Announcements

ORTHROS 8:30AM

DIVINE LITURGY 9:30AM

The mission of our beloved parish of St. George is to put into practice our Orthodox faith for our spiritual growth while creating fellowship and ministries for all the faithful. It should be our mission to spread the word of the Gospel and build harmony and love within the community and be the example of our Orthodox faith for our youth.

WE WELCOME EVERYONE TO OUR COMMUNITY!

We are grateful that you have joined us for prayer and worship. Please join us after the Divine Services in our Fellowship Hall for Hospitality Hour hosted by the Sougelas family in memory of all their family members who have passed on and by the Zachos family in memory of their beloved family members.

Memorial Services Today For:

Anna Andreas – 1 year, Petroula Andreas – 4 years, Andreas Andreou,

Alexandros Peppes – 10 years. May their memory be eternal.

Mark Your Calendar:

Friday, September 6^th ………...GOYA “Kick-Off” meeting at 7:30PM

Saturday, September 7^th ……..Rummage Sale from 9am to 5pm

Sunday, September 8^th ……..…Welcome Back “Agape” Sunday

Tuesday, September 10^th...…..Greek School Classes Begin Paraklesis Service – 6:30PM

Wednesday, September 11^th ..Sunday School Teachers Meeting – 7:30PM

Thursday, September 12^th …...All Ministries Meeting – 7:30PM

Sunday, September 15^th ……...Metropolis of NJ Holy Cross Celebration in Asbury Park, NJ

Tuesday, September 17^th …..…Orthodox Life Institute Classes Begin at 7:30pm

.Saturday, September 21^st ……Blessing of the Animals – 10:00AM

Sunday, September 22^rd ….…..Sunday School Begins

Friday, October 4^th ……………Wine Tasting Fundraiser at the Waterside – 7:30PM

Sunday Memorials, Artoclasias and Other Blessings:

Please inform the church office well in advance of Sunday mornings for all memorials, artoclasias, 40 day blessings and other blessings so as not to disrupt the Divine Liturgy. If any requests or lists of names are received after the Great Entrance they will have to wait until the following Sunday.

****Additionally, in order to preserve the sanctity of the Divine Liturgy, please wait to light candles in the St. Nectarios Chapel at the correct time. If one arrives after the Great Entrance, they will have to wait until the end of Liturgy, while the Andithoron is being given out, to light candles in the Chapel.

Communion Guidelines:

Baptized and Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared, according to the Holy Orthodox Church guidelines, may receive Holy Communion. Please allow our Sunday School children to receive Holy Communion first and wait for the ushers to dismiss your row.

Holy Confession:

If you wish to partake in the Sacrament of Holy Confession, please feel free to call the Church office or Fr. Peter to arrange a time.

New Divine Liturgy Books:

We are grateful for the donation of the 400 new Divine Liturgy books, in our pews today, which are in honor of Fr. Peter and Presvytera Georgia Souritzidis. We are blessed that they and their beautiful family, continue to be a part of our extended St. George family.

Rummage Sale Volunteers Needed:

We are asking our parishioners for assistance in helping to set up for the Rummage Sale, this Sunday after church and during the day (9am - 2pm) from Tuesday through Thursday next week, after Labor Day. This will also be the last opportunity for anyone to bring donated items. Next Friday night (9/6) will be the last night to set up. Also, on Friday (9/6) between the hours of 6 – 8 PM, we will open for a pre-sale event to our parishioners, fellow dealers, eBayers, and invited guests, giving everyone early access to great finds/treasures. This will help us get a jumpstart on selling items, since our Sale will only be held for one day on Saturday. Additionally, from 3:00PM until 5:00PM on Saturday, September 7^th we anticipate having a bag sale, where shoppers can fill up a bag for one price. Thank you for all your donations and support.

