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Sts. Constantine and Helen Church
Publish Date: 2020-05-03
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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

Archdiocese Announces COVID-19 Relief Program

05/01/2020

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces the creation of the “Greek Orthodox Archdiocese COVID-19 Relief Fund” as an important part of its efforts to support those around the country who have been impacted by the current pandemic.
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Notes

National Philoptochos Responds to the COVID-19 Pandemic

RNational Philoptochos Director of Social Services, Paulette Geanacopoulos immediately streamlined the social services application to facilitate a faster approval of requests. Mental health resources were posted on the website to provide support and assistance for individuals struggling with anxiety. A plea went out over all Philoptochos social media platforms to support the drive in order to enable Philoptochos to assist Orthodox individuals and families financially impacted by the crisis. To access the COVID-19 application for assistance and mental health resources, please click here.

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.

Plus, now you can "Light a Candle - Say a Prayer".  Just visit https://onrealm.org/StsCnH/-/give/candles to make your donation online and send us an email (father.pgd@gmail.com and church@stsconstantinehelenwi.org) with the number and type of candles along with who/what you would like us to pray for and will do so at our next church service.

Online Programs

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.

_________________________________

Community

I'd like to remind everyone that Realm (onrealm.org) & it's app, Connect, is not for one-way communication, from our church to you.  It can (& should) be used for the communiation between the members of each Group.  JOY is the first ministry that has adopted Realm as their communication tool.  Ask them. 

By the way, would anyone like to lead a Group? What if we created  a Group where the members could help each other out during this pandemic?  If someone is immunocompromised, for instance, or has young children, and can't go to the grocery store, they could ask if anyone else is going and if they are willing to pick up whatever they need (or, pick up their prescription, or a 10,000 piece puzzle for the kids...)  and deliver to their house... Email the church (church@stsconstantinehelenwi.org) your ideas but keep in mind, that no Groups can be created/activated until someone steps up to lead them.  (Hint: It's not hard... just accepting requests to join the Group and keeping the conversation going).

Want to test it out?  You can join our Prayer Requests Group (In Groups, search in Community for Prayer Requests).

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 Donate now button

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Many have struggled with COVID-19, but many in the Metropolis have struggled before. Every other week, the Metropolis will share stories of parishioners who dealt with pain in their lives, but were made whole by their faith.
 
 
"My heart was hardened, because I closed it off to Christ"
 
One day, years ago, I opened my eyes and a doctor told me I had awoken from a month-long coma. I had dropped to 156 lbs. from 235 lbs. Over the coming weeks and months, I would have to relearn how to move my fingers, hands and legs as well as chew, eat and talk. This was the lowest point of my life. My reaction was to blame God, just as I had for my other, past misfortunes.
 
When I finally went home, a visiting neighbor heard me complaining. In response, he said nothing, but dropped a Bible on my desk and walked out. When I eventually opened it, I was struck by Ezekiel 36:26: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.”
 
Reading this verse brought back a flood of memories from my church: being part of GOYA, celebrating the Divine Liturgy, receiving spiritual guidance from my church’s clergy. Those memories reminded me of what a heart filled with Christ’s love felt like. At that moment, I realized something painfully true of me. My heart had become hardened because I had closed it off to Christ. The coping tactics I relied on - blaming God and everyone in the world for years of bad decisions did not do anything for me. It only made my heart harder and plunged me into deeper pain. 
 
In many ways, my incapacitated body makes me feel defenseless like a child. Today, I freely accept this. I am blessed to be a child of God, who strengthens and protects me.
 
- A parishioner, St. Demetrios of Elmhurst
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This Sunday

SUNDAY, May 3, 2020—Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

EPISTLE:  Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7

HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

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

    May 2 to May 18, 2020

    Saturday, May 2

    1:00PM CANCELLED: AHEPA Hall Setup

    Sunday, May 3

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    +Memorial: 1-Year George Karas

    +Memorial:1-Year Peggy Ludeman

    1:00AM CANCELLED: AHEPA Scholarship

    8:15AM Online ONLY: Matins

    9:15AM Online ONLY: Divine Liturgy

    Monday, May 4

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    12:30PM Funeral for Chuck Gressle

    Tuesday, May 5

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Wednesday, May 6

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Thursday, May 7

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Friday, May 8

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Coming DEADLINE: The Vine announcements

    Saturday, May 9

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Sunday, May 10

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Deadline: The Vine Announcements

    8:15AM Online ONLY: Matins

    9:15AM Online ONLY: Divine Liturgy

    Monday, May 11

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Tuesday, May 12

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Wednesday, May 13

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    8:00AM Online ONLY: Orthros and Divine Liturgy for Mid-Pentecost

    Thursday, May 14

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Friday, May 15

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Saturday, May 16

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Sunday, May 17

    6 Month Memorial for Spelios Verges

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

    Graduation Sunday

    8:15AM Online ONLY: Matins

    9:15AM Online ONLY: Divine Liturgy

    12:00PM Online ONLY: GOYA Event - Welcome New GOYAns and Say Goodbye to Seniors

    Monday, May 18

    Wauwatosa Ave Long Term Closure

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Our News and Interests

Stscnh.1

Our condolences to the family & friends of Chuck Gressle

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Charles Gressle (Radisson, Wisconsin), who passed away on April 30, 2020, at the age of 91, leaving to mourn family and friends.

Due to the current pandemic guidelines, this will be a closed door funeral with only part of his immediate family attending.

Here is more information: https://www.ladysmithnews.com/...

He will be missed. May he rest in peace.


Fanari Camp News

 
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
 
Dear Fanari Family,
 
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
 
After much deliberation with the Fanari Camp Leadership Team and medical and public safety professionals, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago announced today the cancellation of the 2020 Fanari Summer Camp program.
 
While not an easy decision to make, the Metropolis believes this is the right decision to keep our children, their families, and our faithful safe.
 
Please look below for information on CPR donation opportunities, and the 2020 Fanari Camping Ministries' Virtual "Together in Spirit" summer program and more. In the coming days, the Fanari Camp Leadership Team will be in touch with 2020 Fanari Summer Camp registrant refunds.
 
 
In Christ,
 
Father Kosmas Kallis
Director, Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministries
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
 
"Together in Spirit". Tap for info.
 
 
 
While we may not be able to be together in person for Fanari Summer Camp this year, we still plan to be together in spirit.
 
Beginning June 7, the "Together in Spirit" program will feature virtual gatherings, activities, and events that we usually enjoy in person at summer camp.
 
Activities will take place through Fanari's social media accounts and Zoom. Registration is open now through CampDoc.

Message from the Milwaukee Rescue Mission

We received the below message; due to the social distancing guidelines, we can not host a food drive, but we would like to ask everyone, if they are able, to assist with the following request for food. 
If you are social distancing for health reasons, in order to avoid dropping off requested items, you can donate online: https://milmission.org/ ; If you are not, you may want to consider, volunteering.
 
My name is Karen Wimmer and I'm a volunteer advocate for the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. The Milwaukee Rescue Mission is a faith based rescue for the poorest of the poor (www.milmission.org). The Mission is located in the heart of the poorest zip code in the city where the need is very great! The Rescue Mission provides shelter for the homeless, a home called Joy House that is for women and children, many who would otherwise be on the streets and, a school, Cross Trainers Academy.
 
I am contacting churches to see if to they would be willing to donate much needed food for our brothers and sisters who have been profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Perhaps you would consider hosting a food drive by at your church. If you can help please email or call me, Karen 414-405-9759. Thank you for your consideration. Here is a much needed list of food items:
 
  • Canned Fruit & Vegetables
  • Canned Soup, Ravioli, Stew
  • Mac & Cheese, Other Kid Friendly Meals
  • Loaves of Sliced Bread
  • Lunch Meat
  • Peanut Butter & Jelly
  • Milk
  • Cereal
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Breakfast Bars

Comfort food for families

     
 

From Steve @ Y2AM

Doubt isn't the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.
(Paul Tillich)

Picture this:

The disciples are huddled together, fearfully, in a room. 

They’ve been hiding out since their teacher, Jesus, was crucified. 

They’re demoralized. Disheartened. Distraught.

And full of doubt. 

This is what we see in this Sunday’s Gospel reading. And then, Jesus suddenly appears before the disciples, very much alive! 

He doesn’t criticize their doubt, or scold them for their faithlessness.

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Instead, He addresses their doubt head on. 

And Heals it:

      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. (John 20:19-20)


Thomas, of course, wasn’t with the rest of the disciples. And when they tell him what happened, he famously doubts.

We call him “doubting Thomas,” yet that’s incredibly unfair. He had exactly the same doubts as the rest of the disciples!

And Jesus addresses those doubts in exactly the same way: with His loving presence.

We see something similar in this Sunday’s reading from the Book of Acts, where the Church is growing in the days after Pentecost.

The Church didn’t argue its way to growth. It didn’t publish pamphlets and books, trying to convince people of who Jesus is.

Instead, the Church showed people who Jesus is.

In those days, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. (Acts 5:12)

As churches remain closed and the nation still struggles under quarantine, young people are wrestling with doubts,

You may be wrestling with doubts.

But this isn’t an obstacle. Rather, doubt is an opportunity...

Doubt is an opportunity for faith.

The question for us is clear:

Can we show people God at work even now, in the midst of a global pandemic?

[...]

May our loving Lord help you face your doubts and develop an ever-deepening faith.

Peace,
Steve


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

 


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!


Rescheduled: Inaugural Servant Leadership Banquet

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago will host its Inaugural Servant Leadership Awards Banquet on Friday, November 6, 2020 at the Cotillion Banquets in Palatine, Illinois. The evening is dedicated to recognizing laypersons from throughout the Metropolis who have demonstrated exceptional and innovative servant leadership in the Church and whose service has made a difference in the lives of others. During the event, His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael will bestow the Metropolis Cross on these exemplary servant leaders in recognition of their efforts.


Cancelled: Jr. Olympics

May 22 - May 24

*In light of the rapidly changing developments with COVID-19, and our steadfast commitment to the safety and health of our parishioners, the Metropolis of Chicago has cancelled the Junior Olympics. His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael and Father Kosmas Kallis extends his sincere prayers to you and your families during this time of crisis.


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Bulletin Inserts

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Saints and Feasts

Myrrbear
May 03

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14).

Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60).


Maura
May 03

The Holy Martyrs Timothy and Maura

The holy Martyrs Timothy and Maura were husband and wife. Timothy was from Penapeis in the Thebaid, a reader in the Church, and had been married to Maura only twenty days when he was betrayed to Arian, the Governor of the Thebaid, as a teacher of the Christians. Arian commanded Timothy to surrender his sacred books, which he refused to do, comparing it to a father's giving up his children to death. For this answer, heated iron spits were thrust through his ears. As he was being put to other tortures, Arian summoned Maura, hoping that she would persuade her husband to worship the idols, but she confessed herself a Christian. The hair of her head was pulled out, her fingers were cut off, then she was lowered into a cauldron of boiling water, but remained unharmed. Finally husband and wife were crucified facing each other, and after nine days, received their martyric end, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305).


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

Fourth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:1-12

Καὶ τὸ μὲν σάββατον ἡσύχασαν κατὰ τὴν ἐντολήν, Τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων ὄρθρου βαθέος ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμα φέρουσαι ἃ ἡτοίμασαν ἀρώματα, καί τινες σὺν αὐταῖς. εὗρον δὲ τὸν λίθον ἀποκεκυλισμένον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου, καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι οὐχ εὗρον τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Κυρίου ᾿Ιησοῦ. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ διαπορεῖσθαι αὐτὰς περὶ τούτου καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνδρες δύο ἐπέστησαν αὐταῖς ἐν ἐσθήσεσιν ἀστραπτούσαις. ἐμφόβων δὲ γενομένων αὐτῶν καὶ κλινουσῶν τὸ πρόσωπον εἰς τὴν γῆν εἶπον πρὸς αὐτάς· τί ζητεῖτε τὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τῶν νεκρῶν; οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε, ἀλλ᾿ ἠγέρθη· μνήσθητε ὡς ἐλάλησεν ὑμῖν ἔτι ὢν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ, λέγων ὅτι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθῆναι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ σταυρωθῆναι, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστῆναι. καὶ ἐμνήσθησαν τῶν ῥημάτων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὑποστρέψασαι ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου ἀπήγγειλαν ταῦτα πάντα τοῖς ἕνδεκα καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς λοιποῖς. ἦσαν δὲ ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ Μαρία καὶ ᾿Ιωάννα καὶ Μαρία ᾿Ιακώβου καὶ οἱ λοιπαὶ σὺν αὐταῖς, αἳ ἔλεγον πρὸς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ταῦτα. καὶ ἐφάνησαν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ λῆρος τὰ ῥήματα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἠπίστουν αὐταῖς. ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἀναστὰς ἔδραμεν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα μόνα, καὶ ἀπῆλθε πρὸς ἑαυτόν, θαυμάζων τὸ γεγονός.


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 Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7.

In those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

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

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 6:1-7.

Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, πληθυνόντων τῶν μαθητῶν, ἐγένετο γογγυσμὸς τῶν Ἑλληνιστῶν πρὸς τοὺς Ἑβραίους, ὅτι παρεθεωροῦντο ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ τῇ καθημερινῇ αἱ χῆραι αὐτῶν. Προσκαλεσάμενοι δὲ οἱ δώδεκα τὸ πλῆθος τῶν μαθητῶν, εἶπον, Οὐκ ἀρεστόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς, καταλείψαντας τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ, διακονεῖν τραπέζαις. Ἐπισκέψασθε οὖν, ἀδελφοί, ἄνδρας ἐξ ὑμῶν μαρτυρουμένους ἑπτά, πλήρεις πνεύματος ἁγίου καὶ σοφίας, οὓς καταστήσωμεν ἐπὶ τῆς χρείας ταύτης. Ἡμεῖς δὲ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ διακονίᾳ τοῦ λόγου προσκαρτερήσομεν. Καὶ ἤρεσεν ὁ λόγος ἐνώπιον παντὸς τοῦ πλήθους· καὶ ἐξελέξαντο Στέφανον, ἄνδρα πλήρης πίστεως καὶ πνεύματος ἁγίου, καὶ Φίλιππον, καὶ Πρόχορον, καὶ Νικάνορα, καὶ Τίμωνα, καὶ Παρμενᾶν, καὶ Νικόλαον προσήλυτον Ἀντιοχέα, οὓς ἔστησαν ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀποστόλων· καὶ προσευξάμενοι ἐπέθηκαν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας. Καὶ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ ηὔξανεν, καὶ ἐπληθύνετο ὁ ἀριθμὸς τῶν μαθητῶν ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ σφόδρα, πολύς τε ὄχλος τῶν ἱερέων ὑπήκουον τῇ πίστει.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 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 anyone, for they were afraid.

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 15:43-47, 16:1-8

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθὼν Ἰωσὴφ ὁ ἀπὸ Ἀριμαθαίας, εὐσχήμων βουλευτής, ὃς καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν προσδεχόμενος τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, τολμήσας εἰσῆλθε πρὸς Πιλᾶτον καὶ ᾐτήσατο τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ. Ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος ἐθαύμασεν εἰ ἤδη τέθνηκε, καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τὸν κεντυρίωνα ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν εἰ πάλαι ἀπέθανε· καὶ γνοὺς ἀπὸ τοῦ κεντυρίωνος ἐδωρήσατο τὸ σῶμα τῷ Ἰωσήφ. Καὶ ἀγοράσας σινδόνα καὶ καθελὼν αὐτὸν ἐνείλησε τῇ σινδόνι καὶ κατέθηκεν αὐτὸν ἐν μνημείῳ, ὃ ἦν λελατομημένον ἐκ πέτρας, καὶ προσεκύλισε λίθον ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν τοῦ μνημείου. Ἡ δὲ Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ Μαρία Ἰωσῆ ἐθεώρουν ποῦ τίθεται. Καὶ διαγενομένου τοῦ σαββάτου Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ καὶ Μαρία ἡ τοῦ Ἰακώβου 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· Ἰησοῦν 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.


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday 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 for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode

The noble Joseph, taking Thine immaculate Body down from the Tree, and having wrapped It in pure linen and spices, laid It for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day Thou didst arise, O Lord, granting great mercy to the world.
Ὁ εὐσχήμων Ἰωσήφ, ἀπὸ τοῦ ξύλου καθελὼν τὸ ἄχραντόν σου Σῶμα, σινδόνι καθαρᾷ, εἱλήσας καὶ ἀρώμασιν, ἐν μνήματι καινῷ κηδεύσας ἀπέθετο, ἀλλὰ τριήμερος ἀνέστης Κύριε, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode

Unto the myrrh-bearing women did the Angel cry out as he stood by the grave: Myrrh oils are meet for the dead, but Christ hath proved to be a stranger to corruption. But cry out: The Lord is risen, granting great mercy to the world.
Ταῖς Μυροφόροις Γυναιξί, παρὰ τὸ μνῆμα ἐπιστάς, ὁ Ἄγγελος ἐβόα. Τὰ μύρα τοῖς θνητοῖς ὑπάρχει ἁρμόδια, Χριστὸς δὲ διαφθορᾶς ἐδείχθη ἀλλότριος, ἀλλὰ κραυγάσατε, Ἀνέστη ὁ Κύριος, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for the Church in the Fourth Mode

Having seen the image of Thy Cross in Heaven, and like Paul, having received the call not from men, Your apostle among kings entrusted the commonwealth to Thy hand, O Lord. Keep us always in peace, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Friend of man.

 

Τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου τὸν τύπον ἐν οὐρανῷ θεασάμενος, καὶ ὡς ὁ Παῦλος τὴν κλῆσιν οὐκ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων δεξάμενος, ὁ ἐν βασιλεῦσιν, Ἀπόστολός σου Κύριε, Βασιλεύουσαν πόλιν τῇ χειρὶ σου παρέθετο· ἣν περίσωζε διὰ παντὸς ἐν εἰρήνη, πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

They [the women] had followed Him ministering to Him, and were present even unto the time of the dangers. Wherefore also they saw all; how He cried, how He gave up the ghost, how the rocks were rent, and all the rest.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

And these [the women] first see Jesus; and the sex that was most condemned, this first enjoys the sight of the blessings, this most shows its courage. And when the disciples had fled, these were present.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

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