St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Christian Cathedral 2300 WEST
St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Christian Cathedral 2300 WEST THIRD STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90057 Phone (213) 382-6269 Fax (213) 382-0175 cathedral@stnicholasla.com www.stnicholasla.com December 28, 2014 V. Rev. Fr. Michel Najim, Dean & Great Economos Assistant Pastors: Rev. Fr. George Ajalat, Rev. Fr. George Taweel, Rev. Fr. Paul Olson Archdeacon George Shishim. Deacons: Dn. John Germain, Dn. Eliya Ammari Acolytes: Daniel Nofal, Michael George Altar Boys: Bashar Ammari, Daniel Esoh, Christian Kastoun, Meena Ammari. Choir Director: Alex Nassief Chantors: Alberto Fayad, Elias Kuncar, Eva Najim, Helena Ditko Williams, Gergory Foley Council Chairman: Rose Samore Ushers: Mrs. Jameel Beebe, Richard Ayoob, Curtis Annett Bookstore: Isabel Elac Candles: Joseph Maalouf Church School Director: Badia Mamar Youth Director: Natasha Abu Ata Men’s Fellowship: George Hanna Ladies Society: Kh. Eva Najim 2300 WEST THIRD STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90057 Phone (213) 382-6269, Fax (213) 382-0175 Youtube: abounamn St. Nicholas Festival Web Site: lamedfest.org; Archdiocese Website: www.antiochian.org; Diocese Website: www.antiochianladiocese.org; www.theheritageballroom.com Office hours: 9am to 5:00 pm daily Spanish Service – 8:00am Sunday Orthros – 9:15am Sunday Divine Liturgy –10:30 am EOTHINON 8 TONE 5 5 اللحن 8 االيوثينا Sunday before Theophany of Christ Synaxis of the Seventy Holy Apostles; Venerable Theoktistos of Sicily; Venerable Martyrs Euthymios and his twelve companions of Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION IN TONE FIVE 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. طروبارية القيامة على اللحن الخامس المولدو ِم مدن, ب والروحِ في األزلي ِة وعدد ابتدددا ْ ِ المساوي لآل,لنسبح نحن المؤمنين ونسج ْد للكلمة نهض المدوىى تييامدِده ُ وي,ب ويحدم َل الموت ِ العذرا ُ ألنه,لخالصنا ِ س ّر أن يصعدَ تالجس ِد على الصلي ِ َ .المجيدة APOLYTIKION OF THE FOREFEAST OF THEOPHANY IN TONE FOUR Make ready, O Zebulon, and prepare, O Nephtali, and thou, River Jordan, cease thy flow and receive with joy the Master coming to be baptized. And thou, Adam, rejoice with the first mother, and hide not yourselves as ye did of old in paradise; for having seen thee naked, He appeared to clothe thee with the first robe. Yea, Christ hath appeared desiring to renew the whole creation. طروبارية التقدمة للغطاس على اللحن الرابع واسديبل, قف وامسك عن جريك, وأنت يا نهر األرمن.اسدعدي يا زتلون وىأهبي يا نفداليم وب ىخفيا ذاىكما كما في الفرموس, ويا آم اتدهج مع األ األولى,تطرب السيد اآلىي ليعدمد المسيح ظهر مريدا أن يجدم الخليية. بنه لما رآكما عاريين ظهر ليلبسكما الحلة األولى.قديما .كلها TROPARION OF ST NICHOLAS IN TONE FOUR The verity of your actions revealed you to your flock a rule of faith, an icon of` mildness, and teacher of abstinence, O Father Bishop Nicholas; wherefore by humility you have achieved exaltation and by poverty richness. Intercede with Christ our God to save our souls. طروبارية القديس نيقوالوس على اللحن الرابع األب لرعيدددكل قانون دا و لًيمددانل وصددورة و للوماعددة ومعلم دا و لالمسددا ِ ل أيهددا،ليددد أظهرىددك أفعددا ُق الحدد ُ أحرزت تالدواضعِ الرفعةَ وتالمسكن ِة الغنىل فدشفع إلى المسيحِ اإلله رئيس الكهن ِة نييوبوسل فلذلك َ ُ .خالص نفو ِسنا في ِ KONTAKION OF THE FOREFEAST OF THEOPHANY IN TONE FOUR Today hath the Lord appeared in the courses of the Jordan, crying to John and saying, Be not dismayed at my Baptism; for I have verily come to save Adam, the first to be created. قنداق التقدمة للغطاس على اللحن الرابع ْ ىخدف فدجني جخدت ألخلد,أن ىُعمددَني وهدف تيوحنا قدائال ب,اليو حضر الربُّ في مجاري األرمن ْ .آم أوق من ُجبل THE EPISTLE O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Unto Thee, O Lord, will I cry, O my God. The Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to St. Timothy. (4:5-8) My child Timothy, be watchful in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the season of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, and I have guarded the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will reward me at that day, and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved His appearing. الرسالة ُ إليك يا ربّ اصر.وبارك ميراثَك ْ ْ .خ الهي ,خلص يا ربّ شعبَك .بولس الرسو ِل الثانية إلى تيموثاوس القديس فص ٌل من رسال ِة ِ َ ْ ْ ْ أما. خير قيا واعمل عم َل ,ٍ ىييظ في ك ّل شي ,يا ولدي ىيموثاوس َ وقُ ْم تخدم ِدك,المبشر ِ َ واحدمل ابآل ُ ُأنا فذتيحةٌ ي ُ قد جاهدت الجهامَ الحسنَ وأىممتُ شوطي وحافظت.راق م ُمها وساعة انحاللي اقدرتت تل, ب إياي فيط, البر الذي يكافخني ته الربّ الديا ُن العام ُق في ذلك اليو ِ فيد أُعدّ لي إكلي ُل.على اإليمان .ظهوره جمي ُع الذين يُحبّون َ THE GOSPEL The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (1:1-8) The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes He Who is mightier than I, the strap of Whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” اإلنجيل .القديس مرقص االنجيلي البشير والتلميذ الطاهر فص ٌل شريفٌ من بشار ِة ِ .ليهدي طرييَدك ها أنا أرسل رسولي أمامدك: " سفر النبي إشعيه ِ كما ُكدب في,تد تشارة يسوع اتن هللا ْ كدان يوحندا يعمدد فدي البريد ِة. واجعلدوا سدبُ َله مسددييمة,َ الدرب، أعددوا طريد.صوتُ صارخٍ فدي البريدة ّ ويب وكددان يخددرط إليدده أهد ُل منطيد ِة اليهوميد ِة كلّهددا و أهد ُل.دران الخطايددا َ شدر الند ِ داس تمعموميد ِة الدوتد ِة لغفد ّ ،ويدنطد وتدر اإلتد ِل وكان يوحنا.نهر األرمن معدرفين تخطاياهم ُ َ يلبس ِ فيعدمدون عن يدِه في,أورشليم ّ وكان يب, وييداتُ من الجرا ِم والعس ِل البري,ق من جلد ,شر فييوق يجي تعدي من هو أقوى مندي ٍ تنطا َ أنحني وأح ّل رتا . أما هو فيعمدكم تالروحِ اليدس, أنا عمدىكم تالما.ط نعليه من لست أهال بن َ THE GREAT BLESSING OF THE WATERS (Tone 8) The voice of the Lord upon the waters cries aloud, saying: Come you all, and receive "the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of the fear of God", from Christ who is made manifest. [twice.] Today the nature of the waters is sanctified, and the Jordan is parted in two; it holds back the stream of its own waters, seeing the Master wash himself. [twice.] O Christ the King, you have come to the river as a man, and in your goodness you made haste to receive the baptism from a servant at the hands of the Forerunner, for the sake of our sins, O Lover of humanity. [twice.] Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. At the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the Lord," you came, O Lord, "taking the form of a slave," and you the Sinless One asked for baptism. When "the waters saw you, they were afraid;" the Forerunner was seized with trembling and cried aloud, saying: How shall the lamp illuminate the Light? How shall the servant set his hand upon the Master? O Savior who takes away the sin of the world, sanctify both me and the waters. The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? V. The Lord is the defender of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? The reading from the first epistle of Paul to the Corinthians (10:1-4) Brethern, I would not you to be ignorant, that all our ancestors were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized to Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual meat; and all drank from the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. The Reading from the holy Gospel according to saint Mark 1:9-11 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, '"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." THE AUGMENTED GREAT EKTENIA (FOR THE BLESSING) Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, for the good estate of the Holy Churches of God, and for the union of all men, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For this Holy House, and for those who with faith, reverence, and fear of God, enter therein, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For our father and Metropolitan PHILIP, for our father and Bishop JOSEPH, for the venerable Priesthood, the Deaconate in Christ, for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For the President of the United States, for all civil authorities, and for our Armed Forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord.. Deacon: That He will aid them and grant them victory over every enemy and adversary, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For this city, and for every city and land, and for the faithful, who dwell therein, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For healthful seasons, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For travelers by sea, by land, and by air; for the sick and the suffering; for captives and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: That this water be sanctified by the power, act and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: That in this water may be planted the action of purification which belongeth to the Trinity transcendent in essence, let us pray to the Lord.. Deacon: That it may be granted the grace of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: That we may be lighted by the light of knowledge and true worship, by the descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.. Deacon: That this water may become a gift for sanctification, redemption for sins, for the healing of soul and body, and for every meet benefit, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: That this water may be beneficial for eternal life, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: That it may drive away all the cunning devices of our enemies, visible and invisible, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For those who drink there from and take home for the sanctification of their homes, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: That it may be for those who drink and receive there from in faith a purification for their souls and bodies, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: That we may be worthy to be filled with sanctification, as we receive of these waters, by the appearance of the Holy Spirit, in an invisible manner, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: That the Lord may answer the voice of our beseeching, even of us who are sinners, and have mercy upon us, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace. Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints let us commend ourselves and each another, and all our life unto Christ our God. Choir: To Thee, O Lord. PRIEST O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son, you are in the Father's bosom, true God, Fountain of life and of immortality, Light of Light. You came into the world to illumine it: Illumine our minds by your Holy Spirit, and receive us who give you glory and thanksgiving for your wondrous and mighty works throughout all ages, and for your saving divine plan in these latter ages, in which you have clothed yourself in our weak and poor substance and have condescended to the stature of a servant. You the King of all, deigned to be baptized in the Jordan at the hands of a servant, so that you might sanctify the nature of water, O sinless One, and you might lead us to a new birth through water and the Spirit and restore us again to our first freedom. Celebrating the memory of this divine mystery, we pray you, O Lord, the lover of humanity, sprinkle upon us, your unworthy servants, according to your divine promise, purifying water, the gift of your compassion. Grant that the supplications of us sinners over this water may be pleasing to your goodness, and through it your blessing be bestowed upon us and upon all your faithful people, to the glory of your holy and adorable name. For to you, together with your Father who is without beginning and your all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, belong all glory, honor and worship, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Amen. PRIEST O Trinity, transcendent in essence, in goodness and in divinity, O Almighty, invisible and incomprehensible, who watch over all, O Creator of intelligent essences, rational natures, the goodness of the utter and unapproachable Light, who enlighten every one comes into the world: Enlighten me also, your unworthy servant. Illuminate the eyes of my mind so that I may venture to praise your countless benevolence and your might. Let my prayer on behalf of this people be wholly acceptable, so that my transgressions may not prevent the descent of your Holy Spirit upon this place; that without condemnation I may be allowed to cry to you and say, O most good One: We glorify you, O Master, Lover of humanity, the Almighty King before eternity. We glorify you, O Creator and Creator of all. We glorify you, only-begotten Son of God, who have no father with your Mother, and no mother with your Father; for in the preceding feast we have seen you a babe, and in this present feast we see you a perfect man, O our perfect God, appearing from the Perfect; for today we have reached the time of the feast, and the rank of saints gather with us, and angels celebrate with humans. Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has descended on the waters in the likeness of a dove. Today has shone the Sun that never sets, and the world is lighted by the light of the Lord. Today the moon shines with the world in its radiating beams. Today the shining stars adorn the universe with the splendor of their radiance. Today the clouds from heaven moisten humanity with showers of justice. Today the Uncreated One willingly allows the hands of his creature to be laid upon him. Today the Prophet and Forerunner draws near to the Master, and he stands in awe when he witnesses the condescension of God towards us. Today the waters of the Jordan are changed into remedies by the presence of the Lord. Today the whole creation is watered by mystical streams. Today the stumblings of humanity are blotted out by the waters of the Jordan. Today the paradise has been opened to humanity, and the Sun of righteousness has shone for us. Today the bitter water is changed by Moses to sweetness for the people at the presence of the Lord. Today are we delivered from the ancient mourning, and like a new Israel we have been saved. Today we have escaped from darkness and, by the light of the knowledge of God, we have been illuminated. Today the darkness of the world vanishes with the appearing of our God. Today the whole creation is lighted from on high. Today error is annulled, and the coming of the Master prepares for us a way of salvation. Today the celestials celebrate with the terrestrials, and the terrestrials commune with the celestials. Today the triumphant assembly of Orthodox rejoices. Today the Master comes to baptism to elevate humanity above. Today the Unbowable bows to his servant to deliver us from slavery. Today we have bought the kingdom of heaven, for the kingdom of heaven has no end. Today the land and the sea have divided between them the joy of the world, and the world has been filled with rejoicing. The waters saw you, O God; When the waters saw you they were afraid;' Jordan turned back its course when it beheld the fire of the Godhead coming down and descending into it in the flesh. Jordan turned back its courses at beholding the Holy Spirit descending in the likeness of a dove and hovering over you. Jordan turned back its courses when it saw the Invisible visible, the Creator incarnate and the Master in the form of a servant. Jordan turned back its courses, and the mountains leaped with joy at beholding God in the flesh. And the clouds give voice, and are filled with awe by the One who is coming, Light of Light, true God of true God: the One who, in the Jordan river, has drowned the death of disobedience, the sting of error and bond of Hades, granting the world the baptism of salvation. So also am I, your unworthy and sinful servant, encompassed by fear, as I proclaim the greatness of your wonders, crying with compunction to you and saying: Great art thou, O Lord, and wondrous art thy works, and no word is sufficient to hymn thy wonders. (thrice) For by your own will you brought forth all things out of nothingness into being, by your might you sustain all creation, and by your providence you govern the world. You have compounded the whole creation out of four elements; You crowned the cycle of the year with four seasons. All the immaterial powers tremble before you. The sun praises you, and the moon glorifies you; the stars supplicate before you. The light obeys you. The deeps are afraid at your presence; the water-springs serve you. You have spread out the heavens like a tent. You have established the earth upon the waters. With sand you have walled in the sea. You have poured forth the air for breathing. The angelic powers serve you. The choirs of archangels worship you. The many-eyed cherubim and the six-winged seraphim, as they stand round about and fly, cover themselves in fear before your unapproachable glory. For you, the God who is uncircumscribed, without beginning and inexpressible, came down upon earth, taking on the form of a servant and being made in the likeness of man. For you could not endure, O Master, because of your tender mercy, to see the human race beneath the tyranny of the devil, but you came and saved us. We confess your grace. We proclaim your mercy. We conceal not your beneficence. You have set free the offspring of our nature; by your birth you have sanctified a virgin's womb. All creation praises you who revealed yourself. For you, our God, appeared upon earth and dwelt among men. You sanctified the streams of Jordan by sending down from heaven your all-holy Spirit and crushed the heads of the serpents hidden in it. Therefore, O King lover of mankind, be present now, through the descent of thy Holy Spirit, and sanctify this water. [thrice.] And grant it the grace of redemption, the blessing of Jordan. Make it a fountain of incorruption, a gift of sanctification, a forgiveness of sins, a healing drug for illnesses, a destruction of demons, inaccessible to hostile powers, filled with the might of the angels. And may it be to all those who draw of it and partake of it to the cleansing of souls and bodies, to the healing of passions, to the sanctification of homes and to every expedient purpose. For you are our God who, with water and the Spirit, has renewed our nature, grown old through sin. You are our God who with water drowned sin at the time of Noah. You are our God who by the sea, through Moses, delivered the Hebrews from the bondage of Pharaoh. You are our God who cleaved the rock in the wilderness, so that water gushed out and streams overflowed and satisfied your thirsty people. You are our God who with water and fire, through Elias, delivered Israel from the deception of Baal. O Master, sanctify now this water by thy Holy Spirit.[Thrice.] Grant sanctification, blessing, cleansing and health to all who touch it, anoint themselves with it and receive it. Be mindful, O Lord, of our (metropolitan or archbishop or bishop), N., all the presbytery, the diaconate in Christ and every priestly order and all your people here present, and all our brethren who are absent for a fair reason, and have mercy on them and on us according to your great mercy, so that your all-holy name may be glorified by the elements, by angels and by humans, by visible and invisible creatures, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to ages of ages. Priest Peace be with all. Deacon Let us bow our heads to the Lord. Priest Incline your ear, and hear us, O Lord. Who deigned to be baptized in the Jordan and sanctified the waters. Bless us all who, through the bowing of our necks, signify our bondage; and make us worthy to be filled with your sanctification through partaking of this water and being sprinkled with it. And let it be to us, O Lord, for health of our soul and body. For you are the Sanctification of our souls and bodies, and to you we give glory, thanksgiving and worship, together with your Father have no beginning and your all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. OBLATION In loving memory of Zakia Matta and Henra Matta may their memory be eternal. Offered by Gabriel Matta, Maria Matta and family. In loving memory of Samia Waimrin offered by her husband Kamille and children. May her memory be eternal. Holy Bread offered by the Matta Family, Waimrin Family. Coffee Hour Sponsored By: Waimrin Family & by the Elias Sana Krystal and Jasmine Saleh. Wishing everyone a Blessed 2015. There are still dates available to sponsor a coffee hour for 2015 calendar. If you would like to Sponsor a Coffee Hour please contact Rose Samore at (818) 378-2055. PASADENA / WEST COVINA BIBLE STUDY The Bible study lead by Fr. Michel assisted by Deacon John & Elen Saleh Will resume on January 9th, 2015 at 7:00 pm at the home of Dr. Fahed & Dina Bitar 205 South Mountain Trail Sierra Madre, California 91024 Please contact Elen Saleh for more details: (626)839-1961 BURBANK/ GLENDALE BIBLE STUDY This Bible study led by Fr. George Taweel is on Thanksgiving & Christmas hiatus and will resume on Thursday, January 8th at 7:00PM. Please contact Dr. Abdullah Matar for location details: Phone: (818) 434-0500 / E-mail: AMatar1111@aol.com GRANDA HILLS BIBLE STUDY This Bible study led by Fr. George Taweel is on Thanksgiving & Christmas hiatus and will resume on Thursday, January 15th at 7:00PM. Please contact Marina Fasheh for location details: Phone: 818) 693-7824 / E-mail: Marinamarmar@aol.com ARABIC BIBLE STUDY By Elen Saleh through the website of St Nicholas Cathedral: www.stnicholasla.com SANTA CLARITA GREAT VESPERS/ BIBLE STUDY Great Vespers every Saturday at 5:30 PM followed by youth lessons and adult Bible study. Morning prayers each Wednesday at 8:30 AM with pastor's office hours until 10:00 AM. Located at 28200 Bouquet Canyon Road, Suite A, Santa Clarita, 91350. Email Mark Nassief at mgnassief@gmail.com for more information or to be added to our email list. Continuation of the 52 week series, (Week 49) Following the five letters and talks in church In change in my life to be able to follow this teaching in both word and in deed?” (Week 49) Word, November, 2005, Fr. John Adbalah, referencing remarks by Metropolitan Philip to the 2005 General Assembly of the Antiochian Archdiocese in Detroit, Michigan At our Archdiocese Convention this year in Detroit, Metropolitan Philip initiated an ear of tithing. “ He led the assembly to an even grater level of commitment to Jesus Christ that we had been previously called. When the assembly followed our shepherd in making this historic step, we recognized that it was time to demonstrate the freedom that began with our prayer and fasting” DONATED BY: ST. NICHOLAS RESEARCH LIBRARY Go Forth • • • January 4th, 2015 Volume 25 Number 1 THE DIVINE LITURGY OF OUR HOLY FATHER JOHN CHRYSOSTOM The Great Entrance In the Great Entrance the priest prays that the Lord God will remember the bishop of the diocese, and he goes on to say “and all of you Orthodox Christians and all Christians. The word Orthodox means “right-believing” or also “rightly- praising” or “rightly honoring.” This is the attribute of the Eastern Church and its Christians in the same way that Lutheran in the same way that the Lutheran Church has the attribute Evangelical (evangelical Lutheran) and that the Western Church is called Catholic (the Roman Catholic Church). The term "right -believing Church," expresses the fact that our Church believes that through history it has preserved the original, evangelical (Gospel) teaching and tradition of the early and universal (catholic) Church. In the early Church the qualifying terms orthodox, catholic, and evangelical, were all in use at the same time for the same Church. A person remembered by God is kept in His love and saving care. In His remembrance God makes no distinction between the living and the departed, for “all live to Him” (Lk 20:38) Those who will receive ward before the solea, and all the people bow their heads as the priest blesses them with the Holy Gifts. Although the Holy Gifts have not been consecrated as the Body and Blood of Christ, they are already venerated, for in the Proskomede they were chosen and “foreseen” as the sacrifice of thanks to be offered. The Great Entrance concludes as the priest, "clothed in the priesthood of Christ, "raises the Holy Gifts, which are about to be brought to the altar as a sacrifice of thanks. The final words of the Hymn, “that we may receive the King of All, who comes invisibly upborne by the angelic host, “ are a reminder that the invisible heavenly host of saints also takes part in the Liturgy. From Feast of Faith . Archbishop Paul of Finland . Translated by Esther Williams. St Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY Everything, both good and evil, comes from our thoughts. Our thoughts become reality. Even today we can see all of creation, everything that exist on the earth and in the cosmos, is nothing but Divine though made material in time and space. Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica JANUARY 5 - THE HIEROMARTYR THEOPEMPTUS & THE HOLY MARTYR THEONAS When the Emperor Diocletian gave orders for the persecution of Christians, Theopemptus, Bishop of Nicomedia, was the first to suffer Christ. He was brought before Emperor, who threatened him with death if he did not deny Christ. To that threat, the courageous bishop replied: It is written: Fear not those who are able to kill the soul.” You, O King, have power over my body. Do with it whatever you will! He was cruelly beaten and starved, and tortured in many ways. Finally the Empeoror called in a magician, Theonas, to trick the man of God in some way with magic. Theonas dissolved a very strong poison in water and gave it to Theopemptus to drink. Theopemptus made the sign of the Cross over the cup and drank the poison. Theonas, seeing that it had no effect on Theopemptus, turned to the Emperor and cried out: ‘ I too am a Christian, and worship the Crucified!’ They were both condemned to death; Theopemptus was slain with the sword and Theonas buried alive in the year 298. They suffered with honor and became citizens of the kingdom of Christ. OUR HOLY MOTHER SYNCLETICA A Native of Macedonia and educated in Alexandria, she was a rich young women of standing. She had many suitors, but refused them all and fled from her parents’ home to a monastery. In the greatest self-denial, in vigils and prayer, she lived to the age of eighty. Her counsels to the nuns have always been regarded as true spiritual pearls, the wisdom she attained coming not from reading but through suffering and pain, though constant meditation and spiritual converse with the divine world. Her soul entered into that higher world in the year 350. Among other counsels, St Syncletica taught: ‘Do not abandon a fast in time of sickness, for lo, those who do not fast fall into the same sickness. ‘Also: Treasure, when discovered, is quickly seized upon; so virtue, when it is made public, is quickly eclipsed and lost.’ From The Prologuefrom Ochrid. Bishop Nikolai Veli mirovic. Lazarica Press. Birmingham, B30 J QE England JANUARY 7 SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST About two years before Jesus Christ began his mission, John the Baptist, known as the "Forerunner" of the Messiah, appeared publicly in a personal appeal for morality which undoubtedly was instrumental in setting the mood for a reception of the Lord in a world which otherwise might have been less responsive. It was about the year A.D. 27, in the reign of Tiberius, that John chose the rather hostile region of Judea, not far from the Dead Sea, as the scene of his campaign in which he employed a compelling oratory and the symbolic baptism in preparation for the next world. Orthodoxy considers him to be an angel of the Lord, one who prepared the way for Jesus Christ, acknowledging him as the Son of God, and one who died for the Savior. According to Saint Luke, "the Glorious Physician, "Saint John the Baptist was a native of the city of Judah, the son of Zacharias and Elizabeth, both of whom were of deeply religious lineage. The generation of Saint John, the first generation to know the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, comprised a humanity that ranged from wild paganism to holy asceticism. It was the aim of the Baptist to bring all classes to know the nearness of the Kingdom and the need for repentance as a preparation for admission. The drama of Saint Paul's meeting with Christ is equaled in solemnity with the meeting of Saint John the Baptist with Jesus, but it was the high honor of Saint John to baptize the Son of God. Saint John is adequately referred to in the Bible, and there is no Christian that does not know of his service and that he ultimately was imprisoned in the dungeons of Machaerus and brutally murdered at the order of Herod Antipas. After his death there ensued a veneration that commenced with the recovery of part of his remains in the early Byzantine era and endures in Orthodoxy. According to Luke, the body of the Baptist was buried in Sebasteia in Samaria and cherished as a shrine by the Samaritans, who allowed Saint Luke to take with him the right hand of the great Baptist. This holy relic was brought to Antioch by Saint Luke, a native of Syria, who caused to be erected a chapel dedicated to the memory of Saint John; a not too pretentious edifice which attracted thousands of Christian pilgrims, many of whom received miraculous cures at the site. For more than 800 years this site beckoned Christians from all corners of the Empire, including those from the great capital of Constantinople, the seat of the Emperor Constantine of the house of the so-called Porphyrogenitoi. It was the emperor's fondest wish that all the holy relics of Saint John be brought to the capital city, there to be accessible to many more thousands than in Antioch. A young deacon by the name of Job was assigned the duty of carrying back to the center of the Byzantine Empire the sacred relics of Saint John the Baptist. With an observance of the most solemn ceremony, a procession headed by the emperor and the patriarch brought the holy remains to the magnificent Cathedral of Hagia Sophia, appropriately enough on September 14, the day of the Elevation of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ. The celebration lasted for several days, for at least the time it took for countless thousands who streamed to the cathedral to pay their respects and to pray at the site of the sacred relic of one of Christendom's mightiest saints. It was evident after many years that the most appropriate site for the holy remains of Saint John the Baptist was not in a public place where the sanctity was diminished in the babble of the crowds, however pious, but that these relics should abide in the aura of completely ascetic surroundings. The relics were, therefore, transferred to the great monastery of Mount Athos, a cloister of hallowed monastic edifices among which is one called Dionysiou, chosen as the final resting place for the relics of Saint John the Baptist, over which pious monks stand vigil. The monastic community of Mount Athos, virtually inaccessible on a precipitous promontory extending twenty miles into the sea, is now open to all who would care to pray at the Chapel of Dionysiou, where reposes the tight hand of Saint John the Baptist, whose memory is commemorated on January 7, the day following that of the Lord's baptism . DONATED BY: ST. NICHOLAS RESEARCH LIBRARY Nothing equals the mercy of God or surpasses it. To despair is therefore to inflict death on oneself. St. John Climacus General Announcements!!! Run for a Position on the Parish Council! Nominations for seats on the Parish Council will be accepted soon! Five positions will be available, and we