sunday of the fathers of nicaea may 31, 2020 st. nicholas ...may 31, 2020 · cordova (aug. 27),...

Sunday of the Fathers of Nicaea May 31, 2020

Weekly ScheduleAll services are available for viewing through Facebook Live

Sunday, May 31—9:30 AM; Divine Liturgy & Panahida for John Kloss as a birthday remembrance offered by wife Tamara Kloss

Wednesday, June 3—6:00 PM; Moleben to St. Nectarios

Thursday, June 4—6:00 PM; Zoom Adult Class

Saturday, June 6—9:00 AM; Soul Saturday Divine Liturgy

Saturday, June 6—4:00 PM; Vespers for Pentecost

Sunday, June 7—9:30 AM; Pentecost Divine Liturgy

Confessions are by appointment only until further notice.

If you would like to receive the Eucharist, please call Fr. Nick to schedule an appointment.

If there is an emergency, please call Fr. Nick immediately.

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Fr. Nicholas Mihaly, Pastor

1123 East Avenue Erie, PA 16503 H: (814) 453-4902 C: (203) 241-1027 [email protected]

More Information

Parish Website: www.stnicholaserie.org

Diocesan Website: www.acrod.org

www.facebook.com/StNicholasErie/

Welcome!

If you are new to our parish, welcome! St. Nicholas is a welcoming Orthodox Christian parish. As a reminder, only those Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves are invited to receive Communion. For all of our visitors, Orthodox or non-Orthodox, please join us for coffee downstairs; meet Fr. Nick & the parishioners!

ST. NICHOLAS ORTHODOX CHURCH “Let us therefore strive to preserve the holiness of our souls and to guard the purity of our

bodies with all fervor”-St. Nicholas of Myra

American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese | Ecumenical Patriarchate

http://www.stnicholaserie.org

http://www.acrod.org

http://www.facebook.com/StNicholasErie/


http://www.stnicholaserie.org

http://www.acrod.org




Parish Statement on Covid 19Out of concern for the safety of our parishioners, the Erie community and the world at large, all services at St. Nicholas are closed to the general public. In addition, all other social activities are also canceled or postponed. These drastic measures are being taken to help decrease the risk of infection. It is important that we not be selfish in trying to “keep business as usual” and that means giving up social and fundraising activities at this point in time. However, while you may not be in Church physically on Sunday morning or during the Lenten services, you can still pray with Fr. Nick as the services will be live-streamed via Facebook at www.facebook.com/StNicholasErie. It is the teaching of the Church that the Divine Liturgy, even if it is attended physically by only one or two people, is offered “in behalf of all and for all.” Thus, through the Holy Spirit, you are still present in the Church and made part of the Body of Christ during every Divine Liturgy. May our prayers during this difficult time in our world’s history bring health, peace and holiness to a world in desperate need of God’s mercy and love.

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Upcoming Events

• June 28—Semi-Annual Meeting (more details will be provided)

• August 30—Parish Picnic

Thank You!

Many of you have, without prompting or asking, sent in your weekly envelopes and other donations to your church. Thank you for remembering your parish family during the economic uncertainties at this time.

We also want to thank the Irwin Family for their tireless efforts in cleaning and sanitizing the church before and after services, especially during the COVID19 pandemic.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

If you would like Many Years to be sung for you or a loved one, please let Fr. Nick know prior to the beginning of Divine Liturgy

Jun

3 Atty. Dennis Williams

3 Gary & Sandra (Machinski) Kulich—48th Anniversary

7 Phyllis Tarasovich

9 Cyril Mihaly

10 Patricia Borkowski

11 James DeHaven

13 Fr. Nick Mihaly

14 Richard & Sonia (Sydorowicz) Koerner—40th Anniversary

17 Kathleen Irwin

17 Alan & Kathleen (Kostef) Irwin—30th Anniversary

http://www.facebook.com/StNicholasErie


ZOOM Adult ClassWe will continue our Adult class virtually until we are able to meet again in person.

ZOOM Sunday SchoolParents, please check your emails throughout the week as we will be trying to find a time that is convenient for your Sunday School teacher to hold a Zoom Sunday School class.

Youth Project During QuarantineAre your children getting bored and looking for something to do? We have many parishioners who are homebound or in nursing homes who would really appreciate a card to brighten their day. Please email or call Fr. Nick for names and addresses.

Zoom Coffee SocialUntil we can see each other face to face, we will be using Zoom for coffee social/coffee hour. Please check your emails for the email from Fr. Nick and follow the instructions to be sent to the Zoom website. If you have not been receiving the parish emails, please contact Fr. Nick so he can make sure you are added to the parish list.

Confessions and Sick CallsAt this time, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory, confessions and non-emergency pastoral visits can resume (emergency pastoral visits were never suspended by our hierarch). If you would like to go to confession, it is by appointment only until further notice—NO EXCEPTIONS. All confessions will take place with appropriate social distance measures. If, at this time, you are uncomfortable attending Divine Liturgy due to health issues and concerns, please call Fr. Nick to schedule an appointment if you would like to receive communion. And as always, if there is an emergency, do not hesitate to call Fr. Nick.

Food ’n CruzeOur Food ’n Cruze has been postponed until further notice. Please follow our parish Facebook page and website for updates. We will keep everyone informed as more information about our parish activities becomes available.

Altar Boy Retreat & Young Women’s EncounterDue to the ongoing pandemic, the Diocese has decided to move the Altar Boy Retreat & Young Women’s Encounter to an online format June 29-July 1. The cost for each retreat which includes a t-shirt and postage for retreat materials is $30.00. For more information and to register, please see Fr. Nick.

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Parish Prayer List“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of

a righteous man has great power in its effects.” James 5:16

For the Health of…Fr. John Baranik, Fr. Lawrence Barriger, Fr. Kenneth Bachofsky, Fr. Ken Ellis, Fr. James Gleason, Fr. John Gido, Fr. George Livanos, Fr. Michael Polanichka, Fr. Michael Rustick, Fr. Peter Staviski, Fr. Jonathan Tobias, Fr. John Zboyovski, Fr. David Smoley, Pani Donna Smoley, Pani Dorothy Hutnyan, Pani Marie Brancho, Pani Eleanor Herbert, Pani Connie Miloro, Pani Eleanor Pribish, Pani Dolores Zuder, Matushka Gail Mathewson, George Arghyrou, Ashley Barber, James Battaglini, Gregory Beskid, Douglas Borkowski, Christian Brown, Emma Burkell, John Candia, Robert Carlisle, Sandy Carlisle, Neil Chaudhary, Gail Collister, Robert Collister, Thomas Decerbo, James DeHaven, Mark DeHaven, Mary Ellen Demyanovich, Maribeth Derer, Peter Dimitriadis, Helen Douglas, Curtis Elrod, Chad Feli, Irene Fendya, Ann Fuller, Bennett Heberle, Joseph Hulse, Alan Irwin, Tom Izzi, Miko Jovanovich, Athanasios Kehagias, Aggie Kiehart, Richard Koerner, Jean Kramer, Olivia Kuzmin, Evelyn McCambridge, Mike McCambridge, Orestes Mihaly, Sadie Mihaly, Mark Mizak, Theodore Molly, Nicole Naccash, John Novak, Nina Paliouras, Stavros Rallis, Donna Rowald, Barbara Scheibeck, Richard Schrader, Alyn Shedden, Emily Silvera, Athena Silvestri, Elizabeth Skalko, Joseph Skalko, Isabella Smith, Eric Spiegelberg, Anastasia Thompson, Vicktor Volpe, Leona Vukmer, Cheryl Walker, David Walker, Jake & Lauren, Steven, Inna, Justin, Katlyn Wyant, Adam Wyborski, Elaine Wyborski, George Yurcan, Fred Zetts…through the prayers of St. Nectarios the Wonderworker & St. Panteleimon the Great-Martyr and Healer

For the Repose of…Fr. George Havrila, Fr. George Hutnyan, Fr. Michael Shuster, Fr. Thomas Parthenakis, Pani Charlotte Conjelko, Pani Patsy Joseph, Lee Anthony, Elizabeth Beck, Ed Griffith, John Halama, Sr., Martin Howley, John Kloss, David Lee, Dawn Marie Lucas, Diane McConkey, Richard Molly, Serge Mihaly, Gregory Nakonecznyj, Donna Novak, Edward Pehanich, Sr., Robert Perevuznik, Sr., Stelian Popescu, Laura Robinson Russo, Edith Serke, Irene Schwab, Maureen Sekel, Peter Sima, Evangelia Spiridoulias, Dorothy Steiner, Paul Tobias, Eugene Weisser, Barbara Wisnosky, Steve Zulovich, Guillermo…May their memories be eternal!

If you have someone you would like to be added to the prayer list, please see Fr. Nick


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WEEKLY OFFERINGS – Sunday, May 24, 2020

DONOR $2.00 WEEKLY CANDLES FOR HEALTH GIVEN FOR Tamara Kloss Brother George Hazuda Tamara Kloss Uncle Very Reverend Protopresbyter Michael Polanichka Phyllis Tarasovich Herself and Family Douglas & Patricia Borkowski Themselves and Family Marge Sima Nephew John Lipchik Jr. David Lipchik His Family John Lipchik Jr. & Kathleen Boyce Aunt Marge Sima Kathleen Boyce Families of Brother John Lipchik Jr. and Husband Gary Boyce DONOR $2.00 WEEKLY CANDLES FOR THE DECEASED GIVEN FOR Tamara Kloss Parents Very Rev. Proto. Ronald & Pani Dolores Hazuda Tamara Kloss Husband John Kloss Douglas & Jean LaBoda and Family His Father Michael LaBoda Douglas & Jean LaBoda and Family His Mother Virginia LaBoda Richard & Susanne Demchak Beloved Parents Joseph & Susan Demchak Dr. George & Kitty Kuzmishin Beloved Family Members John Lipchik Jr. & Kathleen Boyce Parents John Sr. & Helena Lipchik and Uncle Peter Sima Atty. Janet Belliveau Parents Douglas & Anne (Demyanovich) Liebel Phyllis Tarasovich Deceased in the Tarasovich and Kelley Families Reader David & Debra Tarasovich Grandson Carter Robert Egloff Reader David & Debra Tarasovich Her Sister Diane McConkey Douglas & Patricia Borkowski Her Parents Thomas & Ann Burdick and His Father Walter Borkowski David Lipchik Parents Steve & Ann Lipchik Jean Kramer Uncle John Kramer and Deceased in the Kramer Family CATEGORY AMOUNT CATEGORY AMOUNT Candles 133.00 Pledges* 88.00 Loose Change 11.00 Diocesan Assessment 146.00 Regular Envelopes 1,386.00 Patriarchal Pence 25.00 Easter Donations 40.00 Easter Flowers 25.00 Total Income 1,854.00 *The pledge donation was from Pamela Vasil, which was money collected from her nut roll sales. ATTENDANCE MAXIMUM OF 24 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE BESIDES FATHER NICK (ALL SERVICES WERE LIVESTREAMED ON FACEBOOK) Vespers (Sat., May 23): 2 (Over 260 Views) Divine Liturgy (Sun., May 24): 24 (Over 210 Views)


On the seventh Sunday of Pascha, we commemorate the holy God-bearing Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council.

The Commemoration of the First Ecumenical Council has been celebrated by the Church of Christ from ancient times. The Lord Jesus Christ left the Church a great promise, “I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18). Although the Church of Christ on earth will pass through difficult struggles with the Enemy of salvation, it will emerge victorious. The holy martyrs bore witness to the truth of the Savior’s words, enduring suffering and death for confessing Christ, but the persecutor’s sword is shattered by the Cross of Christ.

Persecution of Christians ceased during the fourth century, but heresies arose within the Church itself. One of the most pernicious of these heresies was Arianism. Arius, a priest of Alexandria, was a man of immense pride and ambition. In denying the divine nature of Jesus Christ and His equality with God the Father, Arius falsely taught that the Savior is not consubstantial with the Father, but is only a created being.

A local Council, convened with Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria presiding, condemned the false teachings of Arius. However, Arius would not submit to the authority of the Church. He wrote to many bishops, denouncing the decrees of the local Council. He spread his false teaching throughout

the East, receiving support from certain Eastern bishops.

Investigating these dissentions, the holy emperor Constantine (May 21) consulted Bishop Hosius of Cordova (Aug. 27), who assured him that the

heresy of Arius was directed against the most fundamental dogma of Christ’s Church, and so he decided to convene an Ecumenical Council. In the year 325, 318 bishops representing Christian Churches from various lands gathered together at Nicea.

Among the assembled bishops were many confessors who had suffered during the persecutions, and who bore the marks of torture upon their bodies. Also participating in the Council were several great luminaries of the Church: Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in

Lycia (December 6 and May 9), Saint Spyridon, Bishop of Tremithos (December 12), and others venerated by the Church as holy Fathers.

With Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria came his deacon, Athanasius [who later became Patriarch of Alexandria (May 2 and January 18)]. He is called “the Great,” for he was a zealous champion for the purity of Orthodoxy. In the Sixth Ode of the Canon for today’s Feast, he is referred to as “the thirteenth Apostle.”

The emperor Constantine presided over the sessions of the Council. In his speech, responding to the welcome by Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea,

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The Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council


he said, “God has helped me cast down the impious might of the persecutors, but more distressful for me than any blood spilled in battle is for a soldier, is the internal strife in the Church of God, for it is more ruinous.”

Arius, with seventeen bishops among his supporters, remained arrogant, but his teaching was repudiated and he was excommunicated from the Church. In his speech, the holy deacon Athanasius conclusively refuted the blasphemous opinions of Arius. The heresiarch Arius is depicted in iconography sitting on Satan’s knees, or in the mouth of the Beast of the Deep (Rev. 13).

The Fathers of the Council declined to accept a Symbol of Faith (Creed) proposed by the Arians. Instead, they affirmed the Orthodox Symbol of Faith. Saint Constantine asked the Council to insert into the text of the Symbol of Faith the word

“consubstantial,” which he had heard in the speeches of the bishops. The Fathers of the Council unanimously accepted this suggestion.

In the Nicean Creed, the holy Fathers set forth and confirmed the Apostolic teachings about Christ’s divine nature. The heresy of Arius was exposed and repudiated as an error of haughty reason. After resolving this chief dogmatic question, the Council also issued Twelve Canons on questions of churchly administration and discipline. Also decided was the date for the celebration of Holy Pascha. By decision of the Council, Holy Pascha should not be celebrated by Christians on the same day with the Jewish Passover, but on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the vernal equinox (which occured on March 22 in 325).

—From www.oca.org

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Diocesan COVID-19 Prayer List

Our Diocese is compiling names of those who have contracted COVID-19; those who have reposed from COVID-19; and those medical professionals working on the front-lines. If you have someone

you would like to add to this list so that the whole Diocese can raise them in prayer, please speak with Fr. Nick. May God grant healing to those afflicted with this virus and strength to those on the

front-lines; and may the memories of those lost be eternal!

PRAYER REQUESTS CONNECTED TO PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 UPDATE #5 (as of 5-15-20)

Those who have fallen asleep in the Lord

William Ann Katherine Anthony David Warren Edward Margaret Susanne Mary Katherine Annette Barbara John Bernadette Mary Lydia Eileen Darline Andreas Those who are sick Ronald Mario Olivia Tairy Jayden John Daniel Jackson Jennifer the Nurse Heriberto Luz Marie Patricia Adelaine Nicole Thaddeus Aaron Nicole John Amancio Natalie Michael Bertha Timothy Vincent Edda Alex Nina Barbara A.J. Josephine Sonia Adrian the Deacon Juliana Melissa Alex the Priest John Karen Chuck Megan David Chris Lisa Bertha David Sara Krystal Anna Ed Natalia Pauline Darren Nicholas Holly Emily Gregory Chester Candice Kenneth the Priest Maribeth Carlos Athanasios Yennifer Paul Elena Olivia Helene John Vanessa Jennifer the Nurse Tekla Margaret Enrique Patrick Gabby Gregory William James Neil Diana Desiree the Nurse Justine


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Those who are healthcare providers and first responders Jennie the Nurse Lisa the Provider Thomas the Doctor Mercedes the Nurse Colleen the Provider Randy the Provider Mike the EMT Fundador the Nurse Helen the Provider DJ the Firefighter Ava the Provider Marita the PA Kenny the Firefighter Michael the Doctor Marissa the Nurse Melissa the Nurse Jennie the Provider Jordan the Provider Anne Marie the Nurse Mary the Nurse Julia the Provider Maria the Nurse Alexandra the Nurse Sara the Provider Nicholas the Paramedic/EMT Melanie the Provider Katrina the Nurse Meghan the Nurse Ashley the Provider Sandra the Nurse Kathryn the Nurse Naomi the Nurse Sharon the Nurse Nancy the Nurse Angela the Nurse Stephanie the Nurse Jennifer the Nurse Kim the Doctor Laura the Nurse Matthew the First Responder Angela the Doctor David the Firefighter Ashley the Nurse Natalia the Nurse Amelia the Nurse Nicholas the EMT Marina the Nurse Aaron the Doctor Lori the PA Svetlana the Provider Matthew the Doctor Lauren the Nurse Nellie the Provider Rhiannon the NP Peter the EMT Matthew the First Responder Cheryl the Nurse Mariana the Pharmacist Linda the LPN Suzanne the CMA Silvio the Doctor Patricia the Nurse Jennifer the CMA Irene the Provider Natalia the Nurse Debbie the Med Assistant Paige the Provider Lazarus the Doctor Martha the Med Assistant Carole the Provider Philip the Doctor Marina the Med Assistant Brandt the Provider Jamie the PA Andrea the Med Assistant Jessica the Provider Bonnie the PA Megan the Doctor Marc the Provider Maria the Provider Natalie the Nurse Danielle the Provider Michele the Nurse Stephanie the Nurse Dawn the Provider Linda the Doctor Greg the Paramedic/Firefighter Shannon the Provider John the Doctor Megan the Nurse Mary Ellen the Provider Richard the Doctor Mary the Provider Coleen the Provider Allison the Doctor Anna the Provider Jamie the Provider Peter the Doctor Irma the Doctor Marc the Provider Thomas the Doctor Peter the Deacon/1st Responder Judy the Provider Joseph the Doctor Joseph the Provider Danielle the Provider Mary the Doctor Wesley the Provider Peter the Provider Elizabeth the Nurse Kelly the Nurse Lauren the Provider CG the Firefighter Jennifer the PA Meagan the Provider Maureen the Nurse Scott the First Responder Helen the Provider Lillian the Doctor Bill the First Responder Marianna the Provider Michael the Priest and Doctor Vincent the First Responder Oksana the Provider Julia the Nurse Daniel the First Responder Ann the Provider Nabiel the Nurse Elaine the Provider Paul the Provider Patricia the Provider Serena the Pediatric MA Cassandra the Provider Louis the Provider Melissa the Nurse Danielle the Respiratory Therapist Matthew the Provider Kathy the Nurse


