Publish-header
Sts. Constantine and Helen Church
Publish Date: 2020-03-29
Bulletin Contents
Allsaint
Organization Icon
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

Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church Document Now Available Online

03/27/2020

For the Life of the World presents a way of reaching out across social distancing at a time of global calamity – as our faithful are either self-isolated and quarantined (a term that literally refers to a period of forty days and reflects the church’s struggle during Great Lent) – in order to address the role of the Church at a time of spiritual crisis, challenge, and concern.

Archbishop’s Encyclical for the Feast of the Annunciation and the Day of Greek Independence (2020)

03/24/2020

Freedom of movement and freedom of association are being reasonably restricted, as we seek to slow the spread and preserve the health of our communities. Thus, we must remember that our most precious liberty is that of conscience, our God-given right to think and believe freely. This freedom of the inner person can never be taken away by any external conditions.
BACK TO TOP

Notes

All Church services, events & ministries have been cancelled until further notice.

Fr. Panteleimon will be providing online live streaming of church services through both Facebook Live (Search for the user FrPanteleimon Dalianis) & YouTube Live.  You can subscribe to Fr. Panteleimon's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4kQORmUAb0GQUEhySGoquw  and you will receive an email everytime there is a new video or live streaming.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has a list of all the parishes (ours is being included, too!) that live stream their services:  https://www.goarch.org/search?p_p_id=101&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&_101_struts_action=%2Fasset_publisher%2Fview_content&_101_returnToFullPageURL=%2F-%2Fdirectives-covid-19&_101_assetEntryId=5151423&_101_type=content&_101_urlTitle=comprehensive-list-of-live-broadcasts&redirect=%2Fsearch%3Fp_p_id%3Dgoarchsearch_WAR_goarchsearchportlet%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dmaximized%26p_p_mode%3Dview%26_goarchsearch_WAR_goarchsearchportlet_mvcPath%3D%252Fjsp%252Fcommon%252Fsearch.jsp%26_goarchsearch_WAR_goarchsearchportlet_redirect%3D%252F-%252Fdirectives-covid-19%26_goarchsearch_WAR_goarchsearchportlet_keywords%3Dlive%2Bstreaming&inheritRedirect=true

Online Programs

It's not all doom-n-gloom!  This situation has given everyone incentive to branch out and try new ways to connect from the comfort of our own homes!   Y2AM's calendar of different online/streaming/conference ministry events is embedded in our online calendar and it contains a treasure of programs & activites:

  • Virtual Sunday School
  • YES movie of the week: Watch a movie at home & then join the group to discuss it on Sunday afternoon (This Sunday movie discussion is about "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" with Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers)
  • "Goodnight Stories with Zuko and Jane"
  • Comfort Food for Families
  • Silence Workshop
  • Pop culture Coffee Hour
  • OCF @ Home Lenten Cookbook
  • "3 Men and a Bible"
  • ...and the list goes on and on! There's even a weekly live call-in Bible Study on online radio.

Check out our online calendar at: http://stsconstantinehelenwi.org/parish-calendar/ as new programs are being added as they become available). 

Plus!

March 27, 2020

NEW YORK – The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA announces a resource center for clergy and faithful during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Resource Center includes updated news from the various jurisdictions as well as practical guidelines and resources for families, ministry leaders, parish leadership, and everyone. 

The Center can be accessed at http://www.assemblyofbishops.org/covid19 and will be updated regularly with new materials and expanded selections.

_________________________________

Thursday, March 12th, 2020 (things have changed since then - everything is cancelled or online ONLY)

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

With the outbreak of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) in our local community, we, the executive committee and Fr. Panteleimon, convened and discussed the matter at length.   In order to best protect our community and be socially responsible we feel that at this time it is necessary to suspend or reschedule the following groups and events until March 23rd.  We will monitor the situation and make further decisions based on the current information available.  All scheduled church services shall continue as scheduled.

