NATIVITY OF THE HOLY VIRGIN RUSSIAN

ORTHODOX CHURCH
JACKSON, NEW JERSEY

JANUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER SPONSOR:
MS. SUSAN GUZ
IN LOVING MEMORY OF BELOVED
FATHER JOHN GUZ

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!

GREETINGS ON THE FEAST DAY OF THE NATIVITY: The

clergy of Saint Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church extend warm
wishes and Blessings on the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ! May the Good Lord shower His Blessings on
our parishioners, benefactors, and faithful of our beloved parish,
friends, and benefactors. May God Grant to you all Many Blessed
Years!
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY: At Christmas we celebrate the birth
as a man of the Son of God, the one who together with the Father
and the Holy Spirit is truly God from all eternity. Thus we sing in
the church. “Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent one,
and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One! Angels
with shepherds, glorify Him! The wise men journey with a star!
Since for our sake the Eternal God was born as a Little Child!
(Kontakion)
TROPARION SUNG ON THIS DAY: “Your Nativity, O Christ
our God, has shone to the world the Light of wisdom! For by it,
those who worshipped the stars, were taught by a Star to adore
You, the Son of Righteousness and to know You, the Orient from
on High, O Lord, glory to You.”
JANUARY FEAST DAYS:
January 6th: Saturday: Eve of the Nativity: Martyr Eugenia: 9 AM
Confession, 10 AM Divine Liturgy: Strict fast Day: 5 PM Great
Compline, Matins.
January 7th: Sunday: Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 AM
Confession: 10 AM Divine Liturgy.
January 14th: Sunday: Feast Day Circumcision of Our Lord: Saint
Basil the Great: 9 Am Confession: 10 AM Divine Liturgy: Happy
New Year!
January 18th: Thursday: Eve of the Theophany: 10 AM Divine
Liturgy: Great Blessing of the Water: 5 PM Great Compline,
Matins.
GREETINGS: It is customary to greet each other with the
beautiful words of: CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! During
this holiday season. Please respond accordingly if these words are
said to you! In Slavonic: CHRISTOS RAZDAJETSJA! SLAVITE
JEHO!
FEAST DAY OF THEOPHANY will be celebrated on Friday
January 19th: Divine Liturgy at 10 AM, followed by the Great
Blessing of the Water.
NATIVITY LUNCHEON: Please join us for a wonderful luncheon
in honor of the Great Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord on Sunday
January 7th after the Divine Liturgy. All are cordially invited to
the Parish Home to celebrate as a Parish Family this great Feast
Day. If anyone would like to contribute to defray the cost of this
luncheon please see Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk.
BLESSING OF HOMES: The tradition of our faith calls for the
priest to bless your home during the feast of Theophany beginning
on January 19th. Father John will again be available for this
service in your home this year. Please schedule a day when Father
John can come to visit your home with the Blessed Holy Water.
See Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk to schedule this
blessing.
GENERAL CONFESSION will be held this month on the first
Sunday of the month January 7th. Father John will also be
available to hear your confession on Saturday Christmas Eve
before the service either in the morning or evening service on
Saturday January 6th. Please make an effort to receive the
Sacrament of Penance before receiving the Body and Blood of Our
Lord and Savior on the Feast of the Nativity. As Orthodox
Christians you are asked to cleanse your soul of your misdeeds
and go to Confession before receiving the Holy Eucharist!
CALENDARS FOR 2018: Please be advised that Calendars for
2018 are available at the candle desk. Please pick one up today on
your way out of church. Thank You to our Calendar Sponsors for
sponsoring them this year! We are grateful for your continued
support for our church.
NEWSLETTER SPONSORS: As we begin the New Year we are in
need of Newsletter sponsors. Cost per month is still only $50.00
per month. If you are interested in supporting this initiative please
see Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk.
PARISH DUES: Please make sure your financial obligations have
been updated for 2017. Dues for 2017 will remain the same. Dues
cost only $175.00 for the year. If you owe for 2017 please see
Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk.
CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED: We are also in need of new choir
members. Don’t be afraid to walk up the stairs to the choir loft
and lend your voice to sing the responses of the Divine Liturgy. All
are welcome! No experience necessary.
EPISTLE READERS: Are you interested in learning how to chant
the Epistle in English. We would like to begin a class with anyone
who might be interested. Please see Protodeacon John if
interested. No experience necessary.
CHURCH OFFICERS ARE NEEDED: As we approach the
beginning of the New Year 2018 our Parish Council is in need of
Church Officers. What better way than to give your time and
talents by serving on the Church Council. Please see Father John
Prokopiuk if you are interested in serving on the Parish Council.
No experience is required.
HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS IN NEED OF A RIDE TO
CHURCH: If you are interested in providing transportation to
church to a homebound parishioner on Sunday’s please see Father
John Prokopiuk to offer your services. We have faithful
parishioners who are homebound now that came to church every
Sunday and holyday. If you can pick them up and bring them
home on a Sunday it would greatly be appreciated.