Fourth Sunday after Trinity
Cyprian, in an epistle to his cure, and touching on the Blind Guides
O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Romans viii. 18 & St. Luke vi. 36
Can the blind lead the blind?
BULLETIN
News from Members:
From Tatomir of Romania
Between 21-24 June 2007, in Sighetu Marmatiei was kept the 9-th World Congress of Rusyns and the 3-rd World Forum of Rusyn Youth.
I was present at the Congress on the first day (21) in the afternoon, and on the third day (23) in the evening.
I made lot of friends, and acquaintances.
I had the joy to listen Rusin songs interpreted by Ruthenians from Slovakia, and touching beautiful Rusin poetry.
The book promotion was also very interesting.
I spoke with peoples from Ukraine, Serbia (Voivodina), Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, USA(Virginia), as well as from Romania.
One of my ancestors was from Ujgorod, of Rusin origin, and I felt a beautiful feeling of closeness and friendship. I was honored to shake hand with mr.Firczak, deputy in the Romanian Parliament and president of the Cultural Union of the Ruthenians from Romania.
It was a joy to have one uplifting conversation with the owner of the Padyak book editure from Ujgorod, Ukraine, mr. Padyak Valerii, contributor to the book "The people from nowhere", by Paul Robert Magocsi. This book is of great value, with lot illustrations, presenting the history of the Rusins along the history, being available in many languages, among them in English too.
Padyak Valerii is an remarkable, very kind person. He gifted me 2 copies of this book, "The people from nowhere", one in Rusin, and one in Romanian, and he signed the copy in Rusin with an dedication for me. Other very kind person I met, was mr.Mikhail Grad, an extraordinary man, very creative and dinamic. Also, it was a pleasure to change few words with mr.Vasilij Homa, from Bratislava.
I was present at the literary and musical program, from the evening of 23-rd june. It was touching to listen the Rusin anthem, text by Dukhnovych. Later I assisted to the presentation of the Aleksander Dukhnovych Prize for Literature.The Dukhnovych Prize is given each year to honor and encourage Rusyn poets and writers.
The Dukhnovych Prize was awarded to three young writers from Serbia.
I had a pleasant conversation with one of the winners of the award, mr.Slavko Vinaji. Poetry and culture are bridges among souls and nations. I went home wiser, happier and with a deep respect for Rusyns and their culture and their cultural contribution.
May Peace Prevail in all the Nations!
May Peace Prevail on Earth!
Commentary
Last week, after I attended the 400th anniversary of the first Holy Communion at Jamestown, I visited the Episcopal congregation at the Chapel of the Centurion at Fort Monroe, while there, just after services, I enrolled our newest "member" on St. John Baptist Nativity, MMVII, here is the rest of the story.
 IN HOC SIGNO VINCES | of the Order of Centurions But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. |  TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM |
"HESAIAS AQUILAE"
Legion Mascot
HESAIAS AQUILAE
"Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah…"The Eagle is the symbol that every Roman legion carried since it was introduced by General Counsul Gaius Marius in about 100 BC. At first the Legion Eagle was silver, later gilded. It was an emblem of tremendous importance. At the same time Marius introduced the Eagle, he reorganized the army into the six-century cohort of 500-600 men. The Legion became a lighter mobile force to defeat the barbarian invaders. The legionaries, who were required to carry all their belongings on their backs, became known as "Marius' mules." He also developed the break away head on the pilum so it could not be used by the enemy. His reforms made him, and the Legion Eagle, very popular with the army.
When Constantine instituted the Labarum at Saxa Ruba in 312AD for the army and men's shields, the Eagle remained the symbol of the Roman legion. It was carried by a special officer of the Legion Headquarters, the Aquilifer, whose position and pay was like that of a centurion, and who was responsible for not only the Legion's Eagle, but the purse of the Legion in his dual role of paymaster. The Aquilifer was probably directly under the authority of the Praefectus Castrorum, who was third in command of the Legion.
The Aquilifer and the Legion Eagle were protected at all costs from capture by the enemy. However, captures did occur. For instance in 4AD three legions were completely destroyed deep in the German woods. Some years later the Romans managed to recover all of their lost eagles. The Legion Eagle was like the Regimental Colors carried by today's modern forces, and we can trace our heritage in this regard to the legions of Rome. Indeed, the Eagle is a symbol of the United States and of several other nations. During the American Civil War every Union Regiment carried two flags in the Colors, the US National Flag, and a Regimental Flag usually bearing the national emblem, the Eagle
The Feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist is a fitting date on the Church calendar to recognize the Aquilae as the bearer of God's word, for the Prophet Isaiah in speaking of the coming of John, said in the appointed reading, The grass witherist, the lower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever". What a wonderful symbol of the infinite strength and everlasting nature of God's Holy Word.
Finis.Order of Centurions
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"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 14:19]
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - TIME DEUM ET OPERARE IUSTITIAM
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