EEKLY BULLETIN W Sunday, December 8, 2019 THE TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST AND THE TENTH SUNDAY OF LUKE

The Weekly Bulletin is an official publication of George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Cicero, Illinois. A parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Antiochian Orthodox Church كنيســة القديــس جاورجيــوس االنطاكيــة االرثوذكســية The Most Reverend Metropolitan , Primate Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America The Right Reverend ANTHONY, Auxiliary Bishop Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest The Very Reverend Father Fouad Saba, Pastor “The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Acts 11:26 brOTHerHOOd OF THe nObLe JOSePH: ParISH cOuncIL: V. Rev. Fr. Fouad Saba, PASTOR V. Rev. Fr. Fouad Saba, PRESIDING OFFICER V. Rev. Fr. Mark Sahady, ASST PASTOR Darlene N. Haddad, CHAIR Sdn. Mazen Khalifeh Rammy Zanayed, VICE-CHAIR Sdn. Steven Bynum Mina Rantisi, SECRETARY Sdn. Rayahin Suhail Qumri, TREASURER Sdn. Khouri Mazen Rihani, FINANCIAL SECRETARY Sdn. Joseph Alfakhori Adel Alfakhori, MEMBER CHANTER Protopsaltis Jameel Haddad, Michael Barbari, MEMBER Chadi Karam, CHANTER Steve Bynum, MEMBER Trevor Lenhart, CHOIR DIRECTOR Hania Kahoush, MEMBER Adel Alfakhori, HEAD USHER Michael Moukheiber, MEMBER All Choir Members, Ushers, & Acolytes Michael Mufarreh, MEMBER cHurcH OFFIce: Hani Rihani, MEMBER Samar Rihani, OFFICE SECRETARY Mais Rihani, MEMBER OFFICE ASSISTANT Holly Goljic, Mariana Saba, MEMBER Suhail Qumri, WEBMASTER Raed Sweiss, MEMBER Robert Sweiss, BOOKSTORE eX-OFFIcIO memberS: 1220 South 60th Court V. Rev. Fr. Mark Sahady, CLERGY Cicero, Illinois 60804 PHONE: (708) 656-2927 Karen Nawas, SUNDAY SCHOOL FAX: (708) 656-1166 Reem Sweiss, ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN EMAIL: [email protected] Lina Zabaneh, YOUNG ADULT FELLOWSHIP (YAF) WEBSITE: www.stgeorgechi.org Michelle Rihani, SOYO OFFIce HOurS: Donna Haddad Conopeotis, SOYO ADVISORY TEAM Tuesday–Friday: 10 am–4 pm Omar Rihani, THE ORDER OF SAINT IGNATIUS Saturday-Monday: Closed Johnny Araj, ANTIOCHIAN MEN (A-MEN) WeeKLy SerVIceS ScHeduLe: Darlene N. Haddad, ARCHDIOCESE TRUSTEE Saturdays: Great Vespers as announced Elie Haig, ARCHDIOCESE TRUSTEE Sundays: 9:15am Orthros (Matins) and Mansour Rayan, ARCHDIOCESE TRUSTEE / 10:20am Great Doxology and Divine Liturgy HONORARY COUNCIL MEMBER Confession by Appointment Eid Swais, HONORARY COUNCIL MEMBER 2 TODAY’S LITURGY INSERTS RESURRECTIONAL TROPARIAN (TONE 8) انحدرت ِمن الع ِلو يا متحِنن، وقِبلت َّالدفن ذا الثَّالثِة From the heights Thou didst descend, O ْ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ ّ َُ َّ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to األيام، ِلكي تعِتقنا ِم ن ِاآلالم، فيا حياتنا ِوقيامتنا، the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver ّ َ ْ ُْ َ َ َ َ َ َََ يا رب المجد لك. us from passion; Thou art our life and our َ ُّ َ ْ ُ .Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee ENTRANCE HYMN OF THE GOSPEL BOOK Come, let us worship, and fall down before هُلموا ِلنسجد ونرَكع ِلْلم ِسيح، مِل ِكنا ِوإلهنا. خِّلصنا َ ّ َ ْ ُ ْ َْ ْ َ َ ِ َ ْ Christ. Save us, O Son of God, Who art risen يا ابن هللا، يا م ْن قام ِم ْن بي ِ ناألموات، ِلُنرتّل َلك. ِ ْ َ َ َ َْ َ َ َ .from the dead; who sing to Thee. Alleluia َهللوييا. RESURRECTIONAL TROPARIAN (TONE 8) انحدرت ِمن الع ِلو يا متحِنن، وقِبلت َّالدفن ذا الثَّالثِة From the heights Thou didst descend, O ْ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ ّ َُ َّ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to األيام، ِلكي تعِتقنا ِم ن ِاآلالم، فيا حياتنا ِوقيامتنا، the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver ّ َ ْ ُْ َ َ َ َ َ َََ يا رب المجد لك. us from passion; Thou art our life and our َ ُّ َ ْ ُ .Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee TROPARION OF SAINT GEORGE THE GREAT MARTYR (TONE 4) بما َّأنك للمأسورين محرر وم ِعتق، وللفق ِراء والمس ِاكين Since thou art a liberator and deliverer of َ ُ َ ُ َ ٌ ُ ٌ َُ َ َ captives, a help and support of the poor ِعاضد ون ِاصر وللمرضى طبيب وش ٍاف ِوعن ٌ َ ٌ َ َ ٌ َ and needy, a healing physician of the sick, a ِ ِ ِ ِ المؤم َنين ُمكاف ٌح ُوم َحارٌب أيها ُالعظيم في ُالشهداء contender and fighter for kings, O great among ِ َّ ِ ُجاورجيوس الآلب ُس َالظَفر تَ َشفع إلى ِالمسيح اإلله Martyrs, the victory clad George; intercede في َخ ِالص ُنُف ِوسنا. .with Christ God for the salvation of our souls KONTAKION OF PREPARATION OF CHRIST’S NATIVITY (TONE 3) اليوم العذراء تْأتي إلى المغارِة ِلتِلد الكِلمة الذي On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to َ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who ِ ِ َقْب َل ُّالد ُه ِور، ِو َالدةً ال تَُف َّسُر وال ُيْن َط ُق بها، َف ْافَرحي was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ * ;earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings َّأيتُها َالم ْس َكون ُة إذا َسمْعت، َوم ّجدي َم َع َالمالئَكة ِ ِ ِِ ِ with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify ُّوالرعاة، الذي َسَي ْظَهُر بَم َشيئته طْفالً َجديداً ُوهو Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a ُإلهنا الذي َقْب َل ُّالد ُهور. .young Child Who * before the ages is God

