✢ ✢ ✢ Saint Theodore ✢ Baptist Orthodox Church St.John the f Ea The Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates came from Asia Minor. For his charity God enlightened him with the knowledge of Christian truth. The bravery of the saintly soldier was revealed after he, with the help of God, killed a giant serpent living on a precipice in the outskirts of Euchaita. The serpent had devoured many people and animals, terrorizing the countryside. St Theodore armed himself with a sword and vanquished it, glorifying the name of Christ among the people. For his bravery St Theodore was appointed military commander [stratelatos] in the city of Heraclea, where he combined his military service with preaching the Gospel among the pagans subject to him. His gift of persuasion, reinforced by his personal example of Christian life, turned many from their false gods. Soon, nearly all of Heraclea had accepted Christianity. During this time the emperor Licinius (311-324) began a fierce persecution against Christians. In an effort to stamp out the new faith, he persecuted the enlightened adherents of Christianity, who were per- ceived as a threat to paganism. Among these was St Theodore. Licinius tried to force St Theodore to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. The saint invited Licinius to come to him with his idols so both of them could offer sacrifice before the people. Blinded by his hatred for Christianity, Licinius trusted the words of the saint, but he was disappointed. St Theodore smashed the gold and silver statues into pieces, which he then distributed to the poor. Thus he demonstrated the vain faith in soulless idols, and also displayed Christian charity. St Theodore was arrested and subjected to fierce and refined torture. Finally, he was crucified. God, however, in His great mercy, willed that the death of St Theodore should be as fruitful for those near him as his life was. An angel healed the saint’s wounded body and took him down from the cross. In the morn- ing, the imperial soldiers found him alive and unharmed. Seeing with their own eyes the infinite might of the Christian God, they were baptized not far from the place of the unsuccessful execution. Thus St Theodore became “like a day of splendor” for those pagans dwelling in the darkness of idola- tary, and he enlightened their souls “with the bright rays of his suffering.” Unwilling to escape martyrdom for Christ, St Theodore voluntarily surrendered himself to Licinius, and discouraged the Christians from rising up against the torturer, saying, “Beloved, halt! My Lord Jesus Christ, hanging upon the Cross, re- strained the angels and did not permit them to take revenge on the race of man.” Going to execution, the holy martyr opened up the prison doors with just a word and freed the prison- ers from their bonds. People who touched his robe were healed instantly from sicknesses, and freed from demonic possession. By order of the emperor, St Theodore was beheaded by the sword. Before his death he told Varus, “ Do not fail to record the day of my death, and bury my body in Euchaita.” He also asked to be remembered each year on this date. Then he bent his neck beneath the sword, and received the crown of martyrdom which he had sought.
Transcript
Epistle Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-15
Gospel Reading: Luke 18:10-14
Saturday, Feb. 14 Great Vespers 4:00 pm
Sunday, Feb. 15 Divine Liturgy 9:30 am
Front & Welles Streets Nanticoke, PA 18634 www.stjohnsnanticoke.org ✢ [email protected]
Rev. Fr. Adam R. Sexton, Acting Rector570.735.2263 offi ce ✢ 570.702.9036 cell
Reader Joseph P. Paprota, Council President & Choir Director 570.829.4112
February 8, 2009
Schedule of Services
✢Saint Theodore ✢
Front & Welles Streets Nanticoke, PA 18634 www.stjohnsnanticoke.org
Rev. Fr. Adam R. Sexton570.735.2263 offi ce
Reader Joseph P. Paprota570.829.4112
St.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchSt.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchSt.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchSt.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchSt.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchSt.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchSt.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchSt.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchOrthodoxChurchinAmericaAParishoftheDioceseofEasternPennsylvaniaOrthodoxChurchinAmericaAParishoftheDioceseofEasternPennsylvania
St.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchOrthodoxChurchinAmericaAParishoftheDioceseofEasternPennsylvania
St.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchSt.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchOrthodoxChurchinAmericaAParishoftheDioceseofEasternPennsylvania
St.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchSt.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchOrthodoxChurchinAmericaAParishoftheDioceseofEasternPennsylvania
St.John the Baptist Orthodox ChurchOrthodoxChurchinAmericaAParishoftheDioceseofEasternPennsylvania
The Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates came from Asia Minor. For his charity God enlightened him with the knowledge of Christian truth. The bravery of the saintly soldier was revealed after he, with the help of God, killed a giant serpent living on a precipice in the outskirts of Euchaita. The serpent had devoured many people and animals, terrorizing the countryside. St Theodore armed himself with a sword and vanquished it, glorifying the name of Christ among the people. For his bravery St Theodore was appointed military commander [stratelatos] in the city of Heraclea, where he combined his military service with preaching the Gospel among the pagans subject to him. His gift of persuasion,
reinforced by his personal example of Christian life, turned many from their false gods. Soon, nearly all of Heraclea had accepted Christianity.
