The Lighthouse
September 2016
“I will build you a lighthouse from
which the light of Christ can shine.”
Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, 1070 Roxbury Road, Southbury, CT 06488
Archpriest Vladimir Aleandro, Pastor · (203) 267–1330 · www.christsaviorchurch.org
"Don't Wander during Liturgy" by St. Ephraim the Syrian
Imagine that someone, while standing before a king and conversing with him, at the summons of a
servant like unto himself leaves the king and begins to converse with that servant; such also is he who
engages in conversation and gives himself over to distraction during the divine service.
Birth, Death and Exaltation in September at Christ The Savior
September 1, for Orthodox Christians, is the beginning of the New Year. This new beginning fittingly
opens with a celebration of birth. The birth of our Mother, Mary, The Mother of God, on Thursday
September 8. On Wednesday evening September 7, there will be Vespers and Liturgy for the Feast at
6:30 pm. It will be followed by festive supper . Please sign up to br ing something for your Mother ’s
Birthday Celebration. On Thursday morning the service of Akathist to the Theotokos will be at 8:30
AM.
Wednesday, September 14 is the Great Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Tuesday night,
September 13 is the Eve of The Cross. Vespers/Liturgy will be at 6:30 PM with the procession and
exaltation of the cross. This will be followed by a Lenten Supper. Wednesday is a day of str ict fast;
we will end it with an Akastist to the Holy Cross at 7:00 PM.
Each year when I see the sign at the Synagogue, I think of our neighbors who need to buy tickets for the
September High Holy Days. Perhaps it would be a good idea to sell tickets for our September Holy
Days. For this year my advice is to mark your calendars now for the evenings of September 7 and
September 13 for the greatest victory party possible. (Or maybe you might know of some more powerful
victory? If so, please tell me).
Feast of St. Nectarios
MARK YOUR CALENDARS and be sure to tell family
and friends about Sunday, November 6. It is the Sunday
before the Feast of St. Nectarios and this year Archbishop
Nikon will be coming to celebrate The Vespers of St.
Nectarios with us at 4:00 pm. Note this will be in place of
the Eve of St. Nectarios. An exciting day is planned as we
come to the end of our Anniversary Year.
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As we reflect on the Great Feasts of September and look at the calendar with its many opportunities;
as we plan ahead for the month, there will inevitably be opposition. Our choice is always weighing how
to live out our values. Each Sunday, in the Weekly Bulletin, when you come to church there is an insert
by Fr. Barnabas Powell who gives us the opportunity to reflect on a practical aspect of our life and
how to: “Be Orthodox on Purpose.” Father also has a weekly radio program on Sunday nights and
other programs on Ancient Faith Radio. FVA
A Great Opportunity ALWAYS Has Great Opposition!
by Fr. Barnabas Powell
Let’s see; thinking of things that go great together – ham and eggs, peanut butter and
jelly, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Tom and Jerry, a crisps, cool morning and a
warm cup of coffee, bacon and, well more bacon! OK, so that’s a bit silly, but there
are some things in life that simply always go together. It is understanding the power of
these pairings that help us see deeper into our own lives and to discern the very
presence of God in the events of our lives. I can’t tell you how many times, when I’ve
been struggling with the noise of life, how wonderful it has been to get in a quiet place and listen for that
still, small voice to remind me of that which is most important in life. It is in noticing these apparent
paradoxes that invite me into the trans-rational (notice, I did not say irrational) mystery of knowing God.
Look at the lesson in 1 Corinthians 16:4-12: BRETHREN, it seems advisable that I should go also, they will
accompany me. I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and
perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may speed me on my journey, wherever I
go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are
many adversaries. When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of
the Lord, as I am. So let no one despise him. Speed him on his way in peace, that he may return to me; for I
am expecting him with the brethren. As for our brother Apollos, I strongly urge him to visit you with the
other brethren, but it was not all his will to come now. He will come when he has the opportunity.
St. Paul is laying out his travel plans for the Corinthian Church so they can know when to expect his visit. By
the way, there were a group there in the parish that wasn’t looking forward to this visit at all! My, how things
stay the same! But the fascination insight is in how Paul clearly says he has a GREAT Opportunity AND
there “are many adversaries.” This is always the way!
So why does great opportunity stir great opposition?
First, Opportunity reveals a poverty of vision. There is nothing like a dreamer and one who see what could be
to scare the living daylights out of those who have become comfortable with mediocrity. And folks
comfortable with the status quo rarely enjoy having their world disrupted by prophets. That’s why prophets
usually get in trouble!
Second, Opportunity requires action. The truth is perpetual potential is just another way of saying “failure.”
The Apostle called his opportunity “a wide door for effective WORK…” and I don’t know anything that
scares those comfortable with “the way things are” more than work! Effort requires vision to strengthen you
for the task at hand. If you can’t see beyond the nose on your face, you’ll never stay motivated for the work
that carries the Faith to the next generation.
