SAINT JAMES ORTHODOX CHURCH

SAINT JAMES ORTHODOX CHURCH 195 N. Main Street Milpitas, Ca 95035 www.sjorthodox.org Matins 8:00 a.m. Liturgy 10:30 a.m. The Very Reverend Fr. Jiris Hanna (408) 509-8802 Fr. Dcn. Joseph Kawar (408) 398-6357 Sunday September 21 (9/8), 2014 15 th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross The Nativity of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary األحد الخامس عشر بعد العنصرة األحد الذي قبل رفع الصليب ميالد سيدتنا والدة األله الفائقة القداسة والدائمة البتولية مريم Matins (Eothina IV): Luke 1:39-49; 56 Epistle: Galatians 6:11 18 Gospel: John 3:13 17 A Message from Fr. Giris The blessings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all, My dear brothers, sisters, and children in Christ, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each and every one of you for making our 9 th Annual Food Festival this year, yet another successful festival. With God s help and love, and with all your hard work over the past few months in organizing and planning such a big and successful event, I cannot find enough and worthy words to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your love, dedication, and commitment to your church. I know that each and every one of you in the parish and from our loving guests from outside the parish, have put tremendous hours from your busy schedules and sacrificed your times away from your families and from your work to make sure that this event runs smooth and ends with a great success as it did. Thanks to our Lord first and last for being with us, looking over us, and showing us the fruit of your hard work. I cannot thank you enough: all church men for all your dedication and following through the details; all church ladies for your non-stop commitment week after week in making the food; all church youth and children for your beautiful performances and entertainment; all church kids for enjoying their time, and all our church guests, and to every one who gave a hand, donated their time, money, material, and to those who prayed for us. It will take pages if I list all your names here but I know you all gave your very best and did it together as one big loving family and one hand exactly as our Lord Has taught us to do. With such a big event, it is very natural to have stressful moments especially when we got closer to the dates. But I am very happy and very proud of you all for the love and patience you showed and how you put God in your hearts at all times. Please extend my sincere thanks also to all our friends and guests who might not have a chance to read this letter. Without our guests we would not have been as successful as we were. I pray to our Lord to grant you and your families all the good health and to reward you for your hard work to make our St. James Orthodox Church the home for your children and grand children for ages to come. Amen. +The Unworthy Fr. Giris Hanna

The Nativity of the Theotokos Sunday September 21 (9/8) In addition to the celebration of the Annunciation, there are three major feasts in the Church honoring Mary, the Theotokos. The first of these is the feast of Her nativity, which is kept on September 21 (9/8). The record of the birth of Mary is not found in the Bible. The traditional account of the event is taken from the apocryphal writings which are not part of the New Testament scriptures. The traditional teaching which is celebrated in the hymns and verses of the festal liturgy is that Joachim and Anna were a pious Jewish couple who were among the small and faithful remnant the poor and the needy who were awaiting the promised messiah. The couple was old and childless. They prayed earnestly to the Lord for a child, since among the Jews bareness was a sign of God s disfavor. In answer to their prayers, and as the reward of their unwavering fidelity to God, the elderly couple was blessed with the child who was destined, because of her own personal goodness and holiness, to become the Mother of the Messiah-Christ. The fact that there is no Biblical verification of the facts of Mary s birth is incidental to the meaning of the feast. The divine meaning of it for us men and for our salvation is obvious. There had to be one born of human flesh and blood who would be spiritually capable of being the Mother of Christ, and she herself had to be born into the world of persons who were spiritually capable of being her parents. The feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, therefore, is a glorification of Mary s birth, or Mary herself and of her righteous parents. It is a celebration as well of the very first preparation of the salvation of the world. For the Vessel of Light, the Book of the Word of Life, the Door to the Orient, the Throne of Wisdom is being prepared on earth by God himself in the birth of the holy girlchild Mary. The verses of the feast are filled with titles for Mary such as those in the quotations above. They are inspired by the messages of the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. The specific Biblical readings of the feast give indications of this. At the Vespers the three Old Testamental readings are Mariological in their New Testamental interpretation. Thus, Jacob s Ladder which united heaven and earth and the place which is named the house of God and the gate of heaven (Genesis 28:10-17) are taken to indicate the union of God with men, which is realized most fully and perfectly both spiritually and physically in Mary the Theotokos, Bearer of God. So also the vision of the temple with the door to the East perpetually closed and filled with the glory of the Lords symbolizes Mary, called in the hymns of the feast the living temple of God filled with the divine Glory (Ezekiel 43:27 44:4). Mary is also identified with the house which the Divine Wisdom has built for himself according to the reading from Proverbs 9:1 11. The Gospel reading of Matins is the one read at all the feasts of the Theotokos, the famous Magnificant from St. Luke in which Mary says: My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden, for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed (Luke 1:47). The epistle reading of the Divine Liturgy is the famous passage about the coming of the Son of God in the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of man (Philippians 2:5 11), and the gospel reading is that which is always read for feasts of the Theotokos the woman in the crowd glorifies the Mother of Jesus, and the Lord himself responds that the same blessedness which his mother receives is for all who hear the word of God and keep it (Luke 11:27 28). Thus, on the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, as on all liturgical celebrations of Christ s Mother, we proclaim and celebrate that through God s graciousness to mankind every Christian receives what the Theotokos receives, the great mercy which is given to human persons because of Christ s birth from the Virgin.

تذكار مولد سيدتنا والدة االله الكلية القداسة األحد 12 ايلول )8 ايلول( هناك تقليد قديم ذكره في القرن الثاني بعد المسيح مؤلف كتاب "ميالد مريم" وأورده أيض ا في القرن الرابع مؤلف "إنجيل يعقوب" المنحول. نعرف منه. أن يواكيم وحن ة إذ لم يكن لهما ولد تراءى لهما مالك الرب وبش رهما بمولد ابنة لهما قد اختارها العلي لشرف أثيل. وبعد ميالد الطفلة حرصا أشد الحرص على تربيتها إلى يوم تمك نا من تقدمتها إلى هيكل الرب حيث عاشت إلى أن خ طبت ليوسف. تدعونا الكنيسة في رتبة العيد إلى التأمل في الدور الذي شغلته مريم العذراء في عمل الفداء. وإذ اختارها هللا منذ األزل لتكون أم الكلمة المتجس د نراها منذ مولدها سلطانة العالم ألنها هي التي أعطت البشري ة شمس العدل واغدقت عليها بابنها االلهي الفرح األبدي. ذلك ما يعب ر عنه القديس يوحنا الدمشقي إذ يهتف بيواكيم وحن ة: "هنيئ ا لكما أيها الزوجان! فإن الخليقة كلها لمدينة لكما. ألنها استطاعت بكما أن تقد م للخالق الهدي ة التي ال تعلوها هدي ة األم البتول التي هي وحدها جديرة بالخالق. فافرح يا يواكيم ألن االبن أعطي لنا مولود ا من ابنتك ". فبشفاعة والدة اإلله. أيها الرب إلهنا ارحمنا وخل صنا. آمين. We will have a special lunch on Sunday 9/21 for the occasion of the Nativity of the Theotokos provided by a parish family. Thank you and God bless you. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Friday September 19 (9/6) Commemoration of the Miracle if the Archangel Michael at Colossae Wine and Oil Allowed on this day Michael, commander of God's armies and minister of the divine glory, prince of the bodiless angels and guide of mankind, ask for what is good for us, and for great mercy, as supreme commander of the Bodiless Hosts. ايها الكلي الضياء ميخائيل الماثل لدى الثالوث مع المراتب السماوية والمرنم معهم التسبحة االلهية. يا من تجوب االرض باألشارة الربانية. العجيب بالمعجزات العظيمة ال تنفك عن الشفاعة فينا جميعا. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ANGER Recognize the root of anger and wrath: it is pride. Root it out with its very opposite, humility, with the help of God, Who looks upon the humble. - St. Macarius Sunday School Starting This Sunday Immediately after Holy Communion Parents: Please keep you children seated with you in the church until the start of Sunday School If you need more information, please contact Dcn. Joseph or Heba Khoury or Luma Theodossy.

أقوال للقديس اسحق السوري + إن غياب األطعمة يقود اإلنسان إلى اإلمساك )االنضباط( أما كثرتها فتقود إلى البطر. + حسن أن نتكلم في الالهوت ولكن األفضل هو أن ننقي ذواتنا من أجل هللا. + تكلم كتلميذ ال كأستاذ. في كل أمر اعتقد أنك بحاجة للتعلم وبذلك ستكون حكيما في كل حياتك. + ال تقرأ أبدا كتب الهراطقة. بل اقرأ دوما كتب معلمي الكنيسة. + بارك دوما وال تلعن. ألن البركة تلد البركة واللعنة تلد اللعنة. + عندما تفتح النعمة اإللهية أعين نفسك. عندئذ تجري الدموع كما من صنبور وهذه أوضح عالمة على الزيارة اإللهية St. James Annual Winter Retreat Everyone is welcome! Mark Your Calendar December 17 December 20, 2014 Life Giving Spring Monastery in Dunlap / Snow fun trip to Hume Lake Accommodation at St. Nicholas Ranch RSVP Required! Please contact Dcn. Joseph for more information Importance of Relationships The ultimate test of our relationship with God is most closely tied with our relationship with our spouse: how a husband treats his wife and how a wife treats her husband is a great sign of their relationship with God. The same can be applied to friendships and parenting. Happy Birthdays Maria Haddad 9/16 Richard Crinigan 9/18 Ferial Bateh 9/21 Walter Alexin 9/21 عقبال المئة سنة!!! E-mail sjoc@earthlink.net or call (408) 398-6357 for your bulletin personal announcements, comments, or feedback.

St. James 9 th Annual Middle Eastern & Greek Food Festival Congratulations to St. James Family for a beautiful festival Please keep checking St. James Facebook page For more Picture and Videos

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ On Leaving Church Early By St. Joseph the Prophet Question: If one enters the church during the time of liturgy and leaves before the end, is this a sin? Response: What is perfect and pleasing to God is for the person entering the church to hear the Scriptures and remain in the liturgy until the very end. For unless there is good reason, one should not leave before the end; for this is scornful. If some need presents itself, then that person has permission to leave early. However, even then, such a person should not justify oneself, but ask forgiveness from God, saying: "Master, forgive me; for, I was not able to stay." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ St. James Orthodox Church 195 N. Main Street Milpitas, CA. 95035 Wednesday 9/17 (9/4) Holy Prophet and God-seer Moses

A Flat Pledge/donation is a set amount that should be collected immediately and turned in on the day of the event (9/28). Ask your friends and neighbors! A Per Lap Pledge is an amount promised to you for each lap walked. Return your completed lap card with money collected with your pledge sheet by 10/12/14. You will then be eligible for your fundraising level prize. We encourage FLAT pledges so you can get your chances to win the ipad on the day of the event Checks made out to St s Peter and Paul Mission Ministry. What do I need to register? Your signed pledge sheet, emergency contact information, pledge cash or checks. Proceeds benefit the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Girls Orphanage in Calcutta, India and the humanitarian work of Sr. Nektaria. A prize for the top fundraiser is a beautiful hand painted icon of St. Nicholas modeled after the mural icons in the church of St. Nicholas Orphanos in Thessaloniki. What if I have a sports event that day? Come before or after your sports event. If you are registered you get 10 laps credit. What if I chose not to walk? Every one is very welcome. Come listen to our speaker and enjoy the event. We will offer take out as well. Your donation is important to us! All donations apply to the prizes up to 10/12/14. 10/12/14 is the last day drop off your pledges to be eligible for prize. After liturgy in small hall or at the church office. $500 and over. A tour of & reception at the PAOI in Berkeley lead by His Eminence Met. Nikitas. Bus will be provided. The date TBD by His Eminence. $300 Bowling with our priests. Fun for the whole family! Pasta Lunch $5 *Take Out available* Frappes * Bake Sale * Crafts Wellness Booth Silent Auction & Raffle items for all ages! Kids Korner - New or nearly new gifts Kiddie Corral play area for prek kids Photo Gallery of the Orphanage Site Itinerary for the day: 11:30am CC driveway closed. Exit school gate $50 For each $50 you turn in on 9/28 you get 1. A chance to win an ipad. 2. A chance to win a $5 gift card. Introductions by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas & Fr. Demosthenes 12:00pm Registration opens & lunch in CC 12:30 pm Walk start & all activities open 1:30 pm Presentations start $25 A Pedometer. $10 to walk & be eligible for lap prize and treats. Presentation by Thomaida Hudanish recently back from the orphanage NO STREET PARKING in front of church 3:00 pm Silent Auction closes 3:30 pm Drawing for ipad Volunteer? Contact rosa@deamant.com Go UP the ladder and receive the pledge prize listed for each level. You also get the prize/s below each level. One for each registered participant. Sponsored by the Missions Ministry of St. Basil and St. Nicholas Orthodox Churches. Together we are Saints Peter and Paul Missions Ministry.

Walker s Name: Emergency Contact: Phone Walker s Address: Phone email SPONSOR S NAME Yani Smithopolous Address/City/State/Zip Phone Flat Pledge 300 Wall Street, SJ 95125 000-000-0000 $25 Per Lap Pledge Amt. Date Paid 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 TOTALS Official Use Only Total flat donation/s Amount For Official Use Only/ Cash I hereby waive and release any and all rights and claims for damages against St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, officials and sponsors of the Walk for Missions from any and all liabilities incident to our, mine and/or my minor child s involvement or participation in the program. Per Lap Pledges x Laps = Lap Money due by 10/12/14 Checks Online Signature Parent/Guardian if under 18 years old. Minors please make sure to have an adult contact on the premises. NO Drop Offs please.

Sunday, October 12, 2014 6:00 pm St. Nicholas Community Center. 1270 Davis Street San Jose, Ca 95126 Guests of Honor: His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas of Dardanelles Gerontissa Markella. Given by:. Paul, Nick & George Pries. $60 adults $30 children under 12 yrs. Limited Seating Purchase your tickets soon! Organized by: Maria Anagnostos for tickets or questions contact meroulas@yahoo.com or 408-316-6609. Salmon dinner will be served Proceeds will benefit the monastery! Thank you for your love & support for the monastery!