Today's Scripture | Today's Saints | Today's Prologue
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GOD HAS GONE UP WITH A SHOUT!
THE LORD WITH THE SOUND OF A TRUMPET!
Pascha is not a "one and done" Sunday, but is the 'First Day of the New Creation', and begins an incredibly dynamic period in the Church Year which takes us from the Lord's Resurrection, through His Ascension in Glory, to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles at Pentecost.
The Ascension of the Lord to the Right Hand of the Father reveals the fulfillment of Pascha, and the exaltation of mankind to its divine calling of theosis, union with God. Learn about the Great Feast of the Ascension through our special resource page.
The Resurrection of Christ and the Rise of Christianity
by Fr Steven Kostoff
The historical aspect of our Christian faith means that any historical evidence that can disprove the resurrection of Christ would immediately and definitively undermine that faith. But no such evidence exists. On the contrary, it points us toward the genuineness and authenticity of those very claims...
THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE FEAST OF THE HOLY TRINITY — The disciples receive the power from on high, and the age of the Church begins.
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive... (JN 7:37-39)
FOCUS Cincinnati Chapter
Special Startup Meeting June 6, 6:30pm
at Holy Trinity-St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church,
7000 Winton Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45224
Dear Parish Faithful,
In the Fall of 2022, Kevin Rains and Robert Lockridge did some exploratory work into the feasibility of establishing a FOCUS Cincinnati charitable center locally. They reported on this during one of our post-Liturgy discussions. However, at that time, this potential endeavor proved to be premature. But now some serious planning has occurred over time, and there is a real opportunity to establish a local group in the form of "A Multi-Campus FOCUS Center" here in Cincinnati.
An initial meeting is scheduled to be held at Holy Trinity/St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Tuesday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is open to all who may be interested. (Dinner will be provided). Although we must still view this as all "tentative," it may prove to be a real opportunity for a true Orthodox witness in Cincinnati on behalf of those who are suffering from "food insecurity" in our city, many of whom are children.
View this presentation on what a FOCUS Chapter in Cincinnati would look like, and see the potential for a real ministry here in Cincinnati. You can learn more about FOCUS North America on their website.
Please let me know if you would like to attend this meeting.
In Christ,
Fr. Steven
SUMMER WORKSHOPS!
Four evenings in June
Six unique, free classes
Something for everyone and all ages!
June 13, 15, 20, 22 | 7:00pm - 8:15pm
Full Info and Online Registration
Workshop Offerings & Instructors:
- ‘Chess is Life’ (Bobby Fisher) — Chess, with Steven Korach (ages 10 & up)
- ’Make an Impression...Be a Printmaker’ — Print Making, with Erin Lockridge and Jenny Harkins (ages 5 & up)
- ’Never Take Your Eye Off the Ball’ or ‘Always Think… The Ball Is Coming Back!’ — Table Tennis, with Fr. Steven and Paul Kostoff (ages 8 & up)
- ’Sometimes Your Heart Speaks Best Through Your Hands’ — Learn to Crochet, with Emily Oliver (ages 8 & up)
- ’Dance is the Timeless Interpretation of Life’ (Shah Asad Rizvi) — Balkan Folk Dancing, with Presvytera Deborah Kostoff (all ages)
- ’Archery is the Measure of the Man’ (Chinese proverb) — Archery for beginners, with John Sirinek (ages 7/8 & up)
SAVE THE DATE!
Our Parish Picnic returns!
Sunday, October 1, 2023
The Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos
following the Divine Liturgy (approx. 12:30pm)
at Swaim Park, Montgomery Ohio
We are excited to announce the return of the CTSHS Parish Picnic, scheduled for October 1, 2023. Once a favorite annual event at Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit, the picnic was canceled due to logistical reasons a number of years ago, and before we knew it, about a decade went by without it.
Now by popular demand it is coming back! Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 1, following the Divine Liturgy, and watch this page for updates on menu, activities for families and kids of all ages, and much more. We can't wait to gather together and relaunch this favorite parish tradition!
