THE EPISTLE

Prokeimenon: You, O Lord, shall rise and have mercy on Zion.

The Lord has looked upon the earth from heaven.

The reading is from The Acts of the Apostles.

IN THE FIRST BOOK, O Theophilos, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit." So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth."

THE EUCHARISTIC OFFERINGS

The Holy Oblations are offered at the Offertory of the Great Entrance today for the health and welfare of those living members, and for those departed this life in Christ, of the Jockel and Proios Families.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Here at St. Anthony's, a true “pan-Orthodox community, we greet each other and pronounce the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the various languages represented in our parish. Below are the exchanges:

Christ Is Risen……………………………….Truly He Is Risen

Al-Maseeh Qahm……………………………Hak' An Qahm (Arabic)

Christos Anesti………………………………Alithos Anesti (Greek)

Christos Voskrese…………………………..Va Istenu Voskrese (Slavonic)

Christos a Inviat……………………………..A Devarat Ka Inviat (Romanian)

Cristye Agh-zda……………………………..Chesh-Maritad (Georgian)

2. RUSH PROCESSION Throughout the Orthodox world, the “rush” to the empty tomb will be realized in the form of the Church’s procession after the “Introductory verse which begins at 10:15 PM, the Pascal Candle pierces the darkened Church as it is brought out of the Sanctuary, which represents the light which is spread throughout the “darkened world.” This “Giving of the Paschal Light” includes the words of the Priest, “COME TAKE YE THE LIGHT FROM THE LIGHT WHICH KNOWS NO NIGHT; COME LET US GLORIFY CHRIST WHO IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD.” With this action and these words, the light is passed throughout the parish and we begin to exit the Church building in our “rush” to the empty tomb. The choir continues the hymn: “The angels in Heaven, Oh Christ Our Savior, sing of Thy Resurrection…”

3. The Rush Procession is led by the Clergy, Altar Boys and Choir, and finally arrives at the front door of the church, which reflects the Scriptural image of the “door of Paradise.” There, with the doors yet closed, the Gospel announcing the empty tomb is chanted, followed by the antiphonal responses of “Christ Is Risen.” After knocking on the door with the words of the Psalm, “Life up your heads, oh ye gates and be ye lifted up, and the King of Glory shall come in,” and the ensuing “dialogue,” the doors are thrown open, and all enter, as if into the new reality created by Christ’s Resurrection. The special Paschal Orthros (Matins) and Eucharistic Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated.

4. After the reading of the Epistle and Gospel in the Liturgy, the famous Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom is read throughout the “Orthodox Oikumene.” One tradition, which we here at St. Anthony’s follow, includes “refrains” on the part of the faithful. The Homily will be presented by Nicholas Nagorny. Please do respond according to the insert in this bulletin.

5. EASTER BREAKFAST: All parishioners and friends are welcome to the Church Hall after receiving the final blessing and the blessed Easter Eggs. PLEASE: NO PERSONS ARE ALLOWED IN THE CHURCH HALL UNTIL AFTER THE FINAL BLESSING.

6. EASTER BASKETS will be blessed after the Liturgy: Please place your baskets on the stage in the Church Hall.

7. AGAPE VESPERS, with the reading of the Gospel in MANY TONGUES, will be held on Easter Day at 11:00 AM. If you are able to read any of the various languages, please volunteer for that service.

8. NO FASTING. In the Patriarchate of Antioch there is no fasting from Easter to Ascension (June 1^st) since the “we do not fast when the Bridegroom is with us.” Also there is NO KNEELING until Pentecost (June 11^th).

9. SPECIAL THANKS. As we arrive at the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord, we are so thankful, to so many, for so much:

A. To our CHOIR AND CHANTERS for their dedicated service during Great Lent and Holy Week: Our Choir under the direction of Stratos Mandalakis and assistant director Tammy Tarby, and our Chanters (in alphabetical order): Ed Assile, John Banu, Don DiNovi, George Mavropoulos, Robin Robinson, Teresa Thomas, and Theodore Zavales. Also our Seminarians, Daniel Bethancourt and David Lewis.

B. To our ALTAR SERVERS, Subdeacon Nicholas Nagorny, Brian Scarpa, Robert Scarpa, Will Gakos, with all our Altar Boys.

C. EPITAPHIOS, PALMS, PUSSYWILLOWS, and ALTAR FLOWERS: Anthony and Paula Chugranis, John Mandalakis, Nona and Natasha Wieschenberg, Alla and George Murtechaly, Robin and Amy Robinson, Johanna Tsoukaris, Somaya Watkins, Cathy Banu, and all the others who contributed and helped in preparing the “Bride for the Bridegroom.”

D. EGG DYEING: Jim Bach and John Gakos

E. EASTER BREAKFAST: The Parish Council members, under the direction of Vice Chair Jim Vagias, for chairing, set-up, and clean-up.

F. EASTER GREETINGS COLLECTION: Thank you again Eve Meyer

10. The Women’s Guild’s Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 27, 2006. The agenda will be the discussion of the many upcoming events.

11. St. Anthony’s Jubilee Savings Club is available for families to save on a monthly basis for the Jubilee Weekend in June 2007. Speak with Angela Bogris, Andy Deraney, Betty or John Gakos for details. More information available in the upcoming Desert News.

12. Have you returned your LENTEN ENVELOPE? It was sent out to the entire parish with your Lenten Schedule, and can be returned any time before Holy Pascha.

April 23, 2006

THE EPISTLE