September 20
St. John The Baptist Church
Publish Date: 2015-09-20
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
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
St. John The Baptist Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (843) 448-3773
- Fax:
- (843) 946-7597
- Email:
- office@stjohn-mb.org
- Street Address:
- 3301 33rd Ave. N.
- Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
- Mailing Address:
- 3301 33rd Ave. N.
- Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Sunday & Weekday Services
Orthros: 8:45 AM
Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2015-10-18
- Publish Date:
- 2015-10-11
- Publish Date:
- 2015-08-30
- Publish Date:
- 2015-08-23
- Publish Date:
- 2015-08-16
- Publish Date:
- 2015-08-09
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode
Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers' lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the First Mode
Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion for Martyr Eustathius and His Companions in the Fourth Mode
Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode
Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press - Northridge, CA
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Matins Gospel Reading
Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35
At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Epistle Reading
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20
BRETHREN, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Gospel Reading
Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."
Saints and Feasts
September 20
Hilarion the New Martyr of Crete
September 20
Sunday after Holy Cross
September 20
Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife and two children
The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.
September 21
Jonah the Prophet
The Prophet Jonah, the son of Amathi, of the town of Geth-hopher (IV Kings 14:25), was of the tribe of Zabulon; he prophesied during the years 838-810 before Christ. God commanded him to go to Nineveh, the great city of the Assyrians, and to proclaim that its destruction was nigh at hand because of the sins of its people. But he, as a Prophet who knew the great compassion of God, feared that at his preaching the Ninevites would repent; that God, accepting their repentance in His love for man, would not fulfill Jonah' threats; and that he would be branded a false prophet. So he disobeyed the divine command, and boarded a ship and departed elsewhere. Yet, the sudden and fearful sea-storm and the revelation of Jonah' disbedience caused the sailors to cast him into the sea. A great sea-monster appeared straightway by divine providence, and swallowed him up. For three days and nights he was found in its belly and he prayed, saying the words, "I cried aloud in my affliction unto the Lord my God..." (Jonah 2:3, the Sixth ode of the Holy Psalter). The sea-monster then vomited him up on dry land and he again heard God's command. Wherefore, he went and preached, saying, "In three days, Nineveh shall be destroyed." The people became terrified and all repented. The great, the small, babes at the breast, and even the irrational beasts themselves fasted, and thus, having found mercy from God, they were spared His wrath. Jonah' book of prophecy is divided into four chapters, and is placed fifth in order among the twelve minor Prophets. His three-day sojourn in the sea-monster's belly is an image of our Saviour's three-day burial and His life-bringing Resurrection (Matt. 12:39-40). His name means "dove."
September 24
Thecla the Protomartyr & Equal to the Apostles
This saint was from the city of Iconium. When she was eighteen years of age, she was instructed in the Faith of Christ and the hope of the resurrection by the Apostle Paul, whom also she followed, forsaking her betrothed and espousing a life of virginity for the sake of the Heavenly Bridegroom. Having preached Christ in various cities and suffered many things, she reposed in Seleucia of Cilicia at the age of 90.
September 26
The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian
This Apostle was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James the elder. First a fisherman by trade, he became an Apostle and the beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he of all the Disciples followed Him even to the Cross, and was entrusted with the care of our Saviour's Mother, as it were another son to her, and a brother of Christ the Teacher. After this, he preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 during the reign of Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Returning again to Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel (after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his three Catholic Epistles. In all, he lived ninety-five years and fell asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100. He was called Theologian because he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of the Son and Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that an eagle-a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus says-is depicted in his icon, for this was one of the four symbolic living creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10).
Wisdom of the Fathers
And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century
Nothing comes without effort. The help of God is always ready and always near, but is given only to those who seek and work, and only to those seekers who, after putting all their powers to the test, then cry out with their whole heart: "Lord, help us."
19th Century
"... For although it be in my power, as Son of God, to hinder thee from having any trial at all of those hardships; yet such is not my will, for thy sake, that thou mayest thyself too contribute something, and be more approved."
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century
Nay, the nature of the thing is alone sufficient to attract you." ... For thou oughtest not, O Peter, because thou hast confessed me Son of God, therefore only to expect crowns, and to suppose this enough for thy salvation, and for the future to enjoy security, as having done all. ..."
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century
"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century
When, on this day, we look at the precious Cross of Christ, in faith let us adore it, let us rejoice, and embrace it ardently, beseeching our Lord, who of His own choice gave Himself to be crucified on it, to make us worthy of adoring His most precious Cross so that, free from all defilement, we may attain the day of Resurrection.
A Christian's . . . duty is to "take up his cross." The word cross means sufferings, sorrows and adversities. To take up one's cross means to bear without grumblings everything unpleasant, painful, sad, difficult and oppressive that ay happen to us in life. . .without expecting any earthly reward in return, but bear it all with love, with joy and with courageous strength.
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 147, 19th Century
The key to knowledge is the humility of Christ. The door of the Kingdom of Heaven is open, not to those who only know in their learned minds the mysteries of faith and the commandments of their Creator, but to those who have progressed far enough to live by them.
Unknown, 8th century
To deny oneself means to give up one's bad habits; to root out of the heart all that ties us to the world; not to cherish bad thoughts and desires; to suppress every evil thought; to avoid occasions of sin; not to desire or to do anything out of self-love, but to do everything out of love for God. To deny oneself, according to St. Paul means "to be dead to sin. . . but alive to God."
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 147, 19th Century
Interior crosses can found at all times, and more easily than exterior ones. You have only to direct your attention to yourself and examine yourself with a sense of repentance, and a thousand interior crosses will at once present themselves to you. . . Interior crosses are sometimes so burdensome that the sufferer can find no consolation whatever in anything.
All this can happen to you too! But in whatever position you may be, and whatever sufferings of the soul you may feel, do not despair and do not think that the Lord has abandoned you. NO! God will always be with you and will invisibly strengthen you even when it seems to you that you are on the very brink of perdition.
The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 148, 19th Century
If you would be victorious, taste the suffering of Christ in your person, that you may be chosen to taste His glory. For if we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him.
Blessed are you if you suffer for righteousness' sake. Behold, for years and generations the way of God has been made smooth through the Cross and by death. The way of God is a daily Cross.
The Cross is the gate of mysteries.
The Orthodox Way: Revised Edition, SVS Press, p. 129
Schedule for the Week
Sunday, October 11th:
- No Sunday School
- 1-Year Memorial Service: The Very Reverend Protopresbyter Nicolaos Spirakis ~ May his memory be eternal.
- No Greek School
- Canned Food Drive Begins
Wednesday, October 14th:
- Fast Day
- Daughters of Penelope Meeting: 1:00 PM (Conference Room)
- AHEPA Meeting: 6:00 PM
Friday, October 16th:
- Fast Day
Saturday, October 17th:
- GOYA Alzheimer’s Walk: Market Commons
Thank You to the Following Stewards of St. John's Parish
Parish Council Member on Duty: Dave Radomsky
Today's Prosforon Brought By: Soula Toggas
Today's Coffee Hour Hosted By: Elenie Gabriel and Maritsa Gavrilis
Community News & Events
Sunday School:If anyone is interested in teaching Sunday School, please see or call Michele Michalos at (843)-742-3713. We are looking forward to a spiritual and educational year for our children.
Metropolis of Atlanta Family Life Ministry “Manna from Heaven” ~ Friday, October 16th-18th ~ Diaconia Center: This pan-Orthodox retreat is for single mothers and their children and will be held on Friday, October 16th at 6:00 PM-Sunday, October 18th at 12:00 PM. This retreat will include canoing, fishing, interactive workshops, worship and a campfire. The price of attendance for adults is $120; youth (12-18) $95; children (6-11) $45; and children 5 and under attend for free.
St. John the Baptist General Assembly meeting ~ Sunday, November 1st ~ following Divine Liturgy: We hope that you will all make every effort to attend. Only Stewards in good standing may vote. In accordance with the Uniform Parish Regulations, a member who wishes to place his/her name for election must fulfill the following (Article 25, Section II of the UPR of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Regulations) Section 2: A candidate for the Parish Council must be a parishioner in good standing of the Parish for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the date of the election and must live his or her life in accordance with the Faith and canons of the Church. The Priest determines whether the Parishioners are in canonical and financial good standing. Forms for parish council nominations will be included in the upcoming “The Voice”. If you have not signed a 2015 Stewardship Pledge Card, you are asked to do so at this time. Again, please plan to attend this important meeting.
Congratulations to Presvytera Mary Spirakis:This year Presvytera will be honored by Metropolitan Alexios with the “Lay Metropolitan Choice Award” at the Archangel Michael Awards on Saturday, November 14th. Presvytera Mary has committed and dedicated her life to our Lord, to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and to the Metropolis of Atlanta alongside her beloved husband, Fr. Nicolaos of blessed memory, for so many years. She has also raised a wonderful family with dignity and love.
2015 Archangel Michael Awards ~ November 14th: The Archangel Michael Feast was prayerfully conceived by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios upon His arrival to Atlanta, as the annual double feast of the Metropolitan family. Since 1998, the Metropolitan family comes together in Atlanta on the weekend of, prior to, or following the November 8th Feast of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. It is to honor and celebrate our Patron Saint and the lives of one adult and one youth from each parish, who are the living examples of the Orthodox Christian life and journey to Theosis. By extension, this special Metropolis feast is also the annual Metropolitan celebration and thanks giving for all devout stewards of faith, time and talent, “Who first give themselves to the Lord by the will of God”. The annual St. Michael Archangel Awards will be held on November 14th in Atlanta, GA followed by a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 15th. This year’s recipients from St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church are George Spirkais and Anastasia Spirakis Haar. Congratulations! If anyone would like to attend the Award’s Dinner to honor Presvytera Mary, George and Anastasia, please call the Church Office to make reservations and for more information (843) 448-3773.
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.
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