Welcome Back “Agape” Sunday:

On Sunday, September 8^th, immediately following Church services please join us in the Fr. John & Presvytera Margaret Orfanakos Fellowship Hall to learn more about our Ministries. Take advantage of the opportunity to see where your “Time and Talent” can best be used. Stay and enjoy a barbeque luncheon. On behalf of Fr. Peter and the Parish Council, we would like to express our appreciation to all of our parishioners and ministry leaders who dedicate themselves to our Parish. Thank you for your commitment to our St. George community and we look forward to working together as the new Ecclesiastical year begins.

St. John Commandaria Communion Wine:

One of the traditions or customs in the Orthodox Church is to donate the Communion wine for sacraments, memorial services, or Church Feast Days. The preferable choice is St. John Commandaria. Anyone wishing to make an offering of communion wine can contact the church office. The donation for each bottle of wine is $30.

Wine Tasting Experience:

Join us for an enjoyable evening at our Wine Tasting event on Friday, October 4, 2019, at the Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen. Tickets in advance are $100 and after October 1^st the cost is $125. The evening will include hors d’oeuvres, wine pairings, cigar rollers, and raffle opportunities. Please consider donating your favorite bottle of wine to add to our Wine Pull Raffle. We are asking that each bottle be a minimum of $20.00. All bottles can be left at the church office. Also, please visit our table beginning on Agape Sunday to purchase tickets to the event. You can email Denise Cecchini at WineTasting2019@gmail.com or call 201-406-2827 for more information or to reserve tickets. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Feast Day Flower Donations:

During the Ecclesiastical year, our Church comes alive with many Liturgical services. It is customary in our faith to decorate icons used during special Feast Day services with flowers. We encourage our parishioners to offer a special contribution for this purpose. Your donation is a unique and appropriate way to remember your departed friends and relatives, as well as an expression of love on behalf of your family and prayers for your beloved ones. Donations are still being accepted for the following:

· September 14 – Elevation of the Holy Cross $100

· November 9 – St. Nectarios the Wonderworker $500

Thank you in advance for your flower donations.

Orthodox Life Institute:

The fall Bible Studies, led by Dr. Peter Salierno, begin Tuesday, September 17^th at 7:30pm. Please come and join Dr. Peter Salierno while he leads the group through the theme, The Book of the Romans – “The History of the Church, Part 2”. Classes will meet at the same time every Tuesday.

Attention all College Students:

As the official campus ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the USA, Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) works on behalf of all the Orthodox to connect students to Christ and His Church during college. Through its campus-based chapter, regional events and programs, OCF engages Orthodox college students across the continent in fellowship, education, worship and service. Please visit the following webpage to submit your information to OCF online: www.ocf.net.firstfortydays or email it to firstfortydays@ocf.net. You can also submit your contact information to the church at office@stgeorgeclifton.org.

Mommy & Me:

Join us for this new program for our children, newborn to 5 years old. The program will include bible lessons, arts and crafts and snacks. An organizational meeting will be held on Thursday, September 12th at 8:00pm to discuss the development of the program. The group will meet every 2nd and 4th week of the month at 10:00am in the church. Please email the office with any question at office@stgeorgeclifton.org.

Orthodox Christian Adult Education (Chrismation) Classes:

Fr. Peter will be offering Orthodox Christian instruction classes that will be held on the following Thursday evenings from 7:00pm - 8:30pm:

September 19 & 26 and October 3, 10 & 17

This is a class based on the fundamentals of the Orthodox Church and will also include Bible Fellowship and Discussion as well. This is an excellent opportunity for Orthodox Christians as well as non-Orthodox Christians to receive additional instruction about the Orthodox Christian Church, the traditions involved and many other teachings in the Holy Scriptures. This class is also for those who are considering being baptized or chrismated into the Orthodox faith.

Sunday School:

Our Sunday Church School is always looking for teachers and assistants. Prior teaching experience is not necessary. We welcome all volunteers! Please email us at stgeochsch@gmail.com.

Greek School Registration for 2019-2020:

Greek School classes will begin on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 4:00pm with an Agiasmo Blessing. Registration has begun. Please drop by the Church office to pick up a registration package.

