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 20, 2008
TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
FEAST OF THE HOLY AND GLORIOUS PROPHET ELIJAH

Our Offerings
July 13: $375 — Candles: $14

Today’s Gospel Thought

The Holy Gospel today is very instructive for every one of us, but especially for parents.

A father brought his son, who was possessed by various evils, to Jesus, in order to have him cured. It is strange that this father did not go anywhere else. He came to Jesus because he believed that Christ would surely help him.

Parents of today have a similar problem with their children, if not a greater one. They love their children truly, but they give them everything — whatever they want. In most instances, the parents are to be blamed for this because the formation of the child is primarily the obligation of the father and the mother.

We all know how much fathers and mothers love their children. If you wish your children to be happy, though, you must be firm. You have to teach them to obey your rules and above all, the commandments of God. Show your children how to pray, how to attend church and the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. Give your children a religious education; bring them to Christ! I assure you that none will perish, and you will meet them in the life to come in the Heavenly Kingdom, where you and your children’s happiness will last for all eternity.

—Rev.—James Melnic

SAYINGS FROM THE CHURCH FATHERS

“Even though your most holy and blessed soul was separated from your most pure and immaculate body, according to the usual course of nature, and even though it was carried to a proper burial place; nevertheless, it did not remain under the dominion of death, nor was it destroyed by corruption. Indeed, just as her virginity remained intact when she gave birth, so her body, even after death was preserved from decay and transferred to a better and more divine dwelling place.”

—St. John Damascene

ST. ELIAS

St. Elias, whose feast we will celebrate today, went to the court of King Ahab and denounced the widespread worship of pagan gods occurring throughout Israel. He warned that as punishment, God would send a drought throughout Israel. King Ahab was so furious that Elias had to flee for his life. He settled beside a brook to which God sent ravens bearing bread and meat to feed His prophet.

When the drought dried up the brook, Elias moved into Phoenician territory where he had been told that a widow would feed him. But food was also scarce in that territory because of the drought. The widow was quite willing to give the stranger a drink of water, but she hesitated to feed Elias, lest she not have enough for herself and her son. Elias promised the woman that “The Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the Earth.’” She took Elias at his word and the miraculous feeding of the widow’s family occurred. Later, however, the widow’s son fell so ill that his breath left his body. When his grief-stricken mother accused Elias of having caused the death of her son, Elias raised him to life.

After fulfilling his role as prophet, Elias was taken into heaven on a chariot of fire drawn by horses of fire. (4 Kings 2:11) The interesting story of St. lias the Thesbite is contained in the Third Book of Kings beginning with Chapter 17 to Chapter 3 of the Fourth Book of Kings.

Pochaev (The Footprint): Commemorated July 23 and September 8

The Pochaev Icon of the Holy Theotokos is sometimes called the “Footprint.” In the Pochaev Mountains in Bolynia region of Little Russia, two monks settled there to live a life of Christ. One day, one of the monks was walking and beheld a great wonder. He saw a vision of the Most Holy Theotokos! He ran to call the other monk and — with some of the local shepherds — they all saw the vision. On the rock where the Theotokos stood, there was left a footprint where water had gathered. It soon became a source of healings; thus, the theme of this icon.

There is another icon also known as the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God that is different from this first version. In this icon, The Theotokos and the Christ Child is shown in much the same way, but on the right side you will see the Prophet Elias and the Martyr Menas and on the left side are the Protomartyr Stephen and the Venerable Avramius. Across the bottom are the martyrs Catherine, Parasceva, and Irene.

In 1557, the Greek metropolitan, Neophytos, was traveling through the area and was given hospitality by a pious woman named Anna Goiskaya. When he left, he gave her this icon as a blessing. It became known for its healings, and many pilgrims came to venerate it.

In 1599, Anna gave it to the monks and had a church built for it, in honor of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos, which she supported. It became known then as the Pochaev Icon of the Holy Theotokos. Then in 1602, it was taken to the newly built church of the Holy Trinity in the Pochaev Monastery.

PASTORAL PONDERINGS

In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kings, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives. Then using God’s great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and Krispy Creme Donuts. Satan said, “You want chocolate with that?” And Man said, “Yes!” and Woman said, “And as long as you’re at it, add some sprinkles.” And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from wheat, and sugar from the can and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14. So God said, “Try my fresh green salad.” And Satan presented Thousand Island Dressing, buttery croutons, and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then created a light, fluffy cake, named it “Angel Food Cake,” and said, “It is good.” Satan then created chocolate cake and named it “Devil’s Food.” God then brought forth running shoes, so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control, so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep fried them. And Man gained pounds. God then gave lean beef, so that Man might consume few calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald’s and its 99 cent double cheeseburger. Then he asked, “You want fries with that?” And Man replied, “Yes! And super size them!” And Satan said, “It is good.” And Man went into cardiac arrest. God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

Then Satan created HMOs.

—Father Thomas O’Connell

Last updated: 20-Jul-2008