Singing God’s praises through life

David Mayernik Jr. | July 3, 2020

St. Gregory Cantor George Tichi Celebrates 90 Years

After George Tichi left the operating room following bypass surgery to alleviate blocked arteries in 2000, the first words out of his mouth was a Troparion.

“When I was coming out of the anesthetic, I vaguely remember I was singing the Troparion from Theophany,” said the cantor at St. Gregory in Upper St. Clair, Pa. of 45 years.

“The nurses and doctors were startled; (they) wanted to know what I was saying. The nurse there recognized the melody as being a religious melody.

“I still know the Slavonic rendition of it today. I can sing it off the top of my head.”

After turning 90 years old on May 24, George is still using his voice to praise God.

The coronavirus situation didn’t put a damper on his birthday party, as 34 honking cars filled with family and friends from St. Gregory drove past his house in Mount Lebanon, Pa.

“I was so very surprised. You could have bowled me over. They kept it a secret from me…of all the people who ever
knew about it, nobody ‘spilled it out’. I knew nothing about it,” George said.

“They wouldn’t let me go outside where they had all the preparations and everything. Then I heard someone say,

‘Where are they? When are they coming?’ I didn’t know who ‘they’ were and what ‘they’ were doing. Then I saw the police; when they came down, they turned their sirens on and flashing lights.”

George was born in the Greenfield section of Pittsburgh, Pa. and was baptized, made his First Holy Communion and married his wife of 70 years, Patricia, at St. John Chrysostom.

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God grants us inspiration to create a New Jubilee

Deacon Paul Bobiege Nativity of the Mother of God, Dubois, Pa. | July 3, 2020

Christ is Risen!
God is truly a mystery to us creatures. In this Gospel people claimed to know God better than Jesus. Some scoffed at the son of a carpenter and wanted him to keep quiet and go away. Others were amazed at the miracle but couldn’t understand what Jesus was teaching.
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There’s no place like home

David Mayernik Jr. | July 3, 2020

I did something on June 7 I haven’t done in a long time. Almost three months, in fact. I went to church.

With Allegheny County entering the “Green Phase” June 5, churches in Archeparchy of Pittsburgh have begun reopening their doors to faithful.

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Always, our call is to be loving

Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick | July 3, 2020

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Are you a lover? I’m always trying to be a better lover. We are created in love and for love.

This is God’s way. In Baptism, Chrismation, we are renewed in this love and sent forth to love others. We’re nourished in the Eucharist for this.

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Christians called to intercede for, not condemn others, pope says

Junno-Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service | July 3, 2020

VATICAN CITY — True believers do not condemn people for their sins or shortcomings but intercede on their behalf with God through prayer, Pope Francis said.

Just as Moses implored God’s mercy for his people when they sinned, Christians also must act as intermediaries because even “the worst sinners, the wickedest people, the most corrupt leaders — they are children of God,” the pope said June 17 during his weekly general audience.

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WORLD NEWS (Catholic News Service)

Read the latest world news as reported by Catholic News Service. With headquarters in Washington, offices in New York and Rome, and correspondents around the world, CNS provides the most comprehensive coverage of the church today.

New York Archdiocese closes 20 schools; six more close in Brooklyn Diocese
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-09
Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. from WHO 'deeply regrettable,' CHA says
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-09
Decline in confession called harmful to church's mission to spread Gospel
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-08
Update: U.S. bishops welcome court decision on Catholic schools
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-08
Court rules in favor of employer exemptions to contraceptive coverage
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-08
Retired Pope Benedict follows his brother's funeral virtually
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-08
Pope: Migrants seeking new life end up instead in 'hell' of detention
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-08
Trump expected to refile paperwork soon in his effort to end DACA
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-07
Vatican task force calls for an end to arms production
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-07
Focolare member in Colombia pays it forward by helping fellow migrants
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-07
Faith leaders ask Congress to boost overseas pandemic aid
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-06
Soto: 'Strenuous labor' of ending racism shouldn't be 'toppled' by looting
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-06
At Angelus, pope backs U.N. resolution calling for global cease-fire
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-06
John Feister of Glenmary Challenge wins St. Francis de Sales Award
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-02
Archives reveal abuse allegations against founder of Schonstatt movement
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-02
Vatican's top diplomat meets about Mideast with U.S., Israeli ambassadors
Source: CNS Published on 2020-07-02

An Explantation of the Byzantine Rite Liturgical Practice of Observing All Souls Saturdays

ETERNAL MEMORY! VIČNAJA PAMJAT’! ALL SOULS SATURDAY “The Holy Fathers were convinced that the commemoration of the departed by alms and sacrifices (Divine Liturgies) brings great comfort and benefit to them.” (SYNAXARION FOR MEAT-FARE SATURDAY) O Church, equally observed in … Continue reading →

