April 27, 2025
Saturday, April 26 BRIGHT SATURDAY
4:00 PM Rosemarie Kachinko- Nelson &Donna Warren
Sunday, April 27 THOMAS SUNDAY (w/Myrovania)
8:30 AM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
Saturday, May 3 SUNDAY OF THE OINTMENT BEARERS
4:00 PM God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners
Sunday, May 4 SUNDAY OF THE OINTMENT BEARERS
8:30 AM Patricia Williams- Youells Family
ASK FATHER A QUESTION? Father, in the Roman Catholic tradition at Easter Time, we have the symbol of the lamb of God- is that part of our Ukrainian Tradition- why does it not appear as prominent in our church? Father after church on Sunday, you were wearing a White Cassock- why? The Lamb of God absolutely is in our tradition in plain sight-but unrecognized. The white cassock of the priest is part of our tradition that if a priest or deacon has a cassock made of pure wool-the hair of the lamb- he wears it during Eastertide from Easter till Eve of Ascension. Likewise, the priest wears the brightest vestments he has during this time for the Liturgies. All of these are a reminder and a living of the sacrifice of the most pure and unblemished Lamb to atone for sin. Lastly the word, Pascha translates into “Lamb of God, Passover, and Bread of Life.” Our church calls Easter the Feast of the Lamb of God.
ASK FATHER A QUESTION? Father………… What does “Amen” mean? Is it just the end of the prayer? Like “The End?” “Amen” is a Hebrew word (אָמֵן) that we do not translate into English because it has a few meanings that are all intended at one time when we say the Hebrew word “Amen.” Amen is a transliteration of the Hebrew word of the same sound, meaning true, correct, it is certain. In Strong’s Numbers the word Amen is referred to as meaning “verily” or “truly.” Strong’s Numbers is an identifier of every Greek word in the Scriptures from the Septuagint (the Old Testament translated into Greek) and New Testament. Each Hebrew word by the Strong’s Number has an etimology around it that helps us to understand the original intended meaning in each of the books of the Bible.
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS in the UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH:
In case you don’t know what that title means, IC XC are abbreviations (in both Greek and Slavonic) for the name Jesus Christ. NIKA is a Greek verb that means “conquers” (perhaps “is victorious” is better, though not as grammatically accurate). Why am I giving you a lesson in Greek words and abbreviations? First of all, it will help you understand a few things you may see in the Eastern Christian tradition. On icons of Christ, you will always find somewhere the IC XC. If you look carefully when a Byzantine Catholic or Orthodox priest gives a blessing, you’ll see (if they’re doing it correctly) that they form the fingers of their right hand into the letters IC XC. So we always bless with the sign of the Cross and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Liturgy, the priest facing the people holds his hand so that the fingers make the letters IC XC and gives the cross to the faithful who then receive the cross. This is why from the priest’s perspective during the blessing his hand goes to his left first but to the people facing him, to their right first [actually the Priest is asking God to give the people a blessing]. Here is the meaning, the priest presents the cross to the person and the person picks up, or takes up, their cross willing. The cross is never imposed on a person, they take it up willingly.
BOOK(S) OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL:
The Lives of the Desert Fathers
Norman Russell/Benedicta Ward ISBN: 978-0879079345
The Screwtape Letters
C.S. Lewis ISBN: 979-8343951851
What Is Thomas Sunday (Antipascha)? Thomas Sunday falls exactly one week after the Feast of Holy Pascha. It commemorates the events recorded in John 20:19–31, when the Risen Christ appeared to His disciples—first without Thomas, and then again eight days later when Thomas was present. The term Antipascha does not mean “against Pascha” but rather “another Pascha.” It marks the continuation of the Paschal celebration, consecrating every Sunday of the year to the memory of the Resurrection. In fact, beginning with this Sunday, the Church treats every Sunday as a “Little Pascha.” In the Ukrainian tradition, Sunday is called “Воскресенье” (Voskresén’ye), literally meaning Resurrection, and in Greek, it’s “Κυριακή” (Kyriakí), meaning the Lord’s Day.
(A Discussion of AntiTypes & Typology) Part One
An unacknowledged but powerful presumption guides a great deal of today’s theology, whether it appears in the popular press, in scholarly journals or in Sunday morning homilies. It is the conviction that language and images that depict transcendent rather than empirical reality are mere metaphors. They are “symbols” in the modern, popular sense, which means they are mere “signs” that point beyond themselves to something else. To ancient Christian theologians, on the other hand, words and images are genuinely symbolic: they actually participate in the reality they depict. They have the capacity, under the right conditions, to take part in the very existence of the person, object, event or promise to which they refer. It is this capacity that enables words and images to become vehicles of divine revelation. This understanding of the symbolic character of words and images is basic to the Catholic Church, especially in the East. It justifies, and in fact makes necessary, an approach to the interpretation of Scripture that is based to a significant degree on typology. “Types” can be described as verbal images that point forward to future or transcendent realities, as the image of the Hebrew Temple points forward to the Church, the manna in the wilderness to the Bread of Life (of both the Eucharist and the heavenly Banquet), or the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 52-53 to the Person and Passion of Jesus Christ. Because of their symbolic quality, though, types do more than simply point beyond themselves to some future reality, the “antitype.” They actually participate in that reality: they share in it and bring it to completion. The Church as the Body of Christ recapitulates and fulfills the covenant relation God had already established with His people Israel; the Eucharist is grounded in and fulfills the Passover liberation of the Exodus, itself symbolized by the blood of the Lamb; and Christ accomplishes His work as Revealer and Redeemer by incarnating—bearing “in the flesh”—the innocent suffering and vicarious death of the Servant of the Lord. Through the relation between Old Testament image and New Testament fulfillment—between type and antitype—God reveals His presence and purpose within the realm of human history, the realm of our daily life.
Prayer For Peace in Ukraine
Heavenly Father, Your Son taught us “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.” We fervently pray in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that you inspire men to become peacemakers. May mankind seek reconciliation and peace as is Your Will in this world. May tranquility be restored to all nations and especially Ukraine. God, Our Father, we beseech You to comfort the suffering, heal the wounded, and accept the souls of the dearly departed into Your heavenly kingdom. May the Most Holy Mother of God extend Her Mantle of Protection over Ukraine and the whole world. May each of us always live our lives as instruments of Your peace, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
THERE SHOULD BE NO KNEELING DURING THE PASCHAL SEASON UNTIL PENTECOST SUNDAY. This regulation is mentioned by the Council of Nicaea, which met in the year 325, and also set the date for Pascha. Our Father, Saint Basil the Great, explains that this symbolizes our personal resurrection as well as our calling to higher, heavenly things.
SANCTUARY LIGHT: The sanctuary light sign-up sheets are located on the table in the vestibule. A $15 donation enables the light to burn for your intention throughout the week. Many weeks are still available.
SOROKOUSTY SERVICE: The fifth Sorokousty is Saturday, June 7th at 8:00 am.
HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS: Please contact Father Walter at the Nanticoke Rectory at 570-735-2262 if anyone is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion.
MOTHER’S DAY: Mother’s Day is May 11. We will have Divine Liturgy for All Living and Deceased Mothers’ of our Parish. Remember your Mom in Divine Liturgy.
MOTHER’S DAY TEA: This Mother’s Day Tea hosted by the children will not be held in May this year, but at a later date. Keep your eye on the bulletin.
RESCHEDULED CITY WIDE EARTH DAY CLEAN-UP: There will be a City Wide Clean-up of Nanticoke organized by the Nanticoke Conservation Club on Saturday, May 3at 8:00AM. Everyone is welcome to come & help. All supplies are Furnished and Vests. Sturdy Shoes and appropriate attire are recommended. Food & Refreshments are supplied. This year the emphasis will be in Nanticoke. Meet at LCCC Student Parking Lot on Access Road by Weis Market. Spend 1 hour or many hours, we need a help.
MOVIE SUNDAY: The tentative date for Movie Sunday is May 18th at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church @12:30 PM.
SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church 