Prayers and Petitions for Ethiopian Orthodox Woman Sentenced to Death

Transcription

1 Volume 28, Number 6 Prayers and Petitions for Ethiopian Orthodox Woman Sentenced to Death Orthodox Church in America T he young mother stood before her accusers and boldly stated without reservation, I am a Christian, and I will remain a Christian. These words, which sound as if they had been lifted straight out of an early Christian martyrology, were proclaimed in mid-may 2014 in a Sudanese courtroom by Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, 27, as she was condemned to death by hanging for allegedly apostatizing from the Islamic faith. The court further convicted her of adultery and sentenced her to 100 lashes because her marriage to a Christian man is considered void under Sharia law. But Meriam had not, in reality, apostatized. While the court insisted that she was Muslim the faith of her Sudanese father her mother was an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian, the tradition into which Meriam was baptized and raised. As such, she remained adamant that she will not renounce Christianity, even if it means saving her own life. The court s decision immediately drew swift outrage from civil, religious and human rights organizations and countless concerned individuals around the world. Meanwhile, Meriam, eight months pregnant at the time, returned in shackles, her 20-monthold son Martin by her side, to prison where, on Tuesday, May 27 one day before Orthodox Christians celebrate the Leavetaking of Holy Pascha she gave birth to a daughter. Despite her unimaginable circumstances, her husband, Daniel Wani an American citizen stated in an exclusive May 30 interview with CNN that Meriam is holding firm to her beliefs. There is pressure on her [to] return to the faith, Wani continued. She said, How can I return when I never was a Muslim? Yes, my father was a Muslim, but I was brought up by my mother. While the sentence is not likely to be carried out for some time in past cases involving pregnant or nursing women, the Sudanese government waited until the mother weaned her child before carrying out any sentences Meriam and her two children are likely to continue to endure in prison as the world awaits her fate. During the last week of May, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, called upon the clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America to pray fervently for Meriam and her family, as well as all who are suffering persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. May we join with people of faith the world over in praying for Meriam and her family, that our Lord will comfort and strengthen them as they endure their most unimaginable ordeal, he said. At the same time, may we reflect on our own commitment to our own faith in our all-merciful Savior, asking ourselves whether we would have the fortitude and tenacity to echo her bold words, and those of countless Christian martyrs through the ages I am a Christian, and I will remain a Christian if we found ourselves in a similar position. (Continued on page 2) Protection of the Holy Mother of God Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA An English Speaking Parish Community of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate, OCA

2 New Ministry Group to Meet at St. Mary! By Christina Jatras Do you have a loved one living with mental illness and are looking for support as a friend or family member? In the last few months, I have been involved with an organization called NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). This organization advocates on behalf of those living with mental illness and their families. They also run peer-led classes, presentations and support groups so that those touched by mental illness can find the resources and support they need. The support group I am starting has a focus for young adult children with parents or family members who live with mental illness, however, all family members are welcome to join. The group will meet on the first Monday of every month at 7:30pm to 9:00 pm starting June 2nd in the parish hall. The link below is to the NAMI Northern Virginia site for more information. The dates for the group are as follow: Monday, June 2nd Monday, July 7th Monday, August 4th Monday, September 1st or 8th Monday, October 6 Monday, November 3 Monday. December 1 (Continued from page 1) So often, we perceive martyrdom as something that occurred ages ago, in some other place, he continued. The example she offers us today presents us with a new and personal challenge that we cannot ignore, especially as we conclude our celebration of Pascha and prepare to receive the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, to recommit ourselves all the more to Christ and His People, and tests us in embracing our Lord s comforting words, Do not be afraid. Numerous petitions in support of Meriam and her family have been circulating of late on the internet and via social media, including that found on the White House web site. Editor s note: According to BBC news, an official of the Sudan government announced that she would be freed. This is due to the international pressure being put upon them which is helped when you make your voice heard, both to God and to governments, so keep up the good work until she and her entire family are completely free! Article reprinted with permission from the Orthodox Church in America website The Veil Monthly Journal Protection of the Holy Mother of God Orthodox Church Romanian Orthodox Episcopate, OCA Archbishop NATHANIEL of Detroit, Hierarch Rev. David G. Subu, Pastor Protodeacon Peter Danilchick, Parish Deacon Eugene Huang, Parish Subdeacon Nicholas Dujmovic, Parish Subdeacon Nicholas Jones, Parish Subdeacon Marian Maxim, Parish Subdeacon Christopher Thomas, Parish Council President Eleni Woglom, Choir Director Renee Lerner & Irene Liu, Church School 7223 Roosevelt Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia Contact: newsletter@stmaryorthodox.org (Office) (Cell) Editor-in-Chief: Fr. David Subu, Pastor Layout & Graphics: Psa. Stephanie Subu 2

3 The Veil June 2014 St. Mary Orthodox Church invites you to attend our Featuring: Fully catered dinner! Dessert Frenzy! Live D.J. spinning classic 80 s tunes from radio, TV, and movies! Silent Auction, Raffle, & more! Lively entertainment and fellowship! Semi-Formal or 80 s Retro attire 21 and over only. Invite your friends! 3

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5 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 9am - 10am Matins/ Choir Practice 12:30pm - 1:30pm Church school party 2 7:30pm - 8:30pm NAMI: Family Support 3 4 7am - 8am 8am - 9am Ss. Mary and Martha 7:30pm - 8:30pm Adult Education pm - 1pm Book Study 10am - 12pm Choir Practice 5pm - 6pm with confessions 7 8 Holy Pentecost 9am - 10am Matins/ Choir Practice 11:25am - 11:40am Kneeling 5pm - 7pm Young in Faith 9 Day of the Holy Spirit am - 8am 7:30pm - 8:30pm Adult Education 12 9am - 7pm Rummage Sale set-up 13 9am - 7pm Rummage Sale set-up 14 9am - 3pm Rummage Sale 5pm - 6pm with confessions 15 All Saints 6pm - 8pm Discussion Group am - 8am 7:30pm - 8:30pm Adult Education 19 Apostle Jude 7:30pm - 9pm Parish Council 20 12pm - 1pm Book Study 21 10am - 12pm Choir Practice 1pm - 2pm Baptism: West 5pm - 6pm with confessions 22 All Saints of North America 9:15am - 10am Baptism: Kim Nativity of St. John the Baptist am - 9am Apostles Peter and Paul 30 10:30am - 12pm Mothers of Orthodox Pre- Schoolers Independence Day 5

6 GOD GRANT YOU MANY YEARS! JUNE COFFEE HOUR SPONSORS June Birthdays Adam Khoury Andrew Tan Alex Woglom Alexis Masick Brian Schmalzbach Boris Coleman Chris Kozemchak Daniel Martin Jacobson Grace Subu Ioana Lutai Jonathan Chaves John Dujmovic Julia Yuskavage Mariel Tan Maximus Masick Mihai Rosca Nathalie Spita Nathan Birchfield Nina Apodaca Paula Rosca Preoteasa Stephanie Subu Rachel Marie Jacobson Stephen Zimmerli June Anniversaries 10 Brian and Alexandra Schmalzbach June Saint s Name Days 4 Feast of the Holy Spirit: Grace Subu 8 St. John of Kronstadt: Jonathan Jacobson 24 St. John the Baptist: John Grecco 22 St. Mary Magdalen: Rachel Jacobson 28 St. Jerome: Jerry Rij 29 St. Peter and Paul: Protodeacon Peter Danilchick; Master Pete Schmalzbach Sunday, June 8: 1. Adele Chadwick 2. Ellen Robinson 3. Carolyn Pritchyk Clean-Up: Robinson/Chadwick Pritchyk Sunday, June 15: APOSTLES FAST 1. Psa. Stephanie 2. Irene Liu 3. Ken Liu Clean-Up: Liu/Subu Sunday, June 22: APOSTLES FAST 1. Elaine Divine 2. Tatiana Romanovskya 3. Sponsor needed Clean-Up: NO ASSIGNMENT Sunday, June 29: FEAST OF ST. PETER & PAUL 1. John & Lori Jacobson 2. Sponsor needed 3. Sponsor needed Clean-up: NO ASSIGNMENT Sunday, July 6: 1. Sponsor needed 2. Sponsor needed 3. Sponsor needed Clean-up: NO ASSIGNMENT Sunday, July 13: MAXIM MEMORIAL MEAL HOLY BREAD BAKER EPISTLE READER Tanya Danilchick Jonathan Chaves 6

7 AROUND THE COFFEE URN News and events percolating at St. Mary s CALLING ALL MOTHERS OF PRE-SCHOOLERS! Join M.O.O.P.S! Mothers of Orthodox Pre-Schoolers is a ministry of St. Mary Orthodox Church, led by Kami Cleary. M.O.O.P.S is designed to bring together the moms of pre-school aged children to have both the children and parents play together! Other children can attend, though the primary activities are designed with younger children in mind. Most meetings will take place at St. Mary. The first MOOPS meeting of the year will be: Monday, June 30 at 10:30 a.m. For questions, please Kami at orthodoxmothersdc@gmail.com or call (301) SUMMER HOURS Now that the dog days of summer are approaching and after church activities will be in full swing, St. Mary will begin summer hours on Sunday, July 6. 9:00 a.m. Akathist 9:30 a.m. Coffee Hour 11:00 a.m. Please set your alarm 30 minutes earlier and get to church on time! DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE VEIL IS JUNE 20 BE TOTALLY RAD AND JOIN THE DINNER DANCE PLANNING COMMITTEE! We are going Back to the 1980 s! If you enjoy party planning especially retro themes, then you are the perfect person to join the Dinner Dance Planning Committee! Committee areas include: Auction item ideas and collection Publicity within St. Mary's Publicity to other parishes Food and beverage planning Decorations and signage On-site set-up and help during the party and auction What's your idea of a great party? What makes an auction successful? Experienced in raffles? What will get everyone on the dance floor? Come make it happen! Keep an eye out for the next planning meeting, or contact Eleni or George Woglom to get started. Thank you! BYZANTINE CHANT CLASSES AT ST. MARY Byzantine chant classes are held every Monday evening in the basement at St. Mary. Subdeacon Nicholas Jones is offering two different courses based on ability: 7:00 p.m. Advanced 8:00 p.m. Beginners To learn more about, please visit the official website at LAWN MOWERS NEEDED St. Mary is in need of volunteers to mow our property each week throughout the summer. We have available a ride on mower and push model for smaller areas. The lawn can be mowed any day of the week at your convenience. This is a great opportunity for community service hours as well! If you wish to sign up for a date, please speak with Chris Grindstaff. 7

8 Clean out those closets, basements and attics! It is time once again for the St. Juliana Guild to turn your unused items into treasure! SATURDAY, JUNE 14 from 9:00 a.m-1:00 p.m. We are in need for volunteers to work in small shifts to answer questions, keep piles organized and cashiering. If anyone speaks Spanish, that would be a very useful gift! We also need helpers to sort, tag, and organize the items prior to the sale. Plastic bags and vans are needed if you are willing to donate. Thank you! Questions? Contact Sarah Zimmerli or Ellen Robinson to volunteer and to inquire about donating items. THE VEIL JOURNAL St. Mary Orthodox Church 7223 Roosevelt Avenue Falls Church, Virginia