The Service schedule for the month July is available. 

July 2009 - English                   July 2009 - Russian

On Thomas Sunday, Fr. Ilia Marzev, Fr. Peter Selenoi, and members of the Cathedral Choir traveled to St. Theodosius Orthodox Cemetery, serving memorial services at the graves of the departed of the Cathedral.  The first service was at the grave of Fr. Michael Smirnov, the first rector of the St. Sergius Parish.  On the following Tuesday, Fr. Ilia again visited the cemetery for 'Radonitsa'. 

 

On the weekend of March 14-15, the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God was brought to St. Sergius Cathedral by Bishop Peter of Cleveland who presided at the Divine Services.  Also traveling with His Grace was Protodeacon Vadim Gan, Subdeacon Nicholas Hantel, and Reader Andrei Urtiew. 

The Cathedral was near capacity for All-Night Vigil, Divine Liturgy, and Holy Unction services.  Many local Orthodox Christians took the opportunity to pray before this Holy Icon of the Mother of God.  At the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Peter spoke in his homily on the power of the intercession of the Mother of God.  He recounted Christ's first miracle at the wedding in Cana, and that Christ did not wish to perform this miracle, yet his mother asked him, and He did, thus showing what a great intercessor we have before the Throne of God.  Following the Divine Liturgy, the Cathedral Sisterhood prepared a Lenten banquet for the gathered faithful. 

The Holy Unction was served Sunday evening by Bishop Peter, and the Cathedral Dean Fr. Ilia Marzev, joined by the Cathedral clergy, Archpriest Peter Burlakov and Archpriest Peter Selenoi.  Joining these clergy were other local priests:  V. Rev. Vladimir Berzonsky of Holy Trinity OCA Church, Parma, OH; V. Rev. Basil Stoyko of Sts. Peter and Paul OCA Church, Lorain, OH; Rev. Paul Bassett of St. George's Russian Church, Cincinatti, OH; Rev. Victor Trotskyy of Dormition Russian Cathedral, Detroit, MI. 

The Pan-Orthodox Lenten Youth Retreat was held at St. Sergius Cathedral on March 14, 2009.  Young people from around the greater Cleveland area, and as far as Michigan and Cincinnati, gathered for lectures and discussion.

The Retreat began with a presentation by Kathryn Saclarides.  She has done missionary work around the world through different Orthodox organizations.  Kathryn emphasized living the Christian life outside the Church and ministering to those around us in need.

Following lunch the participants viewed the film "From the Little Mountain", which shows the live of the Holy Cross Hermitage and focuses on monastic life.

Fr. Vladimir Berzonsky then delivered a lively talk about the spirit and essense of God as described in the beginning of the Gospel of John.  He also answered questions from young people on current social topics and Confession. 

The young people attending had an opportunity to socialize and acquaint themselves with other like-minded Orthodox Youth. 

 

Our Cathedral serves all the Sacraments and Services of the Orthodox Church: Confession, Communion, Baptism, Wedding, Holy Unction, Funeral, Panikhida, Molebens, Akathists, House Blessings, etc. Depending on the specifics of each service, they can be served in our Cathedral, as well as at the home or in the hospital (for the sick). Each service should be arranged ahead of time with the Priest. For more information, please contact Fr. Ilia.

Orthodox Christians, brothers and sisters!

On our sinful earth the holy Church is the only place where we can get away from life's storms and inclemency, from the world's moral filth. The Church is an image of heaven on earth; within the temple the heavenly powers serve invisibly. Remember and know: the Holy Temple is the House of God, in which God Himself is invisibly present. For this reason, our behavior in the temple should correspond to its holiness and its greatness.
 
1. Enter the church with humility and meekness, so as to leave justified, as the humble publican of the Gospel.

2. When you enter the temple and see the holy icons, think about the fact that the Lord Himself and all the Saints are looking at you; be particularly reverent and have the fear of God.

3. Always come to the beginning of the service, If for some important reason you are late, be careful not to disturb the prayer of those already there. If you come to church during the reading of the Gospel, stand at the entrance doors until the end of the reading: when it is finished, quietly go to your place.

4. When you take your place in the church and others are standing nearby, greet them with a silent nod; never, even with close friends shake hands or ask any questions, Be sincerely modest in church

5, If you come to church with children, see that they behave themselves properly, meekly, that they not be noisy; teach them to understand and know how one should behave in church; accustom them to pray. If the children have to leave the church, tell them to cross themselves and to leave quietly or take them out yourself.

6. Pray in church as if you yourself are participating in the Divine services and not simply attending, that those prayers and hymns which are being read and chanted come from your heart; attentively follow the holy Service, in order to pray together with everyone and to pray for that which the whole Church is praying for.

7. While still at home, before going to church, prepare your money for candles, prosphora and the collection plates; avoid having to make change at the candle counter; this necessitates talking and disturbs the service and those praying.

8. Never, without extreme need, leave the church before the end of the service; this indicates disrespect for the holiness of the church and is a sin before God. If it happens that you do leave early, you should mention this to the priest in confession.

9. Approach Holy Communion humbly and reverently, crossing your hands on your chest; with faith and love receive the Holy Mysteries of God; then, without crossing yourself, kiss the chalice, so as not to bump It accidentally, and quietly return to your place, and do not leave the church without listening to the thanksgiving prayers to the Lord God, after communion.

Archbishop Vitaly (Maximenko, +1960)
 

Be sure to check our Orthodox Reading page often for updated articles and spiritual reading materials.

 

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