Services at St. Andrew

March 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, +SATURDAY OF SOULS (Psychosavata)

Orthros @8am & Divine Liturgy @9:15am

During memorial services, we commemorate the souls of all Orthodox Christians who have gone before us into eternal rest. In praying for those who have “fallen asleep in the Lord,” we continue to ask that God may have mercy on them in His divine judgment so they may gain the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven. The names offered during the “Saturdays of the Souls” (March 2, March 9 and March 16) at the beginning of the Lenten season will be commemorated.

Also remember your loved ones by not only submitting their names, but by attending the holy services to offer your own prayers for their eternal rest. Anyone wishing to do so may also bring or order a dish of memorial wheat (“kollyva”) for use during the service.P lease, bring your list of names to the service, or if not able to attend, call the Church Office 973-584-0388 ahead of time or send it by email to info@standrewgonj.org

May their memory be eternal (see SOS flyer at end of e-mail for more information)

March 3^rd, 2019 + Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

Orthros at 8:45am Divine Liturgy at 10am

Memorials:

A 40 Day Memorial service will be held for the repose of the soul of our ever memorable +Sotiria Σωτηρίας Catacalos beloved mother to: Charlie (Patti), Ernie (Maria), Cathy (Michael) Barrett, John (Linda) Catacalos, treasured grandmother to: Sophia, Nikki, James, William, Thomas, Cassie and Athena, and great-grandmother to: Alexander, Isabella and Isaac. … Friends are invited to join the family in our Social Hall for refreshments in honor of +Sotiria’s blessed memory.

An Annual Memorial service will be held for the repose of the soul of our ever memorable + Eleni Ελένης and +Haralambos Χαραλάμπου Gizas, beloved parents of Konstantina Rodriguez, Sophia Tsatsaronis, John and Spyro Gizas

An Annual Memorial service will be held for the repose of the soul of our ever memorable +Katherine Αικατερίνης Pentikis and +Angeliki Αγγελικής Karantinou beloved family of MaryAnn Brasil.

Trisagion Service will be held for the repose of the soul of +Efstathia Ευσταθίας Siamas, beloved mother of Vasiliki (Kiriacos) Petrakos, Theodore (Nicole) Siamas.

May their memory be eternal. Αιωνία η μνήμη αυτών.

Fr. John's Message

Saint Ypomoni as a Model for our Lives

St. Ypomoni, Empress of the Romans (Feast Days - March 13 and May 29

By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas

Saint Ypomoni, known in the world as Helen Dragas, came from a royal family. She was the daughter of Constantine Dragas, who was one of the many rulers-heirs of the Serbian King Stefan Dusan. At around 19 she became the wife of Manuel II Palaiologos (1390), and was called: "Helen, in Christ God Augusta and Empress of the Romans, Palaiologos". Having been nurtured in the Orthodox faith, this faith supported her during the many and great difficulties encountered in her life. She had many gifts, great virtues and immense psychic strength, so she supported her husband during the difficult moments of the 35 years they lived together. God gave them eight children: six boys and two girls. Two of the boys ascended the imperial throne: John the VIII and Constantine XI (the last and legendary emperor).

Saint Ypomoni (Augusta Helen) truly loved the people and stood by them in their anxieties and concerns before the fearful danger to the nation, and she strengthened them by her prayers and comforting words. She faced joys and sorrows with hope in God which is why she was balanced in all things. The philosopher George Gemistos-Plethon writes among other things the following about her: "This Queen with much humility and perseverance appeared to address the two ways of life. Neither at the time of testing was she swayed, nor when she was granted rest, but in each case she did what was required. She joined together intelligence and bravery, more than any other woman. She was distinguished for her chastity. She had completely deep righteousness. She did not know how to do evil to anyone, either men or women. Instead we know that she did much good to many. With what other way can righteousness be shown in practice, other than to never do your own will or show evil towards anyone, but only show good to many?"

Also, Gennadios Scholarios, the first Ecumenical Patriarch after the fall, in his comforting words to Emperor Constantine XII “On the Dormition of his Mother Saint Ypomoni”, writes: "This blessed Queen when she was visited by someone wise, he would leave amazed from her unique wisdom. When she met some ascetic, he would leave after the meeting, shamed by his poor virtue and ashamed by her virtue. When she met someone intelligent, he would be struck by her greater intelligence. When she would meet with a legislator, they became more careful. When she spoke with some lawyer, they believed that they had before them the Rule of Law in practice. When someone brave would meet her, they would feel defeated feeling amazed by her patience, wisdom and strength of character. When she was approached by some philanthropist, they were struck by her greater and perceivable feeling of philanthropy. When she met some friend of amusements, they would gain wisdom, and coming to know their humility before her, repented. When she met some zealot of piety, they would gain greater zeal. Everyone suffering, after meeting with her, received some relief of their pain. Every arrogant person berated his great self-love. And in general there was no one who came into contact with her and did not become better."

After the repose of her husband (1425) - who two months earlier became a monk - she was tonsured a nun in the Monastery of Lady Martha, and took the name Ypomoni. And as her contemporary George Frantzes writes: "She joined with the meaning of her monastic name (Ypomoni=Patience) with the way she confronted the good and also the many difficulties in her whole life. Patience in life, deed and monastic name." It pleased God that she not experience the pain of the fall of the empire, which is why He invited her near Him on March 13, 1450.

Her life and deeds give us the opportunity to highlight the following:

Patience is a gift of God, which is given to those who are struggling and who pray to acquire it, that they may be able to withstand their daily problems, their difficulties and the temptations of this present life. Patience is absolutely essential, because without patience a person cannot accomplish any major project, especially the most important of all, their salvation. And by the term "salvation" we do not mean the inheritance of the Kingdom of God after death. Of course, it is this, but it especially means the knowledge of God, which is gained by living the way of life as taught by the Church. Otherwise, it is impossible to endure the way of life in the eternal Kingdom of God, unless they live it in their present life, because it will appear to be hell for them. Besides, this is in fact hell, namely for a person to not be able to withstand the love of God and instead of experiencing this love as light and joy "through their inner purity", they experience it as fire and pain "through their inner impurity".

Patience is closely linked with hope in God and confidence in His love. If someone does not believe in eternal life and the "respite of future goods" then why endure, and who will give them the strength to endure? Patience is drawn from God, and at the same time leads to the knowledge of God and communion with Him. Not to the knowledge about God, which is acquired by the brain and reading, but the empirical knowledge of God, which is personal communion with Him. And this knowledge, according to the venerable Mark the Ascetic is acquired through patience during unfortunate events in life and the assumption of personal responsibility - by each of us - for our mistakes and sins. He writes: "True knowledge is patience in misfortunes and to not ascribe to others your affliction." In other words, through patience during the sad events of life one gains the knowledge of God, and those who know God and have communion with Him receive great strength, so they can endure without complaint, thanking and glorifying God. And they also consider themselves the cause of their failures and sufferings and not others, because other people are not our hell, as the atheist existentialist Sartre says, but our paradise, according to the patristic words: "When you see your brother, you have seen God."

Patience requires humility and self-reproach, spiritual prowess and bravery, hope in God and absolute trust in His providence and love. By these all daily problems and difficulties in life are exceeded and we maintain inner peace.

Source: Ekklesiastiki Paremvasi, "Ἁγία Ὑπομονή", February 2014. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

Announcements

We’d like to be able to better communicate with everyone on social media where appropriate.

Please Like Us / Follow Us on our church Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Religious-Organization/St-Andrew-Greek-Orthodox-Church-Randolph-NJ-758987230951158/

Annual visit to Saint Michael’s Home

Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos annual visitation to Saint Michael’s Home for the Aged in Yonkers, NY is on Saturday March 2, 2019. Please respond as soon as possible as arrangements for refreshments must be made. If you would need transportation please contact Eleni Constantinides ASAP.

Philoptochos tray is in support of Orthodox Christian Missions/Support a Mission

Priest and will help provide financial support to missionary Priests and teams as well as Hellenic College Holy Cross/Veneration of the Holy Cross. We thank you for your support.

A 2^nd Stewardship Sunday - March 10^th

The Stewardship Committee understands that submitting your pledge card in November may not be uppermost in your mind as the holiday season approaches. With that in mind, we will be celebrating a Second Stewardship Sunday on March 10^th.

If you have not already made your commitment to Saint Andrew church, we ask that you prayerfully consider your blessings and submit your 2019 pledge.

Stewardship Program Update 02-21-2019: We would like to thank everyone

who submitted their 2019 Christian Stewardship Commitment. 122 families have sent in their pledges Totaling $130,390

Total Operating Budget 2019 $828, 065

Stewardship Income $350,000 | $130,390 committed to date)

Close the Gap: $86,165 Fundraising Income: $198, 000 Other Income: $193,900

Balanced Budget $828, 065

Online Giving System - WeShare click on link and follow instructions https://standrewgonj.churchgiving.com/ws/opportunities/or call the office

Caregivers Workshop #3

Please join us for our Caregiver Workshop on March 3^rd at 12:45pm after Divine Liturgy in Room 102 . This month we will have a panel who will be able to answer questions. Catherine Rabidis (New York Life), Andi Morris (Arden Courts of Whippany), and Chad Blecker (Seniors in Place) will cover various topics regarding caregiving. Bring your questions and join us.

“Now at our candle stand in the Narthex”

……A number of soul edifying publications are available weekly for FREE at our candle stand in the Narthex

Now available for the next 2 weeks: 3 select (small) volumes from the 7 volume Spiritual Life Series published by www.newromepress. Each small book in this series tackles topics of spiritual significance for the Orthodox Christian's daily life. Now Freely available:

Do not judge…Understanding the Vice of Passing Judgement…. And as we ponder over the trouble we have to be virtuous and live a life in Christ, we lose heart and give up. Christ, however, suggested a very simple and easy way for us to please Him and avoid…..Read More

On the Vice of Envy…… And whereas all the passions produce at any rate some momentary pleasure in the person who experiences them, envy wastes away the soul through continual, sorrow at the happiness of one's fellow-man... This passion is usually well hidden……Read More

On Repentance and Confession…… Repentance is man’s return to God. It is a change-of-heart in the nous from the darkness of sin to the light of Christ. The beginning of this journey is “the awareness of our errors, which is a great opportunity for us to attract divine mercy. This is why the Prophet David says to God…..Read More

House Blessings

Fr. John Theodosion will begin the House Blessings in our community on the 1^st week in January 2019. St. Andrew Parishioners will be notified of his pending visit. Please look for a “Blue Post Card” indicating date and time.

We will also be announcing in the weekly bulletin the towns that Fr. John will be visiting. If you don’t receive “Blue Post Card” when your town is listed, please contact the office ASAP and make arrangements for «Agiasmo» in your home.

NOTE: Please do not offer Fr. John any food or snacks. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated, but unfortunately his time is very limited and will only delay his next visit.

Rescheduling of missed appointments will be after Pascha. 973-584-0388

St Thomas Church services at St. Andrew on Sundays

Our friends the parishioners of St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India, located on West Blackwell St. in Dover had a big loss last week. Their church was damaged by a fire and they requested our help. We at St. Andrew will be making our Gym available to them so they are able to hold their Sunday services. We ask you to please not enter the gym while their services are in session. We have also allocated the parking lot in the back of the gym for their parishioners.

Coffee Hour Hosts

2/24 GOYA, 3/3 Philoptochos, 3/10 PTA, *3/17 DOP, *3/24 GOYA, *3/31 GOYA, 4/7 Philoptochos, 4/14 DOP, 4/21 Palm Sunday (*Lent)

BAGELS for Sunday Coffee hour are donated by ALPHA BAGELS located on Route 10 in Randolph, NJ. We thank them for their generosity and continued support.

Save the dates

March 10 - GOYA Sights and Sounds Replay

April 14 - Greek Independence Day Parade in NYC

May 10 - Philoptochos Annual Tricky Tray

May 19 - Religious Education Graduation & Scholarship Awards Program

May 30 - Hellenic Afternoon School Graduation Program

May 30, 31 & June 1: Family Picture with Lifetouch for upcoming Saint Andrew Directory

June: 7-8-9 Big Greek Festival

June 30: Car Raffle Drawing

News - Flyers - Registrations - Other

Saturday of Souls

MARCH 2, 9, 16, 2019 ORTHROS @8AM & DIVINE LITURGY @9:15AM

Stewardship Sunday

Second Stewardship Sunday on March 10th. If you have not already made your commitment to Saint Andrew church, we ask that you prayerfully consider your blessings and submit your 2019 pledge.

Stewardship

Stewardship Commitment 2019 Form

Philoptochos

Membership

volleyball

volleyball fundamentals for girls; at St. Andrew gym on Sundays 1.30-3pm in March 3, 17, 24 and April 7 &14

Philoptochos

Applications and all supporting documentation ... postmarked on or before May 1, 2019. The award notification will be announced on May 19, 2019.

Great Lent Study

Fridays at 10:30am March 15th through April 12th.

Church Schedule This Week

March 3-10

Family Nights

Every Friday evening at 5:15pm during Lent March 15th to April 12th

Please share information

Despina Dermatis Prassas asks for help for her son Peter.

Prayer List

If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the office. 973-584-0388

Names will be kept on this list for approximately 3 months. Please resubmit Names if needed. Fr. John will pray for the Names above during the Proskomide “Offering of gifts” during the first part of the Divine Liturgy when our priest prepares the mystical gifts of bread and wine. Please keep these names in your prayers as well.

Simeon, George, Richard, Evangelia, Hannah, Andrew, Constantinos, Eftychia, Kyzoula, Lukas, Lukas, Anna Christina, Ronny, Stephanie, Lukas, Zoe, Spyridoula, Maria, Eugenia, Alexa, Eleni, Vasiliki, Hope, Hristos, Rosemary, Susan, Don, Corinne, Sophia, Stavroula, Konstantinos, Anastasia, Pamela, Brian,Brandon, Fotini, Irene, Eleutherios, Andriana, John, Panayioti, William, Nikki, Kyriaki, Panayiota, Beatrice, Demetrios, Andreas, Ioanna,Marykate, John, Konstantinos, Barbara, Reta, Despina, Eleni, Bonnie, Rose, Richard, Mary, Petros, Demosthenes, Angeliki, Christian, Olga, Efthimia, Demitra, Antonia, Norma, Beatrice, Geoffrey, Theonimfi, Donald, Alexandra, Kathy, John, Reggie, Shannon, Yiota, Christopher, Asimina, Margarita, Ellen, Konstantinos, Despina, Margaret, Georgia, Antonios, Maria, Kleo, Constantine, Paul, Christos, Vasilis, Maxine, Hana, Eva, Nicoletta, Nicholas, Tina, Stefanos, Paraskevi, George, Anastasia, Hristos, John, Christopher, George, Chris, Konstantinos, Aristea, Fr. Demetri, Prz Spyridoula, Eleni, Marcella, Demetri, Fotini, William, Robert, Nicholas, Konstantinos, Helen, Kelly,

Prayer for a Sick Person:

Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, visit and heal (me) Your servant from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ. Grant (me) patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed. I pray that You heal (me) as Your servant and grant (me) the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

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.

Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέῳξας τῷ Λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just.

Ὅταν ἔλθῃς ὁ Θεός, ἐπὶ γῆς μετὰ δόξης, καὶ τρέμωσι τὰ σύμπαντα, ποταμὸς δὲ τοῦ πυρὸς πρὸ τοῦ Βήματος ἕλκῃ, καὶ βίβλοι ἀνοίγωνται, καὶ τὰ κρυπτὰ δημοσιεύωνται, τότε ῥῦσαί με, ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς τοῦ ἀσβέστου, καὶ ἀξίωσον, ἐκ δεξιῶν σου μὲ στῆναι, Κριτὰ δικαιότατε.

Saints and Feasts

March 03

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.

March 03

The Holy Martyrs Eutropius, Cleonicus, and Basiliscus

The Martyrs, who were from Amasia, were fellow soldiers and kinsmen of Saint Theodore the Tyro (see Feb. 17). They were betrayed to the Governor Asclepiodotus as Christians, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). After many torments, Eutropius and Cleonicus were crucified; Basiliscus was not slain together with them, but was shut up in prison, in the hope that with time he might change his mind and sacrifice to the idols. He was beheaded on May 22; see also the account on that day.

March 03

Theodoretos the Holy Martyr of Antioch

March 09

The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastia

These holy Martyrs, who came from various lands, were all soldiers under the same general. Taken into custody for their faith in Christ, and at first interrogated by cruel means, they were then stripped of their clothing and cast onto the frozen lake which is at Sebastia of Pontus, at a time when the harsh and freezing weather was at its worst. They endured the whole night naked in such circumstances, encouraging one another to be patient until the end. He that guarded them, named Aglaius, who was commanded to receive any of them that might deny Christ, had a vision in which he saw heavenly powers distributing crowns to all of the Martyrs, except one, who soon after abandoned the contest. Seeing this, Aglaius professed himself a Christian and joined the Martyrs on the lake, and the number of forty remained complete. In the morning, when they were almost dead from the cold, they were cast into fire, after which their remains were thrown into the river. Thus they finished the good course of martyrdom in 320, during the reign of Licinius. These are their names: Acacius, Aetius, Aglaius, Alexander, Angus, Athanasius, Candidus, Chudion, Claudius, Cyril, Cyrion, Dometian, Domnus, Ecdicius, Elias, Eunoicus, Eutyches, Eutychius, Flavius, Gaius, Gorgonius, Helianus, Heraclius, Hesychius, John, Lysimachus, Meliton, Nicholas, Philoctemon, Priscus, Sacerdon, Severian, Sisinius, Smaragdus, Theodulus, Theophilus, Valens, Valerius, Vivianus, and Xanthias.

March 10

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Seventh Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:1-10

Τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἔρχεται πρωῒ σκοτίας ἔτι οὔσης εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ βλέπει τὸν λίθον ἠρμένον ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου. τρέχει οὖν καὶ ἔρχεται πρὸς Σίμωνα Πέτρον καὶ πρὸς τὸν ἄλλον μαθητὴν ὃν ἐφίλει ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· ἦραν τὸν Κύριον ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου, καὶ οὐκ οἴδαμεν ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν. ἐξῆλθεν οὖν ὁ Πέτρος καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς καὶ ἤρχοντο εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον. ἔτρεχον δὲ οἱ δύο ὁμοῦ· καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς προέδραμε τάχιον τοῦ Πέτρου καὶ ἦλθε πρῶτος εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει κείμενα τὰ ὀθόνια, οὐ μέντοι εἰσῆλθεν. ἔρχεται οὖν Σίμων Πέτρος ἀκολουθῶν αὐτῷ, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον καὶ θεωρεῖ τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα, καὶ τὸ σουδάριον, ὃ ἦν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, οὐ μετὰ τῶν ὀθονίων κείμενον, ἀλλὰ χωρὶς ἐντετυλιγμένον εἰς ἕνα τόπον. τότε οὖν εἰσῆλθε καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς ὁ ἐλθὼν πρῶτος εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εἶδε καὶ ἐπίστευσεν· οὐδέπω γὰρ ᾔδεισαν τὴν γραφὴν ὅτι δεῖ αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῆναι. ἀπῆλθον οὖν πάλιν πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς οἱ μαθηταί.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 146.5;134.3.
Μέγας ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, καὶ μεγάλη ἡ ἰσχὺς ἀὐτοῦ.
Στίχ. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, ὅτι ἀγαθός.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 8:8-13, 9:1-2.

Ἀδελφοί, βρῶμα ἡμᾶς οὐ παρίστησιν τῷ θεῷ· οὔτε γὰρ ἐὰν φάγωμεν περισσεύομεν, οὔτε ἐὰν μὴ φάγωμεν ὑστερούμεθα. Βλέπετε δὲ μήπως ἡ ἐξουσία ὑμῶν αὕτη πρόσκομμα γένηται τοῖς ἀσθενοῦσιν. Ἐὰν γάρ τις ἴδῃ σε τὸν ἔχοντα γνῶσιν ἐν εἰδωλείῳ κατακείμενον, οὐχὶ ἡ συνείδησις αὐτοῦ ἀσθενοῦς ὄντος οἰκοδομηθήσεται εἰς τὸ τὰ εἰδωλόθυτα ἐσθίειν; Καὶ ἀπολεῖται ὁ ἀσθενῶν ἀδελφὸς ἐπὶ τῇ σῇ γνώσει, διʼ ὃν Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν; Οὕτως δὲ ἁμαρτάνοντες εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφούς, καὶ τύπτοντες αὐτῶν τὴν συνείδησιν ἀσθενοῦσαν, εἰς Χριστὸν ἁμαρτάνετε. Διόπερ εἰ βρῶμα σκανδαλίζει τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, οὐ μὴ φάγω κρέα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἵνα μὴ τὸν ἀδελφόν μου σκανδαλίσω. Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος; Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος; Οὐχὶ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν ἑώρακα; Οὐ τὸ ἔργον μου ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ; Εἰ ἄλλοις οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος, ἀλλά γε ὑμῖν εἰμι· ἡ γὰρ σφραγὶς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ.

Wisdom of the Fathers

He indicates the dispositions of each, calling the one kids, the other sheep, that He might indicate the unfruitfulness of the one, for no fruit will come from kids; and the great profit from the other, for indeed from sheep great is the profit, as well from the milk, as from the wool, and from the young, of all which things the kid is destitute.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily on Matt. XXV, 4th Century

For when one has pity on the poor, he lends to God; and he who gives to the least gives to God--sacrifices spiritually to God an odour of a sweet smell.

St. Cyprian of Carthage

The Lord's Prayer, 33. B#41, p.102, 3rd century

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March 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, +SATURDAY OF SOULS (Psychosavata)

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A 2^nd Stewardship Sunday - March 10^th