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St. John the Theologian Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-08-06
Bulletin Contents
Transfiguration
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St. John the Theologian Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (281)554-7223
  • Street Address:

  • 202 North Walnut Street

  • Webster, TX 77598


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Saturday Vespers: 6:00pm Sunday: Orthros at 9am with the Divine Liturgy following Weeknight Services (according to calendar): Vespers 5:30pm, Divine Liturgy 6:30pm (Times are approximate)


Past Bulletins


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. 4th 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. 4th 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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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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Announcements

* Please join us after the Liturgy for coffee hour in the Parish Home. Parishioners, please allow only coffee hour team members to park in the driveway so they can have easier unloading access. This weeks coffee hour is sponsored by the White team. Thank you!

Rotation Order for Coffee Hour: 
Yellow: Ashley, Guadiano, L. Rigas, A & M. Tambourides 
Orange: Gazis, Marinos, Sokol, Suniga 
Purple: Agler, Loveless, McFalls, Richards, Savage 
Green: Metaxas, Saphos, Pagourtzis
White: Lyashman, Partlow, Ely, Mourtakos
Red: Gazaw, Padilla, Hammock, Zacharias 
Blue: Patelis, Rapos, Simeon, Yunakov 
Pink: Craioveanu, Quinn

We could use a volunteer or two for the Pink team. For those unfamiliar with our coffee hours, everyone who is a member gets the experience of hosting a Coffee Hour without the burden of doing it alone. It also provides a forum for the group of 4 to 6 members each week to coordinate, work together and get to know one another better. It really can be a lot of fun! Please contact the office to have your name added.

* We have bags of meatballs for $12, pita bread for $1 packet and beer for $1 per can (16 ounces). See Beth Richards or Cleopatra Nelson.

* Please let the office know for any upcoming baptisms, memorials, and prayer list, so we can update the church calendar and lists in a timely manner.

* Our bookstore/gift shop has acquired new icons direct from Greece! Take a moment to check them out.

 

* We are actively looking for people to help teach two to three Greek School classes: Beginner children and beginner adult. This would be a curriculum based class, with text and work books. Classes will be once a week from September to May, with holiday breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and Holy Week. If you are interested in one of the teaching positions, and would like more information, please contact the office.

 

 

Prayer List:

Please email the office at stjohnclearlake@comcast.net to give the names of your loved ones that you would like to add to our prayers list.

Sherri Parris and Kathi Parris (Phyllis’s daughters), Nuvia Murillo (Irma’s sister/Athena’s Aunt), Heather Byington (Colette's daughter), Alex Koemtzopoulos, Alice Marinos, Evangelia Mourtakos, Concuelo (friend of Kika’s), Juliana Balinbin (Creighton's mother), Nicole Balinbin (Creighton's daughter).

The handmaiden of God, Presbytera Jenny Newlin. May her memory be eternal.

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2017 Stewardship

Orthodox Christian Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledges accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God. A primary goal of Stewardship is to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. Becoming a Steward begins when we believe in God, to whom we give our love, loyalty and trust and act on those beliefs. As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from Him. Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts with which they have been blessed.

Our Parish Council has been active in working with the City of Webster to lay the groundwork for building a new Parish Hall and expanding our Sanctuary on our existing properties. We have never been this close in previous years. We are asking everyone to prayerfully consider increasing their stewardship pledge by 10%. In this way, we may receive and multiply the blessings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into a new vision and inspiration for where His Divine Grace takes our parish next.

Download our 2017 Pledge Card from our Parish Website or call the church office. Your Stewardship helps fund our Priest, support staff, ministry programs, facilities, repairs, cleaning and lawn services, and utilities.

Please help build the future for our children and our children’s children. 

Through your generous stewardship, spiritual presence in the Bay Area will continue and our vision of a beautiful new church will become a reality.

