Christ is in our midst! Христос Међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rejoicing today in the triumph of Orthodoxy on this first Sunday of Lent, we joyfully commemorate three events: one event belonging to the past; one event to the present; and one event which still belongs to the future.

Whenever we have any feast or joy in the Church, we Orthodox first of all look back — for in our present life we depend on what happened in the past. We depend first of all, of course, on the first and the ultimate triumph -- that of Christ Himself. Our faith is rooted in that strange defeat which became the most glorious victory — the defeat of a man nailed to the cross, who rose again from the dead, who is the Lord and the Master of the world. This is the first triumph of Orthodoxy. This is the content of all our commemorations and of all our joy. This man selected and chose twelve men, gave them power to preach about that defeat and that victory, and sent them to the whole world saying preach and baptize, build up the Church, announce the Kingdom of God. And you know, my brothers and sisters, how those twelve men — very simple men indeed, simple fishermen — went out and preached. The world hated them, the Roman Empire persecuted them, and they were covered with blood. But that blood was another victory. The Church grew, the Church covered the universe with the true faith. After 300 years of the most unequal conflict between the powerful Roman Empire and the powerless Christian Church, the Roman Empire accepted Christ as Lord and Master. That was the second triumph of Orthodoxy. The Roman Empire recognized the one whom it crucified and those whom it persecuted as the bearers of truth, and their teaching as the teaching of life eternal. The Church triumphed. But then the second period of troubles began.

The following centuries saw many attempts to distort the faith, to adjust it to human needs, to fill it with human content. In each generation there were those who could not accept that message of the cross and resurrection and life eternal. They tried to change it, and those changes we call heresies. Again there were persecutions. Again, Orthodox bishops, monks and laymen defended their faith and were condemned and went into exile and were covered with blood. And after five centuries of those conflicts and persecutions and discussions, the day came which we commemorate today, the day of the final victory of Orthodoxy as the true faith over all the heresies. It happened on the first Sunday of Lent in the year 843 in Constantinople. After almost 100 years of persecution directed against the veneration of the holy icons, the Church finally proclaimed that the truth had been defined, that the truth was fully in the possession of the Church. And since then all Orthodox people, wherever they live, have gathered on this Sunday to proclaim before the world their faith in that truth, their belief that their Church is truly apostolic, truly Orthodox, truly universal. This is the event of the past that we commemorate today.

But let us ask ourselves one question: Do all the triumphs of Orthodoxy, all the victories, belong to the past? Looking at the present today, we sometimes feel that our only consolation is to remember the past. Then Orthodoxy was glorious, then the Orthodox Church was powerful, then it dominated. But what about the present? My dear friends, if the triumph of Orthodoxy belongs to the past only, if there is nothing else for us to do but commemorate, to repeat to ourselves how glorious was the past, then Orthodoxy is dead. But we are here tonight to witness to the fact that Orthodoxy not only is not dead but also that it is once more and forever celebrating its own triumph — the triumph of Orthodoxy. We don’t have to fight heresies among ourselves, but we have other things that once more challenge our Orthodox faith.

Today, gathered here together, Orthodox of various national backgrounds, we proclaim and we glorify first of all our unity in Orthodoxy. This is the triumph of Orthodoxy in the present. This is a most wonderful event: that all of us, with all our differences, with all our limitations, with all our weaknesses, can come together and say we belong to that Orthodox faith, that we are one in Christ and in Orthodoxy. We are living very far from the traditional centers of Orthodoxy. We call ourselves Eastern Orthodox, and yet we are here in the West, so far from those glorious cities which were centers of the Orthodox faith for centuries — Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem, Moscow. How far are those cities. And yet, don’t we have the feeling that something of a miracle has happened, that God has sent us here, far into the West, not just in order to settle here, to increase our income, to build up a community. He also has sent us as apostles of Orthodoxy, so that this faith, which historically was limited to the East, now is becoming a faith which is truly and completely universal.

This is a thrilling moment in the history of Orthodoxy. That is why it is so important for us to be here tonight and to understand, to realize, to have that vision of what is going on. People were crossing the ocean, coming here, not thinking so much about their faith as about themselves, about their lives, about their future. They were usually poor people, they had a difficult life, and they built those little Orthodox churches everywhere in America not for other people but for themselves, just to remember their homes, to perpetuate their tradition. They didn’t think of the future. And yet this is what happened: the Orthodox Church was sent here through and with those poor men. The truth itself, the fullness of the apostolic faith -- all this came here, and here we are now, filling this hall and proclaiming this apostolic faith — the faith that has strengthened the universe. And this leads us to the event which still belongs to the future.

