Sunday Morning Orthros/Matins 8:15am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am; Saturday Great Vespers 5:00pm (October thru May); Weekday Services (see Online Calendar, Sunday Bulletin & Monthly Newsletter); Confession (by appointment).
This saint was known for the many miracles he worked and for his apostolic zeal in shepherding the flock of Sinope. He contested for the Faith during the reign of the Emperor Trajan, in the year 102, when he was burned to death in a bath-house. A homily in his honour was composed by Saint John Chrysostom. The translation of his holy relics is celebrated on July 23.
The Prophet Ezekiel ("God is strong") was the son of Buzi and a priest by rank. He was taken captive and brought to Babylon during the reign of Jechonias. In the fifth year of this captivity, about 594 or 593 B.C., he began to prophesy. Having prophesied for about twenty-eight years, he was murdered, it is said, by the tribe of Gad, because he reproached them for their idolatry. His book of prophecy, divided into forty-eight chapters, is ranked third among the greater Prophets. It is richly filled with mystical imagery and marvelous prophetic visions and allegories, of which the dread Chariot of Cherubim described in the first Chapter is the most famous; in the "gate that was shut," through which the Lord alone entered, he darkly foretold of the Word's Incarnation from the Virgin (44:1-3); through the "dry bones" that came to life again (37:1-14), he prophesied both of the restoration of captive Israel, and the general resurrection of our race.
The Icon of the Mother of God of Pochaev - Metropolitan Neophytus, a bishop belonging to the see of Constantinople, was traveling through Volhynia in Ukraine where he was given hospitality by a pious woman, Anna Goyskaya. The bishop gave this woman an icon of the holy Theotokos, which began to work miracles, including the healing of her blind brother. In 1597 the icon was given to the monks residing in Pochaev near the border of Galicia, where the Mother of God had appeared in 1340, leaving an imprint of her footprint in the rock, from which a stream gushed forth. In 1675 when the Lavra of Pochaev was besieged by the Moslem Turks, it was saved by the miraculous intervention of the Mother of God through her wonderworking icon. Even though the Lavra of Pochaev came into Uniate hands for over a century, miracles continued to be worked through the holy icon. Since its return to the Orthodox Catholic Church in 1831, the icon has been a grace-bestowing support for Orthodox Christians, especially those in western Ukraine and the Carpathian region.
The Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All That Sorrow" - As with so many other icons of the Theotokos, wonderworking copies of this icon have been found throughout Orthodox Russia, each with its own history and moving collection of miracles. In this icon, the most holy Mother of God is depicted standing full stature sometimes with, sometimes without the Divine Child in her arms; she is surrounded by all manner of the sick and the suffering, to whom Angels of the Lord bear gifts of mercy, consolation, and suitable aid from the most holy Theotokos. The icon "Joy of all that Sorrow" was inspired by the hymn of the same name; see page 222 in Great Compline. Through one copy of this icon, the sister of Patriarch Joachim was healed at the end of the seventeenth century in Moscow, from which time the feast was established. Another copy of the icon was found in Saint Petersburg; on July 23, 1888, during the severe thunderstorm, lightning struck a chapel at a glass factory, burning the interior walls of the church, but leaving the icon unsinged. From the violent disturbance of the air, the icon was knocked to the floor, the poor-box broke open, and twelve copper coins adhered to the icon in various places; afterwards many miracles were worked by the grace of the holy icon.
Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10
On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 15:1-7.
BRETHREN, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35
At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios made a pastoral visit July 11, 2017, to Camp Saint Paul of the Direct Archdiocesan District. He was received with enthusiasm by the campers, spent the day with them, observed their activities heard and answered their questions, had lunch with them and gave them a pocket edition of the New Testament, a prayer bracelet with a small cross along with his blessings.
How To Let Your Light Shine (7-16-2017)
At Summer Church Camp two weeks ago the senior boys and girls went from cabin to cabin one evening serenading the young campers. One of the songs they sang goes like this. Perhaps you’ll recognize the lyrics.
Do you ever feel, Like a plastic bag, Drifting through the wind, Wanting to start again.
Do you ever feel, Feel so paper-thin, Like a house of cards, One blow from caving in.
