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St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-09-16
Bulletin Contents
Euthemia
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St. George Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (562) 862-6461
  • Fax:
  • (562) 862-2672
  • Street Address:

  • 10830 Downey Avenue

  • Downey, CA 90241
  • Mailing Address:

  • 10830 Downey Avenue

  • Downey, CA 90241


Services Schedule

SUNDAYS Orthros at 9:00 AM; Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM

WEEKDAY LITURGIES Orthros at 9:00 AM; Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM

 

Mission Statement

The Mission of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church is to proclaim and teach the Mystery of Salvation and the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; to enhance the spiritual life of our communicants through participation in the fullness of Orthodox worship, through loving and dedicated service to God and to mankind.

Vision Statement

Saint George will provide a welcoming, loving, and caring environment for our parishioners and visitors where our God - given talents will be allowed to flourish and grow in faith, through worship, service, witness and fellowship. The programs offered by Saint George will serve the religious, educational, cultural, philanthropic and social activities of the community of all ages.


Past Bulletins


This Week at Saint George

LITURGICAL CALENDAR

Sunday, September 16, 2018
Sunday After Holy Cross Holy Cross
Orthros 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM
WELCOME BACK LUNCHEON 

Special General Assembly at 12:30 PM

  SCHEDULED MEMORIALS

September 30- Vasiliki Bournias- 1 year

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Greek Bible Study on Thursdays at 6:00 PM
Greek School on Wednesdays

 

Sunday School: Registration on September 23; First Day of Classes on September 30.

IMPORTANT:

All Ministries and Organizations MUST reserve meetings and events on the Church's Master Calendar. Please submit your requests for 2018-2019 as soon as possible. Please submit your requests in writing to the Church Office.

CLICK HERE FOR THE St George Google Calendar

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Please remember that cash offerings, when placed in the pew envelopes with your name, will be credited as part of your stewardship

Please be reminded that the First 7 Spaces (including the blue handicapped space) in front of the Hall of Fame Market and the Church Offices are leased to the Hall of Fame Market.  They are designated by a Green Curb. Our parishioners are respectfully asked not to park in those spaces.

 All blue handicapped spaces are specifically reserved for those vehicles with the proper blue tag issued by the DMV. 

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News and Events

SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY- SEPT 16

SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY- SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

Pursuant to Article 31, Section 7 of the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, a Special General Assembly is called for Sunday, September 16, 2018 at 12:15 PM in the Multipurpose Room of St George Hall.

You must be a parishioner in financial good standing to participate in this General Assembly.

RESOLUTION

Whereas, the Parish of St George Greek Orthodox Church of Downey has occupied the current property of 10830 and 10846 Downey Avenue (APN 6245-017-024 and 6254-017-025) since 1995 and has made use of the existing building as a chapel and hall in various configurations, and

Whereas, It has been sixteen years since the Thyranoixia of the Church in 2002 and eight years since its consecration in 2010, and

Whereas, The current facilities used as hall, classrooms, kitchen and offices are aging and increasingly insufficient to support our ministries and programs, and

Whereas, some parishioners desire to honor the memory of Yianni Koumoudouros through the naming of a future gymnasium as the “Yianni Koumoudouros Memorial Gymnasium” and has formed a group called the “Yianni Project Committee,” and

Whereas, the “Yianni Project” is stirring interest among our parishioners in the future development of the Parish,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church of Downey, to formally organize the “Yianni Project Committee ” as the nucleus of an exploratory committee and authorized to research the future needs of our parish, parishioners and ministries; and to make preliminary conceptual drawings and designs for a building or buildings that may include hall, gymnasium, classrooms, kitchen, offices and conference rooms.

Be it further resolved, that an account be established under the title “Building Fund 3- Yianni Project” which will be used to collect and disburse funds for this exploratory committee. Further this account will have as signatories the Parish Council Treasurer and two members of the “Yianni Project” committee. This fund will be subject to auditing by the Parish’s Audit Committee.


Greek School

Greek School Registration

The Greek School of Downey will hold registrations for the new school year.

Date: September 12th at 4 pm in the Church Hall

Classes will be offered on Wednesdays from 4-6.

We welcome children from K to ?.

For questions please call Nicole at 562-547-5708.


Folk Dance Program

Calling All Dancers!!

