St. Mary Orthodox Church The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest       

“The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26)

August 5, 2012

Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ    ٕ     Weekly Schedule of Services Saturday: 5:30 p.m. ------Great Vespers Sunday: 8:45 a.m. Matins ------10:00 a.m. Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. Matins -- 10:30 a.m. Bible Study (Confessions by Appointment)

6330 W. 127th St., Palos Heights, IL 60463 Phone : (708) 239-0004, Fax : (708) 221-6449 www.virginmaryoc.org ([email protected])

Fr. Mousa Haddad - cell phone: (708) 979-3222, email: [email protected] Fr. Malek Rihani - cell phone: (708) 516-6417, email: [email protected] Church Office Hours : Monday --- Friday 10:00am10:00am----3:00pm3:00pm

Welcome to St. Mary Orthodox Church! We extend our warmest and heartfelt greetings to

you and your family. If this is your first time with us, we pray that you feel at home. After all, we are gathered together in our Father's house. Please see one of the ushers at the end of the service for a “Welcome Packet” for more information. May God bless you and give you many healthy years in His service.

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.; < * 8 "  =       ># . ( .   3 /  , Parish Council , Committees, and Ministries Parish Clergy: Committees: Organizations and Ministries:

Rev. Fr. Mousa Haddad, Pastor Altar / Liturgics Sunday School Director Rev. Fr. Malek Rihani Mazen Ammari & Steve Rihani Omar Sweiss Subdeacon Matthew Sweis Expansion & Maintenance Sunday School Spiritual Director Subdeacon Ameer Tadros Fr. Mousa Haddad Luai Sweiss Ladies Guild President Parish Council: Fundraising & Stewardship Kholoud Swais Rashid Sweis & Bassam Salman Ladies Guild Spiritual Director Presiding Officer Financial Fr. Mousa Haddad Rev. Fr. Mousa Haddad Abdullah Tadros Fellowship President Chairman Khalil Haddad Fadi Abu Manneh Communication Abeer Khouri Fellowship Spiritual Director Vice Chairman Fr. Mousa Haddad Constitution Rashid Sweis SOYO President Ramzi Sweis Treasurer Hadeel Sweis Abdullah Tadros Humanitarian SOYO Advisor Financial Secretary Shireen Salman Orieb Sweis & Steve Rihani Samer Tadros Ushering SOYO Spiritual Director Secretary Fr. Malek Rihani Abeer Khouri Fadi Abu Manneh Web Master Handmaids of the Lord Council Members: Mansoura Khouri & Lina Haddad George Barakat Sana Sweis Handmaids Spiritual Director Maher Ibrahim Fr. Malek Rihani CJ Kari Bassam Salman Office Administrator Choir Director Faris Samawi Katia Haddad Michael Rascia Ramzi Sweis Chanter Khaled Salman & Faris Samawi Church Hall Rental - 2 Changes in the Liturgy

   First Antiphon    Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, in the ? city of our God, in His holy mountain. Who settest C  )!  D .      *   9 A@ ;B fast the mountains by Thy strength, Who art girded E about with power. .F Through the intercessions of the , Savior, E E E ! =< ­<!  FH 8 .  I1 save us! Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment. .;D F " CD  C  J; &     C The mountains shall rejoice at the presence of the ! =< ­<  FHE 8 E .  I1E Lord, for He cometh; yea, He is come to judge the ! ! E ;OE E "H  9 "L JM N #K C ٕ " earth. ,E 3 Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Savior, ."P J",P save us! E E E Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy ! =< ­<!  FH 8 .  I1 Spirit. Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Sav- ior, save us! Second Antiphon     His foundations are in the holy mountains. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings " & "  = ;  ;B ;B J9 C  * !F P of Jacob. .;  "  Q Save us, O Son of God, Who was transfigured on Mount Tabor, who sing to Thee, Alleluia! !  , ,R C  J   &  (E 3  3   "  ,> "  =< Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. .>     4 R E .S S Save us, O Son of God, Who was transfigured on Mount Tabor, who sing to Thee, Alleluia! !  , ,R C  J   &  (E 3  3   "  ,> "  =< Zion is our mother, a man shall say, and such a man . *  S "  4 ."   C  "  = 4B was born in her; and the Most High Himself hath ! @ established her. !  , ,R C  J   &  (E 3  3   "  ,> "  =< Save us, O Son of God, Who was transfigured on ! E ;OE E "H  9 "L JM N #K C ٕ " E 3, Mount Tabor, who sing to Thee, Alleluia! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy ."P J",P Spirit. Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. …  "4E >E   O only-begotten son and word of God…

Third Antiphon    Of Thy mercies, O Lord, will I sing forever. The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord, and  R  .  U .' 3  D ! ;B  R Thy truth in the congregation of . Blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation. O Lord, in the R     ;B  .C  U /% ;1 3 ( J;B light of Thy countenance shall they walk, and in 9 .!F   "   R  "  Thy Name shall they rejoice all the day long. Thou wast transfigured on the Mount, O Christ our R  . A# ,C 3 !FH !  # .  God, revealing thy glory to thy Disciples as far as .5' R  80(< "  ¯10*V .  (  %E they could bear it. Let thine everlasting light shine ! E E E upon us sinners, through the prayers of the Theoto- !R !  E    FH 8 .  I1 kos, O Giver of Light, glory to thee! 3 Changes in the Liturgy

  

Entrance For with Thee is the fountain of life, and in Thy light shall we see light. Save us, O Son of God, Who wast transfigured on Mount Ta- bor, who sing to Thee: Alleluia! E E E . .   "  ! R   E 8  "! V , R  S "V  "'9 !  , ,R C  ,  &  (E 3  3   "  ,> "  =< Troparion of the Transfiguration (Tone Seven) Thou wast transfigured on the Mount, O Christ our God, revealing thy glory to thy Disciples as far as they could bear it. Let thine everlasting light shine upon us sinners, through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Giver of Light, glory to thee! E  % R  . A# ,C 3 !FH ! # .  E E E  E    FH 8 .  I1 .5' R  80(< " !  ¯10*V .  ( !R ! Kontakion of the Transfiguration (Tone Seven) Thou wast transfigured on the mount, and thy Disciples, in so far as they were able, beheld thy glory, O Christ our God: so that, when they should see thee crucified, they would remember that thy suffering was voluntary, and could declare to all the world that thou art truly the ef- fulgent Splendor of the Father. E  , 1 R %! Q   JC 3 !FH ! # . V 9 .R  < E +  ( R 4P "#  (I J+  = R     3 .R  .;L ! 1  E . # R #D  E  5 4 Epistle for the Feast of the Transfiguration       O Lord, how manifold are Thy works; in wisdom hast Thou made them all! Bless the Lord, O my soul! The Reading is from the Second Epistle of St. Peter (1:10-19). Brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore, I intend always to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to arouse you by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. And I will see to it that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased,” we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made surer. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

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The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (17:1-9). At that time, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as light. And be- hold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.”

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Changes in the Liturgy   

Megalynarion for the Feast of the Transfiguration (Tone Eight) Now hath been heard that which hath never been heard before; for the Son, Who is from the Virgin without father, hath been testified to in glory by the voice of the Father; for He Himself is God and Man to- gether unto the end of the ages. (  6)     4. 0  5  K E E  1 S ,;  )% "    "4 " *9 .(S F Q !   "L Q!  K . , C 3 "   @ @F FI , !F 9 . ;L . = !F

Koinonikon for the Feast of the Transfiguration (Tone Eights) We shall walk, O Lord, in the light of the glory of Thy countenance; and in Thy Name shall we rejoice forever. Alleluia! (  6)     7  7 !  , .4 3 R ;B  R   

Instead of “We have seen the true light…”, sing: Troparion of the Feast of the Transfiguration (Tone Seven) Thou wast transfigured on the Mount, O Christ our God, revealing thy glory to thy Disciples as far as they could bear it. Let thine everlasting light shine upon us sinners, through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Giver of Light, glory to thee! :C , "...   # S " " 4 (8 6)    9    E .  (  % R  . A# ,C 3 !FH ! # .  E E E !R !  E    FH 8 .  I1 .5' R  80(< " !  ¯10*V

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   9  : ;  -< Prayer for the Blessing of Grapes on the Feast of the Transfiguration

After “Blessed be the Name of the Lord”, the clergy gather on the solea in front of the table where the grapes are placed for this annual blessing.

The Choir first sings the Troparion and the Kontakion of the Feast of the Transfiguration.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord!

Choir: Lord have Mercy!

Priest: Bless, O Lord, this new fruit of the vine, which thou hast graciously been pleased to permit to come to maturity, through calm seasons and gentle rains and favora- ble weather; and let it be unto joy for those of us who shall partake of this offspring of the vine; and may we offer it as a gift to thee unto the purification of our sins, through the sacred and holy Body and blood of thy Christ, with whom thou art blessed together with thine all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages.

E E ,(   E ,)  C  /% , %,  & ,; #B ,R V : )7 E E " ! ,  "   ,`Z ! "   6%, 37 a "0V . ! ,. S ' = E E E E E (  ,  (< "I\E + F ,  8  ,%,  b  E " "  E E E E  =E !FS!  R   Q ,F R @ . # /% ,"V, ( F E  9 ! , "L PK C ٕ " E 3, 9,". Choir: Amen!

Sprinkling Holy Water, the blesses the Grapes three times saying:

Priest: These Grapes are blessed through sprinkling with this Holy Water, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit! (3x)

E E E E 9 E E E !M!!V N E B J"E VHV J;LV V 3  M ! V )   V  ; V % , R!   ! : )7

Choir: Amen!

