Weekly Sunday Bulletin – February 2nd, 2020
Presentation of our Lord – February 2, 2020
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.
Parish Council on Duty:
George Georgakakis, Karyl Zitis, Lazarus Kirifides, Katherine Ziegler, Philip Vias
Liturgical Guide
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος …
From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou mightest free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Apolytikion for Presentation of Our Lord in the First Mode
Χαῖρε κεχαριτωμένη Θεοτόκε Παρθένε
Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, O Virgin Theotokos, for from thee hath risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those in darkness. Rejoice, thou also, O righteous Elder, as thou receivest in thine arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who also granteth unto us the Resurrection.
Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode
Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου …
Your birth sanctified a Virgin’s womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Epistle Reading ~St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews 7:7-17
BRETHREN, it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
Gospel Reading ~ The Reading is from Luke 2:22-40
At that time, the parents brought the child Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Symeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; and Symeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Trisagion
Constantina Karas (16 yrs) and Milton Karas (9 yrs) survived by their children Tracy (Vincent) Hogan, Jonathan, Deborah, and Marianne, 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
Irene Athanasakos (21 yrs) survived by daughters, Antonia Hyland, Elizabeth Athanasakos, and son, Van (Carol) Athanasakos, 4 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Rose (Zoe) Patounis (30 yrs) survived by son Paul (Candace), and granddaughter Nicole.
Josephine Papadales (15 yrs) survived by son Basil and grandson.
Baby Blessing
Today we welcome Valerie Nixon and Shurbon Locario as they present Markos for the traditional 40 day blessing.
Attention Dance Families
There will be a brief meeting on Sunday, February 2nd at 12:30pm in the hall to go over important information for the upcoming Greek Festival, February 6-9th. We will also have dance t-shirts available for sale for $10 each. See you there!
Announcements
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!
· 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.
· Women’s Retreat: Our Metropolis Philoptochos is offering its 14th Annual Spiritual Retreat for women, March 20-22 at the Diakonia Retreat Center. The registration deadline is March 1. Cost is $175 which includes 2 nights lodging and 5 meals. Go to https://atlmetropolis.org/14th-annual-spiritual-retreat1 to see the flyer and download registration materials.
· Limbitless solutions The Daughters of Penelope will have their annual luncheon on March 21st at the Lighthouse Point Yacht Club. More information will be coming soon. Everyone is excited to have a chance to win a beautiful raffle basket with great prizes. We are looking for new or gently used items, gift cards or any other gift certificates that you would be willing to donate to help support our cause, “Limbitless solutions”, located at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Together with our donations and their research team we assist young and the young at heart that are in need of prosthetic limbs. Please contact Melissa Bakatselos 954-661-5707, Tara Bakatselos 954-650-1387 or email at dop.fashionshow@gmail.com for more information and drop off locations.
· Daughters of Penelope next meeting is February 15th 11:00am in the church hall. We will have a brunch, Initiations and a short meeting. If you are not a member please consider becoming one!!! We have a fantastic group!! Just ask any member!!
Calendar of Events for the Week
Sunday 2/2
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
11:00am Sunday School
11:30am GOYA Souper Bowl of Caring
12:00pm GOYA meeting
12:30pm Dance practice
Monday 2/3
10:30am Philoptochos Board Meeting
4:15pm-6:00pm Greek School Classes Α, Β, Γ & Adult Beginner Section 1
6:00pm-8:00pm Greek School Adult Beginner Section 2
6:00pm-8:00pm Greek School Advanced Class
Thursday 2/6
5:00pm-10:00pm Festival
Friday 2/7
12:00pm-11:00pm Festival
Saturday 2/8
12:00pm-11:00pm Festival
Sunday 2/9
9:00am/10:00am Orthros/Divine Liturgy
12:00pm-7:00pm Festival