If today we can only proclaim, if we can only pray for that coming triumph of Orthodoxy in this country and in the world, our Orthodox faith forces us to believe that it is not by accident but by divine providence that the Orthodox faith today has reached all countries, all cities, all continents of the universe. After that historic weakness of our religion, after the persecutions by the Roman Empire, by the Turks, by the godless atheists, after all the troubles that we had to go through, today a new day begins. Something new is going to happen. And it is this future of Orthodoxy that we have to rejoice about today.

We can already have a vision of that future when, in the West, a strong American Orthodox Church comes into existence. We can see how this faith, which for such a long time was an alien faith here, will become truly and completely universal in the sense that we will answer the questions of all men, and also all their questions. For if we believe in that word: "Orthodoxy," "the true faith"; if for one moment we try to understand what it means: the true, the full Christianity, as it has been proclaimed by Christ and His disciples; if our Church has preserved for all ages the message of the apostles and of the fathers and of the saints in its purest form, then, my dear friends, here is the answer to the questions and to the problems and to the sufferings of our world. You know that our world today is so complex. It is changing all the time. And the more it changes, the more people fear, the more they are frightened by the future, the more they are preoccupied by what will happen to them. And this is where Orthodoxy must answer their problem; this is where Orthodoxy must accept the challenge of modern civilization and reveal to men of all nations, to all men in the whole world, that it has remained the force of God left in history for the transformation, for the deification, for the transfiguration of human life.

The past, the present, the future: At the beginning, one lonely man on the cross — the complete defeat. And if at that time we had been there with all our human calculations, we probably would have said: "That’s the end. Nothing else will happen." The twelve left Him. There was no one, no one to hope. The world was in darkness. Everything seemed finished. And you know what happened three days later. Three days later He appeared. He appeared to His disciples, and their hearts were burning within them because they knew that He was the risen Lord. And since then, in every generation, there have been people with burning hearts, people who have felt that this victory of Christ had to be carried again and again into this world, to be proclaimed in order to win new human souls and to be the transforming force in history.

Today this responsibility belongs to us. We feel that we are weak. We feel that we are limited, we are divided, we are still separated in so many groups, we have so many obstacles to overcome. But today, on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, we close our eyes for a second and we rejoice in that unity which is already here: priests of various national churches praying together, people of all backgrounds uniting in prayer for the triumph of Orthodoxy. We are already in a triumph, and may God help us keep that triumph in our hearts, so that we never give up hope in that future event in the history of orthodoxy when Orthodoxy will become the victory which eternally overcomes all the obstacles, because that victory is the victory of Christ Himself.

As we approach the most important moment of the Eucharist, the priest says, "Let us love one another, that with one mind we may confess...." What is the condition of the real triumph of Orthodoxy? What is the way leading to the real, the final, the ultimate victory of our faith? The answer comes from the Gospel. The answer comes from Christ Himself and from the whole tradition of Orthodoxy. It is love. Let us love one another, that with one mind we may confess . . . confess our faith, our Orthodoxy. Let us, from now on, feel responsible for each other. Let us understand that even if we are divided in small parishes, in small dioceses, we first of all belong to one another. We belong together, to Christ, to His Body, to the Church. Let us feel responsible for each other, and let us love one another. Let us put above everything else the interests of Orthodoxy in this country. Let us understand that each one of us today has to be the apostle of Orthodoxy in a country which is not yet Orthodox, in a society which is asking us: "What do you believe?" "What is your faith?" And let us, above everything else, keep the memory, keep the experience, keep the taste of that unity which we are anticipating tonight.

