St. George
Serbian Orthodox Church
Carmichaels, PA

Bulletin 496 - July 7 / July 20, 2008

The Orthodox Faith

Chronicle of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church
Diocesan Bishop - His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN
Parish Priest - Fr. Rodney Torbic
296 Old Route 21
Carmichaels, Pennsylvania 15320
July 7 / July 20, 2008
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
No. 496
Remember to listen to the parish radio broadcast each Sunday afternoon at 12:15 on WMBS, 590 AM, Uniontown.
James 5:15

And the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Recent Services
July 13
Midnight Office, Matins, First, Third and Sixth Hours were read.
Twenty-five people came for Divine Liturgy. Six communicants.
July 19
Ninth Hour and Vespers were read.

Services This Coming Week - Always Call to Confirm Weekday Schedule

Today
Midnight Office, Matins, First, Third and Sixth Hours. Divine Liturgy.

Mornings
5:30 AM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,

Afternoons
Monday, Wednesday at 4:00 PM.

Tuesday
6:30 PM followed by class at 7:00 PM.

Wednesday
5:00 PM Holy Trinity Mission, Fairmont, W.Va.

Remember Monastery Marcha with Prayers and Contributions

Important Dates

July 25 - Vigil for Monastery Marcha Slava.
July 26 - Synaxis of Archangel Gabriel, Monastery Marcha Slava.
August 2 - Holy Prophet Elijah
August 3 - Diocese Day at Shadeland, Diocesan parish churches closed.
August 9 - St. Panteleimon
August 1 - Parish Nurses' Office Slava, Blessing of Kolach and Kolijvo, Parish Healthcare Day Program, Blessing of Ambulances.
August 11 - Parish Healthcare Day Seminar on Organ Transplants.
August 14 - Dormition Fast begins
August 18 - Forefeast of Transfiguration
August 19 - Feast of Transfiguration

If you are too busy to pray...you are too busy!

Pray for the Suffering Serbian People in Kosovo and Metohija

Parish Life

· It is important for parishioners to come to church as often as possible on Sundays and whenever possible for the Divine Liturgies of major feasts during the week.

· All Diocesan parish churches will be closed on August 3 for Diocese Day.

· Plan to attend Diocese Day at Shadeland on August 3.

· If you do not have an Orthodox prayer book to use at home, please obtain one.

· If you have not been to Holy Confession or Communion recently, it is time to prepare.

· If you do not celebrate your Slava, please begin this year.

· You help the parish when you are a faithful Orthodox Christian each day.

· Monetary donations are being accepted immediately and will continue to be accepted to help the needy in Kosovo. When donating, please designate the contribution for Diocesan Relief Fund. The situation is urgent and of great importance.

· Remember the men and women working in dangerous occupations including those in the mines and criminal justice agencies, the police, correctional officers and parole agents.

· Remember the sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, those in rehab centers, nursing homes, jails and prisons. Remember the staff members and caretakers.

· Remember the men and women serving in the military and their families.

A Thought From the Archives

Throughout the centuries of history, monasticism has been one of the major bulwarks of Holy Orthodoxy. It has been a protector and an encouragement. Holy St. Sava divested himself of his royal authority and glory, and devoted himself as a monk, on the Holy Mountain of Athos, in order to devote his life in Christ

(Twenty Fifth Anniversary, Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America. p. 97. )

Remember the Students at St. Sava School of Theology, Libertyville, Illinois

To Consider

· The gift of life.
· Thanksgiving for life.
· Purpose of life.

Recent Activities of Parish Priest

July 12 - Visited two Orthodox Christians in Rolling Meadows. Visited a parish family.
July 13-19 - Participated in Shadeland Camp.
July 19 - Went to West Penn Hospital

From the Wisdom of Sirach
14:20-21

Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom and reasons intelligently. He who reflects in his mind on her ways will also ponder her secrets.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Matthew 8:28-9:1

When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?" Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. So the demons begged Him, saying, "If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine." And He said to them, "Go." So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city.

The Lord Jesus Christ opened the road blocked by the fierce demon-possessed men. Fear can plague individuals. Fear can plague communities. Fears can plague nations.

The Lord Jesus Christ casts out fear. St. John wrote: "Perfect love casts out fear." (I Jn. 4:18) The Lord Jesus Christ loved us to the point He gave His life for us. The Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated perfect love.

The Lord Jesus Christ gave His life for each person. Believers have a responsibility to love Christ. Believers have a responsibility to be grateful to Christ. Believers have a responsibility to be at peace in Christ.

Our relationship with Christ is a quest for perfection. Our relationship with Christ is a journey with the goal of complete unity and love. Our relationship with Christ deserves our complete attention.

By dispelling the power of the two demon-possessed men in the country of the Gergesenes, Lord Jesus Christ established peace. The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ is attainable for those pursuing it.

Peace in Christ requires concentration. Peace in Christ requires desire and love for Christ. Peace in Christ requires a willingness to sacrifice for Christ.

A willingness to meditate on the name of Christ is necessary in the relationship with Christ. A willingness to hold Christ first and foremost in the heart and mind is necessary for those pursuing unity with Christ.

From the baptismal fount to the grave, believers are challenged to remain united with Christ in love and in peace. The threats of sinning and temptations to sin are constant.

Believers can get tired. Believers can face fearful opponents such as were the two-demon possessed men. Believers can fail to nourish the soul. Believers can weaken the mind and resolve.

Believers can draw strength from the Holy Gospel. Believers can draw strength from the Holy Prophets. Believers can draw strength from the Holy Fathers of the Church.

Prayer provides the foundation for remaining united with Christ. Prayer provides the basis for direction in Christ. Prayer puts the heart and mind at peace. Prayer unites the person with Christ.

Joy comes from unity with Christ. Joy comes with peace in Christ. Joy radiates from the hearts of believers united with Christ. The world can be in turmoil. Believers can be at peace in Christ.

Determining the essentials in life is the constant process of the believer. The relationship with Christ improves as a believer casts off sinful ways.

Life with Christ is best when believers partake of the Precious Body and Blood of Christ. The believer is strongest when united with Christ. Weakness and danger lurk when the believer is fearful.

A strong relationship with Christ is reflected in the frequency of Christ being at the center of the mind, heart and soul. A strong relationship with Christ is reflected in constant prayer with Christ.

The Jesus Prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner", is a means to be in constant communication with Christ. The believer seeking unity with Christ will say the prayer at all times.

The presence of Christ strikes fear in those opposed to peace. The presence of Christ strikes fear in those opposed to Christ. The power of Christ is overwhelming. Christ will not be subdued.

The Resurrection of Christ is convincing evidence that darkness cannot reign supreme. The light of Christ destroys darkness and the fear that comes with it.

The light of Christ shines truth into all areas of darkness. The light of Christ reveals fear for what it is, shallow and weak in the face of Christ. The light of Christ provides direction in every instance.

Faith applied to Christ emboldens the believer. The believer will not yield to fear when Christ permeates the heart. The believer faces fear in confidence when Christ dominates the heart and mind.

The soul is at peace when Christ is the constant center of the life.

St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, Carmichaels, Pennsylvania.
July 7 / July 20, 2008
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost.
St. Thomas of Mt. Maleon.

Fr. Rodney Torbic

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