His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon has issued his letter in preparation for Great Lent.  You can find his letter here. His Grace, Bishop Benedict also forwarded his letter as we begin Great Lent.  You can find his letter here.  Asking their archpastoral prayers!

This year Souper Bowl Sunday will be February 11, 2024.  Please consider making a donation to aid those in need.  You can click here to find a map of area charitable outreach enttities.

Thank you for the many ways our parish supports those in need!

Fr. Steven

The 2024 annual parish meeting will be on Sunday, February 4^th following the Divine Liturgy, beginning in the hall after coffee hour.  We will be receiving reports, approving a budget for the year, electing parish council officers and members, and discussing old and new business for the good of our parish.  As indicated in our parish by-laws, voting members of the parish are those who have participated in the holy sacraments of Confession and Communion in our parish at least once during 2023, and who are pledging members.  Materials will be available electronically.  This third official notice is printed in today’s bulletin, posted on our website and announced aloud in church.  Thank you!

The Sanctity of Life Sunday is commemorated this year on Sunday, January 21st.  His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, has forwarded a letter recognizing this day.  You can find it here.  Please take time to pray for the sanctity of all life, as special prayers will be taken this weekend in our parishes.

On Sunday, February 18th, 2-4pm, FORCC is hosting another Youth Duckpin Bowling Event in Milford (Devon).  You can find a flyer here with information on how to register to participate.

Christ is Born!  Glorify Him!

Nativity Feast Messages were forwarded by both His Beatitude, the Most Blessed Tikhon, Metropolitan of All-America and Canada, and His Grace, the Right Reverend Benedict, Bishop of Hartford and the New England Diocese.  You can find His Beatitude's message here, and Bishop Benedict's here.   εἰς πολλὰ ἔτη, Δέσποτα!

CT Hospice is calling for musical volunteers to come and offer your talents at their center in Branford.  You can find a flyer here.  Please consider offering your talents!

Three Saints Orthodox Church in Ansonia, CT will again be hosting a Concert of Sacred Music, sung by seminarians from St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan, PA on Sunday, December 3^rd at 4 PM. 

In honor our former chancellor and beloved pastor emeritus, we will be funding “The Very Rev. Mitered Archpriest Nicholas Timpko St. Tikhon’s OCA Seminarian Memorial Scholarship”. There is no admission fee, but donations will help fund the scholarship, to help prepare priests and leaders within the Orthodox Church.  Please see the Flyer, here, or posted on your Church Bulletin Board for more information. 

Donation checks made out to Three Saints Orthodox Church (with STOTS written on your memo line) may be mailed to:

Three Saints Orthodox Church
ATTN: Scholarship
26 Howard Ave,
Ansonia, CT 06401

Don’t hesitate to contact Dn.Peter Romanovsky at 203-305-5683 or pwromanovsky89@gmail.com for more information or look us up at threesaintschurch.org.

May our good Lord bless you for your generosity!

Vespers for the Feast of St. Nektarios (Nov. 9) will be celebrated at Christ the Savior Church, 1070 Roxbury Road, Southbury, CT,  on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 at 4:00pm.  You can find a flyer here.

All are welcome to attend! 

The Yale Russian Chorus, including our parishioner Maria Papademetris, will be singing at Holy Transfiguration Church, 285 Alden Avenue, New Haven, CT 06515 on Saturday, Nov. 11th, after Vespers, around 6:00pm. You can find a flyer here.  A light reception will follow.

All are welcome to join us for this evening of music!

On Tuesday, Oct. 31, Three Saints Church in Ansonia will be hosting a Fall Youth Party.  It begins at 4pm with a Molieben. 

Please call Three Saints at 203-735-0117 or email at threesaintschurch@gmail.com to make a reservation before Oct. 27^th and/or to offer assistance.  You can find a flyer here.

Orthodox Youth Ministry Teams will be gathering on November 5, from 1-6pm in Stratford.  You can find a flyer here with more information.

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Special Parish Meeting, Second Official Notice:  

A special parish meeting will be held on Sunday, October 15^th following the Divine Liturgy, beginning in the hall after coffee hour.  We will be considering options for carpeting/flooring for our church, following a presentation made at our annual meeting, and a recommendation related to a bequest by Bob Muthersbaugh, of blessed memory, of his home to our church.  As indicated in our parish by-laws, voting members of the parish are identified in the current year:  have participated in the holy sacraments of Confession and Communion in our parish at least once, and who have forwarded a pledge during the same year.  Materials will be available electronically.  This second official notice is printed in today’s bulletin, posted on our website and announced aloud in church.  As required by our by-laws, it will be repeated a third time in the same places.

The FORCC banquet is now scheduled for October 1st.  The banquet will be at St. Dimitri Orthodox Church in Easton, beginning at 12:30pm.  You can find a flyer here.  Alex Oji has again committed to be our ticket chairman.  This will be the 30th anniversary of FORCC!

Please continue to support the work of this fellowship.

When- June 19-23, 2023 (NOTE NEW DATES). Where- Three Saints Park, 112 Miller Road, Bethany, CT 06524. Time – Daily 9am to 4pm with Family Night on Friday starting at 5pm. Cost- $45 per child. Come join us for our week-long Vacation Church School for youth ages 5-15. Your child will experience fun, faith, friendship, swimming, games, bible study, religious education, worship and song. This year’s theme will be “The Holy Apostles”. Questions? - Call Fr. Patrick Burns (203) 734-3988 Children of all faiths are welcome!  Registration deadline is June 1st.  You can find a registration form here.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England, has shared Paschal greetings with the clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America.  You can find the text here.  Eis polla, eti Despota!

March is ONE Stewards campaign.  Contributions support program above and beyond budgeted funds, including missions work, youth ministry, seminary scholarships and charities.  You can find a flyer about ONE Stewards here.

The CT Deanery will again be celebrating Mission Vespers each week during the upcoming Great Lenten journey.  You can find the flyer here.  Please plan to visit our sister parishes during the coming weeks!

The 2023 annual parish meeting will be on Sunday, February 5^th following the Divine Liturgy, beginning after coffee hour.  We will be receiving reports, approving a budget for the year, electing parish council officers and members, and discussing old and new business for the good of our parish.  As indicated in our parish by-laws, voting members of the parish are those who have participated in the holy sacraments of Confession and Communion in our parish at least once during 2022, and who have completed a pledge during the same year.  Materials are available electronically.  This third official notice is printed in today’s bulletin, posted on our website and announced aloud in church.

The 2023 annual parish meeting will be on Sunday, February 5^th following the Divine Liturgy, beginning in the hall after coffee hour.  We will be receiving reports, approving a budget for the year, electing parish council officers and members, and discussing old and new business for the good of our parish.  As indicated in our parish by-laws, voting members of the parish are those who have participated in the holy sacraments of Confession and Communion in our parish at least once during 2022, and who have completed a pledge during the same year.  Materials will be available electronically.  This second official notice is printed in today’s bulletin, posted on our website and announced aloud in church.  As required by our by-laws, it will be repeated a third time in the same places.  If you have a report due please get it to Susan or Fr. Steven, asap.  Thank you!

The 2023 annual parish meeting will be on Sunday, February 5^th following the Divine Liturgy, beginning in the hall after coffee hour.  We will be receiving reports, approving a budget for the year, electing parish council officers and members, and discussing old and new business for the good of our parish.  As indicated in our parish by-laws, voting members of the parish are those who have participated in the holy sacraments of Confession and Communion in our parish at least once during 2022, and who have completed a pledge during the same year.  Materials will be available electronically.  Those requesting a paper copy, of materials, please place your name on the sign-up sheet at the candle desk this Sunday. This first official notice is printed in today’s bulletin, posted on our website and announced aloud in church.  As required by our by-laws, it will be repeated a second and third time in the same places.  Please see bylaw changes accompanying this bulletin.  If you have a report due please get it to Susan or Fr. Steven, asap.  Thank you!

FORCC Invites all our youth to participate in a Duckpin Bowling afternoon on February 12, 2023, from 2-4pm, at Devon Duckpin Bowl.  You can find a flyer with further details here. 

On Sunday, December 25th, at 7:00pm, the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America (FOCA) is hosting a presentation of choirs singing hymns of the feast.  Our Holy Transfiguration Church choir submitted a recording to be part of this presentation.  You can find the link on the flyer here, or click on it directly here.  Please include this presentation as part of your Nativity Feast celebration.

His Beatitdue, Metropolitan Tikhon, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England, issued a Nativity Feast letter.  You can find it here.  Please take a moment to read this as we celebrate the Nativity Feast.

From our OCA Website:  December 11, 2022, the Sunday before the feast day of Saint Herman of Alaska, marks the first of an annual collection for the Diocese of Alaska. You can find the appeal letter from his Grace, Bishop Alexie here.

At the 20th All-American Council in Baltimore, MD, His Grace Bishop Alexei held a forum updating the Church on the challenges facing the Diocese of Alaska. In the face of such serious difficulties, the council passed the following resolution:

“Whereas Alaska is the cradle of Orthodoxy in America: Be it resolved that the 20th AAC asks the Holy Synod of Bishops to designate annually the Sunday closest to the December feast of Saint Herman, for a free-will collection from each parish in the Orthodox Church in America to support the Diocese of Alaska Clergy Endowment.”

The Diocese of Alaska is the birthplace of the Orthodox Christianity in North America and the mother diocese of the Orthodox Church in America. The entire Orthodox Church in America owes much to the Church in Alaska for its continuous faith and witness since Saint Herman and the first missionaries arrived in 1794. 

In gratitude to the Alaskan faithful, and in fraternal love toward our fellow brothers and sisters in need, parishes of the OCA are asked to give generously on December 11, 2022.

St. Tikhon’s Seminary Choir comes again to Connecticut for a special Sacred Music Concert!

Three Saints Orthodox Church in Ansonia, CT will again be hosting a Concert of Sacred Music, sung by seminarians from St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan, PA on Sunday, December 4^th at 4 PM.   You can see the flyer here.

As with last year, to honor our former chancellor and beloved pastor emeritus, we will be funding “The Very Rev. Mitered Archpriest Nicholas Timpko St. Tikhon’s OCA Seminarian Memorial Scholarship”. A further blessing has been offered in the form of a $5,000 matching grant from a donor in our parish. There is no admission fee, but donations will help fund the scholarship, to help prepare priests and leaders within the Orthodox Church.  Please see the Flyer Posted on your Church Bulletin Board for more information. 

Donation checks made out to Three Saints Orthodox Church (with STOTS written on your memo line) may be mailed to:

Three Saints Orthodox Church, ATTN: Scholarship, 26 Howard Ave, Ansonia, CT 06401

Christ the Savior Church, 1070 Roxbury Road, Southbury, CT invites all of us to their St. Nektarios celebration, occurring on Nov. 13, 2022, at 4:00pm.  You can find the flyer here.  After Vespers will be the veneration of St. Nektarios' relics,  and being anointed with oil.

Three Saints, 26 Howard Avenue, Ansonia, CT, will host its Slavic Festival on Nov. 11 and 12.  You can find a flyer here.

Ethnic foods: pierogi, borscht, holupsi, holushki, kielbasa/sauerkraut, baked goods, and more…….Pre order, Take out, or eat in.

Christmas Tag Sale, Religious items & Bookstore, Basket raffle (drawing in Dec.)

Friday,     Nov. 11, 2022: 4:00 – 7:00 pm

Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022: 9:00am – 4:00pm

(Kitchen opens at 10:00 am)

For information, contact: 203-735-0117

From our OCA Website:  The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America set aside the Sunday following the feast of Saint Romanus the Melodist for an annual celebration of church musicianship, to honor singers, choir directors, composers, arrangers, chanters, readers, bell-ringers, hymnologists, translators, hymnographers, and all who help our parishes and their congregations to make a ‘joyful noise unto the Lord’ (Ps. 98:4) so that our temples resound with the praise of God.  You can find His Beatitude's letter here, sharing this new commemoration.  At Holy Transfiguration Church, we will be celebrating this commemoration on Sunday, October 9th, with special prayers for church musicians during the Divine Liturgy.

Thanks be to God for the dedication of our church musicians in making the divine services so melodious and meaningful!!!

The Yale Russian Chorus and alumni will perform a concert of sacred and secular music, including Ukrainian, Russian, and Georgian pieces, on Sunday, September 11th, at 2pm, in Yale's Battell Chapel. Admission is free! Audience members will be asked to wear masks, in accordance with Yale University policy.

The annual FORCC Benefit Banquet will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at St. Dimitrie Orthodox Church, 504 Sport Hill Road, Easton, CT.  Alex Oji is coordinating tickets this year, so please see him to reserve your place at the banquet. Forms are available at the candle desk, and ticket purchase deadline is Sept. 17^th.  Bishop John (Abdallah), Auxiliary Bishop of Worchester and the Diocese of New England, Antiochian Archdiocese, will the speaker.  Click here to see the flyer.  Please plan on gathering with our Orthodox Christian brother and sisters from around the state!

Fr. Moses Locke, our Diocesan Youth Director, has announced plans for our New England Diocesan Youth Rally, to occur August 7-13, 2022.  You can find  an information sheet here, and flyer here.  The information sheet has a live link for registration, and Fr. Moses' contact information for further questions you may have.

To access the flyer, click here.

2022 Vacation Church School at Three Saints Park

When- July 11-15, 2022.  To download flyer and application, click here.

Where- Three Saints Park, 112 Miller Road, Bethany, CT 06524.

Time – Daily 9am to 4pm with Family Night on Friday starting at 5pm.

Cost- $40 per child.

Come join us for our week-long Vacation Church School for youth ages 5-15. Your child will experience fun, faith, friendship, swimming, games, bible study, religious education, worship and song. This year’s theme will be “The Life of Christ”. Questions? - Call Fr. Patrick Burns (203) 734-3988 Children of all faiths are welcome!

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon has issued his Paschal message.  You can view it here.  May God bless us as we prepare to journey through Holy Week!

As we have seen, Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.  His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon posted a communication to the hierarchs and faithful of Ukraine, assurring them of our prayers during this time.  You can find his letter here.  Let us add our prayers for a swift end to this violent invasion.

You can find his subsequent appeal for financial support here as posted on the OCA website.

The Souper Bowl of Caring is a charitable outreach connected to the Superbowl.  For those desiring to participate, here are two avenues:

1) See the flyer here instructing you to place food items outside your home on Saturday morning before 9:30am, for pick-up by the Boy Scouts.

2)  Click here to see a map of area charitable institutions that you could support on this day to help those in need.

Thank you for the many ways our parish supports those in need!

Fr. Steven

Annual Parish Meeting, Third Official Notice (Feb. 6):  

The 2022 annual parish meeting will be today, Sunday, February 6^th following the Divine Liturgy, beginning at noon in the church.  We will be receiving reports, approving a budget for the year, electing parish council officers and members, approving bylaw changes and discussing old and new business for the good of our parish.  As indicated in our parish by-laws, voting members of the parish are those who have participated in the holy sacraments of Confession and Communion in our parish at least once during 2021, and who have indicated as least a minimum of support for the parish by fulfilling the basic commitment for 2021.  Materials will be available through a shared drive folder.  This third official notice is printed in today’s bulletin, posted on our website and announced aloud in church.    Please see proposed bylaw changes here. 

If you have a report due please get it to Susan or Fr. Steven, asap.  Thank you!

Sunday, January 16th will be Sanctity of Life Sunday.  His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, has issued a letter in remembrance of this anniversary that the Orthodox Church actively observes.  You can find his letter here.

Friday, January 21^st , is the date of the Annual March for Life at the US Capital, marking the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United States.  As in past years, Orthodox Christians from across the country will gather to proclaim the sanctity of God’s precious gift of life and to remember the millions of victims abortion has claimed over the past four decades.” (From OCA website).  This is one example of our church “walking the walk” with respect to upholding the sanctity of life.

His Beatiude, Metropolitan Tikhon, and Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England, has shared his Nativity Feast message.  You can view his letter here.  Let us continue to pray for our Metropoitan as he continues to guide our Orthodox Church in America.  Eis polla eti Despota!

On Sunday, December 26, 2021, at 7:00pm, the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America (FOCA) is hosting a Nativity concert, of hymns sung by parish choirs all across the country.  Some choirs will be live, others like ours here at Holy Transfiguration Church, were pre-recorded and will be part of the program.  You can download a pdf file with a live youtube link here, or you can click here for the youtube link.  His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon will be sharing greetings on the feast as part of the program. 

