Ss. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church /Assumption B.V.M. Church
131 North Beech Street, Mount Carmel, Pa. 17851
Very Reverend Archpriest Michael Hutsko, Pastor
Rectory 570-339-0650 Church Hall 570- 339-4333
Web Site- sspeterandpaulmc.org - E-Mail: [email protected] - Fax 570-339-2715
Prayer Line: Louise Cuff 339-3660 – Eleanor Stebila 339-2353 – Louise Troyan 339-1565
Please notify the rectory office if you or a loved one is hospitalized or admitted to a nursing home.
Office Hours: Mon. Tues. - 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM - Wed. Thurs. 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Fri. 11:00 AM -12:00 Noon
st
1 Collection: Candles 2nd Collection: Regular Offering
3rd Sunday of The Great Fast – Veneration of the Cross
Saturday 03-22-14
3:15 PM Confessions
4:00 PM + Madeline Visloskie – 10th Anniversary
of her death – req. by Husband, Walter,
& Children, Mike & Sue
Sunday 03-23-14
8:15 AM Confessions
9:15 AM For the Parishioners
11:00 AM at Assumption B.V.M. Church
+ Joe & Sylvia Mekosh req. by Sister, Mary Ann
Followed by Prayers for the Deceased
3:00 PM - Stations of the Cross
St. John’s – Maizeville
Monday 03-24-14
Vigil of Annunciation of the Theotokos
Holy Day of Obligation
6:00 PM at Ss. Peter & Paul Church
+ Thomas Concavage req. by Joseph Cheddar
Tuesday 03-25-14
Annunciation of the Theotokos
Holy Day of Obligation
9:00 AM at Assumption B.V.M. Church
+ Michael Merikas req. by Wife, Anna
Wednesday 03-26-14
6:00 PM Divine Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts
For God’s Blessings upon our Parishes
Thursday 03-27-14
8:00 AM Lenten Hours
Friday 03-28-14
6:00 PM Divine Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts
For the Parishioners of Our Parishes
Saturday 03-29-14
8:00 AM - Divine Liturgy
For the Deceased of Our Parish
Followed by Prayers for the Deceased
Confessions 11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
3:15 PM Confessions
4:00 PM + Michael Merikas req. by Wife, Anna
March 23, 2014
Sunday 03-30-14
8:15 AM Confessions
9:15 AM For the Parishioners
11:00 AM at Assumption B.V.M. Church
+ Robin Mayernick req. by Mom & Dad
Followed by Prayers for the Deceased
3:00 PM Stations of the Cross –
Ss. Peter & Paul Church – Mount Carmel
Beginning of Lenten Mission
Social immediately following
Welcome: We the people of SS. Peter &
Paul/Assumption Churches, are a catholic
community that worships God, spreads the Good
News of Christ, and serves those in need. Come
into the house. Bring all you are, no need to check
your failures at the door. There are no perfect
people here. You are invited: come. Come in
seeking, come in wondering, come in hurting.
Come into this house of companionship and
compassion. Come in. You are welcome here. SS.
Peter & Paul/Assumption Churches open their
doors to you.
Upcoming Events: Mark your calendars and plan
to support the following events…..
March 22 – 9:00 AM - Second Annual Friendship
Breakfast - 3rd Pysanky Class – 5:00 PM
March 24 – 6:00 PM Vigil of the Annunciation of
the Theotokos – Ss. Peter & Paul Church –
Holy Day of Obligation
March 25 – 9:00 AM at Assumption B.V.M.
Church - Annunciation of the Theotokos –
Holy Day of Obligation
March 29 – Halupki Sale Pick-up 10:00 AM to
12:00 Noon – Ss. Peter & Paul Church Hall
4th Pysanky Class – 5:00 PM
March 30 -3:00 PM Stations of the Cross –
Beginning of Lenten Mission
Ss. Peter & Paul Church - Social to follow
Ss. Peter & Paul Replenish Fund Donations as
of March 16, 2014.
$ 50.00 – Martha Grabowski
Total To Date Replenishing Fund Donations:
$ 42, 369.80
Ss. Peter & Paul Rebuilding Fund Donations:
$1, 297.00 – Profit from Spaghetti Dinner
Ss. Peter & Paul Church Lector Schedule:
Sat. March 22 4:00 PM
Brock Bridy
Sun. March 23 9:15 AM
George Ann Katchick
Sat. March 29 4:00 PM
Ed Cuff
Sun. March 30 9:15 AM
Justina Eisenhart
Ss. Peter & Paul Church Spaghetti Dinner
Financial Report:
Income $1, 460.00
50/50 Chances 44.00
Total Income - $1, 504.00
Expenses - 207.00
Total Profit $ 1, 297.00
Assumption B.V.M. Church Lector Schedule:
Sun. March 23 11:00 AM
Bryce Fiamoncini
Sun. March 30 11:00 AM
Bryce Fiamoncini
Total Pre-Sale Tickets –
Total Walk-Ins Approximate Platters served
Altar Flowers: Altar flowers can be sponsored
weekly for $30.00 per arrangement. Parishioners
can sponsor these flowers in Memory of a loved
one, or for any occasion. Anyone interested in
sponsoring flowers may call 570 - 339-0650.
125
50
175
Ss. Peter & Paul Church Spaghetti Dinner 50/50
Raffle Winner:
Kathy Grybos - $ 44.00
Special “Thank You”: A special “Thank You” to
everyone who came out this past week to help with
our Ss. Peter & Paul/Assumption B.V.M. Churches
March Pyrohy Sale. Your help was greatly
appreciated. We are still in need of helping hands
in all aspects of this project. Please try to donate
some of your time and talents to this project.
Thank you.
Pyrohy for Sale: Ss. Peter & Paul/Assumption
B.V.M. Churches have extra pyrohy for sale.
Please see any pyrohy worker or call the office at
570-339-0650 during normal office hours if you
wish to purchase pyrohy.
Next Pyrohy Sale: The SS. Peter &
Paul/Assumption Pyrohy Sale will be held on
Wednesday, April 10, 2014 starting at 9:00 AM,
and on Thursday, April 11, 2014 starting at 8:00
AM. We are still in need of help in all aspects of
this project please try to devote some of your time
and talents to this project. All are welcome. Thank
you.
Religion Classes: Religion classes are held at SS.
Peter & Paul Church on Monday evenings from
6:00 PM to 7:15 PM. All children from pre-school
age to 8th grade are encouraged to attend. Children
receiving the Sacrament of Penance/Holy
Communion in Calendar Year 2013-2014 must
attend these classes. Registration forms are
available. If you have any questions please contact
Christine Bogner at 570-847-4385.
Pysanky Classes: Pysanky classes are still being
held on March, 22nd, and 29th at 5:00 PM in the
church hall at Ss. Peter & Paul Church. These
classes are taught and demonstrated by Rose
Demsko, a locally renowned pysanky artist and
instructor. Thank you to everyone who signed up
for this class, and took advantage of this great
opportunity.
Deanery Stations of the Cross:
SS. Peter & Paul Church, March 30, 2014 at 3:00
PM - Social will follow. We are in need of homemade baked goods and desserts for this social. All
donations are appreciated. Please bring donations
to Ss. Peter & Paul Church Hall on Saturday,
March 29, or Sunday morning, March 30.
Thank you.
3rd Sunday of the Great Fast
Veneration of the Cross
Troparion:
Let the heavens be glad, let the earth rejoice, for
the Lord has done a mighty deed with His arm. He
trampled death by death. He became the first-born
of the dead; He saved us from the abyss of Hades
and granted great mercy to the world.
Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your
inheritance; * grant victory to Your Church over
her enemies * and protect Your people by Your
cross.
Kontakion:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Spirit: Now and forever and ever:
Amen.
No longer does the flaming sword guard the
gates of Eden: * for on them one finds the most
glorious seal, the Tree of the Cross. * By it the
sorrow of death and the victory of the Abyss have
been conquered. * For You, O my Savior, stood
and called out to those in the Abyss: * “Enter again
into paradise.”
INSTEAD OF: “Holy God….”
We bow to Your cross, O Lord and we praise
Your holy resurrection.
Prokimenon:
Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your
inheritance.
V. To You, O Lord, I call; my God be not deaf to
me.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
V. Remember Your flock whom You built up long
ago.
V. God is our King from time past, the Giver of
Help through all the land. Alleluia (3x)
INSTEAD OF: “It is truly proper…..”
