Second Sunday of the Great Fast

Metropolitan Stefan’s Reflection for Second Sunday of Great Fast

Did you notice that every major television network recently provided live coverage of the golfer Tiger Woods’ apology? He impressed as contrite and sincere when he admitted to his adulteress behavior and the harm it had caused to his family and to friends and supporters. The subsequent reaction by television commentators and others was very mixed. Some applauded the apology while others criticized it citing various insufficiencies. What was your reaction? How do you and I offer forgiveness to those who have disappointed us?

Jesus forgave without analysis of whether one might impress as sincere or contrite, sufficient or not. We read in the Gospels how some people later criticized Jesus for the way he treated sinners, and after Jesus healed people. God forgives outright! Look at how Jesus specifically cited the apostle Peter by name after His resurrection, even though Peter had denied Him three times. No analysis or questioning of Peter’s sincerity. Unconditional forgiveness! Seek it for yourself during Great Fast! Practice it with others every day!


Роздуми Митрополита Стефана на другу неділю Великого Посту

Чи звернули ви увагу на те, що всі телевізійні канали жваво висвітлюють нещодавнє вибачення гравця в гольф Тайге Вуда? Він виглядав розкаяним і щирим, коли признавався у зрадливих вчинках і образі, що заподіяв своїй сім’ї, друзям та прихильникам. Пересічно, реакція телевізійних коментаторів та спостерігачів була змішана. Де-хто аплодував його вибаченню, в той час як інші критикували, посилаючись при цьому на різні невідповідності. Якою була ваша реакція? Як ви і я уділяємо прощення тим, хто розчарував нас?

Ісус вибачав не аналізуючи, чи хтось складає враження щирого, або розкаяного, виглядає він таким, чи ні. У Євангеліях ми читаємо, як де-хто критикував Ісуса за його ставлення до грішників, і це після того, як Ісус оздоровив цих людей. Бог прощає до останку! Погляньте, як Ісус після свого воскресіння умисно звертається до апостола Петра на ім’я, і це після того, як Петро тричі відрікся від Нього. Ніякого випробування, чи сумніву в Петровій щирості. Безумовне прощення! Шукайте його для себе в час Великого Посту! Послуговуйтеся ним щодо інших у щоденному житті!

Holy Ghost Parish, Chester, PA - Christmas season

Holy Ghost Parish, Chester, PA held a celebration of the Christmas season with an event on Sunday, January 10, 2010.

Soyuz Ukrainok Branch 13 sponsored a traditional “Sviati Vechir”. Beginning with the sighting of the first star by the children, those who attended experienced first-hand the authentic Ukrainian traditions of Christmas Eve Dinner, from various regions of Ukraine. The placing of the Axe outside the door, presentation of the Diduhk (by Fr. John Ciurpita, pastor) and tying of the rope, along with tables decorated with kolach, created a welcome atmosphere as the traditional 12 coursemeatless dinner was served. The menu included verenyki, peryshki, holubtsi, uzvar, and pompushky. Christine Pluta organized the event, which included a narration given by Millie Kozak. Traditional foods were prepared by parishioners and members of Soyuz Ukrainok. Guests included Msgr. Peter Waszlo, who gave the blessing of food, and Rev. Archpriest Daniel Troyan, who along with Fr. John Ciurpita, distributed the prosphora. Proceeds to benefit orphanages in Ukraine.

During the 11:00 Divine Liturgy, the children of the Religious Education classes presented their annual Nativity pageant. Delayed this year due to inclement weather, it is usually presented the Sunday before Christmas. It has become a welcome event for the children, their families, and parishioners, and it helps set the tone for the celebration of our Lord's birth.



DISPLAY TABLE OF TRADITIONAL ITEMS

PARISHIONERS AND GUESTS STAND FOR BLESSING OF FOOD

PA STATE SENATOR DOMINICK PILEGGI & WIFE PARTICIPATE IN TYING OF THE ROPE BEFORE DINNER

ANNUAL NATIVITY PAGEANT PRESENTED BY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES

Article submitted by Judy Steciw.

First Sunday of Great Fast

Metropolitan Stefan’s Reflections for First Sunday of Great Fast

The world’s attention is focused this week on the Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver, Canada. Athletes from different countries are competing to be acknowledged as the best in their respective winter sport. Their success depends on their own personal resolve, training, and self-discipline. In today’s Gospel you and I heard Jesus say, “Come, follow me”. Great Fast or Lent is a gifted time of preparation for meeting the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ! We have to want to respond favorably to Jesus’ invitation. We need to submit ourselves to self-discipline in fasting and participation in prayer services at our parish. Oh, what an acknowledgment you and I will receive when we decide to go for the gold in following Jesus!


