+ Sunday, April 15^th 2007 +

Thomas Sunday (New Sunday)

+ Eothinon: 1

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“Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!”

“Almighty Jesus our God, when the doors were closed Thou suddenly came among Thy disciples. Standing in their midst Thou granted them peace and filled them with the Holy Spirit. O Lord, come also in our midst. Grant us Thy peace which the world cannot give, and fill our hearts with the grace of the Holy Spirit. For Thou art our light, resurrection, and peace, and to Thee we give glory forever. Amen.”

+ The Epistle +

Verse: “Great is our Lord and great is His power.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.”

The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

(Chapter 5:12-20)

In those days, many signs and wonders were done among the people through the hands of the apostles. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

+ The Holy Gospel +

The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John

(Chapter 20:19-31)

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Meditation: Thomas Sunday

Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after Passover, our Saviour wonderously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, “Peace be unto you.” Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection. But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ’s Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, “Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the prints of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe.” Wherefore, after 8 days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, “Peace be unto you”; then He said to Thomas, “Bring hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, “My Lord and my God.” Thus he clearly proclaimed the 2 natures: human and divine, of the God-man. This day is called Antipascha (meaning: “instead of Pascha”, not “in opposition to Pascha”) because with this day, the 1^st Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection. The Sunday of Thomas, is also known as the Afterfeast of Pascha. The Epistle reading for the Sunday of Thomas is Acts 5:12-20 and the Gospel reading is St. John 20:19-29. Throughout the Paschal season the readings are taken from the Gospel of St. John and from Acts. On the Sunday of Thomas a new cycle of the morning Gospel readings (Eothina) appointed for Sunday Matins begins. This cycle consists of eleven Gospel readings, all having to do with the Resurrection of Christ. They are read sequentially on Sundays throughout the entire year. Each Sunday is the Lord’s Day. Each Sunday we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection. The first morning Gospel of the eleven, the one we hear on the Sunday of Thomas, is St. Matthew 28:16-20. Three themes stand out in the Biblical readings for the Sunday of Thomas: the theme of mission, the theme of peace, and the theme of faith and doubt. In his homilies on the Gospel of St. John, the great Church Father and commentator St. John Chrysostom notes that the first words of the risen Christ to the disciples were about peace. “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19). To the women disciples who were sorrowful, writes Chrysostom, Jesus said: “Rejoice” Mt. 28:9)! To the men disciples who were caught up in a conflict with other Jews, Jesus said: “Peace!” Jesus’ greetings fulfilled His words spoken to the disciples prior to His Crucifixion. “Now you are sad, but I will see you again, and your hearts will be filled with gladness, the kind of gladness that no one can take away” (Jn 16:22). And again: “Peace is what I leave with you; it is My own peace that I give to you. I do not give it as the world does” (Jn 14:27). What is the peace that Jesus gives? Among the ancient Greeks, peace was understood as the state of rest between conflicts; a time of absence of war. In the Old Testament, peace had a richer meaning. It meant well-being, health, and prosperity. Peace was a social concept and meant especially positive relationships between people enjoying friendship, justice, and good will among themselves. True peace was a gift of God, experienced when His presence was felt in

(Continued - Meditation: Thomas Sunday)

the land: “Love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will embrace” (Psalm 85:10). The Old Testament envisioned a future time of perfect peace established by the Messiah, the Prince of Peace. In the New Testament all of the above meanings are presupposed and a new one added. God’s gift of peace is now a present reality in Christ. Peace is one of the fruits of the experience of salvation through Jesus Christ. The crucified Christ took upon Himself our sins, He nailed our debts to the Cross, and He died on the Cross for our forgiveness and reconciliation with God. “God…through Christ changed us from enemies into His friends and gave us the task of making others His friends also” (2 Cor. 5:17). Thus “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). This is the abiding peace which Christ gives and which the world cannot give. First it is peace with God in Jesus Christ through faith, repentance, and forgiveness. Then it is also the peace of God in our hearts. “God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). The Apostle Thomas was known as the “twin.” In Hebrew and Aramaic the name Thomas means “twin,” but we do not know who Thomas’ twin was. From the little information the Gospels proved, Thomas seems to have been a man of simple absolutes. He assessed things by what was obvious. He was also capable of tremendous courage and loyalty. In the face of the hostility building up in Jerusalem against Jesus, Thomas had thought it foolish to go there. Yet he was willing to sacrifice his life along with Jesus. He was the one who said to the other disciples: “Let us all go along with the Teacher so that we may die with him” (Jn 11:16)! After the Resurrection, according to Tradition, St. Thomas preached in India. The Church of St. Thomas in India, one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, claims St. Thomas as its founder. Thomas responded in character when the other Apostles told him about Christ’s Resurrection. To what was in fact one of the first expressions of “Christ is Risen” Thomas, a disciple, replied: “I don’t believe it!” Nevertheless we would do Thomas an injustice if we were not to appreciate his complete change of mind once the evidence was before him. For when he saw the risen Christ he did not actually try to touch Him, but he immediately declared, “My Lord and my God!” These resounding words, addressing the risen Jesus with the divine titles of God, express the clear Christian teaching of the full deity of Christ. It was this conviction, sealed by Christ’s Resurrection, that empowered Thomas and the other Apostles to bring the triumphant message of Christ to lands near and far.

* Announcements *

v Every Saturday – Great Vespers at 6:00 p.m.

ü Thank you!

Fr. Ghattas & Khouriyee Helene would like to thank all the parishioners who sent them greetings for Holy Pascha. May the Risen Lord grant you many years of good health!

ü Mother’s Day Celebration

The Antiochian Women of St. Elias Cathedral present the 12th Annual Mother’s Day Celebration with the Dinner & Basket Auction on Friday, May 11th, 2007 at St. Elias Centre on 750 Ridgewood Avenue. Over 100 Prizes waiting for you! A Donation will be given to the Canadian Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research & the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Cocktails & Sneak Preview at 6:30 p.m., Dinner at 7:30 p.m. Advance Ticket Sales only $55.00. To purchase tickets, please contact the Cathedral Office (738-2222).

Buy a lottery ticket and win the car!!!

ü National March for Life 2007 – Justice for the Unborn!

On Wednesday, May 9^th at 8:45 p.m. at the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights Monument (corner of Elgin & Lisgar Sts, Ottawa) the 10^th Annual National March for Life 2007 will again take place with the annual Candlelight Vigil in defense of the innocent victims of Abortion. Today, after the Divine Liturgy, downstairs in the Cathedral Hall, the Pledge Form will be available for you to fill out and purchase your Vigil Candles. On Thursday, May 10^th at 12:00 p.m. Pro-Life Supporters will begin to gather on Parliament Hill to hear speeches about Abortion by prominent pro-life leaders and politicians, and at 1:30 p.m. there will be a march through downtown Ottawa with many signs and banners in support for Life. For more information visit the following website: (www.lifesite.net)

ü Connect 2007 – University of Balamand

For the 6^th year, the University of Balamand is sponsoring “Connect”, its popular cultural and academic exchange program. Connect aims at offering youth (17 – 25 years old) a unique learning experience that will enrich their mind and soul, and connect them with their land of ancestry and rich heritage. The program extends over a period of 4 weeks, from July 7^th to August 3^rd 2007. Based on the University’s main campus in the peaceful hills of North Lebanon, “Connect” offers a fun-packed program that’s sure to leave participants with lifetime memorable experiences. For more information, visit www.balamand.edu.lb/connect.

ü Registration for the 48^th Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese Convention

This year, the 48^th Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese Convention will be hosted by St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Montreal on July 23^rd – 29^th. 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 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 left for selection are:

• The Mystical/Last Supper
• Christ washing the feet of His Disciples
• The Holy Hymnographers (8 individual Icons)
• Christ’s Entrance into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)
• Christ appearing at Emmaus and the Breaking of the Bread

If you are interested in donating any icons, please contact Fr. Ghattas in the office or speak to him after the Divine Liturgy.

ü New Epitaphios (Bier)

Over the years many donations have been collected by parishioners to purchase a new Epitaphios (Bier) for the Church. We are very thankful for their donations and we would like to let everyone know that our Beautification fund is still in need of more donations so we can finally order the Epitaphios (Bier), which will be made from the same wood with the same design as the Iconostasis. If you would like to help donate for this project, please speak with Fr. Ghattas.

ü Agia Sophia – Online Petition to restore it as an Orthodox Church

The European Union Parliament is pressuring the Turkish Government to restore ‘Agia Sophia’ Cathedral in Constantinople (Istanbul) from a museum back into an Orthodox Church, which it originally was, before it was seized and converted into a mosque, and later left as a museum. However, the Parliament has set a requirement of one million signatures on a petition before it makes this conversation a prerequisite for Turkey’s admission into the European Union. We implore you to cast your vote by logging onto: www.hagiasophiablog.com and urge your family and friends to also log on, to sign the petition and help make history. This is our opportunity to restore Agia Sophia to its proper religious role as a Church, for which it was built in the first place.

ü Health Professionals Needed

If you are a Health Professional (i.e. a Doctor, Physician, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, etc.) please contact the Cathedral Office and let us know. We would like to know which of our parishioners are experienced in the medical field for our own records first of all, and also the Archdiocese is looking for volunteer medical staff to help at our Camp Transfiguration (Montreal) during the summer, and at the other camps throughout the Archdiocese including the Antiochian Village. Please mention if you are interested in volunteering so we can refer your information to the Archdiocese.

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 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 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 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 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 (1^st Floor). Please give us your email address if you are not receiving our weekly online newsletter. Any member of the Fellowship who is interested in participating in the Parish Life Conference Bible Bowl (June 28^th - July 1^st 2007 at St. Elias Orthodox Church, Syracuse) is asked to speak with Ramia Ibrahim (ramiai@hotmail.com).

ü Teen SOYO

Next meeting on Wednesday April 18^th 2007 from 7:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. SHARP! in the Cathedral Hall downstairs. Please be on time. Please give us your email address if you are not receiving our online newsletter.

Bible Bowl: Any member of the Teen SOYO who is interested in participating in the Parish Life Conference Bible Bowl (June 28^th - July 1^st 2007 at St. Elias Orthodox Church, Syracuse) is asked to speak with Alannah Saikaley at: asaikaley@ashbury.on.ca

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.

ü Summer Pilgrimage to Greece (June 3^rd -15^th)

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.

+ 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