Saint Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church

130 North Saint Francis Cabrini Avenue Scranton, PA 18504

Rev. Protodeacon Michael Jolly
Administrator pro tempore
570-213-9344

Reader Michael Simon Parish Office 570-343-6092

E-Mail: Web: Webmaster:

scrantonmelkite@yahoo.com http://melkitescranton.org Sal Zaydon

January 29, 2012 Tone 8 and Orthros Gospel 11 Liturgy Schedule: Saturday Vespers 4pm Compline Weds 8:30PM

Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican Sunday Orthros 8:55 am Sunday Divine Liturgy 10:00 am

Liturgy Intentions:
January 29, 2012 Ann Couryby Karen Kane Peace, health and salvation of Kimberly Herman February 5, 2012 Dr Thomas Zaydon Peace, health and salvation of Kaitlin Facciponti

Parish Notes:

The Great Feast of the Presentation in the TempleVespers Weds at 7PMLiturgy Thursday at 7PM Parish Rummage SaleFebruary 11you can drop off your excess treasures after liturgy or call Terri Patchoski for further details Baked Goods are needed for the Rummage Sale, Last Chance 2012 Calendars and envelops are available in the narthex of the church. Qurban today was baked by Dn Michael Welcome back Father Jerome Wolbert who serves at our altar today. The perpetual candle in the month of January burns in thanksgiving for Dn Michaels 25 years of service by the Patchoski family Miss a bulletin, want to see the parish calendar? Visit our website at http://melkitescranton.org Young Adult Get Together: Today 5-8PM

Todays Icon: Ignatius The God-Bearer of Antioch There is one Physician who is possessed both of flesh and spirit; both made and not made; God existing in flesh; true life in death; both of Mary and of God; first passible and then impassible, even Jesus Christ our Lord

The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom

Antiphons:
O Christ our God, You condemned the Pharisee proud of his works and justified the Publican bent by repentance. We implore You in Your mercies to give us repentant hearts and to enlighten our minds so that we may recognize our sins and confess them. Forgive us our trespasses and restore us to the initial justification which we have lost by rebelling against Your divine commandments. For You alone are merciful and compassionate and to You we render glory and to Your Eternal Father and Your All-holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.

First Antiphon Through the prayers of the Mother of God... Second Antiphon O Son of God, Who are risen from the dead... Hymn of incarnation Third Antiphon Entrance

Tone 2

Tone 4 Tone 7

Hymns:
Resurrectional Troparion Troparion of St. Ignatius, the God-Bearer of Antioch Tone 7 Tone 4
Sharer in the Apostles way of life and successor to their thrones, inspired by God, you found ascetical effort as a means to contemplation. And so, dispensing rightly the word of truth, you fought for the faith unto the shedding of your blood, O Hieromaryr Ignatius, intercede with Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Troparion of Saint Joseph Kontakion for the Publican and the Pharisee

Tone 2

Prokiemenon

(Tone 8) Psalm 75:12,2

Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all round about bring gifts to the awesome God. Stichon: God is renowned in Judah; in Israel, great is His name.

Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to Timothy.

2 Tim 3:10-15

My son Timothy, you have followed my teaching, my behavior, my faith, my long-suffering, my love, my patience, my persecutions, my afflictions such as befell me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, such persecutions as I suffered; and out of them all, the Lord delivered me. And all who want to live piously in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But the wicked and impostors will go from bad to worse, erring and leading into error. As for you, keep on with the things you have learned and which have been entrusted to you, and remember from whom you have learned them. For you have known from infancy the Sacred Scriptures which are able to give you instruction for your salvation by the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Alleluia (Tone 8) Psalm 94:1,2

Come, let us rejoice in the Lord! Stichon: Let us greet His presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to Him.

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

18: 10-14

The Lord told this parable: Two men went up to the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and began to pray thus within himself: O God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men, robbers, dishonest, adulterers, or even like this publican. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all I possess. But the publican, standing far off, would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be merciful to me a sinner! I tell you, this man went back to his home justified rather than the other; for anyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself shall be exalted.

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

and despised others (v.9) When we indulge feelings of self-importance and trust in ourselves how can we be trusting in God for our salvation? How can we commit ourselves to any authentic repentance?

The Pharisee saw his actions as guaranteeing his righteousness before God. He did fast twice a week, probably every Monday and Thursday, as was the WHEN EARLY CHRISTIAN WRITERS FIRST BEGAN to list Jewish custom. He did tithe, giving away ten percent the deadliest passions that can consume a person they of his income. But he trusted that these actions invariably considered pride as the most serious. guaranteed his righteousness before God. Weekly Gluttony, lust or greed focus on material pleasures fasting and contributing out of our material resources which can be tempered by physical conditions such as are excellent practices, commended in both Jewish age or health. Pride, however, that increasing fixation and Christian traditions. But it is God alone who with the self, can be with us to the moment of our makes people righteous through Christ. We do not death. Pride, called the queen or head of the passions, justify ourselves through any acts of devotion we can egg us on to justify ourselves even before the might adopt. As St Paul would clearly teach, awesome judgment-seat of Christ. righteousness is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Eph 2:8-9). People rarely put their prideful feelings out there for all to see. We learn to keep those thoughts Im Nevertheless, good works have their place, an better than you Im smarter than you to important one in Gods plan for us. St Paul goes on, ourselves. But we have them throughout our life and We are His [i.e. Gods] workmanship, created in they can poison our relationships with others and even Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared with God. beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10). The Christian people are a new creation (2 Cor Pride here does not mean self-respect or taking 5:17), made by God in Christ for a purpose. As a satisfaction in ones legitimate accomplishments. It rather has the idea of arrogance or superiority toward people justified by Gods grace, we exist to perform others because of ones abilities or accomplishments. good works according to Gods plan. While it is Gods grace, not these works that make us holy, we fulfill Im cuter than you I have more toys than you. our new nature by performing them. Pride uses the circumstances of our life to make us disdain others whom we perceive to be weaker, poorer, less educated than ourselves. While envy, wanting what others have, looks up to others more successful than we, pride is the opposite. We look down on those whom we perceive are less than we are. Trusting that We Are Superior

The Pharisee is faulted on another score as well. He used his good deeds as clubs to beat down his neighbor. First of all, he judged that the publican did The Pharisee in the Lords parable (Lk 18:10-14) does not do any of these things. And in that he may have been right but he also judged that he was better than put these feelings into words for us. I do this, I do that, Im not like him! This is a particular temptation the publican because of these works. of religious people. They may be able to eat or drink The publican, on the other hand did not reproach the in moderation. They may not be troubled by sexual Pharisee for his judgmental words. As St John enticements or the lure of possessions. But they are Chrysostom points out, The publican did not say, often quick to compare themselves with others whom Who are you to tell me such things? From what they perceive as less perfect, if not as sinners. source did you learn of my life? You did not live with me. We did not spend time together. Why are you so Trusting in Our Own Righteousness haughty? Why do you praise yourself? (On St Luke tells us that Jesus spoke this parable to some Repentance and Almsgiving, 24) Rather he prayed humbly repenting over his own sins. who trusted in themselves that they were righteous

In one sense the Pharisee was right; the publican was a sinner. Publicans lived by extorting payments for themselves over and above what the Roman governors demanded. But the publican here is shown repenting for his sinfulness while, The Pharisee totally ruined the righteousness of his deeds (v. 25) by claiming superiority over the publican. St Augustine in his Sermon 45 on the New Testament, dramatically recasts this scene in the form of a courtroom trial: You have heard the case of the Pharisee and the publican; now hear the sentence. You have heard the proud accuser and you have heard the humble criminal; now hear the Judge. Truly I say to you, says God the Truth, God the Judge, The publican went down from the temple justified rather than the Pharisee... because everyone who exalts himself shall be abased and he who humbles himself shall be exalted. In icons the publican is often represented leaving the temple justified, with a halo around his head. We see this praise of humility returning again and again in the pages of St Lukes Gospel. It forms a major part of Marys canticle, the Magnificat: He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly (Lk 1:51-52). It appears in a warning from Christ on jockeying for the first places at dinners. He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, Give place to this man, and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, Friend, go up higher. Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Lk 14:9-11). As pride is the queen of the passions, so humility is the queen of the virtues. The parable of the Pharisee and the publican is read as we begin our journey through the Triodion to Pascha as a reminder that, although we may fast more than twice a week during these days, we should not be

congratulating ourselves on having earned something. Rather, like the publican we should be ask for Gods mercy since even in doing something good we have the tendency to pervert it as did the Pharisee.

~Every good deed can be made void through foolish pride, while every sin can be cleansed by humility. Let us then embrace humility in faith while we completely turn away from the paths of pride. ~The righteousness of the Pharisee proved useless and was condemned because it was joined to pride. The Publican gained humility, the mother of the virtues which lifts us up on high. Troparia from the Canon

The Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer, was a disciple of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, as was also St Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (February 23). St Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch, and successor to Bishop Euodius, Apostle of the Seventy (September 7). Tradition suggests that when St Ignatius was a little boy, the Savior hugged him and said: "Unless you turn and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven" (Mt. 18:3). The saint was called "God-Bearer" (Theophoros), because he bore God in his heart and prayed unceasingly to Him. He also had this name because he was held in the arms of Christ, the incarnate Son of God. St Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian, together with St Polycarp of Smyrna. As Bishop of Antioch, St Ignatius was zealous and spared no effort to build up the church of Christ. To him is attributed the practice of antiphonal singing (by two choirs) during church services. He had seen a vision of the angels in heaven alternately singing praises to God, and divided his church choir to follow this example. In the time of persecution he was a source of strength to the souls of his flock, and was eager to suffer for Christ. In the year 106 the emperor Trajan (98-117), after his victory over the Scythians, ordered everyone to give thanks to the pagan gods, and to put to death any Christians who refused to worship the idols. In the year 107, Trajan happened to pass through Antioch. Here they told him that Bishop Ignatius openly confessed Christ, and taught people to scorn riches, to lead a virtuous life, and preserve their virginity. St Ignatius came voluntarily before the emperor, so as to avert persecution of the Christians in Antioch. St Ignatius rejected the persistent requests of the emperor Trajan to sacrifice to the idols. The emperor then decided to send him to Rome to be thrown to the wild beasts. St Ignatius joyfully accepted the sentence imposed upon him. His readiness for martyrdom was attested to by eyewitnesses, who accompanied St Ignatius from Antioch to Rome.

other cities and towns thronged to see St Ignatius. He exhorted everyone not to fear death and not to grieve for him. In his Epistle to the Roman Christians, he asked them to assist him with their prayers, and to pray that God would strengthen him in his impending martyrdom for Christ: "I seek Him Who died for us; I desire Him Who rose for our salvation... In me, desire has been nailed to the cross, and no flame of material longing is left. Only the living water speaks within me, saying, 'Hasten to the Father.'" From Smyrna, St Ignatius went to Troas. Here he heard the happy news of the end of the persecution against Christians in Antioch. From Troas, St Ignatius sailed to Neapolis (in Macedonia) and then to Philippi.

On the way to Rome St Ignatius visited several churches, teaching and guiding the Christians there. He also wrote seven epistles: to the churches of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna. He also addressed a letter to St Polycarp, who mentions a collection of the letters of St Ignatius in his letter to the Philippians (Ch. 13). St Irenaeus of Lyons quotes from St Ignatius's letter to the Romans (AGAINST HERESIES 5:28:4). All these letters have survived to the present day.

The Roman Christians met St Ignatius with great joy and profound sorrow. Some of them hoped to prevent his execution, but St Ignatius implored them not to do this. Kneeling down, he prayed On the way to Rome, the ship sailed from Seleucia together with the believers for the Church, for love stopped at Smyrna, where St Ignatius met with his between the brethren, and for an end to the friend Bishop Polycarp. Clergy and believers from

persecution against Christians. On December 20, the day of a pagan festival, they led St Ignatius into the arena, and he turned to the people: "Men of Rome, you know that I am sentenced to death, not because of any crime, but because of my love for God, by Whose love I am embraced. I long to be with Him, and offer myself to him as a pure loaf, made of fine wheat ground fine by the teeth of wild beasts." After this the lions were released and tore him to pieces, leaving only his heart and a few bones. Tradition says that on his way to execution, St Ignatius unceasingly repeated the name of Jesus Christ. When they asked him why he was doing this, St Ignatius answered that this Name was written in his heart, and that he confessed with his lips Him Whom he always carried within. When the saint was devoured by the lions, his heart was not touched. When they cut open the heart, the pagans saw an inscription in gold letters: "Jesus Christ." After his execution St Ignatius appeared to many of the faithful in their sleep to comfort them, and some saw him at prayer for the city of Rome. Hearing of the saint's great courage, Trajan thought well of him and stopped the persecution against the Christians. The relics of St Ignatius were transferred to Antioch (January 29), and on February 1, 637 were returned to Rome and placed in the church of San Clemente.

Saturday February 11
We need your surplus treasures! Time to start bringing them to the church hall.

Baked Goods also needed

Devotions and Readings for this week

Mon 1/30 Tues 1/31 Weds 2/1 Thurs 2/2 Fri 2/3 Sat 2/4 Hieromartry Hippolytus of Rome, St Gregory of Nyssa, St John Chrysostom and St Basil the Great Sts Cyrus and John the unmercenary physicians Martyr Tryphon and Preparation for the Feast Encounter of Our Lord in the Temple Holy Simeon the just and Anna the Prophetess Holy Father Isadore of Pelusium Heb 13:7-19 2 Pet:9-22 2 Pt 3:1-18 Heb 7:7-17 1 Jn 2:7-17 1 Tim 6:11-16 Mt 5:14-19 Mk 13:14-23 Mk 13:24-32 Lk 2:22-40 Mk 14:3-9 Lk 20:46-47,21:1-4

Prayer Requests

Rev. Father Philip Azoon Rev. Deacon John Karam Rev. Seraphim Michalenko Rev. Basil Samra Rev. Peter Boutros Rev. Deacon Bryan McNiel Rev. Deacon Irenaeus Dionne Rev. Father David White

Parish Calendar
January 29 Youth Meeting February 1 Vespers for the feast of the presentation 7PM 2 Divine Liturgy for the Feast 7PM 11 Rummage Sale 19 Cheesefare SundayIce Cream Social and beginning of Great Lent
Sacrificial Giving 1/22/2012 Candles Weekly Monthly Holyday $ 9.00 $ 569.00 $ 10.00 $ 25.00

Marie Abda Marie Abda Marie Barron Joseph Barron Mary Sue Betress Chris Carey Nikki Boudreaux Dr. Frances Colie John Colie Margaret Dillenburg

Mark Dillman Karen Haddad Kimberley Herman Karen Kane Niko Mayashairo Mary McNeilly Marie Patchoski Theodore Petrouchko Jr. Ruth Sirgany

All those Serving in our Armed Forces The Christian Community in the Middle East

The Weekly Quiz

In Psalms "They that go down to the sea in ships and do business in great waters ____" bring wealth to their children and their children's children. should look to the Lord to provide for their families at home. should see that their families are cared for at home. see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. Last Weeks Answer Q. The angel of the Lord said to Hagar, "Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands." Who was the mistress of whom he spoke? A. Sarai