Fr. Donat Augusta Message

SUNDAY, August 4: Orthros at 9:00am. Divine Liturgy at 10:00am. Sunday before the Feast of Transfiguration and we will have the blessing of grapes at the end of Liturgy today. Donation of grapes will be appreciated. Social Hour in the Parish Hall following Liturgy.

GREETER SCHEDULE: August 4: Nia; August 11: _?_; August 18: _?_; August 25: Arven; August 31: (Wedding) Ross/Arven.

REFLECTION: The Feast of Transfiguration points to the life of the future age, outside of our time. It refers to the kingdom of Glory, to the transfiguration of the world which was anticipated by our Lord’s Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. And the disciples witnessing this described this sight in these words, “Lord, it is good for us to be here” (Matthew 17:4). The Lord’s Transfiguration reveals and confirms for us the glory of the future age for us all in the glorious Kingdom of God in heaven.

What was the light that was shining on the apostles from the face of our Lord? Was it not an opportunity of the apostles to view “the new heaven and the new earth?” The light of Tabor was an authentic divine light from which the followers of Christ lit their own lights, and from which we too also receive this unfading light for our own life! We say at Pascha, "Come receive the Light from the unfading Light, and glorify our Lord Who is Risen from the dead."

(Apolytikion of the feast) “You were transfigured on the mount, O Christ our God, showing Your Glory to Your disciples as far as they were able to bear it. Through the intercession of the Theotokos, Let Your everlasting light shine upon us sinners, O Giver of Light, glory to You.”

Before your crucifixion You were transfigured, O Christ our true God. On the mountain with Moses and Elijah our Lord’s glory shone forth with the glory of the Father. On Mount Tabor the apostles trembled with fear before the beauty of the divine Kingdom. The disciples saw Christ wrapped in a cloud of light. The divine voice from the cloud called to all, “This is My beloved Son. Hear ye Him.” Magnify, O my soul, the Lord who was transfigured on Tabor.

Today on Tabor we see from the Son of God shining forth the unaltered divine Light of our heavenly Father. We see the Father as Light. We see the Holy Spirit as Light. We see this divine radiance shining more brightly than the sun. (Psalm 104:2) “You are clothed with honor and majesty. You cover Yourself with light as with a garment.” Our Lord by His great condescension and compassion has saved the world that was lost utterly in sin.

“We shall walk, O Lord, in the Light of the glory of Your face; and in Your Name shall we rejoice all the day. (Communion hymn for today).” "Let Your everlasting Light shine upon us sinners!" Amen.

SCHEDULING MEMORIAL SERVICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Memorial Services scheduled for Sundays at the end of the Liturgy can be announced in the weekly eBulletin if the information is sent to Fr. Don's email. Please send your Memorial information by email to Fr. Don by the Thursday prior to the scheduled Memorial Service date. FrDonatAugusta@mail.goarch.org

TUESDAYS @ ST. BASIL CHURCH: Every Tuesday come to St. Basil for fun and friendship! The St. Basil Church will be open every week this summer on Tuesdays from 9AM - 12PM, kids and adults are welcome. This summer we will tackle some Church beautification projects such as clearing out the kitchen and classrooms, while kids enjoy a craft, Greek movies, or help with a church project. The aim is to build community, connect with our kids and help start the process of making the Parish Hall and kitchen a functional and useable space for all. Plan to stop by any Tuesday and help us spread the word!

Email to Fr. Don: FrDonatAugusta@mail.goarch.org .

Email to St. Basil Church: office@stbasil.ct.goarch.org. You can ask to forward your email to the parish priest, the parish council, the Philoptochos, the Greek School, or the New Haven Greek Community for a response. Just indicate where you want your email to be directed..

Visit our St. Basil parish website: www.stbasil.ct.goarch.org. You will find many interesting links. Especially visit the "Orthodox Marketplace" where you will find an excellent selection of icons, books, and gift ideas for birthdays and holidays. Also, you can link to our Parish Facebook page. Thanks to Arven Saunders for managing the parish website.

On Facebook do a search for: "Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church." You will find lots of information about parish activities, photos, and updates. Thanks to Athena Nomikos for her work posting photos and information on our parish Facebook site.

ST. BASIL CHURCH CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

ST. BASIL CALENDAR

GREETER SCHEDULE: August 4: Nia. August 11: ? August 18: ? August 25: Arven. August 31: Wedding, Ross/Arven.

MEMORIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Memorial Services scheduled for Sundays at the end of the Liturgy can be announced in this weekly eBulletin. Please send your email to Fr. Don by the Thursday prior to the scheduled memorial service date. FrDonatAugusta@mail.goarch.org

ST. BASIL 2019 GREEK FAIR: September 20, 21, 22. Plans for the FAIR are now underway. Please keep these dates free to offer time and support at the FAIR. Your contributions, donations, and donations of time working at the Fair are necessary to make a successful Fair this year.

ST. BASIL GREEK SCHOOL St. Basil Greek School had its end of the school year celebration on Friday, June7th. Our students had prepared a nice program with Greek poems that everyone enjoyed and then they received their report cards. After the program the parents had a short meeting with their children's teacher to discuss the progress of the student/s and then everyone enjoyed a pot luck dinner. The new academic year will start on October 9, 2019. For any information or question that you may have, please call Athena Condos (203-387-9504)

You may add church events/announcements/Memorials/FAIR News by sending email to: FrDonatAugusta@mail.goarch.org.

Stewardship Form.

STEWARDSHIP 2019 FORM

Print out the Stewardship 2019 Form and send it to St. Basil Church with your offering. Send to: St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, PO Box 9356, New Haven, CT 06533.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 15:1-7

Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

7th Sunday of Matthew
Πρὸς ῾Ρωμαίους 15:1-7

Ἀδελφοί, ὀφείλομεν δὲ ἡμεῖς οἱ δυνατοὶ τὰ ἀσθενήματα τῶν ἀδυνάτων βαστάζειν, καὶ μὴ ἑαυτοῖς ἀρέσκειν. Ἕκαστος ἡμῶν τῷ πλησίον ἀρεσκέτω εἰς τὸ ἀγαθὸν πρὸς οἰκοδομήν. Καὶ γὰρ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτῷ ἤρεσεν, ἀλλά, καθὼς γέγραπται, Οἱ ὀνειδισμοὶ τῶν ὀνειδιζόντων σε ἐπέπεσον ἐπʼ ἐμέ. Ὅσα γὰρ προεγράφη, εἰς τὴν ἡμετέραν διδασκαλίαν προεγράφη, ἵνα διὰ τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ διὰ τῆς παρακλήσεως τῶν γραφῶν τὴν ἐλπίδα ἔχωμεν. Ὁ δὲ θεὸς τῆς ὑπομονῆς καὶ τῆς παρακλήσεως δῴη ὑμῖν τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν ἐν ἀλλήλοις κατὰ Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν· ἵνα ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐν ἑνὶ στόματι δοξάζητε τὸν θεὸν καὶ πατέρα τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ προσλαμβάνεσθε ἀλλήλους, καθὼς καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς προσελάβετο ὑμᾶς, εἰς δόξαν θεοῦ.

Gospel Reading

7th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:27-35

At that time, as Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

7th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 9:27-35

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παράγοντι ἐκεῖθεν τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ δύο τυφλοὶ κράζοντες καὶ λέγοντες· ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, υἱὲ Δαυΐδ. ἐλθόντι δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ τυφλοί, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· πιστεύετε ὅτι δύναμαι τοῦτο ποιῆσαι; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· ναί, Κύριε. τότε ἥψατο τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν λέγων· κατὰ τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν γενηθήτω ὑμῖν. καὶ ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί· καὶ ἐνεβριμήσατο αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς λέγων· ὁρᾶτε μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω. οἱ δὲ ἐξελθόντες διεφήμισαν αὐτὸν ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ γῇ ἐκείνῃ.

Αὐτῶν δὲ ἐξερχομένων ἰδοὺ προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπον κωφὸν δαιμονιζόμενον· καὶ ἐκβληθέντος τοῦ δαιμονίου ἐλάλησεν ὁ κωφός, καὶ ἐθαύμασαν οἱ ὄχλοι λέγοντες ὅτι οὐδέποτε ἐφάνη οὕτως ἐν τῷ ᾿Ισραήλ. οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι ἔλεγον· ἐν τῷ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια.

Καὶ περιῆγεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὰς πόλεις πάσας καὶ τὰς κώμας διδάσκων ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ θεραπεύων πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν ἐν τῷ λαῷ.

Wisdom of the Fathers

He puts an end to the woman's fear ... He sets her right, in respect of her thinking to be hid ... He exhibits her faith to all, so as to provoke the rest also to emulation ...

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 31 on Matthew 9, 4th Century

And then at last He for His part lays His hand upon them, saying, "According to your faith be it unto you." And this He does to confirm their faith, and to show that they are participators in the good work ...

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 32 on Matthew 9, 4th Century

Saints and Feasts

August 04

7th Sunday of Matthew

August 05

Eusignius the Martyr of Antioch

This Martyr was from Antioch, and had been a soldier from the time of the reign of Constantius Chlorus (the father of Saint Constantine the Great) to that of Julian the Apostate. He censured Julian's ungodliness and reminded him that he was the nephew of Saint Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor. He reminded him further, that from his tender youth he had been nourished on the milk of piety and instructed in the Faith of Christ, had been a fellow student of Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian, had been a reader of the Church of Nicomedia, and that he had set all these things at nought and become a transgressor of the promises made in his divine Baptism, and had offered to the idols the adoration that is due to God alone. Reminding the Apostate of all these things and reproving him, he was beheaded in the year 361, having lived altogether 110 years, and been a soldier for more than sixty.

August 06

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Our Lord had spoken to His disciples many times not only concerning His Passion, Cross, and Death, but also concerning the coming persecutions and afflictions that they themselves would endure. Since all these evils were near at hand, but the enjoyment of good things which they hoped to receive in their stead was yet to come, our Savior desired to give them full assurance, evidently and openly, concerning that glory which is prepared for those who endure to the end. Therefore, fulfilling that which He had promised shortly before, that "there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom" (Matt. 16:28), He took His three foremost disciples and ascended Mount Tabor, where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light. Suddenly, together with this dread and marvelous effulgence of light, there appeared those pinnacles of the Prophets, Moses and Elias, who spoke with the Lord Jesus concerning His saving Passion which was about to take place. Standing before Him as reverent servants, they showed that He is the Lord of both the living and the dead, for Moses came forth from Hades, having died many centuries before, and Elias, as it were from heaven, whither he had been taken up while yet alive. After a little while a radiant cloud overshadowed them and out of the cloud they heard that same voice which had been heard at the Jordan at the Baptism of Christ, testifying to the Divinity of Jesus and saying: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased; hear ye Him" (Matt. 17: 5).

Such are the marvels, truly worthy of God, celebrated in this present feast, which is an image and prefiguring of the future state of the righteous, whose splendor the Lord spoke of, saying: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun" (Matt. 13:43). It is because of this that the Kontakion of this Feast is said daily (when there is not a great feast) in the Service of the Typica in perpetual commemoration of the glory that will be the lot of the Saints. According to tradition, the Lord's Transfiguration came to pass forty days before His Crucifixion; this is why the Transfiguration is celebrated forty days before the Exaltation of the Cross.

ST. BASIL GREEK SCHOOL

ST. BASIL GREEK SCHOOL St. Basil Greek School had its end of the school year celebration on Friday, June7th. Our students had prepared a nice program with Greek poems that everyone enjoyed and then they received their report cards. After the program the parents had a short meeting with their children's teacher to discuss the progress of the student/s and then everyone enjoyed a pot luck dinner. The new academic year will start on October 9, 2019. If you have any questions about the Greek School, call: Athena Condos at 203-387-9504 or email Athena at: athenacondos250@hotmail.com.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

O Christ, the angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, the guards were as dead, and Mary stood by the sepulcher, seeking Your sacred body. You destroyed Hades yet remained untouched by it. You encountered the Virgin and through her, bestowed Life. Glory to You who has risen from the dead!

Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Saint Basil the Great in the First Mode

Apolytikion (First Tone)

Your voice resounded throughout the world that received your word by which, in godly manner, you taught dogma, clarified the nature of beings, and set in order the character of people. Venerable father, Royal Priesthood, intercede to Christ God to grant us great mercy.

Kontakion (Fourth Tone)

For the Church art thou in truth a firm foundation, granting an inviolate lordship unto all mortal men and sealing it with what thou hast taught, O righteous Basil, revealer of heavenly things.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father.

Επί τού όρους μετεμορφώθης, καί ως εχώρουν οι Μαθηταί σου τήν δόξαν σου, Χριστέ ο Θεός εθεάσαντο, ίνα όταν σε ίδωσι σταυρούμενον, τό μέν πάθος νοήσωσιν εκούσιον, τώ δέ κόσμω κηρύξωσιν, ότι σύ υπάρχεις αληθώς, τού Πατρός τό απαύγασμα.

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