+
Sunday, March 11th 2007 +
3rd Sunday of Lent - Sunday of the Adoration of the Holy Cross
Tone:
7 + Eothinion: 7
*******************************************************************************************************
+ In the
Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit +
“No longer does the flaming sword guard the
gate of Eden, for a marvelous quenching is come upon it, even the Tree of the
Cross. The sting has been taken from death, and the victory from Hades. And
Thou, my Saviour, hast appeared unto those in Hades, saying: Enter ye again
into Paradise.” Amen.
+ The
Epistle +
Verse: “O Lord, save Thy
people and bless Thine inheritance.
To Thee, O Lord, have
I cried, O my God.”
The
Reading is from the Letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews.
(Chapter 4:14-5:6)
Brethren, seeing then that we have a great
High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us
hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot
sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet
without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest
taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he
may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can have compassion on those
who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to
weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself,
to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he
who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself
to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: You are My Son, today I
have begotten You. As He also says in another place: You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek..
+ The
Holy Gospel +
The
Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark
(Chapter 8:34 – 38,
9:1)
The Lord said, “If any one would come after Me,
let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would
save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the
Gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world
and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For
whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation,
of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the Glory of His
Father with the Holy Angels.” And Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you,
there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the
Kingdom of God come with power.”
Meditation:
“Sunday of the Adoration of the Holy Cross”
With
the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast,
where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full
difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy
mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the All-Holy Cross, the
joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the
hope of the sinners, so that by venerating it revently, we might receive
strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast. “If anyone says
to you,” writes St. John Chrysostom, “’Do you worship the Crucified One?’ Say
with your voice full of joy and your face full of gladness: ‘I worship Him now
and will never stop worshiping Him!’”. Joy and gladness in the crucified Christ
and in His saving Cross are the main themes of the third Sunday of Lent, the
Feast of the Adoration of the Holy Cross. The Festal Synaxarion expresses the
meaning of this feast as follows: One this Sunday, the third Sunday of Lent, we
celebrate the veneration of the precious and life giving Cross… the Cross is
today presented to us for refreshment and support, for remembrance of the
passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, and for encouragement… We are like those
following a long and difficult path, who become tired, see a beautiful tree
with many leaves, sit in its shadow and rest for a while and then, rejuvenated,
continue on their journey. So also today, during this season of fasting and
spiritual labor, the life-giving Cross was set in our midst by the Holy Fathers
to give us comfort and spiritual strength, to make us ready and eager for the
remaining journey. At mid-Lent the Church asks us to look ahead to our goal. It
seeks to enliven in us the hope of the glory of the Cross. As we sing the hymn
“We venerate Thy Cross, O Master, and glorify Thy Holy Resurrection,” We
recognize that the Cross and Resurrection of Christ are closely related in
Orthodox hymns. It is in the light of the Resurrection that the Cross is not
only symbol of sacrifice and suffering but also a symbol of victory and life. As
we behold the Cross of Christ, we celebrate His victory over sin and death. The
sight of this glorious banner of Christ is a signal not to mourn but to
rejoice. When a king is about to make a triumphal entry into a city, at first
his emblems and royal banners are seen, then he himself comes greatly rejoicing
in his victory, while all his subjects rejoice with him. So also our Lord Jesus
Christ, who is about to show His victory over death and to appear in glory on
the Resurrection Day, sends in advance the emblem of His power, His royal
banner, the life-giving Cross, to make us ready to greet the King Himself and
glorify Him in His triumphal presence on the Day of the Resurrection. It is not
easy for us to understand the priceless worth of Christ’s undeserved suffering.
He suffered intensely and deeply on account of human sin. He suffered without
complaint. From the Cross He prayed to His Father: “Forgive them, Father! They
know not what they do”. He received blows unjustly and our wounds of sin were
healed. He endured a criminal’s death and we were granted the gift of life.
This double gift, freedom from sin and new life, is for us today. The Cross of
Christ means that we can turn to God with repentance but without having to face
an unpayable debt. We are assured that we will find grace and forgiveness
before God. A person need not first “do” something to deserve the benefits
flowing from the Cross. He or she needs simply to receive by faith the gift of
the Cross on the basis of what God has already “done” in Christ. This is the
good news, the source of our joy and gladness. Yet the gift of the Cross cannot
be received without also accepting the way of the Cross as the way of Christ.
