Tag Archive for: Gregory of Palamas

Weekly Sunday Bulletin – Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

St. Gregory PalamasMarch 16, 2014

The season of the virtues now has come, and the Judge is at the door. Let us not hold back with darkened face, but let us keep the Fast, offering tears, contrition and almsgiving; and let us cry: our sins are more in number than the sand of the sea; but, Deliverer of all, forgive each one of us, that we may receive an incorruptible crown.

Orthros– Second Sunday of Lent

Parish Council on Duty

George Georgakakis, Manny Daskos, James Carras, Eleni Varvoutis, Michael Haralambis, Michael Fossler, Juanita Antley

Weekly Sunday Bulletin – Gregory of Palamas

[WSB Cover:http://stdemetrios.org/weekly-sunday-bulletin-gregory-of-palamas/, Liturgical:http://stdemetrios.org/liturgical-gregory-of-palamas/, Announcements:http://stdemetrios.org/announcements-gregory-of-palamas/]

The season of the virtues now has come, and the Judge is at the door. Let us not hold back with darkened face, but let us keep the Fast, offering tears, contrition and almsgiving; and let us cry: our sins are more in number than the sand of the sea; but, Deliverer of all, forgive each one of us, that we may receive an incorruptible crown.

Orthros– Second Sunday of Lent

Parish Council on duty:

Peter Angelakos, John Argiropoulos, Anna Merkel, Medon Michaelides, Chris Nichols, Peter Synoyannis, Eleni Varvoutis

Liturgical – Gregory of Palamas

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Apolytikion Ήχος Β-2

Οτε κατήλθες…
When You descended to the realm of death You as life immortal rendered to Hades a mortal blow by Your all radiant divinity, And when You from infernal depths and the darkness below did raise the dead all the hosts of heaven’s powers did proclaim and cry out O life giving Christ and our God we give glory.

Apolytikion for St. Gregory of Palamas

Ὀρθοδοξίας ὁ φωστὴρ…
O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, comeliness of monastics, invincible defender of theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede forever that our souls maybe saved.

Apolytikion of St. Demetrios

Μέγαν εύρατο έν τοίς κινδύνοις…
The world found in you a great champion in dangers a victor who could turn the nations back! As you restrained Levi in the arena, you also inspired Nestor to courage! Therefore, holy, great martyr, Demetrios, entreat Christ God to grant us great mercy!

Kontakion

Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ Στρατηγῷ τὰ νικητήρια…
To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: “Hail, unwedded bride!”

 

Memorials

William Kyriakakis (1yr) survived by his wife Carole and daughters Jessica and Jennifer and family.

Nikita Legakis (1yr) survived by his wife Georgia,son Manny, daughter Maria and grandchildren Bobby, Tatiana, Valentina and Nikita.

Second Sunday of Lent – St. Gregory Palamas

This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.

His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Our passionate life must be offered to God, living and active, so that it may be a living sacrifice. The Apostle Paul even said the same of the body: “I exhort you,” he says, in fact, “by the mercy of God, to offer your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” “Romans 12:1) How can our living body be offered as a sacrifice pleasing to God? When our glance is meek… when we draw down and pass to others the mercy from on high, when our ears are attentive to the divine teachings, not only to understand, but, as David says, “to remember God’s commandments in order to carry them out.” (Psalm 102:18)… When our tongue, our hands and our feet all serve the divine will, is not this observance of God’s commandments an activity common to soul and body?

St. Gregory Palamas

The Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian

O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, Faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, love to Thy servant.

Yes, O Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors And not to judge my brother; For you are blessed unto ages of ages.

Amen

Scripture Readings

Epistle Reading

St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3

“IN THE BEGINNING, you O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end.” But to what angel has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?” Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

Gospel Reading

Mark 2:1-12
Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins”-he said to the paralytic-“I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Announcements – Gregory of Palamas

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Catechism Classes

If you have thought about converting to Orthodoxy, Fr. Chris will be starting classes on our faith. Please call the church office.

Save the Date

Nia Vardalos is coming to St. Demetrios NEXT WEEK for an exclusive book signing. Visit our website for additional information.

Daughters of Penelope Scholarships

Two scholarships are being offered by the Daughters of Penelope from District #2 and the Nationals. Please contact Mary Carratt for more details at 954-491-0821. The deadline for the District is May 1st.

