St. Ge o rge An tio ch ian Ortho do x

Chris tian Church

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Se rvin g the Ortho do x Chris tian Co m m un ity o f Gre ate r Cle ve lan d

Bread of Oblation

is offered for the health, safety & spiritual welfare of Sister Helena, Deacon John El-Murr & all Sisters in Douma & LaChute by Ghassan & Ghada Karim

Prayers for the Health & Spiritual Welfare of: Houda Abdelkarim, Melissa Blank Aboid, Tommy Amato, Mary Assad, Naissef & Rita Courey, George & Mary Dawed, Dee DeGeorge, Ann Deeb, Shirley Dheel, Emilie Easa, James Eassey, Helena Elias, Sarah Elias, Vera Elias, Norman Fadil, Peter Farage, AnneMarie, Dave & Altair Gann, Minerva Gantose, Leo & Christine George, Peter George, Eddie Haddad, George Haddad, Pauline Hanna, Mary Harami, Ava Harb, Samia Harb, Yasmine Harb, Lauren Ameen Hayek, George Karim, Corrine Khouri, Hanadi Khouri, Julia Kushner, Helen Lambert, Eleanor McKibben, Joyce & Marie Nader, Kaukab Nader, Virginia Nader, Mary Namy, Nijmeh Rafeedie, Paul Saba, Jennie Sadallah, Christopher Fadel-Samuel, George Sarkes, Betty Selby, Alice Shiekh, Alvera Shiekh, Linda Simon, Helen Thomas, Georgine Trombetto, & Asma Zaboura.

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church 2587 West 14th Street Cleveland, OH 44113-4408

216-781-9020 Fax: 216- 781-9545 office@stgeorgecleveland.com

Metropolitan Arch-Bishop PHILIP SALIBA, Primate

Bishop MARK, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest

Very Rev. Fr. John Ojaimi, Pastor Home: (440) 846-1590 Cellular: (440) 665 6724 frjojaimi@msn.com

Rev. Archdeacon Yarid Sahley Sub-Deacons: Sam Elias, & Labib El-Bardawil

Website: stgeorgecleveland.com

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Sunday of Samaritan Woman and Mid-Pentecost On this day, we commemorate: Apostles Andronikos and Junia of the Seventy;

Athanasios the New, bishop of Christianopolis; Venerable Nektarios and Theophanes; Eudoxia, princess of Moscow

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

We welcome our visitors and guests! Please let us know who you are! While only Orthodox Christians prepared through confession & fasting may come for Holy Communion, everyone is welcome to partake of the Holy Bread after Liturgy.

MAABROUK! Carly Jean Ewing, daughter of Regina & Jeffrey Ewing was Baptized on May 10th

.God grant them many years. Colette Elizabeth Carolina Carroll, daughter of Ed & Annette Carroll and granddaughter of Elias & Liz Haddad was Baptized on May 16th. God grant them many years.

Candles are offered for the Health, Safety & Spiritual Welfare of:

The Matta, Najm & Saliba Families by Mr. & Mrs. Albert Najm & family

Alexis & Mike (Wedding Blessings) by Barb & Bob

For thanks by Barbara Aboid

Our grandparents, Julia, Eddie & Evelyn by Ryan, Joe & Bobby Haddad

Children & grandchildren of Yacoub & Nuha Karsheh by Nuha Karsheh

Candles offered for the Repose of the Servants of God:

Edward Fadel by his wife, Rita & family

Laila Nader by her children & grandchildren & Goddaughter, Diane

Wadia Ameen by his wife Mary & family

Mounir Nader by Hani & Marie Nader & family

Maggie, Edma & Elias Aboumrad by George & Nayla Aboumrad & family

Mariam Saliba by Mr. & Mrs. Albert Najm and by Violette Salvan

Shirley Boyd McKiben & family by Eleanor McKibben

Juanita McKibben Remic by Eleanor McKibben

UPCOMING DIVINE SERVICES

Sunday, May 24th Matins@ 9:30am Divine Liturgy @10:30am There will be no fasting on Wednesday and Friday, not only during Bright week only but until the Feast of

the Ascension, for the whole forty days. (This was the decision of the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch)

Sacred Music of Pascha

featuring choirs of: St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral

St. Sergius Russian Orthodox Cathedral St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral

SUNDAY MAY 31 at 3pm held at: St. Sava Cathedral

6306 Broadview Road Parma

Free admission dinners available following the concert!

Everyone is welcome!!

FOR SALE TODAY IN YARID HALL GHRAIBE & KAAK

You won’t want to miss the opportunity to purchase these delicious pastries before they sell out!

Liturgical Page for Sunday, May 17, 2009

After "Blessed is the Kingdom…" the Priest sings "Christ is risen…" (once) and the Choir (twice)

First Antiphon

a. Shout with joy to God, all the earth Sing to His name; give glory to His praises

Refrain: "Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us." b. Say to God: 'How awesome are thy works'

Let all the earth worship Thee, and sing to Thee Refrain: "Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us."

c. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen

Refrain: "Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us."

Little Ektenia

Second Antiphon

a. May God have mercy upon us, and bless us, and may He cause His face to shine upon us, and have mercy on us Refrain: "Save us, O Son of God who rose from the dead, as we sing to Thee: Alleluia."

b. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy salvation among all nations Let the peoples give thanks to Thee, O God, let all the peoples give thanks to Thee Refrain: "Save us, O Son of God who rose from the dead, as we sing to Thee: Alleluia."

c. May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear Him Refrain: "Save us, O Son of God who rose from the dead, as we sing to Thee: Alleluia."

d. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen "O only-begotten Son. . .

Little Ektenia

During the Little Entrance, the Third Antiphon:

Verse 1: Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee from His face.

Choir: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life

Verse 2: As smoke vanishes, let them vanish; as wax melts before the fire. Choir: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the

tombs bestowing life Verse 3: So let the sinners perish before God, but let the righteous rejoice.

Choir: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life

Verse 4: This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Choir: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and to those in the

tombs bestowing life

Entrance Hymn

In the gathering places bless ye God the Lord from the springs of Israel.

O Son of God, who art risen from the dead, save us, who sing unto Thee. Alleluia.

After the Entrance we chant: Tone 4

Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women Disciples cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the Disciples,

saying, Death hath been spoiled. Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy. Mid-Pentecost Tone 8

In the midst of this Feast, O Savior, give thou my thirsty soul to drink of the waters of true worship; for thou didst call out to all, saying, Whosoever is thirsty, let him come to me and

drink. Wherefore, O Christ our God, Fountain of life, glory to thee.

Troparion of St. George Tone 4

As deliver 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 souls’ salvation.

Kontakion for Pascha Tone 8

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.

The Trisagion

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us.

Dynamis! (With Strength) Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal one, have mercy on us.

The Megalynarion: Tone 1

(Instead of “It is truly meet…”) The angel spake to her that is full of grace, saying, "O pure virgin, rejoice; and I say also, Rejoice; for thy

Son is risen from the tomb on the third day." Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem; for the glory of the Lord hath risen upon thee. Rejoice and exult now, O

Zion, and thou, O pure one, Theotokos, rejoice at the Resurrection of thy Son.

The Koinonikon

(Instead of “Praise the Lord … Alleluia.”) Receive ye the Body of Christ, and taste ye him that is found deathless.

Post-Communion

(Instead of “We have seen the true Light …”, sing "Christ is risen…" ONCE.)

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

Great Dismissal

At the Great Dismissal we say, “May Christ our true God…" the Priest holds a lit candle and the Cross in his right hand, and says loudly: "Christ is Risen." The Faithful respond "Truly He is Risen."

This is repeated 3 times, then the Priest : Glory to His holy, third-day Resurrection! People: We adore His holy, third-day Resurrection! Priest: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and upon those in the tombs People: …bestowing life!

English: Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Arabic: Al Maseeh Qam! Haqan Qam! Greek: Kristos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! Albanian: Kristi Unjhal! Vertet Unjhal! Romanian: Kristos A Inviat! Adeverat a Inviat! Russian: Kristos Voskresey! Voyistino Voskresey!

LIFE OF THE SAINTS

The Holy Martyr Photina the Samaritan Woman, her sons Victor (named Photinus) and Joses; and her sisters Anatola, Phota, Photis, Paraskeva, Kyriake; Nero’s daughter Domnina; and the Martyr Sebastian: The holy Martyr Photina was the Samaritan Woman, with whom the Savior conversed at Jacob’s Well (John. 4:5-42).

During the time of the emperor Nero (54-68), who displayed excessive cruelty against Christians, St Photina lived in Carthage with her younger son Joses and fearlessly preached the Gospel there. Her eldest son Victor fought bravely in the Roman army against barbarians, and was appointed military commander in the city of Attalia (Asia Minor). Later, Nero called him to Italy to arrest and punish Christians.

