Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church 130 North Saint Francis Cabrini Avenue Scranton, PA 18504

Rev. Father Michael Jolly— Pastor 570-213-9344 E-Mail: [email protected] Reader Michael Simon Web: http://melkitescranton.org Reader John Fitzgerald Webmaster: Sal Zaydon Parish Office 570-343-6092

October 27, 2013 7th Sunday After The Holy Cross Tone 6 and Orthros Gospel 1 The Daughter of Jairus

Liturgy Schedule: Sunday Orthros 8:55 am Saturday Vesper Liturgy 5 pm Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00 am Compline Weds 8:30PM Holy Confession—after and Compline

Parish Notes: Liturgy Intentions The Qurban consecrated at this morning’s liturgy was October 27, 2013 baked by Mary Clark.  Mary Sue Betress - Moses Taylor Cardio- The Annual Ladies Society Spaghetti Dinner was a roaring Pulmonary Department success! Thanks to the dedicated servers, kitchen crew and donors! We sold 146 tickets and we cleared $1600  Karen Bolus—1 Year—Her family Festival read out and thank you luncheon, today after November 2, 2013 Liturgy.  Anna and Fran Bolus—daughter Barbara Albert If you have not already given, it’s not too late to send your gift to the Bishop’s Appeal. YOUR Melkite Church is  Gloria Kelly—Jim and Betsy Zaydon counting on YOUR support. Show you love for our Melkite Church and offer your gratitude to God by giving a generous gift today. Every dollar you give will directly touch the lives of your Melkite brothers and sisters and help those who suffer the loss of homes and loved ones in the Middle East. Please respond with a generous heart to the call of our Father and Shepherd, Bishop Nicholas. Let’s have 100% of our parish contribute to the Bishop’s Appeal! Donation cards and envelopes are available in the narthex. Today’s cover icon The Holy Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica suffered in the year 306 in the city of Thessalonica together with the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica (October 26). The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom Antiphons: First Antiphon Through the prayers of the Mother of God Tone 2 Pg. 11 Second Antiphon O Son of God, who are risen from the dead Tone 2 Pg. 11 Hymn of incarnation Tone 4 Pg. 13 Third Antiphon Resurrectional Tone 6 Pg. 18 Hymns: Resurrectional Troparion Tone 6 Pg 18 Saint Nestor Tone 4 Your martyr, O Lord, received the crown of immortality from you O our God, on account of his struggles. Armed with your strength, he has vanquished his persecutors, and crushed the powerless arrogance of demons. Through his supplications, O Christ God, save our souls. Saint Joseph Tone 2 Pg 20 Tone 4 Pg 21 Prokiemenon (Tone 6) Ps.27: 9, 1 O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance! Stichon: To you, O Lord, I have called: O my Rock, be not deaf to me! Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians 2:4-10 BRETHREN, God, who is rich in mercy, by reason of his very great love with which he has loved us even when we were dead by reason of our sins, brought us to life together with Christ, and you have been saved by grace. [God] raised us up together, and enthroned us together in heaven in Christ Jesus, so that he might show in future ages the overflowing riches of his grace, through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith: and that, not on your own, for it is God’s gift, and not the result of work which might have been a pretext for anyone to boast. For we are his workmanship, we who were created in Christ Jesus through good works which God has pre-planned so that we could walk in them. Alleluia (Tone 6) Ps.90: 1, 2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High abides in the shadow of the God of heaven. Stichon: He will say to the Lord, “My wall, my refuge, my God in whom I will trust!” The Holy Gospel According to St .Luke 8 8: 41-56 At that time behold, there came a man named Jairus to Jesus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at the feet of Jesus, he entreated Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. And it happened as He went that He was pressed upon by the crowds. And a certain woman who for twelve years had had a hemorrhage, and had spent all her means on physicians, but could not be cured by anyone, came up behind Him and touched the tassel of His cloak; and at once her hemorrhage ceased. And Jesus said, “Who touched Me? But as all were denying it, Peter, and those who were with Him, said, “Master, the crowds throng and press upon You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?” But Jesus said, “Someone touched Me; for I perceived that power had gone forth from Me.” But the woman, seeing that she had not escaped notice, came up trembling, and falling down at His feet, declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched Him, and how she had been healed instantly. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved thee; go in peace.” While he was yet speaking, there came one from the house of the ruler of the synagogue, saying to him, “your daughter is dead; do not trouble Him.” But Jesus on hearing this word answered the father of the girl, “Do not be afraid; only have faith and she shall be saved.” And when He came to the house, He allowed no one to enter with Him, except Peter and James and John, and the girl’s father and mother. And all were weeping and mourning for her. But he said, “Do not weep; she is asleep, not dead.” And they laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead. But He, taking her by the hand, cried out, saying, “Girl, arise! “And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. And He directed that something be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened. According to an early account of his death, Loupos, a October 26 servant of St. Demetrius, after taking proper care of the body, took the saint’s neckscarf, having collected the soil Feast of St Demetrius the Myrobelite soaked with his blood in it. Taking also the royal ring, which the saint was wearing on his hand, and dipping it in his holy blood, Loupos was able to accomplish many St Demetrius and the miracles of healing through it. An oratory was established on the site of the Saint’s martyrdom and a memorial erected in it. The Saint’s relics were concealed beneath it lest they be taken and the Armor of God city lose its protector. When they began exuding fragrant myrrh in the tenth and eleventh centuries, the tomb was unearthed and the Saint came to be called Demetrius the Myrobelite (myrrh-gusher). “GREAT ARE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS of faith!” This exclamation is heard several times each year as we Demetrius the Prayer-Warrior remember the exploits of spiritual giants like the three young Hebrews who survived the fiery furnace in Originally depicted holding a cross or the spear by which Babylon (Dan) or the Great-martyr Theodore the Recruit he was martyred, St Demetrius is now often shown astride who suffered in Asia Minor in the early fourth century. a horse, clad in the “armor of God,” either defending the The latter’s namesake, Theodore the General is described city of Thessalonika from invaders or slaying the as fighting courageously “with the weapons of gladiator whom Nestor killed, symbolizing the power of faith” (troparion) and “the Word of God as a Demetrius’ prayers for Nestor as he entered combat. spear” (kondakion). The power of Demetrius’ faith is told in the traditional These references and others like them allude to the story of his vicarious defeat of the gladiator Lyaeus, imagery employed by St Paul in his Epistle to the recorded in the ninth-century version of the saint’s life by Ephesians. While he affirms that we are saved through Anastasius the Librarian. Demetrius, a young but faith in Christ’s work, not our own, he encourages us to dynamic Christian, had won the enmity of some leading actively don the “whole armor of God that you may be pagans in the city for converting a number of young able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:11). St people to Christ. He was denounced for his faith during a Paul goes on to expand on this image telling us to “Stand, celebration in honor of the Eastern Roman emperor, therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put Maximian, and imprisoned in the baths near the palace on the breastplate of righteousness and having shod your and the arena where games and sacrifices were to be held feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all in homage to the emperor. taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one and take the As part of the festivities, Maximian offered a rich reward helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which us to any Thessalonian who would battle one-on-one with the word of God” (Eph 6:14-17). his prize gladiator, Lyaeus. Another young Christian, Nestor, visited Demetrius in prison and asked for his This martial theme is echoed again and again in the spiritual support in accepting the challenge to fight stories of martyrs and confessors who stood firm to Lyaeus. profess their faith before those who opposed it. It is shown for in a particularly graphic way in the story of the At first the emperor was reluctant to pit the gladiator Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonika and his against the youth. “Out of pity for your youth I will companion, the martyr Nestor, commemorated reward you just for your daring,” the emperor is said to respectively on October 26 and 27. have told Nestor. “Take my gift and keep your life, but do not hurl yourself against Lyaeus who had defeated many According to the earliest existing sources, St Demitrius more powerful than you.” was born in Thessalonika to a senatorial family in AD 270. Our earliest source, a fourth-century Syriac Relying on Demetrius’ prayers, Nestor fought and translation of the horologion, describes Demetrius as defeated Lyaeus. The emperor, hearing Nestor invoke stabbed to death with a spear in the year 306. Christ, was enraged. Rather than reward him, the emperor had both Nestor and Demetrius slain.

Demetrius’ aid was often invoked over the years as the defender of Thessalonika. Beginning in the sixth century the city was frequently attacked by neighboring Slavic tribes. The city’s Christians credited its survival from both invaders and natural disasters to his prayers and he is considered the patron of Thessalonika to this day.

The Basilica of St Demetrios The first shrine honoring the saint was a small oratory, built shortly after the liberation of Christians in AD 313 on the ruins of the Roman baths where Demetrius had been held captive. In the fifth century, the eparch Leontios constructed a large, three-aisled basilica on the same site; this church burned down in the seventh century. Shortly thereafter, a five-aisled basilica was erected. Converted into a mosque in 1493, it was restored to Christian worship in 1912 but was again destroyed in the great fire of 1917. It was rebuilt and rededicated in 1949.

During the twentieth century reconstruction of the basilica workers found beneath the altar the remains of the original oratory and the Roman baths where Demetrios was killed. An earthen vessel containing soil and human blood as well as a marble basin used for gathering the myrrh from his grave were discovered there as well. Some seventh and eighth century frescoes also survived the fire and are now housed in the church’s crypt -museum.

The world has found in you a great champion in time of glorious athlete Demetrios, that witness to the truth, peril, as you emerged the victor in routing the barbarians. whom you possess as a treasure in your midst. Rejoice in For as you brought to naught the boasts of Lyaios, his miracles, at the sight of his healings! Behold him who imparting courage to Nestor in the arena, in like manner, repels the assaults of the pagans; and in thanksgiving, O holy Great Martyr Demetrios, invoke Christ God for say to the Savior, “O Lord, glory to You!” us, that He may grant us His great mercy. Stikhera at Vespers, October 26 Troparion, October 26 Let us venerate Demetrios, who by a lance inherited the Streaming with your own blood, O Demetrios, you were saving grace of Christ’s side, which was pierced by a offered to the life-giving Christ, who had poured out His lance, from which the Savior caused to flow for us the own precious blood for you. He gave you a share in His waters of life and immortality. Crowned by most wise glory, making you an heir of His Kingdom, for you teachings, this martyr ran the perfect race of his passion triumphed in your combat with the evil one and by his blood, and he shines with miracles throughout the frustrated all his terrible temptations. whole world. He is the imitator of the Master, the friend to the poor, the defender of Thessalonica from all Rejoice in the Lord, O city of Thessalonica! Exult and dangers. Celebrating his annual memorial, we glorify dance with joy, O you who were the home of the Christ our God who works healing for all through him. the day and honoring both priesthood and their own PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY: priests. Special liturgies, Priesthood Sunday celebrations and the opening of a dialogue between priests and Catholics honor priests in nationwide event parishioners are encouraged. Priesthood Sunday is traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday of October, In October 2013, Catholic parishes throughout the but some dioceses and parishes may celebrate at a United States will show support for their priests with different time to coincide with other planned events. prayer, celebration and dialogue. The last Sunday of October is designated as Priesthood Sunday, a one-day Lay parish leaders are invited to visit celebration of the priesthood organized by parish lay www.priestsunday.org for suggested liturgies, social leaders and coordinated by the USA Council of Serra celebrations, reflections, and downloadable graphics, International. guides and posters. Requests for printed material may be directed to 888.777.6681. “The purpose of Priesthood Sunday is to engage every level of the church in the United States in a national “Affirming and supporting our priests are some of the conversation about the priesthood,” said Rev. Richard most important things that we can do as Serrans,” says Vega, President of the National Federation of Priests’ Gary Davis, past president of the USA Council of Serra Councils. NFPC represents more than 26,000 U.S. International, the non-profit organization coordinating priests. Priesthood Sunday. The USA Council is responsible for disseminating information to parishes interested in Priesthood Sunday was established in 2003 to provide a honoring their priests on this very special day. “Our way for Catholic communities to express appreciation priests give of themselves every day in so many for the devoted priests who serve them so faithfully different ways. It is an honor to recognize them in a despite recent negative attention in the media. Such a manner in which entire parishes may join together in an celebration is increasingly relevant in light of the outpouring of appreciation,” said Davis. declining number of priests in the U.S. Only about 4,000 of the 19,000 parishes in this country currently have His Grace, Bishop Nicholas, asks that all the parishes in more than one priest. Many priests serve two or more the Eparchy observe national Priesthood Sunday on parishes by themselves. Sunday, 27 October, in order to highlight the essential nature of the holy Priesthood in the Church and The lay faithful of each parish, school or other ministry to make the faithful aware of the need for priestly are asked to develop their own special way of marking vocations in our Eparchy Devotions and Readings for this week

