SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church

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 18^th at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church @12:30 PM.

April 20, 2025 A. D.

Saturday, April 19 GREAT & HOLY SATURDAY

  4:00 PM God’s Blessings for America- Tom & MaryAnn Potsko

Service at the Grave, Vespers, Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great /Blessing of Artos, Myrovania

Sunday, April 20 PASCHA-EASTER SUNDAY (w/Myrovania)

             11:00 AM            God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners

Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Artos,  Myrovania 

Monday, April, 21 BRIGHT MONDAY (w/Myrovania)

             8:30 AM            MaryAnn Youells- Michele Hatch & Denise Klus & Family

Tuesday, April 22 BRIGHT TUESDAY

             8:30 AM Anna Koprowski- Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas Giordano

Saturday, April 26 BRIGHT SATURDAY

            4:00 PM           Rosemarie Kachinko- Nelson &Donna Warren

Sunday, April 27 THOMAS SUNDAY (w/Myrovania)

             11:00 AM            God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners

 M

FATHER A QUESTION?, Father, why are the Royal Doors open during Bright Week?  The Royal Doors are kept open as a sign to us that Christ came to restore access to the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Eternal Life for us, which we lost access to when we sinned as we read in the First Week of Lent.  

 ASK FATHER A QUESTION?  Father,  I was watching Fiddler on the Roof last night, when someone asked the Rabbi, is there a Blessing for a Sewing Machine, I got to thinking, is  there a Blessing for animals?  In short, Yes. In my Book of Needs in Greek “Euchologion” and in Slavonic “Trebnyk” in the index there are six pages of a list of prayers for Blessings.  The categories are:  Church, Altar, Chalice, Other Liturgical Objects, Vestments, Feast Days & Special Occasions, Sacred Objects not for Liturgical Use, Persons, Places of Ordinary Use, Animals, Fields, Orchards, and things for everyday use.  So yes, there is an entire category for Blessings of Animals, Livestock, Beasts of Burden, Pets, or vermin, rats, pests.  What is the Book of Needs?  The Book has prayers for every need a Parish Priest will encounter.

 Ask Father a question, Father, I noticed that when the “women” return to the grave, there is Mary, the mother of God, and the “other” Mary is with her.  Who is the other Mary?  It seems to me that there are many Mary’s…. wasn’t there Saint Mary of Egypt that we commemorated on the Fifth Week of Lent?  I get confused.  Yes, there are many Mary’s.  Depending on which Gospel you read, it may be difficult to understand which Mary is being spoken about at times.  A few of the Mary’s we know, are Mary the Mother of God, Mary Magdalene, Mary the sister to Lazarus and Martha, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary the mother of James, Joseph and Salome, among others.  Mary is the Greek translation from Jewish, Mariam.  At the grave, Luke and Mark, specify that Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph are at the grave looking for Jesus on the morning of the first day of the week.  

Why did Mary, the Mother of Jesus not go to the sepulcher on first day of the week with the other Mary’s?  Church tradition orally passed on from the apostles, and some common sense, tells us that Jesus having risen from the dead, went to visit His mother first.  

Yes, there was a Saint Mary of Egypt that we remember the Fifth Week of Lent, who lived in the late fourth to early fifth century.  We do not read about Saint Mary of Egypt in the Holy Scriptures.

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.

Appreciation is extended to the Women’s Society for their $3000 donation which will greatly assist with the church’s financial obligations.

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.

CONFESSION:   Reminder, the Church decrees that you should make at least one good confession and receive communion for Easter.  Remember this whole week is seven days of Sunday, hence, we call this Bright Week.

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

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.

LITURGICALLY SPEAKING

(Received as an Ask Father a Question……) Reprint

TROPAR:  A short verse which tells something of the feast or intention of the day.  All Sundays are Resurrectional Tropars.  The Tropar can be sung as a hymn having a set rhythm and melody (according to one of the eight tones).

KONDAK:  From the Greek, meaning “parchment roll.”  It contains in abbreviated form the story of the Feast or the life of the Saints.  The Kondak can be sung as a hymn having a set rhythm and melody (according to one of the eight tones).

BOHORODICEN:  A short hymn honoring the Theotokos, our Blessed Lady.

TRISAGION:  A triple invocation honoring the Blessed Trinity.  On certain feasts: as Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost the Trisagion is replaced by a chant which recalls the baptism of the catechumens: “As many of you as have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ, Alleluia.”

EPISTLES:  Letters written by the Apostles to the early Christians in various geographical locations.  The preaching of the Epistle portrays the preaching of the doctrine of Christ to the world by the Apostles.

BIBLE:  From the Greek, “Biblia” meaning books.  The Bible contains lesson from God to man.  The Bible is written by the One Holy Apostolic Orthodox Catholic Church. (Slavonic= biblija)

INCENSING:  The incensing during the Divine Liturgy at the point of the Gospel  symbolizes the graces and spiritual benefits produced by the preaching of the Word of God. “Let my prayer rise like incense before You.”- Psalm 140

When the priest is incensing, people should stand.

GOSPEL:  From the Greek meaning “Good News.”   This is the Good News of Jesus Christ Risen from the Dead, announcing the salvation of man by Jesus Christ.  In Slavonic,  jevanhelije.  The Gospel read during the Divine Liturgy is a portion of one of the four accounts of Our Lord’s Life as written by the evangelists, SS. Mathew, Mark, Luke and John.  

PROKIMEN:   The Prokimen is composed of several verses taken from the psalms or prophecies.  It introduces the Old Testament and Epistle of the day.

April 13, 2025 A. D.

Saturday, April 12 PALM SUNDAY (w/ Myrovania)

             4:00 PM           God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners

Sunday, April 13 PALM SUNDAY (w/Myrovania)

             8:30 AM            Christine & Mary Ann Youells – Youells Family

Tuesday, April 15 HOLY TUESDAY

           5:00 PM The Presanctified Liturgy (Confessions Before/After)

Thursday, April 17 HOLY THURSDAY

          3:00PM Matins of the Holy and Saving Passion of our Lord

Friday, April 18 GOOD FRIDAY

           1:00 PM Vespers with the Placement of the Holy Shroud

Saturday, April 19 HOLY SATURDAY

2:30 PM Blessing of Food

            4:00 PM           God’s Blessings for America- Tom & MaryAnn Potsko

Service at the Grave, Vespers, Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great /Blessing of Artos, Myrovania

Sunday, April 20 PASCHA-EASTER SUNDAY (w/Myrovania)

             11:00 AM            God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners

Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Artos,  Myrovania 

Monday, April, 21 BRIGHT MONDAY (w/Myrovania)

             8:30 AM            Divine Liturgy

Transfiguration of Our Lord Church – 2025 A. D.