Do you ever feel, Already buried deep, Six feet under, Screams but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's, Still a chance for you, 'Cause there's a spark in you.
You just gotta, Ignite the light, And let it shine.
Just own the night, Like the Fourth of July.
'Cause baby, you're a firework, Come on show them what you're worth.
Read more: Katy Perry - Firework Lyrics | MetroLyrics
Not only does this song relate to our country’s celebration of its independence but it also relates to Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel of Matthew 5:14-19 from the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council.
14“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
So, this light that we have that we are supposed to let shine, where does it come from? It comes from Jesus Himself, 12Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12). Church Fathers and Saints speak about the “Light of Christ” as also being the Holy Spirit. Because we are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26) and because we God has breathed into us is life-creating Spirit (Gen.2:7), we have this light.
So, the question is how can we let this light shine? Well, first of all, the light does not burn brightly by itself. It must be fed like a fire with fuel. A fire needs three things: a spark, combustible material, and oxygen. God has already provided the spark. The combustible material is the Eucharist--Body and Blood of Jesus Christ--and the substance of a sacrificial life. The oxygen is continual indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We all have the spark but not all of us life a life of self-sacrifice taking up our cross daily. Often our life is overwhelmed with self-indulgence, doing for ourselves what we should be doing for God, for His Church and for other people. The oxygen of God’s Holy Spirit can only be acquired through prayer each day.
If we do not take up our cross or pray each day, then our light cannot shine. Fr. Anthony Coniaris asked in his sermon, “It’s What’s Inside that Counts” (Message of Sunday Gospels, vol.2, pp.94-98): What do you get when you squeeze an orange? The most common or expected answer is ‘orange juice.’ However, the more correct answer is, “Whatever is inside the orange.” That’s true of us humans. Whenever we are squeezed by inconvenience, criticism, stress, distress, illness and suffering, what is inside of us will come out.
When Jesus was squeezed on the Cross by His enemies, what was inside of Him came out: 34Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)
If Jesus lives inside of you, His love will spill out every time you are squeezed. If the Holy Spirit abides in you, the fruits of the Spirit will spill out when life squeezes you: 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Yet, if we do not pray and we do not worship and we do not receive Holy Communion, then it will be darkness, not light that shines, when we are squeezed. That is what Jesus is talking about when He says,
22"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew (6:22-23)
A person does not murder someone else randomly. It started first because the murderer killed the other person in his/her own heart. Jesus addresses this in His Sermon on the Mount:
21"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' 22But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. (Matthew 5:21-22)
A person does not commit adultery or fornication randomly or spontaneously. Jesus spoke about this also:
27"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)
18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man." (Matthew 15:18-20)
We are often so obsessed with our outward appearance, or what we say, or what we do, that we forget about our heart, our mind and our soul—those things that are inside of us:
25Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. (Matthew 23:25-26)
The Great Wall of China is a gigantic structure so huge it can be seeing from the moon. It cost an immense amout of time, labor and money to build. When it was finished it was considered impregnable. However, the enemy breached it, not by breaking it down or going around it. They were able to penetrate it by bribing the gatekeepers. It fell from the inside, from within.
It takes two things to blow down a large tree: 1) a heavy wind outside and, 2) rot and decay inside. A tree that is strong inside can weather even the greatest of storms.
The devil gets us to shine darkness instead of light by bribing or enticing the logoismoi/thoughts to gain entry into our heart, mind and soul through. Once inside he can begin his deadly work of rot, decay and death.
Listen to what the Apostle Paul says about this:
15For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:15-23)
In conclusion, let us remember two saintly persons from the scriptures and how they let their light shine.
29Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses' hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. 30So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. (Exodus 34:29-30)
In Acts 6, Stephen the Archdeacon was helping to spread the Gospel, it says:8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. (v.8), his enemies were upset because, 10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. (v.10). When they detained him, 15And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. (Acts 6:15)
The Russian Orthodox writer, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, described inner warfare like this:
“Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes (of people), nor between political parties either—but right through every human heart…Since then I have come to understand the truth of all the religions of the world: they struggle with the evil inside a human being (inside every human being). It’s impossible to expel evil from the world in its entirety, but it is possible to constrict it within each person.”
The revolutions of the world try to destroy the outer evils but they cannot touch the inner evil in man’s heart. That is why they are doomed to failure. The only true revolution is the one instituted by Jesus Christ—the revolution called repentance. It totally destroys the inner evil and creates a new person and through the new person a new society. Finally, let us remember:
7But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1Samuel 16:7)
ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
REV. FR. RICHARD DEMETRIUS ANDREWS, PRESBYTER
July 23, 2017 7TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW
TODAY’S EVENTS: Jr. Goya youth at Philoxenia House in Rochester; Serve-a-Meal at FOCUS MN 4pm.
Epistle Reader: Stephen Kanavati Prosfora: anonymous
Fellowship: George & Shannon Canas Family Head Usher: Bill Clemons
Sunday 07-30 ORTHROS (8:15am) &DIVINELITURGY- 8TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW 9:30AM
Serve-a-Meal at FOCUS MN 4:00PM
Greek Dance Practice 6:30PM
Tuesday 08-01 FAST OF DORMITION BEGINS - PROCESSION OF HOLY CROSS
PARAKLESIS – 9:00AM
Wednesday 08-02 PARAKLESIS – 7:00PM
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Fast of Dormition: begins in one week, August 1-15; an excellent time to worship, fast, repent and confess. Paraklesis-Supplicatory Canon to the Theotokos services will be celebrated at various times throughout the fast. Please plan ahead for at least two to three services in your schedule. The Paraklesis is a beautifully melodic service the kids will enjoy. Please be sure to bring names of the living so priest can pray for them.
New Sanctuary Candles: the four tall candles in front of iconostasi donated in memory of Hrone Makredes.
New Metropolitan of Chicago: the Trisopon (list of three candidates) selected by the Holy Eparchial Synod of America was forwarded to the Patriarchal Synod in Constantinople. Unofficially, it appears that the list has been rejected and a new list must be selected. Please continue to pray that God grant us a worthy successor and chief shepherd. Until then, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit is serving as locum tenens.
Festival Baking: help make delicious Greek sweets! Contact Nanette Gomez or the office for dates and times.
Think About It: If the things of the world delight you, turn your love from them to their Creator so that in what pleases you, you may not displease God. St. Augustine of Hippo (+430)
Feast Day Vespers of the Dormition at St Mary's Greek Orthodox Church.Everyone is invited for St. Mary Greek Parish Feast Day Vespers on Monday, August 14 at 6:00 PM. We will sing the Lamentations to the Virgin, have the Five Loaves Service, and refreshments/fellowship to follow.
Advance Sale Festival Tickets: Last day to save! Buy tickets today at the price of $10 for $12 of food & beverages. Beginning tomorrow, the price of Advance Sale Tickets will be $10 for $10 of food and beverages. Tickets sold in the social hall after liturgy, and online at https://sites.google.com/view/stgeorgegreekfestival/.
Prothesis Project- the masonry work for the new antiprothesis/skeuvophylakion project is complete. This is the first phase. After sealing and painting, the next is the installation of the new carved wood cabinets for both the original prosthesis in the north niche and the new antiprothesis in the south niche. Each will have a special carved panel, one of St. George and the other a Lamb with a Cross. Additional work includes marble tops and an icon in the south niche. This will be beautiful addition to our sanctuary space and provide practical storage, display and preparation space for the worship services. Stay tuned!
Roselawn Cemetery Lots: available to parishioners at a 15% discount off 2017 list prices. Discounted prices are: Monument Lot (2 graves) $5,865.00; Flat Lot A (2 graves) $3,485.00; Flat Lot B (1 grave-limited availability) $2,040.00. For more info or to purchase a lot, please contact the church office.
Patristic Wisdom: The acquisition of inner prayer is essential. Without it you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Outward mental prayer is insufficient, for it can be present even in a person within whom the passions dwell. Some may say, “What is the sense in prayer? What benefit is it?” Well, it is a great benefit! For God is the Lord, “Who gives to those who pray” (1Kings 2:9). St. Barsanouphios of Optina (+1913)
Lexington Parkway Improvements- starting early July, concrete and brick crosswalks will be replaced with blacktop along with new pedestrian accessible curbs at intersections. Watch for lane shifts and closures.
Stewardship 2017: Theme is You are the Voice of Christ in a Changing World: As the Father Has Sent Me, So I Send You (John 20:21). We have received 115 pledge cards for 2017 with a total of $170,842 and an average of $1,485. Be sure to increase your pledge, even if only a few dollars. This reflects spiritual growth and overcomes stagnation. We encourage everyone to give a minimum of 2% pledge of gross yearly income to become a self-sustaining community, far less than the biblical ideal of tithing or 10%.
Wisdom from the Church Fathers: Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt.6:33). Parents must remember and practice this for generally children acquire the character of their parents, are formed and molded by their temperament, love what they love, talk the way they talk, and work the way they work. If we order our lives with God first, diligently studying the Scriptures, we will find lessons to guide us in everything we and our children need. St. John Chrysostom (+408)
Need Counseling? Fr. Rick is always available by appointment for pastoral counseling. He will soon become a Licensed Associate in Marriage & Family Therapy (LAMFT). To complete his doctoral internship, Father needs a certain number of hours counseling individuals, couples and families. His program allows pastoral counseling to count towards those hours. Fr. Rick has over 22 years of parish priest experience as well as doctoral training in MFT. Help him to help you. All counseling is strictly confidential. Fr. Rick is also a certified Seminar Director for the Prepare-Enrich program (www.prepare-enrich.com), the premier pre-marital and marital counseling assessment tool in the world. This enables him to train others to become program facilitators.
Let Us Commit Ourselves and one Another: We cannot neglect the task of practical preparation to enhance our liturgical participation. Commitment to God and His family (the Church) requires advance planning and sacrifice. It behooves all of us to take seriously our Orthodox Christian Faith by participating the Sunday Divine Liturgy and weekday Lenten services. Let us commit ourselves and one another and our life to Christ our God!
Church Fathers Speak: It is not possible to correct yourself if you do not recognize the evil hidden in your heart and the calamities that proceed from it. An unrecognized disease remains untreated. The beginning of healing is to know your disease. The beginning of blessedness is to know your misfortune and wretchedness. For who, having recognized his illness, does not seek healing, and who, knowing his/her misfortune, does not seek deliverance from it. St. Tikhon of Zadonsk (+1783)
Rise and Shine! Orthros is the sunrise service in the Orthodox Church but probably one of the most neglected. Every individual and family should make an effort to participate periodically. At least, plan to arrive at the beginning of Divine Liturgy. Like Vespers, Orthros has many profound hymns about Jesus' Resurrection and the Saints or Feast of the Day along with petitions, prayers and readings. Orthros begins Sunday morning 8:15am.
Welcome Visitors Thank you for joining with us in prayer and fellowship. The worship of the Orthodox Church is deeply rooted in and very similar to that of the early Christian Church. Unique sensory stimuli and mystery are elements that go back even to the liturgy of the Jewish temple. Everything in an Orthodox Christian church communicates the majestic presence of God the Holy Trinity with His Saints. It is literally heaven on earth. It is a sad consequence of the divisions in Christianity that we cannot extend a general invitation to receive Holy Communion. Visitors are invited to receive the blessed bread (antithoron) at the conclusion of the liturgy. We pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all Christians. If you are interested in learning more about Orthodoxy, please contact Fr. Rick at fatherrick@stgeorgegoc.org. We are proud of our Greek heritage but one does not have to be of Greek descent, nor speak Greek to be a Greek Orthodox Christian.
Note to Orthodox about Holy Communion: Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is one of the most Holy experiences for a Christian in order to be granted the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. We are never worthy to partake of Divine Nature. Yet, it is essential that we prepare ourselves for this sacred Communion by constant prayer, reading the Scriptures, regular fasting and periodic Confession. At a minimum, we should fast all morning before Communion, arrive at the beginning of Liturgy, and come for Confession at least once a year. In addition, we should not have separated ourselves from the Church through serious sin. Otherwise, please refrain from Communion to avoid “judgment…not discerning the Lord’s body” (1Cor. 11:29). Contact Fr. Rick for pastoral guidance.
Glad Tidings deadline: The 10th of each month. Glad Tidings email: gladtidings@stgeorgegoc.org Sunday Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday Noon each week. Email: office@stgeorgegoc.org
Liturgy Guide 07-23-2017