ST. NICHOLAS ORTHODOX CHURCH
4313 18th Avenue, Kenosha 53140
Archpriest Thomas Mueller – administrator 414-861-5801 Deacon Jan Farral – 262-417-2591
www.stnickskenosha.org
Parish Happenings February-March 2023
Greetings! Many things have happened and will happen at St. Nicholas. We had one baptism – Brian Conway- and two Chrismations – Marie Spear and Jake Hanson this month. Welcome to the St. Nicholas family and the Orthodox Church! Next Sunday, February 26, we will have a Typica Service with Deacon Jan. Our first presanctified Lenten service is Wednesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. Sunday of Orthodoxy vespers is March 5 at 6 p.m. at Sts. Constantine and Helen church in Wauwatosa -detailed flier included. On Sunday March12, deanery vespers will be here at St. Nicholas at 6 p.m., with a light, Lenten supper to follow. This will be in the Hall third floor with accommodations made for those who have difficulty with stairs. Look for the sign-up sheet next week. It will start in the narthex and move to the coffee hour room. Anyone willing to help move tables and chairs to arrange the room for that meal, Steve Schick at 262-496-0238 or Grant Metzger at 262-287-5227.
4313 18th Avenue, Kenosha 53140
Archpriest Thomas Mueller – administrator 414-861-5801 Deacon Jan Farral – 262-417-2591
www.stnickskenosha.org
Parish Happenings February-March 2023
Greetings! Many things have happened and will happen at St. Nicholas. We had one baptism – Brian Conway- and two Chrismations – Marie Spear and Jake Hanson this month. Welcome to the St. Nicholas family and the Orthodox Church! Next Sunday, February 26, we will have a Typica Service with Deacon Jan. Our first presanctified Lenten service is Wednesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. Sunday of Orthodoxy vespers is March 5 at 6 p.m. at Sts. Constantine and Helen church in Wauwatosa -detailed flier included. On Sunday March12, deanery vespers will be here at St. Nicholas at 6 p.m., with a light, Lenten supper to follow. This will be in the Hall third floor with accommodations made for those who have difficulty with stairs. Look for the sign-up sheet next week. It will start in the narthex and move to the coffee hour room. Anyone willing to help move tables and chairs to arrange the room for that meal, Steve Schick at 262-496-0238 or Grant Metzger at 262-287-5227.
ST. NICHOLAS ORTHODOX CHURCH
4313 18th Avenue, Kenosha 53140
Archpriest Thomas Mueller – administrator 414-861-5801 Deacon Jan Farral – 262-417-2591
www.stnickskenosha.org
THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON – Luke 15:11-32 This deep and beautiful parable of Christ is read on the 3rd Sunday before Lent as a part of the Church’s “School of Repentance” over the course of the four pre-lenten Sundays. The parable is Jesus’ own characterization of His Father and our Heavenly Father. Whatever other portrayal of the Father you may encounter in ‘religious’ writings or preaching, THIS one comes from the very lips of His Son, His Word who reveals Him perfectly to us. This is the definitive portrayal of the Father. Because, of course, the father in the parable represents God the Father. His forbearance, granting of freedom, and unequivocal forgiveness represent the qualities of God the Father. He is NOT the angry vengeful God of Puritan diatribes and guilt pandering Pharisees of various religious stripes.
The prodigal son pridefully seeks ‘his’ inheritance from his father. The father accedes to this undeserved demand and gives his son the freedom to go his own way. The son disdains his father, his home, and all it stands for. He goes to a “far country” and squanders all of his patrimony. He ends up in the mud as a swineherd, hungering for the food the pigs get. Hitting bottom, he ‘comes to himself’; humbled he decides to go back to his father even to become just a servant in his father’s house. This is not to be.
The Father, who has grieved for him, has never forced him to come back - out of respect for his son’s freedom; now the father runs out to meet him. The son falls down, confessing his sin and asking just to be taken back as hired servant. The father has no word of reproach, no expression of grievance or hurt, no warning about future behavior, no conditional acceptance. Instead the Father pulls him up, embraces him, loves him as He always has. He puts the ring of stewardship on his finger, clothes him in a rich garment instead of his rags, and orders a banquet to be held. Unequivocal forgiveness and love. This is how The Son of God characterizes His Father and His Father’s mercy. We should always have this image in our hearts when we approach God in repentance. It should be a gateway to knowing the joy of our beautiful, gracious Father’s extravagant love. - Fr Tom 1/31.23
His Life is Mine by Saint Sophrony Translated by Rosemary Edmonds
Soon to be available for loan from the St. Nicholas library. St. Sophrony moved from the Orthodoxy of his boyhood and flirted with the eastern mysticism of Buddhism. He was a successful artist who exhibited in the great salons of Paris after the Russian Revolution The remembrance of Christian concepts learned in his youth and the vibrant prayer life he once had brought him back to a relationship with a personal God and to Orthodoxy. He went form the Paris Orthodox Theological Institute to Mount Athos and shares what he learned in his study and ascetic monastic life in this book. St. Sophrony explains how the knowledge of God comes a little at a time, as we are ready. He writes about the prayer of the spirit. Included are many of his own prayers. He also explains why and how the Jesus prayer is important to our life with God.
Health Update
As many of you may have heard, Phil Dziki experienced a stroke in mid-December. He was breakfasting with a friend in a restaurant in Antioch, IL. who noticed something strange happening and called 911. Phil was taken to St. Catherine’s in Kenosha where the proper drug for a stroke was administered then taken by helicopter to Froedtert in Wauwatosa where the a procedure was done to remove the clot from his right carotid artery. Thanks to the quick thinking of his friend, Rich MacArthur and the great care at Froedtert, Phil is almost completely recovered and back to his service at St. Nicholas. We are truly grateful for all the prayers and cards of encouragement he received from many of you.
Rectory Renovation Update
Dn. Jan is currently working on procuring two bids for the new kitchen counter/sink for the rectory. Justin Kneeland has donated a full-size box spring and mattress for the bedframe in the rectory and has hauled away the wooden panels once used for brackets for pamphlets. We are still in need for blanket and two standard size pillows. Other bedding is already available. The plan is to make the rectory available for Fr. Tom to rest, sometimes, overnight, when he needs to do so. This will be important for holding vesper services and for the presanctified services during Lent and for Holy Week.
4313 18th Avenue, Kenosha 53140
Archpriest Thomas Mueller – administrator 414-861-5801 Deacon Jan Farral – 262-417-2591
www.stnickskenosha.org
THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON – Luke 15:11-32 This deep and beautiful parable of Christ is read on the 3rd Sunday before Lent as a part of the Church’s “School of Repentance” over the course of the four pre-lenten Sundays. The parable is Jesus’ own characterization of His Father and our Heavenly Father. Whatever other portrayal of the Father you may encounter in ‘religious’ writings or preaching, THIS one comes from the very lips of His Son, His Word who reveals Him perfectly to us. This is the definitive portrayal of the Father. Because, of course, the father in the parable represents God the Father. His forbearance, granting of freedom, and unequivocal forgiveness represent the qualities of God the Father. He is NOT the angry vengeful God of Puritan diatribes and guilt pandering Pharisees of various religious stripes.
The prodigal son pridefully seeks ‘his’ inheritance from his father. The father accedes to this undeserved demand and gives his son the freedom to go his own way. The son disdains his father, his home, and all it stands for. He goes to a “far country” and squanders all of his patrimony. He ends up in the mud as a swineherd, hungering for the food the pigs get. Hitting bottom, he ‘comes to himself’; humbled he decides to go back to his father even to become just a servant in his father’s house. This is not to be.
The Father, who has grieved for him, has never forced him to come back - out of respect for his son’s freedom; now the father runs out to meet him. The son falls down, confessing his sin and asking just to be taken back as hired servant. The father has no word of reproach, no expression of grievance or hurt, no warning about future behavior, no conditional acceptance. Instead the Father pulls him up, embraces him, loves him as He always has. He puts the ring of stewardship on his finger, clothes him in a rich garment instead of his rags, and orders a banquet to be held. Unequivocal forgiveness and love. This is how The Son of God characterizes His Father and His Father’s mercy. We should always have this image in our hearts when we approach God in repentance. It should be a gateway to knowing the joy of our beautiful, gracious Father’s extravagant love. - Fr Tom 1/31.23
His Life is Mine by Saint Sophrony Translated by Rosemary Edmonds
Soon to be available for loan from the St. Nicholas library. St. Sophrony moved from the Orthodoxy of his boyhood and flirted with the eastern mysticism of Buddhism. He was a successful artist who exhibited in the great salons of Paris after the Russian Revolution The remembrance of Christian concepts learned in his youth and the vibrant prayer life he once had brought him back to a relationship with a personal God and to Orthodoxy. He went form the Paris Orthodox Theological Institute to Mount Athos and shares what he learned in his study and ascetic monastic life in this book. St. Sophrony explains how the knowledge of God comes a little at a time, as we are ready. He writes about the prayer of the spirit. Included are many of his own prayers. He also explains why and how the Jesus prayer is important to our life with God.
Health Update
As many of you may have heard, Phil Dziki experienced a stroke in mid-December. He was breakfasting with a friend in a restaurant in Antioch, IL. who noticed something strange happening and called 911. Phil was taken to St. Catherine’s in Kenosha where the proper drug for a stroke was administered then taken by helicopter to Froedtert in Wauwatosa where the a procedure was done to remove the clot from his right carotid artery. Thanks to the quick thinking of his friend, Rich MacArthur and the great care at Froedtert, Phil is almost completely recovered and back to his service at St. Nicholas. We are truly grateful for all the prayers and cards of encouragement he received from many of you.
Rectory Renovation Update
Dn. Jan is currently working on procuring two bids for the new kitchen counter/sink for the rectory. Justin Kneeland has donated a full-size box spring and mattress for the bedframe in the rectory and has hauled away the wooden panels once used for brackets for pamphlets. We are still in need for blanket and two standard size pillows. Other bedding is already available. The plan is to make the rectory available for Fr. Tom to rest, sometimes, overnight, when he needs to do so. This will be important for holding vesper services and for the presanctified services during Lent and for Holy Week.
ST. NICHOLAS ORTHODOX CHURCH
Archpriest Thomas Mueller – Administrator 414-861-5801
Deacon Jan Farral
4313 18th Avenue Kenosha WI 53140 www.stnickskenosha.org
PASTORAL MESSAGE AND INSTRUCTION –
Preparing for Liturgy, Part One: REPENTANCE
There are several important norms or actions we must always consider when we come to receive Holy Communion. Foremost is the need to repent. What does “repentance” mean? Let me say right away that it doesn’t mean groveling in guilt or shame or beating up on oneself psychologically. The Greek word used in the New Testament and the Liturgy is “metanoia” (pronounced ‘me-ta-nee’-a); and it means precisely “a change of mind” or one could say “a change of heart.” It is a realization that we have been distracted from God and His love and His service by other things; our mind and heart have wandered from God.
Recognition alone is not enough; there has to be desire and hope for the grace to change. It’s a change of direction like that made by the catechumen before the Baptismal Mystery, where he or she turns symbolically from Satan to be united to Christ. We need to renew this change of mind every day, every week, especially when we are to be intimately united to Christ in Communion. We have to come to the Church already consciously seeking to repent. Sometimes, we get so used to approaching the chalice that we take this part of our preparation for granted. Honestly, we have all done this. We can’t afford to. God will not
heal and sanctify us if we do not truly seek to repent. But we shouldn’t be discouraged if we stumble again because God always accepts our intention and effort “seventy times seven,” as Christ says. – Fr Tom
Rectory Renovation
Efforts to clear out the hall laundry room are continuing. Steve Schick has been scrapping unusable metal items and funds from that will go to the rectory renovation. Dn. Jan has been working on the office area. There are plans to paint the baseboard white so look for a date for a painting party. We are also in need of a reliable handyman to assist with improvements to the kitchen and bathrooms.
A new kitchen light has been donated and hallways lights will soon be donated. If you have some time to help with the work or are willing to make donations, call Dn. Jan at (262) 417-2592 or email deaconjohmmark@gmail.com or speak to him the next time you see him.
Events
A luncheon with prosphora making is in the works. November 12 is the date and it will be at Phil and Gail Dziki’s home, located at 29920 102nd Street in Trevor. If you already know how to make prosphora, come anyway for fellowship. Call 262-889-4525 to RSVP or see Gail or Phil at church. Chili will be served. Please sign up to bring a condiment or salad.
“Orthodoxy is Life. If we don’t live Orthodoxy, we simply are not Orthodox, no matter what formal beliefs we might hold.”
Fr. Seraphim Rose
The report, The “New Traditional” in a Most Traditional Church: How the Pandemic Has Reshaped American Orthodox Christian Churches. What Do Lay People Think about It?, is available now. More than 2,000 ordinary parishioners from all parts of the USA participated in this study, and shared their thoughts about Orthodox Church life in America during and post-pandemic. An executive summary (4 pages) can be downloaded here: https://orthodoxreality.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/NewTraditionalLaityReportExecSummary.pdf
Fr. Tom's 50 year anniversary of his ordination.
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Parish Happenings
August 2022
This month, we are collecting food items and paper products for two food pantries, The Shalom Center that serves the area east of I-94 and The Sharing Center that serves the area west of I-94. Recent reports say that food pantries are having 100% more people coming to them for food and other help.
Non-perishable food items are requested, along with items like diapers, toilet paper, paper towels and napkins which are not covered by food stamps.
Fr. Tom Mueller, St. Nicholas Administrator
Fr. Tom Mueller is a retired priest who was priest at St. Cyril and St Methodius in Milwaukee and also served as dean for the Chicago-Milwaukee area for years. He was ordained in 1972 at St George Cathedral in Boston (Albanian Diocese of the OCA). He served at SS Cyril and Methodius in Milwaukee from 1984 - 2020 as rector and is currently Associate Pastor. He was Acting Chancellor and Chancellor of the Diocese of the Midwest for about 5 years in the late eighties and early nineties and as Dean of the Chicago Deanery from 1988 until about 2017. Fr. Tom has also served on the Diocesan Mission/Parish Development Committee for many years. His dear wife Gina fell asleep in the Lord in 2013; they were married 45 years. They have three children - Fr Elijah in Milwaukee, Savva in Verona, WI., and Daria in Milwaukee and 5 grandchildren, ranging from 6 to 25 years of age. He initiated Holy Theophany Chapel located in Walworth County that has been elevated to Mission status. This past 12 months, he has pastored two small "chapel" communities, Holy Nativity Chapel in Waukesha and St Maria of Parish Chapel in Plymouth. He is now serving St. Nicholas and said, “I am happy to be able to be of assistance to St Nicholas Parish in this transitional time. I am a native of Milwaukee and a 5th generation native of Wisconsin.”
Rectory Renovation Begins!
Fr. Tom will lead a prayer service for the rectory renovations project immediately after Liturgy on August 14. The mold remediation has been done and Don Jones, the expert found by Pat Ciko, also inspected the hall and church. He has given us advice on how to avoid future mold in all three places.
The kitchen has remained the same for about forty years, so updating is needed. Other items that must be corrected are the gutters, the bathrooms and lighting. We have a dedicated collection plate on Sunday and if anyone would like to send a contribution, it would be greatly appreciated. We will keep everyone updated on our progress.
So far, the mold remediation has been done, along with a check of the hall and church. The rectory was treated and the mold is gone. The diagnoses for the hall and church is that there are no mold problems. We need to keep running two dehumidifiers as we are currently doing.
Dn. Jan has removed the carpeting on the stairs to the rectory basement and Greg Kredell will be working with others from the parish to tackle everything from replacing lighting fixtures, installing kitchen cabinets and painting. Anyone interested in participating in this project can call Dn. Jan at 262-417-2581.
We would like all the hands-on help as possible. If you can’t participate in that way, you could sponsor a particular part of the project. Give Dn. Jan a call for ideas.
Iuliana Barnes Update
Iuliana said that her cancer was caught in stage one and the surgery results were positive. This type of cancer can recur, so she is planning a trip to Romania for special treatment. She remains positive and plans to make lifestyle changes strengthen her immune system. Iuliana is very thankful for the donation St. Nicholas sent to her to aid her in recovery.
August schedule
8/7 Diaconal Typica (Reader Service) – Deacon Jan
8/14 Liturgy 10 a.m. (hours preceding) Forefeast of the Dormition of the Theotokos – Fr. Tom
8/21 Liturgy 10 a.m. (hours preceding) Fr. Tom
8/27 Vespers 5 p.m. Fr. Tom Confessions possible afterward
8/28 Diaconal Typica – Deacon Jan (Fr. Tom on vacation)
Alliance Family Services
St. Nicholas donated baby clothing, diapers and $320 to Alliance Family Services, previously known as CareNet. The website explains, “Alliance Family Services believes in the God-given value of every human being, and seeks to glorify God through serving those in need in our communities. We provide needed medical services, emotional support, material needs and community referrals for women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. We seek to promote strong, healthy families in Southeast Wisconsin through providing our clients with informed consent, empowering them to take responsibility for their actions, and walking alongside them every step of the way. “
Services provided include pregnancy testing, limited ultrasound, options counseling and community referrals. The referrals cover situations such as inadequate housing, lack of employment, financial stress, lack of insurance and more. The resource specialist aids women to find additional help.
Taylor Williams, the client service director for Alliance Family Services, said one service they provide is information. “We have an ultrasound rooms with a large screen. During the ultrasound, the mothers have the opportunity to see their baby and begin to acknowledge that it is a life inside of them. They can see their baby's heart beating clearly on the TV."
They also receive calls from women who decided to go through with an abortion. “We let them know that there is forgiveness for sin,” Taylor said, “and that God loves them.”
In 2020, because of the COVID restrictions, Alliance Family Services served 59 clients. Last year, in 2021, the agency served 166. So far in the first six months of 2022, they have served 173. In addition to providing referrals and aid for women who wish to keep their babies, they also provide referrals for adoption services.
Holy Synod elects HIs Grace Bishop Daniel as Bishop of Chicago and the Midwest.
On Monday, July 18, a few hours before the opening of the 20th All-American Council, the Diocese of the Midwest convened a special assembly, under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, to consider an episcopal nomination following the falling asleep of Archbishop Paul of blessed memory. The Diocesan assembly nominated His Grace Bishop Daniel of Santa Rosa who has been serving as Locum Tenens of the Diocese over the last few months.
Later that day, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, meeting in a Special Summer 2022 Session under the presidency of Metropolitan Tikhon, canonically elected Bishop Daniel, formerly Bishop of Santa Rosa and Auxiliary to the Diocese of the West, Bishop of Chicago and the Midwest.
On Monday, July 18, a few hours before the opening of the 20th All-American Council, the Diocese of the Midwest convened a special assembly, under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, to consider an episcopal nomination following the falling asleep of Archbishop Paul of blessed memory. The Diocesan assembly nominated His Grace Bishop Daniel of Santa Rosa who has been serving as Locum Tenens of the Diocese over the last few months.
Later that day, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, meeting in a Special Summer 2022 Session under the presidency of Metropolitan Tikhon, canonically elected Bishop Daniel, formerly Bishop of Santa Rosa and Auxiliary to the Diocese of the West, Bishop of Chicago and the Midwest.
Alliance Family Services
Gail Dziki delivered the St. Nicholas collection of baby clothing, diapers and $320 to Alliance Family Services, previously known as CareNet. The website explains, “Alliance Family Services believes in the God-given value of every human being, and seeks to glorify God through serving those in need in our communities. We provide needed medical services, emotional support, material needs and community referrals for women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. We seek to promote strong, healthy families in Southeast Wisconsin through providing our clients with informed consent, empowering them to take responsibility for their actions, and walking alongside them every step of the way. “
Services provided include pregnancy testing, limited ultrasound, options counseling and community referrals. The referrals cover situations such as inadequate housing, lack of employment, financial stress, lack of insurance and more. The resource specialist aids women to find additional help.
Taylor Williams, the client service director for Alliance Family Services, said one service they provide is information. “We have an ultrasound rooms with a large screen. During the ultrasound, the mothers have the opportunity to see their baby and begin to acknowledge that it is a life inside of them. They can see their baby's heart beating clearly on the TV."
They also receive calls from women who decided to go through with an abortion. “We let them know that there is forgiveness for sin,” Taylor said, “and that God loves them.”
In 2020, because of the COVID restrictions, Alliance Family Services served 59 clients. Last year, in 2021, the agency served 166. So far in the first six months of 2022, they have served 173. In addition to providing referrals and aid for women who wish to keep their babies, they also provide referrals for adoption services.
Gail Dziki delivered the St. Nicholas collection of baby clothing, diapers and $320 to Alliance Family Services, previously known as CareNet. The website explains, “Alliance Family Services believes in the God-given value of every human being, and seeks to glorify God through serving those in need in our communities. We provide needed medical services, emotional support, material needs and community referrals for women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. We seek to promote strong, healthy families in Southeast Wisconsin through providing our clients with informed consent, empowering them to take responsibility for their actions, and walking alongside them every step of the way. “
Services provided include pregnancy testing, limited ultrasound, options counseling and community referrals. The referrals cover situations such as inadequate housing, lack of employment, financial stress, lack of insurance and more. The resource specialist aids women to find additional help.
Taylor Williams, the client service director for Alliance Family Services, said one service they provide is information. “We have an ultrasound rooms with a large screen. During the ultrasound, the mothers have the opportunity to see their baby and begin to acknowledge that it is a life inside of them. They can see their baby's heart beating clearly on the TV."
They also receive calls from women who decided to go through with an abortion. “We let them know that there is forgiveness for sin,” Taylor said, “and that God loves them.”
In 2020, because of the COVID restrictions, Alliance Family Services served 59 clients. Last year, in 2021, the agency served 166. So far in the first six months of 2022, they have served 173. In addition to providing referrals and aid for women who wish to keep their babies, they also provide referrals for adoption services.
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Parish Happenings
Summer is upon us at St. Nicholas. Fr. Constantine Bodien has taken another position at All Saints OCA Church in Hartford, CT. We did have one priest candidate visit us in late June, Fr. Nicholas Hubbard, but he decided that St. Nicholas wasn’t the place for him, so we continue to look.
The parish rectory needs serious care and renovation. The parish council has appointed Dn. Jan Farral and Gail Dziki to spearhead that project. They will reach out to various parish members who have the willingness and skills needed for the project.
The rectory has had no renovations or improvements beyond cleaning, painting and redoing floors, so there is in-depth work that must be done. A list of renovations needed will be posted in the church narthex and a sign up sheet for those wishing to assist in the upgrade of the church rectory. It may not be yourself that does the work, but you may know someone reputable that can do the work.
In addition to workers, significant funds are needed for this project.
Weekly Services
Fr. Tom Mueller will serve Divine liturgy every other week, with Dn. Jan holding a reader service the other weeks. This Sunday, July 17, is the fifth Sunday after Pentecost. We commemorate the Holy Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils.
Ecumenical councils were called at various times to combat heresies that arose and threatened the Orthodox teachings. The Orthodox Church acknowledges Seven Holy Ecumenical Councils.
The First Ecumenical Council (Nicea I) (commemorated May 29, and also on seventh Sunday after Pascha) was convened in the year 325 against the heresy of Arius, in the city of Nicea in Bithynia under Saint Constantine the Great, Equal of the Apostles. This heresy is attributed to Arius, a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt. He taught that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who was begotten by God the Father , but that the Son of God did not always exist but Arius believed that Jesus was begotten within time by God the Father, thus denying that Jesus is co-eternal with God the Father. The Nicaean Creed was drafted at this council to counter the teachings of the heretics and put into writing what the Church believed as dogma.
The Second Ecumenical Council (Constantinople I) (May 22) was convened in the year 381 against the heresy of Macedonias, by the emperor Theodosius the Great. This council reaffirmed the doctrine regarding the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Saint Gregory the Theologian, Saint Gregory of Nyssa—the other of the three great Cappadocian Fathers, along with his older brother, Saint Basil the Great—and Saint Meletios, Bishop of Antioch, were leaders at the Second Ecumenical Council. The Nicaean-Constantinopolitan Creed was completed at this council with the agreement that no changes could be made without convening a council to discuss the changes.
The Third Ecumenical Council (Ephesus) (September 9) was convened in the year 431 against the heresy of Nestorius, in the city of Ephesus by the emperor Theodosius the Younger. Nestorius was Archbishop of Constantinople (A.D. 386-451) and who denied that Christ was fully God and fully man. According to the Council, Nestorianism overemphasized the human nature of Christ at the expense of the divine. The Council denounced Patriarch Nestorius’s teaching as erroneous. Nestorius taught that the Virgin Mary gave birth to a man, Jesus Christ, not God the Logos. The Logos only dwelt in Christ, as in a Temple (Christ, therefore, was only Theophoros: the "Bearer of God.") Consequently, the Virgin Mary should be called Christotokos("Mother of Christ") and not Theotokos ("Birth-giver of God").
The Fourth Ecumenical Council (Chalcedon) (July 16) was convened in the year 451, against the Monophysite heresy, in the city of Chalcedon under the emperor Marcian. Monophysitism is a Christological heresy that originated in the 5th century A.D. Its chief proponent was the monk Eutyches, who stated that in the person of Jesus Christ the human nature was absorbed into the divine nature like a cube of sugar dissolves in a cup of water. Therefore, Christ was left with only one nature, the Divine (Greek mono- one, physis - nature).
The Fifth Ecumenical Council (Constantinople II) (July 25) “Concerning the Three Chapters,” was convened in the year 553, under the emperor Justinian the Great. This council did not deal with a new heresy but was intending to put an end to the Nestorian and the Eutychian (Monophysite) controversies, which contained incorrect teaching of Christ’s two natures. The Council confirmed the Church's teaching regarding the two natures of Christ (human and divine) and condemned certain writings with Nestorian learnings. Emperor Justinian himself confessed his Orthodox faith in a form of the famous Church hymn "Only begotten Son and Word of God" which is sung during the Divine Liturgy.
The Sixth Ecumenical Council (Constantinople III) (January 23) met during the years 680-681, to fight the Monothelite heresy, under the emperor Constantine Pogonatos. This heresy taught that Christ has only one will. As Christ is both God and man, He has two natures and two wills. According to Orthodox doctrine.
The fact that the Seventh Ecumenical Council (Nicea II) is not commemorated today testifies to the antiquity of this celebration. The Seventh Council, commemorated on the Sunday nearest to October 11, was convened at Nicea in the year 787 against the Iconoclast heresy, under the emperor Constantine and his mother Irene. This is the council that restored the icons to the Church after 57 years (730-787) of absence. However, the iconoclasts regained power and again forbid the use of icons from 815-843, another 28 years. In 843, Empress Theodora, finally restored icon veneration. This event is celebrated, annually, on the First Sunday of Great Lent, also known as the Sunday of Orthodoxy.
August Birthdays and Anniversaries
9: Dan & Ann Anniversary
11: Gail Dziki Birthday
14: Delores Wojciechowicz Birthday
21: Tom Nash Birthday
24: Shelly Nash Birthday