At the end of the first century — when the Church was still a very small group, a very small minority, in a society which was definitely anti-Christian when the persecution was beginning — St. John the Divine, the beloved disciple of Christ, wrote these words: "And this is the victory, our faith, this is the victory." There was no victory at that time, and yet he knew that in his faith he had the victory that can be applied to us today. We have the promise of Christ, that the gates of hell will never prevail against the Church. We have the promise of Christ that if we have faith, all things are possible. We have the promise of the Holy Spirit, that He will fill all that which is weak, that He will help us at the moment when we need help. In other words, we have all the possibilities, we have everything that we need, and therefore the victory is ours. It is not a human victory which can be defined in terms of money, of human success, of human achievements. What we are preaching tonight, what we are proclaiming tonight, what we are praying for tonight, is the victory of Christ in me, in us, in all of you in the Orthodox Church in America. And that victory of Christ in us, of the one who for us was crucified and rose again from the dead, that victory will be the victory of His Church.

Today is the triumph of Orthodoxy, and a hymn sung today states solemnly and simply: "This is the Apostolic faith, this is the Orthodox faith, this is the faith of the Fathers, this is the faith that is the foundation of the world." My dear brothers and sisters, this is also our own faith. We are chosen. We are elected. We are the happy few that can say of our faith, "apostolic," "universal," "the faith of our fathers," "Orthodoxy," "the truth." Having this wonderful treasure, let us preserve it, let us keep it, and let us also use it in such a way that this treasure becomes the victory of Christ in us and in His Church. Amen.

Commemorating Restoration of Icons in the Church by the Seventh Ecumenical Council, St Leo Bishop of Catania in Sicily, St Agathon Pope of Rome Hieromartyr Sadoc Bishop of Persia and 128 Martyrs with him, Venerable Agathon Wonderowrker of the Kiev Caves, Beheading of Venerable Cornelius Abbot of the Pskov Caves

RESURRECTION TROPARION - TONE 5

Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY TROPARION — TONE 2

We venerate Your most pure image, O Good One; and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God. Of Your good will You were pleased to ascend the cross in the flesh and deliver Your creatures from bondage to the Enemy. Therefore with thankfulness we cry aloud to You: “You have filled all with joy, O our Savior, for You alone have come to save the world.”

LENTEN TRIODION KONTAKION — TONE 8

No one could describe the Word of the Father; but when He took flesh from you, O Theotokos, He accepted to be described, and restored the fallen image to its former state by uniting it to divine beauty. We confess and proclaim our salvation in words and images.

INSTEAD OF ‘IT IS TRULY MEET…”

All of creation rejoices in you, O Full of Grace: the assembly of Angels and the race of men. O sanctified temple and spiritual paradise, the glory of virgins, from whom God was incarnate and became a Child – our God before the ages. He made your body into a throne, and your womb He made more spacious than the heavens. All of creation rejoices in you, O Full of Grace. Glory to you!

READERS:

This Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Natalija Gligorevic

Next Week: Matins: Nick Ressetar Epistle: Teddy Sukhernik

EPISTLE: Hebrews 11: 24-26, 32 - 12: 2

DEACON:      Let us pay attention. 

PRIEST:        Peace be unto all!

READER:      And with your spirit!

DEACON:      Wisdom.

READER:      The Prokeimenon in the Fourth Tone: Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your Name forever!

CHOIR:          Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your Name forever!

READER: v: You are just in all that you have done for us!

CHOIR: Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your Name forever!

READER: Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, ...

CHOIR: ...and praised and glorified is Your Name forever!

DEACON: Wisdom!

READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Hebrews

DEACON: Let us attend!

READER: Brethren, by faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!

READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER:      Moses and Aaron were among His priests; Samuel also was among those who called on His Name.

CHOIR:          Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER:      They called to the Lord and He answered them.

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

АПОСТОЛ: Јеврејима 11: 24—26, 32—12: 2

Ђакон:          Пазимо

Свештеник: Мир свима!

Читач:           I Духу Твоме!

Ђакон:          Премудрост

Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 4 Благосливен си Господе Боже отаца наших, и хваљено и прослављено је име Твоје у вјекове.

Хор: Благосливен си Господе Боже отаца наших, и хваљено и прослављено је име Твоје у вјекове.

Читач: Јер си праведан у свему што си нам учинио.

Хор: Благосливен си Господе Боже отаца наших, и хваљено и прослављено је име Твоје у вјекове.

Читач: Благосливен си Господе Боже отаца наших,

Хор: и хваљено и прослављено је име Твоје у вјекове.

Ђакон: Премудрост

Читач: Читање из посланице Св. Апостола Павла Јеврејима

Ђакон: Пазимо

Читач: Браћо, вјером Мојсеј, када је одрастао, одрече да се назива син кћери Фараонове; И више вољаше да страда са народом Божијим него да има привремену насладу гријеха, сматрајући поругу Христову за веће богатство од свега блага египатскога, јер гледаше на награду. И шта још да кажем? Јер ми не би достало времена кад бих стао казивати о Гедеону, Вараку, Самсону, Јефтају, Давиду, Самуилу и о другим пророцима, који вјером побиједише царства, чинише правду, добише обећања, затворише уста лавовима, угасише силу огњену, утекоше од оштрица мача, од немоћних постадоше јаки, бијаху силни у рату, поразише војске туђинске; Неке жене примише своје мртве васкрсењем; други пак бијаху мукама уморени не приставши на избављење, да би добили боље васкрсење; А други искусише поруге и шибања, па још окове и тамнице; Камењем побијени, престругани, измучени, од мача помријеше; потуцаше се у кожусима и козјим кожама у оскудици, у невољама, у патњама; Они којих свијет не бијаше достојан, потуцаху се по пустињама и горама и по пештерама и по јамама земаљским. И сви ови, освједочени у вјери, не добише обећање; Зато што је Бог нешто боље предвидјео за нас, да не би они без нас достигли савршенство. Зато и ми, имајући око себе толики облак свједока, одбацимо свако бреме и гријех који нас лако заводи, и са стрпљењем хитајмо у подвиг који нам предстоји, гледајући на Исуса, Начелника и Савршитеља вјере, који умјесто предстојеће му радости претрпи крст, не марећи за срамоту, и сједе с десне стране Пријестола Божијега.

Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!

Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читач: Мојсеј и Арон, свештеници Његиви, и Самуило један од оних који призиваху име Његово.

Хор:  Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читач: Призиваху Бога и Он их услиши.

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for all of those suffering from the pandemic, for those who minister, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no race.  

LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!

Stewardship Offering Information

Date 2/26/2023

Collection: $2,105.00

Date 2/19/2023

Collection: $2,307.00

Date 2/12/2023

Collection: $4,157.00

March Birthdays

Ruth Yovanovich (Mar 1), Gregory Yanich (Mar 1), Karen Stefan (Mar 2), Matea Jovic (Mar 3), George Radanovic (Mar 4), Dasha Gencturk (Mar 4), Donald Semic (Mar 5), Alex Bazdar (Mar 5), Nick Ressetar (Mar 7), Eric Garvin (Mar 8), Kirsten Geib (Mar 10), Monroe Semic (Mar 10), Sylvia Velencia (Mar 11), Stephani Yanich (Mar 13), Millie Trayer (Mar 14), Vega Stevenson (Mar 14), Tootsie Krnjaich (Mar 16), Donna Carricato (Mar 18), Tosha Yanich (Mar 19), Natalija Gligorevic (Mar 19), Rohan Radanovic (Mar 19), Mileva Jovic (Mar 21), Danielle Van Huysen (Mar 21), Protinica Carole Balach (Mar 22), Val Radosevich (Mar 26), Anastasija Vukalo (Mar 27), Ava Kingsbury (Mar 28), Zorka Starcevich (Mar 29), Beba Yanich (Mar 30), Blagica Raic (Mar 30), Clark Filepas (Mar 30), Mya Rose Petrovich (Mar 30), Mitch Matovich (Mar 31)

March Anniversaries

Igor & Brankica Skinder (Mar 21)

ST NICHOLAS SENIORS

Calling anyone over 50! Please join the St Nicholas Seniors for a Lenten luncheon on March 15 in the Social Hall. Let Lorraine James, Linda Yandrich or Terry Govelovich know if you will be attending so sufficient food is prepared. Lenten desserts requested. Wear your GREEN and a smile!

SOTAYA PB & COCONUT CHOCOLATE COVERED EGGS FUNDRAISER

The eggs POSNO (vegan) or REGULAR will be $3 each and can be coated in your choice of white, dark, or milk chocolate. Pre-order by calling or texting Sladjana @ 717-538-2073 or Angie @ 717-813-5128. Pick-up dates are: March 12, March 26, and April 9. HVALA!

MOTHER’S CLUB DISPLAY CASE

We now have Pascha cards, egg wraps, Tears of the Theotokos prayer bracelets, candles, incense and charcoal available at the Mother’s Club Gift Shoppe in the lobby.

SOTAYA GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER

Thinking of a gift for someone, a special occasion, birthday or a reward for yourself? Panera Bread gift card is a good choice! And there is no need to go to the store, SOTAYA is selling them at a face value of $25. Just see any SOTAYA member or Sladjana for a purchase. Thanks for your support!



SPECIAL THANKS TO GOD

Thank you all for your prayers, cards, calls and goodies. We are truly blessed to have a congregation of Prayer Warriors like you! Nick and I have been recovering nicely, but keep us on your prayer list please. All we have to offer you in return is our love and prayers ~ Nick & Terry

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9am until noon. You may call the office during these hours at (717-939-3972) or come by the office in person. Office hours will be adjusted when services are occurring during those hours.

FAST FOR PRE-SANCTIFIED LITURGY

A gentle reminder that one is permitted to begin the fast for the Pre-sanctified Liturgy six hours before the service. If medical needs dictate an adjustment to this, please see Father Christopher.

BULLETIN DEADLINE

Bulletin Deadline is Wednesday at 11 am. Please send all bulletin requests to office@stnicholassteelton.org. You may also call the office at (717-939-3872). 

Land Use Committee

Sunday, March 19, 2023

After Liturgy

Please join us after Liturgy on the Sunday of the Life-Giving and Precious Cross to kick-off our Land Use Committee. This meeting will present the current state of our property, ask for ideas to utilize the property more fully, and engage with these ideas in order to plan for a sustainable future for our St. Nicholas parish. All parishioners are encouraged to attend.

March Charity

St Sava Pro-Cathedral in New York

The St. Sava Pro-Cathedral in New York City was burned in a fire on Pascha in 2016. The Cathedral is the Seat of our Diocese of Eastern America. As such, it also belongs to all of the faithful in the Diocese. The Cathedral is currently being renovated, and in need of funds to do so. The entirety of the project will eventually amount to around $62 million when completed. Thus, it is indeed a long range project in need of renewed support. Currently, the Cathedral has completed the Secure & Enclosure Phase. ... With the issuance of a temporary occupancy permit, our faithful will be allowed to return to their house of worship, the St. Sava Cathedral, which is now saved for posterity. Progress reports are available at https://www.easterndiocese.org or at the cathedral website: https://stsavanyc.org.

FOOD PANTRY BOX - ITEMS ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED

We are still collecting items for those enduring poverty. Please consider dropping off non expired canned and dry goods along with paper towels, tissues, feminine products, diapers, etc… in the Food Pantry Box, located in our lobby. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

SAVE THE DATE!!

Kumovi Sunday..... March 26

PASCHA................. April 16

Church Slava.......... May 21

Church Picnic......... June 4

Club Picnic.............. July 30

Serb Fest.................. Sept 23

Procession of the Holy Icons

Weather permitting, we will process outside, once around the Church

The order of the procession will be the Cross, candles, ripidia (shields), banners, Censer (Deacon), Gospel (Priest), Choir, Faithful carrying their icons.

PRIEST:          Prayer before the Ambo

CHOIR: AMEN

SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY TROPARION — TONE 2

We venerate Your most pure image, O Good One; and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God. Of Your good will You were pleased to ascend the cross in the flesh and deliver Your creatures from bondage to the Enemy. Therefore with thankfulness we cry aloud to You: “You have filled all with joy, O our Savior, for You alone have come to save the world.”

This is sung until we re-enter the Church, and proclaim the Synodikon of Orthodoxy.

CHOIR: Budi Imja… and the rest of the Liturgy

SYNODIKON OF ORTHODOXY

As the prophets beheld / as the Apostles have taught, / as the Church has received / as the teachers have dogmatized / as the Universe has agreed / as Grace has shown forth / as Truth has revealed / as falsehood has been dissolved / as Wisdom has presented / as Christ has Awarded / thus we declare / thus we assert / thus we preach Christ our true God / and honor His Saints in words, in writings, in thoughts, / in sacrifices, in churches, in Holy Icons / on the one hand worshipping and reverencing Christ as God and Lord / and on the other hand honoring as true servants of the same Lord of all / and accordingly offering them veneration.

This is the Faith of the Apostles! • This is the Faith of the Fathers!

· This is the Faith of the Orthodox!

· This is the Faith which has established the Universe!

Recite the Creed Together