In you, O Woman Full of Grace, the angelic choirs
and the human race—all creation----rejoices. O
Sanctified Temple, Mystical Paradise, and Glory of
Virgins, He, Who is our God from before all ages,
took flesh from you and became a child. He made
your womb a throne, and greater than the heavens.
In you, O Woman Full of Grace, all creation
rejoices. All praise be to you!
Communion Hymn:
O Lord let the light of Your countenance shine
upon us. Alleluia! (3x)
Epistle: Heb
Gospel: Mk.
4:14 – 5:6
8:34 – 9:1
“Lenten Anthem”
“Having endured your Passion for us, Jesus Christ,
Son of God have mercy on us.”
“Pre-ter-pee-vey za nas stra-sti Ee-soo-se Chris-te,
Sy-neh Bozhiy Po-mi-loiy nas.”
Prayer for Saint Ephrem
O Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the
spirit of indifference and discouragement
Lust of power and idle chatter. (Prostration)
Instead, grant to me, Your servant, the spirit of
wholeness of being, humble-mindedness,
Patience and love. (Prostration)
O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware
of my sins and not to judge my brother;
For your are blessed now and ever, and
forever. Amen ( Prostration)
Great Fast Antiphons: During our journey of the
Great Fast, the Psalm of Typica and the Beatitudes
will be sung instead of the regular Sunday
Antiphons.
Thoughts for the Day………….
Everything happens for a reason, live it, love it,
learn from it. Make your smile change the world,
but don’t let the world change your smile.
God is always by your side to guide you in the
right direction.
Annunciation of the Theotokos: Vigil of the
Annunciation of the Theotokos will be celebrated
on Monday, March 24, 2014 at 6:00 PM at
Ss. Peter & Paul Church. Annunciation of the
Theotokos will be celebrated at Assumption
B.V.M. Church on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at
9:00 AM. This is a Holy Day of Obligation please
try to attend one of these Liturgies.
Lenten Services: The Holy Season of Lent (Great
Fast) has begun. This is a privileged time during
which we are all encouraged to “put aside all
earthly cares” and focus upon those things that are
eternal and everlasting. During this time we are
encouraged to focus upon the salvation of our
souls, each one looking inwardly in order to
measure ourselves in the light of Jesus Christ.
During this time we are encouraged to “pray, fast
and do good works” each according to their own
ability. As such, our church provides additional
opportunities to encounter the Lord. A special
liturgical schedule has been prepared to enable us
to make the best use of this forty-day period.
Lenten Hours are prayed at 8:00 AM on Tuesday,
Thursday. Stations of the Cross is celebrated at
6:00 PM on Monday evenings. The Liturgy of the
Pre-sanctified Gifts is sung on Wednesday and
Friday evenings at 6:00 PM. Our deceased loved
ones are remembered at Sorokousty Services on
Saturday mornings immediately after 8:00 AM
liturgy in Mt. Carmel and on Sunday mornings
immediately after 11:00 AM liturgy in Centralia.
Also, please remember our Deanery prays the
Stations of the Cross in a different parish each
Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM. Please do your best
to attend and pray the additional services during
our journey through the Great Fast so that we will
be able to joyfully proclaim the Resurrection of
Our Lord as newly created people on Easter
Sunday.
2014 Deanery Lenten Services:
All services begin at 3:00 PM
Sunday, March 23 – Stations of the CrossSt. John’s, Maizeville
Sunday, March 30 – Stations of the Cross –
Ss. Peter and Paul, Mt. Carmel
Sunday, April 6 – Stations of the Cross –
St. Michael’s, Hazelton
Sunday, April 13 – Stations of the Cross –
St. Nicholas, Minersville
Everyone is welcome to attend these services.
Please join us.
Lenten Confession Schedule:
Listed below is the schedule for Lenten
confessions.
Confessions are heard from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in
each church.
Monday, April 7 – Assumption B.V.M. Church –
Fr. Fesniak
Ss. Peter & Paul Church, Mt. Carmel Msgr. Melnic – Msgr. Grabowsky
Please take advantage of this opportunity to
receive the Mystery of Forgiveness prior to the
Celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord.
