SeptemberOctober2007 - Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Cathedral

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER 2007

In The Name Of the Father and Of the Son and Of the Holy Spirit! Amen!

Of Himself our Lord said, I am the Good Shepherd and to you, the Chief Apostle Peter, He said, If you love Me, feed My Sheep, and Peter said, Yes, Lord, You know that I love you. I am Jesus, He said, in speaking to you, O Paul, Chief Apostle, and of you, our Lord said, This is my chosen instrument to carry my Name before the Gentiles. Jesus said to both your fellow disciples and to His Apostles, As my Father sent me, so I have sent you. Go and make disciples of all nations. You have a like Grace from the Good Pastor, your Master, as after our Lord, the Great and Chief Pastor of all. From all our troubles for shepherding unto salvation save us that we may call to you: Rejoice Holy Chief Apostles Peter and Paul, together with all the Holy Apostles!

Blessed are you Simon, Son of Jonah, Christ, the son of the Living God, said to you, O Apostle Peter who are worthy of glory. How may we be worthy of blessedness, O Blessed One of God? Truly because of our loving duty we come to you in faith and now we sing to you:

Rejoice first after Christ among the Apostles, foundation of the Holy Church.
Rejoice powerful pillar of the Orthodox Faith and Its confirmation.
Rejoice zealous lover of Christ's teaching.
Rejoice first seated of the Apostolic College.
Rejoice good gatekeeper of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice renown physician of those who repent of their sins.
Rejoice rejecter of worldly vanity and lover of the spiritual life.
Rejoice abandoner of material nets and fisher of the universe with imperishable nets.
Rejoice enlighteners Peter and Paul who enlighten like two great luminaries.
Rejoice twins yoked together by God, His chariots bearing the light of knowledge.
Rejoice all you Holy Apostles, seers of God, for you are lights of the world.
Rejoice for through you, through Christ, everywhere the Faith that saves us shines forth.
Rejoice Saints Peter and Paul together with all the Holy Apostles.

You believed having accepted the miraculous call from above, O teacher of Nations, when Jesus said to you, Saul why do you persecute Me who cannot be comprehended by doubt? But from now on you will believe, for the daring of the adversary is overcome. You have been chosen as witness of my destinies before kings and nations, and the sons of Israel; and so you understood O Apostle Paul chosen by God for you cried out: Alleluia.

These are the words from the service of A K A TH I S T - a service of praise to the Chief Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul Patrons of our Cathedral! This beautiful service is chanted in our Cathedral every Wednesday at 7 PM.

Come and sing praises to the Lord, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. (Psalm 47:6-7.)

INTRODUCING NEW AMERICAN ORTHODOX SAINT

Did you know that In San Francisco at 6210 Geary Blvd., there in the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Mother of God of “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in the nave lie an incorrupt relics of one of the greatest Russian Orthodox Christian saints of our times (1898-1966) a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church St. John (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco? Thousands of pilgrims come from all over the world to ask St. John for intersession. He is a saint. He knows our ways, he understands our needs. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He hears our prayers and intercedes for us.

The following is the sermon written by St. John called “What do we mean by the word ORTHODOX?”

SHORTLY AFTER THE DOCTRINE of Christ began to be propagated among the Gentiles, the followers of Christ in Antioch began to be called Christians (Acts XI:26). The word "Christian" indicated that those who bore this name belonged to Christ-belonged in the sense of devotion to Christ and his Doctrine. From Antioch the name of Christian was spread everywhere.

The followers of Christ gladly called themselves by the name of their beloved Teacher and Lord; and the enemies of Christ called His followers Christians by carrying over to them the ill-will and hatred which they breathed against Christ.

However, quite soon there appeared people who, while calling themselves Christians, were not of Christ in spirit. Of them Christ had spoken earlier: Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven (St. Matt. VII:5). Christ prophesied also that many would pass themselves off for Christ Himself: Many shall come in my name, sayings I am Christ (Matt. XXIV:5). The Apostles in their epistles indicated that false bearers of the name of Christ had appeared already in their time: as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now there are many antichrists (I John II:19).

They indicated that those who stepped away from the doctrine of Christ should not be considered their own: They went out from us but were not of us (I John II:19)" Warning against quarrels and disagreements in minor matters (I Cor. I:10-14), at the same time the Apostles strictly commanded their disciples to shun those who do not bring the true doctrine (II John I:10). The Lord, through the Revelation given to the Apostle John the Theologian, sternly accused those who, calling themselves faithful, did not act in accordance with their name; for in such a case it would be false for them.

Of what use was it of old to call oneself a Jew, an Old Testament follower of the true faith, if one was not such in actuality? Such the Holy Scripture calls the synagogue of Satan (Apocalypse II:9).

In the same way a Christian in the strict sense is he only who confesses the true doctrine of Christ and lives in accordance with it. The designation of a Christian consists in glorifying the Heavenly Father by one's life. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (St. Matt. V:16). But true glorification of God is possible only if one rightly believes and expresses his right belief in words and deeds. Therefore true Christianity and it alone may be named "right-glorifying" (Ortho-doxy). By the word "Orthodoxy" we confess our firm conviction that it is precisely our Faith that is the true doctrine of Christ. When we call anyone or anything Orthodox, we by this very fact indicate his or its non-counterfeit and uncorrupted Christianity, rejecting at the same time that which falsely appropriates the name of Christ.

St. John of Shanghai & San Francisco.

FOOD GIFT CARDS HELP YOUR CHURCH

One very easy way to help your church is by helping yourself. We all need to shop for food and many of us do this every week, some every other day. By purchasing food gift cards from your church, you have an easy way to pay for your food items and contribute to the church.

The food certificates come in denominations of $10, $20, $25, $50 and $100. They look like gift cards like you see in almost every big retail store. For every $1,000 in food gift cards that are purchase, the church makes $50. This may not seem like a lot, but just think if every parishioner bought half of their food using our food gift cards, the church could actually make thousands of dollars. And all you have to do is go shopping and it costs you nothing.

The gift cards look like credit cards. The cards retain the amount of the money you don’t spend so you can use it again.

So, come on, send in the order form on this page. Better still, copy the form and send it in every month.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOOD CERTIFICATE ORDER FORM

YOUR NAME ___________________________________________________

YOUR ADDRESS ________________________________________________

CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE __________________________________________

PATHMARK - $25 __ $50 ___

SHOP RITE - $10 ___ $20 ___ $25 ___ $50 ___ $100 ____

A & P - $25 ___ $50 ___

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: S.S. PETER AND PAUL RO CHURCH

SEND THIS FORM TO:

PAULA BRUNSON, S.S. PETER AND PAUL RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, 200 THIRD STREET, PASSAIC, N.J. 07055

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Past Events & Acknowledgements

Sunday, August 5th - Talerhof Day Memorial: many thanks to everyone who welcomed the fine members of the LEMKO ASSOCIATION OF THE USA & CANADA who worshipped with us on Sunday, August 5th . During WW1, countless victims (many of our ancestors) suffered horrific tortures & perished in concentration camps such as Talerhof & Terzin at the hands of the Austro-Hungarian Authorities. Today we honor their blessed memory & graciously thank all of you for participation & paying homage to thousands heroic individuals from our ancestral homeland who suffered great cruelty. May their memory be eternal Vicnaja Pamjat! There was Panikhida served immediately after Divine Liturgy. After the service, at the adjacent Cultural Center, arranged by Lemko Ass’n., soup and sandwiches were served.

Many Thanks to Shilanski & Burek children for organizing a beautiful Summer Bake Sale!!! $257 was donated to the Church!

· Baking: Adam & John Burek, Alyssa & Michele Shilanski, Sue Burek, Maryann Shilanski, Mary Lissy, Marge Kupec, Celeste Burek, reader Michael Kupek, Tillie Seyka, Marie Baron.

· Donations: Marianne Lejava -$10, Eileen Telischak -$10, Janet Cahayla-Wynne -$10, Olga Mulick -$10, Mary Hetzer-$15 , Mary Vasicko -$5. May God Grant Them Many Years!!!

Sing praises to the Lord, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. (Psalm 47:6-7.)

Did you know that one of the easiest ways to contribute to the life in Christ is to sing in the church choir? This provides a refuge for those who sing from the cares of the day, and it provides those in the church who are not in the choir with a way to reflect and pray to God. In this one action is tremendous grace. The choir singer who approaches his or her singing with prayerful care wields a powerful weapon against the Enemy of our souls, and has great influence in leading many souls to God.

Our parish choir is a real terrific example of a group of people who is gaining spiritual growth, and as they do this and gain musical growth, as well, they are not only becoming very good, but also a stronger and stronger voice of prayer for our parish. We're accepting anyone who wants to sing with us. Want to join but think you're not good enough or that you cannot sing? Well, talk to our choir members! Many of them felt and thought the same way, and look at them now! Add your voice to the joyful sound the Choir makes, and join us! For more information see any choir member or call or talk to Seraphim at 201-406-6241. All ages accepted, in fact, we're especially looking to have children join. No age is too young, even if only to be with their parents. We're a family, and it is for us to do things as one! See you soon!

Please note that our weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters have icons, crosses, name of the Lord, Holy Theotokos, as well as quotations from Holy Scripture. When disposing of weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters, please make sure that they don’t end up in the garbage or any other improper place. Thank You.

Should you notice that some of our regular parishioners are no longer coming to church or have been absent for unusually long time (perhaps 2 or 3 weeks) please contact them directly and/or call the office and let us know how we can help.

Be careful watching popular TV preachers and or listening to various unorthodox radio preachers remembering the words of the Holy Scripture: Matt 24:24 there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matt 24:4-5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Matt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you. Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Future Events

Birthdays in the month of September - May God Grant Many & Healthy Years To Our Parishioners Celebrating Their Birthday This Month:

Donald & Eleanor Popowich 50th Wedding Anniv. - 9/01/2007!

Anna & Matthew Kaznica - 9/03!

Rebecca Gleba - 9/10!

Matushka Valerie - 9/11!

Helen Pasternack - 9/11!

Helen Rodenbaugh - 9/14!

John Burek - 9/14!

Dorothy Andrusko - 9/23!

Many Years!

Birthdays in the month of October:

Fred Gmyrek - 10/05!

Marie Baron - 10/10!

Daniel Leon Mishutin - 10/11/00!

Jeffrey Taylor - 10/11!

Keith Michael Greye - 10/20!

Pauline Marotta - 10/22!

Alexandria Tinfow - 10/22!

Michael Gajdos - 10/24!

Danielle Dudek - 10/26!

Joseph & Christian Brady - 10/ 27!

Many Years!

Saturday, September 15th: The New Jersey Chapter of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society will host a program entitled “The Passaic Textile Strike of 1926” Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 2:00 PM at the Wayne Public Library 461 Valley Road Wayne, NJ. All are welcome to this free program and refreshments will be served.

Sunday School

May God grant health salvation and furtherance in all good things to our Sunday School teachers, parents, and students and preserve them for many years!

The first day of Sunday School is on September 16th.

Many thanks and best wishes to our Sunday school teachers Mary Gagan and Helen Stephanisko for all the hard work they have done over the course of last ten years. However, we are still counting on their continual support, advice, and help. Thank you!

Let us give our warm welcome and best support in prayer and otherwise to our new teacher for younger group of Sunday School children Mrs., Elaine Mary Nichols and again many thanks and best wishes to Mary Hana, who together with Elaine Nichols, will continue to teach the younger group of our Sunday School children.

Many of our Sunday School parents and children already noticed that over the course of last summer we were staying in touch with them through our new SUNDAY SCHOOL WEEKLY BULLETIN INTERNET EDITION featuring new books and study materials for both parents and children, as well as latest MP3 audio books professionally recorded and freely available for continuing orthodox christian education. We will continue to employ internet and emails to improve an overall quality of education and communication with both children and their parents. Please check your emails. For those of you who does not yet receive our Sunday School Bulletin through email but would like to do so (even if you are in California, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or live close but simply can’t come to church on the regular basis) please email priest Andrey at priestandrey@gmail.com and we will gladly include you on our mailing list!

For those who would like to receive our regular weekly bulletins, monthly newsletters, as well as all other correspondence and notices of church related affairs please email priest Andrey at priestandrey@gmail.com Please note that we are aware that many of our parishioners may not have an internet access; however, please remember that many of your children and grandchildren do. Perhaps, you may ask them to print you a copy once a week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday, September 16th: Russian Cultural Festival! The St. Alexander Nevsky Foundation at 200 Alexander Ave., Howell, NJ. Russian Entertainment & Performances, Dancing, Russian Food & Beverages, Games and much more! For more information contact us at 732-236-1471. www.stalexandernevskycathedral.org

Sunday, September 23rd: our F.O.C.A. Chapter 30 will be making its annual collection for the United Fund. This year’s donations are earmarked for St. Tikhons Seminary and the William Fecula Scholarship Fund. Your Generosity is greatly appreciated.

Sunday, September 30th: Chicken Kiev Dinner! Sponsored by the F.O.C.A. Chapter 30. Center Lounge after Liturgy. Menu: Bread & Butter, Chiken Kiev with Gravy Potatoes, Vegetables, Dessert, Coffee, tea, or soda. Tickets $10 Adults / $5 Children 12 and under. See Dorothy Gajdos for tickets.

31st Annual Russian Festival. St Michael The Archangel Russian Orthodox Church at Fourth & Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA191123. Phone: 215-627-6148. Website: www.saintmichaelsroc.org Dates: Oct. 5 Fri 11AM -4PM, Oct 6 Sat 11 AM – 7PM, and Sunday Oct 7 Noon – 4PM.