Finally, Opportunity rejects fear. If you are given the gift of seeing what could be, the very glory of that
insight banishes the natural fear of failure. If the vision is grand enough, if the vision of what could be is
cosmic enough, if it is glorious enough, then it is powerful enough to overcome all those voices that will
constantly scream in fear “It can’t be done” It’s a waste of time” or worse “We’ve never done it that way
before!”
St. Paul needed to stay in Ephesus BECAUSE of the great opportunity AND the great opposition. In fact, he
was able to recognize the opportunity because of his opponents.
Today, know that nothing worth doing is going to be easy. Banish from your mind the temptation to be
surprised by contrary voices when you attempt to do great things. Mediocrity always makes excuses for
itself. Push through those opposing voices and keep your eye on the great opportunity to become Orthodox
on Purpose!
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Come to the Women’s Retreat Saturday, September 10. We will resume our
discussion of Being Bread by Stephen Muse. Evangeline Zarras will lead our
sharing of ideas this month on the chapter “Pascha in July,” pp. 23 – 27. Akafist,
Glory to God for all Things begins at 9:00 AM, followed by a short meditation,
quiet time, breakfast and discussion. All women are welcome. Take a morning,
step aside from your cares and concern and find peace with the Lord and
fellowship with other women. We conclude at 11:30 AM .
The Men’s Evening Retreat will be on Friday September 16 at 7:00 PM. Prayer,
laughter, food and discussion are a great opportunity to grow in Christ in this
fragmented world in which we live. Come bring a friend.
Gifted Hands for September will be announced. Stay tuned.
Join the Sisterhood of Ss Cyril and Methodius, Terryville for a Festival of Tables, to be held Sunday,
September 18th. Viewing begins at 2:00 PM followed by hors d’oeuvres, dessert, and Fashion Show. See
the flier on the bulletin board for information.
Preparation for Scholarship 2017 provided by our Scholarship Fund begins this month. Please see the
envelope on the bulletin board for your donations. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Education Program for 2016 – 2017. This year our parish-wide education theme is
“Who is Jesus?” Live Wire and Teen Group will begin class on September 11. Class
lists will be posted on the bulletin board. Please note classroom assignment as rooms
have been changed. Adult Study Group will be held on Monday’s beginning in October.
Many Years to our college students. We bid farewell to Thomas Halvorsen as he begins his first year of
college at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and Megan Curran who will be doing her first semester
abroad in London. Julia Brockett and Dimitri Haddad will be departing for their last two semesters of
college this Fall. Also continuing their college careers are James Brockett, Sasha Bondarev and Marlena
Haddad. May you walk in the ways of the Lord all the days of your lives. We are proud of your
accomplishments and send you back to school with our love and prayerful best wishes.
The Gift of Giving: A retreat offered by SS. Peter and Paul church in Meriden September 23 & 24. Info on
Board.
From Alaska and Siberia in One Weekend. On August 21 we were most blessed to have Nikolai
Launtzov and his family be with us for Vespers and give us a Bell ringing experience. With us that weekend
was Fr. David Rucker of OCMC who is a lifetime Missionary and at present, along with his wife Rozanne
teach and work with the students at St. Herman’s in Kodiak. Father’s sermon and very moving presentation
at Coffee Hour touched many of us in a deep way. Father David reminded us that the beginning of Mission
work and Evangelizing starts with our own families. His concrete examples showed us that daily God gives
us situations that are: “Not what we signed up for.” You can follow the Ruckers at: [email protected]
Many Years to James and Naya Esposito who celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary Sunday,
August 28. At the end of Liturgy there was a special blessing. The very crowns from their wedding were
present as a sign of renewal in their life in Christ. Today when the Sacrament of Marriage is questioned by
many around us, their example speaks louder than all the competing clamor.
MEMORY ETERNAL: Thecla (Tessie) Preslopsky, Mother of Pattie Kocha, fell asleep in the Lord on
Friday afternoon, August 26th. Arrangements and information will be posted on our website at
christsaviorchurch.org.
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Marriage: Helping Your Partner Attain Heaven
“…The primary purpose of marriage in the Orthodox Tradition: that the
married couple may aid one another in their journey towards eternal salvation.
They, and any children God may give, are to be ‘glad with the joy’ of the
Lord’s ‘countenance’, as the Psalm says. In other words, they are to be in His
presence – to behold Him. We know from the Beatitudes that to see God
requires purity of heart (Matt. 5.8), and this implies holiness of life. Clearly,
by chanting of this beautiful Psalm in the marriage service, the
couple is summoned to help each other towards holiness, so that they may abide in the presence of the Lord,
both now and forever.” (David and Mary Ford, Marriage As a Path to Holiness: Lives of the Married Saints,
p xxix)
Here are some details about an event that is going to be absolutely wonderful. It’s a once in a lifetime
concert, particularly since it's free admission. We have seen the exhibit at Fairfield, which is a
beautiful trip to the best of ancient Byzantium, and you don’t need a passport or time machine. Now
this opportunity is being offered with the music of Byzantium. FVA
Voices of Byzantium
A concert celebrating the exhibition
Vaults of Heaven: Visions of Byzantium
Monday, September 12, 2016 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Wien Experimental Theater, Quick Center for the Arts
Fairfield University
Admission is free; advance registration strongly recommended.
(Register at fairfield.edu/museum)
The splendor of Byzantine sacred art, preserved in ancient churches in both Constantinople, the capital of
the Byzantine Empire, and the Cappadocia region of Turkey, is the subject of V aults of Heaven: V isions of
Byzantium, an exhibition of photographs on view at the Fairfield University Art Museum through September
16, 2016.
In collaboration with the Axion Estin Foundation, the museum presents “Voices of Byzantium,” a concert of
Byzantine sacred music. During the concert images from the exhibition will be projected behind an
ensemble of chanters who will perform an exquisite selection of response repertory linked to the saints and
themes captured in these monumental works by acclaimed Turkish photographer Ahmet Ertug. Renowned
chanters Eleftherios Eleftheriadis and Giorgos Theodoridis will serve as soloists.
For exhibition opening hours, concert details, and other information visit the museum’s website
(fairfield.edu/museum).
Since 2006, the Axion Estin Foundation, based in New Rochelle, New York, has helped to bring the musical
heritage of Byzantium to a diverse public. No medium catches the audience up in the spirit of Byzantium
more directly than does music, which literally restores a voice from the past. Through their conferences and
sponsored lectures, Axion Estin continues to present the best and most recent scholarship on Byzantine
music as well as world-class performances informed by this research (www.axionestin.org).
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Intern at Christ the Savior
We are most blessed this year to be able to host a Seminarian, and his family, as an Intern at
Christ The Savior. We welcome Seminarian Christopher Stoops and his family.
Greetings from the Stoops family! We are really looking forward to
meeting and getting to know the parish community. The following is a
brief introduction to our family.
Chris was raised in Bloomington, Illinois. He graduated from Eastern
Illinois University with a BA in Journalism in 1998. He then went to
work in IT during the next 18 years; initially at State Farm Insurance,
then later at the University of Illinois. Anastasia was born in Bender,
Moldova but was raised in the capital of Chisinau. Her family
originally hails from the Samara region of central Russia. After earning her Masters degree in the US,
Anastasia began working for an IT consulting company based in Chicago. Chris and Anastasia met
while working together on a project at State Farm in Bloomington. Anastasia is a founding member of
the Holy Apostles church in neighboring Normal, IL. She is responsible for bringing Chris into the
church. Ask sometime about their first Liturgy together! They married in February 2004.
In 2005 they were blessed with their first child, Yeva. Anastasia also went back to school to pursue her
doctorate at the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL. They also began attending the Three
Hierarchs Church (GOA) in Champaign. Chris served in the altar and parish council there until he left
for seminary. In October 2009, their son Vanya was born. Anastasia earned her PhD in Educational
Psychology in May 2012. She studies cognitive neuroscience, focusing on language and attention. In
2013 Anastasia’s father, Anatoli, moved in full time following the passing of Anastasia’s mother,
Valentina. In 2014 they moved to Yonkers. Chris began classes at St. Vladimir’s. He is beginning his
3rd year of studies in the MDiv program. He completed his internship in Clinical Pastoral Education
last summer at NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan. After graduation, Chris would like to
pursue this calling to ministry as a hospital chaplain resident. Anastasia has been working the last 2
years as a research scientist at the Nathan Kline Institute in Orangeburg, NY. The institute is a
neuroscience research center. This Fall Yeva will enter the 6th grade and Vanya will enter 1st grade at
the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Scarsdale, NY. Yeva takes lessons in piano, voice and music
composition. Vanya likes anything Lego.
Once again we look forward to meeting you and worshiping with you during the upcoming year!
Yours in Christ,
The Stoops Family
Let all the trees of the wood, planted from the
beginning of time, rejoice; for their nature hath
been sanctified by the stretching of Christ on
the Tree. Wherefore, now, we worship Him,
lifted up, and magnify Him.
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Bible Quiz
It’s intriguing to think of people in Biblical
times experiencing the same cycle of seasons
we do. Which of these books doesn’t mention
autumn?
A. Matthew
B. Jeremiah
C. Proverbs
D. Jude
Answer: A (See Proverbs 20:4, NRSV; Jeremiah 5:24; Jude 1:12)
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