St. John the Baptist, Parish Bulletin
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Parish Council President: Mr. Robert Onysko (607) 755-4085
Choir Directors: Mrs. Melodye Onysko (607)754-4085 melCNM@yahoo.com
Mrs. Nancy Tarcha (607)798-7591

Diocesan Website: www.uocofusa.org
Parish Web Page: www.stjohnuoc.org
Eparchial Archpastor: Archbishop Antony (732) 356-0090, Email: uocofusa@aol.com
Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Zinoviy - John Zharsky (607) 797-1584, Email: stjohnuoc@yahoo.com

Welcome all visitors of St. John’s. We are happy to see you again.

Sun. Oct 21, 2007, 8:20 - 8:50 am. Reading of the Hours/Confession. Liturgy. Holy fathers of the VII Ecumanical Council. Venerable Palahia the Penitent. Martyr Ignatius of Bulgaria. Coffee Hour. 10:45-11:30 am. Sunday School.

Mon. Oct. 22 - Holy Apostle James, son of Alphaeus. Icon of Most Holy Birth-Giver of God “Korsun” (Cherson) Colossians 2:13-20. Luke 9:18-22.

Tue. Oct. 23 - Saint Amphilocius, bishop of Volodymyr in Volyn’. Blessed Andrew, fool-for-Christ. Colossians 2:20-3:3. Luke 9:23-27.

Wed. Oct. 24 - 10:00 am. Akathist to the Mother of God. Holy Apostle Philip of the Seventy. Colossians 3:17-4:1 Luke 9:44-50 Fast Day

Thu. Oct. 25 - Martyrs Probus, Taraschus and Andronicus at Tarsus in Cilicia. Colossians 4:2-9. Luke 9:49-56.

Fri. Oct. 26 - 10:00 am. Akathist to our Lord. Saint Bemjamin of the Kyiv Caves. Colossians 4:10-18. Luke 10-1-15. Fast Day.

Sat. Oct. 27 - 4:30 pm. Great Vespers / Confession. Martyrs Nazarius, Gervase, Protase and Celsius of Milan. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. Luke 7:1-10.

Sun. Oct. 28 - 8:20-8:50 am Reading of the Hours/Confession. 9:00 Divine Liturgy. Hieromartyr Lucian, priest of great Antioch. Saint Dionysius archbishop of Susdal. Tone 5. Prayer for travelers. Coffee Hour. 10:45-11:30 Sunday School

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Priest: Let us be attentive! Peace be with you all! Reader: And with your spirit! Priest: Wisdom!

Reader: The Prokimen in tone 4. O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! / In wisdom hast Thou made them all! Verse: Bless the Lord, o my soul? O my God, Thou art very great! Priest: Wisdom!

Reader: The reading from the letter of Apostle Paul to the Hebrews.

Priest: Let us be attentive

Reader: Brothers, remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing, city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Reader: And with your spirit. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Verse: Go forth, prosper and reign, because of truth and meekness and righteousness. Verse: You love righteousness and hate iniquity.

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Happy Birthday: Oct. 21 Alexis Ranieri, 22 Sally Shirk, 27 Kathleen Ellsworth, 27 Nadine Kalada. Happy Anniversary: Oct. 24 Peter Jr. & Erica Hatala, 27 Joseph & Nicole Ranieri.

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Dear parishioners at an emergency if you can’t reach Father at the rectory, you can call him on his cell phone 245-9988.

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Please let Father know who is in need of visiting, prayers or receiving of sacraments. Visits can be any time.

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Thank you all who worked the kitchen work session for College Days Dinner last week.

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We need your specialties (cakes, cookies, candies) to sell at our Sisterhood Thanksgiving Bake Sale. Saturday November 17, from 11:00 am. - 1:00 pm. Please contact Jennifer Hatala. 723-9435 or Carolyn Hatala 748-4380

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Senior Ukrainian Orthodox League have donated the profits from the Pampered Chef fundraiser in the amount of $871.68 from October 7. The donation will help cover part of the icon of St. Gregory the Theologian in the altar. If anyone wished to be a co-sponsor, please see Father or Bob Onysko. Thank you UOL and everyone who supported the fundraiser.