Ministries:   JOY, GOYA, Dance Groups, Bible Studies, Athletics, Golden Agers, and Philoptochos are suspended.

Events:   March 15th General Assembly & March 19th Parish Council meeting to be rescheduled at a later date.

HospitalityWednesday evening Lenten meals and Sunday coffee hour are suspended.

At this time, we will continue to have Greek and Sunday School classes.  Any decision to suspend or alter current classes will be based on Wauwatosa School Board’s directives.  

Our Friday evening Fish Fry will continue as scheduled.  Any volunteers that feel uneasy about fulfilling their obligation, please contact your Team Captain and we can make the necessary adjustments.

Epiphany daycare shall continue its regular business hours. 

The Archdiocese has sent these 10 directives based on the instructions of the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) that we will put into effect immediately.    

  1.  All parishes will provide stations in the Narthex and/or Nave for the Faithful to disinfect their hands as they enter the Church.
  2. Signs will be posted at the entrance that recommend sick persons not attend the Services, but participate via television or the Internet (URL should be posted as well)
  3. The clergy will not offer their hands to be reverenced and will refrain from touching the faithful either through handshakes or an embrace.
  4. Signs will be posted recommending that honor be shown to Icons and the blessing cross by only bowing.
  5. No books – Liturgical or Scriptural, will be kept in the pews. Parishioners will be instructed to bring their own books from home.
  6. The Faithful will not receive the Antidoron from the Clergy, but on their own as they leave the church.
  7. In the case of the use of flowers (Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, Palm Sunday, Holy Friday), the Faithful will take them on their own as they leave the church. On Holy Wednesday (Holy Unction), each priest will anoint each Faithful using separate cotton-tipped swabs.
  8.  The Eucharist will be distributed as per usual.
  9. In concelebrations, the clerical “Kiss of Peace” will be through bowing to one another. In parishes where the laity exchange the “Kiss of Peace,” they will avoid contact through bowing to one another.
  10. After every service, all liturgical objects and surfaces to be thoroughly cleaned.

If you are sick or feel like you are becoming ill, please use common sense and stay home.  These measures shall be reviewed and adjusted as more information becomes available.

Sincerely,

Fr. Panteleimon & Parish Council Executive Committee

 

As of Friday, March 13th, Greek School and Sunday School classes are cancelled until further notice.

--//-- 

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.

____________________   

Important

Confession is a beautiful and God blessed sacrament of the church, and we should all partake of it prior to the resurrection of our Lord.

Please note that Fr. Panteleimon will be hearing confessions up to and including Lazarus Saturday (April 11). He will not be hearing Easter confessions after that.

If you would like to get a confession in, please contact father as soon as possible.

BACK TO TOP

This Sunday

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020—4th Sunday of Lent

EPISTLE:  Hebrews 6:13-20 (pg.141-142)

HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 9:07-31 (pgs.142-143)

SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2020—Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

EPISTLE:  Hebrews 9:11-14 

HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 10:32-45

 

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

BACK TO TOP

Calendar

  • Online Calendar

    March 29 to April 13, 2020

    Sunday, March 29

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    8:15AM Online ONLY: Matins

    9:15AM Online ONLY: Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM CANCELLED: Sunday School

    11:15AM CANCELLED: Hospitality: Greek School Independence Day Celebration/Program

    12:15PM CANCELLED: HALL USED: Greek Dance Kids

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

    Monday, March 30

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    6:30PM On line only: Great Compline

    7:30PM CANCELLED: HALL USED: Adult Greek Dance Class

    Tuesday, March 31

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Wednesday, April 1

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    4:00PM JOY Zoom Meeting

    6:00PM Online ONLY: Presanctified Liturgy

    Thursday, April 2

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    5:00PM Online ONLY: Small Compline with Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

    6:00PM CANCELLED: Adult Greek Classes

    6:30PM Online Parish Council Meeting

    Friday, April 3

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    8:00AM Online ONLY: Pre-sanctified Liturgy

