Église ukrainienne
orthodoxe de
Saint-Marie la Protectrice

НЕДІЛЯ 31-ША ПО П‘ЯТИДЕСЯТНИЦІ, ПЕРЕД РІЗДВОМ ХРИСТОВИМ, СВЯТИХ ОТЦІВ. Голос 6-ий. Передсвято Різдва Христового. Сщмч. Ігнатія Рогоносця (107). Прп. Ігнатія, Архип. Печерського, в Дальніх печерах (1435). Свт. Філогенія, єп. Антіоїійського (323). Свт. Даниїла, Архип. Сербського (1338). Прав. Іоана Кронштадтського (1908). Новодворської і Леньківської (Новгород Північної), званої «Спасителька потопаючих», ікон Божої Матері. На Утрені: Івана 20:19-31. На Літургії: неділі святих отців: Євреїв 1:9-10, 17-23, 32-40; Матвія 1:1-25.

THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, BEFORE THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST, OF THE HOLY FATHERS (GENEOLOGY). Tone 6. Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ. Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-bearer (107). Ven. Ignatius, Archimandrite, of the Far Kyiv Caves (1435). Righteous John of Kronstadt (1908). Icon of the Mother of God “Rescuer of the Drowning”. Matins: John 20:19-31. Liturgy: Holy Fathers: Hebrews 1:9-10, 17-23, 32-40; Matthew 1:1-25.

ПОРЯДОК БОГОСЛУЖЕНЬ

2-го січня Неділя 31-ша по П’ятдесятниці, Святих Отців: 9:00 ран. Утреня; 10:00 Літургія. Молитва за Україну і за новообраного президента Віктора Ющенка. Потім Панахида за батька Світлани Климко, Василя, у 1-шу р. упокоєння та за новопереставдену Теклю Марчук (уп. 31.12 в Україні).

6-го січня Четвер, Навечір’я Різдва Христового: 9:30 ран. Царські Часи. 9:00 веч. Велике Повечір’я.
7-го січня П’ятниця, Різдво Господа Бога і Спаса нашого Ісуса Христа: 9:00 ран. Утреня; 10:00 Літургія.
8-го січня Субота по Різдві Христовім, Собор Пресвятої Богородиці: 9:30 ран. Літургія; 5:00 по пол. Вечірня.
9-го січня Неділя 32-га по П’ятдесятниці, Святих Богоотців: прав. Йосифа Обручника, Давида Царя і Якова Брата Господнього: 9:00 ран. Утреня; 10:00 Літургія.
14-го січня П’ятниця, Обрізання Господнє, Свт. Василія Великого, архієпископа Кесарії Кападокійської (378): 9:30 ран. Літургія; Молебень на Новий Рік.
15-го січня Субота, Перед свято Богоявлення: 5:00 по пол. Вечірня.
16-го січня Неділя 33-тя по П’ятдесятниці; перед Богоявленням: 9:00 ран. Утреня; 10:00 Літургія. Спільна Кутя

ORDER OF SERVICES

Today: 9:00 a.m. Matins; 10:00 Liturgy; Prayer for Ukraine and newly-elected President Viktor Yushchenko; Panakhyda for father of Svitlana Klimko, Vasyl’ (1st ann.) and for newly-reposed Teklia Marchuk (31.12 in Ukraine).
January 6, Thursday, The Eve of the Nativity: 9:30 a.m. Royal Hours. 9:00 p.m. Great Compline.
January 7, Friday, The Nativity According to the Flesh of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ: 9:00 a.m. Matins; 10:00 Liturgy.
January 8, Saturday after the Nativity of Christ, Synaxis of the Mother of God: 9:30 a.m. Liturgy; 5:00 p.m. Vespers.
January 9, 32nd Sunday after Pentecost, Holy Ancestors of God: Righteous Joseph the Betrothed, David the King and James, the Brother of the Lord: 9:00 a.m. Matins; 10:00 Liturgy.
January 14, Friday, The Naming (Circumcision) of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ. St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappodocia (378): 9:30 a.m.,Liturgy.
January 15, Saturday before the Theophany. Theophany Forefeast: 5:00 p.m. Vespers.
January 16, 33rd Sunday after Pentecost, Sunday before the Theophany: 9:00 a.m. Matins; 10:00 Liturgy. Christmas Community Meal “Kutia”!
Молимось за недужих парафіян: Протоєреїв Юрія Бриґідира та Захарія Ревка; Марію Валах, Ніну Замоздру, Михайла Коваліва, Анну Романову та Параску Скрип’юк.
Рідна школа Митрополита Іларіона продовжує науку в суботу 15-го січня о год. 9-ій ранку в домі Пласту, 3355 Dandurand. Тел.: Добр. Людмила Поаович, директор – (514) 366-3684. Сьогодні Свято Миколая у залі Катедри Св. Софії.
Metropolitan Ilarion Ukrainian School classes resume on Saturday, January 15, 9:00 a.m. at the Plast building, 3355 Dandurand. Info: Director, Dobrodiyka Liudmyla Popovych - (514) 366-3684. St. Nicholas’ Concert today in the St. Sophie Cathedral Auditorium.

