Announcements

PROTOCOLS FOR OUR PARISHES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19:

Except where these GOMNJ Reopening Guidelines are more restrictive, each Parish must also follow the orders and directives of their State, County, and Local Authorities. Regulations NOW allow us to safely socially distance a maximum of 140 people in our Church.

PARISH SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:

Parishioners must wear protective masks throughout the Service.
There are to be no gatherings of any kind after the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.
There will be no access for parishioners to enter other buildings or areas, other than where the Liturgy is being celebrated, except for use of the restroom.
Parishioners must sanitize their hands upon entering the Church.
Parishioners upon entry must register their attendance with their full names and contact information.
Parishioners must adhere to the social distancing guidelines of keeping a 6 foot distance from other parishioners at all times in the pews and throughout the Church. The only exception being for families that have quarantined together, as they will be able to sit together in a designated section of the Church.
Parishioners are not to wander in the Church, in the Parish facilities, or outside on the parish grounds.
Parishioners must leave the Church premises, including the parking lot and exterior grounds, upon conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.
The traditional practice of receiving Holy Communion will not be changed.

Parishioners MUST register online at St. George's website in order to attend services. Please visit stgeorgeclifton.org and click on "CHURCH SERVICE RSVP" on the home page. The deadline to register for Sunday services is by Friday at 12:00pm. Orthros will begin at 8:30 am and the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am. If you have difficulty registering online, please call the Church office at 973.779.2626 to register.

Follow us on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Stgeorgeclifton.org/ or on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJEO_34m3S9yKpiFfzZQo5A or visit the church's website at www.stgeorgeclifton.org for online streaming links. To find the prayers for each service and to follow along, go to agesinitiatives.com.

To light a candle or make a donation follow this link https://st-george-greek-orthodox-churchand-the-shrine-of-st-nectarios.square.site/.

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. It is our pleasure to welcome Deacon Michael Diamond and his family back to our community today.

ΠΑΝΤΑ ΑΞΙΟΣ!

Memorial Services Today For:

Olga Parks – 40 days

All the reposed St. Paraskevi Philoptochos members.

May their memory be eternal.

The Artoclasia Service today is offered by Mr. & Mrs. Mike Sakellakis in honor of the Feastday of the Annunciation of the Theotokos and for the health and well-being of their family and loved ones.

Liturgical Schedule:

Monday, March 22^nd – Compline …………………………6:30PM

Wednesday, March 24^th – Great Vespers for the Annunciation of the Theotokos.…….6:00PM

Thursday, March 25^th – Annunciation of the Theotokos…………Orthros & Div. Lit. 8:30AM

Friday, March 26^th – 2^nd Salutations to the Theotokos……………6:30PM

Communion Guidelines:

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

Mark Your Calendar:

Sunday, March 21^st …………Fasolada Sunday Fundraiser

Wednesday, March 24^th....….Lenten Lecture Series via ZOOM following Liturgy

Orthodox Life Institute via ZOOM at 7:00PM

Thursday, March 25^th.….……"Bedtime Bible Stories" via ZOOM at 6:30PM

Adult Bible Study via ZOOM at 7:00PM

Sunday, March 28^th …………Parish Level Oratorical Festival following Liturgy at 7:30PM

Sunday, April 25^th ……………Palm Sunday

St. Paraskevi Philoptochos Tsoureki Sale – Advanced Orders Only – Details To Follow Soon!

Sunday, May 2^nd …………….Great and Holy Pascha

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.

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.

Fasolada Sunday Fundraiser:

This Sunday, March 21^st, the Parish Council will be hosting a drive -thru Fasolada Fundraiser. Continue your fast as you observe the First Sunday of Great Lent. Come & purchase a quart or more of Traditional Greek Fasolada Soup & support your church as well. $5.00 a quart. Thank you for your support.

St. Paraskevi Philoptochos Community Lenten Project:

As it is the custom of our St. Paraskevi Philoptochos during this Lenten period, we are asking for donations to benefit the seminarians at Holy Cross Hellenic College. Please place your donations in our Agape Box. Your generous support is always greatly appreciated.

Oratorical Festival – March 28^th:

The St. George parish Oratorical Festival is scheduled to take place on March 28^th. The St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is a wonderful program for teenagers where they develop a short speech about their faith from approved topics. We are planning a small, in-person event where all 7^th – 12^th graders are welcome to participate. Registration is online through the following link: https://religioused.formstack.com/forms/sjcof_participant. Church School teachers are available and eager to assist with speechwriting. Topics, along with hints and resources for preparing a speech can be found at https://www.goarch.org/ORATORICAL. If anyone has any questions, would like more information or assistance with a speech, please email Morfia Sokolic at msokolic@verizon.net.

