St. Mark Antiochian Orthodox Church Self-ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, Diocese of the West 17840 Sky Park Circle, Irvine, CA 92614 (949) 851-8933 Website: www.st-mark-church.org Archpriest Michael Laffoon, Priest Patrick Irish Protodeacon George Moubayed, Sub Deacon Athanasius Fakhouri Choir Director Barbara Scholl Chanters: Jacob Bahbah, Theresa Joubran, Mark Ellis & Karim Youssef Church Office Administrator: Lydia Wakileh Sunday Schedule: Orthros (Matins) & Confessions 8:45 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. NOVEMBER 2ND, 2014 HOLY MARTYRS AKINDINOS, PEGASIOS, APHTHONIOS, ELPIDOPHOROS AND ANEMPODISTOS OF PERSIA HYMNS AFTER THE LITTLE ENTRANCE Troparion for the Resurrection in the Fourth Tone: Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying: Death hath been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy. Troparion of the Persian Martyrs in the Second Tone: Blessed is the earth that drank thy blood, O prizewinners of the Lord, and holy are the tabernacles that received thy spirits; for in the stadium ye triumphed over the enemy, and ye proclaimed Christ with boldness. Beseech him, we pray, since He is good, to save our souls. Troparion to St. Mark in the Fourth Tone: From thy childhood the light of truth enlightened thee, O Mark, and thou didst love the labor of Christ the Savior. Wherefore thou didst follow Peter with zeal and didst serve Paul as a fellow laborer and didst enlighten the world with thy holy Gospel. Kontakion of the Theotokos in the Second Tone: O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Prokeimenon (Psalm 103.24,1) O Lord, how magnificent is your works. You have made all things in wisdom. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Section from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians (2:16-20) Brethren, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Alleluia Verses (Psalm 44:4, 7) Tone 4: Draw your bow and prosper and reign, for the cause of truth and meekness and justice. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (16:19-31) The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Holy Oblations are offered today by Sarah & Amber Asaly and Christine Nassif for Michael & May Asaly on the occasion of their wedding Anniversary and anniversary blessing, by Abe, Diana, Michael, Mary-Anne, Tania, Aida and Stevie Khamis for Katrina on the occasion of her 21st birthday, and by Cherine Elzakhem and family for the soul of Jamal Jean (John) Al Hachem, who recently passed away in Lebanon. Coffee Hour today is given by the Asaly Family. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please remember in your prayers: Odette Chade, Maha Kureh, Darlyne Dibs, Eleanor Wackeen, Sleiman Aldada and the suffering people of West Africa, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon Egypt, Iraq and everywhere afflicted with disease and violence. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ushers serving this week: Sleiman Aldada & Elyas Khury Ushers serving next week: Dimitri Kort & Randy Dabbah. Altar boys serving Today: Andrew Khamis, Paul Rodriguez, Alex Turk, Jay Skaff, Altar boys serving Next Week: James Bahbah, Peter Williams, Nicholas Bahou, Youssef Youssef Church Etiquette  Please be on time for services; those arriving late should not approach the Chalice for Communion.  To receive Communion, one must be a baptized/chrismated Orthodox Christian who has prepared by prayer, fasting, alms giving, and regular confession.  Confessions are heard on Sunday mornings during Orthros and during the week by appointment.  Men, women, and children: please dress modestly for services.  Please remove lip balm or lipstick before receiving Communion or kissing the holy icons, Chalice, or Gospel.  If you wish to stand for the entire service, please do so in the back or the aisle so as not to block the view of others who may need to sit. When seated, we should refrain from a posture of relaxation (e.g., crossing legs or arms).  Pledges, Tithes, Donations: Giving 10% of one’s income is God-pleasing, as are all gifts offered by a pious and cheerful giver with a humble heart. Membership forms, renewed annually, are located in the Hall.  Children are welcome! Yet, if they interfere with the prayers of the faithful, we all may need a break. Quote from the Saints "A believer in Christ needs only to realize his weaknesses and sins and ask forgiveness, and God’s love cleanses and heals all the wounds of sin." -- Abbot Nikon of Russian Canned Food Drive As we all know, unemployment is still high. All relief agencies are seeing more needs and at the same time donations are down. In light of this, the ongoing canned food collection of our parish is a small but important way to help. Please try to bring something to go in the collection barrel every week. Good Samaritan Fund Several years ago, St. Mark Church established a fund for assisting those in need, both within our parish and in the general community. From time to time we ask for contributions to the Good Samaritan Fund, and this is one of those times. If you are in need of assistance or you are aware of someone in our parish that needs financial assistance, please speak with Fr. Michael. Today Hall Renovation Bake Sale: Proceeds from today’s sale will go towards a “facelift” of our Church Hall. Many thanks and blessings to Gisele Awayjan and her committee for our wonderful Wine and Food event last night. Fr. John Finley was our “guide” last night, and we welcome him at Liturgy this morning. SOYO Fundraiser: Pies will be delivered by Thanksgiving.. Apple, Pecan and Pumpkin - Yum! Please see form included in this bulletin to order your pies. SAVE THE DATE! By the grace of the Holy Spirit, we are prayerfully anticipating the upcoming Enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph. Since many will not be able to attend the event in New York, we are blessed to announce an official West Coast Diocese event celebrating the Enthronement on Saturday, January 31, 2015 in Los Angeles, California, with the proceeds to benefit Camp St. Nicholas and Youth Education Programs. We are praying for enthusiastic participation by all churches in the Diocese to honor our beloved Metropolitan Joseph. This is the only celebration taking place on the West Coast do not miss this historic celebration in the life of our Archdiocese. Please note that there will be a Commemorative Program Book that will include memorable images from the actual enthronement. Ticket and program book information will be available shortly. For further information, contact co-chairs: Rose Samore: [email protected] or Jasminka Gabrie: [email protected] “No Debt Building Campaign” Our sanctuary remodel and expansion is progressing and we hope to move into the new sanctuary by the end of November. In order to complete this work with little or no debt, we have embarked on a “No Debt” Campaign. So far we have pledges and donations totaling $75,880 Thanks to those who have made these pledges. Please consider your “No Debt” contribution today! This Week Wednesday November 5, No Vespers (Fr Michael is traveling) Next week Sunday November 9th, Ladies Guild Pre Thanksgiving Luncheon. Please see Flyer included for more information. Monday November 10th, 6:30 p.m. Parish Council Meeting Wednesday November 12th, 6:30 p.m. Daily Vespers Friday November 14th, Vespers, Ask Abouna Teen Session, Dinner and Movie sign up with Jay Skaff for something to bring for dinner Upcoming Services & Events Saturday November 15th, Advent Begins Sunday November 16th, Ladies Guild Meeting after Church. Please ladies grab your coffee and join us. Upcoming Humanitarian Events ‫‏‬ Dec 7th FOCUS OC Valencia Inn St. Nicholas Day, hosted by Sunday School Jan 4th Red Cross Blood Drive BUY SCRIP Our Ladies Guild buys scrip from many and various stores and Restaurants (see list included in this Bulletin) at a 3 to 10% discount. When you buy the scrip, which is accepted just like cash at the issuing store, the Parish benefits. You pay no more for these goods and services and are making a donation to our parish. You can purchase this scrip from Saeda Turk at the coffee hour. Saint of the Day Akindynos, Pegasios, Aphthonios, Elpidephoros, & Anempodistos of Persia (November 2) These Martyrs contested in Persia about the year 330, in the reign of Sapor (Shapur) II, King of Persia (325-379). Acindynus, Pegasius, and Anempodistus, Persian Christians, confessed Christ before the King, and were put to many torments. Aphthonius and Elpidephorus, drawn to the Faith of Christ through the Martyrs, were beheaded with another 7,000. Saints Acindynus, Pegasius, and Anempodistus were at last burned to death. Two churches were dedicated in their honour in Constantinople. As is often the case in church hymns, there is a play on the meanings of the Saints' names here. Acindynus means "unimperilled"; Pegasius is derived from pegazo--"to gush forth"; Aphthonius is derived from aphthonos-"abundant"; Elpidephorus means "hope-bearing"; Anempodistus means "unhindered." These are all Greek translations of their Persian names.