Αγιε του Θεου, Οσιε Παισιε, πρεσβευε υπερ υμων!

Transcript

1 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h of Washington, DC Sunday of the Holy Fathers July 19, 2015 Αγιε του Θεου, Οσιε Παισιε, πρεσβευε υπερ υμων! Holy Blessed Paisios, protect us!

2 YMNOI THΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιμον /Ἦχος πλ. βʹ Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Τῶν Πατέρων/Ἦχος πλ. δʹ Τῶν Φαράσων τὸν γόνον, καὶ τοῦ Ἄθωνος κλέϊσμα, καὶ τῶν ἀπ αἰῶνος ὁσίων, μιμητὴν καὶ ἰσότιμον, Παΐσιον τιμήσωμεν πιστοί, τὸ σκεῦος χαρισμάτων τὸ μεστόν, ὡς φυλάσσοντα ἐκ πάντων τῶν λυπηρῶν, τοὺς πίστει ἀνακράζοντας Δόξα τῷ δεδωκότι σοι ἰσχύν, δόξα τῷ σὲ στεφανώσαντι, δόξα τῷ ἐνεργοῦντι διὰ σοῦ, πᾶσιν ἰάματα. Aπολυτίκιον Αγ. Κωνσταντίνου & Ελένης Τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου τὸν τύπον ἐν οὐρανῷ θεασάμενος, καὶ ὡς ὁ Παῦλος τὴν κλήσιν οὐκ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων δεξάμενος, ὁ ἐν βασιλεύσιν, Ἀπόστολός σου Κύριε, Βασιλεύουσαν πόλιν τὴ χειρί σου παρέθετο ἣν περίσωζε διὰ παντὸς ἐν εἰρήνῃ, πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε. HYMNS OF THE DAY Resurrectional Apolytikion/Mode pl. 2 When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You. For the Fathers/Mode pl. 4 As a Citizen of the Dessert Supremely blessed are You, O Christ our God. You established the holy Fathers upon the earth as beacons, and through them You have guided us all to the true Faith, O greatly merciful One, glory be to You. Apolytikion of Sts. Constantine & Helen Having seen the image of Thy Cross in Heaven, and like Paul, having received the call not from men, Thine apostle among kings entrusted the commonwealth to Thy hand, O Lord. Keep us always in peace, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Friend of man. Aπολυτίκιον Αγ. Ανδρέα Ὡς τῶν Ἀποστόλων Πρωτόκλητος, καὶ τοῦ Κορυφαίου αὐτάδελφος, τὸν Δεσπότην τῶν ὅλων Ἀνδρέα ἱκέτευε, εἰρήνην τὴ οἰκουμένη δωρήσασθαι, καὶ ταὶς ψυχαὶς ἡ μῶν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Κοντάκιον/Ἦχος βʹ Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία, πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε, μὴ παρίδῃς, ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε. Apolytikion of St. Andrew As first of the Apostles to be called, O Andrew, brother of him (Peter) who was foremost, beseech the Master of all to grant the world peace and our souls great mercy. Kontakion/ Mode 2 O Protection of Christians unshamable, mediation with the Creator immovable, we sinners beg you, do not despise the voices of our prayers, but anticipate, since you are good, and swiftly come unto our aid as we cry out to you with faith: Hurry to intercession, and hasten to supplication, O Theotokos who defend now and ever those who honor you. 2

3 Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Στα Νεα Ελληνικα Πρὸς Τίτον 3:8-15 Αυτός δε ο λόγος, που σου γράφω, είναι κατά πάντα αληθινός και αξιόπιστος. Και περί αυτών των μεγάλων αληθειών θέλω να διαβεβαιώνης και να πείθης τους Χριστιανούς, δια να φροντίζουν, όσοι έχουν πιστεύσει στον Θεόν, να μη μένουν εις την απλήν πίστιν, αλλά να πρωτοστατούν με ζήλον εις τα καλά έργα. Αυτά δε που είπα παραπάνω είναι έργα τα καλά και τα ωφέλιμα στους ανθρώπους. Να αντιπαρέρχεσαι δε και να αποφεύγης τας ανοήτους συζητήσεις και τας γενεαλογίας περί ευγενούς καταγωγής και τας φιλονεικίας και τας μάχας γύρω από τα ζητήματα του Ιουδαϊκού νόμου διότι όλα αυτά είναι ανωφελή και μάταια. Αιρετικόν άνθρωπον, ο οποίος ύστερα από πρώτην και δευτέραν συμβουλήν μένει με πείσμα εις την πλάνην του, παράτησέ τον και μη συζητής πλέον μαζή του. Γνωρίζων, ότι ο τοιούτος έχει πλέον παρεκκλίνει από την αλήθειαν και διαστροφή και αμαρτάνει, ελεγχόμενος και καταδικαζόμενος από τον ίδιον τον ευατόν του, από την συνείδησίν του. Οταν στείλω εις σε τον Αρτεμάν η τον Τυχικόν, φρόντισε με κάθε τρόπον να έλθης να με συναντήσης εις την Νικόπολιν, διότι εκεί έχω αποφασίσει να περάσω τον χειμώνα. Τον Ζηναν τον νομικόν και τον Απολλώ να τους κατευοδώσης και να τους εφοδιάσης με πολλήν επιμέλειαν, ώστε να μη τους λείπη τίποτε στο ταξίδι των. Ας φροντίζουν δε και όλοι οι ιδικοί μας να πρωτοστατούν εις τα καλά έργα και μάλιστα εις τας επειγούσας ανάγκας των αδελφών, δια να μη μένουν άκαρποι. Σε χαιρετούν όλοι όσοι είναι μαζή μου χαιρέτησε όλους εκείνους, που μας αγαπούν δια της πίστεως του Χριστού. Η χάρις του Θεού, ας είναι με όλους σας. Αμήν. ΤΗΕ EPISTLE St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15 TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is selfcondemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful. All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. 3

