Eastern Christian Bulletin Service -- PO Box 3909 -- Fairfax, VA 22038-3909 www.ecbulletin.com Ph: 703-691-8862 Fax: 703-691-0513

Icon of Saint Justin Martyr -- June 1st

Sunday of the Fathers at the First Nicean Council

Saint Justin Philosopher and Martyr

St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church

A Parish of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese (antiochian.org) … and … The Diocese of Charleston, Oakland & The Mid-Atlantic (antiochian.org/east)

(“…the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch!” Acts 11:26)

111 Alberta Avenue – Johnstown, PA 15905-3002 stmaryaocc.org // office@stmaryaocc.org

Most Rev. Metropolitan SILOUAN – Patriarchal Vicar Right Rev. Bishop THOMAS – Auxiliary Bishop

(Diocese of Charleston / Oakland & The Mid-Atlantic) Very Rev. Fr. Donald E. Shadid, M.Div. & D.Min. – Archpriest & Pastor

Rev. Fr. Anthony G. Roeber, M.A. (Theology) & Ph.D. – Attached Clergy Edward Makdad – Parish Council Chairperson

“Go to Church … Say Your Prayers … Don’t Forget God!”

Fr. Don – Home: 814-255-4077 – frdon@stmaryaocc.org – Office: 814-255-2148

+ THE SUNDAY OF THE AFTERFEAST OF THE ASCENSION(Also The Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council)

+

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Martyr JUSTIN the Philosopher & Companions at Rome; Archimandrite JUSTIN Popovic of Serbia; Hieromartyr & Bishop PYRROS the Virgin; Martyr THESPESIOS of Cappadocia … and …

The Venerable DIONYSIOS the Wonderworker of Glushetsk.

Christ be to Jesus Christ! Glory be to Him Forever! We welcome all of you, our Faithful and our visitors, to St. Mary Orthodox Church! It is a pleasure to have you with us as we glorify and praise the Name of our God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Please sing along with our Choir during the Liturgy. Please note that the Sacrament of Holy Communion can only be given to Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves by prayer, fasting, regular Confession (at least twice per year … 7 Yrs. old & up), who attend Liturgy regularly & on time … and … are at peace with all people. When receiving Holy Communion, please fold your arms over your chest, open your mouth wide, tip your head back slightly and allow the priest to place the elements in your mouth. For our non-Orthodox brethren, we welcome you to sing and pray with us, venerate the Cross and receive the Holy Bread at the end of the Divine Liturgy. Please join us again soon. May God Bless You Always!

HOLY OBLATION: Offered by Jeff & Pam Krinock and Family (grandmother, Dorothy and brothers, Alex [& spouse, Samantha], Matthew & Gregory) for the health of daughter, granddaughter & sister, Gabriella as she celebrates her Birthday this month … God Grant Her Many, Many Years! PASCHAL CANDLES: Offered in beloved memory of father, grand & great-grandfather, John Andrew Spada, in remembrance of his Birthday (June 24), by daughter, Barbara Skala and Family (husband, Buddy, son & wife, Andy & Jill, daughter & husband, Stephanie & Dennis and their children, Brendan & Erin).

PROSKAMEDIA CANDLE: Offered: (1) for the health & blessings of Yiorgos & Michelle (George) Plakakis as they celebrate their Second Wedding Anniversary by Maria Plakakis and Family … and … (2) in beloved memory of aunt, Sadie (Salem) Shamas & cousin, Victoria (Shamas) Hughes by Christine Salem.

SEVEN-BRANCHED CANDLE: Offered: (1) in beloved memory of mother, Anne Azar by Jim & Rita Azar and Don & Kathy (Azar) McMillan … and … (2) in beloved memory of grandmother, Selma Saloom by The Josephine (Saloom) Colbert Family.

PRAYERS OF LITURGICAL REMEMBRANCE: Offered for the health, safety & quick release of: Metropolitan PAUL Yazigi (Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo – brother of our Patriarch, His Beatitude, John X of the Great City of God, Antioch and all the East) & Archbishop YOHANNA Ibrahim (Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo); and in beloved memory of their Driver, Rev. Dn. Fatha’ Allah Kabboud, by Fr. Don and the Faithful of our St. Mary Parish Family. MEMORY ETERNAL!: Today, we will remember the following from our Parish Family who have “Fallen-Asleep in the Lord” during the month of June, praying that they have been transferred from the “Church Militant” to the “Church Triumphant”: William Marlin Adams, Carol F. Adkins, Catherine Audey, Anne (Zappernich) Azar, Raphael Curry, Victoria (Shamas) Hughes, Minnie Jaber, Edward Joseph, John Kennan, Nelly (Najla) S. Kovac, Christianne Rae Ritko, Lily (Jaber) Rively, Kathryn E. Salem, Helen S. Shahade, Selma Saloom, Sadie (Salem) Shamas and Eugene Washabaugh. Please pray for them and their Families. May Their Memory Be Ever Eternal! TRISAGION PRAYERS OF MERCY (NAHA): Offered in beloved memory of aunt, Minnie Jaber (+15 Yrs.), taita, Josephine Jaber and parents & grandparents, William & Roberta (Jaber) Hockenberry by Bob, Kelli (Hockenberry), Danielle & Joey Hines. May Their Memory Be Ever Eternal!

For The Living – “God Grant Them Many Years!”…and… For The Departed – “May Their Memory Be Ever Eternal!”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- VARIATIONS & NOTES ON THE LITURGY -

FIRST ANTIPHON: (Refrain: “Through the intercessions of the Theotokos…”) “O clap your hands, all ye peoples; shout unto God with the voice of exultation.” / Refrain. / “For the Lord Most High is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth. He hath subdued the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.” / Refrain. / “Glory & Now” … and ... Refrain.

SECOND ANTIPHON: (Refrain: “Save us, O Son of God, Who didst rise from us in glory to the heavens; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.”) “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.” / Refrain. / “God is known in her palaces when He cometh to our aid.” / Refrain. / “For lo the kings of the earth were assembled; they came together.” / Refrain. / “Glory & Now” … and … “O Only-Begotten Son...”. THIRD ANTIPHON: (Troparion During The Little Entrance – Tone Four) Verses: “Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the earth. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon the harp.”

Troparion: See “Troparion of the Feast of the Ascension” below. AFTER THE LITTLE ENTRANCE:

TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION: (Tone Six) When Mary stood at Thy grave looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb; and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby, Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O Thou who art risen from the dead, O Lord glory to Thee. TROPARION OF THE ASCENSION: (Tone Four) Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened Thy Disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit, having become confident of the blessing. Verily, Thou art the Son of God, and Deliverer of the world. TROPARION OF THE HOLY FATHERS: (Tone Eight) Thou, O Christ, our God of exceeding praise Who didst establish our Holy

Fathers as luminous stars upon earth, and through them didst guide us unto the true Faith, O Most Merciful One, glory to Thee. TROPARION OF THE DORMITION OF THE HOLY THEOTOKOS: (Feast Day … Tone One) In thy birth-giving, O Theotokos, thou didst keep and preserve virginity; and in thy falling-asleep thou hast not forsaken the world for thou wast translated in to life, being the Mother of Life. Wherefore, by thine intercessions, deliver our souls from death. KONTAKION OF THE ASCENSION: (Tone Six) When Thou didst fulfill Thy dispensation for our sakes, uniting the terrestrials with the celestials, Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christ our God, inseparable in space, but constant without separation, and crying unto Thy beloved: I am with you, and no one shall be against you.

EPISTLE: Acts 20:16-18 & 28-36 (Sunday of the Fathers of the First Council)

HOLY GOSPEL: John 17:1-13 (Sunday of the Fathers of the First Council)

Concerning the “Kiss of Peace,” prior to the Nicene Creed, we encourage you to greet those around you with a handshake, saying: “Christ is in our Midst!”…the response being: “He is and Always Shall Be!” In this way, we express: (1) our Joy that God has acted to restore our Communion with Him … and … (2) our Hope in the Resurrection from the Dead that is offered to us by our Lord’s own “trampling down death by death!” God is With Us (“Emmanuel”)!

KOINONIKON (Communion Hymn – Tone Eight): Refrain: “Praise ye the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the highest. Alleluia!” (Note: The “Alleluia!” is done at the end of the Refrain only after the last Verse has been sung.) Verse: Praise Him, all ye His angels; praise Him, all ye His hosts. (Refrain) Verse: Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars and light. (Refrain) Verse: Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and thou water that art above the heavens. (Refrain) POST COMMUNION (Instead of “We have seen the True Light”): Troparion of the Ascension – See “Third Antiphon” Above.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- THIS WEEK’S EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS - (Church Office: Mon. – Fri. 9 AM – 1 PM)

+ Tuesday, June 3 – DAILY MATINS – 8 AM & CHOIR PRACTICE – 7 PM. + Wednesday, June 4 – NO DAILY VESPERS & DISCUSSION GROUP.

+ Thursday, June 5 – NO DAILY MATINS. + Saturday, June 7 – GREAT VESPERS FOR PENTECOST – 5 PM. + Sunday, June 8 – SUNDAY OF PENTECOST – MATINS @ 8:15 AM & DIVINE LITURGY @ 9:30 AM … Followed by Fellowship & the Rolling of Grapeleaves in our Social Hall!

+ + + C O N F E S S I O N S C H E D U L E + + + After All Weekday & Saturday Services and By Appointment Before Services.

Due to Fr.’s Commitment to Matins, Confession Will Not Be Offered On Sunday Mornings.

THOSE IN SPECIAL NEED OF OUR PRAYERS: CONEMAUGH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL – Good Samaritan Campus: David Abraham (#4421) and Lee Campus: Dawn (Joseph) Hagins (#380); ARBUTUS PARK MANOR: Mitchell Azar (#423) & Lottie Bertino (#D-325); CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN HOME: Bea Jaber (#251); LAURELVIEW VILLAGE: Very Rev. John (#104) & Matushka Olga Govrusik (#528), George Heider (#210) & Vivian Salem (#214) … and … IN TREATMENT, RECOVERING AND / OR “SHUT-IN AT HOME”: Becky Azar; Vivian (Saleeba) Curry; Renee & Joseph D’Ettorre; Elaine (Shamas) Emeigh; Jill Jaber; Henry “Nehemiah” Leftwich; Genevieve Milkie; Dr. Robert Nelson; Peter Povich and Greg & Mary Evelyn (Finley) Smith and infant son, Simeon Lee. May God Be With All of Them & All of Those Who are Ill and / or in Need!

+ + + NOTES FOR THE SEASON OF PENTECOST + + +

Please Note That We Have Resumed Our Wednesday & Friday Fasting … However, The Week Following The Feast of Pentecost (June 8, 2014) Will Be Fast Free. Therefore,

This Year’s Fast For The Feast of SS. Peter & Paul will begin on Monday, June 15.

