Ñåðäå÷íî â³òàºìî íàøèõ ãîñòåé, ÿê³ ìîëèëèñü ñüîãîäí³ ç íàìè. Áóäåìî ðàä³ áà÷èòè Âàñ ó íàñòóïíó íåä³ëþ. Íåõàé Âàñ îáåð³ãຠÃîñïîäü.

Priest: Let us be attentive! Peace be with you all!

Reader: And with your spirit! Priest: Wisdom!

Priest: Peace be with you reader. Reader: And with your spirit. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. I will sing of thy mercies, O Lord, for ever; with my mouth I will proclaim Thy truth from generation to generation.

Verse: For Thou has said: “Mercy will be established for ever, and My truth will be prepared in the heavens.”

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Thank you all who worked on kolachki bake session last Tuesday.

We collected $678, during Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers for the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund. May our Collection help the children and those who suffered from this Chornobyl disaster in Ukraine. Thank you.

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Dear parishioners the day is nearing when my father John, fell asleep in the Lord on March 5. I remember that time and I am grateful to all of you for your support and prayers during this difficult time for our family.

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Dear Parishioners,

I am a Team Captain for Relay for Life at West Chester University . It is a 24-hour team event raising money for cancer research, education programs, and services for cancer patients and their families. This year it will be at West Chester University in Pennsylvania , April 28-29^th. I have formed a team in honor of my father called the “shirk-inators.” If you are interested in joining our team please contact one of the Shirk’s, or go to our website, http://www.acsevents.org/relay/pa/westchester/shirkinators. We would really appreciate your support in donating to our team for this event. You can donate online at our website or through any of the Shirk family members. Feel Free to call for more details, 775-4630. Thank you for your support.

With love in Christ, Stephanie Shirk

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Fr. Frank Estocin–Dean Office: 6729 N. 5th St. Philadelphia, PA 19126 February 28, 2007 Holy Apostle Onesimus

To Father Zinoviy Zharsky and the people of God of St John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Parish, Johnson City, New York

Father Zinoviy and beloved spiritual children of St. John the Baptist Parish: Glory to Jesus Christ, Who endured the Holy Passion for our sake!

It has come to my attention that the parish family, entrusted to your care by the grace of God and the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Constantine and the consent of our Eparchial Bishop and Consistory President, His Eminence Archbishop Antony, observed an extremely inspirational Sunday of Orthodoxy this past February 25th, 2007. Contributing to the beauty, which marked the solemn occasion, was your Orthodox Christian hospitality, which honors the Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, you and the parish of St. John the Baptist. As related to me, the presence of Christ and the cloud of witnesses of which St. Paul speaks, was felt by all.

All of the above and much more, are uniquely reflected in the sacred iconography, which now adorns and brings to life the interior of the temple. You and the faithful committed to your pastoral care, Venerable Father Zinoviy are worthy of congratulations and commendation, for in a very real sense, by adhering to principles, which govern the writing of holy icons, you and the spiritual children of St. John Parish have opened yourself to the sanctification, which is besought upon those who love the beauty of the house of God, namely you the parish priest and, in St. Paul’s words, the saints – the spiritual children of St. John Parish. You have done this as brothers and sisters, living in the harmony of Faith, which is not distorted by internal friction.

Today’s computer technology has permitted me to gaze with thanksgiving and wonder upon the interior of St. John Parish Temple, which you have beautified. What you have accomplished is much more than mere art. It opens for us the windows to heaven in a liturgical and aesthetic manner, which has and continues to be the hallmark of Orthodox Christian teaching. What you have done invites you, those who visit, those who pray with you and those who lead you in liturgical prayer to personal holiness. This is so apropos during this season, which invites us to a change in life so that we, as Orthodox Christians might witness in a more perfect manner to the love manifested during the days of Holy Week and might reverence the resurrection of Christ and witness to our own spiritual resurrection from the dark tomb of personal sin, as we gather in the radiance of the light of the resurrection.