 If you are a returning dancer or would like to join the Saint George Folkdance Program please send us an email: saintgeorgedance@gmail.com 

Please send the dancers name & birthdate and contact info and someone will be in contact with you.


Parishioner Services

Parishioner Services Chairperson: Sasha Vithoulkas

Cell—(562) 714-5324          Home—(562) 869-3533

 Memorial Services must be booked by calling the office and scheduling the date with Father John.  After Father John approves the date, then arrangements for the event may be made through the Parishioners Services Chairperson  Sasha Vithoulkas. Makaries, Altar- flowers, and koliva please contact Sasha Vithoulkas directly.  

Ladies who wish to make prosfora please contact Soula Katsenes (562) 372-7776.

Use of the hall FOR WHATEVER REASON must be coordinated through the Church Office.


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METROPOLIS GALA

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Around the Southland

 

The Pontian Society of Southern California- “MAVRI THALASAA”
presents

A Weekend of Pontian Culture, History and Dance

 

 DANCE SEMINAR: Saturday, September 29th   10:00AM-4:30PM

 

MR. NIKO ZOURNATZIDIS
Dance instructor and researcher from Athens, Greece
Teaching dances from Pafra and other Pontian regions

9:00 Registration opens  

10:00-12:00    Morning Instruction

12:00-1:00   Lunch Break on your own or $10.00 boxed Lunch

1:00-4:30   Afternoon Instruction-includes Tik Tromahton and Serra

 

SATURDAY EVENING PONTIAN GLENDI 6:30-1:00

Dr. Nikos Michailidis, Vicky Hioureas Michailidis and DJ Peter Loukatos

  

LECTURE: Sunday, September 30th 1:00 PM

“The Paradox of Pontic-Greek Identity: Cultural Intimacy in a Globalized World”

 DR. NIKOS MICHAILIDIS
Lecturer in Anthropology and Hellenic Studies, Princeton University  

The lecture will cover various aspects of the culture and history of the Pontic-Greek communities and their global outreach. It will describe their multiple transformations in historic Pontos, in  Greece and in the diaspora and will explore their potential and meaning for contemporary life.

        

Member Fees**                                   Non-Member Fees

Dance Class-$20 each session ($40 Both)         $25.00 each dance session

  Glendi-$50.00                                  Glendi-$60.00

 Lecture-Free                                  Lecture-$10.00

 All Events-$80.00                               All Events: $100.00

    

EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT ($10.00) FROM ALL EVENT FEE -
PAYMENT MUST BE POSTMARKED BY SEPTEMBER 21st.

Events will take place at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 10830 Downey Avenue Downey, California

To register for the event or for more information

Dance/Glendi-Anne Sirota  424/259-3262  email: socalpontians@gmail.com or

Lecture: Philip Trevezas 562/305-2356   email: socalpontians@gmail.com

 

** Become a member of the  Pontian Society: 
Annual dues are: $100 per family, $50 individual, $25 students

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Saints and Feasts

Euthemia
September 16

Euphemia the Great Martyr

Saint Euphemia was from Chalcedon and lived in virginity. According to some, she suffered martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian, in 303; according to others, in 307. Her sacred relics are preserved in the Patriarchate in Constantinople.


Sophia
September 17

Sophia & her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love

These Saints were from Italy and contested for the Faith about the year 126, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Faith was twelve years old, Hope, ten, and Love, nine; each was tormented and then beheaded, from the eldest to the youngest. Their mother Sophia mourned at their grave for three days, where she also fell asleep in peace; because of her courageous endurance in the face of her daughters' sufferings, she is also counted a martyr. The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek; as for her daughters' names, Faith, Hope, and Love (Charity), they are Pistis, Elpis, and Agape in Greek, and Vera, Nadezhda, and Lyubov in Russian.


Eustathi
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.


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fifth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:13-35

At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Fifth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:13-35

Καὶ ἰδοὺ δύο ἐξ αὐτῶν ἦσαν πορευόμενοι ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ εἰς κώμην ἀπέχουσαν σταδίους ἑξήκοντα ἀπὸ ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, ᾗ ὄνομα ᾿Εμμαούς. καὶ αὐτοὶ ὡμίλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους περὶ πάντων τῶν συμβεβηκότων τούτων. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὁμιλεῖν αὐτοὺς καὶ συζητεῖν καὶ αὐτὸς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐγγίσας συνεπορεύετο αὐτοῖς· οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν ἐκρατοῦντο τοῦ μὴ ἐπιγνῶναι αὐτόν.εἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· τίνες οἱ λόγοι οὗτοι οὓς ἀντιβάλλετε πρὸς ἀλλήλους περιπατοῦντες καί ἐστε σκυθρωποί; ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ εἷς, ᾧ ὄνομα Κλεόπας, εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· σὺ μόνος παροικεῖς ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ οὐκ ἔγνως τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ποῖα; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· τὰ περὶ ᾿Ιησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου, ὃς ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ προφήτης δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ, ὅπως τε παρέδωκαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ἡμῶν εἰς κρῖμα θανάτου καὶ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτόν. ἡμεῖς δὲ ἠλπίζομεν ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν ᾿Ισραήλ· ἀλλά γε σὺν πᾶσι τούτοις τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει σήμερον ἀφ᾿ οὗ ταῦτα ἐγένετο. ἀλλὰ καὶ γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς γενόμεναι ὄρθριαι ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ μὴ εὑροῦσαι τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ ἦλθον λέγουσαι καὶ ὀπτασίαν ἀγγέλων ἑωρακέναι, οἳ λέγουσιν αὐτὸν ζῆν. καὶ ἀπῆλθόν τινες τῶν σὺν ἡμῖν ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ εὗρον οὕτω καθὼς καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες εἶπον, αὐτὸν δὲ οὐκ εἶδον. καὶ αὐτὸς εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς· ὦ ἀνόητοι καὶ βραδεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ τοῦ πιστεύειν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἐλάλησαν οἱ προφῆται! οὐχὶ ταῦτα ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ; καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Μωϋσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν διηρμήνευεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ. Καὶ ἤγγισαν εἰς τὴν κώμην οὗ ἐπορεύοντο, καὶ αὐτὸς προσεποιεῖτο πορρωτέρω πορεύεσθαι· καὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτὸν λέγοντες· μεῖνον μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν, ὅτι πρὸς ἑσπέραν ἐστὶ καὶ κέκλικεν ἡ ἡμέρα. καὶ εἰσῆλθε τοῦ μεῖναι σὺν αὐτοῖς. καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κατακλιθῆναι αὐτὸν μετ᾿ αὐτῶν λαβὼν τὸν ἄρτον εὐλόγησε, καὶ κλάσας ἐπεδίδου αὐτοῖς. αὐτῶν δὲ διηνοίχθησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί, καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς ἄφαντος ἐγένετο ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν. καὶ εἶπον πρὸς ἀλλήλους· οὐχὶ ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν καιομένη ἦν ἐν ἡμῖν, ὡς ἐλάλει ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ ὡς διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς γραφάς; Καὶ ἀναστάντες αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, καὶ εὗρον συνηθροισμένους τοὺς ἕνδεκα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτοῖς, λέγοντας ὅτι ἠγέρθη ὁ Κύριος ὄντως καὶ ὤφθη Σίμωνι. καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐξηγοῦντο τὰ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ ὡς ἐγνώσθη αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ κλάσει τοῦ ἄρτου.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

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.

Προκείμενον. Grave Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 28.11,1.
Κύριος ἰσχὺν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ δώσει.
Στίχ. Ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ υἱοὶ Θεοῦ, ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ δόξαν καὶ τιμήν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 2:16-20.

Ἀδελφοί, εἰδότες ὅτι οὐ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν, ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου· διότι οὐ δικαιωθήσεται ἐξ ἔργων νόμου πᾶσα σάρξ. Εἰ δέ, ζητοῦντες δικαιωθῆναι ἐν Χριστῷ, εὑρέθημεν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἁμαρτωλοί, ἆρα Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίας διάκονος; Μὴ γένοιτο. Εἰ γὰρ ἃ κατέλυσα, ταῦτα πάλιν οἰκοδομῶ, παραβάτην ἐμαυτὸν συνίστημι. Ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον, ἵνα θεῷ ζήσω. Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι· ζῶ δέ, οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός· ὃ δὲ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, ἐν πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ.


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."

Sunday after Holy Cross
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8:34-38, 9:1

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers' lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.
Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέῳξας τῷ Λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thine inheritance; grant Thou unto the faithful victory over adversaries. And by the power of Thy Cross do Thou preserve Thy commonwealth.
Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.

Apolytikion for Great Martyr Euphemia in the Third Mode

O Euphemia, Christ's comely virgin, thou didst fill the Orthodox with gladness and didst cover with shame all the heretics; for at the holy Fourth Council in Chalcedon, thou didst confirm what the Fathers decreed aright. O all-glorious Great Martyr, do thou entreat Christ God that His great mercy may be granted unto us.
Λίαν εύφρανας τούς ορθοδόξους, καί κατήσχυνας τούς κακοδόξους, Ευφημία Χριστού καλλιπάρθενε, τής γάρ Τετάρτης Συνόδου εκύρωσας, ά οι Πατέρες καλώς εδογμάτισαν, Μάρτυς ένδοξε, Χριστόν τόν Θεόν ικέτευε, δωρήσασθαι ημίν τό μέγα έλεος.

Apolytikion for St George in the Fourth Mode

 Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Ως των αιχμαλώτων ελευθερωτής, και των πτωχών υπερασπιστής, ασθενούντων ιατρός, βασιλέων υπέρμαχος, Τροπαιοφόρε Μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τω Θεώ, σωθήναι τας ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

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.
Ο υψωθείς εν τώ Σταυρώ εκουσίως, τή επωνύμω σου καινή πολιτεία, τούς οικτιρμούς σου δώρησαι, Χριστέ ο Θεός, Εύφρανον εν τή δυνάμει σου, τούς πιστούς Βασιλείς ημών, νίκας χορηγών αυτοίς, κατά τών πολεμίων, τήν συμμαχίαν έχοιεν τήν σήν, όπλον ειρήνης, αήττητον τρόπαιον.
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Words of Wisdom

 

Protocol 124/18 

September 14, 2018

The Universal Exaltation of

The Precious and Life-Giving Cross

 

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today as we venerate the Holy Cross of our Lord, and Orthodox Christians around the world raise the symbol of the sacred and precious wood, we proclaim the Cross to be an invincible shield, a divine scepter, and the boast of the faithful.  We exalt it affirming that the Cross sanctifies to the ends of the world.  We hail the life-giving Cross as the “unconquerable trophy of godliness, door to Paradise, and succor of the faithful.”  Through the Cross our enemies are vanquished, freedom from corruption and mortality is established, and salvation is offered universally.

As the Cross is lifted up, we marvel at how an instrument meant for torture and shame leads us to abundant and eternal life.  We contemplate how an object that inflicted suffering and death reveals the glory and power of God.  We offer praise and thanksgiving, for instead of hate and inhumanity, the Cross has become love and freedom.  Instead of suffering, we find healing and hope.  The Cross leads us from death and life, and through the Cross we know that all things are possible to those who believe in Christ.

Today as we lift up the Holy Cross, we offer a witness to the world of the power of faith.  We are reminded that Christ has called us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Him. (Luke 9:23)  We reflect on the words of the Apostle Paul which offer guidance on the relationship of the Cross and faith: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who lives, 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. (Galatians 2:20)  The Cross shows us the power of God that makes all things possible through faith.

As we venerate the Cross of Christ and affirm the victory and potential we have through it, we offer prayers and support for our beloved Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.  In this place consecrated for worship, prayer, and learning, are many who have taken up their cross to follow Christ.  It is a place that is integrally linked to our Orthodox faith, and it is faith in Christ that has led so many to come to Holy Cross to prepare for a life of service.  It is a place of tremendous potential, where students see that all things are possible through faith.  Through their commitment and calling, lives will be transformed, parishes will grow, needs will be met, and souls will be led to Christ and the abundant life He offers.

On this beautiful and inspiring Feast may we remember in prayer and support the vital mission of Holy Cross and our beloved students, faculty and staff.  May we offer our thanks to God for the work of the trustees and for the commitment of the many benefactors who give for this sacred work of our Church in America. May we also be filled with amazement as we look upon the Cross and affirm what the power of God has accomplished for our salvation.  May we go forth from our gathering as His people, the Cross before us, knowing that through our faith in Christ, great and marvelous things, things that seem impossible and unattainable, will be accomplished for His honor and glory!

With paternal love in Christ,
 + D E M E T R I O S
Archbishop of America

 

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