Saturday, February 9
4:00 PM Anna & John Rudeski – Daughter Ann Marie &
Joseph Onderko
Sunday, February 10 SUNDAY OF CHEESEFARE
8:30 AM God’s Blessing and Good Health for all parishioners.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 11TH IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE GREAT FAST
( NO DAIRY AND NO MEAT OR MUSIC)
Wednesday, February 13
9:30 AM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (Predosviachenyh)
Friday, February 15
6:30 PM Stations of the Cross – Sorokousty Service
Saturday, February 16
4:00 PM Michael Popyk & Michael Kovalchuk – Rev. V. Popyk
Sunday, February 17 FIRST SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FAST
8:30AM God’s Blessing and Good Health for all parishioners
4:00 PM DEANERY STATIONS OF THE CROSS
THE CEREMONY OF FORGIVENESS
CHEESEFARE SUNDAY
In ancient times in Eastern monasteries a beautiful custom existed in which the rite of mutual forgiveness on Cheesefare Sunday was performed. This rite of forgiveness was carried out in the evening, following a modest repast. All the monks in the presence of the faithful asked pardon of one another for past offences, then embraced, and gave each other the kiss of peace. The faithful did the same among themselves. In some places, while this rite of forgiveness was being carried out, the stichera of the Pasch (Resurrection) was sung: “Today the sacred Pasch has been shown forth to us…” The last stichera ends with an appeal for mutual forgiveness: “and let us embrace one another and say: ‘Brethren’ even to those who hate us, and let us forgive all things…” The singing of the sticheras of the Pasch (Resurrection) was to signify that just as during the season of Pasch or Eastertide, so now at the threshold of the Great Fast we should mutually ask pardon for offences for the sake of Christ who fasted, suffered, and rose for our sake.
This very moving rite of forgiveness was still observed at the Kievan Pecherska Lavra until the Communists took over the government. Here also, the monks first had a meager pre-Lenten repast, after which all superiors and monks donned their mantles and proceeded to the church. All the superiors of the Lavra, from the highest to the lowest, stood side by side in the middle of the church and the whole monastic community, consisting of several hundred members, one by one approached the superiors, then kneeling, they kissed each other three times while saying, “Forgive me, Father,” or Forgive me Brother.” During this time, the choir sang the stichera taken from the solemn Vespers of Cheesefare Sunday: “Adam sat opposite paradise bewailing his nakedness…” After the completing of the ceremony, all present departed in silence.
Truly, these four pre-Lenten Sundays have a deep significance for our spiritual life. For whoever beats his breast as did the Publican and learns humility from his
example; whoever learns from the parable of the Prodigal Son to trust in God’s mercy; whoever on Meatfare Sunday, after meditation on the Terrible Judgment, is seized with fear of God’s justice, which fell so severely upon our First Parents, as we have seen in the service of Cheesefare Sunday – for him that fast will not be so terrible. Rather, he will understand that it is necessary for his heart and soul. He will willingly fast and make
Prostrations, knowing that fasting and sorrow for sins can best prepare him for the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord.
SANCTUARY LIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested for February 9 – 16 by Sandy Gerzarowski in memory of her sister Rebecca Jacobs.
ALTAR CANDLES: The Altar candles are requested to burn for all services in the month of February by Kerri Potsko in memory of Marian Zurinsky.
LENTEN SERVICES: The Way of the Cross and Sorokousty will be held in our parish every Friday evening during Lent. Please try to sacrifice a little time for the Way Our Lord suffered on His way to be crucified. This is a solemn and religious service and should be attended by all the faithful.
DEANERY STATIONS: Stations of the Cross by the Deanery will be held in various parishes on Sunday’s during Lent. The Stations of the Cross will be held in our Parish next Sunday, February 17th at 4:00 PM. This service is done in reverence and all who are able should attend these services. Make our parish have a good showing next Sunday. Fellowship will follow and we are asking all our good dessert makers for help in providing the desserts.
Please remember to sign in if you plan on supplying a dessert,etc. for the fellowship after the Deanery Stations of the Cross.
ST. VLADIMIR UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH of Scranton is sponsoring a bus trip to the annual St. George Ukrainian Street Festival, Lower East Side of Manhattan on Saturday, May 18, 2013. Side trips to Brooklyn will include Little Odessa/ Brighton Beach and Little Poland/Greenpoint. The 55 passenger bus will depart from the church parking lot, 428 North Seventh Avenue at 8:00am. Departure from New York City will be at 9:00pm.
Cost is $35.00 per person. Full advance nonrefundable payment reserves a seat. Check should be made out to St. Vladimir Church. For reservations contact Paul Ewasko
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 