I cannot but be reminded that you have not only shown your love for the beauty of the house of God, but have also honored those who proclaimed His word and bestowed His sacraments, beginning with the servant of God of blessed memory, Father Frank Lawryk, and those who followed him in this very unique and holy ministry.

For myself and the Deanery I thank you for the spiritual treasure, which will most certainly lead you and others to a more perfect unity with and in Christ, Who by His suffering and endurance of the passion has mercy on us.

In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26 year-old mother stared down at her 6 year-old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent feels, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that. But, she still wanted her son's dreams to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever

think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"

"Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back with tears in her eyes and replied, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true." Later that day, she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona where she met Fire Chief Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six-year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we will make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, and do everything with us. And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy one - with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow rain slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck outside. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van and even the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local TV news program. Having his dream come true, with all the love and kind attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible. One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to telephone and call family members to the hospital.

Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition. The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you please announce over the PA system that there is not a fire. It's just the fire department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you please open the window to Billy's room."

About five minutes later a hook and ladder fire truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window. Then 16 firefighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they all hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?" "Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Christ our Lord, is holding your hand," the chief said. With those words, Billy smiled and said, "I know, He has been holding my hand all day, and His angels have been singing....." Billy closed his eyes one last time.

You may pass this story to anyone you wish to be blessed. This story

is powerful plus uplifting stories like this, are one of the best gifts we can

receive. Let's continue to uplift one another. Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead tell your storm how big your God is.

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Holy icons in our faith and life. We continue describing icons in the altar. We left of talking about the seventh Archangel Barachiel, found on the scroll (fourth from the left) holding a sign Agios, which translates into “holy” from Greek. Just as we talked about archangels in a previous bulletin holding a scroll, a message from the Book of Revelation to the Seven Churches chapter 2 and 3. It is the seven levels of faith, in order of least to greatest, from first Archangel Michael to the seventh Archangel Barachiel (Rev. 3:21). In this same manner the archangels help the faithful ascend in our faith, from the lowest level to perfection. However, even on the highest level of faith, the seventh level, the person is still capable of falling back down from the level of holiness. But the eighth Archangel Jeremiel, fourth from the right, who is holding a sign Axios, which means “worthy“, there is no downfall from that level because the eighth archangel and that level of faith, escort the person into God‘s palace, eternal life and continuous presence in God‘s Divine Energy. The Archangels and the Angels have the most intimate interaction with humanity. They proclaim God’s will and fortify those of us in danger of falling. They report our sins but help us repent. By suggestions to our reasoning or inspirations to our imagination, they reveal the intents and purposes of God to our souls, guide our consciences, and urge us to lead a

virtuous and upright life. St. Clement of Alexandria (c.150-215) professes that “The angels of God serve the priests and deacons in the ministering of earthly affairs” In the Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great, just before the procession of the Great Entrance exits from the alter area, the priest quietly prays, “We who mystically represent the Cherubim, and sing to the life-giving Trinity the trice-holy hymn, let us now lay aside all earthly care: that we may receive the King of all, who comes invisibly upborne by the Angelic Hosts. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia… O Lord our God, ruler over those in heaven and earth; who art born on the throne of the Cherubim; who art Lord of the Seraphim and King of Israel; who alone art holy and restest in the Holy Place.”

Now we are transition to the icons of the saints in the circles. On the right side is St. Gregory Palamas (1296 - 1359). Here is a short summary of his life and teaching. St. Gregory Palamas lived seven hundred years ago and was raised in the aristocracy of the Byzantine court, he is very much a relevant figure to us today. As one who walked the path to God that we must follow, and now stands before the throne of God, interceding on our behalf, he has much to offer us. It was in 1334 on Mount Athos that St Gregory experienced a vision in which he was encouraged to share the wisdom bestowed upon him from on high. The teaching of Saint Gregory and his fellow students was based on the understanding that man, greatest of all God’s creatures, had been called to enter into direct and unmediated communion with God even from this

present life. The chief manner by which this is achieved is through the divine energy and poetic prayer, that is, through the Prayer of the Heart, also known as the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me a sinner.” For St. Gregory, therefore true theology, real knowledge of God, is given not to those whose minds have been exercised in lofty concepts about God, but to those who, through prayer and ascetic striving in accordance with the commandments of Christ, gave been made worthy to behold the vision of Christ in glory, to those who have seen God face to face and share in His very Life.

St. Gregory is best known for his education of the orthodox theology regarding God’s essence distinction between God’s essence and energy. In our society, the concept of grace is caught up in the context of justification, free will, forgiveness and all the Catholic and protestant debates on the addressed by St. Gregory, but he teaches us that the grace of God is entreated, that is, it is God Himself. We are united to God through His grace. But this race is not the essence of God which remains transcendent to every creature. It is His energy which is common to each of the persons of the Trinity. This grace may be communicated to man and allows us to know God and participate in His very being.

St. Gregory quickly made progress in fasting, vigil, prayer and mourning, cleansing himself of the passion and uniting his soul and body to God. He shows us the value of pressing forward in devotion to God while maintaining communion with fathers and brothers. He was a spokesman for the monastic brotherhoods of Mt. Athos in this affair and produced a solid distillation of the patristic teaching on deification, the essence and energies of God, the nature of grace and the Divine Light of Mt. Tabor.

St Gregory suffered much persecution as he proclaimed the truth of orthodoxy. He shows us the fulfillment of the words of the beatitudes, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness…” He was imprisoned, excommunicated, slandered, and betrayed by a former friend and disciple. But united to Christ, he was able to surmount these trials. Eventually, the situation settled down somewhat and he became bishop of Thesalonica and became active in caring for his flock defending the Church from heresies as he took part in councils that established his teaching for the Orthodox Church. God permitted him to suffer even as a bishop for His sake. He was twice refused entry into Thessalonica and he also spent a year in captivity to the Turks. He reposed in peace in the year 1359 on November 14. He was quickly recognized as a saint and is commemorated on the Second Sunday of Great Lent. So the icon of this Saint Gregory is located on the right side in the alter in the circle. /Will continue in the next Sunday’s Bulletin/

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Future Event. Please mark your calendars.

Mon. March 5 - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Basketball practice

Mon. March 5 - 7:00 pm. Sr. UOL meeting.

Tue. March 6 - 8:00 am. Bread rolls bake session.

Thu. March 8 - 8:00 am. Men cook cabbage. 9:00 AM Women trim cabbage.

Fri. March 9- 8:30 am. Make Holubsti

Fridays, March - 9, 16, 23, 30 - St. Michael’s pirohi sale. Orders 729-0261

Sun. March 4, March 11, March 18, March 25, April 1 - 3:00-5:00 pm. Pysanky Classes with Emily Smorol at the Memorial Center and iconography classes with Pani Nataliya at the church rectory.

Sun. March 4, 11, 18 and 25 - 4:30 pm. Lenten Educational Lecture “The Life of an Orthodox Christians as a Journey” a forty minutes presentation by a guest speaker, at Dormition of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church at Baxter St. Lenten refreshments will be provided at the end.

March 9 - 11, 2007 - U.O.L. Retreat. Bethlehem, PA. The retreat will focus

on the Major Feast Days of the Orthodox Church. Speakers His Beatitude Metropolitan Constantine and His Eminence Archbishop Antony. For

applications please see Pam or Father.

Sun. March 11 - Special Parish Meeting. Awareness of financial problems and issues.

Sat. March 17 - 5:00 pm. Wedding dinner.

March 16-18, 2007 - U.O.L. Lenten Retreat. All Saints Camp. For applications please see Pam or Father.

Mon. March 19 - 7:00 pm. Parish board meeting.

Sun. March 25 - First Confession parent/child meeting at the beginning of church school (following opening prayer)

Sun. March 25 - Jr. UOL meeting after church school.

Sat. March 31 - St. John’s Easter Bake sale from 11:00 - 1:00 pm. Call 729-5231 or 775-0922. Special: Our cookbooks, Vol. I and II will be $7.95 each or 2 for $15 during the sale only!

Sat. April 15, 2007 - (Saturday of St. Thomas Sunday) U.O.L. Educational Seminar. South Bound Brook, NJ Contact: Natalie Bilynsky (610) 892-7315.

Sun. April 22 - Hierarchal Divine Liturgy and blessing of the icons in the altar Sun. April 22- We will collect the contest entries.

Sun. May 20 - Sacrament of First Confession.

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Please let Father know who is in need of visiting, prayers

or receiving of sacraments. Visits can be any time.

The 61st Ukrainian Orthodox League (UOL) Convention will be held at the Holiday Inn Arena in downtown Binghamton from July 30-August 3rd, 2008.

St. John the Baptist Sr. and Jr. UOL chapters are hosting several hundred conventioneers from all over the nation. This is a great financial undertaking. We are inviting you to consider sponsoring one of the funding opportunities listed on the attached sheet. General contributions are also welcome.

All sponsors will be recognized in the Convention Yearbook and on St. John The Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church website. Your sponsorship will help us to host a wonderful convention for these special visitors to our community. If you are sponsoring through your business, it will provide your business with increased visibility on local, regional and national levels.

The UOL is a national organization that promotes and strengthens the Orthodox faith and its Ukrainian culture. It also provides charitable donations to local, national, and worldwide organizations and funds for seminarians and young adults attending college. In addition, our local chapter members serve in leadership roles in our church, do mission work, and participate in community affairs. Thank you in advance for your consideration and support of our organization. Please contact me at the above number for more information or to coordinate your sponsorship or gift today

Sincerely, Pam Scannell Convention Chair

2007 Opportunities

Promotional Convention Advertisement $300.00

Hospitality night $300.00

Promotional Banquet Favor $200.00

2008 Opportunities

Welcoming Gift $300.00

Nametags and Lanyards $150.00

Wednesday Hospitality Night $500.00

Holiday Inn Arena

Thursday Brunch $1720.00

Holiday Inn Arena

Thursday Event-Ukrainian Picnic $2700.00
On the 18th floor of the State office bldg

Thursday evening beverages

St. John’s Social Club Friday Event-TBD $4700.00

Holiday Inn Arena

Saturday Banquet and Ball $7500.00

Holiday Inn Arena ballroom

Sunday Farewell Luncheon St. Mary’s Sisterhood

At St. John’s Memorial Center

Convention Yearbook Printing $1000.00

A group of individuals or businesses can join together to sponsor an event or convention expense. All donations can be mailed to the above address.

Checks are payable to 61st UOL Convention.

Senior and Junior UOL Chapters

St. John the Baptist Ukrainian

Orthodox Church, Johnson City, NY.

61st Ukrainian Orthodox League Convention

July 30th-August 3rd, 2008 “THE LIGHT OF CHRIST ILLUMINES ALL” /Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts/

Pam Scannell, Convention Chair 754-1554. 2000 Clover Dr Vestal, NY 13850

and Holy Communion, please participate in these sacraments. This is for your own salvation, for the remission of sins and life everlasting. Please do not wait till the last minute, it could be too late. We never know when God will call us. Today we are here tomorrow we will go into eternity, and will stand before God’s judgment.

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With the blessing of the Council of Bishops, the Office of Youth & Youth Adult Ministry and Mission and Christian Charities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA announce its Missionary trip to St. Sophia Seminary in South Bound Brook NJ. for High School aged teenagers. The High School Mission Trip to St. Sophia’s will take place August 5-12, 2007. St. Sophia Seminary was established in 1976. The Seminary is in major need of remodeling and has been under constriction for over a year. Application Due Date: March15, 2007. For application please see Father. We are pray that you will be able to join us on this ground-breaking trip to act upon the command of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For application please see Father.

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