Weekly Bulletin 12th February 2023

Services at St Mary’s Church

Monday: Mass 9 - 11 am

Tuesday

Liturgy 5:30 - 7am

7:30pm The Way Orthodox Fellowship in Englisg for adults - All ages

Wednesday: Mass 9 – 11 am

6:30-8pm School of Deacons Adults

Arabic ; 7-8:15pm English (Zoom)

Hymns Class Arabic 8-9pm (Zoom)

Thursday

Mass 9 - 11 am - English

English Midnight Praises 7:30pm

English Bible Study 7:30pm

Friday: Mass Mass 9 – 11 am

Youth 25 and above 7-9pm

Family Meeting 7-9pm (fortnightly)

Discipleship Clas Class 7-8:30pm

Year 10-12 Sunday School 6-9pm

Saturday: Mass: 8:30 – 11am

Sunday School 4 – 5.30pm

Vespers & youth meeting 7-8:30pm

English

Vespers &Bible Study Arabic 5:307pm

Scouts 1:30 - 3pm

School of Deaconsgip 3 - 4pm

Sunday:

1st Mass6 - .7:45am Arabic & Eng-

lish

2nd Mass.7:45 – .9:30am English

3rd Mass 9:30 - 11:15am Arabic

Hymns Class - English 11:4512:30pm

Church Priests:

Fr Tadros Sharobeam 0414251251

Email: frtadros@me.com

Fr Habib Girgis Younan:

0401238177 – 94498871

Email: habibgirgisyounan@hotmail. com

Fr Michael Salib: 0422431821

Email: frmichael@sac.edu.au

Church Address: 5 Epsom Rd., Kens-

ington Vic 3031 Tel: 93766651

Fr Kerillos Tawadros

0411 518 399

Fr John Macary 0433 445 636

The Appearance of the Body of St. Apolidus (Hippolytus), Pope of Rome.

12th March - 5th Amsher

On this day the church celebrates the appearance of the body of St. Apolidus (Hippolytus), Pope of Rome. He was a virtuous and a perfect man in his generation. He was chosen to the Roman See after Father Augius. This was in the first year of the enthronement of Abba Cladianus, 9th Pope of Alexandria. Pope Apolidus was always teaching his people and guarding them from the pagan influences, confirming them in the faith of the Lord Christ. When reports of St. Apolidus reached the infidel Emperor Claudius Caesar, he arrested him and tortured him severely. The Emperor then tied his feet with a heavy stone, and cast him in the sea on the 5th day of Amshir.

On the following day, one of the faithful found the body of the saint floating above the water, and the stone was bound to his feet. The man took it to his home and shrouded the body. The news spread in the City of Rome and in all the neighboring cities, and it reached Caesar, who asked for the body, but the man hid it. This father left a great wealth of teachings about the Incarnation, and several sermons about Christian teaching. He also established 38 bylaws. His prayers be with us all. Amen.

The Martyrdom of the Saints Abakir, John, the Three Virgins and Their Mother.

13th March - 6th Amsher

On this day also, the saints Abakir; John; the three virgins, Theodora (which means the gift of God), Theopisti “Theophana” (which means the faithfulness of God), and Theodosia (which means the glory of God); and their mother, Athanasia (which means the immortal), were martyred.

St. Abakir was a monk since his young age, and St. John was a soldier in the private guards of the Emperor. They left Alexandria, their own home town, and lived in Antioch. When Diocletian incited the persecution against the Christians, they confessed their faith in the Lord Christ along with the virgins and their mother.

When the Emperor knew that they were from Alexandria, he returned them to the governor of Alexandria. When they came to Alexandria, and were brought before the Governor, they confessed their faith in the Lord Christ. He ordered them beheaded. St. Athanasia was comforting and confirming her daughters and telling them that if they were martyred, they would become the brides of Christ. The virgins were beheaded first, then their mother, then St. Abakir and St. John.

Their bodies were cast to the wild beasts and to the birds of the sky. However, some believers came and took their bodies by night and they placed them in a coffin and hid them until the end of the time of persecution. Their prayers be with us, and Glory be to our God forever. Amen.

The Feast of Presenting the Lord Christ in the Temple.