AHEPA National Scholarship Application – MARCH 31 Deadline

Scholarship Application

AHEPA District #2 Scholarship Application

Three Hierarchs Scholarship (THS) Award

Application forms for the THS awards of Drs. Anthony and Joyce Kales are available in the Church office. These scholarships are awarded strictly on the basis of meritorious academic achievement for college bound seniors. The academic guidelines for consideration include:

Placement in the top 10% of one’s class; membership in the National Honor Society; and a combined SAT Verbal and Math score of 1280 or greater (1300 or greater if the high school does not have a ranking system or membership in the National Honors Society).
Deadline for submission of application is June 15.

NEW YORK – Scholarships

Applications and instructions for the three scholarships administered by the Chancellor’s Office of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, are now available for awards to be made for the 2013-2014 academic year. Two of these scholarships are for undergraduate studies: the George & Naouma (Gioule) Gioles Scholarship and the Katina John Malta Scholarship; the third one is the Paleologos Graduate Scholarship, which is awarded for graduate work of a non-theological nature. Each of these scholarships was established through generous gifts from dedicated Greek Orthodox Christians who wanted to provide financial assistance towards the education of young people from our Orthodox community.

The deadline for applying for all three is April 26, 2013. Further details, including complete instructions and applications, are available on-line on the website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and may also be requested by e-mail at scholarships@goarch.org, or by written request to the Scholarship Committee, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 8-10 East 79th Street, New York, NY, 10075.

Office of Ionian Village

Two summer camping sessions for Greek Orthodox Youth who have completed grades 8 through 12. are being offered this year
Summer Travel Camp: June 23– July 12, 2013.
Byzantine Venture: July 20—August 8, 2013.

Spiritual Odyssey “ Cypress and Crete: May 30– June 9, 2013 For young adults ages 19 to 28

Please contact the Office of Ionian Village at ionianvillage@goarch.org or call 212-570-3536.

St. Stephen’s Summer Camp 2013 is approaching!

Applications are now being accepted online for our five week summer camp program. Returning and new counselors must complete online application. Registration for campers will be opening March 1st.

Pascha Glendi

Join us in celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord following Agape Vespers Sunday May 5th, at 2:00 pm. For more information visit our website.

Continuing to Climb Toward Theosis – The Eucharistic Life

Fr. John Codis
March 31, 2013

Book Reference
With Burning Hearts
A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life
By Henri J. M. Nouwen

Opening thoughts and basis for discussion

Do you think about the meaning of this sacrament when you participate in it?

What does it mean to you?

Has its meaning evolved during your life?

How can all of my life be Eucharistic…? What does this mean?

The daily celebration of the Eucharist and our daily human experience are one in the same. What we celebrate i.e., The Eucharist, and what we are called to live i.e., the Eucharistic life, are one in the same.

Understanding our Losses

When have you felt like the two people on the Road to Emmaus?

When have you felt lost, that your life holds no purpose or that there is no ending in sight?

In many ways we are like the two on the Road to Emmaus. We are lost! We have forgotten the new reality that was reviled to us Christ through his Death and ultimate Resurrection. The reality of forgiveness, healing and love live within the very core of our humanity.

We have lost so much! Sometimes it even seems that life is just one long series of losses.

“Loss is a part of ordinary life. The losses that settle themselves deeply in our hearts and minds are the loss of intimacy, through separations, the loss of safety through violence, the loss of innocence through abuse, the loss of friends through betrayal…” and the list goes on. Pg. 25

No one can escape the agonizing losses that are part of our everyday lives. Beyond all of these losses there is the loss of faith – the loss of the conviction that our life has meaning.

What do we do with our losses?

Mourning our Losses

Our grief makes us experience the abyss of our own life in which nothing is settled, clear, or obvious, but everything constantly shifting and changing.

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Matt. 5:5

There is a blessing hidden in our grief!

Mourning our losses is the first step away from resentment and toward gratitude.

The Eucharist and Gratitude

“To celebrate the Eucharist and to live a Eucharistic life has everything to do with gratitude.” Pg. 34

“Ευχαρησία” is the act of thanksgiving. To celebrate the Eucharist and to live a Eucharistic life has everything to do with gratitude.

When we celebrate the Eucharist and live a Eucharistic life, we begin to mourn our losses and through this mourning we understand life as a gift.

The Eucharist begins with a cry for God’s mercy. “Lord have Mercy.”

Conclusion

Celebrating the Eucharist requires that we stand in this world accepting our co-responsibility for the evil that surrounds and pervades us. As long as we remain stuck in our complaints about the terrible times in which we live and the terrible situations we have to bear and the terrible fate we have to suffer, we can never come to contrition. And contrition can grow only out of a contrite heart. A contrite heart does not blame but acknowledges its own part in the sinfulness of the world and so has been made ready to receive God’s mercy.

To view this class visit our Adult Education Video Page