We would like to welcome all parish visitors and invite you to join us after the Liturgy for Coffee hour. Sunday, January 15, 2017 Tone 5 Gospel: Luke 18:18-27 Epistle: Colossians 3:12-16 30th Sunday After Pentecost Ven. Paul of Thebes (341) and John Calabytes (“the Hut-dweller”—5th c.). Ven. Pansophius of Alexandria, Martyr (ca. 249-251). Ven. Prochorus, Abbot, in the Vranski desert on the River Pshina in Bulgaria (10th c.). Ven. Gabriel, founder of Lesnovo Monastery in Bulgaria (11th c.). Troparion – Tone 3 Inspired by the Spirit, / you were the first to dwell in the desert in emulation of Elijah the zealot; / as one who imitated the angels, you were made known to the world by Saint i Anthony the Great. / Righteous Paul, entreat Christ God to grant us His great mercy. Vlash Kontakion – Tone 3 Today we gather and praise you with hymns as New Jersey an unwaning ray of the spiritual Sun; / for you Deacon - - shine on those in the darkness of ignorance, / leading all mankind to the heights, venerable Sub Paul, / adornment of Thebes and firm Parish CouncilParish Vice President: Holly Dawson foundation of the fathers and ascetics. Venerable Paul of Thebes Prayer Requests Diocese of New York Andrew Romanofsky V. Rev. Dr. Matthew Searfoorce, Matthew Rector Dr. V. Rev. – For Health of: Deacon Edward Dawson Dawson Edward Deacon - Xavier Anthony, on his name day, offered his Godmother Trudy. Sub Tamara Zimmerman, on her birthday, offered by her family with love. Lisa Dantinne, on her birthday, offered by her family with love. OCA In Memory of: Rev. Father Demetrios J. Constantelos, offered by Sub-Deacon Vlashi. Priest Ignatius Crockett, offered by Archbishop Michael, the Diocese of NY/NJ Orthodox Church of the Mother of God and the OCA. Parish Council President: Wisdom of the Church Fathers "It’s impossible to perish the soul who blesses Mother of God!" Saint Paisios the Athonite (1924-1994) “Orthodox Church of the Mother of God: Joy of all the Sorrowful” founded in 1966 Readings: Liturgical Schedule The Prokeimenon in the 5th Tone: Thou, O Lord, shalt protect us and preserve us from this generation forever. Sunday, January 15th (Psalm 11:8) 9:30 am: Sunday School vs. Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer any that is godly! (Psalm 11:2) 9:40 am: Hours 10:00 am: Divine Liturgy Epistle: Colossians 3:12-16 st Saturday, January 21 Brethren, put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, 6:30 pm: Vespers lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must Sunday, January 22nd forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect 9:30 am: Sunday School harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were 9:40 am: Hours called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, 10:00 am: Divine Liturgy teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Saturday, January 28th Alleluia in the 5th Tone: 6:30 pm: Vespers I will sing of Thy mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Thy truth from generation to generation. th Sunday, January 29 (Psalm 88:2) 9:30 am: Sunday School vs. For Thou hast said: “Mercy will be established forever; Thy truth will be prepared in 9:40 am: Hours the heavens.” 10:00 am: Divine Liturgy (Psalm 88:3) Saturday, February 4th Gospel: Luke 18:18-27 6:30 pm: Vespers At that time a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Sunday, February 5h And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You 9:30 am: No Sunday School know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" And he said, "All these I have 9:45 am: General observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still Confession lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in 9:40 am: Hours heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very 10:00 am: Divine Liturgy rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a Bulletin Sponsors rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Trudy Ellmore and the Dantinne Family Through the Grace of God – Orthodox Christianity Father Seraphim Rose: Truth “Why is the truth, it would seem, revealed to some and not to others? Is there a special organ for receiving revelation from God? Yes, though usually we close it and do not let it open up: God’s revelation is given to something called a loving heart.” 2 115 Hudson Street, Mays Landing, New Jersey 08330 Phone: 856-227-6915 Email: [email protected] See us on the web at: ChurchMotherOfGod.org/bulletin E-Mail us at: [email protected] “Orthodox Church of the Mother of God: Joy of all the Sorrowful” founded in 1966 Venerable Paul of Thebes Saint Paul of Thebes was born in Egypt around 227 in the Thebaid of Egypt. Left orphaned, he suffered many things from a greedy relative over his inheritance. During the persecution against Christians under the emperor Decius (249-251), Saint Paul learned of his brother-in-law’s insidious plan to deliver him into the hands of the persecutors, and so he fled the city and fled into the wilderness. Settling into a mountain cave, Saint Paul dwelt there for ninety-one years, praying incessantly to God both day and night. He sustained himself on dates and bread, which a raven brought him, and he clothed himself with palm leaves. Saint Anthony the Great (January 17), who also lived as an ascetic in the Thebaid desert, had a revelation from God concerning Saint Paul. Saint Anthony thought that there was no other desert dweller such as he. Then God said to him, “Anthony, there is a servant of God more excellent than you, and you should go and see him.” Anthony went into the desert and came to Saint Paul’s cave. Falling to the ground before the entrance to the cave, he asked to be admitted. The Elders introduced themselves, and then embraced one another. They conversed through the night, and Saint Anthony revealed how he had been led there by God. Saint Paul disclosed to Saint Anthony that for sixty years a bird had brought him half a loaf of bread each day. Now the Lord had sent a double portion in honor of Saint Paul’s visit. The next morning, Saint Paul spoke to Anthony of his approaching death, and instructed him to bury him. He also asked Saint Anthony to return to his monastery and bring back the cloak he had received from Saint Athanasius. He did not really need a garment, but wished to depart from his body while Saint Anthony was absent. As he was returning with the cloak, Saint Anthony beheld the soul of Saint Paul surrounded by angels, prophets, and apostles, shining like the sun and ascending to God. He entered the cave and found Abba Paul on his knees with his arms outstretched. Saint Anthony mourned for him, and wrapped him in the cloak. He wondered how he would bury the body, for he had not remembered to bring a shovel. Two lions came running from the wilderness and dug a grave with their claws. Saint Anthony buried the holy Elder, and took his garment of palm leaves, then he returned to his own monastery. Saint Anthony kept this garb as a precious inheritance, and wore it only twice a year, on Pascha and Pentecost. Saint Paul of Thebes died in the year 341, when he was 113 years old. He did not establish a single monastery, but soon after his end there were many imitators of his life, and they filled the desert with monasteries. Saint Paul is honored as the first desert-dweller and hermit. In the twelfth century Saint Paul’s relics were transferred to Constantinople and placed in the Peribleptos monastery of the Mother of God, on orders of the emperor Manuel (1143-1180). Later, they were taken to Venice, and finally to Hungary, at Ofa. Part of his head is in Rome. Saint Paul of Thebes, whose Life was written by Saint Jerome, is not to be confused with Saint Paul the Simple (October 4). Bulletin Sponsor: Use the sign-up sheet at the candle stand for the health of, eternal memory of or a Pannikhida for a loved one or friend, for a donation of $10. Sponsors will be remembered during Divine Liturgy for the day/week that you signed up for. Memorial Candles: Candles be purchased at the candle stand, suggested donation of $10 for a large one. Private Confessions: Can be heard a half hour before any service. See Father Matthew for other times.