Sts. Athanasius and Cyril, Patriarchs of Alexandria
This Sunday we commemorate Sts. Cyril and Athanasios. Who were they? Both me fought valiantly against the heresies (false teachings) in the first centuries of the Church. St. Athanasius fought against Arianism (he was one of the authors of the Nicene Creed) and St. Cyril fought against Nestorianism.
St. Athanasius
In the half-century after the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicea in 325, if there was one man whom the Arians feared and hated more intensely than any other, as being able to lay bare the whole error of their teaching, and to marshal, even from exile or hiding, the beleaguered forces of the Orthodox, it was Saint Athanasios the Great.
St. Cyril
Saint Cyril was also from Alexandria, born about the year 376. He was the nephew of Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who also instructed the Saint in his youth. Having first spent much time with the monks in Nitria, he later became the successor to his uncle’s throne in 412. In 429, when Cyril heard tidings of the teachings of the new Patriarch of Constantinople, Nestorius, he began attempting through private letters to bring Nestorius to renounce his heretical teaching about the Incarnation.
Read the complete history on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
House Blessings
Theophany is the season for house blessings.
If you would like your house blessed, please contact Fr. Hans or fill in the form on the website.
Jubilee Year of the Repose of St. Raphael of Brooklyn
From Met. Joseph to all the faithful:
2015 is an historic year in the life of our God-protected archdiocese. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the falling-asleep of St. Raphael of Brooklyn as well as the 120th anniversary of our Mother Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Brooklyn and, therefore, our Antiochian presence on these blessed shores.
Our father in Christ, Patriarch JOHN X, inaugurated this jubilee year during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn on December 7th. Throughout 2015, we will mark this anniversary at various places and locations, including, but not limited to, the Antiochian Village, St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY, the archdiocese convention in Boston and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Likewise, the theme of our convention and parish life conferences, as well as the various festivals and contests is centered on, and will reflect on the life of this “good shepherd of the lost sheep in America.”
Read the entire letter on the St. Peter website.
Get more information on the Antiochian Archdiocese website.
St. Paul’s Founders Day
Let’s support our sister parish of St. Paul’s at their Founder’s Day Celebration. Perhaps we could reserve a table or two.
Archpriest Joseph Shaheen and the Parish Council
and Parishioners of St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church
Announce with great joy the presence of His Eminence,
Metropolitan JOSEPH and His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN
February 21 and February 22, 2015
Celebrating the 18th Annual St. Paul Founders’ Weekend
Please save these dates and plan to attend.
Watch for details!
Stewardship for 2015
Stewardship forms for 2015 are available in the back pocket of each chair or on the website.
Your financial support of the Church is very important because it enables us to continue and grow.
We are also instructed to support our Church in scripture.
How much to give? How about the equivalent of one hour of work each week?
Bible Study Continues
Bible Study continues on Tuesday evenings at 7pm at Church. We are studying 1 Corinthians.
Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend if you would like.
Remember in Your Prayers
Angela Long who is recovering from pneumonia.
John, the brother of Pauline Poulos who is suffering from cancer.
Pat and Milam Evanoff. Milam is unable to make it to Church.
Tom and Jean, parents of Patty and Jerry.
Greg and his wife Margaret. Greg is the founder of Project Mexico and has cancer.
How should we pray for the sick? Remember them daily. Say their names and ask God to bestow mercy and grace on them.
The Sunday Scripture Readings
The Gospel Reading
(For the Twelfth Sunday of Luke)
The reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (17:12-19)
At that time, as Jesus entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”
And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.
Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
The Epistle Reading
(For Ss. Athanasius and Cyril)
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
For Thou are justified in all that Thou hast done for us.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (13:7-16)
Brethren, remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.
For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood.
Therefore, let us go forth to Him outside the camp and bear the abuse He endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city, which is to come.
Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.