Page 1 Vol 1 Issue 7. Sept. Newsletter

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1 Page 1 Vol 1 Issue Sept Newsletter

2 Table of Contents A Word from St. Mark s Priests... 3 Spiritual Word... 4 Church Expansion... 6 Let Us Rejoice... 7 Calendar... 8 Church News Kids Corner Arabic Section... 14

3 Page 3 Dear St. Mark s family, As we conclude another Coptic Year, and move into the coming one, we the fathers of St Mark s wish you all a Happy New Year and encourage us all to examine ourselves as St Paul has asked us Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed you are disqualified. 2 Corinthians 13:5 The Lord has given us much and from us much will be required. (Luke 12:48) In the glorious calendar of the Coptic Orthodox Church, we relive the life of Christ from year to year that we may be in in Christ and He in us. In addition, we revolve our Church calendar around the feasts of the martyrs in order that they may witness unto us the power of holy lives. We celebrate the Annunciation of His birth and all that took place in His earthly life, including His crucifixion, Resurrection and are seated with Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) as we celebrate His ascension into heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, with our victorious human nature. We our carried to the Upper Room with the Holy Apostles and receive the gift and Descent of His Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. We wish to encourage you to find yourself in Him. Am I allowing His strength to flow in me? Am I asking for His victory of Satan to be my victory over Satan? We are called to walk in Him, finding all Christ s accomplishments which were for us and for our salvation to be a source of life and power working in us. To this we were called. Let us look to the martyrs and saints who have trodden on the path to His Kingdom, in which is prepared for us heavenly mansions. Let us look to their example of endurance who fixed their eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) Finally, we pray that we can sing a new song with new life in Christ and chance for renewal in our hearts. Happy Coptic New Year in 1734 the year of Martyrs on September 11, In Christ, The Priests of St Mark s

4 Spiritual Word The Feast Of Nayrouz Page 4 What is Nayrouz? The word Nayrouz comes from the Coptic word niiaro-oo meaning the rivers, with a Greek suffex of ouz. Because the waters of the Nile river rise in mid September, Nayrouz marks the beginning of the Coptic Year. It is used by farmers for agricultural purposes because the coptic calendar has 13 months. Twelve of which are 30 days each, and the 13th month is the remaining days of the year. When we celebrate the feast of Nayrouz we commemorate the following: - The honor of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives as sacrifices of love for our Lord who sacrificed Himself for us. - The beginning of the Coptic New Year. - The coming of Christ. We express our eagerness for the coming of our Lord and during the last few weeks of the Coptic year, the church readings focuses on the coming of Christ. The Coptic Year: The Coptic Year started on Thoout 1st which is September 11th. Coptic years are counted from the year of 284 A.D., the year

Page 5 Diocletian became Roman Emperor. Diocletian was the worst Roman Emperor of his time because he persecuted Christians everywhere in the Roman Empire.

The Coptic Months: As mentioned before the Coptic calendar includes 13 months.

We eat dates in Nayrouz for multiple reason. - Dates are red like the blood of the martyrs that was shed because of their love for Christ the King.

- Guavas are white like the hearts of the martyrs that were pure and clean.

5 Page 5 Diocletian became Roman Emperor. Diocletian was the worst Roman Emperor of his time because he persecuted Christians everywhere in the Roman Empire. It is said that 840 thousand Christians were martyred during his reign, mainly in Egypt. The Pharaonic year 4525 was the Coptic year 1, which was the year 284 A.D. The Coptic Months: As mentioned before the Coptic calendar includes 13 months. These months are as follows: Thoout, Paope, Hathor, Koiahk, Tobe, Meshir, Paremhotep, Parmoute, Pashons, Paone, Epep, Mesore, and Nesi. Why do we eat dates and guava in Nayrouz? We eat dates in Nayrouz for multiple reason. - Dates are red like the blood of the martyrs that was shed because of their love for Christ the King. - Dates hearts are white like the hearts of the martyrs that were pure and clean. - Dates pits are stout like the martyrs when confessing their faith in front of rulers. We eat guava for two reasons. - Guavas are white like the hearts of the martyrs that were pure and clean. - Guavas have many seeds resembling the many number of martyrs that have received the crowns of martyrdom in the name of Christ. Why do we celebrate Nayrouz? We celebrate Nayrouz to follow the footsteps of the martyrs in their love and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Page 6 Expansion Project Update Here is what we can expect to see over the next month: New parking spots will be completed, the new paved parking lot will open, and parking flow will change.

*All necessary permits have been acquired* Here is how you will be impacted: New traffic pattern for vehicles and pedestrians around the new construction site First and second liturgy will be in the

Gym service will be as usual Saturday divine liturgies will be prayed every other week No Friday services will take place on Church grounds Wednesday Liturgy will be in the Chapel Wednesday evening

6 Page 6 Expansion Project Update Here is what we can expect to see over the next month: New parking spots will be completed, the new paved parking lot will open, and parking flow will change. Fences will be moved around the new construction site. Construction on the Sanctuary will begin on September 7th. The Sanctuary will be closed from that date moving forward. *All necessary permits have been acquired* Here is how you will be impacted: New traffic pattern for vehicles and pedestrians around the new construction site First and second liturgy will be in the Chapel, times remain unchanged. Gym service will be as usual Saturday divine liturgies will be prayed every other week No Friday services will take place on Church grounds Wednesday Liturgy will be in the Chapel Wednesday evening teaching courses will be in the social hall *Please visit the website & the App for updated times/schedule changes* What we ask of you: Reminder to please be safe, watch your children, obey signs, parking volunteers, and ushers. If you want to help coordinate with this effort, contact Aguirguis@stmarkdc.org or Ffahim@stmarkdc.org You can follow the expansion progress and make donations at churchexpansion.stmarkdc.org Please pray for the expansion!

Congratulations to Mina Hana and Christen Boules on their marriage on July 23, 2017.

7 Let Us Rejoice Page 7 We would like to celebrate the engagement of Adam Shoeb & Mariana Habib! Their engagement was on August 5th, May God bring love, peace and joy to your engagement! Congrats! Congratulations to Mina Hana and Christen Boules on their marriage on July 23, May God bring love, peace and joy and grant you a long and prosperous life together. If you would like your occasion (baptism, engagement, wedding) or funeral placed in the newsletter, please communications@stmarkdc.org

8 Page 8 Calendar September 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 6a 1st Liturgy 8:30a Kids Liturgy 8:45a 2nd Liturgy 11:15a Sunday School/Light&Life/ Arabic Meeting 7p Friday Night Activities 7p Vespers 7:30p Orthodox Creed by Dr. Joseph Faltas (in Arabic) :30p Arise Meeting 5a Liturgy 6:30p Visit from Hegumen Fr. Dawood Lamey Sanctuary will close for renovations 7p Friday Night Activities 7p Vespers 7:30p Orthodox Creed by Dr. Joseph Faltas (in Arabic) a 1st Liturgy (Chapel) 8:30a Kids Liturgy 8:45a 2nd Liturgy (Chapel) 11:15a Sunday School/Light&Life/ Arabic Meeting 7p Vespers for Nayrouz (Nayrouz) 5a Liturgy 7p Friday Night Activities 7p Vespers 6a 1st Liturgy (Chapel) 8:30a Kids Liturgy 8:45a 2nd Liturgy (Chapel) 11:15a Sunday School/Light&Life/ Arabic Meeting :30p Arise Meeting 5a Liturgy Servants Retreat 7p Friday Night Activities 7p Vespers a 1st Liturgy (Chapel) 8:30a Kids Liturgy 8:45a 2nd Liturgy (Chapel) 11:15a Sunday School/Light&Life/ Arabic Meeting 7:30p Vespers for Feast of the Cross 5a Liturgy 7p Friday Night Activities 7p Vespers

9 Important Dates Page 9 September 2nd & 9th - Orthodox Creed by Dr. Joseph Faltas (in Arabic) September 6th & 7th Visit of Hegumen Fr. Dawood Lamey September 6th Sanctuary will close for Renovations September 11th Feast of the Nayrouz September 22-24th Servants Retreat September 26th Feast of the Cross

Page 10 Church News Ministry Spotlight: Justice for Juniors Members from St. Mark join an interfaith group (Justice for Juniors) to speak to juveniles in jail about various topics.

10 Page 10 Church News Ministry Spotlight: Justice for Juniors Members from St. Mark join an interfaith group (Justice for Juniors) to speak to juveniles in jail about various topics. The topics are focused on ethics, but our faith often comes up. After we meet with the juveniles, we have a debriefing and an interfaith discussion with the other volunteers. During the interfaith discussion, we present the Christian perspective on the ethical topic of the day to the other volunteers, who are often Muslim or who practice other religions. This is a very dynamic ministry and we often don t know what the circumstances will be or who we will meet. Being in a public facility, we also face some restrictions. The challenge, whether we get a chance to preach by word or not, is to always show everyone we meet (volunteers, juveniles, or staff) the love of God and to let them know we are Christians.

11 Page 11 Ministry Spotlight: Men s Ministry On Saturday August 26th, the Men s Ministry organized a fishing trip in the Chesapeake Bay. The day was full of fun, laughter, and great fellowship.

12 Page 12 Corner I will learn more about I will help my family with I will learn new Bible verses I will pray My goals My verse

13 Page 13 You crown the year with Your goodness. Psalm 65:11

14 Page 14 عيد النيروز ما هو النيروز كلمة النيروز مأخوذة من الكلمة القبطية نياروؤو وتعني االنهار مع الملحق اليوناني "وز". النيروز يأتي مع بداية العام القبطي عندما تفيض مياة نهر النيل في منتصف سبتمبر. ويستخدمه المزارعون في الزراعة النه يحتوي على ١٣ شهر منهم ١٢ شهر بهم ٣٠ يوم والشهر الثالث عشر به باقي ايام السنة )٥ او ٦ أيام(. عندما نحتفل بعيد النيروز نتذكر االتي: كرامة الشهداء الذين قدموا حياتهم كذبيحة من اجل محبتهم في السيد المسيح الذي قدم ذاته كذبيحة الجلنا. بداية السنة القبطية الجديدة. حماسنا لمجي ربنا يسوع ففي االسابيع االخيرة من السنة القبطية تقرأ الكنيسة قرأت عن مجي السيد المسيح الثاني. السنة القبطية : السنة القبطية تبدأ في اليوم االول من شهر توت الذي يوافق ١١ سبتمبر. التقويم القبطي بدأ من عام ٢٨٤ م الن في هذا العام تملك االمبراطور الروماني دقلديانوس على االمبراطورية الرومانية وكانت مصر تقع تحت حكم الرومان في هدا الوقت. وكان دقلديانوس هو اسوأ امبراطور روماني النه عذب المسيحين في االمبراطورية الرومانية. يقال ان استشهد في عصره حوالي ٨٤٠ ألف مسيحي معظمهم من مصر. فكانت اول سنة قبطية للشهداء هي سنة ٢٨٤ م والتي توافق سنة ٤٥٢٥ فرعونية. الشهور القبطية : كما ذكرنا فان الشهور القلطية عددها ١٣ وهم توت بابة هاتور كيهك طوبة أمشير برمهات برمودة بشنس بؤونة أبيب مسرى نسي.

Page 15 لماذا نأكل البلح والجوافة في النيروز نأكل البلح في النيروز لعدة اسباب. البلح لونه أحمر كدم الشهداء الذي سال من أجل محبتهم في الملك المسيح. قلب البلح لونه أبيض كقلوب الشهداء الطاهرة النقية.

15 Page 15 لماذا نأكل البلح والجوافة في النيروز نأكل البلح في النيروز لعدة اسباب. البلح لونه أحمر كدم الشهداء الذي سال من أجل محبتهم في الملك المسيح. قلب البلح لونه أبيض كقلوب الشهداء الطاهرة النقية. نواة البلح صلبة كصالبة ايمان الشهداء في أعترافهم أمام الوالة. نأكل الجوافة لسببين: الجوافة بيضاء كقلوب الشهداء في طهارتها ونقاءها. الجوافة لها بذور كثيرة كعدد الشهداء الذين نالوا أكاليل الشهادة على أسم المسيح. لماذا نحتفل بالنيروز نحتفل بعيد النيروز لنتبع خطوات الشهداء في محبتهم وايمانهم بالرب يسوع المسيح. "لذلك نحن أيضا اذ لنا سحابة من الشهود مقدار هذه محيطة بنا لنطرح كل ثقل والخطية المحيطة بنا بسهولة ولنحاضر بالصبر في الجهاد الموضوع أمامنا ناظرين الى رئيس االيمان ومكمله يسوع الذي من أجل السرور الموضوع أمامه احتمل الصليب مستهينا بالخزي فجلس في يمين عرش هللا" عبرانين -١ :١٢ ٢

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}som] n~anavora n~te niagioc Bacilioc nem Gr/gorioc nem Kurilloc. The Divine Liturgies Of Saints Basil, Gregory, and Cyril

}som] n~anavora n~te niagioc Bacilioc nem Gr/gorioc nem Kurilloc The Divine Liturgies Of Saints Basil, Gregory, and Cyril PREFACE This edition of the Divine Liturgies of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate