St. George. Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church W. 14th Street, Cleveland OH First Suday of Great Lent (Sunday of Orthodoxy)

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1 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church 2587 W. 14th Street, Cleveland OH First Suday of Great Lent (Sunday of Orthodoxy) Serving the Orthodox Christian Community of Greater Cleveland

2 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church V. Rev Father John Ojaimi, Pastor Office: (216) Fax: (216) Cellular: (440) Archdeacon Yarid Sahley Subdeacon Sam Elias Pastor s frjojaimi@msn.com Parish office@stgeorgecleveland.com Sunday March 05, 2017 Tone 4/Eothinon 4 First Sunday of Great Lent (Sunday of Orthodoxy) Hieromartyr Konon of Isauria; Martyrs Archelaos and his 152 companions in Egypt; New-martyr John the Bulgarian WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS We are glad you are worshiping with us today. There are Service Books in the pews. Orthodox Christians must be prepared for Holy Communion through Confession, Fasting, Prayer and by being at peace with others. Please seek and give forgiveness before receiving Holy Communion. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, please join us for coffee hour in the Parish Hall. t ½Êà The mission of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church Is to serve God and the community by commitment to the Gospel s command to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ through faith, hope, and love. It is a parish of the Self Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. The Orthodox Church follows the faith and practice of the apostles and disciples of Christ handed down by the ancient Christian fathers and twenty centuries of Church tradition. Genuine Christian life nurtures and stimulates our spiritual and moral development. The liturgical life of the Orthodox Church has been developing over the last 2000 years. By taking part in the mysteries of Christ s life, death and resurrection at the liturgical services, the community members are drawn to repentance and the gradual change of their inner selves. To join the community of St. George or to find out more information, please fill out the Guest Book in the Narthex. We hope this day will be spiritually rewarding for you. Fr John will be happy to answer any questions. Join us in the hall after Liturgy for our Coffee Hour and Fellowship.

3 Coffee Hour is offered in Memory of Elias Safadi (8 years) by George & Evelyna Abdelnour Coffee Hour is offered in Memory of Edward Fadel by his wife & family Candles are offered for the Health, Safety & Spiritual Welfare of: Diane Sahley, Fr. John Ojaimi and George Haddad ( Birthday Prayers) by Joie Haddad. Lorice Claire George (Happy Birthday) by Dr. Anthony George Mark George & Family by Dr. Anthony George Family & Friends by George & Joie Haddad Candles are offered in Beloved Memory of: Marvin Harb by Maurice & Samia Harb Yacoub Karsheh (2 yrs) by Nuha, Children & Grandchildren Michel Hayek by the Hayek Family My Beloved, Mother Mary, Father Abraham, Brothers Emile and James, Sitteh Zaineh & Uncle Kaiser by Emilie L. Easa Wadia Ameen by his wife Mary & Family Edward Haddad by his wife Edward Fadel by his wife & family Prayers are requested for the sick, sufferings, shut-ins needy, homeless, victims of disasters, war and violence in the whole universe. Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, How can this man give us His flesh to eat? So Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:52-54 With fear of God, faith And love draw near. Come to Church, Jesus loves you, we love you we are waiting for you. UPCOMING DIVINE SERVICES Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers 5:00pm St Theodosius Cathedral Sunday March 12, 2017 Matins 9:30 am, Divine am also Lenten 6:30 pm; Great Compline on Mondays, Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesdays, and Akathist Service (Madeah) on Fridays, Agape Dinner to follow. Confessions will be heard on Sundays Morning before Liturgy starts or by appointment. Sign up and take your turn in offering a Coffee Hour. Pick a birthday, memorial, anniversary etc.. or just a day that no one has sponsored.

4 Divine Liturgy Variables on Sunday, March 05, 2017 Tone 4/Eothinon4; First Sunday of Great Lent (Sunday of Orthodoxy) Hieromartyr Konon of Isauria; Martyrs Archelaos and his 152 companions in Egypt; New-martyr John the Bulgarian

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8 FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE ALMS BOXES Please take one with you, fill it and bring your Box back to Church

9 In the life of the body a man is sometimes sick, and unless he takes medicine, he will die. Even so in the spiritual life a man is sick on account of sin. For that reason he needs medicine so that he may be restored to health; and this grace is bestowed in the Sacrament of Penance. -St. Thomas Aquinas THE LENTEN SEASON Once again, we continue our journey through Lent, on the Road to the heavenly gates of the Kingdom, in the Feast of Feasts: PASCHA! It is a journey that only you can take for yourself, for the reward you receive is based solely on the effort you put into it. Therefore, we encourage you to make the following a part of your daily and weekly experience as we continue through this Lenten season: DAILY PRAYER: Please remember your morning and evening prayers, including prayers for our bishops, our clergy and their families, your Parish Council and all parishioners, the sick and suffering, those who hate us and those who love, us, those who are kind to us and minister to us, and all those in need of God's mercy; and especially St. Ephraim's Prayer. THE WORD OF GOD: When you come to pray, take 10 more minutes and read the Word of the Lord. You can start with a few chapters each day from the Psalms, the Proverbs, the Book of Job, or the Gospel according to St. Luke. But whatever it is, READ IT, and ask questions on those areas you find difficult. THE WEEKDAY SERVICES: GOD'S GIFT OF LIFE TO YOU! 1) Great Compline, Mondays evenings, 6:30PM; a uniquely peaceful time of prayers. 2) Pre-sanctified Liturgy, Wednesdays evening, 6:30PM for strength at mid-week (Fasting begins after the noon meal). 3) Akathist (Madayeh), Fridays evening, 6:30PM supplication to the Virgin Mary, followed by our Organizations Lenten Suppers. On Friday evening, April 7th at 6:30PM Evening Little Compline + Canon of the Raising of Lazarus. On Lazarus Saturday, April 8th we celebrate Vesperal Divine Liturgy at 10AM *Holy Week Services schedule available online, it will be published later in the Bulletin. THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION: Repentance is the door to salvation. Without it, we remain a lost sheep, and lose all hope of tasting the Fountain of Life; but with it we find the Door of Paradise, and the angels and the saints at the eternal Banquet Feast of the Lord. During Holy Week confessions will be heard after evening services through Holy Friday evening and by appointment. CHARITY AND GOOD WORKS: Basically, this is LOVING one another, with the same kind of Love Jesus showed us. (Read 1 Corinthians 13, James and 1John.) FASTING: A necessary ingredient to this season. Please try to abstain this season from any meat and if possible dairy products, and gain control over your earthly passions. Then, share what you didn't eat with those who have nothing. Remember to "feed" your Food For Hungry Box each day with your children, and teach them how to care for the poor.

10 The Services of Great Lent The holy season of Great Lent is a time of intense preparation for Orthodox Christians. The forty days leading up to Pascha, the glorious celebration of the resurrection of Christ, call for a concentration on repentance, confession and renewal through increased activity in worship, prayer, fasting, confession, almsgiving, etc. We should expect suffering and sacrifice, after the example of our Lord, so that we may share in His victorious life. In order to appreciate this holy time and appropriate the blessings of God, we should understand the special services of this season. Our minds and hearts should be directed to that purpose as we attend and participate. The Great Compline is a uniquely peaceful time of prayers and an extended night vigil. The Great Canon of St. Andrew is normally read during the first week of Great Lent and again on Thursday of the fifth week. This canon is a four-part series of lamentations showing us the scope and depth of sin, probing the soul with despair, repentance and hope. St. Andrew of Crete, writing in the seventh century, utilized many biblical events and personalities to show the analogy to the sinfulness in our lives. This penetrating service opens the eyes of our minds to see our condition before God and yearn for the blessing of repentance and reconciliation. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is celebrated each Wednesday evening during Great Lent. This service is offered to the people as a means of spiritual strengthening in this season of struggle with our passions. Because of its joyful character, the Divine Liturgy has not been celebrated on weekdays during Lent. Therefore, the Church in the early centuries authorized the consecration of additional gifts on the Sundays of Lent to be served to the people on Wednesdays. The tone of these services is solemn and penitential. The church is darkened and the Chanting is quiet. Vestments and cloths are usually deep purple or a dark color. It is one of the most mystical of all the services of the Church -- one that all Orthodox families should attend together during Great Lent. Remember - we prepare for this service by taking no food after lunch on that day. The Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos (akathist means "not sitting") is sung on the first five Friday evenings of Great Lent. This hymn is a kontakion (hymn of a season) which consists of twenty four stanzas, or four parts, focusing on the angel's announcement to Mary concerning the Incarnation of the Son of God. This is the only kontakion still sung in its entirety in the Orthodox Church. The glorious birth of the Saviour is vividly set before us as a reminder of our need for forgiveness and restoring our fellowship with the Father. The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25. As we attend these wonderful services, our hearts and souls will be enriched beyond measure. You may expect job-related disturbances, school-related demands on your time and other incidents which work against your faithful attendance and concentration in these services. Pray for strength and godly intervention! We will sense afresh the newness of life we have as Orthodox Christians. Let us all prepare for, and fully participate in, these life-giving experiences. Amen. Friday March 3rd Antiochian Women Friday March 10th Sunday School Friday March 17th Teens Friday March 24th Clergy & Parish Council

11 The First Sunday Of Lent: The Sunday Of Orthodoxy Introduction The Sunday of Orthodoxy is the first Sunday of Great Lent. The dominant theme of this Sunday since 843 has been that of the victory of the icons. In that year the iconoclastic controversy, which had raged on and off since 726, was finally laid to rest, and icons and their veneration were restored on the first Sunday in Lent. Ever since, this Sunday has been commemorated as the "Triumph of Orthodoxy." Historical Background The Seventh Ecumenical Council dealt predominantly with the controversy regarding icons and their place in Orthodox worship. It was convened in Nicaea in 787 by Empress Irene at the request of Tarasios, Patriarch of Constantinople. The Council was attended by 367 bishops. Almost a century before this, the iconoclastic controversy had once more shaken the foundations of both Church and State in the Byzantine Empire. Excessive religious respect and the ascribed miracles to icons by some members of society, approached the point of worship (due only to God) and idolatry. This instigated excesses at the other extreme by which icons were completely taken out of the liturgical life of the Church by the Iconoclasts. The Iconophiles, on the other-hand, believed that icons served to preserve the doctrinal teachings of the Church; they considered icons to be man's dynamic way of expressing the divine through art and beauty. The Council decided on a doctrine by which icons should be venerated but not worshipped. In answering the Empress' invitation to the Council, Pope Hadrian replied with a letter in which he also held the position of extending veneration to icons but not worship, the last befitting only God. The decree of the Council for restoring icons to churches added an important clause which still stands at the foundation of the rationale for using and venerating icons in the Orthodox Church to this very day: "We define that the holy icons, whether in colour, mosaic, or some other material, should be exhibited in the holy churches of God, on the sacred vessels and liturgical vestments, on the walls, furnishings, and in houses and along the roads, namely the icons of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, that of our Lady the Theotokos, those of the venerable angels and those of all saintly people. Whenever these representations are contemplated, they will cause those who look at them to commemorate and love their prototype. We define also that they should be kissed and that they are an object of veneration and honour, but not of real worship, which is reserved for Him Who is the subject of our faith and is proper for the divine nature. The veneration accorded to an icon is in effect transmitted to the prototype; he who venerates the icon, venerated in it the reality for which it stands". An (Regional) Synod was called in Constantinople in 843. Under Empress Theodora. The veneration of icons was solemnly proclaimed at the Hagia Sophia Cathedral. The Empress, her son Michael III, Patriarch Methodios, and monks and clergy came in procession and restored the icons in their rightful place. The day was called "Triumph of Orthodoxy." Since that time, this event is commemorated yearly with a special service on the first Sunday of Lent, the "Sunday of Orthodoxy". Orthodox teaching about icons, as defined at the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787, is embodied in the texts sung on this Sunday. From Vespers: Inspired by your Spirit, Lord, the prophets foretold your birth as a child incarnate of the Virgin. Nothing can contain or hold you; before the morning star you shone forth eternally from the spiritual womb of the Father. Yet you were to become like us and be seen by those on earth. At the prayers of those your prophets in your mercy reckon us fit to see your light, "for we praise your resurrection, holy and beyond speech. Infinite, Lord, as divine, in the last times you willed to become incarnate and so finite; for when you took on flesh you made all its properties your own. So we depict the form of your outward appearance and pay it relative respect, and so are moved to love you; and through it we receive the grace of healing, following the divine traditions of the apostles. The grace of truth has shone out, the things once foreshadowed now are revealed in perfection. See, the Church is decked with the embodied image of Christ, as with beauty not of this world, fulfilling the tent of witness, holding fast the Orthodox faith. For if we cling to the icon of him whom we worship, we shall not go astray. May those who do not so believe be covered with shame. For the image of him who became human is our glory: we venerate it, but do not worship it as God. Kissing it, we who believe cry out: O God, save your people, and bless your heritage. We have moved forward from unbelief to true faith, and have been enlightened by the light of knowledge. Let us then clap our hands like the psalmist, and offer praise and thanksgiving to God. And let us honor and venerate the holy icons of Christ, of his most pure Mother, and of all the saints, depicted on walls, panels and sacred vessels,

12 setting aside the unbelievers' ungodly teaching. For the veneration given to the icon passes over, as Basil says, to its prototype. At the intercession of your spotless Mother, O Christ, and of all the saints, we pray you to grant us your great mercy. We venerate your icon, good Lord, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God. For you freely willed in the flesh to ascend the cross, to rescue from slavery to the enemy those whom you had formed. So we cry to you with thanksgiving: You have filled all things with joy, our Savior, by coming to save the world. The name of this Sunday reflects the great significance which icons possess for the Orthodox Church. They are not optional devotional extras, but an integral part of Orthodox faith and devotion. They are held to be a necessary consequence of Christian faith in the incarnation of the Word of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, in Jesus Christ. They have a sacramental character, making present to the believer the person or event depicted on them. So the interior of Orthodox churches is often covered with icons painted on walls and domed roofs, and there is always an icon screen, or iconostasis, separating the sanctuary from the nave, often with several rows of icons. No Orthodox home is complete without an icon corner (iconostasion), where the family prays. Icons are venerated by burning lamps and candles in front of them, by the use of incense and by kissing. But there is a clear doctrinal distinction between the veneration paid to icons and the worship due to God. The former is not only relative, it is in fact paid to the person represented by the icon. This distinction safeguards the veneration of icons from any charge of idolatry. The theme of the victory of the icons, by its emphasis on the incarnation, points us to the basic Christian truth that the one whose death and resurrection we celebrate at Easter was none other than the Word of God who became human in Jesus Christ. Before the Triumph of Orthodoxy came to be celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent, there was on this day a commemoration of Moses, Aaron, Samuel and the prophets. Traces of this more ancient observance can still be seen in the choice of the Epistle reading at the Liturgy and in the Alleluia verse appointed before the Gospel: Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among them that call upon His Name. Icon Of The Feast The icon of the Sunday of Orthodoxy commemorates the restoration of icons in the churches and to their use in Orthodox worship. The focal point of the icon is an icon itself, the Virgin Hodegetria, a popular depiction of the Theotokos as Directress, or literally She who shows the way to God. The icon is carried by two angels. (1) The icon of the Virgin Hodegetria, depicting the Theotokos as the "Directress", is processed amongst the people and held on high by two angels. To the left of the icon is the Empress Theodora and her son Michael III. (2) To the right of the icon are the Patriarchs Methodios and Tarasios. (3) The icon is surrounded by numerous saints who struggled against the Iconoclastic heresy. Emperess Theodora, who proclaimed the veneration of icons, is depicted to the right of the icon. Theodora's son Michael III. To the left of the icon are Patriarch Methodios (left), Bishop Michael of Synnadon (center), and Patriarch Tarasios. The icon also represents the triumphant procession that was made on Sunday, March 11, 843, from the Church of the Theotokos in Blachernai to Hagia Sophia, where a Liturgy was celebrated to mark the restoration of icons. Orthodox Christian Commemoration Of The Sunday Of Orthodoxy The Sunday of Orthodoxy is commemorated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great, which is preceded by the Matins service. A Great Vespers is conducted on Saturday evening. The hymns of the Triodion for this day are added to the usual prayers and hymns of the weekly commemoration of the Resurrection of Christ. Scripture readings for the Sunday of Orthodoxy are: At the Orthros (Matins): The prescribed weekly Gospel reading. At the Divine Liturgy: Hebrews 11:24-26,32-40; John 1: At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a service is conducted in commemoration of the affirmations of the Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787 and the restoration of the use of icons in 843. Orthodox faithful carry icons in a procession, while the clergy offer petitions for the people, civil authorities, and those who have reposed in the faith. Following is a reading of excerpts from the Affirmation of Faith of the Seventh Ecumenical Council and the singing of the Great Prokeimenon. It is becoming a common practice that the Procession of the Icons is conducted as part of a Pan-Orthodox Vespers service on the evening of the Sunday of Orthodoxy. This is a service when Orthodox Christians of the various jurisdictions in America come together for worship and in a united affirmation of the Truth of the Orthodox Faith.

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16 **ATTENTION GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS** The Lebanese Syrian American Junior League will again be awarding Scholarships to Young Men and Women Of Lebanese and Syrian descent residing in the greater Cleveland area. The application process begins on January 31st. High school seniors should request applications from their guidance counselors. College students can request applications by contacting Scholarship Chair Karen (Haddad) Ziton at or (440) All applications MUST be received by March 31, JOSEPH HADDAD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP WHO IS ELIGIBLE? A. Any son or daughter of a bona fide member of St. George Orthodox Church and whose parent membership is at least three years old. B. The person being considered for the scholarship award by Joseph Haddad Memorial must be a high school graduate, with intentions of furthering his/her education at a higher level, and upon acceptance by an accredited college or university. C. REQUIREMENTS: Applicants will be selected for the scholarship on the basis of academic standing, religious involvement in young people s church activities other than just in church attendance, extra-curricular school activities, character, and leadership qualities. Students applying must have at least a 3.3 cumulative point average through high school. Deadline: July 1, 2017 IF YOU MEET THE ABOVE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, REQUEST AN APPLICATION FORM CHURCH OFFICE PHONE FAX office@stgeorgecleveland.com RESERVE THESE DATES ON YOUR CALENDER March 05, 2017 Sunday of Orthodoxy St. Theodosius Cathedral. 733 Starkweather Avenue March 17-18, 2017 Our Parish host the Spring Gathering, look for Schedule on line. Friday April 28, 2017 St. George Feast Day La Villa Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, OH Sunday April 30, 2017 Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Bishops Michael & Ozone Presiding. August 27, 2017 Our Annual Summer Parish Picnic. Redwing Picnic Area, West Drive (off Bellus Rd. - between Hinckley Hills Rd. & State Rd.)

17 MEMO TO PARISHIONERS The lenten season is now upon us, and soon Holy Week and Pascha will be here as well. There are many things that the church needs for all of our special services, and we ask for your participation and support. If you would like to offer a donation to St. George Orthodox Church for the health of or in memory of, any of your family members or friends, please fill out the form below, tear it off and mail it back to the church office as soon as possible. We thank you and pray that you experience a rewarding and fruitful Lenten season and celebration of our Lord's Holy Pascha OFFERINGS FOR LENT AND HOLY PASCHA Dear Father John, It would be a great joy for me (for us) to offer a donation of $ towards the following: Flowers Bread Easter Lillies Eggs Wine Oil Palms Votive Candles for the health of: in memory of: given by:

18 The Teens Group Meets every Sunday after Church In The Teens Room If you re a Teen Join us For fun and Education ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN OF ST. GEORGE We will be having our next Meeting on Monday, March 06, :00 p.m. In Yarid Hall at the Church. God willing, see you there! St. George Orthodox Young Adult Ministy Thursday March 09, :30 pm St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church 2587 W.14th St. Cleveland.

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22 For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:48) Thank you to previous years wish list contributors List The Elevator and The Outside Ramp Project $ We already received $77684 Paul Hanna George Haddad 150 Imad Nader 1200 Pierre Aboukaled 500 Dr. Salim Hayek 1000 Archdeacon Yarid 100 Dr. Adib Al Souss 1000 Dr. Marwan Hilal 1000 Ted Ziton 1000 Dr. Amir Alamir 2000 James Hussney 1000 George Dawed 200 Greg Caraboolad 150 Elias Karsheh 3000 Dr. George Hawwa 1000 Fadi Chaccour 250 Rami Karsheh 1000 Edward Caroll 30 Dr. Bachar Dergham 500 Dr. Wael Khoury 3000 St. George Fundraiser 9104 Sub. Sam Elias 200 Hani Nader 3500 Jerry Koncz 100 George Sarkes 5500 LSAJL of Cleveland 125 Dr. Fadi Bashour 4000 Anonymous 2000 Dr. Afaf Zayat 1000 Tony Abdulkarim 1000 Leo Koury 1000 Dr. Bassem Zraik 500 Archdn. Yarid Sahley 100 George Abdul-Karim 100 Dr. Emile Sabbagh 1500 American Lebanese Community Council 200 Nagi Abdulkarim 100 Anna Deeb 100 Dr Ghassan Ashkar 1000 Dr. Lutfi Nassar 100 Dr. Basem Haddad 500 Awwad Khourieh 500 Barbara Sevchek 100 Joyce Nader 200 Joseph & Audrey Bendetto 25 Fr. John Ojaimi 500 Ronnie Harb 100 Azar Khouri 500 Ripepi Funeral Home 500 Najdat Asad 100 Dr. Khalil & Alma Korkor 100 Daniel & Claudia Tanoos 100 Irene Georgantas 150 Two Cases of Orthodox Liturgical Wine for Communion $240 by William Tegreene Replace 3 Communion Spoons and the Star for the Offering Tray $310 Six cases of Taper Candles $89 each Forty Altar Pure Liquid Paraffin Quarts $8.50 each Sell the rest of the memorial tiles at the entrance of the office area. $150 each Replace the Carpet at the Rectory Replace The Metropolitan Hall Light Bulbs to LED Replace the Yarid Light Hall Bulbs to LED Replace the Aluminum Entry Door, back entrance to the Sunday school $4690 Thank you.

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24 What is Orthodoxy? First of all, Orthodoxy is right faith in God; it is that mighty power which makes each truly believing Orthodox Christian unwavering on the righteous and pious path of his life. To be Orthodox means to know correctly with the mind, to believe correctly with the heart, and to confess correctly with the lips all that God Himself has revealed to us about Himself, about the world and man, and about the tasks and aims of our life in the teaching on the attaining of our spiritual union with Him and our eternal salvation. Without such right faith, according to the word of the Apostle Paul, it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). Orthodoxy is not only right faith and a right confession of the fundamental truths and dogmas of the Church of Christ, but also a right and virtuous life, founded on an unshakable law: the fulfilling of God s commandments, the permeating of the heart with humility, meekness and love for one s neighbor, the rendering of help to the needy and unfortunate, and the serving of one s church. The Apostle James teaches: Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the future Judge of the whole world, promises to reward every man according to his works (Matt. 16:27). The Apostle Paul testifies that every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor (1Cor. 3:8). Here is the Orthodox point of view. Right faith must be expressed in deeds, and deeds must serve as a manifestation of faith. One must be closely united with the other indissolubly, like soul and body. This only, then, is the Orthodox, the correct way leading us to God. Orthodoxy is not only right faith and a life according to faith, but also correct service to God. Our Lord Jesus Christ expressed the essence of the right worship of God in these brief but profound words: God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Only the inspired divine service of the Holy Orthodox Church, which is permeated by prayer, has realized this sacred worship of God in truth. Moreover, Orthodoxy is strict proportionality and correctness in the manifestations of all the powers of soul and body. In Orthodoxy, a proper place is allotted to everything: to the intellect, to the wants and needs of the heart, to the manifestations of man s free will, to labor and prayer, to abstinence and watchfulness, in a word, to everything of which man s life consists.