TONE 8 MARCH 17, 2013 EOTHINON 8

FORGIVENESS SUNDAY (CHEESE-FARE)

VENERABLE ALEXIOS THE “MAN OF GOD”

THEOSTERIKTOS THE CONFESSOR OF THE PELECETE MONASTERY

PATRICK THE CONFESSOR, BISHOP OF ARMAGH AND ENLIGHTENER OF IRELAND

Saint Patrick, the Apostle of the

Irish, was seized from his native

Britain by Irish marauders when he

was sixteen years old. Though the

son of a deacon and a grandson of

a priest, it was not until his

captivity that he sought out the

Lord with his whole heart. In his

Confession, the testament he

wrote toward the end of his life,

he says, “Many times a day I

prayed. The love of God and His

fear came to me more and more,

and my faith was strengthened.

And my spirit was so moved that

in a single day I would say as many

as a hundred prayers, and almost

as many at night, and this even

when I was staying in the woods

and on the mountain; and I would

rise for prayer before daylight,

through snow, through frost,

through rain, and I felt no harm.”

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church

4020 North Sherman Drive Indianapolis, Indiana 46226-4464

Office: (317) 547-9356 Fax: 547-4520 Internet: www.stgindy.org church@stgindy.org

Pastor: V. Rev. Father Nabil L. Hanna • Mobile (317) 919-0841 • pastor@stgindy.org

Attached Clergy: V. Rev. Radoslav Filipovich • Mobile (317) 445-0463

PART I : L ITURGY VARIATIONS

3RD

ANTIPHON: APOLYTIKION OF THE RESURRECTION (TONE 8)

From the heights Thou didst descend, O

compassionate One, and Thou didst submit

to the three-day burial that Thou mightest

deliver us from passion. Thou art our life

and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to

Thee.

APOLYTIKIA AFTER THE ENTRANCE

Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 8)

From the heights Thou didst descend….

Schedule of Regular Weekly Services

Saturdays: Vespers, 5 PM

Sundays: Matins, 9 AM

Divine Liturgy, 10 AM

Confession: After Saturday Vespers

During Sunday Matins

Or by Appointment

See Calendar for Feast Days and Other Weekday Services Scheduled

Order for Holy Communion Members of the Orthodox Church age seven and above must prepare for Holy Communion with a recent confession, prayer, fasting from all food and drink from midnight (unless medical condition preclude it), being in church before the Epistle and Gospel readings, and being at peace with everyone.

CHILDREN going to church school and their teachers should come down the center aisle first. (Small children may need to be assisted by their parents.)

ALL OTHERS should wait until an usher dismisses your row from the center aisle. Then return to your place by a side aisle for the prayers of thanksgiving and the final blessing and dismissal. Please let choir members pass when they come down for Communion.

A Warm Welcome to Our Guests We are glad you are worshipping with us. Please note that Holy Communion is limited to members of the Orthodox Church in good standing who have prepared with prayer, fasting and confession.

For all others—though we cannot share Communion with you, since it is the expression of full unity of Faith—you are welcome to come forward after the dismissal, receive a blessing and partake of the blessed bread (in the large bowls). Please also sign our guest book, and introduce yourself to Fr. Nabil during the coffee hour. You may inquire with him how you can become a member.

Troparion for St. George (Russian 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

souls’ salvation.

Kontakion of Forgiveness Sunday (Tone 6)

O Thou Who guidest to wisdom and givest

understanding and intelligence, Instructor of

the ignorant, and Helper of the poor,

strengthen my heart, and grant it under-

standing, O Master. Give me word, O

Word of the Father; for behold, I shall not

refrain my lips from crying to Thee, O

merciful One, have mercy upon me who

am fallen.

THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Prokeimenon (Psalm 46.6, 1 LXX; Tone 3)

O chant unto our God, chant ye.

Verse: Clap your hands, all ye nations!

Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans (13.11b-14.4; Forgiveness Sunday)

BRETHREN, now is our salvation nearer than

when we believed. The night is far spent;

the day is at hand. Let us, therefore, cast

off the works of darkness, and let us put on

the armor of light. Let us walk becomingly,

as in the day, not in reveling and drunken-

ness, not in chambering and licentiousness,

not in strife and jealousy. But put on the

Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision

for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.

But as for the one who is weak in faith,

receive him, but not for disputes over

opinions. For one believes he may eat

anything, but the weak person eats herbs.

Let not him who eats despise him who does

not eat, and let not him who does not eat

judge him who eats; for God has received

him. Who are you to be the judge over the

servant of a stranger? To his own master he

either stands or falls, but he will be made to

stand, for God is able to make him stand.

Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (6.14-21; Forgiveness Sunday)

THE LORD SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES: If you

forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly

Father also will forgive you; but if you do

not forgive men their trespasses, neither will

your Father forgive your trespasses. And

when you fast, do not look dismal, like the

hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that

their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I

say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you fast, anoint your head, and

wash your face, that your fasting may not

be seen by men but by your Father Who is

in secret; and your Father Who sees in

secret will reward you. Do not lay up for

yourselves treasures on earth, where moth

and rust consume and where thieves break

in and steal, but lay up for yourselves

treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor

rust consumes and where thieves do not

break in and steal. For where your treasure

is, there will your heart be also.

HOLY OBLATIONS AND PRAYER REQUESTS

By Salim and Paula Najjar, for the health of our extended family, Angel Najjar on the

occasion of her 90th birthday, and in memory of Constance Shurts (9-years departed),

Theodoros Koroneos (4-years departed), Karen Koroneos (3-years departed), Irene

Kuzmiak (7-years departed), Christos Karagianis (2-years departed), Janice Manfroni

(40-days departed), Jean Heffelmire (10-years departed), and Carl Snider (3-years

departed).

By Samer and Norma Nahas, for the health of Nelly Ghaoui.

By Sahar Balout, for the repose of Sameira AlTwahrah.

By Jamal and Fazzeh Omeish, for the repose of Zozo Shawareb.

Please also see the inserted card for the names of those on our current parish prayer

list—those who are struggling with acute illness and those newly departed this life—from

among our parishioners and those for whom they have requested our prayers. Please

take this card with you, and include these people in your daily prayers at home.

WOMEN’S

MONTH

March is Women’s

Month in the Archdio-

cese. During this month

we ask our ladies to

serve as ushers, readers,

etc., in order to highlight

the indispensable role

our women have served

throughout Christian

history up to and

including the present.

PART I I : ANNOUNCEMENTS

JOIN US FOR FELLOWSHIP FOLLOWING THE LITURGY

Coffee hour is hosted today by Jamal and Fazzeh Omeish.

TODAY IS CHEESE FARE/FORGIVENESS

SUNDAY

The Gospel passage today refers to the manner of praying, fasting, alms-

giving and all good works. These are to be done in secret, without boasting,

but it is clear that God expects us to do them.

This is the last day to eat cheese and other dairy products, completing our transition into

the Great Fast, which begins at Vespers tonight.

FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE

As we fast, we always need to remember the poor.

Please take a Food for Hungry People offering box from the table in

the lobby area, and make it a practice to put something into it as

you sit down for every meal.

Learning from today’s Gospel (Matthew 6.14-21) to begin the Fast

unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day from God and from one

another.

At the end of Forgiveness Vespers tonight, the priest stands in front of the church:

The faithful come up one by one and bow before the priest, saying,

“Forgive me all my sins and offenses.”

The priest also bows before each, saying, “May God forgive us. Forgive me

all my sins and offenses.”

The person reciprocates, “May God forgive us,” and they exchange the kiss

of peace.

The faithful also ask forgiveness of each other in the same way.

“The School of Spirituality:”

LENTEN SERVICES 2013 In Addition to the regular, weekly services: Saturday Vespers and Confession, 5 p.m. Sunday Matins: 9 a.m. • Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10 a.m.