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Katarina the Nursing Student Nicole the Physical Therapist Helen the Nurse Debra the Nurse Susan the Provider Donna the Provider Will the Provider Cameron the Provider Karen the Provider Tamra the Provider Saundra the Provider Michael the First Responder Michelle the Provider Kathy the Provider Jerry the First Responder Eric the Provider Sara the First Responder Collin the First Responder Pat the First Responder Mark the Essential Worker Nicholas the Essential Worker William the Essential Worker Chad the Nurse Gabriella the Nurse Joshua the PA Heather the X-ray Tech Jeff the X-ray Tech Lisa the Pharmacist Michael the Nurse Maria the Doctor Justin the Doctor Ying the Doctor Stephanie the Doctor Eli the Doctor Ethan the Doctor Cassandre the Doctor Shadi the Doctor Alpha the Doctor Johann the Doctor Jeffery the Doctor Helen the Doctor Dana the Doctor Joseph the Doctor Joe the Doctor Brian the Doctor Nishan the Doctor Robert the PA Lisa the Nurse Lisa the Nurse Jackie the Nurse Caryl Ann the Nurse Carol the Nurse Lisa the Dietician Heather the Dietician Rachel the Dietician Merideth the Dietician Laure the Dietician Sarah the Social Worker Caitlin the Social Worker Natalia the Social Worker Renjbar the Pharmacist Anastasia the Pharmacist Courtney the Pharmacist Lori the Provider Meghan the Provider Matthew the Provider Joe the Provider Lina the Provider Rita the Provider Christina the Provider Shirley the Provider Sue the Provider Susan the Provider Sandra the Provider Helen the Provider Shari the Provider Sandy the Provider Tammy the Provider Jessica the Provider Tara the Provider Maria the Provider Chen the Provider John the Provider Bob the Provider Sean the Provider Hannah the Provider Doreen the Nurse Liz the Nurse Jessica the Nurse Suzanne the Nurse Nicole the Nurse Andrew the Doctor Spencer the Doctor Henry the Nurse Ryan the First Responder Sarah the Nurse Athanasia the Pharmacist Laura the Nurse Deborah the Ultrasound Tech Alina the Doctor Grigory the Doctor Oksana the Nurse Doris the Nurse Kerry the Nurse Randy the Nurse Justin the Nurse Markella the First Responder

PRAYER REQUESTS CONNECTED TO PANDEMIC OF COVID-19 UPDATE #5 (as of 5-15-20)

Those who have fallen asleep in the Lord

William Ann Katherine Anthony David Warren Edward Margaret Susanne Mary Katherine Annette Barbara John Bernadette Mary Lydia Eileen Darline Andreas Those who are sick Ronald Mario Olivia Tairy Jayden John Daniel Jackson Jennifer the Nurse Heriberto Luz Marie Patricia Adelaine Nicole Thaddeus Aaron Nicole John Amancio Natalie Michael Bertha Timothy Vincent Edda Alex Nina Barbara A.J. Josephine Sonia Adrian the Deacon Juliana Melissa Alex the Priest John Karen Chuck Megan David Chris Lisa Bertha David Sara Krystal Anna Ed Natalia Pauline Darren Nicholas Holly Emily Gregory Chester Candice Kenneth the Priest Maribeth Carlos Athanasios Yennifer Paul Elena Olivia Helene John Vanessa Jennifer the Nurse Tekla Margaret Enrique Patrick Gabby Gregory William James Neil Diana Desiree the Nurse Justine


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The Children’s Word is a weekly bulletin for Orthodox Christian young people. Copyright 2020 Alexandra Houck. Email is orthodoxchildrensword (at) gmail.com. Find it each week at myocn.net.

“That they may be one!”

“Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for to such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Mark 10:14

Sunday, May 31, 2020 Volume 8, Issue 22

Praying for our ChurchPraying for our ChurchPraying for our ChurchPraying for our Church Do you pray to God sometimes, all by yourself? Before Christ was arrested and sent to the Cross, He prayed by Himself too. In to-day’s Gospel reading, we hear how He prayed to His Father for His disciples. Remember, the dis-ciples were Jesus’s great helpers. Now that Jesus was going to leave, He needed His disciples to keep working.

These disciples were going to tell people all about God. They would tell all about what they had learned from Jesus when He was still with them. But that was a hard thing! They could get bored. They could get lazy. They could get tired. They could get scared. But Christ prayed for them. “Holy Father, keep them in Your name.” Keep them strong in the faith, Christ meant. Keep them focused on God.

Now, the disciples are with God in heaven too! And we still have work to do. We have to tell people and show people what we have learned about Jesus Christ. Sometimes we can face the same problems that the Lord’s disciples faced. We can get bored, lazy, tired, or scared! We need God’s help. Can you remember to pray for our holy Orthodox Church? Can you pray, just like our Lord prayed? “Holy Father, keep us in your name.” Keep us strong. Keep us together. Keep us focused on our Lord!

A Ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network

Jesus watches over all of His sheep!Jesus watches over all of His sheep!Jesus watches over all of His sheep!Jesus watches over all of His sheep!


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sunday of the fathers of nicaea may 31, 2020 st. nicholas ...may 31, 2020 · cordova (aug. 27),...

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