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 Makary 0433 445 636
The Martyrdom of St. Eustathius and His Two Sons
8th October - 27th Tote
On this day, St. Eustathius and his two sons were martyred. He was one of the ministers of the Roman Empire. Early in his life, he did not know God, but he used to give alms and charity in abundance, and the Lord did not wish that his toil should be in vain. While he was in the desert hunting wild animals, a figure of a cross, appeared to him between the horns of a stag, and it reached up to heaven. He chased the stag in the mountains to hunt it. The Lord spoke to him and told him about his new name which is Eustathius, for he was called, Ephlokidus, before. The Lord ordered him to be baptized in the Name of the Lord Christ and told him that poverty should come upon him speedily. When he heard that, he descended from the mountain and went to the bishop of the city who baptized him, his wife and his sons, and he changed his name to Eustathius as the Lord had ordered him. Right after that, he lost all what he had from slaves, handmaidens, cattle and money. Then he took his wife and his sons, and went forth from the city of Rome and embarked on a ship. And as he could not pay the fare, they took his wife instead. He took his two sons and came to a river. He crossed over to the other side with one of them and returned to get the other, but he did not find him because a lion had taken him. He went back to get the first but he did not find him either because a wolf had snatched him. He felt deep sorrow because of the loss of his wife and his two sons.
St. Eustathius worked, for a period of time, as a guard in a garden until the Emperor of Rome died and another reigned instead who sent messengers to search for that saint. One of the messengers happened to enter the garden which the saint guarded. The two men recognized each other and St. Eustathius was taken back to the Emperor. The Emperor honored him and reinstated him to his former position. It happened in that time that a war broke out and they recruited two men from every city to the army. The two sons of the saint were saved by the Divine Will from the lion and the wolf and were brought up in the same city. They remained for a long time not knowing each other. Then the Divine Will arranged that both would be recruited from that city. One day while they were walking, they reached a garden and sat there talking together, and they discovered that they were brothers.
As for their mother, the owner of the ship who had kept her in payment of the fare was a barbarian, but God protected her from him. He kept her in a garden which by the Divine Will was the same garden, where her two sons had gathered in, and she was close by her sons while they were talking and she recognized them. The two sons were assigned to guard the treasury of their father who did not recognize them.
When the Lord willed to gather this blessed family together, the wife entered the place where her husband was, and they recognized each other and rejoiced for reuniting unexpectedly. Then she told him that she had met their sons in the
garden. While she was telling him so, the two sons joined them and she cried joyfully, “There are our two sons!” They embraced each other in tears of joy, and they praised God who fulfilled what he had promised and they lived in joy and peace. Later on, the Emperor died and another reigned who worshipped idols. He summoned St. Eustathius and his wife and his sons. He ordered them to worship the idols but they refused. So he ordered his men to torture them with fire, but they were not harmed. Then he commanded to cast them into a brazen cauldron and set fire under it. Thus they delivered their souls into the hands of the Lord, and received the crowns of martyrdom from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Their prayers be with us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.
The Martyrdom of Saints Abadir (Apater) and Eraee (Herai), His Sister
9th October – 28th Thout
Onthis day, Sts. Abadir (Apater) and Eraee (Herai), his sister, the children of Wasilides, the minister of Antioch, were martyred. Abadir was appointed Esfeh-selar (a high ranking governmental position) in his father’s position. He had a room wherein he prayed and the Lord Christ appeared to him in the middle of the night and told him: “Rise up and take your sister Eraee, and go to Egypt to receive the crown of martyrdom and I will instruct a man whose name is Samuel to take care of your bodies and prepare them for burial.” He bid him peace then went up into heaven. This vision was seen by his sister also, in which she was told, “Hearken to your brother and do not transgress his command.” When she woke up, she trembled, and she went to her brother and told him about the vision, declaring that she would not disobey him. They vowed to each other to go and shed their blood in the Name of the Lord Christ.
