ST. MARY ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

854 Woodbridge Street, St. Paul, MN 55117 www.saintmarymn.org

Parish priest: Mircea Vasiu - home (651) 489-561

- office (651) 488-5669 / cell (734) 497-4544

- email: frmirceavasiu@yahoo.com

INVATATURA DESPRE SF. SPOVEDANIE

Aflandu-ne in timpul Postului, m-am gandit sa va vorbesc cate ceva despre taina Sfintei Spovedanii.

Una din marile datorii duhovnicesti ale crestinilor este spovedania pacatelor. Trebuie sa stim mai intai ca toti gresim inaintea lui Dumnezeu, unii mai mult, altii mai putin, si nimeni nu este fara de pacat.

Acest lucru ni-l arata Sfanta Scriptura care zice : “Toti multe gresim. Iar de vom zice ca pacat nu avem, pe noi insine ne inselam si adevarul nu este in noi; iar daca ne vom marturisi pacatele, credincios si drept este Dumnezeu, ca sa ne ierte noua pacatele si sa ne curateasca pe noi de toata intinaciunea si nedreptatea.” (1 Ioan 1, 8-9).

Dar folosul si valoarea Sfintei Spovedanii nu tine de preot, ci noi insine. Daca ne ducem cu toata sfintenia, cu toata convingerea in fata lui Dumnezeu trebuie sa-i marturisim toate pacatele noastre.

Iata care sunt conditiile pe care trebuie sa le implineasca spovedania :

1. Spovedania trebuie sa se faca inaintea duhovnicului. Deci, eu cand ma duc la spovedanie inaintea preotului, ma duc in fata lui Dumnezeu. Ce nu i-am spus, nu-i dezlegat nici pe pamant, nici in cer.

2. Spovedania trebuie sa fie completa si sa nu se ascunda nimic din cele faptuite, adică să cuprindă toate păcatele făcute de la ultima spovedanie (sau care nu au fost mărturisite nici odată) şi să nu ascundă nimic din cele făptuite;

3. Spovedania trebuie facuta de buna voie, dupa marturia Duhului Sfant, care zice : si din voia mea ma voi marturisi Lui;

4. Spovedania trebuie sa fie facuta cu umilinta, caci “inima infranta si smerita Dumnezeu nu o va urgisi” (Psalm 50);

5. Spovedania sa nu fie prihanitoare, adica sa nu dam vina pe nimeni, nici pe oameni, nici pe

vreo alta zidire a lui Dumnezeu, nici chiar pe diavoli. La spovedanie numai pe noi sa ne invinuim si sa ne prihanim, cum zice Sfantul Ioan Scararul : " A mea este rana; dintru a mea lenevire s-a facut, iar nu dintr-a altuia ".

6. Spovedania se cuvine sa fie dreapta, adica sa spui adevarul, fara rusine. Rusinea aceasta pe care o suferi la spovedanie te scuteste pe tine de rusinea aceea pe care o vom suferi cu totii la ziua cea infricosata a Judecatii lui Dumnezeu.

7. Spovedania sa fie hotaratoare. Sa luam inaintea duhovnicului o mare hotarare de a nu mai pacatui, cu ajutorul dumnezeiescul har si cu vointa noastra sa indeplinim aceata hotarare.

Aceata este porunca pe care Mantuitorul a dat-o Sf. Apostoli “Luati Duh Sfant; carora le veti tine pacatele, tinute vor fi si carora le veti ierta, iertate vor fi si orice veti dezlega voi pe pamant, va fi dezlegat si in cer ...” si mai departe Apostolii au lasat-o celor pe care “si-au pus mainile” (hirotonit).

Precum camasa (hainele) trebuie spalata, asa si sufletul trebuie spalat mereu prin deasa spovedanie, caci daca se murdareste, noi nu umblam asa ? Dumnezeu este atat de milostiv si de bun, incat ne iarta raul ce l-am facut, daca noi ne intoarcem din toata inima si ne marturisim.

Ati vazut ce spune proorocul Isaia : Intoarceti-va catre Mine si Ma voi intoarce catre voi, fiii oamenilor. De vor fi pacatele voastre ca mohoraciunea, ca zapada va voi albi, si de vor fi ca roseala, ca luna le voi face albe si nu voi mai pomeni cele dintai ale voastre.

