December 23, 2018 ﺍألب مﺎيكل شﺎهﻴن

“This is none other than the House of God. Sunday before Nativity And this is the Gate of Heaven” Genesis 28:17 On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.

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- pass against us, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us O from evil.

ABANA’L LATHEE FILL SAMAWAT; LEE YATA KADASS ISMUK LEE YATEE MALA KUTUK; LEE TAKUN MASHI ATUK St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Cathedral ﮐﺎﺘﺩﺭﺍﺌﻴﺔ ﺍلقديس جﺎوﺭجﻴوس ﺍألنطﺎكﻴَّﺔ ﺍألﺭثوذكسﻴَّﺔ KAMA FILL SAMA KADHA LEEKA ALA’L-ARD KHUBZANAL JAOHARI ATINA’L YAOM;WATRUK-LANA MA ALAINA 3754 Woodley Rd. Toledo, Ohio 43606-1159 KAMA NATRUKU NAHNU LIMAN;LANA ALAIH Phone: 419-475-7054 WALA TUD KHILINA FI TAJRIBA;LA KIN-NAJJINA-MINA’L SHIRIR Fax: 419-475-3502 www.saintgeorgetoledo.com December 23, 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] Bishop ANTHONY Michaels Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest St. George Choir 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 23, 2018 Sub Deacons Sunday before the Nativity of Christ (The Anthony Pedro 14 Victor Abed 15 Genealogy) Ten Martyrs of Crete; New-martyr Christopher Haddad; Michael Saba Nicholas; Venerable Nahum of Ochrid Tone V Eothinon VIII Nolan Ansara 15 Kimberly Legendre 15 Altar Captains Tony Sommer, Mathew Ade, Troparion for the Resurrection V Jackie Abed 16 Michael Skaff III 16 Tony Pedro, Christopher Hughes Let us believers praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Labib Hajjar 17 Tony Pedro 17 Concierge Spirit, born of the Virgin for our Michael Goodman 419-324-4115 salvation; for he took pleasure in Joanne Eberflus 19 Barbara Sahley 20 ascending the Cross in the flesh, to St. George Parish Council suffer death, and to raise the dead by his Rose Kallil 21 Rebecca Skaff 21 Chair: Keith Haddad glorious Resurrection. Vice Chair: Ryan Sommer Beverly Bardwell 22 Kristine Haddad 27 Treasurer: John Ellis بﺎللح ِن ﺍلخﺎمس ِلنُسب ْح نح ُن المؤمنين ونَ ْسجدُ لل َك ِلم ِة، المساوي لآلب Secretary: Nadia Swade Ray Deeb 29 Karam Istephan 29 ِ ُ ُ ِ والروحِ في األزليَّ ِة وع ِدم االبتداء. المولو ِد ِم َن العذرا ِء Chancellor: Mitchell Howard ِلخال ِصنَا، أل َّنهُ ُس َّر وارتَ َضى بالجس ِد أن يَعل َو على ,George Bardwell Jr., Mike Saba Steven Miller 29 Sylvia David 30 الصلي ِب ويَحتم َل الم ْو َت ويُنه َض الموتى بقيامتِ ِه ,Andrea Bassett, David Joseph المجيدة Dr. Hassan Seaman, Elias Hajjar, Frank Fuller, Kathy Hughes, Karyn Hajjar, Brad Mc Arthur, Tony Sommer, Sabah Troparion of the Forefeast Maurice McArthur 31 Mitri. of The Nativity IV Compiled and edited by: Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath Kh. Adma Shaheen opened unto all. * Ephratha, prepare thy- self, for now, behold, the Tree of Life * Celebration of the Feast of the Nativity hath blossomed forth in the cave from the holy Virgin. * Her womb hath proved a true Of our Lord Jesus Christ spiritual Paradise, * wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, * and as we eat thereof we shall all live, * and shall not die as did Adam. * For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime. Sunday December 23, 2018 Troparion of the Sunday before the Nativity II Orthros 9:00 am, Liturgy 10:00 am Great are the accomplishments of faith; for the three holy youths rejoiced in the fountain A Night in Bethlehem Play (lunch to follow) of flames as though at waters of rest. And the Prophet Daniel appeared a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep. Wherefore, by their prayers, O Christ God, save our Monday December 24, 2018 souls. The celebration of the Troparion for St. George IV Feast of The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As Deliverer of Captives and Defender of the Poor, Healer of the Infirm, Champion of Festal Orthros 5:00 pm, Hierarchical Liturgy 6:00 pm Kings, Victorious Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ our God, for our salvation.

Sunday December 30, 2018 Kontakion for the Preparation of the Nativity III Orthros 9:00 am, Liturgy 10:00 am Today the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth in an ineffable manner to the Word before the ages. Rejoice, therefore, O universe, when thou hearest, and glorify with the

angels and shepherds him who shall appear by his own will as a new babe, being God Sunday January 6, 2019 before the ages. Orthros 9:00 am, Liturgy 10:00 am Theophany (blessing of the Holy Water) The Epistle Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our Fathers. For you are just in all you have done. The Feast of Theophany The reading is St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews Sunday January 6, 2019 11:9-10; 17:23, 32-40 BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign Traditionally, houses are blessed annually on, or shortly after, land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For the Feast of Theophany. The blessing of homes by these holy he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is waters maintains the spiritual association between the family God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, church and the parish, as well as again providing for the shar- Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith ing of God's spiritual gifts. House blessings should not be over- conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of looked, for it is in this way that the grace of God is extended to lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of individual dwellings. weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that Therefore, Kh. Adma will be calling you to have Father they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and Michael come, visit you and bless your home throughout even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were the church year. If you are in need or would like a visit tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and and haven't heard from Father Michael, then please the goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy, Cathedral office to schedule one at 419-475-7054. wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since On this Feast Day, our dear fiends Beverly Bardwell, Joann Eberflus & Sharon God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be Grzywinski serve us traditional Zalabee to celebrate Theophany. made perfect. The Holy Gospel The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 1:1-25 he book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, Tand Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Ammi- nadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Reho- boam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Je- hoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerub- babel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Em- manuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

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 chalice 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 Iconostasis (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 icon stand that can be placed any- where within a church. The iconostasis evolved from the Byzantine templon, 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 Priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies. The third part was the entrance 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 Eucharist – 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 soleas. In the very center of the soleas is an extension (or thrust), often rounded, called the ambon, on which the deacon 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 often 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".