Fasting Regulations: During the season of Lent
we are to refrain from eating meat that day and
every Friday of Lent and are encouraged to fast
from meat on all Wednesdays of the Lenten
season. All are asked to do their best to keep this
discipline of the church.
Confession: Every catholic is required to receive
the Sacrament of Penance during the Lenten/Easter
season. In order to give you ample opportunity to
fulfill this obligation I will hear confessions every
Saturday during lent from 11:00 AM to Noon at
Ss. Peter & Paul Church. Also, visiting priests will
be in SS. Peter & Paul Parish and Assumption
B.V.M. Church for confessions on Monday, April
7th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Please avail yourself
of these opportunities as early as possible in the
Lenten season.
Easter Offering: Please begin now putting aside a
couple of dollars a week so that you can make an
extra special offering to our churches on Easter
Sunday. We ask each parishioner to consider
making an Easter donation of at least $25.00. Gifts
of $50.00, $75.00, $100.00 or more would be
greatly appreciated. When we stop to consider the
great gift of Jesus himself, the Son of God, it is
easy for us to respond generously as we celebrate
His resurrection.
Lenten Mission: A Lenten Mission will be
presented to our parish community by Father John
Szada, Jr. beginning on Sunday, March 30th at 3:00
PM - Stations of the Cross, followed by the social.
Monday, March 31, 2014 at 6:00 PM - Stations of
the Cross, Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 6:00 PM
Lenten Hours, Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 6:00
PM Divine Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified. Father Szada
will be giving the Homily at these services. We
would like to thank Father Szada for joining us for
these services.
Halupki/Pigeon Sale: Our Lenten pigeon sale will
be held on Saturday, March 29th. Our pigeons
make a great addition to your Easter Sunday
Dinner or for a quick anytime meal. They are
delicious and nutritious. Order forms are available
in the bulletin, in the vestibule of our churches, and
in the parish office. Pigeons can be ordered baked
or unbaked (either can be easily frozen). Prices are:
$18.00 a dozen, $9.00 a half-dozen or $1.50 each.
For more information, or to place an order please
call the rectory office at 570-339-0650 during
business hours. Pre-orders only please.
Take-out orders only. Please complete the order
form below and return it to the Church office or
deposit in collection basket on or before March
21st. Thank you for your support of this
project.
SS. Peter & Paul Church
131 N. Beech Street
Mt. Carmel, Pa. 17851
Halupki/Pigeon Sale Order Form
Please specify baked or unbaked
Name: _________________________________
Address: ________________________________
Phone Number: ___________________________
Baked or Unbaked
Dozen Halupki
$18.00__________________________________
Baked or unbaked
1/2 Dozen Halupki
$9.00___________________________________
Baked or unbaked
One Halupki
$1.50 ___________________________________
Additional juice_________________________
Halupki Work Schedule: The schedule for
preparing Halupki for Ss. Peter & Paul Church
Halupki Sale is as follows:
Coring of Cabbage, March 25- starting at 9:00 AM
Boiling of Cabbage, March 26- starting at
9:00 AM
Prepare Halupki, March 27 & 28 - starting at
9:00 AM
Halupki can be picked up on March 29, 2014
between 10:00 to 12:00 Noon in the Church Hall.
We are in need of people to help with this
project. Please lend some of your time to make
this fundraiser a huge success. Thank you in
advance for your support.
Ss. Peter & Paul/Assumption B.V.M. Churches
Collecting Food Donations: Ss. Peter &
Paul/Assumption B.V.M. Churches are continuing
to collect food items to be donated to the Mount
Carmel Area Food Bank. Please continue to donate
to the less fortunate in our community.
Thank You!
First Solemn Holy Communion Schedule:
The children of SS. Peter & Paul
Church/Assumption B.V.M. Church will be
receiving their First Solemn Holy Communion on
Sunday, April 27, 2014 at 9:15 AM.
Please join with us so that the Communicants can
receive this Sacrament with the accompaniment of
their Church parishioners.
Please note Assumption B.V.M. Church –
Divine Liturgy will be held on Saturday, April
26, 2014 at 6:00 PM instead of 11:00 AM on
April 27, 2014, due to 1st Holy Communion.
Altar Flowers:
Altar flowers for the week of March 23, 2014 at
Ss. Peter & Paul Church are for a Wedding
Anniversary Remembrance, 65 years for
Peter & + Mary Cherapan requested by Family.
