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St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2017-02-12
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St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (304) 346-0106
  • Fax:
  • (304) 346-0146
  • Street Address:

  • Lee Street E and Court St

  • Charleston, WV 25301
  • Mailing Address:

  • P.O. Box 2044

  • Charleston, WV 25327-2044


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Saturday

Great Vespers - 5:00 P.M.

Confessions Following

 

Sunday

Matins Service - 9:30 A.M.  

Divine Liturgy - 10:30 A.M.

 

Monday - Friday

Sixth Hour - 12:30 P.M.  

Confessions Following

 

Wednesday

Daily Vespers - 6:30 P.M.

Family Night & Potluck following.

 


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 1st Tone

While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding thy most pure body. Thou didst rise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. For which caused the heavenly powers cried aloud unto thee, O Giver of life, Glory to thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy providence, O thou who alone art the lover of mankind.

ان الحجر لما ختم من اليهود ، وجسدك الطاهر حُفظ من الجند ، قمت في اليوم الثالث ايها المخلص ، مانحاً العالم الحياة فلذلك قوات السماوات هتفوا اليك ياواهب الحياة : المجد لقيامتك ايها المسيح ، المجد لملكك ، المجد لتدبيرك يامحب البشر وحدك.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 3rd Tone

I have foolishly run away from thy fatherly glory, and I have wasted in evil deeds the wealth which thou gavest me. Wherefore, I cry to thee with the voice of the prodigal: I have sinned before thee, O merciful Father. Receive me who repent and make me as one of thy hired servants.

لما عصيتُ مجدك الأبوي بجهل وغباوة بددت في المعاصي الغنى الذي أعطيتني فلذلك أصرخ إليك بصوت الابن الشاطر هاتفاً خطئت أمامك أيها الآب الرؤوف فاقبلني تائباً واجعلني كأحد أجرائك.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."

First Orthros Gospel
متى 28: 16-20

16في ذلك الزمان انْطَلَقُ الأَحَدَ عَشَرَ تِلْمِيذاً إِلَى الْجَلِيلِ إِلَى الْجَبَلِ ،حَيْثُ أَمَرَهُمْ يَسُوعُ. 17وَلَمَّا رَأَوْهُ سَجَدُوا لَهُ ،وَلَكِنَّ بَعْضَهُمْ شَكُّوا. 18فَتَقَدَّمَ يَسُوعُ وَكَلَّمَهُمْ قَائِلاً: ((دُفِعَ إِلَيَّ كُلُّ سُلْطَانٍ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَعَلَى الأَرْضِ، 19فَاذْهَبُوا وَتَلْمِذُوا جَمِيعَ الأُمَمِ وَعَمِّدُوهُمْ بِاسْمِ الآبِ وَالاِبْنِ وَالرُّوحِ الْقُدُسِ.

20وَعَلِّمُوهُمْ أَنْ يَحْفَظُوا جَمِيعَ مَا أَوْصَيْتُكُمْ بِهِ. وَهَا أَنَا مَعَكُمْ كُلَّ الأَيَّامِ إِلَى انْقِضَاءِ الدَّهْرِ)). آمِينَ. 

 

 


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 1st Tone. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20.

Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.

البروكيمنون. 1st Tone. مزمور 32: 22، 1.
لتكن يا رب رحمتك علينا
ابتهجوا بالرب يا أبراره

فصل من رسالة بولس الاولى الى اهل كورنثس 6: 12-20.

