Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

Weekly ScheduleAll services are available for viewing through Facebook Live

Sunday, May 24—9:30 AM; Divine Liturgy & Panahida for Peter Sima on the 40th Day of his repose offered by nephew Alan Sima

Wednesday, May 27—9:00 AM; Resurrection Matins

Wednesday, May 27—5:00 PM; Vespers for Ascension

Thursday, May 28—9:00 AM; Divine Liturgy for the Ascension

Thursday, May 28—6:00 PM; Zoom Adult Class

Sunday, May 30—9:30 AM; Divine Liturgy & Panahida for John Kloss as a birthday remembrance offered by wife Tamara Kloss

Confessions are by appointment only until further notice.

If you would like to receive the Eucharist, please call Fr. Nick to schedule an appointment.

If there is an emergency, please call Fr. Nick immediately.

1

Fr. Nicholas Mihaly, Pastor

1123 East Avenue Erie, PA 16503 H: (814) 453-4902 C: (203) 241-1027 nmihaly1013@gmail.com

More Information

Parish Website: www.stnicholaserie.org

Diocesan Website: www.acrod.org

www.facebook.com/StNicholasErie/

Welcome!

If you are new to our parish, welcome! St. Nicholas is a welcoming Orthodox Christian parish. As a reminder, only those Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves are invited to receive Communion. For all of our visitors, Orthodox or non-Orthodox, please join us for coffee downstairs; meet Fr. Nick & the parishioners!

ST. NICHOLAS ORTHODOX CHURCH “Let us therefore strive to preserve the holiness of our souls and to guard the purity of our

bodies with all fervor”-St. Nicholas of Myra

American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese | Ecumenical Patriarchate

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

Parish Statement on Covid 19Out of concern for the safety of our parishioners, the Erie community and the world at large, all services at St. Nicholas are closed to the general public. In addition, all other social activities are also canceled or postponed. These drastic measures are being taken to help decrease the risk of infection. It is important that we not be selfish in trying to “keep business as usual” and that means giving up social and fundraising activities at this point in time. However, while you may not be in Church physically on Sunday morning or during the Lenten services, you can still pray with Fr. Nick as the services will be live-streamed via Facebook at www.facebook.com/StNicholasErie. It is the teaching of the Church that the Divine Liturgy, even if it is attended physically by only one or two people, is offered “in behalf of all and for all.” Thus, through the Holy Spirit, you are still present in the Church and made part of the Body of Christ during every Divine Liturgy. May our prayers during this difficult time in our world’s history bring health, peace and holiness to a world in desperate need of God’s mercy and love.

2

Upcoming Events

• June 28—Semi-Annual Meeting (more details will be provided)

Thank You!

Many of you have, without prompting or asking, sent in your weekly envelopes and other donations to your church. Thank you for remembering your parish family during the economic uncertainties at this time.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

If you would like Many Years to be sung for you or a loved one, please let Fr. Nick know prior to the beginning of Divine Liturgy

May

28 George Yurcan

Jun

3 Atty. Dennis Williams

3 Gary & Sandra (Machinski) Kulich—48th Anniversary

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

ZOOM Adult ClassWe will continue our Adult class virtually until we are able to meet again in person.

ZOOM Sunday SchoolParents, please check your emails throughout the week as we will be trying to find a time that is convenient for your Sunday School teacher to hold a Zoom Sunday School class.

Youth Project During QuarantineAre your children getting bored and looking for something to do? We have many parishioners who are homebound or in nursing homes who would really appreciate a card to brighten their day. Please email or call Fr. Nick for names and addresses.

Zoom Coffee SocialUntil we can see each other face to face, we will be using Zoom for coffee social/coffee hour. Please check your emails for the email from Fr. Nick and follow the instructions to be sent to the Zoom website. If you have not been receiving the parish emails, please contact Fr. Nick so he can make sure you are added to the parish list.

