Forgiveness Sunday True Fasting

Transcription

1 Forgiveness Sunday True Fasting Icon of Divine Humility Eastern Christian Bulletin Service -- PO Box Fairfax, VA Ph: Fax:

2 St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church A Parish of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese (antiochian.org) and The Diocese of Charleston, Oakland & The Mid-Atlantic (antiochian.org/east) ( the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch! Acts 11:26) 111 Alberta Avenue Johnstown, PA stmaryaocc.org // office@stmaryaocc.org Most Rev. Metropolitan PHILIP Archbishop & Primate Right Rev. Bishop THOMAS Bishop of Charleston / Oakland and Asst. to the Metropolitan Very Rev. Fr. Donald E. Shadid, D.Min. Archpriest & Pastor Edward Makdad Parish Council Chairperson Fr. Don Home: frdon@stmaryaocc.org Office: THE SUNDAY OF FORGIVENESS + (Also known as The Expulsion of Adam from Paradise & The Sunday of Cheesefare ) March 17, 2013 Venerable ALEXIOS the Man of God; THEOSTERIKTOS the Confessor; PATRICK, Bishop of Armagh & Enlightener of Ireland and The Venerable MAKARIOS of Kalyazin. Glory be to Jesus Christ! Glory be to Him Forever! March is Antiochian Women s Month! A WARM WELCOME TO ALL! We welcome all of you, our Faithful and our visitors, to St. Mary Orthodox Church! It is a pleasure to have you with us as we glorify and praise the Name of our God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Please sing along with our Choir during the Liturgy. Please note that the Sacrament of Holy Communion can only be given to Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves by prayer, fasting, regular Confession (at least twice per year 7 Yrs. old & up), who attend Liturgy regularly & on time and are at peace with all people. When receiving Holy Communion, please fold your arms over your chest, open your mouth wide, tip your head back slightly and allow the priest to place the elements in your mouth. For our non-orthodox brethren, we welcome you to sing and pray with us, venerate the Cross and receive the Holy Bread at the end of the Divine Liturgy. Please join us again soon. May God Bless You Always!

3 HOLY OBLATION: Offered by Fr. Don, Khouria Janet, Christopher & Stephen Shadid for the health of Roger Knepper as he continues to recover from his Open Heart Surgery. PASCHAL CANDLES: Offered in beloved memory of Ruth France (Susan Joseph s mother) by fellow Church School Teachers & Choir Members. PROSKAMEDIA CANDLE: Offered for the health of Elias Ghantous by his parents, Albert & Mary Jo and sister, Marissa. SEVEN-BRANCHED CANDLES: Offered in beloved memory of: (1) mother, Josephine (Saloom) Colbert by Christine J. Lombardo and (2) parents & grandparents, (+21 Yrs.) Edward & (+15 Yrs.) Julia (Audi) Mack by Butch & Renee D Ettorre and Family. LITURGICAL PRAYERS OF REMEMBRANCE: Offered for the health of Sandy Milkie (recovering from Foot Surgery) & Roger Knepper (recovering from Heart Surgery) by Butch & Renee D Ettorre. TRISAGION PRAYERS OF MERCY FOR THE DEPARTED (Naha): Offered in beloved memory of: (1) Elizabeth (Andrews) Spada (+2 Yrs.) by her Children, Barbara Skala & Tony Spada and their Families and (2) Elias Ghantous (+6 mos.) by wife, Elizabeth and Children, Kay Lynne & Albert and their Families May Their Memory Be Ever Eternal! For The Living God Grant Them Many Years! and For The Departed May Their Memory Be Ever Eternal! VARIATIONS & NOTES ON THE LITURGY - THIRD ANTIPHON: (Troparion During The Little Entrance Tone Eight) See Troparion of The Resurrection Below. AFTER THE LITTLE ENTRANCE: TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION: (Tone Eight) From the heights Thou didst descend, O Compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our resurrection: O Lord, glory to Thee!

