SAINT JAMES ORTHODOX CHURCH

Transcription

1 SAINT JAMES ORTHODOX CHURCH 195 N. Main Street Milpitas, Ca Saturdays Vespers 5:00 p.m. Sundays Matins 8:00 a.m. Sundays 10:30 a.m. The Very Reverend Fr. Jiris Hanna (408) Fr. Dcn. Joseph Kawar (408) Issue No. 635 Sunday March 27 (3/14), 2016 Second Sunday of Great Lent Commemoration of St. Gregory Palamas St. Benedict of Nursia (543) األحد الثاني من الصوم - تذكار القديس غريغوريوس باالماس رئيس اساقفة تسالونيكية تذكار ابينا البار بنادكتوس Matins (Eothina X): John 21:1 14 Epistle: Hebrews 1:10 2:3 Gospel: Mark 2:1 12 Commemoration of St. Gregory Palamas Second Sunday of Great Lent On the second Sunday of Great Lent, we commemorate St Gregory Palamas, as a second "Triumph of Orthodoxy." Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica, was born in the year 1296 in Constantinople. St Gregory's father became a prominent dignitary at the court of Andronicus II Paleologos, but he soon died, and Andronicus himself took part in the raising and education of the fatherless boy. Endowed with fine abilities and great diligence, Gregory mastered all the subjects which then comprised the full course of medieval higher education. The emperor hoped that the youth would devote himself to government work. But Gregory, barely twenty years old, withdrew to Mount Athos and became a novice in the Vatopedi monastery under the guidance of the monastic Elder St Nicodemus of Vatopedi. There he was tonsured and began on the path of asceticism. A year later, the holy Evangelist John the Theologian appeared to him in a vision and promised him his spiritual protection. Gregory's mother and sisters also became monastic. St Gregory combined his priestly duties with the life of a hermit. Five days of the week he spent in silence and prayer, and only on Saturday and Sunday did he come out to his people. He celebrated divine services and preached sermons. For those present in church, his teaching often evoked both tenderness and tears. Sometimes he visited theological gatherings of the city's educated youth, headed by the future patriarch, Isidore. After he returned from a visit to Constantinople, he found a place suitable for solitary life near Thessalonica the region of Bereia. Soon he gathered here a small community of solitary monks and guided it for five years. St Gregory performed many miracles in the three years before his death, healing those afflicted with illness. On the eve of his repose, St John Chrysostom appeared to him in a vision. With the words "To the heights! To the heights!" St Gregory Palamas fell asleep in the Lord on November 14, 1359.

2 ان الكلية النقاوة لم ا ابصرتك معلقا على الصليب بالجسد تجر ح قلبها بالغم وو ل ولت باكية وقائلة اين غبت يا يسوع المسيح الكلمة المحبوب جدا فال تتركني وحدي انا التي ولدتك ياابني والهي. Services This Week Monday 3/21 Presanctified 11am Tuesday 3/22 Presanctified 11am Wednesday 3/23 Presanctified 11am Great Compline يا رب القوات 7pm Thursday 3/24 Presanctified 7pm Friday 3/25 Presanctified 11am Small Compline مدائح العذراء 7pm Saturday 3/26 Vespers 5pm Fasting Keep It Simple Times of fasting should not be times of stress, but changing the way your family eats can be a very real source of stress. Try to plan simple foods for your meals, prepared relatively quickly and, hopefully, cheaply. We are supposed to be devoting more time to prayer and almsgiving and less time to food preparation. If we are constantly making elaborate meals that trick our taste buds from thinking that we are fasting, we are, in a way, defeating the purpose of the fast. A few favorite side dishes work very well as a meal. Guard The Door Fasting is not irrelevant. Fasting is not obsolete, and it is not something for someone else. Fasting is from God, for us, right here and right now. Most of all, we should not devour each other. Don t just fast from certain foods, but ask God to set a watch and keep the door of our lips. فليكن ذكره مؤبدا *** Food for the Soul *** For The Whole Parish Every 1 st & 3 rd Thursday of the month Next Session Thursday 4/7/16 at 7:30pm Please come for some food for the soul. We will split into three groups in the church, hall, and upstairs, with Fr. Giris, Fr. Moen, and Dn. Joseph. sjoc@earthlink.net for your bulletin personal announcements, comments, or feedback. Please join Anna and Mayce Keilo and all the Keilo family for the 1-year Trisagion memorial service for their grandfather, the servant of God غصوب شهاب - Shehab Ghasoub This Sunday March 27 after the liturgy service. May his memory be eternal. Bake Sale Preparation Monday 3/21 at 10am Ladies please give a hand if you can

3 Thank You For Your Understanding If you need to talk to Fr. Giris or Fr. Moen after the liturgy on Sundays, they will be more than happy to take as much time as you need. But please allow them to spend some time with the rest of the parish in the church hall first. Please do not tie them up in the church or in the office immediately after the liturgy. You can also call them directly and set an appointment to meet with him privately. THE PATH OF LIFE Life is blessedness, and not simply because we believe in blessed eternity, but here on earth life can be blessed if we live with Christ, fulfilling His holy commandments. If a man is not tied to earthly goods, but will in all things rely on the will of God, will live for Christ and in Christ, then life here on earth will become blessed. - St. Barsanuphius We Are Accepting Donations For The Flowers For The Bier Of Christ In Memory Of And/Or For The Good Health Of Your Loved Ones To Make A Donation Please Fill Out This Form By:... For The Good Health Of: And/Or In Blessed Memory Of:.... Please give the form back to Treasurer Samer Aboujudom All names of the Living and the Departed will be prayed for during the Holy Week

4 يا نفس تنه دي دم عي ارجعي توبي فأن اليوم قد قر ب والدي ان على األبواب فاستعدي للجواب واهتفي اخطأت اليك ايها الرؤوف الرحوم الصالح فترآف علي منعما Saints This Week Thursday 3/24 (3/11) St. Sophronius, patriarch of Jerusalem You were most wise among patriarchs, Sophronius of Jerusalem. / You struggled with divine zeal, spreading the commandments of truth with your lips. / You set right the foundations of the Church and firmly established the monastic order. / You brought to light wise sermons, and instructed by them, / therefore we cry out to you: Rejoice, splendid boast of the Orthodox Altar Servers This Sunday 3/27 Oasis In The Desert We got the blessings to plan our annual pilgrimage church trip to St. Anthony s Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence, Arizona the week after the Bright Week God willing. Wednesday May 11 Saturday May 14 of 2016 Daniel Kafeety Jacob Kafeety Yousef Swaiss Palms For Palm Sunday Book your own flights. Please contact Dn. Joseph (408) to sign-up. Southwest Airlines Departure Wednesday May 11, 2016 Return: Saturday May 14, 2016 San Jose Airport 5/11: San Jose Phoenix, Flight # 1912 (10:30am) 5/14: Phoenix San Jose, Flight # 2959 (8:30pm) Oakland Airport 5/11: Oakland Phoenix, Flight # 4061 (8:10am) 5/14: Phoenix Oakland, Flight # 3029 (7:10pm) Palm Sunday is approaching soon. If you like to order handmade palms, please contact Amal Khoury (408) Deadline to order is April 20 but the sooner the better. Great opportunity to learn how to palms. Please call Amal and ask how you can help.

5 6 Meat-fare Sunday Judgment Sunday 1:30pm All Ladies Meeting March 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :30pm Parish Bible Study 13 Cheese-fare Sunday Forgiveness Sunday Daylight Savings 20 1 st Sunday of Great Lent Sunday of Orthodoxy Bring your icons 1-year Trisagion service (Samer Shahin) 27 2 nd Sunday of Great Lent Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas 1-year Trisagion service (Ghasoub Shehab) am Divine 1 st & 2 nd Finding of the Head of St. John the Baptist 14 Beginning of Great Lent 21 10am Bake Sale Prep :30pm Board of Trustees Meeting pm Pre-sanctified Gifts pm Great Compline 30 7pm Great Compline 17 7:30pm Parish Bible Study 24 7pm Pre-sanctified Gifts am Divine Commemoration of the Dead 5pm Great Vespers 6:30pm Annual Crab Feed Homeless donated Care Packages due am Divine Commemoration of the Dead 10am Assembly of Care Packages for the Homeless 5pm Great Vespers 18 7pm Small Compline / 1 st Salutation 19 10am Divine Commemoration of the Dead 5pm Great Vespers pm Great Vespers 7pm Small Compline / 2 nd Salutation Notes:

6 Room For Rent Room available in a very nice 2bed/1bath condo in Sunnyvale. Excellent location at Wolfe and El Camino with easy access to 280 and 101 freeways as well as Central Expressway. Nice neighborhood near golf course and within walking distance to park and all shopping areas. Peaceful, private. Considerate, quiet, female preferred. Commuter and short term ok. No smoking, pets, or overnight guests. Furnished or unfurnished. Rent including utilities is $1000. Call for inquiries. Happy Birthdays Samir Najmeh 3/21 Nancy Samawi 3/21 Andrew Kafeety 3/21 Benjamin Dougherty 3/22 Abid Mogannam 3/23 Sara Saydawi 3/23 Aileen Nijmeh 3/27 Briana Menezes 3/27 Rami Sousou 3/27 عقبال المئة سنة!!! Lenten Lunch This Sunday March 27 will be provided by Samer & Heba Khoury and family Thank you and God bless you. Dialogue With an Athonite Elder on Fasting Bless Elder. "The Lord bless you, my joy." Are you on Mount Athos for many years? "I've been here for sixty years, but what is sixty years to God; it is a breath. Elder, I would like you to tell me a few things about fasting. "In order to say something you must experience it, you must live it. Only one who was born near the sea or is a seaman can speak of the sea. But I will be obedient to your will and tell you what the Fathers said who were friends of fasting." Elder, is fasting the aim? "Fasting is not the aim, but the means towards it. See, it was your aim to come to Mount Athos, it was your destination. The boat which brought you was the means by which you arrived. Such is fasting; it is one of the means given to us by the love of God to crave for Him. God is our destination." When did fasting appear? "Fasting is commingled with humanity. In Paradise it was given to man by God, says Basil the Great."

7 But why did God give fasting? To reduce man? "No, in order to free him! The Sacred Chrysostom writes that when God created man He took him and placed him in the hands of fasting, which is an affectionate mother and excellent teacher. He entrusted it for his salvation. Though fasting is a teacher, it does not limit but it cultivates man." Is fasting necessary, Elder? "Chrysostom will again reply to you: 'If fasting was necessary in Paradise, it is much more necessary outside of Paradise. If medicine was useful before an injury, it is much more useful after an injury.' Do you understand?" What? "Fasting was given in Paradise as a precaution to not fall. Since man fell it is given therapeutically." Then what is the purpose of fasting? "Fasting withers evil desires, says Saint Maximus the Confessor; and Saint Symeon the New Theologian says it softens our hearts. Through fasting every good work is accomplished and perfected, says Saint Gregory Palamas. For all these reasons Sacred Chrysostom confesses his love for fasting: 'I love fasting, because it is the mother of wisdom and the well of philosophical acts.'" How should we fast? "Fasting is a means and spiritual tool which is not limited to food, but the entire man must participate in it psychosomatically. Listen to what John Chrysostom says: 'Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works. If you see a poor man, take pity on him. If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him. Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members of our bodies. Let the hands fast, by being free of greed. Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin. Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful. Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip. Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism. For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fish, but bite and devour our brothers?'" How do we bite and devour our brothers? "With slander and criticism, which proceed from the lack of love for our brother." Thank you, Elder. You have benefited me much. "May we thank God for enlightening our saints." Your prayers. "Go in goodness, and may the Grace of God cover you, the Panagia protect you, and the saints accompany you. And don't forget that fasting is primarily to hunger for God!"

8 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste Tuesday 3/22 (3/9) In the year 313 St Constantine the Great issued an edict granting Christians religious freedom, and officially recognizing Christianity as equal with paganism under the law. But his co-ruler Licinius was a pagan, and he decided to stamp out Christianity in his part of the Empire. As Licinius prepared his army to fight Constantine, he decided to remove Christians from his army, fearing mutiny. One of the military commanders of that time in the Armenian city of Sebaste was Agricola, a zealous champion of idolatry. Under his command was a company of forty Cappadocians, brave soldiers who had distinguished themselves in many battles. When these Christian soldiers refused to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, Agricola locked them up in prison. The soldiers occupied themselves with prayer and psalmody, and during the night they heard a voice saying, "Persevere until the end, then you shall be saved." On the following morning, the soldiers were again taken to Agricola. This time the pagan tried flattery. He began to praise their valor, their youth and strength, and once more he urged them to renounce Christ and thereby win themselves the respect and favor of their emperor. Seven days later, the renowned judge Licius arrived at Sebaste and put the soldiers on trial. The saints steadfastly answered, "Take not only our military insignia, but also our lives, since nothing is more precious to us than Christ God." Licius then ordered his servants to stone the holy martyrs. But the stones missed the saints and returned to strike those who had thrown them. One stone thrown by Licius hit Agricola in the face, smashing his teeth. The torturers realized that the saints were guarded by some invisible power. In prison, the soldiers spent the night in prayer and again they heard the voice of the Lord comforting them: "He who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live (John 11:25). Be brave and fear not, for you shall obtain imperishable crowns." On the following day the judge repeated the interrogation in front of the torturer, but the soldiers remained unyielding. It was winter, and there was a severe frost. They lined up the holy soldiers, threw them into a lake near the city, and set a guard to prevent them from coming out of the water. In order to break the will of the martyrs, a warm bath-house was set up on the shore. During the first hour of the night, when the cold had become unbearable, one of the soldiers made a dash for the bath-house, but no sooner had he stepped over the threshold, than he fell down dead.

9 During the third hour of the night, the Lord sent consolation to the martyrs. Suddenly there was light, the ice melted away, and the water in the lake became warm. All the guards were asleep, except for Aglaius, who was keeping watch. Looking at the lake he saw that a radiant crown had appeared over the head of each martyr. Aglaius counted thirty-nine crowns and realized that the soldier who fled had lost his crown. Aggias then woke up the other guards, took off his uniform and said to them, "I too am a Christian," and he joined the martyrs. Standing in the water he prayed, "Lord God, I believe in You, in Whom these soldiers believe. Add me to their number, and make me worthy to suffer with Your servants." Then a fortieth crown appeared over his head. In the morning, the torturers saw with surprise that the martyrs were still alive, and their guard Aggias was glorifying Christ together with them. They led the soldiers out of the water and broke their legs. During this horrible execution the mother of the youngest of the soldiers, Meliton, pleaded with her son not to persevere until death. They put the bodies of the martyrs on a cart and committed them to fire. Young Meliton was still breathing, and they left him to lay on the ground. His mother then picked up her son, and on her own shoulders she carried him behind the cart. When Meliton drew his last breath, his mother put him on the cart with the bodies of his fellow sufferers. The bodies of the saints were tossed in the fire, and their charred bones were thrown into the water, so that Christians would not gather them up. Three days later the martyrs appeared in a dream to St Peter, Bishop of Sebaste, and commanded him to bury their remains. The bishop together with several clergy gathered up the relics of the glorious martyrs by night and buried them with honor. There is a pious custom of baking "skylarks" (pastries shaped like skylarks) on this day, because people believed that birds sing at this time to announce the arrival of spring. Forty "skylarks" are prepared in honor of the Forty Martyrs. You abandoned all earthly armies, cleaving to the heavenly Master, O Forty Martyrs of the Lord. Having passed through fire and water, O Blessed Ones, you have fittingly received heavenly glory and many crowns. لقد اهملتم الجندية العالمية بتاتا والتصقتم بالسيد الذي في السماوات يا مجاهدي الرب المغبوطين االربعين. فأنكم جزتم في النار والماء فنلتم عن جدارة المجد واالكاليل الوافرة من السماء Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.

10 How much do you know about our Scrip Program? Our church has been participating in Scrip Program for at least 8 years or more. It could become a major income to our church with active on-going participation. What Is It?: The Scrip Program is a national program that many schools, churches, and other non-profit organizations rely on as one of the major incomes to the organization. It has generated tens of thousands of dollars annually for many organizations. Many retail stores participate in it by giving donations to the church. We can definitely use such as donation! How Does It Work?: The church buys Scrip cards at a discounted price. When we sell the Scrip cards at their face value, the church make a profit. The Scrip cards are just like a store credit. You can use it any time you shop at your favorite store. For example: you go to Safeway to shop as normal. You don t pay cash or credit card. Instead, you pay using your Safeway Scrip card that you purchased from the church. You keep the card until its balance runs out. Done! Easy! How Much Does It Cost Me? NOTHING! You pay $20, you get $20. You pay $100, you get $100. You will not pay an extra penny from your pocket. For example: you buy Toy-R-Us Scrip card for $20 from the church, you get a store credit for $20 that you can use anytime at Toys-R-Us. You would spend this money any way when you go to Toys-R-Us, so why not pay by Scrip Card instead of paying cash or check or credit card? What Is the Possible Profit To My Church?: Look at this example below (These are average amounts that could be higher or lower with different families): If we have only 40 families use Scrip program actively all the time: Don t you spend $300 on Groceries every month? Don t you spend $200 on Gas for your cars? Don t you spend $100 on Dining out every month? Don t you spend $100 on Clothing every month? Don t you spend $40 on Entertainment every month? Don t you spend $200 on Home Improvement or Repairs every month? If the 40 families use Scrip Cards for all the above, our church would make a net profit of $19,488 every year!!! We definitely need this money. What Stores Participate In This Program? Almost all stores that you shop at normally, participate in this program. From Costco, Safeway, CVS Pharmacy, Rite Aid, Home Depot, Macy s, Red Lobster, Arco, Shell, Subway, Pizza Hut, fast food, airlines, hotels,, and the list is very very long. For a complete list, please visit and you are guaranteed to find most of your favorite stores listed. More Questions: Please contact Scrip Coordinator Lilian Kawar at (408) and you will have your questions answered. Or simply talk to her in the church hall to place your order or see what we have already in stock. An easy and very simple program to raise much needed money for our church without spending an extra penny and without any effort! Please help us generate this income to our church.

11 SAINT JAMES LADIES AUXILIARY ANNUAL EASTER BAKE SALE PICK UP ORDER April 10, 2016 Let Us Bake For You ******************************** Qty Price Kaek w/ dates (Fasting)(nonfasting) x $ 20.00/Doz. $ Ghraibeh (Sugar Cookies) (Fasting)(nonfasting) x $ 20.00/Doz. $ Ma3moul w/walnuts (Fasting)(nonfasting) x $ 20.00/Doz. $ Subtotal Amount Baklava (Fasting) x $ 20.00/Doz. $ : Spinach pies / Maneesh x $ 20.00/Doz. $ Semsimeh (nut bar) x $ 20.00/Doz. $ Also, please accept my Money Donation $ Total $ Please Return Your Order Form to the Church, by Person or by Mail, 195 N. Main St. Milpitas, CA By MARCH 27, 2016 THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT, GOD BLESS YOU. Name Add. Phone Please make your check payable to Saint James Ladies Auxiliary Payment must accompany the order Questions? Please call Ghada

12 Fundraiser NAME OF SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION Dear Parents and Friends: We are excited to begin our See s Candies fundraiser! We are raising funds for a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a Important dates: Fundraiser starts a a a ) a a a a Helpful Hints: a a a a a a Sweet!

13 Egg Hunt Easter Bunny Pictures Arts and Crafts Lenten Food, Drinks & Vendor Booths Face Painting 195 N Main St Milpitas, CA 95035

14 For Tickets call or text: Anna Keilo (650) or Heba Khoury (714) Join the St. James Family for a special dinner honoring all Mothers! Saturday May 7, 2016 at 6:30pm St. James Orthodox Church 195 N. Main St. Milpitas Adults $35 Kids Menu $15 (10 & under)

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