Sebastian, an official in Italy, said to St Victor, “I know that you, your mother and your brother, are followers of Christ. As a friend I advise you to submit to the will of the emperor. If you inform on any Christians, you will receive their wealth. I shall write to your mother and brother, asking them not to preach Christ in public. Let them practice their faith in secret.”

St Victor replied, “I want to be a preacher of Christianity like my mother and brother.” Sebastian said, “O Victor, we all know what woes await you, your mother and brother.” Then Sebastian suddenly felt a sharp pain in his eyes. He was dumbfounded, and his face was somber.

For three days he lay there blind, without uttering a word. On the fourth day he declared, “The God of the Christians is the only true God.” St Victor asked why Sebastian had suddenly changed his mind. Sebastian replied, “Because Christ is calling me.” Soon he was baptized, and immediately regained his sight. St Sebastian’s servants, after witnessing the miracle, were also baptized.

Reports of this reached Nero, and he commanded that the Christians be brought to him at Rome. Then the Lord Himself appeared to the confessors and said, “Fear not, for I am with you. Nero, and all who serve him, will be vanquished.” The Lord said to St Victor, “From this day forward, your name will be Photinus, because through you, many will be enlightened and will believe in Me.” The Lord then told the Christians to strengthen and encourage St Sebastian to peresevere until the end.

All these things, and even future events, were revealed to St Photina. She left Carthage in the company of several Christians and joined the confessors in Rome.

At Rome the emperor ordered the saints to be brought before him and he asked them whether they truly believed in Christ. All the confessors refused to renounce the Savior. Then the emperor gave orders to smash the martyrs’ finger joints. During the torments, the confessors felt no pain, and their hands remained unharmed.

Nero ordered that Sts Sebastian, Photinus and Joses be blinded and locked up in prison, and St Photina and her five sisters Anatola, Phota, Photis, Paraskeva and Kyriake were sent to the imperial court under the supervision of Nero’s daughter Domnina. St Photina converted both Domnina and all her servants to Christ. She also converted a sorcerer, who had brought her poisoned food to kill her.

Three years passed, and Nero sent to the prison for one of his servants, who had been locked up. The messengers reported to him that Sts Sebastian, Photinus and Joses, who had been blinded, had completely recovered, and that people were visiting them to hear their preaching, and indeed the whole prison had been transformed into a bright and fragrant place where God was glorified.

Nero then gave orders to crucify the saints, and to beat their naked bodies with straps. On the fourth day the emperor sent servants to see whether the martyrs were still alive. But, approaching the place of the tortures, the servants fell blind. An angel of the Lord freed the martyrs from their crosses and healed them. The saints took pity on the blinded servants, and restored their sight by their prayers to the Lord. Those who were healed came to believe in Christ and were soon baptized.

In an impotent rage Nero gave orders to flay the skin from St Photina and to throw the martyr down a well. Sebastian, Photinus and Joses had their legs cut off, and they were thrown to dogs, and then had their skin flayed off. The sisters of St Photina also suffered terrible torments. Nero

gave orders to cut off their breasts and then to flay their skin. An expert in cruelty, the emperor readied the fiercest execution for St Photis: they tied her by the feet to the tops of two bent-over trees. When the ropes were cut the trees sprang upright and tore the martyr apart. The emperor ordered the others beheaded. St Photina was removed from the well and locked up in prison for twenty days.

After this Nero had her brought to him and asked if she would now relent and offer sacrifice to the idols. St Photina spit in the face of the emperor, and laughing at him, said, “O most impious of the blind, you profligate and stupid man! Do you think me so deluded that I would consent to renounce my Lord Christ and instead offer sacrifice to idols as blind as you?”

Hearing such words, Nero gave orders to again throw the martyr down the well, where she surrendered her soul to God (ca. 66).

Please, come join the choir rehearsals on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm in our choir room. Everyone is welcome to attend. Check out the choir website at:

saintgeorgechoir.ning.com

It is a great way to learn new music and lift our Voices to the Glory of God.

OCF LINKS

www.OCFcleveland.org

www.ocfcleveland.ning.com

Epistle

Acts 11:19-30 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)

How great are thy works, O Lord! Thou hast made all things in wisdom. Bless the Lord O my soul.

The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles Those who were scattered because of the persecutions that arose over Stephen traveled as far as

Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea; and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 11:19-30 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman) 19

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Gospel

John 4:5-42 (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)

The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. John

Jesus came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." For his disciples had gone into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" Jesus said to her, "Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly." The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to her. "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."

Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, "What do you seek?" or, "Why are you talking to her?" So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city, and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" They went out of the city and were coming to him.

Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat which you do not know." So the disciples said to one another, "Has any one brought him food?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'In four months comes the harvest?' I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for the harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Any many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."

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Cell phone vs. Bible

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!

Register Now for Connect 2009 Exchange Program

What is CONNECT?

CONNECT

is an academic and cultural exchange program which introduces youth of the world to

the environment, culture and heritage of Lebanon, Syria, and the Middle East.

CONNECT aims at offering youth (17 to 25 years of age) a unique learning experience that will

enrich their mind and soul, and connect them with their land of ancestry and rich heritage.

The four- week cultural exchange program includes:

Academic Programs and Interactive Tutorials

Seminars, Workshops and Discussions

Trips in Lebanon and Syria (optional)

Antiochian Heritage: Orthodox Belief; Liturgy; Architecture

Cultural Activities

Involvement in Community- based Projects

Sports and Outdoor Activities, including a beach resort on the Mediterranean Sea

Where?

The Program is based at the main campus of the University of Balamand in North Lebanon. Field

activities expose students to different parts of Lebanon and include educational and cultural

excursions to Syria (optional).

Academic Credit

The University has determined that the academic exposure and experience provided by the

Program is equivalent to three undergraduate academic credit hours.

Registration and Fees

Details and application forms can be found on www.balamand.edu.lb/connect/index.htm or by

emailing connect2009@balamand.edu.lb

MEMO TO ALL PARISHIONERS

*Fellowship of St. John Divine, Anthony Bashir Memorial Scholarship

Purpose of the Scholarship: Scholarships are awarded to worthy and needy Orthodox Youth of the

Antiochian Archdiocese who have resided within the Midwest Region of FOSJD for at least one year

prior to awarding of the scholarship. Scholarships will be awarded to students of outstanding excellence

in any field of study toward a baccalaureate degree in an accredited college or university.

Scholarship Awards: A Board of Judges has the duty of selecting scholarship recipients on the basis of scholastic achievement,

participation in religious life, need, character and worthiness. Two scholarships will be awarded based on

Academics and two on Academics/Need. In order to be eligible to receive an Academic/Need award, a

Parent’s Financial Summary, Section 4, must be completed. Applications must also include: 1. Proof of acceptance or registration in an accredited college or university.

2. An essay, approximately 300 words stating your career goals, church and community involvement and

worthiness to receive an award.

3. Have your parish priest submit the Parish Priest Endorsement Form.

4. High School Seniors complete section 5.

5. College Applicants submit a current college transcript of grades bearing the official seal of the

registrar.

Applications are available @ the Pastor Office. Submit applications postmarked by June 1 to: James Nicholas 11103 Finchley Road Email: theojamesn@insightbb.com

Louisville, KY 40243 Phone: 502-290-2679

*The Joseph Haddad Memorial Scholarship

is open to all 2009 High School Graduates who have maintained a 3.3 Grade Point Average through High School, religious involvement in youth church activities and whose parents have been members of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church for at least 3 years. Applications may be obtained by calling the church office at 216-781-9020.

Antiochian Women’s Scholarship

Each year, the Antiochian Christian Women of North America are able to award scholarships, usually in the amount of $500 each, to help women continue their education in order to improve their circumstances and those of their families. We will be awarding these scholarships in July at the Archdiocese Convention in Palm Springs. Applicants must be females over 26 years of age, members in good standing of a parish of the Antiochian Archdiocese, actively involved in her parish & must demonstrate financial need. If interested, call the church office for an application.

PROPER CHURCH ETIQUETTE There are certain times during the Divine Liturgy when one should refrain from entering the Church out of

respect for God and the worship of His people. They are: During the Trisagion Hymn

During the Epistle and Gospel readings During the Cherubic Hymn and Great Entrance

During the Creed During The Anaphora—(“Let us stand aright” through “Especially our all-holy Lady.”)

During Holy Communion one should remain standing throughout the distribution of the gifts. If you have already received Holy Communion, please avail yourself of the “Prayers of Thanksgiving” which begin on Page 128 of the red prayer book while you wait for everyone else to receive.

H

OTEL

REGISTRATION Room Rate: $99 with FREE parking

11320 Chester Road

Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 USA

Special offers reservations: 1-866-716-8103

Phone: 1-513-771-2080

Fax: 1-513- 771-2312