Pastor: Fr John Vazquez | (518) 462-0579 |
fatherjohnvazquez@gmail.com

Beloved,

This week we will take a break from talking about the creed to talk a little about the great feast of Pentecost that we celebrate on Sunday. 

This feast celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. The same Holy Spirit that proceeds from the Father (Jn 15.26)—that is worshiped and glorified together with the Father and the Son (Nicene Creed), and with which we are sealed upon our entry into the Church in the sacrament of Holy Chrismation (Acts 19.6, Eph 4.30)—is the One who purifies, illumines and deifies us in our walk with God.

After the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostle’s who were gathered together in prayer they went out and began speaking about the good news of the Lord’s death and resurrection and every person heard them (the apostles) speaking in their own language (Acts 2.1–13). This feast is a reversal of the confusion of the tongues at the tower of Babel in the book of Genesis (ch 11) where God went down and confused the tongues so that the people would not increase in their idolatry and evil. 

The Son of God had to come first so that He could swallow up the condition of death into Himself, personally unite our human nature to Himself and thereby clear a path to heaven for human beings (this is what we celebrated at Ascension 10 days ago, the sitting down of a (the) Human Being at the right hand of the Father in heaven—Daniel 7 and Acts 7). The Holy Spirit is then sent at Pentecost to assist us on the path cleared by Christ and is the means by which we are united to God for our salvation. 

The fact that the Church survived, grew and flourished is a testament to the presence of and work of the Holy Spirit. To survive the persecutions of the Roman Empire, the Arab invasions, Ottoman oppression, Communist Atheism and the wave of Secularism that we are in the midst of right now is proof of the miracle of Pentecost.

Despite all this some are still skeptical that the Holy Spirit is still present with the Church because we, as the people of God, sometimes do not act as one’s who are filled the deifying Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is still with the Church today leading and guiding Her into all truth (Jn 16.13) but we as the people who make up the Church have to invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts to change us. We have to make room for the Holy Spirit and quiet our hearts so that we can hear that still, small voice (1 Kings 19.12). We cannot do that if we do not set aside our attachment to the things of this world and find time to be still and quiet so that we can hear the Holy Spirit. 

This week, think about some little things you can do to turn your attention to God (read your scripture, pray, do something kind) and try to spend a little time every day being quiet making yourself available to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. 

Blessed Feast of Pentecost!

With love in the risen Lord,

Fr John

PS—no fasting this week, as the week after Pentecost is fast free.

Services and Events

Friday, June 21st—9am—Paraklesis Service of St George

Saturday, June 22nd—9am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy for the Saturday of Souls (A service called for before the great feast of Pentecost)

Saturday, June 22nd—5pm—Great Vespers w/Litia and Artoklasia for the great feast of Pentecost 

Sunday, June 23rd—9am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy for the great feast of Pentecost—Kneeling Vespers immediately to follow the Liturgy (this is the first time that we kneel in prayer since Pascha) 

Friday, June 28th—5pm—Vespers for the feast of the Apostles

Saturday, June 29th—9am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Apostles

Saturday, June 29th—5pm—Great Vespers 

Sunday, June 30th—9am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy—memorial for Rezek family (Antonios, Tamam, Michael, Mounir, Bassir, Novaline, Hassib and Zahra)—meal to follow provided by Nazir and Camile Rezek

 

Church Calendar

Education

But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 2 Pet 3.18

Read Metropolitan Saba's weekly teaching on the the spiritual awakening of youth HERE

Get some caffeine for the soul with Coffee with the Fathers. WE ARE ON A HIATUS UNTIL SEPTEMBER when we plan to begin studying Hymns on Paradise by St Ephraim the Syrian. 

Study the Scriptures with us—Bible Study Saturday evenings at 6pm after vespers. WE ARE ON A HIATUS UNTIL SEPTEMBER when we plan to continue studying the Gospel of Matthew.

Click HERE for some resources for learning about our Faith

Click HERE for a great article on advice for mothers. 

Internships for young adults, June and/or July: Men ages 18-35 can apply now to live and work at The Monastery of Our Lady and St. Laurence in Colorado, even if they're not considering a monastic vocation. Starting this Friday, young men and women can apply for internships that will teach servant leadership in Alaska, Puerto Rico and Texas for the 2024-25 school year.

Orthodox Young Professionals Conference, July 25-28: In Anaheim, Calif., attendees will have opportunities for spiritual growth, and build future friendships and lasting memories. Be one of the first fifty people to register and earn a discount! (Please also share the attached flier.)

 

Did You Know...that Christ is Risen!...and...

*The Parish Life Conference is in Montreal this summer (July 4–7). Find out more here: www.antiochianevents.com/ottawa

Parish Prayer List

"Remember Me O Lord When You Come Into Your Kingdom." Lk 23.42

Please include in your daily prayers the following. Contact me to have someone added to the list. These are the names that will be remembered during the Divine Liturgy.

Living:

Bishop Alexander, Fr Gregory Potter, Fr Andrew, Fr Pat, Fr Joseph, Fr Chrysostom, Fr Peter and Matushka Sophia,  Dn Jorge, Dn Horia, Lamia, The Shahin Family, The Ruff Family, Diane, Callie, Leila, Helen, Lucy, Camile, Marsha, Mary, Georgette, Presbytera Marina, Hassib, Alex, Raymond.

All those suffering from illness, violence and want in this country and throughout the world and especially those in Ukraine Gaza and the middle east

Departed:

Fr Gregory DesMarais, Fr Alvian, Archpriest Basil (6.17), Archpriest James (6.17), Jeninne (5.16), Ken (5.16), William (6.9.24), Abrahim (6.9.24), those who have lost their lives and who have no one to pray for them, those who have passed in the conflict in Ukraine and the middle east.

Why do we pray for the dead?

Divine Liturgy Variables on the Fiftieth Day after Pascha

The Great Feast of Pentecost

THE FIRST ANTIPHON

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaimeth the work of His hands. Day unto day poureth forth speech, and night unto night proclaimeth knowledge.

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

There are neither tongues nor words in which their voices are not heard. Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. (Refrain)

Glory… Both now… (Refrain)

THE SECOND ANTIPHON

The Lord hear thee in the day of affliction; the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee. Let Him send forth unto thee help from His sanctuary, and out of Zion let Him help thee.

Refrain: Save us, O Good Comforter, who sing to Thee. Alleluia.

Let Him remember every sacrifice of thine, and thy whole-burnt offering let Him fatten. (Refrain)

The Lord grant thee according to thy heart, and fulfill all thy purposes. (Refrain)

Glory… Both now… O, only begotten Son and Word of God…

THE THIRD ANTIPHON

O Lord, in Thy strength the king shall be glad, and in Thy salvation shall he rejoice exceedingly. The desire of his heart hast Thou granted unto him, and hast not denied him the request of his lips. Thou wentest before him with blessings of goodness, Thou hast set upon his head a crown of precious stones. He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest him length of days unto ages of ages.

 During the Little Entrance, after the Third Antiphon verses, chant the Apolytikion of Pentecost.

THE EISODIKON (ENTRANCE HYMN) OF THE FEAST

Be Thou exalted, O Lord, in Thy strength; we shall praise and sing of Thy mighty acts. Save us, O Good Comforter, who sing to Thee. Alleluia.

Now sing these hymns in the following order.

APOLYTIKION OF PENTECOST IN TONE EIGHT

Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast revealed the fishermen as most wise, having sent upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them Thou hast fished the universe, O Lover of mankind, glory to Thee.

Do NOT sing the apolytikion of the patron saint or feast of the temple.

KONTAKION OF PENTECOST IN TONE EIGHT

When the High One descended, confusing tongues, He divided the nations. And when He distributed the fiery tongues He called all to one unity. Wherefore, in unison we glorify the most Holy Spirit.

THE ANTI-TRISAGION HYMN

As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia. (thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Have put on Christ. Alleluia.

Dynamis!

As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.

THE EPISTLE

Their voice has gone out into all the earth. The heavens declare the glory of God.

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles. (2:1-11)

When the day of Pentecost had come, the Disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

THE GOSPEL

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (7:37-52; 8:12)

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now this He said about the Spirit, which those who believed in Him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, many of the people said, “This is really the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee?  Has not the Scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” So there was a division among the people over Him. Some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him. The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd, who do not know the Law, are accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our Law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee.” Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

MEGALYNARION FOR THE FEAST IN TONE SEVEN

O thou who without experience of corruption wast found to be with child, and didst lend flesh unto the Word Who devised all things, O thou Mother who hast not known wedlock, O Virgin Theotokos, vessel of the Uncontainable One, dwelling place of thy boundless Fashioner, thee do we magnify.

KOINONIKON (COMMUNION HYMN) FOR PENTECOST IN TONE EIGHT

Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness. Alleluia.

 Instead of singing “We have seen the true light,” sing the Apolytikion of Pentecost.

THE DISMISSAL

Priest: May He Who poured out the grace of the All-holy Spirit from Heaven upon His holy disciples and apostles in the form of fiery tongues, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother; by the might of the Precious and Life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of Heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints, John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople, whose Divine Liturgy we have now celebrated; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of Saint N., the patron and protector of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind.

Priest: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.

Choir: Amen.

Parish Giving Summary—Fiscal Year 2023/24

Help us Meet our Goal of $120,000 for the Year

Sunday Giving for week of June 16th—$741.00

Online Giving for week of June 16th—$0

Total Giving for fiscal year to date (October 23–September 24)—$69113.7

Families who have contributed for fiscal year to date (October 23–September 24)—72

Families who have contributed over $5,000 for fiscal year to date (October 23–September 24)—3

Families who have contributed over $1,000 for fiscal year to date (October 23–September 24)—18

Check out our parish financial report by clicking HERE.

*You can set up a recurring monthly donation to the Church by clicking HERE 

Give to St. George

A Note to our Visitors

WELCOME!

We are blessed by your presence! Join us for fellowship after. Please note, in the Orthodox Church only baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared can partake of the Holy Eucharist. All others may come forward for a blessing with the chalice held over their head and receive a piece of blessed bread from the altar servers.

From a Father of the Church

St Gregory the Theologian—Oration 41 on Holy Pentecost

None can see or enter into the Kingdom, except he be born again of the Spirit, and be cleansed from the first birth, which is a mystery of the night, by a remoulding of the day and of the Light, by which every one singly is created anew. This Spirit, for He is most wise and most loving, if He takes possession of a shepherd makes him a Psalmist, subduing evil spirits by his song, and proclaims him King; if he possess a goatherd and scraper of sycamore fruit, He makes him a Prophet. Call to mind David and Amos. If He possess a goodly youth, He makes him a Judge of Elders, even beyond his years, as Daniel testifies, who conquered the lions in their den. If He takes possession of Fishermen, He makes them catch the whole world in the nets of Christ, taking them up in the meshes of the Word. Look at Peter and Andrew and the Sons of Thunder, thundering the things of the Spirit. If of Publicans, He makes gain of them for discipleship, and makes them merchants of souls; witness Matthew, yesterday a Publican, today an Evangelist. If of zealous persecutors, He changes the current of their zeal, and makes them Pauls instead of Sauls, and as full of piety as He found them of wickedness. https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2018/05/oration-on-holy-pentecost-st-gregory.html 

Why should I care about the church fathers?