THE FORERUNNER St John the Baptist Orthodox Church 211 Cable Avenue – East Pittsburgh, PA 15112 HIS EMINENCE, METROPOLITAN GREGORY OF NYSSA American Carpatho-Russian Diocese-Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople The Very Reverend Protopresbyter Joseph Fester Rectory: 412-824-0246 Mobile: 412-607-7039 Email:protopresbyterjoseph@gmail.com Website:www.sjbeastpitt.org – Facebook: @stjohneastpit Subdeacon Gary Grysiak, Cantor; Reader Justin Rosco, Choir Director; Robert Perevuznik, Jr., Parish Council President

19 Sunday 20 Monday 21 Tuesday 22 Wednesday 23 Thurs 24 Friday 25 Saturday PASCHA 9:00 Paschal Liturgy Blessing of Paschal Foods FB Live

Bright Monday 9am Paschal Liturgy FB Live

Bright Tuesday Bright Wednesday

Bright Thursday

Bright Friday

Bright Saturday 5pm Great Vespers

WE SAY- to all who are with us today at St. John’s for the first time, you are welcome here! We pray that you will consider making St. John’s your spiritual home. Please join us after Liturgy downstairs for fellowship. OUR GIFTS TO THE LORD- Sometimes we miss a Sunday and the opportunity to offer our financial gift to the Lord. If we do, please catch up with your gifts. Whether we are here or not, our parish bills continue. Thanks, and God bless! IT WILL BE IMPORTANT-for us to keep our weekly donations to St. John’s going while we all practice social distancing and follow the rules set forth by our Metropolitan Gregory and local government officials to limit direct participation in the Divine services to only essential persons. Please mail your offerings to the church address. You can also call the rectory with your Vigil intentions or mail in your requests. WE WILL CONTINUE – to live stream services from St. John’s until the “stay at home” order is lifted in Pennsylvania and Allegheny County. All services can be viewed on FB at https://www.facebook.com/joseph.fester MANY THANKS- to Subdeacon Gary Grysiak, Dennis Harms, Joe Monde and Ron Kitsko for working so diligently during Lent, Holy Week and Pascha by singing and serving. God bless you all!

TODAY-we blessed our new Royal Doors icons of Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Many thanks to Anna Margaret Costa for her generous donation that has added great beauty to our Church. God bless you. PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS –Thomas Planiczki, Josephine Sofelkanik, Michael Sterchak, John Edward Stagon, Kathryn Rogulin, Cathy Perevuznik, Fr. Michael and Matushka Susanne Senyo, Wally Perkins, Fr Lawrence Barriger, Gina Marie Gaspard, Dannette Wargo, Pani Marie Brancho, Rose Hollis, Marti and Cathilynn Baran, Aubrey Welch, Kalina Walker and the child, Malachi, born of her, Ashley Yeargers and the child Lincoln Carl born of her. Fr. John Dixon, Fr. Jonathan Tobias, Fr Daniel Prez (Joe Monde’s brother), Michelle Clayton, Joshua and Natalie Walsh, Nicholas Hollis and all healthcare workers and for all sick with COVID-19 virus. Please keep Father Joseph informed on changes to anyone’s health status so he can minister to them. April Birthdays - Garrett Skidmore 4/27 Mary Lou Begey 4/28 DeBorah Hutnyan 4/30 Cindy Sterchak 4/30 April Memorial – Newly departed: Paul Haruilesko and Paul David Zolak Perpetual:John & Anna Sabo, Harry & Mary Tucker, Julia Wazso, Michael & Mary Sivack, John Kalita, John, Mary & George Sabol, Magdalena Sadvary Sabol, George & Helen Kusik, Thomas Planiczki, Michael Yakubik, Pauline Sabo John Zura, Anna Chokla, John Hrenko, Sr., Michael Billi, Michael Kostik, Julia Waszo, Maria Muchaj, George Oleksuk, Anna Rela, Michael Suvak, Mary Regrut, Michael Tabak, John Zebra, William Floder, Xenia Marchak, Mary Harajda, John Uram, Marie Ziatyk, Nicholas Kosarich, Helen Kravec, John Geras, George Perevuznik, Nicholas Muchkaj, William Weidenhof, Magdalena Sabol, William Geezer, Florence Skuby, John K Horsak, Stanley Majawski, Helen Evansky-Gabor, Henry Michael Beben, Andrew Kuzemka, Rose Fester and for all victims of the COVID-19 virus

