Tag Archive for: Liturgy

Epiphany Celebration 2015

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You are invited to the Pan Orthodox Celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany

 

Who: Hosted by the Orthodox Christian Parishes of all Jurisdictions From Miami to Fort Pierce and Florida’s South West Coast
What: Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Blessing of the Waters, and Diving for the Cross
Where: St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, West Palm Beach, FL
When: 9:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2013

Procession, Blessing of the Waters and Diving for the Cross will Take place at 12:00 Noon Followed by a Luncheon

Adults: $25.00
Children (12 and under): $10.00

2015 Epiphany Flyer

Epiphany Celebration 2014

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You are invited to the Pan Orthodox Celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany

 

Who: Hosted by the Orthodox Christian Parishes of all Jurisdictions From Miami to Fort Pierce and Florida’s South West Coast
What: Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Blessing of the Waters, and Diving for the Cross
Where: St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, West Palm Beach, FL
When: 9:00 a.m. Saturday, January 12, 2013

Procession, Blessing of the Waters and Diving for the Cross will Take place at 12:00 Noon Followed by a Luncheon

Adults: $25.00
Children (12 and under): $10.00

2014 Epiphany Flyer

Liturgical – Judgement Sunday (Meatfare)

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Apolytikion Ήχος Βαρίς – 7th

Κατέλυσας τώ Σταυρώ σου…
O Lord by Your sacred Cross You abolished death, and granted unto the thief blessed paradise. The Myrrh bearers ceased lamenting and turned to joy. The apostles did preach the Good News at Your command, that You had risen from the dead O Christ Our God, bestowing Your mercy upon the world evermore.

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

Όταν έλθης ο Θεός…
O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most Just.

 

Memorial

Alexander Paraskis (40days) survived by Alexandra and George Nichols and grandchildren Tassia and Mark Brunt and Christopher and Raffaella Nichols and great grandchildren Natalia, Konstantinos, Maximos and Mason.

Trisagia

Mike Monezis (8yrs) beloved husband and father of Betty and Mona Monezis

Meatfare Sunday

Today is called “Meat-Fare” because during the week following it a limited fasting-abstention from meat is prescribed by the Church. This prescription is to be understood in the light of what has been said above the meaning preparation. The Church begins now to “adjust” us to the great effort which she will expect from us seven days later. She gradually takes us into that effort-knowing our frailty, foreseeing our spiritual weakness.

On the eve of that day (Meat-Fare Saturday), the Church invites us to a universal commemoration of all those who have “fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection and life eternal.” This is indeed the Church’s great day of prayer for her departed members. To understand the meaning of this connection between Lent and the prayer for the dead, one must remember that Christianity is the religion of love. Christ left with his disciples not a doctrine of individual salvation but a new commandment “that they love one another,” and He added: “By this shall all know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Love is thus the foundation, the very life of the Church which is, in the words of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the “unity of faith and love.” Sin is always absence of love, and therefore separation, isolation, war of all against all. The new life given by Christ and conveyed to us by the Church is, first of all , a life of reconciliation, of “gathering into oneness of those who were dispersed,” the restoration of love broken by sin. But how can we begin our return to God and our reconciliation with Him if in ourselves we do not return to the unique new commandment of love? Praying for the dead is an essential expression of the Church as love. We ask God to remember those whom we remember and we remember them because we love them. Praying for them we meet them in Christ who is Love and who, because He is Love, overcomes death which is the ultimate victory of separation and lovelessness. In Christ there is no difference between living and dead because all are alive in Him. He is the Life and that Life is the light of man. Loving Christ, we love all those who are in Him; loving those who are in Him, we love Christ: this is the law of the Church and the obvious rationale for her of prayer for the dead. It is truly our love in Christ that keeps them alive because it keeps them “in Christ” and how wrong, how hopelessly wrong for the dead to a juridical doctrine of “merits” and “compensation” or simply reject it as useless. The great Vigil for the Dead of Meatfare Saturday serves as a pattern for all other commemorations of the departed and it is repeated on the second, third and fourth Saturdays of Lent.
(if you want more… please read GREAT LENT- Journey to Pascha by Alexander Schmemann.)

Scripture Readings

Epistle Reading

St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother’s falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 25:31-46
Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The Lord said, “When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Liturgical – 17th Sunday of Luke

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Apolytikion Ήχος Πλ. B – 6th

Άγγελικαί δυνάμεις…
Eternal with the Father and the Spirit is the Word, Who of a Virgin was begotten for our salvation. As the faithful we both praise and worship Him, for in the flesh, did He consent to ascend unto the Cross, and death did He endure and He raised unto life the dead through His all glorious resurrection.

