Page 1 Vol 1 Issue 6. August. Newsletter

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Beatrice Day
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1 Page 1 Vol 1 Issue August Newsletter

2 Table of Contents A Word from St. Mark s Communication Ministry... 3 Spiritual Word... 4 Church Expansion... 7 Calendar... 8 Church News Kids Corner Arabic Section... 14

Page 3 Dear St Mark s family, We want to wish you a blessed Fast and Feast of St. Mary s.the fast of Saint Mary is from August 7 August 21. The feast of the assumption of Saint Mary is August 22.

3 Page 3 Dear St Mark s family, We want to wish you a blessed Fast and Feast of St. Mary s.the fast of Saint Mary is from August 7 August 21. The feast of the assumption of Saint Mary is August 22. We are blessed by the life of St. Mary. May we as a church fast together for all the blessing of St. Mary and partake in this wonderful feast as one body in Christ. May the grace of the Lord fill us all and may the blessings of the Holy Virgin Saint Mary be with us all. The communication Ministry hopes that you are enjoying the monthly newsletters. We welcome your feedback. Please send us any ideas or topics you wish to see in the newsletter. Please send to communications@stmarksdc.org In Christ, St. Marks Coptic Orthodox Church of Washington DC Communications Ministry

4 Spiritual Word Announciation of St. Mary Page 4 St. Joachim and St. Anna were very righteous. They had no children for many years. They prayed and fasted for God to give them a child and promised to put him or her in the temple. One day, Archangel Gabriel appeared to them and told them that they will have a child. We celebrate this feast on the 7th of Mesra (~ August 13th). Birth: Later, St. Anna was pregnant. She gave birth to St. Mary in the city of Nazareth. We celebrate this feast on the 1st of Bashans (~ May 9th). Early Life: St. Mary lived with her parents until she was three years old. During that time, she learned from her parents how to pray and how to love God from all her heart. Entrance into the Temple: When St. Mary became three years old, her parents took her to the temple in Jerusalem like they promised before she was born. We celebrate this feast on the 3rd of Kiahk (~ December 12th). Youth: St. Mary lived in the temple until she was twelve years old. During that time, angels fed her. She always looked after everyone and was very humble. When she turned twelve, the priests gathered to find out who would take care of St. Mary. At that time, girls could only stay in the temple until they were twelve, then they would stay with one of their relatives. They gathered the sticks of all men who were related to her and prayed. St. Joseph the carpenter s stick blossomed, so they all knew that God wanted St. Mary to stay with St. Joseph. Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus: One day, when St. Mary was praying, Archangel Gabriel appeared to her. He told her that

Page 5 she will be pregnant and have a son, who will be called Jesus. He also told her that her boy is God s son, who will save the world. Archangel Gabriel told St.

5 Page 5 she will be pregnant and have a son, who will be called Jesus. He also told her that her boy is God s son, who will save the world. Archangel Gabriel told St. Mary that Elizabeth, her cousin, is also pregnant with St. John, the Baptist. We celebrate this feast on the 29th of Baramhat (~ April 7th). St. Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem. She travelled to Egypt to escape from King Herod. She took care of Jesus with St. Joseph until He grew up and started His service. During the Life of Jesus: When Jesus grew up and started His service, St. Mary followed Him. She believed in Him to be God s son. St. Mary attended the miracle of the wedding of Cana of Galilee, and interceeded for them before Christ. She went to the Cross with St. John, the Apostle, and saw the burial. St. Mary lived in St. John s house and supported the apostles in their preaching. Miracle of dissolving Iron: After the apostles received the Holy Spirit on the day of the Pentecost, St. Matthias the apostle went to preach in Bounts, Galatia. The governor was very upset and put him in prison. St. Mary went to him and prayed outside of his jail. Suddently, everything that was made of iron in that town dissolved. We celebrate this miracle on the 21st of Baouna (~ June 28th). Departure and Assumption: On the day of her departure, St. Mary was praying. She asked to see all the apostles and disciples. They all came to see her before she departed except St. Thomas. They took her body to burry it in Gethsemane. On the way, a Jewish man stopped them and reached out his hands through the coffin to the ground. Suddenly, God punished him by separating his hands from his body. The man cried and asked for God s forgiveness and St. Mary s intercession. St. Peter asked him to believe in Jesus and St. Mary, and the man believed. Immediately, his hands returned to his body. Meanwhile, St. Thomas was on the way from India. He saw angels carrying St. Mary s body to heaven. He asked St. Mary to give him something to show the rest of the disciples that

Page 6 he had seen her going to heaven. She gave him her girdle. When St. Thomas arrived to Jerusalem, he asked the apostles about St. Mary. They told him that she departed and where she was buried.

They all fasted for 15 days so God may show them St. Mary s body ascending to heaven. That s why we fast from August 7th to August 21st before the feast of St. Mary s assumption. St. Mary departed to heaven when she was about 60 years old.

6 Page 6 he had seen her going to heaven. She gave him her girdle. When St. Thomas arrived to Jerusalem, he asked the apostles about St. Mary. They told him that she departed and where she was buried. St. Thomas told them to show him, so they went to the tomb and didn t find St. Mary s body. Then, St. Thomas told them that he saw St. Mary s body ascending to heaven and she gave him her girdle. They all fasted for 15 days so God may show them St. Mary s body ascending to heaven. That s why we fast from August 7th to August 21st before the feast of St. Mary s assumption. St. Mary departed to heaven when she was about 60 years old. We celebrate her departure on the 21st of Toba (~ January 30th) and her body s assumption is celebrated on the 16th of Mesra (~ August 22nd). St. Mary s Commemoration: The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the commemoration of St. Mary on the 21st of every Coptic month. Her Appearances: St. Mary appeared in many places around the world. On April 2nd, 1968, she appeared on the dome of her church of Zeitoun, in Egypt. Many people saw her and witnessed her appearances. At the time of her appearances, many who had faith were healed from their sicknesses. Also, many who did not have faith and who did not believe in God before, believed and got closer to church. We celebrate her appearation on the 24th of Baramhat (~ April 2nd).

7 Page 7 Expansion Project Update Here is what we can expect to see over the next month: New parking will be completed and parking flow will change. Fences will be moved around the new construction site. Construction on the outside of the Sanctuary will begin in the middle of August. Construction on the inside of the Sanctuary will begin on September 1st. Sanctuary will be closed. Here is how you will be impacted: Services will be on Sunday in the Gym & Chapel and will begin earlier. Please see the website & the App for updated times and schedule changes. Starting Saturday, September 9th, services will be on Saturday every week No Friday services Wednesday services as per usual What we ask of you: Reminder to please be safe, watch your children, obey signs, parking volunteers, and ushers. If you want to help coordinate with this effort, contact Aguirguis@stmarkdc.org or Ffahim@stmarkdc.org

8 Page 8 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday a Liturgy 7:30p Bible Study 6:30p Women s Ministry coffee night Junior High 7/8 Retreat 8a Liturgy 8a Divine Liturgy with Bishop Yohana 7p Vespers a 1st Liturgy 8:30a Kids Liturgy 8:45a 2nd Liturgy 11:15a Sunday School/ Light&Life/ Arabic Meeting 7:30p Arise Meeting 5a Liturgy 7p Praise for St. Mary 8a Liturgy 8p Junior high Gym Night 7p Praises for St. Mary 8:30p Midnight Praises 6a 1st Liturgy 8:30a Kids Liturgy 8:45a 2nd Liturgy 11:15a Sunday School/ Light&Life/ Arabic Meeting 6a 1st Liturgy 8:30a Kids Liturgy 8:45a 2nd Liturgy 11:15a Sunday School/ Light&Life/ Arabic Meeting High School Mission Trip 5a Liturgy 7p Praises for St. Mary 8a Liturgy Transfiguration Feast 7p Praises for St. Mary 8:30p Vespers Explanation & Midnight Praises p-12a St. Mary s Feast/Praises 12a Liturgy for St. Mary s Feast 7:30p Arise Meeting 5a Liturgy 7p Orthodox Creed by Dr. Joseph Faltas (Arabic) 7:30p Bible Study a Liturgy 8p Junior high Gym Night 6a Men s Ministry Fishing Trip 7p Vespers 6a 1st Liturgy 8:30a Kids Liturgy 8:45a 2nd Liturgy 11:15a Sunday School/ Light&Life/ Arabic Meeting 7:30p Arise Meeting 5a Liturgy 7p Orthodox Creed by Dr. Joseph Faltas (Arabic) 7:30p Bible Study

9 Important Dates Page 9 August 4-5 : Junior High 7th and 8th Grade Retreat August 5: Divine Liturgy with Bishop Yohana August 16-19: High School Mission Trip August 19: Transfiguration Feast August 22: Feast of St. Mary Sept 6-7: Visit from Father Daoud Lamei

Page 10 Church News Ministry Spotlight: Pre-Servants Class On June 26, we celebrated the twenty-four students who successfully completed this year s St. Pachomius Servants Preparation Course.

10 Page 10 Church News Ministry Spotlight: Pre-Servants Class On June 26, we celebrated the twenty-four students who successfully completed this year s St. Pachomius Servants Preparation Course. The course covered Orthodox spirituality, basics of the Bible, liturgical subjects, sacraments, practical service application and more. The course is offered to those who are high school age and above. If you are interested in taking the course in the future, watch for when the next course will begin. Class size is limited so sign up quickly!

The church congratulates you on your graduation and all your achievements! We are so proud of you all!

11 Page 11 Ministry Spotlight: High School and College Graduation Congratulations Class of 2017! The high school seniors and the college seniors celebrated their amazing accomplishments on Jul 9th and Jul 22nd with their church family. The church congratulates you on your graduation and all your achievements! We are so proud of you all! May God be with you and guide you every step of the way as you continue your life s journey! For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 If you would like your occasion (baptism, engagement, wedding) or funeral placed in the newsletter, please communications@stmarkdc.org

12 Page 12 Corner Connect the dots then color the picture!

13 Page 13 Directions: Find all 10 of the words that are RED below in the Hail To You prayer in the word search above HAIL TO YOU Hail to you. We ask you, O saint, full of glory, the ever virgin, the Mother of God (Theotokos), the Mother of Christ, lift up our prayers unto your beloved Son, that He may forgive us our sins. Hail to the Holy Virgin, who has brought forth unto us the true Light, Christ our God. Ask the Lord on our behalf, that He may have mercy on our souls, and forgive us our sins. O Virgin Mary, the holy Mother of God (Theotokos), the faithful advocate for all mankind, intercede on our behalf before Christ, Whom you bore, that He may forgive us our sins. Hail to you, O Virgin, the right and true queen. Hail to the pride of our race, who bore to us Emmanuel. We ask you, remember us, O our faithful advocate, before our Lord Jesus Christ, that He may forgive us our sins. Amen

14 Page 14 والدة الاله الطاهرة القديسة العذراء مريم حنة بارين امام الرب ولم يكن لهم يواقيم وزوجته القديسةان القديس اطفال. فصليا وصاما لله ليعطيهم طفل ونذرا ان اعطاهم الرب طفل سينذرانه للهيكل ليخدم الرب. فظهر رئيس الملائكة وبشرهم ان القديسة حنة ستحبل وتلد طفلة. نحتفل جبرائيل لهم بهذا العيد يوم ٧ مسرى )حوالي أغسطس(. ١٣ فحبلت القديسة حنة وولدت القديسة الطاهرة العذراء مريم في مدينة الناصرة. ونحتفل بهذا العيد يوم ١ بشنس )حوالي ٩ مايو(. بلغت الثالثة من عمرها. خلال هذه الفترة تعلمت عاشت العذراء مريم مع والديها حتى: من والديها كيف تصلي وتحب الرب من كل قلبها. الثالثة من عمرها اخذها والديها الى عندما بلغت العذراء مريم: الهيكل نذرا الى الرب قبل ولادتها. نحتفل بهذا كما في أورشليم العيد يوم ٣ كيهك )حوالي بر(. ١٢ ديسم عاشت القديسة الطاهرة العذراء مريم في الهيكل حتى بلغت الثانية عشر من عمرها. خلال هذه الفترة كانت الملائكة تطعمها. وكانت هي في اتضاع تخدم الجميع. وعندما ن الذي سيرعاها لأنه كان لا بلغت الثانية عشر من عمرها اجتمعوا الكهنة ليتشاوروا م أحد الى ذهبت ت البنتفي الهيكل بعد هذا السن ولكن كانت ان يبقوا يجوز للبنا. فجمعوا ١٢ عصا من اقاربها وصلوا. فاذا بعصا يوسف النجار تفرخ االأقارب ليرعاه فعلموا ان الرب يريد العذراء ان تمكث في بيت القديس يوسف النجار. ظهر لها مريم تصلي القديسةفي يوم عندما كانت العذراء و ابنا ويدعى جبرائيل واعلمها انها سوف تحبل وتلد الملائكة رئيس يسوع. واعلمها ان الطفل واعلمها ايضا رئيس الملائكة هو ابن الله الذي سيخلص العالم. جبرائيل ان نسيبتها اليصابات حبلى بالقديس يوحنا المعمدان. وتحتفل الكنيسة بهذا العيد يوم ٢٩ برمهات )حوالي ٧ أبريل(.

15 Page 15 نت به انه ابن عندما كبر الرب يسوع وابتدأ خدمته تبعته القديسة العذراء مريم وام يسوع. مريم معجزة عرس قانا الجليل وتشفعت عنهم امام الربالله. وحضرت العذراء ثم عاشت العذراء مريم وذهبت الى الصليب مع القديس يوحنا الرسول ورأت الدفن. رهم.يفي بيت القديس يوحنا واعانت الرسل في تبش متياس الرسول الرسل في اليوم الخمسين ذهب بعد حلول الروح القدس على واودعه في السجن. فأتت اليه في غلاطية. فغضب الوالي عليه ليبشر في برطس العذراء مريم وصلت خارج السجن وفجأة انحل كل شيئ مصنوع من الحديد في المدينة كلها. وتحتفل الكنيسة بهذا العيد يوم ٢١ بؤونة )حوالي ٢٨ يونية(. في يوم نياحتها كانت العذراء تصلي وطلبت ان ترى جميع الرسل والتلاميذ. فأتوا الجميع لرؤيتها قبل نياحتها مع عدا القديس توما. فأخذوا الجميع جسدها ليدفنوها في جثسيماني. وفي الطريق اعترضهم رجل يهودي ومد يديه ليلقي بالصندوق الذي لله وانفصلت يديه عن جسده فصار يصرخ ويسأل به جسدها على الارض فعاقبه ا الله ان يرحمه بشفاعة القديسة العذراء مريم. فسأله القديس بطرس ان يؤمن بالرب يسوع وقداسة العذراء مريم فأمن. وفي الحال رجعت يديه الى جسده وعاد صحيحا. اما عن ئكه يحملون جسد القديس توما الرسول فكان عائدا من التبشير في الهند فرأى ملا القديسة العذراء مريم الى السماء. فسأل العذراء مريم ان تعطيه شيئا ليريه للرسل كدليل انه رأها وهي تصعد الى السماء. فأعطته الزنار الذي لها. وعندما عاد القديس توما الى اورشليم سأل الرسل عن السيدة العذراء مريم. فأعلموه انها تنيحت ومكان دفنها. فذهب الجميع الى القبر ولم يجدوا جسد السيدة ىب ان يروفطل العذراء. فقال لهم القديس توما انه رأى جسدها وهو صاعد الى السماء وانها اعطته الزنار الذي لها واراهم اياه. فصام الجميع ١٥ يوم الى الله ليريهم جسد السيدة العذراء مريم وهو يصعد الى السماء. ولهذا سطس الى ٢١ قبل عيد صعود السيدة العذراء مريم. وتنيحت امنا نصوم من ٧ أغ العذراء وهي في عمر الستين عاما. وتحتفل الكنيسة بنياحتها في اليوم ٢١ من طوبة )حوالي ٣٠ يناير( وبصعود جسدها الطاهر في يوم ١٦ من مسرى )حوالي ٢٢ أغسطس(. ة الارثوذكسية بتذكار السيدة العذراء مريم من ٢١ من كل تحتفل الكنيسة القبطي : شهر قبطي. وفي في اماكن عديدة حول العالم. القديسة العذراء مريم ظهرت اليوم العذراء فوق قباب عام ١٩٦٨ ظهرت السيدة الثاني من ابريل في الزيتون كنيستها الذين رأوا نكثيرين مو.هدوا عن ظهورتهافي مصر. فرأها اناس كثيرون وش من الامراض بسبب ايمانهم. والذين لم يؤمنوا بالله من قبل امنوا بعد شفواظهورها ان رأوا ظهورها واقتربوا الى الكنيسة. ونحتفل بهذا العيد في اليوم ٢٤ من شهر برمهات )حوالي ٢ أبريل(.

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Theotokos LIFE ON EARTH

Theotokos LIFE ON EARTH 26 26 18 26 26 Theotokos As a title for the Virgin Mary means Mother of God was recognized by the Orthodox church at the 3 rd Ecumenical Council held at Ephesus in 431. It is from the Greek term theos