- Ideal for Inquirers, new members, or anyone seeking to learn more about the Orthodox Christian Faith.
- We will be using Fr Thomas Hopko's book, The Orthodox Faith.
- Contact Fr. Steven for more info.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
A New Catechumen - Before the Liturgy on Sunday, February 5, Chuck Sentell joined the ranks of the catechumens. We look forward to his eventual entrance into the Church. Chuck's sponsor is Philip Enzweiler.
More Catechumens - On Wednesday evening, February 8, following Vespers, we will receive Adam & Bailey Hendizadeh into the ranks of the catechumens. This will be in anticipation of their respective Baptisms on Saturday, February 25, at 9:30 a.m. Adam and Bailey's sponsors are Anthony and Courtney Flick.
- 12/19/22 - Message from Met. Tikhon on Peace in the Ukraine
- 12/15/22 - UNICEF Update; ways to donate to aid for children in Ukraine
- Articles & Commentary on the war
- Suggested prayers for the suffering during the conflict,
- Visit our UKRAINE RELIEF PAGE...
We livestream on our YouTube channel most of our services, including Great Vespers on Saturday evenings at 6:00pm, and the Hours & Divine Liturgy at 9:10am on Sunday mornings. As always, we invite you to "come and see" and join us in person, but we hope our livestream ministry may be a help and blessing whenever needed.
- Masks are optional at all services and functions;
- Those with respiratory symptoms should follow "best practices" and remain home;
- Those remaining home are encouraged to follow our services via our livestream on YouTube;
- Read our recent Covid Updates here.
NEW MINISTRY INVITES ALL TO HELP . . .
Dear Parish Faithful,
This is the beginning of a series of reflections coming from our Oaks of Mamre Ministry. The chair of that committee is Kevin Rains, and what Kevin writes is a fine explanation of the work and goal of that ministry. Briefly stated, it is about parish hospitality as a key component on assisting visitors and inquirers to experience the fulness of life offered in an Orthodox Christian community.
- Fr. Steven
IN MEMORIAM - FR DANIEL RENTEL
The parish was represented by five of us at the two funeral services for Archpriest Daniel Rentel February 10 and 11. There was the Funeral Service for a Priest on Friday evening; and the hierarchical Liturgy on Saturday morning celebrated by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon. Fr. Dan lived a full life of service to the Church and in loving communion with his family. His son, Fr. Alexander, is the chancellor of the OCA. Our deepest sympathy to the family, beginning with Matushka Elaine. If you would like to read more about Fr. Dan, please visit our special In Memoriam page.
Our thanks to Mary Ellen Mitchell for coming to speak to us of Lydia's House on Sunday, April 30, following the Divine Liturgy.
You can learn more about the ministry and community of Lydia's House through the info on this page, and help support their wonderful work via their website.
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The mission of Lydia’s House is to provide a supportive and stable environment for women and children in crisis. Each guest and her children will be helped to move into long term housing at the end of her stay; however, housing at Lydia’s House is as stable as possible in nature. It is a place of hope and healing as well as a springboard from which guests can seek training, new skills, and work that will provide for their needs. Women live in community, share life and meals with one another, and are encouraged in their personal spiritual journeys.
Download and share our flier...
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER:
Mary Ellen Mitchell, co-founder of Lydia’s House
Mary Ellen Mitchell is a co-founder of Lydia’s House. As a collegiate volunteer, she became interested in the root causes of homelessness at the Open Door Community in Atlanta. Shortly after her graduation from Emory University, she moved back to Cincinnati, her home, and became an on-site volunteer at Grace Place, a provider of transitional housing for women and children. Professional development continued for her in Washington, DC where she worked for Jubilee Housing, a nonprofit provider of housing and supportive services. She returned to Cincinnati in 2006 and went on to hone skills in fundraising and development and complete her MA at Xavier University. Mary Ellen has been married to Ben since 2008, is a member of Bellarmine Chapel and is the mother of three children. She lives in Norwood where she's helped renovate 5 houses, 2 parks and sometimes preaches at local churches.
