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St. Andrew Church
Publish Date: 2022-03-13
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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

 Saturday 3/12 +Third Saturday of Souls commemoration of the Miracle of Kollyva wrought by +Saint Theodore  @ 8am Orthros @9am Liturgy of SJC 

Sunday 3/13 Sunday of Orthodoxy +Orthros @8:15am DL SJC @9:30am (Icon procession)

Sunday 3/13 @ 4pm KATANYKTIKOS “SOLEMN” VESPERS 

Monday 3/14 @6pm Office of the Great Compline

Wednesday 3/16 @ 6pm Pre-Sanctified Gifts Liturgy

Friday 3/18 @6pm Second  Salutations

Sunday 3/20 Sunday of st Gregory Palamas +Orthros @8:15am DL SJC @9:30am

Sacrament : On Tuesday, March 15th at 5pm Kayla Elizabeth Mills will be baptized according to the rites of our faith with the baptismal Name of KALLIOPE.

 

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 are at 8:15am Orthros & at 9:30am Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

Sunday of Orthodoxy: Rekindle your Saint Andrew connections by coming to church with your family on this day. Please bring your favorite icon to celebrate Sunday of Orthodoxy. It is important to rebuild the beautiful mosaic of our church family through the participation of our people of all ages that make up our worship and community

A Community Lenten LUNCHEON is sponsored by PTA & Philoptochos for our Parishioners after Services on Sunday 3-13-22. Join us for Pasta, Fasolada, Lentil Soup, Salad, Lenten Dessert, Fruit..... 

GOYA Sights & Sounds REPLAY: Join us for a show in the gym.. the participants of last week’s Sights and Sounds will be performing on our stage in the gym on Sunday.  Many of the GOYAns displayed their visual and performing arts talents. Congratulations to the St Andrew Youth group for coming in 1st place for the play at Sights and Sounds and 5th place for band.  Individual GOYAns also placed in many categories…          

Stewardship: Weekly Giving: In I Corinthinans 16:2 we read “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his/her income.” Regular stewardship contributions are easier to manage and keep the Church and her ministries in our thoughts and plans. One way to do this is through automatically scheduled payments sent directly from your bank. In this way, we offer back to God the “first fruits” of our labor, realizing that all we possess comes from Him. 

Holy Cross Offers the PASCHAL SERIES  each Monday: The faculty of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology will offer spiritual guidance and instruction in various forms throughout the entire Paschal period, from the beginning of Lent until -The first video is posted and is entitled "Grant Me to See: Reflections on the Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim."   https://youtu.be/IF914kS_8j4

Hellenic Afternoon School next Sunday: 25th of March Greek Independence Day Program will be held in the gym next Sunday 3/20/22.  Join the students and their families as we commemorate 25th of March.  It’s a double Celebration as we observe the “The Annunciation of the Theotokos” as well as the national holiday of the “Greek Independence Day”

Parish Level SJOC St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival:  The Oratorical Festival is divided into three divisions: ❶Elementary Division: Grades 4-6    ❷ Junior Division: Grades 7-9     ❸ Senior Division: Grades 10-12 |The festival will be held on Saturday, March 12th at Noon | The top three speakers in each division will receive a trophy and will present their speech in church on Sunday April 3rd after services.

Pre-marriage Counseling Mondays at 7:45pm   March 7th & 14th, and April 4th  Three sessions will be led by Fr John Theodosion.  If you and your fiancée would like to attend, please contact the office info@standrewgonj.org

Join us for Little Angels Playgroup (LAP)!: Calling all Little Angels ages 0-4! For basic introduction to Greek nursery rhymes and religion. Feel free to bring toys, snacks. A caretaker must be present. Drop in any time between 9:30-11:00 am  on scheduled Fridays.  If you have questions or plan on attending, please contact Athina Vella at amv1823@gmail.com or call/text 973-879-7095. 

HOPE- JOY: 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

Philoptochos:
May 13th Tricky Tray: our main fundraiser |proceeds to benefit Philoptochos charities
Can you help? Please contact Mary Michailidis mmichailidis@yahoo.com|
Saint Andrew Philoptochos Facebook Page: Please keep up with the news at our NEW Facebook Page by making a friend request to follow us.
FOOD PANTRY EAGLE SCOUT PROGECT - SEE FLYER 

Knitting & Crocheting & Pillow Ministries meet at @ 10am on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month
Please join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 10:00am 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. Meeting Dates  2/16 and 3/2 & 3/16

Upcoming Events for Orthodox Christians 
Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis created aGoogle Doc with upcoming events for Orthodox Christians.  keep the link for 2 months, she will  update more events/Retreats as received   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K3Iaej2xe8HAKtLtFr-Ts3FT0YxzbiogNgxCmuAgEdI/edit?usp=sharing 

Some of the events will be virtual allowing anyone around the world to participate. Others will be in person, some both. Vasiliki will  be updating it at least weekly!  Blessed Triodion & Great Lenten journey 

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 

 

 

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Fr. John's Message

THE BEGINNING OF THE SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE

The arena of Holy and Great Lent is opening before us, Cheesefare Sunday today, and since our Church, as our loving[1]caring mother and pedagogue “introduced us “to Christ” without any imposition, slowly slowly into the climate of fasting from foods, since first, in a discerning manner, she urged us to be deprived only of meat, she is now calling us to joyfully hasten to enter into the ocean of Holy and Great Lent, of ascesis and fasting, of the journey to the Passion and the Resurrection of our Lord.

She does this, not leaving us unaided, but offering us experienced spiritual lifesavers, primarily today, during the Divine Liturgy, with the choice of a very didactic excerpt from the sacred Gospel of the Evangelist Matthew.

The Church does not leave us unaided

The first saving means of our relationship with God and with our fellow man, who is, His image in the world, simultaneously also a recommendation for the salvation of each one of us personally, is forgiveness. This daughter of love, that brings, as a spiritual dowry to all who adopt it, the gift of peace in the hearts of people. Every effort to fast, if we do not decide today, without delay, to long for the virtue of forgiving, accepting and offering a wholehearted forgiveness, is simply a change in diet. Only forgiveness is able to comprise an unbroken foundation for our effort, delivered by the grace of God from the demonic vain toiling of seeking the justice of this world. We all know well that, when once the disciples asked the Lord to teach them how to pray, He answered them: handing down to them the familiar Lord’s Prayer, the “Our Father”, which the faith of our Orthodox mother, and our Orthodox grandmother taught us, together with the sign of the cross, already from a very small age. So, in this prayer, handed down by our Lord, the value of forgiveness is stressed, precisely as in today’s Gospel reference. “Forgive in order to be forgiven” is the message in both places. God, the Father, is not asking us for something theoretical, He is not ordering something from the height and blessedness of His godhead, but He is asking for something that He Himself has implemented, as a compassion-loving Father. Awaiting, standing up, His creature, at the door of His paternal home, in all the ages of the Old Testament, He again gave the capability of salvation with His incarnation within the Trinity “of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary”. Thus, again, heaven opened up for those toiling and burdened of this world.

The spiritual accounts

And our mother, the Church, proceeds to her “good accounts” evangelically ringing for us the bell about the most dangerous of all the tares that sprouted in the field of ascesis and fasting, but also more widely, of the Christian life, which is none other than the demon of hypocrisy. The sooner we realize that no matter what effort we do, we are doing it with God’s help, and whatever we achieve in spiritual matters, we are achieving it with His grace, all the better it is for us. We are responsible only for our mistakes, our missing the marks, our omissions and our sins. For this reason, working our virtues “in secret” has value, otherwise people give us the reward with the ‘well done’ and their admiration, even if we are not awaiting anything from the just[1]judging God.

The third point that today’s meaningful gospel passage underlines, is the struggle against avarice, the measureless pursuit of material goods. If the avaricious, money-loving and possession[1]loving person, does not perceive the passion, and does not struggle to be delivered from the evil “friendships”, he will not be able to advance spiritually. Otherwise, he will resemble someone who was voluntarily bound with heavy rocks, and is trying to keep himself on the surface of the sea, and to swim. May we make the correct choices.

Archim. A. A.

Lord’s voice FONI KYRIOU  3-6-2022

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Daily Calendar

Coffee Hour

Lenten Luncheon will be held in the Social Hall and sponsored by PTA & Philoptochos

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

Coffee is donated by Aristotle Leontopoulos of Coffee Associates in Edgewater, NJ

HOSTING ON: 3/20* DOP, 3/27* GOYA, 3/29 Bakaliko, 4/3* Philoptochos, 4/10* DOP, 4/17* Palm Sunday All Ministries, (* LENT ) 4/24  PASCHA No Coffee hour , 5/1 Philoptochos, 5/8 PTA, 5/15 DOP, 5/22 GOYA, 5/29 Bakaliko….

Church Schedule

Monday 3/14

@4:30pm HAS CLASSES: JPK, PK, K, L1, L2

Office of the Great Compline Service @6pm

@7:45 pm 2nd of 3 Pre-marriage Counseling Sessions

Tuesday 3/15

@ 5 pm Baptism

Wednesday 3/16

@10 Knitting & Pillow Ministry Meet

Pre-sanctified Liturgy @6pm

Thursday 3/17

@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

Friday 3/18

Second Salutations @6pm

Saturday 3/19

Sunday 3/20 Sunday of st Gregory Palamas +Orthros @8:15am DL SJC @9:30am

Memorial Service: +Fr. Nikitas Theodosion

HAS 25TH OF March Program in gym

Monday 3/21

@4:30pm HAS CLASSES: JPK, PK, K, L1, L2

Office of the Great Compline Service @5pm NOTE TIME

Movie at AMC Roxbury Theatres  “MAN OF GOD” @7PM

Tuesday 3/22

@7pm Philoptochos Monthly Meeting

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News - Flyers - Registrations - Other

    Sunday of Orthodoxy

    Sunday of Orthodoxy

    March 13 - Please bring your favorite icon to celebrate Sunday of Orthodoxy.


    Sunday of Orthodoxy

    Sunday of Orthodoxy

    March 13 - Please bring your favorite icon to celebrate Sunday of Orthodoxy. | Lenten Luncheon


    Movie

    Movie

    Move “About Man of God” – Monday March 21st @7pm / about St. Nektarios of Aegina’s life … Movie is showing at: AMC Rockaway 16 | 363 Mount Hope Avenue |Rockaway, NJ 07866


    Help in Ukraine

    Help in Ukraine

    Help Ukraine through IOCC In response to the crisis in Ukraine, IOCC is working with partners in country and across the region to help address immediate needs... . Initial efforts in and near Ukraine include providing partners with funds for: ●Baby supplies including diapers, bottles, and wipes ●Emergency food and water ●Generators and fuel ●Flashlights, batteries, and candles ●Cots, blankets, mattresses, and other bedding ●Hygiene items | relief@iocc.org International Orthodox Christian Charities


    need help

    need help

    Greek orthodox mom who has a rare form of leukemia, is in need of a stem cell transplant.


    Kidney donor

    Kidney donor

    18 year old Greek Orthodox parishioner of Holly Trinity in Egg Harbor NJ needs a kidney transplant ...


    Sunday school update

    Sunday school update

    What’s coming up in Sunday School this month?


    Bake Sale

    Bake Sale

    Pascha Pick up orders on Sunday after service IF during the week call the Office 973-584-0388 Koulourakia, Kourambiethes, Melomakarona, Baklava, Gift Trays (from Bakaliko) .. Tsoureki (from Monastery)


    Lenten Services

    Lenten Services

    The Great Compline (Mondays: March 7 to April 11) | The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts (Wednesdays: March 9 to April 13) | Salutations or Akathist to the Theotokos (Fridays: March 11 to April 8) |KATANYKTIKOS “SOLEMN” VESPERS (Sundays: 3-13, 3-27, 4-10)


    Philoptochos

    Philoptochos

    Tricky Tray, will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022. |general information | A Gift basket with items valued at $50+/$100+/$200+ . Gift card/gift certificate | . Monetary donation so that we may purchase gift items | . Ad in our Journal


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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 

children and families of Ukraine, Christine,  Vasiliki, Anastasia, Aikaterini, Cynthia, Demetrios, Robin,  Paraskevi, Nikoletta, Theodore, Eleni, Athena, Katerina, Sophia, Eleni, Corinne, Maria, Ioannis, Michael, Eleana, Demetra, Kenneth, Eleni, Anastasios, Phillip, Gregory, John, Marny,  Chari, Nikolaos, Janet, Melissa, Marty, Andreas, Fotini, Georgia, Pamela, Haralambos, Photeine, Christina, Michael, Adrianne, George, Anastasia, Nicholas, Michael, Alexandra, Sofia, Joseph, Vasilios, Robert, Chrisopigi, Guadalupe, Barbara, Ioannis, Margaret, Ava, Venessa, Chris, Dominic, Ralph, Ralph L,  Elenitsa, Sophia, ….

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

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35

At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Fifth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:13-35

Καὶ ἰδοὺ δύο ἐξ αὐτῶν ἦσαν πορευόμενοι ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ εἰς κώμην ἀπέχουσαν σταδίους ἑξήκοντα ἀπὸ ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, ᾗ ὄνομα ᾿Εμμαούς. καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡμίλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους περὶ πάντων τῶν συμβεβηκότων τούτων. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὁμιλεῖν αὐτοὺς καὶ συζητεῖν καὶ αὐτὸς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐγγίσας συνεπορεύετο αὐτοῖς· οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν ἐκρατοῦντο τοῦ μὴ ἐπιγνῶναι αὐτόν.εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· τίνες οἱ λόγοι οὗτοι οὓς ἀντιβάλλετε πρὸς ἀλλήλους περιπατοῦντες καί ἐστε σκυθρωποί; ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ εἷς, ᾧ ὄνομα Κλεόπας, εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· σὺ μόνος παροικεῖς ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ οὐκ ἔγνως τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ποῖα; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· τὰ περὶ ᾿Ιησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου, ὃς ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ προφήτης δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ, ὅπως τε παρέδωκαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ἡμῶν εἰς κρῖμα θανάτου καὶ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτόν. ἡμεῖς δὲ ἠλπίζομεν ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν ᾿Ισραήλ· ἀλλά γε σὺν πᾶσι τούτοις τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει σήμερον ἀφ᾿ οὗ ταῦτα ἐγένετο. ἀλλὰ καὶ γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς γενόμεναι ὄρθριαι ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ μὴ εὑροῦσαι τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ ἦλθον λέγουσαι καὶ ὀπτασίαν ἀγγέλων ἑωρακέναι, οἳ λέγουσιν αὐτὸν ζῆν. καὶ ἀπῆλθόν τινες τῶν σὺν ἡμῖν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εὗρον οὕτω καθὼς καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες εἶπον, αὐτὸν δὲ οὐκ εἶδον. καὶ αὐτὸς εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς· ὦ ἀνόητοι καὶ βραδεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ τοῦ πιστεύειν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐλάλησαν οἱ προφῆται! οὐχὶ ταῦτα ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ; καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Μωϋσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν διηρμήνευεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ. Καὶ ἤγγισαν εἰς τὴν κώμην οὗ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ αὐτὸς προσεποιεῖτο πορρωτέρω πορεύεσθαι· καὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτὸν λέγοντες· μεῖνον μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν, ὅτι πρὸς ἑσπέραν ἐστὶ καὶ κέκλικεν ἡ ἡμέρα. καὶ εἰσῆλθε τοῦ μεῖναι σὺν αὐτοῖς. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κατακλιθῆναι αὐτὸν μετ᾿ αὐτῶν λαβὼν τὸν ἄρτον εὐλόγησε, καὶ κλάσας ἐπεδίδου αὐτοῖς. αὐτῶν δὲ διηνοίχθησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί, καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς ἄφαντος ἐγένετο ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν. καὶ εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν ἐν ἡμῖν, ὡς ἐλάλει ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ ὡς διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς γραφάς; Καὶ ἀναστάντες αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, καὶ εὗρον συνηθροισμένους τοὺς ἕνδεκα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτοῖς, λέγοντας ὅτι ἠγέρθη ὁ Κύριος ὄντως καὶ ὤφθη Σίμωνι. καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐξηγοῦντο τὰ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ ὡς ἐγνώσθη αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ κλάσει τοῦ ἄρτου.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40.

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. Δανιήλ 3.26-27.
Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:24-26, 32-40.

Ἀδελφοί, πίστει Μωϋσῆς μέγας γενόμενος ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι υἱὸς θυγατρὸς Φαραώ, μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συγκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ λαῷ τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ πρόσκαιρον ἔχειν ἁμαρτίας ἀπόλαυσιν· μείζονα πλοῦτον ἡγησάμενος τῶν Αἰγύπτου θησαυρῶν τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ· ἀπέβλεπεν γὰρ εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γὰρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψών καὶ Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν· οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων. Ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς· ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον· περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι - ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος - ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες, μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Sunday of Orthodoxy
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 1:44-52

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠθέλησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀκολούθει μοι. ἦν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἀπὸ Βηθσαϊδά, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ᾿Ανδρέου καὶ Πέτρου. εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ὃν ἔγραψε Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται, εὑρήκαμεν, ᾿Ιησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναταί τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ Φίλιππος· ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε. εἶδεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὸν Ναθαναὴλ ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει περὶ αὐτοῦ· ἴδε ἀληθῶς ᾿Ισραηλίτης, ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστι. λέγει αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· πόθεν με γινώσκεις; ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι, ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν εἶδόν σε. ἀπεκρίθη Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ῥαββί, σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὅτι εἶπόν σοι, εἶδόν σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς, πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψει. καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ᾽ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα, καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.


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Saints and Feasts

01_firstlent1cp
March 13

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.


Allsaint
March 13

Removal of the relics of Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople

The main feast day of this Saint is June 2. The translation of his holy relics took place in 846, when Saint Methodius (see June 14) was Ecumenical Patriarch.


Allsaint
March 13

Pouplios the Martyr, Bishop of Athens


Benedict
March 14

Benedict the Righteous of Nursia

This Saint, whose name means "blessed," was born in 480 in Nursia, a small town about seventy miles northeast of Rome. He struggled in asceticism from his youth in deserted regions, where his example drew many who desired to emulate him. Hence, he ascended Mount Cassino in Campania and built a monastery there. The Rule that he gave his monks, which was inspired by the writings of Saint John Cassian, Saint Basil the Great, and other Fathers, became a pattern for monasticism in the West; because of this, he is often called the first teacher of monks in the West. He reposed in 547.


Alexismanofgod
March 17

Alexis the Man of God

Saint Alexis was born in old Rome of illustrious parents named Euphemianus and Aglais, and at their request was joined to a young woman in marriage. However, he did not remain with her even for one day, but fled to Edessa, where he lived for eighteen years. He returned to Rome in the guise of a beggar and sat at the gates of his father's house, unknown to all and mocked by his own servants. His identity was revealed only after his death by a paper that he had on his person, which he himself had written a little before his repose. The pious Emperor Honorius honoured him with a solemn burial. The title "Man of God" was given to him from heaven in a vision to the Bishop of Rome on the day of the Saint's repose.


Allsaint
March 17

Patrick the Enlightener of Ireland

Saint Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish, was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and a grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart. In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, "After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm." After six years of slavery in Ireland, he was guided by God to make his escape, and afterwards struggled in the monastic life at Auxerre in Gaul, under the guidance of the holy Bishop Germanus. Many years later he was ordained bishop and sent to Ireland once again, about the year 432, to convert the Irish to Christ. His arduous labours bore so much fruit that within seven years, three bishops were sent from Gaul to help him shepherd his flock, "my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord - so many thousands of people," he says in his Confession. His apostolic work was not accomplished without much "weariness and painfulness," long journeys through difficult country, and many perils; he says his very life was in danger twelve times. When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner.


Allsaint
March 18

Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem

This Saint was born in 315, and succeeded Maximus as Archbishop of Jerusalem in 350. He was zealous for the Orthodox Faith, and was a defender of the poor. He was exiled three times by the Arian Emperors Constantius and Valens. But after their death, he was recalled to his throne; he reposed in peace in 386. Of his writings, the most prominent are his catechetical lectures, which are considered the most ancient systematic summary of Christian teaching. Before Saint Cyril, there had been two dioceses, one of Jerusalem, and one of Holy Sion; under Saint Cyril, they were united into one bishopric. See also May 7.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode

We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world.
Τὴν ἄχραντον Εἰκόνα σου προσκυνοῦμεν Ἀγαθέ, αἰτούμενοι συγχώρησιν τῶν πταισμάτων ἡμῶν, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός· βουλήσει γὰρ ηὐδόκησας σαρκὶ ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, ἵνα ῥύσῃ οὓς ἔπλασας ἐκ τῆς δουλείας τοῦ ἐχθροῦ· ὅθεν εὐχαρίστως βοῶμέν σοι· Χαρᾶς ἐπλήρωσας τὰ πάντα, ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡμῶν, παραγενόμενος εἰς τὸ σῶσαι τὸν Κόσμον.

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 Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

Peter, when after so many miracles and such high doctrine he confessed that, "Thou art the Son of God" (Matt. xvi. 16), is called "blessed," as having received the revelation from the Father;
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 21 on John 1, 1. B#58, pp. 72, 73, 4th Century

... while Nathanael, though he said the very same thing before seeing or hearing either miracles or doctrine, had no such word addressed to him, but as though he had not said so much as he ought to have said, is brought to things greater still.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 21 on John 1, 1. B#58, pp. 72, 73, 4th Century

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