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

781.326.3046/www.stjohnd.org

Pastoral Staff:

Archpriest John K. Teebagy, Pastor

Rev. Deacon Christos Hatzopoulos

Andrew Hazerjian, Choir Director

Anthony Hamwey, Chanter

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9 am – 2 pm

Church Office: churchoffice@stjohnd.org

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. 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. All present, however, are

welcome to partake of the blessed bread and receive a blessing at the end of liturgy.

1 March 2020

Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheese Fare)

After the Little Entrance: 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. 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 Cheese Fare Sunday - Tone 6: O Thou who guides to wisdom and gives understanding and intelligence, the Instructor of the ignorant, and helper of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it understanding, O Master. Give me word, O Word of the Father; for behold, I shall not refrain my lips from crying to thee, O merciful One, have mercy upon me who am fallen.

Prokeimenon: Sing praises to our God, sing praises. Clap your hands, all you nations.

EPISTLE: The reading is from St. Paul to the Romans

(Chapters 13:11-14; 14:1-4)

BRETHREN, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinion. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW (Chapter 6:14-21)

If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who sees in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

And the rest of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

DONATION(S) TO THE CHURCH: Joanne and George Khouri in beloved memory of May Woodward

In beloved memory of Russell Najjar Theresa Dumais and Alan Cohen

Rick and Cathy Smith

Cynthia and Steve Linsky

George and Susan Maloof

John and Carol Sabbag

Dennis and Lillian Rawan

Agnes Medwar

Mr. and Mrs. John Najjar

Elizabeth Tamer

Edward Najjar & family

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bezreh

Dolores Medwar

Carolyn Ganim

Lorice Zahka

Fred and Marianne Abdelahad

Mary Bosworth

DONATION(S) TO THE VIRGIN MARY SOCIETY: The children and grandchildren of Arlene Haddad (2 yrs.) and Russell Haddad (35 yrs.) in their beloved memories; they are in our hearts forever

Announcements…

Reminder Please remember to contact Fr. John (781.326.3046) at your earliest convenience, if you or a loved one has a pastoral need. Thank you.

Today Please join us at the Pancake Breakfast immediately after liturgy today. All are welcome!!!

Choir Interested in joining the choir? New members are always welcomed! Please see Andrew Hazerjian for more information. The choir rehearses each Sunday in the large hall at 9 a.m.

Looking for a spiritual home? If you would like more information about joining the parish, please contact Fr. John. You would be most welcomed!

Food for Hungry People The Food for Hungry People Program is now underway Please remember the homeless throughout the world as we approach the holiest time of the year. Alms boxes will be available at the bengari. We depend upon your support. Please consider offering a generous donation to this most worthy cause. If you prefer to donate by check, please make it payable to the church and earmark it F.F.H.P. We ask that all alms boxes and checks be returned by May 17. Thank you.

Scholarship The Syrian Lebanese Women’s Club of Boston invites young women who are seniors in high school, of Syrian or Lebanese descent, and who live in the greater Boston area to apply for their annual scholarship. Applications, which are due by March 31, 2020, can be obtained by emailing the church office (churchoffice@stjohnd.org).

Altar Servers: John Najjar, Dean of Altar Servers. Serving today. St. Matthew Team.

Great Lent 2020

Week #1 (March 2-8)

Monday, March 2: PURE MONDAY, Great Lent begins. Great Compline @ 7 pm @ St. George, Norwood

Wednesday, March 4: Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts @ 5:30 pm (if you would like to receive the Eucharist, please begin your fasting after a light Lenten lunch).

Friday, March 6: First Stasis of the Akathist Hymn @ 5:30 pm.

Sunday, March 8: First Sunday of Lent - The Sunday of Orthodoxy - with the procession of icons

FROM THE FATHERS – “The devil appeared to a monk disguised as an angel of light, and said to him, ‘I am the angel Gabriel, and I have been sent to you.’ But the monk said, ‘Are you sure you weren’t sent to someone else? I am not worthy to have an angel sent to me.’ At that the devil vanished.” Benedicta Ward, The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks