Update for the week Thursday, March 6, through Thursday, March 13, 2014
THIS WEEK
AKATHIST – On the first five Fridays of Lent, beginning this Friday, March 7, we will pray the Akathist to the Theotokos at 7:00 pm.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME – DST begins this Sunday, March 9. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour Saturday night so you’ll be sure to get to church on time.
WOMEN'S MONTH HOMILIES – For the remaining Sundays in March some of the womenat St. Mary have been asked to give the homilies, exploring some of the themes in the fifteen Old Testament readings for the Paschal Vigil on Holy Saturday morning. This SundayMelissa Nassiff will talk about “Invitation and Covenant.”
Copies of the readings will be available at the Bengarri for those who would like to follow them as they are discussed.
BREAKFAST SEARCH – This Sunday, March 9, our teens will be heading out after Liturgy to Harvard Square to hand out coffee and breakfast to those in need. All teens are welcome to join them.
PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY and LENTEN POTLUCKS – Every Wednesday during Lent there will be a Presanctified Liturgy at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Potluck Supper sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John. Do plan to come and bring something to share. Any Lenten fare is welcome: main courses, sides, salads, desserts, as well as beverages and snacks. This is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship during Lent, plus we get to sample each other's Lenten recipes. Please stay for supper even if you can't bring food – there's room at the table for everyone.
Next week's leader will be Ioana Chirieac (chirieac@gmail.com ). It would be helpful if you can let her know what you'll be bringing, and how you will help with cleanup afterward (put away tables & chairs, or help in the kitchen).
We still need a leader for the April 9 potluck. Please contact Julie Wasilko (julie31415pi@gmail.com ) to sign up to lead the last potluck.
BIBLE STUDY – The Bible Study at St. Mary, sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine, meets every other Thursday in the church library, and is based on a series of talks originally broadcast on Ancient Faith Radio. For more information contact Marianna Sayeg (mksayeg@gmail.com) or Fr. Antony (frawhj@gmail.com ). New members are always welcome. Join us next Thursday, March 13, at 7:00 pm as we conclude an overview of the Old Testament and begin our study of Abraham. Listen to the podcasts athttp://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/genesis-part-18/ and http://orthodoxbiblestudy.info/genesis-abraham-part-1/ .
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
HELP MAKE SPINACH TRIANGLES – Please come to the church on Saturday morning, March 15, starting at 9:00 am to help make Spinach Triangles with the Women's Club. Lots of help will be needed – young and old, women and men are all welcome - and it's always lots of fun. Lunch will be provided.
If you ordered Hoomos (hummus), Mjadara (lentils with rice), or Spinach Triangles, they will be ready for pickup on Sunday, March 16.
DONATIONS FOR HOLY WEEK – For the special services of Holy Week, the Church needs donations of olive oil for the Unction Service (Wednesday), flowers for the tomb of Christ (Friday), flowers to distribute on Great and Holy Friday, rose water to anoint the faithful (Friday), incense, Paschal lilies and other flowers, and candles. Deadline is Palm Sunday,April 13. Please use the donation form in the Sunday Bulletin.
THANK YOU - Elias Orlovsky would like to thank all those who supported him on February 22 for his Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. Elias raised over $1300 for the athletes of Special Olympics Massachusetts. The generosity of St. Mary’s Parishioners was overwhelming! Thank you!!!!
LENTEN CDs – The Boston Byzantine Choir invites you to span the liturgical cycle from Lent to Pascha with their triad of recordings: Lenten Journey, Thy Passion, and Thy Resurrection. The CDs are $15 each or all three for $40, and may be purchased from the Church Office or from Charlie Marge.
RICE COOKER WANTED – The FSJD needs a rice cooker for the March 26 Lenten potluck supper. If you have one we could borrow, please contact Natasha Smith (nasmith05@gmail.). Thank you!
REMINDERS
MARCH IS ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN’S MONTH. Our women will be reading the Epistle,delivering the Homily, taking the Collection, and assisting during Communion each Sunday. We are inviting all Women of St. Mary Church to be included: If you wish to participate, sign up on the sheet at the Bengarri or contact Mary Ellen Mabardy (781-729-6303) or the church office (617-547-1234).
IOCC HEALTH/BABY CARE KITS - As the Lenten Season is upon us, the Women’s Club asks you to participate in our project to send HEALTH and BABY CARE KITS to the displaced families and orphans of the Syrian Conflict. The IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) will handle the mailing and distribution. Our job is simply to buy and assemble the kits. This is a great way for our families and St. Mary’s parish to begin our Lenten journey, and show our children the true meaning of Christian charity. Shop with yourchildren to make a kit, or more than one. If that’s not feasible, make a donation to the Women’s Club and we will do the shopping for you. Instructions for Kits can be found in the Sunday bulletin.
WOMEN'S CLUB – The next Women’s Club meeting will be Tuesday, March 11, at 7:30 at the church. We welcome all women of the parish to join us in the Women’s Club. Everyone is welcome! Any woman interested in joining may call Mary Ellen Mabardy at 781-729-6303 for more information.
NATIONAL CONVENTION – Letters have been mailed to all parishioners outlining the many opportunities for you to contribute to the 2015 Antiochian Archdiocesan National Convention. Please consider participating: volunteer your time and talent and/or financially support the event by sponsoring one of the many activities or placing an ad in the souvenir journal/ad book. Please complete the Volunteer Sign-up Sheet that was mailed to you and return it to Shirley Bezreh at the Bengarri/Narthex. Extra Sign-up Sheets are available on the table outside the hall.
MARRIAGE SEMINAR FOR COUPLES - The Diocese of Worcester and New England is sponsoring a seminar for couples preparing for marriage at St. John of Damascus church onFriday and Saturday, March 14 and 15. His Grace Bishop JOHN is the featured speaker. Cost is $30 per couple. See registration form in the Sunday bulletin - make check payable to NER Deanery and mail along with the registration form to St. John of Damascus Church, 300 West St., Dedham, MA 02026.
TEEN SOYO COFFEE HOUR – The teens will be hosting the Coffee Hour on Sunday,March 16. Please let Greg or Hannah know if you can help out/or contribute.
PARISH COUNCIL – The next meeting of the Parish Council will be Wednesday, March 19, at 8:00 pm, at the church.
TEEN RETREAT – The New England Diocese Annual Teen Lenten Retreat will be heldFriday through Sunday, March 28-30, at St. Methodios in New Hampshire. Teens from all over New England will be in attendance. The cost is $95 per teen, which covers food, lodging and everything you need for the weekend.
vonHOLZHAUSEN LECTURE – The Fellowship of St. John the Divine invites you to its annual Fr. John vonHolzhausen lecture on Sunday, March 30, at 1:00 pm (following Divine Liturgy at 10am and Coffee Hour at 12pm). Our speaker, Jan N. H. Perkins, MDiv, will speak on the topic, “If you Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It:” How Christ Transcends Good and Bad.
CHILDCARE DURING vonHOLZHAUSEN LECTURE – If you would be interested in onsite childcare while you attend the vonHolzhausen Lecture, please email Diana Yousef, Fellowship VP (yousefd@post.harvard.edu ) ASAP. Indicate how many children and their ages. FSJD and Teen SOYO are considering the possibility of offering childcare for FSJD-sponsored events. Once we have a headcount, we can determine how many teens and what a shared cost might be.
FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE – The 40th Anniversary Food for Hungry People program of our Archdiocese will begin this week with the start of Great Lent. Money Boxes for collecting alms at home will be on the Bengarri; please pick one or two up and place them throughout your home, fill them up, and return them on Palm Sunday, April 13. “Whoever gives a hand to help his neighbor is helped by God’s own hand.” - St. Isaac the Syrian
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE:
Syrian and Lebanese Women - Scholarships ($1,000) are available to young women of Syrian and Lebanese origin, residing in Massachusetts within 50-mile radius of Boston, who plan to pursue a four-year college education. Scholarships are based on outstanding academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, charitable and civic involvement and good character; and applicants must be in good academic standing in her school and possess those personal attributes, which best serve the community. Applications are available through the Church Office and must be postmarked by Monday, March 31, 2014. If you have any questions, contact Mary Winstanley O’Connor at 617-523-1010 or email atmoconnor@koilaw.com.
New England Region Fellowship of St. John the Divine Scholarships: The Fellowship is awarding scholarships to students who are faithful and active Orthodox Christians whose high school records indicate a potential for being successful in an accredited college and who are in need of financial assistance. Applications are available through the Church Office and must be received by the Scholarship Committee Chairperson by Thursday, May 1, 2014.
Antiochian Women’s Scholarship: Scholarships are available to females 25 years of age and older in good standing of the Antiochian Archdiocese, actively involved in their parish and who demonstrate need. The application deadline is Sunday, June 1, 2014. Applications are available in the Church Office. E-mail cindy@cnyhondas.com with any questions.
ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE - For important announcements about Summer Camp registration, check out their FaceBook page (https://www.facebook.com/AntiochianVillage ) because the 2014 Summer Camp registration is now open. You may register online or the old-fashioned way with paper applications. Please note that you are not registered until theyreceive a deposit and you receive a confirmation email. Please visit their Registration Pagefor instructions on how to register. We look forward to summer 2014 and can't wait for our campers to return. For more information go to http://www.antiochianvillage.org/camp.html.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE
There are a number of ways you can help the Church, your fellow worshipers, and those in need. Consider serving in one of these ways:
- Be a Greeter
- Participate in Liturgical Service*
- Provide a Coffee Hour
- Join the Prison Ministry
- Help with Video Editing
- Share your talent as Photographer Or Graphic Designer
For information about these opportunities, and who to contact, seehttps://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/ministries/volunteering
*Also, during the school year, the Church School students participate in our liturgical celebration by holding candles at the Gospel reading; processing with candles, a festal icon, and the baskets of Antidoron (i.e. extra bread) at the Great Entrance; and then presenting the Antidoron for a blessing during the Hymn to the Theotokos.
THIS WEEK'S VOLUNTEERS
Greeter: Azeb Mitiku
Liturgical Service: Candle Bearers: Cindy Mazzoni & Teva Regule; Icon Bearer: Tenbit Mitiku; Bread Baskets: Kailen Hodge & Doreen Bargoot
Coffee Hour: The Popa, Crea and Minidis families
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK
Saturday, March 8: Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, March 9: Orthros 8:45 am, Enquirers' class 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am;Church School meets briefly to learn a hymn; Procession of Icons
SCRIPTURE READINGS for Sunday, March 9, the Sunday of Orthodoxy:
Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 12:1-10
Brethren, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Gospel: John 1:43-51
At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." ... Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote ...
Wednesday, March 12: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 pm, followed by Pot Luck Supper
Thursday, March 13: Bible Study 7:00 pm
LOOKING AHEAD
Friday, March 14: Akathist (Madayeh) 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 15: Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, March 16: Orthros 8:45 am, Enquirers' class 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am;Church School lesson 18
Wednesday, March 19: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 pm, followed by Pot Luck Supper
Friday, March 21: Akathist (Madayeh) 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 22: Great Vespers 5:00 pm
Sunday, March 23: Orthros 8:45 am, Enquirers' class 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am;Church School lesson 19
Monday, March 24, Feast of the Annunciation to the Holy Theotokos: Evening Divine Liturgy 6:30 pm
Sunday, March 30: Annual Fr. John vonHolzhausen Lecture, 1:00 pm
Saturday, April 12: Lazarus Saturday
Sunday, April 20: Pascha
Thursday-Sunday, June 19-22: Parish Life Conference, Plymouth, MA
REFLECTIONS
Thy pure image do we venerate, O good One, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God; for by thine own will thou didst ascend the Cross in thy body, to save thy creatures from the bondage of the enemy. Thou hast verily filled all with joy, since thou didst come, O our Savior, to save the world.
- Troparion for the Sunday of Orthodoxy
Whenever we have any feast or joy in the Church, we Orthodox first of all look back — for in our present life we depend on what happened in the past. We depend first of all, of course, on the first and the ultimate triumph -- that of Christ Himself. Our faith is rooted in that strange defeat which became the most glorious victory — the defeat of a man nailed to the cross, who rose again from the dead, who is the Lord and the Master of the world. This is the first triumph of Orthodoxy. This is the content of all our commemorations and of all our joy.
This man selected and chose twelve men, gave them power to preach about that defeat and that victory, and sent them to the whole world saying preach and baptize, build up the Church, announce the Kingdom of God. And you know, my brothers and sisters, how those twelve men — very simple men indeed, simple fishermen — went out and preached. The world hated them, the Roman Empire persecuted them, and they were covered with blood. But that blood was another victory. The Church grew, the Church covered the universe with the true faith. After 300 years of the most unequal conflict between the powerful Roman Empire and the powerless Christian Church, the Roman Empire accepted Christ as Lord and Master. That was the second triumph of Orthodoxy. The Roman Empire recognized the one whom it crucified and those whom it persecuted as the bearers of truth, and their teaching as the teaching of life eternal. The Church triumphed. But then the second period of troubles began.
The following centuries saw many attempts to distort the faith, to adjust it to human needs, to fill it with human content. In each generation there were those who could not accept that message of the cross and resurrection and life eternal. They tried to change it, and those changes we call heresies. Again there were persecutions. Again, Orthodox bishops, monks and laymen defended their faith and were condemned and went into exile and were covered with blood. And after five centuries of those conflicts and persecutions and discussions, the day came which we commemorate today, the day of the final victory of Orthodoxy as the true faith over all the heresies. It happened on the first Sunday of Lent in the year 843 in Constantinople. After almost 100 years of persecution directed against the worship of the holy icons, the Church finally proclaimed that the truth had been defined, that the truth was fully in the possession of the Church. And since then all Orthodox people, wherever they live, have gathered on this Sunday to proclaim before the world their faith in that truth, their belief that their Church is truly apostolic, truly Orthodox, truly universal. This is the event of the past that we commemorate today.
- Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann, Sunday of Orthodoxy ( fromhttp://www.schmemann.org/byhim/orthodoxy1985.html )