Saint George hats

The Ladies are selling beautifully-embroidered Saint George hats and T-shirts, with the proceeds going to fund their national project. You can see them on the table downstairs.

The Ladies do a wonderful job in helping members of our community. Show your support and be a part of their work by checking out these items.

You can visit the following website to view the times and schedule, and also to reserve your time slot. (Follow the instructions on the right side of the page.)

https://www.securedata-trans14.com/ap/stgeorgesantiochianorthodox/index.php?page=10

For more information, see Monica Ackerson and future bulletin announcements.

Our new bishops. (Bishop Anthony is second from the left.)

This past Sunday three new Antiochian bishops were consecrated, including our own Bishop Anthony of Toledo and the Midwest.

Video of the consecration service

Article with photos

Deadline for orders is December 4.

Please see Sharon Miller, Michelle Ghareeb, or Liz Joseph to place your order or call the church at 454-7558, Tuesday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Payment will be needed at the time the order is placed.

1/4 tray (approx 16 pieces) — $15.00
1/2 tray (approx 30 pieces) — $30.00
full tray (approx 60 pieces) — $45.00

Father John Estephan
1918 – 2011

Archpriest John (Juan) Estefan, Nov 15, 1918 – May 1, 2011, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his daughter’s home with his family at his side. He retired as Dean of the Antiochian Orthodox Clergy for the State of Michigan, Windsor, London, and Toronto, Canada (1975 – 2007). Now he rests in the everlasting arms of his faithful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Father Estefan was awarded a doctorate in the History of the Middle East by the University of Mexico, Mexico City. He was ordained a priest in January 1962 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and at the same time became the priest of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1967 the Academy of Arts and Science of the International Institute of Anthropology awarded him an honorary doctorate for his “Study of Man”. He was promoted in 1975 to the rank of Archpriest in the Archdiocese of the United States and was named Dean for the Antiochian Orthodox Church under the spiritual leadership of his Eminence, Metropolitan Archbishop Philip Saliba.

Father John authored and co-authored several books and articles on politics of the Middle East, as well as several poems. He was fluent in Arabic, English, French, Greek and Spanish.

Father John “Aboona” is survived by his wife of 68 years, Soad Estefan; sons, Salam J (Sue), and Elias; daughters, Salwa Crosby (Jim), Sanaa Wells (Rick) and Soad Clark (Steve); 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grand-children and sisters Assene Habib (NH) and Ghabe Towne (CA), in addition to many loving nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 334 Lagrave Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Wednesday, May 4th from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The church will be open all day for viewing. Services will be held at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church on Thursday, May 5th at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Kent Memorial Gardens, 7295 Clyde Park SW, Byron Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in memory of Father John Estefan. A special thank you to Spectrum Hospice, Dr. Saleh Dyke, Father George Shalhoub (Detroit), and Father John Winfrey (Grand Rapids). More information can be found at www.stgeorgegr.com Ofield Funeral Home

- Grand Rapids Press

From the Antiochian Archdiocese

Father John Estephan, retired from St George/Grand Rapids, MI, fell asleep in Christ early Sunday morning, May 1. Father John was one of the senior-most priests of our Archdiocese, having served for many years as Dean of the Michigan Deanery. Condolences may be sent to Khouriya Soad and the Estephan family at info@stgeorgegr.com. Please join me in praying a rope for the repose of Father John’s soul, saying, “O Lord Jesus Christ, grant rest to the soul of Thy departed servant.” May he be granted Paradise, and may you be granted long life.

+ Bishop Basil of Wichita

http://www.antiochian.org/node/25753

Funeral Details

Below you will find the services times for Fr. John Estephan’s funeral service. These times and services have been worked out with the family and with the bishops to fulfill both requests of Fr. John Estephan and the desire of the Church to give him the honor due his many years of faithful service to St. George parish.

Wednesday, May 4th

11:00am – Fr. John will arrive at St George Church and the watch will begin being kept from that time until his funeral on Thursday. You will be welcome to come pay your respects to Fr John who will be laying in state at the church, though the family will only be available from 2:00 to 4:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm.

7:00pm – The Funeral Service for a Priest. This is a special service that is given only for priests on the night before their burial. This will be done instead of the Trisagion Prayers of mercy.

Thursday, May 5th

9:30am - Divine Liturgy. It is customary to have the Divine Liturgy served on the morning of the priest’s burial, as he has given his life to service this tremendous life-giving Mystery for the Faithful. Now we offer this same Mystery for him.

11:00am – The Paschal Funeral Service. We will be serving the Paschal Funeral Service for Fr John Estephan. This is the most beautiful of the Church’s funeral services as it is marked by the Resurrection throughout and our deepest hope.

The meal of mercy will follow the funeral service and then the family and those who wish to join them will go to the cemetery for the interment of Fr John.

There will be a booklet printed that will include both the Priest’s Funeral Service and the Paschal Funeral Service.

Those who are coming in from a distance may find a reasonable room at the Courtyard by Marriott at 11 Monroe Ave NW. The phone number is (616) 242-6000. It is located very close to the church.

May Christ our God bless all of you as you travel, and please keep Fr John, Kh. Soad and the entire Estephan family in your God-pleasing prayers.

Fr. John Winfrey

Sendai Cathedral (pre-tsunami)

Christ is in our midst!

… This terrible earthquake hit the whole East Japan diocese and devastated the whole city of Sendai, where the episcopal throne of the diocese exists, and almost all the regional Orthodox communities which exist along the Pacific coast.

By order of His Eminence Daniel, the Metropolitan Council has been trying to get information from the beginning of the incident, but does not have enough exact information about the East Japan diocese, because telephone and internet lines are not working properly. They are mostly destroyed and other lines are restricted by the national authorities for the emergency priority.

However, by now we have confirmed that at least the clergy of the Sendai Orthodox church including Bishop Seraphim is safe. According to Bishop Seraphim, most of the church buildings in Tohoku parish along the Pacific coast are severely damaged.

There are 24 churches in Tohoku parish. These churches are ministered by 5 priests. Out of these 5, one priest is missing.* We have no exact information about the safety of the parishioners.

Fortunately, the Holy Resurrection Cathedral of Tokyo and the building of the Metropolitan Council are totally saved by God’s grace.

His Eminence Daniel is praying fervently that Christ our Savior have mercy upon Japanese Orthodox faithful and the Japanese nation, because the nuclear power plant in Tohoku parish is in a critical situation.

Please remember the Japanese Orthodox Christians in your fervent prayers.

We will provide further information as soon as the situation of the earthquake damage becomes more clear.

With love in Christ

Fr Demitrios Tanaka
Director of External Church Relations
Metropolitan Council
Holy Autonomous Orthodox Church in Japan

* Note: According to other media, this priest’s name is Fr. Vasily. He is an elderly priest who lives near the ocean. Please especially remember him in your prayers.

See also: http://www.antiochian.org/node/25461

The Nativity Fast is one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the Church year. This is a joyous fast in anticipation of the Nativity of Christ. That is the reason it is less strict than other fasting periods. The fast is divided into two periods. The 1st period is November 15th through December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Similarly, fish, wine, and oil are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays. The 2nd period is December 20th through 24th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil) is observed. There is dispensation given for wine and oil only on Saturday and Sunday during this period.

The details of the fast guidelines can be found here: http://www.antiochian.org/node/18518

Bishop MARK writes: “Without reservation, I recommend this wonderful collection of homilies.”

• What are the qualities of “the best priest” in the Antiochian Archdiocese?
• Does St. Nectarios find keys, fill gas tanks, and manage travel itineraries?
• Does the icon of St. Nicholas of Myra “speak”?
• How does a pastor equip his people to relate to other Christian and non-Christian faiths?
• What does it mean to “enter eternity” in the Liturgy?
• Can a pastor be vulnerable about his own sins?
• What does one say to a mother and her five young children who just lost their husband and father?
• Does modern psychotherapy have anything to do with Orthodox spirituality?

Proceeds benefit St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Cedarburg, WI

In a special, limited first print run, St. Nicholas Church is offering a set of five copies of A Modern, American Orthodox Pastor for just $14 per copy—for a total of five for $70. Single copy retail price is $20. With the purchase of the set of five copies, shipping is FREE!

Download Order Form (PDF)

Icon of the Dormition of the Virgin

Troparion Hymn

In giving birth you preserved your virginity, in falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. You were translated to life, O Mother of Life, and by your prayers, you deliver our souls from death.

From Antiochian.org:

The Theotokos, the Virgin Mary, was “blessed amongst women,” and she was chosen “to bear the Savior of our souls.” We, therefore, as Orthodox Christians, consider her to be the Queen of all the saints and the angels.

Knowing that she holds such a high place in the Kingdom of Heaven and that she is eternally present at the throne of God interceding for mankind, we, as good Orthodox Christians, must pray for her love, guidance, and protection. We must never forget to ask for her intercessions in times of sickness and danger, and we must constantly thank her for her care and her prayers in our behalf.

Every year the Orthodox Church sets aside the first fourteen days of August in honor of the Virgin Mary. This fast period is climaxed on August 15th, when the Church gathers to celebrate the Great Feast of the Dormition (Falling-Asleep) of the Theotokos.

More resources for the Dormition Fast:

The Fast of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos
Why a Fast for Dormition?
Tender Love and the Dormition: a podcast from Frederica Mathewes-Green
Spiritual Benefits of the Dormition