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St. Andrew Church
Publish Date: 2019-11-17
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Gregwonderjohnmercy
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St. Andrew Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (973) 584-0388
  • Fax:
  • (973) 584-3573
  • Street Address:

  • 1447 Sussex Turnpike

  • Randolph, NJ 07869-1830
  • Mailing Address:

  • 1447 Sussex Turnpike

  • Randolph, NJ 07869-1830


Contact Information








Services Schedule

On Sunday we celebrate

Orthros at 8:45 am & Divine Liturgy at 10am

Weekday Orthros and Liturgies begin at 8am 

 

 


Past Bulletins


Services at St. Andrew

Saturday 11/16 + Matthew the Apostle & Evangelist

Orthros at 8 am and Divine Liturgy at 9 am

WEDDING: On November 16th, 2019 at 3pm Panagiotis Seretis will wed Melissa Mulvaney of Rochelle Park, NJ

Sunday, November 17, 2019 +9th Sunday of Luke 

+Orthros at 8:45am and Divine Liturgy at 10am 

MEMORIALS: 

A 40 Day Memorial service will be held for the repose of the soul of +Kyle Marshall, beloved son of Katherine Giokas-Marshall and William C. Marshall, brother of Sydney Marshall, and grandson of Kiki Giokas and Linda Marshal. Family is sponsoring Coffee Hour in honor of Kyle’s blessed memory.

A One Year Memorial service will be held for the repose of the soul of +Hristos Kalavrouziotis,  beloved husband of Evagelia, devoted father of Magthalini (John) Zois; Vasiliki (Tom) Kostis; and Efthimios (Christina) Kalavrouziotis.

A TRISAGION SERVICE will be held for the repose of the soul of +Dionisia Moraitis, beloved sister of Spyro and Diana Moraitis

May their memory be eternal. Αιώνια η μνήμη αυτών

CHRISMATION: On Sunday, November 17th  at 12:15pm Aaron Hohenstein will be received into the faith by the Holy Sacrament of Chrismation of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

WEDDING: On Sunday, November 17th at 2:30pm Jon Kokkinos of Randolph, NJ will wed Nicole Frangoudis of Chester, NJ.

Thursday 11/21 +The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

Orthros at 8am and Divine Liturgy at 9am

BAPTISIMS : On Saturday November 23rd at 5pm Maria Catlin will baptize her children.

 

 

 

 

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Announcements

at Saint Andrew

Nativity Fast Study on Fridays @ 10:30am on 11/15, 11/22, 12/6, 12/13 (see New-Flyers for more information)  

Assistive Listening available: Don't miss a single sound.
Please use our Listening Device which was generously donated by one of our parishioners to be used during our Services.  Ask Parish Council at the narthex to assist you. 

Coffee hour 11/17 is hosted by Daughters of Penelope| Bagels donated by ALFA BAGELS

Council Of Ministries Meeting # 2 on Sunday Nov. 17th at 12:30pm in Room 203 :
Continuing discussions with the leaders of Saint Andrew. All group leaders please join us on Sunday to facilitate our efforts to further strengthen the communications/synergy between our groups in order to drive our ministries. Please come!

Free at our candle stand for the next 2 weeks!  While they last: INTRODUCING THE ORTHODOX CHURCH:
Here is a genuinely different and practical book for the inquirer and potential convert to Orthodox Christianity. It is different in a number of ways, all of which commend this volume to wide use by pastors whose task it is to introduce the members of their inquirers classes to an Orthodox way of life which will touch their lives in a full and complete way.
Chapters include: What We Believe About the One Apostolic Church, the Nicene Creed, Jesus, the Holy Trinity, the Divine Liturgy, Salvation, the Church Fathers, the Church Year, Symbols, the Sacraments, the Saints and the Theotokos, Life After Death, the Bible, Icons, Prayers for the Dead, and Prayer. 

A Christmas Benefit Concert : Saturday December 7th at 6pm at St John the Theologian Cathedral, Tenafly NJ | Donation $50| Tickets available at St. Andrew church Office

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE: see List under "News Flyers.. "  |To Benefit the Inter-Faith Food Pantry of Morris County and area food pantries | please bring your food donations by November 18th 

TOYS FOR TOTS :  We will be collecting unwrapped toys for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation up until Friday 12/13/19 

Newborn Baby Clothing Drive: please bring unwrapped baby clothes to church before 12/15/19 so we can deliver to Newark University Hospital

Little Angels Playgroup:  Please join us every Friday at 10-11am for Little Angels playgroup. Each week we will teach your child basic Greek with fun activities, songs, and active play. It’s a great way to connect with other Moms and families in the St. Andrew community and build lifelong friendships for both you and your children. Great for any age, infant to 3 years old. Grandparents and caretakers are welcome. For more information contact Athina Vella at (973) 879-7095 or at amv1823@gmail.com.   

Call for participants to Mazi class: If your child is between 2 1/2-4 years old and you are interested in signing up for afternoon Μαζί με τη Μαμά Greek instruction please reach out to Athina Vella at (973) 879-7095 or at amv1823@gmail.com. We are trying to assemble a group class.  

 

Sunday Coffee Hour Hosts    

November: 11/17 DOP, 11/24 GOYA * (11/29 Fri. Vespers, 11/30 Sat St. Andrew Day

December: 12/1 Philoptochos*, 12/8 PTA*, 12/15 DOP*, 12/22 GOYA*, 12/29 Bakaliko
                                  *Lenten refreshments/deserts during Advent Lent please

BAGELS for Sunday Coffee hour are donated by ALFA BAGELS located on Route 10 in Randolph, NJ. We thank them for their generosity and continued support. 

Stewardship Sunday November 24th

Stewardship Update  11/14/19:

We would like to thank everyone who submitted their 2019 Christian Stewardship Commitment. 274 families have sent in their pledges Totaling  $243,605

Total Operating Budget 2019 $ 800, 000

Stewardship Income $350,000 | $243,605  committed to date)

Fundraising Income $450,000

Balanced Budget $800,000.

If you have not already made your commitment to Saint Andrew church, we ask that you prayerfully consider your blessings and submit your 2019 pledge today.

Online Giving SystemWeShare click on link and follow instructions   https://standrewgonj.churchgiving.com/ws/opportunities/ our website/ or call the office

We’d like to be able to better communicate with everyone on social media where appropriate.

Please Like Us / Follow Us on our church Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Religious-Organization/St-Andrew-Greek-Orthodox-Church-Randolph-NJ-758987230951158/ 

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Fr. John's Message

 
 

A Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven

Ecclesiastes 3

 The Stewardship of Time

Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

The first long-term Orthodox Christian missionary priest from America to East Africa was sent by Archbishop Iakovos in mid-1980s. As he gradually assimilated into the local culture, he found the local concept of time to be a most difficult adjustment, and upon his return to America, liked to quote the Kenyans who loved to tell him, “White men have watches. We have time.”

Our brief time on earth is God’s gift. As faithful Christians, we are accountable for our stewardship of this precious gift. The American scientist, Thomas Edison said, “Time is not a commodity that can be stored for future use. It must be invested hour by hour or else it is gone forever.”  

“Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.” Psalm 144:4

Our lifetime is a small bit of eternity, “a fleeting shadow.” (Psalm 144), which we receive as stewards.  Time is a precious gift that we dare not waste. Like the three stewards in the Parable of the Talents, one day God will call each one of us to give account of how we have used the time entrusted to us

“…a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is “a time for every purpose,” as the verse from Ecclesiastes instructs us: “…a time to plant, a time to reap….” the challenge is to appropriately allocate our time to the various purposes that make claims on it.  The passage teaches us to make the most of God’s great gift of time.

The Gift of Time

“The greatest gift I ever received,” said a young attorney, “was a gift I got one Christmas from my dad.  He gave me a small box with a note inside that said, “Son, this year I will give you 365 hours, one hour every day after dinner.  We’ll talk about what you want to talk about, go where you want to go, play what you want to play.”

The young attorney continued, “My dad not only kept the promise of his gift, but he renewed it every year – and it’s the greatest gift I ever had in my life.  I am the result of his time.”

The most personal, most appreciated and most unique gift that you can give is the gift of time – Your time.  That valuable 24 hours a day that only you can spend.  Depending on your profession, your time may be worth hundreds of dollars an hour.  But the time you give to another person and the Church is priceless.

Our children need our time, helping shape their lives by word and by example. The time we give to our children is an investment in their lives that is not wasted.

Spending Time with God

As Christians it is also important to value the time we spend at church, in worship, service and activities. Every member of the Body of Christ plays a role, according to their gifts, in the life of the local church. The church is not a social club, but rather a place where people of faith gather for worship, fellowship and service.

Most importantly, we gather together in worship, praising and thanking God for the blessings in our lives and hearing His Word. Of the 168 hours in every week with which we have been blessed, we offer back the short time we spend in church on Sunday morning and other services, gathered together as the Body of Christ. We are united in prayer and united in Holy Communion. We become His hands and feet carrying out His work in the world.  As we offer ourselves and our time as His Church, we are part of something much bigger than we can imagine – much bigger than the project we support, the service we provide, the prayer we offer.

The Great Feast (Luke 14)

In the Gospel of Luke we read of the man who planned a great feast and invited many people.  When it was time to serve the dinner, they were all too busy – one with his farm, one with his bride, another with his oxen.  We can become so busy making a living that we forget to make a life.  God gets crowded out of our lives over the most unimportant things.

At the first Christmas when Jesus was born, there was no room at the inn.  And today we still have no room for Jesus.  We crowd Him out with so many things.

In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis shows how the devil captures us, not by preventing encounters with God, but by whispering in our ear that we are “just too busy right nowWe’ll get to that soon.  But just not right now.”

Resetting Our Priorities

Just as we budget our financial resources to reflect our priorities, we can re-set our allocation of time.  We are all busy, but not all of that busy time is well-spent. We may need to say no to certain demands on our time, opening our schedule to God’s prompting. We can live each day anticipating the opportunities he places in our path to offer our gift of time.

For further Reflection…

Are you a contributing member of the body of Christ? Are you actively serving God and sharing Him with others? Are you contributing to peace and unity within His body? Do you worship regularly? Take a moment to evaluate your life in light of these principles.

We are called to apply our gifts, training, abilities, education and skills to the tasks that God places before us. If we do this humbly and prayerfully, the body of Christ will function to its full potential.

The Biblical motivation for giving is grace; giving is an act of worship in response to the generosity of God. You are to give, Paul says, “as God has prospered you.” II Corinthians 8 and 9 teach clearly, “He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” God blesses those who give with generosity.”

Giving is a way to thank God for His grace and generosity. The question is not, “How much do I give to stay in the club?” or “What are the dues?” but “How can I thank God for my many blessings?

 

 

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News - Flyers - Registrations - Other

    Church Schedule

    Church Schedule

    November 17-24


    Stewardhip

    Stewardhip

    So, I invite you to be with us here at Saint Andrew Church... Sundays in November ...we will worship together as we do each Sunday. In addition, we will learn and talk about how to grow our parish, and her ministries in the coming year.


    Pledge Form 2020

    Pledge Form 2020

    We ask you to prayerfully consider your blessings when you make your 2020 tax-deductible Commitment. Please submit on Stewardship Sunday November 24th.


    Nativity Fast

    Nativity Fast

    November 15, 22, December 6, and 13 – Fridays at 10:30 am


    Thanksgiving Food Drive

    Thanksgiving Food Drive

    see List of foods | To Benefit the Inter-Faith Food Pantry of Morris County and area food pantries | please bring your food donations by November 18th


    TOYS FOR TOTS

    TOYS FOR TOTS

    Bring unwrapped TOYS to Church | Last day for TOYS FOR TOTS drop-off: Friday 12/13/19


    NEWBORN BABY clothing

    NEWBORN BABY clothing

    Please bring in unwrapped clothing by 12/15/19


    Christmas Concert

    Christmas Concert

    Saturday Dec. 7 at 6pm at ST JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN CATHEDRAL, Tenafly NJ | Donation $50| Tickets available at St. Andrew church Office


    Bake Sale

    Bake Sale

    BAKALIKO: November 17-30 place your orders


    Christmas Party

    Christmas Party

    Philoptochos and the Daughters of Penelope | Tuesday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m. | REDWOODS GRILL & BAR 459 Main St., Chester


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Prayer List

If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the office. 973-584-0388

Names will be kept on this list for approximately 3 months. Please resubmit Names if needed.   Fr. John will pray for the Names above during the Proskomide “Offering of gifts” during the first part of the Divine Liturgy when our priest prepares the mystical gifts of bread and wine. Please keep these names in your prayers as well.

