Holy Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Mission

Icon of the Archangel Gabriel

O ye incorporeal angels who stand before the throne of God, luminous with the brilliance thereof and everlastingly shining with radiance. As secondary luminaries, entreat Christ, that He grant unto our souls peace and great mercy.

O immortal messengers of the truly incorruptible Life, ye most blessed ones who received life from the first Life, ye have become holy beholders of the eternal Wisdom, full of light, and reflecting lamps shown forth as is meet.

O ye archangels and angels, principalities, thrones, dominions, six-winged seraphim, and divine, many-eyed cherubim, instruments of wisdom, virtues and powers most divine. Pray ye to Christ, that He grant our souls peace and great mercy.

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HOLY RESURRECTION BYZANTINE CATHOLIC MISSION
FATHER THOMAS O’CONNELL, PASTOR
FATHER MICHAEL MAPLES, ASSISTANT PASTOR
FATHER DEACON RON VOLEK, PASTORAL ASSISTANT
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH
307 BLACK OAK RIDGE ROAD
SEYMOUR, TN 37865
PHONE: 865-609-1081
www.hrbcc.org

Slava Isusu Christu! Slava Na Niky!
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Divine Liturgy begins at 4 p.m. Every Sunday
Ninth Hour Prayer precedes Liturgy at 3:30 p.m.

Potluck supper follows Liturgy on the third Sunday of the month
Also at this time non-perishable foods and items for those in need

JULY 13, 2008
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
MEMORY OF THE FATHERS AT THE FIRST SIX ECUMENICAL COUNCILS
SYNAXIS OF THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL
OUR VENERABLE FATHER STEPHEN OF THE MONASTERY OF ST. SABBAS
OUR HOLY FATHER JULIAN, BISHOP OF KENOMAN

Our Offerings
July 6: $451 — Candles: $10

SUNDAY OF THE FATHERS OF THE FIRST SIX ECUMENICAL COUNCILS

The Fathers of the Councils, inspired by God, declare and explain that in Christ there is a divine act and a divine will, uncreated and infinite; these are the act and will of the Son of God and the human act and human will of those of the Son of Man. Thus, did they proclaim that Christ is one Divine Person having two natures, those of God and those of man. Wherefore, we the faithful honor these Fathers every year and glorify Christ who glorified them.

The Fathers of the Council proclaim to us today that the Eternal Trinity is one God and one Lord, explaining to us that it is of one nature, consubstantial, of one will and one act, not divided nor shared but existing in the simplicity of God’s being; and defining that this will and act of God have no beginning and will never have an end.

Wherefore, we the faithful glorify these Fathers as the Equals of the Apostles, for they taught all mankind the true doctrine of God.

JULY 17: OUR BLESSED CONFESSOR PAUL GOJDICH, BISHOP OF PRESOV (SLOVAKIA)
“GOD IS LOVE, LET US LOVE HIM!” (Bishop’s Motto)

Bishop Gojdich did not seek episcopal dignity, but had chosen instead a hidden life as a Basilian monk. However, Divine Providence had other plans for him! Instead of living a life as a secluded monk, God placed this holy man at the helm of the Prjashev Eparchy. Like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Bishop Gojdich obeyed the Father’s will and loyally served his people with dedication and love.

Although fragile in body, Bishop Gojdich was strong in spirit and distinguished himself by the holiness of his life. In his dedicated work, he was sustained by his great love of God and his people. In addition, our Blessed Confessor Paul had a great love and devotion to the most Holy Theotokos, continually asking her to give him strength and courage each and every day. The communists condemned him for his loyalty to the Greek (Byzantine) Catholic Church. Our Blessed Confessor and Bishop Paul Gojdich died in prison as a valiant and exceptional leader in truth, goodness, and holiness.

St. Marina — Feast Day July 17

St. Marina was born in Antioch in the third century. She was the only daughter of pagan parents. Upon her mother’s death, she was entrusted to the care of a Christian woman from whom she learned about Jesus. She was so inspired to learn of Our Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection that at the age of twelve, she vowed never to marry but, instead, to dedicate her life exclusively to God.

Although Marina’s enthusiasm to imitate the life of her Lord was overwhelming, her father, a pagan priest, was not impressed with his daughter’s newfound faith. In fact, he hated Marina because of her faith and disowned her as a daughter. About this same time, a pagan official of the imperial court, Olymbrius, began to express a romantic interest in her. When Marina rejected him, Olymbrius, in retaliation, demanded that Marina bow in worship before the pagan idols. Refusing to do so, Marina was then imprisoned and tortured.

In prison, however, Marina prayed to the Mother of God and found herself bathed in light and healed from all wounds and pains — through the power of God. By this same grace, she was able to endure painlessly all the other tortures that were inflicted upon her. According to her wishes, she died a martyr in the imitation of her Lord.

Many of Marina’s relics remain in a monastery dedicated to her in Albania. Interestingly, her relics are respected not only by Christians, but by the native Muslims as well. After many centuries of conflict, no harm has come to her monastery.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS

The following article appeared in the June 15^th edition of Eastern Catholic Life.

We sometimes hear the complaint, “Church is boring.” The reason people feel that worship is boring is that usually when we go somewhere these days we expect to be entertained.

Not long ago, a man took his grandson to an arcade at the mall. The atmosphere of the arcade throbs with noise, blinking lights and food smells. There are thousands of crazy things to do. This is entertainment to the max for kids his age. They stayed for two hours and the boy couldn’t get enough.

Unlike the arcade, the Divine Liturgy or Mass was never meant to be spellbinding, thrill-a-minute entertainment. Maybe we need to change our expectations.

We go to church to worship God. In contrast to the arcade, this is a place to come to be quiet. To have our souls soothed. If we are looking for entertainment, the Liturgy likely will be boring. But if we have an attitude of thankfulness and worship, like the one the thankful leper had toward Christ, we will want to be close to Christ — and church is the place to be there. If we’re there to give thanks and worship God, we still find ourselves in proximity to Heaven itself. Some people say, “I don’t get anything out of church.” In fact, you do get something out of it. For openers, you commune with God! You receive the Body and Blood of His beloved Son. You hear the Gospel read and preached. You sing to Him angelic hymns. You get to say “thank you” for his cleansing of your sins.

We come to church NOT first and foremost to get our needs met. We come to worship and praise God. If we’re there for selfish reasons, worship doesn’t make sense. But if we come to give thanks and glorify God, as the one leper did, it’s the most wonderful hour in the whole world.

Have a good week.

Last updated: 15-Jul-2008