St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church
Christmas Message
- Bible study is December 27th.
- Christmas Eve Liturgy will begin at 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, December 24th. There are no words that can express how important it is for you to attend this Liturgy. Once a year, we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We can put aside opening gifts and save our Christmas Eve party for later. Remember Jesus is the reason for the season! Everything else is secondary, and we have all Christmas Day to celebrate.
- The children’s Christmas play will begin immediately after Christmas Liturgy. The children are working very hard every Saturday and Sunday with the help, of course, of our fearless leaders, Marie, Kelly, and Georgeta. Please make the effort to stay for the play. They will also sing Christmas Carols in the play.
- Our Christmas party will take place at St Clement Hall immediately after the Christmas play. For directions, see attached flyer below:
An Invitation To:
St Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church
2770 West Central Avenue
Toledo, Ohio 43606
Immediately after the service:
Christmas Play:
(The Greatest Story Ever Told)
The Birth of Jesus with Christmas Carols
After the conclusion of the play
Our annually Christmas Party will take place at:
St Clement Hall
(Jaeger Hall)
3020 Tremainsville Rd
Toledo, Ohio 43613
Santa will be there for the children to give them presents.
Bring your favorite dish to eat if you like.
Santa would love to try it.
Direction to St Clement:
1. From the church turn left on West Central Avenue
2. Turn left onto Douglas Rd
3. Turn slight left onto Tremainsville Rd
Calendar:
December 2009 /January 2010
26th Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas the Wonder-Worker of Alaska
December 13
27th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday of the Forefathers
December 20
28th Sunday after Pentecost
The Sunday before the Nativity of Christ
(Sunday of Genealogy)
Thursday, December 24
The Evening Divine Liturgy for Christmas
Friday, December 25
Christmas Day
The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
December 27
29th Sunday after Pentecost
(Sunday after the Nativity)
Nativity Fast begins Saturday, November 15 to Thursday, December 24
The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
This Feast Day is an important day in the Christian Church. It is also called the Incarnation of Jesus Christ which means become human like us in Christ’s second nature, “The Word became flesh” (John 1:14).
We should also remember that our Savior Jesus Christ emptied Himself of his divine glory and humiliated Himself to accept the human condition. These conditions knowing that he died for us, then resurrected so that we may have everlasting life in the kingdom of God. The son of God “begotten not made” (Unlike Adam who was created by God the Father). Jesus Christ our Lord who is uncreated, He is one of the Trinity, the Son of the Father and coeternal. Jesus assumes the destiny of the first man and gives us a second chance to have everlasting life. We know the story about the birth of Jesus. We’ve heard about it over and over since we were children. Yet, no matter how many times we hear about the Nativity, keep in mind how much God still loves us. “For God so loved the world He gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). He sent His Son to teach us and to become most of all Christians or followers of Christ. So when we light the Christmas tree and exchange gifts, remember the most important gift on Christmas Day that gift of course is the gift of the Love God gave to us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us not forgot the real reason for the season because “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
St. Nicholas the Wonder-Worker
St. Nicholas was born in Myra, Asia Minor, now called Turkey and became bishop of Myra. We do not know very much the early day of St. Nicholas. After his parents died, he inherited a lot of money. He thought of other people that were less fortunate then himself, especially the poor. One particular story regarding Nicholas is about a father with three daughters who didn’t have enough food to feed them. St. Nicholas heard about his troubles and wrapped some gold coins and threw them in an open window in the father’s house. The next morning, the family found the gold, but they didn’t know who to thank, so they thanked God for their gift! St. Nicholas never wanted to be thanked for his generosity and charity. When he was discovered giving gifts, he would tell the person “Don’t tell anyone about the gifts, let it be our secret”. He also told them, “Please don’t thank me, thank God”. Unfortunately in today’s modern world we live in, the children in our society, forget or don’t know about the good gestures what St. Nicholas did. Mostly they are fascinated by the famous poem written by Clement Moore in 1823, “The Night before Christmas” and who will receive the best gift for being a good boy or girl. Thus, the meaning of St. Nicholas or Santa Clause dropping gifts at night at children’s homes, not to be thanked, but thank only God, is lost! St. Nicholas continued his life helping the poor, and after he died, the church called him St. Nicholas “The Champion of the People”. He is also referred to as, “St. Nicholas the Wonder Worker” (person who works wonders or performs miracles). Children around the world love him because of his great love he had for children, and his great Christian faith in God. They know of him, how he taught people to love and help each other as Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior did. In Holland, they called him Sinter, meaning Saint and Claes meaning Nicholas, thus his name years later was changed to Santa Clause. We celebrate his feast day December 6th.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
26th Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas the Wonder-Worker
- Troparion of the Resurrection, Tone 1
While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding thy most pure Body, thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life to the world; for which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto thee, O Giver of life: Glory to thy resurrection, O Christ! Glory to thy kingdom! Glory to thy providence, O thou who alone art the Lover of mankind.
- Troparion of St Nicholas, Tone 4
The truth of your dealings, our Father and Bishop Nicholas, showed you to your flock as a standard of faith, as the image of gentleness and as a teacher of self-discipline. By lowliness, you attained to the heights, by poverty to great riches. Therefore, we beseech you, pray to Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.
- Troparion of St Michael, Tone 4
- Kontakion Preparatory for the Nativity, Tone 3
(Sung from November 26- December24)
The Virgin cometh today to the cave to give birth, ineffably to bring forth the Word eternal. Therefore, rejoice, O earth at the message with the angels and shepherds give glory to Him who shall appear by His own will as a young child, He who is from eternity God.
Epistle: Hebrew: 13: 17-21
Gospel: Luke 13: 10-17
Sunday, December 13, 2009
27th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday of the Forefathers
- Troparion of the Resurrection, Tone 2
When thou didst submit thyself unto death, O thou death less and immortal One, then thou didst destroy hell with thy godly power; and when thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of heaven did cry aloud unto thee: O Christ, thou Giver of life, Glory to thee.
- Troparion of the Forefathers, Tone 2
Thou didst justify the forefathers in their faith, when through them Thou didst plead for Thy church among the nations. These Saints boast with glory that from their seed, there is a fruit of good report, she who bore thee impurity. By their supplications do Thou, O Christ, have mercy upon our souls.
- Troparion of St Michael, Tone 4
- Kontakion Preparatory for the Nativity, Tone 3
(Sung from November 26-December 24)
The Virgin cometh today to the cave to give birth, ineffably to bring forth the Word eternal. Therefore, rejoice, O earth at the message with the angels and shepherds give glory to Him who shall appear by His own will as a young child, He who is from eternity God.
Epistle: Hebrew: 13: 17-21
Gospel: Luke 13: 10-17
Sunday, December 20, 2009
28th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday before the Nativity
- Troparion of the Resurrection, Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord hath done a mighty act with his own arm: he hath trampled death by death, and became the first-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depth of Hades, granting the world the great mercy.
- Troparion of the Fore feast, Tone 4
(Sung from December 20 - 23)
Make ready, O Bethlehem; for Eden hath been opened for all. Prepare O Ephratha; for the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Virgin; for her womb did appear as a super-sensual paradise, in which is planted the divine Plant, where of eating we shall live and not die as Adam. Verily, Christ shall be born, raising the likeness that fell of old.
- Troparion of the Holy Fathers, Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith, for the three holy youths rejoice in the fountain of flames as though at waters of rest. And the prophet Daniel appeared a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep. Wherefore by their pleasings O Christ our God, have mercy upon us.
- Troparion of St Michael, Tone 4
- Kontakion Preparatory for the Nativity, Tone 3
(Sung from November 26-December 24)
The Virgin cometh today to the cave to give birth, ineffably to bring forth the Word eternal. Therefore, rejoice, O earth at the message with the angels and shepherds give glory to Him who shall appear by His own will as a young child, He who is from eternity God.
Gospel: Matthew 1: 1-25
Sunday, December 27, 2009
29th Sunday after Pentecost
(Sunday after the Nativity)
St.Stephen the First Martyr
- 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.
- Sunday after the Nativity, Tone 2
Proclaim, O Joseph, to David, the grandparent of God, the amazing wonders; for thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; for with the shepherds thou didst give glory, with the Magi thou didst worship, and by the angel it was revealed to thee. Wherefore, plead thou with Christ God to save our souls.
- Troparion of St. Stephen, Tone 4
Because of all you have endured for Christ our God, you have been given a royal crown, O First and Holy Martyr Stephen! You have put your persecutors to shame and have seen your Savior enthroned at the right hand of the Father. Do not cease to intercede for the salvation of our souls.
- Troparion of the Nativity, Tone 4
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hast given rise to the Light of knowledge in the world; for they who did worship the stars did learn from them to worship Thee, O Sun of justice, and to know that thou didst come from the east of the highest, Glory to Thee, O Lord.
- Troparion of St Michael, Tone 4
O Commanders of the Heavenly Hosts, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before You, crying: " Deliver us from all danger as commanders of the powers on high."
- Kontakion of the Nativity, Tone 3
(Sung from December 25-31)
Today the Virgin giveth birth to Him who is above all being and the earth offereth a cave to Him whom no one can approach. Angels with shepherds give glory, Magi, journey with a star. For unto us is born a little child, the pre-eternal God.
Epistle: Gal. 1-11-19
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23
and we are hoping to see you this Sunday!
If you would like to contact us, please send an e-mail to StMichaelOC@yahoo.com,
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