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 Martyrdom of St. Cyprian (Cyprianus) and St. Justina. 2nd October - 21st Tote
On this day also in the year 257 A.D. the honorable St. Cyprian (Cyprianus) and St. Justina, were martyred. Cyprianus was an infidel and a magician. He learned magic in the countries of northwest Africa until he excelled over his fellows. His excessive impudence and his arrogance made him go to Antioch to challenge the magicians there and to pride himself over them of his knowledge.
When he arrived there, his fame spread. A young man, the son of one of the nobles of the city, heard about him. This young man lusted for a Christian virgin who was called Justina. He saw her going to church and his heart became inflamed with her love. He was unable to obtain what he desired of her either by money, threat, or magic.
He sought Cyprian and complained to him about his condition, that he might make him gain favor with Justina’s heart and fulfill his desire of her. Cyprian promised him the fulfillment of his desire. He used all the trickery of his sorcery but failed. Every time he sent her a host of demons, they found her praying, so they came back defeated.
When Cyprian failed, he called the demons and told them, “If you do not bring Justina to me, I shall adopt Christianity.” The chief of the demons thought out a device to deceive him. He ordered one of his soldiers to disguise himself and to take the form of Justina and then go to Cyprian. He hastened and made it known to Cyprian her coming, so he rejoiced and waited for her. Then Satan, disguised as Justina, came to him, and Cyprianus rejoiced, and rose up to embrace her. Because of his great joy in her, he told her, “Welcome, Queen of Women, Justina.” Upon the mere mention of her name, Satan, disguised as her, melted away and disappeared like smoke, and an unpleasant smell spread out of him. Cyprianus knew that this was a deceitful trick of Satan who could not stand before the mentioning of her name. Immediately Cyprian rose up and burnt his books of magic. He was baptized by the patriarch of Antioch who put on him the monastic garb. After a while he ordained him a deacon, then a priest. Later on, after he had grown in virtues and in the doctrine of the church, they ordained him bishop of Carthage in the year 351 A.D. He took St. Justina and made her the head of a convent there. When the Ecumenical Council convened at Carthage, this saint was one of those who attended it. When Emperor Decius heard of them he had them brought before him, and he demanded them to raise incense for the idols. When they refused, he inflicted upon them many tortures and finally cut off their heads with the sword. Their prayers be with us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.
The Martyrdom of Saints Cotylas (Kobtlas) and Axoua, his Sister, and Tatas, his Friend.
3rd October - 22nd Tote
On this day, Saints Cotylas (Kobtlas) and his sister Axoua, the children of Sapor, King of Persia, and Cotylas’ friend, Tatas, were martyred. Sapor worshipped fire and the sun. He inflicted many tortures on the believers, and no man through-
out the country dared to mention the Name of Christ. His son, Cotylas, had a friend named Tatas who was a ruler over the country of Maydasayeen.
Certain people laid an accusation against Tatas before the king that he was a Christian. The king sent to him a governor named Tumakher to verify the validity of what was said and if it was true, to torture him. When Cotylas, the son of the king, heard that, he also went to that country, to his friend Tatas. When the governor arrived and found that he was Christian, he ordered his men to cast him in a furnace. St. Tatas made the sign of the Cross over the fire and the fire died out. Cotylas marvelled and asked him, “How did you learn this magic, 0 my brother?” He replied, “This is not magic but it is through faith in the Lord Christ.” Cotylas asked, “If I believed, would I be able to do the same?” Tatas answered that with faith you can do more than this. Cotylas, the son of the king, believed in Christ, then he drew near the fire and made the sign of the Cross over it, the fire backed a distance of 12 cubits.
The governor sent to the king to inform him what had happened, and the king had them brought to him. He ordered to cut off the head of Tatas who thus received the crown of martyrdom. However, he tortured his son, Cotylas, with different kinds of tortures. He cast him in prison and sent for his sister Axoua, so she might persuade him to return to his father’s belief. St. Cotylas preached her and turned her heart to the belief in the Lord Christ. He sent her to a priest who baptized her secretly.
She returned to her father saying, “I wish that you had what my brother and I have, for there is no God but Jesus Christ.”
The king became angry and commanded to torture her, until she yielded up her soul in the hand of the Lord Christ. They tied Cotylas to the tails of horses and dragged him over the mountains until he yielded up his spirit. Then they cut his body into pieces and they cast it out for the birds to consume it. When the soldiers departed, the Lord commanded saintly priests and deacons who went secretly at night and took the holy body which was shining as snow. They hid it in a place until the end of the days of persecution. Their intercession be for us all. Amen.
The Martyrdom of Saints Cotylas (Kobtlas) and Axoua, his Sister, and Tatas, his Friend.
3rd October - 22nd Tote
On this day, Saints Cotylas (Kobtlas) and his sister Axoua, the children of Sapor, King of Persia, and Cotylas’ friend, Tatas, were martyred. Sapor worshipped fire and the sun. He inflicted many tortures on the believers, and no man throughout the country dared to mention the Name of Christ. His son, Cotylas, had a friend named Tatas who was a ruler over the country of Maydasayeen.
Certain people laid an accusation against Tatas before the king that he was a Christian. The king sent to him a governor
named Tumakher to verify the validity of what was said and if it was true, to torture him. When Cotylas, the son of the king, heard that, he also went to that country, to his friend Tatas. When the governor arrived and found that he was Christian, he ordered his men to cast him in a furnace. St. Tatas made the sign of the Cross over the fire and the fire died out. Cotylas marvelled and asked him, “How did you learn this magic, 0 my brother?” He replied, “This is not magic but it is through faith in the Lord Christ.” Cotylas asked, “If I believed, would I be able to do the same?” Tatas answered that with faith you can do more than this. Cotylas, the son of the king, believed in Christ, then he drew near the fire and made the sign of the Cross over it, the fire backed a distance of 12 cubits.
The governor sent to the king to inform him what had happened, and the king had them brought to him. He ordered to cut off the head of Tatas who thus received the crown of martyrdom. However, he tortured his son, Cotylas, with different kinds of tortures. He cast him in prison and sent for his sister Axoua, so she might persuade him to return to his father’s belief. St. Cotylas preached her and turned her heart to the belief in the Lord Christ. He sent her to a priest who baptized her secretly. She returned to her father saying, “I wish that you had what my brother and I have, for there is no God but Jesus Christ.” The king became angry and commanded to torture her, until she yielded up her soul in the hand of the Lord Christ. They tied Cotylas to the tails of horses and dragged him over the mountains until he yielded up his spirit. Then they cut his body into pieces and they cast it out for the birds to consume it. When the soldiers departed, the Lord commanded saintly priests and deacons who went secretly at night and took the holy body which was shining as snow. They hid it in a place until the end of the days of persecution. Their intercession be for us all. Amen.
The Departure of Jonah, the Great Prophet 5th October - 24th Tote
On this day, the great prophet Jonah, the son of Amittai, departed. It was said that he was the son of the widow of Zar-e-phath whom Elijah the Prophet had raised from the dead. Jonah followed Elijah, served him and received the grace of prophesying. God inspired him to go to the city of Nineveh to admonish its people and to warn them that after three days the city shall be overthrown. Jonah pondered in his heart saying, “If God wished to destroy them He would not forewarn them. I fear that if I go to them and convey to them this warning, they might repent and God would not destroy them. I would be a liar and no one will listen to me and probably may be get killed because I conveyed to them a false message from God. So I will arise and flee.”
What did this prophet think of? How could anyone flee from the face of God? By escaping, he wanted to get away from the city of Nineveh. He did not want to admonish them knowing that God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and repentant of the evil. He thought that by staying away from Nineveh the Lord would send another prophet to preach to this city. The escape of Jonah the Prophet, and his having been cast into the sea are to make manifest the miracle of his remaining in the belly of the whale for three days and then coming out safely.
This was a symbol of, and evidence for, the resurrection of our Savior from the sepulcher, unchanged, after three days. Jonah rose up to flee from the presence of the Lord and went down to Joppa; he found a ship going to Tarshish and sailed on it. The Lord sent out a great wind and there was a mighty tempest in the sea and the ship was about to break. The people were all afraid, and cried every man to his god. They said everyone to his fellow, “Come and let us cast lots, that we may know because of whom this evil has befallen us.” And when they had cast lots, it fell upon Jonah. They said to him, “What have you done that brought such an affliction on us?” He replied, “Cast me in the sea and you shall be saved.” They begged the Lord’s pardon, then they cast him into the sea, and a great whale swallowed him. He remained in its belly for three days and three nights and then he was cast out on the seashore. He rose up straightaway and came into Nineveh. He preached to its people and they all repented: The King, the nobles, and the poor, the old and the young. They all cried to God with fasting and everyone turned from his way and the Lord accepted their repentance and had mercy upon them. Jonah returned to the land of Israel and died there. He was more than 900 years before the advent of the Lord Christ. He prophesied in the days of Amos and his son Hosea. He lived nearly 100 years, out of which he prophesied more than 70 years. His prayers be with us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.
The Angels’ Annunciation of John the Baptist to Zacharias 6th October - 25th Tote
On this day it was announced to Zacharias, the priest, the birth of John the Baptist. Zacharias was well advanced in years and his wife, Elizabeth, was barren and her time for begetting children had passed.
Zacharias was praying and beseeching God persistently to give him a child because the children of Israel reviled anyone without a son and treated him with ignominy. They would say about him that he was without the blessing that God had told Adam in these words: “Be fruitful and multiply.” The Lord had compassion on him and He hearkened to his petition. He sent him Gabriel the Angel to announce to him the birth of John. The angel came to him while he was in the sanctuary, as it is mentioned in the Holy Gospel (Luke 1:11), and announced to him the birth of the great prophet John, and that he should precede the Christ as it was said by the prophets, “He shall go before Him.” He asked the angel, “Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well advanced in years.” The angel told him that he was sent from God to announce that to him and it is not seemly for him to doubt. He then told him that he shall be dumb till the birth of the child. On the day of John’s circumcision, they asked him about the child’s name. He asked for a tablet and wrote on it John and straightaway his mouth opened. Then he spoke and praised God and prophesied concerning his son John and the Lord Christ. He prophesied about his son that he would be a prophet and he should go before the face of the Lord. The prayers of this priest be with us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.
Third Sunday of Tote
Luke 19: 1 – 10
“for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (10)
Do you feel shy sometimes? This is good. Shyness is a good character for a humble person. But, not all shyness is good. There is a required and even holy shyness. There is also unacceptable shyness.
Zacchaeus can justify for himself why he cannot meet the Lord Jesus. Very pressing crowd, he is a sinner whom people do not welcome among them and also, he is a rich person and do not like to be tossed around in the crowd. There is also another reason. He was of short stature. This may make him subject to be mocked by children or ridiculed by adults. One of these reasons is enough to make a normal person hesitate and try to find another suitable chance to see Jesus and talk to Him. In fact Zacchaeus do not shy anymore in doing the wrong things. He is a Tax Collector. He is even a chief Tax Collector. He robs the people from their money. He put them in trouble without mercy. Here we find Zacchaeus deciding not to be shy also in doing the right things. When he lost his shyness in doing the wrong things he fell into many sins and troubles. When he lost his shyness in doing the right thing, Salvation came to his house. Ask yourself if you also feel shy in doing the right or the wrong things??
+ a chief tax collector:
What a job !! it is exactly as if somebody say that his job is a robber, or a gangster!
These days there are many who bride themselves about committing sin. Glorifying the wrong and unethical became a common habit. Human start-
ed to lose their sensitivity about committing wrong things. Getting more indulged into sinful behaviour is the norm which many feel proud of. When the two Angels entered the house of Lot in Sodom (Gen 19) the whole city came to the door demanding that Lot bring out his guests for them to know them in a carnal way. No shame at all. That became normal. This sinful act became part of their normal life. The Lord was very angry about the people of this city and decided to burn the whole city by fire from heaven. In a war between Moab and Israel (Numbers 25), king of Moab realised he cannot conquer the armies of Israel as God supported them. He decided to defeat them by sin. He sent the evil women of Moab to tempt the men of Israel to the sin. Those women had no shame and dragged the men of Israel to the sin. The Lord was very angry. He ordered Moses to kill those who indulged shamelessly into the sin. As the people of Israel were mourning crying, a man came with a Moabite woman introducing here without shame to others. Phinehas the priest was enraged with zeal and entered the tent killing the two offenders. The Lord praised his zeal and blessed him. On that day 24 thousand were killed. There are also those who shamelessly turned the Temple of God the den of thieves (Matthew 21). The Lord was angry and turned the tables of the money changers and drove those who bought and sold out of the Temple.
Some have canonized the wrong to the level that St Paul describes: “For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.” (Eph 5:12) and St Peter says about it: “In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. (1Pet 4:4). Do you feel ashamed of your sins. Do you still feel embraced from your sins or you
are proud of it? A friend can invite you to party full of loud music, drinking, may be drugs and gambling. Another may feel it is ok to dress in unproperly clothes in full show for everyone to see. Your body is a sanctuary for the Lord you should not defile it or make it look cheap. We lost a lot of the Christian shyness and modesty. We allow ourselves to take part in inappropriate conversations full of obscene words and gestures with no sense of shame. We may also defend the wrong as it became normal. We find many excuses for ourselves and our children to copy the behaviour of worldly people and indulge with them the fulness of world lusts and desires. No shame anymore in proceeding to evil. What about shyness in the wright things?? + So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree: How hard was it for Zacchaeus to do that? It was also painful. Zacchaeus have gone over the big hurdle of shyness. He could overcome his own bride and went to climb the tree.
This type of shyness has caused issues for many. One of the beloved disciple Peter had went throu8gh this hard experience. In his early weakness at the crucifixion night he denied the Lord in front of a maid servant three times. He also had another experience with a big difference. After Pentecost, there were a lot of discussions among the Apostles about circumcision and if it was necessary for the gentiles to be circumcised first. St Peter had his own experience when he was called to the house of Cornelius to lead him the faith in Christ (Acts 10). Even he baptised those Gentiles he also withdrew and separated himself out of shyness when he came back to Antioch because certain men came from James, and was blamed by St. Paul (Galatians 2: 11 – 14). You may feel shy to sign yourself by the cross in public or even to pray before taking part in a meal before your friends, or also to pray in your home in front of your
family. You do not want to be mocked by your friend for showing your Christianity. Or even take part in an inappropriate practice just to be accepted and praised by friends. Today many people will be ready to criticise you for your Christian and Orthodox principles and practices. Do not be shy. Stand strong and be a good witness for Christ for the whole world. Not just by talk but also by being a good example in the life of righteousness, chastity and honesty. Show Christ Who is in you. This is the new martyrdom in this world we are living in today. Our fathers were ready to give their life and never deny the name of Christ. It came time when our fathers accepted to have very heavy iron crosses to be hanged to their necks and chests. They were proud of withstanding the persecution for the Lord. Today we should learn from them and stand strong witnessing for the Lord and declaring that we are followers of the Lord crucified for the Salvation of the world.