 240 Center St, Nanticoke, PA

Holy Monday, April 14

6:30 PM The Presanctified Liturgy. Confessions Before/After

Holy Wednesday, April 16

5:00 PM The Presanctified Liturgy with General Anointing

Holy Thursday, April 17

6:30 PM Matins of the Holy and Saving Passion of our Lord

Good Friday, April 18

5:30 PM Vespers with Placement of the Holy Shroud

Holy Saturday, April 19

1:00 Blessing of Food  

PASCHA, Sunday, April 20

7:30AM Service at the Grave, Resurrection Matins,  

8:30 AM Divine Liturgy (approximate time)

Blessing of Artos, Myrovania

Bright Monday, April 21

10:30 AM Divine Liturgy, Myrovania

HOLY WEEK

ANOINTING OF THE SICK ON HOLY WEDNESDAY

The General Anointing of the Sick is done for all baptized Christians present at the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts on Holy Wednesday.  If there are two blessings, the first blessings is done at the end of The Litany of Peace and the second is after the Litany of Supplication.  If more than one priest is present the people should be anointed by each of the priests present, up to seven priests in total.  The Prayer of Anointing is said first for all present, then each is anointed on the forehead, cheeks and palm of the hands with the formula, “The servant of God is anointed for the healing of soul and body, for the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.” This is the one time each year that this Mystery (Sacrament) is provided to all the faithful in attendance and forgives all sins so that even one who has not “gone to confession” is now freed from sin and if the person remains free from sin, is free to receive of the Eucharist, the Holy Body and Blood of Christ.   Service at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 16.

PALM SUNDAY- THE LORD’S ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM

APRIL 13, 2025

 Pick up your Palms as you enter the church.  Hold your Palms when Father Walter incenses the church-following that Father will bless the Palms while you hold them.

“Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord.” (John 12:13) TRIUMPHANT ENTRY OF OUR LORD INTO THE HOLY CITY OF JERUSALEM The Sunday preceding the joyous celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord is known as Palm Sunday. Christians throughout the world celebrate, commemorate, and in some places re-enact the triumphant entry of Our Lord into the holy city of Jerusalem. On this day in the earthly life of Our Lord, the prophecy of Zechariah was fulfilled: “Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Behold; YOUR king is coming to you, a just Savior is He, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (9:9) Jesus had travelled throughout all Galilee teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The crowds would come to hear Him teach in parables and often would bring the sick and infirm to be cured of every sickness and disease. The crowds were amazed at the visible signs of Jesus’ divinity, His divine power, especially the wondrous miracles performed. When Jesus had raised the only son of a widow from the dead, the crowd was truly amazed: “Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, ‘A great prophet has risen in our midst’ and ‘God has visited His people.’” (Luke 7:16)  Once again Jesus raises someone from the dead. This time it was His friend Lazarus who was dead for four days. Martha had wondered if only Jesus would have come earlier her brother Lazarus would not have died. Jesus tells Martha: “I am the Resurrections and the Life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)  Jesus goes into the tomb where His friend Lazarus was buried. Mary was weeping over the loss of her brother. A crowd had gathered to give comfort to Martha and Mary over the loss of their brother. St. John the Evangelist writes that Jesus “was deeply troubled…And He wept.” (11:33, 35)  Jesus directed them to remove the stone from the entrance to the tomb and prayed: ““Father,* I thank You for hearing Me. I know that You always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” (V. 42) The Lord then cried out: “Lazarus, come out.” (v. 43) Lazarus, who was dead, had come out and they untied him from the burial cloth he was wrapped in. Many had come to believe in Jesus because of this great miracle.  Some of those who had offered comfort to Mary and Martha and witnessed the miracle went to inform the Pharisees. The chief priests and Pharisees held a special session of the Sanhedrin. They felt that something had to be done regarding Jesus. “If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come* and take away both our land and our nation.”  (11:48)  Caiaphas, who was high priest that year,* said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” (vv. 49-50) The Evangelist John tells us that from that day on, they planned to kill Jesus.  Initially, Jesus did not walk within Jewish public areas. He withdrew into a deserted region, to a town named “Ephraim.” He remained there with His Apostles. The Feast of the Passover was approaching. Usually, Our Lord and the Apostles would celebrate the Feast in the holy city of Jerusalem.  Many of the Jews came to “purify themselves” before the Feast to the holy city. (v. 55) They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That He will not come to the Feast?” The chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He (Jesus) was, he should inform them, so that they might arrest Him. (vv. 56-57)  The very next day after the Lord’s feet were anointed, Jesus enters the Holy City of Jerusalem in humble fashion: seated on a young donkey, colt. The Icon of “The Entry of Christ into Jerusalem” vividly shows us the importance and significance of this event in the earthly ministry of Christ and in salvation history. The Entry is a joyous celebration of Triumph. It is a moment of glory. The great crowd took palm branches in their hands to welcome the Lord with the greeting: “Hosanna, blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord!”  Palm branches have for a long time been a symbol or sign of victory, triumph, and peace. This goes back to the ancient East, as well as in the Mediterranean region. A palm branch was awarded to a victorious athlete in ancient Greece.   It indeed was a great day in the saving history of the Chosen People of the Old Testament, Israel. The Messiah, the Anointed, the One of Whom the Prophets foretold enters the holy city. The atmosphere was one of exuberant jubilation.  Although not pictured in the icon, there were also present opponents of Jesus who witnessed the event. The Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the whole world*has gone after Him.” (12:19) These opponents of Jesus looked and waited for an opportunity to kill Him.  May we acknowledge Jesus for Who He is : the Son of God,  the One Who offers us deliverance from sin, death, and all the powers of darkness and evil yet prevalent into today’s world. May our faith in the Lord be deeply-rooted, strong, and constant. My we never waver but keep our eyes fixed upon Him and our future inheritance – eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Let us cry out: “Hosanna!” which translated from Aramaic means: Save us, deliver us! Father D. George Worschak

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.

 PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL:  Holy Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls.   Amen.

The Sanctuary Light for this week was requested by Rebecca Molecavage IMO Frances Bencho.

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.

 CONFESSION:   Let us prepare our souls by making a good Confession and receiving Communion.  Holy Confession will be held before Divine Liturgy or after Divine Liturgy, if necessary.  Confessions will be held before the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy and by appointment.  Reminder, the Church decrees that you make at least one good confession a year before Easter.  Reminder there is no confessions after Holy Wednesday.

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

ADORATION SCHEDULES:  Adoration schedules are in the back of the church.  Please plan to spend time with Christ.  

SOROKOUSTY SERVICE:    The fifth Sorokousty is Saturday, June 7th  at 8:00 am.  

MARY OF EGYPT

April 6, 2025

Saturday, April 5 5^th SUNDAY OF LENT

             4:00 PM           Paul Joseph Stonikinis- Rebecca Micca

Sunday, April 6 5^th SUNDAY OF LENT

             8:30 AM            God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners

Friday, April 11 LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

      5:00 PM

Saturday, April 12 PALM SUNDAY (w/ Myrovania)

             4:00 PM           God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners

Sunday, April 13 PALM SUNDAY (w/Myrovania)

             8:30 AM            Christine & Mary Ann Youells – Youells Family

✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠

 Transfiguration of Our Lord Church

Saturday Liturgy is 6:00 PM

Sunday Liturgy is 10:30 AM

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS Wednesday at 6:30PM

Sorokousty is 8:00AM, Saturday, June 7^th

Please come and pray for YOUR family.

SS. Peter and Paul Church-2025 A.D.

20 Nottingham Street, Plymouth, PA

 Holy Tuesday, April 15

5:00 PM The Presanctified Liturgy.  Confessions Before/After

Holy Thursday, April 17

3:00PM Matins of the Holy and Saving Passion of our Lord

Good Friday, April 18

1:00PM Vespers with the Placement of the Holy Shroud

Holy Saturday, March 19

2:30 Blessing of Food

4:00 PM Service at the Grave, Vespers, Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great Blessing of Artos, Myrovania

PASCHA, Sunday, April 20

11:00AM Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Artos,  Myrovania 

Bright Monday, April, 21

8:30AM Divine Liturgy, Myrovania

Transfiguration of Our Lord Church – 2025 A. D.

240 Center St, Nanticoke, PA

Holy Monday, April 14

6:30 PM The Presanctified Liturgy. Confessions Before/After

Holy Wednesday, April 16

5:00 PM The Presanctified Liturgy with General Anointing

Holy Thursday, April 17

6:30 PM Matins of the Holy and Saving Passion of our Lord

Good Friday, April 18

5:30 PM Vespers with Placement of the Holy Shroud

Holy Saturday, April 19

1:00 Blessing of Food  

PASCHA, Sunday, April 20

7:30AM Service at the Grave, Resurrection Matins,  

 8:30 AM Divine Liturgy (approximate time)

Blessing of Artos, Myrovania

Bright Monday, April 21

10:30 AM Divine Liturgy, Myrovania

THE FIVE SATURDAYS OF THE DECEASED (SOROKUSTY):  The Church Typikon designates the five Sorokousty/ Saturdays of the Deceased for 2025.  It is a tradition of our Holy Church to commemorate the memories of our beloved deceased at Matins of the Deceased (Parastas) on these five Saturdays of the year.  The last Sorokousty is 8:00am on Saturday, June 7^th at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church.

THANK YOU:  Thank you to everyone who helped out and attended the theology and egg decorating class last week at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church.

 ASK FATHER A QUESTION…….Father, why is Lazarus Saturday (Saturday before Palm Sunday)  important?  Is it just another miracle of Jesus Christ? Lazarus being raised from the dead is a pre-hinge (think I am the Door.)  to the hinge of Holy Saturday that ALL of Salvation History pivots.  Jesus comes for the lost so that we could return to the Garden of Eden which God created for us in the beginning, for God did not intend that we should die.  We did this to ourselves by sin.  So when Jesus says, this bad circumstance that Lazarus is going through – and Martha and Mary, the friends of Jesus-this is being done so that the glory of God will be shown to all men, including the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  Even Mary and Martha who are very close to Jesus, and they understand His teaching, they still don’t fully grasp that God, Jesus, can do anything!  So those people who started to grasp Jesus is God, and the Messiah, begin to truly believe and follow Him and live a life of Holiness.  On the other hand, the priests in the temple, the Pharisees and Sadducees, who prefer their humanistic re-interpretation of God’s Law and did not like being corrected by Jesus, sought to put Him to death so that they would no longer have to deal with Him.  (They did not believe Jesus was God.  He blasphemes because He makes Himself God.)  They claim to be experts on the Scriptures, but they deny the Scriptures.  This Gospel Chapter is not read in it’s entirety at Liturgy on Lazarus Saturday, because the message of the Gospel Reading is the Glory of God, not the plotting of the enemies of Jesus.  Lazarus Saturday is the Saturday before Palm Sunday, because Jesus raises Lazarus shortly before entering Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) on Holy Week, revealing to the whole world whom He truly is.

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

5^th Sunday of Lent

MARY OF EGYPT

April 6, 2025 A. D.

Glory to Jesus Christ!     —-   Glory Forever!

      Slava Isusu Khrystu!     —-         Slava Na Viky!

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.

The Sanctuary Light for this week was requested by Michaelene Ostrum IMO her father Michael Sirak.

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.

 CONFESSION:   Let us prepare our souls by making a good Confession and receiving Communion.  Holy Confession will be held before Divine Liturgy or after Divine Liturgy, if necessary.  Confessions will be held before the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy and by appointment.  Reminder, the Church decrees that you make at least one good confession a year before Easter.  Reminder this is no confessions after Holy Wednesday.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK ON HOLY WEDNESDAY:  The General Anointing of the Sick is done for all baptized Christians present at the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts on Holy Wednesday.  If there are two blessings, the first blessings is done at the end of The Litany of Peace and the second is after the Litany of Supplication.  If more than one priest is present the people should be anointed by each of the priests present, up to seven priests in total.  The Prayer of Anointing is said first for all present, then each is anointed on the forehead, cheeks and palm of the hands with the formula, “The servant of God is anointed for the healing of soul and body, for the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.” This is the one time each year that this Mystery (Sacrament) is provided to all the faithful in attendance and forgives all sins so that even one who has not “gone to confession” is now freed from sin and if the person remains free from sin, is free to receive of the Eucharist, the Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY:  The Women’s Society will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 8th at 6PM in the church hall. New members are always welcomed.

ST. JOHN CLIMACUS-THE LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT

March 29, 2025

Saturday, March 29 4^th SUNDAY OF LENT

             4:00 PM           Ann Beshada- Judy Lucchino

Sunday, March 30 4^th SUNDAY OF LENT

             8:30 AM            God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners

 Friday, March 28 LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

      5:00 PM

Saturday, April 5 5^th SUNDAY OF LENT

             4:00 PM           Paul Joseph Stonikinis- Rebecca Micca

Sunday, April 6 5^th SUNDAY OF LENT

             8:30 AM            God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners

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 Transfiguration of Our Lord:

Saturday Liturgy is 6:00 PM

Sunday Liturgy is 10:30 AM

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS Wednesday at 6:30PM

Sorokousty is 8:00AM, Saturday, June 7^th

Please come and pray for YOUR family.

 It’s this Sunday!!

MAKE PSANKY FOR FUN!

Sunday, March 30, 2025 

@ 1:00 PM

Transfiguration of Our Lord

Church Basement

 (Immediately following Coffee & Theology)

Everyone is welcome! 

Come & experience the art of creating Ukrainian Easter Eggs just for  FUN AND FELLOWSHIP!

Class is free.  Please allocate about 2 hours to create an egg.  Children are most welcome- but must be supervised by an adult as decorating requires you to use a candle. 

EVERYONE IS WELCOME- Young & Old!

Ask FATHER A QUESTION?  Father, tell me about the Proverbs…..  The Book of Proverbs contains the essence of the Wisdom of Israel – which ultimately comes from God.  In this Book we find a godly world view and offers insight to us on how to live in order that we inherit heaven.  Proverbs 1:7 tells us “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  Fear of the Lord is to say to live in charity, worship and obedience to God.  The Psalms in contrast, are poetry of praises to God, whilst Proverbs focus on instruction and wisdom.  The Psalms are a song of life-their joys and difficulties-Crying out to God in times and sorrow and thanking God when times are good.

Prayer For Unity of the Church

Heavenly Father, Your Blessed Son asked that His Church be one as You and He are one, but Christians have not been united as He prayed.  We have isolated ourselves from each other and failed to listen to You.  We have misunderstood and ridiculed, and even gone so far as to attack each other.  In so doing we have offended You, against all our brothers in the Church, and against all who have not believed in you because of our scandalous disunity.  Forgive us, Father, and make us fully one.  Blot out our sins, renew our minds, enkindle out hearts, and guide us by Your Holy Spirit into that oneness which is Your will.  We ask in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 SPRING YARD SALE & ETHNIC FOOD:  On Saturday, March 29 and April 5th from 9:00 to 2:00 pm we will have a Yard Sale and Ethnic Food at Transfiguration of Our Lord Hall.  We will be serving potato pancakes, pyrohy, and more.  Come out and invite your friends and neighbors!!

THE FIVE SATURDAYS OF THE DECEASED (SOROKUSTY):  The Church Typikon designates the five Sorokousty/ Saturdays of the Deceased for 2025.  It is a tradition of our Holy Church to commemorate the memories of our beloved deceased at Matins of the Deceased (Parastas) on these five Saturdays of the year.  The last Sorokousty is 8:00am on Saturday, June 7^th at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church.

Inspiring sayings by St. John Climacus that can inspire your own spiritual growth:

1. “Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honor your patience.”

2. “Virtue is the fruit of labor, and no one becomes a saint in his sleep.”

3. “Humility and knowledge in a soul are like spices in food. Every dish, though cooked with exquisite skill, seems insipid and unappetizing without them.”

4. “Patience is a most necessary virtue for whoever desires to make progress in the spiritual life.”

5. “Freedom from anger is an insatiable appetite for dishonor and disgrace.”

6. “If you are not willing to endure all things, all things will be of no value to you.”

7. “Counsel can cool passions, guide ignorance, and lead the soul from the things of time to the things of eternity.”

8. “Do not be surprised if you fall every day and do not surrender. Stand your ground firmly. And you are certain to have this angel as your ally in courage.”

9. “Just as a deep-rooted tree is not agitated by the fury of the wind, so neither should we be affected by praise or blame.”

10. “Acquire the spirit of peace, and thousands around you will be saved.”

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.

The Altar Candles for March are requested by the by The Udiski Family IMO Michael Kane.

There was no request for the Sanctuary Light this week.

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.

CONFESSION:   Let us prepare our souls by making good Confession and receiving Communion.  Holy Confession will be held before Divine Liturgy or after Divine Liturgy, if necessary.  Confessions will be held before the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy and by appointment.  Reminder, the Church decrees that you make at least one good confession a year before Easter.

Reminder this is no confessions after Holy Wednesday.

COFFEE AND THEOLOGY:  This Sunday, March 30, immediately following Divine Liturgy (@Transfiguration of Our Lord Church following 10:30AM Liturgy) we will have an Adult Discussion.  The topic will be LENTEN THEOLOGY.  WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE CROSS?  A 15 Minute Presentation & Questions.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

Veneration of the Holy Cross

March 22, 2025 A. D.

March 22, 2025 A. D.

Saturday, March 22 3^rd SUNDAY OF LENT

             4:00 PM           God’s Blessings for Lawrence & Janice Lee- Rita & Diane

Sunday, March 23 3^rd SUNDAY OF LENT

             8:30 AM            God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners

Tuesday, March 25 ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS(Obligation)

              8:30 AM Ann Beshada- Louise Hubiack (Myrovania)

 Friday, March 28 LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

      5:00 PM

Saturday, March 29 4^th SUNDAY OF LENT

             4:00 PM           Ann Beshada- Judy Lucchino

Sunday, March 30 4^th SUNDAY OF LENT

             8:30 AM            God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners

✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠

 Transfiguration of Our Lord:

Saturday Liturgy is 6:00 PM

Sunday Liturgy is 10:30 AM

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS Wednesday at 6:30PM

Sorokousty is 8:00AM, Saturday, March 29

Please come and pray for YOUR family.

MAKE PSANKY FOR FUN!

Sunday, March 30, 2025 

@ 1:00 PM

Transfiguration of Our Lord

Church Basement

 (Immediately following Coffee & Theology)

Everyone is welcome! 

Come & experience the art of creating Ukrainian Easter Eggs just for  FUN AND FELLOWSHIP!

Class is free.  Please allocate about 2 hours to create an egg.  Children are most welcome- but must be supervised by an adult as decorating requires you to use a candle. 

EVERYONE IS WELCOME- Young & Old!

PSANKY SUPPLIES:  If anyone has supplies that they are not using please consider donating them to the egg decorating class, most specifically we could use additional stylus/kistkas.  Call Lisa at 570-574-1016.  (Non-Consumable supplies can be returned when we are done using them.)

Pysanky (or pysanka in the singular form) is rooted in the Ukrainian verb “to write.” Ukrainian Easter eggs often feature intricate designs and symbols, such as flowers, animals, and geometric shapes, each with its own significance.  

One of the most popular; and oldest, pysanky legends tells of a young woman who was on her way home from the market in town. She had with her a jug of fresh water for her journey and a basket of eggs. On her way she met a stranger sitting on a rock. Thinking he must be a tired traveler, she offered him a drink of her water. When he handed the water back to her, she was surprised to see that he had wounds on his hands. The stranger said nothing, but got up and went in the opposite direction of the young woman. When she arrived home, she uncovered her basket and discovered her eggs had been turned into beautiful pysanky  The stranger, of course, had been Jesus Christ, and that was the first Easter morning

COFFEE AND THEOLOGY:  On Sunday, March 30, immediately following Divine Liturgy (@Transfiguration of Our Lord Church following 10:30AM Liturgy) we will have an Adult Discussion.  The topic will be LENTEN THEOLOGY.  WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE CROSS?  A 15 Minute Presentation & Questions.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

SPRING YARD SALE & ETHNIC FOOD:  On Saturday, March 29 and April 5th from 9:00 to 2:00 pm we will have a Yard Sale and Ethnic Food at Transfiguration of Our Lord Hall.  We will be serving potato pancakes, pyrohy, and more.  Come out and invite your friends and neighbors!!

THE FIVE SATURDAYS OF THE DECEASED (SOROKUSTY):  The Church Typikon designates the five Sorokousty/ Saturdays of the Deceased for 2025.  It is a tradition of our Holy Church to commemorate the memories of our beloved deceased at Matins of the Deceased (Parastas) on these five Saturdays of the year.  The next Sorokousty is 8:00am on Saturday, March 29 at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church.

If we wish to understand the power of Christ’s blood, we should go back to the ancient account of its prefiguration in Egypt. Sacrifice a lamb without blemish, commanded Moses, and sprinkle its blood on your doors. If we were to ask him what he meant, and how the blood of an irrational beast could possibly save men endowed with reason, his answer would be that the saving power lies not in the blood itself, but in the fact that it is a sign of the Lord’s blood. In those days, when the destroying angel saw the blood on the doors he did not dare to enter, so how much less will the devil approach now when he sees, not that figurative blood on the doors, but the true blood on the lips of believers, the doors of the temple of Christ.  If you desire further proof of the power of this blood, remember where it came from, how it ran down from the cross, flowing from the Master’s side. The gospel records that when Christ was dead, but still hung on the cross, a soldier came and pierced his side with a lance and immediately there poured out water and blood. Now the water was a symbol of baptism and the blood, of the holy eucharist. The soldier pierced the Lord’s side, he breached the wall of the sacred temple, and I have found the treasure and made it my own. So also with the lamb: the Jews sacrificed the victim and I have been saved by it.  There flowed from his side water and blood. Beloved, do not pass over this mystery without thought; it has yet another hidden meaning, which I will explain to you. I said that water and blood symbolized baptism and the holy eucharist. From these two sacraments the Church is born: from baptism, the cleansing water that gives rebirth and renewal through the Holy Spirit, and from the holy eucharist. Since the symbols of baptism and the eucharist flowed from his side, it was from his side that Christ fashioned the Church, as he had fashioned Eve from the side of Adam. Moses gives a hint of this when he tells the story of the first man and makes him exclaim: Bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh! As God then took a rib from Adam’s side to fashion a woman, so Christ has given us blood and water from his side to fashion the Church. God took the rib when Adam was in a deep sleep, and in the same way Christ gave us the blood and the water after his own death. – St. John Chrysostom

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.

The Altar Candles for March are requested by the by The Udiski Family IMO Michael Kane.

There was no request for the Sanctuary Light this week.

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.

 CONFESSION:   Let us prepare our souls by making good Confession and receiving Communion.  Holy Confession will be held before Divine Liturgy or after Divine Liturgy, if necessary.  Confessions will be held before the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy and by appointment.  Reminder, the Church decrees that you make at least one good confession a year before Easter.

WOMAN’S SOCIETY THANK YOU:  We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all those who participated in the women’s society rummage sale, making it a huge success.

MENS WORK GROUP THANK YOU:  A heartfelt thank you to expressed to the Men’s Work Group  for their efforts in changing and replacing (to LED) the bulbs inside of the church.  It was a huge job that needed scaffolding & ladders!  Thank you!

ST. GREGORY PALAMAS

March 15, 2025

 Saturday, March 15 2^nd SUNDAY OF LENT

             4:00 PM           ✞Mary Kachmarsky- Teresa Popowycz

Sunday, March 16 2^nd SUNDAY OF LENT

             8:30 AM            God’s Blessings for America- Tom & MaryAnn Potsko

Friday, March 21 LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

      5:00 PM

Saturday, March 22 3^rd SUNDAY OF LENT

             4:00 PM           God’s Blessings for Lawrence & Janice Lee- Rita & Diane

Sunday, March 23 3^rd SUNDAY OF LENT

             8:30 AM            God’s Blessings & Good Health for All Parishioners

Remember, there are no weekday Liturgies during the

Great Fast.  Communion is distributed as part of the

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

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Transfiguration of Our Lord:

Saturday Liturgy is 6:00 PM

Sunday Liturgy is 10:30 AM

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS Wednesday at 6:30PM

Sorokousty is 8:00AM, Saturday, March 22

Sorokousty Prayers are for the deceased of Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, St. Nicholas Church, St. Peter & Paul Church (Plymouth) & St. Vladimir’s Church.

Come Pray for the Your Family.

Adam and Eve ate from the tree that had the fruit of Eternal Life, which was next to the tree of the fruit of knowledge of Good and Evil – of which they were commanded NOT to eat.  Having eaten the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which God commanded them NOT to eat, God chased Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden.  Jesus Christ shows us that tree, it is the CROSS.  The fruit of the Cross is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ – Holy Communion.  Mankind commanded NOT to eat- ate.  Mankind now commanded to eat, refuses.  At the “eating” when we were commanded NOT to, sin, pain and death enter the world.  Now sin, pain and death are conquered through the fruit from the tree of Eternal Life.  Through Holy Communion death has been conquered, Jesus Christ risen from the dead.

Do you want to understand more of this? Watch this:

YouTube Video:  Search The Holy Eucharist:  God’s Lamb

This is the video to watch, without Holy Communion there is no Christian.

 ASK FATHER A QUESTION……. Father, the betrayal of Jesus was foretold by the prophet Zechariah 11:12-13 ….. it leads one to believe that Judas is just a mechanism to fulfill the prophecy of Jesus.  Is this is true?  What happens to Judas?  In short, the answer to the question is no.  The reason for this is that Judas has free will, just like us.  He can choose how to respond to God and what he will do.  From his free will, desire to obtain more money, Judas betrays Christ.  After the crucifixion, Judas recognizes his sin of betraying the Messiah.  Perhaps his greater sin is that he falls into despair and kills himself.  He does this being tempted by the Devil.  This is perhaps the bigger sin.  The devil leads him to believe that God would not forgive him of betraying an innocent man.  Ultimately, the point is that just because something is foretold does not mean that that person has to act it out like a mechanical robot.  God lives outside of time and knows everything everyone will ever do.  When God reveals this message to a prophet to lead people to salvation- it does not mean that that person’s actions are “pre-destined”- meaning that that person does not have free will to act as they choose.  Imagine if on that morning Judas came to his senses and repented and begged forgiveness to Jesus and the Apostles for his betrayal.  We would be telling the great story of the Conversion of Saint Judas The Repenter; however, he chose to follow the deceiving words of the deceiver, fall into despair, thinking he could not be forgiven, so he hung himself,  All these are of Judas’ free will choices.  God’s saving plan is revealed in salvation history, i.e. time, so that we could know the truth and believe.  Once you grasp this you realize that Judas is not mere mechanism to fulfill what is foretold.  

“And I said unto them, If you think good, give me my hire; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my hire thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter, the goodly price that I was prized at by them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them unto the potter, in the house of the Lord” (Zechariah 11:12-13).

BOOK(S)  OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH:

GREAT LENT- Journey to Pascha

Alexander Schmemann ISBN:  0-913836-04-4

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: On The Road To Pascha

Marianne C. Sailus Eastern Christian Publications http://www.ecpubs.com

THE FIVE SATURDAYS OF THE DECEASED (SOROKUSTY):  The Church Typikon designates the five Sorokousty/ Saturdays of the Deceased for 2025 as February 22nd; March 15th, March 22^nd, March 29^th and June 7th. It is a tradition of our Holy Church to commemorate the memories of our beloved deceased at Matins of the Deceased (Parastas) on these five Saturdays of the year.  There is an envelope in your box for Sorokousty.  Or write a note and put it in the basket.

SING-CON 2025: Save the date if interested. The date for SING-CON 2025 is October 23-26, 2025, at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ.  SING-CON is seminar on learning and practicing our Church’s Chants, i.e. hymns and liturgies in song. 

SUNDAY LITURGIES DURING LENT: WHY DO THEY SEEM LONGER?

