Saint John of Damascus Orthodox Church A parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America His Grace Bishop John, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester
300 West Street, Dedham, Massachusetts 02026-5594 781.326.3046; www.stjohnd.org
Pastoral Staff: Archpriest John K. Teebagy, Pastor
[email protected] Rev. Deacon Christos Hatzopoulos Mark Haddad, Choir Director Anthony Hamwey, Chanter
Office Hours: Monday –Thursday: 9 am – 2 pm Church Office:
[email protected] Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday at 2 pm Regular Sunday Services: Confessions: 8:40 am - 9:40 am; Matins: 9 am Divine Liturgy: 10 am
ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS MISSION STATEMENT We worship and glorify God, by loving and caring for each other, providing a safe, thriving and life-long home, from which we spread the teaching and good works of our Orthodox Christian Faith. Being God’s stewards, we celebrate our faith by: participating fully in the sacramental and liturgical life of the church. responding to the needs of all by living the message of the Gospel through outreach to each other and to the community at large. fostering our God-given talents as stewards to strengthen God's church. “Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7)
A NOTE TO OUR VISITORS WELCOME! We are glad to have you worshipping with us today. We hope that you will complete one of our visitor cards and will introduce yourself to Fr. John after the service. Please also join us for coffee following the Liturgy. Since the Orthodox Church understands Communion to be a sign of our unity of faith, only Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through prayer, fasting and periodic confession are permitted to participate in Holy Communion. All present, however, are welcome to partake of the blessed bread and receive a blessing at the end of liturgy.
28 January 2018 Sunday of the Pharisee and Publican
Troparion of the Resurrection – Tone 1: While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O giver of life. Glory to Thy Resurrection O Christ, glory to Thy kingdom, glory to Thy providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind. Troparion of St. John of Damascus – Tone 8: Thou hast shown thyself, O God-inspired John, as a guide to the Orthodox Faith, a teacher of true worship and purity, O star of the universe and companion of monastics, O wise one. Through thy light thou hast enlightened all, O harp of the Spirit. Therefore intercede with Christ God to save our souls. Kontakion of the Presentation - Tone 1: Thou, O Christ God, who by thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin's womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon's arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom thou didst love; for thou alone art the Lover of mankind.
Prokeimenon: Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
EPISTLE: The reading is from Saint Paul's Second Letter to Timothy (Chapter 3:10-15) TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE (Chapter 18:10-14) The Lord spoke this parable: "Two men went up into the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus within himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess.' But the tax collector, standing afar off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
And the rest of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
+ The Offerings – Holy Bread + Prayers of Oblation are offered in beloved memory of father and grandfather George M. Bezreh and beloved grandparents Rustum and Maheeba Shaheen by Bob and Dolores Bezreh & family Prayers of Oblation are offered in beloved memory of father and grandfather George M. Bezreh and beloved grandparents Mitchell and Wadia Bezreh by Russ and Maybelle Homsy & family Prayers of Oblation are offered in beloved memory of mother and grandmother Lillian H. Khouri by Violet and Richard Robbat & family, Scott Beattie and sons; and Arthur Khouri and son
Memory Eternal DONATION(S) TO THE CHURCH: John and Jo Sakakini & family in beloved memory of Al Hamwey Bob and Dolores Bezreh & family for the continued good health of our son George M. Bezreh, II after his recent operation George, Rola, George and Paul Bezreh in beloved memory of grandfather George M. Bezreh. You will be always remembered Easa Sabbag in beloved memory of Margaret Khouri, Joseph Kurker, and Albert Hamwey DONATION(S) TO THE VMS: Mary Ahto in beloved memory of Albert Hamwey Arthur and David Khouri in beloved memory of mother and Tatia Lillian Khouri; she is in our hearts forever Violet, Richard and Michael Robbat; Andrea and Steve Plasko in beloved memory of mother and grandmother Lillian H. Khouri DONATION(S) TO THE PETER A. ZAHKA MEMORIAL FUND: Janice, Mike, Marissa, Michael, and Matthew Esty in beloved memory of uncle Albert Hamwey
Announcements… Reminder Please remember to contact the church office at your earliest convenience if you or a loved one has a pastoral need. Thank you.
Today we welcome the 7th grade class from our neighbor church First Parish Needham. Welcome!! Next Week Trisagion Prayers of Mercy will be offered in beloved memory of Souheil Massabni (40 day) by his family, who will also host the coffee hour. All are welcome! Feast Please join us at St. George, Norwood on Thursday, February 1 @ 6 pm for the festal liturgy of the Presentation of the Lord into the Temple. Bishop’s visit Bishop John will be the celebrant at the liturgy on February 11. His Grace will also join us for the annual Godparents’ Luncheon after liturgy that day. Choir The next rehearsal is Sunday, February 4 @ 9 am. Please see Mark Haddad with any questions. New members are always welcome! Antiochian Village Financial aid is available for those sending their children to the Village this summer. Requests for aid MUST be made in writing to Fr. John at the church office by Sunday, February 25. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. John. This aid is made possible by the archdiocese through the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch. Scholarship The Syrian Lebanese Women’s Club of Boston invites young women of Syrian or Lebanese descent who live in the greater Boston area to apply for their annual scholarship. Applications, which are due by March 1, can be obtained by emailing St. John’s church office (
[email protected]). Looking for a spiritual home? If you would like more information about joining the parish, please contact Fr. John. You are most welcome! Altar Servers: John Najjar, Dean of Altar Servers. Serving this week: St. Mark Team.
From the Fathers – “Abba John said, ‘Who sold Joseph?’ A brother replied saying, ‘It was his brethren.’ The old man said to him, ‘No, it was his humility which sold him, because he could have said, “I am their brother” and have objected, but, because he kept silence, he sold himself by his humility. It is also his humility which set him up as chief in Egypt.'” + St. John the Dwarf from The
Sayings of the Desert Fathers
