November 20
St. Andrew Church
Publish Date: 2022-11-20
Bulletin Contents
Services at St. Andrew
Announcements
Fr. John's Message
Daily Calendar
News - Flyers - Registrations - Other
Prayer List
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers
St. Andrew Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (973) 584-0388
- Fax:
- (973) 584-3573
- Email:
- info@standrewgonj.org
- Street Address:
- 1447 Sussex Turnpike
- Randolph, NJ 07869-1830
- Mailing Address:
- 1447 Sussex Turnpike
- Randolph, NJ 07869-1830
Contact Information
Services Schedule
On Sunday we celebrate
Orthros at 8:15 am & Divine Liturgy at 9:30am
Weekday Orthros and Liturgies begin at 8am
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2022-11-13
- Publish Date:
- 2022-11-06
- Publish Date:
- 2022-10-30
- Publish Date:
- 2022-10-23
- Publish Date:
- 2022-10-16
- Publish Date:
- 2022-10-09
Services at St. Andrew
Saturday 11/19 BAPTISMS
at 11:00 am Justin Schneider & Nicole Rommer will baptize their daughter.
at 12:30 pm Jose Reboredo & Olga Tsiavos will Baptize their son.
Sunday 11/20
+9th Sunday of Luke +Orthros @8:15am & Divine Liturgy of SJC @9:30am
Memorials – Μνημόσυνα
A 40 Day Memorial Service will be held for the repose of the soul of +Jolanta (Ija Kanthak) Findley,beloved mother of Irene Findley.
A Six-ΜΟΝΤΗ Memorial Service will be prayed for the repose of the soul of +Spyridoula Σπυριδούλας Papadopoulos beloved mother of Efthimia (Constantinos) Gizas, grandmother of: Angie, Billy, Dimitri, Steven (Ashley), Vicky (Billy), Sandy, and Dimitri (Dana), great grandmother: Christiana, Adriana, Loula, Zoe, Demi, Alexander, and Mila. As well A TWO-YEAR Memorial Service will be prayed for the repose of the soul of +VASILIOS Βασιλείου PALEOCOSTAS beloved father of: Steven (Ashley), Vicky (Billy), Sandy, and Dimitri; grandfather of: Loula, Zoe, Demetra, Alexander, Mila, Christiana and Adriana; uncle of: Angela, Billy, and Dimitri Gizas; brother-in-law of: Effie and Costa Gizas.
Six Month Memorial Service will be held for the repose of the soul of +MaryAnn Brinkley, beloved sister of Betty Cavelli and Thomas Paschal, aunt of Sandra Seibert and much-loved parishioner of Saint Andrew Church.
A One Year Memorial Service will be held for the repose of the soul of +Demetrios Δημητρίου Dikeos, beloved husband of Zoe, father of: Peter and Asimina (Chris) Koutouzakis, and grandfather of: Sofia and Evan. Relatives and friends are invited to join the Dikeos family downstairs in the social hall for refreshments in honor of his blessed memory.
A Trisagion Service willbe held for the repose of the souls of +John A. and +Helen Paitakes, beloved parents of John (Linda) Paitakes
Monday 11/21
+The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple +Orthros @8am & Divine Liturgy @9am
Wednesday 11/24
+Thanksgiving Day Service at 6pm
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
Announcements
Stewardship Sunday November 20th This Sunday is dedicated to spiritually reinvigorating and renewing our commitment to our church in preparation for the challenges we will face in the New Year 2023. We ask that you prayerfully consider your Christian Stewardship Commitment, commensurate with your resources and your gratitude for the bounties and blessings our Lord has bestowed on you. Bring your 2023 Pledge to church. They will be blessed by Fr John.
Daughters of Penelope Chapter # 250 Sunday November 20th DOP is hosting coffee hour in our Saint Andrew Community Center (gym) and Founder’s Day in our Social Hall. Celebration followed by a luncheon at Casa de Pasta at 1pm. For more information: Eleni Boyadjis at (609) 304-3714 or eboyadjis@aol.com.
Join us for our Generational caregiving Workshop! Sunday, November 20th after services in room 101. Andi Knoble of Hackensack Meridian Health, and Catherine Rabidis, will be hosting workshops to answer your questions on aging, caregiving, finance, grief, and a variety of other topics. We will be joined by guest speakers who are subject-matter experts who are happy to answer any questions and provide guidance. We are looking forward to seeing you
SUNDAY COFFEE Hour is hosted by the Saint Andrew DOP
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
Coffee Hour ON Sunday: 11/27 Bakaliko, 12/4 Philoptochos, 12/11 PTA, 12/18 DOP, 12/25 Christmas
GREEK SCHOOL on Thursdays @4:30pm Hellenic Afternoon School Classes
GREEK DANCE Program will begin Thursday September 15th
INFO & REG GREEK SCHOOL | St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church (orthodoxws.com)
Please complete: Family & Student Information Form 2022-23
and indicate dance level
Group 1 (ages K thru age 7) 6:30pm
Group 2 (ages 8-11) 7:15pm
Group 3 GOYA (ages 12-18) 8:00pm
Knitting & Pillow Ministry: Will meet on the following Wednesdays to knit blankets and scarves as well as sew and stuff pillows. Join us on 12/14 | Let us know if you can join us or just come pick up some yarn to knit at home.
Fr. John's Message
Christ as the Consummate High Priest
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.
Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2 (Epistle from Feast of St. John Chrysostom)
Good morning Prayer Team!
On Sunday, November 13, we will celebrate the Feast of St. John Chrysostom. As happens on Sundays when a major saints’ day falls, the Epistle reading will be for St. John Chrysostom, with the Gospel reading being the regular one that falls in the lectionary.
The Book of Leviticus reads like a law book. It was the first “priests’ handbook.” The order of the priesthood was introduced in the Old Testament, many centuries before Christ walked the earth. In order to be a priest, one had to be from the tribe of Levi (one of the twelve tribes of Israel). The priests had certain duties in the temple, as well as in society. For instance, if you recall the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:12-19, it was the priests who determined is a person was “clean” of disease and could be part of general society, or if they were unclean and needed to be isolated. It was the priests who determined whether animals offered in sacrifices were acceptable or not. This actually led to abuses by the priests, where animals deemed unacceptable could be exchanged for the animals being sold in the temple, for a sizable mark-up, of course. From all the priests, one was chosen each year to be the “high priest.” Only the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies, the innermost part of the sanctuary. Because there was a curtain over the Holy of Holies, no one could be sure of what the high priest would actually do in the innermost altar. As we read in Hebrews 7:28 “Indeed the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests.” And indeed there were many high priests that fell prey to human weakness. Take as an example, Caiaphas, the high priest who handed Jesus Christ, the Son of God, over to the Romans for crucifixion.
Jesus Christ has among other “titles” “High Priest.” This is why He is depicted on the Bishop’s throne in most Orthodox Churches, clad in the vestments of a bishop. Unlike the high priests of the Jewish Temple, and the priests and bishops of today, He is “holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. (Hebrews 7:26) Like the high priests, He offered a sacrifice, but it was not the sacrifice of animals in the temple on a daily basis. He sacrificed “once for all when He offered up Himself.” (Hebrews 7:27)
Since the Resurrection of Christ, things have changed in the “temple” in which we worship. First, there is no curtain that obscures the Holy of Holies. When there is a service, the royal gates before the Holy Altar are opened, so that people can see the priest. (The exception to this is during Great Lent, when the curtain over the altar is closed, reminding us of how the temple was prior to the crucifixion.) The priest does not enter the holy of holies once a year, but enters often, to offer the Divine Liturgy and the other services of the Church. And the “sacrifice” that the priest offers is not one made with blood, but is bloodless. Instead of offering the blood of animals, we offer bread and wine which are consecrated to become the Body and Blood of Christ.
Jesus Christ, the consummate high priest, “is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.” (8:1-2) Christ sits at the right hand of God, but is also present in every Divine Liturgy, as His Body and Blood are “forever eaten but never consumed.” (From the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom) And while our churches are built by human beings, and they are led by human beings (the priests), the true head of the church is Christ.
St. John Chrysostom, as we know, was the author of the Divine Liturgy which bears his name. This Divine Liturgy was actually and editing of the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, which was an editing of the Divine Liturgy of St. James. It is St. John Chrysostom’s Divine Liturgy, however, which we celebrate most often, on most Sundays and Feastdays of the year. (Saint Basil’s Divine Liturgy is celebrated ten times a year and St. James’ Liturgy is celebrated on October 23.) Saint John Chrysostom is the patron saint of priests. Hence the Epistle lesson from Hebrews talks about the foundation of the priesthood in the Old Testament, contrasted with the priesthood of Christ, which is the foundation of the priesthood that is practiced today.
Indeed priests are still very fallible. I know this because I am a priest and I make mistakes all the time. Christ is the consummate priest. He is the model for what a priest should be. He is a model that I fall short of on a daily basis. The Divine Liturgy is the model for what heaven will be like. It will take us our whole lives, probably, to understand this. It will take us an entire lifetime to prepare to celebrate it in heaven with Christ. In some ways, we are like the Old Testament temple. We celebrate in a ritualistic way and sometimes we forget the substance of what we are doing. We also celebrate in our human weaknesses and frailties. Yet we are still called to celebrate and to strive, so that one day we will be able to worship in “the true tent (heaven) which is set up not by man but by the Lord.” (8:2)
The grace that from your mouth shone forth like a torch illumined the universe. It deposited in the world the treasures of the absence of avarice. It showed us the height that is attained by humility. Now you instruct us by your words, Father John Chrysostom. Intercede with Christ God, the Word himself, entreating Him to save our souls. (Apolytkion of St. John Chrysostom, Trans. By Fr. Seraphim Dedes)
Let us go to our earthly temples, our church, even in our weakness, and worship, so that our weaknesses can be strengthened by the true High Priest, Jesus Christ, as we receive Him in the Eucharist.
+Fr. Stavros
Daily Calendar
Monday 11/21
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple +Orthros @8am & Divine Liturgy @9am
Installation of Carpet in Church
@7:00-8:30pm GOYA Basketball /gym
Tuesday 11/22
@7pm Philoptochos Meeting
@7:30 Parish Council Meeting (rescheduled)
@7:30 -9 pm GOYA Volleyball /gym
Wednesday 11/23
Thanksgiving Day Service Orthros & Divine Liturgy @6pm
Thursday 11/ 24
Thanksgiving break: NO Hellenic Afternoon School Classes | NO Greek Dance | NO Baskeball
Saturday 11/26
Faith Kitchen – Philoptochos hosting
Sunday 11/27
13th Sunday of Luke +Orthros @8:15am & Divine Liturgy of SJC @9:30am
Memorial Service: +Gregory Pabelis, +Evangelia (Lynn) Axiotes, +Fr Demetri Tsigas, +Protopresbyter Angelo Gaval, +Petroula Mitrakos
Monday 11/28
@7:00-8:30pm GOYA Basketball /gym
Tuesday 11/29
@6pm Great Vespers & Artoclasia| His Grace Bishop Apostolos presiding will be followed by reception in our Community Center hosted by Philoptochos
Wednesday 11/30
Saint Andrew Our Patron Saint +Orthros @8:15am Divine Liturgy @9:30am with Artoclasia followed by Luncheon hosted by our Philoptochos
News - Flyers - Registrations - Other
Stewardship Sunday -11-20-22
This Sunday is dedicated to spiritually reinvigorating and renewing our commitment to our church in preparation for the challenges we will face in the New Year 2023.
2023 pledge
We ask that you prayerfully consider your Christian Stewardship Commitment, commensurate with your resources and your gratitude for the bounties and blessings our Lord has bestowed on you
Abundant Giving
on-line giving platform, called Abundant Giving, is now LIVE!
Daughters of Penelope
On Sunday November 20th DOP is hosting coffee hour and Founder’s Day at Saint Andrew Church.
Saint Andrew Celebrations
Tuesday, November 29th |6:00 pm Great Vespers with Artoclasia | Wednesday, 8:15 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy with Artoclasia
Christmas Tree Lighting
invitation from His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros for the Annual Metropolis of New Jersey Christmas Tree Lighting and Open House,...Tuesday, December 20, 2022, from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at the Metropolis Headquarters.
Philoptochos
Christmas Dinner 12/13/22 & Christmas Card wishes by 12/16/22
Philoptochos card
Friday, Dec. 16, 2022.
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
Sophia, Ioannis, Maurice, Pat, Bonita, Maria, Deryl, Mary, Elena, Konstantinos, Zenovia, Joanne, Anna, Panayiota, Thomas, Robert, Eleni Leslie, Martin, Christos, Paula, Valerie, David, Barbara, Cesar, Angeliki, Maria, Demetri, Karen, Andrew, Stan, Vasiliki, Marios, Theodore, Fr. Konstantine, Mary, Eftihia, Ioannis, David , Andreas, Robert, Antonis, Susan, Alexandros, Gregory, Sophia, Tara, children and families of Ukraine, Ioanna, Landon, Lueda, Christine, Vasiliki, Anastasia, Aikaterini, Cynthia, Demetrios, Robin, Paraskevi, Theodore, Eleni, Athena, Katerina, Sophia, Eleni, Corinne,
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.
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 worshiped 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 the Son and 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
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, οἱ ἕνδεκα μαθηταὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, εἰς τὸ Ὄρος, οὗ ἐτάξατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς. Καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτόν, προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ· οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν. Καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς, λέγων· Ἐδόθη μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Πορευθέντες οὖν, μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρός, καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ, καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος· διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην ὑμῖν. Καὶ ἰδού, ἐγὼ μεθ' ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας, ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος. Ἀμήν.
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:4-10.
Brethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 2:4-10.
Ἀδελφοί, ὁ θεός, πλούσιος ὢν ἐν ἐλέει, διὰ τὴν πολλὴν ἀγάπην αὐτοῦ ἣν ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς, καὶ ὄντας ἡμᾶς νεκροὺς τοῖς παραπτώμασιν συνεζωοποίησεν τῷ Χριστῷ - χάριτί ἐστε σεσωσμένοι - καὶ συνήγειρεν, καὶ συνεκάθισεν ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ· ἵνα ἐνδείξηται ἐν τοῖς αἰῶσιν τοῖς ἐπερχομένοις τὸν ὑπερβάλλοντα πλοῦτον τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ ἐν χρηστότητι ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ· τῇ γὰρ χάριτί ἐστε σεσῳσμένοι διὰ τῆς πίστεως, καὶ τοῦτο οὐκ ἐξ ὑμῶν· θεοῦ τὸ δῶρον· οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων, ἵνα μή τις καυχήσηται. Αὐτοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν ποίημα, κτισθέντες ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ἐπὶ ἔργοις ἀγαθοῖς, οἷς προητοίμασεν ὁ θεός, ἵνα ἐν αὐτοῖς περιπατήσωμεν.
Gospel Reading
9th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 12:16-21
The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
9th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 12:16-21
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἀνθρώπου τινὸς πλουσίου εὐφόρησεν ἡ χώρα· καὶ διελογίζετο ἐν ἑαυτῷ λέγων· τί ποιήσω, ὅτι οὐκ ἔχω ποῦ συνάξω τοὺς καρπούς μου; καὶ εἶπε· τοῦτο ποιήσω· καθελῶ μου τὰς ἀποθήκας καὶ μείζονας οἰκοδομήσω, καὶ συνάξω ἐκεῖ πάντα τὰ γενήματά μου καὶ τὰ ἀγαθά μου, καὶ ἐρῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου· ψυχή, ἔχεις πολλὰ ἀγαθὰ κείμενα εἰς ἔτη πολλά· ἀναπαύου, φάγε, πίε, εὐφραίνου. εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Θεός· ἄφρον, ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ τὴν ψυχήν σου ἀπαιτοῦσιν ἀπὸ σοῦ· ἃ δὲ ἡτοίμασας τίνι ἔσται; οὕτως ὁ θησαυρίζων ἑαυτῷ, καὶ μὴ εἰς Θεὸν πλουτῶν.
Saints and Feasts
November 20
The Forefeast of the Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple
November 20
Gregory the Righteous of Decapolis
Saint Gregory who was from Irenopolis of the Decapolis of Asia Minor, was the son of Sergius and Mary. He became a monk as a young man, and after struggling for many years in virtue and prayer under obedience to a wise spiritual father, he was informed by revelation that it was the will of God for him to live, like the Patriarch Abraham, with no certain dwelling, moving from place to place. His journeyings took him to Ephesus, Constantinople, Corinth, Rome, Sicily, Thessalonica, and again to Constantinople, where, after many labours in defence of Orthodoxy against Iconoclasm, he reposed in peace in the first half of the ninth century. He had two disciples, one of whom was Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (see Apr. 3), who wrote the Menaion service for Saint Gregory, his father in Christ.
November 21
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.
November 25
Katherine the Great Martyr of Alexandria
Saint Catherine, who was from Alexandria, was the daughter of Constas (or Cestus). She was an exceedingly beautiful maiden, most chaste, and illustrious in wealth, lineage, and learning. By her steadfast understanding, she utterly vanquished the passionate and unbridled soul of Maximinus, the tyrant of Alexandria; and by her eloquence, she stopped the mouths of the so-called philosophers who had been gathered to dispute with her. She was crowned with the crown of martyrdom in the year 305. Her holy relics were taken by Angels to the holy mountain of Sinai, where they were discovered many years later; the famous monastery of Saint Catherine was originally dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration of the Lord and the Burning Bush, but later was dedicated to Saint Catherine. According to the ancient usage, Saints Catherine and Mercurius were celebrated on the 24th of this month, whereas the holy Hieromartyrs Clement of Rome and Peter of Alexandria were celebrated on the 25th. The dates of the feasts of these Saints were interchanged at the request of the Church and Monastery of Mount Sinai, so that the festival of Saint Catherine, their patron, might be celebrated more festively together with the Apodosis of the Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos. The Slavic Churches, however, commemorate these Saints on their original dates.
November 26
Stylianos the Monk of Paphlagonia
St. Stylianos was from Paphlagonia living in the latter 6th century and early 7th century. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ with his whole heart and lived in strict asceticism. When he fell asleep in the Lord, his face shone like the sun and an angel appeared to take his soul to Glory. His prayers have worked many miracles, both during his earthly life and since. He is of special help to children who are ill and to childless couples. He is known as a protector of orphans.
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode
Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text
Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Entry of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode
By blossoming forth the only Ever-virgin as fruit, today holy Anna doth betroth us all unto joy, instead of our former grief; on this day she doth fulfil her vows to the Most High, leading her with joy into the Lord's holy temple, who truly is the temple and pure Mother of God the Word.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Χαράν προμνηστεύεται, σήμερον Άννα ημίν, τής λύπης αντίθετον, καρπόν βλαστήσασα, τήν μόνην Αειπάρθενον, ήν περ δή καί προσάγει, τάς ευχάς εκπληρούσα, σήμερον γηθομένη, τώ Ναώ τού Κυρίου, ως όντως ναόν τού Θεού Λόγου, καί Μητέρα αγνήν.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text
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 Fourth Mode
The whole world is filled today with joy and gladness on the Theotokos's auspicious and resplendent feast, whereon with great voice it crieth out: The heavenly tabernacle is she in truth.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Ευφροσύνης σήμερον, η οικουμένη, επληρώθη άπασα, εν τή ευσήμω Εορτή, τής Θεοτόκου κραυγάζουσα, Αύτη υπάρχει, σκηνή επουράνιος.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Greek Standard Text
Wisdom of the Fathers
I cannot be silent about the story of Hesychius the Horebite. He passed his life in complete negligence, without paying the least attention to his soul. Then he became extremely ill, and for an hour he left his body.
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century
And when he came to himself, he begged us all to leave him immediately. And he built up the door of his cell, and he stayed in it for twelve years without ever uttering a word to anyone, and without eating anything but bread and water.
Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century