St. Alexis of Wilkes-Barre Church
Publish Date: 2014-10-19
Bulletin Contents
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St. Alexis of Wilkes-Barre Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 860-664-9434
  • Street Address:

  • 108 E Main St

  • Clinton, CT 06413-0134
  • Mailing Address:

  • PO Box 134

  • Clinton, CT 06413-0134


Contact Information



Services Schedule

Weekly Services

Tuesdays at 8:30a - Daily Matins

Wednesdays at 6:00p - Daily Vespers

Thursday at 8:30a - Daily Matins

Saturday at 5:30p - Great Vespers

Sunday at 9:30a - Divine Liturgy

The Church is also open on Wednesdays for "Open Doors" - confession, meditation and reflection.

Please see our online calendar for dates and times of Feast Day services.


Past Bulletins


Welcome

We welcome all visitors to our Divine Liturgy and services. While Holy Communion may only be received by prepared Orthodox Christians, our non-Orthodox guests are welcome to participate in our prayers and hymns and to join us in venerating the Cross and and receiving blessed bread at the conclusion of the Liturgy. Please sign our guest book and join us for refreshments and fellowship after the services.

Feel free to ask questions before or after the services. Any member of our Council or Congregation are glad to assist you. Literature about the Orthodox faith and this parish can be found at the candle desk.

Members of our Parish Council are:

Michael Kuziak - President
Natalie Kucharski - Secretary
Glenn PenkoffLidbeck - Vice President
Susan Egan - Treasurer
Phyllis Sturtevant - Member at Large
Sophia Brubaker - Member at Large

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St. Alexis Parish Calendar

  • Events of the Week

    October 19 to October 19, 2014

    Sunday, October 19

    OCF College Student Sunday

    Susan Hayes - B

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:15AM Church School

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Announcements

Dates to Note 

Sunday, November 16, 2014 - Annual Parish Meeting. Only “members” may vote at the annual meeting. If you have any question as to your membership status, please talk with a parish council representative.

Parish Events

Saturday, November 1, 2014 - Community Garden Work Day; beginning at 9:30a.
We will be breaking down the irrigation system for the winter. If we have 6 to 9 people we can break into teams and do a lot of work quickly.  With two small teams taking up drip lines and hoses and another team taking up header lines and blowing the system down it could all be done in 3 to 4 hours.  If we have extra time and energy we can help with other necessary chores there . . . lots to do. The following Saturday could be the rain day (the 8th). If we get a bad bout of sub-freezing before then, we might have to do some emergency de-watering of the main parts of the system--but that is unlikely . . .

 Events

The cookbook for sale from the Holy Trinity Church in New Britain is available through Susan Davis (She will leave a sign up sheet at the candle desk with an envelope for cost of $15 per copy).
Cookbook title:  'Celebrating over 100 years - Protection of the Holy Theotokos Sisterhood Cookbook' 2014 Edition:  Holy Trinity Orthodox Church; New Britain, CT.
If interested, may also email her at lad42@comcast.net
Thank you on behalf of the Sisterhood of Holy Trinity Church

The All Saints (Hartford) annual bazaar is only a month away!:
Fri, Nov 7 - 41st Annual Russian Tea Room & Bazaar - 6pm: Yale Slavic (Ladies) Chorus
Sat, Nov 8 - 10am - 4pm: Tea Room & Bazaar ~5pm: Great Vespers
Sun, Nov 9 - 9am: Pre-Communion Prayers & Hours
 9:30am: Divine Liturgy, Noon - 3pm: Tea Room & Bazaar
(Please see our web site or the bulletin board for more details)

Alzheimer’s, Caregiving and Gratitude

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness and National Caregiver Month. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It begins with mild memory loss and progresses to an inability to communicate or perform self-care. In the early stage of the disease caregivers provide support and reminders to help the person with memory loss live as normally as possible. During the middle-stage of Alzheimer’s there are changes in behavior and ability to complete daily tasks. Finding the right words to express thoughts becomes harder. Caregivers need lots of patience to provide frequent reminders, and supervision to keep their loved one safe. By the late stage of illness the person with Alzheimer’s needs help eating, walking, bathing and dressing. It takes a loving caregiver to maintain safety, dignity and quality of life. It also takes a community of support.Caregivers need to take time for themselves regularly. Walking with a friend or reading a book without being interrupted can help the caregiver relax. It may mean that a friend provides companionship for the person with dementia while the caregiver takes a break. Home health agencies have caregivers for hire for a few hours at a time. There are programs available to provide respite care so the caregiver can get some much needed rest. Self-care helps caregivers continue to give care to others.As we gather family and friends together to celebrate Thanksgiving let’s remember those who are experiencing Alzheimer’s disease and their faithful caregivers.

More information and resources are available from the Alzheimer’s Association website, www.alz.org or by calling 1-800-272-3900.

Diocesan and National Church Events

The 18th All American Council will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, from July 20-24th, 2015. We will need a “lay” representative from parish to attend. If you have any interest in participating, please talk with Fr Steven.
You should also know that there is an assessment of $12.50 per member in each parish to help cover expenses for the AAC.

HCHC Missions Week and Annual Missions Lecture
We welcome Fr. Nicholas Andruchow, Assoc. Dir. of Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage, and his wife Pres. Merilynn (BA '92) for HCHC Missions Week October 27-31.They'll speak nightly in the chapel, offer classes, and meet with small groups. Fr. Nicholas will offer the annual EFOM Missions Lecture at 7:00 pm on Thursday, Oct 30: “Changing the World: Transformation through Missions with Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage as a Model.” Learn more...

OCAMPR Conference at HCHC, November 6–8, 2014
The Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology, and Religion presents "Exploring the Mind-Body-Soul Connection: Spirituality in Illness and Healing." Learn more...

Boston Byzantine Music Festival at HCHC
Boston Byzantine Music Festival, November 14 & 15. Performances by Cappella Romana, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir, and DÜNYA with HCHC’s own St. Romanos the Melodist Byzantine Choir. Free lectures and workshops. Special HCHC discounts. Information, schedule, and tickets at www.BostonByzantineMusic.org.

"Divine Compassion and Women of the Church" Videos
Saint Catherine's Vision is pleased to announce that videos from the Divine Compassion and Women of the Church: Theological Perspectives conference, which was held at HCHC on June 20, 2014, are now available. For full access to the video series, please visit http://goo.gl/XSFSpE.

Seminary Offers Four Hybrid, Online Public Courses in January

In January 2015, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary will be offering four public courses, comprising an online and a residential component. Offerings include three pastoral theology courses and one liturgical music course, taught by experts in their fields: "The Therapeutic Encounter," by Dr. Daniel Hinshaw; "The Parish and Prison Ministry," by The Very Rev. Dr. Nicholas Solak and The Rev. Stephen Powley, executive director, Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM); "Stewardship in American Orthodoxy," by The Very Rev. Dr. Robert Holet; and "The Music and Faith of Arvo Pärt," with Dr. Peter Bouteneff. Learn more...

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Prayers, Intersessions and Commemorations

Cross2

Olga, Vera, Richard, Daria, Daria, Evelyn, Alla, June, Nina, Joan, Luke, Aaron, Anne, Alex, Alan, Nadia, Glenn, Kathryn, Ivan, Elena & Jevon and their unborn child, Kyra, Roderick, Albert, Barbara, Irene, Susan, Eva, Richard, Douglas, Kathleen, Dionysia, Krystal and Ezekiel, Elisha, Sharon & William and their unborn child.

 

Many Years! This week we celebrate: Susan Hayes and Greg Jankura on the occasion of their birthdays.

 

We commemorate: Prophet Joel (ca. 800 B.C.). Martyr Varus, and with him six Monk Martyrs (ca. 307). Translation of the Relics of Ven. John, Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria (1238). Bl. Cleopatra and her son John, in Egypt (327). Hieromartyr Sadoc (Sadoth), Bishop of Persia, and 128 Martyrs with him (342).

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 2nd Tone

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Tone

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
October 19

Joel the Prophet

The Prophet Joel, whose name means "Yah is God," was of the tribe of Reuben, the son of Bathuel, and lived from 810 to 750 B.C. (but some say in the 7th century B.C.). His book is divided into three chapters, and is the second in order of the minor Prophets. He foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Joel 2:28, and quoted by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2:17), and the saving power of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Joel 2:32).


Allsaint
October 19

John the Wonderworker of Kronstadt

Saint John of Kronstadt was a married priest, who lived with his wife in virginity. Through his untiring labours in his priestly duties and love for the poor and sinners, he was granted by our Lord great gifts of clairvoyance and miracle-working, to such a degree that in the last years of his life miracles of healing--both of body and soul--were performed countless times each day through his prayers, often for people who had only written to him asking his help. During his lifetime he was known throughout Russia, as well as in the Western world. He has left us his diary My Life in Christ as a spiritual treasure for Christians of every age; simple in language, it expounds the deepest mysteries of our Faith with that wisdom which is given only to a heart purified by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Foreseeing as a true prophet the Revolution of 1917, he unsparingly rebuked the growing apostasy among the people; he foretold that the very name of Russia would be changed. As the darkness of unbelief grew thicker, he shone forth as a beacon of unquenchable piety, comforting the faithful through the many miracles that he worked and the fatherly love and simplicity with which he received all. Saint John reposed in peace in 1908.


Allsaint
October 19

St. Varys the Martyr

Saint Varys contested for the sake of Christ during the reign of Maximian, in the year 304. He was a soldier in the service of the Emperor Maximian, and held in honour for his courage. While in Egypt, he visited the Christians held in prison and comforted them. Among them, he visited seven monks imprisoned together; when one of them died from his torments, Saint Varys took his place. When this became known to the governor, Saint Varys was arrested and tortured to death.


Johnrila
October 19

St. John of Rilas

Saint John of Rilas founded the renowned monastery of that name in Bulgaria in the tenth century. Over the centuries, great and wondrous healings have flowed from his holy relics.


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 11:31-33; 12:1-9

BRETHREN, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for ever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands.

I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

That dead man was being buried, and many friends were conducting him to his tomb. But there meets him Christ, the Life and Resurrection, for He is the destroyer of death and of corruption; He it is "in Whom we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28); He it is Who has restored the nature of man to that which it originally was; and has set free our death-fraught flesh from the bonds of death.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homily 36.42, p. 153., 5th Century

The virgin's son met the widow's son. He became like a sponge for her tears and as life for the death of her son. Death turned about in its den and turned its back on the victorious one.
St. Ephrem the Syrian
Commentary on Tatian's Diatessaron, 6.23. (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. vol. 3: Luke, Intervarsity Press)

What is it that I love when I love you? Not the beauty of a body or the comeliness of time. Nor the luster of the light pleasing to the eyes, nor the sweet melodies of all manner of songs, nor the fragrance of flowers, ointments and spices, not manna and honey, nor limbs welcome to the embrace of the flesh - I do not love these when I love my God. And yet there is a kind of light, a kind of voice, a kind of fragrance, a kind of foods, a kind of embrace, when I love my God, who is the light, voice, fragrance, food, embrace of the inner man, where there shines into the soul that which no place can contain, and there sounds forth that which time cannot end, where there is fragrance which no breeze disperses, taste which eating does not make less, and a clinging together which fulfillment does not terminate. It is this that I love when I love my God.
St. Augustine
Confessions 10.6 in The Confessions of St. Augustine, p. 244, 5th century

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Community

    Russian Tea Room and Bizaar

    Russian Tea Room and Bizaar

    All Saints Orthodox Church, Hartford


    CT Bible Lecture Series

    CT Bible Lecture Series

    The Connecticut Bible Lecture Series (CBLS) is pleased to announce the fourteenth of its highly successful Semi-annual Lecture Series. Its mission is to educate, inspire, and challenge participants of all backgrounds and education levels to recognize the centrality of sound biblical interpretation for reading, hearing and understanding the Word of God.


    Lenox Adult Retreat

    Lenox Adult Retreat

    hosted by Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Spiritual Preppers: Is Your House in Order? Retreat Master: Rev. Matthew Stagon November 7-9 2014 The Village Inn – Lenox, MA www.holytrinitydanbury.org 203-748-0671


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