St. Luke Antiochian Orthodox Church 13261 Dunklee Avenue - Garden Grove, California 92840 Archpriest Michael Tassos - Priest Jon L
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
St. Luke Antiochian Orthodox Church 13261 Dunklee Avenue - Garden Grove, California 92840 Archpriest Michael Tassos - Priest Jon L. Fate Archpriest Michael J. Lewis, of Blessed Memory A Parish within the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West: His Eminence, Archbishop JOSEPH - antiochianladiocese.org In the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America: His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP - antiochian.org Parish Phone: (714) 971-2244 Fax: (714) 971-2252 Website: www.STLUKESOC.org January 15, 2012: Today is the 12th Sunday of St. Luke (Gospel) and the 29th Sunday after Holy Pentecost (Epistle). The Saints we commemorate today: Venerable Paul of Thebes; John the Hut-dweller of Constantinople; Venerable Pansophios of Alexandria; Maximus, bishop of Nola; Salamoe of Udjarma, Georgia; Ita of Killeedy (Ireland); Maurus, disciple of St. Benedict of Nursia; Teath of Wales, daughter of King Brychan; Lleudadd of Bardsey (Wales); Sawl, father of St. Asaph; Ceowulf, king of Northumbria; Prochorus, abbot in Vranki Desert (Bulgaria); Gabriel, founder of Lesnovo Monastery (Serbia-Bulgaria). Today's Epistle from Today's Reading is From St. Paul's Letter to The Holy Gospel The Colossians (3: 4-11) Of St. Luke (17: 12-19) Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then At that time, as Jesus entered a village, he was met you will also appear with Him in glory. Mortify by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up therefore your members which are upon the earth: their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and on us.” When Jesus saw them he said to them, “Go covetousness, which is idol worship; and show yourselves to the for the sake of such things the wrath of priests.” And as they went they God comes upon the sons of disobedi- were cleansed. Then one of ence; wherein you also once walked, them, when he saw that he was when you lived in these things. But healed, turned back, praising now you also put them all away: anger, God with a loud voice; and he wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, language out of your mouths. Do not giving him thanks. Now he was lie to one another, having put off the a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, old man with his works; and having put “Were not ten cleansed? Where on the new man, who is being renewed are the nine? Was no one found in knowledge according to the image of to return and give praise to God his Creator, where there cannot be except this foreigner?” And Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncir- Jesus said to him, “Rise and go cumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond, your way; your faith has made or free; but Christ is all, and in all. you well.” January 15, 2012 - The Holy Oblations are offered by: With loving prayers for God’s blessings; for peace throughout the world; for all who are suffering; for those who protect and serve our country; and for all those who are ill. May God grant you many years! Prayers are also offered for our beloved Fr. Michael, of blessed memory and everlasting repose; and for God’s peace, strength, and comfort upon his wife and daughters, Kyra, Ana, and Katya, their family, and all of you, his dearly loved children in Christ. May his memory be ever eternal! Kyra, Ana, and Katya Lewis, with prayers in loving memory of their dear husband and dad, Father Michael. May his memory be ever eternal and may he rest with the saints! With prayers in loving memory of Archpriest Harold Dunaway, dean emeritus of St. John Cathedral in Eagle River, AK; and in memory of Kathy Meyer, secretary to His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP for 42 years before her retirement last year; and for God’s blessings, peace, and comfort upon their families. May their memory be eternal! Staci Lundquist, with loving prayers for God’s blessings upon her dear friend and “sister”, Nancy Thomas, as she celebrates her birthday this week. May God grant you many years! Prayers are also offered in loving memory of her parents, Michael and Mary. May their memory be eternal! Jean Sederoff, with loving prayers for God’s blessings, good health, and happiness upon a wonder- ful young man, Christian Bahu, who celebrates his birthday this week. May God grant you many happy years! Maria Brunson, with loving prayers for God’s blessings and happiness on the birthdays of Nancy Thomas, Colleen Khouri, and Mike Lundquist; and for a happy, belated birthday to Christina Lundquist. May God grant you many years! The Najjar Family, with loving prayers for God’s blessings on the Saint’s Day of their son and brother, Anthony, this week. May God grant you many years! Mike & Karen Savage, with loving prayers for God’s blessings, good health, and happiness on the birthday of Karen’s Godson, Kevin Homsy, tomorrow; on the upcoming birthdays of their dear friends, Jim Juroe and Nancy Thomas; and on the Saint’s Day of Walter Rygiol (St. Anthony). God grant you many years! Ernie Simon and family, with prayers in loving memory of their father and grandfather, Toofik Simon, departed this life 16 years. May his memory be eternal! Prayers are also offered for God’s blessings and protection upon their son and brother, Matthew, especially as he celebrates his 25th birthday. May God grant you many years! Olga Stefero, with loving prayers for God’s blessings, good health, and happiness on the upcoming birthday of Maryann Xanthos. May God grant you many years! The Esmond Family, with loving prayers for God’s blessings, speedy recovery, and good health of Sumner Lapp; for continued recovery of Barbara Lapp; for safe travels of Ted Lapp, and Don & Cheryl; and for the good health of Don’s mother, Mary. May God grant you many years! The Hanna Family, with loving prayers for God’s blessings on the birthday of their wife and mother, Karen; and continued protection upon their son and brother, Thomas. May God grant you many years! The Lengyel-Leahu Family, with loving prayers for God’s blessings on the birthday, this week, of their sister and aunt, Karen Marie. May God grant you many years! Jim & Eileen Phillips, with loving prayers for God’s blessings on the birthday of their dear cousin, Colleen Khouri, and dear friend, Nancy Thomas; God’s blessings, comfort, and good health upon Maryann Baker, on her birthday; good health and speedy recovery of Eva Melnyk; and God’s blessings upon all those attending the Father/Son Lunch next week. May God grant you many years! Prayers are also offered in lov- ing memory of Mary Filzen (Yiayia), and our dear Fr. Michael Lewis. May their memory be eternal! The Lapp Family, with loving prayers for God’s blessings, peace, and comfort upon their father and grandfather, Sumner. May God grant you many years! The Nasser, Petit, and Fate Family, with loving prayers for God’s blessing, good health, and happi- ness on the upcoming birthdays of Nancy and Karen; and for peace, happiness, good health, guidance, and protection upon all of their loved ones. May God grant you many years! Prayers are also offered in memory of our dearly loved Fr. Michael; and in memory of their father-in-law and grandfather, George Nasser, Sr., departed this life 40 years. May their memory be eternal! Sundays: The Minimal Obligation A Practical Tip for Orthodox Living This has been excerpted from a publication in England called The Shepherd, published by St. Edward Brotherhood in Woking, Surrey, England. The following is from Mother Pelagia of Lesna Convent. A Simple thing to bear in mind (but a fundamental one for anyone who wants to live as an Or- thodox Christian: Sunday is the Lord’s Day. It, and the major feasts, are days on which we should go to church. Nowadays many people seem to be under the impression that going to church is an option on Sundays, and nothing more than that. Sometimes one hears excuses for not coming—”I had so much to do!” and the like, but there are no excuses from this base- line commitment. These are not excuses but admissions of sin. Church attendance on Sun- days is not simply one of several options. It is essential for our spiritual well-being. In fact, Sunday church attendance and attendance on the Twelve Great Feasts is so essential for us (not for God, not for the priest, not for the parish community, but for our own spiritual lives), that even if we are away from home, on holiday, or travelling, we should make inquiries, find a church, and try our best to attend a service on these days. Of course, occasions do occur when we are prevented from going to church; but then, rather than just dismissing it, we should make a special effort to read the Scriptures and services at home, still to keep holy the Lord’s day. This is particularly important for those who have the responsibility of bring- ing up children. Also, if through necessity you have missed a Sunday Liturgy, try to attend on some other day in that week. If we consistently neglect this, we shall find that the neglect be- comes habitual and will quickly spread into other areas of our spiritual life. If you love your neighbor, then all of heaven will love you. If you are united in spirit with your fellow creatures, then you will be united with God and all the company of heaven; if you are merciful to your neighbor, then God and all the angels and saints will be merciful to you.