It is with great sadness that we announce the falling asleep of Father Maryan’s brother Peter, 62, in the Ukraine. Following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, December 4, he unexpectedly collapsed and suffered a heart attack.   We extend our deepest sympathy to Father Maryan and his family from all the parishioners and friends of St. John’s.  “Give rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy servant, Peter, and establish him in Paradise, Where the Choirs of the Saints, and of the Just, O Lord, shine like the starts of heaven.”   May His Memory Be Eternal.  

The “Winter Pascha.” Jesus lay as an infant in the cavern in the reign of Caesar Augustus that He might lay in the tomb under Pontius Pilate. He was hounded by Herod that He might be caught by Caiaphas. He was buried in baptism that He might descent into death through the Cross. He was worshipped by wise men that the whole of creation might adore Him in His triumph over death. The Pascha of His Cross was prepared by the Pascha of His Coming. The Pascha of His Resurrection was begun by the Pascha of His Incarnation. The Pascha of His Glorification was foretold by the Pascha of His Baptism. This is what Christians celebrate each year in what Father Alexander Schmemann was the first to call “the Winter Pascha.”

St. Athanasius says: “What was God to do in the face of the dehumanizing of mankind? What else could He possibly do, being God, but renew His image in mankind so that through it man might come once more to know Him? And how could this be done except by the coming of the very Image Himself, our Savior Jesus Christ?    

Join us for our services all listed in the calendar and prepare for the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. On that very special day, sing with us: “Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has shown to the world the light of wisdom!"   Quoted above St. Athanasius is saying: “What was God to do in the face of the dehumanizing of mankind?   Perhaps God will again come to help at this current dehumanizing of mankind.   We should all plan to greet Jesus at His coming Nativity Services and demonstrate our love for Him and His sacrifice for us. God came because He loves you, now you have to come to show you care and give thanks.

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating their birthday in December: Greg Cahayla on December 6, Effie Stankovci, and Georgiana Stankiewicz, both on December 7, and Elizabeth Hook on December 27.  A very happy birthday to everyone celebrating their birthday in December and May God grant you all Many Years!

The response to our appeal for gifts for the seminarian families we are sponsoring this year for Christmas has been very inspirational. Father, the Passaic “O” Club, and the trustees of St. John’s are all grateful for the loving response, and thank everyone for their participation. We wish you a blessed Christmas season and may the light of Christ’s Holy Nativity guide you throughout the coming year!

Also, Helen Baron, our coordinator for the food pantry, wants to thank everyone for their generous support in supplying food and money throughout the Thanksgiving season. Many grateful families and individuals, who otherwise would have had an empty table, sat down to a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner due to the help provided by those who care.  Please continue your support and help re-stock the empty shelves especially now that we are approaching Christmas. Thank you.

On December 6, we celebrate our beloved Saint Nicholas. St. Nicholas lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great and reposed in 330. As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life and made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. Eventually he returned to his homeland Myra and was ordained bishop. The Dismissal hymn for holy hierarchs, ….The truth of things hath revealed Thee toThy flock.… was written originally for St. Nicholas. He is the patron saint of all travelers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.