Publish-header
St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-03-24
Bulletin Contents
Allsaint
Organization Icon
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


Message from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios

Archbishop-demetrios

Archbishop’s Encyclical for the Feast of the Annunciation and the Day of Greek Independence (2019)

03/20/2019

It is the Feast of the Annunciation, and we celebrate God’s revelation of His grace to the Virgin Mary. It is a new day as the Archangel Gabriel announced the Incarnation of Christ, saying to the Theotokos, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. (Luke 1:31) Today we commemorate a sacred event, when the love and divine will of God was made known to humankind.
BACK TO TOP

Fr. Vasilios' Message

 

ST. JOHN'S IS PREPARING AN 80TH ANNIVERSARY JOURNAL AND AN EVENING GALA AT THALASSA RESTAURANT ON MAY 18, 2019 TO COMMEMORATE THIS GREAT ACHIEVEMENT AND TO HELP DEFRAY SOME OF THE COSTS OF THE RENOVATIONS WE PLAN TO DO THIS SUMMER. SO PLEASE BE PART OF THIS MONUMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT BY TAKING A PAGE IN OUR JOURNAL AND ATTENDING THE GALA.

THE GREEK DANCE CLASS ON WEDNESDAY AND BIBLE STUDY ON THURSDAY ARE IN SESSION. PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OR ASK ANYONE AT THE CANDLE STAND FOR INFORMATION.

 

IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT IN THIS YEAR'S STEWARDSHIP PLEASE DO THAT TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

_______________________ 

FREEDOM!

When the Orthodox Church discusses the tenets of its foundational beliefs at its forefront is something so basic that it is imbued in every human being.  This basic principle is so important to our existence it is seen by many as the cornerstone of Christianity.  You can even see its significance and prominence even in the secular world. As such, many have adopted and formulated their governance on this one basic principle.

As you can probably guess by now this God-given gift to humanity is Freedom.  In the Bible, we see God’s actions right from the beginning blessing humanity with the power of individual freedom to do as he/she sees fit.  The gift of freedom is what separates humanity from the rest of the created world. 

One of the prayers that the priest reads during the Holy Baptismal Service declares perfectly the gift of freedom that God has bestowed on His beloved humanity. It is taken from Psalm 31 and states that “The Lord says: ‘I will give you understanding, and will teach you in this My way which you shall go; I will fix My eyes on you. Be not as the horse, or as the mule, which has no understanding. With bit and bridle would you bind their jaws; lest they come near to you.”’  As you can see from the Psalm we are not preprogrammed by God as the animals who have no reason or understanding but follow their own genetic instincts.

Furthermore, freedom is a gift that God has graciously bestowed upon humanity to reflect His own love and goodness toward us.  As a result, if we are created in Their (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) own likeness and image then we have all the attributes they have.  However, even though freedom is a basic and fundamental precept and blessing of being human it is moreover a reflection of God’s own character.  On the other hand, this wonderful gift of freedom comes with something that God foresaw.  To understand what this shortfall means in our ability to be free we have to read what an inspired father of our Church wrote in the third century about it. Below is Novatian’s understanding of what true freedom means to man and God.

“When He had given man all things for his service, he willed that man alone should be free. And lest an unbounded freedom would lead man into peril, He laid down a command, in which man was taught that here was no evil in the fruit of the tree. Rather, he was forewarned that evil would arise if man were to exercise his free will in contempt of the law that had been given him . . . As a result, he could receive either worthy rewards or a just punishment. For he had in his own power that which he might choose to do. “(Novatian 235 A.D.)

Finally, freedom is a power that God has set in motion so that humanity can freely follow His will. He created prelapsarian humanity to live according to His Commands so that they may be eternally grateful for the gift of life.  A life not controlled by God like some robot, but a life that reflects His goodness and love in every way.  Freedom is a primordial gift to humanity from God, and we respect and return that gift if we live according to His love. AMEN!

 

BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

White House Greek Independence Day Celebration

03/20/2019

WASHINGTON – President Donald J. Trump welcomed the Greek American Community and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America to the White House, Monday, March 18, 2019 for the annual White House Reception for Greek Independence, a 32-year-tradition. Following the remarks, the President signed the Presidential Proclamation for Greek Independence Day.
BACK TO TOP

Parish Service Schedule

PARISH AND CHURCH SCHEDULE

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

9:15am Orthros/10:15am Divine Liturgy

-

Monday, March 25, 2019

Holy Annunciation & Greek Independence Day

8:30 a.m. Orthros/9:15 a.m. Divine Liturgy

-

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy

7:30 p.m. Greek Dance Class

-

Thursday, March 28, 2019

6:30 p.m. Bible Study.

-

Friday, March 29, 2019

7:00 p.m. 3rd. Salutations to the Theotokos

-

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Sunday of Holy Cross

9:15 a.m. Orthros/10:15 a.m. Divine Liturgy

-

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy

7:30 p.m. Greek Dance Class

-

Thursday, April 4, 2019

6:30 p.m. Bible Study.

-

Friday, April 5

7:00 p.m. 4th Salutations to the Theotokos

-

Sunday, April 7

Sunday of Saint John Climacus

9:15 a.m. Orthros/10:15 a.m. Divine Liturgy

-

Wednesday, April 10

6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy

7:30 p.m. Greek Dance Class

-

Friday, April 12

7:00 p.m. Akathist Hymn 

-

Sunday, April 14

Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt

9:15 a.m. Orthros/10:15 Divine Liturgy

After Divine Liturgy Greek Independence Day Parade Please Join Us

-

Wednesday, April 17

6:30 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy

7:30 p.m. Last Greek Dance Class, will resume after Easter.

-

Saturday, April 20

Lazarus Saturday

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

-

*GREAT AND HOLY WEEK*

Sunday, April 21

Palm Sunday

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

7:00 p.m. Service of the Bridegroom

-

Holy Monday, April 22

7:00 p.m. Service of the Bridegroom Nymphios

-

Holy Tuesday, April 23

7:00 p.m. Service of the Bridegroom & Hymn of Kassiani

-

Holy Wednesday, April 24

7:00 p.m. Sacrament of Holy Unction

-

Holy Thursday, April 25

9:00 a.m. Vesperal Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great

7:00 p.m. Service of the Holy Passion of our Lord (Twelve Gospels)

-

Holy and Good Friday, April 26

3:30 p.m. Apokathelosis

7:00 p.m. Lamentations (Epitaphion)

-

Holy Saturday, April 27

9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great

11:00 p.m. Holy Resurrection Matins

12:00 Midnight Service of the Triumphant Resurrection

-

Sunday, April 28

12:00 Noon Great and Holy Pascha Agape Service


BACK TO TOP

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. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3.

"IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Προκείμενον. Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 117.14,18.
Ἰσχύς μου καὶ ὕμνησίς μου ὁ Κύριος.
Στίχ. Παιδεύων ἐπαίδευσέ με ὁ Κύριος.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 1:10-14, 2:1-3.

Κατʼ ἀρχάς, Κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί· αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις· καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται· σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. Πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε, Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου; Οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶν λειτουργικὰ πνεύματα, εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν; Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως ἡμᾶς προσέχειν τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσιν, μήποτε παραρρυῶμεν. Εἰ γὰρ ὁ διʼ ἀγγέλων λαληθεὶς λόγος ἐγένετο βέβαιος, καὶ πᾶσα παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ ἔλαβεν ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν, πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας; Ἥτις, ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα λαλεῖσθαι διὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐβεβαιώθη.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 2:1-12

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς εἰς Καπερναοὺμ δι᾿ ἡμερῶν καὶ ἠκούσθη ὅτι εἰς οἶκόν ἐστι. καὶ εὐθέως συνήχθησαν πολλοί, ὥστε μηκέτι χωρεῖν μηδὲ τὰ πρὸς τὴν θύραν· καὶ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον. καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς αὐτὸν παραλυτικὸν φέροντες, αἰρόμενον ὑπὸ τεσσάρων· καὶ μὴ δυνάμενοι προσεγγίσαι αὐτῷ διὰ τὸν ὄχλον, ἀπεστέγασαν τὴν στέγην ὅπου ἦν, καὶ ἐξορύξαντες χαλῶσι τὸν κράβαττον, ἐφ᾿ ᾧ ὁ παραλυτικὸς κατέκειτο. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· τέκνον, ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. ἦσαν δέ τινες τῶν γραμματέων ἐκεῖ καθήμενοι καὶ διαλογιζόμενοι ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν· τί οὗτος οὕτω λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός; καὶ εὐθέως ἐπιγνοὺς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τῷ πνεύματι αὐτοῦ ὅτι οὕτως αὐτοὶ διαλογίζονται ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί ταῦτα διαλογίζεσθε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν τῷ παραλυτικῷ, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀφιέναι ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἁμαρτίας - λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· σοὶ λέγω, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἠγέρθη εὐθέως, καὶ ἄρας τὸν κράβαττον ἐξῆλθεν ἐναντίον πάντων, ὥστε ἐξίστασθαι πάντας καὶ δοξάζειν τὸν Θεὸν λέγοντας ὅτι οὐδέποτε οὕτως εἴδομεν.


BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
March 24

Forefeast of the Annunciation


02_palamas2
March 24

Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.


Allsaint
March 24

Bp. Artemon


Allsaint
March 24

Zachariah the Recluse


Theonas
March 24

Theonas of Thessolonica


Annuncia
March 25

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)


BACK TO TOP

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.
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion of Forefeast of the Annunciation in the Fourth Tone

Today is the prelude of universal joy; let us keep the forefeast in gladness. For, behold, Gabriel cometh with fear and wonder unto the Virgin, bringing her the good tidings: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace; the Lord is with thee.
Σήμερον τῆς παγκοσμίου χαρὰς τὰ προοίμια, τὴν προεόρτιον ἆσαι προτρέπεται, ἰδοὺ γὰρ Γαβριὴλ παραγίνεται, καὶ πρὸς αὐτὴν ἐκβοήσεται, Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ.

Apolytikion of Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, comeliness of Monastics, invincible defender of theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede forever that our souls may be saved.
Ὀρθοδοξίας ὁ φωστὴρ, Ἐκκλησίας τὸ στήριγμα καὶ διδάσκαλε, τῶν μοναστῶν ἡ καλλονὴ, τῶν θεολόγων ὑπέρμαχος ἀπροσμάχητος· Γρηγόριε θαυματουργὲ Θεσσαλονίκης τὸ καύχημα κήρυξ τῆς χάριτος· ἱκέτευε διὰ παντός, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

Apolytikion of St. John the Baptist in the Second Mode

The memory of the just is praised, but thou art well pleased, O Forerunner, with the testimony of the Lord.  For thou hast verily been shown forth as more honoured than the prophets, since thou wast counted worthy to baptize in the stream Him whom they foretold.  Therefore, having mightily contended and suffered for the truth, with joy thou hast preached also to those in Hades, of God’s manifestation in the flesh, who takes away the sin of the world and grants unto us great mercy.

Μνήµη δικαίου µέτ’ ἐγκωµίων, σοὶ δὲ ἀρκέσει ἡ µαρτυρία τοῦ Κυρίου Πρόδροµε, ἀνεδείχθης γὰρ ὄντως καὶ Προφητῶν σεβασµιώτερος, ὅτι καὶ ἐν ῥείθροις βαπτίσαι κατηξιώθης τὸν κηρυττόµενον. Ὅθεν τῆς ἀληθείας ὑπεραθλήσας, χαίρων εὐηγγελίσω καὶ τοὶς ἐν ἅδῃ, Θεὸν φανερωθέντα ἐν σαρκί, τὸν αἴροντα τὴν ἁµαρτίαν τοῦ κόσµου, καὶ παρέχοντα ἡµῖν τὸ µέγα ἔλεος.τοίς πάσι προκαταγγέλλεται, Αυτή καί ηµείς µεγαλοφώνως βοήσωµεν, Χαίρε τής οικονοµίας τού Κτίστου η εκπλήρωσις.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

At the great Archangel's voice, O Theotokos, the All-holy Spirit came upon thee and thou didst conceive Him that is one in essence and throne with God the Father, O Adam's recovery.
Ἐπελεύσει Πνεύματος τοῦ Παναγίου, τοῦ Πατρὸς τὸν σύνθρονον, καὶ ὁμοούσιον φωνή, τοῦ Ἀρχαγγέλου συνέλαβες, Θεοκυῆτορ, Ἀδὰμ ἡ ἀνάκλησις.
BACK TO TOP