Orthodox Christianity::Parishes of Patriarchate of Antioch - Sites Updates

Lenten Services

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:09:31 +0300

Great Lent
Services are as follows:
Monday’s - Great Compline at 6:00 PM.
Wednesday’s - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at 6:30 PM with
Lenten Meal to follow.
Friday’s - Laudation at 6:30 PM with Lenten Meal to
follow.

St. George Church, Troy, MI

Sunday School Creative Arts

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:09:02 +0300

Click here for information on the Sunday School Creative Arts

St. George Church, Troy, MI

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:09:01 +0300

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Commemorated on January 31

The Sunday after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee is the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. This parable of God's forgiveness calls us to come to ourselves" as did the prodigal son, to see ourselves as being "in a far country" far from the Father's house, and to make the journey of return to God. We are given every assurance by the Master that our heavenly Father will receive us with joy and gladness. We must only "arise and go," confessing our self-inflicted and sinful separation from that "home" where we truly belong (Luke 15:11-24).

Click on "Read More" below for the Gospel

St. George Church, Troy, MI

PEACE ROCK

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:09:01 +0300

Even in the midst of a stormy sea of trouble, we can have peace in Jesus, a peace as solid as a rock. But if we give in to worry and fear, we will be in danger of sinking.

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I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!

I have overcome the world.�� -John 16:33 NIV

St. George Church, Troy, MI

Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:09:00 +0300

Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great
Commemorated on January 17

Saint Anthony the Great is known as the Father of monasticism, and the long ascetical sermon in The Life of St Anthony by St Athanasius (Sections 16-34), could be called the first monastic Rule.

He was born in Egypt in the village of Coma, near the desert of the Thebaid, in the year 251. His parents were pious Christians of illustrious lineage. Anthony was a serious child and was respectful and obedient to his parents. He loved to attend church services, and he listened to the Holy Scripture so attentively, that he remembered what he heard all his life.

When St Anthony was about twenty years old, he lost his parents, but he was responsible for the care of his younger sister. Going to church about six months later, the youth reflected on how the faithful,in the Acts of the Apostles (4:35), sold their possessions and gave the proceeds to the Apostles for the needy.

Then he entered the church and heard the Gospel passage where Christ speaks to the rich young man: "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me" (Mt.19:21). Anthony felt that these words applied to him. Therefore, he sold the property that he received after the death of his parents, then distributed the money to the poor, and left his sister in the care of pious virgins in a convent.
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Click "Read More" below

St. George Church, Troy, MI

Life of St. Raphael

stnicholascathedral.org — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:04:38 +0300

As we celebrate the 115th Anniversary of our Mother Cathedral in 2010, it is important that we know our history and where we came from. With that in mind, in addition to the history section of our webiste, you can download a brief life of St. Raphael of Brooklyn who founded our community in 1895. Please click on the following links below to download the Cathedral booklet about St. Raphael's life:

1. Cover

2. Inside of Booklet

St. Nicholas Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY

Synaxis of the Forerunner and Baptist John

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:09:02 +0300

Synaxis of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
Commemorated on January 7
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In the Orthodox Church it is customary, on the day following the Great Feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God, to remember those saints who participated directly in the sacred event. So, on the day following the Theophany of the Lord, the Church honors the one who participated directly in the Baptism of Christ, placing his own hand upon the head of the Savior.

St John, the holy Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, whom the Lord called the greatest of the prophets, concludes the history of the Old Testament and opens the era of the New Testament. The holy Prophet John bore witness to the Only-Begotten Son of God, incarnate in the flesh. St John was accounted worthy to baptize Him in the waters of the Jordan, and he was a witness of the Theophany of the Most Holy Trinity on the day of the Savior's Baptism.

The holy Prophet John was related to the Lord on His mother's side, the son of the Priest Zachariah and Righteous Elizabeth. The holy Forerunner, John, was born six months before Christ. The Archangel Gabriel announced his birth in the Temple at Jerusalem, revealing to Zachariah that a son was to be born to him.

