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St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-08-05
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St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (212) 473-0648
  • Street Address:

  • 143 East 17th Street

  • New York, NY 10003
  • Mailing Address:

  • 143 East 17th Street

  • New York, NY 10003


Past Bulletins


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Message from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios

Archbishop-demetrios

Archiepiscopal Encyclical for the recent fires in Greece

07/24/2018

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We all have learned of the devastating fires in Attica, Greece that have claimed the lives of dozens of people, injured many others, and destroyed countless homes and properties. We are filled with agony and pain as we watch the horrifying images and hear the tragic stories coming from Greece.
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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Archbishop Demetrios holds memorial service for the fire victims in Greece

07/25/2018

July 25, 2018

WASHINGTON – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America held today in the Cathedral of Saint Sophia a memorial service for the fire victims in Eastern Attica, Greece. The Archbishop is in the Nation’s Capital on the invitation of the Secretary of State of the United States, Mike Pompeo, to attend and participate in the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom (a separate release will cover this event), held in the State Department, July 24-25, 2018.

The Archbishop also prayed for the repose of the soul of Protopresbyter Spyridon Papapostolou, who was among the victims of the fires and was a personal friend of the Archbishop. Fr. Spyridon served for many years as proistamenos of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Halandri, a suburb of Athens. He also had a direct connection with the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Washington, as his brother Harilaos Papapostolou of blessed memory served for many years as the master chanter and choir leader of the Cathedral.

Attending the memorial were the representative of the Embassy of Greece in Washington First Consellor Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Andrew Manatos, and others.

Following the memorial trisagion the Archbishop stated: “We conducted a memorial service for the eternal memory and repose of the souls of the innocent people who lost their lives in this unprecedented fire in Eastern Attica. We also prayed for God’s help and comfort and solace to the families of victims. This was an event of extraordinary proportions, of speed and intensity not seen before. We understand the great difficulties the Greek State will face in its effort to repair, compensate and rebuild all that was destroyed, and in this effort, we, as the Greek Orthodox Church here in America, are willing to help in any way possible so that wounds and traumas caused by this terrible disaster may heal as quickly as possible. We believe that God will help and support the efforts to revitalize the afflicted areas but mostly to strengthen and offer solace to the people.”

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Archbishop Demetrios Raises the Issues of Religious Freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in State Department Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom

07/26/2018

July 26, 2018

See Photos

WASHINGTON – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, at the invitation of the Secretary of State of the United States Mike Pompeo, participated in the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, July 24-26, 2018, held at the State Department.

Archbishop Demetrios, addressing the plenary meeting on July 25, raised the issue of religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and in particular said that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is deprived, first of a legal status which limits its ability to exercise its duties and ministry; secondly the Ecumenical Patriarchate has suffered a massive confiscation of its properties buildings, and land; and thirdly, the Ecumenical Patriarchate had only one theological school, located on the island of Halki, which has been closed by the Turkish authorities for almost 50 years and remains closed, despite the efforts of many people and countries in the West, including repeated appeals by U.S. Presidents. As the Patriarchal Theological School of Halki remains closed, said the Archbishop, the Ecumenical Patriarchate is deprived of the ability to educate its own clergy, which is clearly a violation of its religious freedom.

The Archbishop’ s remarks were very well received by the Plenary and the participants applauded his call for action in support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The Ministerial convened a broad range of stakeholders from eighty countries, including foreign ministers, ambassadors, international organization representatives, religious leaders, and civil society representatives, to discuss challenges, identify concrete ways to combat religious persecution and discrimination, and ensure greater respect for religious freedom for all.

On the sidelines of the Ministerial conference, His Eminence had the opportunity to meet with several officials including Sam Brownback, United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom; John J. Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of State; Knox Thames, Special Advisor for Religious Minorities in the Near East and South/Central Asia; and religious and political leaders from around the world.

John J. Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of State hosted in the evening of Wednesday, July 25, a reception for the participants of the Ministerial at the Benjamin Franklin Room of the State Department.  

Today, the last day of the conference, Archbishop Demetrios attended the introductory address of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the very comprehensive Keynote Address of Vice President Mike Pence.

See Photos

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Father Vasilios' Message!

IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT IN YOUR 2018 STEWARDSHIP PLEASE DO THAT TODAY.

WE HAVE ALSO SUBMITTED TO THE PERMIT OFFICE OUR REQUEST FOR THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL. THE DATE IS OCTOBER 13, PLEASE PRAY THEY GRANT IT TO US! 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH THE FESTIVAL, AND TO BECOME MEMBERS OF OUR PARISH COUNCIL. PLEASE THINK ABOUT HELPING ST. JOHN IN A DEEPER AND MORE GIVING WAY!

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THE ACQUISITION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 There have been many Orthodox elders who dwelled in solitude in far off deserts and in mountain caves in order to leave this Fallen World behind and become closure to God. They did this with all good intensions hoping to grow in the spirit and to see the world that is waiting for those who practice the virtues.  One such man is St. Seraphim of Sarov.  He spent many years practicing monasticism as a hermit.  He received many heavenly blessings for his effort.  He had the ability to interact with wild animals without any fear. All the miracles that God permitted him to do were because of his prayer life and were an outcome of the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. The following is a dialogue that this holy man has with a friend. Pray that we too can at some point in our life emulate this great saint of our Church. Enjoy! 

"'My Joy, I beg you, acquire the Spirit of Peace,' said Father Seraphim to the monk, and at once he began to explain what it means to acquire the Spirit of Peace. 'That means to bring oneself to such a state that our spirit will not be disturbed by anything. One must be like a dead man or absolutely deaf or blind during any sorrow, calumny, accusation and persecutions, which inevitably come to all those who wish to follow the saving path of Christ. For one must go through many sorrows to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  This is the way all righteous men were saved and inherited the Heavenly Kingdom.  And before this all the glory of this world is nothing; all the enjoyments of this world are not even a shadow of that which is prepared in the heavenly abodes for those who love God: there, is eternal joy and triumph.  So that our spirit will have freedom to uplift itself there and be nourished from sweetest conversation with the Lord, one must humble oneself with constant vigils, prayer, and remembrance of the Lord.' 

'And I, humble Seraphim.' said the Starets, 'for this reason go through the Gospel daily. On Monday I read St. Matthew, from beginning to end; on Tuesday, St. Mark; on Wednesday, St. Luke; on Thursday, St. John; the other days I divide between the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles of the Apostles. And I do not for a single day neglect to read the daily Epistle and Gospel, and also the readings to the saints. Through this not only my soul, but even my body rejoices and is vivified, because I converse with the Lord, I hold in my mind His Life and Suffering, and day and night I glorify and give thanks to my Redeemer for all His mercies that are shed upon mankind and upon me, the unworthy one.'

Then, the indescribable joy, he uttered: 'Here, I'll tell you about humble Seraphim! I took a special liking to the words of my Lord Jesus Christ: In My Father's house are many mansions (that is, for those who serve Him and glorify His Holy Name). On these words I, humble Seraphim, paused and wished to see these heavenly abodes, and I prayed my Lord Jesus Christ to show them to me; and the Lord did not deprive me, the humble one, of His mercy.  He fulfilled my desire and request; and so I was transported to these heavenly abodes, only I do not know whether in the body or without the body, God knows; it is inconceivable. And about that joy and heavenly sweetness of which I there partook, it is impossible to tell you.'

With these words Father Seraphim became silent . . . He stooped his head, quietly patting his heart with his hand; his face began gradually to change and finally became so glowing that it was impossible to look at him. During his sacred silence he was as if contemplating something with humility.

Then Father Seraphim once more began to talk. 'Oh, if only you could know,' said the Starets to the monk, 'what joy, what sweetness await the souls of the righteous in heaven, then you would be determined in this temporal life to endure any sorrow, persecution, and calumny with gratitude. If this very cell of ours' (at this he pointed to his cell) 'were full of worms, and if these worms were to eat our flesh throughout our whole temporal life, then with utmost desire we should consent to it, only not to be deprived of that heavenly joy which God has prepared for those who love Him. There, there is no sickness, no sorrow, no lamentation; there is sweetness and rejoicing unutterable; there the righteous will shine like the sun.  But if the holy Apostle Paul himself (II Cor. 12:2-4) could not explain that heavenly glory and joy, then what other human tongue could describe the beauty of the high dwelling in which the souls of the righteous shall dwell?  At the conclusion of this talk the Starets spoke about how it is necessary to take attentive care of one's salvation--now, before the favorable time for this has passed.'"

Finally, what words of wisdom from this humble and holy man named Father Seraphim. He not only understood what is takes to acquire the Holy Spirit, but he actively practiced the blessing that come from it. His final words to all of us are the cornerstone of a Christian life and the blessings that others will receive because of your efforts to maintain a blessed Christian life.  "'Acquire a peaceful spirit, and around you thousands will be saved.' No matter who came to him, the Starets bowed to the ground before all, and, in blessing, kissed their hands. He did not need the visitors to tell about themselves, as he could see what each had on their soul. He also said, 'Cheerfulness is not a sin. It drives away weariness, for from weariness there is sometimes dejection, and there is nothing worse than that.'" AMEN!

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New and Events at St. John's

 Service Schedule  

Friday, August 3, 2018

6:30 p.m. Small Paraclesis

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Sunday, August 5, 2018

10th Sunday of Matthew

9:00 a.m. Orthros/10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy

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Monday, August 6, 2018

Holy Transfiguration

8:30 a.m. Orthros/9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy

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Wednesday, August 8, 2018

6:30 p.m. Small Paraclesis

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Thursday, August 9, 2018

6:30 p.m. Bible Study

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Friday, August 10, 2018

6:30 p.m. Small Paraclesis

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Sunday, August 12, 2018

11th Sunday of Matthew

9:00 a.m. Orthros/10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy

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Wednesday, August 15, 2018

The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos

8:30am Orthros / 9:30am Divine Liturgy

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Thursday, August 16, 2018

6:30 p.m. Bible Study

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Sunday, August 19, 2018

12th Sunday of Matthew

9:00am Orthros / 10:00am Divine Liturgy

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Thursday, August 23, 2018

6:30 p.m. Bible Study

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Sunday, August 26, 2018

13th Sunday of Matthew

9:00am Orthros / 10:00am Divine Liturgy

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Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Beheading of St. John the Baptist

7:00pm Vespers

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Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Beheading of St. John the Baptist

8:30am Orthos / 10:00am Divine Liturgy

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Thursday, August 30, 2018

6:30 p.m. Bible Study

 

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14

At that time, being raised from the dead, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Tenth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 21:1-14

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐφανέρωσεν ἑαυτὸν πάλιν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς Τιβεριάδος· ἐφανέρωσε δὲ οὕτως. ἦσαν ὁμοῦ Σίμων Πέτρος, καὶ Θωμᾶς ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, καὶ Ναθαναὴλ ὁ ἀπὸ Κανᾶ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οἱ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου, καὶ ἄλλοι ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ δύο. λέγει αὐτοῖς Σίμων Πέτρος· ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν. λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· ἐρχόμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν σοί. ἐξῆλθον καὶ ἐνέβησαν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον εὐθύς, καὶ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ νυκτὶ ἐπίασαν οὐδέν. πρωΐας δὲ ἤδη γενομένης ἔστη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς τὸν αἰγιαλόν· οὐ μέντοι ᾔδεισαν οἱ μαθηταὶ ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστι. λέγει οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· παιδία, μή τι προσφάγιον ἔχετε; ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ· οὔ. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· βάλετε εἰς τὰ δεξιὰ μέρη τοῦ πλοίου τὸ δίκτυον, καὶ εὑρήσετε. ἔβαλον οὖν, καὶ οὐκέτι αὐτὸ ἑλκύσαι ἴσχυσαν ἀπὸ τοῦ πλήθους τῶν ἰχθύων. λέγει οὖν ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος, ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, τῷ Πέτρῳ· ὁ Κύριός ἐστι. Σίμων οὖν Πέτρος ἀκούσας ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστι, τὸν ἐπενδύτην διεζώσατο· ἦν γὰρ γυμνός· καὶ ἔβαλεν ἑαυτὸν εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν· οἱ δὲ ἄλλοι μαθηταὶ τῷ πλοιαρίῳ ἦλθον· οὐ γὰρ ἦσαν μακρὰν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἀπὸ πηχῶν διακοσίων, σύροντες τὸ δίκτυον τῶν ἰχθύων. ὡς οὖν ἀπέβησαν εἰς τὴν γῆν, βλέπουσιν ἀνθρακιὰν κειμένην καὶ ὀψάριον ἐπικείμενον καὶ ἄρτον. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἐνέγκατε ἀπὸ τῶν ὀψαρίων ὧν ἐπιάσατε νῦν. ἀνέβη Σίμων Πέτρος καὶ εἵλκυσε τὸ δίκτυον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, μεστὸν ἰχθύων μεγάλων ἑκατὸν πεντήκοντα τριῶν· καὶ τοσούτων ὄντων οὐκ ἐσχίσθη τὸ δίκτυον. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· δεῦτε ἀριστήσατε. οὐδεὶς δὲ ἐτόλμα τῶν μαθητῶν ἐξετάσαι αὐτὸν σὺ τίς εἶ, εἰδότες ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστιν. ἔρχεται οὖν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ λαμβάνει τὸν ἄρτον καὶ δίδωσιν αὐτοῖς, καὶ τὸ ὀψάριον ὁμοίως. Τοῦτο ἤδη τρίτον ἐφανερώθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16.

Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

Προκείμενον. First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 32.22,1.
Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 4:9-16.

Ἀδελφοί, ὁ θεὸς ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ἐσχάτους ἀπέδειξεν ὡς ἐπιθανατίους· ὅτι θέατρον ἐγενήθημεν τῷ κόσμῳ, καὶ ἀγγέλοις, καὶ ἀνθρώποις. Ἡμεῖς μωροὶ διὰ Χριστόν, ὑμεῖς δὲ φρόνιμοι ἐν Χριστῷ· ἡμεῖς ἀσθενεῖς, ὑμεῖς δὲ ἰσχυροί· ὑμεῖς ἔνδοξοι, ἡμεῖς δὲ ἄτιμοι. Ἄχρι τῆς ἄρτι ὥρας καὶ πεινῶμεν, καὶ διψῶμεν, καὶ γυμνητεύομεν, καὶ κολαφιζόμεθα, καὶ ἀστατοῦμεν, καὶ κοπιῶμεν ἐργαζόμενοι ταῖς ἰδίαις χερσίν· λοιδορούμενοι εὐλογοῦμεν· διωκόμενοι ἀνεχόμεθα· βλασφημούμενοι παρακαλοῦμεν· ὡς περικαθάρματα τοῦ κόσμου ἐγενήθημεν, πάντων περίψημα ἕως ἄρτι. Οὐκ ἐντρέπων ὑμᾶς γράφω ταῦτα, ἀλλʼ ὡς τέκνα μου ἀγαπητὰ νουθετῶ. Ἐὰν γὰρ μυρίους παιδαγωγοὺς ἔχητε ἐν Χριστῷ, ἀλλʼ οὐ πολλοὺς πατέρας· ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διὰ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ἐγὼ ὑμᾶς ἐγέννησα. Παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς, μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε.


Gospel Reading

10th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 17:14-23

At that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before him said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." And Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move hence to yonder place,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting." As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day."

10th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 17:14-23

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθόντων αὐτῶν πρὸς τὸν ὄχλον προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπος γονυπετῶν αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων· Κύριε, ἐλέησόν μου τὸν υἱόν, ὅτι σεληνιάζεται καὶ κακῶς πάσχει· πολλάκις γὰρ πίπτει εἰς τὸ πῦρ καὶ πολλάκις εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ. καὶ προσήνεγκα αὐτὸν τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου, καὶ οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν αὐτὸν θεραπεῦσαι. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν· ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος καὶ διεστραμμένη! ἕως πότε ἔσομαι μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετέ μοι αὐτὸν ὧδε. καὶ ἐπετίμησεν αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὸ δαιμόνιον καὶ ἐθεραπεύθη ὁ παῖς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης. Τότε προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ κατ᾿ ἰδίαν εἶπον· διατί ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό; ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· διὰ τὴν ἀπιστίαν ὑμῶν. ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως, ἐρεῖτε τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ, μετάβηθι ἐντεῦθεν ἐκεῖ, καὶ μεταβήσεται, καὶ οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν. τοῦτο δὲ τὸ γένος οὐκ ἐκπορεύεται εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. ᾿Αναστρεφομένων δὲ αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· μέλλει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοσθαι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθήσεται. καὶ ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα.


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Saints and Feasts

Healdemonicboy
August 05

10th Sunday of Matthew


Allsaint
August 05

Eusignius the Martyr of Antioch

This Martyr was from Antioch, and had been a soldier from the time of the reign of Constantius Chlorus (the father of Saint Constantine the Great) to that of Julian the Apostate. He censured Julian's ungodliness and reminded him that he was the nephew of Saint Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor. He reminded him further, that from his tender youth he had been nourished on the milk of piety and instructed in the Faith of Christ, had been a fellow student of Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian, had been a reader of the Church of Nicomedia, and that he had set all these things at nought and become a transgressor of the promises made in his divine Baptism, and had offered to the idols the adoration that is due to God alone. Reminding the Apostate of all these things and reproving him, he was beheaded in the year 361, having lived altogether 110 years, and been a soldier for more than sixty.


Transfig
August 05

Forefeast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ


Allsaint
August 05

Our Righteous Father Eugene of Aitola


Allsaint
August 05

Euthymios, Patriarch of Constantinople


Allsaint
August 05

Oswald the Martyr, King of Northumbria


Allsaint
August 05

Christos the New Martyr of Prevezis


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

When the stone had been sealed by the Jews and the soldiers were guarding Thine immaculate Body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life unto the world. Wherefore, the powers of the Heavens cried out to Thee, O Lifegiver: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ. Glory to Thy Kingdom. Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Friend of man.
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Transfiguration in the Fourth Mode

Come, let us all welcome the Transfiguration of Christ, and joyously celebrate the bright prefestival, O ye faithful, and let us cry: Nigh at hand now is the day of God-given gladness, as the Sovereign Master goeth up on Mount Tabor to flash forth with the beautiful light of His Divinity.
Χριστού τήν Μεταμόρφωσιν προϋπαντήσωμεν, φαιδρώς πανηγυρίζοντες τά προεόρτια, πιστοί καί βοήσωμεν, Ήγγικεν η ημέρα τής ενθέου ευφροσύνης, άνεισιν εις τό όρος τό Θαβώρ ο Δεσπότης, τής θεότητος αυτού απαστράψαι τήν ωραιότητα.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

All of mortal nature now divinely shineth on this day with the divine Transfiguration ere the time; and in great gladness, she crieth out: Christ is transfigured, and saveth the race of man.
Εν τή θεία σήμερον Μεταμορφώσει, η βροτεία άπασα, φύσις προλάμπει θεϊκώς, εν ευφροσύνη κραυγάζουσα, Μεταμορφούται Χριστός, σώζων άπαντας.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

Yet if his unbelief was the cause ... why does He blame the disciples? Signifying, that even without persons to bring the sick in faith, they might in many instances work a cure.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17, 4th Century

For as the faith of the person presenting oftentimes availed for receiving the cure, even from inferior ministers; so the power of the doers oftentimes sufficed, even without belief in those who came to work the miracle.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17, 4th Century

At this point he is referring to the faith required for signs, and mentions a mustard seed is small in size, yet it is more potent than all others in its effects. So to bring out that the least degree of genuine faith is capable of great things, he mentioned the mustard seed.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 56 (PG 58, 549-50) Translated by Robert Charles Hill in "Spiritual Gems from the Gospel of Matthew", 4th Century

[The Lord] went on to mention mountains as well, and went even further: "Nothing will be impossible for you." Now, for your part, admire [the disciples'] sound values in not concealing their limitations, and the Spirit's power in gradually bringing on those without even a mustard seed in such a way that rivers and fountains of faith gush forth in them.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 (PG 58, 563) Translated by Robert Charles Hill found in "Spiritual Gems from the Gospel of Matthew" , 4th Century

For a man to have such faith appears simple, but it is, on the contrary, something very lofty, not easily attained by many. Such faith is born of boldness before God; but such boldness comes (only) from pleasing God. Beloved, great labour is needed to acquire, through pleasing God, such boldness before Him that one firmly believes that he will grant all that one asks; as it is written, Ask, and it shall be given to you.
St. John Chrysostom
The Gospel Commentary: edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002., 4th Century

Here Christ is not speaking of that faith which believes in Him undoubtingly and knows Him to be true God, but of the faith (needed) to work miracles. If ye have faith, He said, so exceedingly warm and burning as a grain of mustard seed (for these are its qualities), and if it is believed without a doubt that ye will perform signs, then ye will receive such power, that if ye desire to move the very mountains, ye will move them.
St. John Chrysostom
The Gospel Commentary, edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century

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