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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-04-18
Bulletin Contents
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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (254) 754-6519
  • Street Address:

  • 617 North 17th Street

  • Waco, TX 76707


Contact Information



Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14.

BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Προκείμενον. 4th Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 103.24,1.
Ὡς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας.
Στίχ. Εὐλόγει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 9:11-14.

Ἀδελφοί, Χριστὸς δὲ παραγενόμενος ἀρχιερεὺς τῶν μελλόντων ἀγαθῶν, διὰ τῆς μείζονος καὶ τελειοτέρας σκηνῆς, οὐ χειροποιήτου, τοῦτʼ ἔστιν, οὐ ταύτης τῆς κτίσεως, οὐδὲ διʼ αἵματος τράγων καὶ μόσχων, διὰ δὲ τοῦ ἰδίου αἵματος εἰσῆλθεν ἐφάπαξ εἰς τὰ ἅγια, αἰωνίαν λύτρωσιν εὑράμενος. Εἰ γὰρ τὸ αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων, καὶ σποδὸς δαμάλεως ῥαντίζουσα τοὺς κεκοινωμένους, ἁγιάζει πρὸς τὴν τῆς σαρκὸς καθαρότητα, πόσῳ μᾶλλον τὸ αἷμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς διὰ πνεύματος αἰωνίου ἑαυτὸν προσήνεγκεν ἄμωμον τῷ θεῷ, καθαριεῖ τὴν συνείδησιν ὑμῶν ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, εἰς τὸ λατρεύειν θεῷ ζῶντι;


Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
The Reading is from Mark 10:32-45

At that time, Jesus took his twelve disciples, and he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 10:32-45

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παραλαβάνει ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς δώδεκα μαθητάς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἤρξατο αὐτοῖς λέγειν τὰ μέλλοντα αὐτῷ συμβαίνειν, ὅτι ἰδοὺ ἀναβαίνομεν εἰς ῾Ιεροσόλυμα καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθήσεται τοῖς ἀρχιερεῦσι καὶ γραμματεῦσι, καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτὸν θανάτῳ καὶ παραδώσουσιν αὐτὸν τοῖς ἔθνεσι, καὶ ἐμπαίξουσιν αὐτῷ καὶ μαστιγώσουσιν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐμπτύσουσιν αὐτῷ καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται. Καὶ προσπορεύονται αὐτῷ ᾿Ιάκωβος καὶ ᾿Ιωάννης υἱοὶ Ζεβεδαίου λέγοντες· διδάσκαλε, θέλομεν ἵνα ὃ ἐὰν αἰτήσωμεν ποιήσῃς ἡμῖν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί θέλετε ποιῆσαί με ὑμῖν; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· δὸς ἡμῖν ἵνα εἷς ἐκ δεξιῶν σου καὶ εἷς ἐξ εὐωνύμων σου καθίσωμεν ἐν τῇ δόξῃ σου. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε. δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω, καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ· δυνάμεθα. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τὸ μὲν ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω πίεσθε, καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθήσεσθε· τὸ δὲ καθίσαι ἐκ δεξιῶν μου καὶ ἐξ εὐωνύμων οὐκ ἔστιν ἐμὸν δοῦναι, ἀλλ᾿ οἷς ἡτοίμασται. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ δέκα ἤρξαντο ἀγανακτεῖν περὶ ᾿Ιακώβου καὶ ᾿Ιωάννου. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτοὺς λέγει αὐτοῖς· οἴδατε ὅτι οἱ δοκοῦντες ἄρχειν τῶν ἐθνῶν κατακυριεύουσιν αὐτῶν καὶ οἱ μεγάλοι αὐτῶν κατεξουσιάζουσιν αὐτῶν· οὐχ οὕτω δὲ ἔσται ἐν ὑμῖν, ἀλλ᾿ ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ γενέσθαι μέγας ἐν ὑμῖν, ἔσται ὑμῶν διάκονος, καὶ ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ ὑμῶν γενέσθαι πρῶτος, ἔσται πάντων δοῦλος· καὶ γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἦλθε διακονηθῆναι, ἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι, καὶ δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 4th Tone

The joyful news of your resurrection was proclaimed by the angel to the women disciples. Having thrown off the curse that fell on Adam, they ran elatedly to tell the apostles: Death has been vanquished; Christ our God is risen from the dead, blessing all the world with his great mercy.
Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. Mary of Egypt in the 8th Tone

In you, holy mother Mary, the image of God shone forth, for you took up your cross and followed the Lord. By word and example you taught us to live in the spirit while still in the flesh. Therefore our spirit rejoices with the angels forever.
Ἐν σοὶ Μῆτερ ἀκριβῶς διεσώθη τὸ κατ' εἰκόνα, λαβοῦσα γὰρ τὸν Σταυρόν, ἠκολούθησας τῷ Χριστῷ, καὶ πράττουσα ἐδίδασκες ὑπερορᾶν μὲν σαρκὸς παρέρχεται γάρ, ἐπιμελεῖσθαι δὲ ψυχῆς, πράγματος ἀθανάτου· διὸ καὶ μετὰ Ἀγγέλων συναγάλλεται Ὁσία Μαρία τὸ πνεῦμά σου.

Apolytikion for the Church in the 1st Tone

O Holy Hierarch and Father Nicholas, your flock has recognized you by the brilliance of your works. You are a model of kindness, a rule of faith and a teacher of self-control. Your lowliness has raised you to the heights of fame, and your poverty has filled you with riches. Intercede to Christ our God to save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Tone

O unfailing protection of Christians, and our faithful advocate before the Creator: though we are sinners, do not ignore our entreaty; but in your goodness, grant your timely help to us who appeal to you in faith. Quickly make intercession; on our behalf make speedy supplication, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you.
Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.
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Saints and Feasts

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April 18

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed.


Allsaint
April 18

Holy Father John the Righteous, disciple of St. Gregory of Decapolis

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth and became a disciple of Saint Gregory of Decapolis (see Nov. 20). After his elder, Saint Gregory, reposed (in the first half of the ninth century), he came to Jerusalem and finally reposed in peace in the Monastery of Saint Chariton.


Allsaint
April 18

Athanasia the Wonderworker of Aegina


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Repentance is the renewal of baptism and is a contract with God for a fresh start in life.
St. John Climacus
Ladder of Divine Ascent Step 5:On Penitence, Paulist Press pg. 121, 6th century

Let us then become lowly, that we may be high. For most utterly doth arrogance abase. ... Abraham saith, "I am dust and ashes," and prevailed over countless barbarians, and having fallen into the midst of Egyptians, returned, bearing a trophy more glorious than the former, and, cleaving to this virtue, grew ever more high.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 65 on Matthew 20, 2,3,4,6. B#54, pp.399-401,403., 4th Century

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Parish News & Events

This Week's Services

If you cannot attend, please join us via our YouTube Channel

Wednesday, April 21
Pre-sanctified Liturgy.....................................6:00pm

Saturday, April 24 - Lazarus Saturday
Divine Liturgy..............................................10:00am
Palm Sunday Vespers.....................................5:00pm

Sunday, April 25 - Palm Sunday
Orthros.........................................................9:00am
Divine Liturgy...............................................10:00am


Holy Week Schedule of Services (also on our website calendar)

Monday, April 26 & Tuesday, April 27.................6:00pm
Bridegroom Orthros

Wednesday, April 28........................................6:00pm
Holy Unction

Thursday, April 29
Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil...................10:00am
12 Passion Gospels..........................................6:00pm

Friday, April 30
Unnailing Service............................................3:00pm
Lamentations..................................................6:00pm

Saturday, May 1
Divine Liturgy................................................10:00am
Pascha Vigil & Divine Liturgy............................11:30pm

Sunday, May 2
Agape Vespers...............................................12:00pm

 

Diaper Drive for Lent
There is a great need in Waco for diapers.  Our service project for Lent will be to collect baby and adult diapers of all sizes.  Please bring your donations and put them in the box in the Parish Hall.  These will be donated to Caritas to distribute to needy families in our area.  Thank you for your generosity!

Lenten Services
The full schedule of Lenten services is on the Parish calender section of our new and improved website (www.stnicholaswaco.org).  No signup is needed for these services as attendance is fewer than on Sunday.  Father Daniel will hear confessions after any Lenten service.

Divine Liturgy Attendance
To reserve a spot for the weekly Divine Liturgy, you will now need to sign up.  Each Thursday, the list for attendance will be emailed to those on our email list.  To reserve your spot, use the SignUp Genius app or follow the link in the email sent to www.signupgenius.com. Please refrain from signing up each week in order to give everyone a chance to attend.  As always, Eucharist will be offered to those who did not get on the list.

Eucharist for Those Not Currently Attending Services
For those who are uncomfortable attending the Liturgy in person during the pandemic or who did not secure a spot on the attendance list for the week, Father Daniel will be offering the Eucharist at 11:30am each Sunday at the front door.

Church Mask Policy
The City of Waco has recommended that masks be worn in all businesses and public spaces.  It is imperative that all precautions be taken while we are experiencing this increase in COVID cases in our community, so we kindly ask that you wear a mask to church. 

COVID-19 Update
Please be sure and watch your email for updates regarding how our Parish will handle the ongoing pandemic, particularly as cases are on the rise once again.  As always, if you have any coronavirus-like symptoms or have a known exposure, please worship from home for the CDC recommended time.  Please report any positive test results to the Parish office if you have attended services, so that others can go get tested and self-isolate.  Thank you for your care and concern in this matter.

Stewardship
Stewardship is based on the spiritual principles of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus. Stewardship is not just a program or a method of fundraising.  It is a way of thanking God for all the blessings He has given us by returning to Him a portion of time, talent and treasure each of us has received.

The Cornavirus has greatly impacted our Parish, and our budget is down by a significant amount.  Your giving is more important than ever. Please pick up your stewardship cards for 2021 and return as soon as possible to the church office or to Johnny Giotes.  

Online Giving
If you would like to make an online donation to St. Nicholas during this time, please use Paypal and the church email address (stnickwaco@gmail.com) to do so. 

Agape Meal
Because of the pandemic, our monthly meals have been put on hold.  We deeply regret that this is necessary, but we do look forward to resuming this time of fellowship as soon as it safe.

Prayer Requests

"We should pray for our neighbors not because God does not know how to save them, but because He wants us to participate in one another’s salvation." - Metropolitan Hilarion

Please remember these in your daily prayers:

  • The Parish Council
  • Father Daniel, Presbytera Sarah and Andrew, Elizabeth, and George
  • Father Ted, Presbytera Kathy and Paul
  • St. Andrew Parish
  • Coronavirus Victims and their families
  • Connie Brown (Mike Kasten's mom) - lung cancer
  • Anna Kazanas

If you have names you would like added, or if situations needing special prayer have been resolved, please let Robyn know.  This will keep our list up to date and accurate.

Submissions and E-mail Updates
If you have announcements, new, items of interest, or prayer requests for the weekly bulletin or if you need to update or add an e-mail address to our circulation list, please let Robyn Panayoton know by 5:00pm on Wednesday of each week.

Orthodox Campus Fellowship
OCF is a ministry for college students that meets on Thursdays at 6:30pm. Please contact Father Daniel for more information.

Cleaning-Prosforo-Refreshments
Please sign up for the above duties on the wall calendar by the office door in the Parish Hall. The church needs all of you. Thank you for your faithfulness. Please keep it up. God will bless you.

Sacrament of Holy Communion (Non-Orthodox Visitors)
It is with the deepest regret that we ask you to abstain from receiving Holy Communion. This is a sacrament reserved only for those who are baptized, chrismated and prepared Orthodox Christians. It pains us to turn away a Christian who loves and worships the Lord Jesus, but because of the separation of the Christian churches and the different understanding we have about the Sacrament of Holy Communion, we ask you to abstain. Do come and receive the blessed bread at the conclusion of the service.

Visitors
We are happy to have you worshiping with us today. Please stay and join us for coffee hour after the Divine Liturgy so that we may meet you.

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