St. George. Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church W. 14th Street, Cleveland OH Venerable Maximos the Confessor

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1 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church 2587 W. 14th Street, Cleveland OH Venerable Maximos the Confessor Serving the Orthodox Christian Community of Greater Cleveland

2 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America His Grace Bishop Anthony, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of The Midwest V. Rev Father John Ojaimi, Pastor Archdeacon Yarid Sahley Office: (216) Fax: (216) Pastor's Cellular: (440) Pastor s frjojaimi@msn.com Sunday January 21, 2018 Tone 8/ Eothinon 11 Thirty-second Sunday after Pentecost & Fifteenth Sunday of Luke Venerable Maximos the Confessor Martyr Neophytos of Nicaea; Venerable Zosimas, Bishop of Syracuse in Sicily; Venerable Maximos the Greek of Russia WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS We are glad you are worshiping with us today. There are Service Books in the pews. Orthodox Christians must be prepared for Holy Communion through Confession, Fasting, Prayer and by being at peace with others. Please seek and give forgiveness before receiving Holy Communion. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, please join us for coffee hour in the Parish Hall. t ½Êà The mission of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church Is to serve God and the community by commitment to the Gospel s command to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ through faith, hope, and love. It is a parish of the Self Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. The Orthodox Church follows the faith and practice of the apostles and disciples of Christ handed down by the ancient Christian fathers and twenty centuries of Church tradition. Genuine Christian life nurtures and stimulates our spiritual and moral development. The liturgical life of the Orthodox Church has been developing over the last 2000 years. By taking part in the mysteries of Christ s life, death and resurrection at the liturgical services, the community members are drawn to repentance and the gradual change of their inner selves. To join the community of St. George or to find out more information, please fill out the Guest Book in the Narthex. We hope this day will be spiritually rewarding for you. Fr John will be happy to answer any questions. Join us in the hall after Liturgy for our Coffee Hour and Fellowship.

3 Coffee Hour is offered in memory of Asma Zaboura & Vera Zaboura by Joe & Muntaha Elias Candles are offered for the Health, Safety & Spiritual Welfare of: Mark George & Family, Olivia, Domenica & Alayna by Anthony George Liz Alex Popadiuk by Aunt Bev George Liz Alex Popadiuk by (friend) Pat Mehnert Bob Mourad by the Hayek Family Family & Friends by George & Joie Haddad Candles are offered in Beloved Memory of: Minor & Alsace George by Anthony George Michel Hayek by the Hayek Family My Beloved, Mother Mary, Father Abraham, Brothers Emile and James, Sitteh Zaineh & Uncle Kaiser by Emilie L. Easa Wadia Ameen by his wife Mary & Family Edward Haddad by his wife Edward Fadel by his wife & family for the sick, sufferings, shut-ins, needy, homeless, victims of disasters, war and violence in the whole universe. Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, How can this man give us His flesh to eat? So Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:52-54 With fear of God, faith And love draw near. Come to Church, Jesus loves you, we love you we are waiting for you. UPCOMING DIVINE SERVICES Sunday January 28, 2018 Matins 9:30 am, Divine am Confessions will be heard on Sundays Morning before Liturgy starts or by appointment. Sign up and take your turn in offering a Coffee Hour. Pick a birthday, memorial, anniversary etc.. or just a day that no one has sponsored.

4 Divine Liturgy Variables on Sunday January 21, 2018 Tone 8/ Eothinon 11; Thirty-second Sunday after Pentecost & Fifteenth Sunday of Luke Venerable Maximos the Confessor Martyr Neophytos of Nicaea; Venerable Zosimas, Bishop of Syracuse in Sicily; Venerable Maximos the Greek of Russia

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6 RESERVE THESE DATES ON YOUR CALENDER ^ƵŶĚĂLJ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ Ϭϰ ϮϬϭϴ zžƶő ĚƵůƚ WƌĞ s ĂůĞŶƟŶĞ Ɛ ĂLJ ŚŽĐŽůĂƚĞ Žǀ ĞƌĞĚ ^ĂůĞ Sunday Feb. 11, 2018 Meat Fare Sunday Celebration Buffet Home made food by our Ladies.

7 Our Venerable Father Maximos the Confessor (662) Maximos was born to a noble family in Constantinople in 580. (But, according to a recently-discovered account, he may have been born in Palestine.) He showed uncommon piety and depth of theological understanding from an early age, and wrote some of the Church's most profound theological works. He became the chief secretary of the Emperor Heraclius and his grandson Constans. But when the Monothelite heresy took hold in the royal court, Maximos could not bear to be surrounded by this error and left for the Monastery at Chrysopolis, where he later became abbot. From the monastery, he battled Monothelitism in homilies and treatises that exercised a considerable influence; so much so that the Emperor Constans ordered him either to accept Monothelite belief or keep silence. Maximos refused to do either, and he was arrested. His tongue was torn out, his right hand cut off, and he was sentenced to exile. He died of his wounds and torments while still in prison awaiting deportation, at the age of eighty-two, in the year 662. The Great Horologion comments that "at that time only he and his few disciples were Orthodox in the East." Nonetheless, his lonely and costly stand, whose fruit he did not see in his own lifetime, preserved the Orthodox Faith when emperors and patriarchs alike had fallen away. Saint Maximos' right hand is venerated today at the Monastery of St Paul on Mt Athos. "If we expect our children and grandchildren to grow into adulthood as Practicing Orthodox Christians, We must give daily witness to the importance of our faith in our everyday life. If we are lax in our fasting, church attendance, and piety, our children will see by our lack of seriousness a faith that will mean nothing to them. If they do not see us keeping a prayer rule, they will not have prayer as a part of their lives. If they do not see us putting the divine services before entertainment, they will abandon Orthodoxy, once they ve left the nest." Abbot Tryphon

8 HE TRIODION PERIOD OF THE YEAR 2018 The Triodion Period is the period of time in our Orthodox Liturgical year that encompasses 3 segments of time, that of the Pre-Lenten cycle, of Great Lent itself and of Holy Week. (The word Triodion literally means 3 odes referring to a series of hymns that are sung, but also applying to the 3 segments of time and the associated observances in each of these time segments.) The Triodion Period begins on the 4th Sunday before Great Lent, usually in February or early March, In 2018, it begins Sunday January 28 During this period, the following occurs: 1. A book, called The Triodion, is used in the church services. There are special hymns and readings assigned to the service. This book is used throughout the Pre-Lenten period, through all of Lent, and through Holy Week, up to Holy Saturday night. 2. There is a special service known as The Saturday of Souls (Memorial Saturdays) that are observed in which we commemorate and remember our departed relatives. Two of these services are held during the Pre-Lenten Period, and one more is celebrated on the First Saturday of Lent. 3. Each of the four Sundays of the Pre-Lenten Period have special themes and Bible Readings. Each Sunday initiates the week. Certain observances occur on certain weeks. These are: A. Week of Publican & Pharisee (in 2018 January 28) Sunday Readings are: 2nd Timothy 3:10-15 & Luke 18:9-14 Theme is: Humility and the correct observance of the teachings of God, observing without pride, and without looking down upon others. We are called to see ourselves as we truly are and compare ourselves to Christ s teachings. Observance of the Week: a. No fasting during this week (not even on Wed or Fri), in preparation for the more strict 40-day fast period B. Week of the Prodigal Son (in 2018 February 04) Sunday Readings are: 1st Corinthians 6:12-20 & Luke 15:11-32 Theme is: Return and forgiveness to someone who has done wrong; we should not rub it in to someone who is trying to correct their mistakes. We are called to come to ourselves as did the prodigal to see if we also may be far from the Father s house and if so, make movement to return. Observance of the Week: a. Wednesday and Friday are a fast day b. Saturday is the First Memorial Saturday C. Week of - Meat Fare Day (in 2018 February 11) Sundays Readings are: 1st Corinthians 8:8-9:2 & Matthew 25:31-46 Theme is: The Last Judgment of Christ when He returns to the earth again; what will happen to mankind and what is expected of mankind. We are called to see Christ in every human being and serve those in need by doing for them, not simply intending to do, but actually doing to bring Christ s embrace to them.

9 Observance of the Week: a. It is Meat Fare day, in which we eat meat for the last time until Easter. All other foods are eaten, Sat except for meat. Mon- b. Saturday is the Second Memorial Saturday D. Forgiveness Sunday - Cheese Fare - First Week of Lent (in 2018 February 14) Sunday Scripture Readings: Romans 13:11-14:4 & Matthew 6:14-21 Theme is: Forgiveness of each other of sins and offenses. Personal renewal with mankind (with each other), so as to prepare for the personal renewal with God during Great Lent. A sub-theme is: that of Adam s exile from paradise. We are to identify ourselves with Adam, lamenting our loss of the beauty, dignity and delight of our original creation, mourning our corruption in sin. Observance of the Day: a. Asking forgiveness of those whom we know we have offended and done wrong. In some parishes Forgiveness Vespers is offered in the evening. b. Eating dairy and cheese products to prepare for eating of pure foods the next day The Next Day - Pure Monday or Clean Monday, the first day of Great Lent. Special Lenten Services begin and continue throughout Lent. The 1st Saturday of Lent is the 3rd Memorial Saturday, also known as The Miracle of St. Theodore with the Wheat. Food fasting is strict, no meat, fish or dairy products; oil and wine are permitted on Sat & Sun. The same pattern is followed overall through Great Lent with certain exceptions based on calendar observances of particular major A QUICK REVIEW: The Triodion Period begins as a three week Period of Preparation for Lent (having 4 specific Sunday observances), that continues on through Great Lent with its own new series of Sunday observances and then includes as well Holy Week, that recounts the last days of Christ s life. The Triodion is also a book used during the period of preparation and also during Great Lent and Holy Week. During the three weeks of this first portion of the Triodion Period: 1. Various themes are presented to prepare us for the renewal, to get us thinking 2. We give special remembrance to those who have died. 3. We prepare our bodies and stomachs to fast by gradually beginning to fast more thoroughly from various foods during various weeks 4. We hear our Lord s teaching about the topic of forgiveness, fasting & treasures... (Matthew 6: 14-21) If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you; but if you do not forgive their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you, your trespasses. When you fast, anoint your head and wash your fast that your fasting may not be seen by men.. and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth & rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust consumes and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Total Cost: $ Donated: $ Balance: $21266

10 Does the Bible say that we need to attend church? Is it okay for a Christian to not attend church? With so many TV and Internet evangelists, can they replace the local church? Is the local church irrelevant in this modern day and age? Is church membership essential to one s walk in Christ and to a person s salvation? Who asked us to go to Church and why? Acts 20:7On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight. "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes" (I Corinthians 11:23-26). John 6:52At this, the Jews began to argue among themselves, How can this man give us His flesh to eat? 53So Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I tell you,unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Sonof Man, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 1 Corinthians 11:25In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup,you proclaim the Lord s death until He comes.27therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. What the Bible Says About Church Membership The writer of Hebrews clearly says that we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves as is the manner of some in Hebrews10:25: not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. In the previous verse (v 24) the writer says, And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Now it would be hard to spur one another on toward love and good deeds if we are sitting at home and watching a TV or Internet evangelist. Hebrews 13:7 is an impossible command for the Christian not assembling with the saints to follow since it says to Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. You cannot imitate what you do not see and you cannot remember church leaders if you never attend. Paul s Teaching on the Body of Christ (Church) Paul writes in Ephesians 4:11-12, So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Again, it is hard to build up the body of Christ if we are alone at home. If you read the entire New Testament, there is not one single lone-ranger Christian. You will always see the apostles mentioning the church in general. The epistles never, ever address single, solitary Christians about their walk in faith. Paul mentions the gifts of the Spirit in I Corinthians chapter 12 and includes a spirit of wisdom, knowledge, service and so on. The point is that these gifts are intended for the many different members of the church and if no one attends church they cannot use their gifts or the gifts of other Christian s minister to them.

11 The Teens Group Meets every Sunday after Church In The Teens Room If you re a Teen Join us For fun and Education ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN OF ST. GEORGE St. George s Men s Club Meets every First Sunday of the Month In The Yarid 7:00 pm Join us for Fellowship & Fun We will be having our next Meeting and Bible Study on Monday, Jan.22, :00 p.m. In Yarid Hall at the Church. God willing, see you there! St. George Orthodox Young Adult Ministy Thursday February 08, :30 pm St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church 2587 W.14th St. Cleveland.

12 What is Orthodoxy? First of all, Orthodoxy is right faith in God; it is that mighty power which makes each truly believing Orthodox Christian unwavering on the righteous and pious path of his life. To be Orthodox means to know correctly with the mind, to believe correctly with the heart, and to confess correctly with the lips all that God Himself has revealed to us about Himself, about the world and man, and about the tasks and aims of our life in the teaching on the attaining of our spiritual union with Him and our eternal salvation. Without such right faith, according to the word of the Apostle Paul, it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). Orthodoxy is not only right faith and a right confession of the fundamental truths and dogmas of the Church of Christ, but also a right and virtuous life, founded on an unshakable law: the fulfilling of God s commandments, the permeating of the heart with humility, meekness and love for one s neighbor, the rendering of help to the needy and unfortunate, and the serving of one s church. The Apostle James teaches: Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the future Judge of the whole world, promises to reward every man according to his works (Matt. 16:27). The Apostle Paul testifies that every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor (1Cor. 3:8). Here is the Orthodox point of view. Right faith must be expressed in deeds, and deeds must serve as a manifestation of faith. One must be closely united with the other indissolubly, like soul and body. This only, then, is the Orthodox, the correct way leading us to God. Orthodoxy is not only right faith and a life according to faith, but also correct service to God. Our Lord Jesus Christ expressed the essence of the right worship of God in these brief but profound words: God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Only the inspired divine service of the Holy Orthodox Church, which is permeated by prayer, has realized this sacred worship of God in truth. Moreover, Orthodoxy is strict proportionality and correctness in the manifestations of all the powers of soul and body. In Orthodoxy, a proper place is allotted to everything: to the intellect, to the wants and needs of the heart, to the manifestations of man s free will, to labor and prayer, to abstinence and watchfulness, in a word, to everything of which man s life consists.