When his mother knew that, she and her handmaidens rent their garments, and came to St. Abadir. His mother pleaded with him not to become a martyr. He promised her that he would not go forward to Diocletian seeking martyrdom. Her heart was soothed, not knowing his intention of going somewhere else to become a martyr. Every night he used to change his apparel and go disguised to give water to the prisoners and minister to them all night, and he asked the door-keeper not to tell anyone. Later on, he saw a vision to remind him of travelling. He took his sister and went to Alexandria, then they came to Cairo. They met St. Abekragon who recognized them and blessed them. From there they came to Tomwah where they entered the church and prayed in it. Then, they went to El-Ashmunin where they met with Samuel the deacon. The following day Samuel went with them to Ansena, and they confessed our Lord Christ before Arianus the governor, who tortured them severely. Meanwhile, Saint Abadir prayed and entreated God to strengthen his faith and the faith of his sister Eraee. The Lord took their souls and carried them up to the heavenly Jerusalem and they saw the eminent ranks and the luminous habitations of the righteous; then he brought them back to their bodies. The governor wrote their decree and then adjured Abadir by
his God to tell him his name and who he was. The saint replied, “Swear to me that you shall not change what you have decreed,” and when the governor swore to him, he said, “I am Abadir ElEsfeh-selar.” The governor cried out, saying, “Woe to me, 0 my Lord why did you not let me know that you are my Lord and let me go so far as to condemn you to all these severe tortures?” The saint replied, “Fear not, for you are about to receive the crown of martyrdom. The emperor will seek me and will not find me, and he will hear that you have killed me. Then he will call you, torture you and you will die in the Name of our Lord Christ. And now hasten to finish us.” Straightaway the governor ordered that their heads be cut off. The believers wrapped up their bodies in fine apparels and Samuel the deacon took them to his house until the days of persecution were ended and a great church was built for them. Their intercession be for us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.
The Commemoration of the Miracle that God Performed for St. Athanasius the Apostolic
11th October - 30th Tote
Onthis day the Lord Christ performed a great miracle for the honorable Saint Abba Athanasius, 20th Pope of Alexandria. When Emperor Constantius, the son of the righteous Emperor Constantine, adopted the teachings of Arius who said that the Son was, after not being, and therefore not equal to the Father, he sent a man, whose name was Gawargios, to Alexandria. He also sent along with him 500 horsemen and letters appointing Gawargios patriarch of Alexandria instead of Abba Athanasius the Apostolic. He ordered Gawargios to support the faith of Arius and slay all who would not be obedient to him. When this man arrived to the city, he preached the teachings of Arius but only a few people of the city accepted his teachings. Therefore, he killed a large number of people, and St. Athanasius hid himself for a period of six years. After which he went to the city of Constantinople, and asked Emperor Constantius either to restore him to his See or to slay him so he would receive the crown of martyrdom. But the Emperor ordered his men to place him in a small boat and to leave him in the sea without food or water or a guide. The Emperor thought that he would die of hunger or thirst or get drowned. In this way he hoped to get rid of the saint and his admonition to him for his heresy, and they did with the saint as the Emperor had ordered them. The boat sailed along smoothly and in peace with the Lord’s will and His care. St. Athanasius was surrounded and cared for by the Angels until he arrived in Alexandria three days later. When the believers heard that their shepherd had arrived, they rejoiced and went out to him and received him with candles and songs of praise. Then they brought him into the church and expelled Gawargios and his followers. St. Athanasius dedicated that day as a great feast to the Lord.
May his prayers be with us and to our God is the glory and honor now and ever unto the end of ages. Amen.In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.
The Martyrdom of St. Arbsima (Repsima) the Virgin and Her Sisters the Virgins
10th October - 29th Tote
On this day, the holy virgins Arbsima (Repsima) and Agatha (Ghana) and their sisters, were martyred during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.
This infiel sought out the most beautiful damsel to marry. He sent artists to every country and ordered them to paint a portrait of the most beautiful damsel that their sights fell on and to give him an accurate description of her. When they arrived nearby Rome, they entered a convent for virgins and found Saint Arbsima and none was like her in beauty. They painted a portrait of her and sent it to the Emperor who rejoiced when he saw it. He sent to the kings and governors to invite them to the wedding celebrations.
When Arbsima and the virgins knew that, they wept, and left the convent fleeing, entreating the Lord Christ to help them and to keep their virginity. They fled to the country of Armenia, and entered the province over which Tridates was king. There they dwelt in a winery in a deserted garden. They had great trouble in getting their food, so one of them made glass, sold it, and with the money they bought their food.
When Diocletian sought for Arbsima, he did not find her. Later on, he heard that she was in the country of Armenia so he sent to Tridates the governor to look for her. When the virgins heard that, they left their shelter and hid themselves in the city. But someone informed about them. Tridates then commanded to bring Arbsima to him and when she refused, they abducted her and brought her to him.
When he saw her beauty, he wanted to have her for himself, but she did not let him. He brought her mother to persuade her but instead she besought her to endure patiently. She comforted her, told her that she must not forsake her true Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ, and that she must not defile her virginity. When he knew what her mother had done, he commanded to break her teeth.
God gave St. Arbsima power to overcome the governor; she pushed him forcefully and he fell on his back. She left him lying on the floor although he was well known by his might and bravery in war. Ashamed of having been vanquished by a virgin damsel, he ordered to cut off her head. The soldiers came and tied her, tore out her tongue, plucked out her eyes, and then cut her into pieces. When the governor rose up from his fall and regained his senses, he was sorry for killing the saint. He ordered to slay the rest of the virgins. The soldiers pierced the soles of their feet, flayed them, cut them into pieces, and then cast them out. One of them was sick and was lying on a bed, and she cried out to the soldiers so she might join her sisters. So, they cut off her head also and thus, all the virgins received the crown of martyrdom. The soldiers also slew all who had come with them from Rome. After their departure, the governor became mad and the physicians could not help him until Saint Gregory, Bishop of Armenia, came to him and prayed over him. By this he was healed of his affliction and believed in the Lord Christ. He took the bodies of the holy and pure virgins and laid them in a holy place.
Their intercession be for us, and Glory be to our God, forever. Amen.
Meditations on the Eucharist Holy Bible readings
Forth Sunday of the blessed month of Tote Luke 7: 36-50
“she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head” Luke 7:38 How often we feel superior to others … and how many times we think that we are better than those around us … Beloved … this matter of utmost importance … such led one of those who are infected with this ailment to feel superior to the Lord Jesus Himself … this pharisee thought he knows more than the Lord Jesus … he thought that he knows the people and their sins more than the Lord Jesus … and because of this, the Lord Jesus taught him a severe lesson, revealing the greatness of this sinful woman’s repentance and how she excelled above him in her love, self-sacrifice and repentance … but she even honoured the Lord Jesus more than the hospitality of this pharisee in his own house. How dangerous is this train of thoughts … when a person starts to despise others and belittle them … when one become more self-content and thinks much of ones-self and arrogance enters his or her heart, then one starts to measure others according to his or her own measure … then one starts to despise the action of others … justifying his or her own short-comings then this leads to the loss of ability of recognizing one’s own faults … and in this one loses the way of repentance.
+ if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is ..
This pharisee was applying his own measures … which are within him and he believed that they were correct … and thought it was the ultimate only way (of thoughts) … as according to his own logic, it is not proper to deal with or even sit with sinful (people) … but the Lord Jesus has contradicted this rule (of his), therefore He is not a prophet because He did not know this woman is a sinful woman … a logic full of mighty words such as … not allowed … if … therefore .. How troublesome are those who possess this logic … and how much troubles they cause to others with it.
This was the problem to man like Ahithophel … he was a wise man … and David used to rejoice with his advice … and thus it became set in Ahithophel’s mind that his advice is best and must be followed … and when Absalom repelled against his father David … Ahithophel became Absalom’s adviser and advised him how to get rid of David … but Absalom, took another person’s advice and
this was Hushai the Archite … this troubled Ahithophel greatly, who considered his advice like God’s edicts must be obeyed … so, Ahithophel arisen and set his house on order and hanged himself (to death) … he could not accept a rejected advice (of his) … (2 Samuel 17).
This was also the same problem Moses had, before he left the land of Egypt the first time … he was a zealous man … loving of his own people (the Jews) and wanted to help in freeing them … very nice thoughts … but how?? … with his own means … to fight with the Jew against the Egyptian … with violence and murder … and Moses means failed … and he had to escape to the wilderness to stay there for forty years to learn the correct means (Exodus 2) ... Again this was Saul of Tarsus’s problem … as those Christians (in his own view) are rebelling against the law (of Moses) and traditions … therefore they should be killed and as loving man of the law and traditions, then one must dedicate all his powers to this matter … and it was as if Saul was kicking goads (Acts 9).
Similarly, many suffer because they view others within the limited harsh knowledge and laws of humans.
Matters which are treated in this way will cause many problems to their owners and others … for there are those who measure the sincerity of others simply by judging their words or actions … and since he said this … therefore, I must do this to him … and this way we do not appreciate others’ position or condition (with no empathy) … and simply we divide all those who are around us to foes and friends for the mere words or actions which was not intended … we often try to use our own knowledge in understanding what others meant … trying to uncover the ulterior motives in their words, then we start judging them for what they did not do … but what we expected them to do … isn’t this agonizing indeed??? And what is more troubling, that we let our emotions control all these actions … if you like someone then all they say or do is acceptable and good and if you did not like this person, all he does, no matter how good it is, then it is bad and full of mistakes …
The Christian person, is a loving person of all (people) … does not think bad of anybody … respects all others and their views and does not haste to judge anybody.
+ Do you see this woman …
Look (at yourself) pharisee … this woman who you disparaged … she is a person of many virtues … it is your self-love and narcissism which had blinded you and made you no longer see, feel or appreciate the love of others … you have set yourself as judge (and executioner) of others … you sit mighty high on your lofty seat judging and criticising with no action … and in this, you have become a source of troubles and hindrance for other who do work (for good). How easy it is to criticise … and much harder it is to do good …
The great secrete behind this pharisee’s critique … is his own shortcomings … for he could not tolerate to see another person doing an act of love, which he supposed to initiate … and from this, pride took over and became a critic … instead of encouraging … and instead of recognizing his deficiency and express regrets …
When the pharisees saw the great works performed by the Lord Jesus, they were filled with envy and jealousy … and when they saw Him cast out demons, they said He by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons casts out demons (Matthew 12:24) … again, they could not bear to hear the words of truth that Stephen the first deacon and martyr, testified to them … they did grind their teeth and angrily … they rushed to stone him (Acts 7:54 – 8:1).
John the Baptist was great in his humility and self-denial … when he heard that the Lord Jesus and His disciples are baptizing many more than him … and all the people are following Him … he was not saddened nor angry for he had fulfilled his mission … and did not falter … but in great happiness said my joy if fulfilled … He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30) … this is a very valuable lesson the world should learn today.
The saints had learned this lesson and understood it very well … the (early) saints like Anba Antony or Anba Makarios the great … they used to find great virtue in their dealing
with any one … even from a mocking words from an evil woman … or from pagan priest … or from a tail and talking to a young child … learn (beloved) to benefit from every one … even the young whom they are irrelevant in the view of others.
Beloved … if you feel that you are lacking … and you are behind in doing acts of mercy … then don’t stand in the way of those who are merciful … don’t be just a cretic … learn to be loving … learn how to encourage and support others … roll up your sleeves and start with acts of mercy … it is not a shame for others to be ahead of you (in acts of mercy) … but the shame is to stay still as a criticising voice (only) … and no action … the little only want all other to be little like them … but the great labour to make the little great with them … this pharisee is in need to fall on his knees and pour tears … confessing his shortcomings and delay in offering the required honour and love to the Lord Jesus … but sometimes this (confession) is hard to do … and specially with those who are arrogant … + her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much …
How hard it is for an arrogant and conceited person to (repent and) confess his or her sins which is hidden within ones-self … specially, if this person in his or her own view and portrays to others that he or she is a leader, teacher and an example (to follow) … Beloved … repentance … and confession are not just for the little and young children only … and it is not an act of the weak (personality) only … but it is for you … specifically you who is need of repentance and to pour yourself in confession more than others … you are afraid of others seeing what is within you … you are afraid of exposing your troubles … you have become great in your own self-image and have locked your heart with many locks which had rusted …
My beloved, come whether you are young or old (great or belittled) … come and pour your-self before the Lord Jesus, just as this sinful woman did … for the kingdom of heavens is not cheap or irrelevant to let it escape you easily (in this way) … the heavenly kingdom is be plucked fast … don’t stand there as a spectator … let go of your traditional role of a cretic … and profess a new role as a repentant person … through critique you will lose yourself and those around you … but, through repentance, you will gain yourself and the souls of those around you … and how joyful it is when hear this joyful words … “go in peace”.
Blessed Baptism
Baby Righteous
Son of Atoinne & Youstina Famumia
Sunday 1st October 2023
St Mary’s Church
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!””
Revelation 14:13
Mr Nabil Barsoum Guirguis reposed this morning 2nd October 2023.
A deeply faithful man who was one of the pioneers of the establishment of the Coptic community in Australia. He graciously accepted his grieve illness and prepared his soul for eternity.
He is survived by wife Nadia, his sons Mark and Carl, his daughter-in-law Carolyn, and his 6 grandchildren Sam, Hannah, Sarah, Andrew, Ryder and Harley. The Funeral will be 12noon Monday 9 October 2023 at Archangel Michael & St Anthony’s church followed by the burial 2:00PM at Springvale Cemetery and the Third day prayer.
Blessed Marriage
Mina Tawadros & Helena Soliman
St. George’s Church
Thursday 28th September 2023
Blessed Engagement
Mina Elias & Lamis Moussa
St George’s Church
Sunday 1st October 2023
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
