COMMEMORATION OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE SEVENTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL (787). THE HOLY ICONS.
On the Sunday of the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, the Church remembers the 350 holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, Nicea II, under the holy Patriarch Tarasius.
The Holy Fathers of the Ecumenical Councils are honored by the Church because, based upon the preaching of the Apostles, they have established one faith for the Church. Guided by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and accepted by the Church, the Ecumenical Councils are the highest authority in the Church, infallible.
The Seventh Ecumenical Council, convoked by the Empress Irene and met at Nicaea from September 24 to October 13, 787. Patriarch Tarasios (commemorated February 25) presided. The council ended almost fifty years of iconoclast persecution and established the veneration of the holy icons as basic to the belief and spirituality of Christ’s Church. As the Synaxarion says, “It was not simply the veneration of the holy images that the Fathers defended in these terms but, in fact, the very reality of the Incarnation of the Son of God.”
“The second Council of Nicaea is the seventh and last Ecumenical Council recognized by the Orthodox Church. This does not mean that there may not be ecumenical Councils in the future although, in holding the seventh place, the Council of Nicaea has taken to itself the symbol of perfection and completion represented by this number in Holy Scripture (e.g. Gen. 2:1-3). It closes the era of the great dogmatic disputes which enabled the Church to describe, in definitions excluding all ambiguity, the bounds of the holy Orthodox Faith. From that time, every heresy that appears can be related to one or other of the errors that the Church, assembled in universal Councils, has anathematized from the first until the seventh Council of Nicaea.” Synaxarion
“Pray hard – Play hard” at St. Nicholas
Last night, October 14, 2023, we had a small but strong group called “Pray hard – Play hard”, Young Catholic Adults at St. Nicholas Parish.
They started socializing with pizza and concluded with Vespers, which was a highlight of the evening. Some of our regular Sunday attendees participated as well at the Vespers service. We hope that more of our young adults will participate in these events and services.
A big thank you to the St. Nicholas parish on their behalf for opening doors for them and sharing this holy place of prayer with them.
Іван Франко – Vivere memento!
Весно, що за чудо ти
Твориш в моїй груди?
Чи твій поклик з мертвоти
Й серце к жизні будить?
Вчора тлів, мов Лазар, я
В горя домовині –
Що ж се за нова зоря
Мені блисла нині?
Дивний голос мя кудись
Кличе – тут-то, ген-то:
«Встань, прокинься, пробудись!
Vivere memento!»
Вітре теплий, брате мій,
Чи твоя се мова?
Чи на гірці світляній
Так шумить діброва?
Травко, чи се, може, та
Втішно так шептала,
Що з-під криги мертвоти
Знов на світло встала?
Чи се, може, шемріт твій,
Річко, срібна ленто,
Змив мій смуток і застій?
Vivere memento!
Всюди чую любий глас,
Клик життя могучий…
Весно, вітре, люблю вас,
Гори, ріки, тучі!
Люди, люди! Я ваш брат,
Я для вас рад жити,
Серця свого кров’ю рад
Ваше горе змити.
А що кров не зможе змить,
Спалимо огнем то!
Лиш боротись значить жить…
Vivere memento!
14 октября 1883
Українська поезія та література
CHILDREN’S/YOUTH CHOIR
Many years ago we had a very successful children’s, then youth choir here at St. Nicholas Parish. We would like to start up such a choir again, so all children and youth are invited to meet for the first rehearsal on Sunday, October22 after the Divine Liturgy. Immediately following the Liturgy, children/youth are asked to take 10 minutes to have a snack and then meet upstairs in the choir loft for a half hour rehearsal. Participants will be singing responses to the Divine Liturgy and learning to sing Ukrainian folk songs and children’s songs.
Багато років тому тут, при парафії Святого Миколая, у нас був дуже успішний дитячий, потім молодіжний хор. Ми б хотіли знову створити такий хор, тому запрошуємо всіх дітей та молодь на першу репетицію в неділю 22 жовтня після Божественної Літургії. Відразу після Літургії дітей/молодь просять приділити 10 хвилин, щоб перекусити, а потім зустрітися нагорі в хорі для півгодинної репетиції. Учасники співатимуть відповіді на Божественну Літургію та навчатимуться співу українських народних та дитячих пісень.
Дякую,
Joyce Chrunik-Rudiak
UCWLC Sponsored Liturgy for the Deceased:
St. Nicholas UCWLC will be offering a Panakhyda Service following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 5, 2023 for parishioners who have lost a loved one since May 2023. Currently we will be offering service for Liz Hladunewich. If there is anyone else you know that should be added to the list, please contact Eleanor at 780-464-6360 or wbusko@shaw.ca so that we may have the candles ready.