Download and share our flier for this special talk.
Get to know us through recent parish news and feature articles...
UPDATE, NOV. 11, 2022 (OCA) - His Grace Bishop Daniel elevated to the dignity of Archbishop
Read Bishop Daniel's first official letter to the Midwest Diocese, Aug. 15, 2022: 'Grow a Mission' - Letter from His Grace, Bishop Daniel
On Tuesday, August 23, Bishop Daniel was interviewed by Fr. Thomas Soroka on Ancient Faith Today LIVE! This long-form interview and conversation (1 hour, 15 minutes) provides an excellent in-depth introduction to our new bishop. You can listen to the interview here.
- Read the full news report on Bishop Daniel's election here
- Meet our new diocesan hierarch, Bishop Daniel, through his bio on the OCA website
- Recent News of Bishop Daniel and the Diocese of the Midwest
- Full info on the Enthronement of Bishop Daniel
After the repose of our beloved hierarch, Archbishop Paul, on Great and Holy Pascha of this year, Bishop Daniel of Santa Rosa, California, Auxiliary Bishop to His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin, Diocese of the West, was named Locum Tenens, to oversee the Diocese of the Midwest until the formal selection of our new hierarch.
Please note that you can always access both the Orthodox Church in America's national website, and our Diocese of the Midwest website, through the permanent links at the top/right of every page on our parish website.
Please join us in welcoming Bishop Daniel to the Diocese of the Midwest, and keep him in your prayers as he leads our parishes, missions, monasteries and evangelism.
CATECHETICAL CLASS
Ideal for Inquirers, new members, or anyone seeking to learn more about the Orthodox Christian Faith.
We will be using Fr Thomas Hopko's 4 volume text,The Orthodox Faith.
Contact Fr. Steven for more info and schedule.
NEW! Special Resource Page on St Nektarios
Widespread interest in the film, MAN OF GOD, has prompted us to create a new page:
St Nektarios the Wonderworker Resource Page,
- featuring his Life, plus links to extensive additional resources on his ministry, writings, miracles, and more,
- PLUS our special features on the film, MAN OF GOD, including movie trailer, film info, interviews, soundtrack, and much more, here.
NOV 7, 2022 UPDATE:
MAN OF GOD now available to watch for free on YouTube, with ads. Scroll down for links to order digital download, DVD or BluRay.
SEPT 23, 2022 UPDATE:
Link to Ancient Faith Store, which has many books by and about St. Nektarios...
JULY 26, 2022 UPDATE:
'MAN OF GOD' now available on VOD, DVD & Blu-ray in the U.S. & Canada!
Get your digital copy on one of the major platforms here!
https://linktr.ee/manofgodfilm
Get your physical DVD/Blu-ray copy from Amazon here!
For DVD: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YKPNFTH
For Blu-ray: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YK4QPGH
The film is also available on demand through the major cable and satellite networks across the U.S. and Canada including Comcast, Spectrum, AT&T, Direct TV, Altice, Cox, Verizon, Frontier, Suddenlink, Mediacom, Armstrong, Shaw, Telus and Bell.
Excerpt from Fr Steven's review:
Everything about the film was of the highest quality - the script, the acting, the recreation of late 19th - early 20th c. Egypt and Greece, the musical score, and a fine eye from the director for the larger narrative and those details that leave a lasting impression. The director, by the way, is Yelena Popovich, a Serbian-American, who is an Orthodox believer. She has made a film unapologetically focusing on a "holy man" (the actual meaning of the word "saint") of deep faith and piety - St. Nektarios of Aegina (+1920) The Orthodox scholar, Constantine Cavarnos has described St. Nektarios in the following manner: "Metropolitan of Pentapolis, great Theologian, Philosopher, Moralist, Educator, Ascetic, Mystic, Miracle-Worker and Healer." His written legacy is quite prolific . . .
Proceed to our special page for St Nektarios and the film, 'MAN OF GOD' . . .
Our webservant has been catching up on a momentous and full year, and the results are starting to be posted on our Photo Gallery page!
First up is a delightful look back at a year of new beginnings, with highlights from weddings, baptisms, new members, feasts, and more. Watch for additional galleries to be posted in the days ahead.
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Give towards your pledge, or make a simple donation.
On June 30, 2020, the parish celebrated Fr Steven & Presvytera Deborah's 30 years of ministry here at Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit. View some wonderful images from the special program and meal, and read some of Father Steven's reflections on this significant anniversary.
AXIOS! and Thank you, Father Steven and Presvytera, and may God grant you Many Years!!!
View photos on our Photo Gallery...
Today's Scripture, Saints & Prologue
- The daily readings right here on our website
PODCASTS on the SCRIPTURES:
The Path - Daily scripture & commentary, inspired by the Saints
Search the Scriptures - Accessible Bible study for busy people
Daily Orthodox Scriptures - Reading Through the Bible in One Year
The Whole Counsel of God - Verse By Verse Through The Scriptures
PARISHIONER DELIVERS TALK AT ORTHODOX CONFERENCE
Christ the Savior parishioner Natasha Frasch delivered a talk at the 2019 conference, Speaking the Truth in Love, held at St Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary in South Canaan PA over the November 7-9 weekend.
You can learn more about the conference here, and listen to and download the presentations at Ancient Faith Radio.
SPECIAL VIDEO ON OUR ICONOGAPHER,
FR. ANDREW TREGUBOV
Fr Steven's book is available through the church office/bookstore, and online.
"For almost twenty years now, parishioners at Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit in Cincinnati, and friends in Christ from places near and far, have been receiving from Father Steven his 'Monday Morning Meditations' via email, or have been visiting his Orthodox Christian Meditations Blog. Now at long last a selection of Father Steven's reflections have been published in book form by Kaloros Press!"
Learn more on this special page, and purchase at the church, or order online here.
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The Patronal Icon of our Parish, by the hand of Fr. Andrew Tregubov |
The 'Image Not Made By Hands'
Celebrated on August 16 - Learn about our Parish Patronal Feast, the Miraculous Image of Christ associated with it and its amazing story, through these special resources:
Read this OCA article about the history and feast of the 'Image Not Made By Hands', the 'Holy Mandylion'.
UPDATED FOR 2022! - Download our Orthodox bibliography on the Holy Mandylion and the Shroud of Turin
This special PDF handout was originally produced for our 2019 Fall Retreat on the Shroud of Turin, and contains embedded links to books, articles, videos and more.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION — From our Church School program, to our Summer Bible Study, Fall Adult Classes, and Spiritual Retreats, and more, Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit offers many opportunities for deepening our faith while growing in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Come and join us! 
MONASTIC MATTERS — Monasticism is essential to the life of the Orthodox Church. Did you know there are about 100 Orthodox monasteries in North America, several within only a 3-4 hour drive from us? Explore some unique features, videos and articles on Orthodox monastic life, including our annual Parish Monastery Retreats, and much more. On our Monasteries page...  |
An Ideal Guide to the Liturgy . . . 
The DIVINE LITURGY of the ORTHODOX CHURCH by Archpriest Steven C. Kostoff
Third Edition, with a new Epilogue by the author
Seekers, catechumens and Orthodox faithful alike will be blessed by this trustworthy and inspiring guide to the Divine Liturgy and the Life in Christ, composed by our pastor, a faithful presbyter of the Orthodox Church in America.
Paperback, 64 pages, full color cover. 
WELCOME - LET'S GET ACQUAINTED! — Get to know us through photos of parish life and of new members to Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit. Also, photos honoring Fr Steven's 30 years at Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit. All this and much more on our Photo & Video Gallery page. 
PARISH MINISTRIES — Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit members serve in various capacities within the church, and our parish helps support various ministries in our local neighborhood, as well as regionally and even internationally. Our Ministries page describes this vibrant area of parish life in more detail. Select ministries have their own pages with additional information. If you're wondering where you might put your God-given talents to work, this is a good place to start! |