St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Diocese of Los Angeles and the West

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1 St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Diocese of Los Angeles and the West Mailing Address: 4718 Horsehaven, Post Falls, Idaho Church Phone: (208) Fr. Basil Caldaroni: (208) frbasil@caldaroni.net Church Website: Parish Directory: User: Faithful Password: TheWay Send announcements to members@stjohnorthodox.org September 21, 2014 Apostle Quadratos of the Seventy - Saint Quadratus, Apostle of the Seventy preached the Word of God at Athens and at Magnesia (eastern peninsula of Thessaly), and was Bishop of Athens. His biographer called him a morning star among the clouds of paganism. He converted many pagans to the true faith in Christ the Savior, and his preaching aroused the hatred of the pagans. Once, an angry mob fell upon the saint to pelt him with stones. Preserved by God, St Quadratus remained alive, and they threw him into prison, where he died of starvation. His holy body was buried in Magnesia. In the year 126, St Quadratus wrote an Apologia in defence of Christianity. Presented to the emperor Hadrian ( ), the Apologia affected the persecution of Christians, since the emperor issued a decree saying that no one should be convicted without just cause. This Apologia was known to the historian Eusebius in the fourth century. At the present time, only part of this Apologia survives, quoted by Eusebius: The deeds of our Savior were always witnessed, because they were true. His healings and raising people from the dead were visible not only when they were healed and raised, but always. They lived not only during the existence of the Savior upon the earth, but they also remained alive long after His departure. Some, indeed, have survived to our own time.. Prophet Jonah - The Holy Prophet Jonah lived in the eighth century before the birth of Christ and was a successor of the Prophet Elisha. The Book of the Prophet Jonah contains prophecies about the judgments on the Israelite nation, the sufferings of the Savior, the downfall of Jerusalem, and the end of the world. Besides the prophecies, the Book of Jonah relates how he was sent to the Ninevites to preach repentance (Jon. 3: 3-10). Our Lord Jesus Christ, addressing the Scribes and the Pharisees who demanded a sign from Him, said that no sign would be given except for the sign of the Prophet Jonah, As Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so also shall the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights (Mt. 12: 40). From these words the Lord shows clearly the symbolic meaning of the Book of the Prophet Jonah in relation to Christ s death on the Cross, descent into Hell, and the Resurrection.

2 Reproaching the lack of penitence and recalcitrance of the Jews, the Lord said, The Ninevites shall rise in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and one greater than Jonah is here (Mt. 12: 41). Heavenly Worship (excerpted from: Williams, B. and Anstall, H.; Orthodox Worship: A Living Continuity with the Synagogue, the Temple and the Early Church) Worship begins in heaven. The Holy Scriptures record numerous instances of the drama of heavenly adoration taking place before the very throne of God. It may be that for the person familiar with Scripture, some of these are so apparent they are overlooked. The concept of heavenly worship begins with God's revelation to the children of Israel about the building of the Tabernacle, and the manner of worship to take place within it. This revelation formed the basis for the Old Testament worship of the Jews. Worship on earth was to reflect worship in heaven. Worship in the Old Testament In Isaiah, Chapter 6, the prophet writes of being caught up to heaven and experiencing celestial worship. He tells us there were seraphim praising God, singing "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory" (verse 3). He records that one of the seraphim flew to him with a coal taken from the altar, and touched his mouth, taking away his sin. This was understood by the early fathers of the Church as being a type (or model) of the Eucharist. It was after this experience that Isaiah was commissioned by God to prophesy to His people. He ties this transporting vision into earthly time: the year King Uzziah died, about 731 B.C. (Isaiah 6:1). Even the Prophet Daniel reports that his vision was from being before the throne of the Ancient of Days, where He was served and ministered to (7:9-14). In Revelation 4 and 5, the Apostle John was likewise caught up to heaven, and in that book we have the revelation of what he saw and of what he was told. He witnessed worship before the throne of God. He records the presence of twenty-four elders before the throne bowing down before the Lord. Angelic creatures are praising God saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, Who was and Who is and Who is to come" (verse 8). In fact, he sees tens of thousands of angels worshiping the Lamb who was slain (5:11-12), and "every created thing which is in the heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in them" worshiping the Lamb (5:13). Talk about heavenly liturgy! The inescapable context in all of these accounts is that of worship: worship of God by all of His creatures. And it is with this basic understanding that Orthodoxy approaches worship: it is the privilege and the responsibility of each person to bless God, that is, to praise and give thanks to the Holy Trinity for mercy and creation. Whether one agrees or fully understands it, the Bible testifies that there is worship in Heaven. By extension then, it is only natural that Christian worship should be in keeping with the nature of worship in Heaven. The constant struggle both in Israel and in Christendom has been to avoid affirming the methods which mankind proposes as the means to approach and worship God, and to accept that revelation which God Himself has given, and to act on it. That is true theologically, and it is true liturgically as well. Worship is based on revelation. The early Christian Church used the Old

3 Testament revelation as its starting point, and fulfilled it with the new and final revelation in Jesus Christ. Worship in the New Testament The summary New Testament passage on heavenly worship is Hebrews 8:1-6. Here Jesus Christ is described as the High Priest, seated at the right hand of God, Who has accomplished salvation and reconciliation through His mediation. Verse 2 says that this High Priest has another role also. He is the Liturgist (the word is leitourgos) of the sanctuary. Jesus Christ Himself is the Liturgist, and this liturgy takes place in the "sanctuary of the true tabernacle" which is in Heaven before the throne of God. Verses 4 and 5 say that worship on earth is patterned after that in Heaven. This is described in verse 6 as the "more excellent liturgy" which He has obtained because He is the mediator of "a better covenant". The teaching is quite clear liturgical worship is not optional. Rather, it is normative for Christians. Worship on Earth As It Is in Heaven Worship on earth, then, is to be an extension, a reflection, of that in the Kingdom. It is to be a window to heaven. Christian believers cannot decide that this or that is unnecessary and disposable because it is not contemporary or is not in vogue. The obligation is to follow and to serve God, to accept His Word of revelation. This is the guardianship of Tradition in the life of the Church; to remain true to the faith as revealed, as it was in the beginning. THE EPISTLE O Lord, how manifold are Thy works. In wisdom hast Thou made them all. Bless the Lord, O my soul. The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (2:16-20) Brethren, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. Even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the Law died to the Law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. THE GOSPEL The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (8:34-9:1) The Lord said, If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. And He said to them, Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power.

4 ANNOUNCEMENTS Sisterhood Meeting Today The Sisterhood will be meeting today during lunch to plan for the fund-raiser dinner to pay the expenses of the funeral of our dear brother, Jim Ayers. An anonymous donor covered the expenses at the time of the funeral but needs to be reimbursed for them. So please plan to do your lunch that day with the Sisterhood in the big room downstairs as a working lunch. Thank you, good sisters in Christ! Parish Directory Updated The Parish Directory has been updated, thanks to the ongoing efforts of Joy Corey and Deacon Mark. For your convenience, the directory is available online as well. You can make a bookmark to the online version for easy reference: Username: Faithful Password: TheWay Holy Oblation Being offered for the good health of the newly Illumined Child of God George El Hayek,his Godparents,parents,Grandparents and family. By Father Nicholas Khouryie Malvi and family. Sisterhood Dues It is that time of year again for the Sisterhood to send in our dues to the diocese. Please put your dues of $10 in Barbara Garbinski s mailbox. Each parish is expected to send $200 to the diocese by November 1, Thank you! KID'S KORNER (with Fr. Nicholas) Good morning Kids! I want to thank all of you for your prayers, for my recent hand surgery. I would like you all to join us at the baptism of baby George today. Only a few will remember their own baptism, so all the children are asked to witness baby George's baptism today. We start in the back of the Church and because he cannot talk yet his God-Father Hanna, will speak for George. Listen very closely to the prayers. We then say the Creed together, which is the symbol of our Orthodox Faith. We come to The Table of Needs in front of the Royal Doors. Candles are lit and The Kingdom of God is proclaimed. Olive oil is blessed and George and the water are blessed. After the blessing George is baptized just like Jesus was, in The River Jordan by St. John the Baptist. The Troparion of The Feast is then sung. Then George is anointed with Holy Chrism and washed. He then makes his first offering by being Tonsured with a gift of a bit of hair from his head. We process around The Baptismal Font which is his first steps with our Lord Jesus. George receives Holy Communion and is a full member of Christ's Church. The Epistle and Holy Gospel are read. Listen very carefully to the words being read. There is a prayer for George, his Godparents and Family. God grant you many years is sung and a New Christian joins The Holy Church. You are asked to remember George in your prayers. Until next week remember that God loves you and so do I! Love Papa

6 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES & EVENTS Saturday, September 20 Great Vespers 6:00pm Sunday, September 21 Orthros 9:00am; Divine Liturgy 10:00am; Sunday School & Lunch following; Sisterhood Meeting during lunch. Tuesday, September 23 Youth Swing Dance 7:00pm Wednesday, September 24 Vespers 6:00pm; Study Group 7:00pm Friday, September 26 Spiritual Circle 9:30am Saturday, September 27 Great Vespers 6:00pm Sunday, September 28 Orthros 9:00am; Divine Liturgy 10:00am; Sunday School & Lunch following. EPISTLE READERS Sept 21 Sbdcn. Barnabas Sept 28 Andrew Schaefer Oct 5 Joy Corey Oct 12 - Reader Mark Fellegy LUNCHEON & CLEANUP Sept 21 Team 5: Gallatin Family, Schaefer family, Ebert family, Phillips family Sept 28 Team 1: Dale Ayoub, Sanman family, Ott family, Purviance family Oct 5 Team 2: Joy Corey, Morey Ranson, Holmen family, Roth family, Tecca family Oct 12 Team 3: Barbara Garbinski, Norman O'Daniel, Shirley Touros, Helen Weddle, Jenny Dancy PRAYERS FOR THE LIVING: Suffering Christians throughout the Middle East, Metropolitan Paul Yazigi and Metropolitan Youhanna Ibrahim (hostages in Syria), Fr. Nicholas, Ken Ayoub PRAYERS FOR THE DEPARTED: Gus Vlahos, Jim Ayers COMMUNION - Since we understand Communion to mean that we have all things in common, sharing an identical Faith, only those who are members of the Orthodox Church who have prepared themselves through prayer, fasting and recent confession may participate in Holy Communion. (We invite all, however, to partake of the blessed bread which is distributed at the dismissal.) Please see the pastor for inquiries on how to become a member.

St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Diocese of Los Angeles and the West

St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Diocese of Los Angeles and the West Mailing Address: 4718 Horsehaven, Post Falls, Idaho 83854-6668 - Church