“This is none other than the House of God. The Holy Prophet Aggaeus (Haggai) And this is the Gate of Heaven” The Prophet Aggaeus, whose name means "festive," was born Genesis 28:17 in Babylon at the time of the captivity Of the Jews. He began to prophesy in Jerusalem after their return thereto, and to ad- monish the people to rebuild the Temple, in the days of Zorobabel, the second year of the reign of Darius Hystaspes, King of Persia, about the year 520 before Christ. His proph- ecy, divided into two chapters, is ranked tenth among the mi- nor Prophets.

Our Righeous Mother Blessed Empress Theophania Saint Theophania, who was born in , was of royal lineage. Instructed in letters, and adorned with many vir- tues, she was united in marriage to Emperor Leo the Wise (reigned 886-912). But counting the glory of the earthly kingdom as nought, she spent her nights and days in serving God with psalms and hymns and prayers, working various good deeds until she surrendered her spirit to God in peace, while still in her youth, be- ing, according to some, about twenty years of age, according to others, twenty-seven. Her holy relics are still preserved in the patriarchal church in Constantinople as a source of healing for those that draw nigh with faith and longing. She was also the builder of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropigeal Monastery of St. Anastasia the Protector from Po- tions in Chalke (883)

THE LORD’S PRAYER

(In English and Phonetic Arabic) ur Father who art in heaven, Hallowed-be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who tres- O pass against us, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

ABANA’L LATHEE FILL SAMAWAT; LEE YATA KADASS ISMUK St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Cathedral ﮐﺎﺘﺩﺭﺍﺌﻴﺔ ﺍلقديس جﺎوﺭجﻴوس ﺍألنطﺎكﻴَّﺔ ﺍألﺭثوذكسﻴَّﺔ LEE YATEE MALA KUTUK; LEE TAKUN MASHI ATUK KAMA FILL SAMA KADHA LEEKA ALA’L-ARD 3754 Woodley Rd. Toledo, Ohio 43606-1159 KHUBZANAL JAOHARI ATINA’L YAOM;WATRUK-LANA MA ALAINA Phone: 419-475-7054 KAMA NATRUKU NAHNU LIMAN;LANA ALAIH Fax: 419-475-3502 WALA TUD KHILINA FI TAJRIBA;LA KIN-NAJJINA-MINA’L SHIRIR www.saintgeorgetoledo.com

December 16, 2018 ﺍألب مﺎيكل شﺎهﻴن

Dean/Pastor Father Michael G. Shaheen Wishing all of you who were born Phone: 419-260-1621 in the month of December [email protected] Metropolitan JOSEPH, Archbishop of

the Antiochian Orthodox A Very Happy Birthday Office Administrator Archdiocese of North America Kh. Adma Shaheen 419-475-7054 [email protected] ANTHONY Michaels Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest St. George Director Salam Swade 02 Jeanine Khoury 08 Don Bernardini Father Michael G. Shaheen Chanters Dean/ St. George Cathedral Anis Haddad 10 Tom Zogaib 10 Tony Khoury, Nadeem Khoury, Wafeek Khoury, William Swade Pauline Skaff 11 Ron Darrow 13 Sunday December 16, 2018 Sub Sunday of the Forefathers (Ancestors) of Anthony Pedro 14 Victor Abed 15 Christ Prophet Haggai; Theophania the empress; Christopher Haddad; Michael Saba Modestos, archbishop of Jerusalem Tone IV Eothinon VII Nolan Ansara 15 Kimberly Legendre 15 Captains Troparion for the Resurrection IV Tony Sommer, Mathew Ade, Having learned the joyful message of the Jackie Abed 16 Michael Skaff III 16 Tony Pedro, Christopher Hughes Resurrection from the angel the women disciples of the Lord cast from them Labib Hajjar 17 Tony Pedro 17 Concierge their parental condemnation. And Michael Goodman 419-324-4115 proudly broke the news to the Disciples, Joanne Eberflus 19 Barbara Sahley 20 saying: Death hath been spoiled; Christ St. George Parish Council God is risen, granting the world Great Rose Kallil 21 Rebecca Skaff 21 Chair: Keith Haddad Mercy Beverly Bardwell 22 Kristine Haddad 27 بﺎللحن ﺍلرﺍبع Vice Chair: Ryan Sommer َّ Treasurer: John Ellis إن تلميذا ِت الر ِب تعللل َمل ِم ِ لم اللملْ ِز ال َر ِي الل ِ ليل ل ِ البهج، و ِطر َح ِم ال ليليَّل ِ الليل ِ، خل ، ونل ِطل َبل ِم اللر ل ِ Secretary: Nadia Swade Ray Deeb 29 Karam Istephan 29 ِ ِ فت ِخرا ٍت وق ئْ ٍت . ق، ب ِي المو ت، وق م المسي ح اإلللُ Chancellor: Mitchell Howard نِ ًح العِ ل ِم الر َحم ِ الع َظ ِمى. ,George Bardwell Jr., Mike Saba Andrea Bassett, David Joseph, Steven Miller 29 Sylvia David 30 Dr. Hassan Seaman, Elias Hajjar, Frank Troparion of the Conception of the Fuller, Kathy Hughes, Karyn Hajjar, by St Anna IV Brad Mc Arthur, Tony Sommer, Sabah Today have the bonds of barrenness Maurice McArthur 31 Mitri. been loosened; God, having heard the Compiled and edited by: prayers of Joachim and Anna, promised Kh. Adma Shaheen them openly that they should give birth, beyond hope, to the Maiden of God, Celebration of the Feast of the Nativity from whom He, the infinite One was to be born, becoming man, commanding the angel Of our Lord Jesus Christ to shout to her: Rejoice, O full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Troparion for St. George IV Sunday December 23, 2018 As Deliverer of Captives and Defender of the Poor, Healer of the Infirm, Champion of Orthros 9:00 am, Liturgy 10:00 am Kings, Victorious Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ our God, for our salvation. A Night in Bethlehem Play (lunch to follow) Troparion of The Forefathers II Monday December 24, 2018 Thou hast justified by faith the ancient Forefathers, and through them Thou hast gone The celebration of the before and betrothed unto Thyself the Church of the Gentiles. Let the saints, therefore, Feast of The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. take pride in glory; for from their seed sprouted forth a noble fruit, and it was she who Festal Orthros 5:00 pm, Hierarchical Liturgy 6:00 pm gave birth to Thee without seed. Wherefore, by their pleadings, O Christ God, save our souls. Sunday December 30, 2018 Orthros 9:00 am, Liturgy 10:00 am

