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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2023-04-02
Bulletin Contents
Announcements
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Saints and Feasts
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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (919) 781-4548
  • 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 online Church Calendar.


Vespers: See online Church Calendar.

 

Past Bulletins


Announcements

HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

RALEIGH, NC

SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

ORTHROS 8:30 a.m. – DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 a.m.

Broadcasting begins at 8:25 a.m.

 

Altar Boy Team on Duty: St John Chrysostom

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.

 

Memory Eternal

It is with sadness that we share the obituary of Gene Brown, the beloved husband of Penny Gallins, and a longtime friend of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.  We ask for prayers for Penny and her family. 

A service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery on Monday April 3rd at 11 am.

May his memory be eternal!

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/raleigh-nc/eugene-brown-11224887

 

 

Children's Sermon this Sunday

Parents, please do me the honor of being able to speak to your precious children this Sunday. I will be asking my 'littlest flock' to come forward after the reading of Gospel lesson so make sure you are on time.

 

Lenten Lecture Series #6 – Wed, April 5; in person

Speaker: Eva Konstantakos

Subject:  "One Thing is Needed…"

Addressing the Real Needs of Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Church

Eva Konstantakos is the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.  She brings to her role over 20 years of experience in youth and young adult ministries, including her service as  the Y2AM Director.  We are honored to have her here in person and we are grateful to the men of AHEPA for providing the complimentary meal for the evening.

 

AHEPA

We would like to thank everyone for joining us in our celebration ofGreek Independence Day. We were also thankful that we had ourGreek School students perform, as well as our Greek Dancers. Theteachers did a wonderful job preparing their students for this day andwe are glad so many people were able to enjoy a good meal whilewatching them show what they have learned.

AHEPA will have a meeting this Sunday, April 2nd, in the Multi-Purpose Room. Anyone interested in joining AHEPA is welcome. We have many events scheduled this spring and we want all of the men in our community to have an opportunity to be involved. Please join us for our Lenten meal sponsored by AHEPA on Wednesday, April 5th prior to Lenten Lecture #6

 

His Grace Bishop Sebastian to Visit on Holy Tuesday

Please note the starting time will change to 6:30 pm to accommodate His Grace.

How honored we are to have another Pastoral Visit from His Grace Bishop Sebastian

on Holy Tuesday, April 11th at 6:30pm.

This is the night of the Bridegroom service with the hauntingly beautiful hymn of Kassiane.

Polla ta eti Your Grace (Many Years)

 

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.

 

GOYA

Goya will be selling luminaries for Holy Friday after church service in the Fellowship Hall.  The cost is $5 for one or $10 for three luminaires.

 

Good Friday Youth Retreat

We will be having a Good Friday Youth Retreat on April 14 from 10:30am to 2:30pm in the Fellowship Hall.  We will be offering leveled sessions for grades 2 through 5, middle school, and high school.  Lunch will be served.  Please see Estelle Tsikentzoglou in the hall after liturgy for sign up or you can contact her directly at 973-517-4983.  Please contact the church office if you need an absentee letter from Father Paul for your school. 

 

Call for our young girls to be myrrh bearers on Holy Friday

If your daughter (ages 5-13) would like to participate in Holy Friday evening service as a myrrh bearer please email Leslie Hatch at lesliehatch@msn.com or call her at 617-869-1641 by Friday, April 7.

 

Today is 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.

 

Pascha Picnic 2023

You are invited to our Pascha Picnic on Sunday, April 16 at 12:00pm! The picnic will be held outside under the tent in the rear parking lot. Lamb will be provided, please bring your own sides and beverages. RSVP in the link below with the number of guests attending by April 11th.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4ca8a929a7fb6-pascha#/

We will also have a face painter and a Easter egg hunt with a golden surprise for the kids  starting at 12:45pm.  Please make sure they grab a basket and hop over for some FUN!!

 

Parish Directories 

Our Parish Directories have finally arrived, and it is so nice to see so many beautiful faces!  They will be available for you to pick up starting Sunday, April 2nd during coffee hour.  You can also pick up your copy during the week in the church office, Monday-Friday between 9am - 3pm. If you did not participate in the photo shoot or submit a photo, we did order extra directories.  If you are interested in purchasing, the cost is $10 each.  You can pay by cash or check during the week; we can accept credit cards on Sundays only.

 

Piano Ministry

Do you have an interest in learning music? A fascination with its masterful composers like Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart? Then you may enjoy the Piano Ministry, here at our own church! Open to all children from ages 5-13, this is a great introduction to piano playing, music theory, and the history of classical music. It will take place from 12pm to 12:45pm on Sundays (location and start date details to follow).

With Lillian Jaho and Katerina Nikolas, students will have the opportunity for a short 1 to 1 lesson along with group activity. Students will dive into the foundations of piano playing, such as music reading and listening skills, along with a medley of fun activities to gain knowledge of how this music was inspired, who composed it, and what makes it so beautiful.
If you are interested, please reach out to Lillian (lilianjaho@gmail.com) or Katerina (nickaterina3@gmail.com) for more information.

 

Preschool Summer Camps

     Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Preschool will be having 4 weeklong camps over the summer. All camps will feature a specific theme and will have arts & crafts, math, music, movement, and Literacy.

June 12th-16th Ocean

June 19th-23rd Dinosaur

August 7th-11th Nutrition

August 14th-18th Bugs

Class Hours :     9:00am - 1:00pm daily

Cost Per Camp: $125.00 per child

                           Forms can be found on the candle stand, if you have questions please reach out to Shae Noffsinger at shaejn@yahoo.com

 

Philoptochos News

Dear Philoptochos sisters and supporters,

Incredible things happen when we work together! Please see a list of important dates.

We invite you to participate.

 

Order your Tsoureki!

Wonderful Julie is a baking machine. We have 120 delicious loaves for purchase, and they are moving fast!  Please order online or reach out to Lekita or Francesca with your order.

 

Saturday April 08  Communion Breakfast, Palm folding and Tsoureki pick up following Liturgy

Sunday April 09     Tsoureki pick up during coffee hour

Friday April 14       Easter Egg Wrapping 

Sunday April 23     General Meeting including Board nominations (in the Sanctuary)

Sunday May 21      General meeting including Board Election

                               End of year party late afternoon

 

Membership Drives continues. Join us and have an opportunity to vote and make decisions!  

All members please come vote for your Board on Sunday May 21.

Our St Nicholas Grant committee is working diligently, based on your submission of non-profit organizations that are near and dear to your heart. Once their due diligence process is complete suggested grant recipients will be presented. Thank you Joanna and your wonderful team. 

We are stronger together!  Please participate as often as your schedule permits.  Our mission of feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, the homeless, poor and destitute has no end in sight. Our ripple effect will create an abundance of love and light for others. 

#philostrong #ArmyofAgape

Agape, 

Lekita

 

St Anthony’s Group

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.

 

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!

 

Save the Date!  Orthodox Parenting Retreat

with Dr. Philip Mamalakis on June 2-3

We're thrilled to announce that Dr. Philip Mamalakis, author of

Parenting toward the Kingdom: Orthodox Christian Principles of Child-Rearing,

will be visiting us for a parenting retreat Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3.

Friday evening, Dr. Mamalakis will provide a seminar to both moms and dads. Childcare will be provided. Saturday, mothers will gather after the Saturday of Souls service for lunch and an afternoon focused on our unique role.  More details to follow in the coming weeks. We hope to see you there!

 

YAL Meeting -April 23

We will host our next YAL meeting in The Library on Sunday, April 23rd at 12:00pm.

 

Adult Greek Dance Group Interest Meeting

We will be holding an interest meeting for an adult Greek dance group to perform at the Greek Festival and HDF on April 23rd after church, immediately following the YAL Meeting in The Library.  For more information, contact Kaeli McEnteer (kaelimcenteer82@gmail.com) or Kristina Hixson (kkristh124@gmail.com). 

 

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


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

 

 

Crocheting  for a Cause 

This new ministry provides baby blankets, caps, stuffed animals, burial gowns, etc. to our local hospitals’ pre-natal and natal units.  We meet every other Friday from 10 to 12pm in the church’s library to crochet or knit these baby items. 
Crocheting/Knitting dates (2023 dates posted on church's bulletin board and church's e-calendar):
        Friday, April 21st from 10-12pm
        Friday, May 5th from 10-12pm
        Friday, May 19th from 10-12pm

 

 

 

UPCOMING SERVICES

 

 

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2023

AKATHIST TO THE VIRGIN MARY 

6:30 P.M.

(LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS AT 6:25 P.M.)

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023

SUNDAY OF ST MARY OF EGYPT

ORTHROS 8:30 A.M.

DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 A.M.

(LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS AT 8:25 A.M.)

 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2023

6th PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY

6:00 P.M.

(LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS AT 5:55 P.M.)

 

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

LAZARUS SATURDAY

ORTHROS 9:00 A.M.

DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 A.M.

(LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS AT 8:55 A.M.)

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2023

PALM SUNDAY

ORTHROS 8:30 A.M.

DIVINE LITURGY 10:00 A.M.

(LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS AT 8:25 A.M.)

 

SUNDAY. APRIL 9, 2023

BRIDEGROOM SERVICE

7:00 P.M.

(LIVE BROADCAST BEGINS AT 6:55 P.M.)

 

 

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the Plagal Fourth Mode

In thee the image was preserved with exactness, O Mother; for taking up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thy deeds thou didst teach us to overlook the flesh, for it passeth away, but to attend to the soul since it is immortal. Wherefore, O righteous Mary, thy spirit rejoiceth with the Angels.
Ἐν σοὶ Μῆτερ ἀκριβῶς διεσώθη τὸ κατ' εἰκόνα, λαβοῦσα γὰρ τὸν Σταυρόν, ἠκολούθησας τῷ Χριστῷ, καὶ πράττουσα ἐδίδασκες ὑπερορᾶν μὲν σαρκὸς παρέρχεται γάρ, ἐπιμελεῖσθαι δὲ ψυχῆς, πράγματος ἀθανάτου· διὸ καὶ μετὰ Ἀγγέλων συναγάλλεται Ὁσία Μαρία τὸ πνεῦμά σου.

Hymn of our Holy Trinity Church Community in the First Mode

O blessed are You, O Christ our God.  Who by sending down the Holy Spirit upon them, made the fisherman wise and through them illumined the world.  And to you the Universe was ever drawn, all glory to You, O Lord.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.

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 First Tone © Greek Standard Text
  • Resurrectional Apolytikion in First Tone © Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
  • Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Greek Standard Text
  • Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone © Greek Standard Text
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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    Gospel and Epistle Readings

    Matins Gospel Reading

    Ninth Orthros Gospel
    Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:19-31

    Οὔσης ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ συνηγμένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ· ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν Κύριον. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν, καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέ με ὁ πατήρ, κᾀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησε καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Λάβετε Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον. Ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφιένται αὐτοῖς, ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται. Θωμᾶς δέ, εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα, ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, οὐκ ἦν μετʼ αὐτῶν ὅτε ἦλθεν Ἰησοῦς· ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄλλοι μαθηταί· Ἑωράκαμεν τὸν Κύριον. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐὰν μὴ ἴδω ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν μου εἰς τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ πιστεύσω. Καὶ μεθʼ ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ πάλιν ἦσαν ἔσω οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ Θωμᾶς μετʼ αὐτῶν. Ἔρχεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ εἶπεν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Εἶτα λέγει τῷ Θωμᾶ· φέρε τὸν δάκτυλόν σου ᾧδε, καὶ ἴδε τὰς χεῖράς μου. καὶ φέρε τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ βάλε εἰς τὴν πλευράν μου, καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος ἀλλὰ πιστός. Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ Θωμᾶς, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ὅτι ἑώρακάς με πεπίστευκας, μακάριοι οἱ μὴ ἰδόντες, καὶ πιστεύσαντες. Πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἄλλα σημεῖα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐνώπιον τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ἃ οὐκ ἔστιν γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ· ταῦτα δὲ γέγραπται ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅτι ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες, ζωὴν ἔχητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ.

    Ninth Orthros Gospel
    The Reading is from John 20:19-31

    On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and My God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you may have life in His name.

    Epistle Reading

    Προκείμενον. First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 32.22,1.
    Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.
    Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ

    τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 9:11-14.

    Ἀδελφοί, Χριστὸς δὲ παραγενόμενος ἀρχιερεὺς τῶν μελλόντων ἀγαθῶν, διὰ τῆς μείζονος καὶ τελειοτέρας σκηνῆς, οὐ χειροποιήτου, τοῦτʼ ἔστιν, οὐ ταύτης τῆς κτίσεως, οὐδὲ διʼ αἵματος τράγων καὶ μόσχων, διὰ δὲ τοῦ ἰδίου αἵματος εἰσῆλθεν ἐφάπαξ εἰς τὰ ἅγια, αἰωνίαν λύτρωσιν εὑράμενος. Εἰ γὰρ τὸ αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων, καὶ σποδὸς δαμάλεως ῥαντίζουσα τοὺς κεκοινωμένους, ἁγιάζει πρὸς τὴν τῆς σαρκὸς καθαρότητα, πόσῳ μᾶλλον τὸ αἷμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς διὰ πνεύματος αἰωνίου ἑαυτὸν προσήνεγκεν ἄμωμον τῷ θεῷ, καθαριεῖ τὴν συνείδησιν ὑμῶν ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, εἰς τὸ λατρεύειν θεῷ ζῶντι;

    Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
    Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
    Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

    The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14.

    BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

    Gospel Reading

    Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
    Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 10:32-45

    Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παραλαβάνει ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς δώδεκα μαθητάς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἤρξατο αὐτοῖς λέγειν τὰ μέλλοντα αὐτῷ συμβαίνειν, ὅτι ἰδοὺ ἀναβαίνομεν εἰς ῾Ιεροσόλυμα καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθήσεται τοῖς ἀρχιερεῦσι καὶ γραμματεῦσι, καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτὸν θανάτῳ καὶ παραδώσουσιν αὐτὸν τοῖς ἔθνεσι, καὶ ἐμπαίξουσιν αὐτῷ καὶ μαστιγώσουσιν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐμπτύσουσιν αὐτῷ καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται. Καὶ προσπορεύονται αὐτῷ ᾿Ιάκωβος καὶ ᾿Ιωάννης υἱοὶ Ζεβεδαίου λέγοντες· διδάσκαλε, θέλομεν ἵνα ὃ ἐὰν αἰτήσωμεν ποιήσῃς ἡμῖν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί θέλετε ποιῆσαί με ὑμῖν; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· δὸς ἡμῖν ἵνα εἷς ἐκ δεξιῶν σου καὶ εἷς ἐξ εὐωνύμων σου καθίσωμεν ἐν τῇ δόξῃ σου. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε. δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω, καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· δυνάμεθα. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τὸ μὲν ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω πίεσθε, καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθήσεσθε· τὸ δὲ καθίσαι ἐκ δεξιῶν μου καὶ ἐξ εὐωνύμων οὐκ ἔστιν ἐμὸν δοῦναι, ἀλλ᾿ οἷς ἡτοίμασται. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ δέκα ἤρξαντο ἀγανακτεῖν περὶ ᾿Ιακώβου καὶ ᾿Ιωάννου. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτοὺς λέγει αὐτοῖς· οἴδατε ὅτι οἱ δοκοῦντες ἄρχειν τῶν ἐθνῶν κατακυριεύουσιν αὐτῶν καὶ οἱ μεγάλοι αὐτῶν κατεξουσιάζουσιν αὐτῶν· οὐχ οὕτω δὲ ἔσται ἐν ὑμῖν, ἀλλ᾿ ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ γενέσθαι μέγας ἐν ὑμῖν, ἔσται ὑμῶν διάκονος, καὶ ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ ὑμῶν γενέσθαι πρῶτος, ἔσται πάντων δοῦλος· καὶ γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἦλθε διακονηθῆναι, ἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι, καὶ δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν.

    Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
    The Reading is from Mark 10:32-45

    At that time, Jesus took his twelve disciples, and he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

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    Wisdom of the Fathers

    Before He humbled Himself, only the angels knew him. After He humbled Himself, all human nature knew Him. You see how His humbling of Himself did not make Him have less but produced countless benefits, countless deeds of virtue, and made His glory shine forth with greater brightness? God wants for nothing and has need of nothing. Yet, when He humbled Himself, He produced such great good, increased His household, and extended His kingdom. Why, then, are you afraid that you will become less if you humble yourself?
    St. John Chrysostom
    On the Incomprehensible Nature of God. 8.46-47. Taken from: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Vol: Mark. Intervarsity Press, 2005, p. 143.

    But let no man be troubled at the apostles being in such an imperfect state. For not yet was the cross accomplished, not yet the grace of the Spirit given. But if thou wouldest learn their virtue, notice them after these things, and thou wilt see them superior to every passion.
    St. John Chrysostom
    Homily 65 on Matthew 20, 2,3,4,6. B#54, pp.399-401,403., 4th Century

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    Saints and Feasts

    05_mary2
    April 02

    Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

    The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed.

    Allsaint
    April 02

    Titus the Wonderworker

    Little is known of this Saint except that he took up the monastic life from his youth, became the abbot of a monastery, and reposed in peace.

    Allsaint
    April 02

    Theodora the Virgin-martyr of Palestine

    Allsaint
    April 02

    Amphianos & Aedesios the Martyrs of Lycia

    Allsaint
    April 03

    Joseph the Hymnographer

    Saint Joseph was from Sicily, the son of Plotinus and Agatha. Because Sicily had been subjugated by the Moslems, he departed thence and, passing from place to place, came with Saint Gregory of Decapolis (see NOV. 20) to Constantinople, where he endured bitter afflictions because of his pious zeal. Travelling to Rome, he was captured by Arab pirates and taken to Crete, whence he later returned to Constantinople. He became an excellent hymnographer and reposed in holiness shortly after 886 (according to some, it was in 883). The melismatic canons of the Menaion are primarily the work of this Joseph; they bear his name in the acrostic of the Ninth Ode. He also composed most of the sacred book known as the Paracletike, which complements the Octoechos For this reason, Joseph is called par excellence the Hymnographer.

    Allsaint
    April 03

    6th Monday of Lent

    Allsaint
    April 03

    Nicetas, Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium

    Saint Nicetas lived in the eighth century and became the Abbot of the Monastery of Medicium, which was near the city of Triglia on the Sea of Marmara. For his Orthodox confession of the veneration of the holy icons, he was persecuted and exiled twice by the Iconoclast Emperor Leo the Armenian, but recalled by Michael the Stutterer, and reposed, adorned with the twofold crown of holiness and of confession of the Orthodox Faith, about the year 824.

    Allsaint
    April 03

    Theodosia and Irene the Martyrs

    Allsaint
    April 04

    6th Tuesday of Lent

    Allsaint
    April 04

    Righteous Zosimas

    Saint Zosimas was a monk from Palestine who lived in a monastery since his infancy. He became famous for his spiritual qualities, but searching for further illumination he went to a new monastery in the desert. The monks of this particular monastery left every year for the desert from the first week of Great Lent until Palm Sunday so as to live in complete isolation.

    One year, Zosimas saw a shadowy figure in the distance and, chasing after it, discovered a female ascetic by the name of Mary (see April 1st and the 5th Sunday of Great Lent). Mary instructed Zosimas to meet her at the Jordan River on Holy Thursday of the following year to giver her Holy Communion. He did this and was again instructed by her to meet her yet again the next year during Great Lent. Zosimas entered the desert at the appointed time the following year and found the body of the blessed Mary lying dead near the place he first encountered her. A lion approached to dig a grave for Mary, and Zosimas recited the usual burial prayers. He returned to his monastery and spread the news about this blessed woman. Zosimas remained in that monastery until his death the age of 100.

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