PARISH
PHONE: (201) 568-8840 V. Rev. Joseph Allen, Pastor
FAX: (201) 568-6933 Dn. Peter Boulukos, Assistant
St. Anthony’s web page: http://www.stanthonysorthodox.org
Antiochian Archdiocese web page: http://www.antiochian.org
SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY
(FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, 2005)
Epistle: Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40 St. Myron of
Gospel: John 1:43-51
Tone: One
Prokeimenon: Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our Fathers.
For you are righteous in all things you have done for us.
The reading is from
BRETHREN, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets --who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And in all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
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 Agouras and Fares Families.
The Coffee and Reception in the Church Hall is offered today by the Georgiou and Valmas Families.
NOTE: Please do not wait to sign up for offering the Coffee Reception held every Sunday after Liturgy. The chart is posted in the hall, as well as the list of responsibilities and items needed.
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Today, the First Sunday in Great Lent, is known as the “Sunday of Orthodoxy.” On this day we commemorate the restoration of Ikonography to the worship of the Church. That restoration occurred after 100 years of “Ikonoclasm,” or “the breaking of the Ikons.” During that 100 years no Ikons were allowed in the Churches, and the present Ikons were scratched out or painted over. The restoration took place in 843 AD, during the reign of Empress Theodora who declared that the use of Ikons – or “images” (not pictures!) – did not violate the 2nd Commandment given to Moses, regarding “idolatry.” This truth was debated at the seventh Ecumenical Council (787 AD) in which it was declared that since God truly became human in the person of Jesus Christ, the Theanthropos, an Ikon (image) can be “written.” The truth of the Incarnation, therefore, is proclaimed on this day throughout the Orthodox world, along with various processions of the Ikons.
2. As is the custom in our Archdiocese, there will be a SECOND COLLECTION for the support of Theological Education in preparing the future leaders for the Orthodox church. Our seminarians attend the various seminaries in
3. After the final blessing today, we will all participate in the Service of the Synodikon, (Confession of Faith). That service, which begins with the
4. Saturday, April 9th IS THE NEW DATE UPON WHICH WE WILL BE HOSTING THE PARISHES OF OUR AREA AT A LENTEN RETREAT/WORKSHOP. (The date was originally set for March 26th.) Please NOTE this change of date. Dr. Albert Rossi, from St. Vladimir’s Seminary will lead these two sessions, one at , the other at . There will be a light Breakfast at (“Coffee and”) with other registrants, and lunch between the two sessions. ALL PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS and ALL CHURCH SCHOOL TEACHERS are expected to attend, that is besides the PARENTS who simply should not miss Dr. Rossi’s presentation on “Leadership and Spiritual Growth” in the Orthodox Church. Dr. Rossi is a licensed professor of psychology. Please see further information in the March/April issue of The Desert News, but plan from now to be there on March 26th at !
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6. Bible Bowl Teams: Volunteers are needed for both the Adult and Teen Bible Bowl teams.
7. Saturday, April 2nd, is the Liturgy for the Saturday of the Souls. Please PRINT the names of your departed loved ones on the NAMES FORMS which are found in the Narthex of the Church. Return them to either Deacon Peter or Sub-deacon Nicholas Nagorny before that day. The Liturgy, followed by the Saturday Memorial Service, begins at . That’s Saturday, APRIL 2nd.
8. FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY CAMPAIGN. All parishioners throughout the Archdiocese should have received, or soon will receive, their FFHP Packets. This is part of our Lenten “discipline,” that is to do the “works of charity” during this season! You may return these envelopes at any time to the Church. (Please remember, these are NOT your weekly stewardship pledge to our parish!). See enclosed letter from Metropolitan PHILIP.
9. The Ladies’ Guild will again be decorating Ukrainian/Russian Easter Eggs on Tuesday, April 12th at . More to follow.
10. The deadline for the May/June issue of The Desert News is Lenten Schedule for This Week
LENTEN SCHEDULE. Every family should have received a complete Lenten Schedule by now; if not please request one from Church Secretary Genny Mandalakis. But please POST it, so that it serves as a reminder to the entire family regarding this special time we call “Great Lent,” or “The Great Fast.”