Η ΠΑΡΟΙΚΙΑ/PAROIKIA «ἄρα οὖν οὐκέτι ἐστὲ ξένοι καὶ πάροικοι ἀλλὰ ἐστὲ συμπολῖται τῶν ἁγίων καὶ οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ»εφ 2:19

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1 ΙΕΡΑ ΑΡΥΙΕΠΙΚΟΠΗ ΑΤΣΡΑΛΙΑ ΙΕΡΟ ΝΑΟ ΑΓΙΟΤ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΤ ΒΡΙΒΑΝΗ GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGE 33 EDMONDSTONE STREET SOUTH BRISBANE PARISH PRIESTS:Father Dimitri Tsakas Father Anastasios Bozikis Telephone: Η ΠΑΡΟΙΚΙΑ/PAROIKIA «ἄρα οὖν οὐκέτι ἐστὲ ξένοι καὶ πάροικοι ἀλλὰ ἐστὲ συμπολῖται τῶν ἁγίων καὶ οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ»εφ 2:19 so then you are no longer strangers and foreigners (paroikoi), but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God Eph 2:19 ΠΕΡΙΟΔΙΚΟΝ ΣΗ ΕΝΟΡΙΑ ΚΟΙΝΟΣΗ ΑΓΙΟΤ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΤ Δεκέμβριος / December 2011 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Dec 17 Christmas Carols by Candle Light - Saturday Night Church School Presentation - Σα Κάιαληα 7:00pm / 7:00 κκ MARTYRS OF CRETE -Matins and Great Hours (No Holy Communion) 8:00am-10:00am / ΣΧΝ ΔΝ ΚΡΗΣΗ 10 ΜΑΡΣΤΡΧΝ Όξζξνο θαη Μεγάιεο Ώξεο 8πκ-10πκ (ΟΥΙ ΘΔΙΑ ΚΟΙΝΧ- ΝΙΑ) 24 CHRISTMAS EVE Matins and Divine Liturgy / ΠΑΡΑΜΟΝΗ ΥΡΙΣΟΤΓΔΝΝΧΝ Όξζξνο θαη Θεία Λεηηνπξγία Great Vespers for Christmas 5pm-6pm / Μέγαο Δ- ζπεξηλόο ησλ Υξηζηνπγέλλσλ 5κκ-6κκ 25 CHRISTMAS DAY Matins and Divine Liturgy 5.30am-8am / Η ΚΑΣΑ ΑΡΚΑ ΓΔΝΝΗΙ ΣΟΤ ΧΣΗΡΟ ΥΡΙΣΟΤ Όξζξνο θαη Θεία Λεηηνπξγία 5.30πκ-8πκ Priest s Message Preparing for Christmas The Christmas period is a time of great joy for Orthodox Christians. On the 25 th December we celebrate the Incarnation (i.e. the coming in the flesh) of the Son of God. God becomes human, St Athanasios (4 th century) would state, so that humans can become gods by grace. This process of ζέσζηο (theosis) or deification is the Orthodox understanding of salvation. God breaks down the barrier of sin and corruption which separates us from Him by uniting His nature to ours in Jesus Christ and making it possible for us to be joined to Him eternally. In preparation, then, to receive Our Lord on Christmas day, the Fathers of the Church have established a period of spiritual preparation, as they have before all major feasts, in which we are called to engage in spiritual struggle. During this time Orthodox Christians abstain from certain foods in order to focus the body and mind on the important task of prayer and repentance with renewed zeal and dedication. Attending Church services, participating in the Mystery (Sacrament) of Confession and offering acts of charity and kindness should always accompany our fasting in order to make it meaningful. The Christmas Fast begins on November 15 th and continues until Christmas Day. On weekdays Orthodox Christians abstain from meat, dairy products and eggs. On the regular fasting days of Wednesday and Friday we also abstain from wine and oil, unless they fall on a major feast day. Fish is permitted on weekends (an alternative tradition permits fish on all days except Wednesdays and Fridays) until the 12 th December. The last week before Christmas becomes a period of intensified fasting and spiritual struggle. On the other hand, in order to mark the joy of the Feast of Christmas, no fasting is permitted from that day until the 5 th January. Please consult your spiritual father or a priest to help you apply these guidelines to your own spiritual struggle and situation. The Christmas season, filled as it is with end-of-year parties and festivities, provides observant Orthodox Christians who seek to honour the Traditions of their Faith, with particular challenges. It is not necessary to avoid all social gatherings at this time but discretion should be applied to ensure all entertainments are, morally and socially, appropriate and tasteful. Nevertheless we should seek, with discretion, always to maintain the fast. Relatives, friends and colleagues who love and value us will not have a problem in helping to facilitate our religious practices, just as we should do for them in similar circumstances. Of course, when we act communally, as the Greek Orthodox Church or Community and its associated bodies, then we have an obligation to respect our ecclesiastical Tradition, including the fasting rules, which mark this Season. To do otherwise, quite apart from the spiritual damage it may cause us personally, is tantamount to betraying our spiritual and national heritage and recasting it as a caricature of its former self, devoid of all real meaning and substance.

2 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA GREEK ORTHODOX PARISH/COMMUNITY OF ST GEORGE, BRISBANE CHURCH PROGRAM DECEMBER 2011 Saturday 3 DIVINE LITURGY IN ENGLISH pm Sunday 4 10 th SUNDAY OF LUKE ; ST BARBARA; ST JOHN DAMASCENE Monday 5 ST SAVVA THE SANCTIFIED Tuesday 6 ST NICHOLAS OF MYRA Friday 9 CONCEPTION OF THE THEOTOKOS BY ST ANNA am Saturday 10 DIVINE LITURGY IN ENGLISH pm Sunday th SUNDAY OF LUKE; SUNDAY OF FOREFATHERS Monday 12 ST SPYRIDON Thursday 15 ST ELEFTHERIOS Saturday 17 ST DIONYSIOS OF ZAKYNTHOS; PROPHET DANIEL DIVINE LITURGY IN ENGLISH am pm CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT AND CHURCH SCHOOL 7PM AFTER THE LITURGY 17 DECEMBER Sunday 18 SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY (CHRISTMAS) Tuesday 20 ST IGNATIOS THE GOD-BEARER Thursday 22 ST ANASTASIA THE GREAT MARTYR Friday MARTYRS OF CRETE Matins and Great Hours (No Holy Communion) Saturday 24 CHRISTMAS EVE Great Vespers for Christmas am 8-10am 5pm-6pm CHRISTMAS EVE (DEC. 24) LITURGY IN ENGLISH 6PM-7.30PM Sunday 25 CHRISTMAS 5.30am-8am Monday 26 SYNAXIS OF THE MOTHER OF GOD (There are no Memorial Services with Kollyva today) Tuesday 27 ST STEPHEN THE FIRST MARTYR Saturday 31 NO DIVINE LITURGY IN ENGLISH ON NEW YEAR S EVE

3 ΙΔΡΑ ΑΡΥΙΔΠΙΚΟΠΗ ΑΤΣΡΑΛΙΑ Διιεληθή Οξζόδνμνο Δλνξία θαη Κνηλόηεο Αγίνπ Γεσξγίνπ, Βξηζβάλεο ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ ΓΔΚΔΜΒΡΙΟΥ 2011 άββαην 3 ΘΔΙΑ ΛΔΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΣΑ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΑ 6κκ-7.15κκ Κπξηαθή 4 Ι ΛΟΤΚΑ, ΒΑΡΒΑΡΑ ΜΔΓΑΛΟΜΑΡΣΤΡΟ, ΙΧΑΝΝΟΤ ΓΑΜΑΚΗΝΟΤ 7πκ-10.30πκ Γεπηέξα 5 ΑΒΒΑ ΣΟΤ ΗΓΙΑΜΔΝΟΤ Σξίηε 6 ΑΓΙΟΤ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΤ Παξαζθεπή 9 ΤΛΛΗΦΙ ΑΓΙΑ ΑΝΝΗ άββαην 10 ΘΔΙΑ ΛΔΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΣΑ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΑ 6κκ-7.15κκ Κπξηαθή 11 ΙΑ ΛΟΤΚΑ, ΣΧΝ ΠΡΟΠΑΣΟΡΧΝ Γεπηέξα 12 ΠΤΡΙΓΧΝΟ ΣΡΙΜΤΘΟΤΝΣΟ Πέκπηε 15 ΔΛΔΤΘΔΡΙΟΤ ΙΔΡΟΜΑΡΣΤΡΟ άββαην 17 ΓΙΟΝΤΙΟΤ ΑΙΓΙΝΗ, ΠΡΟΦΗΣΟΤ ΓΑΝΙΗΛ ΘΔΙΑ ΛΔΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΣΑ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΑ ΥΡΙΣΟΤΓΔΝΝΙΑΣΙΚΑ ΚΑΛΑΝΣΑ ΜΔΣΑ ΣΗΝ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΗ ΛΔΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ Κπξηαθή 18 ΠΡΟ ΣΧΝ ΥΡΙΣΟΤΓΔΝΝΧΝ Σξίηε 20 ΙΓΝΑΣΙΟΤ ΙΔΡΟΜΑΡΣΤΡΟ Πέκπηε 22 ΑΝΑΣΑΙΑ ΦΑΡΜΑΚΟΛΤΣΡΙΑ 7.30πκ-10.30πκ 5.30κκ-7κκ 7κκ 7.30πκ-10.30πκ Παξαζθεπή 23 ΣΧΝ ΔΝ ΚΡΗΣΗ 10 ΜΑΡΣΤΡΧΝ Όξζξνο θαη Μεγάιεο Ώξεο (ΟΥΙ ΘΔΙΑ ΚΟΙΝΧΝΙΑ) 8πκ-10πκ άββαην 24 ΠΑΡΑΜΟΝΗ ΥΡΙΣΟΤΓΔΝΝΧΝ Μέγαο Δζπεξηλόο ησλ Υξηζηνπγέλλσλ 5κκ-6κκ ΘΔΙΑ ΛΔΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΣΑ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΑ ΠΑΡΑΜΟΝΗ ΥΡΙΣΟΤΓΔΝΝΧΝ 6ΜΜ-7.30ΜΜ Κπξηαθή 25 Η ΚΑΣΑ ΑΡΚΑ ΓΔΝΝΗΙ ΣΟΤ ΧΣΗΡΟ ΥΡΙΣΟΤ 5.30πκ-8πκ Γεπηέξα 26 ΤΝΑΞΙ ΣΗ ΘΔΟΣΟΚΟΤ (Σήμερα δεν ηελούνηαι Μνημόζυνα) Σξίηε 27 ΣΔΦΑΝΟΤ ΠΡΧΣΟΜΑΡΣΤΡΟ

4 Μήλπκα Ιεξέσο Πξνεηνηκαζίεο γηα ηα Υξηζηνύγελλα Η πεξίνδνο ησλ Υξηζηνπγέλλσλ είλαη ρξόλνο κεγάιεο ραξάο γηα ηνπο Οξζνδόμνπο Υξηζηηαλνύο. Από ηηο 25 Γεθεκβξίνπ γηνξηάδνπκε ηελ ελαλζξώπηζε (δειαδή ηελ ελζάξθσζε) ηνπ Τηνύ ηνπ Θενύ.O Θεόο γίλεηαη άλζξσπνο, όπσο δήισλε ν Άγηνο Αζαλάζηνο ( 4 νο αηώλαο), νύησο ώζηε νη άλζξσπνη λα κπνξνύλ λα γίλνπλ ζενί θαηά ράξηλ. Απηή ε δηαδηθαζία ηεο ζέσζεο ή «ζενπνίεζεο» είλαη