WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH COMMUNITY!HOLY RESURRECTION ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL is a parish community of the Diocese of Philadelphia & Eastern Pennsylvania of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). Our bishop, Archbishop MARK (Maymon), provides spiritual oversight for our community. The parish community was founded in 1892 by Fr. Alexis Toth (now a canonized saint in the Orthodox Church).
As of May 1st, all services are still suspended at the Cathedral.
With that said. There has been a lot of concern as we work together to develop a parish specific plan for reopening in the future. Please read the following synopsis from Archbishop Mark.
Last updated on 5/16/2020:
Guidelines for cleaning facilities:
https://doepa.org/files/Policies/CDC-Guidelines/CDC-Cleaning-Guidelines.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/usa/pennsylvania/
Note: Once we return to having services, proper protocol will be to contact the parish priest ahead of your visit. Social distancing will demand that the parish you plan to visit will be able to accommodate additional attendees on the date you wish to attend!
Please read this posting from our Chancellor, The V. Rev. Raymond M. Browne about our current diocesan survey: https://doepa.org/reopeningsurvey
The survey is a very important part of moving forward to reopen our diocese and parishes. All parishioners are encouraged to complete the survey online or by submitting a hard copy to: Fr. Michael Shepard, 18 Lake Quinn Rd, Waymart, PA 18472, ASAP. Here is the link to print the survey hard copy for USPS mailing: https://doepa.org/files/Messages/2020/Survey/DOEPA-SURVEY.pdf
Your answers will help the diocese address any concerns you may have about your personal safety and returning to community worship in the days, weeks and months ahead. The results of the survey combined with state and federal directives will be used to develop an appropriate timeline and protocol for moving forward. Parish councils are currently working to establish their new parish specific protocols for updated Temple cleaning, PPE and social distancing that will be used to protect our faithful upon reopening.
As you are forming your responses to the survey please take the time to review the latest in depth directive from the OCA. https://www.oca.org/cdn/PDFs/synod/2020-0501-covid-synod-directives.pdf
Pascha Message from Archbishop Mark:
https://doepa.org/files/Messages/2020/Pascha/Pascha-2020.pdf
Link to Current Livestreaming Services:
https://doepa.org/livestreaming
Guidelines for Funerals:
https://doepa.org/files/Policies/CDC-Guidelines/CDC-Funeral-Guidelines.pdf
OCA.ORG:
https://www.oca.org/resources-coronavirus
CDC Corona Virus Updates can be found on the the link below:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html
Previous postings from DOEPA
Earlier postings from the Synod of Bishops
https://doepa.org/files/Messages/2020/Corona/2020-0330-synod-joint-communique.pdf
https://doepa.org/files/Messages/2020/Corona/2020-0330-synod-statement.pdf
https://doepa.org/files/Messages/2020/Corona/2020-0330-synod-directives.pdf
UPCOMING EVENTS...Follow the Diocese on Instagram: Follow us @oca_doepa or OCA Diocese of Eastern PA
WORSHIP, PRAYER and SERVICE SCHEDULESaturday- Great Vespers 4:00 pm, see DOEPA Directive
Sunday- Prayer of the Hours 8:40 am & Divine Liturgy 9:00 am, see DOEPA Directive
Eve of Major Feast Days - Great Vespers 6:00 pm (followed by holy Confession), see DOEPA Directive
Major Feast Days - Divine Liturgy 9:00 am, see DOEPA Directive
Rector: Fr. Gregory G. White Sr. 570-822-7725 gregory.white@stots.edu
Mitred Archpriest Vladimir Petorak: Pastor Emeritus
Protodeacon: Sergei Kapral
Mr. John Hawranick Jr.: Choir Director, 570-900-1699 jhawranick@yahoo.com
Mr. Michael Pieck: Board of Directors President
Catechism Classes - For those who are interested in joining the Orthodox Church instruction classes are offered on a continual / rotating basis. For more information contact Fr. Gregory at 570-822-7725 or email him at: gregory.white@stots.edu
Study Group & Recommended ReadingOrthodox study group currently reading: Matthew The Poor, Orthodox Prayer Life, The Interior Way, by Father Matta El-Meskeen, St. Valdimirs Press, ISBN 978-0-88141-250-5. Tuesday nights @ 6:30 p.m. at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral 591 N. Main St. Wilkes-Barre, PA. Bring your Orthodox Study Bible! First time visitors should call ahead of time to confirm the weekly schedule. Many of the following books are rated four to five stars. They are recommended reading for those who want to know more about the Holy Orthodox Faith and the early Church!
Thirsting for God in a Land of Shallow Wells by Matthew Gallatin, St. Valdimir's Seminary Press, ISBN 978-1-888212-28
The Truth, What Every Roman Catholic Should Know About the Orthodox Church by Clark Carlton, Regina, Salisbury, MA
The Faith, Understanding Orthodox Christianity, An Orthodox Catechism also by Clark Carlton
The Way, What Every Protestant Should Know About the Orthodox Faith also by Clark Carlton
Knowledge of God by Dr. Harry Boolas, St. Tikhon's Seminary Press ISBN 978-1-878997-83-8
Members of the Holy Orthodox Faith, or the more advanced inquirer are encouraged to also check out the following titles. They will help with your understanding of who Jesus Christ is.... What happened to the early Church? Does it still exist? What's Orthodox Salvation all about?
Matthew The Poor, Orthodox Prayer Life, The Interior Way, by Father Matta El-Meskeen, St. Valdimirs Press, ISBN 978-0-88141-250-5
The Soul's Longing An Orthodox Christian Perspective on Biblical Interpretation by Dr. Mary Ford ISBN 978-0-9905029-6-8
A must read for those that struggle with Biblical Interpretation in this day and age of Denominationalism. Read how the early Church understood the Holy Scripture and it's Tradition.
The Orthodox Study Bible by Thomas Nelson Publishing. Full of comemtary, teachings, references and study articles ISBN 978-0-7180-0359-3
Orthodox Spirituality by Metropolitan Nafpaktos Hierotheos, Birth of the Theotokos Monastery ISBN 978-960-7070-20-3
Passions and Virtues According to St. Gregory Palamas by Anestis Keselopoulos, St. Tikhon's Seminary Press, ISBN 1-878997-75-0
Acquiring the Mind of Christ by Archimandrite Serguis, St. Tikhon's Monastery Press, ISBN 978-0-995029-9-9
https://sttikhonsmonastery.org/
Glory and Honor, Orthodox Christian Resources on Marriage by Dr. David Ford, Dr. Mary Ford and Alfred Kentigern Siewers. Editors, St. Valdimirs Seminary Press, ISBN 9789-0-8841-540-1. A must read before you get married!
Angels and Demons by Dr. Harry Boosalis, ISBN 978-1-878997-83-8
Holy Traditon by Dr. Harry Boosalis, ISBN 978-0-9884574-2-3
Orthodox Spiritual Life According to Saint Silouan the Anthonite by Dr. Harry Boosalas, St. Tikhon's Seminary Press, ISBN 978-1-878997-60-9
Man the Target of God by Archimandrite Zacharias, Mount Tabor Publishing
The following series of titles expand even more on Wisdom and Spirituality inspired by the Holy Spirit by the Monastic life on Mount Athos. The three stages of Orthodox Christian Salvation; Purification, Illumination and Deification are outlined throughout these timeless resources.
Remember Thy First Love by Archimandrite Zacharias, Mount Tabor Publishing
Enlargement of the Heart by Archimandrite Zacharias, Mount Tabor Publishing
The Hidden Man of the Heart by Archimandrite Zacharias, Mount Tabor Publishing
Saint Silouan the Anthonite by Archimandrite Sophrony, Mount Tabor Publishing
Information on Mount Athos
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Athos
ABOUT THE UPCOMING FEAST...Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
The Holy Martyr Photina (Svetlana) the Samaritan Woman, her sons Victor (named Photinus) and Joses; and her sisters Anatola, Phota, Photis, Paraskeva, Kyriake; Nero’s daughter Domnina; and the Martyr Sebastian: The holy Martyr Photina was the Samaritan Woman, with whom the Savior conversed at Jacob’s Well (John. 4:5-42).