3 KONTAKION FOR THE MIRACULOUS WEEPING ICON (TONE 8) GOSPEL FOR THE TENTH SUNDAY OF LUKE Only at Saint George Church in Cicero ِ ِ ِ To thee the champion leader, I thy city offer إني أنا ُعبدك يا والدةَ اإلله* اكتُ ُب لك رايات الغلبة thanks of victory. * O , thou who ِ ٍ يا َّجندي ًة ُمحامية* وأُ ُقدم لك ُالش َكر َكُمنقذة َمن hast delivered me from terror. * But as thou َّ ِ ِ hast that power which is invincible. * From الشدائد* لكن بما َّأن لك العَزة َالتي ال تُ َح َارب* ِاعتقيني من ص ِنوف الشدائد* حتى أصرخ ِإليك all dangers set me free and deliver me, * That ُ ُ َ I may cry unto thee: * Hail, O Bride without إفرحي يا عروسا ًال َعروس لها. .Bridegroom EPISTLE FOR THE TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST صُّلوا وأوفوا َّالرَّب إلهنا Make your vows to the Lord our God and َ ْ ُ َ perform them. God is known in Judah; His ِ هللاُ َمْع ٌروف في أَْرض َيهوذا. .Name is great in Israel ِ ِ ِ ِ َف ْص ٌــل م ْــن ِر َســالة القّد ِيــس ُبول َــس َّالرســول إلــى The Reading from the Epistle of Saint Paul to ِ (the Ephesians (4:1-7 أَ ْهــل أََف ُســس )4:1-7( ِ ِ ,Brethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord يــا ْإخَــوةُ، ُأطل ُــب ْإلي ُكــم أنــا األس َــير فــي َّالــرب ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to ْأن تَ ْسُــل ُكوا َكَمــا َيح ُّــق لْلَد ْعَــوة التــي ُدعيتُْــم بَهــا* ب ُــك ّل ٍ ِ ٍ ِ which you have been called, with all lowliness تَ ُواض ٍــع َوَو َداعــة ِوبطــول أَنــاة، ُم ْحتَم َليــن َبْع ُضُك ْــم and meekness, with patience, forbearing one ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ َبْعضــاً َبالم َحَّبــة* ُوم ْجتَه َديــن فــي حْفــظ وْحَــدة ِالــروح another in love, eager to maintain the unity of ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one بِربــاط َالســالم* فإَّن ُك ْــم َج َس ٌــد واح ٌــد َو ٌروح واح ٌــد، ِ ِ ِ ِ body and one Spirit, just as you were called َكمــا ُدعيتُ ْــم إلــى َرجــاء َد ْعَوت ُكــم الواحــد* َرٌّب واحٌــد، وإيمــان ِواحــد، ومع ِمودَّيــة ِواحــدة* وإلــه أب ِللج ِميــع to the one hope that belongs to your call, one ٌ ٌ َ ْ ٌ َ ٌ ٌ ٌ ْ َ Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and ِ ق ِ واح ٌــد، ُه َــو َف ْــو َ َالج ِميــع َوبالج ِميــع وفــي َجميعُك ْــم* Father of us all, Who is above all and through ِ ِ ِ ٍ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ول ُــك ّل واحــد مّنــا أُ ْعطَيــت النْعَم ُــة علــى مْق ِــدار َمْوَهَبــة all and in all. But grace was given to each of us َالمســيح. .according to the measure of Christ’s gift EPISTLE READERS •عزام برهومة Azzam Barhoumeh, English Today • •حنان صوص Hanan Sous, Arabic •

th •رامي زنايد Rammy Zanayed, English Dec 15 •

nd •دونا حداد Donna Haddad, English Dec 22 •

th •عمر ريحاني Omar Rihani, English Dec 25 •

th •دارلين حداد Darlene Haddad, English Dec 29 • 4 GOSPEL FOR THE TENTH SUNDAY OF LUKE فصــل شــريف ِمــن ِبشــارِة ِالقد ِيــس لوقــا اإلن ِجيلــي The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to َ ْ ٌ َ ٌ ْ َ ّ ْ ِّ (Saint Luke (13:10-17 ِ ِ ِ َالب ِشــير ّوالتْلميــذ َّالطاهــر )At that time, Jesus was teaching in one )13:10-17 فــي ذلــك ِالزمــان، كان يســوع ِّيعلــم فــي أح ِــد of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there َ َ ُ ُ َ was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity ِ ِ ِ ٍ ِ ٍ المجام ِــع َي ْــوَم الســبت* وإذا ب ْامــرأة بَهــا ُروح َم َــرض for eighteen years; she was bent over and could ِ not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus ُمْن ُــذ ثَمانــي َع ْشَــرةَ َسَــن ًة، َوكان ْــت ُمْن َحنَي ًــة ال تَ ْســتَ ُطيع ِ َّ ,saw her, He called her and said to her, “Woman ْأن تَْنتَص َــب َالبت َــة* َفلَّمــا َرآهــا َيســوعُ، َدعاهــا َوقــال you are freed from your infirmity.” And He laid ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ َلَهــا: َّإنــك ُم ْطَلَق ٌــة م ْــن َمَرضــك* َوَو َض َــع َيَدْيــه ْعليَهــا، His hands upon her, and immediately she was ِ ِ made straight, and she praised God. But the وفــي الحــال ْاســتَ َقام ْت، َوم َّجَــدت هللا* َف َأَجــاب ُرئيــس ِ ِ ruler of the synagogue, indignant because َالم ْجَم ِــع، ُوه َــو ُم ْغ ٌتــاظ ْإلبــراء َيســوع فــي َّالس ْــبت، Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the وقــال ِللجم ِــع: ِهــي ِســتَّة أَي ٍــام ينبِغــي العمــل فيهــا. people, “There are six days on which work َ ْ َ ْ َ ُ ّ ََْ َ َ ُ ن ن ِ ought to be done; come on those days and be َففيها تَْأتوَ وتَ ْستَ ْشُفوَ ، ال في َيْوِم َّالسْبت* َف َأَجاب healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Then ِ ِ ٍ ِ َّالــرُّب َوقــال: يــا ُمرائــي! ْألي َــس ُك ُّل واحــد مْن ُك ْــم َي ُح ُّــل the Lord answered him, “You hypocrite! Does ثــوره أَو ِحمــاره فــي َّالســب ِت ِمــن ْالِم ْــذوِد وين َطِلــق ِب ِــه not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox َ ْ َُ ْ َُ ْ َ َ َْ ُ or his ass from the manger, and lead it away فيس ِــقيِه؟* وه ِــذِه، ِوهــي ابنــة إبراهيــم التــي ربطهــا ََ ْ َ َ َْ ُ َ ََ َ to water it? And ought not this woman, a ِ daughter of , whom Satan bound for َّالشــيطان مْنُذ ثَماني ع ْشــرة َســن ًة، أما كان يْنبغي أن ْ ُ ُ َ ََ َ َ َ َ ْ eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on ِ ِ ِ ِ تُ ْطَل َــق م ْــن هــذا ّالربــاط َيــوم ْالســبت؟* َولَّمــا َقــال هــذا، the Sabbath day?” As Jesus said this, all His ِ ِ ِ adversaries were put to shame; and all the َخــزَي ُك ُّل َم ْــن َكان يقاوُم ُــه، َوف ِــرَح َالج ْم ُــع ب َج ِميــع األُ ِمــور المجيــدِة التــي كانــت تصــدر ِمنــه. people rejoiced at all the glorious things that َ َ َ ْ َ ْ ُ ُ ْ ُ .were done by Him

HOLY BREAD OFFERED BY عائلة كرم وريحاني Today Karam & Rihani Families

th رياض ورانيا )دوغمان( البدر والعائلة Dec 15 Riyad & Rania (Dughman) AlBader and Family nd •كمال واتحاد ريحاني والعائلة Kamal & Etihad Rihani and Family Dec 22 • • Huda Zanayed and Family •هدى زنايد والعائلة

th جورج وابتسام مريبع والعائلة Dec 29 George & Ibtissam Imreibe and Family 5 THE SYNAXARION On December 8th in the Holy Orthodox Church we prepare to celebrate the Conception of the Theotokos by St. Anna, and we commemorate our righteous Father Patapios of Thebes in . Having patently forsaken the earth’s corruptible pathways, Thou patterest, O Patapios, where the feet of the meek do patter. On the eighth, O Patapios, thou troddest green pasture. Patapios abhorred the vanity of this world and withdrew into the wilderness of Egypt. There he devoted himself to a life of asceticism, cleansing his heart of all earthly desires and thoughts for the sake of God’s love. However, when his virtues became known among the people, they came to him for solace in their sufferings. Fearing the praise of men, which darkens the minds of men and separates them from God, Patapios fled this wilderness to , thinking he could hide himself more easily in a big city; but a light cannot be hidden. A child, blind from birth, was led by God’s providence to Patapios. He besought the saint to pray to God that he be given his sight to look upon God’s creation and praise Him all the more. Patapios, having compassion on the suffering child, prayed to God, and the child’s sight was restored. This miracle revealed God’s chosen one, and people rushed to him for healing, comfort and instruction. Patapios performed many other miracles, all through prayer in the name of Christ and by the sign of the Cross. In great old age, he peacefully entered the Heavenly Kingdom in the seventh century. On this day, we also commemorate Sophronios, bishop of Cyprus; Apostles Sosthenes, , Crispos, Caesar and Epaphroditos of the Seventy; and Martyr Parthenios of Chios. By their intercessions, O Christ God, have mercy upon us. Amen. COFFEE HOUR SPONSORED BY عائلة كرم وريحاني Today Karam & Rihani Families

th رياض ورانيا )دوغمان( البدر والعائلة Dec 15 Riyad & Rania (Dughman) AlBader and Family nd جمعية القديس اغناطيوس Dec 22 The Order of Saint Ignatius

