Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Holy Napkin in the Second Mode

We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will wast Thou well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Dormition in the First Mode

In giving birth, thou didst preserve thy virginity; in thy dormition, thou didst not forsake the world, O Theotokos. Thou wast translated unto life, since thou art the Mother of Life; and by thine intercessions dost thou redeem our souls from death.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

Neither the grave nor death could contain the Theotokos, the unshakable hope, ever vigilant in intercession and protection. As Mother of life, He who dwelt in the ever-virginal womb transposed her to life.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eleventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:14-25

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."

Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So, the word went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die; but Jesus did not say to him that he would not die. He said, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12

BRETHREN, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 18:23-35

The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailors, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to everyone of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

Saints and Feasts

August 16

Gerasimos the New Ascetic of Cephalonia

August 16

Timothy of Euripus, founder of the Monastery of Pentele

August 16

11th Sunday of Matthew

August 16

Diomedes the Physician & Martyr of Tarsus

The holy Martyr Diomedes was from Tarsus in Cilicia, a physician who treated bodies with his healing art and souls with his piety. In the days of the Emperor Diocletian, about the year 288, Diomedes left Tarsus and came to Nicaea, where he benefited many both as a physician and as a preacher of the Faith. He was accused to Diocletian, who sent men to fetch him. When they arrived, although finding that he had already given up his soul to the Lord, they cut off his head to take it to the Emperor, and because of their inhumanity were stricken with blindness. When Diocletian saw the Saint's head, he commanded them to take it back and put it on the body in its place; when they had done so, they received their sight again. Saint Diomedes is one of the Holy Unmercenaries.

August 18

Floros & Lauros the Monk-martyrs of Illyria

These Martyrs were twin brothers, and stonemasons. After the martyrdom of their teachers Proclus and Maximus, they left Byzantium and came to the city of Ulpiana in Illyricum, where a certain Licinius hired them to build a temple for the idols. The wages he gave them, they distributed to the poor, and when the temple was built, Floros and Lauros gathered the paupers, and with their help put ropes about the necks of the idols, pulled them to the ground, and furnished the temple as a church. When Licinius learned of this, he had the paupers burned alive in a furnace. Floros and Lauros were tormented, then cast into a deep well, where they gave up their souls to the Lord. When their holy relics were recovered years later, they poured forth myrrh and worked many miracles; they were enshrined in Constantinople.

August 19

Andrew the General & Martyr & his 2,593 soldiers

During the reign of Maximian, about the year 289, Antiochus the Commander-in-Chief of the Roman forces sent Andrew with many other soldiers against the Persians, who had overrun the borders of the Roman dominion. Saint Andrew persuaded his men to call upon the Name of Christ, and when they had defeated the Persians with unexpected triumph, his soldiers believed in Christ with him. Antiochus, learning of this, had them brought before him. When they confessed Christ to be God, he had Andrew spread out upon a bed of iron heated fiery hot, and had the hands of his fellow soldiers nailed to blocks of wood. Antiochus then commanded some thousand soldiers to chase the Saints beyond the borders of the empire. Through the instructions of Saint Andrew, these soldiers also believed in Christ. At the command of Antiochus, they were all beheaded in the mountain passes of the Taurus mountains of Cilicia.

August 20

Samuel the Prophet

This most holy man, a Prophet of God from childhood, was the last judge of the Israelite people, and anointed the first two Kings of Israel. He was born in the twelfth century before Christ, in the city of Armathaim Sipha, from the tribe of Levi, the son of Elkanah and Hannah (Anna). He was the fruit of prayer, for his mother, being barren, conceived him only after she had supplicated the Lord with many tears; wherefore she called him Samuel, that is, "heard by God." As soon as Hannah had weaned him, she brought him to the city of Silom (Shiloh), where the Ark was kept, and she consecrated him, though yet a babe, to the service of God, giving thanks to Him with the hymn found in the Third Ode of the Psalter: "My heart hath been established in the Lord . . ." Samuel remained in Silom under the protection of Eli the priest. He served in the Tabernacle of God, and through his most venerable way of life became well-pleasing to God and man (I Kings 2: 26). While yet a child, sleeping in the tabernacle near the Ark of God, he heard the voice of God calling his name, and foretelling the downfall of Eli; for although Eli's two sons, Ophni and Phineas, were most lawless, and despisers of God, Eli did not correct them. Even after Samuel had told Eli of the divine warning, Eli did not properly chastise his sons, and afterwards, through various misfortunes, his whole house was blotted out in one day.

After these things came to pass, Samuel was chosen to be the protector of the people, and he judged them with holiness and righteousness. He became for them an example of all goodness, and their compassionate intercessor before God: "Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; yea, I will serve the Lord, and show you the good and the right way" (ibid. 12:23). When he asked them -- having God as witness -- if he ever wronged anyone, or took anyone's possessions, or any gift, even so much as a sandal, they answered with one voice: "Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, nor afflicted us, neither hast thou taken anything from anyone's hand" (ibid. 12:4). When Samuel was old, the people asked him for a king, but he was displeased with this, knowing that God Himself was their King. But when they persisted, the Lord commanded him to anoint them a king, saying, "They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me from reigning over them" (ibid. 8:7); so Samuel anointed Saul. But Saul transgressed the command of God repeatedly, so Samuel anointed David. Yet, since Samuel was a man of God, full of tender mercy, when the Lord told him that He had rejected Saul, Samuel wept for him the whole night long (ibid. 15:11); and later, since he continued to grieve, the Lord said to him, "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul?" (ibid. 16:1). Having lived blamelessly some ninety-eight years, and become an example to all of a God-pleasing life, he reposed in the eleventh century before Christ. Many ascribe to him the authorship of the Books of judges, and of Ruth, and of the first twenty-four chapters of the First Book of Kings (I Samuel).

August 21

The Holy Apostle Thaddaeus

The Apostle Thaddaeus was from Edessa, a Jew by race. When he came to Jerusalem, he became a disciple of Christ, and after His Ascension he returned to Edessa. There he catechized and baptized Abgar (see Aug. 16). Having preached in Mesopotamia, he ended his life in martyrdom. Though some call him one of the Twelve, whom Matthew calls "Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus" (Matt. 10:3), Eusebius says that he is one of the Seventy: "After [Christ's] Resurrection from the dead, and His ascent into Heaven, Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles, inspired by God, sent Thaddaeus, one of the seventy disciples of Christ, to Edessa as a preacher and evangelist of Christ's teaching" (Eccl. Hist. 1: 13).

Wisdom of the Fathers

Wherefore then did He not do this, nor forgive the debt before the account? Desiring to teach him, from how many obligations He is delivering him, that in this way at least he might become more mild towards his fellow servant .... He gave more than he asked, remission and forgiveness of the entire debt.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 61 on Matthew 18, 4th Century

When then you are minded to be revengeful, consider that against yourself are you revengeful, not against another; that you art binding up your own sins, not your neighbors ....

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 61 on Matthew 18, 4th Century

Two things therefore does He here require, both to condemn ourselves for our sins, and to forgive others; ... and not merely to forgive with the lips, but from the heart.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 61 on Matthew 18, 4th Century

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.

St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

Unknown, 18th century

Schedule for the Week

Sunday, August 23rd:

Artoclasia Service: In honor of Panagia Proussiotissa.
Children’s Festival Dance Practice (ages 4-8 years old): Following Divine Liturgy in the social hall.
Youth Festival Dance Practice (ages 9 & older): Following Divine Liturgy in the social hall.

Wednesday, August 26th:

Fast Day
Festival Dolmades Wrapping: 5:00 PM (Volunteers needed!)

Thursday, August 27th:

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM (St. Phanourios)

Friday, August 28th:

Fast Day

Saturday, August 29th:

Strict Fast Day
Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM (Beheading of St. John the Baptist)

Thank You to the Following Stewards of St. John's Parish

Parish Council Member on Duty: Jack Demtrak

Today's Prosforon Brought By: Georgia Sourlis

Today's Coffee Hour Hosted By: Alexis Polydor

Community News & Events

Festival Karithopita Baking: Wednesday, September 2^nd at 10:00 AM and Thursday, September 3^rd at 10:00 AM. Please come and help the Philoptochos with the Karithopita baking.

Festival Koulourakia Baking: Tuesday, September 8th following Divine Liturgy and Wednesday, September 9^th at 10:00 AM. Please come and help the Philoptochos with the Koulourakia baking.

Festival Pastry Cutting & Cupping: Monday, September 21^st at 10:00 AM; Tuesday, September 22^nd at 9:00 AM and Wednesday, September 23^rd at 9:00 AM. Many volunteers needed! Please come and help!

Sunday School:Our new Sunday School year is approaching and we will be starting Sunday, September 13^th. Please register your children by filling out the form found in “The Voice” or at the Pangari. Mail the registration form to the Church Office or bring it to class on the 13^th. If anyone is interested in teaching Sunday School, please call Michele Michalos at (843)-742-3713. We are looking forward to a spiritual and educational year for our children.

Greek School: Please consider sending your children to Greek School this year. Dena Platingos will be teaching our children the Greek language, songs, games, dancing and much more! Register your children by filling out the registration form found in “The Voice” or at the Pangari. See or contact Dena at (585)-773-0788 if you have any questions. Greek School will begin following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 6^th. Again, please make the commitment and send your children to Greek School.

Choir: If anyone is interested in joining the Choir, please see or call Jimmy Arakas at (843)-450-3665.

Youth Festival Greek Dancing (9 & older): If you would like your child to participate or would like more information, please contact Katherine Wright at (843)-467-8930. Dance practices are on Sundays after Church unless noted otherwise.

Children’s Festival Greek Dancing (4-8 years old): Practices are held on Sundays following Divine Liturgy. Please contact Dena Platingos at (585)-773-0788 if you would like your child to participate or for more information.

St. John the Baptist 2015 Greek Festival ~ September 24^th-27^th: If you would like to help, please see Festival Chairs, George Spirakis or Anastasia Spirakis-Haar. Let’s all work together for a great festival for the glory of God.

St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church Stewardship:Our St. John's Parish Family depends on regular stewardship offerings in order to continue the work of our Lord through our services and activities year round. The 2015 Pledge forms are available at the Pangari or from the Church Office. See or call Stewardship Chairmen, Dr. Jimmy Kontos at (843)-213-1627 or Mike Merisotis (843)-357-9780, if you have any questions about stewardship. Fulfill your commitment of your 2015 pledge today. Thank You!

St. John's Religious Book Store and Holy Nook Gift Shop: Our parish bookstore and Holy Nook gift shop has a variety of books, icons, instructional guides, Orthodox literature, worship items, greeting cards, bracelets, pure traditional olive oil soaps from Greece (a variety of scents )"A Voyage in Greek Cooking," St. John's parish cook-book and much more. The store is located in the former kitchen in the Narthex. Please stop by following Divine Liturgy, or you may contact Loretta Siotka (843)-399-8955. If there is a book or item that we don't carry, let us know and we will try to get it for you.

Family Life Ministry:The Family Life Ministry is a ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta. The goal of this Ministry is to help individuals and families in our communities lead a Christ-centered, Orthodox life. We serve our Orthodox faithful through dynamic retreats, workshops, online materials, articles and resources which integrate an Orthodox Ethos into practical strategies we can use to navigate the challenges in our lives. Check out our blog! www.familylifeministry.atlanta.goarch.org.

Building Fund: The Parish of St. John’s needs your help in the costs of maintenance and upgrades to both the Hall and the Church. If you have not filled out a Building Fund Pledge Card you are encouraged to do so at this time. Please see or call Jimmy Lambrinos (843) 626-1572, or Sam Stathos (843) 238-5618 or any member of the Hall Committee with any questions.

Building Fund numbers to date: Pledged: $62,850; Collected: $29,330; Target Amount: $100,000

2015 Parish Directory

The 2015 Parish Directory is currently accepting changes or new additions. If you would like to submit a correction or be added into the directory, please pick up an update form located in the Narthex or call the Church Office (843) 448-3773 to request one. If you want a current copy of the Parish Directory to be mailed to you, please call the Church Office and one will be sent to you. When sending back the update form, please put “Attn: Parish Directory” if sending by mail or in the subject line if sending by email to office@stjohn-mb.org.

FROM THE CHANCELLOR'S DESK

“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD ordained his blessing, life forevermore.” (Psalm 133:1-3)

Bickering. Backbiting. Selfishness. Grudges. Fighting over things that don’t matter with family and friends — even in the church. Disagreements happen. Arguments are inevitable. But our calling from God is to oneness — to unity with brothers and sisters in the Lord. Perhaps that is why King David wrote Psalm 133 above for his many sons, to instruct them and encourage them to dwell together in harmony. His admonition goes beyond simply not quarreling . . . it challenges us to a much deeper depth of relationship — delighting in one another. The precious holy oil used in anointing that King David references, was strongly perfumed. The fragrance would have been pleasant and refreshing to everyone nearby. In the same way, the aroma of getting along with, and honoring, other Christian brothers and sisters, brings joyful blessing to those who see our love for one another.

It is interesting that when Jesus prayed for us in His great High Priestly prayer in John 17, He acknowledged that the world would hate those who trust and believe in Him. The clear message is that life would be hard — and requires us even to battle the “evil one”. But in verse 21, He asks His Father “that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in Me and I am in You, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” (John 17:21) Jesus understood that unity among His children would be a reality that convinces the unbelieving world of who He truly is — the Son of God. Imagine the world if the following were reality: “To a true child of God, the invisible bond that unites all believers to Christ is tender, lasting, and precious. As we come to recognize and realize that we are all dwelling in one sphere of life in Him, we learn to look on every believer as our brother or sister, in a sense that is infinitely higher than all human relationships. This is the one and only way to bring the Disciples of Christ permanently together – to promote unity within His Holy Body.”

Differences in our backgrounds and personalities frequently cause us not to get along with everyone. That will happen. However, as the Apostle Paul addresses in Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Simply stated, let us press through the hard times with one another in a spirit of peace. God always gives us windows to restore our broken and damaged relationships. Let us watch for them and, “. . . whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.” (Galatians 6:10) Through a spirit of harmony . . . unity . . . accord – we CAN turn our life around. Amen!

Faithfully yours,

+Fr. George Tsahakis

Chancellor

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

Apolytikion for Holy Napkin in the Second Mode

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Dormition in the First Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Saints and Feasts

Gerasimos the New Ascetic of Cephalonia

Timothy of Euripus, founder of the Monastery of Pentele

11th Sunday of Matthew

Diomedes the Physician & Martyr of Tarsus

Floros & Lauros the Monk-martyrs of Illyria

Andrew the General & Martyr & his 2,593 soldiers

Samuel the Prophet

The Holy Apostle Thaddaeus

Wisdom of the Fathers

Schedule for the Week

Thank You to the Following Stewards of St. John's Parish

Community News & Events

2015 Parish Directory

FROM THE CHANCELLOR'S DESK