Saints and Feasts

July 03

Hyacinth the Martyr of Caesarea & Theodotos and Theodota the Martyrs

The Martyr Hyacinth, who was from Caesarea of Cappadocia, was the chamberlain of the Emperor Trajan. On being constrained by the Emperor to partake of the sacrifices offered to idols and not wishing to do so, he was shut up in prison without food, where he gave up his spirit to God in the year 108.

July 03

Translation of the Holy Relics of our Father Among the Saints Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow

Today we also commemorate the translation of the holy and incorrupt relics of Saint Philip from the Monastery of Solovki, where he was Abbot, to the Cathedral of the Dormition in Moscow, his Metropolitan throne. This came to pass in 1652, some eighty years after his martyric death in Tver. (See also Jan. 9 and Oct. 5.)

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 5th Tone

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Tone

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

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.

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 12:6-14

BRETHREN, having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Announcements

New books arrived in our bookstore - as always our bookstore is an honor system. Please put the money for your purchase in the first drawer and mark on the sheet what you bought. If you want to pay book purchases with your credit card please see Br. Anthony

Bookstore

We have a new book with the life of St. Alexander Schmorell, put together by Matushka Elena Prekrestov. Please consider this for your spiritual reading.

Deacon

God willing we will have one of our own to be ordained to the holy diaconate at our feast day in September. To prepare for that we had to purchase deacon vestments for him. Church vestments as other items in church are not only beautifying the services for the Glory of God, they are are necessity. The cost for 5 sets in the different liturgical colors runs around $2,250. We ordered them from a convent in Belarus which actuallly reduced the cost significantly. For the amount we spent you most of the time only get one or two vestment sets if you order from suppliers in this country. Please help us to raise some funds to be able to pay for those new vestments.

A/C repair

The cost for the maintenance for furnace and air condition this year was surprisingly high. It turned out that we lost all our refrigerant for our A/C and it took extra work to find a potential leak and re-charging the system. We were faced with a bill of $680, which is way over the expected $200 that we budgeted for. If you are able to help with an offset for this, especially during this time of the year where our income is always lower than normal, it would be greatly appreciated.

Sts. Elizabeth and Barbara

On Tuesday, 7/18 we commemorate the Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Martyr Barbara. The relics in our Holy Table are of those two martyrs. Find the schedule of services on our website for this important day.

Stewardship

June 2017

Income: $3,363

Expenses: $6,153

Difference: -$2,790

YearToDate Difference: -$4,496

We are raising funds for our biggest projects in the near future:

The renewal of our siding, and improving our insulation on church and rectory to save on heating costs.
The install of the dome and three-bar cross we were given the year before last.

To easily contribute to these fundraisers please go to our website ss-sergius-herman-valaam.org

In your charity please remember us to your ability and help this small community.

Wisdom of the Fathers

"But whosoever shall do and teach," said He, "shall be called great." For not to ourselves alone, should we be profitable, but to others also; since neither is the reward as great for him who guides himself aright, as for one who with himself adds also another.

St. John Chrysostom

Homilies 15 and 16 on Matthew 5, 4th Century

Since he who cannot teach himself, yet attempts to set others right, will have many to ridicule him. Or rather such a one will have no power to teach at all, his actions uttering their voice against him.

St. John Chrysostom

Homilies 15 and 16 on Matthew 5, 4th Century

Prayer Requests

Sick:

Hieromonk Timothy, Priest Joseph, Alexander, Valery, Philip, Eric, Suzanna, Matushka Anna and her newborn child Irene, Luoba, Katherine, Kevin, Demetra, Judy (non-orthodox), Pat (non-orthodox), Heather (non-orthodox), Catherine, Mary, Hannah (non-orthodox), Irene (non-orthodox), Krista, George, Vera

In time of distress:

Hieromonk Alexander (Frizzell), Silouan, Amy, Pani Ami

New Reposed:

Daniel, Ivanna

If you have prayer requests you would like announced, please e-mail rector@ss-sergius-herman-valaam.org

Commemorations from the past week

7/13 Nameday of Hieromonk Alexander

Fasting in the upcoming week

Wednesday is a normal fast day

Friday fish, wine, and oil are allowed.

All other days are fast free.

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