Issue No. 341 – Sunday August 8 (7/26), 2010 Nun-martyr Parasceva of Rome. Hieromartyrs Hermolaus, hermippus, and Hermocrates at Nicomedia

والقديس الشھيد في الكھنة ارمو!وس ورفيقيه ارمبس وارموكراتس. القديسة البارة في الشھيدات بارسكيفيMatins ( Eothina XI): John 21:15-25

Epistle: I Corinthians 9:2-12 Gospel: Matthew 18:23-35

AXIOS!

!مستحق HE IS WORTHY!

The parish of St. James Orthodox Church in Milpitas congratulates

Fr. Romanos for his ordination to the Holy Priesthood on Sunday

August 1st, 2010. Please keep us in your prayers.

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit”

- John 15:16

Fr. Romanos Khoury Born in Ramallah, Jordan (Presently under Palestinian Authority) on February 2, 1958, Rimon Leon

Hanna Khoury was born from pious and humble parents Hanna Issa Khoury and Clemance Zada. In 1968,

the Khoury family immigrated to San Francisco, CA in hopes of finding more opportunities and a better

way of life. Being the fifth out of eight siblings, Rimon worked very hard in the family businesses and as a

newspaper delivery boy while managing school as well. In 1976, Rimon graduated from High School and

attend a year of mechanical school at the local junior college only to return back to manage the different

family businesses. At the age of 26, Rimon married Sana Ishaq and by 1992 they had 5 children. After 10

years of supporting and serving the church, with the grace and blessing of God, on March 30, 2003, Rimon

was ordained Dcn. Romanos by His Eminence Archbishop Damaskinos of Jaffa to serve under the

direction and obedience of Fr. Moheen (Therapon) Hanna in Rohnert Park, CA. During his time as a

deacon, Fr. Romanos educated himself in attending many theological classes some of which were given by

Abbot Jonah in Berkeley as well as reading many books on the Orthodox faith, saints, and history as

instructed. Under the direction of Fr. Moheen (Therapon), Fr. Romanos visited many people in hospitals

and convalescent homes to give Holy Communion, spiritual comfort, and friendship. Along with serving

Fr. Moheen, Fr. Romanos participated in numerous marriages, baptisms, and other church sacraments and

functions with Fr. George Jweinat. Fr. Romanos also found comfort and zeal in visiting many different

The Very Rev. Father Giris Hanna

(408) 509-8802 www.sjorthodox.org

195 N. Main Street Milpitas, Ca 95035

Matins 8:00 a.m. Liturgy 10:30 a.m.

parishes/communities throughout the US and overseas in Greece, Mt. Athos, Jordan, Syria, Romania, and

Palestine/Israel. During his travels, Fr. Romanos developed good relations with many bishops, priests,

abbots, and abbesses who have enhanced his passion and devotion to the Orthodox faith. Through 17 years

of serving God, Fr. Romanos, by God’s blessing, was ordained into the holy priesthood by His Grace

Bishop Savas Zembillas of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America under the newly established

Vicariate. God willing as a new priest, Fr. Romanos will serve the parish of St. Stephen in Sacramento, CA.

E-mail sjoc@earthlink.net or call (408) 398-6357 for your bulletin personal announcements, comments, feedback, or business advertising.

The Youth Corner

Tuesday August 10 Bowling Day

Details coming very soon about time and location. Please

look for an e-mail from Michael.

Thursday August 12 (1pm – 3pm)

Volunteering at Family Giving Tree Warehouse

2400 Condensa St, Santa Clara Ca 95051

Backpack Sorting/Rowing/Pick Ups

Please RSVP with Heba Khoury (714) 458-7910

(Limit 15 people only)

Due to accommodation and lodging conflicts at St.

Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, our mini-retreat originally

scheduled for August has been postponed.

.كن اسم الرب مباركايفل. رب اعطى والرب اخذال

The parish of St. James Orthodox Church is deeply saddened for the passing into eternal life of the servant of God

Nasri Sousou - صري صوصون

Who passed away on Wednesday 7/28/10 after illness. Deepest condolences to his wife Evelyn Sousou and to his children George, Raed, and Mona Sousou and grandchildren Neeran, Janelle, Giselle, and to his brother Mitri Sousou and all the Sousou and Sayij Families. Trisagion and Funeral services were held at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in San Francisco on Friday 7/30 and Saturday 7/31.

فليكن ذكره مؤبدا

This Week

Monday 8/2 (7/20)

Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)

Wednesday 8/4 (7/22)

Holy Myrrh-bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalen

Wine and oil are allowed on this day

Saturday 8/7 (7/25)

The Dormition of the Righteous Anna, mother of the Most Holy Theotokos

Altar Boys serving this Sunday

Basem Aboujudom Michael Mace Alexander Katakis Isaac Halasa Eiden Sarkis Roger Iseid

Lunch this Sunday Will be provided by Elias and Norma Dahdah and family for the occasion of the feast of Prophet Elias (Elijah). Thank you and God bless you.

Mark Your Calendar Sunday September 5

St. James Festival Kick-Off BBQ lunch and social after the

liturgy service. Fun and surprises.

This is an annual “warm-up” event in preparation for our Annual Middle Eastern & Greek Food Festival scheduled for

October 1, 2, and 3

Please plan to stay in church for a nice afternoon and enjoy Labor Day BBQ with the rest of St. James family.

As we get closer to the start of Dormition Fasting period (8/14 – 8/27), we explore the life of our Most Holy Theotokos and Her departure to the eternal life.

Part 1 of 4 The Veneration of the Mother of God During Her Earthly Life

From Apostolic times and to our days all who truly love Christ give veneration to Her

Who gave birth to Him, raised Him and protected Him in the days of His youth. If God the Father chose Her, God the Holy Spirit descended upon Her, and God the Son dwelt in Her, submitted to Her in the days of His youth, and was concerned for Her when hanging on the Cross—then should not everyone who confesses the Holy Trinity venerate Her?

Still in the days of Her earthly life the friends of Christ, the Apostles, manifested a great concern and devotion for the Mother of the Lord, especially the Evangelist John the Theologian, who fulfilling the will of Her Divine Son, took Her to himself and took care for Her as for a mother from the time when the Lord uttered to him from the Cross the words” “Behold thy mother.”

The Evangelist Luke painted a number of images of Her, some together with the Pre-eternal Child, others without Him. When he brought them and showed them to the Most Holy Virgin, She approved them and said: “The grace of My Son shall be with them,” and repeated the hymn She had once sung in the house of Elizabeth: “My soul doth magnify

the Lord, and My spirit hath rejoiced in God My Saviour.”

However, the Virgin Mary during Her earthly life avoided the glory which belonged to Her as the Mother of the Lord. She preferred to live in quiet and prepare Herself for the departure into eternal life. To the last day of Her earthly life She took care to prove worthy of the Kingdom of Her Son, and before death She prayed that He might deliver Her soul from the malicious spirits that meet human souls on the way to heaven and strive to seize them so as to take them away with them to Hades. The Lord fulfilled the prayer of His Mother and in the hour of Her death Himself came from heaven with multitude of angels to receive Her soul.

Since the Mother of God had also prayed that She might bid farewell to the Apostles, the Lord gathered for Her death all the Apostles, except Thomas, and they were brought by an invisible power on that day to Jerusalem from all the ends of the inhabited world, where they were preaching, and they were present at Her blessed translation into eternal life.

The Apostles gave Her more pure body over to burial with sacred hymns, and on the third day they opened the tomb so as once more to venerate the remains of the Mother of God together with the Apostle Thomas, who had arrived then in Jerusalem. But they did not find the body in the tomb and in perplexity they returned to their own place; and then, during their meal, the Mother of God Herself appeared to them in the air, shining with heavenly light, and informed them that Her Son had glorified Her body also, and She, resurrected, stood before His Throne. At the same time, She promised to be with them always.

The Apostles greeted the Mother of God with great joy and began to venerate Her not only as the Mother of their beloved Teacher and Lord, but also as their heavenly helper, as a protector of Christians and intercessor for the whole human race before the Righteous Judge. And everywhere the Gospel of Christ was preached, His Most Pure Mother also began to be glorified.

"Remember, O my soul, the terrible and frightful wonder: that your Creator for your sake became Man, and deigned

to suffer for the sake of your salvation. His angels tremble, the Cherubim are terrified, the Seraphim are in fear, and

all the heavenly powers ceaselessly give praise; and you, unfortunate soul, remain in laziness. At least from this time

forth arise and do not put off, my beloved soul, holy repentance, contrition of heart and penance for your sins."

- St. Paisius Velichkovsky, commemorated 15 November

) آب27 – آب 14(د والدة ا)له بمناسبة قرب بدء صوم العذراء اة ورقانبذة عن حي

اجزاء4 من 1الجزء نموذج حياة العذراء

حملت العذراء جسدا بدون اتصال مع جسد آخر، لم : "يصف القديس امبروسيوس حياة العذراء في بيت يوسف الشيخ خطيبھا فيقول كانت متواضعة في قلبھا، جريئة في كJمھا، حكيمة في . ث بأي ميل الى الشھوة ايضاتكن عذراء بالجسد فقط بل بالعقل الذي لم يلو

.فكرھا، قليلة الكJم ومولعة بالقراءة

التمست . لم تضع املھا في الغنى بل بطلبات الفقير، منكبة على العمل ومتواضعة في الحديثهللا حاكم افكارھا وليس ا!نسان، لم تؤذ احدا بل كا نت محبة للجميع، لم تقف امام الكبار ولم تحسد

المساويات لھا، تجنبت التباھي واحبت الفضائل، لم تخرج من فمھا كلمة ليست بالنعمة، لم تخالف في حاجة، لم تحتقر فقيرا، لم تستھزء بأحد، ا]قل منھا، لم تجتنب الذين ھمجاراتھا ولم تحتقر

لم يكن شيء كئيب في عينيھا، و! شيء وقح . به، بمحبتھاوكانت تغطي على كل ما تراه وتسمعفي كJمھا و! شيء غير محتشم في اعمالھا، لم تعمل اي حركة بغباء ولم تخطو اي خطوة غير

وببساطة كان مظھرھا الخارجي انعكاسا لكمالھا الداخلي . لم يكن في صوتھا اي فظاظة. محسوبة .في طيبتھا واعتدالھا

في حياتھا ايام تراخ وكسل، بل ايام صيام وصJة، اذا ارادت ان تأكل كانت تأكل اي لم يكن بجسمھا في حين كانت الحاجة فقط ھي التي تجعلھا تنامطعام يقع تحت يدھا، لم تلجأ الى الراحة حتى ! تتلف حياتھا، كانت دائما

كتب المقدسة، لم تكن معتادة الخروج من البيت ا! للخدمات اhلھية روحھا يقظة دائما، وفي نومھا كانت تجول فيما كانت تقرأ من الومعھا اشخاص آخرون لحماية جسدھا ولكنھا وحدھا كانت حارسة ]فكارھا وأخJقھا، كانت . برفقة اقاربھا، كانت تشتغل في بيتھا

كل الفضائل وكل ما كانت تعمله كان درسا تفرض ا!حترام في مشيھا وكJمھا، كانت تتقدم خطوة فخطوة في الفضيلة، كانت تمتلك قائما بنفسه، أوفت بكل التزاماتھا من الفضائل كأنھا تتعلم وليس كأنھا تعلم، وعندما دخل عليھا رئيس المJئكة جبرائيل وجدھا في عزلة

ارھا وأكثر من ھذا كانت تظھر خاصة في بيتھا بدون رفاق، لم ترد ان يزعجھا احد، ولم ترغب في رفقة احد، ]ن رفاقھا كانت افكلنفسھا انھا اقل وحدة عندما تكون وحيدة، إذ كيف يمكن ان تكون وحيدة من لھا ھذا الكم من الكتابات، ھذا الكم من رؤساء المJئكة

".والمJئكة وا]نبياء؟

ب الى ا]ماكن العامة، كانت تعيش داخل بيتھا ان مريم كانت عذراء نقية لم تترك بيتھا، ولم تتعود الذھا" يقول القديس اثناسيوس كنحلة العسل، كانت تعطي بكرم وتوزع ما عندھا للفقراء، لم يعلو صوتھا وكانت يقظة في قلبھا، لم تقل اي كلمة على احد، ولم تكن

".تحب سماع اي كلمة سوء على احد، كانت حياتھا مثا! للجميع

الشيء الوحيد الذي ! يستطيع هللا ان يفعله ھو ان يتحد بنفسه بشيء غير طاھر ونقي، قبل ان ": كتب القديس غريغوريوس با!ماسيطھره مقدما قبل ا!تحاد به، وھكذا كان من الضروري ان تكون عذراء خالية من اية شائبة وكلية النقاوة، من يستطيع ان يحمل

".ويحتمله ھو الذي يحب ويھب الطھارة

الذي زين السماء بالنجوم، أ! يستطيع : "لى ھذا المديح الذي يقوله القديس يوحنا كروتستاد الذي يكتب عن العذراء ما يلي لنستمع اأن يزين بجمال اكبر سماءھا الفكرية، امه العذراء ا]طھر بين الخليقة والذي زين ا!رض بمختلف انواع وألوان ا]زھار ووضع فيھا .

يستطيع أن يزين امه ا!رضية بكل الفضائل وجعل عبيرھا روائح روحية؟ حقا، يقدرعبيرھا الجميل، أ! لقد اصبحت سيدة السماء . ".وھيكل هللا مزينة بكل الفضائل ولھا شذى اطيب من جميع طيوب ا]رض

يه ھذه الروح ا]كثر قداسة وكتب في مكان آخر، الزينة المتألقة، ما ھي طھارة وكمال قصد القادر على كل شيء أن تكون علوا]طھر جسدا، ام هللا، الذي تكون في رحمھا هللا الكلمة أتى ليسكن فيه، تخيل ما ھو ا!حترام الذي تستحقه؟ كيف – الروح والجسد –

يمكن ان نمجدھا؟

Happy Birthdays

Justin Raie – 8/2 John Hina – 8/3 Demyana Khoury – 8/4 Sarah Khadder – 8/5 Issa Seoud – 8/6 Sylvia Salib – 8/7

Jamil Swaiss – 8/8

!!!عقبال المئة سنة

St. James Orthodox Church

195 N. Main Street

Milpitas, CA. 95035

Saturday 8/7 (7/25) Dormition of the Righteous Anna, the Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos

Thank You! To everyone who supported the Back To School Drive to help needy children go back to school this month! The children and their parents will appreciate your help a lot. All the back packs will be delivered on Monday 8/2. Many thanks to the Youth Group for sponsoring this humanitarian event.

May God reward you all for your good work!

Fun From St. James Annual

Summer Picnic Last Week

Thank You All!

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