Our Church prescribes that the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is to be celebrated on all of the Sundays of Great Fast, instead of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, which is usually celebrated throughout the rest of the church year.  St. Basil’s Liturgy is older and has longer priestly prayers at the Anaphora than the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (which was derived from the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great), and is celebrated ten times during the church year:  the five Sundays of Lent (not Palm Sunday), Holy Thursday, Holy Saturday, Christmas Eve, Epiphany Eve, and on the actual Feast of St. Basil which we celebrate January 1 .  

 “Let My Prayer Rise up”

Let my prayer rise up, Like incense before You; The lifting of my hands, As an evening sacrifice. Lord, I call to You, hear me; attend to the voice of my prayer when I cry to You. Let my prayer rise up, Like incense before You; The lifting of my hands, As an evening sacrifice. Set, O Lord, a watch before my mouth and a door of enclosure around my lips. Let my prayer rise up, Like incense before You; The lifting of my hands, As an evening sacrifice.  Incline not my heart unto words of evil, to make excuses for my sins.  Let my prayer rise up, Like incense before You; The lifting of my hands, As an evening sacrifice.

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.

 SAINT GREGORY PALAMAS (1296-4357)

     On this, the Second Sunday of Lent, Our Ukrainian Catholic Church commemorates the saintly monk, Gregory Palamas. He is venerated not only by the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches, but also by the Anglicans. Gregory was a monk who resided on Mount Athos, located today in Greece. Gregory was born in Constantinople, modern-day Istanbul, located in Turkey. He died in Thessaloniki, Macedonia.   St. Gregory Palamas is noted for his defense of “hesychast spirituality.” Hesychasm is a contemplative monastic tradition, which is practiced by both Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches, even to the present day. Stillness is sought through the uninterrupted recitation of the “Jesus Prayer.” The prayer reads: “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” The prayer is recited holding a “chotky” (prayer beads on a rope) in your hand. The usual number of prayer beads would be 100. The chotky prayer rope is available to order and purchase at Byzantine Church Supplies, located in the basement of our Chancery building. (Address: 810 N. Franklin Street, Philadelphia, PA. 19123).  They also have a website:  Byzantinechurchsupplies.com.

Transfiguration of Our Lord Activities:  

PYROHY FOR SALE:   Transfiguration of Our Lord Church has potato pyrohy for sale (frozen) in the church basement for $12.00 a dozen.  If you are interested, please call Lisa at 570-574-1016.

Looking for some additional Lenten Activities?

COFFEE AND THEOLOGY:  On Sunday, March 30, immediately following Divine Liturgy (@Holy Transfiguration Church following 10:30AM Liturgy) we will have an Adult Discussion.  The topic will be LENTEN THEOLOGY.  WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE CROSS?  A 15 Minute Presentation & Questions.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

The Altar Candles for March are requested by the by The Udiski Family IMO Michael Kane.

The Sanctuary Light for this week is requested by by Michaelene Ostrum IMO Juliann O’Brien.

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.

RUMMAGE SALE:  Today is the final day of the women’s society’s rummage sale (bag day). For $5 you can fill a bag with many treasures that were donated.  

SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY

March 9, 2025

Saturday, March 8 1^st SUNDAY OF LENT

             4:00 PM           ✞Juliann O’Brien- Helene Sirak

 Sunday, March 9 1^st SUNDAY OF LENT

             8:30 AM            ✞Mary Kulyn- Gloria & Stephen Udiski

Friday, March 7 LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

      5:00 PM

Saturday, March 15 2^nd SUNDAY OF LENT

             4:00 PM           ✞Mary Kachmarsky- Teresa Popowycz

Sunday, March 16 2^nd SUNDAY OF LENT

             8:30 AM            God’s Blessings for America- Tom & MaryAnn Potsko

Remember, there are no weekday Liturgies during the

Great Fast.  Communion is distributed as part of the

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠

Transfiguration of Our Lord:

Saturday Liturgy is 6:00 PM

Sunday Liturgy is 10:30 AM

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS Wednesday at 6:30PM

Sorokousty is 8:00AM, Saturday, March 15

The Divine Liturgy of our Father among the Saints Basil the Great is celebrated ten times per year: January 1(Feast of Saint Basil); December 24(Christmas Eve);January 5 (Theophany Eve); First thru Fifth Sundays of Lent(not Palm Sunday); and Holy Thursday & the Virgil Liturgy of Easter Sunday.}

HOAGIE & SOUP SALE:  St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church is holding a Vegetable Soup, Turkey Hoagie, Ham & Cheese Hoagie, Italian Hoagie and Bake Sale on Thursday, March 13th from 11AM to 4PM. The cost of the hoagie and quart of soup is $8.00.  Orders can be placed by calling Debbie at 570-736-6908 by THIS Sunday, March 9th.  A Basket Raffle to benefit Ukraine and the Church will be held at the same time.

THE FIVE SATURDAYS OF THE DECEASED (SOROKUSTY):  The Church Typikon designates the five Sorokousty/ Saturdays of the Deceased for 2025 as February 22nd; March 15th, March 22^nd, March 29^th and June 7th. It is a tradition of our Holy Church to commemorate the memories of our beloved deceased at Matins of the Deceased (Parastas) on these five Saturdays of the year.  There is an envelope in your box for Sorokousty.  Or write a note and put it in the basket.

 UKRAINIAN PYSANKY CLASSES:  Classes are being offered by St. Cyril’s Church in Olyphant.  March 2nd and March 16th, with two classes each day:  12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m.  Students will learn about this beautiful Ukrainian tradition.  The cost is $25 per person, with supplies included.  Class size is limited, and registration is required.  Contact:  Tammy Budnovitch 570-766-1919 to register for this parish fundraiser held at St. Cyril’s Parish Hall, 207 River St., Olyphant.

SING-CON 2025: Save the date if interested. The date for SING-CON 2025 is October 23-26, 2025, at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ.  SING-CON is seminar on learning and practicing our Church’s Chants, i.e. hymns and liturgies in song. 

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.

 

 WOMEN’S SOCIETY FLEA MARKET & PARISH SALE:  The Women’s Society will host the Rummage, Soup & Bake Sale this coming weekend:  March 14th,15th, & 16th. Volunteers are needed to promote the event, contribute to the bake sale and assist with the sale.   Please come out and help and/or donate to our Bake Sale.

Saturday, March 1 SUNDAY OF CHEESEFARE

             4:00 PM           Joseph Wyatt Evans, who is Baptized today.

Sunday, March 2 SUNDAY OF CHEESEFARE

             8:30 AM            ✞Dennis Kachmarsky- Teresa Popowycz

             3:00 PM Forgiveness Vespers @ Transfiguration of Our Lord Church

Friday, March 7 LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS

      5:00 PM

Saturday, March 8 1^st SUNDAY OF LENT

             4:00 PM           ✞Juliann O’Brien- Helene Sirak

Sunday, March 9 1^st SUNDAY OF LENT

             8:30 AM            ✞Mary Kulyn- Gloria & Stephen Udiski

Remember, there are no weekday Liturgies during the

Great Fast.  Communion is distributed as part of the

Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠

Transfiguration of Our Lord:

Saturday Liturgy is 6:00 PM

Sunday Liturgy is 10:30 AM

LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED GIFTS Wednesday at 6:30PM

 ASK FATHER A QUESTION…….Father, if the focus of our Eastern faith is “Resurrection” and not the “Agony of the Cross” why have Lent at all?  The Feast of Resurrection does not come without the journey that precedes it.  Lent is a forty day period to remind us that the journey to salvation begins with preparation (i.e. prayer, fasting, alms giving, contemplation).  If you notice the calendar in the back of the church, placed by Father Walter, this provides all the readings for Matins (morning prayer) and Vespers (evening prayer) throughout all of Lent and Holy Week.  You will see that we read the following books almost in completion; Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Proverbs and Isaiah.  Just as you being a long journey in this life by first looking at a map and charting the path you will take and perhaps write out your directions, Lent is likewise our spiritual preparation for the journey to heaven.  You will notice that in Genesis and Exodus there is part of the history of the salvation of mankind.  In Isaiah, you will notice that the history of salvation is told in completion, what has been done, what is being done, and what will be done.  If we follow these directions, in humility, we will end up in heaven.  If we ignore these directions, in human arrogance, we will end in hell.  Lent in preparing for our resurrection is a surrendering of our will to the will of God.  We especially prepare for the Feast of all Feasts, Resurrection of Our Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, just as we are preparing for Judgement Day, our Eternal Feast of Resurrection which is our planned last step of our life’s journey.

PLEASE HELP………………………………………

WOMEN’S SOCIETY FLEA MARKET & PARISH SALE:  The Women’s Society is holding a rummage, soup and bake sale March 14, 15 & 16.   Please pass the word about our rummage, soup and bake sale. The sale will be March 14th, 15th (half price day) and 16th (bag day). If you know of a business that will display a flyer please get one to them, they are on the table in the vestibule. 

WOMEN’S SOCIETY MEETING:  The Women’s Society will hold their March meeting on Tuesday, March 4th at 6PM in the church hall, NEW MEMBERS WELCOME.  Plans for the upcoming March 14, 15 & 16 rummage sale will be discussed.  If you are unable to attend the meeting, and are able to help with the sale, please contact Anna Magill, 570-239-9263.  Fliers for the rummage sale are in the vestibule.  If you have a place of business that will display it, please take one.  

BAKE SALE HELP:  We are seeking your donations of baked goods for our bake sale. Our organization is known for offering exceptional baked treats.

BOOK(S)  OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH:

GREAT LENT- Journey to Pascha

Alexander Schmemann ISBN:  0-913836-04-4

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: On The Road To Pascha

Marianne C. Sailus Eastern Christian Publications http://www.ecpubs.com

MYOSOPUSNA 2025:  Thank you to everyone who supported Transfiguration of Our Lord’s Myasopusna Dinner.

HOAGIE & SOUP SALE:  St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church is holding a Vegetable Soup, Turkey Hoagie, Ham & Cheese Hoagie, Italian Hoagie and Bake Sale on Thursday, March 13th from 11AM to 4PM. The cost of the hoagie and quart of soup is $8.00.  Orders can be placed by calling Debbie at 570-736-6908 by Sunday, March 9th.  A Basket Raffle to benefit Ukraine and the Church will be held at the same time.

LENT:  Remember, the first day of Lent is a day of fast from Meat and Dairy Products.  Lent begins with Forgiveness Vespers, Sunday, March 2nd at 3:00 PM at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church.  The first full day of Lent will begin on Monday, March 3rd.  The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts at Ss. Peter & Paul Church will be on Fridays at 5:00pm and at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church on Wednesdays at 6:30pm.

THE FIVE SATURDAYS OF THE DECEASED (SOROKUSTY):  The Church Typikon designates the five Sorokousty/ Saturdays of the Deceased for 2025 as February 22nd; March 15th, March 22^nd, March 29^th and June 7th. It is a tradition of our Holy Church to commemorate the memories of our beloved deceased at Matins of the Deceased (Parastas) on these five Saturdays of the year.  There is an envelope in your box for Sorokousty.  Or write a note and put it in the basket.

 UKRAINIAN PYSANKY CLASSES:  Classes are being offered by St. Cyril’s Church in Olyphant.  March 2nd and March 16th, with two classes each day:  12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m.  Students will learn about this beautiful Ukrainian tradition.  The cost is $25 per person, with supplies included.  Class size is limited, and registration is required.  Contact:  Tammy Budnovitch 570-766-1919 to register for this parish fundraiser held at St. Cyril’s Parish Hall, 207 River St., Olyphant.

SING-CON 2025: Save the date if interested. The date for SING-CON 2025 is October 23-26, 2025, at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ.  SING-CON is seminar on learning and practicing our Church’s Chants, i.e. hymns and liturgies in song. 

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.

 Last week’s homily you pointed out that the four Sundays before Lent and that through Lent we relive our own journey like Moses, through this life and it got me to thinking what this Journey is all about.   I don’t know what this Journey is about, can you explain some more?  Our Journey through this life has a final destination, if you desire to be eternally with God in heaven then follow Jesus in everything that you do.  That is the point of Lent that just as Jesus recapitulates the journey of Israel from Egypt to the promised land as a “type” of journey of mankind through this life to the Resurrection.  You may feel as some people do, that you are just repeating the same steps year after year, but I assure you that it is not the same – if you put an honest effort into making a holy lent.  The big picture, journey, and the path that Christ shows us to be successful is that of all mankind from Genesis Chapter 1 verse 1 through to the Resurrection of Christ and the final judgement and the triumphant entry of all the holy ones into heaven as found in the Book of Revelation.  For example, in the beginning God created everything and then finally God creates man.  Through man whom the devil tempts to sin successfully, sickness, suffering and death enter God’s creation.  As we journey through our life as the nation of Israel journeyed through the desert, we are changed by this experience.  

The Great Fast is our penitential preparation for the great feast of Pascha (Passover).  As such, it is one of the most ancient parts of liturgical year.  It’s forty days symbolizes the forty years the Israelites wandered in the desert, while the Divine Liturgy of the PreSanctified Gifts is the fulfillment of the promise of the mana as St. John wrote, “So Jesus said to them, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.’(John 6:32)”  I the Great Fast, we imitate Jesus our Lord, who fasted 40 days in the desert following His Baptism.  The feast of Pascha was also the time for baptisms, and so the Great Fast was a time of preparation for baptism.  Our observance of the Great Fast, therefore, is our renewal of our baptismal fervor when we first came to Christ.  

The Altar Candles for March are requested by the by The Udiski Family IMO Michael Kane.

The Sanctuary Light for this week is requested by Carol Kosek IMO the Bosack Family.

 BAPTISM:   Joseph Wyatt Evans will be Baptized, Christened, and receive First Holy Communion on Saturday, March 1^st at the 4:00PM Divine Liturgy.  Joseph is the son of Joseph and Colleen Evans.  

