Mysteries & Pastoral Services
A Guide to The Holy Mysteries
This page contains brief explanations of The Holy Mysteries from the Byzantine Leaflet Series*. Please review as it contains formative information that will be of benefit when you meet with Father Miron. Click on image above to download.
The Holy Mysteries: Contact Father Miron to schedule an appointment to discuss eligibility and time-sensitive requirements.
The entire Byzantine Leaflet Series is available for purchase at Byzantine Press.
*Byzantine Leaflet Series | No. 47 | With Ecclesiastical Approbation March 1989 | Byzantine Seminary Press | Pittsburgh, PA 15214
St. John Chrysostom on Mystery
“It is called mystery, because what we believe is not the same as what we see, since one thing we see but another, we believe. For such is the nature of our Mysteries… On hearing of a Baptism the unbeliever counts it merely as water, but I behold not simply the thing seen, but the purification of soul by the Holy Spirit.”
Cf. 7 Homily on 1 Cor., 2)
THE HOLY MYSTERIES
There are seven such sacramental mysteries administered by the Byzantine Rite Church
The Holy Mystery of Reconciliation
(Confession)
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ commissioned His Church to preach "the repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations" (Lk. 24:47) in His name. Since He does not "wish that anyone should be lost, but that all be brought to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9), our Lord endowed the Church with the power to forgive sins by instituting the Holy Mystery of Penance, simply known as - Confession.
The Holy Mystery of Penance is the mystery instituted by Jesus Christ to forgive, in His name, the repentant sinner all his or her sins committed after baptism.
Mystery of Reconciliation: Father Miron is always available to offer the Mystery of Reconciliation (Confession) one hour before each Divine Liturgy and by appointment.
The Holy Eucharist
(Communion)
The Mystery of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ
Through baptism we are regenerated to the divine life of grace and become the children o God. Through chrismation we mystically participate in the descent of the holy Spirit, who seals (confirms) us in the divine lite of God's children and enriches us with His abundant gifts. However, it is through the Holy Eucharist that we become intimately united to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who becomes our spiritual nourishment, leading us into life everlasting.
In Greek, the word - eucharist means thanksgiving, since at the Last Supper, before changing bread and wine into His Body and Blood, our Lord "gave thanks" (Mt. 26:27). Therefore the central part of the Holy Liturgy is the Prayer of Thanksgiving (in Greek - Eucharistia), in which the celebrant thanks Almighty God for all His benefits, especially for the gift of redemption. In the biblical sense, then, thanksgiving (eucharist) is blessing God for His manifold gifts bestowed on us.
Mysteries of Initiation (Baptism, Chrismation & Eucharist): Must be a registered, active, supporting member of the Parish Family. Pre-Baptism instructions are required. Contact the office to make an appointment with Father Miron.
The Holy Mystery of Baptism
(Christening)
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) are the most important means of our salvation, which were established and entrusted to the Church by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There are seven such sacramental mysteries administered by the Byzantine Rite Church (cf. Byzantine Leaflet Series, 1989, No. 47), the first being the Holy Mystery of Baptism, by which we become regenerated into the divine life of God's children in Jesus Christ and become living members of His Church.
The term - baptism is a Greek term and literally means bathing or washing, as suggested by St. Paul: "He (Jesus) saved us by means of the cleansing water (bath) of regeneration, renewing us by the Holy Spirit." (Tit. 3:5) St. John Chrysostom (a. 407) remarks: "This mystical cleansing (baptism) is also called the bath of regeneration. " (cf. Chrysostom's Baptismal Instructions, X, 12).
Mysteries of Initiation (Baptism, Chrismation & Eucharist): Must be a registered, active, supporting member of the Parish Family. Pre-Baptism instructions are required. Contact the office to make an appointment with Father Miron.
Chrismation The Seal of The Holy Spirit
(Confirmation)
Holy Baptism is our mystical participation in Heaster, since having "died to sin," through baptism we rise with Christ to live in newness of life" (Rom. 6:2-4) as children of God. By Holy Chrismation, which in the Byzantine Rite is administered immediately after baptism, we mystically participate in Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit upon us.
Holy Chrismation is performed by anointing with a sacred oil, consecrated by the bishop on Holy Thursday (cf. Byzantine Leaflet Series, 1987, No. 37), called - chrism. Hence the proper name of the mystery - Holy Chrismation. In Greek the chrism is called - myron, therefore in Old-Slavonic the mystery is called - Myropomazanije, meaning the anointing with myro. In the Western World they call this sacrament - Confirmation.
Mysteries of Initiation (Baptism, Chrismation & Eucharist): Must be a registered, active, supporting member of the Parish Family. Pre-Baptism instructions are required. Contact the office to make an appointment with Father Miron.
The Holy Mystery of Matrimony
(Crowning Ceremony)
The Holy Mystery (Sacrament) of Matrimony is one of the seven channels of Divine Grace, instituted by Christ, to sanctify and to support Christian family life. A Christian marriage is a vocation, that is a special invitation of God to two baptized persons to marital union, in order to devote themselves to the service of a new life in Christ. That is why St. Paul considers Christian marriage as a "special gift of God." (1 Cor. 7:7) The Council Fathers of Vatican I did not hesitate to underscore the great importance of married life, sanctified by a "special Sacrament." (cf. Constitution on the Church, n. 35).
The very first pages of Holy Scriptures give witness to the great dignity of matrimony, indicating special reasons for its institution by Almighty God. Created to the "image and likeness" of God (Gen. 1:26, man was endowed by God with a spiritual soul. While the body is passed on from the parents to their children through the process of generation, the human soul, the "breath of life" (Gen. 2:7), must be instilled as if by breathing directly by God. In other words, God must necessarily enter into marital union, so that the procreation of children and the propagation of the human race may be assured.
The Holy Mystery of Matrimony: Must be a registered, active, supporting member of the Parish Family. Engaged meet with Father Miron before setting date and reserving your banquet hall. Pre-Cana program is required and three sessions with Father Miron. The ceremony will be celebrated according to the prescription of the liturgical book of the Byzantine rite.
Anointing of The Sick
The Evangelists tells that Our Lord Jesus Christ from the very beginning of His public life showed His merciful love and compassion toward the sick and the suffering who were seeking His help. And St. Matthew assures us that Jesus "cured every disease and illness." (Mt. 9:35) In other words, Jesus considered the healing of the sick as a part of His messianic mission (Is. 61:1), and afterward He entrusted this healing mission also to His disciples. (Mt. 10:8)
Christ's mission did not stop at mere bodily healing, for the primary concern of His mission was the healing of the souls, the salvation of the world. Hence, He instituted a special sacrament, the Anointing of the Sick, which is one of the seven Holy Mysteries of salvation entrusted to the Church.
Anointing of The Sick: Parishioners who are hospitalized are visited when Father Miron is notified. It is especially important that a family member contact Father Miron whenever a loved one is hospitalized.
Christian Burial According to The Byzantine Rite Tradition
Inspired by the description of the burial of our Lord in the Gospels, Christians from the very beginning buried their dead with proper care and ceremonies. They believed that the body of every Christian was indeed "a temple of God" and, as such, it also was holy (I Cor. 3:16-17). In expectation of the "resurrection of the dead," Christians believe that their bodies will once again be united with their souls and live forever.
The Christian belief in the resurrection of the body was then the main reason why, since ancient times, the "funerals were arranged, the obsequies celebrated and the tombs prepared with a reverent piety" among the Christians (cf. St. Augustine, The City of God I, 13). The burial of the Christian has a deeply religious meaning and, therefore, embodies certain religious ceremonies and customs which will be the topic of this pamphlet.
Funerals: Families of the deceased or the funeral director must contact Father Miron before setting and publishing the day and time of the funeral.
PASTORIAL SERVICES
Father Miron Kerul-Kmec’, Jr
email: sppbyzchurch@gmail.com
Rectory Office Hours: We are happy to welcome you and assist you with any parish needs. Lisa Mosko is in the Parish Office from 11:30 am–2:30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Father Miron is available at other days and times by scheduled appointment.
Office: 330-372-1875
Spiritual Direction: Father Miron is available to all who desire Spiritual Direction and is easily accessible. For an appointment time call the office or send Father a message.
Father Miron: Contact
Parish Membership: Whether you are new to the area or simply seeking a deeper home in the Church, you are welcome at Saints Peter and Paul Parish. If you feel the Lord calling you to join our parish family, we invite you to register through the Pastor. Those who register are recognized as members of the parish; they receive contribution envelopes and share in the stewardship of time, treasure, and talent that supports the mission and ministries of Saints Peter and Paul Parish. We encourage our parish family to participate faithfully in the Divine Liturgy and in the life of the parish community. Please contact the Parish Office with any change of address and kindly let us know if you will be moving away, so we may remain connected.
Mysteries of Initiation (Baptism, Chrismation & Eucharist): It is our joy to accompany families as they prepare for these Holy Mysteries. To schedule Baptism, Chrismation, or First Eucharist, the family should be a registered, active, and supporting member of the Parish Family. Pre‑Baptism instruction is required. Please contact Father Miron to schedule.
Mystery of Reconciliation: In the Lord’s mercy, Father Miron is available to hear confessions one hour before each Divine Liturgy, and also at other times upon request.
Mystery of Anointing: We are grateful to pray with you and to entrust you to the Lord’s healing mercy through the Holy Mystery of Anointing. This Mystery is celebrated upon request and, whenever possible, is best received in church on the Sunday before any surgical or other medical procedure.
Visitation of the Sick: In times of illness and hospitalization, our parish family wishes to be near you in prayer and support. Father Miron visits parishioners who are hospitalized as soon as he is notified. Please have a family member contact Father Miron whenever a loved one is admitted to the hospital, so that a visit can be arranged.
Funerals: In the midst of grief, our parish family is here to support you with prayer and guidance in preparing a Byzantine Rite Catholic burial. To help with planning and to avoid any scheduling conflicts, families of the deceased (or the funeral director) are asked to contact Father Miron before the day, and time of the funeral are set or published.
GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!
You are Welcome at anytime. Please do not hesitate to contact the Rectory Office with any questions or concerns you may have.
Funerals: Families of the deceased or the funeral director must contact Father Miron before setting and publishing the day and time of the funeral.
Funerals: Families of the deceased or the funeral director must contact Father Miron before setting and publishing the day and time of the funeral.