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Sts. Constantine and Helen Church
Publish Date: 2021-03-07
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Lastjudgement1
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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

Attention, Attention

In the February issue of the Vine's Greek calendar page, I inadvertently, left the "Saturday of Souls" heading and church service on Saturday, February 27th (from last year's calendar); the English calendar is correct.   This year, the first Saturday of Souls is on March 6th.  Please mention this to anyone not receiving the weekly bulletin.

As a reminder, our online calendar is the most up-to-date and you can find it here: https://www.stsconstantinehelenwi.org/parish-calendar/parish-calendar

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

_________________________________

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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 Donate now button

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Fish Fry Poster

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This Sunday

SUNDAY, March 7th, 2021—Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)  

EPISTLE: I Corinthians 8:8-13;9:1-2

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 25:31-46 

 

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

    March 7 to March 22, 2021

    Sunday, March 7

    +Memorial: 40-Days Peter Schneider

    8:15AM +Matins

    9:15AM +Divine Liturgy

    4:00PM JOY Zoom Session with Fr. Panteleimon

    Monday, March 8

    Cheese Week - Fast From Meat

    Coming DEADLINE: The Vine announcements

    1:00PM Philoptochos meeting

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

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

    Tuesday, March 9

    Cheese Week - Fast From Meat

    8:00AM Matins and Divine Liturgy for Holy Martyrs of Sebaste

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

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

    Wednesday, March 10

    Cheese Week - Fast From Meat

    Deadline: The Vine Announcements

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

    6:00PM Preparing for Great Lent - Webinar

    Thursday, March 11

    Cheese Week - Fast From Meat

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

    6:00PM Preparing for Great Lent - Webinar

    6:30PM Stewardship Ministry Meeting

    7:30PM GOYA Zoom Meeting

    Friday, March 12

    Cheese Week - Fast From Meat

    10:30AM Bible Studies on Zoom.us

    4:00PM Fish Fry - Carry-Out ONLY

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

    7:00PM Metropolis of Chicago - Family Synaxis Webinar

    Saturday, March 13

    Cheese Week - Fast From Meat

    8:00AM Matins and Divine Liturgy - 2nd Saturday of the Souls

    11:30AM Koliva Making Seminar at Church

    2:00PM Fanari Regional Lenten Retreat

    2:00PM Baptism for family of Cathy Solis

    Sunday, March 14

    +Memorial: 40-Days Andrew Lintzeris

    8:15AM +Matins

    9:15AM +Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM +Artoklasia for Benetatos Family

    6:00PM Forgiveness Vespers

    Monday, March 15

    Great Lent Begins

    5:30PM Great Compline / Canon of St. Andrew of Crete / Dinner at Sts. Constantine and Helen

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

    Tuesday, March 16

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

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

    6:00PM Great Compline with Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

    Wednesday, March 17

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

    6:00PM Presanctified Divine Liturgy - Followed by Dinner and Presentation

    Thursday, March 18

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

    6:00PM Great Compline with Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

    7:00PM YAL Milwaukee: Zoom meeting with Fr. Ciprian

    Friday, March 19

    8:00AM Presanctified Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Bible Studies on Zoom.us

    4:00PM Fish Fry - Carry-Out ONLY

    6:00PM Greek School Greek Independence Day Event

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

    6:30PM Akathist Hymn to the Virgin Mary

    Saturday, March 20

    8:00AM Matins and Divine Liturgy - 3rd Saturday of the Souls

    Sunday, March 21

    No Memorials

    8:15AM +Matins

    9:15AM +Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Greek School: March 25th Celebration (To Be Confirmed)

    6:30PM Pan-Orthodox Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers (at Annunciation Church)

    Monday, March 22

    Greek School: Spring Break

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Our News and Interests

Stscnh.1

Bible Studies Recess

We will not hold Bible Study group during Lent so that we can attend the services.
Bible Study will resume on, Friday, May 7th, 2021 in the church hall at 10:30.


Great Compline & Annual Lenten Supper

Annual Lenten Dinner


Sunday of Orthodoxy - March 21st

Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers


Holy Annunciation Feast Day

2021 Annunciation Feast Day Flyer


Preparing for Great Lent webinars


IOCC Care Compass

Tools for Resilience

IOCC has created a new suite of tools called Care Compass.

These tools map ways individuals and communities can forge a path towards physical, mental, and spiritual wellness.

Designed in consultation with Orthodox clergy, counselors, and clinicians, these tools are simple to use, adaptable, and can be locally implemented.

No matter where you may find yourself, together, we can help each other navigate toward resilience.

 

IOCC Care Compass | International Orthodox Christian Charities


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.

2021 Clergy Laity Assembly-Save the Date!

SAVE THE DATE! Metropolis of Chicago's 2021 Clergy-Laity Assembly is October 7-10, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Please join us for the Metropolis of Chicago's biennial Clergy-Laity Assembly, where our ordained and lay leaders will come together to discuss and decide important matters affecting the life, growth, and unity of the Church, its ministries, finances, and philanthropic concerns.
Registration will open online beginning in Spring 2021. More details to follow.
Host Parishes
- St. Nicholas | St. Louis, MO
- Saints Constantine and Helen | Swansea, IL

Resources for Senior Care in Wisconsin

Please share the following information with anyone who might need it:

My name is Avery Jones and I’m emailing you on behalf of SeniorHousingNet.com, an industry-leading senior care organization dedicated to providing tools and essential resources to help enhance the lives of older adults of all walks of life.
 
We’ve published a dedicated page that provides extremely well detailed information for families and senior citizens who are looking for senior living and care options that can help maintain their independence and quality of life in Wisconsin. This free resource provides comprehensive information on topics like financial support and care options that are available in Wisconsin, and our website offers resources for every city and state across the country. 
 
You can read more about our work in Wisconsin here: 

GO Metropolis of Chicago - Servant Leadership Awards

Bestowals of the Metropolis Bronze Cross Continue Across Illinois
Metropolitan Nathanael Bestows Bronze Crosses Across Illinois
 
His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael traveled across Illinois to bestow the Metropolis Bronze Cross on our exceptional servant leaders from the parishes of All Saints (Peoria), Three Hierarchs (Champaign) and St. Sophia (Elgin).
 
Fr. Michael Constantinides of Saint George (Rock Island) assisted the Metropolitan by bestowing the Bronze Cross on Collette Spurgetis who has since fallen asleep in the Lord. May her memory be eternal.
 
Watch the fourth segment in the series of Bronze Cross bestowals, and be sure to read the bios of all of our remarkable servant leaders. To learn more, please visit the Servant Leadership Awards webpage.
 
 
Meet the Recipients
 
 
Becky Greanias Lagouros
 
All Saints Greek Orthodox Church
Joliet, Illinois
 
 
 
Colette Spurgetis
 
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Rock Island, Illinois
 
 
Photios Kutil
 
Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church
Champaign, Illinois
 
 
Janice S. Novick
 
St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church
Elgin, Illinois

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Bulletin Inserts

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Archdiocese Launches Official Logo and Website for 200th Anniversary of 1821

02/26/2021

The website, developed by the Archdiocesan Department of Internet Ministries, will serve as the main point of information and advertisement regarding the various events of the 200th Anniversary across the Archdiocese and throughout the Omogenia, as well as provide access to the many educational programs that will be offered online and, when possible, in person.

Webinars Offered by the Office of Greek Education

02/22/2021

The Director of Greek Education, Mr. Anastasios Koularmanis in cooperation with Mrs. Athena Kromidas the President of the High Council for Greek Education, and the Museum of School Life and Education (Μουσείο Σχολικής Ζωής και Εκπαίδευσης) will be offering monthly educational webinars related to the topic of, “200 Years Since the Greek Revolution”.

1821 in Art: The Contribution to the Movement of Philhellenism

02/19/2021

This webinar is hosted by the High Council of Greek Education in collaboration with the School Life and Education Museum. First, the evolution of the creation of the philhellenic movement will be presented and its main exponents will be mentioned. Second, a brief outline of the most important events of the Greek Revolution will be made. The whole narrative is presented through works of art by artists who captured with their own expressive tools this glorious path.

Department of Religious Education Releases New Resources

03/02/2021

The Department of Religious Education has released the following new resources in support of the ongoing curriculum update and revisions for parish religious education programs.

Deacon Theodore Lyketsos Ordination Speech

03/02/2021

Standing before you and in the presence of our all-seeing Lord, I am struck by the enormity of the task before me. To stand before the Holy Altar Table of our Lord as his διακονος, as His servant seems to me to be at once a glorious privilege and a fearful burden. A glorious privilege, because the Lord Himself is glorious, and to stand near Him at the Holy Altar of Sacrifice is to partake in glory itself.

Greening the Parish: Hopeful Aspirations

03/02/2021

The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations presented the fourth webinar in the "Greening the Parish" series, featuring young adults’ hopes for the present and future as they work to protect God’s Creation.

Transforming the Heart of a Community: From Dues to Stewardship

03/02/2021

Fr. John Touloumes arrived at Holy Trinity in August 1993 with a mandate from then Bishop (later Metropolitan) Maximos: Transition the parish of almost 200 families from dues to stewardship. Within four months, the team built its stewardship ministry – in Greek and English – and the parish has never looked back. After 88 years on Pittsburgh’s north side, Holy Trinity broke ground in December 2011 on a new complex that Metropolitan Savas opened on Pentecost weekend in June 2013 (the 90th anniversary of the parish). The parish is on target to pay off its mortgage by 2020 – or sooner.

GOA Center for Family Care: Family Connections

03/02/2021

Throughout the Lenten and Paschal season, The GOA Center for Family Care will be posting the upcoming Sunday's Gospel lesson and corresponding activities and Family Connection activities on their Facebook page.

Introduction of Family Matters Podcast: Fully Human Edition

03/01/2021

Fr Alex Goussetis and Prevytera Melanie DiStefanos of the GOA Center for Family Care talk about the launching of a new podcast series that is dedicated to special needs families called "Family Matters: Fully Human Edition"

Time Out for Marriage: Elder Care Part 1

03/01/2021

In this episode of "Time Out for Marriage," by the GOA Center for Family Care, Presvytera Kerry Pappas discusses the stress and strain that can arise for couples when caring for elderly family members.

2020 – 2022 Archdiocesan Council Membership and Committees Assignments Announced

03/01/2021

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces the membership and committee assignments for the 2020-2022 term of the Archdiocesan Council. This term, the Archdiocesan Council is welcoming a record number of first time Members to its ranks as Archbishop Elpidophoros continues to welcome new voices and points of view into the governance of the church.

Free Bible Study Guide from Y2AM

03/01/2021

The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM - Orthodox Christian Youth and Young Adult Ministries) published a Bible Study for the Triodion period and Great Lent. Check out this incredible resource for ten Sundays of readings!

Steve Christoforou from Y2AM on ΕΡΤ Α.Ε.

03/01/2021

Steve Christoforou was on ΕΡΤ Α.Ε. over the weekend (Greek public radio and TV), talking about the ministry work of the Archdiocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, especially programs like "Be the Bee."

Using Art to Teach Students About the Greek Revolution

03/01/2021

The Director of Greek Education Mr. Anastasios Koularmanis will offer a webinar Saturday, March 6, 2021 1:00 pm (EST). The webinar will be presented by The Museum of Life and Education (Μουσείο Σχολικής Ζωής και Εκπαίδευσης).

Preparing for Great Lent: Two Webinars on Parish Ministry

03/01/2021

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will offer two webinars aimed at assisting parishes in enhancing their ministries during this year’s Great Lent. On March 10, from 7 to 8:30 pm EST, “New Trends in Ministry: Lessons for Lent,” and on March 11 at the same time, “A Practical Roadmap: Lessons for Lent.”
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Saints and Feasts

Lastjudgement1
March 07

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.


Allsaint
March 07

The Holy Martyred Bishops of Cherson: Basileus, Ephraim, Eugene, Capito, Aetherius, Agathodorus, and Elpidius

These holy Bishops were sent to Cherson on the Black Sea by Hermon, Bishop of Jerusalem, in the days of Diocletian, about the year 300, to preach the Gospel. Ephraim and Basileus were sent first. Basileus raised to life the dead son of a local ruler, because of which many were baptized. Those who remained in their unbelief, however, dragged him through the streets until he died. Ephraim, refusing to offer sacrifice to idols, was beheaded. After them, Euguene, Agathodorus, Capito, and Elpitius were sent by the Bishop of Jerusalem as heralds of the Faith, but they also were slain by the ungodly. Last of all, the Bishop of Jerusalem sent Aetherius; he was drowned during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great.


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53

At that time, Jesus, having risen from the dead, stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Sixth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:36-53

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἔστη ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῶν καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. πτοηθέντες δὲ καὶ ἔμφοβοι γενόμενοι ἐδόκουν πνεῦμα θεωρεῖν. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί τεταραγμένοι ἐστέ, καὶ διατί διαλογισμοὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; ἴδετε τὰς χεῖράς μου καὶ τοὺς πόδας μου, ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐγώ εἰμι· ψηλαφήσατέ με καὶ ἴδετε, ὅτι πνεῦμα σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα οὐκ ἔχει καθὼς ἐμὲ θεωρεῖτε ἔχοντα. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐπέδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας. ἔτι δὲ ἀπιστούντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς καὶ θαυμαζόντων εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ἔχετέ τι βρώσιμον ἐνθάδε; οἱ δὲ ἐπέδωκαν αὐτῷ ἰχθύος ὀπτοῦ μέρος καὶ ἀπὸ μελισσίου κηρίου, καὶ λαβὼν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ἔφαγεν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς· οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι οὓς ἐλάλησα πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔτι ὢν σὺν ὑμῖν, ὅτι δεῖ πληρωθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Μωϋσέως καὶ προφήταις καὶ ψαλμοῖς περὶ ἐμοῦ. τότε διήνοιξεν αὐτῶν τὸν νοῦν τοῦ συνιέναι τὰς γραφάς, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι οὕτω γέγραπται καὶ οὕτως ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ, καὶ κηρυχθῆναι ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ μετάνοιαν καὶ ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἀρξάμενον ἀπὸ ῾Ιερουσαλήμ. ὑμεῖς δέ ἐστε μάρτυρες τούτων. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρός μου ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς· ὑμεῖς δὲ καθίσατε ἐν τῇ πόλει ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ ἕως οὗ ἐνδύσησθε δύναμιν ἐξ ὕψους.

᾿Εξήγαγε δὲ αὐτοὺς ἔξω ἕως εἰς Βηθανίαν, καὶ ἐπάρας τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ εὐλόγησεν αὐτούς. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ εὐλογεῖν αὐτὸν αὐτοὺς διέστη ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ ἀνεφέρετο εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν. καὶ αὐτοὶ προσκυνήσαντες αὐτὸν ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ μετὰ χαρᾶς μεγάλης, καὶ ἦσαν διὰ παντὸς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ αἰνοῦντες καὶ εὐλογοῦντες τὸν Θεόν. ἀμήν.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 146.5;134.3.
Μέγας ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, καὶ μεγάλη ἡ ἰσχὺς ἀὐτοῦ.
Στίχ. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, ὅτι ἀγαθός.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 8:8-13, 9:1-2.

Ἀδελφοί, βρῶμα ἡμᾶς οὐ παρίστησιν τῷ θεῷ· οὔτε γὰρ ἐὰν φάγωμεν περισσεύομεν, οὔτε ἐὰν μὴ φάγωμεν ὑστερούμεθα. Βλέπετε δὲ μήπως ἡ ἐξουσία ὑμῶν αὕτη πρόσκομμα γένηται τοῖς ἀσθενοῦσιν. Ἐὰν γάρ τις ἴδῃ σε τὸν ἔχοντα γνῶσιν ἐν εἰδωλείῳ κατακείμενον, οὐχὶ ἡ συνείδησις αὐτοῦ ἀσθενοῦς ὄντος οἰκοδομηθήσεται εἰς τὸ τὰ εἰδωλόθυτα ἐσθίειν; Καὶ ἀπολεῖται ὁ ἀσθενῶν ἀδελφὸς ἐπὶ τῇ σῇ γνώσει, διʼ ὃν Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν; Οὕτως δὲ ἁμαρτάνοντες εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφούς, καὶ τύπτοντες αὐτῶν τὴν συνείδησιν ἀσθενοῦσαν, εἰς Χριστὸν ἁμαρτάνετε. Διόπερ εἰ βρῶμα σκανδαλίζει τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, οὐ μὴ φάγω κρέα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἵνα μὴ τὸν ἀδελφόν μου σκανδαλίσω. Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος; Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος; Οὐχὶ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν ἑώρακα; Οὐ τὸ ἔργον μου ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ; Εἰ ἄλλοις οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος, ἀλλά γε ὑμῖν εἰμι· ἡ γὰρ σφραγὶς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ.


Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 25:31-46

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἅγιοι ἄγγελοι μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, τότε καθίσει ἐπὶ θρόνου δόξης αὐτοῦ, καὶ συναχθήσεται ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, καὶ ἀφοριεῖ αὐτοὺς ἀπ᾿ ἀλλήλων ὥσπερ ὁ ποιμὴν ἀφορίζει τὰ πρόβατα ἀπὸ τῶν ἐρίφων, καὶ στήσει τὰ μὲν πρόβατα ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ, τὰ δὲ ἐρίφια ἐξ εὐωνύμων. τότε ἐρεῖ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ· δεῦτε οἱ εὐλογημένοι τοῦ πατρός μου, κληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου. ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ περιεβάλετέ με, ἠσθένησα, καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με, ἐν φυλακῇ ἤμην, καὶ ἤλθετε πρός με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ οἱ δίκαιοι λέγοντες· κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα καὶ ἐθρέψαμεν, ἢ διψῶντα καὶ ἐποτίσαμεν; πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ξένον καὶ συνηγάγομεν, ἢ γυμνὸν καὶ περιεβάλομεν; πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ἀσθενῆ ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ ἤλθομεν πρός σε; καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ᾿ ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων, ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. τότε ἐρεῖ καὶ τοῖς ἐξ εὐωνύμων· πορεύεσθε ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ οἱ κατηραμένοι εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον τὸ ἡτοιμασμένον τῷ διαβόλῳ καὶ τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ. ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ οὐκ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ οὐκ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ οὐ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ οὐ περιεβάλετέ με, ἀσθενὴς καὶ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ οὐκ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ καὶ αὐτοὶ λέγοντες· κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα ἢ διψῶντα ἢ ξένον ἢ γυμνὸν ἢ ἀσθενῆ ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ οὐ διηκονήσαμέν σοι; τότε ἀποκριθήσεται αὐτοῖς λέγων· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ᾿ ὅσον οὐκ ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων, οὐδὲ ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. καὶ ἀπελεύσονται οὗτοι εἰς κόλασιν αἰώνιον, οἱ δὲ δίκαιοι εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

He indicates the dispositions of each, calling the one kids, the other sheep, that He might indicate the unfruitfulness of the one, for no fruit will come from kids; and the great profit from the other, for indeed from sheep great is the profit, as well from the milk, as from the wool, and from the young, of all which things the kid is destitute.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily on Matt. XXV, 4th Century

For when one has pity on the poor, he lends to God; and he who gives to the least gives to God--sacrifices spiritually to God an odour of a sweet smell.
St. Cyprian of Carthage
The Lord's Prayer, 33. B#41, p.102, 3rd century

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just.
Ὅταν ἔλθῃς ὁ Θεός, ἐπὶ γῆς μετὰ δόξης, καὶ τρέμωσι τὰ σύμπαντα, ποταμὸς δὲ τοῦ πυρὸς πρὸ τοῦ Βήματος ἕλκῃ, καὶ βίβλοι ἀνοίγωνται, καὶ τὰ κρυπτὰ δημοσιεύωνται, τότε ῥῦσαί με, ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς τοῦ ἀσβέστου, καὶ ἀξίωσον, ἐκ δεξιῶν σου μὲ στῆναι, Κριτὰ δικαιότατε.
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