Lent starts with Forgiveness — We start Lent at 7 p.m. March 17.

We celebrate the rite of mutual forgiveness as we start the journey to the Resurrection.

Mondays — On Mondays in Lent we will serve Great Compline at 7 p.m. The first week

of Lent, Great Compline is also served on Tuesday and Thursday nights with portions of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete.

Wednesdays — Join us at 6 p.m. for the Presanctified Liturgy. Bring one Lenten item

to share for a pitch-in after Liturgy, so we can break bread together after fasting from all food and drink at least from noon. You are also invited to stay for a video and discussion about prayer, concluding by 8:30.

Fridays — A Lenten supper will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the service of Little

Compline with the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos at 7 p.m. The exception is April 12, when we will celebrate together at Holy Trinity at 6:30 p.m.

The First Saturday, March 23 — On the first Saturday of Lent, we serve the

Liturgy for All Souls: Matins 9 a.m./Liturgy and Memorial at 10:00 a.m. Bring a list of the names of your departed to be remembered. Lunch and Retreat with Fr. Josiah Trenham on “Building up the Temple of the Soul” follow immediately.

The First Sunday, March 24 — We will concelebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy

Vespers here at Holy Trinity, 5 p.m. Fr. Josiah Trenham will be our guest preacher, and a dinner reception will follow.

Sunday Evenings — Vespers will be held at 5 p.m. at a different church each week

(see the calendar for location).

The Fourth Saturday, April 13 — Fr. Bill Bartz will lead us in a Retreat for Men

and Women, co-sponsored by our Ladies’ and the Holy Trinity Ladies’ societies – starting at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity and includes lunch.

TAKE HOME A STAINED GLASS WINDOW

What: An opportunity to have a keepsake of our Sherman Drive Church by bidding to donate for the symbol windows

Who: Current and former St. George Parishioners

When: March 10 through April 7

Why: All donations will go to the building fund

Who else: After April 7, any windows without bids will be open to the public. Any windows matching at least the minimum bids by April 7 will be deemed closed.

Take home a piece of St. George Indianapolis history. Place your bids on the sheets in the hall. You can view the symbol windows and submit bids on our website: www.stgindy.org/index.php/window-auction/

You may also contact Diana Najjar at 317-848-1832 or dnajjar@orchard.org to place a bid or for any questions.

Each day, the highest bids for each window will be noted and posted for all to see on the website.

Contact friends and family who were mem-bers of St. George but have moved away with this great news so they too can participate.

NOTE: This is ONLY for the ‘symbol’ windows. ALL of our icon windows will be saved and reused in the new church. All windows will be taken out after Pascha; you can take your window home after it is removed.

St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church Louisville, Kentucky Host of the 2013 Parish Life Conference June 19 – 23, 2013 Dear Fellow Orthodox Christians, The Parish Life Conference, presided by His Grace Bishop ANTHONY, will take place in our great city. The Galt House Hotel will be our gathering spot. Here we will enjoy the fellowship of our fellow Orthodox Christians from throughout the Midwest and beyond. It is also an opportunity to do the work of the Diocese with meetings of the Antiochian Women, Teen SOYO, Order of St. Ignatius, and the Fellowship of St. John the Divine. Bishop ANTHONY will be presiding throughout the conference, culminating with the festive Pentecost Liturgy at St. Michael’s on Sunday morning.

