Volume: 14 Issue: 13October/November2016

SAINT GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL3400 Dawson Street • Pittsburgh, PA 15213 • Rev. Fr. Joshua Makoul, Dean

Offi ce: 412. 681.2988 • Fr. Joshua : 412.721.5828 • Fx: 412.681.3254

CATHEDRAL MESSENGER

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What and how much we should give is a personal matter but we give according to the

gifts we have been given. Some at times ask, “Can’t I just give my time?”. The answer

is yes...if time is all that God has given us. If God has blessed us with time, skills, and

financial success then we are called to give from all three. Anything less than that and

our stewardship is incomplete and we are holding back from God. When we have been

blessed in a certain area we must take heed to make sure we share it with others. If we

own many properties or apartment buildings then would it not please God to set one

unit aside for a family in crisis or one who is facing homelessness? If we are a physician

should we not strive to not be annoyed when someone asks for medical advice? If we

have the ability to counsel then should we not set time aside to counsel freely?

We are called to give from what we receive and if we have received in multiple areas

then we are called to offer from each. When we struggle with doing this then it can

often be a red flag spiritually. It can be a sign of greed, an irrational fear of going

without, or a lack of charity or love. We are dependent upon the Grace of God to do

good. The more we make use of the grace of God the more He gives us His grace.

There is no need to fear. As we give, God gives back to us. Also, we should avoid the

danger of giving only if the church is being or doing what we think it should or if it

is conforming to our own personal view of how the church should be. Such a stance

is saturated with pride and even arrogance. It is devoid of humility, indicative of not

trusting the Holy Spirit’s presence in the church, and assumes we know better than

God Himself.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the Lord searches our heart regularly looking to see

where our treasure is. As he warned His disciples and us, “For where your treasure is

there your heart will be also”. If we are overly attached to our earthly blessings then

this is a sign of a subtle anxiety that shows we are holding onto our life in this world a

little too tightly. Let us loosen our grip a bit now, so when we must let go completely

we are able to do so. As the late Fr. Thomas Hopko once said, “Our life is a practice in

dying, in letting go, in letting go of our life”. Giving back through stewardship is one

of the great ways to practice this. It is one way to practice letting go of attachment to

material things. It is time to show God where our heart is.

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The act of giving back sends so many messages to God. We show Him that we have

some self-awareness. We show Him we are not overly attached to the things of this

world. We show Him that we are capable of introspection and insight. We show

Him humility in acknowledging that all of the blessings we have come from Him. We

show Him we are grateful. We show Him that we are doing good with the talents and

treasures He gave to us. We show Him that we are mindful of others and of larger

causes. We show Him we are free of idolatry. We show Him that we can think outside

of ourselves. We show Him we are willing to deny ourselves for the other. Finally,

we show God that we trust Him and that we know as we give He will continue to

provide for us so that we may continue to do good. Indeed, these pauses in our life

are pleasing to God and He seeks for us to have these moments. So we see that the

church speaks of this not simply because the church needs our financial help, but also

because it is in our best interest spiritually and it is well pleasing to God.

by Father Joshua Makoul

LEST WE FORGET Remembering God and Giving Thanks

GOD IS SEEKING US. HE SEARCHES AND YEARNS FOR US TO STOP, REFLECT,

AND SHOW DEPTH OF HEART. THERE COMES A TIME WHEN WE MUST STOP

AND REFLECT ON OUR LIFE AND THE BLESSINGS WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

THERE ARE MANY WHO DO THIS DAILY. THERE ARE ALSO MANY OF US WHO

DO NOT DO THIS DAILY AND NEED A TIME OF THE YEAR TO STOP, PAUSE, AND

REFLECT ON THE GIFTS WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN AND HOW TO GIVE BACK. AS

WE DRAW NEAR THE YEAR’S END, NOW IS AN OPPORTUNE TIME TO TAKE

THIS PAUSE AND REFLECT. CERTAINLY NONE OF OUR LIVES ARE EASY, WE

ALL HAVE HAD OUR CROSSES TO BEAR AND WE CONTINUE TO CARRY THEM.

HOWEVER, THE OLD ADAGE “IT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE” OR “THERE ARE

MANY WHO HAVE IT WORSE” RINGS VERY TRUE NO MATTER HOW CLICHE

THEY MIGHT SOUND.

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St. George OPEN HOUSE

SOYO BUSINESS MEETING

ARTOKLASIA for the Feast of

Saint Silouan the Athonite

SOYO MOVIE NIGHT

Open Enrollment throughout the yearGrades k through 12th grade.

Please contact Joanne Cloherty or Fr. Joshua to enroll or call 412-681-2988.

As God fearing parents who love their children and seek to equip them for the their time in the world as adults,

let us make sure we are meeting their spiritual needs and providing them with Christian Education.

Allow our church school to help provide that spiritual foundation which will help provide stability in their life.

This Year’s theme: “My House Shall be called a house of prayer

for all nations”. Mark 11:17

St. George Cathedral

CHURCH SCHOOLSee you Sundays at

at 9:30 AM

Family Night

Family Night

Teen Soyo Luncheon

November 2 Maxim 48: Doing nothing for anyone that they can and should do for themselves.

November 9 Maxim 49: Having a daily schedule of activities, avoiding whim and caprice.

November 16 Maxim 50: Being merciful with yourself and with others.

November 30 Maxim 51: Having no expectations except to be fi ercely tempted to your last breath.

December 7 Maxim 52: Focusing exclusively on God and light, not on sin and darkness.

December 14 Maxim 53: Enduring the trial of yourself and your own faults and sins peacefully, serenely, because you know that God’s mercy is greater than your wretchedness.

December 21 Maxim 54: On when we fall, getting up & immediately and starting over.

December 28 Maxim 55: Getting help when we need it, without fear and without shame.

ST. GEORGE CATHEDRAL APPLIED ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY CLASS

Fr. Thomas Hopko Memorial SeriesThe 55 Maxims of Christian Living, Fr. Hopko’s Death and Dying series,

The Lenten Spring

ST. GEORGE CATHEDRAL

Children’s Ministry

“Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for such belongs to the Kingdom of Heaven”

“FAITH, SERVICE, AND FELLOWSHIP”This ministry gives our children the opportunity to have their own ministry

and allows us to give our children the opportunity to gain a sense of spiritual purpose and service by using their faith now to serve their church and others.

What they learn now will remain with them for the rest of their days. Time is passing quickly, lets take advantage of this wonderful ministry.

To enroll your children please contact Maria Terezis or Fr. Joshua.

The following Parish members will be remembered at the Divine Liturgy closest to the anniversary of their death.

DEPARTED ANNIVERSARIES: OCTOBER

October 2, 2016: Sari A. Brooks-2004, Samuel Abraham-1966, Edward W. Liebert-2003, Abraham Esper-1989, Elizabeth S. Cory-1994, Elias Khalil-2007, Namy Farah-1965, and Sadie Abraham-1977.

October 9, 2016: Sylvia Gilbert-1997, Rose Roy-2000, Sadie Abraham-1953, Madeline Baraket-1978, James W. Davis-1989, Nazara Jacobs Shaheen-1980, Anna Abraham-1981, and Elias Hakim, Jr-2009.

October 16, 2016: Katherine Ward-1965, Nadia Rizk-1974, John Albert-1969, Lucia (Lucy) Ayoub-2003, Nabe B. Jacob, Sr.-1979, Julia Fedwa Fraed-1993, Edward Albert-2008, Joan (Thomas) Edmonds-2011, Michael Cory-1971, Sameera Thomas-1997, George A. George-2003, and Badr Domat-2014.

