SAINT MARY OF EGYPT ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA Newsletter – DECEMBER 2012

925 Beaver Ruin Rd. Norcross, GA 30093 770-923-7790

Clergy Lay Leadership Archpriest Peter Smith – Rector [email protected] Matushka Terri Smith Anya Gill 678-924-0004 Choir Director Warden Hieromonk Cyprian (DuRant) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 678-924-0004 404-218-3588 678-765-7357 Carl Bartz Taylor Hostetter Deacon Lazarus Muska Secretary Outreach, Catechist, [email protected] [email protected] Building Committee Chair 770-638-0472 770-878-1282 [email protected] 770-682-7020 Archpriest Dimitri Oselinsky Janice Douglass (attached) Treasurer Michaela Staskiewicz [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 678-765-6027 770-921-2565 404-578-8522 Priest Thomas Alessandroni (attached) Tim York Barbara Massoudi [email protected] Webmaster [email protected] 678-373-9433 [email protected] 770-296-1810 404-538-0976

Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has

shone to the world the light of wisdom! Calendar Highlights For by it, those who worshiped the stars were taught by a star to adore Thee, the December 6: St. Nicholas Day Sun of Righteousness and to know December 16: Nativity Play Thee, the Orient from on high December 24-25 Nativity of Our O Lord, glory to Thee! Lord and Savior (Troparion).

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION ARE NEEDED FOR: Jonathan as he serves in the army and his son The Orthodox Church in America who is hydrocephalic and battling a new infection (Patrick Diocese of the South Easter’s son and grandson). Metropolitan Tikhon Tony (possible cancer) Archbishop Nikon, Our Holy Synod, Panormitis (Drosos’ father) Archpriest Peter, Matushka Anastasia, Lottie Susan, Lillian and Fay (Phil Mattox’s sister in law and family Hieromonk Cyprian, Macrina and Nina friends) Priest Thomas; Matushka Angela Marian, Nezhla for guidance; Maria for healing; Caleb for Archpriest Dimitri; Matushka Maryanne protection; Joshua, Doug Priest Paul and Matushka Gabrielle Jason (colleague and friend of Carol Vien’s recently Deacon Lazarus diagnosed with ALS) Metropolitan Theodosius; Metropolitan Herman, Andrea Rajski (Michaela’s friend) Metropolitan Jonah St. Basil’s House Our catechumens: , Stephanie, , Kim, Ian, Ss Peter and Paul Gainesville Mission David, Matthew, Lindsay, Preston, Kevin, LeMontre, Layla Sts Mary and Martha Monastery Natalia, Kristina and Peter All those who have suffered devastation in the floods, Ioanna (Margaret) winds and fires as results of recent hurricane and storms Michael and Serah (Ioanna’s son and daughter in law) Those who have fallen asleep in the Lord: The infant Juliana & family David, Elizabeth and David Christopher Tsialos (Emily’s uncle) Ward (Patrick) and Cindy (Patricia) Thomas (Paul Skiba’s brother in law) Marcella Laurie Paffhausen (Metropolitan Jonah’s sister) Elena, Artemy, Kristina and Anna Archbishop Dmitri Alexander and Marina (Tanya Klimova’s parents as her Agnes (family friend of Phil Mattox) father battles cancer) Kenyah, Lisa, Yeremiah, Jerry, Franco Linda (Janice Douglass’ sister – will need chemo again for leukemia relapse after her bone marrow transplant Cathie Payton (Maryanne Romano’s mother – in treatment for breast cancer) Richard Romano (Chris’ father) Elise (Chris’ mother and Richard’s wife and caregiver) Robert and Xenia Peterson Magdalene Marston St. Ignatius of Antioch Elaine Calugar and family, Carole; Commemorated on December 20 Anna, Victor; Tanya and family - especially Veronica; Todd, Kimber, Mathew, Maggie, Amanda (and the child to For those who wonder why our children’s playground has be born of her) and her fiancé Paul, and Scott been called Fort St. Ignatius, here is the story of this Niko Bouboulis battling a brain tumor; his father, Pano wonderful saint. As a child, he was called by Christ himself Christopher Michael (Mt 18:3) and there is the understanding that he was the Thomas, Emilia, Maria, Catherine; Craig Anna (Lynne) lad who stepped forward with the basket of loaves and Katherine-Theodora, Claude, and the Hunter-Terry family fishes to feed the multitude. How can an encounter with Harvey (George) and Irene Ghiz (Emily’s parents) Christ transform the life of our children? Christopher (Emily’s cousin) and Julie Ghiz – Julie in treatment for breast cancer From www.oca.org Rayna and family Tradition suggests that when St Ignatius was a little boy, Nancy Carolan (Fr. Tom’s sister) undergoing cancer the Savior hugged him and said: "Unless you turn and treatment Nathaniel, Maria and family (Nathaniel is a long time become as little children, you shall not enter into the friend of the Alessandroni’s diagnosed with an inoperable Kingdom of Heaven" (Mt. 18:3). The saint was called "God- brain tumor); Jim Mason friend of the Alessandroni’s Bearer" (Theophoros), because he bore God in his heart undergoing cancer treatment and prayed unceasingly to Him. He also had this name Bob Winters (Vincent Hunter’s cousin’s husband because he was held in the arms of Christ, the incarnate succumbing to lung cancer) Son of God. Angela; Lisa, Maddie and Daniel (Michael Berry’s daughter and grandchildren) Danielle and Michael (Ralph Geeza’s niece and brother) St Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John the Kerin Tamara, Todd Demetrios and family as they prepare Theologian, together with St Polycarp of Smyrna. As to move to Atlanta Bishop of Antioch, St Ignatius was zealous and spared no effort to build up the church of Christ. To him is attributed All these letters have survived to the present day. the practice of antiphonal singing (by two choirs) during church services. He had seen a vision of the angels in The Roman met St Ignatius with great joy and heaven alternately singing praises to God, and divided his profound sorrow. Some of them hoped to prevent his church choir to follow this example. In the time of execution, but St Ignatius implored them not to do this. persecution he was a source of strength to the souls of his Kneeling down, he prayed together with the believers for flock, and was eager to suffer for Christ. the Church, for love between the brethren, and for an end to the persecution against Christians. In the year 106 the emperor Trajan (98-117), after his victory over the Scythians, ordered everyone to give On December 20, the day of a pagan festival, they led St thanks to the pagan gods, and to put to death any Ignatius into the arena, and he turned to the people: "Men Christians who refused to worship the idols. In the year of Rome, you know that I am sentenced to death, not 107, Trajan happened to pass through Antioch. Here they because of any crime, but because of my love for God, by told him that Bishop Ignatius openly confessed Christ, and Whose love I am embraced. I long to be with Him, and taught people to scorn riches, to lead a virtuous life, and offer myself to him as a pure loaf, made of fine wheat preserve their virginity. St Ignatius came voluntarily before ground fine by the teeth of wild beasts." the emperor, so as to avert persecution of the Christians in Antioch. St Ignatius rejected the persistent requests of the After this the lions were released and tore him to pieces, emperor Trajan to sacrifice to the idols. The emperor then leaving only his heart and a few bones. Tradition says that decided to send him to Rome to be thrown to the wild on his way to execution, St Ignatius unceasingly repeated beasts. St Ignatius joyfully accepted the sentence imposed the name of Christ. When they asked him why he upon him. His readiness for martyrdom was attested to by was doing this, St Ignatius answered that this Name was eyewitnesses, who accompanied St Ignatius from Antioch written in his heart, and that he confessed with his lips to Rome. Him Whom he always carried within. When the saint was devoured by the lions, his heart was not touched. When On the way to Rome, the ship sailed from Seleucia stopped they cut open the heart, the pagans saw an inscription in at Smyrna, where St Ignatius met with his friend Bishop gold letters: "Jesus Christ." After his execution St Ignatius Polycarp. Clergy and believers from other cities and towns appeared to many of the faithful in their sleep to comfort thronged to see St Ignatius. He exhorted everyone not to them, and some saw him at prayer for the city of Rome. fear death and not to grieve for him. In his Epistle to the Roman Christians, he asked them to assist him with their Hearing of the saint's great courage, Trajan thought well of prayers, and to pray that God would strengthen him in his him and stopped the persecution against the Christians. impending martyrdom for Christ: "I seek Him Who died for The relics of St Ignatius were transferred to Antioch us; I desire Him Who rose for our salvation... In me, desire (January 29), and on February 1, 637 were returned to has been nailed to the cross, and no flame of material Rome and placed in the church of San Clemente. longing is left. Only the living water speaks within me, saying, 'Hasten to the Father.'"