 July 2017 Chart

 

We Wish to Thank the following for filling out a Stewardship Card for 2017:

Agler, Matthew & Lisa

Ashley, LeVern & Ellie

Atanasov, Strahil & Snejinka

Augoustiniatos, Elizabeth

Balinbin, Creighton & Trudy

Bertuglia, Joe Mr. & Mrs

Craioveanu, Fr. Florin & Juliana

Crittenden, Allen & Sofia

Critzos, Constance

Cuclis, Terry & Velda

Dewey, Michael & Madison

Dohatchu, Andreea

Donaldson, Sandra

Ely, John

Gazaw, Helen

Gazis, Evangeline

Gazis, William M.

Hammack, Glenn & Connie

Henderson, Jimmie

Koumbias, Michael & Dionisia

Leo, Ross Mr. & Mrs

Liolios, George & Vasilia

Love, Ralph & Joanna

Loveless, Michael and Angela

Marinos, Lou and Alice

Maxson, Neil & Mary

McFalls, David & Mariam

Metaxas, Costas and Deena

Moore, Dr. Michael & Maria

Mourtakos, Demetrios & Sylvia

Mourtakos, Elias & Evangelia

Nassif, George & Zeina

Padilla, Chrysanthe

Pantazis, Emmanuel & Angeliki

Papasozomenos, Theo & Maria

Parris, Phyllis

Patelis, Athena

Patelis, Irma

Pisimisis, George & Karen

Pocol, Marius & Vali

Polemenakos, Steve Mr & Mrs

Quinn, Thomas & Colette

Rapos, Kosta & Janet

Richards, Eric & Beth

Rigas, Alexandros Mr & Mrs

Rigas, Georgios & Aikaterini

Saba, Jamileh

Saifi, Tony & Dawn

Saphos, Maria

Savage, Michael & Monica

Sharkey, Joanna

Simeon, Maria

Sokol, Cali & Bob

Suniga, Raul & Callie

Tambourides, Theo & Andriana

Tampouridou, Kika

Taneff, George & Yntong

Thanos, Demos

Tsiantopoulos, Dimitris & Xiaoli

Tsougarakis, Priscilla

Varcados,Iakovos & Diakonisa

Whittington, Jerry

Wood, Christopher

Yunakov, Heleni

Zachariades, Harry & Pam

Zacharias, George & Mary

 

67 Pledging Families

$85,634 in Pledges

 

For your convenience, stewardship donations may be made securely online. All major credit/debit cards are accepted.

DONATE

 

 

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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Holy Transfiguration in the Grave Mode

When you were transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, you showed disciples your glory as far as they could bear. So now, for us sinners also, let this same eternal light shine forth through the prayers of the Theotokos. O Giver of light, glory to you.
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 on the mountain, O Christ our God, showing your disciples as much of your glory as they could bear, so that when they see you crucified they will know that you suffer freely, and they will tell all the world that you are truly the radiance 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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Parish Calendar

  • Parish Calendar

    August 6 to September 3, 2017

    Sunday, August 6

    Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

    9:00AM Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Coffee(fasting): Team White

    12:00PM Introduction to Orthodoxy

    6:00PM Visitation for Presbytera Jenny Newlin

    7:00PM Trisagion Service for Presbytera Jenny Newlin

    Monday, August 7

    Afterfeast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

    10:00AM Funeral Service for Presbytera Jenny Newlin

    Tuesday, August 8

    Emilian the Confessor & Bishop of Cyzikos

    Wednesday, August 9

    The Holy Apostle Matthias

    6:30PM Small Paraklesis

    Thursday, August 10

    Laurence the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Rome

    Friday, August 11

    Euplus the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Cantania

    6:30PM Small Paraklesis

    Saturday, August 12

    The Holy Martyrs Photius and Anicetus of Nicomedia

    Sunday, August 13

    10th Sunday of Matthew

    9:00AM Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Coffee (fasting): Team Red

