SAINT JAMES ORTHODOX w CHURCH 195 N. Main Street Milpitas, Ca 95035 www.sjorthodox.org Sundays Matins 8:00 a.m. Sundays Liturgy 10:30 a.m. The Very Reverend Fr. Jiris Hanna (408) 509-8802 Dcn. Joseph Kawar (408) 398-6357 Issue No. 714 Sunday October 22 (10/9), 2017 20 th Sunday after Pentecost Holy Apostle James, son of Alphaeus St. Andronicus and his wife St. Athanasia, of Egypt (5 th century) األحد العشرون بعد العنصرة تذكار القديس الرسول يعقوب بن حلفا وأبينا البار اندرونيكوس وزوجته Matins (Eothina IX): John 20:19 31 Epistle: Galatians 1:11 19 Gospel: Luke 7:11 16 Services This Week Thursday 10/19 at 10am Holy Apostle Thomas Saturday 10/21 at 5pm Great Vespers & Bible Study Holy Apostle James, son of Alphaeus Sunday 10/22 (10/9) Holy Apostle James the son of Alphaeus one of the Twelve Apostles, was the brother of the holy Evangelist Matthew. He heard the Lord's words and witnessed His miracles. After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle James Alphaeus and the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, made missionary journeys preaching in Judea, Edessa, Gaza, Eleutheropolis, proclaiming the Gospel, healing all sorts of sickness and disease, and converting many to the path of salvation. St James finished his apostolic work In the Egyptian city of Ostra china, where he was crucified by the pagans. Abba James said: "Just as a lamp lights up a dark room, so the fear of God, when it penetrates the heart of a man illuminates him, teaching him all the virtues and commandments of God."
Holy, Glorious Apostle Thomas Thursday 10/19 (10/6) The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas was born in the Galileian city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after Him. The Apostle Thomas is included in the number of the holy Twelve Apostles of the Savior. According to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe" (John 20:25). to savage nations." On the eighth day after the Resurrection, the Lord appeared to the Apostle Thomas and showed him His wounds. "My Lord and my God," the Apostle cried out (John 20:28). "Thomas, being once weaker in faith than the other apostles," says St John Chrysostom, "toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, so that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God Some icons depicting this event are inscribed "The Doubting Thomas." This is incorrect. In Greek, the inscription reads, "The Touching of Thomas." In Slavonic, it says, "The Belief of Thomas." When St Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts. According to Church Tradition, the holy Apostle Thomas founded Christian churches in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Ethiopia and India. Preaching the Gospel earned him a martyr's death. For having converted the wife and son of the prefect of the Indian city of Meliapur, the holy apostle was locked up in prison, suffered torture, and finally, pierced with five spears, he departed to the Lord. Part of the relics of the holy Apostle Thomas are in India, in Hungary and on Mt. Athos. A Miracle of the Skull of the Apostle Thomas in Symi in 1978 The entire island of Symi in the Dodecanese, except for Panormitis Monastery, was filled with locusts that would not go away with any pesticide. Then the locals went via the Metropolis of Rhodes to the Sacred Monastery of Saint John the Theologian in Patmos and asked for the wonderworking Skull of the Apostle Thomas, which is kept there, in order for a procession to take place to prevent further devastation. The same thing, as they had heard, had taken place in the olden days with successful results. The Monastery in Patmos responded to the request of the Symians and the Skull was brought to their island on Sunday the 14th of May, accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Spyridon of Rhodes, the Reverend Abbot of the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and Patriarchal Exarch of Patmos Isidore, and brothers from the Monastery. A procession was formed immediately and the holy case was deposited in the Cathedral Church of the Honorable Forerunner in Symi. The procession was followed by the Interior Minister Mr. Stratos, who was on the island to celebrate the Liberation of the Dodecanese, the prefect, members of the parliament from the Dodecanese and other military and civilian authorities. After the procession, the Skull was moved to Pedi in Symi, where there are gardens and fields, and immediately the locusts began to flee and they fell into the sea. The locals became moved and excited, they did their cross and they glorified God.
The miraculous power of the Skull was reported in the Rhodian press. The newspaperprogress wrote on May 16th: "You would not have believed it but it is true! We saw it with our own eyes. All the locusts of Symi died, immediately after the procession that took place with the wonderworking Skull of the Apostle Thomas, that was brought from Patmos for this purpose. These phrases were spoken by many Syrians, who returned yesterday afternoon from Symi, after a two-day trip they had taken on the occasion of the festival there. Yesterday morning supplications took place in the Cathedral Church of Saint John in Symi, officiated by Metropolitan Spyridon together with the Abbots of Patmos and Panormitis, with priests, authorities and the people of the island. After the prayers a procession took place, in the hopes that the locusts would disappear, which had spread out over the island and became a real scourge for plants and crops. A few hours after the procession, as reported by travelers, piles of dead locusts were seen at the edges of roads and fields. It is said that the Skull of the Apostle Thomas is wonderworking, but especially in cases where there is agricultural damage by insects or other diseases." Source: Ekklesiastiki Aletheia, June 1, 1978. Translated by John Sanidopoulos. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ من المزامير الروحية للقديس افرام السوري المزمور رقم 36 تطويبات طوبى للممتلئ دائما من الفرح الروحي والذي يحمل نير الرب الصالح بدون تعب ألنه سي كل ل بالمجد. طوبى للذي طه ر نفسه من كل فساد خاطئ ألنه بشجاعة يستطيع ان يستقبل في بيته ملك المجد ربنا يسوع المسيح. طوبى للذي يقترب بوقار وخوف ورعدة من اسرار المخلص الكلية النقاوة عالما انه ينال في جسده حياة التفنى. طوبى للذي يتأمل الموت كل ساعة والذي ابطل في ذاته األهواء المخزية التي تعشش في قلوب المهملين ألن انسانا كهذا سيتعزى وقت رقاده. طوبى للذي يتذكر على الدوام عذابات جهنم ويسارع الى التوبة امام الرب بدموع وتنهدات محبو ا باإلخالص ألنه سي عتق من كل حزن. طوبى للذي يضع نفسه دائما طوعا ألنه سي كل ل من قبل األحد الذي وضع نفسه طوعا من اجلنا. طوبى للذي يبقى عند قدمي الرب )في الصالة( بكل ورع مثل مريم والذي يسارع الى استقبال الرب والمخلص )باألعمال الصالحة( مثل مرثا. طوبى للذي يحمل في نفسه دائما دفء الروح القدس وهو ملتهب بخوف هللا والذي احرق اشواك األفكار الشريرة. طوبى للذي يحب الوداعة بوعي روحي وال يسمح لنفسه باالنخداع بالثعبان الشرير بل يضع كل آماله في الرب الصالح والرؤوف.
1 12pm 12 th Annual Milpitas Greek & Middle Eastern Food Festival October 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 3 4 5 6 10am The Conception of St. John the Baptist 7 5pm Vespers & Bible Study 8 9 10am St. John the Theologian 10 11 12 13 10am St. Romanos the Melodist 14 15 6-month Trisagion Sami (Jabra) Asfour 16 17 18 19 10am Holy Apostle Thomas 7:30pm Board Meeting 20 21 5pm Vespers & Bible Study 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 7pm Holy Apostle Thomas Fall Festival for the Kids
THE CROSS To bear the cross does not mean only visible, external sorrows, but also internal spiritual ones. One must endure darkness, faintheartedness and similar things as well. For God sends this for the destruction of our pride and acquiring of humility. - St. Macarius Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate *** Food for the Soul *** ابجملد والكرامة كللهما Congratulations The parish of St. James Orthodox Church congratulates the NEWLY WEDS George & Dina Vasiliou For their marriage on Saturday October 14, 2017 at the Ascension Greek Orthodox Church Oakland Congratulations also to parents Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Vasiliou & Mr. & Mrs. Yousef & Iqbal Yacoub Every other Saturday Next Bible Study Saturday 10/21/17 Immediately following Vespers Service 5pm Lunch This Sunday October 22 will be provided by St. James Church Ladies In appreciation to everyone s hard work during our Annual Food Festival earlier this month. Thank you and God bless you. And all the Hanna and Gomez families. May our Lord Jesus Christ bless George & Dina with His Grace with their new life together. Room For Rent Large room for rent in a unique Victorian home in downtown San Jose, $600/month, landlord pays water, garbage, and electricity. Split PG&E gas bill with other tenants. Located near San Jose State University and Hwy 280. Contact Elias (408) 824-3468 Alaa Shuhaiber 10/16 Mitri Sousou 10/16 Fadi Wahhab 10/17 Chris Khoury 10/17 Constantina Anagnostopoulos 10/19 عقبال المئة سنة!!! E-mail sjoc@earthlink.net for your bulletin personal announcements, comments, or feedback.
Sunday School Registration Form 2017-2018 Available for: Pre-k & K (3-5y) Elementary (6-8y) Middle School (9-10y) Juniors (11-12y) Dear Parents, Sunday school is the perfect opportunity for your children to learn about Orthodoxy and to grow close to their faith. Sunday school will offer the children a chance to achieve spiritual growth through the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Every year, we try our best to make Sunday school as structured as possible; ATTENDANCE IS THE KEY FOR ITS SUCCESS. Please bring your children to church every Sunday so that they do not fall behind on the lessons and learning. As a parent, please keep your children sitting with you during the service until class time (immediately after communion) every Sunday. (Pre-K class after the Great Entrance) By the end of the school year, in June, the students will have developed extensive knowledge on the Orthodox religion. One of our main goals as teachers this year is to make the children eager about going to church. We appreciate a $25 donation per student to help us buy required Sunday School supplies, books, and snacks. Thank you for your support. Please Fill out the form below & return with $25 donation Student Name 1: First Last Birthday (m/d/y): Grade in school: Age: Baptismal name Student Name 2: First Last Birthday (m/d/y): Grade in school: Age: Baptismal name Student Name 3: First Last Birthday (m/d/y): Grade in school: Age: Baptismal name Fathers Name: Mothers Name: Address: Phone #: Cell #: E-mail: For questions please contact: Luma Theodossy (408) 666-8864 or Heba Khoury (714) 458-7910
St. James Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive For I was hungry and you gave Me food - Matthew 25:35 It is that time again Time of giving and thinking of others who are less fortunate. St. James Orthodox Church is sponsoring Thanksgiving Food Drive again this year. Three big bins are now available at the church entrance and in the church hall for your food donation. Most-Needed Foods The bins will be available through Sunday November 19 th. The Food Bank accepts all non-perishable food donations, but especially needs these nutritious items: Canned tuna, chicken or salmon Peanut butter Meals in a can (soup, stew, chili) Low-sodium canned vegetables Canned fruit in its own juice or water Olive or canola oil Spices (cinnamon, chili powder, cumin, salt-free spice blends) Canned foods with pop-top lids Low-sugar whole grain cereals Healthy snacks (granola bars, nuts, dried fruit) Please avoid items packed in glass. No candy or sugar-sweetened drinks. God gave us a gift by having food on the table. Please share this gift with the poor and needy families in the community.