9th Sunday after Pentecost

Commemorating the Forefeast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, St Theoctistus Bishop of Chernigov, Martyr Eusignius of Antioch,

Hieromartyr Antherus Pope of Rome, Hieromartyr Fabian the Pope of Rome and Martyr Pontius, St Oswald King and Martyr, Martyrs

Cantidius, Cantidian, and Sibelius of Egypt, Righteous Nonna the mother of St Gregory the Theologian, St John Jacob the Chozebite,

Martyr Christos of Preveza, Venerable Job of Ushchelsk

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AAAAUGUSTUGUSTUGUSTUGUST 18, 201918, 201918, 201918, 2019

Welcome Visitors! Dobro nam Došli! MAY YOU BE BLESSED WITH AN EVER DEEPENING

AWARENESS OF THE LOVE OF THE CRUCIFIED AND RISEN LORD, JESUS CHRIST!

ST. NICHOLAS SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

FR. CHRISTOPHER ROCKNAGE, RECTOR 601 S. Harrisburg Street, Steelton, PA 17113

www.stnicholassteelton.org 717-939-0251 chris.rocknage@gmail.com

9 am Matins ~ 10 am Divine Liturgy

Special Hymns RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION—TONE 8

You descended from on high, O Merciful One! You accepted the three day burial to free us from our sufferings! O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to You!

FOREFEAST OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION TROPARION—TONE 4

Come, you faithful, let us meet the Transfiguration of Christ in advance, and celebrating the prefeast, let us cry aloud, “Now the day of divine gladness is at hand; the Master ascends Mount Tabor to flash forth with the beauty of His divinity.” HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION—TONE 4

Truly you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. Hierarch Father Nicholas, entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved. RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION—TONE 8

By rising from the tomb, You raised the dead and resurrected Adam. Eve exults in Your Resurrection, and the world celebrates Your rising from the dead, O greatly Merciful One! FOREFEAST OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION KONTAKION—TONE 4

Now, beforehand, all of mortal nature divinely shines today with the divine Transfiguration; and in gladness she cries out: “Christ is transfigured, saving all.”

PLEASE SEND ALL BULLETIN REQUESTS TO THE CHURCH OFFICE AT

office@stnicholassteelton.org. You may also call at (717) 939-3872. BULLETIN DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY AT 11AM.

Readers Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Darija Gencturk Next Week: Matins: Nicholas Govelovich Epistle: Leann Cox

SSSSTTTT. N. N. N. NICHOLASICHOLASICHOLASICHOLAS SSSSERBIANERBIANERBIANERBIAN OOOORTHODOXRTHODOXRTHODOXRTHODOX CCCCHURCHHURCHHURCHHURCH is a parish of the Eastern Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church

under the Omophorion of His Grace, Bishop IRINEJ,

pastored by Father Christopher Rocknage.

OUR VISION: To be a strong and vibrant community, enabling parishioners to live the fullness of the Orthodox Faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ, "as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." (I Cor. 4:1)

OUR MISSION: To teach, assist, and provide the environment for stewards to live the message of our Lord Jesus Christ in their daily lives through worship, witness, outreach, stewardship, service, education and fellowship.

Thursday

August 22

Friday

August 23

Saturday

August 24

Sunday

August 25

2 Corinthians 1: 1 – 7

2 Corinthians 1: 12 – 20

Romans 15: 30 – 33

1 Corinthians 4: 9 – 16

Matthew 21: 43 – 46

Matthew 22: 23 – 33

Matthew 17: 24 – 18: 4

Matthew 17: 14 – 23

HHHHOLYOLYOLYOLY SSSSCRIPTURESCRIPTURESCRIPTURESCRIPTURES

WWWWEEKLYEEKLYEEKLYEEKLY SSSSCRIPTURALCRIPTURALCRIPTURALCRIPTURAL RRRREADINGSEADINGSEADINGSEADINGS

Sunday

August 18

Monday

August 19

Tuesday

August 20

Wednesday

August 21

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 3: 9 – 17

2 Peter 1: 10 – 19

1 Corinthians 15: 29 – 38

1 Corinthians 16: 4 – 12

Gospel: Matthew 14: 22 – 34

Matthew 17: 1 – 9

Matthew 21: 23 – 27

Matthew 21: 28 – 32

MATINS GOSPEL: 9th Resurrection Gospel: John 20:19-31

At that time, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disci-ples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 3: 9-17

DEACON: Let us pay attention.

PRIEST: Peace be unto all!

READER: And with your spirit!

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The Prokeimenon in the Eighth Tone: Pray and make your vows before the Lord our God.

CHOIR: Pray and make your vows before the Lord our God.

READER: v: In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel.

CHOIR: Pray and make your vows before the Lord our God.

READER: Pray and make your vows ...

CHOIR: … before the Lord our God.

DEACON: Wisdom!

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

DEACON: Let us attend!

READER: Brethren, we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!

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

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord! Let us make a joyful noise to God our Savior!

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! READER: Let us come before His face with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to

Him with songs of praise!

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

АПОСТОЛ: 1 Коринћанима 3: 9-17

Ђакон: Пазимо

Свештеник: Мир свима!

Читач: I Духу Твоме! Ђакон: Премудрост Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 8 Молите се и извршујте своје завјете Господу

Богу нашему. Хор: Молите се и извршујте своје завјете Господу Богу нашему. Читач: Зна се у Јудеји за Бога, у Израиљу је велико име Његово. Хор: Молите се и извршујте своје завјете Господу Богу нашему. Читач: Молите се и извршујте своје завјете Хор: Господу Богу нашему. Ђакон: Премудрост Читач: Читање је од Прве посланице Светог апостола Павла до

Коринћана Ђакон: Пазимо Читач: Браћо, jер ми смо Божији сарадници, а ви сте Божија њива, Божија грађевина. По благодати Божијој која ми је дата, ја сам као мудар неимар поставио темељ, а други зида на њему; али сваки нека гледа како зида. Јер темеља другога нико не може поставити осим постојећег, који је Исус Христос. Ако ли ко зида на овоме темељу злато, сребро, драго камење, дрва, сијено, сламу, свачије ће дјело изићи на видјело; јер ће дан показати, јер ће се огњем открити, и свачије ће се дјело огњем испитати какво је. Ако остане чије дјело што је назидао, примиће плату; Ако чије дјело изгори, биће оштећен, а сам ће се спасти, но тако као кроз огањ. Не знате ли да сте храм Божији и да Дух Божији обитава у вама? Ако неко разара храм Божији, разориће њега Бог; јер је храм Божији свет, а то сте ви.

Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!

Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа Читач: Ходите, запјевајмо Господу, покликнимо Богу Спаситељу нашем. Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читач: Изађимо пред лице Његово с хвалом, ускликнимо му у пјесмама. Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

August Charity

Hilandar Monastery

Hilandar Monastery was established in the 12th century by our beloved St. Sava, first Serbian Archbishop. It is located on Mt. Athos in Greece where then Prince Rastko, and eventually his father, Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja, took their monastic vows. For nine centuries the Monastery has been an inspiration to Orthodox Christians, especially Serbs since it is the only Serbian monastery among the 20 monasteries on Mt. Athos. While no women are allowed on Mt. Athos, the abbess of Hilandar is considered to be the Theotokos. Indeed, all of Mt Athos is considered the garden of the Holy Mother of God. Hilandar Monastery is a spiritual refuge for frail and elderly monks and a spiritual haven for monks who are studying scriptures, writings of the early Fathers, and renewing their contemplative lives. It also holds extensive archives and miracle-working icons. It is home to 30 monks. Work continues on restoring the approximately 50% of the Monastery damaged or destroyed by fire in 2004.

Monday

8/19

Tuesday

8/20

Wednesday

8/21

Thursday

8/22

Friday

8/23

Saturday

8/24

Feast of Holy

Transfiguration

8 am Matins 9 am Liturgy

blessing of fruit

6:30 pm

Parish Council

12 noon PO Bible Study

6:30 pm

Akathist

1 pm—4 pm

Office Hours with Fr Chris

6:30 pm

Akathist

5 pm Vespers

Weekly Schedule

LITURGY GOSPEL: Matthew 14:22-34

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Normal office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am until noon. You may call the office during these hours at (717) 939-3872 or come by the office in person. Office hours will be adjusted when services are occurring during those hours.

ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ: Матеј 14:22-34

И одмах принуди Исус ученике своје да уђу у лађу и иду прије њега на ону страну док он отпусти народ. И отпустивши народ, попе се на гору да се насамо помоли. А наста вече и бијаше ондје сам. А лађа бјеше већ насред мора, угрожена од валова, јер бијаше противан вјетар. А у четврту стражу ноћи отиде к њима Исус ходећи по мору. И видјевши га ученици гдје иде по мору, узнемирише се говорећи: То је утвара; и од страха повикаше. А Исус им одмах рече говорећи: Не бојте се, ја сам, не плашите се! А Петар одговарајући рече му: Господе, ако си ти, реци ми да дођем теби по води. А он рече: Ходи! И изишавши из лађе, Петар иђаше по води да дође Исусу. Но видећи јак вјетар уплаши се, и почевши тонути, повика говорећи: Господе, спаси ме! И одмах Исус пруживши руку ухвати га, и рече му: Маловјерни, зашто посумња? И кад уђоше у лађу, преста вјетар. А они у лађи приступише и поклонише му се говорећи: Ваистину си ти Син Божији. И прешавши дођоше у земљу генисаретску.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• We host a community meal monthly for those in need in Steelton in conjunction with St. John’s Lutheran Church. Glory to God for all of our volunteers, and the tremendous job they have been doing! If you are interested in helping please see Terry Govelovich, Shirley Hathaway, Sue Petrovich or Mike Radosinovich.

