Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 2nd Tone

Angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, and those guarding it became like dead, and at Your grave Mary was standing, seeking Your most pure body. You plundered Hades, not being tempted by it; You encountered the virgin, granting life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to You!

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the 1st Tone

Save, O Lord, Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting victory to the faithful over the enemy, and by Your Cross protecting Your commonwealth.

Apolytikion for Martyr Eustathius and His Companions in the 4th Tone

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Tone. 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 2:16-20.

Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Gospel Reading

Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Wisdom of the Fathers

Interior crosses can found at all times, and more easily than exterior ones. You have only to direct your attention to yourself and examine yourself with a sense of repentance, and a thousand interior crosses will at once present themselves to you. . . Interior crosses are sometimes so burdensome that the sufferer can find no consolation whatever in anything. All this can happen to you too! But in whatever position you may be, and whatever sufferings of the soul you may feel, do not despair and do not think that the Lord has abandoned you. NO! God will always be with you and will invisibly strengthen you even when it seems to you that you are on the very brink of perdition.

St. Innocent of Alaska

The Lenten Spring, SVS Press, p. 148, 19th Century

Saints and Feasts

September 20

Eustathius the Great Martyr, his wife and two children

The holy Martyr Eustathius before his baptism was an illustrious Roman general named Placidas in the days of the Emperor Trajan. While hunting in the country one day, he was converted to the Faith of Christ through the apparition of an uncommonly majestic stag, between whose antlers he saw the Cross of Christ, and through which the Lord spoke to him with a human voice. Upon returning home, he learned that his wife Tatiana had also had a vision in which she was instructed to become a Christian. They sought out the Bishop of the Christians and were baptized, Placidas receiving the name Eustathius, and Tatiana the name Theopiste; their two sons were baptized Agapius and Theopistus. The family was then subjected to such trials as Job endured. Their servants died, all their goods were stolen, and on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem they were scattered abroad, each not even knowing if the others were still alive. By the providence of God, they were united again after many years, and returned to Rome in glory. Nevertheless, when they refused to sacrifice to the idols-a public sacrifice from which no Roman general could be absent-the Emperor Hadrian, who had succeeded Trajan, had them put into a large bronze device in the shape of a bull, which was heated with fire until they died. When their holy bodies were removed, they were found to be without harm. They suffered martyrdom about the year 126.

Announcements

Current Community Update

We continue to journey through our liturgical worship with faith and grace! Furthermore, we continue with current temporary adjustments to Saint Basil life, in accordance with directives from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver.

Liturgical

National, State and local directives are changing rapidly, including in references to churches. Our Church hierarchy is in constant communication with public directives, guidlines and the prayerful consideration of how to reopen liturgical life.

This Sunday

As previously announced, social distancing measures will be in effect, limiting the number of people inside. All others will be expected to stay outside in the courtyard or surrounding area, listening to the Divine Services through the exterior speakers. At the distribution of Holy Communion, in accordance with the perscribed social distancing measures, parishioners wishing to receive Holy Communion will all have the opportunity to receive the Body & Blood of Jesus Christ. All parishioners inside or outside of the sanctuary are asked to follow the direction of our parish council members and ushers, who will facilitate the process of approaching to receive the Holy Sacrament.

Multiple Liturgies

Through the remainder of August, Saint Basil's will celebrate the Divine Liturgy multiple times each week, to provide ample opportunity for the faithful to participate in the Divine Liturgy and receive Holy Communion, without forcing a large gathering. Anyone in an 'at risk' demographic is encouraged to come to the weekday Liturgies.

This Week's Liturgical Schedule:

THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19: Great Vespers Service 6 pm, Saint Efstathios the Great Martyr

Wednesday: Divine Liturgy 9am, The Conception of Saint John the Baptist

Saturday: Divine Liturgy 9 am, Saint John the Evangelist & Theologian

Memorial Services

We now are allowing koliva to be brought to the church, to be included in the experience of praynig the Memorial Serivce. The koliva will be blessed during the service, yet not distributed to the faithful. The family that brought the koliva for the memorial service will be expected to take the koliva home with them.

For further information, please refer to the emails sent earlier this week, or the parish facebook page.

For additional pastoral services, please contact the church office.

Community Events, Meetings & Gatherings

Calling all St. Basil’s Youth!

St. Basil’s is starting our Youth Experience (formerly known as Sunday School/Hope/Joy/Goya) for Fall 2020 with an afternoon kickoff event on St. Eustathios Feast Day immediately following Divine Liturgy. We can’t wait to see you all in person at church! Meet us in the Platia in front of the St. Eustathios Chapel for outside fellowship, lunch and our first ‘Activities Day’ Event. Our Activities Leaders will lead our youth in some fun following our lunch time. See the attached flyer for more details.

We need all parents/guardians to REGISTER your children for our St. Basil’s Youth Experience for this fall. Click on this link and fill this out for EACH CHILD you would like to register. This will create a database for our SBYE leaders to communicate directly with you. We are planning a hybrid fall semester with online information directly from Father Luke each week for home discussion and study and also an in person option once a month for those that are comfortable joining our church family on campus. Please register so further details can be sent out to you. We can’t wait to see you again! If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Rigas cjrigas@comcast.net 281-844-5839.

YOUTH REGISTRATION LINK: https://forms.gle/pRDn42fJ9Qu1KV3w7

Online Ministries - SOME NEW THIS MONTH!

Online Men's Ministry: Are You Adam? Wednesday mornings at 6:30am.

Online GOYA Discussion: On the 1st Wednesday of each month @ 6pm.

Online Bible Study: Wednesday @ 11am.

Online Ask Father: On the 2nd Wednesday of each month @ 6:30pm.

Still Anxious? 11 Week Journey: Saturday @ 5 pm, a continued ministerial discussion group born from the Saint Theopisti Women's Book Club.*All zoom links and passwords can be found at: http://mystbasil.org/calendar/church-calendar/

* all zoom links and passwords can be found at: http://mystbasil.org/calendar/church-calendar/

Stewardship

Support your Spiritual Home during this unique time! In addition to sending checks, Saint Basil’s can currently accept offerings through PayPal and credit card payments by clicking on the Donate to the Church button at the top of the parish website: www.mystbasil.org. We are continuing to research additional forums to make it easier for all the faithful to make offerings back to God through His Church during this time when recognition of our need for God and His Church is heightened in our daily experience.

All Saint Basil’s faithful are asked to please pray in this chapter of human need! Included in this eblast, please find the Prayer of Protection from the Coronavirus for daily offering. May our Patron, Saint Basil the Great, intercede to the Lord on our behalf!

In His Service,

Father Luke

Prayer of Protection from the Coronavirus

O God Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation visible and invisible, in Your ineffable goodness, look down upon Your people gathered in Your name. Be our helper and defender in this day of affliction. You know our weakness. You hear our cry in repentance and contrition of heart. O Lord who loves mankind deliver us from the impending threat of the corona virus. Send Your Angel to watch over us and protect us. Grant health and recovery to those suffering from this virus. Guide the hands of physicians and preserve those who are healthy that we may continue to serve You in peace and glorify Your most honorable and majestic Name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

*full service for the Protection from the Coronavirus in the attachment section of this bulletin.

Calendar

Saint Basil Calendar

September 20 to September 27, 2020

Sunday, September 20

8:30AM Orthros

9:00AM Divine Liturgy: Saint Efstathios the Great Martyr

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, September 23

6:30AM Saint Basil's ZOOM Mens Ministry: Are You Adam?

9:00AM Divine Liturgy: The Conception of Saint John the Baptist

11:00AM Online ZOOM Bible Study

Saturday, September 26

9:00AM Divine Liturgy: Saint John the Evangelist & Theologian

Sunday, September 27

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

Attachments

Online Ministries

Prayer Service for Protection from the Coronavirus

Be Part of the Family at Saint Basil's

The gathering of faithful (Ekklesia) at Saint Basil's is a spiritual family that is waiting for you! The healing Love of God and fellowship of those who seek It, are what binds us together and we hope that you stay or join! Welcome to Saint basil's - Welcome to your Spiritual Family!

2020 Stewardship Card

Offer back to God a little from all that He has given you. It is good for your soul and supports the sustainability and growth of parish ministries at Saint Basil's. Become a Steward today by completing the 2020 Stewardship Card and returning it to the church office.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins