St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Diocese of Los Angeles and the West

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1 St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Diocese of Los Angeles and the West Mailing Address: 4718 Horsehaven, Post Falls, Idaho Church Phone: (208) Fr. Basil Caldaroni: (208) frbasil@caldaroni.net Church Website: Send announcements to bulletin@stjohnorthodox.org The Nativity of our Most Holy Lady The Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary September 8, 2013 The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary: The Most Holy Virgin Mary was born at a time when people had reached such a degree of moral decay that it seemed altogether impossible to restore them. People often said that God must come into the world to restore faith and not permit the ruin of mankind. The Son of God chose to take on human nature for the salvation of mankind, and chose as His Mother the All-Pure Virgin Mary, who alone was worthy to give birth to the Source of purity and holiness. The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary is celebrated by the Church as a day of universal joy. Within the context of the Old and the New Testaments, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary was born on this radiant day, having been chosen before the ages by Divine Providence to bring about the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of God. She is revealed as the Mother of the Savior of the World, Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Most Holy Virgin Mary was born in the small city of Galilee, Nazareth. Her parents were Righteous Joachim of the tribe of the Prophet-King David, and Anna from the tribe of the First Priest Aaron. The couple was without child, since St Anna was barren. Having reached old age, Joachim and Anna did not lose hope in God s mercy. They had strong faith that for God everything is possible, and that He would be able to overcome the barrenness of Anna even in her old age, as He had once overcame the barrenness of Sarah, spouse of the Patriarch Abraham. Sts Joachim and Anna vowed to dedicate the child which the Lord might give them, to the service of God in the Temple. Childlessness was considered among the Hebrew nation as a Divine punishment for sin, and therefore the righteous Sts Joachim and Anna had to endure abuse from their own countrymen. On one of the feastdays at the Temple in Jerusalem the elderly Joachim brought his sacrifice to offer to God, but the High Priest would not accept it, considering him to be unworthy since he was childless. St Joachim in deep grief went into the wilderness, and there he prayed with tears to the Lord for a

2 child. St Anna wept bitterly when she learned what had happened at the Jerusalem Temple. Never once did she complain against the Lord, but rather she prayed to ask God s mercy on her family. The Lord fulfilled her petitions when the pious couple had attained to extreme old age and prepared themselves by virtuous life for a sublime calling: to be the parents of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, the future Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Archangel Gabriel brought Joachim and Anna the joyous message that their prayers were heard by God, and of them would be born a most blessed daughter Mary, through Whom would come the Salvation of all the World. The Most Holy Virgin Mary surpassed in purity and virtue not only all mankind, but also the angels. She was manifest as the living Temple of God, so the Church sings in its festal hymns: the East Gate... bringing Christ into the world for the salvation of our souls (2nd Stikhera on Lord, I Have Cried, Tone 6). The Nativity of the Theotokos marks the change of the times when the great and comforting promises of God for the salvation of the human race from slavery to the devil are about to be fulfilled. This event has brought to earth the grace of the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom of Truth, piety, virtue and everlasting life. The Theotokos is revealed to all of us by grace as a merciful Intercessor and Mother, to Whom we have recourse with filial devotion. Church Etiquette Series: Part 3 Crossing oneself It is always appropriate to cross oneself at the mention of the Holy Trinity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; whenever entering or leaving the church; at the beginning of the Liturgy; when passing in front of the altar; when venerating an icon, the Gospel, or the cross; and at times for personal petitions. It is not necessary to cross oneself when the priest is giving a blessing or censing the congregation. Instead, one should bow to receive the blessing. Bowing Orthodox Christians bow when the Theotokos and Christ are petitioned. They also bow to the priest at his blessing, and when he asks forgiveness before the Great Entrance and again before Holy Communion. It is traditional for the Orthodox faithful to bow and cross themselves when they enter and leave the church, and when they pray before the icons. Kneeling In some Orthodox traditions there are times when kneeling is a pious practice in the Liturgy, the most notable being at the Consecration of the Holy Gifts. However, kneeling is prohibited during the Paschal season, from Pascha to Pentecost, in honor of the Resurrection. Touching the priest s vestments It is a tradition in some parishes to touch the hem of the priest s vestment or phelonion as he passes by in the Great Entrance with the Holy Gifts. This custom imitates the woman who was healed by touching the hem of Christ s robe. When touching the hem of the priest s phelonion, one should be careful not to step in front of the procession, to pull or tug on the garment, or to push anyone away. Part 3 of a multi-part series. Taken from: A guide to parish etiquette: how to show proper respect and reverence in church:

3 RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION IN TONE TWO When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hell with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee. APOLYTIKION OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS IN TONE FOUR Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the whole universe; for from thee did shine forth the Sun of justice, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting. KONTAKION OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS IN TONE FOUR By thy holy nativity, O pure one, Joachim and Anna were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee: The barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life. THE EPISTLE (For the Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross) O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. To Thee, O Lord, I have cried, O my God. The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (6:11-18) Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. For, neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all, who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. THE GOSPEL (For the Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross) The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (3:13-17) The Lord said, No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For, God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

4 ANNOUNCEMENTS How to Begin and Maintain a Good Spiritual Life Please join us for a day retreat in beautiful Moscow, Idaho on Saturday, October 5th! Fr. David Hovik from St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Arlington, WA will be speaking. All events will take place in the St. Augustine s Catholic Center upper room and chapel. Food and childcare provided. This event will be free, but any donations are gladly accepted! Please come join us and support St. Katherine s Mission! Schedule of Events: 9:00 am - Divine Liturgy 10 - Small snack 10:15 - Session 1 11:40 Questions 12:30 - lunch 1:30 - Session 2 3:00-15 min break 3:15 - Wrap up, remaining questions 4:00 - Closing prayer Need for flowers for the Vesperal Divine Liturgy for the Elevation of the Holy Cross We will be celebrating the Great Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross with a Vesperal Divine Liturgy on Friday, September 13 at 6:00 PM. We are in need of donations of flowers to decorate the tray upon which we place the holy cross. If you can donate flowers for this celebration, please contact Fr. Basil at: frbill@caldaroni.net or Sock Drive! Dear Friends at Saint John: My good friend and chiropractor, Dr Guy McAninch, is going to an orphanage in the Ukraine later this year to adopt a boy. When he goes he wants to be able to take socks for all the children in the orphanage since they don t have a reliable source of heat during the winter. To meet this need, Dr. Guy is putting on a sock drive this month to hopefully reach the goal of 215 pairs of socks. Dr. Guy is still a long way from the goal. Please consider helping by either purchasing socks or donating $5 or more so that Dr. Guy can afford to buy the socks himself. You can give the socks or a donation to Esther or me at church and we will pass it on to Dr. Guy (if you donate money for the sock drive, please put it in a sealed envelope with sock drive written on it). Robin Phillips Help Needed Aleksey (Lee) Nelson is seeking to relocate from Bonners Ferry to the Coeur d'alene/post Falls area for employment and needs a temporary place to stay until he can get on his feet. He has some excellent job possibilities and has already applied for several of these. If you have or know of such a temporary housing possibility, please contact him at lnelson@nelnet.org or or Blessing for Students Today! Today we will be praying for and blessing all our students who are currently returning to school. This will be done by Fr. Basil after "Blessed be the Name of The Lord" at the end of the Divine Liturgy. St. John Wish List: Olive Oil

5 SCHEDULE OF SERVICES & EVENTS Saturday, September 7 Great Vespers 6:00pm Sunday, September 8 Nativity of the Theotokos - Hours 8:45am; Orthros 9:00am; Divine Liturgy 10:00am; Lunch following Tuesday, September 10 Parish Council 7:00pm Wednesday, September 11 Vespers 6:00pm Friday, September 13 Spiritual Circle 9:30am; Vesperal Divine Liturgy for the Elevation of the Cross 6:00pm Saturday, September 14 Elevation of the Cross - Great Vespers 6:00pm Sunday, September 15 After-feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Hours 8:45am; Orthros 9:00am; Divine Liturgy 10:00am; Lunch following EPISTLE READERS Sept 8 Andrew Schaefer Sept 15 Sbdcn. Barnabas Sept 22 Joy Corey Sept 29 - Reader Mark Fellegy LUNCHEON & CLEANUP Sept 8 Team 2: Joy Corey, Morey Ranson, John & Piama Holmen, Adam & Mary Claire Roth, Jeff & Jenny Tecca Sept 15 Team 1: Molly Tsalaky, Gus & Helen Vlahos, Dale Ayoub, Ken & Nanette Sanman, Mike Ingram Sept 22 Team 3: Barbara Garbinski, Norman O'Daniel, Shirley Touros, Helen Weddle, Karen Karres Sept 29 Team 4: Team Townsend, Owen & Bryne Rush, Fr Basil & Matushka Caldaroni, Tim & Kelly Peterson PRAYERS FOR THE LIVING: Metropolitan Paul Yazigi and Metropolitan Youhanna Ibrahim (hostages in Syria) PRAYERS FOR THE DEPARTED: Tim Karamitros (friend of Karen Karres) COMMUNION - Since we understand Communion to mean that we have all things in common, sharing an identical Faith, only those who are members of the Orthodox Church who have prepared themselves through prayer, fasting and recent confession may participate in Holy Communion. (We invite all, however, to partake of the blessed bread which is distributed at the dismissal.) Please see the pastor for inquiries on how to become a member.

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