Weekly Sunday Bulletin – December 22nd, 2019
Sunday before the Nativity – December 22, 2019
Anastasia the Great Martyr
This Saint, who was from Rome, was a most comely, wealthy, and virtuous maiden, the daughter of Praepextatus and Fausta. It was her mother who instructed her in the Faith of Christ. The Saint was joined to a man named Publius Patricius, who was prodigal in life and impious in disposition, but she was widowed after a short time. Henceforth, she went about secretly to the dwellings of the poor and the prisons where the Martyrs of Christ were, and brought them whatever was needed for their daily subsistence. She washed their wounds and loosed them from their fetters, and consoled them in their anguish. Also, because the Saint, through her intercessions, has healed many from the ill effects of spells, potions, poisons, and other harmful substances, she has received the name “Deliverer from Potions.” Since the fame of her deeds had spread about, she was arrested by Diocletian’s minions, and after enduring many torments she was put to death by fire in the year 290.
Parish Council on Duty:
George Georgakakis, Karyl Zitis, Lazarus Kirifides, Katherine Ziegler, Basil Economou, Philip Vias
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Mode
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον …
When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.
Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Mode
Ετοιμάζου Βηθλεέμ…
Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.
Apolytikion for Sun. before Nativity in the Second Mode
Μεγάλα τὰ τῆς πίστεως κατορθώματα!
Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the Three Holy Children rejoiced. And the Prophet Daniel proved a shepherd of lions as of sheep. By their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.
Apolytikion of St. Demetrios in the Third Mode
Μέγαν εύρατο εv τοίς κιvδύvοις …
Greatness has been found in danger. You are champion of the world. A victor who could turn the nations back. You boldly encouraged Nestor to defeat Lyaeus in the arena. Therefore, holy great martyr Demetrios, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν Προαιώνιον Λόγον…
On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
Epistle Reading ~ The reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40
BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets – who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated – of whom the world was not worthy – wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Gospel Reading ~The reading is from Matthew 1:1-25
The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
Memorial Prayer
Zacharias Haralambis (14 yrs) survived by his wife Clara, his children Michael, Nichola, John, and Maria, 11 grandchildren and one great grandson.
Trisagion Prayer
Tracy Thanos (9 days)
Baby Blessing
We welcome Haroula and Andrew Norden as they present Anderson Norden for the traditional 40 day blessing.
Announcements
Vasilopita Sale…Get ready for the holidays! Buy your Vasilopita (New Year Bread with good luck coin) @$10 each, Dec. 15, 22, and 29 in the Kandaras Hall. Cash, check, or credit card accepted. Sponsored by Philoptochos.
FESTIVAL Volunteers 2020…THIS IS THE BEST FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY & FUNDRAISER and YOU make this all possible. Volunteers are needed to drive the golf carts for parking, a chef for the kitchen, Food Prep Setting up the festival grounds, cashiers and so much more…Come see us in the narthex and SIGN UP TODAY!
Cook Needed We need a cook for the festival to cook basic things and is available to work from Mon., February 3 through Sun. evening, February 10. If anyone has a lead, please contact the church.
Philoptochos 2020 Memberships Become a new member or renew your membership @$50 for 2020 as you support the national, metropolis and local organizations of the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America. See Paula Kirifides or Denise Filosofos today.
SAVE THE DATE: BINGO/FEATHER PARTY (sponsored by Philoptochos) is scheduled for Friday January 17, 2020 in the Church Hall. Doors open at 6:30pm and games start at 7:00pm. More info will follow!
The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation will offer $250,000 in awards to 40 exceptional Greek American undergraduates. The application is available at https://www.panhellenicsf.org/apply/ and the deadline is January 31, 2020. The scholarship awards are available to undergraduate students of Hellenic descent. They are offered to recognize students of high scholastic achievement for their accomplishments, and to provide support to those in financial need. $200,000 are awarded to 20 students based on financial need and academic achievement. $50,000 are awarded to 20 students based solely on academic achievement. $20,000 are specifically awarded to music and arts majors. The Foundation promotes education which, combined with the values of our Faith and Heritage, encourages and guides our scholarship recipients to become significant achievers and contribute meaningfully to society.
Applications for Cross Road Hellenic College Holy Cross Program Cross Road, a 10-day program for Orthodox Christian high school juniors & seniors 16 -18 years of age, takes place on the campus of Hellenic College Holy Cross, Boston, MA & at North Park University, Chicago, IL. Participants connect with the Orthodox Christian theological & spiritual tradition, experience daily worship, take theology classes, visit local parishes, serve their neighbor as well as make new friends & discover a new city. Applications for are open & will close on Feb 1, 2020. For more information go to the website: www.crossroadinstitute.org or call (617) 850-1310. On the website you will find information about the program, the application process & financial assistance. The St. Demetrios Scholarship Committee may be able to assist with partial assistance toward the tuition once the student’s application has been accepted.
Visit https://thediakoniaretreatcenter.com/ for information on everything the Diakonia Center has to offer
Calendar of Events for the Week
Sunday 12/22
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
12:00pm Vasilopita Sale
Tuesday 12/24 Eve of the Nativity of Christ
9:00am Royal Hours and Vespers
6:00pm Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Saturday 12/28
10:30am-1:30pm HDF practice
Sunday 12/29
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
12:00pm Vasilopita Sale
