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Sts. Constantine and Helen Church
Publish Date: 2018-12-23
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Sts. Constantine and Helen Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (414) 778-1555
  • Fax:
  • (414) 778-1117
  • Street Address:

  • 2160 N. Wauwatosa Avenue

  • Wauwatosa, WI 53213


Contact Information






Services Schedule

SUNDAY MATINS/DIVINE LITURGY, 8:30 am


Past Bulletins


Notes

Welcome to our online bulletin!

It's now easier than ever to Subscribe or Unsubscribe to our newsletter lists: Weekly Bulletin, Monthly Bulletin, and Important News! All you have to do is visit our website: http://www.stsconstantinehelenwi.org/news/join-our-listserv and choose the list you are interested in.

A new tab will open with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's website, where you can either subscribe to the chosen list or, (if you prefer to no longer receive the newsletter emails) to unsubscribe.

If you prefer the online version: http://www.bulletinbuilder.org/StsConstantineHelen-WI/current

Nikki K.

Nikki's Vacation

I will be on vacation from Monday, Dec 24th to Monday, Dec 31st.  I will be back in the office on Wednesday, Jan. 2nd. 

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year to everyone with health, peace and love!  

DINNER GATHERING FOR ALL OF OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS 

Please get the word out to all of our college students that on Thursday, December 27, at 6 p.m., we'll be having a dinner for our college youth at Pallas Restaurant (1657 S 108th St, Milwaukee, WI 53214).  If you know someone will be attending, please let us know (call the church office at 414-778-1555 or email Flora Copoulos at panagaki@sbcglobal.net).  We hope to see all our college students there!

Did you know?

There are many ways to send your contributions to our church, other than cash or check.  For example, our newest option is to

Give by Text! 

You can now give to our church by using your smartphone via text using debit/credit card or ACH payments.  It will take you about 2 minutes to set up your payment method, which is saved for future text gifts!  Just text our church's keyword, STSCNH to 73256 along with the amount, i.e. text STSCNH 25 to 73256.  Shortly after, you will receive a text with a link to our secure online text giving page where you can choose a specific fund and set up your payment method.  At the moment, the available funds you can give to by text are Stewardship, Candles, Maintenance, Fee (to pay for a church fee) or General Donation (default).

Online!

You know that you can also give online and setup recurring payments by visiting our website (give.stsconstantinehelenwi.org) and clicking on the "Click to Donate Online" button.  But if you download a free QR Code Scanner application and scan the following code, it will take you directly to the secure online donation page.  You can readily find this QR code on the front page of our weekly bulletins and on the back cover of The Vine.

 ACS Online Giving New Roof QR code 

 

Go ahead! Try it! It's so cool!!

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This Sunday

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23,  2018—Sunday before Nativity

EPISTLE:  Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40 (pgs. 118-119)             

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 4:1-25 (pgs. 119-121)

READER:  Philip Losey

ALTAR BOYS: Team B: Teddy C. Anagnostopoulos, Angelo Cicatello, Dimitris Dahl, Elias Dalianis, Blaise Dalianis, George L. Liapis, George P. Liapis, Markos Mamalakis, Dimitri Maniotis, Leonidas Melissourgos, Foti Papageorge, Andrew Roche, Vasili Tsiampas, Joseph VanCleve

USHERS: Tony Antonopoulos, Justin Ahlborn, Procopis Liapis, Apollon Limberatos, Niko Marlis

PROSPHORON:  Debbie Koutromanos

HOSPITALITY:  Sunday School

BOOKSTORE: Please call the office to volunteer 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30,  2018—Sunday after Nativity

EPISTLE:  Galatians 1:11-19 (pgs. 97)                                                 

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 2:13-23 (pgs. 124-125)

READER:  George Anagnostopoulos

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

USHERS: George Karas, Louie Kostopoulos, James Maholias, Alex Marlis, George Papageorge

PROSPHORON:  Dina Liapis

HOSPITALITY:  GOYA

BOOKSTORE: Jackie Papageorge 

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

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Calendar

  • This week's events

    December 1, 2018 to January 7, 2019

    DECEMBER

    Saturday, December 1

    Service Project: St. Basil Academy Fundraising

    Sunday, December 23

    Sunday School Christmas Program - No Classes

    +Memorial: 5-Years Helen (Flessas) Keller

    7:30AM Prosforon: Debbie Koutromanos

    8:15AM Matins

    9:15AM Divine Liturgy

    11:15AM Hospitality: Sunday School

    1:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Women's (SPG)

    3:00PM BBALL Practice: GOYA Boys

    8:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Men

    Monday, December 24

    Epiphany is Closed

    Nikki's Vacation (Dec 24 - Dec 31)

    9:00AM +Great Hours of Christmas

    6:00PM +Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil

    6:00PM NO Ionians

    7:00PM NO Dorians

    Tuesday, December 25

    Church office closed

    8:30AM +Matins/D. Liturgy

    5:30PM Greek School Winter Break - No Classes

    8:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Men

    Wednesday, December 26

    8:00AM Appointment for Diesel

    8:30AM Appointment for Shark

    Thursday, December 27

    OCF: Who do you say that I am?

    8:00AM +Matins/D. Liturgy

    6:00PM BBALL Practice: JOY

    6:00PM College Ministry Dinner with College Kids at Pallas

    Friday, December 28

    10:30AM NO Bible Studies (Eng.)

    4:00PM No Fish Fry - Christmas

    Sunday, December 30

    Sunday School - No Classes

    7:30AM Prosforon: Dina Liapis

    8:15AM Matins

    9:15AM Divine Liturgy

    11:15AM Hospitality: GOYA

    1:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Women's (SPG)

    3:00PM BBALL Practice: GOYA Boys

    8:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Men

    Monday, December 31

    Epiphany is Closed

    6:00PM NO Ionians

    7:00PM NO Dorians

    7:00PM Great Vespers for St. Basil

    JANUARY

    Tuesday, January 1

    Date TBD: Hellenic Letters Celebration in Chicago

    Church office closed

    8:30AM +Matins & Divine Liturgy followed by Doxology for the New Year

    5:30PM Greek School Winter Break - No Classes

    8:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Men

    Wednesday, January 2

    8:00PM NO BBALL Practice: YAL (W1 JDAHL)

    Thursday, January 3

    6:00PM BBALL Practice: JOY

    7:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL (YianniS)

    Friday, January 4

    8:00AM +Royal Hours for Epiphany

    10:30AM NO Bible Studies (Eng.)

    4:00PM Fish Fry

    Saturday, January 5

    8:00AM +Matins & Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM +Great Agiasmos

    Sunday, January 6

    Sunday School

    7:30AM Prosforon: Voula Katravas

    8:15AM Matins

    9:15AM Divine Liturgy

    11:15AM +Great Agiasmos

    11:15AM Hospitality: Parish Council & Epiphany Learning Academy & Childcare

    11:45AM Parish Council Swearing-In & Board Elections

    12:30PM Philoptochos Meeting

    1:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Women's (SPG)

    3:00PM BBALL Practice: GOYA Boys

    8:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Men

    Monday, January 7

    +Memorial: 6-Years Triantafilia Dalianis

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Our News and Interests

Stscnh.1

Holiday shopping?

Scrip Info poster

 

For more information, check out: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AlJQVF0OpLuVjD0sQtJrpKfr29Tp


OCF: College Conference Midwest 2018

  • December 27, 2018 - December 30, 2018
    12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Registration for College Conference Midwest is now OPEN!

 https://www.facebook.com/events/759214427760050/

Join us as we come together in fellowship and prayer to explore the theme, “Who Do You Say that I Am?” with Keynote Speaker, Fr. Barnabas Powell and an excellent line up of Workshop Speakers.

Cost: $325.00 *scholarships available (see PROMO CODES below)

Scholarship Information and Promo Codes:

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of DETROIT – 30, $275 scholarships being offered. Must be a member of an Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit parish to qualify and receive funding. Enter promo code GOMODCC18 at check out.

Antiochian Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest – 20, $75 scholarships being offered. Must be a member of an Antiochian parish that is located within the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest to qualify and receive funding. Enter promo code ADTAMCC18 at check out.

New scholarships may become available and will be fully confirmed by October 1, 2018.

http://www.ocf.net/events/college-conference-midwest-2018/


Chicago Metropolis Mission, Vision, Values and Why Statements

On November 2-4, a group of 86 volunteers participated in a Strategic Planning Retreat for benefit of the Metropolis and achieved consensus on the following statements of identity and purpose:

 

“Why” Statement (why we exist)

To receive and share unconditional love, mercy, healing and peace, so that life has greater meaning and purpose.

 

Mission Statement

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago is a Christ-centered community that loves, guides, engages, and serves all people.

 

Core Values

  • Christ-centered
  • Integrity
  • Service
  • Humility
  • Love
  • Merciful
  • Spiritual development

Adaptable

 

Vision Statement

In 3-5 years, we will grow our Metropolis family through greater:

Fellowship & Welcoming

Accountability

Ministries & Education

Innovation

Leadership

Involved Youth & Emerging Adults

Engagement on Critical Issues

Stewardship

We need your help! Please visit http://chicago.goarch.org/strategic-planning and sign up to join a Strategic Planning Task Force by clicking the “Register to Participate” tab


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!


The 2018/19 PanHellenic Scholarship Application is Now Available!

 

The 2018/19 PanHellenic Scholarship

Application is Now Available!

October 1, 2018

Chicago, IL - The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation has released the 2018/19 scholarship application on today October 1st. The Foundation will accept applications from eligible Greek American college students through January 31, 2019, and will distribute $250,000 in scholarship awards to exceptional undergraduates as follows:

  • Twenty (20) Awards of $10,000 each based on academic merit and financial need
  • Twenty (20) Awards of $2,500 each based solely on academic achievement

Undergraduate students of Hellenic descent from all fifty states are encouraged to apply. Applications should be submitted electronically as instructed by January 31, 2019

To be eligible to apply for a scholarship, applicants must:

  • Be US Citizens or US permanent residents.
  • Be of Hellenic descent.
  • Be a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited 4-year university in Fall 2018.
  • Have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA.

For any questions or inquiries, please email pkorbakes@panhellenicsf.org or call (312) 357-6432.

As of June 2018, the Foundation has awarded $3 million+ in scholarships to 450+ Greek American students.

 SIGN UP FOR OUR MAILING LIST

VIEW EVENT PHOTO GALLERY

VIEW OUR VIDEO GALLERY

 SAVE THE DATE

June 15, 2019

Awards Ceremony & Gala


CrossRoad Applications Available Now!

 
 

Help us spread the word by forwarding this email to any Orthodox Christian juniors or seniors in high school who are yearning to explore their faith

What happens at CrossRoad?

  • Explore your faith like never before
  • Make lifelong friendships
  • Encounter service in a new way
  • Take theology and scripture courses with some of the best professors in the country
  • Discover Boston or Chicago

Who is Eligible?

  • Orthodox Christian high school juniors and seniors
  • Students 16 to 18 years old

Summer 2019 Dates

  • Session 1: June 15 - June 25, 2019 (Boston)
  • Session 2: July 2 - July 12, 2019 (Boston)
  • Session 3: July 23 - August 2, 2019 (Chicago)

Apply Online!

 

2019 Basketball Tournament

2019.02.08.10 BBall tournament


Adult Education Class


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Bulletin Inserts

    Our Metropolitan's Christmas Encyclical

    Our Metropolitan's Christmas Encyclical

    This is also available in Greek. Please let Nikki know if you would like a copy of the Greek document document.


    Annual Greek Night at the Bucks

    Annual Greek Night at the Bucks

    On January 25th, 2019 - Deadline to order is January 7th


    2019.02.04 OCWA's '2019 Dr. Mary P Hallick Scholarship Application'

    2019.02.04 OCWA's '2019 Dr. Mary P Hallick Scholarship Application'

    Two $500 scholarships will be awarded on February 28th, 2019 at OCWA's Scholarship Dinner.


    Adult Ed: The Meaning of Great & Holy Lent

    Adult Ed: The Meaning of Great & Holy Lent

    Join us for a 9-session adult seminar starting on Monday, February 11th. Now's your chance to learn more about what is, without question, the central "season" of the church's year! ALL ARE INVITED! Classes will run from 7-8 pm on Monday nights: 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15


    2019 Fr. Ted Scholarship application

    2019 Fr. Ted Scholarship application

    Deadline is March 6th, 2019


    PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation's Details

    PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation's Details

    Deadline to apply for their scholarship is July 31st, 2019. Visit: http://www.panhellenicsf.org/apply/ for the application


    2017 Scholarship Guide

    2017 Scholarship Guide

    Windy City has compiled this guide of scholarships that are available to Greek Americans. "We’re dedicated to providing resources for our community, and we’re so excited to present Greek American Scholarship Guide 2017. ... Find information here to begin your research and application process. Some deadlines have already passed this year, but later this year, applications for 2018 will be posted. That will give you time to work through this information and determine your own eligibility and what opportunities to pursue. With the ever-increasing cost of college education, we recommend that you apply for as many scholarships as you can – no matter how small. The numbers will add up and every dollar makes a difference. In this guide, find “mini profiles” of scholarship awards of more than $5000. Also find a list of links to other organizations that offer smaller awards. Look for ideas on other places to search for opportunities, as well as tips on applying and winning scholarships. A very special thank you to our sponsors. We’re grateful to The John C. Kulis Charitable Foundation and PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation for their continued support. You’ll learn also more about them in this guide. Dive in! Happy Scholarship Hunting!


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Saints and Feasts

Treejesse
December 23

Sunday before Nativity

On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.


Tencrete
December 23

Ten Martyrs of Crete

These Saints, who were all from Crete, contested for piety's sake during the reign of Decius, in the year 250. Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, and Eunician were from Gortynia, the capital; Zoticus was from Knossos; Agathopus, from the port city of Panormus; Basilides, from Cydonia; Evarestus and Pompey, from Heraklion. Haled before the Governor as Christians, they were subjected to torments for thirty days, being scourged, racked, dragged upon the ground through dung heaps, stoned, spit upon. They were questioned again, but their costancy roused the Governor to greater fury. After subjecting them to torments more bitter still, he had them beheaded.


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

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

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

Eighth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:11-18

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


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40.

BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us,that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. Δανιήλ 3.26-27.
Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:9-10, 32-40.

Ἀδελφοί, πίστει παρῴκησεν Ἀβραὰμ εἰς τὴν γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν, ἐν σκηναῖς κατοικήσας μετὰ ᾿Ισαὰκ καὶ ᾿Ιακὼβ τῶν συγκληρονόμων τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τῆς αὐτῆς· ἐξεδέχετο γὰρ τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔχουσαν πόλιν, ἧς τεχνίτης καὶ δημιουργὸς ὁ Θεός. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γάρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψὼν καὶ ᾿Ιεφθάε, Δαυΐδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν, οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων· ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς· ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον, περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι, ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος, ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσι καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ Θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσι.


Gospel Reading

Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25

The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

Sunday before Nativity
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 1:1-25

Βίβλος γενέσεως ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ Δαυῒδ υἱοῦ ᾿Αβραάμ. ᾿Αβραὰμ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ισαάκ, ᾿Ισαὰκ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιακώβ, ᾿Ιακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιούδαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, ᾿Ιούδας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Φαρὲς καὶ τὸν Ζαρὰ ἐκ τῆς Θάμαρ, Φαρὲς δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Εσρώμ, ᾿Εσρὼμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αράμ, ᾿Αρὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αμιναδάβ, ᾿Αμιναδὰβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ναασσών, Ναασσὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλμών, Σαλμὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Βοὸζ ἐκ τῆς ῾Ραχάβ, Βοὸζ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ωβὴδ ἐκ τῆς ῾Ρούθ, ᾿Ωβὴδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιεσσαί, ᾿Ιεσσαὶ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Δαυῒδ τὸν βασιλέα. Δαυῒδ δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐγέννησε τὸν Σολομῶνα ἐκ τῆς τοῦ Οὐρίου, Σολομὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ῾Ροβοάμ, ῾Ροβοὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αβιά, ᾿Αβιὰ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ασά, ᾿Ασὰ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωσαφάτ, ᾿Ιωσαφὰτ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωράμ, ᾿Ιωρὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Οζίαν, ᾿Οζίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωάθαμ, ᾿Ιωάθαμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ῎Αχαζ, ῎Αχαζ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Εζεκίαν, ᾿Εζεκίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Μανασσῆ, Μανασσῆς δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αμών, ᾿Αμὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωσίαν, ᾿Ιωσίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιεχονίαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος.

Μετὰ δὲ τὴν μετοικεσίαν Βαβυλῶνος ᾿Ιεχονίας ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλαθιήλ, Σαλαθιὴλ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ζοροβάβελ, Ζοροβάβελ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αβιούδ, ᾿Αβιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ελιακείμ, ᾿Ελιακεὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αζώρ, ᾿Αζὼρ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαδώκ, Σαδὼκ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Αχείμ, ᾿Αχεὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ελιούδ, ᾿Ελιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ελεάζαρ, ᾿Ελεάζαρ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ματθάν, Ματθὰν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιακώβ, ᾿Ιακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἄνδρα Μαρίας, ἐξ ἧς ἐγεννήθη ᾿Ιησοῦς ὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός. Πᾶσαι οὖν αἱ γενεαὶ ἀπὸ ᾿Αβραὰμ ἕως Δαυῒδ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ Δαυῒδ ἕως τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος ἕως τοῦ Χριστοῦ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες.

Τοῦ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἡ γέννησις οὕτως ἦν. μνηστευθείσης γὰρ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας τῷ ᾿Ιωσήφ, πρὶν ἢ συνελθεῖν αὐτοὺς εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα ἐκ Πνεύματος ῾Αγίου. ᾿Ιωσὴφ δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, δίκαιος ὢν καὶ μὴ θέλων αὐτὴν παραδειγματίσαι, ἐβουλήθη λάθρα ἀπολῦσαι αὐτήν. ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐνθυμηθέντος ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου κατ᾿ ὄναρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ λέγων· ᾿Ιωσὴφ υἱὸς Δαυΐδ, μὴ φοβηθῇς παραλαβεῖν Μαριὰμ τὴν γυναῖκά σου· τὸ γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν ἐκ Πνεύματός ἐστιν ῾Αγίου. τέξεται δὲ υἱὸν καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦν· αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν. Τοῦτο δὲ ὅλον γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· ἰδοὺ ἡ παρθένος ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξει καὶ τέξεται υἱόν, καὶ καλέσουσι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Εμμανουήλ, ὅ ἐστι μεθερμηνευόμενον μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεός. Διεγερθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιωσὴφ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕπνου ἐποίησεν ὡς προσέταξεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου καὶ παρέλαβε τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν ἕως οὗ ἔτεκε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον, καὶ ἐκάλεσε τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦν.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Mode

Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.
Ετοιμάζου Βηθλεέμ, ήνοικται πάσιν η Εδέμ, Ευτρεπίζου Εφραθά, ότι τό ξύλον τής ζωής, εν τώ Σπηλαίω εξήνθησεν εκ τής Παρθένου, Παράδεισος καί γάρ, η εκείνης γαστήρ, εδείχθη νοητός, εν ώ τό θείον φυτόν, εξ ού φαγόντες ζήσομεν, ουχί δέ ως ο Αδάμ τεθνηξόμεθα, Χριστός γεννάται, τήν πρίν πεσούσαν, αναστήσων εικόνα.

Apolytikion for Sun. before Nativity in the Second Mode

Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the Three Holy Children rejoiced. And the Prophet Daniel proved a shepherd of lions as of sheep. By their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Μεγάλα τὰ τῆς πίστεως κατορθώματα! ἐν τῇ πηγὴ τῆς φλογός, ὡς ἐπὶ ὕδατος ἀναπαύσεως, οἱ ἅγιοι τρεῖς παϊδες ἠγάλλοντο, καὶ ὁ Προφήτης Δανιήλ, λεόντων ποιμήν, ὡς προβάτων ἐδείκνυτο, Ταὶς αὐτῶν ἱκεσίαις, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν Προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν Σπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀπορρήτως. Χόρευε ἡ οἰκουμένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον μετὰ Ἀγγέλων καὶ τῶν Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα ἐποφθῆναι, παιδίον νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν.
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

Archiepiscopal Encyclical for the Nativity of Christ (2018)

12/19/2018

The Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to the Flesh is depicted throughout our churches in the familiar and radiant icon of the Nativity. Every element of the Gospel account, historically and theologically, appears before our eyes to inspire wonder, worship, and peace. In every detail, the icon proclaims without words that the Child born this day in Bethlehem is none other than the Prince of Peace. For by His birth, peace entered into a world plagued by hatred, hurt, and conflict.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

The tribes of Judah and Levi were united by a fusion of their lines of descent, and that is why Matthew assigns Christ's family to the tribe of Judah. And the Apostle says, 'for our Lord has sprung out of Judah' (Heb. 7:14).
St. Ambrose of Milan
Seven Exegetical Works, 4th Century

Thus, from the tribe of Levi may be counted a heritage that is priestly and filled with holiness, while from the tribe of Judah - to which David and Solomon and the rest of the kings belonged - there shines forth the splendor of a royal descent. And so, by the testimony of the Scriptures, Christ is shown to be at once both king and priest.
St. Ambrose of Milan
Seven Exegetical Works, 4th Century

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