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 →

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?

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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.
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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.
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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.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is remembered as ‘jurist of historic stature’
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-19
Infidel
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-18
Brian Doyle: ‘great storyteller’ with sense of faith
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-18
Texas missionary priest named winner of 2020-2021 Lumen Christi Award
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-18
Black sisters urge U.S. Catholics, church leaders to do more to end racism
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-18
Charlotte Diocese opens college seminary to serve growing Catholic population
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-18
Hope is dying in Syria, cardinal says
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-18
Quebec cardinal proposes a ‘break’ from catechesis for children, adults
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-17
Bishop Burbidge calls effective communication of Gospel ‘integral’ to church
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-17
Supreme Court to begin new term as it ended last one: by teleconference
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-17
Caritas official: After refugee camp fire, Lesbos locals patrol streets
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-17
Pope thanks elderly, ill priests for faithful, silent witness to Gospel
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-17
Pastoral urges Catholics to draw closer to God, one another amid pandemic
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-17
Bruce Springsteen gives pep talk of sorts to Boston College freshmen
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-16
An evacuated Oregon couple shares their experience of packing up, praying
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-16
Network offers orders help in reforming institutional child care
Source: CNS Published on 2020-09-16

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 →

	September 2020
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
		1 St. Simeon Venerable St. Simeon Venerable September 1, 2020 The Beginning of the "Indication," i.e., of the Church and his mother, Martha. Simeon, a Monk, adopted a characteristic mode of penance by prayer and fasting on the top of a lofty stone column where he spent thirty-seven years until his death A.D. 459. -- Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God in Missina. -- SS. Aithelas, 40 Women of Macedonia and Ammon, Martyrs. Ammon, Deacon, was put to death under Emperor Licinius A.D. 313 at Heraclea in Thrace, together with 40 young women whom he converted to Christianity. -- SS. Callistus, Evodius, and Hermogenes, Martyrs, were brothers by birth. -- venerable Josua, son of Nun who was succesor of Moses in the Century B.C. See more details •	2 St. Mammas St. Mammas September 2, 2020 Description: St. Mammas, Martyr, a Roman of noble birth, mute for five years from birth, uttered his first word "Mama" whence he got his name. He suffered martyrdom at Caesarea in Cappadocia under Aurelian Emperor, A.D. 274. See more details •	3 St. Anthimus St. Anthimus September 3, 2020 St. Anthimus, Priest-Martyr, Bishop of Nicomedia where he was martyred A.D. 303 under the Emperor Diocletian. See more details •	4 Babylas - Bishop Martyr Babylas - Bishop Martyr September 4, 2020 St. Babylas, Priest-Martyr, Archbishop of Greater Antioch for thirteen years. He died in chains awaiting execution during the Decian persecution A.D. 250. With him are commemorated Three Youths, his pupils, privileged with him to lay down their lives for Christ See more details •	5 SS Zachary & Elizabeth SS Zachary & Elizabeth September 5, 2020 St. Zachary, Prophet, father of Venerable John, the Precursor and Baptist. See more details Saturday Before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Sozon-Martyr Saturday Before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Sozon-Martyr September 5, 2020 St. Sozon, Martyr, a Christian in Silicia, who broke up a silver idol and gave the proceeds to the poor. He was burned to death at the stake about A.D. 304. See more details • •
6 12th Sunday After Pentecost 12th Sunday After Pentecost September 6, 2020 1 Cor 15:1-11 Mt 19:16-26 See more details Commemoration of the Miracle of Archangel Michael Commemoration of the Miracle of Archangel Michael September 6, 2020 Commemoration of the miracle by St. Michael the Archangel at Colossa in Chonia See more details • •	7 St. Sozon St. Sozon September 7, 2020 St. Sozon, Martyr, a Christian in Silicia, who broke up a silver idol and gave the proceeds to the poor. He was burned to death at the stake about A.D. 304. See more details •	8 Birth of the Theotokos Birth of the Theotokos September 8, 2020 She was of royal lineage, of the House of David. Except the feast of the Dormition, this is one of the most ancient and famous Feasts of Our Lady. See more details •	9 Synaxis of SS. Joachim & Anna Synaxis of SS. Joachim & Anna September 9, 2020 Tradition holds that these Saints were the parents of the Theotokos although nothing is known of them, except that they lived in Galilee, and later in Jerusalem, where their traditional tomb was rediscovered in A.D. 1889. See more details •	10 Menodora and others Martyrs Menodora and others Martyrs September 10, 2020 2 Cor 12:20-13:2 Mk 4:24-34 See more details •	11 St. Theodora St. Theodora September 11, 2020 Our venerable mother, Theodora, of Alexandria, Penitent. She was an Egyptian woman who lived a long life of austere penance because of a sin committed in her youth. She is said to have donned male attire, entered a monastery, where she endured much from Satan and passed to her reward A.D. 472 in the reign of the Emperor Zenon. See more details •	12 St. Autonomous St. Autonomous September 12, 2020 St. Autonomous, Priest-Martyr, is alleged by the Greeks to have been an Italian Bishop, who fled into Bithynia, in Asia Minor, to escape the fury of the Diocletian persecution. He made many converts and died for the Faith about A.D. 300. See more details •
13 Sunday Before the Exaltation of the Cross Birth of the Theotokos Sunday Before the Exaltation of the Cross Birth of the Theotokos September 13, 2020 Gal 6:11-18; Phil 2:5-11; Jn 3:13-17; Lk 10:38-42 & 11:27-28 She was of royal lineage, of the House of David. Except the feast of the Dormition, this is one of the most ancient and famous Feasts of Our Lady. See more details Dedication of the Church of the Resurrection Dedication of the Church of the Resurrection September 13, 2020 Commemorating the Dedication of the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. St. Cornelius, Priest-Martyr, was the Centurion of the Italic cohort, baptised at Casesarea in Palestine by the Apostle St. Peter about A.D. 41 (Acts 10.) Tradition makes him first Bishop of Caesarea. See more details • •	14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross Exaltation of the Holy Cross September 14, 2020 Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross. Discovery of the Holy Cross on which Our Lord suffered together with the nails, is credited to Empress Helen, mother of Constantine the Great. The finding was made in Jerusalem A.D. 326. In the Church of Jerusalem, erected by St. Helen over the Sepulchre of Our Lord, the Patriarch St. Macarius, elevated the Cross and all the people beholding it cried out, "Lord have mercy!" See more details •	15 St. Nicetas Venerable-Confessor St. Nicetas Venerable-Confessor September 15, 2020 St. Nicetas, the Great-Martyr, was a Goth and a victim of the fury of King Athanaric, ruler of the nations settled about the Danube. He was a disciple of the celebrated Ulphilas (Theophilus). He was burned to death about A.D. 78. See more details •	16 St. Euphemia St. Euphemia September 16, 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 •	17 Sophia & Others Martyrs Sophia & Others Martyrs September 17, 2020 These three Virgins suffered death for Christ while still children, under the Emperor Hadrian. Three days later, their mother, praying at their tomb, passed away. See more details •	18 St. Eumenius St. Eumenius September 18, 2020 Our venerable father, Eumenius, Wonderworker, Bishop of Gortyna on the Island of Crete, was conspicuous for his charity. He died in exile in the latter half of the 3rd century. See more details •	19 Trophimus and Others Martyrs Trophimus and Others Martyrs September 19, 2020 SS. Trophimus, Sabbatius, Dorymedont, Martyrs. They were tortured and beheaded as Christians, most probably at about Antioch A.D 277. See more details Saturday after the Exaltation of the Cross Codratus Apostle Saturday after the Exaltation of the Cross Codratus Apostle September 19, 2020 1 Cor 1:26-29; Jn 8:21-30 SS, Codratus and Companions; Cyprian, Anectus and Crisent, died A.D. 257 after years in prison under Valerian, Emperor. See more details • •
20 Sunday After the Exaltation of the Cross Sunday After the Exaltation of the Cross September 20, 2020 Gal 2:16-20 Mk 8:34-9:1 See more details •	21 Codratus Apostle Codratus Apostle September 21, 2020 SS, Codratus and Companions; Cyprian, Anectus and Crisent, died A.D. 257 after years in prison under Valerian, Emperor. See more details •	22 Phocas Bishop Martyr Phocas Bishop Martyr September 22, 2020 St. Phocas, Priest-Martyr, Bishop of Sinope on the Black Sea. He was put to death under the Emperor Trajan A.D. 102 (Confer July 22). See more details •	23 Commemoration of the Conception of St. John the Baptist Commemoration of the Conception of St. John the Baptist September 23, 2020 Conception of St. John the Baptist, the glorious Prophet and Precursor of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. See more details •	24 Thecia Proto - Martyr Thecia Proto - Martyr September 24, 2020 St. Thecia, First Virgin-Martyr. One of the most celebrated of the Saints of the Early Church. St. Epiphanius and others relate that she was converted at Iconium in Lycaonia by St. Paul (Acts 14) A.D. 51. She died before the close of the 1st century. See more details •	25 Euphrosyna Venerable Euphrosyna Venerable September 25, 2020 Our venerable mother, Euphrosyna, was an Egyptian maiden of pious Christian parents at Alexandria. To avoid marriage and preserve her virginity, she assumed male attire and entered a monastery of Monks to frustrate a search for her. She retired into a cell and for 38 years was looked upon as a holy man. Even her own father sought spiritual advice from her and appreciated her counsels. He assisted at her last moments. Only then did she disclose her identity. After her death about A.D. 470 her father took possession of her cell where he passed the rest of his days in penance and prayer. See more details •	26 The Passing of St. John Apostle - Evangelist The Passing of St. John Apostle - Evangelist September 26, 2020 The passing of St. John the Theologian, Apostle, and Evangelist. (Confer May 8th.) See more details •
27 St. Callistratus & Others Martyrs St. Callistratus & Others Martyrs September 27, 2020 St. Callistratus, Soldier-Martyr and a fifty African soldiers were put to death at Constantinople under the Emperor Diocletian A.D. 295 for the Christian Faith. It is related that they were sewn up in sacks and cast into the sea. See more details 16th Sunday After Pentecost 16th Sunday After Pentecost September 27, 2020 2 Cor 6:1-10 Lk 6:31-36 See more details • •	28 Chariton Venerable - Confessor Chariton Venerable - Confessor September 28, 2020 Our Venerable Father Chariton - Confessor Martyr, appears to have been burned to death A.D 362. See more details •	29 Cyriacus Venerable Cyriacus Venerable September 29, 2020 Our Venerable Father Cyriacus, Hermit, a Greek by birth embraced monastic life in Palestine. He lived for 198 years, and died A.D 550. See more details •	30 St. Gregory Illuminator St. Gregory Illuminator September 30, 2020 St. Gregory, Bishop-Martyr, the Illuminator of Greater Armenia. He is considered an Apostle of his country. It seems certain that he was consecrated first Patriarch of the Armenians, that he converted Tiridates, King of the country and suffered much from the heathens. He died about A.D. 332. See more details •