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Sts. Constantine and Helen Church
Publish Date: 2021-02-07
Bulletin Contents
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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


Notes

Our church is on Phase 3

A few things to be aware of when you are attending services during the "Level Three" phase:

  1. First of all, if you feel sick, please stay home (we can reschedule you for a different Sunday);
  2. Please only come on Sundays you have pre-registered for;
  3. All attendees must wear a mask during their time in the church;
  4. The Metropolis has asked that we keep track of those in attendance.  To do this, one of our parish council members will be marking those present.  Please give your name if asked;
  5. Please follow the directions of the parish council members while in the church;
  6. Please maintain a 6-foot ddistance between those around you;
  7. Holy Communion will be distributed as normal - again, please follow the directions of the parish council as you come forward to receive;
  8. After church has ended, please follow the directions of the parish council in exiting the church - and we ask that you do not linger outside around the church. 

Our church will continue to provide online live streaming of church services through Facebook Live on our Facebook page.  We are currently facing some technical difficulties and cannot stream on YouTube Live.  Fr. Panteleimon and the Parish Council are working to resolve this as soon as possible. 

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.

Procedure for Church Attendance Signup!

In order to better track attendance and seating availability on a weekly basis, we are making changes to the signing up process for church attendance.

Everyone will have to sign up for each specific Sunday that they would like to attend church services.  Registration events have been setup in Realm for the following few Sundays; you may have received the relevant automatic notifications already.  If you have family members that do not have internet access, you can add them to your registration as guests.  Otherwise, please let them know that they can call me (414.778.1555) during office hours and I will register them. 

Moving forward, since life happens, if you have signed up for a service but cannot attend, please cancel your reservation so that someone else can attend.  If you need help, please contact me.

If you have not joined Realm, our online community, yet, please send me an email requesting an invitation.  In Realm, go to Events, choose the "Sunday Matins/Divine Lit..." for the Sunday you would like to register, and click on the "Register by date" to register.

As always, please contact me if I can be of assistance,

Nikki

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Community

Realm (onrealm.org) & it's app, Connect, is not for one-way communication, from our church leaders 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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This Sunday

SUNDAY, February 7th, 2021—16th Sunday of Matthew  

EPISTLE: II Corinthians 6:1-10 

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 25:14-30 

 

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

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Calendar

  • Church Calendar

    February 7 to February 22, 2021

    Sunday, February 7

    8:15AM +Matins

    9:15AM +Divine Liturgy

    1:30PM JOY Zoom Session with Fr. Panteleimon

    Monday, February 8

    Coming DEADLINE: The Vine announcements

    6:00PM Greek School (Online), Level 1B

    7:00PM Adult Ed. Class - Nine Stories from the Gospels

    Tuesday, February 9

    6:00PM Greek School (Online), Level 2A

    6:00PM Greek School (Online), Level 1A

    Wednesday, February 10

    Deadline: The Vine Announcements

    8:00AM Orthros and Liturgy for St. Haralambos

    10:00AM +Memorial: 40-Days Nancy Andrews

    4:00PM Wake for Andreas Lintzeris

    6:00PM Greek School (Online), Level 1B

    Thursday, February 11

    8:00AM Orthros and Liturgy - St. Blaise

    12:30PM Funeral for Andreas Lintzeris

    6:00PM Greek School (Online), Level 2A

    7:00PM GOYA Zoom Meeting

    Friday, February 12

    10:30AM Bible Studies on Zoom.us

    4:00PM Fish Fry - Carry-Out ONLY

    6:00PM Greek School (Online), Level 1A

    Sunday, February 14

    8:15AM +Matins

    9:15AM +Divine Liturgy

    1:00PM Baptism for Ethan and Liam Ahlborn

    Monday, February 15

    6:00PM Greek School (Online), Level 1B

    7:00PM Adult Ed. Class - Nine Stories from the Gospels

    Tuesday, February 16

    6:00PM Greek School (Online), Level 2A

    6:00PM Greek School (Online), Level 1A

    Wednesday, February 17

    8:00AM Orthros and Liturgy for St. Theodore the Tyro, Great Martyr

    6:00PM Greek School (Online), Level 1B

    Thursday, February 18

    11:30AM Fire Drill

    6:00PM Greek School (Online), Level 2A

    6:30PM TBA: Parish Council Meeting

    Friday, February 19

    10:30AM Bible Studies on Zoom.us

    4:00PM Fish Fry - Carry-Out ONLY

    6:00PM Greek School (Online), Level 1A

    Sunday, February 21

    +Trisagion: 3-Years Lorraine Mente

    +Memorial: 6-Months Magdalini Skoufis

    8:15AM +Matins

    9:15AM +Divine Liturgy

    1:00PM +Baptism: Yianni Rossman

    Monday, February 22

    Fast Free Week

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Our News and Interests

Stscnh.1

The Vine - February

The digital version of our monthly bulletin, The Vine, is now available!

Monthly Bulletin | Sts Constantine & Helen (stsconstantinehelenwi.org)


2020 Tax Statements

The 2020 Church contribution tax statements have been emailed.  

If we have your email on file, you will have received an email from Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church with a link to download your statement.  This is both the most secure way to receive your statement and it is the most cost-effective way for the church (no cost for printing, envelopes or stamps).

If you have made contributions to the church in 2020 and have not received the email, we may not have a valid email for you in Realm and you will receive your statement in the mail.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Nikki during church office hours: M-F 9am - 5pm


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 10 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.

Digital 2021 Directory of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

We are pleased to present you with the links to the digital 2021 Directory of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.  
The Directory contains information from the Patriarchate, our Archdiocese and Metropolises, our departments and institutions and our parishes and clergy.  We hope that you will find it helpful and informative. 

Online Retreat: Renewing your Marriage

Renewing Your Marriage: Real Tools to Support Real Love

Marriage is hard work. Sometimes, it's harder than it needs to be because we don't have the right tools to help us in our struggles. Join Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne Louh for a life-giving online marriage retreat. Drawing on faith and psychology, the Louhs will help you understand what makes couples argue and how you can turn those hard times into strengths. As you learn more about the mind and heart of your marriage, you'll be more able to renew the love that forms the foundation of your relationship.


Lighthouse

 

 
Lighthouse is a different kind of summer program than Fanari Camp.

 

 
Camp for High School Seniors - Lighthouse
 
When young people make the transition to college life, they face a myriad of spiritual, social, mental and health related challenges.
 
Lighthouse is a summer camp ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago designed to walk high school seniors through an Orthodox understanding of vocation, and arm them with the tools they need to hold fast to their faith during their college years.
 
 
 
 
Let's take summer back.
 
Mark your calendars for a week-long summer camp that will help high school seniors build a stronger sense of their identity and allow them to form relationships they need to transition into the next phase of their life - adulthood.
 
Starts June 26 - July 3, 2021

 

 
 
Experience college, before everyone else!
 
With an emphasis on learning and academic exploration, a college campus will help establish the right atmosphere conducive to learning. Campers will stay at Marquette University, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to gain experience in a college setting that respects our campers and treats them as the growing young adults that they are.

 

 
Registration opens February 17, 2021.
 
Lighthouse is open to high school seniors from all canonical Orthodox jurisdictions.
 
For more information, visit www.chicago.goarch.org/lighthouse.
 
 
Ignite. Illumine. Radiate.
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago

HCHC: 2021-2022 Certificate in Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Leadership!

 
 

 


We've had an amazing year so far with these awesome faces you see pictured above, our first "Certificate Crew." So we are excited to announce...

Hellenic College Holy Cross is now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 Certificate in Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Leadership!

If your parish or Metropolis knows it could utilize the talents of a particular young adult -- for youth ministry, development, communications, photo/media, administration -- recommending they apply is an extraordinary way to identify and nurture their leadership capacity.

The Certificate includes:

  • 18 credits of graduate-level academic work

  • a paid work-study component through the Office of Vocation and Ministry (OVM)—various options include a chance to serve on staff for the CrossRoad Summer Institute or Telos Project (various options available) receiving unparalleled youth ministry training and experience

  • an OVM leadership series taught by an array of Orthodox professionals

  • a year at HCHC!

The program is designed for any applicant who has completed a bachelor's degree and wishes to deepen their theological knowledge while developing their skills and understanding for ministry and leadership with youth and young adults. Through funding from a generous donor, full-tuition scholarships are available. 


This program is especially for those who might want to...

Serve

as a youth director, youth activities coordinator, or administrator at the parish, diocese, or metropolis level.
 

Gain experience and skills

within a specific skill set (work study areas: program staff, administration, development, photography/media, communications).
 

Deepen Your Theological Knowledge

before pursuing professional studies in a chosen career field. This program gives participants the opportunity to expand their understanding of the Orthodox theological tradition through a year of transformative service and learning.
 

Take a Year Off from Professional Work

to study the Orthodox faith tradition while also learning skills to be an excellent volunteer leader for the Church (e.g., Sunday school, GOYA, camp ministry, or mission work).
 

Explore Your Vocation

through an optimal combination of theological learning and service.

 

Applications are due March 15, 2021.

Learn More

Office of Vocation & Ministry
Hellenic College Holy Cross
50 Goddard Ave Brookline, MA 02445

From the City of Wauwatosa for our Wauwatosa residents

We recently received the following from the City of Wauwatosa:

 

"Good afternoon,

The Wauwatosa Health Department is working to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to community members and would like to enlist your help with reaching residents to share up to date information. As of next week we hope to be done vaccinating healthcare workers and begin vaccinating adults aged 65 and up. We are asking anyone 65+ who would like the vaccine to sign up to receive a notification that will indicate we are ready to schedule an appointment. This can be done online by going to www.wauwatosa.net/vaccine or if a person does not have access or comfort using the internet, they may also call the office at 414-479-8936 and asked to be placed on the notification list. The vaccine clinics are being held at City Hall in the Lower Civic Center.

Attached is a flyer with information about the process. Please feel free to share this widely. Additionally, if you know of any homebound residents who need to receive the vaccine at home, they may call and ask to be placed on the notification list as well. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Thank you for your help in reaching the community with this important information.

Sincerely,

Carmen Pangilinan, MSW, APSW

Public Health Specialist

City of Wauwatosa Health Department

7725 West North Avenue

Wauwatosa, WI  53213

Find Us On Facebook!

www.wauwatosa.net/health

414-479-8947 Office"


National Philoptochos: Random Acts of Kindness

This Initiative was introduced at the 2020 Virtual Philoptochos Convention, to view the video and learn more, click here.

Save the Date

Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17, 2021
Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 14-20, 2021


https://assets.randomactsofkindness.org/calendars/neighborhood/2021/202102_kindness_calendar.pdf


Center for Family Care

 

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Bulletin Inserts

    Valentine's Day Campaign

    Valentine's Day Campaign

    New!


    OCWA 2021 Scholarship

    OCWA 2021 Scholarship

    Updated Application - New Deadline! Friday, February 26th, 2021


    AHEPA #43 - Scholarship Application

    AHEPA #43 - Scholarship Application

    The 2021 AHEPA #43 Scholarship & Apprenticeship Award applications are NOW AVAILABLE. American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Milwaukee Chapter #43  AHEPA Scholarship Foundation Student Scholarship Application Application Deadline – Monday, March 1st, 2021 Personal Interview – Sunday, March 21st, 2021 * Awards Presentation – Sunday, May 16th, 2021 ** * Personal interviews will be conducted via ZOOM teleconferences. ** Subject to local and state regulations concerning COVID and health safety.


    AHEPA #43 - Apprentice Award Application

    AHEPA #43 - Apprentice Award Application

    2021 Apprenticeship Award Application Application Priority Deadline – Monday, March 1st, 2021 Personal Interview – Sunday, March 21st, 2021 * Awards Presentation – Sunday, May 16th, 2021 ** * Personal interviews will be conducted via ZOOM teleconferences. ** Subject to local and state regulations concerning COVID and health safety.


    Fr. Ted Trifon Scholarship Application & Info

    Fr. Ted Trifon Scholarship Application & Info

    Deadline is March 5th, 2021


    AHEPA #13 Scholarship Application

    AHEPA #13 Scholarship Application

    Deadline March 15th, 2021


    Daughters of Penelope Scholarship

    Daughters of Penelope Scholarship

    Deadline: March 30th, 2021


    College Year in Athens

    College Year in Athens

    College Year in Athens is delighted to share an exciting new initiative, ideal for high-school graduates of Greek heritage: Know Thyself while exploring Greece, volunteering for a worthy cause, and adventuring on cultural immersion. An exceptional way to enrich the students' educational and life experiences, and a unique opportunity to deepen the connection and understanding of Greek culture. College Year in Athens (CYA) is offering two opportunities for Gap Year students: one for those passionate about antiquity with the program "Archaeological Field Work: Excavation, Workshops and Digital Technologies" and one for those interested in learning more about activism and diversity, with the program "Understanding Activism, Diversity, and Equity: the example of Greece".


