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Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-10-14
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Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (408) 246-2770
  • Fax:
  • (408) 246-0143
  • Street Address:

  • 1260 Davis Street

  • San Jose, CA 95126
  • Mailing Address:

  • 986 Chapman Street

  • San Jose, CA 95126


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Saturdays:

    5:00 p.m. - Great Vespers.

Sundays: from the first Sunday after Labor Day to mid May

Orthros followed by 1st Divine Liturgy 7:15 a.m.
2nd Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.
Church School 10:00 a.m.

Sundays: other than above days

Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy 8:00 a.m.

Feast Days: see calendar.

Confessions: Please call office.


Past Bulletins


Schedule of Services

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

 

Saturday, October 13

5:00pm - Vespers

 

Sunday, October 14 - Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

7:15am - Orthros + Liturgy 1

10:00am - Liturgy 2

 

Monday, October 15

5:30pm - Paraklesis to the Theotokos

 

Friday, October 20

5:30pm - Vespers

 

Saturday, October 21

7:00 pm Great Vespers *(To accomodate the Volleyball Tournament Participants) 

 

Sunday, October 21 - 6th Sunday of Luke

7:15am - Orthros + Liturgy 1

10:00am - Liturgy 2

 

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News and Events

Nicholasflyer_med

VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

14th Annual St. Nicholas Volleyball Tournament

October 19-21, 2018

Please join us in welcoming visiting volleyball participants from our sister parishes throughout the Metropolis.   Games will be in our Community Center on Friday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.  Saturday games will be at City Beach, 2911 Mead Ave, Santa Clara, from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Any questions, feel free to contact George Spilios, Tournament Chairman, georgespilios@gmail.com 408.806.1699 or Elias Papadokonstadakis, Head Volleyball Coach and Coordinator, at 408-497-4522, eliaspapas@sbcglobal.net.

All of the visiting school age children are welcome to join us for Sunday School on Sunday morning.

Come and watch, cheer the teams and support this exciting event!

 

ONE LITURGY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28TH

There will be one liturgy on Sunday, October 28th due to the Oxi Day celebration.   Orthros and Liturgy will begin at 8:00am.  


OXI DAY CELEBRATION

Celebration of the 78th Anniversary of «OXI DAY»

Sunday, October 28, 2018 in the Community Center

Join us for a Patriotic Program immediately after Liturgy

Performances by the Greek School Students and Dance Groups

Lunch will be available

Coffee hour will be in the Small Hall

 


ST. ANNA'S PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

DRESS FOR SUCCESS PROJECT:  St. Anna's Philoptochos and Daughters of Penelope are joining forces to gather women's professional attire for donation to Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that provides clothing for low-income women to help support their job search  and interview process.  The clothing must be clean, gently used, and ready for wear.  A box marked Philoptochos/Daughters of Penelope will be located in the entry of the small hall through October 21 to place your items.  If you have any questions or need details, please e-mail Linda Belba at ljbelba@yahoo.com.       

ADVENT RETREAT - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!  St. Anna's Philoptochos will hold its Advent Retreat  on Saturday, November 10, 2018, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a social gathering, followed by the retreat, and luncheon.  This year we are honored to have Metropolitan Nikitas as our speaker on the subject of Philanthropy and Christmas.  Please join us to learn, be inspired, and fellowship.  Open donation, with all funds going to support the philanthropic work of Philoptochos.  If you have any questions, please e-mail or call Stacy Panayotopoulos at stacypanayotopoulos@yahoo.com or (408) 295-0387.

PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES:  Although Presvytera Magdalene's shower is now a very pleasant memory, Presvytera Stephanie is in the process of creating the "Memory Book" of the shower.  Please send your photos to Presvytera Stephanie at spantic@icloud.com by Sunday, October 21, 2018.  

On behalf of St. Anna's Philoptochos and Daughters of Penelope, a big thank-you to all who came to the shower, brought the scrumptious food and desserts, and helped in whatever way was needed.  The event could not have taken place without the help and love shown by our St. Nicholas family.  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

 


YOUNG FAMILIES FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP NIGHT

The Saint Nicholas Young Families Ministry invites all families to join in for fun and games, food and fellowship today, Friday, November 2nd at 6:30pm in the School Room 3 of the Educational Building.  If you have any questions, please contact Meredith Panayotopoulos annapanayotopoulos@hotmail.com.

 


CHIAN SOCIETY DINNER

Please join us for our annual dinner dance on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the St. Nicholas Community Center, 1280 Davis Street, San Jose.  Cocktails at 6pm, dinner at 7:30pm.  Live music by Mythos Band.  Adults $80, children ages 11-18 $35.  For tickets or more information, please contact Niko Pries at 408-398-7070; Angie Kozas at 510-387-2057, or email Anna Kozas at anna.kozas@gmail.com.

 


MONASTERY OF THE HOLY THEOTOKOS, THE LIFE GIVING SPRING FUNDRAISER

Gerontissa Markella and her Sisterhood invite you to a benefit dinner to support the Life Giving Spring Monastery on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 5:00pm at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Community Center, 1270 Davis Street, San Jose.  Adults $65 and children 12 and under $35.  RSVP by November 2nd by contacting Evagelia at 408-499-3939 or coming by the table in the Small Hall during Sunday coffee hour.

 


OFFICE CLOSED

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, November 12th, for the Archdiocesan observance of Veteran's Day.


PHILOKALIA BOOKSTORE - FALL BOOK SALE

Extended Fall Book Sale!  15% off entire inventory of books except for a few selected titles.  Sale ends October 28th.

Greeting Cards Sale! 10% off entire inventory of greeting cards.  Sale ends October 28th. 

 


GOLDEN YEAR NEWS

Our next meeting is on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 11AM, in the small hall. You are all invited for an EARLY THANKSGIVING LUNCH. Please bring your friends.  We invite new members to join us and celebrate with us this special Feast by offering our THANKS to God and expressing our love to each other.  The Golden Years will provide the turkey. We will appreciate it very much if you will bring a side dish. For more information call Mina at: 408 515-8301

 


COFFEE HOUR TEAM

Sunday Coffee Hour Team: Dimitra Amberiadis, Hoda Makar, Calliope Trah, and Shiela Warque.

For more information and joining the coffee hour teams, please contact Marcella Fotis at 408-723-4124.  

 


PARISH COUNCIL - 2019

We welcome parishioners interested in joining the 2019 Parish Council.  Applications for the upcoming election are available in the Narthex and the Church Office or by emailing the Church Office at churchoffice@saintnicholas.org.  The completed applications should be submitted to the Church Office by Friday, October 26, 2018.  Please note that to be eligible to hold office,  a candidate must be a steward in good standing. 

 


VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE

The schedule for Volleyball practices in the Community Center for current stewards of St. Nicholas is as follows:

Jr. High level players practice on Tuesday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

High School level players practice on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00pm.

Jr. High level players practice on Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 7:30pm.

Adults practice on Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm to 10:00pm.

Adults practice on Thursdays and Sundays with an open gym from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.

If you have any further questions, please call Elias Papadokonstadakis, Head Volleyball Coach and Coordinator, at 408-497-4522 or email at eliaspapas@sbcglobal.net.


PROSPHORA NEEDED

We are in need of more volunteers to bake prosphora, the bread used for Liturgy.  If you are able, please prayerfully bake the prosphora and bring it to the church.  If you need any assistance on how to help, recipes, need a seal, or have any questions, please call the church office.

 


SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

We have implemented a parish-wide database system for all ministries and events at Saint Nicholas.  For your convenience, we have uploaded all the children for Sunday School that were registered during the 2017-2018 school year.  If for some reason, we are unable to locate your child(ren), we will reach out directly to you so we can ensure registration.  If you need help with registration, we will have someone available in the Sunday School office for your convenience.

Upcoming Sunday School Schedule:  There is Sunday School all Sundays in October.

 


CHOIR MEMBERS WANTED

Do you find yourself humming along with the hymns each Sunday?  Then please come on up and join our active, music-loving choir.    Requirements:  age 16 and over; be able to carry a tune, reading music is not necessary, knowledge of Greek NOT required, phonetics provided.  Rehearsals every Thursday from 7:30 to 9pm. Sunday liturgy from 10:00am to 11:45am; no rehearsals in July and August.  You will gain many benefits including active participation in the liturgy which enhances the understanding of our religion, gaining knowledge of the Feast Days, being part of a warm, friendly group, and guaranteed the best seat during Holy Week!  If this sounds interesting, drop in at a rehearsal - no invitation necessary.  For questions, call the Choir Director, Dr. Tikey Zes at 408-723-0640 or the Church Office at 408-246-2770.


JANITOR/GROUNDSPERSON

If any parishioner has a contact of a responsible and trustworthy person to become a part-time or full-time employee to regularly clean and maintain our grounds, do janitorial work, and maintain our facilities, please contact the Church Office at 408-246-2770.  


REALOPTIONS - A MINISTRY OF ST. ANNA PHILOPTOCHOS

The donations for September included a brand new car seat, a high chair, and baby clothing. A big thank you to all that contributed in the month of September for the RealOptions Pregnancy Center located on the Alameda.   These items are a great blessing to the moms in need that are facing a crisis pregnancy.  Our collection bins will continue to be in the church book store and near the Sunday School office.  God Bless you, thank you!

For any questions, please call Ruth Duterte @ 408-483-3009 or ruthrad1@aol.com.

 


MISSIONS MINISTRY

Do you have a calling to serve in a mission?  Go to these websites and check what is available to you.  www.ocmc.org to become an Orthodox missionary.  www.iocc.org under the "take action" tab. 

To support the Theotokos Girls Orphanage please go to Fili, Inc.  www.fili-inc.com  or make a check payable to Fili Inc and mail to Fili, 6430 Bose Lane, San Jose, CA 95120.   We are grateful for your continued support over the last 10 years. The Orphanage is on the path to becoming self-sustaining.  See pictures on the Fili Inc. or our Saints Peter and Paul Missions Ministry Facebook page. We have a new Go Fund Me link.....https://www.gofundme.com/ekota

 


CONFESSIONS

Confessions with Father Demosthenes are available weekday evenings during the Paraklesis Services on Monday evenings or during Vespers Service on Saturday evenings. If another day or time is needed, please call the church office at 408-246-2770.

 


PAOI'S INVITATION TO A GALA AT FILOLI - WOODSIDE

Saturday, October 13, 4pm - 9:pm.

His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas and the Board of Trustees are inviting you to an evening of a self-guided tour, reception and dinner at Filoli’s ballroom. Seating is limited.

Please reserve your seat ($250) by contacting Roula Demertzis at (408)564-2387 or Shanyn Bateh at (303)709-7775

 


ST. BASIL RETREAT - SAN JOSE

When Good News Catches On – Contemporary Saints Who Helped Grow the Church is the theme for the retreat on Saturday, October 20th at St Basil Greek Orthodox Church: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Mark your calendars. We are blessed to have two speakers that day: Miho Ealy, a Japanese woman who grew up as an Orthodox Christian in Japan and Fr. Michael Oleksa, an expert on the history of Orthodox Christianity in Alaska.


HARVEST DINNER DANCE - PLEASANT HILL

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church and the St. Dionysios Building Committee invite you to attend "A Harvest Dinner Dance" on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the Contra Costa Country Club, 801 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, 94523. For more information, please call 925-676-6967.

 


TASTE OF RUSSIA FESTIVAL - SAN FRANCISCO

The Holy Virgin Cathedral, 3210 Geary Blvd, San Francisco invites all to a festival featuring Russian food, entertainment, church tours, and gift items on Sunday, October 21, 2018 from 11am to 6pm.  Entrance fee $5.


PILGRIMAGE TO ST. ANTHONY'S - ARIZONA

A Pilgrimage to St. Anthony’s Monastery in Florence, AZ is scheduled for the weekend of December 8 – 10.  Visit the grounds, see the churches and chapels or you could have confession with Elder Paisios or one of the other priestmonks, upon request. If you are interested, please call Despina at 520-457-0000, who will be making accommodations to/from the airport/monastery along with reserving rooms at the monastery for all the pilgrims.  Flights are reserved by each individual but you may contact Despina to obtain the specific flights. 

 

 


GREEK PASTRIES, KOLLYVA & ARTOKLASIA

If you wish to order kollyva, paximadia, koulourakia or other Greek pastries, or artoklasia, please see below.  Payment is arranged with the makers and not the church.  If there is anyone who wants to be added to the makers list, please call the church office.

For kollyva:

Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124

Maria Anagnostou 408-316-6609

For paximadia, koulourakia, and other Greek pastries:

Maria Tsaboukos 408-723-5175

Antonia Komianos 408-472-3888

Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124

For artoklasia:

Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124

Despina Anagnostou 408-316-6609

 


SUNDAY BULLETIN NOTICE

To avoid any confusion on our part as we compose and print the Sunday bulletin, we ask that anyone who wishes to include a notice in the Sunday bulletin submit the notice in writing to the office BY TUESDAY AT 5PM!  Please don't wait until the last minute or send a note into the altar on a Sunday morning while the liturgy is in progress.


SMALL HALL BULLETIN BOARD

Please check with Father Demosthenes in the office before posting anything on the bulletin board in the Small Hall.  Notices, announcements, advertisements, etc. that have not been approved will be removed.  Thank you for your kind cooperation.


BULLETIN SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Please note that all information in the weekly bulletin is subject to change.


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Special Services

MEMORIAL SERVICES 

Please join in prayer for the souls of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord:

1st Liturgy

ANDREAS AND MARIA TSAGALAKIS (ANNUAL), parents of Sotiros, Father Tom, and Theodora

AMALIA AND DIMITRIOS LAIOS (ANNUAL), parents of Ioannis and Donna Laios

May their memories be eternal.

The Laios family is sponsoring the coffee hour.  

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Kontakion of the Fallen Asleep

Remember, O Lord, as good, your servants, and forgive whatever sins in life they committed, for no one is without sin, except you the Mighty One; and grant rest to them who have been removed from among us.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:19-31

Οὔσης ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ συνηγμένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ. Ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν Κύριον. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέ με ὁ πατήρ, κἀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησε καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Λάβετε Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον· ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφίενται αὐτοῖς, ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται.

Θωμᾶς δὲ εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα, ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, οὐκ ἦν μετ᾽ αὐτῶν ὅτε ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς. Ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄλλοι μαθηταί· Ἐωράκαμεν τὸν Κύριον. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐὰν μὴ ἴδω ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν μου εἰς τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ πιστεύσω. Καὶ μεθ᾽ ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ πάλιν ἦσαν ἔσω οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ Θωμᾶς μετ᾽ αὐτῶν. Ἔρχεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ εἶπεν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Εἶτα λέγει τῷ Θωμᾷ· Φέρε τὸν δάκτυλόν σου ὧδε καὶ ἴδε τὰς χεῖράς μου, καὶ φέρε τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ βάλε εἰς τὴν πλευράν μου, καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος, ἀλλὰ πιστός. Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Θωμᾶς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ὅτι ἑώρακάς με, πεπίστευκας· μακάριοι οἱ μὴ ἰδόντες καὶ πιστεύσαντες. Πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἄλλα σημεῖα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐνώπιον τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ἃ οὐκ ἔστι γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ· ταῦτα δὲ γέγραπται ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες ζωὴν ἔχητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ.

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.


Epistle Reading

Προκείμενον. 4th Mode. Δανιήλ 3.26-27.
Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τίτον 3:8-15.

Πιστὸς ὁ λόγος, καὶ περὶ τούτων βούλομαί σε διαβεβαιοῦσθαι, ἵνα φροντίζωσιν καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι οἱ πεπιστευκότες θεῷ. ταῦτά ἐστιν καλὰ καὶ ὠφέλιμα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις · μωρὰς δὲ ζητήσεις καὶ γενεαλογίας καὶ ἔριν καὶ μάχας νομικὰς περιΐστασο, εἰσὶν γὰρ ἀνωφελεῖς καὶ μάταιοι. αιῥετικὸν ἄνθρωπον μετὰ μίαν καὶ δευτέραν νουθεσίαν παραιτοῦ, εἰδὼς ὅτι ἐξέστραπται ὁ τοιοῦτος καὶ ἁμαρτάνει, ὢν αὐτοκατάκριτος. Ὅταν πέμψω Ἀρτεμᾶν πρὸς σὲ ἢ Τυχικόν, σπούδασον ἐλθεῖν πρός με εἰς Νικόπολιν, ἐκεῖ γὰρ κέκρικα παραχειμάσαι. Ζηνᾶν τὸν νομικὸν καὶ Ἀπολλῶν σπουδαίως πρόπεμψον, ἵνα μηδὲν αὐτοῖς λείπῃ. μανθανέτωσαν δὲ καὶ οἱ ἡμέτεροι καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας, ἵνα μὴ ὦσιν ἄκαρποι. Ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ μετ ᾽ἐμοῦ πάντες. Ἄσπασαι τοὺς φιλοῦντας ἡμᾶς ἐν πίστει. ἡ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν.

Prokeimenon. 4th Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15.

