Theophany is a Holy Day of obligation.  For a complete schedule of our Liturgies, click here:  Theophany Liturgy Schedule.

Christ is Baptized!  In the Jordan!

Stained Glass Window in St. Michael Church

This holy day is one of the earliest Great Feasts of the Eastern churches, dating back to the 2nd century.  The feast commemorates Christ’s baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. The literal translation of the word Theophany is manifestation of God. It is the manifestation of Christ’s Divinity in revelation of the Holy Trinity.  Theophany in the Eastern churches is associated with enlightenment and of the renewal of all creation.  Baptism is victory over the darkness of sin, in which the elements of light and water are the visible outward symbols of spiritual illumination, purification and cleansing.

An alternate name often used interchangeably with Theophany is Epiphany.  This also refers to a manifestation, in this case the prefix “epi” meaning above, as manifestation from above.  The term Epiphany is more closely associated in the Western (Roman) church with the appearance of the Magi to the Christ Child.  Many simply refer to it as “Three Kings”.   The Western church adopted the feast from the Eastern church, and in current practice in the United States celebrates on the Sunday between Jan 2 and 8, with a primary focus on the Magi’s appearance.

The Eastern churches in celebration of Theophany have retained the significance of the feast as described by the early church Fathers (Christ’s baptism) and keep it as an immovable feast, always on January 6.  Among the church fathers, St. John Chrysostom and St. Clement of Alexandria refer to Theophany in association with Christ’s baptism.  It is interesting to note that at one time both the Nativity and Baptism of Christ were celebrated together on January 6; then later in development the feasts were separated with the Nativity moving to December 25.

Theophany is a holy day that reminds us of our eternal salvation and the solid foundations of our faith.  We hear the words chanted in the Gospel reading of Matthew 3:16:  “After Jesus was baptized, he came directly out of the water.  Suddenly the sky opened and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and hover over him.  With that, a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is my beloved Son.  My favor rests on Him.”

It is a tradition in Byzantine Catholic and Orthodox churches to bless water on the Feast of Theophany.   The blessing takes place after Divine Liturgy and the elaborate and poetic prayers recited by the priest invoke the Holy Spirit to sanctify and purify the water being blessed.  Afterwards the priest blesses all the faithful present and the entire church. Faithful are invited to consume the blessed water with faith, and to take water home for reverent use and to bless their homes.  It is traditional in the Carpatho-Rusyn tradition to bless any nearby river or stream as Christ blessed the water of the Jordan with his baptism.   The faithful may request to have their homes blessed by the parish priest following Theophany.

Words from the Great Blessing of Water (by St. Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, 634-638)

Today the grace of the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes down upon the waters.
Today there shines the Sun that never sets, and the world is sparkling with the light of the Lord.
Today the moon shines upon the world with the brightness of its rays.
Today the glittering stars adorn the universe with the radiance of their twinkling.
Today the clouds from heaven shed upon mankind a shower of justice.
Today the Uncreated One willingly permits the hands of his creature to be laid upon Him.
Today the Prophet and Forerunner comes close to the Master, and he stands in awe, a witness of the condescension of God towards us.
Today through the presence of the Lord the waters of the Jordan River are changed into remedies.
Today the whole universe is refreshed with mystical streams.
Today the sins of mankind are blotted out by the waters of the Jordan River.

We Celebrate Christmas !

Christ is Born!   Glorify Him!
Christos Razdajestsja!  Slavite Jeho!

God is with us! God is with us! Give ear, O you nations!  Be humbled, for God is with us!”

As Catholics, we continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the days following Christmas.  We are reminded during this time between Christmas and Theophany (Epiphany) to remain joyful in celebration as we reflect on the amazing gift that our Lord Jesus brings us.  He came to us in total humility with love, in the ultimate goal of salvation and redemption for all people everywhere.

Now that pre-Christmas distractions all but have ended, we have this peaceful time to envelope ourselves in the hopefulness which the Christ Child offers.   This can happen only if we allow ourselves to be so directed by the Holy Spirit.  But if we are not careful, we might become sidetracked now by the post-season distractions, the frenzied rush to grab up more of everything, and in the process, totally miss the holiness of this very special time.

Our guide to staying in the moment can be found in the familiar stories from the bible. The Wise Men were single focused and intent upon finding Baby Jesus, the real treasure.  And they would not allow anything to lead them off course.  Or to give up in the months their quest to glorify Our Lord must have taken.  We might consider ways to find the treasure of the Christ Child in these days also.  Whether through extended quiet time, inspirational music, prayer, spiritual reading, or a short reflective minute in the middle of the day, enlightenment comes to us when all is calm, all is bright.   And all that Jesus in the form of a little baby really wants from us is simple, and yet so challenging:  Cradling him close to our hearts and offering ourselves as a gift in return.

Keep Christ and Christmas in your heart and soul – alive and renewed!   Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!

Royal Doors – Annunciation; Nativity Icon on the tetrapod (table); Theophany Icon (Christ’s Baptism) right side altar

Christmas Carol:                   Angels From Heaven

Angels from heaven came to you shepherds; Have no fear! Have no fear! Hasten to honor Him, born near in Bethlehem; Offer gifts, though poor and small.
There in a manger, you will behold Him, Son of God, Son of God.  Child whose humility, veils his Divinity, our true Savior, Christ the Lord.

Merry Christmas from the parishioners of St. Michael and St. Nicholas parishes!

 

FROM ALL AT ST. MICHAEL’S

Thank You to all who came, shopped, sampled our homemade food and helped make our Flea Market & Ethnic Food Weekend a success.   It was a delight for many of us to speak with our visitors and welcome you to our annual event.

We say thank you to those who stopped by for the very first time in simply seeing our sign out front, or seeing one of our ads.   And we have a special thank you to our visitors who have been coming back year after year, nearly as long as the Flea Market itself, with compliments on our piggies, pierogies (pirohi), and other good food.

It’s special to hear how much you enjoy the food and we can assure you it’s made with care for that reason.   So we thank you for your generous support and compliments.  May God bless each of you!

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS !

Thank you to everyone who donated items, volunteered time and talent above and beyond in so many ways, and worked for the betterment of our parish in a spirit of generosity and charity.

From those who worked with preparation (weeks and hours of work) to all who answered the call to give time, labor, and physical assistance during the weekend event itself. You worked hard at the various stands and service areas, in the kitchen, with cleanup and more, and we cannot say thank you enough.  Without your help none of this would be possible, and it is evidence of how much you care that our church remains both visible and viable.

Your support and active involvement is important to our parish and future direction.   Your help is most appreciated, not just by your pastor, but in service to God and others of faith in action.  May God bless you in your own needs and be your support!

2016 Saturday Opening Day:  Patrons and Father Gary Wave a Happy Greeting

The ByzanTEEN Youth Rally 2016

……..   Rounded up a whole lot of youthful motivation and spirit this year as it was held July 7 -10.   This is the hope and future of our Byzantine Catholic Church!

As you watch this professional quality video, let it inspire you to go forward with the same drive and ambition witnessed at Notre Dame College, Euclid, Ohio (Cleveland).

Click here for Video ByzanTEEN Youth Rally 2016

No matter what your age, we are all called by Christ to carry the same enthusiasm for our faith as these young church members.  We are alive in Christ and as our youth demonstrate, our mission in life is to radiate the same spirit-inspired joy to everyone we meet.  Enjoy the video and it’s powerful energy !

• Note:  Our pastor, Father Gary Mensinger is an active member of the Inter-Eparchial Youth Commission, the organization sponsoring the rally every two years.  The next Rally in 2018 will be held at St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa.
  

AUGUST 6 – 7  

Flea Market, Ziti Dinner & Ethnic Food Weekend

– ST. MICHAEL’S PITTSTON

Flea Market & Ethnic Food Weekend  (← Click to see photos from 2015)
Saturday 9 am to 4 pm / Sunday 10 am to 3 pm

Ziti Dinner 
Sunday ONLY  10 am to 3 pm   
Eat in or take out – Tickets available at the door       Cost: $10.00 adults, $6.00 children

Bake Sale: 
Saturday  August 6 only 

All Ethnic foods are Homemade! “Best Piggies in the area” ( also known as Stuffed cabbage or Halupki), Pirohi (Potato or Sauerkraut Pierogies), Haluski (cabbage & noodles), Potato Pancakes.  Many of our ethnic foods are eat in or take out, your choice on take outs as hot or cold.   Additional food includes Wimpies (sloppy Joes), Hot dogs, Sausage & Peppers Sandwiches, Soda, Water, Coffee.

Location and Main Entrance: 
Please enter our church hall (basement) from the parking lot on the left

Parking:  Church Parking lot side and back

COME AND BROWSE!  COME AND EAT!   Fabulous homemade food and great “finds” are the treasures you’ll discover at our annual church event.   We are now in our 20th year and still going strong !

You never know what you will find among the many flea market items ready to be re-purposed or adapted to your needs.   And with that, you are being a “friend of our earth” also in recycling when you purchase an item.    Something else you will find :   Delicious homemade food.  And we aren’t bragging when we say that we have some of the best “piggies” (by any other title: halupki or stuffed cabbage) in this area and many other ethnic specialities and our delicious ziti and meatballs too!  Our return customers would agree wholeheartedly.

HAVE STUFF ?  BRING IN FLEA MARKET ITEMS NOW !

Donations of flea market items are now being accepted and greatly appreciated.  Contact Linda or Mike, listed below regarding drop off times.   ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED:  TV’s, Computers, Clothing.   If you know of someone cleaning out an estate who would like to donate, please contact Linda @ 570-905-7387 or Mike Moran.   Calls to the Church Secretary can be made on Fridays 8 to 4  (570-654-4564).

Former pastor, Reverend Michael J. Mondik, fell asleep in the Lord on Thursday, March 3, 2016.  Rev. Mondik served as pastor at both St. Michael’s, Pittston (1987 to 1996) and St. Nicholas, Swoyersville (1980 to 1987).

Rev. Mondik’s legacy at both parishes included achieving his vision of creating church interiors reflective of our ancestral heritage, both Carpatho-Rusyn (Ruthenian) and Byzantine. He initiated the installation of the icon screens, first at St. Nicholas parish, and then at St. Michaels.  At St. Michael’s, Rev. Mondik’s goal of restoring an authentic appearance progressed even further with the addition of magnificent icons to the ceilings and walls of the church, as well as a candelabra.  [See Virtual Tour, Iconostasis, and History on this website]. All the restorations were made possible through generous, sacrificial donations, and with the active support of the time and talent of the parishioners of both parish families during his leadership and service as pastor.  In remembrance of Rev. Mondik, we express both our gratitude for his service to our church families, and we extend our condolences to his family and friends.

An article was published in the 2016 January/February newsletter of the Eparchy of Phoenix, where Rev. Mondik was in retirement following his last pastorate:   Jan/Feb 2016 Newsletter Eparchy of Phoenix

Eternal Memory!  Vicnaja pamjat!

Adult Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) Series

Series resumes in August 2016
Shout Out to All Church Members:  Invitation to Join !

Have you ever wondered about some of the things we do and believe in as Byzantine Catholics?   Do you enjoy informal discussion of faith related topics?  This is the group for you !

Read more :   Adult Eastern Christian Formation group

Join us at any time during the series !  Bring a friend !    Weekly attendance not required.

“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God’s will, what is good, pleasing and perfect.”   Romans 12:2