    Adult Religious Ed: 9 Stories from the Gospel

    Adult Religious Ed: 9 Stories from the Gospel

    New Dates! Starting on January 18 - Mondays from 7-8pm via Zoom


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Metropolis of Chicago News

Metropolis of Chicago Launches New Ministry for High School Seniors

02/04/2021

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago announced the launch of a new ministry for high school graduates called Lighthouse. Lighthouse aims to prepare campers for the social, emotional, practical, and spiritual challenges they will encounter in the college experience and beyond.
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

2021 Liturgical Guide Book Now Available

01/11/2021

The Liturgical Guide Book published by the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians identifies the hymns that are sung, especially noting changes, in the Divine Liturgy on Sunday and other select feasts for the ecclesiastical year. It also includes a bibliography of liturgical music, recordings, and other music resources. This resource is very useful for chanters, choirs, and parish offices.
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Saints and Feasts

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February 07

Afterfeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple


Mattevng
February 07

16th Sunday of Matthew


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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 Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:1-10.

Brethren, working together with him, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

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

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 6:1-10.

Ἀδελφοί, συνεργοῦντες δὲ καὶ παρακαλοῦμεν μὴ εἰς κενὸν τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ δέξασθαι ὑμᾶς - λέγει γάρ, Καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσά σου, καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησά σοι· ἰδού, νῦν καιρὸς εὐπρόσδεκτος, ἰδού, νῦν ἡμέρα σωτηρίας - μηδεμίαν ἐν μηδενὶ διδόντες προσκοπήν, ἵνα μὴ μωμηθῇ ἡ διακονία· ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ συνιστῶντες ἑαυτοὺς ὡς θεοῦ διάκονοι, ἐν ὑπομονῇ πολλῇ, ἐν θλίψεσιν, ἐν ἀνάγκαις, ἐν στενοχωρίαις, ἐν πληγαῖς, ἐν φυλακαῖς, ἐν ἀκαταστασίαις, ἐν κόποις, ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις, ἐν νηστείαις, ἐν ἁγνότητι, ἐν γνώσει, ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ, ἐν χρηστότητι, ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἀνυποκρίτῳ, ἐν λόγῳ ἀληθείας, ἐν δυνάμει θεοῦ, διὰ τῶν ὅπλων τῆς δικαιοσύνης τῶν δεξιῶν καὶ ἀριστερῶν, διὰ δόξης καὶ ἀτιμίας, διὰ δυσφημίας καὶ εὐφημίας· ὡς πλάνοι καὶ ἀληθεῖς· ὡς ἀγνοούμενοι, καὶ ἐπιγινωσκόμενοι· ὡς ἀποθνῄσκοντες, καὶ ἰδού, ζῶμεν· ὡς παιδευόμενοι, καὶ μὴ θανατούμενοι· ὡς λυπούμενοι, ἀεὶ δὲ χαίροντες· ὡς πτωχοί, πολλοὺς δὲ πλουτίζοντες· ὡς μηδὲν ἔχοντες, καὶ πάντα κατέχοντες.


Gospel Reading

16th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 25:14-30

The Lord said this parable: "A man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." As he said these things he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

16th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 25:14-30

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωπος ἀποδημῶν ἐκάλεσε τοὺς ἰδίους δούλους καὶ παρέδωκεν αὐτοῖς τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ, καὶ ᾧ μὲν ἔδωκε πέντε τάλαντα, ᾧ δὲ δύο, ᾧ δὲ ἕν, ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὴν ἰδίαν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν εὐθέως. πορευθεὶς δὲ ὁ τὰ πέντε τάλαντα λαβὼν εἰργάσατο ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐποίησεν ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα. ὡσαύτως καὶ ὁ τὰ δύο ἐκέρδησε καὶ αὐτὸς ἄλλα δύο. ὁ δὲ τὸ ἓν λαβὼν ἀπελθὼν ὤρυξεν ἐν τῇ γῇ καὶ ἀπέκρυψε τὸ ἀργύριον τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ. μετὰ δὲ χρόνον πολὺν ἔρχεται ὁ κύριος τῶν δούλων ἐκείνων καὶ συναίρει μετ᾿ αὐτῶν λόγον. καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ τὰ πέντε τάλαντα λαβὼν προσήνεγκεν ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα λέγων· κύριε, πέντε τάλαντά μοι παρέδωκας· ἴδε ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα ἐκέρδησα ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς. ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ· εὖ, δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ! ἐπὶ ὀλίγα ἦς πιστός, ἐπὶ πολλῶν σε καταστήσω· εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου. προσελθὼν δὲ καὶ ὁ τὰ δύο τάλαντα λαβὼν εἶπε· κύριε, δύο τάλαντά μοι παρέδωκας· ἴδε ἄλλα δύο τάλαντα ἐκέρδησα ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς. ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ· εὖ, δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ! ἐπὶ ὀλίγα ἦς πιστός, ἐπὶ πολλῶν σε καταστήσω· εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου. προσελθὼν δὲ καὶ ὁ τὸ ἓν τάλαντον εἰληφὼς εἶπε· κύριε· ἔγνων σε ὅτι σκληρὸς εἶ ἄνθρωπος, θερίζων ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρας καὶ συνάγων ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισας· καὶ φοβηθεὶς ἀπελθὼν ἔκρυψα τὸ τάλαντόν σου ἐν τῇ γῇ· ἴδε ἔχεις τὸ σόν. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· πονηρὲ δοῦλε καὶ ὀκνηρέ! ᾔδεις ὅτι θερίζω ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρα καὶ συνάγω ὅθεν οὐ διεσκόρπισα! ἔδει οὖν σε βαλεῖν τὸ ἀργύριόν μου τοῖς τραπεζίταις, καὶ ἐλθὼν ἐγὼ ἐκομισάμην ἂν τὸ ἐμὸν σὺν τόκῳ. ἄρατε οὖν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὸ τάλαντον καὶ δότε τῷ ἔχοντι τὰ δέκα τάλαντα. τῷ γὰρ ἔχοντι παντὶ δοθήσεται καὶ περισσευθήσεται, ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ μὴ ἔχοντος καὶ ὃ ἔχει ἀρθήσεται ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ. καὶ τὸν ἀχρεῖον δοῦλον ἐκβάλετε εἰς τὸ σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον· ἐκεῖ ἔσται ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

There is an old saying: 'Excesses meet.' Too much fasting and too much eating come to the same end. Keeping too long a vigil brings the same disastrous cost as ... sluggishness... Too much self-denial brings weakness and induces the same condition as carelessness. Often I have seen men who would not be snared by gluttony fall, nevertheless, through immoderate fasting and tumble in weakness into the very urge which they had overcome. Unmeasured vigils and foolish denial of rest overcame those whom sleep could not overcome. Therefore, 'fortified to right and to left in the armor of justice,' as the apostle says (2 Cor. 6:7), life must be lived with due measure and, with discernment for a guide, the road must be traveled between the two kinds of excess so that in the end we may not allow ourselves to be diverted from the pathway of restraint which has been laid down for us nor fall through dangerous carelessness into the urgings of gluttony and self-indulgence.
St. John Cassian
Conferences, Conference Two: On Discernment no. 16; Paulist Press pg. 76, 5th century

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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.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Presentation in the First Mode

Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, for from thee hath risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. Rejoice, thou also, O righteous Elder, as thou receivest in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who also granteth unto us the Resurrection.
Χαῖρε κεχαριτωμένη Θεοτόκε Παρθένε, ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἀνέτειλεν ὁ Ἥλιος τῆς δικαιοσύνης, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, φωτίζων τοὺς ἐν σκότει. Εὐφραίνου καὶ σὺ Πρεσβύτα δίκαιε, δεξάμενος ἐν ἀγκάλαις τὸν ἐλευθερωτὴν τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν, χαριζόμενος ἡμῖν καὶ τὴν Ἀνάστασιν.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου, καὶ χείρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νὺν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος.
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