Serving the Orthodox Christian Community of Greater Cleveland. St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. Sunday of the.

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1 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church Sunday of the Forefathers The Sunday that falls between December is known as the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers. These are the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh, who lived before the Law and under the Law, especially the Patriarch Abraham, to whom God said, "In thy seed shall all of the nations of the earth be blessed" (Gen. 12:3, 22:18). Serving the Orthodox Christian Community of Greater Cleveland

2 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church 2587 West 14 th Street Cleveland, OH Fax: Metropolitan Arch-Bishop PHILIP SALIBA, Primate Bishop MARK, Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest Very Rev. Fr. John Ojaimi, Pastor Home: (440) Cellular: (440) Rev. Archdeacon Yarid Sahley Sub-Deacons: Sam Elias-Khalil Samara Priscilla Callos, Youth Advisor Website: stgeorgecleveland.com Sunday, December 13, 2009 Twenty-Ninth Sunday After Pentecost and Sunday of the Forefathers Tone 2 Eothinion 5 On this day we commemorate: Martyrs Eustratios, Auxentios, Eugene, Mardarios, and Orestes at Sebastel Virgin-martyr Lucia of Syracuse; Hieromartyr Gabriel, patriarch of Serbia; repose of Venerable Herman of Alaska, wonder-worker of America. We welcome our visitors and guests! Please let us know who you are! While only Orthodox Christians prepared through confession & fasting may come for Holy Communion, everyone is welcome to partake of the Holy Bread after Liturgy. Trisagion Wheat & Coffee Hour will be offered for the repose of the soul & in memory of Josephine Nehme by her brother, Elias Saliba & family. Bread of Oblation & Trisagion Prayers will be offered for the repose of the soul & in memory of Nouhad Elias Merheb by Elie & Maya Merheb & family. Bread of Oblation & Trisagion Prayers will also be offered for the repose of the soul & in memory of Marie Richani of Lebanon (1yr.) by her sons, Naji and Souheil and their families Bread of Oblation will be offered for the repose of the soul & in memory of Rita Shaheen by Nadia Nassif & family. Prayers for the Health & Spiritual Welfare of: Houda Abdelkarim, Melissa Blank Aboid, Tommy Amato, Mary Assad, Naissef & Rita Courey, Pat Dakdouk, Ann Deeb, Emilie Easa, James Eassey, Helena Elias, Sarah Elias, Vera Elias, Norman Fadil, Peter Farage, AnneMarie, Dave & Altair Gann, Minerva Gantose, Leo George, Peter George, Eddie Haddad, Pauline Hanna, Ava Harb, Samia Harb, Corrine Khouri, Hanadi Khouri, Julia Kushner, Helen Lambert, Eleanor McKibben, Joyce & Marie Nader, Kaukab Nader, Virginia Nader, Mary Namy, Jennie Sadallah, Christopher Fadel-Samuel, George Sarkes, Alice Shiekh, Alvera Shiekh, Linda Simon, Helen Thomas, Georgine Trombetto, Asma Zaboura, Elias Ghazal, Wadad Khoury. & Hassib Sabbagh.

3 Candles are offered for the Health, Safety & Spiritual Welfare of: Teddy & Pete Alex by sister, Beverly George Pat Dakdouk by Barbara Aboid Ed Haddad by Barbara Aboid Children & grandchildren of Yacoub & Nuha Karsheh by Nuha SubDeacon George Simon by Mom, Mary Ameen Eddie Haddad by Mary Ameen Ruth (Simon) Lynch by Sarah, Rich & Kathy, George & Christine, Shirley & Mike & Mom Candles offered for the Repose of the Servants of God: Christine George by Leo George Edward Fadel by his wife, Rita & family Laila Nader by her children & grandchildren & Goddaughter, Diane Wadia Ameen by his wife Mary Maggie, Edma & Elias Aboumrad by George & Nayla Aboumrad & family Delores (Dee) DeGeorge by her sister, Beverly & by Barbara Aboid Our brother, George Thomas by Marion Mack & Juliet Thomas All our beloved departed by Marion Mack & Juliet Thomas PROPER CHURCH ETIQUETTE There are certain times during the Divine Liturgy when one should refrain from entering the Church out of respect for God and the worship of His people. They are: During the Trisagion Hymn During the Epistle and Gospel readings During the Cherubic Hymn and Great Entrance During the Creed During The Anaphora ( Let us stand aright through Especially our all-holy Lady. ) During Holy Communion one should remain standing throughout the distribution of the gifts. If you have already received Holy Communion, please avail yourself of the Prayers of Thanksgiving which begin on Page 128 of the red prayer book while you wait for everyone else to receive. St. George Choir invites all singers to join us today in the Pan Orthodox Christmas concert at St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church, N. Royalton. Free admission, everyone is welcome. You do not have to be a choir member to sing! Please, see our director Milan with any questions. Come join us and get yourself into the Christmas spirit!

4 Liturgical Guide for Sunday, December 13, 2009 TROPARION Tone 2 When thou didst submit thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal one, then Thou didst destroy Hell with Thy Godly pow'r, and when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the pow'rs of heaven did cry aloud unto Thee O Christ thou giver of life glory to Thee The Entrance Hymn(Eisodikon): O come let us worship and fall down before Christ, O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us who sing unto thee: Alleluia TROPARION Tone 2 When thou didst submit thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal one, then Thou didst destroy Hell with Thy Godly pow'r, and when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the pow'rs of heaven did cry aloud unto Thee O Christ thou giver of life glory to Thee. Forefathers Tone 2 Come ye feast-lovers, let us extol with hymns the assembly of the forefathers, Adam the first father, Enoch, Noah, and Melchizedek, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and those after the law--moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Samuel; and with them Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the twelve Prophets, with Elijah and Elisha, and all the rest; and Zachariah, the Baptist, and those who preached Christ, the Life and Resurrection of our race. Troparion of St. George Tone 4 As deliver of captives and defender of the poor, healer of the infirm, champion of kings, victorious Great martyr George, intercede with Christ our God, for our souls salvation.. APOLYTIKION OF ST. HERMAN IN TONE FOUR Blessed ascetic of the northern wilds and gracious intercessor for the whole world, teacher of the Orthodox Faith, good instructor of piety, adornment of Alaska and joy of all America, holy Father Herman, pray to Christ God that He save our souls. Kontakion for the Preparation of the Nativity of Christ Tone 4 Today the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth in an ineffable manner to the Word before the ages. Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when thou hearest, and glorify with the angels and shepherds him who shall appear by his own will as a new babe, being God before the ages. The Trisagion Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us. Dynamis! (With Strength) Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us.

5 Epistle (For the Holy Forefathers) Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers. For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us. The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians. (3:4-11) Brethren, when Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all. THE GOSPEL Luke 14:16-24 (11th Sunday of Luke) The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke Then Jesus said to him, Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, Come; for everything is ready now. But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets. Another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets. Another said, I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come. So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. And the slave said, Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room. Then the master said to the slave, Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner. الرCسال?ة Colossians 3:4-11 (29th Sunday after Pentecost) 4 مSتSى أ Z ظQهOرS الQمSسOيحZ حSيSاتZنSا فSحOينSئOذl تZظQهSرZونS أSنQتZمQ أSيQض_ا مSعSهZ فOي الQمSجQ دO. 5 فSأSمOيتZوا أSعQضS اءSكZمZ ال تOي عSلSى الSرQ ض : O الزÜنSا الن جSاسSةS الQهSوSى الش هQوSةS الر دOي ةS الط مSعS ال ذOي هZوS عOبSادSة الSوQ ثSانO 6 ال Z مZورS ال تOي مOنQ أSجQ لOهSا يSأ Q تOي غSضS بZ اO عSلSى أSبQنSاءO الQمSعQصO يSةO 7 ال ذOينS بSيQنSهZمQ أSنQتZمQ أSيQض_ ا سSلSكQتZمQ قSبQل_ حO ينS كZنQتZمQ تSعOيشZونS فOيهSا. 8 وSأSم ا النS فSاطQرSحZوا عSنQكZمQ أSنQتZمQ أSيQض_ ا الQكZل : الQغSضS بS الس خSطS الQخZبQثS الت جQ دOيفS الQكSلSمS الQقSبOيحS مOنQ أSفQوS اهOكZم. 9 لS تSكQذOبZوا بSعQضZ كZمQ عSلSى بSعQض l إOذQ خSلSعQتZمZ الOنQسSانS الQعSتOيقS مSعS أSعQمSالOهO 10 وS لSبOسQ تZم الQجSدOي دS ال ذOي يSتSجS د دZ لOلQمSعQرOفSةO حSسSبS صZ ورSةO خS الOقOهO 11 حSيQثZ لSيQسS يZونSانOيÆ وSيSهZودOيÆ خOتSان وSغZرQ لSة بSرQ بSرOي سOكÜيثOيÆ عSبQد حZرÆ بSلO الQمSسOيحZ الQكZل وSفOي الQكZل.

6 النجيل Luke 14:16-24 (11th Sunday of Luke 16 فSقSالS لSهZ :«إOنQسS ان صS نSعS عSشS اء_ عSظOيم_ ا وSدSعS ا كSثOيرOينS 17 وSأSرQ سS لS عSبQ دSهZ فOي سS اعSةO الQعSشS اءO لOيSقZول لOلQمSدQعZوÜين: تSعSالSوQ ا لSن كZل شSيQ ءl قSدQ أ Z عOد. 18 فSابQتSدSأS الQجSمOيعZ Q بOرSأيl وSاحOدl يSسQتSعQفZونS. قSالS لSهZ الSو لZ : إOنÜي اشQتSرSيQت حS قQل_ وS أSنSا مZضQ طSرÆ أSنQ أSخQ رZجS وS أSنQظZرS ه. أSسQ أSلZكS أSنQ تZعQفOيSنOي. 19 وSقSالS آخS رZ : إOنÜي اشQتSرSيQتZ خSمQسSةS أSزQ وSاج O بSقSرl وSأSنSا مSاض l لSمQتSحOنSهSا. أSسQ أSلZكS أSنQ تZعQفOيSنOي. 20 وSقSالS آخS رZ : إOنÜي تSزSو جQ تZ بOامQرSأSةl فSلOذلOكS لS أSقQدOرZ أSنQ أSجOيءS. 21 فSأSتSى ذلOكS الQعSبQدZ وSأSخQ بSرS سSيÜدSهZ بOذلOكS. حOينSئOذl غSضO بS رSب الQبSيQتO وSقSالS لOعSبQدOهO : اخQ رZجQ عSاجOل_ إOلSى شSوSارOع الQمSدOينSةO وSأSزOق تOهSا وSأSدQخOلQ إOلSى هZنSا الQمSسSاكOينS وSالQجZدQعS وSالQعZرQ جS وSالQعZمQي. 22 فSقSالS الQعSبQدZ : يSا سSيÜدZ قSدQ صS ارS كSمSا أSمSرQ تS وSيZوجS دZ أSيQض_ ا مSكSان. 23 فSقSالS الس يÜدZ لOلQعSبQدO : اخQ رZجQ إOلSى الط رZقO وSالسÜيSاجSاتO وSأSلQزOمQهZمQ بOالد خZولO حSت ى يSمQتSلOئS بSيQتOي 24 لSنÜي أSقZولZ لSكZمQ : إOن هZ لSيQسS وSاحOد مOنQ أ Z ولئOكS الرÜجSالO الQمSدQعZوÜينS يSذZوقZ عSشSائOي». The Megalynarion: It is truly meet to call thee Blessed, Lady Theotokos; Lady ever greatly blessed, and most perfect in innocence, and the Mother of our God. Lady more precious than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond all measure than the Seraphim. That without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, and art truly Theotokos. We magnify thee. The Koinonikon Praise ye the Lord from the Heavens; praise ye Him in the highest. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia Post-Communion We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit. We have found the true Faith. Worshipping the undivided Trinity; for he hath saved us. UPCOMING DIVINE SERVICES The Sunday Before the Nativity of Christ (known as the Sunday of Genealogy) Sunday, December 20 th - Matins@ 9:30:00am Divine Liturgy 10:30am AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS The Lebanese Syrian American Junior League of Cleveland will be hosting its 35 th Debutante Ball and Scholarship Presentation on Sunday, July 18, In an effort to be sure that eligible young men and women in the Greater Cleveland community of Lebanese and Syrian descent are aware of the event, I am writing to ask if you would be willing to allow the following announcement to appear in your parish weekly or quarterly newsletter beginning Sunday, November 22, 2009 and continuing every Sunday until January 31, 2010: The Lebanese Syrian American Junior League will be hosting its 35 th Debutante Ball and Scholarship Presentation Sunday, July 18, 2010 at Executive Caterers of Landerhaven. All high school junior and senior girls and boys (2010 and 2011 graduates) of Lebanese or Syrian descent from the Greater Cleveland Area are eligible to participate as a Debutante or Escort. Please call Mrs. Celeste Sabol at (440) for an application. The deadline to submit the application is January 31, 2010.

7 Santa Claus & St. Nicholas (0ne opinion) The American version of St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus originally came from the Dutch version called Sint Klaas. The Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam (New York) brought this fun and lively tradition (some even say cult) to America. This version of Santa has given the current myth its visual form and these most curious traditions: A merry old man with red and white clothes Eight flying reindeer, later joined by Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. A home located on or near the North Pole The habit of filling socks or stockings with presents on the night of December 24 th. Also the habit of entering houses through the chimney. The most important single source for our modern day version of Santa Claus comes from the Christmas poem A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement C. Moore. Written for his children in 1823, the family poem was later published for the general public and included what became the now famous picture of Santa Claus. was the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. way to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

8 Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all! s dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. e was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes -- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; he stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; e spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, here he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

9 Section 3. Qualifications Important Announcement Our Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled for 01/10/2010 According to our By-Laws ARTICLE VI PARISH COUNCIL Qualifications for election to the Parish Council: A candidate must be twenty (20) years of age or over, have been a Voting Member of this Parish for a minimum of two (2) years immediately preceding his nomination and/or appointment and has fulfilled the Canonical requirements of the Faith. No person shall serve on the parish council simultaneously with such person s spouse, parent, child or sibling. Section 4. Nominations and Elections Α. At least two (2) months before the annual meeting of this Church, the Chairperson of the Parish Council shall appoint a Nominating Committee composed of the Pastor and at least four (4) members from the Voting Membership, which may include members of the Parish Council who are not serving as officers or running for election as candidate. Β. The Nominating Committee shall attempt to nominate at least twice as many persons as there are vacancies to be filled. Those nominated must have indicated in a writing a willingness to serve if elected. The members of the Nomination Committee are: V. Rev. Fr. John Ojaimi, Pastor, Dr. Marwan Hilal, Charles Haddad, Dr. Elie Barbari, and John Fadel The days are becoming chilly at the Village and the nights are downright cold. That can only mean one thing - Winter Camp must be around the corner. We have two sessions of Winter Camp planned for young people in grades 7-12 on the observances of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend (Jan ) and Presidents weekend (Feb ). There are two ways to register: online or mail-in paper forms. If you register online, you will need to download and mail the Medical and Snow-tubing forms. We are also accepting Winter Camp Staff applications. Our tentative theme for both sessions of Winter Camp is "The 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make." Don't wait another day, register today! Check back soon for more details and visit our Winter Camp page for additional information. Remember that if you register online, you are not registered until you pay the $50 deposit and receive an confirmation. Register on

10 Twinkies and Root Beer A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The man was sitting in the park just feeding some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie. The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again, the man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man gave him his biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy? "He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!" Meanwhile, the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked," Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added," You know, he's much younger than I expected." Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother. Mark 3:35

11 CHRIST BELL THE BELL I KNOW WHO I AM I am God's child (John 1:12) I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 ) I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17) I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20) I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1) I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8) I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14) I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27) I am a citizen of Heaven.. I am significant (Phil 3:20) I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21) I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18) I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6) I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39) I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 ) I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 ) I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 ) I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 ) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil.. 4:13) I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5) I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10) I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1) I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10) I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected.. (Phil. 1: 5) I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5) I belong to God Do you know Who you are!? Something we can know: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,10 so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10

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