Saturday Vespers, 6pm
Sunday Morning Orthros, 8:45am
Sunday Divine Liturgy, 10am
Wednesday Evening Prayer & Healing (Paraklesis), 6pm
Emulating the ways of Elias the zealot, * and following the straight paths of the Baptist O Father Anthony, * you made of the wilderness a city; * and did support the world by your prayers. * Wherefore intercede with Christ our God * that our souls be saved.
Τὸν ζηλωτὴν Ἠλίαν τοῖς τρόποις μιμούμενος, τῷ Βαπτιστῇ εὐθείαις ταῖς τρίβοις ἑπόμενος, Πάτερ Ἀντώνιε, τῆς ἐρήμου γέγονας οἰκιστής, καὶ τὴν οἰκουμένην ἐστήριξας εὐχαῖς σου· διὸ πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῶ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.
The Monk Martyr and Confessor Stephen the New was born in 715 at Constantinople into a pious Christian family. His parents, having two daughters, prayed the Lord for a son. The mother of the new-born Stephen took him to the Blachernae church of the Most Holy Theotokos and dedicated him to God.
During the reign of the emperor Leo the Isaurian (716-741) there was a persecution against the holy icons and against those venerating them. With the support of the emperor, the adherents of the Iconoclast heresy seized control of the supreme positions of authority in the Empire and in the Church. Persecuted by the powers of this world, Orthodoxy was preserved in monasteries far from the capital, in solitary cells, and in the brave and faithful hearts of its followers.
The Orthodox parents of Saint Stephen, grieved by the prevailing impiety, fled from Constantinople to Bithynia, and they gave over their sixteen-year-old son in obedience to the monk John, who labored in asceticism in a solitary place on the Mount of Saint Auxentius. Saint Stephen dwelt with the venerable monk John for more than fifteen years, devoting himself totally to this spirit-bearing Elder, and learning monastic activity from him. Here Stephen received the news that his father was dead, and his mother and sisters had been tonsured as nuns.
After a certain time his teacher John also died. With deep sorrow Saint Stephen buried his venerable body, and continued with monastic effort in his cave by himself. Soon monks began to come to the ascetic, desiring to learn from him the virtuous and salvific life, and a monastery was established, with Saint Stephen as the igumen. At forty-two years of age Stephen left the monastery he founded, and he went to another mountain, on whose summit he dwelt in deep seclusion in a solitary cell. But here also a community of monks soon gathered, seeking the spiritual guidance of Saint Stephen.
Leo the Isaurian was succeeded by Constantine Copronymos (741-775), a fiercer persecutor of the Orthodox, and an even more zealous iconoclast. The emperor convened an Iconoclast Council, attended by 358 bishops from the Eastern provinces. However, except for Constantine, the Archbishop of Constantinople, illegitimately raised to the patriarchal throne by the power of Copronymos, not one of the other patriarchs participated in the wicked doings of this Council, thus making it less likely to style itself as “ecumenical.” This council of heretics, at the instigation of the emperor and the archbishop, described icons as idols, and pronounced an anathema on all who venerated icons in the Orthodox manner, and it described icon veneration as heresy.
Meanwhile, the monastery of Mount Auxentius and its igumen became known in the capital. They told the emperor about the ascetic life of the monks, about their Orthodox piety, about the igumen Stephen’s gift of wonderworking, and of how Saint Stephen’s fame had spread far beyond the region of the monastery, and that the name of its head was accorded universal respect and love. The saint’s open encouragement of icon veneration and the implied rebuff to the persecutors of Orthodoxy within the monastery of Mount Auxentius especially angered the emperor. Archbishop Constantine realized that in the person of Saint Stephen he had a strong and implacable opponent of his iconoclastic intentions, and he plotted how he might draw him over to his side or else destroy him.
They tried to lure Saint Stephen into the Iconoclast camp, at first with flattery and bribery, then by threats, but in vain. Then they slandered the saint, accusing him of falling into sin with the nun Anna. But his guilt was not proven, since the nun courageously denied any guilt and died under torture and beatings. Finally, the emperor gave orders to lock up the saint in prison, and to destroy his monastery. Iconoclast bishops were sent to Saint Stephen in prison, trying to persuade him of the dogmatic correctness of the Iconoclast position. But the saint easily refuted all the arguments of the heretics and he remained true to Orthodoxy.
Then the emperor ordered that the saint be exiled on one of the islands in the Sea of Marmora. Saint Stephen settled into a cave, and there also his disciples soon gathered. After a certain while the saint left the brethren and took upon himself the exploit of living atop a pillar. News of the stylite Stephen, and the miracles worked by his prayers, spread throughout all the Empire and strengthened the faith and spirit of Orthodoxy in the people.
The emperor gave orders to transfer Saint Stephen to prison on the island of Pharos, and then to bring him to trial. At the trial, the saint refuted the arguments of the heretics sitting in judgment upon him. He explained the dogmatic essence of icon veneration, and he denounced the Iconoclasts because in blaspheming icons, they blasphemed Christ and the Mother of God. As proof, the saint pointed to a golden coin inscribed with the image of the emperor. He asked the judges what would happen to a man who threw the coin to the ground , and then trampled the emperor’s image under his feet. They replied that such a man would certainly be punished for dishonoring the image of the emperor. The saint said that an even greater punishment awaited anyone who would dishonor the image of the King of Heaven and His Saints, and with that he spat on the coin, threw it to the ground, and began to trample it underfoot.
The emperor gave orders to take the saint to prison, where already there were languishing 342 Elders, condemned for the veneration of icons. In this prison Saint Stephen spent eleven months, consoling the imprisoned. The prison became like a monastery, where the usual prayers and hymns were chanted according to the Typikon. The people came to the prison in crowds and asked Saint Stephen to pray for them.
When the emperor learned that the saint had organized a monastery in prison, where they prayed and venerated holy icons, he sent two of his own servants, twin-brothers, to beat the saint to death. When these brothers went to the prison and beheld the face of the monk shining with a divine light, they fell down on their knees before him, asking his forgiveness and prayers, then they told the emperor that his command had been carried out. But the emperor learned the truth and he resorted to yet another lie. Informing his soldiers that the saint was plotting to remove him from the throne, he sent them to the prison. The holy confessor himself came out to the furious soldiers, who seized him and dragged him through the streets of the city. They then threw the lacerated body of the martyr into a pit, where they were wont to bury criminals.
On the following morning a fiery cloud appeared over Mount Auxentius, and then a heavy darkness descended upon the capital, accompanied by hail, which killed many people.
The Holy Martyr Irenarchus was from Sebaste, Armenia, and lived during the reign of Diocletian (284-305). When he was young, he would minister to the martyrs in prison after they were tortured.
He once saw seven women being tortured for Christ, who bravely endured their torments. Saint Irenarchus marveled at this because they showed great courage in standing up to the tyrant, even though they were weak by nature.
Illumined by divine grace, Saint Irenarchus confessed Christ. First he endured trials by fire and water, then he was beheaded with the seven holy women in the year 303.
The Holy Martyrs Stephen, Basil, Gregory, another Gregory, John, Andrew, Peter, and many others suffered for the veneration of holy icons with the Monk Martyr Stephen the New, with whom they languished together in prison. After his martyric death, they were executed.
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.
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 Ephesians 2:4-10.
Brethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
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 Ἐφεσίους 2:4-10.
Ἀδελφοί, ὁ θεός, πλούσιος ὢν ἐν ἐλέει, διὰ τὴν πολλὴν ἀγάπην αὐτοῦ ἣν ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς, καὶ ὄντας ἡμᾶς νεκροὺς τοῖς παραπτώμασιν συνεζωοποίησεν τῷ Χριστῷ - χάριτί ἐστε σεσωσμένοι - καὶ συνήγειρεν, καὶ συνεκάθισεν ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ· ἵνα ἐνδείξηται ἐν τοῖς αἰῶσιν τοῖς ἐπερχομένοις τὸν ὑπερβάλλοντα πλοῦτον τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ ἐν χρηστότητι ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ· τῇ γὰρ χάριτί ἐστε σεσῳσμένοι διὰ τῆς πίστεως, καὶ τοῦτο οὐκ ἐξ ὑμῶν· θεοῦ τὸ δῶρον· οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων, ἵνα μή τις καυχήσηται. Αὐτοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν ποίημα, κτισθέντες ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ἐπὶ ἔργοις ἀγαθοῖς, οἷς προητοίμασεν ὁ θεός, ἵνα ἐν αὐτοῖς περιπατήσωμεν.
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."
13th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:18-27
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄρχων λέγων· διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας· μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, μὴ φονεύσῃς, μὴ κλέψῃς, μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου. ὁ δὲ εἶπε· ταῦτα πάντα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου. ἀκούσας δὲ ταῦτα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἔτι ἕν σοι λείπει· πάντα ὅσα ἔχεις πώλησον καὶ διάδος πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ταῦτα περίλυπος ἐγένετο· ἦν γὰρ πλούσιος σφόδρα. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς περίλυπον γενόμενον εἶπε· πῶς δυσκόλως οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ! εὐκοπώτερον γάρ ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυμαλιᾶς ῥαφίδος εἰσελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. εἶπον δὲ οἱ ἀκούσαντες· καὶ τίς δύναται σωθῆναι; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· τὰ ἀδύνατα παρὰ ἀνθρώποις δυνατὰ παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ ἐστιν.
Parish News & Updates
Just 3 days left to place your Holiday Heat 'n Eat Order!! Ordering closes Tues, Nov 30th @ 11pm! We are offering pre-cooked, family- sized Greek dishes and Holiday cookies. A perfect addition to family meals and holiday parties! Click here to view the menu and place your order today: https://saintanthonygreekorthodoxchurch.scvr.co/home? (Don't forget to remind your family & friends as well!)
Please join us to prepare our Heat 'n Eat menu items No experience necessary, all ages welcome. Sun, Nov 28, after Liturgy ~ Paximadia; Thurs, Dec 2, 6pm ~ Tzatziki & Gyro Kit assembly. 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 THIS 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.
Parish Council Elections will take place next Sunday, December 5th after Divine Liturgy.
Holiday Clean Up & Decorating - Monday, December 6th! Parish elvles are need to help bringing an extra sparkle to our beloved parish this Nativity season! Mark you calendars and join us for a parish clean up & decorating day. Come help as you can, there will be tasks for all talents! This is a great way to share your love for our parish and work together with fellow parishioners. We will get started just after Divine Liturgy (9am) for the Feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
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 also 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!
Light the Path to Support Our HCHC Students Join the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos on Saturday, December 11 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PST for a virtual “Light the Path” event to support the Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund. This inspiring event will include presentations from the HCHC students from our Metropolis, along with uplifting Christmas entertainment to get you in the spirit of the season. Support Light the Path today, and register online to attend.
Christmas "Unwrapped" The Nativity Fast has just begun so it is time to prepare for Christmas. Shopping? Tree Decorating? How about “Christmas Unwrapped!” The Metropolis Christian Education Ministry is offering this three-part series that includes the theology, history and traditions of the Christmas season, led by Rev. Father Angelo Maginas, Assistant Priest at Saints Constantine and Helen Church in Cardiff by the Sea, CA. Sessions will be held on Mondays – November 29, December 6 and December 13, from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. PST. Register online!
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!
Applications Now Being Accepted for CrossRoad Summer 2022 CrossRoad is an engaging 10-day program for Orthodox Christian high school juniors and seniors of all jurisdictions, held every summer and provides and opportunity to “explore their faith like never before.”. This year’s locations include: Hellenic College Holy Cross in Boston, MA, North Park University in Chicago, IL. and San Francisco State in San Francisco, CA! which invites high school juniors and seniors Apply today at: www.crossroadinstitute.org.
Saturday, November 27th Baptisms 2p; Vespers 6p
Sunday, November 28th Orthros 9a; Divine Liturgy 10a; Sunday School; Paximadia Prep
Monday, November 29th PC Seminar for Eligible Candidates 7p
Tuesday, November 30th St. Andrew Orthros 8a; Divine Liturgy 9a
Wednesday, December 1st Paraklesis 6p
Thursday, December 2nd Bible Study 11a; Orthodoxy Class 7p
Saturday, December 4th Vespers 6p
Sunday, December 5th Orthros 9a; Divine Liturgy 10a; Sunday School; Parish Council Elections
Monday, December 6th St. Nicholas Orthros 8a; Divine Liturgy 9a
Reminders:
If you cannot attend, please join our live-stream services online at https://www.facebook.com/saintanthonychurchreno
Narthex Greeters: Chris Beech, George Sakelarios, Dimi Sakelarios
Chanters: Eneko Zuniga, Michael Kontaxis, Athanasios Karcher, Danilo Simich
Acolytes: Joseph Karcher, Gabriel Gazes, Alexander Galecki, Nicholas Krieger
Flowers:
Prosphora: Nancy Surina
Please contact the church office if you would like to provide fresh flowers, or be added to our prosphora baking schedule.
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.
Please complete this form for your student and return it to the Church Office via e-mail, US mail, or in person.
Some basic info to help get you oriented
How to Show Proper Respect and Reverence in Church
A short booklet that helps gives some basic answers to the questions: Curious about Orthodoxy? Seriously interested in inquiring into the Orthodox Faith? Desire to join our parish? Wish to commune? What does it take to become a member?
What is stewardship at Saint Anthony?
This document is intended to provide an expanded view of the current COVID pandemic and provide guidance and information on multi-faceted issues and questions facing many of our faithful today.
2022 Proposed Budget
YTD Budget v Actual as of Oct 31, 2021
YTD Balance Sheet as of Oct 2021
Homily given on Sunday, November 28th, 2021