The Special Monthly Charity Collection
ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH
TRENTON, NJ
THE SPECIAL MONTHLY CHARITY COLLECTION
SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
‘Bringing Christ to all’
THE FELLOWSHIP OF ORTHODOX STEWARDS.
The Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards (FOS) is the official Stewardship Program of The Orthodox Church in America that supports the various programs offered by the National Church covering various program such as: Liturgical Music, Education, Pastoral Ministry, Military, and many other programs that the clergy and laity of our Church benefit from. The Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards exists for but one purpose, to help the Outreach Ministries of the Orthodox Church in America reach the world for Christ. This effort requires prayer and commitment.
By God’s grace, we have a Church filled with talented dedicated clergy and laity who give of their time to preach, teach, and live the Gospel. But they also need our financial support to fulfill their work for the Lord. By making a gift to the Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards we will become a co-worker in reaching out around the world to spread the Orthodox Faith. The best gifts are those freely given. Thus the Church faithfully believes that our voluntary gifts must support our Outreach Ministries. When we make our FOS gift, it will be more than just financial support; it will be an act of faith and dedication revealing your love for Christ and the Church.
For more information about THE FELLOWSHIP OF ORTHODOX STEWARDS please visit the OCA website at: You may also contact Archpriest Eric Tossi who is the Secretary of the OCA at the OCA Chancery in New York at (516) 922-0550!
Please take a moment to reflect upon what God has given you, and to discern how you might be able to return to God a portion of the blessings you have received. For more information about Madonna Place, please refer to the Flyer on the bulletin board in the Church Hall. This collection will take place EVERY SUNDAY THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER!
As we continue to fulfill the work of Our Lord by building up the Body of Christ here at St. Vladimir, let us open our hearts and minds by providing support and assistance to the church and to the social services for their good work and for those whom they help and assist.
We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of you and your families for your continued prayers and support. May GOD continue to bless you and guide you! Thank You!
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please see or contact Fr. Jason!
BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
Here at St. Vladimir’s, we love to honor our beloved parishioners who are celebrating special occasions in their life (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.). To honor the beloved parishioners of our parish who are celebrating their birthdays, in addition to singing Many Years and Happy Birthday for them we also have a special birthday cake for them on the Last Sunday of the month.
This month we honor the following parishioners of our parish
as they celebrate their birthday and we pray that GOD will continue to watch over them
and grant them many blessed years of good health and happiness:
Michael Suchernick – September 4 Dorothy Kish – September 6
Carolyn Sabat: September 6 Kyra Laushell: September 10
John Sabat: September 11 Lizabeth Kasmer: September 13
Justina Meyer: September 13 Patrick Laushell: September 24
Mildred Skubanicz – Sept. 20 Nadia Danielenko – Sept. 26
Olga Olhovsky, Sr. – Sept. 26
**If there are any names that are missing or corrections that need to be made, please do not hesitate to see or contact Fr. Jason so that we can make the appropriate changes/corrections. Thank You**
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ST. VLADIMIR ORTHODOX CHURCH UPCOMING EVENTS
September 11
Opening of Church School/Observance of 9/11/Parish Picnic
Moleben Service of Thanksgiving – 9:00 AM
The Hours – 8:40 AM Divine Liturgy followed by Panahyda– 10:00 AM
Annual Parish Picnic on Church Property following Liturgy!
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The Mirculous Myrrh-Streaming Iveron Icon
of the Most-Holy Theotokos to visit Tullytown, PA on Oct. 15, 2011
The miracle and wonderworking Icon of the Most-Holy Theotokos was blessed in 2009 by The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia as a Mirculous Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Most-Holy Theotokos. Since 2007 it has been streaming myrrh. To honor The Most-Holy Theotokos, an Akathist Service will be celebrated before Her Mirculous Myrrh-Streaming Iveron Icon at Christ the King Orthodox Church (ROCOR) Tullytown, PA on SATURDAY, Oct. 15th @ 1 pm! Fr. Jason is working with Fr. Bernard, Pastor of Christ the King Orthodox Church, on organizing the Visit and Akathist Service. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the Akathist service to the Mother of God as well as to venerate the Icon and be anointed with the Holy Myrrh. Please refer to the flyer on the table in the back of church for more details!!
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CHAIRPERSON’S MINISTRIES MEETING – SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18
Originally scheduled for Sunday August 28, the meeting has been moved to Sunday September 18, when we will have an organizational meeting of the chairpersons for the following Ministries: Church School/PTO, Senior “R” Club, Ladies Altar Society, Coffee Hour, and Mission Outreach to set up a calendar of services, events, meetings, etc. for the upcoming year: September 2011 – August 2012. All Chairpersons are asked to bring a list of their activities with them so we can plug them into the calendar. This way we can work together in providing a list and schedule of services and activities for the upcoming year and provide this for our parishioners. If anyone is unable to attend the meeting, please see or contact Fr. Jason. We welcome everyone to come and provide your thoughts and ideas as we all work together in building up The Body of Christ here at St. Vladimir’s.
AMERISOURCEBERGEN GREATER PHILADELPHIA WALK TO DEFEAT ALS
Join “Crusaders for Chuck” in a Walk to Defeat ALS!! Chuck is the son of Charlotte Toth and was diagnosed not that long ago with ALS. Let’s make every effort to help support Chuck, his family and everyone who is coming out to fight ALS by walking the 2 miles!! Please continue to keep Chuck and his family in your thoughts and prayers. For more information, please see or contact Michael Toth or Dottie Kish.
WHEN: Saturday November 5, 2011
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park {Home of the Phillies}
REGISTRATION: 10:00 am Walk begins at 11:00 am
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ORTHODOX ED DAY AT ST. VLADIMIR SEMINARY
On Saturday, October 1, 2011, Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary here will honor military chaplains and service men and women at its annual open house, Orthodox Education Day. Activities for the day will center on this year’s theme, “For God and Country.” The Rev. Dr. Philip LeMasters, a member of the seminary’s Board of Trustees, will deliver the keynote address, “Orthodox Perspectives on Peace, War, and Violence.” He is Professor of Religion, Director of the Honors Program, and Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Religion at McMurry University, and rector of Saint Luke Antiochian Orthodox church, Abilene, TX. Dr. Stephen Muse, director of the Counselor Training Program at the Pastoral Institute, Inc., Columbus, GA, will lead a workshop, titled “Listen, Witness, and Weep,” which will explore the emotional, physical, and psychological support clergy and lay persons can offer veterans and their families. Dr. Muse teaches and supervises at the US Army Family Life Chaplain Training Program at Fort Benning. Admission to the grounds and to all activities is free. In addition to the keynote and workshop, the day’s schedule includes
- the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 8:00 a.m. Other liturgical services, including a Memorial for departed veterans, will be celebrated throughout the day.
- the dedication of a flag pole with military parade and honor guard.
- exhibits related to the armed forces and a panel of Orthodox Christian military chaplains.
- veneration of the relics of St. Basil Martysz and an exhibit of icons featuring military saints.
- assembling of care packages for military personnel on active duty with related activities for children.
- entertainment, including choirs and dance groups, and delicious ethnic food.
SVS Press and bookstore, featuring books, cards, CDs, and the newly published children’s book, St. George and the Dragon, will be available throughout the day.
The seminary is soliciting photos related to the theme for display. Names of living and deceased members of the Armed Forces to be remembered in prayer that day, are also being accepted.
Please send names to the event’s coordinator, Tanya Penkrat, at .
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PRAYERS
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown
Life without purpose is barren indeed There can't be a harvest unless you plant seed
There can't be attainment unless there's a goal And man's but a robot unless there's a soul.
If we send no ships out, no ships will come in, And unless there's a contest, nobody can win. For games can't be won unless they are played, And prayers can't be answered unless they are prayed. So whatever is wrong with your life today You'll find a solution if you kneel down and pray. Not just for pleasure, enjoyment and health, Not just for honors and prestige and wealth. But pray for a purpose to make life worth living And pray for the joy of unselfish giving. For great is your gladness and rich your reward,
When you make your life's purpose the choice of the Lord. Amen.
Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady,
the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
SEPTEMBER 8
The birth and early life of the Virgin Mary is not recorded in the Gospels or other books of the New Testament, however this information can be found in a work dating from the second century known as the Book of James or Protevangelion.
According to the story found in this book, Mary's parents, Joachim and Anna, were childless for many years. They remained faithful to God, but their prayers for a child were unanswered. One day, when Joachim came to the temple to make an offering, he was turned away by the High Priest who chastised him for his lack of children. To hide his shame, Joachim retreated to the hill country to live among the shepherds and their flocks.
As Joachim was praying, his wife Anna was praying at the same time at their house in Jerusalem. An angel appeared to both of them and announced that Anna would have a child whose name would be known throughout the world. Anna promised to offer her child as a gift to the Lord. Joachim returned home, and in due time Anna bore a daughter, Mary.
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Feast of the UNIVERSAL EXALTATION OF THE
PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS
SEPTEMBER 14
In the twentieth year of his reign (326), the Emperor Constantine sent his mother Saint Helen to Jerusalem to venerate the holy places and to find the site of the Holy Sepulchre and of the Cross. Relying upon the oral tradition of the faithful, Saint Helen found the precious Cross together with the crosses of the two thieves crucified with our Lord. However, Helen had no way of determining which was the Cross of Christ.
With the healing of a dying woman who touched one of the crosses, Patriarch Macarius of Jerusalem identified the True Cross of Christ. Saint Helen and her court venerated the Precious and Life-Giving Cross along with many others who came to see this great instrument of Redemption.
The Patriarch mounted the ambo (pulpit) and lifted the Cross with both hands so that all of the people gathered could see it. The crowed responded with "Lord have mercy".
This became the occasion of the institution in all of the Churches of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross, not only in memory of the event of the finding of the Cross, but also to celebrate how an instrument of shame was used to overcome death and bring salvation and eternal life.
The Feast is an opportunity outside of the observances of Holy Week to celebrate the full significance of the victory of the Cross over the powers of the world, and the triumph of the wisdom of God through the Cross over the wisdom of this world. This Feast also gives the Church an opportunity to relish the full glory of the Cross as a source of light, hope and victory for Christ's people. It is also a time to celebrate the universality of the work of redemption accomplished through the Cross: the entire universe is seen through the light of the Cross, the new Tree of Life which provides nourishment for those who have been redeemed in Christ.