Publish-header
St. Andrew Church
Publish Date: 2021-04-18
Bulletin Contents
Allsaint
Organization Icon
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

4/16 Friday @11am Funeral service for the repose of the soul of +Eugenia Sedereas.  

4/16 FridayReservation NOT required..* @6pm Akathist Hymn   +Ακαθιστος Υμνος

 

4/18 Sunday of Mary of Egypt click on Eventbrite link to reserve seat (s)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/142403036315

 Memorial Services

A 40 Day Memorial Service will be held for the repose of the soul of +Michael Dontas beloved husband of Maria, father of George (Georgia), Dimitrios and Paraskevi Galitis, Theodore (Athena) and grandfather of Maria and Casey Miller, Angeliki and Vasilis Patrikis, Michael G. Dontas, Michael P. Dontas, Alexandros Dontas, Maria Dontas, Christina Dontas.

 A One-Year Memorial Service will be held for the repose of the soul of +George Theodoros Laoudis, beloved father of +Ioannis (Irene) Laoudis, grandfather of Georgios & Dimitri, great grandfather of Alexander Johnathan, Sophia and Christian.

 A Three-Year Memorial Service will be held for the repose of the soul of +Stelios Juvelis beloved father of Jaime Andrews, Aphrodite Calabrese, Janelle Juvelis, Vanessa Juvelis Mitchell.

 May their memory be eternal. Αιωνίαημνήμηαυτών

4/19 Monday @10am Funeral service for the repose of the soul of +Elias (Loouis) Kalavrezos. 

Canceled 4/19 Monday Canceled Office of the Great Compline +ΑκολουθίαΜέγαΑπόδειπνπων

 

4/21 Wednesday TBA Reservation NOT required..*@6:00pm  Pre-Sanctified Gifts Liturgy  +Προαγιασμένη Λειτουργία

 

4/23 Friday Holy Sacrament of Confession  click on Eventbrite link to make appointment    

 @2:30pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/148835122859

 @3:30pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/148830609359

 @4:30pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/148836583227

   

4/24 Saturday of Lazarus click on Eventbrite link to reserve seat (s) 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/142404847733

@9:00am Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

 

4/25 Palm Sunday 

click on Eventbrite link to reserve seat (s) after 4/18/21

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/142404083447 

@8:45 Orthros @10am Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

 

Attending services at Saint Andrew

above are the links for upcoming services.

Registration to services will be open until allowed seating has been reached.

Just Click on the Eventbrite Link  above 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).

Prayers/Liturgy can always be found at: https://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/dcs.html

BACK TO TOP

Announcements

PhiloptochosBake Sale see order forms

PASCHA LAMBATHES:  $20.00 look for Lambathes by church office. All proceeds to benefit the Saint Andrew Ministries                                 

PALM CROSSES: Please Join us for workshop of making Palm Crosses that will be distributed on Palm Sunday after the Saturday of Lazarus liturgy come to the gym, while the children are on their Pascha Egg Hunt, we will prepare the Palm Crosses.  Many hands are needed, please consider helping.

PASCHA EGG HUNT | Saturday, April 24th  after the Saturday of Lazarus liturgy (outside on the grass near back parking lot) Please register through the Sign-Up Genius link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B49A8A723A3F49-saturday1 on the Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church and Saint Andrew PTA groups  -or- email us at:  ptastandrew@gmail.com |*MASKS MUST BE WORN* |PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR EASTER BASKET!  Sponsored by the Saint Andrew PTA and Religious Education

GOYA   With the continued effects of the coronavirus pandemic, many older members of our communities have been unable to attend church and other activities. With Holy Week approaching, we want to remind these people that we are thinking of them as a GOYA community, and they are not alone. With that being said, we are starting an “Adopt a Yiayia/Pappou” program where each GOYAn will be paired with a senior citizen to talk on the phone to offer an opportunity to be connected with a younger member of the church. Your participation is greatly appreciated!   Please fill out this Google Form to let us know you would like to participate in our Adopt a Yiayia/Pappou” program.

Stewardship 2020 : If you have not submitted your stewardship 2020 or fulfilled your commitment to Saint Andrew, please do so as our ministries depend on your support.  Stewardship 2021 Update 4/9/21: 147 families made their commitment to Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church totaling $166,580

Saint Andrew Family News issues are on our Web site :  https://www.standrewgonj.org/ LINK for Saint Andrew Family News April 2021 ISSUE   https://sagocrnj.orthodoxws.com/files/SAFN-APRIL-2021-.pdff

COVID-19 vaccination: If you or someone you know are a Morris County resident, 65 or older *or* if you are an educator that lives or teaches in Randolph and are interested in requesting assistance in scheduling the COVID-19 vaccination, you may contact Christina Katsanos christina@katsanos.com 973-229-2611, Randolph NJ covid volunteer. Please join me in an effort to help older members of our community to get COVID19 vaccine appointments. This is an effort to help those who are at risk, who are stressed, who don’t have the tech knowledge or resources to take this on themselves. 

 

 Attending services at Saint Andrew

1. Wear your mask throughout the service

2. Social distancing is 6 feet please

3. No seating where indicated..

.... see more in attached flyer.. 

Live Stream of Services : From the Church's Facebook Page

use this link if yoiu do not  have FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/St-Andrew-Greek-Orthodox-Church-Randolph-NJ-758987230951158/ 

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 

 

BACK TO TOP

Fr. John's Message

Stand on the Rock of Salvation

By Fr. John Theodosion

As we are one year into the pandemic, and already a few weeks into Great Lent. I wish to encourage you as we proceed to our Lord’s Resurrection. The rigors of lent compounded by the restrictions of the pandemic can have an overwhelming negative effect on our mood or disposition. The reason I say this is because the restrictions of the pandemic are frustrating and Great Lent can feel very restricting as well.

Everywhere we go now we are reminded of the pandemic masks and signs and tape on the floor telling us where to stand etc. Even at home, when we turn on the TV or read the news on our phones and computers, it seems that every other story has to do with the pandemic and reminds us of the restrictions and the fear we have of contracting the virus and possibly passing it on to others. We also worry about our loved ones, our parents and children and friends. We become conflicted because as we worry, we still long to get back to a more normal way of life. The question that we cannot answer is what will normal look like after the pandemic? And, were we truly happy with our fast paced life before the pandemic began? The pandemic shut down happened just after lent began last year and like so many people I was trying to figure out what was going on and how to respond as a person and as a leader of our church.  The silver lining in the pandemic for me was that because so many normal meetings, gatherings, celebrations, and events were cancelled I felt that I was able to focus on two things that normally were shortchanged in the past, Great Lent and my Family. My experience in life has taught me that there is always a silver lining even in bad situations. We just need to look for it. I found that the ability to focus on faith and family were a silver lining for me.  

This lent with things beginning to open up a little more, and even though the news reports are telling us that things could flare up again, I am optimistic. I am optimistic because I again look at the silver lining. As I write this, the weather is opening up, the CDC is saying we can have 3 feet of separation, and although the coronavirus has not gone away, it appears that the number of cases is going down in the U.S. I am also optimistic because as we proceed through lent, the things that lent emphasize allow me to come closer to God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

The focus on our faith during lent allows us to take our mind off of the constant flow of information we get through our phones and other screens. It is good to be informed but I believe that obsessively focusing on what is happening in Washington or other national or international events and personalities not to mention the so called, entertainment news, which is just electronic gossip in my opinion, makes us think that we are informed and somehow participating in what goes on in the world, but in my opinion, it becomes a distraction from what is really important. Our spiritual life.  

The things of this earth seem so important so real and they are in our face, but the prophet Isaiah tells us in Chapter 51, “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished. 7 “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men,
Nor be afraid of their insults. 8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment, And the worm will eat them like wool; But My righteousness will be forever, And My salvation from generation to generation.”  God promises us His salvation in His Kingdom to come and tells us not to put our faith in things of this world because they are all fleeting and unstable. We need to put our faith in Christ Himself “the rock of salvation” (Psalm 18:46). We need to be like the person who built his house on the rock. Christ also said in Matthew 7:24-27, 24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Friends, as we go through these turbulent times, we are being beaten by the winds and rains and waves of everything that is happening in the world. The Church provides us with Great Lent which gives us refuge from the difficulties and problems of the world and allows us to stand strong and focus on the things that affect us for eternity. Do not ignore the help and support that the church provides us during Great Lent for our peace of mind and especially for our salvation

BACK TO TOP

Daily Calendar

4/19 @7:30pm Parish Council Meeting Virtual

4/20 @7pm Philoptochos Meeting Virtual

4/22 @4:30pm Thursday Greek School classes

4/22 GOYA State Youth Meeting

4/24 Faith Kitchen DOP/AHEPA

4/24 PASCHA EGG HUNT after Liturgy (outside with masks) see more info in ebulletin

PALM SUNDAY 4/25

Sunday Morning click on Eventbrite link to reserve seat (s) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/142404083447

@8:45 Orthros @10am Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

Evening The Service of the Nymphios (Bridegroom 7PM

HOLY MONDAY 4/26

Evening The Service of the Nymphios (Bridegroom) 7PM

HOLY TUESDAY 4/27

Morning Liturgy of Pre-sanctified Gifts9:00AM (Holy Communion)

Evening The Service of the Nymphios (Bridegroom) The Troparion Kassianis 7PM

HOLY WEDNESDAY 4/28

Morning Liturgy of Pre-sanctified Gifts6-7:15AM (Holy Communion)

Afternoon The Sacrament of Holy Unction 3PM (Reservation Link)

Evening The Service of the Nymphios (Bridegroom) Troparion Kassianis 7PM (Reservation Link)

HOLY THURSDAY 4/29

Morning Vespers & Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 7:30-10AM (Holy Communion)

Evening The Twelve Gospels – Agia Pathi Procession of the Crucifix 6:30PM

GOOD FRIDAY 4/30

Morning The Royal Hours 9AM

Afternoon Apokathelosis (Unnailing Service) 3PM (Reservation Link)

Evening The Service of the Epitaphios |Procession of the Epitaphios 7PMV (Reservation Link)

SATURDAY 5/1

Morning Vespers & Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great  9-11:30AM(HC) (Reservation Link)

Night HOLY PASCHA, Orthros @11PM, RESURRECTION at Midnight & Divine Liturgy follows immediately (Holy Communion) (Reservation Link)

SUNDAY OF PASCHA 5/2

Vespers of Agape 11AM The Gospel will be read in many Languages

 

BACK TO TOP

News - Flyers - Registrations - Other

BACK TO TOP

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.

Joanna, Athanasios, Ellen, Demetra, Kenneth,  Artemis,  Vasileke, John, Kalliope, Maro, Mike, Maria, Mary, Haroula, Ioannis, Irene, Christos, Evangelia, Alice,  Larry,  Julia, Maria,   Catherine, Mark, Vasiliki-Christina, Christina, Eleni, Fr._Konstantine, Prz._Spiridoula,  Linda, Jeremy, Angeliki, Nikolaos, Kyriacos, Olga, Antonia,  Sofie, Marina, Vasiliki, Klaus, Lori, Despina, Bob, Julie, Kyriaki, Sergios, Nikoletta, Roger, Constantinos, Ioanna, Alexandra, Dimitri, Maria, Eleni, Anastasia, George,  Vasiliki, Jeff, George,  Joanna, Eliana, Constantinos, Elena, Nicholas, Konstantinos, Georgia, Jutta, Irene, George, Eftihia, Christina, Athanasios,  Anna, John, Rick, Christine, John, Freda, Estelle, Christina, Fotios, Julie, Joanna, ..

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

 

 

 

BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."

First Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 28:16-20

Οἱ δὲ ἕνδεκα μαθηταὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, εἰς τὸ ὄρος οὗ ἐτάξατο αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς. καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ, οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν. καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς λέγων· ἐδόθη μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς. πορευθέντες μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ῾Αγίου Πνεύματος, διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην ὑμῖν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος. ἀμήν.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

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

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

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 103.24,1.
Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας.
Στίχ. Εὐλόγει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 9:11-14.

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


Gospel Reading

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

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

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

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


BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
April 18

Athanasia the Wonderworker of Aegina


Allsaint
April 18

John the New Martyr of Epiros


05_mary2
April 18

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

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


Allsaint
April 21

The Holy Hieromartyr Januarius and Those With Him

These Martyrs contested for piety's sake in Campania of Italy, during the reign of Diocletian (284-305), when Timothy was Proconsul. Saint Januarius was the Bishop of Benevento in Campania; he was arrested and taken to Nola, where he was cast into a burning furnace, from which he came forth unharmed; at Puteoli, together with Proculus, Sosius, and Faustus the deacons, Desiderius, reader of the Church of Benevento, and Eurychius and Acutius, nobles from Puteoli, he was cast to wild beasts, which as they came near the Saints, fell affectionately at their feet. Finally they were all beheaded, about the year 305.


23_george4
April 23

George the Great Martyr and Triumphant

George, this truly great and glorious Martyr of Christ, was born of a father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. Being a military tribune, or chiliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was illustrious in battle and highly honoured for his courage. When he learned that the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a persecution of the Christians, Saint George presented himself publicly before the Emperor and denounced him. When threats and promises could not move him from his steadfast confession, he was put to unheard-of tortures, which he endured with great bravery, overcoming them by his faith and love towards Christ. By the wondrous signs that took place in his contest, he guided many to the knowledge of the truth, including Queen Alexandra, wife of Diocletian, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia.

His sacred remains were taken by his servant from Nicomedia to Palestine, to a town called Lydda, the homeland of his mother, and then were finally transferred to the church which was raised up in his name. (The translation of the Saint's holy relics to the church in Lydda is commemorated on November 3; Saint Alexandra the Queen, on April 21.)

If April 23 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of St. George is translated to Bright Monday.


Lazarus
April 24

Lazarus Saturday

Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary, the friends of the Lord Jesus, had given Him hospitality and served Him many times (Luke 10:38-4z; John 12:2-3). They were from Bethany, a village of Judea. This village is situated in the eastern parts by the foothills of the Mount of Olives, about two Roman miles from Jerusalem. When Lazarus - whose name is a Hellenized form of "Eleazar," which means "God has helped," became ill some days before the saving Passion, his sisters had this report taken to our Saviour, Who was then in Galilee. Nonetheless, He tarried yet two more days until Lazarus died; then He said to His disciples, "Let us go into Judea that I might awake My friend who sleepeth." By this, of course, He meant the deep sleep of death. On arriving at Bethany, He consoled the sisters of Lazarus, who was already four days dead. Jesus groaned in spirit and was troubled at the death of His beloved friend. He asked, "Where have ye laid his body?" and He wept over him. When He drew nigh to the tomb, He commanded that they remove the stone, and He lifted up His eyes, and giving thanks to God the Father, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." And he that had been dead four days came forth immediately, bound hand and foot with the grave clothes, and Jesus said to those standing there, "Loose him, and let him go." This is the supernatural wonder wrought by the Saviour that we celebrate on this day.

According to an ancient tradition, it is said that Lazarus was thirty years old when the Lord raised him; then he lived another thirty years on Cyprus and there reposed in the Lord. It is furthermore related that after he was raised from the dead, he never laughed till the end of his life, but that once only, when he saw someone stealing a clay vessel, he smiled and said, "Clay stealing clay." His grave is situated in the city of Kition, having the inscription: "Lazarus the four days dead and friend of Christ." In 890 his sacred relics were transferred to Constantinople by Emperor Leo the Wise, at which time undoubtedly the Emperor composed his stichera for Vespers, "Wishing to behold the tomb of Lazarus . . ."


Allsaint
April 24

Elizabeth the Wonderworker

Saint Elizabeth was born in Heraclea of Thrace. She lived in virginity and exhausted herself with ascetical labours and every kind of hardship from the time of her youth, and was deemed worthy of the grace of wonderworking from God; she reposed in peace in Constantinople in the middle of the fifth century.


Palmsunday
April 25

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.


BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.
Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

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

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

Apolytikion for the Church in the First Mode

Hymn of the Apostle St. Andrew: As first of the Apostles to receive the call, and very brother of the prince of them, intercede O Andrew, with the Master of all of us, peace to all the world to grant, and to our souls His great mercy.

Απολυτίκιο του Αποστόλου Ανδρέου: Ως των Αποσόλων πρωτόκλητος, και του κορυφαίου αυτάδελφος, τον Δεσπότην των όλων Ανδρέα ικέτευε, ειρήνην τη οικουμένη δωρήσασθαι, και ταις ψυχαίς ημών το μέγα έλεος

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

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

Wisdom of the Fathers

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

For with this object He reveals their deficiencies, that after these things thou mightest know what manner of men they became by grace. ... No one shall sit on His right hand nor on His left.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 65 on Matthew 20, 2,3,4,6. B#54, pp.399-401,403., 4th Century

BACK TO TOP