Iar ca sa stam departe de pacate trebuie sa avem catre noi inima de judecator. Adica cum ? Sa ne judecam. Oare, ce gandim noi ii place lui Dumnezeu ? Ce vorbim noi oare ii place lui Dumnezeu ? Ce fac eu acum oare ii place lui Dumnezeu ?

PERSONS WHO PAID THEIR 2012 MEMBERSHIP LAST MONTH Despina Stefan $ 125

Pascutoi Mike $ 125

Pascutoi Paula $ 125

Korolchuk Constanta $ 125

ADUNAREA GENERALA / GENERAL ASSEMBLY (SINOD)

Multumim tuturor care au participat la Adunarea Generala Duminica, 12 Februarie,

2012. La aceasta sedinta au avut loc si alegerile noului consiliu parohial.

I would like to THANK to everyone who participated patiently to our annual

General Assembly. We wish for future meetings to be more parishioners present. At the

meeting, held Sunday, February 12, 2012 we elected the following officers:

Council President: Adrian Pirviu;

Vice President: Georgia Marinkov-Omorean;

Secretary: Silvia Antonescu;

Treasurer: Octavian Cornea,

Epitrop: John Omorean, Nicholas Manciu; Andrei Bortnov,

Auditor: P-sa Eugenia Cerghizan & Dan Luca;

Members: Fiodor Didenco; Dragos Calotescu; Anthony Infiesto;

Congress delegates: Silvia Antonescu & Constanta Korolchuk;

Ex- Officio: Fr. Mircea Vasiu, Dorina Vincze Turcean (Ladies Auxiliary).

CANDLES IN THE FRONT AND INSIDE THE ALTAR

On 02/26/2012 au fost donate de familia Baurceanu pentru

sanatate si fericirea familiei;

On 03/04/2012 were donated by Georgia M. Omorean IMO her

brother Nikolas Marinkov. May God rest his soul!

On 03/11/2012 were donated by Ioan Osvar IMO Vasilica Osvar.

Dumnezeu s-o ierte!

On 03/04/2012 were donated by Gabriela E. Jancik for the health of her family;

On 03/04/2012 were donated by Dragos Calotescu IMO of the departed from

his family;

Pentru Saptamana patimilor si Duminica Sfintelor Pasti au fost donate de

Marian & Mariana Tudosie ($ 120) – pentru sanatatea si bunastarea

familiei;

RUGACIUNEA SF. EFREM SIRUL THE PRAYER OF ST. EPHRAIM

Doamne si stapanul vietii mele! O Lord and Master of my life!

Duhul trandaviei si al grijii de multe, Remove from me the spirit of laziness

al iubirii de stapanire of lust power and of idle talk

si al vorbirii in desert nu mi-l da mie” (prostration)

(metanie) Instead, give me, Your servant,

Iar duhul curatiei si al gandului smerit, the spirit of purity, of meekness

al rabdarii si al dragostei, of patience and love.

daruieste-l mie, slugii Tale. (metanie) (prostration)

Asa, Doamne, daruieste-mi mie Yes, o Lord and King,

sa vad greselile mele help me to see my own transgressions

si sa nu osandesc pe fratele meu, and not to judge my brother.

ca binecuvantat esti in veci. Amin (metanie) (prostration)

(Acesta rugaciune se spune in fiecare zi din (We say this prayer every day during the

Postul Mare, inafara de Sambata si Duminica ) Great Lent, except Saturday and Sunday)

Dintre toate cantarile si rugaciunile din timpul Postului, aceasta scurta rugaciune

poate fi considerata rugaciunea specifica a acestuia – rugaciunea Sfantului Efrem Sirul:

Aceasta rugaciune este citita si o metanie urmeaza fiecarei cereri. Apoi facem cu totii

douasprezece inchinaciuni, spunand: "Dumnezeule, curateste-ma pe mine pacatosul!"

De ce ocupa un loc asa de important aceasta scurta si simpla rugaciune in slujbele de

Post?

Pentru ca recapituleaza intr-un mod unic toate elementele pozitive si negative ale

pocaintei si constituie, sa spunem asa, o "verificare" pentru ostenelile noastre personale de-

a lungul Postului.

