Zacchaeus Sunday

Commemorating St Isaac the Syrian the Bishop of Nineveh, Venerable Ephraim the

Syrian, Venerable Theodosius the Abbot of Totma Vologda, Venerable Ephraim

Abbot and Wonderworker of Novy Torg, St Ephraim the Bishop of Pereyaslavl, Kiev

Caves, Far Caves, Venerable Palladius the Hermit of Antioch,

St Archilius, St Luarsaab

FR. CHRISTOPHER ROCKNAGE, RECTOR

601 S. Harrisburg Street, Steelton, PA 17113

www.stnicholassteelton.org

717-939-0251 chris.rocknage@gmail.com

9 am Matins ~ 10 am Divine Liturgy

SSSSUNDAYUNDAYUNDAYUNDAY

FFFFEBRUARYEBRUARYEBRUARYEBRUARY 10, 201910, 201910, 201910, 2019

ST. NICHOLAS SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

Welcome Visitors! Dobro nam Došli! MAY YOU BE BLESSED WITH AN EVER DEEPENING

AWARENESS OF THE LOVE OF THE

CRUCIFIED AND RISEN LORD, JESUS CHRIST!

Special Hymns RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 4

When the women Disciples of the Lord learned from the Angel the joyous message of the

Resurrection, they cast away the ancestral curse and elatedly told the Apostles: “Death is

overthrown! Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy!”

HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION—TONE 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a

teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. Hierarch

Father Nicholas, entreat Christ our God / that our souls may be saved.

TROPARION TO SAINT EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN – TONE 8

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, and your longing for God brought forth fruits

in abundance. By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! Our Father

Ephraim, pray to Christ God to save our souls.

TROPARION TO SAINT ISAAC THE SYRIAN – TONE 5

He that thundered on Sinai with saving laws for man hath also given thy writings as guides

in prayer unto monks, O revealer of unfathomable mysteries; for having gone up in the

mount of the vision of the Lord, thou wast shown the many mansions. Wherefore, O God-

bearing Isaac, entreat the Savior for all praising thee.

RESURRECTION KONTAKION—TONE 4

My Savior and Redeemer as God rose from the tomb and delivered the earth-born from their

chains. He has shattered the gates of hell, and as Master, He has risen on the third day!

HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD KONTAKION—TONE 6

Steadfast Protectress of Christians and constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not

the cry of us sinners, but come speedily to help those who call on You in faith. Hasten to

hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for You always protect those who

honor You!

SSSSTTTT. N. N. N. NICHOLASICHOLASICHOLASICHOLAS SSSSERBIANERBIANERBIANERBIAN OOOORTHODOXRTHODOXRTHODOXRTHODOX CCCCHURCHHURCHHURCHHURCH is a parish of the Eastern Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church

under the Omophorion of His Grace, Bishop IRINEJ,

pastored by Father Christopher Rocknage.

OUR VISION: To be a strong and vibrant community, enabling parishioners to live the fullness of the

Orthodox Faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ, "as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries

of God." (I Cor. 4:1)

OUR MISSION: To teach, assist, and provide the environment for stewards to live the message of our Lord

Jesus Christ in their daily lives through worship, witness, outreach, stewardship, service,

education and fellowship.

Readers Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Marijana Rocknage

Next Week: Nicholas Govelovich Epistle: Sophia Mummert

HHHHOLYOLYOLYOLY SSSSCRIPTURESCRIPTURESCRIPTURESCRIPTURES

EPISTLE: 1 Timothy 4: 9-15

DEACON: Let us pay attention.

PRIEST: Peace be unto all!

READER: And with your spirit!

DEACON: Wisdom.

READER: The Prokeimenon in the Fourth

Tone: O Lord, how manifold

are Your works; in wisdom

have You made them all.

CHOIR: O Lord, how manifold are Your

works; in wisdom have You

made them all.

READER: v: Bless the Lord, O my soul! O

Lord my God, You are very

great!

CHOIR: O Lord, how manifold are Your

works; in wisdom have You

made them all.

READER: O Lord, how manifold are Your

works.

CHOIR: In wisdom have You made

them all.

DEACON: Wisdom!

READER: The Reading is from the Epistle

of the Holy Apostle Paul to

Timothy.

DEACON: Let us attend!

READER: Brethren, this is a faithful

saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to

this end we both labor and suffer reproach,

because we trust in the living God, who

is the Savior of all men, especially of those

who believe. These things command and

teach. Let no one despise your youth, but be

an example to the believers in word, in

conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in

purity. Till I come, give attention to reading,

АПОСТОЛ: 1 Тимотеју 4: 9-15

Ђакон: Пазимо

Свештеник: Мир свима!

Читац: I Духом Твоме!

Ђакон: Премудрост

Читац: ПРОКИМЕН- глас 4

Како је много дјела Твојих,

Господе; Све си премудро

створио!

Хор: Како је много дјела Твојих,

Господе; Све си премудро

створио!

Читац: Благослови, душо моја

Господа! Господе Боже мој,

велик си веома.

Хор: Како је много дјела Твојих,

Господе; Све си премудро

створио!

Читац: Како је много дјела Твојих,

Господе;

Хор: Све си премудро створио

Ђакон: Премудрост

Читац: Читање је од посланице

Светог апостола Павла до

Тимотеја.

Ђакон: Пазимо

Читац: Ово је истинита ријеч и

достојна свакога примања; Јер за то се и

трудимо и бивамо срамоћени, јер се

надамо у Бога живога, који је спаситељ

свију људи, особито вјерних. Ово

заповиједај и учи. Нико да не презире

твоју младост, али буди образац вјернима

у ријечи, у живљењу, у љубави, у духу, у

вјери, у чистоти. Докле не дођем пази на

читање, утјешавање и учење. Не

занемаруј благодатни дар у теби који ти

to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect

the gift that is in you, which was given to

you by prophecy with the laying on of the

hands of the eldership. Meditate on these

things; give yourself entirely to them, that

your progress may be evident to all.

PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!

READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia,

Alleluia, Alleluia!

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER: Go forth, prosper and reign,

for the sake of meekness,

righteousness and truth!

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER: For You love righteousness,

and hate iniquity.

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

LITURGY GOSPEL: Luke 19: 1-10

At that time, Jesus entered and passed

through Jericho. Now behold, there was a

man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax

collector, and he was rich. And he sought

to see who Jesus was, but could not because

of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So

he ran ahead and climbed up into a

sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going

to pass that way. And when Jesus came to

the place, He looked up and saw him, and

said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and

come down, for today I must stay at your

house.” So he made haste and came down,

and received Him joyfully. But when they

saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has

gone to be a guest with a man who is a

sinner.” Then Zacchaeus stood and said to

the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my

goods to the poor; and if I have taken

anything from anyone by false accusation, I

restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to

him, “Today salvation has come to this

је дат кроз пророчанство полагањем руку

старјешина на тебе. Ово проучавај, у

овоме стој, да се напредак твој покаже у

свему.

Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!

Читац: I Духом Твоме!

Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читац: Похитај, напредуј и владај,

ради истине, кротости и

правде.

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читац: Љубиш правду и мрзиш

безакоње.

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ: Лука 19: 1-10

У то вријеме Исус ушавши у Јерихон,

пролажаше кроз њега. И гле, човјек

звани именом Закхеј, и он бјеше

старјешина цариника, и бјеше богат. И

тражаше да види Исуса ко је он; и не

могаше од народа, јер бјеше малога раста.

И он потрчавши напријед, попе се на

дивљу смокву да га види; јер је поред ње

требало да прође. А кад Исус дође на оно

мјесто, погледавши горе, видје га и рече

му: Закхеју, сиђи брзо; јер ми данас ваља

бити у дому твоме. И сиђе брзо; и прими

га радујући се. И сви који видјеше

негодоваху, говорећи како уђе да гостује

код грјешнога човјека. А Закхеј стаде и

рече Господу: Господе, ево пола имања

свога даћу сиромасима, и ако кога нечим

оштетих, вратићу четвороструко. А Исус

му рече: Данас дође спасење дому овоме;

јер и ово је син Авраамов. Јер Син

Човјечији дође да потражи и спасе

изгубљено.

1

Thursday

February 14

Friday

February 15

Saturday

February 16

Sunday

February 17

1 Peter

4: 12 – 5:5

Hebrews

7: 7 – 17

2 Timothy

2: 11 – 19

2 Timothy

3 :10 – 15

Mark

12: 38 – 44

Luke

2: 22– 40

Luke

18: 2 – 8

Luke

18: 10 – 14

Weekly Scripture Readings

Sunday

February 10

Monday

February 11

Tuesday

February 12

Wednesday

February 13

Epistle: 1 Timothy

4 :9 – 15

1 Peter

2: 21 – 3:9

Hebrews

13: 7 – 16

1 Peter

4: 1 – 11

Gospel: Luke

19: 1 – 10

Mark

12: 13 – 17

Matthew

5: 14 – 19

Mark

12: 28 – 37

house, because he also is a son of

Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to

seek and to save that which was lost.”

MATINS GOSPEL: 4th Resurrection Gospel: Luke 24:1-12

At that time, on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and cer-

tain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had pre-

pared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and

did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were great-

ly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining gar-

ments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to

them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Re-

member how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man

must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise

again.’”

And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all

these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna,

Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to

the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe

them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths

lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

In Our Prayers Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protopresbyter Srboljub and Protinica Ljubica

Jockovic, Priest Ioan Comanescu, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and

Michael Repasky, the child Metodija and his parents Milan and Mira Damljanovic, the

child Danijela and her parents Mark and Jennifer Belo, the newborn Luka Ponac, the

newborn Nathaniel Dušan Rocknage, the newborn Mya Rose, newborn Bo Hudson

Paddock, the newborn Carter Roxann, Janis Meadow and the newly born Adeline Jane

and Peter George, JoAnn Hernjak and the newly born John Nicholas, Meghan Livingston

and the child newly born Mila Ann, Kristin Goodling and the child to be born of her,

Cassandra Semic and the child to be born of her, Heidi Abraham, Olga Atty, Dori Bert,

Jonathan Bertsch, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Milica Christ, Tori Cox,

Orlando Donato, Tommy and Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Alex Filepas, Daniel Garcia, Michael

Geppert III, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Terry Govelovich, Philip Gruich, Basil Havalchak,

Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Georgianne Herigan, Rick & Lynn Hoffman, Anastasia

Jacobs, Susan Jacobs, Zora Jurkovic, Spencer Klinge, Olga Klipa, Dorothy “Tootsie”

Krnjaich, Peter Lalic, Goran Lazarevic, Chloe Lewis, Dianne Martin, Jean Martin, Jack

McFall, Annabelle McLaughlin, Marija Miljkovic, Bozidar (Bob) Mrgich, Peter Mrgich, Dr

Ramon Murphy, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Kelly Rajkovic, Rebecca Reynolds, George

Rocknage, Stanley Semic, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tracey Stanovich, Tim Stefan,

Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Ljubomir “Lou” and Biserka “Helen” Vasity, Madison

Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman

Those Who Need Special Care HOMELAND CENTER: Mary Yanich; JEWISH

COMMUNITY: Camille Kormushoff; MASONIC HOME ELIZABETHTOWN: Ann Lubic,

Jim Mihailoff; Seattle, WA: Catherine Shank; RS: Cedo Lukic

Those Who Are Currently Deployed Nicholas Chung

Our College Students Linsay Barry, Kaitlin Christ, Alex Filepas, Stefan Gligorevic, Bojan

Lazarevic, Tomislav Lojpur, Nikolas Lukic, Andrea Matovich, Igor Pejcic, Ioanna Radanovic,

Kyranna Radanovic, Inna Reznitchenko, Maxim Reznitchenko, Joshua Swartz, Philip Werner

Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones: Nathan Zapcic, Lillian Berkich, Mary “Amy”

Filepas, Milica Petrovich, George Krnjaic, Carole Healy, Audray Anna Roblenski

Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo,

Metohija, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Kenya, Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan, Egypt, the Sudan,

China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, that

they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, for all of those suffering in the war in the Ukraine,

for all our men and women who are serving in the Middle East and around the world, that the peace

of our Lord may come upon them, and for all of those who are in need in our local community.

LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!

Vigils Offered JIM FARANOV Offered in celebration of his 80th birthday (Feb 12). We wish you a

Happy Birthday, with much love for many many years! Love Kuma Arlene & Kum Pete.

MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health

and God’s blessings and loving care during his recovery.

DAN PADDOCK Offered by the Reigel, Hewitt & Mrgich family, for God’s blessings

during Dan’s ongoing recovery and that He will return Dan to good health.

†PAVLE PAUL MRAOVIC Offered in loving memory of our Uncle Paul (43 years —Feb

11) by his nieces and nephews. We pray the Lord grants him rest where there is neither

sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing but life everlasting. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

†MEGAN BOLTON Offered in loving memory of our Godchild/niece/cousin on her

birthday (Feb 15) by Daria, Dave, Jason and Sarah Milletics. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory

Eternal!

Bulletin Board WELCOME TO ST. NICHOLAS!

We warmly welcome all visitors to our St. Nicholas Community this week, and invite and

encourage you to join us in the hall after Divine Liturgy for fellowship.

KSS/CIRCLE OF SERBIAN SISTERS MEETING (TODAY)

The KSS meeting that was scheduled for January 20 has been rescheduled for TODAY,

February 10, at 12:30 pm, in the Library. This meeting will include the election of

officers. All members are encouraged to attend.

SYNAXIS OF THE THREE HOLY HIERARCHS

On Tuesday, Feb 12, we will celebrate the Feast of the Synaxis of the Three Holy

Hierarchs with Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.

PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD IN THE TEMPLE

We will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple beginning with a

Festal Vigil service at 6:30 pm on Thursday, Feb 14, followed by Divine Liturgy on Friday,

February 15 at 9:00 am.

SAINT NICHOLAS SENIORS

The next seniors meeting/luncheon will be Tuesday, February 12, at 12 noon in the

Church Social Hall. We will be having pizza, salad and make your own Sunday for the

luncheon. Hope to see you there.

PAN-ORTHODOX CHOIR REHEARSAL

Fr. Chris invites all singers to participate in the Pan-Orthodox Choir for the Triumph of

Orthodoxy Vespers Service. Rehearsals are on Sunday, February 17, 24 and March 3 at

3pm here at St. Nicholas, and on Saturday, March 16 at 1:30pm at Holy Annunciation in

York. Vespers is on Saturday, March 16 at 4pm in York.

MOTHERS CLUB MEETING

The Mother’s Club will hold their next meeting on Sunday, February 17 after liturgy. All

members are encouraged to attend.

2019 HOUSE BLESSING CONTINUES

As with previous years, Fr. Chris will be blessing homes according to the zip code schedule

printed in the Christmas Messenger and in the bulletin. You will receive a call

beforehand, letting you know which day Fr. will be coming. Please have ready: a candle,

a bowl of water, the list of names you would like Fr. Chris to pray for, both living and

departed.

NO OFFICE HOURS WITH FR CHRIS

If you need to schedule a special appointment with Fr. Chris, please contact the him via

phone or e-mail.

VISITATION REQUESTS

Just a reminder: Fr. Chris is willing to visit anyone who requests. If you would like to

schedule a visit to talk with Fr. Chris, please do so directly with him either through phone

or e-mail. If you are able to come to office hours, this is another way to reach Fr. Chris.

This also includes visits to those who are shut-in and would like to receive Holy Confession

and Holy Communion.

NAME AND CONTACT REQUEST

Our parish is asking for your help! We are looking to reach out to those who have fallen

away from the parish in the past 50 years still remaining in the area. Please send in the

name, address and phone number of people you know to the office.

LENTEN LENDING LIBRARY

If you have any books that are appropriate reading for the pre-Lenten period through

Pascha, and would like to donate them to this project, please bring them to Church and

leave them on the table in the lobby. We are also looking for a small book shelf. Please see

Terry Govelovich with questions or contact her at t2bedd@verizon.net or 717.561.1590.

Thank you in advance for your help!

KSS ANNUAL

MEATLOAF FUNDRAISER

February 24, 2019

Following Divine Liturgy

Cost $8.00 per dinner

Menu includes

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Stuffing, Corn, Apple Sauce & Roll

EAT-IN or TAKE-OUT, FIRST COME—FIRST SERVED

Stewardship Reflection

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Today, Salvation has come to this house!

In Gospel reading on the first Sunday of the Triodion, we reflect on Zacchaeus'

transformation - from a very corrupt tax collector - to someone who had the "desire" to see

and meet Jesus. As Jesus told him that He must join him at his house that day - Jesus has

this same desire to enter our house today - immediately, not tomorrow or next week. With

this transformation, Zacchaeus also committed to sharing half of all he had - a way in

which he could become a more focused Steward with what God had provided for him.

During this upcoming Lenten season, reflect upon what God has provided for you and with

your prayers, consider how you can make an immediate impact with your Time, Talents

and Treasures.

Данас дође спасење дому овом!

У Јеванђељу које читамо у првој недељи Триода - ми се подсећамо Закејевог

преображаја- од веома корумпираног скупљача пореза до некога који жели да упозна

и види Исуса. Како му и сам Исус рече да Он мора ући у дом његов тог дана - тако и

сам Исус има жељу да уђе у наш дом, одмах данас а неки други пут. Са овим

преображајем , Закеј се обавезао да ће да подели пола од оног што има - начин на који

ће он постати прави Старатељ онога што му је Бог дао. Док смо у периоду припреме

доласка Великог поста осврните се на све оно што вам је Бог дао и кроз молитве

размислите како можете да направите непосредни утицај са вашим Талентима ,

Временом и Новцем.

Monday

2/11

Tuesday

2/12

Wednesday

2/13

Thursday

2/14

Friday

2/15

Saturday

2/16

House

Blessings

Three Holy

Hierarchs

9 am Liturgy

House Blessings

12 noon

Seniors meeting

6:30 pm

Choir Rehearsal

House

Blessings

12 noon

PO Bible Study

House

Blessings

6:30 pm

Festal Vigil

Presentation

of Our Lord

9 am Liturgy

House Blessings

House

Blessings

5 pm Vespers

Weekly Schedule

Date Collections Attendance

2/3/2019 $3,186.00 92

1/27/2019 $4,468.00 153

Weekly Offering

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Normal office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9:00 am until noon. You may call the office

during these hours at (717) 939-3872 or come by the office in person. Office hours will be

adjusted when services are occurring during those hours.

PLEASE SEND ALL BULLETIN REQUESTS TO THE CHURCH OFFICE AT

office@stnicholassteelton.org. You may also call at (717) 939-3872.

BULLETIN DEADLINE: TUESDAY AT 11AM.

February Charity St Sava School of Theology – Libertyville IL

St. Sava School of Theology is named in memory of St. Sava, the first archbishop, teacher

and enlightener of the Serbian people. On January 27th we joined our Church School

students in observing St. Sava’s Day and it is fitting that we also offer support to the

theological seminary in the US named for him. The main mission and goal of the school is

to provide religious education and train candidates for the Holy Priesthood in the Serbian

Orthodox Church specifically as well as interested Orthodox Christian individuals of

other ethnic jurisdictions. St. Save School is the educational center for individuals

committed to serving the Serbian Orthodox Church and her people in a multi-lingual

environment. The school presently offers study leading to the Bachelor of Divinity

Degree. Graduate level programs of study are also being developed at the School and in

conjunction with other institutions. Funding is provided by an annual budget proposed

by the School and adopted and implemented by the Central Council of the Serbian

Orthodox Church in the US and Canada. Financial support is sought from all the Serbian

Orthodox Dioceses and church congregations. More information about the School’s

programs, plans and course of study may be found at the diocesan website at the following

link: http://www.serborth.org/education.html

Upcoming House Blessing Schedule

Monday, February 11 — Friday, February 15

17019, 17070, 17315, 17316, 17319, 17331, 17361, 17362, 17363,

17345, 17365, 17339, 17370, 17401, 17406, 17408

(Feb 16 Make-up Day)

Monday, February 18 — Thursday, February 21

17026, 17028, 17032, 17038, 17042, 17045, 17064, 17078, 17502,

17522, 17540, 17543, 17545, 17552, 17557, 17601, 17602, 17603

Monday, February 25 — Saturday, February 29

No House Blessings as Father is out of town

OCCGH partnering with the Bethesda Mission

OCCGH is now partnering with the Bethesda Mission to serve a lunch for approximately 20

women and children on the second Saturday of each month.

If anybody is interested in participating, or for additional information, please contact Andrea

Gunther. Volunteers should plan to be at the center from 10am-1pm on the designated Saturday.

Synaxarion

THE VENERABLE EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN

Ephraim was born in Syria of poor parents during the reign of Emperor Constantine the

Great. He spent his youth rather tempestuously, but suddenly a change took place in his

soul, and he began to burn with love for the Lord Jesus. Ephraim was a disciple of St.

James of Nisibis (January 13). Due to the great grace of God, wisdom flowed from his

tongue like a stream of honey, and ceaseless tears flowed from his eyes. Industrious as a

bee, Ephraim continually wrote books, orally taught the monks in the monastery and the

people in the town of Edessa, and dedicated himself to prayer and contemplation.

Numerous are his books and beautiful are his prayers, the most famous of which is his

prayer recited during the season of Great Lent: “O Lord and Master of my life, a spirit of

idleness, despondency, ambition and idle talking give me not; but rather a spirit of

chastity, humility, patience and love bestow upon me, Thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King,

grant me to see my own faults and not condemn my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the

ages of ages. Amen.” When they wanted to appoint him a bishop by force, he pretended to

be insane and began to race through the city of Edessa, dragging his garment behind him.

Seeing this, the people left him in peace. Ephraim was a contemporary and friend of St.

Basil the Great. St. Ephraim is especially considered to be the apostle of repentance. Even

today, his works soften many hearts hardened by sin and return them to Christ. He

reposed in extreme old age in the year 378.

THE VENERABLE ISAAC THE SYRIAN, BISHOP OF NINEVAH (7TH C.)

Isaac was born in Nineveh, and in his youth he lived an ascetic life in the Monastery of

Mar Matthew, in the proximity of Nineveh. When Isaac became known because of the

sanctity of his life and his many miracles, he was elected Bishop of Nineveh and was

forced to accept that rank. After only five months, however, he left the bishopric and

secretly withdrew into the wilderness, to the Monastery of Rabban-Shabur. He compiled

many works, of which about a hundred homilies on the spiritual life and asceticism,

written primarily from his personal experience, have come down to us today. He was

unequaled as a psychologist and director in the spiritual life. Even such saints as St.

Simeon of the Wonderful Mountain sought counsel from him. Isaac reposed in extreme old

age toward the end of the seventh century.*)