St. George. Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. Great & Holy Pascha; Christ is risen, truly He is risen

Transcription

1 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church Great & Holy Pascha; Christ is risen, truly He is risen Serving the Orthodox Christian Community of Greater Cleveland

2 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church V. Rev Father John Ojaimi, Pastor Office: (216) Fax: (216) Cellular: (440) Archdeacon Yarid Sahley Subdeacon Sam Elias Pastor s frjojaimi@msn.com Parish office@stgeorgecleveland.com Sunday April 12, 2015 Great and Holy Pascha CHRIST IS RISEN! 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. WELCOME 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 Bread of Oblation is offered in memory of Odet (her mother), William Seoud Johnny (her brother), Victoria & Najib Issa (his parents) & George Hasrouni (brother-in-law) by Naim & Samia Issa Bread of Oblation is offered in memory of Ayoub Salem Harb, Hilda Harb Lisco, Jamil and Yasmine Harb by Nadia Harb and Family Candles are offered for the Health, Safety & Spiritual Welfare of: Naim & Samia Issa by Jimmy & Rana Issa George Haddad by Nijmeh Rafeedie Nagi Abdelkarin (Birthday Prayers) by His Family Olivia, Domenmica, Alayna by their father Antony Family & Friends by George & Joie Haddad Family & Friends by Hal & Louise Bouhasin Candles are offered in Beloved Memory of: John Alinati - Elias Shikany - Youssef, Hani, Violette, Mounir, & Elias Nader, Emily Chehade and Adeeb Farah by Samir & Clara Nader Minor & Alsace George by their son Antony 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 Prayers for the Health & Spiritual Welfare of our parishioners: Olivia Abdallah, Melissa Aboid, Evelyn Baldassari, Shirley Courey, Ann Deeb, Emilie Easa, James Eassey, Helena Elias, Dani Fadel, Minerva Gantose, Peter George, Odeh Hanna, Pauline Hanna, Samia Harb, Baby Alma Maria Issa, Corrine Khouri, Hanadi Khouri, Becky Magas, Joyce Nader, Kaukab Nader, Virginia Nader, Jennie Sadallah, Christopher Fadel-Samuel, Norma Shami, Alvera Shiekh, Christine Simon, Asma Zaboura. Rudy Zaboura. UPCOMING DIVINE SERVICES Sunday April 19, 2015 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 for Sunday of Great and All-Holy Pascha The Priest begins Divine Liturgy with Blessed is the Kingdom and the choir responds Amen. Bearing the Paschal Candle, the Priest then leads the singing of the Paschal Apolytikion and censes the Altar as follows: Priest: Choir: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death; and upon those in the tombs bestowing life! Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death; and upon those in the tombs bestowing life! (TWICE) Censing the west side of the Altar: Priest: Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from before His face. Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death; and upon those in the tombs, bestowing life! Censing the south side of the Altar: Priest: As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish; as wax melteth before the fire. (Refrain) Censing the east side of the Altar: Priest: So let sinners perish at the presence of God, and let the righteous be glad. (Refrain) Censing the north side of the Altar: Priest: This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad therein. (Refrain) Censing the Prothesis and the remainder of the Sanctuary: Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. (Refrain) Censing the Iconostasis from the Royal Doors: Priest: Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. (Refrain) The Priest completes the censing while singing: Priest: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death; and upon those in the tombs Choir: bestowing life! THE FIRST ANTIPHON Shout with joy to God, all the earth; sing to His Name, give glory to His praises. Refrain: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us. Say to God: How awesome are Thy works; let all the earth worship Thee, and sing to Thee. Let it sing a song to Thy Name, O Most High. (Refrain) Glory Both now (Refrain)

5 THE SECOND ANTIPHON May God have mercy upon us, and bless us, and may He cause His face to shine upon us, and have mercy upon us. Refrain: Save us, O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead; who sing to Thee. Alleluia. That Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy salvation among all nations; let the peoples give thanks to Thee, O God, let all the peoples give thanks to Thee. (Refrain) May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear Him. (Refrain) Glory Both now O, only begotten Son and Word of God THE THIRD ANTIPHON + Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let those them that Him flee from before His face. Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death; and upon those in the tombs, bestowing life! + As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish; as wax melteth before the fire. (Refrain) + So let sinners perish at the presence of God, and let the righteous be glad. (Refrain) + This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad therein. (Refrain) THE EISODIKON (ENTRANCE HYMN) OF THE FEAST In the gathering places bless ye 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 IN 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 IN 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. Do NOT sing the apolytikion of the patron saint or feast of the temple. KONTAKION OF PASCHA IN 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)

6 Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Have put on Christ. Alleluia. Dynamis! As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia. 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. الر سال ة ا ل ك لا م الا ول أ ن ش ا ت ھ ی ا ث او ف یل س ع ن ج م یع م ا اب ت د أ ی س وع ی ف ع ل ھ و ی ع ل م ب ھ 2 إ ل ى ال ی و م ال ذ ي ار ت ف ع ف یھ ب ع د م ا 1

7 3 أ و ص ى ب ال روح ال ق د س ال رس ل ال ذ ین اخ ت ار ھ م. ϳ Ϣ ϫ έ Ϧϳ ά ϟ Ϯѧ ϫ ϭˬ Ϣѧ ϟ ѧ ΗΎѧ ϣ Ϊ ό Αˬ Γ ήθ Μ ϛ Ϧϴ ϫ ή Β ΑΎ ϴ Σ Ϫ δ ϔ ϧύ π 4 ی ظ ھ ر ل ھ م أ ر ب ع ین ی و م ا و ی ت ك ل م ع ن الا م ور ال م خ ت صة ب م ل ك وت الله. ϻ ϥ Ϣѧ ϫύѧ λ ϭ Ϣѧ Ϭѧ όѧ ϣ ϊ ѧ Ϥѧ Θѧ Π ϣ Ϯ ϫύ Ϥϴ ϓ ϭ 5 ی ب ر ح وا م ن أ ور ش ل یم ب ل ی ن ت ظ ر وا Ϯ ϣ» Ϣѧ Θѧ ϧ Ύѧ ϣ ϭˬ Ύѧ Ϥѧ ϟύѧ Α Ϊѧ Ϥѧ ϋύѧ Ϩѧ ΣϮѧ ϳ ϥ Ϸ ˬϲ ѧ Ϩѧ ϣ ϩϯ Ϥ Θ ό Ϥ γϱ ά ϟ Ώϵ Ϊ ϋ 6 ف س ت ت ع مد ون ب ال روح ال ق د س ل ی س ب ع د ھذ ه الا ی ام ب ك ث یر». أ ما ھ م ال م ج ت م ع ون ف س ا ل وه ق اي ل ین :«ی ار ب ھ ل ف ي ھذ ا 7 ال و ق ت ت ر د ال م ل ك إ ل ى إ س ر اي یل» ف ق ال ل ھ م :«ϲ ѧ ϓ Ώϵ Ύѧ Ϭѧ Ϡѧ όѧ Οϲ ѧ Θѧ ϟ ΕΎѧ ϗ ϭ Ϸ ϭ Δѧ Ϩѧ ϣ ί ϷϮ ϓ ή ό Η ϥ Ϣ Ϝ ϟ β ϴ ϟ س ل ط ان ھ 8 لك ن ك م س ت ن ال ون ق وة م ت ى ح ل ال روح ال ق د س ع ل ی ك م و ت ك ون ون ل ي ش ھ ود ا ف ي أ ور ش ل یم و ف ي ك ل ال ی ھ ود ی ة و ال سام ر ة و إ ل ى أ ق ص ى الا ر ض». إ لان ج یل ف ي ال ب د ء ك ان ال ك ل م ة و ال ك ل م ة ك ان ع ن د الله و ك ان ال ك ل م ة الله. ھذ ا ك ان ف ي ال ب د ء ع ن د الله. ϥύѧ ϛ Ϫ Α ϲ η Ϟ ϛ ˬ 5 4 و ب غ ی ر ه ل م ی ك ن ش ي ء م ما ك ان. Ύѧ Ϩѧϟ έϯѧ ϧ Ζ ϧύ ϛ ΓΎ ϴ Τ ϟ ϭˬ ΓΎ ϴ Τ ϟ Ζ ϧύ ϛ Ϫϴ ϓ ˬ Δѧ Ϥѧ Ϡѧ ψѧϟϲ ѧ ϓ ϲ ѧ π ϳ έϯѧ Ϩѧϟ ϭ α ˬ و ال ظل م ة ل م ت د ر ك ھ ك ان إ ن س ان م ر س ل م ن الله اس م ھ ی وح ن ا. Ϧѧ Ϝѧ ϳ Ϣѧ ϟ. Ϫѧ Θѧ τ ѧ γ Ϯ Α Ϟ Ϝ ϟ Ϧ ϣ Ά ϳ ϲ Ϝ ϟˬ έϯ ϨϠ ϟ Ϊ Ϭ θ ϴ ϟ Γ ΩΎ Ϭ θϡ ϟ Ύ Ο άϫ 10 9 ھ و الن ور ب ل ل ی ش ھ د ل لن ور. ك ان الن ور ال ح ق یق ي ال ذ ي ی ن یر ك ل إ ن س ان آت ی ا إ ل ى ال ع ال م. ѧ ϓ ϥύ ϛ ϥ Ϯѧ ϛ ϭˬ Ϣѧ ϟύѧ όѧ ϟϲ ال ع ال م ب ھ و ل م ی ع ر ف ھ ال ع ال م. إ ل ى خ ا صت ھ ج اء و خ ا صت ھ ل م ت ق ب ل ھ. ϥ Ύѧ ϧύѧ τ ѧ Ϡ γ Ϣ ϫύ τ ϋ ϓ ϩϯ Ϡ Β ϗ Ϧϳ ά ϟ Ϟ ϛύ ϣ ϭ 13 ی ص یر وا أ و لا د الله أ ي ال م و م ن ون ب اس م ھ. ا ل ذ ین و ل د وا ل ی س م ن د م و لا م ن م ش یي ة ج س د و لا م ن م ش یي ة ر ج ل ب ل م ن الله و ال ك ل م ة ص ار ج س د ا و ح ل ب ی ن ن ا و ر أ ی ن ا م ج د ه م ج د ا ك م ا ل و ح ید م ن الا ب م م ل وء ا ن ع م ة و حق ا. Ϊѧ Ϭѧ ηύ Ϩ ΣϮ ϳ 16 ل ھ و ن اد ى ق اي لا :»ھذ ا ھ و ال ذ ي ق ل ت ع ن ھ : إ ن ال ذ ي ی ا ت ي ب ع د ي ص ار ق دام ي لا ن ھ ك ان ق ب ل ي.«Ϧѧ Τѧ ϧ Ϫѧ Όѧ Ϡ ϣ Ϧ ϣ ϭ 17 ج م یع ا أ خ ذ ن ا و ن ع م ة ف و ق ن ع م ة. لا ن الن ام وس ب م وس ى أ ع ط ي أ ما الن ع م ة و ال ح ق ف ب ی س وع ال م س یح ص ار ا MEGALYNARION FOR PASCHA IN TONE ONE The angel spake to her that is full of grace, saying, O pure Virgin, rejoice; and I say also, Rejoice; for thy Son is risen from the tomb on the third day. Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem; for the glory of the Lord hath risen upon thee. Rejoice and exult now, O Zion, and thou, O pure one, Theotokos, rejoice at the Resurrection of thy Son. KOINONIKON (COMMUNION HYMN) OF PASCHA IN TONE EIGHT Receive ye the body of Christ; taste ye the Fountain of immortality. Alleluia. Instead of We have seen the true light, sing Christ is Risen ONCE. Instead of Blessed be the Name of the Lord, sing Christ is Risen THRICE. THE GREAT DISMISSAL Priest: May He Who is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the Precious and Life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of Heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints, John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople, whose Divine Liturgy we have now celebrated; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and Godbearing Fathers; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all the

8 saints: have mercy on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind. Priest: Christ is risen! (THRICE) People: Truly He is risen! (THRICE) Priest: Glory to His Holy Third-day Resurrection! People: We adore His Holy Third-day Resurrection! Priest: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs People: bestowing life! NOTES: (a) Our tradition is to leave the Royal door and the other two doors open for the whole time during Bright week until Saturday Vespers for St. Thomas. (b) There will be no fasting on Wednesday and Friday, not only during Bright week only but until the Feast of the Ascension, for the whole forty days. (This was the decision of the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch) With fear of God, faith And love draw near. Come to Church, Jesus loves you, we love you we are waiting for you., Holy Thursday Breakfast is sponsored by George Shiekh & family Pascha Breakfast is sponsored by Jacob Kash & Family

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10 The Paschal Homily Of Our Father Among the Saints, John Chrysostom If any man is devout and loves God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast! If any man is a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any has labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any has worked from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any has come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any has arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in no wise be deprived because of it. If any has delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. And if any has tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness. For the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first. He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as to him who has worked from the first hour. And He shows mercy upon the last, and cares for the first; and to the one He gives, and upon the other He bestows gifts. And He both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering. Therefore, enter all into the joy of your Lord; receive your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. You rich and poor together, hold high festival! You sober and you heedless, honor the day! Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden; feast you all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away. Enjoy you all the feast of faith: receive you all the riches of loving-kindness. Let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal Kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior's death has set us free. He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, cried: Hell, said he, was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower regions. It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked. It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen. O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown! Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen! Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life reigns! Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.

11 Christ is Risen! By Fr. Gregory Horton We are now entering the very heart of the Church year when all things are filled with light and the faithful are proclaiming Christ is Risen! This exuberant and joyful greeting can never be considered mere information. It is proclamation! The first time that I ever heard this proclamation was about 25 years ago in a little Russian church in Miami, Florida. Beforehand, many people had told me what to expect, but I was in no way prepared to experience the spiritual power of this proclamation. I was in no way prepared for all of the Paschal elements (the lights, processions, bells, singing, and shouting). I had known the INFORMATION all of my life. I knew that Christ had risen from the dead. But it was never proclaimed to me until that moment and how it burned my heart! So how do we move from simple passing on of information to life changing proclamation that results in nothing ever being the same again? Well, that is the theme of this conference (last year's Parish Life Conference). By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are filled to the brim with a sort of Divine Insanity. We become prophets, dreamers and visionaries. Anything and everything is possible if only we embrace it in our lives! Before the Crucifixion, Christ tried to explain to the Apostles that He would die and rise again on the 3rd day; but they didn't get it. After the Resurrection, the women were told by an angel to go quickly and proclaim (there's that word again) this incredible news to the Apostles and they did; but the Apostles still didn't get it. Even after dwelling among them during these refreshing days following the Resurrection that we are sharing together in San Diego (at last year's Diocese of the West Parish Life Conference) these glorious 40 days they still didn't quite get it. They were still uncertain. It was only after the Holy Spirit was poured out onto them and into them that they finally remembered all of the information and proclaimed it to the world. Now there was meaning! Now there was vision! Now they were changed! Now the world could never be the same! So after experiencing the reality of the Resurrection of Christ, and especially after our own Baptism, Chrismation, and Partaking of the Divine, Holy Communion, how can our lives be anything but Divine Intoxication and Joy? How can they our hearts not be brimming with true Excitement and Fire! Dear Orthodox Christians, the Holy Spirit is upon us! Allow me, at this point, to tell a story. No, on second thought, I actually need to proclaim it. In 1989, I was visiting the Soviet Union as a Priest and I arrived with my party at the Kievan Caves Monastery. Housed here are the incorrupt relics of the Holy Fathers from 800, 900, or 1000 years ago. The deacon that hosted our tour showed us to an underground room. Present in this room were the departed Bishop Zachariah and many Monks. The deacon proceeded to tell us about a Paschal incident that had occurred in his presence about ten years earlier. As he and another deacon entered the underground room in order to cense the departed fathers lying there and to greet them with the Holy resurrection, Bishop Zachariah himself started proclaiming from the grave that "Christ is risen!" What's more, the monks buried in the same room as him responded "Indeed he is Risen!!!"

12 I believed what that sweet Deacon proclaimed to me even as I believe the scriptural accounts of the Resurrection of Christ. So if the Holy Spirit can enliven a dead body to proclaim that Christ is Risen, what can we not do?! We have so much spiritual power that we don't even know about yet! After The Holy Apostle Peter preached one Spirit-filled, divinely given sermon to the crowd on the day of Pentecost when he allowed God to really proclaim something through him about three thousand people joined the Church! Now I don't know about Southern California (the site of last year's conference), but in North Idaho, (the location of preacher's parish), if we add three thousand souls in one day, we re going to need to make some pretty big adjustments in order to meet the needs of our new community. But that's our vision! And that's our dream come true at the same time! Our vision and our dream are that Christ is risen and we live it and we can hardly keep it inside because it is flowing out of us. It is truly divine insanity. And some might say "so what?" What if the whole world considers us mad for proclaiming such teachings and living differently because of it? Well, that's okay too. Didn't the people on Pentecost think that the Apostles were drunk when they received the Holy Spirit? It's our great, great blessing to be spiritually drunk in the risen Christ. There will always inevitably be some who won't understand and they will want to stop us. We've learned a Paschal lesson about this up in North Idaho during the ringing of bells at Midnight. The first few years after the ringing of the bells, I quickly needed to add a new ministry (men guarding the parking lot because of neighbors driving up to the church in pickup trucks armed with shotguns ready to target anything that moved). Our new practice is to call the sheriff every year so that the civil authorities can protect our divine madness from the onslaught of those who just don't understand. Finally, please allow me to set before us a threefold Paschal challenge. I would expect For us Orthodox Christians to be so madly in love with our Resurrected Lord that the very first thing that comes pouring out of us during the Paschal period when we greet one another is "Christ is Risen!" On our lips, in our eyes and filling our hearts. I must admit that I was puzzled yesterday at the clergy meeting when we were asked to remind one another that we greet each other with the Paschal greeting during these 40 days. Did I need to be reminded to proclaim that Christ is risen? It is like being reminded to breathe so that we don't die! It is life itself! It is our holy vision! I would also expect For us Orthodox Christians to be so madly in love with our resurrected Lord that we greet absolutely everyone...family, friends, Orthodox Christians, and even strangers (maybe even especially strangers) with Christ is risen! Three thousand people didn't become Christians on Pentecost because the Apostles chose to simply stay in the room and exchange the good news among themselves. People need to hear this life-saving message. And if they don't hear it from us, then from whom? Oh yes, we will get lots of strange looks, condescending smiles, and smart remarks. But we will also touch some hungry hearts. You might hear: "Christ is risen!" "Yes, he has!"; "Christ is risen!" "How do you know?" "Christ is risen!" "You betcha He has!" "Christ is risen!" "Alleluia!" "Christ is risen!" "What do you mean?" "Christ is risen!" "Amen!" I've heard a million responses; and all of them invite us to dialogue about the Risen Christ! My favorite response was one that I heard at my hotel from a security guard: "Christ is risen!" "Does your church believe in Marriage?" So we talked for several hours about Christian marriage!

13 By the power of the Holy Spirit, we have something to say. All of us have something to say to the people we meet. Are we ready? Our Diocese descends on a luxury hotel every year with the potential to touch the hearts and souls of desk clerks, waiters and waitresses, maids, janitors, managers, security guards, other guests, etc, and all we need to do is proclaim that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. The Holy Spirit will do the rest. I would also expect For us Orthodox Christians to be so madly in love with our resurrected Lord that we sometimes even forget what time of the year it is and continue to proclaim that Christ is Risen in every season! I am not proposing anything official (no liturgical innovations); but when we run into the cashier at Wal-Mart and have nothing meaningful to say in Mid August, Why not proclaim Christ is Risen? Our beloved ones come to us in November or in January with big problems, (sickness in the family, lost all of their money, lost their job, their husband or my wife has left them, etc.). How important it is for us to remember at those times that Christ is Risen after all is said and done and by that same power we can be healed. Why wait until Pascha each year to live and share that reality? St. Seraphim of Russia greeted everyone with Christ is Risen all year round and he is a Saint of our Church! He experienced the divine insanity of being a Christian every day not only during Pascha. Dear Friends, all of the joy, all of the love, and all of the power of God is contained in that little statement. All of the meaning and vision and prophecy and spirituality of our lives is captured by that simple expression. Everything that I am supposed to be and do is embodied in those few words. If I don't proclaim them, then I am not alive. So, please forgive me, but again once more let us enter the mystery beyond mysteries together as we proclaim to San Diego (or wherever we are), to those who love us and those who hate us, and to the entire Universe: "CHRIST IS RISEN!" This article was originally a homily given by Fr. Gregory Horton, Pastor of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Post Falls, Idaho, at the 2006 Diocese of the West Parish Life Conference JOSEPH HADDAD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP WHO IS ELIGIBLE? A. Any son or daughter of a bona fide member of St. George Orthodox Church and whose parent membership is at least three years old. B. The person being considered for the scholarship award by Joseph Haddad Memorial must be a high school graduate, with intentions of furthering his/her education at a higher level, and upon acceptance by an accredited college or university. C. REQUIREMENTS: Applicants will be selected for the scholarship on the basis of academic standing, religious involvement in young people s church activities other than just in church attendance, extracurricular school activities, character, and leadership qualities. Students applying must have at least a 3.3 cumulative point average through high school. Deadline: July 1, 2015 IF YOU MEET THE ABOVE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, REQUEST AN APPLICATION FORM: CHURCH OFFICE PHONE FAX office@stgeorgecleveland.com

14 Pascha Offerings Health, Safety & Spiritual Welfare of: The Sova Family, The Lewis Elias Family & Becky Magas by Rebecca Magas & Family (Lillies & Oil) Becky Magas by Beverly George (Votive Candles) Our Families by Gabriel & Fida Kirsch (Lillies) Bassam, Lida, Ronnie, Johnny, Peter and Dina by Bassam & Lida Abdulkarim (Flowers) My Children & Grandchildren by Mary Ameen (Flowers, Bread, Lillies, Wine, Oil, Palms, Eggs, Votive Candles) Corinne Farris by Ted & Cheryl Sahley (Lillies) Chaccour & Hachem Families by Fadi, Rita, Tamara Jo & Kaya Chaccour (Flowers, Bread, Lillies, Wine, Oil, Palms, Eggs, Votive Candles) Susan Klush, Joe Loboda, Joseph & Joanne Loboda & Jean Loboda by Joseph & Tiffany Loboda (Lillies, Palms) Nuha, Children & Grandchildren by Nuha Karsheh ((Lillies) Laudy & Maney by Elias Saliba & Family (Wine) Mr. & Mrs. George Sadallah s & Families by Sadallah s Family (Oil, Votive Candles) George, Rana, Asma, Marlene & Nick Zaboura by Rana Zaboura (Lillies) Pascha Offerings in Beloved Memory of: All of our beloved departed by Aida & Issa Zabboura and family (Eggs) Esber, Rose, Lewis, Joanne Loucka & Jeff Elias and Frank Sayre by Becky Magas & Family (Lillies & Oil) Fred George, Elizabeth George, Dee De George & Theodore Alex by Beverly George (Votive Candles) My Husband Lou by Ann Gantose (Donation) Wadia Ameen by Mary Ameen (Flowers, Bread, Lillies, Wine, Oil, Palms, Eggs, Votive Candles) Ted & Betty Sahley, Lou Farris by Ted & Cheryl Sahley (Lillies) All deceased of the Chaccour & Hachem Families, Anthony & Mikiam Hajj by Fadi, Rita, Tamara Jo & Kaya Chaccour (Flowers, Bread, Lillies, Wine, Oil, Palms, Eggs, Votive Candles) Brian, Eric, George Jr., George Sr., & Frances Klush, Jack, Betty & Tim Patton & Barbara Mack by Joseph & Tiffany Loboda (Lillies, Palms) Said & Afifi Khairallah, Fares & Jamal Abdallah by Abdallah Abdallah (Donation) Yacoub Karsheh by His Wife, Children & Grandchildren (Oil) Edward Haddad Sr., Hanna & Joe Haddad, Edith Shagoury, Mary & Antoine Shagoury by Evelyn Haddad (Lillies) Hanna, Mariam, Maleek, Josefine, Saliba, Hanna, Kamleh, Kamel, Saad, Rone, Afif, Naaim Yebran by Elias Saliba & Family (Wine) Philip Aboid by Barbara Aboid (Donation) Elias Abdelnour by Nadia Abdelnour & Family (Wine) Jack & Hanan Saah & Nicola Zaboura by Rana Zaboura (Lillies)

15 For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:48) Thank you to previous years wish list contributors: Two Cases of Orthodox Liturgical Wine for Holy Communion $240 by William Tegreen 800 Plastic Holy Water Bottles for Epiphany (2 years supplies) $675 Paid by Emilie Easa Nine Large Refiliable Oil Candles $1008 paid by Nuha Karsheh Six cases of Taper Candles $385 An Anonymous Donor paid $240 Balance is $145 Eleven large Refillable Oil Candles $112 each Twenty Four Altar Pure Liquid Paraffin Quarts $ 13 each Replace the Aluminum Entry Door, back entrance to the Sunday school $4690 Sell the rest of the memorial tiles at the entrance of the office area. $150 each Replace The Metropolitan Hall Light Bulbs to LED Replace the Yared Light Hall Bulbs to LED Move the Church Power Switch Box from the Cry Room to inside the Altar Thank you. RESERVE THESE DATES ON YOUR CALENDER Saturday April 25, 2015 St. George Feast Day Celebration Saturday June 6, 2015 Summer Parish Party Friday August 14, 2015 St. Mary Dinner Sunday September 13, 2015 Parish Picnic Saturday October 3, 2015 Clam Bake Sunday November 22, 2015 Thanksgiving Banquet Thursday December 31, 2015 New Years Eve. St. Mary Orthodox Church In Cambridge, MA Is proud to present The 52nd Convention Of the Antiochian Archdiocese In Boston MA from July 19-26, 2015.

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