February 5, 2012

SUNDAY OF THE PHARISEE & PUBLICAN
SUNDAY AFTER THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD

Special note:  Except for those who are elderly and/or disabled, please remain standing during Holy Communion.

While only Orthodox Christians may approach the chalice for Holy Communion, everyone is welcome to venerate the Cross and receive the blessed bread at the end of the Divine Liturgy.

VARIATION IN TODAY’S DIVINE LITURGY
At the entrance (Service Book page 97)

1. TROPARION OF THE RESURRECTION – Tone 1:  Although the stone had been sealed by the Jews, and Thy precious body was guarded by the troops, Thou didst rise on the third day, O Thou Saviour, granting life to the people of the world.  Wherefore, heavenly powers acclaimed Thee, crying unto Thee, O Giver of life;  Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Redeemer; Glory to Thy Kingdom;  Glory to Thy Kindness, O Thou only Lover of mankind.
2. THE ENTRANCE HYMN:  O Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, O Son of God, who art risen from the dead save us who sing unto thee:  Alleluia.
3. Repeat #1 above.
4. TROPARION OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD – Tone 1:  Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace; for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness.  Rejoice and be glad, O righteous old man, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, who granteth us resurrection.
5. TROPARION OF ST. GEORGE – Tone 4:  As deliverer of captives and defender of the poor, healer of the infirm, champion of kings, victorious, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ our God for our soul’s salvation.
6. KONTAKION OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD– Tone 1:  Thou, O Christ God, who by thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve thy fold in wars, and confirm them who thou didst love, for thou alone art the Lover of mankind.

Prokeimenon:  Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
               God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

EPISTLE:  The reading is from Saint Paul's Second Letter to Timothy.  (Chapter 3:10-15.)

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.  Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived.  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE  (Chapter 18:10-14.)

The Lord spoke this parable:  "Two men went up into the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a Publican, (a tax collector).  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus within himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this Publican.  I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess.'  But the Publican, standing afar off, would not even lift up 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 every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

(Consult the Parish Ecclesiastical Calendar for daily readings.)

ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF BOSTON

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
SUNDAY, February 12, 2012
AT 12 NOON
(Snowdate – following Sunday)

All parishioners who are regular in their weekly participation in the Divine Liturgy and have their pledges up-to-date are welcome to vote.  We encourage you to also come for confession and communion before the Annual Meeting.

Parishioners should have received a notice of the Annual Meeting along with a Financial Report.  If you would like to review last year’s minutes prior to February 12th, copies may be found at the Maridha or call the Church Office and we will mail you a copy.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN DIOCESE OF NEW ENGLAND 2012 PRE-LENTEN RETREAT – Saturday, February 11, 2012, St. George Church, 6 Atwood Ave., Norwood, MA, “Discovering Myself in God and in My Neighbor” with featured speaker His Grace Bishop JOHN Abdalah, beginning with 9AM Liturgy/10AM Registration & Coffee/10:30 Session 1/12Noon Lunch/1PM Session 2 plus Q&A’s.  Call Erin Kimmett for more info, 781.775.0789.

ST. GEORGE CATHEDRAL 12^TH ANNUAL HAFLI – Saturday, February 11^th at their location at 30 Anna St., Worcester, MA, featuring Mitch Kaltsunas with The Rawan Brothers.  Admission, $40, Adult VIP; $30, Adults; $20, ages 7-16; 6 and under FREE.  Doors Open/Mazza, 7:30PM; Music/Dancing, 8:30-12:30PM. Table Sponsors, $1,000, 10 seats; $500, 5 seats; $250, 2 seats.  RSVP by February 2^nd to Andrew Houssan, 508.667.7099 or email, hafli2009@gmail.com.

THE NEXT ST. GEORGE ADULT FELLLOWSHIP MEETING is scheduled for Monday, February 13th at 7:30PM.  Father Timothy will be our discussion leader.  Topic:  The book, The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios by Dionysios Farasiotis.  The book may be purchased at the Bookstore for $17.00 Soft Cover.  Everyone welcome.

DIOCESAN WINTER MEETINGS – For the Antiochian Women, Teens and Fellowship of St. John the Divine, Saturday, February 25^th beginning with Liturgy at 9AM, presided over by Bishop JOHN; light refreshments meetings and lunch to follow.

ST. GEORGE WEEKEND SCHEDULED  - This year, we plan to celebrate our Patronal Feast over the weekend of the April 27-29.  His Grace, Bishop JOHN has accepted our invitation to preside over this year’s celebration.  We are honored that our new Bishop in Christ will be with us for this joyous occasion.  A committee is being formed to oversee the success of the weekend and additional information will be published as it develops.  Please mark the calendar now and plan to support this important annual parish event. St. George weekend is a traditional feature of our parish life that offers us an opportunity to celebrate our community and honor the successes we enjoy as a parish.

SAVE THE DATE - The AABA Benefit Hafli will be May 12^th.   More info to follow.

2012 PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE – This year’s Parish Life Conference will be held at The Cliff House, Ogunquit, Maine, June 21-24. Amazing Room Rate:  $149 (Regularly $310) Reservations are now open:  Call 207-361-1000 or visit their website www.CliffHouseMaine.com/attendees  User Name:  PARISH  Password: pa986B.  Sponsored by St. George, Norwood, www.StGeorgeNorwood.org/PLC2012.

REMINDERS:

Our gift to St. George. - 2012 initial Pledge Packets were mailed out December 1^st.  Thank you for your immediate response.  A second follow-up letter was mailed out February 1^st5t to anyone who has not responded to date.  Goal:  $235,000.  Pledged to date:  $145,655.

FYI:

SYRIAN-LEBANESE WOMEN’S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM – Applications are available for a number of scholarship awards in the amount of $1,000 each to young women of Syrian and Lebanese origin, residing in Massachusetts within a 50-mile radius of Boston, who plan to pursue a four-year college education.  Please call the church office for an application and further information.  Completed applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2012.

ST. JOHN THE DIVINE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS – 2012 Church School Graduating Seniors will be receiving an application in the mail.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION – BOX TOPS which can be found on most General Mills products and many other items you bring home from the supermarket greatly benefit the THEOPHANY SCHOOL.  So please save them and put them in the box at the Religious Items Table.