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The American CarpathoThe American CarpathoThe American Carpatho---Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.ARussian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.ARussian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLEECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLEECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Rev. Fr. Jeff L. Zias: 570-429-0670

Joseph T. Yarashus: 570-691-4143

(Parish Council President)

Website: www.stmichaelstclair.org

+++ Please Remember St. Michael Orthodox Church in your Will Please Remember St. Michael Orthodox Church in your Will Please Remember St. Michael Orthodox Church in your Will +++

Sixth Sunday of Pascha: Sunday of the Blind Man

The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on John; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15; and the Second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great). When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they wondered, if sickness was caused by sin, what sin could have been the cause of his being born without eyes. But the Lord answered that this was for the glory of God. Then the God-man spat on the ground and made clay with the spittle. He anointed the eyes of the blind man and said to him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam (which means "sent") was a well-known spring in Jerusalem used by the inhabitants for its waters, which flowed to the eastern side of the city and collected in a large pool called "the Pool of Siloam." Thus, the blind man believed in Jesus' words, obeyed His command, went and washed himself, and returned, no longer blind, but having eyes and seeing. This was the greatest miracle that our Lord had yet worked; as the man healed of his blindness himself testified, "Since time began, never was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind," although the Lord had already healed the blind eyes of many. Because he now had eyes, some even doubted that he was the same person (John 9:8-9); and it was still lively in their remembrance when Christ came to the tomb of Lazarus, for they said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Saint John Chrysostom gives a thorough and brilliant exposition of our Lord's meeting with the woman of Samaria, the healing of the paralytic, and the miracle of the blind man in his commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John.

—goarch.org

THE ARCHANGELTHE ARCHANGELTHE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael Orthodox Church

St. Clair, Pennsylvania

May 21, 2017

Sunday of the Blind ManSunday of the Blind ManSunday of the Blind Man Epistle: 1 John 1:1Epistle: 1 John 1:1Epistle: 1 John 1:1---7 7 7

The Gospel of St. John 19:25The Gospel of St. John 19:25The Gospel of St. John 19:25---27, 21:2427, 21:2427, 21:24---252525

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May 25: May 25: May 25: ASCENSIONASCENSIONASCENSION of the Lordof the Lordof the Lord June 04: All Souls’ Liturgy at Cemetery Chapel, 9:00 a.m.June 04: All Souls’ Liturgy at Cemetery Chapel, 9:00 a.m.June 04: All Souls’ Liturgy at Cemetery Chapel, 9:00 a.m.

June 05: June 05: June 05: PENTECOST SundayPENTECOST SundayPENTECOST Sunday

“According to thy mercy, pour out upon me, who am miserable, at least one small drop of grace to make me understand and be converted, that I might make at least some small effort to correct myself. For if thy grace does not illumine my soul, I will not be able to see the carelessness and negligence that the passions have produced in me through my apathy and recklessness.”

+ St. Ephraim the Syrian

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St. Michael’s Prayer ListSt. Michael’s Prayer ListSt. Michael’s Prayer List

Fr. Michael Hatrak, Fr. Bazyl Zawierucha, Pani Amy George, Reader Gregory Sagan, Ed & Violet Pogera, Mary Zuk, Paul Thomas, Sr., Mike & Michelle Mistishen, Robert

Cauley, Olga Lutza, Jean, Paul & Gregory Semanco, Denise & Jody Spayd, George

Hatalowich, Sr., Verna Prock, Michael Laurie, Sr. & Jr., John Laurie, Margaret Um-benhen, Irene Fessler, Helen Sidella, Mike Sidella, Marge Premich, Helen & Linda

Udut, Elsie Stencovage, Joan Bickleman, Lori & Jenny Roshannon, Andy & Regina Hertz, Joanne Strenkowski, Helen Pogera, Helen, Jake, Jaclyn & John Mogish,

Nancy & John, Helen Udit, John Fessler, George, Marge Homa, Trisha Bootsma,

Roxanne, Sabrina & Jonathan Spontak, Michael, Tanya, Tanner, Macy, Madison, Robert Dembinsky, Leanne, Mike, Mother Maria, Marsha &Coralia Chwastiak, Ja-

son Perez, Martin & John Gursky, June & Carolyn Paulin, Marlene & Scott Rowe, Alice Angst, Marian Katchur, Anna Meinhold, Charlie Ross, Wally Vacula, Rod-

ney & Sandy Vargo, Richard Enders, Gabriel McKay, Francis Plasha, Brad Dembin-

sky, Ed Leininger, Blazena Rodava, Catherine Bardzak, Eleanor Ryan, Paneda, Bindi,

