From the Fathers…. “‘If the righteous turns away and commits iniquity, I will not remember the righteousness which he did before; in his sin he shall die’ (Ezek. 18:24). Learn, then, brother, that it is not he who begins well who is perfect. It is he who ends well who is approved in God's sight. Give then no sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids that you may be delivered ‘as a roe from the net and a bird from the snare’ (Prov. 6:5 LXX). For, behold, you are passing through the midst of snares; you are treading on the top of a high wall whence a fall is perilous to the faller; wherefore do not immediately attempt extreme discipline; above all things beware of confidence in yourself, lest you fall from a height of discipline through want of training.” St. Basil the Great St. John Orthodox Church “Just as the thought of fire does not warm the body, so faith without love does not actualize the light of spiritual knowledge in the soul.” St. Maximos the Confessor “A man needs to satisfy his conscience towards God by not despising God's precepts, even those concerning things which are not seen by men or those things for which one is not accountable to men. For example, did he neglect his prayers? If an evil thought came into his heart, was he vigilant and did he keep control of himself or did he entertain it? He sees his neighbor saying or doing something; does he suspect it is evil and condemn him? To put it simply, all the hidden things that happen inside us, things which no one sees except God and our conscience, we need to take account of. This is what I mean by our conscience towards God.” St. Dorotheos of Gaza “The heart is refined, spiritual, and heavenly by nature - guard it; do not overburden it, do not make it earthly, be temperate to the utmost in food and drink, and in general in bodily pleasures. The heart is the temple of God. ‘If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy.’” (I Cor. 3:17) St. John of Kronstadt ~ January 11, 2015 ~ Sunday after Theophany ST. JOHN CALENDAR Sunday -Teen Group ST. JOHN ORTHODOX CHURCH 1663 TUTWILER AVENUE MEMPHIS, TN 38107 (901) 274-4119 www.stjohnmemphis.org www.orthodoxtupelo.com V. Rev. Fr. John Troy Mashburn, Jr. Pastor GREAT VESPERS Saturday, 6:00 p.m. Monday -First Hour, 6:45a.m. -AWSJ Book Club, 7:00 p.m., Kh. Pamela’s home Tuesday -Third Hour, 9:00 a.m. Wednesday -Third Hour, 9:00 a.m. -Vespers, 5:30 p.m., parish meal to follow -Wednesday Teaching, 7:00 p.m. -Parish Council, 7:45 p.m. Thursday -Third Hour, 9:00 a.m. Friday -First Hour, 6:45 a.m. -Third Hour, 9:00 a.m. -Sixth Hour, 12:00 p.m. -Great Vespers, 6:00 p.m. Saturday -Divine Liturgy for St. Anthony the Great, 9:00 a.m. -Ninth Hour and Great Vespers, 5:50 p.m. Sunday -Orthros, 8:45 a.m. -Church School, 9:00 a.m. -Divine Liturgy, 10:00 a.m. www.orthodoxjackson.com V. Rev. Fr. Basil Cushman Associate Pastor ORTHROS and CHURCH SCHOOL Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Rev. Fr. Donald Berge Attached DIVINE LITURGY Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America “…the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch!” Acts 11:26 January 11, 2015 Sunday after Theophany Epistle: Hebrews 13:7-16 January 11 – 18 (FAST: Wed., Fri.) Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17 The Holy Bread for Eucharist is offered by Lavinia Dumitrache. Welcome to all those visiting St. John Orthodox Church. We are honored by your presence. It is our sincere desire that your participation today in the Divine Liturgy will draw you closer to Christ and His Church. If you are from a non-Orthodox background you may see new things such as icons, incense, the sign of the cross, the veneration of saints, and a great deal of standing. These can be perplexing to the uninitiated eye. Rest assured that everything we do has a solid biblical foundation and a long history among Christian people. Please feel free to participate where you feel comfortable, and feel equally as free only to observe when you prefer. The Orthodox Church understands the Eucharist, or Lord’s Supper, to be – among other things – the paramount expression of Christian unity. While it is our deepest hope that Christendom will one day fulfill Christ’s desire for true unity among all those who claim His name (John 17:21), the unfortunate reality of our day is that the various segments of Christendom are not unified with the historic Orthodox faith. Since participation in the Eucharist expresses a unity with all the dogma and practice of the Orthodox Church, non-Orthodox guests do not receive Holy Communion. The Holy Eucharist is reserved for those members of the Orthodox Church who have prepared themselves by prayer, fasting, and recent confession. All visitors and unprepared Orthodox are invited to partake of the blessed bread as they come forward to venerate the cross at the end of the Liturgy. Thank you for your understanding. Out of Office Dates for Fr. John: January 22 – 24 Diocesan Meetings DIVINE LITURGY PRIEST: DEACONS: HOLY BREAD: ALTAR SERVERS: COFFEE HOUR: Fr. John Dns. Tim & James Reem Mansour Alex, Trent, Gregory Saturday, January 17, 9:00 a.m. HOMILY: Fr. John READER: Jack Turner DIVINE LITURGY PRIEST: DEACONS: HOLY BREAD: ALTAR SERVERS: COFFEE HOUR: WELCOME TEAM: Sunday, January 18, 10:00 a.m. Fr. John HOMILY: Fr. John Dns. James & Charles READER: Mickey Hodges Caitlyn Maas USHER: Matt Spinolo Jake, Nicholas, Pavel Mitch & Sandy Childress, Mark & Sarah Ortwein Gary Karnaghon COMMEMORATIONS January 11: Theodosios the Great, the head of monasteries in Palestine; Venerable Theodosios of Philotheou monastery on Athos; Venerable Agapios of Apamea in Syria; Venerable Michael of Klops, fool-for-Christ. January 12: Martyr Tatiana of Rome and those with her; Virgin-martyr Euthasia; Martyr Mertios of Mauretania; repose of Venerable Sabbas of Hilandar monastery on Athos, first archbishop of Serbia. January 13: Martyrs Hermylos and Stratonikos of Belgrade; Martyrs Pachomios and Papyrinos of Greece; Venerable Maximos Kafsokalyvitis of Athos; Venerable Eleazar of Anzersk Island; Hilary, bishop of Poitiers. January 14: The holy fathers slain at Sinai and Raithu; Virgin-martyr Agnes; Venerable Theodoulos and Neilos of Sinai; Nina, equal-to-the-Apostles and enlightener of Georgia. January 15: Venerable Paul of Thebes and John the hut-dweller; Venerable-martyr Pansophios of Alexandria; Venerable Gabriel of Lesnovo. January 16: The veneration of the precious chains of the Apostle Peter; Peusippos and Neonilla, and the martyrs of Cappadocia; Hieromartyr Damaskinos of Hilandar monastery on Athos; Honoratos, archbishop of Arles and founder of Lerins Monastery; Romil of Ravanica. January 17: Venerable Anthony the Great; Anthony the New, ascetic of Berrea in Macedonia; New-martyr George of Ioannina. January 18: Athanasios and Cyril, patriarchs of Alexandria; Martyr Theodoulis; Maximos, Serbian despot.  DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS Sunday Hebrews 13:7-16 Monday James 2:14-26 Tuesday James 3:1-10 Wednesday James 3:11-4:6 Thursday James 4:7-5:9 Friday Peter 1:1-2, 10-12, 2:6-10 Saturday Hebrews 13:17-21 Sunday Hebrews 13:7-16 January 11 - 18 Matthew 4:12-17 Mark 9:42-10:1 Mark 10:2-12 Mark 10:11-16 Mark 10:17-27 Mark 10:23-32 Luke 6:17-23 Luke 17:12-19  Pray for our catechumens: Memphis - Ben Arthur, Joseph Gross, Ben & Julie Hight (Lucy), Andrew Mitchell, Veronica Criswell, Mark & Sarah Ortwein (Ava, Ruby, Dashiell, Soren), Richard McKeal, Maria Brackey, Lisa Martin, Michael Hill. Tupelo - Shane Davis, Janet Berry, Justin & Tifphanie Franks Jackson – Christopher & Bria Pittman (Manny) Henning –Alton Hanks, Randolf Harding, Timothy Meadors. Wortburg - John Kearney Please remember in your prayers: Dn. Innocent, Kh. Susan, Shirley Gore (Judy Terry’s mother), Effie Johnson (Kh. Susan’s mother), Mary Clark, Ann Hicks (Dianna Hildebrand’s mother ), Sue Ingram, Charles Ingram, Ted Greathouse (Shelley Snowden’s father), Allen Sudduth (Paul’s father), Janet Berry, Lydia Banicescu (Tupelo), Nicholas Hill, Mary Sue Johnson (Jason Guntharpe’s grandmother), Janna Knight (pregnant), Kacy Clay (pregnant), Laura Wilson (pregnant), Bria Pittman (pregnant), Ernestine Pruitt (Nicholas Hill’s mother), Brenda Thomas, Doris & Jim (Brenda Thomas’ family), Kera White, Dot Lawson (Lawson Bowick’s grandmother), Ruth Twombly (David Twombly’s grandmother), those suffering in the Middle East, most especially the Christians. ST. JOHN COMMUNITY Coffee Hour – The 1st quarter schedule still has plenty of opportunities available for signing up. You may sign up on SignUp Genius, http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0449aba723a57-coffee1, or contact Christine McGee. Catechumen and Inquirers Class – We will be beginning our catechumen/inquirers class for 2015 on Tuesday, January 20th at 7:00 p.m. The class will meet in the room next to the kitchen and is open to anyone would desires to learn about the Orthodox faith. Kroger Plus cards – The Kroger awards program gives the group of your choice a percentage of your grocery costs each quarter. In years past, this has meant an additional $200-300 per quarter towards the activities of our parish. If you have not yet signed up, instructions are included in the bulletin insert. For those who have already selected St. John, this is a gentle reminder that you must “re-select” St. John each year on January 1st. This is a nearly effortless way to give. Camp St. Thekla – On-line registration for Camp St. Thekla has begun. Camp St. Thekla, located in South Carolina, is open to campers ages 9-17. Spaces are limited and fill quickly. Only a small deposit is due at the time of registration with balances due June 1. Do not let cost be an issue! Contact Fr. John regarding available scholarship funds. DATES: Session 1, June 21 – 27; Session 2, June 28 – July 4. More information is available on the camp website, www.campstthekla.org. 52nd Antiochian Archdiocese Convention, Boston, MA – Sunday, July 19, 2015-Sunday, July 26, 2015 – Hosted by St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Cambridge, MA at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, Boston, MA. Go to www.acboston2015.com to register for hotel rooms, events and Boston excursions and to obtain Souvenir Journal information and information about family activities and events. Rooms are booking quickly for this historic convention. Please call the church at (617) 547-1234 with any questions. PROLIFE CORNER Amendment One – In the recent election, the proposed Tennessee Amendment One passed with a reasonably strong vote. There is now a federal lawsuit to have the amendment voided. The first hearing is on January 12 in Nashville. Let’s pray that this very sensible amendment will remain in place as the voters decided.  Worship & Liturgical Reminders As you know, there are a few times when we sit during the Divine Liturgy. There are several times, however, when we absolutely should not sit unless health or age considerations dictate. These include during the entrances, the Gospel, the Anaphora prayers, and most notably during the serving of the Holy Mysteries in communion. Even if one is not receiving or in line to receive, he should stand in veneration of the One Who has come into our midst! TEEN GROUP SAVE THE DATE: Teen Deanery Retreat, February 13-15, Roosevelt State Park, Forest, MS. Speaker: Fr. Benedict (Armitage) Cost: TBA Women of St. John Calendar Women’s Teaching ~ TUESDAY, January 20, 10:00 a.m. Sue Ingram’s home January 12 ~ Women’s Book Club will meet at Kh. Pamela’s home at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson. ~Upcoming title for February: The Holy Man by Susan Trott Upcoming at St. John January 16 – Great Vespers for St. Anthony the Great, 6:00 p.m. January 17 – Divine Liturgy for St. Anthony the Great, 9:00 a.m. January 20 – Catechumen/Inquirers Classes begin for 2015 Library Lines We think of Tatiana as a Russian name, but St. Tatiana, commemorated today(1/12), was a Roman citizen in the third century. She was arrested during a period of persecution and given over to cruel tortures. Three different times during her imprisonment the power of her prayers destroyed idols in pagan temples. After converting some of her tormentors and suffering many cruelties, she was beheaded. St. Nina (1/14) is known as Equal-to-the-Apostles and the Enlightener of Georgia. She was born in the third century and was raised in the Faith. Her guardian told her that Christ’s robe, woven by the Theotokos, was kept in Georgia, then a country of pagans. In a dream, The Mother of God appeared to her with a grapevine in her hands and promised to take her there. She awoke to find a cross made of a grapevine in her own hands. She traveled throughout the whole country gaining the love of the people and making converts. Read what Charli Phillips Riggle, one of our former parishioners, wrote about her in a column in The Handmaiden, spring 1996, p. 31. Want more? Check out The Life of St. Nina, Equal to the Apostles (KID NIN) and St. Nina, Equal to the Apostles, Enlightener of Georgia (HAG NIN HOL). St. John the Hut-Dweller (1/15), a fifth century saint, was the son of wealthy parents. Although highly educated, he desired the monastic life and secretly left his parents’ home. He began a life of strict asceticism having only one possession, a gold Gospel book which was given to him by his father and mother. After six years, he was greatly tempted by the Devil to return to his former life of wealth and ease. He received a blessing to return home, but disguised himself as a beggar and lived in poverty in a hut near his family’s home. Near death three years later, he revealed his identity to his parents by showing them his Gospel book. He asked them to bury him dressed in his rags underneath his hut. Friday we commemorate St. Anthony the Great (1/17), the father of monasticism. His pious parents brought him up to be serious about church services and the Holy Scriptures. From his youth, he engaged in strict asceticism and was attacked by demons, sometimes in the form of wild beasts. At age thirty-five, he began his monastic life as a hermit, which was unheard of at the time. He lived in the desert eighty five years and died peacefully in 356 A.D. at age105. According to the OCA website, The Life of Anthony (PAT/ANT/ATH) by St. Athanasius of Alexandria is the first biography of a saint who was not martyred. St. John Chrysostom urged every Christian to read the book.  January 22 – 24 – Fr. John Out of Office for Diocesan Meetings REGULAR ALMS GIVING OPPORTUNITIES: Birthright St. John Alms Fund St. Brigid Food Pantry Rachel’s Kids, Inc. St. John Camping Fund St. John Seminarian Fund Nativity Alms for the Homeless Diocese of Miami and the Southeast Mission Fund Michael & Abigail Bittle Fund Danielle Troup