Nov. 24 – 22nd Sunday after Pentecost. Tone 5

Great-Martyr Menas of Egypt (304). Martyr Victor at Damascus (160) and Stephanida (Stephanis) of Spain (161). Martyr Vincent of Spain (304). Ven. Theodore the Confessor, abbot of the Studion (826).

Gal. 6:11-18 ; Lk. 10:25-37;
Heb. 13:17-21; Mt. 4:25-5:12
Eph. 6:10-17; Mt. 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30

Nov. 28 – Jan. 6 — Nativity Fast - Різдвяний піст

Dec. 1 – 23rd Sunday after Pentecost. Tone 6

Martyr Platon of Ancyra (302). Martyr Romanus the Deacon of Caesarea and child-martyr Barulas of Antioch (303). Martyrs Zacchaeus the Deacon and Alphaeus, of Caesarea in Palestine (303)

Eph. 2:4-10 ; Lk. 12:16-21;

Апостол і Євангеліє - Gospel and Epistle of the Day

Дивіться у вказівках - See propers here

Venerable Theodore the Confessor, Abbot of the Studion

Saint Theodore the Confessor, Abbot of the Studion was born in the year 758 at Constantinople into a family of the imperial tax-collector Photinus and his spouse Theoctiste, both pious Christians. Saint Theodore received a good education from the best rhetoricians, philosophers and theologians in the capital city.

During this time the Iconoclast heresy had become widespread in the Byzantine Empire, and it was supported also by the impious emperor Constantine Kopronymos (741-775). The views of the emperor and his court conflicted with the religious beliefs of Photinus, who was a fervent adherent of Orthodoxy, and so he left government service. Later, Saint Theodore's parents, by mutual consent, gave away their substance to the poor, took their leave of each other and accepted monastic tonsure. Their son Theodore soon became widely known in the capital for his participation of the numerous disputes concerning icon-veneration.

Saint Theodore was accomplished in oratory, and had a command of the terminology and logic of the philosophers, so he frequently debated with the heretics. His knowledge of Holy Scripture and Christian dogma was so profound that no one could get the better of him.

The Seventh Ecumenical Council put an end to dissension and brought peace to the Church under the empress Irene. The Ecumenical Council, as the highest authority in the life of the Church, forever condemned and rejected Iconoclasm.

Among the Fathers of the Council was Saint Platon (April 5), an uncle of Saint Theodore, and who for a long time had lived the ascetic life on Mount Olympos. An Elder filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Saint Platon, at the conclusion of the Council, summoned his nephew Theodore and his brothers Joseph and Euthymius to the monastic life in the wilderness.

After leaving Constantinople, they went to Sakkoudion, not far from Olympos. The solitude and the beauty of the place, and its difficulty of access, met with the approval of the Elder and his nephews, and they decided to remain here. The brothers built a church dedicated to Saint John the Theologian, and gradually the number of monks began to increase. A monastery was formed, and Saint Platon was the igumen.

Saint Theodore's life was truly ascetic. He toiled at heavy and dirty work. He strictly kept the fasts, and each day he confessed to his spiritual Father, the Elder Platon, revealing to him all his deeds and thoughts, carefully fulfilling all his counsels and instructions.

Theodore made time for daily spiritual reflection, baring his soul to God. Untroubled by any earthly concern, he offered Him mystic worship. Saint Theodore unfailingly read the Holy Scripture and works of the holy Fathers, especially the works of Saint Basil the Great, which were like food for his soul.

After several years of monastic life, Saint Theodore was ordained a priest according to the will of his spiritual Father. When Saint Platon went to his rest, the brethren unanimously chose Saint Theodore as Igumen of the monastery. Unable to oppose the wish of his confessor, Saint Theodore accepted the choice of the brethren, but imposed upon himself still greater deeds of asceticism. He taught the others by the example of his own virtuous life and also by fervent fatherly instruction.

When the emperor transgressed against the Church's canons, the events of outside life disturbed the tranquility in the monastic cells. Saint Theodore bravely distributed a letter to the other monasteries, in which he declared the emperor Constantine VI (780-797) excommunicated from the Church by his own actions for abusing the divine regulations concerning Christian marriage.

Saint Theodore and ten of his co-ascetics were sent into exile to the city of Thessalonica. But there also the accusing voice of the monk continued to speak out. Upon her return to the throne in 796, Saint Irene freed Saint Theodore and made him igumen of the Studion monastery (dedicated to Saint John the Baptist) in Constantinople, in which there were only twelve monks. The saint soon restored and enlarged the monastery, attracting about 1,000 monks who wished to have him as their spiritual guide.

Saint Theodore composed a Rule of monastic life, called the "Studite Rule" to govern the monastery. Saint Theodore also wrote many letters against the Iconoclasts. For his dogmatic works, and also for his Canons and Three-Ode Canons, Saint Theoctistus called Saint Theodore "a fiery teacher of the Church."

When Nikēphóros seized the imperial throne, deposing the pious Empress Irene, he also violated Church regulations by restoring to the Church a previously excommunicated priest on his own authority. Saint Theodore again denounced the emperor. After torture, the monk was sent into exile once again, where he spent more than two years.

Saint Theodore was freed by the gentle and pious emperor Michael, who succeeded to the throne upon the death of Nikēphóros and his son Staurikios in a war against barbarians. Their death had been predicted by Saint Theodore for a long while. In order to avert civil war, the emperor Michael abdicated the throne in favor of his military commander Leo the Armenian.

The new emperor proved to be an iconoclast. The hierarchs and teachers of the Church attempted to reason with the impious emperor, but in vain. Leo prohibited the veneration of holy icons and desecrated them. Grieved by such iniquity, Saint Theodore and the brethren made a religious procession around the monastery with icons raised high, singing of the troparion to the icon of the Savior Not-Made-by-Hands (August 16). The emperor angrily threatened the saint with death, but he continued to encourage believers in Orthodoxy. Then the emperor sentenced Saint Theodore and his disciple Nicholas to exile, at first in Illyria at the fortress of Metopa, and later in Anatolia at Bonias. But even from prison the confessor continued his struggle against heresy.

Tormented by the executioners which the emperor sent to Bonias, deprived almost of food and drink, covered over with sores and barely alive, Theodore and Nicholas endured everything with prayer and thanksgiving to God. At Smyrna, where they sent the martyrs from Bonias, Saint Theodore healed a military commander from a terrible illness. The man was a nephew of the emperor and of one mind with him. Saint Theodore told him to repent of his wicked deeds of Iconoclasm, and to embrace Orthodoxy. But the fellow later relapsed into heresy, and then died a horrible death.

Leo the Armenian was murdered by his own soldiers, and was replaced by the equally impious though tolerant emperor Michael II Traulos (the Stammerer). The new emperor freed all the Orthodox Fathers and confessors from prison, but he prohibited icon-veneration in the capital.

Saint Theodore did not want to return to Constantinople and so decided to settle in Bithynia on the promontory of Akrita, near the church of the holy Martyr Tryphon. In spite of serious illness, Saint Theodore celebrated Divine Liturgy daily and instructed the brethren. Foreseeing his end, the saint summoned the brethren and bade them to preserve Orthodoxy, to venerate the holy icons and observe the monastic rule. Then he ordered the brethren to take candles and sing the Canon for the Departure of the Soul From the Body. Just before singing the words "I will never forget Thy statutes, for by them have I lived," Saint Theodore fell asleep in the Lord, in the year 826. At the same hour Saint Hilarion of Dalmatia (June 6) saw a vision of a heavenly light during the singing and the voice was heard, "This is the soul of Saint Theodore, who suffered even unto blood for the holy icons, which now departs unto the Lord."

Saint Theodore worked many miracles during his life and after his death. Those invoking his name have been delivered from fires and from the attacks of wild beasts, and have received healing, thanks to God and to Saint Theodore the Studite. On January 26 we celebrate the transfer of the relics of Theodore the Studite from Cherson to Constantinople in the year 845.

Those with stomach ailments entreat the help of Saint Theodore.

Преподобний Феодор Студит

Народився 758 року у Константинополі та здобув широку й різнобічну освіту. Глибоко вивчивши Св. Писання, святий Феодор успішно протистояв єретикам-іконоборцям у диспутах про православну віру. Прийнявши чернецтво, трудився у влаштованій його дядьком Платоном обителі Сакудіон (недалеко від гори Олімп у Віфінії), де пізніше став настоятелем, подаючи своїм життям високий приклад чесноти. У 796 році за турботу про зберігання церковних правил і викриття беззаконня імператора Константина VI Багрянородного після жорстоких мук був засланий в ув'язнення до міста Солуні.

За царювання імператриці Ірини преподобний був повернутий із заслання і отримав в управління запустілий Студійський монастир. Скоро в обителі зібралося до тисячі ченців. Для управління монастирем преподобний Феодор склав спільножительний устав чернечого життя, що дістав назву Студійського, а блаженний настоятель – ім'я Студита (близько 1065 року цей устав прийняв преподобний Феодосій у Печерському монастирі й звідти він поширився всіма місцевими обителями). Перу преподобного також належить чимало корисних для душі книжок, похвальні слова на Господні та Богородичні свята, багато канонів і трипіснців.

За імператорів Никифора I (802-811 рр.) і Льва Вірменина (813-820 рр.) святий Феодор багато постраждав за іконошанування і зазнав ув'язнення спочатку в Іллірії, у фортеці Метопа, а потім в Анатолії, в Боніті. Після смерті Льва Вірменина преподобний Феодор, звільнений із ув'язнення, оселився в місті Херсонесі (Віфінія).

Незважаючи на важку недугу, він щодня звершував Божественну літургію і повчав братію. Тут він мирно помер у 826 року Того ж часу преподобному Іларіону Далматському (пам'ять 6/19 червня) була відкрита Господом блаженна кончина угодника Божого. Він побачив, як засяяло світло небесне, почувся ангельський спів і голос: "Це душа преподобного Феодора, котрий постраждав навіть до крові за святі ікони, відходить до Господа".

У 845 році мощі преподобного Феодора було перенесено до Студійського монастиря. Його брат, преподобний Іосиф, єпископ Солунський, теж постраждав від іконоборців і помер у 830 року у Студійському монастирі, де спочивають і мощі його.

Преподобний Феодор як за життя, так і після смерті здійснив багато чудес. Ті, хто закликав ім'я його, позбавлялися від пожеж, від нападу диких звірів, отримували зцілення недуг.

Ukrainian Orthodox League
Thanksgiving Project

November is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving and also the month we commemorate the victims of the Holodomor in Ukraine. The UOL National Executive Board has decided that our yearly recommended Thanksgiving Project will focus on bringing a greater awareness of the Holodomor while helping the hungry in our communities now and in the future. In our remembrance, we strive to combat hunger in the present.

Please donate non-perishable foods in the bin in the vestibule. Each item will be labeled with a sticker that says:

In 1932, 10 million people perished in an artificial famine in Ukraine.
We pray no one ever goes hungry again.

#Holodomor #UkrainianGenocide #NeverForget

All donations will be given to Our Lady of Sorrows food pantry. If you would like to write a check, please make it payable to OLS Food Pantry. We will collect food and donations until Sunday Dec 15th.

Let's remember the innocent victims of the Ukrainian Holodomor, honor their memory, and help those in need within our own community at this time of giving!

Special Parish Meeting

Dear Parish Members:

A Special Parish Meeting is scheduled for Sunday December 1, 2024 after Divine Liturgy in the Memorial Center. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on two upcoming projects; a new sign on the corner of Harry L Drive and Virginia Ave, and a new floor for the Memorial Center.

The Parish Council has discussed these projects and has agreed to bring them to the parish body for consideration. The cost of the projects exceeds the authority of the Parish Council and your vote will determine if the projects will move forward.

Your attendance and participation is very important.

Sincerely,
Brian Baxendale
Parish President

Big Thank you

With much appreciation we thank everyone who made the Holiday Bake Sale successful. It requires many hands and time. Thank you and may God grant you health, wellness and many blessed years!

Welcome New Members

Please welcome new parish members Lown Family: Robert Michael, Marianne Mary Ann, Robert Peter and Gabriel. Morgan Alexandra is still preparing for the Holy Baptism. Congratulations to Robert Michael and Marianne who got married in the church yesterday. God bless you and your family as you continue to grow as true Orthodox Christians!

Fall 2024 Kitchen Sessions (Updated 11/2)

December

Friday 12/13 7:30 Potatoes; 10am-12noon Make pirohy balls

Saturday 12/14 7:30 set-up; 8am - 12noon Pinching, Lunch after

Wednesday 12/18 6-7pm 2 men to load roasters in ovens and juice them

12:00 midnight – Turn ovens on (375 degrees)

Thursday 12/19 7:00 - 2 Men to take holubtsi out of ovens

8:00 Holubtsi Packing – Roaster washing

Friday 12/20 10:00 Holubtsi/Pirohy Bagging

Saturday 12/21 10:00 - 12 noon Holubtsi/Pirohy Sale (Need 9:00 attendance)

Let's Help Ukraine!

St. John's Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund is accepting donations to help Ukrainians during war. Donations will go to provide food and other humanitarian needs.

To make donation online click here

We accept checks as well.

Please make the checks to St. John Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund

Mailing address:

1 Saint John's Parkway
Johnson City NY 13790
 

Cash is accepted in church

Pray for Ukraine!

Prayers for Ukraine are done during each service. To see the schedule click here.

Молитви за Україну проводяться під час кожної служби. За розкладом дивіться тут.

May God bless and protect Ukraine!

Happy Birthday

• November 24: David Mihalko
  
• November 29: Lisa Ferrante
  
• November 30: Owen Hatala
  
• November 30: Marianne Linville

* If your or someone else's birthday is missing or incorrect please let Fr. Ivan know right away.

Please Pray for the Servants of God

Rose, Marlyn, Bob, Nadine, Dannette,
John, Jane, Mary, Zenna, Douglas,
Melanie, William, Marion, Helen,
Mariann, Robert, Jean, Ronald, Brian,
Fr. James, Scott, Andriy, James, William,
Peyton Mary, Pipinos

Upcoming Readings