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St. Andrew Church
Publish Date: 2024-01-28
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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 1/28
15th Sunday of Luke  + Orthros @8:15 & Divine Liturgy SJC @9:30am 

A Memorial Service will be prayed for the repose of the souls of: +George (three months) +Anastasia (nine months) +Michael (annual) Papadopoulos, family members of John Pappadopoulos and beloved friends of Haroula Christodoulou. 

A Trisagion Service will be prayed for the repose of the souls of: +Christophoros & +Vasiliki   Raptis and  +Stefanos Vellios, beloved family of Joanna Vellios. 

May their memory be eternal. Αιωνίαημνήμηαυτών.  

Tuesday 1/30
+Three Hierarchs +Orthros & Divine Liturgy @8am
 

Thursday 2/1  
+ST. TRYPHON OF PHRYGIA  +Orthros & Divine Liturgy @8am (We have this saint’s Relics in our Reliquary)
 

Friday 2/2 
+The Presentation of Our Lord & Savior in the Temple +Orthros & Divine Liturgy @8am

Sunday 2/4
15th Sunday of Matthew + Orthros @8:15 & Divine Liturgy SJC @9:30am

 

 

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 | Consider making your donations using our   New Abundant App

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Announcements

Sunday School CLASSES  after Holy Communion  

Three Holy Hierarchs & Greek Letters Day after Divine Liturgy

We are proud to announce that several of our Saint Andrew Hellenic Afternoon School students participated in the Metropolis Greek Letters Day and Three Hierarchs Celebration on Saturday 1/27/24 where along with other Greek Schools of New Jersey presented a program. We want to congratulate our students on their performance. Today we will see our entire HAS as they demonstrate our faith and heritage. Please join us in encouraging our youth as they present poems and songs on this special occasion of the Three Hierarchs Day.

Sunday Coffee Hour is hosted by  GOYA

HOSTS ON:  2/4  Philoptochos, 2/11  PTA , 2/18 DOP, 2/24 GOYA, 3/3 Philoptochos, 03/10 PTA , 3/17 DOP , 3/24 GOYA, 3/31 Bakaliko, 4/7  Philoptochos, 4/14  PTA , 4/21 DOP,  4/28 GOYA…  

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

 Stewardship 2024 Update 1-23-24 
We would like to thank everyone who brought in and or mailed their 2024 Stewardship Pledge. We have received 80 totaling a commitment of $134,420 for the coming year.  If you were not able to bring your card to church, we ask you to prayerfully consider your blessings as you make your 2024 commitment to Saint Andrew. We are moving toward becoming a percentage giving community. Find out more about our "Rounding Up" approach to Stewardship giving  at https://standrewgonj.org/stewardship/#round-up

In an effort to improve the way we communicate with you, please take a moment to fill out this quick survey.  All responses will be kept confidential. Thank you from your 2024 Stewardship Ministry  Improved Communication Survey

phishing / CON ARTISTS TEXTS/EMAILS :  Someone is sending out texts and emails asking for assistance and signing Fr John’s name. This is not Fr John’s  cell number or email address. His  cell number is 973-219-2941, his email is frjohn@standrewgonj.org .  Please report the text/email as junk and delete and block the sender. We contacted the FBI about this problem and was informed that they do not take a case like this. We hope no one is fooled by these criminals. Please tell your friends. Fr will never reach out to anyone asking for “assistance” in this way. Thank you for your patience and understanding. God Bless!

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Fr. John's Message

Three Holy Hierarchs & Greek Letters Day after Divine Liturgy

We are proud to announce that several of our Saint Andrew Hellenic Afternoon School students participated in the Metropolis Greek Letters Day and Three Hierarchs Celebration on Saturday 1/27/24 where along with other Greek Schools of New Jersey presented a program. We want to congratulate our students on their performance. Today we will see our entire HAS as they demonstrate our faith and heritage. Please join us in encouraging our youth as they present poems and songs on this special occasion of the Three Hierarchs Day.

 

House Blessings «Agiasmo»

Fr. John Theodosion has begun the House Blessings in our community. The Saint Andrew Parishioners will be notified of his pending visit. Please look for an “Email” or  “Post Card” indicating date and time.

If you do not receive notification when your town is listed  in the weekly bulletin, please contact the office ASAP to make arrangements for «Agiasmo» in your home.

If you are not able to receive Fr John  on this day, contact the church office 973-584-0388 to reschedule for  «Agiasmo» for your home.

Please try to accommodate this date as rescheduling of missed appointments are difficult and may be after Pascha.

NOTE: Please do not offer Fr. John any food or snacks. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated, but unfortunately his time is very limited and will only delay his next visit. 

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Daily Calendar

 Monday 1/29
 
House Blessings Agiasmo in
 
@4:30-8pm GYM RENTAL
 
Tuesday 1/30
 
Three Hierarchs +Orthros & Divine Liturgy of SJC @8am
 
@4:30-9pm GYM RENTAL
 
@7pm GOYA S&S practice
 
Wednesday 1/3
 
@4:30-9pm GYM RENTAL
 
Thursday 2/1
 
ST. TRYPHON OF PHRYGIA  +Orthros & Divine Liturgy @8am  NOTE: We have this saint’s Relics in our Saint Andrew Reliquary
 
@ 4:30pm Hellenic Afternoon School All Grades
 
GREEK DANCE 1st SessionGroup 1 @ 6:30pm | Group 2 @7:15 pm | GOYA  @8:00pm
 
@6:30pm GOYA Sports in GYM  |@7pm Bible Study also on Feb:8, 15, 22 &29
 
Friday 2/2
 
The Presentation of Our Lord & Savior in the Temple +Orthros & Divine Liturgy @8am
 
Saturday 2/3
 
@9-12:30 Soccer GYM RENTAL
 
SKYZONE-MOUNT OLIVE | PTA ● HOPE ● JOY | @4-6:30PM Contact: Jenny Manis
 
Sunday 2/4
 
15th Sunday of Matthew + Orthros @8:15 & Divine Liturgy SJC @9:30am
 
 @12pm DOP Meeting in Room 102  
 
 @12pm JOY ONLY MEETING in Room 101
 
Memorial Service +Alyxsondra Laoudis
 
Monday 2/5
 
@4:30-9pm GYM RENTAL
 
@8pm PC & STWP Financial Stewardship Assessment Zoom w Bill and Alex
 
Tuesday 2/6
 
+St Photios the Great  + Orthros & Divine Liturgy @8am

@4:30-9pm GYM RENTAL 
 
 @7pm GOYA S&S practice
 
Wednesday 2/7
 
@ 11am Knitting Crocheting and Pillow Ministries
 
@4:30-9pm GYM RENTAL
 
Thursday 2/8
 
@ 4:30pm Hellenic Afternoon School All Grades
 
GREEK DANCE 1st SessionGroup 1 @ 6:30pm | Group 2 @7:15 pm | GOYA  @8:00pm
 
@6:30pm GOYA Sports in GYM
 
@7pm Bible Study also on Feb: 15, 22 &29
 
Saturday 2/10
 
gyro fest 11am-6pm
 
rELIGIOUS eDUCATION sEMINAR in Roseland NJ 9am-2pm rsvp 973-251-2920  to parish by 2/2  
 
 
 
Sunday 2/11
 
16th Sunday of Matthew + Orthros @8:15 & Divine Liturgy SJC @9:30am
 
His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey will be visiting Saint Andrew to celebrate Orthros and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy 
 

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News - Flyers - Registrations - Other

    Stewardship

    Stewardship

    As we move toward becoming a percentage giving community, we are adopting a rounding up approach to giving... To learn more about what this means, click on https://standrewgonj.org/stewardship/#round-up


    GYRO FEST

    GYRO FEST

    Saturday February 10 @11am-6pm


    Mardi Gras

    Mardi Gras

    Sunday 2-25-24| to reserve: Mardi Gras Celebration 2024 • RSVPify |to donate for tricky tray: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4FADA828A6F58-46701839-ptamardis


    REMBETIKI VRADIA

    REMBETIKI VRADIA

    Saturday February 24TH


    YAL

    YAL

    NORTHERN NJ YAL BEEF STEAK FUNDRAISER March 9 2024


    Caregiver Support Group:

    Caregiver Support Group:

    Facilitated by professionals knowledgeable in caregiving and aging services, 6 consecutive Tuesdays Jan. 30 – March 5, from 7 pm EST to 8 pm EST on Zoom. For more information, please email us at: supportgroup@philoptochos.org PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED – GO TO: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgNy9_9JeCpFkndCj8very_EiYpKZ_-ns0HeUVrILJUKeXLA/viewform


    Camp Good Shepherd

    Camp Good Shepherd

    June 23-2024


    METROPOLITAN APOSTOLOS

    METROPOLITAN APOSTOLOS

    His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey will be visiting Saint Andrew to celebrate Orthros and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy


    Religious Education

    Religious Education

    SEMINAR on Saturday Feb 10th in Roseland NJ 9am-2pm rsvp 973-251-2920 to parish by 2/2


    SEEKING SUNDAY USHERS

    SEEKING SUNDAY USHERS

    If you want to learn more or participate on the Usher team, please email nikolas.karkanias@gmail.com


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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

Lori, Klaus, Eleni,  Demetrios, Roye,  Elias, Eleana, Ellen, Andrew, Eleni, Denise, Eleni, Robert, Maria, Michael, Pamela, Angeliki, Theodoros, Constantinos, Andrew, Chari, Penelope, Evmorfia, Antonia, Kathleen, Michael, Jeffrey, Kleio, Maria, Irene, Mimika, Stacey, Bonnie, Melissa, Stanley, Anastasia, John, Barbara, Gladys, Nico, Spyridonas, Magdaleine, Eleni, Mary, Herbert, Paraskevi, George, James, Andrew, Andrew, Brandon, Michelle, Kevin, Vivian, Elaine, Anna, Vasilios, Maryanne, Joseph, Angeliki, Alexandra, Taxiarchis, Pres Spyridoula, Eleni, Stephanie,  Theoseva, Costantinos, Eleni, Ioannis..

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 three months. Please resubmit Names if needed.   Fr. John will pray for the Names above during the PROSKOMIDI “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

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. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 4:9-15.

Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and suffer reproach, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

Προκείμενον. First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 32.22,1.
Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τιμόθεον α' 4:9-15.

Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, πιστὸς ὁ λόγος καὶ πάσης ἀποδοχῆς ἄξιος. Εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ κοπιῶμεν καὶ ὀνειδιζόμεθα, ὅτι ἠλπίκαμεν ἐπὶ θεῷ ζῶντι, ὅς ἐστιν σωτὴρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, μάλιστα πιστῶν. Παράγγελλε ταῦτα καὶ δίδασκε. Μηδείς σου τῆς νεότητος καταφρονείτω, ἀλλὰ τύπος γίνου τῶν πιστῶν ἐν λόγῳ, ἐν ἀναστροφῇ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ, ἐν πνεύματι, ἐν πίστει, ἐν ἁγνείᾳ. Ἕως ἔρχομαι, πρόσεχε τῇ ἀναγνώσει, τῇ παρακλήσει, τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ. Μὴ ἀμέλει τοῦ ἐν σοὶ χαρίσματος, ὃ ἐδόθη σοι διὰ προφητείας μετὰ ἐπιθέσεως τῶν χειρῶν τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου. Ταῦτα μελέτα, ἐν τούτοις ἴσθι, ἵνα σου ἡ προκοπὴ φανερὰ ᾖ ἐν πᾶσιν.


Gospel Reading

15th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus was passing through Jericho. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."

