ST. ELIA’S NEWSLETTERMARCH 2019

CONTACTS

UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ST. ELIA

11833 – 66 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5B 1J2 Office:780-471-2288 / Kitchen: 780-479-8824 Kitchen Contact: Donna Marianych 587-784-7082

St. Elia: www.uocc-stelia.ca Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada: www.uocc.ca Western Eparchy: www.uocc-we.ca

WEBSITES

CLERGY

COUNCIL

PRIEST: Very Rev. Mitred Archpriest Fr. Georg Podtepa Home:780-477-2583 / Cell: 780-984-6290 geopod@telusplanet.net

Rev. Fr. Dr. Roman Shiyan Home:780-439-7217 / Cell: 780-994-8721 rshiyan@ualberta.ca

President: Alex Werstiuk 780-462-6468 / klipperdale@yahoo.ca1st Vice-President: Tammy Ewanec 780-474-4867 / tewanec@shaw.ca2nd Vice-President: Betty Corlett 780-932-9727 / bettycor@telus.netSecretary: Sub Dcn. Evan Panchuk 780-203-3439 / e_panchuk52@hotmail.comAssistant Secretary: Helen Hayduk 780-476-1115 / mtnchld49@hotmail.comTreasurer: Walter Marcenuik 780-463-9646 / wmarcenuik@gmail.comAssistant Treasurer: Mary Ann Tymchuk 780-479-7972 / maryanntymchuk@shaw.caHospodar: Al Hayduk 780-476-1115 / ahayduk@shaw.caDirectors: Bill Ewanec 780-474-4867 / hewanec@shaw.ca Dan Kobasiuk 780-473-4081 / mrdk38@hotmail.com Orest Macyk 780-417-5294 / ojmacyk@telus.net Andrii Sumruk 587-338-8777 / sumaruk3@gmail.com Club Trident President: Ivan Sawchuk 780-988-5862 / iws@shaw.caUWAC President: Donna Marianych 587-784-7082 / Super.uke00@hotmail.caMission Outreach: Myrna Kostash kostashm@yahoo.ca

Sunday Bulletin and Newsletter Contacts:Myrna Kostash 780-433-0710 / kostashm@yahoo.ca Barbara Panchuk 780-710-5052 / bpanchuk52@gmail.com

СЛАВА ІСУСУ ХРИСТУ!СЛАВА НАВІКИ!

GLORY BE TO JESUS CHRIST!GLORY FOREVER!

SUNDAY WORSHIP HOURS: 9:30 am Confessions10:00 am Divine Liturgy

UWAC Fellowship Luncheon:March 31, 2019 after Divine Liturgy

Mission Outreach Committee Fellowship LunchSunday, March 10, 2019 Following Liturgy - Downstairs

Coffee and a simple lunch!You are welcome to bring something to share but you don’t have to! Just come to enjoy each other’s company and rejoice in God!!*This is Cheese-fare Sunday. Dairy, eggs, fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat.

PASSIA SERVICES(6:00PM each Sunday)March 24, St. Michael 2nd Sunday of Great Lent (St. Gregory Palamas) March 31, St. John the Baptist 3rd Sunday of Great Lent (Holy Cross Veneration) April 7, St. Elia 4th Sunday of Great Lent (St. John Climacus) April 14, St. Andrew Sobor 5th Sunday of Great Lent (St. Mary of Egypt)

MARCH SAINTS AND FEASTS

MARCH 2: GREAT MARTYR THEODORE THE TYRO

Theodoros From the Greek name (Theodoros), which meant “gift of god” from Greek (theos) “God” and (doron)”gift”.

Tiro is a word from classical Latin meaning a “recently enlisted soldier or recruit”. Saint Theodore who was from Amasia of Pontus, contested during the reign of Maximian (286-305). He was called Tyro, from the Latin Tiro, because he was a newly enlisted recruit. When it was reported that he was a Christian, he boldly confessed Christ. The ruler, hoping that he would repent, gave him time to consider the matter more completely and then give answer. Theodore gave answer by setting fire to the temple of Cybele, the “mother of the gods,” and for this he suffered a martyr’s death by fire.

Some fifty years after the death of Saint Theodore, the Emperor Julian the Apostate (361¬363), desiring to defile the Christian Great Lent, ordered the city governor of Constantinople to sprinkle secretly the provisions sold in the markets with blood from sacrifices to idols each

day throughout the first week of the Fast. Saint Theodore appeared in a night vision to Eudoxius, the Archbishop of Constantinople, and ordered him to announce to the Christians that they should not buy the defiled provisions in the markets, but should use kolivo (kutia), that is, boiled wheat with honey, as food. In commemoration of this event, the Orthodox Church to this day celebrates the memory of the Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro annually on the first Saturday of Great Lent.

MARCH 9: FIRST FINDING OF THE HEAD OF JOHN THE FORERUNNER

The first finding came to pass during the middle years of the fourth century, through a revelation of the holy Forerunner to two monks, who came to Jerusalem to worship our Saviour’s Tomb. One of them took the venerable head in a clay jar to Emesa in Syria. After his death it went from the hands of one person to another, until it came into the possession of a certain priest-monk named Eustathius, an Arian. Because he ascribed to his own false belief the miracles wrought through the relic of the holy Baptist, he was driven from the cave in which he dwelt, and by dispensation forsook the holy head, which was again made known through a revelation of Saint John, and was found in a water jar, about the year 430, in the days of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger, when Uranius was Bishop of Emesa.

Kondak: Since we have obtained thy head as a most sacred rose from out of the earth, O Forerunner of grace divine, we receive sure healing in every hour, O Prophet of God the Lord; for again, now as formerly, thou preachest repentance unto all the world.

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MARCH 2, 23 & 30: SOUL SATURDAYS

Memorial Saturdays

Our Church calendar provides many occasions when we are asked to face up to the fact of death. Good Friday is one such occasion. So is Easter. Sunday is another. Every Sunday is a “little Easter” celebrating Christ’s victory over death. On our Church calendar, every year there are special Memorial Saturdays or “Saturdays of the Souls” which provide another opportunity for us to face up to death, i.e, the two Saturdays preceding Great Lent and the Saturday before Pentecost. On these Saturdays the Divine Liturgy is celebrated and special prayers are offered for our deceased loved ones. We pray

for the dead especially on Saturdays since it was on the Sabbath day that Christ lay dead in the tomb, “resting from all His works and trampling down death by death.” Thus in the New Testament, Saturday becomes the proper day for remembering the dead and offering prayers for them.

When Orthodox Christians pray for departed loved ones, they focus not only on them but also on Christ in Whom they died: “Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith….” (Hebrews 12:1). “I am the resurrection and the life,” He said, “he who believes in me though he were dead yet shall he live; and he who lives and believes in me shall have life everlasting.” Memorial prayer services which affirm the reality of physical death and also the reality of resurrection into life eternal play a vital role in healing of grief for the Orthodox Christian.

https://www.glasgoworthodox.org/saturday-souls-remembering-departed/

MARCH 11: GREAT FAST BEGINS; GREAT CANON

A PRAYER FOR LENT

The Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian is traditionally said many times throughout each day during Great Lent, in addition to our daily prayers.O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, faintheartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. (+) (The “(‘+)“ indicates that those praying make a deep bow or prostration at this point.)

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to your servant. (+)

Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sin and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed from all ages to all ages. Amen. (+)

Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

The experience of Lent is a spiritual journey whose purpose is to transfer us from one spiritual state to another, a dynamic passage. For this reason the church commences Lent with the great penitential Canon of St Andrew of Crete. This penitential lamentation conveys to us the scope and depth of sin, shaking the soul with despair, repentance, and hope. The only times it is appointed to be read in church are the first four nights of great Lent (Clean Monday through to Clean Thursday, and fourth sections of each ode are read at Great Compline) and at Matins for Thursday of the fifth week of great Lent, when it is read in its entirety (in this latter service, the entire life of St Mary of Egypt is also read).

This complex poem (actually a chanted hymn) was written in the early 700’s, and it picked up the adjective “great” for two reasons: it is extra-long (about 250 verses), and it is majestic. It is a liturgical poem consisting of nine odes.

The great Canon was written by St. Andrew of Crete, a bishop who was initially a monk in Jerusalem.

The whole Canon is a kind of “Walk Through the Bible”. St. Andrew begins with Adam and Eve and goes all the way through, exhorting himself by applying the stories and characters of the Bible.Reading the Canon helps us see how Christians in the Holy Land, 1,300 years ago, understood the Scriptures. It is a way to time-travel, and actually joins them in these ancient Christian devotions which are part of the dynamic life of the church.

Monday of the First Week

Ode 1 A Helper and a Protector has become salvation to me. This is my God, Whom I will glorify. God of my fathers I will exalt Him for in glory was He glorified. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.

How shall I begin to mourn the deeds of my wretched life? What can I offer as first fruits of repentance? In Your compassion, O Christ, forgive my sins. Come, my wretched soul, and confess your sins in the flesh to the Creator of all. From this moment forsake your former foolishness and offer to God tears of repentance.

My transgressions rival those of first created Adam, and because of my sins I find myself naked of God and of His everlasting kingdom. Alas, my wretched soul, why are you so like Eve/ You see evil and are grievously wounded by it; you touch the tree and tasted heedlessly of its deceiving fruit.

Instead of the person Eve, I have within my inward being an “Eve” of passionate thoughts which though seemingly sweet never lose their bitter taste. For failing to observe just one of Your commandments, O Saviour, Adam was justly exiled from Eden. What then shall I suffer for continually ignoring Your words of life?

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.O Trinity above all essence and worshiped as One God, take from me the heavy burden of sin, and since You are compassionate grant me tears of repentance.Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Fr Peter Haugen District Priest for the Bonnyville District UOC Pastoral Message (with permission) Part One

Христос посеред нас! Christ is amongst us!

I put together a similar article in 2014, shortly after arriving to the district. Lately, I have been receiving some similar questions so I have decided to publish this again in the hopes that it helps and answers some of the questions for our parishioners and visitors. I have taken portions from similar articles found online on Church etiquette in hopes of bringing to light some of the practical aspects of entering and worshiping in an Orthodox Church.

Venerating Icons - When you enter the church, it is traditional to venerate the icons. The main icon is located on the Tetrapod at the front of the church. When venerating (kissing) an icon, pay attention to where you kiss. It is not proper to kiss an icon in the face. When you approach an icon to venerate it, kiss the gospel, scroll, or hand cross in the hand of the person in the icon, or kiss the hand or foot of the person depicted. As you venerate an icon, show proper respect to the person depicted in the icon — the same respect you would show the person by venerating him or her in an appropriate place.

Lighting Candles - Lighting candles is an important part of Orthodox worship. We light them as we pray, making an offering to accompany our prayers. Orthodox typically light candles upon entering the church, after venerating the icons. If a service is already in progress, and the candle stands are up front, it is important to wait for a proper time. Candles should not be lit during the Epistle and Gospel reading or during the Sermon, and most times when people are standing. A good rule of thumb is if people are sitting (other than the sermon) you may light candles.

Kiss (Don’t Shake) the Bishop’s and Priest’s Hand - The proper way to greet a bishop or priest is to ask his blessing and kiss his right hand. How do you do this? Approach the bishop or priest with your right hand over your left and say “Father (“Master,” in the case of a bishop), bless.” This is appropriate and traditional, rather than shaking their hands. When you receive such a blessing it is Christ Himself who offers the blessing through the hand of the priest or bishop. Who of us would not want all of Christ’s blessings we can get?

Making the Sign of the Cross - A person looking around on a Sunday morning may notice that different people cross themselves at different times. To a certain extent, when to cross oneself is a matter of personal piety and not of dogma. However, there are times in the service when crossing oneself (thumb and first two fingers touching each other, third and fourth fingers folded into the palm: touching head first, to stomach, right shoulder to left) is called for:

To cross: when you hear one of the variations of the phrase “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”; before venerating an icon, Gospel, or Cross; when blessed with an icon, Cross, Gospel, or Chalice; entering and exiting the temple; when passing before the Altar.

Not to Cross: (only bowing of the head): when blessed with hand (as in “Peace be unto all”), or censed. In receiving a blessing from a bishop or priest one does not make the sign of the Cross beforehand. “In this way ought we to distinguish between reverence toward holy things and toward persons”

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Upcoming news and events at our sister parishes and in the Ukrainian Community

March 15, 2019 | 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm – Pyrohy Supper at St. Anthony March 29, 2019 | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Pyrohy Supper & Easter Bake Sale at St. John’s Cultural Centre

MESSAGE FROM PARISH PRESIDENT

As the president of St. Elias Church I would like to express my appreciation towards all the members for their continued support and dedication. The hospodars and altar servers continue to help keep the Church in good working order. The members of the ladies and mens organizations UWAC and TYC continue to support the Church and help with their time and efforts to keep our doors open. Our gatherings to make perogies and work in the kitchen together is always appreciated. Thank you to everyone on the Church board for your attention to detail and helpful involvement in our meetings. Welcome to all new members of St. Elias. We hope you feel at home with us.

President,Alex Werstiuk

UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ST. ELIA

ORDER OF SERVICES FOR MARCH 2019

3. - SUNDAY ………... SUNDAY OF THE LAST JUDGEMENT (MEAT-FARE)..... 10:00 A.M.

10. - SUNDAY ………... SUNDAY OF FORGIVENESS (CHEES-EFARE).............. 10:00 A.M. FORGIVENESS VESPERS AT ST. JOHN CATHEDRAL .. 6:00 P.M.

11. - MONDAY………..... CANON AT ST. ANDREW……………...………................... 6:00 P.M. 12. - TUESDAY……....... CANON AT ST. ELIA……………………………................... 6:00 P.M.

13. - WEDNESDAY…..... CANON AT ST. MICHAEL……………...………................... 6:00 P.M.

14. - THURSDAY…........ CANON AT ST. ANTHONY………...................................... 6:00 P.M.

15. - FRIDAY…...............PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY AT ST.JOHN’S.....……........ 10:00 A.M.

17. - SUNDAY ………... SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY ……………………................ 10:00 A.M. 24. - SUNDAY ………....2nd.SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT ………………..................10:00 A.M. PASSIA AT ST.MICHAEL ..……….................................... 6:00 P.M.

31. - SUNDAY ……….... 3rd.SUNDAY. HOLY CROSS VENERATION ……..…........10:00 A.M. PASSIA AT ST.JOHN …....…….......................………..... 6:00 P.M.

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ORDER OF SERVICES FOR APRIL 2019.

7. - SUNDAY ……….... 4th.SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT ………………...................10:00 A.M. PASSIA AT ST.ELIA...........………......................................6:00 P.M.

14. - SUNDAY..…………. 5th.SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT …....................................10:00 A.M. PASSIA AT ST.ANDREW..…….......................………........6:00 P.M.

21. - SUNDAY………...... PALM SUNDAY………………..…………............................10:00 A.M.

24. - WEDNESDAY…….. HOLY UNCTION SERVICE.AT ST.ANTHONY………..........6:30 P.M. 25. - THURSDAY……..... HOLY AND GREAT THURSDAY.…………….....................10:00 A.M. 12 PASSION GOSPELS…………........................................6:00 P.M.

26. - FRIDAY.………….....TAKING OUT THE SHROUD…………………......................5:00 P.M. 27. - SATURDAY……...... DIVINE LITURGY, …………………………….....................10:00 A.M. BLESS PASCHA AT ST. ELIA ………………....................... 3:00 P.M.

28. - SUNDAY………....... HOLY PASCHA-RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. MATINS……………………………………………...................7:00 A.M. DIVINE LITURGY………………………………......................8:00 A.M. BLESSING OF PASCHA AFTER SERVICE.