Stewardship 2019:

Thank you to all of our Stewards who have made their pledges and donations so far for 2019. Our Saint George parish depends upon your generous donations to envision our goals and enhance our ministries and outreach. So please don’t forget to submit your 2019 Stewardship Pledge card. We currently have 207 stewards and we are hoping to reach our goal of 350 stewards for 2019! Pledge cards can be found in the Narthex, Atrium or Church office.

Saints and Feasts

September 01

Ecclesiastical New Year

For the maintenance of their armed forces, the Roman emperors decreed that their subjects in every district should be taxed every year. This same decree was reissued every fifteen years, since the Roman soldiers were obliged to serve for fifteen years. At the end of each fifteen-year period, an assessment was made of what economic changes had taken place, and a new tax was decreed, which was to be paid over the span of the fifteen years. This imperial decree, which was issued before the season of winter, was named Indictio, that is, Definiton, or Order. This name was adopted by the emperors in Constantinople also. At other times, the latter also used the term Epinemisis, that is, Distribution (Dianome). It is commonly held that Saint Constantine the Great introduced the Indiction decrees in A.D. 312, after he beheld the sign of the Cross in heaven and vanquished Maxentius and was proclaimed Emperor in the West. Some, however (and this seems more likely), ascribe the institution of the Indiction to Augustus Caesar, three years before the birth of Christ. Those who hold this view offer as proof the papal bull issued in A.D. 781 which is dated thus: Anno IV, Indictionis LIII -that is, the fourth year of the fifty-third Indiction. From this, we can deduce the aforementioned year (3 B.C.) by multiplying the fifty-two complete Indictions by the number of years in each (15), and adding the three years of the fifty-third Indiction. There are three types of Indictions: 1) That which was introduced in the West, and which is called Imperial, or Caesarean, or Constantinian, and which begins on the 24th of September; 2) The so-called Papal Indiction, which begins on the 1st of January; and 3) The Constantinopolitan, which was adopted by the Patriarchs of that city after the fall of the Eastern Empire in 1453. This Indiction is indicated in their own hand on the decrees they issue, without the numeration of the fifteen years. This Indiction begins on the 1st of September and is observed with special ceremony in the Church. Since the completion of each year takes place, as it were, with the harvest and gathering of the crops into storehouses, and we begin anew from henceforth the sowing of seed in the earth for the production of future crops, September is considered the beginning of the New Year. The Church also keeps festival this day, beseeching God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth. The Holy Scriptures (Lev. 23:24-5 and Num. 29:1-2) also testify that the people of Israel celebrated the feast of the Blowing of the Trumpets on this day, offering hymns of thanksgiving. In addition to all the aforesaid, on this feast we also commemorate our Saviour's entry into the synagogue in Nazareth, where He was given the book of the Prophet Esaias to read, and He opened it and found the place where it is written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for which cause He hath anointed Me..." (Luke 4:16-30).

It should be noted that to the present day, the Church has always celebrated the beginning of the New Year on September 1. This was the custom in Constantinople until its fall in 1453 and in Russia until the reign of Peter I. September 1 is still festively celebrated as the New Year at the Patriarchate of Constantinople; among the Jews also the New Year, although reckoned according to a moveable calendar, usually falls in September. The service of the Menaion for January 1 is for our Lord's Circumcision and for the memorial of Saint Basil the Great, without any mention of its being the beginning of a new year.

September 01

Synaxis of the Recovery of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos of Miasenae

The Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos of Miasenae is celebrated today because of the wonder that was wrought when her holy icon, which was cast into the lake call Zaguru in order to prevent it from being desecrated by the Iconoclast, miraculously arose intact from the depths of the lake after many years.

September 02

Mammas the Martyr

Saint Mammas was from Gangra of Paphlagonia. He was born in prison, where his parents were suffering for Christ's sake and ended their lives. He was named Mammas because, after he had long remained without speaking, he addressed his foster mother Ammia as "mamma." He contested for Christ about the year 275.

September 04

Moses the Prophet & Godseer

The Prophet Moses-whose name means "one who draws forth," or "is drawn from," that is, from the water-was the pinnacle of the lovers of wisdom, the supremely wise lawgiver, the most ancient historian of all. He was of the tribe of Levi, the son of Amram and Jochabed (Num. 26:59). He was born in Egypt in the seventeenth century before Christ. While yet a babe of three months, he was placed in a basket made of papyrus and covered with pitch, and cast into the streams of the Nile for fear of Pharaoh's decree to the mid-wives of the Hebrews, that all the male children of the Hebrews be put to death. He was taken up from the river by Pharaoh's daughter, became her adopted son, and was reared and dwelt in the King's palace for forty years. Afterward, when he was some sixty years old, he fled to Madian, where, on Mount Horeb, he saw the vision of the burning bush. Thus he was ordained by God to lead Israel and bring it out of the land of Egypt. He led Israel through the Red Sea as it were dry land and governed the people for forty years. He wrought many signs and wonders, and wrote the first five books of the Old Testament, which are called the Pentateuch. When he reached the land of Moab, he ascended Mount Nabau, on the peak called Phasga, and there, by divine command, he reposed in the sixteenth century before Christ, having lived for some 120 years. The first two Odes of the Old Testament, "Let us sing to the Lord" and "Attend, O heaven, and I will speak," were written by him. Of these hymns, the first was chanted by the shore of the Red Sea as soon as the Israelites had crossed it; the second, in the land of Moab, a few days before his repose. The Holy High Priest Aaron was the elder brother of the Holy Prophet Moses. He was appointed by God to serve as the spokesman of Moses before the people, and also before Pharaoh, in Egypt. Afterwards, in the wilderness, he was called to the ministry of the high priesthood, as narrated in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers in the Old Testament. The name Aaron means "enlightened."

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode

When you descended into death, O life immortal, you destroyed Hades with the splendor of your divinity, and when you raised the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers shouted: O giver of life, Christ our God, glory to you.

Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Beginning of the Indiction in the Second Mode

O Maker of all Creation, Who hast established the times and the seasons in Thine own power: Bless the crown of this year with Thy goodness, O Lord, and keep our rulers and Thy flock in peace, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, and save us.

Ὁ πάσης δημιουργὸς τῆς κτίσεως, ὁ καιροὺς καὶ χρόνους ἐν τῇ ἰδία ἐξουσία θέμενος, εὐλόγησον τὸν στέφανον τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ τῆς χρηστότητός σου Κύριε, φυλάττων ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοὺς Βασιλεῖς καὶ τὴν πόλιν σου, πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, καὶ σῶσον ἡμᾶς.

Apolytikion for Synaxis of the Recovery of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Grave Mode

Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, haven and protection of the race of man; for the Redeemer of the world became incarnate of thee; for thou alone art both mother and virgin, ever blessed and glorified. Intercede with Christ God that peace be granted unto all the world.

Χαίρε Κεχαριτωμένη, Θεοτόκε Παρθένε, λιμήν καίπροστασία τού γένους τών ανθρώπων, εκ σού γάρ εσαρκώθη ο Λυτρωτής τού κόσμου. Οθεν καί χαρίτων ηγλάϊσας τώ φέγγει, τήν σήν λαμπράν Εικόνα Μιασηνών τή Μάνδρα, ταύτην γάρ θαυμασίως, εξ υδάτων βυθού καί αύθις ημίν δεδώρησαι.

Apolytikion for Righteous Symeon the Stylite in the First Mode

Thou becamest a pillar of patience and didst emulate the Forefathers, O righteous one: Job in his sufferings, Joseph in temptations, and the life of the bodiless while in the body, O Symeon, our righteous Father, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Υπομονής στύλος γέγονας, ζηλώσας τούς προπάτορας Όσιε, τόν Ιώβ εν τοίς πάθεσι, τόν Ιωσήφ εν τοίς πειρασμοίς, καί τήν τών Ασωμάτων πολιτείαν, υπάρχων εν σώματι, Συμεών Πατήρ ημών Όσιε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Apolytikion for St. George the Martyr 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 το Θεώ σωθήναι τας ψυχάς ημών.

Apolytikion for St. Nektarios the Wonderworker in the First Mode

O faithful, let us honor Nektarios, divine servant of Christ, offspring of Silivria and guardian of Aegina, who in these latter years was manifested as the true friend of virtue. All manner of healing wells forth for those who in piety cry out, "Glory to Christ who glorified you; glory to Him who, through you, produced wonders; glory to Him who, through you, works healing for all.

Σηλυβρίας τον γόνον και Αιγίνης τον έφορον, τον εσχάτοις χρόνοις φανέντα, αρετής φίλον γνήσιον, Νεκτάριον τιμήσωμεν πιστοί, ως ένθεον θεράποντα Χριστού· αναβλύζει γαρ ιάσεις παντοδαπάς, τοις ευλαβώς κραυγάζουσι· δόξα τω σε δοξάσαντι Χριστώ, δόξα τω σε θαυμαστώσαντι, δόξα τω ενεργούντι διά σου πάσιν ιάματα.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

O God of all, Thou Who hast made all the ages, * O Sovereign Lord, truly transcendent in essence, * bestow Thy grace and blessing on the year to come; * and, O Most Compassionate, * in Thine infinite mercy * save all them that worship Thee, * Who alone art our Master, * and that with fear, O Saviour, cry to Thee: * Grant unto all men a fruitful and godly year.

Ὁ τῶν αἰώνων Ποιητὴς καὶ Δεσπότης, θεέ τῶν ὅλων, ὑπερούσιε ὄντως, τὴν ἐνιαύσιον εὐλόγησον περίοδον, σώζων τῷ ἐλέει σου τῷ ἀπείρῷ, οἰκτίρμον, πάντας τοὺς λατρεύοντας σοὶ τῷ μόνῷ Δεσπότῃ, καὶ ἐκβοῶντας φόΒῷ λυτρωτά· Εὔφορον πᾶσι τὸ ἔτος χορήγησον.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eleventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:14-25

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after he was raised from the dead, and he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."

Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So, the word went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die; but Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Eleventh Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 21:14-25

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐφανερώθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν, καὶ λέγει τῷ Σίμωνι Πέτρῳ· Σίμων ᾿Ιωνᾶ, ἀγαπᾷς με πλεῖον τούτων; λέγει αὐτῷ· ναί, Κύριε, σὺ οἶδας ὅτι φιλῶ σε. λέγει αὐτῷ· βόσκε τὰ ἀρνία μου. λέγει αὐτῷ πάλιν δεύτερον· Σίμων ᾿Ιωνᾶ, ἀγαπᾷς με; λέγει αὐτῷ· ναί, Κύριε, σὺ οἶδας ὅτι φιλῶ σε. λέγει αὐτῷ· ποίμαινε τὰ πρόβατά μου. λέγει αὐτῷ τὸ τρίτον· Σίμων ᾿Ιωνᾶ, φιλεῖς με; ἐλυπήθη ὁ Πέτρος ὅτι εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ τρίτον, φιλεῖς με, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Κύριε, σὺ πάντα οἶδας, σὺ γινώσκεις ὅτι φιλῶ σε. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· βόσκε τὰ πρόβατά μου. ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω σοι, ὅτε ἦς νεώτερος, ἐζώννυες σεαυτὸν καὶ περιεπάτεις ὅπου ἤθελες· ὅταν δὲ γηράσῃς, ἐκτενεῖς τὰς χεῖράς σου, καὶ ἄλλος σε ζώσει, καὶ οἴσει ὅπου οὐ θέλεις. τοῦτο δὲ εἶπε σημαίνων ποίῳ θανάτῳ δοξάσει τὸν Θεόν. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀκολούθει μοι. ἐπιστραφεὶς δὲ ὁ Πέτρος βλέπει τὸν μαθητὴν ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀκολουθοῦντα, ὃς καὶ ἀνέπεσεν ἐν τῷ δείπνῳ ἐπὶ τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπε· Κύριε, τίς ἐστιν ὁ παραδιδούς σε; τοῦτον ἰδὼν ὁ Πέτρος λέγει τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ· Κύριε, οὗτος δὲ τί; λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἐὰν αὐτὸν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι, τί πρὸς σέ; σὺ ἀκολούθει μοι. ἐξῆλθεν οὖν ὁ λόγος οὗτος εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ὅτι ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος οὐκ ἀποθνήσκει· καὶ οὐκ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι οὐκ ἀποθνήσκει, ἀλλ᾽ ἐὰν αὐτὸν θέλω μένειν ἕως ἔρχομαι, τί πρὸς σέ; Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ μαθητὴς ὁ μαρτυρῶν περὶ τούτων καὶ γράψας ταῦτα, καὶ οἴδαμεν ὅτι ἀληθής ἐστιν ἡ μαρτυρία αὐτοῦ. ἔστι δὲ καὶ ἄλλα πολλὰ ὅσα ἐποίησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, ἅτινα ἐὰν γράφηται καθ᾽ ἕν, οὐδὲ αὐτὸν οἶμαι τὸν κόσμον χωρῆσαι τὰ γραφόμενα βιβλία. ἀμήν.

Gospel Reading

Ecclesiastical New Year
The Reading is from Luke 4:16-22

At that time, Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day. And he stood up to read; and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.

Ecclesiastical New Year
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 4:16-22

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ναζαρά, οὗ ἦν τεθραμμένος, καὶ εἰσῆλθε κατὰ τὸ εἰωθὸς αὐτῷ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων εἰς τὴν συναγωγήν, καὶ ἀνέστη ἀναγνῶναι. καὶ ἐπεδόθη αὐτῷ βιβλίον ῾Ησαΐου τοῦ προφήτου, καὶ ἀναπτύξας τὸ βιβλίον εὗρε τὸν τόπον οὗ ἦν γεγραμμένον· Πνεῦμα Κυρίου ἐπ᾿ ἐμέ, οὗ εἵνεκεν ἔχρισέ με, εὐαγγελίσασθαι πτωχοῖς ἀπέσταλκέ με, ἰάσασθαι τοὺς συντετριμμένους τὴν καρδίαν, κηρῦξαι αἰχμαλώτοις ἄφεσιν καὶ τυφλοῖς ἀνάβλεψιν, ἀποστεῖλαι τεθραυσμένους ἐν ἀφέσει, κηρῦξαι ἐνιαυτὸν Κυρίου δεκτόν. καὶ πτύξας τὸ βιβλίον ἀποδοὺς τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ ἐκάθισε· καὶ πάντων ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἦσαν ἀτενίζοντες αὐτῷ. ἤρξατο δὲ λέγειν πρὸς αὐτοὺς ὅτι σήμερον πεπλήρωται ἡ γραφὴ αὕτη ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν ὑμῶν. καὶ πάντες ἐμαρτύρουν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐθαύμαζον ἐπὶ τοῖς λόγοις τῆς χάριτος τοῖς ἐκπορευομένοις ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ.

Wisdom of the Fathers

And while one calls on Jerusalem, saying, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion, for lo! thy King cometh to thee meek, riding upon an ass, and a young colt;" another proclaims His second coming also, saying on this wise, "The Lord, whom ye seek, will come, and who will abide the day of His coming? Leap ye as calves set free from bonds." And another again, amazed at such things, said, "This is our God; there shall none other be accounted of in comparison of Him."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 19 on Matthew 6, 4th Century

When Jesus had read this passage, He rolled up 'the scroll, gave it to the servant, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.'... How much would I wish that this assembly gave such testimony. I wish that the eyes of all (of catechumens and faithful of women, men and children) - not the eyes of the body, but the eyes of the soul - would gaze upon Jesus. When you look to Him, your faces will be shining from the light of His gaze."

Origen of Alexandria

Homilies on the Gospel of Luke, 32.6. (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. vol. 3: Luke, Intervarsity Press)