St. George Orthodox Church 6300 Bowden Road

Jacksonville, FL 32216 (www.JaxOrthodox.com)

Address Service Requested

Wisdom of the Saints - for Pascha

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women On the third Sunday of Pascha, we celebrate the feast of the holy Myrrh-bearing women. The women went to Christ’s tomb on Holy Pascha to anoint His body, only to discover it empty. We know the names of seven of these women: Mary Magdalene; Mary the Mother of James and Joses; Joanna the wife of Chuza; Salome the mother of the sons of Zebedee; Susanna; and Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus. We also make commemoration of Joseph of Arimathea, who was a secret disciple, and Nicodemus, who was a disciple by night. Joseph was a rich and noble man, and a member of the Privy Council of Jerusalem. He dared to ask Pilate for the undefiled body of our Savior, which he took and buried in his own tomb. Accompanying Joseph to the sepulcher was Nicodemus, a Jerusalemite who was one of the leaders of the Pharisees. Nicodemus brought 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes to scent and embalm the body of Christ.

By the intercessions of the holy Myrrh-bearers, Joseph of Arimathea,

and Nicodemus, O God, have mercy on us. Amen.

The Faith

6300 Bowden Road. Jacksonville, FL 32216

(W) 904- 448-1855 * (Fax) 904- 448-1866

stgeorgejax@comcast.net

V. Rev. Fr. Kamal Al-Rahil; Pastor

The Newsletter of St. George

Sunday Services

Matins ~ 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy ~ 10:00 AM

Office Hrs.: Monday - Friday

9:00AM - 1:00 PM Confession by appointment

Church Banquet Hall Capacity: 160 people seated

NO Hall Rental during COVID-19 Pandemic

Church Hall is Closed until further notice….

3nd Sunday of Pascha

“Myrrh-Bearers”

Epistle: Acts 6:1-7

Gospel: Mark 15:43-16:8

May 16th, 2021

Servers for Saturday May 16th, 2021

Epistle Readers: English: Sbdn. Nadeem Tannous Arabic: George Baghdan

Chanters: George Baghdan Tarek Kishek Sbdn. Nadeem Tannous Ushers: Simon Bitar and Chris Farha

Altar Servers: Ameen Hakim, Jamil and Jean Fayad.

Holy Bread of Oblation for Sunday May 16th

1. In loving memory of Anwar Eadeh (40 day memorial service), offered by Salwa Eadeh and family. May his memory be eternal.

2. In loving memory of Fuad Farah, Farideh and Jeanette Bateh , offered by Nadya Farah and family May their memory be eternal. 3. In loving memory of Tarek Zacharia, offered by Yousef and Widad Zacharia and family. May his memory be eternal.

Announcements GRADUATE INFORMATION If you are graduating from High School or College this year, please provide your graduation information to the church office via email : stgeorgejax@cocmast.net on or before May 25th for an upcoming edition of the Faith Bulletin.

NO FASTING THROUGH ASCENSION The Antiochian Patriarchate, in celebration of Christ’s Resurrec-tion, observes no fasting on any day of the week from Pascha through Ascension (June 10 this year). From June 10 through Pentecost (June 20 this year) we observe the Wednesday/Friday fasts, but with fish, wine, and oil allowed. The week following Pentecost is also a week of no fasting, including on Wednesday & Friday.

NO KNEELING UNTIL PENTECOST Please remember, in celebration of the Resurrection (in Arabic ( Al-Qiyamah)—literally, being made to stand), we do not kneel in church until the Prayers of Kneeling after Divine Liturgy on Pentecost Sunday (June 20 this year).

TEXT MESSAGE UPDATES/REMINDERS If you would like to join the St. George email group to receive important updates/reminders, you may do so at any time by tex-ting Khourieh Ranwa @ 904-704-4339 your email address.

A thank You message from Fr. Kamal to our generous donors for Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter

We have been truly blessed by the spirit of generosity in our church. The dedication and joy of our members in helping each other inspires many on a daily basis. We believe that generosity means sacrificing for the sake of God and others. Not only is generosity measured in terms of monetary donations, but also our members’ willingness to donate their time and talent. We find that when we give to others so that they may flourish, our hearts bloom as well.

Because of your generosity, we are able to have a meaningful impact not only within our own church, but throughout our larger community .

Thank You for making our church looked so beautiful dur ing Holy Week and Easter.

Sam & Pam Newey Judy, Karina and Kevin Cadora

Abla Al-Hirsh and family Yousef & Widad Zacharia and family

Najah El-Abu and family Kamal and Vinna Fakhouri and family Atallah & Helen Tannous and family

Sue Rafidi and family Suad Akel and family

Vicki Akel and family Naila Hanna and family

Jamal and Naeemeh Hanania and family Hind Hanania and family

David and Tania Hanania and family Anne Salem and family

Randa Samaan and family Chafic and Gidah Hawa and family

Sam and Freida Kalil and family Victor & Lamis Anki and family

Two Anonymous families Ramzi and Poline Salameh and family

Your generosity is appreciated and is a blessing to others.

Membership Dues:

Steady cash flow is VITAL for the continuity of St. George Church and its ministries.

If you are financially able, we would appreciate your contributions (donations) to your beloved St. George Church.

Three methods of Payment for Your Pledge Dues 1. Check / Cash may be sent via mail to the church office, or you may place it on Sunday Tray Collection (Basket is located in the Church Foyer. )

2. Bill Pay: Online Bill Pay, is set up through your Bank Acct.

3. PayPal : Donate online via Credit Card. It is a secure online donation through our church website: www. Jaxorthodox.com .

Lord, You are the physician of our souls and body. We pray You grant the following parishioners good health and

blessings:

Fr. Antoun Harakah, Sue Rafidi, Yousef Zacharia, Farid N. Bateh, Jamal Hanania, Eddie Bateh, Zohour Anki, Jamal Hanania, Albert and Betty Kishek, Sam and Pam Newey, Mary Kelly, Efaf Kassis and Hind Hanania.

PRAYERS CORNER

Current Guidelines for St. George attendance

Beloved in Christ,

Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen.

Our Metropolitan and bishops have permitted the limited opening of our parish for public participation in liturgical services. For the time being, attendance in our church nave is limited to 35% of capacity (130 people) every Sunday. Visitors are welcome, and are encouraged to email us or call us when planning a visit! Masks—Masks will continue to be required dur ing worship services and social distancing still observed. These restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. Must Sign-up to attend Sunday services. Due to social distancing guidelines, we ask everyone to please register for Sunday services by calling the church office or texting / emailing Fr. Kamal or Khourieh Ranwa, and please follow the chart below:

May Church Attendance Chart

¨ Sunday May 16th: A-J families

¨ Sunday May 23rd : K-Z families

¨ Sunday May 30th: A-J families

***People attending Sunday Service must arrive between 9:45 am and 10:15 am as doors will be closed afterward. ***

covering both the nostrils and mouth, must be worn to enter and exit the building, and at

Instructions Allow your temperature to be taken before entering. If your temperature is greater than 100F, you will be asked to return home.

All who attend will be required to wear face masks during the entirety of the service, except for children 5 years of age or younger.

***The wearing of appropriate face masks and recommended social distancing is still necessary for everyone – vaccinated or not.***

Follow instructions for seating. There will be tape on the outside/floor /carpet giving direction, including social distancing requirements during com-munion and entering/exiting the church

We thank you for your understanding and following all the guidelines set by the

Archdiocese and local authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions What do I need to show at the Church door to prove that I have register in ad-vance? When you arrive, please check-in at the door and follow instructions of the personnel at the door. Why do I need to sign-up? For the health and safety of our members, clergy and staff, we are only allowing a certain number of persons, on-site at any given time. Therefore, we need everyone, including members, to sign-up for entry. We need to moni-tor the number of persons on-site to avoid overcrowding and jeopardizing the ability of people to safely social distance. Can I walk-in on Sunday without signing up? Unfortunately, no walk-ins on Sunday. You must register to attend all services.