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Sts. Constantine and Helen Church
Publish Date: 2019-02-24
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Prodson
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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.

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 (https://onrealm.org/StsCnH/Give) 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.

REALM QR Code

 

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

Please obey all parking laws

During the weekend, if you are not able to find parking space in our lot,

you may use the parking lots of either

  • the City of Wauwatosa or
  • BMO Harris Bank,

just a block away.

Additonally, if you are able, please consider our elders, or single parents coming to church with their children and leave empty spots in our parking lot for them.  

Respect our neighbors and our own safety!Can I park in the Fire Lane reminder

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This Sunday

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24,  2019—Sunday of the Prodigal Son

EPISTLE:  II Corinthians 4:6-15 (pg. 88)

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 15:11-32 (pgs. 130-132)

READER:  Bob Gountis

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

PROSPHORON:  Aaron/Danielle Christodoulou

HOSPITALITY:  GOYA

BOOKSTORE: Please call the office to volunteer

SUNDAY, MARCH 3,  2019—Judgment/Meatfare Sunday—Godparent Sunday

EPISTLE:  I Corinthians 8:8-13;9:1-2 (pgs. 132-133)

HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 25:31-46 (pgs. 133-134)

READER:  Phillip 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: George Karas, Alex Marlis, Sophia Menendez, Tony Panagopoulos, George Papageorge

PROSPHORON:  Debbie Koutromanos

HOSPITALITY: Sunday School/Godparent Sunday

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

    February 24 to March 11, 2019

    Sunday, February 24

    +Memorial: 6-Months Nabil Hinnawi

    Sunday School

    +Memorial: 1-Year Lorraine Mente

    +Memorial: 40-Days James Agnos, 3-Years Angela Agnos

    7:30AM Prosforon: Aaron/Danielle Christodoulou

    8:15AM Matins

    9:15AM Divine Liturgy

    11:15AM Hospitality: GOYA

    8:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Men

    Monday, February 25

    6:00PM Ionians

    7:00PM Adult Education Series: The Meaning of Great & Holy Lent

    7:00PM Dorians

    Tuesday, February 26

    8:30AM Hall & Cry Room Used: Presvytera

    5:45PM Greek School Classes

    6:00PM Greek School: Adults

    8:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Men

    Wednesday, February 27

    11:30AM Deadline to RSVP for JOY's Memorial/Koliva Workshop

    Thursday, February 28

    4:00PM OCWA Scholarship Award Dinner Celebration @ Alioto's Restaurant

    Friday, March 1

    DEADLINE: AHEPA Chapter 43 Scholarship Application

    10:30AM Bible Studies (Eng.)

    4:00PM Fish Fry

    Saturday, March 2

    8:00AM Saturday of the Souls - Orthros and Divine Liturgy

    4:00PM Hall Used - Golden Agers: Tsiknopempti Glenti

    Sunday, March 3

    Sunday School - Godparent Sunday/No Classes

    +Memorial: 1-Year Perry Mayes, 24-Years James Mayes, 13-Years Eugenia Mayes

    +Memorial: +40-Days Vasilios Karampelas, 1-Year Evangelia Karampela, 3-Years Kalliopi Dakoura

    Godparents Day

    7:30AM Prosforon: Debbie Koutromanos

    8:15AM Matins

    9:15AM Divine Liturgy

    11:15AM Philoptochos Meeting

    11:15AM Hospitality: Sunday School/Godparent Sunday

    1:30PM +Baptism

    8:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Men

    Monday, March 4

    Animal Products (But Not Meat) Allowed All Week

    6:00PM Ionians

    7:00PM Dorians

    7:00PM Adult Education Series: The Meaning of Great & Holy Lent

    Tuesday, March 5

    Animal Products (But Not Meat) Allowed All Week

    10:00AM Fire Drill

    5:45PM Greek School Classes

    6:00PM Greek School: Adults

    8:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Men

    Wednesday, March 6

    Animal Products (But Not Meat) Allowed All Week

    Fr Ted Scholarship Application Deadline

    Thursday, March 7

    Animal Products (But Not Meat) Allowed All Week

    Friday, March 8

    Animal Products (But Not Meat) Allowed All Week

    Coming DEADLINE: The Vine announcements

    10:30AM Bible Studies (Eng.)