ПРО СВЯТИХ...

Святий Ігнатій Богоносець

Святий Ігнатій Богоносець був учнем св. Івана Богослова. Згодом він став єпископом Антіохії і, як добрий пастир, впродовж 40 літ підтримував дух свого стада в час переслідування християн. За правління імператора Траяна його ув'язнили і повезли до Рима на суд. Під час довгої подорожі Ігнатій укріпляв місцевих християн у правдах святої віри. Тоді ж він написав сім листів до різних церковних громад. Саме Ігнатій Богоносець у листі до вірних міста Смирни в Малій Азії вперше використав вислів Вселенська Церква .

Коли християни Рима намагалися визволити Ігнатія від смерті, він сказав їм: Дозвольте мені стати поживою диких звірів, щоб тільки дістатися до Господа. Я – Боже зерно, і мене мають змолоти зуби диких звірів, щоб я міг стати чистим Христовим хлібом . Помер Ігнатій мученицькою смертю 107 року в Римі, а його святі мощі перенесено в Антіохію.

Св. Іван Золотоустий, Архієпископ Константинопольський, якого Літургію служимо майже кожної неділі так писав: Ігнатій Богоносець наказує про Єпископів, кажучи: Уважайте на себе, щоб і Бог ваші душі прийняв і спас вас. Хто кориться Єпископам і Священикам, слугам Церкви, той і долю буде мати з ними в Бозі. Дух наказує мені, так промовляючи: Без Єпископа нічого не робіть. І де буде Єпископ, там появиться багато доброго. А де назветься Христос, там збирається і Соборна Церква.

(Взято з сайтів: www.ugcc.org.ua/ukr/library/prayer/prayer5/02.01.2004/ та http://www.upckp.km.ua/lib/way/artic11.htm).

Saint Ignatius, Archimandrite of the Kiev Caves

In the general service to the Kiev Caves saints, it says of him: Ignatius, monastic pastor and healer of the sick, in our infirmities you help us by your reverence, therefore let us offer song of praise unto your memory" (Ode 1 of the Canon). He was buried in the Far (Theodosiev) Caves, and his memory is celebrated together with the Monks of these Far Caves, on August 28 (Julian Calendar - September 10, Gregorian Calendar). The commemoration of the St. Ignatius was established on December 20 (ulian Calendar – January 2, Gregorian Calendar) because of his namesake, the Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer. There is also another commemoration: the Synaxis of all the Fathers of the Kiev Caves monastery on the second Sunday of Great Lent.

St. John of Kronstadt

This Holy Father was born in the village of Sura in Archangel province on October 19, 1829. His parents were very poor but were very devoted to the Church. Even though he was poor, as a young boy John learned to feel compassion for others in their misfortune. His neighbors frequently asked him to pray for them, as they noticed this special grace-endowed gift in him. When John was ten, his parents were able to raise some money and send him to the local school which was attached to the church. At first, the boy had an extremely difficult time with his studies. He worked for days on end, but still failed to keep up.

Writing about his life he once recalled an evening when everyone had already gone to bed. "I could not sleep, and I still failed to understand anything I was taught. I still read poorly and could not remember anything I was told. I became so depressed I fell to my knees and began to pray. I don’t know whether I had spent a long time in that position or not, but suddenly something shook my whole being. It was as if a veil had fallen from my eyes, and my mind had been opened, and I remembered clearly my teacher of that day and his lesson. I also recalled the topic and the examples he had given. I felt so light and joyous inside." After this experience he did so well he became one of the first in his class to be chosen to go to seminary, and after seminary to the Theological Academy in St. Petersburg (a great honor at that time).

Throughout his studies, John thought about the importance of forgiveness, meekness, and love, and came to believe that these were the very center and power of Christianity, and that only one path - the path of humble love - leads to God and the triumph of His righteousness. He also thought a great deal about the Savior's death on the Cross at Golgotha, and pitied those who did not know Jesus Christ. He wished to preach to them about His death and Resurrection. He dreamed about becoming a missionary to distant China, but saw that there was a great deal of work for a genuine pastor of Christ’s flock both in his own city and the surrounding towns.

When John graduated from the Academy he met Elizabeth Nesvitsky who lived in the town of Kronstadt. They dated, he proposed, and they were married. After his studies, John still desired to learn more about his faith and his Church.

It was in this frame of mind that he prepared to be a priest and to enter public ministry. He was ordained a deacon on December 10, 1885, and then priest on December 12. He was assigned to St. Andrew’s Cathedral in the city of Kronstadt. He said, “I made myself a rule to be as sincere as possible in my work, and of strictly watching myself and my inner life.”

Fr. John wanted most of all to earn the love of the people in his care, because only a loving attitude could provide the firm support and help he needed as he faced the difficult work of the priesthood. His constant thought was how he would come before the Last Judgment and have to give an account, not only for his own deeds, but also the deeds of his flock, for whose education and salvation he was responsible. To him no one was a stranger; everyone who came to him for help became a friend and relative. He would tell people “The Church is the best heavenly friend of every sincere Christian.” He conducted divine services daily and offered the prayers of the faithful. He called all who rarely receive Holy Communion to prepare themselves and live their lives in a Christian way so that they could receive more often. Listening to Fr. John, many people changed their lifestyle, repented sincerely, and joyfully received Holy Communion on a regular basis.

At that time the government exiled murderers, thieves and other criminals to Kronstadt. Life was horrible for the exiles. Even children of exiles would become thieves and criminals. He would go to their dugouts, hovels and shacks to visit with them. Not satisfied with staying for five or ten minutes to administer some rite and then leave, Fr. John believed he was coming to visit a priceless soul, his brothers and sisters. He would stay for hours, talking, encouraging, comforting, crying, and rejoicing together with them.

From the beginning he also concerned himself with the material needs of the poor. He would shop for food, go to the pharmacy for prescriptions, to the doctor for help, many times giving the poor his last few coins. The inhabitants of Kronstadt would see him returning home barefoot and without his cassock. Often parishioners would bring shoes to his wife, saying to her, “Your husband has given away his shoes to someone, and will come home barefoot.” He would also write articles for the newspaper exhorting the people of Kronstadt to “support the poor morally and materially.” These appeals touched the hearts of many and Fr. John organized many charitable efforts. Realizing that his individual charity was insufficient for aiding the needy, he founded the Orthodox Christian House Parish Trusteeship of St. Andrew the First-Called. This brotherhood coordinated many charitable efforts throughout the city and helped many needy people.

In 1857, he began teaching in the local city schools. He would tell people, “If children cannot listen to the Gospel, it is only because it is taught like any other subject, with boredom and indifference. Such teaching defeats the purpose of the Gospel. It fails because it forces students only to read words and memorize them instead of making them live in their lives.” To Fr. John there were no incapable students. He taught in such a way that poor pupils as well as good ones were able to understand. His attention was aimed not so much at forcing students to memorize as to fill their souls with the joy of living according to Christian values, sharing with them the holy thoughts which filled his soul.

When speaking to other priests about their vocation he would say, “You are a representative of the faith of the Church, O priest; you are a representative of Christ the Lord Himself. You should be a model of meekness, purity, courage, perseverance, patience, and lofty spirit. You are doing the work of God and must not let anything discourage you.”
St. John has performed more miracles than almost any other saint, with the possible exception of St. Nicholas. Through his prayers he healed the sick, gave hope to the hopeless, and brought sinners to repentance.

Fr. John labored endlessly in his work for the Lord preaching, teaching, and helping those in need. Having spent his entire life serving God and His people, Fr. John fell ill and died on December 20, 1908. Almost immediately, people from near and far began to make pilgrimages to the monastery where he was buried. Even today millions of Orthodox Christians in Russia and around the world pray to him to intercede for them as he had always done from his childhood.

(From: www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Feasts-and-Saints)

Bulletin sponsors:

Alfred Dallaire- Memoria – constant friends of the Ukrainian community, offering support and help in times of bereavement. Tel. 514-277-7778.

Pierre Desjardins – Quebec Granite Inc. – Monuments – reliability since 1945. Tel. 514-352-9095.