يَُّا إِخْوَة، كُلُّ الأَشْيَاءِ تَحِلُّ لِي لَكِنْ لَيْسَ كُلُّ الأَشْيَاءِ تُوافِقُ. كُلُّ الأَشْيَاءِ تَحِلُّ لِي لَكِنْ لاَ يَتَسَلَّطُ عَلَيَّ شَيْءٌ. اَلأَطْعِمَةُ لِلْجَوْفِ وَالْجَوْفُ لِلأَطْعِمَةِ وَاللهُ سَيُبِيدُ هَذَا وَتِلْكَ. وَلَكِنَّ الْجَسَدَ لَيْسَ لِلزِّنَا بَلْ لِلرَّبِّ وَالرَّبُّ لِلْجَسَدِ. وَاللَّهُ قَدْ أَقَامَ الرَّبَّ وَسَيُقِيمُنَا نَحْنُ أَيْضاً بِقُوَّتِهِ. أَلَسْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ أَجْسَادَكُمْ هِيَ أَعْضَاءُ الْمَسِيحِ؟ أَفَآخُذُ أَعْضَاءَ الْمَسِيحِ وَأَجْعَلُهَا أَعْضَاءَ زَانِيَةٍ؟ حَاشَا! أَمْ لَسْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ مَنِ الْتَصَقَ بِزَانِيَةٍ هُوَ جَسَدٌ وَاحِدٌ لأَنَّهُ يَقُولُ: ((يَكُونُ الاثْنَانِ جَسَداً وَاحِداً)). وَأَمَّا مَنِ الْتَصَقَ بِالرَّبِّ فَهُوَ رُوحٌ وَاحِدٌ. اُهْرُبُوا مِنَ الزِّنَا. كُلُّ خَطِيَّةٍ يَفْعَلُهَا الإِنْسَانُ هِيَ خَارِجَةٌ عَنِ الْجَسَدِ لَكِنَّ الَّذِي يَزْنِي يُخْطِئُ إِلَى جَسَدِهِ. أَمْ لَسْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ جَسَدَكُمْ هُوَ هَيْكَلٌ لِلرُّوحِ الْقُدُسِ الَّذِي فِيكُمُ الَّذِي لَكُمْ مِنَ اللهِ وَأَنَّكُمْ لَسْتُمْ لأَنْفُسِكُمْ؟ لأَنَّكُمْ قَدِ اشْتُرِيتُمْ بِثَمَنٍ. فَمَجِّدُوا اللهَ فِي أَجْسَادِكُمْ وَفِي أَرْوَاحِكُمُ الَّتِي هِيَ لِلَّهِ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
لوقا 15: 11-32

11 قَالَ الرب هذا المثل : ((إِنْسَانٌ كَانَ لَهُ ابْنَانِ. 12فَقَالَ أَصْغَرُهُمَا لأَبِيهِ: يَا أَبِي أَعْطِنِي الْقِسْمَ الَّذِي يُصِيبُنِي مِنَ الْمَالِ. فَقَسَمَ لَهُمَا مَعِيشَتَهُ. 13وَبَعْدَ أَيَّامٍ لَيْسَتْ بِكَثِيرَةٍ جَمَعَ الاِبْنُ الأَصْغَرُ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وَسَافَرَ إِلَى كُورَةٍ بَعِيدَةٍ ، وَهُنَاكَ بَذَّرَ مَالَهُ بِعَيْشٍ مُسْرِفٍ. 14فَلَمَّا أَنْفَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ ، حَدَثَ جُوعٌ شَدِيدٌ فِي تِلْكَ الْكُورَةِ ، فَابْتَدَأَ يَحْتَاجُ. 15فَمَضَى وَالْتَصَقَ بِوَاحِدٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ تِلْكَ الْكُورَةِ ، فَأَرْسَلَهُ إِلَى حُقُولِهِ لِيَرْعَى خَنَازِيرَ. 16وَكَانَ يَشْتَهِي أَنْ يَمْلَأَ بَطْنَهُ مِنَ الْخُرْنُوبِ الَّذِي كَانَتِ الْخَنَازِيرُ تَأْكُلُهُ ، فَلَمْ يُعْطِهِ أَحَدٌ. 17فَرَجَعَ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ وَقَالَ: كَمْ مِنْ أَجِيرٍ لأَبِي يَفْضُلُ عَنْهُ الْخُبْزُ وَأَنَا أَهْلِكُ جُوعاً! 18أَقُومُ وَأَذْهَبُ إِلَى أَبِي وَأَقُولُ لَهُ: يَا أَبِي ، أَخْطَأْتُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَقُدَّامَكَ،19وَلَسْتُ مُسْتَحِقّاً بَعْدُ أَنْ أُدْعَى لَكَ ابْناً. اِجْعَلْنِي كَأَحَدِ أَجْرَاكَ. 20فَقَامَ وَجَاءَ إِلَى أَبِيهِ. وَإِذْ كَانَ لَمْ يَزَلْ بَعِيداً رَآهُ أَبُوهُ ، فَتَحَنَّنَ وَرَكَضَ وَوَقَعَ عَلَى عُنُقِهِ وَقَبَّلَهُ. 21فَقَالَ لَهُ الاِبْنُ: يَا أَبِي ، أَخْطَأْتُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَقُدَّامَكَ ، وَلَسْتُ مُسْتَحِقّاً بَعْدُ أَنْ أُدْعَى لَكَ ابْناً. 22فَقَالَ الأَبُ لِعَبِيدِهِ: أَخْرِجُوا الْحُلَّةَ الأُولَى وَأَلْبِسُوهُ ، وَاجْعَلُوا خَاتَماً فِي يَدِهِ ، وَحِذَاءً فِي رِجْلَيْهِ،23وَقَدِّمُوا الْعِجْلَ الْمُسَمَّنَ وَاذْبَحُوهُ فَنَأْكُلَ وَنَفْرَحَ، 24لأَنَّ ابْنِي هَذَا كَانَ مَيِّتاً فَعَاشَ ، وَكَانَ ضَالاًّ فَوُجِدَ. فَابْتَدَأُوا يَفْرَحُونَ. 25وَكَانَ ابْنُهُ الأَكْبَرُ فِي الْحَقْلِ. فَلَمَّا جَاءَ وَقَرُبَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ ، سَمِعَ صَوْتَ آلاَتِ طَرَبٍ وَرَقْصاً،26فَدَعَا وَاحِداً مِنَ الْغِلْمَانِ وَسَأَلَهُ: مَا عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونَ هَذَا؟ 27فَقَالَ لَهُ: أَخُوكَ جَاءَ فَذَبَحَ أَبُوكَ الْعِجْلَ الْمُسَمَّنَ ، لأَنَّهُ قَبِلَهُ سَالِماً. 28فَغَضِبَ وَلَمْ يُرِدْ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ. فَخَرَجَ أَبُوهُ يَطْلُبُ إِلَيْهِ. 29فَأَجَابَ وَقَالَلأَبِيهِ: هَا أَنَا أَخْدِمُكَ سِنِينَ هَذَا عَدَدُهَا ، وَقَطُّ لَمْ أَتَجَاوَزْ وَصِيَّتَكَ ، وَجَدْياً لَمْ تُعْطِنِي قَطُّ لأَفْرَحَ مَعَ أَصْدِقَائِي. 30وَلَكِنْ لَمَّا جَاءَ ابْنُكَ هَذَا الَّذِي أَكَلَ مَعِيشَتَكَ مَعَ الزَّوَانِي ، ذَبَحْتَ لَهُ الْعِجْلَ الْمُسَمَّنَ! 31فَقَالَ لَهُ: يَا بُنَيَّ أَنْتَ مَعِي فِي كُلِّ حِينٍ ، وَكُلُّ مَا لِي فَهُوَ لَكَ. 32وَلَكِنْ كَانَ يَنْبَغِي أَنْ نَفْرَحَ وَنُسَرَّ ، لأَنَّ أَخَاكَ هَذَا كَانَ مَيِّتاً فَعَاشَ ، وَكَانَ ضَالاًّ فَوُجِدَ)). 

 

 


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Wisdom of the Fathers

But if he had despaired of his life, and, ... had remained in the foreign land, he would not have obtained what he did obtain, but would have been consumed with hunger, and so have undergone the most pitiable death: ...
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

... but since he repented, and did not despair, he was restored, even after such great corruption, to the same splendour as before, and was arrayed in the most beautiful robe, and enjoyed greater honours than his brother who had not fallen.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
February 12

Christos the New Martyr


Prodson
February 12

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.


Allsaint
February 12

Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch

This holy Father, who was from Melitene of Armenia, was a blameless man, just, reverent, sincere, and most gentle. Consecrated Bishop of Sebastia in 357, he was later banished from his throne and departed for Beroea of Syria (this is the present-day Aleppo). After the Arian bishop of Antioch had been deposed, the Orthodox and the Arians each strove to have a man of like mind with themselves become the next Bishop of Antioch. Meletius was highly esteemed by all, and since the Arians believed him to share their own opinion, they had him raised to the throne of Antioch. As soon as he had taken the helm of the Church of Antioch, however, he began preaching the Son's consubstantiality with the Father. At this, the archdeacon, an Arian, put his hand over the bishop's mouth; Meletius then extended three fingers towards the people, closed them, and extended one only, showing by signs the equality and unity of the Trinity. The embarrassed archdeacon then seized his hand, but released his mouth, and Meletius spoke out even more forcibly in defense of the Council of Nicaea. Shortly after, he was banished by the Arian Emperor Constantius, son of Saint Constantine the Great. After the passage of time, he was recalled to his throne, but was banished again the third time by Valens. It was Saint Meletius who ordained Saint John Chrysostom reader and deacon in Antioch (see Nov. 13). He lived until the Second Ecumenical Council in 381 (which was convoked against Macedonius, Patriarch of Constantinople, the enemy of the Holy Spirit), over which he presided, being held in great honor as a zealot of the Faith and a venerable elder hierarch.

Some time before, when the Emperor Gratian had made the Spanish General Theodosius commander-in-chief of his armies in the war against the barbarians, Theodosius had a dream in which he saw Meletius, whom he had never met, putting upon him the imperial robe and crown. Because of Theodosius's victories, Gratian made him Emperor of the East in Valens' stead in 379. When, as Emperor, Saint Theodosius the Great convoked the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople two years later, he forbade that anyone should tell him who Meletius was; and as soon as he saw him, he recognized him, ran to him with joy, embraced him before all the other bishops, and told him of his dream.

While at the Council, Saint Meletius fell ill and reposed a short while after. Saint Gregory of Nyssa, among others, gave a moving oration at his funeral; bewailing the loss of him whom all loved as a father, he said, "Where is that sweet serenity of his eyes? Where that bright smile upon his lips? Where that kind right hand, with fingers outstretched to accompany the benediction of the mouth?" (PG 46:8-6). And he lamented, "Our Elias has been caught up, and no Elisseus is left behind in his place." (ibid., 860). The holy relics of Saint Meletius were returned to Antioch and were buried beside Saint Babylas the Martyr (see Sept. 4), in the Church dedicated to the Martyr which Meletius, in his zeal for the Martyr's glory, had helped build with his own hands.


Allsaint
February 12

Antonius, Archbishop of Constantinople


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News and Events

ABOUT SAINT GEORGE


Communion and Visitation

sickCommunion

If someone in your family has been unable to attend church for a while, due to being hospitalized, in a nursing home, or a family member is recovering from a recent surgery, injury, or illness...

Please contact the church office to help us update our Visitation List.

We want ALL of our brothers and sisters in Christ to have an opportunity to recieve the Eucharist and the Anointing of the sick.


Holy Bread Sign Up

Holy Bread

Holy Bread Sign Up

There are plenty of days still available this year if you are interested in offering bread for loved ones, both living and deceased. 

Call the church office and schedule you day(s) today! or fill out the (online form).


Word Magazine Subscription

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Contact the church office so we can update your address, or add you to their mailing list.

The Word is the official news magazine of the Antiochian Archdiocese. Published monthly (with the exception of July and August) the magazine circulates to the households of all members of the Antiochian Archdiocese and other subscribers including libraries and seminaries.


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Events Calendar

  • St. George Cathedral Calendar

    February 12 to February 27, 2017

    Sunday, February 12

    9:15AM Junior Choir

    9:30AM Matins

    9:45AM Church School

    10:30AM Divine Liturgy

    6:30PM Bible Study

    Monday, February 13

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    Tuesday, February 14

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    Wednesday, February 15

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    6:30PM Vespers/Family Night

    Thursday, February 16

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    7:30PM Choir Rehearsal

    Friday, February 17

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    Saturday, February 18

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, February 19

    9:15AM Junior Choir

    9:30AM Matins

    9:45AM Church School

    10:30AM Divine Liturgy

    6:30PM Bible Study

    Monday, February 20

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    Tuesday, February 21

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    7:00PM Foundation Board Meeting

    Wednesday, February 22

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    6:30PM Vespers/Family Night

    Thursday, February 23

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    7:30PM Choir Rehearsal

    Friday, February 24

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    Saturday, February 25

    9:30AM Manna Meal prep

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, February 26

    9:15AM Junior Choir

    9:30AM Matins

    9:45AM Church School

    10:30AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM Forgiveness Vespers

    Monday, February 27

    Great Lent Begins

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Sunday Evening Bible Study

Weekly Bible Study

On Sunday evenings, Assistant Priest Fr. Stephen De Young leads an Orthodox Christian 'Verse-by-verse" Bible Study. 

Below are archives of past studies. 

Sunday Evening Bible Study and Archive


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Antiochian Archdiocese News

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Archdiocesan Convention to Celebrate Bishop Antoun’s Lifetime of Service

02/08/2017

After eight decades of “love, humility and sunshine” in service to the Antiochian Orthodox Church, His Grace Bishop Antoun of the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast is retiring from active ministry. This July 23-30, the Antiochian Archdiocese’s biennial convention in Miami will celebrate his remarkable witness to our Lord Jesus Christ as an acolyte, deacon, priest and bishop. The convention’s host, St. George Cathedral of Coral Gables, Florida is preparing exciting festivities.

His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, the venerable hierarchs and the Board of Trustees of the Archdiocese urge all of the clergy and faithful to make plans now to honor Bishop Antoun personally by attending this historic convention. St. George Cathedral will dedicate the “History Journal” to His Grace that will be filled with photos and tributes.

Everyone can submit a message expressing gratitude to him for his lifetime of humility and service. Also, save your spots now at the Grand Banquet on Saturday, July 29 which is also dedicated to Bishop Antoun.

“Sayidna Antoun’s favorite song is ‘You are My Sunshine,’ and he has been our sunshine for so many years,” the host pastor, Fr. Fouad Saba, said. “The convention brings all of our Archdiocesan family together, and there’s no better way to honor His Grace than surrounding him with love.”

New details are constantly emerging, so get the latest information at www.ac2017miami.org and follow the Archdiocesan Convention on Facebook.

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Bishop Antoun Poster (PDF)2.5 MB

Winter 2017 Issue of DIAKONIA Available Online

02/07/2017

The Winter 2017 issue of DIAKONIA is now available online. This issue highlights the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest. The issue contains:

  • Using our Prayer Books by His Grace Bishop Anthony
  • Information about the 2017 NAB Common Act of Mercy
  • A message from the Diocesan President Cynthia Beckes O'Connor
  • Profiles of diocesan officers
  • Chapter reports, photos and happenings

...and more! Download (PDF) here.

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DIAKONIA Winter 2017 (PDF)4.95 MB

Metropolitan Joseph Commemorates 30th Anniversary of EOC Reception into Archdiocese

02/06/2017

Beloved in Christ,

We greet you with great joy as we embark upon this new Lenten journey which lies ahead. Before us lies a strenuous path leading to the Feast of the Holy Resurrection of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. May your journey be blessed!