Church School Update:

It has been one year since we last met for in-person Church School classes. We miss you all, and we hope to see you all soon, happy and healthy. In the meantime, we have been running virtual lessons and are planning a few in-person Lenten lessons and opportunities for our youth to assist and get involved during Holy Week. If you haven't done so already, please consider renewing your Church School registration for 2021 or making a donation. The registration fee has been reduced by 50% and is only $20 per family. Your support is greatly needed and will enable us to continue our religious education program under these challenging circumstances. Thank you in advance and we look forward to seeing our youth back in church on Sundays!

Lenten Lecture Series:

During the next 4 Wednesdays of Lent, immediately following the service of Pre-sanctified Liturgy, Fr. Peter will conduct a Lenten lecture via ZOOM at 7:300PM. An email will be sent to the community with the ZOOM information.

Virtual Bedtime Bible Stories & Adult Bible Study With Fr. Peter:

Fr. Peter will have his "Bedtime Bible" storytelling for our youth in grades Pre-K to 4th grade on Thursdays at 6:30PM. Following at 7:00PM we will continue with our Adult Bible Study. We will notify everyone through a separate email to join the meetings with a ZOOM invitation so that all the faithful can join us in learning.

St. Paraskevi Philoptochos Sandwich Sunday:

Sandwich Sundays, was begun with the goal of preparing sandwiches for the homeless. We try to make a minimum of 225 sandwiches each time. Anyone interested in making a donation to defray the cost, please complete a donation form and return it to the office. It is a wonderful way to remember a loved one, or a special occasion. This month's Sandwich Sunday is given by Effie and Mike Kambourakis in memory of their mother, Kalliroe Savorgiannakis, by Fay Pappas in memory of her husband, William Pappas; and in loving memory of Olga Parks. Feeding the hungry is an important tenet of our mission to help the needy.

Sponsor A Day Program:

As a church community, it is our ambitious goal to meet our operating budget through Stewardship. It is estimated that the operating expenses of our church average to be $1,400 per steward/family. If this average were to be reached, then the Church would be able to pay all its bills only with Stewardship donations. All other funds collected from candles, trays, raffles, fundraisers, etc. could be used towards capital improvements. One way to bridge the gap is through our “Sponsor a Day” program. We encourage our parishioners to select a day that has special meaning to them like a birthday, feastday, anniversary or a memorial and make a $250 donation. We would like to thank the following families for sponsoring March 25^th in honor of the Feastday of the Annunciation of the Theotokos: the Kopellas family and the Anastasopoulos family also honoring their husband & father Evangelos. Remember that as Orthodox Christians, we are also stewards of our Church family – those with whom we worship, fellowship and serve the community. In the same way that we care for our immediate family, we also care for our Christian brothers. For more information about the program, speak to one of our Parish Council members, Ministry Leaders or call the church office.

GOYA Clothing Drive:

Spring is a wonderful time to clean out closets but don’t throw away used clothing and household items. GOYA is hosting a clothing drive until Saturday, April 2^nd. Drop off is at St. George on the GYM STAGE during normal business hours. All donated items will be packaged and shipped to countries such as Ghana, Guinea, Honduras, Haiti, Ecuador, Belize, Mexico, Chile, parts of the US and Eastern Europe.

Acceptable items:

* Clothing for men, women and children

* Shoes (please package separately)

* Accessories: belts, hats, scarves, handbags, gloves etc.

* Soft household items (i.e. towels, blankets, sheets, pillows, quilts/comforters & curtains)

* Small toys (2 ft. or less in size), Stuffed animals, bikes and scooters

* Car seats (only together with base) and strollers

Unacceptable items:

Sport equipment (bikes and scooters are OK), board games, books, puzzles, pots and pans, electrical devices or glass, large toys, high chairs, baby cribs, VCR tapes, furniture and outdoor play sets. Please help GOYA help others and drop off unwanted items! Email questions to CliftonCorresponding@gmail.com or Elaine Manoliadis at nyke616@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance for your support!

Open Gym Nights:

St. George is hosting Open Gym Nights for members of our community and their families. Children and young adults ages 12 - 21 are invited to attend. There is a maximum of 15 players per Basketball / Volleyball session plus two adult supervisors. Waivers must be filled out and submitted prior to participating. Temperatures will be taken at the door and masks must be worn when not actively playing a game. Please visit our website at www.stgeoregclifton.org to register.

