Saints Cyril & Methodius
Equals to the Apostles and Teachers of the Slavs
Bulgarian Orthodox Mission
(St. Sergius of Radonezh and All Russia)
September 25,
2011
15th
SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST — Tone 6. (1st of Luke) Repose
of Ven. Sergius (Sérgii),
Abbot and Wonderworker of Rádonezh (1392). Ven. Euphrosyne of Alexandria (5th c.). Ven. Euphrosyne of Suzdal’
(1250). Translation of the Relics of St. Herman,
Archbishop of Kazan’ (1595). Martyr Paphnutius
and 546 companions in Egypt (3rd c.).
The Mission’s services are being hosted through the
gracious support of:
Fr. John Vitko and the parishioners of St. Luke Orthodox Church
6801 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101
We
are a Parish of the
Orthodox
Church in America
Archdiocese
of Washington
www.bocdc.org
St. Sergius of Radonezh and All Russia
The date of his birth is unclear: it could be 1314, 1319, or 1322. As
his medieval Life states, he was born to a boyar family near Rostov Velikiy, where Varnitsy Monastery
now stands. He was originally baptized with the name Bartholomew (Варфоломе́й
Varfolomei in Russian). His parents Kirill and
Maria became impoverished and moved to Radonezh
together with their three sons: Stefan, Bartholomew and Peter. Although an
intelligent boy, Bartholomew had great difficulty learning to read. His Life
states that a starets (spiritual elder) met him one day and gave
him a piece of prosphora (holy bread) to eat, and
from that day forward he was able to read. Orthodox Christians interpret the incident
as being an angelic
visitation.
Upon his parents' death, Bartholomew went to Khotkovo
near Moscow,
where his older brother Stefan was a monk. He persuaded Stefan to find a more secluded place to
live the ascetic
life. In the deep forest at Makovets hill they
decided to build a small cell and a church dedicated in honor of the Trinity. Thus started the history of
the great Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra.
In time, Stefan moved to a monastery
in Moscow. Varfolomei took monastic vows,
taking the name Sergius, and spent more than a year
in the forest alone as a hermit. Soon, however, other monks started coming to him and
building their own cells. After some time, they persuaded him to become their hegumen,
or father superior, and he was ordained
to the priesthood.
Following his example, all the monks had to live by their own labor. Over time,
more and more monks and donations came to this place. Nearby, there appeared a posad,
which grew into the town of Sergiev Posad, and other villages.
When the news of Sergius's life reached patriarch Philotheus of
Constantinople, he sent to him a monastic charter.
During the reign of St. Dmitri Donskoi, his disciples
started to spread his teaching across central and northern Russia. They settled
intentionally in the most impracticable places and founded numerous
monasteries, of which Borisoglebsky, Ferapontov, Kirillo-Belozersky
and Vysotsky
monasteries could be mentioned. St Sergius was also
connected with the foundation of two monastic communities in Moscow - Andronikov and Simonov
monasteries. All in all, disciples of Sergius founded
about 40 monasteries, thus greatly extending the
geographical extent of his influence and authority. However, when Metropolitan Alexius asked him to become
his successor, Sergius declined, preferring to remain
a simple monk.
As an ascetic, Sergius did not take part in
the political life of the country. However, he blessed Dmitry Donskoy when he went to fight the Tatars in the
signal Battle of Kulikovo
field—but only after he was certain Dmitry had pursued all peaceful means of
resolving the conflict. Some historians interpreted his political stance as
aspiring to make peace and unite Russian lands under the leadership of Moscow.
Sergius died on September 25, 1392, and was glorified
(canonized) in 1452. His incorrupt relics were found in 1422
and placed in the new Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra
which he founded. The church commemorates him on September 25, the day of his
death, and on July 5, the day his relics were uncovered. See September 25 (Eastern Orthodox
liturgics). Among the many affectionate titles given him, he has
been referred to as the "Abbot of Russia" and "valiant voevod"
of the Russian land.
†
May Their Memory Be Eternal †
The Bishops
Nestor, Gregory, Job, and Nicholas;
the
Priests Peter, Ishmael, Michael, Leo, Homer, Thomas, Victor, and Milorad;
the
Matushki Mary, Platonida, Sophronia, and Barbara;
the
Readers Philemon, John, John, and Robert Michael; and
the Servants of
God, Andrew, Ivan, Dhimitra, Bistra, Gerard, Ruby, Timothy, Megan, Bojanka, Magdalena, Alexander, Sophia, Shafik,
Julia, Rada, Radka, Anna,
Dale, Olivera, Marianthe
& Panaigioti, Krustio,
and George.
Those Who Are In
Need of Prayer
The Priests Photius, Anthony, Vadim, Thomas,
Paul, and Joseph;
the
Presbyteras, Artemis, Marie, Miriam, Mica, Helen,
Rose, Juliana, & Anne;
the servants of
God, Zell, Andrew, Paulie, Flora, Karen, Stella,
Victor, Erin, Kyriaki, Helen, Paulina, Jane, Denny,
Oliver, Marion, Ellen, Marios & Sophia, Alexandra
& Joseph, Catherine & Wayne, John & Carmeta,
John & Carol, Dimitrie & Rachael, Charlie
& Karen, Chariessa & Nicholas, and David
& Patricia.
Remember,
especially Fr. Nicholas and Matushka Anastasia on the
anniversary of the 50th year of his ordination to the priesthood.
Schedule of Services
Oct. 2 – at St. Mark Church, 9:30; Day after “the Protection of
the Theotokos”
Oct. 9 – SS Cyril & Methodius, 1:30; The
Righteous Abraham
Oct. 16 – at St. Mark Church, 9:30
Oct. 23 – SS Cyril & Methodius, 1:30; Celebrate Dimitrovden
Oct. 30 – at St. Mark Church, 9:30
Nov. 6 – No Service, Fr. Timothy in New York.
Nov. 13 – at St. Mark Church, 9:30; St. John Chrysostom
Nov. 20 – SS Cyril & Methodius, 1:30; Forefeast
Entry of the Theotokos
Nov. 27 – at St. Mark Church, 9:30; Martyr Clement,
:Pope of Rome (101AD).
Learning Scripture
An Orthodox website provides online education to anyone at any level of
academic curiosity, to learn about scripture.
The site is “http://ocabspress.com” and it includes
a 24x7 streaming audio classroom.
Candle Lighting During the Liturgy
Praying before the iconostasis icons and lighting candles during the services may be done at most any
time during the divine liturgy. However, at the time of the sermon, candle
lighting is to be paused, please.
16th
All-America Council of the OCA
The 16th All-American Council
will be held October 31 through November 4, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in
Bellevue, Washington. Ms. Nadya Choparinoff was elected at
the August Parish Council meeting to represent our Mission at the Council as
our lay delegate.
The official Agenda of the
Council may be found on “oca.org”.
September Parish Council Meeting
The September regular Parish
Council meeting will take place after the Divine Liturgy today. The meeting is open to the public and
non-members may discuss the issues, but only members of the Parish Council may
cast a vote.
2012 Church Planting Grant
Applications Now Being Accepted
The Orthodox Church in America recently announced that that applications for 2012 Church Planting Grants are now
being accepted.
Grant applications and a comprehensive
list of requirements and expectations may be downloaded
here.
According to Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary, the number of missions receiving
grants for 2012 will be determined by the amount of funding received through
the current OCA Mission Appeal, launched on September 22, 2011.
“Grants of up to $25,000.00 are awarded
to first year recipients,” said Father Eric. “The grant may only be used to
help provide a salary for a full-time resident priest and must be matched by
the qualifying mission, deanery, or diocese. Grants may be renewed for a
maximum of three years.”
Nearly 30 missions have received Church
Planting Grants since the program was initiated over 15 years ago. Most of
these missions have successfully transitioned to full parish status.
Missions that received grants in 2011
must apply anew for the 2012.
Applications must be filled out
completely and submitted to the department by November 1, 2011. The grant
application must be reviewed and approved by the diocesan bishop prior to
submission. After a review by the department, recommendations for qualified
missions will be submitted to the Holy Synod of Bishops for final approval.
Grants begin in January.