    10:30AM CANCELLED: Bible Study (Eng)

    4:00PM CANCELLED: Fish Fry

    6:30PM CANCELLED: GOYA Lock-in at Church

    6:30PM Online ONLY: Final Akathist Hymn Service

    Saturday, April 4

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    9:00AM CANCELLED: Romania Divine Liturgy

    9:30AM CANCELLED: Greek School : Independence Day Rehearsal

    Sunday, April 5

    Online ONLY: +Memorial: 6-Months Harry Siaggas

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Online ONLY: +Memorial: 6-Months Mike Christopulos

    7:30AM Prosforon:

    8:15AM Online ONLY: Matins

    9:15AM Online ONLY: Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM CANCELLED: Sunday School

    11:15AM CANCELLED: Hospitality: Greek School Independence Day Celebration/Program

    12:00PM CANCELLED: Folding Palms for Palm Sunday

    12:15PM CANCELLED: HALL USED: Greek Dance Kids

    2:00PM CANCELLED: HALL USED: Adult Dance Group

    2:00PM JOY Parent Meeting via Zoom

    Monday, April 6

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    6:30PM Online Only: Great Compline

    Tuesday, April 7

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Wednesday, April 8

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Coming DEADLINE: The Vine announcements

    6:00PM Online ONLY: Presanctified Liturgy

    Thursday, April 9

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    1:30PM Cancelled: Milwaukee Pan-Orthodox Clergy Meeting

    6:00PM CANCELLED: Adult Greek Classes

    Friday, April 10

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Deadline: The Vine Announcements

    8:00AM Online ONLY: Pre-sanctified Liturgy

    10:30AM CANCELLED: Bible Study (Eng)

    4:00PM CANCELLED: Fish Fry

    6:00PM Cancelled: Altar Boy in-service at church

    Saturday, April 11

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    8:00AM Online ONLY: Orthros and Divine Liturgy - Saturday of Lazarus

    9:30AM CANCELLED: Greek School : Independence Day Rehearsal

    5:30PM Online ONLY: Great Vespers for Palm Sunday

    Sunday, April 12

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    7:30AM CANCELLED: Prosforon: Nikki K

    8:15AM Online ONLY: Matins

    9:15AM Online ONLY: Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM CANCELLED: Sunday School

    11:15AM CANCELLED: Hospitality: Greek School Independence Day Celebration/Program

    12:15PM CANCELLED: HALL USED: Greek Dance Kids

    2:00PM CANCELLED: HALL USED: Adult Dance Group

    7:00PM Online ONLY: First Bridegroom/Nyphios Service

    Monday, April 13

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    6:00AM Online ONLY: Presanctified Divine Liturgy

BACK TO TOP

Our News and Interests

Stscnh.1

Realm Connect - It's here!

Have you joined our online community, yet?

 

We have upgraded our database to a new amazing system!  Click on the following video to learn more about what we are in the process of setting up with your help!  

Our church has moved to a new kind of church record keeping solution called Realm®. It primarily serves the administrative needs of our staff, but it also offers some exciting opportunities to support the way you are involved in our church. Not only will this improve work life for our ministry staff, it will make it easier for our church family to connect with each other, keep up with what’s going on, and grow as a connected community of believers.

So.... if we had your email in our previous database we have already sent you an invitation to join Realm Connect.  After you accept the invitation and create your login, you can download the Connect app (find the link at the end of this post) and come join us in creating our very own connected community!  If you can't find the Realm invitational email, please send me an email at church@stsconstantinehelenwi.org and request a Realm Invite. Ministry leaders should stop by the office to pick up their "Leader Guide" with helpful information.

Let's Connect!
Stay connected to our church wherever you go by downloading the free Connect -­‐ Our Church Community app for iPhone and Android devices. Use it to communicate with your groups, RSVP to events, manage your giving, update profile information, and more. It makes it easier for us to connect throughout the week and know what’s happening

News—Keeps everyone up-­‐to-­‐date with the latest posts, photos, and events for your group and for your church as a whole 
Posts—Post messages to your group and comment on posts by others in your group
Photos—Capture your moments together and share them with your group
Events—See event details (date, time, location, etc), submit your RSVP, and sign up to bring something
Files —Access your group’s shared files 
Messages—Send your entire group, or select individuals, a message that starts a conversation
Participants—See names and basic profile details for the people in your church or group, based on their privacy preferences 
Notification Settings—Manage your preferences for group notifications and emails

iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/connect-our-church-community/id1052274581?mt=8

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.acstechnologies.android.realm.engagement

 


CANCELLED: 2020.05.03 AHEPA Scholarship Luncheon

Due to the uncertainties of the Coronavirus restrictions to assembly at this time,  the AHEPA Scholarship Luncheon scheduled for May 3rd, 2020  will be delayed.  Look for updated information in your church bulletins over the next weeks and months.


Wauwatosa Avenue Long Term Closure Starting March 2

Access to our parking lot only coming from the East side of Garfield Ave - Not from Wauwatosa Ave.

 

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!


ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FASTING GUIDELINES

When fasting, this is the order of removing the different food groups:

1. Meat—We remove all meat products

2. Dairy/Eggs—We remove all dairy products and eggs

3. Fish—We remove all fish with a backbone

4. Oil/Wine—We remove shellfish and all vegan dishes with oil

5. Strict Fast—Bread, nuts, water-boiled soups

 

So, our calendar fasting symbols mean:

1.       Fast-Free: Everything is allowed (in moderation)

2.       Dairy/Eggs Allowed: No Meat

3.       Fish Allowed: No Meat/Dairy/Eggs

4.       Oil/Wine Allowed: No Meat/Dairy/Eggs/Fish

5.       Strict Fast: No Meat/Dairy/Eggs/Fish/Oil/Wine or Shellfish


BACK TO TOP

Bulletin Inserts

    2020 Fanari Camps

    2020 Fanari Camps

    Winter sessions open October 18 at noon


    2020 DOP Scholarship

    2020 DOP Scholarship

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


    Lighthouse

    Lighthouse

    From June 7-14: When Orthodox young people make the transition to college life, they face a myriad of spiritual, social, mental and health-related challenges. Lighthouse is a week-long summer camp ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago designed to walk high school senior grads through an Orthodox understanding of vocation and arm them with the tools they need to hold fast to their faith during their college years. The Metropolis’ Summer Camp programs accepts campers between their 6th grade and 11th grade years in middle school and high school but does not accept high-school seniors. Currently, there is no ministry serving high-school seniors with the aim of preparing them for college. Lighthouse will be that ministry. For more information and to register: https://chicago.goarch.org/light-house


BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
March 29

Martyr Cyril the Deacon and Those with him

أخبر عنه ثيودوريتوس انه كان شماس كنيسة بعلبك. فلما صدر امر ملكي لدكّ هيكل فينوس في بعلبك انقض كيرللس على المكان بحماسة شديدة وحرّض الناس على هدّمه فحقد عليه الوثنيون حقدا شديدا لكنهم كظموا غيظهم إلى وقت مؤات. فلما انقلبت الأيام وحلت ساعة الظلمة انتقموا منه وممن أمكنهم الوصول إليهم، راهبات وخدام كنيسة. فخلال العام 362م اقتحم الوثنيون ديرا للراهبات واستاقوا مَن فيه إلى الموضع حيث كان هيكل فينس. هناك عرّضوهن لدناءات وحقارات جمة.

أما كيرللس فقد انقض عليه الضالون وجرروه في الأوحال وضربوه ضربا مميتا لا هوادة فيه. ثم فتحوا صدره واستأصلوا كبده وأكلوه نيئا كالحيوانات المفترسة. لكن لم تبق جريمتهم دون عقاب طويلا. فإن أسنان الذين ارتكبوها، على ما ورد، تفتّتت وأكل الدود ألسنة البعض وفقد آخرون البصر.

وفي عسقلان وغزة، وهما مدينتان فلسطينيتان، كانت الوثنية شرسة. هناك أيضا أمسك الوثنيون خداما كنسيّين ونسوة مكرّسات وانتزعوا أحشاءهم وجعلوا في أقفاص صدورهم شعيرا وألقوها رعيا للخنازير.

كذلك فتح المهاجمون في سبسطيا صندوق بقايا القديس يوحنا السابق المجيد وألقوها في النار ثم ذرّوا رمادها في كل اتجاه.

رغم كل شيء، رغم هذه الفظائع الرهيبة لم ينجح لا يوليانوس ولا الوثنيون في استعادة عبادة الأوثان وبقي الشعب ، في أكثريته، غير مبال بها لدرجة ان يوليانوس لما رغب في إقامة عيد كبير لأبولون في أنطاكية فوجئ ان الهيكل كان فارغا إلا منه ومن حاشيته فيما كان أهل المدينة خارجا يسخرون منه.


Climicus
March 29

Sunday of St. John Climacus

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.


BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Eighth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:11-18

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Μαρία δὲ εἱστήκει πρὸς τῷ μνημείῳ κλαίουσα ἔξω. ὡς οὖν ἔκλαιε, παρέκυψεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον καὶ θεωρεῖ δύο ἀγγέλους ἐν λευκοῖς καθεζομένους, ἕνα πρὸς τῇ κεφαλῇ καὶ ἕνα πρὸς τοῖς ποσίν, ὅπου ἔκειτο τὸ σῶμα τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ. καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ ἐκεῖνοι· γύναι, τί κλαίεις; λέγει αὐτοῖς· ὅτι ἦραν τὸν Κύριόν μου, καὶ οὐκ οἶδα ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν. καὶ ταῦτα εἰποῦσα ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν ἑστῶτα, καὶ οὐκ ᾔδει ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστι. λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· γύναι, τί κλαίεις; τίνα ζητεῖς; ἐκείνη δοκοῦσα ὅτι ὁ κηπουρός ἐστι, λέγει αὐτῷ· κύριε, εἰ σὺ ἐβάστασας αὐτόν, εἰπέ μοι ποῦ ἔθηκας αὐτόν, κἀγὼ αὐτὸν ἀρῶ. λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· Μαρία. στραφεῖσα ἐκείνη λέγει αὐτῷ· ῥαββουνί, ὃ λέγεται, διδάσκαλε. λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· μή μου ἅπτου· οὔπω γὰρ ἀναβέβηκα πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου· πορεύου δὲ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφούς μου καὶ εἰπὲ αὐτοῖς· ἀναβαίνω πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ πατέρα ὑμῶν, καὶ Θεόν μου καὶ Θεὸν ὑμῶν. ἔρχεται Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἀπαγγέλλουσα τοῖς μαθηταῖς ὅτι ἑώρακε τὸν Κύριον, καὶ ταῦτα εἶπεν αὐτῇ.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20.

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 6:13-20.

Ἀδελφοί, τῷ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπαγγειλάμενος ὁ θεός, ἐπεὶ κατʼ οὐδενὸς εἶχεν μείζονος ὀμόσαι, ὤμοσεν καθʼ ἑαυτοῦ, λέγων, Ἦ μὴν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω σε, καὶ πληθύνων πληθυνῶ σε. Καὶ οὕτως μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχεν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἄνθρωποι μὲν γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσιν, καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν ὁ ὅρκος. Ἐν ᾧ περισσότερον βουλόμενος ὁ θεὸς ἐπιδεῖξαι τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τὸ ἀμετάθετον τῆς βουλῆς αὐτοῦ, ἐμεσίτευσεν ὅρκῳ, ἵνα διὰ δύο πραγμάτων ἀμεταθέτων, ἐν οἷς ἀδύνατον ψεύσασθαι θεόν, ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν ἔχωμεν οἱ καταφυγόντες κρατῆσαι τῆς προκειμένης ἐλπίδος· ἣν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν, καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος· ὅπου πρόδρομος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδὲκ ἀρχιερεὺς γενόμενος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from Mark 9:17-31