6th October - 25th Tote
+ From Nayroz to the Cross:
The period between the Feast of Nayrouz (12th September – 1st Tote) and Feast of the Holy Cross (28th September – 17th Tote) is a very special period for our Church and Coptic people. During this time the church prays in the joyful tune. Not only it is a commemoration for our fathers the martyrs but also it is a national historic festival time. Ancient Egyptian used to celebrate in a very special way this Feast of Nayrouz. The Coptic Calendar was the official and most widely used calendar until the beginning of the 20th century when it was replaced by the western calendar. It was always used along with the Arabic Hijri Calendar for many centuries. The employees used to get their monthly salaries even on the small month (Nasi) which was only 5 or 6 days. The Coptic Calendar was the main calendar to determine most of the seasons and occasions for the people and the church. Thus the start of the Coptic year carries very deep and special meaning for the Copts over the ages. Celebrations continue until the Feast of the Holy Cross which is the real start of the New era of reconciliation and Grace. Celebrations end on the Feast of the Cross signifying the start of real life of work and strife and signifying the meaning of living with the Lord witnessing for Him carrying His Cross and becoming like live Gospels read by all people. Let us sing with King David the Psalmist saying: “You crowned the year with Your Goodness and Your Paths drip with abun- dance” Psalm 65:11.
Smith’s Bible Dictionary
(pure), a tax-collector near Jericho, who, being short in stature climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to obtain a sight of Jesus as he passed through that place. (Luke 19:1-10) Zacchaeus was a Jew, as may be inferred from his name and from the fact that the Saviour speaks of him expressly as “a son of Abraham.” The term which designates his office -”the chief among the publicans” -is unusual, but describes him, no doubt, as the superintendent of customs or tribute in the district of Jericho, where he lived. The office must have been a lucrative one in such a region, and it is not strange that Zacchaeus is mentioned by the evangelists as a rich man. The Saviour spent the night probably in the house of Zacchaeus, and the next day pursued his journey. He was in the caravan from Galilee which was going to Jerusalem to keep the Passover.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Pure, a superintendant of customs; a chief tax-gather (publicanus) at Jericho (Luke 19:1-10). “The collection of customs at Jericho, which at this time produced and exported a considerable quantity of balsam, was undoubtedly an important post, and would account for Zacchaeus being a rich man.” Being short of stature, he hastened on before the multitude who were thronging about Christ as he passed through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem, and climbed up a sycamore tree that he might be able to see him. When our Lord reached the spot he looked up to the publican among the branches, and addressing him by name, told him to make haste and come down, as he intended that day to abide at his house. This led to the remarkable interview recorded by the evangelist, and to the striking parable of the ten pounds (Luke 19:12-27). At Er-riha (Jericho) there is a large, venerable looking square tower, which goes by the traditional name of the House of Zacchaeus.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ZACCHAEUS
za-ke’-us (Zakchaios, from zakkay, “pure”):
(1) A publican with whom Jesus lodged during His stay in Jericho (Luke 19:110). He is not mentioned in the other Gospels. Being a chief publican, or overseer, among the tax-gatherers, Zaccheus had additional opportunity, by farming the taxes, of increasing that wealth for which his class was famous. Yet his mind was not entirely engrossed by material considerations, for he joined the throng which gathered to see Jesus on His entrance into the city. Of little stature, he was unable either to see over or to make his way through the press, and therefore scaled a sycomore tree. There he was singled out by Jesus, who said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:5). The offer thus frankly made by Jesus was accepted eagerly and gladly by Zaccheus; and the murmurings of the crowd marred the happiness of neither. How completely the new birth was accomplished in Zaccheus is testified by his vow to give half of his goods to the poor, and to make fourfold restitution where he had wrongfully exacted. The incident reveals the Christian truth that just as the publican Zaccheus was regarded by the rest of the Jews as a sinner and renegade who was unworthy to be numbered among the sons of Abraham, and was yet chosen by our Lord to be His host, so the social outcast of modern life is still a son of God, within whose heart the spirit of Christ is longing to make its abode. “For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
Construction of New Buildings started Thursday 28th April
The new Building is expected to be ready December 2023. 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. 2022