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

Της πατρώας δόξης σου…
O Father, foolishly I ran away from Your glory and, in sin, squandered the riches You gave me. Wherefore, I cry out to You with the voice of the Prodigal, “ I have sinned before You, Compassionate Father. Receive me in repentance and take me as one of Your hired servants.”

 

Memorial

Dimitrios Giannopoulos (3mts) survived by his wife Kyriaki, daughter Rita, son-in-law Platon Bakatselos, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren

Angeliki Gogonis (10yrs) survived by her sons Tom, George, Nick and Philip and their families

Trisagia

Speros Vlahos (14yrs) survived by daughter Mantha Mehallis and grandson Spero (Rocio)

Irene Georgitson (21yrs), Constantine (Gus) Makris (19 yrs), Patricia G Makris (16yrs) in loving memory from Evangeline, Katina, Barbara Makris and Jacob C Hollander

Kalimorphe Neztek (19yrs) survived by her sons Gus and John and daughter-in-law Kiki

Sunday of Prodigal Son

Through the parable of today’s Gospel, our Saviour has set forth three things for us: the condition of the sinner, the rule of repentance, and the greatness of God’s compassion. The divine Fathers have put this reading the week after the parable of the Publican and Pharisee so that, seeing in the person of the Prodigal Son our own wretched condition — inasmuch as we are sunken in sin, far from God and His Mysteries — we might at last come to our senses and make haste to return to Him by repentance during these holy days of the Fast.

Furthermore, those who have wrought many great iniquities, and have persisted in them for a long time, oftentimes fall into despair, thinking that there can no longer be any forgiveness for them; and so being without hope, they fall every day into the same and even worse iniquities. Therefore, the divine Fathers, that they might root out the passion of despair from the hearts of such people, and rouse them to the deeds of virtue, have set the present parable at the forecourts of the Fast, to show them the surpassing goodness of God’s compassion, and to teach them that there is no sin — no matter how great it may be — that can overcome at any time His love for man.

Saturday of all Souls
Dedicated to all those who have departed in Christ

We are all familiar with the words “Heaven” and “Hell”. According to the teachings of Christianity, all those who live by the Commandments of our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will one day receive the blessings of everlasting life in Heaven. Those who do not live by the Commandments of the Lord will be condemned to the eternal fires of Hell (read St. John Gospel Ch. 5, vs24030 and Matthew 25). This truth is the very foundation of human Christian behavior. There will be reward for good and punishment for evil. When we break the law of the land, we are punished for our misdeeds? The Bible tells us that there is a Heaven and a Hell. According to the Bible and Holy Tradition, however, many of us fail to realize that no one enters into one of these places immediately after death. All those who pass from this world enter what the Church calls between state. Ii is here that one will receive a portion of his reward or his punishment. This is called general judgement. When Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead ( as we recited the Nicene Creed) then the final judgement is pronounced by Almighty God.

Since all souls are now in this state awaiting the final judgment day, the Church on earth offers prayers for those who have left this earth. This is the reason why we have Memorial Services in our Church so that we may have the opportunity to pray for those who are awaiting final judgement. The members of the congregation participate in the Memorial Service at which time prayers are offered for the departed. Those who are in this between state hear our prayers and are comforted by our petitions. Prayer unites us all with those who have departed from this temporary life on earth. Many of our fellow Christians who have lived and died since the coming of Christ have no one to pray for them or to offer Memorial Services for them while awaiting the final judgement day. The Church has also set three Saturday services (before and during Lent and before Pentecost) for the remembrance of all those who have served Christ but for various reasons are perhaps unknown to us. Just as our country offers prayers for the unknown soldiers, so too does the Church of Christ. We also offer prayers for our loved ones who have passed on. The reading of the names is an important part of the Memorial Service. Each of the faithful writes the first names of off all those in their family (or friends and relatives) who have died. These names are then given to the Priest, who reads them during the Memorial Service saying as follows: “For the ever-memorable servant of God(name) for his repose, tranquility and blessed memory, let us pray to the Lord” (and other prayers (Lives if the Saints and Major Feast Days by Rev. Fr. George Poulos) Those who wish to offer memorial services other than the 40days, 1 yr., 3yrs are encouraged to have the service done in conjunction with the various Saturday of Souls. (Please pick up the forms in the narthex and south narthex).

Scripture Readings

Epistle Reading

St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20

Brethren, “all things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food” — and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two shall become one flesh.” But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body and in your spirit which belong to God.

Gospel Reading

Luke 15:11-32
The Prodigal Son

The Lord said this parable: “There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that falls to me.’ And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to make merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'”

Liturgical – 16th Sunday of Luke

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Apolytikion Ήχος Πλ. A – 5th

Τόν συνάναρχον λόγον…
Eternal with the Father and the Spirit is the Word, Who of a Virgin was begotten for our salvation. As the faithful we both praise and worship Him, for in the flesh, did He consent to ascend unto the Cross, and death did He endure and He raised unto life the dead through His all glorious resurrection.

Apolytikion for the Foreunner John the Baptist

Εκ γής ανατείλασα, η τού Προδρόμου…
The head of the Forerunner radiates incorruptible rays of healing upon the faithful as it rises from the earth. Heavenward, the assembly of Angels is gathered, while below the human race is called to offer glory to Christ God in unison.

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

Φαρισαίου φύγωμεν ύψηγορίαν…
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.”

 

Memorial

Eleni Lintzeris (2yrs) survived by her two sons Paul and Paris

Trisagia

Lee and Despina Telegadis (3mths) survived by their daughter Elizabeth, son-in-law James Carpenter and grandson Nicholas

Dr. George Thodos (13yrs) beloved husband of Dianne Nickols Thodos

George and Stella Nickols , Harriet and Peter, parents and siblings of Dianne Nickols Thodos

Nicholas, Katina and Denis Stamatos: John, Angeliki, Theophilus, Peter and Andonia Gomatos and Catherine Lavrakos beloved family of Fr. Milton and Presv. Poppy Stamatos

The Publican and the Pharisee

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.

The Lenten Spring

Before Great Lent begins, there is a preparatory period of four weeks called “The Triodion.” Each of the Sundays of the pre-Lenten Triodion prepares us for the spiritual journey to Pascha.

The four weeks preceding Lent are known as:

  • Sunday of the Tax Collector and Pharisee
  • Sunday of the Prodigal Son
  • Sunday of Meat (the Final Judgment)
  • Sunday of Cheese(Adam’s expulsion from Paradise)

The Lenten spring is welcomed by Christians in the Church not as the time for self-inflicted agony or self-improving therapy. It is greeted as the sanctified season consecrated to the correction, purification and enlightenment of the total person through the fulfillment of the commandments of the crucified God. It is received as the time for battling with evil spirits and blossoming with the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal.5:22). It is accepted as “the great and saving forty days” set apart for complete and total dedication to the things of God. It is the “tithe of the year” which tells us that all times and season belong to the Lord who has created and redeemed the world.

Scripture Readings

Epistle Reading

St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15

Brethren, it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we too believed, and so we speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Gospel Reading

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

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.”

Liturgical – 17th Sunday of Matthew

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Apolytikion Ήχος Δ-4

Το φαδρόν τής αναςάσεως κήρυγμα…
When the tidings of the resurrection from the glorious angel was proclaimed unto the women disciples and our ancestral sentence also had been abolished to the apostles with boasting did they proclaim that death is vanquished ever more and Christ our God has risen from the dead and granted to the world. His great mercy.

Apolytikion for the Greatmartyr Theodore of Tyron

Μεγάλα τα της πίστεως…
Great are the accomplishments of faith. In the fountain of flame, the holy martyr Theodore rejoiced as though he was resting by the waters. Consumed by the flames he was offered to the Holy Trinity as sweet bread. Through his prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.

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

Προστασία τών Χριστιανών ακαταίσχυντε…
Champion of Christians not put to shame, advocate before the Maker always steadfast, do not spurn sinners’ voices raised in prayer. In your goodness respond to bring help to us who devoutly petition you. Hasten your intercession and urgently make entreaty; for you unfailingly defend, Theotokos, those who honor you.

 

Memorial

Lemonia Servites (40days) survived by her sister Eftihia Ogorelkoff

Sofia Pacani (2yrs) survived by her parents Petr and Anna and her brothers Thanasi and Demetri

Martha Sellas beloved parishioner

Chris Michaels

Scripture Readings

Epistle Reading

St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1

BRETHREN, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 15:21-28, Sunday of the Canaanite

At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Liturgical – 16th Sunday of Matthew

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Apolytikion Ήχος Γ-3

Εύφραινέσθω τα ούράνια…
Let all things above in heaven rejoice, and let all things below on earth be glad. With all the might and strength of His arm an eternal deed the Lord did perform. Beneath His feet He has trampled down death by death, and first born of the dead has He become. From the womb of Hades has He delivered us, and to all the world has granted His great redeeming mercy.

Apolytikion for Haralambos the Priest Martyr

Ος στύλος ακλόνητος…
O wise Haralambos, you were proven an unshakable pillar of the Church of Christ; an everlshining lamp of the universe. You shone in the world by your martyrdom. You delivered us from the moonless night of idolatry, O blessed One. Wherefore, boldly intercede to Christ that we may be 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

Προστασία τών Χριστιανών ακαταίσχυντε…
Champion of Christians not put to shame, advocate before the Maker always steadfast, do not spurn sinners’ voices raised in prayer. In your goodness respond to bring help to us who devoutly petition you. Hasten your intercession and urgently make entreaty; for you unfailingly defend, Theotokos, those who honor you.

 

Memorial

Bessie Cocorikis Geary (1yr) survived by her daughter Mary Berdellans, 3 grandchildren Katherine, Amanda and Adam and sister Cathy

Trisagion

Joan Vlahos (3yrs) survived by her husband Steve and son Anthony

 

Scripture Readings

Epistle Reading

St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10

TIMOTHY, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 25:14-30
16th Sunday of Matthew

The Lord said this parable: “A man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.” As he said these things he cried out: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Liturgical – 15th Sunday of Matthew

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Apolytikion Ήχος Β

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 the Post-Presentation

Χάρε κεχαριτωμένη Θεοτόκε Παρθένε…
Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace, for Christ our God, the Sun of Righteousness, has dawned from you, granting light to those in darkness. And you, O Righteous Elder, rejoice, taking in your arms, the Deliverance of our souls, who grants us Resurrection.

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

Ό μήτραν παρθενικήν…
Your birth sanctified a Virgin’s womb and fittingly blessed the hands of Symeon. You have now come and saved us O Christ, our God. In troubled times, as the only loving One, give peace to Your commonwealth and strength to those in civil authority, whom You love.

 

Trisagion

Maria Konstantinidis (9mths) survived by her husband Dimitrios, 3 children and 8 grand children.
Richard Kondel (2yrs) survived by his brother George, sister Helen and brother-in-law Leander and niece Katherine.
Josephine Padapales (8yrs) survived by son Basil and grandson
Vasiliki (10yrs) and Vasilios Kalaitzidis (16yrs) survived by their children Savas Kalaitzidis and Alexandra Papadimitriou, 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren
Irene Athanasakos (14yrs) survived by daughters Antonia Hyland, Elizabeth Athanasakos, son Van (Carol) Athanasakos, 4 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren
Rose (Zoe) Patounis (23yrs) survived by his son Paul (Candace) and granddaughter Nicole
Alexander Paraskis survived by the Nichols family

 

Scripture Readings

Epistle Reading

St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15

Brethren, it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we too believed, and so we speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 22:35-46
15th Sunday of Matthew

At that time, a lawyer asked him a question, to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying “What do you think of Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David, inspired by the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I put your enemies under your feet’? If David thus calls him Lord, how is he his son?” And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Liturgical – 15th Sunday of Luke

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Apolytikion Ήχος A

Τού λίθου σφραγισθέντος…
The stone that had been sealed before Your tomb by the Jews and the soldiers guarding did watch o’er Your pure and sacred body O Savior the third day You arose, and unto all the world did You give life whereby all the heavenly powers did proclaim that You are the giver of life Glory unto our resurrected Christ. Glory unto Your Kingdom, Glory to Your dispensation. O You alone who loves all.

Apolytikion for the Transposition of the Relics of St. John Chrysostom

Ή τού στόματός σου
The grace of your words illuminated the universe like a shining beacon. It amassed treasures of munificence in the world. It demonstrated the greatness of humility, teaching us by your own words; therefore, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede to Christ the Logos for the salvation of our souls.

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

Ό μήτραν παρθενικήν…
Your birth sanctified a Virgin’s womb and fittingly blessed the hands of Symeon. You have now come and saved us O Christ, our God. In troubled times, as the only loving One, give peace to Your commonwealth and strength to those in civil authority, whom You love.

 

Memorial

Victor G. Vogis (12yrs) survived by his parents Margo and Victor and family
Markos (29yrs) and Andriana Palios (2yrs) survived by children Harriet & Nick Zannikos, Lambros Palios, Leonidas & Dorsy Palios, Despina and Isidro Escobedo, Michael & Aspasia Palios, 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Trisagion

John Maltezakis (3mts) survived by his sister Cleopatra Iliakis
Constantina (9yrs) and Milton (2yrs) Karas survived by Tracy & Vincent Hogan, Elizabeth & Fred Koch, Vincent and Melyssa Hogan, Caitlin, Angela and Michaela, Andrew, Niko and Ellie
Efharis Dawson (10yrs) survived by his sister Sophia Thermis, nieces and nephews.
Spiros Sclavounos (11yrs) survived by his wife Athina and daughters Angie and Vickyand families

 

Scripture Readings

Epistle Reading

St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2

Brethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Luke 19:1-10
15th Sunday of Luke

At that time, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”