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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2020-03-22
Bulletin Contents
Parish News & Events
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
03_calvary
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (919) 781-4548
  • Fax:
  • (919) 781-4568
  • Street Address:

  • 5000 Lead Mine Road

  • Raleigh, NC 27612

Contact Information

Proistamenos Fr. Paul N. Christy


HTRaleighFr@gmail.com | 919-781-4548

Deacon Gavrilo Milkovich


deacongavrilo@gmail.com | 919-781-4548

Manager Parish Office

htraleighoffice@gmail.com | 919-781-4548

Services Schedule

Orthros/ Matins: Sunday: 8:30 a.m.


Liturgy: Sunday: 10:00 a.m. ;  Weekday: Please see Parish Newsletter.


Vespers: See Parish Bulletin.


Bible Study: Please see Sunday Bulletin for details.


Other Parish Info: Book Club, please see Sunday Bulletin for details.

Past Bulletins


Parish News & Events

 

 

 

 

 

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 

Sunday of The Holy Cross 

March 22, 2020 

 

Councilors: Georgallis, Tsikerdanos*, Perryman, Panagos; 

Altar Group: St. John Chrysostom

Ambassadors: Linda Kledaras, Harry Kledaras 

Broadcast Team: Pappas, Drosakis, Coffin;

 

 

No Sunday School 

 

A LETTER FROM METROPOLITAN ALEXIOS 

March 16, 2020

 

To the Reverend Monastics & Clergy, the Esteemed Archons, Parish Councils, Philoptochos Societies, and Faithful of the Metropolis of Atlanta:

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,  

I greet you with love and joy in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I pray that this message finds you well, as we journey to the halfway point of Great Lent! 

The ever-changing situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the Coronavirus) means that your Metropolis wishes to offer you appropriate updates concerning how this disease will have an impact on our daily lives, including aspects of our liturgical and sacramental lives. 

This past Saturday the Archbishop and Holy Eparchial Synod of our Archdiocese had a teleconference, and discussed: the 2,000 year history and experience of our earthly Church, our expectations for the spiritual and physical well-being of all, as well as abiding by recommendations and directives of various State and Local government agencies. 

The CDC has recently issued a statement instructing those hosting large gatherings to either consider postponing their events for at least eight weeks—or, as an alternative, to limit the number of people in attendance. We are mindful of the importance of doing our part to limit the potential spread of this disease, both as parishes, and as a Metropolis. We understand at this moment, that our obligations as Orthodox Christians are to put into practice the directives of the scientific community, while still honoring our Holy Tradition by encouraging the health and safety of our community. 

In times such as these, I wish to stress the importance of individual discernment. Regarding any choice you make for church attendance, or anything else, examine your heart. Ask yourself: Am I healthy? Am I ill? Do I have health risks? Am I exposing others and myself unnecessarily? Etc. 

Therefore, be mindful that you are part of a family, and that any decisions you make will impact not only your immediate family but society at large. Or, simply to put in action the commandment of our Lord, “You shall love the Lord your God…and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) 

Please also remember that if you or a family member feels the need to abstain from any liturgical gatherings, the Church in its loving practice, always prays and thinks of the people who are “absent” for good cause. (Taken from the Liturgy of St. Basil) We encourage those whose communities have live-streaming capabilities to participate in the Liturgy in the safety of their homes. If anyone wishes not to come to church, the Holy Eparchial Synod extends this blessing; as such a decision is not a sin, but an act of love and responsibility for one’s self and their fellow human beings in order to comply with the guidelines of the CDC for social and group gatherings. We encourage the faithful to participate in the experience of sacred worship at home, on TV, or using multimedia platforms. Continuing in this spirit of love and discernment, what follows are the official Metropolis guidelines for the bodily and spiritual well-being of all during this time: 

1. All non-liturgical activities are to be suspended until further notice. This includes, but is not limited to: 

•Youth Ministries like Day Schools, Greek Schools, Catechetical Schools, HOPE/JOY, GOYA, OCF, Young Adult, and Hellenic Dance 

•Adult Education Classes or Bible Studies 

•Philoptochos 

•All ministries intended for seniors 

•Luncheons, speakers, Hellenic Fraternal Organizations and social gatherings 

(i.e. Book Clubs) 

•Athletic Activities 

•Service Projects 

(Should your parish have the means to conduct Bible Studies over video, you may use this technology until in-person events can be resumed) 

2. If your parish has more than one Chant Stand, each stand should have only ONE Chanter or Choir Member. Your Chanter or Choir Member should take the place of all choirs (Mixed Gender, Youth, or Men’s) during the services 

3. The passing of trays will be suspended, and the means to make an offering should be available through US Mail or online giving. 

4. As for the Memorials, please write the names of your deceased to the clergy so that they can pray for the souls (without Kolyva). 

5. Funerals shall be limited to the immediate family, and there will be neither visitations the evening before, nor makarias following the service. 

 6. In the event that the Sacrament of Baptism cannot be postponed, this service should also be limited just to the immediate family, with gatherings being avoided. 

7. For these safety precautions to be effective, those attending church should immediately leave when the service is finished. For the sake of others, please do not socialize in the Narthex. Additionally, Sunday Coffee Fellowship hours should also be suspended until further notice. 

8. Parishioners in the hospitals or shut-ins will be supported during this time as well. 

9. Parish Council and ministry meetings should continue to meet as normally scheduled and should only be conducted through conference calls or video conferencing. 

10. Offices should remain open for their normal hours—but all business should be conducted over phone or by email.

Being mindful of the fact that some of our parishioners do not have access to email, we ask that their family members please disseminate this information to those who might not have received it. 

Even if we cannot be present inside the church itself, we too can remain close to our Lord through prayer. I would like all of us—monastics, clergy and laity—to set a time each evening at 8 PM EST for the next few weeks until the Saturday of Lazarus, to use the attached prayer so that collectively we will unite our hearts and prayers to Almighty God, as the early Christians did: “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” (Acts 12:5) 

As we are in the time of the Feast of the Veneration of the Holy Cross, let us pray for one another and with this, I remain, 

Paternally and prayerful yours, 

+ALEXIOS 

Metropolitan of Atlanta 

 

2020 SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IS NOW APRIL 10 

Please note a change in the deadline to submit the Scholarship Application. The 2020 scholarship application is available on holytrinityraleigh.org under “Resources” and printed copies are available in the foyer. High school seniors, college and graduate students are eligible to apply. Completed applications must be received in the church office no later than April 10. 

Thank you to the Holy Trinity families who sponsor scholarships! 

 

2020 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN UPDATE 

We hope that all of you are staying safe and well. We are living in extraordinary times, and navigating waters that are unchartered for most. Our faith is the most important thing we can rely upon when battling such uncertainty. Please remember our beacon of hope and love, Holy Trinity, as we all must continue to rely on our spirituality for comfort and strength. And although we are all quarantined indefinitely in an effort to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, please continue to do your part as a good steward of our church community. Despite its temporary closing to the public, Holy Trinity’s expenses, especially in relation to Compensation, Archdiocese and Facilities, will not slow down. Thank you! 

Also, if you are unable to attend scheduled services, you can easily take advantage of our livestream viewing option (http://www.holytrinityraleigh.org/community/parish-ministries/audio-visual-broadcasting). 

Please use our online giving ite (https://abundant.co/holytrinityraleigh/give) or mail your donation and pledges to continue your stewardship. If you have a question about donating or your stewardship, please call the church office, 

or contact Angela Georgallis at 919-339-3169 or acgeorgallis@gmail.com. 

 

LOCAL ORATORICAL FINALISTS 

Congratulationas to our Oratorical Festival Winners! 

Junior finalists: Anais Idoura, Sarah Demos 

Senior finalists: Andreea Cornea, Eirena Klemes 

 

This Week at Holy Trinity 

 

SUN MAR 22ND 

SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS 

8:30AM: ORTHROS 

10:00AM:  LITURGY 

 

WED MAR 25TH 

ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS 

8:30AM:  ORTHROS 

9:30AM: LITURGY 

 

FRI MAR 27TH 

6:30PM: SALUTATIONS TO THE VIRGIN MARY

 

SUN MAR 29TH 

SUNDAY OF ST. JOHN CLIMACUS 

8:30AM: ORTHROS 

10:00AM:  LITURGY 

MEMORIAL: EVETTE TOULIS (40 DAY)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers' lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.
Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέῳξας τῷ Λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.

The translations of hymns are under copyright and used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

  • Resurrectional Apolytikion in Grave Tone © Greek Standard Text
  • Resurrectional Apolytikion in Grave Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery
  • Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Tone © Greek Standard Text
  • Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the First Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Greek Standard Text
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Narthex Press
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    Saints and Feasts

    03_calvary
    March 22

    Sunday of the Holy Cross

    With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

    Allsaint
    March 22

    Basil the Holy Martyr of Ancyra

    Saint Basil strove in martyrdom during the short reign of Julian the Apostate, from 361-363. The Saint was denounced as a Christian to Saturninus, Governor of Ancyra, who, when Basil would not deny Christ, had him hanged from a post and scraped on his sides, then beaten, and cast into prison. A few days later, when Julian himself came through Ancyra, the Saint was brought before him and was asked to deny Christ, Whom he rather confessed the more. Julian then had strips cut in his flesh, so that they were left hanging from his body in front and in back. The valiant Martyr tore one of these strips off of his body and cast it into Julian's face. At this Julian commanded that iron spits be heated fiery hot; Saint Basil's belly, his back, and all his joints were pierced with them, and he received the crown of martyrdom.

    Allsaint
    March 23

    The Holy Righteous Martyr Nicon and His 199 Disciples

    Saint Nicon was from Neapolis (Naples) in Italy. His father was an idolater and his mother a Christian. At first he was a soldier, but later he went to the East, where he was baptized and in time became a bishop. After some years, he returned to the West and came to Sicily, where he and many of his disciples were put to death by beheading because they would not worship the idols.

    Annuncia
    March 25

    Annunciation of the Theotokos

    Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

    Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)

    Gabriel1
    March 26

    Synaxis in honor of the Archangel Gabriel

    This festive Synaxis is celebrated to the glory of the Archangel Gabriel, since he ministered to the marvelous mystery of God's incarnate dispensation.

    Matrona
    March 27

    The Holy Matrona of Thessalonica

    This martyr was the servant of a certain Jewish woman named Pantilla, the wife of the Governor of Thessalonica. When Matrona refused to follow her mistress into the synagogue Pantilla beat her so severly that she died in a few days, and thus received the crown of her confession.

    Allsaint
    March 28

    Hilarion the New

    Saint Hilarion took up the monastic life from his youth and lived in seclusion. Later, as Abbot of the Monastery of Pelecete in Asia Minor (believed to be in Bithynia, not far from Triglia), he suffered much from the Iconoclasts, and reposed in the year 754.

    Climicus
    March 29

    Sunday of St. John Climacus

    The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.

    Allsaint
    March 29

    Mark, Bishop of Arethusa

    Saint Mark was Bishop of Arethusa in Syria. In the days of Saint Constantine the Great, Saint Mark, moved with divine zeal, destroyed a temple of the idols and raised up a church in its stead. When Julian the Apostate reigned, in 361, as the pagans were now able to avenge the destruction of their temple, Saint Mark, giving way to wrath, hid himself; but when he saw that others were being taken on his account, he gave himself up. Having no regard to his old age, they stripped him and beat his whole body, cast him into filthy sewers, and pulling him out, had children prick him with their iron writing-pens. Then they put him into a basket, smeared him with honey and a kind of relish of pickled fish, and hung him up under the burning sun to be devoured by bees and wasps. But because he bore this so nobly, his enemies repented, and unloosed him.

    Allsaint
    March 29

    Martyr Cyril the Deacon and Those with him

    أخبر عنه ثيودوريتوس انه كان شماس كنيسة بعلبك. فلما صدر امر ملكي لدكّ هيكل فينوس في بعلبك انقض كيرللس على المكان بحماسة شديدة وحرّض الناس على هدّمه فحقد عليه الوثنيون حقدا شديدا لكنهم كظموا غيظهم إلى وقت مؤات. فلما انقلبت الأيام وحلت ساعة الظلمة انتقموا منه وممن أمكنهم الوصول إليهم، راهبات وخدام كنيسة. فخلال العام 362م اقتحم الوثنيون ديرا للراهبات واستاقوا مَن فيه إلى الموضع حيث كان هيكل فينس. هناك عرّضوهن لدناءات وحقارات جمة.

    أما كيرللس فقد انقض عليه الضالون وجرروه في الأوحال وضربوه ضربا مميتا لا هوادة فيه. ثم فتحوا صدره واستأصلوا كبده وأكلوه نيئا كالحيوانات المفترسة. لكن لم تبق جريمتهم دون عقاب طويلا. فإن أسنان الذين ارتكبوها، على ما ورد، تفتّتت وأكل الدود ألسنة البعض وفقد آخرون البصر.

    وفي عسقلان وغزة، وهما مدينتان فلسطينيتان، كانت الوثنية شرسة. هناك أيضا أمسك الوثنيون خداما كنسيّين ونسوة مكرّسات وانتزعوا أحشاءهم وجعلوا في أقفاص صدورهم شعيرا وألقوها رعيا للخنازير.

    كذلك فتح المهاجمون في سبسطيا صندوق بقايا القديس يوحنا السابق المجيد وألقوها في النار ثم ذرّوا رمادها في كل اتجاه.

    رغم كل شيء، رغم هذه الفظائع الرهيبة لم ينجح لا يوليانوس ولا الوثنيون في استعادة عبادة الأوثان وبقي الشعب ، في أكثريته، غير مبال بها لدرجة ان يوليانوس لما رغب في إقامة عيد كبير لأبولون في أنطاكية فوجئ ان الهيكل كان فارغا إلا منه ومن حاشيته فيما كان أهل المدينة خارجا يسخرون منه.

    Allsaint
    March 29

    The Holy Martyrs Jonas and Barachesius

    As for the holy Martyrs Jonas and Barachesius, they were monks from Persia who lived in the reign of Sapor II, King of Persia from 325 to 379. These Saints found nine Christians in prison suffering for their faith, and comforted them, encouraging them to stand fast till the end, which they did, and received the crown of martyrdom. Because of this, Saints Jonas and Barachesius also were seized, and commanded to worship the fire, the sun, and the water. When they refused, Jonas, among other tortures, had his hands and feet cut off, was crushed in a device that broke his bones, and was sawn asunder. Barachesius was dragged naked over thorns, his whole body was pierced with sharp reeds and then broken in the same device employed upon Jonas, and when boiling pitch was poured down his throat, he gave up his soul into the hands of God.

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    Gospel and Epistle Readings

    Matins Gospel Reading

    Seventh Orthros Gospel
    Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:1-10

    Τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἔρχεται πρωῒ σκοτίας ἔτι οὔσης εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ βλέπει τὸν λίθον ἠρμένον ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου. τρέχει οὖν καὶ ἔρχεται πρὸς Σίμωνα Πέτρον καὶ πρὸς τὸν ἄλλον μαθητὴν ὃν ἐφίλει ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· ἦραν τὸν Κύριον ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου, καὶ οὐκ οἴδαμεν ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν. ἐξῆλθεν οὖν ὁ Πέτρος καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς καὶ ἤρχοντο εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον. ἔτρεχον δὲ οἱ δύο ὁμοῦ· καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς προέδραμε τάχιον τοῦ Πέτρου καὶ ἦλθε πρῶτος εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει κείμενα τὰ ὀθόνια, οὐ μέντοι εἰσῆλθεν. ἔρχεται οὖν Σίμων Πέτρος ἀκολουθῶν αὐτῷ, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον καὶ θεωρεῖ τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα, καὶ τὸ σουδάριον, ὃ ἦν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, οὐ μετὰ τῶν ὀθονίων κείμενον, ἀλλὰ χωρὶς ἐντετυλιγμένον εἰς ἕνα τόπον. τότε οὖν εἰσῆλθε καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς ὁ ἐλθὼν πρῶτος εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εἶδε καὶ ἐπίστευσεν· οὐδέπω γὰρ ᾔδεισαν τὴν γραφὴν ὅτι δεῖ αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῆναι. ἀπῆλθον οὖν πάλιν πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς οἱ μαθηταί.

    Seventh Orthros Gospel
    The Reading is from John 20:1-10

    On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

    Epistle Reading

    Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
    Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
    Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

    τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 4:14-16, 5:1-6.

    Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν· μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν· καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.

    Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
    O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
    Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

    The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6.

    BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

    Gospel Reading

    Sunday of the Holy Cross
    Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8:34-38, 9:1

    Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.

    Sunday of the Holy Cross
    The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

    The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

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    Wisdom of the Fathers

    And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."
    St. John Chrysostom
    Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

    "I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.
    St. John Chrysostom
    Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

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