Jukebox Heroes Live & Car Show:
Jukebox Heroes – The Mahoney Brothers & Car
Show will be held at the Mount Carmel Area High
School on Saturday, April 12, 2014
Weather permitting – Antique 50’s & 60”s Car
Show on the Upper Level
5:30 PM – Live D.J.
6:15 PM – Door Open
7:00 PM – Jukebox Heroes Live
Admission - $ 20.00
For tickets call Joe Cesari – 570-373-3561
Proceeds Benefit Area Youth Programs
In Your Prayers: Please remember to pray for the
sick and the infirm of our Parishes.
Please Remember: To pray for vocations to the
Holy Priesthood and religious life.
Rosary Intention: For the week of March 23,
2014, for the sick and the infirm of our parishes.
Lucky Three Raffle Tickets to Benefit St.
Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Seminary:
Lucky Three Raffle tickets to benefit St. Josaphat
Ukrainian Catholic Seminary are available in
Ss. Peter and Paul Church office, also someone
will be selling tickets after each Divine Liturgy in
our parishes.
Drawing will be on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at
4:00 PM at St. Nicholas Church’
First Prize $ 500.00
Second Prize $ 200.00
Third Prize $ 50.00
Donation - $ 1.00 each
Please support this Raffle. Thank you.
American Girl Doll Bingo:
Sunday, May 4th
Doors open at 12 Noon
Early Bird at 1:15
Bingo starts at 1:30 PM
Admissions $ 20.00 – All players must purchase an
admission ticket
Winner receives their choice of doll
Advanced ticket holders will be entered in a
drawing for an American Girl Accessory
Special Raffle – Bring non-perishable food or
paper products to get a chance for a special raffle –
one chance per item
St. Michael’s Church Hall
300 W. Oak Street, Shenandoah, Pa.
For tickets or info 570-462-0809
We cannot accept 50 or 100 dollar bills.
Halupki Dinner: A Halupki Dinner sponsored by
St. Nicholas Church will be held on Sunday,
March 23, 2014 at St. Nicholas Hall,
Primrose11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Includes…… Halupki, filling, mashed potatoes,
green beans, and roll!
$9.00/platter…. Eat-in or Take-out
ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY
Call 570-544-4581
Prayer for Renewal
Almighty Lord, we bow our heads in prayer
And beseech You to rebuild our House of God.
The psalmist reminds us,
Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Dear Lord, rebuild this house and guide the hands
of the architects, the contractors, the laborers;
May they perfect the imperfections, as they
recreate and renew this church, our Heaven on
earth, where we gather to lay aside all cares of life.
Almighty Lord, we are also reminded that we too
are temples, living temples of the Holy Spirit.
During this time of re-creation and renewal
May our imperfections also be perfected.
May the gifts of the Holy Spirit renew in each of
us our faith and our love of God and each other.
May we spiritually become the children of God we
are called to be Christian faithful who are forgiving
and caring, and welcoming. And may our patrons,
Saints Peter and Paul, always inspire us through
their courage and example to faithfully hear the
Word of God and live it
A Prayer for Peace in Ukraine
Heavenly Father, Your Son taught us
“Blessed are the Peacemakers for
they shall be called Children of God.”
At this hour, we fervently pray that
Your Holy Spirit may inspire men and
women in Ukraine to become Peacemakers.
May they seek reconciliation and dialogue
and end the violent confrontation and killing.
May they restore tranquility to their nation
and restore human rights, democratic principles
and religious liberty to their troubled land.
God, our Father, we beseech you to comfort
the suffering, heal the wounded and accept the
souls of the departed into Your Heavenly
Kingdom.
And may the Most Holy Mother of God, extend
her Blessed Mantle of Protection over Ukraine.
And may each of us always live our lives
as instruments of Your Peace.
Amen.
Easter Egg Hunt: SS. Peter & Paul/ Assumption
will sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt for all the
children of our parishes.
The Easter egg hunt will be held on Palm Sunday,
April 13, 2014 at 12:00 Noon at SS. Peter & Paul
Church Hall. A social will follow immediately
after the egg hunt. Please complete the form below
and return it to the church office before Sunday,
April 6 , 2014, so we have an idea of how many
children will be attending. Any questions please
call Michelle Forti at 339-2353.
