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Home , Gregory Palamas

ST. MARY ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX A PARISH OF THE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF NORTH AMERICA 905 SOUTH MAIN ST. ** WILKES-BARRE PA 18702 PARISH OFFICE (570) 824-5016 ** PARISH HALL (570) 824 – 1674 RECTORY 570-287-2049 ** PARISH EMAIL - [email protected] ARCHDIOCESE WEB PAGE ** www.antiochian .org PARISH WEB PAGE ** www.stmaryorthodox.com

Clergy His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH, of New York and Metropolitan of all North America His Grace THOMAS, Auxiliary Bishop of Charleston, Oakland & the Mid-Atlantic Very Rev. Fr. George Alberts, Pastor Very Rev. Fr. Dr. David Hester, Pastor Emeritus Mark Makarios Subdeacon William Obeid + Subdeacon N.D. Namey + Subdeacon John Moses Jr. Sub-deacon David Rayahin + Subdeacon Kristopher (Cody) Vest

WELCOME to the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. We are the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Christian Church whose roots trace directly back to the first century Antioch, the city in which the disciples of Jesus Christ were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). The Orthodox Church is the oldest and second-largest Christian group in the world. We are called by God, our Creator, to worship and follow Him and to proclaim to the world His message of love, peace and salvation. God loves all mankind and desires that all human beings should believe in Him, know Him, abide in Him, and receive eternal life from Him. To accomplish this God Himself came into the world as a man in Jesus Christ --- becoming man that we might become like God. The Parishioners of St. Mary Parish welcome you and are pleased that you have decided to worship Almighty God with our Parish family today. We encourage you to learn about our Orthodox faith and our Parish if you are not yet Orthodox. Although the non-Orthodox may not receive Holy Communion, which may only be given to the Orthodox faithful, we invite you to come forward at the close of the Liturgy to receive a blessing from the and blessed bread. Please also come downstairs to the Parish Hall join us for our fellowship hour.

Our Patronal Feast is the DORMITION (FALLING-ASLEEP) OF THE , which is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church and is celebrated each year on August 15. The Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, was “blessed amongst women,” and she was chosen “to bear the Savior of our souls.” Orthodox Christians consider her to be the Queen of all the and angels. Knowing she is eternally present at the throne of God interceding for mankind, we pray for her love, guidance, and protection. PLEASE NOTE All our services can be watched as they occur on our Parish Face Book page at https://www.facebook.com/StMaryAO/ COMMEMORATIONS Today None Today SCHEDULE OF PARISH LIFE AT ST. MARY MARCH IS ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN MONTH Monday March 29 Great Compline 6:00 pm *** Father George at the Church from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (when Services begin) Wednesday March 31 Presanctified Liturgy at 6:00 pm *** Father George at the Church from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (when Services begin) Thursday April 1 Take-Out Spaghetti Dinner 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Friday April 2 The Service at 6:00 pm *** Father George at the Church from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (when Services begin) Saturday April 3 Confessions from 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm *** Great Vespers at 5:00 pm Sunday April 4 SUNDAY OF THE VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS *** 3rd Sunday of Lent *** Matins at 9:00 am & at 10:00

LOOKING AHEAD TO HOLY PASCHA The following is a timeline for our Parish’s journey to Pascha …. Today Sunday of Gregory Palmas; Sunday April 4 Veneration of the Holy Cross; Sunday April 11 Sunday of Saint John of the Ladder; Sunday April 18 Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt; Sunday April 25 Palm Sunday; Week of April 26 to April 30 Holy Week; Sunday May 2 Holy Pascha The Feast of Feasts– CHRIST IS RISEN!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT & ACTION Brothers and Sisters in Christ …. We are now entered into our journey through Great and Holy Lent in preparation for the Feasts of Feasts. This year, we celebrate Palm Sunday on April 25 and Holy Pascha on May 2. The renewal of life, the vanquishing of death and the promise of a better life this season to come brings are especially important this year in the face of this continuing pandemic and the loss of loved ones from within our Parish Family. Please dedicate yourself to observing a spiritual Lent through prayer, almsgiving and participation in the services (even if virtually) and recieving the , particularly confession and holy communion. Those who serve at St. Mary will be here for you and with you through the entire Lenten season and will work tirelessly to provide a safe environment and conduct the services necessary to celebrate and observe this most wonderful and special time. With All Our Love …..

CONFESSION is one of the Sacraments of the Church & Is Important To Our Continued Spiritual Health …. The Church prescribes confession at least four (4) times a year ….. There is no better time than this Lenten season to make your confession. Father George is generally available every Tuesday and Thursday, by appointment and on Sunday after Liturgy to hear your confession ….

SPECIAL COVID-19 INSTRUCTIONS Please remember to maintain sufficient distance between your household and others. Your family may all sit together, if you live in the same house, but please keep six feet distance between yourself and members of other households. Remember too that masks are required. Be sure to wear them in a way that covers your nose and mouth fully. Not wearing masks or wearing them incorrectly makes other people feel uncomfortable and unsafe. Please refrain from hugging and kissing each other …. Let us practice this important courtesy to others who may have health issues and for everyone’s comfort and peace of mind. Holy Communion is the “medicine of immortality,” given “for the remission of sins, for healing of soul and body and for life everlasting.” Please approach the chalice with mouth wide open and head tilted back. This will allow the priest or deacon to insert the spoon, turn it over in your mouth and pull it out without touching your tongue or lips. Venerate or the or the cross with just a ‘gesture,’ but do not actually touch the item with your lips or hand. While the Greek word in the Bible for veneration literally means to “approach and kiss,” for now, approach as if to kiss, but then back away. The same goes for the priest’s hand. For receiving the antidoron (blessed bread) after Holy Communion and at the dismissal cup your hands together, and the priest (at dismissal) or an assistant (after Communion) will drop a piece of the blessed bread in them.

DIVINE LITURGY VARIABLES ON SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021 SECOND SUNDAY OF COMMEMORATION OF GREGORY PALAMAS, ARCHBISHOP OF Venerable Hilarion the New; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy; Venerable Stephen of Triglia **DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT**

RESURRECTIONAL IN TONE ONE While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O giver of life. Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ, glory to Thy kingdom, glory to Thy providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind. APOLYTIKION FOR ST. GREGORY PALAMAS IN TONE EIGHT O Star of , support of the Church and its teacher, O comeliness of ascetics, and incontestable champion of those who speak in , Gregory the wonder-worker, the pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, implore thou constantly for the salvation of our souls.. APOLYTIKION OF THE DORMITION In giving birth thou didst keep thy virginity and thy repose thou didst not forsake the world O Theotokos, for thou art the mother of life and thou didst pass over into life. And through thine intercessions from death thou dost redeem our souls. FOR SUNDAYS IN GREAT LENT IN TONE EIGHT To thee, the Champion Leader, do I offer thanks of victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me from terror; but as thou that hast that power invincible, O Theotokos, thou alone can set me free: from all forms of danger free me and deliver me, that I may cry unto thee: Hail, O Bride without Bridegroom. THE EPISTLE Thou, O Lord, shalt keep us and shalt preserve us. Save me, O Lord, for the godly man is no more! The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (1:10-2:3) Thou, “O Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Thy hands; they will perish; but Thou remainest; and they will all grow old like a garment, and like a mantle Thou wilt roll them up, and they shall be changed; but Thou art the same, and Thy years will not fail.” But to which of the angels did He say at any time, “Sit on My right hand, until I make thine enemies a footstool for thy feet?” Are they not all spirits for liturgical ministry, sent forth to minister for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? Therefore, we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest at any time we drift away from them. For if the word spoken through angels was confirmed, and every transgression and disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation, which having at first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard?

THE GOSPEL The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (2:1-12) At that time, when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and He was preaching the Word to them. And they came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now, some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – He said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all. So that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”.”

THE SYNAXARION On March 28 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate the Venerable Hilarion the New; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy; and Venerable Stephen of Triglia. On this same day, the Second Sunday of the Fast, we make remembrance of our father among the saints, Gregory Palamas, archbishop of Thessalonica. The Spring of Light now leadeth to light unwaning The Light’s own truly great and resplendent herald. This divine father was born in Asia and was brought up from infancy in the royal palace of . When he was of age, Gregory left the palace and gave himself to on . He eventually moved to Thessalonica to seek cure for the diseases he contracted because of his asceticism and piety. In 1349, he was elevated to the episcopacy, tending to his people in an Apostolic fashion for 13 years. He is glorified as an ascetic, a theologian, a hierarch and a miracle-worker, who forsook a prominent, secular lifestyle to take up his cross and follow Christ. The Most-Holy Theotokos, St. John the Theologian, St. Demetrius, St. Anthony the Great, St. and angels of God appeared to him at different times. Through his intercessions, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us. Amen.

MARCH RECOGNIZES THE MANY WORKS OF THE ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN

PARISH NEWS ! Father George will be at the Church Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm (when the services begin) for those who would like to come for Confession, say a prayer, light a candle or receive Holy Communion from the Reserve . He will be in the Church the next week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm each day before services on those days begin. As always please call ahead if planning on receiving Holy Communion so Father can be prepared and also (if coming early) kindly come to the office door. ! Father will be hearing Confessions 1/2 hour prior to each of our Lenten services. All of us should be receiving the Sacrament of Confession during Great Lent in preparation to celebrate the Holy Resurrection of Christ. ! Our next Take Out Spaghetti Dinner is on Thursday April 1 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Please tell your friends and neighbors. A flyer is attached for you to share. ! We hope and pray everyone will continue to protect themselves and others from this insidious and evil pandemic. Many of us are experiencing some amount of “pandemic fatigue” that might cause us to leave down our guards. It is however most important that we continue to fight the fight and abide by the recommendations of the CDC and continue to socially distance from each other as necessary and appropriate and of course wear a mask when out in public. ! Please take note there are just a few 2021 calendars in the Narthex (vestibule) of the Church. Please take one and if you are aware of a Parishioner who has been homebound because of COVID please take one for them. ! Please let us know if there is anyone who can be removed from the prayer list. Please contact either Father George or Subdeacon Norman.

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT: ST. GREGORY PALAMAS

Planting the doctrines of Orthodoxy, uprooting the thistles of wicked opinion, O blessed one, and growing well the plant of faith with the rain of thy sayings, thou didst offer to God, like a good farmer, ears a hundred fold.

+ Orthros of the Feast, Tone 1 On the second Sunday of Lent, we celebrate the teachings of St. Gregory Palamas, who upheld the Orthodox doctrine that humans can know God not only through the intellect but through experience of His uncreated energies. Father Nicholas Belcher writes: On the second Sunday of Lent, the Holy Orthodox celebrates the memory of Saint Gregory Palamas, the Archbishop of Thessalonica, who struggled valiantly to uphold the patristic teaching that God's energies are uncreated against those who held that God's grace is a created intermediary. While the distinction between uncreated energies and created grace may sound like an arcane debate between religious scholars, this dispute greatly disturbed the life of the Church and required a series of six councils in Constantinople over the course ten years to finally proclaim the Orthodox teaching. In our age of theological relativism, this type of vociferous debate over wording seems nothing short of a waste of time causing unneeded division, but upon reflecting on these issues, we see the importance of St. Gregory's principled stand and ultimate triumph. ... every day we should stand in awe of Him, as He is with us, and do what is pleasing before Him. If we are unable now to perceive Him with our physical eyes, we can, if we are watchful, see Him continuously with the eyes of our understanding, and not just see Him, but reap great benefits from Him. This vision destroys all sin, demolishes all evil, and drives away everything bad. It gives birth to purity and dispassion, and bestows eternal life. + St. Gregory Palamas