Icon of the Nativity of Our Lord

Sunday before Christmas

Great Vespers Vigil Divine Liturgy of St. John ChrysostomSaturday, December 23, 2017 Service begins on page 104 of the Green BookPsalm 103 “Bless the Lord, O My Soul” Version A Pg 104 Version with melodyLamp-Lighting Psalms & Great Incensation Tone 6 Pg 149Hymns of Vespers (Holy Fathers) Tone 6 HandoutO Joyful Light Pg 117Holy God (Trisagion) Version A Pg 27Prokeimenon & Alleluia (Holy Fathers) Tone 4 Pg 287Let us Who Mystically (Cherubikon) St. Nicholas Pg 275Nicene Creed Version A Pg 51Holy, Holy, Holy Version A Pg 56We Praise You (Anamnesis) Version A Pg 58Magnification Pg 62Our Father Tone 4 Pg 69Communion Hymn Version A Pg 78We Have Seen the True Light Version A Pg 82May Our Mouth Be Filled Version A Pg 84Blessed Be the Name Version A Pg 88

Divine Liturgy of St. John ChrysostomSunday, December 24, 2017 Sunday of the ForefathersService begins on page 11 of the Green Book1st & 2nd Antiphons (Sundays) Pg 14Hymn of the Incarnation Version A Pg 213rd Antiphon (Sundays) Version A Pg 25Entrance Hymn Version A Pg 25Troparion of the Resurrection Tone 4 Pg 141Troparion of the Holy Fathers Tone 2 Pg 285Troparion of the Vigil of Nativity Tone 4 Pg 286Kontakion of the Prefeast Tone 3 Pg 284Holy God (Trisagion) Version C Pg 28Prokeimenon & Alleluia (Holy Fathers) Tone 4 Pg 287Let us Who Mystically (Cherubikon) St. Nicholas Pg 275Nicene Creed Version A Pg 51Holy, Holy, Holy Version C Pg 57We Praise You (Anamnesis) Version D Pg 59Magnification Pg 62Our Father Tone 3 Pg 68Communion Hymn Version C Pg 79We Have Seen the True Light Version A Pg 82

OPENING HYMN

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2017 – 4:00 PM VIGIL VESPER/LITURGY&

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017 – 9:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL

O Come, O Come Emmanuel,And ransom captive Israel,That mourns in lonely exile hereUntil the Son of God appear.Rejoice! Rejoice!Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel,Who orders all things mightily;To us the path of knowledge show,And teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,And cheer us by thy drawing nigh,Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,And Death’s dark shadow put to flight Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bindIn one the hearts of all mankind;Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,And be Thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

CLOSING HYMN

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2017 – 4:00 PM VIGIL VESPER/LITURGY&

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2017 – 9:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY

THE ANCIENT PROPHECIES FORETOLD

The ancient prophecies foretold With jubilation angels sangThe coming of the birth Glad tidings of the birth,Of God’s anointed Savior Proclaiming glory in heavenWho brings peace upon earth For God’s Son born on earth

He shall be born unto us, He shall be born unto us, And God will be with us; And God will be with us; And we shall find Him And we shall find Him In the cave of Bethlehem. In the cave of Bethlehem.

O star of Bethlehem you shine As humble shepherds watched their flocksWith brilliance in the sky These tidings were announced;To lead us all to God’s own Son The Savior’s born in David’s townWho will save all mankind. In swaddling clothes He’s found. He shall be born unto us, He shall be born unto us, And God will be with us; And God will be with us; And we shall find Him And we shall find Him In the cave of Bethlehem. In the cave of Bethlehem.

The lowly town of Bethlehem O Magi from the East you bringIn the Judean Hills God, frankincense, and myrrh.Will be exalted from above And searching for the new-born KingBy God’s own Gift of Love. These gifts you now offer. He shall be born unto us, He shall be born unto us, And God will be with us; And God will be with us; And we shall find Him And we shall find Him In the cave of Bethlehem In the cave of Bethlehem

O Joseph, you protect and watchThe infant Son of God.In solitude you ponder youCommitment to our God. He shall be born unto us, And God shall be with us; And we shall find Him In the cave of Bethlehem.

The holy Virgin Mary nowFulfills the will of God,Accepting his divine requestTo bear the Son of God. He shall be born us, And God will be with us; And we shall find Him In the cave of Bethlehem

Emmanuel, Christ God, the LordIs born for us this day.We come now to adore our KingThis Good News we all say: He has been born unto us, And God is now with us; And we have found Him In the cave of Bethlehem.

This Week’s Liturgical Schedule

Sun. 12/24 Sunday of the Holy Fathers- Vigil of Nativity of Our Lord Tone 4 Epistle: Hebrews 11:9-10, 17-2 & 32-40 Gospel: Matthew 1: 1-25Sat. 4:00 PM +John R. Orris by Frank & Laurel Tombazzi (Fr. Joe)Sun. 9:00 AM Parishioners of St. Stephen Cathedral (Fr. Diodoro)Sun. 7:00 PM Vigil Vesper/Liturgy for the Nativity of Our Lord (Bishop John) Parishioners of St. Stephen Cathedral / Followed by Dessert in Parish Hall

Mon. 12/25 Nativity of Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ (Holyday of Obligation) p. 2899:00 AM Special Intention by Sr. Christopher OSBM (Bishop John)

Tue. 12/26 Synaxis of the Theotokos (Solemn Holyday) p. 2949:00 AM Special Intention for Jennifer & Stella (Fr. James) 7:00 PM Vesper/Liturgy for St. Stephen the Martyr (Parish Patron) Parishioner of St. Stephen Cathedral (Fr.Joe)

Wed. 12/27 The Holy Apostle, First Martyr &Archdeacon Stephen (Simple Holyday) p. 298 9:00 AM Peter Tombazzi by Parents (Fr. David)

Thu. 12/28 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia No Morning Divine Liturgy

Fri. 12/29 Holy Innocents p. 381 Sat. 12/30 Saturday after Christmas 10:00 AM Crowning of Marriage of James Hetrick & Jennifer Landis (Fr. Joe)

Sun. 12/31 Sunday after Christmas- Memory of Joseph, David & James Tone 5 Epistle: Galatians 1:11-19 Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23Sat. 4:00 +James Sandrock by Jennifer Ball (Fr. Joe)Sun. 9:00 AM Parishioners of St. Stephen Cathedral (Fr. David)

Special Intentions: Erwin Armada, Barbara Dugan, Joanie Mahar, Helen Furka, Vincent Rice, Mc-Carthy Family, Gemma Hillman, Marti Lopez, Kathleen Linkowsky, Betty Geletey, Richard Gable, Robert King, Ann Ryan, Chris Faix, Robyn Foy and Elaine Browne, Mark Chapa, Mike Chapa and Iliana Villegas

May the Lord rest His healing hand on His servants and hear their requests:

Mary Rabayda, Jane Walsh, Steve Durkit, Dorothy Dumnich, Richard Reese, Chris Balsz, Sr. Christopher, OSBM, Dorothy Bezeredi, Carlene Eneroth, Fred Way, Sharon White, Nancy San-drock, Marlene Rolling, Bob Dugan, Cathy Milko, Michael Dougherty, Widad Butty, Clementina Mendoza, Nicholas Stefaniak Sr., Mary Popovich, Anne Peterson, Dan Palaschak, Michael Sher-wood, Christina Toth, Liz Kol, Evelyn Sopiak, Deacon Craig Anderson, Nicholas Toth, Michelle Montalvo, Nicholas Oprendek, Dennis Milko, Karen Kol, Gabriel Papke, Dan Savas, Elena Nava, Fr. Francis Vivona.

St. Joseph the Betrothed

The holy and righteous Joseph the Betrothed, also referred to as Joseph of Nazareth, was the foster-father of Jesus Christ, according to the New Testament. Not much is known of Joseph except that he was "of the House of David" and lived in the town of Nazareth. His date of death is unknown, though he was still living when Jesus was 12 years old.

He was betrothed to the Virgin Mary at the time that Mary conceived Jesus. Luke says that he lived at Nazareth in Galilee (Luke 2:4); however, according to Matthew, it was only after the return from Egypt that he settled in Nazareth (Matthew 2:23). He is called a "just man". He was by trade a car-penter (Matthew 13:55). He is last mentioned in connection with the journey to Jerusalem, when Jesus was twelve years old. It is probable that Joseph died before Jesus entered on his public minis-try because only Mary was present at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee, and he is not described at the crucifixion along with Mary (John 19:25). In addition, St. Joseph of Arimathea asked for the body of Jesus, a duty that would have fallen to St. Joseph had he been alive.

Jesus Christ is described as being the brother of James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and several sisters (Mark 6:3; Matthew 13:55). A tradition at least as early as the second century, still adopted by the Byzantine Catholic Church, explains that these "brothers and sisters" were from Joseph's marriage to Salome who left him a widower before he was betrothed to Mary and so making them step-brothers and step-sisters. He was the older brother to Cleopas, who was also married to a woman named Mary.That Jesus commended Mary to the care of John the Evangelist while he was hanging on the cross has been interpreted to also suggest that Joseph had died by that time, and that Joseph and Mary did not have any other children who might care for Mary.

In many icons of the Nativity, Joseph is shown being tempted by the Devil (depicted as an old man with furled wings) to break off his betrothal, and resisting that temptation (cf. Nativity Icon).

St Joseph is commemorated on the Sunday after the Nativity. If there is no Sunday between De-cember 25 and January 1, his feast is moved to December 26, along with David the King and James the Brother of our Lord. The Righteous Joseph is also commemorated on the Sunday of the Forefa-thers. There is an akathist hymn dedicated to him.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CIRCUMCISION (NEW YEARS DAY) & THEOPHANY LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

Monday: January 1-Feast of Our Lord’s Circumcision & St. Basil the Great (Solemn Holyday) 9:00 AM- Divine Liturgy

Friday: January 5- Vigil of the Theophany of Our Lord (Holyday of Obligation) 9:00 AM- Royal Hours of Theophany 7:00 PM- Vigil Vesper/Liturgy of Theophany and Great Blessing of Water

Saturday: January 6- Feast of the Theophany of Our Lord (Holyday of Obligation) 9:00 AM- Divine Liturgy

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! Bishop John Pazak, Bishop Gerald Dino,Very Rev. Diodoro Mendoza, Rev. Joseph Hutsko, Archpriest David Petras,Msgr. Kevin McAuliffe, Rev. James Lane, Sr. Christopher, Deacon John & Terry Montalvo, Deacon James & Josefina Danovich andDeacon Adam & Amanda Lowe wish all of you a Blessed Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord!

BYZANTINE CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY CLASS on the Gospel of St. Matthew will take a holi-day break the next two Mondays and resume class on Monday, January 8, 2018.

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO DONATED FOR THE RETIRED RELIGIOUS FUND!

PARISH 50TH JUBILEE COMMITTEE MEETING: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24AFTER THE 9:00 AM DIVINE LITURGY

ST. STEPHEN PARISH FINANCIAL COUNCIL MEETING will take place on Sunday, January 7 after the 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy in the Parish Conference Room.

ONLINE GIVING IS HERE! Please go to our website. http://.stsbcc.org/giving and press the do-nate button. “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10) Here are reasons to sign up for Electronic Giving: 1) No need to write checks or bring cash to church. 2) More secure than checks. 3) All contributions are recorded for you on your bank statement with date of settlement. 4) IT COSTS YOU NOTHING. Thank you!

Coming Events –Mark Your Calendars Now

Sunday, December 24- Parish 50th Jubilee Committee Meeting after the 9:00 AM Divine LiturgySunday, December 31- Parishioners December Birthday & Anniversaries Pot Luck Please bring a dish to share.Sunday, January 7 – Birthday Cake Social for Helen Wirt’s 100th BirthdaySunday, January 7- Parish Finance Council Meeting after the 9:00 AM Divine LiturgySunday, January 14- Fish Fry Committee Meeting after the 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy

This Week’s Candle Intention

Resurrection: Fred Wey Eternal Lamp: +Sr. Jean Marie CihotaTetrapod: Fr. Francis Vivona

CANDLE INTENTIONS FOR ICON SCREEN, TETRAPOD, RESURRECTION TOMB &ETERNAL LIGHT- Some of you donated for intentions in front of the festal icons that were on the walls of the church. In the Spring we removed the lamps and were no long able to light those candles for your intentions. We intend to honor your donations. These are the new places that have the vigil candles that can be lit: Tetrapod Icon (2 Candles), Resurrection Tomb, Eternal Light & Lamps in Front of Icon Screen: Christ the Good Shepherd, St. Stephen, Christ the Teacher, The Theotokos,St. Nicholas & Christ the Physician/Healer. Please let Fr. Diodoro or Fr. Joe know which lamps or candles you want lit and they will be lit in lieu of the ones on the wall that we didn’t light for you.

Our Weekly Gifts to the Lord—May the Lord bless your kindness and generosity!Saturday: 4 PM: 30/ 9 AM: 114

Tithes: $1,901.69 Candles: $46.15 Coffee Social: $41.00 Christmas Offering: $275.00 Holydays (St. Nicholas): $30.00 Icons for Tetrapod: $240.00Retired Religious: $65.00 Total: $2,588.79

*Please note these amounts do not include our monthly expenses

Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God

Commemorated December 26

The Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos: On the second day of the feast, the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated. Combining the hymns of the Nativity with those celebrating the Mother of God, the Church points to Mary as the one through whom the Incarnation was made possible. His humanity—concretely and historically—is the humanity He received from Mary. His body is, first of all, her body. His life is her life. This feast, the assembly in honor of the Theotokos, is probably the most ancient feast of Mary in the Christian tradition, the very beginning of her veneration by the Church.

SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS

EPISTLE READING: HEBREWS 11:9-10, 17-23 & 32-40

By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose designer and make is God. By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Issac; he who had received the promises was ready to sacrifice his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your descendants be called.” He reasoned that God was able to raise from the dead, and so he re-ceived Issac back as a symbol. By faith Issac invoked for Jacob and Esau blessings that were still to be. By faith, Jacob when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped God, leaning on the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, near the end of his life, spoke of the Exodus of the Israelites, and gave instructions about his burial. By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, thereby disregarding the king’s edict, because they saw that he was a beautiful child. What more shall I recount? I have no time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephtha, of David and Sam-uel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was just, obtained the promises; they broke the jaws of lions, put our raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; though weak they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders. Women received back their dead through resurrection. Others were tortured and would not receive deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Still others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword’s point; they went about garbed in the skins of sheep or goats, need, afflicted, tormented. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, they dwelt in caves and in holes of the earth. Yet despite the fact that all of these were approved because of their faith, they did not obtain what had been promised. God had made a better plan, a plan which included us. Without us, they were not to be made perfect.

SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 1:1-25

A family record of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram. Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed was the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon was the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa. Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshapahat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josizh. Josiah became the father of

Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. After the Babylonian exile Jecho-niah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud. Eliud was the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan, the father of Jacob, Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary. It was of her that Jesus who is called the Messiah was born. Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generation; from David to the Babylonian captivity, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian captivity to the Messiah, fourteen generations. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was engaged to Jo-seph but before they lived together, she was found with child through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, an upright man unwilling to expose her to the law, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream and said to him: “Joseph, son of David, have no fear about taking Mary as your wife. It is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child. She is to have a son and you are to name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” All this happened to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin shall be with child and give birth to a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel,” a name which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke he did as the angel of the Lord had directed him and received her into his home as his wife. He had no relations with her at any time before she bore a son, whom he named Jesus.

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD

EPISTLE READING: GALATIANS 4:4-7

But when the designated time had come, God sent forth his Son born of a woman, born under the law, to deliver from the law those who were subjected to it; so that we might receive our status as adopted sons. The proof that you are sons is the fact that God has sent forth intoour hearts the spirit of his Son which cries out “Abba!” (Father!)” You are no longer a slave but a son! And the fact that you are a son makes you an heir, by God’s design.

GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 2:1-12

After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, astrologers arrived one day in Jerusalem inquiring, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” At this news King Herod became greatly disturbed, and with him all Jerusalem. Summoning all of the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. “ In Bethlehem of Judea,” they informed him. “here is what the prophet has written: “And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the princes of Judah, since from you shall come aruler who is to shepherd my people Israel. Herod called the astrologers aside and found out from them the exact time of the star’s appearance. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, after having instructed them: “Go and get detailed information about the child. When you have found him, report it to me that I may go and offer him homage too.” After their audiencewith the kings they set out. The star which they had observed at it rising went ahead of them until it came to a standstill over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house, found the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They receive a message in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went back to their own country by another route.

Parish Advisory Council Served by: Parish Finance Council Served by:Mary Beth Foster Sean Grimes John Surmay Dolores SugentPeyton Becktold Luke Roll Luke Roll Joan Wolfe Nicholas Stefaniak III Joanie Mahar Basil Rabayda Simon Marmol Msgr. Kevin McAuliffe Ann Zlamal

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Remember Your Dignity

Sunday of the Holy Fathers/Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ December 24, 2017Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Welcome to Saint Stephen Byzantine Catholic Cathedral. We are delighted you have come to pray with us. Our Church follows the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the Gospel and passed on to us through the teachings of the Holy Apostles and Holy Tradition.

Saint Stephen Byzantine Catholic Cathedral8141 North 16th Street, Front Sunday Divine Liturgy Phoenix, Arizona 85020-3950 Saturday 4:00 PM Office: 602.943.5379 Fax 602.997.4093 Sunday 9:00 AM Website www.stsbcc.org Weekday Services See BulletinServed by:

Most Rev. John S. Pazak, CSsR., BishopMost Reverend Gerald N. Dino, Bishop Emeritus

Very Rev. Diodoro Mendoza, Rector – rectorss@eparchyofphoenix.orgRev. Joseph Hutsko, Vice-Rector – huts1009@gmail.com

Very Rev. Archpriest David M. Petras, RetiredMsgr. Kevin McAuliffe, In Residence

Deacon John Montalvo - Deacon James Danovich - Deacon Adam LoweSister Christopher Malcovsky, OSBM