At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

Sunday of St. John Climacus
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 9:17-31

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ λέγων, διδάσκαλε, ἤνεγκα τὸν υἱόν μου πρός σε, ἔχοντα πνεῦμα ἄλαλον. καὶ ὅπου ἂν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃ, ῥήσσει αὐτόν, καὶ ἀφρίζει καὶ τρίζει τοὺς ὀδόντας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ξηραίνεται· καὶ εἶπον τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου ἵνα αὐτὸ ἐκβάλωσι, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει· ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος, ἕως πότε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔσομαι; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετε αὐτὸν πρός με. καὶ ἤνεγκαν αὐτὸν πρὸς αὐτόν. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εὐθέως τὸ πνεῦμα ἐσπάραξεν αὐτόν, καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκυλίετο ἀφρίζων. καὶ ἐπηρώτησε τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ· πόσος χρόνος ἐστὶν ὡς τοῦτο γέγονεν αὐτῷ; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· παιδιόθεν. καὶ πολλάκις αὐτὸν καὶ εἰς πῦρ ἔβαλε καὶ εἰς ὕδατα, ἵνα ἀπολέσῃ αὐτόν· ἀλλ᾿ εἴ τι δύνασαι, βοήθησον ἡμῖν σπλαγχνισθεὶς ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ εἰ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατὰ τῷ πιστεύοντι. καὶ εὐθέως κράξας ὁ πατὴρ τοῦ παιδίου μετὰ δακρύων ἔλεγε· πιστεύω, κύριε· βοήθει μου τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἐπισυντρέχει ὄχλος, ἐπετίμησε τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ λέγων αὐτῷ· τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄλαλον καὶ κωφόν, ἐγώ σοι ἐπιτάσσω, ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ μηκέτι εἰσέλθῃς εἰς αὐτόν. καὶ κράξαν καὶ πολλὰ σπαράξαν αὐτὸν ἐξῆλθε, καὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ νεκρός, ὥστε πολλοὺς λέγειν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς κρατήσας αὐτὸν τῆς χειρὸς ἤγειρεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἰσελθόντα αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν κατ᾿ ἰδίαν, ὅτι ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τοῦτο τὸ γένος ἐν οὐδενὶ δύναται ἐξελθεῖν εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. Καὶ ἐκεῖθεν ἐξελθόντες παρεπορεύοντο διὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἵνα τις γνῷ· ἐδίδασκε γὰρ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀποκτανθεὶς τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται.


BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal Fourth Mode

With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O John our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Ταίς τών δακρύων σου ροαίς, τής ερήμου τό άγονον εγεώργησας, καί τοίς εκ βάθους στεναγμοίς, εις εκατόν τούς πόνους εκαρποφόρησας, καί γέγονας φωστήρ, τή οικουμένη λάμπων τοίς θαύμασι, Ιωάννη Πατήρ ημών, Όσιε, Πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.
BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

Seest thou how He now proceeds to lay beforehand in them the foundation of His doctrine about fasting? ... See, at any rate, how many blessings spring from them both. For he that is praying as he ought, and fasting, hath not many wants, and he that hath not many wants, cannot be covetous; ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century

... he that is not covetous, will be also more disposed for almsgiving. He that fasts is light, and winged, and prays with wakefulness, and quenches his wicked lusts, and propitiates God, and humbles his soul when lifted up. Therefore even the apostles were almost always fasting.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 57 on Matthew 17,4,5. B#54, pp.355,356., 4th Century

BACK TO TOP