Beth Mendenhall, Audrey Zias, Donna Hatalowich, Matushka Sophie Daniels,

Marge Minchoff, Leah Arters, Shonda, Gabrielle McKay, Nancy M., Baby Ilya, Joyce Haberle, Zachary & Zoe, Roy, David, Lou Lubrea, Lonia Stramova, Ed& Ethel

Schappell, Jared, Amanda, Sam &child to be born of them, Bernie Liptock, Ken De-

Pauli, Renee Austerberry, Dorothy Welker, Matilda, Rose Conville, Joanne Vince, Barbara Rogens, Rada Family, Lukacova Family, Lipa Family, Robert Lipa, Elizabeth

& Rob Sarraf and child to born of them, Gloria Shadle, Michael Mochnoc, Vera Mumbauer, Sam Heaton, Charlie &Mary Ann, Ted Krisa, Bob Llewellyn, Minnie

Miller, Vera Poleck, Edward Lindenmuth, David & Paula Christensen, David Mus-

ket, David Vinc, Nicholas Hammer, Michael Sutzko, Elaine, Kathy Charney, Caitlyn McGarry, Bernardo Bezos, Chrystin & Seminarian Vincent, Frank James... “Hear us,

O Lord, and graciously have mercy!”

O Lord our God, Who by word alone did heal all diseases, Who did cure

the kinswoman of Peter, you Who chastise with pity and heal according to

Your goodness; Who are able to put aside every malady and infirmity, do

You Yourself, the same Lord, grant aid to these Your servants and cure

them of every sickness of which they are grieved; lift them up from their

bed of pain, and send down upon them Your great mercy, and if it be

Your Will, give them health and a complete recovery; for You are the Physi-

cian of our souls and bodies, and to You do we send up Glory: to the Fa-

ther, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the

ages of ages. Amen.

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Fulfillment of our Commitment to Christ and His Church requires the stewardship of our resources in a manner which follows the precepts of the Gospel. This includes a commitment on our part to support our Church through the offering of our financial resources as well as of our own unique gifts and talents. It should be emphasized, moreover, that our stewardship commitment goes far beyond financial matters; it is rather a commitment of the totality of life to God. Stewardship, therefore, also includes volunteering to serve on the church board, helping to organize and execute church functions, singing in the choir, preparing and teaching Sunday School, cleaning and maintaining the Church, and other forms of ministry; it is our engagement in the total life of the church.

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Liturgical Schedule

May 20, SaturdayMay 20, SaturdayMay 20, Saturday 6:00 p.m. Vespers 6:00 p.m. Vespers 6:00 p.m. Vespers (Tone(Tone(Tone---5)5)5) May 21, SUNDAYMay 21, SUNDAYMay 21, SUNDAY The Blind ManThe Blind ManThe Blind Man

9:00 a.m. Resurrection MatinsResurrection MatinsResurrection Matins 9:45 a.m. Paschal Hours/ConfessionsPaschal Hours/ConfessionsPaschal Hours/Confessions 10:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John ChrysostomThe Divine Liturgy of St. John ChrysostomThe Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sisterhood’s Breakfast Sisterhood’s Breakfast Sisterhood’s Breakfast : : : Tickets available in Church VestibuleTickets available in Church VestibuleTickets available in Church Vestibule

May 23, TuesdayMay 23, TuesdayMay 23, Tuesday +Philip +Philip +Philip &&& June Hrabar June Hrabar June Hrabar (A Couple dedicated to Orthodox Living)(A Couple dedicated to Orthodox Living)(A Couple dedicated to Orthodox Living)

9:00 a.m. Perpetual Liturgy, offered by daughter, Lois Lieberman Perpetual Liturgy, offered by daughter, Lois Lieberman Perpetual Liturgy, offered by daughter, Lois Lieberman

May 24, WednesdayMay 24, WednesdayMay 24, Wednesday Holyday: Cyril & MethodiousHolyday: Cyril & MethodiousHolyday: Cyril & Methodious 9:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John ChrysostomThe Divine Liturgy of St. John ChrysostomThe Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

May 25, ThursdayMay 25, ThursdayMay 25, Thursday ASCENSION OF THE LORDASCENSION OF THE LORDASCENSION OF THE LORD 9:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John ChrysostomThe Divine Liturgy of St. John ChrysostomThe Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

May 27, SaturdayMay 27, SaturdayMay 27, Saturday 6:00 p.m. Vespers 6:00 p.m. Vespers 6:00 p.m. Vespers (Tone(Tone(Tone---6)6)6)

May 28, SUNDAYMay 28, SUNDAYMay 28, SUNDAY Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council

9:00 a.m. Church SchoolChurch SchoolChurch School 9:30 a.m. Hours/ConfessionsHours/ConfessionsHours/Confessions 10:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John ChrysostomThe Divine Liturgy of St. John ChrysostomThe Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

May 30, TuesdayMay 30, TuesdayMay 30, Tuesday +John & Madelena Mogish+John & Madelena Mogish+John & Madelena Mogish

9:00 a.m. Memorial Liturgy, offered by Joanne StrenkowskiMemorial Liturgy, offered by Joanne StrenkowskiMemorial Liturgy, offered by Joanne Strenkowski

June 03, SaturdayJune 03, SaturdayJune 03, Saturday 6:00 p.m. Vespers 6:00 p.m. Vespers 6:00 p.m. Vespers (Tone(Tone(Tone---7)7)7) 9:00 a.m. All Souls’ Liturgy at Cemetery Chapel9:00 a.m. All Souls’ Liturgy at Cemetery Chapel9:00 a.m. All Souls’ Liturgy at Cemetery Chapel

June 04, SUNDAYJune 04, SUNDAYJune 04, SUNDAY PENTECOST SUNDAYPENTECOST SUNDAYPENTECOST SUNDAY

9:00 a.m. Confessions 9:30 a.m. Hours of Prayer 10:00 a.m. The Divine Liturgy of St. John ChrysostomThe Divine Liturgy of St. John ChrysostomThe Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

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We Extend our Sympathy to both the Katchur Family, and the Holobetz Family, who both lost loved ones this past week. +Mary Katchur reposed in the Lord on Saturday, May 13, and +John Holobetz entered His Eternal Rest early Mon-day morning, May 15. May God grant Eternal Rest to their souls and His peace, love and strength to their families. Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!

We Congratulate and Rejoice with Mr. & Mrs. Robert and Vanessa Baker, whom were newly united in Holy Matrimony on Sunday, May 7. May God grant them His Choicest Blessings. Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!

Fr. Seraphim Rose: Why do men learn through pain and suffering, and not through pleasure and happiness? . . .

“Why do men learn through pain and suffering, and not through pleas-ure and happiness? Very simply, because pleasure and happiness accustom one to satisfaction with the things given in this world, whereas pain and suffering drive one to seek a more profound happiness beyond the limitations of this world. I am at this moment in some pain, and I call on the Name of Jesus—not necessarily to relieve the pain, but that Jesus, in Whom

alone we may transcend this world, may be with me during it, and His will be done in me. But in pleasure I do not call on Him; I am content then with what I have, and I think I need no more. And why is a philoso-phy of pleasure untenable?—because pleasure is impermanent and un-reliable, and pain is inevitable. In pain and suffering Christ speaks to us, and thus God is kind to give them to us, yes, and evil too—for in all of these we glimpse something of what must lie beyond, if there really ex-ists what our hearts most deeply desire.

+Fr. Seraphim Rose, +Fr. Seraphim Rose, +Fr. Seraphim Rose, quoted in Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works

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St. Basil the Great: On Giving Thanks to the CreatorSt. Basil the Great: On Giving Thanks to the CreatorSt. Basil the Great: On Giving Thanks to the Creator

As thou takest thy seat at table, pray. As thou lift-est the loaf, offer thanks to the Giver. When thou sustainest thy bodily weakness with wine, remem-ber Him Who supplies thee with this gift, to make thy heart glad and to comfort thy infirmity. Has thy need for taking food passed away? Let not the thought of thy Benefactor pass away too. As thou art putting on thy tunic, thank the Giver of it. As thou wrappest thy cloak about thee, feel yet greater love to God, Who alike in summer and in winter has given us coverings convenient for us, at once to preserve our life, and to cover what is unseemly. Is the day done? Give thanks to Him Who has given us the sun for our daily work, and has provided for us a fire to light up the night, and to serve the rest of the needs of life. Let night give the other occasion of prayer. When thou lookest up to heaven and gazest at the beauty of the stars, pray to the Lord of the visible world; pray to God the Arch-artificer of the universe, Who in wisdom hath made them all. When thou seest all nature sunk in sleep, then again worship Him Who gives us even against our wills release from the continuous strain of toil, and by a short refreshment restores us once again to the vigour of our strength. Let not night herself be all, as it were, the special and peculiar property of sleep. Let not half thy life be useless through the senselessness of slumber. Divide the time of night be-tween sleep and prayer. Nay, let thy slumbers be themselves experiences in piety; for it is only natural that our sleeping dreams should be for the most part echoes of the anxieties of the day. As have been our conduct and pursuits, so will inevitably be our dreams. Thus wilt thought pray with-out ceasing; if thought prayest not only in words, but unitest thyself to God through all the course of life and so thy life be made one ceaseless and uninterrupted prayer.”

—St. Basil the Great, from Homily V.

Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!