St. Stephen Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-02-17
Bulletin Contents
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers
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St. Stephen Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (707)235-0316
  • Street Address:

  • 11055 Hirschfeld Way

  • Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Contact Information

Priest Very Rev. Fr. Romanos Khoury


stromanos3@aol.com | 7072350316

Services Schedule

 

Saturday

Vespers: 4:00pm

Sunday

Matins: 8:45am

Liturgy: 10:00am

Past Bulletins


Saints and Feasts

Preslord
February 15

The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple

When the most pure Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary's forty days of purification had been fulfilled, she took her first-born Son to Jerusalem on this, the fortieth day after His birth, that she might present Him in the temple according to the Law of Moses, which teaches that every first-born male child be dedicated to God, and also that she might offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons, as required by the Law (Luke 2:22-24; Exod. 13:2; Lev. 12:6-8). On this same day, a just and devout man, the greatly aged Symeon, was also present in the temple, being guided by the Holy Spirit. For a long time, this man had been awaiting the salvation of God, and he had been informed by divine revelation that he would not die until he beheld the Lord's Christ. Thus, when he beheld Him at that time and took Him up into his aged arms, he gave glory to God, singing: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master. . ." And he confessed that he would close his eyes joyfully, since he had seen the Light of revelation for the nations and the Glory of Israel (Luke 2:25-32). From ancient times, the Holy Church has retained this tradition of the churching of the mother and new-born child on the fortieth day and of the reading of prayers of purification.

The Apodosis of the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple is usually on the 9th of February. This, however, may vary if the Feast falls within the period of the Triodion. Should this occur, the Typicon should be consulted for specific information concerning the Apodosis of the Feast.

Symeongodreceiver
February 16

The Synaxis of the Holy and Righteous Symeon the God-Receiver and the Holy Prophetess Anna

Yesterday we celebrated the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple; today we honor the righteous Elder Symeon and Prophetess Anna, who prophesied concerning Him by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and were the first in Jerusalem to receive Him as the Messiah.

Allsaint
February 17

Isidore of Pelusium

This Saint was from Alexandria and was a disciple of Saint John Chrysostom. He struggled in asceticism in a monastery at Mount Pelusium, and became abbot of the monks struggling in that monastery. He wrote a great many epistles replete with divine grace, wisdom, and much profit. Over 2,000 of them are preserved in Volume 78 of Migne's Patrologia Graeca (PG 78:177-1646); according to some, he wrote over 3,000 epistles, according to others, 10,000. He reposed on February 4, 440.

