Saturday 9 July / 25 June
5th Sunday after Pentecost
6:00 PM Vigil
Sunday 10 July / 26 June
9:00 AM Divine Liturgy
Tuesday 11 July / 28 June
Sts. Peter & Paul
7:00 PM Vigil
Wednesday 12 July / 29 June
7:30 AM Divine Liturgy
Saturday 15 July / 2 July
6th Sunday after Pentecost
6:00 PM Vigil
Sunday 16 July / 3 July
10:00 AM Divine Liturgy
Please confirm the schedule on our website for short term changes
According to one tradition, this icon was painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist. It was formerly situated in the famous Church of Blachernae in Constantinople. In 1383, it appeared upon the waters of Lake Ladoga, whence it travelled miraculously through the air to the city of Tikhvin; there, it remained by the River Tikhvinka, and a monastery was built to shelter the icon. In 1613-14 this monastery miraculously withstood the many attacks of the Swedish invaders. In the early twentieth century it was brought to America and was returned to Russia in 2004. The holy icon is renowned for a great many miracles wrought through it by the all-holy Mother of God, especially for the healing of children.
Ye have been show to be truly obedient to the Gospel of Christ, /
O venerable ones, /
for the sake of the love of Christ /
despising the world and all that is therein /
as though it did not exist; /
and making your abode on an island of the sea, /
ye diligently struggled thereon against the wiles of invisible foes, /
wisely subjecting your flesh to your spirit through fasting, vigil and standing all night. /
Wherefore, from the right hand of the Almighty ye have received fitting crowns. /
And now, standing before the all-holy Trinity, /
O most blessed fathers Sergius and Herman, /
pray ye that the Russian land be preserved //
and our souls be saved.
Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35
At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 10:1-10.
BRETHREN, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified. Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on the law shall live by it. But the righteousness based on faith says, Do not say in your heart, "Who will ascend into heaven?" (that is, to bring Christ down) or "Who will descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.
5th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1
At that time, when Jesus came to the country of the Gergesenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one would pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.
New books arrived in our bookstore - as always our bookstore is an honor system. Please put the money for your purchase in the first drawer and mark on the sheet what you bought. If you want to pay book purchases with your credit card please see Br. Anthony
Bookstore
We have a new book with the life of St. Alexander Schmorell, put together by Matushka Elena Prekrestov. Please consider this for your spiritual reading.
Deacon
God willing we will have one of our own to be ordained to the holy diaconate at our feast day in September. To prepare for that we had to purchase deacon vestments for him. Church vestments as other items in church are not only beautifying the services for the Glory of God, they are are necessity. The cost for 5 sets in the different liturgical colors runs around $2,250. We ordered them from a convent in Belarus which actuallly reduced the cost significantly. For the amount we spent you most of the time only get one or two vestment sets if you order from suppliers in this country. Please help us to raise some funds to be able to pay for those new vestments.
A/C repair
The cost for the maintenance for furnace and air condition this year was surprisingly high. It turned out that we lost all our refrigerant for our A/C and it took extra work to find a potential leak and re-charging the system. We were faced with a bill of $680, which is way over the expected $200 that we budgeted for. If you are able to help with an offset for this, especially during this time of the year where our income is always lower than normal, it would be greatly appreciated.
Saints Peter & Paul
On Wedneday, July 12 we celebrate the Feast of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, which also marks also the end of the Apostle's fast. Although this year it falls on a Wednesday, which means it is a fast day where fish, wine and oil are allowed.
We celebrate this feast with Vigil on Tuesday, at 7:00 PM, and Divine Liturgy on Wednesday at 7:30 AM.
Fair Well gathering for Elena
Elena will unfortunatley leave the UP and move back to Russia. We will have gathering on Thursday, July 13 at 7PM to give everyone an opportunity to say good bye (or better convince her to stay :) ). Food will be provided. If you want to bring some adult beverage you're welcome to do so.
June 2017
Income: $3,363
Expenses: $6,153
Difference: -$2,790
YearToDate Difference: -$4,496
We are raising funds for our biggest projects in the near future:
To easily contribute to these fundraisers please go to our website ss-sergius-herman-valaam.org
In your charity please remember us to your ability and help this small community.
Sick:
Hieromonk Timothy, Priest Joseph, Alexander, Valery, Philip, Eric, Suzanna, Matushka Anna and her newborn child Irene, Luoba, Katherine, Kevin, Demetra, Judy (non-orthodox), Pat (non-orthodox), Heather (non-orthodox), Catherine, Mary, Hannah (non-orthodox), Irene (non-orthodox), Krista, George, Vera
In time of distress:
Hieromonk Alexander (Frizzell), Silouan, Amy, Pani Ami
New Reposed:
Daniel, Ivanna
If you have prayer requests you would like announced, please e-mail rector@ss-sergius-herman-valaam.org
7/7 Nameday of John Naasko
On Monday we began this years Apostles Fast which will last until the feast of Sts. Peter & Paul on July 12.
Saturday (7/8), Sunday (7/9), Tuesday, and Wednesday fish, wine and oil are allowed.
Monday, and Friday are normal fast days.
Thursday, Saturday (7/15) and Sunday (7/16) are fast free.