TODAY’S INSPIRATION Sunday January 6, 2019 “Don’t criticize or judge other people- regard everyone else as an angel. Orthros 9:00 am, Liturgy 10:00 am Justify their mistakes and weaknesses and condemn only Theophany (blessing of the Holy Water) yourself as the worst sinner. This is step one in any type of spiritual life.” St. Seraphim Rose The Feast of Theophany Sunday January 6, 2019

Traditionally, houses are blessed annually on, or shortly after, the Feast of Theophany. The blessing of homes by these holy The waters maintains the spiritual association between the family Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers. church and the parish, as well as again providing for the shar- For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us. ing of God's spiritual gifts. House blessings should not be over- looked, for it is in this way that the grace of God is extended to The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Colossians. 3:4-11 individual dwellings. Brethren, when Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with

him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, Therefore, Kh. Adma will be calling you to have Father passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the Michael come, visit you and bless your home throughout wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, the church year. If you are in need or would like a visit when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and haven't heard from Father Michael, then please the and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put Cathedral office to schedule one at 419-475-7054. off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being

renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator. Here there cannot be Greek On this Feast Day, our dear fiends Beverly Bardwell, Joann Eberflus & Sharon and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Grzywinski serve us traditional Zalabee to celebrate Theophany. Christ is all, and in all. The Holy The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 14:16-24 he Lord spoke this parable: “A man once gave a great banquet, and in- vited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for all is now ready.’ But, one by one, they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought Ta field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” أحد ﺍألجدﺍﺩ ﺍلق ِّ ديسﻴن إنجﻴل ﺍلﻴوم: لوقﺎ ) ﺍلحﺎﺩي عشر من لوقﺎ ص 41: ع 41 – 41( ق ل الرب هذا المث : إنس ن صنع عش ء عظي ًم ودع اثيرخم. فأر عب،ه في ع العش ء خ ول للم،ع ِوخم تع لوا ... which coincides with the فإ َّن ا شيء ق، أع،. فطفق ا لهم واح، فواح، خستعفون، ف ل لُ األ َّول: ق، اشترخت ح ًْ وال ب، لي أن أنرج وأنظره فأ ألك أن تعفيني. وق ل اآلنر: ق، اشترخت نمس ف،ادخم ب ر وأن ض ألج ِ ربه فأ ألك أن تعفيني. وق ل اآلنر: ق، تزوجت ا رأة فلذلك ال أ تطيع أن أجيء. فأتى اعب، وأنبر ي ِ،ه بذلك, فحينئذ غيب رب البيت وق ل لعب،ه: أنرج رخعً إلى شوارع الم،خن وأي قته وادن المس ايم والي،ع والعمي ن والعرج إلى ههن . ف ل العب،: خ ي ِ، ق، قيى St. George Cathedral Bible Study أ رت بُ وخب ى أخ ًي ح . ف ل السي ِ، للعب،: أنرج إلى الطرق واأل يي واضطرهم إلى ال،نول حتَّى خمتلئ We will be doing the following بيتي. فإ نِي أقول لكم إ َّنُ ال خذوق عش ئي أح، م أولئك الرج ل الم،عوخم. أل َّن الم،عوخم اثيرون والمخت رخم قليلون.  Read and hold a discussion on these Books St. George Orthodox Boutique  Learn a deeper meaning and understanding of the bible and what it teaches us Reopening soon!  Enjoy friendship and fellowship with one another at each session The boutique is set to reopen soon with new merchandise such as ,

theology and liturgical books and other great gift ideas. Once it opens, mer-

chandise will be available for purchase during coffee hour. There are great gift ideas for you and your loved ones. Beginning the third week of January 2019!

Stop by and check it out, we’re sure you'll find something to bring home with you.

Managed by: The Cathedral Fellowship

One thing have I desired of the Lord... That I may dwell in the house of the Lord .... To behold the beauty of the Lord ... (Psalm 27:4)  Honour the memory of a deceased loved one,  Offer your thanksgivings for the blessings granted to you and your family  Commemorate a special event in your life

St. George Cathedral is in need a some Liturgical items  New sets for Holy Communion  New altar cloths in liturgical colors  Several other items

If you would like to donate, please see Father Michael.

ELECTIONS 2019 On January 27, 2019 at The Annual General Assembly, St. George Cathedral Par- ish Council will hold an election for new Council Members for the upcoming year 2019

We are seeking candidates for Parish Council and encourage anyone who is eligible and feels they can commit to please come forward

The MINIMUM requirements are:  Adult: $500 contribution (per voting member) per year  Retired: $250 (per voting member) per year  Student (18-25 and a full time student): $250 per year

Please note that these are the minimum financial requirements for voting only and parishioners must also be:

 Financially contributing to St. George Cathedral  In spiritual good standing according to the pastor  Attending services regularly

Please note that your nominations need to be received no later than January 14, 2018 Our new (Graciously donated by Cherie Joseph, in loving memory of her Late husband Richard O Joseph Jr. (Dickie)

In Eastern Christianity an iconostasis (plural: iconostases) is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church. Iconostasis also refers to a portable stand that can be placed any- where within a church. The iconostasis evolved from the Byzantine , a process complete by the fifteenth century.

Today the Virgin gives A direct comparison for the function of the main iconostasis can be made to the birth to him who is above layout of the great Temple in Jerusalem. That Temple was designed with three all being... parts. The holiest and inner-most portion was that where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. This portion, the Holy of Holies, was separated from the second larger

part of the building's interior by a curtain, the "veil of the temple". Only the High and the Earth offers a was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies. The third part was the cave to him whom no one court. This architectural tradition for the two main parts can be seen carried for- can approach. ward in Christian churches and is still most demonstratively present in Eastern Orthodox churches where the iconostasis divides the altar, the Holy of Holies con- taining the consecrated – the manifestation of the New Covenant – from Angels with shepherds the larger portion of the church accessible to the faithful. In the Eastern Orthodox give glory and magi tradition only men can enter the altar portion behind the iconostasis.

journey with a star... The nave is the main body of the church where most of the worshippers stand, and the sanctuary is the area around the altar, east of the nave. The sanctuary is for to us there has been usually one to three steps higher than the nave. The Iconostasis does not sit di- born a little Child, God rectly on the edge of the sanctuary, but is usually set a few feet back from the edge of the top step. This forms a walkway in front of the iconostasis for the clergy, before the ages. called a . In the very center of the soleas is an extension (or thrust), often rounded, called the , on which the will stand to give litanies during the services. Bethlehem has opened Eden, come, let us The iconostasis typically has three openings or sets of doors: the Beautiful Gates or Holy Doors in the center, and the North and South Doors to either side. receive The Beautiful Gates are sometimes called the Royal Doors, but that name more properly belongs to the central doors connecting the narthex, or porch, to the joys of Paradise the nave.[They remain shut whenever a service is not being held. The North and within the cave. South Doors are often called Deacons' Doors because the deacons use them fre- quently. Icons of sainted deacons are often depicted on these doors (particularly St. Stephenthe Protomartyr and St. Ephrem the Syrian). Alternatively, they may be called Angels' Doors, and the Archangels Michael and Gabriel are of- ten depicted there. The South Door is typically the "entrance" door, and Michael is depicted there because he is the "Defender"; the North Door is the "exit", and Gabriel is depicted here because he is the "Messenger" of God. These doors may also be casually referred to as the "side doors".