This year, we celebrate the 350th Anniversary of the weeping of the Icon of Our Lady in Klokočov, Slovakia. Having been blessed with our own copy of this miraculous icon, the Eparchy of Parma is hosting a pilgrimage of the Icon of Our Lady of Klokočov to the parishes within the Eparchy. Please click the title above for the full article.
St. Mary Hospitality House has resumed operations at Holy Spirit Church in Parma, Ohio. It will be open on Tuesdays at 3PM and serving will begin at 4PM.
Today we commemorate the suppression of our Greek Catholic Church in the territory of modern day Slovakia. This is a sad day in our history, but we must not forget our past. Rather, we must recall it and draw strength and courage from the intercession of those who stood up for the truth and who were persecuted for it. Among these brave leaders we celebrate Bishop Gojdič and Bishop Hopko, whom we venerate as martyrs. Please click the title above for the full article and historical pictures.
The Office of Religious Education has begun a new online video series for children and parents of the Eparchy of Parma, to ensure that catechesis continues in the home during Covid-19. "Iconography 4 Kids" episodes will have Father Marek Visnovsky talking about how icons are made and the symbolism behind each stage of the process.
The Great Martyr St. George is revered in many countries and faith traditions. We know that he was a high ranking military official of the Roman Empire and was tortured and beheaded for Christianity during the persecution of Christians by Diocletian in Lydda, Palestine. “The Great Martyr St. George is an example for us today that it is possible to become a saint everywhere, in every position, every job, every vocation, and that nobody is excluded from being a saint, from being holy. We can pray on this feast of his for his heroism, his virtues, his strength in remaining faithful to Jesus Christ, because even at the end when he was tortured he did not deny Jesus.” Excerpt from Bishop Milan Lach’s homily for the Feast of St. George.
On Bright Monday, April 13, shortly after midnight, at the age of 89, the Very Rev. Eugene Linowski, a priest of the Eparchy of Parma and long-term pastor of St. John the Chrysostom Parish in Columbus, OH passed away. He surrendered his soul to the Lord in the 62nd year of his priesthood and shortly before his 90th birthday, which he would have celebrated on April 25, 2020. Fr. Linowski is survived by his nephew Fred Kowalski and other cousins, nieces, and nephews. The Office of Christian Burial, consisting of a Parastas during Bright Week and the Funeral Divine Liturgy, was celebrated by Bishop Milan Lach, SJ at St. John Chrysostom Byzantine Catholic Church on April 17, 2020 at 11AM. The Very Rev. Marek Visnovsky, Very Rev. John Kachuba, and Rev. Robert Jager (current administrator of St. John Chrysostom Parish) concelebrated the Divine Liturgy, but were the only other clergy present as attendance was restricted due to the COVID-19 situation. Interment was at Holy Spirit Cemetery in Parma, Ohio.
Biography The Very Rev. Eugene Raymond Linowski was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 25, 1930 and baptized in St. Hyacinth Church on June 8, 1930. His father, Stanislaus Linowski, came from Stopnica, Kielce, Poland and his mother, Mary nee Walas, from Oleśnica, Kielce, Poland...
This year's Pascha will stay in our minds until the end of our lives. I know that it is very hard for you to be without the celebration of services on Pascha; it is very hard for me as well. The whole world is in shock over this coronavirus pandemic. The whole world is in quarantine and we are filled with sadness, helplessness, and fear. Back in January we did not pay attention to this coronavirus from Wuhan, China. We had plans for our summer vacations, we were preparing for family celebrations and then everything suddenly changed, literally overnight. There was nothing left of our plans.
Dear Horizons Reader,
Glory to Jesus Christ!
The difficulties surrounding the COVID crisis have also affected us here at Horizons. As if it weren't challenging enough to change the entire format of the publication (and with a new editor), our printer had to lay off a number of employees and was required to focus their efforts on printing emergency manuals for respirators. The end result is that the March issue of your new favorite magazine has not yet even made it off the presses. READ MORE.
Throughout Holy Week, each day is filled with biblical and theological symbolism, which is actualized in the beautiful hymnography and iconography leading us towards the Passion and ultimate Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Father Marek Visnovsky, Protosyncellus and Rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist speaks about this deep symbolism during this holiest of weeks.
Palm Sunday, and the days that follow leading up to Pascha, usually are a time of repentance in preperation for the risen Lord. However, due to the current situation many are not able to receive this sacrament, which we are obliged to do at least once a year, especially at Easter time. For this reason, Bishop Milan Lach explains in this video the act of perfect contrition, something that can conditionally substitute this sacrament for the faithful during these difficult times.
In preparation for Pascha, Bishop Milan speaks of the importance of having hope in Jesus Christ, especially during these distressing times. The Lord is giving us an opportunity to grow closer to Him, and in this week's video, Bishop Milan outlines three ways we can grow in hope and love of Christ.
Through the good leadership of our shepherds, the Church is experiencing the remarkable grace of spiritual closeness from a distance. To the extent you may find it helpful, the Conference has been collecting examples of how our community of faith has sought to remain with one another in prayer during these difficult times. You may find the list here: http://www.usccb.org/coronavirus