This year marks the 30th anniversary of an important event in the life of our Archdiocese. I do not want to let this event pass without remembering and giving thanks to God for it.

Beginning in early 1987, over two-thousand members of the former Evangelical Orthodox Church were received with open arms into the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America. Over the course of several months, the faithful from seventeen parishes in cities across North America were chrismated and clergy were ordained.

The process started in the Los Angeles area on February 8, where our beloved Metropolitan Philip of thrice-blessed memory, received the largest numbers. The next Sunday at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles, more LA area laity were chrismated and more ordinations took place.

This process continued next in Santa Cruz, California (the weekend of February 18) and then to Nashville, Tennessee for more chrismations and ordinations the following weekend (February 21). His Grace Bishop Antoun made several trips in March, 1987, to bring in EOC parishes in Jackson, Mississippi; Memphis, Tennessee; Gary, Indiana; as well as three parishes in Canada.

Finally, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip flew to Anchorage and Seattle to complete the process by early April. By Pascha 1987, all the EOC parishes had been received into the Antiochian Archdiocese.

In his address at the National Convention in Detroit that year, His Eminence reflected back on those grace filled months. He stated: “I wish I could go beyond words to describe to you the joy which I experienced as I was chrismating these little children of the Evangelical Orthodox faithful. Every experience I had was like a chapter from the Book of Acts. I felt as if the Church was recapturing her apostolic spirit and rediscovering, once again, her missionary dimension.” And later he added: “From the depth of my heart, I say to the Evangelical Orthodox, ‘Welcome Home!’”

Like our beloved Metropolitan, many of the leaders of this movement have now gone to be with the Lord. Father Peter Gillquist, Father Richard Ballew, Father Gordon Walker, Father Jack Sparks, Father Harold Dunaway, and other founding members have finished the course of their earthly journey. They have joined the great cloud of witnesses we read about in Hebrews, where they are praying for us and cheering us on as we continue the journey.

Dear ones in Christ, I strongly believe that what was “completed” by Pascha of 1987 continues on today, and that the blessing of God is no less active now than it was from the beginning. For over 20 years I have been privileged to shepherd and work with many, and now with all of you. As your Metropolitan, I pledge to do no less than what was begun by our late Metropolitan Philip. And in return, I ask all who were present during those holy and all-revered days, to be the leaven that continues to spread throughout this nation.

Since you are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, you must “run with endurance the race that is set before [you]” (Hebrews 12:1). You must be very active and dynamic in all your labors. In all of this, I am sure that God will cause you to bear still much more fruit in the years ahead.

With a joyful heart, I congratulate and embrace each one of you in Christ. Please be assured that you have my appreciation and commitment forever!

Your Father in Christ,

+Joseph 
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America

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Metropolitan Joseph Letter 30th Anniversary EOC Reception (PDF)119.57 KB

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

02/03/2017

O Lord, Thou didst reproach the Pharisee when he justified himself, boasting of his deeds; and justified the Publican when he approached humbly, seeking forgiveness with sighs; for Thou dost not draw near to arrogant thoughts, nor turn away contrite hearts. Wherefore, we also kneel before Thee meekly, O Thou Who didst suffer for our sakes. Grant us forgiveness and the Great Mercy.

+ Doxasticon from Orthros, Tone 8

When the Pharisee went down with empty glory, and the publican bowed himself in repentance, they came to Thee alone, O Master. But the one through boasting lost his reward, and the other by his silence deserved gifts. Wherefore, by those sighs confirm me, O Christ God, since Thou art the Lover of mankind.

+ from the Praises at Orthros, Tone 1

Read more about the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, in an excerpt from Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann
Listen to a podcast about the Sunday by Fr. Josiah Trenham, The Doors of Repentance
Visit our full section on Great Lent

Luke 18:10-14

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”


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