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1627 E Shady Grove Rd, Irving TX 75060
(972) 438 - 4890

 FAITH SEES THE INVISIBLE,
 BELIEVES THE UNBELIEVABLE,
 AND RECEIVES THE IMPOSSIBLE .

MAY 2017

EDITION 1 - PERUNNAL

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Church Officials

PARISH COMMITTEE

President & Vicar

Fr. Thampan Varghese 469.583.5914 / [email protected]

Secretary [email protected]

Thomas M Varghese (Achu) 817.410.8043 / [email protected]

Treasurer

Thomas Vadakedom (Roy) 469.258.5913 / [email protected]

Managing Committee Members

Abraham Alex (Jomon) 214.566.4275 / [email protected]

Chacko Itty 972.253.9238 / [email protected]

Jacob Mathew (Sam) 469.586.5794 / [email protected]

Jins Joseph 214.578.5030 / [email protected]

Laly Vadakedom 469.252.1187 / [email protected]

Renju Thomas 214.236.0667 / [email protected]

Sangeetha V. Mathew 972.916.0128 / [email protected]

Santhosh Skaria 972.922.7303 / [email protected]
Smitha GeevargheseSPIRITU2A14L.6O62R.7G07A0N/[email protected]

Alex Varghese [Auditor] 214.282.4238 / [email protected]

Baby Uthup [Ex-Officio] 469.684.0959 / [email protected]

Sunday School

Principal: Sheeba Isaac Prayer Coordinator: Sajesh Skaria
Vice Principal: Mathai K. Mathai
Fasting Prayers: Mammen Varghese

Refreshments: Abraham Alex (Jomon)

OCYM MMVS

Secretary: Alex Varghese Secretary: Molly Mammen
Joint Secretary: Linda Mathew
Treasurer: Aji George Joint Secretary: Maria J. Mathew
Librarian: Suby Varghese
Treasurer: Mary Kurian

MGOCSM Balika-Bala Samajam

Secretary: Shane Thomas Jeena Thomas
Joint Secretary: Christin Sajan Sangeetha V. Mathew
Treasurer: Natasha Shibu
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Vicar’s Felicitation

Glory be to the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Greetings to you all in the blessed name of the Risen Lord:

St. George Orthodox Church, Irving Texas is the only church dedicated to
this great Saint and Martyr in the North Texas. The Annual Patron Saints Day is a
special day for the believers and others in the locality. Every year this ‘Perunnal’
grows and the blessings flows to those who seek the intercession of this great
Saint. Many share their personal experience and testimony of what they
received from this Saint’s intercession. I am very proud to be the humble servant
of this parish and I have personally witnessed the blessings which this parish
received in the last five years. This church and its surroundings are not the same
as it was a few years ago. God changed its face by His ultimate gifts and the
blessings through the prayers of its Patron Saint. And I congratulate the parish
members, the Managing Committee, the Spiritual Organizations and the
volunteers in various capacities.

This year the OCYM (Orthodox Christian Youth Movement) Spiritual
Organization unit of this parish, decided to publish a ‘Newsletter’ in connection
with the Perunnal, and it is given the name after the Patron Saint. The name of
the newsletter is “Georgian Herald”. I am very glad to present this publication
and take this opportunity to appreciate the efforts of the OCYM members. This is
definitely another golden feather on their crown of activities both spiritual and
charitable. The success of any and every organization, whether spiritual or
temporal, is its dedicated members and their selfless hard work. The motto of
the OCYM is, “Worship – Service – Study”. When its members dedicate their
time and talents to worship the Almighty, serve the church and society, and have
the will to keep learning, they will begin to reach new heights in their spiritual
journey and family lives.

Once again, I wish all those who read this publication, those who attend in
this year’s Perunnal, and those who diligently worked hard behind this venture,
God’s abundant blessings through the intercession of our Patron the Great
Martyr St. George.

- Rev. Fr. Thampan Varghese

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February

 PARISH HALL INAUGURATION

By the Grace and
Mercy of our Lord, a
long time dream of
our parish became a
reality as H.G.
Alexios Mar Eusebius
Thirumeni
consecrated our
Parish Hall on
February 5th. A lot
of hard work and sacrifices from our Vicar Rev. Fr. Thampan Varghese,
Managing Committee, Building Committee members and congregation went
into the realization of this project. Check out some pictures from this evening!

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February

 3 DAY LENT / NINEVEH LENT

We observed the 3-day lent / Nineveh lent from February 5th thru 8th,
ending with a Holy Qurbana service on the 8th.

His Grace Alexios Mar Eusebius Thirumeni was our chief guest and
speaker for the 3 days. His Grace delivered very strong sermons for our
congregation during his time at our church.

There was a Worship song service session by the choir (pictured above
with Thirumeni, Thampan achen and Sally Kochamma).

 DEPARTED SOULS SUNDAY / “WHITE SUNDAY”

February 19th was observed as the day of remembering our loved ones
who has gone to be with our Lord in heaven. Our congregation wore white in
remembrance of our departed ones. Fr. John Samuel was the chief celebrant

and Fr. Thampan Varghese was
the co-celebrant for the Holy
Qurbana this Sunday.

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February

 SPIRITUAL ORGANIZATIONS DAY

We celebrated our annual Spiritual Organizations Day on February 26th. This
was the first church related event to be held in our new parish hall. Our vicar
Fr. Thampan Varghese presided over the event. A welcome dance was
presented by a group of young children of Sunday School. All respective
officials for each organizations presented their report. All organizations sang
group songs thereafter. Here are a few pictures from that day!

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March

LA MORIYO ZEGTHO II - DALLAS

Dallas Regional

OYCM

coordinated a

liturgical musical

symphony

program named

*La Moriyo

Zegtho* on

March 4 at

MacArthur High

School in Irving.

This heavenly musical

extravaganza comprised of Orthodox liturgical

hymns depicting the life of Jesus Christ – a mystical journey from Jesus’ (Yeldho

Perunnal/Christmas) to His glorious resurrection (Kymtha Perunnal/Easter) was

conceptualized and directed by Fr. John Samuel. The Dallas

Orthodox Chamber Voice, comprising of 50 choir

members from all of the Orthodox churches in the area

sang for this program and were accompanied by 20

professional musicians under the direction of Derrick

Logozzo (Director of Instrumental Music, Richland

College).

The proceeds from this program has

benefited the children of

Prakashadhara, a School for the

Differently Abled located in

Pathanamthitta, Kerala. Many priests

from all over the US attended the

program and gave their blessings and

salutations for a successful show.

Singers from St. George

Anju Bobby Nidhi Alex
Charlie Abraham Praveen Varkey
Jamie James Regi Mathews
Jeena Thomas Sangeetha Binu
Jerlee Thomas Shibu Varghese
Juby George Susan George
Linda Mathew Usha Madathil
Manju Santhosh
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March

GREGORIAN WORSHIP

 Our parish OCYM organized the annual Gregorian Worship on
March 17. Many members from our church attended this meditative
worship event. Fr. John Samuel was our chief guest for the worship;
Achen served a short message about our relationship with God.
Attendees sang along with the songs Achen had selected, OCYM
members read the bible, and everyone had a prayerful meditation

CHURCH CLEANUP Annual church cleanup was
done on March 18th. Many of
our members came to help clean
our church and premises.

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March

MMVS REGIONAL MEETING

 The first MMVS (Morth Mariam Vanitha Samajam) Regional
Meeting for 2017 was held at St. Gregorios Orthodox Church in Garland,
on March 18. Members from across Dallas and Oklahoma churches came
to attend, along with Vicars from the churches. Fr. John Samuel gave an
informational lesson about St. Mary. The hosting Parish Choir sang
devotional songs. There was a bible quiz held for all church teams.
 The next regional meeting will be held at our church on May 20. All
MMVS members are requested to attend.

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March

 Annual Blood Drive

was held on March 19

after church service.

Carter BloodCare came

out with 2 vans to

accommodate all our

donors. DeSoto Family

Dentistry (owned by our

member, Dr. Praveen

Varkey) staff provided

free dental check-ups for

our church members.

Jeena Thomas performed

blood pressure checks for

our members. Thank you

to all the donors,

volunteers and

coordinators for making

this a successful and

beneficial event!

Take a look at all our
donor Heroes below!

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March

 SUNDAY SCHOOL WRITTEN COMPETITION

Congrats to all

the winners of the

Sunday School

Written

Competition!

Here they are

posing for a

picture with

Thampan Achen

and Matt Achen!
➢➢➢

 CHURCH PRAYER MEETINGS

Prayer Meetings were held at the below residences this year:
 January 15: Suby & Dimple Varghese in Keller, TX.
 March 13: Anil & Jamie James in Frisco, TX.
 March 18: Jacob (Sam) & Annamma Mathew in Irving, TX.
 April 29 : Varghees (Binu) & Sangeetha Mathew in Irving, TX.

 DIVYABHODHANAM

There were 2 classes conducted in church by Alex Varghese
and 3 Conference Call classes conducted by Rev. Fr. Jerry
John Mathew to teach the Book " The People of God"
written by Rev. Fr. C.C. Cherian. Recordings are available for
those who are interested. Please contact Alex Varghese.

 CATHOLICATE DAY

We commemorated Catholicate Day on April 2
as our congregation took the pledge and sang
the special song.

Jai Jai Catholicos!

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March

SUNDAY SCHOOL COMPETITIONS

Church level Sunday School competitions were held at our church on March
25th. A big applause to all participants! Here are some pictures:

Dallas Regional level Sunday School competitions were held at St. Mary’s
Valyapally on April 29th. St. George came in 2nd place, for the 4th year in a
row! Congratulations to all the winners! Here’s the team with their trophy!

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March / April

MMVS ESSAY COMPETITION

Church level MMVS Essay competition was held after the Holy Qurbana
on March 26th, in our Parish Hall upstairs room. 15 + MMVS members
participated in the competition.

CHURCH PEWS INSTALLED

Our beautiful church benches were
installed on April 7th, just in time for
Hosanna Sunday! 32 benches were installed
(16 on each side). The pews certainly gives
our place of worship a wholesome new look.
The old chairs will be of great use in the
Parish Hall.

Thank you to all the sponsors!
 Alex & Nidhi Varghese; Anup & Manju Thomas;

Baby & Lalu Uthup; Baiju & Jennie Varghese; Bejoy &
Roshin Kuruvilla; Binu & Sangeetha Mathew; Chacko &
Achamma Itty; Dr. Praveen & Smitha Varkey; George &
Susan Thomas; Jacob (Sam) & Annamma Mathew; Jacob
Varghese, Dr. Meenu Jacob; Jins & Mincy Joseph;
K.C & Annamma Thomas; Leelamma Skaria; Mathai K. &
Daizy Mathai; Mathew & Usha Madathil; Mini Thomas, Skaria Thomas, V.C.Varghese;
Reji & Reenu Mathews; Renju & Jeena Thomas; Saju Kuruvilla; Santhosh & Manju Skaria;
Shawn Cherian/Shaji Vettikkattu; Shibu & Mily Varghese; Solomon & Kusumam Jacob;
Suby & Dimple Varghese; Sunil & Anitha Philip; T.C. Chacko & Sophy; Thomas & Mary Ku-
rian; Thomas & Sarah Palackal; Thomas M. (Achu) & Jancy Varghese; Tittu & Praveena Jo-
seph; Varghese George; Vinoj & Shiney Varghese.

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Great Lent Season

 EVENING PRAYERS

Beginning February 27, we have had evening prayer at our church every
evening conducted by Thampan Achen. Great Lent prayers were held every
Wednesday at the below member residences during Lenten season:

• March 1: Saajan & Solly Chamathil
• March 8: Sanoj & Sera (Guest Members)
• March 15: Bobby & Anju Mathew
• March 22: Aji & Jerlee George
• March 29: Alex & Nidhi Varghese
• April 5: Abraham (Jomon) & Smitha Alex

 MID-LENT SERVICE & INSTALLATION OF GOLGOTHA

March 21st marked the middle of the Lenten season and the
installation of Golgotha was done during this special service.

 LAZARUS SATURDAY

Holy Qurbana was celebrated on Friday, April 7th
evening in observance of The Saturday of Lazarus
by chief celebrant, H.G. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius
Thirumeni of Calcutta Diocese. Thirumeni also
held a one-day retreat at our church on Saturday,
April 8th and taught us about Lazarus, Mary, and
Martha more in depth.

 PALM SUNDAY / HOSANNA

Blessed is He who comes in the name of
the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!

On April 9th, Palm Sunday was
celebrated at our church as children
brought flowers to church and
commemorated the day Jesus came to Jerusalem riding in on a donkey,
showing us the great example to always stay humble!

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Great Lent Season

 MAUNDY THURSDAY / PESAHA

* This is my Body , This is my Blood, Do this in remembrance of Me *
Pesaha service was conducted on
April 12th evening. It was a blessed
Holy Qurbana as we remember the
day Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist
for the remission of our sins

Achen & The Acolytes ➢➢➢

 GOOD FRIDAY * Jesus died on The Cross for our sins *

Good Friday service was held

on April 14th starting from 8:

30AM to 3:30PM. We

remember the sacrifices our

Lord made on the cross so that

we may have eternal life.

Elizabeth George and Meekha Varghese delivered

speeches to the congregation during the service.

Pictures from the procession are shown here.

 EASTER * He is Risen, Indeed He is Risen *

Kymtha Perunnal service was conducted on April 16th starting at 5:30AM

to celebrate Our Lord’s resurrection. We had

a blessed Holy Qurbana to celebrate this

joyous occasion as the Lenten season comes

to an end.

MGOCSM organized an “Easter Egg
Hunt “ for the young children at
our church.
MMVS Easter Basket raffle winner
was Mrs. Leelamma Skaria!

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Looking back...

OBITUARIES

“We shall meet on that beautiful shore again”

 January 4 - Mr. Baby M. Skaria (76); Husband of Leelamma Skaria and
Father of Santhosh Skaria, Sajesh Skaria and Sangeetha Binu at Irving, TX.

 January 18 - Mr. A. P. Alexander; Father of Alex Abraham (Jomon) at
Karippuzha, Mavelikara.

 January 20 - Mr. Joshua Thomas (87), father of Valsa Thomas at Vallikodu,
Kottayam.

 January 23 - Mr. Joseph Vaidyan (84), Father of Dr. Koshy Vaidyan at
Thevalakkara.

 February 6 - Sobhana Mathew (35) daughter of Jacob (Sam) & Annamma
Mathew and Sister of Smitha Geevarghese at Irving, TX

 March 8 - Mr. Manu Mathew (72); Husband of Icey Mathew and Father of
Merrill and Angeleen at Irving, TX.

OCYM Bible Study

OCYM has resumed
the Bible Study
sessions this year,
starting at Regi & Reenu’s house
on April 21st. These will be held
monthly on Fridays at member residences, and will be led by Thampan
Achen. All OCYM members are requested to attend along with their
families. The next few meetings info:

 May 19: Alex & Nidhi Varghese
 June 9: Thampan Achen & Sally Kochamma
 July 21: Santhosh & Manju Skaria

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Upcoming Events

MMVS TALENT COMPETITION

The Church level talent competition will be conducted on July 9th, Sunday

after Holy Qurbana. Those who wish to participate, please give your names to

MMVS Committee Members.

Please note that there is a change for Group Song this year.

Group Song will be for 2 groups:

1) Ages 18-40 2) Ages 41 and above

MMVS REGIONAL MEETING

The next regional meeting will be held at our church on May 20. All
MMVS members are requested to attend. There will be a quiz on
Revelation chapters 8 thru 12. Resources and more details were sent to
your emails.

ST. GEORGE TROPHY

 St. George Trophy exam was held on March 5th, the results
will be announced on May 7th. Good Luck to all those who
participated!

OVBS

 We’re planning to have our Annual OVBS (Orthodox
Vacation Bible Study) in July or August, dates are yet
to be finalized and will be announced shortly.

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Literature

What the Holy Bible’s view of “Youth”

- By: Rev. Fr. Thampan Varghese (Vicar)

Man’s life is been divided in different stages, of which the youth stage is the cru-
cial of all. The Scriptures represent youth as a time both of danger and challenge.
Moses said that “...I know that from the time they are young their thoughts are
evil” (Gen. 8:21), and Paul admonished Timothy to “Avoid the passions of youth, and
strive for righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who with a pure
heart call out to the Lord for help. (2 Tim. 2:22).

The Creator also recognizes the value of youth to the divine cause. Youngsters
have energy, they are daring, their hearts are filled with visions of the future. Indeed,
they can be a most valuable component in the service of God.

Solomon, though he was a wise king, wasted much of his life in worldly things, in
his declining days he gave much valuable instruction to the youth: “Remember now
your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw
near when you will say, I have no pleasure in them.” (Eccl. 12:1).

Paul again says to Timothy, his beloved disciple: “Let no man despise your youth;
but you be an example to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in
faith, in purity.” (1 Tim. 4:12).

 Josiah the kings of Israel as a model

The noblest king to reign in the territory of Judah was Josiah. Scripture says there
was no ruler of his caliber, neither before nor after him, who sought the Lord with
“all his heart” as did he (2 Kgs. 23:25). Josiah was but a boy of eight when he came to
the throne. At the age of sixteen, he began to “seek” Jehovah, and by the time he
turned twenty, he initiated a campaign to purge the southern kingdom of its idolatry
(2 Chron. 34:1-3). When Josiah was twenty-six, he arranged for repairs on the tem-
ple. It was at this time that a tremendously significant event occurred. A copy of “the
law of Jehovah given by Moses” was discovered in the temple (2 Chron. 34:14).
When the religious and moral message of the sacred document was studied, and the
spiritual fabric of the nation was seen to stand in such glaring contrast, a reformation
was proclaimed.

One of Josiah’s important accomplishments was the restoration of the Passover,
which had not been observed with care since the days of the judges (2 Kgs. 23:21-23).
Since the Passover was designed to preview the death of Jesus (cf. 1 Cor. 5:7), Josiah
was an important element in preparing the nation for the Savior’s arrival.
What confidence Jehovah had placed in a spiritual lad. (taken from the web)

(continued in the next page)

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Literature

How can a youth be a model for others?
 Having the right attitude is important:

Attitude makes a person good or bad. The right attitude of a youth will attract their
friends and acquaintances to the right way of life, but the wrong attitude does the
opposite. Being patient and kind, and to reach out to people who are the
‘backbenchers’, to take rejection or loss with grace and without any remorse, will be
helping factors of a person’s right attitude.

 Learning your faith:

Some people may think that faith is something they acquire by birth or heredity,
which is okay. But in reality faith should be developed with one’s own effort. Sunday
School classes will aid in that growth tremendously. We need to learn our faith by
studying both the Holy Scripture, the related literature, and the tradition. Prayer is
first and foremost of all, so pray as often as you can and attend church worship in its
real sense.

 Giving back to others:

It is equally important to give to others what you gain from your study and heredity.
Helping others in need with a charitable mind, whether by moral, personal, emotion-
al or financial. Joining the Youth group and volunteering their time and talents to the
benefit of the church and society, being open about their faith and principles, and
sharing and caring for others are some helping factors in developing the Youth in
godly direction.

ദയവാനായ ദദവം (Psalms 63) By: Sally Thampan

ദൈവമേ നീ എൻ ദൈവം ഞാൻ നിനക്കായ് കാത്തിരിക്കകം
നീ ജീവനകള്ളവൻ ൈയയകം നിമറതേ ക തന്നെ
ദൈവമേ നീ എൻ ദൈവം എെകള്ളം നിനക്കായ് ൈാഹിക്കകെക
എൻ മൈഹം നിനക്കായ് കാംഷിക്കകെക
കാണിക്കകന്നകന്നെ നിൻ േഹതവം നിൻ േന്ദിരത്തിനകള്ളിൽ
നീ ജീവനകള്ളവൻ ൈയയകം നിമറതേ ക തന്നെ
ആയകസ്സിൻ നാന്നെല്ാം ഞാൻ വാഴ്തത് ്തീടകം നിൻ നാേം എന്നെെകം
ദകകൾ ഉയർത്തീടകം ഞാൻ നിൻ നാേത്തിൽ
രാത്തിയാേങ്ങെിൽ നിന്നെ ഓർത്തക കിടക്കയിൽ നിന്നെ ധ്യാനിക്കകം
നീ ജീവനകള്ളവൻ ൈയയകം നിമറതേ ക തന്നെ
എെകള്ളം നിമൊട് മേർെിരിക്കകം നിൻ വലദൈ എന്നെ താങ്ങീടന്നണ
നിൻ േിറകിൻ നിഴ്തൽ എൻ അഭയ സ്ഥാനം
അതിരാവിന്നല ഞാൻ അമനവഷിക്കകമപാൾ രക്ഷ നല്ീക ടകെ ത്രിയ രക്ഷക
എെകള്ളം ൈാഹിക്കകെക എൻ മൈഹം കാംഷിക്കകെക
എൊെകം എന്നെ കാത്തീടമണ... എൊെകം എന്നെ കാത്തീടമണ...

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ST. GEORGE, THE GREAT MARTYR

 There is little information on the early life of

Saint George. Two stories tell of his possible ori-
gins. One says that he was born in the region
of Cappadocia, which is now located in cen-
tral Turkey. George's parents were both Chris-
tian, and they brought him up to be a Christian.
His father died when he was fourteen, and his
mother took George back to her homeland
of Syria Palaestina. At seventeen, he joined the
Roman army. George's father had been an officer
in the Roman army, so George joined the Roman
army as soon as he could.

 On 24 February 303, Diocletian, influenced

by Galerius, issued an edict that every Christian
soldier in the army should be arrested and every
other soldier should offer a sacrifice to
the Roman gods of the time. However, George
objected, and with the courage of his faith, approached the Emperor and ruler. Diocle-
tian was upset, not wanting to lose his best tribune and the son of his best official,
Gerontius. But George loudly renounced the Emperor's edict, and in front of his fellow
soldiers and tribunes he claimed himself to be a Christian. Diocletian attempted to
convert George, even offering gifts of land, money, and slaves if he made a sacrifice to
the Roman gods; he made many offers, but George never accepted.[15] Recognizing
the futility of his efforts and insisting on upholding his edict, Diocletian ordered that
George be executed for his refusal. Before the execution, George gave his wealth to
the poor and prepared himself. After various torture sessions, including laceration on a
wheel of swords during which he was resuscitated three times, George was executed
by decapitation before Nicomedia's city wall, on 23 April 303. A witness of his suffering
convinced Empress Alexandra of Rome and Athanasius, a pagan priest, to become
Christians, as well, so they joined George in martyrdom. His body was returned to Lyd-
da for burial, where Christians soon came to honor him as a martyr.

(source Wikipedia)

www.facebook.com/St.George.TX/

Newsletter Team Email: [email protected]
For comments, suggestions, and submissions for upcoming editions.

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