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Sts. Constantine and Helen Church
Publish Date: 2020-02-16
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Sts. Constantine and Helen Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (414) 778-1555
  • Street Address:

  • 2160 N. Wauwatosa Avenue

  • Wauwatosa, WI 53213


Contact Information






Services Schedule

SUNDAY MATINS/DIVINE LITURGY, 8:15 am


Past Bulletins


Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Bishop Metodije of Diokleia visits Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

02/12/2020

NEW YORK – On Monday, February 10, 2020, Bishop Metodije of Diokleia visited Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at the Archdiocese Headquarters, to discuss the current religious and political situation in Montenegro.

Archbishop Elpidophoros and Metropolitan Tikhon to Feed Those in Need

02/11/2020

NEW YORK – Archbishop Elpidophoros and Metropolitan Tikhon met yesterday at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in an ongoing effort to strengthen the relationship between the Archdiocese and the Orthodox Church in America.

Archbishop Appoints Dr. Maria Koulmanda to HCHC Board

02/11/2020

BROOKLINE, Mass. – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has appointed Maria Koulmanda, PhD, to the Hellenic College Board of Trustees. Dr. Koulmanda is Chair of the Maliotis Center Committee of the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College and former Secretary of the Friends of the Maliotis Cultural Center. The committee was formed last fall upon the successful resolution of the legal issues between the Center and the school, thanks in large part to His Eminence's

Phidippides Award Bestowed to Archbishop Elpidophoros

02/07/2020

NEW YORK – The 24th Phidippides Award was bestowed last night to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America for his passionate advocacy of Hellenism and Orthodoxy during the 33rd Anniversary Gala Dinner of the Hellenic Public Radio COSMOS FM 91.5. The event was held at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, NY.
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Notes

Welcome, Fr Peter Papadimitriou!

Please join us in welcoming Fr. Peter who will be celebrating the Divine Liturgy with us this Sunday.  Fr. Panteleimon is on vacation until Tuesday, February 18th. 

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Change to Fr. Panteleimon's Adult Education Class Schedule

Due to unforeseen conflicts, the Monday, February 3rd class has been moved to February 24th.

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Regarding letter of recommendation requests from Fr. Panteleimon

Please note that during late winter Fr. Panteleimon receives many requests (often as many as 30 or 40) for letters of recommendation.  Father asks that you give him at least one week (7 days) to process these requests.  Please also note that, when letters are completed, we ask you to pick them up in the office yourselves as we don't want to be the cause of applications not being complete, and/or parts of applications not being with the rest of the application.  Thank you for your help with this.

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Parking Reminders

During the weekend, if you are not able to find parking space in our lot, you may use the parking lots of either

  • the City of Wauwatosa or
  • BMO Harris Bank (Saturday after 12pm),

just a block away.

Additonally, if you are able, please consider our elders, or single parents coming to church with their children and leave empty spots in our parking lot for them.  

Respect our neighbors and our own safety! 

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This Sunday

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2020—Sunday of the Prodigal Son

EPISTLE:  I Corinthians 6:12-20 (pg.130)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 15:11-32 (pgs.130-131)

READER:  Philip Losey

ALTAR BOYS: Team A: Andre Acra, Theodore G. Anagnostopoulos, Evan Anagnostopoulos, Nikita Athens, Angelo Gorgolis, Christos Konstantakis, Peter Konstantakis, George Kostopoulos, Spiros Limberatos, Makis Limberatos, Sam Patterson, Louis Tsagalis, John Tsagalis, Peter Tsagalis, Aristotelis & Dimitri Ziogas

USHERS: Justin Ahlborn, Tony Antonopoulos, , Procopis Liapis, Niko Marlis, Niko Sifnaios

PROSPHORON:  Voula Katravas

HOSPITALITY:  Parish Council

BOOKSTORE: Please call the office to volunteer

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2020—Judgment Sunday (Meatfare)/Godparent Sunday

EPISTLE:  I Corinthians 8:8-13;9:1-2 (pgs. 132-133)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 25:31-46 (pg. 133-134)

READER:  George Anagnostopoulos

ALTAR BOYS: Team B: Teddy C. Anagnostopoulos, Angelo Cicatello, Dimitris Dahl, Elias Dalianis, Blaise Dalianis, George L. Liapis, George P. Liapis, Markos Mamalakis

USHERS: Kristin Anagnostopoulos, Alex Marlis, Peter Latsoudis, Tony Panagopoulos, George Papageorge

PROSPHORON:  from Saturday of Souls

HOSPITALITY: Sunday School—Godparent Luncheon

BOOKSTORE: Please call the office to volunteer

For more information on an event in the following calendar, please visit:  http://www.stsconstantinehelenwi.org/parish-calendar/

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Calendar

  • Online Calendar

    February 16 to March 2, 2020

    Sunday, February 16

    Fr. Panteleimon on Vacation

    7:30AM Prosforon: Voula Katravas

    8:15AM Matins

    9:15AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Sunday School

    11:15AM Hospitality: Parish Council

    1:00PM HALL USED: Kids Dance Group

    2:00PM HALL USED: Adult Dance Group

    Monday, February 17

    Fr. Panteleimon on Vacation

    5:30PM HALL USED: Greek Dance Kids

    Tuesday, February 18

    Fr. Panteleimon on Vacation

    10:00AM Fire Drill

    Thursday, February 20

    5:30PM OCWA Scholarship Dinner @ Alioto's

    6:00PM Adult Greek Classes

    Friday, February 21

    10:30AM Bible Study (Eng)

    4:00PM Fish Fry

    Saturday, February 22

    8:00AM Orthros and Liturgy - Saturday of the Souls

    9:30AM Greek School Classes

    2:00PM Baptism for Nicholas Itsines III

    3:00PM HALL USED: Golden Agers Vasilopita event

    Sunday, February 23

    Godparent Sunday

    GOYA Serving at the Ronald McDonald Home this evening

    7:30AM Prosforon: From Saturday of Souls

    8:15AM Matins

    9:15AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Sunday School: Godparent Sunday

    11:15AM Hospitality: Sunday School Luncheon for Godparent Sunday

    2:00PM HALL USED: Adult Dance Group

    Monday, February 24

    8:00AM Orthros and Liturgy - First & Second finding of head of St. John the Baptist

    7:00PM Adult Ed Class: Unpacking the Feast Days of the Orthodox Church

    Thursday, February 27

    6:00PM Adult Greek Classes

    6:00PM Parish Council Meeting

    Friday, February 28

    10:30AM Bible Study (Eng)

    4:00PM Fish Fry

    5:30PM JOY Event @ Helium Trampoline Park

    Saturday, February 29

    8:00AM Orthros and Divine Liturgy - Saturday of the Souls

    9:30AM No Greek School Classes - Apokries

    Sunday, March 1

    +Memorial: 40-Days Peter Sparangis

    7:30AM Prosforon: From Saturday of Souls

    8:15AM Matins

    9:15AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Sunday School

    11:15AM Hospitality: Philoptochos Tiropita Sale

    12:15PM Cancelled - HALL USED: Greek Dance Kids

    2:00PM Cancelled-HALL USED: Adult Dance Group

    6:00PM Forgiveness Vespers

    Monday, March 2

    First day of Great and Holy Lent

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

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Our News and Interests

Stscnh.1

Fr Panteleimon making shut-in visits during Lent

If you know someone who would benefit from a visit by Fr. Panteleimon during the Lenten season, please contact the office and let us know.

In Christ,
Fr. Panteleimon


Orthodox College Ministry (OCF) needs your support

We have two Orthodox college students at Marquette University who have been invited to to participate in Orthodox Christian Fellowship Real Break program to Thessaloniki, Greece this spring (for more information see here https://www.ocf.net/real-break/).  In order to attend, these students need to raise $1,800 for the trip.  If you would like to know more about support this work, please contact Fr. Panteleimon.


Fall Adult Education Class Schedule

Due to a scheduling conflict there will be no class on February 3rd - class moved to February 24th

Adult Ed Class


2020.02.22 Golden Agers' Vasilopita/Pizza Party

2020 Vasilopita GAgers


2020Q1 JOY Events

2020Q1 JOY Events


2020.03.01 Philoptochos Tiropita Sale

2020.03.01 Tiropita Sale


2020.05 IOCC Home Build Team

2020.05.11...16 IOCC Home build


2020.02.13 OCMC Mission Team Chicago

2020.02.13 OCMC benefit dinner


2020.03.01 Forgiveness Vespers

2020.03.01 Forgiveness Vespers


2020.03.14 Y2AM Chicago: On the Road Retreat

2020.03.14 Y2AM WI Retrea


Wauwatosa Avenue Long Term Closure Starting March 2

From the City of Wauwatosa

Wauwatosa Avenue (between Garfield and Milwaukee Avenues) will be closed for construction through September 1, 2020

Post Date: 02/12/2020 4:00 PM

Closing Wauwatosa Avenue

We will be closing Wauwatosa Avenue between Garfield and Milwaukee Avenues on Monday, March 2, 2020 after the morning commute hours. This will be a long term closure through September 1, 2020 for construction as we replace utilities under the street and repave Wauwatosa Avenue.

The detour route will be Bluemound, North Avenue, and Mayfair Road.

You can sign up for construction updates on the project webpage.

Why are we doing construction in this area?

We're repaving the road due to its condition, replacing storm sewer with larger pipes to help with stormwater management, and replacing aging water mains.

Surrounding Area

This project also includes utility work along side streets and the resurfacing of Melrose Avenue from 74th to Wauwatosa Avenue. The contractor will likely stage equipment on Wauwatosa Avenue as well as side streets.

Project Map

 

Wauwatosa Ave Project Map 


The Vine Ads

Thank you to everyone that has already updated or added their ad to our monthly bulletin "The Vine".  If you haven't already done so, contact us at schbulletin@gmail.com to place yours!

Please consider advertising in our monthly bulletin!

Surprise!  We now have additional Color Ad spaces available!  You asked and we made it happen!

Don't forget to thank our advertisers when you visit them!


Our Hall or Gym

Important Announcement

Lately there has been a lack of consideration and communication in the use of the church facilities.  Please be mindful to return items and the areas you have used to, at least, its prior condition.

We have a multitude of groups that utilize these facilities and a little effort in everyone's part will go a long way in helping maintain a healthy and clean environment for all to enjoy.

Thank you for everything that you do!


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Bulletin Inserts

    2020.03.31 Metropolis Servant Leadership Awards - Sponsorship Packet

    2020.03.31 Metropolis Servant Leadership Awards - Sponsorship Packet

    "For those sponsors supporting at the $2,500 level and greater [...] Send media no later than March 31, 2020"


    2020 AHEPA 43 Apprenticeship Award Application

    2020 AHEPA 43 Apprenticeship Award Application

    In order to support the needs of our changing workforce in 2020, AHEPA Milwaukee Chapter #43 is introducing it's FIRST Apprenticeship Award. This new program will focus on the growing demand in skilled trades and technical fields, supporting our young Hellenic adults targeting an Associates Degree, apprenticeship or a trade via a technical college or certified program. DEADLINE to Apply: March 2nd, 2020 The program will also work to connect local business with young adults. They are asking business owners and executives in the Hellenic community to connect with AHEPA to discuss their needs and join them in developing this program. If you are a business owner or executive searching for talented young workers, please contact trades@ahepa43.org Since this program is solely supported by community based funding, please consider donating. F MORE INFO: https://www.ahepa43.org/trades/


    2020 AHEPA 43 Scholarship Application

    2020 AHEPA 43 Scholarship Application

    Application Deadline: Monday, March 2nd, 2020 Details: https://www.ahepa43.org/scholarship/


    Fr. Ted Trifon Scholarship Application & Info

    Fr. Ted Trifon Scholarship Application & Info

    Deadline to apply is March 4th, 2020


    AHEPA 13 Scholarship Application

    AHEPA 13 Scholarship Application

    Deadline to apply is March 15th, 2020


    2020.04.01 Federation of G.O.C. Musicians - Metropolis of Chicago

    2020.04.01 Federation of G.O.C. Musicians - Metropolis of Chicago

    Dear Reverend Fathers and Parishioners: The Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians - Metropolis of Chicago is pleased to offer again this year the Michael B. Petrovich Memorial Scholarship. Among his many and varied accomplishments, Dr. Petrovich (1922-1989) served as a distinguished history professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and long-time choir director at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Madison, Wisconsin. To this day, many of our Orthodox choirs continue to sing the beautiful liturgical music he composed and graciously left as part of his legacy. The Scholarship will be awarded to one parishioner of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago who is seeking a Bachelors of Arts degree or higher in Music Theory, Music Composition, Voice, Choral Music, Byzantine Chant, Choral Conducting, Piano, Organ, Music Education, or other related field of study deemed appropriate by the scholarship committee. The parishioner must be a graduating high school senior or currently-enrolled college student. The Scholarship is made possible through the Michael B. Petrovich Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is administered by the Federation and recognizes the importance of educating and training its church musicians. It is expected that the Scholarship recipient will use this training, in part, in service to the Greek Orthodox Church and its ministries. Included with this letter are the Guidelines and the Application for the Scholarship, along with a flyer to display at your parish. It is our hope that you will pass this information along to those who might be interested. The Scholarship recipient will receive a one-time award in the amount of $500. The deadline for submitting the Application is April 1, 2020. The Scholarship award recipient will be notified on June 1, 2020. Thank you for your assistance, and please do not hesitate to contact Audrey Polite ((219) 742-7679/lencovello@sbcglobal.net) if you should have any questions after reviewing the enclosed materials.


    2020 DOP Scholarship

    2020 DOP Scholarship

    Deadline is May 15, 2020 More info at www.dopfoundationinc.com


    2020.02 St. Nicholas Update

    2020.02 St. Nicholas Update

    The plan is for St. Nicholas to open exactly 20 years after 9/11, on September 11th, 2021. This is where we are at now.


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Saints and Feasts

Prodson
February 16

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.


Allsaint
February 16

Romanos the Younger


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back, for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.

Second Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 16:1-8

Καὶ διαγενομένου τοῦ σαββάτου Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ Μαρία ἡ τοῦ ᾿Ιακώβου καὶ Σαλώμη ἠγόρασαν ἀρώματα ἵνα ἐλθοῦσαι ἀλείψωσιν αὐτόν. καὶ λίαν πρωῒ τῆς μιᾶς σαββάτων ἔρχονται ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου. καὶ ἔλεγον πρὸς ἑαυτάς· τίς ἀποκυλίσει ἡμῖν τὸν λίθον ἐκ τῆς θύρας τοῦ μνημείου; καὶ ἀναβλέψασαι θεωροῦσιν ὅτι ἀποκεκύλισται ὁ λίθος· ἦν γὰρ μέγας σφόδρα. καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον εἶδον νεανίσκον καθήμενον ἐν τοῖς δεξιοῖς, περιβεβλημένον στολὴν λευκήν, καὶ ἐξεθαμβήθησαν. ὁ δὲ λέγει αὐταῖς· μὴ ἐκθαμβεῖσθε· ᾿Ιησοῦν ζητεῖτε τὸν Ναζαρηνὸν τὸν ἐσταυρωμένον· ἠγέρθη, οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε· ἴδε ὁ τόπος ὅπου ἔθηκαν αὐτόν. ἀλλ᾿ ὑπάγετε εἴπατε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ τῷ Πέτρῳ ὅτι προάγει ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ὄψεσθε, καθὼς εἶπεν ὑμῖν. καὶ ἐξελθοῦσαι ἔφυγον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου· εἶχε δὲ αὐτὰς τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις, καὶ οὐδενὶ οὐδὲν εἶπον· ἐφοβοῦντο γάρ.


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 First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20.

Brethren, "all things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -- and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two shall become one flesh." But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.

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

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 6:12-20.

Ἀδελφοί, πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλʼ οὐ πάντα συμφέρει· πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐγὼ ἐξουσιασθήσομαι ὑπό τινος. Τὰ βρώματα τῇ κοιλίᾳ, καὶ ἡ κοιλία τοῖς βρώμασιν· ὁ δὲ θεὸς καὶ ταύτην καὶ ταῦτα καταργήσει. Τὸ δὲ σῶμα οὐ τῇ πορνείᾳ, ἀλλὰ τῷ κυρίῳ, καὶ ὁ κύριος τῷ σώματι· ὁ δὲ θεὸς καὶ τὸν κύριον ἤγειρεν καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐξεγερεῖ διὰ τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὰ σώματα ὑμῶν μέλη Χριστοῦ ἐστιν; Ἄρας οὖν τὰ μέλη τοῦ Χριστοῦ ποιήσω πόρνης μέλη; Μὴ γένοιτο. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ὁ κολλώμενος τῇ πόρνῃ ἓν σῶμά ἐστιν; Ἔσονται γάρ, φησίν, οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν. Ὁ δὲ κολλώμενος τῷ κυρίῳ ἓν πνεῦμά ἐστιν. Φεύγετε τὴν πορνείαν. Πᾶν ἁμάρτημα ὃ ἐὰν ποιήσῃ ἄνθρωπος ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν· ὁ δὲ πορνεύων εἰς τὸ ἴδιον σῶμα ἁμαρτάνει. Ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὸ σῶμα ὑμῶν ναὸς τοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν ἁγίου πνεύματός ἐστιν, οὗ ἔχετε ἀπὸ θεοῦ; Καὶ οὐκ ἐστὲ ἑαυτῶν, ἠγοράσθητε γὰρ τιμῆς· δοξάσατε δὴ τὸν θεὸν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν, καὶ ἐν τῷ πνεύματι ὑμῶν, ἅτινά ἐστιν τοῦ θεοῦ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 15:11-32

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωπός τις εἶχε δύο υἱούς. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ νεώτερος αὐτῶν τῷ πατρί· πάτερ, δός μοι τὸ ἐπιβάλλον μέρος τῆς οὐσίας. καὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοῖς τὸν βίον. καὶ μετ᾿ οὐ πολλὰς ἡμέρας συναγαγὼν ἅπαντα ὁ νεώτερος υἱὸς ἀπεδήμησεν εἰς χώραν μακράν, καὶ ἐκεῖ διεσκόρπισε τὴν οὐσίαν αὐτοῦ ζῶν ἀσώτως. δαπανήσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ πάντα ἐγένετο λιμὸς ἰσχυρὸς κατὰ τὴν χώραν ἐκείνην, καὶ αὐτὸς ἤρξατο ὑστερεῖσθαι. καὶ πορευθεὶς ἐκολλήθη ἑνὶ τῶν πολιτῶν τῆς χώρας ἐκείνης, καὶ ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς ἀγροὺς αὐτοῦ βόσκειν χοίρους. καὶ ἐπεθύμει γεμίσαι τὴν κοιλίαν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν κερατίων ὧν ἤσθιον οἱ χοῖροι, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐδίδου αὐτῷ. εἰς ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἐλθὼν εἶπε· πόσοι μίσθιοι τοῦ πατρός μου περισσεύουσιν ἄρτων, ἐγὼ δὲ λιμῷ ἀπόλλυμαι! ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ ἐρῶ αὐτῷ· πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου. οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου· ποίησόν με ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου. καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ. ἔτι δὲ αὐτοῦ μακρὰν ἀπέχοντος εἶδεν αὐτὸν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ δραμὼν ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ υἱός· πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου, καὶ οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου. εἶπε δὲ ὁ πατὴρ πρὸς τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ· ἐξενέγκατε τὴν στολὴν τὴν πρώτην καὶ ἐνδύσατε αὐτόν, καὶ δότε δακτύλιον εἰς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑποδήματα εἰς τοὺς πόδας, καὶ ἐνέγκαντες τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτὸν θύσατε, καὶ φαγόντες εὐφρανθῶμεν, ὅτι οὗτος ὁ υἱός μου νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη. καὶ ἤρξαντο εὐφραίνεσθαι. ῏Ην δὲ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐν ἀγρῷ· καὶ ὡς ἐρχόμενος ἤγγισε τῇ οἰκίᾳ, ἤκουσε συμφωνίας καὶ χορῶν, καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος ἕνα τῶν παίδων ἐπυνθάνετο τί εἴη ταῦτα. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἥκει καὶ ἔθυσεν ὁ πατήρ σου τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν, ὅτι ὑγιαίνοντα αὐτὸν ἀπέλαβεν. ὠργίσθη δὲ καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν εἰσελθεῖν. ὁ οὖν πατὴρ αὐτοῦ ἐξελθὼν παρεκάλει αὐτόν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπε τῷ πατρί· ἰδοὺ τοσαῦτα ἔτη δουλεύω σοι καὶ οὐδέποτε ἐντολήν σου παρῆλθον, καὶ ἐμοὶ οὐδέποτε ἔδωκας ἔριφον ἵνα μετὰ τῶν φίλων μου εὐφρανθῶ· ὅτε δὲ ὁ υἱός σου οὗτος, ὁ καταφαγών σου τὸν βίον μετὰ πορνῶν, ἦλθεν, ἔθυσας αὐτῷ τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· τέκνον, σὺ πάντοτε μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ εἶ, καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐμὰ σά ἐστιν· εὐφρανθῆναι δὲ καὶ χαρῆναι ἔδει, ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου οὗτος νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη.


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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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, "I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants."
Τῆς πατρῴας, δόξης σου, ἀποσκιρτήσας ἀφρόνως, ἐν κακοῖς ἐσκόρπισα, ὅν μοι παρέδωκας πλοῦτον· ὅθεν σοι τὴν τοῦ Ἀσώτου, φωνὴν κραυγάζω· Ἥμαρτον ἐνώπιόν σου Πάτερ οἰκτίρμον, δέξαι με μετανοοῦντα, καὶ ποίησόν με, ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

But if he had despaired of his life, and, ... had remained in the foreign land, he would not have obtained what he did obtain, but would have been consumed with hunger, and so have undergone the most pitiable death: ...
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

... but since he repented, and did not despair, he was restored, even after such great corruption, to the same splendour as before, and was arrayed in the most beautiful robe, and enjoyed greater honours than his brother who had not fallen.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

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