Holy Martyrs Terence & Neonila; and of our Father Oct. 28 1 Thes 2:20-3:8 Lk 11:29-33 Stephen the Sabaite

Oct. 29 Venerable Martyr Anastasia; and our Father Abramius 1 Thes 3:8-13 Lk 11:34-41

Oct. 30 Holy Martyr Zenobius and his sister Zenobia 1 Thes 4:1-12 Lk 11:42-46

The Apostles Stachys, Apelles, Amplias, Urban, Oct. 31 Aristobulus & Narcissus counted among the 70 1 Thes 4:18-5:10 Lk 11:47-12:1 Disciples; and the Martyr Epimakius

Nov. 1 Holy Martyrs & Wonderworkers Cosmas & Damian 1 Cor 12:27-13:7 Mt 10:1 & 10:5-8

Holy Martyrs Akindinos, Pegasios, Aphtonios, Nov. 2 2 Cor 11:1-6 Lk 9:1-6 Elpidephor & Anempodisios throughout the entire Middle East. The immediate Action Needed As Kidnapping release of the Metropolitans would send a powerful, Of Syrian Archbishops Reaches positive and encouraging message to all those men, women and children who have suffered from 180 Days kidnappings and the deteriorating human security in Syria. One hundred eighty dreadful days have passed since the April 22, 2013 kidnapping of the two Metropolitans of In the context of these developments, a Joint Aleppo in Syria, the Syriac-orthodox Archbishop Mar Declaration by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn together Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim and the Greek-orthodox with Patriarchs Youhanna X (Greek-orthodox), Ignatius Archbishop Boulos Yazigi, who were kidnapped by Zakka I Iwas (Syriac-orthodox), Gregorios III Laham armed men on the road between Aleppo and the (Melkite greek catholic), Louis Raphael I Sako Turkish border. The kidnappers murdered the driver on (Chaldean catholic), Mar Dinkha IV (Assyrian), Nerses the spot while a fourth person in the car managed to Bedros XIX (Armenian catholic) was published on the escape unharmed. To date there have been no verifiable situation of Christians in the Middle East last signs of life from the two Metropolitans. The Greek- September. It called upon all parties to refuse the logic orthodox and Syriac-orthodox churches in Aleppo are of arms and violence and to adopt the logic of dialogue now missing their leaders. In addition to pastoral work, to end the suffering of the people and the conflict in the churches also operate schools and hospitals, and Syria - which is also endangering the security and undertake charitable work for all persons in need. It is stability of the neighboring countries - as quickly as still unclear where the Metropolitans are, what is the possible. The unprecedented nature of this collective state of their health, who holds them, and what the statement is testimony to the extreme situations in kidnappers want. which Christians in the Middle East now find themselves. In July 2012, Archbishop Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, an advocate of peaceful co-existence of all religions and ethnicities, published the "Roadmap for UPCOMING PROGRAMS HOSTED BY THE Peace in Syria," advocating to ensure reconciliation, BYZANTINE FRANCISCANS AT HOLY forgiveness, dialogue, and reciprocity - seeking to DORMITION FRIARY, SYBERTSVILLE. safeguard the unique pluralistic fabric of Syrian society and national unity. He called for the immediate cessation of violence, immediate and effective Stories of Faith: Living a Fulfilling Life amidst Storms humanitarian assistance, an all-encompassing dialogue, Sunday October 27 at 3pm: and a solution at the negotiating table in order to put an Neil Oberto, director of Catholic Social Services in Hazleton, end to the Syrian tragedy. Archbishop Mar Gregorios n Hazleton, will speak about his faith journey through chronic illness and other life storms that have buffeted his Yohanna Ibrahim said prior to his kidnapping: „I will family. Social following. Let us know if you would like to stay here, I cannot leave Aleppo. I have to be with my help with refreshments. This program is free and open to the people." public.

In spite of the fact that this kidnapping case was The Birth of the Messiah: Monday Bible Study (Oct 7 & recently declared a national matter of utmost 21, Nov 4 & 18) importance for the Syrian Arab Republic, so far all Prepare for the feast of the Nativity of our Lord exploring Scripture on the birth of Christ: Gospel of St Luke, Prophets, efforts to secure the release of the Metropolitans have Liturgical prayer, and Writings of St Paul. Choose morning been fruitless. Moreover, the kidnapping of Archbishop (10-11:30) or evening (7-8:30pm) sessions. Cost $20 per Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim and Archbishop person. Please bring a Bible. Register or more information: Boulus Yazigi is critical for the minorities and the [email protected] or 570-788-1212 ext 402. Christians in Aleppo and all of Syria where Christianity originated, as well as for all Christians and minorities would pretend to be the dead and roam from house to The problem with house demanding “treats.” On this dreadful night, as well, there were probably human sacrifices to appease Halloween death, as there were human sacrifices at many of the major Druidic holidays. If you attended parochial grade school, you might remember being asked to dress as a saint for the annual When the Church came to Britain and Ireland, of course, celebration of Halloween instead of a ghost or goblin. She strove mightily against the pagan religion of the The Church has always been uncomfortable with the Druids and attempted to stamp out such practices. In secular holiday and here’s why….. revenge, the pagans intensified their practices. This included, on “Samhain”, harassing those who would not What is “Halloween”? give them “treats” – thus the threat of “tricks”. It also came to include mocking Christian practices: for The answer to this is in two parts: The Christian meaning example, “decorating” with skeletons was done in of this day, and the anti-Christian meaning of this day: mockery of the veneration of the relics of the . The The Christian “All-Hallows’ Eve” carved pumpkin is a mockery of the revered skull of a saint. “Halloween” is short for “All Hallows’ Eve,” that is, the evening before the Western Christian feast day of All The original date of “Samhain” varied, because the Celts Saints. “Hallow” is an old-fashioned word for “Holy”. So had a lunar, not solar, calendar. But after the Romans the “Day of All-Hallows” means the “Day of All-Saints.” introduced the Julian calendar in Britain, “Samhain” “E’en” is short for evening. “Halloween” then, in its came to be fixed on the night before November 1st. Thus Christian meaning, refers to the evening before All it stood in direct conflict with the vigil for the Feast of Saints’ Day, which is November 1 on the western Roman All Saints. calendar (the eastern Roman, or Byzantine, calendar It was very clear, then, that on the Eve of All Hallows, places the commemoration of All Saints on the Sunday only PAGANS roamed the streets demanding ‘treats’, after Pentecost). This feast was instituted when old Rome while CHRISTIANS KEPT VIGIL FOR THE HOLY and the Western European lands were still Orthodox, and FEAST DAY in a pious and Godly manner. When we go therefore for centuries Orthodox Christians in the West “trick or treating” we are, whether we know it or not, observed All Saints’ Day on 1 November, and, like all identifying with the pagans against the Christians. traditional Christians, the pious people attended church services on the evening before the feast as well, which in But Isn’t the Modern “Halloween” Harmless? this case was the eve of All Saints, or “All Hallows’ Eve” in old-fashioned English. Some people may object to all this and say, “Well, that was true at ONE TIME, but NOW Halloween is just a The Anti-Christian “Halloween” time for kids to dress up, get candy, and enjoy themselves.” I am afraid this is wishful thinking. The The occult, demonic “Halloween” practices derive from facts are these: the Druidic religion of the Celtic people who inhabited the British Isles. This is why, until very recently, the The “cute-ification” of the witches, demons, and other “spooky” Halloween was only celebrated in the British symbols of Halloween is not harmless. On the contrary, it Isles, America, and other countries of British origin. is the normalization of things that are evil. Things that Only recently has the “ghost and goblin” version of are evil should not be depicted as if they were friendly or Halloween been – alas – spreading into formerly harmless. This teaches children the opposite of what they Orthodox and Roman Catholic countries. should be learning. And even if our children dress up as something harmless, they are “swimming,” as it were, in When Christianity came to Britain, the Church found the atmosphere of the occult symbols that are everywhere pagan people, the Celts, who celebrated a feast of their at Halloween, and we are lending support to the whole god “Samhain”, the Lord of Death, in the fall. On the thing by being part of it. night of “Samhain”, it was believed that the spirits of the dead roamed the earth and needed to be appeased, so that Real witches still exist, and they STILL regard they would not work evil. To imitate this ritually, people “Halloween” as one of their “holy” nights. All over the United States alone, thousands of “Wiccan” and “Church of Satan” practitioners perform their ceremonies on this night, ranging from the Wiccan neo-pagan nature worship to actual Satanic rituals. On a night when such things are known to go on, it is more important than ever not to confuse our Christian identity with things that are anti- Christian. It is also a night when we should intensify our prayers to combat the forces of evil.

By taking part in the pagan Halloween, we make ourselves part of the rapid de-Christianization of the United States and Europe. Current data indicate that the number of people who “keep” Halloween is constantly growing and may at some point surpass the number of people who observe Christmas in the United States! Do we want to contribute to this trend?

We may THINK that we “mean no harm” by “doing Halloween,” but uncritical behavior regarding invisible Conference Details realities that we don’t really understand often invites demonic activity. Why should we take a chance on letting demons into our lives? Are we absolutely sure that FRI - SUN, JAN.31 - FEB.2 2014 Halloween is so harmless? Conference Location: We Don’t Want Our Kids to Feel Left Out Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel • 5445 Forbes Place, Parents underestimate their children all the time. Children, Orlando, Florida and especially teenagers, are naturally idealistic and heroic. Room Reservation:(toll free) 1.800.545.1985 • If you explain to your children why we don’t “do” Promo Code ENCOUNTER Halloween, they may be a little disappointed, but in the long run, they will feel spiritual joy and a more profound sense of their own Christian identity. Also, standing up heroically like this when they are young prepares them for much bigger sacrifices they may have to make as adults to keep their integrity and their Faith. Christ was aware of the Father’s power working through Him – What Should We Do on “Halloween” ? people needed Him near to have In the Melkite Church, of that wonderful blessing. Paul course, the night before reminds us of God’s grace, power November 1st is not “All and mercy poured out on us and Saints’ Eve,” for we celebrate available to us as He works to build the Feast of All Saints on the First Sunday after Pentecost. us up as His Church, His body. But we can plan wholesome Priests help us focus and be open and enjoyable non- to that saving power of God in our Halloween activities for our midst. Unfortunately, at present we children and youth on that are in desperate need of men to night, either at Church or in our homes, so that they have accept the challenge of that a healthy substitute for trick ministry. Please pray that God call, or treating. and that many respond. Prayer as an Important Aspect of Our "The words of God refresh the heat of the soul. Suckle the words of God like an infant so that you may Spiritual Life grow." Monk Moses For one who desires to live the life of prayer daily The life of prayer is one part of a much broader nourishment from Sacred Scripture is indispensable. topic spiritual life in general the life in Christ, spiritual Study of the Bible expedites the intervention of God in ascension, the way to sanctification and deification. our life. And it is good for such study to precede prayer. Combined with personal inner purification and a regular In addition to Sacred Scripture, particularly Psalms, the sacramental life, a life of prayer will help significantly in life of the saint of the day and a selected ascetic text from the regeneration of the faithful during this difficult period the Fathers can provide relief from the confusion and in which we live. distress of the day, and help us prepare to surrender to God. And let it be emphasized that God is not to be dealt There are many stations or steps in the journey of with in a few minutes out of the entire twenty-four hour prayerful spiritual ascent. We shall briefly address some period. God is for the entire day. His abiding presence of the more significant ones related to our topic. should accompany us continuously so that all our activities are a preparation for the sacred hours when we Study is one of the very first steps. In the austere embrace God. And, in turn, these sacred hours of prayer monastic rule of St. Pachomios one of the canons requires will strengthen us for the struggles that follow. that novice monks be taught reading and writing by older monks, to assist them in their study of Sacred Scripture. Everything flows calmly under the watchful eye of God, Father Theodoros of Thebes, a disciple of St. Pachomios, who blesses and sanctifies us. And if we transgress he made the following observation about his monastic life: may intervene austerely to bring us back to our senses. "Neither in our heart nor in our mouth had we anything Let us, therefore, always remember him. other than the word of God alone, and we did not feel that we were living on earth but were celebrating in heaven." Liturgical books - the horologion, psalter, menaia, The mind learns that with which it is preoccupied. If one ,pentekostarion, parakletiki - are not only for the is preoccupied during the entire day with the lives of lectern in church but also for the prayer room in our others, he derives no benefit for himself. Through home. These books offer great assistance to our spiritual unbridled curiosity and idle discussion, particularly where life. It is a beautiful thing when one comes to love these the sins of others are addressed with satisfaction and books and makes them daily companions even if only for interest, we stimulate and arouse our own passions. It has an abbreviated Orthros or a few hymns from Vespers, the been observed that people who are scandalmongers, who Compline, or the Salutations to the Theotokos. gossip, and who defend morality by accusing others, usually have very serious problems themselves. The Church has designated particular prayers for Preoccupation with vain things and malicious important events in our lives such as birth, sickness, conversations are to be avoided; they can totally engagement, marriage and death, as well as for various incapacitate the spirit of prayer. other occasions, such the opening of a home, the beginning of a business, or the start of a professional Study will help in our effort to pray by arousing our career. The Church has also designated prayers for forgotten powers, by strengthening and invigorating us. In prescribed hours of the day. this vein Father Isaias instructs us: St. John Chrysostom, commenting on prayer before and "When you arise in the morning, before you begin after meals, notes that among the reason for these prayers your work, study the words of God. When you have are the following: that we also remember the nourishment the words of God as your constant companion, you of the soul; that we avoid intoxication and over- will not be preoccupied with worldly matters, you will indulgence; that we develop the discernment of not be troubled, you will not sin." moderation; and that we express our gratitude to God for St. Ephraim the Syrian, who incidentally was described his gifts. by St. Gregory of Nyssa as having Sacred Scripture as his only nourishment, adds this: At prescribed times the Church gathers in common prayer and worship. The prayers of many faithful who have gathered are more readily received and heard by God he have gathered in church. And common prayers started in is particularly attentive to such petitions. To help us church are completed in their cells. The sacrament of receive the full benefit of ecclesiastical gatherings let us Holy Eucharist, in which they participated during Divine pay close attention to these words of St. Symeon the New Liturgy is continued on the sacred altar of their hearts Theologian: with ongoing prayer. "Stand in church as if you are in heaven together with the angels, and consider yourself unworthy to be praying together with your brothers. And be vigilant not to be looking back and forth to observe the Prayers after Holy brothers and sisters, how they are standing or chanting, but observe only yourself, your chanting Saint Simeon the Translator and your sins." St. Paul noted that he who is happy should sing. Psalmody O You who graciously give Your flesh to me as - spiritual song - is not only for church services, but for food, who are a fire consuming the unworthy; any circumstances that permit. We can chant aloud or consume me not, O my Creator, but rather pass silently, individually or as a group, before and after through all the parts of my body, into all my prayer, and even during intermissions. joints, my heart, my soul; burn, O Good Lord,

the thorns of my transgressions, cleanse my According to Diadochos, bishop of Photiki, in addition to the familiar ecclesiastical psalmody, we also have another sould and purify all my thoughts. Ever shelter, psalmody which comes from an overflow of joy, powerful guard and keep me in your love. Chasten me, and moving, with a prayerful disposition. This psalmody, purify me and control my passions. Adorn me, when moved by the Holy Spirit, is accompanied by teach me and enlighten me. Show me how to be delight of the heart, spiritual tears and incredible joy. a tabernacle of Your Holy Spirit., and in no way a dwelling place of sin., that from me, Your Returning to the preparatory aspects of prayer, let us note habitation, and because of the communion of the words of St. Athanasios in his treatise on virginity: Your holy Mysteries, every evil deed and "The believer who is dedicated to God must be found with passion may flee from me as fire. I bring to you the Book in his hands when the sun rises." He also provides instructions for the hours of the day and night, all the saints, especially Your pure and most and how the faithful must stand before God. holy Mother to intercede for me. O most compassionate Christ, accept their prayers in my It is well established that books are beneficial, but they do favor and make me, who worship You, to be a not always lead to prayer. And it is to be noted that a child of light; for You alone are the greater teacher than books is prayer itself. Innumerable sanctification and the splendor of our souls, and ascetics have learned to pray without any books at all. to You our God and Master. We shall render Books and church gatherings cannot always be with us, glory and honor forever and ever. AMEN but we can always learn by the inner work of prayer, which can be with us at all times. The soul of each one who truly prays becomes a temple of God and a sacred Lord Jesus Christ, Our God,, let Your Holy place of sacrifice. All prayers are good audible prayers, Body guide me to eternal life and your precious book prayers, public prayers, silent prayers of the blood be a forgiveness of my sins., heart when practiced carefully and attentively. May the partaking of this oblation be for me a cause of joy, health and happiness. And on Your As there is no healthy plant without roots, there can be awesome Second Return, make me worthy, no life of prayer without the sacraments, especially sinner though I am, to stand at the right of Your Holy Eucharist. For, as Abba Apollos says, "He who glorious throne, through the intercession of withdraws from communing the Sacred Mysteries, causes Your all pure Mother and of all Your saints. God himself to withdraw from him." It is customary for monks to complete prayers begun in their cell when they AMEN. Prayer Rev. Deacon John Karam Parish Calendar Requests Rev. Basil Samra October Rev. Michael Skrocki Rev. Father David White 27 Priesthood Sunday & Festival Report/ Thank you after Liturgy Rev. Deacon Richard Downer November Rev. Deacon Gregory Haddad 20 Vespers for the feast of the presentation Michael Abda Yolande Haddad of the Theotokos in the temple 7PM Marie Barron Niko Mayashairo 21 Divine Liturgy for the Feast 7PM

Nikki Boudreaux Mary McNeilly Chris Carey Mary Lou Mooty Dr. Frances Colie Marie Patchoski John Colie Charles Simon Sacrificial Giving 10/20/2013 Mark Dillman Charlene Simpson Weekly $ 911.02 Margaret Dillenburg Ruth Sirgany Candles $ 11.00 Carol Downer Kennedy Stevenson Monthly $ 70.00 Karen Haddad Jane Warn Boots Zaydon All those Serving in our Armed Forces The Christian Community in the Middle East The Weekly Quiz To whom did Paul write: "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

Philippians Ephesians Colossians Calathumpians

Last week’s answer: Q. Paul gave the Ephesians an illustration of the Christian life using the example of the equipping of.... A. a Roman Soldier.