This Easter Egg Hunt is opened to any and all
children of our parishes and the community who
would like to join us for a fun time.
SS. Peter & Paul/Assumption Annual Easter
Dinner: Tickets for the Annual Easter Dinner
being held on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 12:30 PM at
SS. Peter & Paul Church Hall are available in the
church office. Cost of the tickets are as follows:
Adult $ 10.00, Child $ 5.00, Family $ 25.00.Dinner
includes a sampling of Traditional Easter Foods,
along with Baked Chicken, Vegetables, Drinks, &
Dessert included. You may purchase tickets during
regular office hours, or you can complete the form
below and return to the office, or place it in the
collection basket. Please keep in mind this dinner
is reservation only and we must have your returns
by April 20, 2014.
NAME___________________________________
NAME___________________________________
ADULTS:________________________________
AGE____________________________________
CHILDREN:_____________________________
NUMBER OF CHILDREN ATTENDING
NUMBER OF ADULTS & CHILDREN:
_______________________________________
_________________________________________
TOTAL:________________________________
TOTAL: _________________________________
Vigil at the Lord’s Tomb: A sign-up sheet for the
Lord’s Tomb Vigil is located in the vestibule of the
churches. Please sign your name at the time you
and your family wish to guard the tomb and
meditate on your relationship with Jesus Christ.
This is a very beautiful tradition in our Ukrainian
Greek Catholic Church -- please keep it alive and
share it with your children. Members of our parish
organizations likewise should take time to keep
vigil during the days the Lord lay in the tomb.
Thank you for your spirit of devotion and piety at
this most sacred time.
Traditional Easter Dinners for Our
Homebound Parishioners: The Altar Rosary
Society will be preparing the Traditional Easter
Dinner on Palm Sunday, April 13th, 2014 to be
delivered by the Holy Name Society to our
homebound parishioners. We extend a heartfelt
thank you to the Altar Rosary Society and the Holy
Name Society for making this dinner possible.
May God Bless You!
Choir Practice: With Easter fast approaching we
would like to have as many people as possible join
our choir so we will be able to make our Easter
Season a festive and joyous one. Choir rehearsal
will begin on Monday, April 7th at 7:00 PM at SS.
Peter & Paul Church. Anyone interested in joining
our choir please contact Ed Cuff at 339-3660.
It’s that time of Year: Pussy Willows are once
again needed for Palm Sunday Weekend Divine
Liturgies April 12, and April 13, 2014. If you are
able to provide pussy willows, kindly call the
Church office at 339-0650 during regular office
hours. Thank you so much.
Clearing of Cemetery Items:
All flowers and other items on the graves at SS.
Peter & Paul/ Assumption B.V.M. Cemeteries
must be removed before April 6, 2014. Any items
not taken will be discarded. By doing your part to
remove these items we will be able to have the
cemetery beautified for the upcoming spring and
summer season, as well as for our Easter holiday.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
The sign of the cross is a symbol of faith, a sign that shall be contradicted, a standard to
lead on toward final victory as St. John of Damascus teaches: "For wherever the sign shall
be there also shall he be."
The Third Sunday of Great Fast
Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy
Cross
On the Third Sunday of Great and Holy Lent, the
Eastern Church commemorates the Precious and
Life-Giving Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. Services include a special veneration of the
Cross, which prepares the faithful for the
commemoration of the Crucifixion during Holy
Week.
Historical Background
The commemoration and ceremonies of the Third
Sunday of Lent are closely parallel to the feasts of
the Veneration of the Cross (September 14) and the Procession of the Cross (August 1). Not
only does the Sunday of the Holy Cross prepare us for commemoration of the Crucifixion,
but it also reminds us that the whole of Lent is a period when we are crucified with Christ.
As we have “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24), and will have
mortified ourselves during these forty days of the Fast, the precious and life-giving Cross is
now placed before us to refresh our souls and encourage us who may be filled with a sense of
bitterness, resentment, and depression. The Cross reminds us of the Passion of our Lord, and
by presenting to us His example, it encourages us to follow Him in struggle and sacrifice,
being refreshed, assured, and comforted. In other words, we must experience what the Lord
experienced during His Passion - being humiliated in a shameful manner. The Cross teaches
us that through pain and suffering we shall see the fulfillment of our hopes: the heavenly
inheritance and eternal glory.
As they who walk on a long and hard way and are bowed down by fatigue find great relief
and strengthening under the cool shade of a leafy tree, so do we find comfort, refreshment,
and rejuvenation under the Life-giving Cross, which our Fathers “planted” on this Sunday.
Thus, we are fortified and enabled to continue our Lenten journey with a light step, rested and
encouraged.
Or, as before the arrival of the king, his royal standards, trophies, and emblems of victory
come in procession and then the king himself appears in a triumphant parade, jubilant and
rejoicing in his victory and filling those under him with joy, so does the Feast of the Cross
precede the coming of our King, Jesus Christ. It warns us that He is about to proclaim His
victory over death and appear to us in the glory of the Resurrection. His Life-Giving Cross is
His royal scepter, and by venerating it we are filled with joy, rendering Him glory. Therefore,
we become ready to welcome our King, who shall manifestly triumph over the powers of
darkness.
The present feast has been placed in the middle of Great Lent for another reason. The Fast
can be likened to the spring of Marah whose waters the children of Israel encountered in the
wilderness. This water was undrinkable due to its bitterness but became sweet when the Holy
Prophet Moses dipped the wood into its depth. Likewise, the wood of the Cross sweetens the
days of the Fast, which are bitter and often grievous because of our tears. Yet Christ comforts
us during our course through the desert of the Fast, guiding and leading us by His hand to the
spiritual Jerusalem on high by the power of His Resurrection.
Moreover, as the Holy Cross is called the Tree of Life, it is placed in the middle of the Fast,
as the ancient tree of life was placed in the middle of the garden of Eden. By this, our Holy
Fathers wished to remind us of Adam’s gluttony as well as the fact that through this Tree has
condemnation been abolished. Therefore, if we bind ourselves to the Holy Cross, we shall
never encounter death but shall inherit life eternal.
Icon of the Veneration of the Cross
The most common icon associated with the Veneration of the Cross is the same icon used on
the Feast of the Exaltaton of the Cross on September 14. In the icon, Patriarch Macarius is
standing in the pulpit elevating the Cross for all to see and venerate. On each side of the
Patriarch are deacons holding candles. The elevated Cross is surrounded and venerated by
many clergy and lay people, including Saint Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine.
In the background of the icon is a domed structure that represents the Church of the
Resurrection in Jerusalem. This church was one of the churches constructed and dedicated by
Emperor Constantine on the holy sites of Jerusalem.
The Sign of the Cross in the Eastern Church
by Archpriest Armand J. Jacopin
In the course of history no symbol has expressed the mentality of Christians more faithfully
than the cross. The cross is the concrete expression of the Christian mystery, of victory
through defeat, of glory through humiliation, of life through death. It is the symbol of a God
who became man to die as a slave to save creatures. It is the symbol of a life that is not
afraid to look to the height and breadth and depth of things because in every direction its
arms remain outstretched.
It is interesting to note that long before Christ the symbol of the cross was held in high
esteem and venerated by many pagan cultures as a sacred sign of the stability and the
integrity of the universe pointing to the four directions of the compass and gathering to itself
the entire cosmos. More amazing still this ancient symbol would in the "fullness of time"
become the instrument of redemption and the means of the glorification of the Son of Man
as St. John Chrysostom says: "I call him king because I see him crucified: it belongs to the
king to die for his subjects." Crucifixion, death, salvation, kingship, glory - the cross!
Because the pagan world could not and would not understand such a deep mystery, such
"foolishness," the early Christians hesitated to use the cross openly as the sign of the new
faith. When it did appear it was usually disguised as an anchor or was intertwined amid
vines. With the liberation of the Church from persecution under the Emperor Constantine,
however, the cross slowly emerged as the sign of the Christians. Eusebius relates that the
cross even supplanted the Roman eagles on the military standards–En touto nika (Gain
the victory with this).
Despite their reticence to use the cross as a public symbol before the fourth century, the
Christians did make the wide use of it as early as the second and third centuries to sign
themselves on the forehead. In the second century Tertullian reports: "In all our travels and
movements, in all our coming in and going out,...whatever employment occupies us, we
mark our foreheads with the sign of the cross." "Let us not be ashamed to confess the
Crucified," writes St. Cyril of Jerusalem in the fourth century. "Let the cross be our seal,
made with boldness by our fingers on our brow and in everything..."
By the sixth century in the East, probably due to the raging Monophysite heresy which
denied the double nature of Christ as both God and man, two fingers began to be used to
trace the sign of the cross, now no longer only on the forehead but more boldly with a
larger sign made on the body. The succeeding centuries saw further modifications
emanate from Eastern tradition because of a desire to profess more explicitly the belief in
the triune God and the double nature in Christ. The thumb and two fingers were extended to
symbolize the Trinity while the ring finger and little finger were folded back on the palm to
profess the God-Man, Jesus Christ.
This newer usage also spread to the Western Church where we read Pope
Leo IV writing in the middle of the ninth century instructing his clergy: "Sign
the chalice and the host with a proper cross... with two fingers outstretched
and the thumb hidden within them, by which the Trinity is symbolized. Take
heed to make this sign rightly."
In the thirteenth century Pope Innocent III directed most explicitly that the
sign of the cross be made with three fingers from the forehead to the
breast and from the right to the left shoulder, the actual way it still is made
by the majority of Eastern Christians.
The Western Church retained this ancient form till about the fourteenth century when
gradually the open hand was introduced and the sign began to be made in an inverted
fashion from left to right, perhaps mistakenly following the lead of the priest who in blessing
inverts his movement so it would be seen correctly by the congregation before him.
Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholics place great emphasis on the sign of the cross as a
profession of faith in the three basic doctrines of Christianity: the Holy Trinity, the double
nature in Christ, and the mystery of Redemption. This act of faith in the thoughts, affections,
actions.
The gesture is presently made by joining
the fingers (thumb, index and middle
finger together and erect; third and little
finger down on the palm) and lifting the
hand first to the forehead, then to the
heart, to the right and then the left
shoulder. In the Scriptures right always represents good and left evil and in the Creed the
Son is said to sit at the right had of the Father–thus the signing of the right shoulder first.
Eastern Christians sign themselves often especially at every mention of the name of the
Holy Trinity and in conjunction with the metany or bow made to reverence holy things such
as the altar or an icon.
THE 80TH ANNUAL
UKRAINIAN SEMINARY DAY
JULY 27, 2014---PRIMROSE, PA
Dear Faithful and Friends of the South Anthracite Deanery,
This year marks the 80th Annual Ukrainian Seminary Day, a tradition begun at Lakewood Park and
continues today at St. Nicholas Picnic Grounds in Primrose. Through the years many friendships and
memories have been established, families gathered for reunions, those who have moved away from
the Coal region return to see old friends and the bonds of faith and culture are renewed at this annual
event. Ukrainian Day is something truly unique and special among our people.
As we continue with our planning for this year’s celebration, we are inviting you and your family and
friends to share with us your cherished memories of Ukrainian Days of years gone by. Perhaps it is of
the tradition of “reserving” your family tables at the pavilions at Lakewood, or the festive Polka
Dance on Saturday evenings. Maybe you recall the old swimming pool and the exciting rides
Lakewood Park provided. More recently we have shared the Divine Liturgy at Primrose Hall with our
bishops or the cultural exhibits brought in each year. Whatever your memory may be, we would like
to make it a part of the Ukrainian Seminary Day Booklet which will be printed to highlight this very
special day.
In the next couple of weeks please take a moment to put your memories on paper, share them with us
and allow us to include them in the Seminary Day Booklet. Our plan is to use all or part of what each
of you share, on pages throughout the booklet. In doing so, we are preserving your precious
memories for future generations to enjoy. You can write as little as one sentence or compose a
paragraph….whatever you wish to share will be treasured by all of us. We are also accepting photos
of Ukrainian Days gone by. Please write your name on the reverse side and feel free to submit them
along with your written memories. While we may not use all photos and memories shared with the
committee, we will surely return them to you as soon as possible. We would like to have your
submissions no later than June 1st. You may give them to your pastor who will be sure we have them
in plenty of time.
Thank you for your support of this annual event. We look forward to hearing from you very soon!
Ukrainian Day Committee 2014