St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church 125 Kohanza Street Danbury, CT 06811 V. Rev. Fr. George Alberts, Pastor Church/Rectory: 203-798-1771 Church Hall: 203-743-1921 Email: st-george@sbcglobal.net Church Website: stgeorgedanbury.org Liturgical Services Confessions heard: 4:30-5 p.m. Saturday (or by appointment) Great Vespers at 5 p.m. Saturday Orthros (Matins) Service at 9 a.m. Sunday Morning Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. Sunday Morning Church School (September-June) following Holy Communion Feast Day Vesper-Liturgy at 7 p.m. on the Eve of the Feast Sunday, February 5, 2017 We welcome you to our Church today. Our Sunday service is the Divine Liturgy at which the Sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated. While all are welcome to attend this service, we ask that you refrain from coming to receive this sacrament unless you are of the Orthodox faith and are properly prepared through prayer, fasting and the Sacrament of Confession.
THE SYNAXARION On February 5 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate the Martyr Agatha of Palermo in Sicily; Polyeuktos, patriarch of Constantinople; New-martyr Anthony of Athens; Venerable Theodosios of Scopelos; and Theodosios, archbishop of Chernigov On the Sunday which falls during the After-feast of the Presentation (Meeting) of our Lord, we commemorate the Holy and Righteous Mothers of the Three Hierarchs: Emmelia (Basil the Great), Nona (Gregory the Theologian) and Anthousa (John Chrysostom). On this day, we make remembrance of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, which occurs in the Holy Gospel according to Luke the Evangelist. Verses If you resemble the Pharisee, run far away from the Temple; For inside is Christ before Whom only the humble are acceptable. Verses for the Triodion O Creator of everything heavenly and earthly, receive Thou from the Angels a Trinitarian song, And from us men a noble and reverent Triodion. In our Savior s parable, Jesus uses a Pharisee, a leader of the synagogue, who was regarded in public opinion as virtuous; and a publican, a tax collector, who was regarded as oppressive, greedy and a sinner. In their prayers to God, we discover the real hearts of these two men. We thus learn of the harm that comes from pride and the good that comes from humility. The divine Church Fathers sought to alert prepare the Christ-loving clergy and laity for the upcoming period of the Great Fast. Therefore, on this Sunday we are reminded that humility is the greatest weapon against pride, as we imitate the humility of the publican to ascend to the divine heights. Through the intercessions of the wonderworking Saints, O Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen. The Parable of the Publican and Pharisee
Divine Liturgy Variables on Sunday, February 05, 2017 Tone 8 / Eothinon 11 Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican After-feast of Presentation (Meeting) of Christ Martyr Agatha of Sicily; Polyeuktos, patriarch of Constantinople; New-martyr Anthony of Athens; Venerable Theodosios of Scopelos; repose of Theodosios, archbishop of Chernigov THE FIRST ANTIPHON My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made concerning the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Refrain: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us. Grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee forever. (Refrain) Glory Both now (Refrain) THE SECOND ANTIPHON Gird Thy sword upon Thy thigh, O most mighty, with Thy glory and Thy majesty. Bend Thy bow, and prosper, and reign. Refrain: Save us, O Son of God, Who wast borne in the arms of righteous Simeon; who sing to Thee. Alleluia. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king s enemies; whereby the people fall under Thee. (Refrain) The scepter of Thy kingdom is a righteous scepter. (Refrain) Glory Both now O, only begotten Son and Word of God THE THIRD ANTIPHON (Sung during the Little Entrance) Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father s house. Even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favor. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations. APOLYTIKION OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN TONE ONE Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous old man, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, Who granteth us Resurrection. Now sing the apolytikion of the patron saint or feast of the temple. (Sing the following after the Little Entrance) RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION IN TONE EIGHT From the heights Thou didst descend, O compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the threeday burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee. APOLYTIKION OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN TONE ONE Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous old man, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, Who granteth us Resurrection. Now sing the apolytikion of the patron saint or feast of the temple. ST. GEORGE IN TONE FOUR As deliverer of captives and defender of the poor, healer of the infirm, champion of Kings, victorious great Martyr George, intercede with Christ our God for the salvation of our souls. KONTAKION OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN TONE ONE Thou, O Christ God, Who by Thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve Thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom Thou didst love, for Thou alone art the Lover of mankind. THE EPISTLE (For Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican) Make vows to the Lord thy God, and perform them. In Judah God is known; His Name is great in Israel. The Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to St. Timothy. (3:10-15) Timothy my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my sufferings; and what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra. What persecutions I endured; yet from them all, the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
THE GOSPEL (For Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican) The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (18:10-14) The Lord spoke this parable: Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get. But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to Heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner! I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. +++PRAY FOR THEIR HEALTH+++ Please remember our ill parishioners, especially Mary Zamary (Mayfair Nursing Home); Michael Aberisk Pope John Paul II Rehabilitation Center). Please call Fr. George if you know of someone who would like a phone call or visit. Candle Offerings (Please Note: All Candle requests must be given to Fr. George before Noon on Tuesday in order for them to be included in Sunday s Bulletin. This is also true for any announcements for the bulletin. Thank You.) 5 DAY VOTIVE CANDLES ARE OFFERED FOR THE HEALTH OF: Malaky Saffi by Fred & Ann Diker Elaine Chaber by Fred & Ann Diker Victoria Matthews by Fred & Ann Diker Jeanette Beylouni by Fred & Ann Diker Dr. Henry & Swanee Showah by Fred & Ann Diker Christina Alberts by the Debs Family Rita El Khoury by the Debs Family Nancy Farris by the Debs Family Jeanette Beylouni by the Debs Family Christina Alberts by Elaine and Nadia Chaber Rita El Khoury by Nadia Chaber Rita El Khoury by Chibli and Margo Khalil Nancy Farris and Rita El Khoury by Paula Chaber Rita El Khoury by John and Joanne Hadad Malaky Saffi by Elaine and Nadia Chaber Malaky Saffi by Renee and Sami Debs Nancy Farris by Adele Mityas Jeanette Beylouni by Adele Mityas Rita El Khoury by Adele Mityas Malaky Saffi by Adele Mityas Elaine Chaber by Adele Mityas Malaky Saffi by John and Joanne Hadadd Jeanette Beylouni by the Massoud Family Nancy Farris by the Bechara Family Nancy Farris by George and Rayna Chaber Jeanette Beylouni by George and Rayna Chaber Malaky Saffi by Vickie Matthews Rita El Khoury by Vickie Matthews Darlene Matthews by Vickie Matthews Sally Connolly by Vickie Matthews
5 DAY VOTIVE CANDLES ARE OFFERED IN BELOVED MEMORY OF: John and George Beylouni by Jeanette Beylouni George Farris by Nancy Farris Raymond Beylouni by Jeanette Beylouni Michelle Kayal by Her Family Mabel Aberisk by Michael Aberisk and Daughter Frieh Sayegh by Nawal Sayegh Mahassen Khoury by Fred & Ann Diker Mahassen Khoury by Chibli and Margo Khalil Mahassen Khoury by Elaine and Nadia Chaber Mahassen Khouy by Adele Mityas Frieh Sayegh by Ibrahim and Huda Bechara and Family George and Mary Massoud by the Massoud Family Cameron LeRoy by the Massoud Family Remee Liggitt by George and Rayna Chaber PLEASE NOTE: If you are calling in or emailing your candle requests, please make your checks payable to St. George Church earmarked Candles or include a note with your donation. Services and Events Sunday, February 5 Matins at 9 a.m./liturgy at 10 a.m./church School/Teen SOYO Mtg./Sub Sale Thursday, February 9 Parish Council Meeting at 7 p.m. Saturday, February 11 Confession at 4:30 p.m./vespers at 5 p.m. Sunday, February 12 Matins at 9 a.m./liturgy at 10 a.m./church School/Valentine s Day Basket Raffle Tuesday, February 14 Ladies Society Meeting at Noon Saturday, February 18 Memorial Saturday Liturgy at 10 a.m./confession at 4:30/Vespers at 5 Sunday, February 19 Matins at 9 a.m./liturgy at 10 a.m./church School Meatfare Sunday Ladies Corner: Valentine s Day Basket Raffle Our Ladies Society will be holding a Valentine s Day Basket Raffle on Sunday, February 12 th following the Divine Liturgy. Ladies, we are seeking your donation of items for the basket. You can bring them to Church with you and give them to Alyssa Assaf who will be arranging the baskets. Thank you for your help with this project. Coffee Hour Sponsors Please contact Joan Chaber James and Fr. George before you place your name on the calendar on the bulletin board next to the kitchen in the Church Hall if you would like to sponsor a coffee hour. Please let them also know if you need to change your coffee hour date! Please DO NOT write your name on a calendar date without first checking with Joan and Father. Just a reminder Those who are sponsoring coffee hour are also responsible for baking or purchasing the Holy Bread for the Divine Liturgy that morning. Fr. George needs the bread Saturday night as he performs the Proskomedia Service early Sunday morning before Matins. If you are unable to bake bread for your Sunday, bread can be purchased from our Ladies Society for $10. If you have the names of living or departed loved ones that you would like Fr. George to remember during the Proskomedia Service and the Great Entrance, or if you would like a Trisagion Service, please give Fr. George their names when you bring the bread to church. If you haven t sponsored a coffee hour during the past year, please consider helping us.
FEBRUARY 5--40-day Memorial for Mahassen Khoury 12 2 Year Memorial for Lou Matthews 19--Paula Chaber 26--Adele Mityas APRIL 2-- 9-- 16-- 23-- 30-- MARCH 5--Susan Kayal 12-- 19-- 26-- MAY 7-- 14-- 21--1 Year Memorial for George Shukry 28-- Please remember that when it is your Coffee Hour, you are responsible for cleaning up the hall and kitchen and please remember to take any leftovers home with you so that they do not spoil in the Church Kitchen refrigerator. Coffee Hour Sponsors Needed We all enjoy the coffee hour and fellowship following the Divine Liturgy. This special time gives us the opportunity to see our fellow parishioners, catch up on the weeks' goings on, maybe set-up organization meetings, or just visit with everyone. To continue with this lovely custom, we need the support of all of our families in the parish. So, please consider sponsoring a coffee hour. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate, just a little something to "break our fast." Thank you, St. George Ladies Society It costs about $2,788 per week (based on last year's expenses) to run the Church. Please try to make up your contributions on the weeks you are not in Church. Home Blessing Form NAME ADDRESS PHONE BEST DAY AND TIME OF DAY