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Sts. Constantine and Helen Church
Publish Date: 2017-08-06
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Transfiguration
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Sts. Constantine and Helen Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (414) 778-1555
  • Fax:
  • (414) 778-1117
  • Street Address:

  • 2160 N. Wauwatosa Avenue

  • Wauwatosa, WI 53213


Contact Information






Services Schedule

SUNDAY MATINS/DIVINE LITURGY, 8:30 am


Past Bulletins


Notes

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Nikki K.

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Remember to bring grapes to church this Sunday for the Blessing of the Grapes!

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VBS!  Thank you to everyone who helped make it so successful!!!

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How You Live Is Reflected in How You Walk

 

Fruits of the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Galatians 5: 22-23

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Galatians 5:25

 

Good morning Prayer Team!

I’m a nice jerk.  I’m a truthful liar. 

Can these be true statements?  It would seem not.  Either a person classifies as “nice” or as a “jerk”.  Someone either tells the truth all the time or they are a liar. 

Today’s Scripture verse reminds us that if we claim to live by the Spirit, if we claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit (and as Orthodox Christians, we were given the gift of the Holy Spirit at Chrismation, and we continually receive the Holy Spirit through prayer and Holy Communion), then our lives need to reflect this.  How can we be “Spirit-filled” or “Spirit-led” or “Spirit-centered” if we lack love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?  Going back to yesterday’s reflection, it’s not an either/or proposition.  Being filled with the Spirit means that we genuinely strive to grow the Fruit of the Spirit in us.  We can’t seek after or experience the power of the Holy Spirit without seeking to grow His Fruit.  There are certainly points in every life, probably in every day or every life, that we are not loving, or patient, or kind or we lack self-control.  We all have these moments.  I have these moments. 

How do you grade yourself on each of these Fruits?  More importantly, how do you think God would grade you on these Fruits and how they are present in your life?

In school, an “A” was given for excellent, a “B” was good but had room for improvement, a “C” was average, a “D” was “passing,” and an “F” was failing.  If you were to give yourself a grade on how well what you say you believe falls in line with how you live your life, what kind of grade would you give yourself?  What kind of grade do you think God would give you? 

In Orthodox circles, we hear the term “spiritual warfare”.  While described in different ways, this essentially means that there is a battle for our souls waged between ourselves (who innately desire to be close to God) and the devil (who wishes us to be as far from God as possible).  In practical terms, the battle is material (earthly) versus spiritual (heavenly), meaning that we wage a daily battle for the works of the flesh versus the Fruit of the Spirit.  And yes, it is a battle.  I don’t know anyone who has won the battle and can just relax, filled with the Spirit with no concerns with temptation.  I suppose there are some who have given up or are taking a break and letting the works of the flesh win.  But there is no one who has won the battle for the Spirit over the flesh.  It is a war we will fight until our dying breath. 

In heaven, there will be only Spiritual Fruit.  There won’t be this battle, there will be no spiritual turmoil.  However, in order to reach the Kingdom of heaven, we have to fight this battle in our earthly life.  We have to cultivate the Fruit in our life now, so that when the harvester (God) comes for us, He will find souls filled with good fruit, with Spiritual fruit, souls that are ready to enter His Kingdom and enjoy the Fruits of their labor. 

Choosing to walk with the Spirit is a choice.  And it is a choice we have to make daily.  And we can’t have it all the ways—we can’t be a “Spirit-filled” hater, or a Spirit-filled “peace taker” or a “Christ-centered kill joy” or an “out of control” dedicated Christian.  Just like we can’t make a right-left turn or take both forks in a road, we have to choose the path to salvation.  If we say we “live by the Spirit” then we also must “walk by the Spirit.”  If we say we are a Christian, then we have to act the way a Christian is supposed to act. 

Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit which I receive through prayer and worship.  Fill me with Your grace, so that I may grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control today.  Help me to have courage to live my Christian faith even in moments when others around me are encouraging me not to.  Help me to keep focus and to nurture the Fruit of Your Spirit in me, today and always.  Amen.

Let your actions reflect your Christian faith!

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This Sunday

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6,  2017—Holy Transfiguration

APOLYTIKION: Thou wast transfigured on the mountain …                   Μετεμορθώθης εν τώ όρει Χριστέ ο Θεός ....

EPISTLE:  II Peter 1:10-19 (not in book)                                              

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 17:1-9 (not in book)

READER:  Philip Losey

ALTAR BOYS: Team B: Teddy C. Anagnostopoulos, Christo Antonopoulos, Angelo Cicatello, George L. Liapis, George P. Liapis, Markos Mamalakis, Dimitri Maniotis, Leonidas Melissourgos, Foti Papageorge, Andrew Roche, Vasili Tsiampas, Joseph VanCleve

USHERS: George Alexiou, Bob Gountis, Procopis Liapis, Apollon Limberatos, Niko Marlis

PROSPHORON:  Voula Katravas

HOSPITALITY:  Parish Council

BOOKSTORE: Jackie Papageorge 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13,  2017—10th Sunday of matthew

APOLYTIKION: When the stone had been sealed …                               Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ....

EPISTLE:  I Corinthians 4:9-16 (pg. 79)                                              

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 17:14-23 (pg. 79-80)

READER:  George Anagnostopoulos

ALTAR BOYS: Team A: Andre Acra, Theodore G. Anagnostopoulos, Evan Anagnostopoulos, Nikita Athens, Angelo Gorgolis, Christos Konstantakis, Peter Konstantakis, George Kostopoulos, Spiros Limberatos, Makis Limberatos, Dimitri Pandelis, Sam Patterson, Aristotelis & Dimitri Ziogas

USHERS: George Karas, Louie Kostopoulos, James Maholias, Alex Marlis, George Papageorge

PROSPHORON:  Helen Canellos– Nienhuis

HOSPITALITY: Memorial

BOOKSTORE: Janet Christopulos

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Calendar

  • This week's events

    July 31 to August 13, 2017

    Monday, July 31

    Popi's Vacation

    Sunday, August 6

    +Artoklasia

    +Blessing of the Grapes

    7:00AM Prosforon: Voula Katravas

    8:15AM Matins

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    12:30PM Hospitality: Parish Council

    Monday, August 7

    8:00AM +Div. Liturgy

    6:00PM +Small Paraklesis

    Tuesday, August 8

    Coming DEADLINE: The Vine announcements

    8:00AM +Div. Liturgy

    6:00PM +Great Paraklesis

    Wednesday, August 9

    8:00AM +Div. Liturgy

    6:00PM +Small Paraklesis

    Thursday, August 10

    Deadline: The Vine Announcements

    8:00AM +Div. Liturgy

    6:00PM +Great Paraklesis

    Friday, August 11

    8:00AM +Matins/Div. Liturgy

    6:00PM +Small Paraklesis

    Saturday, August 12

    8:00AM +Div. Liturgy

    Sunday, August 13

    +Memorial: 6-Months Helen Poulos

    7:00AM Prosforon: Helen Nienhuis

    8:15AM Matins

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    12:30PM Hospitality: Memorial

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Our News and Interests

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ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FASTING GUIDELINES

When fasting, this is the order of removing the different food groups:

1. Meat—We remove all meat products

2. Dairy/Eggs—We remove all dairy products and eggs

3. Fish—We remove all fish with a backbone

4. Oil/Wine—We remove shellfish and all vegan dishes with oil

5. Strict Fast—Bread, nuts, water-boiled soups

 

So, our calendar fasting symbols mean:

1.       Fast-Free: Everything is allowed (in moderation)

2.       Dairy/Eggs Allowed: No Meat

3.       Fish Allowed: No Meat/Dairy/Eggs

4.       Oil/Wine Allowed: No Meat/Dairy/Eggs/Fish

5.       Strict Fast: No Meat/Dairy/Eggs/Fish/Oil/Wine or Shellfish


When You Offer Something to God, He Multiplies It

By Fr. Stavros AkrotirianakisRoger Hunt in The Prayer Team

Jul 30, 2017  Comment(s)  Tags: 
As Jesus went ashore He saw a great throng; and He had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to Him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish He looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Then He made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. Matthew 14: 14-22

 

Good morning Prayer Team!

I remember one of the first things I learned when I learned my multiplication tables was that any number multiplies times zero is zero.  That’s because you can’t multiply nothing.  However, when you take a number, there are ways to multiply it.  When you take a substance, there are ways to multiply that substance.  And when you Christ to the mix, He can take anything and multiply it with His blessings.

In today’s Gospel we hear one of the more well-known stories in the Bible, the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish.  This must have been an amazing scene.  First of all the Gospel tells us that there were 5,000 men besides women and children.  So there may have been more than 10,000 people present.  Second, these people listened to Jesus teach all day.  He didn’t have the benefit of a microphone, so they would have needed to be quiet in order to hear.  I can’t imagine talking to ten thousand people without a microphone.  Any more than 30 people leads me to use a microphone.  We know that the people listened all day, because when Jesus ended, the day was spent.  So the patience and quietness of people listening for hours must have been amazing.

When the disciples asked Jesus to send the crowds away because there was no food, Jesus told them to give them something to eat.  We are not told whether it was the disciples who had the loaves and the fish, or if they had received them from the crowd.  In either case, five loaves and fish would not feed 12 hungry disciples, let alone 10,000 people.  Even multiplying it by 12 would have been impressive.  Imagine the mood when Jesus went to multiply the food—was there doubt and cynicism?  What was the mood like?  And how about after all had eaten and there were twelve baskets left over, more food than they had stared with?

Imagine the emotions of the people who produced the loaves and the fish.  Let’s say that one disciple had a loaf of bread he packed at home in the morning.  He was thinking that he would be hungry later and was being responsible for his sustenance.  Imagine what he must have thought when the call went out for food.  Perhaps he was mad, like “I brought this food and no I have to share it with those who didn’t think ahead and bring their own food.”  I’m certain the he was scared—like “if I share this loaf, I will only get a few crumbs.”  But in the end he must have been trusting—“I will give the only food I have and trust that I won’t go hungry.”  And he didn’t—everyone had so much to eat and there was food left over.

The key to the miraculous feeding of the five thousand was that someone had to put forth something for Jesus to multiply.  The scenario would have played out much different had no one given anything.  The lesson here is that when we offer something to God, He multiplies it back on us.  It may not be exactly what we offer that He offer back.  If you offer $1,000 to charity, He doesn’t give you necessarily $10,000 in return.  It doesn’t work like that.  But when we offer sincerely and sacrificially, He reward us with grace to complete what we lack.  Someone offered bread and fish sacrificially.  And Jesus multiplied it to make sure that the one who offered didn’t go hungry because of what he offered and that many others benefitted from the offering as well.

There have been occasions when I have offered a sacrificial (and even reckless) amount of time or money and see God’s blessings come back to me almost instantaneously.  When I go to summer camp, I offer all my time to this ministry—I sleep only a few hours a night.  And yet God multiplies the hours I sleep so that even when I only sleep three or four, I have a clear head the next day to teach and to work properly.  That, to me, is an example of God taking something little and multiplying it into something greater.

It takes a great deal of trust to offer something to God especially if it can potentially weaken our ability to eat or live.  The key to giving, however, is realizing that we have nothing to give, merely we give back from what He first gave us.  So when the cry came, “who has food to give,” if a person saw the bread as his own, he would not have stood up and shared.  However, if a person sees everything good thing as coming from God, when the cry comes “who has something to give,” it is much easier to answer “I have something to give back.”

Remember two things from the Gospel reading—we have nothing to give, only to give back.  And when we give something to God, He can multiply what we give and do much good with it.  When we offer nothing, we offer nothing for Him to multiply.  We know that God can create out of nothing, so that wasn’t the point of the miracle.  We work in concert with God—that’s what Christianity is all about.  We give back. He multiplies.  And people are fed with His Word.  So, don’t be afraid to offer sacrificially to others and to the church, whether you are offering time, or whether you are offering a generous donation.  Because whatever you give back, He will revisit on you in some way, just as He did for people in that crowd who offered whatever little they had.

Life was laid in the sepulcher, and a seal was laid on the stone.  And as if guarding a King in His sleep, so the soldiers guarded Christ; and Angels glorified Him as the immortal God.  The women cried aloud, “The Lord has risen and granted the world great mercy.”  (First Kathismata, Sunday Orthros, Grave tone, Trans. by Fr. Seraphim Dedes)

Give back to God today.  Do it sacrificially and joyfully.  And He will multiply what you offer to others as well as back on yourself.

 

+Fr. Stavros


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Bulletin Inserts

    Children's Word

    Children's Word

    OCN's Weekly bulletin for children


    Greek School Registration Form

    Greek School Registration Form

    For the school 2017-2018


    2017 Scholarship Guide

    2017 Scholarship Guide

    Windy City has compiled this guide of scholarships that are available to Greek Americans. "We’re dedicated to providing resources for our community, and we’re so excited to present Greek American Scholarship Guide 2017. ... Find information here to begin your research and application process. Some deadlines have already passed this year, but later this year, applications for 2018 will be posted. That will give you time to work through this information and determine your own eligibility and what opportunities to pursue. With the ever-increasing cost of college education, we recommend that you apply for as many scholarships as you can – no matter how small. The numbers will add up and every dollar makes a difference. In this guide, find “mini profiles” of scholarship awards of more than $5000. Also find a list of links to other organizations that offer smaller awards. Look for ideas on other places to search for opportunities, as well as tips on applying and winning scholarships. A very special thank you to our sponsors. We’re grateful to The John C. Kulis Charitable Foundation and PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation for their continued support. You’ll learn also more about them in this guide. Dive in! Happy Scholarship Hunting!


    Scrip Gift Card Program

    Scrip Gift Card Program

    Take care of all your gift card needs and help raise money for our Church at no additional cost to you!


    St. Photios Essay

    St. Photios Essay

    The Shrine is built in the memory of the Greek Orthodox colonists. Why? Write a 1000-word essay showcasing your understanding of what happened in 1777 to the survivors of the New Smyrna Colony.... Deadline for submissions: December 31, 2017 1st Place wins $500 2nd Place wins $250 3rd Place wins $100


    OCWA Retreat

    OCWA Retreat

    September 29 & 30th, 2017 St. Iakovos Retreat Center 10707 224th Ave., Kansasville, WI 53139 Come join us… At a place of faith and fellowship. Rejoice in being surrounded by God’s beauty, and the love of Pan-Orthodox friends. Optional activities include a nature walk, bonfire, and hayride. Guest presenters: Fr. Nikola Radovancevic, from St. Nikola Serbian Orthodox Church in Cudahy Janet Christopulos, of Ss. Constantine & Helen, Wauwatosa Fee: $110 per person Downpayment of $60 per person must be sent in with this form by July 15th. The balance of $50 per person is due by August 15th. Send checks (payable to OCWA) to: Zoki Miskov 10480 W. Palmersheim Drive, Hales Corners, WI 53130 Any Questions? Fay Kolster 414-321-0347 or tkolster@wi.rr.com Three meals will be provided. Sign in begins @ 2pm on Fri., Sept. 29th, 2017. Retreat wraps up @ 2pm on Saturday.


    Family Ministry Conference

    Family Ministry Conference

    September 20-23, 2017


    Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand - Family Connections (Half-Legal)

    Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand - Family Connections (Half-Legal)

    Bulletin Insert in half-legal format on the Sunday of Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand with Resources for Couples and Families provided by the Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

    Insert shared from Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America until May 30, 2018.


    Faith as a Grain of Mustard Seed - Family Connections (Half-Legal)

    Faith as a Grain of Mustard Seed - Family Connections (Half-Legal)

    Bulletin Insert in half-legal format on the Parable of the Mustard Seed (11th Sunday of Matthew) with Resources for Couples and Families provided by the Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

    Insert shared from Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America until May 30, 2018.


    Transfiguration of Christ - Family Connections (Half-Legal)

    Transfiguration of Christ - Family Connections (Half-Legal)

    Bulletin Insert in half-legal format for the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ with Resources for Couples and Families provided by the Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

    Insert shared from Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America until May 30, 2018.


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Saints and Feasts

Transfiguration
August 06

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Our Lord had spoken to His disciples many times not only concerning His Passion, Cross, and Death, but also concerning the coming persecutions and afflictions that they themselves would endure. Since all these evils were near at hand, but the enjoyment of good things which they hoped to receive in their stead was yet to come, our Savior desired to give them full assurance, evidently and openly, concerning that glory which is prepared for those who endure to the end. Therefore, fulfilling that which He had promised shortly before, that "there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom" (Matt. 16:28), He took His three foremost disciples and ascended Mount Tabor, where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light. Suddenly, together with this dread and marvelous effulgence of light, there appeared those pinnacles of the Prophets, Moses and Elias, who spoke with the Lord Jesus concerning His saving Passion which was about to take place. Standing before Him as reverent servants, they showed that He is the Lord of both the living and the dead, for Moses came forth from Hades, having died many centuries before, and Elias, as it were from heaven, whither he had been taken up while yet alive. After a little while a radiant cloud overshadowed them and out of the cloud they heard that same voice which had been heard at the Jordan at the Baptism of Christ, testifying to the Divinity of Jesus and saying: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased; hear ye Him" (Matt. 17: 5).

Such are the marvels, truly worthy of God, celebrated in this present feast, which is an image and prefiguring of the future state of the righteous, whose splendor the Lord spoke of, saying: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun" (Matt. 13:43). It is because of this that the Kontakion of this Feast is said daily (when there is not a great feast) in the Service of the Typica in perpetual commemoration of the glory that will be the lot of the Saints. According to tradition, the Lord's Transfiguration came to pass forty days before His Crucifixion; this is why the Transfiguration is celebrated forty days before the Exaltation of the Cross.


Allsaint
August 07

Sozon of Nicomedea


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
The Reading is from Luke 9:28-36

At that time, Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah" - not knowing what he said. As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved; listen to him!" And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 9:28-36

᾿Εγένετο δὲ μετὰ τοὺς λόγους τούτους ὡσεὶ ἡμέραι ὀκτὼ καὶ παραλαβὼν τὸν Πέτρον καὶ ᾿Ιωάννην καὶ ᾿Ιάκωβον ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος προσεύξασθαι. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ προσεύχεσθαι αὐτὸν τὸ εἶδος τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ ἕτερον καὶ ὁ ἱματισμὸς αὐτοῦ λευκὸς ἐξαστράπτων. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνδρες δύο συνελάλουν αὐτῷ, οἵτινες ἦσαν Μωϋσῆς καὶ ᾿Ηλίας, οἳ ὀφθέντες ἐν δόξῃ ἔλεγον τὴν ἔξοδον αὐτοῦ ἣν ἔμελλε πληροῦν ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ. ὁ δὲ Πέτρος καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ ἦσαν βεβαρημένοι ὕπνῳ· διαγρηγορήσαντες δὲ εἶδον τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ καὶ τοὺς δύο ἄνδρας τοὺς συνεστῶτας αὐτῷ. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ διαχωρίζεσθαι αὐτοὺς ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ εἶπεν ὁ Πέτρος πρὸς τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν· ἐπιστάτα, καλόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς ὧδε εἶναι· καὶ ποιήσωμεν σκηνὰς τρεῖς, μίαν σοὶ καὶ μίαν Μωϋσεῖ καὶ μίαν ᾿Ηλίᾳ, μὴ εἰδὼς ὃ λέγει. ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ λέγοντος ἐγένετο νεφέλη καὶ ἐπεσκίασεν αὐτούς· ἐφοβήθησαν δὲ ἐν τῷ εἰσελθεῖν ἐκείνους εἰς τὴν νεφέλην· καὶ φωνὴ ἐγένετο ἐκ τῆς νεφέλης λέγουσα· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός· αὐτοῦ ἀκούετε. καὶ ἐν τῷ γενέσθαι τὴν φωνὴν εὑρέθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς μόνος. καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐσίγησαν καὶ οὐδενὶ ἀπήγγειλαν ἐν ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις οὐδὲν ὧν ἑωράκασιν.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from St. Peter's Second Universal Letter 1:10-19.

BRETHREN, be more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Therefore I intend always to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to arouse you by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. And I will see to it that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 103.24,1.
Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας.
Στίχ. Εὐλόγει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πέτρου β' 1:10-19.

Ἀδελφοί, σπουδάσατε βεβαίαν ὑμῶν τὴν κλῆσιν καὶ ἐκλογὴν ποιεῖσθαι· ταῦτα γὰρ ποιοῦντες οὐ μὴ πταίσητέ ποτε· οὕτως γὰρ πλουσίως ἐπιχορηγηθήσεται ὑμῖν ἡ εἴσοδος εἰς τὴν αἰώνιον βασιλείαν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ οὐκ ἀμελήσω ἀεὶ ὑμᾶς ὑπομιμνῄσκειν περὶ τούτων, καίπερ εἰδότας, καὶ ἐστηριγμένους ἐν τῇ παρούσῃ ἀληθείᾳ. Δίκαιον δὲ ἡγοῦμαι, ἐφʼ ὅσον εἰμὶ ἐν τούτῳ τῷ σκηνώματι, διεγείρειν ὑμᾶς ἐν ὑπομνήσει· εἰδὼς ὅτι ταχινή ἐστιν ἡ ἀπόθεσις τοῦ σκηνώματός μου, καθὼς καὶ ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ἐδήλωσέν μοι. Σπουδάσω δὲ καὶ ἑκάστοτε ἔχειν ὑμᾶς μετὰ τὴν ἐμὴν ἔξοδον τὴν τούτων μνήμην ποιεῖσθαι. Οὐ γὰρ σεσοφισμένοις μύθοις ἐξακολουθήσαντες ἐγνωρίσαμεν ὑμῖν τὴν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ δύναμιν καὶ παρουσίαν, ἀλλʼ ἐπόπται γενηθέντες τῆς ἐκείνου μεγαλειότητος. Λαβὼν γὰρ παρὰ θεοῦ πατρὸς τιμὴν καὶ δόξαν, φωνῆς ἐνεχθείσης αὐτῷ τοιᾶσδε ὑπὸ τῆς μεγαλοπρεποῦς δόξης, Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, εἰς ὃν ἐγὼ εὐδόκησα· καὶ ταύτην τὴν φωνὴν ἡμεῖς ἠκούσαμεν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ἐνεχθεῖσαν, σὺν αὐτῷ ὄντες ἐν τῷ ὄρει τῷ ἁγίῳ. Καὶ ἔχομεν βεβαιότερον τὸν προφητικὸν λόγον, ᾧ καλῶς ποιεῖτε προσέχοντες, ὡς λύχνῳ φαίνοντι ἐν αὐχμηρῷ τόπῳ, ἕως οὗ ἡμέρα διαυγάσῃ, καὶ φωσφόρος ἀνατείλῃ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν.


Gospel Reading

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
The Reading is from Matthew 17:1-9

At that time, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead."

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 17:1-9

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παραλαμβάνει ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὸν Πέτρον καὶ ᾿Ιάκωβον καὶ ᾿Ιωάννην τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναφέρει αὐτοὺς εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν κατ᾿ ἰδίαν· καὶ μετεμορφώθη ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔλαμψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος, τὰ δὲ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο λευκὰ ὡς τὸ φῶς. καὶ ἰδοὺ ὤφθησαν αὐτοῖς Μωσῆς καὶ ᾿Ηλίας μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ συλλαλοῦντες. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπε τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ· Κύριε, καλόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς ὧδε εἶναι· εἰ θέλεις, ποιήσωμεν ὧδε τρεῖς σκηνάς, σοὶ μίαν καὶ Μωσεῖ μίαν καὶ μίαν ᾿Ηλίᾳ. ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος ἰδοὺ νεφέλη φωτεινὴ ἐπεσκίασεν αὐτούς, καὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ἐκ τῆς νεφέλης λέγουσα· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα· αὐτοῦ ἀκούετε· καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ μαθηταὶ ἔπεσον ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα. καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἥψατο αὐτῶν καὶ εἶπεν· ἐγέρθητε καὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε. ἐπάραντες δὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν οὐδένα εἶδον εἰ μὴ τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν μόνον. καὶ καταβαινόντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους ἐνετείλατο αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς λέγων· μηδενὶ εἴπητε τὸ ὅραμα ἕως οὗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῇ.


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Holy Transfiguration in the Grave Mode

Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, showing to Thy disciples Thy glory as each one could endure. Shine forth Thou on us, who are sinners all, Thy light ever-unending, through the prayers of the Theotokos. Light-bestower, glory be to Thee.
Μετεμορθώθης εν τώ όρει Χριστέ ο Θεός, δείξας τοίς Μαθηταίς σου τήν δόξαν σου, καθώς ήδυναντο, Λάμψον καί ημίν τοίς αμαρτωλοίς, τό φώς σου τό αϊδιον, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, φωτοδότα δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father.
Επί τού όρους μετεμορφώθης, καί ως εχώρουν οι Μαθηταί σου τήν δόξαν σου, Χριστέ ο Θεός εθεάσαντο, ίνα όταν σε ίδωσι σταυρούμενον, τό μέν πάθος νοήσωσιν εκούσιον, τώ δέ κόσμω κηρύξωσιν, ότι σύ υπάρχεις αληθώς, τού Πατρός τό απαύγασμα.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

The Lord does not always appear in glory to all who stand before Him. To beginners He appears in the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7); to those able to follow Him as He climbs the high mountain of His transfiguration He appears in the form of God, the form in which He existed before the world came to be (John 17:5).
St. Maximos the Confessor
Second Century on Theology, 13., 7th Century

It is therefore possible for the same Lord not to appear in the same way to all who stand before Him, but to appear to some in one way and to others in another way, according to the measure of each person's faith.
St. Maximos the Confessor
Second Century on Theology, 13., 7th Century

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