The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese
Of North America
Diocese of Los Angeles and the west.
St. Philip Antiochian Orthodox Church
كنيسة القديس فيليبس الرسول الأنطاكية الارثوذكسية
15804 – 98 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5P-4R9
Tel: (780) 489-7943, Fax: (780) 930-2095, www.stphilipedmonton.org , E-mail:
Pastor: V. Rev. Archpriest Elias Ferzli.
Attached: Rev. Fr. Raphael Johnston; Rev. Deacon Simon Sakkab.
October 29, 2017
Venerable Martyr Anastasia the Roman; Venerable Abraham and his niece Mary of Mesopotamia; New Hieromartyr Athanasios of Sparta; Venerable Martyr Timothy of Esphigmenou monastery on Athos; Abraham, bishop of Rostov
Weekly Service Schedule:
Saturday: 5:00 PM Vesper service
Sunday: 9:45 AM Matins’ Service
11:00 AM Divine Liturgy
اللحن الرابع الإيوثينا العاشرة
Tone 4 Eothinon 10
(Troparion of the resurrection -Tone 4)
Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation. And proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying: Death hath been spoiled; Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.
(Troparion of St-Philip -Tone 3)
O Holy Apostle Philip intercede with our merciful God to grant our souls, forgiveness of sins.
Kontakion:
O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
الطروباريات:
( للقيامة – باللحن الرابع):
إنَّ تِلميذاتِ الرَّبِّ تَعَلَّمْنَ مِنَ المَلاكِ الكَرْزَ بالقيامَةِ البَهِجِ، وطَرَحْنَ القَضاءَ الجَدِّيَّ، وخاطَبْنَ الرُّسُلَ مُفْتَخِراتٍ وقائِلاتٍ: سُبِيَ المَوْتُ وقامَ المَسيحُ الإلهُ، ومَنَحَ العالَمَ الرَّحْمَةَ العُظْمى.
( للقديس فيليبس الرسول – باللحن الثالث):
ايها الرسول القديس فيليبس، تشفع الى الإله الرحيم، ان ينعم بصفح الزلات لنفوسنا.
القنداق:
يا شفيعة المسيحيين غير الخازية، الوسيطة لدى الخالق غير المردودة، لا تعرضي عن أصوات طلباتنا نحن الخطأة، بل تداركينا بالمعونة بما أنك صالحة، نحن الصارخين إليك بإيمان، بادري الى الشفاعة، وأسرعي في الطلبة، يا والدة الإله المتشفعة دائماً بمكرميك.
The Epistle:
O Lord, how magnified are Thy works.
In wisdom hast Thou made them all.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (2:16-20)
Brethren, you know that a man is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ. Even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law, because by works of the Law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the Law died to the Law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.
الرسالة
ما أعظَمَ أعمالَكَ ياربُّ كُلَّها بحكمةٍ صَنَعْتَ.
بارِكِي يا نفسي الرب
*فصل من رسالة القديس بولس الرسول إلى أهل غلاطية (2: 16-20)
يا اخوةُ إذ نَعْلَمُ أنّ الإنسانَ لا يُبرَّرُ بأعمالِ الناموسِ بَلْ إنما بالإيمانِ بيسوعَ المسيحِ آمنّا نحنُ أيضاً بيسوعَ المسيحِ لِكي نُبَرَّرَ بالإيمانِ بالمسيحِ لا بأعمالِ الناموسِ إذْ لا يُبرَّرُ بأعمالِ الناموسِ أحَدٌ مِنْ ذوي الجسدِ * فإنْ كُنَّا ونحْنُ طالِبُونَ التبريرَ بالمسيحِ وُجِدْنا نحنُ أيْضاً خطاةً أفيكونُ المسيحُ إذنْ خادِماً للخطيئة . حاشى * فإني إنْ عُدْتُ أَبْنِي ما قد هَدَمْتُ أجعَلُ نفسي مُتَعَدّيا * لأني بالناموسِ مُتُّ للناموسِ لِكَيْ أحيا لله * معَ المسيحِ صُلِبْتُ فأَحْيا لا أنا بَلْ المسيحُ يَحْيَا فيَّ . ومالي من الحياةِ في الجسَدِ أنا أحياهُ في إيمانِ ابنِ اللهِ الذي احبّني وبَذَلَ نَفْسَهُ عَنِّي.
The Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (8:41-56)
At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus’ feet he besought Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed round Him. And a woman, who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind Him, and touched the fringe of His garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the multitudes surround Thee and press upon Thee! And Thou sayest, ‘Who touched Me?’” But Jesus said, “Someone touched Me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from Me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before Him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. And Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” While Jesus was still speaking, a man from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well.” And when Jesus came to the house, He permitted no one to enter with Him, except Peter and James and John, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but Jesus said, “Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand Jesus called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and Jesus directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.
الإنجيل
* فصلٌ شريفٌ من بشارةِ القديسِ لوقا الإنجيليِّ البشيرِ والتلميذِ الطاهر(8:41-56) *
في ذلكَ الزمانِ دَنا إلى يسوعَ إنسانٌ اسمُهُ يايِرُسُ وهُوَ رئيسٌ لِلْمَجْمَعِ وَخَرَّ عِنْدَ قَدَمَيْ يسوعَ وطَلَبَ إليهِ أنْ يدخُلَ إلى بيتِهِ* لأنَّ لهُ ابنَةً وحيدةً لها نحْوَ اثنَتَيْ عشْرَةَ سَنَةً قد أشرَفَتْ على الموتِ. وبيْنَمَا هُوَ مُنْطَلِقٌ كانَ الجموعُ يزْحَمُونَهُ* وإنَّ امرأةً بِهَا نَزْفُ دَمٍ مُنْذُ اثنَتَيْ عشْرَةَ سنَةً وكانَتْ قد أنفَقَتْ معيشَتَها كُلَّها على الأطِبَّاءِ ولَمْ يستَطِعْ أحَدٌ أن يَشفِيَها* دَنَتْ مِنْ خلْفِهِ وَمَسَّتْ هُدْبَ ثَوْبِهِ ولِلْوَقْتِ وَقَفَ نَزْفُ دَمِها* فقالَ يسوعُ مَنْ لَمَسَني. وإذْ أنْكَرَ جميعُهُم قالَ بطرسُ والذينَ مَعَهُ يا مُعَلِّمُ إنَّ الجُموعَ يُضايقونَكَ ويَزحَمُونَكَ وتَقولُ مَن لَمَسَنِي* فقالَ يسوعُ إنَّهُ قَدْ لَمَسَنِي واحِدٌ. لأنِّي عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ قُوَّةً قَدْ خَرَجَتْ مِنِّي* فَلَمَّا رَأَتِ المرأةُ أَنَّها لَمْ تَخْفَ جاءَتْ مُرْتَعِدَةً وَخَرَّتْ لَهُ وأَخبَرَتْ أَمامَ كُلِّ الشعْبِ لأَيَّةِ عِلَّةٍ لَمَسَتْهُ وَكيْفَ بَرِئَتْ لِلْوَقْتِ* فقالَ لَهَا ثِقِي يا ابنةُ. إيمانُكِ أبرأكِ فاذهبي بسلامٍ* وفيما هُوَ يتكَلَّمُ جاءَ واحِدٌ مِنْ ذَوِي رئيسِ المجمعِ وقالَ لَهُ إنَّ ابنَتَكَ قَدْ ماتَتْ فلا تُتْعِبِ الْمُعَلِّم* فَسَمِعَ يسوعُ فأَجابَهُ قائِلاً لا تَخَفْ. آمِنْ فَقَطْ فَتَبْرَأَ هِيَ* وَلَمَّا دَخَلَ البيتَ لَمْ يَدَعْ أحَداً يَدْخُلُ إلاّ بطرُسُ ويعقوبُ ويُوحَنَّا وأَبَا الصبِيَّةَ وأُمَّهَا* وكانَ الجميعُ يَبْكُونَ ويلطِمُونَ علَيْهَا. فقالَ لَهُمْ لا تَبْكُوا. إنَّهَا لَمْ تَمُتْ ولكِنَّها نائِمَةٌ* فضَحِكُوا عليْهِ لِعِلْمِهِم بأَنَّها قد ماتَت* فأَمْسَكَ بِيَدِها ونادَى قائلاً يا صبِيَّةُ قُومِي* فَرَجَعَتْ رُوحُها وقامَتْ في الحالِ فأَمَرَ أن تُعْطَى لِتأْكُلَ. فَدَهِشَ أبَوَاها فأوْصاهُمَا أنْ لا يَقولا لأحَدٍ ما جَرَى.
Reflection on today's Epistle
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me”
St. Paul on this Sunday tells us what we have been given as Christians and also how we are to live. Each one of us as Christians has been given a marvelous and powerful gift- it is the gift to live life in its fullness, in its completeness. It is a life of freedom; free from all fear and from sin. It is a life that nothing can touch. This live beloved was given to us by the church in Holy Baptism. This is what St. Paul means when he says “I have been crucified with Christ.” He says the same exact thing in Romans, even more explicit- “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life….. that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
Yes my dear ones in Christ Jesus, we are no longer slaves- that is, unless we return to slavery voluntarily. We are free unless we give up our freedom. We are fully alive, unless we choose to die. Our lives must live out our Baptism. We must carry the dying of Jesus deep within our bodies- that is we must die to our own will that the will of God might set us free. Every time we choose to humble ourselves in front of others, we taste this freedom. Every time we reject the judgement of others we are crucified with Christ. Every time we forgive someone-unilaterally- even if he does not “deserve” forgiveness- it is Christ Himself who lives in us and forgives. Every time we sacrifice our own desires for those of our family or friends we die to sin and it shall have no power over us.
