Our Events
Easter
The Feast of the Resurrection is our Feast of feasts and the basis of our faith. St. Paul says that if Christ
is not raised from the dead then our faith is in vain.
(1 Cor. 15:14). The dominant icon for Easter is not of
the bodily resurrection of Jesus, but rather the
"Descent into Hades". The Descent into Hades is not an
event that was seen, it is a "painting of theology" as Father Alexander Schmemann says, which
corresponds to the meaning of the event, and is based on the bible’s account of Jesus descending into
the abyss to deliver the souls of the Just.
About the Paschal Troparion - Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen from the dead! By death He trampled
Death; and to those in the tombs he granted life. "...and to those in the tombs..." has at the very same
time two meanings, for the Resurrection of Christ destroys both sin and death. If we be in the tombs of
sin, we are brought out; if we be in the tomb of death, we will be brought out. This is made manifest in
the Gospel of John (5:25) when the Lord says, "the hour is coming and now is, when the dead (those in
sin) will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live." This is a reference to the "first
resurrection" which is the resurrection of the soul from sin. "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is
coming in which all those who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth..." (verses 28-29). This
refers to the future or ", second resurrection" that of the body. The immediate resurrection we
experience, and the first benefit of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, is that of the soul being raised from
the deadness of sin. The nature of the "second resurrection" whether it will be for "the resurrection of
life" or "the resurrection of condemnation" (5:29), is dependent upon whether or not we experience our
rising from the deadness of sin, now in this life. So, when we sing the hymn,"Christ is Risen from the
dead! By death He trampled Death; and to those in the tombs He granted life." - we acknowledge that
the living are being raised from sin and the biologically dead, will be raised; the fruitfulness of the
Resurrection of Christ is beneficial for both the living and the dead; and for the present age and the age
to come. Amen.
BAZAAR
All are invited to the annual Byzantine Bazaar and Food Festival in. May, featuring traditional Slavic food for dine-in or take-out: stuffed cabbage rolls, pirohi, sausage; with wide range of ethnic desserts. Imported icons from Ukraine, raffle prizes with Ukrainian Easter Eggs, and fine Catholic books and gift items; and church tours.
Saint Nicholas Day
December 6 th Saint Nicholas is one of the most popular of all Saints in the East, and there are
countless stories that tell of his generosity and intercession for children, especially children who
are poor, orphaned.
Nicholas is the
special patron of our own Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic Church. The center of monastic
life and the residence of the bishops of our Church was the monastery of Saint Nicholas
in the town of Mukachevo, for at least 900 years.
Christmas Eve ( The Holy Supper)
At the first appearance of a star in the evening sky, the Holy Supper is served. We traditionally have strict fast on Christmas Eve: no meat or dairy products are used, and the main meal is the Holy Supper. Animals are fed before the people, since the animals kept the Child Jesus warm in the manger. The table can be set with straw above and below as reminder of Jesus’ poverty. An empty
place may be set for the Elijah, for he is the prophet who is to come to announce the Messiah. The empty place can also represent the souls of those who have died. The white tablecloth represents the swaddling clothes of the Christ Child. Candles stand for
the Star. Three stacked loaves of bread represent the Trinity. Traditionally, the Supper is split into twelve separate courses (including the desserts) in honor of the Twelve
Tribes and Twelve Apostles.
The traditional ritual of Holy Supper
Blessing of the Rio Grande
Blessed water welcomes us at
baptism, blesses us at our deaths, and should be used throughout our lives. Christ’s great humility in accepting baptism from John’s hands and descending into the waters of the river show us that He comes to redeem us
and restore creation to its original purpose. Because of His presence in the water, and because water is used for Baptism, the Sanctification of Water is
one of the most important and popular rites of the Eastern Churches,Catholic and Orthodox.
