Note: Dates on the Orthodox Church calendar precede those on the civil calendar by 13 days, so that Nov. 1 in sacred reckoning is on Nov. 14 on civil reckoning. Dates are given in both forms here.
“All I want for Christmas is You, Lord” and “A Very American Russian Orthodox Christian Thanksgiving”
On the Orthodox Church calendar, the Nativity Season this year starts the day after American Thanksgiving Day, with the beginning of the Nativity Fast on Saturday Nov. 15/28 (actually fasting in effect starts as usual the day before for Friday). This begins 40 days of preparation for the Nativity of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, which is mainly spiritual in nature, including not only fasting, but alms-giving, and (during this major fasting season of the year) the Mystery of Confession. The sentiments of the oft-dreaded popular song “All I want for Christmas is You” is transformed and re-directed to our Lord and His birth, in fulfillment of thousands of years of prophecy and Holy Scripture in a humble cave in Bethlehem, forming the basis for our Church family celebrations together.
One of the joys of this season is the celebration of Nov. 21/Dec. 4 of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, one of the 12 Major Feasts of the Church. This commemorates how our Most Holy Lady the Virgin Mary was brought to the Temple in Jerusalem as a 3-year-old, living there miraculously for some 11 years until betrothed to her guardian the aged Joseph. This is a precious and treasured tradition of the Church, which marks the spiritual realization of the Old Testament tabernacle and Holy of Holies in the Womb of the Virgin and the Incarnation of our Lord. St. John’s will commemorate this major feast with Vigil on Thursday Nov. 20/Dec. 3 at 4:30 p.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Friday (Hours at 9:40).
On the nearer horizon this month, we will mark Thanksgiving Day as usual with the Akathist for Thanksgiving, “Glory to God for all things,” on Wednesday Nov. 12/25, at 6:30 p.m. This Russian Orthodox Christian Tradition is rooted in a service that was said in severe circumstances at concentration campus during the mid-20th century under Nazi and Communist oppressions. At St. John’s, as we mark the American tradition of Thanksgiving with this Orthodox Thanksgiving service, we also remember early Orthodox Christian mission to America. Early Icelandic saga accounts tell of Leif Eriksen’s discovery of America, in which an expedition of Scandinavian Vikings included Orthodox priests c. 1000, some six centuries before the arrival of the Pilgrims. The early Scandinavian Orthodox Christians had close ties both to the British Isles, the source of later formation of America, and the realms that became Russia (her name derived from Rus, a Scandinavian name, as St. Olga’s name was from the Scandinavian name Helga). We also express thanks for the coming of Orthodox Christianity at the end of the 18th century to Alaska from Russia, together with immigration of Orthodox Christians subsequently to the coal fields and industry of Pennsylvania. We also honor the general American tradition of giving thanks to God for His blessings at this harvest time, on the portal of the Nativity Season. Glory to God for all things! (The icon below, of St. Olaf of Norway, is a reminder of the above-mentioned Viking heritage, among many others, of American Orthodoxy.)
Regular and Special Services and Events in November
Saturday Vigil 4:30 p.m.
Sunday Divine Liturgy 10 a.m. (Hours 9:40)
Thanksgiving Akathist, Wed. Nov. 12/25, 6:30 p.m.
Start of Nativity Fast, Saturday Nov. 15/28
Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple, Vigil on Thursday Nov. 20/Dec. 3 at 4:30 p.m. and Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Friday (Hours at 9:40).
New Schedule for Bible Study, Orthodoxy Class, and Prison Ministry
Our Orthodoxy class will shift starting the Sunday right after Thanksgiving, Nov. 16/29, to 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s, immediately after Coffee Hour, to an in-person format. We’ll plan to meet at Church but may also move to a venue elsewhere depending on participant preferences. This class currently is working through The Law of God by Priest-Martyr Daniel Sysoev, and will continue to discuss traditional Orthodox Christian writings edifying for new and long-time converts. There will be no Orthodoxy class after Nov. 1/14 until 16/29, following Thanksgiving.
Our Bible Study will shift to an hour in-person format on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in-person at the Bucknell Barnes & Noble Bookstore cafe in downtown Lewisburg 9at 4th and Market Streets), starting Tuesday, Nov. 17/Dec. 1. We may try an online “stream” from there as well, please stay tuned! There will be no Bible Study from now until that first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
The above schedule changes relate to trying out new formats for these outreach and education activities, but were sparked by a new schedule for St. John’s prison ministry at the Muncy State Correctional Institution, which now is scheduled to include Saturday morning services.
Please contact Father Paul with any questions or needs for accommodations on these schedule changes, and keep all our outreach efforts in your prayers!
Fellowship Gatherings/”Cookouts”
These will continue with a gathering at Justin’s house on Sunday Nov. 9/22 after Liturgy. Thanks to Justin for opening his home for the second such event, after the opening gathering last month (thanks again to John and Mikayla for opening their home). Please consult with Justin about items to bring. If you’re interested in hosting the next such gathering, please be in touch (we could either have one with fasting fare, as often Sundays are “fish wine and oil” days during the Nativity Fast, or wait until Nativity).
Catechumens and Inquirers
Please pray for our Catechumens and Regular Inquirers, including Corey, Noah, Charles, Ty, Malik, Laura, James, Wyatt, and Aaron.
Ministry for those in Need
During the Nativity season, we hope to develop ministry for helping those in need, especially children, through programming in the area. In addition, the mission continues to help support needs of orphans cared for by Orthodox Christians in Kenya. Please contact Fr. Paul if you are interested in helped with these activities.
Prison Ministry
Father Paul, Reader Nicholas M., and Longinus recently went through training for clearances at Muncy SCI, so that we can continue our prison ministry with an expanded schedule. Please keep in your prayers Orthodox inmates Tania and Tatiana, Catechumen Elisabeth, and Letitia, Crystal, and Michelle in the regular inquirer class.
Ministry for the Sick and Shut-Ins
Thanks to our Warden Justin for continuing to help with rides. Please keep in prayer Fr. Claude, Mary, Magdalena, Nicholas S., and Innocent. Also Reader Luke due to recent medical issues, and likewise Isaac. If you would like to help with this ministry, please contact Fr Paul.
Sisterhood of St. Olga of Alaska
Matushka Olga will be working to expand the leadership group for the Sisterhood, which hopefully will be developing a schedule for coffee hour, in addition to its cleaning and gardening work. Thanks for all their help!
Brotherhood of St. Alfred the Great of England
With Father Paul’s blessing, John will be assuming the role of Chairing the Brotherhood. He developed the idea for the fellowship gatherings/”cookouts,” and also will be sharing ideas about Nativity Season outreach efforts in our local communities.
Parish Council News
The new Parish Council for Church Year 7535 recently began meeting and working on a. number of issues. New meeting is planned for Wednesday Nov. 5/18 at 8 p.m. on Zoom. All parish members are welcome, please contact Fr. Paul for the link if you’d like to attend. Treasurer/Reader Nicholas T. hopes to develop pledges for members for monthly giving this Church year. Continued thanks to Vince for his help during this month and next on budgeting. Secretary/Reader Nicholas M. with others hope to work on expanding communications and media outreach in future.
Groundskeeping
Many thanks to Longinus for all his work on lawn mowing, and others for help with the grounds, too. We hope to have a snow-removal plan in place for winter to help reduce groundskeeping costs further. If anyone has access to a vehicular plow please contact Warden Justin.
Cemetery News
Reader Luke as Cemetery Director, working with Warden Justin, Reader Nicholas T., and Longinus, continues to help with logistics of burials and plot location. We are looking for folks who could help with spreading information on our public cemetery plots in the community.
Beautification and Development Updates
Bishop Luke has recently again reviewed and blessed the iconostasis plans, supporting them and suggesting inclusion of a Russian Cross above the royal doors, which change was made this past week by designer Andrew Gould, a prominent Orthodox Christian architect in America. Currently more than half the funds needed for construction of this beautification project for worship of our Lord at the mission has been raised, during this “quiet phase” of fundraising, with potential further pledges. Glory to God!
Following up on Archdeacon Paisios’ recent visit with Bishop Luke, we hope to move forward in the spring with planning for beekeeping on the property.
In addition, Reader Nicholas M. will work on planning for food fund-raising to debut hopefully in the new Church year 7536 (fall 2027). It is hoped that this will help generate resources for fellowship-hall plans.
Contact
Please feel free to contact Rector Fr. Paul Siewers with any questions or concerns, or to schedule Confession during the Nativity Fast: priestpauls@pm.me, 570-863-9039. Glory to God for all things!