Nestor the Martyr of Thessaloniki
As mentioned in the account concerning Saint Demetrius (October 26), this Saint contested during the reign of Maximian, in the year 290.
Orthros/Matins: Sunday, 9:00 AM
Divine Liturgy: Sunday, 10:00 AM
Today's Coffee Hour is sponsored by the Wright Family in honor of John Wright's Birthday
9:00AM Matins Service (Orthros)
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
1:00PM Pastoral Meeting
6:00PM Bible Study & Discussion
3:45PM Soup Kitchen @ Supper House, Temple Methodist Church
Collection for the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Philoptochos Meeting
Coffee Hour/Brunch is hosted by Martha Roldan & Pres Pavlina Sakellariou
9:00AM Matins Service (Orthros)
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
As mentioned in the account concerning Saint Demetrius (October 26), this Saint contested during the reign of Maximian, in the year 290.
Both the country and the time of the martyrdom of these holy Martyrs are unknown. All were beheaded, after having endured many bitter torments.
Saint Anastasia, who was young in age and lived in a convent, was seized by the impious. Confessing Christ openly and with boldness and enduring manifold torments, she was beheaded in the year 256, during the reign of Valerian.
These Saints were from Aegae in Cilicia, brought up in piety by their parents. Zenobius was a physician, and healed many freely by the power of God; because of his virtue he was consecrated Bishop of Aegae. With his sister he was taken by Lysias the Governor, and after many tortures they were beheaded, about the year 290, during the reign of Diocletian.
Of these holy Apostles, Stachys became the first Bishop of Byzantium, consecrated by the Apostle Andrew. Having shepherded his people for sixteen years, he reposed in the Lord. As for the others, each one shone forth in the episcopal see appointed to him: Apelles, Bishop of Heraclea; Amplias, Bishop of Odyssopolis; Urban, Bishop of Macedonia; Narcissus, Bishop of Athens; and Aristobulus, Bishop of Britain.
These Saints were from Asia (that is, Asia Minor). After the death of their father, their Christ-loving mother Theodota reared them in piety and in all manner of virtue, and had them instructed in every science, especially that of medicine. This became their vocation, and they went about healing every illness and malady, bestowing healing freely on both men and beasts alike; because of this, they are called "Unmercenaries." And thus, having completed the course of their life, they reposed in peace.
These Martyrs contested in Persia about the year 330, in the reign of Sapor (Shapur) II, King of Persia (325-379). Acindynus, Pegasius, and Anempodistus, Persian Christians, confessed Christ before the King, and were put to many torments. Aphthonius and Elpidophoros, drawn to the Faith of Christ through the Martyrs, were beheaded with another 7,000. Saints Acindynus, Pegasius, and Anempodistus were at last burned to death. Two churches were dedicated in their honour in Constantinople. As is often the case in church hymns, there is a play on the meanings of the Saints' names here. Acindynus means "unimperilled"; Pegasius is derived from pegazo--"to gush forth"; Aphthonius is derived from aphthonos-"abundant"; Elpidophoros means "hope-bearing"; Anempodistus means "unhindered." These are all Greek translations of their Persian names.
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.
Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.
The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 11:31-33; 12:1-9.
Brethren, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for ever, knows that I do not lie. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands.
I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven -- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise --whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows -- and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
7th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 8:41-56
At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
This Sunday's coffee hour will be hosted by the Wright Family in honor of John Wright's birthday. We wish him a happy birthday and many years!
As 2019 comes to an end, The Parish Council would like to thank each and every one of you for sharing your time, talents, and treasures with our church community. Your continuous support contributes to the long-standing success of our congregation. Please plan to honor your stewardship commitments as 2019 comes to a close. For your convenience, stewardship donations can also be given online. The PayPal system easily and safely allows for one time or reoccurring gifts to be given to the church.
2020 Commitment Cards are available at the candle stand.
9:00 AM Orthros | 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy
Thank you to all the parishioners who attended last week's Bible Study. We will meet again this Wednesday, October 30th @ 6:00 PM and will cover the following chapters from the Gospel of John: 7-10.
Supper House Soup Kitchen - Temple Methodist Church: Thursday, October 31st from 3:45 to 5:25 PM. If anyone can help please contact Julianne Laude @ 231-683-9393.
The Iconography Committee would like to thank all parishioners who donated to the beautification of our Church! As the project comes close to completion, there are still a few locations inside the Church available if anyone wishes to donate an icon to honor a family or loved one. Please contact Nick Davros (231-343-7361) for more information. The iconographer has agreed with the Committee to discounted pricing for all final icons.
Thank you to all the parishioners who are planning to attend the Monastery for the start of the Nativity Fast on Friday, November 15th. More information to follow and please contact Fr John if you have any questions or would like to attend for the day.
Friday, November 15th
Saturday, November 16th
Through a generous donation, our parish has been gifted a number of tickets. Please contact Fr. John if you would like to attend any of the following games:
Please join the Ken/Nick and Maria Ladas Hoopes, the Georgiana and Chris Grant families on SUNDAY, November 10th from 12:00-2:00 at the Muskegon Country Club 2801 Lakeshore Drive. Muskegon, MI 49441 for a brunch buffet celebrating Pat and Paul Ladas’s 80th and 85th birthdays! EVERYONE in the church is invited!! NO GIFTS ALLOWED! If you are unable to attend, please text or call 231-670-1041. If you don’t receive a hard copy invite, you are still invited! Thank you so much!! The Hoopes and Grants.
This celebration will take the place of Sunday's coffee hour.
These specially made Christmas plates and baskets are perfect holiday gifts for friends and families which offer a taste of traditional Greek pastries. Orders can be placed online or through Kristi Karis by December 6th and orders will be available for pickup on Saturday, December 14th from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
The deadline to submit names for the Christmas Card will be by Sunday, December 1st. The donation for the Christmas Card is $20. Donations and names can also be submitted online through the parish website:
On Christmas Eve of 2000, our Parish celebrated our first service in our new Church. Come celebrate our 20th Anniversary on Sunday, January 12th, 2020, after Divine Liturgy.