August Newsletter St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco Russian Orthodox Church, 7534/2026.Please note: On the Church calendar, August begins on Aug. 14 of the civil calendar, when the newsletter appears. Dates below are given in terms of the Church calendar/civil calendar. Contact us: 570-863-9039,priestpauls@pm.me, P.O. Box 155, Winfield PA, 17889. Website: stjohnthewonderworker.com

Regular Parish Schedule

Saturday Vigil 4:30 p.m., Sunday Divine Liturgy 10 a.m. (Hours 9:40).
Bible Study 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Bucknell Barnes & Noble Bookstore Café, Lewisburg.
Orthodoxy Online class, Saturday 10 to 11 a.m. Check with Fr Paul for link.
Akathist, usually Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (but on Thursday July 31/Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m.; also, on the Feast of the Transfiguration, Aug. 6/19, there will be no Akathist; likewise preceding the Feast of the Dormition there will be no Akathist on Aug. 13/26 but a Paraklesis service, see below).

Details on special feasts, our film outreach series, and ministries are below.

May the Lord bless our community and mission work for His Church in Appalachian America!

The Dome and Cross Above Us…

…are now installed at St. John’s, glory to God! (see photo) Blessed by Bishop Luke of Syracuse and Jordanville last summer, the golden Onion Dome and Slavic-Style Cross are now on the roof of our Holy Temple, installed July 26/August 8. Let them together be a reminder to us of the inspiration of Pentecost on the Church as the Body of Christ and the relation of the Russian Orthodox Church to the ancient domed Churches of Byzantium and the Holy Land, and especially the Church’s grounding in the flame of Pentecost (all symbolized by the Onion Dome), and how we as Orthodox Christians live under the example and protection of the Cross of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, and like the Wise Thief with penitence seek salvation through His grace.

The Dormition Fast and Confession for Summer Pascha and “Orthodox Thanksgiving”

Welcome to High Summer on the Orthodox Church calendar, which is the “Orthodox Thanksgiving” season leading up to the Summer Pascha of the Dormition of Our Lady the Most Holy Mother of God, as we move toward the Church New Year. During this time, while fasting and celebrating two major feasts of the 12 in our Church year, we also offer thanks for God’s meeting our needs throughout the year in mini-feasts blessing harvests of honey, fruit, flowers, and nuts. Please keep attentive on the parish calendar to fasting requirements daily or contact Fr. Paul.

Our Church Tradition requires Confession at least during each of the four major fasting seasons of the Church, to be prepared to receive Communion. This Mystery of the Church is a “spiritual reset” and a joyful death to our sins, through the redemption of Jesus Christ. Please be in touch with Father Paul to schedule Confession during this two-week Fast in order to receive the Eucharist, especially if you also did not previously have Confession during the Apostles Fast earlier this summer. A new statement by our Bishops also has required that Confession in the Diocese be done with the Parish Priest as confessor/spiritual father, not elsewhere. If you are visiting elsewhere and wish to receive Communion, you should in advance request a blessing from Fr. Paul, so that you can communicate in advance to the Priest at the Church where you are visiting that you are prepared for Communion through Confession and regular participation at St. John’s.

The Dormition Fast begins Friday Aug. 1/14. We will have a special Akathist on Thursday July 31/Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. to mark its beginning, in honor of the Life-Giving Cross and the Feast of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross that begins the Fast. As is traditional, a blessing of the Lesser Waters will be held at that time, together with a blessing of honey; please bring honey to be blessed! This is also known as the Honey Spas, the first of three special feasts of our Lord related to the Dormition season. (This Akathist will take the place of the regular Wednesday night Akathist.)

Proper Attire as Part of Preparation for Communion 

In approaching the Chalice starting at the beginning of the Dormition Fast, you will be reminded if needed of how you should wear proper attire next time you approach. Proper Church attire (as set by our Tradition and affirmed previously also by Fr. Claude and Fr. George) consists of long sleeves and pants for men, and a long dress or skirt with shoulders covered and head covering for women (head covered especially when approaching the Chalice). The purpose of our traditional attire is the beauty of humility as part of our worship and life practice (this is why the Priest unworthily for example wears his black Cassock and Riassa robes, pectoral Cross and Skufia, at all times, as a reminder of humility and obedience and accountability, and avoidance of any display of pride, for love of our Lord’s Church). This is also preparation for our Bishop’s expected visit this fall, God willing. After an initial caution on proper attire, in future weeks those not so prepared for Communion will be asked at the Chalice if needed to refrain from receiving until they are so ready. If needed, clothing items for borrowing will be available, please contact Fr. Paul as needed. Preparation of the heart is the most important readiness for Communion, but, like the preparation prayers, this should be expressed outwardly in humble obedience to our Holy Church Tradition as well. Thanks for observing this simple tradition of our Church that is part of the beauty of our govenie or spiritual preparation, glory to God!