Acestea au ca scop mai intai eliberarea noastra de cateva boli duhovnicesti

fundamentale – precum trandavia, grija de tot felul de lucruri, care aduce deznadejdea, al

iubirii de stapanire, lacomia si al vorbirii in desert – ce ne modeleaza viata si fac practic

imposibila chiar incercarea de a ne intoarce noi insine catre Dumnezeu.

Apoi cerem ca sa dobindim vitutiile in schimbul pactelor si sa ne vedem greselile

noastre, nu pe ale celorlalti – adica sa fim smeriti.

RULES FOR HOLY COMMUNION

Only those who are of the

Orthodox faith may receive Holy

Communion. This is not meant to spite

those who are not Orthodox; it is

because Holy Communion is the true

Body and Blood of Christ, and faith

and preparation are required before its

reception.

In the early Christian church,

non-Christians were not allowed to

attend the Liturgy of the Faithful, at

which the mystery of the Holy

Eucharist was performed.

At the same time, Orthodox

Christians must never receive

Communion in a non-Orthodox church,

even if the other church allows this.

Orthodox Christians who wish to

receive Communion must go to

Confession, and must spiritually and

mentally prepare for receiving God

Himself. The night before, it is

customary to read special prayers

before Holy Communion. Also, a total

fast (no food or drink) should be kept,

starting at midnight.

COMING EVENTS

- LENTEN RETREAT – March 09-11, 2012 at St George Greek OC, St Paul 1111

Summit Ave, St Paul, MN 55105. THE THEME IS “Encountering World Religions: An

Orthodox Christian Perspective.” Guest Speaker: Fr. Alexander Goussetis

Friday, March 09

6:00PM Akathistos/Salutations Service 7:30PM Lenten Meal,

8:00PM Lecture: Introduction, Personal Reflections & Primal Religions

Saturday, March 19

10:00AM Coffee and Fellowship10:30AM Morning Presentation: Major Eastern Religions

12:00PM Lenten Potluck Luncheon

1:00PM Afternoon Presentation: Monotheistic Religions

3:00PM Great Vespers Service For more information go to www.stgeorgegoc.org.

- Parastas - Sunday, March 04, 2012 offered by Ioan Osvar IMO Vasilica Osvar

- Parastas - Sunday, March 25, 2012 offered by Bortnov Family;

- Sunday, April 01, 2012 (St. Mary of Egypt) LENTEN VESPERS @ 4:00 pm followed

by Lenten dinner

- Sunday, April 08, 2012 ( Palm Sunday ) FISH DINNER after Divine Liturgy.

- FESTIVAL OF NATIONS – FOOD BOOTH – May 3-6, 2012. WE NEED YOUR

SUPORT AND HELP TO MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCES. Please offer your help

to our parish and contact us as soon as possible. We need your help on all 4

days for cooking and selling food at the booth. Please contact us for more details.

THANK YOU.

POMENIREA MORTILOR ~ MEMORIAL SERVICES

SAMBATA 03, 17, 31 Martie & 06 Aprilie, 2012 avem SF. LITURGHIE la 10:00

AM & PARASTAS DE OBSTE la 11:30 AM pentru cei adormiti. Oricine doreste sa-i

pomeneasca pe cei adormiti din familile lor ii invitam sa participle la slujbele de parastas. In

Biserica Ortodoxa, pomenirea mortilor are o traditie inradacinata, deoarece rugaciunile

noastre pentru cei adormiti au un rol important la odihna lor vesnica.

Saturday (03, 17, 31 of March and 06 April) we have Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am

and Memorial Service (Parastas) in our church.

LENTEN VESPERS

DATE, EVENT AND LOCATION

March 04, 2012 (Orthodoxy Sunday) Lenten Vespers – 4 pm - St.

Mary Cathedral OCA, Minneapolis

March 11, 2012 (St. Gregory Palamas)– 4:00 PM - St. George Greek OC St. Paul

March 18, 2012 (Veneration of the Cross)– 4:00 pm – St. George AOC W. St. Paul

March 25, 2012 (St. John Climacus)– 4 pm – St. Elizabeth Mission, Eagan

April 01, 2012 (St. Mary of Egypt) Lenten Vespers – 4 pm - St. Mary Romanian OC

April 08, 2012 Bridegroom Matins – 4:00 pm - St. Hermans OCA , Minneapolis

MONTHLY OFFERINGS

Al & Libby Imbrobe $ 25

Doru & Una Posteuca $ 100

Philip & Myra Tocanita $ 50 IMO George Funari

Ann M. Marinkov $ 150 (Feb. pledge)

Georgia M. Omorean $ 25 (Feb. pledge)

Serban & Elena Simian $ 50 IMO Serban’s mother-Cornelia

Silvia Antonescu $ 60 (Feb. & March pledge)

Liliana Badea $ 25 (Feb. pledge)

Silvia Antonescu $ 10 - prescura

Sebastian & Andreea Tudosie $ 25

Serban & Elena Simian $ 50 IMO their departed

The following donations have been designated to St. Mary IMO Nicholas Rada

Marinkov by Ann Margaret, Maria and Georgia (Marinkov) May God rest his soul!

Al & Libby Imbrobe $ 25

Ann Bongard $ 25

Popa Family (Babe, Mary, John & Stevie) $ 25

Manciu family, Octavian Cornea, Caterine

Rankin, Dolly Davies, Dolores Dennnard,

Marcia & Jerry Yanz & other friends $ 300

To all the donors many thanks and MAY GOD BLESS YOU

abundantly this year with peace, health and happiness!

FISH DINNER ~ ON PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 08, 2012

After Divine Liturgy

Toata lumea este invitata sa participle.

Everybody is welcome

Avem nevoie pentru Sf. Biserica:

Ulei pentru candele de la icoanele Altarului (folosim ulei de masline)

Donatori pentru lumanarile mari de pe Sfanta masa

We need for Holy Church:

Oil for candles in front of the Altar (we use olive oil only)

Sponsors for Holy Table candles from Altar

For donations or more information, please contact Fr. Mircea

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT – SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY

The proclamation from the 7th

Ecumenical Council for Orthodoxy Sunday:

As the prophets beheld, as the apostles have taught us, as the church has received, as the

teachers have dogmatized, as the universe has agreed, as grace has illumined, as truth has

revealed, as falsehood has been dispelled, as wisdom has presented, as Christ has triumphed;

this we believe and declare, this we preach: Christ our true God, and His saints we honor in

words, in writings, in thoughts, in sacrifices, in temples, in icons, on the one hand bowing

down and worshipping Christ as God and Master, on the other honoring [His saints] as true

servants of the master of all, and offering to them due veneration.

This is the faith of the apostles!

This is the faith of the fathers!

This is the faith of the Orthodox!

This is the faith which has established the universe!

FLORI PENTRU SF. MORMANT SI SF. PASTI ~ EASTER FLOWER OFFERING

If you would like to offer (donate) flowers for the Tomb of our Lord and Easter

Sunday (aprox. $15.00 each pot), please contact the epitrops and give your

offering in time. Flowers may be taken home on Easter Sunday following the

Divine Liturgy.

Daca doriti sa oferiti flori pentru Sfantul Mormant al Domnului si Duminca Invierii

(aprox $15.00 un ghiveci). va rugam sa luati legatura cu epitropii; va rugam sa donati din

timp. Florile pot fi luate acasa dupa Sfanta Liturghie din Duminica Invierii.

In the name of the Ladies Auxiliary, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to our spring celebration “Balul

Martisorului,” which took place on Saturday, February 25. A huge

thank you:

to the ladies who cooked in the kitchen: Doina and

Sonia Neculescu, Silvia Antonescu, Constanta Dinca- Korolchuck,

Eugenia Cerghizan, Dorina Vincze- Turcean.

to the ladies who made the delicious pastries: Irinel Ardeleanu, Ramona

Tudosie, Dorina Vincze-Turcean.

to Psa Anca Vasiu who set up the festivity hall.

to Pasha Bortnova and Silvia Antonescu who put together the artistic

entertainment program.

We, The Ladies Auxiliary, would like to congratulate all the children and the

grown-ups on your performances!

Thank everyone for your financial support which helped us raise $949.

Sincerely, Dorina Vincze Turcean

Ladies Auxiliary President