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St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2017-04-30
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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

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Tone

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and upon those in the tombs, bestowing life.

المسيح قام من بين الأموات ووطئ الموت بالموت ووهب الحياة للذين في القبور.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the 2nd Tone

When thou didst submit thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal one, then Thou didst destroy Hell with Thy Godly pow'r, and when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the pow'rs of heaven did cry aloud unto Thee O Christ thou giver of life glory to Thee.

عندما انحدرت إلى الموت أيها الحياة الذي لايموت حينئذ أمت الجحيم ببرق لاهوتك وأقمت الأموات من تحت الثرى هتف نحوك جميع القوات السماوين أيها المسيح الإله معطي الحياة المجد لك.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the 2nd Tone

The pious Joseph, having brought down thy pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen, embalmed it with ointment, provided for it, and laid it in a new tome. But thou didst verily rise, after three days, O Lord, granting the world Great Mercy.

إن يوسف المتقي أحدر جسدك الطاهر من العود ولفه بالسباني النقية وحنطه بالطيب وجهزه ووضعه في قبر جديد.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the 2nd Tone

Verily, the angel came to the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women, The ointment is meet for the dead, but Christ is shown to be remote from corruption. But cry ye, The Lord is risen, granting the world the Great Mercy.

إن الملاك حضر عند القبر قائلاً للنسوة الحاملات الطيب أما الطيب فهو لائق بالأموات وأما المسيح فقد ظهر غريباًمن الفساد. لكن اصرخن الآن قائلات قد قام الرب مانحاً العالم الرحمة العظمى.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Tone

When thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, thou didst destroy the power of hades. In victory didst thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming 'Rejoice' to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to thine apostles and bestowing resurrection of the fallen.

ولئن كنت نزلت إلى قبر يا من لا يموت إلا أنك درست قوة الجحيم وقمت غالباً أيها المسيح الإله وللنسوة حاملات الطيب قلت افرحن ووهبت رسلك السلام يا مانح الواقعين القيام.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

Fourth Orthros Gospel
لوقا 24: 1-12

1 في ذلك الزمان و فِي أَوَّلِ الأُسْبُوعِ ، أَوَّلَ الْفَجْرِ ، جاءت النساء إِلَى الْقَبْرِ حَامِلاَتٍ الْحَنُوطَ الَّذِي أَعْدَدْنَهُ ، وَمَعَهُنَّ أُنَاسٌ. 2فَوَجَدْنَ الْحَجَرَ مُدَحْرَجاً عَنِ الْقَبْرِ، 3فَدَخَلْنَ وَلَمْ يَجِدْنَ جَسَدَ الرَّبِّ يَسُوعَ. 4وَفِيمَا هُنَّ مُحْتَارَاتٌ فِي ذَلِكَ ، إِذَا رَجُلاَنِ وَقَفَا بِهِنَّ بِثِيَابٍ بَرَّاقَةٍ. 5وَإِذْ كُنَّ خَائِفَاتٍ وَمُنَكِّسَاتٍ وُجُوهَهُنَّ إِلَى الأَرْضِ ، قَالاَ لَهُنَّ: ((لِمَاذَا تَطْلُبْنَ الْحَيَّ بَيْنَ الأَمْوَاتِ؟ 6لَيْسَ هُوَ هَهُنَا ، لَكِنَّهُ قَامَ! اُذْكُرْنَ كَيْفَ كَلَّمَكُنَّ وَهُوَ بَعْدُ فِي الْجَلِيلِ 7قَائِلاً: إِنَّهُ يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يُسَلَّمَ ابْنُ الإِنْسَانِ فِي أَيْدِي أُنَاسٍ خُطَاةٍ ، وَيُصْلَبَ ، وَفِي الْيَوْمِ الثَّالِثِ يَقُومُ)). 8فَتَذَكَّرْنَ كَلاَمَهُ، 9وَرَجَعْنَ مِنَ الْقَبْرِ ، وَأَخْبَرْنَ الأَحَدَ عَشَرَ وَجَمِيعَ الْبَاقِينَ بِهَذَا كُلِّهِ. 10وَكَانَتْ مَرْيَمُ الْمَجْدَلِيَّةُ وَيُوَنَّا وَمَرْيَمُ أُمُّ يَعْقُوبَ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ مَعَهُنَّ ، اللَّوَاتِي قُلْنَ هَذَا لِلرُّسُلِ.

11فَتَرَاءَى كَلاَمُهُنَّ لَهُمْ كَالْهَذَيَانِ وَلَمْ يُصَدِّقُوهُنَّ. 12فَقَامَ بُطْرُسُ وَرَكَضَ إِلَى الْقَبْرِ ، فَانْحَنَى وَنَظَرَ الأَكْفَانَ مَوْضُوعَةً وَحْدَهَا ، فَمَضَى مُتَعَجِّباً فِي نَفْسِهِ مِمَّا كَانَ.

 

 


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 2nd Tone. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7.

IN THOSE DAYS, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

البروكيمنون. 2nd Tone. مزمور 117: 14، 18.
الرب قوتي وتسبيحتي
أدباُ أدّبني الرب

فصل من أعمال الرسل 6: 1-7.

1في تِلْكَ الأَيَّامِ إِذْ تَكَاثَرَ التَّلاَمِيذُ حَدَثَ تَذَمُّرٌ مِنَ الْيُونَانِيِّينَ عَلَى الْعِبْرَانِيِّينَ أَنَّ أَرَامِلَهُمْ كُنَّ يُغْفَلُ عَنْهُنَّ فِي الْخِدْمَةِ الْيَوْمِيَّةِ. 2فَدَعَا الاِثْنَا عَشَرَ جُمْهُورَ التَّلاَمِيذِ وَقَالُوا: ((لاَ يُرْضِي أَنْ نَتْرُكَ نَحْنُ كَلِمَةَ اللهِ وَنَخْدِمَ مَوَائِدَ. 3فَانْتَخِبُوا أَيُّهَا الإِخْوَةُ سَبْعَةَ رِجَالٍ مِنْكُمْ مَشْهُوداً لَهُمْ وَمَمْلُوِّينَ مِنَ الرُّوحِ الْقُدُسِ وَحِكْمَةٍ فَنُقِيمَهُمْ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْحَاجَةِ. 4وَأَمَّا نَحْنُ فَنُواظِبُ عَلَى الصَّلاَةِ وَخِدْمَةِ الْكَلِمَةِ)). 5فَحَسُنَ هَذَا الْقَوْلُ أَمَامَ كُلِّ الْجُمْهُورِ فَاخْتَارُوا اسْتِفَانُوسَ رَجُلاً مَمْلُوّاً مِنَ الإِيمَانِ وَالرُّوحِ الْقُدُسِ وَفِيلُبُّسَ وَبُرُوخُورُسَ وَنِيكَانُورَ وَتِيمُونَ وَبَرْمِينَاسَ وَنِيقُولاَوُسَ دَخِيلاً أَنْطَاكِيّاً.6اَلَّذِينَ أَقَامُوهُمْ أَمَامَ الرُّسُلِ فَصَلُّوا وَوَضَعُوا عَلَيْهِمِ الأَيَادِيَ. 7وَكَانَتْ كَلِمَةُ اللهِ تَنْمُو وَعَدَدُ التَّلاَمِيذِ يَتَكَاثَرُ جِدّاً فِي أُورُشَلِيمَ وَجُمْهُورٌ كَثِيرٌ مِنَ الْكَهَنَةِ يُطِيعُونَ الإِيمَانَ.

 

 


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
مرقس 15: 43-47، 16: 1-8

في تلك الأيام،43 جَاءَ يُوسُفُ الَّذِي مِنَ الرَّامَةِ مُشِيرٌ شَرِيفٌ وَكَانَ هُوَ أَيْضاً مُنْتَظِراً مَلَكُوتَ اللَّهِ فَتَجَاسَرَ وَدَخَلَ إِلَى بِيلاَطُسَ وَطَلَبَ جَسَدَ يَسُوعَ.44 فَتَعَجَّبَ بِيلاَطُسُ أَنَّهُ مَاتَ كَذَا سَرِيعاً. فَدَعَا قَائِدَ الْمِئَةِ وَسَأَلَهُ: «هَلْ لَهُ زَمَانٌ قَدْ مَاتَ؟»45 وَلَمَّا عَرَفَ مِنْ قَائِدِ الْمِئَةِ وَهَبَ الْجَسَدَ لِيُوسُفَ.46 فَاشْتَرَى كَتَّاناً فَأَنْزَلَهُ وَكَفَّنَهُ بِالْكَتَّانِ وَوَضَعَهُ فِي قَبْرٍ كَانَ مَنْحُوتاً فِي صَخْرَةٍ وَدَحْرَجَ حَجَراً عَلَى بَابِ الْقَبْرِ.47 وَكَانَتْ مَرْيَمُ الْمَجْدَلِيَّةُ وَمَرْيَمُ أُمُّ يُوسِي تَنْظُرَانِ أَيْنَ وُضِعَ.1 وَبَعْدَمَا مَضَى السَّبْتُ اشْتَرَتْ مَرْيَمُ الْمَجْدَلِيَّةُ وَمَرْيَمُ أُمُّ يَعْقُوبَ وَسَالُومَةُ حَنُوطاً لِيَأْتِينَ وَيَدْهَنَّهُ.2 وَبَاكِراً جِدّاً فِي أَوَّلِ الأُسْبُوعِ أَتَيْنَ إِلَى الْقَبْرِ إِذْ طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ. 3 وَكُنَّ يَقُلْنَ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُنَّ: «مَنْ يُدَحْرِجُ لَنَا الْحَجَرَ عَنْ بَابِ الْقَبْرِ؟» 4 فَتَطَلَّعْنَ وَرَأَيْنَ أَنَّ الْحَجَرَ قَدْ دُحْرِجَ! لأَنَّهُ كَانَ عَظِيماً جِدّاً.5 وَلَمَّا دَخَلْنَ الْقَبْرَ رَأَيْنَ شَابّاً جَالِساً عَنِ الْيَمِينِ لاَبِساً حُلَّةً بَيْضَاءَ فَانْدَهَشْنَ.6 فَقَالَ لَهُنَّ: «لاَ تَنْدَهِشْنَ! أَنْتُنَّ تَطْلُبْنَ يَسُوعَ النَّاصِرِيَّ الْمَصْلُوبَ. قَدْ قَامَ! لَيْسَ هُوَ هَهُنَا. هُوَذَا الْمَوْضِعُ الَّذِي وَضَعُوهُ فِيهِ. 7 لَكِنِ اذْهَبْنَ وَقُلْنَ لِتَلاَمِيذِهِ وَلِبُطْرُسَ إِنَّهُ يَسْبِقُكُمْ إِلَى الْجَلِيلِ. هُنَاكَ تَرَوْنَهُ كَمَا قَالَ لَكُمْ».8 فَخَرَجْنَ سَرِيعاً وَهَرَبْنَ مِنَ الْقَبْرِ لأَنَّ الرِّعْدَةَ وَالْحَيْرَةَ أَخَذَتَاهُنَّ. وَلَمْ يَقُلْنَ لأَحَدٍ شَيْئاً لأَنَّهُنَّ كُنَّ خَائِفَاتٍ.

 

 


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Wisdom of the Fathers

They [the women] had followed Him ministering to Him, and were present even unto the time of the dangers. Wherefore also they saw all; how He cried, how He gave up the ghost, how the rocks were rent, and all the rest.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

And these [the women] first see Jesus; and the sex that was most condemned, this first enjoys the sight of the blessings, this most shows its courage. And when the disciples had fled, these were present.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
April 30

Erconwald, Bishop of London


Myrrbear
April 30

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14).

Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60).


Jameszebedee
April 30

James the Apostle and brother of St. John the Theologian

James was one of the Twelve, like his brother John (celebrated on Sept. 26), whom the Lord called "Sons of Thunder," because they became great preachers and because of their profound theology. It was the Saint's boldness in preaching the Gospel that Herod Agrippa, the son of Aristobulus and grandson of Herod the Great, could not endure, and so he took him into custody during the days of the Passover, and slew him with the sword (Acts 12: 1-2); and thus he drank the cup of which the Saviour had spoken to him prophetically (Matt. 20:23). As for Herod, the following year he went down to Caesarea, and, as the Acts of the Apostles records: "Upon a set day, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration" to the elders of Tyre and Sidon; and the flatterers that surrounded him "gave a shout, saying, 'it is the voice of a god, and not of a man.' And immediately an Angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory; and like his grandfather (see Dec. 29) "he was eaten of worms and gave up the spirit" (Acts 12:21-23)


Allsaint
April 30

Argyra the New Martyr


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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

word magazineNot receiving 'The Word' Magazine?

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.


St. George is on Social Media!

Social MediaFollow us on Twitter and Facebook, and on the web. 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StGeorgeWV

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-George-Orthodox-Cathedral/204148362929390

Website: http://stgeorgecharleston.org

Live Streaming Divine Liturgy (and special services):  http://stgeorgecharleston.org/streaming.html

 


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Events Calendar

  • St. George Cathedral Calendar

    April 30 to May 14, 2017

    Sunday, April 30

    9:30AM Matins

    9:45AM Church School

    10:30AM Divine Liturgy

    6:30PM Bible Study

    Monday, May 1

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    7:00PM Ladies Guild

    Tuesday, May 2

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

    Wednesday, May 3

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    6:30PM Vespers/Family Night

    Thursday, May 4

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    7:30PM Choir Rehearsal

    Friday, May 5

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    Saturday, May 6

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, May 7

    9:30AM Matins

    9:45AM Church School

    10:30AM Divine Liturgy

    12:30PM Golden Parishioners' Dinner

    6:30PM Bible Study

    Monday, May 8

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    Tuesday, May 9

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    Wednesday, May 10

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    6:30PM Vespers/Family Night

    Thursday, May 11

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    7:30PM Choir Rehearsal

    Friday, May 12

    12:30PM Sixth Hour / Confessions

    Saturday, May 13

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, May 14

    9:30AM Matins

    9:45AM Church School

    10:30AM Divine Liturgy

    6:30PM Bible Study

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Sunday Evening Bible Study

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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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Countdown to Miami: 2017 Antiochian Archdiocese Convention FAQ

04/27/2017

This hardworking team is planning the 2017 Miami Convention.This hardworking team is planning the 2017 Miami Convention. 

 

 

 

 


Summer draws near, and so does the 53rd biennial convention of the Antiochian Archdiocese, July 23-30, 2017 in Miami. The Very Rev. Fouad Saba and the host parish of St. George Cathedral of Coral Gables, Florida took time from their busy schedules to talk about the features of what looks to be a historic gathering of the Archdiocesan clergy and faithful.

Who are the featured and keynote speakers this year?

The Grand Banquet will honor His Grace Bishop Antoun on Saturday night, July 29, where we anticipate our beloved diocesan hierarch will reflect upon his lifetime ministry and experiences in his service to Christ’s Holy Church. Fr. Antoine Melki, professor of computer science and technology at Balamand University in Lebanon, will be the keynote speaker during the General Assembly on Thursday and Friday, July 28 and 29, and in other scheduled workshops and events. The host committee is excited to welcome Fr. Melki, who will present interesting insights on the effects of technology in the modern world on the Orthodox Christian family.

We have learned the convention will honor Metropolitan Joseph, Bishop Antoun, and Bishop Basil. Please tell us about that.

Planning a convention requires hard work and dedication.Planning a convention requires hard work and dedication.The 2017 Convention will celebrate the 25th anniversaries of His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph and His Grace Bishop Basil in the Holy Episcopacy. We will honor them in the History Journal and during the Grand Banquet. With Sayidna Joseph’s blessing, we are dedicating the Grand Banquet and History Journal to commemorate the retirement of Sayidna Antoun and “His Lifetime of Service and Eight Decades of Love, Humility and Sunshine.” (His favorite song is “You are My Sunshine.”) Bishop Antoun has selflessly served this Archdiocese in many capacities since he arrived in the U.S. in 1959. He has been our beloved bishop in the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast since 2003. The 2017 Archdiocesan Convention Committee is honored to have the opportunity to host all of our brothers and sisters in Christ at the festivities for Sayidna Antoun.

Who is the convention for? What age groups? What key events will the convention offer them? 

The Convention is centered around family with something fun-filled, educational and exciting for every age group. The week will begin with “The Welcome to Miami – Antiochian Game Show,” which promises to be so much fun. There are humanitarian and social events for teens (SOYO) as well as Young Adult Ministry (YAM) which offer great opportunities for interaction and bonding with one another, as well as spiritual development in the Orthodox Christian Faith. The Bible Bowl always bring tremendous excitement for the teen participants and everyone watching and cheering on their Diocesan teams. The Convention will also feature “Club Saint George” for our younger children to come throughout the day and participate in arts and crafts, spiritual lessons, group activities, and more. The 53rd Biennial Convention in Miami will also feature a new and enthusiastic event on Thursday evening, July 27 – The Dinner and National Debke Competition. These are just some of the many exhilarating events awaiting everyone.

How will the convention emphasize spiritual connectivity with Christ?

Meeting with the hotel management is a key part of the planning process.Meeting with the hotel management is a key part of the planning process.The 2017 Convention Committee will prepare a large, beautiful chapel to serve as the spiritual center for the entire week. The Convention theme this year is “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Mark 11:17) All of the sermons from our gifted clergy will concentrate on understanding this theme. The various spiritual and educational events scheduled promise to help uplift all those present. We will have Bible studies and “Ask Abouna” sessions to revitalize the spirituality of our youth and adults.

Tell us more about "Ask Abouna!" 

“Ask Abouna” is an educational and spiritual event where teens and adults come together to ask the priests any questions they might have on various topics of the Orthodox Christian Faith. Bring lots of questions!

What unique attractions does Miami have to offer?

Miami is home to miles of famous white sandy coastlines. The diverse array of influences from Latin America is evident in the architecture, delicious food, music, and hospitality. All of these amazing and exciting factors can be found at the 2017 Convention venue – the Diplomat Beach Resort and Spa. Need we say more?

Join us from July 23-30! For more information, visit the Convention website.The community of St. George welcomes you!The community of St. George welcomes you!Welcome to Miami!Welcome to Miami!


Assembly Releases National Study on Evangelization and Outreach in U.S. Orthodox Parishes

04/25/2017

Map of participating parishes in 2017 Assembly of Bishops study on evangelization (click on image for larger view)Map of participating parishes in 2017 Assembly of Bishops study on evangelization (click on image for larger view)The first national study on evangelization and outreach in Orthodox parishes in the United States has been released by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. The report can be downloaded in various formats, as an executive summary, or as a full report.

The report, "Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in U.S. Orthodox Parishes," explores the practices and strategies developed by some Orthodox parishes that can be viewed as "exemplary" in their missionary and outreach efforts. Examples of what the readers will find in the report include:

  • The "secrets" of being a parish that attracts and welcomes new members;
  • Eight good practices of welcoming first-time visitors and inquirers about the Faith;
  • How do "exemplary" parishes achieve a high degree of involvement of their members in parish life;
  • Four distinct features of religious education in the "exemplary" parishes;
  • Six "lessons" that Church leadership (bishops) can learn from the "exemplary" parishes.

The study was sponsored by the Assembly's Committee for Agencies and Endorsed Organizations, and included parishes from seven Orthodox jurisdictions. Ten of the parishes studied were from the Antiochian Archdiocese. The report was prepared by Alexei Krindatch, the Assembly's Research Coordinator, in cooperation with Sdn. Adam Lowell Roberts of the Antiochian Archdiocese, and Fr. Eric Tosi and Fr. John Parker of the OCA.

Subdeacon Adam is the full-time administrator of Becoming Truly Human, a new Antiochian outreach ministry. He authored a helpful resource at the end of the Assembly's evangelization report, titled "10 Steps to a Great Parish Website: What Every Orthodox Church Needs To Know."


Metropolitan Joseph Leads Prayer Service for Kidnapped Metropolitans

04/25/2017

On Bright Thursday, April 20, 2017, the Antochian Archdiocese was joined by co-hosts—the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese and the St. John of Damascus Fellowship of New Jersey—in sponsoring a timely prayer service at St. George Antochian Orthodox Church in Little Falls, for the abducted Archbishops of Aleppo, Metropolitan Paul and Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim. Metropolitan Paul and Metropolitan Yohanna vanished without a trace on April 22, 2013, after they drove together in hopes of negotiating the release of hostages in captivity. Metropolitan Yohanna’s deacon escaped, but his driver was killed. (Read the Paschal Message of His Beatitude John X, in which he issues a call for the liberation of Metropolitans Paul and Yohanna.)

Metropolitan Joseph was joined by His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak of the Syriac Archdiocese of the Eastern United States. In the service, Sayidna Joseph implored our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, for the freedom of the two beloved bishops and an end to the Syrian war. He also encouraged the attendees to urge their representatives and senators to continue their efforts to free the captive bishops, and called on the governments involved in the Syrian conflict to do the same in order to secure political and humane solutions towards peace in the region.

As well, the other speakers expressed their deep concern for the two bishops, and described the emptiness that has been left in the hearts of the clergy and faithful who are hoping and praying for their release. All present prayed to God for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and in all countries affected and besieged by wars and tribulations.

Archbishops of Aleppo, Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim and Metropolitan PaulArchbishops of Aleppo, Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim and Metropolitan PaulAlso present at the prayer service were: His Excellency Bishop Yousif Habash of the Syriac Catholic Church; His Grace Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Maronite Church; hierarchs and representatives of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Coptic and Armenian Orthodox Churches, and the Maronite, Roman, and Syriac Catholic Churches; representatives from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York; elected officials and leaders from Passaic County, New Jersey; and the clergy and faithful of St. George. 

(Photos courtesy of the St. John of Damascus Fellowship of New Jersey. The Fellowship is a humanitarian and charitable group that serves the needs of Syrian Christian communities in both North America and overseas.)

 

Memory Eternal! + Nabiha (Iqal) Rayan

04/24/2017

Father Nicholas Dahdal writes:

Memory Eternal! Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Cicero, IL, offers her sincerest condolences to the Rayan Family on the loss of the handmaid of God Nabiha (Iqal) Rayan, who passed into eternal life on Bright Monday April 17, 2017. Condolences are extended to her children Yacoub (Baha), Rayan (Fayrouz), Saliba (Janan), Archdiocese Board Member Mansour (Wafa), Jad (Pam), Ida (†Jiries) Mufarreh, Ghada Rayan, and their families.

Likewise, we extend condolences to her siblings Issa, Boutros, Nasr, Kamel, Widad, Huda, Julia, Offa, and Suad.

Nabiha now joins in eternal life her beloved husband †Oudeh Rayan, and her siblings †Daoud and †Saeed. The Paschal Funeral Service and Burial was held on Bright Thursday, April 20.


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