SAINT GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL

Transcription

1 April/May CATHEDRAL MESSENGER Volume:15 Issue:4 SAINT GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 3400 Dawson Street Pittsburgh, PA Rev. Fr. Joshua Makoul, Dean Office: Fr. Joshua : Fx:

2 Keeping the Empty Tomb in our Hearts and Turning our Crosses into Victory by Father Joshua Makoul AVING COMPLETED HOLY WEEK AND PASCHA, WE WERE H ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE TRANSITION FROM THE LONG, DARKER SERVICES OF HOLY THURSDAY AND HOLY FRIDAY TO THE BRIGHTER AND JOYFUL SERVICES OF HOLY SATURDAY, PASCHA, AND BRIGHT WEEK. FOR MANY, HAVING LABORED THROUGH LENT AND HOLY WEEK, THIS TRANSITION TO JOY, HOPE, AND RELIEF IS AN EMOTIONAL OCCASION AND REMINDER OF MANY THINGS. INDEED, THIS TRANSITION THAT THE CHURCH HAS GIVEN US TO EXPE- RIENCE HAS FAR MORE MEANING FOR OUR OWN LIFE THAN WE MIGHT REALIZE. IT IS A REMINDER THAT IN THE END GOD IS ALWAYS TRIUM- PHANT AND VICTORIOUS. IT MEANS THAT IN THE END EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY. IT MEANS THAT THIS WORLD WILL NEVER HAVE THE FINAL SAY. IT MEANS THAT BEHIND EVERY CROSS IS A POTENTIAL NEW LIFE WAIT- ING TO BE HAD, BEHIND EVERY STRUGGLE IS GOD S PROMISE TO WIPE EVERY TEAR FROM OUR EYE, THAT BEHIND EVERY MOMENT OF DESPAIR OR STRUGGLE IS HOPE AND JOY WAITING TO BREAK FORTH, THAT BEHIND EVERY HURT THERE IS HEALING, AND THAT BEHIND EVERY CRUCIFIXION WE ENDURE THERE IS A RESURRECTION WAITING TO OCCUR. Behold the barren cross where Jesus suffered and died is now covered in white flowers and ivy and adorned with a triumphant floral wreath. The symbol of suffering has become the new tree of life. There is a great gift and mystery revealed in this transition for those who are open to receiving it. We are called to transform our own crosses of struggle and suffering that we bear in this life into victorious crosses of hope, joy, and new life. Jesus has revealed the path that we are to take for this transformation to occur. We all have, will have, or have had crosses to bear in this life. Perhaps some trial or tribulation or an experience where we were hurt or betrayed by someone else. If we just respond correctly to and work through these crosses in the way Christ showed us, they too can be transformed into the life giving and triumphant cross that we see in church now. We look at the cross now so adorned and we reflect at what a struggle had occurred at that place but now it is a place of peace and a reminder of God s promise. This needs to happen with our own crosses. As the time drew near for Jesus to head to Jerusalem, where He knew what awaited Him, His fear and trepidation grew. However, he remained obedient to the Father and did not try to turn away or avoid what awaited Him. He trusted and forged on though experiencing fear and anxiety. Jesus knew and trusted that any suffering that laid ahead would be wiped out and ended by the joy and power of what followed. We remember when Jesus, at the last supper, used the analogy of childbirth to illustrate what lied ahead for Him and us, that when the hour has come for the birth to occur we have sorrow due to the pain of labor, but once the child has been born, there is no more sorrow, only joy that a human being has been born. Jesus applied this to his impending crucifixion and resurrection. Even when Jesus prayed for Him to be spared the experience of the crucifixion he ended the prayer with the words, not as I will, but as you will. He trusted, remained faithful, remained obedient, He prayed, He forgave, He did not lash out at others, He did not blame, He did not become bitter, He did not reenact what was done to Him on others (we can never be healed of our hurt so long as we are reenacting it on others), nor did He respond in any way that caused hurt or pain to others. * * *

3 In doing so He emerged from the cross having destroyed our spiritual deaths, repaired the relationship between God and man, and restored fallen humanity. The relief, joy, and resolution of all of our crosses will come whether while still in this life or in the next. As St. Paul said, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him. It cannot happen any other way so long as we follow the way Jesus taught us when we bear our own crosses. Indeed, all of the crosses and places of struggle in our own lives can be transformed into places where a great struggle had once occurred but is now a place of light, joy, reflection, peace, and hope no matter how great was the loss and struggle. Our hearts can become a place like the empty tomb, devoid of struggle, but filled with hope, trust, light, and Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him. Divine Liturgy with Metropolitan JOSEPH His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH spent Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 with us for Great Vespers on Saturday evening and Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning. It was a blessing to have him with us. Later in the day on Sunday His Eminence attended the IOCC Syrian Relief Banquet. April 9, 2017 God s love. If we maintain faith, maintain peace, forge on, not give into darkness and anger, persevere, pray, forgive, and do all the things Jesus did as he journeyed to Jerusalem and did on the cross, then we will emerge victorious from every struggle in our life and emerge a new person. If the cross was resolved while yet in this life then we will emerge a different person, better radiating the light, peace, love, and joy of Christ. If the cross or struggle is resolved in the next life, when we depart this world, then it will have been for our salvation and the ultimate new life. This is how good triumphs over evil and how our crosses are transformed. In the gospel reading for the Paschal liturgy we hear the words from the Gospel of John, In Him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness could not overcome it. Remember the beautiful and moving words sung when we come to take the paschal light on Easter night, Come receive light from the light, that is never overtaken by night, come glorify Christ risen from the dead. As long as we stay close to Christ and emulate Him we can never be defeated by any cross, struggle, or evil. As our Lord said at the last supper, These words I have spoken to you, that in Me you will have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. As the saying goes, there is no earthly pain or sorrow that heaven cannot heal. The path to victory over this life, this world, and over all of our pain, losses, and suffering lies with clinging onto Christ with blind trust and hope every moment of our life. The joy and hope of God s love and promise to us will always be there and be the final word. Every cross will be empty and a place of hope and peace. Every broken heart will be like the space of the empty tomb, filled with light and devoid of pain and sorrow. God wouldn t have it any other way.

4 Holy Week Highlights Good Friday. Decorating the Bier and the Lamentations Lazarus Saturday and making Palm Crosses Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday Orthros and the Paschal Liturgy

5 Christ Is Risen St. George Day Banquet and Hafli The St. George banquet and Hafli took place on Sunday evening, April 23rd at the Sheraton at Station Square. It was a beautiful evening with 300 people. The community honored Dcn. Ned Trbovich for his 20 years as a Deacon and Dc. Andrew Cross for his 10 years as a deacon. The church presented each with a fine new set of embroidered vestments. History of Patriarchal Sees Seminar Series ~Presented by Subdeacon Michael Janakis~ Wednesday Nights following Vespers - 7:45 PM Sessions: 1. Rome 2. Constantinople 3. Alexandria 4. Antioch 5. Jerusalem 6. Moscow & Kiev 7. Extinct Sees East & West April 26 May 3 May 10 May 17 May 24 May 31 June 7 Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre The Heavenly Liturgy - Byzantine Baptismal pool - Tunisia, 6th C. Grave marker of 7 year old girl in Roman Catacombs A Guided Ministry project for the St. Stephen s Program Subdeacon Michael is a Research & Instruction Librarian at Duquesne University The Paschal Meal

6 IN MEMORIUM The following Parish members will be remembered at the Divine Liturgy closest to the anniversary of their death. DEPARTED ANNIVERSARIES: MAY April 2, 2017: Anna (Agnes) Hanna-1965, Edward M. Hadad-1987, Louis Salem, Sr.-1962, Joseph G. Farah-1966, Hanna George-1982, Clyde Robinson-1970, Susan Myers-1996, Baby, Mason Joseph Lyons-2006, Flora Deep-2016, Jennie Davis-1966, Nicholas A. Simon-1990, Samuel G. Eddy-1979, Ann Joseph-2000, and Rahme Joseph April 9, 2017: Nizha Abraham-1987, Mary B. Williams-2001, Very Reverend Meletios Koury-1966, William David-1974, Marie Esper-1987, Theresa Belenis-2008, Jacob Esper-1955, Susie Khalil-1955, Mary Ann George-1993, Samuel Esper-1966, Mike Esper-1969, Samuel Deep-1999, and Rose Sims April 16, 2017: Jane Bryan-1989, Max Baraket-1953, Donna Jean Bobin-1976, Edward G. Nassar-1974, Michael A. Hanna-1983, Josephine Jacobs-1973, Henrietta Esper-2007, and Harry Mershed Joseph April 23, 2017: Lamia Haddad-1962, Anna Agnes Hanna-1965, George Abraham-1960, Easa S. Khalil-1967, Martha E. Joseph-1975, Philip E. Roy, Jr.-1995, Fred G. Simon-2002, Abraham M. Jacobs-2010, Mary B. Eassa-1983, Dolores Jacobs 2009, Regina Sieg-1971, Doctor Shakir T. Ilyas-1976, and Kamel Sabeh April 30, 2017: Fred J. Albert-1985, Albert Hazeem, Jr.-2010, Nadia Esper Khalil-1968, Julio J. Giangarlo-2009, Mikhaber Khalil-1978, Albert Ellis-1991, Charles Kelly-1965, Elias Nassar-1971, Tamer Esper-1956, Charles Salem-1959, and Archpriest Samuel David May 7, 2017: Irene Riston Williams-1991, Lawrence D. David-2014, Susan F. George-2004, Jouhaina Dayoub-2016, and Rose Elias-1971, and Baby Meghan Elizabeth Bish May 14, 2017: Naman Nassar-1984, Robert M. Essay-1986, Salem Green-2015, Albert Bryan-1979, William G. Joseph-2004, Roujina K. Ilyas-2009, Faiad Labad-2013, Rade Vukas-1991, Ethel Albert-1994, Ronald Shaheen, 2011, Emily (Labebe) Bazari-1979, Dolores M. Neuman May 21, 2017: Rose Abraham-1981, Catherine Salem-1970, Mike Mansour-1962, Fedwa Esper-1984, Haseeb Esper-1992, Sophia Nakles-2008, Antony Thomas-1961, George Abraham-1960, Bolomia H. Asa-1959, Philip F. Roy, Sr.-1997, and Khouria Joanne Abdalah May 28, 2017: John Solomon-1974, Michael P. Roy-1986, Fred Shehab-1988, Agnes Ayoub-1969, William Abraham-1959, Anna Zacker-1963, John Solomon Boseres-1967, Celima Tamer-1972, Sarah Jane Deep-2010, Murshed M. George-1975, Albert C. Hazeme, Sr.-1978, Harry J. Khalil, Sr.-2011, Samuel Brown-1963, and Stella Davis CHURCH ACTIVITY NOTES The St. George Men s Ministry completed the four week Lionheart Session series. Those who attended found it to be thought provoking, insight provoking, and also cathartic in being able to open up with peers of the same faith. Noah Papas is leading the Men s Ministry. The St. George Annual Picnic will take place on Sunday, June 11 just after church at the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion. Please join us! The St. George Mom s Ministry met on Friday, May 5th for Orthros (9:30AM) and a brunch in the hall. Planning and defining the ministry took place during the brunch. Please see Kristen Catanese for more information on this ministry. The Lifetime Adult Senior Ministry (L.A.M.) will be having an outing on Monday, May 22 to tour St. Anthony s Chapel in Troy Hill. The group will be leaving the Cathedral at 11:30AM. The Tour begins at 12:00PM. A $5 donation is needed for entrance. Lunch plans will follow! Please see Carol Labad for more information or questions. The St. George Children s Ministry will be having a field trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo on Saturday June 10 at 11:00AM. Please see Maria Terezis for more information or questions. The long awaited Patriarchal Sees series has started on Wednesday evenings. Please the flyer for upcoming classes. Come and learn about your spiritual roots and the ancient church. Subdeacon Michael Janakis is the presenter. The next St. George Parish Family Night will be on Friday, June 16 at 6:00PM. Dinner will be served until 7:30. There will be activities for the kids and a talk upstairs in the church after the meal or people can choose to stay in the hall and enjoy each other s company. The next Children s Ministry Choir practice is Saturday, May 20 at 5:30PM. It is followed by a potluck supper. Come and let your children learn the music of our church and the Byzantine Empire. Please see Amy Hogg for more information or questions. The Antiochian Women prepared meals for the parish on Holy Friday morning, Holy Friday afternoon, and Holy Saturday Morning. It was a true diakonia (service). They helped keep us nourished during the later stages of Holy Week. Thank you! The Society of St. George s gifts to the church have arrived and have beautified the church. The new burgundy altar table vestment cover, the white cover, new chrism anointing brush, artoklasia (5 loaves) stand, and new hand censer are all gifts from the Society of St. George. The Antiochian Women will be having a Mother s Day retreat at the Holy Transfiguration Monastery on Saturday, May 13. Please see Rula Koury for details. The Antiochian Women attended the Diocesan Antiochian Women s retreat at the Antiochian Village on the weekend of March 31. The Speaker was Fr. Joshua Makoul and the topic was Understanding Galatians 2:22: The lens through which we see our Life in this World. The Teen Soyo kept a vigil in the church overnight from Holy Friday night into Holy Saturday morning. They read scripture in the church, dyed Pascha eggs, and prepared 25 bowls of Bay leaves for the Holy Saturday morning liturgy. The Teen Soyo will be attending the Diocesan Soyo Spring Gathering on the weekend of May 19 at the Antiochian Village. The theme is the Life of St. John Maximovitch. The guest speaker is Fr. James Corazza from San Francisco who helps keep the Cathedral where St. John presided and lived. ST. GEORGE CATHEDRAL PARISH FAMILY NIGHT! FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017 Shrimp and Pasta dinner will begin at 6:00. There is no charge for this dinner. Activities for kids and a talk will follow dinner. This is an opportunity for us all to take a break from cooking and to come together as a family for a fun and faith filled evening as a community. SCHEDULE: 6:00 Evening begins 6:15 Shrimp and Pasta Dinner 7:30 Activity for children (in the hall) 7:00 Talk: Creating the Kingdom of God in our homes. For questions or more information please see: Fr. Joshua, Daria Adams, Kathy Hazeem or Maria Terezis Sunday, June 11 Rain or shine! Schenley Park Serving from 12:45 until 2:00 Games & fellowship all day Hot dogs, hamburgers, condiments, & bottled water* will be provided No alcoholic beverages, please! *please recycle all empty plastic bottles! Please bring a side dish, dessert, or snack to share! Donations are always appreciated...and don t forget to sign up for grilling duty!

7 ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 3400 DAWSON STREET PITTSBURGH, PA Return Service Requested Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Pittsburgh, PA Permit No. 822 DATES TO REMEMBER MAY 2017 Monday 1 Society of St. George Noon. Wednesday 3 7:00 pm CON- STANTINOPLE 7:45 pm, after Vespers Friday 5 Otrhros 9:30 am Saturday 6 6:30 pm Monday 8 Parish Council 6:30 pm Wednesday 10 7:00 pm ALEXANDRIA 7:45 pm, after Vespers Friday 12 Orthros 9:30 am Saturday 13 6:30 pm Sunday 14 SOYO Meeting Wednesday 17 7:00 pm ANTIOCH 7:45 pm, after Vespers Friday 19 Orthros 9:30 am Saturday 20 Children s Choir 5:00 pm Practice followed by family potluck & Vespers 6:30 pm Sunday 21 LAST DAY OF CHURCH SCHOOL Antiochan Women Meeting Monday 22 Saint George LAM visit to St. Anthony Chapel in Troy Hill. Wednesday 24 7:00 pm JERUSALEM 7:45pm, after Vespers Friday 26 Orthros 9:30 am Saturday 27 6:30 pm Sunday 28 St. George Lighthouse Ministry Meeting Wednesday 31 7:00 pm MOSCOW & KIEV 7:45 pm, after Vespers