On this day we celebrate the feast of presenting the Lord Christ to the temple after 40 days of His blessed birth. St. Joseph the righteous and His mother, the Virgin Mary, presented Him in the temple, to fulfill the Mosaic Law.

St. Luke the Evangelist says that when His parents brought Him according to the custom of the law, the just and devout Simeon the elder took Him in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all people, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the Glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)

Simeon was one of the 70 elders who translated the Old Testament from Hebrew to Greek. This was in the time of Ptolemy Soter in the year 296 B.C., who was sent by the will of God to Jerusalem. He brought 70 men from among the learned Jewish teachers and scholars and commanded them to translate the Old Testament from Hebrew to Greek(1). He put every two of them in an isolated place so they would not agree on one translation, and to ensure a correct text after comparing all of the translations. Simeon the elder was one of them. When Simeon was translating the verse from Isaiah 7:14, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel,” he was afraid to translate that a virgin would conceive, because the King would mock him. He wanted to translate the virgin as a “young lady.” He was disturbed because of this inaccurate translation, and God revealed to him in a vision that he would not die before he would see Christ the Lord born of a virgin. This was fulfilled and he lived about three hundred years. When Christ was born; he was very well advanced in age and his sight dimmed.

When he carried the child Jesus in his hands, his sight came back to him, and the Holy Spirit told him, “This is the child that you have been waiting for.” He blessed God and said, “You are letting Your servant depart in peace according to Your Word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the Glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:28-32) The prayers of this righteous man be with us, and Glory be to our God forever. Amen.

The Departure of St. Barsauma, the Father of the Syrian Monks.

13th February – 9th Amshir

On this day of the year 458 A.D., the blessed father Anba Barsauma, the father of the Syrian monks, departed. His father was from Samosata. One of the saints prophesied about him before his birth, saying to his parents, “There shall go forth from you a righteous fruit, whose fame shall spread out everywhere,” and this prophecy was fulfilled.

When Barsauma grew up, he left his parents and went to the river Euphrates where he stayed with a holy man called Abraham. Afterwards, he lived a solitary life in the mountain and many disciples gathered around him. The water in this place was salty, and the saint prayed to God and the water

became sweet. He used to fast for a week at a time. God wrought through him many miracles. St. Barsauma was a contemporary of St. Simeon the Stylite. When St. Barsauma knew about him, he went to visit him, and they blessed each other. He was well known for his resistance to the heresy of Nestorius and his followers.

He attended the Universal Council at Ephesus at the invitation of Emperor Theodosius the Less, who gave him a great honour. Some accused St. Barsauma of eating, drinking and living a luxurious life. The Emperor called him and saw for himself St. Barsauma’s righteousness and his ascetic living. The Emperor vindicated him and allowed him to return to his monastery with great honour.

When Emperor Marcian called for the Council at Chalcedon, the fathers asked the Emperor not to call upon St. Barsauma, for they knew of the grace that was in him. When the council agreed on the two natures of Christ, St. Barsauma resisted these heretic teachings and he was persecuted by the Chalcedonians.

When the Lord wanted to take St. Barsauma from the world, He sent him an angel to tell him that 4 days were left in his life on earth. He gathered his disciples and told them to go to the neighbouring cities to confirm its people in the Orthodox faith. He blessed them and departed in peace.

At the time of his departure, a pillar of light appeared at the door of his cell which the faithful saw from afar. They came and found that St. Barsauma had departed. They took his blessings and buried him with great honours. His prayers be with us all. Amen.

The Martyrdom of St. James the Apostle, Son of Alphaeus. 17th February - 10th Amsher

On this day, St. James the Apostle, son of Alphaeus, was martyred. After he had preached the Gospel in many cities, he returned to Jerusalem and entered the temple of the Jews. He preached the gospel publicly and proclaimed the faith of the Lord Christ and His resurrection.

The Jews abducted him and brought him to Claudius, the deputy of the Roman emperor, and told him that he was preaching another king instead of Caesar. Claudius ordered him to be stoned to death, until he departed in peace. The faithful took his body and buried him beside the temple. His prayers be with us all. Amen.

The

Martyrdom of St. Justus, Son of Emperor Numerian.

On this day also, St. Justus, son of Emperor Numerian, was martyred. When he returned from war, he found that Emperor Diocletian had married his sister and had become the new emperor. Emperor Diocletian had apostatized the faith in the Lord Christ, and St. Justus was greatly sorrowful for what happened.

When the nobles of the empire met together to enthrone him in place of his father, he did not accept, for he preferred the heavenly kingdom over the earthly. He came before Diocletian and declared his faith in the Lord Christ. The Emperor sent St. Justus with his son Abali and his wife Theoclea to the Governor of Alexandria, and commanded him to persuade them first and to behead them if they did not obey.

When they arrived in Alexandria, the Governor received them and treated them well to persuade them. As he could not change their deep conviction in their faith in the Lord Christ, to Whom is the Glory, he sent St. Justus to Antinoe (Ansena), Abali, his son, to Basta (near Zagazig, Sharkia), and Theoclea to Sa (Salhagar, Gharbia). Each of them took a servant with him so when they completed their strife, the servant would take care of the body. They tortured them, beheaded them, and they received the crown of martyrdom. Their prayers be with us all. Amen

St. Isidore of Pelusium

On this day also, the ascetic, scholar and holy man, Anba Isidore of Pelusium (El-Pharma), departed. His parents were among the rich and noble people of Egypt. He was related to Pope Cyril and Pope Theophilus, patriarchs of Alexandria. He was the only child of his parents, who cared about his education. They taught him the books of the church, and the Greek language in which he excelled and surpassed many. He was also ascetic and humble. When he knew that the people of Alexandria and the bishops wanted to make him the Patriarch of Alexandria, he took flight by night to Pelusium and became a monk in a monastery there.

Then he went to a small cave where he lived alone for several years. During these years, he wrote many books about emperors and governors. He also commented on many books of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. His epistles that he sent to bishops and patriarchs were counted as eighteen thousand epistles. The gifts of the Holy Spirit poured upon him, and he reached a good old age, then departed to the Lord in peace. His prayers be with us all. Amen.

The Martyrdom of St. Fabianus (Fabrianus), Pope of Rome.

18th February - 11 Amsher

On this day, St. Fabianus, Pope of Rome, was martyred. This father was a righteous scholar. He was ordained Pope for the city of Rome, so he taught his people and guided them in the way of Christian perfection.

Decius, the head of the army, killed Emperor Philip, and replaced him as emperor. Decius incited a severe persecution against the Christians, and many were martyred. This infidel built a huge temple in the middle of the city of Ephesus, and erected in it idols, where he offered sacrifices to them. He then ordered to behead everyone who refused to sacrifice to these gods.

When Decius knew that St. Fabianus was against the worship of idols and that he was teaching the faithful to be steadfast in their faith, he brought him to Ephesus. Decius commanded St. Fabianus to sacrifice to the idols. St. Fabianus did not yield to him and ridiculed his idols. The Emperor punished him with many tortures for a long time and at the end, he beheaded him with the sword. St. Fabianus thus received the crown of martyrdom.

This pope stayed on the throne for 12 years, the major part of which was tranquil and peaceful. His prayers be with us and Glory be to our God forever. Amen.

The first Sunday of the month of Amshir Reflections in the Gospel of Liturgy

John 6: 22-27

“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life” (John 6:27) When man was in Paradise, man was in a state of permanent joy. Human was living in deep spirituality and his mind was not occupied with bodily matters. It did matter that he was naked, he was not interested in food items and forms. Human lived as a celestial creature, despite wearing a physical garment. When the man sinned, his bodily eyes were opened and his thoughts began to descend from heaven to earth, from the spiritual to the physical. When human was expelled from paradise because of sin human took with him a harsh judgment, to work and sweat and toil for these things which he loved and caused him to sin. In Paradise, he did not think of physicality and he would receive all his needs without asking or thinking about it, and on earth he must work hard and toil in order to meet the needs of his body. So, the earthly work reminds the children of God of sin that caused the loss of life in Paradise. Therefore, the children of God strive to make the physical work not to delay or hinder them to live in the spiritualities which they long for. When they work for physical food, they remember that they were deprived of all the trees of Paradise, which represented food of the Spirit because of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which opened their physical eyes. When they work for clothes, they remember that they need these clothes only because of the sin that have exposed and shamed them, and when they strive for any worldly position, they remember that they were deprived of the heavenly and celestial status, which the Lord was pleased to grant them, as a result of sin. In all this, they lift their eyes upward, longing for that hour in which they return to their heavenly homeland, which is now open to receive them with the blood of the Lord Jesus who has was shed to redeem their sins and the sins of the whole world. And you, beloved, what are you working for?? Do you work for the perishing food?? Or for the lasting food of eternal life? And work for the lasting food does not cancel the work for the perishing food, but the intention is to change the goal, even when a man works for perishing food his goal is for the lasting food, how ?? through carrying out the commandments of God, and to glorify God’s Name. + You seek Me, not because you saw the signs. How hard that physical work becomes a goal in itself. Man works because he wants to satisfy needs of the body only. In this case, the person takes the curse of fatigue and bitterness that accompanies the work of the body. He is deprived of the blessing of carrying out the commandment. He cannot turn his toil to be for the of joy of the heart of God. The work is in itself a duty and necessity. The Bible forbids laziness and condemns the un-working hand. King Soliman says in the Book of

Proverbs: “Go the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise “ and “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of hands to sleep. So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, you’re your need like an armed man” (Proverbs 6: 6, 10-11). The book also forbids the work of cheating and stealing whatever its goal. “People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give up all the substance of his house” (Proverbs 6: 30-31). “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord. But just weight is His delight” (Proverbs 11: 1) And about the lazy man also said: “The lazy man will not blow because of winter; He shall beg during harvest and have nothing” (Proverbs 20: 4). And St. Paul the Apostle was working while preaching saying “these hands have provided for my necessities and for those who were with me” (Acts 20: 34). Since the beginning of the monastic life, fathers taught that the monk must work with his hands not only to meet his own needs but to have enough to help and provide for those in need and get the blessing of implementation of commandment of helping and giving to the needy. God may use the physical work of man to be the cause of a blessing for him and those around him, especially the man who is faithful in his work. The history of the Church tells us of a story of a comedian named Perviros who was very good at his work. One day he was summoned by Emperor Julius the infidel enemy of Christianity to provide some comic acts at the celebration of his birthday. It was among one of the acts, the presentation of Christian baptism. The emperor’s intention of course is the mockery of the doctrines of Christianity. Perviros memorized his role perfectly. At the ceremony they brought him a large basin and the actor was dressed as semi-naked and began to anoint himself with little oil and recited parts from the prayer of renouncing Satan, and then he turned toward the east, and recited parts of declaration of faith, and then plunged into the water three times after signing the cross on the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. But when he came down to the water, he saw that the sky is open, and a wonderful light surrounded him, and amazing divine blessing filled him. And God illumined his mind for understanding the mystery and strength of baptism. When he came out of the water, he raised his hands and shouted I am a Christian, I am a Christian. The king thought that it is part of the play and started applauding him with the attendees on the magnificence of his acting and his qualities. But Perviros declared in a very serious way that he does not act but has already become a Christian. Attempts of the king to persuade him to deny the Faith failed. Then he received the crown of martyrdom and the Church

celebrates his martyrdom every year on the nineteenth day of the month of Tote. The history of the Church tells us how the rulers and kings trusted the Christian to do the works that needed honesty and sincerity. Even in the worst times of persecution, these rulers could not extricate themselves from employing the Christians. There was no substitute for them because of their total loyalty and their trustworthy faith. But the Christian man is not honest in his work because he wants to be praised by the presidents and rulers but he is carrying out the commandments of God. And to have a good and blameless conscience before God and in front of people also. Therefore, he does not need such a person to monitor him. He satisfies God in his work even if he is not held accountable or seen by anyone. And are you a person who makes your work a blessing for your life and implement the commandments of God, or are you working for yourself and for your worldly goals. The difference is great. The person who works for money and for his desires and pleasures becomes a person who is looking for twisted ways to get money, how to skip work and how to get the largest amount of money with the least amount of work and resort to fraud and forgery, skipping work and claim sickness and seek compensation that he does not deserve. And, may be trying to evade taxes, disclaim responsibility and act negligently. Dear Beloved, do you carry out the commandments of God in your work?? Do you make your work a reason to satisfy yourself and your conscience and a way to please the heart of God? Whom do you please at your work?? God or the people, God or yourself and your desires. Do you work for the perishing food or for the everlasting food for the eternal life? + Do not work for the perishing food .. Failure is not part of the nature of the children of God. God did not give us the spirit of failure, but the spirit of success. Despair also is not the nature of the children of God. Children of God always have hope and hearts filled with peace even in the most difficult times. Therefore, the success of the children of God is the cause of glorification for the name of God and not for themselves. They are not looking for their self-glory, but the glory of God first. Joseph was a successful man because God was with him. He was successful even in the depths of the prison and his success was a blessing for everyone around him. It was a blessing to Pharaoh, a blessing for his family and a blessing for the whole world at the time. God gave Solomon a richness and wisdom that did no person ever had. In this wisdom he glorified the name of God everywhere. We are still learning from his wisdom in the books of the Bible, in his teachings, prophecies, proverbs and songs and in his biography. The first astronaut in history, “Yuri Gagarin” )April

1961), who went into space and returned after spending less than two hours in space to say a strange comment that “he did not see God” and God willing to this the man who invaded the space that he was killed in a plane crash. The other is the astronaut Aldrin, one of the first three to land on the moon (July 1969) and spent about 195 hours in outer space. He returned to Earth to become a missionary who travels everywhere telling People about the existence of God. His success story was a blessing for many.

There are also those who sacrificed even the world’s success in order to have a greater share with God. We hear of St. Arsanius the teacher of the children of kings who left the palace of the king and left all the glory in which he lived and went to the wilderness to spend his life in with God. Also, of the Saints Maximus and Domadius, the children of the emperor who left their father’s palace and left everything and went to the wilderness of Shehet, to become disciples of St. Macarius the Great. It is true that their worldly success glorifies the name of God, but their love for God was stronger than anything. They would not spend extra hour in the world for the sake of love of God in their hearts.

To be successful in your life is something blessed, but to make your success goal is to glorify the name of God, this is something very blessed. Beware of the success that only leads to self-glory. It is a failed success which will soon despair and may lead to destruction. A person like Hitler was seen in the eyes of many as successful and was considered by many in his time that he is a great hero. But in fact and in the eyes of God he was a failed man who only cares about his glory and the praise of the world only at the expense of others, even at the expense of the peace of the whole world. Look, beloved and check with yourself, lest your success is of this kind of miserable success, success for the world, success that tramples on the commandments of God, success that destroy others and even yourself, success that is leading to destruction. The success that leads to heaven is a success that glorifies the name of God, which causes others rest, peace and success. There are those who succeed at the expense of the failure of others. This is called success for failure and there is a success for the success of others who succeeds to glorify the name of God in His life and works.

+ but for

the food which endures to

everlasting life .. Make your goal to be heaven. Do not ever forget this goal in all your works and in all your toils. Remember that you are a citizen of heaven and you should not live for the earthly pleasures and desires. On your works do not ever forget the commandments of God. And when you succeed glorify the name of God in your success and then the perishing food will be destined to become a fuel to charge you to continue the path of eternal life.

The Presentation of the Lord Christ in the Temple BACKGROUND

Meshir 8, also known as Candlemas, commemorates Christ›s entry with the Virgin Mary, forty days after His birth, into the temple at Jerusalem, one of the seven minor feasts of the Lord. In accordance with the law of Moses, a mother had to present her newborn child at the temple, give thanks, and offer the appropriate sacrifice. The mother would enter the temple to present her child at the end of the prescribed period of purification, which was forty days in the case of a male child and eighty in the case of a female child (Lev. 12:2-8), a tradition followed by the Coptic Orthodox Church to this day in regards to the mother taking of the holy communion.

St. Mary the Theotokos and the righteous elder St. Joseph «performed all things according to the law of the Lord» (Lk. 2:39). Candlemas is also the celebration for the meeting between the infant Jesus and Simeon the elder, who was «righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him» (Lk. 2:25).

From the reading for Meshir 8 in the Coptic Synaxarion we learn that Simeon was one of the translators of the Septuagint. While translating the text of Isaiah 7:14, «Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel», Simeon was skeptical, and felt inclined to use the word «maid» instead of «virgin.» In a vision the Lord promised him that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord Jesus Christ in person, born of the Virgin. In the course of celebrating this feast, the congregation used to carry candles to signify that Christ is the light of the world and that, in the words of Simeon, He is a «light for revelation to the Gentiles.»

The date for Jonah’s Fast is set to two weeks before the Holy Great Fast, and the Holy Great Fast is fifty-five days before the Holy Resurrection. Therefore, calculation for the date of the Holy Resurrection causes these two fasts to fluctuate in the Coptic calendar. Since the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Christ in the Temple is fixed at forty days after Chirst’s birth, that fluctuation can cause this feast to fall after Jonah’s Fast in the Coptic calendar. The late Bishop Gregorios, the General Bishop of Theological Post Graduate Studies, Coptic Culture and Scientific Research. “Feasts, Minor.” Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia

SPIRITUAL APPLICATION

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace according to Your word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have revealed to all peoples. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel”

Luke 2:29-32

The church gives significance to this day as one of the important events in Christ’s life for many reasons:

• As with His circumcision, He likewise kept the custom of the law in this feast to show us that He did not come to destroy the law but to perfect it.

• Simeon was now able to depart in peace after finally seeing the Savior and the Virgin from whom He was born. His doubts were removed about the mystical virginal birth as he was led by the Holy Spirit and was able to see with his eyes the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14. The church, therefore, is also celebrating the revelation of this prophecy.

Simeon, as with the other devout Jews, was awaiting the Messiah promised to them, Who would console the nation of Israel. Once he received the Messiah in his arms, he rejoiced not only for the glory that will be brought to Israel but also because He will be a Light that will bring revelation of the God of Israel to all Gentiles: “For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before all peoples: a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel.” (Lk. 2:30-32). So, the church also celebrates this meeting as the revelation of His messianic identity as the One who came to save all people, Jews and Gentiles.

Spiritual exercise

Let us celebrate the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, born of the Virgin Mary, who came to save the world. Simeon’s song is read in the Compline Hour of the Book of Hours (Agpeya), in Vespers services, and during the Litany for the Holy Gospel. When we pray this passage, let us always come to the realization that the Lord Jesus Christ is still the salvation God has prepared for all people.

RITES

The Feast of the Presentation of Christ into the Temple is prayed in the Festive Tune. After the gospel, during the Divine Liturgy, the priest wraps the golden gospel in white and carries it, as Simon the Elder carried the Lord Christ. Candles are lit by the deacons and the priest censes incense while they circulate around the altar three times while chanting the hymn «Galilee of the nations» (Ti Galilea). Then the priest stands at the gate of the sanctuary and the attending clergy, deacons, and congregation come forward and kiss the wrapped gospel. As a Minor Feast of our Savior, if it falls on a Wednesday or Friday, the fast is observed but without prostrations or abstaining. If the feast falls on a Sunday, the readings of the feast are read instead of the readings of that Sunday.

HYMNS

VERSES OF CYMBALS

• After forty days from His wonderful birth, He entered into the temple.

PSALM RESPONSE

• Alleluia, Alleluia. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, entered into the temple. Alleluia, Alleluia.

GOSPEL RESPONSE

• You were carried in the arms of Your servant Simeon. In your grasp are death and life. Simeon called “Let me depart according to Your Word in peace”; he was released from the bonds of life.

• Alleluia (4) Jesus Christ, the Son of God, entered into the temple.

• This is He to whom is due glory, with His good Father, and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever.

PSALM 150 RESPONSE

• Jesus Christ, the Son of God, entered into the temple.

CONCLUSION

• The Son of God blessed the waters and made them wine. Save us and have mercy on us…

Refrence

https://www.stvnashville.org/presentation-of-the-lord-christ-in-the-temple

Blessed Baptism

Albie Oliver Joey )Joseph) son of David & Michelle Nagle

Saturday 4th February 2023

St Mary’s Church

Marriage Preparation Course 10 Th , 11 TH and 12 TH March 2023

Marriage is a Sacrament and a Sacred Institution establ›shed by God and revered by the Orthodox Church. It is vital of all couples entering into this Holy Estate to give it the fu I and honest attention tha: it deserves.