From Smyrna, St Ignatius went to Troas. Here he heard the happy news of the end of the persecution against Christians in Antioch. From Troas, St Ignatius sailed to Protopresbyter Alexander Neapolis (in Macedonia) and then to Philippi. Schmemann celebrated the divine liturgy for the last On the way to Rome St Ignatius visited several churches, time on Thanksgiving Day. teaching and guiding the Christians there. He also wrote This was particularly appropriate since Father seven epistles: to the churches of Ephesus, Magnesia, Alexander had devoted his Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna. He also whole life to teaching, addressed a letter to St Polycarp, who mentions a writing and preaching about collection of the letters of St Ignatius in his letter to the the Eucharist; for the word eucharist in Greek means Philippians (Ch. 13). St Irenaeus of Lyons quotes from St thanksgiving. At the conclusion of the liturgy, Father Ignatius's letter to the Romans (AGAINST HERESIES 5:28:4). Alexander took from his pocket a short written sermon, in the form of a prayer, which he proceeded to read. This "For let not the mouth only fast, but also the was a strange occurrence since Father never wrote his eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, liturgical homilies, but delivered them extemporaneously. and all the members of our bodies. These were his words, which proved to be the last ever "Let the hands fast, by being pure from graft spoken by him from the ambo in Church: and greed.

Thank You, O Lord! "Let the feet fast, by ceasing from running to immoral spectacles. Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation "Let the eyes fast, being taught never to fix and eternal joy. themselves sinfully upon fair countenances, or to busy themselves with strange beauties. .... Thank You, O Lord, for having accepted this Eucharist, "Dost thou not eat flesh? Feed not upon which we offered to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy lasciviousness by means of the eyes. Spirit, and which filled our hearts with the joy, peace and righteousness of the . "Let the ears fast also ..., in refusing to receive evil gossip and slander. .... Thank You, O Lord, for having revealed Yourself unto us "Let the mouth too fast, from disgraceful speech and given us the foretaste of Your Kingdom. and from berating. "For what doth it profit, if we abstain from birds Thank You, O Lord, for having united us to one another in and fishes; and yet bite and devour our serving You and Your Holy Church. brethren? The evil speaker eateth the flesh of Thank You, O Lord, for having helped us to overcome all his brother, and biteth the body of his difficulties, tensions, passions, temptations and restored neighbour." peace, mutual love and joy in sharing the communion of —St. John Chrysostom (ca. 347–407), the Holy Spirit. Archbishop of Constantinople: from Homily III, of his "Homilies on the Statutes. Thank You, O Lord, for the sufferings You bestowed upon us, for they are purifying us from selfishness and reminding us of the “one thing needed;” Your eternal Kingdom.

Thank You, O Lord, for having given us this country where we are free to Worship You. Nativity of Christ Orthodox Church – Volume ii – Worship Thank You, O Lord, for this school, where the name of God is proclaimed. The celebration of the feast of the Nativity of

