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St. Andrew Church
Publish Date: 2021-11-07
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St. Andrew Church

General Information

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

  • 1447 Sussex Turnpike

  • Randolph, NJ 07869-1830
  • Mailing Address:

  • 1447 Sussex Turnpike

  • Randolph, NJ 07869-1830


Contact Information








Services Schedule

On Sunday we celebrate

Orthros at 8:15 am & Divine Liturgy at 9:30am

Weekday Orthros and Liturgies begin at 8am 

 

 


Past Bulletins


Services at St. Andrew

Sunday 11/7 The 7th Sunday of Luke +Orthros @ 8:15am & Divine Liturgy SJC @9:30am

An Annual Memorial Service will be held for the repose of the souls of: +Stefanos Vellios, +Christoforos  and +Vasiliki Raptis, beloved  husband and parents of Joanna, devoted father and grandparents of: Chris (Melanie Perez) Vellios and Fran (Tom Matthews) Vellios, great grandparents of: Savina,Eliana, Melaina, and Zoe.

A Trisagion Service will be held for the repose of the souls of: + Malamati and +Thomas Kaliaris, +Sultana Kordes, +George Eptamenitis and +Pighi Mardaloescu, beloved family of Despina and Sophia Eptamenitis.

May their memory be eternal. Αιωνίαημνήμηαυτών

Artoclasia Service is offered by the families of:  Christos & Labrini Paxos and Sergio & Irene Sergonis

Monday   11/8 +Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel + Orthros @8am Divine Liturgy of SJC @9am

Tuesday 11/9 +Nektarius the Wonderworker, Metropolitan of Pentapolis +Orthros @8am Divine Liturgy of SJC @9am

Sunday 11/14 The 8th Sunday of Luke +Orthros @8:15am & Divine Liturgy SJC @9:30am

 

ATTENDING SERVICES AT SAINT ANDREW 

No reservations are required to attend church services
NO Masks  required for people to attend services (you may wear a mask if you choose to) 
A section in the church with Social distance seating  is available for people who choose this for themselves or their family.

Participation in services is also available via livestream - go to: Home | St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church (orthodoxws.com) and choose LIVESTREAM on the Menu bar

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

Online Giving System: Website: https://www.standrewgonj.org/ and choose PayPal / online WeShare

 

 

 

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Announcements

Sunday services New start time is +8:15am Orthros & 9:30am Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

Help us keep the cost of Mail down: Please pick up your mail: Our Stewardship Invitation & 2022 Pledge Form is located outside the church office. Prayerfully consider your blessings as you make your 2021 Donation to Saint Andrew and submit 2022 Stewardship Commitment

GOYA:Please sit in designated Pews 2A, 3A, 4A located at far left of Altar are reserved for GOYA MEMBERSSunday starting @3:30pm GOYA Basketball & Volleyball games scheduled Wyckoff at Randolph gym 

Hellenic Book Fair : Sunday, November 14 in the Saint Andrew Social Hall |This event is sponsored by the Saint Andrew PTA and the Hellenic Book Club of New York City and will take place during the PTA coffee hour.

HOPE & JOY! Kick off meeting Sunday November 14th
HOPE Hellenic Orthodox Primary Education - Grades K through 2
JOY Junior Orthodox Youth - Grades 3 through 6
For more information or upcoming events/activities, please contact HOPE & JOY: hopejoystandrews@gmail.com

Religious Education: Sunday school (children please sit with your family during service) after Holy Communion students please go to your respective classes … after class… students please meet your family at coffee Hour in the Social Hall. 
OPEN HOUSE is on Sunday, November 21st : You are invited to visit your child’s classroom after Liturgy to meet their teacher and find out about this year’s curriculum. 

Join us for Little Angels Playgroup LAP! Calling all Little Angels ages 0-4! For basic introduction to Greek nursery rhymes and religion. This is an open playgroup so feel free to bring toys, snacks, and a caretaker must be present. 
Dates (when there is a service in church we will pray and then we will play11/8 Monday, 11/19 Friday, 11/22 Monday, 12/3 Friday, 12/6 Monday, 12/17 Friday, 12/22 Monday. 
If you have questions or plan on attending, please contact Athina Vella at amv1823@gmail.com or call/text 973-879-7095. 

Knitting and Pillow Ministries : Please join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 10:30am for knitting and or sewing. We need you to help us provide blankets, scarves, and pillows to the different organizations we are helping. Feel free to drop in for a cup of coffee …  we usually have little lunch a lot of laughs.  Wednesday Dates in 2021: 11/17, 12/1, 12/15 | Dates in 2022:  1/5, 1/19

Hellenic Afternoon School 

Mondays  at 4:30pm for Jr.PK, PK, K, Levels 1 & 2.  

Thursdays at 4:30pm for Levels 3,4,5 and 6

Greek Dance Class
Thursdays for Group 1 at 5:45pm & for Group 2 and 6:30pm

GOYA GREEK DANCE 
 Thursdays at 7:30pm 

 

FIRES IN GREECE RELIEF FUND   please help those in Greece due to the devastating fires that are raving throughout the country.  Checks received  and online donations (select one-time donation) to our church will also be sent for this relief fund.  Below are links directly to the GOARCH or GoFundMe donation pages (links below).  We thank you for your donations and support and pray for everyone's safety..

GOARCH donation page:  https://www.goarch.org/greecefiresdonate

GoFundMe donation page:   https://gofund.me/291b0813

Youtube video: https://youtu.be/MlN-5lmFJK0

 

 

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Fr. John's Message

LET US FIND OUR TRUE PERSON

One of the main needs of human existence is hesychia (quietude). Man lives in the anxiety of life, in the speed and the burden that the earthly cares cause, resulting in him not having time to find himself. So, he seeks choices that will give him rest, he spends time and money to change the rhythm of his life; he also adopts methods contrary to the Christian faith and tradition, like meditation and yoga.

 

For Christ to live in us

Our Church suggests a distinct model of what hesychia means. The Apostle Paul, before setting out on the struggle to preach the Gospel, mentions in his Epistle to the Galatians: “I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia” (Gal. 1:16-17), In other words, I did not support myself on human powers, nor did I go to Jerusalem to meet those who were apostles before me, but I left to Arabia. Arabia is the desert. There he went to practice hesychia, to think, to pray, to prepare himself for the great work of the evangelization of people, and this period lasted three entire years.

The Apostle of the Gentiles did not judge it purposeful to base himself only on enthusiasm for his calling by Christ himself to the apostolic office. He felt that he is undertaking a great work.

He could not base himself on human powers, not even on all those things that he himself knew. He chose hesychia as a rejection of his previous life and, at the same moment, he fought for himself to not live, but for Christ to live in him. And when this stage of his purification was completed, with trust in God, he set out for the work of the salvation of people.

 

The battle with the thoughts

Paul teaches us that we need periods of hesychia in our daily journey and life. Time, in which we will see our own self, our mistakes and our passions. Time for prayer, knowledge of self and silence. Time not of inaction or vacations or flight from the program of life, but time for spiritual renewal. He shows us that we need to fight with our thoughts. The first thought is that the development of our life depends on us and our decisions. Obviously, we are called to undertake the responsibility for whatsoever work we want to do. However, the thought that the victory or the defeat in our works and relationships, is a result of our own powers or weaknesses, is a wrong viewpoint. We need to understand and accept trust in His will, prayer, and humility.

In  hesychia we are able to leave aside the thoughts of pride and authority that make us lose the measure.

He teaches us furthermore, that this time cannot exist, if we don’t change the scenery of our life. Our participation in the Divine Liturgy and in the sacred services of the Church, is a change of place and manner. Our coming into the church gives us the opportunity to leave from the rhythm of our life, to practice hesychia, to place every earthly care aside, and to turn our mind and heart to God. A visit, furthermore, to a monastery, helps very much. Without God, furthermore, we are not able to do anything genuinely.

 

The hesychia of liturgy

Our contrary or indifferent culture towards faith has found very many ways to trap both our need for hesychia, as well as our fear of it. The industry of free time, that has been changed into a consumer product, comprises contemporary man’s answer to the demand of hesychia. The image of the television, of the cell phone and of the computer. The market. The trips and vacations. All are choices which make us think that rest and amusement quench our need for true heyschia. And because it demands toil for us to see our own self, we choose to “take a break” for us to rest. So, time is spent in the repetition, standardization, and vanity, and submission to a secularized orientation.

Furthermore, even if true hesychia is found in the communion of the desert, in monastic life, nevertheless, we have the capability in the Divine Liturgy to also proceed together with the Apostle Paul, “to Arabia”. To the corner of the church, either of the parish or of the monastery, we are able to be consoled, hearing the Gospel, living the grace of the ecclesiastical life and communing God in the cup of life. Thus, we get strength to endure and, wherever necessary, to change. We are not alone, because God is with us and strengthens us. We find then, our true person, and our every work is sanctified and is beautified.

Fr. Th. M.

 

 

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Daily Calendar

Coffee Hour will be held in the Social Hall and hosted by Philoptochos

Bagels are donated by Jimmy Psaras of ALFA BAGELS on Route 10 in Randolph, NJ

Coffee is donated by William Callas of COFFEE ASSOCIATES in Edgewater, NJ

HOSTING Coffee hour on: 11/14 PTA, 11/28 GOYA*, 12/5 Philoptochos*, 12/15 PTA*, 12/19 DOP*, (*Please bring Lenten options for coffee hour) 12/26 GOYA, 1/2/2022 Philoptochos, 1/9/2022 PTA,.. 

Church Schedule this week

Monday 11/ 8 +Holy Archangels +Orthros and Divine Liturgy SJC at 8am

@9:30a-11:30am Little Angels Playgroup (LAP) meet in Church then in Social Hall

@4:30 HAS LEVELS: JPK, PK, K, L1, L2

Tuesday 11/9 +Saint Nekatrios +Orthros and Divine Liturgy SJC at 8am

@7pm GOYA Volleyball Practice/gym

Wednesday 11/10

@6 pm GOYA JR Basketball & 7:30pm GOYA SR Basketball will Practice/gym

Thursday 11/11 Veterans Day

@4:30 HAS LEVELS: L3, L4, L5, L6

@5:45 Greek Dance Class Group 1 |@6:30pm Greek Dance Class Group 2

@ 7:30pm GOYA GREEK Dance Practice

Friday11/12

Saturday 11/13

Sunday 11/14 The 8th Sunday of Luke +Orthros @8:15am & Divine Liturgy SJC @9:30am

Memorial Service for: +Veterans, +Vasilios Paleocostas, +Nikolaos Lignos

Good Samaritan Sunday is Philoptochos Sunday | Artoclasia Service  

Hellenic Book Fair in Social Hall during coffee hour 

@12pm HOPE/JOY Meeting /102-103

@12pm DOP Meeting /203

@2:30pm GOYA GAMES in Randolph/gym 

Monday 11/ 15 @4:30 HAS LEVELS: JPK, PK, K, L1, L2

Tuesday 11/16 +Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist +Orthros and Divine Liturgy SJC at 8am

@7pm GOYA Volleyball Practice/gym

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News - Flyers - Registrations - Other

    STEWARDSHIP

    STEWARDSHIP

    Through faith, God’s will is accomplished in the world.


    Philoptochos

    Philoptochos

    Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive . Please bring to church no later than November 11, 2021. Food Drive is to benefit the Inter-Faith Food Pantry of Morris County and other area food pantries


    Hellenic Afternoon School

    Hellenic Afternoon School

    Hellenic Book Club on Sunday, November 14 during the PTA coffee hour.


    Philoptochos

    Philoptochos

    GOOD SAMARITAN SUNDAY IS PHILOPTOCHOS SUNDAY November 14, 2021


    Concert

    Concert

    Thursday, November 18, 2021, at St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tenafly, NJ beginning at 7:00pm.


    General Assembly

    General Assembly

    Monday, November 22nd, 2021 @7:00pm | Please RSVP to info@standrewgonj.org to receive LINK for virtual meeting.


    Registration - ALL

    Registration - ALL

    Family & Youth Info /Registration 2021-2022 | HAS, Religious Ed, Greek Dance.....


    Saint Andrew Celebrations

    Saint Andrew Celebrations

    Monday, November 29, at 7pm Great Vespers | Tuesday, November 30: at 8:15am Orthros and at 9:30am Divine Liturgy with Artoclasia


    TOYS FOR TOTS

    TOYS FOR TOTS

    collecting NEW unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots Foundation. Please drop off your donations at Saint Andrew Church before December 10th


    Philoptochos

    Philoptochos

    Vasilopita 2022 | $20 | order by Dec 10


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Prayer List

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

Please keep these names in your prayers 

Haralambos, Christina, Michael, Adrianne, Konstantinos, George, Anastasia, Nicholas, Michael, Alexandra, Sofia, Joseph, Vasilios, Robert,, Megan, Chrisopigi, Guadalupe, Barbara, Ioannis, Nicholas, Margaret, Ava, Venessa, Chris, Dominic, Ralph, Ralph L,  Elenitsa,, Sophia, Doreen, Lori, Robert, Constantine, Panagiota, Michael Scott, Christine, Millie, Joe, Anastasios, Herb, Sangita, Elizabeth, Mary, Niki, Phillip, Pagona, Eleftheria, Argiroula, Angeliki, John, Helen, Athena,  Jeremiah, Joseph, Elias, Joanna, Ellen, Demetra, Kenneth,  Artemis,  Vasileke, John, Mike, Maria, Mary, Haroula, Ioannis, Irene, Christos, Evangelia, Alice,  LarryMaria,   Catherine, Mark, Vasiliki-Christina, Christina, Prz._Eleni, Fr._Konstantine, Prz._Spiridoula,  Nikolaos, Kyriacos, 

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.

 

 

 

 

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Ninth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:19-31

Οὔσης ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ συνηγμένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ. Ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν Κύριον. Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέ με ὁ πατήρ, κἀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησε καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Λάβετε Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον· ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφίενται αὐτοῖς, ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται.

Θωμᾶς δὲ εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα, ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, οὐκ ἦν μετ᾽ αὐτῶν ὅτε ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς. Ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄλλοι μαθηταί· Ἐωράκαμεν τὸν Κύριον. Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἐὰν μὴ ἴδω ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν μου εἰς τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ πιστεύσω. Καὶ μεθ᾽ ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ πάλιν ἦσαν ἔσω οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ Θωμᾶς μετ᾽ αὐτῶν. Ἔρχεται ὁ Ἰησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ εἶπεν· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Εἶτα λέγει τῷ Θωμᾷ· Φέρε τὸν δάκτυλόν σου ὧδε καὶ ἴδε τὰς χεῖράς μου, καὶ φέρε τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ βάλε εἰς τὴν πλευράν μου, καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος, ἀλλὰ πιστός. Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Θωμᾶς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ὅτι ἑώρακάς με, πεπίστευκας· μακάριοι οἱ μὴ ἰδόντες καὶ πιστεύσαντες. Πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἄλλα σημεῖα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐνώπιον τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ἃ οὐκ ἔστι γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ· ταῦτα δὲ γέγραπται ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες ζωὴν ἔχητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19.

Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.

Προκείμενον. Third Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 46.6,1.
Ψάλατε τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν, ψάλατε.
Στίχ. Πάντα τὰ ἔθνη κροτήσατε χεῖρας.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 1:11-19.

Ἀδελφοί, γνωρίζω δὲ ὑμῖν, ἀδελφοί, τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τὸ εὐαγγελισθὲν ὑπʼ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν κατὰ ἄνθρωπον. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐγὼ παρὰ ἀνθρώπου παρέλαβον αὐτό, οὔτε ἐδιδάχθην, ἀλλὰ διʼ ἀποκαλύψεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Ἠκούσατε γὰρ τὴν ἐμὴν ἀναστροφήν ποτε ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσμῷ, ὅτι καθʼ ὑπερβολὴν ἐδίωκον τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ ἐπόρθουν αὐτήν· καὶ προέκοπτον ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσμῷ ὑπὲρ πολλοὺς συνηλικιώτας ἐν τῷ γένει μου, περισσοτέρως ζηλωτὴς ὑπάρχων τῶν πατρικῶν μου παραδόσεων. Ὅτε δὲ εὐδόκησεν ὁ θεὸς ὁ ἀφορίσας με ἐκ κοιλίας μητρός μου καὶ καλέσας διὰ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ, ἀποκαλύψαι τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ ἵνα εὐαγγελίζωμαι αὐτὸν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, εὐθέως οὐ προσανεθέμην σαρκὶ καὶ αἵματι· οὐδὲ ἀνῆλθον εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα πρὸς τοὺς πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἀποστόλους, ἀλλὰ ἀπῆλθον εἰς Ἀραβίαν, καὶ πάλιν ὑπέστρεψα εἰς Δαμασκόν. Ἔπειτα μετὰ ἔτη τρία ἀνῆλθον εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἱστορῆσαι Πέτρον, καὶ ἐπέμεινα πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡμέρας δεκαπέντε. Ἕτερον δὲ τῶν ἀποστόλων οὐκ εἶδον, εἰ μὴ Ἰάκωβον τὸν ἀδελφὸν τοῦ κυρίου.


Gospel Reading

7th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 8:41-56

At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

7th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 8:41-56

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ ᾧ ὄνομα ᾿Ιάειρος, καὶ αὐτὸς ἄρχων τῆς συναγωγῆς ὑπῆρχε· καὶ πεσὼν παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ παρεκάλει αὐτὸν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ, ὅτι θυγάτηρ μονογενὴς ἦν αὐτῷ ὡς ἐτῶν δώδεκα, καὶ αὕτη ἀπέθνησκεν. ᾿Εν δὲ τῷ ὑπάγειν αὐτὸν οἱ ὄχλοι συνέπνιγον αὐτόν. καὶ γυνὴ οὖσα ἐν ῥύσει αἵματος ἀπὸ ἐτῶν δώδεκα, ἥτις ἰατροῖς προσαναλώσασα ὅλον τὸν βίον οὐκ ἴσχυσεν ὑπ᾿ οὐδενὸς θεραπευθῆναι, προσελθοῦσα ὄπισθεν ἥψατο τοῦ κρασπέδου τοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ, καὶ παραχρῆμα ἔστη ἡ ῥύσις τοῦ αἵματος αὐτῆς. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· τίς ὁ ἁψάμενός μου; ἀρνουμένων δὲ πάντων εἶπεν ὁ Πέτρος καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ· ἐπιστάτα, οἱ ὄχλοι συνέχουσί σε καὶ ἀποθλίβουσι, καὶ λέγεις τίς ὁ ἁψάμενός μου; ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν· ἥψατό μού τις· ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔγνων δύναμιν ἐξελθοῦσαν ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ. ἰδοῦσα δὲ ἡ γυνὴ ὅτι οὐκ ἔλαθε, τρέμουσα ἦλθε καὶ προσπεσοῦσα αὐτῷ δι᾿ ἣν αἰτίαν ἥψατο αὐτοῦ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ ἐνώπιον παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ ὡς ἰάθη παραχρῆμα. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· θάρσει, θύγατερ, ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέ σε· πορεύου εἰς εἰρήνην.῎Ετι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος ἔρχεταί τις παρὰ τοῦ ἀρχισυναγώγου λέγων αὐτῷ ὅτι τέθνηκεν ἡ θυγάτηρ σου· μὴ σκύλλε τὸν διδάσκαλον. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀκούσας ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ λέγων· μὴ φοβοῦ· μόνον πίστευε, καὶ σωθήσεται. ἐλθὼν δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν οὐκ ἀφῆκεν εἰσελθεῖν οὐδένα εἰ μὴ Πέτρον καὶ ᾿Ιωάννην καὶ ᾿Ιάκωβον καὶ τὸν πατέρα τῆς παιδὸς καὶ τὴν μητέρα. ἔκλαιον δὲ πάντες καὶ ἐκόπτοντο αὐτήν. ὁ δὲ εἶπε· μὴ κλαίετε· οὐκ ἀπέθανεν, ἀλλὰ καθεύδει. καὶ κατεγέλων αὐτοῦ, εἰδότες ὅτι ἀπέθανεν. αὐτὸς δὲ ἐκβαλὼν ἔξω πάντας καὶ κρατήσας τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῆς ἐφώνησε λέγων· ἡ παῖς, ἐγείρου. καὶ ἐπέστρεψε τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτῆς, καὶ ἀνέστη παραχρῆμα, καὶ διέταξεν αὐτῇ δοθῆναι φαγεῖν. καὶ ἐξέστησαν οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῖς. ὁ δὲ παρήγγειλεν αὐτοῖς μηδενὶ εἰπεῖν τὸ γεγονός.


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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
November 07

Martyr Athenodorus


Jairus
November 07

7th Sunday of Luke


Allsaint
November 07

33 Martyrs of Melitene

These holy Martyrs confessed during the reign of Diocletian and Maximian in the year 290. Of them, Saint Hieron was from Tyana in Cappadocia, a husbandman, of great bodily strength and high nobility of soul. As he was at work digging in his field, certain soldiers came to impress him into military service. He, however, not wishing to keep company with the impious, refused, and with his wooden tool alone drove away the armed soldiers, who fled in fear because of his strength. Later, however, he went of his own free will, and confessed Christ before the governor. His right hand was cut off, and he was imprisoned with thirty-two others, whom he strengthened in the Faith of Christ. Together they were all beheaded outside the city of Melitene in Armenia.


Archangl
November 08

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel

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.


Johnchry
November 13

John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople

This greatest and most beloved of all Christian orators was born in Antioch the Great in the year 344 or 347; his pious parents were called Secundus and Anthusa. After his mother was widowed at the age of twenty, she devoted herself to bringing up John and his elder sister in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. John received his literary training under Anthragathius the philosopher, and Libanius the sophist, who was the greatest Greek scholar and rhetorician of his day. Libanius was a pagan, and when asked before his death whom he wished to have for his successor, he said, "John, had not the Christians stolen him from us." With such a training, and with such gifts as he had by nature, John had before him a brilliant career as a rhetorician. But through the good example of his godly mother Anthusa and of the holy Bishop Meletius of Antioch (see Feb. 12), by whom he was ordained reader about the year 370, he chose instead to dedicate himself to God. From the years 374 to 381 he lived the monastic life in the hermitages that were near Antioch. His extreme asceticism undermined his health, compelling him to return to Antioch, where Saint Meletius ordained him deacon about the year 381. Saint Meletius was called to Constantinople later that year to preside over the Second Ecumenical Council, during which he fell asleep in the Lord. In 386 Bishop Flavian ordained John presbyter of the Church of Antioch. Upon his elevation to the priesthood his career as a public preacher began, and his exceptional oratorical gifts were made manifest through his many sermons and commentaries. They are distinguished by their eloquence and the remarkable ease with which rich imagery and scriptural allusions are multiplied; by their depth of insight into the meaning of Scripture and the workings of God's providence; and, not least of all, by their earnestness and moral force, which issue from the heart of a blameless and guileless man who lived first what he preached to others. Because of his fame, he was chosen to succeed Saint Nectarius as Patriarch of Constantinople. He was taken away by stealth, to avoid the opposition of the people, and consecrated Patriarch of Constantinople on February 28, 398, by Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who was to prove his mortal enemy.

At that time the Emperor of the East was Arcadius, who had had Saint Arsenius the Great as his tutor (see May 8); Arcadius was a man of weak character, and much under the influence of his wife Eudoxia. The zealous and upright Chrysostom's unsparing censures of the lax morals in the imperial city stung the vain Eudoxia; through Theophilus' plottings and her collaboration, Saint John was banished to Pontus in 403. The people were in an uproar, and the following night an earthquake shook the city; this so frightened the Empress Eudoxia that she begged Arcadius to call Chrysostom back. While his return was triumphant, his reconciliation with the Empress did not last long. When she had a silver statue of herself erected in the forum before the Church of the Holy Wisdom (Saint Sophia) in September of 403, and had it dedicated with much unseemly revelry, Saint John thundered against her, and she could not forgive him. In June of 404 he was exiled to Cucusus, on the borders of Cilicia and Armenia. From here he exchanged letters with Pope Innocent of Rome, who sent bishops and priests to Constantinople requesting that a council be held. Saint John's enemies, dreading his return, prevailed upon the Emperor to see an insult in this, and had John taken to a more remote place of banishment called Pityus near the Caucasus. The journey was filled with bitter sufferings for the aged bishop, both because of the harshness of the elements and the cruelty of one of his 310 guards. He did not reach Pityus, but gave up his soul to the Lord near Comana in Pontus, at the chapel of the Martyr Basiliscus (see May 22), who had appeared to him shortly before, foretelling the day of his death, which came to pass on September 14, 407. His last words were "Glory be to God for all things." His holy relics were brought from Comana to Constantinople thirty-one years later by the Emperor Theodosius the Younger and Saint Pulcheria his sister, the children of Arcadius and Eudoxia, with fervent supplications that the sin of their parents against him be forgiven; this return of his holy relics is celebrated on January 27.

Saint John was surnamed Chrysostom ("Golden-mouth") because of his eloquence. He made exhaustive commentaries on the divine Scriptures and was the author of more works than any other Church Father, leaving us complete commentaries on the Book of Genesis, the Gospels of Saints Matthew and John, the Acts, and all the Epistles of Saint Paul. His extant works are 1,447 sermons and 240 epistles. Twenty-two teachers of the Church have written homilies of praise in his honour. Besides his feasts today and on January 27, he is celebrated as one of the Three Hierarchs on January 30, together with Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory the Theologian.

It should be noted that, because September 14 is the Exaltation of the Cross, the Saint's memory has been transferred to this day.


Goodsamaritan
November 14

8th Sunday of Luke


Gregpala
November 14

Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world.
Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for 33 Martyrs of Militene 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.
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.

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.
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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 ...
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 31 on Matthew 9, 4th Century

At the same time both signifying that it is easy for Him to raise the dead ... and also teaching us not to fear death; for that it is not death, but is henceforth become a sleep.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 31 on Matthew 9, 4th Century

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