Volume: 14 Issue: 7. January The

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1 January 2016 Volume: 14 Issue: 7 The Cathedral Messenger Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral 3400 Dawson Street Pittsburgh, PA Rev. Fr. Joshua Makoul, Dean Office: Fr. Joshua : Fx:

2 Vouchsafe unto me a robe of light Rediscovering our Baptismal Garment by Fr. Joshua Makoul This time of year gives us a wonderful opportunity to reclaim and rediscover something that many of us lost awareness of long ago. It is our baptismal garment. It is not the one that was placed in a box and stored away somewhere in our childhood home. It is the real baptismal garment that we became clothed with at our baptism. It is the one not yet seen with the human eye. It is the new life that we have been clothed with, the one given to us as a new servant of Christ. It is the clothing of one who has been given new life through Christ the new Adam. St. Ambrose of Milan likens the baptismal garment to the light that Christ was adorned with at the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. Alexander Schmemann writes that baptismal robe represents a return of man to the innocence he had in paradise before the fall. We are called to strive to maintain that innocence. If we reflect on the meaning, significance, and power of baptism, we can see it is truly an emotional event for all present and involved. Have we not lost the true meaning of baptism? Many view baptism simply as a rite of passage or as an archaic initiation rite into the church. Some may acknowledge that the one being baptized receives the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Chrismation, but then after that, it is simply some past event to be looked back upon through photo albums. Baptism is truly the restoration of what was lost and the beginning of new life. Before the sacrament, the one who is about to be baptized is still under the Old Adam, marred by the fall of man and man s rebelling against God. However by the end of the service of baptism, the participant has become new, restored with grace, clothed with divinity, and having entered into the service of the new Adam who is Christ and who was obedient to the point of dying on the cross. Through the immersion into and the emerging out of the baptismal waters, we enter into Christ s death and resurrection. Truly we die and rise with Christ. We enter into the waters under the old man Adam and emerge under the new Adam who is Christ. We are then able and called to experience our own death and resurrection. We emerge from the baptismal waters being as our Lord said, in the world but not of this world. Through baptism we die to this world and become alive to God. We become new and are called to live according to that new life and to maintain the purity and innocence of our baptismal garment. We then receive the Holy Spirit through anointment with Holy Chrism. We become filled with grace which enables us to live as God meant for us to live before the fall of man. We become as St. Paul when he said, 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 (Galatians 2:20). Truly through baptism we are no longer children of the body (the flesh) but children of the light and of the cross. How have we done in maintaining this new life and maintaining the purity and innocence of our baptismal garment? Have we been mindful of it? What did we do with this new life we were given? Did we misplace this gift from God? Did we treat our new life we received as the physical baptismal garment we wore, stuffed in a box and forgotten over time? The good news is that our true baptismal garment is still there. Yes we may have drifted from God, been battered by life s struggles, and fallen into sin since our baptism. However, God in His love and providence, has given us other sacraments to cleanse our spirit and restore the grace of God in us. God has given us the sacraments of confession and the Eucharist to renew our life in him and reclaim that new life we were given as a servant of Christ. Our baptismal garment, that white shining robe is still there. Behold it still adorns us! It is time to rediscover it, to live according to it, and experience the peace and joy of walking according to God and not according to the fallen world.

3 Feast of Theophany Teen Soyo Christmas party night of fun and fellowship

A Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral retreat Healing the Soul Speaker: Fr. Joshua Makoul Saturday, March 12, 2016 9:30am to 4:30PM Lunch will be provided.

How the emotional and spiritual life are intertwined. 2. how untended emotional wounds can hinder our spiritual growth 3.

4 A Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral retreat Healing the Soul Speaker: Fr. Joshua Makoul Saturday, March 12, :30am to 4:30PM Lunch will be provided Dawson Street Pittsburgh, PA Call to rsvp or There is no fee for this retreat. This retreat is a one day retreat on: 1. How the emotional and spiritual life are intertwined. 2. how untended emotional wounds can hinder our spiritual growth 3. how to begin and journey through the process of healing emotional and spiritual wounds. 4. Gaining insight and what to do with that insight. 5. having Christ the physician of our souls and bodies as our constant companion in the healing process. 6. Incorporating this healing process into our prayer life 7. Learning to forgive and to love without fear Saint George Cathedral presents its first Family Night! Friday, February 19 6:00-8:30PM Please Mark your Calendars! Dinner will begin at 6:15. There is no charge for this dinner. Family-oriented activities will follow after dinner for families to choose from. This is an opportunity for us all to have a break from cooking and to come together as a family for a fun and faith filled evening as a community. Schedule: 6:00 Evening begins 6:15 Dinner 7:00 Making of gifts for children who are being cared for at the Children s hospital (In the hall) 7:00 Talk: What is quality family time in our day and age & How we obtain it as Orthodox Christians (This will take place upstairs in the church). 8:00-8:30 Conclusion of evening. For questions or more information please see: Fr. Joshua, Daria Adams Kathy Hazeem, or Maria Terezis. Fr. Joshua has a Masters degree in counseling psychology and is licensed as a counselor. He worked in the counseling field for 15 years doing family therapy, school based counseling, and outpatient counseling. In this retreat he will combine what from the field of psychology is helpful for us as Orthodox Christians and the way of the Orthodox Christian spiritual life so that our emotional wounds do not hinder our spiritual growth.

St. George Cathedral Applied Orthodox Spirituality class Fr. Thomas Hopko Memorial Series The 55 Maxims of Christian Living, Fr. Hopko s Death and Dying series, The Lenten Spring January 6 Fr.

January 20 5 Maxims on prayer (Maxims 2-6) January 27 Maxims 7 and 8 on eating, food, and fasting February 3 Spending some time in silence every day and acts of mercy in secret (Maxims 9 and 10)

5 St. George Cathedral Applied Orthodox Spirituality class Fr. Thomas Hopko Memorial Series The 55 Maxims of Christian Living, Fr. Hopko s Death and Dying series, The Lenten Spring January 6 Fr. Thomas retreat on Death, Dying, and Rediscovering our Baptism January 13 Maxim 1: Being always with Christ. January 20 5 Maxims on prayer (Maxims 2-6) January 27 Maxims 7 and 8 on eating, food, and fasting February 3 Spending some time in silence every day and acts of mercy in secret (Maxims 9 and 10) February 10 Maxims on Services and Sacraments (Maxims 11 & 12). February 17 Not engaging intrusive thoughts and feelings. Revealing all your thoughts and feelings regularly to a trusted person. (Maxims 13 & 14) February 24 Reading the scriptures regularly and Reading good books a little at a time (Maxims 15 & 16) March 2 The Lenten Spring March 9 The Lenten Spring March 16 April 27- Presanctified Liturgy followed by Community Lenten Meal May 4 Bright Wednesday (class resumes May 11) May 11 Maxim 17: Cultivating communion with the saints. May 18 Being an ordinary person and being polite with everyone. (Maxim 18 & 19) May 25 Maxims on self-care (Maxims 20-22) June 1 Maxim 23: Living a day, and a part of a day, at a time. June 8 Maxim 24: Being totally honest, first of all, with yourself. June 15 Being faithful in little things. Doing your work, and then forgetting it. (Maxims 25 & 26) June 22 Doing the most difficult and painful things first. Facing reality. (Maxims 27 & 28) July 13 Being grateful in all things and being cheerful. (Maxims 29 & 30) July 27 Being simple, hidden, quiet and small. Never bringing attention to yourself. (Maxim 31 & 32) August 24 Listening when people talk to you. Being awake and be attentive. (Maxims 33 & 34) August 31 Thinking and talking about things no more than necessary. When we speak, speak simply, clearly, firmly and directly. (Maxims 35 & 36) September 7 Maxim 37: Fleeing imagination, analysis, figuring things out. September 14 Maxim 38: Fleeing carnal, sexual things at their first appearance. September 21 Maxim 39: On not complaining, mumbling, murmuring or whining. September 28 On not comparing ourselves with anyone. On not seeking or expecting praise or pity from anyone. (Maxims 40 & 41) October 5 Maxim 43: On not judging anyone for anything. October 12 On not trying to convince anyone of anything. On not defending or justifying yourself. (Maxims 43 & 44) October 19 Maxim 45: Being defined and bound by God alone. October 26 Accepting criticism gratefully but testing it critically. Giving advice to others only when asked or obligated to do so. (Maxims 46 & 47) November 2 Maxim 48: Doing nothing for anyone that they can and should do for themselves. November 9 Maxim 49: Having a daily schedule of activities, avoiding whim and caprice. November 16 Maxim 50: Being merciful with yourself and with others. November 30 Maxim 51: Having no expectations except to be fiercely tempted to your last breath. December 7 Maxim 52: Focusing exclusively on God and light, not on sin and darkness. December 14 Maxim 53: Enduring the trial of yourself and your own faults and sins peacefully, serenely, because you know that God s mercy is greater than your wretchedness. December 21 Maxim 54: On when we fall, getting up & immediately and starting over. December 28 Maxim 55: Getting help when we need it, without fear and without shame.

IN MEMORIUM The following Parish members will be remembered at the Divine Liturgy closest to the anniversary of their death. January 3, 2016: Tekla Davis-1970, Selwa Sarraf-1977 Dr.

Albert-1990 Mary Murray-1995, Mary Mucy-1998, Bernard Roy-1985 Alma Kajak Hakim-1996, Joseph Cunningham-1962, and Elizabeth Salim-1997.

-1971, Edward Roy-1984 Isaac Saba-1969, Stella DelGreco-2004, Mary Alberts-1959, and Michael Shogry-1967. January 17, 2016: Daniel J.

6 IN MEMORIUM The following Parish members will be remembered at the Divine Liturgy closest to the anniversary of their death. January 3, 2016: Tekla Davis-1970, Selwa Sarraf-1977 Dr. Nicholas Bitar-1987, Ghattas Thomas-1992, Tony Elias-1962 Rose J. Corey-1966, Samuel Davis-1987, Samuel J. Albert-1990 Mary Murray-1995, Mary Mucy-1998, Bernard Roy-1985 Alma Kajak Hakim-1996, Joseph Cunningham-1962, and Elizabeth Salim January 10, 2016: Mary Najeeb Khalil-1970, Jennie Tonti-1986 Naman Thomas-1961, Samuel Albert, Jr.-1971, Edward Roy-1984 Isaac Saba-1969, Stella DelGreco-2004, Mary Alberts-1959, and Michael Shogry January 17, 2016: Daniel J. Solomon-2005, George Ward-1966 Nevin Shogry-1976, Martha Bruno-1987, Mary K. Monsour-1976 Sadie Aber-1980, Subdeacon Thomas Aber-1988, and Virginia Haddad, January 24, 2016: Wodia K. Lewis-1984, Susan Hanna-1969 Katie M. Lowen-1976, Joseph Khalil (Brookline)-2001 Joseph U. Esper-2003, Genevieve F. Dawahare-1976 Cherie Ann Nemy McIlree-2000, Mary Kelly-1957 Nicholas H. Mellick-1975, Tillie A. Rafalski-1987 Albert Thomas-1960, Jack David-1961 William E. Essay-1993, and David Corey January 31, 2016: Charles Karas Solomon-1953 John Elias Salloum-2009 Isaac Ristom-1963, Michael Albert-1966 Mary Sabeh-1974, Saadeh Nassif-1984, Ernest George Nassar-1969, Albert Thomas-1960, Norma Tony-2000, George Khalil-2012, Philip Thomas-2000, Zariff M. Salim-2002, Samuel Demayo-1960, Azizi Kojak-1961, Sadie Thomas-2007, Mary Deeb Thomas-1961, Suffae S. Saloom-1966, Beatrice Monsour Davis-2014, and James Abraham The 2016 Stewardship packets were mailed out. We humbly ask that each of us take some time to review the information and prayerfully fill out their commitment card. If your card has been misplaced there are more in the narthex, or call the church office to have one mailed to you or one can simply call in their 2016 Commitment to Also one may cut out the commitment card printed on this page and use that one. Thank you and God Bless You! St. GeorGe AntiochiAn orthodox cathedral 3400 dawson Street = Pittsburgh, PA = Office: = Pledge for 2016 stewardship $ per Week/ Month (circle one) name date This pledge, which is my total commitment for the year, I may change or cancel anytime. Please help us to better communicate with you by updating your contact information on the back of this card. We would be very grateful. God bless you! Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth ~Deuteronomy 8:18 PLEASE NOTE: If anyone is sick at home, in the hospital, in distress, has any need or just needs to talk, please contact Fr. Demetrios at We want to meet all of your needs.

ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 3400 DAWSON STREET PITTSBURGH, PA

Monday 1 Saturday 6 Monday 8 Sunday 14 January Sunday 17 Antiochian Women Meeting

6:00pm &Vespers-6:30pm Parish Council Meeting SOYO Meeting Sunday 31 Saturday 20

7 ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 3400 DAWSON STREET PITTSBURGH, PA Return Service Requested DATES TO REMEMBER Feasts and Weekday Liturgies February 6 Liturgy for St. Photios the Great 9:30AM February 12 Feast of the Presentation- Liturgy 7:00 Monday 1 Saturday 6 Monday 8 Sunday 14 January Sunday 17 Antiochian Women Meeting Saturday 23 Chant Class Contact Amy Hogg Class -5:00pm, Pot Luck- 6:00pm &Vespers-6:30pm february Society of St. George Noon Chant Class Contact Amy Hogg Class -5:00pm, Pot Luck- 6:00pm &Vespers-6:30pm Parish Council Meeting SOYO Meeting Sunday 31 Saturday 20 Chant Class Contact Amy Hogg Class -5:00pm, Pot Luck- 6:00pm &Vespers-6:30pm Sunday 21 Sunday 28 Fellowship of St. John the Divine Meeting Antiochian Women Meeting Fellowship of St. John the Divine Meeting

SAINT GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL

January/February 2017 8 CATHEDRAL MESSENGER Volume:15 Issue:1 SAINT GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 3400 Dawson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Rev. Fr. Joshua Makoul, Dean Office: 412. 681.2988 Fr. Joshua