Also, Note That From Pascha to The Sunday of Pentecost, The Troparion,“O Heavenly King…” Is Not Sung.

– A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEVE – Dear St. Mary Parish Family: I want to thank everyone for celebrating my graduation with me. I could not have done it without all of your love and support over the years. I want to especially thank Aunt Margie & Ummoo Larry for throwing such a “stupendous” & wonderful party. I am truly blessed to call you my family and I feel so special because of all of you. I will be working close by and I look forward to coming home when I can. Thank you all again and may God bless the Place I call Home. Love, Stephen Shadid

Epistle Priest: Let us attend.

Reader: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.

Verse: For Thou art just in all Thou hast done.

Priest: Wisdom.

Reader: The Reading is taken from The Acts of The Apostles (20:16-18 + 28-36)

Priest: Let us attend. IN THOSE DAYS, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of His own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

(OVER)

Holy Gospel

The reading is taken from the Holy Gospel according to St. John 17:1-13

AT THAT TIME, Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son that the Son may glorify Thee, since Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom Thou hast given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent. I glorified Thee on earth, having accomplished the work which Thou gavest Me to do; and now, Father, glorify Thou Me in Thy own presence with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was made. I have manifested Thy Name to the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me, and they have kept Thy word. Now they know that everything that Thou hast given Me is from Thee; for I have given them the words which Thou gavest Me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from Thee; and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom Thou hast given Me, for they are Thine; all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy Name, which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one. While I was with them, I kept them in Thy Name, which Thou have given Me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”

May God Be With You

The Saints Of The Day – June 1, 2014*

THE HOLY MARTYR JUSTIN THE PHILOSOPHER Justin was born of Greek parents in the Samaritan town of Shechem, later called Nablus one hundred-five years after Christ. He zealously sought wisdom among philosophers, at first with the Stoics and after that with the Peripatetics, the Pythagorians and finally with the Platonists. Even though Plato's philosophy did not satisfy him, nevertheless, he adhered to it the longest time not having anything else that would attract him more. By God's Providence an honorable elder encountered Justin who confused him concerning the philosophy of Plato and persuaded him that men cannot know the truth about God unless God reveals it and God revealed the truth about Himself in the books of Holy Scripture. Justin began to read Holy Scripture and became a thoroughly convinced Christian. However, he did not want to be baptized nor to be called a Christian until he was personally convinced of the falseness of all those accusations which the pagans raised against the Christians. Coming to Rome in a philosopher's dolman [cape], he quickly achieved great respect there as well as many followers. He was present at the martyrdom of St. Ptolemy and St. Lucian. Witnessing the tortures of innocent Christians, Justin wrote an Apologia (Defense) of Christians and Christian teachings and presented it to the Emperor Antoninus and to the Senate. The emperor read the Apologia with care and ordered the persecution of Christians to cease. Justin took a copy of the emperor's decree and, with it, journeyed to Asia where, with the help of this decree, saved many persecuted Christians. After that he again returned to Rome. When a persecution began under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, he wrote another Apologia and sent it to the emperor. A disreputable philosopher Crescens, a Cynic, out of envy accused him of being a Christian because Justin had always overcome him in all debates and Justin found himself in prison. Desiring the death of Justin and fearing that he [Justin] would somehow justify himself before the court, Crescens seized the opportunity and somehow poisoned Justin in prison. So ended the earthly life of this great defender of the Christian Faith who took up habitation in blessed eternity in the year 166 A.D.

THE HOLY MARTYRS JUSTIN, CHARITON, CHARITA, EUELPISTUS, HIERAX, PAEON,

VALERIAN [LIBERIANUS] AND JUST They all suffered martyrdom in Rome during the reign of Marcus Aurelius and the Roman prefect [eparch] Rusticus. When Rusticus asked: "Do you think that if you die for Christ you will receive a reward in heaven?" St. Justin replied: "We do not think, we know!" Following that, they were all beheaded in the year 163 A.D. and took up habitation in the eternal kingdom of Christ the God.

REFLECTION No one has ever spread as much shameful slander about Christ the Lord as the Jews. Their Talmud boils over with evil and malice toward the Lord. But all of those worthless calumnies are refuted by the most prominent historian of the Jews, Josephus Flavius, rabbi and scholar who lived toward the end of the first century after Christ. Josephus writes: "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for He appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning Him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day." [Antiquities of the Jews, Volume 2, Page 45 1845 Edition]. Thus wrote a man not believing in Christ but a scholar free of prejudice and malice.

To God Be Glory and Praise Always! Amen. *Taken from The Prologue from Ochrid by Saint Nicholas (Velimirovich)

bpthomasjoseph@gmail.com

June 4, 2014

About the Appearance of the Prophet Jeremiah from the Other World

"This done, in like manner there appeared a man with gray hairs and exceeding glorious, who was of a wonderful and excellent majesty. Then Onias answered, saying, This is a lover of the brethren, who prays much for the people and for the holy city, to wit, Jeremiah the prophet of God" (2 Maccabees 15:13-14). This was the vision which was seen by the courageous Judas Maccabees. The first to appear to him from the other world was Onias the high priest and after that the holy Prophet Jeremiah. Just as Moses and Elijah were seen in glory by the apostles on Mt. Tabor, thus, at one time Judas Maccabees saw the Prophet Jeremiah in glory. Not even before the resurrected Christ did God the Merciful leave men without proof of life after death. In Christian times, however, those proofs are without number and without end. Whoever, even after all of this, doubts in life after death, that one stands under the curse of his sin as under his grave stone. As inanimate things cannot see the light of day, so neither can he see who doubts life which is and to which there is no end. But, behold with what kind of glory is the Prophet Jeremiah wedded in the other life! "Gray hairs and exceeding glorious." Around him a certain indescribable dignity, a certain bright aureole, a certain inexpressible pleasure and beauty. He who was dragged and beaten by men to whom he communicated and imparted the will of God and who was a captive in prison and a martyr in a fetid hole and who was ridiculed as folly and was tried as a traitor and finally, as a transgressor, was stoned to death. However, one is the judgment of sinners, another is the judgment of God. The most humiliated among men became wedded with angelic glory before God. And yet behold how heaven calls one, whom the earth called false, a traitor and a transgressor! "Lover of the brethren" this is how heaven called him.

"Lover of the brethren" who prays much for the people. Finally, see how the saints in heaven pray to God for us! Not sleeping, they are praying for us while we are asleep; not eating, they are praying for us while we are eating and have over-eaten; not sinning, they are praying for us while we are sinning. O brethren, let us be ashamed before so many of our sincere friends. Let us be ashamed, let us be ashamed of so many prayers for us by the saints and let us join with their prayers. O Lord All-wonderful, forgive us our sinful slothfulness and dullness. To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.

St. Nikolai Velimirovich, The Prologue of Ohrid: The Lives of the Saints, May 16th, http://98.131.104.126/prolog/May16.htm

+ + +

St Metrophanes the first Patriarch of Constantinople

Troparion — Tone 1

You proclaimed the great mystery of the Trinity, O good shepherd, / And manifested Christ’s dispensation to all, / Dispersing the spiritual wolves who menaced your rational flock, / Saving the lambs of Christ who cry: / Glory to him who has strengthened you! / Glory to him who has exalted you! / Glory to him who through you has fortified the Orthodox Faith! Troparion — Tone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, / an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; / your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. / Hierarch Father Metrophanes, / entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved. Kontakion — Tone 2

You clearly taught the faith of Christ, / and by keeping it you truly increased your faithful flock to a multitude; / and so, Metrophanes, you now rejoice with the angels and unceasingly intercede for us all.

St. Mary Parish Financial Snapshot As of April 31, 2014

April 2014 Year to Date (YTD) Parishioner Giving (Income) $ 12,048.00 $ 35,517.00 Expenses Paid $ 11,722.17 $ 49,074.54 Parishioner Giving vs. Expenses Paid $ 325.83 $ -13,557.54

Please Do Not Forget …

2014 PASCHAL ALMSGIVING PROJECT: IOCC HEALTH CARE KITS!

We are collecting personal hygiene items and / or $$$ Donations to be used towards these Kits … Please Help Us!

See Insert in this Bulletin-you may also talk with Khouria Janet or Maria Plakakis.

The International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is a world renowned & respected Humanitarian Organization which seeks to share God’s Love with

all those who are in need. WE NEED YOU AT THE FAMILY KITCHEN … C’MON & HELP US!: Our Lord tells us that when we serve those “in need,” we serve Him!

Our Parish Family has been asked to help serve Weekend Meals at The Family Kitchen downtown at 231 Bedford Street. This year, we have been asked to help on 3 Weekends … the dates are: Saturday, June 28, Sunday, November 16 and Saturday, December 6. We meet at the Kitchen at 11 AM and are done by about 1 PM. We have also been asked to make a Donation of $350.00 each time to help defer the expenses of each meal.

If you can help us down at The Kitchen and/or with a Donation, please contact Fr. Don or our Parish Office (255-2148). We have always “taken away” from our experience more than we “have given” … please help us out if you can! Thank You and God Bless! IMPORTANT REQUEST: Steve Shadid has received a “Graduation Card & Gift” with no reference to who it is from. He would like to send a “Thank You” to that person. If you gave him a card & cash gift, please see Fr. Don or Janet. Thank You & God Bless!

Do You Have Enough Blueberries for the Summer!?!

St. Sophia Academy will once again be selling Blueberries in 10 lb. quantities. The deadline for placing orders will be at the end of June. Please include your full payment with the Order Form, which will be available sometime soon. Please include your name, address & phone #. The orders will be delivered the second week of July.

Please make checks payable to “St. Sophia Academy.” If you have any questions, please call Dee Tvarozna @ 341-9314 or Pat Fedorko @ 736-3172. Thank you for your support!

A Spiritual Gem … (compiled by Fr. Noah Bushelli – St. Philip Antiochian Orthodox Church – Souderton, PA)

Masters, Fathers, Mothers, Brothers & Sisters, Bless! Blessed Ascension Day!

Today, we celebrate the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council and the Afterfeast of Ascension. The Gospel (John 17:1-13) is a part of the most sublime “High-Priestly Prayer” of our Lord before His Passion. St. Nikolai of Zicha closes his excellent homily (_Homilies_Volume II, p. 293) on this festal day with the following … .

“This prayer is for all of us who are baptized into the apostolic Church and who have from the apostles and their successors, come to know the saving name of Christ the Savior. O my brethren, think how the Lord Jesus, just before His death two thousand years ago, was thinking of you, and praying to God for you! O may this almighty prayer guard you and cleanse you from every sin, fill you with joy and unite your hearts and souls!”

In Christ!

+Fr. Noah

+ How to Prepare for the Holy Eucharist + To all those who partake of the Body & Blood of Christ when they participate in the Divine Liturgy:

As Orthodox Christians, we are called to the Chalice each and every time that we celebrate the Divine Liturgy; however, it is most essential that we prepare ourselves to receive the Lord, so that we will not approach unworthily and risk experiencing the “consuming,” rather than the “purifying” fire of the Eucharist. With this in mind, the following guidelines will help us in our preparation: +++ No excessive partying or socializing on Saturday evening … we should keep ourselves in a quiet & prayerful atmosphere, reading the gospels and epistles of the New Testament and praying the “Prayers of Preparation” before Communion (these latter prayers can also be done on Sunday Morning if there is time); +++ Maintain a prayerful atmosphere on Sunday morning … (difficult with children, yes, but not impossible … try it!); +++ No consumption of food or drink past a reasonable bedtime the night before (preferably no later than Midnight) … this includes no coffee, no smoking and no chewing gum on Sunday morning as well; +++ If you need your medicine in the morning, please take it … if you are supposed to eat or drink something with it, then do so as moderately as possible; +++ As always, we should partake of the Sacrament of Confession at least 2 - 4 times a year if we are taking Communion frequently (hint: use the 4 fasting periods of the liturgical year…Advent, Great Lent, Apostles’ Fast & Dormition Fast) … if we are not frequent communicants (3-4 times per month), then Confession before Communion is necessary each time we partake; +++ At the very least, attend the Sunday cycle of prayer … Saturday Evening Vespers, Sunday Morning Matins (Morning Prayers) and Sunday Divine Liturgy … if we attend Sunday Liturgy irregularly (e.g. – missing more than once a month), then we should not be taking Communion each time we attend, unless we have had Confession in the recent days prior; +++ Be on time to the Divine Services and be at Peace with all people … if we arrive at Church after the Little Entrance with the Gospel, we should not receive Communion on that day … it is truly a sign of disrespect when we enter the services late and / or when we leave the Liturgy early (before the Dismissal) … and … our Lord tells us that we cannot love God and hate our brother … for whoever is “angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment;” (Matthew 5:22) … and … +++ Fellowship Hour is not to be started until after the Divine Liturgy is completed!

Please strive to practice these Spiritual Disciplines.

+ + + LET US GIVE ALMS! + + + This year’s Project for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America is … “Help the Orphans of War in Syria.” The Antiochian Women have been asked to raise $200,000.00 towards this worthwhile project. Stay tuned for further information … Fr. Don would like our Parish to participate. Remember, every Woman in our Parish is an “Antiochian Woman!”

OUR ADULT DISCUSSION / STUDY GROUP HAS BEGUN … COME & JOIN US! Fr. Don is pleased to announce that our Adult Discussion / Study Group will start up again on Wednesday, April 30, after Daily Vespers @ 6 PM … i.e. Group meets at approximately 7:00 PM. Thus far, we have listened to & discussed a number of Podcasts on such subjects as “An Introduction to God: Encountering the Divine in Orthodox Christianity” by Fr. Andrew Damick, “Angels & Demons” by Fr. Tom Hopko and “The Contours of Christian Love” by Fr. Dn. Matthew Steenberg. All those present are encouraged to provide input as to what our Group discusses & studies. It is our Prayer that through this time together, we will grow in our Faith & Fellowship! Please pray about this, so that we might accomplish God’s Will in all that we do! Take Care and God Bless!

+ + + A Prayer for Peace + + + Almighty God and Creator, You are the Father of all people on the earth. Guide, I pray, all the nations and their leaders in the ways of justice and peace. Protect us from the evils of injustice, prejudice, exploitation, conflict and war. Help us to put away mistrust, bitterness and hatred. Teach us to cease the storing and using of implements of war. Lead us to find peace, respect and freedom. Unite us in the making and sharing of tools of peace against ignorance, poverty, disease and oppression. Grant that we may grow in harmony and friendship as brothers and sisters created in Your image, to Your honor and praise. Amen. MONTHLY CANDLES: The 2014 Monthly Candle Prayer Sheets are now on the Brochure Table in the Hallway. The three candles available are the Paschal Candles (2 large candles in front of the Iconostasis and on each side of the Holy Doors), the Proskamedia Candle (candle on the Holy Altar) and the Seven-Branched Candle (7 branched candle at the back of the Holy Altar). Please note that the requested Donation for each Candle is $20.00 per month. Also, please note that there can be more than one sponsor per candle per month, and unless a candle is being sponsored for more than one month, the sponsorship will expire at the end of the month, no matter when it is started in that month.

*** Parish Scrip Earnings Exceed $30,000.00!!! *** Our Scrip Coordinator, Olga Hodge, is pleased to report that since the inception of our Scrip Program in December of 2005, we have raised over $30,000.00 for our Parish! Remember, our Parish Family benefits each and every time that you shop with Scrip, because instead of paying with Cash or Credit, you use pre-paid Gift Cards from your favorite and most trusted local & national retailers. Please remember to use Scrip for all of your Holiday, Household & Family Shopping … Food, Gas, Gifts, Dining Out, Appliances, etc.

Scrip is Fundraising while you shop!

Please See Olga Hodge, Martha McLoota or Becky Azar after Church to get your Scrip. As always, Becky Azar has Scrip at her Home during the Week.

+ + + Thank You & God Bless! + + +

FAMILY KITCHEN WISH / NEEDS LIST: The Family Kitchen (Clinton Street – Downtown) has issued a new “Wish & Needs List”… Coffee, Flour, Brown Sugar, Sugar & Creamer Packets, Sweet & Low / Equal Packets, Salt & Pepper, Parsley Flakes, Garlic Salt, Paprika, Poultry Seasoning, Onion Salt, Allspice, Lemon Pepper, Rosemary, Italian Seasoning, Chili Powder, Pepper Flakes & Meat Tenderizer. If you can help by donating any of these, or perhaps a SCRIP Card for Giant Eagle, etc., that would be greatly appreciated! Thank You and God Bless!

WE HAVE A WEBSITE … CAN WE HAVE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS? Did you know that our Parish has a Website … and … our Parish Office is connected to the Internet?!? Yes, we are “catching up” with Technology and we have some interesting things on our Site (e.g. a video of the 1960s Groundbreaking and Consecration of our Church). Jay McClatchey is our Web Master. If you will give us your e-mail address, we can keep in touch with you as well. Lastly, if there is any news that you would like posted on our Site and / or if you have any ideas, please contact Fr. Don and Jay. THE WELCOMING OF OUR GUESTS!: Fr. Don would like to ask all within our St. Mary Parish Family to help him with the Welcoming of Guests to our Liturgical Services. If you have a Family Member or Friend who is visiting that you would like publically welcomed, or if you see someone new and you get their name, please inform Fr. Don of this before, or if need be, during the

Service via a note. Remember, Fr. Don is leading us in our Liturgical Prayer and his concentration and attention are directed towards the proper celebration of the Divine Services. Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank You and God Bless! *** Parish Scrip Earnings Exceed $30,000.00 in 7 ½ Yrs.!!! ***

Please remember to use Scrip for all of your Household, Family & Holiday Shopping … especially gas & groceries! Scrip is Fundraising while you shop! See Olga Hodge, Martha McLoota or Becky Azar for details.

+ + + C O N F E S S I O N S C H E D U L E + + + After All Weekday & Saturday Services and By Appointment.

Due to Fr.’s Commitment to Matins, Confession Will Not Be Offered On Sunday Mornings.

WEEKDAY LITURGICAL SERVICES AT ST. MARY PARISH: One of the purposes of our precious Church, as given to us by our Lord Himself, is to serve as the Meeting Place of Heaven & Earth … and this is beautifully fulfilled via our Liturgical Services. Indeed, it is when we are in our Congregational / Corpor- ate Liturgical Prayer that we are participating in the Eternal Worship of God’s Heavenly Kingdom! Complementing this, the Holy Mothers & Fathers of our Church have always attested to the belief that our Life in Eternity will simply be the Utmost Fulfillment of our Life here on Earth … i.e. ifthe priority of our Earthly Life is seeking Communion with God, then our Eternity will be a Fulfillment of that Communion … and conversely, if the priority of our Earthly Life is spent in the pursuit of earthly things, thus separating us from God, our Eternity will be one of separation from God … i.e. – Hell! In light of this, Fr. Don is pleased to announce that our Daily Services will resume again on Tuesday, September 3. Our Schedule is as follows:

Tuesday & Thursday Mornings – Daily Matins (Morning Prayers) @ 8 AM … and … Wednesday Evening – Daily Vespers (Evening Prayers) @ 6 PM. Please join us as we begin & end our days with Prayer … let us gather together as the Family that God has called us to be!

OUR BULLETIN IS ONLINE!: Did you know that thanks to the wonder of the Internet and our Webmaster, Jay McClatchey, our Weekly Bulletin is now Online! All you have to do is go to: stmaryaocc.org … and then click on “Weekly Bulletin” (on the left menu). Please check out the Bulletin before you come to Church … that way you will be prepared to fully participate in the Liturgical Worship & Praise of our Lord! A special “Thanks!” to Jay for his ministry! WE NEED YOU AT THE FAMILY KITCHEN … C’MON & HELP US!: Our Lord tells us that when we serve those “in need,” we serve Him! Our Parish Family has been asked to help serve Weekend Meals at The Family Kitchen downtown at 231 Bedford Street. This year, we have been asked to help on 3 Weekends … Saturday, June 28, Sunday, November 16 & Saturday, December 6. We meet at the Kitchen at 11 AM and are done by about 1 PM. We have also been asked to make a Donation of $350.00 each time to help defer the expenses of each meal. If you can help us down at The Kitchen and/or with a Donation, please contact Fr. Don or our Parish Office (255-2148). We have always “taken away” from our experience more than we “have given” … please help us out if you can! Thank You & God Bless!