To be justified by faith in Jesus Christ is not a legal transaction; it has nothing to do with the “faith vs works” controversy. It is living a life of love, humility, and sacrifice. It is the crucified Christ, living in us, pouring out His love in our hearts. This love then spills forth-in all of our words and deeds- to each whom we encounter. To be justified by faith in Jesus Christ means to live out the great gift that has already been given to each one of us in our Holy Baptism. Amen.
Ten steps to better prayer life.
Designate A Prayer Space, Whether it is in the corner of your desk or a little stand in your room, it is important to have a place where you can put your Bible, Icons, etc. Dedicate the use of that space for God alone.
Acquire A Time: Incorporate prayer in your routine and set time aside to center your thoughts to God.
Acquire A Library: Start with a Bible, then get a small Orthodox Prayer Book, after that start collecting books. Here are some suggestions: ‘Living the Liturgy’ (Fr. Stanley Harakas), ‘For the Life of the World’ (Fr. Alexander Schmemann)....
Assemble An Altar: In your prayer center gather icons (Christ, Theotokos, Guardian Angel and patron saint), service books, incense, votive light, a cross, a prayer rope, etc. Incorporate your five senses in prayer.
Pray: Speak from your heart. Learn prayers of the Church. Try the Jesus Prayer or the Lord’s Prayer. Also incorporate your own prayers and thoughts.
Acquire A Spiritual Guide: This is a very important step. One should build a relationship with either a member of the clergy, monk or nun, who will become your spiritual guide. He/she will help guide and pace you to a balanced prayer life. The Sacrament of Confession can be arranged through your priest.
Fasting and Almsgiving: Fasting adds a dimension to your prayer life. Your fasting practice should be regulated to avoid physical and spiritual harm. As for alms, give where you see a need and trust that the Lord will provide.
Build On What You Already Have: If you already have a routine, build on it. If, for example, you pray before you go to sleep, it will be easier to read a chapter from the Bible before your bedtime prayers, than to set up some time during the day to read.
Sanctify All That You Do. You may have set aside a time and space for a prayer routine, but that doesn’t mean you should separate your life into sacred and secular. Privately thank God for what you have at all times, and make Him aware of your every concern. Dedicate everything you do to Him.
Remember the power of the Life-giving Cross, The sign of the Cross is a reminder of Christ in our lives. Blessing oneself with the cross by holding the first two fingers of the right hand and thumb together represents the Holy Trinity. The last two fingers held to the palm represent the two natures of Christ – God and man. Orthodox Christians cross themselves from the head to the breast and from shoulder to shoulder, right to left. This unique and all embracing symbol shows that the cross is the inspiration, power and indeed the very content of our lives.
أن نعيش مع المسيح
في إنجيل اليوم عجيبتان: عجيبة أولى هي شفاء المرأة النازفة الدم التي جاءت بالصدفة، لأنّ المقصود كان أن يشفي السيّد ابنة يايرس رئيس المجمع التي ماتت وهو في طريقه إليها. ما يهمّنا هو أن نرى أنّ كلّ نفس منّا تمثّلها المرأة النازفة الدم، وتمثّلها ابنة رئيس المجمع المائتة بآن واحد.
امرأة تنزف منذ اثنتي عشرة سنة وقد أنفقت أموالها على الأطبّاء. يضعنا الإنجيليّ لوقا أمام حادث يائس: امرأة لا تُشفى. ويأتي السيّد ويشفيها في الحال عندما مسّت طرف ثوبه، وقد أحسّ بأنّ واحدًا قد لمسه وبأنّ قوّة خرجت منه.
في مواجهتنا للسيّد يجب أوّلاً أن نلمسه، أن نقترب إليه اقتراب الحبيب إلى الحبيب، وينبغي، إذا صحّ التعبير، أن نصارعه كما قال الله في سفر التكوين (٣٢: ٢٤)، عندما تحدّث عن صراع يعقوب للملاك. ينبغي أن نصارع المسيح مصارعة حقّ بحيث نلتقي بقوّته وبحيث ينسكب الربّ فينا انسكابًا كلّيًّا، فنشبع من حضرته ونشبع بتعزياته وعندئذ نُشفى. تُشفى نفوسنا المكسّرة المعذّبة المحيّرة. وكلّ نفس إذا زادت شدّتها أو قويت الشدّة حولها في العالم لا بدّ من أن تكون مطروحة وكأنّها في جبّ. عندما لا يعلم الإنسان مصيره، عندما لا يعيش لا ليومه ولا لغده يكون يائسًا، تُستَنزف قواه وهو بحاجة إلى ملامسة المسيح. المسيح وحده قادر على أن يرفع عنّا الكابوس وأن يجعلنا في حضرته الطيّبة.