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Monthly Newsletter of

HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX CHURCH 305 Washington Street • PO Box 2876 • New Britain, CT 06050-2876

www.htocnb.org

OCTOBER 2016

SISTERHOOD FEASTDAY: We will

celebrate the 107th Patronal Feast of the Sisterhood, The Protection of the Theotokos and the Annual Panikhida for Departed Members with a visit of our archpastor, Archbishop NIKON. We will celebrate the Hierarchal Festal Divine Liturgy, Sunday, October 1st with the entrance of His Eminence beginning at 9:00 a.m.

PRAYER GROUP: Are you seeking to begin,

or deepen prayer in your life? Are you wondering how prayer can support a Christian life in the midst of daily challenges? Starting in October, a group will gather after the 1st Saturday Vespers (Oct 7) of each month to learn and practice together how to cultivate prayer in life, both per-sonally and communally. Through praying for ourselves, and each other, we seek to draw nearer to Christ who says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Mt. 11:28. We hope you will join us on this journey!

GENERAL CONFESSION: is normally

held on the last Saturday of each month (except for lenten periods) following Great Vespers. All regular communi-cants should make every effort to attend each General Con-fession. The next General Confession will be held on the second to the last Saturday of the month, October 21st.

DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY: The annual

assembly for the Diocese of New England will be held Fri-day & Saturday, October 27 - 28 at St. Jacob of Alaska Church, Northfield Falls, VT. Greg Dresko is our parish representative. As a result of being in the far north of the diocese we will

not have Great Vespers on Saturday, October 28th.

The OCTOBER CHARITY collection is

for Ginny (Veronica) Hood, beloved Parish Council Vice President of St. Paul Church, Las Vegas, who has been diagnosed with Stage 2 Squamous Cell Cancer. Due to unforeseen issues, she needs help paying for her surgery (a minimum of $100,000).

Archpriest David Koles, Rector 9 Frankie Lane

Terryville, CT 06786 Phone: 860-573-0013

Email: frdavid@htocnb.org 1

We have also set up a YouCaring Page:

https://www.youcaring.com/viginiaginnyhood-899443

Please be generous by using the envelopes provided in our monthly mailing. Collection will be taken on the last Sunday of the month.

PARISH COUNCIL: The next meeting of the

2017 Parish Council will be held on Monday evening, Octo-ber 30th at 7:00 p.m. All council members are asked to make every effort to attend the meeting.

MYRRH-STREAMING ICON: On Fri-

day, November 3rd & Saturday, November 4th the Myrrh-streaming icon of the Theotokos “Tenderhearted” from St. George Church, Taylor, PA will be at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church. On Friday at 6:00 p.m. the icon will arrive followed by a prayer service, talk and anointing with refreshments downstairs. On Saturday everything will begin at 9:00 a.m. before the icon departs.

BOOKSTORE SALE: A BIG BLOWOUT

SALE on Sunday, November 12th during coffee hour. All items drastically reduced! Everything must go!

Birthdays & Anniversaries in OCTOBER: 8 Marie Shimchick 1963 9 Abp. NIKON 1945 15 Peter Sahin 2009 16 Andrew Pulcini 2000 17 Kiara Dresko 2015 19 Henry David Mah 2014 20 Olivia Salina 2003 23 Antoinette Rudy 1920 23 Juliana Veek 1984

25 Rosemary Delaney 1951 25 Christopher Adams 1989 26 Alex Polzun 1938 27 Stella Liwen 1921 27 Priya Karabin 1981 28 Alicyn Pulcini 1965 30 Jean Murr 1941 31 Kenneth Wagner 1944

7 Patrick & Gale Dilger 1990 14 Brian & Juliana Veek 2012 15 Simon & Mariel Sahin 2004 20 Jason & Amber Fiedler 2002 23 Michael & Jillian Wanik 1988

“WHEN I WAS SICK YOU CAME TO ME” The following parishioners (and friends) are now home-bound or in long-term care facilities. If there are any names missing, please inform Fr. David. The regular schedule of visitations is included on the monthly calendar. Parishioners are welcomed and encouraged to make regular visitations to nursing homes and shut-ins. Our loved ones NEED to feel connected to their parish family.

Jerome Home, New Britain

Sadie Albino

Monsignor Bojnowski Manor, New Britain

Helen Karabin Mary Camarata

Grandview Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center

[Walnut Hill Care Center], New Britain

Martha Cherpak

At Home: Betty Beck, Jim Dounouk, Jane Gunning, Nicholas Hamisevicz, Joseph Kowar, Stella Liwen, Jennie Pich, Antoinette Rudy and Katherine Szestakow.

PARISH DIPTYCHS

Please remember our departed brothers and sisters in your prayers.

Joseph Mannon 37 October 1913

Child John Cherpak 1 day October 1 1918

Paul Blake October 2 1959

Peter Fetzko 82 October 2 1991

Anna Makula 94 October 2 2007

Martha Cherpak 24 October 3 1918

Child Anna Hofedalko 1 October 3 1928

Juliana Dubovsky 72 October 3 1966

Alexandria Brown 79 October 3 1990

Mary Fetzko 81 October 3 1997

Stephen Hleschak 49 October 4 1928

Child Zenaida Shumansky 1 mo October 5 1906

Julian Hrusha 26 October 5 1915

Lavrenty Baldowsky 56 October 5 1938

Anna Wanik 55 October 5 1952

Walter Karpie 60 October 5 1975

Alexandra Kovalevich 99 October 5 1993

Mary Glowacki 90 October 5 2008

Edward M. Czerwinski 54 October 5 2010

Child Adam Dziamba 4 days October 6 1909

Peter Kosko 46 October 6 1995

Kashauka Uzefa 36 October 7 1914

Gregory Terasimov October 7 1914

Mary Hanska 24 October 7 1942

Anna Klotz 84 October 7 1971

John Ludko 84 October 7 1994

Michael Cherpak 29 October 8 1918

Antonina Gelazin 71 October 8 1961

Evgenia Shimchick October 8 2000

Elizabeth Stankevich 28 October 9 1918

Anton Minchuk 33 October 10 1918

Stephanida Manchuk 23 October 10 1918

Alexander Muchinsky 23 October 10 1919

Stephen Piluten 35 October 11 1918

Andrew Lehman October 12 1967

John Labas, Sr. 80 October 12 1969

Zenaida Burak October 12 1987

Sophie Anop 89 October 12 1988

Elizabeth Kuhar 63 October 12 1992

Child Eugenia Chamilov 3 mo October 14 1915

Carl (Cyril) Schaplak 73 October 14 1972

Peter Anop 53 October 15 1952

Child Peter Licki 5 mo October 16 1908

George Uhroros 33 October 16 1918

Constantine Likuda 38 October 16 1918

Vera Panasevich 27 October 16 1918

Child Lydia Pyachetsko 5 October 16 1930

Mary Fetzko 74 October 17 1957

Helen M. Spearen 90 October 17 2006

Andrew Belomyzy 53 October 18 1928

Katherine Novick 32 October 18 1954

Barbara Dimnitch 75 October 18 1962

Mary Karpey October 18 1982

Theodore Urish 33 October 19 1918

Child John Zdanuk 2 mo October 21 1911

John Panasevich 26 October 21 1918

Mary Alexeef 71 October 21 1960

Wasile Zurawlew October 21 1979

Olga Ziegler 82 October 21 2001

Theodora Stefik 25 October 22 1949

Irene Dubovsky 65 October 23 1956

Antoinette Sachok 72 October 23 1984

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Donna Balkun 55 October 23 2001

Child John Mayopit 1 day October 25 1908

Ignatius Boytik 57 October 25 1932

Mary Baranov 64 October 25 1954

Nikita Bichun 63 October 25 1960

Eugenia Tilley 63 October 26 1976

Sophie Stankevich 66 October 26 1980

Anastasia Harko October 26 1985

Michael Bichun October 26 2000

Simon Pazeychuk 26 October 28 1918

Peter Kunchik 64 October 28 1952

Anatole Zaiko 59 October 28 1973

Nadia Lashenka 67 October 28 1980

Walter Sitkiewicz 59 October 29 1947

Gregory Taran 18 October 30 1908

Sophie Karabin 71 October 30 1958

Gary Allen Karpey 18 October 30 1980

Mary Suski 89 October 30 2006

Joseph Burak 16 October 31 1934

Andrew Golyshko 69 October 31 1958

John Horbal October 31 1979

Anne Zuk Novack 78 October 31 2008

ON THE CHURCH AS

A SPIRITUAL HOSPITAL By Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos

If a person does not follow the "right way" he can-not ever reach his destination. If he does not take the proper "remedies," he cannot ever acquire health; in other words, he will experience no therapeutic benefits. If we compare Or-thodox spirituality with other Christian traditions, the differ-ence in approach and method of therapy is evident.

A fundamental teaching of the Holy Fathers is that the Church is a "Hospital" which cures the wounds of man. In many passages of Holy Scripture such language is used. One such passage is that of the parable of the Good Samaritan: "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had com-passion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he de-parted, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the inn-keeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you" (Luke 10:33-35).

In this parable, the Samaritan represents Christ who cured the wounded man and led him to the Inn, that is to the "Hospital" which is the Church. It is evident here that Christ is presented as the Healer, the physician who cures man's maladies; and the Church as the true Hospital. It is very characteristic that Saint John Chrysostom, analyzing this parable, presents these truths emphasized above.

Man's life "in Paradise" was reduced to a life governed by the devil and his wiles. "And fell among thieves," that is in the hands of the devil and of all the hostile powers. The wounds man suffered are the various sins, as the prophet David says: "my wounds grow foul and fester because of my foolishness" (Psalm 37). For "every sin causes a bruise and a wound." The Samaritan is Christ Himself who descended to earth from Heaven in order to cure the wounded man. He used oil and wine to "treat" the wounds; in other words, by "mingling His blood with the Holy Spirit, he brought man to life." According to another interpretation, oil corresponds to the comforting word and wine to the harsh word. Mingled together they have the power to unify the scattered mind. "He set him on His own beast," that is He assumed human flesh on "the shoulders" of His divinity and ascended incar-nate to His Father in Heaven.

Then the Good Samaritan, i.e. Christ, took man to the grand, wondrous and spacious inn - to the Church. And He handed man over to the inn keeper, who is the Apostle Paul, and through the Apostle Paul to all bishops and priests, saying: "Take care of the Gentile people, whom I have handed over to you in the Church. They suffer illness wounded by sin, so cure them, using as remedies the words of the Prophets and the teaching of the Gospel; make them healthy through the admonitions and comforting word of the Old and New Tes-taments." Thus, according to Saint Chrysostom, Paul is he who maintains the Churches of God, "curing all people by his spiritual admonitions and offering to each one of them what they really need."

In the interpretation of this parable by Saint John Chry-sostom, it is clearly shown that the Church is a Hospital which cures people wounded by sin; and the bishops and priests are the therapists of the people of God.

FEAST DAYS IN OCTOBER:

THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE

7TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL (Celebrated on the closest Sunday to October 11-17)

From the Prologue of St. Nikolai Velimirovich

The Seventh Ecumenical Coun-cil was held in 787 at Nicaea during the reign of the devout Empress Irene and her son, Con-stantine, in the time of Patriarch Tarasius. This Council finally confirmed the veneration of icons, justifying it by Holy Scripture, by the witness of the Holy Fathers, and by the undeniable example of miracles manifested through the holy icons. Adding to examples of miracles previously cited, Bishop Constantine of Cyprus recounted this: One day, a

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certain shepherd from the town of Constantia drove his flock to pasture, and there saw an icon of the Most-holy Theotokos, all deco-rated with flowers by the faithful. ``Why ren-der so much honor to a rock?'' said the shep-herd, who had obviously been brought up in iconoclasm. He struck the icon with his iron shepherd's cane, and damaged the right eye of the image of the Mother of God. As soon as

he turned away, he stumbled over that same cane and gouged out his own right eye. Thus injured, he returned to the city, crying out tearfully that the punishment of the The-otokos had befallen him. This Council also decreed that the holy relics of a martyr be placed, without fail, in the Anti-mension. Three hundred and sixty-seven Fathers participated in this Council. May the Lord also have mercy on us and save us by their prayers.

Commemoration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of

God and the deliverance from the Poles [October 22]

The Commemoration of the Deliver-ance of Moscow From the Poles by the Kazan Icon was established in grati-tude for the deliverance of Moscow and all Russia from the incursion of the Polish in 1612. The end of the six-teenth and beginning of the seven-teenth centuries is known in Russian history as "the Time of Troubles." The country suffered the onslaught of Polish armies, which scoffed at the Or-thodox Faith, plundering and burning churches, cities and villages. Through deceit they succeeded in taking Mos-cow. In response to the appeal of His Holiness Patriarch Hermogenes (May 12), the Russian people rose up in de-fense of its native land. From Kazan, the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God was sent to the army headed by Prince Demetrius Pozharsky.

St Demetrius of Rostov (September 21), in his Discourse on the Day of Appearance of the Icon of the Mother of God at Kazan (July 8), said:

"The Mother of God delivered from misfortune and woe not only the righteous, but also sinners, but which sinners? those who turn themselves to the Heavenly Father like the Prodigal Son, they make lamentation beating their bosom, like the Publican, they weep at the feet of Christ, like the Sinful Woman washing His feet with her tears, and they offer forth confession of Him, like the Thief upon the Cross. It is such sinners whom the All-Pure Mother of God heeds and hastens to aid, delivering them from great misfortunes and woe."

Knowing that they suffered such misfortunes for their sins, the whole nation and the militia imposed upon them-

selves a three-day fast. With prayer, they turned to the Lord and His All-Pure Mother for help. The prayer was heard. St Sergius of Radonezh appeared to St Arsenius (afterwards Bishop of Suzdal) and said that if Moscow were to be saved, then people must pray to the Most Holy Virgin. Emboldened by the news, Russian forces on Octo-ber 22, 1612 liberated Moscow from the Polish usurpers. A celebration in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos was established in 1649. Even in own day this icon is especially revered by the Russian Ortho-dox nation.

THE ICON CORNER -

THE HEART OF THE FAMILY

CHURCH

Every Sunday, feastday and other holy day, when we go into our parish temple, we see the heart of the parish which is the sanctuary, where the Holy Table is. When we go into an Orthodox home, we hope to see the heart of the family, which is the icon corner.

Just like the sanctuary is the heart of the parish church, the icon corner is the heart of the family church. In the parish church, the parish family prays together before the sanctu-ary and the iconostas; in the family church, the family prays together before the icon corner.

What is an icon corner? An icon corner is a shelf or table or cabinet, where icons are placed and where a lamp is kept burning. Many people have icons of Jesus Christ, the The-otokos and icons of the patron saints of the family members. There are many ways to set up the icons and the important thing is just to do it. The icon corner doesn't have to be a corner, it can be a wall or other place in the house where the family can go to pray. It is best if the icon corner faces the east, to remind us of the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Besides the icons and the lamp, it is traditional for pious Orthodox people to keep a Bible and prayer book, holy water, and blessed bread from church. Many people also have holy oil, the palms or willows from Palm Sunday, and other holy things from the services of the church year. The icon cor-ner can be very simple or very fancy but the main thing is that the icon corner is not just a' decoration for the house but that it is the heart of the family and that the family uses it. In many pious Orthodox homes, the icon corner is arranged so that it can actually be used for celebrating the Divine

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Liturgy, if the priest needs to do this. This reminds us of the history of our Orthodox Faith and that we must always be ready for times when the churches suffer from those who are not believers.

If you do not have an icon comer, ask your priest to help you start one in your home. Members of the family can use it at any time. If you are not able to read the prayers from the prayer book because there is not enough time, then, at least go to the icon corner and ask for God's blessing before begin ning whatever it is that you are doing.

Try to begin each day by going to the icon corner and reading the prayers from the prayer book for the morning, take some, holy bread and holy water. In this way, you are getting God's bless-ing for the new day. If you cannot read the prayers for some reason, still go to the icon corner, make the sign of the cross and take the holy bread and holy water, still asking God to bless the new day.

You will see that the icon corner makes a big difference in your home. When you see the lamp burning, you will re-member that God is always near and that the saints are al-ways praying for your family. When you use the icon corner every day, you will see that God is kept close to your heart and mind and this will help you to be closer to Him and His Orthodox Faith.

PUTTING SAINT TIKHON'S WORDS

AND VISION INTO ACTION

by Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak

In 1907, the First All-American Sobor was convened at Saint John the Baptist Church, Mayfield, PA in conjunction with the Russian Orthodox Mutual Aid Society's Convention. Because of this dual gathering, the Sobor was limited to one morning and three evening sessions primarily dedicated to establishing legal and financial structures. Therefore, the theme of the gather-ing found expression not in the working sessions, but in Archbishop Tikhon's talks at the sessions and at the farewell meal with the clergy.

As the gathering was ending, the Archbishop said, "We are strong ... only in one thing - in possessing the True Orthodox Faith ... the gift of God ... Strengthen your brethren in the Faith and the love of Orthodoxy."

In his last sermon before departing for Russia, Archbishop Tikhon stated, "Guarding the Orthodox Faith sacredly and loving it is not enough. Christ the Savior said that lighting the candle, one does not put it 'under a bushel, but on a can-dlestick' (Matthew 5:15), and the light of Orthodoxy is

lighted not for a small circle of people. No, the Orthodox Church is catholic; she remembers the will of her Founder: 'Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, teach all nations.' (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15). We ought to share our spiritual wealth, truth, and light with others .... Thus, each of us should consider this task of propagating the faith as his own task, dear to his heart."

The Archbishop indicated that, in order to expand the mis-sion, a three-pronged approach was needed.

1. Thank God daily for the gift of Orthodoxy. 2. Strengthen each other in the Faith and in the love

of Orthodoxy. 3. Propagate the Faith by living it.

In his talks, Archbishop Tikhon encouraged the convening of more gatherings to share and offer initiatives. He said, "From the beginning, I gave my colleagues wide room for initiative. As long as the work got done, it was not important to me whether it began with me or others. And the conse-quences of this were not slow in being told: parishes began to multiply, new churches were built, the number of parish-ioners grew, new institutions were established."

The Archbishop understood that time brings change. "I think that those things in which I was useful here for a while - for which I was perhaps even sent here - have now passed and are no longer needed, that you need something different, a different worker with a different approach and character."

Things are different today. We have instant contact and the means for instant information sharing. We must be careful not to use these means for conflict and tearing down unity. Instead, we should be working to Expand the Mission by augmenting the modern techniques for information sharing with the three points proposed by the Archbishop: Thanking God daily, strengthening each other in faith and love, and Living our faith.

In addition to instant information sharing, personal contact is of vital importance. We strengthen each other in the Faith and in the love of Orthodox Christianity by personal contact and by seeing each other as images of Christ. The kiss of peace cannot be accomplished via the internet. It is accom-plished person to person, and by greeting one's fellow pa-rishioner or parish visitor.

The need to Expand the Mission of the Orthodox Church in America continues to be the sacred task and duty of each of us. By all means, let us use modern techniques of sharing and disseminating information and promoting programs, but let us really SEE each other, STRENGTHEN each other, LOVE each other and TALK to each other, that those around us might say, "Look how they love one another" (Apology of Tertullian).

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TOP 10 TIPS TO LIVING AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WAY

The above list is not exhaustive but it does offer a good starting point to ordering our lives as Orthodox Christians. Be sure not to pick and choose only the tips that you like since 7 or 8 out of 10 will not get us to the eternal finish line.

From Christ the Savior Orthodox Church + Berlin, MD + http://www.orthodoxdelmarva.org

1) Attend the Divine Services

Participation in the liturgical life of the church is at the heart of the Or-thodox way of life. Regular atten-dance on Saturday evenings, Sun-day mornings, , the 12 Great Feasts, and other special times throughout the year (like Great Lent), is a must to living a healthy Christian life.

2) Confess Your Sins

Ask God to help you see your own faults and weaknesses. Go to the Sacrament of Confession with sorrow for what you’ve done and hope for a new beginning through God’s grace and mercy. Confession should be regu-lar, once a month or more; at the very least during the four fasting seasons.

3) Receive Holy Communion

Frequent and fervent reception of the Body and Blood of Christ is in-dispensable to growing closer to God. Be sure to follow the prepara-tion guidelines, make frequent con-fession, and remember to offer prayers of thanksgiving afterwards.

4) Keep the Fasts

Fasting on Wednesdays, Fridays, and other fasting days and seasons, should indicate to us whether or not our Christianity is truly about deny-ing ourselves, taking up our crosses and following Christ. Health issues, others questions? Ask your priest.

5) Make Your Home a Family Church

Maintain an icon corner where you say your morning and evening prayers. Place an icon or cross in every room so that you remember God during the day. Have your home blessed each year. Pray unceasingly.

6) Be a Good Steward

Remember that God will hold you accountable for the time, talents, and treasure He has entrusted to your care. Our stewardship indicates what we truly love (God or other things), for where our treasure is, there will our heart be also.

7) Study the Scriptures

Read from the Holy Bible every day without fail. This is God’s Word to you. Your church wall calendar gives the appointed Epistle and Gospel reading for each day.

8) Assembly a Home Library

In addition to the Scriptures, we should read the Lives of the Saints, the writings of the Holy Fathers, and other spiritual texts. Ask your priest for some advice. What are you reading now?

9) Be Quick to Forgive and Slow to Judge

Always ask forgiveness when we hurt someone, even if it is uninten-tional. Remember that if we don’t forgive others, then God won’t for-give us. Likewise, don’t judge your neighbor or you will fall under God’s just judgment.

10) Trust in God; Not Yourself

Believe what the Lord teaches through His Church. Don’t subject the Word of God to your own personal review; we don’t know better than He does. The way to the Kingdom is to follow Christ; we cannot make it there ourselves.