Welcome, and thank you for visiting St. Mary Orthodox Church online. We hope that our website highlights the wide variety of worship, fellowship, ministery and education opportunities available. Please feel free to read more about our church on this site, or come join with us in prayer. We would love to greet you and share with you our love for Jesus Christ and for you, our neighbor.
files/Bulletin-September-15-2024.pdf (8003kb)
files/God-and-Man-Part-2.pdf (114kb)
Dear Beloved in Christ,
When I was a child I hated Sunday School. I was bored and thought I knew it all. My parents knew this. The Sunday School teachers understood this. Somehow my priest had the presence of mind to realize I would be better off in church, serving in the Altar. From that point on (10 years of age), I never again set foot in a Sunday School Room as a student. For me, attending church and serving in the Altar had more value. It became my classroom.
There are mixed opinions about Sunday School and church attendance. This is not an easy issue for parents to deal with. It is not uncommon to see parents remove kids from church because they have become too disruptive. Parents may consciously come late to church so the kids don’t have to be there as long. They may also bring toys with them to church for kids to play with to keep them quiet. Some would like to see the children "shuttled off" to Sunday School for the entire Divine Liturgy. Some are of the opinion that the children should be in church and learn by participating (I am of that opinion). Others think there should be a healthy mix between being in Sunday School and attending the Divine Liturgy. The bottom line is that we as a Church - especially the grown ups - have a sacred responsibility to help form the child's Orthodox Christian identity. We must remember that our children are not our future - they are our present. They are part of our Church now.
Sunday School at Saint Mary's begins this coming Sunday (September 15th). Our model will be to encourage the parents to bring their children to the Divine Liturgy and actively have them participate. Following Communion, Sunday School Classes are held, where our teachers hope to instil in our children the love for their Orthodox Faith, and help them begin their journey towards living a Christ-like life.
NOTES
- Attached to this email is The Weekly Bulletin and Metropolitan Saba's Teaching. Please take a few minutes to read through them both.
- As mentioned above, Sunday School Classes begin this Sunday. It will be a full day beginning with the monthly Children's Sermon and Blessing of the Children; First Sunday of Classes; A celebration of being back together again with a Taco/Nacho Party, along with a Bounce House/Water Slide (Parents: Please bring swimsuits, towels and dry clothes for your children.
- Bible Study continues this Tuesday, September 17th, from 6:30 - 8:00 PM; Spiritual Discussion will be held on Wednesday, September 18th, following Vespers.
- Come pray with us this coming week:
Saturday, September 14th - Feast of the Elevation of the Cross: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM, followed by the Procession of the Cross and distribution of flowers.\
***There will be NO Vespers this coming Saturday evening (September 20th)***
Sunday, September 15th: Orthros at 8:50 AM; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM. Trisagion (Memorial) Prayers will be offered for the repose of Jodet Rae (40 Days); Paula Slattery (1 Year); and Roy Samra (1 Year). May their memory be eternal!
Wednesday, September 18th: Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.
“We, who believe in the living God and whose hopes depend upon Him, ought to rejoice that we have such a Father in the heavens, Who loves us more than all fathers and mothers and Who takes infinite care to render us worthy of Him.” The Elder Ephraim of Arizona
With love in Christ,
Fr. Peter
files/Bulletin-September-8-2024.pdf (8659kb)
Beloved in Christ.
This coming week we celebrate the first two 'Major Feast Days' of the church year: The Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8th) and The Elevation of the Precious Cross (September 14th). Both of these feasts celebrate life. The Nativity of the Theotokos (born of pious parents Saints Joachim and Anna, who were elderly and barren) prefigures man's transition from barrenness into life, in that through her own flesh, the Savior of the world became man, humbling Himself even to the point of death on the Cross. This leads us to the Elevation of the Precious Cross which commemorates the finding of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by Saint Helena - Mother of the Emperor Constantine in the year 326 AD. It is the cross - a tool of suffering and death - that Christ transformed into His throne and became the instrument of our salvation and life-everlasting.
The Church presents these two feast days, as well as all feast days not merely as commemorations of the past, but to make the past present. We actualize the feast being celebrated so that we are also participating in it. Through the feasts, we remember God’s promises and His ever presence among us.
NOTES...
- Attached to this weekly email is The Weekly Bulletin and Metropolitan Saba's Weekly Teaching. Please take a few minutes to read through both.
- Fall Bible Study commences this coming Tuesday, September 10th, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, in the Conference Room. Led by Jim Gavrilos, this fall we will focus on the Gospel of Matthew. All are welcome to attend. Please bring your bibles.
- Wednesday Evening Spiritual Discussions resume this Wednesday, September 11th, immediately following Vespers Service. All discussions are held in the church and conclude by 7:45 PM.
- Sunday School begins Sunday, September 15th. Please refer to the information in this week's bulletin to register your child for Sunday School Classes.
Pray With Us This Week...
- Saturday, September 7th: Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.
- Sunday, September 8th - Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos: Matins at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM.
- Wednesday, September 10th: Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.
- Saturday, September 14th - Feast of the Elevation of the Precious Cross (Eid al Salib): Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM. Procession of the Cross and distribution of the blessed flowers at the conclusion of the Liturgy.
Quote of the Week...
“Be careful with your mouth, but primarily with your mind; do not let evil thoughts start talking to you. Do not let your mouth say words that could perhaps wound your brother. Let your mouth put forth words which are fragrant: words of consolation, courage and hope. It is a person’s mouth that reveals his interior inner man.” Elder Ephriam of Arizona.
With love in Christ,
Fr. Peter
files/Bulletin-September-1-2024.pdf (10610kb)
files/Your-Grace-Transforms-the-Universe-3-EN.pdf (194kb)
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Happy New Year!
You may be thinking that either I'm a bit early or a bit late in wishing you a Happy New Year, however on September 1st, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Ecclesiastical New Year, also known as The Indiction. The word 'Indiction' comes from the word 'Indictio,' an imperial decree which means Definition or Order. Every fifteen years the Roman emperors would issue a new tax in order to maintain military defense. This period of time was also the length of conscription for Roman soldiers. The first worldwide Indiction was in 312 AD, by the Emperor Constantine the Great.
According to Holy Tradition, Christ entered the synagogue on September 1 to announce His mission to mankind (Luke 4:16-22). Quoting Isaiah 61:1-2, the Savior proclaimed, “The spirit of the Lord is upon Me; because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to proclaim release to captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord...”
The observance of the Ecclesiastical New Year provides us with an opportunity for introspection, repentance, and revitalization; it is a time for us to reflect on the creation of the world and our fall into sin. This encourages us to give thanks to the Lord for our own creation, reflect on our own, personal falls, establish spiritual goals, and strive for a deeper connection with God. Liturgically, this celebration is accompanied by special prayers, hymns, and readings, serving as a continual reminder of the utmost significance of spiritual renewal and the ongoing pursuit of God's grace in our lives.
NOTES
- Attached to this week's email is The Weekly Bulletin, and Metropolitan Saba's Teaching.
- Enclosed in the bulletin is a link to register your children for our 2024-2025 Sunday School Program. Please go to the link, print the form and return the completed form ASAP. Sunday School Classes begin Sunday September 15th.
- Bible Study Classes begin Tuesday, September 10th, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Conference Room. The Fall Bible Study led by Jim Gavrilos, will be on the Gospel of Matthew.
- Join us in prayer this coming week:
Saturday, August 31st - Great Vespers at 6:30 PM.
Sunday, September 1st (Ecclesiastical New Year) - Matins at 8:50 AM; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM. Prayers for 'The Beginning of the Church New Year' will be offered.
Wednesday, September 4th - Vespers at 6:30 PM.
With love in Christ,
Fr. Peter
files/Bulletin-August-18-2024.pdf (7989kb)
files/Your-Grace-Transforms-the-Universe-1-EN.pdf (198kb)
Beloved in Christ,
Having concluded the celebration of the feast day of our parish, I would like to take this week's email to thank everyone who participated in making this year's feast day celebration a tremendous blessing. Quite often, the Orthodox Church refers to the Dormition of the Theotokos and the 15 day fast leading up to the feast as a 'Summer Pascha' due to the joyful resurrectional characteristics that surround the Virgin Mary's Dormition and Translation into Heaven. This joy was evident in the celebration of Great Vespers on the evening of August 14th, presided over by His Grace, Bishop Nicholas, together with seven priests from South Florida, complemented by beautiful chanting and singing. Nearly 200 faithful participated in the service, and enjoyed a lenten reception in the Banquet Hall prepared by our Ladies Society following the Vespers Service. On the morning of August 15th, again we witnessed the joy in celebrating the Dormition with a beautiful Divine Liturgy.
Saint Theodore the Studite preached this about the Theotokos and her Dormition: “As we are appareled with virtue, we celebrate the Feast of Translation of the Mother of God into the heavens, where she is appareled in eternity. Today the Holy Theotokos who shuts her eyes offers us sacred and radiant light by protecting the world and interceding for it before the face of God.”
May the Theotokos ever protect us and intercede for us.
NOTES
- Attached to this week's email is The Sunday Bulletin and Metropolitan Saba's Weekly Teaching. Please take a few minutes to read through both.
- Join us for our Annual Feast Day Luncheon this coming Sunday, August 18th, following the Divine Liturgy. Donation is $15.00 for adults; $5.00 for per child under 10 years.
- This coming week's liturgical service schedule:
- Sunday, August 18th: Matins at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM.
- Wednesday, August 21st: Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.
** Please note: There will be no Great Vespers Service this Saturday, August 17th. **
Blessed feast,
Fr. Peter
files/Bulletin-August-11-2024.pdf (7728kb)
files/Service-of-Churching-Newborns.pdf (150kb)
files/2024-08-05-Letter-to-Clergy--Parishioners-RE.-CRF-Scholarship-Program.pdf (226kb)
Beloved in Christ,
As we prepare ourselves for, and commemorate the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, let us take some time to think about the Virgin Mary - the Theotokos. What can we learn from her love for God and her submission to His will? How did her choices and the way that she lived her earthly life affect ours? How has she continued to impact the world since her Dormition? The Elder Thaddeus (+2003) of Vitovnica Monastery wrote that “The Most Holy Mother of God prays for us ceaselessly. She is always visiting us. Whenever we turn to her in our heart, she is there. After the Lord, she is the greatest protection for mankind. How many churches there are in the world that are dedicated to the Most Holy Mother of God! How many healing springs where people are cured of their ailments have sprung up in places where the Most Holy Theotokos appeared and blessed those springs to heal both the sick and the healthy! She is constantly by our side, and all too often we forget her.”
May the Holy Mother of God pray for all of us, that we will be saved and that we will follow God as wholeheartedly as she did!
NOTES:
- Three items are attached to this email: The Weekly Bulletin; Metropolitan Saba's Teaching; and a letter regarding the Children's Relief Fund. Please take a few minutes of your time to read through all three.
- As we approach our parish feast day, please take note of the following Church Services and participate as you are able.
Friday, August 9th: Paraklesis Service at 6:30 PM, followed by anointing with the myrrh from the Miracle-Working Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
Saturday, August 10th: Great Vespers at 6:30 PM.
Sunday, August 11th: Matins at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM.
Monday, August 12th: Paraklesis Service at 6:30 PM, followed by anointing with the myrrh from the Miracle-Working Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
Wednesday, August 14th - Eve of the Dormition: Great Vespers and Artoklasia for the feast at 6:30 PM. The service will be presided over by His Grace, Bishop Nicholas and Orthodox Clergy from the area. Following the service, a Lenten Reception will be held in the Banquet Hall hosted by our Ladies Society.
Thursday, August 15th - Feast of the Dormition: Matins at 8:00 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM.
- This coming Sunday, all of our youth (Pre-K through College) are encouraged to bring their backpacks to church to be blessed at the end of the Divine Liturgy. As the new school year begins, we ask God's blessing upon all of our students (and teachers) as they embark on their studies.
- Sunday School 'Kick-off' for the 2024-25 year will be Sunday, September 15th. More information will be forthcoming.
May our journey through the balance of the Dormition Fast be blessed!
With love in Christ,
Fr. Peter
files/Bulletin-July-28-2024.pdf (9222kb)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Sometimes we are afraid of showing our faith or standing up for it publically. We are scared to face troubles: lose our job, suffer illness, or lose money. We are afraid of being "cancelled" by people who disagree with us. Some of us have a fear of failure and therefore we don’t even try to do what our heart longs for. Fear is insidious. We often draw images and pictures in our minds, repeatedly playing them through our minds, and then we live with fears, agitation, phobias and anxiety for years.
The Gospel Lesson for this coming Sunday (Matthew 8: 28-9:1) is a prime example of a community that was paralyzed by the unknown and were comfortable with their fears (the demons). This blinded them to the power and the love of the One who could help them overcome their fears - our Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot hide from our fears or make excuses for them because then we only create something else to be afraid of. The only way we can overcome our fears is to turn to God daily, putting our trust and faith in His will that He will help us overcome that what keeps us from realizing our God-pleasing potential.
NOTES:
- Attached to this email is The Weekly Bulletin. Please take a few minutes to read through it.
- Join us in prayer this coming week:
Saturday, July 27th: Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.
Sunday, July 28th: Matins at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM
Thursday, August 1st - Beginning of the Dormition Fast: Paraklesis Service at 6:30 PM, with anointing of the oil from the Miracleworking Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
"The fear of God compels us to fight against evil; and when we fight against evil, the grace of God destroys it." +Saint Kosmas Aitolos
With love in Christ,
Fr. Peter
files/Bulletin-July-21-2024.pdf (9140kb)
files/On-the-Ministry-of-the-Diaconate-Part-2.pdf (225kb)
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Sunday's Gospel reading (Matthew 8: 5-13) is a lesson of faith. A Centurion, who had a critically ill servant, went to Jesus to ask for His help. Christ was willing to go to the house of the centurion in order to heal the servant. The centurion, conscious of his unworthiness, asked Christ to heal his servant simply by His command. Christ praised the centurion’s faith in public and made it an example for all to follow.
As we reflect on the centurion’s faith, how does our own faith compare? When we turn to God in times of trouble or difficulty, how do we approach Him? Do we demand, plead or bargain?
Do we turn to God with love and humility? Are we ready to believe without seeing, telling Jesus only to say a word and we will be content?
We are called to increase our faith beyond the level of intellectual belief. Our faith needs to be combined with love, extreme humility, and with absolute obedience to the will of God. Only then will we rise to the level of the centurion, and Jesus will also marvel at our faith, saying, “Not even in the house of Israel have I found such faith... Go, be it done for you as you believed.”
NOTES:
- Attached to this week's email is The Weekly Bulletin and Metropolitan Saba's Teaching. Please take a few minutes to read through both.
- Join us in prayer:
Friday, July 19th - Vesperal Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Holy Prophet Elias at 6:30 PM.
Saturday, July 20th - Great Vespers at 6:30 PM.
Sunday, July 21st - Matins at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM. Trisagion (Memorial) Prayers will be offered for the repose of Elia Jabbour (40 days) by his father Banna Jabbour and family; and for the repose of Jennifer Joseph Zichi (1 year) by her sister Judy and Leon Chalhub.
There will be no Vespers on Wednesday July 24th.
"In the measure to which a man cuts off and humbles his own will, he proceeds toward success. But insofar as he stubbornly guards his own will, so much does he bring harm to himself.
+Saint Ephriam the Syrian
With love in Christ,
Fr. Peter
files/Bulletin-July-14-2024.pdf (9913kb)
files/On-the-Ministry-of-the-Diaconate-1-EN-1.pdf (254kb)
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
- Attached to this week's email is The Weekly Bulletin and Metropolitan Saba's teaching. Please take a few minutes to read both.
- As you travel to church, please be mindful that the intersection of Forest Hill and the 95 may be closed for work on the railroad track. Consider using the Southern Blvd. or 10th Avenue exits.
- Join us in prayer this coming week:
files/Bulletin-July-7-2024.pdf (11605kb)
files/The-Teacher-Does-Not-Retire.pdf (154kb)
Beloved in Christ,
- Saturday, July 6th: Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.
- Sunday, July 7th: Matins at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM.
- Wednesday, July 10th: Vespers Service at 6:30 PM, followed by a spiritual discussion on 'the understanding of fatherhood.'
