Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

The stone that had been sealed before Your tomb by the Jews and the soldiers guarding did watch over Your pure and sacred body. O Savior the third day You arose, and unto all the world did You give life. Where by all the heavenly powers did proclaim that You are the giver of life. Glory unto our resurrected Christ. Glory unto Your Kingdom. Glory to Your dispensation O You alone who loves all.

Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion for Euthymius the Great in the Fourth Mode

Be glad, O barren one, that hast not given birth; be of good cheer, thou that hast not travailed; for a man of desires hath multiplied thy children of the Spirit, having planted them in piety and reared them in continence to the perfection of the virtues. By his prayers, O Christ our God, make our life peaceful.

Εὐφραίνου ἔρημος ἡ οὐ τίκτουσα, εὐθύμησον ἡ οὐκ ὠδίνουσα, ὅτι ἐπλήθυνέ σοὶ τέκνα, ἀνὴρ ἐπιθυμιῶν τῶν τοῦ Πνεύματος, εὐσεβεία φυτεύσας, ἐγκρατεία ἐκθρέψας, εἰς ἀρετῶν τελειότητα. Ταὶς αὐτοῦ ἱκεσίαις, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, εἰρήνευσον τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν.

Apolytikion of the Annunciation in the Fourth Mode

Today is the beginning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery of the ages. O the Son of God becomes on this day the Virgin’s Son and Gabriel proclaims this gift from God. Together with him we cry out to the Theotokos singing: Hail to you who are filled with grace. The Lord is with you.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.

Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου, καὶ χείρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νὺν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος.

Saints and Feasts

January 20

Righteous Euthymius the Great

This Saint, who was from Melitene in Armenia, was the son of pious parents named Paul and Dionysia. He was born about 377. Since his mother had been barren, he was named Euthymius-which means "good cheer" or "joy"-for this is what his parents experienced at his birth. He studied under Eutroius, the Bishop of Melitene, by whom he was ordained and entrusted with the care of the monasteries of Melitene. Then, after he had come to Palestine about the year 406, he became the leader of a multitude of monks. Through him, a great tribe of Arabs was turned to piety, when he healed the ailing son of their leader Aspebetos. Aspebetos was baptized with all his people; he took the Christian name of Peter, and was later consecrated Bishop for his tribe, being called "Bishop of the Tents." Saint Euthymius also fought against the Nestorians, Eutychians, and Manichaeans. When Eudocia, the widow of Saint Theodosius the Younger, had made her dwelling in Palestine, and had fallen into the heresy of the Monophysites which was championed in Palestine by a certain Theodosius, she sent envoys to Saint Symeon the Stylite in Syria (see Sept. 1), asking him his opinion of Eutyches and the Council of Chalcedon which had condemned him; Saint Symeon, praising the holiness and Orthodoxy of Saint Euthymius near whom she dwelt, sent her to him to be delivered from her error (the holy Empress Eudocia is commemorated Aug. 13). He became the divine oracle of the Church, or rather, "the vessel of divine utterance," as a certain historian writes. He was the instructor and elder of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified. Having lived for ninety-six years, he reposed in 473, on January 20.

January 21

Maximus the Confessor

The divine Maximus, who was from Constantinople, sprang from an illustrious family. He was a lover of wisdom and an eminent theologian. At first, he was the chief private secretary of the Emperor Heraclius and his grandson Constans. When the Monothelite heresy became predominant in the royal court, out of hatred for this error the Saint departed for the Monastery at Chrysopolis (Scutari), of which he later became the abbot. When Constans tried to constrain him either to accept the Monothelite teaching, or to stop speaking and writing against it - neither of which the Saint accepted to do - his tongue was uprooted and his right hand was cut off, and he was sent into exile where he reposed in 662. At the time only he and his few disciples were Orthodox in the East (See also August 13).

January 22

Timothy the Apostle of the 70

The Apostle Timothy, who was from Lystra of Lycaonia, was born of a Greek (that is, pagan) father and a Jewish mother. His mother's name was Eunice, and his grandmother's name was Lois (II Tim. 1:5). He became the disciple of the Apostle Paul when the latter first preached there, and he followed St. Paul during the whole period of the Apostle's preaching. Afterwards, Timothy was consecrated by him as first Bishop of the church in Ephesus. Under the supervision of John the Evangelist, who governed all the churches in Asia, he completed his life as a martyr in the year 97. He was stoned to death by the heathens, because, as some surmise, he opposed the festival held in honor of Artemis (Diana). The Apostle Paul's First and Second Epistles to Timothy were written to him.

January 22

The Righteous Martyr Anastasius of Persia

Saint Anastasius was a Persian by race, the son of a Magus, and a soldier in the Persian army in the days of Chosroes II, King of Persia, and Heraclius, Emperor of New Rome. The Saint's Persian name was Magundat.

When Chosroes captured Jerusalem in the year 614 and took the Precious Cross away captive, Magundat heard the report of the miracles that came to pass through the Cross of our salvation. Being of a prudent mind, perplexed that an instrument of torture should be so highly honored by the Christians, yet seized with longing to learn their Faith, he diligently sought out instruction in the whole divine dispensation of Christ: His Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection. When he learned what he sought to know, his soul was filled with wonder and joy. Withdrawing to the Holy City, he was baptized by Saint Modestus, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and became a monk, receiving the new name of Anastasius.

As he read the lives of the Saints and the accounts of the holy Martyrs, his heart was kindled with love for them to such a degree that he prayed to be counted worthy of a martyr's end like unto theirs. Finally, unable to contain his longing, he left his monastery. Encountering certain Persian Magi at Caesarea, he rebuked them for their delusion. Since Palestine was still held in the captivity of the Persians, he was taken before the Persian ruler, questioned, beaten, and imprisoned. He was then taken with other captives to Persia, where, after many tortures, refusing to espouse again the error of his fathers, he was hanged up by one hand, strangled with a noose, and beheaded. The translation of his holy relics is celebrated on the 24th of this month.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 149.5,1.
The saints shall rejoice in glory.
Verse: Sing to the Lord a new song.

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 149.5,1.
Καυχήσονται ὅσιοι ἐν δόξῃ
Στίχ. Ἄσατε τῷ Κυρίῳ ᾆσμα καινόν.

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

12th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 17:12-19

At that time, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus's feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."

12th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 17:12-19

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσερχομένου αὐτοῦ εἴς τινα κώμην ἀπήντησαν αὐτῷ δέκα λεπροὶ ἄνδρες, οἳ ἔστησαν πόρρωθεν, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἦραν φωνὴν λέγοντες· ᾿Ιησοῦ ἐπιστάτα, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. καὶ ἰδὼν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· πορευθέντες ἐπιδείξατε ἑαυτοὺς τοῖς ἱερεῦσι. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὑπάγειν αὐτοὺς ἐκαθαρίσθησαν. εἷς δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν, ἰδὼν ὅτι ἰάθη, ὑπέστρεψε μετὰ φωνῆς μεγάλης δοξάζων τὸν Θεόν, καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον παρὰ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ εὐχαριστῶν αὐτῷ· καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν Σαμαρείτης. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν· οὐχὶ οἱ δέκα ἐκαθαρίσθησαν; οἱ δὲ ἐννέα ποῦ; οὐχ εὑρέθησαν ὑποστρέψαντες δοῦναι δόξαν τῷ Θεῷ εἰ μὴ ὁ ἀλλογενὴς οὗτος; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἀναστὰς πορεύου· ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέ σε.

Parish News and Events

Please watch the forecast and the parking ban situation in Newburyport. As of now (Friday at 1pm) a parking ban is declared beginning 9pm Saturday, so it looks like the Sunday service will have to be cancelled. We will send an update tomorrow.

Please pray for our brothers and sisters: Gloria, Niko, Elias, Christina, Christina, Malina, John, Louise, Pete, Vincent, Rose, Veronica, John Peter, Norma, Angela, Athena, John, Lynne, Deborah, Georgia, Ivana, Mary, John, Nancy, Jane, Michael, Kostas.

2019 Parish Council members on duty are Maria Connor and John Housianitis

Saint Basil's is experiencing a shortage of volunteers supporting our Monday meals ministry. Please join our dedicated crew regularly or occasionally. Come around 9:00 am and meal service is completed around noon. Phone Cathy Chadwick 978.884.2149 for ways you can assist. Thank you! Our services provide basic necessities to those in need of home-cooked meals, companionship, and visiting our food pantry. We warmly welcome all who come through our doors.

Prosforo Schedule - January 20th - Anna Chetsas

January 27th - Andrea Jones

February 3rd - Melinda Patrick

February 10th - Tina Klidaras

February 17th - Lisa Housianitis

February 24th - Kathy Tsiantas

100th Anniversary celebrations have concluded. Thank you for your leadership and participation in our December 2017 through December 2018 events.
All of you, phone photographers be sure to get your photos to Melinda Patrick who has assumed the monumental task of compiling the BIG BOOK to commemorate our History and this year of celebrations. A meeting will be scheduled by Melinda to review information and images for the Commemorative Book. Please contact Melinda at melrosepat1954@gmail.com to participate and assist.

Showcase your Cooking Skills in one or more of scheduled upcoming events. The first weekend of February is Soup-er Bowl Sunday. This annual friendly competition is lots of fun and delicious! For the second weekend of February, the St Basil's Winter Tea table sponsors are being solicited. You and your family or friends have the opportunity to sponsor a table for this year's tea to benefit St Basil's Kitchen. Please fill in the entry form attached to this bulletin or speak with Susan George. For information about the St Basil’s Winter Tea communicate with Andrea Jones.

We are also looking at offering a Spring International Cooking Class through NACE. We would offer entrees over 4 weeks including favorite Romanian, Armenian, Russian and of course Greek entrees and pair these with a wine choice. Please contact Andrea to participate as a Guest Chef.

Fellowship Hour Coordination A volunteer opportunity exists to assume responsibility for Fellowship Hour Coordination. Andrea Jones is starting her fifth year at this task, and will partner with a replacement for the next few months. Step up and get to know everyone in the community better! Please email andreajones1@comcast.net with your interest.

Parish Events of the Week

Sunday, January 20th
9:00 am - Orthros
10:00 am - Divine Liturgy

Monday, January 21st
11:00 am - St Basil's Lunch
Office closed, no music rehearsals (MLK)

Sunday, January 27th
9:00 am - Orthros
10:00 am - Divine Liturgy

Bulletin Inserts

Souper Sunday Cookoff

Save the date

Fellowship Hour Hosts

We had our first the taste testing with a little Moussaka at the “2019 GFF kickoff” Fellowship Hour Sunday January 13^th. Suggestions to improve the dish were – a bit less char on the vegetables, maybe a touch more and less eggs in the Bechamel. Thank you to everyone who tasted!

This Sunday January 20th we are sampling a commonly followed practice in other Parishes. We will offer limited store-bought refreshments and coffee only and have removed several tables so as to encourage conversation between circulating parishioners. This is but one model of many followed by other Orthodox Churches for this gathering time after Divine Liturgy on Sundays. Discussion is taking place about several alternatives to our current practice of offering the opportunity to you to provide the refreshments of any type, as simple as Market Basket sandwich cookies (read that Oreo cookies if you like a brand name) to as complex as your Yia Yia's favorite assortment of baked goods. There are no guidelines of expectations - refreshments offered with love can be anything.

If you enjoy the opportunity to sit, relax, and catch up with your "Church Family" following the divine Liturgy, please consider sponsoring a Fellowship Hour under our current practice. Parishioner sponsored "Coffee Hours" are interspersed with fun and fundraising events led by organizations, such as the upcoming "Soup-er Bowl Sunday" cooking competition and the "Valentine’s Winter Tea" fundraiser for St Basil's.

Please see Andrea Jones at Fellowship hour, or email, text or call to pick a date. Upcoming available dates are:
   January 27^th 5^th Sunday of Luke , Zacchaeus Sunday
   February 17^th Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
   February 24^th Sunday of the Prodigal Son
   March 24^th Sunday of St Gregory Palamas
   April 7^th Sunday of John Climatus

If you feel unable to provide refreshments yourself or with Family and/or Friends consider joining the larger group of “Friends of Fellowship” who fill in under out current Fellowship hour model by providing one item each for unsponsored weeks. Kindly contact me by calling 978.465.1021, emailing andreajones1@comcast.net or texting 978.621.6123.

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