The Holy Martyr Agathonicus
The Martyr Agathonicus, because he converted pagans to Christ, was seized in Nicomedia, violently beaten, haled about in bonds, and beheaded in Selyvria, during the reign of Maximian, in the year 298.
Sunday Services: Orthros 8:15 am.
Divine Liturgy 9:30 am.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
The Martyr Agathonicus, because he converted pagans to Christ, was seized in Nicomedia, violently beaten, haled about in bonds, and beheaded in Selyvria, during the reign of Maximian, in the year 298.
The wonderworking icon of the Mother of God of Prusa was saved from destruction at the hands of the Iconoclasts in the ninth century, when a certain nobleman of Prusa (near Constantinople) brought it secretly to Greece. There he lost the icon, but it miraculously appeared in a cave in the area of Litza and Agrapha, where the monastery and the shrine of the icon are presently found. The feast today was established in commemoration of the many signs and healings that the holy Theotokos has wrought through the icon.
Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17.
Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.
9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34
At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.
PARISH NEWS
Pangari Schedule: Charles Krome, Maria Lianidis and Nick Kafkalas.
A 40 Day Memorial will be held today for Ramza Matar, mother of Rami & Ramsey Nassar. May her memory be eternal.
A 4 Year Memorial will be held today for Maria Gaitanos, mother of Ourania Gaitanos. May her memory be eternal.
A memorial will be held today for Father Paul Panos, who passed away earlier this week. May his memory be eternal.
Greek School and Sunday School Registration forms are now available. (see attached flyers)
CHURCH REMINDERS
Mask wearing is now optional, but we are strongly encouraging those who are not vaccinated and those who have medical conditions to continue wearing masks.
We will not be social distancing as we were before. However, those with special medical situations should contact Ginny, Lisa, or Father George so that they can attend the services safely and with peace of mind.
We will no longer register online for church services.
We should also sanitize our hands upon entering the Church, and we are still not kissing icons or the priest's hand.
If anyone is feeling sick they should stay home in order to protect others.
CHURCH SERVICES - SEPTEMBER
†September 1, Wednesday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., Ecclesiastical New Year
†September 8, Wednesday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., Nativity of the Theotokos
†September 9, Thursday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., Sts. Joachim & Anna
†September 14, Tuesday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
†September 16, Thursday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., St. Euphemia
†September 17, Friday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., St. Sophia (at neighboring parishes)
†September 23, Wednesday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., The Conception of St. John the Baptist
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 24: GOYA Welcome Back Gathering (see attached flyer)
September 1: Ecclesiastical New Year
September 12: Divine Liturgy in Asbury Park - Cancelled
September 12: School Blessings
September 13: Greek School Begins
September 26: Philoptochos Memorial
RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION
Holy Communion is offered to those baptized Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves for the reception of the Sacrament by prayer and fasting. Blessed Bread is available for all our visitors at the very end of the Divine Liturgy. Our Sunday School students receive Holy Communion first and then we will approach from the center aisles, starting with the front pews, one pew at a time.
If you are planning a family memorial, please contact the church office far in advance of the date, so that we can properly register your family for church attendance.
PARKING
Due to safety regulations, please do not park cars along the curb in front of the church and the community center during church services and other events. Thank you!