Saints and Feasts

September 23

1st Sunday of Luke

September 26

The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian

This Apostle was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James the elder. First a fisherman by trade, he became an Apostle and the beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he of all the Disciples followed Him even to the Cross, and was entrusted with the care of our Saviour's Mother, as it were another son to her, and a brother of Christ the Teacher. After this, he preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 during the reign of Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Returning again to Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel (after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his three Catholic Epistles. In all, he lived ninety-five years and fell asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100. He was called Theologian because he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of the Son and Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that an eagle-a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus says-is depicted in his icon, for this was one of the four symbolic living creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10).

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.

Apolytikion for Conception of the Forerunner in the Fourth Mode

Rejoice, O thou barren one who hadst not borne until now; for lo, in all truth thou hast conceived the lamp of the Sun, and he shall send forth his light over all the earth, which is afflicted with blindness. Dance, O Zacharias, and cry out with great boldness: The one to be born is the blest Prophet of God Most High.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:22-27.

Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."

Gospel Reading

1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11

At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Wisdom of the Fathers

For now they were well instructed beforehand...But mark both their faith and their obedience. For though they were in the midst of their work when they heard His command, they delayed not, they procrastinated not, they said not, "let us return home, and converse with our kinsfolk," but "they forsook all and followed."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

Because such is the obedience which Christ seeks of us, as that we delay not even a moment of time, though something absolutely most needful should vehemently press on us.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 14 on Matthew 4, 4th Century

Ministry News

Church Calendar:

Tuesday, September 25 – Great Vespers of St. John the Theologian - St. John the Theologian Cathedral in Tenafly, NJ, 7 pm

Wednesday, September 26 - -St. John the Theologian - Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 9 am

Thursday, October 18 - St. Luke - Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 9 am

Friday, October 26 - St. Demetrios - Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 9 am

Sunday, November 4 – Fall General Assembly

Iconography Update: We anticipate that the iconographer will be back to install the icons in the Dome and the back wall sometime in November. We have very few icons left, so if you would like to donate towards them, please see the list posted in the bulletin board at the church or contact John Kaldes, Jorge Ferreira or Father Anastasios.

The iconostasion has been completed and is currently being stained. It will be shipped to the US sometime in late October or early November. We will try to expedite the shipment through customs.

Stained Glass Windows: There is an opportunity to donate towards the stain glass windows in the Dome. There are 8 windows and the donation for each window is $4,000. All windows have the same design. Donors can contribute the entire amount for the window or a portion of the amount towards the windows.

EDCUATION:

Sunday School: Sunday School begins TODAY. Please find the registration table at Fellowship Hour today and for the next few Sundays. We are in need for parent volunteers and subs. Contact: aimeedouvris@gmail.com

Greek School -Greek School begins on Monday, September 24 at 5 pm in the classrooms. Please find the registration table at Fellowship Hour or fill out the registration form in the e-bulletin and submit to Maria Sfondouris or Father Anastasios. We welcome all new students! Contact: msfondouris@gmail.com

PTO - Welcome back! We look forward to another great Sunday School and Greek School year. Visit our table during Fellowship Hour for information on the PTO Ministry and the events planned for the 2018/2019 school year! Our first event, the PTO “Welcome Back” potluck brunch will be held on Sunday, October 7 and we hope you will sign up to bring a dish to share! See Sofia Manoussakis or Kristen Diagelakis for more information.

Wine and Dine event cancelled

Please Note: The Wine and Dine event planned for Saturday Oct 6 has been cancelled due to logistical reasons. Those who have already paid towards the event, the donation can be applied to Stewardship, Iconography, for any other donation, or refunded. The PC Treasurers will be happy to assist you. Please see Jorge Ferreira or Peter Zannikos.

Craft Vendor Event: On Saturday November 17 and 18 (Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine) from 12 pm to 7 pm we will hold our last fundraising event for 2018 - the new Craft Vendors event. We agreed to hold this event in January in order to benefit the Church and all the ministries, however in order to have a successful event we need people to come forward and volunteer their time and talent. We need a volunteer to chair this event. We also need Parishioners to let us know of any vendors who may be interested in participating. Finally, we need volunteers to serve food, clean up tables, and set up and clean up, etc.

Vendors: Sofia Manoussakis (S_Manoussakis@yahoo.com)and Kristen Diagelakis (kristen81081@aol.com)have volunteered to lead the vendors effort. Please contact them if you know of any vendors who might like to participate.

Advertising: Diana Grina (dianag2003@yahoo.com)is leading the advertising effort.

Food preparation and serving: Margaret Panageas (MPanageas.mp@gmail.com) is chairing the food preparation and serving and anything associated with the Philoptohos

John Kaldes (jskaldes@aol.comand phone 908-764-0220) is the temporary chair, but only until someone else comes forward. Please see him if you are interested in becoming the Event Chair. We need all of you to make this event successful for our church and ministries!

Fellowship Hour: Contact John Giannouris at (610) 680-7507 or john.giannouris@comcast.netif you are interested in sponsoring Fellowship Hour. Thank you.

Bulletin Inserts

Sunday School Registration Form 2018-19

For the upcoming 2018-19 school year. First day on Sunday, September 23.

Greek School Registration Form 2018-2019

For the upcoming 2018-19 school year. First day on Monday, September 24.

Stewardship

STEWARDSHIP: Stewardship is the sharing of the talents and treasures that God has provided for us. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards.

2018 Stewardship Status: 135 Pledges totaling $137,279 for an average of $1,017 and $91,016 received to date. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward.. Current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted on bulletin board by the water cooler.

If you have not done so already, we ask that you prayerfully consider your Stewardship commitment and submit a 2018 pledge card as soon as you can.

…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much...

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