4 TROPARION OF THE DORMITION OF THE VIRGIN MARY: (Patron Feast Day - Tone 1) In thy birth-giving, O Theotokos, thou didst keep and preserve virginity; and in thy falling-asleep thou hast not forsaken the world for thou wast translated into life, being the Mother of Life. Wherefore, by thine intercessions, deliver our souls from death. KONTAKION OF FORGIVENESS SUNDAY: (Tone Six) Teacher of wisdom, Bestower of virtue, who teachest the thoughtless and protectest the poor: Strengthen and enlighten my heart, O Master. Give me word, O Word of the Father, for behold my lips will not be restrained from crying to Thee: Have mercy on me, the transgressor, O merciful Lord. EPISTLE: Romans 13:11(b) -14:4 (Sunday of Forgiveness) HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 6:14-21 (Sunday of Forgiveness) Concerning the Kiss of Peace, prior to the Nicene Creed, we encourage you to greet those around you with a handshake, saying: Christ is in our Midst! the response being: He is and Always Shall Be! In this way, we express: (1) our Joy that God has acted to restore our Communion with Him and (2) our Hope in the Resurrection from the Dead that is offered to us by our Lord s own trampling down death by death! God is With Us ( Emmanuel )! KOINONIKON (Communion Hymn Tone Eight): Refrain: Praise ye the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Alleluia! (Note: The Alleluia! is done at the end of the Refrain only after the last Verse has been sung.) Verse: Praise Him, all ye His angels; praise Him, all ye His hosts. (Refrain) Verse: Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars and light. (Refrain) Verse: Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and thou water that art above the heavens. (Refrain)

5 - THIS WEEK S EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - (Church Office: 9 AM 1 PM Monday - Friday) PURE WEEK (1 ST Week of Great Lent) SCHEDULE Monday, March 18 PURE MONDAY FIRST DAY OF THE GREAT LENT PENITENTIAL CANON OF ST. ANDREW OF CRETE (Part 1) 6 PM. + Tuesday, March 19 DAILY LENTEN MATINS 8 AM and PENITENTIAL CANON OF ST. ANDREW OF CRETE (Part 2) 6 PM Followed by CHOIR PRACTICE FOR ORTHODOXY SUNDAY (SS. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church Windber, PA Time To Be Announced). + Wednesday, March 20 NINTH HOUR & TYPIKA 5:15 PM Followed by the PRE-SANCTIFIED LITURGY 6 PM Please abstain from food & drink from your Noon Meal onward if you will be partaking of the Holy Eucharist at this Vesperal Liturgy also, please note that our Parish Organizations will again take turns setting-up & cleaning-up the Lenten Suppers this year our host this week is our Parish Council if you can bring a non-meat and / or non-dairy Casserole / Dish / Lenten Dessert, please do so and everyone, please join us after the Service as we break our fast together. + Thursday, March 21 DAILY LENTEN MATINS 8 AM and PENITENTIAL CANON OF ST. ANDREW OF CRETE (Part 3) 6 PM. + Friday, March 22 LITTLE COMPLINE WITH THE AKATHIST HYMN (Madayeh Service) Stasis 1 6 PM. + Saturday, March 23 GREAT VESPERS 5 PM. + Sunday, March 24 FIRST SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY 8:15 AM & DIVINE 9:30 AM Followed by Church School, Fellowship and SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY VESPERS SS. PETER & PAUL ORTHODOX CHURCH (Windber, PA) 4 PM. Also Note that in addition to our Fasting from Meat & Poultry, tomorrow we also begin to fast from all Dairy Products, Fish, Wine & Olive Oil.

6 *** 2013 CONFESSION SCHEDULE FOR GREAT LENT *** Monday: 5:00 PM 5:45 PM Wednesday: 4:45 PM 5:15 PM Friday: 5:00 PM 5:45 PM Saturday: 4:00 PM 4:45 PM if Great Vespers Scheduled Tuesday & Thursday: By Appointment Please Note: No Confessions After Liturgy on Wednesdays. Due To Fr. s Commitment to Church School & Matins, Confession Will Not Be Offered On Sunday Mornings. Also, it is disrespectful to come for Confession and not stay for any liturgical service which is to follow. Please stay and join us for our corporate worship. If you cannot stay, then please refrain from coming for Confession on that day. Note: All Parishioners Are Asked To Have Their Confessions Heard by Lazarus Saturday, April 27, 2013 (Exception Only for Those Out of Town). THOSE IN SPECIAL NEED OF OUR PRAYERS: ALLEGHENY LUTHERAN HOME: Margaret Abraham (#11); HARMONY HOUSE MANOR: Vivian Salem (#11 // 601 Lamberd Ave. // 15904); LAUREL VIEW VILLAGE (2000 Cambridge Dr. // Davidsville, PA 15928): Very Rev. John Govrusik (#104-L) & George Heider (#210); WILLIAMSPORT RETIREMENT VILLAGE (154 N. Artizan St. // Williamsport, MD 21795): Edward Joseph (#223-B) and IN TREATMENT, RECOVERING AND / OR SHUT-IN AT HOME : Becky Azar; Mitchell Azar; Kisa Colbert; Vivian (Saleeba) Curry; Renee D Ettorre; Dr. Sahar Elias; Elaine Emeigh; Richard George; Paul Hodge; Bea Jaber; Jill Jaber; Roger Knepper; Genevieve Milkie; Samuel Shahade; Greg & Mary Evelyn (Finley) Smith and their infant son, Simeon Lee and Mitchell Spanovich. May God Be With All of Them & All Of Those Who are Sick and / or In Need! St. Mary Parish Financial Snapshot As of January 31, 2013 January 2013 Year to Date (YTD) Parishioner Giving (Income) $ 5, $ 5, Expenses Paid $ 11, $ 11, Parishioner Giving vs. Expenses Paid $ - 6, $ - 6,285.00

7 2013 LENTEN ALMSGIVING PROJECT PLEASE HELP!: Our 2013 Lenten Almsgiving Project will benefit our local Saturday s Kitchen Ministries we will be offering 2 Baskets for their Basket Party in April Gardening & Baking. Please note that on each side of the Church there is a Basket with Plastic Eggs. Each Egg has a slip of paper indicating a need for the Baskets, either an Item or a Monetary Donation. Many of the Items are small, so please take more than one if possible. We need everyone s help remember, that Almsgiving is one of the Spiritual Disciplines that our Lord asks us to practice for our Salvation! Please bring your Items and / or Monetary Donations back to Church by March 31. Thank You & God Bless! ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN S MONTH As mentioned above, March is Antiochian Women s Month throughout our Archdiocese. During this time, we highlight the ministries of our Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America (AOCWNA), as well as the activity of our own Ladies in our St. Mary Parish Family. On a Diocesan & National scale, our Ladies have helped with many worthwhile ministries of our Archdiocese, such as the Antiochian Village, our Seminarians, Continuing Pastoral Education, St. George Hospital of Beirut, Lebanon, Orphanages, Clergy Retirement, St. Thekla Monastery, and our current Project The Antiochian Village Tornado Relief Fund. Here in our Parish, our Ladies have always been a vibrant force always seeking to glorify God through their ministry of prayer, fundraising, etc.. As we celebrate the ministry of our Antiochian Women throughout our Archdiocese, let us thank God for their gifts that they so generously share in our Lord s Vineyard. May God Grant Them All Many Years! Today, we acknowledge the following women who will be assisting during our Liturgical Worship Epistle: Helene Stiffler Collection: Amanda Dorich, Dr. Nahla Makhoul & Helene Stiffler Communion Cloth: Amanda Dorich & Kelli Hines

8 Epistle Priest: Reader: Let us attend. O chant unto our God, chant ye. Verse: Clap your hands, all ye nations! Priest: Reader: Priest: Wisdom. The Reading is taken from The Holy Apostle Paul s Letter to the Romans (13:11[b]-14:4) Let us attend. BRETHREN, now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk becomingly, as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in chambering and licentiousness, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. But as for the one who is weak in faith, received him, but not for disputes over opinions. For one believes he may eat anything; but the weak person eats herbs. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to be the judge over the servant of a stranger? To his own master he either stands or falls; but he will be made to stand; for God is able to make him stand Over + + +

9 Holy Gospel The reading is taken from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (6:14-21) THE LORD SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES: If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father Who is in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. May God Be With You!

10 The Saints Of The Day March 17, 2013* SAINT ALEXIS, THE MAN OF GOD Varied are the paths upon which God leads those who desire to please Him and to fulfill His Law. There lived in Rome at the time of Emperor Honorius a high-ranking dignitary, Euphemian, who was highly respected and extremely wealthy. He and his wife, Algae, led a God-pleasing life. Even though he was wealthy, Euphemian sat at the table once a day, only after the setting of the sun. He had an only son, Alexis, who, when he had reached the age of maturity, was compelled to marry. But on that same night, he left not only his wife but the home of his father as well. Alexis boarded a boat and arrived at the city of Edessa in Mesopotamia, where there was a renown image of our Lord, sent there by our Lord Himself to Emperor Abgar. Having venerated this image, Alexis clothed himself in the dress of a beggar and, as such, lived in the city for seventeen years, continually praying to God in the vestibule of the Church of the Holy Mother of God. When it became public that he was a man of God, he became frightened of the praise of men, departed Edessa and boarded a boat and traveled to Laodicea. According to God's Providence, the boat was carried away and sailed all the way to Rome. Considering this to be the finger of God, Alexis decided to go to the house of his father and there, as an unknown, continued his life of self-denial. His father did not recognize him but out of charity allowed him to live in his courtyard in a hut. Alexis remained here for seventeen years living only on bread and water. Mistreated by the servants in various ways, he endured all to the end. When his end approached, he wrote a letter, clenched it in his hand, laid down and died on March 17, 411 A.D. At the same time there was a revelation in the Church of the Twelve Apostles, and in the presence of the emperor and the patriarch, a voice was heard which said, "Seek out the Man of God." Shortly after that, it was revealed that this Man of God resided at the house of Euphemian. The emperor along with the pope and an entire retinue arrived at the home of Euphemian and after a lengthy discussion learned that the beggar was that "Man of God." When they entered his hut, they found Alexis dead but his face shown as the sun. From that letter his parents learned that it was their son Alexis. Also, his bride, who for 34 years lived without him, learned that he was her husband. All were overcome with immense grief and pain. Later, they were comforted after seeing how God glorified His chosen one. By touching his body, many of the sick were healed, and from his body flowed a sweet-smelling oil [Chrism]. His body was buried in a sarcophagus of marble and jasper. His head reposes in the Church of St. Laurus in the Peloponnese. REFLECTION Why are we here on earth? To show our love for God. To learn to love God more than sin. That by our inconsequential love, we may respond to the greater love of God. Only God's love is a great love and our love is always inconsequential. God abundantly showed and shows His love for man both in Paradise and on earth. This brief earthly life is given to us as a school and as an examination to question ourselves as to whether we will respond with love to the great love of God. "Every day and every hour, proof of our love for God is required of us," says St. Isaac the Syrian. God shows His love for us every day and every hour. Every day and every moment we stand positioned between God and sin. We have either to give our love to God and elevate ourselves among the angels or to choose sin and fall into the gloom of Hades. Alexis, the Man of God, loved God more than he loved his parents, his wife and riches. He spent seventeen years as a beggar far away from the home of his parents, and another seventeen years Alexis spent as an unknown and scorned in the house of his parents. He did this, all for the sake of the love of God. The merciful God responded love for love for these thirty-four years of suffering. He gave Alexis eternal life and joy among His angels in the heavens and glory on earth. To God Be Glory and Praise Always! Amen. *Taken from The Prologue from Ochrid by Saint Nicholas (Velimirovich)

11 St Cuthbert, Wonderworker of Britain March 17, DON'T PUT YOURSELF IN DESPAIR St. Symeon the New Theologian If you ignore these things, my beloved one, don t put yourself in despair, saying, I have not seen these things, nor can I ever know them; I will never have the power to reach and rise up to the height of this knowledge, contemplation and cleanness. Don t you say, again, Because, if someone won t become like this, to ware in himself the Christ as God in this life already, and see the Christ himself and whole, and take Him to dwell in himself, one won t enter in His Kingdom, of what use is it to me to fight, even a little, or even to lose the current pleasures? Don t say this; don't even think about it, but if you wish, listen to my advice and I will announce you the way of salvation, with the help of the Grace of the all-holy Spirit. First of all, believe with all your soul that whatever we said according to the divine and god-inspired Scriptures, are all true, and that whoever believes in the Son of God has to become this, because He granted us power to become sons of God, and if we want it, nothing can stop us. (...) For it is certain, that if you won t believe in these, that they happen indeed this way, you won t ask for them to happen at all, and if you won t ask you won t receive. Because He says, "Seek, and ye shall find, ask, and it shall be given you" (Matt. 7.7). If you believe, follow the divine Scriptures and do what they say and you will find everything without exception as it is written - rather, you will find much more than what is in the godly Scriptures. And what are these? What eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the gifts which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Cor. 2.9). These gifts, if you believe with certainty, as we said, you will see, without any doubt at all, just as Paul, so you too - and not only this, but you will also hear ineffable words, since, as you understood, you will be seized to Paradise, even now. Which Paradise? Where the thief entered together with the Christ, and there now remains. from the Moral Speeches, Excerpts from speech Troparion Tone 3 While still in your youth, you laid aside all worldly cares, / and took up the sweet yoke of Christ, / and you were shown forth in truth to be nobly radiant in the grace of the Holy Spirit. / Therefore, God established you as a rule of faith and shepherd of His radiant flock, / Godly-minded Cuthbert, converser with angels and intercessor for men. Kontakion Tone 1 Having surpassed your brethren in prayers, fasting and vigils, / you were found worthy to entertain an angel in the form of a pilgrim; / and having shown forth with humility as a bright lamp set on high, / you received the gift of working wonders. / And now as you dwell in the Heavenly Kingdom, our righteous Father Cuthbert, / intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

12 Homemade Spinach Pie Sale! St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church (Johnstown, PA) Saturday, March 30, :30 PM $3.50 each Order yours below! I would like to order Homemade Spinach $3.50 Each = $. Name: Phone: Deadline for Orders: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 Please call ( ) OR (office@stmaryaocc.org)

13 2013 SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY SS. PETER & PAUL ORTHODOX CHURCH WINDBER, PA! Fr. Miles Zdinak & the Faithful of SS. Peter & Paul Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church (Windber, PA) are pleased to announce that they will serve as this year s Hosts for our area Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers & Gathering on March 4 PM. Our Choir is invited to sing and the next Rehearsal at SS. Peter & Paul Church (141 Hoffman Farm Rd. / Windber, PA / ) is this Tuesday, March 19 (7 PM). The Guest Homilist is John Mavrodis, an Instructor at Christ the Saviour Seminary, who teaches New Testament Greek & Pastoral Care. We pray that you will make every effort to join us as we come together in Faith, Worship & Fellowship. Thank You & God Bless!

14 Forgiveness Sunday True Fasting Icon of Divine Humility Eastern Christian Bulletin Service -- PO Box Fairfax, VA Ph: Fax: