Old Blog Posts – "The Presentation of Our Lord" Orthodox Church

, ‘It was a great joy for us to welcome so many members and guests of the Presentation family last Sunday. We give thanks, of course, to God for the gift of such a beautiful day and such good fellowship. We also thank our brothers and sisters who took on the earthly tasks necessary for the success of any event. And finally, we thank all of you who came, partook, and contributed generously to the work of our Ladies’ Auxiliary.\n\n Here are some photos from Sunday”s banquet (thanks to Cyndi Terhesh):\n\n\n\nOur ladies named themselves, long ago, the “Credința Stramoșească.” We’ve forgotten what that phrase means, yet it’s so expressive of what holds us together and strengthens us as the Body of Christ. The name means, “The Ancestral Faith.”\n\nThat’s what we hold to – the Faith that our ancestors held. It’s the Faith that sustained them through centuries of hardship in their homeland, and that gave them their identity here in the New World. It’s the Faith that we inherited from them, whether or not we happen to be of Romanian descent. And it’s the Faith that we offer to our neighbors and brethren, who still starve for the Truth!\n\nParaschiva must be in tears – of joy, that is. I’m sure this young woman from the Balkans never imagined that she would be so revered and loved by so many people, nor that she would have a day named in her honor. And she certainly never dreamed that, centuries later, there would be banquets held and charitable funds established in her name. Truly, the words of Our Lord ring true in her case: “And whoever would be first, should make himself the least.”’, ‘Fall Banquet 2012 a Success!

‘We honored two of the youngest members of our orthodox Christian family last Sunday.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nZachary Zablo turned 16! Zach is currently president of the Akron Romanian Orthodox Youth and, together with the rest of his family can be found contributing to every event and every corner of life at The Presentation of Our Lord. Zach is the son of David and Stephanie Zablo, and represents the latest generation of Zablos worshiping and serving in the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America.\r\n\r\nNathan Strouse is moving! Nathan will be joining his Mom and Dad, Terry and Cindy Strouse, in Florida, where they have relocated. We”ll miss Nathan”s smile and great persoonality. We wish him well in his new life in Florida and will pray for his continued strength and steadfastness in the Holy Orthodox Christian faith.\r\n\r\nMay God grant Nathan and Zach many blessed years!’, ‘Milestones’

‘A new coat of paint is crucial to protecting our wooden structures around the grounds of Presentation. Last Saturday, Deacon Wayne, Rick Long, Nathan Blice, Nathan Strouse and Daniel Blice took paint brushes in hand and went to work. (We understand that the results of Daniel”s efforts were well in evidence when he got home!)\r\n\r\nThe swing set and storage shed are ready to face the winter, thanks to the work of these men, who also performed some repairs to the shed. Our thanks for their conscientious stewardship of Presentation”s resources and assets. Their labors help to make Presentation a better place for all of us!’, ‘Painting Day’,

‘The 2013 PRIMAVARA! Committee will have its first meeting this Sunday, at 12:15pm. We will review the feedback we received on our survey last summer, and use that information to make decisions for this year”s festival. All are welcome to this open meeting.\r\nIf you haven”t completed the PRIMAVARA! Feedback Survey, you can do so right now (see below). When you”re done, simply click “Submit” and your responses will be entered into our database.\r\nThanks for your help!\

‘Listen to this informative program on your computer, Monday January 27 at 8:00pm. Go to www.ancientfaith.com and click on the program link.\r\n\r\n<a href=”http://presentationchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/AFTposter.jpg”><img src=”http://presentationchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/AFTposter.jpg” alt=”” width=”612″ height=”792″ class=”alignleft size-full wp-image-546″ /></a>’, ‘Mormonism and Orthodoxy — brought to you by Ancient Faith Radio’

, ‘Last week we said farewell to another of our brothers in Christ. Noel Leathers came into the Presentation family by his marriage to Violet (Panzer) Tomi. At the time he certainly could have preferred to hold himself apart from his new wife’s church, but instead he chose to embrace the Holy Orthodox Faith. He took the name of Cornelius, the centurion who is recorded in Acts as the first Gentile to be converted to Christianity.\r\nNoel would go on to serve as President of Parish Council, and to offer his time, talent and resources – not only to Presentation but to St. Elia parish and to the Episcopate, especially as a member of the Camp Vatra staff. He taught, he led, he debated – and he planted trees. Many summers he could be seen with Emil Bologa at the pavilion, tending to whatever maintenance and grounds problem had come up.\r\nWe’ll miss Noel’s boyish smile and his unassuming manners. We mourn his passing, together with Vi and all of his extended family. But we rejoice in the firm conviction that this faithful servant has found rest and life in the light of Christ’s face. Memory eternal!\

‘We rejoice with Robert and Denise Bologa on the birth of their baby boy, who God willing, will be named Benjamin Michael.\n\nThe new servant of God was born Monday January 28 at 10:17 pm, weighing in at 8 lbs 8 ounces, 21” long. Proud grandparents are Emil & Kathy Bologa’

‘PHILADELPHIA, PA: Orthodox Prayerbook app for iPhone now available\n\nThe Orthodox Prayerbook app for iPhone, authored by Gabriel Otte, a MD, PhD Candidate at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, is now available from www.gabrielotte.com/prayerbook. “I wrote the app because I wanted to be able to check whether today was a fast day or not or who the daily saints were,” says Otte. “The application works for the OCA and Greek and Antiochian Archdioceses. In addition to featuring prayers, app users will be able to maintain a list of people for whom they pray — living and departed — that automatically embeds the names into the prayers in the appropriate places.” Proceeds from sale of the app — currently available for a mere $0.99 — will be used to initiate a FOCUS Philadelphia Center [Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United in Service], which Otte is spearheading.’

‘The 10th annual Clergy Confertreat of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America was held at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, February 11-14, 2013. The forty-eight participants included His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel and His Grace Bishop Irineu, together with priests, deacons and preotese of our Episcopate.\r\nOn Monday, an opening supper and welcome by Fr. Ian G. Pac-Urar was followed by an evening of fellowship, as clergy renewed acquaintances with their brothers and shared their experiences over the previous year.\r\nTuesday’s sessions included seminars on Sexual Misconduct and Clergy Professional Ethics, Healthy Boundaries and Boundary Violations, Power and Vulnerability, and Mandatory Reporting. Fathers Ian G. Pac-Urar and James Barkett presented the sessions. By attending Tuesday’s sessions, participants fulfilled the new 5-hour Continuing Education requirement in Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues adopted by the Holy Synod of Bishops on January 28, 2013.\r\nOn Tuesday evening, Dr. Stephen Muse presented a very interesting and informative lecture on the most recent research about the Shroud of Turin. Dr. Muse continued his presentations on Wednesday morning and afternoon, exploring clergy wellness, self-care and the relationships between Orthodox Christianity and modern psychology.\r\nWednesday evening’s program included a video presentation about the life of the renowned Romanian confessor, Father Arsenie Boca.\r\nParticipants at the Clergy Confertreat received seven additional hours of credit toward the general, 20-hour Continuing Clergy Development requirement. For more information about this requirement, visit the Orthodox Church in America Continuing Education website at <a href=”http://oca.org/about/departments/department-of-continuing-education” target=”_blank”>http://oca.org/about/departments/department-of-continuing-education</a> or the CCD FAQ page at <a href=”http://oca.org/about/dept-cont-ed-faqs” target=”_blank”>http://oca.org/about/dept-cont-ed-faqs.</a>\r\nPhotos of the Confertreat may be viewed here

‘The Chancery of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America has announced the 81st ROEA Church Congress, Thursday, September 5 through Saturday, September 7 at Vatra Romaneasca, Grass Lake, MI.\r\n\r\nThe Congress will coincide with the Patronal Feast celebration and 75th anniversary of the dedication of the Vatra.\r\n\r\nParish delegates and all members are urged to attend this joyous event!

‘If you”d like to see what Father Ian and the clergy have been up to, we”ve received some photos and a slide show from the 2013 Clergy Confertreat.\

nPRIMAVARA! means “Springtime!” \r\n\r\nWe’d like to invite you to our seventh annual Spring Festival, Saturday, May 18.\r\n\r\nWe think you’ll be impressed with the wide range of events that will take place on that day. We’ve worked to create an all-day celebration with something for everyone – food, drink, music and entertainment. \r\n\r\nThere’ll be displays to look at and things to take home. There’ll be tours of the church and activities for the kids. There’ll be time to play, and of course, time to pray.\r\n\r\nAnd who knows whom you might meet! We’ll be welcoming friends new and old, from near and far for this first festival of the season. Join us!\

‘The fourth annual Community Pancake Breakfast to benefit area homeless veterans and needy families will be held Saturday August 24, from 8:00 – 11:00 am. at “The Presentation of Our Lord” Orthodox Church, 3365 Ridgewood Road, in Fairlawn.\r\n\r\nThe event is sponsored and hosted by the members of “The Presentation of Our Lord.”\r\n\r\nIn keeping with parish tradition, there is no charge for meals, which include pancakes, sausage and accompaniments. Instead, free will offerings are accepted.\r\n\r\nAll monies collected are distributed equally between Summit County Stand-Down and the Copley-Fairlawn Share a Christmas.\r\n\r\nOver 450 homeless veterans are in Summit County, about ten percent of them women. Stand Down is an annual event at which these veterans are provided with basic necessities, medical attention and help with Veterans” Administration paperwork.\r\n\r\nShare a Christmas offers assistance to needy families during the Christmas season.\r\n\r\nFor more information, visit our <a title=”Community Pancake Breakfast”

nPlease join us this weekend as we celebrate a century of Orthodox Christianity in Summit County.\r\nSCHEDULE:\r\nSaturday, October 18\r\n4:30 pm Arrival of His Grace Bishop Irineu, and welcome at the doors of the church, followed by Memorial Service (Parastas) for founders, clergy and deceased members of Presentation. Great Vespers.\r\n\r\n6:00 pm Gala Reception and Dance: Admission $10 at the door.\r\n\r\nSunday, October 19\r\n\r\n9:45 am Entrance of His Grace Bishop Irineu into the church.\r\n\r\n10:00 am Hierarchal Divine Liturgty\r\n\r\n1:00 pm Anniversary Grand Banquet: Admission by advance reservation (SOLD OUT)\r\n\r\n<a title=”More information in the Akron Beacon Journal here.” href=”http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/religion/100th-anniversary-of-presentation-of-our-lord-church-marks-a-century-of-orthodoxy-in-akron-1.530720″ target=”_blank”>More information in the Akron Beacon Journal.</a>’, ‘Gala Centennial Weekend!’,