Orthodox A parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America His Eminence Metropolitan , Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America His Grace Bishop John, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester

300 West Street, Dedham, Massachusetts 02026-5594 781.326.3046/www.stjohnd.org

Pastoral Staff: Archpriest John K. Teebagy, Pastor Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9 am – 2 pm Rev. Christos Hatzopoulos Church Office: [email protected] Andrew Hazerjian, Choir Director Anthony Hamwey, Chanter Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday at 2 pm

Regular Sunday Services: Confessions: 8:40 am - 9:40 am; : 9 am; : 10 am

ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS MISSION STATEMENT

We worship and glorify God, by loving and caring for each other, providing a safe, thriving and life-long home, from which we spread the teaching and good works of our Orthodox Christian Faith. Being God’s stewards, we celebrate our faith by:  participating fully in the sacramental and liturgical life of the church.  responding to the needs of all by living the message of the through outreach to each other and to the community at large.  fostering our God-given talents as stewards to strengthen God's church.

(Romans 15:7)

“Welcome one another, therefore,A asNOTE Christ TO has OURwelcomed VISITORS you, for the glory of God.”

WELCOME! We are glad to have you worshipping with us today. We hope that you will complete one of our visitor cards and will introduce yourself to Fr. John after the service. Please also join us for coffee following the Liturgy. Since the Orthodox Church understands to be a sign of our unity of faith, only Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through prayer, fasting and periodic confession are permitted to participate in Holy Communion. All present, however, are welcome to partake of the blessed bread and receive a blessing at the end of liturgy.

15 March 2020 2nd Sunday of - Sunday of St.

After the Little :

Troparion of the Resurrection – Tone 6: When Mary stood at Thy grave, looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb; and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O Thou, Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Troparion of St. Gregory Palamas - Tone 8: O Star of , support of the Church and its teacher, O comeliness of ascetics, and incontestable champion of those who speak in theology, Gregory the wonderworker, the pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, implore thou constantly for the salvation of our souls

Troparion of St. John of Damascus – Tone 8: Thou hast shown thyself, O God-inspired John, as a guide to the Orthodox Faith, a teacher of true worship and purity, O star of the universe and companion of monastics, O wise one. Through thy light thou hast enlightened all, O harp of the Spirit. Therefore intercede with Christ God to save our souls.

Kontakion for Sundays of Great Lent – Tone 8: To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O , thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom.

Prokeimenon: You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed

EPISTLE: The reading is from St. Paul to the Hebrews (Chapter 1:10 - 2:3)

In the beginning, you O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end.” But to what angel has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?” Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, who shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

THE HOLY GOSPEL LESSON ACCORDING TO ST. MARK (Chapter 2:1-12)

At that time, when 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 him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him 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, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning 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 questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question 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!" And the rest of the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great

DONATION(S) TO THE CHURCH:  Judy Shagoury in beloved memory of Essa Sabbag  The family of Sleiman Aoude in his beloved memory  Louise Dikmak in beloved memory of Georgette Dikmak  Richard and Laura George for the continued good health of Jason and Andrea Finch  Diane Beshere and family in beloved memory of Norman Beshere  Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Abdelahad in beloved memory of Mary Abdelahad

DONATION(S) TO THE VIRGIN MARY SOCIETY:  Herb, Paul, and Richard Aswad in beloved memory of Lorraine and Louis Aswad

Announcements…

 Reminder Please remember to contact Fr. John (781.326.3046) at your earliest convenience, if you or a loved one has a pastoral need. Thank you.

 The St. John of Damascus Community Scholarship applications are now on the St. John website (https://stjohnd.org/scholarship/ ). Applications are due by April 15 and the scholarships will be awarded at Church School graduation on May 17. Applicants must be high-school seniors and graduates of the St. John of Damascus Church School planning to attend full time a fully accredited college, university, or technical school. For more information, please contact Nancy Close ([email protected] ).

 Light a Candle Did you know that you can “light a candle,” and pray for your loved ones right from your computer and take some time out of your day to be with God? Please visit https://stjohnd.org/light-a-candle/ . Please consider making a small donation so that we can make this feature a permanent part of our web site.

 Food for Hungry People The Food for Hungry People Program is now underway Please remember the homeless throughout the world as we approach the holiest time of the year. Alms boxes will be available at the bengari. We depend upon your support. Please consider offering a generous donation to this most worthy cause. If you prefer to donate by check, please make it payable to the church and earmark it F.F.H.P. We ask that all alms boxes and checks be returned by May 17. Thank you.

 2020 NG Beram Veterans Scholarship High school seniors, with an Arabic background and who plan on attending an accredited college in the fall, are invited to apply for the Beram scholarship. Please visit www.stjohnd.org/ngberam for more information and an application.

 Choir Interested in joining the choir? New members are always welcomed! Please see Andrew Hazerjian for more information. The choir rehearses each Sunday in the large hall at 9 a.m.

 Altar Servers: John Najjar, Dean of Altar Servers. Serving today: St. Matthew Team.

Great Lent 2020 Week #3 (March 15-22)

 Today: 2nd Sunday of Lent: The begin your Eucharistic fast after a Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas light Lenten meal).

 Monday, March 16: Great  Friday, March 20: 3rd Stasis of the @ 7 pm @ HERE Akathist @ 5:30 pm.

 Wednesday, March 18: Liturgy of the  Sunday, March 22: 3rd Sunday of Presanctified Gifts @ 5:30 pm (please Lent: The Veneration of the Holy Cross w/procession

FROM THE FATHERS – “Arsenius always used to say this, ‘Why, words, did I let you get out? I have often been sorry that I have spoken, never that I have been silent.” Benedicta Ward: The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks