By any and all accounts, we just concluded a remarkably full weekend in the life of our parish.  On Saturday morning, we received twelve persons into the Church through Baptism and Chrismation.  And on Sunday, we honored our eldest parish members with what we could term an Appreciation Day.  I would like to offer a brief summary and commentary on these events, especially for those who were not able to attend.
 
SATURDAY - Without aiming for dramatic or exaggerated effect, it is still possible to say that the reception of twelve new members into the Church on one day, remains "historic" for our parish - at least in the twenty-one years that I have served here as the parish priest.  Or, if not historic, than certainly unprecedented.  In addition, we can further describe this event as joyous and charismatic.   Continue reading on our Meditations Blog...

June 2010 Hogar Update - Several photos of Francesca, with news of how the Hogar survived the natural disasters in Guatemala.

Summer Bible Study begins June 9 - Our annual summer study of the Scriptures led by Fr Steven will concentrate on St Paul's Letter to the Romans, "probably the most challenging of all his writings." Wednesday evenings at 7:45pm, beginning June 9. Vespers usually precedes the study at 7:00pm. Why not commit to our Summer Bible Study as a way of positively keeping the Apostles' Fast!

Summer Catechism Classes? - from Fr Steven - We have a fair amount of catechumens and inquirers now in the parish, at various stages of "preparation" for entering the Church in the future.  I would like to have at least a couple of sessions in the upcoming summer months of a group nature, to both answer any questions about Orthodoxy or to try and have a larger catechetical session together.  If you are someone from one of these "categories," please contact me and let me know if you are interested and will try and commit to attend such a session.  If the interest exists, we can then begin to work out some dates.

Keeping The Apostles' Fast -  Our Feasts and Fasts page now features a good collection of writings, links, and words from the fathers on fasting in general, and on the Apostles' Fast in particular. This special fast, which varies in length depending on the date of Pascha, is similar to the Nativity Fast in its rigor, meaning we may have oil and wine on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we may eat fish on the weekends. Learn more and be encouraged in our Orthodox Life together here...

Parish Food Pantry - from Fr Steven - We have a well-stocked food pantry in the parish basement that we draw from to assist our local Norwood neighbors when they are in need.  At the same time, this is a parish food pantry, that members from the parish are free to draw from whenever those same kinds of needs arise.  That can happen with an unstable economy and job market or for other reasons as well.  Always feel free to contact me or to bring to my attention anyone you know who could use such assistance.  Our food pantry is organized and stocked by Jeannie Markvan and Terri Sauer.

Posted April 21, 2010

Following the Liturgy on Sunday, a group from the parish visited the Warren Correctional Institute, and offered a program of Orthodox liturgical music to a gathering of about thirty-forty of the inmates.  This was organized by Terry Morgan who is a member of the Kairos Prison Ministry at the WCI, and Pat Pride, our parish choir director. I accompanied the group that consisted of:
 
Brian Farison, Joe and Joyce Kormos, Presbytera Deborah, Jeannie Markvan, Terry Morgan, Pat Pride (choir director), Steve Pride, and Johnothon Sauer
 
After passing through security we were given a brief description of the facilities and the over-all organization of the prison by Chaplain Henry.  This prison contains very serious offenders, including rapists and murderers. It is just a notch below maximum security.  He then walked us through the prison grounds to the chapel and introduced us to the inmates who were present based on a promotional flier that was posted on the bulletin board of the chapel, announcing a "Concert of Eastern Orthodox Music from the Ancient Faith."  That promised to be something different, I would imagine.  Pat put together a very effective program, that began with an example of the "ancientness" of the Orthodox Faith ("O, Gladsome Light").  What followed then was a journey from the pre-lenten period (stichera from the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, "Open to Me the Gates of Repentance"); Great Lent itself (stichera from the Sunday of the Cross, Praises from the Matins of Holy Friday, "Do Not Lament Me O Mother"); and culminating with Pascha ("The Angel Cried," and "Let God Arise").
 
The program and our singing was very enthusiastically received by the gathered inmates.  Continue reading... 

Wrap-up of our Great Lent Retreat with Fr. Thomas Hopko (Mar 1, 2010)

By all accounts we had a remarkably successful retreat on Saturday.  We had tremendous participation with many guests from all around the tri-state area and very good parish participation.  Mickey Callender informed me that the "count" for Saturday morning was 122.  Everything went smoothly, with great help by many of our parish faithful in preparing, serving and cleaning-up.  As usual, our lenten meals were delicious.  Fr. Hopko was his usual dynamic self, with two wonderful presentations on "The Crucified and Glorified Messiah."
 
I am wondering if Fr. Hopko's inspiring talks will lead to the following:

• greater parish participation in the liturgical services for the remainer of Great Lent and then Holy Week;
• more reading of the Holy Scriptures;
• a greater sense of commitment to prayer, almsgiving and fasting;
• a thorough and heartfelt confession of sins;
• a renewed sense of love of both God and neighbor;
• and a re-examination of the nature of our commitment to the "crucified and glorified Messiah" - our Lord Jesus Christ - to mention some of the more immediate expressions of our Orthodox Christian Faith.

I believe that the real fruits of a great retreat are found in the longer-lasting results of personal transformation that extend beyond the initial enthusiasm generated by the event itself.  Hopefully, that will be the case with all of us who were present on Saturday for a wonderful retreat.

Fr. Steven

Both our Orthodox Christian Meditations Blog and our Orthodox Q&A Blog now feature comments, search and subscription functions. Please give it a try next time you wish to respond to Fr Steven with your thoughts, insights or further info regarding a post. May it be blessed!

Presvytera and I returned late last night (Jan 27) from Louisville, where we particpated in the Anointing Service on behalf of Fr. Alexander Atty.  Fr. Alexander is the head priest at St. Michael the Archangel Antiochian Orthodox Church.  Roberta and Scott were also there, so Roberta was anointed as were many others who were ill.  As I informed everyone yesterday, Fr. Alexander is suffering from stage four colon cancer, so he is fully aware of the battle ahead of him.  His surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 2, the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord.

We sent about $800.00 to IOCC for the Haitian earthquake relief effort.  We decided to send in our collection about every two weeks, as this relief effort is an ongoing project.  We will continue to collect on behalf of Haiti and the earthquake survivors in the upcoming weeks. You can also donate to IOCC through the link on our main page.

Representing more than five centuries of a unique artistic tradition, St. Paul The Apostle Orthodox Christian Church will be hosting an exhibition of more than 100 icons, both ancient and new, on display in its sanctuary, located at 4451 Wagner Road in Sugarcreek Township, August 20-22, 2010.  The exhibition is free and open to the public from 10 AM to 6 PM  on Friday, August 20th  and Saturday,  August 21, and from 12- 5 PM on Sunday, August 22.

The exhibition entitled The Gift of Transfiguration: Changed Life and Lives features 40 historic icons, dating from 1650 to the present, from Russia, Greece, Ukraine, Ethiopia as well as the United States. Among the treasures, taken from private collections (and on public display for the first time in Ohio) are a 17th century Russian miniature iconostasis, or “icon screen” with more than 20 individual figures, as well as a large 18th century Icon of the Virgin Mary entitled “The Joy of All Who Sorrow.”


The exhibition will take place during a weekend of celebration that will also see a visit by the Orthodox Bishop of Pittsburgh to bless and consecrate the parish’s new icons. His Grace, Bishop Melchizedek (Pleska) of Pittsburgh, a native Daytonian, will preside at a choral vespers on Saturday evening,  August 20, at 7 PM at St. Paul’s. That same evening at 8 PM the Bishop will offer a reflection on the meaning of icons, followed by  a small reception. On Sunday Auugst 22, the Bishop will celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at 9:30 AM, followed by a service of blessing for the new icons at 11:00 AM, and a reception in the parish hall at 11:30 AM.  We would welcome  all to join us for services as well.  Learn more on St Paul's website...

Yesterday, we honored all of those members of the parish who have not only been in our parish for many years, but who have been granted "many years" by God.  The life-span envisioned in the Bible is "three score and ten years," and for the strong another ten; but our "elder" parishioners have all gone well beyond that!  The six members thus honored were:  Catherine Bitsoff, Vasilka Bitsoff, Tatiana Kovalenko, Marie Sim, Sophie Tyirin, and Nick Tarpoff - though Marie Sim, regrettably, was not able to attend.  Although our parish "matriarchs" and "patriarch" were quite aware of the planned celebration, we were still able to surprise them in ways that they found quite moving...  Continue reading on our Meditations Blog...

June 15, 2010
Fr. Steven,
Please forward to the Parish.


Scott and Roberta will go on pilgrimage to the St. Gregory Palamas Monastery this weekend in thanksgiving for Roberta's cancer now being classified as in "remission,"  and also for some good monastic "peace and quiet."  We continue to rejoice in their "good news."

.  ~  In Christ, Fr. Steven

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Incredibly, we were able to send a check for $4,215.00 to the Hogar as the final step in our recent Nativity Appeal.  Since this total exceeds the required amount for a one-year sponsorship for a particular child, the "extra" funds will be placed in a secure account for her future support and sponsorship, according to Madre Ines.
 
There is one change I would like to inform everyone of:  the initial child we chose to support was quite unexpectedly ordered by the Guatemalan court to be sent back to her mother.  This was not anticipated by the Hogar but, of course, they complied with the court order.  After discussing this with Mother Ines, we shifted our sponsorship over to another young girl.  Her name is Francesca Maria, and she will turn eight on July 12.  We also met her on our last Mission Team to the Hogar in June, and became friends with her.  She is a lovely little girl, very lively and goodhearted.  Madre Ivonne says that she loves music and has a beautiful voice.  But, as with all children at the Hogar, a child with a sad history behind her.  Now that we know her name, please keep Francesca Maria in your prayers, and ask your children to do the same.  We will have opportunities during the year to correspond with her in various ways.
 
It is a huge moral, psychological, and emotional boost to a child who knows that he/she is being personally sponsored by concerned Orthodox Christians from around the world.  The given child then knows that he/she is cared about by others in a special way.  Madre Ivonne just informed me that Francesca was told of her sponsorship and that she was "so happy."   We will soon receive a card from her, hopefully with a photo.
 
I have seen and heard of various Christian churches here in the States - including right here in Cincinnati - speak about their great concern for some of the orphanages in Haiti that they are connected to, and for the safety of the children there following the earthquake.  This heightened anxiety is rooted in personal contacts and developed relationships with these children following visits to certain Haitian orphanages by these churches.  I can much more deeply understand their fears and anxieties, as we, too, have a deep international connection with the Hogar San Rafael in Guatemala, and know many of the children there through personal contact over the years through many of our parishioners.
 
I noticed a new book at the local bookstore entitled Give a Little - How Your Small Donations Can Transform Our World, by Wendy Smith.  I am not implying that everyone is making a "small donation," but if I am reading the meaning of this title correctly, the author is explaining, through her experience as a "fund-raiser," how donations add up in such a way that they make a significant impact.  (I did notice some of our children at the Cross stop and place a "small donation" into the basket when we were collecting.  But is was "big" in terms of its meaning). That is exactly what is happening in our parish.  As a parish community/family our individual donations, whatever the size may be, are "adding up" in a significant manner as in this latest example of fully supporting this child with the generous check that we just sent in.

Visit this Special Page honoring our beloved Archbishop Job, who reposed suddenly in the Lord on December 18. Featuring articles, reflections by Fr. Steven, audio, video and photos from a wide range of sources...