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St. Andrew Church
Publish Date: 2024-02-25
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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 2/25

Sunday of Publican & Phrisee: Tridion Begins Today +Orthros @8:15 & Divine Liturgy @9:30am

 

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A Forty Day Memorial Service will be prayed for the repose of the soul of +Politi Kandili,  as well as an Annual Memorial Service for the repose of the souls of: +Evangelia Axiotes, +Anetta and +Triantafylos Koukis.  Beloved family members of Maria Yoanides and Sofia Caruso. 

May their memory be eternal.   

 Saturday  2/24

Wedding:  On Saturday at 2pm Christopher Ibrahm and Ammanda Yaccarino of Morrristown, NJ will be joined in Holy Matrimony according to the rites of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Sunday 3/3

 Sunday of the Prodigal Son  +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  

COFFEE HOUR:  hosted by GOYA today 

HOSTS ON:   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 

MARDI GRAS today @5pm 

Meadow Wood in Randolph

We hope to see you all there!

Thank you so much for all your time and support!  We appreciate it! 

FORGIVENESS VESPERS 

Presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey

Sunday, March 17th @ 6pm  St. George Greek Orthodox Church  Piscataway, NJ - Reception to follow.. 

  Saturdays of the Souls + March 9, 16 & 23

Orthros at 8am, Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom approximately at 9am

During memorial services, we commemorate the souls of all Orthodox Christians who have gone before us into eternal rest. In praying for those who have “fallen asleep in the Lord,” we continue to ask that God may have mercy on them in His divine judgment so they may gain the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The names offered during the “Saturdays of the Souls (March 9th, 16th & 23rd at the beginning of the Lenten season will be commemorated. Also remember your loved ones by not only submitting their names, but by attending the holy services to offer your own prayers for their eternal rest.

Anyone wishing to do so may also bring or order a dish of memorial wheat (“kollyva”) for use during the service.  Please, bring your list of names to the service, or if not able to attend, call the Church Office 973-584-0388 ahead of time or send it by email to info@standrewgonj.org  May their memory be eternal

 Bible Study in Fr John's Office on Thursday 2/29 at 7pm 

  Stewardship 2024 Update 2-20-2024

We would like to thank everyone who brought in and or mailed their 2024 Stewardship Pledge. We have received 110 totaling a commitment of $157,546   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

House Blessings AGIASMO
Fr. John 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
 House Blessings AGIASMO
   Monday 2/26  Morristown (1st of 2)
   Tuesday 2/27 Morristown (2nd of 2)
   Thursday 2/29  Lake Hopatcong, Landing, Hopatcong
 

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

LORD'S VOICE

GOD, HAVE MERCY ON THE SINNER 

The person who has faith in Christ always wants to meet Him and be with Him. Like the child who loves his father, he wants to feel that He is next to him.

Each of us meets Christ mainly in the Divine Liturgy and in prayer, therefore no matter how holy someone is, he feels he needs to pray more. However, prayer is not the reading or the recitation of psalms and hymns, but our heart’s meeting with Christ.

Two praying people

The two men in today's parable came to the temple to pray, but with a different approach and mood. The one, the Pharisee, stood in the center of the temple and with egotism addressed God to inform Him of what he had done. The other, the publican, stood almost at the door, bowing his head and, feeling his sinfulness, asked for God's mercy and surely, he received it. Do you know why? Because the publican was talking to God, while the pharisee with himself. Let's notice the difference between these two people.

The publican comes to the temple crushed, and uncovers, bares himself with sincerity and confesses his sinfulness.

The Pharisee stood in the center of the temple, i.e. in front of God, he made himself a model, and compared himself to the sinful publican, and in the end, rewarded himself. So, for what reason did he come to the temple? What relationship and reference does his prayer have to God? He made himself an idol and asked God to justify him! Egotism in all its glory. Criticism and hypocrisy, furthermore, became a way of praying. How much can the narcissistic person get disoriented?

Repentance and brokenness

We must never forget that the first and greatest sin, is man's egotism. It is the source and womb of all passions. Our faith is not a dry adherence to some spiritual commandments, but a participation and experience of prayer, humility, and love. Dry observance leads to egotism and spiritual death, while lived experience attracts God’s grace and mercy and saves us through repentance. That is why Christ emphasizes that "the publicans and harlots precede in the Kingdom of Heaven", because they believed and repented. The egotists, the Pharisees, however, will remain outside, because of their egotism and self- complacency.

All of us, brethren, hide within us the two figures of today's Gospel reading. Both the egotist-hypocrite, but also the -unjust robber, as is the publican. From what it seems, the unjust robber, as is the publican, repents more easily. However, both need repentance and contrition. Repentance saves us and brings us back to our senses, that is, to the natural state of the soul, which seeks Christ. Repentance is what makes a person graceful, sociable, honest, virtuous; that is, a true person.

 

 

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Daily Calendar

 

 

Monday 2/26

 HOUSE BLESSINGS IN Morristown 1st of 2

 @4:30-8pm GYM RENTAL

@6:30pm Stewardship Ministry Meeting

 Tuesday 2/27

 HOUSE BLESSINGS IN Morristown 2nd of 2

 @4:30-9pm GYM RENTAL  | @7pm GOYA S&S practice

 @7 pm Philoptochos Meeting

 Wednesday 2/28

 @4:30-9pm GYM RENTAL

 Thursday 2/29

 HOUSE BLESSINGS IN Lake Hopatcong, Landing, Hopatcong

 @ 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

 Saturday 3/2

 @9am-12:30pm GYM RENTAL

 NNJYC  Sights & Sounds at Holy Trintiy Westfield NJ (March 9 Snow date)  Good Luck to our Talented GOYAns!

 Sunday 3/3

 Sunday of the Prodigal Son  +Orthros @8:15 & Divine Liturgy SJC @9:30am

 Memorial Service+Alexandros Staikos  +Anastasis Kallis  +Stavroula Watkinson

 @12pm  Daughters of Penelope Meeting in room 102

 Monday 3/4

 @4:30-8pm GYM RENTAL

 Tuesday 3/5

 Metropolis Clergy Retreat Williamsburg ( March 5-March 7)

 @4:30-9pm GYM RENTAL  |

 

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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


    SEEKING SUNDAY USHERS

    SEEKING SUNDAY USHERS

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


    Walking with CHRIST

    Walking with CHRIST

    First Seminarian Benefit Luncheon Saturday March 16 @11am St Luke GOC 35 N Malin Rd, Broomall, PA


    Philoptochos

    Philoptochos

    Scholarship Applications are due May 3rd 2024


    Triodion

    Triodion

    The Triodion begins with Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee and lasts until Holy Saturday. | 1- The Prelenten period, 2– The Great Lent of forty days 3- Holy Week. |It is a time of self-purification when we cry: "O God have mercy on me, a sinner."


    Saturday of Souls

    Saturday of Souls

    March 9, 16, 23


    FORGIVENESS VESPERS - March 17th

    FORGIVENESS VESPERS - March 17th

    Forgiveness Vespers - March 17th @6pm St. George Greek Orthodox Church Piscataway, NJ


    YAL

    YAL

    NORTHERN NJ YAL BEEF STEAK FUNDRAISER March 9 2024


    REMBETIKI VRADIA

    REMBETIKI VRADIA

    Saturday February 24TH


    Camp Good Shepherd

    Camp Good Shepherd

    June 23-2024


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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

Ioannis, Peter, Stanley Maria,  Samuel, Peter, Vasilios, Evmorfia, Demetrios, Despina, Natalia, 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,  Terry Ann, George, Elias, Eleni, Robert, John, Christina, Helen, Haroula Vasileke, John, Efrosini…

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

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:12-35

At that time, [Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened. That very day] 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 not it necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into this 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 24:12-35

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὁ Πέτρος ἀναστὰς ἔδραμεν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ παρακύψας βλέπει τὰ ὀθόνια κείμενα μόνα, καὶ ἀπῆλθε, πρὸς ἑαυτὸν θαυμάζων τὸ γεγονός. Καὶ ἰδοὺ δύο ἐξ αὐτῶν ἦσαν πορευόμενοι ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ εἰς κώμην ἀπέχουσαν σταδίους ἑξήκοντα ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλήμ, ᾗ ὄνομα Ἐμμαούς, καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡμίλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους περὶ πάντων τῶν συμβεβηκότων τούτων. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὁμιλεῖν αὐτοὺς καὶ συζητεῖν, καί αὐτὸς ὁ Ἰησοῦς 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, καὶ ἐστὲ σκυθρωποί; Ἀποκριθείς δὲ ὁ εἷς, ᾧ ὄνομα Κλεόπας, εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· Σὺ μόνος παροικεῖς ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνως τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ποῖα; Οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· Τὰ περὶ Ἰησοῦ 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 Ἰσραήλ. Ἀλλά γε οὖν σὺν πᾶσι τούτοις τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει σήμερον, ἀφ' οὗ ταῦτα ἐγένετο. Ἀλλὰ καὶ γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς, γενόμεναι ὂρθριαι 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 Μωσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν, διηρμήνευεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς Γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ. Καὶ ἤγγισαν εἰς τὴν κώμην οὗ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ αὐτὸς προσεποιεῖτο ποῤῥωτέρω πορεύεσθαι. Καὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτόν, 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 Ἱερουσαλήμ, 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. Plagal First Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.

TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Προκείμενον. Plagal First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 11.7,1.
Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 3:10-15.

Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, παρηκολούθηκάς μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν, οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις, οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα· καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρρύσατο ὁ κύριος. Καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῇν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται. Πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι. Σὺ δὲ μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνος ἔμαθες, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:10-14

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἄνθρωποι δύο ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσεύξασθαι, ὁ εἷς Φαρισαῖος καὶ ὁ ἕτερος τελώνης. ὁ Φαρισαῖος σταθεὶς πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ταῦτα προσηύχετο· ὁ Θεός, εὐχαριστῶ σοι ὅτι οὐκ εἰμὶ ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἅρπαγες, ἄδικοι, μοιχοί, ἢ καὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης· νηστεύω δὶς τοῦ σαββάτου, ἀποδεκατῶ πάντα ὅσα κτῶμαι. καὶ ὁ τελώνης μακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπᾶραι, ἀλλ᾿ ἔτυπτεν εἰς τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων· ὁ Θεός, ἱλάσθητί μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ. λέγω ὑμῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωμένος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἢ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος· ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.


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Saints and Feasts

Publphar
February 25

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.


Allsaint
February 25

Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople

This Saint was the son of one of the foremost princes in Constantinople, and was originally a consul and first among the Emperor's private counselors. Then, in 784, he was elected Patriarch of Constantinople by the Sovereigns Irene and her son Constantine Porphyrogenitus. He convoked the Seventh Ecumenical Council that upheld the holy icons, and became the boast of the Church and a light to the clergy. He reposed in 806.


Allsaint
February 25

Reginos, Bishop of Skopelos


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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 the Church in the First Mode

Hymn of the Apostle Saint Andrew: As first called of the Apostles and brother of Peter the Preeminent, O Andrew, intercede with the Master of all to grant peace to the whole world, and great mercy to our souls.

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

Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through our own sighs of sorrow the humility of the Publican. Let us cry out to the Savior, "Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we reconciled."
Φαρισαίου φύγωμεν ὑψηγορίαν, καὶ Τελώνου μάθωμεν, τὸ ταπεινὸν ἐν στεναγμοῖς, πρὸς τὸν Σωτῆρα κραυγάζοντες· Ἵλαθι μόνε ἡμῖν εὐδιάλλακτε.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

If there is a moral quality almost completely disregarded and even denied today, it is indeed humility. The culture in which we live constantly instills in us the sense of pride, of self-glorification, and of self-righteousness ... Even our churches - are they not imbued with that same spirit of the Pharisee? Do we not want our every contribution, every 'good deed,' all the we do 'for the Church' to be acknowledged, praised, publicized? ... How does one become humble? The answer, for a Christian, is simple: by contemplating Christ..."
Fr. Alexander Schmemann
Great Lent, pp. 19-20., 20th Century

It is possible for those who have come back again after repentance to shine with much lustre, and oftentimes more than those who have never fallen at all, I have demonstrated from the divine writings. Thus at least both the publicans and the harlots inherit the kingdom of Heaven, thus many of the last are placed before the first.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

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