Publphar
February 17

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today

The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

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

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

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

Fifth Orthros Gospel
لوقا 24: 13-35

13 في ذلك الزمان َإِذَا اثْنَانِ مِنْهُمْ كَانَا مُنْطَلِقَيْنِ  إِلَى قَرْيَةٍ بَعِيدَةٍ عَنْ أُورُشَلِيمَ سِتِّينَ غَلْوَةً ، اسْمُهَا ((عِمْوَاسُ)). 14وَكَانَا يَتَكَلَّمَانِ بَعْضُهُمَا مَعَ بَعْضٍ عَنْ جَمِيعِ هَذِهِ الْحَوَادِثِ. 15وَفِيمَا هُمَا يَتَكَلَّمَانِ وَيَتَحَاوَرَانِ ، اقْتَرَبَ إِلَيْهِمَا يَسُوعُ نَفْسُهُ وَكَانَ يَمْشِي مَعَهُمَا. 16وَلَكِنْ أُمْسِكَتْ أَعْيُنُهُمَا عَنْ مَعْرِفَتِهِ. 17فَقَالَ لَهُمَا: ((مَا هَذَا الْكَلاَمُ الَّذِي تَتَطَارَحَانِ بِهِ وَأَنْتُمَا مَاشِيَانِ عَابِسَيْنِ؟)) 18فَأَجَابَ أَحَدُهُمَا ، الَّذِي اسْمُهُ كَِلْيُوبَاسُ: ((هَلْ أَنْتَ مُتَغَرِّبٌ وَحْدَكَ فِي أُورُشَلِيمَ وَلَمْ تَعْلَمِ الأُمُورَ الَّتِي حَدَثَتْ فِيهَا فِي هَذِهِ الأَيَّامِ؟)) 19فَقَالَ لَهُمَا: ((وَمَا هِيَ؟)) فَقَالاَ: ((الْمُخْتَصَّةُ بِيَسُوعَ النَّاصِرِيِّ ، الَّذِي كَانَ إِنْسَاناً نَبِيّاً مُقْتَدِراً فِي الْفِعْلِ وَالْقَوْلِ أَمَامَ اللهِ وَجَمِيعِ الشَّعْبِ. 20كَيْفَ أَسْلَمَهُ رُؤَسَاءُ الْكَهَنَةِ وَحُكَّامُنَا لِقَضَاءِ الْمَوْتِ وَصَلَبُوهُ. 21وَنَحْنُ كُنَّا نَرْجُو أَنَّهُ هُوَ الْمُزْمِعُ أَنْ يَفْدِيَ إِسْرَائِيلَ. وَلَكِنْ ، مَعَ هَذَا كُلِّهِ ، الْيَوْمَ لَهُ ثَلاَثَةُ أَيَّامٍ مُنْذُ حَدَثَ ذَلِكَ. 22بَلْ بَعْضُ النِّسَاءِ مِنَّا حَيَّرْنَنَا إِذْ كُنَّ بَاكِراً عِنْدَ الْقَبْرِ، 23وَلَمَّا لَمْ يَجِدْنَ جَسَدَهُ أَتَيْنَ قَائِلاَتٍ: إِنَّهُنَّ رَأَيْنَ مَنْظَرَ مَلاَئِكَةٍ قَالُوا إِنَّهُ حَيٌّ. 24وَمَضَى قَوْمٌ مِنَ الَّذِينَ مَعَنَا إِلَى الْقَبْرِ ، فَوَجَدُوا هَكَذَا كَمَا قَالَتْ أَيْضاً النِّسَاءُ ، وَأَمَّا هُوَ فَلَمْ يَرَوْهُ)). 25فَقَالَ لَهُمَا: ((أَيُّهَا الْغَبِيَّانِ وَالْبَطِيئَا الْقُلُوبِ فِي الإِيمَانِ بِجَمِيعِ مَا تَكَلَّمَ بِهِ الأَنْبِيَاءُ 26أَمَا كَانَ يَنْبَغِي أَنَّ الْمَسِيحَ يَتَأَلَّمُ بِهَذَا وَيَدْخُلُ إِلَى مَجْدِهِ؟)) 27ثُمَّ ابْتَدَأَ مِنْ مُوسَى وَمِنْ جَمِيعِ الأَنْبِيَاءِ يُفَسِّرُ لَهُمَا الأُمُورَ الْمُخْتَصَّةَ بِهِ فِي جَمِيعِ الْكُتُبِ.28ثُمَّ اقْتَرَبُوا إِلَى الْقَرْيَةِ الَّتِي كَانَا مُنْطَلِقَيْنِ إِلَيْهَا ، وَهُوَ تَظَاهَرَ كَأَنَّهُ مُنْطَلِقٌ إِلَى مَكَانٍ أَبْعَدَ. 29فَأَلْزَمَاهُ قَائِلَيْنِ: ((امْكُثْ مَعَنَا ، لأَنَّهُ نَحْوُ الْمَسَاءِ وَقَدْ مَالَ النَّهَارُ)). فَدَخَلَ لِيَمْكُثَ مَعَهُمَا. 30فَلَمَّا اتَّكَأَ مَعَهُمَا ، أَخَذَ خُبْزاً وَبَارَكَ وَكَسَّرَ وَنَاوَلَهُمَا ، 31فَانْفَتَحَتْ أَعْيُنُهُمَا وَعَرَفَاهُ ثُمَّ اخْتَفَى عَنْهُمَا، 32فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمَا لِبَعْضٍ: ((أَلَمْ يَكُنْ قَلْبُنَا مُلْتَهِباً فِينَا إِذْ كَانَ يُكَلِّمُنَا فِي الطَّرِيقِ وَيُوضِحُ لَنَا الْكُتُبَ؟)) 33فَقَامَا فِي تِلْكَ السَّاعَةِ وَرَجَعَا إِلَى أُورُشَلِيمَ ، وَوَجَدَا الأَحَدَ عَشَرَ مُجْتَمِعِينَ ، هُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُمْ 34وَهُمْ يَقُولُونَ: ((إِنَّ الرَّبَّ قَامَ بِالْحَقِيقَةِ وَظَهَرَ لِسِمْعَانَ!)) 35وَأَمَّا هُمَا فَكَانَا يُخْبِرَانِ بِمَا حَدَثَ فِي الطَّرِيقِ ، وَكَيْفَ عَرَفَاهُ عِنْدَ كَسْرِ الْخُبْزِ. 

 

 

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 5th Tone. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

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.