Through the prayers offered beforehand, the child was filled with the Holy Spirit. St John prepared himself in the wilds of the desert for his great service by a strict life, by fasting, prayer and sympathy for the fate of God's people.
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St. George Church, Troy, MI

Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:09:01 +0300

Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Commemorated on January 6

Theophany is the Feast which reveals the Most Holy Trinity to the world through the Baptism of the Lord (Mt.3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). God the Father spoke from Heaven about the Son, the Son was baptized by the St John the Forerunner, and the Holy Spirit descended upon the Son in the form of a dove. From ancient times this Feast was called the Day of Illumination and the Feast of Lights, since God is Light and has appeared to illumine "those who sat in darkness," and "in the region of the shadow of death" (Mt.4:16), and to save the fallen race of mankind by grace

St. George Church, Troy, MI

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:09:11 +0300

Click here for a Archpastoral message from�His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah for the Nativity of Christ 2009
Click here for The Nativity Season on the Antiochian website

St. George Church, Troy, MI

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:11:01 +0300

St. George Church, Troy, MI

Forefeast of the Nativity of our Lord

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:09:05 +0300

Forefeast of the Nativity of our Lord
Commemorated on December 20

The Forefeast of the Nativity of the Lord begins on December 20. From now on, most of the liturgical hymns will be concerned with the birth of the Savior. Many of the Church's hymns of this period are slightly modified versions of the hymns of Holy Week.
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St. George Church, Troy, MI

Forthcoming Services and Events

orthodox.clara.net — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:32:48 +0300

What's happening soon in the parish?

Orthodox Community of St. Aidan, Clare Road, Levenshulme, Manchester

Parish Reports

orthodox.clara.net — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:32:47 +0300

What's happened recently in the parish?

Orthodox Community of St. Aidan, Clare Road, Levenshulme, Manchester

Editorial

orthodox.clara.net — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:32:46 +0300

Something to think about this month ...

Orthodox Community of St. Aidan, Clare Road, Levenshulme, Manchester

St Spyridon the Wonderworker

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:09:26 +0300

St Spyridon the Wonderworker and Bishop of Tremithus
Commemorated on December 12
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Saint Spyridon of Tremithus was born towards the end of the third century on the island of Cyprus. He was a shepherd, and had a wife and children. He used all his substance for the needs of his neighbors and the homeless, for which the Lord rewarded him with a gift of wonderworking. He healed those who were incurably sick, and cast out demons.

After the death of his wife, during the reign of Constantine the Great (306-337), he was made Bishop of Tremithus, Cyprus. As a bishop, the saint did not alter his manner of life, but combined pastoral service with deeds of charity.

According to the witness of Church historians, St Spyridon participated in the sessions of the First Ecumenical Council in the year 325. At the Council, the saint entered into a dispute with a Greek philosopher who was defending the Arian heresy. The power of St Spyridon's plain, direct speech showed everyone the importance of human wisdom before God's Wisdom: "Listen, philosopher, to what I tell you. There is one God Who created man from dust. He has ordered all things, both visible and invisible, by His Word and His Spirit. The Word is the Son of God, Who came down upon the earth on account of our sins. He was born of a Virgin, He lived among men, and suffered and died for our salvation, and then He arose from the dead, and He has resurrected the human race with Him. We believe that He is one in essence (consubstantial) with the Father, and equal to Him in authority and honor. We believe this without any sly rationalizations, for it is impossible to grasp this mystery by human reason."

Click "Read More" below

St. George Church, Troy, MI

St Nicholas the Wonderworker

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:09:22 +0300

St Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra in Lycia
Commemorated on December 6
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This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused.There was a certain formerly rich inhabitant of Patara, whom St Nicholas saved from great sin. The man had three grown daughters, and in desparation he planned to sell their bodies so they would have money for food. The saint, learning of the man's poverty and of his wicked intention, secretly visited him one night and threw a sack of gold through the window. With the money the man arranged an honorable marriage for his daughter. St Nicholas also provided gold for the other daughters, thereby saving the family from falling into spiritual destruction. In bestowing charity, St Nicholas always strove to do this secretly and to conceal his good deeds.�
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No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock ... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travellers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.