Please plan to gather your family and participate in this sharing of choir talent on the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Christ the Savior Church in Southbury, 1070 Roxbury Road in Southbury, invites all to come and celebrate Vespers for the Feast of St Nektarios of Aegina on Sunday, November 7th, at 4pm.  You can find the flyer here for this event.  Christ the Savior just hosted the diocesan assembly this past weekend.  They are planning a procession as part of the celebration, followed by a lite dinner for those attending.  Please join them in celebrating the feast!

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, has issued a letter for the New Ecclesiastical Year.  You can find his letter here.

Blessed New Ecclesiastical Year!  You can view Vespers commemorating the new year here. 

The FORCC Annual Dinner is on for 2021, planned for Sunday, October 3, 2021.  You can find a copy of the flyer here, and the letter about the dinner here.  Copies of the reservation form will be at the candle desk, with a reservation deadline of September 24th.  Alex Oji has graciously agreed again to be our ticket representative, so please give your reservation and check to him.  The dinner will be held at St. Dimitrie Orthodox Church in Easton. 

The OCA's Parish Life Forum will be held virtually on July 16th.  You can find a flier here.  Registration information can be found on the flier.

2021 Vacation Church School at Three Saints Park

When- July 12-16, 2021. Where- Three Saints Park, 112 Miller Road, Bethany, CT 06524. Time – Daily 9 am to 4 pm with Family Night on Friday starting at 5 pm. Cost- $40 per child. Come join us for our week-long Vacation Church School for youth ages 5-15. Your child will experience fun, faith, friendship, swimming, games, bible study, religious education, worship, and song. This year’s theme will be “The Mother of God”. Questions? - Call Fr. Patrick Burns (203) 734-3988 Children of all faiths are welcome!  You can download the flier and registration here.

                  Event Link

With the recent guidance from the CDC, and from His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon (May 29, 2021), our parish council has worked to revise our parish guidance accordingly.  You can find our Metropolitan's letter here, and our revised parish guidance here.  Thank you for your continued patience and efforts to support one another during these challenging months!  We look forward to celebrating the eve of Pentecost in Church, please join us!

His Beatitude, Tikhon, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, and Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England, issued his paschal letter.  You can reference it here.  Blessed Pascha!

We received late Saturday, April 10th, a letter from His Beatitude, our Metropolitan Tikhon, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England, containing guidance in preparation for Holy Week and Pascha services.  you can find his letter here. 

See below a flyer sent out to all diocesan parishes.  As the three task forces prepare to begin their work, they are still looking for volunteers to assist.  You can declare your interest by completing and forwarding this form. 

Dear Clergy and Faithful of Holy Transfiguration Parish:

We have received two recent communications from our Holy Synod as we prepare to enter Great Lent.  On March 4th, a statement was released from the Holy Synod.  You can view that here.  Earlier on Saturday evening, March 6th, we received a letter from Metropolitan Tikhon, our Locum Tenens, offering direction to our diocesan parishes and institutions.  You can view that here.   Essentially we are asked to continue to work with the guidance offered in May, with some directives offered for services at the opening of the Great Lenten journey.  Let us pray together for a fruitful lenten journey as we continue to make our way through this time of pandemic, now entering a second year.

With prayers and love in Christ,

Fr. Steven

The City of New Haven has forwarded information for our parish faithful who are 65 and above.   As of Feb. 11th, those 65+ are now eligible for vaccination.

You can find a letter from the New Haven Health Department here.  We also have a few of the cards such as this one here.  We will continue to update vaccination information as it is received.  Here is a website that you can be directly updated by accessing: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/covid-19%20vaccinations/

From this communication received:

Currently we are on phases 1a & 1b. Individuals who are 75 years and older can sign up now to receive the vaccine. 

The Health Department is also hosting vaccination clinics on the following dates: 

Saturday, February 20^th:  

• Adults ages 75+ only  
• 10 am-2:30 pm.  
• For New Haven Residents only  
• Please call in advance to schedule your appointment at 203-639-2245  
• Location: 54 Meadow Street, New Haven 

• Wednesday, February 24 from 10:30 to 2:30 at Varick Church (242 Dixwell Ave) 
• 20 appointment slots available at Varick.
  

Residents can call 203-639-2245 to register for Feb. 20 and 24 events.

Many of you also expressed their desire to be part of a public COVID-19 vaccination campaign to encourage residents to get vaccinated. We are preparing to roll out a campaign and will have more information shortly. If you are interested in getting the COVID-19 vaccine in public as part of this awareness campaign, please let me know so that I can you the list.   

Lastly, to keep informed regarding COVID Vaccination, you can visit https://covid19.newhavenct.gov/  

The 2021 annual parish meeting will be held today, Sunday, February 7^th following the Divine Liturgy, beginning at noon via zoom.  We will be receiving reports, approving a budget for the year, electing parish council officers and members, and discussing old and new business for the good of our parish.  As indicated in our parish by-laws, voting members of the parish are those who have participated in the holy sacraments of Confession and Communion in our parish at least once during 2020, and who have indicated as least a minimum of support for the parish by fulfilling the basic commitment for 2020.  This third official notice is printed in today’s bulletin, posted on our website and announced aloud in church.

Dear Parish Clergy and Faithful: 

As we near the end of a very challenging year, our OCA Holy Synod of Bishops has issued an Encyclical of Hope.   You can access the text here.  Please take a moment to read this text as we prepare for the new year.

With prayers and love in Chirst,

Fr. Steven

Dn. Timothy Skuby, attached to St. Alexis Church, has circulated a brief communication concerning how to support Fr. Steven Hosking and his family in their grief following the untimely death of their son, Luke.  You can see that communication here.  Please consider offering your financial support.

His Beatitude, the Most Blessed Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, and Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England, has offered a Nativity message to our Orthodox Church in America.  You can find the letter here.  May we be encouraged by his words to us as we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

We have received a blessing to reopen the church!  Our parish council has oriented itself to assisting our faithful, no more than 25, to attend services at church.  Each week we will celebrate a daily Vespers (likely either Tuesday or Thursday), and Saturday Divine Liturgy.

To reserve a place for you, and members of your family, here are three options:

1.  You can complete a google form (either clicking here, or scroll down)

2. You can e-mail our church e-mail address letting us know who you are and how many you plan to have attend with you

3. You can phone in using the church number:  203. 387.3882, touching 0 to leave a message.  Please indicate who you are, a phone number to reach you back, and how many family members you plan to bring with you.

We look forward to seeing you back at church!

While the difficulties of Covid19 may be a temptation to do away with Christmas cheer, Three Saints Church will still be sponsoring their annual St. Tikhon’s Seminary Concert. Obviously, this concert will use a live stream format. The singers will perform before our eyes with live interaction from our hosts.

This year’s concert will be performed online on Sunday, December 6^th, at 7 PM.  As you may recall, there has never been a set fee for the concert but we usually pass a basket for a freewill offering. Since this too will not be possible, we are reaching out asking for donations to support the needs of St. Tikhon’s Seminary.

You can simply make a donation, either directly to St. Tikhon's Seminary online here, or write out a check to St. Tikhon's Seminary and send to Three Saints Church, 26 Howard Avenue, Ansonia, CT 06401. They are also looking for sponsors with gifts being available for each level (as received from Three Saints) if donations are received by December 1st:

Level One:  $150 donation -- Chocolate St. Nicholas, handmade and packaged by Fr. Patrick

Level Two:  $300 donation -- Concert Wine -- Fr. Patrick will hand-deliver a bottle of wine for you to enjoy while your watching the concert.

Level Three:  $500 donation -- CD Requiem -- Alexander Kastalsky World Premier, featuring St. Tikhon's Choir, directed by Leonard Slatkin.

Level Four:  $1,000 -- 1 chocolate St. Nicholas, 1 bottle of wine, 1 CD, and an exclusive invitation to join an online preconcert happy hour with The Rev. Dr. John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon's

Your donation will go far to help the future priests in our country and to care for their families who have made great sacrifices to follow Christ’s call to priestly formation.  Thank you in advance for your support of theological education and for helping the world wide church in helping to train priests to continue the mission of Christ’s Holy Church. Please see the Flyer here for more information.  You may also call Fr. Patrick Burns at 203-734-3988. 

Please be sure to join in on the concert at Online either on their youtube or facebook pages. 

As many of our parishes are now again in a red-zone with respect to the coronavirus, His Beatitude, our Metropolitan Tikhon, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England, forwarded a letter to all our parishes, as of Nov. 21st.  You can find the letter here.  He urges caution while we continue to serve the needs of our parish faithful.  Included in his letter is a request that we restrict our services at church to Liturgy, with all othe services and meetings continuing thorugh virtual means.

Dear Clergy and Faithful of Holy Transfiguration Church:

We recently received a letter from His Beatitude related to the recent coronavirus spike in New England.  You can see the letter here.  Today, October 29th, New Haven formally reverted to Phase II, also related to this spike.  Our attendance levels remain in accordance with Phase II civil guidance, and so though no changes are currently being made, we continue to actively monitor the situation and will continue with the protocol we have been using for those attending church.  Should the situation require greater restrictions, we will communicate with everyone exactly what that will mean. 

Fr. Steven

Word was received yesterday, October 19th, that His Beatitude, our former Metropolitan Theodosius fell asleep in the Lord.  His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon shared a letter with our New England Diocese.  You can view the letter here. 

Please pray for the soul of the newly departed Metropolitan Theodosius, who served as the Primate of the OCA for 25 years.

Memory eternal.

Archpriest John Kreta, Chancellor of the Diocese of New England, sent the following note out last evening with a letter attached from His Beatitude, our Most Blessed Tikhon, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England.  His letter opens the door for nominations for a new bishop for the Diocese of New England.  You can find his letter here.  The deadline for responding is August 31st.

[Dear Brothers in Christ,

Christ is in our Midst!

Please find attached a letter from His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England, seeking nominations and explaining the procedures that we will follow for the election of a new bishop for our Diocese.

As stated in his letter, any member in good standing is invited to nominate a candidate for this high office, therefore, I ask you to ensure that this letter is communicated to all of your faithful parishioners in whatever way(s) you feel most appropriate and effective, i.e, emails, mailings, announcements in Church or church bulletins, etc.

May our Good Lord give us wisdom, guidance and discernment in seeking His Holy Will for a new bishop for the Diocese of New England.

Sincerely in the Lord,

Fr. John]

Archpriest John Kreta

Chancellor, Diocese of New England

As we anticipate the final approval of our re-opening plan, our Parish Council has assembled a memo to prepare our parishioners for what to expect.  You can find the document here. 

Archpriest Theodore Jurewicz visited us in late June to complete remaining iconography in our church.  He began by restoring iconography that was damaged due to water leaks.  Most recently he completed the iconography up in the choir loft that is featured in one of the photos.  Additionally two icons of American saints were requested and paid for, that he completed while here:  St. Herman of Alaska, and St. Raphael of Brooklyn.  You can see photos of them as well.

May God grant many years to Archpriest Theodore Jurewicz for his work, and to the Mitred Archpriest Michael Westerberg for all his work in planning for the iconography as it has been arranged in our church. 

Last year a video was recorded of Fr. Theodore and Fr. Michael talking about this decades-long project, together with Fr. Steven and Tome Eisenmann, Council President.  We hope to make this available as soon as possible for a lasting tribute to this work!

Metropolitan Tikhon issued a letter in recognition of Indepence Day.  You can view the letter here.  Please take time to read his words shared in our time of civil unrest, still in the midst of the corona virus pandemic.

Our parish council set apart a task force that has now given an initial report to the council this past week.  Please find a communication document to our parish communtiy, also shared through e-mail here.  We will continue to keep you informed of efforts focused toward the question of eventual re-opening as progress is made.

In the Risen Lord,

Fr. Steven

The Holy Synod of Bishops of the OCA issued both a pastoral letter and synodal directives, focused on next steps relative to parish life during the threat of the Corona Virus.  Our parish council is convening a special meeting in part to review these materials to consider our next steps in light of them. 

Please continue to pray for our Metropolitan Tikhon, as Primate of our Church, and locm tenens of our diocese, as well as Fr. John Kreta, our chancellor, and Fr. John Hopko, our dean.

Christ is Risen!

This evening we received this message from His Beatitude, our Metropolitan Tikhon, as Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England.  You can view his message here. Eis polla eti Despota!

Let us continue to pray for our Metropolitan and the Synod of Bishops as they now take up the questions of next steps in the midst of the Corona Virus. 

With prayers and love in Christ,

Fr. Steven

His Beatitude, the Most Blessed Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of all America and Canada, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England, has forwarded his Paschal Message to all of us.  You can access it here.

Blessed Pascha!

As we enter into Holy Week this afternoon here are a number of resources available to you at home.  First of all, as indicated in our Weekly Bulletin, here is our schedule of home services to be live-streamed:

Today:              9:00am             Home Obenitsa (on facebook, or you-tube videos on website)

                        4:00pm             Home Bridegroom Matins  (please look for recordings each day

Mon.- Wed 13-15  6:00pm         Home Bridegroom Matins   from our choir in previous years!)

Thu.  Apr. 16     6:00pm             Home Matins of Holy Friday with 12 Gospels

Fri.    Apr. 17     9:00am             Home Royal Hours

Sun. Apr. 19      Noon               Home Paschal Vespers

You can access the schedule for live-streamed services at St. Tikhon's Monastery here.  To connect, click here. 

For OCA resources at your home, please click here. 

May you have a blessed and frutiful journey through Holy Week, following our Lord Jesus Christ to His voluntary death and Resurrection for and as our salvation!

With love in Christ,

Fr. Steven

Our Holy Synod of Bishops met on March 30th, and later with the Metropolitan Council.  They forwarded several documents to the whole church.  You can find a statement from our Holy Synod here, a document with further directives, here,  and finally a Joint Communique from our Holy Synod and Metropolitan Council, here.  Please take a moment to review them.  In short, we will not likely return to church for Holy Week and Paschal services.

We are still awaiting a pastoral letter from Metropolitan Tikhon, as our Locum Tenens, with any guidance specific to our diocese.  As soon as we hear from His Beatitude, further guidance will be posted.

One of the areas addressed concerns the hearing of confessions by phone.  I am currently working on implementing a plan for confession over the phone, and will share this plan just as soon as it is finalized. 

Please continue to stay safe, and let us all pray for one another and our greater community during these challenging days.

Three statement were put out today by our Holy Synod and the Primate of our Church.  Before addressing the two "updates" however, the following announcement needs to be made for parishes in our Diocese of New England.

From His Beatitude, our Metropolitan Tikhon, as Locum tenens of the Diocese of New England, effective immediately, all parishes in the Diocese of New England are closed until April 1st.  This means that no services will be celebrated at Holy Trasnfiguration Church until this closure is lifted.  You can read the letter in full here. 

Earlier today, two updates were issued, the first an updated statement from our Holy Synod, and the second an archpastoral letter from His Beatitude, as the Primate of our Church.  Please take time to read them.  I have copied the text of the prayer, below, that was offered by our Holy Synod to be taken during divine services, for our faithful to use with personal prayer.

Given these changes, efforts will be undertaken to make service broadcasts available, through our facebook page, as well as opportunities to talk about concerns related to the coronavirus.  Also, please be reminded that Dn. Mark has made himself available to assist with shopping for those who have concerns about going outside their homes during these days.

Praying for all our parish faithful during this trying time,

With love in Christ,

Fr. Steven

To be taken during divine services immediately after the exclamation of the Litany of Fervent Supplication (For You are a merciful God...):

Priest:  Let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

O God Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation visible and invisible, in Your ineffable goodness, look down upon us, Your people gathered in Your Holy Name.  Be our helper and defender in this day of affliction.  You know our weakness.  You hear our cry in repentance and contrition of heart.  O Lord who loves mankind, deliver us from the impending threat of the Corona Virus.  Send Your angel to watch over us and protect us.  Grant health and recovery to those suffering from this virus.  Guide the hands of physicians and preserve those who are healthy.  Enable us to continue to serve our suffering brothers and sisters in peace that together we may glorify Your most honorable and majestic name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Choir:​ Amen.

Statement related to Corona Virus (Covid-19)

We continue to be bombarded with information related to the outbreak of the Corona Virus. 

As Orthodox Christians, we have been given statements from our OCA here, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese here for your reference.  It appears that the Corona Virus is most dangerous to the elderly population, and/or those with compromised immune systems.   Our Holy Synod also more recently offered this reference from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) here.  A new statement was put out by our Holy Synod today.  You can access it here.  The statement includes prayers that we will be using at church, and you can use at home as well.

Late Saturday evening (March 14th), a follow-up letter was received from our Chancellor, Archpriest John Kreta, indicating further direction from His Beatitude, our Metropolitan Tikhon, Locum tenens of our diocese.  The directives in this letter were read from the ambon at the end of Liturgy on Sunday, March 15th.  The letter in full can be accessed here.  We have now been directed to celebrate only Divine LIturgy services.  Please keep an eye here for follow-up indications related to online outreach.

Here are some common-sense thoughts for the near-term:

• If you are not feeling well, whether or not this virus is to blame, it is best to stay home.
• Practice good hygiene, especially in washing your hands regularly.
• If you are elderly and/or immune compromised, be selective about where you go outside your home. Our Dn. Mark has shared his willingness as of early in the coming week, with others to be recruited if necessary, to shop for those concerned about going to the grocery store, to deliver groceries to home.  You can reach him by phone 312.961.6097, or by e-mail here.  Dn. Mark has since initiated a google form for requesting assistance.  You can reach that directly here.
• As related to church services:
  • We have already indicated that those with concerns can reverently bow for the short term instead of venerating the cross or icons while at church.
  • It is also important during such a time of need, however, precisely that we continue to pray for God’s mercy. We will continue to celebrate scheduled services and pray for those being impacted.
  • Communion will continue to be distributed in the usual fashion.
  • The Ladies’ Auxiliary is recommending the cancelation of coffee hour, to minimize social interaction. If you have a medical condition where you need to eat after Liturgy, please make arrangements to have something with you for the next few weeks. 
  • Without coffee hour, church school may also be less fully attended. I hope our teachers will adopt the practices publicized in recent days, giving homework assignments, and perhaps checking in periodically through social media means.

Please continue to pray for those impacted by this virus, and let us remain steadfast in our faith in God, particularly during times of struggle. 

In Christ,

Archpriest Steven Voytovich, Rector

Tom Eisenmann, Council President

Greetings in the Lord.

Wtih gratitude to Yulia Eisenmann who is coordinating our lenten suppers this year, please click here to sign up to:

• Bring a dish
• help to set-up
• help to clean-up

Thank you for your assistance!

Fr. Steven

Seminarian Cornelius Schuster will present a Great Lenten lecture series, featuring brief presentations of three prominent early saints associated with the Lenten season.

We welcome today, February 23rd, Steve Sarigianis, son of James and Florence Sarigianis.  James occasionally attends Vespers here.  Steve grew up here in CT, attended St. Barbara Church in Orange, and graduated from Holy Cross Seminary with an M.Div. Degree in 2015.  Steve’s grandparents are Fr. Steven and Presvytera Electra Sarigianis.  Fr. Steven is attached to St. Barbara Church in retirement.  Steve and his wife Theophani were married in 2017, and are preparing for a missionary trip to Albania. You can find a full write-up and contact information to support them here.

During coffee hour they will be offering a brief presentation with the hope of raising necessary funds for their missionary journey.  Please consider supporting them.  OCMC Mission Sunday is March 1^st.

The OCA Diocese of New York & New Jersey welcomes all Middle & High School Teens to attend its Lenten Teen Retreat April 3-5 at the Greenkill YMCA Retreat Center in Huguenot, NY. The retreat is open to all OCA dioceses and Orthodox jurisdictions.  You can download a flyer here, or go directly to the retreat link to register here.

Activities will include adventure course, archery, team building, hiking, gymnasium, campfire and more. The firm registration deadline is March 19th. To register contact Danielle Geeza at (914) 768-3735 or by email

Sunday, February 9th was designated as national Scouting Recognition Sunday by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops.  Archbishop David of Sitka and all Alaska is our OCA Episcopal Liaison to the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting.  You can access his letter here.  Since Fr. Steven was away Sunday the 9th, this Sunday our parish scouts are invited to come to the Liturgy this Sunday, February 16th, wearing their scouting uniforms, and be recognized for their participation in scouting along with adults assisting them.

The 2020 annual parish meeting will be today, Sunday, February 2^nd following the Divine Liturgy and coffee hour.  We will be receiving reports, approving a budget for the year, electing parish council officers and members, and discussing old and new business for the good of our parish.  (Please see  by-law amendments to be considered here.)  As indicated in our parish by-laws, voting members of the parish are those who have participated in the holy sacraments of Confession and Communion in our parish at least once during 2019, and who have indicated as least a minimum of support for the parish by fulfilling the basic commitment for 2019.  This third official notice is printed in today’s bulletin, posted here on our website and announced aloud in church.  As required by our by-laws, it has been repeated a three times in the same places.

Dear Clergy and Faithful of Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church:

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon has issued a letter for the Sanctity of Life Sunday.  You can download the full letter here.  Below is an excerpt of his letter:

"Yet we know that despite our efforts to do good, each of us falls at times and does evil. But with incredible compassion, our God who knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb still loves and respects us. He still loves each and every human being, despite our faults and mistakes, even those who have made terrible mistakes and have worked evil.

Thus, if we recognize that our purpose in this life is to become images of God, we must also forgive, help, pray for, and love all those who have committed wrong. In imitation of our loving God, whose mercy is immeasurable, we too must love those who have been involved in the evil of abortion, showing mercy and compassion to the poor, desperate, and confused parents who have committed abortions, and praying fervently for the repentance of abortion doctors and advocates everywhere. We must love them and forgive them their sins, knowing that God loves all of humanity and is willing to forgive all sins.

At the same time, we cannot allow any excuse for abortion. We firmly believe that a new person comes into being in the moment of conception, and because of this, we must ever strive to prevent abortions from happening, making sure our local communities know of the many Christian-supported pregnancy crisis services available to unprepared and confused young parents. In turn, our churches must ever be willing to love and help such parents and their unborn children."

