MAY 05, Sunday of Great and All-Holy Pascha سايدراو يدرعلن يطدراألاسي. Paschal Sunday Service

Transcription

1 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church سينيكيدرألا ةيألاطلألن سيدقرواسنكيدقلا ةسينك / 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 in vite 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. MAY 05, 2013 Sunday of Great and All-Holy Pascha سايدراو يدرعلن يطدراألاسي Paschal Sunday Service Rush Procession 10:00 PM Paschal Divine Liturgy 12:00 AM Epistle: Christopher Al-Dehneh. Ushers: Nahed Khouri, Fotios Tsoukalas, Dr. Raed Aldouri, Yani Payides. Salma Isaac, Allan Borschow, Lon Silagi, Jamie Isaac. Altar Boys: All are encouraged and welcome to serve. THE EISODIKON (ENTRANCE HYMN) OF THE FEAST In the congregations bless God the Lord, from the springs of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead, who sing to Thee: Alleluia. PASCHAL APOLYTIKION (TONE FIVE) Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life! (ONCE) HYPAKOE OF PASCHA (TONE FOUR) They who were with Mary came before the dawn, found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher, and heard the angels say unto them: Why seek ye Him as man with the dead, Who dwells in light eternal? Behold the grave wrappings; make haste and declare to the world that the Lord is risen, and hath caused death to die; for He is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind. KONTAKION OF PASCHA (TONE EIGHT) O Immortal One, when Thou didst descend into the tomb, Thou didst destroy the power of Hades; and Thou didst rise victorious, O Christ God. Thou hast said to the ointment bearing women: Rejoice! And Thou gavest peace to Thy Disciples, O Bestower of Resurrection to those Who had fallen. THE ANTI-TRISAGION HYMN As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia. (THRICE)

2 دراين يقام!يييييييييييييييييييسألايقام!ي ي ARABIC: AL-MASEEH QAM! Haqqan Qam! English: CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! GREEK: CHRISTOS ANESTI! ALITHOS ANESTI! RUSSIAN KRISTOS VOSKRESE! VOISTINU VOSKRESE! SPANISH CHRISTO HA RESUCITADO! EN VERDAD HA RSUCITADO! Mchiha aka ; Aramaic Armenian ʽAminjjate aka Christos haryav i mérélotz ; orhnyal é haroutiounen Christossi Hungarian Krisztus feltàmadott ; valóban feltàmadott Indian (Malayalam) Christu uyirthezhunnettu! Theerchayayum uyirthezhunnettu

3 THE EPISTLE This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad therein! O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endureth forever. The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles. (1:1-8) In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles whom He had chosen. To them He presented Himself alive after His passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them He charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, You heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit. So when they had come together, they asked Him, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them, It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. THE GOSPEL The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (1:1-17) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world knew Him not. He came to His own home, and His own people received Him not. But to all who received Him, who believed in His Name, He gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to Him, and cried, This was He of Whom I said, He Who comes after me ranks before me, for He was before me. ) And from His fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

4

5 Holy Bread will be offered by: Fr. George, Kh. Mageda, Lilian & Christopher: For our good health & happiness. In thanking God for his abundant blessings to us. Praying for peace, safety & good health for all the people in Syria. Wishing all St. George Clergy & their families & all Parishioners a Blessed & happy PASCHA. Michel & Antwanette Shaghoury: For Their good health & the good health of their children Randa, Samer & William. And in honor of Samer s graduation. God grant them many years. DONATIONS Salma Isaac: Happy anniversary & good health Ned & Wilda Abraham. Jean-Marc Salloum: God grant peace & health to all St. George Parishioners. Mitchell & Georgette Abraham: For the good health of Dalal Young. Mitchell & Georgette Abraham: For the good health of Jamie Isaac. Salah & Nada Al-Hanna: For the health of Nizar Al-Hanna. In Memory of Michael Salloum In Memory of Suhaila Khouri Bryan & Annette Haddad Bryan & Annette Haddad In Memory of Julian Borschow Mitchell & Georgette Abraham Nahed & Marie Khouri In Memory of Urania De Salinas (Yani Payides s Sister) Nahed & Marie Khouri Dr. Raed & Sylvana Aldouri Good Friday Donations Eddie & Eva Mowad Salma Isaac & family Yousuf & Hend Odeh Rose Beard Jamal & Hana Sayegh Yani & Susana Payides Mother Church Donations Lon Silagi Yani & Susana Payides Rose Beard Mary Nebhan Jamie Isaac Yousuf & Hend Odeh Allen & Patricia Borschow Salma Isaac Michel Davis Sr. David & Dalal Young Milad & Laurice Farah Eddie & Eva Mowad Skee Rizk T. S. & Alexandra McComas Virginia Aziz PASCHA Flowers Donations Jamal & Hana Sayegh Yani & Susana Payides Nahed & Marie Khouri Annette Haddad: For the health of Bryan Haddad. Donations For Palms, Oil and Easter Flowers are accepted through the Paschal season. Your donations are made for the health of your family and/or in Memory of your beloved departed family members. God bless you all