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Honoring your loved ones: Please consider signing up for one or more Sundays to provide Holy Bread and Coffee hour. It’s this gift of Holy Bread that we use to pre- pare communion and to share with our parishioners at the end of the service. What better way to honor your loved ones on their birthday, anniversary, graduation or memorial . It takes minimal effort, and it encourages fellow- ship among our community. Hospitality Teams “Let us love one another that with one mind we may confess, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the Trinity one in essence and undivided .” - From the Divine Liturgy

Holy Bread and Coffee Hour 0= 

08/05: Rashid and Suzan Sweis & Family   ­ = "5  1 : 08/05

08/12: Nabil and Suad Fakhoury & Family   / < *   C : 08/12 08/19: William and Kawkab Haddad & Family    ;   : 08/19

Epistle Readers: Today: English ––– Futien Johnson, Arabic ––– Lily Sweiss Next Week: English ––– Lana Sweis, Arabic ––– Ameer Tadros

Altar Server Ministry: 08/05: Team A (Captain Jordan Rihani)Rihani):: Odei Sweis, Yousif Saigh, Jimmy Salman, Jai Riske, Sean Rihani, Daniel Al- Nemri, Joseph Sweis, Matthew Ibrahim, Gabe Corey, Sam Corey, David Sweis 08/12: Team B (Captain Ramiz Riadi)Riadi):: Rami Sweis, , Yazen Swaiss, Anthony Rihani, Saleem Swais, Sharbel Samawi, Kyse Dahdal, Joseph Fallouh, Louis Corey, Alexander Corey 08/19: Team C (Captain Murad SalmanSalman):): Omar Nemri, Mathew Nemri, Samer Sweis , Elia Sweiss, Simon Tadros, , George Corey, Woody Corey, Mark Sweis

“Bible Verse of the Week” “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7 9 E E E E E E E  !* <   * . @ !V  !F ! V!  ^!!  V 1 "9 7 CV  . V + !> 3 V 4 R % Q d"E V VI   * =  ! V < !  !  # ” K E E E E 12:6 g7 S  “ !8 &  * =  "V  C! Z *V # V! V # J"V % 7 9

Congratulations ! ! ; 

Wedding CD

Tawfiq Ayed Alfarah NI   ¯*  & Sahar Husam Nahhas M    

Baptism 9

Mariam Salim Tadros M   

YOUR KIDS NEED SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STAFF!

Help make a difference in the lives of our youth by teaching and learning along with them!

♦ Discover a diverse, FAITH-FILLED ENVIRONMENT where teachers are empowered to impact young lives through faith, service and scholarship. ♦ Discover a SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY of fellow teachers, parents and students. ♦ Discover THE DIFFERENCE YOU CAN MAKE in students’ lives.

If you, or someone you know is interested, please contact our Sunday School Director Omar Sweiss at [email protected] .

Thank you for your commitment to our children!

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Patronal Feast of the Dormition Come and Celebrate with us the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, which is the feast day of our church.

Annual Feast Day Liturgy and Potluck Celebration Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 7:00pm St. Mary Orthodox Church of Palos Heights

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12 ST. MARY TEEN SOYO BIBLE STUDY WELCOMING THE SOYO OF ST. GEORGE

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 8th, 2012 AT 7:00PM LOCATION: ST. MARY CHURCH OF PALOS HEIGHTS FELLOWSHIP HALL !!! POT LUCK !!!

Arabic School is Back! -

The fees for 2012 will be as follows:

N- - - - - - - 4 - 4 -

Adults Class available as well!

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14  دة   ة ا 55

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Weekly Synaxarion

Today’s Liturgy commemorates the divine Transfiguration of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. This glorious event is recorded in the Gospels of Mark (9:2-13), Luke (9:28-36 in Orthros) and Matthew (17:1-9 in Liturgy). In the third year of His preaching, the Lord Jesus often spoke to His disciples of His approaching passion and His glori- ous Resurrection. So that His impending passion would not totally weaken His disciples, the All-wise Savior wanted to show them His di- vine glory before His passion on the Holy Cross. (This is why we sing the Katavasias of the Holy Cross on this day.) For that reason, He took Peter, James and John with Him and went out at night to Mount Tabor. The Lord took only three disciples on Tabor because the Lord did not want to leave the unworthy Judas alone at the foot of the mountain so that the betrayer would not, by that, justify his betrayal. Our Lord was transfigured on a mountain and not in a valley to teach us two virtues: love of labor and godly-thoughts. For, climbing to the heights required labor and height represents the heights of our thoughts, i.e., godly- thoughts. Moses and Elijah appeared in order to destroy the erroneous thought of the Jews that the Christ is one of the prophets; that is why He appears as a King above the prophets and that is why Moses and Elijah appear as His servants. Until then, our Lord manifested His di- vine power many times to the disciples but, on Mount Tabor, He mani- fested His divine nature. This vision of His Divinity and the hearing of the heavenly witness about Him as the Son of God would serve the dis- ciples in the days of the Lord’s passion, in strengthening of an unwa- vering faith in Him and His final victory. Unto Christ God be glory and dominion unto the ages. Amen.

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