البروكيمنون. 5th Tone. مزمور 11: 7، 1.
أنت يا رب تحفظنا وتخلصنا
خلصني يا رب فإن البار قد فنيَ

فصل من رسالة بولس الثانية الى تيموثاوس 3: 10-15.

يَا وَلَدي تِيمُوثَاوُس، قَدْ تَبِعْتَ تَعْلِيمِي، وَسِيرَتِي، وَقَصْدِي، وَإِيمَانِي، وَأَنَاتِي، وَمَحَبَّتِي، وَصَبْرِي، وَاضْطِهَادَاتِي، وَآلاَمِي، مِثْلَ مَا أَصَابَنِي فِي أَنْطَاكِيَةَ وَإِيقُونِيَّةَ وَلِسْتِرَةَ. أَيَّةَ اضْطِهَادَاتٍ احْتَمَلْتُ! وَمِنَ الْجَمِيعِ أَنْقَذَنِي الرَّبُّ. وَجَمِيعُ الَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يَعِيشُوا بِالتَّقْوَى فِي الْمَسِيحِ يَسُوعَ يُضْطَهَدُونَ. وَلَكِنَّ النَّاسَ الأَشْرَارَ الْمُزَوِّرِينَ سَيَتَقَدَّمُونَ إِلَى أَرْدَأَ، مُضِلِّينَ وَمُضَلِّينَ. وَأَمَّا أَنْتَ فَاثْبُتْ عَلَى مَا تَعَلَّمْتَ وَأَيْقَنْتَ، عَارِفاً مِمَّنْ تَعَلَّمْتَ. وَأَنَّكَ مُنْذُ الطُّفُولِيَّةِ تَعْرِفُ الْكُتُبَ الْمُقَدَّسَةَ، الْقَادِرَةَ أَنْ تُحَكِّمَكَ لِلْخَلاَصِ، بِالإِيمَانِ الَّذِي فِي الْمَسِيحِ يَسُوعَ.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Reading is from Luke 18:10-14

The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
لوقا 18: 10-14

10(( قال الرب هذا المثل إِنْسَانَانِ صَعِدَا إِلَى الْهَيْكَلِ لِيُصَلِّيَا ، وَاحِدٌ فَرِّيسِيٌّ وَالآخَرُ عَشَّارٌ. 11أَمَّا الْفَرِّيسِيُّ فَوَقَفَ يُصَلِّي فِي نَفْسِهِ هَكَذَا: اَللَّهُمَّ أَنَا أَشْكُرُكَ أَنِّي لَسْتُ مِثْلَ بَاقِي النَّاسِ الْخَاطِفِينَ الظَّالِمِينَ الزُّنَاةِ ، وَلاَ مِثْلَ هَذَا الْعَشَّارِ. 12أَصُومُ مَرَّتَيْنِ فِي الأُسْبُوعِ ، وَأُعَشِّرُ كُلَّ مَا أَقْتَنِيهِ.13وَأَمَّا الْعَشَّارُ فَوَقَفَ مِنْ بَعِيدٍ ، لاَ يَشَاءُ أَنْ يَرْفَعَ عَيْنَيْهِ نَحْوَ السَّمَاءِ ، بَلْ قَرَعَ عَلَى صَدْرِهِ قَائِلاً: اللهُمَّ ارْحَمْنِي ، أَنَا الْخَاطِئَ. 14أَقُولُ لَكُمْ : إِنَّ هَذَا نَزَلَ إِلَى بَيْتِهِ مُبَرَّراً دُونَ ذَاكَ ، لأَنَّ كُلَّ مَنْ يَرْفَعُ نَفْسَهُ يَتَّضِعُ ، وَمَنْ يَضَعُ نَفْسَهُ يَرْتَفِعُ)). 

 

 

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 5th Tone

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.

لنسبح نحن المؤمنين ونسجد للكلمة المساوي للآب والروح في الأزلية وعدم الابتداء ، المولود من العذراء لخلاصنا . لانه سُر بالجسد ان يعلو على الصليب ويحتمل الموت ، وينهض الموتى بقيامته المجيدة.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone

Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through our own sighs of sorrow the humility of the Publican. Let us cry out to the Savior, "Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we reconciled."

لنهربن من كلام الفريسي المتشامخ ونتعلم تواضع العشار بالتنهدات هاتفين إلى المخلص إرحمنا أيها الحسن المصالحة وحدك.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

It is possible for those who have come back again after repentance to shine with much lustre, and oftentimes more than those who have never fallen at all, I have demonstrated from the divine writings. Thus at least both the publicans and the harlots inherit the kingdom of Heaven, thus many of the last are placed before the first.
St. John Chrysostom
AN EXHORTATION TO THEODORE AFTER HIS FALL, 4th Century

When lately we made mention of the Pharisee and the publican, and hypothetically yoked two chariots out of virtue and vice; we pointed out each truth, how great is the gain of humbleness of mind, and how great the damage of pride.
St. John Chrysostom
CONCERNING LOWLINESS OF MIND., 4th Century

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Fasting Guidelines: Great Lent 2019

This year, our journey through the Lenten fast to Pascha begins at Forgiveness Vespers on Sunday, March 10. The Church, in her wisdom, begins preparing us for this most-holy time in the weeks that precede the fast. This post will provide you with the fasting guidelines for the pre-Lenten period of preparation, Great Lent, and Holy Week, according to the general practice of Saint Stephen Parish.

The guidelines in this post are general. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that should be practiced with the oversight and direction of your spiritual father. If you have any specific questions about how the fasting discipline applies to you, you should consult your spiritual father. In the case of Saints Stephen parishioners, your spiritual father is Fr. Romanos

                                 

WEEKS OF PREPARATION 2019 (February 17 – March 10)

  • Four Sundays of preparation precede Great Lent. The Church eases us into the fasting discipline during these weeks of preparation as follows:
  • February 17 is the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee and the week that follows (February 18 – 24) is fast-free. There is no Wednesday or Friday fast this week.
  • February 24 is the Sunday of the Prodigal Son and the week that follows (February 25 – March 3) is a normal week. Wednesday and Friday of this week are fasting days.
  • March 3 is Meatfare Sunday (the Sunday of the Last Judgment) and on this day we say “farewell” to meat. During the week that follows (March 4 – 10) we fast from meat only. All dairy, cheese, eggs, wine, and oil are permitted during this week, even on Wednesday and Friday.
  • March 10 is Cheesefare Sunday (the Sunday of Forgiveness) and on this day we say “farewell” to cheese, dairy, eggs, wine, oil, etc. This begins the fast proper.

                               

GREAT LENT AND HOLY WEEK 2019 (March 11 – April 27)
The Lenten fasting discipline commences after Forgiveness Vespers on March 10 and concludes with the breaking of the fast at Pascha on April 28. In general, the fasting rules during Great Lent and Holy Week are as follows:

WEEKDAYS (Monday – Friday) are observed as Strict Fast Days. On these days we abstain from meat, dairy, fish with backbones, fowl, alcoholic beverages, and oil.
WEEKENDS (Saturday and Sunday) are observed as Wine and Oil Days. On these days the fast is relaxed to permit alcoholic beverages and olive and other vegetable oils.
In addition, two special feastdays that fall during this period – Annunciation (March 25) and Palm Sunday (April 21, this year) – are kept as Fish, Wine, and Oil Days. On these days the fast is relaxed to permit fish with backbones, in addition to alcoholic beverages and oil.
There are certain days of the Holy Week cycle that have special fasting rules.

  • Great and Holy Thursday (April 25, this year) is observed as a Wine and Oil Day due to the commemoration of the institution of the Eucharist.
  • Great and Holy Saturday (April 27, this year) is observed as a Strict Fast Day – the only Saturday of the year kept as a strict fast; however, wine (but not oil) is permitted.

Additional Notes:

  • Meals for the fast should follow the dietary restrictions and be cooked simply. Portions should be smaller than usual.
  • Fasting on the weekdays of the first week of Great Lent is especially severe. The strictest observance would be to take only two meals during this week – one on Wednesday evening and one on Friday evening after the services scheduled for those nights – keeping Pure Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday as absolute fasts (no food whatsoever).
  • For many this is impracticable. A good starting place to work towards the strict observance is to keep the first day of Great Lent, Pure Monday, as an absolute fast and to limit meals on the other days.
  • It is a pious practice to observe Great and Holy Friday as an absolute fast. If one does not have the strength to do this, it is good to abstain from food until after venerating the epitaphios (winding sheet) during Vespers on this day.
  • If you have a medical condition that requires you to relax the fasting guidelines, then do so.
  • Before you attempt to strictly follow the fasting guidelines, consult with Fr. Romanos. It is very easy to lose sight of the fact that fasting is merely a means to an end (that is, our salvation) and not an end in itself.
  • Generally speaking, children and elderly people are allowed to relax the fast under the guidance of their spiritual Father.

May our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ give you the strength to do the best of your ability to follow the guidelines of the Church and your spiritual father and come to receive his blessing to see what you can do and what you cannot do for your Feasting period.

In Christ,

Father Romanos

 

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