Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church
1250 Oakdale Avenue
West Saint Paul, Minnesota 55118
Parish Website:
http://www.saintgeorge-church.
Very Reverend Archpriest Thomas Begley, Pastor
Right Reverend Archimandrite Duane Pederson, attached
Reverend Deacon Russell Hodge, Assisting Deacon
Reader Leonard Soroka, Director of Music
Church Phone - 651-457-0854 Pastor’s Phone - 651-882-7809
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009
THE SUNDAY OF THE BLIND MAN
TONE: 45
On this day, we commemorate: Venerable Stylites Simeon the Younger of the Mountain of Wonders and Nikitas of Pereysalavl-Zalesski; Martyr Meletios the General of Galatia; Vincent of Lerins.
DIVINE LITURGY TODAY OF ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Sing during the Little Entrance:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
After the Little Entrance with the Gospel Book, sing the Troparion of the resurrection in
Tone: 5
Let us believers praise and worship the Word coeternal with the Father and the Spirit born of the Virgin for our salvation. For He took pleasure in ascending the cross in the flesh to suffer death and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection.
Then sing the Troparion of St. George, our patron saint.
Then sing the Kontakion of Pascha in Tone 8:
Though Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet didst Thou destroy the power of Hades, and didst arise as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice; and giving peace unto Thine Apostles. O Thou who dost grant resurrection to the fallen.
Prokeimenon: Thou O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed
.
EPISTLE: The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles
(16:16-34)
I
n those days, as we Apostles were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul and us, crying, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I charge you in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.”
And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers; and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, “These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and every one’s fetters were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.
AW
THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN
(9:1-38)
t that time, when Jesus was passing, He saw a man blind from his birth. And His
Disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. I must work the works of Him Who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” As He said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man’s eyes with the clay, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” [which means Sent]. So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, “Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is he”; others said, “No, but he is like him.” He said, “I am the man.” They said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash’; so I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.”
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was a division among them. So they again said to the blind man, “What do you say about Him, since He has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight, and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if any one should confess Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age, ask him.”
So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become His disciples?” And they reviled him, saying, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He comes from.” The man answered, “Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where He comes from, and yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him He said, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” He answered, “And Who is He, Sir, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen Him, and it is He who speaks to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe”; and he worshiped Him.
HOLY BREAD
Holy bread is given for the health and welfare of Nusrallah, Sana, Rana, Rami, Jumana, and Jerris Jubran.
COFFEE HOUR
Coffee Hour will follow the Divine Liturgy. Everyone is invited for this period of fellowship.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
W
ELCOME to all our guests and visitors. We are delighted to have you visiting and worshipping with us this morning and hope that you return again soon. We invite you to participate in the Divine Liturgy, but due to the sad divisions in Christianity only baptized/chrismated members of the Orthodox Church who have made their Confession before an Orthodox priest and prepared themselves by fasting may receive Holy Communion. Please come forward after Liturgy to venerate the Cross and partake of the Antidoron - Holy Bread - at the end of the Service. Please join us in the Parish Hall for Coffee Hour after the Liturgy.
PRAY FOR THE SICK
Please pray for Lorraine DeFlorin, Wally Golden, Nicholas Marinkov, Yasmin Kakish, Mary Saba, Erma Ziton, Peter Hafiz, John Etoll, Nicholas Bolt and John Feilmeier, Nick & Julie, Jackson & Hunter Golden, Joni Meister, Julie Funari, Denise, Mavis, John & Pat Burbank, Robert & Barbara Hafiz.
If you are ill and wish to be remembered in the Liturgy and daily prayers of the priest, please
contact Father Tom.
ST GEORGE ANNUAL SPRING DINNER
Christ is Risen!
We made it! Thank you to everyone for a great task completed. The Dinner was excellent! You all did a wonderful job working together to serve our Parish and the Community. God loves you for all you do for St. George Church. The tickets are not all in yet. Once we get that taken care of, you will have the profit from our dinner Thank you for making the dinner a success! According to Sue's report for last year 2008, we served 529 dinners in the hall and 400+ dinners for take out. Total of 929 dinners. According to our tickets collected this year, 2009, we served 525 dinners in the hall and 390 dinners for take out. Total of 915 dinners. Thanks to all of you, by spreading the word about the dinner, the dinner was a success. Great job!!
NOTICE - SPRING DINNER TICKETS
If anyone still has tickets from the Spring Dinner, please turn them in to either Grace Holmes or Ellis Hafiz so they can close their books for the dinner. Thank you.
FASTING REGULATIONS
The Holy Synod of Antioch has given its blessing for no fasting during the 40 days of Pascha! You may return to the Wednesday/Friday fast or be fast free until the Feast of the Ascension. ALL SAINTS SUNDAY is June 14th. On the following Monday, June 15th, we begin the Apostles' Fast which continues until the feast of Ss Peter and Paul on June 29th (a 3rd Class/Vigil Rank Commemoration), the patronal feast of our Patriarchate of Antioch the Great City-of-God and all the East. During the APOSTLES' FAST we observe the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, milk or other dairy products, fish, wine, and olive oil) on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, with katalysis for wine and olive oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays (some also permit fish on Tuesdays and Thursdays), and for fish, wine, and olive oil on Saturdays and Sundays.
THIS WEEK
FEAST OF THE ASCENSION
We will be celebrating the Evening Divine Liturgy of the Feast of the Ascension on Wednesday, May 27, at 6:30 P.M.
VESPERS
We will serve Vespers Saturday, May 30 at 5:00 P.M.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MEN’S CLUB
The St. George Men’s club will meet after coffee hour today, May 24, to discuss the upcoming festival.
You are invited to a Sunday School BBQ. Let's celebrate Sunday School students teachers and families at an outdoor BBQ today, Sunday, May 24th at the home of Christina and Jonsey Worrall. We look forward to your joining us after church (12:00 - 2:30) p.m. for lunch and play in our yard. We will provide the meat, condiments, bread, paper goods, and drinks. Our address is 4907 Sunnyside Road, Edina.
ATTENTION SUMMER CAMPERS
If you would like to still send your child to summer camp with St. Mary's Church, June 28trh to July 5th, there is still some space available. There is a late fee for registering late, but there is still time to register your child. You can call Doria Saros or Father Paris at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church at 612-825-9595 or www.stmaryscamp.com. Or if you have any questions you can call Vicky and she would be happy to direct you. Thank you.
PUTTING FOR GOLFERS
Golf 3 - 9 - 18 holes,
miniature game or visit the driving range can make a huge difference
for someone who needs a
buddy. Hang out on a monthly basis. Do activities that you both enjoy
besides golfing, like going out for coffee, shopping, watching sports
or attending events. Reimbursement for mileage and expenses is available.
Learn more by contacting the VolunteerCoordinator at Guild Incorporated:
(651) 925-8465 or e-mail at volu teerteer@guildincorporated.org
Check out our website at www.guildincorporated.org for more information. A variety of volunteer positions are available.
OPEN HOUSE
All of the members of St. George Church are invited to an Open House in honor of the graduate, Michael Begley, on Monday June 8, from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M., at 4358 Metcalf Dr., Eagan, MN.
HOLY BREAD
Boshra Haddad has volunteered to take over the scheduling of Holy Bread for Sundays and Feast Days.
ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN’S SCHOLARSHIP The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America are offering scholarships, usually in the amount of $500 to help women continue their education in order to improve their circumstances and those of their families. Qualifications for the scholarship are as follows:
1. The applicant must be a female over 26 years of age.
2. The applicant must be a member in good standing of a parish of the Antiochian Archdiocese.
3. The applicant must be actively involved in her parish.
4. The applicant must be applying for or registered in an academic or trade program of study
5. The applicant must demonstrate financial need.
Please contact Fr. Thomas if you would like an application form.
COFFEE HOUR
If you would like to host the coffee hour on Sunday after liturgy, please call Sana Jubran (651)-731-2988. We need people to host coffee hour. Also, please consider hosting the coffee hour the same day that you offer the holy bread. Thank you.
Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
El Messieh Kahm! Hakken Kahm!
Kristos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese!
Christos Aneste! Alethos Aneste!
Cristos a inviat! Adevarat a inviat!
Christos tensiou! Bahakee Tensiou!
73rd Annual Midwest Federation of American Syrian Lebanese Clubs Convention
August 6th-8th
Marriott Minneapolis West
9960 Wayzata Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN
Book of tickets include: Thursday night Hospitality night, Friday night Hafli and Banquet, Saturday night Hafli and Banquet and Sunday morning breakfast. (Arabic entertainment by John Khoury). Cost is $125 for the book of tickets and $75 for children (this includes all events). Single event tickets are available at the cost of $65 Friday evening Hafli and Banquet; $35 for children. And for Saturday night the cost is $75 for Hafli and Banquet; $35 for children.
Limited space. Please reserve
as soon as possible. To reserve your tickets please contact Mark Lett
at 402-895-8976 (checks should be made payable and sent c/o Midwest Federation
- to 13935 Monroe St., Omaha, NB 68137. www.midwestfederation.