	July 2020
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
			1 Cosmas and Damian Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian Unmercenaries July 1, 2020 The holy unmercenary wonderworkers Cosmas and Damian (303). The holy priest-martyr Theodore Romza, Bishop of Mukachevo, brave defender of the Byzantine Catholic Church, killed by the Soviets A.D. (1947). See more details •	2 Deposition of the Robe of the Theotokos Deposition of the Robe of the Theotokos July 2, 2020 Deposition of the Venerable Robe of The Theotokos, in the church of Blachernae at Constantinople in the reign of the Emperor Leo and his consort Irene. Our holy father, Juvenal, who, after St. Cyril was the third Patriarch of Jerusalem, died A.D. 454 during the reign of Marcian and Pulcheria, Emperors. See more details •	3 Hyacinth Hyacinth July 3, 2020 St. Hyacinth, Martyr, a chamberlain of the Emperor Trajan at Caesarea in Cappadocia. Accused of being a Christian, he was cruelly scourged and cast into prison and given no food except meat consecrated to idols. He lingered many days and died of hunger about A.D. 108. Our holy father, Anatolius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who flourished A.D. 453 during the reign of the Emperor Marcian. See more details •	4 Andrew of Jerusalem Andrew of Jerusalem July 4, 2020 Our holy father, Andrew, the Jerusalemite, Archbishop of Crete. He died A.D. 686, under the reign of Justinian II, Emperor. See more details •
5 5th Sunday After Pentecost 5th Sunday After Pentecost July 5, 2020 Rom 10:1-10 Mt 8:28-9:1 See more details •	6 Sisoes the Great Sisoes the Great July 6, 2020 Our venerable father, Sisoes the Great, Hermit and Anchorite in Egypt. He died about A.D. 429 after 62 years in the wilderness. See more details •	7 Thomas & Acacius Thomas & Acacius July 7, 2020 Our venerable fathers, Thomas of Malea and Acacius who is mentioned in "The Ladder of Perfection." St. Cyriaca, Martyr, a wealthy Roman widow who sheltered persecuted Christians. Her charity cost her life. She was scourged to death as a Christian A.D. 249, under persecutor Decius, Emperor. See more details •	8 Procopius Procopius July 8, 2020 St. Procopius, Great-Martyr, a Palestinian Christian, a Lector and Interpreter in the Church of Scythopolis. Arrested in the persecution under Diocletian, he was brought to Caesarea, boldly confessed his Faith before judges, was sentenced and executed A.D. 303. See more details •	9 Pancratius Pancratius July 9, 2020 St. Pancratius, Priest-Martyr, Bishop of Taormina, was a disciple of St. Peter the Apostle, who sent him as a missionary Bishop into Sicily, where he laid down his life for Christ. St. Theodore, Bishop of Edessa and The fasting Ten Thousand Saints. See more details •	10 Anthony of the Caves Anthony of the Caves July 10, 2020 Our venerable father, Anthony of the "Kiev-Cave," being the first of all the Monks of "Rus" to lead a monastic life during the sovereignty of Vladimir the Great, Grand Duke of "Rus." He died A.D. 1078 having spent 26 years in the cave, attaining to the advanced age of 90 years. Forty-five Martyrs at Nicopolis in Armenia, Mauricius, Daniel, Antonius and others with them who suffered death under Licinius, Emperor, A.D. 317. See more details •	11 St. Euphemia St. Euphemia July 11, 2020 St. Euphemia, Martyr, the most commendable, her knowledge was like that of the holy Fathers, suffered death A.D. 288. The death of Blessed Olga, Grand Duchess of Kiev. In baptism (about A.D. 955) she chose the name "Helen." See more details •
12 6th Sunday After Pentecost 6th Sunday After Pentecost July 12, 2020 Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles Rom 12:6-14 Mt 9:1-8 See more details •	13 Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel July 13, 2020 Synaxis of St. Gabriel, the Archangel. Our venerable father Stephen of Sabbas, who suffered death during the reign of Severus, Emperor, A.D. 201 See more details •	14 Aquila Aquila July 14, 2020 St. Aquila, Apostle, died A.D. 65. Onesimus, venerable. See more details •	15 Vladimir the Great - Equal to the Apostles Vladimir the Great - Equal to the Apostles July 15, 2020 St. Vladimir the Great, Equal to the Apostles, Grand-Duke of "Rus" took the name "Basil" at his baptism, A.D. 988, thus enlightening the realm of "Rus" in the reign of the Greek Emperor Basil II. He died A.D. 1015 after an edifying and penitent life, and was laid to rest in the curch which he built in Kiev by his tithes in honor of the Blassed Mother of God. SS. Kirykos, and his mother, Julitta, Martyrs, died A.D. 296 during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. See more details •	16 Athenogenes Athenogenes July 16, 2020 SS. Athenogenes, Priest-Martyr. Bishop of Sebaste (Armenia) with ten of his Flock who were put to death A.D. 302 during the great persecution under Diocletian and his colleagues. Fathers of the Six Ecumenical Councils. See more details •	17 Marina & Blessed Paul Gojdich Marina & Blessed Paul Gojdich July 17, 2020 The holy great-martyr Marina at Antioch, (270). Our venerable father and confessor Paul Gojdich, bishop of Preshov, who defended the Byzantine Catholic Church A.D. (1960). See more details •	18 Hyacinth & Emilian Hyacinth & Emilian July 18, 2020 SS. Hyacinth and Emilian, Martyrs. Hyacinth of Amastris in Paphlagonia, died in prison of wounds received from torture. Emilian was a Christian of Dorostrium on the Danube (Silistria). He was burned to death under Emperor Julian the Apostate A.D. 362. See more details •
19 Sunday of the Fathers of the Six Ecumenical Councils Sunday of the Fathers of the Six Ecumenical Councils July 19, 2020 1 Cor 1:10-18; Mt 14:14-22 or Heb 13:7-16; Jn 17:1-13 See more details •	20 Elijah Great Prophet Elijah Great Prophet July 20, 2020 Saint Elijah of Thesbite, Glorious Prophet, about 850 B.C., raised up in the Kingdom of Israel of the stock of Aaron, to reprove the ten fallen Tribes. See more details •	21 Simeon & John Venerable Simeon & John Venerable July 21, 2020 Our venerable father, Simeon, surnamed Salus (fool) and John, his co-faster, Hermits. Simeon lived as a hermit in a desert for nearly thirty years near the Red Sea, but afterwards at Emesus in Syria St. Ezekiel, the Third of the Four Greater Prophets and writer of a canonical Book of Scriptures. Tradition says he was put to death while in captivity in Babylon by one of the Jewish Headmen turned pagan, 525 B.C. See more details •	22 Mary Magdalene - Equal to the Apostles Mary Magdalene - Equal to the Apostles July 22, 2020 St. Mary Magdalene, myrrh-bearer and Equal to the Apostles. According to the Catholic view, she is one and the same with Mary the Sinner, Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, the Magdalen at the foot of the Cross and at the Tomb and the first witness to the Resurrection. Return of the Relics of St. Phocas, Priest-Martyr, a Bishop of Sinope. His relics were translated to Vienne in France in the 13th century. (Confer September 22.) See more details •	23 Trophimus and Others Martyrs Trophimus and Others Martyrs July 23, 2020 SS. Trophimus, Sabbatius, Dorymedont, Martyrs. They were tortured and beheaded as Christians, most probably at about Antioch A.D 277. See more details •	24 Boris & Gleb Boris & Gleb July 24, 2020 SS. Boris and Gleb, Martyrs, in their baptism had taken the names of Romanus and David, were Princes, sons of St. Vladimir, the first Christian Grand Duke of "Rus." They died A.D. 1010. St. Christina, Martyr, was tortured and put to death at Lucas Vulsinus in Tuscany, Italy. A.D. 200 during the reign of Septimius Severus, Emperor. See more details •	25 Dormition of Anna Dormition of Anna July 25, 2020 Dormition of St. Anna, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. See more details •
26 8th Sunday After Pentecost 8th Sunday After Pentecost July 26, 2020 1 Cor 1:10-18 Mt 14:14-22 See more details •	27 Panteleimon Great Martyr Panteleimon Great Martyr July 27, 2020 Pantaleon or Panteleimon, the Great Martyr and Imperial physician, reckoned with St. Luke, Apostle, Patron of medical men. He suffered death by beheading about A.D. 303 during the reign of Maximian, Emperor. Our venerable mother Anthusa, mother of St. John Chrysostom. St. Clement of Ochrid - wonderworker. See more details •	28 Prochorus & Others Prochorus & Others July 28, 2020 SS. Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas, Apostles and Deacons, four of the Seven Deacons spoken of in the Acts 6:5: all having suffered death for Christ. Our holy father, Innocentius, Pope of Rome. After many hardships he died A.D. 417. See more details •	29 Callinicus Callinicus July 29, 2020 Callinicus, Martyr at Gangrae about A.D. 290. SS. Seraphina, Virgin-Martyr, Theodotia and her Children, of Syrian origin, adopted daughter of St. Sabina whom she had converted to Christianity at Rome, arrested and beheaded A.D. 122. See more details •	30 Silas & Others Apostles Silas & Others Apostles July 30, 2020 SS. Silas, Silvanus, Criscentus, Hepenetus, and Andronicus, Apostles. St. John, soldier-Martyr, endured death in Caesarea of Cappadocia during the reign of Constantine and Galerius. St. Julitta, Martyr. See more details •	31 Eudocimus Venerable Eudocimus Venerable July 31, 2020 St. Eudocimus, Venerable, lived in the reign of the Iconoclast Emperor Theophilus. See more details •