15th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 19:1-10

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, διήρχετο τὴν ῾Ιεριχώ· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ ὀνόματι καλούμενος Ζακχαῖος, καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν ἀρχιτελώνης, καὶ οὗτος ἦν πλούσιος, καὶ ἐζήτει ἰδεῖν τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν τίς ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄχλου, ὅτι τῇ ἡλικίᾳ μικρὸς ἦν. καὶ προδραμὼν ἔμπροσθεν ἀνέβη ἐπὶ συκομορέαν, ἵνα ἴδῃ αὐτόν, ὅτι ἐκείνης ἤμελλε διέρχεσθαι. καὶ ὡς ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, ἀναβλέψας ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶδεν αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Ζακχαῖε, σπεύσας κατάβηθι· σήμερον γὰρ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου δεῖ με μεῖναι. καὶ σπεύσας κατέβη, καὶ ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν χαίρων. καὶ ἰδόντες πάντες διεγόγγυζον λέγοντες ὅτι παρὰ ἁμαρτωλῷ ἀνδρὶ εἰσῆλθε καταλῦσαι. σταθεὶς δὲ Ζακχαῖος εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Κύριον· ἰδοὺ τὰ ἡμίση τῶν ὑπαρχόντων μου, Κύριε, δίδωμι τοῖς πτωχοῖς, καὶ εἴ τινός τι ἐσυκοφάντησα, ἀποδίδωμι τετραπλοῦν. εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι σήμερον σωτηρία τῷ οἴκῳ τούτῳ ἐγένετο, καθότι καὶ αὐτὸς υἱὸς ᾿Αβραάμ ἐστιν. ἦλθε γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ζητῆσαι καὶ σῶσαι τὸ ἀπολωλός.


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Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
January 28

Grace the Martyr


Luke
January 28

15th Sunday of Luke


28_ephraim1
January 28

Ephraim the Syrian

Saint Ephraim was born in Nisibis of Mesopotamia some time about the year 306, and in his youth was the disciple of Saint James, Bishop of Nisibis, one of the 318 Fathers at the First Ecumenical Council. Ephraim lived in Nisibis, practicing a severe ascetical life and increasing in holiness, until 363, the year in which Julian the Apostate was slain in his war against the Persians, and his successor Jovian surrendered Nisibis to them. Ephraim then made his dwelling in Edessa, where he found many heresies to do battle with. He waged an especial war against Bardaisan; this gnostic had written many hymns propagating his errors, which by their sweet melodies became popular and enticed souls away from the truth. Saint Ephraim, having received from God a singular gift of eloquence, turned Bardaisan's own weapon against him, and wrote a multitude of hymns to be chanted by choirs of women, which set forth the true doctrines, refuted heretical error, and praised the contests of the Martyrs.

Of the multitude of sermons, commentaries, and hymns that Saint Ephraim wrote, many were translated into Greek in his own lifetime. Sozomen says that Ephraim "Surpassed the most approved writers of Greece," observing that the Greek writings, when translated into other tongues, lose most of their original beauty, but Ephraim's works "are no less admired when read in Greek than when read in Syriac" (Eccl. Hist., Book 111, 16). Saint Ephraim was ordained deacon, some say by Saint Basil the Great, whom Sozomen said "was a great admirer of Ephraim, and was astonished at his erudition." Saint Ephraim was the first to make the poetic expression of hymnody and song a vehicle of Orthodox theological teachings, constituting it an integral part of the Church's worship; he may rightly be called the first and greatest hymnographer of the Church, who set the pattern for these who followed him, especially Saint Romanos the Melodist. Because of this he is called the "Harp of the Holy Spirit." Jerome says that his writings were read in some churches after the reading of the Scriptures, and adds that once he read a Greek translation of one of Ephraim's works, "and recognized, even in translation, the incisive power of his lofty genius" (De vir. ill., ch. CXV).

Shortly before the end of his life, a famine broke out in Edessa, and Saint Ephraim left his cell to rebuke the rich for not sharing their goods with the poor. The rich answered that they knew no one to whom they could entrust their goods. Ephraim asked them, "What do you think of me?" When they confessed their reverence for him, he offered to distribute their alms, to which they agreed. He himself cared with his own hands for many of the sick from the famine, and so crowned his life with mercy and love for neighbor. Saint Ephraim reposed in peace, according to some in the year 373, according to others, 379.


30_hierarchs1
January 30

Synaxis of The Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, & John Chrysostom

This common feast of these three teachers was instituted a little before the year 1100, during the reign of the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, because of a dispute and strife that arose among the notable and virtuous men of that time. Some of them preferred Basil, while others preferred Gregory, and yet others preferred John Chrysostom, quarreling among themselves over which of the three was the greatest. Furthermore, each party, in order to distinguish itself from the others, assumed the name of its preferred Saint; hence, they called themselves Basilians, Gregorians, or Johannites. Desiring to bring an end to the contention, the three Saints appeared together to the saintly John Mavropous, a monk who had been ordained Bishop of Euchaita, a city of Asia Minor, they revealed to him that the glory they have at the throne of God is equal, and told him to compose a common service for the three of them, which he did with great skill and beauty. Saint John of Euchaita (celebrated Oct. 5) is also the composer of the Canon to the Guardian Angel, the Protector of a Man's Life. In his old age, he retired from his episcopal see and again took up the monastic life in a monastery in Constantinople. He reposed during the reign of the aforementioned Emperor Alexis Comnenus (1081-1118).


Triphon
February 01

Tryphon the Martyr

The Holy Martyr Trypho was from Lampsacus in Phrygia, and as a young man he tended geese. Being filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, he also healed sufferings and cast out demons. During the reign of the Emperor Decius, about the year 250, he was betrayed as a Christian and taken to Nicaea, where he was beaten, bound to horses and dragged over rough ground, then dragged naked over nails; his sides were burned with torches; finally he was sentenced to beheading, but gave up his holy soul in his torments before the stroke of the sword. Saint Trypho is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is also invoked for the protection of gardens from insects and pests.


Preslord
February 02

The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple

When the most pure Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary's forty days of purification had been fulfilled, she took her first-born Son to Jerusalem on this, the fortieth day after His birth, that she might present Him in the temple according to the Law of Moses, which teaches that every first-born male child be dedicated to God, and also that she might offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons, as required by the Law (Luke 2:22-24; Exod. 13:2; Lev. 12:6-8). On this same day, a just and devout man, the greatly aged Symeon, was also present in the temple, being guided by the Holy Spirit. For a long time, this man had been awaiting the salvation of God, and he had been informed by divine revelation that he would not die until he beheld the Lord's Christ. Thus, when he beheld Him at that time and took Him up into his aged arms, he gave glory to God, singing: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master. . ." And he confessed that he would close his eyes joyfully, since he had seen the Light of revelation for the nations and the Glory of Israel (Luke 2:25-32). From ancient times, the Holy Church has retained this tradition of the churching of the mother and new-born child on the fortieth day and of the reading of prayers of purification.

The Apodosis of the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple is usually on the 9th of February. This, however, may vary if the Feast falls within the period of the Triodion. Should this occur, the Typicon should be consulted for specific information concerning the Apodosis of the Feast.


Mattevng
February 04

15th Sunday of Matthew


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

Although the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers guarded Your most pure body, You arose on the third day, O Savior, giving life to the world. For this reason, the heavenly powers cried out to you, O Giver of Life: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, only Lover of Mankind!
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν. Διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι Ζωοδότα· Δόξα τῇ ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ Βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονομίᾳ σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Apolytikion for Ephraim the Syrian in the Plagal Fourth Mode

With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O Ephraim our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Ταίς τών δακρύων σου ροαίς, τής ερήμου τό άγονον εγεώργησας, καί τοίς εκ βάθους στεναγμοίς, εις εκατόν τούς πόνους εκαρποφόρησας, καί γέγονας φωστήρ, τή οικουμένη λάμπων τοίς θαύμασι, Εφραίμ Πατήρ ημών, Όσιε, Πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου, καὶ χείρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νὺν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

For Christ's presence is like that of some life-giving, scented balsam which restores health, enriches life and gives savor to the soul, the thoughts, the words of a man. In brief, distance from Christ means corruption and death, and closeness to Him means salvation and life.
Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic
Prolog, 4 February

Christ is the salvation that comes, and Zacchaeus is the house to which He comes.
Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic
Prolog, 4 February

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