Scholarships – St. Nicholas UCWLC provides scholarships to students in Grades 9 and 12 who have attained honors (80%). To be eligible, parents must be members of St. Nicholas Parish and meet the Edmonton Catholic Schools Criteria which states “The criteria for Honours is: A core average of 80% of higher in English Language Arts, Social, Math, Science and Religion 80%.” Scholarships will be presented at Praznyk being held December 3, 2023.
For more information please contact Eleanor Busko at 780-464-6360
The Office for Family and Life – Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has released its latest issue of All Things News (Quarterly Publication • Fifth Edition • Fall 2023). This issue includes a welcome message, reflection, tools for parishes and families, and other helpful resources.
Several important upcoming dates celebrating Family and Life include:
October 4-29, 2023: “Synod on Synodality” (Session 1) 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops
December 3, 2023: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 31, 2023: Feast of the Holy Family
February 4-10, 2024: National Catholic Health Care Week
February 11, 2024: World Day of the Sick
May 13-19, 2024: National Family & Life Week 2024
July 18, 2024: World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Statement by the Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary and CCCB President, to the Catholic Faithful in Canada on the Recent Escalation of Conflict in the Holy Land
Over these last few days, the world has witnessed a rapid escalation of armed conflict in the Holy Land, with reports of a growing number of wounded or dead, including innocent civilians.
As the Holy Land is immersed in this violence and bloodshed, we remember that Jesus, the Son of God, who lived and walked there as Love Incarnate, through His teaching by word and deed, calls us as brothers and sisters to be always united by the bond of charity.
I invite the Catholic faithful in Canada to join other people of good will, here and around the world, in imploring God to move the hearts of those leaders engaged in the present conflict in order to deescalate the acts of terrorism, cease violence and war, and resume constructive efforts that are aimed at establishing lasting peace and concord. As we pray for peace, let us remember all the families and individuals suffering because of this most recent outbreak of violence.
As Christians we are compelled by the teachings and example of Jesus to pray for peace throughout the world. In a fraternal spirit of solidarity with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim brothers and sisters, let us join together in recalling God’s desire for peace in the land that
Jesus Christ called home.
12 October 2023
HORIZON OF HOPE: A TOOLKIT FOR CATHOLIC PARISHES ON PALLIATIVE CARE
How does our faith in Christ help us to understand the human experience of dying and death?
You are invited to join this 4-part program OCT. 16, 23, 30 Nov. 6, 7:00 – 9:00 pm focusing on Catholic teaching regarding end of life care. We will share and discuss the importance of palliative care and learn more about how we can respond to our Christian call to provide compassionate care for our loved ones at the end of life.
Parishes and church groups across Alberta will connect virtually and in person. There will be two in person centres: St. Stephen Protomartyr parish hall, 4903 – 45 St., SW, Calgary AND St. Josaphat’s Cathedral basement, 10825 97th Street N.W. Edmonton.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Those seeking to learn about palliative care in the Catholic Church, caregivers, persons diagnosed with a terminal illness, family members who need guidance, parishioners & pastoral care teams.
REGISTER AT: https://tinyurl.com/Eparchyhorizonofhope2023 or find the link on the Edmonton Eparchy website. If you cannot attend in person, you are welcome to join virtually. You will receive the Zoom link when you register online.
CONTACT: socialjustice@eeparchy.com
Called to be Holy – Men’s Retreat/Conference
All Men! You are invited to attend the 8th annual “Called to be Holy,”
Oct 27 & 28, 2023
THE LITURGY OF LIFE; FROM TABLE TO MISSION
Join other men of faith to learn, laugh, and pray as you grow in faith. We are excited to welcome Fr. Matthew Hysell as our keynote speaker in the prayerful surroundings of Holy Spirit seminary!
In the Divine Liturgy we are nourished first by the Word of God and then ultimately in the Eucharist. From there we are sent out to the world. We will look closely at how our partaking in the Eucharist – being at the Table of Our Lord, prepares us to approach life with an attitude of thankfulness, evangelization, discipleship, and mission, whatever our place in the world may be.
DATES & TIMES: Oct 27, 6:30 pm – 8:15 pm., Oct 28, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
LOCATION: Holy Spirit Seminary, 12909 – 113 Avenue NW., Edmonton.
COST:
Price includes Saturday breakfast, lunch and snacks. Optional Friday supper available for $20.00. CONTACT: Bernadette: 780-424-5496 or email: education@edmontoneparchy.com
REGISTRATION: Deadline to register is Oct 21. No late registrations will be accepted. Online: https://tinyurl.com/Calledtobeholy2023 or find the link on the Edmonton Eparchy website https://eeparchy.com/
A limited number of rooms are available for overnight stays. Register early if you want to stay at the seminary on Friday night.