Saturday, February 15 SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON

             4:00 PM           God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Sunday, February 16 SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON

             8:30 AM            ✞Patricia Williams – Youells Family

Saturday, February 22 SUNDAY OF MEATFARE

             4:00 PM           God’s Blessings and Good Health for all Parishioners

Sunday, February 23 SUNDAY OF MEATFARE

             8:30 AM            ✞Michael  Hubiack- Louise Hubiack

1^st Sorokousty Saturday- February 22 at 8:00 AM at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church

Sorokousty is for St. Peter & Paul Church(Plymouth), St. Vladimir Church 

& Transfiguration of Our Lord Church

✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠☼✠

REMINDER:  Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Schevchuk is in North America for the Synod of Bishops and is in Philadelphia February 15^th and 16^th; and Washington, D.C. February 18^th.  See the flyers in the vestibule, The Way or Archeparchial Website for more information.

LENT:  Remember, the first day of Lent is a day of fast from Meat and Dairy Products.  Lent begins with Forgiveness Vespers, Sunday, March 2nd at 3:00 PM at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church.  The first full day of Lent will begin on Monday, March 3rd.  The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts at Ss. Peter & Paul Church will be on Fridays at 5:00pm and at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church on Wednesdays at 6:30pm.

THE FIVE SATURDAYS OF THE DECEASED (SOROKUSTY):  The Church Typikon designates the five Sorokousty/ Saturdays of the Deceased for 2025 as February 22nd; March 15th, March 22^nd, March 29^th and June 7th. It is a tradition of our Holy Church to commemorate the memories of our beloved deceased at Matins of the Deceased (Parastas) on these five Saturdays of the year.  There is an envelope in your box for Sorokousty.  Or write a note and put it in the basket.

LITURGICAL INTENTIONS:  Please keep in mind that there are no weekday liturgies during Lent.  Please note that during Lent if there is a Funeral, there will be no Divine Liturgy with that service.  If you want to add a Divine Liturgy, a special Liturgy can be done on Saturday morning.

PRAYERS: Please remember in your prayers all who are in need of God’s help.  Remember those in the nursing facilities, hospital and at home, all the sick and the suffering.  Please say a special prayer for all of our nation’s soldiers and their families at home and abroad.

SING-CON 2025: Save the date if interested. The date for SING-CON 2025 is October 23-26, 2025 at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ.  SING-CON is seminar on learning and practicing our Church’s Chants, i.e. hymns and liturgies in song. 

 ASK FATHER A QUESTION?  Father, in the Communion Prayer we pray, “ I will not tell the mystery to Your enemies,  . . .”  I’m confused, aren’t we supposed to convert our enemies?   The reason you are feeling confused is because you forget, or are not aware, that our prayer life is scriptural, i.e. the liturgy and our whole lives and answers to our problems can all be found in the Holy Scriptures, i.e. the books of the bible.  If we are careful we will live like the saints destined for heaven and if we are dismissive of God’s will we will live like the evildoers destined for hell.  What we are praying with the words “I will not tell the mystery to Your enemies,” is that I will not pretend to be your follower and friend only to stab you in the back the moment you don’t provide me with what I want the way I want it like Judas did, i.e. I will not repeat the sin of Judas.  I will not tell devils how to attack you.  Of course we are supposed to evangelize (convert) all people.  Certain people don’t want to be converted but the “enemy” is not people, even though there are people whom quite literally worship the devils in hell.  We need to make a distinction between the devils in hell, people while they are sinners who are working their best to be holy, those whom might not believe or understand God and think within themselves that they are good, and evildoers whom make no attempt, or do not desire to, follow God and His law.  To the devils and the willful evildoers we dot betray Jesus Christ nor do we tell of the Mysteries even though with the people we do try to educate them and convert them.  If and AFTER they convert then we teach Jesus’ Mysteries, i.e. the Sacraments for if we tell them of God’s mysteries they will use them for evil, not for good.  Your question brings up an interesting point of answered on page 38 of Fr. Schmeman’s ‘Great Lent,’  “THE HOLY SCRIPTURES” the prayer of the Church is always biblical –i.e. expressed in the language, images, and symbols of the Holy Scriptures.  If the Bible contains the Divine Revelation to man, it is also man’s inspired response to that Revelation and thus the pattern and the content of man’s prayer, praise, and adoration.  For example, thousands of years have passes since the Psalms were composed; yet when man needs to express repentance, the shock of his entire being at the challenge of divine, mercy, he still finds the only adequate expression the penitential Psalm beginning, “Have mercy on me, O God!”  Every imaginable situation of man before God, the world, and other men, from the overwhelming joy of God’s presence to the abysmal despair of man’s exile, sin, and alienation has found its perfect expression in this unique Book which, for this reason has always constituted the daily nourishment of the church, the means of her worship and self-edification.  During [The Great Fast] the biblical dimension of worship is given increased emphasis. . . “   One can say the forty days of Lent are, our worldly journey toward heaven.

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.

 MYOSOPUSNA 2025:  Transfiguration of Our Lord Church is pleased to announce that dinner tickets are now available for the Annual Myasopusna Festival, held at the church’s banquet hall, 240 Center Street, Nanticoke, on Sunday, February 23, from noon to 4 pm.  The Myasopusna (Meatfare) Festival is the parish’s pre-lenten celebration, preceding the Great Fast.  Dinner (a platter of holuptsi, kobasi, pyrohy, borscht, black bread and butter, and a homemade dessert) will be served from 12:30 to 2:00 pm, followed by live Ukrainian dance performances by Kazka and Saint Mary’s Ukrainian Dancers.  A variety of Ukrainian crafts will be on display and for sale.  Dinner tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance, no tickets will be sold at the door.  Tickets can be purchased by calling Helen (735-4654) and leave a message  or Lisa (574-1016).  

 UKRAINIAN PYSANKY CLASSES:  Classes are being offered by St. Cyril’s Church in Olyphant.  March 2nd and March 16th, with two classes each day:  12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m.  Students will learn about this beautiful Ukrainian tradition.  The cost is $25 per person, with supplies included.  Class size is limited, and registration is required.  Contact:  Tammy Budnovitch 570-766-1919 to register for this parish fundraiser held at St. Cyril’s Parish Hall, 207 River St., Olyphant.

 PSALM 127

The Happy Home of the Just

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.  You shall eat of your hand’s labor:  Blessed are you, and it shall be well with you.  Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine  In the recesses of your house. Your sons, like olive shoots around your table.  Behold, in this way shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord.  May the Lord bless you out of Sion; And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.  May you see your children’s children.  Peace be upon Israel.

The Altar Candles for February are requested by the Kachinko Family IMO Michael Kachinko Sr and Anna Kachinko.

The Sanctuary Light for this week is requested Michaelene Ostrum IMO Fred Uhas.

 BAPTISM:   Joseph Wyatt Evans will be Baptized, Christened, and receive First Holy Communion on Saturday, March 1^st at the 4:00PM Divine Liturgy.  Joseph is the son of Joseph and Colleen Evans.  

 FLEA MARKET & PARISH SALE:  The Women’s Society is holding a rummage, soup and bake sale March 14,15 & 16.  

PARISH FORMS:  The Parish is updating our Parishioner Forms, we are asking All Parishioners to take a form and complete it, even if your information has not changed.  The forms are in the vestibule.  There will be a folder you can put it in on the table.