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St. John the Baptist - The Friend of the Bridegroom
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The Friend of the Bridegroom
Two figures are almost universally found on the Icon Screen in an Orthodox Church - the Mother of God and St. John the Baptist. At St. Anne, they are found prominently over the royal doors on either side of Christ, as well as on the main row of icons. That the Mother of God should have such a prominent and permanent position makes easy sense. However, St. John might not be so clear for many.
The Western Churches do not seem to have a great devotion to St. John. They certainly acknowledge him as he is described in Scripture, but seem to have left him there like a historical reference. In Orthodoxy, his devotion is quite prominent.
When St. John was questioned about his identity, whether he himself was the expected Messiah, he responded that he was not. He said,
"He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. (Joh 3:29)
This role of rejoicing "because of the bridegroom's voice" is first seen when St. John was only a child in the womb. Mary, with the Christ-child in her womb visits St. John's mother, Elizabeth. We are told that "at the sound of her voice" St. John "leaped in the womb" of his mother.
Fr. Sergius Bulgakov offered considerable meditation on the meaning of St. John. He described the roles of the Theotokos and St. John as examples of two kinds of love - both appropriate to each believer. Mary is the love of a bride, the self-emptying "Be it unto me according to Your word." St. John is the love of a friend, one who rejoices with and shares in the comradeship of the work.
St. John was beheaded during the time of Christ's ministry, provoking Christ's comment that he was "the greatest among the sons of women." The feast of the beheading, the primary feast of St. John, is on August 29. There will be a Divine Liturgy on that morning (Monday, 29th) at 8 am.
Let his friends gather together to honor his memory and ask for his most holy prayers!
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The Icon of St. John
The icon pictured in the newsletter is a typical icon of St. John, with a number of symbolic elements. First, he is portrayed with wings. He has been described by the Church as an "earthly angel." He is the "messenger" of the coming of Christ. In Greek, "messenger" and "angel" are the same word.
He holds a cross, a token of the fact that he is a martyr.
The Church calls us to sanity, and to the deep remembrance of our true existence. "
He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth..." (Act 17:26) Through the self-emptying of Mary and the grace of God, we have become "blood brothers" with God. His life is our life and our life is His.
The Church remembers and calls us to remembrance. His head is on a tray (called a "charger"). This is an excellent example of the strange use of time in icons. His living image as well as his martyred image are in the same work.
On the lower left is a tree with an axe. This represents St. John's prophetic warning to Israel:
"...and do not think to say to yourselves,`We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." (Mat 3:9-10)
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This Week's Schedule
Wednesday 6:30 pm - Vespers with Orthodox Study Group following
Saturday 5 pm - Vespers with Confession following
Sunday 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
Monday 8 am Divine Liturgy for the Beheading of St. John
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Church Social - Let's Dance - Sept. 11
Sunday School - Sept 18
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Dance for Joy
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together; For I will turn their mourning to joy, Will comfort them, And make them rejoice rather than sorrow. (Jer 31:13) Orthodox cultures across the world have retained many of their folkways, including dancing. American culture has often forgotten where it came from and what it once knew. To be Orthodox is to be human - and to be human means to dance when the time is right.
It's an Orthodox tradition--everyone dancing to the same steps. Dads with daughters, uncles next to nephews.
We will have our folk dance on Sunday, September 11, right after coffee hour, in the fellowship hall. Paul Taylor, who led the Oak Ridge Folk Dancers at the Celtic fest, will teach some dances, and our own parishioners will teach some dances they do today.
Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, Moldava, Ukraine, Russia, Scotland. We have people from these countries. Let's learn their dances and enjoy their music!
"Kick up your heels to kick off the new year!" An all church social for all ages.
Sunday, September 11, after coffee hour. All ages, no experience required!
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Orthodox Camping in NC
Scheduled for October
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The annual Orthodox camping weekend in Hot Springs, NC, is scheduled for Friday, October 14 through Sunday, October 16. Those who attended last year had a great time. Parishioners and clergy from St. John of the Ladder in Greenville, SC, as well as Holy Apostles in Columbia, SC, form a core of the gathering each year. St. Anne has now made itself part of that assembly. Make reservations and plan to join us for the weekend!
Hot Springs Campground Reservations
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Remember Your Support of
St. Anne
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As you travel and take vacations this summer, do not forget the support of the parish. Our needs do not generally change from month to month, even though our attendance may fluctuate. You can use the convenience of Paypal to help!
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