Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Ninth Sunday of Luke

Transcription

1 Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Ninth Sunday of Luke Gratitude for Independence For more information on the Eastern Churches, visit Eastern Christian Bulletin Service -- PO Box Fairfax, VA Ph: Fax: Icon of Saints Amphilochius and Gregory -- November 23th

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 JOSEPH Archbishop & Primate Right Rev. Bishop THOMAS Auxiliary Bishop (Diocese of Charleston / Oakland & The Mid-Atlantic) Very Rev. Fr. Donald E. Shadid, M.Div. & D.Min. Archpriest & Pastor Rev. Fr. Anthony G. Roeber, M.A. (Theology) & Ph.D. Attached Clergy Edward Makdad Parish Council Chairperson Go to Church Say Your Prayers Don t Forget God! Fr. Don Home: frdon@stmaryaocc.org Office: AFTER-FEAST OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS + (Also the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost & the Ninth Sunday of Luke) Sunday, November 23, 2014 AMPHILOKIOS, Bishop of Iconium; GREGORY, Bishop of Agrigentum; ISCHYRION, Bishop in Egypt & Hermit of Sketis and Venerable SISINIOS the Confessor of Kyzikos. Glory be to Jesus Christ! Glory be to Him Forever! Today is IOCC Sunday A Day of Sharing! 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: (1) Carolyn Clark in beloved memory & in honor of St. Raphael of Brooklyn, Seeker of the Lost, for so many undeserved mercies and (2) Maria Plakakis for the health, peace (John 14:27) & salvation of Pavlos & Achilles Plakakis as they celebrate their Birthdays. PASCHAL CANDLES: Offered in beloved memory of parents, Bill & Roberta (Jaber) Hockenberry, tita, Josephine Jaber and aunt, Minnie Jaber by Dan Hockenberry & Family and Kelli Hines & Family. PROSKAMEDIA CANDLE: Offered: (1) for the health of Lillian Azar & Martha McLoota by Adele & Fred Azar; (2) in beloved memory of uncle, Frank Alequo by Chris Salem and (3) in beloved memory of Dr. Raymond Saloom & sister, Mary Louise Gober by the Josephine (Saloom) Colbert Family. SEVEN-BRANCHED CANDLE: Offered: (1) in beloved memory of Aunt Mary (Azar) Ripple by Don & Kathy (Azar) McMillan and Jim & Rita Azar and (2) for continued health & blessings for son & brother, Robert James Audey, as he celebrates his 31 st Birthday this month, by Bob, Pam & Jonathan. PRAYERS OF LITURGICAL REMEMBRANCE Offered: (1) for the health & safety of All Those Suffering in Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Afganistan, all of the Middle East, Ukraine, Crimea and St. Catherine s Monastery at Mount Sinai (Sacred Monastery of the God- Trodden Mount Sinai; (2) in beloved memory of Ann (Joseph) Michnya (+11/25/93) by the Joseph Family; (3) for the health of Janet (George) Taylor as she has surgery this weekend in Pittsburgh & the newborn infant, Anthony Simon, son of Simon & Nadine (Farra) Fares (Boston) by Tony Abraham and (4) for the health, safety & quick release of: Metropolitan PAUL Yazigi (Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo brother of our Patriarch, His Beatitude, John X of the Great City of God, Antioch and all the East) & Archbishop YOHANNA Ibrahim (Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo); and in beloved memory of their Driver, Rev. Dn. Fatha Allah Kabboud, by Fr. Don and the Faithful of our St. Mary Parish Family. TRISAGION PRAYERS OF MERCY (Naha): Offered in beloved memory of husband, father & grandfather, Stylianos (+3 Yrs.) and Maria, Nikolas, Barbara, George, Martha, John, Mary & John by Maria Plakakis. May Their Memory Be Ever Eternal! For The Living God Grant Them Many Years! and For The Departed May Their Memory Be Ever Eternal!

4 FIRST ANTIPHON: (Refrain - Through the intercessions of the Theotokos ) Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised: in the city of our God and in His holy mountain. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. / Refrain. / God is known in her palaces for a refuge. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God. / Refrain. / Glory & Now and Refrain. SECOND ANTIPHON: (Refrain Save us, O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead; who sing to Thee. Alleluia! ) The Most High hath sanctified His tabernacle. Holiness and majesty are in His sanctuary. / Refrain. / This is the gate of the Lord, by which the righteous shall enter. / Refrain. / Holy is Thy temple, and wonderful in righteousness. / Refrain. / Glory & Now and O Only-begotten Son & Word of God. THIRD ANTIPHON: (Troparion During The Little Entrance Tone Four) Verses: Even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favor. The King s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. Virgins shall be brought to the King after her: her companions shall be brought unto Thee. Followed by the Troparion of the Entrance of the Theotokos See Below. AFTER THE LITTLE ENTRANCE: TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION: (Tone Seven) Thou didst shatter death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst turn the sadness of the ointment bearing women into joy, and didst bid Thine Apostles proclaim a warning that Thou hast risen, O Christ, granting to the world the great mercy. TROPARION OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS: (Tone Four) Today the Virgin is the foreshadowing of the pleasure of God, and the beginning of the preaching of the salvation of mankind. Thou hast appeared in the Temple of God openly and hast gone before, preaching Christ to all. Let us shout with one thrilling voice, saying, Rejoice, O thou who art the fulfillment of the Creator s dispensation. TROPARION OF THE DORMITION: (Patron Feast Day - Tone One) 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.

5 KONTAKION OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS: (Tone Four) The all-pure temple of the Savior, the most precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the treasure-house of the glory of God, today enters the Temple of the Lord, bringing with her the grace which is in the divine Spirit: whom also the angels of God do celebrate in song; for she is the heavenly tabernacle. EPISTLE: Ephesians 2:14-22 (Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost) HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 12:16-21 (Ninth Sunday of Luke) 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) THIS WEEK S EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - (Church Office: M & W 11:15-1:30 T 8:30-9:30 & 2:15-5:45 Th 8:30-4:30 & F 3:15-6) IMPORTANT NOTICE Saturday, December 6 Family Kitchen Ministry (231 Bedford Street). + Tuesday, November 25 NO DAILY MATINS (Morning Prayers). + Wednesday, November 26 NO ADVENT PRAYERS (Preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, God & Savior Jesus Christ). + Thursday, November 27 NO DAILY MATINS (Morning Prayers) HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Let us give Thanks to our God for ALL of His MANY Blessings! + Saturday, November 29 NO DISCUSSION GROUP & NO GREAT VESPERS.

6 + Sunday, November 30 THE HOLY APOSTLE ANDREW THE FIRST-CALLED MATINS (Morning 8:15 AM & DIVINE 9:30 AM Followed by Fellowship in the Social Hall (NO CHURCH SCHOOL) C O N F E S S I O N S C H E D U L E After All Weekday & Saturday Services and By Appointment Before Services. Due to Fr. s Commitment to Matins, Confession Will Not Be Offered On Sunday Mornings. THOSE IN SPECIAL NEED OF OUR PRAYERS: CONEMAUGH HOSPITAL: (Lee Campus Transitional Care): Genevieve Milkie (#225) & Martha McLoota (#205); ARBUTUS PARK MANOR: Mitchell & Lillian Azar (#423 & #311) & Lottie Bertino (#325); CAMBRIA CARE CENTER: Richard George (#433); CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN HOME: Bea Jaber (#251); LAURELVIEW VILLAGE: Very Rev. John (#104) & Matushka Olga Govrusik (#528), George Heider (#210) & Vivian Salem (#214) and IN TREATMENT, RECOVERING AND / OR SHUT-IN AT HOME : Margaret & David Abraham; Becky Azar; Renee D Ettorre; Steve Fusco; Jill Jaber; Dorothy Krinock; Frank Lenieri; Betty Luttringer (Carolyn Clark s aunt); Peter Povich and Greg & Mary Evelyn (Finley) Smith and children, Simeon Lee & unborn daughter, Frances Louise. May God Be With All of Them & All of Those Who are Ill and / or in Need! IT S A BOY!: We are pleased to announce the birth of Anthony Simon, son of Simon & Nadine (Farra) Fares (Boston)! Anthony Simon was born on Monday, November 17, 2014 (7 ½ lbs. & 19 in.). Please keep his parents, his grandparents (Tony & Marta Fares and David & Majda Farra) and all within his Family in your prayers, asking that God watch over them and bless them! May God Grant Many Years of Health, Joy, Peace (John 14:27) & Happiness to Anthony Simon and all within his Family. A SPECIAL THANK YOU! : Fr. Don would like to thank one & all who helped at last Sunday s Family Kitchen Ministry. It is always such a Blessing to serve our Lord by serving the least of His Brethren those who are less fortunate and in need. When they offer their gratitude and Blessings, it truly warms the heart for each and every human being is created in God s Image & Likeness. Our last ministry for this year is Sat., Dec. 6, 2014, and our schedule for 2015 is: Sat., May 16, Sun., Sept. 13 & Sat., TBA. May God Grant You All Many, Many Years! ADVENT ALMSGIVING MINISTRY PLEASE HELP! Please don t forget to sponsor a Mouse Ornament on the Giving Trees to benefit the Children at The Women s Help Center.. only $1.00!

7 St. Mary Parish Financial Snapshot As of October 31, 2014 October 2014 Year to Date (YTD) Parishioner Giving (Income) $ 12, $ 121, Expenses Paid $ 14, $ 133, Parishioner Giving vs. Expenses Paid $ -1, $ -11, PARISH DISCUSSION/STUDY GROUP NEW TIME & NEW FORMAT AGAIN! Once again, Fr. Don is pleased to announce a New Time & Format for our Parish Discussion / Study Group. We will meet on Saturdays at 3:30 PM beginning Nov. 22. Great Vespers will then follow this at 5. Also, concerning our Format, we will be using short Videos, as well as exploring good books to read & discuss. Please check the Bulletin (stmaryaocc.org/weeklybulletin.html) to ensure that we will be meeting on a particular Saturday. It is our Prayer that through this time together, we will grow in our Faith & Fellowship! Please pray about this, so that we might accomplish God s Will in all that we do! Take Care and God Bless! OUR PARISH OFFICE NEEDS ADDRESSES: If you will give us your address, we can keep in touch with you concerning Parish News, Events, etc. We will not share your information with anyone. If there is anything that you would like to see on our Parish Website, please contact Fr. Don. Thank You! NEW MISSIONS IN OUR DIOCESE Fr. Don has received the following from His Grace, Bishop THOMAS: Beloved in Christ, The Diocese of Charleston, Oakland & the Mid-Atlantic, of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, is pleased to announce that we are beginning to establish two new missions. The first is a Mission Station in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is a fruit of our FOCUS Ministry in Pittsburgh. For information about this mission endeavor, you should contact Sub-Deacon Paul Abernathy (see Fr. Don). The second mission ministry is being attempted in Talbot County, Maryland. An advertisement is attached (see Fr. Don if you are interested), offering information about our first meeting, which I plan to attend. May God Bless These Missions as they seek to grow in membership and glorify Him through their ministry within their respective communities!

8 The Enthronement of His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all of North America and all related events will take place during the Weekend of Dec. 5 7, The actual enthronement will occur beginning with Great Vespers at 4:30 PM on Sat., Dec. 6 at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York. We will be greatly blessed by the presence of His Beatitude, JOHN X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, who will preside during the entire Weekend. Rooms for this special event have been blocked off at the Brooklyn Marriott. The Grand Banquet will be held there as well. Details concerning all events can be found on the Archdiocese Website (antiochian.org). May God Grant Our Beloved Patriarch JOHN X & Metropolitan JOSEPH Many, Many Years! ST. MARY PARISH FAMILY WISH & NEEDS LIST Greetings to all who read this Announcement please read on. Our St. Mary Parish Family is developing a Wish & Needs List for our ministry within our Parish and our Community. If you can think of any items that you believe our Parish needs or could use, please see Fr. Don, Margie Hamaty or Larry Bertino. Currently, we are in need of the following: + Remodeling of Parish Kitchen + 8 ft. Plastic Banquet Tables + Replacement of Wooden Doors in Hallway & Social Hall + Refinishing of the Dome & Tower on Roof of Church If you have any of these items, and it/they is/are like new, that you can donate, or if you can offer us a cash donation to be used towards any of these items, please see Fr. Don. Thank You & God Bless!

9 A Spiritual Gem (compiled by Fr. Noah Bushelli St. Philip Antiochian Orthodox Church Souderton, PA) Masters, Fathers, Mothers, Brothers & Sisters, Bless! I hope that the following from St. Symeon of Thessaloniki will inspire us to go deeper in prayer, fasting and almsgiving this Advent ( May it be blessed for our drawing nearer to God Who has drawn near to us! The Nativity Forty-day Fast represents the fast undertaken by Moses, who having fasted for forty days and forty nights received the Commandments of God, written on stone tablets. And we, fasting for forty days, will reflect upon and receive from the Virgin the living Word not written upon stone, but born, incarnate and we will commune of His Divine Body. In Christ! +Fr. Noah A Prayer for Peace Almighty God and Creator, You are the Father of all people on the earth. Guide, I pray, all the nations and their leaders in the ways of justice and peace. Protect us from the evils of injustice, prejudice, exploitation, conflict and war. Help us to put away mistrust, bitterness and hatred. Teach us to cease the storing and using of implements of war. Lead us to find peace, respect and freedom. Unite us in the making and sharing of tools of peace against ignorance, poverty, disease and oppression. Grant that we may grow in harmony and friendship as brothers and sisters created in Your image, to Your honor and praise. Amen.

10 + How to Prepare for the Holy Eucharist + To all those who partake of the Body & Blood of Christ when they participate in the Divine Liturgy: As Orthodox Christians, we are called to the Chalice each and every time that we celebrate the Divine Liturgy; however, it is most essential that we prepare ourselves to receive the Lord, so that we will not approach unworthily and risk experiencing the consuming, rather than the purifying fire of the Eucharist. With this in mind, the following guidelines will help us in our preparation: +++ No excessive partying or socializing on Saturday evening we should keep ourselves in a quiet & prayerful atmosphere, reading the gospels and epistles of the New Testament and praying the Prayers of Preparation before Communion (these latter prayers can also be done on Sunday Morning if there is time); +++ Maintain a prayerful atmosphere on Sunday morning (difficult with children, yes, but not impossible try it!); +++ No consumption of food or drink past a reasonable bedtime the night before (preferably no later than Midnight) this includes no coffee, no smoking and no chewing gum on Sunday morning as well; +++ If you need your medicine in the morning, please take it if you are supposed to eat or drink something with it, then do so as moderately as possible; +++ As always, we should partake of the Sacrament of Confession at least 2-4 times a year if we are taking Communion frequently (hint: use the 4 fasting periods of the liturgical year Advent, Great Lent, Apostles Fast & Dormition Fast) if we are not frequent communicants (3-4 times per month), then Confession before Communion is necessary each time we partake; +++ At the very least, attend the Sunday cycle of prayer Saturday Evening Vespers, Sunday Morning Matins (Morning Prayers) and Sunday Divine Liturgy if we attend Sunday Liturgy irregularly (e.g. missing more than once a month), then we should not be taking Communion each time we attend, unless we have had Confession in the recent days prior; +++ Be on time to the Divine Services and be at Peace with all people if we arrive at Church after the Little Entrance with the Gospel, we should not receive Communion on that day it is truly a sign of disrespect when we enter the services late and / or when we leave the Liturgy early (before the Dismissal) and our Lord tells us that we cannot love God and hate our brother for whoever is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; (Matthew 5:22) and +++ Fellowship Hour is not to be started until after the Divine Liturgy is completed! Please strive to practice these Spiritual Disciplines.

11 Epistle Priest: Let us attend. Reader: The Lord will give strength to His people. Ascribe to the Lord, O Sons of God, ascribe to the Lord honor and glory. Priest: Wisdom. Reader: The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians (2:14-22) Priest: Let us attend. BRETHREN, Christ is our peace, Who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the Cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And He came and preached peace to you, who were far off, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in Whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in Whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Holy Gospel The reading is taken from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 12:16-21 THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops? And he said, I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and

12 there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry. But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be? So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. As He said this, Jesus called out, He who has ears to hear, let him hear. May God Be With You!

13 The Saints Of The Day November 23, 2014* Saint Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium Amphilochius was a fellow countryman, companion and friend of St. Basil the Great and other great saints of the fourth century. Amphilochius left the uproar of the world early in life and withdrew to a cave where, as a hermit, he lived in asceticism for forty years. It then happened that the episcopal throne in Iconium was vacated, and Amphilochius, in a wondrous manner, was chosen and consecrated Bishop of Iconium. He was a splendid shepherd and a great defender of the purity of the Orthodox Faith. He took part in the Second Ecumenical Council in 381. He fought zealously against the impious Macedonius, the Arians and the Eunomians. He personally begged Theodosius the Great to expel all the Arians from every city in the empire, but the emperor did not heed him. A few days later, Amphilochius came before the emperor again. When the bishop was led into the reception chamber, the emperor was sitting on his throne, and on his right sat his son Arcadius, whom Theodosius had taken as his co-emperor. Entering the chamber, St. Amphilochius bowed to Emperor Theodosius but paid no attention to Arcadius, the emperor's son, as if he were not there. Greatly enraged at this, Emperor Theodosius ordered that Amphilochius be immediately expelled from the court. The saint then said to the emperor: Do you see, O Emperor, how you do not tolerate disrespect to your son? So too, God the Father does not tolerate disrespect to His Son, and is disgusted with the corruptness of those who blaspheme Him and is angered at all those adherents of that cursed (Arian) heresy.'' Hearing this, the emperor then understood why Amphilochius had not given honor to his son, and was amazed at his wisdom and daring. Among many other works, St. Amphilochius wrote several books on the Faith. He entered into rest in great old age in the year 395 and took up his habitation in eternal life. Saint Gregory, Bishop of Agrigentum Gregory was born of devout parents, Chariton and Theodota in Sicily near the town of Agrigentum, where he was later bishop. His entire life was imbued with God's wonderful miracles. In a miraculous manner, he went to Jerusalem; in a miraculous manner, he was chosen as bishop; and in a miraculous manner, he was saved from slander. He himself was a great miracleworker, for he was a great God-pleaser, a great spiritual father and an ascetic. He participated at the Fifth Ecumenical Council in Constantinople in 553. After difficult trials he reposed peacefully near the end of the sixth century or the beginning of the seventh. Saint Alexander Nevsky Alexander was the son of Prince Yaroslav. From childhood, his heart was directed to God. He defeated the Swedes on the river Neva on July 15, 1240, for which he received the appellation Nevsky'' [ of the Neva'']. On that occasion, Saints Boris and Gleb appeared to one of Alexander's commanders and promised their help to the great prince, who was their kinsman. Once, among the Golden Horde of the Tartars, he refused to bow down to idols or to pass through fire. Because of his wisdom, physical strength and beauty, even the Tartar Khan respected him. He built many churches and performed countless works of mercy. He entered into rest on November 14, 1263 at the age of forty-three. On this day, November 23, the translation of his relics to the town of Vladimir is commemorated. Saint Mitrophan, Bishop of Voronezh Mitrophan was a glorious Russian hierarch, ascetic and patriot. He was a friend, and later a critic, of Peter the Great. He entered into rest on November 23, His wonderworking relics were uncovered in the year *Taken from The Prologue from Ochrid by Saint Nicholas (Velimirovich) To God Be Glory and Praise Always! Amen.

14 Venerable Alypius the Stylite of Adrianopolis November 26, 2014 Against the False Doctrine of Appeasement XXII. Now we are to examine another fact and dogma, neglected by most people, but in my judgment well worth inquiring into. To Whom was that Blood offered that was shed for us, and why was It shed? I mean the precious and famous Blood of our God and High priest and Sacrifice. We were detained in bondage by the Evil One, sold under sin, and receiving pleasure in exchange for wickedness. Now, since a ransom belongs only to him who holds in bondage, I ask to whom was this offered, and for what cause? If to the Evil One, fie upon the outrage! If the robber receives ransom, not only from God, but a ransom which consists of God Himself, and has such an illustrious payment for his tyranny, a payment for whose sake it would have been right for him to have left us alone altogether. But if to the Father, I ask first, how? For it was not by Him that we were being oppressed; and next, On what principle did the Blood of His Only begotten Son delight the Father, Who would not receive even Isaac, when he was being offered by his Father, but changed the sacrifice, putting a ram in the place of the human victim? Is it not evident that the Father accepts Him, but neither asked for Him nor demanded Him; but on account of the Incarnation, and because Humanity must be sanctified by the Humanity of God, that He might deliver us Himself, and overcome the tyrant, and draw us to Himself by the mediation of His Son, Who also arranged this to the honour of the Father, Whom it is manifest that He obeys in all things? So much we have said of Christ; the greater part of what we might say shall be reverenced with silence. But that brazen serpent Numbers 21:9 was hung up as a remedy for the biting serpents, not as a type of Him that suffered for us, but as a contrast; and it saved those that looked upon it, not because they believed it to live, but because it was killed, and killed with it the powers that were subject to it, being destroyed as it deserved. And what is the fitting epitaph for it from us? O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? You are overthrown by the Cross; you are slain by Him who is the Giver of life; you are without breath, dead, without motion, even though you keep the form of a serpent lifted up on high on a pole. St. Gregory the Theologian, 2 nd Easter Oration, Troparion Tone 1 You were a pillar of patient endurance, / having having imitated the forefathers, O Venerable One: / Job in suffering, and Joseph in temptations. / You lived like the Bodiless Ones while yet in the flesh, O Alypius, our Father. / Beseech Beseech Christ God that our souls may be saved. Kontakion Tone 8 The Church glorifies and praises you today, Alypius, / as a perfect example of virtue and the boast of ascetics. / Through your prayers, grant remission of sins to all who venerate your life and your struggles.

15 WEEKDAY LITURGICAL SERVICES AT ST. MARY PARISH: One of the purposes of our precious Church, as given to us by our Lord Himself, is to serve as the Meeting Place of Heaven & Earth and this is beautifully fulfilled via our Liturgical Services. Indeed, it is when we are in our Congregational / Corporate Liturgical Prayer that we are participating in the Eternal Worship of God s Heavenly Kingdom! Complementing this, the Holy Mothers & Fathers of our Church have always attested to the belief that our Life in Eternity will simply be the Utmost Fulfillment of our Life here on Earth i.e. if the priority of our Earthly Life is seeking Communion with God, then our Eternity will be a Fulfillment of that Communion and conversely, if the priority of our Earthly Life is spent in the pursuit of earthly things, thus separating us from God, our Eternity will be one of separation from God i.e. Hell! In light of this, Fr. Don is pleased to announce that our Daily Services have resumed. Our Schedule is as follows: Tuesday & Thursday Mornings Daily Othros (Morning 8 AM and Wednesday Evening Daily Vespers (Evening 6 PM. Please join us as we begin & end our days with Prayer let us gather together as the Family that God has called us to be! MONTHLY CANDLES: The 2014 Monthly Candle Prayer Sheets are now on the Brochure Table in the Hallway. The three candles available are the Paschal Candles (2 large candles in front of the Iconostasis and on each side of the Holy Doors), the Proskamedia Candle (candle on the Holy Altar) and the Seven-Branched Candle (7 branched candle at the back of the Holy Altar). Please note that the requested Donation for each Candle is $20.00 per month. Also, please note that there can be more than one sponsor per candle per month, and unless a candle is being sponsored for more than one month, the sponsorship will expire at the end of the month, no matter when it is started in that month. WE HAVE A WEBSITE CAN WE HAVE YOUR ADDRESS? Did you know that our Parish has a Website and our Parish Office is connected to the Internet?!? Yes, we are catching up with Technology and we have some interesting things on our Site (e.g. a video of the 1960s Groundbreaking and Consecration of our Church). Jay McClatchey is our Web Master. If you will give us your address, we can keep in touch with you as well. Lastly, if there is any news that you would like posted on our Site and / or if you have any ideas, please contact Fr. Don and Jay.

16 THE WELCOMING OF OUR GUESTS!: Fr. Don would like to ask all within our St. Mary Parish Family to help him with the Welcoming of Guests to our Liturgical Services. If you have a Family Member or Friend who is visiting that you would like publically welcomed, or if you see someone new and you get their name, please inform Fr. Don of this before, or if need be, during the Service via a note. Remember, Fr. Don is leading us in our Liturgical Prayer and his concentration and attention are directed towards the proper celebration of the Divine Services. Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank You and God Bless! WE NEED YOU AT THE FAMILY KITCHEN C MON & HELP US!: Our Lord tells us that when we serve those in need, we serve Him! Our Parish Family has been asked to help serve Weekend Meals at The Family Kitchen downtown at 231 Bedford Street. This year, we have been asked to help on 3 Weekends Saturday, June 28, Sunday, November 16 & Saturday, December 6. We meet at the Kitchen at 11 AM and are done by about 1 PM. We have also been asked to make a Donation of $ each time to help defer the expenses of each meal. If you can help us down at The Kitchen and/or with a Donation, please contact Fr. Don or our Parish Office ( ). We have always taken away from our experience more than we have given please help us out if you can! Thank You & God Bless! "Find out how much God has given you. From it, take what you need. The remainder which you do not require is needed by others. The excesses of the rich are the necessities of the poor." Blessed Augustine FAMILY KITCHEN WISH / NEEDS LIST: The Family Kitchen (Clinton Street Downtown) has issued a new Wish & Needs List Coffee, Flour, Brown Sugar, Sugar & Creamer Packets, Sweet & Low / Equal Packets, Salt & Pepper, Parsley Flakes, Garlic Salt, Paprika, Poultry Seasoning, Onion Salt, Allspice, Lemon Pepper, Rosemary, Italian Seasoning, Chili Powder, Pepper Flakes & Meat Tenderizer. If you can help by donating any of these, or perhaps a SCRIP Card for Giant Eagle, etc., that would be greatly appreciated! Thank You and God Bless! *** Parish Scrip Earnings Near $35, in 8 ½ Yrs.!!! *** Please remember to use Scrip for all of your Household, Family & Holiday Shopping especially gas & groceries! Scrip is Fundraising while you shop! See Olga Hodge, Martha McLoota or Becky Azar for details.

17 + + + ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS Today, we express our appreciation for the various ministries of The Order of St. Ignatius. Thus, we say Thank You! to the Members of this Service Order. May God Bless Them All & Grant Them Many Years! In light of this, please also consider the following! OUR CALLING, ORTHODOX PHILANTHROPIST? Philanthropist a beautiful sounding word. Philanthropist a word even more beautiful in meaning. Philanthropist lover of mankind! We are all called to be philanthropists to love each other to take care of each other but how? In our Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, a vehicle of Orthodox Philanthropy was called into existence by our Father & Metropolitan PHILIP when he created The Order of St. Ignatius (1976). As you have heard for many years, the Order serves our Archdiocese as her philanthropic arm through its support of the Antiochian Village, our educational programs, our missions, our retired clergy, and many, many other worthy ministries. For the past thirty-eight years this has been accomplished through a body of people, now over four thousand in number, who have been willing to serve God through committed giving. If you have considered the Order before and didn t join, there are always opportunities to learn more just ask any one of our parishioners who are members of the Order Anonymous, Tony Abraham, Jim Azar, Larry Bertino, Lisa Catanese, Renee D Ettorre, Albert Ghantous, George & Elaine Heider, Norman Joseph, Dr. Adib Khouzami, Ed Makdad, Jr., Sandy Milkie, John Ritter, Christine Salem, Fr. Don Shadid, Loretta Shahade & William Shahade. You are invited to discover how God s abundance toward you may be thankfully returned to Him through generosity toward His People. Come and See! God may be calling you to serve Him in this way OVER PLEASE + + +

18 Some Thoughts on the Order of St. Ignatius (His Grace, Bishop THOMAS & Fr. Don ask that you please consider learning about and joining this worthy ministry of our Archdiocese His Grace would be very happy to induct you into The Order during his September 20-22, 2014 Visit for more information, please see Fr. Don or any of our other parishioners who have joined see list on front of this Insert). Why you should join the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch? Service and commitment to the Church Teach the Orthodox way by utilizing your talents. Involvement in the life of the Church, willingly and joyfully, being instruments of peace. Grateful to Almighty God for His many blessings. Never say No when the Lord and the Church call for a job to get done. Acknowledgement of our sinfulness and weakness; realizing the need for growth through the Sacraments of the Church. Totally committed and dedicated to the growth of the Archdiocese and the realization of its programs and goals. Inner satisfaction and fulfillment by being part of a dynamic, dedicated and visionary group of faithful, where love and friendship grow. Unselfish giving and living for the glory of God not only on the parish and regional level but on the Archdiocese level as well. Donate to the Order through Electronic Fund Transfer QUICK, EASY, SIMPLE AND NO CHARGE FOR THE SERVICE. For the rank of Knight or Dame, which is a $500 donation per year, $41.67 is deducted around the 5th of each month. For the rank of Commander, which is a $1,000 donation per year, $83.34 is deducted around the 5th of each month. Life Members ($15,000 either in one donation or spread over three years) can also have a monthly deduction. Please contact the Administrator at the Archdiocese for more info. Complete an Order application and include a signed authorization form (available for print at or from the Administrator) which authorizes The Order to begin deductions the following month. Include the required $60 induction fee with the application and the banking information will be taken from the check. Members can upgrade at any time. Members on the EFT system never receive a dues reminder or have to be concerned about writing a check and finding a stamp. Now The Order can be more accessible to members of the Archdiocese through the Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFT). Many people pay their utility bills, rent, mortgages, car payments and gym dues through automatic deductions. It is far more time efficient and cost effective to eliminate checks, stamps, and having to remember to pay invoices.

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20 + + + VOLUNTEER MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES Do you enjoy helping people? Looking for a way to give of yourself in a positive way? You can serve our Lord by serving others! Community Nursing Hospice Care Home Care Volunteers Provide socialization by visiting with the patient & respite for the Caregiver. Bereavement Volunteers Follow up with the primary caregiver after the patient dies through phone calls, cards, letters or a visit once a month. Spiritual Care Volunteers Provide spiritual support with prayer, offering Communion or Bible Reading and are involved in our Annual Memorial Services. This group consists of Pastors, as well as lay people. Reference & Criminal Background Checks and Training Required. For more Information Home Nursing Agency Hospice Volunteers show compassion, are emotionally present and listen, write letters, read, talk or listen, provide administrative support, work as part of the Hospice Team, are responsible & dependable, etc. Healing Patch offers a soft place to fall for children & their families who have lost a loved one here they can discover they are not alone in their grief by interacting with others who have encountered similar losses some of a volunteer s qualities: compassion, empathy, acceptance of others, flexibility, dedication & commitment must be at least 21 years of age volunteers do not fix what has happened they bring Hope & Healing back into the life of a child! For more Information (ext Patty or 4110 Melody).

21 Think About This In light of the recent Sandy Hook School Shooting, and in remembrance of the Amish School Shooting of 2006, we reprint this reflection by our own Terry Mattingly. Please keep the young Victims and their Families in your Prayers. (This column was syndicated by Scripps Howard News Service on October 4, 2006.) The helicopters kept making circles in the air so that the cameramen could keep showing the dairy farms and country roads, the bonnets and wide-brimmed straw hats, the horse-drawn buggies and the one-room schoolhouse framed in yellow police tape. Soon the facts started going in circles as police recited a litany about 600 rounds of ammunition, a shotgun, a semiautomatic pistol, a stun gun, explosives and, later, the killer s sick collection of chains clamps, hardware and sexual aids. Witnesses said Charles Carl Roberts IV was angry with God, angry with himself, haunted by guilt, fed up with life and driven by a hellish grudge. Then journalists began asking questions that went in circles, the questions that nag clergy as well as state troopers. Why? Why the Amish? How could God let this happen? How can justice be done now that the killer is dead? Like everyone else, I could not believe what I was seeing on my television, said Johann Christopher Arnold, senior elder of the Bruderhof communes. While sharing many beliefs with the Amish and Mennonites, the Bruderhof ( place of the brothers ) embrace some modern technology. Still these movements share European roots in pacifism, simple living and an emphasis on the sanctity of human life. The Amish are our cousins so I know some of what they must be feeling, said Arnold, in his thick German accent. I know these parents are hurting, I know they are asking questions, but I know that they know the answer is forgiveness. Tragedy and pain can soften our hearts until they break. But if we trust God this will help us to feel compassion. The gunman s stunned wife released a media statement that showed her understanding of her Amish neighbors and their beliefs. She knew she could appeal for prayers and forgiveness, even though outsiders might find her words hard to fathom Over + + +

22 Our hearts are broken, our lives are shattered, and we grieve for the innocence and lives that were lost today, said Marie Roberts. Above all, please pray for the families who lost children and, please, pray, too, for our family and children. Some of the Amish went ever further. One woman told the Los Angeles Times: I am very thankful that I was raised to believe you don t fight back. You should forgive. To grasp the Amish point of view, it s crucial to understand that they truly believe God desires justice, but also shows mercy and they believe that these are not contradictory things, said Arnold. They know that God said, Vengeance is mine, I will repay. The Amish certainly believe that this killer will not go without punishment, but they also believe that his punishment is in God s hands. These are hard words in an age when many Americans hold one of two competing beliefs about eternity and God s judgment. Millions of believers lukewarm and fervent alike assume that the really bad sinners are the people who commit the really bad sins, those spectacular sins tied to violence, drugs and sex. These really bad people are condemned to hell. Meanwhile, many other people believe that all people are automatically going to heaven, no matter what they believe or what they do. According to this point of view, the massacre inside the West Nickel Mines Amish School will have no impact on the eternal destiny of Charles Carl Roberts IV. Once again, the Amish believe that God knows all and that God, and only God, can judge. What the Amish emphasize, stressed Arnold, is that forgiveness is the only way that humans can break a cycle of violence and sin. In this case, the gunman left suicide notes that showed that he was driven by guilt and a grudge that he would not surrender. It appears that Roberts could not forgive God and could not forgive himself. In the end, this killed him and through him this grudge killed others. If you hold a grudge, it will live on in your heart until it leads to violence of some kind, said Arnold. If you do not forgive, then you cannot be healed. Forgiveness can heal the forgiver as well as the one who is forgiven. This is what the Amish believe. It will be hard and it will take time, but this is what they now must strive to live out for all the world to see. Terry Mattingly ( directs the Washington Journalism Center at the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. He writes this weekly column for the Scripps Howard News Service. Terry is also a member of our sister parish, Holy Cross Orthodox Church, in Linthicum, MD.

23 *** Parish Scrip Earnings Near $35,000.00!!! *** Our Scrip Coordinator, Olga Hodge, is pleased to report that since the inception of our Scrip Program in December of 2005, we have raised over $30, for our Parish! Remember, our Parish Family benefits each and every time that you shop with Scrip, because instead of paying with Cash or Credit, you use pre-paid Gift Cards from your favorite and most trusted local & national retailers. Please remember to use Scrip for all of your Holiday, Household & Family Shopping Food, Gas, Gifts, Dining Out, Appliances, etc. Scrip is Fundraising while you shop! Please See Olga Hodge, Martha McLoota or Becky Azar after Church to get your Scrip. As always, Becky Azar has Scrip at her Home during the Week Thank You & God Bless! + + +

24 Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Ninth Sunday of Luke Gratitude for Independence For more information on the Eastern Churches, visit Eastern Christian Bulletin Service -- PO Box Fairfax, VA Ph: Fax: Icon of Saints Amphilochius and Gregory -- November 23th