St. George Orthodox Cathedral Bulletin - December 24, 2014—Published Weekly St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, MA 01604 Saint George Orthodox Cathedral Rev. Fr. Milad Selim, Dean Rev. Archdn. Seraphim Solof Rev. Dn. Anthony Payne We are happy to welcome visitors to the Orthodox Church. We are blessed by your presence. Because the Orthodox Church understands communion to be the union of its membership, only those Orthodox Christians who have prepared properly should approach the chalice for communion. Those who belong to other “communions”, but would like to come into the Orthodox Church, should speak to one of our clergy to begin preparation. Thank you for your respect and understanding. Office 30 Anna Street Worcester, MA 01604 Telephone: (508) 752-9150 Fax: (508) 753-5623 E-mail: [email protected] Or [email protected] Web page: www.stgeorgeworcester.org Pastor’s Contact [email protected] Hall Rental Information TONE: 4 EOTHINON: 7 VESPERS: 5 PM CHURCH SCHOOL: NONE MATINS : 9 AM CONFESSION: 9:15-9:45 AM DIVINE LITURGY: 10 AM The Hall at St. George: 508-752-9150 Sunday, December 28, 2014 St. Luke: Captain: Alexander Joyce Nicholas Gammal, Nicholas Sciascia, Justin Wehbe, Joseph Morgan, Charles Risk, Nicholas Kotosky, Andrew Ansara, Alexander Samra, Lucas Gammal. Please dress appropriately including dress shoes and tie. The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians (1:11-19) Brethren, I would have you know that the Gospel, which was preached by me, is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people; so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (2:13-23) When the wise men had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the Child, to destroy Him.” And he rose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called My Son.” Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region, who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION IN TONE FOUR 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! APOLYTIKION OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST IN TONE FOUR Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath given rise to the light of knowledge in the world; for they that worshipped the stars did learn there from to worship Thee, O Sun of Justice, and to know that from the east of the Highest Thou didst come. O Lord, glory to Thee. APOLYTIKION OF SUNDAY AFTER THE NATIVITY IN TONE TWO Proclaim, O Joseph, to David, the grandparent of God, the amazing wonders; for thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; for with the shepherds thou didst give glory, with the Magi thou didst worship, and by the angel it was revealed to thee. Wherefore, plead thou with Christ God to save our souls. KONTAKION OF THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST IN TONE THREE Today the Virgin giveth birth to the Transcendent in essence; the earth offereth the cave to the unapproachable One; the angels with the shepherds glorify Him; and the Magi with the star travel on their way; for a new child hath been born for our sakes, God before the ages. Antiochian Village 2015 Registration Now Open!!!: Registration for summer camp is officially open! The Antiochian Village is one of the crown jewels of our Godprotected Archdiocese, an experience that has formed countless leaders within our Archdiocese, both in the clergy and in the laity. It is a blessed place where our children can encounter Christ in a unique and personal way. The Village had a record-breaking number of campers last summer, and expects an even higher turnout this summer. Session 2 will run from 6/28-7/10. Camp tuition this year is $700, or $650 if paid in full by March 1st. If your personal circumstances make that cost difficult to bear, please speak with Father Milad and Ben. Once your child has been registered, please email Ben to let him know. Thank you. Bad Weather: In the event of a church or church event cancellation, please check TV Channels 4, 5, 7 and 56 for notification. Also, you can listen to Radio station WTAG (580AM & 94.9FM). We will make every effort to have cancellations posted by 7:30am on Sunday. Sunday After Christmas On the Sunday immediately following December 25th, the Orthodox Church commemorates three members of Christ’s earthly family: the ProphetKing David, the Apostle and brother of our Lord Saint James, and the husband of Mary and foster father of our Lord Saint Joseph. David is not only an ancestor of Christ. As a shepherd and King, he prefigures Christ as the Good Shepherd and also as royalty. James, the brother of our Lord, was head of the first Christian community in Jerusalem. His name reminds us of the connection we share with the Church of Jerusalem, from the first century even up through today. Regarding Saint Joseph, very little is known about him. But the Gospel tells us that he was a just man, obedient to the angelic messages, careful to protect Jesus and Mary. He is one of the most eminent representatives of what one might call the holiness of the layman, which is neither the holiness of an apostle, nor that of a bishop or priest, nor that of a monk, but is that of the head of a family, of the man who plies a trade and earns his daily bread. St. Joseph is the natural protector of Christian families, of workmen, of those whose food is not assured. May the life of the Holy Family, whether in Egypt, or later on at Nazareth, become an inspiration and a model for us. Information requested: The parish council has become aware that so many Cathedral members have talented backgrounds and we would like parish members to be aware of each other’s talents. We would like to put together a business roster. If you are interested, please provide me, or any Parish Council Member, your business card and/or business information. Dan Abraham 127 Copperfield Rd Worcester, MA 01602 home: (508) 755-9246 cell: (508) 963-4012. Thank you for your interest. TRISAGION PRAYERS AND HOLY KURBAN IN LOVING MEMORY OF: - Vina Dowd (19 years) with love from her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, may her memory be eternal PRAYERS OF OBLATION IN LOVING MEMORY OF: - Edward V. Milhem from his wife Rose, Children, and Family Florence Salamy from Yvonne Eid Florence Salamy from Rose Mackoul & Family Richard Bayrouty from the Kourey Family Dr. Audrey Peters from Barbara and Sheryl Bourisk and Paul Minda Alexandra Jude Abdelahad from Barbara and Sheryl Bourisk and Paul Minda Eli and Eleanor Aramony from their Family PRAYERS OF OBLATION FOR THE HEALTH OF: - Shirley Mahassel, Mike Christakis, and Rick Aramony congratulations, from Rose MacKoul & Family - Donna, Zachary, Nicholas, and Demetri Bayrouty from the Kourey Family - Rick Aramony Axios, Axios, Axios from Barbara Bourisk - Charles and Brittany Abdelahad from Barbara and Sheryl Bourisk and Paul Minda - My husband Ken, and all members of our families from Alberta Milhem - My brother Sam Salem, Jr., Linda, Sam, Beth, Noah, Kara, Jordan Salem, and my mother Violet Salem from Ken and Alberta Milhem - Christian, Deborah, and Alex Coury from the Women’s Club - Deborah Liebl from Thomas Gosse - I just wish to thank everyone who was most gracious with their prayers, cards, and donations in memory of my sister Ethel Kattas of Montreal from Eleanor Abdow and Family Coffee Hour Sponsors: We have many Sunday Coffee Hours available for sponsorship. If you would like to sponsor a coffee hour in memory of or for the health of a friend or a loved one, please contact the Cathedral Office for available Sundays and food options. Men’s Club: Our next meeting will be on January 29, 2015 with an election. If you would like to run for president, vice president, treasurer, or secretary, please contact the nominating committee Paul Swydan and Nick Tokatli. We wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year filled with love, peace, and happiness from the small family of the men's club to the big family of our community.