, 10 am Divine Liturgy.
(NO Christmas Reception due to pandemic)
SAT., December 26th: (+) Sinaxis of the Most Holy Birthgiver of
God, 9 am Divine Liturgy.
SUN., December 27th: (+) A & P Stephen the Archdeacon,
8:30 am Matins, 9:30 am Divine Liturgy.
ALTAR BREAD - PRESCURE Simona Cismașiu ÎM tatălui meu Ioan și a tuturor celor decedați din
familie.
Alexandra Rădulescu ÎM mamei, Claudia Stoica.
Daniel & Andreea Salman ÎM mamei, Paraschiva (Vicky) Salman recent
trecută la cele veșnice în România.
Marinica Todoran & Familia ÎM mătușii, Anuica Popa.
Cristian Toth IMO mother Dumitra Florica.
Sonia & Angela Voiculescu IMO those who passed from our family. May
they rest in peace. Memory Eternal!
Dumitru & Paraschiva Vasu-Family IMO parents & grandparents, Viorel
& Paraschiva Sârbu. Always in our hearts. Memory Eternal!
May God rest them in peace! Dumnezeu să-i odihnească!
Lavinia Cozmin-Morris for the good health of brother, Horia.
Alex & Florica Cotrău for the good health of family and grandson
Alexander. (2)
7 DAY VIGIL LIGHTS – NARTHEX
ÎM lui Anuica & Traian Popa.
Marinica Todoran & Familia ÎM mătușii, Anuica Popa.
Simona Cismașiu-Famila ÎM lui Anuica Popa. Dumnezeu să o odihnească
în pace!
Cornelia Bicescu IMO my husband Ovidiu Bicescu.
Simona Cismas ÎM tatălui meu Ioan și a tuturor celor decedaţi din familie.
Afrodita, Irina, Magdalena & Sophia IM părinților Victor şi Paula
Constantinidis.
Cristina Hemsoth & family IMO parents & grandparents, Grigore & Greta
Butoi.
Antoniu Iliaș IMO Lucica & Emilia Iliaș & Lucica Dobrin.
Ioan Bica ÎM mamei, Maria Bica.
Ana Mohan & Familia ÎM soțului George, tată și bunic. Bunul D-zeu să îl
ierte cu drepții să-l odihnească. Veșnic în inimile noastre.
Cornelia Bicescu IMO Nicol Radoiescu. Eternal Memory!
Dumitru & Paraschiva Vasu-Family, IMO parents & grandparents, Viorel
& Paraschiva Sârbu. Always in our hearts. Memory Eternal!
Lucica Fogoroș ÎM părinților, soțului și a tuturor membrilor răposați din
familie. D-zeu să-i ierte și să-i odihnească în pace.
Lavinia Cozmin IMO grandfather, Nicolae.
Alexandra Rădulescu ÎM mamei, Claudia Stoica.
May God rest them in peace! Dumnezeu să-i odihnească!
Simona Cismașiu pentru sănătatea familiei.
Mirela Dobre for the good health of Elena Claudia.
Nick & Marie Avramaut for the good health of all our family and friends.
Oster în onoarea Ninei.
Elena & Petre pentru sănătatea noastră și a copiilor noștri Ionuț-Andreea,
Diana-Bogdan, Iulia-Mike, Landon, Logan, Luca, Aura și examene reușite.
Victor & Elena Muntean for the good health of our family.
Dumitru & Paraschiva Vasu-Family for the good health of our family and
God’s blessings.
Lucica Fogoroș pentru sănătate și ajutor de la D-zeu familiei noastre de
aici și a fam. copiilor mei din România.
Fam. Spânu în onoarea fiului nostru, Nicholas, sănătatea familiei și a
tuturor oamenilor, și mulțumiri pentru toate binecuvântările și ajutorul de
la Dumnezeu.
Alexandra Rădulescu pentru sănătatea fam. Rădulescu & fam. Iancu.
THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE!
Thankful thoughts from...
Marie Sandru is thankful for her daughter for taking such good
care of her to her sickness this past year, even though she had
issues of her own. God bless her!
UPCOMING SPIRITUAL
December 13 - (+) St. Herman of Alaska & Holy Hierarch
Dosoftei metropolitan of Moldova / (+) Sf. Cuv. Gherman
din Alaska & Sf. Ier. Dosoftei mitropolitul Moldovei.
( ) 8:30 am Matins & 9 am Divine Liturgy.
December 25 - (+) Birth of our Lord, God & Savior Jesus Christ /
Nașterea Domnului. 9 am Matins/10 am Divine Liturgy.
December 26 - (+) Sinaxis of the Most Holy Birthgiver of God /
Soborul Maicii Domnului. 9 am Divine Liturgy.
December 27 - (+) A & P Stephen the Archdeacon/ Sf. Ap.,
întâiul Mc. & Arhidiacon Ștefan. 8:30 am Matins & 9 am
Divine Liturgy.
COLLECTION OF GOODS FOR THE
MONASTERIES & FOR THE NEEDY
During every Fast we conduct drives to collect canned and
dry foods, soap and paper products for the needy or for the
benefit of our monasteries. All bags should be placed in the
Cultural Building.
We thank and bless you!
Colecta pentru cei nevoiași și pentru Sfintele Mănăstiri
În fiecare post, îi sprijinim pe cei nevoiaşi și mănăstirile
noastre din apropiere, colectând şi donând produse
nealterabile (conserve, alimente uscate, produse de curățat,
detergenţi). Vă rugăm să depuneţi darurile în clădirea Şcolii
Duminicale.
Vă mulţumim şi vă binecuvântăm!
THE GIVING CHRISTMAS TREE
This year, the bare Giving Christmas Tree that you will
find it in the church lobby, needs our attention more
than ever. The pandemic that hit hard the entire world
has also impacted the donations of Eastern Orthodox
Women’s Guild (EOWG) and the number of needy
women and children has increased. This being said, we
make an appeal to all our members and friends to be
generous and decorate the bare tree with their gifts of love. You can bring your
gifts of hats, gloves, socks, mittens, toys, or any other items for mothers and ba-
bies.
Thank you!
BRĂDUȚUL DĂRNICIEI
Anul acesta, Brăduțul Dărniciei de Crăciun pe care îl veți găsi gol în
vestibulul bisericii, are nevoie de atenția noastră mai mult decât în orice alt an.
Pandemia care a lovit puternic toată lumea a avut, de asemenea, un impact asu-
pra donațiilor organizației EOWG, iar numărul femeilor și a copiilor nevoiași pe
care îi ajută a crescut. Acestea fiind spuse, facem un apel către toți membrii și
prietenii noștri să fie generoși și să împodobească brăduțul cu darurile lor de dra-
goste. Puteți aduce cadouri de căciuli, mănuși, șosete, jucării sau orice alte arti-
cole pentru mame și bebeluși.
Vă mulțumim!
Un singur lucru este necesar
pentru mântuire: credința,
dar credința ca lucrare.
(Sf. Ignatie Briancianinov)
***
”Only one thing is necessary
for salvation: faith, but faith
as a work.”
(St. Ignatie Briancianinov)
WOULD YOU WANT THE WEEKLY
BULLETIN IN THE MAIL NEXT YEAR?
Please let us know before the end of 2020, or send the
payment in by mail, payable to ”St. Mary”
For $50, you receive the weekly bulletin in the mail the
entire 2021 year. It only covers the cost to print and mail
it. Please contact the parish office before the end of the
year.
DORIŢI SĂ PRIMIŢI BULETINUL
SĂPTĂMÂNAL LA DOMICILIU, PRIN
POŞTĂ ANUL VIITOR?
Vă rugăm să contactați biroul parohial înainte de
terminarea anului 2020, sau să trimiteți cecul prin
poștă, pentru suma de $50, pentru tot anul 2021. Cecul
se scrie pentru ”St. Mary”.
IMPORTANT PARISH CONTACTS
Parish Council
President:
Viorel Oancea
(440) 915-9642
Ladies Auxiliary
President:
Aura Petre
(440) 503-0829
Custodian:
Marian Ciuta
(216) 513-5535
Financial Secretary:
Simona Sarsama
(216) 533-4636
Hall Rental:
Italian Creations Church Office
(216) 226-2282 (216) 941-5550 2021 Bulletin
Sponsors
If you would like to sponsor the weekly bulletin, please
call the office at 216-941-5550; or, e-mail us at
You can do that in honor or in memory of a loved one,
for the good health, or for any other reason, for a $40
donation ($80 New Year, Holy Pascha & Christmas).
Available dates: January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; February: 7,
14, 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25;
May: 23, 30; June: 6, 13, 20, 27; July: 11, 18, 25; Au-
gust: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; September: 12, 19, 26; October: 3,
10, 17, 24, 31; November: 7, 14, 21, 28; December: 5,
26.
We thank all who have supported and sponsored our
bulletins over the years. This definitely helps reducing Fiecare copilaș
A primit un îngeraș
Să-l învețe ce e bine
De necazuri să-l aline.
Vezi, și tu, bun copilaș
Să-l asculți pe îngeraș,
Să-L iubești pe Dumnezeu
Cu tot suflețelul tău.
”Poeme din Grădina Luminii” - Florica Bațu-Ichim
Raport Publishing, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Christmas Season Reminders
Calendars are now available from the parish office
during the weekdays or from the Trustees, on Sundays.
We regret, but there will be no Christmas Reception this
year.
All Nativity Services will be held as announced.
On Christmas day, in order to have more space in
church, we invite the younger parishioners to seat in the
church balcony.
There will be No New Year’s Eve Party this year.
Parish Dues Parish dues are to be paid prior to December 31. We thank
you for sending your dues on time. Our dues
are important and enable us to support our
Episcopate. Thank you and may the Lord
Bless You!
Taxa de Membrie Taxa annuală de membrie trebuie plătită
până la 31 decembrie. Mulțumim celor care
plătesc la timp. Această taxă este importantă pentru parohie și
ne ajută să suținem și Episcopia. Vă mulțumim și vă
binecuvântăm!
Saint Spyridon of Tremithus was born towards the end of the
third century on the island of Cyprus. He was a shepherd, and had a
wife and children. He used all his substance for the needs of his
neighbors and the homeless, for which the Lord rewarded him with a
gift of wonderworking. He healed those who were incurably sick,
and cast out demons.
(…)
According to the witness of Church historians, Saint Spyridon
participated in the sessions of the First Ecumenical Council in the
year 325. At the Council, the saint entered into a dispute with a
Greek philosopher who was defending the Arian heresy. The power
of Saint Spyridon’s plain, direct speech showed everyone the impor-
tance of human wisdom before God’s Wisdom: “Listen, philosopher,
to what I tell you. There is one God Who created man from dust. He
has ordered all things, both visible and invisible, by His Word and
His Spirit. The Word is the Son of God, Who came down upon the
earth on account of our sins. He was born of a Virgin, He lived
among men, and suffered and died for our salvation, and then He
arose from the dead, and He has resurrected the human race with
Him. We believe that He is one in essence (consubstantial) with the
Father, and equal to Him in authority and honor. We believe this
without any sly rationalizations, for it is impossible to grasp this
mystery by human reason.”
(…)
At this Council, Saint Spyridon displayed the unity of the Holy
Trinity in a remarkable way. He took a brick in his hand and
squeezed it. At that instant fire shot up from it, water dripped on the
ground, and only dust remained in the hands of the wonderworker.
“There was only one brick,” Saint Spyridon said, “but it was com-
posed of three elements. In the Holy Trinity there are three Persons,
but only one God.”
(…)
Through his prayers, drought was replaced by abundant rains;
(…) the sick were healed and demons cast out; (…) [an] infant [and
his mother were] restored to life; (…) [When a] falsely accused
[friend was] sentenced to death, the saint was hindered on his way
by the unanticipated flooding of a stream. The saint commanded the
water: “Halt! For the Lord of all the world commands that you per-
mit me to cross so that a man may be saved.” The will of the saint
was fulfilled, and he crossed over happily to the other shore. The
judge, apprised of the miracle that had occurred, received Saint
Spyridon with esteem and set his friend free.
Similar instances are known from the life of the saint. Once, he
went into an empty church, and ordered that the lampadas and can-
dles be lit, and then he began the service. When he said, “Peace be
unto all,” both he and the deacon heard from above the resounding of a
great multitude of voices saying, “And with thy spirit.”
Bishop of Tremithus ~ December 12
This choir was majestic and more sweetly melodious
than any human choir. To each petition of the litanies,
the invisible choir sang, “Lord, have mercy.” Attracted
by the church singing, the people who lived nearby has-
tened towards it. As they got closer and closer to the
church, the wondrous singing filled their ears and glad-
dened their hearts. But when they entered into the
church, they saw no one but the bishop and several
church servers, and they no longer heard the singing
which had greatly astonished them.
(…)
Saint Spyridon lived his earthly life in righteousness
and sanctity, and prayerfully surrendered his soul to the
Lord. His relics repose on the island of Corfu (Kerkyra),
in a church named after him (His right hand, however, is
located in Rome).
Paragraph taken and processed from https://
www.oca.org/
Read the story. Find the elements from the above
image in the story and underline them. Then, color
the icon of St. Spyridon.
CHILDREN ACTIVITY
RESPECTAȚI-VĂ APROAPELE,
purtați corect masca facială!
O, CE VESTE MINUNATĂ!
O, ce veste minunată.
În Betleem ni s-arată
Astăzi s-a născut
Cel făr’ de-nceput
Cum au spus prorocii.
Că la Betleem Maria.
Săvârșind călătoria
Într-un mic sălaș
Lâng’-acel oraș
A născut pe Hristos
Pe Fiul în al său nume.
Tatăl L-a trimis în lume
Să se nască și să crească
Să ne mântuiască.
O, MIRACLE WONDER
O, a miracle, a wonder
Seen in Bethlehem far yonder
Haven’s all a glow
Angels look below
Toward a Light so tender
In the fields shepherd resided
By the angels’ words were guided
To a lowly place
In a town of grace
Birth of the Messiah.
Shepherds heard the joyous tidings
To the Holy Place arriving
They beheld the Sight
Child of Wond’rous Light
Highest praise abiding.
O, the Greatest Shepherd, Jesus
Unsurpassed, it was revealed us
Praise surrounding Him
We bow down to Him
And our faith redeemed us.
BE RESPECTFUL
TOWARDS OTHER,
wear properly your facial
mask!
Quan-
tity
Price/
each CASH CHECK TOTAL
$5
$
St. Mary’s Ladies Auxiliary
ORDER FORM Cabbage Rolls (Sarmale) - Freshly Homemade,
with grounded pork meat, ready to eat (cooked)
for your Christmas Dinner Table.
ORDER DEADLINE
Tuesday, December 15
Please complete the order form below and
mail it with your payment made to St.
Mary’s Ladies Auxiliary to:
St. Mary Cathedral,
Attn: Ladies Auxiliary,
3256 Warren Rd., Cleveland, OH 44111
THANK YOU!
NAME ______________________________
PHONE # ____________________________
Paid $ ______ CASH ___CHECK # _______
Orders should be picked up on Sunday,
December 20, after the Divine Liturgy (11:30 am)
in the Social Hall Lobby.
For questions or more information please call:
The Parish Office: (216) 941-5550
PICK-UP REMINDER!
REMEMBER to pick up ___ cabbage rolls
on Sunday. December 20, after Divine
Liturgy (11:30 am) from St. Mary’s Social
Hall, located at 3256 Warren Rd., Cleveland.
Dear Father,
Please accept my Christmas gift for the
church, in honor of the Birth of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ as it follows:
Christmas Donation
$________________________
Christmas Flowers & Christmas Tree
$________________________
Community Christmas Card
$__15.00__
Charity
$________________________
Other
$_________________________
Total $____________________
Your gift of love will be credited to your church
account and published in the parish Bulletin.
NAME________________________________
ADDRESS_____________________________
______________________________________
May the Lord bless you and keep you in His
loving care! Happy Holy Days!
Dragă Părinte,
Vă rog să acceptați donația mea de Crăciun,
pentru mărirea Domnului nostru Iisus Hristos,
după cum urmează:
Donație pentru Crăciun
$__________________________
Donație pentru Flori & Brad de Crăciun
$__________________________
Felicitarea Comunitară de Crăciun
$____15.00___
Caritate (Milostenie)
$__________________________
Alte Donații
$__________________________
Total $______________________
Donația Dvs. se va publica în Buletinul
săptămânal al parohiei.
NUMELE______________________________
ADRESA_______________________________
_______________________________________
Dumnezeu să vă binecuvânteze.
Sărbători Fericite!