Saints and Feasts

December 15

11th Sunday of Luke

On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we commemorate Christ's forefathers according to the flesh, both those that came before the Law, and those that lived after the giving of the Law.

Special commemoration is made of the Patriarch Abraham, to whom the promise was first given, when God said to him, "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed" (Gen. 22:18). This promise was given some two thousand years before Christ, when Abraham was seventy-five years of age. God called him and commanded him to forsake his country, parents, and kinsmen, and to depart to the land of the Canaanites. When he arrived there, God told him, "I will give this land to thy seed" (Gen. 12:7); for this cause, that land was called the "Promised Land," which later became the country of the Hebrew people, and which is also called Palestine by the historians. There, after the passage of twenty-four years, Abraham received God's law concerning circumcision. In the one hundredth year of his life, when Sarah was in her ninetieth year, they became the parents of Isaac. Having lived 175 years altogether, he reposed in peace, a venerable elder full of days.

December 15

Eleutherios the Hieromartyr, Bishop of Illyricum, and his mother Anthia

This Saint had Rome as his homeland. Having been orphaned of his father from childhood, he was taken by his mother Anthia to Anicetus, the Bishop of Rome (some call him Anencletus, or Anacletus), by whom he was instructed in the sacred letters (that is, the divine Scriptures). Though still very young in years, he was made Bishop of Illyricum by reason of his surpassing virtue, and by his teachings he converted many unbelievers to Christ. However, during a most harsh persecution that was raised against the Christians under Hadrian (reigned 117-138), the Saint was arrested by the tyrants. Enduring many torments for Christ, he was finally put to death by two soldiers about the year 126. As for his Christ-loving mother Anthia, while embracing the remains of her son and kissing them with maternal affection, she was also beheaded.

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 11th Sun. of Luke in the Second Mode

By faith didst Thou justify the Forefathers, when through them Thou didst betroth Thyself aforetime to the Church from among the nations. The Saints boast in glory that from their seed there is a glorious fruit, even she that bare Thee seedlessly. By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Eleutherios and Anthia in the Fourth Mode

Being comely adorned in thy sacred priestly robes and newly drenched with the streams of thy pure and sanctified blood, thou didst soar aloft to stand before thy Master, Christ; hence never cease to intercede for those honouring with faith thy mighty and blessed contest, thou overthrower of Satan, O wise and blessed Eleutherius.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 115.15,12.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all that he has given me?

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 1:8-18.

TIMOTHY, my son, do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, and now has manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, and therefore I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, and among them Phygelos and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphoros, for he often refreshed me; he was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me eagerly and found me - may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesos.

Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 14:16-24

The Lord said this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.'"

Wisdom of the Fathers

This parable ... proclaims beforehand both the casting out of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles; and it indicates together with this also the strictness of the life required, and how great the punishment appointed for the careless ....

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 69 on Matthew 22, 4th Century

And when were they bidden? By all the prophets; by John again; for unto Christ he would pass all on, saying, "He must increase, I must decrease;" by the Son Himself again, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you;" and again, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 69 on Matthew 22, 4th Century

Ministry News

TODAY there will be a 40-day memorial for James Thomas, 94 years old, World War II veteran. He was the father of Maria Tattoli, Stella Thomas, Joanna Thomas, Christina Carmichael, and Elena Thomas-Kerr, the father-in-law of Larry Tattoli, and the Papou of Steven, Mark and Adriana. May his memory be eternal.

TODAY Fellowship Hour will be sponsored by the Tattoli family.

Church Calendar:

40 40 Days of Liturgy for Christmas Fast: Daily through Monday, December 23, Orthros 9 am

Sunday, December 22: Orthros / Liturgy, 8:30 am, followed by Christmas Pageant, Greek School Christmas Program and Choir Concert

Tuesday, December 24: Royal Hours of Christmas, 7:30 am

Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Eve Liturgy – St. Basil, 9 am

Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Day Liturgy – 10:30 pm

Friday, December 27: Stephen the Protomartyr - Orthros/ Liturgy, 9 am

Wednesday, January 1: St. Basil / Circumcision of Our Lord - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Friday, January 3: St Royal Hours of Epiphany, 9 am

Monday, January 6: Epiphany & Blessing of Waters - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Tuesday, January 7: Synaxis of St. John the Baptist- Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Education

TODAY there will be a Rehearsal for the Christmas Pageant during Sunday School.

The Christmas Pageant and Greek School Christmas Program will take place on Sunday, December 22. There will be no Sunday School on Sunday, December 29.

We wish everyone a blessed Christmas holiday.

Christmas ‘Concert Choir’ for Adults and Youth

The choir is planning for a short program of some beautiful Christmas carols during our Christmas program on Sunday December 22. If you are interested in singing, please contact Choir director Diana Grina @ dianakg2003@yahoo.com or 908-392-7449

GOYA

Our GOYA is excited to host this year’s Christmas Dance on December 27. This dance is open to GOYAns and advisors from all the churches of north New Jersey. The theme is “Let It Snow” and our decorating committee has great ideas to transform our gym into a winter wonderland. This dance is very popular and we’re expecting lots of GOYAns and accompanying advisors. Your GOYA advisors have been working with the Parish Council to prepare for this event. To be successful, we will need your help to setup and assist during the dance. A Sign-up Genius will be emailed shortly. Please respond if you’re able to help, especially the night of the dance. Thank you!

Philoptochos

Tsourekia orders can be picked up on Sunday, December 22.

Seminars

The final St. Anna seminars for the year will take place TODAY after Fellowship Hour from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm in the conference room and a classroom. These seminars are open to all of those who use the internet and those who use the 401k, IRA and others to make donations to the church.

1. Internet Security – How to protect yourself from Scams by Peter Grina

2. Donating to Church – Options available and tax benefits by Chris Kamnitsis

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.

2019 Stewardship Drive:

We currently have 160 Pledges totaling $164,554 for an average of $1,028 and $156,016 received to date. We also have 6 families who have contributed $2,890 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. Current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted in bulletin board by water cooler.

We need everyone’s participation to meet this year’s stewardship pledge target of $170,000. We are almost there!

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

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