St. Luke Byzantine Catholic Church
Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma
Liturgy Schedule
Liturgies
Sunday Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am
Saturday Great Vespers at 4:30 pm
Feast Days
Eve of the Feast - Festal Vespers at 7:00 pm
Feast Day - Divine Liturgy at 7:00 pm
Check the Feast Day information below to reconfirm the liturgy times.
Wednesday Services
Wednesday, November 13 - Divine Liturgy at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, November 20 -Festal Vespers for the
Feast of the Theotokos
Mystery of Repentance:
By appointment
To schedule an appointment, contact Fr. Michael at
Liturgy for the Deceased:
Contact Fr. Michael to offer a Divine Liturgy or Panachida for a deceased loved one.
the Feast of Entrance of the Theotokos
The Feast of the Entrance of the Theokokos is celebrated on November 21.
Liturgies:
Wednesday, November 20 - Festal Vespers at 7:00 pm
Thursday, November 21 - Divine Liturgy at 7:00 pm
When the Most-holy Virgin Mary reached the age of three, her parent, Joachim and Anna took her from Nazareth to Jerusalem to dedicate her to the service of God according to their earlier promise. It was a three-day journey form Nazareth to Jerusalem but, traveling to do a God-pleasing work, their journey was not difficult for them. Many kinsmen of Joachim and Anna gathered in Jerusalem to take part in this event, at which the invisible angels of God were also present. Leading the procession into the Temple were virgins with lighted tapers in their hands, then the most-holy Virgin led on one side by her father and on the other side by her mother. The virgin was clad in vesture of royal magnificence and adornments as was befitting the ‘Kings daughter, the Bride of God” (Psalm 45:13-15). Following them were many kinsmen and fiends, all with lighted tapers. Fifteen steps led up to the Temple. Joachim and Anna lifted the Virgin onto the first step, then she ran quickly to the top herself, where she was met by the High Priest Zacharias, who was to be the father of Saint John the Forerunner. Taking her by the hand, he led her not only into the Temple but into the “Holy of Holies,” the holiest of holy places, into which no one but the high priest ever entered, and only once year, at that. Saint Theophylact of Ohrid says that Zacharias “was outside himself and possessed by God” when he led the Virgin into the holiest place in the Temple, beyond the second curtain-otherwise, his action could not be explained. Mary’s parents then offered sacrifice to God according to the Law, received the priest’s blessing and returned home.
The New Saint Mary Basilica was built near the wall of the temple in Jerusalem was competed in 543. The day after the dedication is celebrated which the future mother of God showed of her own accord toward God from her infancy. By the movement of the Holy Spirit she was immaculate, filled with grace at her conception.
Troparion (Tone 4):
Today is the prelude of God's benevolence and the herald of our salvation; for the Virgin openly appears in the temple of God and foretells Christ to all. Let us also with full voice exclaim to her: Rejoice, fulfillment of the Creator's plan.
Kontakion (Tone 4):
The most-pure Temple of the Savior, the most precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the Treasury of the glory of God, is led today into the house of the Lord, bringing grace in the Spirit of God. God's angels praise her in song; she is the Heavenly Ark.
Archangel Michael and all the Angels
The Feast of Archangel Michael and Angels is celebrated on November 8.
Liturgies:
Thursday, November 7 - Festal Vespers at 7:00 pm
Friday, November 8 - Divine Liturgy at 7:00 pm
In the fourth century, during the time of Sylvester, Pope of Rome, and Alexander, Patriarch of Alexandria, the present Feast of Archangel Michael and all the other heavenly powers was instituted for celebration in the month of November. Why precisely in November? Because November is the ninth month after March, and March is considered to be the month in which the world was created. Also, as the ninth month after March, November was chosen for the nine orders of angels who were created first. Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, a disciple of the Apostle Paul, described the nine orders of angels in his book, On the Celestial Hierarchies, as follows: six-winged Seraphim, many-eyed Cherubim, God-bearing Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. The leader of all the angelic hosts is the Archangel Michael. When Satan, Lucifer, fell away from God and drew a part of the angels with him to destruction, then Michael stood up and cried out before the faithful angels: “Let us attend! Let us stand aright! Let us stand with fear!” and all of the faithful angelic hosts cried out: “Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God of Hosts! Heaven and earth are full of your glory!” Among the angels their reign perfect oneness of mind, oneness of soul, and love. The lower orders also show complete obedience to the higher orders, and all of them together to the holy will of God. Every nation has its guardian angel, as does every Christian. We must always remember that whatever we do, openly or in secret, we do in the presence of our guardian angel. On the day of the Dread Judgment, the multitude of the hosts of the holy angels of heaven will gather around the throne of Christ, and the deeds, words, and thought of every man will be revealed before all. May God have mercy on us and save us by prayers of the Archangel Michael and all the bodiless heavenly powers.
Troparion (Tone 4):
Leaders of the heavenly armies, although we are unworthy, we always beseech you to fortify us through your prayers and to shelter us beneath the wings of your subline glory. Watch over us who bow to you and cry out fervently: Deliver us from danger, for you are the commanders of the powers on high.
Kontakion (Tone 2):
Leaders of God’s armies and ministers of divine glory, commanders of angels and guides of mortals, plead on our behalf for what we need and for great mercy; since you are leaders of the heavenly hosts.