In Christ,

Archpriest Steven Voytovich

Historically Holy Transfiguration Church has seldom canceled services due to weather.  Should we need to cancel services during these winter months, however, here are several means of ascertaining whether services have been canceled at Holy Transfiguration: 

1) The website calendar on the front page is always updated if changes are made to the service calendar, and would reflect cancelation as soon as that determination is made.

2) An e-mail will certainly be sent out sharing cancellation.

3)  Watch your television (WTNH Channel 8), at the bottom of the screen, scrolling cancelations.  Holy Transfiguration Church will appear there if/when services are canceled. 

Please exercise caution when determining your course of action during inclement weather, if services are not canceled.

His Beatitude, The Most Blessed Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of North America and Canada, and Locum Tenens of the Diocese of New England, has issued his pastoral letter on the occasion of the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.  You can access his letter here. 

Let us continue to pray for Metropolitan Tikhon during our period of transition in our diocese, and remember our beloved Archbishop Nikon, of blessed memory, during the feast.

With love in Christ,

Fr. Steven

Supporting our Veterans: Nancy and Jean will be collecting money for gifts for our veterans.  Please make your donation before December 8^th.  Gifts will be purchased with the proceeds, to be wrapped on December 8^th (December 15^th snow date).  Volunteers are also welcome to come and assist in wrapping these gifts.  Thank you for your generosity!

November 13, 2019 

To:    Our Parishioners, 

From:     Matushka Lydia and Susan Papdemetris on behalf of the Parish Council

As you know every year we participate in the “Adopt-a-Family “ charity sponsored by the Family Services of Connecticut in New Haven. 

This year we are adopting a family of three – a 56 year-old grandmother raising her 9 year old and 12 year old grandsons. Their family story is on the attachment, which follows this memo. 

Their Christmas “wish list” is also attached. The “wish list” will be on the table under the icon in our parish hall. Please look through the items, choose one or two and write your name next to the item(s). If you usually do not come down to coffee hour, please let either Susan or Matushka Lydia know by email or text what you would like to purchase. You might choose to purchase an item jointly with another parishioner. Please put a check next to your name(s), after you have brought the gift to church. 

NO MONEY IS BEING COLLECTED FOR THIS PROJECT. IF YOU CHOOSE TO PURCHASE A GIFT CARD, PLEASE PUT THE CARD IN A GOOD SIZE BOX SO THAT IT DOESN’T GET LOST. 

Thank you. Enjoy your shopping spree! The last date for receiving gifts is Sunday, December 8th.

Please click here to see page 1, and here for page 2, of the attachments sent out by e-mail.

This is the same form that was e-mailed to all parishioners.  It is reproduced here for ease of access.  Thank you for taking the time to complete your pledge to parish life!

For pledge-related questions, please see either Fr. Steven or Thomas Eisenmann, Council President.

Our OCA New England Youth Department is teaming up with the Youth and Parish Ministries Department of the Antiochian Diocese of Worcester and New England!  This was announced at our recent diocesan assembly.  A "Camp At Home" overnight program is planned for November 15-16.  You can download a flyer here, or click here to register!

Metroopolitan Tikhon designated this past Sunday as Steward Sunday.  You can download a copy of the letter here that appears below.

Stewardship Month 2019:  Week I

We’re Almost There!

At the February annual meeting, the Parish Council explained the need for increased giving in 2019. After our September meeting, we are

delighted to report that giving for the first 2/3 of the year has been strong! We offer both our gratitude and our encouragement to keep it up

for the rest of 2019!

Thank you!

The following is a communication from Fr. Steven Hosking, who is currently serving on our New England Diocesan Council.  There is presently an effort underway to develop a strategic plan for our diocese, and this survey represents the collection of data toward that effort.  As the communication indicates, results of this survey will be shared and discussed at our upcoming diocesan assembly later this month.  Please note, this link will close on October 9th. 

[Please share this with your parishioners and parishes throughout the Diocese.

As you are a part of a parish belonging to the Diocese of New England, with the blessing of our Chancellor and the Diocean Council, we would like you to participate in a survey about parish life. The results of this survey will be used and discussed at the upcoming Diocese Assembly. Thank you.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PZJZR6Y

In Christ,
Fr Steven Hosking]

On Wednesday evening, October 9, the Eve of the 40th Day of Repose of His Eminence, our Archbishop NIKON, beginning at 7:00 PM, we will celebrate a solemn Memorial Service (“Panikhida”) at Saints Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Church, Terryville, CT. All Members of the CT Deanery, clergy and lay, are invited to attend and participate in this service. The service will be followed by fellowship time with light refreshments appropriate to a fasting day. Those who wish to bring some food to share are cordially invited to do so. Clergy who wish to concelebrate are asked to bring white or gold vestments. On this solemn occasion, priests will be vested in epitrachelion, phelonion, and cuffs, and deacons in full vestments. For further information, please contact Fr. John Hopko, Dean of the Connecticut Deanery and Pastor of the Terryville Parish.

Thank you

In Christ,

Fr. John Hopko
CT Dean]

The following is a communication from our Chancellor, Archpriest John Kreta.  His Beatitude sent a letter to be read in church this past Sunday (you can view the letter read on Sunday, here), and this communication was shared at our Parish Council Meeting this past Tuesday evening.  All of these materials will also be posted on our bulletin board.

Dear Brothers in Christ:

This year Souper Bowl Sunday will be February 12, 2023.  Please consider making a donation to aid those in need.  You can click here to find a map of area charitable outreach enttities.

Thank you for the many ways our parish supports those in need!

Fr. Steven

In the packet of materials forwarded to parishioners prior to our annual parish meeting is an Image Release Form.  In case anyone needs extra copies, you can find the form here.  Please plan to bring them, signed, to Sunday's meeting.

With gratitude in Christ,

Fr. Steven