Volume: 14 Issue: 8. March The

Transcription

1 Volume: 14 Issue: 8 March 2016 The Cathedral Messenger Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral 3400 Dawson Street Pittsburgh, PA Rev. Fr. Joshua Makoul, Dean Office: Fr. Joshua : Fx:

2 The Days in Between by Fr. Joshua Makoul The days in between the crucifixion and the resurrection must have been difficult ones for the disciples. A time of great fear and uncertainty. There is no doubt they must have wrestled with certain questions in an attempt to make sense of what they just experienced and were going through. What just happened? Why is this happening? This wasn t supposed to happen. Did God abandon us? Was it all true what Jesus said? Where is God? Is He there? Was it all just a farce? Evidence for these questions is that many of the disciples didn t believe the first reports of Jesus having risen from the dead. Nevertheless, despite struggling with these questions, the disciples still gathered together and sought comfort with each other. Despite an experience that shattered them they stayed together and patiently waited for a sign or word from God. There was another factor that brought them together during those days of great uncertainty and that was the presence of hope. When the first reports of Jesus being seen again began, the disciples were slow to believe. Surely they asked Could it be true, surely it can t be, or can it?. A great darkness had been over them since Jesus arrest and betrayal. Suddenly the first rays of light began to break through when they least expected it. There were rumors of Jesus having been seen and of an empty tomb. Could it be true? Could somehow this turn out okay? Maybe there can be more after this. Their experience of the crucifixion began to be seen through the light of the resurrection and had new meaning. Then soon after, everything began to make sense to them. The uncertainty became certainty, despair became hope, disbelief became faith, and they went forth with a renewed belief that there was a new day, a new time, and the rest became the birth of the Church. Indeed what seemed like the end became a new beginning. Truly many of us have had days such as the disciple s did during those dark days between the crucifixion and the resurrection. Perhaps it was an unexpected event in our life that caused us great fear and uncertainty. It could have been in the form of a loss, a sudden sickness, or some other trial or tribulation. A situation where we went through the same journey of questions that the disciples did. Where is God?, Did I do something wrong?. Did God abandon me?, Is it all true?. A time where all seems lost. Then suddenly, when we least expect it, there is a shift. After some time, those dark clouds in our life begin to break and the first rays of light shine though. Suddenly, very gently, there is the inkling that maybe everything will be okay, that maybe I can survive this, that there is a new day. That though things might not be the same as before, though we might not be the same as before, there is a new life and we have discovered parts of ourselves we didn t know were there. We rise from the experience a new person, a changed person, one with a greater faith and sense of purpose. What suddenly seemed like the end marks a new beginning. Truly we have our own days in between the crucifixion and the resurrection. We see that in our own lives we experience Christ s death and resurrection many times over. This is the manifestation of what we are taught at our baptism, that we die with Christ and we rise with Christ. We experience this many times over in our life with the hope that each time it will help us detach from this world and live to God. These experiences help train us for our own departure from this world by teaching us to let go and surrender when we experience our own powerlessness, just as Christ did on the cross. Truly Christ has not abandoned us during those dark days, quite the opposite, for He may be closer than ever. These experiences, those days in between, also help cleanse us of all of our unhealthy expectations of and misconceptions about our life in this world. We learn that God has a plan, that behind those dark storm clouds there are rays of light ready to burst forth when we least expect it. Even today, if we are outside on what has been a cloudy day, keep an eye out for those times when we see the sun s rays begin to peak through. What a beautiful moment. Let it be a reminder that for those going the way of the cross the following will always hold true: behind times of despair there will be hope, behind confusion there will be clarity, behind feeling alone there will be a presence, and behind very crucifixion in our life there will be Resurrection. God wouldn t have it any other way. We just have to trust Him. Cover PHoto: The tomb of Christ in the church of the Holy Sepluchre in Jerusalem

3 Family Night Hierarchical Liturgy January 9, 2016

4 A Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral retreat Healing the Soul 2016 Liturgical Schedule for St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral Speaker: Fr. Joshua Makoul Saturday, March 12, :30am to 4:30PM Lunch will be provided Dawson Street Pittsburgh, PA Call to rsvp or There is no fee for this retreat. This retreat is a one day retreat on: 1. How the emotional and spiritual life are intertwined. 2. how untended emotional wounds can hinder our spiritual growth 3. how to begin and journey through the process of healing emotional and spiritual wounds. 4. Gaining insight and what to do with that insight. 5. having Christ the physician of our souls and bodies as our constant companion in the healing process. 6. Incorporating this healing process into our prayer life 7. Learning to forgive and to love without fear Fr. Joshua has a Masters degree in counseling psychology and is licensed as a counselor. He worked in the counseling field for 15 years doing family therapy, school based counseling, and outpatient counseling. In this retreat he will combine what from the field of psychology is helpful for us as Orthodox Christians and the way of the Orthodox Christian spiritual life so that our emotional wounds do not hinder our spiritual growth. February 1, Monday: Feast of the Presentation of Christ into the Temple: Matins 6:00PM & Liturgy at 7:00PM March Great and Holy Lent: March 13, Sunday: Forgiveness Vespers 6:30PM March 14, Monday: Canon of St. Andrew 6:30PM (First Day of Lent) March 15, Tuesday: Canon of St. Andrew 6:30PM March 16, Wednesday: Presanctified (with meal following) 6:30PM March 17, Thursday: Canon of St. Andrew 6:30PM March 18, Friday: Akathist Service 6:30PM For remainder of Great and Holy Lent (the 2nd week and onward) the fixed schedule of services will be Mondays: Great Compline 6:30PM, Wednesdays: Presanctified Liturgy 6:30PM, and Fridays: Akathist Service 6:30PM. An exception will be the Feast of the Annunciation and the Canon of St. Andrew on the 5th week of Lent March 25, Friday: Feast of the Annunciation Matins 9:00AM & Liturgy 10:00AM April 3, Sunday: Lenten Vespers 4:00PM (Hosting Deanery Gathering) April 14, Thursday: Canon of St. Andrew 6:30PM. Great and Holy Week: April 23, Saturday: Lazarus Saturday Matins 8:30AM & Liturgy 9:30AM April 24, Sunday: Palm Sunday: Matins 9:15 & Liturgy 10:30AM Bridegroom Service 6:30PM April 25, Monday: Bridegroom Service 6:30PM April 26, Tuesday: Presanctified Liturgy 9:30AM Bridegroom Service 6:30PM April 27, Wednesday: Presanctified Liturgy 9:30AM Holy Unction Service 6:30PM April 28, Thursday: Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great 9:30AM Washing of the Feet 6:00PM 12 Passion Gospels Service 6:30PM April 29, Friday: Royal Hours 9:00AM Service of the Un-nailing 3:00PM Lamentations Service 6:30PM April 30, Saturday: Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great (Baptismal liturgy of Pascha) 9:00AM Rush Service 10:30PM followed by Orthros Paschal Liturgy 12:00AM May 1, Sunday: Agape Vespers 12:00PM (Noon) May 2, Bright Monday: Feast of St. George Matins 9:30AM & Liturgy 10:30AM May 4, Bright Wednesday: Agape Vespers 7:00PM

5 St. George Cathedral Applied Orthodox Spirituality class Fr. Thomas Hopko Memorial Series The 55 Maxims of Christian Living, Fr. Hopko s Death and Dying series, The Lenten Spring March 2 The Lenten Spring March 9 The Lenten Spring March 16 April 27- Presanctified Liturgy followed by Community Lenten Meal May 4 Bright Wednesday (class resumes May 11) May 11 Maxim 17: Cultivating communion with the saints. May 18 Being an ordinary person and being polite with everyone. (Maxim 18 & 19) May 25 Maxims on self-care (Maxims 20-22) June 1 Maxim 23: Living a day, and a part of a day, at a time. June 8 Maxim 24: Being totally honest, first of all, with yourself. June 15 Being faithful in little things. Doing your work, and then forgetting it. (Maxims 25 & 26) June 22 Doing the most difficult and painful things first. Facing reality. (Maxims 27 & 28) July 13 Being grateful in all things and being cheerful. (Maxims 29 & 30) July 27 Being simple, hidden, quiet and small. Never bringing attention to yourself. (Maxim 31 & 32) August 24 Listening when people talk to you. Being awake and be attentive. (Maxims 33 & 34) August 31 Thinking and talking about things no more than necessary. When we speak, speak simply, clearly, firmly and directly. (Maxims 35 & 36) September 7 Maxim 37: Fleeing imagination, analysis, figuring things out. September 14 Maxim 38: Fleeing carnal, sexual things at their first appearance. September 21 Maxim 39: On not complaining, mumbling, murmuring or whining. September 28 On not comparing ourselves with anyone. On not seeking or expecting praise or pity from anyone. (Maxims 40 & 41) October 5 Maxim 43: On not judging anyone for anything. October 12 On not trying to convince anyone of anything. On not defending or justifying yourself. (Maxims 43 & 44) October 19 Maxim 45: Being defined and bound by God alone. October 26 Accepting criticism gratefully but testing it critically. Giving advice to others only when asked or obligated to do so. (Maxims 46 & 47) November 2 Maxim 48: Doing nothing for anyone that they can and should do for themselves. November 9 Maxim 49: Having a daily schedule of activities, avoiding whim and caprice. November 16 Maxim 50: Being merciful with yourself and with others. November 30 Maxim 51: Having no expectations except to be fiercely tempted to your last breath. December 7 Maxim 52: Focusing exclusively on God and light, not on sin and darkness. December 14 Maxim 53: Enduring the trial of yourself and your own faults and sins peacefully, serenely, because you know that God s mercy is greater than your wretchedness. December 21 Maxim 54: On when we fall, getting up & immediately and starting over. December 28 Maxim 55: Getting help when we need it, without fear and without shame.

6 IN MEMORIUM The following Parish members will be remembered at the Divine Liturgy closest to the anniversary of their death. February 7, 2016: Catherine Roy-1994, Julia Jacob-2010, Charles J. Thomas-1983 Jebra Murray-1986, Sam Fayad-1960, Katherine Albert-1960, Joseph Farah-1966 Fannie Hazeem-1986, Elizabeth Kelly-1972, Rachel Mitchell-1979 Simon Thomas-1959, Daniel Solomon-1992, Kattour Saad-1998, Ann V. Salem-2006 Ralph Koury-1989, and Michael R. Aber February 14, 2016: John Zacker-1994, Anna Anthony-2011 Michael Abraham-1974, Lorraine S. Shogry-2000, Maria Michael-1959 Mary Essad-1999, and Sue David February 21, 2016: Samuel S. Nakles-1989, Azzizee Albert-1992 Robert Abe David-2000, Alice M. Benko-2000, Florence Wall-2009 Harry M. Hadad-1969, Joseph Khalil-1999, Anna Barakat-1957 Anna M. Jacobs-1975, Emily A. Heider-2002, Anthony George-1991 Joyce George Beachy-1981, Shaheen J. Shaheen-1978, Leo Namen-1982 George Nuemah-2014, and Richard Bazzy February 28, 2016: Josephine Nassar-1971, Ora Ann George-1991 John J. Hakim-1991, George Jacobs-2000, Charles N. Khoury-1959 Michael S. Bazari-1990 and Catherine George-1989, Naif Salem-1968 Adib Simaan-1988, Bernard Abraham-1988, Dolores David-2014 and Halem M. Joseph March 6, 2016: Marian Joseph-1995, Nick Henessay-1967, Hafeza Abraham-1973 John Albert-2000, Max Abraham-1958, George J. Albert-1961, Charles Khalil-1982 Afeefy Khorey-2002, Sally M. Potter-1955, Philip E. Nassar-1974 George Joseph-1996, Richard T. Esper, Sr.-2014, and Eugene Albert March 13, 2016: Nathaniel Albert-1944, Alex Eassa Deeb-1955 Bessima Hallow-1967, Jane N. David-1999, Mary C. Brown-1967 Artina Kelly-1967 and Khoureyee Takla Koury George M. Abraham-1985 and Mary A. (Hallie) Labash March 20, 2016: Katherine Moosa-1965, Adele Elias-1982 Helen Mitchell-1989, Sude Ferris Abraham-1990 Frank A. McIntyre-2004, Salamy Sabah-1971, Anne Aber-1996 Jennie Thomas Unikel-2011, Alice Salem Ayoob-1977 Anna Lesoon-1953, Philip Abraham-1994 and Nathaniel (Ninie) Zacour March 27, 2016: S.Z. Shehab-1958, Roger Esper-1983 Linda Mansour-1999, Julia Simonetti-1961, Joseph Kronstein-2000, Mary Henesey Solomon-1957, Edward Albert-1957, Marian Dagarian-1999 Richard J. Albert-2009, Ferrill Farah-2012, Robert N. Shogry-1971 and Tillie Moses The 2016 Stewardship packets were mailed out. We humbly ask that each of us take some time to review the information and prayerfully fill out their commitment card. If your card has been misplaced there are more in the narthex, or call the church office to have one mailed to you or one can simply call in their 2016 Commitment to Also one may cut out the commitment card printed on this page and use that one. Thank you and God Bless You! St. GeorGe AntiochiAn orthodox cathedral 3400 dawson Street = Pittsburgh, PA = Office: = Pledge for 2016 stewardship $ per Week/ Month (circle one) name date This pledge, which is my total commitment for the year, I may change or cancel anytime. Please help us to better communicate with you by updating your contact information on the back of this card. We would be very grateful. God bless you! Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth ~Deuteronomy 8:18 PLEASE NOTE: If anyone is sick at home, in the hospital, in distress, has any need or just needs to talk, please contact Fr. Demetrios at We want to meet all of your needs.

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 March Saturday 5: Chant Class-5:00pm Pot Luck- 6:00pm &Vespers-6:30pm Sunday 6: GENERAL PARISH MEETING Monday 7: Society of St. George noon Saturday 12: Healing the Soul One Day Retreat GREAT AND HOLY LENT: Sunday 13: Hockey Bash! & Pre-Lenten Carnival! 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM Forgiveness 6:30 PM Monday 14: Canon of St. 6:30 PM Parish Council Meeting following Service Tuesday 15: Canon of St. 6:30 PM Wednesday 16 Presanctified 6:30 PM Lenten Meal following service Thursday 17: Canon of St. 6:30 PM Friday 18: Akathist 6:30 PM Saturday 19 Chant Class 5:00pm, Pot Luck- 6:00pm &Vespers-6:30pm Sunday 20: SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY Antiochian Women Meeting and SOYO Meeting Monday 21: Great 6:30 PM Wednesday 23: Presanctified 6:30 PM Lenten Meal following service Friday 25: Feast of the Annunciation Matins 9:00AM & Liturgy 10:00 AM Sunday 27: Fellowship of St. John the Divine Meeting Monday 28: Great 6:30 PM Wednesday 30: Presanctified 6:30 PM Lenten Meal following service