6 With God's mercy JOHN X Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East To my brethren, the Shepherds of the Holy Church of Antioch and my children throughout the Holy and Apostolic See I address you today, at the end of Great Lent and the beginning of Holy Week, and at a time when we are being surrounded by much pain and suffering. Throughout our Antiochian lands, dangers threaten our homes, and political conflicts storm our countries. As a result, man's livelihood, dwelling, and even life are at risk. We are tried every day by death or abduction, and our latest plight is the recent kidnapping of our beloved brothers, Bishop Paul Yazigi, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, Iskenderun and dependencies, and Bishop John Ibrahim, Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, and the killing of the Deacon who was accompanying them. I share the pain felt by a large number of believers in our Church as a result of these difficult circumstances. I strive with my brothers, the members of the Holy Synod, to lessen the impact of these conditions on our faithful and all citizens. This is an essential part of our Christian witness. We, however, refuse to accept what man is undergoing today. We are working in that our rejection of this situation reflects the tenets of our beliefs. We reject this situation and condemn it. Since we are the children of the Resurrection, we are not afraid of whoever takes violence as a way to achieve his purpose. To be killed, or kidnapped, or to have our institutions destroyed, will not change our resolve to uphold

7 our civil life and our coexistence; to cling to our homeland and to seek the reign of justice and rights in our homelands. Therefore, each and every one of us, whether in the Antiochian motherlands or abroad, is invited to express his concern and personal rejection of the recent course of events, aside from any political realignment. Humanity is the object of Christianity, for our Lord was incarnated for our salvation. I take this opportunity to extend, on your behalf, in the motherlands and abroad, an appeal to the international community, urging it to do everything it can toward the release of hostages whose absence affects us deeply. The speedy closure of this issue is extremely important in order to avert the risk of terrible consequences that would follow. Our appeal also includes an urgent call for action in order to find a quick solution to the situation in our beloved Syria; for the salvation of the people who are the descendants of an outstanding human civilization of thousands of years, and in order to prevent the risky consequences that could affect the entire region. My beloved children, As we are entering the time of the Holy Passion and Resurrection of our Lord, I invite you to reveal the unity of our Church who fervently gathers Her flock in all that is right and just. In this time, let us exceptionally intensify our prayers and supplications. Just as our Lord was not afraid to walk on the path of Calvary; in the same way we are invited to walk with Him along this path, being fully aware that by the Cross we shall conquer, because the Lord is risen from the dead and He will raise us with Him. Let us intensify our petitions as a living testimony, asking God to remove all injustice, praying for the quick return of our abducted hierarchs to their beloved ones, for the comfort of the bereaved, and for the deterrence of those people with cruel hearts, so that they may be inspired to refrain from harming their fellow human beings. Therefore, I call on everyone, faithful and clergy, to approach Palm Sunday with a new spirit, remembering the passion of our Lord and connecting it with what we are living in today. Let the Resurrection occur in every human heart, as the Lord has raised Lazarus from the dead. Let us work to have Christ triumphantly enter into the world's heart through our service and ministry, as He entered victoriously to Jerusalem. Let our processions be this year with candles tied with black ribbons, chanting the hymn: "To Thee O Champion Leader..." instead of the hymn "Rejoice O Bethany..." asking the Virgin Mary to keep our Church as a fortified city. I urge you to pray throughout this Holy Week with a broken spirit, being aware that in our trials, we have God as our refuge. God will not overlook His little flock. May love, service, and courage be the gateway to the joy of the Resurrection, a joy that cannot be taken away. Issued at our Patriarchal Residence in the Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand, on April 27, 2013

8 Support for Abducted Syrian Hierarchs Updated April 29: The Archdiocese encourages all of her members to show their continuing support for kidnapped archbishops Paul and John of Aleppo, first and foremost through heartfelt prayer. We also encourage people to sign and promote the online petition available here at the website of the White House, calling for United States government action on behalf of the abducted metropolitans. Please use the petition at this link. Support and attention for Archbishop Paul and Archbishop John continues to grow. The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America has published their joint letter to US Secretary of State John Kerry here. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has published Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's call for the release of the archbishops. The Russian Orthodox Church has published several statements, including the patriarchal message from Patriarch Kirill to Patriarch John X available here. Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church prayed for the release of the metropolitans, as announced here. The Archdiocese is grateful for these and all other ongoing efforts for the sake of Archbishop Paul and Archbishop John, and all our brothers and sisters suffering in the region.

9

10 دراين يقام!ييييييييييييييييييييييييييييييييييسألايقام!ي CHRIST IS RISEN! INDEED, HE IS RISEN! Dear Beloved St. George Brothers and Sisters in the merciful Christ: With great joy, I greet every one of you on this Holy and Blessed day of our Lord s PASCHA, His defeat of death and sin, and His Glorious Resurrection from the grave for our salvation. Pascha is the dawn of the Age to Come, the Kingdom of God radiating into our souls and minds and hearts. Pascha is the experience of salvation itself, the foretaste of the HEAVENLY Banquet, and the transformation of our lives. In Pascha we behold Christ, Risen from the dead, the revelation of the Second Coming. The Great and loving God set every one of us free and has given us all everlasting life and a great mercy. On this FEAST OF LIGHTS, we praise, thank and glorify the Risen Lord who has endured all pains to cloth all of us with the splendor of incorruptibility. This is the time of reconciliation and fixing our deeds with family and Church members because this is the only way that we can say to each other Christ is Risen! On behalf of myself, Kh. Mageda, LiLian & Christopher; we wish you all with your families a Blessed, peaceful and healthy PASCHA. Unto Christ our God who is Risen from the dead, be Glory, honor and dominion unto the ages of ages. Amen. With the warmest and peaceful PASCHAL Wishes and love in the Risen Jesus Christ to all my beloved St. George Clergy and their families. Your Servant in the Risen Lord Fr. George & Family

11

12 Holy Week: An Explanation Great Lent and Holy Week are two separate fasts, and two separate celebrations. Great Lent ends on Friday of the fifth week (the day before Lazarus Saturday). Holy Week begins immediately thereafter. Let's explore the meaning of each of the solemn days of Passion Week. Lazarus Saturday: Lazarus Saturday is the day which begins Holy Week. It commemorates the raising of our Lord's friend Lazarus, who had been in the tomb four days. This act confirmed the universal resurrection from the dead that all of us will experience at our Lord's Second Coming. This miracle led many to faith, but it also led to the chief Priest's and Pharisees' decision to kill Jesus (John 11:47-57). Palm Sunday (The Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem): Our Lord enters Jerusalem and is proclaimed king - but in an earthly sense, as many people of His time were seeking a political Messiah. Our Lord is King, of course, but of a different type - the eternal King prophesied by Zechariah the Prophet. We use palms on this day to show that we too accept Jesus as the true King and Messiah of the Jews, Who we are willing to follow - even to the cross. Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: The first thing that must be said about these services, and most of the other services of Holy Week, is that they are "sung" in anticipation. Each service is rotated ahead twelve hours. The evening service, therefore, is actually the service of the next morning, while the morning services of Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday are actually the services of the coming evening. Understanding that, let's turn to the Services of Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (celebrated Palm Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evening). The services of these days are known as the Bridegroom or Nymphios Orthros Services. At the first service of Palm Sunday evening, the Priest carries the icon of Christ the Bridegroom in procession, and we sing the "Hymn of the Bridegroom." We behold Christ as the Bridegroom of the Church, bearing the marks of His suffering, yet preparing a marriage Feast for us in God's Kingdom. Each of these Bridegroom Orthros services has a particular theme. On Holy Monday, the Blessed Joseph, the son of Jacob the Patriarch, is commemorated. Joseph is often seen as a Type of Christ. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, thrown into a pit, and sold into slavery by them. In the same way, our Lord was rejected, betrayed by His own, and sold into the slavery of death. The Gospel reading for the day is about the barren fig tree, which Christ cursed and withered because it bore no fruit. The fig tree is a parable of those who have heard God's word, but who fall to bear the fruit of obedience. Originally the withering of the fig tree was a testimony against those Jews who rejected God's word and His Messiah. However, it is also a warning to all people, in all times, of the importance of not only hearing the God's word, but putting it into action. The Parable of the ten virgins is read on Holy Tuesday. It tells the story of the five virgins who filled their lamps in preparation for receiving the bridegroom while the other five allowed their lamps to go out, and hence were shut out of the marriage feast. This Parable is a warning that we must always be prepared to receive our Lord when He comes again. The theme of the day is reinforced by the expostelarion hymn we sing: "I see Thy Bridal Chamber adorned, O my Savior, but have no wedding garment that I may enter. O Giver of Light, enlighten the vesture of my soul, and save me." The theme of Holy Wednesday is repentance and forgiveness. We remember the sinful woman, Kassiane, who anointed our Lord in anticipation of His death. Her repentance and love of Christ is

13 theme of the wonderful "Hymn of Kassiane" which is chanted on this night, reminding us one more time, before "it is too late," that we too may be forgiven if we repent. Holy Unction: The Mystery or Sacrament of Holy Unction is celebrated on Holy Wednesday evening. Actually this service can be celebrated any lime during the year, especially when one is ill. However, because of our need for forgiveness and spiritual healing, we offer this service during Holy Week for the remission of our sins. We should prepare for this service in a prayerful way, as we do for Holy Communion. Great and Holy Thursday: On Holy Thursday we turn to the last events of our Lord and His Passion. Thursday morning begins with a Vesperal Divine Liturgy commemorating the Mystical Supper. As previously mentioned, this is actually Holy Thursday evening's service celebrated in the morning in anticipation. Everyone who is able should make an effort to receive Holy Communion at this service as it was at the Mystical Supper that our Lord instituted the Holy Eucharist. At this Liturgy a second Host is consecrated and kept in the Tabernacle. It is from this Host that Holy Communion is distributed to the shut-ins and the sick throughout the coming year. Thursday evening: actually begins the services of Great and Holy Friday. The service of the Twelve Passion Gospels commemorates the solemn time of our Lord's Crucifixion. After the reading of the fifth Gospel, the Holy Cross is carried around the Church in procession, and Christ's body is nailed to the cross in the center of the Church. Great and Holy Friday: This is a day of strict fast. As little as possible should be eaten on this day. It is the only day in the entire year that no Divine Liturgy of any kind can be celebrated. In the morning we celebrate the Royal Hours. These solemn hours are observed as we read the various accounts and hymns concerning the crucifixion. In the afternoon we celebrate the Vesper service of the taking down of Christ's body from the cross. During the Gospel reading, our Lord's body is taken off the cross and wrapped in a new, white linen sheet. This act commemorates the removal of Christ's body from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38-42). Later in the service, the Epitaphios, or winding-sheet, with Christ's body on it is carried in procession and placed in the recently decorated tomb. In the evening the lamentations Orthros service is sung. This service begins in a solemn manner, but by the end of the service we are already anticipating the Resurrection of our Lord. Remember again, that the Holy Friday evening Orthros is actually the first service of Holy Saturday, the day in which we commemorate our Lord's body resting in the tomb while His all-pure soul descends into Hades to free the faithful of the Old Covenant. Great and Holy Saturday: This day is a day of hope and waiting. In the morning we celebrate a Vesperal Divine Liturgy which commemorates Christ's victory over death, Bright vestments are worn as we anticipate Christ's Resurrection. Laurel leaves are strewn throughout the Church during the service, because in the ancient world laurel leaves were a sign of victory. As the leaves are strewn, the choir chants "Arise O God and Judge the earth, for to Thee belong all the nations." The Old Testament story of Jonah in the belly of the whale is read at this service because Jonah is seen in the Church as a Type of Christ. As Jonah was three days in the belly of the great fish, and was then safely deposited back onto land, so our Lord was three days in the tomb before His glorious Resurrection. The Vesperal Divine Liturgy of Holy Saturday concludes the services of Holy Week, and brings us to the eve of Great and Holy Pascha.

14

15 EASTER BREAKFAST Hosted by: St. George Parish Council Immediately Following the Holy PASCHAL Divine Liturgy, May 5th, 2013 Everyone is cordially invited to Celebrate the Holy Resurrection together as a one family in the Lord. Agape Vespers Service Do you read in a foreign Language? Would you like to read the GOSPEL in your mother Language? You will be able to at AGAPE VESPERS which will be celebrated on PASCHA, Sunday, May 5th, 2013 at 1:00 PM. Please make sure to call Fr. George to reserve your turn.

16 TIPS FOR A BLESSED HOLY WEEK AND PASCHA 1. Make participation at the Services a top priority. 2. In our homes we should strive to keep out the world and enter into the peace, solemnity, and theology of the events of the last days of our Lord. 3. Be sure to read the last chapters of the Holy Gospels that speak of the Passion, Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ. 4. If you are visiting another parish and wish to receive Communion, make sure that the Priest knows who you are and that you are prepared. This should be done in advance by phone, , or any other way. 5. Palms should be placed outside in an area to decay where they will not be disturbed. They are holy and should not be simply thrown out with the garbage. 6. Before venerating Holy Objects, such as the Cross, the Chalice or Icons, make sure to wipe off your lipstick or chap stick. Reminder: we do not kiss the face of our Lord, His Mother, or the Saints instead kiss the hands or feet. 7. If you haven t yet made your Confession during Great Lent, try to make it during the beginning of Holy Week. 8. Try to make amends with those we may be upset with or those who are upset with us, so that on PASCHA we can joyfully sing, Let us call brothers, even those that hate us, and forgive all by the Resurrection! (Paschal Canon) 9. Try to stay after the Midnight Service on PASCHA morning for the blessing of baskets and festive meal. Let us share in the joy of the Lord s Resurrection with fellowship and love. 10. During Bright Week, instead of your normal morning and evening prayers. Let the joy of praising the Lord s Resurrection accompany you throughout Bright Week, the Paschal season, and your whole life. Please Remember in Prayer All the Sick and suffering of our Beloved St. George Church family members. The Paschal Greeting During the forty days of Pascha, Orthodox Christians greet one an-other with the words, Christ is risen! They likewise respond with the words, Indeed He is risen! And to show that the Good News of the Resurrection is for all of mankind, we often exclaim the Paschal Greeting in many different languages. Bright Week Is the week immediately following PASCHA. During this week, we do not fast, even on Wednesday or Friday, as we celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord among us.

17 THE DATE OF PASCHA According to the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, 325, PASCHA is to be celebrated on the first Sunday, following the full moon after the vernal equinox. The significance of this day is as follows. The vernal equinox not only marks the beginning of spring for us in the northern hemisphere, but it is also the time when every place on earth is directly touched by the light of the sun and there are twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of night. While the sun lightens one half of the earth during the day, the full moon lightens the other half by night. The Sunday following this astronomical phenomenon is the brightest Sunday of the year the Sunday of Great and HOLY PASCHA. This astronomical phenomenon is a cosmic image of how Christ unites both the spiritual and physical worlds in the most resplendent day of His Resurrection. Throughout the hymnology of PASCHA, this reality is pro-claimed. In the Paschal Canon, we sing: Now all is filled with light: heaven and earth and the lower regions. Let all creation celebrate the rising of Christ in Whom we are established! In Genesis we read how God on the first day created light and separated the light from the darkness; the light He called day and the darkness He called night. When Christ rose from the dead on Sunday, the first day of the week, He inaugurated a new creation, a new era, in which He would give to the world the never-waning Light of His Resurrection. The Gospel reading for the PASCHA Liturgy proclaims this mystery. THE SACRED MUSIC INSTITUTE, a project of our Archdiocesan Department of Sacred Music, is sponsoring a YOUTH MUSIC MINISTRY PROGRAM for the second year, July 10th-14th at the Antiochian Village. Please encourage your teens between the ages of 14 and 18 who love to sing and love the music of the Church to apply (application attached hereto). Our St Raphael Clergy Brotherhood has once again made a contribution to the YMM scholarship fund. Questions about the YMM program? Contact our Diocesan Choir Director CHRIS FARHA of St George Cathedral/Wichita, KS at chrisfarha@cox.net May the Lord Bless! Those who during Great Lent and Holy Week assisted in many things which needed to be done (cleaning, chanting, serving, decorating, cooking, etc). Your labors, time, and offerings are greatly appreciated!

18 Thank You To all the ladies and gentlemen who helped with the Kibbeh on Thursday, April 25, 2013; and to all the ladies who brought food. God bless you & your families. Many Thanks To George & Mary Esther Salom for donating battery operated candles to be used during the Holy Week. God grant you many years. The St. George Church School will not have classes on Easter Sunday, May 5, Classes will resume as usual on Sunday, May 12, EASTER EGG HUNT The Teens and all children to join us on Easter Sunday at Mission Hills Park for an Easter egg hunt. The Easter egg hunt will be held on May 5th, 2013 at 10:00 AM. Please bring your own bas- kets and everyone is encouraged to come and participate. Thank you all for your continuous support, may God grant you and your families a blessed PASCHA and many healthy years in the Lord. Christopher Al-Dehneh MAY FESTIVAL FINAL MEETING WILL BE ON TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013 AT 7:00 PM IN THE HALL. ALL WORKERS, COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND TEENS PLEASE ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT MEETING. ST. GEORGE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE MAY DINNER TICKETS & EXPENSES We need you to turn in your receipts and money for the tickets that you have bought or sold by Monday, May 6, Thank You HOLY FRIDAY TEEN SOYO ALL NIGHT VIGIL When: Friday, April 3rd, Time: After Lamentations till next morning. Bring: Parent permission slip and a Lenten dish to share for dinner before the Vigil. Contact: Jeanette Salloum & Noel Shaheen. MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO GIVE THEIR 3 T S TO ST. GEORGE CHURCH

19 Cabbage Rolls for May Festival We need your cooked cabbage rolls as always for the Festival. If any one would like to donate a pot or two. Please Call the Church Thank you & God bless you Cabbage Donations Lon Silagi Skee Rizk Mahassen Salloum Samira Raheb Jamell Bettor The Bake Table For the Festival To All St. George Parishioner, please start baking & preparing your sweets for the bake table (No Graibeh). Containers are available as always for your convenience. Thank you and God bless you. With your generosity, the bake table is becoming very rich. Bake Table Donations Lana Ulrich Many Thanks To Laila Ferris for offering the Holy Bread for all Wednesday s Pre-sanctified Divine Liturgy Services for the health of her family. God Grant her many years. Fasting: Great Lent is a traditional time of fasting in the Orthodox Church. Fasting and abstinence are important parts of our spiritual preparation. Even if you do not fast any other time of the year, you should make every effort to participate in this time self denial and spiritual growth. Attending the Services: Every Orthodox Christian should attend as many of the Lenten services as possible. Great Lent only comes once a year. Our participation is a small thing in consideration of what our Lord has done for us. Almsgiving: During Great Lent, we put aside alms for poor and needy people throughout the world as we give to the Food For Hungry People Program, International Orthodox Christian Charities, or the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. Let us not forget to give our alms during this important time of the year. CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES St. George Ladies Society would like to honor our sons & daughters, who are graduating this year from the El Paso high schools. They are: 1- Christopher Al-Dehneh from Franklin high school. 2- Colette M. Khouri from Coronado high school. 3- Kristen Madison from El Paso high. 4- Ashley Dayoub from Coronado high school. St. George Church family is proud of each one of you and we all pray that your future in college will brings you all God s blessings, mercy and success for a bright future. Many thanks to the Ladies Society for their beautiful gesture towards this gift. May God bless you and your family

20 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church of El Paso, Texas Edward Abraham Scholarship Application The Edward Abraham scholarship was established by the approval of the Parish Council in memory of our beloved brother Edward Abraham. May his memory be eternal. The amount of $1,000 has been donated to the Edward Abraham Scholarship fund. Awarded scholarships will receive an equal distribution from this allocated amount. The scholarship will be awarded each year to local high school graduates pursuing a bachelor s degree. If there are no high school candidates, the scholarship will be redirected to college students pursuing a bachelor s degree only. All applications will be reviewed and approved by the Edward Abraham Scholarship Committee. Applications must be received prior to or by May 31, 2013 to be considered by the committee. No applications will be accepted after this date. Scholarship requirements: 1- Must be a member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church of El Paso and be in good standing. 2- Must be involved in Sunday School and have a 90% attendance record for the school year. 3- Must be an active member of the Teens Organization and show participation in their sponsored projects, and have a 90% attendance record for the year. 4- Altar boy servers must have a 90% attendance record for the year. 5- Must submit an essay stating educational goals and objectives. Applications must be submitted to Fr. George by the stated application deadline. CONDOLENCES Our Sympathy goes to Yani & Susana Payides on the departing to the Lord of their beloved Urania De Salinas (Yani s Sister) in Juarez, Mexico on Friday, April 26, May her Memory be Eternal and may our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ who is Resurrected from the dead grant Yani, Susana and their Children many healthy and faithful years in the merciful Lord. ALL ST. GEORGE PARISHIONERS Please make a note that there will be NO Trisagion / Memorials said on the following Sundays: Palm Sunday April 28, PASCHA MAY 05 & Thomas Sunday MAY 12, Thank You

21 Edward Abraham Application Name: Last First Middle Current Address: Street City State Zip Phone: ( ) High School graduation Grade Point Average (GPA): Signature of High School Registrar College Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA): (Only required for college students. Unofficial transcript must accompany scholarship application. Must maintain a minimum of 3.00 cumulative GPA or higher) College Major: College Minor: Degree: College Classification: Total College Hours Completed: Expected Graduation Date from College: Please list any scholarships, awards, honors you have received for this upcoming year: Community Service: Extracurricular Activities: I certify that the information on this application is correct to the best of my knowledge. Print Name Applicant s Signature Date To be completed by the Edward Abraham Scholarship Committee: Date Application Received: Amount Awarded: Date:

