We are a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, and all are welcome to worship with us! Our services are in English. Please join us at our coffee hour downstairs after the service.


Sunday Troparion, Tone 5: Let us, O faithful, praise and worship the Word * Who is co-unoriginate with the Father and the Spirit, * and Who was born of the Virgin for our salvation; * for He was pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh * and to endure death, * and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

Troparion of the Deposition of the Cincture, Tone 8:  O Ever-virgin Theotokos, protection of mankind: * thou hast given to thy city a mighty legacy, the robe and cincture of thy most honored body, * which have remained incorrupt through thy seedless birthgiving. * For in thee are nature and time renewed. * Wherefore, we beseech thee to grant peace to thy city and great mercy to our souls.
 
Sunday Kontakion, Tone 5: Unto hades, O my Savior, didst Thou descend, * and having broken its gates as One omnipotent, * Thou, as Creator, didst raise up the dead together with Thyself.* And Thou didst break the sting of death, * and didst deliver Adam from the curse, * O Lover of mankind. * Wherefore, we all cry unto Thee: * Save us, O Lord.

Kontakion of the Deposition of the Cincture, Tone 4: Today thy temple doth celebrate * the deposition of thy precious cincture, O all-hymned one, * and it earnestly crieth out to thee: * Rejoice, O Virgin, * thou boast of Christians!

Today’s Readings
Epistle: II Corinthians 1:21-2:4; Hebrews 9:1-7
Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14 & Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28

Parish News

+ Yesterday, the Translation of the Relics of St. Alexander Nevsky, was the nameday of Alexander Tkaczevski and Alexander (Liam) Enser. This Wednesday is Edward Akiwumi’s nameday, Friday is Raissa Semanchuk’s nameday, and Saturday is Michael Tkaczevski’s name day. Many years to you all!

+ We welcome back Larissa Samotowka, who is recovering from her stent procedure in Cleveland.

+ The Inquirers Class begins tomorrow at 6:00pm, instead of 7pm as originally planned. Please spread the word. The class will be every Monday for the next six or seven weeks.

+ The Myrrhstreaming Icon of the Theotokos “Softener of Evil Hearts” will be coming from Russia to make a tour of the US. It will be in Rochester on Wednesday, September 30, and Fr. Gregory is inviting all of us to join them at the the Akathist they will be serving that day at 6:30pm. There will be no akathist here that evening.

+This Wednesday’s Akathist will be for St. Alexander Nevsky. At Friday’s Compline we will chant the canon and stichera for the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Chonae.

+ The Parish Council will meet next Sunday.

The Icon of the Theotokos “Softener of Evil Hearts”

The Softener of Evil Hearts icon is also called the “Prophecy of Simeon” since St Symeon said to Mary, upon the presentation of Our Lord in the temple:
"Behold, this child is set for the falling and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sin which shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
The Theotokos is depicted in this icon with her heart pierced by seven swords; a symbolic number possibly indicating the the fullness and boundless sorrow, pain and "sickness of heart" that would have been experienced by the Mother of God at His crucifiction. Three of the swords enter her heart from the left, three swords enter from the right and one sword from underneath. This icon is very similar to the Seven Swords icon and they differ only in the arrangement of the swords. The “Softener of Evil Hearts” icon is commemorated on the Sunday of All Saints, although other references commemorate it February 2 / February 15.
According to the Evangelist Luke, the Holy Spirit told righteous Elder Symeon the God-receiver that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. And thus when, forty days after the Divine Infant's birth His parents brought Him to the Temple of Jerusalem, Symeon "was inspired" to come there as well, and took the Infant into his arms (hence the title "God-receiver"), and pronounced those famous words which ever since have been spoken at the conclusion of each Vesper service, and which are known as the Prayer of St. Symeon the God-receiver: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant to depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word" After that, he blessed St. Joseph and the Most-pure Mother of Our Lord, and addressed Mary with that same prophecy. It was after he had blessed St. Joseph and the Most-immaculate Mother of the Savior, that he addressed Mary with that same prophecy: "Behold, this child is set for the falling and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sin which shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."


If you are visiting today:

+ There are service books underneath the candle stand that you may borrow and follow along in. If you get lost, ask your neighbor to help you find the page.

+ As you can see, we stand for most of the service. If you are not accustomed to this, please feel free to sit if you feel the need. No one will mind! You should still stand during the Scripture readings and when the priest comes through.

+ In the Orthodox tradition, women cover their heads in church, and extra scarves can be borrowed from the candle stand at the entrance.

+ You will see people making the sign of the cross and bowing. Feel free to follow suit or not, however you are comfortable. Again, no one will mind either way.

+Feel free to venerate (kiss) the icons and purchase a candle to light. Commemoration slips for Orthodox, living and reposed, may be placed on the tray by the candle stand. Please write down how many prosphora you would like (suggested donation: $1/ea.)

+ At the end of the service, you may come forward to venerate the hand-cross if you wish.

+ At our parish we do not pass a collection plate. Gifts are voluntary and can be left at the candle stand.

+ Anyone who wishes to receive Holy Communion must be an Orthodox Christian and make their Confession beforehand. Please speak with Fr. Peter for more information.

Confessions are heard at every evening service.