Sunday, April 19, 2020 – Attendance 4 – Weekly Offering, $1307 – Building Fund, $395 - Palm Sunday Offerings, $162 Holy Thursday, Friday and Saturday Offerings, $238 – Easter Offering, $917 - Easter Candle Envelopes,$77 – Membership Dues, $100 – Patriarchal Pence, $2 - Needy Envelopes, $62 - Easter Flowers, $7 - Vigil Candles, $213 – Ladies Altar Society Easter Offering, $500- Total $3980

O Master Who loves mankind, illuminate our hearts with the pure light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our mind to understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, that we may overcome all carnal desires, entering upon a spiritual life and understanding and acting in all things according to Your holy will. For You are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O Christ God, and to You we give glory together with Your eternal Father an Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen. DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Monday Acts 1:12-17, 21-26 John 1:18-28 St. Govan of Cornwald Tuesday Acts 2:14-21 Luke 24:12-35 Martyrs of the St. David-Gareji Monastery Wednesday Acts 2:22-36 John 1:35-51 Ven. Woutruide of the Netherlands Thursday Acts 2:38-43 John 3:1-15 Hieromartyr Gregory V, Pat. of Constantinople Friday Acts 3:1-8 John 2:12-22 Life-Giving Spring Icon of the Theotokos Saturday Acts 3:11-16 John 3:22-33 Hieromartyr Zeno of Verona Sunday Acts 5:12-20 John 20:19-31 Thomas Sunday

April 19, 2020

Protocol No. 14/2020

PASCHA ARCHPASTORAL LETTER

To the Very Reverend Protopresbyters, Very Reverend and Reverend Fathers, and

Faithful Laity (young and old) of our God-Protected Diocese:

CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN!

Today I greet you with great love and joy in the Name of our Lord, God and

Saviour Jesus Christ following His glorious Resurrection. On Great and Holy Pascha, we

behold the triumph of Christ, as He rose from death to life, from darkness of the tomb

into the Light. With the Resurrection of Christ, all Creation is filled with a new Light of

life and joy. On this Feast of Feasts, this Holy Day of Holy Days, we all proclaim the

only truth that matters, the Truth that Christ is Risen!

This year we have experienced a different Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha from

that which we normally do. The world has been turned upside down with the arrival of

the Coronavirus known as Covid-19. This invisible entity has attacked us in a vicious

way. Millions of people have been exposed to the virus showing no symptoms. Many

hundreds of thousands of humans have been sickened world-wide. Hundreds of

thousands have died. People within our own Diocese have been exposed and some have

even succumb to this dreaded affliction. May their memories be eternal!

This virus has caused the cancelling of an untold number of events worldwide.

The NCAA Basketball Championship Tournament k a Ma c Ma into some other kind of madness . College students returned home to complete their

studies online. Public and private schools sent the children home for good. Millions of

people lost their jobs. Millions more were told to work from home. Some of our fellow

human beings began acting as wild animals looking out only for themselves instead of

considering how their actions might impact their neighbor. Disruptions and collapses in the financial markets frightened everyone. However, in all the chaos, real human beings, true heroes, began to appear in our midst. They included the healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, technicians, etc), first responders (police officers, firemen, EMTs, etc.)

who risked their lives and the lives of their family members to serve us their fellow man. God bless them all! I do not know what the future holds in the weeks and months to come. I do know however, that the Church will not be overcome by a virus. I know that this is not the end, and I know that we will in fact worship together again as one big family in our Churches. All sickness, darkness and even death has been overcome by the Resurrected Christ. A , , (J 1:5).