Caroline, Demetrios, Konstantinos, Susan, Gregory, Nikoletta, Afrodite, Cassandra, Aristea, Konstantinos, George, Mary, Holly, Gary, Roye, Cristos, Panagiota, Anna, Panagiotis, John, Nicos, Hannah, Christos, Theoseva, George, Genevieve, Christine, Anna, Louis, Marilyn, Suriana, Antonios, John, Maria, Dimitry Elias, Evangelia, George, Kyriaki, John, Rose, Evmorfia, Fr. Demetri, Prz Spyridoula, Eugenia, Constantinos, Eftychia, Kyzoula, Lukas, Athanasios, Angeliki, Christian, Olga, Efthimia, Demitra, Antonia, Anna Christina, Ronnie, Stephanie, Lukas, Zoe, Spyridoula, Maria, Eugenia, Alexa, Eleni, Vasiliki, Rosemary, Corinne, Sophia, Stavroula, Konstantinos, Anastasia, Pamela, Brian, Brandon, Irene, Eleutherios, Panayioti, William, Kyriaki, Panayiota, Beatrice, Demetrios, Andreas, Ioanna, Marykate, John, Konstantinos, Barbara, Despina, Eleni, Bonnie, Richard, Mary, Petros, Demosthenes, Norma, Beatrice, Geoffrey, Theonimfi, Alexandra, Kathy, John, Reggie, Shannon... 

Prayer for a Sick Person:

Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, visit and heal (me) Your servant from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ. Grant (me) patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health.  Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed.  I pray that You heal (me) as Your servant and grant (me) the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

 

 
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eleventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:14-25

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after he was raised from the dead, and he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."

Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So, the word went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die; but Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Eleventh Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 21:14-25

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐφανερώθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν, καὶ λέγει τῷ Σίμωνι Πέτρῳ· Σίμων ᾿Ιωνᾶ, ἀγαπᾷς με πλεῖον τούτων; λέγει αὐτῷ· ναί, Κύριε, σὺ οἶδας ὅτι φιλῶ σε. λέγει αὐτῷ· βόσκε τὰ ἀρνία μου. λέγει αὐτῷ πάλιν δεύτερον· Σίμων ᾿Ιωνᾶ, ἀγαπᾷς με; λέγει αὐτῷ· ναί, Κύριε, σὺ οἶδας ὅτι φιλῶ σε. λέγει αὐτῷ· ποίμαινε τὰ πρόβατά μου. λέγει αὐτῷ τὸ τρίτον· Σίμων ᾿Ιωνᾶ, φιλεῖς με; ἐλυπήθη ὁ Πέτρος ὅτι εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ τρίτον, φιλεῖς με, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Κύριε, σὺ πάντα οἶδας, σὺ γινώσκεις ὅτι φιλῶ σε. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· βόσκε τὰ πρόβατά μου. ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω σοι, ὅτε ἦς νεώτερος, ἐζώννυες σεαυτὸν καὶ περιεπάτεις ὅπου ἤθελες· ὅταν δὲ γηράσῃς, ἐκτενεῖς τὰς χεῖράς σου, καὶ ἄλλος σε ζώσει, καὶ οἴσει ὅπου οὐ θέλεις. τοῦτο δὲ εἶπε σημαίνων ποίῳ θανάτῳ δοξάσει τὸν Θεόν. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀκολούθει μοι. ἐπιστραφεὶς δὲ ὁ Πέτρος βλέπει τὸν μαθητὴν ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀκολουθοῦντα, ὃς καὶ ἀνέπεσεν ἐν τῷ δείπνῳ ἐπὶ τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπε· Κύριε, τίς ἐστιν ὁ παραδιδούς σε; τοῦτον ἰδὼν ὁ Πέτρος λέγει τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ· Κύριε, οὗτος δὲ τί; λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἐὰν αὐτὸν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι, τί πρὸς σέ; σὺ ἀκολούθει μοι. ἐξῆλθεν οὖν ὁ λόγος οὗτος εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ὅτι ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος οὐκ ἀποθνήσκει· καὶ οὐκ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι οὐκ ἀποθνήσκει, ἀλλ᾽ ἐὰν αὐτὸν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι, τί πρὸς σέ; Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ μαθητὴς ὁ μαρτυρῶν περὶ τούτων καὶ γράψας ταῦτα, καὶ οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀληθής ἐστιν ἡ μαρτυρία αὐτοῦ. ἔστι δὲ καὶ ἄλλα πολλὰ ὅσα ἐποίησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, ἅτινα ἐὰν γράφηται καθ᾽ ἕν, οὐδὲ αὐτὸν οἶμαι τὸν κόσμον χωρῆσαι τὰ γραφόμενα βιβλία. ἀμήν.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Προκείμενον. Plagal First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 11.7,1.
Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18.

Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.


Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 12:16-21

The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

9th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 12:16-21

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἀνθρώπου τινὸς πλουσίου εὐφόρησεν ἡ χώρα· καὶ διελογίζετο ἐν ἑαυτῷ λέγων· τί ποιήσω, ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω ποῦ συνάξω τοὺς καρπούς μου; καὶ εἶπε· τοῦτο ποιήσω· καθελῶ μου τὰς ἀποθήκας καὶ μείζονας οἰκοδομήσω, καὶ συνάξω ἐκεῖ πάντα τὰ γενήματά μου καὶ τὰ ἀγαθά μου, καὶ ἐρῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου· ψυχή, ἔχεις πολλὰ ἀγαθὰ κείμενα εἰς ἔτη πολλά· ἀναπαύου, φάγε, πίε, εὐφραίνου. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Θεός· ἄφρον, ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ τὴν ψυχήν σου ἀπαιτοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ· ἃ δὲ ἡτοίμασας τίνι ἔσται; οὕτως ὁ θησαυρίζων ἑαυτῷ, καὶ μὴ εἰς Θεὸν πλουτῶν.


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Saints and Feasts

Gregwonderjohnmercy
November 17

Gregory the Wonderworker & Bishop of Neo-Caesarea

Saint Gregory was born in Neocaesarea of Pontus to parents who were not Christians. He studied in Athens, in Alexandria, in Beirut, and finally for five years in Caesarea of Palestine under Origen, by whom he was also instructed in the Faith of Christ. Then, in the year 240, he became bishop of his own city, wherein he found only seventeen Christians. By the time the Saint reposed about the year 265, there were only seventeen unbelievers left there. Virtually the whole duration of his episcopacy was a time of continual, marvellous wonders worked by him. Because of this, he received the surname "Wonderworker"; even the enemies of the truth called him a second Moses (see Saint Basil the Great's On the Holy Spirit, ch. 29).


Allsaint
November 17

Righteous Mother Hilda of Whitby

Our righteous Mother Hilda was of noble birth, being a kinswoman of Saint Edwin, King of Northumbria (celebrated Oct. 12). At the age of thirty-three she renounced the world, and lived another thirty-three years as a nun and abbess. The last six years of her life she suffered a burning fever with patience and nobility, and reposed in peace in the year 680.


Allsaint
November 17

Gennadios I and Maximus, Patriarchs of Constantinople


Vmentrnc
November 21

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Apolytikion for Gregory the Wonderworker in the Plagal Fourth Mode

By vigilance in prayer, and continuance in the working of wonders, thou didst acquire thine achievements as a surname; wherefore, intercede with Christ our God, O Father Gregory, to enlighten our souls, lest we sleep in sin unto death.
Εν προσευχαίς γρηγορών, ταίς τών θαυμάτων εργασίαις εγκαρτερών, επωνυμίαν εκτήσω τά κατορθώματα, αλλά πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, Πάτερ Γρηγόριε, φωτίσαι τάς ψυχάς ημών, μή ποτε υπνώσωμεν, εν αμαρτίαις εις θάνατον.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.
Ο καθαρώτατος ναός τού Σωτήρος, η πολυτίμητος παστάς καί Παρθένος, τό Ιερόν θησαύρισμα τής δόξης τού Θεού, σήμερον εισάγεται, εν τώ οίκω Κυρίου, τήν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, τήν εν Πνευματι θείω, ήν ανυμνούσιν Άγγελοι Θεού, Αύτη υπάρχει σκηνή επουράνιος.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

I cannot be silent about the story of Hesychius the Horebite. He passed his life in complete negligence, without paying the least attention to his soul. Then he became extremely ill, and for an hour he left his body.
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

And when he came to himself, he begged us all to leave him immediately. And he built up the door of his cell, and he stayed in it for twelve years without ever uttering a word to anyone, and without eating anything but bread and water.
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

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