    12:00PM AHEPA Meeting

    12:00PM DOP Meeting

    12:00PM Introduction to Orthodoxy

    Monday, August 14

    Forefeast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

    5:30PM Dormition of the Theotokos-Vespers followed by Divine Liturgy

    Tuesday, August 15

    The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

    Wednesday, August 16

    Translation of the Image of Our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ

    Thursday, August 17

    Myron the Martyr of Cyzicus

    7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

    Friday, August 18

    Floros & Lauros the Monk-martyrs of Illyria

    Saturday, August 19

    Andrew the General & Martyr & his 2,593 soldiers

    Sunday, August 20

    11th Sunday of Matthew

    9:00AM Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Coffee: Team Blue

    12:00PM Introduction to Orthodoxy

    Monday, August 21

    The Holy Apostle Thaddaeus

    Tuesday, August 22

    The Holy Martyr Agathonicus

    Wednesday, August 23

    Apodosis of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

    Thursday, August 24

    Eutyches the Hieromartyr & Disciple of St. John the Theologian

    Friday, August 25

    Return of the Body of Bartholomew the Glorious Apostle

    Saturday, August 26

    The Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalie

    Sunday, August 27

    12th Sunday of Matthew

    9:00AM Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Coffee: Team Pink

    12:00PM Introduction to Orthodoxy

    Monday, August 28

    Moses the Black of Scete

    Tuesday, August 29

    Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John

    Wednesday, August 30

    Apodosis of the Feast of the Forerunner

    Thursday, August 31

    The Placing of the Honorable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos

    Friday, September 1

    BEGINNING OF ECCLESIASTICAL NEW YEAR

    Saturday, September 2

    8:00AM Adopt a Highway pick up #2

    Sunday, September 3

    9:00AM Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Coffee: Team Yellow

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Prosforo Schedule

Prosforo

Please make sure that Prosforo is in church before the start of the service on Sunday. Please write the date (or put a sticker with the date) on the plastic bags with the Prosforo. That way the oldest will be used first. Thank you for your help. Maria Simeon.

Aug 6      Helen Gazaw

Aug 13   Lela Yunakou

Aug 20    Evangelia Gazis

Aug 27    Kika Guadiano

Sep3        McFalls Family

Sep 10     Maria Simeon

Sep 17     Zaneta Rapos

Sep 24     Andriana Tambourides

Oct 1       Ellie Ashley

Oct 8       Soula Koumbias

Oct 15     Metaxas Family

Oct 22     Maria Saphos

Oct 29     Cleopatra Nelson

Nov 5      Anna Sharkey

Nov 12    Helen Gazaw

Nov 19    Lela Yunakou

Nov 26    Evangelia Gazis

Dec 3       Kika Guadiano

Dec 10    McFalls Family

 

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Narthex Rotation Schedule

Aug 6      Dimitri Tsiantopoulos, Michael Savage

Aug 13    Beth Richards, Georgios Rigas

Aug 20    Bill Gazis, Beth Richards

Aug 27    John Ely , Bill Gazis

Sep 3       Eric Richards, John Ely

Sep 10     Demetrios Mourtakos, Eric Richards

Sep 17     Dimitri Tsiantopoulos, Demetrios Mourtakos

Sep 24     Michael Savage, Dimitri Tsiantopoulos

Oct 1       Georgios Rigas, Michael Savage

Oct 8       Beth Richards, Georgios Rigas

Oct 15     Bill Gazis, Beth Richards

Oct 22     John Ely , Bill Gazis

Oct 29     Eric Richards, John Ely

Nov 5      Demetrios Mourtakos, Eric Richards

Nov 12     Dimitri Tsiantopoulos, Demetrios Mourtakos

Nov 19     Michael Savage, Dimitri Tsiantopoulos

Nov 26     Georgios Rigas, Michael Savage

Dec 3       Beth Richards, Georgios Rigas

Dec 10     Bill Gazis, Beth Richards

Dec 17     John Ely , Bill Gazis

Dec 24     Eric Richards, John Ely

Dec 31     Demetrios Mourtakos, Eric Richards 

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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

The Holy Righteous Martyr Dometius

This Martyr, who lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, was a Persian by race and an idolater by religion. He was catechized by a certain Christian named Abarus. He went to Nisibis, a city of Mesopotamia, where he was baptized and donned the monastic habit in a certain monastery. He afterwards ascended a mountain and there endured in extreme ascetical struggles, working miracles for those that came to him, and converting many unbelievers. Julian the Apostate learned of these things as he was marching against the Persians in 363, and at his command the Saint and his two disciples were stoned to death, as they were chanting the Sixth Hour.


Allsaint
August 08

Emilian the Confessor & Bishop of Cyzikos

This Saint was one of the illustrious Orthodox Bishops called to Constantinople by the holy Patriarch Nicephorus to defend the veneration of the holy icons against Leo the Armenian (see Mar. 8). Saint Emilian was sent into exile by Leo about the year 815, and gave up his soul to the Lord amidst many afflictions and sufferings for the sake of his confession.


Allsaint
August 09

The Holy Apostle Matthias

After Judas by transgression fell from his apostleship (Acts 1: 25), and hanging himself out of despair ended his life with a wretched and shameful death (Matt. 27: 5), then, that the number of the Twelve not be lacking, all the disciples gathered in one place after the Ascension of the Savior (the number of men and women being 120), and they chose two men from among them, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was also surnamed Justus, and Matthias, and they set them in the midst. Then they prayed to God and cast lots, "and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles" (Acts 1: 15-26). And thus, having taken the place of Judas, Matthias fulfilled the work of apostleship and the prophecy concerning Judas, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David: "And his bishopric let another take" (Ps. 108:7). After this, it is said, Matthias preached the Gospel in Ethiopia, and completed his life there in martyrdom.


Allsaint
August 10

Laurence the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Rome

This Saint, who was born in Spain, was the Archdeacon of the Church of Rome, caring for the sacred vessels of the Church and distributing money to the needy. About the year 257, a harsh persecution was raised up against the Christians by Valerian. Pope Sixtus, who was from Athens, was commanded to worship the idols, and refused; before his martyrdom by beheading, he committed to Laurence all the sacred vessels of the Church. When Laurence was arrested and brought before the Prefect, he was questioned concerning the treasures of the Church; he asked for three days' time to prepare them. He then proceeded to gather all the poor and needy, and presented them to the Prefect and said, "Behold the treasures of the Church." The Prefect became enraged at this and gave command that Laurence be racked, then scourged with scorpions (a whip furnished with sharp iron points - compare II Chron. 10:11), then stretched out on a red-hot iron grill. But the courageous athlete of Christ endured without groaning. After he had been burned on one side, he said, "My body is done on one side; turn me over on the other." And when this had taken place, the Martyr said to the tyrants, "My flesh is now well done, you may taste of it." And when he had said this, and had prayed for his slayers in imitation of Christ, he gave up his spirit on August 10, 258.


Allsaint
August 11

Euplus the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Cantania

This Martyr was from Catania in Sicily and contested during the reign of Diocletian. He presented himself of his own accord to Calvisianus the Governor, who put him to exceedingly harsh torments. As Euplus was on the rack, Calvisianus commanded him to worship Mars, Apollo, and Aesculapius; he answered he worshipped the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He was beheaded in the year 304.


Allsaint
August 12

The Holy Martyrs Photius and Anicetus of Nicomedia

These Martyrs contested in Nicomedia about the year 288. When Diocletian stirred up his persecution of the Christians, Anicetus presented himself openly and said that all who worship idols are blind and senseless. He was beaten with rods so ruthlessly that his bones appeared from the rents and wounds in his flesh. As he was suffering further torments, his nephew Photius came and embraced him, calling him his father and his uncle. He was also put to many tortures with him. They were then imprisoned together for three years. Finally they were cast into a furnace, where they gave up their spirits, and their bodies were preserved unharmed. Saint Anicetus is one of the Holy Unmercenaries.


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