Роздуми Митрополита Стефана на першу неділю Великого посту

Сьогодні увесь світ уважно слідкує за перебігом Зимової Олімпіади в Ванкувері, Канада. Атлети з різних країн змагаються за досягнення кращих результатів з зимових видів спорту. Їхній успіх залежить від їх власної підготовки та самодисципліни.
У сьогоднішньому Євангельському читанні ми чули, як Ісус сказав: «Ідіть за мною!» Великий піст є відповідним часом приготування до зустрічі з Воскреслим Господом, Ісусом Христом! Ми повинні захотіти відповісти прихильно на запрошення Ісуса. Ми повинні самодисциплінуватися у пощенні та молитовній участі у богослуження в наших парафіях. І тоді, яку ж то ми нагороду отримаємо, коли вирішимо поборотися за золото у наслідуванні Ісуса!

Shroud Exhibition featured on Radio

Shroud Exhibition featured on the radio program "Finding the Kingdom;" February 18, 2010 at 10AM, rebroadcast Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 9AM (WISP 1570 AM or WCOJ 1420 AM).

Listen to Fr. Dan Troyan and Deacon Charles Schultz discuss the Shroud of Turin Exhibition LIVE on "Finding the Kingdom" radio program on Doylestown's Holy Spirit Radio, WISP 1570 AM and WCOJ 1420 AM (Chester County.)

Visit Holy Spirit Radio's website http://holyspiritradio.org/index.html for additional information, and to listen to live or archived broadcasts.

As always, visit the Shroud of Turin Exhibition website at http://www.philashroud.org/ for the latest information and schedules.

Shroud of Turin Exhibition at Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA

SHROUD OF TURIN EXHIBITION AT CATHEDRAL

Archbishop Stefan has procured an official replica of the Shroud of Turin for display at our Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia. The 14’X 3’ Shroud replica will be on exhibition at the Cathedral from February 21, 2010 – June 29th, 2010.

The Shroud of Turin is the most analyzed artifact in the world yet remains a mystery. The 14-foot long linen cloth that has been in Turin Italy for over 400 years and bears the faint front and back image of a 5’10” bearded, crucified man with apparent wounds and bloodstains that match the crucifixion account as recorded in the Bible. Millions of people over the centuries have believed it to be the actual burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth. The historical trail of the Shroud trails back through Italy, France, Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) and may have originated in the Middle East according to botanical evidence.

A team of 24 scientists in 1981 concluded that it was not the work of an artist. They found no visible trace of pigment, paint or dye or other artistic substances on the cloth. Other discoveries have defied explanation such as why the image shows up as a positive image in a photographic negative. The image also contains 3-D or distance information indicating the cloth must have wrapped a human form at the time the image was created. The blood is AB positive with human DNA. Skeptics have mounted numerous attempts to show how a medieval artist could have produced the image but all have been inadequate to fully explain how the mysterious image was formed. The image is so superficial it only penetrates the top micro-fibers to the depth of a single bacterium. In addition there is no image under the blood, meaning the blood was on the cloth before the image. No attempt at replicating the image has resolved these two key attributes. If the cloth indeed wrapped a corpse, there are no stains of decomposition.

The Exhibit will begin with vespers at 5:00PM at the Cathedral on the First Sunday of the Great Fast, February 21, 2010. Clergy and parishioners are invited to join with us and to have representatives bring crosses/ icons/plaschanytsias from the parishes for this opening Procession for the Sunday of Orthodoxy.

On April 9 & 10 at 7:00PM in the Cathedral, there will be a guest speaker presenting: The Shroud of Turin Mystery Tour. Russ Breault, president of the Shroud of Turin Education Project Inc., will present a 90 minute fast moving big screen experience using over 150 images covering all aspects of research on the Shroud. Please contact the Phila Shroud Office for group information.

Please use this opportunity to join with us, especially during this season of the Great Fast, in spreading the word of Jesus’ love for us in the Shroud story. Please consider organizing groups from the parish and community.

The Cathedral will be opened:
Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00PM- 6:00PM
Saturday from 11:00AM-5:30PM
and Sunday from 8:00AM-3:00PM.

Tours are available of the Cathedral, Museum and Shroud exhibition during this time. There is no fee for the exhibits. Contact Archpriest Daniel Troyan at the Shroud Office at 215-922-2917. or visit our website http://www.philashroud.org/