Greek School News:

It was an honor for our St. George Greek School to be invited and participate in the virtual celebration and cultural event specially dedicated to "The 200th Year Anniversary of the Greek Revolution" hosted by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Office of Greek Education this past Saturday, March 13th. We are grateful and very proud of the following students who represented our Greek School of St. George: Anthula Koleros, Yiannis Giakamozis, Marina Giakamozis, Zeta Karakatsanis, Stefania Georgiades, Vasiliki Diamond and Evangelia Zygakis. Thank you to our Greek School Director, Mrs. Joyce Logothetis and to our 5th/6th grade teacher, Mrs.Sophia Logothetis, for their dedication and assistance with this event. The link to the entire GOARCH presentation can be found on the church’s FACEBOOK page.

This year, March 25, 2021 marks the 200th anniversary of the 1821 Revolution against the Ottomans' rule for over four hundred years, which eventually led to the formation of the modern Greek state. As every year, all of our students in Pre K to 6th grade have been preparing for our own school celebration (virtual) to pay tribute to this important bicentennial event and its heroes, while also celebrating the Annunciation by Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she should become the Mother of Jesus Christ the son of God.

Καλή Σαρακοστή! Χρόνια Πολλα! Long live our Greece! Zήτω η Eλλάδα μας! Long live our children! Zήτω τα παιδιά μας!

Anastasi Lantern Sale:

The St. George GOYA is selling “Anastasi Lanterns” through Palm Sunday. A beautiful and safe way to transport the Light of the Resurrection home on Holy Saturday night! After Easter, these decorative lanterns can be used year-round both inside and out. Lantern is 8¼” tall and comes with tealight (4hr burn time) ready for use. Lanterns are only $10.00 each and make wonderful gifts! Pre-order yours for pick-up by Holy Week. Lantern sale ends on Palm Sunday so don’t miss out! Our GOYAns will be in the atrium with a sample and available to take lantern orders every Sunday following the Divine Liturgy beginning March 21^st. Completed order forms with payment can also be dropped off at the church office.

St. Paraskevi Philoptochos Virtual Mother’s Day Fundraiser:

You will be able to send e-cards to all the women in your life: (Mother, Wife, Yiayia, Nouna, Mother-in-Law, Daughter, Daughter-in-Law, first-time Mother, Mother-to-Be, Sister, Friend). Relationships are how we love, live and enjoy more of our day, especially with the women we love. It happens through our words, actions and what we say & do. Send a thoughtful e-card on Mother’s Day, May 9, 2021 to show your appreciation & support the Philoptochos at the same time. See flyer in bulletin form more details or contact pmagiros@verizon.net. Orders are due by Monday, May 3, 2021.

Orthodox Life Institute:

We have moved our lessons online to Wednesday nights at 7:00pm through ZOOM. If you would like to join us virtually, send your email address and contact information to Lisa Marcopulos at lmarcopul@gmail.com and we will send you the ZOOM invitation. Dr. Peter Salierno and the class has completed the Book of Enoch and will now continue with the study of the four novellas in the Old Testament which are the books of Judith, Deborah, Ruth and Esther.

Please visit our Bookstore:

It will be open on Sundays after Liturgy. We have items for your religious needs and if you do not see what you need, we will be glad to special order it for you!

Saints and Feasts

March 21

Sunday of Orthodoxy

For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian (717-741) and ending in the reign of Theophilus (829-842). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy.

March 21

James the Confessor

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth in the Monastery of Studium, where he became a disciple of Saint Theodore the Studite. Later he became bishop and suffered many afflictions and torments at the hands of the Iconoclasts. Saint Theodore composed a homily in honour of this Saint James (PG 99, 1353-1356).

March 25

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38).

Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)

March 27

The Holy Matrona of Thessalonica

This martyr was the servant of a certain Jewish woman named Pantilla, the wife of the Governor of Thessalonica. When Matrona refused to follow her mistress into the synagogue Pantilla beat her so severly that she died in a few days, and thus received the crown of her confession.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You descended from on high, O merciful Lord, and accepted the three-day burial in order to free us from our passions. Glory to you, O Lord, our life and our resurrection.

Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Sun. of Orthodoxy in the Second Mode

We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world.

Τὴν ἄχραντον Εἰκόνα σου προσκυνοῦμεν Ἀγαθέ, αἰτούμενοι συγχώρησιν τῶν πταισμάτων ἡμῶν, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός· βουλήσει γὰρ ηὐδόκησας σαρκὶ ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, ἵνα ῥύσῃ οὓς ἔπλασας ἐκ τῆς δουλείας τοῦ ἐχθροῦ· ὅθεν εὐχαρίστως βοῶμέν σοι· Χαρᾶς ἐπλήρωσας τὰ πάντα, ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡμῶν, παραγενόμενος εἰς τὸ σῶσαι τὸν Κόσμον.

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 Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, defender and commander in a time of war, I, your City, offer gratitude for victory, for you rescued me from suff'rings, O Theotokos. Since the power you possess is unassailable, from all dangers I entreat you to deliver me, that I may cry to you: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.

Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Eighth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:11-18

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Μαρία δὲ εἱστήκει πρὸς τῷ μνημείῳ κλαίουσα ἔξω. ὡς οὖν ἔκλαιε, παρέκυψεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον καὶ θεωρεῖ δύο ἀγγέλους ἐν λευκοῖς καθεζομένους, ἕνα πρὸς τῇ κεφαλῇ καὶ ἕνα πρὸς τοῖς ποσίν, ὅπου ἔκειτο τὸ σῶμα τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ. καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ ἐκεῖνοι· γύναι, τί κλαίεις; λέγει αὐτοῖς· ὅτι ἦραν τὸν Κύριόν μου, καὶ οὐκ οἶδα ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν. καὶ ταῦτα εἰποῦσα ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν ᾿Ιησοῦν ἑστῶτα, καὶ οὐκ ᾔδει ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστι. λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· γύναι, τί κλαίεις; τίνα ζητεῖς; ἐκείνη δοκοῦσα ὅτι ὁ κηπουρός ἐστι, λέγει αὐτῷ· κύριε, εἰ σὺ ἐβάστασας αὐτόν, εἰπέ μοι ποῦ ἔθηκας αὐτόν, κἀγὼ αὐτὸν ἀρῶ. λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· Μαρία. στραφεῖσα ἐκείνη λέγει αὐτῷ· ῥαββουνί, ὃ λέγεται, διδάσκαλε. λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· μή μου ἅπτου· οὔπω γὰρ ἀναβέβηκα πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου· πορεύου δὲ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφούς μου καὶ εἰπὲ αὐτοῖς· ἀναβαίνω πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ πατέρα ὑμῶν, καὶ Θεόν μου καὶ Θεὸν ὑμῶν. ἔρχεται Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἀπαγγέλλουσα τοῖς μαθηταῖς ὅτι ἑώρακε τὸν Κύριον, καὶ ταῦτα εἶπεν αὐτῇ.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40.

Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. Δανιήλ 3.26-27.
Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:24-26, 32-40.

Ἀδελφοί, πίστει Μωϋσῆς μέγας γενόμενος ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι υἱὸς θυγατρὸς Φαραώ, μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συγκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ λαῷ τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ πρόσκαιρον ἔχειν ἁμαρτίας ἀπόλαυσιν· μείζονα πλοῦτον ἡγησάμενος τῶν Αἰγύπτου θησαυρῶν τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ· ἀπέβλεπεν γὰρ εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γὰρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψών καὶ Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν· οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων. Ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς· ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον· περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι - ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος - ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες, μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of Orthodoxy
The Reading is from John 1:43-51

At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Sunday of Orthodoxy
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 1:44-52

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠθέλησεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν· καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀκολούθει μοι. ἦν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἀπὸ Βηθσαϊδά, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ᾿Ανδρέου καὶ Πέτρου. εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ὃν ἔγραψε Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται, εὑρήκαμεν, ᾿Ιησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ᾿Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναταί τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ Φίλιππος· ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε. εἶδεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὸν Ναθαναὴλ ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει περὶ αὐτοῦ· ἴδε ἀληθῶς ᾿Ισραηλίτης, ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστι. λέγει αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ· πόθεν με γινώσκεις; ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι, ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν εἶδόν σε. ἀπεκρίθη Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ῥαββί, σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ. ἀπεκρίθη ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ὅτι εἶπόν σοι, εἶδόν σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς, πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψει. καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ· ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ᾽ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα, καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Moses... was himself saved by means of wood and water before the Law was given, when he was exposed to the Nile's currents, hidden away in an Ark (Exod. 2:3-10). And by means of wood and water he saved the people of Israel, revealing the Cross by the wood, Holy Baptism by water (Exod. 14:15-31). Paul, who had looked upon the mysteries, says openly, 'They were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud' (I Cor. 10:2). He also bears witness that, even before the events concerning the sea and his staff, Moses willingly endured Christ's Cross, 'Esteeming', he says, 'the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt' (Heb. 11:26). For the Cross is the reproach of Christ from the standpoint of foolish men. As Paul himself says of Christ, 'He endured the cross, despising the shame' (Heb. 12:2).

St. Gregory Palamas

Homilies Vol. 1, Homily Eleven para. 14; Saint Tikhon's Seminary Press pg. 123, 14th century

Peter, when after so many miracles and such high doctrine he confessed that, "Thou art the Son of God" (Matt. xvi. 16), is called "blessed," as having received the revelation from the Father;

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 21 on John 1, 1. B#58, pp. 72, 73, 4th Century