Tie Marriage Preparation Course is designed to help couples panning for a marriage

O› who are newly marr ed to explore and deepen the r reationship. Important topics included in the course include the fo lowing with a variety of speakers: ‹Art of Communication›. ‘Conflict Resolution’, ‹Discovering yourself. The Engagement Period’, ‹Boundaries›. ‘Physical Samp; Sexual Health›. ‘Budgeting1, ‘After the Honeymoon›, ‹The Christian Fami y’ and ‹The Crowring Ceremony›.

Tie Diocese of Me bourne Marriage Preparation Course provides a great opportunity to enrich your relationship and prepare for the lifeloig commitment of marriage. The Course runs from Fr›day 10/03/2023(6:30 -9:00 PM), Saturday 11/03/2023 (10:00 AM-6:15 PM), and Sunday 12/03/2023 <1:00 PM - 8:00 PM).

All sessions are held at the Pope ShenoLda III Auditorium, Donvale (100 Dark Road Don vale). We strongly encourage every engaged couple, those about to become engaged and those in rheir first year of marriage to attend this course. Based on the evidence of the benefits of such courses, the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church has deemed it a compulsory prerequisite before Marriage is granred in the Ciurch.

Tie cost is only $100 per couple, which includes course booklets, lunches tea/coffee, etc.

Please Regisrer at: https://tinyurl.ccm/March23Reg For further details please Contact Fr Daniel Ghabrial on 0403 336 725 or Fr Samuel Elias on 0412 884 A34.

+

Fourtieth Day Commemoration:

Late Mrs Raous Boctor, wife of the late Mr Wassif Sargious.

Church: St Macarious Coptic Orthodox Church

Date: Sunday 19th February 2023

Time:9 - 11am

Address: 615 Yan Yean Road Yarrambat

•Raous is the mother of Mervat (Mona) Salib wife of Joseph Salib and grandmother of George Salib, Gina Boutros (wife of Fr Shenouda Boutros) and Michael Salib (husband of Natalie Salib).

•Raous is the mother of Magdy Wassif Anis (Egypt) husband of Kamilia Azmy and grandmother of Mina & Marina.

•Raous is the mother of Susan Wassif (Egypt) wife of the late Nagy Abdallah and grandmother of Nermeen & Nader.

• Raous is the mother of Hoda Attia, wife of Adly Attia and grandmother of Peter Attia, Bishoy Attia (husband of Marina Attia) and Mary Attia (wife of Youssef)

•Raous is the mother of Oddette Shafik, wife of Nagy Shafik and grandmother of Ninette & Youssef (Egypt)

•Raous is mother of Seham Goubrial, wife of Nashaat Goubrial and grandmother of David Goubrial (husband of Monica) and Diana Goubrial

•Raous is the mother of Naglaa Anis, wife of the late Mofdy Makari and grandmother of Fr John Makari (husband of Marina) and Andrew Makari (husband of Marina) She was survived by 16 grand children and 27 great grandchildren. A loving mother, devote Christian and a servant to all.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.John 5:24

Program of HE metropolitan Anba Thomas

Visit to Melbourne (18th - 25th February)

Saturday 18th February

HE arrives in Melbourne at 11:20 pm - QR1302 from Doha.

Sunday 19th February

9 AM - Liturgy at St George Church – St Albans

6 PM – Youth Meeting at St Mark’s Church – Preston

Monday 20th February

8:30 AM – Liturgy at St Mary’s Coptic College – Coolaroo

12:00 PM – Private visits

7:00 PM – Clergy Conference

Tuesday 21st February – Clergy Conference

Wednesday 22nd February - Clergy Conference

Thursday 23rd February AM – Conclusion to Conference

7:00 PM – Congregation Meeting – St Mina & St Marina ChurchHallam

Friday 24th February

6:00 AM – Liturgy at St Athanasius Church - Donvale

12:00 PM – HE departure to Sydney on QF 440

Construction of New Buildings started Thursday 28th April

The new Building is expected to be ready within 9 months. church services are continuing as normal as in the Timetable inside the Bulletin. You can donate monthly contribution using Direct Debit forms available in the church or downloaded from church website. Cost of building works is around $13,000,000. Your support and donations will be blessing and very appreciated.

Donations to St Mary’s Church and Building project can be made by the following Link

Special Thanks

for all who keep working tirelessly for the success of this project. May the Lord reward them all and bless all their works