• We join in with the Orthodox Christian Charities of Greater Harrisburg (OCCGH) the second Saturday of every month to provide a meal at the Bethesda Women’s Shelter. If interested in helping out, please see Andrea Gunther.

• We also join with OCCGH to help sort food at the Community Food Bank. The next day to volunteer is August 29, from 9 am to noon. Please see Andrea Gunther if interested.

• We have many volunteer opportunities here at St. Nicholas in caring for the building and grounds. Please see any of the Members at Large to volunteer to help!

In Our Prayers Newly Illumined infant John Bosch Heilman, his parents and sponsors, Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protopresbyter Srboljub and Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Priest Ioan Comanescu, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and Michael Repasky, the child Metodija and his parents Milan and Mira Damljanovic, the child Danijela and her parents Mark and Jennifer Belo, Cassandra Semic and the newborn Sloane Ivey, Bethany Peterson and the child to be born of her, Brankica Skinder and the child to be born of her, Jelena Bowser and the child to be born of her, Heidi Abraham, Olga Atty, Dori Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Lisa Brubaker, Christine Christ, Milica Christ, Donna Cook, Tori Cox, Orlando Donato, Tommy and Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Alex Filepas, Ray Foltz, Jenn Gallagher, Christian & Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Nick & Terry Govelovich, Philip & Kata Gruich, Basil Havalchak, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Georgianne Herigan, Patricia (Petra) Hernjak, Rick & Lynn Hoffman, Nikki Stefan Imschweiler, Anastasia Jacobs, Susan Jacobs, Paul Kessler, Spencer Klinge, Olga Klipa, Bettie Komko, Dorothy “Tootsie” Krnjaich, Peter Lalic, Goran Lazarevic, Dianne Martin, Jack McFall, Annabelle McLaughlin, John J Milakovic, Marija Miljkovic, Bozidar (Bob) Mrgich, Peter Mrgich, George Myers, Henry Myers, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Vicki Touloumes Petroff, Peggy Radanovic, Kelly Rajkovic, Rebecca Reynolds, George Rocknage, Greg Selman, Terry Selman, Steven Semic, Michael Schaffner, Benjamin Shaffer, Tracey Stanovich, Tim Stefan, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Jeanne Ulwelling, Ljubomir “Lou” and Biserka “Helen” Vasity, Madison Vorkapich, Pero Vujasinovich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Ann Wise, Draga Worman

Those Who Need Special Care JEWISH COMMUNITY: Camille Kormushoff; MANOR CARE: William Trayer; Seattle, WA: Catherine Shank; RS: Cedo Lukic

Our College Students Linsay Barry, Kaitlin Christ, Stefan Gligorevic, Bojan Lazarevic, Tomislav Lojpur, Nikolas Lukic, Ioanna Radanovic, Kyranna Radanovic, Inna Reznitchenko, Maxim Reznitchenko, Joshua Swartz, Philip Werner

Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones: Francine Yetter, Jim Mihailoff, Marija Mary Yanich, Peter Jordanoff, Božo Živković, Draginja Radovic, Stanley Semic, Anna Lubic, Ron Agypt, Ilija Serdar, Lazar Stojanovic, Branko Pejcic, Dr Ramon Murphy, Zora Jurkovic

Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Kenya, Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan, Egypt, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, for all of those suffering in the war in the Ukraine, for all our men and women who are serving in the Middle East and around the world, that the peace of our Lord may come upon them, and for all of those who are in need in our local community. LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!

Vigils Offered STEPHANIE & MIKE YORK Offered in celebration of their 29th Wedding Anniversary (August 20). With love from Mom, Dad and the family. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!

PATTY ‘PETRA’ HERNJAK Offered by Sandy & Joyce with prayers for God’s Blessings and loving care for improved health.

MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health and God’s blessings and loving care during his recovery.

DAN PADDOCK Offered by the Reigel, Hewitt & Mrgich family, for God’s blessings during Dan’s ongoing recovery and that He will return Dan to good health.

†AUDRAY ZIMONA ROBLENSKI Offered in loving memory (August 21—1 year) with prayers for her peaceful repose in the Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom. Given by Kuma Sandy. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

†HOPE ‘TSETSIE’ KLIPA Offered in loving memory (August 14—5 years). Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

†DELORES GRUICH BRESKI Offered in loving memory of her birthday (August 22) by Phil & Kat and the family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

Bulletin Board WELCOME TO ST. NICHOLAS!

We warmly welcome all visitors to our St. Nicholas Community this week, and invite and encourage you to join us in the hall after Divine Liturgy for fellowship.

FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD

Today we begin the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord. After Liturgy, we will have the blessing of grapes/fruit. This evening, we will celebrate the Festal Vespers of Transfiguration at 5:00 pm. On Monday, August 19, we will continue the feast with Matins at 8 am and Liturgy at 9 am. As one of the 12 Great Feasts of the Church, we should do everything possible to worship the Transfigured Lord during this feast.

DORMITION FAST

We are now in the midst of the preparation fast for the Feast of the Falling Asleep of the Most Holy Theotokos. Please do your best to honor the Mother of God through fasting, vigil and prayer. Come to services, offer your confession, and receive the Holy Eucharist—the Body and Blood of her Son!

SEMI-ANNUAL STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN MAILED

If you have not received your statement, or find an error, please inform the Financial Secretary, Andrea Gunther. Please update your personal information with the office if you have moved or changed phone number/email. Also, note that any number in parenthesis indicates you have met or exceeded your pledge amount. Hvala!

PA FOOD BANK VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

The next day to help OCCGH sort food at the Community Food Bank is August 29, from 9 am to noon. Please see Andrea Gunther if interested

MOTHER’S CLUB SLAVA

The Mother’s Club will be celebrating their Slava in anticipation of the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God on Sunday, August 25 after Divine Liturgy. The Feast will continue with the Vigil and Lamentations on Tuesday, August 27 at 6:30 pm and Liturgy on Wednesday, August 28 at 9:00 am with the blessing of fragrant flowers and herbs.

SOTAYA PREP FOR

SERBFEST

Beginning on Sunday, August 25, we will have rehearsals in preparation for Serb Fest after Liturgy. Please bring your instruments, voices, dancing shoes and of course, you!

CHOIR REHEARSALS

Choir Rehearsals are regularly on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm. All singers are welcome to join the choir! Come have fun singing with us! Next Rehearsal is Saturday, August 24 @ 2pm.

Weekly Offering

Date Collections Attendance

8/11/2019 $5,685.00 87

8/04/2019 $3,721.00 87

Homily on the

TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST St. Nikolai of Žiča

In the third year of His preaching, the Lord Jesus often spoke to His disciples of His approaching passion but at the same time of His glory following His suffering on the Cross. So that His impending passion would not totally weaken His disciples and that no one would fall away from Him, He, the All-wise, wanted to partially show them His divine glory before His passion. For that reason, He took Peter, James and John with Him and, with them, went out at night to Mt. Tabor and there was transfigured before them: “And His face shone as the sun and His garments became white as snow” (Matt. 17:2). There appeared alongside Him, Moses and Elijah, the great Old Testament prophets. And, seeing this, His disciples were amazed. Peter said: “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if You will, let us make here three tabernacles; one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah” (Matt. 17:4). While Peter still spoke, Moses and Elijah departed and a bright cloud overshadowed the Lord and His disciples and there came a voice from the cloud saying: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; hear Him” (Matt. 17:5). Hearing the voice, the disciples fell to the ground on their faces as though dead and remained that way, lying in fear, until the Lord came near to them and said: “Arise and be not afraid” (Matt. 17:7).

Why did the Lord take only three disciples on Tabor and not all? Because Judas was not worthy to behold the divine glory of the Teacher, Whom he will betray and the Lord did not want to leave him [Judas] alone at the foot of the mountain so that the betrayer would not, by that, justify his betrayal. Why was our Lord transfigured on a mountain and not in a valley? So as to teach us two virtues: love of labor and godly-thoughts. For, climbing to the heights required labor and height represents the heights of our thoughts, i.e., godly-thoughts. Why was our Lord transfigured at night? Because, the night rather than the day is more suitable for prayer and godly-thoughts and because the night, by its darkness, conceals all the beauty of the earth and reveals the beauty of the starry heavens. Why did Moses and Elijah appear? In order to destroy the error of the Jews, as though Christ is one of the prophets; Elijah or Jeremiah or some other that is why He appears as King above the prophets and that is why Moses and Elijah appear as His servants. Until then, our Lord manifested His divine power many times to the disciples but, on Mt. Tabor, He manifested His divine nature. This vision of His Divinity and the hearing of the heavenly witness about Him as the Son of God, should serve the disciples in the days of the Lord’s passion, in strengthening of an unwavering faith in Him and His final victory.