THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD
AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST
AUGUST 6, 2023
Saturday, Aug. 5 THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION
OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST
4:00 PM Anointing with Holy Oil – Myrovinya BLESSING OF FRUIT
son Michael Sirak – mother Helen Sirak
Sunday, Aug.6 THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION
OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST
Anointing with Holy Oil – Myrovinya BLESSING OF FRUIT
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
Saturday, August 12 ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
4:00 PM ✞Rosalia Mandzik – John Cienki
Sunday, August 13 ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
8:30 AM God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners
✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠
THE BLESSING OF FRUIT
On this day, in the Ukrainian, and Eastern Churches, fruits are blessed.
It is a pious custom whereby the people express their
thanks to God for the crops of the fields.
The Event of the Transfiguration August 6th
On the 6th of August, our Church celebrates the feast of the glorious Transfiguration of the Lord. The purpose of this feast is to celebrate that glorious event in the life of Jesus Christ, the Transfiguration, which some of the holy Fathers call the second Theophany.
The significance of this event is evident from the fact that three evangelists – Matthew, Mark and Luke – record it and Jesus reveals His true self to mankind.
Originally, the feast of the Transfiguration was observed in February. However, since this joyful feast fell during the time of the Great Fast, its celebration was not in keeping with the spirit of fasting and penance. Therefore, it was transferred to the 6th of August.
The feast of the Transfiguration is one of the twelve principal feasts of our Church, having a one-day pre-feast and a seven-day festal period.
This feast falls during that time when the fruits of the earth reach maturity. From the earliest times in the Eastern Church, on this day fruit is blessed in thanksgiving to God for the first fruits of the earth.
The custom of blessing the first fruits in church was prescribed in the Canons of the Holy Apostles at the end of the third century. Spiritual joy, admiration for the majesty of Christ, power, splendor, and the glorification of his Divinity radiate from the services of this feast.
The main theme and true purpose of the feast of the Transfiguration is profoundly dogmatic: it is the profession and the glorification of Christ’s Divinity. In the Matins of the pre-feast we read: “Come, let us go forth up to the mountain and with faith we shall see the glorious Transfiguration of the Lord. Let us faithfully worship him and cry out: ‘You alone are God, who became incarnate and deified mankind.’”
Having before her eyes the glory of the Divinity of Christ, holy Church calls upon her faithful to go forth in spirit to the mountain of Tabor and be witnesses to this transfiguration: “Come, let us go to the mountain of the Lord, into the house of our God, and let us witness the glory of his Transfiguration, the glory as of the only-begotten Son of the Father. Let us receive light from light and being raised aloft in spirit, let us glorify the Trinity, of One Substance, forever.”
Giving Thanks for God’s Overwhelming Generosity
Everything in your life that flows out of love has come to you from God. God has initiated everything good in your life. God has done everything for you, He is everything to you, and He is enriching other lives through you. His generosity is overwhelming, His blessings are limitless, and His love is endless.
No one has favored you more than God. He has removed every stain of your sin, He has cleansed all the defilement of your iniquity, and He has silenced every voice of condemnation that hung over your head. He has saved you, redeemed you, and justified you.
All of God’s grace abounds toward you, all of Christ’s riches are made available to you, and all spiritual blessings are provided for you. In Christ, you have received the treasures that can never be taken away, the hope that can never fade away, and the life that will never pass away.
As you walk with Jesus day by day, you will find that your thankfulness to Him is an ever-increasing symphony of praise, building into a lifelong crescendo of gratitude that flows from your heart to His. You, who have so little, have received so much, because He has been so generous.
There are so many riches that He has given to you; so many answers to prayer that He has granted to you; so many kindnesses that He has manifested to you; so many joys that He has provided for you; so many mercies that He has extended to you; so many benefits that He has showered upon you. Everything you have has come from Him, and that is the reason why your heart can be so grateful.
Thank Him today because—
He formed you and made you. He has given you the breath of life. He has given you this day. He is working in you to become all that He has intended you to be. He is working everything in your life together for the good. He is using your difficulties and trials to conform you to His image.
Thank Him today for—
The forgiveness of your sins. The peace that passes all understanding. The smiles that have come to your face because His joy is in your heart. The comfort of His presence that has quieted your heart and calmed your fears. The hope that is in you because He has promised to always be with you. The place in heaven that He has reserved and has prepared for you.
Thank Him today with—
Words of exaltation. Songs of celebration. A heart of strong devotion. Thoughts of deep reflection. Acts of admiration. Claps of loud ovation.
By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
SANCTUARYLIGHT: The Sanctuary Light is requested to burn this week August5 – 12 by Helene Sirak in memory of her son Michael Sirak.
ALTAR CANDLES: The Altar Candles are requested to burn for the month of August by Helene Sirak in memory of her son +Michael Sirak.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS: We extend our best wishes to to Paul Hoover who celebrated his a 92nd Birthday on August 3. May God grant him many more Happy, Healthy years….
TAKE OUT DINNERS: Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church will hold the 3rd and last of their Why Cook Wednesday Dinners for the Summer with an a La Carte, Ukrainian Festival Food, Take-Out Dinner on Wednesday, August 16th. Order from a menu of festival foods including; holubtsi (piggies)…$3/each, pyrohy (pierogies)…3 for $3.00, kovbasa & kapusta (kielbasa & sauerkraut)…$5.00/each, halushki (cabbage & noodles)…$3.00/pint and Pagash (potato pizza)…$2.00/cut. Pick-Ups from 4:00 to 7:00pm in their school hall on the corner of North River and West Chestnut Streets, near the General Hospital Parkade in Wilkes-Barre. Take-Out Only and Pre-Orders are strongly encouraged. Place your order by calling the School Hall Kitchen (570) 829-3051. Bake Sale items available and tickets will also be sold for a Basket Raffle. Remember…When Baba Cooks, Everybody’s Happy!
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 