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T-Shirts: You can purchase white T-Shirts again with a ‘I LOVE UOL’ logo and support our UOL. Please call Alexis Oryhon at 341-3748. Thank you.

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Clean up leaves: If any parishioners are in need to cleaning leaves on your property, the Jr. UOL will be able to help you. Please call the Harendza family at 321-3685.

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WHAT IS ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY?

A Fakir's "Miracle" and the Prayer of Jesus. By Archimandrite Nicholas Drobyazgin
The author of this testimony, a new martyr of the Communist Yoke, enjoyed a brilliant worldly career as a naval commander, being also deeply involved in occultism as editor of the occult journal Rebus. Being saved from almost certain death at sea by a miracle of St. Seraphim, he made a pilgrimage to Sarov and then renounced his worldly career and occult ties to become a monk. After being ordained priest, he served as a missionary in China, India and Tibet, as the priest of various embassy churches, and as abbot of several monasteries. After 1914 he lived at the Kyiv Caves Lavra, where he discoursed to the young people who visited him concerning the influence of occultism. In the autumn of 1924, one month after he had been visited by a certain Tuholx, the author of the book Black Magic, he was murdered in his cell “by persons unknown” stabbed by a dagger with a special handle apparently of occult significance.

The incident here described, revealing the nature of one of the mediumistic “gifts” which are common in Eastern religions.

On a wondrous early tropical morning our ship was cleaving the waters of the Indian Ocean, nearing the island of Ceylon. The lively faces of the passengers, for the most part Englishmen with their families who were traveling to their posts or on business in their Indian colony, looked avidly in the distance, seeking out with their eyes the enchanted isle, which for practically all of them had been bound up since childhood with so much that was interesting and mysterious in the tales and descriptions of travelers.

The island was still scarcely visible when already a fine, intoxicating, fragrance from the trees growing on it more and more enveloped the ship with each passing breeze. Finally a kind of blue cloud lay on the horizon, ever increasing in size as the ship speedily approached. Already one could notice the buildings spread out along the shore, buried in the verdure of majestic palms, and the many-colored crowd of the local inhabitants who were awaiting the ship's arrival. The passengers, who had quickly become acquainted with each other on the trip, were laughing and conversing animatedly with each other on the deck, admiring the wondrous scene of the fairy-tale isle as it unfolded before their eyes. The ship swung slowly around, preparing to moor at the dock of the port city of Colombo.

Here the ship stopped to take on coal, and the passengers had sufficient time to go ashore. The day was so hot that many passengers decided not to leave the ship until evening, when a pleasant coolness replaced the heat of the day. A small group of eight people, to which I joined myself, was led by Colonel Elliott, who had been in Colombo before and knew the city and its environs well. He made an alluring proposition. "Ladies and gentlemen! Wouldn't you like to go a few miles out of town and pay a visit to one of the local magician-fakirs? Perhaps we shall see something interesting." All accepted the colonel's proposition with enthusiasm.

It was already evening when we left behind the noisy streets of the city and rolled along a marvelous jungle road which was twinkling with the sparks of millions of fireflies. Finally, the road suddenly widened and in front of us there was a small clearing surrounded on all sides by jungle. At the edge of the clearing under a big tree there was a kind of hut, next to which a small bonfire was smoldering and a thin, emaciated old man with a turban on his head sat cross-legged and with his unmoving gaze directed at the fire. Despite our noisy arrival, the old man continued to sit completely immovable, not paying us the slightest attention. Somewhere from out of the darkness a youth appeared and, going up to the colonel, quietly asked him something. In a short while he brought out several stools and our group arranged itself in a semi-circle not far from the bonfire. A light and fragrant smoke arose. The old man sat in the same pose, apparently noticing no one and nothing. The half-moon which arose dispelled to some extent the darkness of the night, and in its ghostly light all objects took on fantastic outlines. Involuntarily everyone became quiet and waited to see what would happen.

"Look! Look there, on the tree!" Miss Mary cried in an excited whisper. We all turned our heads in the direction indicated. And indeed, the whole surface of the immense crown of the tree under which the fakir was sitting was as it were gently flowing in the soft illumination of the moon, and the tree itself began gradually to melt and lose its contours; literally, some unseen hand had thrown over it an airy covering which became more and more concentrated with every moment. Soon the undulating surface of the sea presented itself with complete clarity before our astonished gaze. With a light rumble one wave followed another, making foaming white-caps; light clouds were floating in a sky which had become blue. Stunned, we could not tear ourselves away from this striking picture.

And then in the distance there appeared a white ship. Thick smoke poured out of its two large smokestacks. It quickly approached us, cleaving the water. To our great amazement we recognized it as our own ship, the one on which we had come to Colombo! A whisper passed through our ranks when we read on the stern, traced out in gold letters, the name of our ship, Luisa. But what astounded us most of all was what we saw on the ship — ourselves! Don't forget that at the time when all this happened cinematography hadn't even been thought of and it was impossible even to conceive of something like this. Each of us saw ourselves on the ship's deck amongst people who were laughing and talking to each other. But what was especially astonishing: I saw not only myself, but at the same time the whole deck of the ship down to the smallest details, as if in a bird's-eye view — which of course simply could not be in actuality. At one and the same time I saw myself among the passengers, and the sailors working at the other end of the ship, and the captain in his cabin, and even our monkey "Nelly," a favorite of all, eating bananas on the main mast. All my companions at the same time, each in his own way, were greatly excited at what they were seeing, expressing their emotions with soft cries and excited whispers.

I had completely forgotten that I was a priest-monk and, it would seem, had no business at all participating in such a spectacle. The spell was so powerful that both the mind and the heart were silent. My heart began to beat painfully in alarm. Suddenly I was beside myself. A fear took hold of my whole being.

My lips began to move and say: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" Immediately I felt relieved. It was just as if some mysterious chains which had bound me began to fall away. The prayer became more concentrated, and with it my peace of soul returned. I continued to look at the tree, and suddenly, as if pursued by the wind, the picture became clouded and was dispersed. I saw nothing more except the big tree, illuminated by the light of the moon, and likewise the fakir sitting in silence by the bonfire, while my companions continued to express what they were experiencing while gazing at the picture, which for them had not been broken off.

But then something apparently happened to the fakir also. He reeled to the side. The youth ran up to him in alarm. The seance was suddenly broken up.

Deeply moved by everything they had experienced, the spectators stood up, animatedly sharing their impressions and not understanding at all why the whole thing had been cut off so sharply and unexpectedly. The youth explained it as owing to the exhaustion of the fakir, who was sitting as before, his head down, and paying not the slightest attention to those present.

Having generously rewarded the fakir through the youth for the opportunity to be participants of such an astonishing spectacle, our group quickly got together for the trip back. While starting out, I involuntarily turned back once more in order to imprint in my memory the whole scene, and suddenly — I shuddered from an unpleasant feeling. My gaze met the gaze of the fakir, which was full of hatred. It was but for a single instant, and then he again assumed his habitual position; but this glance once and for all opened my eyes to the realization of whose power it was that had produced this "miracle."

Eastern "spirituality" is by no means limited to such mediumistic "tricks" as this fakir practiced. Still, all the power that is given to the practitioners of Eastern religions comes from the same phenomenon of mediumism, whose central characteristic is a passiveness before "spiritual" reality that enables one to enter into contact with the "gods" of the non-Christian religions. This phenomenon may be seen in Eastern Meditation" (even when it may be given the name of "Christian"), and perhaps even in those strange "gifts" which in our days of spiritual decline are mislabeled "charismatic”. /Will be continued in next Sunday’s Bulletin/

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Future Event. Please mark your calendars.

Today, 11:30-2:00 pm. Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church Ethnic Dinner. 210 Hill Ave. Endicott. Cost is $7.00 per Adult; and $3 for Children.

Today - CHOW Walk for Hunger. This year’s walk marks a quarter century of Broome County people who care walking to feed the hungry. The walk will be held at Binghamton University. Registration is at 1:00 pm and the walk starts at 2:00 pm. There will also be entertainment, games and food available after the walk as well as many specials guests. Anyone who collects $50.00 or more in pledges will receive this year’s CHOW Hunger Walk T-shirt at registration.

Sun. Oct. 28 - 12 noon Fall Festival Party sponsored by the Sisterhood.

