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.

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A beautiful example of faith is found in the gospel lesson (Luke 8: 41-56) for this coming Sunday. This gospel lesson includes the raising of Jairus’ daughter by Our Lord from the dead, and the healing of the women who had an issue of blood for twelve years who touched the Lord’ garment.  These were perfect examples of the power of faith.  Jesus Christ is telling us that because of the woman's faith she was healed, and because of the faith of Jairus, his daughter rose from the dead, saying to her while taking her hand, “My child get up! Her spirit returned and she stood up!” It is our faith, our sincere belief in Christ that carries us through the worst of times. The words Jesus spoke to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid, just believe and she will be healed” is spoken to us everyday.

NOTES...

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The Golden Rule = Love

This Sunday we hear the Gospel from the Evangelist Luke 6:31-36, which extols the principle of moral conduct, the 'Golden Rule' as taught by Jesus Christ. The Golden Rule is an ethical principle which seeks to guide people to fulfill their needs, desires and dreams without tremendous conflicts causing hurt among them. The rule asks us to treat each other with understanding and fairness; “Do for others just what you want them to do for you” (Luke 6:31).  Christian morality goes far beyond the Golden Rule for to the Christian we are also called to treat others with Love, goodness and compassion no matter how they behave! For Christians, the Golden Rule is taking one’s neighbor upon oneself just as the Good Samaritan had compassion on the wounded Jew, a supposed enemy, interrupting his own journey in order to help him.

Christ Himself is the supreme model of the Good Samaritan seeking to bind and heal humanity’s wounds, and suffering persecution in the process.  Christ voluntarily submitted to insults, beatings, betrayal and crucifixion by those He came to help! From the Cross Christ prayed to God to “Forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing”! Thus, Christian morality is anchored not merely on the principle of fairness but much more on the principle of outgoing, sacrificial love.  This is the message of this Sunday's Gospel lesson.    Fr. P

NOTES...

• Attached to this week's email is The Weekly Bulletin and Metropolitan Saba's teaching. Please take a few minutes to read both.

• This Sunday, October 5th, all the men in our parish are invited to meet and form a ministry which will be known as the Antiochian Men (AMEN). The primary goal of AMEN is to serve the church; be positive role models; fellowship with each other; and spiritual growth—helping each other in deepening their relationship with God. Meeting will be held in the hall during Coffee Hour.
• Bible Study on the Book of Revelations continues this Tuesday, October 7th, 7:00 to 8:00 PM, in the hall. All are welcome to attend. Please bring your bibles.
• Because our church facilities are being "tented" to eliminate a growing termite problem, the following activities/services will not be held this coming week at Saint Mary's: Wednesday (October 8th) Vespers Service and Catechism Class, and Saturday (October 11th) Great Vespers Service.

• Join is this weekend in prayer at Saint Mary's:

Saturday, October 4th - Great Vespers at 6:30 PM.

Sunday, October 5th:

-Matins at 8:50 AM; followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM

-Choir Rehearsal at 9:15 AM.

-Monthly Children's Sermon prior to Communion.

-Sunday School Classes following Communion.

-Coffee Hour hosted by Alan & Carol Sara and Marilu Machin.

"Forget your good deeds as soon as possible ... Do not record your good deeds, for if you record them, they will soon fade. But if you forget them, they will be written in eternity."   +Saint Nicholas of Serbia

With love in Christ,

Fr. Peter

Happy Birthday Father Peter Shportun

May God Grant You Many More Years!

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Love of God

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Taking Up Our Cross

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O Lord, Save Thy People!

The day of the Elevation of the Cross became, as it were, the national holiday of the Eastern Christian Empire similar to the Fourth of July in the United States. The Cross, the official emblem of the Empire which was placed on all public buildings and uniforms, was officially elevated on this day by the bishops and priests. They blessed the four directions of the universe with the Cross, while the faithful repeated the chanting of “Lord have mercy.” This ritual is still done in the churches today after the solemn presentation and elevation of the Cross. The troparion of the feast which was, one might say, the “national anthem” sung on all public occasions in the Christian Empires of Byzantium and Russia, originally petitioned God to save the people, to grant victory in war and to preserve the empire “by the virtue of the Cross.” Today, instead of "granting victory in war and preserving the empire, we sing the following:

"O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; 

and by the virtue of Thy Cross, preserve Thy habitation." (Troparion).

The Feast of the Elevation of the Cross, continues to have a place of great significance in the Church today. It remains with us as a day of fasting and prayer, a day when we recall that the Cross is the only sign worthy of our total allegiance, and that our salvation comes not by “victories” of any earthly sort but by the only true and lasting victory of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and our co-crucifixion with him. When we elevate the Cross and bow down before it in veneration and worship to God, we proclaim that we belong to the Kingdom “not of this world,” and that our only true and enduring citizenship is with the saints in the “city of God” (Ephesians 2.19; Hebrews 11.10; Revelations 21–22).

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.

• We are establishing an Antiochian Men (AMEN) Ministry at Saint Mary's. Please read this week's bulletin for details. The inaugural meeting will be Sunday, September 28th.

• Catechism Classes continue this Wednesday (September 17th) from 7:45 to 8:30 PM in the church. This week's topic: 'What does it mean to be an Orthodox Christian? Our movement towards God.' This past Wednesday we had 16 participants. All are welcome to attend.

• Fall Bible Study with Jim Gavrilos begins on Tuesday, September 23rd, 7:00 to 8:00 PM, in the hall. The topic: 'The Book of Revelations.' Please bring your bibles.

• Join us in prayer at Saint Mary's this coming week:

Saturday, September 13th - Great Vespers at 6:30 PM.

Sunday, September 14th: The Feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross

- Matins at 8:50 AM; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM; Procession of the Cross following Communion.

- Sunday School Classes

- Coffee Hour hosted by Alice Yazbeck.

Wednesday, September 24th - Vespers at 7:00 PM, followed by Catechism Class.

"A Christian must not be fanatical; he must have love for and be sensitive towards all people."    +Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

With love in Christ,

Fr. Peter

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Christ

Christian spirituality is centered in Christ. Jesus Christ is the Divine Son of God who was born as a man of the Virgin Mary in order to give man eternal life in communion with God His Father. Jesus Christ is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14.6). He speaks the words of God. He does the work of God. The person who obeys Christ and follows His way and does what He does, loves God and accomplishes His will. To do this is the essence of spiritual life. Jesus has come that we may be like Him and do in our own lives, by His grace, what He Himself has done. In Jesus Christ “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2.9). In Him is the “fullness” of “grace and truth” (John 1.16–17) and “all the fullness of God” (Colossians 1.19). When one sees and knows Jesus, one sees and knows God the Father (John 8.19, 14.7–9). When one is in communion with Jesus, one is in abiding union with God. The goal of human life is to be continually “in Christ.” 

"Truly, truly I say to you, He who believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father" (John 14.12).

                                                                                                                                                                                         - Fr. Thomas Hopko (The Orthodox Faith: 'Spirituality')

NOTES...

• Attached to this week's email is The Weekly Bulletin. Please take a few minutes to read through it.

• September 1st is Labor Day, and coincidently falls on the Ecclesiastical New Year. Summer is over and the Church Year begins, ushering in a full slate of activities, services, meetings and learning opportunities.  Please mark the following on your calendar and plan on participating.

Sunday, September 7th our 2025 / 2026 Sunday School Year begins. Classes for children 4 to 12 years will be held every Sunday following Communion. The first Sunday begins with the monthly 'Children's Sermon' and 'Blessing of Children.' Following classes, a Water Bounce House and treats for the children will be offered.

Monday, September 8th the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos will be celebrated with a Festal Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM.

Wednesday, September 10th begins the Fall Catechism Classes. Classes will be held in the church immediately following Vespers Service. The topic of the first class is "What does it mean to be an Orthodox Christian? How to live an Orthodox Christian Life." Classes will be held each Wednesday. All are welcome to attend.

Tuesday, September 23rd begins Fall Bible Study from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the hall. Led by Jim Gavrilos, the study will focus on the Book of Revelations.

In addition to the above, the Parish Council will meet on September 14th; The Ladies Society will meet on September 21st; and the first meeting of the Antiochian Men (AMEN) on September 28th.

• Join us in prayer at Saint Mary's:

Thursday, August 28th - Vesperal Divine Liturgy at 7:00 PM, for the Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist.

Sunday, August 31st - Matins at 8:50 AM; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM.

Wednesday, September 3rd - Vespers Service at 7:00 PM.

**There will be no Vespers Service on Saturday, August 30th.

"A man in this world must solve a problem: to be with Christ, or to be against Him. And every man decides this, whether he wants to or not. He will either be a lover of Christ or a fighter of Christ. There is no third option."    +Saint Justin Popvich

With love in Christ,

Fr. Peter 

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Spirituality: God

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Spirituality

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Rejoice and Be Glad

Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake

“Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake” (Matthew 5.10–11). In saying these words, Jesus Christ promised that those who would follow Him would certainly be persecuted. This is a central prediction of the Gospel and an essential condition of those who accept it. "Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecute Me, they will persecute you; if they have kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all this they will do to you on My account, because they do not know Him who sent Me" (John 15. 20–21).

True Christians will always be persecuted for Christ’s sake. They will be persecuted with Christ and like Christ, for the truth that they speak and the good that they do. The persecutions may not always be physical, but they will always be spiritual and psychological. They will always be mindless, unjust, violent, and “without cause” (Psalm 69.4, John 15.25). A person embarking on spiritual life must expect persecution and slander. He must be wary, however, of any false persecution ­complex, and must be absolutely certain that the suffering he meets is solely “for righteousness’ sake” and not because of his own weaknesses and sins. The suffering of Christians must be accepted gladly, with mercy and love to those who inflict it. Here once again is the Lord’s own example, as well as that of His prophets, apostles, martyrs and saints. As Christ said, “Father, forgive them . . .” (Luke 23.34), while hanging on the Cross; and as the first martyr Stephen prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7.60), while being stoned, so all those who follow God’s righteousness must forgive their offenders from their hearts. The generous and loving forgiveness of the persecuted for the persecutors is an essential condition of the spiritual life. Without it, all suffering “for righteousness’ sake” is in vain, and does not lead to the Kingdom of Heaven.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              - Fr. Thomas Hopko (The Orthodox Faith: The Beatitudes)

NOTES...

• Attached to this week's email is The Weekly Bulletin. Please take a few minutes to read through it.

• The Dormition Fast in preparation for the Feast of the Dormition of the Most-Holy Theotokos begins on Friday, August 1st, and continues until Friday, August 15th, Information regarding the Dormition Fast and its significance may be found in this week's bulletin. 

• Arabic Bible Study Classes have concluded for the summer months. Thank you to Safwat Fahmy for leading the weekly classes. News on the Fall Bible Study and Catechism Classes will be forthcoming.

• Join us in prayer at Saint Mary's:

Friday, August 1st - The Dormition Fast Begins: Paraklesis (Supplication to the Theotokos) Service at 7:00 PM. At the conclusion, all who are present will be anointed with the oil from the Myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon of the Theotokos.

Saturday, August 2nd: Great Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.

Sunday, August 3rd: 

- Matins and Divine Liturgy begins at 8:50 AM.

- Trisagion Prayers: Klavidy Airapetov (40 Days); Olga Michery (40 Days); Jodet Rae (1 Year). +Memory Eternal!

- Coffee Hour Hosted by Ibrahim, Samar and Gabriel Chalhoub and their families, in memory of their aunt Olga Michery.

Monday, August 4th:  Paraklesis (Supplication to the Theotokos) Service at 7:00 PM.

Tuesday, August 5th - Commemoration of the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord:

- Vesperal Divine Liturgy at 7:00 PM

- Blessing of the Grapes and the First Fruits at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.

Wednesday, August 6th: Paraklesis (Supplication to the Theotokos) Service at 7:00 PM.

Friday, August 8th: Paraklesis (Supplication to the Theotokos) Service at 7:00 PM.

"The forgiveness of insults is a sign of true love, free from hypocrisy. For thus the Lord also loved this world.'    +Saint Mark the Ascetic

May the Dormition Fast be blessed.

With love in Christ,

Fr. Peter

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Peacemakers

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Purity in Heart

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5.8). 

Purity of heart means to be free of all wicked motivations and sinful intentions, and to have no unworthy interests and self-seeking desires. It means to be totally free from anything which blinds and darkens the mind so that it cannot see things clearly and honestly. It means to be totally liberated from anything which captivates and darkens the soul so that it cannot reflect and shine with the pure light of God. In His Sermon on the Mount, the Lord has said: "The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 7.22–23). The pure in heart are those whose eyes are sound. 

To seek but one thing, the face of the Lord, is purity of heart. To will but one thing, the light of the Lord in the depth of one’s soul, is to live in utter purity. It is for this reason that Christ’s mother Mary is the image of perfect purity. The Holy Virgin is “all-pure” not merely because of her bodily continence, but also because of her spiritual soundness. Her heart was pure. Her mind was sane. Her soul magnified the Lord. Her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior. Her body was His spiritual temple. For this reason God regarded her humility and did great things for her. For this reason all generations call her blessed. For this reason she is “full of grace” and the Lord is with her. For she, in her simple purity, could say to God: “Let it be to me according to Your word” (cf. Luke 1).

In the spiritual tradition of the Orthodox Church, purity of heart is an essential condition for union with God. When man’s heart is purified from all evil, it naturally shines with the light of God, since God dwells in the soul. This is the doctrine of the saints as expressed by Saint Gregory of Nyssa: ". . . the man who purifies the eye of his soul will enjoy an immediate vision of God . . . it is the same lesson taught by the Word [i.e. Christ] when He said, “The Kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17.21). You must then wash away, by a life of virtue, the dirt which has clung to your heart like plaster, and then your divine beauty will once again shine forth (On the Beatitudes, Sermon 6).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           - Fr. Thomas Hopko (The Orthodox Faith - The Beatitudes)

NOTES...

• Attached to this week's email is 'The Weekly Bulletin.' Metropolitan Saba's Weekly Teachings will resume in September.
• Arabic Bible Study continues this coming Tuesday, July 15th, 7:00 PM, in the hall. 
• Join us in prayer this coming week at Saint Mary's:

Saturday, July 12th  Great Vespers at 6:30 PM.

Sunday, July 13th 

Matins at 8:50 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM.

Coffee Hour hosted by the Azkoul and Harb Families.

Wednesday, July 16th  **No Vespers Service**

"When you throw a nail into a fire, it gets hot and starts to glow like fire. In the same way you, when you listen to divine teachings and live accordingly, will become like God."  +Saint Symeon Dajbabe

With love in Christ,

Fr. Peter

Mercy

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5.7). To be merciful is to be like God, for “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalms 103.8). The Lord passed before Moses and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin . . .” (Exodus 34.6–7). This also is the teaching of Christ in His Sermon on the Mount: ". . . love your enemies and do good and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6.35–36).

To be merciful does not mean to justify falsehood and sin. It does not mean to be tolerant of foolishness and evil. It does not mean to overlook injustice and iniquity. God is not this way, and does not do this. To be merciful means to have compassion on evil-doers and to sympathize with those who are caught in the bonds of sin. It means to forego every self-righteousness and every self-justification in comparison with others. It means to refuse to condemn those who do wrong, but to forgive those who harm and destroy, both themselves and others. It is to say with utter seriousness, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6.12).

                                                                                                                                                                    - Fr. Thomas Hopko (The Orthodox Faith: 'The Beatitudes')

NOTES...

• Please take a few minutes to read The Weekly Bulletin and Metropolitan Saba's Teaching that are attached to this email. In particular, please read Metropolitan Saba's archpastoral letter regarding assistance to those suffering from the recent terrorist attack on the Prophet Elias Orthodox Church in Dweilaa, Syria. A second offering tray will be passed this coming Sunday (July 6th), with all donations collected forwarded towards the assistance of those suffering from this attack. Please be generous in your donations and prayers. 

• Arabic Bible Study resumes this coming Tuesday, July 8th, at 7:00 PM, in the Banquet Hall. The topic continues to be the Epistles of John.      

• Join us in prayer this coming week at Saint Mary's:

Sunday, July 6th: 

-Matins at 8:50 AM; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM.

-Coffee Hour following the services hosted by Elena Sora.

Wednesday, July 9th: 

- Vespers Service at 6:30 PM.

**Please note: Great Vespers Service will not be held on Saturday, July 5th.

"Do you think that the man-loving God has given you much so that you could use it only for your own benefit? No, but so that your abundance might supply the lack of others."

                                                                                                                                                                                              +Saint John Chrysostom

Have a blessed and safe 4th of July Weekend!

With love in Christ,

Fr. Peter