July 26
St. Andrew Church
Publish Date: 2020-07-26
Bulletin Contents
Services at St. Andrew
Announcements
Fr. John's Message
Daily Calendar
News - Flyers - Registrations - Other
Prayer List
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers
St. Andrew Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (973) 584-0388
- Fax:
- (973) 584-3573
- Email:
- info@standrewgonj.org
- 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
- Publish Date:
- 2020-08-02
- Publish Date:
- 2020-07-19
- Publish Date:
- 2020-07-12
- Publish Date:
- 2020-07-05
- Publish Date:
- 2020-06-28
- Publish Date:
- 2020-06-21
Services at St. Andrew
Below are the links for upcoming services.
Registration to all services will be open until 5 pm prior to the service.
Just Click on the Eventbrite Link and make your Reservation.
If you are having problems with link or do not have access to the internet call the church office 973-584-0388 (leave a message and we’ll get back to you).
If you attended liturgy last Sunday, we kindly ask that you wait until Friday to reserve again, in order to allow an opportunity for other parishioners to attend a Sunday service.
SUNDAY 7/26
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/112658289978
+ 7th Sunday of the Matthew, + Saint Paraskevi
9am +Orthros & 10am +Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
A 40 Day Memorial Service will be held for the repose of the soul of +Bryan Michael Landin, beloved friend of Eleni Hill as well as an Annual Memorial Service for the repose of the soul of +Sevastianos Athanasiou, beloved husband of Konstantina Athanasiou and father of Eleni Hill
Artoclasia : An Artoclasia service is offered today for the health of the members fo the Marcou Family (*Alexander *Christopher *Nikolaos *Constantina *Kyriakos)
On Sunday July 26th at 1:30pm Timothy and Alexis (Galinis) Harris will baptize their son.
MONDAY 7/27
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/112718042700
+Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer
8am +Orthros & 9am +Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Prayers/Liturgy can always be found at: https://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/dcs.html
Announcements
OPENING THE CHURCH
At this phase, our Church occupancy is limited to 70 attendees per service on a first come, first serve basis and we will adhere to the protocols outlined in our web site. In order to attend a service you MUST pre-register using the link which will become available a few days prior to the service or by calling the church during office hours (If NO Answer: please leave a message and we will return your call). You will then get a confirmation that you may attend the service. Please bring that with you when you come to church. If you are not able to attend, we invite you to participate in the celebration of the Divine Services through live streaming services that are available.
Live Stream of Services
From the Church's Facebook Page
From the Church's YouTube channel
Prayers/Liturgy can always be found at:
https://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/dcs.html
Light a Virtual Candle
We know we can't physically be at church, but if you're following the live video stream of the services and would like to continue to light a candle as you "enter" the church or would like to "drop some money in the basket" please consider a donation by lighting a "virtual candle".
Just go to the church's Facebook page and select "posts". You can light your virtual candle via the Facebook donate button which you should be able to see.
If you don't have Facebook or prefer not to donate through Facebook, you can always go to the Saint Andrew Website and select either PayPal or WeShare from the home page.
Father John will pray for the living and the reposed during Liturgy.
Just email him at prayersstandrew@gmail.com PLEASE indicate Living or Reposed
Fr. John's Message
Saint Paraskevi
On the twenty-sixth of this month [July], we commemorate the Holy Venerable Martyr of Christ Paraskevi.
Verses
You prepared yourself for God as a pure temple,
Being led there, Revered One, for habitation.
On the twenty-sixth Paraskevi was beheaded with a sword.
Saint Paraskevi lived during the reign of Emperor Antoninus (138-161), was from a village in old Rome, and the daughter of Christian parents, whose names were Agathon and Politia. They were careful to keep the commandments of the Lord, and were childless, for which reason they supplicated the Lord without ceasing, in order to be given a child. God, who does the will of those who fear Him, granted them a female child, who they named in Holy Baptism Paraskevi, because she was born on the day of Paraskevi (Friday).
She therefore dedicated herself to God since the time she was in her mother's embrace, and was educated and advised by her mother. After the Saint learned sacred letters, she always read the divine Scriptures, and taking leisure in the church of God, she dwelled in holy prayer. When her parents died, she distributed all her possessions to the poor, and was tonsured and dressed in the schema of a Nun, going out to the people, to preach the name of Christ our true God. Hence she turned many Greeks to the knowledge of God.
At that time certain Jews brought accusations against her to Emperor Antoninus, saying: "A certain woman, Paraskevi by name, preaches Jesus the son of Mary, who was crucified by our forefathers." When the emperor heard these things, he ordered for the Saint to be brought before him, and he was astounded and excited by her wisdom and beauty. He therefore said to her: "If you are persuaded by my words, O Maiden, and sacrifice to the gods, you will become an inheritor of many gifts and good things. If you are not persuaded, know that I will hand you over to much torment." With brave thoughts the Saint responded to the emperor: "Far be it from me to deny the name of Christ my God! 'These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens' (Jer. 10:11), as the Prophet Jeremiah says."
This inflamed the emperor with rage, and ordered that a heated iron helmet be placed on the head of the Saint. While this took place, the Saint was kept unharmed with divine refreshing coolness. Amazed by this, many Greeks came to believe in Christ at that time. The emperor then ordered for a cauldron full of oil and pitch be brought to a boil, and the Saint was placed within. Standing in the middle of the cauldron, the Martyr looked refreshed. When the emperor saw her, he said: "Sprinkle me with the oil and pitch, Paraskevi, that I may know if the pitch and oil are burning." The Saint then filled her hands with it, and sprinkled it on the face of the emperor, immediately making him blind. He thus loudly yelled out: "Have mercy on me, servant of the true God. I also believe in the God you preach." Saying this, his sight was immediately bestored. Wherefore he believed in Christ, together with his guards, and they received Holy Baptism in the name of the Holy Trinity.
When the Saint departed from there, she went to other cities and villages, proclaiming the name of Christ. When she arrived at a city ruled by a man named Asklepios, she was brought before him, and she called upon the name of Christ and sealed herself with the sign of the honorable Cross. She confessed that she was a Christian, and proclaimed Christ as the God of heaven and earth. When the king heard this, he was troubled, and sent her to a most fearsome dragon that resided outside the city, which hissed loudly, and when it opened its mouth much smoke came forth. When the Saint approached the dragon, she said: "The wrath of God, O beast, has come against you." Then she blew on the dragon, and made the sign of the honorable Cross. The dragon then hissed loudly, was torn in two, and disappeared. When the king and those with him saw this, they were astonished, and all came to believe in Christ.
The Saint therefore departed from there, and went to another city ruled by another king named Tarasios. When he was informed of the Saint, she stood at trial. When he had asked the Saint, she confessed herself to be a Christian, and proclaimed Christ as the true God. Whence she was placed in a cauldron, which was full of oil and pitch and lead, and beneath it was a lit flame. An Angel of the Lord then cooled the cauldron and what was in it. For this reason the Martyr of Christ remained unharmed. After undergoing many other tortures, the inhuman tyrant was unable to persuade her from her steadfast faith. Finally, he had her honorable head cut off, and the blessed one's soul flew off victorious into the eternal habitations.
Apolytikion in the First Tone
Your diligence corresponded to your name, Paraskevi, which denotes preparedness. Through faith you inherited the promised dwelling that was prepared for you, O prizewinning Martyr. Therefore you pour out cures and healings, and you intercede on behalf of our souls.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
We have found your sacred shrine to be a clinic of the soul, O holy one, and all we faithful now accord honor to you with our voices strong, devout Martyr Paraskevi extolled by all.
Oikos
The voice of the Bridegroom called you as a bride, and gave you an incorruptible crown, O godly-minded and all-glorious Paraskevi; and He enrolled you, as one worthy, together with the august martyrs and prize-winners. As you rejoice with them, remember us who observe your holy feast and who assemble in your church. For as we stand in it now, we soulfully offer up hymns to you, devout Martyr Paraskevi extolled by all.
Daily Calendar
we will be live-streaming the services on the church’s Facebook page
SUNDAY 7/26
+Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council + Saint Paraskevi
we have the Relics of Saint Paraskevi in our Reliquiry
at 8:45am +Orthros & 10am +Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Memorial Service: +Bryan Michael Landin +Sevastianos Athanasiou,
at 1:30pm Baptism Harris
Monday 7/27
+Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer
8am +Orthros & 9am +Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
at 7:30pm Parish Council Meeting
SUNDAY 8/2 Eventbrite Link TBA
+ 8th Sunday of the Matthew
at 8:45am +Orthros & 10am +Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Memorial Service +George Paraskevas
Monday 8/3 at 6:30pm Paraklesis Service
Tuesday 8/4 at 6:30pm Paraklesis Service
Wednesday 8/5 at 6:30pm Great Vespers
Thursday 8/6 Eventbrite Link TBA
+Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
at 8am +Orthros & 9am +Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Friday 8/7 at 6:30pm Paraklesis Service
SUNDAY 8/9 Eventbrite Link TBA
+ 9th Sunday of the Matthew
at 8:45am +Orthros & 10am +Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Monday 8/10 at 6:30pm Paraklesis Service
Tuesday 8/11 at 6:30pm Paraklesis Service
Wednesday 8/12 at 6:30pm Paraklesis Service
Thursday 8/13 at 6:30pm Paraklesis Service
Friday 8/14 at 6:30pm Great Vespers
Saturday 8/15 Eventbrite Link TBA
+The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary
at 8am +Orthros & 9am +Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
SUNDAY 8/16 Eventbrite Link TBA
+ 10th Sunday of the Matthew
at 8:45 am +Orthros & 10am +Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Saturday 8/22 at 9am FAITH KITCHEN: DOP
SUNDAY 8/23 Eventbrite Link TBA
+ 11th Sunday of the Matthew
at 8:45am +Orthros & 10am +Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Memorial Service +Van Paftinos
On Sunday August 23rd at 1:30pm Baptism LaSpada
News - Flyers - Registrations - Other
Agia Sophia
Statement concerning Agia Sophia in Greek from His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey.
Agia Sophia
Statement concerning Agia Sophia in English from His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey.
Reopening the churches
Saint Andrew welcomes you back to our beautiful church.
Holy Communion
Archpastoral Message from His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey concerning COVID-19 and Holy Communion
Reopening the churches
in GREEK| Sunday June 14 In order to attend a service you MUST pre-register by clicking on the following link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/108940407692
Saint Panteleimon
Great martyr and Healer Panteleimon Commemorated on July 27
Tsoureki Bread
Tsoureki Bread |$10.00 per braided loaf | Proceeds to benefit St. Andrew Church Pick-up after Service in church parking lot or contact Betty Kelly 973-704-0377
Festival Fund Update
182 families have committed $120,260 to supporting our St. Andrew! We have achieved 60% of our goal. Please consider making your commitment to our community and join us by donating now at https://www.standrewgonj.org.
Prayer List
If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the office. 973-584-0388 or send us an email to info@standrewgonj.org
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.
Mary, Vasiliki, Jeff, Kleio, George, Eugenia, Joanna, Eliana, Constantinos, Elena, Nicholas, Konstantinos, Georgia,Vasileke, Jutta, Irene, George, Eftihia, Athena, Christina, Athanasios, Anna, John, Rick, Christine, John, Freda, Estelle, Christina, Fotios, Julie, Joanna, Efthymios, Evangelos, John, Joanna, Lisa, Rich, Magdalini, Irini, Christos, Fr. Christos, Nancy, Brian, Thomas, Vasilios, Evanthia, Athanasios, Angeliki, Christian, Olga, Demitra, Antonia, Aikaterini, John, Stavroula, Anna Christina, Manny, Mary, George, Susan, Dimitrios, Peter, Michael, Ryan, Ioannis, Monica, Katerina, Tasia, Christina, Andrew, Andrew, Margaret, Eleni, Paraskevi, Panagotis, Maria, Caroline, Demetrios, Konstantinos, Susan, 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, Evmorfia, Fr. Konstantine, Fr. Demetri, Prz Spyridoula, Eugenia, Constantinos, Eftychia, Kyzoula, Lukas, Spyridoula, Maria, Eugenia
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
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Matins Gospel Reading
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.
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.
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5.
Brethren, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 67.35,26.
Θαυμαστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἐν τοῖς Ἁγίοις αὐτοῦ.
Στίχ. Ἐν Ἐκκλησίαις εὐλογεῖτε τὸν Θεὸν.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 3:23-29, 4:1-5.
Ἀδελφοί, πρὸ τοῦ δὲ ἐλθεῖν τὴν πίστιν, ὑπὸ νόμον ἐφρουρούμεθα, συγκεκλεισμένοι εἰς τὴν μέλλουσαν πίστιν ἀποκαλυφθῆναι. Ὥστε ὁ νόμος παιδαγωγὸς ἡμῶν γέγονεν εἰς Χριστόν, ἵνα ἐκ πίστεως δικαιωθῶμεν. Ἐλθούσης δὲ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκέτι ὑπὸ παιδαγωγόν ἐσμεν. Πάντες γὰρ υἱοὶ θεοῦ ἐστε διὰ τῆς πίστεως ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Ὅσοι γὰρ εἰς Χριστὸν ἐβαπτίσθητε, Χριστὸν ἐνεδύσασθε. Οὐκ ἔνι Ἰουδαῖος οὐδὲ Ἕλλην, οὐκ ἔνι δοῦλος οὐδὲ ἐλεύθερος, οὐκ ἔνι ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ· πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς εἷς ἐστε ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Εἰ δὲ ὑμεῖς Χριστοῦ, ἄρα τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ σπέρμα ἐστέ, καὶ κατʼ ἐπαγγελίαν κληρονόμοι. Λέγω δέ, ἐφʼ ὅσον χρόνον ὁ κληρονόμος νήπιός ἐστιν, οὐδὲν διαφέρει δούλου, κύριος πάντων ὤν· ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ ἐπιτρόπους ἐστὶν καὶ οἰκονόμους, ἄχρι τῆς προθεσμίας τοῦ πατρός. Οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς, ὅτε ἦμεν νήπιοι, ὑπὸ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου ἦμεν δεδουλωμένοι· ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός, γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον, ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν.
Gospel Reading
7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35
At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.
As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
7th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 9:27-35
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παράγοντι ἐκεῖθεν τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ δύο τυφλοὶ κράζοντες καὶ λέγοντες· ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, υἱὲ Δαυΐδ. ἐλθόντι δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ τυφλοί, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· πιστεύετε ὅτι δύναμαι τοῦτο ποιῆσαι; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· ναί, Κύριε. τότε ἥψατο τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν λέγων· κατὰ τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν γενηθήτω ὑμῖν. καὶ ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί· καὶ ἐνεβριμήσατο αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς λέγων· ὁρᾶτε μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω. οἱ δὲ ἐξελθόντες διεφήμισαν αὐτὸν ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ γῇ ἐκείνῃ.
Αὐτῶν δὲ ἐξερχομένων ἰδοὺ προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπον κωφὸν δαιμονιζόμενον· καὶ ἐκβληθέντος τοῦ δαιμονίου ἐλάλησεν ὁ κωφός, καὶ ἐθαύμασαν οἱ ὄχλοι λέγοντες ὅτι οὐδέποτε ἐφάνη οὕτως ἐν τῷ ᾿Ισραήλ. οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι ἔλεγον· ἐν τῷ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια.
Καὶ περιῆγεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὰς πόλεις πάσας καὶ τὰς κώμας διδάσκων ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ θεραπεύων πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν ἐν τῷ λαῷ.
Saints and Feasts
July 26
7th Sunday of Matthew
July 26
The Holy Hieromartyrs Hermolaus, Hermippus, and Hermocrates
Saint Hermolaus and those with him were priests of the Church in Nicomedia, living in hiding after the Emperor Maximian had burnt to death the 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia (see Dec. 28). It was Hermolaus who converted Saint Panteleimon to Christ. When Saint Panteleimon was seized as a Christian and was asked by Maximian who it was that had turned him from the idols, the Saint, enlightened by God that the time of his teacher's martyrdom also was at hand, revealed to Maximian that it was Hermolaus the priest. Saint Hermolaus was taken with Saints Hermippus and Hermocrates, and when they had confessed Christ to be the only true God, they were beheaded in the year 305. Saint Hermolaus is one of the Holy Unmercenaries.
July 27
Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer
This Saint, who had Nicomedia as his homeland, was the son of Eustorgius and Eubula. His father was an idolater, but his mother was a Christian from her ancestors. It was through her that he was instructed in piety, and still later, he was catechized in the Faith of Christ by Saint Hermolaus (see July 26) and baptized by him. Being proficient in the physician's vocation, he practiced it in a philanthropic manner, healing every illness more by the grace of Christ than by medicines. Thus, although his parents had named him Pantoleon ("in all things a lion"), because of the compassion he showed for the souls and bodies of all, he was worthily renamed Panteleimon, meaning "all-merciful." On one occasion, when he restored the sight of a certain blind man by calling on the Divine Name, he enlightened also the eyes of this man's soul to the knowledge of the truth. This also became the cause for the martyrdom of him who had been blind, since when he was asked by whom and in what manner his eyes had been opened, in imitation of that blind man of the Gospel he confessed with boldness both who the physician was and the manner of his healing. For this he was put to death immediately. Panteleimon was arrested also, and having endured many wounds, he was finally beheaded in the year 305, during the reign of Maximian. Saint Panteleimon is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is held in special honor among them, even as Saint George is among the Martyrs.