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 8:5-15

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρων τοῦ σπεῖραι τὸν σπόρον αὐτοῦ. καὶ ἐν τῷ σπείρειν αὐτὸν ὃ μὲν ἔπεσε παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, καὶ κατεπατήθη, καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατέφαγεν αὐτό· καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν, καὶ φυὲν ἐξηράνθη διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ἰκμάδα· καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἀκανθῶν, καὶ συμφυεῖσαι αἱ ἄκανθαι ἀπέπνιξαν αὐτό. καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν εἰς τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθήν, καὶ φυὲν ἐποίησε καρπὸν κατονταπλασίονα. ταῦτα λέγων ἐφώνει· ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω. ᾿Επηρώτων δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες· τίς εἴη ἡ παραβολὴ αὕτη; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· ὑμῖν δέδοται γνῶναι τὰ μυστήρια τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ, τοῖς δὲ λοιποῖς ἐν παραβολαῖς, ἵνα βλέποντες μὴ βλέπωσι καὶ ἀκούοντες μὴ συνιῶσιν. ἔστι δὲ αὕτη ἡ παραβολή· ὁ σπόρος ἐστὶν ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ· οἱ δὲ παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν εἰσιν οἱ ἀκούσαντες, εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, ἵνα μὴ πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν. οἱ δὲ ἐπὶ τῆς πέτρας οἳ ὅταν ἀκούσωσι, μετὰ χαρᾶς δέχονται τὸν λόγον, καὶ οὗτοι ῥίζαν οὐκ ἔχουσιν, οἳ πρὸς καιρὸν πιστεύουσι καὶ ἐν καιρῷ πειρασμοῦ ἀφίστανται. τὸ δὲ εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας πεσόν, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ ἀκούσαντες, καὶ ὑπὸ μεριμνῶν καὶ πλούτου καὶ ἡδονῶν τοῦ βίου πορευόμενοι συμπνίγονται καὶ οὐ τελεσφοροῦσι. τὸ δὲ ἐν τῇ καλῇ γῇ, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἵτινες ἐν καρδίᾳ καλῇ καὶ ἀγαθῇ ἀκούσαντες τὸν λόγον κατέχουσι καὶ καρποφοροῦσιν ἐν ὑπομονῇ. ταῦτα λέγων ἐφώνει· ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω.

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from Luke 8:5-15

The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As he said these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

For by seed here He means His doctrine, and by land, the souls of men, and by the sower, Himself .... For as the sower makes no distinction in the land submitted to him, but simply and indifferently casts his seed; so He Himself too makes no distinction of rich and poor, of wise and unwise, of slothful or diligent, of brave or cowardly; but He discourses unto all, fulfilling His part, although foreknowing the results.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 44 on Matthew 12, 4th Century

When you see life's pleasures, beware that they might not distract you, for they conceal death's snares. Likewise a fisherman casts not his hook to no purpose. As bait for his hook, the enemy uses the delusion of sensuality to arouse desire, that he might thereby catch men's souls and subject them to himself. A soul which has been caught to serve the enemy's will then serves as a snare for other souls, for it conceals the grief of sin with its apparent delight.
St. Ephraim the Syrian
A Spiritual Psalter no 43, pg. 74, 4th century

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 3rd Mode

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; * and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.
Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the 7th Ecumenical Council in the Plagal 4th Mode

Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, glory be to Thee.
Ὑπερδεδοξασμένος εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ φωστῆρας ἐπὶ γῆς τοὺς Πατέρας ἡμῶν θεμελιώσας, καὶ δι' αὐτῶν πρὸς τὴν ἀληθινὴν πίστιν, πάντας ἡμᾶς ὁδηγήσας· πολυεύσπλαγχνε, δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Mode

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.
Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.
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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
October 14

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we chant the Service to the 350 holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, which gathered in Nicaea in 787 under the holy Patriarch Tarasius and during the reign of the Empress Irene and her son, Constantine Porphyrogenitus, to refute the Iconoclast heresy, which had received imperial support beginning with the Edict issued in 726 by Emperor Leo the Isaurian. Many of the holy Fathers who condemned Iconoclasm at this holy Council later died as Confessors and Martyrs for the holy Icons during the second assult of Iconoclasm in the ninth century, especially during the reigns of Leo the Armenian and Theophilus.


Allsaint
October 14

Righteous Paraskeve of Serbia

Saint Paraskeve was born in Thrace in the eleventh century. In her youth she went to Constaninople, and thence journeyed to the Holy Land in pursuit of the ascetical life. After struggling for many years in the wilderness of the Jordan, she was moved by God to return to her homeland. She continued her monastic labours there for a few more years, and then reposed in peace.


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