Saints and Feasts

November 25

13th Sunday of Luke

November 25

Catherine 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 30

Andrew the First- Called Apostle

This Saint was from Bethsaida of Galilee; he was the son of Jonas and the brother of Peter, the chief of the Apostles. He had first been a disciple of John the Baptist; afterwards, on hearing the Baptist's witness concerning Jesus, when he pointed Him out with his finger and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1.29,36), he straightway followed Christ, and became His first disciple; wherefore he is called the First-called of the Apostles. After the Ascension of the Saviour, he preached in various lands; and having suffered many things for His Name's sake, he died in Patras of Achaia, where he was crucified on a cross in the shape of an "X," the first letter of "Christ" in Greek; this cross is also the symbol of Saint Andrew.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the First Mode

The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your eternal rule; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind.

Apolytikion for Apodosis of the Entry in the Fourth Mode

Today is the prelude of God's good will and the heralding of the salvation of mankind. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and she proclaimeth Christ unto all. To her, then, with a great voice let us cry aloud: Rejoice, O thou fulfilment of the Creator's dispensation.

Apolytikion for Great Martyr Catherine in the Plagal First Mode

Let us praise the all-lauded and noble bride of Christ, the godly Catherine, the guardian of Sinai and its defence, who is also our support and succour and our help; for with the Holy Spirit's sword she hath silenced brilliantly the clever among the godless; and being crowned as a Martyr, she now doth ask great mercy for us all.

Apolytikion for St. Anna (Dec. 9) in the Fourth Mode

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed; for God hearkened to Joachim and Anna. And though it was beyond hope, He clearly promised them that they should bear a divine child, from whom was born the Uncircumscribable One Himself Who became a mortal, and through an Angel commanded them to cry unto her: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee."

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5.

Brethren, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Gospel Reading

13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27

At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

Wisdom of the Fathers

Love of money is the worship of idols, a daughter of unbelief, an excuse for infirmities, a foreboder of old age, a harbinger of drought, a herald of hunger.

St. John Climacus

The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century

He who has conquered this passion has cut out care; but he who is bound by it never attains to pure prayer ...

St. John Climacus

The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century

Ministry News

Church Calendar:

Daily Liturgy during the Christmas Fast, 9 am (except for November 27)

Thursday, November 29: Great Vespers of St. Andrew, 7 pm at St. Andrew Church, Randolph, NJ

Thursday, November 8: Archangels Michael and Gabriel, Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9 am

Monday, December 3: Great Vespers of St. Barbara, 7 pm at St. Barbara Church, Toms River, NJ

Wednesday, December 5: Great Vespers of St. Nicholas, 7 pm at Roseland and Wyckoff churches, NJ

SAVE THE DATES

Saturday, December 8: Great Vespers of St. Anna, 7 pm

Sunday, December 9: Parish Feastday - Conception by St. Anna of the Virgin Mary, Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy

EDUCATION: There is ongoing registration for both the Sunday School and Greek School. Forms are located in the Narthex and online at www.stannagoc.org.

Sunday School contact: aimeedouvris@gmail.com. Greek School contact: msfondouris@gmail.com

Now through December 9, our Community is invited to donate food and personal care items for the Flemington Area Food Pantry. The Flemington Area Food Pantry provides food and personal care items to needy Hunterdon County families. All Sunday School and Greek School students will be coming home with a bag to hopefully be returned with an item. A box will be located outside the Fellowship Hall. Your help in filling the box is most appreciated.

SAVE THE DATE: Our Sunday School Christmas Pageant and Greek School Christmas Program will held be on Sunday, December 23. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

See the e-bulletin insert for invitation to join the Youth and Adult Christmas Choir for a short choral ‘interlude’ during the Sunday School Christmas Pageant and Greek School Christmas Program day. In the past, the youth and teen concert choir has performed Pachelbel’s Christmas Canon and other Christmas carols. Music selection will depend on participation. Teens are welcome to sing with the adults & the younger singers. To sign up, please contact Diana Grina at dianakg2003@yahoo.com.

Adult Greek School: Adult Greek classes will begin on January 9, 2019 and run through mid-May. If anyone is interested please Maria Sfondouris or Father by December 10, in order to plan accordingly. Contact: msfondouris@gmail.com

Adult Bible Study: Adult Bible Study is on Fridays from 12 – 1 pm. Please let Fr. A know if you are interested. All are welcome!

Philoptochos: Please sign up for our annual Philoptochos Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, December 19, 6:30 pm at Al Fresco’s. Cost is $30. Deadline to sign up is December 2. See Zoi Kaldes for reservations or details.

PC CORNER:

Thank you to all that supported the successful Holiday Eat and Shop event.

At the Fall GA meeting, there was a desire by few Stewards to have a discussion and see how we will make good on our premise of "Reflecting the Son's Light". The PC is organizing a meeting on November 27 at 6:30 pm at the Church to start the discussion, share ideas, and see how we can move this forward. This meeting is open for any steward who wants to participate.

Iconography: The Iconostasion is installed and scaffolding removed.

On Sunday December 9, the Saint Anna Feast Day, the PC will be offering FASOLADA (bean soup Greek style) after Church. Please join us.

This is a repeat message for those who may not have seen the information which was published previously. The Wine and Dine event was cancelled, and those who had paid were informed that they could get their money back, or donate it to the church. Please see the Treasurer if you have not been able to so by now.

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

Christmas Choir

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 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: We have 158 Pledges totaling $150,585 for an average of $ 953 and $132,426 received to
date. We also have 5 families who have contributed $3,450 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. If you have not already done so, please fill out your Stewardship Card for 2018.

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

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