Apr. 23 – Antipascha. 2nd Sunday of Pascha, of St. Thomas. Tone 1

Martyrs Terence, Pompeius, Africanus, Maximus, Zeno, Alexander, Theodore, and 33 others, beheaded at Carthage (250). Prophetess Huldah (Olda) Martyrs James, presbyter, and Azadanes and Abdicius, deacons, of Persia (ca. 380).

Acts 5:12-20 Jn. 20:19-31

Propers

Liturgy Live Streaming - Пряма Трансляція Літургії

Apr. 30 – 3rd Sunday of Pascha, of the Myrrh-bearing Women. Tone 2

Sts. Myrrh-Bearing Women, Righteous Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Martyr Adrian of Corinth (251). Hieromartyr Simeon, bishop in Persia, and those with him: Martyrs Abdechalas and Ananias presbyters, Usthazanes, Fusicus (Pusicius), Ascitrea, and Azat the Eunuch (344). Ven. Acacius, bishop of Melitene (435). St. Agapitus, pope of Rome (536).

Acts 6:1-7; Mk. 15:43–16:8

Services & Other Events

YouTube Livestreaming services can be found on YouTube TV search for Ivan Synevskyy

23‌ April, St. Thomas Sunday:

• 9am – Hours, Confession - Часи і сповідь
• 9:30am – Divine Liturgy - Божественна Літургія – Memorial Service for Mary Dobransky Kaspryk  (65th Anniversary) on behalf of daughter Helen Kaspryk and grandchildren and great grandchildren of the Dobransky, Mihalko, Gorick, Kaspryk, Sankowski and Wasylko families.

24‌ April, Monday:

• 7pm – Parish Council Meeting

29‌ April, Saturday:

• 5pm – Great Vespers - Велика Вечірня

30‌ April, Sunday:

• 9am – Hours, Confession - Часи і сповідь
• 9:30am – Divine Liturgy - Божественна Літургія

 

Fr. Ivan can be reached by call/text c.617-646-9515 or email: fr.i.synevskyy@uocofusa.org

Апостол

Дії 5:12-20

Сину Феофіле, руками ж Апостолів творилося в народі багато знамень і чудес; і всі однодушно перебували в притворі Соломоновому. Із сторонніх же ніхто не наважувався приєднатися до них, а народ величав їх. А віруючих все більше й більше приєднувалось до Господа, багато чоловіків та жінок, так що недужих виносили на вулиці й клали на постелях та ліжках, щоб хоч тінь Петра, який проходив, осінила кого з них. До Ієрусалима також сходилось багато народу з навколишніх міст, які приносили хворих та одержимих нечистими духами, і всі зцілялися. А первосвященник і з ним усі, які належали до єресі саддукейської, сповнились заздрощів, наклали руки свої на Апостолів і ув'язнили їх у народну темницю. Ангел же Господній уночі відчинив двері темниці і, вивівши їх, сказав: ідіть і, ставши в храмі, говоріть до народу всі ці слова життя.

Євангеліє

Від Іоанна 20:19-31

Того ж першого дня на тижні, ввечері, коли двері дому, де збиралися учні Його, були замкнені з остраху перед іудеями, прийшов Ісус і став посередині і каже їм: мир вам! Сказавши це, Він показав їм руки і ноги, і ребра Свої. Учні зраділи, побачивши Господа. Ісус же сказав їм вдруге: мир вам! як послав Мене Отець, так і Я посилаю вас. Сказавши це, дунув і говорить їм: прийміть Духа Святого. Кому простите гріхи, тим простяться, на кому залишите, залишаться. Фома ж, один з дванадцятьох, який називався Близнюк, не був тут з ними, коли приходив Ісус. Інші учні сказали йому: ми бачили Господа. Він же сказав їм: якщо не побачу на руках Його ран від цвяхів і не вкладу пальця мого в рани від цвяхів, і не вкладу руки моєї в ребра Його, не повірю. Після восьми днів учні Його знову були в домі і Фома з ними. Прийшов Ісус, коли двері були замкнені, став посеред них і сказав: мир вам! Потім говорить Фомі: дай палець твій сюди і подивись на руки Мої; подай руку твою і вклади в ребра Мої, і не будь невірним, а вірним. Фома у відповідь сказав Йому: Господь мій і Бог мій! Ісус говорить йому: ти повірив, тому що побачив Мене; блаженні ті, що не бачили і увірували. Багато інших чудес сотворив Ісус перед учнями Своїми, про які не написано в книзі цій. Це ж написано, щоб ви увірували, що Ісус є Христос, Син Божий, і, віруючи, мали життя в ім'я Його.

St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on the Belief of Thomas

"Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."

As to believe carelessly and in a random way, comes of an over-easy temper; so to be beyond measure curious and meddlesome, marks a most gross understanding. On this account Thomas is held to blame. For he believed not the Apostles when they said, "We have seen the Lord"; not so much mistrusting them, as deeming the thing to be impossible, that is to say, the resurrection from the dead. Since he says not, "I do not believe you," but, "Except I put my hand—I do not believe." But how was it, that when all were collected together, he alone was absent? Probably after the dispersion which had lately taken place, he had not returned even then. But do you consider the lovingkindness of the Lord, when you see the unbelief of the disciple, how for the sake of a single soul He showed Himself with His wounds, and comes in order to save even the one, though he was grosser than the rest; on which account indeed he sought proof from the grossest of the senses, and would not even trust his eyes. For he said not, "Except I see," but, "Except I handle," he says, lest what he saw might somehow be an apparition. Yet the disciples who told him these things, were at the time worthy of credit, and so was He that promised; yet, since he desired more, Christ did not deprive him even of this.

And why does He not appear to him straightway, instead of "after eight days"? [John 20.26] In order that being in the mean time continually instructed by the disciples, and hearing the same thing, he might be inflamed to more eager desire, and be more ready to believe for the future. But whence knew he that His side had been opened? From having heard it from the disciples. How then did he believe partly, and partly not believe? Because this thing was very strange and wonderful. But observe, I pray you, the truthfulness of the disciples, how they hide no faults, either their own or others', but record them with great veracity.

Jesus again presents himself to them, and waits not to be requested by Thomas, nor to hear any such thing, but before he had spoken, Himself prevented him, and fulfilled his desire; showing that even when he spoke those words to the disciples, He was present. For He used the same words, and in a manner conveying a sharp rebuke, and instruction for the future. For having said,

"Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side." [John 20:27] He added, "Do not be unbelieving, but believing." Do you see that his doubt proceeded from unbelief? But it was before he had received the Spirit; after that, it was no longer so, but, for the future, they were perfected.

And not in this way only did Jesus rebuke him, but also by what follows; for when he, being fully satisfied, breathed again, and cried aloud, "My Lord, and my God," [John 20:28]. He says, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." [John 20:29] For this is of faith, to receive things not seen; since, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" [Hebrews 11:1]. And here He pronounces blessed not the disciples only, but those also who after them should believe. "Yet," says some one, "the disciples saw and believed." Yes, but they sought nothing of the kind, but from the proof of the napkins, they straightway received the word concerning the Resurrection, and before they saw the body, exhibited all faith. When therefore any one in the present day say, "I would that I had lived in those times, and had seen Christ working miracles," let them reflect, that, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

I have come pay off in good time an outstanding debt. I may be poor, but I want to forcibly draw on your gratitude. I promised to show the unbelief of Thomas, and here I am to do just that. I'm more than willing to pay off the first debt so that I'm not crushed by accumulated interest. Cooperate with me, then, so that I can deposit what's owed and entreat Thomas, that by laying on my lips the holy hand which touched the Lord's side, he will inspire my tongue to explain what you desire. Taking courage from the prayers of the apostle and martyr Thomas, I shall declare first his doubt and then his confession which is the bedrock and foundation of the Church.

When the Savior came to his disciples, who were behind closed doors, he also departed in the same manner. Only Thomas wasn't present. This was a matter of divine providence, so that the absence of the disciple might give rise to greater conviction and certainty. Had Thomas been present, he wouldn't have doubted; had he not doubted, he wouldn't have insisted on finding out; had he not insisted on finding out, he wouldn't have touched the Lord; had he not touched him, he wouldn't have confessed him as Lord and God; and had he not confessed Christ as Lord and God, we wouldn't have been taught to glorify him in this way.

So by not being present, Thomas has guided our steps towards the truth and, by his later arrival, has made us firmer in our faith.

The disciples, then, said to Thomas, the late-comer: We've seen the Lord; we've seen him who said I am the light of the world; we've seen him who said: I am the resurrection, life and truth; and we've seen the truth of the words shining in things. We've seen him who said; In three days I shall rise and, when we'd seen the resurrection, we venerated him who had risen. We heard him say to us Peace be with you and we changed the confusion of sadness into the joy of tranquility. We've seen his hands which were pierced by the nails; we've seen the hands which cry out against the rabid madness of the God-hating dogs; we've seen the hands which have woven our immortality. We've also seen his side, which declares more eloquently than any preacher the loving-kindness of the person wounded; we've seen his side, hymned by the angels, revered by the faithful, and dreaded by the demons.

We've also received divine breath from his divine mouth, a spiritual exhalation, an exhalation which bestows every grace. We've been ordained by the Lord to be masters of the remission of transgressions. We've also been given the right  to judge sinners, because he gave us the commandment: If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven for them; if you retain them, they are retained.  We have delighted in such words from the Savior, have enjoyed such gifts. How could we not be enriched, being fortunate enough to have such a rich Master. You alone are still poor, because you weren't present.

And what did Thomas reply?

You've seen the Lord? Well and good. Therefore, respect more than ever him whom you saw. Preach ceaselessly about him whom you observed. As for me, though, unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. You wouldn't have believed, if you hadn't seen first. So if I don't see, I won't believe.

Persist, Thomas, in this conviction of yours, persist stubbornly, so that, seeing you, my soul can be confirmed in its belief. Persist in seeking him who said Seek and you will find. Don't just give up if you don't find the treasure you're seeking. Persist in knocking at the door of indisputable knowledge until the door is opened by him who said Knock and it will be opened to you.

I love the dichotomy of your thought, because it does away with dichotomy. I love the way you're so interested in learning because it ends all contention. It's such a pleasure to hear you often saying:  unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. Through your disbelief, I've been taught to believe. Using your tongue as a tool, you delved into the arable land of the Lord's body, but I'm the one who reaped the harvest without any effort, and who stores it up for myself. [You said] 'Unless I see with my own eyes the furrows plowed in his holy hands by the impious, there's no chance that I'll agree with your words. Unless I put my finger into the indentations caused by the nails, I won't accept this good news of yours. Unless I put my hand on his side which is unwitting testimony to the resurrection, I won't find your view believable. Everything that's said which is supported by all the facts is powerful and certain. But any view that isn't proved by actions is fleeting, lost on the air as it leaves the lips. I'm going to be teaching people about the miracles of the Lord. How can I speak about things which my eyes haven't seen? How can I persuade the unbelievers to believe when I myself haven't witnessed these things? I can tell the Jews and the Greeks: "I did, indeed, see my Lord crucified, but I haven't seen him risen. I've heard he rose, though". Who wouldn't laugh  at what I was saying? Who wouldn't scorn my preaching? It's one thing to hear, but another to see. And it's one thing to make pronouncements and another to see and experience things'.

Because Thomas was troubled by these doubts, the Lord came back to his disciples after eight days, when they were all gathered together as before…

[He said] 'I heard what you said to your brothers, Thomas. Although I was absent as a man, I was present as God. I was with you in my divinity, and apart from you in my human nature. Do you want me to remind you of the words you spoke: Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. Did these words not proceed from your mouth? Don't these words reflect your thoughts? This is why I've come again: since you have doubts. This is why I've approached again: since you wanted me to. Now I'm here because of you. For the sake of the lost sheep, I came down from the heavens, though I never left them, either.

So don't hesitate to learn what you want. Don't be shy; look at anything you're searching for. Don't hesitate to put your finger into my hands. I suffered the nails, so I can put up with the finger of an inquisitive person. I suffered the malice of enemies, so I can bear the curiosity of a friend. My enemies crucified me and I didn't despair; will I not be able to suffer your examination? Put your finger in here and see the hands that were wounded for you, so that the bruises of your souls my be treated. See my hands and consider whether I am he who was voluntarily crucified for you, or someone else… See my hands and don't think that the truth of my resurrection is a figment of the imagination'…

When Thomas touched the Lord's hands and his holy side, he was overcome with awe and great joy at the sight of what he'd desired. He immediately broke out into a hymn of praise to the Lord: My Lord and my God. You're Lord and God; you're human and the lover of humankind. You're a foreign and strange doctor: you  don't slice through the passions with a knife; you don't burn wounds with fire; you don't gather the healing power from herbs; you don't bind visible bandages on our festering sores. You have invisible bandages of love, which hold together the open wounds. Your speech is sharper than a knife, your word more powerful than fire. Your glance is more soothing than a salve. As creator you effortlessly sanctify your creation; as maker, you easily remake what you've made… Because of what I've seen, I've learned not to overthink; because of what I've touched, I've learned to venerate rather than weigh in the balance. I know only one Lord and God, Christ our Master, to whom be glory and dominion unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Проповідь у неділю Антипасхи, апостола Фоми

Христос Воскрес!

Після Воскресіння Ісус Христос неодноразово являвся Своїм учням, особливо тоді, коли вони мали якусь потребу, приходив навіть тоді, коли двері їхнього будинку були замкнені. Це свідчить про любов, яку відчував Учитель до Своїх учнів.

Христос і нині любить усіх Своїх учнів і послідовників, усіх, хто вірує в Нього. «Ісус Христос, — говорив апостол, — учора, і сьогодні, і навіки Той самий» (Євр. 13, 8), і кожен, хто дотримується Його заповідей, є істинний і улюблений Його учень.

У яку б ситуацію ми не потрапили, які б нещастя не переживали, ми не повинні впадати у відчай, а маємо сподіватися на нашого Спасителя. Христос переконав двох учнів на шляху до Еммауса, які спочатку не впізнали Його, утвердив у вірі Фому, котрий сумнівався у Його воскресінні, заспокоїв апостолів, коли вони, злякавшись іудеїв, замкнулися, допоміг учням наловити риби в морі Тиверіадському… Він допоможе в усіх наших потребах, втішить у скорботі, напоумить у ваганні, заспокоїть у незгодах, якщо ми будемо любити Його, вірувати в Нього і надіятися на Нього.

Коли Господь вперше з'явився Своїм учням в день Свого воскресіння, то, за Промислом Божим, з ними не було Фоми. Коли ж Фома повернувся, то апостоли, сповіщаючи велику радість, почали розповідати йому про воскреслого Господа, але Фомі ці слова здалися вигадкою. Він не міг повірити, що Христос воскрес і з'явився їм тут, у домі, та ще й при закритих дверях. Це здивування призвело до того, що він сказав: «Якщо не побачу на руках Його рани від цвяхів і не вкладу пальця мого в рани від цвяхів, і не вкладу руки моєї в ребра Його, не повірю» (Ін. 20: 25).

Коли ж Господу, через вісім днів після цього, знову було угодно з'явитися Своїм учням, то на цей раз з ними був вже і Фома. Господь знову прийшов до них, коли двері дому були замкнені і привітав їх, сказавши: «Мир вам». Тоді Спаситель говорить до Фоми: «Подай палець твій сюди і подивись на рани мої; подай руку твою і вклади в ребра Мої, і не будь невірним, але вірним» (Ін. 20: 27).

Посоромлений Фома в трепеті не знав, що йому робити. Його душа, яка так бажала переконатися в істині Христового воскресіння раптово отримала ще більше. Сам Господь тепер звертається до нього, неначе викриваючи його: «Не будь невірним, але вірним» (Ін. 20: 27). І ось в душі і серці його зникає будь-який сумнів і він переповнюється такою радістю, що викликує: «Господь мій і Бог мій!» (Ін. 20: 28).

Це засвідчує, що Христос дійсно воскрес і воскрес із тим тілом, яке мав під час земного життя. А якщо Він воскрес, як і пророчив, то це означає, що Він має життя в Самому Собі.

Він — Син Божий, Яким віддав Себе за наше життя. Якщо Він воскрес, то й ми воскреснемо. Якщо Він воскрес із нашим тілом, то це означає, що людство нероздільно зв'язане з Богом і перебуває тепер на небі, а тому й нас, людей, у майбутньому чекає життя на небесах за великою Його обітницею: «щоб і ви були там, де Я», як свідчить нам євангеліст Іоанн. Віруючи в Христа, ми віримо в живого істинного Бога.

Апостол Фома не повірив у Воскресіння Господа, доки не побачив рани від цвяхів на руках Його і не вклав руки своєї в ребра Його. Інші учні також спочатку не повірили у Воскресіння, коли про це їм сповістили жони-мироносиці і два учні, які ходили в Еммаус. Недовіра їх цілком виправдана, тому що воскресіння з мертвих — така надзвичайна подія, в яку не так легко відразу повірити.
Недовіра Фоми та інших апостолів не повинна викликати у нас недовіру до такої великої та радісної події, а навпаки, переконувати у ній і утверджувати нашу віру в Бога.

Початкова недовіра апостолів до Воскресіння Христового свідчить про те, що вони не були легковірними. Якщо ж пізніше вони повірили Йому і не лише проповідували про Нього в усьому світі, а навіть помирали на знак свідчення про істинність Його, то це доказ того, що вони остаточно переконалися в дійсності Воскресіння Христового, що вони бачили Воскреслого, торкалися до Нього, розмовляли з Ним. Тому ми можемо без сумніву вірити їхньому свідченню про Воскресіння Ісуса Христа і водночас повинні сповідувати Його своїм Господом і Богом.

Переконавши апостола Фому у Своєму Воскресінні, Христос сказав йому: «Ти повірив, тому що побачив Мене; блаженні ті, що не бачили й увірували» (Ін. 20, 29). Чому ж блаженні такі люди? Тому що якби вони, як Фома, не довіряли Воскресінню Христовому і захотіли б побачити Спасителя фізичними очима, то могли б назавжди залишитися й загинути у невірстві своєму, адже Христос після вознесіння на небо не являється людям чуттєво. Фізичні явлення Господа нашого Ісуса Христа апостолу Павлу, святим мученикам і деяким угодникам є винятковими випадками. Блаженні й тому, що, віруючи у Воскресіння Спасителя і сповідуючи Його своїм Господом на основі Євангелія і апостольських послань, свідчать про те, що вірять у слова Спасителя, не сумніваються в Його Божественності лише тому, що не бачили Його тілесними очима, і ревно бажають спастися через Нього.

Блаженні вони ще й тому, що за живу і діяльну віру Господь відпустить їм усі гріхи, удостоїть їх благодатного Свого спілкування в Царстві Небесному. Амінь.

Написав о. Микола Ковальчук

FATHER & PANI & MARIANNE K.
LAWRYK SCHOLARSHIP

This music scholarship is offered to all St. John's members who are graduating from high school.  The scholarship is in the amount of $750.00 and all qualifying seniors are encouraged to apply.

In order to be eligible, graduating seniors must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Each applicant must currently be a member of at least one (1) musical ensemble at his/her high school.
2. Each applicant must have an academic average of at least 85% for four (4) years of high school.
3. Each applicant must have been a member of at least two (2) different performing groups sometime during his/her 4 years of high school.
4. Each applicant must be accepted at a fully accredited college or university.
5. Each applicant must demonstrate the highest character and leadership.

Please contact Nancy Skojec at zmknancy@gmail.com or (607) 972-6606 for an application.  Please return the application to Nancy by the end of May.  Thank you.

Holubtsi Session

Wednesday April 26th -

• 8:30 - Trim cabbage
• 9:30 - Make balls
• 10:00 - Roll holubtsi

 

Pirohy Sessions

May 7th - 8th (Potato)

Sunday May 7th - Make balls 

Monday May 8th (Starting earlier)

• 2:30 Setup
• 3:00 Pinching
• Dinner served afterwards

June 4th - 5th (Potato)

Sunday June 4th - Make balls 

Monday June 5th (Starting earlier)

• 2:30 Setup
• 3:00 Pinching
• Dinner served afterwards

June 16th - 17th (Cabbage)

Friday June 16th -

• 12 Noon - make balls 

Saturday June 17th

• 8:30 Setup
• 9:00 Pinching
• Lunch served afterwards

* Schedule is subject to change *

 

Thank You

Thank you to Alfred and Kristi Gorick for donating the flowers for Holy Week and Pascha. They have been doing this for many years and we appreciate their love and support. God bless you for many blessed years!

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

• April 23: Sara Dickstein
  April 23: Davyd Astakhov
  April 23: Diane Merkel
  April 23: Oleksandr Vozniuk
  April 24: Alexis Cardarelli
  April 25: Beverly Haluska
  April 25: Declan Scannell

* 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 Klodowski, Marlyn Klish,
Bob Rucky, Nadine Binns,
John Haluska, Mariann Kocak,
Olga Kulik, Jane Ellsworth,
Lesia Klysh, Pauline Klym,
Melanie Klish, Zenna Mihovan,
William Harder, Marion Kaspryk,
Helen Kaspryk, Carol Kapacs,
Jean Sankowski, Brian Baxendale,

Upcoming Readings

Mon. Apr. 24 – Acts 3:19-26 Jn. 2:1-11
Tue. Apr. 25 – Acts 4:1-10 Jn. 3:16-21
Wed. Apr. 26 – Acts 4:13-22 Jn. 5:17-24
Thu. Apr. 27 – Acts 4:23-31 Jn. 5:24-30
Fri. Apr. 28 – Acts 5:1-11 Jn. 5:30–6:2
Sat. Apr. 29 – Acts. 5:21-33 Jn. 6:14-27