APRIL/MAY 2017 BULLETIN.Indd
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April/May 2017 Volume:15 Issue:4 CATHEDRAL8 MESSENGER SAINT GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL 3400 Dawson Street • Pittsburgh, PA 15213 • Rev. Fr. Joshua Makoul, Dean Offi ce: 412. 681.2988 • Fr. Joshua : 412.721.5828 • Fx: 412.681.3254 Behold the barren cross where Jesus trepidation grew. However, he remained suffered and died is now covered in obedient to the Father and did not try to Keeping the Empty white flowers and ivy and adorned with a turn away or avoid what awaited Him. triumphant floral wreath. The symbol of He trusted and forged on though expe- Tomb in our Hearts and suffering has become the new tree of life. riencing fear and anxiety. Jesus knew There is a great gift and mystery revealed and trusted that any suffering that laid Turning our Crosses into in this transition for those who are open ahead would be wiped out and ended by to receiving it. We are called to transform the joy and power of what followed. We by Father Joshua Makoul our own crosses of struggle and suffer- remember when Jesus, at the last supper, Victory ing that we bear in this life into victori- used the analogy of childbirth to illustrate ous crosses of what lied ahead hope, joy, and for Him and new life. Jesus us, that when has revealed the the hour has path that we are come for the to take for this birth to occur transformation we have sorrow to occur. due to the pain We all have, of labor, but will have, or once the child have had crosses has been born, to bear in this there is no more life. Perhaps sorrow, only joy AVING COMPLETED HOLY WEEK AND PASCHA, WE WERE some trial or that a human ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE TRANSITION FROM THE LONG, tribulation or being has been DARKER SERVICES OF HOLY THURSDAY AND HOLY FRIDAY TO an experience born. Jesus H THE BRIGHTER AND JOYFUL SERVICES OF HOLY SATURDAY, where we were applied this to PASCHA, AND BRIGHT WEEK. FOR MANY, HAVING LABORED hurt or betrayed his impending crucifixion and THROUGH LENT AND HOLY WEEK, THIS TRANSITION TO JOY, HOPE, AND by someone resurrection. RELIEF IS AN EMOTIONAL OCCASION AND REMINDER OF MANY THINGS. else. If we just respond cor- Even when INDEED, THIS TRANSITION THAT THE CHURCH HAS GIVEN US TO EXPE- rectly to and Jesus prayed RIENCE HAS FAR MORE MEANING FOR OUR OWN LIFE THAN WE MIGHT work through for Him to be REALIZE. IT IS A REMINDER THAT IN THE END GOD IS ALWAYS TRIUM- these crosses spared the ex- PHANT AND VICTORIOUS. IT MEANS THAT IN THE END EVERYTHING WILL in the way Christ showed us, they too perience of the crucifixion he ended the BE OKAY. IT MEANS THAT THIS WORLD WILL NEVER HAVE THE FINAL SAY. can be transformed into the life giving prayer with the words, “not as I will, but as you will”. He trusted, remained faith- IT MEANS THAT BEHIND EVERY CROSS IS A POTENTIAL NEW LIFE WAIT- and triumphant cross that we see in ful, remained obedient, He prayed, He ING TO BE HAD, BEHIND EVERY STRUGGLE IS GOD’S PROMISE TO WIPE church now. We look at the cross now so adorned and we reflect at what a struggle forgave, He did not lash out at others, He EVERY TEAR FROM OUR EYE, THAT BEHIND EVERY MOMENT OF DESPAIR had occurred at that place but now it is did not blame, He did not become bitter, OR STRUGGLE IS HOPE AND JOY WAITING TO BREAK FORTH, THAT BEHIND a place of peace and a reminder of God’s He did not reenact what was done to EVERY HURT THERE IS HEALING, AND THAT BEHIND EVERY CRUCIFIXION promise. This needs to happen with our Him on others (we can never be healed WE ENDURE THERE IS A RESURRECTION WAITING TO OCCUR. own crosses. As the time drew near for of our hurt so long as we are reenacting Jesus to head to Jerusalem, where He it on others), nor did He respond in any knew what awaited Him, His fear and way that caused hurt or pain to others. * * * Divine Liturgy with Metropolitan JOSEPH In doing so He emerged from the cross are transformed. In the gospel reading having destroyed our spiritual deaths, re- for the Paschal liturgy we hear the words April 9, 2017 paired the relationship between God and from the Gospel of John, “In Him was man, and restored fallen humanity. life, and the life was the light of men, and The relief, joy, and resolution of all of the light shines in the darkness, and the our crosses will come whether while still darkness could not overcome it”. Re- in this life or in the next. As St. Paul said, member the beautiful and moving words “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor sung when we come to take the paschal heart conceived, what God has prepared light on Easter night, “Come receive light for those who love Him”. It cannot hap- from the light, that is never overtaken pen any other way so long as we follow by night, come glorify Christ risen from the way Jesus taught us when we bear the dead”. As long as we stay close to our own crosses. Christ and emulate Him we can never be defeated by any cross, struggle, or Indeed, all of the crosses and places of evil. As our Lord said at the last supper, struggle in our own lives can be trans- “These words I have spoken to you, that formed into places where a great struggle in Me you will have peace. In the world had once occurred but is now a place you will have tribulation, but be of good of light, joy, reflection, peace, and hope cheer, I have overcome the world”. As no matter how great was the loss and the saying goes, there is no earthly pain struggle. Our hearts can become a place or sorrow that heaven cannot heal. The like the empty tomb, devoid of struggle, path to victory over this life, this world, but filled with hope, trust, light, and and over all of our pain, losses, and suf- His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH spent Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 with us for Great Vespers on Satur- day evening and Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning. It was “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived, what God a blessing to have him with us. Later in the day on Sunday has prepared for those who love Him”. His Eminence attended the IOCC Syrian Relief Banquet. God’s love. If we maintain faith, maintain fering lies with clinging onto Christ with peace, forge on, not give into darkness blind trust and hope every moment of our and anger, persevere, pray, forgive, and life. The joy and hope of God’s love and do all the things Jesus did as he jour- promise to us will always be there and be neyed to Jerusalem and did on the cross, the final word. Every cross will be empty then we will emerge victorious from and a place of hope and peace. Every every struggle in our life and emerge a broken heart will be like the space of the new person. If the cross was resolved empty tomb, filled with light and devoid while yet in this life then we will emerge of pain and sorrow. God wouldn’t have it a different person, better radiating the any other way. light, peace, love, and joy of Christ. If the cross or struggle is resolved in the next life, when we depart this world, then it will have been for our salvation and the ultimate new life. This is how good triumphs over evil and how our crosses Good Friday. Decorating the Bier and the Lamentations Holy Week Highlights Lazarus Saturday and making Palm Crosses Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday Orthros and the Paschal Liturgy Christ Is Risen St. George Day Banquet and Hafli The St. George banquet and Hafli took place on Sunday evening, April 23rd at the Sheraton at Station Square. It was a beautiful evening with 300 people. The community honored Dcn. Ned Trbovich for his 20 years as a Deacon and Dc. Andrew Cross for his 10 years as a deacon. The church presented each with a fine new set of embroi- dered vestments. The Paschal Meal History of Patriarchal Sees Seminar Series ~Presented by Subdeacon Michael Janakis~ Wednesday Nights following Vespers - 7:45 PM Sessions: 1. Rome April 26 2. Constantinople May 3 3. Alexandria May 10 4. Antioch May 17 5. Jerusalem May 24 6. Moscow & Kiev May 31 7. Extinct Sees East & West June 7 Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre The Heavenly Liturgy - Byzantine Baptismal pool - Tunisia, 6th C. Grave marker of 7 year old girl in Roman Catacombs A Guided Ministry project for the St. Stephen’s Program Subdeacon Michael is a Research & Instruction Librarian at Duquesne University The St. George Children’s Ministry will be having a IN MEMORIUM field trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo on Saturday June 10 at 11:00AM. Please see Maria Terezis for more information The following Parish members will be remembered at the ST. GEORGE CATHEDRAL Divine Liturgy closest to the anniversary of their death. or questions. The long awaited Patriarchal Sees series has started PARISH FAMILY NIGHT! DEPARTED ANNIVERSARIES: MAY Jr.-2010, Nadia Esper Khalil-1968, Julio J. Giangar- on Wednesday evenings. Please the flyer for upcoming FRIDAY JUNE 16, 2017 lo-2009, Mikhaber Khalil-1978, Albert Ellis-1991, April 2, 2017: Anna (Agnes) Hanna-1965, Edward classes.