Welcome to Saint Mary's Orthodox Church

Welcome to The Dormition of the Mother of God Orthodox Christian Church (Saint Mary's) which is a parish of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church of the USA whose presiding Bishop is His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa. The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese is an Autonomous Diocese under the spiritual protection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople of which His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the ruling Patriarch.

We are thankfully to Almighty God that you are here in God's House to Worship with us Today!

If you are new to the Orthodox Church you will find that our worship is abit different than what you maybe used to, or it maybe entirely new all together! It's okay!!! All of us were new to the Faith at one time or another, but we encourage you to participate as you feel comfortable. The Blue Book in your pew has the whole Service of what we call the Divine Liturgy in it so you can follow along.

Please, if you have any questions about what you see or hear today at the Divine Liturgy, we have a Coffee Hour in the Church Hall after service that you are invited to attend! Come and join us for fellowship to have something to eat and have all your questions answered either by Our Pastor Father Vincent or a friendly member of the Church.

If you have been on a long or short spiritual journey looking for the True Church you have found it here in the Orthodox Church!

We pray that what you find and experience here is none other than the peace of Christ Jesus Our Risen Lord and the Kingdom of Heaven!

If you are ready or interested in becoming an Orthodox Christian please see Father Vincent at Coffee Hour or contact him at (570) 640-2517 or email him at vincedranginis@gmail.com

Liturgical/Class Schedule

Saturday February 2nd Choir/Music Practice 4:00PM - Topic: The 3rd Tone and parts of Vespers/Matins and the Divine Liturgy. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Saturday February 2nd Great Vespers with The Blessing of the Artoklasia 6:00PM - The Righteous Simeon and Anna The Prophetess

Sunday February 3rd Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom 10AM - The Righteous Simeon and Anna The Prophetess

Wednesday February 6th Orthodox Catechism Class 6:30PM - Topic: Salvation equals Deification

Thursday February 7th "Baking with Father Vincent" 5:30PM - Topic: The Holy Tradition of Prosphora Baking. Everyone is Welcome to attend both bakers and spectators!

Saturday February 9th Choir/Music Practice 4:00PM - Topic: The 4th Tone and Parts of Vespers/Matins and the Divine Liturgy. Everyone is welcome to attend!!

Saturday February 9th Vespers 6:00PM- Hieromartyr Haralambos and Virgin Martyrs Ennatha, Valentina, and Paula

Sunday February 10th Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom 10:00AM - Hieromartyr Haralambos and Virgin Martyrs Ennatha, Valentina, and Paula

I am happy to announce the return of Sunday Morning Matins!

Sunday Morning Matins or Orthros as the Greeks call it, will be celebrated starting at 8:30am every Sunday Morning before the Divine Liturgy, and will flow right into the Divine Liturgy which will still begins at 10:00am as usual.

The first Sunday that Orthros will be celebrated is March 17th starting at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy. This is also The Sunday of Orthodoxy, which is a very special day for me because that was the day that I became an Orthodox Christian!! Remember to bring your favorite Icon that day for our Icon procession!

Please make every effort to come to Church early on Sunday Mornings to attend both Orthros and Divine Liturgy!

The hymns of the Matins Service just like the Hymns of the Vespers are meant to teach us the God Saving Theology of Our Holy Orthodox Faith!! These services, just like the Divine Liturgy are meant to transform the human person both in Soul and Body by humbling us to bring us to repentence and confession, and to deify us that we may become all that Jesus Christ is in His Energies!! Particularly, through making every effort to attend all the Services of Vespers, Matins, The Divine Liturgy, and by entering into a life of repentance through regular Confession, we will be transfigured into the True Sons and Daughters of God!! Then, we will together and individually, Aquire The Holy Spirit and become 'gods' by the Holy Trinity's Divine Energies!!

Working in His Vineyard,

Father Vincent

Proskomedia Commemorations List

The Proskomedia (from the Greek προσκομιδή, “offering”), sometimes referred to as prothesis (from the Greek πρόϑεσις, "setting forth") or proskomide, is the Office of Oblation celebrated by the priest prior to the Divine Liturgy during which the bread and wine are prepared for the Eucharist. The Proskomedia is a prerequisite for the Divine Liturgy. The priest conducts the Office of Oblation behind the Iconostasis at the Table of oblation or Table of Preparation (also Prothesis, or sometimes Proskomide) that is located to the left of the Altar Table. Proskomedia, when translated to English, means "preparation."

Every time the Divine Liturgy is served, priest and deacon stand before the Table of Oblation/ Prothesis and prepare the bread and the wine for the coming Eucharist.The priest places the Lamb in the midst of the diskos, and then takes a series of little particles of bread and arranges them around the central Lamb. From the same loaf, another particle is cut and placed beside the Lamb to represent the Mother of God. Then from another section of the same loaf, nine ranks and classes of saints are represented by name in the form of nine other particles. Lastly, from another section of the one loaf other particles are removed as the names of various living people are commemorated and represented by their particles, and likewise various departed people are commemorated and represented by their particles. All of these various particles are arranged around the central Lamb so that the diskos represents Christ surrounded by those whom He loves. The theology manuals tell us that it is an image of the Church, with Christ at the center.

My Dear Friends, I need your help in building a new Proskomedia Commemoration List that I may pray for all of you, at this most Sacred Time of Preparation of the Bread and Wine that will become Our Lord's Most Pure Body and Blood at the Divine Liturgy!

Please print clearly the names of both the Living and the Deceased of your family that you would like me to commemorate at the Proskomedia. These Lists can include both Orthodox and Non-Orthodox members of your family!

We Commemorate on the Diskos everyone in the world for whom we pray in the Liturgy, since everyone in the world has been redeemed by Christ. The arranging of particles of bread on the Diskos seems intended not to express the Church’s place in the world but the redeeming power of Christ in the world in all its cosmic fullness. The Proskomedia celebrates the cosmic scope of Salvation, which is a proclamation of inclusion!

Please use the attach form at the end of the Bulletin to complete this task!

Thank you,

Father Vincent

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad!* For the Lord has shown strength with His arm,* trampling down death by death, He has become the first-born of the dead.* He has delivered us from the depths of the realm of death,* and has given great mercy to our souls.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Presentation in the First Tone

Hail Birthgiver of God, Virgin full of grace. * From you has shone forth the Sun of Righteous-ness, Christ our God, * giving light to those in darkness. * Be glad also, righteous Elder, * for you have received in your arms * the Deliverer of our souls, * who bestows upon us resurrection.

Resurrectional Kontakion in the Third Tone

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Today You arose from the grave O Merciful One, and lifted us from the gates of death. Adam exults, and Eve rejoices. They, together with the Prophets and the Patriarchs, continually proclaim the Divine authority of Your power.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Tone

You who have sanctified by Your Birth a virgin womb and fittingly blessed the hands of Simeon, * You have come O Christ our God, and on this day have saved us. * Give peace to nations at war * and strengthen the Orthodox people whom you have loved, * for You alone love mankind.

Resurrectional Theotokion in the Third Tone

Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. O Virgin Birth Giver of God, Mediatrix of the Salvation of the human race, we sing to you a song of praise, for in the flesh He received from you, your Son Christ our God suffered the pains of crucifixion, in order to save us from corruption, for He is the Lover of Mankind.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Third Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:9-20

When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Tone. Luke 1: 46-48.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Verse: For he has regarded the humility of his servant.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 7:7-17.

BRETHREN, it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading

The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple
The Reading is from Luke 2:22-40

At that time, the parents brought the child Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Symeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

"Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Symeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Saints and Feasts

February 03

Afterfeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple

February 03

The Synaxis of the Holy and Righteous Symeon the God-Receiver and the Holy Prophetess Anna

Yesterday we celebrated the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple; today we honor the righteous Elder Symeon and Prophetess Anna, who prophesied concerning Him by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and were the first in Jerusalem to receive Him as the Messiah.

February 04

Isidore of Pelusium

This Saint was from Alexandria and was a disciple of Saint John Chrysostom. He struggled in asceticism in a monastery at Mount Pelusium, and became abbot of the monks struggling in that monastery. He wrote a great many epistles replete with divine grace, wisdom, and much profit. Over 2,000 of them are preserved in Volume 78 of Migne's Patrologia Graeca (PG 78:177-1646); according to some, he wrote over 3,000 epistles, according to others, 10,000. He reposed on February 4, 440.

February 05

Agatha the Martyr

This Martyr, who was from Panormus (that is, Palermo) or perhaps Catania of Sicily, was a most comely and chaste virgin. After many exceedingly harsh torments, she gave up her spirit in prison at Catania in 251, because she did not consent to the seductions of Quintian, the Governor of Sicily. At her burial, an Angel placed a stone tablet on her grave inscribed with the words, "A righteous mind, self-determining, honor from God, the deliverance of her father-land." The following year this was fulfilled when Mount Etna erupted, spewing forth violent fire from which Catania was manifestly saved by Saint Agatha's prayers. The holy Martyr Agatha, the protectress and chief patroness of Sicily, is, with perhaps the exception of Saint Agnes of Rome, the most highly venerated Virgin Martyr of the West. Saint Damasus, Pope of Rome, and Saint Ambrose of Milan both wrote in praise of her.

February 08

The Holy Prophet Zacharias (Zachariah)

The Prophet Zacharias was the son of Barachias, and a contemporary of the Prophet Aggeus (Dec. 16). In the days of the Babylonian captivity, he prophesied, as it says, in the book of Ezra, "to the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem" (Ezra 5: 1); he aided Zerubbabel in the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. In the book of Ezra he is called "Zacharias the son of Addo (or Iddo)" but in his own prophetic book he is called more fully "Zacharias, the son of Barachias, the son of Addo the Prophet" (Zach. 1:1). When the captives returned from Babylon, he came to dwell in Jerusalem in his old age. His book of prophecy is divided into fourteen chapters and has the eleventh place among the books of the minor Prophets; his name means "Yah is renowned." Sozomen reports that under the Emperor Honorius, Zacharias' holy relics were found in Eleutheropolis of Palestine. The Prophet appeared in a dream to a certain Calemerus, telling him where he would find his tomb. His body was found to be incorrupt (Eccl. Hist., Book IX, 17).

Wisdom of the Fathers

One should nourish the soul with the word of God: for the word of God...is angelic bread, by which are nourished souls that hunger for God. Most of all one should occupy oneself with reading the New Testament and the Psalter...One should habituate oneself in this way so that the mind might as it were swim in the Lord's law; it is under the guidance of this law that one should direct one's life.

St. Seraphim of Sarov

Spiritual Instructions no. 23, Little Russian Philokalia Vol. 1; Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood pg. 41, 19th century

That our nature should become like God, and that through it we should receive the gift of returning to what is better, is a mystery so great and divine, so ineffable and beyond understanding, that it remained absolutely unrecognized by holy angels and men, and even by the prophets, although they had spiritual vision, and was hidden throughout the ages. But why am I speaking about the time before it was accomplished? Even now that it has happened, how it happened, although not the fact that it has, remains a mystery, believed not known, worshipped not investigated, and only believed and worshipped through the Spirit.

St. John of Kronstadt

My Life in Christ: Part 1, Holy Trinity Monastery pg. 228, 19th Century

How is it that all nature, and everything in nature, is so wisely arranged, and moves in such wonderful order? It is because the Creator Himself directs and governs it. How is it that in the nature of man - the crown of creation - there is so much disorder? Why are there so many irregularities and deformities in his life? Because he took upon himself to direct and govern himself, against the Will and Wisdom of his Creator.

St. John of Kronstadt

My Life in Christ: Part 1, Holy Trinity Monastery pg. 230, 19th Century

There is an old saying: 'Excesses meet.' Too much fasting and too much eating come to the same end. Keeping too long a vigil brings the same disastrous cost as ... sluggishness... Too much self-denial brings weakness and induces the same condition as carelessness. Often I have seen men who would not be snared by gluttony fall, nevertheless, through immoderate fasting and tumble in weakness into the very urge which they had overcome. Unmeasured vigils and foolish denial of rest overcame those whom sleep could not overcome. Therefore, 'fortified to right and to left in the armor of justice,' as the apostle says (2 Cor. 6:7), life must be lived with due measure and, with discernment for a guide, the road must be traveled between the two kinds of excess so that in the end we may not allow ourselves to be diverted from the pathway of restraint which has been laid down for us nor fall through dangerous carelessness into the urgings of gluttony and self-indulgence.

St. John Cassian

Conferences, Conference Two: On Discernment no. 16; Paulist Press pg. 76, 5th century

Saint Mary's News

Parish Council/General Parish Meetings

The following dates are for both our next Parish Council and the General Parish Meeting.

Our next Parish Council will be next Sunday February 10th after Divine Liturgy!

The General Parish wide Meeting will be held on Sunday March 3rd after Divine Liturgy!

Everyone is encouraged to attend the Parish Wide Meeting to discuss the different affairs of Our Church, particularly to discuss the celebrations of the upcoming Lenten Season and Pascha.

Parish Snow Tubing Event Date Set for Sunday February 24th

A transcribed email from Doris about our Parish Snow Tubing Event! Please let Doris know ASAP if you are attending!!! Ok, date has been set on Feb. 24^th. Please let Doris know if you plant to attend. See below, everyone is welcome to go if you have a friend or family member also let them know.

Here are the details. Group rate will be $32.50 for 1:00 to 5:00 pm and $38.00 for those brave enough to do 1:00 to 10:00 pm!! By writing one check from the church will allow us to not pay sales tax. Bib rate is still $11.00. Height requirement is 44 inches. There is a child’s park for those under 44 inches for $5.00. You can pay St Mary’s up to the 24th of Feb. Then I will write the one check that day.

I need a head count by the 17th of Feb. to make reservations.

Sounds like it will be a fun time for fellowship!!!

Rectory House Warming/Open House February 17th After Divine Liturgy!

All are welcome to attend the Rectory House Warming/Open House to welcome our New Pastor Father Vincent and his lovely wife Pani Christyn! After Divine Liturgy on February 17th all are invited down to the Rectory for Lunch and to see the new paint by our resident painter Pani Christyn! This will take the place of coffee hour that Sunday, so come extra hungry for the Eucharist and then a nice Lunch at the Rectory!

Diocesan Assessments

Diocesan Assessments are past due! They were to be sent to our Chancery in Johnstown on January 1st. The assentment dues per parish member is $75 dollars. Please if you have not paid or are unable to pay the whole amount please see Michael Peters or Father Vincent. To paid your assentment please drop it into the offering basket on Sunday Morning and if paying by check please make out the check to Saint Mary's Orthodox Church. Thank you for your support of our Diocese!

Father Deacon Vincent's Ordination to the Priesthood Rescheduled

I received a phone call from Metropolitan Gregory on Tuesday night at approximately 8:20pm.

Metropolitan has informed me that do to immediate unavoidable Diocesan circumstances that he needs to attend to this weekend, unfortunately he will not be able to make it to Saint Clair for my ordination to the Priesthood. He said that my ordination will be rescheduled for March 10th which is Forgiveness Sunday and the next day begins the Great Fast!

I will be back on Tuesday the 12th of that week and we will offically begin Our Lenten Journey Together!! We will have Services everyday that week as is tradition including the Canon of Saint Andrew on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. Likewise, the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts will be celebrated twice that week on Wednesday and Friday evenings. We will discuss the times at the Parish Wide General Meeting on March 3rd!!

Prosokomedia List

Proskomedia Form

List for Commemorations

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins