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St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2020-05-31
Bulletin Contents
Weekly Update
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Hlyfthrs
Organization Icon
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 434-973-2500
  • Street Address:

  • 7581 Rockfish Gap Turnpike

  • Charlottesville, VA 22906
  • Mailing Address:

  • PO Box 6981

  • Charlottesville, VA 22906

Past Bulletins


Weekly Update

Stlogo

CHRIST IS ASCENDED!  IN GLORY!

St. Nicholas Live Streaming Services

Thank you to everyone who have been participating in the St. Nicholas Virtual Coffee Hour on Sundays. We are continuing to refine our efforts to make Sunday services as widely available as possible via streaming.  Here are ways to connect:

Divine Liturgy: Live-streamed on YouTube, beginning at 9:15am (note new start time and link): https://youtu.be/TZm_l3NMXYo

Virtual Coffee Hour: Connect via Zoom, beginning at 11:30am: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83508000853

Meeting ID: 835 0800 0853
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,83508000853# US (New York)
+13017158592,,83508000853# US (Germantown)

(Note that this is a recurrent meeting so the link should work week to week)

To protect privacy, all services live-streamed from the church will show only the priest, server(s) and cantor(s), and will be removed regularly from the site.

Continuing Weekly Series on St. Basil the Great

Next week, Father Charles will continue our series of weekly discussions on critical homilies by the great ecumenical teacher and doctor of the Church, Saint Basil (the Great), Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.  In these one-hour sessions Father will give a brief summary of the homily for the week and facilitate a group discussion.  The objective is not to get deep into patristic theology, but rather to find the practical, personal and social implications of the message St. Basil was communicating -- what it means for us today in real terms in the contemporary Christian life. 

These talks will occur on Wednesdays at 6:30pm via teleconference.  The next session will cover St. Basil's homily on "In Time of Famine and Drought" (lessons from this homily can apply to a time of pandemic as well).  For those who want to catch up on some of what we have discussed these past two weeks, a good overview by the translator of both last week's homily and the forthcoming one is available at https://classicalchristianity.com/2012/01/02/building-the-new-city-st-basils-social-vision/ .

Join Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82325160816

Meeting ID: 823 2516 0816
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,82325160816# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,82325160816# US (Chicago)

A Thank You Note for Mother's Day

 From Pani Dobrodyka Melania:

I just wanted to express my gratitude and delight for the Mother’s Day teacup and flowers!
That gift really meant a whole lot on Mother’s Day!
With Love and Hope, 
- Pani Melania
 


From the Parish Board: Do You Sew? Masks Needed!

In preparation for a partial/phased re-opening of the church for Sunday Liturgy (not yet scheduled), the Board is planning for a supply of cloth face masks to be available for those who may arrive to pray without one of their own. We will facilitate the handling and washing of them, but need some help with producing them. Subdeacon David has patterns and instructions that his in-laws have been using with success for a while now. If you are interested and able, please contact him for that information so that you can produce them with relative ease. You can reach him at bdavidmurphy@gmail.com. Thank you in advance!

Graduations

On 14 June, His Eminence Metropolitan Antony plans to send a personal greeting to all students who are graduating (from any level of schooling) from all parishes in the archdiocese.  He is asking that parishes submit any names no later than 7 June. Please send Father any names you would like to have recognized and he will collect and pass them on to His Eminence. 

Opportunities to Serve Your Neighbor

As we celebrate the Lord's Resurrection, we must continue to remember the critical importance of loving our neighbor (Mt 22:34-40), as the Lord commanded us to do ( "my neighbor is my salvation").  Love is demonstrated both in prayer and deed.  Please remember your neighbors in this time of acute need. Here are some specific ways to help:

  • Virginia hospitals across the state are experiencing a severe shortage of blood, and the UVA Medical Center is encouraging healthy and eligible individuals to contact the American Red Cross to make an appointment to donate.  Our Archbishop Daniel and our seminarians have already done so!

  • Grace Grocery, our neighborhood food pantry at Crozet United Methodist Church, has several volunteer opportunities including set up, client help and clean up for food distributions, unloading food from truck, computer assistant, which are listed on the website. They provide training for first time volunteers. You can ask to be placed on their volunteer email list. Email: foodpantry@crozetunitedmethodist.org Phone: 434-823-4420

  • Please also keep an eye on Support Charlottesville, which is a hub for opportunities to give (and receive) material support.  This is a very good way to stay informed, get involved and help your neighbors in need.

  • The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank needs healthy volunteers to assist them at multiple locations, as well as in-kind and monetary donations (even more critical as the needs increase). Our Bishops, seminarians and Consistory staff have all been involved in similar work to address food insecurity in New Jersey -- let us emulate their example, and get involved.

  • Charlottesville Community Cares has published a resource guide with information on how to receive financial assistance, request for grocery/prescription delivery, COVID-19 hotline, emergency shelter, and Region Ten Emergency Services Hotline. Join the network: bit.ly/cvillecare2020. Donate: congregatecville.com. Email: cvillecares@gmail.com.
  • Consider making masks for one of the following insitutions:
    • Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital: 540-689-8545 rmh_rmhvol@sentara.com
    • Augusta Health Hospital: 540-332-5174 ahfoundation@augustahealth.com
    • UVA Hospital: 434-924-5251 volunteerservices@virginia.edu

Weekly Sermons from Father

During this period of curtailment of the parish's ability to gather in worship, audio sermons, written meditations and other resources will be posted regularly to the parish website ['Updates from Father Charles' link on the homepage]. Weekly bulletins and email communications will continue. Please use these resources to remain connected to your parish family.

Continued Pandemic Restrictions

A reminder that restrictions remain in place by order of the Governor of Virgina. All parishioners are reminded to observe Virginia state directives regarding non-essential travel and assembly -- these restrictions are critical to broader efforts to stem the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an act of basic Christian charity, mercy and compassion to be observant of these restrictions, for the safety of all of our neighbors and brethren in Christ.

Stewardship Reminder

Despite the current (temporary) modification to the parish's schedule of services, meetings, and events, all parishioners are reminded of the pledges they have made as part of their stewardship commitment of time, talent and treasure. Some parishioners may encounter financial hardship during this time of crisis, and we can only give as we are able. That said, the parish must continue to meet its budgetary obligations and operating expenses.  Please continue sending your contributions by to the church via US Mail:

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church

PO Box 6981

Charlottesville, VA 22906

Special Intentions, Needs and Requests

A reminder to contact Father directly (fr.charles@mailbox.org | 443-204-4542) with any special prayer requests, intentions or concerns/needs, and he will make sure these are addressed.

Recent Prayer Requests

+All who have reposed in the Lord this week due to the pandemic

+Priest Elias (newly-departed)

+Mark (brother of Ruth G.)

+Daniel Sr. (repose)

Stanley and Elena (health and healing)

Priest Timothy (healing)

Deacon Timothy (healing)

Deacon Adrian (healing)

Elaine (healing)

Donald (healing)

Nicholas (newly-illumined)

Christian (friend of Florin M.) and his family (healing)

Ruth G. and her family

Karen (healing)

Alice (healing)

Beverly (healing)

Josephine & Daniel Jr. (health)

Theo (recovery)

Heidi (illness)

Elizabeth (illness)

Lisa and Daniel (illness)

Bill (mission work)

Elaine (mission work)

Fr. Robert and Pani Dobrodyka Christine (health)

All of those struggling financially during the pandemic, and for those whose basic necessities are out of reach

All medical personnel, first responders and others ministering to the sick, and those rendering vital services to their neighbors

All those in high-risk populations during this pandemic

 

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 6th Tone

Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Holy Ascension in the 4th Tone

Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened Thy disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit; and they were assured by the blessing that Thou art the Son of God and Redeemer of the world.

Apolytikion for Fathers of the 1st Council in the 8th Tone

Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, glory be to Thee.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 6th Tone

O Christ our God, upon fulfilling Your dispensation for our sake, You ascended in Glory, uniting the earthly with the heavenly. You were never separate but remained inseparable, and cried out to those who love You, "I am with you and no one is against you."
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14

At that time, being raised from the dead, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 20:16-18, 28-36.

IN THOSE DAYS, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' " And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

Gospel Reading

Fathers of the 1st Council
The Reading is from John 17:1-13

At that time, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you gave me to do; and now, Father, you glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made.

"I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you; for I have given them the words which you gave me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you did send me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are mine; all mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

For there is One God, and One Mediator between God and Man, the Man Christ Jesus. For He still pleads even now as Man for my salvation; ...
St. Gregory the Theologian
4th Theological Oration, 4th Century

... for He continues to wear the Body which He assumed, until He make me God by the power of His Incarnation; although He is no longer known after the flesh -- I mean, the passions of the flesh, the same, except sin, as ours.
St. Gregory the Theologian
4th Theological Oration, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Hlyfthrs
May 31

Fathers of the 1st Council

The heresiarch Arius was a Libyan by race and a protopresbyter of the Church of Alexandria. In 315, he began to blaspheme against the Son and Word of God, saying that He is not true God, consubstantial with the Father, but is rather a work and creation, alien to the essence and glory of the Father, and that there was a time when He was not. This frightful blasphemy shook the faithful of Alexandria. Alexander, his Archbishop, after trying in vain to correct him through admonitions, cut him off from communion and finally in a local council deposed him in the year 321. Yet neither did the blasphemer wish to be corrected, nor did he cease sowing the deadly tares of his heretical teachings; but writing to the bishops of other cities, Arius and his followers requested that his doctrine be examined, and if it were unsound, that the correct teaching be declared to him. By this means, his heresy became universally known and won many supporters, so that the whole Church was soon in an uproar.

Therefore, moved by divine zeal, the first Christian Sovereign, Saint Constantine the Great, the equal to the Apostles, summoned the renowned First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, a city of Bithynia. It was there that the shepherds and teachers of the Church of Christ gathered from all regions in the year 325. All of them, with one mouth and one voice, declared that the Son and Word of God is one in essence with the Father, true God of true God, and they composed the holy Symbol of Faith up to the seventh article (since the remainder, beginning with "And in the Holy Spirit," was completed by the Second Ecumenical Council). Thus they anathematized the impious Arius of evil belief and those of like mind with him, and cut them off as rotten members from the whole body of the faithful.

Therefore, recognizing the divine Fathers as heralds of the Faith after the divine Apostles, the Church of Christ has appointed this present Sunday for their annual commemoration, in thanksgiving and unto the glory of God, unto their praise and honour, and unto the strengthening of the true Faith.

Allsaint
May 31

Eustathios, Patriarch of Constantinople

Allsaint
May 31

Eusebius and Haralambos the Monk-martyrs

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