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St. John the Theologian Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-10-01
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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

Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53

At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Sixth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:36-53

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἔστη ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. πτοηθέντες δὲ καὶ ἔμφοβοι γενόμενοι ἐδόκουν πνεῦμα θεωρεῖν. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί τεταραγμένοι ἐστέ, καὶ διατί διαλογισμοὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; ἴδετε τὰς χεῖράς μου καὶ τοὺς πόδας μου, ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐγώ εἰμι· ψηλαφήσατέ με καὶ ἴδετε, ὅτι πνεῦμα σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα οὐκ ἔχει καθὼς ἐμὲ θεωρεῖτε ἔχοντα. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐπέδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας. ἔτι δὲ ἀπιστούντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς καὶ θαυμαζόντων εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ἔχετέ τι βρώσιμον ἐνθάδε; οἱ δὲ ἐπέδωκαν αὐτῷ ἰχθύος ὀπτοῦ μέρος καὶ ἀπὸ μελισσίου κηρίου, καὶ λαβὼν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ἔφαγεν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς· οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι οὓς ἐλάλησα πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔτι ὢν σὺν ὑμῖν, ὅτι δεῖ πληρωθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Μωϋσέως καὶ προφήταις καὶ ψαλμοῖς περὶ ἐμοῦ. τότε διήνοιξεν αὐτῶν τὸν νοῦν τοῦ συνιέναι τὰς γραφάς, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι οὕτω γέγραπται καὶ οὕτως ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ, καὶ κηρυχθῆναι ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ μετάνοιαν καὶ ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἀρξάμενον ἀπὸ ῾Ιερουσαλήμ. ὑμεῖς δέ ἐστε μάρτυρες τούτων. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρός μου ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς· ὑμεῖς δὲ καθίσατε ἐν τῇ πόλει ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ ἕως οὗ ἐνδύσησθε δύναμιν ἐξ ὕψους.

᾿Εξήγαγε δὲ αὐτοὺς ἔξω ἕως εἰς Βηθανίαν, καὶ ἐπάρας τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ εὐλόγησεν αὐτούς. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ εὐλογεῖν αὐτὸν αὐτοὺς διέστη ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ ἀνεφέρετο εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν. καὶ αὐτοὶ προσκυνήσαντες αὐτὸν ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ μετὰ χαρᾶς μεγάλης, καὶ ἦσαν διὰ παντὸς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ αἰνοῦντες καὶ εὐλογοῦντες τὸν Θεόν. ἀμήν.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 4th Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1.

Brethren, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

Προκείμενον. Plagal 4th Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 6:16-18, 7:1.

Ἀδελφοί, ὑμεῖς ἐστε ναὸς Θεοῦ ζῶντος, καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ θεός ὅτι Ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω· καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν θεός, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι λαός. Διὸ, Ἐξέλθετε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει κύριος, καὶ ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε· κἀγὼ εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἔσομαι ὑμῖν εἰς πατέρα, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔσεσθέ μοι εἰς υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, λέγει κύριος παντοκράτωρ. Ταύτας οὖν ἔχοντες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, ἀγαπητοί, καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύματος, ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ θεοῦ.


Gospel Reading

2nd Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 6:31-36

The Lord said, "As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

2nd Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 6:31-36

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καθὼς θέλετε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ποιεῖτε αὐτοῖς ὁμοίως. καὶ εἰ ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτοὺς ἀγαπῶσι. καὶ ἐὰν ἀγαθοποιῆτε τοὺς ἀγαθοποιοῦντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσι. καὶ ἐὰν δανείζητε παρ᾿ ὧν ἐλπίζετε ἀπολαβεῖν, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἁμαρτωλοῖς δανείζουσιν ἵνα ἀπολάβωσι τὰ ἴσα. πλὴν ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν καὶ ἀγαθοποιεῖτε καὶ δανείζετε μηδὲν ἀπελπίζοντες, καὶ ἔσται ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολύς, καὶ ἔσεσθε υἱοὶ ὑψίστου, ὅτι αὐτὸς χρηστός ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀχαρίστους καὶ πονηρούς. Γίνεσθε οὖν οἰκτίρμονες, καθὼς καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν οἰκτίρμων ἐστί.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

The sign that thou lovest God, is this, that thou lovest thy fellow; and if thou hatest thy fellow, thy hatred is towards God. For it is blasphemy if thou prayest before God while thou art wroth. For thy heart also convicts thee, that in vain thou multipliest words: thy conscience rightly judges that in thy prayers thou profitest nought.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
ON ADMONITION AND REPENTANCE.

Let us then, bearing in mind all the things which have been said, show forth great love even towards our enemies; and let us ease away that ridiculous custom, to which many of the more thoughtless give way, waiting for those that meet them to address them first.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 18 on Matthew 5, 4th Century

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 4th Mode

You descended from on high, O merciful Lord, and accepted the three-day burial in order to free us from our passions. Glory to you, O Lord, our life and our resurrection.
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Ananias of the 70 in the 3rd Mode

O Holy Apostle Ananias, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Απόστολε Άγιε Ανανία, πρέσβευε τώ ελεήμονι Θεώ ίνα πταισμάτων άφεσιν, παράσχη ταίς ψυχάς ημών.

Apolytikion for Romanos the Melodist in the Plagal 4th Mode

The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Father. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Romanos, your soul rejoices with the angels.
Εν σοί Πάτερ ακριβώς διεσώθη τό κατ' εικόνα, λαβών γάρ τόν σταυρόν, ηκολούθησας τώ Χριστώ καί πράττων εδίδασκες, υπεροράν μέν σαρκός, παρέρχεται γάρ, επιμελείσθαι δέ ψυχής πράγματος αθανάτου. Διό καί μετά Αγγέλων συναγάλλεται, Όσιε Ρωμανέ τό πνεύμά σου.

Apolytikion to St. John the Theologian in the 2nd Mode

Beloved Apostle of Christ our God, hasten to deliver a people without defense. He who permitted you to recline upon His bosom, accepts you on bended knee before Him. Beseech Him, O Theologian, to dispel the persistent cloud of nations, asking for us peace and great mercy.


Ἀπόστολε Χριστῷ τῶ Θεῷ ἠγαπηπημένε, ἐπιτάχυνον, ῥύσαι λαὸν ἀναπολόγητον, δέχεταί σε προσπίπτοντα, ὁ ἐπιπεσόντα τῶ στήθει καταδεξάμενος, ὃν ἱκέτευε, Θεολόγε, καὶ ἐπίμονον νέφος ἐθνῶν διασκεδάσαι, αἰτούμενος ἡμῖν εἰρήνην, καὶ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Mode

A protection of Christians unshamable, intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, please reject not the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. Instead, come to us, for you are good; your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you: hasten to intercede and speed now to supplicate, as a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you.
Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.
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Announcements

* With Fr. Florin on vacation, we welcome and thank Fr. Thomas Newlin for celebrating the Divine Liturgy with us today.

* 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 Orange team. Thank you!

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

Sunday School will be held immediately following communion in the Parish Home.  After communion, all youth present please walk to the back of the church where a teacher will lead them to their classes.  Thanks to two new teachers, Angela and Ludi, we can offer 3 classes again. Our classes are Pre-K to 2nd grade, third through 6th and junior and senior high.  As always, and especially due to Harvey, we would appreciate any and all donations. 

* It’s not too late to register for Greek School. Forms are available online, and at class. Greek School meets on Wednesday’s from 6:30-7:45 pm. Our children’s teacher is Deena Metaxas, and adults is Georgios Rigas. Many Years to you both!

* 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.

* 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

* We have a NEW Email address! Please make a note of the change:  office@stjohnclearlake.org

Prayer List:

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

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

The servant of God Alex Koemtzopoulos. May his memory be eternal.

All families affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

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Hurricane Harvey

Iocc_harvey

IOCC's Emergency Response Van and staff arrived in Houston for a Rapid Needs Assessment and has begun the muck-out process. IOCC has arranged, through partners Church World Service and Good360, for two truckloads of hygiene kits, clean-up buckets, food, and baby products to the Houston area.

IOCC staff is checking in with every Orthodox parish in the region to assess clean-up and other needs. 

Parishioners who have specific clean-up needs are asked to speak to their parish priest, who will coordinate with IOCC.

Donations to IOCC can be made at the following:

Donations to IOCC            Assemble Emergency Kits

 

How Hurricane Harvey has affected our Parish:

To date, we have 6 families that had water in their homes. 

sunday school wing

Our church sustained damage in the Sunday School Wing, where all the carpets have been removed, and partial sheet rock removal

 in 3 rooms and part of the hallway. A new roof for the church and Sunday School wing is recommended, as well as, installation of drainage pipes on either side of the Sunday School wing. 

If you would like to donate directly to our church and/or parishioner families, click on the link below, and indicate where you would like your donation sent. 100% of your donation goes to these specific items.

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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.

 

 

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

$86,234 in Pledges

 

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

DONATE

 

 

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Parish Calendar

  • Parish Calendar

    October 1 to October 30, 2017

    Sunday, October 1

    2nd Sunday of Luke

    9:00AM Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Coffee: Team Orange

    Monday, October 2

    The Holy Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Virgin Martyr Justina

    Tuesday, October 3

    Dionysios the Areopagite

    Wednesday, October 4

    Hierotheus, Bishop of Athens

    6:30PM Greek School

    Thursday, October 5

    Charitina the Martyr

    Friday, October 6

    The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas

    Saturday, October 7

    Sergius & Bacchus the Great Martyrs of Syria

    Sunday, October 8

    3rd Sunday of Luke

    9:00AM Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Coffee: Team Purple

    12:00PM AHEPA Meeting

    Monday, October 9

    James the Apostle, son of Alphaeus

    Tuesday, October 10

    Eulampius & Eulampia the Martyrs

    Wednesday, October 11

    Philip the Apostle of the 70, one of the 7 Deacons

    6:30PM Greek School

    Thursday, October 12

    Probus, Andronicus, & Tarachus, Martyrs of Tarsus

    Friday, October 13

    Carpus, Papylus, Agathodorus, & Agathonica, the Martyrs of Pergamus

    Saturday, October 14

    Nazarius, Gervasius, Protasius, & Celsus of Milan

    Sunday, October 15

    Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

    9:00AM Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Coffee: Team Green

    Monday, October 16

    Longinus the Centurion

    Tuesday, October 17

    Hosea the Prophet

    Wednesday, October 18

    Luke the Evangelist

    6:30PM Greek School

    Thursday, October 19

    Joel the Prophet

    7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

    Friday, October 20

    Artemius the Great Martyr of Antioch

    Saturday, October 21

    Hilarion the Great

    Sunday, October 22

    6th Sunday of Luke

    9:00AM Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Coffee: Team White

    Monday, October 23

    James (Iakovos) the Apostle, brother of Our Lord

    Tuesday, October 24

    Arethas the Great Martyr & Syncletiki and her two daughters

    5:30PM Vespers & Artoklasia-Great Martyr Demetrios

    6:30PM Divine Liturgy-Great Martyr Demetrios

    Wednesday, October 25

    The Holy Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius the Notaries

    6:30PM Greek School

    Thursday, October 26

    The Holy Great Martyr Demetrius the Myrrh-streamer

    Friday, October 27

    Nestor the Martyr of Thessaloniki

    Saturday, October 28

    The Holy Protection of the Theotokos

    6:00PM Vespers

    Sunday, October 29

    7th Sunday of Luke

    9:00AM Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

    12:00PM OXI Day Luncheon-sponsored by AHEPA

    Monday, October 30

    Cleopas and Artemas of the 70 Apostles

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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.

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 Tampouridou

Dec 10    McFalls Family

 

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Narthex Rotation Schedule

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

Romanosmelodist
October 01

Romanos the Melodist

Saint Romanos flourished during the reign of Anastasius (491-518). He was from Emesa of Syria, and apparently was born of Jewish parents, for a hymn written in his honour in Greek says he was "of Hebrew stock," and it has furthermore been noted that he uses many Semitic idioms in his writings. He was baptized an Orthodox Christian, and at some time became a deacon in the Church of Beirut. He was the first composer of the kontakia, the foremost of which is that of the feast of Christ's Nativity, On this day the Virgin .... In composing many of his kontakia. Saint Romanos was inspired by the hymns of Saint Ephraim of Syria.


Pokrov
October 01

The Holy Protection of the Theotokos

The Feast of the Protection commemorates the appearance of the most holy Theotokos in the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople in the early sixth century, as recorded in the life of Saint Andrew the Fool for Christ's sake. While the multitudes of the faithful were gathered in church, Epiphanius, the friend of Saint Andrew, through the Saint's prayers, beheld the Virgin Mary above the faithful and spreading out her veil over them, signifying her unceasing protection of all Christians. Because of this we keep a yearly feast of gratitude, imploring our Lady never to cease sheltering us in her mighty prayers.

In the Greek tradition, this feast is celebrated on October 28, while in the Slavic tradition, this feast is celebrated on October 1.


Ananias
October 01

Ananias, Apostle of the 70

Saint Ananias, whose name means "God is gracious," was from Damascus, where by divine revelation he was commanded to baptize the Apostle Paul (Acts 9: 10-17). He completed the course of martyrdom when he was stoned to death during the proconsulate of Lucian.


Cyprianjustine
October 02

The Holy Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Virgin Martyr Justina

Saint Justina who was from Damascus, lived in virginity for the sake of Christ. Saint Cyprian, who was from Antioch, began as an initiate of magic and worshipper of the demons. A certain foolish young man who had been smitten with Justina's beauty hired Cyprian to draw her to love him; when Cyprian had wed every demonic device he knew, and had failed, being repulsed by the power of Christ Whom Justina invoked, he understood the weakness of the demons and came to know the truth. Delivered from demonic delusion, he came to Christ and burned all his books of magic, was baptized, and later ascended the episcopal throne in his country. Later, he and Justina were arrested by the Count of Damascus, and having endured many torments at his hands, they were sent finally to Diocletian in Nicomedia, where they were beheaded about the year 304.


03_dionysios
October 03

Dionysios the Areopagite

This Saint was from Athens, a learned man, and a member of the famous judicial court of Mars Hill (in Greek Aeros Pagos, hence the name Areopagite (see Acts 17:19-34). When Saint Paul preached in Athens, he was one of the first there to believe in Christ, and, according to some, became the first bishop of that city. Others say -- and this may be more probable--that he was the second Bishop of Athens, after Saint Hierotheus, whom Dionysios calls his friend and teacher "after Paul" (On the Divine Names, 3:2). With Saint Hierotheus he was also present at the Dormition of the most holy Theotokos; the Doxasticon of the Aposticha for the service of the Dormition is partly taken from a passage in Chapter III of On the Divine Names. According to ancient tradition, he received a martyr's end (according to some, in Athens itself) about the year 96.


Hierotheos
October 04

Hierotheus, Bishop of Athens

According to some, Hierotheus, like Saint Dionysius, was a member of the court of Mars Hill. Having first been instructed in the Faith of Christ by Paul, he became Bishop of Athens. He, in turn, initiated the divine Dionysius more perfectly into the mysteries of Christ; the latter, on his part, elaborated more clearly and distinctly Hierotheus' concise and summary teachings concerning the Faith. He too was brought miraculously by the power of the Holy Spirit to be present at the Dormition of the Theotokos, when, together with the sacred Apostles, he became a leader of the divine hymnody. "He was wholly transported, wholly outside himself and was so deeply absorbed in communion with the sacred things he celebrated in hymnology, that to all who heard him and saw him and knew him, and yet knew him not, he seemed to be inspired of God, a divine hymnographer," as Dionysius says (On the Divine Names, 3:2). Having lived in a manner pleasing to God, he reposed in the Lord.


Charitine
October 05

Charitina the Martyr

Saint Charitina contested for Christ during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 290. The handmaid of a certain Claudius, she was betrayed as a Christian to Dometian, the Count, before whom she fearlessly confessed Christ. After suffering the most terrible tortures, including the uprooting of her teeth and nails, she gave up her soul into the hands of the Lord.


Petermoscow
October 05

Peter, Alexis, Jonah, Hermogenes & Tikhon, Metropolitans of Moscow

The feast of the Hierarchs of Moscow was established during the reign of Tsar Theodore Ioannovich and Patriarch Job in the year 1596. Their individual feasts are: Saint Peter (+1326), December 21, and August 24, translation of holy relics; Saint Alexis (+14th cent.), February 12, and May 20, recovery of holy relics; Saint Jonah (+1461), March 31 and June 15, with the recovery of his holy relics celebrated on May 27. In 1875, at the proposal of Metropolitan Innocent of Moscow, to this feast was joined the commemoration of Saint Philip of Moscow (+1569), whose feast is kept on January 9, and the recovery of his holy relics on July 3. In more recent times, the holy Patriarchs Hermogenes (+1612) and Tikhon (+1925) have been added to the Synaxis. Saint Hermogenes, who was starved to death by the Poles, is also celebrated on February 17 and May 12, and Saint Tikhon, a confessor under the atheist yoke, on March 25. the Menaion service itself makes reference only to Saints Peter, Alexis, Jonah, and Philip.


Thomas
October 06

The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas

The name Thomas means, "twin." He was one of the Twelve, a Galilean by birth. Sophroneus (not the famous Patriarch of Jerusalem [7th Century, celebrated March 11], but a friend of Jerome's), quoted also by Jerome, says that Saint Thomas preached to the Parthians, Pesians, Medes, Hyrcanians, Bactrians, and neighbouring nations. According to Heracleon, the Apostle died a natural death; according to other accounts, he was martyred at Meliapur His tomb was known by Saint John Chrysostom to be at Edessa in Syria, to which city his holy relics may have been translated from India in the fourth century.


Sergiusbaccos
October 07

Sergius & Bacchus the Great Martyrs of Syria

These holy Martyrs were Romans of high rank in the service of the Emperor Maximian, to whom it was reported that they did not take part in the festivals of the idols. When he called them into his presence, they confessed their Faith in the one God. He had them arrayed in women's clothes and paraded through the streets in mockery. They were afterwards scourged, from which Saint Bacchus died. This was about the year 296. Saint Sergius was then taken to Resapha in Syria, where he was tortured and beheaded. His tomb in Resapha became a very famous shrine, to which pilgrims came from as far away as Western Europe; Resapha was later renamed Sergiopolis in his honour.


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