St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Serving the Orthodox Christian Community of Greater Cleveland

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Serving the Orthodox Christian Community of Greater Cleveland"

Arabella Burns
5 years ago
Views:

1 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Serving the Orthodox Christian Community of Greater Cleveland

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church V. Rev Father John Ojaimi, Pastor Office: (216) 781-9020 Fax: (216) 781-9545 Cellular: (440) 665-6724 Archdeacon Yarid Sahley Subdeacon Sam Elias www.

com December 25, 2013 The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Is what we are celebrating on Christmas, so let us greet one another saying; Christ is Born, Glorify Him WELCOME The mission of

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 December 25, 2013 The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Is what we are celebrating on Christmas, so let us greet one another saying; Christ is Born, Glorify Him WELCOME 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 Divine Liturgy Variables December 25, 2013 The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ** Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom ** THE FIRST ANTIPHON I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will speak of all Thy marvelous works. In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation, the works of the Lord are great. Refrain: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us. They are sought out according to all His purposes. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endureth forever. (Refrain) Glory Both now (Refrain) THE SECOND ANTIPHON Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; that delighteth greatly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Refrain: Save us, O Son of God, Who wast born of a Virgin; who sing to Thee. Alleluia. Glory and riches shall be in His house, and His righteousness endureth forever. (Refrain) Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, full of compassion and righteous. (Refrain) Glory Both now O, only begotten Son and Word of God THE THIRD ANTIPHON The Lord said unto my Lord: sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. The Lord shall send Thee a rod of strength out of Zion. With Thee is dominion in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of Thy saints. APOLYTIKION OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST IN TONE FOUR Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn therefrom to worship Thee, O Sun of Justice, and to know that from the east of the Highest Thou didst come. O Lord, glory to Thee. THE EISODIKON (ENTRANCE HYMN) OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST From the womb before the morning star have I begotten Thee. The Lord hath sworn, and He will not repent; thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Save us, O Son of God, Who wast born of a Virgin; who sing to Thee. Alleluia. APOLYTIKION OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST IN TONE FOUR Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn therefrom to worship Thee, O Sun of Justice, and to know that from the east of the Highest Thou didst come. O Lord, glory to Thee.

4 KONTAKION OF PREPARATION OF CHRIST S NATIVITY IN TONE THREE Today the Virgin cometh to the cave where she will give birth in an ineffable manner to the Word Who is before all the ages. Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when thou hearest it heralded: Glorify Him, with the angels and the shepherds, Who chose to be seen as a new-born babe, the God Who is before all the ages. THE ANTI-TRISAGION HYMN (Sung in place of Holy God ) As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia. (THRICE) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Have put on Christ. Alleluia. Dynamis! As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia. THE EPISTLE Let all the earth worship Thee, and sing to Thee. Shout with joy to God, all the earth. The reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (4:4-7) Brethren, when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father! Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. THE GOSPEL The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (2:1-12) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him. When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, are by no means least among the rulers of Judea; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern My people Israel. Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found Him bring me word, that I too may come and worship Him. When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom continues with the following variables.

5 7 الر سال ة 5 و لك ن ل ما ج اء م ل ء ال زم ان أ ر س ل الله اب ن ھ م و ل ود ا م ن ام ر أ ة م و ل ود ا ت ح ت الن ام وس ل ی ف ت د ي ال ذ ین ت ح ت 7 6 الن ام وس ل ن ن ال الت ب ن ي. ث م ب م ا أ ن ك م أ ب ن اء أ ر س ل الله ر وح اب ن ھ إ ل ى ق ل وب ك م ص ار خ ا:«ی ا أ ب ا الا ب». إ ذ ا ل س ت ب ع د. ϴ δ Ϥ ϟύ Α Ι έ Ϯ ϓΎ Ϩ Α Ζ Ϩ ϛ ϥ ϭˬύ Ϩ Α Ϟ Α Ϊ Β ϋ إ لان ج یل 1 و ل ما و ل د ی س وع ف ي ب ی ت ل ح م ال ی ھ ود ی ة ف ي أ ی ام ھ یر ود س ال م ل ك إ ذ ا م ج وس م ن ال م ش ر ق ق د ج اء وا إ ل ى 3 2 أ ور ش ل یم ق اي ل ین :«أ ی ن ھ و ال م و ل ود م ل ك ال ی ھ ود ف ا ن ن ا ر أ ی ن ا ن ج م ھ ف ي ال م ش ر ق و أ ت ی ن ا ل ن س ج د ل ھ». ف ل ما س م ع 4 ھ یر ود س ال م ل ك اض ط ر ب و ج م یع أ ور ش ل یم م ع ھ. ف ج م ع ك ل ر ؤ س اء ال ك ھ ن ة و ك ت ب ة ال شع ب و س ا ل ھ م :«أ ی ن ی ول د 6 5 ال م س یح» ف ق ال وا ل ھ :«ف ي ب ی ت ل ح م ال ی ھ ود ی ة. لا ن ھ ھك ذ ا م ك ت وب ب الن ب ي: و أ ن ت ی ا ب ی ت ل ح م أ ر ض ی ھ وذ ا ل س ت ال صغ ر ى ب ی ن ر ؤ س اء ی ھ وذ ا لا ن م ن ك ی خ ر ج م د ب ر ی ر ع ى ش ع ب ي إ س ر اي یل». 8 ح ین ي ذ د ع ا ھ یر ود س ال م ج وس س ر ا و ت ح ق ق م ن ھ م ز م ان الن ج م ال ذ ي ظ ھ ر. ث م أ ر س ل ھ م إ ل ى ب ی ت ل ح م 9 و ق ال :«اذ ھ ب وا و اف ح ص وا ب الت د ق یق ع ن ال صب ي. و م ت ى و ج د ت م وه ف ا خ ب ر ون ي ل ك ي آت ي أ ن ا أ ی ض ا و أ س ج د ل ھ». ف ل ما س م ع وا م ن ال م ل ك ذ ھ ب وا. و إ ذ ا الن ج م ال ذ ي ر أ و ه ف ي ال م ش ر ق ی ت ق دم ھ م ح ت ى ج اء و و ق ف ف و ق ح ی ث ك ان ال صب ي ف ل ما ر أ و ا الن ج م ف ر ح وا ف ر ح ا ع ظ یم ا ج د ا. و أ ت و ا إ ل ى ال ب ی ت و ر أ و ا ال صب ي م ع م ر ی م أ مھ. ف خ روا و س ج د وا ل ھ. 12 ث م ف ت ح وا ك ن وز ھ م و ق دم وا ل ھ ھ د ای ا: ذ ھ ب ا و ل ب ان ا و م ر ا. ث م إ ذ أ وح ي إ ل ی ھ م ف ي ح ل م أ ن لا ی ر ج ع وا إ ل ى ھ یر ود س ان ص ر ف وا ف ي ط ر یق أ خ ر ى إ ل ى ك ور ت ھ م. MEGALYNARION OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST IN TONE ONE Magnify, O my soul, her who is more honorable and more exalted in glory than the heavenly hosts. I behold a strange and wonderful mystery: the cave a heaven, the Virgin a cherubic throne, and the manger a noble place in which hath lain Christ the uncontained God. Let us, therefore, praise and magnify Him. KOINONIKON (COMMUNION HYMN) OF NATIVITY OF CHRIST IN TONE EIGHT The Lord hath sent redemption unto His people. Alleluia. After Communion, instead of singing We have seen the true light, sing the Festal Apolytikion: Thy Nativity, O Christ. THE DISMISSAL Priest: May He Who was born in a cave and lay in a manger for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of Heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints, John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople, whose Divine Liturgy we have now celebrated; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind. Priest: Through the prayers..choir: Amen.

Bread of Oblation is offered in memory of George & Emma Haddad by their

OF: Our Family by Samir & Clara Nader My Children & Grandchildren by Mary

Stephanie, Aaron & Great Grandson Maximus by Rebecca Magas (Mom) Charles

Harb Bassam, Lida, Ronnie, Johnny & Peter Abdul Karim by Bassam Abdul

Fayez Alinati by Samir & Clara Nader Wadia Ameen by Mary Ameen My Parents

Deceased Family Members by Bill Tegreene Fred & Elizabeth George, Dee

6 Bread of Oblation is offered in memory of George & Emma Haddad by their Family Joie & George Haddad POINSETTIAS OFFERED FOR THE HEALTH & SAFETY OF: Our Family by Samir & Clara Nader My Children & Grandchildren by Mary Ameen Beverly George (My Friend), My Children Rich, Nicki, Becca, Stephanie, Aaron & Great Grandson Maximus by Rebecca Magas (Mom) Charles & Joan Haddad, My Family by Evelyn Haddad My Family by Maurice & Samia Harb Bassam, Lida, Ronnie, Johnny & Peter Abdul Karim by Bassam Abdul Karim Maurice & Samia Harb POINSETTIAS OFFERED IN BELOVED MEMORY OF: John Fayez Alinati by Samir & Clara Nader Wadia Ameen by Mary Ameen My Parents & Family: Esber, Rose, Lewis, Joanne (Loucka), Jeff Elias & Frank Sayre by Rebecca Magas Edward Haddad Sr., Edith Shagoury by Evelyn Haddad Tegreene, Gabriel, George & Metry Deceased Family Members by Bill Tegreene Fred & Elizabeth George, Dee DeGeorge (Daughter/Sister) by Beverly George Boulos & Nabeha Salah, Mecheal & Jallalah by Maurice & Samia Harb Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

THE ICON OF THE NATIVITY Images Foretold by the Prophets Based on a Presentation by Fr. Joseph Samaan St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church St.

The goal of the icon and that of written theology are the same to lead others to the mystical experience of God.

Anton Vrame, The Educating Icon All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.

7 THE ICON OF THE NATIVITY Images Foretold by the Prophets Based on a Presentation by Fr. Joseph Samaan St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church St. Petersburg, Florida Thus the icon is also a theology, a theology in color, expressing the experience of God with lines and paints rather than with discursive language. The goal of the icon and that of written theology are the same to lead others to the mystical experience of God. The icon artistically depicts the experience so that others may approach the mystery and be invited to share in it. Anton Vrame, The Educating Icon All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel. The Prophecy of Isaiah in The Christmas Eothinon ~ Matthew 1:22 What is a Prophet? The Prophets of the Old Testament were individuals chosen by God to tell people about the Salvation that was to come through Jesus Christ. Prophets not only told about events to come, but also delivered the message of God and His will to the People. The Prophet Micah The Prophet Micah lived in Judah from 750 to 687 BC. He Prophesied that the Messiah would be born in in the City of Bethlehem.~ the location of the Nativity icon scene~ "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Micah 5:2

The Prophet Jeremiah The Prophet Jeremiah lived from 650 to 587 BC. He foretold that the Messiah would a descendant of King David.

is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

~ A Star Will Come out of Bethlehem ~ Numbers 24:17 Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote,

This ray connects the star with a part of the sphere which goes beyond the limits of the icon a symbolic representation of the heavenly world.

8 The Prophet Jeremiah The Prophet Jeremiah lived from 650 to 587 BC. He foretold that the Messiah would a descendant of King David. (Jeremiah 23:5-6) ~ the depiction of Joseph in the Nativity icon Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. -Luke 2:4-5 The Prophet Moses The Old Testament Book of Numbers is Attributed to the Prophet Moses and details the journey of the Israelites to the Promised Land. ~ A Star Will Come out of Bethlehem ~ Numbers 24:17 Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. John 1:45 A long ray from the star points directly to the cave. This ray connects the star with a part of the sphere which goes beyond the limits of the icon a symbolic representation of the heavenly world. In this way the icon shows that the star is not only a cosmic phenomenon, but also a messenger from the world on high, bringing tidings of the birth of the heavenly One upon earth. Ouspensky & Lossky, The Meaning of Icons The Prophet David King David was a Prophet and wrote many of the Psalms which we find in the Old Testament, and read during most of our worship services. He prophesied that foreign kings would bring gifts to the Messiah ~ Kings of Distant Lands Will Come ~ Psalm 72:10 In the adoration of the wise men the Church testifies that it accepts and sanctifies all human science leading towards it, provided that the relative light of the extra-christian revelation brings those who serve it to the worship of the absolute light. It should be noted that the wise men are represented as being of different ages, which emphasizes the fact that revelation is given to men independently of their years and worldly experience. Ouspensky & Lossky, The Meaning of Icons

The Prophet Isaiah The Prophet Isaiah is often referred to as the fifth evangelist because so many of his prophesies pertain to the coming of the Messiah.

Isaiah 7:14 She is the highest thanksgiving to God, which man, from among all created beings, brings to the Creator.

The icon of the Nativity graphically underlines this role of the Mother of God, singling her out from among the other figures by Her central position and at times by Her size.

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

9 The Prophet Isaiah The Prophet Isaiah is often referred to as the fifth evangelist because so many of his prophesies pertain to the coming of the Messiah. He foretold that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel. Isaiah 7:14 She is the highest thanksgiving to God, which man, from among all created beings, brings to the Creator. By this offering in the person of the Mother of God, fallen mankind gives assent to its salvation through the Incarnation of God. The icon of the Nativity graphically underlines this role of the Mother of God, singling her out from among the other figures by Her central position and at times by Her size. Ouspensky & Lossky, The Meaning of Icons For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Additional insight into the Icon of the Nativity The stars on Mary s garment denote her virginity before, during and after the Nativity The expression on her face is calm, gentle, meditative, showing that she gave birth to the child in a supernatural manner, free of all pain. Constantine Cavarnos Guide to Byzantine Iconography Isaiah s Prophecy of the Animals: The ox knows his master, and the donkey his master s crib; but Israel does not know me, and the people have not regarded me. Isaiah 1:3 By the presence of the animals, the icon reminds us of Isaiah s prophecy and calls us to the knowledge and understanding of the mystery of the Divine Dispensation. (Ouspensky & Lossky, The Meaning of Icons) The Manger foreshadows the Tomb. Cave, manger, swaddling clothes are indications of the kenosis of the Godhead, His abasement, the utter humility of Him who, invisible in His nature, becomes visible in the flesh for man s sake, is born in a cave, is wrapped in swaddling clothes, thus foreshadowing His death and burial, the sepulcher and the burial clothes. Ouspensky & Lossky, The Meaning of Icons

The Troubling of Joseph by Satan on the basis of tradition, the icon transmits the meaning of certain liturgical texts which

Ouspensky & Losky, The Meaning of Icons But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

effective manner, by means of forms and colors.

10 The Troubling of Joseph by Satan on the basis of tradition, the icon transmits the meaning of certain liturgical texts which speak of the doubts of Joseph and the troubled state of his soul. Ouspensky & Losky, The Meaning of Icons But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19 The traditional Orthodox icon of the Nativity tells us what the Bible tells us, and does so in a very clear, vivid, effective manner, by means of forms and colors. Constantine Cavarnos Guide to Byzantine Iconography ================================================= For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given and His name shall be called Wonderful. Luke 2:1-7 DECEMBER IS THE ORDER OF BECOME A MEMBER! St. Ignatius Month MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

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.

12 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.

Festal Divine Liturgy Variables on December 25 The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great

Festal Divine Liturgy Variables on December 25 The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ** Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great ** FIRST ANTIPHON 1. I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole