St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Staten Island

Friends,

The Great Lent is soon upon us. This Sunday, we will remember the first miracle that Christ performed at the Wedding of Cana by turning water into wine.

It also shows us how St. Mary interceded for the wedding couple by letting Christ know what was needed. Our Faith teaches us that the saints do intercede on our behalf.

• Learn more about the Wedding at Cana.
• Quotes from the Church Fathers on Fasting

Congrats to Dn. Siby and Lijy as they entered the Sacrament of Matrimony this past Monday, 9 February. Pray for the couple on their new future together.

Parish Updates

1. On Saturday, February 21, at 6 PM, there will be a prayer meeting at Mr. George Mathew’s home.

2. Holy Qurbana will be conducted in the Malayalam language on Sunday, February 22, 2009.

3. The Great Lent will begin on Monday, February 23, 2009.

4. World Prayer Day will be held at our parish on Saturday, March 7, 2009. Please keep this event in your prayers.

Church Days

February 22:

• Sunday of Cana Wedding

February 23:

• Memory of St. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius
• Memory of His Grace Thomas Mar Markarios
• Great Lent begins

February 24:

• Feast of Apostle St. Matthew, the Proclamantor of Evangelion

Special thanks to Mr. Joykutty Detroit for providing the Orthodox Sabha Panchamgam.

Diocese Events

1. North Jersey & Rockland MGOCSM will host a Lenten Retreat on Saturday, March 7, 2009, from 10:00am – 3:00pm at 1231 Van Houten Ave,Clifton, NJ.

2. The Annual Family & Youth Conference will be held on July 15 to July 18,2009. For more information, visit the Web site.

3. Missions Trip – MGOCSM wants you to serve on the Missions Trip for Summer 2009. You must be 18 and over to participate.

See the 2009 Missions Trip Video at the Diocese Web site.

For more information, please contact Anoop Thomas at anoopmthomas@gmail.com.

With sadness, we bid farewell to His Grace Mathews Mar Epiphanios (80), Metropolitan of the Diocese of Kollam.

Learn more about His Grace.

Parish Updates

1. Holy Qurbana will be conducted in the Malayalam language on Sunday, February 15, 2009.

2. On Sunday, we will be remembering our departed ones. Please contact Mr. Joy John and provide him with the names of your departed.

2. General Body will convene to review the 2008 Annual Report and other matters.

3. World Prayer Day will be held at our parish on Saturday, March 7, 2009.

Church Days

February 13:

• Memory of Mar Ignathios Alias III Patriarchs (Manginkkara Dayara)

February 15:

• Sunday of Faithful Departed

Special thanks to Mr. Joykutty Detroit for providing the Orthodox Sabha Panchamgam.

Diocese Events

1. North Jersey & Rockland MGOCSM will host a Lenten Retreat on Saturday, March 7, 2009, from 10:00am – 3:00pm at 1231 Van Houten Ave,Clifton, NJ.

2. The Annual Family & Youth Conference will be held on July 15 to July 18,2009. For more information, visit the Web site.

3. Missions Trip – MGOCSM wants you to serve on the Missions Trip for Summer 2009. You must be 18 and over to participate.

See the 2009 Missions Trip Video at the Diocese Web site.

For more information, please contact Anoop Thomas at anoopmthomas@gmail.com.

February 2 to 4:  Nineveh 3 Day Lent

• Learn more about at it.
• Icon of St. Jonah

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Note from Bishop Mar Theophilos:

Nineveh fasting is one of the canonical fasts of the Church.

It is short in days, only three full days.

This year, it is Feb2-4 and 5th is the feast in the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church (Feb9-11 for other Orthodox).

The features of this fasting is special prayers for three days and for the noon prayer special 40 times Lord have mercy etc. an bowing to the ground (40 kumbidil).

It is also the preparation for the Great Lent.   It is our duty to fast the three days with special prayers and doing charity.

Abstain from breakfast for three days and eat only vegetarian food only.

Instead of your breakfast if possible please give to some poor people in your locality.

Prayer, fasting, and charity are the Trinitarian Virtues.  Consider this year’s fasting for those who lost their jobs and for the stability of our country.   Wish you all a blessed Nineveh fast.

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Parish Updates

1. Evening prayers will be held on Monday and Tuesday evenings (February 2 and 3) at 6 PM.

2. Evening prayers will be held on Saturday (February 7) evening at 6 PM.

3. Holy Qurbana will be conducted in English language on Sunday, February 8, 2009.

4. Sunday School Midterm Exams will held on February 8, 2009 after the Holy Liturgy.

Church Days

February 1

• 4th Sunday after Danaha (Baptism of Christ)

February 2:

• Mayaltho (Jesus’ Entry in to the Temple)
• Memory of St. Simon and St. Anna (Day of the Old Aged)
• Memory of Pathrose Mar Osthathios Metropolitan (Kandanad Carmel Dayara)
• Nineveh 3 Day Lent Starts

February 3:

• Feast of Mar Bersouma
• All Departed Holy Fathers

February 5:

• Nineveh 3 Day Lent Ends

February 8:

• Memory of Mar Severios Patriarchs of Antioch
• Sunday of All Departed Priests

Special thanks to Mr. Joykutty Detroit for providing the Orthodox Sabha Panchamgam.

Diocese Events

1. MGOCSM Winter Show in Philadelphia at the St. Thomas (Unrah) – will be held on Saturday, 7 February 2009.

Please contact Mr. Lijo John for tickets and information.

2. North Jersey & Rockland MGOCSM will host a Lenten Retreat on Saturday, March 7, 2009, from 10:00am – 3:00pm at 1231 Van Houten Ave,
Clifton, NJ.

3. The Annual Family & Youth Conference will be held on July 15 to July 18,2009. For more information, visit the Web site.

4. Missions Trip – MGOCSM wants you to serve on the Missions Trip for Summer 2009. You must be 18 and over to participate. For more information, please contact Asha at asha.thomas@gmail.com OR Anoop Thomas at anoopmthomas@gmail.com.