The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

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St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church سينيتيدرألذ ةيألاطلألن سيدقرواسنتيدقلا رسينت 915-584-9100 / 9101 www.stgeorge-elpaso.org Fax. 915-760-5547 REVEREND FATHER GEORGE M.

2 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church سينيتيدرألذ ةيألاطلألن سيدقرواسنتيدقلا رسينت / Fax REVEREND FATHER GEORGE M. AL-DEHNEH, PASTOR Very Reverend Father Jehad T. Michael, Pastor Emeritus Very Reverend Father Bob Bethoney, Attached. A warm welcome to our visitors and guests St. George is an Eastern Orthodox Church of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America We are glad to have you worshipping with us today. We minister to Orthodox Christians of all backgrounds. Holy Communion is a sign of our full unity of faith. Therefore, only Baptized and Confirmed Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through prayer and Sacramental Confession may partake of this Sacrament. However, all are welcome to partake of the Blessed Bread of Fellowship and receive a Priest blessing at the end of the Divine Liturgy. We also invite you to join us for light refreshments and coffee following the Service, where we will be happy to meet with you and answer any question you may have about the Orthodox Faith. DECEMBER 25, 2013 The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ** Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom ** Nativity (Christmas) Eve Service Matins 6:00 PM Followed by the Nativity Divine Liturgy Epistle: Nahed Khouri. Ushers: Kh. Mageda, Annette Haddad, Jamie Isaac, Rose Beard. Nahed Khouri, Mary Esther Salom, Bryan Haddad, Eva Mowad. Altar Boys: All are encouraged and welcome to serve. THE EISODIKON (ENTRANCE HYMN) OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST From the womb before the morning star have I begotten Thee. The Lord hath sworn, and He will not repent; thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Save us, O Son of God, Who wast born of a Virgin; who sing to Thee. Alleluia. APOLYTIKION OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST (TONE FOUR) Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn there from to worship Thee, O Sun of Justice, and to know that from the east of the Highest Thou didst come. O Lord, glory to Thee. KONTAKION OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST (TONE THREE) Today the Virgin giveth birth to the Transcendent in essence; the earth offereth the cave to the unapproachable One; the angels with the shepherds glorify Him; and the Magi with the star travel on their way; for a new child hath been born for our sakes, God before the ages. THE ANTI-TRISAGION HYMN (Sung in place of Holy God ) As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia. (THRICE)

3 THE EPISTLE Let all the earth worship Thee, and sing to Thee. Shout with joy to God, all the earth. The reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (4:4-7) Brethren, when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father! Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. THE GOSPEL The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (2:1-12) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him. When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, are by no means least among the rulers of Judea; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern My people Israel. Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found Him bring me word, that I too may come and worship Him. When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The Most Reverend Metropolitan PHILIP The Right Reverend Bishop BASIL Archbishop of New York Metropolitan of All North America Bishop of Wichita and the Diocese of Mid-America The Antiochian Orthodox

org * Email: BpBasil@aol.com The Nativity 2 0 1 3 The Bethlehemitissa Wonderworking Icon of Our Lady of Bethlehem in the south transept of the Church of the Nativity.

Christ-loving Faithful of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America: I embrace and greet you with a holy kiss in the Name of the Incarnate Christ.

5 The Most Reverend Metropolitan PHILIP The Right Reverend Bishop BASIL Archbishop of New York Metropolitan of All North America Bishop of Wichita and the Diocese of Mid-America The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese OF NORTH AMERICA Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America 1559 North Woodlawn Street * Wichita, KS USA Telephone (316) * Fax (316) Website: * BpBasil@aol.com The Nativity The Bethlehemitissa Wonderworking Icon of Our Lady of Bethlehem in the south transept of the Church of the Nativity. To the Right Reverend Archimandrites, the Very Reverend and Reverend Hieromonks and Presbyters, Hierodeacons, Archdeacons and Deacons and their families, the Venerable Monastics, and all the Christ-loving Faithful of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America: I embrace and greet you with a holy kiss in the Name of the Incarnate Christ. I send to each of you and your communities my paternal love, festal greetings and prayerful best wishes for the merriest of ا لمسيح ولد. born! Christmases and a peaceful, healthy and happy Christ is In Christ Jesus the Incarnate Word, the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. ACTS 11:26

6 درمينحيطرذيفمجذطهييييييييييسليعاميطأرتنيبخنر CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! Dear St. George Family: Greetings to you and your families in the name of our Merciful, Loving and Incarnate Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on this Blessed Nativity Feast. Christ took on flesh to call us home to Him. We are called to praise God from the depths of our beings. Let every twinkling light on every bush and window remind us that Christ is the Light that brings us from darkness into light. Every light can remind us of the Christ child who enlightens us with Divine truth. He is our light and our resurrection, the light of truth that will guide us from the manger to the empty tomb. This season of Christ's birth is ultimately the season of salvation. May the almighty God and the grace of the New Born Lord Jesus Christ grant each one of you and your families, Peace, Love and Forgiveness to each other. Have a blessed Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and a healthy and fruitful new year. May your lives be filled with joy and peace during this Holy season. Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, and good will among men In Christ Service The Rev. Fr. George, Kh. Mageda, LiLian & Christopher

8 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Arabic أألمليدرتهارييبمياسبتيدرمنالديطيحل لي درييتيدرجذ ذة Greek Russian Spanish Ukrainian Armenian (Eastern) Καλά Χριστούγεννα! (Kalá hristúyenna) Εστστισμένο το Νέο Έτος! (Eftyhisméno to Néo Étos!) Καλή τρονιά! (Kalí hroñá) С наступающим Новым Годом(S nastupayuščim Novym Godom) С Рождеством Христовым (S Roždestvom Khristovym) Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo! Веселого Різдва і з Новим Роком ՇՇՇՇՇՇՇՇՇ ՇՇՇՇՇՇ Շ ՇՇՇՇՇ ՇՇՇՇՇՇ Altar Christmas Eve Service All Altar boys, please be at the Church by 5:30 PM robed and prepared to serve. God bless you for your continued service. THE Will end on December 25, There will be no fasting (even on Wednesdays and Fridays) between the Nativity of the Lord through Saturday, January 4, St. George Church Parish Council Cordially invites you to join them on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2013 for Refreshments following The Nativity Divine Liturgy.

Remember that the Church operates on your donations only. We thank you all for continuing to support your St. George Church.

9 ALL ST. GEORGE PARISHIOENRS VERY IMPORTANT As the year is coming to an end and the Church is working on the 2014 Budget. We ask all parishioners who either have not pledged, or did not fulfill their pledges, may be forgot to pay the 10% Tithing for their families or the Archdiocese Dues; please do so. Remember that the Church operates on your donations only. We thank you all for continuing to support your St. George Church. May the Great God bless you and your families a hundred folds for thy great service to your One and Holy Orthodox Faith. The Nativity Fast This fast is divided into two periods: The First is November 15th through December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (No meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, fish, wine & Oil) is observed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; there is katalysis [Katalysis is Greek, meaning relaxation.] for wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and for fish, wine, and oil on Saturdays and Sundays. The Second is the period of the Forefeast, December 20th through 24th, when the traditional fasting discipline is observed Monday through Sunday, with katalysis for wine and oil on Saturday and Sunday. DONATION ENVELOPES FOR 2014 We ask all of you to use the Designated Offering Envelopes that is placed in the Vestibule for your donations starting January 01, Please pick up your Box (1 box for each active family). Using these envelopes will help the Church Treasurer in recognizing the purpose, date and amount of every Sunday collection. Please DO NOT pick up for somebody else. ARCHDIOCESE DUES FOR 2013 Thank You Please make sure to pay your family dues for the year 2013 (It is $ 35.00/ Baptized Soul). Our Church has to pay for the one s who consider themselves members but don't pay. Please make it a priority to pay before the end of December, Thank you & God bless you all

DECEMBER 2013 SUNDAY ORTHROS 9:20 SUN MON TUES WED THU FRI SAT 1 14th Sunday of Luke 2 3 4 Great Martyr Barbara John of Damascus 5 6 Nicholas the Wonder- Worker Archbishop of Myra 7 8 10th Sunday of

10 DECEMBER 2013 SUNDAY ORTHROS 9:20 SUN MON TUES WED THU FRI SAT 1 14th Sunday of Luke Great Martyr Barbara John of Damascus 5 6 Nicholas the Wonder- Worker Archbishop of Myra th Sunday of Luke 9 Conception of the Theotokos th Sunday of Luke Prophet Daniel Ignatius the God- Bearer Of Antioch Sunday before Nativity Eve of the Nativity of Christ Matins 6:00 PM Followed by the Divine Liturgy 25 The Nativity of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! Martyr Burned in Nicomedia 29 Sunday after Nativity HAPPY NEW 2014 To request a Dome Lighting, please contact Fr The donation is $ per lighting For Pastoral Emergencies, or to notify the Clergy of ill or hospitalized parishioners, please call: Rev. Fr. George Al-Dehneh: The Very Rev. Fr. Jehad Michael: MAY DINNER TICKETS & EXPENSES Please turn in your receipts and money for the tickets that you have bought or sold to the Church office ASAP. Thank you REMINDER Parishioners, please remember to use your COMMUNITY card at Albertsons, because we get 1% donation to the Church. (That is easy fundraising)

Festal Divine Liturgy Variables on December 25 The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great

Festal Divine Liturgy Variables on December 25 The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ** Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great ** FIRST ANTIPHON 1. I will confess Thee, O Lord, with my whole