Feast Schedule (in addition to regular schedule of services above)

Thursday July 31/August 13: 6:30 p.m. Eve of the Honey Feast. Akathist for the Holy Cross and Lesser Blessing of the Waters, with blessing of honey. For the eve of the Feast of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross and the beginning of the Dormition Fast.

Wednesday August 6/19. The Feast of the Transfiguration, one of the 12 major feasts of the Church Year. Vigil will be at 6:30 p.m. the night before. Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m., Hours 9:40. Blessing of Fruit afterward. This is also known as the Apple Feast. Fish day. There will be no Wednesday Akathist that night.

Friday August 15/28. Feast of the Dormition, one of the 12 major feasts of the Church Year. Vigil will be at 4:30 p.m. the evening before (please note earlier time for weekday Vigil). Blessing of flowers after Liturgy. There will be no Wednesday Akathist preceding, but a Paraklesis service on July 31/August 13.

Saturday August 16/29. The Nut Feast. We will bless nuts at Vigil following the tradition of the Nut Spas or third small feast of our Lord during the Formation season.

Susquehanna Valley Orthodox Christian Film Festival Continues

Films are free, and will be followed by brief discussion. Invite a friend, inquirer, relative, co-worker to these outreach mission events. Out first showing, American Orthodox, outdoors in July was a hit. The opportunity to see even classic “old favorites” on the big screen in community, with discussion, is special. Glory to God! Note: These films include serious portrayals of faith amid human life that will require attentive parental supervision; parents are encouraged to speak with Fr. Paul about their age-suitability.

Tuesday Aug. 25 at 8:15 p.m. at the Church property (outdoors); rain date Aug. 27. Ostrov.

Sunday Sept. 12, 1 p.m. Campus Theatre, downtown Lewisburg. Moses the Black

Tuesday, October 20, 7 p.m. Bucknell campus: Elaine Langone Student Center Forum. Andrei Rublev.

Tuesday, November 17, 7 p.m. Bucknell campus. Elaine Langone Student Center Forum. Man of God.

Prison Ministry

Please pray daily for our Orthodox Christian inmates at Muncy SCI, Tanya and Tatiana, and those in the Orthodox catechism class including Beth and Meredith. If you would like to volunteer to help with the prison ministry, please contact Fr. Paul

Campus Ministry

Thanks to our Bucknell student Eleni for her work this summer in working on plans for the Bucknell Orthodox Christian Fellowship this coming academic year. Pray for our Parish University Students including Eleni, Maia, Kevin, Lizzie. We look forward to supporting our students both at Bucknell and at Susquehanna. If you would like to volunteer to help, and for a more complete prayer list of students, please contact Fr. Paul.

Youth and Young Adult Ministry

We hope to develop some activities this fall related to youth and young adult education during coffee hour that relate also to interests and needs of members of all ages. Please be in touch if you would like to help!

Shut-in and Senior Ministry

We have regular ministry to those who are seniors and/or shut-in, and can always use help, including prayers. Please especially keep in your prayers Mary, Innocent, Nicholas S., and those in our prayer list. For an updated prayer list of the sick please contact Fr. Paul.

Sisterhood of St. Olga of Alaska

We’re grateful to the Sisterhood for continued support of coffee hours and cleaning/landscaping. Hopefully with everyone’s help we can do more in those areas. Please contact Matushka and Sophia to help, thanks!

Brotherhood of St. Alfred the Great

The Brother has been helping to support the film series and our Susquehanna Valley downtown outreach events, which will continue this fall, God willing! Thanks especially to Longinus for his mowing the grace of our extensive lawn area, glory to God!

Praying for our Catechumens

Lord have mercy on Laura, Charles, Corey, James, Ty, Noah, Charles, Wyatt, Aaron! Give them good strength and wisdom as they journey God willing toward Baptism, O Lord! Please pray for them daily.

Keep in Touch

Please be in touch with any requestsfor prayers, blessings, rides to Church, home or hospital visits, or other needs. 570-863-9039, priestpauls@pm.me.

Glory to God for all things!