Volume 56 No. 9 November 2012

THE SAINT ROMANOS The Melodist Choir FROM BEIRUT, LEBANON

VOLUME 56 NO. 8 OCTOBER 2012 editor’s letter contents COVER: The Beiruit Choir visiting the St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral of Brooklyn, NY Changing Lives Through

3 EDITORIAL by Bishop JOHN Prayer and Study 4 AN INSPIRATIONAL TOUR: THE ST. ROMANOS MELODIST CHOIR FROM BEIRUT, LEBANON mong the most joyful people that I have together, strengthening their witness and bonds by Archpriest Thomas Zain, Vicar-General Aknown in my life are those who encounter Christ with each other and discussing the practices of through prayer and study. While this may seem our Archdiocese concerning priest-bishop-parish 8 THE REMEMBRANCE OF DEATH quite intuitive and expectable when pointed out, relationships, evangelism and education, pastoral 14 SEMINARIAN ANNUAL DINNER I believe it worthwhile to address. When we are counseling and sacraments. This year, Bishops 18 ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE talking to God and giving God a chance to talk THOMAS, JOHN and NICHOLAS led the discus- The Most Reverend by Christopher Shadid back, our relationships with Him and each other sions and classes. The students reported feeling Metropolitan PHILIP, D.H.L., D.D. are strengthened. God talks to us through our very much cared for and supported by their Arch- Primate 20 THEOLOGY AT THE HOUSE OF STUDIES relationships with fellow Christians. These in- diocese and all of the bishops. In working and The Most Reverend Archbishop JOSEPH 22 ASSEMBLY OF CANONICAL clude, of course, the writers of the scriptures, playing together, they deepened their resolve and ORTHODOX BISHOPS The Right Reverend both Old and New Testaments (Old Testament dedication to service of our Lord. Bishop ANTOUN 23 DAILY DEVOTIONS lovers of God are saved through Jesus Christ) the The largest of our programs is the St. ­Stephen’s The Right Reverend Metropolitan PHILIP in St. John ­Chrysostom Bishop BASIL Church writers who help us understand the scrip- program. It allows students from all over the 24 THE ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS Chapel at the The Right Reverend by Scott Miller tures and the ways of God, as well as our present world, from many jurisdictions and even other ­Archdiocese Bishop THOMAS Church leaders who live among us as examples churches, to study Orthodox theology. They are The Right Reverend 26 ORATORICAL FESTIVAL of Christian living, both in parishes and monas- given a course outline, books, paper assignments Bishop ALEXANDER 28 SYRIAN RELIEF FUND teries. We are not going to hear the voice of the and exams, which are done at home. Instructors The Right Reverend Bishop JOHN Savior much watching television sitcoms or even are available through various mediums to encour- 28 ARCHDIOCESAN OFFICE The Right Reverend the Presidential Debates. We will not encounter age and support the students. Some students take Bishop ANTHONY 30 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION Him very much in the movie theaters or the golf advantage of specializations, which include addi- The Right Reverend Bishop NICHOLAS course. We will hear His voice when we study the tional coursework in areas such as youth minis- Founded in Arabic as scriptures and the Fathers, when we participate in tries, iconology and music. Each student is also Al Kalimat in 1905 our local Church Community, and interact in ways required to do three residency programs where by Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny) Founded in English as that allow us to grow and stretch. Surviving in they interact with instructors at the Antiochian The WORD in 1957 a local Church community requires self-control, Village for a week of intensive study and worship. by Metropolitan ANTONY (Bashir) humility, love, patience, forgiveness, prayer, pri- Those students who have completed the St Editor in Chief The Rt. Rev. Bishop JOHN, DMin. ority setting, and effort. Parishes need us to serve Stephen’s program and graduated from an ac- Assistant Editor Christopher Humphrey, Ph.D. singing, praying and working. credited college may earn a masters degree in Editorial Board The Very Rev. Joseph J. Allen, Th.D. Anthony Bashir, Ph.D. To support the local parish in teaching and liv- applied theology degree from the University of The Very Rev. Antony Gabriel, Th.M. Letters to the editor are welcome and should include the author’s full name and ing in the Orthodox way, Metropolitan PHILIP es- Balamand by writing a dissertation. Ronald Nicola parish. Submissions for “Communities in Action” must be approved by the local Najib E. Saliba, Ph.D. pastor. Both may be edited for purposes of clarity and space. All ­submissions, in tablished the Antiochian House of Studies, which Clergy and full time church leaders who wish hard copy, on disk or e-mailed, should be double-spaced for editing purposes. The Very Rev. Paul Schneirla, M.Div. he calls a school without walls. Within the House to sharpen their pastoral counseling skills can Design Director Donna Griffin Albert ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: of studies are many programs designed to meet come and study eight masters level counseling Member U.S.A. and Canada, $20.00 The Associated Church Press the growing needs of our Church in America. I courses leading to a Certificate in Pastoral Mar- Conciliar Press Foreign Countries, $26.00 have been blessed to hear from participants in the riage and Family Counseling. After reading many Single Copies, $3.00 Ecumenical News International House of Studies repeatedly about their gratitude textbooks, the students role-played, shared ver- Orthodox Press Service The WORD (USPS626-260) is published monthly, except July and August, by the Editorial Office: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America at 358 Mountain for the programs, each sharing how encounter- batims, videoed sessions, and evaluated their The WORD Road, PO Box 5238; periodicals postage paid at Englewood, New Jersey 07631- ing God through studies here have changed their styles and skills. Our first graduating class de- 2 Lydia’s Path 5238 and at additional mailing offices. Westborough MA 01581-1841 lives. In this edition of The WORD, we will high- scribed the program as having changed their e-mail: [email protected] Postmaster send address changes to: The WORD, 358 Mountain Road, PO Box 5238, Englewood, NJ 07631-5238 light several of these programs. lives, enriched their ministries, and having given Subscription Office: ISSN 0043-7964 www.antiochian.org. The Seminarian program allows our Antio- them the tools they needed. 358 Mountain Road PO Box 5238 Canada Post Publications Agreement No. 40065483 chian students, who are trained at four different Englewood, NJ 07631-5238 Return Canada address to: seminaries, an opportunity to study for a week Bishop JOHN Atlas International Mail, PO Box 1051, Fort Erie, ON, L2A 6C7, Canada

2 The Word The Word 3 AN our parishes and at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox St. George Church of Troy, MI, The Basilica of St. “We no longer knew whether we were in Heaven or on Earth . . .” School of Theology. Let by Fr Romanos Joubran, Mary in Livonia, MI (over 800 people attended the dean of St. George Cathedral in Beirut and di- the concert there), St. George Church of Cleve- rector of the choir, the programs included hymns land, OH, St. George Cathedral of Pittsburgh, PA, INSPIRATIONAL from the various festal and fasting seasons as Saints Peter and Paul Church of Potomac, MD, St. well as selections from all eight of the Byzantine George Cathedral of Worcester, MA, St. George Church of West Roxbury, MA and The St. Romanos Choir performing with the Archdiocesan Choir of the Greek Orthodox fi nally St. Nicholas Cathedral of TOUR Archdiocese of America Brooklyn, NY. The tour was sponsored by The Order of St. Ignatius of An- tioch. The Order gave a grant for the choir’s airfare as well as their transportation while in the United States. Each host city provided for their lodging and needs while un- der their care. In addition to their offi cial engagements, the group also had the opportunity to sight- see and explore many of the cities they visited thanks to the gener- osity of the various host parishes. For all but one, it was their fi rst visit to the United States. They The two choirs with the Hierarchs and the Vicar General were also able to visit and were graciously received by staff at the Antiochian Village, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. The tour culminated with their visit to New York and a concert in the Mother Cathedral of the Archdiocese, St. Nicholas Ca- The St. Romanos thedral of Brooklyn, NY. Before the Melodist Choir from heading to the Cathedral on Sat- Beirut, Lebanon urday, September 22, the choir was hosted to a delicious lunch by His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP at the archdiocese head- quarters. At the lunch, His Emi- The St. Romanos Choir uch were the words of the emissar- earth.” For two weeks in September, people in cit- tones. The choir is well known in Lebanon and nence welcomed them to the archdiocese and re- performing at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY ies sent by St. Vladimir when he was ies representing ten of our parishes encountered has performed not only in Lebanon and Syria, but layed to them the history of the archdiocese. He S seeking to fi nd a religion for Rus’. Af- a similar experience. also in Greece and Turkey. They have also made presented the two priests, Fr. Romanos Joubran ter exploring Islam, Judaism and Ca- From September 10-24, 2012, with the bless- several professional recordings. and Fr. George Mokbel, with the centennial cross tholicism, they went to Constantinople and, upon ings of His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP and The group arrived in Chicago on Monday, of the archdiocese. He also gave each of the choir seeing the beauty of the services in Hagia Sophia His Eminence, Metropolitan ELIAS of Beirut, 12 September 10th and held their fi rst concert at St. members a copy of the new book on the history and being enthralled by the ancient chants of the members of the St. Romanos the Melodist Choir George Church of Cicero, IL the following eve- of the archdiocese. Church, they returned uttering the words, “we no from the Archdiocese of Beirut performed con- ning. They then began their journey Eastward with Later that evening, they performed their fi nal longer knew whether we were in heaven or on certs and chanted at divine services in 10 of stops at St. Nicholas Church of Grand Rapids, MI, concert at the Cathedral with a special guest ap-

The Word 4 5 The Word Beirut Choir

His Eminence, Archbishop DEMETRIOS present- the parishioners and the Antiochian Village staff ed Fr. Romanos and the choir from Beirut with that hosted the group and who allowed us to bor- a beautiful icon of St. Romanos the Melodist em- row their youth directors to help drive the group bossed on a large polished stone from New York across the country. While it was a physically ex- His Eminence, Archbishop DEMETRIOS State. A professional recording of this special con- hausting two weeks for both the choir and for presenting Fr. Romanos Joubran with an icon of cert should be available very soon for purchase. those involved with hosting them and moving them St. Romanos the Melodist The following morning, Sunday, September from place to place, the spiritual inspiration we all embossed on a stone from New York State 23, the choir chanted the Orthros and Divine Lit- received from their presence will remain with us urgy at the Cathedral with Their Graces, Bishops for years to come. This was an experience that not ANTOUN and NICHOLAS celebrating the liturgy only inspired, but also helped build bridges across assisted by the Cathedral clergy (The choir sang the vast geographical distance that separates our the Cherubic Hymn and the Anaphora in the 7th or archdiocese from our Mother Church. We thank Varys mode on the Zo for those familiar with Byz- the choir for gracing us with their presence and antine music. This provided a different and beauti- pray that God will continue to inspire Fr. Romanos Note: Coursework may not ful musical experience for those present). Finally, to give glory to God through his beautiful voice be transferable to other Antiochian House of Studies the choir chanted a beautiful polychronion (many and musical skills. May God grant Fr. Romanos graduate programs as this is years) to His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP that and the entire choir many years! not an accredited program, was composed especially for this occasion by Fr. by ArchpriestPastoral Thomas Zain,Marriage Vicar-General & but is a certificate of training Romanos. The choir spent the remainder of their program sponsored by the Family Counseling time enjoying goodTo receive food, shopping additional and visiting pearance by the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir of 450 clergy and laity from the Tri-State area,Antiochian East- House of Studies. various sights around New York City including the Antiochian House of Studies information and registration Pastoral MarriageCertificate & Family Counseling Program Certifi cate Program the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Six ern Pennsylvania and beyond. After being wel- 9/11 Memorial before returning to Beirut on Mon- bishops including our own Metropolitan PHILIP, comed by His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP, day, September 24,materials 2012. please contact Archbishop DEMETRIOS of the Greek Orthodox the concert began with the St. Romanos Choir This tour was contacta fi rst f or Amythe archdiocese. Stiffler, Fr. Ro- Archdiocese of America, Metropolitan HILARION performing for about an hour followed by the manos and I haveRegistar been friends since we studied to- of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Rus- GOA choir performing for about 40 minutes af- gether at the St. John of Damascus School of The- sia, Bishops ANTOUN and NICHOLAS from our ter a short break. Then, the highlight of the eve- ology at BalamandTel: during 724-238-3677 the 1993-1994 school archdiocese and Bishop SEVASTIANOS of the ning came when the two choirs joined together to year. Since that time I have followed his growth as GOA were in attendance along with the counsels chant several hymns antiphonically and then as one of the premier Byzantine chanters and musi- Fax:724-238-2102 general of Lebanon and Cyprus and more than one combined choir. Following the performance, cians in the Patriarchate. This past December, dur- ing our trip to Lebanon for the consecration of our [email protected] Antiochian Village Conference & Retreat Center 6.7 miles N. of Ligonier, 140 Church Camp Trail, Bolivar, PA 15923 three new bishops, our group from the archdio-Pastoral Marriage & Application Process Pastoral Marriage & AntiochianCourses Village Conference Application Process Family CounselingPastoral Marriage & Courses Registration Deadline Jan.Application Process cese had the opportunity to hear the full version of Courses Certificate ProgramFamily Counseling  Foundations of Marriage & 31, 2013Registration Deadline Jan. Family Counseling  Foundations of Marriage & Registration Deadline Jan. Certificate Program Family Counseling& Retreat  Foundations Center of Marriage & 31, 2013 his choir (some 80 men, women and children) dur- Certificate Program Family Counseling Applications can be obtained 31, 2013  Christian AnthropologyFamily and Counseling Applications can be obtained 6 miles N. of Ligonierfrom Amy Stiffler, DirectorApplications of can be obtained This program is a two year Human Development Christian in Anthropologythe and from Amy Stiffler, Director of ing a Christmas concert at St. George Cathedral  Christian AnthropologyEvent and Services & Insidefrom Sales Amy Stiffler, Director of training programThis for program clergy, is a two year Human Development in the This program is a two yearFamily Life Cycle Human Development inat the Antiochian VillageEvent Servicesat & Inside Sales training program for clergy, 140 FamilyChurch Life Cycle Camp Trail ApplicationEvent Services Process & Inside Sales in Beirut. It was then that he and I discussedparish the staff or Christiantraining Pastoral program Marriage for clergy, & Family Life Cycle at Antiochian Village at parish staff or Christian  Pastoral Care and Courses [email protected] Antiochian Village at Education persons eachparish Family staff Counseling or Christian  Pastoral Care and [email protected] Deadline Jan. Education persons each Professional Ethics  Pastoral Care and or by calling [email protected] idea of bringing part of the choir here for ahaving tour. an M.Div degreeEducation Certificateor persons Program each Bolivar,Professional Foundations Ethics PA of Marriage15923 & or by calling 724-238-367731, 2013 having an M.Div degree or Professional Ethics ext. 408 or by calling 724-238-3677 diploma through the Househaving an M.Div degree orPastoral Counseling: FamilySkills &Counseling ext. 408 After we both received the blessings of our respec- diploma through the House  Pastoral Counseling: Skills & Applications are reviewedApplicationsext. and408 can be obtained of Studies and three yearsdiploma through the HouseModels  ChristianPastoral Anthropology Counseling: andSkills & Models Applicationsfrom Amy are Stiffler, reviewed Director and of parish experience.of Studies This and program three years is a two year HumanModels Development in thepersons are accepted inApplications the are reviewed and tive hierarchs, the plans began and, thanks be to of Studies and three years Pastoral Marriage Counseling personsEvent are Services accepted & Inside in the Sales parish experience.training program for clergy,  PastoralFamily Marriage Life Cycle Counseling order they are postmarked.persons are accepted in the It is designed to prepareparish experience.  Pastoral Marriage Counseling orderat theyAntiochian are postmarked. Village at parish staff or Christian Pastoral Family Counseling Class size is limited toorder 15 they are postmarked. parish staff in Itcounseling is designed to prepare  Pastoral Pastoral Family Care Counseling and [email protected] God, the tour was well received and highly praised ItEducation is designed persons to prepare each  Pastoral Family Counselingparticipants forClass the twosize yearis limited to 15 parish staff in counseling  Psychopathology or byClass calling size 724-238-3677 is limited to 15 individuals, couples, andparish staff in counseling Professional Ethics participants for the two year having an M.Div degree or  Psychopathology training period. participants for the two year by everyone who experienced the beauty of this individuals, couples, and  Marriage & Family  Psychopathology ext. 408 families in the parish andindividuals,diploma through couples, the Houseand  Pastoral Counseling: Skills & training period. families in the parish and  Marriage & Family Following acceptance, training period. larger community. Thefamiliesof Studies in theand parishthree years andCounseling Practicum Models Marriage & Family Applications are reviewed and ancient music sung by 12 talented men. We pray larger community. The Counseling Practicum participants willFollowing receive aacceptance, letter program is offered in twolargerparish community. experience. The Counseling Practicum personsFollowing are accepted acceptance, in the program is offered in two  Pastoral Marriage Counselingof acceptance, participants program will receive a letter week modules (5 daysprogram each) is offered in two orderparticipants they are postmarked. will receive a letter that, in the future, other choirs from our Mother week modulesIt is designed (5 days to each) prepare Fees  Pastoral Family Counselingguidelines, andof beginning acceptance, program twice a year in May andweek modules (5 days each) Classof size acceptance, is limited programto 15 twice a yearparish in staffMay inand counseling Fees syllabi. Each personguidelines, should and beginning August/September. Each course cost is $300. Psychopathology Fees participantsguidelines, for theand two beginning year Church can come and do something similar in oth- twiceindividuals, a year couples,in May andand syllabi. Each person should August/September. Each course cost is $300. allow 2-3 months totraining preparesyllabi. period. Each person should The first two courses areAugust/September.families in the parish and EachMarriage course & costFamily is $300. Room and board will be for the two coursesallow offered2-3 months as to prepare The first two courses are Followingallow acceptance,2-3 months to prepare er parts of our God-protected archdiocese. being offered May 13th–Thelarger first community. two courses The aredetermined byRoom occupancy andCounseling board will Practicum be for the two courses offered as Room and board will be there are readings andfor pre- the two courses offered as 17th and 20th-24thbeing followedofferedprogram May is 13th– offered in two determined by occupancy participants will receive a letter being offered May 13th–requested. determined by occupancy course assignments.there are readings and pre- I am personally thankful fi rst to His Eminence, 17th andweek 20th-24th modules followed (5 days each) requested. of acceptance,there are readings program and pre- by August 25th– 30th 17thand and 20th-24th followed requested. course assignments. Metropolitan PHILIP, by Augusttwice 25th– a year 30th in andMay and Fees Application fee: guidelines,Non-course andassignments. beginning September 1st-6th, 2013by August 25th– 30th and Metropolitan PHILIP for his blessing and help to SeptemberAugust/September. 1st-6th, 2013 refundable CheckApplication forsyllabi. $50 isEach fee :person Non- should Bishop ANTOUN and September 1st-6th, 2013 Each course cost is $300. Application fee: Non- due with your refundableapplicationallow 2-3 Checkmade months for to$50 prepare is Bishop NICHOLAS The first two courses are Room and board will be refundable Check for $50 is make this endeavor a reality and to the Order of payable to Antiochiandue forwith the Village your two applicationcourses offered made as being offered May 13th– determined by occupancy due with your application made with the St. Romanos payablethere to are Antiochian readings andVillage pre- 17th and 20th-24th followed payable to Antiochian Village the Melodist Choir St. Ignatius of Antioch for their fi nancial support requested. course assignments. by AugustTo receive 25th– additional 30th and information and registration materials please contact Amy Stiffl er, Registrar at the Archdiocese for this tour. I am also thankful to all of the clergy, September 1st-6th,Tel: 2013 725-238-3677 • Fax: 724-238-2102 • [email protected] fee: Non- Headquarters Note: Coursework may not be transferable to other graduate programs as this isrefundable not an accredited Check for $50 is program, but is a certifi cate of training program sponsored by the Antiocian dueHouse with of your Studies. application made payable to Antiochian Village

The Word 6 Series “A Christian Ending to Our Lives” are exposed to digital death, to fantasy dying The Origin of Death through the media constantly furthering the dis- Death is not natural; it is not created by God, orientation from reality. We have become a nation The Remembrance of Death and it is the fruit of sin. Listen to St. Paul, “There- comfortably at home with death spectacles, but fore, just as through one man sin entered into the Lecture 1 horribly uncomfortable with the real thing when world, and death through sin, and so death spread it comes, as it inevitably does, into our own lives. to all men, because all sinned” (Rom. 5:12). God Introduction In tandem with the extreme disconnect post- created Adam and Eve free from death and on modern Americans have with the reality of death, Welcome to this first lecture in our new class the boundary between mortality and immortality. there has grown both a great depression causing entitled A Christian Ending to our Lives in the God’s intention and command were for Adam and fear of death and a whole host of death novelties St. John Chrysostom Catechetical School at St. Eve to use their freedom to choose the good and such as cremation, scattering of ashes, celebra- Andrew Orthodox Church, Riverside, CA. This to receive immortality as a reward for this choice. tion services, and the growth of the funeral and title is taken from the frequent litany petition God warned Adam that if he chose the evil, to mortuary industry. The fear of death has grown often recited in the divine service in which we eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and because secularism has no answer for death. In say “For a Christian ending to our lives, pain- evil, on the day he did this sin he would surely fact, silence is the preferred approach by secu- less, blameless and peaceful, and for a good die (Gen. 2:17). Death entered into human exis- lar elites. This silence is a hideous reality since tence violently, through the temptation and lies of defense before the fearful judgment seat of it promotes the illusion that we will never die, the devil who asserted to the woman, “You shall Christ, let us ask of the Lord”. as though death is not a central and inescapable surely not die!” As our Savior says, the devil is a reality in human existence. This studied silence Over the course of the next several months, liar and a murderer from the beginning. about death also harms us because we do not with God’s help, we will examine the origin When Adam and Eve sinned, they committed study and prepare for death and so, death catches cosmic treason and led the first open rebellion and meaning of death, the triumph of Jesus far too many ill-prepared. It is a culpable silence against God on the earth, and a consequently, their Christ our Savior over death, the meaning – promoting ignorance about something that all souls died and they suffered immediate alienation and purpose of aging or progressively mov- will encounter. from the Lord God, Who was the source of their ing toward death, the Christian aspiration for When secularists do speak, it is often to posit life. As soon as they began their discourse with a good death, and the contours of what con- that we human beings are simply animals, and the devil, Adam and Eve experienced a profound

Expulsion from paradise. Engraving by Gustve Dore Gustve by Engraving paradise. from Expulsion that death is the falling into non-existence. This stitutes such, the significance of the funeral inner change. They abandoned their love for God, ridiculous assertion neglects the fact that hu- service, the burial rites and customs of tradi- Staring Death in the Face and their hearts became hard and cold. The pas- man beings, unique amongst all animals, have tional Christianity, the meaning of memorials, sions erupted in disorder. They began to rot from I commend all of you who are reading this in always philosophized about death and memori- the place of the Christian cemetery in the life the inside out, and their bodies followed their order to think with me more deeply on the subject alized death unlike any animal. There is no reli- of believers, the historic practice of praying for souls by beginning the process of decline and dis- of death. I commend you because you are doing gion in the history of man that has not attributed the departed and the logic behind it, and how integration that would certainly lead to biological something that, though traditional and wise, has great significance to death. There is no comfort we keep our love for the departed alive until death. When we say death, we usually mean the become quite rare in these post-modern and secu- in being told by an atheist or secularist that one we are reunited in the Kingdom of God. At the separation of the soul from the body. However, lar days. The advance of secularism in our nation is annihilated at death and will never again ex- this is biological or physical death, and it follows conclusion of the lectures, we will have several and in the West in general has had tremendous ist. Death then becomes the ultimate end to all of the death of the soul, which is the separation of practica in which representatives from our St. consequences on the historic Christian means of life’s ambitions, a menacing evil that threatens at the soul from its soul, that is from God. This is Andrew Burial Society will demonstrate the death and burial, and on the public and private all time to evacuate one’s life of all meaning and spiritual death, and it precedes physical death, ­process of preparing the departed for burial, discourse about such things. substance, and the reaper who comes to denude just as spiritual resurrection precedes physical and in a final session the practical legal steps Americans used to be much more comfortable all one’s relationships of any continuing meaning. resurrection. Listen to St. Isidore of Pelusium, “In with the reality and process of death and burial No wonder it cannot be faced in any meaningful necessary to prepare a last will and testament, Adam death was not the separation of the soul than we are today. For most of American history way by those who deny religion. Historically, our living will, and funeral instructions will be pre- from the body, but the flight of the Holy Spirit death was something that every family encoun- death-denying civilization often diverts its ener- sented by one of our parishioners who has from the immortal soul.” This is spiritual death. tered in their own living rooms, and burial was gies given for facing and philosophizing about ­experience in these areas. Our Lord Jesus speaks about this kind of death a family affair. Today the dying are hidden away death to a vain effort to elongate biological life. when he counseled those contemplating follow- from the face of society, in hospitals and old folks However, no one can hide from death. It is, in the ing Him to “Allow the dead to bury their own homes, and burial is relegated to the funeral and words of St. John Chrysostom, the “unflatterable dead” (Matt. 8:22). These are like the prodigal mortuary industry. Many parents foolishly think executioner”. No matter how smart or how rich son whose father said, “This my son was dead, but that their children should not look upon a dead one may be, one cannot buy off death. Life is tem- is alive again” (Lk. 15:24). Since the time of the person in real life, and at the same time, children porary, transient, and fleeting.

8 The Word The Word 9 Remembrance of Death

fall this “dead life” is all that parents have been that they could remember from where they had the Pentecostarion, and more than 50 times in the able to pass on to their children, and apart from fallen and work to return to a better condition and service of Holy Friday alone. The story of Daniel the life-giving grace of God will inevitably lead to always to remember that fallen life was not natu- and Bel and the Dragon describes the bursting the worst possible reality, which is eternal death. ral or authentic human life. God turned death into open of the dragon, a picture of the plundering of The first human being to die in body was Abel, the expenditure of mortality and the consumption hell. It is as when someone eats something that he the son of Adam and Eve. He died at the hands of of corruption (Chrysostom on Psalm 85). He cannot digest, he vomits out everything. It is the his fratricidal brother, Cain, and was the first to made it the end of sin, the terminus so that we same for Hades eating Christ! By His triumphant descend to Hades and be its captive. Since then might not sin eternally. He made it a provision so resurrection, He destroyed the power of death and death and Hades have ridden through human his- that man would not remain forever in the condi- restored human nature to its glorious and pristine tory in every time and place gathering their cap- tion of sin. St. Gregory of Nyssa in his Homily on integrity, elevating it to a heavenly reality. By His tives. The Revelation of St. John depicts death Pulcheria writes, “That the inherent evil in us be glorious Ascension He blazed a trail through the as a horseman riding a pale horse, the color of not eternalized, the body is dissolved temporarily atmospheric heavens, driving away the prince of death. The all-consuming mouth of Hades fol- through the greater providence of death, and hav- the power of the air and his minions, and bring- lows this horse and gathers the dead (Rev. 6:7-8). ing thus removed evil, human nature is reformu- ing humanity into paradise as a forerunner for all Adam was the first parent to witness the demise lated to be once again separated from evil and re- the redeemed. There in heaven, the Lord Jesus is of his child, and God allowed this so that Adam stored to its pristine life.” Elsewhere St. Gregory calling the entire human race to come and reign would know how grievous and unbearable sin and says that death is the “catharsis of evil.” Death with Him. Our exile is over. By His sending forth death are. becomes a repose and a calm harbor (Chrysos- the Holy Spirit, He has strengthened the Church, Death was known to man throughout history tom Homily 31 on Matthew). Here is the reality: His Holy and Immortal Death-Conquering Body, as a miserable estrangement, as a joining to one’s sin begets death, and death kills sin! Death in the and enabled her to bear His salvation to the ends ancestors in the subterranean region (Prov 2:18, final analysis becomes an advantage. Death also of the Earth. By His reign at the right hand of the 5:15, Jonah 2:6, Job 7:21), as an ambiguous serves as a blessing by putting us on the salvific Father, He is putting down the power of death and oblivion, as a house or walled city with gates (Job road of humility and self-knowledge. the devil under the footstool of His feet, and when 30:23, 38:17, Prov 7:27, Wis. 16:13, Mt. 16:18), He comes again, He will bury forever our enemies as a void or empty space, dusty, deep silence The Conquering of Death by Jesus Christ in the depths of hell. and shadowy darkness (Sir 22:11, Job 11:21, Ps There is only one conqueror of death and that This is why the Revelation of St. John ends the 23:4). Sheol was portrayed as having gaping jaws is Jesus Christ. The entire economy of the Gospel inspired account of the saving acts of God with a and an insatiable throat, it was the nether world. from the beginning of the Incarnation of the Son magnificent scene of a lake of fire: “and into it are The present world is a mortal world, a place of God, through His obedient life, His suffering, cast the devil, the beast, the false prophet, death The death of Abel. Engraving from 1870 by Gustave Dore, photo by D. Walker. D. by photo Dore, Gustave by 1870 from Engraving Abel. of death The of progressive dying. The Fathers describe this His crucifixion, His descent into Hades, His res- and Hades forever” (Rev. 20:10, 14). Death was life as an extended death, a myriad of deaths that urrection on the third day, His glorious Ascension fearful even to the saints Moses, Elias, Hezekiah the despoiling of death and the most famous succeed one after the other until we reach the one into heaven, His sending of the Holy Spirit and before Christ came. is the Paschal homily of our father among the and final death that will last for a very long time His reign at the right-hand of the Father has as saints, John Chrysostom, which we read on every and for many years, says St. Gregory Palamas in its goal the destruction of sin, evil, death and Ha- The Feast of Holy Pascha and the Paschal Paschal evening in all Orthodox Churches. Listen the Philokalia. When someone crosses the bridge des. Our Savior became a human being in order Homily of St. John Chrysostom to the homily now and understand what has hap- to the next life, the bridge is burnt and those who to heal human nature by uniting it to His divinity. The Christian attitude toward death is ex- pened to death: “If anyone is devout and a lover remain are filled with questions. He also assumed a body so that He could freely pressed most poignantly by the celebration of of God let him enjoy this beautiful and radiant fes- die in the flesh, assume our curse and misery, the Feast of Feasts – Great and Holy Pascha. One tival. If anyone is a wise servant, let him, rejoic- Death as a Punishment and Blessing bear our infirmities and heal our diseases by His night a year in the middle of the night the Chris- ing, enter into the joy of his Lord. If anyone has God could have immediately cast Adam and wounds. By His obedience and spiritual travail, tian Church manifests itself most clearly, and wearied himself in fasting, let him now receive his Eve into hell upon their first sin, but He did not He fulfilled the calling of human beings, offsetting by the most outrageous celebration asserts her recompense. If anyone has labored from the first because this was not His will. He loved His fallen Adam’s disobedience, and defeated the devil and fundamental orientation to life and death in the hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any- children, and sought their benefit. God cursed the temptation. By His suffering and crucifixion, He service of Holy Pascha – the Feast of the Resur- one has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving serpent, but gave Adam and Eve only corrective justified rebellious mankind. By His descent into rection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This feast let him keep the feast. If anyone has arrived at chastisement. God took the punishment of death Hades He emptied Hades of its captives, broke its is normative for all Christian worship, and is not the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; for he and turned it into a blessing for them. It was as iron bars, and filled the nether world with light. celebrated just one time a year, but is commemo- shall suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until though the Almighty grabbed death, Hades and By the way, the Descent of our Savior into Hades, rated every Sunday as the faithful gather for the the ninth hour, let him draw near without hesita- the devil by the neck and made them bow down the plundering of hell, is central to the Gospel Holy Liturgy and the weekly commemoration of tion. If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh and serve His purposes. First He let them live. proclamation. It is basic Orthodox dogma, which the resurrection of our Savior. hour, let him not fear on account of his delay. For Then He planted them just outside paradise so is mentioned over 200 times in the services of The most articulate patristic explanation of the Master is gracious and receives the last, even

10 The Word The Word 11 Remembrance of Death

as the first; he it had not seen! “O death, where is thy sting? O Death is a door to salvation – a step and prog- St. John of Sinai said, “Let the memory of gives rest to him Hades, where is thy victory? Christ is risen, and ress in salvation. St. John Chrysostom describes death sleep and awake with you”. In the Ladder, that comes at the you are overthrown! Christ is risen, and the de- death as a potter at work on the clay upon his the remembrance of death is Step 6 – after such eleventh hour, mons have fallen! Christ is risen, and the angels wheel. When a slip occurs and the clay becomes fundamental chapters in the Ladder on the spiri- just as to him who rejoice! Christ is risen, and life reigns! Christ is misshapen (as happened to human nature at the tual principles entitled On Obedience, and On has labored from risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb! For fall) the lump of clay is compressed, smashed Repentance – he adds “On the Remembrance of the first. He has Christ, being raised from the dead, has become again to the base of the wheel, so that it can be Death”. St. John of the Ladder tells the story of mercy upon the the First-fruits of them that slept. To him be glory remade. This smashing or compression is like the monk Hesychius the Horebite. He was a lazy last and cares for and might unto ages of ages. Amen. death. It is dissolution for re-fashioning in the and negligent monk until he had a near death ex- the first; to the Only Christ has engaged death in battle and Resurrection. It is not destruction. We are like perience. Once he saw death, he was transformed. one he gives, and been victorious. Only Christ can say, “I am the seeds sown in the earth. They are sown so that He lived 12 years in utter zeal, and was asked be- to the other he is resurrection and the life” (Jn. 11:25), and “I am they can blossom forth. fore he died why all this had changed for him. He gracious. He both the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to Death in the Scriptures is termed as a depar- said, “Forgive me! No one who has acquired the honors the work the Father except by me” (Jn. 14:6), and again, ture, analusis in Greek (Phil 1:23, 2 Tim 4:6). remembrance of death will ever be able to sin.” and praises the “I go to heaven to prepare a place for you (Jn. Death is defined in the Scriptures as sleep, as Sleep is an image of death – remember it when intention. Enter 14:2). Only the unwaning light of Christ can illu- when our Lord said that dead Lazarus was only you go to bed! St Isaac of Syria says, “When you all of you, there- mine death, the grave, and the next life. By Christ, sleeping. We describe as departed fellow-believ- approach your bed to sleep, say to it: ‘Bed, per- fore, into the joy death, bodily and spiritual, has been done away. ers as those who have “fallen asleep in Christ.” haps this night you may become a grave for me”. of our Lord, and, They are in repose, in rest. They have reached We ought to live every day as our last. It pro- whether first or The Christian Attitude toward Death their dormition (koimisis), or translation/transfer duces sobriety, and a proper perspective on life. last, receive your I remember a conversation I had when I was (metastasis). This Christian mentality on death He helps us make an authentic valuation. This reward. O rich a catechumen with Mother Victoria. I asked her is so beautifully articulated by St. Ignatius of An- is the teaching of the funeral, “what are riches and poor, one about what happens to the saints when they die, tioch in these words, “Come fire and cross and and wealth and power?” Remembrance of death with another, and she reacted aggressively, saying, “The saints grapplings with wild beasts, cuttings and man- is medicine for restraining passions and sin. It is dance for joy! O do not die!” How true! For believers death has glings, wrenching of bones, hacking of limbs, the foundation for humility, and opens the arena you ascetics and been conquered, and turned into repose. crushings of my whole body, come cruel tortures for martyrdom, which is the unique and highest you negligent, Christ’s saving works have changed every- of the devil to assail me. None of these frightens expression of love. celebrate the thing for us in our relationship to death. The poi- me. One thing alone I want and desire: only be it What would happen if there were no death? Icon courtesy of Nick Papas day! You that have son of death continues to flow in our human na- mine to attain unto Jesus Christ.” Again, by St. How sin would rage! How repentance would be fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, re- ture and so we die a physical death, but the fear John of San Francisco who said, prior to his re- delayed! Our remembrance of death is positive, joice today! The table is rich-laden; feast royally, and despair of death is no more. pose, “Tell the people though I am dead, I am still productive, dynamic not producing depression but all of you! The calf is fatted; let no one go forth Christ’s triumph over death is ours as well and alive.” Only the devil is truly dead. joy-causing repentance. We can encourage one an- hungry! Let all partake of the feast of faith. Let this is shown by the resurrection of many from the other this way – by this reminder. A parishioner all receive the riches of goodness. Let no one la- graves at the time of the crucifixion and resurrec- The Practice of the Remembrance of Death used to tell me “remember death” after each time I ment his poverty, for the universal kingdom has tion. This resurrection in the Jerusalem cemetery Sirach 7:36 “In all you do, remember the end heard her confession. This was a great gift to me. been revealed. Let no one mourn his transgres- (Mt. 27:52-53) at the time of the Resurrection of of your life, and then you will never sin” St. Theodore the Studite, in his monastery, sions, for pardon has dawned from the grave. Let Christ demonstrated that Jesus was raised as the The Lord Jesus taught us to do this “Watch, appointed a monk every Great Lent to visit the no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set first-fruits of them that sleep, and His Resurrec- therefore, and pray, for you do not know on other monks at the 3rd hour and say “Brothers and us free. He that was taken by death has annihi- tion is the guarantee of the Resurrection of all His what day your Lord is coming” (St. Matt. 24:42, Fathers, let us be vigilant for we are dying, we lated it! He descended into Hades and took Ha- disciples as says St. Epiphanios of Salamis. 26:41). Not knowing the time of our death is a are dying, we are dying; let us remember also the des captive! He embittered it when it tasted his In this life, we Christians have sorrow and re- blessing. It is a deterrent to sin, an encourager of heavenly kingdom.” flesh! Anticipating this, Isaiah exclaimed, ‘Hades joicing, grief, mourning and joy. We sorrow for vigilance. Remember the first days of Holy Week? St. John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, was embittered when it encountered thee in the ourselves, for the memory of our sins, and some- Behold the Bridegroom cometh at midnight! Ad- had his grave made but not completed and on high lower regions.” It was embittered, for it was abol- times for those who die not joined to Christ. We am’s sin was not keeping a vivid remembrance of holy days would have his spiritual sons stand be- ished! It was embittered, for it was mocked! It was mourn with modesty, like Christ who wept before the threat of death when he broke the command- fore him and declare openly, “Master, your tomb embittered, for it was purged! It was embittered, dead Lazarus. However, we also have joy at move- ment. This is why we practice remembering death is until today incomplete. Give us permission to for it was despoiled! It was embittered, for it was ment toward the next life. We desire to depart every day. complete it, for it is unknown at what hour death bound in chains! It took a body and, face to face, and be with Christ (Phil. 1:23). When this earthly St. Athanasios “Recall your exodus every hour; is coming.” And so, this is how we ought remem- met God! It took earth and encountered heaven! body dissolves, we know we have a tent not made keep death before your eyes on a daily basis; Re- ber death, but not fear it! The Lord help us! It took what it saw but crumbled beneath what with hands in the heavens (2 Cor. 5). member before whom you must appear”.

The Word 12 The Word 13 seMiNaRiaN aNNual diNNeR OCTOBER 4, 2012

Metropolitan PHILIP hosts all of our seminarians and faculty

As the autumn sets in each year, one annually thinks of a new ecclesiastical and school year, football season and changing leaves. For our Antiochian seminarians, another staple of the fall every year is their annual dinner with His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP. Each year Sayidna welcomes his spiritual children to the archdiocese where they pray, eat and talk together. Seminarians and their wives from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, St. Tikhon’s Seminary and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary were in attendance along with the archdiocesan clergy who teach them at the various seminaries.

Seminarians chant vespers in the St. John Chrysostom Chapel at the Archdiocese

14 The Word The Word 15 Seminarian Dinner

The evening began with great ves- After dessert, Metropolitan PHILIP pers where the seminarians chanted spoke to the seminarians about the the entire service under the direction importance of touching the lives of of Rasem El-Massih, himself a semi- their future flocks by being with them narian at Holy Cross. After vespers through their joys and sorrows and and a group photo (see photo), the ministering to them where they find group enjoyed a scrumptious dinner them when they arrive at their new prepared by the archdiocesan chef parishes. In answering a question Almaza Farhat and her staff. His Emi- about the situation in Syria and its ef- nence then welcomed the seminarians fects on the Church here, he stressed and, after introducing the clergy, he to them the importance at the present listened to Rasem chant a beautiful time of them learning some Arabic in polychronion in his honor. Then, His order to be able to say a few phrases Grace, Bishop NICHOLAS of Brooklyn in the liturgy and to learn some basic addressed the seminarians, reminding conversation in order to enhance their them that our Lord is with them, even ministries and serve their flocks. He when they will face difficult times in referred to a “new reality” in many of their ministries. Using the illustration the parishes in our archdiocese given of a bird who protects her babies, the current wars and deteriorating even to the point of death by covering economic conditions driving the new them with her wings, he told them that wave of immigration from throughout our Lord will shelter them in times of the Middle East. trouble. He also implored them that, The seminarians then thanked Say- like God protecting them, they too idna for his hospitality and love and are the “mother bird” to their flocks the evening ended with them singing and must always protect their spiritual “Many years” to their father in Christ. children from harm. Above right: Bishop NICHOLAS chants with Fr. Elias Khoury and Seminarians Above left: Metropolitan PHILIP blesses the meal Middle: Metropolitan PHILIP presides over Vespers Middle: Seminarians respond at Vespers Bottom: Metropolitan PHILIP hosts Seminarians 16 The Word Bottom: Bishop NICHOLAS addresses Seminarians for meal The Word 17 Him and worship Him. Camp merely wets their spiritual appetites, a fi rst step in our youths’ spiri- Antiochian Village tual journeys. It is up to our parishes to contin- ITS INFLUENCE ON A SEMINARIAN, A PARISH, AND THE ue offering opportunities for our youth to grow spiritually: perhaps with services besides Sunday YOUTH OF OUR ARCHDIOCESE Divine Liturgy, retreats, and other events in the Church. My home parish of St. Mary’s in Johnstown It’s a place we call home, a place where our youth gather every summer, a place where relationships may be small, but it is truly a vibrant community, are formed and strengthened, a place that is so diffi cult to leave, and a place where Christ is truly thanks in large part to the infl uence of the Antio- present. This special place is the Antiochian Village Camp, which has infl uenced our Archdiocese chian Village. There has been a lot of activity at for many years in ways too many to mention. I have been involved with the Village for the past 15 St. Mary’s recently, which in turn has energized summers, 9 as a camper and Counselor in Training (CIT), and the past 6 as a staff member. Every our parish family. Earlier this summer, I had year I fall more in love with the Village, the ministry, and the Orthodox Church. the blessing of being ordained a sub-deacon by Bishop JOHN while at the Antiochian Village. Sev- eral family members and parishioners came to the The infl uence the Camp has had on our youth along with the hymns of the Church. They sing camp to witness my ordination. It was encourag- is incredible! I have grown up at St. Mary’s Church along with “Lord I have cried” (in all 8 tones!), ing to receive so much love and support from our in Johnstown, a small town in Western Pennsylva- “More honorable than the cherubim,” and “The parish family. On August 14, we hosted Bishops nia. I have seen the effect the Village has had on Cherubic Hymn.” They know “The angel cried,” THOMAS, JOHN, and NICHOLAS, as well as all our youth in my home parish, our diocese, and on “Bless the Lord,” and even the entire Paraklesis of our seminarians from the House of Studies, for youth from around the country. service! But most importantly, they sing with their Orthros and Divine Liturgy on the eve of the Dor- First of all, our youth are affected by the rela- hearts. It is a humbling experience to worship mition, our patronal feast. This was the fi rst time tionships they form at camp. Most of the children with 9-year-olds who know the services so well, we have hosted three bishops at once! The semi- at St. Mary’s in Johnstown have been to camp, and who look forward to going to church twice narians chanted Orthros and the St. Mary parish and whenever I go home and see them, there is an a day because it’s “fun.” Thanks to camps like choir sang beautifully. We were then treated to a instant connection between us; this was formed the Antiochian Village, our youth go home and delicious dinner cooked by the St. Mary parishio- at the Village. They regularly talk to their friends want to go to Vespers, they want to sing along in ners, and all the seminarians were given “goody from camp and go and visit each other. Just see- Church, they want to pray before and after meals bags” with treats from the Johnstown area. It was ing people associated with the Village brings huge and before they go to bed at night. The Village en- a very spiritual evening, full of love, and it was smiles to their faces. The Village is like a big fam- courages our youth to participate in the services amazing to see our parishioners delight in hosting ily spread across the continent, people who have and teaches the importance of prayer. our bishops and seminarians. experienced the same place and way of life that Furthermore, our youth learn about the Or- I have spent my whole life as a member of St. The camp has had a positive infl uence on our par- Western Night at the is “camp.” No matter where I go, seeing camp- thodox Faith at camp. They get so many of their Antiochian Village Mary’s church in Johnstown, and I have always ers, staff and volunteers from the Village renews questions answered about life and the teachings ish in particular, as the Village continues to offer cherished the love our parish community has Communion during and strengthens the powerful bond between us, of the Church. They build relationships with our our parishioners opportunities to grow spiritually Divine Liturgy There is nothing shown. We may be a small church, but we are a because camp gives us the opportunity to form clergy, have the opportunity to take confession, and continue locally the ministry of the camp. It more beautiful big family. At my baby shower, Aunt Lottie Ber- relationships centered on Christ. and receive spiritual guidance and direction. So is a real blessing to be part of both my parish in than 350 children tino (who has been active in our church her entire Johnstown and the Antiochian Village Camp. It is and young adults Secondly, our youth learn the services of the many of our youth feel lost in the world, but as life, too) told my mom, “This isn’t your baby … my hope that every parish in our Archdiocese can singing so ener- Orthodox Church at camp. The campers and in the story of the prodigal son, camp shows our this is our baby.” It brings tears to my eyes think- getically as they staff are the choir at the Village. There is noth- youth that the Orthodox Church is the place to take advantage of our summer camps in the same ing about Aunt Lottie’s words 25 years ago, and worship together. ing more beautiful than 350 children and young which they can return, a place to feel safe, and a way and allowing our youth to grow spiritually! how they explain perfectly what our parish fam- adults singing so energetically as they worship to- place to fi nd God. Seeing the relationship between my home parish ily is all about. At St. Mary’s we are a family – a gether. The Village has taught thousands of young I have seen the effect camp has had on my and the camp, it is clear to me why the Antiochian living, thriving, Orthodox Christian community people the music of our services. Even the young- home parish, my home diocese of Charleston, Village is truly a place we call home! of believers who are trying to get to Heaven to- est campers learn the music quickly, and they Oakland and the Mid-Atlantic, every parish I visit, gether. The Antiochian Village Camp has been an Christopher Shadid learn the value of participating in the services. At and our Archdiocese as a whole. Our youth are Sub-deacon, St. Mary’s Church, immense infl uence on our parish, infusing life Johnstown, PennsylvaniaGigi Baba Shadid home, it is the “Villagers” who can instantly sing thirsty to learn about God. They want to serve into our youth and energy into our community.

18 The Word The Word 19 Bishops THOMAS, JOHN and NICHOLAS and Mother Alexandra with our seminarians during the Seminarian Track of the House of Studies

what kind of people study theology at the house of studies and why?

At the Antiochian House of Studies, lawyers hood, bringing man to God and God to man. This and judges, politicians and correction officers, is our common vocation and our shared and com- teachers and professors, theologians and pastors mon life. from a variety of Christian communions, busi- In parishes, we are faced with new and diffi- ness men and accountants, computer program- cult challenges. Yet these challenges are not new mers and scientists, nurses and psychologists, at all. The Church has dealt with them before, so clerks and grocers study theology. Basically, we to meet the need to teach and witness in this new find in the House of studies all the same kind of time, we need to rediscover the wisdom and his- folks that we find in the parishes. Could it be that tory of our Church. Ministry today is indeed dif- people in the Church are discovering a need to ferent from ministry in previous generations, but better understand and articulate the faith as the the delusions and heresies of our time are really world becomes more complicated, or could it be recycled ancient ideologies. that as the world falls again into ancient heresies Also, with more complicated life styles come and prideful self-delusions, church people recog- more complicated challenges and temptations. nize the need to learn how the Church dealt with In our highly technological age, with internet Eden, we learned that we could have everything if The House of Studies is one of many ways to such distortions in the past? God ordains each of temptations and easier access to sinful things, we we submit to our loving, and by the way, healthy learn of the early church and better prepare our- us in baptism to His Royal Priesthood. In Christ, need to fortify ourselves and each other to fight God. If we submit to God we can have everything selves to meet the needs of our families in our everyone is called by His name; The Christian the good fight and avoid such things. We should that is good and wonderful, but without God and time. Let’s Work with our priests to bring high participates in Christ’s own priesthood praising expect to do hard work in exercising self-control worshiping ourselves instead we will have only il- powered programs and speakers to our parishes the Father and caring for mankind. Each of us in a world that preaches self-pleasure and claims lusions and distortions. The world calls this delu- and towns. baptized into Christ share in Christ’s own priest- that hedonism is a human right. In the Garden of sion wisdom, but we know it to be foolishness.

Clockwise from top left: Bishop THOMAS thanks Fr. Joseph Allen and Sherri Mullins for their years of service to the House of Studies; Frs. Joseph Allen and George Shalhoub serve Artoklasia; Fr. Joseph Allen addresses the crowd during the House of Studies’ Closing Program;­ Cindy George speaks on behalf of the graduating class of the St. Stephen’s Program; Bishops THOMAS and JOHN with the faculty and The Word 20 students of the House of Studies; Graduation Banquet; Bishops THOMAS and JOHN bless the Artoklasia. The Word 21

daily devotions DECEMBER 2012

V. Rev. George Alberts FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From: The Secretariat of the Assembly of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North & Central America

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America held its third 1. GALATIANS 3:8-12; LUKE 12:32-40 (FAST) annual meeting for all member hierarchs, that is, all active canonical bishops in its region. The meeting was held from September 10-12, 2012, at the Chicago O'Hare Hilton in Chicago, 2. EPHESIANS 5:9-19; MATTHEW 22:2-14 (FAST) Illinois. Forty-three bishops were in attendance. 3. 1 TMOTHY 5:1-20; LUKE 20:27-44 (FAST) The first plenary session opened on Monday morning, and began with prayer, followed by an address to the assembled hierarchs by the Chairman of the Assembly, Demetrios, Archbishop of 4. GALATIANS 3:23-29; MARK 5:24-34 (FAST) the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (his address will soon be posted on the Assembly website). 5. 1 TIMOTHY 5:22-6:11; LUKE 21:5-7, 10-11, 20-24 (FAST) MESSAGE The Archbishop expressed the sorrow of all present for the loss of Metropolitan Constantine of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the U.S., who fell asleep in the Lord since the last meeting of the Assembly. He also noted the absence of two brother bishops who had recently retired, 6. HEBREWS 13:17-21; LUKE 6:17-23 (FAST) To our beloved Orthodox Christian faithful throughout North and Central Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh and Metropolitan Jonah of Washington, D.C. Moreover, he 7. 2 TIMOTHY 1:1-2, 8-18; LUKE 21:37-22:8 (FAST) America: As we assemble in Chicago, we also take this opportunity to welcomed the new bishops joining the Assembly since May 2011, the time of its last meeting: Bishop Sevastianos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Bishops Anthony, John, and Nicholas

encourage all of you, the People of God, in a world exploited and polarized of the Antiochian Archdiocese, Bishop Daniil of the Bulgarian Diocese, Bishop Alexander of the 8. GALATIANS 5:22-6:2; LUKE 13:18-29 (FAST) You are the light of the world. (Matt. 5.14) by greed, godlessness, and immorality. We call upon all Orthodox Christians Orthodox Church in America, and the newly-consecrated Bishop Pankratij of the Metropolis of to be faithful to their calling to be the light of the world. Mexico. 9. GALATIANS 4:22-27; LUKE 13:10-17 (FAST)

Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, We recognize the tremendous social pressures to conform to secular Archbishop Justinian, the administrator of the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the US and 10. 2 TIMOTHY 2:20-26; MARK 8:11-21 (FAST) We, the members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of standards, but we exhort you to stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that second vice-chairman of the Assembly, also addressed the hierarchs, reminding his brethren of North and Central America, gathered in Chicago for our third annual you were taught (2 Thess. 2.15) so that your light is not hidden under a the 200th anniversary of the founding of the southernmost Russian settlement in North America, 11. 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-4:4; MARK 8:22-26 (FAST) Fort Ross in California, with its Orthodox Christian chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity. meeting of September 10-12, 2012, greet you with paternal love, as we offer bushel but placed on a stand (Matt. 5.15) in order for all to see. Let our 12. HEBREWS 13:17-21; LUKE 6:17-23 (FAST) MESSAGE glory and thanks to our Triune God. Orthopraxy attend our Orthodoxy. In this respect: With the legal incorporation of the Assembly, one of the chief items on the agenda was the

MESSAGE Forty-three Hierarchs convened in the unity of our holy Orthodox  We must safeguard the sacrament of marriage in accordance adoption of By-Laws for its governance. A draft was provided by a provisional By-Laws 13. TITUS 1:5-2:10; MARK 9:10-16 (FAST) To our beloved Orthodox Christian faithful throughout North and Central faith, mindful of our responsibility to each other and to the Church as the with God’s will for the sacred union between man and woman Committee, working in concert with the Committee for Legal Affairs. After some deliberation America: by the Assembly to insure that the By-Laws conformed both to civil and canon law, they were 14. TITUS 1:15-2:10; MARK 9:33-41 (FAST) To our beloved Orthodox Christian faithful Body of Christ. Some of our brother Hierarchs were absent due to personal and the sanctity of family as the fundamental nucleus of a unanimously approved by the bishops. throughout North and Central America illness or family loss. We recognize our calling to rightly teach the word of 15. EPHESIANS 1:16-23; LUKE 14:1-11 (FAST) You are the light of the world. (Matt. 5.14) healthy society. In this regard, we emphasize regular family God’s truth A proposal was presented to the hierarchs by Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, the chair of the as our foremost duty towards the Lord Jesus Christ and His holy worship, particularly at Sunday liturgy. You are the light of the world. (Matt. 5:14) Committee for Canonical Affairs, for a comprehensive directory of all Orthodox clergy in our 16. COLOSSIANS 3:4-11; LUKE 14:16-24 (FAST) Beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, Church.  We must strive to eliminate the violence proliferated against region, in accordance with Article 6 of the Rules of Operation. This would augment the We, the members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of We remember in prayer the recent falling asleep in the Lord of our innocents of every kind, particularly of women and the unborn. Assembly's already existing directories of bishops, parishes, monastic communities, and 17. HEBREWS 3:5-11, 17-19; MARK 9:42-10:1 (FAST) theological schools. North and Central America, gathered in Chicago for our third annual brother and concelebrant, Metropolitan Constantine of Irinoupolis, First We call for responsibility by individuals, institutions and 1 18. HEBREWS 4:1-13; MARK 10:2-12 (FAST) meeting of September 10-12, 2012, greet you with paternal love, as we offer Bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. May his memory be governments to ensure the welfare of every citizen. The second item, which occupied the Assembly during the whole of its business session on glory and thanks to our Triune God. eternal!  We must resist the wastefulness and greed that dominate our Tuesday, was the canonical organization of the Church in the United States. Archbishop Nicolae 19. HEBREWS 5:11-6:8; MARK 10:11-16 (FAST) of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas, the chair of the Committee for Forty-three Hierarchs convened in the unity of our holy Orthodox We acknowledge the challenges that lie before us and understand our consumer society, confessing that our spiritual citizenship is in faith, mindful of our responsibility to each other and to the Church as the Canonical Regional Planning, presented the findings of his committee on the chief issues 20. HEBREWS 7:1-6; MARK 10:17-27 (FAST) accountability to one another so that our common ministry and witness may heaven (Phil. 3.20) in order that our witness be characterized by involved. The assembled hierarchs were asked to discuss with one another important questions Body of Christ. Some of our brother Hierarchs were absent due to personal be blessed by God. the compassion and mercy as well as the generosity and about the future structure of the Church in North America, models of administration, its 21. HEBREWS 7:18-25; MARK 10:23-32 (FAST) illness or family loss. We recognize our calling to rightly teach the word of organization geographically, as well as its relationship with the Mother Churches. This it did We reaffirm our commitment to the decisions and expectations of the philanthropy that distinguishes our God who loves humankind. God’s truth as our foremost duty towards the Lord Jesus Christ and His holy together as a body as well as in small groups. In this continuing process, designed to prepare a 22. GALATIANS 3:8-12; LUKE 13:18-29 (FAST) Finally, we pray for our oppressed and suffering brothers and sisters Church. Primates of the Orthodox Autocephalous Churches and the Pan-Orthodox plan for presentation to a future Great and Holy Council of the entire Orthodox Church Preconciliar Conferences in an effort to safeguard and deepen Orthodox variously facing oppression or persecution in the ancient Patriarchates of worldwide, there was consensus on the part of all bishops that the canonical norms of the Church 23. HEBREWS 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40; We remember in prayer the recent falling asleep in the Lord of our must be observed and that all canonical anomalies in North America must be resolved, so that Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, as well as in the brother and concelebrant, Metropolitan Constantine of Irinoupolis, Firstunity, to promote common pastoral action, to offer common witness in our the witness and mission of the Church of Christ might be strengthened and increased. MATTHEW 1:1-25 (FAST) Bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. May his memory beregion, and to overcome canonical anomalies. Balkans and throughout the world. We grieve the loss of US Ambassador The Chairman, Archbishop Demetrios, stressed that this work is not about fixing past mistakes. eternal! Our unity was manifested in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and Christopher Stevens and his staff in Libya. We condemn all forms of 24. HEBREWS 1:1-12; LUKE 2:1-20 (FAST) The current canonical situation in North America, inappropriate though it is, came about on violence perpetrated in the name of religion and denounce all expressions of the sharing of the Holy Eucharist on the occasion of the Feast of St. John the account of immigration from the Old World and various historical circumstances. This work 25. GALATIANS 4:4-7; MATTHEW 2:1-12 Forerunner (Old Style) as well as in joining our fellow Americans as we religious intolerance. should be seen as a positive, and necessary, progression down the path of Orthodoxy in this country. The Assembly directed the Committee for Canonical Regional Planning to continue its mourned the loss of thousands of innocent citizens 11 years ago on Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you peace at all times in all NATIVITY OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST work and resolved to continue earnest discussion of this issue. While the Assembly realized that ways. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. (2 Thess. 3.16,18) September 11, 2001, and prayed for the repose of their souls. it is impossible to provide a definite time-frame, it nevertheless recognized that it is incumbent 26. HEBREWS 2:11-18; MATTHEW 2:13-23 Among the items on the agenda was the work of the Assembly’s upon them to have a plan prepared to present to the Most Holy Autocephalous Churches. Archbishop Demetrios, Chairman Bishop Nicholas Secretariat, its 13 committees, and 14 agencies and endorsed organizations. Archbishop Justinian, 2nd Vice Metropolitan Hilarion All of the deliberations of the Assembly were characterized by sincere and open discussion and 27. ACTS 6:8-15, 7:1-5, 47-60; Chairman Archbishop Kyrill We praise God for the positive spirit of cooperation that prevailed during the Archbishop Antony, Treasurer Archbishop Gabriel brotherly affection and amity among the bishops. MATTHEW 21:33-42 sessions of the Assembly and celebrate the considerable progress already Bishop Basil, Secretary Bishop Peter Metropolitan Iakovos Bishop George The Assembly also approved a budget for the coming year that lays primary emphasis upon the achieved on many levels through the expanding activities of its committees. Metropolitan Methodios Bishop Longin work of the various committees and the Secretariat. It adopted a policy to govern its relationship 28. HEBREWS 11:8, 11-16; MARK 12:1-12 In particular, discussion focused on the Assembly by-laws and the Metropolitan Athenagoras Bishop Mitrophan with the former SCOBA agencies and endorsed-organizations as well as important guidelines Metropolitan Isaiah Bishop Maxim 29. 1 TIMOTHY 6:11-16; MATTHEW 12:15-21 progress of the work by the Committee for Canonical Regional Planning. governing the delegation of legal and financial authority within the Assembly. It was announced Metropolitan Alexios Archbishop Nicolae that an external audit would be conducted by the Assembly after the end of this calendar year. The last of these discussions constitutes the primary concern of the Metropolitan Nicholas Bishop Ioan Casian 30. GALATIANS 1:11-19; MATTHEW 2:13-23 Metropolitan Savas Metropolitan Joseph Assembly in its effort to enhance Orthodox cooperation, advance a common Bishop Ilia Bishop Daniil On the second day of meetings, the eleventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United 31. HEBREWS 11:17-23, 27-31; MARK 12:13-17 Orthodox witness and promote canonical normalization in this region. The Bishop Daniel Archbishop Nathaniel States, the hierarchs gathered at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, Bishop Sevastianos Archbishop Nikon where they prayed the liturgy together, commemorating the Beheading of the holy Baptist and Hierarchs spent the better part of the second session focusing – through Bishop Pankratij Archbishop Tikhon Forerunner John (according to the Old Calendar), and partook in the unity of the Eucharist presentations, deliberations and reports – on this paramount issue. Archbishop Joseph Archbishop Benjamin through shared fellowship in the holy Body and precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is Bishop Antoun Bishop Melchisedek the Head of the Church and only Source of unity. The Liturgy was served by Fr. Radovan As we assemble in Chicago, we also take this opportunity to Bishop Thomas Bishop Michael Jakovljevic and Deacon Nikolaj Kostur and was presided over by Bishop Longin of the Serbian encourage all of you, the People of God, in a world exploited and polarized Bishop Alexander Bishop Alexander Bishop John Bishop Irineu Orthodox Church. Following the Liturgy, Archbishop Demetrios led all present in a memorial by greed, godlessness, and immorality. We call upon all Orthodox Christians Bishop Anthony Bishop Mark service for those who died in the aforementioned terrorist attacks as well as prayers for mercy for the survivors and the families of all those who perished that day. to be faithful to their calling to be the light of the world.

We recognize the tremendous social pressures to conform to secular The Word 22 The Assembly of Bishops has published a Message to the faithful. The Word 23 standards, but we exhort you to stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught (2 Thess. 2.15) so that your light is not hidden under a 2

bushel but placed on a stand (Matt. 5.15) in order for all to see. Let our Orthopraxy attend our Orthodoxy. In this respect:  We must safeguard the sacrament of marriage in accordance with God’s will for the sacred union between man and woman and the sanctity of family as the fundamental nucleus of a healthy society. In this regard, we emphasize regular family worship, particularly at Sunday liturgy.  We must strive to eliminate the violence proliferated against innocents of every kind, particularly of women and the unborn. We call for responsibility by individuals, institutions and governments to ensure the welfare of every citizen.  We must resist the wastefulness and greed that dominate our consumer society, confessing that our spiritual citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3.20) in order that our witness be characterized by the compassion and mercy as well as the generosity and philanthropy that distinguishes our God who loves humankind. Finally, we pray for our oppressed and suffering brothers and sisters variously facing oppression or persecution in the ancient Patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, as well as in the Balkans and throughout the world. We grieve the loss of US Ambassador Works of The Order in Action! Married Seminarians Assistance

hen Metropolitan PHILIP was an In addition to impoverished seminarian at the their seminary du- Balamand in the 1940s, he vowed ties, married semi- that, one day, if it were up to him, narians also have seminarians who were willing responsibilities to

Seminarian, Burke to devote their life to service in the Orthodox their wives and, in Vair andW his wife Church would have the fi nancial support from the most cases, children. The cost of housing for Vasi Jankovich Holy Trinity Antio- Church that they need to complete their studies. married seminarians is higher than for single chian Orthodox Church; Linthicum, MD By the will of God, he became Metropolitan of the seminarians, and having more mouths to feed Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of and backs to clothe also add to the fi nancial bur- North America, and he has followed through on den. In addition to the support that Archdiocese The Spiritual Life of the Pastor that vow. The Archdiocese supports seminarians provides, the Order of St Ignatius has shown its

in the Master of Divinity programs at St Vladimir’s support for married seminarians by providing a Clergy Retreat at the Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, New generous fi nancial gift once a year. In 2011, the The Dioceses of New York and Washington, and Charleston, Oakland Antiochian Village York, St Tikhon’s Theological Seminary in South Order provided $23,250 in assistance to married and the Mid-Atlantic Clergy Retreat – Sept. 17-21 Canaan, Pennsylvania, and Holy Cross Greek Or- seminarians. This help is welcomed and needed thodox Theological School in Brookline, Massa- by seminary families more than you may be able chusetts who are discerning the call to ordination to imagine. The gift usually arrives before Christ- This year’s clergy retreat of the Eastern Dio- we must begin to practice the prayer of the heart. by providing scholarships for their tuition and a mas, and without the support of the Order, there ceses centered on the spiritual life of the pastor. This prayer must be done by participating in stipend to defray the costs of housing and other would probably be many seminarians who could Its keynote speaker was the distinguished Dr. the whole life of the Church, and fi rst and fore- costs of living. According to the Annual Finan- provide Christmas gifts for their children. The Christopher Veniamin, Professor of Patristics at most in the Divine Liturgy. The pinnacle of our cial Report for 2011, 11.3% of the Archdiocese’s funds can also help cover the costs of books in St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Dr. inspiration is when our prayer is united to the ex- expenditures that year were for the education of the spring semester, medical bills, utilities, food, Veniamin spoke with thoughtful and true words perience of Christ in the Divine Liturgy. Following those discerning a call to ordination. No other Or- gas, clothing, vestments, or whatever else the about spiritual renewal, but “beyond that,” he said, the Orthodox Patristic, Dr. Veniamin taught that, thodox jurisdiction in America supports its semi- seminarian and his family need. Assistance to the retreat was really about “inspiration, the art “If you want to understand man, to know yourself, narians in this way. What a blessing! married Antiochian seminarians is but one of the of inspiration in the Orthodox Patristic Tradition.” you must look at the God-Man Jesus Christ,” and The demands of seminary life – morning and many great acts of Christian love carried out by How do clergy, how does anyone, live by in- the ultimate encounter we have with Him is at the evening chapel services, off-campus parish as- the Order of St Ignatius for people in need here spiration? To be inspired, to experience Christ, Liturgy. signments, various assigned chores on and off and around the world. is necessary for any pastor if he hopes to arouse All of us, especially pastors, must prepare for campus, choir rehearsals, and, of course, class On behalf of myself, my wife Danielle, and my in people that which will attract the grace of God. the Liturgy and give it the highest of ourselves. time, homework, and studying – do not leave the daughters Stella and Sofi a, I would like to thank Two interrelated fonts of inspiration were offered This begins with prayer. Prayer the night before, seminarian with time to hold down a job. In other the members of the Order of St Ignatius for their by Dr. Veniamin. The fi rst source of inspiration is days before, and indeed prayer at all times. Pas- jurisdictions, seminarians typically have to generosity, and I hope you will consider joining prayer, and the second is the Divine Liturgy. tors and laity alike must celebrate the Liturgy de- incur huge student loan debts that are them in their great work. If no one has asked you Prayer is essential for the pastor’s spiritual life, liberately, sincerely, and with reverence, for the very diffi cult to repay after graduation on to become a member yet, please consider your- as it is essential for any life lived in Christ. We Liturgy is a most awesome gift that we enter into the salary of a new priest – that is, if the self personally invited to do so by someone who must stop and turn toward God; to pray to God and in which we receive the very Life of Christ. seminarian is even ordained by gradua- knows the great work you can be part of by be- before we make and implement our great plans Prayer together with the Divine Liturgy is noth- tion and is assigned to a parish that can coming a member of the Order of St Ignatius. Join for the parish. We need to turn toward God and ing short of true inspiration that we can live by. pay him, which are not always the case. today! pray before we act, and before we speak. St. Sil- Make a beginning, for God will respond to even the Antiochian seminarians typically do not Humbly, I ask you to please keep my family, ouan the Athonite once said, “How do the perfect humblest of efforts. Then with this true inspira- to have to go as deep into debt as their class- me, and all seminarians and their families in your speak? The perfect never say anything of them- tion we can fi ll the temporal externals of our lives mates from other jurisdictions thanks to the vi- prayers. selves. They only say what the Holy Spirit inspires with eternal content. In other words, by prayer sion of Metropolitan PHILIP. them to say”. If we want the Holy Spirit to inspire and the Divine Liturgy we fi ll ourselves, and God Scott Miller, 2nd year Seminarian us, indeed, if we desire to acquire the Holy Spirit, willing, the people we serve, with the Holy Spirit. St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary; Crestwood, New York

The Word 25 Scripture, we come to see that trials and tribula- we learn not to judge one another, but to always Oratorical Festival tions are good things! For they give us the oppor- look towards helping each other. Then in Matthew, The Bible Fills Us With Eternal Joy tunity to find our true selves and to trust in the we are told “To read and learn what this means, I Lord’s power to strengthen us. God does not send desire mercy and not sacrifice.” We learn from the us trouble because He wants us to suffer; we face Scripture, that ours is a merciful God, and that He As a teenager, it can be challenging to find aspects of life that stay the same. Friends our challenges in order to overcome them and would rather that we err on the side of mercy than and relationships can be unpredictable, social norms seem to change overnight, grow closer to Him. Our trials are opportunities to on the side of judgment. Even when the prodigal and even school changes throughout the year. Even as we’re experiencing some learn about ourselves and find out just how strong son squanders all of his inheritance in sin and in- of the greatest physical, emotional, and spiritual development, life just adds to the is our faith, and whether or not it is strong enough. iquity, his father receives him again with joy and confusion by refusing to stay in one predictable place. For once, it would be reas- suring to be told that things will settle down and become, at least relatively, static, A prime example of this can be found in Mat- open arms. The Scripture tells us in no uncertain but unfortunately such a reassurance would not be true. The truth is that our lives, thew, in the story of Jesus walking on water. The terms to treat others with the utmost compassion, and the world, are constantly changing. disciples were scared and alone in the Sea of Gali- for even “as you did it to the least one of these, My lee when the great storm hit, and when they first brethren, you did it to Me.”

Nicholas Kachur What then, shall we do? Is it not normal to want scripture, the same lessons, the same basis of saw Jesus coming toward them on the water, they Not only does the Holy Scripture guide us in St. George Cathedral, consistency; is it not normal to desire predictabil- the faith. Each year, we go through the same ro- doubted and thought he was a ghost. As Peter how to react to others, but it also works as our Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ity? Most would answer yes! So where then do we tation of readings, each year we hear the stories walked out to the Lord, he looked at the sea and moral compass. We see this every time Jesus cor- look for our consistency? We look to the bedrock of the prodigal son, of Christ walking on water, the “boisterous” wind and it made him afraid and rects the scribes and Pharisees. The Lord points that is our Church. We look to the Church, rooted of the ­Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, and all he began to sink. In the beginning, Peter was mi- us towards humility and patience instead of the in the Holy Scripture, the very Word of God. In the ­others that have been passed down to us. In raculously walking on water, but when he took his “leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” In it we find the sweet scented garden that St. John this way, the Church helps remind us that though eyes and his mind off of Christ and onto the sea the twentieth chapter of Matthew, and many other of Damascus speaks of in this year’s theme. Our nearly two thousand years have passed, our faith around him, he began to doubt, and he began to places in the Gospels, He argues that rather than Scripture never changes, and will always be there remains the same. ­Despite all the curveballs we are sink. Once Peter focused on his problems instead attempting to gain power and respect from men, for us. If we look to the Scripture we will find that dealt in this life, our faith remains rock solid and of the Lord, he was unable to muster enough be- we must serve one another for: “whoever desires to source of stability that we so long for, and we will consistent. Whatever troubles we are experienc- lief to continue walking. The Lord did not let him become great among you, let him be your servant. find something to guide us throughout our chang- ing in our life, someone in the Church has experi- sink though; He stretched out His hand to catch And whoever desires to be first among you, let him ing lives. enced it before and within our two-thousand year Peter and saved him and all the disciples from the be your slave.” By looking to the Scripture we find With the Holy Scriptures we have a firm foun- faith we can rest assured that someone has found a storm. This story teaches us that Jesus is merciful; lessons on all the values and virtues that will lead dation to lean on in times of trouble, in the times way through it. And thus, our Scripture can be our he saved Peter even though he doubted, but most us to living a full and beneficial life in Christ. when we alone cannot cope with life’s many curve- source of stability. importantly brothers and sisters, it teaches us to Sitting in church, listening to the Gospels and balls and changeups. With it, we find the guidance Life can be hard, and it can be easy to convince trust in the Lord. To trust in the Lord when we are Epistles each week, we are all able to drink in the to deal with any and all problems, from the death ourselves that we face insurmountable problems, weak, when we are beset on all sides by the raging smell of the sweet scented garden, and detach our- of a loved one, to a painful divorce, to all the mi- but if we only look to the Scripture and the writ- storm of day to day life, when we don’t think we selves from our worldly cares, if only for a brief nor adjustments that come with entrance into high ings of the Church, we can find the path laid out can make it another foot out onto the water. When moment. What’s more, listening to the readings school, college, adult life, or retirement. In fact, for us. The Scripture can act as a navigational tool we don’t trust our lives fully to God, but try to con- and the sermons our priests craft about them, the scriptures helped me when my parents sepa- to help guide us through life in this world. St. John trol everything ourselves we start to sink. Safely guides us toward the path to eternal life. By pay- rated and then divorced about five years ago. Go- Chrysostom, in his 9th homily on Colossians, says: sailing through all of life’s storms by ourselves is a ing attention to the Holy Scripture and allowing ing to church in this stressful time had become a “Listen, I entreat you, all that are careful for task on par with walking on water; it is impossible its timeless advice to guide us through life we can non-priority for them, but for some reason, I gave this life, and procure books that will be medicines if we do not trust the Lord to keep us afloat. find the path to Heaven. When we allow ourselves up the extra hours of sleeping in to convince them for the soul … get at least the New Testament, the The Scripture serves as our guidebook to the to truly rely on the Scripture, we gain access to to drop me off at Liturgy each Sunday. I still can’t Apostolic epistles, the Acts, the Gospels for your world, it shows us how to get through our dilem- the sweet scented garden that St. John speaks of, tell you precisely why I gave up on that “get out of constant teachers. If grief befalls you, dive into mas, our losses, our sicknesses, and it shows us a calming place we can retreat to whenever we Church free card,” but over time I began to relish them as into a chest of medicines; take from there how to trust in Him and how to let our faith grow. need to remove ourselves from the stresses of this the stability provided by the Church; the same car- comfort for your trouble, be it loss, or death, or In the Holy Scripture, we find the very instruc- world. Brothers and sisters, the Scripture fills us ing group of people every Sunday, the same service bereavement of relations.” tion manual of life, all the materials we need to with eternal joy by giving us the guidance and the each week, the same treats at every coffee hour! The Scripture helps us through times of trouble, live out our lives in Christ. The lessons are end- counsel we need to make it through this life and And yet, each week there were different read- and the confusing changes in our lives. In fact, in less. In the story of the Samaritan woman in the into the next. ings, and with them new and different sermons. Second Corinthians, the Apostle Paul says, “I take fourth chapter of John, our Lord teaches us how Nicholas Kachur, 19, Judges Choice for the Dioceses of the East, is But even those were not entirely new; they were pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in to treat others in need. Despite being a Samaritan from St. George Cathedral, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. the same stories priests and deacons have been persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For and adulteress, He neither rejects nor judges her, reading since the birth of the Church; the same when I am weak, then I am strong.” Through the but ministers. Through this important Gospel story

26 The Word The Word 27 Syrian Relief Fund Archdiocesan Office

His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP $ 15,000.00 St. James, Poughkeepsie, NY 1,000.00 Virgin Mary, Alsip, IL 614.00 Elevations Food For the Hungry 50,000.00 Shrine of our Lady of Regla, Miami, FL 50.00 St. John the Baptist, Thurmont, MD 100.00 Dorothy C. Darany 200.00 St. George, Portland, OR 1,000.00 St. Andrew, Lewes, DE 337.00 HERNEY, Priest Stephen to the dignity Archpriest Ronald E. Samore, Sr. 25.00 St. Nicholas, Pinellas Park, FL 440.00 St. Elijah, Oklahoma City, OK 1,079.70 Bp. Basil ESSEY 1,000.00 St. George, Montreal, Quebec 1,000.00 St. Michael, Van Nuys, CA 1,353.00 by Archbishop JOSEPH on September 30, 2012, George M. Wooster 200.00 St. Elias, Ottawa, ON 2,000.00 St. Mary, W. Palm Beach, FL 214.00 at St. Michael Church in Whittier, California. St. Anthony’s, Butler, PA 200.00 St. Athanasius, Goleta, CA 350.00 St. George, Norwood, MA 330.00 St. Mark Church, Youngstown, OH St. Mary Livonia, MI 5,000.00 St. Mary, Brooklyn, NY 1,612.00 for Syria 100.00 St. Philip, Edmonton, AB 574.00 St. George, Canton, OH 301.00 Assigned Dr. George Farha for Syria 500.00 St. George, Upper Darby, PA 228.00 St. Michael, Greensburg, PA 2,146.00 St. Silouan The Athonite Mission St. George, Little Falls, NJ 2,105.00 St. John the Evangelist, Beaver Falls, PA 250.00 FINO, Fr. Nabil as the new pastor of St. Mary for Syria 75.00 St. George, New Kensington, PA 350.00 St. George, Toledo, OH 1,000.00 St. Mark of Denver for Syria 500.00 St. Antonios, Halifax, NS 1,000.00 St. James, Williamston, MI 50.00 Church, Berkley, Michigan. Virgin Mary, Montreal, Canada St. Elias, La Crosse, WI 115.0 St. George, Vicksburg, MS 312.00 (Fr. Michael Fawaz) 1,100.00 St. George, Orlando, FL 105.00 St. Andrew, Riverside, CA 670.00 KFOUF, Fr. Ayman as the Assistant Pastor of St. William A. Assaly, DPH 100.00 St. George, Troy, MI 2,000.00 St. Mary, Johnstown, PA 1,000.00 George Church Troy, Michigan. St. Matthew the Evangelist, St. George, Charleston, WV 1,500.00 St. Mary, Berkley, MI 1,236.00 Royalton, OH 208.00 St. Nicholas Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY 3,500.00 Sts. Peter & Paul, Potomac, MD 1,990.00 St. Ignatius Church, ON, Canada 25.00 Jean Sam 2,000.00 St. Luke, Garden Grove, CA 20.00 Departed this Life St. George, Danbury, CT 115.00 St. George, Bridgeville, PA 1,167.00 St. Thomas, Sioux City, IA 235.00 Frank & Margaret Bitar Foundation 1,000.00 GSJ Fam LP 500.00 St. George, West Roxbury, MA 1,038.00 PIERCE, Fr. Justin 84, retired at St. Luke Church St. John’s Mission, Rapid City, SD 200.00 George E. Salom Family 500.00 St. George, Montreal, Quebec 500.00 in Erie, CO, who fell asleep in Christ in hospice St. Basil The Great, Kansas City, St. George, Cleveland, OH 2,335.00 St. Mary, Omaha, NE 1,140.00 Kansas 1,163.75 St. Philip Souderton, PA 250.00 St. Andrew, Pensacola, FL 620.01 care on Saturday, September 22, 2012. St. Mark, Irvin, CA 1,034.00 St. Elias, Syracuse, NY 20.00 The Annunciation, Calgary, Alberta 400.00 St. John Levittown, NY 550.00 Barbara Kounelias 20.00 St. Nicholas, Beckley, WV 100.00 SHANNON, Deacon Howard of St. Athanasius Andrew & Christi Chiz 200.00 St. Stephens, Hiram, GA 100.00 St. George, Portland, OR 500.00 Church in Goleta, California, fell asleep in the Gretchen M. Ford 100.00 St. Mary, Chambersburg, PA 600.00 St. George, New Hartford, NY 287.00 Mary Gillan 25.00 St. Benedict, Wichita Falls, TX 50.00 St. Joseph, Houston, TX 600.00 Lord on Friday, September 21, 2012. Joel A. Thome 200.00 Emmanuel Warren, MA 100.00 St. George, South Glens Falls, NY 115.00 St. George Church, Methuen, MA 220.50 St. Nicholas, Grand Rapids, MI 250.00 St. Andrew, Arlington, Washington 100.00 St. Elias Church, Arvada, CO 1,760.00 St. John, Fort Wayne, IN 776.00 St. Michael, Geneva, NY 1,020.00 Donations to The WORD St. James Church, Loveland, OH 1,143.00 St. Mary, Pawtucket, RI 400.00 Holy Ascension, West Chester, PA 55.00 September 2012 St. Elias Church, New Castle, PA 337.00 St. Andrew, Evansville, IN 110.00 St. Elias, Sylvania, OH 300.00 Arlene & Ed Assile 1,000.00 St. Anthony, San Diego, CA 615.00 St. Timothy, Lompoc, CA 325.00 Mr. Glenn M Younes $100 St. Basil Church, Metairie, LA 605.00 St. Peter, Fort Worth, TX 120.00 St. Nicholas, Urbana, IL 275.00 St. Basil Church, Kansas City, KS 246.00 Stellien Syrian Church, Brownsville, PA 250.00 St. Columba, Lafayette, CO 140.00 Mr. and Mrs. Henry Close $54 Holy Myrrhbearers Church, St. Andrew, Pensacola, FL 250.00 Pacific Orthodox Society, Bonners Ferry, ID 100.00 St. John, Memphis, TN 100.00 Langley, B. Columbia 328.75 Mrs. Elaine B. Swistak $50 St. Philip Church, Davie, FL 577.00 St. Elias, Austin, TX 421.00 St. John Theologian, St. George Church, Cedar Rapids, IO 376.00 St. Nicholas, Cederburg, WI 825.00 San Juan Capistrano, CA 1,000,00 In loving memory of John L. Swistak St. Raphael of Brooklyn, Iowa City, IA 400.00 The Redeemer, Los Altos Hills, CA 465.00 St. George, W. St. Paul, MN 266.00 St. George, Kearney, NE 435.00 St. John, Post Falls, ID 89.00 Holy Trinity, Lynchburg, VA 145.00 Mr. Richard B Edgell $35 Lilian Betor, MA 100.00 Holy Trinity, Santa Fe, NM 1,285.00 St. Ignatius, Windsor, Ontario 570.00 Jack H. & Nadja A. Van Zandt Holy Spirit, Huntington, WV 250.00 Holy Transfiguration, Warrenville, IL 1,185.00 (Memory of Jack & Sally Van Zandt) 2,000.00 St. Patrick, Warrenton, VA 300.00 St. George, Phoenix, AZ 340.00 Additional donations for Syrian Relief St. John Chrysostom, York, PA 317.04 St. John, Eagle River, AK 200.00 Maria Matta 100.00 St. Augustine, Denver, CO 217.00 St. Ignatius, Monona, WI 650.00 Karen Sibert Haddy 50.00 St. George Cathedral, Toledo OH 1,000. 00 Holy Trinity, Little Rock, AK 228.00 St. John The Baptist, Thurmont, MD 250.00 St. Peter, Madison, MS 250.00 Holy Incarnation, Allen Park, MI 110.00 St. Luke, Abilene, TX 50.00 St. George, Altoona, PA 250.00 St. George Cathedral, KS 20,608.00 St. Nicholas, San Francisco, CA 600.00 St. George, Coral Gables, FL 672.00 N.A.B. Antiochian Women 500.00 St. Mary of Egypt, Greenwood, IN 126.00 St. Barnabas, Costa Mesa, CA 200.00 St. Nicholas, Shreveport, OA 250.00 Holy Apostles Mission, St. Paul, Naples, FL 1,000.00 St. Luke, Erie, CO 2,050.00 Bowling Green, KY 250.00 Ss. Constantine & Helen 692.00 St. George, Spring Valley, IL 100.00 Christ the Savior, Spokane, WA 143.00 St. Anthony, Bergenfield, NJ 500.00 St. George Lowell, MA 781.00 St. George, Pittsburgh, PA 549.50 St. Stephens the Protomartyr, St. George, Indianapolis, IN 600.00 Jon E. & Mary Ellen Braun 200.00 South Plainfield, NJ 468.00 St. Mary, Wichita, KS 2,660.00 Our Lady of Walsingham Mesquite, TX 142.00 St. Peter & Paul, Salt Lake City, UT 100.00 St. Nicholas, Myrtle Beach, SC 75.00 Atlantic Hospitality, Cleveland, OH 2,000.00 Holy Cross Dorr, MI 96.00 Holy Cross Eastern Orthodox Mission, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Fr. Peter Gillquist 100.00 Ormond Beach, FL 743.00 Los Angeles, CA 14,819.00 St. Michael, Beaumont, TX 413.00 St. Andrew, Lewes, DE $337.00 St. George, Jacksonville, FL 1,000.00 Fr. F. Stephen Walinski 25.00 St. Andrew, Lexington, KY 1,500.00 St. George, Grand Rapids, MI 732.50 St. Barnabas, Delaware, OH 100.00 St. Michael, Louisville, KY 750.00 St. Mary, Wilkes-Barre, PA 350.00 St. Michael, Wichita, KS 243.00 St. George, El Paso, TX 1,600.00 St. Michael, Las Vegas, NV 1,237.00 Christ the Savior, Jacksonville, TX 1,000.00 St. George, Akron, OH All Saints, Maryland Heights, MO 1,140.00 Three Hierarchs Mission, Metropolitan PHILIP 2,000.00 St. Luke, Garden Grove, CA 1,718.56 Garden City, KS 234.00 Mr. & Mrs. Nassim H. Elias 1,000.00 John K. Forsyth 20.00 St. George, Niagara Falls, NY 300.00 Church of the Resurrection 70.00 Mr. Thomas E. Williams 100.00 St. Michael, Monessen, PA 64.00 St. Mary, Cambridge, MA 617.00 St. George, Cicero, IL 1,234.00 St. John, Orinda, CA 385.00 All Saints, Raleigh, NC 420.00 St. Anthony, Tulsa, OK 351.00 St. Anthony, Melville, NY 50.00 Dennis Zacour, El Paso, TX 25.00 St. George, Richmond Hill, ON 1,061.00 St. Basil, Silver Spring, FL 150.00 James D. Cuckler, Jr., Sugar Hill, GA 100.00 Mr. Joseph & Marilene Samra 100.00 Holy Resurrection, Tucson, AZ 100.00 St. Elias, Atlanta, GA 1,070.00 St. George, Methuen, MA 282.00 $200,000.00 St. John of Damascus, Dedham, MA 721.00 Judith A. Howard 250.00 St. Elias, Syracuse, NY 462.00 St. Gregory the Great, Falls Church, VA 300.00

The Word 28 The Word 29 Communities in Action

Bishop THOMAS Advises on Saturday, August 25, and at St. George, Altoona, Matins and Divine Liturgy on To Share Strategies Sunday, August 26. The visit marked the fourth time that Saint George Parish in Al- Bishop THOMAS has visited toona welcomed our Bishop, the mission since it was estab- the Most Reverend THOMAS lished by Metropolitan PHILIP (Joseph), on the weekend of on March 20, 2009. St. John the May 18–20 for his annual visit. Baptist Mission, located about Sayidna Thomas met with the 65 miles from Baltimore and clergy and their wives on Friday Washington, is the only West- evening, and then on Saturday ern Rite Antiochian Orthodox at noon with Father Stephen church in Maryland. Lourie, Khouria Nancy, Choir During the weekend celebra- Director Nadeen Nerenberg, tions, Bishop THOMAS shared Fr. Dn. Gregory Roeber, and Bishop THOMAS, Fr. Joseph Allen, Lisa Fares, and James Bock at the Parish Life ­Conference with the people how the com- the members of the Church Divine Liturgy Sunday morn- nian tradition. Led by our choir and the entire St. Anthony fam- registration kick-off event. A memoration had personal sig- Council. Over lunch they took ing. In his homily on the story director, Mrs. Nadeen Neren- ily beamed. After Liturgy, the table of materials, a slide show nificance for him, since he had the opportunity to discuss the of the Man Born Blind, Sayidna berg, the Sunday School chil- parish hall was filled as all en- on the “Top 10 Reasons Why All served his first Divine Liturgy challenges facing our Orthodox urged us all again to be thank- dren then sang Michael’s setting joyed breakfast and entertain- Should Attend the Parish Life as a newly ordained priest on parishes in regions that have ful for the blessings that we for Sayidna and the parish. Say- ment by our children. Inspired Conference” and a guided tour the Beheading of Saint John the been hard hit by the current re- have received, as was the man idna then took the opportunity by the Creative Festivals theme, of the dedicated Conference Baptist. Bishop THOMAS pro- cession and job crisis. Sayidna whose sight was restored, and to lead us all in singing “Many “The Bible…fills us with eternal website helped ensure that ev- claimed that the patron of the urged the Council and clergy to to remember that the Church is Years” to our oldest member, joy,” Church School students ery parishioner knew “The Top mission was not one who was stay in touch with other parishes the hospital where all of us are Mrs. Irma Batrus, who will cele- sang a song about Old Testa- 10 Reasons to Attend.” These politically correct, but was rath- in the region, since many of our being made well. We will only brate her hundredth birthday in ment ­patriarch Abraham and reasons included to enjoy the er one who was bold in the faith fellow parishes face the same know our Physician, however, if a few weeks’ time. Our thanks teens hosted a radio call-in show camaraderie of Orthodox Chris- – who had “guts” and was willing issues. His Grace said that we we take advantage of the oppor- go to Mr. Allen Yurkovich for the – featuring audience participa- tians in the diocese and to par- to stand for the truth – and who, might share both strategies and tunity to worship together and many splendid photographs he tion – about the prophesies of ticipate in the traditional and like the Theotokos, was willing mutual encouragement in our then to love and serve as He has took of the weekend’s events. the Old Testament. fun events the conference offers to say Yes to God, no matter the continued efforts to grow the loved and served us. We look forward to His Grace’s St. Anthony Parish Life Con- for adults, teens, and children. cost. Bishop THOMAS encour- Church, both in reaching out to This year, instead of holding a 2013 return with the prayer, ference chairs Jim Bach and aged the people of St. John the lapsed Orthodox and in inviting more formal banquet, the parish “Many Years, Master!” Lisa Fares, under the guid- Bishop THOMAS Visits Saint Baptist to follow the example of those who do not know Ortho- chose to hold a potluck dinner, ance of V. Rev. Fr. Joseph Al- John the Baptist Mission for their patron, the Forerunner of doxy to “come and see.” Later asking members to bring dishes Bishop THOMAS Kicks len, worked hard to ensure that their Patronal Feast Christ. in the day, Sayidna also met with representative of the many cul- Off Parish Life ­Conference the Parish Life Conference for For Saturday Vespers, the two members of the parish who tures and backgrounds of our Registration at St. ­Anthony, On the weekend of August the Dioceses of Charleston and mission’s priest and pastor, were candidates for tonsure to pan-Orthodox parish. Special Bergenfield 29, 2012, prior to the com- New York, held July 4–8, 2012, memoration of the Beheading ­Father James Hamrick, was service in the Church. At Great thanks go to Ms. Linda Ofiesh His Grace Bishop THOMAS at the beautiful Hyatt Regency of Saint John the Baptist, Bish- joined by visiting priests Fa- Vespers on Saturday, Mr. James and Mrs. Jackie Riccio for orga- honored St. Anthony of Bergen- in New Brunswick, New Jersey, op ­THOMAS of the Diocese of ther Nicholas Alford (and wife, Johns was tonsured to the of- nizing the abundant luncheon. field with his annual visit on the would be a great event. Bishop Charleston, Oakland, and the Khouria ­Rebecca, St. Gregory fice of Reader. Sayidna tonsured In honor of our Patron Saint, fifth Sunday of Lent. During the THOMAS spoke to the faithful Mid-Atlantic, made an episcopal the Great Church, Washington, Mr. Joshua Kollat to the Order Mr. Michael Farrow explained beautiful Hierarchical Divine about our role in making sure visit to the faithful at Saint John D.C.) and Father Stanley Nield of Sub-deacon at the close of the background to the Russian Liturgy, Deacon Peter Boulukos that we use the Conference as the Baptist Orthodox Church in (and wife, Khouria Mary, Antio- the Matins Service, prior to the Legend of Saint George that he was elevated to Archdeacon as a way to spread the Word, as we Lewistown, Maryland. Bishop chian ­Orthodox Mission, Wel- celebration of the Hierarchical had set to music from the Roma- his proud brother, sister-in-law, are all called to do, during this THOMAS presided at Vespers lington, New Zealand). ­Father

The Word 30 The Word 31 Communities in Action

Abe Abraham ­Celebrates Wade and Dolores were born. ish through outreach efforts. It 100 Years After a two year return visit to certainly would not be possible Lebanon, the family settled in without the vision of Metropoli- On August 18, 2012 a centen- Grand Rapids, where Abe’s fa- tan PHILIP and the wisdom, nial celebration took place with ther and mother had relatives. guidance, prayers, patience, over 300 guests in attendance Abe has been a member of St. and love of Bishop THOMAS. to celebrate the 100th birthday Nicholas Church in Grand Rap- Glory to God! Here are some of of Abe Abraham. The festivities ids since his family moved there our efforts: were held at The Cultural Cen- in 1927. Abe is the longest We recently hosted our first ter at St. Nicholas in Grand Rap- serving member on the Antio- “International Food Festival”, ids, Michigan. The celebration chian Board of Trustees, having with the primary objective of included Vespers, a reception served the Antiochian Orthodox “raising the profile” of our par- and dinner and a tribute video Christian Archdiocese for 55 ish in the community. Thanks of Abe’s life over the past centu- years, since 1957. Metropolitan to God and the good planning ry. Abe’s grandchildren relived Philip presented Abe with the and diligence of many parish- their vivid memories of their Bishop THOMAS with the Antonian Gold Medal in 1974. ioners, 1000 people came and Clergy and Altar Servers Stanley and Kh. Mary were Giddo and the impact that he Abe is a founder and Knight enjoyed various ethnic foods. of St. John the Baptist guests of the Alfords and were had on his family and friends. ­Mission in Lewistown, MD Commander of the Order of St. This helped us support a local able to visit St. John the Bap- A highlight of the evening was Ignatius of Antioch. philanthropic organization. We tist Mission just ahead of their Protosaltys Nicholas Ayoub, of Abe and Adele have been had about 250 who enjoyed journey to their residency at the St. Nicholas Church, who sang married for 65 years and have tours of our icon-rich sanctu- Antiochian House of Studies at “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Gro- The Choir of St. Philip’s 4 children – Alan, Cheryl, Carol ary. God willing, some of them that by God’s grace thrives in that participated all had experi- Antiochian Village near Ligoni- ban. He later chanted a special Church in Souderton, PA and Kaye, 10 grandchildren and will come back as inquirers! their new building. ences that enhanced their faith. er, ­Pennsylvania. “many years” or “polychronion” one great grandchild, soon to The festival also earned an ex- We have a sisterhood of They hope to go again next year! Following Divine Liturgy on in celebration of a life well lived. arrive! cellent and prominent article young woman who are Antio- We had strong participation Sunday, Father James and the Guests included Abe and Abe has been blessed with in a local paper, besides other chian Women, called the Hand- in the Parish Life Conference people of St. John the Baptist Adele’s dear Archdiocese Board good health, a long and wonder- publicity. Of course, the “word maidens, who are growing in with two third-place Bible Bowl hosted a dinner at the nearby friends Bob and Gladys Laham, ful life, and the love and bless- of mouth” advertising was the service to God. They care for Teams and a Junior Division Lewistown United Methodist Bob Andrews, George and Elsie ings of so many beloved peo- most effective. I am grateful the candles outside of the altar. Oratorical Winner! Church for Bishop THOMAS. Nasser, and Dr. David and Betty ple. He has touched the lives that we could host an event They get together on a monthly Twelve young parishioners The bountiful spread of food Bojrab, along with family and of many and it is with great joy that even timid, would-be evan- basis to bake Prosphora. In attended Antiochian Village included Bishop THOMAS’s friends from Ohio, Illinois, In- that we congratulate and cel- gelists would feel comfortable addition, they are collecting for the 1st Session of Sum- favorite: fresh strawberries! diana and our St. Nicholas, St. ebrate 100 years of a true win- inviting their family, friends, recordings of basic hymns for mer Camp. Father Noah was Fr. Dan Daly and Many years, Master! George, and Holy Trinity com- ner’s life – Abe Abraham! neighbors, and colleagues to Sunday School use. Likewise, blessed to, again, serve as that Abe Abraham at munities. St Nicholas Church, church! during Holy Week they deco- session’s volunteer priest, not Grand Rapids, Michigan Congratulatory letters were Our Outreach Ministry team rate and participate in the pro- a vacation, but certainly very read to Abe from Metropolitan Bishop’s Visit Crowns has begun a very successful cessions. We are seeking duties refreshing! Philip, Very Reverend George ­Another Fruitful Year rotating monthly drive for non- for them to do to glorify God One of our teens, an alumnus Shalhoub, and Very Reverend It is always a blessing to be food items. Each month we and grow in service. of the Village gave a Chanting Antony Gabriel. Priests serv- Orthodox and to be laboring in provide a different item such as St. Justin’s Academy, a Workshop for parishioners and ing Vespers and in attendance God’s Vineyard, but this bless- dental care products and hair home-school cooperative spon- choir members who wanted to were Fathers Dan Daly, Raphael ing is highlighted with an arch- care products that food stamps sored by the parish, is keeping learn more about and to prac- Daly, Elias Mitchell, and James pastoral visit. Bishop Thomas’s do not cover. The parish has the home-schooling families of tice Byzantine Chant. Glory to ­Bogdon. stirring sermons, practical supported the project very the parish together by monthly God, this young man did an ex- Abe was born in Rashaya Al- wisdom and common touch well and that has lead to very outreach and/or educational cellent job and he is growing as Wadi, Lebanon on August 21, inspire us to bear greater fruit positive press and media cov- activities. choir director! 1912 to Sleyman and Zahia to God’s glory. We are labor- erage and good impressions in Our teens had an excellent One Saturday a month, fol- Lamone. The family moved ing day and night to building the community. The idea came service trip into Appalachia lowing Great Vespers, we have in Towanda, Kansas in 1921, up our parishioners in ministry from our daughter parish, Holy under the auspices of FOCUS a Fellowship meal together. In where Abe’s siblings, James, as well as to build up our par- Ascension, in West Chester, PA North America. The 32 people the summer, these are infor-

The Word 32 The Word 33 Communities in Action

Scholarships are available mal barbeque potlucks. The inquirers. on the two epistles of St. Peter. through the generosity of the Order of rest of the year, there will be a In the last year, we have had This year the parish un- St. Ignatius of Antioch and other friends of the Village. See your parish priest for details or contact us at spiritual-theme paired with the several new families, as well as dertook some needed large- [email protected] indoor potluck dinner. Some catechumens and inquirers. maintenance projects. We are of the evening activities in- In addition to the regular planning to paint the ceiling of 2013 Camp Dates clude watching and discussing complement of Lord’s Day and the nave in order to complete Winter Camp February 15-18 Service Weekend May 17-19 a movie, and learning about Festal services, we celebrate an its iconography and to replace Family Camp May 24-27

healthy fasting. akathist service, on a monthly some worn carpet. Session I (one week) June 16-23 Session I June 16-28 We are enhancing our web- rotation, each Wednesday night In addition, I have a marvel- Byzantine Notation Camp June 16-28 Session II June 30-July 12 site, www.st-philip.net, to be a as well as appropriate seasonal ous pastoral team with Fr. Bon- Byzantine Chant Camp June 30-July 12 Session III July 14-26 more comprehensive resource and special services. iface Black, beloved and ines- Iconography Camp July 14-22 Session IV July 28-August 9 for parishioners, visitors and I am teaching a Bible Study timable Pastoral Emeritus, Fr. Special Olympics August 9-17 James Thayer, newly re- Family Camp August 23-26

tired from Wyoming and very energetic and help- ful, and Deacon Herman Acker, my faithful and patient right hand. We are grateful that a dedicated, generous, wise, and godly Parish Council, an excel- lent Administrative As- sistant, marvelous Sun- day School Team, Choir and Director, altar boys and Subdeacons, Antio- chian Women, Steward- St. Michael Orthodox Church is excited to invite you to ship Team, Finance Team, the 67th Diocese of Toledo & the Midwest 2013 Parish Life Conference Antiochian Village Bookstore Greeters, Church Clean- June 19 - 23 and Gift Shop ers, and all the other min- in Louisville, Kentucky istries support the pasto- His Grace Bishop ANTHONY presiding ral team.  Creative Arts Festival  Bible Bowl and Oratorical Festival Presenting all of these  Teen SOYO and 20/40 Events  Antiochian Women’s Luncheon blessings to our Bishop  Order of St. Ignatius Luncheon THOMAS fi lls me with  Children’s Vacation Church School  Talent Show the great joy of God’s  Cruise on the “Belle of Louisville”  Senior Presentation with His Grace love that we experience Bishop ANTHONY  Grand Banquet and Hafli in the baptismal service,  Sunday Liturgy at St. Michael’s “Great art Thou, O Lord, (Child Care Available) and marvelous are Thy

works and there is no

word, which is suffi cient

to hymn Thy wonders”! Special Rate of $99/night Grateful for God’s Free Indoor Parking Garage Free Wi-Fi and Business Center Looking for that special gift Overwhelming Grace, I Spa, Salon & Barber Shop for your family and friends? remain, Six Restaurants & Lounges AND LOOK WHAT YOU CAN DO WHILE IN Club 360 Fitness Center LOUISVILLE! Visit the Antiochian Village Bookstore and Gift Shop. Yours in Christ, Outdoor Swimming Pool Over 100 restaurants, shops, and attractions We are on-line at www.store.antiochianvillage.org + Fr. Noah Bushelli within walking distance including the Muhammad Ali River view from all rooms Center, Louisville Slugger Museum and more or call us at 724.238.3677 for a specifi c request . (discount cards available to all PLC participants) Located on Historic Main Street in Downtown Louisville A short drive to major attractions including We have a unique selection of Churchill Downs & the Kentucky Derby Museum Christmas books for children, CDs, dozens of icons,

TO REGISTER, go to www.stmichaelorthodoxchurch.org and Christmas cards for everyone on your list. Or call the Galt House direct at (800).843.4258 and tell them you are going to the Midwest Parish Life Conference THE WORD 358 Mountain Road Periodical postage paid at PO Box 5238 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Englewood, NJ 07631-5238

he blessing of marriage, whileT studying to serve His Church is recognized by the Order.

Join Us In Supporting Married Seminarians.

e Order of St. Ignatius supports married seminarians in programs at St Vladimir’s Orthodox eological Yes, I want more information Seminary, St Tikhon’s eological Seminary and Holy about e Order. Cross Greek Orthodox eological School by providing Name: a stipend to defray the costs of housing and other costs Address: of living. Join Today! To learn more, call 201-871-1355 or e-mail: [email protected] or return this slip to: e Order Phone: 358 Mountain Road Englewood, NJ 07631 E-mail: 11/12