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Worship & Outreach
EASTERN LITURGY
THE MYSTERY OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
(Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion)
THE MYSTERY OF HOLY RECONCILIATION
(Confession)
THE MYSTERY OF CROWNING
(Matrimony)
VISITING THE SICK AND THE MYSTERY OF HOLY ANOINTING
BURIAL SERVICES
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – ECF (Eastern Christian Formation)
ADULT EDUCATION
SCOUTS
COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM
EASTERN LITURGY
Byzantine Christians see the church building as a point of sacred space
where the earthly can participate in the heavenly in an awesome
mysterious way. In worship they are always aware of the communal truth
that “God is with us.” Liturgical seasons, holy days, weekly and daily
cycles of prayer continually nourish the faith community in a process of
participating in the Divine Nature in an intimate exchange of worship
and grace. Often this ongoing process is called “theosis” or
“divinization.”
The public communal prayer of the church is called, “liturgy.” This
title refers to official offices of worship which includes Vespers
(evening prayer); Compline (after dinner prayer); Midnight Office
(usually celebrated in monasteries); Matins (morning prayer); Hours
(four offices of prayer throughout the day usually prayed in monasteries
or in private).
Jesus said, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if
anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and the bread which I
shall give for the life of the world is my flesh" (John 6:51). St. Paul
writes, "The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body
which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me' " (I Cor. 11:24).
Jesus is the bread of life Who offers Himself for our salvation. "Unless
you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood you have no life
in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I
will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:53-54). The highest form of
worship is our ultimate communion with the living God. This is
celebrated in Byzantine Tradition today with three different Eucharistic
Liturgies. The most common is the Divine Liturgy is that of St. John
Chrysostom. The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated 10
times per year – primarily in the season of Great Fast (5 Sundays of
Great Fast), the vigils of big holy days (Christmas and Theophany), Holy
Thursday, Holy Saturday, and on the feast of St. Basil (January 1). The
third Liturgy is called the Liturgy of the Presanctified gifts. This
Liturgy, primarily during Great Lent, is a vesper service with communion
which was consecrated at the Eucharistic celebration on the previous
Sunday.
Icons, incense, and singing bring all of our senses and our entire
selves to become wrapped up in the worship of God with all the angels
and saints who have gone before us in a total mystery of love and
transforming grace.
As the liturgical scholar, Archimadrite Robert Taft says, “The main
purpose of the Liturgy is not to change bread and wine but that the
changed (consecrated) bread and wine change us!”
We welcome you to experience the worship of a loving God – one in the
Holy Trinity – with us often.
THE MYSTERY OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
(Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Communion)
According to Byzantine tradition an infant (or a candidate) is being
baptized (born into the new life in Christ), confirmed (receives the
Holy Spirit), and receives Holy Communion (part of one body in Christ).
The Mystery of Christian Initiation is a part of Divine Liturgy so the
whole parish community participates and rejoices on receiving the new
member of its family united in Christ.
Parents have to be active members of the parish at least for 6 months.
Godparents need to bring a sponsor certificate prior to baptism.
For any further information please contact Fr. Marek at (330) 225-9857
ext. 1.
THE MYSTERY OF HOLY RECONCILIATION
The mystery of holy reconciliation (confession) is every Saturday at
3:30 PM or upon request.
For any special appointment please contact Fr. Marek at (330) 225-9857
ext. 1.
THE MYSTERY OF HOLY CROWNING (MATRIMONY)
The mystery of holy crowning can be received by a man and a woman who
become husband and wife. By the mystery of crowning they become a king
and a queen of their own home. Both husband and wife are blessed and
suppose to treat each other as a king and a queen.
The mystery of holy crowning can not be received during the Great Fast
and Holy Week.
Please allow at least 6 months notification for the priest. For any
further information please contact Fr. Marek at (330) 225-9857 ext.1.
VISITING THE SICK AND THE MYSTERY OF HOLY ANOINTING
“You are the healer of souls and bodies.” These words are said about Our
Lord Jesus Christ while during His ministry. He was constantly healing
and encouraging the sick. Prayers have an unbelievable healing power.
Fr. Marek visits the sick at home, nursing home or hospital once a month
or upon request. Please contact Fr. Marek if any parishioners are ill or
in need of our prayers at (330) 225-9857 ext. 1.
The mystery of holy anointing is ministered to any sick person usually
after holy confession. Then Holy Communion is distributed to the sick
person as well.
BURIAL SERVICES
We understand that it is a very difficult time for the family and
friends when there is a loss of a loved one.
If the person who is dying is very near death, please do not hesitate to
call the priest so he can pray at the bedside, hear the confession
(under certain conditions), anoint the body, distribute viaticum, and
give a blessing.
Please, contact the funeral home and have them contact the priest to
make arrangements for the Eastern Christian burial services.
Usually evening before the funeral the Parastas is served at the funeral
home.
On the day of the funeral the Panachida (memorial service) is served at
the funeral home and funeral Liturgy at the church.
Interment service is after Divine Liturgy.
A Panachida for the departed can be served also on 9th day, 40th day and
yearly anniversary or any of the All Souls Saturdays.
During the Great Fast the funeral with the Liturgy of the Presanctified
Gifts may be served.
Funerals are not done on Sundays in honor of the Resurrection.
For any further information concerning funeral services please contact
the parish office at (330) 225-9857 ext. 1.
In case of an emergency please contact Fr. Marek at (330) 225-7799.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – ECF (Eastern Christian Formation)
It is very important for us to teach our kids religious education, talk
to them about our faith, show them the good example, etc.
Our Eastern Christian Formation or religious classes start in September
and go through May of the following year.
We offer classes on Sunday mornings at 10:45 AM after the Divine Liturgy
from preschool to 6th grade.
For any further information please contact our ECF coordinator Dawn
Thall at (440) 878-9202 or the parish office at (330) 225-9857 ext.1.
ADULT EDUCATION
So far we have been offering classes for adults on Liturgy – structure
and history; and on Scripture – history.
One session is offered in the fall on Saturdays after 5:00 PM Liturgy
(around 6:15 PM) and the other session is offered in the spring on
Sundays after 9:30 AM Liturgy (around 10:45 AM). Each session lasts 6
weeks. The next topic will be announced in the weekly bulletin.
For more information contact Robert Cripps at (330) 336-5832 or call the
parish office at (330) 225-9857 ext 1.
SCOUTS
Pack 3515 – in existence for the last 5 years
Cub Master – Sherrie Newbould, phone # (216) 262-3393
http://www.pack3515.org
34 Cub Scouts
It has doubled during the last 2 years.
Starting Troop 515 has earned Summer Camping Awards for the last 3
years. Also the Quality Unit for the last 3 years and Council Honor Unit
for the last 3 years.
There is also the Centennial Award;
There are 100% trained leaders year round including Day Camp and
Pinewood Derby
Other summer activities
- Haunted Hayride (Camp Butler)
- St. Nicholas Day (St. Emilian Parish)
- Pack Christmas Party
- National Cemetery – decorate graves
COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM
Provide assistance to individuals and families to purchase groceries.
Collections of used prescription eyeglasses; items for the Battered
Women’s Shelter; and baby items for young mothers.
Participating in the Baby Bottle Campaign to support young mothers in
Medina County.
Men’s clothing drives for St. Herman’s House.
Invite local scouts and religious education classes from other parishes
along with their parents to our Divine Liturgy.
Every Super Bowl weekend a collection is taken for the benefit of a
local food bank operated by St. Martin’s Catholic Church.
Provide a Boy Scout troop with complimentary use of the hall for
meetings.
In November and December the parish adopts two Medina County families
and provides groceries, household products and gifts of clothing and
toys for the children. Parish members gather the Sunday before Christmas
to wrap and deliver all the packages.
Support the Hospitality House by collecting and delivering groceries.
Thanksgiving dinner is prepared annually in our kitchen and families
bake pies. The school children and parents then deliver Thanksgiving
dinner to the Hospitality House and as well as serve the meal.
For more information please contact Janet Moritz at (330) 242-1287 or
email her at assistance@stemilian.com
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