August 01
The Holy Seven Maccabee Children, Solomone Their Mother, and Eleazar Their Teacher
The names of the Holy Maccabees are Abim, Anthony, Guria, Eleazar, Eusebona, Achim, and Marcellus. They were Jews by race and exact keepers of the Laws of the Fathers. They lived during the reign of Antiochus, who was surnamed Epiphanes ("Illustrious"), the King of Syria and an implacable enemy of the Jews. Having subjugated their whole nation and done many evil things to them, not sparing to assail the most sacred matters of their Faith, he constrained them, among other things, to partake of swine's flesh, which was forbidden by the Law. Then these pious youths, on being apprehended together with their mother and their teacher, were constrained to set at nought the Law, and were subjected to unspeakable tortures: wrackings, the breaking of their bones, the flaying of their flesh, fire, dismemberment, and such things as only a tyrant's mind and a bestial soul is able to contrive. But when they had endured all things courageously and showed in deed that the mind is sovereign over the passions and is able to conquer them if it so desires, they gloriously ended their lives in torments, surrendering their life for the sake of the observance of the divine Law. The first to die was their teacher Eleazar, then all the brethren in the order of their age. As for their wondrous mother Solomone, "filled with a courageous spirit, and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly wrath" (II Macc. 7:21), she was present at her children's triumph over the tyrant, strengthening them in their struggle for the sake of their Faith, and enduring stout-heartedly their sufferings for the sake of their hope in the Lord. After her last and youngest son had been perfected in martyrdom, when she was about to be seized to be put to death, she cast herself into the fire that they might not touch her, and was thus deemed worthy of a blessed end together with her sons, in the year 168 before Christ.
August 02
Phocas the Martyr
Saint Phocas was a gardener in a small village on the south coast of the Black Sea. He lived a simple life, carrying out acts of piety and love for all around him, even serving the pagans of the village, some of who left their ways and followed Christ. The local governor heard of this and sent soldiers to kill him. The saint stumbled upon these very soldiers and, without disclosing his name, ministered to them by receiving them into his home, feeding them, and giving them rest. That night he dug a grave for himself in his garden and prepared for all his possessions to be given away after his death.
The next morning, Phocas disclosed to the soldiers that it was he whom they were seeking to kill. The soldiers were distraught, not wanting to kill the saint who had shown them so much kindness. Phocas insisted that they must carry out their mission as he willingly laid his head beneath the sword. They proceeded to execute him and then bury him in the grave he dug in his garden. The site later became a source of miracles, and eventually a Church was erected upon it. Saint Phocas is frequently invoked for those who travel by sea. His life was recorded by Saint Asterius of Amasia (see October 10th).
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.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text
Apolytikion for Martyr Paraskeve in the First Mode
Showing a diligence befitting thy calling, O namesake of preparedness, thou hast gained, as thy dwelling, a faith worthy of thy name, O prizewinning Paraskeve. Hence, thou pourest forth healings and intercedest for our souls.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Τήν σπουδήν σου τή κλήσει κατάλληλον, εργασαμένη φερώνυμε, τήν ομώνυμόν σου πίστιν εις κατοικίαν κεκλήρωσαι, Παρασκευή αθλοφόρε, όθεν προχέεις ιάματα, καί πρεσβεύεις υπέρ τών ψυχών ημών.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text
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.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
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.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text
Wisdom of the Fathers
He puts an end to the woman's fear ... He sets her right, in respect of her thinking to be hid ... He exhibits her faith to all, so as to provoke the rest also to emulation ...
Homily 31 on Matthew 9, 4th Century
And then at last He for His part lays His hand upon them, saying, "According to your faith be it unto you." And this He does to confirm their faith, and to show that they are participators in the good work ...
Homily 32 on Matthew 9, 4th Century