encourage all parishioners to consider this very special opportunity to serve the Cathedral. We need dedicated, positive, energetic women and men who are willing to dedicatetheir time, energy and talents to developing and continuing programs that ensure the growth and success of our spiritual home. There are exciting times ahead, and we encourage you to be part of the future of the Cathedral. Please feel free to speak to any Parish Council member, and join us in our service to the Lord and his House. JANUARY GENERAL MEETING: Tuesday January 6th, 2015 at 7:00 pm at the house of Rose Samore 1817 Maginn Drive, Glendale, CA 91202 (818) 956-8555 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Let me take this opportunity to thank all my 2014 officers and to welcome on board the new officers. Allow me to introduce the new officers of St. Nicholas Antiochian Women of 2015: President: Kh. Eva Najim Vice president: Nora Hanna Recording Secretary: Diana kronfli Corr. Secretary: Marianne Simon Historian: Fadwa Matar Sergeant at Arm: Isabel Elac Parliamentarian: Malak Peterman Chaplain: Nancy Malouf Sun shine: Lily Ajalat Antiochian Women: Georgette Malouf Coffee Hour: Joujou George With your support we can serve our Cathedral for the Glory of God. House Blessing To arrange a visitation or House Blessing from one of our Clergy, please call the Cathedral Office: (213) 382-6269 Or E-mail: cathedral@stnicholasla.com “‘And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’ ( Luke 2:10-11) Hoping your hearts are full of the promise that was born that holy night May His love shine upon you at Christmas and always Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Nikolaos Kremasmenakis-http://www.kremasmenakis.gr BOOK STORE MAKE A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION - Get a great book - learn more about your faith. NEED A SPECIAL GIFT - BAPTISM, WEDDING, BIRTHDAY - WE CAN HELP! Want to learn more about our Church, come see us at the Bookstore. We have some terrific books on Orthodoxy. We have some great gift ideas and gift certificates! Please see us in the Bookstore or for questions, please contact Isabel Elac at (818)956-3756 "Sing Praises to the Lord, Sing Praises All Ye Nations!" Join the St. Nicholas Choir! You don't have to be a diva or related to any of the 3 Tenors to sing in the choir every Sunday. This is a wonderful opportunity to share in a very special ministry of the church. The members of the choir represent the worshipers in the celebration of the Liturgy. Come and raise your voices in worship every Sunday. Everyone is welcome: young and old and everyone in between! Please come on up to the Choir Loft right away. Ministry to the Newcomers There is an immediate need to establish a Newcomers’ Ministry to help them settle in Los Angeles, and make them members of Saint Nicholas Cathedral, and successful residents, and adapt to American life. The scope of this ministry includes, but not restricted to the following: Welcoming them to the Cathedral Taking Care of their spiritual needs. Providing a ride to Church, Bank, Doctors, DMV etc. Helping them open a bank account, obtain a debit or credit card, buy a cell phone, and find adult school to learn English and computer basic skills. Guide them to take vocational courses. Helping them to receive their CA driver license. Helping professionals to get equivalence for their degrees such as Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses & Engineers etc. There are many services that this ministry may offer on case basis, however this list provides the meat of what our ministry does. Any member of our church, or anyone willing to help and guide in any way of the fields above or Anyone who knows about a new Christian family arriving to the Los Angeles area, is kindly requested to contact Fr. Michel Najim at (213) 3826269 Ext: 306 Frmichel@stnicholasla.com or Dr. Abdalah Matar (818) 434-0500 amatar1111@aol.com, or any member of the Steering Committee. Mr. Gabriel Matta (818) 203-1494, Dr. Haitham Matar (818)502-2544, Mr. Fayez Nima (818) 236-2651, Mr. Hanin Kastoun (818) 730-4843 Kh. Eva Najim (626) 966-1314 St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Christian Cathedral Think of us for your next event! Weddings, Baptisms, Birthdays, Anniversaries and All Other Occasions. The Perfect Venue for any event. Reserve your date now before it is gone. Please call us at (213) 382-6269 Ext 306 www.theheritageballroom.com Make memories for a lifetime!
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