    4:00PM Fish Fry

    5:00PM JOY dinner and Koliva making retreat at church

    Saturday, March 9

    Animal Products (But Not Meat) Allowed All Week

    8:00AM Saturday of the Souls - Orthros and Divine Liturgy

    9:00AM +Saturday of Souls

    10:30AM Tentative: Paige Klonis Service Project

    Sunday, March 10

    Sunday School

    Animal Products (But Not Meat) Allowed All Week

    Deadline: The Vine Announcements

    7:30AM Prosforon: Agoro Rodopoulos

    8:15AM Matins

    9:15AM Divine Liturgy

    11:15AM Hospitality: Philoptochos-Tiropita Sale

    1:30PM +Baptism

    3:30PM Forgiveness Vespers

    8:00PM BBALL Practice: YAL Men

    Monday, March 11

    DOP: Clean Monday Retreat

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Our News and Interests

Stscnh.1

Realm Connect - It's here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 


Sermon Series: Anatomy of a Healthy Church

Sermon Series: Anatomy of a Healthy Church


Holiday shopping?

Scrip Info poster

 

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


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!


Adult Education Class


GOYA's Project Mexico 2019

2019 Project Mexico


Golden Agers - Tsiknopempti Dinner

Golden Agers - Tsiknopempti


2019.03.03 Godparent Sunday

2019.03.03 Godparent Sunday


2019.03.8-9 JOY: Memorials & Koliva making

2019.03.08 JOY Memorials n Koliva


2019 Lent Wednesday Program

April 3rd Lenten Dinner will be hosted by our Parish Council

We are still looking for someone to host the March 20th Dinner

2019 Lent Wednesday Program


2019.03.23 Lenten Retreat

2019.03.23 Lenten Retreat


Golden Agers - Loukoumades

Golden Agers - Loukoumades


Family Synaxis: Lenten Retreat

2019.03.30 Family Synaxis


ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FASTING GUIDELINES

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

1. Meat—We remove all meat products

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

3. Fish—We remove all fish with a backbone

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

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

 

So, our calendar fasting symbols mean:

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

2.       Dairy/Eggs Allowed: No Meat

3.       Fish Allowed: No Meat/Dairy/Eggs

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

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


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Bulletin Inserts

    Children's Word

    Children's Word

    OCN's weekly bulletin for children


    GO Metropolis of Chicago: Job Opportunity

    GO Metropolis of Chicago: Job Opportunity

    Our Metropolis is looking for an Executive Director! Check it out and share!


    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.


    AHEPA 43 Scholarship Application and Info

    AHEPA 43 Scholarship Application and Info

    Deadline is March 1st, 2019


    2019 Fr. Ted Scholarship application

    2019 Fr. Ted Scholarship application

    Deadline is March 6th, 2019


    AHEPA 13 Scholarship Info & Application

    AHEPA 13 Scholarship Info & Application

    Deadline is March 15th, 2019


    Heritage Greece Program

    Heritage Greece Program

    Deadline: March 15, 2019


    2019 GOA Scholarships

    2019 GOA Scholarships

    Deadline May 3rd, 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

Prodson
February 24

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today's Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God's compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition -- inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries -- we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God's compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin -- no matter how great it may be -- that can overcome at any time His love for man.


07_john2
February 24

First & Second Finding of the Venerable Head of John the Baptist

The first finding came to pass during the middle years of the fourth century, through a revelation of the holy Forerunner to two monks, who came to Jerusalem to worship our Saviour's Tomb. One of them took the venerable head in a clay jar to Emesa in Syria. After his death it went from the hands of one person to another, until it came into the possession of a certain priest-monk named Eustathius, an Arian. Because he ascribed to his own false belief the miracles wrought through the relic of the holy Baptist, he was driven from the cave in which he dwelt, and by dispensation forsook the holy head, which was again made known through a revelation of Saint John, and was found in a water jar, about the year 430, in the days of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger, when Uranius was Bishop of Emesa.


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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. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15.

Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Προκείμενον. Grave Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 63.11,1.
Εὐφρανθήσεται δίκαιος ἐν Κυρίῳ.
Στίχ. Εἰσάκουσον, ὁ Θεός, τῆς φωνῆς μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 4:6-15.

Ἀδελφοί, ὁ θεὸς ὁ εἰπὼν ἐκ σκότους φῶς λάμψαι, ὃς ἔλαμψεν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν πρὸς φωτισμὸν τῆς γνώσεως τῆς δόξης τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν προσώπῳ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Ἔχομεν δὲ τὸν θησαυρὸν τοῦτον ἐν ὀστρακίνοις σκεύεσιν, ἵνα ἡ ὑπερβολὴ τῆς δυνάμεως ᾖ τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ μὴ ἐξ ἡμῶν· ἐν παντὶ θλιβόμενοι, ἀλλʼ οὐ στενοχωρούμενοι· ἀπορούμενοι, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐξαπορούμενοι· διωκόμενοι, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐγκαταλειπόμενοι· καταβαλλόμενοι, ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἀπολλύμενοι· πάντοτε τὴν νέκρωσιν τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματι περιφέροντες, ἵνα καὶ ἡ ζωὴ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματι ἡμῶν φανερωθῇ. Ἀεὶ γὰρ ἡμεῖς οἱ ζῶντες εἰς θάνατον παραδιδόμεθα διὰ Ἰησοῦν, ἵνα καὶ ἡ ζωὴ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ φανερωθῇ ἐν τῇ θνητῇ σαρκὶ ἡμῶν. Ὥστε ὁ μὲν θάνατος ἐν ἡμῖν ἐνεργεῖται, ἡ δὲ ζωὴ ἐν ὑμῖν. Ἔχοντες δὲ τὸ αὐτὸ πνεῦμα τῆς πίστεως, κατὰ τὸ γεγραμμένον, Ἐπίστευσα, διὸ ἐλάλησα, καὶ ἡμεῖς πιστεύομεν, διὸ καὶ λαλοῦμεν· εἰδότες ὅτι ὁ ἐγείρας τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν καὶ ἡμᾶς διὰ Ἰησοῦ ἐγερεῖ, καὶ παραστήσει σὺν ὑμῖν. Τὰ γὰρ πάντα διʼ ὑμᾶς, ἵνα ἡ χάρις πλεονάσασα διὰ τῶν πλειόνων τὴν εὐχαριστίαν περισσεύσῃ εἰς τὴν δόξαν τοῦ θεοῦ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
The Reading is from Luke 15:11-32

The Lord said this parable: "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his belly with the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 15:11-32

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωπός τις εἶχε δύο υἱούς. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ νεώτερος αὐτῶν τῷ πατρί· πάτερ, δός μοι τὸ ἐπιβάλλον μέρος τῆς οὐσίας. καὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοῖς τὸν βίον. καὶ μετ᾿ οὐ πολλὰς ἡμέρας συναγαγὼν ἅπαντα ὁ νεώτερος υἱὸς ἀπεδήμησεν εἰς χώραν μακράν, καὶ ἐκεῖ διεσκόρπισε τὴν οὐσίαν αὐτοῦ ζῶν ἀσώτως. δαπανήσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ πάντα ἐγένετο λιμὸς ἰσχυρὸς κατὰ τὴν χώραν ἐκείνην, καὶ αὐτὸς ἤρξατο ὑστερεῖσθαι. καὶ πορευθεὶς ἐκολλήθη ἑνὶ τῶν πολιτῶν τῆς χώρας ἐκείνης, καὶ ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς ἀγροὺς αὐτοῦ βόσκειν χοίρους. καὶ ἐπεθύμει γεμίσαι τὴν κοιλίαν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν κερατίων ὧν ἤσθιον οἱ χοῖροι, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐδίδου αὐτῷ. εἰς ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἐλθὼν εἶπε· πόσοι μίσθιοι τοῦ πατρός μου περισσεύουσιν ἄρτων, ἐγὼ δὲ λιμῷ ἀπόλλυμαι! ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ ἐρῶ αὐτῷ· πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου. οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου· ποίησόν με ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου. καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ. ἔτι δὲ αὐτοῦ μακρὰν ἀπέχοντος εἶδεν αὐτὸν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ δραμὼν ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ υἱός· πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου, καὶ οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος κληθῆναι υἱός σου. εἶπε δὲ ὁ πατὴρ πρὸς τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ· ἐξενέγκατε τὴν στολὴν τὴν πρώτην καὶ ἐνδύσατε αὐτόν, καὶ δότε δακτύλιον εἰς τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑποδήματα εἰς τοὺς πόδας, καὶ ἐνέγκαντες τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτὸν θύσατε, καὶ φαγόντες εὐφρανθῶμεν, ὅτι οὗτος ὁ υἱός μου νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη. καὶ ἤρξαντο εὐφραίνεσθαι. ῏Ην δὲ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ὁ πρεσβύτερος ἐν ἀγρῷ· καὶ ὡς ἐρχόμενος ἤγγισε τῇ οἰκίᾳ, ἤκουσε συμφωνίας καὶ χορῶν, καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος ἕνα τῶν παίδων ἐπυνθάνετο τί εἴη ταῦτα. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἥκει καὶ ἔθυσεν ὁ πατήρ σου τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν, ὅτι ὑγιαίνοντα αὐτὸν ἀπέλαβεν. ὠργίσθη δὲ καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν εἰσελθεῖν. ὁ οὖν πατὴρ αὐτοῦ ἐξελθὼν παρεκάλει αὐτόν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπε τῷ πατρί· ἰδοὺ τοσαῦτα ἔτη δουλεύω σοι καὶ οὐδέποτε ἐντολήν σου παρῆλθον, καὶ ἐμοὶ οὐδέποτε ἔδωκας ἔριφον ἵνα μετὰ τῶν φίλων μου εὐφρανθῶ· ὅτε δὲ ὁ υἱός σου οὗτος, ὁ καταφαγών σου τὸν βίον μετὰ πορνῶν, ἦλθεν, ἔθυσας αὐτῷ τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· τέκνον, σὺ πάντοτε μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ εἶ, καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐμὰ σά ἐστιν· εὐφρανθῆναι δὲ καὶ χαρῆναι ἔδει, ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου οὗτος νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἀνέζησε, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς ἦν καὶ εὑρέθη.


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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.

Apolytikion for 1st and 2nd Finding of the Head of the Forerunner in the Fourth Mode

The Forerunner's sacred head, having dawned forth from the earth, doth send incorruption's rays unto the faithful, whereby they find healings of their ills. From on high he gathereth the choirs of the Angels and on earth he summoneth the whole race of mankind, that they with one voice might send up glory to Christ our God.
Εκ γής ανατείλασα η τού Προδρόμου κεφαλή, ακτίνας αφίησι τής αφθαρσίας, πιστοίς τών ιάσεων, άνωθεν συναθροίζει, τήν πληθύν τών Αγγέλων, κάτωθεν συγκαλείται, τών ανθρώπων τό γένος, ομόφωνον αναπέμψαι, δόξαν Χριστώ τώ Θεώ.

Apolytikion for the Church in the Fourth Mode

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

 

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

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory, and in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, "I have sinned before You Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants."
Τῆς πατρῴας, δόξης σου, ἀποσκιρτήσας ἀφρόνως, ἐν κακοῖς ἐσκόρπισα, ὅν μοι παρέδωκας πλοῦτον· ὅθεν σοι τὴν τοῦ Ἀσώτου, φωνὴν κραυγάζω· Ἥμαρτον ἐνώπιόν σου Πάτερ οἰκτίρμον, δέξαι με μετανοοῦντα, καὶ ποίησόν με, ὡς ἕνα τῶν μισθίων σου.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

He who truly wishes to believe in God must be lifted above himself, his mind, and even the whole world. For this reason, the value of faith is considered higher than the value of man. It is even higher than the value of the whole world. Therefore, the reward of faith should be higher than all of man's possessions along with the glories of this world. The reward of faith is God.
Fr. Matthew the Poor
Orthodox Prayer Life: The Interior Way, p. 74, 20th century

What is it that I love when I love you? Not the beauty of a body or the comeliness of time. Nor the luster of the light pleasing to the eyes, nor the sweet melodies of all manner of songs, nor the fragrance of flowers, ointments and spices, not manna and honey, nor limbs welcome to the embrace of the flesh - I do not love these when I love my God. And yet there is a kind of light, a kind of voice, a kind of fragrance, a kind of foods, a kind of embrace, when I love my God, who is the light, voice, fragrance, food, embrace of the inner man, where there shines into the soul that which no place can contain, and there sounds forth that which time cannot end, where there is fragrance which no breeze disperses, taste which eating does not make less, and a clinging together which fulfillment does not terminate. It is this that I love when I love my God.
St. Augustine
Confessions 10.6 in The Confessions of St. Augustine, p. 244, 5th century

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