The First Commandment: You shall not make for yourself an idol

Vasyl Symyon | August 3, 2020

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

The Ten Commandments are the basis of our Christian morality and our moral behavior. The commandments are God’s divine laws, unchangeable, given for humanity’s sake once and forever. Therefore, the importance of explaining them, studying them and remembering them should be obvious to every Christian.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in my last article I explained the First Commandment in general as well as in its theological context (Who is my God?). In this article I will reflect on the second part of the First Commandment: You shall not make for yourself an idol or a likeness of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth (Exodus 20, 2-5). We refer to this part of the First Commandment as Pastoral (How do I believe in my Lord?).

This part of the First Commandment strictly prohibits us from creating an idol of any kind. An idol is biblically defined as a created image or representation of a god used as an object of worship. An idol is something that distracts a person from our living God. Something that invites affection and passion. Something a person can serve, given the time or the money.

When a person makes an idol for himself, he overlooks — perhaps abandons — Almighty God. When a person creates, worships and serves an idol, he commits one of the greatest mortal sins — Idolatry, which can vary in kind. Continue reading →

The First Commandment: How do I worship my God?

Vasyl Symyon | September 28, 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever! We continue our short meditations on the Ten Commandments of our Lord. But first, let me remind you of what I wrote in my previous articles. I started with the First Commandment: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall not have other gods beside me. You shall not make for yourself an idol or a likeness of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; you shall not bow down before
them or serve them” (Exodus 20, 2-5).
The First Commandment consists of three parts: Theological (Who is my God?), Pastoral (How do I believe in my God?), and Liturgical (How do I worship my God?).
I already have explained the first two parts. Therefore, I will concentrate — and meditate — on the commandment’s third and final part: Liturgical (How do I worship my God?).
The third part reads: You shall not bow down before them or serve them. Here we note some significant nonactions: “not bow down” and “not serve” other gods. To better understand these terms, let us examine their definitions.
The first is a phrasal verb “bow down,” which means to show respect to someone, to show that someone is very important, to become prostrate before someone or something. The second verb “serve” means to perform duties or services for someone.
Our Lord strictly prohibits us to bow down before or to serve other gods. We cannot serve an “idol or god” and our Creator at any time, in any way. Continue reading →

Diaconate studies in a changed world

Michael Sivulich | October 8, 2020

We are currently attending the School of Diaconate studies of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, Pa. Our class size is 17 men representing the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, the Eparchies of Passaic, Phoenix, and the Ukrainian Eparchy of Stamford.

Our first year was a fantastic academic and spiritual journey with deacon candidates of different backgrounds. There were policemen, college professors, nurses, members of the Air Force, a security specialist guarding religious artifacts in New York City, mechanics, firefighters, and an EWTN theology advisor. There was an immediate brotherhood among us. The academic atmosphere was supportive.

We could not imagine how much would change in the next few months. The coronavirus(COVID-19) has changed the world, perhaps forever. The Diaconate program was not immune. We were notified that the second year would be 100 percent online. Not getting together was met with a sense of loss, even though our commute By Michael Sivulich Deacon student of the Eparchy of Parma, St. Nicholas of Myra, White Plains, N.Y. would be a bit shorter. We were all thinking, “What will that be like?” Our class was grateful to God that we were all safe. We kept in touch with emails and texting, praying for one and other, our families, and the world. We all met one Friday night in a Zoom chat before classes started on June 15. It was a welcomed virtual reunion. Continue reading →

A gift greater than one could imagine

Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick | August 3, 2020

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Have you ever received a gift from someone that was way more than you could have expected from that person? What did it make you feel?

Continue reading →

Virtual Young Adult Retreat

David Donohoe St. Mary, Cleveland, Ohio | August 3, 2020

Even a global pandemic couldn’t stop a group of young adults from participating in a retreat.

The annual Young Adult Retreat was scheduled to be held from June 26 to 28 at the House of Prayer at the beautiful grounds of Mount St. Macrina in Uniontown, Pa.
Continue reading →

Thoughts For Our Day

Archpriest David M. Petras | August 3, 2020

The Anaphora of St. Basil is a complete proclamation of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

There are three components to this profession. The first is the mystery of the incarnation, that the Son and Word of God chose to take on the human nature for our salvation. The meaning of this mystery was expressed by quotations from Hebrews 1:3, the Letter to the Philippians 2:6 and the Old Testament prophecy of Baruch 3:38. Continue reading →

After lockdown, Italy’s bishops to seek new ways to engage parishioners

Carol Glatz Catholic News Service | August 3, 2020

VATICAN CITY — Italy’s bishops will need to help their communities participate more in parish life and return to taking part in the sacraments in ways that continue to respect evolving measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, according to their conference leadership.
Continue reading →

“Pilgrimage of the heart”

David Mayernik Jr. | September 28, 2020

Making a list of all the events and experiences n e g a t i v e l y a f f e c t e d by the coronavirus
pandemic is an exhausting experience.
Everyone’s personal worlds have been thrown for a loop. Continue reading →

Basilian Sisters joyfully celebrate Jubilees

Editor | September 28, 2020

Beginning with a Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving on July 20, three Sisters of St. Basil celebrated their anniversaries of religious life: Diamond Jubilarian, Sister Leocadia Sevachko; and 70th Anniversary Jubilarians, Sister Salome Yanochko and Sister Fabian Krassa. Continue reading →

Come and be renewed in the Lord

Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick | September 28, 2020

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Recently, our chaplain made some comments about words. Any words and the Word of God. And I said to myself:
“Sister, you use a lot of words.” Of course, I must in a setting like this and especially in the retreats that I do. And I began to say, “What am I always talking about?” Continue reading →

“Humankind”: Be both

Sister Ruth Plante | September 28, 2020

GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!
Dear Friends,
A short time ago while driving I stopped at a red light. The car that was
in front of me had a bumper sticker which caught my interest. The first
line read HUMANKIND. I thought to myself: “What is the point?” Then
I focused a bit more on the small words on the second line. They read: Be
Both. Continue reading →

Each wedding is a revelation

William Skurla | October 9, 2020

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Welcome to the 2020 Virtual Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Wedding Celebration! It was historic because it was the first and hopefully the only time the celebration and prayers were offered online. Continue reading →

We have the gift of grace

Sister Barbara Jean Mihalchick | October 9, 2020

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Have you discovered that there are some people you naturally like and some people you naturally don’t like? What happens in a chance encounter? Continue reading →

Seminarians safely return to campus

Editor | October 9, 2020

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear friends and benefactors,

We are overjoyed to share with you that our 70th Anniversary Late-summer Appeal has already reached nearly half its goal: $17,709.02.
This time of viral disturbance is challenging us in many ways. Continue reading →

Promise to protect

Editor | October 8, 2020

Child abuse is a horrific experience with potential lasting effects. Unfortunately it is a common experience in America and has become a societal issue not just a clergy issue. The National Children’s Alliance tells us that an estimated 678,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in 2018. Continue reading →

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.

Former spiritual adviser to Medjugorje visionaries excommunicated
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-26
Pope announces new cardinals, including U.S. Archbishop Gregory
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-25
Archbishop says Catholic medical professionals live values of faith every day
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-23
Speaker: Day’s life sets example for today’s similarly troubled times
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-23
Parish’s Pumpkin Patch brings church, school and neighborhood together
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-23
Brazilian archdiocese joins plastic recycling program to reduce ocean waste
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-23
Questions continue around film’s use of pope’s quote on civil unions
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-23
Catholic couple find solidarity with others in sharing NFP struggles, other challenges
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-22
St. Jude Thaddeus draws immense devotion from Mexico’s downtrodden
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-22
As election nears, ‘split’ Catholic voters try to find dialogue amid rancor
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-22
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-22
Vatican extends provisional agreement with China on naming bishops
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-22
Judiciary Committee votes to send Barrett nomination to full Senate
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-21
Society of the Divine Word marks 125 years of ministry in North America
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-21
Pope has history of defending marriage, but being open to some civil unions
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-21
True prayer, like true faith, leads to care for others, pope says
Source: CNS Published on 2020-10-21

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 →

	October 2020
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1 Protection of the Theotokos Protection of the Theotokos October 1, 2020 Solemn Holy Day Heb 9:1-7 Lk 10:38-42 & 11:27-28 See more details •	2 Cyprian Bishop Martyr Cyprian Bishop Martyr October 2, 2020 St. Cyprian, Priest-Martyr, a cultured Carthaginian, was converted and consecrated Bishop of Carthage. He wrote much and was a cordial friend of the Martyr Pope, St. Cornelius. He won his crown of Martyrdom by beheading A.D. 258 under the Emperor Valerian. St. Justina, Virgin-Martyr, beheaded at Nicomedia under Emperor Diocletian, A.D. 300. St Andreas, who became "a fool for Christ's sake." See more details •	3 Denis the Areopagite Bishop - Martyr Denis the Areopagite Bishop - Martyr October 3, 2020 St. Denis, the Areopagite, Priest-Martyr, first Bishop of Athens, converted by St. Paul, the Apostle, and with him Rusticus and Eleutherius, Athenian converts (Acts 17:34). See more details •
4 18th Sunday after Pentecost 18th Sunday after Pentecost October 4, 2020 2 Cor 9:6-11 Lk 5:1-11 See more details Hierotheus Bishop-Martyr Francis of Assisi Hierotheus Bishop-Martyr Francis of Assisi October 4, 2020 St. Hierotheus, Priest-Martyr, Bishop of Athens, disciple of St. Paul. Tradition has it that he was translated on a cloud to Jerusalem to be present at the Dormition of the Theotokos. Venerable St. Francis of Assisi. See more details • •	5 Charitina Martyr Charitina Martyr October 5, 2020 St. Charitina, Martyr, suffered Martyrdom A.D. at Amasa on the Black Sea, under Emperor Diocletian. See more details •	6 Thomas Apostle Thomas Apostle October 6, 2020 St. Thomas, the glorious Apostle, otherwise called Didymus (twin). He is stated to have preached the Gospel in Parthia, in Media and in India, where he is said to have suffered martyrdom. See more details •	7 SS Sergius & Bacchus SS Sergius & Bacchus October 7, 2020 SS. Sergius and Bacchus, Martyrs, were officers in the Imperial Army and were put to death A.D. 296 during the reign of Maximian, Emperor. See more details •	8 Pelagia Venerable Pelagia Venerable October 8, 2020 Our venerable mother, Pelagia. Public sinner, but later penitent in a cave on Mt. Olivet near Jerusalem. Pelagia died A.D. 457. See more details •	9 James Alpheus Apostle James Alpheus Apostle October 9, 2020 St. James the Lesser, son of Alpheus, Apostle and Brother of St. Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist. Our venerable father, Andronicus and his wife, Athanasia, from Antioch of Syria. On the death of their children they agreed to separate and thenceforth led lives of prayer and penance in the solitude of Upper-Egypt. See more details •	10 Eulampius & Eulampia Martyr Eulampius & Eulampia Martyr October 10, 2020 SS. Eulampius and his sister, Eulampia, Martyrs at Nicomedia A.D. 302 under the reign of Maximian Herculeus. They were young children, who for their Faith were cast into a cauldron of boiling oil but miraculously came out unhurt, and thereupon were beheaded. Two hundred soldiers witnessing this became converts and were put to death as Christians. See more details •
11 Phillip Deacon -Apostle Phillip Deacon -Apostle October 11, 2020 St. Phillip, one of Seven Deacons, converted the Samaritans, baptized the eunuch of Candace, Queen of Ethiopia (Acts 8), and was the host of St. Paul at Caesarea (Acts 21.8). His four daughters are honored as Saints with him. He became Bishop of Tralles in Lydia, and there suffered martyrdom. Our venerable father, Theophan, Confessor, Bishop of Nicea and composer of Canons, opposed the Iconoclasts at the 2nd Council of Nicea (A.D. 787). Banished by Emperor Leo the Armenian, he died in exile A.D. 818. See more details Sunday of the Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council Sunday of the Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council October 11, 2020 Gal 2:16-20; Lk 8:5-15 or Heb 13:7-16; Jn 17:1-13 See more details • •	12 Probus & Others Martyr Probus & Others Martyr October 12, 2020 SS. Probus, Tarachus, and Andronicus, Martyrs, suffered martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian A.D. 292. Our venerable father, Cosmas, Bishop of Majuma, composer of Canons. See more details •	13 Carpus & Others Martyrs Carpus & Others Martyrs October 13, 2020 SS. Carpus, Bishop of the Church in Thyatira, and Papylus, his Deacon, and with them Agathonica, sister of Papylus, and Agathodorus, their servant, suffered A.D. 250 in the persecution under Nero. See more details •	14 St. Paraskevia St. Paraskevia October 14, 2020 St. Paraskevia, Martyr, surnamed "Friday," who endured death at Iconium A.D. 290. See more details •	15 Euthymius Venerable Euthymius Venerable October 15, 2020 Our venerable father, Euthymius, the New. St. Lucian, Venerable-Martyr, Presbyter of greater Antioch, was put to death for the Faith at Nicomedia in Asia Minor by order of Emperors Maximian and Galerius, buried at Helenopolis in Bithynia. See more details •	16 Longinus Martyr Longinus Martyr October 16, 2020 St. Longinus, the Centurion, is credited by tradition to have been the one who pierced the side of Our Lord hanging on the Cross (John 19:34). Converted to Christianity, he was put to death in Cappadocia. His body is venerated in the Church of St. Augustine in Rome. See more details •	17 Hosea Prophet Hosea Prophet October 17, 2020 St. Hosea, Prophet, a descendant of Isachar, lived in the 8th century B.C. St. Andrew of Crete, Venerable-Martyr opposed the Iconoclasts and reproached the Emperor Constantine for his impiety. The enraged monarch ordered him to be seized and tortured, from which he died A.D. 761 See more details •
18 20th Sunday After Pentecost 20th Sunday After Pentecost October 18, 2020 Gal 1:11-19 Lk 7:11-16 See more details Luke Apostle - Evangelist Luke Apostle - Evangelist October 18, 2020 St. Luke, Apostle and Evangelist, was a physician of Antioch in Syria, converted to Christianity, became the fellow-worker of St. Paul. He is the inspired writer of the Third Gospel and of the Acts of the Apostles, as revealed to the Prophet Ezekiel in the vision on a calf, six centuries B.C. See more details • •	19 Joel Prophet Joel Prophet October 19, 2020 St. Joel, Prophet, was of the Tribe of Ruben in the 8th century B.C. St. Varus, Martyr, a Roman soldier, who while guarding some condemned monks in prison for their Faith, on seeing one of them expire in his dungeon, took his place and shared the torture and cruel death of the others A.D. 307. St. Sadoth, Priest-Martyr, a Bishop in Persia, who, with 128 of his fellow Christians, was put to death A.D. 345 by King Sapor near Ctesiphon. See more details •	20 Artemis Great - Martyr Artemis Great - Martyr October 20, 2020 St. Artemis, Great-Martyr, a veteran officer in high command was charged with breaking down the statue of an idol. After cruel torture he was beheaded A.D. 363 under the Apostate, Emperor Julian. See more details •	21 St. Hilary the Great St. Hilary the Great October 21, 2020 Our venerable father, Hilary the Great, Hegumen-Abbot. After a long life of severe fasting and prayer, and having founded many monasteries in Palestine, died at age of 80 in Cyprus A.D. 371. See more details •	22 Abercius Bishop Abercius Bishop October 22, 2020 St. Abercius, Equal to the Apostles. Bishop of Hieropolis, wonderworker, died about A.D. 167. SS. Seven Youths of Ephesus. (Confer August 4.) See more details •	23 James Apostle Brother of the Lord James Apostle Brother of the Lord October 23, 2020 St. James, Apostle, brother of the Lord, the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He composed the First Liturgy which was later abbreviated somewhat by St. Basil the Great and still more by St. John Chrysostom. At 96 years of age, he suffered martyrdom at the hands of the Jews, who cast him down from the pinnacle of the Temple A.D. 61. See more details •	24 Arethas & Others Martyrs Arethas & Others Martyrs October 24, 2020 SS. Arethas and other Martyrs with him, endured death A.D. 523. See more details •
25 20th Sunday After Pentecost 20th Sunday After Pentecost October 25, 2020 Gal 1:11-19 Lk 7:11-16 See more details Marcian & Martyrius Martyrs Marcian & Martyrius Martyrs October 25, 2020 SS. Marcian and Martyrius, Martyrs. Marcian, a Lector and Martyrius, a Sub-deacon, in Constantinople were put to death A.D. 351. See more details • •	26 Demetrius Great Martyr Demetrius Great Martyr October 26, 2020 St. and Glorious Demetrius, the Great, Myrrh-exuding. Martyr, martyred A.D. 299. Many miracles have taken place at his shrine at Thessalonica. See more details •	27 Nestor Martyr Nestor Martyr October 27, 2020 St. Nestor, Martyr, endured death A.D. 304. SS. Captiolina, a Cappadocian lady, with her handmaid, Erotheides, Martyrs, suffered death A.D. 304 under Emperor Diocletian. See more details •	28 St. Paraskevia St. Paraskevia October 28, 2020 St. Paraskevia, Martyr, surnamed "Friday," who endured death at Iconium A.D. 290. SS. Terentius and Neonila and their children: Photius, Anicetas, Theodulus, Hierarchus, and Eunicius. Our venerable father, Stephen of Sabbas, composer of Canons about A.D. 785. See more details •	29 St. Anastasia St. Anastasia October 29, 2020 St. Anastasia, Great-Martyr, was a famous Roman matron of noble birth, a spiritual pupil of St. Chrysogonus. She was imprisoned, tortured, and burned alive for the Faith A.D. 304 in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. See more details •	30 Zenobius & Zenobia Martyrs Zenobius & Zenobia Martyrs October 30, 2020 SS. Zenobius and Zenobia, his sister, Martyrs, suffered death A.D. 304. Venerable, Peter, Bishop of Syracuse, disciple of St. Peter, Apostle. SS. Asterius, Claudius, Neon, Theonilla, Martyrs, A.D. 285 at Aegea in Silicia under the reign of Diocletian, Emperor. SS. Terentius, Mark, Justus, and Artem, Apostles, four of the Seventy Apostles. See more details •	31 St.Theodore Great- Martyr St.Theodore Great- Martyr October 31, 2020 St. Theodore, the great Martyr, was a general in the army of the Emperor Licinius. He suffered death at Heraclea in Thrace A.D 318. See more details •