ε Οξζόδνμε αληίιεςε ηεο ζσηεξίαο. Ο Θεόο ζπάεη ην εκπόδην ηεο ακαξηίαο θαη ηεο δηαθζνξάο πνπ καο ρσξίδεη απ 'Απηόλ κε ηελ έλσζε ηεο θύζεο Σνπ κε ηε δηθή καο, κέζσ ηνπ Ιεζνύ Υξηζηνύ θαη θάλεη όηη είλαη δπλαηό γηα καο, λα ελσζνύκε καδί Σνπ αηώληα. ηα πιαίζηα ηεο πξνεηνηκαζίαο καο γηα λα ιάβνπκε ηνλ Κύξηό καο ηελ εκέξα ησλ Υξηζηνπγέλλσλ, νη Παηέξεο ηεο Δθθιεζίαο έρνπλ δεκηνπξγήζεη κηα πεξίνδν πλεπκαηηθήο πξνεηνηκαζίαο, όπσο θάλνπλ θαη πξηλ από όιεο ηηο κεγάιεο γηνξηέο, ζηηο νπνίεο θαινύκαζηε λα ζπκκεηάζρνπκε ζε πλεπκαηηθό αγώλα. Καηά ηε δηάξθεηα απηήο ηεο πεξηόδνπ νη Οξζόδνμνη Υξηζηηαλνί απέρνπλ από νξηζκέλα ηξόθηκα, πξνθεηκέλνπ λα επηθεληξώζνπλ ην ζώκα θαη ην κπαιό ζην ζεκαληηθό έξγν ηεο πξνζεπρήο θαη ηεο κεηάλνηαο κε αλαλεσκέλν δήιν θαη αθνζίσζε. Η λεζηεία καο πξέπεη πάληνηε λα ζπλνδεύεηαη κε παξαθνινύζεζε ησλ εθθιεζηαζηηθώλ αθνινπζηώλ, ζπκκεηνρή ζην Μπζηήξην ηεο Δμνκνινγήζεσο θαη πξνζθνξά πξάμεσλ θηιαλζξσπίαο θαη θαινζύλεο, πξνθεηκέλνπ λα γίλεη νπζηαζηηθή. Η Νεζηεία ησλ Υξηζηνπγέλλσλ αξρίδεη ζηηο 15 Ννεκβξίνπ θαη ζπλερίδεηαη κέρξη ηελ εκέξα ησλ Υξηζηνπγέλλσλ. Σηο θαζεκεξηλέο νη Οξζόδνμνη Υξηζηηαλνί απέρνπλ από ηα πξντόληα θξέαηνο, ηα γαιαθηνθνκηθά θαη ηα απγά. Καηά ηηο ηαθηηθέο εκέξεο λεζηείαο, ηελ Σεηάξηε θαη ηελ Παξαζθεπή, ζα πξέπεη επίζεο λα απέρνπλ από θξαζί θαη ιάδη, ε- θηόο εάλ απηέο εκπίπηνπλ ζε κηα ζεκαληηθή ενξηάζηκε εκέξα.φάξη επηηξέπεηαη ηα αββαηνθύξηαθα (κηα ελαιιαθηηθή παξάδνζε επηηξέπεη ην ςάξη όιεο ηηο εκέξεο εθηόο ηελ Σεηάξηεο θαη Παξαζθεπήο) κέρξη ηελ 12ε Γεθεκβξίνπ. Η ηειεπηαία εβδνκάδα πξηλ ηα Υξηζηνύγελλα γίλεηαη κία πεξίνδνο εληαηηθήο λεζηείαο θαη πλεπκαηηθνύ αγώλα. Από ηελ άιιε πιεπξά, πξνθεηκέλνπ λα ζεκαηνδνηήζνπκε ηελ ραξά ηεο Δνξηήο ησλ Υξηζηνπγέλλσλ, ε λεζηεία δελ επηηξέπεηαη, από εθείλε ηελ εκέξα κέρξη ηελ 5ε Ιαλνπαξίνπ. αο παξαθαινύκε ζπκβνπιεπηείηε ηνλ πλεπκαηηθό ζαο παηέξα ή έλαλ ηεξέα γηα λα ζαο βνεζήζεη λα εθαξκόζεηε απηέο ηηο θαηεπζπληήξηεο γξακκέο ζηνλ δηθό ζαο πλεπκαηηθό αγώλα θαη ηελ θαηάζηαζή ζαο. Η επνρή ησλ Υξηζηνπγέλλσλ, όπσο είλαη γεκάηε κε δηάθνξνπο ενξηαζκνύο θαη ενξηαζηηθέο εθδειώζεηο, παξέρεη ζηνπο παξαηεξεηηθνύο Οξζνδνμνπο Υξηζηηαλνύο πνπ ζέινπλ λα ηηκήζνπλ ηηο Παξαδόζεηο ηεο Πίζηεο ηνπο, ηδηαίηεξεο πξνθιήζεηο. Γελ είλαη απαξαίηεην λα απνθεύγεηε όιεο ηηο θνηλσληθέο εθδειώζεηεο απηό ηνλ θαηξό, αιιά ζα πξέπεη λα ιακβάλεηαη πξόλνηα νύησο ώζηε λα δηαζθαιίδνληα όηη όιεο νη εθδειώζεηο είλαη, εζηθά θαη θνηλσληθά, θαηάιιειεο θαη θαιαίζζεηεο. Παξ όια απηά ζα πξέπεη λα αλαδεηήζνπκε, κε δηαθξηηηθόηεηα, λα δηαηεξείηαη πάληνηε ε λεζηεία. Οη ζπγγελείο, νη θίινη θαη νη ζπλάδειθνη πνπ καο αγαπνύλ θαη καο εθηηκνύλ, δελ ζα έρνπλ θαλέλα πξόβιεκα λα καο βνεζήζνπλ λα εθηεινύκε ηηο ζξεζθεπηηθέο πξαθηηθέο καο, αθξηβώο όπσο ζα πξέπεη λα θάλνπκε θη εκείο γη 'απηνύο ζε παξόκνηεο πεξηπηώζεηο. Φπζηθά, όηαλ ελεξγνύκε θνηλνηηθά, σο Διιεληθή Οξζόδνμε Δθθιεζία ή Κνηλόηεηα κε όινπο ηνπο ζπλεξγαδόκελνπο θνξείο ηεο, ηόηε έρνπκε ηελ ππνρξέσζε λα ζεβόκαζηε ηελ εθθιεζηαζηηθή καο Παξάδνζε, ζπκπεξηιακβαλνκέλσλ ησλ θαλόλσλ λεζηείαο, ηα νπνία ζεκαηνδνηνύλ απηή ηελ επνρή. Αλ ην θάλνπκε κε άιιν ηξόπν, πέξαλ από ηελ πλεπκαηηθή δεκηά πνπ κπνξεί λα καο πξνθαιέζεη πξνζσπηθά, ηζνδπλακεί κε πξνδνζία ηεο πλεπκαηηθήο θαη εζληθήο καο θιεξνλνκηάο, ηελ νπνία αλαδηαηππώλνπκε ζαλ κηα θαξηθαηνύξα ηνπ πξνεγνύκελνπ εαπηνύ ηεο, κε ζηέξεζε θάζε πξαγκαηηθνύ λνήκαηνο θαη νπζίαο.

