Sunday English bulletin 13. March 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS,
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Blessings are Gifts
FROM God.
Stewardship is our Gift
TO God. WE
CANNOT OUT-GIVE
GOD!
Stewardship is a legacy
of personal support to
maintain a church for
today and tomorrow.
STEWARDSHIP FORMS
FOR 2016 ARE AVAILABLE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forgiveness Sunday
Cheese Fare Sunday
Today's Gospel reflects on Forgiveness and our
preparation for Great Lent. God tells us that we
must forgive men for their trespasses, if we
expect our Heavenly Father to forgive us for
our trespasses. Jesus also reflects upon our
treasures, how we use them and prepare for
Salvation through Stewardship. The key is to
focus on the Heavenly in your daily life so that
when you come before the dread Judgment
Seat of Christ, you will be placed on the right
hand and inherit the Kingdom prepared for
you. We must lay up our treasures in Heaven,
where neither moth nor rust consume. Every
aspect of how we use our Time, Talents and
Treasures will determine where God places us
on Judgment Day. "For where your treasure is,
your heart will be also."
During Great Lent, pray and ask God to
guide you so that your focus will be on the
Heavenly and not the earthly... determine how
you can help your Church. Whether it is volunteering to prepare the Church for Pascha, hosting a coffee fellowship after the Divine Liturgy
or feeding the homeless - God asks us to do all
that we can as good and faithful Stewards.
Turn not away Thy face from Thy servant for
I am afflicted! Hear me speedily. Attend to my
soul and deliver it!
Forgiveness Sunday Vespers
“Forgiveness Sunday” Opens the Door to Orthodox Lent
by Wesley J. Smith
I miss Ash Wednesday, the Western liturgical churches’ entry into Lent. The ashes
on the forehead in the shape of the Cross, the important reminder that we are mortal: “Dust you were and dust you shall be.” We don’t have that wonderful tradition
in Eastern Orthodoxy, to which I converted in 2007. But I so appreciate our own
opening stanza of the long, slow spiritual symphony of Great Lent, known as
“Forgiveness Sunday.”
Orthodox Christians enter Lent with a special post-Liturgy or evening vespers
service that launches us into “Clean Monday,” the first day of the rigorous Lenten
fast (about which more below).
The forgiveness service begins as any other vespers, but it soon changes with
different hymns and more mournful prayers. In the midst of the service, Lent begins as the choir cries out in earnest supplication: Turn not away thy face from thy
servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. Attend to my soul, and deliver it.
From the ends of the earth I cried unto thee. I shall be protected under the cover
of thy wings. I will praise thy name forever.
As they mournfully sing, the altar cloth is changed to Lenten purple and the
priest changes into dark vestments to symbolize mourning.
At the service’s end, our first Lenten act is to ask from and offer forgiveness to
everyone present—not collectively, but individually from person, to person, to
person. This is one of the most powerful moments of the Church year. One by one,
each parishioner bows or prostrates, first before the priest, and then each other,
asking, “Forgive me, a sinner.”
Each responds with a bow or prostration, asking also for forgiveness and assuring, “God forgives.” Each then exchanges the kiss of peace.
The service is a healing balm. It is hard to bear grudges when all have shared
such an intimate mutual humbling. Indeed, Forgiveness Vespers is emotionally
intense, tears often flow and hugs of true reconciliation are common.
Why start Lent with a service that almost forces us to forgive? “Lent calls us to
spiritual perfection,” explains Archimandrite Vassilios Papavassiliou in M editations for Great Lent , “which is impossible without love and forgiveness. Thus before Lent begins, we are called to forgive all who have wronged us. Only then can
we hope to attain perfection, which is the likeness of God.”
Having given and received forgiveness, we enter the desert journey of the Great
Fast. Unlike many Western traditions, we Orthodox don’t choose what to “give
up” for Lent (although we often do that as well—for example, a friend in my parish is foregoing all social media). Rather, during the forty days of Lent (and Holy
Week thereafter), we are asked by the Church to become essentially vegan: No
meat. No dairy. No fish (other than shellfish). Not only that, other than on weekends, we also abstain from wine and olive oil.
Why such a rigorous course? Papavassiliou again elucidates: The purpose of our
fasting is spiritual. Spirituality must not be viewed as something that does not concern the body, but as something that is made possible through and within the body.
… The desires and needs of the flesh can all too often overpower the spirit. Fasting
is a means of restoring balance between soul and body, a means of bringing the
flesh under the control and will of the mind and spirit.
The Great Fast is one of those times when we must journey alone. Yes, it helps to
know in times of weakness that we are simultaneously sharing the same struggle
with three hundred million others. But Lenten ascesis is a matter of solitary steps
through the desert.
This discipline is not intended to draw us away from others. Moreover, the
Church is very clear that fasting per se is not virtue, nor is failing to fast sin. Indeed, we are strictly instructed not to judge in this regard. If we see someone we
know to be Orthodox eating a hamburger, it is none of our business. We have our
own vegetables to fry. The arduous Lenten disciplines of the Great Fast help us,
again in the words of Papavassiliou, “turn back to Paradise to the Life of Eden”
so that “like Moses, we too may see God.”
St. Basil of Ostrog Serbian Orthodox Church
27450 N. Bradley Rd . Mettawa – Lake Forest , Illinois 60045 –5104
Email: (office@stbasilchurch.org) www.stbasilchurch.org
Parish Priest: V. Rev. Stavrophor Djuro Krosnjar - frkrosnjar@gmail.com (847) 477-1531 cell
Trustee Chairman (President): Michael Kosanovich
Circle of Serbian Sisters: Richelle Ar andjelovic
Choir Director: Nada Savatic
Coordinators: Church School: Vasilija Vojcanin; Folklore: Slobodanka Vr anjes
St. Varnava Men’s Club: Vladimir Rokvic; Bookstore: Diana Potkonjak and Paul Saniuk
Facilities Contact: Matija Peyakovic and Nikola Gabr ic; Weekly Email: Zor an Mihajlovic
Serbian School: Jelena Visnjevac, Svjetlana Masic and Dunja Vla
SERBIAN ORTHODOX UNITY AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
St. Basil of Ostrog
Serbian Orthodox Church
27450 N. Bradley Rd, Mettawa - Lake Forest, IL. 60045-5104
V. Rev. Stavrophor Djuro Krosnjar - Home (847) 680-1117 Cell (847) 477-1531 H. Fax (847) 680-1127
frkrosnjar@gmail.com - Church Phone (847) 247-0077 - Church FX (847) 247-0088
Sunday of the Cheese-fare
Venerable John Cassian
(Cheese-fare)
Tone 8:
Epistle:
Rom. (13, 11–14, 4)
Gospel:
Mt. (6, 14 - 21)
Pre-Feast Day and Saturday
Vespers at 5:00 PM
~Next Sunday~
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM
St. Theodore the Studite: Forgiveness Sunday
On fasting; and that the true fast of the obedient and the subject is the
cutting off of one’s will. (Given on Cheesefare Sunday).
Our good God who gives us life and brings us from year to year, has
brought us also with love for mankind to this present time of fasting, in
which each of the eager, as their choice directs, enters the contest; one
devoting himself to self-mastery, eating only every two or three days,
another to vigil, keeping vigil for so long or so long, another spending
even longer in prostrations, and others in other ascetic actions. Quite
simply during these holy days it is possible to see great zeal and attention. But the true subject behaves with obedience not at any particular time, but keeps up the
struggle always. What is the struggle? Not to walk according to one’s own will, but to let oneself be ruled by the disposition of the superior. This is better than the other works of zeal and is
a crown of martyrdom; except that for you there is also change of diet, multiplication of prostrations and increase of psalmody are in accord with the established tradition from of old. And so I
ask, let us welcome gladly the gift of the fast, not making ourselves miserable, as we are taught,
but let us advance with cheerfulness of heart, innocent, not slandering, not angry, not evil, not
envying; rather peaceable towards each other, and loving, fair, compliant, full of mercy and
good fruits; breathing in seasonable stillness, since hubbub is damaging in a community; speaking suitable words, since too unreasonable stillness is profitless; yet above all unsleepingly
keeping watch over our thoughts, not opening the door to the passions, not giving place to the
devil. If the spirit of the powerful one, it says, rise up against you, do not let it find your place.
So that the enemy has power to suggest, but in no way to enter. We are lords of ourselves; let us
not open our door to the devil; rather let us keep guard over our soul as a bride of Christ, not set
about with tumult, unwounded by the arrows of the thoughts; for thus we are able to become a
dwelling of God in Spirit. Thus we may be made worthy to hear, “Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.” Quite simply, Whatever is true, whatever noble, whatever just, whatever pure, whatever lovely, whatever of good report, if there is anything virtuous, if there is anything praiseworthy, to speak like the Apostle, do it; and the God of peace will be with you all, in
Christ Jesus, our Lord, to whom be the glory and the might….
ST. BASIL OF OSTROG SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
EYE ON SCRIPTURE
Receive one who is weak in
the faith, but not to disputes
over doubtful things. For one
believes he may eat all things,
but he who is weak eats only
vegetables. Let not him who
eats despise him who does
not eat, and let not him who
does not eat judge him who
eats; for God has received
him. Who are you to judge
another’s servant? To his
own master he stands or
falls. Indeed, he will be made
to stand, for God is able to
make him stand.
Orthodox Study Bible
Expectation of future salvation
through the glorious coming
of Christ motivates us to vigilance and proper conduct.
The night is this life under
the influence of evil powers.
The day is the glor ious coming of the Lord.
In Orthodox Christianity, there are things that cannot be compromised; there are also grey
areas. God is gracious and allows diversity in doubtful
things, matter s not involving
Christian dogma. Those weak
in the faith ar e Chr istians of
immature conscience and wisdom who may attach
primary importance
to secondary matters,
such as foods and
religious festivals.
www.serbiancathedral.org
ST. BASIL OF OSTROG SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
FORGIVENESS
SUNDAY
For if you forgive men their
trespasses, you heavenly
Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive
men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Moreover, when you fast, do
not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure
their faces that they may
appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to
you, that they have their
reward. But you, when you
fast, anoint your head and
wash your face, so that you
do not appear to men to
be fasting, but to your
Father who is in the secret
place; and your Father
who sees in secret will reward you openly. Do not
lay up for yourselves
treasurers on earth, where
moth and rust destroy and
where thieves break in and
steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor
rust destroys and where
thieves do not break in and
steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will
be also (Matt. 6:14-21)
We come today to the final
day before the beginning of
Great Lent. The is a time to
set our heart and mind in
order and direct our attention
to the Kingdom of God. The
lenten journey is beginning.
The time for purification of
soul and body is at hand.
Each of us were baptized.
We have renounced Satan
and have put on Christ. We
have committed ourself to
Jesus Christ as King and as
Today is a time to forgive
God. In the waters of baptism,
others with the charitable
we began the most important
journey of our lives. We began love God shows daily in
forgiving sinners. Today is a
the journey, which by the
time to forgive the self with
grace and mercy of God,
the singular interest of movwould yield eternal life and
ing forward and growing in
our salvation.
Christ. Today is a time to
Today, Orthodox Christians
turn to God with the greatest
throughout the world focus
of sincerity and ask God's
on the importance of forgiveness. Forgiveness frees us forgiveness.
from the burdens of animos- Great Lent is dedicated to
ity with others. Forgiveness improving our spiritual
well-being. The Holy Sacfrees us from the churning
raments of Confession and
inside that tears at our hearts
Communion enable us to be
and souls and bodies. Forcleansed and strengthened in
giveness lifts us to a new
level of relationships resound- Christ. The Holy Sacraments
ing the message of God's mer- bring us back to the direction
we committed ourselves to
cy and love for each of us.
at the bapForgivetismal
ness
Great Lent is dedicated to improving our
spiritual well-being. The Holy Sacraments of Confession and Communion
enable us to be cleansed and strengthened in
Christ. The Holy Sacraments bring us back to
the direction we committed ourselves to
at the baptismal fount.
fount.
requiThe
Holy
res an "opening of the heart to the concern Sacraments are touch every
aspect of our being.
for the other person. ForFasting during Great Lent
giveness requires a willingness to embrace the other requires a willingness to sacrifice for Christ. Fasting durperson with kindness and understanding. Forgiveness is a ing Great Lent is not a burden,
but an act. of joy. Fasting durdesire to keep building the
relationship with another per- ing Great Lent is initiative
taken to reach out for God
son rather than terminate it.
Forgiveness is not limited in our lives.
The days of fasting strento the forgiveness of others.
gthen our resolve and draw
Forgiveness includes a forour attention to the Divine.
giveness of self. Each of us
The days of fasting direct
commits acts perhaps only
known to ourselves and God our thoughts to the importance of living conwhich are sinful and inappropriate. While God or others sistent with the teachings of
might be willing to forgive us, the Church and seeking total
we may be unwilling to forgive unification with Christ.
The lenten journey may
ourselves. Our hardness of poappear
long. The days of
sition can stifle our Christian
Great Lent may weigh on us.
growth.
Every successful athlete must
train. Every successful military
person must train. Every doctor or lawyer or carpenter or
plumber undergoes intense
training. Serious followers
of Jesus Christ train throughout life and practice their beliefs throughout life.
The parish church is dedicated exclusively and totally
to God and exists totally and
exclusively by the grace and
mercy of God. We have the
responsibility to honor the
kindness God has shown us.
We have the responsibility to
strive to live the life we embraced in the baptismal fount.
Our Lord Jesus Christ went to
the Cross for us. The pain Jesus Christ experienced should
always be in the forefront of
our thoughts. The love of
Christ for us will carry us
through life if we embrace
Christ in our hearts. Jesus
Christ will nourish us on a
journey we take toward Him.
Today can be the end of hostility we may harbor against
ourselves, against God or
against others. Today can be a
new beginning.
Our Lord Jesus Christ gave
us the Lord's Prayer which
links God’s forgiveness of us
with our forgiveness of others.
May this Great Lent find us
increasingly united with
Christ, discovering the joy
emanating from the life in
Him, and embracing His
teachings and statutes for our
well-being.
God gives us time. Time is
a most precious commodity
in life.... a limited commodity.
Let us invest the time of
Great Lent in the Kingdom
of God...the very same Kingdom we committed ourselves
to at the baptismal fount.
GREAT FAST (LENT)
BEGINS TOMORROW,
MONDAY, March 14, 2016
From tomorrow March 14,
until Pascha, May 1, our Holy Church instructs us to abstain from all animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, etc).
Please try to keep the Fast,
increase your prayer life,
read the Scriptures and, most
importantly, partake of the
Holy Mysteries of Confession and Communion during
Great Lent. There will be
many spiritual opportunities
through special services such
as Pre-sanctified Liturgies on
Wednesdays and Fridays
and, as usual, our Vespers
will be served each Saturday
night at 5:00 P.M.
SERVICES THIS
SUNDAY
LUNCH BUFFET
WEEK
Faithful can take
Communion at
each of the following services.
Join us following
Divine Liturgy
Adults $7.00
Children $4.00
WEDNESDAY: Mar. 16;
Pre-sanctified Liturgy
at 10:00 am
FRIDAY: March 18;
Pre-sanctified Liturgy
at 6:00 pm.
Wedn. March 30, PM
SATURDAY: March 19;
Theodore’s Saturday,
Divine Liturgy at 10:00
and blessing of the Koljivo
(Wheat)
Contemplation for
Adults with Fr. Serafim!
Sunday, April 10—Lunch
Hour, Nikola Tesla Day!
Guest Presenter.
“Soups On!”
Book of the month!!!
Father Jack Sparks has masterfully adapted the material from this
highly treasured monastic work
(by Lorenzo Scupoli, Spiritual
Combat, as edited by Nicodemus
of the Holy Mountain and again
by St. Theophan the Recluse)
specifically for today's lay Christian living in the midst of a modern world.
The result is a profound but highly practical
resource for those who seek to strive with all
their might against the enemies of our souls-the
world, the flesh, and the devil. Study questions
at the end of each chapter facilitate individual
or small group study.
KSS Posno SOUP
32 oz. containers $10.00
Available after liturgy
* * * * * * *
Church Calendar
Lenten Soup Sales:
Mar. 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17 and 24.
Family Fitness Night,
Condell, April 9, from 7:30 - 10:30 pm.
Lenten Dinner (Satur day) April 16 at 6pm
Pascha Flower Donation collection—Helen
Book is available for $11.00 in the Bookstore. Mandich or Sonya Rajic, April 24– May 1.
Stewardship Update
To date, for the year 2016 we have 25 stewards with a combined commitment of $28,500.00. More and more stewardship is how any church of any
Faith can exist in today's world with all it has to offer and compete. Stewards
are the earthly guardians that keep God in this earthly world. We need to seek
out and enroll, as many stewards as we can, for the coming year to be able to
continue the pay down of the mortgage and keep the church doors open. If each of us can reach out
to help find stewards for St. Basil of Ostrog Church, it will make our spiritually journey together as
God's faithful. Together, we can reach more people and our goal, one person at a time with commitments of help and support. Our mission and the goal is to - “Find 100 Stewards" this year .
Every single person can make a difference in “building a future” for St. Basil of Ostrog Serbian Church. Our love and support means investing our time, talents, monetary pledges, prayers and
hopes in St. Basil of Ostrog and then others will invest in us knowing that we can continue the
years to keep this church a viable “living church." No effort or amounts are too small. No talent
overlooked. Make a difference and your faithful contribution to this world and life. Together, we
are making a Christian Orthodox legacy, like the one we were all blessed with by those (i.e. our
forefathers) who came before us.
Lord, visit
Thy servants
in their
suffering,
and grant
them grace
and strength to bear their
sickness with which they
are afflicted; heal and save
them:
Sister ANGELINA;
Kathy ARGYRIS;
Milica BILBIJA;
Milorad BLAGOJEVIC;
Zivota BLAZIC;
Stevan BOGOJEVIC;
Aleksandar BURMEISTER;
Milica CASTALDO;
Petar COKIC;
Milan DAVORIJA;
Danilo DEJANOVICH;
Dusan DRONDIC;
Svetomir DUPOR;
Susan GALLATI;
Aleksandar GLISOVIC;
Daniela GOMEZ;
Dusan JEROSIMIC;
Philip KEJZAR
Jadranka KOPAC;
Branko KOSANOVIC;
George KOVAC;
Mara KOVACEVIC;
Stojanka KOVACEVIC;
Ray/Laura KULMALA;
Cathy LALICH;
Una MIHAJLOVIC:
Slavojka MILESIC;
Milka/Milan MILICEVIC;
Ron MITROVICH;
Dragica MRKALJ;
Boro NEDINIC:
Daliborka OPACIC;
Djuro/Jelena OPSENICA;
Mladen PECANAC;
Natalija PETROVIC:
Aleksandra RALEVICH;
Jessica SELOUNTOS;
George SINNOKRAK;
Bessie STEVANOVIC;
Nikola SREJOVIC;
Simonida STIPANOVIC;
Zivan SUBARIC;
AngieTERZIC;
Jovan VOJCANIN;
Milenko VUCKOVIC;