Archaeologists and clergymen in the
Holy Land derided claims in a new documentary produced by the Oscar-winning
director James Cameron that contradict major Christian tenets. 'The Lost Tomb
of Christ,' which the Discovery Channel will run in March, argues that 10 ancient
ossuaries - small caskets used to store bones - discovered in a suburb of
Jerusalem in 1980 may have contained the bones of Jesus and his family,
according to a press release issued by the Discovery Channel. One of the
caskets even bears the title, 'Judah, son of Jesus,' hinting that Jesus may
have had a son. And the very fact that Jesus had an ossuary would contradict
the Christian belief that he was resurrected and ascended to heaven. Most
Christians believe Jesus' body spent three days at the site of the Church of
the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City. The burial site identified in
Cameron's documentary is in a southern Jerusalem neighborhood nowhere near the
church. In 1996, when the BBC aired a short documentary on the same subject,
archaeologists challenged the claims. Amos Kloner, the first archaeologist to
examine the site, said the idea fails to hold up by archaeological standards
but makes for profitable television. 'They just want to get money for it,'
Kloner said. The claims have raised the ire of Christian leaders in the Holy
Land. 'The historical, religious and archaeological evidence show that the
place where Christ was buried is the Church of the Resurrection,' said Archbishop
Theodosios (Attallah) Hana, a Greek Orthodox Clergyman in Jerusalem. The
documentary, he said, 'contradicts the religious principles and the historic
and spiritual principles that we hold tightly to.' Stephen Pfann, a biblical
scholar at the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem who was interviewed in
the documentary, said the film's hypothesis holds little weight. 'I don't think
that Christians are going to buy into this,' Pfann said. 'But skeptics, in
general, would like to see something that pokes holes into the story that so
many people hold dear.' 'How possible is it?' Pfann said. 'On a scale of one
through 10 - 10 being completely possible - it's probably a one, maybe a one
and a half.' Pfann is even unsure that the name 'Jesus' on the caskets was read
correctly. He thinks it's more likely the name 'Hanun.' Kloner also said the
filmmakers' assertions are false. 'It was an ordinary middle-class Jerusalem
burial cave,' Kloner said. 'The names on the caskets are the most common names
found among Jews at the time.' Archaeologists also balk at the filmmaker's
claim that the James Ossuary - the center of a famous antiquities fraud in
Israel - might have originated from the same cave. In 2005, Israel charged five
suspects with forgery in connection with the infamous bone box. 'I don't think
the James Ossuary came from the same cave,' said Dan Bahat, an archaeologist at
Bar-Ilan University. 'If it were found there, the man who made the forgery
would have taken something better. He would have taken Jesus.' Although the
documentary makers claim to have found the tomb of Jesus, the British
Broadcasting Corporation beat them to the punch by 11 years. Osnat Goaz, a
spokeswoman for the Israeli government agency responsible for archaeology,
declined to comment before the documentary was aired.
* Announcements,
Activities & Upcoming Services *
“It is good to be Zealous in a Good Thing
Always…” (Galatians 4:18)
v
Today is the Sunday of the Adoration of the Holy Cross.
Following the Divine Liturgy we will have a procession with the Cross.
v
Monday, March 12th at 7:30 p.m.- Great Compline
Service
v
Wednesday, March 14th at 6:00 p.m. – Divine
Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts
v
Friday, March 16th at 6:00 p.m. – Lenten Supper
sponsored by the Antiochian Women, followed by the 4th Akathist Hymn
at 7:30 p.m.
v
Every Saturday at 6:00 p.m. - Great Vespers &
Confession
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.
Registration forms are available in the Cathedral Office for anybody who is
interested in attending this year’s Convention and anyone interested in
sponsoring a message for the Ad Journal. There are also copies of an
information flyer available at the Candle Stand in the Vestibule.
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 purchasing 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
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.
asaikaley@ashbury.on.ca
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 Newly Installed Icons
Next week we will consecrate the newly installed Icons in the
Church. They were donated by: Nazle Swaita & Family, Souad Nesrallah &
Family, Dimitri and Suzanne Zeidan & Family, Noha Abboud & Family,
Cyril and Dr. Marlene Mouaikel & Family, Theo and Saloma Tannis &
Family, George & Malake Hanna, Salwa Saab, and the Antiochian Women of our
Cathedral. We thank you so much for helping to complete our Beautification
Project and ask that you will come and pray with us next Sunday when they will
be consecrated.
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.
A Tribute to our Church School
Teachers
Yours is a special gift, a particular gift, for yours is a
ministry to the young. You have been called upon to fulfill the admonition of
our Lord, Who commanded His disciples, saying: “Let the little children come
unto Me and prevent them not, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.” For years,
some of you have served most faithfully in the fruitful vineyard. You labour
diligently and yours is a desire not for self but for others, not for today but
for tomorrow.. Therefore, you have
committed yourself to this special service so that Christ may be glorified not
only in your love, but in the hearts of those “little children” in whom your
love for the Lord is reflected! You will continue in your dedicated concern for
your young brothers and sisters knowing that your reward will be given
secretly. In the face of a world filled with chaos and threatened by violence,
you will stand as Orthodox Christians, certain in your Faith! It is a challenge
for you to pass on the gifts of our Faith to our younger brethren in such a way
that it will help them cope with their own generation of doubt and skepticism.
May God bless all of you and may you continue to work in His
vineyard!
Joann Nicholson
Superintendent of St. Elias Church School
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 11th 2007
Monday,
March 12th 2007
Tuesday, March 13th
2007
Wednesday, March 14th
2007
Thursday, March 15th
2007
Friday, March 16th
2007
Saturday, March 17th
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