Weekly Update

GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!

Independence Day

On this July Fourth holiday we pause to give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy as a nation, and honor the sacrifices made, each and every day, in defense of liberty. This year, let us commend ourselves with renewed commitment to the work of the Holy Gospel in our God-protected country, the United States of America. As our hierarchs rightly remind us in their pastoral letter for the holiday, "Let us be faithful witnesses of Christ’s Love, Light, Strength, Compassion and Mercy in our every word, deed and thought." Further, as we read in this encyclical: "Building bridges of dialogue, of mutual respect, of seeking shared understanding – these are the best of America and honor the heroes who have kept America 'the land of the free and home of the brave.' The strength of America is our diversity, our plurality, for E Pluribus Unum – out of many, we are one!"

Reminder: Revised Sign-up Schedule for Sunday Liturgies

Beginning Sunday 12 July, St. Nicholas will move to an A/B week schedule for Sunday services, with Week A set aside for families with young children, and Week B set aside for our parishioners of more advanced age and/or special needs. We will increase the limit to 35 persons per service beginning 12 July. We will continue to use the same sign-up system. Please note that we are organizing these alternating Sundays to better serve our parishioners under these unique conditions, and to maintain safety. All parishioners are welcome to sign up for any open slots for a given Liturgy, we only ask that priority be offered to those groups on their respective Sundays. We will continue to closely monitor conditions in neighboring counties and adjust our Sunday schedule and serving capacity as required and in accordance with Virginia state regulations.

St. Nicholas Live Streaming Services

As the parish continues work to optimize and increase its outreach, we have set up a YouTube channel to better manage livestreaming services -- search for St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Virginia and subscribe, and you can sign up to get email notifications as well. Many thanks to Vladimir G. for his efforts in getting this launched.

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

Wedding Announcement

Nicholas M. and Jennifer W. invite you to their wedding on Saturday, 18 July at 3pm at St. Nicholas. Light refreshments will follow. Between now and then, we ask that everyone pray most fervently for them and their families as they prepare to be joined in the sacrament of Holy Marriage.

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.

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

Nicholas and Jennifer (preparing for holy marriage) and their families

Tetyana (serious illness)

Liubov (mother of Anya B., healing)

Karen (healing)

Maddie (healing)

Katie (healing)

David (healing)

Bill (mission work)

Elaine (mission work)

Fr. Robert and Pani Dobrodyka Christine (retirement)

All those working in defense of human dignity, justice and equality during this time of unrest

The hungry and the homeless, and all those struggling with mental illness and infirmity

All children born and unborn and for their parents

All 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

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Tone

Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Athanasius of Athos in the 3rd Tone

The Angels' ranks were awed by thy life in the flesh, how, though corporeal, and clad with earthly clay, thou didst set forth with courage to invisible wars and wrestlings and didst boldly smite the hordes of the demons with mortal wounds. Wherefore, Christ rewarded thee with abundant gifts in return. Entreat Him that our souls find salvation, O most renowned Father Athanasius.

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.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

Gospel Reading

4th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:5-13

At that time, as Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress." And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." But the centurion answered him, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; be it done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Patience is a labor that does not crush the soul. It never wavers under interruptions, good or bad...Patience sets a boundary to the daily onslaught of suffering...Patience comes from hope and mourning, and indeed to lack those is to be a slave of despondency.

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 27: On Stillness; Paulist Press pg.271, 6th century

Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance, suppresses anger, restrains pride and envy, draws down the Holy Spirit into the soul and raises man to heaven.

St. Ephraim the Syrian

Unknown, 4th century

Let us hearken, as many as are to receive Christ: for it is possible to receive Him even now. Let us hearken, and emulate, and receive Him with as great zeal; for indeed, when you receive a poor man who is hungry and naked, you have received and cherished Him.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 26 on Matthew 8, 4th Century

Saints and Feasts

July 05

Athanasius of Mount Athos

Saint Athanasius had Trebizond for his homeland. He first entered the monastic life on the mountain called Kymaeos or Kyminas, which is in Mysia of Bithynia, then he went to Mount Athos and founded a large monastery, which is known as the Great Lavra. He became so renowned for his virtue that from Rome, Calabria, Georgia, and elsewhere, rulers, men of wealth and nobility, abbots, and even bishops came to him and were subject to him. When the time for his departure was at hand, God revealed to him how it would take place, so that he was able to instruct his spiritual children not to be troubled when it should come to pass. A new church was being built for the sake of the many who came to him, and only the dome had not been finished. Together with six of the brethren, the Saint went to the top of the church to help the workmen. The dome collapsed, and they fell. Five were killed at once, and the Saint died three hours later. His holy body remained incorrupt and he worked many miracles after his death. He reposed about the end of the tenth century.