The photo album from Christmas 2010 is a courtesy of Shawn Sakkyra.

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On July 18, 2009, Baptism of Rylan George Gorins took place at St. Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church. We would like to congratulate the newly baptized, his parents, grandparents and relatives and wish them good health for Many and Blessed Years!

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On July 12 (June 29 according to Julian Calendar) the Orthodox Church observes the memory of the Holy and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul.

The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul concludes one of the four major fasting periods of the Orthodox Church.

Here is what Saint of Augustin of Hippo wrote about Saints Peter and Paul in his sermon for this feast:

… After His Resurrection the Lord entrusted the Apostle Peter to shepherd His spiritual flock not because, that among the disciples only Peter alone was pre-deserved to shepherd the flock of Christ, but Christ addresses Himself chiefly to Peter because, that Peter was first among the Apostles and as such the representative of the Church; besides which, having turned in this instance to Peter alone, as to the top Apostle, Christ by this confirms the unity of the Church. “Simon of John” — says the Lord to Peter — “lovest thou Me?” — and the Apostle answered: “Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee”; and a second time it was thus asked, and a second time he thus answered; being asked a third time, seeing that as it were not believed, he was saddened. But how is it possible for him not to believe That One, Who knew his heart? And wherefore then Peter answered: “Lord, Thou knowest all; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” “And sayeth Jesus to him” all three times “Feed My sheep” (John 20:15-17).

… The Apostle Paul, formerly Saul, was changed from a robbing wolf into a meek lamb. Formerly he was an enemy of the Church, then is manifest as an Apostle. Formerly he stalked it, then preached it. Having received from the high priests the authority at large to throw all Christians in chains for execution, he was already on the way, he breathed out “threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1), he thirsted for blood, but “He that dwells in the Heavens shall laugh him to scorn” (Ps 2:4). When he, “having persecuted and vexed” in such manner “the Church of God” (1Cor.15:9; Acts 8:5), he came near Damascus, and the Lord from Heaven called to him: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” and I am here, and I am there, I am everywhere: here is My head; there is My body. There becomes nothing of a surprise in this; we ourselves are members of the Body of Christ. “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me; it is hard for thee to kick against the goad” (Acts 9:4-5). Saul, however, “trembling and frightened”, cried out: “Who art Thou, Lord?” The Lord answered him, “I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest.”

…And so, brethren, celebrating now the memory of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, remembering their venerable sufferings, we esteem their true faith and holy life, we esteem the innocence of their sufferings and pure confession. Loving in them the sublime quality and imitating them by great exploits, “in which to be likened to them” (2 Thess 3: 5-9), and we shall attain to that eternal bliss which is prepared for all the saints. The path of our life before was more grievous, thornier, harder, but “we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses” (Heb 12: 1), having passed by along it, made now for us easier, and lighter, and more readily passable. First there passed along it “the author and finisher of our faith,” our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Heb 12: 2); His daring Apostles followed after Him; then the martyrs, children, women, virgins and a great multitude of witnesses. Who acted in them and helped them on this path? He Who said, “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15: 5).

Troparion and Kontakions Of The Feast

Troparion – Tone 4

First-enthroned of the apostles,
teachers of the universe:
Entreat the Master of all
to grant peace to the world,
and to our souls great mercy!

Kontakion – Tone 2

O Lord, You have taken up to eternal rest
and to the enjoyment of Your blessings
the two divinely-inspired preachers, the leaders of the Apostles,
for You have accepted their labors and deaths as a sweet-smelling sacrifice,
for You alone know what lies in the hearts of men.

Kontakion – Tone 2

Today Christ the Rock glorifies with highest honor
The rock of Faith and leader of the Apostles,
Together with Paul and the company of the twelve,
Whose memory we celebrate with eagerness of faith,
Giving glory to the one who gave glory to them!

On July 7 (June 24 – Julian Calendar) the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Nativity of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John. This event is beautifully described in the first chapter of the Gospel according to Saint Luke and brings in front of our eyes the events that the preceded John the Baptist’s birth. The vision of Zachariah in the temple. The announcement to Mary and her visit to Elizabeth. As well as the John’s birth itself which ended the silence of Zachariah who has been made mute by the angel for doubting in the word of the angel.

The gospel tells us that the parents of St. John the Baptist, Zachariah and Elizabeth were “both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6). Yet they had no child “because Elizabeth was barren” (Luke 1:7). Yet in this affliction a great joy was revealed to them. A child, who will later baptize Our Lord Jesus himself in the river Jordan, was to be born from them. Not only removing the barrenness and the reproach that came with it, but foreshadowing the good news of the coming of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Celebrating this glorious feast we are reminded that some times good and God fearing people suffer from afflictions and misfortunes. But if we trust deeply in God’s providence, our suffering and affliction can be turned into joy and happiness.

Orthodox Christians around the world have developed deep love to Saint John the Baptist, building the churches to honor the Holy Prophet. Naming their children after the saint and praying with devotion and humility to John the Baptist.

Troparion Of The Feast
Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ, although we cannot praise you worthily, we honor you in love at your nativity, for by it you ended your father’s silence and your mother’s barrenness,
proclaiming to the world the incarnation of the Son of God!

Kondakion of the Feast
Today the formerly barren woman gives birth to Christ¹s Forerunner, who is the fulfillment of every prophecy; for in the Jordan, when he laid his hand on the One foretold by the prophets, he was revealed as Prophet, Herald, and Forerunner of God the Word.

We are publishing several video fragments from the funeral of our beloved late Archbishop GREGORY. We will publish them all in the course of the next several days. If you are subscribed to our website through e-mail or feed reader, you might want to visit the our website to see the video below.

On Friday, April 18, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., His Grace, Bishop TIKHON of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania presided at the Funeral Service for a Hierarch for Archbishop GREGORY (Afonsky).

His Eminence, Archbishop Gregory [Afonsky], retired Archbishop of Sitka and Alaska, fell asleep in the Lord at his home here on the evening of Tuesday, April 15, 2008, three days before his 83rd birthday.

The son and grandson of priests, Archbishop Gregory was born George Afonsky in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 17, 1925. During World War II, he was taken by the German army to work labor camps in Germany. In 1949, he emigrated to the US, where he served as choir director at parishes in New Jersey and Connecticut.

Archbishop Gregory (Afonsky)After completing a degree at the University of Connecticut, he attended Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY, from which he graduated in 1965. Later that year, he was ordained to the diaconate and the priesthood. His first assignment was Saint Sergius Chapel at the Metropolitan’s Residence in Syosset, NY, (which would later become the OCA Chancery) where he served as Church archivist from 1965 to 1971. He also received a Master of Arts degree from Hofstra University and a Master of Theology degree from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary.

In November 1971, Fr. George was assigned rector of Saint Nicholas Church, Portland, OR, and shortly thereafter took monastic tonsure at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, PA, receiving the name Gregory. In March 1973, he was elected Bishop of Sitka and Alaska. His consecration to the episcopacy took place at Archangel Michael Cathedral, Sitka, AK, on May 13, 1973.

In addition to his duties as diocesan hierarch, Bishop Gregory was instrumental in establishing Saint Herman’s Pastoral School, Kenai, AK. He oversaw the school’s move to Kodiak, AK, and its elevation to the status of a theological seminary. He was instrumental in revitalizing many communities throughout the Diocese of Alaska, and delighted in attending annual regional conferences. He was deeply loved by his flock, especially the diocese’s native Alaskan population.

The author of several books in Russian and English, as well as numerous articles, His Eminence was a passionate researcher of the Church’s historical legacy in North America. He served as episcopal moderator of the OCA Department of History and Archives and chairman of the OCA’s Canonization Commission.

In 1995, Bishop Gregory was elevated to the rank of archbishop by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America. Later that year, after 22 years of fruitful archpastoral service in the Diocese of Alaska, he retired due to failing health.

After the fall of communism, Archbishop Gregory was reunited with his brother after nearly 50 years of separation, when his brother visited him in the US. Later, His Eminence was also able to travel to Russia and Ukraine.

Funeral services for His Eminence, Archbishop Gregory will be celebrated at the Nativity of the Holy Virgin Church, 316 Cassville Rd., Jackson, NJ. On Friday, April 18, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania will preside at the Funeral Service for a Hierarch. On Lazarus Saturday, April 19, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, will preside at the hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Congratulations to the newly crowned in the Holy Marriage Demur and Natalia Lukas.

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On June 19 Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the memory og Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord.

The Holy Apostle Jude, one of the twelve apostles of Christ, is descended from King David and Solomon, and was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed (Sunday after the Nativity of the Lord) by his first wife.

The Holy Apostle John the Theologian writes in his Gospel, “… neither did his brethren believe in Him” (John. 7:5). St Theophylact, Archbishop of Bulgaria, explains this passage. He says that at the beginning of the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry, Joseph’s sons, Jude among them, did not believe in His divine nature. Tradition says that when St Joseph returned from Egypt, he began to divide his possessions among his sons. He wanted to allot a share to Christ the Savior, born miraculously and incorruptibly from the All-Pure Virgin Mary. The brothers were opposed to this because Jesus was born of another mother. Only James, later called “The Brother of God,” offered to share his portion with Him.

Jude came to believe in Christ the Savior as the awaited Messiah, and he followed Him and was chosen as one of the twelve Apostles. Mindful of his sin, the Apostle Jude considered himself unworthy to be called the Lord’s brother, and in his Epistle he calls himself merely the brother of James.

The Holy Apostle Jude also had other names: the Evangelist Matthew terms him “Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddeus” (Mt. 10:3). The Holy Evangelist Mark also calls him Thaddeus (Mark 3:18), and in the Acts of the Holy Apostles he is called Barsabas (Acts 15: 22). This was customary at that time.

After the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, St Jude traveled about preaching the Gospel. He propagated the faith in Christ at first in Judea, Galilee, Samaria and Idumaia, and later in the lands of Arabia, Syria and Mesopotamia. Finally, he went to the city of Edessa. Here he finished the work that was not completed by his predecessor, St Thaddeus, Apostle of the Seventy (August 21). There is a tradition that St Jude went to Persia, where he wrote his catholic Epistle in Greek. In the Epistle much profound truth was expressed in a few words.

St Jude’s Epistle speaks about the Holy Trinity, about the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, about the good and bad angels, and about the dread Last Judgment. The Apostle urges believers to guard themselves against fleshly impurity, to be diligent in prayer, faith and love, to convert the lost to the path of salvation, and to guard themselves from the teachings of heretics. He also says that it is not enough just to be converted to Christianity, but faith must be demonstrated by good works. He cites the rebellious angels and men punished by God (verses 6 ff.) to support this.

The Holy Apostle Jude died as a martyr around the year 80 near Mt. Ararat in Armenia, where he was crucified and pierced by arrows.

Tropation and Kondakion Apostle Jude the Brother of the Lord

Troparion – Tone 1

Divinely we praise you, O Jude, as a faithful witness,
Knowing you to be the brother of Christ.
You trampled on delusion,
And so preserved the faith.
Today as we celebrate your holy memory,
By your intercessions we receive remission of sins.

Kontakion – Tone 2

You were chosen as a disciple for your firmness of mind:
An unshakable pillar of the Church of Christ,
You proclaimed His word to the Gentiles,
Telling them to believe in one Godhead.
You were glorified by Him, receiving the grace of healing,
Healing the ills of all who came to you,
O most praised Apostle Jude!

Source: Orthodox Church of America

On June 18 Holy Orthodx Church remebers Holy Martyr Leontius at Tripoli in Syria

The Holy Martyrs Leontius, Hypatius, and Theodulus were Roman soldiers. The holy Martyr Leontius, a Greek by origin, served as a military-chief in the imperial army in the Phoenician city of Tripoli during the reign of Vespasian (70-79). Leontius was distinguished for his bravery and good sense, and the people of Tripoli held him in deep respect because of his virtue.

The emperor appointed the Roman senator Adrian as governor of the Phoenician district, with full powers to hunt out Christians, and in case of their refusal to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods, to give them over to torture and death. And on his way to Phoenicia Adrian received a report that St Leontius had turned many away from worshipping the pagan gods. The governor sent the tribune Hypatius with a detachment of soldiers to Tripoli so as to find and arrest the Christian Leontius. Along the way the tribune Hypatius fell seriously ill, and being near death, he saw in a dream an angel, which said: “If you wish to be healed, you and your soldiers should say three times: ‘God of Leontius, help me.’”

Opening his eyes Hypatius beheld the angel and said: “I was sent to arrest Leontius, how is it that I should appeal to his God?” At this moment the angel became invisible. Hypatius told his dream to the soldiers, among whom was his friend Theodulus, and all of them together asked for help from the God Whom St Leontius confessed. Hypatius was immediately healed to the great joy of his soldiers, but only Theodulus sat aside, pondering the miracle. His soul was filled with love for God, and he told Hypatius to proceed twice as quickly to the city in search of St Leontius.

Upon their arrival in the city, a stranger met them and invited them to his house, where he lavishly hosted the travellers. Learning that their hospitable host was St Leontius, they fell on their knees and asked him to enlighten them with faith in the True God. They were baptized here, and when St Leontius prayed over them calling on the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, a luminous cloud overshadowed the newly-baptized and poured forth rain. The remaining soldiers in search of their commander arrived in Tripoli, where the governor Adrian had also arrived. Learning what had happened, he ordered Sts Leontius, Hypatius, and Theodulus to be brought to him. After threatening them with torture and death, he demanded that they renounce Christ and offer sacrifice to the Roman gods.

All the martyrs firmly confessed their faith in Christ. St Hypatius was put under a column and raked with iron claws, and St Theodulus was mercilessly beaten with rods. Seeing the steadfastness of the saints, they beheaded them. And after torture, they sent St Leontius to prison. In the morning he came before the governor. Adrian tried to entice the holy martyr with honors and rewards, and accomplishing nothing, he gave him over to new tortures. The holy martyr was suspended head downwards from a pillar with a heavy stone about his neck, but nothing could make him renounce Christ. The governor gave orders to beat the sufferer with rods until he died. They then threw the body of the holy Martyr Leontius outside the city, but Christians reverently gave it burial near Tripoli. The death of the holy martyrs occurred between 70-79.

The accusation against St Leontius, and his sufferings and death are recorded on tin tablets prepared by the court scribe [commentarisius]. These tablets were placed at the grave of the holy martyr.

Troparion and Kontakion of Martyr Leontius at Tripoli in Syria

Troparion – Tone 3

Girded with divine strength you triumphed in your contest,
O Leontius, the Savior’s trophy–bearer.
You sprang into the contest like a lion,
And destroyed the enemy’s might.
O glorious martyr, entreat Christ our God to grant us his great mercy!

Troparion – Tone 4

Your holy martyr Leontius and his companions, O Lord,
through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God.
For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through their intercessions, save our souls!

Kontakion – Tone 3

You confounded the wicked plans of tyrants
and exposed the godless worship of the pagan Greeks.
You illumined all mankind with the knowledge of God by your teachings of true piety, divinely-wise martyr.
Therefore, Leontius, we lovingly honor your memory.

Source: Orthodox Church of America