22 May Dinner Sponsors The May Dinner committee Members would like to thank all the following who sponsored the different booths. May the Lord God grant them all with their families many years of health. They are as follows: Esau Halow Entertainment Booth Drs. Hassan & Maha Salloum Entertainment Booth CMD Endeavors, Inc. Entertainment Booth Tropicana Homes Advertisement Sponsor Handumy Tahan Bake Table Sponsor George & Mary Esther Salom Gyro Booth Sponsor Adib & Helen Dayoub Falafel Booth Sponsor Ramsey & Wafaa Esper Tabouleh Booth Sponsor Bryan & Annette Haddad Beverages Sponsor George Farah (The Law Offices of Guerra and Farah, PPLC) Falafel Booth Sponsor Gilbert Sr. & Haifa Malooly & Family Baklawa Sundae Booth Sponsor Matthew & Shannon Elias Festival General Sponsor Habib & Mahassen Salloum Festival General Sponsor Elegant Penguin Enterprises Festival General Sponsor Dr. Raed & Sylvana Aldouri Festival General Sponsor Hirby Pest Control (Rose Beard) Festival General Sponsor Salloum Law Firm PC Beverages Sponsor May Dinner Donations The May Dinner committee Members would like to thank all the following who Donated money and materials to cut the cost of the May Dinner Expenses. May the Lord God grant them all with their families many years of health. They are as follows: Salma Isaac Lon Silagi Omar & Anne Thomas Salma & Eddie Farah Albert & Jameelie Dayoub Sami & Antoinette Esper Mahassen Salloum & Salma Farah Alan Malooly Paul Zacour Edward Elias Mitchell & Georgette Abraham Susan E. Assi IMPORTANT DATES Holy Wednesday (Holy Unction): May 01, Holy Thursday: May 02, Holy Friday: May 03, Holy Saturday: May 04, Holy and Great PASCHA: MAY 05, To sign up to work for the May Festival; please contact Patricia Borschow: May 18, 2013: Times: 11:30-2:30 2:30- to 5:30 & 5:30-Close May 19, 2013: 11:30-2:30 2:30- to 5:30 & 5:30-8:00

23 ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH 120 NORTH FESTIVAL DRIVE EL PASO, TX PH Dear Family and Friends of St. George: It is with great pleasure that we offer the St. George May Dinner and Festival, "Feast in the Middle East", as a venue through which to share our faith, culture, service, love and unity to our El Paso community. The "Feast in the Middle East" will take place on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, 2013 at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church at 120 N. Festival Drive (Mesa & Festival). This year's Festival offers a new way for you to share in this great tradition as a sponsor of this great event. The sponsors will be recognized with signs for all who enter to see clearly. The proceeds from this great event will not only support our Church Community, but also the El Paso community through several activities throughout the year including our traditional Annual Senior Citizen Dinner in December of each year, during which we host a dinner, music, dance and gifts for over 500 senior citizens who reside in assisted living homes through the El Paso Housing Authority. Many other charitable events to support such as The Child Crisis Center, The Teen Runaway Center, The Rescue Mission, to name a few; the partnership with the Anapra Community Center through which food, clothing and toys are purchased to support families in need. Our Church through the different organizations is helping in sending our children to the different Diocesan camps, Teen SOYO Special Olympics, Retired Clergy Allowance, Annual Parish Life Conferences, Archdiocese National Conventions, Project Mexico, International Orthodox Christian Charity (IOCC) to help Disaster Areas, Mission and Evangelism, Orphanages' Assistance, Married Seminarian Assistance, Orthodox Youth Coalition Initiative, OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship) College Campus Outreach, OCPM (Orthodox Christian Prison Ministries) and St. Jude Children's Research Project. If you would like to sponsor and support our Annual May Dinner and Festival, please fill out the attached form and return it to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church with your generous contribution attached. Your name or organization's name will be posted at the designated sponsored booth. A letter of appreciation will also be sent to you for your generous contribution. Once again, we thank you for your support whether it is through a sponsorship, attendance or both. Please do not hesitate to contact us at (915) Sincerely, St. George Church May Dinner and Festival Committee

24 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church Annual May Dinner and Festival "Feast in the Middle East" May 18 and 19, 2013 Sponsor Request Form I would like to contribute to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church's Annual May Dinner and Festival as a sponsor for the event. Sponsor's Name: Purchaser's Name: (if different from sponsor's) Name: Address: Phone Number: Entertainment Sponsor $ 2,000 Advertisement Sponsor $ 1,000 Meat Booth Sponsor $ 1,000 Bake Table Sponsor $ 1,000 Mediterranean Booth Sponsor $ 1,000 Gyro Booth Sponsor $ 500 Falafel Booth Sponsor $ 500 Tabouleh / Hummous Booth Sponsor $ 500 Beverages Sponsor $ 500 A'Taif Booth Sponsor $ 500 Baklawa Sundae Booth Sponsor $ 500 Festival General Sponsor $ 300 Total Amount Contributed $ with Check # enclosed. Please Make Checks Payable to St. George Church earmarked "May Dinner and Festival Sponsor".

25 DATE SERVICE TIME Monday, April 29, 2013 HOLY MONDAY Second Bridegroom Service 6:00 PM Tuesday, April 30, 2013 HOLY TUESDAY Third Bridegroom Service 6:00 PM Wednesday, May 01, 2013 HOLY WEDNESDAY Service of the Holy Sacrament Of Holy Unction 6:00 PM Thursday, May 02, 2013 HOLY THURSDAY Great and Holy Thursday - Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great Service of the Twelve Passion Gospels 10:00 AM 6:00 PM Friday, May 03, 2013 HOLY FRIDAY Great and Holy Friday - Service of the Taking Down From the Cross Service of the Lamentations - Followed by All-Night VIGIL 3:00 PM 6:00 PM Saturday, May 04, 2013 HOLY SATURDAY Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. BASIL the Great. Rush Procession and Orthros Followed by the Paschal Divine Liturgy. 10:00 AM 10:00 PM Sunday, May 05, 2013 Great and Holy Pascha - Agape Vespers Service 1:00 PM CHRIST IS RISEN HAVE A BLESSED PASCHA

26 MAY FESTIVAL It is that time of year again as we plan for our Annual May Dinner and Festival. It will be held on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, Your help is needed in many ways. --Pre-Sale tickets are an important part of our fund raising for this event. Please support this effort by selling tickets given to you or purchasing them. If you need any tickets, please contact The Church Of The Bake table items are the most popular of the Festival. Please join us as we have few bake sessions Or feel free to bake at home for the bake table. If you wish to donate baked goods, please contact Jeanette Zacour or the Church office. --In order to help reduce our expenses, your donations, either in needed items or monetary donations, Is very much appreciated. If you wish to donate to the Festival, please contact Fr. George or the Church Treasurer, Jeanette Salloum. --Help is always needed during the set-up of the Festival and during the Festival. If you would like to work during any of these days, please contact Patricia Your help is always appreciated as we all work for our beloved St. George Church. (One Church.one family). Thank you Altar Boys All Altar Boys must be at Church prepared and ready to serve at least 30 minutes before the start of each Holy Service. Attendance will be taken. God Bless all of you and your families. All the Divine services are more complete with the presence of Alter Boys and the support of their parents. St. George Church Sunday School God keep you all for many years. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS WHO WERE PRESENT AT THIS PAST SUNDAY S CHURCH SCHOOL SESSION: Pre-School: Grades Kinder/1: Emma Isaac, Kendall Olivas. Grades 2/3: Sami Odeh, James Isaac. Grades 4/5: Joseph Odeh, Rylee Isaac, Zoe Tsoukalas. Grades 6/7: James Shaheen, Johnny Odeh, Luke Tsoukalas, Angela Al-Hanna. Grades 8-12+: Christopher Al-Dehneh, William Shaghoury, Michelle Shaheen, Colette Khouri, Christian Khouri, David Dayoub, George Haddad, Jonathan Jarjour, Sarah Daioub, Ashly Daioub, Kristen Madsen. Parish Council Monthly Meeting WEDNESDAY, May 09, 7:00 P.M. IN THE CONFERNCE ROOM.

27 MAY 2013 (GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA IS MAY 05, 2013) SUNDAY ORTHROS 9:20 AM Followed by the DIVINE LITURGY 10:30 AM SUN MON TUES WED THU FRI SAT GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY (HOLY UNCTION) GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY (12 PASSION GOSPELS) GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY GREAT AND HO- LY SATURDAY 5 GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA 12 THOMAS SUNDAY 19 SUNDAY OF THE MYRRH-BEARING WOMEN MAY DINNER & FESTIVAL 26 SUNDAY OF THE PARALYTIC 6 FAST FREE 7 FAST FREE 8 EVENING DIVINE LITURGY FOR ST. 6:00 PM (OUR PATRON SAINT) 9 PARISH COUNCIL MONTHLY 7:00 PM FAST FREE 10 FAST FREE 11 FAST FREE CONSTANTINE AND HELEN, EQUAL-TO-THE APOSTLES MAY DINNER & FESTIVAL MID- PENTECOST To request a Dome Lighting, please contact Bill or Nada or The donation is $ per lighting Bulletin Deadline is 12:00 PM To offer refreshments for any Sunday please call Fr. George or the For Pastoral Emergencies, or to notify the Clergy of ill or hospitalized parishioners, please call: Fr. George Al-Dehneh: Fr. Jehad Michael: Fr. Bob Bethoney: