Sunday Orthros: 8:00 a.m. Sunday Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m. Weekday Orthros: 8:30 a.m. Weekday Divine Liturgy: 9:15 a.m. Evening Services: 7:00 p.m. For all other questions regarding worship services, please contact the church office.
This saint was from the city of Iconium. When she was eighteen years of age, she was instructed in the Faith of Christ and the hope of the resurrection by the Apostle Paul, whom also she followed, forsaking her betrothed and espousing a life of virginity for the sake of the Heavenly Bridegroom. Having preached Christ in various cities and suffered many things, she reposed in Seleucia of Cilicia at the age of 90.
Saint Silouan was born Simeon Ivanovich Antonov in 1866 to Russian Orthodox parents who came from the village of Sovsk in Russia's Tambov region. At the age of twenty-seven he left his native Russia and came to Mount Athos, where he became a monk at the Monastery of St. Panteleimon and was given the name Silouan, the Russian version of the Biblicalname Silvanus.
An ardent ascetic, he received the grace of unceasing prayer and saw Christ in a vision. After long years of spiritual trial, he acquired great humility and inner stillness. He prayed and wept for the whole world as for himself, and he put the highest value on love for enemies. Thomas Merton, a twentieth-century Catholic monk, described Silouan as “the most authentic monk of the twentieth century.” St Silouan died on September 24, 1938. He was glorified by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1987.
Though barely literate, he was sought out by pilgrims for his wise counsel. His writings were edited by his disciple and pupil, Archimandrite Sophrony. Father Sophrony has written the life of the saint along with a record of St. Silouan's teachings in the book Saint Silouan the Athonite.
Our righteous Mother Euphrosyne, who lived during the reign of Saint Theodosius the Younger (408-450), was the daughter of Paphnutius of Egypt. Forsaking her father and his wealth, she renamed herself Smaragdus, and pretending to be a eunuch of the imperial palace, she dressed herself as a man and entered a monastery of men where her identity remained unknown until her repose thirty-eight years later.
Our righteous Father Sergius was born in Rostov, north of Moscow, about the year 1314. Named Bartholomew in Baptism, he was brought up in Radonezh, and at the death of his parents he withdrew to the wilderness to become a monk. It is notable that without having been trained in a monastery, he was of such a spiritual stature as to be able to take up the perilous eremitical life from the beginning, without falling into delusion or despondency. When he had endured with courage the deprivations of the solitary life, other monks began to come to him, for whom he was made abbot against his will. On the counsel of Philotheus, Patriarch of Constantinople, he organized his monks according to the cenobitic life, appointing duties to each. While Anthony and Theodosius of Kiev, and the other righteous Fathers before Sergius, had established their monasteries near to cities, Sergius was the leader and light of those who went far into the wilderness, and after his example the untrodden forests of northern Russia were settled with monks. When Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy was about to go to battle against the invading Tartars, he first sought the blessing of Saint Sergius, through whose prayers he was triumphant. Saint Sergius was adorned with the highest virtues of Christ-like humility and burning love for God and neighbour, and received the gift of working wonders, of casting out demons, and of discretion for leading souls to salvation. When he served the Divine Liturgy, an Angel served with him visibly; he was also vouchsafed the visitation of the most holy Theotokos with the Apostles Peter and John. He was gathered to his Fathers on September 25, 1392. At the recovery of his holy relics on July 5, 1422, his body and garments were found fragrant and incorrupt. His life was written by the monks of Epiphanius, who knew him.
This Apostle was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James the elder. First a fisherman by trade, he became an Apostle and the beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he of all the Disciples followed Him even to the Cross, and was entrusted with the care of our Saviour's Mother, as it were another son to her, and a brother of Christ the Teacher. After this, he preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 during the reign of Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Returning again to Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel (after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his three Catholic Epistles. In all, he lived ninety-five years and fell asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100. He was called Theologian because he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of the Son and Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that an eagle-a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus says-is depicted in his icon, for this was one of the four symbolic living creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10).
These Martyrs contested for the Faith during the reign of Diocletian, in the year 288. Saint Callistratus was arrested as a Christian, and after being tormented, was enclosed in a sack and cast into the sea. The sack burst, and the Saint came to dry land safe and sound. Forty-nine soldiers, seeing this, also confessed Christ, and with him were cast into prison, then beheaded.
Saint Chariton was born in the city of Iconium during the reign of Aurelian, about the year 274. He was arrested, tortured, and condemned to death because of his Christian Faith, but finally set free by imperial edict. He came to Palestine, where he took up the ascetic life. He also brought many Jews and pagans to the Faith. Having dwelt in the desert of Judea for many years, and established several monasteries throughout the region, he reposed in peace.
The Prophet Baruch was the son of Nerias, and the disciple of the Prophet Jeremias ( Jer. 39:12; 43:4 LXX). The extant prophetical book that he wrote is divided into five chapters; it was composed in the fifth year of the Babylonian Captivity of the Jews during the years of Sedekias, 583 B.C. The prophetic lection that is read on the eve of the Feast of Christ's Nativity, which bears Jeremias' name, is taken from the prophecy of Baruch (Bar. 3:35-4:4). His name means "blessed."
This Saint was born in Corinth in 448. He went to Palestine to the Lavra of Euthymius the Great, but because of his youth was sent by Saint Euthymius to Saint Gerasimus; after the death of Saint Gerasimus he returned to the Lavra of Saint Euthymius. Later he took on a more rigorous life of asceticism in the wilderness of Natoufa, where there was nothing to eat except the exceedingly bitter wild herb called squills, which, however, through his prayers, God made sweet for him and his disciple. He lived 107 years and reposed in the year 555.
This Saint, a Parthian by race, was the son of Anak. He was born about the year 240 and was taught the Faith of Christ in Caesarea of Cappadocia. He entered the service of Tiridates, King of Armenia, but when discovered to be a Christian, he was subjected to many horrible torments at the King's hands, then was cast into a pit of mire with poisonous serpents and left to die. By the power of God, however, he abode there unharmed for fourteen years, his needs provided by a certain widow, until he was made known by revelation and set free. He converted to piety innumerable multitudes of Armenians, including Tiridates himself, and was consecrated bishop by Leontius, Archbishop of Caesarea, to shepherd the vast flock he had gained for Christ. He spent the last part of his life in retirement in the ascetical discipline, and reposed in peace about the year 325. Saint Gregory is honoured as the Illuminator of Armenia.
Epistle Reader: Adam Smith
An Artoclasia will be chanted for the health of all of the parishioners of our Saint Nicholas Church in celebration of our 90th year
Coffee Fellowship Hour immediately follows the Divine Liturgy and is sponsored today by Ladies Philoptochos in the Dr. Mary Dochios Kamberos Community Center.
Saint Nicholas 90th Anniversary Dinner Dance at Tuscany Falls Banquets in Mokena 5:00 p.m. Cocktails and Diner at 6:00 p.m
Monday, September 25th, 2017
4:30 p.m. Greek School
Tuesday, September 26th, 2017
Falling asleep of Saint John the Theologion
8:30 a.m. Orthros followed Divine Liturgy
Following Liturgy Ladies Philoptochos Baking Day
Wednesday, September 27th, 2017
4:30 p.m. Greek School
8:00 p.m. High School Boys Basketball Practice begins at Saint Nicholas
Friday, September 29th, 2017
6:45 p.m. 3 rd -8 th Grsde Basketball practice at Saint Spyridon’s
Saturday, September 30th, 2017
Baptism of Emmanuel & Alexandros,sons of Alejandro & Christina Hernandez
5:00 p.m. Great Vespers
ALL 90TH DINNER DANCE PAYMENTS: Our Dinner Dance will be a gala affair. We have over 300 people coming to share in our celebration. Please note that payments will be accepted at the door by credit card and check only.
ALTAR BOY MEETING MOVED TO OCTOBER 1st: We had originally hoped to have an altar boy meeting today following Liturgy. But due to a scheduling conflict we are rescheduling that meeting to Sunday, October 1st Following Divine Liturgy. All altar boys are encouraged to attend and anyone wanting to join the altar boys should attend as well. God Bless
NATIONAL CHURCH MUSIC DAY: Will be celebrated on Sunday, October 1 st This day has been set aside to honor church musicians (choirs, directors, chanters and organists) across the country. We, here at Saint Nicholas, we are truly thankful for our church musicians, for all they offer to make our worship so uplifting
THE MIDWEST HELLENIC DANCE FESTIVAL: Is presented by the Metropolis of Chicago, is being held here at St. Nicholas on October 6 through 8. The Festival will feature Greek Dance Workshops, taught by experienced instructors, for teens and adults ages 13 and up and also for young people ages 9 to 12. Among the activities the Festival will include exhibition dance performances and a dinner. Sign up and reservations open on are open to all. You may contact MidwestHDF@gmail.com or call 708-945-6095 or 708-385-2311 for more information. http://www.mhdf.il.goarch.org/
A SCHOOL SUPPLY COLLECTION: The IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) is collecting school supplies for needy children in Greece. The Philoptochos and Sunday School ask that you please contribute to help. We will be collecting through Sunday, October 22nd. Please see the enclosed flyer with the items that are needed. Watch for the collection boxes. Thanks so much!
G.O.A.L. YOUTH BASKETBALL INFORMATION: Once again that time of year has arrived to start getting our kids ready for our GOAL League Basketball teams. We are hoping to start practices nice and early this year. We will be teaming up with Saint Spyridon’s again this year. The boys High School team will begin practice on Wednesday, September 27th at 8:00 p.m. here at Saint Nicholas’s Gym. Our 3rd through 8th grade teams will be begin on Friday, September 29that Saint Spyridon’s at 6:45 p.m. If you are interested in playing please show up to the practices or you can talk to Fr. Christodoulos if you have any questions.
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Our Adult Religious Education classes will begin on Wednesday, October 4th and classes will be offered at 11:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m., so that everyone who wants to partake can. We will be continuing on in the Book of Acts. So please join us as we journey once again through the formation of the early church.
COMMUNION ANNOUNCEMENT: While we pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all the world's Christians, the reality remains that there is still no intercommunion between our Orthodox Churches and the Churches of the West. This means that only baptized, chrismated and observant Orthodox faithful receive Communion in our churches. At the same time, we warmly welcome all nonOrthodox to join us in prayer and celebration, and humbly offer to all present the Antidoro bread of fellowship at the end of the service. We offer this important symbol 'instead of the Gifts', in the words of the Apostle Paul, 'Till we all come to the unity of the Faith' (Eph. 4.13).
PLEASE don’t leave your weekly bulletin in the pew. Take it home with you and share the message and announcements, written here, with your family and friends. Thank You!
THE VOICE OF FAITH: “We are creatures of blind fate,” growls the cynic, “and it’s silly to look to God for guidance.” “Nevertheless,” replies the voice of faith, “we have a Father in heaven who cares.” “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O men of little faith?” “You cannot change God’s plan for you,” shouts the cynic. “Your prayers are ridiculous.” “Nevertheless,” replies the voice of faith, “I shall continue to believe God’s promise: if you ask Him for bread will He give you a stone? If you ask Him for fish will He give you a serpent?” “What’s this about faith in God,” continues the cynic. “What good does it do? Can’t you see that the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer? Can’t you see that in this world it doesn’t pay to be good?” “Nevertheless,” shouts the voice of faith “you never judge a play until you see the final act. So never judge a person until you see him in his final act – standing before the Judgment seat of God. Then you shall see whether or not it pays to be good. Then you shall see whether the wicked or the righteous will prosper.” Does the past hold failure for you? Do you speak of it in terms of regret and frustration? But when you speak of that past, add just one more word to the recital. Say “nevertheless” and make it mean “in spite of!” I have toiled a long season at some hard task and produced nothing. Nevertheless, at His word, I will let down the nets and try again in the same waters. True – they fished all night and caught nothing. True – fish for the most part are caught at night and not during the day. True – fish are to be found in shallow water, not in deep water. But – Peter did it anyway – and the size of the catch was astonishing. Look at the means of grace the Lord has given us: prayer, the sacraments, the Bible, the liturgy. How often we say we’re too tired or we don’t feel like praying, or reading the Bible, or coming to church. When we feel like this, the Gospel today tells us: Come, come to church even when the weatherman is promising the worst. Come even when you have been up late the night before. Come even when every bone in your body aches. Come. Do it anyway. What you will gain from it will be way out of proportion to what you put in. “And they enclosed a great shoal of fish and …their nets were breaking” (St. Luke 5:6).
FROM THE FATHERS: The Lord of all gave to His apostles the power of the gospel, and by them we also have learned the truth, that is, the teaching of the Son of God - as the Lord said to them, `He who hears you hears Me, and he who despises you despises Me, and Him Who sent Me' [Lk.10:16]. For we learned the plan of our salvation from no other than from those through whom the gospel came to us. The first preached it abroad, and then later by the will of God handed it down to us in Scriptures, to be the foundation and pillar of our faith. For it is not right to say that they preached before they had come to perfect knowledge, as some dare to say, boasting that they are the correctors of the apostles. For after our Lord had risen from the dead, and they were clothed with the power from on high when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were filled with all things and had perfect knowledge. They went out to the ends of the earth, preaching the good things that come to us from God, and proclaiming peace from heaven to all men, all and each of them equally being in possession of the gospel of God. - St. Irenaeus
Services, Events, Happenings
Plan to join us for a weekend of Hellenic Dance and Music! Open to ages 9-12, and 13 through adult!
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.
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.
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 Τιμόθεον β' 3:10-15.
Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, παρηκολούθηκάς μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ, τοῖς διωγμοῖς, τοῖς παθήμασιν, οἷά μοι ἐγένετο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις, οἵους διωγμοὺς ὑπήνεγκα· καὶ ἐκ πάντων με ἐρρύσατο ὁ κύριος. Καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῇν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται. Πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι. Σὺ δὲ μένε ἐν οἷς ἔμαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνος ἔμαθες, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.
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 Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15.
TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
1st Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 5:1-11
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἑστὼς ὁ Ἰησοῦς παρὰ τὴν λίμνην Γεννησαρέτ, καὶ εἶδε δύο πλοῖα ἑστῶτα παρὰ τὴν λίμνην· οἱ δὲ ἁλιεῖς ἀποβάντες ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν ἀπέπλυναν τὰ δίκτυα. ἐμβὰς δὲ εἰς ἓν τῶν πλοίων, ὃ ἦν τοῦ Σίμωνος, ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἐπαναγαγεῖν ὀλίγον· καὶ καθίσας ἐδίδασκεν ἐκ τοῦ πλοίου τοὺς ὄχλους. ὡς δὲ ἐπαύσατο λαλῶν, εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Σίμωνα· ἐπανάγαγε εἰς τὸ βάθος καὶ χαλάσατε τὰ δίκτυα ὑμῶν εἰς ἄγραν. καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Σίμων εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἐπιστάτα, δι᾿ ὅλης τῆς νυκτὸς κοπιάσαντες οὐδὲν ἐλάβομεν· ἐπὶ δὲ τῷ ῥήματί σου χαλάσω τὸ δίκτυον. καὶ τοῦτο ποιήσαντες συνέκλεισαν πλῆθος ἰχθύων πολύ· διερρήγνυτο δὲ τὸ δίκτυον αὐτῶν. καὶ κατένευσαν τοῖς μετόχοις τοῖς ἐν τῷ ἑτέρῳ πλοίῳ τοῦ ἐλθόντας συλλαβέσθαι αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἦλθον καὶ ἔπλησαν ἀμφότερα τὰ πλοῖα, ὥστε βυθίζεσθαι αὐτά. ἰδὼν δὲ Σίμων Πέτρος προσέπεσε τοῖς γόνασιν ᾿Ιησοῦ λέγων· ἔξελθε ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ, ὅτι ἀνὴρ ἁμαρτωλός εἰμι, Κύριε· θάμβος γὰρ περιέσχεν αὐτὸν καὶ πάντας τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τῇ ἄγρᾳ τῶν ἰχθύων ᾗ συνέλαβον, ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ ᾿Ιάκωβον καὶ ᾿Ιωάννην, υἱοὺς Ζεβεδαίου, οἳ ἦσαν κοινωνοὶ τῷ Σίμωνι. καὶ εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Σίμωνα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· μὴ φοβοῦ· ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν ἀνθρώπους ἔσῃ ζωγρῶν. καὶ καταγαγόντες τὰ πλοῖα ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, ἀφέντες ἅπαντα ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ.
1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11
At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Protocol Number 162/17
October 15, 2017
National Leadership 100 Sunday
Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
(I Corinthians 16:13)
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,
On October 15, we commemorate National Leadership 100 Sunday as we look forward to the Feast of Saint Iakovos on October 23. We give thanks to God for the courage and strength and labor in love of the members of Leadership 100 and celebrate the great achievements over 33 years of the Leadership 100 Fund. Now, for more than three decades since its founding by Archbishop Iakovos of Blessed Memory, Leadership 100 has remained firm in its commitment to support the ministries and institutions of our Church for the glory of God. For eighteen of those years, I have witnessed the dedication of these outstanding leaders, men, women and young adults, who give their time and energy out of a deep and abiding love to serve and enable the sacred ministries of our Archdiocese.
Leadership 100 has reached out first and foremost to our youth and children and families through its support of Church Summer Camps in the Direct Archdiocesan District and in each Metropolis, of Youth and Young Adults programs, of the Center for Family Care Family Ministries while remaining firm in its commitment to provide precious gifts to men called to the Holy Priesthood through scholarships offered to our beloved Holy Cross School of Theology and to assist active and retired clergy and presvyteres.
Leadership 100, furthermore, has provided essential resources from the local to the national and international level, by assisting new and struggling parishes through the Home Mission and Small Parish Programs, through Religious Education and Greek Education and Internet Ministries and GOTelecom, and to expand the outreach of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations to other religious and charitable institutions and to the United Nations.
In our challenging times, Leadership 100 has supported the charitable outreach of International Orthodox Christian Charities, the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry and Orthodox Christian Fellowship and other ministries under the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. These courageous actions have witnessed to both love and truth in the face of mounting odds in crisis after crisis at home and abroad.
On this ninth commemoration of National Leadership 100 Sunday, I ask all of our parishes to honor Leadership 100’s faithful legacy of service and to recognize its members and their example. May we acknowledge the special blessings of God through Leadership 100’s precious gifts. We fervently pray that the Lord will continue to bless abundantly Leadership 100 in the decades to come, and keep its members in health and prosperity as they continue to stand firm in the faith and do all that they do in love.
With paternal love in Christ,
† DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
Protocol 116/17
September 14, 2017
The Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
Hail! Life-giving Cross, unconquerable trophy of godliness, door to Paradise…. (Hymn of Vespers)
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, thePresidents 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 we venerate the precious and life-giving Cross of our Lord as it is lifted up in our midst. We are gathered on this blessed feast to exalt before all of the world the Cross that became a means of peace, a trophy of godliness, and the door to salvation. We offer praises to God for through the Cross, death and corruption have been destroyed and the power of grace has transformed our lives.
As we join with faithful down through the centuries in lifting high the emblem of our faith, we know many look upon the Holy Cross and ask questions. How can an instrument of torture and death offer a way to true and eternal life? How can this means of a shameful act be the means of divine power? How can a weapon of fear instill hope, bring healing, and give us peace?
We answer these questions on this feast and through our worship and witness by offering honor and glory to Christ, Who was crucified on that very cross. Through Christ’s sacrifice for our sake the precious Cross has become salvation for our souls. By Jesus’ holiness the Cross has become radiant, guiding us to the truth of God’s grace and forgiveness. In His willing offering so that we will not face corruption and death, the Cross offers hope revealing the fulfillment of the promises of God. Today our hearts are filled with joy as we look upon the Holy Cross and celebrate the great mercy that has been revealed by Christ.
On this day we also offer our prayers and support for our beloved Holy Cross School of Theology and for the students, faculty and staff who serve each day under the sign of the Cross. As this is the feast day for our Schole, it is also a day that reminds us of the power of the Cross in the lives of those who are preparing to serve Christ and His Church. Men and women from throughout our Holy Archdiocese and from around the world have come to this sacred place of calling, prayer and learning, and they have dedicated their lives to the way of the Cross. By making tremendous sacrifices, they have heeded the call of our Lord. They have directed their hearts and minds to Christ and the need and priority of the Gospel in our world. Through the dedicated work of the faculty and staff of Holy Cross and the focus on spiritual growth and prayer, they are experiencing the Cross as holiness, as a source of strength, as healing and hope. They are being equipped to answer the questions of those who look upon the Cross, and through worship, the Holy Sacraments, teaching, preaching, and service, they will lead them to Christ.
As we offer our prayers for our Holy Cross School of Theology and our seminarians, may we also give in support of them and the vital role our Schole has in the life of the Church. As we lift high and exalt the precious and life-giving Cross of Christ, may we affirm our commitment to Holy Cross and its mission to serve our Lord, the Gospel, and His Church. May we also join together on this day and every day in offering a witness to all of the hope, grace, and life that has come to us through the precious and life-giving Cross.
With paternal love in Christ,
† DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America