629 Sunshine Avenue • Central City, Pa. 15926,
Tipple Road • Goodtown (Pine Hill), Pa. 15530
Willowy Sunday
LITURGY THIS MORNING HAS BEEN CANCELED!
MATINS WILL STLL BE HELD AT 11:00 PM THIS EVENING WITH PASCHAL LITURGY TO FOLLOW
DUE TO. FLU, SERVICES TONIGHT ARE CANCELED
Below are some other local options for services:
- Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Windber PA
*Resurrection Matins: Saturday April 19, 8:00 pm
* Divine Liturgy: Sunday April 20, 9:00 am
- St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, Johnstown PA
*Resurrection Matins: Saturday April 19, 9:00 pm
*Divine Liturgy: Sunday April 20, 10:00 am
- Sts. Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Church, Jeannette PA (Fr. Micheal Senyo)
*Resurrection Matins: Saturday April 19, 11:00 pm
*Divine Liturgy to follow Matins
- St Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church, Johnstown PA
*Resurrection Matins: Saturday April 19th, 10:00 pm
*Divine Liturgy to follow Matins
Beginning on Holy Wednesday and continuing straight through Sunday morning, there are many services (sometimes two services per day) scheduled at Holy Assumption Orthodox Church. We encourage everyone to view these services not as individual events, but as a continuum – as a journey, in and of themselves, mirroring the journey Christ himself took in the days leading to his passion and resurrection. These are not chores, but opportunities to participate in the reality of our salvation (which is ongoing, and in which we are either actively participating, or ignoring). The church services are for the edification of the faithful. No faithful, no church. Please be mindful of the bulletin, and of the schedule. It is clearly posted, in multiple locations, in order to be of maximum benefit to parishioners and inquirers. Copies are on the bulletin board in the church hall, attached to every bulletin, and posted on the website (both as a PDF document, and in list format on the homepage). Please consult the schedule regularly to avoid missing services (both the recently held Unction/Healing Service, and Divine Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday were celebrated, but with only slight attendance). Finally, a word regarding Pascha: please try to understand how significant the Resurrection is in the life of the Orthodox Church. Those who dismiss it clearly don’t understand that it is the pinnacle of the Orthodox liturgical year In the Orthodox Church, Pascha is considered the "Feast of Feasts" and is a mandatory celebration for all. We don’t have a rigid concept of "holy days of obligation,” but Pascha stands as the most significant feast, requiring participation in the extended services and celebrations. The obligation extends to both personal participation and upholding the traditions associated with Pascha, including the 40-day fast of Great Lent leading up to it and the joyful celebrations during Bright Week and the following Paschal period.
glory to God—an order of full-sized, red beeswax taper candles arrived just in time for Pascha! During Bright Week and the Paschal Season, please enjoy these beautiful candles in the traditional color of the Resurrection
this week we will purchase followers for the tomb of Christ. This will be covered by the church general fund. Modesty and sensibility will govern our purchases, with the result being an elegant, simple, but well presented tomb. If you would like to help, please make a donation labeled “Pascha Flowers.” Thank you!
thank you to the volunteers who prepared food, as well as the parishioners and patrons who purchased it! While we covered our expenses and made a slight profit (for the roof fund), the attempt was not successful, and large quantities are still available. Anyone who would like pints or quarts can purchase them after Liturgy today. Both items are fasting appropriate for Holy Week. We hope every parishioner will consider taking some home for dinner, especially since they are fasting meals (what are you eating this week?). Thank you for helping us and supporting our church!
we will wrap up our SPCA food drive and donation drive for the Woman’s Help Center this week. Thank you to all who participated! Each donation will improve the life of a woman (and child) in need, as well as shelter pets waiting to be adopted. God bless your kindness!
we’re still not sure about this one, but a nun from St. Elizabeth Convent, Belarus, is scheduled to visit our parish with goods from their religious and liturgical supply store. The nuns run a rehabilitation program for adults struggling from a variety of conditions. Unfortunately, arranging accommodation for Sister Valeria has been difficult (St. John’s guest house here in town is unavailable). Additionally, we are not entirely sure that Sister Valeria (because of the Paschal Schedule) will be available on Pascha morning. At this point, all we can say is presume she will join us for Liturgy. Indeed, her presence would be a blessing. Any goods purchased from the convent directly support their mission, so please keep this in mind! Thank you!
(borrowed from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, edited to reflect our usage)
Read MoreCemetery and burial policies (drafted in 2018) are included in this section as a PDF file.
With regard to genealogy requests: current church members are entitled to their sacramental records. Previous or lapsed members who require verification of sacraments are entitled to those documents, and a donation toward cemetery care is much appreciated. As we are a functional church and not a genealogy service, we cannot devote time to historical requests for information. If there is a valid reason for such a request, it must be accompanied by precise information (names and dates). Keep in mind that the oldest records require translating services. A fee will be assessed to each such request and information (when available) will be provided once the appropriate donation is received