Come one, come all, for food, fun and games and fellowship

Sun. Nov. 4 - Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA is sponsoring its fourth annual Ukrainian Fall Festival at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, South Bound Brook, NJ. Music & performance, ukrainian food and goods from a variety of vendors will be available for sale. The proceeds of this event will benefit the Permanent Famine Memorial and Exhibit and Museum in Memory of His Holiness patriarch Mstyslav I currently being build in South Bound Brook. We also welcome your support in the form of donations. Checks may be made payable to “United Ukrainian Orthodox Sisterhoods of the USA” and mailed to Sofia Bilinsky, 343 E. Hallandale Rd. Kennett Square, PA. 19348

Tue. Nov. 6 - 6:00 - 9:00 pm. “Jazz Up Your Life” at Brothers 2 Restaurant, Endwell. Sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association and Broome County Office for Aging. To pre-register call 785-7852 or 778-3411.

Sat. Nov. 17 - 11:00 am. - 1:00 pm. St. Mary’s Sisterhood Thanksgiving Bake Sale.

Sat. Nov. 17 - Solemn march to honor 10 million innocent victims of the Ukrainian Genocide of 1932-1933. Starting 11:45 am. 7^th Street, between 2^nd and 3^rd Avenues, New York City. 75^th anniversary of the Holodomor!

Mon. Nov. 19 - 7:00 pm. Board meeting.

Thu. Nov. 20 - 5:00 -6:30 pm. Volunteer to Sarah Jane’s Soup Kitchen, to help people of need in our area. Mary and Walter Gulachok, Linda Zapach.

Thu. Dec 6 - 7:00 pm. Sr. UOL Meeting.

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Pray for the sick. The Lord said: “Do unto others as you would want them do unto you.” So if we will be sick, we will ask help from God, we will ask priests and people to pray for us. In order for the Lord to listen to us when we are sick, we need to pray for those who are sick. O Lord our God, Who by Your Word alone healed all diseases; Who cured the Mother-in-law of Apostle Peter; Who chastises with pity and heals according to Your goodness; Who are able to put aside every malady and infirmity: Do You the same Lord, now relieve Your servants: Archbishop Vsevolod, Fr. Michael Michalopolos, John Sr. Tylko, Pam Scannell, Paul Chebiniak, Jon Ward, Evelyn Kanazawich, Jean Mulhollen, Robert Kocak, Audrey and Eugene Klym, Michael Hovancik, Kevin Terpak, Emilia Lewkowicz, Mildred Charnetsky, Mary & Walter Gulachok, Mary Gormish, Olga Gooley, Mary Ford, Mary Mihalko, Margaret Klish, Marlyn Klish, Cypryan Klish II, Sophia Malowicky, Genevieve Sadowitz, Michael Sr. Duby, Anne and Karen Girnis, Julie Sadowitz, Catherine Dobransky, Pelahia Kit, Stephania Moroz, Mildred Bogdan, Wasyl Krawecki, Meghan Scannell, Olga Drost, Marion Kaspryk, Nicholas Corba, and cure them of the sicknesses which grieves them; lift them up from their beds of pain, sending down upon them Your mercy; and if it be Your will, give to them health and a complete recovery. For You are the Physician of our souls and bodies, and to You we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen

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Please give Father any information or announcements that you would like to publish in the Sunday’s bulletin, before Friday of that week. This way all parishioners will know about St. John’s events. Thank you.

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Dear brothers and sisters for those who do not attend confession (repentance)

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.

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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/

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

JULY 30 - AUGUST 3, 2008. 61 ANNUAL UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX

LEAGUE CONVENTION AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN JOHNSON CITY, NY. “THE LIGHT OF CHRIST ILLUMINESS ALL” COME AND ENJOY SPIRITUAL AND COLTURAL ACTIVITIES.

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Recycle for Charity is resumed again. Please bring your toners and ink cartridges to the copy room in the church. Thank you. The proceeds benefit All Saints Camp.

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Children, youth and adults come and enjoy exercise with a game of basketball and the outside and after enjoy some pizza. Every Wednesday from 5-7pm near the Memorial Center with Jeff Hatala.

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