March 12
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2023-03-12
Bulletin Contents
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (919) 781-4548
- Email:
- htraleighfr@gmail.com
- Street Address:
- 5000 Lead Mine Road
- Raleigh, NC 27612
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Orthros/ Matins: Sunday: 8:30 a.m.
Liturgy: Sunday: 10:00 a.m. ; Weekday: Please see online Church Calendar.
Vespers: See online Church Calendar.
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2023-03-19
- Publish Date:
- 2023-03-05
- Publish Date:
- 2023-02-26
- Publish Date:
- 2023-02-19
- Publish Date:
- 2023-02-12
- Publish Date:
- 2023-02-05
Announcements
HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
RALEIGH, NC
SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2023
Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
ORTHROS 8:30 a.m. – DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 a.m.
Broadcasting begins at 8:25 a.m.
Altar Boy Team on Duty: St Gregory the Theologian
New members or visitors, please stop by the Welcome Table across from the candlestand.
Orthros and The Divine Liturgy are broadcast live online each week.
2nd Salutation to the Theotokos
Join us this Friday, March 10 at 6:30pm in order to be strengthened by the intercessions of Panagia and for protection from the demons’ darts.
Lenten Lecture Series #3 – Wed, March 15 in person
Speaker: Fr. Gregory Waynick
Subject: "Quieting Distraction"
Synopsis:
How do we draw closer to God in the busyness of our daily lives? The Desert Fathers and Mothers developed practices to reduce the distractions that keep one from closeness to God. Stillness is one of these spiritual practices. Silence, a period of stillness, a quieting of the soul is a necessary ingredient for a healthy inner life, opening ourselves to God’s action in our lives.
Bio:
Fr. Gregory (Jeff) Waynick is the husband of Laura and father of three. He has served as parish priest in Greek Orthodox parishes in Florida, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee, and also was interim priest in a Romanian Orthodox parish. Fr. Waynick has focused on reaching out to welcome people of all nationalities into our parishes. He graduated with honors from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, works full-time in finance/IT and is a CPA.
We are so grateful to our Ladies Philoptochos for providing our meal.
2nd Zoom Lenten Lecture with Fr. Paul Patitsas
Can be viewed by clicking the below link:
Lent and Holy Week Flower Sponsorship
If you are interested in providing a donation for Easter flowers,
please visit or call the church office for details.
Children's Change for Change!
At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, we will be collecting a quarter from each parishioner in support of Orthodox mission work both in our immediate community and around the globe. We are seeking two youth members to hold the baskets each month. To volunteer or for questions, please contact Zoe Pusic at 646-591-5132 or zpusic@yahoo.com. Thank you for your spare change and your generosity in supporting this effort.
Father Paul’s Comments at General Assembly
For those of you who didn’t attend last Sunday’s General Assembly,
Fr. Paul posed a rhetorical question:
“I wonder what percentage of our community is actually behind the Capital Campaign,
is it 80%, is it 90%?
In other words, how close are we to 'unity of thought and one accord'?”
Father encouraged us to approach him privately if anyone would like to either make a donation or to simply discuss matters in regard to our Building Project and/or Capital Campaign.
GOYA Oratorical Practice March 11
We will have Oratorical practice and drafting on March 11 between 3pm – 4pm in the Library.
Afterwards, between 4pm – 5:30pm, Goya will celebrate fun and fellowship
in the hall with snacks provided.
Almsgiving Baskets for St John the Merciful
Almsgiving is a fancy word for loving our neighbor. It provides for others who are poor and in need of our help. Let’s join Angels, Hope and Joy & STJM in this Lenten journey and help create an Almsgiving basket for Saint John the Merciful family. If you would like to sponsor a basket please see the sign up link below.
We ask that all completed baskets be dropped off at the church (a table will be set up in the fellowship hall)
by Tuesday, March 21st.
If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Francesca (fip3832@gmail.com), Anna(annakouba@yahoo.com) or Deacon(deacongavrilo@gmail.com).
Oratorical Festival – Saturday, March 25
The Local St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be held on Saturday March 25th at 1pm in the Church Sanctuary. We encourage all students in 7th through 12th grade to participate. The list of topics has been distributed through the Sunday School classrooms. If you have questions please contact Shae at shaejn@yahoo.com
AHEPA Sponsoring Greek Independence Day – March 26
Dear Holy Trinity Community, Greek Independence Day, March 25th is fast approaching. AHEPA will be celebrating this day on Sunday, March 26th after church. In remembrance of this day, AHEPA will have a new program by our Greek School and a short performance by our young members from our Hellenic Dance Group. In addition, we will be serving a Lenten luncheon. The adult lunch will include: the main course of broiled fish, Greek style green beans, a salad, rolls, a dessert, and coffee/tea/water. The advance adult ticket’s purchased (3/05 through 3/19) will be reduced by 20%, $20.00 each ($25.00 for the day of the event).
The kid’s lunch will have fish-sticks, fries, a salad, rolls, a dessert, and coffee/tea/water. The advance kid’s ticket (12 and under) will be $6.00 each ($8.00 for the day of the event). PLEASE help us out and purchase your tickets early. We need to estimate how many meals to prepare. In advance of your support, AHEPA wants to say “Thank You” for helping us in honoring our Greek heritage.
Holy Trinity Scholarships
Scholarships sponsored by our parish families are available for High School Seniors, College and Graduate students. The application for this year is available on holytrinityraleigh.org under the Resources tab. Applications must be completed and submitted by March 26. Questions about the application can be sent to htralscholarship@gmail.com
Best wishes to all our students!
Christians Caring for Creation Ministry
The website for the plant sale to benefit our church is now open:
You can order online at
htgoc-ccc.square.site
The last day to order plants is Saturday, April 22nd.
Sunday, April 23 in the Multipurpose Room (12:15-1:00pm):
The Pharmacy from God, Herb Workshop, and the last day to order plants
Saturday, April 29 (10am-2pm) Plant pickup
Sunday, April 30 Pick up remaining plants immediately after Divine Liturgy
Philoptochos News
To our Philoptochos sisters and supporters,
Below are some of the events and meetings that will be taking place this month, March 2023:
-Wednesday March 15th - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, followed by Lenten Lecture meal sponsored by Philoptochos.
A message from our amazing Chairs, Diane Filler and Estelle Tsikentzoglou.
Please bring a Lenten dish to share with our parish family. We would also love to have desserts, waters and fruit. Diane will be in the church hall by 5pm to receive your dishes. If it works best to drop off your dish before Diane arrives, please bring it to the church any time and place in the refrigerator, tagged Philoptochos.
We are blessed to have the opportunity to touch many lives as we fulfill our beautiful Philoptochos mission.
As we clothe, feed and care for others physically, mentally and spiritually,
it’s important we do the same for each other.
Participating in this meal allows just that.
-Sunday March 19th - General meeting at noon in the church.
Please come hear details regarding our April activities and elections that will be held in May.
-2023 Philoptochos Membership/Stewardship
We invite you to join us! Our Stewardship is from January through December each year. Please see Chairs, Sydney and Lekita or place in Philoptochos box in church office. This allows you to fully participate in the decision making process.
Thank you for opening your beautiful hearts to those in need. We truly are an #ArmyofAgape,
Lekita
The Bereavement Committee
The bereavement committee, which is a subcommittee of the Ladies Philoptochos
Society, extends an invitation for parishioners to find out more about the services we
offer to our parish families and how you might become involved in our outreach. If you
would like more information regarding our committee functions and responsibilities,
please contact Sophia Pappas, 919.606.9432 or by email: sophiagreek531@gmail.com.
Three Hierarchs Library
Have you visited our Church Library?
We have many books that will help us on our spiritual journey during this Great Lenten period.
We have books inspirational, devotional, informative and biographies of some amazing people,
heroes of our faith and much more.
Directions for checking out books are in the Library. Browse or use the card catalogue to find a book on a subject that interests you. Contact Helen McCallum if you need help.
Missions – Coin Boxes
Sunday School students received a coin box on Forgiveness Sunday. (There are extras at the candle stand.) Funds raised through the coin boxes will assist the further growth of ministries that support the reach of Christ’s Church around our world. We’ve asked that the students take them home, place a monetary gift in them each day, and pray for their brothers and sisters serving Christ’s Church around the world in mission countries. Coin boxes can be returned to the candle stand at any of the services during Holy Week.
For questions, please contact Melissa Maurides at melissa.maurides@gmail.com.
St Anthony’s Group
On Saturday, March 18th: The St. Anthony’s Group will be hosting a cross-generational round table discussion. This discussion is intended to share experiences/routines and understanding with each generation to continue healthy fellowship. The whole community is invited. A Lenten Lunch will be provided.
If you are interested in attending April 29th’s musical “All Shook Up” at 2pm in the Temple Theater (Sanford, NC) “All Shook Up!” at 2pm. Please contact toulacapetanos@yahoo.com or 919-810-2903 no later than prior to March 27th for more information.
The group rate is $27 per person.
On Tuesday, April 4th at 12:30pm in Parish Hall - Spaghetti Luncheon at 12:30pm.
The whole community is invited.
On Saturday, April 8th at 1:30pm in Parish Hall – Chair exercises.
On Friday, April 21st at 7:00pm, there is a Jazz Trio concert at Meredith College’s Carswell Auditorium – Free admission.
Please contact Toula by April 18th if you are interested in attending.
On Saturday, April 29th: Temple Theater’s (Sanford, NC) “All Shook Up!” at 2pm.
If interested, please contact toulacapetanos@yahoo.com or 919-810-2903 prior to March 27th for more information.
American Red Cross Blood Drive -May 6
SAVE THE DATE: Holy Trinity will be hosting a blood drive on Saturday, May 6th from 10:00am-2:30pm. You can sign up to be a donor by visiting redcrossblood.org or by calling
1-800-RED-CROSS. Use sponsor code HTGO. For questions, assistance with sign up
or to volunteer, please contact Zoe Pusic at zpusic@yahoo.com
or 646-591-5132. Thank you for helping us save lives!
Readers at Agape Vespers
Anyone who would like to read the assigned Gospel Lesson from St. John in a foreign language at the 11am Agape Vespers on Pascha Sunday, April 16, please contact Fr. Paul by email at htraleighfr@gmail.com.
Kalo Pascha!
UPCOMING SERVICES
FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2023
2nd SALUTATION TO THE THEOTOKOS
6:30 P.M.
(LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS AT 6:25 P.M.)
SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2023
SUNDAY OF ST. GREGORY PALAMAS
ORTHROS 8:30 A.M.
DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 A.M.
(LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS AT 8:25 A.M.)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2023
3rd PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY
6:00 P.M.
(LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS AT 5:55 P.M.)
FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2023
3rd SALUTATION TO THE THEOTOKOS
6:30 P.M.
(LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS AT 6:25 P.M.
SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2023
SUNDAY OF THE HOLY CROSS
ORTHROS 8:30 A.M.
DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 A.M.
(LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS AT 8:25 A.M.)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2023
4th PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY
6:00 P.M.
(LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS AT 5:55 P.M.)
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode
Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.
Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Gregory Palamas in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Light of Orthdoxy, pillar and teacher of the Church, adornment of monastics, invincible champion of theologians, O Gregory thou wonderworker, boast of Thessalonica, herald of grace: ever pray that our souls be saved.
Ὀρθοδοξίας ὁ φωστὴρ, Ἐκκλησίας τὸ στήριγμα καὶ διδάσκαλε, τῶν μοναστῶν ἡ καλλονὴ, τῶν θεολόγων ὑπέρμαχος ἀπροσμάχητος· Γρηγόριε θαυματουργὲ Θεσσαλονίκης τὸ καύχημα κήρυξ τῆς χάριτος· ἱκέτευε διὰ παντός, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.
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:
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Matins Gospel Reading
Sixth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:36-53
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀναστὰς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐκ νεκρῶν ἔστη ἐν μέσῳ τῶν Μαθητῶν, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Πτοηθέντες δὲ καὶ ἔμφοβοι γενόμενοι, ἐδόκουν πνεῦμα θεωρεῖν. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Τί τεταραγμένοι ἐστέ, καὶ διατὶ διαλογισμοὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; ἴδετε τὰς χεῖράς μου καὶ τοὺς πόδας μου, ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐγώ εἰμι, ψηλαφήσατέ με καὶ ἴδετε, ὅτι πνεῦμα σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα οὐκ ἔχει, καθὼς ἐμὲ θεωρεῖτε ἔχοντα. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπών, ἐπέδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας. Ἒτι δὲ ἀπιστούντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς, καὶ θαυμαζόντων, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἔχετέ τι βρώσιμον ἐνθάδε; Οἱ δὲ ἐπέδωκαν αὐτῷ ἰχθύος ὀπτοῦ μέρος, καὶ ἀπὸ μελισσίου κηρίου. Καὶ λαβών, ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ἔφαγεν. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς· Οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι, οὓς ἐλάλησα πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔτι ὢν σὺν ὑμῖν, ὅτι δεῖ πληρωθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Μωσέως καὶ Προφήταις καὶ Ψαλμοῖς περὶ ἐμοῦ. Τότε διήνοιξεν αὐτῶν τὸν νοῦν, τοῦ συνιέναι τὰς Γραφάς· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ὃτι οὕτω γέγραπται, καὶ οὕτως εἴδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστόν, καὶ ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ, καὶ κηρυχθῆναι ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ μετάνοιαν καὶ ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἀρξάμενον ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλήμ. Ὑμεῖς δέ ἐστε μάρτυρες τούτων. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρός μου ἐφ' ὑμᾶς· ὑμεῖς δὲ καθίσατε ἐν τῇ πόλει Ἱερουσαλήμ, ἕως οὗ ἐνδύσησθε δύναμιν ἐξ ὕψους. Ἐξήγαγε δὲ αὐτοὺς ἔξω εἰς Βηθανίαν, καὶ ἐπάρας τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ, εὐλόγησεν αὐτούς. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ εὐλογεῖν αὐτόν αὐτούς, διέστη ἀπ' αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀνεφέρετο εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν. Καὶ αὐτοὶ, προσκυνήσαντες αὐτόν, ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ μετὰ χαρᾶς μεγάλης. Καὶ ἦσαν διαπαντός ἐν τῷ Ἱερῷ, αἰνοῦντες καὶ εὐλογοῦντες τὸν Θεόν. Ἀμήν.
Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53
At that time, having risen from the dead, Jesus went up and stood among His disciples and said to them, "Peace be with you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle Me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave Him a piece of broiled fish [and some honeycomb], and He took it and ate before them. Then He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name in all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands, He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the Temple blessing God.
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 1:10-14, 2:1-3.
Κατʼ ἀρχάς, Κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί· αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις· καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται· σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. Πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε, Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου; Οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶν λειτουργικὰ πνεύματα, εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν; Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως ἡμᾶς προσέχειν τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσιν, μήποτε παραρρυῶμεν. Εἰ γὰρ ὁ διʼ ἀγγέλων λαληθεὶς λόγος ἐγένετο βέβαιος, καὶ πᾶσα παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ ἔλαβεν ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν, πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας; Ἥτις, ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα λαλεῖσθαι διὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐβεβαιώθη.
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 1:10-14; 2:1-3.
IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?
Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.
Gospel Reading
Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 2:1-12
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς εἰς Καπερναοὺμ δι᾿ ἡμερῶν καὶ ἠκούσθη ὅτι εἰς οἶκόν ἐστι. καὶ εὐθέως συνήχθησαν πολλοί, ὥστε μηκέτι χωρεῖν μηδὲ τὰ πρὸς τὴν θύραν· καὶ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον. καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς αὐτὸν παραλυτικὸν φέροντες, αἰρόμενον ὑπὸ τεσσάρων· καὶ μὴ δυνάμενοι προσεγγίσαι αὐτῷ διὰ τὸν ὄχλον, ἀπεστέγασαν τὴν στέγην ὅπου ἦν, καὶ ἐξορύξαντες χαλῶσι τὸν κράβαττον, ἐφ᾿ ᾧ ὁ παραλυτικὸς κατέκειτο. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· τέκνον, ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. ἦσαν δέ τινες τῶν γραμματέων ἐκεῖ καθήμενοι καὶ διαλογιζόμενοι ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν· τί οὗτος οὕτω λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός; καὶ εὐθέως ἐπιγνοὺς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τῷ πνεύματι αὐτοῦ ὅτι οὕτως αὐτοὶ διαλογίζονται ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί ταῦτα διαλογίζεσθε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν τῷ παραλυτικῷ, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀφιέναι ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἁμαρτίας - λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· σοὶ λέγω, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἠγέρθη εὐθέως, καὶ ἄρας τὸν κράβαττον ἐξῆλθεν ἐναντίον πάντων, ὥστε ἐξίστασθαι πάντας καὶ δοξάζειν τὸν Θεὸν λέγοντας ὅτι οὐδέποτε οὕτως εἴδομεν.
Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12
At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
Wisdom of the Fathers
Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you.
Homily 50.6. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol. 2: Mark. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2005, p. 27.
Now Matthew indeed saith, that "they brought him," but the others, that they also broke up the roof, and let him down. And they put the sick man before Christ, saying nothing, but committing the whole to Him.
Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century
Saints and Feasts
March 12
Phineas, grandson of Prophet Aaron
March 12
Gregory Dialogos, Bishop of Rome
Saint Gregory was born in Rome to noble and wealthy parents about the year 540. While the Saint was still young, his father died. However, his mother, Sylvia, saw to it that her child received a good education in both secular and spiritual learning. He became Prefect of Rome and sought to please God even while in the world; later, he took up the monastic life; afterwards he was appointed Archdeacon of Rome, then, in 579, apocrisiarius (representative or Papal legate) to Constantinople, where he lived for nearly seven years. He returned to Rome in 585 and was elected Pope in 590. He is renowned especially for his writings and great almsgiving, and also because, on his initiative, missionary work began among the Anglo-Saxon people. It is also from him that Gregorian Chant takes its name; the chanting he had heard at Constantinople had deeply impressed him, and he imported many elements of it into the ecclesiastical chant of Rome. He served as Bishop of that city from 590 to 604.
March 12
Symeon the New Theologian
Saint Symeon became a monk of the Studite Monastery as a young man, under the guidance of the elder Symeon the Pious. Afterwards he struggled at the Monastery of Saint Mamas in Constantinople, of which he became abbot. After enduring many trials and afflictions in his life of piety, he reposed in 1022. Marvelling at the heights of prayer and holiness to which he attained, and the loftiness of the teachings of his life and writings, the church calls him "the New Theologian." Only to two others, John the Evangelist and Gregory, Patriarch of Constantinople, has the church given the name "Theologian." Saint Symeon reposed on March 12, but since this always falls in the Great Fast, his feast is kept today.
March 12
Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.
His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.
March 12
Theophanes the Confessor
Saint Theophanes, who was born in 760, was the son of illustrious parents. Assenting to their demand, he married and became a member of the Emperor's ceremonial bodyguard. Later, with the consent of his wife, he forsook the world. Indeed, both of them embraced the monastic life, struggling in the monastic houses they themselves had established. He died on March 12, 815, on the island of Samothrace, whereto, because of his confession of the Orthodox Faith, he had been exiled by Leo the Armenian, the Iconoclast Emperor.
March 13
3rd Monday of Lent
March 13
Removal of the relics of Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople
The main feast day of this Saint is June 2. The translation of his holy relics took place in 846, when Saint Methodius (see June 14) was Ecumenical Patriarch.
March 13
Christina the Martyr of Persia
March 13