+
Sunday, March 4th 2007 +
2nd Sunday of Lent - Sunday of St.
Gregory Palamas
Tone:
5 + Eothinion: 5
*******************************************************************************************************
+ In the
Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit +
“With one accord, we praise thee as the sacred
and divine vessel of wisdom and clear trumpet of Theology, O our righteous
father Gregory of divine speech. As a mind that standeth now before the Primal
Mind, do thou ever guide aright and lead our mind to Him, that we all may cry:
Rejoice, O herald of grace divine.” Amen.
+ The
Epistle +
Verse: “Thou, O Lord, shall
keep us and preserve us.
Save me, O Lord, for
the godly man has failed.”
The
Reading is from the Letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews.
(Chapter 1:10-2:3)
In the beginning, You O Lord, laid the
foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will
perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak
You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your
years will not fail.” But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My
right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? Are they not all
ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit
salvation? Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have
heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved
steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how
shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to
be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.
+ The
Holy Gospel +
The
Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark
(Chapter 2:1-12)
At that time, when Jesus returned to Capernaum
after some days, it was reported that He was at home. And many were gathered
together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door;
and He was preaching the Word to them. And they came, bringing to Jesus a
paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Jesus because
of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had made an
opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus
saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now
some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts, “Why does
this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And
immediately Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they thus reasoned within
themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason thus in your hearts. Which is
easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, “Rise,
take up your pallet and walk”? But that you may know that the Son of Man has
authority on earth to forgive sins” – He said to the paralytic – “I say to you,
rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up
the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and
glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Meditation:
“Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas”
This
divine father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal
court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular
wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in
asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in
Thessaloniki being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of
life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341
against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who
was of like mind with Barlaam, who claimed that the grace of God is created. At
both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of
the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created,
but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout
creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to
have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed
Metropolitan of Thessaloniki. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for
some 12 years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines
of our Faith; and having lived for a total of 63 years, he reposed in the Lord
in 1359. His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessaloniki. A full
service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheos in 1368,
when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works
without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation
of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of
Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the
Holy Fathers today.
* Announcements,
Activities & Upcoming Services *
“It is good to be Zealous in a Good Thing
Always…” (Galatians 4:18)
v
Monday, March 5th at 7:30 p.m.- Great Compline
Service
v
Wednesday, March 7th at 6:00 p.m. – Divine
Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts
v
Friday, March 9th at 6:00 p.m. – Lenten Supper
sponsored by the Two Choirs, followed by the 3rd Akathist Hymn at
7:30 p.m.
v
Every Saturday at 6:00 p.m. - Great Vespers &
Confession
v
Next Sunday is the Sunday of the Adoration of the Holy
Cross. Following the Divine Liturgy we will have a procession with the Cross.
Please remember to bring flowers with you.
ü Thank You!
We
would like to thank all parishioners who donated food for the Sunday of
Orthodoxy Vespers Supper, it was a very good turn-out and everyone was happy. May
the dear Lord bless you and grant you many years of good health.
ü
Altar Offerings
Dear Parishioners, the Altar is in
need of regular supplies (Incense, Oil, Candles, etc.). If you would like to
donate something, please limit your donation to a monetary donation to the
Church, as we prefer to purchase the items needed for the Altar. May God bless
you generosly during this Holy Lenten Season.
ü
Antiochian Women
Scholarships
Scholarships are available from the Antiochian
Women from both the N.A.B. (North American Board) and the Diocesan Level, for
women who choose to continue their education in order to improve their own
situation and that of their families. Scholarships are awarded yearly in July.
The qualifications for the scholarship are as follows. Applicant must: be a
female over 25 years of age; be a member in good standing of a parish of the
Antiochian Archdiocese; be actively involved in her parish; be applying for, or
registered in, an academic or trade program of study; demonstrate financial
need. For further information or to recommend a possible candidate for a
scholarship, please speak to Mrs. Susanne Zeidan (President of the Antiochian
Women) or to Fr. Ghattas.
ü March is the Month of the
Antiochian Women
The Month of March is dedicated to the
Antiochian Women, we would like to wish them all the best and support them as
they continue to serve the Church from the bottom of their hearts.
ü Registration for the 48th Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese Convention
This year, the 48th
Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese Convention will be hosted by St. Nicholas
Orthodox Church in Montreal on July 23rd – 29th.
Therefore, today Khouriyee Miriam Shportun, along with Eric Zakaib and Carol
Jazzar who are the Co-Chairs of the Convention from St. Nicholas Orthodox
Church, are with us and are available in the Cathedral Hall downstairs after
the Divine Liturgy for anybody who is interested in registering for this year’s
Convention and for the Ad Journal.
ü Interested in becoming a Teacher
in the Church School?
The Church School needs your help
next year! Anybody who would like to become a teacher in the Church School next
year is strongly encouraged and asked to meet with Fr. Ghattas immediately. If
you feel that you would like to serve the Lord by teaching the young children
of our parish about our faith, you have to be prepared and well equipped. We
will have special sessions for all new teachers in the near future, especially
for the High School level. If you feel that you would like to teach next year,
please let us know.
ü Are your Children attending Church
School?
Are you bringing your children to
Church School on Sundays? If not, you are withholding from them a great
opportunity to learn about their faith. How can we expect our children to
understand their faith and serve God if they are not taught at an early stage
of their lives? With this said, we are looking to fill up our Grade 9-12 class,
if you have children between the ages of 14-18, please bring them to the Church
School and speak with the Superintendent Joann Nicholson. This class is very
important and considered a preparatory course to our Teacher Training Sessions.
Very interesting and important moral and religious issues are discussed and
studied, and a base is formed in the minds of the students that will help them
pursue their role in teaching in our Church School and working with the Youth
Ministry.
ü Antiochian Weekly Gospel Program
Each Sunday’s Gospel is presented
at five levels (from Preschool to High School), with discussion questions and
engaging graphics, to be used at home (or in the classroom). Go to: www.antiochian.org/christianeducation,
and click on “Antiochian Gospel Program”. This is a very helpful guide which
greatly assists the teaching of the Faith within the home.
ü New English Service Book for Holy
Week & Pascha
A new English Service Book for
Holy Week & Pascha is now available for ordering at our Cathedral
Bookstore. Specifications include: 855 pages total, Length 9.5” x Width 6.5” x
1”, Two-Tone Print (red & black), High Quality White Bible Paper, Gold
Gilded Edges, Double-Ribbon Markers, Hardbound-Black Leather, Gold-Embossed
Cover, Lightweight (26 OZ). This book is a ‘must have’ for every Orthodox
Christian! For more information and to order your copy, visit the Cathedral
Bookstore after the Divine Liturgy.
ü
Fellowship of St. John
the Divine
Weekly Meeting every Tuesday from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. SHARP! Please be on time. A Bible Study/Religious Discussion will take
place in the Church School Building (1st Floor). Please give us your
email address if you are not receiving our weekly online newsletter &
calendar. Any member of the Fellowship who is interested in participating in
the Parish Life Conference Bible Bowl (June 28th
- July 1st 2007 at St. Elias Orthodox Church, Syracuse) is asked to
speak with Ramia Ibrahim (ramiai@hotmail.com).
ü
Teen SOYO
Weekly Meeting every Wednesday from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. SHARP! in the Cathedral Hall downstairs. Please be on time. Please give us your email address if you
are not receiving our weekly online newsletter & calendar.
lovablelooney_1@hotmail.com.
ü
Summer Pilgrimage to
Greece (June 3rd
-15th)
Have you thought about joining us on our
pilgrimage to Greece this summer? We will be visiting lots of beautiful
Churches & Monasteries; along with many Historic Ruins, Old Markets,
Beautiful Beaches, Land Marks & Awe-inspiring Scenery!
Our trip
to Greece is confirmed as planned. Those who have made their reservations and submitted
their downpayments already are set to travel. A few places remain and anyone
who is interested in going is asked to please call the Cathedral Office for
more information.
ü
Are You Registered?
Many people are attending Church every Sunday
and are not yet registered into the Church Directory. If you are not
registered, the Office does not have your phone number and address and
therefore you do not receive any mail from us nor are we able to contact you to
annually bless your home, nor do you have your own set of registered Church
donation envelopes for any offerings given to the Church in order to receive
your annual tax receipt. Therefore, please register at the Cathedral Office,
and allow us to get to know you better.
ü Church Beautification
“Blessed are those who love the beauty of Thy House, O Lord”
Our Iconographer may unfortunately
be retiring in the near future and we are looking to finish (while we still
can) the empty areas over the Altar and over the Choir Loft with a beautiful
new set of icons. Some icons are already donated by some parishioners and they
will be delivered and installed in the near future. Other icons left for
selection are: Thomas Sunday; The Mystical/Last Supper; The Holy Hymnographers;
Myrrh Bearers at the Tomb; Christ appearing at Tiberias; Christ appearing at
Emmaus and the Breaking of the Bread; and many more! If you are
interested in donating any icons, please contact Fr. Ghattas in the office or
speak to him after the Divine Liturgy.
ü
“Al-Orthodoxiya Internet Radio Station” (www.orthodoxiya.org)
Visit the above website and listen
to the new ‘Arabic’ Orthodox Internet Radio Station playing Orthodox Hymns and
presentations almost 24 hours a day! Also, we would like to remind you about “Ancient
Faith Radio” (www.ancientfaithradio.com) which plays 24 hours a day
Orthodox Hymns in many languages, along with interviews and presentations in
‘English’. For Arabic Satellite TV, we can recommend watching “Tele Lumiere”
& “Nour-Sat” where you will find full Christian programming with
correct teaching, including various Orthodox presentations like recorded Divine
Liturgies & Sermons from Lebanon or Byzantine Choir Concerts, etc. There
are other Arabic “Christian” channels which are teaching a false Christianity
and should be watched out for. Any program that teaches against the Church and
it’s beliefs and traditions should not be viewed or supported in any way.
Food For Hungry People Program (Lenten Home-Work)
* Donation Box *
In
the Vestibule, there are enough ‘Food for Hungry People’ donation boxes
for all the families of our Church, please take one with you today and return
it after Pascha (Easter), with
whatever donations you collect during the Fast. These donations are anonymous
and will be sent in total to the Archdiocese once they are returned.
Sunday,
March 4th 2007
Monday,
March 5th 2007
Tuesday, March 6th
2007
Wednesday, March 7th
2007
Thursday, March 8th
2007
Friday, March 9th
2007
Saturday, March 10th
2007
+ St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral +
(2975 Riverside Drive – Ottawa)
Cathedral Office: 700 Ridgewood Ave
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1V 6N1
Telephone: (613) 738-2222, Fax: (613) 737-4392
Email: info@steliascathedral.com, Website:
www.steliascathedral.com
The Rt. Rev. Bishop ALEXANDER
Bishop of Ottawa, Eastern
Canada and Upstate New York
The Very Rev. Father Ghattas Hajal – Dean
Rev. Father Mark Arsenios Wyatt – Assistant Priest
The Very
Rev. Father Daniel Matheson – Emeritus