The parish newsletter
DECEMBER 2007
The Nativity of the Mother of God Russian Orthodox Church
A parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad 518 869-3932
Mitred Protopriest Wsevolod Drobot
The Rev. Michael Fritz
Deacon Michael Soloviev
www.albanyrocor.org
THE SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND MEETINGS FOR DECEMBER
Saturday Vigils: 6:00 p.m.
Vigils of Feasts: 6:30 p.m.
Sundays and Feasts: 9:30 a.m. Hours, 9:50 a.m. Divine Liturgy
December 2
Pentecost 27
The Sisterhood will meet following the trapeza (coffee hour).
December 4 (Tuesday)
Entry of the Theotokos
December 9
Pentecost 28
December 16
Pentecost 29
The Parish Council will meet after the trapeza (coffee hour).
December 23
Pentecost 30
December 30
Pentecost 31
DECEMBER NAMES’ DAYS
3 Anatoli Shevtchuk
5 Cecelia Soloviev
7 Katherine Paukova Catherine Taylor
13 Andrew Fritz, Jr. Andrew Federow Andrew Nedvedek
Andrew McClure Andrew Kosovosky
17 Barbara Nikiforov
19 Nicholas Milas Nicholas Taylor Deacon Nicholas Drobot
30 Daniel Welsh
CHURCH SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Tentatively the Church School will meet at 8:30 a.m. on the
following Sundays: December 2, 9, and 16.
CHRISTMAS CHOIR REHEARSALS
The choir will probably begin short rehearsals following the
Divine Liturgy to review music for the feast of the Nativity
starting Sunday, November 25 and continuing throughout the
month of December. Listen for announcements.
A MONTHLY LITURGICAL REMINDER
It is necessary to pray for the dead in the spirit of Christian love
which never fails, all the more since for the reposed there is no
more repentance after the grave, but only requital: blessed life
or eternal torment. Christian prayer for them, good deeds
accomplished in their memory…can evoke the mercy of God,
lighten the torment of sinners, and…even free them entirely.
from The Law of God, Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy
DID YOU EVER WONDER…?
Do you know why we eat “Kutiya” –-a mixture of wheat and
honey--at Panikhidas? (or Requiem Office, a prayer service for
the dead.) At these services it is customary to place upon a
small table in the church a dish of kutiya or koliva; i.e., boiled
wheat mixed with honey, to which raisins, nuts, or fruit are
sometimes added. The kutiya reminds us of the resurrection of
the dead. As grain is buried in the earth in order that it may
form ears and give fruit, so the dead are buried in the earth in
order that they may rise to life eternal. (St. John 12:24) The
honey typifies the sweetness of bliss of the future life. In the
grain is set upright a lighted taper to symbolize both the light
wherewith the Christian is illumined in baptism (Ephesians 5:14)
and the light of the world to come, which knows no setting.
(Revelation 21:23) [Editor thanks Tasia Fedorov for this article.]
BEWARE: THE GOLDEN COMPASS
The Golden Compass is a “kids’ movie” coming out this month,
starring Nicole Kidman. Though watered-down from its sources,
it is based on a series of children’s books about killing God—sort
of anti-Narnia books. The goal appears to be to get lots of kids
to see it, which won’t seem that bad, but then to get parents to
buy the books for their children for Christmas. Quotes from the
author seem to sum it all up. Follow this link to read about it for
yourself, and then consider warning people whom you know.
http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp [Editor’s note:
Both Natasha Schuler and Tasia Fedorov supplied this item.]
page 2, December 2007
THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS OF “A Taste of Russia”
Roman Nedvidek recalls Father Moses saying that “the
Sisterhood is the heart of the parish.” That “heart” beats
strongly, as proven by the success of the second annual “Taste
of Russia”. With many helping hands it ran smoothly to the
enjoyment of many in the community. Food and desserts were
delicious, the entertainment heart-warming, the arts and crafts
beautiful, and our signature pirogi fairly flew out of the freezer;
however, we still have packages of stuffed cabbage left,
available from Marge Beighey, Tania Taylor, or Nadja Jernakoff.
As of this writing our net profit exceeds $8000. So, a big ‘thank
you’ to all who worked hard to make this event memorable.
We hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and looks
forward to a blessed feast of the Nativity of our Lord. On
Sunday, January 13, we’ll hold our traditional Yolka party,
preceded by a pot luck luncheon. Barbara Nikiforov, Shura
Sinkevich, and Margo Beighey are in charge of the food (more
next month); Alexandra McClure is in charge of the children’s
party itself; and Ded Moroz will appear bearing gifts for the
children. Contact Alexandra McClure if you wish to have your
children participate in the organized portion of the party; and
reserve the date!
AND FROM THE BAKED GOODS TABLE...
Helen Markessinis thanks everyone who so generously
contributed food items for the Baked Goods table and in
particular those who worked diligently for many hours setting
up, counting, cataloging, and waiting on the hundreds of
customers who purchased our home-made bakery and other
food items, with special mention to Tanya Purcel, Xenia Drobot,
Ingrid Knoll and her mother, Jeanne Stabinsky, Nina Fedorov,
and Jason Baker. Thanks also to those who sent in cash
contributions in lieu of food items. The table’s profit: $1,265.
“BLESSED EVENT”: GLORY TO GOD!
Anastasia Irina Parella was born November 2 at 12:10 p.m.,
healthy at 9 lbs. 5 oz. Mom Olga and Dad Al are fine also.
page 3, December 2007
ADULT RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Father Michael Fritz has agreed to teach and answer questions
about our religion. Classes will be held on the first Wednesday
of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the church hall. Please
try to attend the first meeting on December 5, when he will ask
about the topics we would like to learn more about. Please
contact Julianne Bouton at JULZEBE@aol.com or 356-3263 (for
those without computers.) Please include your e-mail address
and telephone number. If the class is cancelled for weather or
for any other reason, she will contact everyone at their e-mail
address or telephone between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. on the day
of the class. Rescheduling will be on the third Wednesday. We
hope to hear that many of you will be attending. Thank you.
YET ANOTHER THANK YOU
Nina Fedorov thanks all who donated flour for her to make the
prosphora, which help us to maintain our holy Orthodox faith.
BOTH OUR PARISH HISTORY AND OUR FAITH ENSURED
We just got our copy of the “Parish Handbook and Directory”
and we are very impressed. Tasia Fedorov deserves the lion’s
share of the credit for this absolutely exceptional resource. You
can get yours, if you haven’t already, from the starosta or from
the parish book store. Only $10. ‘Nuff said.”
DEADLINE FOR THE JANUARY ISSUE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27
Please submit items to me in writing or by e-mail. Thank you.
Charlie/Vas Murn BACVAS@dishmail.net page 4, December 2007
The Nativity of the Mother of God Russian Orthodox Church
617 Sand Creek Road
Albany NY 12205