"Find out how much God has given you. From it, take what you need. The remainder which you do not require is needed by others. The excesses of the rich are the necessities of the poor." – Blessed Augustine

Heath Care Kits

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cut Here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Name_______________________________

Donation Check list: Please mark the items to complete a full kit … or … mark the amount you would like to donate toward purchasing these items. + Hand Towel _______ + Wash Cloth _______ + Comb _______ + Bars of Soap ______ + Nail file ________ + Nail Clipper _______ + Tooth Brush ______ + Band aids _________

Total Donation _________

*Each Kit Needs To Include: 1 hand towel, 1 washcloth, 1 comb, 1 metal nail file or nail clipper, 1 bath size bar of soap (new and wrapped in original packaging), 1 toothbrush (individually wrapped) and 6 band aids. Monetary donations are greatly appreciated; please make checks payable to St. Mary Church. If you have any questions please see Janet Shadid or Maria Plakakis.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cut Here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Name_______________________________

Donation Check list: Please mark the items to complete a full kit … or … mark the amount you would like to donate toward purchasing these items. + Hand Towel _______ + Wash Cloth _______ + Comb _______ + Bars of Soap ______ + Nail file ________ + Nail Clipper _______ + Tooth Brush ______ + Band aids _________

Total Donation _________

*Each Kit Needs To Include: 1 hand towel, 1 washcloth, 1 comb, 1 metal nail file or nail clipper, 1 bath size bar of soap (new and wrapped in original packaging), 1 toothbrush (individually wrapped) and 6 band aids. Monetary donations are greatly appreciated; please make checks payable to St. Mary Church. If you have any questions please see Janet Shadid or Maria Plakakis.

Heath Care Kits

+ + + ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS – 2014 + + +

Today, we express our appreciation for the various ministries of The Order of St. Ignatius. Thus, we say “Thank You!” to the Members of this Service Order. May God Bless Them All & Grant Them Many Years! In light of this, please also consider the following!

OUR CALLING, ORTHODOX PHILANTHROPIST? Philanthropist…a beautiful sounding word. Philanthropist…a word even more beautiful in meaning. Philanthropist … lover of mankind! We are all called to be philanthropists … to love each other … to take care of each other … but how? In our Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, a vehicle of Orthodox Philanthropy was called into existence by our Father & Metropolitan PHILIP when he created “The Order of St. Ignatius.” As you have heard for many years, the Order serves our Archdiocese as her philanthropic arm through its support of the Antiochian Village, our educational programs, our missions, our retired clergy, and many, many other worthy ministries. For the past thirty-six years this has been accomplished through a body of people, now over four thousand in number, who have been willing to serve God through committed giving. If you have considered the Order before and didn’t join, there are always opportunities to learn more … just ask any one of our parishioners who are members of the Order … Tony Abraham, Larry Bertino, Lisa Catanese, Albert Ghantous, George & Elaine Heider, Norman Joseph, Ed Makdad, Jr., John Ritter, Christine Salem, Fr. Don Shadid, Loretta Shahade & William Shahade. You are invited to discover how God’s abundance toward you may be thankfully returned to Him through generosity toward His People. “Come and See!”…God may be calling you to serve Him in this way.

+ + + OVER PLEASE + + +

Some Thoughts on the Order of St. Ignatius …

(His Grace, Bishop THOMAS & Fr. Don ask that you please consider learning about and joining this worthy ministry of our Archdiocese … His Grace would be very happy to induct you into

The Order … for more information, please see Fr. Don, Tony Abraham or any of our other parishioners who have joined).

Why you should join the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch?

• Service and commitment to the Church • Teach the Orthodox way by utilizing your talents. • Involvement in the life of the Church, willingly and joyfully, being instruments of peace. • Grateful to Almighty God for His many blessings. • Never say “No” when the Lord and the Church call for a job to get done. • Acknowledgement of our sinfulness and weakness; realizing the need for growth through the Sacraments of the Church. • Totally committed and dedicated to the growth of the Archdiocese and the realization of its programs and goals. • Inner satisfaction and fulfillment by being part of a dynamic, dedicated and visionary group of faithful, where love and friendship grow. • Unselfish giving and living for the glory of God not only on the parish and regional level but on the Archdiocese level as well.

Donate to the Order through Electronic Fund Transfer … QUICK, EASY, SIMPLE AND NO CHARGE FOR THE SERVICE.

• For the rank of Knight or Dame, which is a $500 donation per year, $41.67 is deducted around the 5th of each month. • For the rank of Commander, which is a $1,000 donation per year, $83.34 is deducted around the 5th of each month. • Life Members ($15,000 either in one donation or spread over three years) can also have a monthly deduction. Please contact the Administrator at the Archdiocese for more info. • Complete an Order application and include a signed authorization form (available for print at www.orderofstignatius.org or from the Administrator) which authorizes The Order to begin deductions the following month. • Include the required $60 induction fee with the application and the banking information will be taken from the check. • Members can upgrade at any time. • Members on the EFT system never receive a dues reminder or have to be concerned about writing a check and finding a stamp. Now The Order can be more accessible to members of the Archdiocese through the Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFT). Many people pay their utility bills, rent, mortgages, car payments and gym dues through automatic deductions. It is far more time efficient and cost effective to eliminate checks, stamps, and having to remember to pay invoices.

+ + + VOLUNTEER MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES + + +

Do you enjoy helping people? Looking for a way to give of yourself in a positive way? You can serve our Lord by serving others!

Community Nursing Hospice Care

Home Care Volunteers – Provide socialization by visiting with the patient & respite for the Caregiver. Bereavement Volunteers – Follow up with the primary caregiver after the patient dies through phone calls, cards, letters or a visit once a month. Spiritual Care Volunteers – Provide spiritual support with prayer, offering Communion or Bible Reading and are involved in our Annual Memorial Services. This group consists of Pastors, as well as lay people.

Reference & Criminal Background Checks and Training Required. For more Information … 855-254-4116.

Home Nursing Agency

Hospice Volunteers – show compassion, are emotionally present and listen, write letters, read, talk or listen, provide administrative support, work as part of the Hospice Team, are responsible & dependable, etc. Healing Patch – offers a soft place to fall for children & their families who have lost a loved one … here they can discover they are not alone in their grief by interacting with others who have encountered similar losses … some of a volunteer’s qualities: compassion, empathy, acceptance of others, flexibility, dedication & commitment … must be at least 21 years of age … volunteers do not “fix” what has happened … they bring Hope & Healing back into the life of a child!

For more Information … 800-445-6262 (ext. 4119 – Patty … or … 4110 – Melody).

Think About This…

In light of the recent Sandy Hook School Shooting, and in remembrance of the Amish School Shooting of 2006, we reprint this reflection by our own Terry Mattingly.

Please keep the young Victims and their Families in your Prayers.

(This column was syndicated by Scripps Howard News Service on October 4, 2006.) The helicopters kept making circles in the air so that the cameramen could keep showing the dairy farms and country roads, the bonnets and wide-brimmed straw hats, the horse-drawn buggies and the one-room schoolhouse framed in yellow police tape. Soon the facts started going in circles as police recited a litany about 600 rounds of ammunition, a shotgun, a semiautomatic pistol, a stun gun, explosives and, later, the killer’s sick collection of chains clamps, hardware and sexual aids. Witnesses said Charles Carl Roberts IV was angry with God, angry with himself, haunted by guilt, fed up with life and driven by a hellish grudge. Then journalists began asking questions that went in circles, the questions that nag clergy as well as state troopers. Why? Why the Amish? How could God let this happen? How can justice be done now that the killer is dead? “Like everyone else, I could not believe what I was seeing on my television,” said Johann Christopher Arnold, senior elder of the Bruderhof communes. While sharing many beliefs with the Amish and Mennonites, the Bruderhof (“place of the brothers”) embrace some modern technology. Still these movements share European roots in pacifism, simple living and an emphasis on the sanctity of human life. “The Amish are our cousins so I know some of what they must be feeling,” said Arnold, in his thick German accent. “I know these parents are hurting, I know they are asking questions, but I know that they know the answer is forgiveness. Tragedy and pain can soften our hearts until they break. But if we trust God this will help us to feel compassion.” The gunman’s stunned wife released a media statement that showed her understanding of her Amish neighbors and their beliefs. She knew she could appeal for prayers and forgiveness, even though outsiders might find her words hard to fathom.

+ + + Over + + +

“Our hearts are broken, our lives are shattered, and we grieve for the innocence and lives that were lost today,” said Marie Roberts. “Above all, please pray for the families who lost children and, please, pray, too, for our family and children. Some of the Amish went ever further. One woman told the Los Angeles Times: “I am very thankful that I was raised to believe you don’t fight back. You should forgive.” To grasp the Amish point of view, it’s crucial to understand that they truly believe God desires justice, but also shows mercy and “they believe that these are not contradictory things,” said Arnold. “They know that God said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.’ The Amish certainly believe that this killer will not go without punishment, but they also believe that his punishment is in God’s hands.” These are hard words in an age when many Americans hold one of two competing beliefs about eternity and God’s judgment. Millions of believers – lukewarm and fervent alike – assume that the really bad sinners are the people who commit the really bad sins, those spectacular sins tied to violence, drugs and sex. These really bad people are condemned to hell. Meanwhile, many other people believe that all people are automatically going to heaven, no matter what they believe or what they do. According to this point of view, the massacre inside the West Nickel Mines Amish School will have no impact on the eternal destiny of Charles Carl Roberts IV. Once again, the Amish believe that God knows all and that God, and only God, can judge. What the Amish emphasize, stressed Arnold, is that forgiveness is the only way that humans can break a cycle of violence and sin. In this case, the gunman left suicide notes that showed that he was driven by guilt and a grudge that he would not surrender. It appears that Roberts could not forgive God and could not forgive himself. In the end, this killed him and through him this grudge killed others. “If you hold a grudge, it will live on in your heart until it leads to violence of some kind,” said Arnold. “If you do not forgive, then you cannot be healed. Forgiveness can heal the forgiver as well as the one who is forgiven. This is what the Amish believe. It will be hard and it will take time, but this is what they now must strive to live out for all the world to see.” Terry Mattingly (www.tmatt.net) directs the Washington Journalism Center at the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. He writes this weekly column for the Scripps Howard News Service. Terry is also a member of our sister parish, Holy Cross Orthodox Church, in Linthicum, MD.

+ + + ST. MARY PARISH SCHOLARSHIP + + + Once again, it is time for us to advertise our Parish Scholarship … The Mike & Sadie Azar Scholarship Fund. This fund was established to honor the memory of Mike & Sadie Azar and their dedication to the pursuit of higher education. The Scholarship is in the amount of $1,000.00 ($500 given for the Fall Term and $500 for the Spring Term). Any parishioner who has not received this Scholarship within the last year, who is currently active in the Liturgical Life, Church School & Teen SOYO (if applicable) and other ministries of our St. Mary Parish Family, and will be attending an accredited college or university Full-Time this Fall is eligible to apply. If you are interested, please pick-up an application from the Parish Office. The deadline to have the application and all materials in to Tony Spada is Sun., Jun. 29 … This is Announcement 1 of 4.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Eastern Christian Bulletin Service -- PO Box 3909 -- Fairfax, VA 22038-3909 www.ecbulletin.com Ph: 703-691-8862 Fax: 703-691-0513

Icon of Saint Justin Martyr -- June 1st

Sunday of the Fathers at the First Nicean Council

Saint Justin Philosopher and Martyr