The members of our parish pray collectively and individually this week for those who are ill, those in the Armed Forces currently serving our country with bravery and distinction here and throughout the world:  MARK Wolchko, SALAME, JOHN and DOROTHY Genoni, EDWARD Gallagher, MARY Lisovsky, JENNIFER, JULIE Koske, STEVE Reinhardt, HASMIK Barth, NORBERT, NINA, MIKE Bojcik, DONNA Miller, MARK Wolchko, KARISSA Douglas, baby LAINEY Madeline Santaella, MARINA Troshina, NATALIA, ALEXANDER Hnatkow, MARY Schack, ANNA Slivka, Archpriest ALEXANDER Kreniki, IRINA Kostina, EMIL Overmere, JOHN and RADIE HRINA, ANDREW Miketzuk, DAVID, FELIX Semtak, MARY Munkascy, NINA Borisewich, airman ARTEM Shpakovsky, Sgt. ALIAKSEI Kovaleuski, private TIMOPHEI Koval, private NIKITA Fenko and private ALEXANDER Parchomchuk – currently serving in Afghanistan, REV. MICHAEL Sydek, MARY Rascher,  youth LUKE, youth DANIEL, SOPHIE Datz, OLGA Sidlar, ANNE Holowach, STEVE Pinchak, MARY Gambal, VICTOR Lukauskas, HELEN & YURI Metelow, MICHAEL Ksenich, LeROY Knowles.

On “Foreknowledge”: God possesses a perfect knowledge of all these things, just as He knows the past, the present and the future; and they are known to some extent by him who through grace has learned from God about His works, and who through this grace has been enabled to realize in himself that which is according to God's image and likeness (see Genesis 1:26). REF: St. Peter of Damaskos, "The Four Virtues of the Soul", from G. E. H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard, and Bishop Kallistos Ware, "The Philokalia: Vol. III," (London: Faber and Faber, 1984), pp. 100 - 101

FYI - A MOTION WAS PASSED AT THE LAST PARISH MEETING TO HAVE ALL ENGLISH DIVINE LITGURY SERVICE ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH.  PLEASE PASS THE WORD TO YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS AND HAVE THEM JOIN US.  THIS IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR FAMILY COME TOGETHER AND PRAY. 

FYI - By the decision of our Church Committee our mortgage statistics will be published every week. As of February 1st, 2010 it is $250,768.02 plus interest. Please continue to give generously.

Please start collecting red onion skins and leave them at the candle stand. Thank you all in advance.  

Two days ago the Holy Synod, headed by His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russ’ appointed the new Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA. His Name and title are: His Eminence Archbishop Justinian of Naro-Fominsk. Vladyko is 48 years old and was in charge of the Diocese of Tiraspol for the last 15 years.

FYI - There will be a Sunday School Association meeting today following Divine Liturgy.  All Sunday School parents are requested to attend.

FUI - New Orthodox (OCA) blog for young adults, college students launched - response to a growing need for content and materials geared towards young adult and college ministry, the Orthodox Church in America's Department of Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministries has launched a new blog, "Wonder." The blog, accessible at www.ocawonder.com, is also of value to those who minister to this age group. Every month, "Wonder" will feature four articles on a specific theme, blending theological and academic articles with practical ideas for ministry.

WHAT IS THE PARACLESIS SERVICE? 

The Paraclesis Service to the Theotokos or another SaintA Paraclesis is a service of intercession to a saint that has as its main component a canon to the saint.

In the Slavonic tradition, a Paraclesis is usually called a "Supplicatory Canon" (Molebnyj Kanon). Unfortunately, in the Russian Church it has become somewhat rare to serve a full "Supplicatory Canon." What is much more common (and more popular) is to serve a "Moleben," which is in reality a very abbreviated version of the "Supplicatory Canon." The primary abbreviation consists in omitting the canon and chanting only the short refrains that would normally precede each troparion.In the Greek Church, the Paraclesis is a popular service, and many have been composed to various saints. I remember being present at one in Thessalonica several years ago for St. Demetrios in his church there, where it was served regularly. It is customary in Greek churches to serve a Paraclesis to the Mother of God every day during the Dormition Fast as a way of preparing for the feast. This service is usually well-attended.   While the service of the Supplicatory Canon is rare in the Russian Church, it is not unheard of. There is an excellent recording of this service available that was made in Russia. In the diaspora, St. John Maximovich used to serve the Supplicatory Canon to the Mother of God during the Dormition Fast, and I have seen this practice kept elsewhere in the Russian Church Abroad.

