VOLUME 63 March 7, 2021 NO. 10
Simona Sarsamă
Congratulations to William
& Ashley Sarsama! Wishing
you a lifetime of happiness!
Casă de Piatră!
St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral A parish of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America
Weekly Bulletin
3256 Warren Road Cleveland, Ohio 44111
Phone: (216) 941-5550 Office - Fax: (216) 941-3068
E-mail: [email protected] - www.smroc.org The Most Reverend Archbishop Nathaniel
The Right Rev. Vicar Andrei, Bishop of Cleveland
Very Rev. Dr. Remus Grama, Dean
Rev. Deacon Nick Neagoe
SPIRITUAL CALENDAR: Sunday of Last Judgment. (Farewell to Meat).
8:30 Matins (Utrenia); Tone 6, Mat. Gos. 6. 9:30 am Divine Liturgy (Sfânta Liturghie). Epistle: 1 Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2. Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46. Martyrs of Communist Persecution.
ALTAR BOYS: Matthew Muntean, Christopher & Kevin Oancea, Andrei Onciu.
THE GATE TO GREAT LENT
This Sunday, March 7, also known as the Sunday
of Fare Well to Meat, leads us to the last week before
Great Lent. This way we gradually begin our fasting.
We will give up meat foods and consume dairy, milk
and oil, even on Wednesday and Friday of the respec-
tive week. This means that, with one foot, we are al-
ready stepping into the Lent. For this reason, this week
is also called the Gate to the Lent. Then, when Lent be-
gins (March 15), we will also renounce the cheese,
dairy and eggs, for the next forty days.
The Orthodox faithful take fasting seriously be-
cause it is the Lord’s way. Fasting and prayer are the
wings of our soul and were advised by the Lord. Con-
trolling our food intake is not all that we will be do-
ing. Our aim is that Lent will change our entire being,
body and soul. In this spirit, this week we will also
begin to recite the Prayer of Saint Ephraim of Syria,
combined with prostrations. The Liturgy will not be
celebrated on Wednesday and Friday (aliturgical
days), but we will read the Sixth Hour and the proph-
ecy of Joel: 2, 12-13 which calls us to repentance:
“Now, therefore, says the Lord, turn to Me with
all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and
with mourning”. So rend your heart, and not your
garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is
merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and
He relents from doing harm.”
O, Lord, open the door of repentance to all of us!
Fr. Remus Grama
POARTA POSTULUI MARE
Această Duminică, 7 Martie, cunoscută și ca
Duminica Lăsatului Secului de Carne, ne duce spre
Postul Mare. Astfel, ușor, ușor intrăm în Post. Vom
renunța la cărnuri și în această săptămână este îngăduit
să consumăm produse lactate, brânză și ouă, chiar și în
zilele de Miercuri și Vineri. Asta înseamnă că deja
suntem cu un picior în Post. De aceea, această
săptămână se mai cheamă și poarta Postului Mare.
Apoi, când Postul va începe (15 Martie), vom renunța
de tot, pentru patruzeci de zile, și la lapte, ouă și ulei.
Credincioșii ortodocși privesc cu seriozitate postul,
deoarece el este calea Domnului. Postul și rugăciunea
sunt aripile sufletului, așa cum ne spune Domnul. Dar,
abținerea de la mâncare nu este tot ce vom face în acest
răstimp. Scopul ultim este să ne transformăm toată
ființa, suflet și trup. În acest sens, în această săptămână
vom începe să citim rugăciunea Sfântului Efrem Sirul,
împreună cu metaniile rânduite. Liturghie nu se
săvârșește nici Miercuri, nici Vineri (zile aliturgice), dar
se va citi Ceasul al 6-lea cu paremia de la Ioil 2, 12-13,
în care Domnul ne cheamă la pocăință: “Așa grăiește
Domnul: Întoarceți-vă la Mine din toată inima
voastră cu ajunare și cu plângere și cu tânguire. și
vă rupeți inimile voastre, iar nu hainele voastre. Și
vă întoarceți la Domnul Dumnezeul vostru, că
milostiv și îndurat este, îndelung răbdător și mult
milostiv și-I pare rău de răutățile oamenilor”.
Ușa milostivirii deschide-o nou, Doamne!
Pr. Remus Grama
OUR CHURCH SOWS LOVE
Many of us know Mrs. Maria
Bartan, a former treasurer and
current secretary of our Ladies
Auxiliary. For years now, she
makes beautiful and tedious
Mărțișoare and, thus, she
gladdens the hearts of ladies and
young ladies in our church with her hand made
adornments. She is not just gifted by God with talent, but
with generosity as well. We send Maria our heart-felt
Thank You, for offering all her revenues from Mărțișoare
for the benefit of Sunday School? May God bless her!
THE CALENDAR IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE!
POT INTERVENI SCHIMBĂRI ÎN CALENDAR!
Altar Boys for: (March. 14th): Daniel Conțiu, Marcus
Durleșteanu, David Popa, Ryan Judele.
Nursing Home
Radu Petrescu .............................................................................................. Greenbrier Angela Netcu ......................................................................................... Eliza Jennings
Assisted Living
Victoria A. Morin ...................................................... Greenfield at Oak Ridge, TN Carlotta Miclău ............................................................................... Brighton Gardens Mărioara Secue ........................... Skilled Nursing at Normandy, Rocky River
THIS WEEK:
SUN., March 7th: 8:30 am Matins, 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
followed by parasts IMO the Martyrs of Communist Persecution,
11:30 am Langosh Sale (back door of Social Hall)
TH., March 11th: 9:30 am Fish Fry Preparation - Volunteers in
Social Hall.
FRI., March 12th: 4:00 pm Fish Fry Volunteers to Stations,
5-7:30 pm Fish Fry.
SAT., March 13th: 5 pm Vespers & Confessions.
NEXT WEEK:
SUN., March 14th: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME CHANGE,
Farewell to Dairy, 8:30 am Matins, 9:30 am Divine Liturgy,
6 pm Forgiveness Vespers
MO. - WED., March 15th– 17th: Great Lent Begins, 6 pm Canon
TH., March 18th: 9:30 am Fish Fry Preparation - Volunteers in
Social Hall, 6 pm Canon.
FRI., March 19th: 9 am Presanctified Liturgy & Confessions, 4:00
pm Fish Fry Volunteers to Stations, 5-7:30 pm Fish Fry.
SAT., March 20th: St. Theodore Memorial Saturday - 9:30 am
Divine Liturgy followed by General Parastas / Parastas de obște,
5 pm Vespers & Confessions.
ALTAR BREAD - PRESCURE Simona Cismașiu ÎM tatălui meu Ioan și a tuturor celor decedați din familie.
Elena Vasilache IMO her husband, Octavian. May God rest his soul in peace.
Maria Vnuck & Family ÎM celor adormiți întru Hristos din familiile Pr. Sârbu
& Vnuck.
Valer & Ani Alba ÎM mamei, Natalia Scarlat. Memorie Eternal!
Ana Mohan & Family ÎM soțului meu, George și a tuturor membrilor familiei
trecuți la cele veșnice. Veșnica lor pomenire!
Ovidiu & Geta Grama ÎM tuturor celor trecuți la cele veșnice din familie.
May God rest them in peace! Dumnezeu să-i odihnească!
Lavinia Cozmin-Morris for the good health of brother, Horia.
Alex & Florica Cotrău for the good health of daughter, Ioana Cristina. ,
7 DAY VIGIL LIGHTS – NARTHEX
Cornelia Bicescu IMO my husband Ovidiu Bicescu.
Simona Cismașiu ÎM tatălui meu Ioan și a tuturor celor decedaţi din
familie.
Afrodita, Irina, Magdalena & Sophia IM părinților Victor şi Paula
Constantinidis.
Jonel & Ana Roșu IMO parents and brother. Forever in our hearts!
Maria Diaconu IMO my husband George. Always in my heart.
Valer & Ani Alba ÎM mamei, Natalia Scarlat. Memorie Eternal!
Ovidiu & Geta Grama ÎM tuturor celor trecuți la cele veșnice din familie.
Florea & Mihaela Hetruc ÎM tuturor celor trecuți la cele veșnice din
familie.
Lucica Fogoroș ÎM părinților, soțului și a tuturor celor răposați din familie.
Mirela & Dan Rudary IMO grandfather, Iosif and uncle, Adrian Marius.
Dumnezeu să îi odihnească în pace!
Jim Crăciun IMO Tom Crăciun, Becky Scoarste, Tom Clark. (3)
Radu Conțiu ÎM tatălui socru, Ioan, and unchilui Augustin.
Claudia Mateescu IMO Gheorghe & Șerban.
Carmen Albu IMO my mother, Georgeta. Always in my heart. May God
rest her soul in peace!
Carl Nystrom IMO my niece Nicky Kalina Pageant who passed in Feb.
2021.
Elena Biliboacă IMO all family members fallen asleep in the Lord.
Ana Mohan & Family ÎM soțului George, tată și bunic și a tuturor celor
trecuți la cele veșnice din familie. Odihnă veșnică!
Antoniu ÎM lui Lucica & Elena & Eufimea Iliaș.
Mihaela Hetruc IMO Ana Turbatu, Natalia, Constantin, Gabriela, Daniela.
May God rest them in peace! Dumnezeu să-i odihnească!
Simona Cismașiu pentru sănătatea familiei.
Jonel & Ana Roșu for the good health of family.
Ladies Auxiliary in honor of their President, Mrs. Maria Tent’s Birthday.
Happy Birthday!
Lucica Fogoroș pentru sănătatea familiei noastre și a familiei copiilor mei
din România.
Mirela Rudary for the good health of our family and God’s blessings.
Virginia Riehl for the good health of my daughter, Dayna Cline & family.
Radu Conțiu pentru sănătatea familiei.
Claudia Mateescu pentru sănătatea familiei și a întregii parohii.
Fam. Spânu pentru sănătatea membrilor familiei și prietenilor.
Carmen Albu for the good health of my father, Traian. May God give him
good health and watch over him.
Rodica Iancu pentru sănătatea lui Iosif, Rodica, Alex, Alina, Alisa &
Rozalia.
Elena Graur pentru sănătatea familiei, grabnica vindecare a lui Ayan și
pentru călători. (2)
Natalia Durleșteanu pentru mulțumire lui D-zeu pentru toate binefacerile.
Elena Biliboacă pentru sănătatea familiei.
Fam. Mohan pentru sănătate și ajutor cu mulțumire de la bunul D-zeu, cu
fericire cu ocazia zilei de naștere a lui George Jr., și sănătateaa lui Tibi
Frișcan. (2)
POMENIREA MORȚILOR ,
ÎN POSTUL PAȘTILOR
În parohia noastră vom face Parastase Generale în Post, la
Sf. Toader și la Sâmbăta Dreptului Lazăr.
IMPORTANT PARISH CONTACTS
Parish Council
President:
Viorel Oancea
(440) 915-9642
Ladies Auxiliary
President:
Maria Tent
(216) 272-5961
Custodian:
Marian Ciuta
(216) 513-5535
Financial Secretary:
Simona Sarsama
(216) 533-4636
Hall Rental:
Italian Creations Church Office
(216) 226-2282 (216) 941-5550
BANK LOAN SPONSORSHIP, THANK YOU!
We would like to thank Viorel & Elena Oancea for
donating $1,500.00 to cover the loan for the month of
March 2021.
We are still seeking sponsors for other months to cover
the rest of the loan. Thank you!
LADIES AUXILIARY LANGOSH SALE!
Sunday, March 7
After Divine Liturgy
at the Kitchen Door of
the Social Hall
Honoring The Birthday of the
President of the Ladies Auxiliary!
In our parish, March 1st is special this year for
more than one reason. On this day Romanians
observe Mărțișor, or the beginning of Spring.
Then, on this day our Ladies Auxiliary started
again the Pierogi making. On this day, our
Ladies Auxiliary also observed their President’s,
Maria Tent, Young Birthday (March 2nd) with
our church family. The volunteers, gathered to work, and surprised
Mrs. Maria with a cake and flowers. She truly deserves it, for her
efforts are known to all our parishioners.
La mulți ani, Maria and to many more!
SUPPORT OUR PIEROGIES PROJECT!
Another day of fun at Saint
Mary’s! The women of our
Ladies Auxiliary organization
work hard to raise funds to re-
furbish Cultural Hall’s kitchen,
61 years of age. Please, help us
attain this task! You may do this by
purchasing pierogies or sending an
outright donation to our hard working
Ladies Auxiliary.
FINANCIAL REPORT
February 28, 2021
Candles 804.00
Altar Bread 10.00
Weekly Envelopes 1,111.00
Sunday Cash Collection 57.00
Wall Calendar 7.00
CHARITY DONATION:
Ovidiu & Georgeta Grama 50.00
IMO CELOR DECEDAȚI DIN FAMILIE: Veșnica Pomenire!
Fr. Remus & Psa. Elena Grama 300.00
MĂRȚIȘOARE SALE - IMO MOTHER,
PERSIDA:
Maria Bartan 173.00
BULLETIN SPONSORS:
Thomas & Marianne Hardy (12/5) 40.00
CHURCH DONATIONS:
James & Susan Mach 200.00
Vitaly & Mihaela Yamaledtznov 300.00
Carl & Sandra Anderson 50.00
Elena Tîmpeanu 100.00
Durleșteanu Family 60.00
Ivan Mămăligă 15.00
American R. Academy, Dinu Leonte 100.00
Oana Leonte 100.00
Loredana Călin 164.00
Haley Boswell 150.00
MĂRȚIȘOARE SALE – SUNDAY SCHOOL:
Maria Bartan 59.00
BENCH:
Iosif & Rodica Iancu 1,000.00
MEMBERSHIP DUES:
Carmen Albu 210.00
Carl Nystrom 210.00
Elena Tîmpeanu 210.00
Steve & Julia Petrescu 420.00
Helen Rădulescu 210.00
Susan Mach 210.00
Paula Ciobota 210.00
Jonel & Ana Roșu 420.00
Mihaela Yamaledtznov 210.00
Pauline Trutza 210.00
Daniel Miclău 210.00
Loredana Călin 220.00
Mihai Onciu 100.00
Iosif & Rodica Iancu 105.00
2021 Bulletin
Sponsors
If you would like to sponsor the weekly bulletin, please
call the office at 216-941-5550; or, e-mail us at
You can do that in honor or in memory of a loved one,
for the good health, or for any other reason, for a $40
donation ($80 New Year, Holy Pascha & Christmas).
Available dates: March: 14; May: 30; June: 13; July:
11, 18; August: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; October: 24, 31.
We thank all who have supported and sponsored our
bulletins over the years. This definitely helps reducing
the expenses of our informative weekly newsletter.
St. John Chrysostom on Fasting
“Do you fast? Show it to me by your deeds! How? If
you see a poor man, have mercy on him; if you see an
enemy, reconcile with him; a friend with a good reputa-
tion, do not envy him; a beautiful woman, do not have
any wicked thoughts in your heart toward her. Not only
your mouth and stomach should fast, but also your eye
and ears, your feet and hands and all members of your
body. Your hands should remain clean from stealing and
greed. Your feet not to run on the path of the sinners.
Your eyes to abstain from the temptation of strange
beauty… Your mouth to fast from swearing and other
shameful words”. Amen!
Sf. Ioan Gura de Aur despre post.
“Postiți? Arătați-mi-o prin fapte! Cum? De vedeți un
sărac, aveți milă de el; un dușman, împăcați-vă cu el; un
prieten înconjurat de un nume bun, nu-l pizmuiți; o femeie
frumoasă, nu gândiți rău asupra ei. Nu numai gura și sto-
macul vostru să postească, ci și ochiul și urechile, și pi-
cioarele și mâinile voastre, și toate mădularele trupului
vostru. Mâinile voastre să postească rămânând curate de
furt și lăcomie. Picioarele voastre nealergând la priveliști
urâte și în calea păcătoșilor. Ochii neprivind cu ispitire
frumusețile străine… Gura trebuie să postească de sudal-
me și de alte vorbiri rușinoase…”
The Schedule of Great Lent
Beloved Faithful,
Great Lent will begin March 15. In preparation,
in a special booklet, we are attaching the
Schedule of Services for the entire Lent. There,
you will find the services from both March and
April and also the times for Confessions. For
those who receives it in the email, please, print and keep it
handy for future reference.
Though the pandemic is not over yet, I urge you to plan to
attend at least some services. Every faithful should come to
confession and receive Holy Communion during this fast.
For any question, please call our office or me, personally.
May God help us to attain the Holy Resurrection with pure
hearts and good health!
Yours with prayers and love in Christ,
Father Remus Grama
Programul Postului Mare
Iubiți Credincioși,
Postul Mare va începe în 15 Martie. Pentru o mai
bună pregătire, pentru cei care primiți buletinul în
email, vă trimitem atașat, programul slujbelor și
orelor de Spovednaie, pentru lunile Martie și
Aprilie. Vă rog să-l tipăriți și să-l țineți la
îndemână pentru referință.
Deși pandemia nu a trecut încă, vă îndemn să plănuiți să
veniți măcar la unele slujbe. Fiecare Creștin Ortodox
trebuie să se mărturisească și să primească Sfânta
Cuminecătură în acest post. Pentru întrebări, vă rog să
sunați fie la biroul parohiei, fie personal. Dumnezeu să ne
ajute să ajungem Sfânta Înviere cu inimi curate și cu
sănătate!
Cu dragoste în Hristos, al Dvs.,
Pr. Remus Grama
Notes After the First Fish Fry evening...
Despite the fact that the third party server we used to process the
credit cards made our well prepared fish fry a difficult experience, we
are happy to mention that most of the customers understood the
situation, had patience and many of them said that ”it was worth the
wait!” We pray for a better internet/server experience for the next
evenings of fish fry.
Also, on behalf of the Charipersons of these series of events, we
send our thanks to all the volunteers who start working for it with the
beginning of the week!
Read the parable above and, thinking about God’s words, complete the activities below:
Sunday of Last Judgment
Sunday, March 7th
~ Matthew 25:31-46 31
”When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a
shwpherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33
And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left .
34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35
for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was
sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37
Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38When did we see You a
stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39
Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40And the King will anser and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of
the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41
Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 for I was hungry and
you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43
I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
44Then they also will answer
Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
45Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not
do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46
And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
How would you show your love? Imagine what would you
do in the following situations to show your love: 1. Your mother is not feeling well and she must stay in bed for a
couple of days. ________________________________________
2. One of your grandparents is in the hospital.
____________________________________________________
3. The house that your neighbors were renting was damaged by
fire and they need a place to stay for a few days.
____________________________________________________
4. The neighbors also lost all their belongings in the fire and they
h a v e a c h i l d t h a t i s y o u r a g e .
____________________________________________________
5. One of your siblings had an argument with his best friend. He
is very upset and needs to talk. It’s a long story.
____________________________________________________
6. Your neighbor walks her dog every day. She also takes good
care of her garden. One day you find out that she broke her leg.
____________________________________________________
7. One of your classmate tells you that he has a hard
time learning the multiplication table by heart.
______________________________________________
8. A child falls off his bicycle in front of you.
______________________________________________
Ways of Expressing Love. This activity is related to the
previous one. Choose the corresponding category from
the list below to indicate the way in which you showed
your love in the first activity.
A. hospitality: at question(s) ______________
B. Patience: at question(s) ________________
C. Physical help: at question(s) ____________
D. Material help: at question(s) ____________
E. Listening: at question(s) _______________
F. Visiting the sick: at question(s) __________
G. Comforting: at question(s) ______________
H. Encouraging: at question(s) _____________
How did you do good? Mention one way in which you
helped:
1. Your mother:_________________________________
2. Your father:__________________________________
3. A friend:_____________________________________ Great Lent, Holy Week & Pascha, Activity Book for Children,
2ndEd., Lengua Viva