Christ in the Orthodox Church is patterned after the Thank You, O Lord, for our families: husbands, wives and, especially, children who teach us how to celebrate Your celebration of the feast of the Lord’s Resurrection. A holy Name in joy, movement and holy noise. fast of forty days precedes the feast, with special preparatory days announcing the approaching birth Thank You, O Lord, for everyone and everything. of the Saviour. Thus, on St Andrew’s Day (November 30) and St Nicholas Day (December 6) songs are sung Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous are Your deeds, and to announce the coming birthday of the Lord: no word is sufficient to celebrate Your miracles. Adorn yourself, O Cavern. Make ready, O Manger. O Lord, it is good to be here! Amen. Shepherds and wisemen, bring your gifts and bear witness. For the Virgin is coming bearing Christ in her womb (Vesperal of St Nicholas Day) On the of Christmas, the Royal Hours are read and the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil is served with Vespers. At these services the "Dost thou fast? Give me proof of it by thy prophecies of Christ’s birth are chanted, emphasizing works! .... the prophecy of Micah which foretells as "If thou seest a poor man, take pity on him! If the birthplace of the Saviour, and the prophecies thou seest an enemy, be reconciled to him! .... of about the appearance and character of the replaces the Thrice-Holy. The Epistle reading is : from Galatians: The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold a virgin But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to Immanuel, which translated is, God with us (Is 7:14- redeem those who were under the law, so that we 15). might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our God is with us, understand all ye nations, and submit hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So through God, you yourselves, for God is with us (Is 8:9). are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and heir (Gal 4:4-7). the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his The reading is the familiar Christmas story name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the from Matthew (2:1-12), and the liturgy continues in Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the the normal fashion. A specific two-day celebration increase of his government and peace there will be follows, dedicated to Mary the Theotokos and St no end (Is 9:6-7). Stephen, the First Martyr. The period of Christmas The Vigil of Christmas begins with Great Compline, rejoicing extends to Epiphany during which time the highlighted once again by the solemn chanting Christmas songs are sung and fasting and kneeling in of God is with us and the words of the prophecy of prayer are not called for by the Church. Isaiah. At Compline there is also the singing of the The feast of Christmas is formally entitled Troparion and Kontakion of the feast along with the the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord and God and special glorifying the Saviour’s birth. There Saviour Jesus Christ. At Christmas we celebrate the are also the special long litanies of intercession and birth as a man of the Son of God, the one who the solemn blessing of the five loaves of bread together with the Father and the Holy Spirit is truly together with thewheat and the wine of which the God from all eternity. Thus, we sing in the Church. faithful partake and the oil with which they are anointed. This part of the festal vigil, which is done Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One, on all great feasts, is called the litya (in Greek, and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable the artoklasia or the breaking of the bread). One! Angels, with shepherds, glorify Him! The wise men journey with the star! Since for our sake the At the beginning of the Christmas Matins, which Eternal God is born as a little child (Kontakion). together with Compline form the Christmas Vigil, the six matinal begin as usual with the words; The feast of Christmas was not a separate Church Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good feast for the first four centuries of Christian history. will among men (Lk 2:14). It was celebrated with Epiphany in the one great feast of God’s appearance on earth in the form of At the Christmas services these words of the angelic the human Messiah of Israel. The Nativity began to song are normally sung with great solemnity rather be celebrated as such on the twenty-fifth of than being chanted as at the daily service. The December in order to offset the pagan festival of the Christmas Matins proceed as usual. The gospel Invincible Sun which occurred on that day. It was reading from Matthew (1:18-25) tells of the birth of established by the Church quite consciously as an Christ, and all of the hymns and verses glorify his attempt to defeat the false religion of the heathens. appearance on earth: Thus, we discover the troparion of the feast making Christ is born, glorify him. Christ is from heaven, go a polemic against the worship of the sun and the to meet him. Christ is an earth, be ye lifted up. Sing stars and calling for the adoration of Christ, the True to the Lord, all the earth. Sing out with gladness, all Sun of Righteousness (Mal 4:2), who is himself ye people. For he is glorified. (First Ode of the worshiped by all of the elements of nature. Christmas Canon) Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has shone to the The Christmas Liturgy begins with psalms of world the light of wisdom! For by it, those who glorification and praise. The troparion and kontakion worshiped the stars were taught by a star to adore mark the entrance with the Book of the . The Thee, the Sun of Righteousness and to know Thee, baptismal line from Galatians 3:27 once again the Orient from on high (Lk 1:78, translated as Dawn or Day spring). O Lord, glory to Thee! (Troparion). Thus, the feast of Christmas is the celebration of the which reflect the cruel world into which Jesus was world’s salvation through the Son of God who born. The Gospels record that Joseph and Mary became man for our sake that, through him, we could not find a room at any inn when they came to might ourselves become divine, sons of God the take part in the census at Bethlehem, and so Jesus Father by the indwelling of his Holy Spirit in us. was laid in a manger, an animal’s feeding trough. Common to the time, animals were not sheltered in wooden barns, but in caves and recesses in the hills, and so this “stable” is shown in the Icon.