The "Supplicatory Canon" to the Mother of God that is most commonly used in the Russian Church, is called the "Little Paraclesis" among the Greeks. There is also a "Great Paraclesis." These two are often used in an alternating fashion during the Dormition Fast. The canon of the "Great Paraclesis" also exists in Slavonic and is found as an appendix to the Octoechos. Unfortunately, it seems that it is rarely used.   Edited from a post to the "Ustav" mailing list;  From: "Daniel Olson"; Date: Thu Aug 3, 2000
Subject: Re: [ustav] Dormition fast;  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ustav/message/6394

FYI - The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts in Madison, NJ is hosting a Pysanky Workshop on Saturday, March 27th at 2pm.  I am working to get the word out and thought maybe you or your members might be interested in participating.  I attached the flyer and a registration form for you.  Please feel free to distribute the information.
Thank you so much for your helping me get the word out.  Feel free to contact me with any questions. 
Sincerely,

April Lyzak,

Museum Coordinator  coordinator@metc.org  973-377-2982 x14
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts - 9 Main Street - Madison, NJ 07940 - www.metc.org

MEMBERSHIP & GOOD STANDING IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
1. Membership in the Church begins at Baptism; or in the case of adult converts, at Chrismation or by Profession of Faith. But membership and good standing must be maintained throughout the course of a person's lifetime.
2. To maintain good standing in the Church, an Orthodox Christian must attend Divine Services regularly and faithfully; receive the Sacraments of Confession and Communion at least once a year; contribute as generously as possible to the financial needs of the Parish and the Diocese; and follow the teachings of the Holy Gospel and the Holy Orthodox Church to the best of his or her ability.
3. It is the duty of all parishioners to glorify God; to seek His gifts of grace; to diligently pray for one another, for their bishop, for their pastor and for all their superiors; to fearlessly profess Christ and the teachings of His Church; to bring others to Christ and to the Church; to adorn their faith with a sober, righteous and Godly life; to obey and abide by the Laws of God and His Church; to honor and respect their pastor and assist him in his work; to give a Christian training to their children, and to send them to catechetical religious education classes at the church; to live peaceably with one another, to help those who are in need and distress; and in general, to further the life and growth of Three Saints Parish.
4. Any person who shall deny, disclaim or refuse conformity by word or deed to the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of the Orthodox Church shall cease to be a member of this Parish and Diocese, even if he or she has continued to meet their financial obligations to the Parish. (as seeing by Fr George K)

From the Patriarchal parish of St. John Chrysostom in Grand Rapids, MI (Priest Andrew Lowe, Pastor):  The parish choir has produced a CD (28 minutes; 10 tracks) of Christmas hymns and will be available tomorrow.  We are selling the CD for $9.99 and it can be purchased on line by visiting: http://web.me.com/icsthorp/stjohnroc/CD_Project.html

Love, care and Support of people in our church is something that should fall on the shoulders of us all. All of us must take seriously our responsibility to keep track of those whom we do not often see, giving them a call or dropping them a note. Every one of us should reach out to those shut-in or in need of assistance, letting them know that we care. The opportunity to be on both the giving and receiving ends of this kind of concern and support is one of the reasons that we exist. As we move through the summer months, let us continue to nurture the connections among us as a safe and caring community. May we not limit that caring, concern, and commitment to those within our walls, but strive as well to reach out to all who cross our path and to all in the world who need our care.

Is Anyone Sick? “Let him call the presbyters,” as it says in the Epistle of St James. If you know anyone who needs attention please let Fr George know. Is Anyone Better? If you have sub mitted any names for the list of prayers for the sick and that person has recovered, let us know, so we can keep the list a manage able length.

Altar Flowers - Remember your loved ones with a floral arrangement in the Altar. Flowers may be given to honor someone living or in memory of those who have fallen asleep. The name of the donors and their loved ones will be published in the bulletin. If you have a special date in mind, please contact Mary Lisovsky to make the necessary arrangements. Thank you in advance and God Bless.

If you are a guest at today’s Divine Liturgy, we invite you to break a fast together with us. You are always welcome to share in worship and fellowship here at the Church of Three Saints. If you would like to become an enrolled parishioner, please call our pastor Fr. George at 973-478-7202. Everyone is welcome today and always!

A PRAYER AGAINST EVIL THOUGHTS - "O Master, Lord my God, in Whose hands are my lots, help me according to Thy mercy and do not allow me to be destroyed with mine iniquities, nor permit me by my will to follow the desires of my flesh against my spirit. I was fashioned by Thee; do not forsake the works of Thy hands. Turn not Thy face, have pity, do not despise me, neither forsake me, O Lord, for I am weak; and it is to Thee, my protecting God, that I have come for refuge. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. Save me for the sake of Thy mercy, for upon Thee have I cast myself from my very youth. May those who war against me be put to shame, and may those who seek to separate me from Thee through immodest acts, unseemly thoughts, and unprofitable reflections be turned back. Chase far from me every filthiness which is superabundance of evil. For Thou alone art holy; Thou alone art mighty; Thou alone art immortal, having unfathomable power against all things; and it is through Thee that every power is given against the Devil and his forces. Unto Thee is due all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen." From the Trebnic

Prayer for a Student - Christ my Lord, the Giver of light and wisdom, who opened the eyes of the blind man and transformed the fishermen into wise heralds and teachers of the gospel through the coming of the Holy Spirit, shine also in my mind the light of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Grant me discernment, understanding and wisdom in learning. Enable me to complete my assignments and to abound in every good work, for to You I give honor and glory. Amen. 

Prayer for the Teminally Ill  - Lord, Jesus Christ, Who suffered and died for our sins that we may live, if during our life we have sinned in word, deed or thought forgive us in Your goodness and love. All our hope we put in You; protect your servant (name) from all evil. We submit to Your will and into Your hands we commend our souls and bodies. For a Christian end to our lives, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good account before the awesome judgment seat of Christ, we pray to you O Lord. Bless us, be merciful to us and grant us life eternal. Amen.

Prayer for Love - Christ my God, set my heart on fire with love in You, that in its flame I may love You with all my heart, with all my mind, and with all my soul and with all my strength, and my neighbor as myself, so that by keeping Your commandments I may glorify You the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Amen.  

Prayer for a sick person - Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, Who have sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, visit and heal also Your servant (name) from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ. Grant him (her) patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed. I pray, heal Your servant (name) and grant to him (her) the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.  

Prayer to the Guardian Angel O Holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me every transgression which I have committed this day. Deliver me from all evil influences and temptations, so that I may not anger my God by any sin. Pray for me that the Lord may make me worthy of His grace and to become partaker of His eternal Kingdom with the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of all the Saints. Amen. 

Prayer for Acceptance of God's Will - Lord, I do not know what to ask of You. You know better than me what my needs are. You love more than I know how to love. Help me to see clearly my real needs which I do not see. I open my heart to You. Examine and reveal to me my faults and sins. I put all trust in You. I have no other desire than to fulfill Your will. Teach me how to pray. Pray in me. Amen.

Sick Calls - Please remember to call the Rectory (973-478-7202) if you know of a parishioner who needs to be visited by Fr George, whether at home, in the hospital, or at a specialized care facility.

Hospital Reminder - Because of new privacy laws (HIPAA), Fr. George is not notified of hospital admissions, even if he is cited at the time of hospital registration. The same is true for nursing homes. Therefore, if you want Fr. George to visit during a hospitalization or during a stay in a nursing home, please have a family member call him at the Church Rectory. I care about you and would like to be there for you but I must first know that you are in the hospital. Fr George K 

To the families of our college students: Please forward the e-mail and mailing addresses of your student to Fr. George at fg@3saints.com.

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