Click "Read More" below

St. George Church, Troy, MI

ATTENTION!

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:09:10 +0300

SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE TO RECEIVE THE ORTHODOX LIFE TIPS FROM OCN.

GO TO "MEDIA RESOURCES" TO LISTEN TO THE ARK AND THE RUDDER ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MUSIC.
SEE THE MEDIA RESOURCES LINK UNDER THE SITE INDEX.

St. George Church, Troy, MI

The ARK

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:09:09 +0300

The Ark" is OCN's 24/7 Internet Radio station featuring contemporary music from
Orthodox artists or songs compatible with an Orthodox perspective.

St. George Church, Troy, MI

The Rudder

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:09:08 +0300

Click on the picture above to listen to the Rudder
OCN's 24/7 Internet Radio station featuring Orthodox sacred music.

St. George Church, Troy, MI

http://stgeorgeoftroy.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=143

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:09:06 +0300

Remember�to use the�words:

MERRY CHRISTMAS

St. George Church, Troy, MI

We Give Thanks to Thee, O Christ Our God

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:09:02 +0300

We Give Thanks to Thee, O Christ Our God
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.
--George Washington, Thanksgiving Proclamation, Oct. 3, 1789

Click here for more

St. George Church, Troy, MI

Thanksgiving: The National Holy-Day

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:09:01 +0300

Thanksgiving: The National Holy-Day

Chaplain's Corner

by Fr. George Morelli

For all practical purposes, Thanksgiving Day is the closest we come to a National Holyday in the United States. Historically, it has been celebrated with everything from religious thankfulness, food, frolic and of course modern commercialism. Despite this, it is still a time for many Americans to ‘count their blessings’ and get together with family and/or friends.

Sometimes our approach to life stops us from ‘counting our blessings and giving thanksgiving to God. Psychologists call this pessimism. It is the belief that “bad events will undermine everything they do.” (Seligman, 1990). It is like always seeing the cup ‘half empty’. Those with optimism, confronted with “hard knocks” approach them as a challenge and try harder. Optimists tend to see the cup ‘half full’. They are thankful for what they have and work harder.

Common to our American national heritage is the action of our first president, George Washington who in 1789 declared a national thanksgiving holiday honoring the newly ratified Constitution, proclaiming: the people could thank God for "affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Thanksgiving is part of many religious traditions: St. Paul told the Romans (14:5-6): ”One man esteems one day as better than another, while another man esteems all days alike. Let every one be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. He also who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God;” The psalmist tells us: “All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O Lord, and all thy saints shall bless thee! (Ps 145:10). The Koran states: "And He gives you all that ye ask for. But if you count the favors of God, never would you be able to number them" (14:34). A Native American Iroquois thanksgiving prayer ends with the words: “we return thanks to the Great Spirit, in whom is embodied all goodness, and who directs all things for the good of his children.”

Some have taken the words of Deuteronomy (26:10) “I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And you shall set it down before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God”, and applied this as an offering to God of themselves. They forgo being with family and friends and give themselves to others in need, serving in food kitchens and the like.

However we commemorate this Holyday, let us see the fullness of the cup of gifts God has given us, and be thankful praying: “Glory to thee, who hast called me to life, … revealed to us the beauty of the universe … Glory to thee O God in ages!” (Akathist of Thanksgiving, Metropolitan Tryphon of Turkestan).

Click here for more on Thanksgiving

St. George Church, Troy, MI

Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:09:31 +0300

The Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple
Commemorated on November 21

According to Holy Tradition, the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple took place in the following manner. The parents of the Virgin Mary, Sts Joachim and Anna, praying for an end to their childlessness, vowed that if a child were born to them, they would dedicate it to the service of God.

When the Most Holy Virgin reached the age of three, the holy parents decided to fulfill their vow. They gathered together their relatives and acquaintances, and dressed the All-Pure Virgin in Her finest clothes. Singing sacred songs and with lighted candles in their hands, virgins escorted Her to the Temple (Ps. 44/45:14-15). There the High Priest and several priests met the handmaiden of God. In the Temple, fifteen high steps led to the sanctuary, which only the priests and High Priest could enter. (Because they recited a Psalm on each step, Psalms 119/120-133/134 are called "Psalms of Ascent.") The child Mary, so it seemed, could not make it up this stairway. But just as they placed Her on the first step, strengthened by the power of God, She quickly went up the remaining steps and ascended to the highest one. Then the High Priest, through inspiration from above, led the Most Holy Virgin into the Holy of Holies, where only the High Priest entered once a year to offer a purifying sacrifice of blood. Therefore, all those present in the Temple were astonished at this most unusual occurrence.
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Click "Read More" below

St. George Church, Troy, MI

Sunday's Child: Christmas and the Family

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:09:28 +0300

Sunday's Child: Christmas and the Family
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Read about it in the Sunday School section.

St. George Church, Troy, MI

Sunday's Child: Christmas and the Family

stgeorgeoftroy.com — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:09:27 +0300

Sunday's Child: Christmas and the Family

By Donna Bobin

One way parents can participate in the religious education of their children is to make the liturgical year more a part of family life. With Christmas fast-approaching, I don’t think many families need be persuaded to celebrate this holiday together. However, I do think that we all – no matter our age – tend to get a little overwhelmed by our own hectic preparations for the holiday. With so much to do and so little time to do it, it’s very easy to lose the feelings of joy and hope and brotherhood that should be a part of Christmas because we are tired and short-tempered from fighting holiday crowds on our shopping trips or from staying up too late writing Christmas cards or baking cookies. And I’ve known many a frantic father muddling through directions on how to assemble toys at 1 a.m. Christmas morning who has thought very black thoughts about the whole gift-giving tradition. And children, surrounded by TV shows about Santa Claus, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman along with hundreds of commercials on their favorite cartoon shows about toys that no child should be without, may have a little trouble understanding why gifts are given or what the whole holiday is all about.

How can we and our families keep our bearings as we go through the pre-Christmas period? How can we keep our attention focused on the religious meaning of Christmas and not get sidetracked? Well, I have a few suggestions.

First, we can start by observing the Church’s period of preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, which is a period of fasting that begins on November 15 and extends for 40 days until Christmas. There are many things that families can do together during this period to ready themselves spiritually for the feast – through fasting, prayer, church attendance, participation in the sacraments, and a concentration on the full meaning of this feast both to all mankind and to each of us as individuals. What follows are some suggestions of things to do during this period.

You and your family can decide together which ones you want to do, but it’s a good idea to make a plan before the period begins so you’ll have a clear course of action. Below is a little chart of the suggestions to help you plan.

FIRST WEEK

November 14: Make wreath - Make plans (Fasting, prayer, church attendance, sacraments, activities)
November 15: Candle lighting
SECOND WEEK

November 18: Candle lighting - Gifts for God
November 21: Feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple
THIRD WEEK

November 25: Candle lighting - Gifts for the Less Fortunate - Fix-up Week
FOURTH WEEK

December 2: Candle lighting – Grab bag
December 6: St. Nicholas
FIFTH WEEK

December 9: Candle lighting - Christmas card making
SIXTH WEEK

December 16: Candle lighting - Christmas decoration making
SEVENTH WEEK

December 23: Candle lighting - Prayer, meditation and thanksgiving
December 24: Gifts for God placed under tree - Grab bag evening
The day before the fast period begins is a good time for the family to get together to make plans and to begin its preparations for the feast (families with very young children m...