Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection.

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 Entry of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode

Today is the prelude of God's good pleasure, and the proclamation of humanity's salvation. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and in herself she announces Christ to all. Let us, then, with a great voice cry aloud to her: "Rejoice, you are the fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation."

Σήμερον τής ευδοκίας Θεού τό προοίμιον, καί τής τών ανθρώπων σωτηρίας η προκήρυξις, Εν Ναώ τού Θεού τρανώς η Παρθένος δείκνυται, καί τόν Χριστόν τοίς πάσι προκαταγγέλλεται, Αυτή καί ημείς μεγαλοφώνως βοήσωμεν, Χαίρε τής οικονομίας τού Κτίστου η εκπλήρωσις.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

The Savior's most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A heavenly tabernacle is she.

Ο καθαρώτατος ναός τού Σωτήρος, η πολυτίμητος παστάς καί Παρθένος, τό Ιερόν θησαύρισμα τής δόξης τού Θεού, σήμερον εισάγεται, εν τώ οίκω Κυρίου, τήν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, τήν εν Πνευματι θείω, ήν ανυμνούσιν Άγγελοι Θεού, Αύτη υπάρχει σκηνή επουράνιος.

Saints and Feasts

November 21

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

According to Holy Tradition, the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple took place in the following manner. The parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anna, praying for an end to their childlessness, vowed that if a child were born to them, they would dedicate it to the service of God.

When the Most Holy Virgin reached the age of three, the holy parents decided to fulfill their vow. They gathered together their relatives and acquaintances, and dressed the All-Pure Virgin in Her finest clothes. Singing sacred songs and with lighted candles in their hands, virgins escorted Her to the Temple (Ps. 44/45:14-15). There the High Priest and several priests met the handmaiden of God. In the Temple, fifteen high steps led to the sanctuary, which only the priests and High Priest could enter. (Because they recited a Psalm on each step, Psalms 119/120-133/134 are called “Psalms of Ascent.”) The child Mary, so it seemed, could not make it up this stairway. But just as they placed Her on the first step, strengthened by the power of God, She quickly went up the remaining steps and ascended to the highest one. Then the High Priest, through inspiration from above, led the Most Holy Virgin into the Holy of Holies, where only the High Priest entered once a year to offer a purifying sacrifice of blood. Therefore, all those present in the Temple were astonished at this most unusual occurrence.

After entrusting their child to the Heavenly Father, Joachim and Anna returned home. The All-Holy Virgin remained in the quarters for virgins near the Temple. According to the testimony of Holy Scripture (Exodus 38; 1 Kings 1: 28; Luke 2: 37), and also the historian Josephus Flavius, there were many living quarters around the Temple, in which those who were dedicated to the service of God dwelt.

The earthly life of the Most Holy Theotokos from Her infancy until She was taken up to Heaven is shrouded in deep mystery. Her life at the Jerusalem Temple was also a secret. “If anyone were to ask me,” said Saint Jerome, “how the Most Holy Virgin spent the time of Her youth, I would answer that that is known to God Himself and the Archangel Gabriel, Her constant guardian.”

But there are accounts in Church Tradition, that during the All-Pure Virgin’s stay at the Temple, She grew up in a community of pious virgins, diligently read the Holy Scripture, occupied Herself with handicrafts, prayed constantly, and grew in love for God. From ancient times, the Church has celebrated the Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple. Indications that the Feast was observed in the first centuries of Christianity are found in the traditions of Palestinian Christians, which say that the holy Empress Helen (May 21) built a church in honor of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple.

Saint Gregory of Nyssa, in the fourth century, also mentions this Feast. In the eighth century Saints Germanus and Tarasius, Patriarchs of Constantinople, delivered sermons on the Feast of the Entry.

The Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple foretells God’s blessing for the human race, the preaching of salvation, the promise of the coming of Christ.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
The Reading is from Luke 1:39-49, 56

In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 1:39-49, 56

Ἐν ταῖς ἡμέρας ἐκείνας, ἀναστᾶσα δὲ Μαριὰμ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις ἐπορεύθη εἰς τὴν ὀρεινὴν μετὰ σπουδῆς εἰς πόλιν ᾿Ιούδα, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον Ζαχαρίου καὶ ἠσπάσατο τὴν ᾿Ελισάβετ. καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσεν ἡ ᾿Ελισάβετ τὸν ἀσπασμὸν τῆς Μαρίας, ἐσκίρτησε τὸ βρέφος ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ αὐτῆς· καὶ ἐπλήσθη Πνεύματος ῾Αγίου ἡ ᾿Ελισάβετ καὶ ἀνεφώνησε φωνῇ μεγάλῃ καὶ εἶπεν· εὐλογημένη σὺ ἐν γυναιξὶ καὶ εὐλογημένος ὁ καρπὸς τῆς κοιλίας σου. καὶ πόθεν μοι τοῦτο ἵνα ἔλθῃ ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ Κυρίου μου πρός με; ἰδοὺ γὰρ ὡς ἐγένετο ἡ φωνὴ τοῦ ἀσπασμοῦ σου εἰς τὰ ὦτά μου, ἐσκίρτησε τὸ βρέφος ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ μου. καὶ μακαρία ἡ πιστεύσασα ὅτι ἔσται τελείωσις τοῖς λελαλημένοις αὐτῇ παρὰ Κυρίου. Καὶ εἶπε Μαριάμ· Μεγαλύνει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον καὶ ἠγαλλίασε τὸ πνεῦμά μου ἐπὶ τῷ Θεῷ τῷ σωτῆρί μου, ὅτι ἐπέβλεψεν ἐπὶ τὴν ταπείνωσιν τῆς δούλης αὐτοῦ. ἰδοὺ γὰρ ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν μακαριοῦσί με πᾶσαι αἱ γενεαί· ὅτι ἐποίησέ μοι μεγαλεῖα ὁ δυνατὸς καὶ ἅγιον τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ. ῎Εμεινε δὲ Μαριὰμ σὺν αὐτῇ ὡσεὶ μῆνας τρεῖς καὶ ὑπέστρεψεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτῆς.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Luke 1: 46-48.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Verse: For he has regarded the humility of his servant.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7.

BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.

Προκείμενον. Third Mode. Λουκάν 1:46-48.
Μεγαλύνει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον, καὶ ἠγαλλίασε τὸ πνεῦμά μου ἐπὶ τῷ Θεῷ τῷ σωτῆρί μου.
Στίχ. Ὅτι ἐπέβλεψεν ἐπὶ τὴν ταπείνωσιν τῆς δούλης αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 9:1-7.

Ἀδελφοί, εἶχεν ἡ πρώτη σκηνὴ δικαιώματα λατρείας, τό τε ἅγιον κοσμικόν. Σκηνὴ γὰρ κατεσκευάσθη ἡ πρώτη, ἐν ᾗ ἥ τε λυχνία καὶ ἡ τράπεζα καὶ ἡ πρόθεσις τῶν ἄρτων, ἥτις λέγεται ἅγια. Μετὰ δὲ τὸ δεύτερον καταπέτασμα σκηνὴ ἡ λεγομένη ἅγια ἁγίων, χρυσοῦν ἔχουσα θυμιατήριον, καὶ τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης περικεκαλυμμένην πάντοθεν χρυσίῳ, ἐν ᾗ στάμνος χρυσῆ ἔχουσα τὸ μάννα, καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος Ἀαρὼν ἡ βλαστήσασα, καὶ αἱ πλάκες τῆς διαθήκης· ὑπεράνω δὲ αὐτῆς Χερουβὶμ δόξης κατασκιάζοντα τὸ ἱλαστήριον· περὶ ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν νῦν λέγειν κατὰ μέρος. Τούτων δὲ οὕτως κατεσκευασμένων, εἰς μὲν τὴν πρώτην σκηνὴν διὰ παντὸς εἰσίασιν οἱ ἱερεῖς, τὰς λατρείας ἐπιτελοῦντες· εἰς δὲ τὴν δευτέραν ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ μόνος ὁ ἀρχιερεύς, οὐ χωρὶς αἵματος, ὃ προσφέρει ὑπὲρ ἑαυτοῦ καὶ τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ ἀγνοημάτων·

Gospel Reading

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
The Reading is from Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28

At that time, Jesus entered a village; and a woman called Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve you alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her." As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!" But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 10:38-42, 11:27-28

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς κώμην τινά· γυνὴ δέ τις ὀνόματι Μάρθα ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτῆς. καὶ τῇδε ἦν ἀδελφὴ καλουμένη Μαρία, ἣ καὶ παρακαθίσασα παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ ἤκουε τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ. ἡ δὲ Μάρθα περιεσπᾶτο περὶ πολλὴν διακονίαν· ἐπιστᾶσα δὲ εἶπε· Κύριε, οὐ μέλει σοι ὅτι ἡ ἀδελφή μου μόνην με κατέλιπε διακονεῖν; εἰπὲ οὖν αὐτῇ ἵνα μοι συναντιλάβηται. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· Μάρθα Μάρθα, μεριμνᾷς καὶ τυρβάζῃ περὶ πολλά· ἑνὸς δέ ἐστι χρεία· Μαρία δὲ τὴν ἀγαθὴν μερίδα ἐξελέξατο, ἥτις οὐκ ἀφαιρεθήσεται ἀπ᾿ αὐτῆς. ᾿Εγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ λέγειν αὐτὸν ταῦτα ἐπάρασά τις γυνὴ φωνὴν ἐκ τοῦ ὄχλου εἶπεν αὐτῷ· μακαρία ἡ κοιλία ἡ βαστάσασά σε καὶ μαστοὶ οὓς ἐθήλασας. αὐτὸς δὲ εἶπε· μενοῦνγε μακάριοι οἱ ἀκούοντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ φυλάσσοντες αὐτόν.

News and Information

Parish News & Updates

Mark your calendars and spread the word for our first annual Holiday Heat 'n Eat event! We will offer pre-cooked, family- sized Greek dishes and Holiday cookies. A perfect addition to family meals and holiday meals! Online ordering is now thru the 30th. Pick-up Dec. 5 – 9 View the online menu at https://saintanthonygreekorthodoxchurch.scvr.co/home?

Please join us to prepare our Heat 'n Eat menu items No experience necessary, all ages welcome. We begin at 9am. Sat, Nov 20 ~ Koulourakia Sun, Nov 28 ~ Paximadia Thurs, Dec 2 ~ Gyro Kits. Sign up sheets will be in the Large Hall or email the church office. saintanthonychurch@sbcglobal.net

We offer Sunday School each week for all students ages K-12. Pre-enrollment is not required. Our Sunday School team offers grade-level engaging Orthodox activities to help students grow in the Faith through project-based and service learning. You can access a student enrollment form at our website or through our electronic weekly bulletin.

●Note to Students: You will be directed to Sunday School in the Small Hall following Holy Communion. Classes will be in session for 40 minutes and then you will be released into the Large Hall for snacks and fellowship.

●Note to Parishioners: Following dismissal, please enter the Big Hall for Fellowship from the outside. Do not go through the small hall as Sunday School will be in progress.

Bible Study meets each Thursday at 11am in person AND via zoom. Drop ins are welcome! We are currently studying 2 Corinthians, Chapter 4. Connection link: https://goarch.zoom.us/j/96253922864?pwd=eVN0Q2NtcDh5MnBwcGZTZ1ZKcGFwZz09

Evening Class on Orthodox Christianity is held at church in the small hall and simultaneously via Zoom at 7pm on selected Thursdays. You are welcome to join us in-person or online at the scheduled time of the class. For the zoom link please send a request to fatherstephen@att.net Next meeting will be on Thursday, December 2. Topic of the presentation will be The Holy Trinity.

Sign Up to Join Our Welcome & Hospitality Ministry! 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. 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.

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 Digital Chant Stand https://dcs.goarch.org/goa/dcs/dcs.html 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: [All links below can be accessed at sanfran.goarch.org/]

Stay Connected to the Metropolis TextSFNEWS to 22828 and subscribe to the E-News from the Metropolis of San Francisco. Stay connected to the latest ministry information from the Metropolis. Sign up today!

Faith Forward Join the Metropolis of San Francisco as a Faith Forward steward and support the ongoing development of our ministries and programs that positively impact our parishes and faithful. Because of our Faith Forward stewards we have accomplished so much. Faith Forward can help us achieve even more. Donate today! Text FAITH to 877-403-1691. Thank you!

OrthoTalks is Back in November All Junior High AND High School students are invited to join Father Gary Kyriacou, Metropolis Pastor of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry team for an in-depth discussion on ZOOM! The gathering will focus on the Orthodox Christian response to bullying and how to deal with someone that is mean. This two-part series is scheduled for: Tuesday, November 16 AND Tuesday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m. PST. Register online to receive the Zoom link.

Metropolis Church Music Symposium Reconnect, reinvigorate, and refine your musical skills with church musicians from near and far at a one-day Metropolis of San Francisco Church Music Symposium on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Portland, OR. Led by award-winning Orthodox composer and conductor Benedict Sheehan and his wife, Talia Maria, as they guide us in exploring the joy of an effective and engaging choral rehearsal. Register online!

Ripe for the Harvest The Metropolis Missions and Evangelism Ministry is presenting a conversation to explore opportunities in the American mission field on Thursday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. PST . Join Heidi White, a teacher, speaker, and podcaster who will speak on Classical Education + Inquiry Into Orthodoxy. Participants will learn how the Christian Classical Education renewal is opening people's hearts to the ancient Church. Register today!

CrossRoad is Coming to San Francisco: Summer 2022 Through the leadership of Metropolitan Gerasimos and the generosity of The George and Judy Marcus Family Foundation, CrossRoad will host one of its three sessions in San Francisco, California. The CrossRoad Summer Institute is a 10-day summer program, offered through the Office of Vocation and Ministry at Hellenic College Holy Cross, which invites high school juniors and seniors to “explore their faith like never before.” Applications coming soon – limited availability! For more information, visit www.crossroadinstitute.org.

Weekly Schedule

Saturday, November 20th Koulourakia Baking 9a; No Vespers Tonight

Sunday, November 21st Orthros 9a; Divine Liturgy 10a; Sunday School; Parish Assembly

Wednesday, November 24th Paraklesis 6p

Thursday, November 25th Happy Thanksgiving!

Saturday, November 27th Vespers 6p

Sunday, November 28th Orthros 9a; Divine Liturgy 10a; Sunday School; Paximadia Prep

Tuesday, November 30th St. Andrew Orthros 8a; Divine Liturgy 9a

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: Kiki Virden, Nancy Surina, John Lagios

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

Acolytes: Joseph Karcher, Gabriel Gazes, Alexander Galecki, Nicholas Krieger

Flowers: Nancy Surina

Prosphora: Mary Paraskevopoulos

Please contact the church office if you would like to provide fresh flowers, or be added to our prosphora baking schedule.

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.

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.