During the time of the emperor Nero (54-68), who displayed excessive cruelty against Christians, Saint Photina lived in Carthage with her younger son Joses and fearlessly preached the Gospel there. Her eldest son Victor fought bravely in the Roman army against barbarians, and was appointed military commander in the city of Attalia (Asia Minor). Later, Nero called him to Italy to arrest and punish Christians.
Sebastian, an official in Italy, said to Saint Victor, “I know that you, your mother and your brother, are followers of Christ. As a friend I advise you to submit to the will of the emperor. If you inform on any Christians, you will receive their wealth. I shall write to your mother and brother, asking them not to preach Christ in public. Let them practice their faith in secret.”
Saint Victor replied, “I want to be a preacher of Christianity like my mother and brother.” Sebastian said, “O Victor, we all know what woes await you, your mother and brother.” Then Sebastian suddenly felt a sharp pain in his eyes. He was dumbfounded, and his face was somber.
For three days he lay there blind, without uttering a word. On the fourth day he declared, “The God of the Christians is the only true God.” Saint Victor asked why Sebastian had suddenly changed his mind. Sebastian replied, “Because Christ is calling me.” Soon he was baptized, and immediately regained his sight. Saint Sebastian’s servants, after witnessing the miracle, were also baptized.
Reports of this reached Nero, and he commanded that the Christians be brought to him at Rome. Then the Lord Himself appeared to the confessors and said, “Fear not, for I am with you. Nero, and all who serve him, will be vanquished.” The Lord said to Saint Victor, “From this day forward, your name will be Photinus, because through you, many will be enlightened and will believe in Me.” The Lord then told the Christians to strengthen and encourage Saint Sebastian to peresevere until the end.
All these things, and even future events, were revealed to Saint Photina. She left Carthage in the company of several Christians and joined the confessors in Rome.
At Rome the emperor ordered the saints to be brought before him and he asked them whether they truly believed in Christ. All the confessors refused to renounce the Savior. Then the emperor gave orders to smash the martyrs’ finger joints. During the torments, the confessors felt no pain, and their hands remained unharmed.
Nero ordered that Saints Sebastian, Photinus and Joses be blinded and locked up in prison, and Saint Photina and her five sisters Anatola, Phota, Photis, Paraskeva and Kyriake were sent to the imperial court under the supervision of Nero’s daughter Domnina. Saint Photina converted both Domnina and all her servants to Christ. She also converted a sorcerer, who had brought her poisoned food to kill her.
Three years passed, and Nero sent to the prison for one of his servants, who had been locked up. The messengers reported to him that Saints Sebastian, Photinus and Joses, who had been blinded, had completely recovered, and that people were visiting them to hear their preaching, and indeed the whole prison had been transformed into a bright and fragrant place where God was glorified.
Nero then gave orders to crucify the saints, and to beat their naked bodies with straps. On the fourth day the emperor sent servants to see whether the martyrs were still alive. But, approaching the place of the tortures, the servants fell blind. An angel of the Lord freed the martyrs from their crosses and healed them. The saints took pity on the blinded servants, and restored their sight by their prayers to the Lord. Those who were healed came to believe in Christ and were soon baptized.
In an impotent rage Nero gave orders to flay the skin from Saint Photina and to throw the martyr down a well. Sebastian, Photinus and Joses had their legs cut off, and they were thrown to dogs, and then had their skin flayed off. The sisters of Saint Photina also suffered terrible torments. Nero gave orders to cut off their breasts and then to flay their skin. An expert in cruelty, the emperor readied the fiercest execution for Saint Photis: they tied her by the feet to the tops of two bent-over trees. When the ropes were cut the trees sprang upright and tore the martyr apart. The emperor ordered the others beheaded. Saint Photina was removed from the well and locked up in prison for twenty days.
After this Nero had her brought to him and asked if she would now relent and offer sacrifice to the idols. Saint Photina spit in the face of the emperor, and laughing at him, said, “O most impious of the blind, you profligate and stupid man! Do you think me so deluded that I would consent to renounce my Lord Christ and instead offer sacrifice to idols as blind as you?”
Hearing such words, Nero gave orders to again throw the martyr down the well, where she surrendered her soul to God (ca. 66).
On the Greek Calendar, Saint Photina commemorated on February 26.
