Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; * and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.

Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Apodosis of Nativity of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode

Your nativity, O Mother of God, * has brought joy to all the inhabited earth; * for from you has shone forth the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. * He freed us from the curse and gave the blessing; * He has made death of no effect * and bestowed on us eternal life.

Η γέννησίς σου Θεοτόκε, χαράν εμήνυσε πάση τή οικουμένη, εκ σού γάρ ανέτειλεν ο ήλιος τής δικαιοσύνης, Χριστός ο Θεός ημών, καί λύσας τήν κατάραν, έδωκε τήν ευλογίαν, καί καταργήσας τόν θάνατον, εδωρήσατο ημίν ζωήν τήν αιώνιον.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

By your holy birth O Undefiled, * Joachim and Anna were set free from the reproach of childlessness, * and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death. * Delivered from the guilt of sin, * Your people keep the feast as they sing to You: * The barren woman bears the Mother of God who sustains our life.

Ιωακείμ καί Άννα όνειδισμού ατεκνίας, καί Αδάμ καί Εύα, εκ τής φθοράς τού θανάτου, ηλευθερώθησαν, Άχραντε, εν τή αγία γεννήσει σου, αυτήν εορτάζει καί ο λαός σου, ενοχής τών πταισμάτων, λυτρωθείς εν τώ κράζειν σοι, Η στείρα τίκτει τήν Θεοτόκον, καί τροφόν τής ζωής ημών.

Saints and Feasts

September 12

Sunday before Holy Cross

September 12

Autonomos the Martyr

The Hieromartyr Autonomus was a bishop in Italy. During the time of the persecution against Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), Saint Autonomus left his own country and resettled in Bithynia, in the locality of Soreus with a man named Cornelius. Saint Autonomus did his apostolic duty with zeal and converted to Christ so many pagans, that a large Church was formed, for which he consecrated a temple in the name of the Archangel Michael. For this church, the saint at first ordained Cornelius as deacon, and then presbyter. Preaching about Christ, Saint Autonomus visited also Lykaonia and Isauria.

The emperor Diocletian gave orders to arrest Saint Autonomus, but the saint withdrew to Claudiopolis on the Black Sea. In returning to Soreus, he had the priest Cornelius ordained bishop. Saint Autonomus then went to Asia, and when he had returned from there, he began to preach in the vicinity of Limna, near Soreus.

Once, the newly-converted destroyed a pagan temple. The pagans decided to take revenge on the Christians. Seizing their chance, the pagans rushed upon the church of the Archangel Michael when Saint Autonomus was serving Divine Liturgy there. After torturing Saint Autonomus they killed him, reddening the altar of the church with his martyr’s blood. The deaconess Maria removed the body of the holy martyr from beneath a pile of stones and buried it.

During the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, a church was built over the tomb of the saint. In the year 430, a certain priest had the old church pulled down. Not realizing that the martyr’s body had been buried beneath the church, he rebuilt the church in a new spot. But after another 60 years the relics of the saint were found incorrupt, and a church was then built in the name of the Hieromartyr Autonomus.

September 12

Hieromartyr Cornatus, Bishop of Iconium

The Hieromartyr Coronatus, Bishop of Nicomedia [Iconium], suffered for Christ in the persecution of Decius and Valerian (253-259) in the third century. The governor of Iconium, Perennius, through his interrogations and persecution, forced Christians to go into hiding. Saint Coronatus voluntarily appeared before Perennius. The torturers tightly bound the legs of the bishop with thin cords and led him through the city. The hieromartyr underwent excruciating sufferings, and blood flowed from the wounds on his legs, because the cords dug into his flesh. After terrible tortures, Bishop Coronatus was beheaded.

September 12

Daniel of Thassos

Our Holy Father Daniel was born in Thasos (Thassos) during the time of Iconoclasm in the reign of Leo V the Armenian (813-820) around the year 813, and was a contemporary of Saint Ioannikios the Great (Nov. 4). He was born of pious parents who raised him to love virtue, wisdom, temperance and humility. When he came of age he desired to withdraw from the world and live in solitude in unceasing prayer and fasting. For this reason he found a cave on the small island next to Thasos called Krambousa. As it is impossible to keep a brightly shining lamp hidden, his fame as a virtuous ascetic soon spread, and around him gathered many disciples. Obedient to the will of God for sending him these men in search of guidance in the spiritual life, he established a monastery on the island, making as it were a city in the wilderness.

Around that time Saint Ioannikios the Great came to Thasos, and he also was admired for his holiness of life. There was a plague of snakes on the island, and when the inhabitants entreated him to rid the island of the snakes, Ioannikios did so through his prayers, and they all went into the sea. Though Daniel was abbot of his own monastery in the neighboring island, he did not want to lose the opportunity of joining with Ioannikios in Thasos to live the ascetic life together and learning from him.

So Ioannikios and Daniel withdrew together to live in a certain cave haunted by a fearsome looking black demon. The two ascetics however entered and ignored the demon without fear. This troubled the demon, so he decided to turn himself into a fearsome snake and wrap around the feet of Daniel while he prayed, and he caused a terrible pain in the side of Ioannikios that left him speechless for a week. Refusing to withdraw, the two Saint's remained steadfast, causing the demon to disappear. They rejoiced in the grace and help of God, conversing with God undisturbed.

After a short time Saint Ioannikios decided to return to his monastery on Mount Trichalikos, and he urged Saint Daniel to return to his monastery in Krambousa because they had need of his guidance. Daniel obediently went and the monks rejoiced at his return. There were also solitaries living outside the monastery who had Daniel as their spiritual father.

At a ripe old age Saint Daniel reposed in peace in his monastery, and was buried there by his spiritual children. In 1993 a chapel dedicated to Saint Daniel was built on the island of Krambousa, where the people of Thasos celebrate his memory every year on September 12th.

September 12

Theodore the Hieromartyr of Alexandria

This Saint Theodore of Alexandria is not the same person as Saint Theodore the Bishop of Alexandria (December 3).

Today’s saint was a simple Christian who was thrown into prison for confessing Christ. Later, he was tortured and thrown into the sea, but remained unharmed.

Saint Theodore was beheaded and buried in Alexandria.

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 worshipped 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 of the Son and of 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

Οἱ δὲ ἕνδεκα μαθηταὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, εἰς τὸ ὄρος οὗ ἐτάξατο αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς. καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ, οἱ δὲ ἐδίστασαν. καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς λέγων· ἐδόθη μοι πᾶσα ἐξουσία ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς. πορευθέντες μαθητεύσατε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, βαπτίζοντες αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Πατρὸς καὶ τοῦ Υἱοῦ καὶ τοῦ ῾Αγίου Πνεύματος, διδάσκοντες αὐτοὺς τηρεῖν πάντα ὅσα ἐνετειλάμην ὑμῖν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν εἰμι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἕως τῆς συντελείας τοῦ αἰῶνος. ἀμήν.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18.

Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.

Gospel Reading

Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17

The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

Sunday before Holy Cross
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 3:13-17

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.

News and Information

Parish News & Updates

Bible Study Online meets each Thursday at 11am via zoom. Click here to connect: https://goarch.zoom.us/j/96253922864?pwd=eVN0Q2NtcDh5MnBwcGZTZ1ZKcGFwZz09 Meeting ID: 962 5392 2864 Passcode: 995503

Sign Up For Our Parish Coffee Fellowship Coffee fellowship is held each Sunday after Liturgy. It serves to bring adults and children together in Orthodox Christian Fellowship and love, creating greater communion and stronger ties through interaction with fellow Orthodox Christians. It is vital that we strengthen our relationship by spending time with one another after service, talking, encouraging, and being there for one another. If you have not yet joined us for coffee fellowship, please plan on attending soon! You can help with the Sunday coffee fellowship in one or more of the following ways:

Bring sweet food items to share (pastries, cookies, cakes, donuts, fruit, etc.).
Bring savory food items to share (cheese, crackers, salads, vegetables, etc.).
Bring kids' snacks (Goldfish, fruit snacks, juice, etc.).
Setup before Liturgy.
Cleanup after fellowship.
Host an entire fellowship with various items.

Fellowship sign-up sheets are in the large hall. Participants are asked to bring enough to serve 50-75 people and to have items in the kitchen before 10 a.m. Serving trays and utensils are available.

Consider joining our Sunday School Ministry A key component of any Christian education program is the teacher. See our notice in this month's VOICE newsletter. If you share our vision and have a desire to be involved in the teaching ministry, please let us know. Please contact Victoria Keegan at mtlion_mama@att.net or Stephanie Rossi at hamlydog@sbcglobal.net. Before joining our team, volunteers will meet with Father Stephen and complete the Archdiocese required background check and online youth-safety course. A Sunday School Ministry volunteer orientation will be held later this month prior to commencement of Sunday School classes.

Adult Education: Orthodox Christianity Beginning on Thursday, September 23rd, a series of evening classes on Orthodox Christianity will be held at 7pm (see the scheduled dates in our monthly newsletter). These classes are for everyone wishing to learn more about the Orthodox Faith; and are required for those who wish to become Orthodox. Each class will include a talk and time for discussion and questions. Classes will be held at church in the small hall and simultaneously via Zoom. This way, you can join us in-person or online at the scheduled time of the class.

Adult Education: Chanters and Singers LITURGICS COURSE BEGINS SEPTEMBER 29 and covers the basic structure, content, and theology of the liturgical services of the Orthodox Church, focusing on the central daily liturgical cycle of Divine Liturgy, Vespers, and Matins (Orthros). Classes will be offered on Wednesday evenings via Zoom. There is NO cost for this course. You can Click here to register

Glory to God - our Faith & Light goal has been reached! This effort was initiated with a vision to keep faith alive and our Church doors open during an uncertain and challenging time. Through the past year we have sustained our parish, not just "keeping it alive" but allowing it to thrive. Thanks to the gifts of many we have been able to carry forward our ministry and continue our vital work. As our campaign draws to a close, the inspiration and obligation we carry as Orthodox Christians to keep our parish flourishing carries on. Let us continue through this time of transition with a refreshed spirit and optimism building upon the legacy of Faith & Light - now and for generations to come. Click Here for a full update.

Updated Guidance for Attending Church: Masks once again required at services. As we continue to deal with the pandemic alongside our broader community, please keep in mind that as Christians, we have an ethical obligation to protect all people. Masks are available in the narthex as you come in to church. By way of reminder, reservations are no longer required to attend Divine Liturgy and there is open seating for all services with no social distancing. We will continue to live stream all services and also offer expanded seating in our Halls to allow for flexibility and use as needed. Keep in mind that the mission of our Church is to bring people to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18) To fulfil this mission we must all have the commitment and conviction to live the life in Christ as an individual and within the community. For additional information and guidance, please see our COVID-19 Vaccination Fact Sheet

Pastoral Visits & Holy Communion For setting dates, sacraments, memorial services, personal counseling, confessions, sick calls and personal visitations that may include receiving Holy Communion, please call the church office (775-825-5365) or email saintanthonychurch@sbcglobal.net. You can also speak with Father Stephen or e-mail at fatherstephen@att.net.

Please make sure you are receiving email updates from the parish. Be included on our list by emailing saintanthonychurch@sbcglobal.net

Live Streaming All services are being live-streamed on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/saintanthonychurchreno/. Thank you for your continued patience and support as we learn and grow with this capability. It is a blessing to be able to connect with those at home in this way.

Using Ages Initiatives As many of you know, this is a very powerful tool we use at each of or services. We encourage you to become familiar with this resource and use it as you see fit. However we also ask that you either print or save & download the service on your device prior to coming to church as the use of Wi-Fi impacts our streaming ability.

Online Giving Portal for Stewardship & Donation Offerings The Online Giving Portal can be accessed through our Church Website by clicking the new “Donations & Stewardship” tab. This functionality is secured for your protection and gives you the opportunity to make a one-time contribution or set up a recurring offering.

Metropolis News & Updates

Welcome Back to Saint Nicholas Ranch After a long hiatus, the doors of Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center are opening again! Though there are still restrictions for in-person gatherings, the Board of Saint Nicholas Ranch is now permitting small groups with limited occupancy. If your family would like to visit the Ranch, or if your parish would like to offer a small retreat, please contact Ranch Executive Director Michael Pappas, info@stnicholasranch.org or call 559-338-2103.

Help Our Graduates Stay Connected to the Church Thousands of our Orthodox youth graduate from High School and go away to schools across our country. While blessed with unprecedented educational opportunities, at the same time, many face difficult challenges in the environment of the college campus. The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco wants to help maintain their connection to the Church! Complete the Online Form or visit www.gosfyouth.org. The Metropolis will make sure that an Orthodox Priest and community near your student's college connects with your loved one.

Weekly Schedule

Saturday, September 11th Food to Go Event (all day); Vespers 6p

Sunday, September 12th Orthros 9a; Service of the Typica 10a

Tuesday, September 14th Exaltation of the Holy Cross Orthros 8a; Divine Liturgy 9a

Wednesday, September 15th Paraklesis 6p

Thursday, September 16th Bible Study 11a

Saturday, September 18th Vespers 6p

Sunday, September 19th Orthros 9a; Divine Liturgy 10a

Reminders:

Reservations are no longer required to attend Divine Liturgy.
There will be open seating for all services.
Masks are required for all, whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated.
We will continue the live streaming of all services.
We continue to maintain cleaning protocols and additional safety measures as appropriate.

If you cannot attend, please join our live-stream services online at https://www.facebook.com/saintanthonychurchreno

Serving Today

Narthex Greeters: Jim Phillips, George Sakelarios, John Lagios

Chanters: Athanasios Karcher, Eneko Zuniga, Danilo Simich, Kirsti Davis, Andreia Simich, Ivy Valory

Acolytes: Kent Geiser, Joseph Karcher, Gabriel Gazes, Alexander Galecki

Altar Flowers:

Please contact the church office if you would like to provide fresh flowers.

In Our Prayers

May God grant us all good health and well-being.

May He deliver us and our world from the perils of the Coronavirus and wildfires.

AND may we all have the love and desire to continue to support our parish!

Please contact the church office at 825-5365 to give the names of those in need of prayer. Please know that the names of all parishioners are included in prayers at every Divine Liturgy.