This year even though we could not worship together in our local Churches for H , ( ). As true believers and followers of Jesus Christ we can shout CH I I

I E ! , CH I E E! , CH I A E I! A I DEED HE I I E ! , I I E E! , A I H A E I!

Let us sing of the beautiful triumphant hymn of the Resurrection with great

strength and joy every day, multiple times a day, for 40 days.

Christ is Risen, from the dead, trampling down death by death, , .

On this Bright and Holy Feast, I extend my prayerful best wishes to you, the Clergy and Laity, Friends and Supporters of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese. May you truly experience the love, joy, and excitement of the early followers of Christ when they first saw Him after His Resurrection. Christ is Risen!

,

+Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa This Protocol is to be distributed by all means available including the emailing of parishioners

PRAYERS AT THE BLESSING OF FOOD ON THE

HOLY AND GREAT SUNDAY OF PASCHA (to be done at home in the year 2020, because of the Covid-19 Pandemic)

The foods are assembled on the table or place from which they will be served. The Family gathers together at the table where a lighted candle and Icon of the Resurrection are also placed. They pray together as follows: All: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life. (Thrice.)

The Bread O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, bless and sanctify this bread with Your heavenly blessing, so that it may be for the health of body and salvation of soul for all who partake of it, that it may be a safeguard against all illness and enemy assaults, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Only-begotten Son, the Living Bread, which came down from heaven, giving life and salvation to the world, Who lives and reigns with You in union with the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen!

The Meats O Lord, Jesus Christ, our God, look upon this lamb and all these other flesh meats, bless and sanctify them as you sanctified the ram which Abraham offered to You, and the lamb that Able offered to You in sacrifice; bless and sanctify these meats as you blessed and sanctified the fatted-calf which You ordered to be slain for the prodigal son, when he returned again to You; so just as he was considered worthy to enjoy Your goodness, so also may we who eat of these meats, blessed and sanctified by You, enjoy Your goodness, and obtain Your Holy Cross and Resurrection from the Dead on the Third Day: For You are our True Food and the Giver of all good things which You Yourself bless and sanctify; and we give glory to You, together with Your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Gracious and Life-creating Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen!

The Dairy and other foods O God, our Lord and Master, Creator of all things; bless this cheese, butter and all other foods here present; and preserve us in your goodness, so that, as we eat of Your gifts which You readily bestow on us, we may be filled with Your indescribable goodness, for the sake of the glorious resurrection on the third day from the dead of our Lord Jesus Christ: For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen!

April 19 Candle Intentions Health Babich, Sandy – Babich Family Babich, Sandy – Wally and Karen Perkins Bires, Alice – Benjamin Bires, Alice – Fr William and Pani Illeana Bennett Bires, Alice – Alex & Andrew Bires Alice – Helen, David & Joseph Bires, Alice – Caitlin, Dustin & Sons Bires, Alice – Scott & Sharon Bires, Alice – Wally & Karen Bires, Alice – Ron Raible Bires, Alice – Grysiak Family Bires, Alice – Pani Helen & DeBorah Bires, Alice – Nancy Sabeh Bires, Alice – Cathy Perevuznik Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Benjamin Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Luke & Alexis Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Irene & Basil Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Janet Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Deborah Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Burkett Family Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Josie Sofelkanik Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Bob & Miryam Knutson Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Mitzi Conroy Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Wally Perkins Grysiak, Janet & Gary – John E. Stagon Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Anthony Macchiaroli Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Kevin Henry Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Fr. John Dixon Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Marti Baran Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Fr & Pani William Bennett & Sons Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Virus Victims Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Healthcare and Grocery Workers Kiss, Marge – Marilyn Chuprinko Sabeh, Nancy – Family Members Sabeh, Nancy – Fr Joseph and Pani Kathy Sabeh, Nancy – St. John Parishioners Stagon, George & Barbara – Fr. Matthew, Pani Eleni, Seraphim, Luka, Harikila, Xenia Stagon, George & Barbara – Jeffery, Nicole, Jillina Payton Stagon, George & Barbara – Connie and Tyler Stagon, George- Barbara Stagon, George & Barbara – All Virus victims Stagon, John Jr. – John & Jessica Stagon, John Jr. – David, Linda, Johnny Stagon, John Jr. – David II, Christal & Weston Stagon, John Jr. – St John Parishioners Stagon, John Jr. – Fr Joseph and Pani Kathy Special Intentions Alice Bires Memory Babich, Sandy – Ron Babich Babich, Sandy – Anna & Charles Babich Babich, Sandy – Alma & Stephen Vukson Bires, Alice – Parents Bires, Alice- Brother-in-law Bires, Alice- Helen Bires, Alice-Margie

Bires, Alice - Grandparents Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Mother, Helen Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Father, Charles Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Mother, Irene Barney Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Father, Edward Barney Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Metropolitan Nicholas Grysiak, Janet & Gary – Virus Victims Sabeh, Nancy – Parents Sabeh, Nancy – Brother, Fr. Michael Sabeh, Nancy – Nephew Vlad Stagon, George – Mom and Dad Stagon, John Jr. – Wife Anna Stagon, John Jr. – John & Anna Stagon, Sr. Stagon, John Jr. – George & Beatrice Stagon Stagon, John Jr. – Brother Eddie Stagon Stagon, John Jr. – Stephen & Elizabeth Stagon Stagon, John Jr. – George & Mary Sentipal Stagon, John Jr. – George & Anna Kuzma Stagon, John Jr. – George & Michael Kuzma Stagon, John Jr. – Peter Perevuznik (Godfather) Stagon, John Jr. – Mary Popovich (Godmother) Stagon, John Jr. – Mary Alice Cole Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ! CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED HE IS RISEN! I greet you in the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ! No matter what the circumstances we find ourselves in, especially this most unusual Lenten season, the joy of the Resurrection transcends. The Resurrection is beyond our human condition because it transfigures it. The Resurrection presents to us what life is called to be. It offers to us the pathway from mere human existence and mundane life to the Sacramental and transcended life of the Kingdom of God. The Resurrection reveals life not as a 24 day but a day that can be lived in the Kingdom, in the liturgical and prayer of God’s Kingdom. What does this mean? How is this possible? In fact, we have just experienced it if we have participated in the liturgical life of our parish. Even being unable to actually physically come the St. John’s this Lent and Holy Week, if we have made the extra effort to make our homes – our little church – a place of prayer and worship, then we have been blessed and have discovered a deeper experience of a life in Christ. Sometimes we don’t know what is possible until what we were used to is taken away. My prayer and hope is that our inability to physically participate in parish worship and fellowship will become once this is all over, an essential and indispensable first part of our lives. Putting the worship and life of God and His Body the Church, first. No excuses. We can only do that if we become what no other created being that God made can be – a worshipping being. The human person is defined by the fact that he can worship his Creator, know his Creator and communicate with Him. We know that we are made in His Image and Likeness and that when we were dead in sin, He came to us to save us by giving His life for us! In return, what else can a person do but worship Him and give thanks for His greatness. In the days and weeks ahead, we will continue to be challenged to worship God from the safety of our “little churches” – our homes. Those who can watch church services online will have, a least in some way, a change to connect, but all of us need to actively reach out to each other in prayer and in other ways with phone calls, cards. We need to continue to build our parish community during this time of separation. Again, I believe it will make us a stronger community once we are able to re-united in person. And so, I wish all of you a blessed and joyous Paschal Season and patiently await when we can all be together again. Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Fr Joseph