High in the skies is a star which sends down a single shaft towards the baby Jesus. This star is being followed by the Magi, the wise Persians from the East, who are bearing gifts to the Christ. But they are .The Nativity Icon shown in the distance, still on their journey. They are

The most wise Lord comes to be born, not there. Receiving hospitality from His own creatures. Thronged in the skies are a host of angels bringing Let us also receive Him, the glad tidings of the birth of the world’s Saviour. That this divine Child in the cave may make us His On the right, the shepherds – people not regarded guests In the paradise of delights! by anyone else – are the first to be given the Good The Birth of Christ has always been celebrated and News of Jesus’ birth. But they are also shown outside hymned by Christians in some way or other, as it is of the cave, still by their flocks. They too are not at central to the Faith. The Word of God in past times Christ’s side yet. may have appeared as an angel of the Lord, or the Besides His mother, the only company Jesus Christ divine fire of the burning bush, but now, from this has in the first few hours of His earthly life are a time onwards, He has become one of us; and not lowly ox and donkey. This is the humility of God’s just as a fully-grown man descended from Heaven, incarnation on earth. but in humility God is born of a woman, and comes to us as a tiny, speechless, infant. This is what is The Old Testament in the Nativity Icon shown in the Nativity Icon, and around this central historical event other stories surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ are depicted. The common form of the Nativity Icon, with few variations, dates from around the 15th century, though it draws upon sources much older: the Old Testament Prophecies, the Gospel accounts, and ancient narratives on the life of the Virgin Mary. A prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled The New Testament in the Nativity Icon The humbleness of Christ’s origins should not surprise us, as the manner of His birth was prophesied many hundreds of years prior to the event. The presence of the Ox and the Donkey in the Nativity icon fulfills one of many prophecies in the Old Testament : “The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib”(Isaiah 1:3) . Here the animals are also shown providing warmth to Jesus by their breath.

The child-Christ and His mother are shown in a cave, surrounded by impossibly sharp, inhospitable, rocks birth, and these doubts are delivered to him by satan in the form of an old man, as recorded in the Protoevangelium. The devil suggests that if the infant were truly divine He would not have been born in the human way. These arguments, which ultimately did not cause Joseph to stumble, have constantly returned to trouble the Church, and are the basis of many heresies regarding Who Christ was and is. In the person of Joseph, the icon discloses not

only his personal drama, but the drama of all Mary gazes toward the Tree mankind, the difficulty of accepting that which is Also found somewhere in most icons of the Nativity beyond reason, the Incarnation of God. is a “Jesse Tree.” Named after an Old Testament As well as declaring the glorious and joyous news of patriarch, the tree’s presence is to remind us of the Birth of Christ, the icon also acknowledges, as do another fulfilled prophecy from Isaiah: the hymns of the Church, the great mystery of this “A shoot shall sprout from the stump (tree) of Jesse event. and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of How is He contained in a womb, whom nothing can the Lord shall rest upon Him” (:1-2). In the contain? flesh, Jesus can trace his ancestry through both His And how can He who is in the bosom of the Father mother and adoptive father Joseph, all the way back be held in the arms of His Mother? to Jesse. This lineage is also sometimes shown in This is according to His good pleasure, icons of the Jesse Tree. as He knows and wishes. Other Ancient Texts in the Nativity Icon For being without flesh, of His own will has He been made flesh; Another important source for and He Who Is, the story of Jesus’ birth is the for our sakes has become that which He was not. Protoevangelium of James, a Without departing from His own nature 2nd century text which He has shared in our substance. describes the life of the Virgin Desiring to fill the world on high with citizens, Mary. This naturally includes a Christ has undergone a twofold birth. description of Christ’s Nativity, and the account is From Reader’s Guide to Icons more detailed than those found in the Gospels. According to the Evangelium, Joseph brought along two women – a midwife and a woman called Salome – to help with the birth of Jesus. Salome is identified with a woman who later became a disciple of Christ, When someone injures us in whatever way, was the mother of the Apostles James and John, and whether with slanders or with insults, we should was one of the women who discovered the empty think of him as our brother who has been taken tomb after Christ’s resurrection. hold of by the enemy. He has fallen victim to the enemy. Accordingly we need to have But where is Joseph? compassion for him and entreat God to have Unlike the well-known mercy both on us and on him, and God will help Nativity scenes in the both. If, however, we are filled with anger West, in Orthodox Icons against him, then the enemy will jump from him Joseph is usually found in to us and make a mockery of us both. A person the bottom of the icon, who condemns others does not love Christ. Our away from his betrothed egotism is at fault. This is where condemnation and her Son. Sometimes of others stems from. seen listening to an old - Elder Porphyrios, Wounded by Love, pg. 182 man, Joseph looks troubled. He is beset with new doubts regarding this Dear Baba, immediate purpose of giving birth to His Only Begotten Help me understand what it means for Son and then discard her either. And yet so many in something to be “Holy.” I thought I society today believe she has served her purpose and is understood. But I realized that I really now relegated to a part in a Christmas pageant. What didn’t understand deep down at all hope is there for any of us if she whose womb contained when I tried to explain to my child that the uncontainable is discarded after use? We may have the water in that bottle was holy become a throw-away society but thankfully God has not. water and needed to be treated specially. In the church I came from, In His love for His creation, He wishes nothing more than we’d think nothing of giving our kids the we choose a life-transforming restoration to the purpose leftover grape juice after a communion for which we were created - worshipping Him and service because the grape juice had served communing with Him. And that is meant to be for all its purpose. Now I get the sense that once something or eternity. someone is holy, it is beyond just their usefulness for a moment in time but it becomes part of their essence. And I Because of the chasm between heaven and earth that we know unless I ‘get it’, I won’t be able to infuse my children created with The Fall, we lost sight of the fact that all of with it. Help me fill the holes in my understanding of Holy. creation is called to be restored to its original purpose. It is beautifully expressed in the Pantocrator icon of Christ Dear Holey Holy; on the ceiling or in the top of the dome of many Orthodox churches. He is God over all creation.

Unfortunately, we live in a society where we’ve become so So in the holiest moment of the liturgy, a miracle jaded that we don’t recognize holiness. At most, now happens. Our gifts of bread and wine become the body days, it is a relative thing – only holy for the person who and blood of Our Lord and Savior and it is never to be wishes it to be and quaint for everyone else. Now before undone. we get started, I do wish very much that you will sit down and enjoy a nice hot cup of tea with me. At a consecration of a church several years ago,

Archbishop Dmitri of blessed memory spoke of our call to Your explanation of the grape juice was very helpful to return all of creation to God. In the case of that church – me. Thank you. And it is with that I think we should begin the little plot of land it stood on was now restored. Wood our chat. The grape juice example you gave represents a and pigments used to write an icon are restored to their temporary usefulness or purpose. So first and foremost purpose of glorifying God. Water too, infused with the we will need to shift from immediate need to eternity. working of the Holy Spirit, becomes holy and not just for a

moment but transformed permanently. Holy and hallowed are beautiful words don’t you think? You can see easily where the halo comes from The question becomes – If something becomes a piece of that. And the halo we talk about isn’t the tinsel and wire the Garden again should we not tread as though we are on that makes up a costume worn on the outside – but the holy ground? It isn’t a cerebral thing or just holy in light of Christ brightly shining through a person who has theory. The temple of our Lord where the Holy Spirit opened their very life to Christ. actively works, is holy space.

We say in the wedding service – what God has joined There is a beautiful Persian parable about a traveler in the together let no man put asunder. Imagine how much desert. He keeps smelling roses but obviously can find more powerful that is when the union is with God none anywhere near him. Finally, he traces the fragrance Himself. The bond with God is the very definition of to a piece of clay so he questions the lump of clay how this heaven and we were created for that very purpose. That could be and as can only happen in a parable, the clay bond was meant to last forever, and my dear, that is a key replies “I am but a lump of clay incapable of such a fine point. fragrance, but I have dwelt with a rose.”

God does not use us for an immediate purpose and then Now my dear, your tea cup needs to be refilled and you discard us. simply must try some of this delightful rosehip

marmalade. Can you imagine the hopelessness of us trying to worship a

God who will only use us when we suit His immediate With enveloping hugs; purpose and knowing we’d get cast aside after He was Baba done with us? Of course God wouldn’t do that.

This is absolutely a critical thing to understand when we talk of the Theotokos. God did not use her for an NEWS ITEMS:

Coffee Hour Sign Up for 2013 All Annual Parish Meeting families are asked to sign up to be part of a Please mark your calendar for the coffee hour team 4 times per year as our annual parish meeting to be held fair share to this important time of on Sunday January 20, 2013 fellowship. The sign up sheet for the first half of 2013 is now available. If you need help getting a team together, please Playground: Thank you to see a parish council member or ask a friend at everyone who helped support coffee hour. the playground project – whether by your financial support, garage sale donations, fundraising organizing efforts plus those who worked so Diocese of the South hard to install the playground and keep the Pastoral Conference: workers fed and watered. The children of the February 4-7 parish will hopefully enjoy their special Fort St. Ignatius for years to come We are hosting the annual Pastoral conference the week of February 4, 2013. We need volunteers from the parish to help in a variety of areas. Please see Michaela St. Nicholas Coins: 1 more Staskewicz or Anya Gill to volunteer week! We are now actively collecting funds for the

children of St. Mary’s to help

their families during the Nativity Season. Are you interested in serving on the Parish Council in 2013? Please see Fr. Peter.

Pledge forms and Volunteer Sign Ups Parish Council Corner Treasurer’s It is time to make your Report: annual pledge of Income (Jan-Oct): $148,335.74 membership and support with your time, talent Expenses (Jan-Oct): $131,677.24 and treasury. Membership forms have been Actual Net Income: $16,658.50 emailed to everyone on the list and additional Budgeted Net Income: $3206.54 copies are available. Thank you for your faithful support of our parish 7:00 p Great Vespers DECEMBER Calendar Sat Dec 22 4:00 Confessions 5:00 Vigil Week of Dec 23 Week of Dec 2 Sun Dec 23 9:00 Choir Practice Sun Dec 2 9:00 Choir Practice 9:40 Hours 9:40 Hours 10:00 Divine Liturgy 10:00 Divine Liturgy Mon Dec 24 10:00a Akathist Mon Dec 3 10:00a Akathist Tues Dec 25 Feast of the Nativity Tues Dec 4 10:00 a Akathist Weds Dec 26 7:00 p Daily Vespers Weds Dec 5 7:00 p Daily Vespers Fr. Paul’s class on the Nicene Thurs Dec 27 7:40 a Hours Creed 8:00 a Divine Liturgy Thurs Dec 6 St. Nicholas the Fri Dec 28 10:00a Various Wonderworker Sat Dec 29 4:00 Confessions 7:40 a Hours 5:00 Vigil 8:00 a Divine Liturgy Week of Dec 30 Fri Dec 7 10:00a Various Sun Dec 30 9:40 Hours 7:00 p Great Vespers 10:00 Divine Liturgy Sat Dec 8 4:00 Confessions 5:00 Vigil Week of Dec 9 Sun Dec 9 9:00 Choir Practice 9:40 Hours 10:00 Divine Liturgy Mon Dec 10 10:00 a Akathist Tues Dec 11 10:00 a Akathist 7:00 Catechumen Class at Starbucks Weds Dec 12 7 p Daily Vespers Fr. Paul’s class on the Nicene Creed Thurs Dec 13 7:40 a Hours 8:00 a Divine Liturgy Fri Dec 14 10:00a Various Sat Dec 15 4:00 Confessions 5:00 Vigil Week of Dec 16 Sun Dec 16 9:00 Choir Practice 9:40 Hours 10:00 Divine Liturgy Mon Dec 17 10:00 a Akathist Tues Dec 18 10:00 a Akathist 7:00 Catechumen Class at Starbucks Weds Dec 19 7:00 p Daily Vespers Fr. Paul’s class on the Nicene Creed Thurs Dec 20 7:40 Hours 8:00 a Divine Liturgy Fri Dec 21 10:00 Various