Tuesday, October 9th Board of Trustees Meeting 7 PM.

Sunday, October 14th *NEW DATE*. Chinese Auction. A mailing was sent out with details of the Chinese Auction. Hopefully we’ll get your support and have a successful fund-raiser. More details will follow but don’t hesitate to call me if you have questions or suggestions. Paula, 973-279-7153.

NJ Chapter of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society Annual Fundraiser – Presentation of the Golden Valashka Award to Richard Custer, editor of the New Rusyn Times. Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM at Cultural Center of SS Peter and Paul Cathedral on 200 Third Street, Passaic, NJ

Come to the Annual Fundraiser of the New Jersey Chapter of the C-RS where, Richard Custer (C-RS, Washington, DC), editor of The New Rusyn Times, with be presented with the New Jersey Chapter’s 2007 Golden Valashka award. The award is presented annually to someone who has been influential in promoting Rusyn culture. Entertainment will be provided by Vychodna Dolina a female singing group from St. Nicholas of Myra Church of 10th Street in New York City. Performing in the native costumes of several villages of eastern Slovakia, they will present the life of a Rusyn boy from his birth to his death in song. Tom Peters, a certified professional genealogist will display photos, maps, certificates and other items specific to Rusyn genealogy. The luncheon will feature a variety of ethnic dishes and Rusyn items and books will be available for purchase. There will also be a raffle, a 50/50 and more. All are welcome. For further information, send an e-mail to JoyceCBarr@aol.com or call her at (973) 540-0871.

Saturday, October 20th at 7 PM. Annual Beefsteak Dinner sponsored by the Garden State R. Club. Cultural Center Lounge. Contact John Kostecka or Ken Baron for tickets.

The Eleventh convocation of our Patriarchal Parishes - Tuesday to Thursday, October 23- 25, 2007.

His Excellency the Most Reverend Mercurius, Bishop of Zaraisk. Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the U.S.A. has called the Eleventh convocation of our Patriarchal Parishes from Tuesday to Thursday, October 23- 25, 2007. The convocation will he hosted by the parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Redford (Detroit), Michigan.

Sunday, October 28th, 2007. The Moscow Patriarchate Choir, under the direction of Anatoly Gridenko, will be performing in concert at Montclair State University on Sunday, October 28th, 2007 at 3:00pm. Tickets are $15 per person and many good seats are available. The Choir sings liturgical music from the 17th Century and other ancient period chant. This music is unlike anything else the world knows. Please come and see them!

BINGO announcement: The kitchen is in need of supplies – paper towels, napkins, cake, etc. As always, your donations are greatly appreciated. WE NEED COFFEE & CAKE!!

Thank you.

CALENDAR OF DIVINE SERVICES FOR SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2007*

Saturday, September 15

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy commemorating the departed

· 6:00 PM All-Night Vigil

Sunday, September 16

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, September 19

· 7:00 PM Akathist to SS Peter & Paul Patrons of our Cathedral

Friday, September 21

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy. Birth of Holy Theotokos!

Saturday, September 22

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy commemorating the departed

· 6:00 PM All-Night Vigil

Sunday, September 23

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, September 26

· 7:00 PM Vespers

Thursday, September 27

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy. Elevation of the Cross!

Saturday, September 29

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy commemorating the departed

· 6:00 PM All-Night Vigil

Sunday, September 30

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, October 3

· 7:00 PM Akathist to SS Peter & Paul Patrons of our Cathedral

Saturday, October 6

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy commemorating the departed

· 6:00 PM All-Night Vigil

Sunday, October 7

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy.

Wednesday, October 10

· 7:00 PM Akathist to SS Peter & Paul.

Saturday, October 13

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy commemorating the departed

· 6:00 PM All-Night Vigil

Sunday, October 15

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy. Protection of the Holy Theotokos!

Wednesday, October 17

· 9:00 AM Panikhida for John Krisko (8th Anniv).

· 7:00 PM Akathist to SS Peter & Paul.

Saturday, October 20

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy commemorating the departed.

· 6:00 PM All-Night Vigil.

Sunday, October 21

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy.

Wednesday, October 24

· 7:00 PM Akathist to SS Peter & Paul.

Saturday, October 27

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy commemorating the departed.

· 6:00 PM All-Night Vigil.

Sunday, October 28

· 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy.

Wednesday, October 31

· 7:00 PM Akathist to SS Peter & Paul Patrons of our Cathedral

* Please call the office for possible changes in schedule.