5 CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND CHURCH SCHOOL PRESENTATION / ΣΑ ΚΑΛΑΝΣΑ Πόηε εηζαθνύεηαη από ην Θεό ε πξνζεπρή καο; SATURDAY 17TH DECEMBER / ΑΒ- ΒΑΣΟ 17ε ΓΔΚΔΜΒΡΙΟΤ 7:00PM / 7:00 κκ AFTER THE ENGLISH DIVINE LITURGY ΜΔΣΑ ΣΗΝ ΑΓΓΛΙΚΗ ΘΔΙΑ ΛΔΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ================================ SAINT NICHOLAS NURSING HOME LUNCH / ΠΑΝΗΓΤΡΙΚΟ ΜΔΗΜΔΡΙΑΝΟ ΣΟΝ ΝΟΗΛΔΤΣΙΚΟ ΙΓΡΤΜΑ ΑΓΙΟΤ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΤ 11 DECEMBER 2011 / 11ε ΓΔΚΔΜΒΡΙΟΤ AM FOLLOWING DIVINE LITURGY AT SAINT GEORGE / ΣΙ 11 πκ ΜΔΣΑ ΣΗΝ ΘΔΙΑ ΛΔΙΣΟΤΡΓΙΑ ΣΟΝ Ι.Ν ΑΓΙΟΤ ΓΔΧΡ- ΓΙΟΤ ADULTS / ΔΝΗΛΙΚΔ $25 CHILDREN / ΠΑΙΓΙΑ $10 PROCEEDS SUPPORTING EXTENSION OF SAINT NICHOLAS NURSING HOME / ΣΟ ΠΡΟΨΟΝ ΘΑ ΤΠΟΣΗΡΙΞΔΙ ΣΗΝ ΔΠΔΚΣΑ- Η ΣΟΤ ΓΗΡΟΚΟΜΔΙΟΤ ================================ ORTHODOX BOOKSTORE LOCATED AT GOYA HOUSE 22 BROWNING STREET, WEST END 4101 OPENING HOURS : THURSDAY - 10AM 7PM FRIDAY - 10AM 6PM SATURDAY - 10AM 4PM MORE INFO PLEASE VISIT (Οζίνπ Θενθάλνπο ηνπ Δγθιείζηνπ) Να πώο πξέπεη λα δεηάο θάηη, από ην Θεό: «Κύξηε, Εζύ βιέπεηο όηη ρξεηάδνκαη ην ηάδε πξάγκα ή όηη ππνθέξσ από ηε δείλα ζπκθνξά. Βνήζεζέ κε, όπσο μέξεηο θαη όπσο ζέιεηο! Γελεζήησ ην ζέιεκα νπ», Μ απηή ηελ εζσηεξηθή ηνπνζέηεζε, λα πξνζεύρεζαη πνιύ. Όρη κηα θνξά, εζησ θαη παξαηεηακέλα, νύηε γηα κηα κέξα κόλν,αιιά γηα εβδνκάδεο, κήλεο, ρξόληα Όιν λα ηθεηεύεηο, όιν λα θξαπγάδεηο: «Κύξηε, βνήζεζέ κε! Κύξηε, ιύηξσζέ κε! Ωζηόζν, αο κε γίλεη ό,ηη ζέισ εγώ, κα ό,ηη ζέιεηο Εζύ». Απηό αθξηβώο έιεγε θαη ν Υξηζηόο ζηε Γεζζεκαλή, όηαλ πξνζεπρόηαλ ζηνλ Παηέξα Σνπ. Καη ε ρήξα ηεο επαγγειηθήο παξαβνιήο βξήθε ηειηθά ην δίθην ηεο από ηνλ άδηθν εθείλν δηθαζηή, κόλν θαη κόλν επεηδή δελ θνπξάζηεθε λα ηνλ παξαθαιάεη γηα πνιύ θαηξό. Κάπνηνο ζνθόο είπε ην ιόγν ηνύην: «Πξέπεη λα γίλεηο θνξηηθόο ζην Θεό θαη ζηνπο άγηνπο Σνπ!».Γηαηί ν Κύξηνο δελ εθπιεξώλεη πάληνηε ηα αηηήκα-ηά καο; Η πξνζεπρή πνηέ δελ πάεη ρακέλε, είηε ν Θεόο καο εηζαθνύεη είηε όρη. Καη θπζηθό είλαη λα κε καο εηζαθνύεη πάληα, γηαηί ζπρλά Σνπ δεηάκε πξάγκαηα άρξεζηα θαη αλώθεια. Καη ηόηε όκσο, εθηηκώληαο ηνλ θόπν ηεο πξνζεπρήο καο, καο δίλεη, ρσξίο λα ην αληηιακβαλόκαζηε, θάηη άιιν, ρξήζηκν θαη σθέιηκν.απηόο πνπ ζαο είπε, Καη ηί θέξδηζεο σο ηώξα από ηελ πξνζεπρή;, είλαη αλόεηνο. Εκείο όηαλ πξνζεπρόκαζηε, δεηάκε από ην Θεό θάηη πνπ ζεσξνύκε αγαζό. Αλ, όκσο, ζηελ πξαγκαηηθόηεηα είλαη ή ζα απνβεί επηδήκην θαη απηό ην μέξεη ν Παληνγλώζηεο- ηόηε Εθείλνο δελ εθπιεξώλεη ην αίηεκά καο. Με εθπιεξώλνληάο ην, ινηπόλ, καο επεξγεηεί, γηαηί αιιηώο ζα παζαίλακε θαθό, θαθό πνπ δελ είκαζηε ζε ζέζε λα πξνβιέςνπκε. (Οζίνπ Θενθάλνπο ηνπ Δγθιείζηνπ, «Υεηξαγσγία ζηελ πλεπκαηηθή δσή», Ι. Μ. Παξαθιήηνπ)

6 The Nativity sermon by Saint John Chrysostom "I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the shepherd's song, piping no soft melody, but loudly chanting a heavenly hymn! The angels sing! The archangels blend their voices in harmony! The cherubim resound their joyful praise! The Seraphim exalt His glory! All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead herein... on earth and man in heaven. He who is above now, for our salvation, dwells here below; and we, who were lowly, are exalted by divine mercy! Today Bethlehem resembles heaven, hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices and, in place of the sun, witnessing the rising of the Sun of Justice! Ask not how this is accomplished, for where God wills, the order of nature is overturned. For He willed He had the powers He descended. He saved. All things move in obedience to God.Today He Who Is, is born! And He Who Is becomes what He was not! For when He was God, He became man-while not relinquishing the Godhead that is His... And so the kings have come, and they have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with Him angels, nor archangels, nor thrones, nor dominions, nor powers, nor principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb. Yet He has not forsaken His angels, nor left them deprived of His care, nor because of His incarnation has He ceased being God. And behold kings have come, that they might serve the Leader of the Hosts of Heaven; Women, that they might adore Him Who was born of a woman so that He might change the pains of childbirth into joy; Virgins, to the Son of the Virgin... Priests, to Him who has become a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek; Servants, to Him who took upon Himself the form of a servant, that He might bless our stewardship with the reward of freedom (Philippians 2:7); Fishermen, to the Fisher of humanity; Publicans, to Him who from among them named a chosen evangelist; Sinful women, to Him who exposed His feet to the tears of the repentant woman; And that I may embrace them all together, all sinners have come, that they may look upon the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! Since, therefore, all rejoice, I too desire to rejoice! I too wish to share the choral dance, to celebrate the festival! But I take my part, not plucking the harp nor with the music of the pipes nor holding a torch, but holding in my arms the cradle of Christ! For this is all my hope! This is my life! This is my salvation! This is my pipe, my harp! And bearing it I come, and having from its power received the gift of speech, I too, with the angels and shepherds, sing: "Glory to God in the Highest! and on earth peace to men of good will! " Infants, that they may adore Him who became a little child, so that out of the mouths of infants He might perfect praise; Children, to the Child who raised up martyrs through the rage of Herod; Men, to Him who became man that He might heal the miseries of His servants; Shepherds, to the Good Shepherd who was laid down His life for His sheep;

7 THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST The story of the Nativity of Christ is beautifully told in the Holy Scriptures. The story is found in Matthew 1:18-25 and in Luke 2:1-20. No matter how often the Birth of Jesus is told, we realize that it is an important event. As the story is told by the Apostles, the Roman Empire was powerful. The Romans had conquered much of the then known world. Judea and Samaria, what we know today as Israel, were included in their conquests. Emperor Augustus ordered that a census be taken in all his lands. He needed to know how many people lived in the empire so he could tax them. Everyone had to go to the town of their family's origin to register for the census. This meant that Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem. They were descendants of King David and Bethlehem was the City of David. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth and it was a great distance from Bethlehem. It was about 100 miles over very rugged roads. Moreover, Mary was expecting the baby and it was almost time for her to give birth. Bethlehem was a small town and there were many descendants of David who had come to register for the census. By the time Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem there was no place for them to stay. Joseph tried very hard to find a place to sleep that evening. There was no room at the inn. Finally, Joseph found a cave-like place where they could rest. This place was used by shepherds to protect their sheep in stormy weather. It was here that Mary gave birth to Jesus. The baby was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in the straw in the manger. dimmer and dimmer until it was dark again. The shepherds were awed. They didn't know what to do. Finally, they decided to leave their flocks of sheep and go to Bethlehem. They decided that they wanted to see for themselves what the angels had told them. When they got to Bethlehem, they found Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus. They fell to their knees and adored Jesus. Some Wise Men came from the East for they knew of the coming of Jesus. They had seen a star that told them that a new king had been born to the Jews. They followed the star and were looking for the child. At this time the governor of Judea was King Herod. He was a wicked man and was feared and hated by the people. When Herod heard about the Wise Men looking for the child, he invited them to his palace. Herod asked the Wise Men to find the child so that he, too, could worship Him. But Herod was lying. He did not want anyone to take his place. The Wise Men went on to look for Jesus. The Star led them to Jesus and Mary. When the Wise Men found Jesus, they fell to their knees and worshipped Him. They gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Wise Men left but did not return to Herod. They had a dream that warned them that Herod wanted to harm Jesus. Instead, they returned to their native country by a different route. Now, that night the shepherds were out in the fields guarding their sheep. Suddenly, there was a bright light which startled the shepherds. The light was so bright that it turned the night into daylight. Of course, the shepherds were frightened. Nothing such as this had ever happened. Soon an angel appeared and calmed them. The angel said: "Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior; which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:11-12). Then a larger group of angels appeared. They praised and glorified God and sang, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). When the angels finished singing, they disappeared and the light began to fade. It became

8 SCRIPTURE READINGS AND MUSICAL TONES FOR SUNDAYS AND FEAST DAYS IN DECEMBER DATE EPISTLE GOSPEL TONE MATINS GOSPEL 4 Gal. 3:23-4:5 Luke 13: rd 11 Col. 3:4-11 Luke 14: th 18 Heb. 11:9-10, Matt. 1: th Gal. 4:4-7 Matt. 2: Heb. 2:11-18 Matt. 2:13-23 GUIDE TO FASTING FOR DECEMBER 2011 Fasting is an integral and essential part of Orthodox Christian life. There are four major periods of fasting during the year and a number of other days in which we usually abstain from meat, dairy products, eggs, fish, wine and oil. The Christmas Fast begins on November 15 th and continues until Christmas Day. Fish is permitted on weekends (an alternative tradition permits fish on all days except Wednesdays and Fridays) until the 12 th December. The last week before Christmas becomes a period of intensified fasting and spiritual struggle. From Christmas Day no fasting is permitted until the 5 th January. Please consult your spiritual father or a priest to help you apply these guidelines to your own spiritual struggle and situation. WE RE ON FACEBOOK LIKE OUR PAGE AT ST GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, BRISBANE JOIN US AND RECEIVE REGULAR UPDATES ON CHURCH EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES =============================================================================================== Greek Orthodox Community of St George, Brisbane PO BOX 3620, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Donation Form I would like to make a financial donation to: Please tick one of the following boxes. The Greek Welfare Gift Fund St George School Building Fund Estia Disability Group Qld Gift Fund Enclosed is my Cheque for the amount of $. Please debit my Credit Card: (Please tick) Visa MasterCard Amex Name on Card: Signature: Exp. Date: / Address: Post Code: Any donations over $2 are tax deductible THANKING YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT