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The Lighthouse October 2018

“I will build you a lighthouse from which the light of Christ can shine.”

Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, 1070 Roxbury Road, Southbury, CT 06488 Archpriest Vladimir Aleandro, Pastor · (203) 267–1330 · www.christsaviorchurch.org

For the past decade, seminarians in their last year at St. Vladimir’s in Yonkers are assigned as “interns” at our parish. During the nine months of the school year they come each Sunday, often with their family, to worship, serve in the altar, preach, teach, visit the sick, be pastoral at “coffee hour,” shadow the priest, be mentored and get a bit of firsthand experience of the ministry of a parish. As you read the short biography below of Brian Crivella, I think you can picture some of the many ways that we, as a parish community, look forward to our growth and learning that will come from the presence of the Crivella family.

Brian Crivella Intern at Christ the Savior, 2018 - 2019

Rose and I are both converts to the Orthodox faith, originally hailing from outside of Pittsburgh PA. I grew up in a little town of 3,000 people called Mt. Pleasant and Rose grew up in Buffalo, NY and Chicago, IL before her family moved back to Greensburg PA when she was 18. I was brought up in a Byzantine Catholic family with my mom, dad, and two sisters, and Rose was raised in a devout Roman Catholic family by her

mom and dad along with a younger brother.

Rose has a BA in chemistry and served in the Army Reserve as a Water Treatment Specialist from 1999 until 2011, spending a year deployed to Kuwait in 2004. I decided to leave college and enlist in the United States Coast Guard before completing my BA in history in 2009. Rose and I married a week before I left for Coast Guard boot camp in Cape May NJ!

I served as an entry level mechanic doing search and rescue operations on Lake Michigan from Sheboygan WI after boot camp, and decided after two years of doing it that I’d rather have a desk job so I could spend more time at home with Rose. It was while we were there that I was received into the Greek Orthodox Church.

I was promoted and entered Logistics for the Coast Guard, but instead of getting a desk job I was stationed on a patrol ship out of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery Maine for three years. During that time I was rarely home and spent my days patrolling in the Caribbean to interdict drugs and migrants from Cuba and Haiti, and also to respond to humanitarian disasters and people in distress.

Finally I was promoted again and sent to a small search and rescue station at Fairport Harbor OH, which is just 30 minutes east of Cleveland along Lake Erie. I finally landed the desk job I had been wanting, and besides handling the budget, property, contracting, inventories, and purchasing for the entire station I took on the role as the head of the station’s Military Funeral Honor Guard and also their Partnership in Education Petty Officer. Both roles were very rewarding and allowed me to organize and participate in a lot of volunteer and educational events with local schools and boy scout troops. While stationed in Ohio Rose and I began attending an OCA parish where everything was done in

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English. Being able to understand what was going on, along with the incredibly loving and Christian fellowship of the parishioners helped lead Rose and our daughters to all finally join me in the Orthodox Church. Shortly after I was given the opportunity to attend Saint Vladimir’s as a special student using my GI Bill benefits and the rest is history!

Rose and I have 4 daughters; Sarah (age 8), Katherine (age 6), Irene (age 4), and Helen (age 1 and a half). Our daughter Sarah was diagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder when she was 4 and has been severely afflicted by it. This past May, after exhausting all other options and a long struggle, Sarah entered residential school and care facility in Staatsburg NY where we visit her every Sunday after the Liturgy. Shortly after moving to Saint Vladimir’s Seminary our daughter Irene was also diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We were fortunate to get her into an excellent program just a short distance from Saint Vladimir’s and she has been responding very well to her school and therapy.

Rose and I are very excited to be joining all of you at Christ The Savior Church and are looking forward to learning and growing in your parish before I graduate this year!

A Wedding in Southbury: On October 28, 2018 Kari Elizabeth Stewart and Jason Graham Pozzessere will be joined as husband and wife by the rite of Betrothal and Crowning at Christ the Savior Church. It is with great joy and gratefulness that we welcome Kari and Jason home for this important day.

"A house is a little church... let your prayers be common. Let each go to Church; and let the husband ask his wife at home, and she again ask her husband, the account of the things which were said and read there .... Teach her that there is nothing in life that is to be feared, save only offending against God. If any marry thus, with these views, he will be but little inferior to monks.” St John Chrysostom, HOMILY XX ON EPHESIANS

To Syria with love and from Syria with love: This past summer our own Olivia Haddad spent time visiting with the nuns at Our Lady of Saydnaya Monastery in Syria. Olivia lived there for a time as a young girl. These are the nuns who made our beautiful red velvet altar cloths and some of our vestments. Now because of the war in Syria they have very many orphans in need of care and very little resources. Christ the Savior, through the Martha Fund, sent some help to the nuns. They are so grateful and sent back to us a large “beaded icon” of Christ and an icon of Our Lady of Saydnaya for our church. On the back, their gratefulness is expressed and signed by the Abbess, Mother Febronia.

…Send your treasures to the heavenly storage room. Deposit your wealth in God’s Bank, distributing it to the poor, the orphans and the widows, so that you can receive a million times more in the Second coming of Christ…

EF: Elder Joseph (trans. from Greek by Elizabeth Theokritoff), "Elder Joseph the Hesychast," (Mount Athos: The Great and Holy Monastery of Vatopaidi, 1999), pp. 195 - 198

Feeding the hungry is a greater work than raising the dead. —St. John Chrysostom

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This year’s Orthodox Education Day (OED) is a special one. Join us as we celebrate not one, but two fiftieth-year commemorations: fifty years of OED and fifty years of St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press!

On Saturday, October 6, we are hosting activities and lectures all day, starting at 10 am, to celebrate these two milestones in the history of St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Highlights will include a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with the relics of St. Innocent and the Boston Byzantine Choir, public lectures, children and teen’s activities, food, music, book sales, and a Keynote Address by John Maddex of Ancient Faith Ministries.

The address by Mr. Maddex will be particularly relevant as we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of SVS Press, which was founded in 1968 and remains the most active publisher of Orthodox Christian literature in the English language. Maddex is

CEO of Ancient Faith Ministries, which operates both Ancient Faith Radio and Ancient Faith Publishing, another major publisher of Orthodox works.

Admission to Orthodox Education Day is free. We hope you are able to celebrate with us! Please do spread the word and share the flyer at your parishes and with your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. May the mission of OED Day and SVS Press—spreading the Gospel—continue to bear much fruit for our Lord!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our Weekly Study Group has begun again on Monday mornings. Everyone is welcome! It is for one hour starting at 10:00 am and will end by 11:00. This year with the overall parish education theme of “The Life of the Early Church.” We are studying the Acts of the Apostles this semester and Paul’s letters to The Corinthians the second half of the year.

Thank You from the Live Wires and Teens for your generosity in contributing to “Snack Packs for Back Packs.” We had fun filling zip lock bags with children’s school snacks for the Woodbury Food Bank. Please continue to remember the Food Bank on a weekly basis.

We invite women of all ages to join other Orthodox and non-Orthodox women from surrounding parishes for a women’s morning of retreat. Please unite with us for prayer, meditation, breakfast, fellowship and discussion. Explore with us the next chapter in Stephen Muses book, Being Bread; pages 160 - 172. The title of the chapter is “Hunting for Life.” The discussion leader is Nancy DeGrazia. Take time to rejuvenate and enjoy fellowship with other women who love the Lord Jesus Christ and are trying to walk in His Way. Join us Saturday, October 13 from 9 - 11:30 am. You will come away refreshed and filled with love and joy. We welcome you.

Men's Thursday Night Gathering will be on Thursday Evening October 18. We will start at 7:00 pm with prayer. This year we will look at the life of a man from the early Church each month. Men of all ages are encouraged to come and recharge their batteries.

Gifted Hands will be meeting on Friday, October 19th at 6:30 pm. Location has not been decided as yet.

Saturday Vespers will remain at 6:00 pm until the Saturday after daylight-saving. Beginning on November 10, we will assemble at 5:00 PM until the Saturday after Pascha.

October 1 is the Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos and St. Romanos the Hymnographer. In our parish tradition we will remember with gratefulness all our Church Singers, Choir Members and

Readers on the following Sunday, October 7. When we assemble to worship with song and praise, they are the backbone that helps all of us to join in song and praise. Thank you!!!

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Remember the Food Bank during this month of October. It is caught in Post Summer and Pre Thanksgiving giving.

Do you remember what you promised the Lord last December when you tithed or pledged to Him a top portion of all He has given to you? It was a covenant between you and God. No one else keeps track of it but the two of you. As we enter into the last three months of the year, it is a good time to be sure that you have been faithful to your end of the promise.

Southbury-Woodbury Interfaith Ministries (S.W.I.M.) will host their 6th Annual Harvest Walk to End Hunger, Sunday, October 14th. The proceeds from this event benefit food assistance programs in Southbury, Woodbury, and Waterbury and will provide information about food insecurity in our communities along the route. Check-in begins at noon at Southbury Town Hall (Main Street South). Come join your neighbors and take an autumn walk down Main Street and help those in need in our communities. Additional race information can be found at http://www.swim-ct.org.

Please note: Sunday October 21 is our Annual Assembly. Everyone is expected to be there. We will try to make it move along as smoothly as possible.

All Saints Orthodox Church in Hartford, CT will be hosting bi-monthly Pan-Orthodox events/retreats for youth (in Grades 6th-12th) -- and in some cases their parents as well -- in the months between our annual "Youth Rally" Diocesan Camp. Friday, October 19th, 2018 @ 6:30pm-9:30pm (Note: Eve of St. Demetrius Saturday)

The Gospel of Mark: A Live Presentation Sunday, October 14, 2018, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and Saturday, October 20 at Christ the Savior Church, Southbury DETAILS • People of all faith traditions (and none) are welcome • Recommended for ages 10 and older at parents’ discretion • Running time: 2 hours, including intermission • Q&A after the performance (optional) • Suggested donation $20; reservations are highly recommended, as seating is limited • New Revised Standard Version of the Bible with slight adaptations • Ticket information at https: www.revshannonryewall.com

October 20, at New Skete Monastery Cambridge, NY Fall Retreat - "Stumbling in the Dark: Accepting the Rhythms of Light and Darkness in the Spiritual Life." One day program retreat, includes 3 conferences to be presented by Sister Rebecca, Brother Stavros, and Brother Christopher, a light breakfast, lunch, and retreat materials. Preregistration required.

All are invited to a “Pilgrimage in honor of St. Nektarios of Aegina.” The celebration of the Feast of St. Nektarios will be on Sunday, November 11 at 4:00 pm. This is the Sunday after his Feast Day. We are most blessed to have Archbishop NIKON presiding at that Vespers. For the past twenty-four years, the fall season at Christ the Savior brings memories and anticipation of the Feast of St. Nektarios of Aegina. “Miracles happen on St. Nektarios night” - and they do. There will be a procession with his relics, prayers for the

sick and anointing. A light buffet will follow. Please invite friends and relatives to come with you to this powerful evening of faith! On the feast, Friday, November 9, there will be a Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am.

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From the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of New England in preparation for the 2018 Diocesan Assembly

This year, our Assembly’s theme will be “What are we doing, and why?” We have decided to depart from the usual practice of inviting an outside speaker and, instead, have chosen to or-ganize a series of sessions in which we, as assembly participants, have the chance to reflect on our hopes and concerns for the on-going life of the Diocese of New England.

We will be addressing some or all of the following questions as a parish during this coming year and the time before Diocesan Assembly. –FVA

• What do you perceive to be the central principle or idea around which your parish is organized? Do you think this concept is the correct one? If so, why? If not, why not?

• Is there one idea, concept, teaching, etc., concerning parish life, which you have come to feel so passionately about that you simply want to share it broadly?

• What has been your greatest joy as regards parish life? And, what has been your greatest sadness?

• How has your attitude developed regarding inter-jurisdictional cooperation among the various Orthodox Christian groups in New England and, more broadly, throughout New England? Do you see such cooperation as vital to the growth and development, qualitatively and quantitatively, of Orthodoxy in our region? If yes, why? If not, why not?

• Is there such a central principle or idea in your parish that is claimed to be the organizing concept, but which, in fact, has been usurped or "hijacked" by some other idea? If so, how has this happened? What is the remedy?

• What has been the most surprising aspect of your parish’s progress and development during the time that you have been associated with it?

• What single major past initiative in your parish has been most fruitful and effective? Why has it been effective, and how?

Apostle and Evangelist Luke (Commemorated on October 18th)

The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, was a native of Syrian Antioch, a companion of the holy Apostle Paul (Phil.1:24, 2 Tim. 4:10-11), and a physician enlightened in the Greek medical arts. Hearing about Christ, Luke arrived in Palestine and fervently accepted the preaching of salvation from the Lord Himself. As one of the Seventy Apostles, Saint Luke was sent by the Lord with the others to preach the Kingdom of Heaven during the Savior’s earthly life (Luke 10:1-3). After the Resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Saints Luke and Cleopas on the road to Emmaus.

Retrieved from https://oca.org/saints/lives/2018/10/18/102993-apostle-and-evangelist-luke

A few months ago, Michelle Montague visited our parish to invite parishioners to partner with Safe Families for Children. She has just contacted us again to remind parishioners of the

opportunity to help in whatever way they feel called. Ways you can get involved: Be a Host Family: Voluntarily host children in your home on a temporary, short-term basis Be a Family Friend: Encourage and support host families and families in need Be a Resource Friend: Provide goods & services to families in need Be a Family Coach: Help families in need reach their goals and provide encouragement to host family. You can contact Michelle with any questions or thoughts. Safe-Families.org, Michelle Montague , SFFC Connecticut , mmontague@safefamilies.net

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Christ the Savior Orthodox Church 1070 Roxbury Rd. Southbury, CT 06488 www.christsaviorchurch.org

“I will build you a Lighthouse from which the light of Christ can shine.”

The Lighthouse October 2018

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

I was rushing across the lobby of my apartment building, lugging a bunch of groceries and hoping to make it into the waiting elevator when the sole occupant of said elevator allowed the door to close in my face. And out of my mouth came a word I don’t like to say and won’t repeat here.

Sooner or later most of us give in to the occasional swear word, even if it’s under our breath. I’m never happy about it. God gave us the gift of language and we shouldn’t debase it by cursing.

Experts say swearing is a part of every culture and remarkable consistent in its content. Even stroke patients who have lost the capacity for speech have been known to let fly with a volley of obscenities. My own mother-in the final stages of Alzheimer’s-let loose with a few choice words I never even dreamed she knew.

Linguists speculate that this is because the area of the brain that controls swearing is different and more primitive than the part that controls normal speech. It is connected to emotions like anger and fear, a kind of verbal safety valve, supporting the theory that swearing was a way to circumvent more violent responses in early humans. Still we hear so much of it these days that swearing has become offensively commonplace. Common curses in the eighteenth century included “Gadzooks” (for God’s eyes) and “zounds” (God’s wounds). Like most bad habits I struggle to break, the only solution is to humbly ask God for help. He hears all, even the whispers of our hearts.

Father, our tongues are meant to praise You. Please help me keep mine pure.

--Edward Grinnan, Digging Deeper: Psalm 34:12-14; Colossians 3:8-10; James 3:5-6