September 20
St. Andrew Church
Publish Date: 2020-09-20
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:
- 2020-09-27
- Publish Date:
- 2020-09-13
- Publish Date:
- 2020-09-06
- Publish Date:
- 2020-08-30
- Publish Date:
- 2020-08-23
- Publish Date:
- 2020-08-16
Services at St. Andrew
Attending services at Saint 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.
Saturday 9/19
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/118794053211
Divine Liturgy @ 9-10am Youth & Family Worship
@8am Orthros & @9am Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
On Saturday, September 19th at 12:00 pm Christopher & Lauren (Talamini) Spiropoulos will baptize their daughter.
Sunday 9/20
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/118782137571
+Sunday after the Holy Cross
@8:45am Orthros & @10am Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
On Sunday September 20th at 1:30pm Keith and Stephanie (Cochrain) Polizois will baptize their son
Tuesday 9/22
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/118793627939
+Phocas the Martyr, Bishop of Sinope* We have Saint's Relics in our Reliquary
@8am Orthros & @9am Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
Saturday 9/26
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/118793796443
+Falling Asleep of John the Theologian and Evangelist
@8am Orthros & @9am Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom
On Saturday September 26th at @3pm Christopher D'Andrea will wed Kateina Melekos
Sunday 9/27
+1st Sunday of Luke
Memorial Service: +Zoe Paleocostas, +Michael (Keneth) Fackina
Prayers/Liturgy can always be found at: https://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/dcs.html
Announcements
Hellenic Afternoon School
9/21 Monday at 4:30PM Agiasmosin Church followed by HAS 1st day of classes grades: Jr Pre-K, Pre-K, K, 3 & 4
9/24 Thursda at 4:30PM Agiasmosin Church followed by HAS 1st day of classes: grades: 1, 2, 5, & 6
Saint Andrew Family News September issue is on our web site
https://www.standrewgonj.org/files/September-2020.pdf
Philoptochos Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive
Please bring to church no later than November 12, 2020. Food Drive is to benefit the Inter-Faith Food Pantry of Morris County and area food pantries. Items to bring: Turkey or Ham, Instant mashed potatoes, Brownie Mix, cake mix and icing, Nuts, mini marshmallows, pickles, Stuffing , Gravy, Roll mix or muffin mix, Salad dressing, Canned vegetables (low salt if possible), Canned yams, Hearty soups (low salt if possible), Coffee or tea, Apple, cranberry or other 100% juice, Canned fruit, Jell-O or pudding, Fresh potatoes or yams, Apples and oranges. Thank you for helping ensure families have a Happy Thanksgiving
Philoptochos Annual Coat Drive for Market Street Mission
We are asking if you have a gently used winter coat to donate that you bring it to the church by Monday, October 26 so we can donate in time for the coat drive. The Market Street Mission will hold their Annual Coat Drive in Novembr datge to be determined. The mission wants only winter coats and apparel (hats & scarves) Please NO windbreakers or rain coats (they will not keep our homeless warm)
Attending services at Saint Andrew
• If you cannot attend please cancel your reservation by using your Eventbrite confirmation or calling the church office and leaving a message
• Parishioners must sanitize their hands upon entering the Church.
• Parishioners must wear protective masks throughout the Services.
• Parishioners must adhere to the social distancing guidelines of keeping a six foot distance from other parishioners at all times in the pews and throughout the Church. The only exception being for families that have quarantined together, as they will be able to sit together in a designated section of the Church.
• Parishioners are not to wander in the Church, in the Parish facilities, or outside on the parish grounds.
• Small children shall not be allowed to roam the aisles.
• Parishioners must leave the Church premises, including the parking lot and exterior grounds, upon conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, all the while maintaining social distancing standards.
OPENING THE CHURCH
At this phase, our Church occupancy is limited during the service and is 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
Archpastoral Message
September 16, 2020
The Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy
Esteemed Members of the Metropolitan Council, Esteemed Members of the Parish Councils, Philoptochos Sisterhood, Faculty and Students of the Catechetical and Greek Afternoon Schools, Directors and Participants of all Youth Organizations, and all devout Orthodox Christians of the Communities of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of
New Jersey
My Beloved in the Lord,
As we continue through these most difficult times, our families, our communities, and the Church have been intensely affected both by the COVID-19 Pandemic and the restrictions in response to the Pandemic. The current levels of restrictions and regulations are indeed frustrating for myself and for our Ecclesiastical Communities as we are prevented from conducting the mission and ministries of the Church for the salvation and spiritual well-being of the devout faithful in the same manner as has been done in the past.
I share in your pain, your frustration, and your concern that our Communities are not able to return to gathering in worship all together without limitations and that the important ministries of the Church are not all able to function as they normally have. These unfortunate events have caused untold difficulties which have affected all the devout faithful of our Communities and the community at large. Our devoted Ecclesiastical Communities offer the Bread of Life to all devout faithful and they engage in numerous ministries which spiritually build the Body of Christ. Moreover, many of these ministries serve in reaching out to the less fortunate and marginalized members of society. Yet, in this COVID-19 era, these ministries have suffered from a lack of funding and the inability for the normal number of persons to gather so that these ministries may be as successful as possible. This reality is saddening and causes all of us pain since we are limited in the number of ministries that can function.
I fully and completely understand the challenges which our most devout Clergy and Parish Council members face in the light of these unprecedented times especially as our Communities face indescribable financial setbacks. It is with tremendous eagerness that I would like for our Communities to return to normal, just as all of our Clergy, Parish Council members, and devout faithful would like as well, however, currently this is not the case due to the continued effects of the Pandemic.
My beloved in the Lord, though our frustration is palpable and our desire for normality is abundant, we must have patience and, above all, faith in God. It is with God’s intervention and His protection that we will be able to surpass these difficulties. Therefore, I encourage you to pray all the more fervently for the well-being, safety, and health of your family, friends, and members of your Community so that, when this Pandemic has come to an end, we can all gather and rejoice together in our Parishes, giving thanks to Almighty God for His love and mercy.
Praying that our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ, together with His most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Mother, the Theotokos, guard and guide each of you and your families during these turbulent times, I remain
With Paternal Love and Blessings,
† E V A N G E L O S
Metropolitan of New Jersey
Daily Calendar
we will be live-streaming the services on the church’s Facebook page
Saturday 9/19 @9am Divine Liturgy for YOUTH & FAMILY WORSHIP
9/19 Sat @12pm Baptism Spiropoulos_Talamini
SUNDAY 9/20 Sunday after the Holy Cross
9/20 at 12pm Philoptochos Board Meeting in Church parking lot
9/20 Sun @1:30pm Baptism Polizois_Cochrain
9/21 Mon 4:30PM Agiasmos in Church followed by HAS 1st day of classes Group 1: grades: Jr Pre-K, Pre-K, K, 3 & 4
Tuesday 9/22 + Phocas the Martyr, Bishop of Sinope* Relics
9/22 Tue @7:30 Philoptochos General Meeting is Zoom
9/24 Thu @4:30PM Agiasmos in Church followed by HAS 1st day of classes: Group 2 grades: 1, 2, 5, &6
9/24 Thu @7:30pm Stewardship Virtual Meeting
Saturday 9/26 +Falling Asleep of John the Theologian and Evangelist
9/26 Sat Faith Kitchen: Parish Council
9/26/20 Sat @3pm wedding Melekos_D'Andrea
SUNDAY 9/27 +1st Sunday of Luke
9/27/20 Sun@3pm Wedding Umina_Kritharis
9/27/20 Memorial Service: +Zoe Paleocostas, +Michael (Keneth) Fackina
9/28@7:30pm Parish Council Virtual Meeting 4th Monday
10/1 @6pm GOYA Prayer in Church and Fellowship TBA
Saturday 10/3 Divine Liturgy @ 9-10am for Youth & Family Worship
Sunday 10/4 +2nd Sunday of Luke+St. Hierotheos of Athens* Relics
Memorial Service: Stilianos (Stanley) Kyriakides, George Lewis,
Trisagion Service: +Vasilios, +Demetrios, +Fotini
Sunday 10/4/20 @1:30 Baptism Demopoulos_Spiropoulos
Tuesday 10/6 +St. Thomas the Apostle
SUNDAY 10/11 +Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
Saturday 10/17 Divine Liturgy @ 9:00AM for Youth and Family Worship
SUNDAY 10/18 +St. Luke the Evangelist
Friday 10/23 +St. Iakovos the Brother of the Lord
10/24 Sat Faith Kitchen: GOYA
SUNDAY 10/25 +6th Sunday of Luke
Monday 10/26 St. Demetrios the Myrrh bearer
Wednesday 10/28 +Holy Protection of the Theotokos| OXI DAY” Greek National Holiday
News - Flyers - Registrations - Other
Pastoral Message
His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey is encouraging the devout faithful to participate in the Divine Services and to support the mission and ministries of the Church through their generosity.
Youth + Family + Worship
Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Saturday, September 12, 2020 (9AM) Look for Eventbrite Link to reserve seat.
Religious Education
CHOICE BOARD September-November 2020 Family Goal - Choose and complete 15 boxes per quarter (3 months)
HAS Letter to Parents
9/21 MON 4:30PM AGIASMOS in Church followed by HAS 1ST DAY OF CLASSES for GRADES: JR PRE-K, PRE-K, K, 3 & 4 | 9/24 THU @4:30PM AGIASMOS in Church followed by HAS 1ST DAY OF CLASSES for GRADES: 1, 2, 5, & 6
Hellenic Afternoon School Registration
complete entire Form | Register by Sept 13, 2020 for in person classes
HAS CALENDAR 2020
Schedule is subject to change
STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE
STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE: Must have 2020 pledge in order to Register for Greek School
Coat Drive
collecting gently used coats (men's, women's and children's), hats and scarves for the ANNUAL COAT DRIVE FOR MARKET STREET MISSION. drop off: no later than Monday, October 26.
FOOD DRIVE
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE: bring food in by : November 12, 2020 To Benefit the Inter-Faith Food Pantry of Morris County and area food pantries
HELLENIC RELIEF
SAINT ANDREW PHILOPTOCHOS IS COLLECTING DONATIONS OF ITEMS FOR HELLENIC RELIEF FOUNDATION
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.
Sergios, Roger, Constantinos, Ioanna, Alexandra, Dimitri, Maria, Angeliki, Constantinos, Panagiotis, Fevronia, Alexandra, Eleni, Anastasia, George, 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, Stephanie, Athanasios, Angeliki, Christian, Olga, Demitra, Antonia, , 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,
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
Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.
Fourth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:1-12
Καὶ τὸ μὲν σάββατον ἡσύχασαν κατὰ τὴν ἐντολήν, Τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων ὄρθρου βαθέος ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμα φέρουσαι ἃ ἡτοίμασαν ἀρώματα, καί τινες σὺν αὐταῖς. εὗρον δὲ τὸν λίθον ἀποκεκυλισμένον ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου, καὶ εἰσελθοῦσαι οὐχ εὗρον τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Κυρίου ᾿Ιησοῦ. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ διαπορεῖσθαι αὐτὰς περὶ τούτου καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνδρες δύο ἐπέστησαν αὐταῖς ἐν ἐσθήσεσιν ἀστραπτούσαις. ἐμφόβων δὲ γενομένων αὐτῶν καὶ κλινουσῶν τὸ πρόσωπον εἰς τὴν γῆν εἶπον πρὸς αὐτάς· τί ζητεῖτε τὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τῶν νεκρῶν; οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε, ἀλλ᾿ ἠγέρθη· μνήσθητε ὡς ἐλάλησεν ὑμῖν ἔτι ὢν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ, λέγων ὅτι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθῆναι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ σταυρωθῆναι, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστῆναι. καὶ ἐμνήσθησαν τῶν ῥημάτων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὑποστρέψασαι ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου ἀπήγγειλαν ταῦτα πάντα τοῖς ἕνδεκα καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς λοιποῖς. ἦσαν δὲ ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ Μαρία καὶ ᾿Ιωάννα καὶ Μαρία ᾿Ιακώβου καὶ οἱ λοιπαὶ σὺν αὐταῖς, αἳ ἔλεγον πρὸς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ταῦτα. καὶ ἐφάνησαν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ λῆρος τὰ ῥήματα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἠπίστουν αὐταῖς. ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἀναστὰς ἔδραμεν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα μόνα, καὶ ἀπῆλθε πρὸς ἑαυτόν, θαυμάζων τὸ γεγονός.
Epistle Reading
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 Galatians 2:16-20.
Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
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 Γαλάτας 2:16-20.
Ἀδελφοί, εἰδότες ὅτι οὐ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν, ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου· διότι οὐ δικαιωθήσεται ἐξ ἔργων νόμου πᾶσα σάρξ. Εἰ δέ, ζητοῦντες δικαιωθῆναι ἐν Χριστῷ, εὑρέθημεν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἁμαρτωλοί, ἆρα Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίας διάκονος; Μὴ γένοιτο. Εἰ γὰρ ἃ κατέλυσα, ταῦτα πάλιν οἰκοδομῶ, παραβάτην ἐμαυτὸν συνίστημι. Ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον, ἵνα θεῷ ζήσω. Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι· ζῶ δέ, οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός· ὃ δὲ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, ἐν πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ.
Gospel Reading
Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."
Sunday after Holy Cross
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8:34-38, 9:1
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.
Saints and Feasts
September 20
John the Foreigner
September 20
Sunday after Holy Cross
September 20
Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife and two children
The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.
September 22
Phocas the Martyr, Bishop of Sinope
This saint was known for the many miracles he worked and for his apostolic zeal in shepherding the flock of Sinope. He contested for the Faith during the reign of the Emperor Trajan, in the year 102, when he was burned to death in a bath-house. A homily in his honour was composed by Saint John Chrysostom. The translation of his holy relics is celebrated on July 23.
NOTE: Saints relics in our Saint Andrew reliquiary
September 26
The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian
This Apostle was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James the elder. First a fisherman by trade, he became an Apostle and the beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he of all the Disciples followed Him even to the Cross, and was entrusted with the care of our Saviour's Mother, as it were another son to her, and a brother of Christ the Teacher. After this, he preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 during the reign of Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Returning again to Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel (after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his three Catholic Epistles. In all, he lived ninety-five years and fell asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100. He was called Theologian because he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of the Son and Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that an eagle-a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus says-is depicted in his icon, for this was one of the four symbolic living creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10).
September 27
1st Sunday of Luke
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 Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the First Mode
Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text
Apolytikion for Martyr Eustathius and His Companions in the Fourth Mode
Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Οι Μάρτυρές σου, Κύριε, εν τή αθλήσει αυτών, στεφάνους εκομίσαντο τής αφθαρσίας, εκ σού τού Θεού ημών, σχόντες γάρ τήν ισχύν σου, τούς τυράννους καθείλον, έθραυσαν καί δαιμόνων, τά ανίσχυρα θράση. Αυτών ταίς ικεσίαις, Χριστέ ο Θεός, σώσον τάς ψυχάς ημών.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text
Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode
Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Ο υψωθείς εν τώ Σταυρώ εκουσίως, τή επωνύμω σου καινή πολιτεία, τούς οικτιρμούς σου δώρησαι, Χριστέ ο Θεός, Εύφρανον εν τή δυνάμει σου, τούς πιστούς Βασιλείς ημών, νίκας χορηγών αυτοίς, κατά τών πολεμίων, τήν συμμαχίαν έχοιεν τήν σήν, όπλον ειρήνης, αήττητον τρόπαιον.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text
Wisdom of the Fathers
And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century
"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century