Orthros at 8:45 am & Divine Liturgy at 10am
Weekday Orthros and Liturgies begin at 8am
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.
You will then get a confirmation that you may attend the service. For Sunday’s Liturgy please come to church by 10:15am. Late arrivals will lose their reservation if we have people waiting to be seated. If you are not able to attend please cancel 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).
A 40 Day Memorial Service will be held for the repose of the soul of +Katina Kontos, beloved mother of Evan and Marina. May her memory be eternal.
Prayers/Liturgy can always be found at: https://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/dcs.html
Elissa Bjeletich will join us for a Tending the Garden of Our Hearts conversation! Like the book and podcast, she'll offer some short reflections followed by discussion. We'll focus on the ways we can practically apply what we learn in the Scriptures and from the Saints in our everyday lives.
Please RSVP to info@standrewgonj.org receive a link to the meeting
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
Saint Andrew Philoptochos invites you to join them to raise funds to suport their philanthropic endeavors and ministries. See flyer for more info.
• 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.
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.
From the Church's Facebook Page
From the Church's YouTube channel
https://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/dcs.html
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.
Just email him at prayersstandrew@gmail.com PLEASE indicate Living or Reposed
Τὴν Σκέπην σου, Παρθένε, οἱ πιστοὶ μεγαλύνομεν….
(Ἀπολυτίκιον τῇ 28ῃ Ὀκτωβρίου, Τῶν Νικητηρίων)
Your Protection, O Virgin, do we the faithful magnify….
(Apolytikion for October 28th, the Feast of Victory)
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and
Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox
Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day,
Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic
Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today, we celebrate the eightieth anniversary of our magnificent Feast of Victory
– τὰ Νικητήρια of the Theotokos, who on October 28, 1940, came to the aid of Greece and
her noble people. We honor those Greeks who, as the Lord enjoined in His
commandment, ‘let their “yes” be “yes,” and their “no” be “no”’ (Matthew 5:37). On this
day, the Greek People said a resounding “Yes” to freedom, to conscience, and to justice;
even as they roared ΟΧΙ to the forces of fascism, tyranny, and hatred.
Eighty years later, there are a diminishing few who remember in real time this
heroic hour that cost Greece so dearly, and who lived through the days that followed: the
suffering, the struggle, and the oppression that were wreaked on the Birthplace of
Democracy. But all of us – and not only us but the entire world – have been blessed with
the legacy of the sacrifices of full measure that adorn the mountain passes, the fields of
honor, and the island bastions of freedom.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said: “When the entire world had lost all
hope, the Greek people dared….” Indeed, they did! They dared to stand up against the
monstrous waves of cruelty unleashed upon Europe. They dared to hope against hope in
the Holy Protection of the Virgin whose colors blaze on the banner of the Nation. They
dared to say “No” to evil, and risked their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor, as
once did other lovers of liberty.
My beloved Christians, let us honor their sacrifice with our prayers for their
eternal memory, their everlasting rest, and our commitment to ever remain under the
Protection of the Holy Virgin. May we always exercise and defend in righteousness and
true piety, the duties and responsibilities of Democracy with decency, dignity, and in
defiance of those who would attempt to seize our freedom.
With paternal love in our Lord Jesus Christ,
† ELPIDOPHOROS
Archbishop of America
we will be live-streaming the services on the church’s Facebook page
SUNDAY 11/1 +5th Sunday of Luke +Cosmas and Damian
Memorial Service: +Katina Kontos
Monday 11/2 @ 7:30pm Parish Council Monthly Meeting - Virtual
Friday 11/6 @ 6:45-9pm Virtual Parish Retreat - Elissa Bjeletich
SUNDAY 11/8 +7th Sunday of Luke +Synaxis of the Holy Archangels
Artoclasia for Christos & Lambrini Paxos Family
Monday 11/9 +St. Nektarios
11/9 @7pm GOYA Board Meeting virtual
11/10 Lifeline Screening at Saint Andrew
11/10 @7pm Stewardship Meeting virtual
11/12 last day to bring in food items for Thanksgiving Food Drive
11/13 +St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople
11/14+St. Philip the Apostle | Divine Liturgy Youth & Family Worship @ 9:00AM
11/15 8th Sunday of Luke
11/15 HAS 2020 Graduates in Church
11/15 @1:30p Baptism
11/16 +Matthew the Apostle & Evangelist
11/19 @7pm Goya Meeting virtual
11/21 +The Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple | Divine Liturgy Youth & Family Worship @ 9:00AM
11/22 9th Sunday of Luke
11/22 Memorial Service +Kanella + Nikolaos Perdis (Perdikoulias)
11/22 Stewardship Sunday
11/23 @7pm General Assembly virtual
11/23 @8pm Parish Council Monthly Meeting virtual
11/24@ 7pm Philoptochos Monthly Meeting virtual
11/25 +St. Katherine the Great Martyr
11/25 Thanksgiving Day Service & +Stylianos the Monk of Paphlagonia |O & DL @6pm
11/26 NO HAS Classes (Thanksgiving break)
11/26 Thanksgiving Day
11/28 Faith Kitchen: Philoptochos
11/29 13th Sunday of Luke
11/29 Memorial Service: +Vincent Pelegrino
11/29 Saint Andrew | Great Vespers Service for @7pm
11/30 +Saint Andrew The First Called Apostle * Orthros & Divine Liturgy @9 AM
TO ATTEND .. PLEASE CONTACT INFO@STANDREWGONJ.ORG TO RECEIVE LINK FOR ZOOM MEETING FOR NOV 6 AT 6:45PM
News from Archdiocese
Youth & Family Worship for Sunday School Students & Family
CHOICE BOARD September-November 2020 Family Goal - Choose and complete 15 boxes per quarter (3 months)
Philoptochos invites you to join them to raise funds to support their Philanthropic endeavors and ministries
If you are not able to attend.. We invite you 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 Website From the Church's YouTube channel
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.
Marina, Athena, Eleni, Vasiliki, Klaus, Lori, Despina, Bob, Isabella, Julie, Kyriaki, Sergios, Nikoletta, Roger, Constantinos, Ioanna, Alexandra, Dimitri, Maria, Angeliki, Constantinos, Panagiotis, Fevronia, Alexandra, Eleni, Anastasia, George, 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,
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
Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14
At that time, being raised from the dead, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Tenth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 21:1-14
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐφανέρωσεν ἑαυτὸν πάλιν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς Τιβεριάδος· ἐφανέρωσε δὲ οὕτως. ἦσαν ὁμοῦ Σίμων Πέτρος, καὶ Θωμᾶς ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, καὶ Ναθαναὴλ ὁ ἀπὸ Κανᾶ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οἱ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου, καὶ ἄλλοι ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ δύο. λέγει αὐτοῖς Σίμων Πέτρος· ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν. λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· ἐρχόμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν σοί. ἐξῆλθον καὶ ἐνέβησαν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον εὐθύς, καὶ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ νυκτὶ ἐπίασαν οὐδέν. πρωΐας δὲ ἤδη γενομένης ἔστη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς τὸν αἰγιαλόν· οὐ μέντοι ᾔδεισαν οἱ μαθηταὶ ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστι. λέγει οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· παιδία, μή τι προσφάγιον ἔχετε; ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ· οὔ. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· βάλετε εἰς τὰ δεξιὰ μέρη τοῦ πλοίου τὸ δίκτυον, καὶ εὑρήσετε. ἔβαλον οὖν, καὶ οὐκέτι αὐτὸ ἑλκύσαι ἴσχυσαν ἀπὸ τοῦ πλήθους τῶν ἰχθύων. λέγει οὖν ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος, ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, τῷ Πέτρῳ· ὁ Κύριός ἐστι. Σίμων οὖν Πέτρος ἀκούσας ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστι, τὸν ἐπενδύτην διεζώσατο· ἦν γὰρ γυμνός· καὶ ἔβαλεν ἑαυτὸν εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν· οἱ δὲ ἄλλοι μαθηταὶ τῷ πλοιαρίῳ ἦλθον· οὐ γὰρ ἦσαν μακρὰν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἀπὸ πηχῶν διακοσίων, σύροντες τὸ δίκτυον τῶν ἰχθύων. ὡς οὖν ἀπέβησαν εἰς τὴν γῆν, βλέπουσιν ἀνθρακιὰν κειμένην καὶ ὀψάριον ἐπικείμενον καὶ ἄρτον. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἐνέγκατε ἀπὸ τῶν ὀψαρίων ὧν ἐπιάσατε νῦν. ἀνέβη Σίμων Πέτρος καὶ εἵλκυσε τὸ δίκτυον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, μεστὸν ἰχθύων μεγάλων ἑκατὸν πεντήκοντα τριῶν· καὶ τοσούτων ὄντων οὐκ ἐσχίσθη τὸ δίκτυον. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· δεῦτε ἀριστήσατε. οὐδεὶς δὲ ἐτόλμα τῶν μαθητῶν ἐξετάσαι αὐτὸν σὺ τίς εἶ, εἰδότες ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστιν. ἔρχεται οὖν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ λαμβάνει τὸν ἄρτον καὶ δίδωσιν αὐτοῖς, καὶ τὸ ὀψάριον ὁμοίως. Τοῦτο ἤδη τρίτον ἐφανερώθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν.
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 15.3,8.
Among the saints who are in his land, the Lord has been wondrous.
Verse: I see the Lord before me continually.
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 12:27-31; 13:1-8.
Brethren, you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 15.3,8.
Τοῖς ἁγίοις τοῖς ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτοῦ ἐθαυμάστωσεν ὁ Κύριος.
Στίχ. Προωρώμην τὸν Κύριον ἐνώπιόν μου διαπαντός.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 12:27-31, 13:1-8.
Ἀδελφοί, ὑμεῖς δέ ἐστε σῶμα Χριστοῦ, καὶ μέλη ἐκ μέρους. Καὶ οὓς μὲν ἔθετο ὁ θεὸς ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ πρῶτον ἀποστόλους, δεύτερον προφήτας, τρίτον διδασκάλους, ἔπειτα δυνάμεις, εἶτα χαρίσματα ἰαμάτων, ἀντιλήψεις, κυβερνήσεις, γένη γλωσσῶν. Μὴ πάντες ἀπόστολοι; Μὴ πάντες προφῆται; Μὴ πάντες διδάσκαλοι; Μὴ πάντες δυνάμεις; Μὴ πάντες χαρίσματα ἔχουσιν ἰαμάτων; Μὴ πάντες γλώσσαις λαλοῦσιν; Μὴ πάντες διερμηνεύουσιν; Ζηλοῦτε δὲ τὰ χαρίσματα τὰ κρείττονα. Καὶ ἔτι καθʼ ὑπερβολὴν ὁδὸν ὑμῖν δείκνυμι. Ἐὰν ταῖς γλώσσαις τῶν ἀνθρώπων λαλῶ καὶ τῶν ἀγγέλων, ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, γέγονα χαλκὸς ἠχῶν ἢ κύμβαλον ἀλαλάζον. Καὶ ἐὰν ἔχω προφητείαν, καὶ εἰδῶ τὰ μυστήρια πάντα καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γνῶσιν, καὶ ἐὰν ἔχω πᾶσαν τὴν πίστιν, ὥστε ὄρη μεθιστάνειν, ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, οὐθέν εἰμι. Καὶ ἐὰν ψωμίσω πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντά μου, καὶ ἐὰν παραδῶ τὸ σῶμά μου ἵνα καυθήσωμαι, ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, οὐδὲν ὠφελοῦμαι. Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ, χρηστεύεται· ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ ζηλοῖ· ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ περπερεύεται, οὐ φυσιοῦται, οὐκ ἀσχημονεῖ, οὐ ζητεῖ τὰ ἑαυτῆς, οὐ παροξύνεται, οὐ λογίζεται τὸ κακόν, οὐ χαίρει ἐπὶ τῇ ἀδικίᾳ, συγχαίρει δὲ τῇ ἀληθείᾳ, πάντα στέγει, πάντα πιστεύει, πάντα ἐλπίζει, πάντα ὑπομένει. 8 Ἡ ἀγάπη οὐδέποτε ἐκπίπτει· εἴτε δὲ προφητεῖαι, καταργηθήσονται· εἴτε γλῶσσαι, παύσονται· εἴτε γνῶσις, καταργηθήσεται.
5th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 16:19-31
The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"
5th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 16:19-31
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· ῎Ανθρωπος δέ τις ἦν πλούσιος, καὶ ἐνεδιδύσκετο πορφύραν καὶ βύσσον εὐφραινόμενος καθ᾿ ἡμέραν λαμπρῶς. πτωχὸς δέ τις ἦν ὀνόματι Λάζαρος, ὃς ἐβέβλητο πρὸς τὸν πυλῶνα αὐτοῦ ἡλκωμένος καὶ ἐπιθυμῶν χορτασθῆναι ἀπὸ τῶν ψιχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τοῦ πλουσίου· ἀλλὰ καὶ οἱ κύνες ἐρχόμενοι ἀπέλειχον τὰ ἕλκη αὐτοῦ. ἐγένετο δὲ ἀποθανεῖν τὸν πτωχὸν καὶ ἀπενεχθῆναι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἰς τὸν κόλπον ᾿Αβραάμ· ἀπέθανε δὲ καὶ ὁ πλούσιος καὶ ἐτάφη. καὶ ἐν τῷ ᾅδῃ ἐπάρας τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ, ὑπάρχων ἐν βασάνοις, ὁρᾷ τὸν ᾿Αβραὰμ ἀπὸ μακρόθεν καὶ Λάζαρον ἐν τοῖς κόλποις αὐτοῦ. καὶ αὐτὸς φωνήσας εἶπε· πάτερ ᾿Αβραάμ, ἐλέησόν με καὶ πέμψον Λάζαρον ἵνα βάψῃ τὸ ἄκρον τοῦ δακτύλου αὐτοῦ ὕδατος καὶ καταψύξῃ τὴν γλῶσσάν μου, ὅτι ὀδυνῶμαι ἐν τῇ φλογὶ ταύτῃ. εἶπε δὲ ᾿Αβραάμ· τέκνον, μνήσθητι ὅτι ἀπέλαβες σὺ τὰ ἀγαθά σου ἐν τῇ ζωῇ σου, καὶ Λάζαρος ὁμοίως τὰ κακά· νῦν δὲ ὧδε παρακαλεῖται, σὺ δὲ ὀδυνᾶσαι· καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσι τούτοις μεταξὺ ἡμῶν καὶ ὑμῶν χάσμα μέγα ἐστήρικται, ὅπως οἱ θέλοντες διαβῆναι ἔνθεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς μὴ δύνωνται, μηδὲ οἱ ἐκεῖθεν πρὸς ἡμᾶς διαπερῶσιν. εἶπε δέ· ἐρωτῶ οὖν σε, πάτερ, ἵνα πέμψῃς αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός μου· ἔχω γὰρ πέντε ἀδελφούς· ὅπως διαμαρτύρηται αὐτοῖς, ἵνα μὴ καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔλθωσιν εἰς τὸν τόπον τοῦτον τῆς βασάνου. λέγει αὐτῷ ᾿Αβραάμ· ἔχουσι Μωϋσέα καὶ τοὺς προφήτας· ἀκουσάτωσαν αὐτῶν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· οὐχί, πάτερ ᾿Αβραάμ, ἀλλ᾿ ἐάν τις ἀπὸ νεκρῶν πορευθῇ πρὸς αὐτούς, μετανοήσουσιν. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ· εἰ Μωϋσέως καὶ τῶν προφητῶν οὐκ ἀκούουσιν, οὐδὲ ἐάν τις ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῇ πεισθήσονται.
These Saints were from Asia (that is, Asia Minor). After the death of their father, their Christ-loving mother Theodota reared them in piety and in all manner of virtue, and had them instructed in every science, especially that of medicine. This became their vocation, and they went about healing every illness and malady, bestowing healing freely on both men and beasts alike; because of this, they are called "Unmercenaries." And thus, having completed the course of their life, they reposed in peace.
All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, - sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honouring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty." The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text