th جورج وابتسام مريبع والعائلة Dec 29 George & Ibtissam Imreibe and Family NEWBORNS ايرين، ابنة سامر وسيلفيا زبانة Irene, daughter of Samer and Sylvia Zabaneh 6 MEMORIALS جناز 10 سنوات عن نفس المرحوم †كمال Today 10-year memorial service for †Kamal سعد و جناز 6 سنوات عن نفس المرحوم Saad and 6-year memorial service for †George Karam, offered by the Karam مقدم من عائلة كرم وريحاني. †جورج كرم .Rihani Families & nd جناز الخمس وعشرون عاماً عن نفس Dec 22 25-year memorial service for †Elias المرحوم †الياس إبراهيم زنايد، مقدم من Ibrahim Zanayed, offered by Huda Zanayed and Family. زوجته هدى زنايد واوالدها وعائالتهم. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Today • Youth Choir Rehearsal (see pg. 10) 9:30 am • Ministry Coordination Meeting 12:15 pm • Membership Committee Meeting 1:00 pm Tue, Dec 10th Parish Council Meeting 7:30 pm Sun, Dec 15th • Youth Choir Rehearsal (see pg. 10) 9:30 am • Coffee Chat: Introduction to the Holy Bible (see pg. 8) After Liturgy Fri, Dec 20th YAF Christmas Gathering (see pg. 9) 7:30 pm Sat, Dec 21st Youth Choir Christmas Concert Dress Rehearsal (see pg. 10) 11:30 am Sun, Dec 22nd Youth Choir Rehearsal (see pg. 10) 9:30 am Youth Choir Christmas Concert (see pg. 20) After Liturgy Tue, Dec 24th • Royal Hours for the Feast of the Nativity 10:00 am • Orthros 5:00 pm • Great Doxology and Liturgy the Feast of the Nativity 6:20 pm Sat, Jan 4th Antiochian Women Christmas Dinner (see pg. 13) 6:00 pm Sun, Jan 5th Blessing of Water After Liturgy Sun, Jan 12th SAINT GEORGE CHURCH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY (see After Liturgy pgs. 15-17)

Are you offering CHURCH BREAD and need NAMES REMEMBERED in the Liturgy? Contact us with the names by THURSDAY of that week (708) 656-2927 or [email protected]

7 Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Cicero, IL Coffee Chat: Introduction to the Holy Bible

SUNDAY,

DECEMBER 15, 2019

FOLLOWING LITURGY DURING COFFEE HOUR

Hear Father Saba present an Introducti on to the Holy Bible in less than 30 minutes!

8 Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Cicero, IL Young Adult Fellowship CHRISTMAS GATHERING! HOLIDAY CHEER, FUN, AND FELLOWSHIP! Wear your best UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER and bring a sweater for the needy! **A SWEATER FOR THE NEEDY IS YOUR ADMISSION TO THE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER CONTEST** D�����, B���� S����, P����� �� ��� R���� F����� C�����, C�������� A��������� FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2019 AT 7:30 PM H����� �� ��� R���� F����� ��� A������ �� ���� �����������, ������ �������: L��� R���� (773) 814-7577 �� N����� S����� (708) 921-5214 INVITING ��� Y���� P������������, M������ C������, ��� C������ S������� (A��� 18+) 9 SAINT GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL

"To sing is to pray twice." - Saint Augustine

Dear Parents, Congratulations to the Youth Choir on a beautiful performance for the Metropolitan and !

In preparation for the Christmas Concert on December 22nd we are going to accept new Youth Choir members to join our great group!

If your child is interested in joining the choir please see Olga Karam after Sunday School on November 24th, this Sunday, in the 1st/2nd grade room.

Existing choir members should see Olga to get new music!

MANDATORY Rehearsal schedule: December 1 at 9:30 am December 8 at 9:30 am December 15 at 9:30 am December 21, Saturday, 11:30am - 1:30pm December 22, Performance after Liturgy

The final performance will include the entire Sunday School.

I'm looking forward to working with this group! In Christ, Olga Karam V. Rev. Fr. Fouad Saba Karen Nawas Youth Choir Director Pastor Sunday School Principal

E-MAIL: [email protected] 10 Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest Very Reverend Father Fouad Saba, Pastor T EEN S OYO  WORSHIP WITNESS SERVICE FELLOWSHIP 

November 18, 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christmas is a time of giving and remembrance. A time of exchanging greetings between friends and loved ones, near and far. In keeping with this spirit, Teen SOYO is asking that you join in subscribing to the 2019 Church Christmas Card.

Teen SOYO (ages 12-18) sponsors this card every year as the major fundraiser and to give all of us the opportunity to send Christmas greetings to everyone at Saint George Church. Your donation will help support the following Teen SOYO programs:

• Annual Retreat • Bible Studies • Field Trips • SOYO Social Outings • Diocesan Events • Humanitarian Projects • Meetings • Public Relations • …and much more!

Please complete the subscription form below so that you may be included as one of the subscribers to the 2019 Church Christmas Card. A minimum donation will be appreciated by December 8th to help support this Christmas Card Fundraiser. Forms received after December 8th will not be included in the card, however, will be published in the Weekly Bulletin in December.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

Yours in Christ, V. Rev. Fr. Fouad Saba Michelle Rihani V. Rev. Fr. Fouad Saba Michelle Rihani Pastor SOYO President

------Please cut here------Please cut here------Please make checks payable to “Saint George Church – SOYO” and return with this form to Church Office by December 8, 2019. Please indicate the donation amount to Teen SOYO:  $20  $40  $50  $100  Other $ _____ Please indicate below the category and the names to be included in the Church Christmas Card. The name(s) will be included in the Church Christmas Card exactly as shown below. Please print clearly. SELECT ONE:  For Good Health…  In Memory of… Please PRINT Name(s) to display on card: ______Contact Information: ______Name Phone Email Address ______Address City State Zip Code Have a Blessed Nativity Season! 1220 South 60th Court, Cicero, Illinois 60804 Phone (708) 656-2927 Fax (708) 656-1166 Offi [email protected] www.StGeorgeChi.org 11 Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Cicero, IL Celebrate the Birth of the Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST with your Saint George Church Family! TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2019 R���� H����, 10:00 �� O������ (M�����), 5:00 �� G���� D������� and D����� L������, 6:20 ��

ﺼ�ــﺎم ﻋیــد اﻟم�ــﻼد ADVENT SEASON FAST يستمر صيام عيد الميالد حتى ������ ���T�� A����� (C��������) F �� F�����, N������� 15�� ��� يوم 24 كانون األول بعد قداس ��C�������� E �� �������� ���� العيد، نود أن ننوه في هذة الفترة �������� ���� ���L������. T ����� بأن اللحوم واألجبان والكحول غير ,����� ,���� ��� ���� ���������� مسموح فيه قطعيا. .��� ��� ,������� FOR A FASTING DISCIPLINE YOU CAN HANDLE, PLEASE SPEAK TO FATHER SABA. Fasti ng must always be accompanied by prayer and forgiveness, using the wisdom of God found, fi rst and foremost, in the Holy Scriptures. Helping and serving others and feeding those who are in need will give fasti ng its true meaning. Without love for others, prayers are empty. 12 Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Cicero, IL A NTIOCHIAN W OMEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S DINNER $45/person For more informa� on, contact Hania Kahoush (773) 865-5771 or Reem Sweiss (708) 772-7336 Saturday, January 4, 2019, 6:00 pm Brio Tuscan Grille Restaurant 330 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard, IL 13 Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Cicero, IL

SAVE THE DATE CHOIR DINNER AND MEETING Friday, January 17, 2019 at 7:30 pm

14 15 16 17 REFLECTION

“God is nearer to us than any man at any ti me. He is nearer to me than my raiment, nearer than the air or light, nearer than my wife, father, mother, daughter, son or friend. I live in Him, soul and body. I breathe in Him, think in Him, feel, consider, intend, speak in Him, or undertake work in Him. For in Him we live, move and have our being.”

Saint John of Kronstadt (Righteous Wonderworker)

18 “THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS” December 25th – January 5th ~ Original Meaning ~ True love = God Me = every bapti zed person Partridge = Jesus Christ, who, like a bird, will protect God’s defenseless children. Pear tree = the Cross, which was made from a tree. 2 Turtle doves = the Old and New Testaments; also, two turtle doves were sacrifi ced when Jesus was fi rst brought to the temple. 3 French hens = faith, hope, and charity (sacrifi cial giving); also, gold, frankincense, and myrrh from the Wise Men. 4 Calling birds = the four Gospels and/or the . 5 Golden rings = the fi rst fi ve books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch) which gives the history of man’s fall from grace. 6 Geese a-laying = the six days of creati on. 7 Swans a-swimming = the seven gi� s of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8); also, the seven sacraments. 8 Maids a-milking = the eight Beati tudes (Ma� hew 5:3-10); also, milking symbolizes Christ’s love for us. 9 Ladies dancing = the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galati ans 5:22- 23). 10 Lords a-leaping = the Ten Commandments. 11 Pipers piping = the eleven faithful Apostles. 12 Drummers drumming = the twelve points of the Apostles Creed; also, the twelve Apostles preaching.

19 Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Cicero, IL Sunday School Christmas Concert

Sunday, December 22, 2019 IMMEDIATELY AFTER LITURGY Performance by Beginning S���� G����� Y���� C���� with a and Presented by TREE S����� S����� S������� LIGHTING CEREMONY Special Visit from

Light Reception to follow in Church Hall Sponsored by Order of Saint Ignatius