Weekly Bulletin

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas

120 W. Seneca St. Ithaca, NY 14850 http://www.stcatherine.ny.goarch.org

TEL. 607-273-2767 e-mail: stcatherinegoc@gmail.com

Fr. Zenoviy Zharsky /607/ 245-9988

 

Sunday, September 28, 2025

 

Welcome all visitors, please come again.

 

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"By changing ourselves in Christ, we are able to change the world around us"

 

Please let Father know who is in need of visiting and prayers. 

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Daily reading of the holy scripture, Saints for the day, liturgical schedule, news from the parish life, announcements and more, please read the Sunday Bulletin on the parish websitewww.stcatherine.ny.goarch.org 

Please follow us on Facebook 

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Scripture Reading: 

Matins: Gospel Reading: Luke 24:12-35. Divine Liturgy Epistle: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10. Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 

 

When you write your will, won't you please remember St. Catherine's Church? Such a gift will live forever as our church minister to our spiritual needs and others It's an investment in the Gospel of our Lord and life eternal.

 

We pray for those who celebrate their birthday. Хρόνια πολλά & ευλογημενα! God grant you many years! September: 28 Valerie Hoskins, 29 Isabella Proteasa.

Today - September 28, we will pass a tray to help those suffering in Ukraine. Our Philoptochos will match the amount raised. Any amount is appreciated and checks can be made out to "Philoptochos" with Ukraine in the memo line. Our fervent prayers continue for everyone, everywhere as we continue to support those in need locally, nationally and internationally. 

 

Memory Eternal! September 25, 2024 - Athena Benekos, October 1, 1986 - Maria Helipoulos.      Sunday, October 5^th - 40 days Memorial in memory of Vasilios Avramis.

We need your help - On Wednesday, October 15^th students from OCF (Orthodox Christians Fellowship) will be visiting the miraculous icon of the Theotokos, Kardiotisa in Taylor, PA. We are asking for volunteers who may be able to drive them that day or assist with arranging a rental car. Thank you. 

 

Sunday, October 26 - We will able to venerate relic of St. Zenovios

 

Wednesday, October 1 - Protection of the Theotokos  DIVINE LITURGY - 10:00 AM  The miraculous appearance of the Mother of God occurred in the 10 Century at Constantinople, in the Blakhernae church where there was preserved the Robe of the Mother of God, Her Head-Veil (mathoria) and part of the Belt-Sash, transferred from Palestine in the V Century. On Sunday, 1 October, during the time of the all-night vigil, when the church was overflowing with those at prayer, the Fool for Christ Saint Andrew lifted up his eyes towards the heavens, and beheld coming through the air our Most Holy Lady Mother of God resplendent with an Heavenly light and surrounded by an assembly of the Saints. She took from Her head the veil and spread it over the people praying in church, protecting them from enemies both visible and invisible. Saint Andrew gazed at trembling at the miraculous vision and he asked of his disciple Blessed Epiphanios standing alongside him: "Dost thou see, brother, the Queen and Lady, praying for all the world?" Epiphanios answered: "I do see, holy father, and I be in awe". As long as the Most Holy Mother of God was there, so likewise was the protecting veil visible; but with Her departure it likewise became invisible, and though having taken it with Her, She left behind the grace of having been there.  

Apolytikion: "O Virgin, we extol the great grace of thy Protection, which thou didst spread out like a bright cloud beyond all understanding; for thou dost invisibly protect thy people from the foe's every assault. Since we have thee as our shelter and certain help, we cry to thee with our whole soul: Glory to thy great deeds, O most pure Maid. Glory to thy shelter most divine. Glory to thy care and providence for us, o spotless one"

 

Οκτωβρίου 1 - Η Σκέπη της Θεοτόκου. Η εορτή της αγίας Σκέπης της Θεοτόκου (1η και, αργότερα, 28η Οκτωβρίου) αντλεί την υπόθεσή της από τον βίο του οσίου Ανδρέα, του δια Χριστόν σαλού. Η εμφάνιση της Θεοτόκου στον όσιο έγινε αφορμή να καθιερωθεί η εορτή αυτή.  Το περιστατικό συνέβη στη νότια πλευρά του ναού των Βλαχερνών, στο παρεκκλήσιο της αγίας Σορού, όπου φυλάσσονταν η εσθήτα, ο πέπλος και μέρος της ζώνης της Θεοτόκου. Στο παρεκκλήσιο αυτό γινόταν κάποτε ολονυκτία. Εκεί πήγε να προσευχηθεί και ο όσιος Ανδρέας μαζί με τον μαθητή του άγιο Επιφάνιο. Ήταν η ώρα περίπου 10 το βράδυ, oπότε ο όσιος βλέπει τη Θεοτόκο να προχωρεί από τις βασιλικές πύλες προς το άγιο θυσιαστήριο. Φαινόταν πολύ ψηλή και είχε λαμπρή τιμητική συνοδεία λευκοφόρων αγίων. Ανάμεσα τους ξεχώριζαν ο Τίμιος Πρόδρομος και ο Θεολόγος Ιωάννης, οι οποίοι βάδιζαν δεξιά και αριστερά της. Από τους λευκοφόρους άλλοι προπορεύονταν και άλλοι ακολουθούσαν ψάλλοντας ύμνους και άσματα πνευματικά. Όταν πλησίασαν στον άμβωνα, είπε ο όσιος Ανδρέας στον Επιφάνιο: Βλέπεις, παιδί μου, την Κυρία και Δέσποινα του κόσμου. Ναι, τίμιε πάτερ, αποκρίθηκε ο νέος. Η Θεοτόκος την ώρα εκείνη γονάτισε και προσευχήθηκε για πολλή ώρα. Παρακαλούσε τον Υιό της για τη σωτηρία του κόσμου και έβρεχε με δάκρυα το πρόσωπό της. Ύστερα μπήκε στο άγιο θυσιαστήριο και προσευχήθηκε για τους πιστούς που αγρυπνούσαν. Όταν τελείωσε τη δέησή της, με μία κίνηση χαριτωμένη και σεμνή έβγαλε από την άχραντη κεφαλή της το αστραφτερό μαφόριο, και τ' άπλωσε σαν σκέπη με τα πανάγια χέρια της πάνω στο εκκλησίασμα. Έτσι απλωμένο το έβλεπαν και οι δυό τους για πολλή ώρα να εκπέμπει δόξα θεϊκή. Όσο φαινόταν εκεί η Θεοτόκος, φαινόταν και το ιερό μαφόριο να σκορπίζει τη χάρη του. Όταν εκείνη άρχισε ν' ανεβαίνει στον ουρανό, άρχισε κι εκείνο να συστέλλεται λίγο-λίγο και να χάνεται. Με την οπτασία εκείνη η Παναγία έδειξε πως η χάρη της σκεπάζει πάντοτε τους πιστούς.

 

Announcement: If you didn't give names and date of your birthdays and your families birthdays please provide them. Also please give the names and dates of your family members who fell asleep in the Lord. We will pray for them. The list of the names located near the Sundays Bulletins. Thank you.

 

Liturgical Schedule:  

Daily 3:00 PM. Let's pray Jesus Prayer for 10 minutes straight saying,"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." 

Monday, September 29 - 3:00 PM. JesusPrayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner" 

Tuesday, September 30 - 3:00 PM. Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner"

Wednesday, October 1 - 10:00 AM. Divine Liturgy. Protection of Theotokos. 3:00 PM. Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner" Day of Fasting. Every Wednesday we remember when Judas betrayed Christ. 6:00 PM. Prayers near Miraculous Icon Mother of God "The Tender Heart" St. George's Orthodox Church in Taylor, PA. 

Thursday, October 2 - 3:00 PM. Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner" 

Friday, October 3 - 3:00 PM. Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." Every Friday we commemorate Christ's Crucifixion. Day of Fasting. 

Saturday, October 4 - 3:00 PM. Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner" 6:00 PM. Great Vespers/Confession. Reading the life of the Saints.Catechism classes following the Vespers. 

Sunday, October 5 - 8:45 AM Orthros/Confession. 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy. Every Sunday we commemorate Christ's resurrection.

Sunday School: Children please go to class after Holy Communion. Please see Emeline Mandeville for more information.

 

PRAYER FOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE! Please consider incorporating this prayer into your daily devotions. "O Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father, Who was pleased to be conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary for the salvation of our souls by the power of Your All-Holy Spirit. O Master, we ask You to enlighten the minds and hearts of those blinded to the truth that life begins at conception, and that the unborn in the womb are already adorned with Your image and likeness; enable us to guard, cherish and protect the lives of all those who are unable to care for themselves. For You are the Bestower of Life, bringing each person from non-being into being, sealing each person with divine and infinite love. Be merciful, O Lord, to those who, through their ignorance, did the evil act of abortion. May they come to the light of your truth and mercy, and glorify You, the Giver of Life, together with your Father and Your All-Holy Spirit."

 

Today, September 28^th we commemorate St. Auxentios of Cyprus.  By race, Auxentios was German and he won great praise in battles and wars. He showed himself most terrible to his enemies, but to the soldiers under his command, he was gentle, kind and beloved. When he told his soldiers that he wanted to leave the world to become a monk, they agreed to do likewise. They took a ship to Cyprus and scattered abroad, each to a dwelling of his own choosing. Auxentios settled in a cave and gave himself over to severe fasting and discipline, cleansing his soul and body. With unceasing prayer, he received the gift of healing. After some time there, he died peacefully. Many years later, his relics were found exuding a beautiful fragrance. The men from the surrounding two villages argued as to who would claim the relics of Auxentios. Finally, they decided to put the holy relics in a card pulled by two oxen without a guide and let them go wherever the saint guided them. They went until they reached a spot and stood firm, and there, a church was built. The Church of St. Auxentios is now inaccessible to its Greek - Cypriot inhabitants since the Turkish invasion of 1974. 

 

Wisdom of the Saints

"We must humble ourselves and then reestablish a correct relationship toward all of our fellow men. The main thing is to become one with the Lord; then He will teach us how to love our neighbor, for we do not know how our love immediately becomes transformed into something material, for it has not been cleansed from the inside."

"The thoughts which originate from God bring internal peace and joy to the person. On the contrary, the thoughts which originate from the devil are filled with agitation, disturbance and grief."

"Give yourself up entirely to God's providence, to the Lord's Will, and do not grieve at losing anything material, nor in general at the loss of visible things; do not rejoice at gain, but let your only and constant joy be to win the Lord Himself."

"They should make every effort to seek the company of experienced spiritual fathers and to be guided by them. For it is dangerous to isolate oneself completely, relying on one's own judgment with no one else as witness; and it is equally dangerous to live with those who are inexperienced in spiritual warfare. For then we become involved in battles of other kinds, because the enemy has many hidden ways of attacking us and sets his snares around us on every side."

"And always have a spiritual father. Don't only say your sins but also seek advice."

"The action of the passions and demons is a combined action; the demons act by means of the passions."

/Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica/

 

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Methods of Giving:

Cash and checks can be brought to the church and put in the donation baskets.

 

Checks made out to Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church can also be mailed to:

St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church

120 W. Seneca St Ithaca, NY 14850

 

When you write your will, won't you please remember St. Catherine's Church? Such a gift will live forever as our church minister to our spiritual needs and others. It's an investment in the Gospel of our Lord and life eternal.

 

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