Additional activities will include:

• Bible Bowl • Teen Oratorical • Choir and Iconography Workshops • Vacation Church School • Belle of Louisville Cruise • F.O.C.U.S. Workshop • Skyzone for young adults & teens • A Taste of Kentucky • ‘Meet & Greet’ for Single Adults • Youth Leadership Workshop • Banquet and Hafli • Babysitting on Fri. & Sat. night

PLC registration is now OPEN! To register online, please visit www.antiochianevents.org/95. Look for additional information and The Galt House Hotel reservation link on our church website www.stmichaelorthodoxchurch.org/plc. If you would prefer to speak with someone, please call the church office at (502) 454-3378 Option 8, or you may send an email to stmichaelplc@gmail.com. If you would like a packet of forms mailed to you, please call the church office at the number listed above. We also have a Facebook page titled St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church – 2013 Parish Life Conference and we encourage you to “like” it. The City of Louisville has much to offer, and many things are within walking distance of the hotel. Some places to visit include:

• Louisville Slugger Museum • Muhammad Ali Center • Kentucky Science Center • Louisville Bats Minor League Baseball • Churchill Downs • Kentucky Derby Museum

Please consider joining us for this wonderful experience and stay a few extra days. We look forward to seeing you! Very Rev. Fr. Alexis Kouri, Protos Mary Jean Ciresi, Co-Chair Mark Jacobs, Co-Chair

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY

After Presanctified

Liturgy on Wednes-

days of Lent, please

bring a Lenten dish to

share for our pitch-in

dinner, if you can.

During dinner we will

show various video clips about prayer

and have a short discussion afterwards.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

We shall hold our Annual Meeting

SUNDAY, APRIL 21, following the

Divine Liturgy and breakfast. We hope

to have all our parishioners present.

If you are interested in serving on the

Parish Council or would like to nomi-

nate someone, please contact Fr. Nabil

or any other member of the parish

council by April 14. All nominees must

be Orthodox Christians in exemplary

spiritual and temporal standing, at least

18 years of age, and members of this

parish for at least one year. (If nomi-

nees have not completed parish council

training at the time of election, they

may complete it subsequent to election,

before being seated.)

If you forgive men their trespasses,

your heavenly Father will forgive you;

but if you do not forgive men their

trespasses, neither will your heavenly

Father forgive you your trespasses

(Matthew 6:14).

ST. GEORGE PARISH CALENDAR

March

Sun. 17

Matins, 9 a.m.

Choir warm-up, 9:30 a.m.

Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m.

Forgiveness Vespers, 7 p.m.

Mon. 18 Great Compline with Canon of St.

Andrew of Crete, 7 p.m.

Tue. 19 Great Compline with Canon of St.

Andrew of Crete, 7 p.m.

Wed. 20 Presanctified Liturgy, 6 p.m.

Pitch-in Dinner and Discussion follow

Thu. 21 Great Compline with Canon of St.

Andrew of Crete, 7 p.m.

Fri. 22

Lenten Supper, 6 p.m.

Little Compline with Akathist Hymn, 7 p.m.

Sat. 23

Lenten Retreat with Fr. Josiah Trenham

Vespers and confession, 5 p.m.

Sun. 24

Sunday of Orthodoxy

Matins, 9 a.m.

Choir warm-up, 9:30 a.m.

Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m.

Triumph of Orthodoxy/Annunciation Vespers and dinner reception, 5 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church (3500 W. 106

th St., Carmel)

Mon. 25

Great Feast of the Annunciation

Matins, 8 a.m.

Divine Liturgy, 9 a.m.

Great Compline, 7 p.m.

“UNLESS THE LORD BUILD THE HOUSE,

THEY LABOR IN VAIN THAT BUILD IT.”

(PSALM 126.1A LXX)

We hope every parishioner will get involved in our building

project by joining and helping on one of the many committees.

Please contact Fr. Nabil to sign up. See the current committees

list posted on the bulletin board opposite Father’s office.

Yesterday saw

another glorious

milestone, when we

blessed and set the

golden cross atop

the golden dome.

Then dome and

cross were lifted

together and set

atop the new

church.

The dome of an

Orthodox Church is

of great spiritual

significance,

because it repre-

sents the 'apse of

the heavens.’

Thank you to

everyone whose

sacrifices are

enabling this

construction to

proceed. God bless

you abundantly!

If you have not yet

pledged to the

building, can give

more or would like

information, please

contact Duke

Haddad or

Fr. Nabil.