Sunday, April 17, 2016 Tone 5; Eothinon 2

Transcription

1 The Fifth Sunday of Great Lent The Commemoration of Our Righteous Mother Mary of Egypt; The Hieromartyrs Simeon, Bishop in Persia and those with him; Martyr Adrian of Corinth; Agapitos, Pope of Rome; Makarios, Archbishop of Corinth; Venerable Zosimas of Solovky Sunday, April 17, 2016 Tone 5; Eothinon 2 Apolytikion of the Resurrection (Tone 5) Let us believers praise and worship the Word; coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation. For, He took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh to suffer death; and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection. Apolytikion of St. Mary of Egypt (Tone 8) Through thee, the divine likeness was securely preserved, O mother Mary; for thou didst carry the cross and follow Christ. By example and precept thou didst teach us to ignore the body, because it is perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, doth thy soul rejoice with the angels. Apolytikion of our Patron the Archangel Michael (Tone 4) O ye foremost of the heavenly hosts we beseech thee, though we are unworthy, pray that we may be encompassed with a shadow of Thy unearthly glory, preserving us who kneel and cry endlessly: deliver us from oppression since ye are the prince of the Highest Power. Kontakion for the Theotokos (Tone 2) O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee. Daily Readings [Arabic text below] THE EPISTLE (for the Fifth Sunday of Lent) Make your vows to the Lord our God, and perform them.

2 God is known in Judah; His Name is great in Israel. The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews (9:11-14) Brethren, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), He entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? THE GOSPEL (for the Fifth Sunday of Lent) The Reading of the Holy Gospel is according to St. Mark (10:32-45) At that time, Jesus took His twelve Disciples, and began to tell them what was to happen to Him, saying, Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit upon Him, and kill Him; and after three days He will rise. And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Him, and said to Him, Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire And Jesus said to them, What do you want Me to do for you? And they said to Him, Grant us to sit, one at Thy right hand and one at Thy left, in Thy glory. But Jesus said to them, You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized? And they said to Him, We are able. And Jesus said to them, The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized. But to sit at My right hand or at My left is not Mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared. And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to Him and said to them, You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you

3 must be servant of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. OFFERINGS Holy Bread is being offered and the Coffee Hour hosted by Mary Ann, Mike and Andrew Mitchell celebrating Hannah and Olivia s eleventh birthday. May God grant them many years Prayers are also offered for the continued good health of Selwa & Emil Ayoub, and Gretta Casalnuovo. An offering of Holy Bread is also being offered this morning by Beverly Ansara in remembrance of her husband, Michael Ansara s 94th birthday. Memory eternal. Prayers are also offered for the health of Beverly s sister, Pamela; for her cousin, Priscilla, and friend s daughter, Danielle. The Post Communion bread (Antidoron) was offered and Lenten meal hosted last Wednesday night by Laila Abughazaleh, Nuha & Adeeb Abughazaleh, Claire Azzam, Vera & Daher Ababseh, Rana & Nabeel Azzam and Sharon & Nabeel Abughazaleh, with prayers for continued health of their families. [Note: the proceeds of the Lenten meal collection are being used to help Syrian children.] Special offerings and requests for prayer are being made... for the continued health of Sandinella Goson by Sandi & Jeff Gorup. for the continued health of Marie Skaff. for Art & Cathy Danks celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary tomorrow. May God grant them many years A Note Regarding Holy 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 and 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.

4 The Synaxarion On April 17 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate the Hieromartyr Simeon, bishop in Persia and those with him; Martyr Adrian of Corinth; Agapitos, pope of Rome; Makarios, archbishop of Corinth; and Venerable Zosimas of Solovky. On this same day, the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, we have arranged to make remembrance of our Godly mother, Mary of Egypt. Verses Spirit rose up, flesh melted away erewhile; hide, O earth, the worn bones of Mary s body. On the first of April died Mary, boast of the desert. Once, during the Honorable Fast, the priest-monk Zosimus withdrew into the wilderness beyond the Jordan. Suddenly, he caught sight of a human being with a withered and naked body whose hair was as white as snow. Zosimus then tossed his outer garment to her which she wrapped around herself and then showed herself to him. Mary then told Zosimus that she was born in Egypt and at the age of 12 began to live a life of debauchery in Alexandria for 17 years. One day, she went to Jerusalem to enter the church to venerate the Honorable Cross. However, some invisible force restrained her and prevented her from entering. In great fear, she gazed upon the icon of the Theotokos in the vestibule and prayed that she be allowed to enter the church, all the while confessing her sinfulness and uncleanness. She was then permitted to enter the church. Having venerated the Cross she again entered the vestibule and, before the icon, gave thanks to the Mother of God. At that very moment she heard a voice saying: If you cross the Jordan, you will find glorious rest Mary left for the wilderness and remained there for 47 years in repentance. When she encountered Zosimus, Mary told him of her life story. She bade him to come back in one year with Holy Communion, which he did. The following year, on Holy Thursday, April 1, 522 A.D., Zosimus discovered Mary s lifeless body, and buried her. Thus, the Lord glorifies penitent sinners. The Church exalts and exemplifies Mary to the faithful in Great Lent as an incentive for repentance that brings entry into the Heavenly Kingdom. Through her intercessions, O God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.

5 ANNOUNCEMENTS Palm Sunday Bake Sale Sunday, April 24 th All are invited to contribute by participating in our annual bake sale. Please contact Patricia Malouf for more information: (mobile); ( ). The sale that will take place during our coffee hour will include: cookies, breads, Arabic sweets, tea cakes and cupcakes, homemade candy, and more. We would like all baked items packaged and ready to be put out on the table. They must be covered, in closed containers or Saran wrapped. They may be brought to the church on Saturday, April 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. or Palm Sunday morning before 8:30 a.m. Orders will also be received for spinach fatayer, made by Panos Bakery (Pasadena). Paschal Breakfast The Feast of the Resurrection (Holy Pascha/Easter) is May 1st and only two weeks away. Like last year, we will be celebrating the Feast with a pot luck Paschal Agape Breakfast following the midnight Liturgy in the early morning, Sunday, May 1st. Last year s breakfast was a tremendous success and we are again depending upon your generous offerings as we celebrate the Feast. All dishes and desserts should be brought to the church kitchen prior to the start of the late evening service that begins at 11:30 p.m. Please consider one of the following categories and me at kthabit66@hotmail.com with the item(s) that you will be bringing. Please choose from the following: a) main dish (meat, poultry, fish), b) kid friendly meal, c) side dish (salad, veggies, relish dish, fruit, etc.), d) desserts or pastries, e) beverages (water, coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks), f) paper plates, cups, etc. Some of you may also consider assisting us with the buffet set-up and kitchen clean up. Please inform me of your availability. This will save in helping us to hire a clean-up crew. God bless you and grant you and your family a blessed Holy Week and Pascha [Kris Thabit]. Parish Council Meeting tomorrow, Monday, April 17, 7:30 p.m. following Great Compline at 6:30 p.m.

6 LITURGICAL CALENDAR [Note: We are currently in the period of the Great Fast.*] Weekday Lenten Services Monday, April 18 th Great Compline, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20 th Liturgy of Pre-sanctified Gifts,** 6:30 p.m. [followed by a parish Lenten Meal] Lazarus Saturday April 23 rd The Preparation of Gifts (Proskomedia), 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, 10:30 a.m. [followed by Church School Brunch and weaving of palms] Palm Sunday [Note: There are no memorials held on Palm Sunday] Saturday, April 23 rd Great Vespers, 5 p.m. Sunday, April 24 th Orthros, 8:45 a.m. The Procession of Palms and The Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m. *For more information on fasting or questions, speak with Father Timothy. ** the Liturgy of Pre-sanctified Gifts is a Vesperal Liturgy and includes Holy Communion. Preparation begins with observing the fast and includes abstinence following light lunch. *** Fish, wine and oil are permitted on Palm Sunday, April 24 th. Holy Pascha (Easter) is celebrated on Sunday, May 1 st. Note to Coffee Hour hosts: coffee and paper goods will be provided each week. Holy Bread Offering List Coffee Hour Hosts Calendar Apr 24 - Emile Skaff and Laila Abughazaleh Apr 24 - Parish Bake Sale Apr 28 - open (Holy Thursday) Apr 30 - open (Holy Saturday) May 01 - open (Holy Pascha) May 01 - Paschal Breakfast May 08 - open May 08 - Reserved May 15 - open May 15 - Caren Kouri and Jeanice Deeb Please contact Father Timothy (818/ ; pastor@stmichaelvannuys.org) to sign-up to offer Holy Bread for any of the open upcoming Sundays. Contact Cindy Tamoush at: ( ; famtam5@socal.rr.com) to host the Coffee Hour.

7 LITURGICAL CALENDAR NOTE: Confessions will be heard before and/or after the services, or by appointment during the week. It would be most appropriate for confessions to be completed by Holy Wednesday (April 27 th ) just prior to the Sacrament of Holy Unction and the Holy Thursday morning Liturgy. THE SERVICES OF GREAT AND HOLY WEEK Palm Sunday Evening April 24 th Bridegroom Orthros and Procession, 6:30 p.m. Great and Holy Monday April 25 th Bridegroom Orthros and Confessions, 6:30 p.m. Great and Holy Tuesday April 26 th Bridegroom Orthros and Confessions, 6:30 p.m. Great and Holy Wednesday April 27 th Confessions The Sacrament of Holy Unction, 6:30 p.m. Great and Holy Thursday April 28 th Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil, 10 a.m. Orthros of the Twelve Passion Gospels, 6:30 p.m. Great and Holy Friday April 29 th Great Vespers of the Descent from the Cross, 3 p.m. Orthros of the Lamentations and Procession, 6:30 p.m. Great and Holy Saturday April 30 th Service of the Preparing of the Holy Gifts (Proskomedia), 8:30 a.m. Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 9 a.m. SERVICES OF THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION HOLY PASCHA The Rush Procession Orthros, 11:30 p.m. The Divine Liturgy and Agape Breakfast Holy Pascha May 1 st The Paschal Vespers of Love (Agape), 11 a.m.

8 The Orthodox Church Structure and Liturgical Function Father Timothy is speaking on the theme: The Orthodox Church Structure and Liturgical Function during the Wednesday evening Lenten Pre- Sanctified Liturgies, beginning at 6:30. Important in his presentation is the relationship between iconography and music, the catechumenate and Lenten Services, Holy Week and Pascha. Copies of Father s teaching will be made available upon request. Attention Parents: Come and learn the meaning of our offerings and prayers at the Liturgy: Father Timothy will be teaching the children (and any adult interested in having an up-close lesson) about the preparation of the Holy Bread offering just before the Lazarus Saturday Liturgy this Saturday, April 23, 2016, beginning at 10 a.m. The prayers for the preparation of the offering at the table of the offering, called the Prothesis [pro-thee-sus] table, will take place outside the altar for all to see with explanations of the prayers and actions by the priest. After the Liturgy there will be a tour of the altar for everyone. A brunch will follow Liturgy and the children will be taught how to weave palm crosses by Bria McLinn. A special lesson the Resurrection Eggs will help us to understand the events of Holy Week. And be sure not to miss our search for the Empty Egg on Easter Sunday, May 1st following the Agape Vespers Service at 11 a.m. Holy Friday All-Night Vigil April 29 th The Teens of St. Michael will be participating in our annual All-Night Vigil that will take place on Holy Friday, April 29 th. We will be spending the night at church, taking shifts reading, having discussions, preparing the church for Pascha, and watching "The Passion of The Christ." The Vigil will conclude with the Holy Saturday morning Liturgy of St. Basil. This is an open event. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Please see Subdeacon Richard Ajalat for details and any questions. Holy Friday Arabic Choir We encourage your participation in the Arabic Choir on Holy Friday (April 29) and to attend two rehearsals scheduled for Wednesday April 27th and Friday, April 29th at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Center with our Choir Director, Art Danks.

9 Food for the Hungry People Drive You may have recently received the Food for the Hungry People brochure in the mail. Plan to make your contribution through our parish by writing your check to: St. Michael Church, earmarked FFHP. One check from our parish will be sent to the Archdiocese Department of Charities at the end of Great Lent. annual Lenten charity campaign. Thank you for your support of our Were You Unable to Attend the Lionheart Sessions? A second four-week session will be scheduled after Pascha (Easter) hosted by Kris Thabit. If you missed the four-week sessions that have concluded you will have another opportunity to sign-up for a second set of meetings. Some of you who attended the sessions may want to join us for a second time. You are welcome to do so. Upcoming Events (see the foyer bulletin board for more information) Lazarus Saturday Teaching Liturgy April 23, 2016, 10 a.m. and palm weaving of crosses and Holy Week Lesson Palm Sunday April 24, 2016 (Parish Annual Bake Sale) Great and Holy Week April 25-29, 2016 [Note: all evening services (Sunday-Friday) begin at 6:30 p.m.] Teen All Night Vigil Friday, April 29, 2016, 9 p.m. Great and Holy Saturday April 30 [Liturgy of Great and Holy Saturday begins at 9 a.m.] [The Rush Procession begins and Resurrection Liturgy at 11:30 p.m. and will be followed by the Annual Parish Paschal Breakfast] 2017 Parish Life Conference Holy Pascha (Easter) May 1st [Great Agape Vespers, 11 a.m.] followed by our Annual Easter Egg Hunt (search for the empty egg ) Vacation Bible School - Monday-Friday, June 20-24, 8 a.m. to 12 noon St. Michael will host the 2017 Parish Life Conference at the LAX Marriott in July next year. Caren Deeb Kouri and Don Meena are Co-Chairs and welcome your involvement in the Conference Committees.

10 2016 Parish Life Conference - June 29 to July 3 St. George Church (Phoenix, Arizona) is hosting this year s Diocesan Conference at the J.W. Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa. Deadlines: Early-bird registration (May 15); Souvenir Journal (April 15); Vendors (April 15). This year s Conference will be highlighted with the presence of the miraculous Myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon. For more information go to: Cemetery Plots for Sale Two (2) cemetery plots at St. Nicholas Memorial Gardens at Valhalla Cemetery are being sold by St. Michael Church. If you are interested in the purchase, please contact Sondra Love at: <slove1@socal.rr.com> or We will be hosting our Third Annual Vacation Bible School (VBS) Monday-Friday, June 20-24, 8:30 a.m. to noon This year s theme is: Ocean Commotion - a focus on the lesson of Noah 1. Standing for God (even if it means standing alone) 2. Obeying god (no matter what) 3. Trusting god (He is a Lifesaver) 4. Thanking god (in everything) 5. Fearing God (taking Him seriously) Register your child(ren) with Subdeacon Richard Ajalat today.

11 A Band of Brothers The idea of A Band of Brothers grew out of the Lionheart Sessions, and began with a small group of men who desire to build better relationships among themselves to foster Christian values in our lives, our families and the Church at large. Our focus is building relationships and encouraging men to become active in the Church community. Godly men are called to serve, protect and provide for their family and the Body of Christ - the Church. Each gathering will feature a different topic for discussion that the group is interested in exploring. The first week s topic is: What Christian Ethics and Values Most Influence Your Behavior? We will be meeting on Sunday, May 8, 2016 following Liturgy in the Conference Room on the second floor. 26th Annual St. Michael Golf Classic Woodland Hills Country Club in Woodland Hills May 16, 2016; 12 noon tee-off; 5 p.m. beverages; 6 p.m. dinner Name Address City CA, Zip Phone Golf Hole Sponsorship: $250 Number of 175/person Includes: locker room, green, card and driving range fees box lunch, gift bag and dinner Number of dinner reservations $45/person Child s dinner (12 years and $25/child TOTAL ENCLOSED Make your check or credit card payable to: St. Michael Church For more information contact: Don Meena ( ) or him at: <donmeena@sbcglobal.net>

12 PASTORAL SERMON The Fifth Sunday of Great Lent Commemorating St. Mary of Egypt By V. Rev. Timothy Baclig April 17, 2016 Two figures are presented to us on the final week of Great Lent and they are St. Andrew of Crete and St. Mary of Egypt. Their lives are read on the evening of the fourth Wednesday and their stark image is provided to us in order that we might understand the meaning and seriousness of repentance. Today, Fifth Sunday of Lent we commemorate our Righteous Mother Mary of Egypt who happens to also be commemorated on April 1 st. I use the word stark because as seen in many of the icons which depict St. Mary of Egypt, it is difficult to describe it at attractive. We like our icons to be decorative. However, the church s lessons in the images of the holy icons are very intentional. We enjoy art when it speaks to us and moves us positive emotion. We call that being inspired. Inspiration is certainly meant to be positive. We are inspired when we are motivated and edified by something beautiful and creative. However, there is also a spiritual dimension of compelling images that can also provoke negative forces. Our vision of St. Mary of Egypt and many other images of saints who are among the penitent do intend to provoke something positive and it is important that we understand the positive aspect of these images. One of the hymns in today s Orthros service highlights their witness of the penitent saints: The Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness, spiritual striving and holiness This hymn is taken from the words of St. Paul who said: The Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:7). Our Lord Jesus Christ also said, Man does not live by bread alone, but needs every word that God speaks. (Matthew 4:4). And from His Sermon on the Mount we hear, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for theirs in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:6). Then perhaps among the most frequently quoted verse we hear: Be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and what He requires of you, and He will provide you with all these other things. (Matthew 6:33).

13 This morning s hymn continues with these words: This is what David the prophet teaches us too, saying, He is righteousness, who shows mercy all the day long, who delights in the Lord, who walks in the light and will not stumble. All these things have been written for our admonition, that we should fast and practice goodness. And in exchange for earthly goods may the Lord grant us the blessing of heaven. There is something to be said about the virtues of temperance, self-control, chastity, and modesty. They are greatly lacking in our day and are among the lessons that parents need to spend time in helping their children to understand. In so doing, it is extremely important that parents also live and exemplify these virtuous qualities. All of these virtues are spiritual qualities that are not in any way intended to diminish the experience of heartfelt joy or peace for a Christian. These virtues are practiced with the mature understanding that our life does not consist in relishing temporal things or fixating upon fleeting passions. I am convinced that these undiscovered and untaught lessons are what tend to make our Orthodox funeral and memorial services a difficult experience for some. The difficulty is due to our struggle and anxiety with pain and suffering and unanswered questions which is a very normal thing. And this is precisely why the Feast of the Resurrection ( Holy Pascha Aramaic for the word Passover; [Christ is our Passover, having passed from death to life.]) is so very important and central to everything about our Orthodox worship. It really surprises me how many people, baptized Orthodox, have not attended or shy away from attending our midnight service. Our church attendance has tended to be larger the night of Great and Holy Friday at the Tomb of Christ; maybe because the songs are so familiar? Or perhaps it might be that we can more easily identify with sorrow and grief than spiritual joy and triumph(?) Maybe it s because the midnight Paschal Liturgy is so late(?) Failing to experience the celebration of Pascha is to miss the heart of our Christian faith. Yet, it is not uncommon in the experience of many of our members to not have any difficulty being awake at the wee hours of the night on a casino floor, or for our young people to wait in line for the doors of Walmart to open at midnight for a new CD or DVD release. We Orthodox understand the Paschal (Easter) midnight service as truly extraordinary. So extraordinary that we have considered it something that we more fully

14 experience by a rigorous preparation of 40 days and a even more intensely prayerful Great and Holy Week. Great Lent and Holy Week are not mere rituals and should not be looked upon as some magical formula for our healing. It is intended to provide us with a structure and prayerful services that bring us closer to a reality that we often want to ignore. The work and effort to change (renewed; transformed) remains with our willingness to do what is right, beginning with the renunciation of pride and any sin that prevents us from being in communion or in fellowship with each other. The Fathers of the church saw every negative impulse as an opportunity to be transformed. One of the best examples which explain this important lesson is heard in the words of St. John Climacus. St. John says that passions such as anger, gluttony, pride or lust, which can cause us to sin, can also be transformed to virtues if they are redirected. In other words we can overcome evil with good by curbing our passions. Listen to what St. John himself says: God neither caused or created evil and therefore, those who would assert that certain passions come naturally to the soul are quite wrong. What they fail to realize is that we have taken natural attributes of our own and turned them into passions. For instance, the seed which we have for the sake of procreating children is abused by us for the sake of fornication. Nature has provided us with anger as something to be turned against the serpent, but we have used it against our neighbor. We have a natural urge to excel in virtue, but instead we compete in evil. Nature stirs within us the desire for glory, but that glory is of a heavenly kind. It is natural to be arrogant against the demons. Joy is ours by nature, but it should be joy on account of the Lord and for the sake of doing good to our neighbor. Nature has given us resentment, but that ought to be against the enemies of our souls. We have a natural desire for pleasurable foods, but not surely for wastefulness. Gluttony, St. John tells goes on to say, is a vice, but eating as such, is by no means sinful; there is nothing wrong about enjoying food. The practice of fasting implies no condemnation upon the action of eating, but serves to make that action sacramental and Eucharistic (a sacred action of thanksgiving). May we all make the most of the time we have left in the period of the Fast and in the Great and Holy Week which is to come by preparing ourselves to experience the fullness of Holy Pascha. And may the Glorious Feast of our Lord s Resurrection be even more meaningful this year to every member of our families.

15 EOTHINON 2 TONE 5 2 اللحن الایوثینا 5 Fifth Sunday of Great Lent Commemoration of our Righteous Mother Mary of Egypt The Hieromartyrs Simeon, Bishop in Persia and those with him; Martyr Adrian of Corinth; Agapitos, Pope of rome; Makarios, Archbishop of Corinth; Venerable Zosimas of Solovky طروباریة القیامة على اللحن الثاني عندما انحدرت إلى الموت, أیھا الحیاة الذي لا یموت, حیني ذ أمت الجحیم ببرق لاھوت ك, وعندما أقمت الا موات من تحت الثرى, صرخ نحوك جمیع القوات السماویین أیھا المسیح الا لھ المعطي الحیاة, المجد لك. طروباریة البارة مریم المصریة على اللحن الثامن فیك ح ف ط ت صورة اللھ بتدقیق أیتھا الا م مریم, لا نك حملت الصلیب وتبعت المسیح, وعل مت بالعمل التغاضي عن الجسد لا نھ زاي ل, والاھتمام بالنفس لا نھا خالدة. فلذلك تبتھج روح ك أی تھا البار ة مع الملاي كة. طروباریة رؤساء الملاي كة باللحن الرابع أی ھا المتقد مون على الا جناد السماویین نتوس ل إلیكم نحن غیر المستحق ین حت ى أ ن كم بطلبات كم تكتنوفوننا بظل أجنحة مجد كم غیر الھیولي حافظین إی انا نحن الجاثین والصارخین بغیر فتور أنقذونا من الشداي د بما أن كم رؤساء مراتب القو ات العلویة. قنداق السیدة على اللحن الثاني یا شفیعة المسیحیین غیر المخذولة المتوسطة لدى الخالق غیر المردودة لا تعرضي عن أصوات طلباتنا نحن الخطا ة بل تداركینا بالمعونة بما أنك صالحة نحن الصارخین إلیك با یمان: بادري إلى الشفاعة وأسرعي في الطلبة یا والدة الا لھ المتشفعة داي ما في مكرمیك. الرسالة صلوا وأفوا الرب إلھنا, اللھ معروف في أرض یھوذا. فصل من رسالة القدیس بولس الرسول إلى العبرانیین

16 یا إخوة, إن المسیح جاء ري یس كھنة للخیرات المستقبلة واجتاز الخیمة العظمى والكبرى, غیر المصنوعة با یدي البشر, أي لیست من ھذه الخلیقة, فدخل قدس الا قداس مرة واحدة, لا بدم التیوس والعجول, بل بدم ھ, فكسب لنا خلاصا أبدیا, فا ذا كان دم التیوس والثیران ورماد العجلة ی ر ش على المنجسین فیقدسھم مطھرا جسد ھم, فكم بالا ولى دم المسیح الذي قد م نفس ھ إلى اللھ بالروح الا زلي قربانا لا عیب فیھ, أن ی طھر ضماي رن ا من الا عمال المیتة لنعبد اللھ الحي. الا نجیل فصل شریف من بشارة القدیس مرقص في ذلك الزمان, أخذ یسوع الا ثني عشر وطفق یكلمھم بما سیحدث لھ, فقال: "ھا نحن صاعدون إلى أورشلیم, وسی سلم ابن البشر إلى رؤساء الكھنة ومعلمي الشریعة, فیحكمون علیھ بالموت ویسلمونھ إلى الوثنیین, فیھزأون بھ, ویبصقون علیھ ویجلدونھ ویقتلونھ, وبعد ثلاثة أیام یقوم." ودنا منھ یعقوب ویوحنا, ابنا زبدى, وقالا لھ:"یا معلم, نرید أن تصنع لنا مھما طلبنا." فقال لھما: "ماذا تریدان أن أصنع لكما " فا جابا: "أعطنا أن یجلس واحد عن یمینك, وواحد عن یسارك في مجدك." فقال لھما یسوع: "إنكما لا تعلمان ما تطلبان: أتستطیعان أن تشربا الكا س التي سا شربھا, أو تقبلا معمودیة الالا م التي سا قبلھا " فا جابا: "نستطیع." فقال لھما: "الكا س التي أشربھا تشربانھا, ومعمودیة الالام التي أقبلھا تقبلانھا. أما الجلوس عن یمیني وعن یساري, فلیس لي أن أعطیھ إلا لمن أ عد لھم." فلما سمع التلامیذ العشرة ھذا الكلام, غضبوا على یعقوب ویوحنا. فدعاھم یسوع وقال لھم: "قد علمتم أن رؤساء الا مم یسودونھا, وأن عظماءھا یتسلطون علیھا.أما أنتم فلا یكن ھذا فیكم, بل من أراد أن یكون عظیما فیكم, فلیكن لكم خادما, ومن أراد أن یكون الا ول فیكم, فلیكن لجمیعكم عبدا. لان ابن الا نسان جاء لا لی خدم, بل لیخدم ویبذل نفسھ فداء عن كثیرین. ملاحظة بخصوص تناول القربان المقدس إن مفھومنا لتناول القربان یعنى عمومیة المشاركة فیھ لذوى العقیدة الواحدة الا إن المشاركة في سر القربان المقدس ھنا مقتصر فقط على أعضاء الكناي س الارثوذكسیة والذین یحضرون أنفسھم بالصلاة والصوم والاعتراف منذ فترة قریبة (وعلى كل حال فا ننا ندعو الجمیع للمشاركة فى الخبز المقدس الذى یوزع عند إنتھاء مراسیم القداس.) رجاء مراجعة الكاھن.إذا رغبت أن تصبح عضوا فى الكنیسة الارثوذكسیة.