Confessions and Sick CallsAt this time, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory, confessions and non-emergency pastoral visits can resume (emergency pastoral visits were never suspended by our hierarch). If you would like to go to confession, it is by appointment only until further notice—NO EXCEPTIONS. All confessions will take place with appropriate social distance measures. If, at this time, you are uncomfortable attending Divine Liturgy due to health issues and concerns, please call Fr. Nick to schedule an appointment if you would like to receive communion. And as always, if there is an emergency, do not hesitate to call Fr. Nick.

SPF50The second Issue of SPF50 is available NOW!! It is a digital edition. If you didn’t start with us on March 1, consider joining now. Make a commitment to reading Scripture and Praying together with your family. Visit the Diocesan Website at acrod.org and look for the SPF50 section or go directly to the SPF50 web page at https://www.acrod.org/ministries/acrod-family/spf50 to find out more about SPF50 and how to help your family read Scripture and Pray together at home. Don’t forget to fill out the Commitment Card which is available in the SPF50 Section of the Diocesan Website, and return the Card to your priest.

3

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

4

Parish Prayer List“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of

a righteous man has great power in its effects.” James 5:16

For the Health of…Fr. John Baranik, Fr. Lawrence Barriger, Fr. Kenneth Bachofsky, Fr. Ken Ellis, Fr. James Gleason, Fr. John Gido, Fr. Lev Holowaty, Fr. Michael Polanichka, Fr. Michael Rustick, Fr. Peter Staviski, Fr. Jonathan Tobias, Fr. John Zboyovski, Fr. David Smoley, Pani Donna Smoley, Pani Dorothy Hutnyan, Pani Marie Brancho, Pani Eleanor Herbert, Pani Connie Miloro, Pani Eleanor Pribish, Pani Dolores Zuder, Matushka Gail Mathewson, George Arghyrou, Ashley Barber, James Battaglini, Gregory Beskid, Douglas Borkowski, Christian Brown, Emma Burkell, John Candia, Robert Carlisle, Sandy Carlisle, Neil Chaudhary, Gail Collister, Robert Collister, Thomas Decerbo, James DeHaven, Mark DeHaven, Mary Ellen Demyanovich, Maribeth Derer, Peter Dimitriadis, Helen Douglas, Curtis Elrod, Chad Feli, Irene Fendya, Ann Fuller, Bennett Heberle, Joseph Hulse, Alan Irwin, Tom Izzi, Miko Jovanovich, Athanasios Kehagias, Aggie Kiehart, Richard Koerner, Jean Kramer, Olivia Kuzmin, Evelyn McCambridge, Mike McCambridge, Orestes Mihaly, Sadie Mihaly, Mark Mizak, Theodore Molly, Nicole Naccash, John Novak, Nina Paliouras, Stavros Rallis, Donna Rowald, Barbara Scheibeck, Richard Schrader, Alyn Shedden, Emily Silvera, Athena Silvestri, Elizabeth Skalko, Joseph Skalko, Isabella Smith, Eric Spiegelberg, Vicktor Volpe, Leona Vukmer, Cheryl Walker, David Walker, Jake & Lauren, Steven, Inna, Justin, Katlyn Wyant, Adam Wyborski, Elaine Wyborski, George Yurcan, Fred Zetts…through the prayers of St. Nectarios the Wonderworker & St. Panteleimon the Great-Martyr and Healer

For the Repose of…Fr. George Havrila, Fr. George Hutnyan, Fr. Michael Shuster, Fr. Thomas Parthenakis, Pani Charlotte Conjelko, Pani Patsy Joseph, Lee Anthony, Elizabeth Beck, Ed Griffith, John Halama, Sr., Martin Howley, John Kloss, David Lee, Dawn Marie Lucas, Diane McConkey, Richard Molly, Serge Mihaly, Gregory Nakonecznyj, Donna Novak, Edward Pehanich, Sr., Robert Perevuznik, Sr., Stelian Popescu, Laura Robinson Russo, Edith Serke, Irene Schwab, Maureen Sekel, Peter Sima, Evangelia Spiridoulias, Dorothy Steiner, Paul Tobias, Eugene Weisser, Barbara Wisnosky, Steve Zulovich…May their memories be eternal!

If you have someone you would like to be added to the prayer list, please see Fr. Nick

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

5

WEEKLY OFFERINGS – Sunday, May 10, 2020

DONOR $2.00 WEEKLY CANDLES FOR HEALTH GIVEN FOR Tamara Kloss Brother George Hazuda Tamara Kloss Uncle Very Reverend Protopresbyter Michael Polanichka Phyllis Tarasovich Herself and Family Reader David Tarasovich Mother Phyllis, Wife Debra, & Daughter Brooke on Mother’s Day Douglas & Patricia Borkowski Themselves and Family James & Nancy DeHaven George Yurcan’s Birthday, May 28 James & Nancy DeHaven Reader David Tarasovich For All His Dedication and Service John Lipchik Jr. & Kathleen Boyce Aunt Marge Sima Kathleen Boyce Families of Brother John Lipchik Jr. and Husband Gary Boyce DONOR $2.00 WEEKLY CANDLES FOR THE DECEASED GIVEN FOR Tamara Kloss Parents Very Rev. Proto. Ronald & Pani Dolores Hazuda Tamara Kloss Husband John Kloss Douglas & Jean LaBoda and Family His Father Michael LaBoda Douglas & Jean LaBoda and Family His Mother Virginia LaBoda Richard & Susanne Demchak Beloved Parents Joseph & Susan Demchak Dr. George & Kitty Kuzmishin Beloved Family Members John Lipchik Jr. & Kathleen Boyce Parents John Sr. & Helena Lipchik and Uncle Peter Sima Atty. Janet Belliveau Parents Douglas & Anne (Demyanovich) Liebel Phyllis Tarasovich Deceased in the Tarasovich and Kelley Families Reader David & Debra Tarasovich Grandson Carter Robert Egloff Reader David & Debra Tarasovich Her Mother Shirley Winslow & Sister Diane McConkey on Mother’s Day

Douglas & Patricia Borkowski Her Parents Thomas & Ann Burdick and His Father Walter Borkowski

James & Nancy DeHaven His Parents George & Mary DeHaven and Her Mother Louise Butts

James & Nancy DeHaven Peter Sima

Jean Kramer Uncle John Kramer and Deceased in the Kramer Family CATEGORY AMOUNT CATEGORY AMOUNT Candles 40.00 Diocesan Assessment 292.00 Regular Envelopes 569.00 Grove Security Deposits 100.00 Pledges 354.00 Grove Rentals 300.00 Easter Donations 115.00 Memorials* 30.00 Total Income 1,800.00 *Thank you to James & Nancy DeHaven for their donation in memory of Peter Sima. ATTENDANCE ALL SERVICES WERE LIVESTREAMED ON FACEBOOK Divine Liturgy for St. George (Wed., May 6): Over 210 Views Moleben to St. Nectarios (Wed., May 6): Over 240 Views Vespers (Sat., May 9): Over 260 Views Divine Liturgy (Sun., May 10): Over 200 Views APRIL 2020 CHURCH YEAR 2020 YTD (11/01/19 TO 04/30/20) Income 5,691.61 Income 59,770.91 Expenses 7,634.96 Expenses 48,401.02 (Loss)/Gain (1,943.35) (Loss)/Gain 11,369.89

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

6

WEEKLY OFFERINGS – Sunday, May 17, 2020

DONOR $2.00 WEEKLY CANDLES FOR HEALTH GIVEN FOR Tamara Kloss Brother George Hazuda Tamara Kloss Uncle Very Reverend Protopresbyter Michael Polanichka Phyllis Tarasovich Herself and Family Theodore & Patricia Molly Themselves and Family Theodore & Patricia Molly George Yurcan’s Birthday, May 28 Patricia Molly Husband Theodore Molly Douglas & Patricia Borkowski Themselves and Family Atty. Kenneth & Pamela Vasil Grandson Bennett Heberle’s 1st Birthday, May 24 David Lipchik His Family John Lipchik Jr. & Kathleen Boyce Aunt Marge Sima Kathleen Boyce Families of Brother John Lipchik Jr. and Husband Gary Boyce DONOR $2.00 WEEKLY CANDLES FOR THE DECEASED GIVEN FOR Tamara Kloss Parents Very Rev. Proto. Ronald & Pani Dolores Hazuda Tamara Kloss Husband John Kloss Douglas & Jean LaBoda and Family His Father Michael LaBoda Douglas & Jean LaBoda and Family His Mother Virginia LaBoda Richard & Susanne Demchak Beloved Parents Joseph & Susan Demchak Dr. George & Kitty Kuzmishin Beloved Family Members John Lipchik Jr. & Kathleen Boyce Parents John Sr. & Helena Lipchik and Uncle Peter Sima Atty. Janet Belliveau Parents Douglas & Anne (Demyanovich) Liebel Phyllis Tarasovich Deceased in the Tarasovich and Kelley Families Reader David & Debra Tarasovich Grandson Carter Robert Egloff Reader David & Debra Tarasovich Her Sister Diane McConkey Douglas & Patricia Borkowski Her Parents Thomas & Ann Burdick and His Father Walter Borkowski David Lipchik Parents Steve & Ann Lipchik Jean Kramer Uncle John Kramer and Deceased in the Kramer Family Thomas & Stephanie Ward and Family Her Grandmother Mary Burik’s Birthday, April 1 Thomas & Stephanie Ward and Family Her Grandfather Emil Burik’s Birthday, May 9 CATEGORY AMOUNT CATEGORY AMOUNT Candles 74.00 Memorials* 40.00 Regular Envelopes 1,700.00 Diocesan Assessment 23.00 Easter Donations 125.00 Total Income 1,962.00 *Thank you to Nephew Alan Sima for his donation in memory of Peter Sima. ATTENDANCE STARTING WITH VESPERS ON MAY 16, MAXIMUM OF 24 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE BESIDES FATHER NICK (ALL SERVICES WERE LIVESTREAMED ON FACEBOOK) Divine Liturgy for Mid-Pentecost (Wed., May 13): Over 180 Views Vespers (Sat., May 16): 0 (Over 150 Views) Divine Liturgy (Sun., May 17): 24 (Over 400 Views)

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

From www.acrod.org

In the Slavic Life of St. Methodius, written immediately after his death by one of his dedicated disciples, St. Constantine of Preslav, it is written:

"On Palm Sunday he (St. Methodius), despite his weakness, came into the church where all his people were assembled. After imparting his final blessing, he said: "Watch with me, my children, until the third day!" This they did. At dawn of the third day he said: "Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my soul!" (Lk.23:46), and he fell asleep in the arms of his priests on the sixth day of April, in the third Indiktion, 6393 from the creation of the world" (SVII, 7-10). In other words, St. Methodius died on April 6, 885 A.D. This year of 1985, then, we commemorate the 1100th Anniversary of his pious death.

The name of St. Methodius is inseparably connected with the name of his brother, St. Cyril. They both are venerated together as Apostles of the Slavs, and they both were instrumental in the conversion of our ancestors to Christianity.

Our Rusyn ancestors were converted to Christianity in the second half of the ninth century by the Apostles of the Slavs, SS. Cyril and Methodius, before they started their famous mission among the Slavic tribes of Great Moravia. With Christianity, the holy Brothers initiated our ancestors into their beautiful Byzantine Slavonic Rite and brought them

into the sphere of Slavic culture. Justly then we venerate them as our Slavic Apostles and Teachers.

The birthplace of our Slavic Apostles was the city of Thessalonica, the capital city of the Macedonian Province of the Byzantine Empire. The father of SS. Cyril and Methodius was a high ranking officer in the Byzantine Army. He was of Greek descent.

However their mother, Mary, in all probability, was of Slavic birth. Hence both sons we acquainted with the Slavic tongue since childhood.

During the eighth century some Slavic tribes settled in Macedonia, making the entire province predominantly Slavic. The Macedonian Slavs were soon Christianized by these Greek missionaries and accepted the Orthodox Faith.

St. Methodius, whose baptismal name was Michael, was born in 815 A.D. His younger brother Constantine, better known by his religious name, Cyril, was born about ten years later. They both studied at the Imperial School of

Constantinople, where all the children of the higher imperial officials received their advanced education. St. Methodius, known as a good administrator, became the governor (Gr. archon) of the Strymon District of Macedonia. St. Cyril, a gifted scholar, assumed a teaching post at the Imperial School.

Shortly after, St. Cyril was ordained deacon and was entrusted with some extraordinary assignments by the Patriarch Ignatius, including a diplomatic mission to the Caliph of Bagdad in 851 A.D. Just

7

Saints Cyril & Methodius

Saints Cyril (Right) & Methodius (Left)

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

about that time St. Methodius, tired of various official intrigues and jealousies, retired to the monastery on Mt. Olympus in Bythinia, Asia Minor. There he received his religious name Methodius. Shortly after his monastic tonsure, he was elected superior of the same monastery.

Under the influence of St. Methodius, St. Cyril also decided to pursue a religious way of life and joined his brother at the monastery on Mt. Olympus. But before taking religious tonsure, he was summoned by his former professor, Patriarch Photius, to lead a diplomatic mission to the Khazars on the Caspian Sea. This time St. Cyril also took his brother Methodius with him. After a very successful mission to the Khazars (859-891), St. Methodius returned to his monastery on Mt. Olympus, while St. Cyril assumed a position as a philosophy professor in Constantinople.

In the summer of 862 A.D., the Moravian Prince Rastislav requested that the Byzantine Emperor Michael III send some Byzantine missionaries to Moravia "to explain to us the Christian truths in our own language." After signing the alliance with Prince Rastislav, the Emperor decided to send the two missionary brothers, SS. Cyril and Methodius, who already proved their missionary skill and were familiar with the Slavic language and customs.

St. Cyril, who was one of the best linguists of his time resolved first to compose a Slavic alphabet ("Azbuka") and then, with the help of his brother

Methodius, he proceeded to translate the Holy Liturgy and scriptural readings (the Epistles and Gospels) into the Slavonic language.

SS. Cyril and Methodius began their missionary journey in the spring of 863 A.D., crossing into neighboring Bulgaria, where Byzantine missionaries were already spreading Christianity.

On their journey to Moravia the Holy Brothers proceeded along the Tisa River to the northern part of Bulgaria, where they intended to follow the so-called Salt Route, connecting our salt mines of Maramorosh with Central Europe, all the way to Moravia and Bohemia. Northern Bulgaria was, at that time, already populated by our ancestors, who were ruled by their own princes, recognizing the Bulgarian suzerainty. They populated both sides of the Tisa River, and their land extended deep into present day Transylvania and Hungary. SS. Cyril and Methodius recognized the peculiarity of the language and customs of our ancestors and called

the land - Rhos, i.e. Rus'. Thus our ancestors began to call themselves Rusi syny (children of Rus'), Rusiny (modified by Latin in Rusyn).Having arrived in the land of our ancestors, which they called - Rus', SS. Cyril and Methodius were not able to continue their journey to Moravia because of the Germanic invasion. So they remained among our Rusyn ancestors until the summer of 864 A.D., preaching to them the Gospel of Christ. Thus, between 863-864 A.D., our ancestors became Christianized by the Apostles of

8

Saint Prince Rastislav

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

the Slavs, and began to worship Almighty God in our beautiful Orthodox Tradition, but in its Slavonic form that was understood even by the simple people. Seeing the great success of their mission among our ancestors, SS. Cyril and Methodius provided them with their own Bishop and necessary priests.

Now we can understand why Patriarch Photius already in 867 A.D., in his Encyclical Letter sent to the Eastern Patriarchs, informed them about the successful mission among the Rhos people, who not only became friendly toward Byzantium, but also has "accepted a bishop and priests" from him, showing "great zeal for the Christian faith" (cf. Migne, Patrologia Graeca, vol. 102 col. 736-737). The "Rhos people" ("Rusyns"), mentioned by Patriarch Photius, were our ancestors. Thus, our ancestors received Christianity before SS. Cyril and Methodius reached the Great Moravian State, and, at the same time, received their own Orthodox Bishop from Constantinople. Unfortunately, Photius did not mention his name.

The mission of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Moravia was very successful and they educated a great number of Slavic missionaries in their Missionary School in Velehrad. Among their students were a great number of our Rusyn youth, who later returned to their homeland and extended their missionary work even to other Rusyn tribes in neighboring Galicia and, eventually, in Kievan Rus'.

SS. Cyril and Methodius received the approval of Pope Adrian II for their mission among the Slavic peoples in 869. On that occasion the Pope also approved the use of the Slavonic language in the Holy Liturgy. During the sojourn of the Holy Brothers in Rome, St. Cyril died on February 14, 869 A.D., and was buried with great solemnity in the Basilica of St. Clement.

Pope Adrian II then ordained St. Methodius bishop and appointed him

a Papal Legate for the Slavic peoples. But the Germainic missionaries, who from the very beginning opposed Slavic missionaries in Moravia, seized St. Methodius on his return from Rome, and kept him in prison for almost three years. They released him only on the intervention of

Pope John VIII. But soon after his release the German bishops once again accused St. Methodius of heresy, the usurpation of arch-episcopal authority, and the "scandalous use of the Slavic language" in the Liturgy. Summoned to Rome in 880 A.D., St. Methodius cleared himself before Pope John VII. The Pope not only approved the missionary work of St. Methodius among the Slavs, but also reconfirmed the use of the Byzantine-Slavonic Liturgy.

Having a premonition of his approaching death, St. Methodius appointed as his successor one of his most capable disciples, Bishop Gorazd. But soon after his death, Bishop Wiching of Nitra hastened to Rome and, having forged some vital documents,

9

Saints Cyril & Methodius give the alphabet to the Slavic people

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

induced Pope Stephen VI to revoke Gorazd's nomination and to appoint him, Wiching, head of the Moravian Metropolitan Province, originally organized by St. Methodius with seven suffragan sees.

Wiching, taking under his control the ecclesiastical affairs of Great Moravia, prohibited the Byzantine Rite and Slavonic Liturgy, and turned against the disciples of SS. Cyril and Methodius. Many of them were incarcerated; others were sold into slavery; still others had to flee the country. It was at this time that many Rusyn disciples returned from Moravia to the land of our ancestors. The return of the disciples to the Byzantine Rite Orthodox Catholic Church in the Carpathian region made it so that Rusyn Bishops were able to send their missionaries to other Slavic tribes of Eastern Europe.

Since our ancestors inherited both  the Orthodox Faith and their Slavic culture (alphabet, written language and books) from SS. Cyril and Methodius, we rightfully venerate them as our Slavic Apostles and Teachers.

10

The Glagolitic alphabet that was created by St. Cyril and would eventually evolve into Cyrillic

A statue of the two saintly brothers in Prague, Czech Republic

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

11

Diocesan COVID-19 Prayer List

Our Diocese is compiling names of those who have contracted COVID-19; those who have reposed from COVID-19; and those medical professionals working on the front-lines. If you have someone

you would like to add to this list so that the whole Diocese can raise them in prayer, please speak with Fr. Nick. May God grant healing to those afflicted with this virus and strength to those on the

front-lines; and may the memories of those lost be eternal!

PRAYER REQUESTS CONNECTED TO PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 UPDATE #5 (as of 5-15-20)

Those who have fallen asleep in the Lord

William Ann Katherine Anthony David Warren Edward Margaret Susanne Mary Katherine Annette Barbara John Bernadette Mary Lydia Eileen Darline Andreas Those who are sick Ronald Mario Olivia Tairy Jayden John Daniel Jackson Jennifer the Nurse Heriberto Luz Marie Patricia Adelaine Nicole Thaddeus Aaron Nicole John Amancio Natalie Michael Bertha Timothy Vincent Edda Alex Nina Barbara A.J. Josephine Sonia Adrian the Deacon Juliana Melissa Alex the Priest John Karen Chuck Megan David Chris Lisa Bertha David Sara Krystal Anna Ed Natalia Pauline Darren Nicholas Holly Emily Gregory Chester Candice Kenneth the Priest Maribeth Carlos Athanasios Yennifer Paul Elena Olivia Helene John Vanessa Jennifer the Nurse Tekla Margaret Enrique Patrick Gabby Gregory William James Neil Diana Desiree the Nurse Justine

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

12

Those who are healthcare providers and first responders Jennie the Nurse Lisa the Provider Thomas the Doctor Mercedes the Nurse Colleen the Provider Randy the Provider Mike the EMT Fundador the Nurse Helen the Provider DJ the Firefighter Ava the Provider Marita the PA Kenny the Firefighter Michael the Doctor Marissa the Nurse Melissa the Nurse Jennie the Provider Jordan the Provider Anne Marie the Nurse Mary the Nurse Julia the Provider Maria the Nurse Alexandra the Nurse Sara the Provider Nicholas the Paramedic/EMT Melanie the Provider Katrina the Nurse Meghan the Nurse Ashley the Provider Sandra the Nurse Kathryn the Nurse Naomi the Nurse Sharon the Nurse Nancy the Nurse Angela the Nurse Stephanie the Nurse Jennifer the Nurse Kim the Doctor Laura the Nurse Matthew the First Responder Angela the Doctor David the Firefighter Ashley the Nurse Natalia the Nurse Amelia the Nurse Nicholas the EMT Marina the Nurse Aaron the Doctor Lori the PA Svetlana the Provider Matthew the Doctor Lauren the Nurse Nellie the Provider Rhiannon the NP Peter the EMT Matthew the First Responder Cheryl the Nurse Mariana the Pharmacist Linda the LPN Suzanne the CMA Silvio the Doctor Patricia the Nurse Jennifer the CMA Irene the Provider Natalia the Nurse Debbie the Med Assistant Paige the Provider Lazarus the Doctor Martha the Med Assistant Carole the Provider Philip the Doctor Marina the Med Assistant Brandt the Provider Jamie the PA Andrea the Med Assistant Jessica the Provider Bonnie the PA Megan the Doctor Marc the Provider Maria the Provider Natalie the Nurse Danielle the Provider Michele the Nurse Stephanie the Nurse Dawn the Provider Linda the Doctor Greg the Paramedic/Firefighter Shannon the Provider John the Doctor Megan the Nurse Mary Ellen the Provider Richard the Doctor Mary the Provider Coleen the Provider Allison the Doctor Anna the Provider Jamie the Provider Peter the Doctor Irma the Doctor Marc the Provider Thomas the Doctor Peter the Deacon/1st Responder Judy the Provider Joseph the Doctor Joseph the Provider Danielle the Provider Mary the Doctor Wesley the Provider Peter the Provider Elizabeth the Nurse Kelly the Nurse Lauren the Provider CG the Firefighter Jennifer the PA Meagan the Provider Maureen the Nurse Scott the First Responder Helen the Provider Lillian the Doctor Bill the First Responder Marianna the Provider Michael the Priest and Doctor Vincent the First Responder Oksana the Provider Julia the Nurse Daniel the First Responder Ann the Provider Nabiel the Nurse Elaine the Provider Paul the Provider Patricia the Provider Serena the Pediatric MA Cassandra the Provider Louis the Provider Melissa the Nurse Danielle the Respiratory Therapist Matthew the Provider Kathy the Nurse

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

13

Katarina the Nursing Student Nicole the Physical Therapist Helen the Nurse Debra the Nurse Susan the Provider Donna the Provider Will the Provider Cameron the Provider Karen the Provider Tamra the Provider Saundra the Provider Michael the First Responder Michelle the Provider Kathy the Provider Jerry the First Responder Eric the Provider Sara the First Responder Collin the First Responder Pat the First Responder Mark the Essential Worker Nicholas the Essential Worker William the Essential Worker Chad the Nurse Gabriella the Nurse Joshua the PA Heather the X-ray Tech Jeff the X-ray Tech Lisa the Pharmacist Michael the Nurse Maria the Doctor Justin the Doctor Ying the Doctor Stephanie the Doctor Eli the Doctor Ethan the Doctor Cassandre the Doctor Shadi the Doctor Alpha the Doctor Johann the Doctor Jeffery the Doctor Helen the Doctor Dana the Doctor Joseph the Doctor Joe the Doctor Brian the Doctor Nishan the Doctor Robert the PA Lisa the Nurse Lisa the Nurse Jackie the Nurse Caryl Ann the Nurse Carol the Nurse Lisa the Dietician Heather the Dietician Rachel the Dietician Merideth the Dietician Laure the Dietician Sarah the Social Worker Caitlin the Social Worker Natalia the Social Worker Renjbar the Pharmacist Anastasia the Pharmacist Courtney the Pharmacist Lori the Provider Meghan the Provider Matthew the Provider Joe the Provider Lina the Provider Rita the Provider Christina the Provider Shirley the Provider Sue the Provider Susan the Provider Sandra the Provider Helen the Provider Shari the Provider Sandy the Provider Tammy the Provider Jessica the Provider Tara the Provider Maria the Provider Chen the Provider John the Provider Bob the Provider Sean the Provider Hannah the Provider Doreen the Nurse Liz the Nurse Jessica the Nurse Suzanne the Nurse Nicole the Nurse Andrew the Doctor Spencer the Doctor Henry the Nurse Ryan the First Responder Sarah the Nurse Athanasia the Pharmacist Laura the Nurse Deborah the Ultrasound Tech Alina the Doctor Grigory the Doctor Oksana the Nurse Doris the Nurse Kerry the Nurse Randy the Nurse Justin the Nurse Markella the First Responder

PRAYER REQUESTS CONNECTED TO PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 UPDATE #5 (as of 5-15-20)

Those who have fallen asleep in the Lord

William Ann Katherine Anthony David Warren Edward Margaret Susanne Mary Katherine Annette Barbara John Bernadette Mary Lydia Eileen Darline Andreas Those who are sick Ronald Mario Olivia Tairy Jayden John Daniel Jackson Jennifer the Nurse Heriberto Luz Marie Patricia Adelaine Nicole Thaddeus Aaron Nicole John Amancio Natalie Michael Bertha Timothy Vincent Edda Alex Nina Barbara A.J. Josephine Sonia Adrian the Deacon Juliana Melissa Alex the Priest John Karen Chuck Megan David Chris Lisa Bertha David Sara Krystal Anna Ed Natalia Pauline Darren Nicholas Holly Emily Gregory Chester Candice Kenneth the Priest Maribeth Carlos Athanasios Yennifer Paul Elena Olivia Helene John Vanessa Jennifer the Nurse Tekla Margaret Enrique Patrick Gabby Gregory William James Neil Diana Desiree the Nurse Justine

Sunday of the Man Born Blind May 24, 2020

14

The Children’s Word is a weekly bulletin for Orthodox Christian young people. Copyright 2020 Alexandra Houck. Email is orthodoxchildrensword (at) gmail.com. Find it each week at myocn.net.

Christ heals us!

“Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for to such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Mark 10:14

Sunday, May 24, 2020 Volume 8, Issue 21

Seeing God clearlySeeing God clearlySeeing God clearlySeeing God clearly Have you ever gotten your eyes checked, maybe at home or at school? The doctor or nurse might give you a test to see if you can see something. If you don’t do well on the eye tests, what happens? You might get some tools (glasses, maybe) to help you see more clearly.

In the Gospel reading today, we hear a story of one of our Lord’s amazing miracles. In this miracle story, we hear how Christ healed the young man who was blind. When Jesus saw the blind man, He put mud on his eyes and told him to go wash it. When the man

did this, he could see again. Even though he had been blind ever since he was born, he could see for the first time now!

God wants us to see Him clearly. Of course, we don’t know what He looks like, but we can know what He acts like. Sometimes, we might notice that we can’t see God or know Him very clearly. When we can’t see God clearly, maybe we start to do the wrong thing a lot. Maybe we have some bad hab-its that we want to stop.

God wants us to see Him clearly, so He gives us some tools to see Him. We can find these tools at church and in our homes. We can read the Bible. We can hear stories about holy saints. And soon, we can receive Holy Commun-ion. Let’s use these special tools to help us see God clearly!

A Ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network