Saint John of Damascus Orthodox Church

1 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 ; Pastoral Staff: Archpriest john K. Teebagy, Pastor Rev. Deacon Christos Hatzopoulos Mark Haddad, Choir Director Anthony Hamwey, Chanter Office Hours: Monday Thursday: 9 am 2 pm Church Office: 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.

2 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.

3 All present, however, are welcome to partake of the blessed bread and receive a blessing at the end of liturgy. 25 February 2018 Sunday of Orthodoxy (First Sunday of Great Lent) Troparion of the Resurrection Tone 5: Let us believers praise and worship the Word; coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation. For, He took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh to suffer death; and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection. Troparion of the First Sunday of Lent - Tone 2: Thy pure image do we venerate, O good One, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God; for by thine own will thou didst ascend the Cross in thy body, to save thy creautres from the bondage of the enemy.

4 Thou hast verily filled all with joy, since thou didst come, O our Savior, to save the world. 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 Sundays of Lent - Tone 8: Verily, I thy servant, O Theotokos, inscribe unto thee the banner of conquest, O defending soldier; I offer thanks to thee as a deliverer of tribulation, and since thine is the might unconquerable, deliver me, O deliver me from oppression, that I may sing unto thee.

5 Rejoice O bride without bridegroom. Prokeimenon: Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our Fathers. For you are righteous in all things you have done for us. EPISTLE: The reading is from St. Paul to the Hebrews (Chapter 11:24-26 and 32-40) BRETHREN, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

6 Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated, (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. john (Chapter 1:43-51) At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me.

7 " Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe?

8 You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." And the rest of the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great + The Offerings Holy Bread + Trisagion Prayers of Mercy are offered in beloved memory of Mitchell Haddad (40 day) by Marion Haddad and family Prayers of Oblation are offered in beloved memory of dear husband Robert P. Zahka (33 yrs.) by Lorice Zahka Prayers of Oblation are offered in beloved memory of our daughter and sister Lauren Michele Hazerjian (22 yrs.) by David, Carol, David, Andrew and Brian Hazerjian; she is forever in our hearts Prayers of Oblation are offered in beloved memory of Diana M.

9 Beattie by Scott Beattie, Rob, and Ryan Memory Eternal DONATION(S) TO THE Church : Marion Haddad in beloved memory of my husband Mitchell Haddad; he is always in my heart David and Carol Hazerjian in beloved memory of our precious daughter, Lauren Michelle George and Catherine Hadaya in beloved memory of Olivia Waishek James and Ruth Sabbag in beloved memory of Jamila Nawfel Lorice Zahka in beloved memory of dear husband Robert P. Zahka; he always in my heart Lorice Zahka in beloved memory of precious granddaughter, Lauren Michelle Hazerjian Paula and Jim Hallal in beloved memory of Jamila Nawfel Al and Marj Haddad in beloved memory of brother Mitchell Haddad; we will proudly remember his service to all In beloved memory of father and (great) grandfather Mitchell Haddad; we love and miss you daily!

10 john and Elaine Haddad & family Mitchell and Tricia Haddad & family Linda and Mike O Hara & family Daniel, Robin, Adam, Mandi Chris and Danny Haddad In beloved memory of our wonderful (great) uncle and cousin Mitchell Haddad; may his memory be eternal! Neil and Barbara Beliveau & family David and Beverly Reynolds & family Russell Haddad and family Richard Nawfel; Nico and RoseMarie Stamboulides; and Elias and Eleni Nawfel & family Violet and Richard Robbat & family Abe Sabbag Elaine Sabbag Cynthia, Mark, Anthony and Lydia Haddad Steven, Martha, Matthew, Philip, and Marjorie Haddad, for godfather Bruce Haddad Ron Haddad, for godfather Russ and Colleen Khouri Arthur and David Khouri Mary Turk and family Nora Medwar Eli, Joan, and Michael Medwar In beloved memory of Mitchell Haddad; may his memory be eternal!