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.

Weekly Schedule

Saturday Vigil                 5:00pm
Sunday Divine Liturgy    9:30am
Sunday Bible Study        after coffee hour
Monday Inquirers Class  6:00pm
Wednesday Akathist       6:30pm
Friday Small Compline    6:30pm


September 28/October 11, 2009
18th Sunday after Pentecost
Martyrdom of St. Wenceslaus, Prince of the Czechs

Today’s Readings
Epistle: II Corinthians 9:6-11; Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-5; 47-60
Gospel: Luke 5:1-11; John 15:17-16:2


Sunday Troparion, Tone 1: When the stone had been sealed by the Jews, * and the soldiers were guarding Thine immaculate Body, * Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, * granting life unto the world. * Wherefore, the Hosts of the heavens cried out to Thee, O Life-giver: * Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! * Glory to Thy Kingdom! * Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Lover of mankind!

Troparion of St. Theodore Stratelates, Tone 4: By true strategy, O trophy-bearer * thou wast an illustrious general of the Heavenly King, O Theodore. * For thou didst wisely arm thyself with the weapons of faith, * and didst utterly annihilate the hordes of demons, * and didst prove a victorious athlete, * wherefore with faith * we ever call thee blessed.

Troparion of St. Theodore the Tyro, Tone 2: Great are the triumphs of faith! * The holy martyr Theodore rejoiced in a fountain of flame as in refreshing water. * For having been made a whole burnt offering by fire, * he was offered as a sweetbread to the Trinity, * By his prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

Troparion of St. Wenceslaus, Tone 4: Today angels and men share a common joy. * Heaven and earth join together in splendid chorus * for thy memorial. O holy Prince Wenceslaus. And we sinners earnestly cry aloud unto thee: * Pray thou to the Master in our behalf, * that from dangers and from invisible foes, * He may deliver us who honor thine all-honored memory.

Sunday Kontakion, Tone 1: As God, Thou didst arise from the tomb in glory, * and Thou didst raise the world together with Thyself. * And mortal nature praiseth Thee as God, * and death hath vanished. * And Adam danceth, O Master, * and Eve, now freed from fetters, rejoiceth as she crieth out: * Thou art He, O Christ, that grantest unto all resurrection.
 
Kontakion of St. Theodore Stratelates, Tone 2: Armed with faith and courage of soul, * and having taken in thy hand the Word of God as a spear, * thou didst conquer the enemy, * O glory of martyrs, Theodore. * With them cease not to intercede with Christ God for us all.

Kontakion of St. Theodore the Tyro, Tone 8: Having received the faith of Christ in thy heart as an inner shield, * thou didst overcome all the opposing forces, O great champion, * and thou hast been crowned with a heavenly crown, O Theodore, * for thou art eternally invincible.

Kontakion of St. Wenceslaus, Tone 1: Standing with the choirs of the angels, * O blessed Prince Wenceslaus, * thou delightest in ineffable goodness; * and drawing thence the goodly gifts of miracles, * thou pourest forth the boon of cures * upon all who with faith flee to thy holiness.

Kontakion of the Theotokos, Tone 6: O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, * mediation unto the Creator most constant, * O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned, * but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, * who in faith cry unto thee: * Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, * thou who dost ever protect, * O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Parish News

+   November 3 is the nameday of our ruling bishop and first hierarch, Metropolitan Hilarion. Our diocese of Eastern America and New York is asking all the parishes to contribute toward a gift for him, so today and next Sunday we will be taking up a collection for this.

+   Last Tuesday Reader Peter Semanchuk fell and injured his knee. He had surgery on Thursday and is recovering. Please remember him and his family in your prayers.

+   This Tuesday at 10:00am at the Hellenic Church the Council of Orthodox Churches is holding its regular monthly meeting. We would like to see more lay participation on the Council. If anyone is interested, please speak with Fr. Peter.

+   This Wednesday is the feast of the Protection of the Theotokos, the parish feast of our sister parish in Rochester. We will serve the Vigil here on Tuesday at 6:00pm (note the time). There will be no Liturgy here; we will be going to Rochester for Divine Liturgy on Wednesday at 9:30am.

+   There will be no Akathist this Wednesday as originally scheduled.

+   The Inquirers Class continues tomorrow at 6:00pm.

+   Mark your calendars for Friday and Saturday, October 16 and 17. The Hellenic Church of the Annunciation is hosting a spiritual retreat. Fr. Iakovos Olechnowicz from Traverse City, MI will be speaking on “Orthodox Self-Defense: Understanding Spiritual Warfare”. The retreat is free and includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register, please call Mary Danakas at 912-8300. See the flyer on the bulletin board for details.

+   There will be no Compline service Friday because of the retreat at Annunciation Church.

+   Next Sunday a Russian Culture class will be visiting us from Canisius College. Let’s give them our Sts. Theodore welcome!


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.