October 23, 2016: Sam S. Bazari-1962, Elma H. Khalil-2001, George Deep Thomas-1959, George D. George-2004, Michael Albert Haddad-1956, Mildred Hadad-1995, Amelia Kronstein-2001, Abraham Thomas-1954, Albert George-1972, Sophie Aber-2009, Virginia Sadie Hadad-1998, Minnie Abraham-1987, and Charles Davis-1990.

October 30, 2016: Andrew Albert-1963, Rahme Roy-1968, Anthony Joseph-1982, James E. Khalil-1996, Mitchell Abraham-1981, Anna Salem-1984, Virginia Roy Harris-1969, William J. Albert-1970, Les T. Dayoub (Davis)-1978, Mike Deep-1968, Minerva Thomas-2000, Shafeka Ristom-1955, Leslie Joseph-1989, George Hanna-2000 Catherine Ann George-2003, and David C. Thomas, Sr-2004.

November 6, 2016: Abraham Shaheen-1965, Joan E. Filby-1966, Minnie Abraham-1969, Louis Jabbour-1975, Miro Michael Serafy-1995, Robert E. Abraham-1989, George Esper-1979, Leo Solomon-2004, and Richard Tony-2008.

November 13, 2016: Z. Anthony (a.k.a.: Michael George)-1964, Mitchell Haddad-1979, Henry Haddad-2002, Louise K. Lesoon-1986, Sophie

Salem-1996, and Isa Esper-2007.

November 20, 2016: David Ayoub-1985, Amanda Esper-1974, Rose Joseph Khoury-1968, Mary Zanich-1986, John Esper Joseph-1972, Samuel T. Roy-1976, Dush Kosanovich-1990, Melvin

T. Marshall-1996, Esper Yousef-1968, Nellie A. Abraham-1988, Samuel J. Tomassi-2005, Harriet Marion Shogry-1960, and Daniel

Khalil Jr.-2012.

November 27, 2016: Harry Koury-1983, Charles Dayieb-1990, William Khalil-1972, Mary Simon-1973, Richard Eassa-1971, Jacob David-1977,

Edward Lesoon, Sr.-1986, Samuel Ames-1989, Helen Davis-1977, Leslie George, Sr.-1998, and Joseph Davis-1968.

IN MEMORIUM

132008432.1

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 2016 - 2017

VOCATION:

Responding to the Call of Christ in 21st Century America

This year we will discuss Orthodox Christian perspectives on vocation.

Materials will be provided at no cost. No preparation is required.

Please join us!

SUNDAYS AT 9:30 A.M. IN THE CHURCH HALL BEGINS SEPTEMBER 11th

ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL3400 DAWSON STREETPITTSBURGH, PA 15213-4314

Return Service Requested

Non-profi t Org.U.S. PostagePAIDPittsburgh, PAPermit No. 822

NOVEMBER 2016

Wednesday 2 Vespers @ 7:00PMFriday 4 Orthros Service @ 9:30AMSaturday 5 St. Raphael of Brooklyn Matins @ 9:00AM & Liturgy @ 10:00AMVespers @ 6:30PMMonday 7 Society of St. George Meeting @ NoonWednesday 9 Vespers @ 7:00PMFriday 11 Orthros Service @ 9:30AMSaturday 12 Vespers @ 6:30PMSunday 13 SOYO MeetingMonday 14 Parish Council Meeting @ 6:30PMWednesday 16 Vespers @ 7:00PM

Friday 18 Orthros Service @ 9:30AMSaturday 19 Vespers @ 6;30PMSunday 20 Antiochian Women MeetingMonday 21 Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, Matins @ 9:30AM & Liturgy @ 10:30AMWednesday 23 Vespers @ 7:00PMFriday 25 Orthros Service @ 9:30AMSaturday 26 Vespers @ 6:30PMSunday 27 Fellowship of St. John the Divine MeetingWednesday 30 Vespers @ 7:00PM

Friday 18 Orthros Service @ 9:30AM

DATES TO REMEMBERFEASTS AND WEEKDAY LITURGIES