This Week

Sunday of the Canaanite & Priest-Martyr Haralambos, February 10
9:00 AM - Orthros, Divine Liturgy & Memorial Service, Sunday School

Wednesday, February 13
6:00 PM - Parish Fellowship Night

Saturday, February 16
4:00 PM - Bible Study; 5:00 PM - Great Vespers

Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee, TRIODION BEGINS, February 17
9:00 AM - Orthros & Divine Liturgy, Sunday School

Fasting This Week
Wed, Fri: Strict Fast; All Other Days: No Fasting

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 4th Mode

The women disciples of the Lord, having learned from the Angel the joyous news of the Resurrection and having rejected the ancestral decision, then told the apostles elatedly: Death has been stripped of its power; Christ God has risen, granting to the world His great mercy.

Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Haralambos in the 4th Mode

A pillar unshakable are you in Christ's holy Church, and, as your own name denotes, an ever radiant lamp, all-blessed Haralambos, shining throughout the whole world by your feats as a martyr, driving away the darkness of the worship of idols. With confidence, therefore, pray to Christ, entreating Him to save our souls.

Apolytikion of Church of the Dormition in the 1st Mode

In giving birth you did retain your virginity. In your repose, you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. You have passed into life, you that are the Mother of Life. And by your intercessions, you redeem our souls from death.

Ἐν τῇ Γεννήσει τὴν παρθενίαν ἐφύλαξας, ἐν τῇ Κοιμήσει τὸν κόσμον οὐ κατέλιπες Θεοτόκε. Μετέστης πρὸς τὴν ζωήν, μήτηρ ὑπάρχουσα τῆς ζωῆς, καὶ ταῖς πρεσβείαις ταῖς σαῖς λυτρουμένη, ἐκ θανάτου τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Mode

The protection of Christians unshameable, intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, do not turn from the prayerful cries of those who are in sin; instead, come to us, for you are good; your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you: Hasten to intercession and speed now to supplication as a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Hieromartyr Haralambos
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10

Timothy, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Canaanite
The Reading is from Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

Announcements & Future Events

WELCOME VISITORS — WE ARE PLEASED THAT YOU HAVE JOINED US TODAY! The Orthodox Church teaches that Holy Communion is a sign of unity. In order to receive Holy Communion in the Greek Orthodox Church, you must have been baptized or chrismated in the Christian Orthodox Faith. If you are interested in learning more about Christian Orthodoxy, please contact our Parish Priest, Father Andreas. Communicants should prepare themselves through fasting, prayer and confession. All Christians are invited to come forward at the end of Divine Liturgy to receive the Antidoron, holy bread, which is offered to all as a blessing.

What YOU Can Do to Make Them Feel Welcome: Have you noticed new faces in our Narthex, Sanctuary, and Community Center? We’ve had many visitors stop by lately. Some are Orthodox and visiting from other parishes, some are returning to Orthodoxy after a long time away, and some are coming to check out Orthodoxy for the very first time. No matter how they come to us, let’s make sure we say Hello!
“Welcome! I don’t believe we’ve met yet. My name is (your name)” is a great start. Offer to walk with them to Coffee Hour. Ask them to sit with you. A personal connection goes far!

Q & A with Father: Today is the second Sunday of the month, so our monthly educational session with Fr. Andreas will be at the end of Divine Services. Please feel free to ask Father any questions about our Orthodox faith, traditions, practices, ecclesiology, etc.

Wednesday night from 6:00 to 7:30 PM will be our Parish Fellowship Evening, for all ages, families, singles. Please bring a covered dish to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Theophany House Blessings: please email or call Fr. Andreas and let him know three date/time slots that will work for your House Blessing (we can continue offering these until Lent begins). Plan on setting aside an hour for the Blessing and time for fellowship. Great Lent begins on Clean Monday, Mar. 11 this year.

Help the least fortunate people to keep warm during this cold weather. Bring clean hats gloves scarves and lightly used jackets. Deposit them in the assigned boxes placed in the community center. Our Ladies Philoptochos Society - Panagia asks the parish to support this effort for the next three Sundays.

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT:

2019 Budget Stewardship = $90,000, we still need pledges for $31,000 to meet our goal

Total Stewards (as of 2/7/19) = 32; Average Pledge = $1,845

Jan-19 Revenue = $7,493

Jan-19 Expense = $10,177

Saints and Feasts

February 10

Hieromartyr Haralambos

This Saint was a priest of the Christians in Magnesia, the foremost city of Thessaly, in the diocese having the same name. He contested during the reign of Alexander Severus (222-235), when Lucian was Proconsul of Magnesia. At the time of his martyrdom the Saint was 103 years of age.

St. Haralampus is commemorated on February 10th, with the exception when this date falls on the Saturday of the Souls preceding Lent or on Clean Monday (the first day of Lent), in which case the feast is celebrated on February 9th.

February 11

Blaise the Holy Martyr of Sebastia

Saint Blaise was Bishop of Sebastia. Divine grace, through which he healed the diseases of men and beasts, and especially of infants, made his name famous. He contested for the Faith under Licinius in the year 316. Saint Blaise is invoked for the healing of throat ailments.

Wisdom of the Fathers

She had a great perfection of faith. She had no uncertainty about His divine majesty. She had no small measure of the virtue of patience. Yet the pitying Physician of the pitiful disdained her petitions. He kept her waiting for answer in order to demonstrate to us the perseverence of this woman that we can always imitate. She had the characteristics of constancy and humility. She willingly embraced the indignity she received, and even confirmed the Lord`s statement. This woman rightly signifies the faith and devotion of the Church gathered from the nations

Saint Bede

Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216, 217.

Faith is the beginning of our union with God: the true believers are the stone of the church of God, prepared for the edifice of God the Father, which is raised up to the heights by the power of Jesus Christ, that is, by the Cross and help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). The works of faith are love, peace, longsuffering, mercy, humility, bearing one's cross and life by the Spirit. True faith cannot remain without works. One who truly believes will also surely perform good works.

St. Seraphim of Sarov

Unknown, 19th century

Event Insert

Resources for Families

Canaanite resource sheet

General Information

Contact Information

Past Bulletins