During this time the emperor Licinius (311-324) began a fi erce persecution against Christians. In an effort to stamp out the new faith, he persecuted the enlightened adherents of Christianity, who were per-ceived as a threat to paganism. Among these was St Theodore. Licinius tried to force St Theodore to offer sacrifi ce to the pagan gods. The saint invited Licinius to come to him with his idols so both of them could offer sacrifi ce before the people.
Blinded by his hatred for Christianity, Licinius trusted the words of the saint, but he was disappointed. St Theodore smashed the gold and silver statues into pieces, which he then distributed to the poor. Thus he demonstrated the vain faith in soulless idols, and also displayed Christian charity.
St Theodore was arrested and subjected to fi erce and refi ned torture. Finally, he was crucifi ed. God, however, in His great mercy, willed that the death of St Theodore should be as fruitful for those near him as his life was. An angel healed the saint’s wounded body and took him down from the cross. In the morn-ing, the imperial soldiers found him alive and unharmed. Seeing with their own eyes the infi nite might of the Christian God, they were baptized not far from the place of the unsuccessful execution.
Thus St Theodore became “like a day of splendor” for those pagans dwelling in the darkness of idola-tary, and he enlightened their souls “with the bright rays of his suffering.” Unwilling to escape martyrdom for Christ, St Theodore voluntarily surrendered himself to Licinius, and discouraged the Christians from rising up against the torturer, saying, “Beloved, halt! My Lord Jesus Christ, hanging upon the Cross, re-strained the angels and did not permit them to take revenge on the race of man.”
Going to execution, the holy martyr opened up the prison doors with just a word and freed the prison-ers from their bonds. People who touched his robe were healed instantly from sicknesses, and freed from demonic possession. By order of the emperor, St Theodore was beheaded by the sword. Before his death he told Varus, “ Do not fail to record the day of my death, and bury my body in Euchaita.” He also asked to be remembered each year on this date. Then he bent his neck beneath the sword, and received the crown of martyrdom which he had sought.
Sunday of the Publican & the Pharisee
‘God, be merciful unto me, a sinner!’
✢Intercessory Prayer ✢ ✢Candle Off erings Candle Off erings ✢TheEternalLight✢ For the Health of Mary StaniorskiFor the Health of Mary Staniorski
TheCrossVigilLIghtTheCrossVigilLIght✢ In Memory of John StaniorskiIn Memory of John Staniorski
AllOtherVigilLightsAllOtherVigilLights✢ For the Health of Gregory KarolFor the Health of Gregory Karol
For the Health of Mary StaniorskiFor the Health of Mary StaniorskiIn Memory of Anna FedockIn Memory of Anna FedockIn Memory of Peter LipinskiIn Memory of Peter LipinskiIn Memory of John StaniorskiIn Memory of John StaniorskiIn Memory of Peter LipinskiIn Memory of Peter Lipinski
Announcements
✢ CentennialPlanningMeeting: Come one! Come all! We need your help! St. John’s in Nanticoke is less than three years away from celebrating 100 years of witnessing the fullness of the faith here in Hanover Section. We are ready to get started. This will require the best from all of us. Please prayerfully consider how you can help. On Thursday, February 12 at 6:00 pm be here! We will meet in the Church Parlors and brainstorm.
✢ ParishCouncilMeeting: On February 15 immediately following coffee hour the parish council will have their February meeting. Also, today immediately following Liturgy the 2009 Parish Council offi cers will be belatedly installed.
✢ GitchyerPinchin’FingersReady! We’re making pierohie’s again! We begin the cheese makings on February 23, Monday, and the tater makin on Monday, March 2. Orders are due by February 14. Call Mary Ann Oram to reserve yours today! 829-3832 ($7 for cheese, $6 for taters.)
✢ Myasopusna2009: Dinner tickets are now available for Transfi guration of Our Lord Ukranian Catholic Church’s Myasopusna festival, held at the church’s banquet hall (in Nanticoke) on Sunday, February 15, from noon to 4 pm. The Myasopusna (Meatfare) festival is the parish’s annual prelenten celebration, preceding the Great Fast. Dinner (a platter of halupki, kielbasi, ham, pierohies, beet salad, homemade blackbread, a homemade dessert, and a beverage) will be served from 12:30 to 1:30 pm, followed by live Ukrainian music and dance performances. A variety of Ukrainian crafts, including pysanky, embroidery, woodcrafts, and ceramics, will be on display and for sale. Dinner tickets and paid reservations are limited to 200. Newspaper and public advertising of the event will begin next week. Dinner tickets are $12 and can be purchased by calling Helen (735-4654) or Geri (824-3880).
✢ 16thMidwinterFestival2009: Saturday, Feb. 21 11am -6pm Ethnic Food And Craft Festival Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre- Serving Cuisines of Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and Amercia, Religious Arts & Ethnic Craft Vendors, Bake Sale, Theme Basket Raffl e FREE ADMISSIONSunday, Feb 22 Folk Festival at Hazleton High School, 1601 West 23rd Street, Hazleton- 3pm Curtain- The Tamburitzans Folk Ensemble of Duquesne University, Tickets: Adult $30, $25 & Children/Student $15, $12 Toll Free 1-877-822-5452 (information number for both events)
✢ Litiya is offered today in memory of Peter Lipinski by his daughters, Mary and Olga, and also, for the 40th day of the repose of Pauline Karaska, offered by her son, Ted, and Jim And Maryann Oram.
✢ Olga Sulewski is sponsoring fellowship coffee hour today. Thank you, Olga!
TheLiving✢ All of our shut-ins and those in nursing homes:
Mary Staniorski Pauline KaraskaMaryAnn Kremenic John KremenicMary Ruduski Mary Zaleta
✢ Those who lie in sickness:Child Christopher Fr. Nicholas YuschakInfant Joshua Cheryl ConnaghanJohn Evelyn CurryHelen Dargiewicz Daria YackimowiczPauline Karaska Matushka OlgaTina Chernikovich Michael CalabroMelanie Hoats SmithMelanie Hoats Smith Karen Schinski
TheFaithfulDepartedTheFaithfulDeparted✢ February 8 Delores L. Sheldon (1992)February 8 Delores L. Sheldon (1992)
February 9 Vasily (1963)Vasily (1963)Vasily (1963) Stephen Wanchisen (1979)
February 12 Mary Kopcho (1955) Helen Motika Schumaker (2008)
more Announcementsmore Announcements✢ Prayers: Please Remember in Prayer Fr. Nicholas Yuschak who has been hospitalized this week and also, for the child Christopher and Infant Joshua.
✢ NewlyElectedPatriarch: Metropoli-tan Kyril of Smolensk, Locum tenens of the Patri-archal See of Moscow and All Russia, was recently elected Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
✢ ChurchSchool:For the past couple of days our own church school children have appeared on the OCA’s website homepage for the Christmas Stocking Project bake sale they held. If you click on the picture you can read about this year’s Stocking Project and see additional photos of OUR church school kids. Check it out at www.oca.org while it lasts.