4 ΤΟ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Στα Νεα Ελληνικα ΤΗΕ GOSPEL Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 5:14-19 Σεις με το φωτεινόν σας παράδειγμα και τα λόγια του Ευαγγελίου είσθε το πνευματικόν φως της ανθρωπότητος. Οπως δε μία πόλις που είναι κτισμένη επάνω στο όρος, δεν ημπορεί να κρυφθή, έτσι και ο ιδικός σας βίος θα υποπίπτη, είτε το θέλετε είτε όχι, εις την αντίληψιν των ανθρώπων. Και όταν ανάπτουν λύχνον οι άνθρωποι, δεν τον θέτουν κάτω από τον κάδον, αλλά επάνω στον λυχνοστάτην, ώστε να φωτίζη όλους εκείνους που ευρίσκονται μέσα στο σπίτι. Το φως λοιπόν (που επήρατε από εμέ και είναι τώρα ιδικόν σας) έτσι ας λάμψη εμπρός στους ανθρώπους, δια να ίδουν τα καλά σας έργα και δοξάσουν τον Πατέρα σας τον ουράνιον, που έχει τέτοια ενάρετα τέκνα. Μη νομίσετε ότι ήλθα να καταλύσω τον νόμον του Μωϋσέως η την διδασκαλίαν των προφητών. Δεν ήλθα να καταλύσω αυτά, αλλά να τα τηρήσω, να τα εκπληρώσω και να τα ολοκληρώσω εις ένα τέλειον νόμον. Διότι σας διαβεβαιώ με πάσαν επισημότητα, ότι έως ότου υπάρχη ο ουρανός και η γη, ούτε ένα γιώτα η ένα κόμμα, δεν θα παραπέση από τον νόμον, μέχρι την στιγμήν που όλα θα επαληθεύσουν και θα πραγματοποιηθούν εις την ζωήν και το έργον μου. Εκείνος λοιπόν, που θα παραβή μίαν από τας εντολάς αυτάς, που φαίνονται μικραί και ασήμαντοι, και διδάξη έτσι τους ανθρώπους, θα ονμασθή ελάχιστος εις την βασιλείαν των ουρανών. Εκείνος όμως που θα αγωνισθή να τηρήση όλας τας εντολάς και διδάξη την τήρησιν αυτών και στους ανθρώπους, αυτός θα ανακηρυχθή μέγας εις την βασιλείαν των ουρανών. The Gospel of Matthew 5:14-19 The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." 4

5 Συμβολον Της Πίστεως Πιστεύω εἰς ἕνα Θεόν, Πατέρα, Παντοκράτορα, ποιητὴν οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς, ὁρατῶν τε πάντων καὶ ἀοράτων. Καὶ εἰς ἕνα Κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ, τὸν ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς γεννηθέντα πρὸ πάντων τῶν αἰώνων φῶς ἐκ φωτός, Θεὸν ἀληθινὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἀληθινοῦ, γεννηθέντα οὐ ποιηθέντα, ὁμοούσιον τῷ Πατρί, δι' οὗ τὰ πάντα ἐγένετο. Τὸν δι' ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀνθρώπους καὶ διὰ τὴν ἡμετέραν σωτηρίαν κατελθόντα ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν καὶ σαρκωθέντα ἐκ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου καὶ Μαρίας τῆς Παρθένου καὶ ἐνανθρωπήσαντα. Σταυρωθέντα τε ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου, καὶ παθόντα καὶ ταφέντα. Καὶ ἀναστάντα τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρα κατὰ τὰς Γραφάς. Καὶ ἀνελθόντα εἰς τοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ καθεζόμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Πατρός. Καὶ πάλιν ἐρχόμενον μετὰ δόξης κρῖναι ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς, οὗ τῆς βασιλείας οὐκ ἔσται τέλος. Καὶ εἰς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον, τὸ Κύριον, τὸ ζωοποιόν, τὸ ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐκπορευόμενον, τὸ σὺν Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ συμπροσκυνούμενον καὶ συνδοξαζόμενον, τὸ λαλῆσαν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν. Εἰς μίαν, Ἁγίαν, Καθολικὴν καὶ Ἀποστολικὴν Ἐκκλησίαν. Ὁμολογῶ ἓν βάπτισμα εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν. Προσδοκῶ ἀνάστασιν νεκρῶν. Καὶ ζωὴν τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος. Ἀμήν. The Nicene Creed I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge the living and dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen. Κυριακή Προσευχή Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου. Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου. Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον. Καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν. Καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ρῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ. The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. ΕΥΧΕΣ ΠΡΟ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΙΑΣ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΣ Πιστεύω, Κύριε, και ομολογώ ότι συ ει αληθώς ο Χριστός, ο Υιός του Θεού του ζώντος, ο ελθών εις τον κόσμον αμαρτωλούς σώσαι, ων πρώτος ειμί εγώ. Έτι πιστεύω, ότι τούτο αυτό εστί το αχράντον Σώμα σου και τούτο αυτό εστί το τίμιον Αίμα σου. Δέομαι ουν σου, ελέησόν με και συγχώρησον μοι τα παραπτώματά μου, τα εκούσια και τα ακούσια, τα εν λόγω, τα εν έργω, τα εν γνώσει και αγνοία, και αξίωσόν με ακατακρίτως μετασχείν των αχράντων σου μυστηρίων, εις άφεσιν αμαρτιών, και εις ζωήν αιώνιον. Αμήν. Ιδού βαδίζω προς Θείαν Κοινωνίαν, Πλαστουργέ, μη φλέξης με τη μετουσία, Πυρ γαρ υπάρχεις τους αναξίους φλέγον. Αλλ ουν κάθαρον εκ πάσης με κηλίδος. Του Δείπνου σου του μυστικού, σήμερον, Υιέ Θεού, κοινωνόν με παράλαβε, ου μη γαρ τοις εχθροίς σου το 5

6 μυστήριον είπω, ου φίλημα σοι δώσω, καθάπερ ο Ιούδας, αλλ ως ο Ληστής ομολογώ σοι. Μνήσθητι μου Κύριε, εν τη βασιλεία σου. Θεουργόν Αίμα φρίξον, άνθρωπε βλέπων, Άνθραξ γαρ εστί τους αναξίους φλέγων, Θεού το Σώμα, και θεοί με, και τρέφει, Θεοί το πνεύμα, τον δε νουν τρέφει ξένως. Έθελξας πόθω με Χριστέ, και ηλλοίωσας τω θείω έρωτι, αλλά κατάφλεξον πυρί αϋλω τας αμαρτίας μου, και εμπλησθήναι της εν σοι τρυφής καταξίωσον, ίνα τας δύο σκιρτών μεγαλύνω, Αγαθέ, παρουσίας σου. Εν ταις λαμπρότησι των αγίων σου, πως εισελεύσομαι ο ανάξιος; Εάν γαρ τολμήσω συνεισελθείν εις τον νυμφώνα, ο χιτών με ελέγχει. Ότι ουκ έστι του γάμου, και δέσμιος εκβαλούμαι υπό των Αγγέλων, καθάρισον, Κύριε, τον ρύπον της ψυχής μου, και σώσον με, ως φιλάνθρωπος. Δέσποτα φιλάνθρωπε, Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ, ο Θεός μου, μη εις κρίμα μοι γένοιτο τα Άγια ταύτα, δια το ανάξιον είναι με, αλλ εις κάθαρσιν και αγιασμόν ψυχής τε και σώματος, και εις αρραβώνα μελλούσης ζωής και βασιλείας. Εμοί δε το προσκολλάσθαι τω Θεώ αγαθόν εστί, τίθεσθαι εν τω Κυρίω την ελπίδα της σωτηρίας μου. Του Δείπνου σου του μυστικού, σήμερον, Υιέ Θεού, κοινωνόν με παράλαβε, ου μη γαρ τοις εχθροίς σου το μυστήριον είπω, ου φίλημα σοι δώσω, καθάπερ ο Ιούδας, αλλ ως ο Ληστής ομολογώ σοι. Μνήσθητι μου Κύριε, εν τη βασιλεία σου. PRAYERS BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION I believe, Lord, and I confess, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Moreover, I believe that this is Your immaculate Body, and that this is Your precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray to You: have mercy on me, and forgive me my transgressions, those voluntary and involuntary, those in word, those in deed, those in knowledge and those in ignorance; and make me worthy to partake of Your immaculate Mysteries without condemnation, for the remission of sins and life everlasting. Amen. Behold, I approach for divine Communion; Creator, burn me not as I partake; For You are Fire, which burns the unworthy. But, rather, cleanse me from every impurity. Of Your Mystical Supper, Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Your enemies; nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief I confess You: Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom! Be awe-stricken, O man, beholding the deifying Blood; For it is a lighted Coal that burns the unworthy. The divine Body both deifies and nourishes me; It deifies the spirit, and wondrously nourishes the mind. You have smitten me with yearning, O Christ, and by Your divine zeal You have changed me; but burn away my sins with immaterial Fire, and make me worthy to be filled with delight in You; that, leaping for joy, O good One, I may magnify Your two comings. Into the brilliant company of Your saints, how shall I the unworthy enter? For if I dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my garment betrays me, for it is not a wedding garment, and I shall be bound and cast out by the Angels; Lord, cleanse my soul of pollution, and save me, for You love mankind. Master, Who loves mankind, Lord Jesus Christ my God, do not let these Holy Things be to me for judgment because of my unworthiness, but rather may they be for the purification and sanctification of soul and body, and as a pledge of the life and Kingdom to come. For it is good for me to cleave to God, to put my hope of salvation in the Lord. Of Your Mystical Supper, Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Your enemies; nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief I confess You: Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom! Remember me, Master, when You come into Your Kingdom! Remember me, Holy One, when You come into Your Kingdom! 6

7 SAINTS AND FEASTS Elias the Prophet-July 20 Elias of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness of Ahab and his wife Jezebel. He shut up heaven by means of prayer, and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God's command, he was hiding by the torrent of Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon, who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God before all the people of Israel, that they might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson, he slew 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food wondrously at the hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He beheld God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for human nature. He foretold the destruction of the house of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias; and as for the two captains of fifty that were sent by the king, he burned them for their punishment, bringing fire down from Heaven. He divided the flow of the Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisseus passed through as it were on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, Elias was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.C., and he ascended as though into heaven, whither God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from thence also, after seven years, by means of an epistle he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is written: "And there came a message in writing to him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12). According to the opinion of the majority of the interpreters, this came to pass either through his disciple Elisseus, or through another Prophet when Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ (see Aug. 6). Ο ΠΡΟΦΗΤΗΣ ΗΛΙΑΣ ό Θεσβίτης-20 Ιουλίου Ό προφήτης Ηλίας ήταν γιος του Σωβάκ και καταγόταν από τη Θέσβη, γι' αυτό και ονομάστηκε Θεσβίτης. Κατοικούσε στη γη Γαλαάδ και έδρασε στα χρόνια του βασιλιά Αχαάβ πριν 816 χρόνια προ Χριστού. Ό Ηλίας υπήρξε προφήτης πολύ δραστήριος, με φλογερή ψυχή και καρδιά τολμηρή, άξιος αντιπρόσωπος του Θεού. Είναι αυτός πού κατέβασε τρεις φορές φωτιά από τον ουρανό, κάνοντας τους Ισραηλίτες με μια φωνή να πουν: "αληθώς Κύριος ό Θεός, αυτός ό Θεός"1. Δηλαδή, αληθινά! Ό Κύριος, ό Θεός του Ισραήλ, αυτός είναι ό μόνος πραγματικός και αληθινός Θεός. Ό Ηλίας, επίσης, είναι εκείνος πού με τη γλώσσα του εμπόδισε τη βροχή και δεν έβρεξε ό ουρανός τρεισήμισι χρόνια. Είναι εκείνος πού ανάστησε το νεκρό γιο της Σεραφθίας χήρας και κατέκαυσε τους εκατό ανθρώπους πού έστειλε ό βασιλιάς Οχοζίας. Είναι εκείνος πού στο όρος Χωρήβ είδε το Θεό, όσο είναι δυνατό, βέβαια, να Τον δει άνθρωπος. Είναι εκείνος πού έσχισε τον Ιορδάνη ποταμό και ανελήφθη με πύρινη άμαξα στον ουρανό. Τέλος, είναι εκείνος πού στη Μεταμόρφωση του Χριστού στάθηκε δίπλα Του μαζί με το Μωϋσή. Όλα αυτά δείχνουν με πόσο ζήλο υπηρέτησε ό προφήτης Ηλίας το θέλημα του Θεού. 7

8 PRAYER LIST If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the church office. Constantine, Andreas, Pavlos, Elena, Elaine, Presbytera Flora, Louis, Fr. Peter, Kathy, Kalliope, Chris, John, Georgia, Dean, Bill, Sylvia, Zenon, Danielle, Delores, Demetrios, Maria and Harry. PRAYER FOR A SICK PERSON Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, visit and heal me Your servant from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ. Grant me patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed. I pray that You heal me as Your servant and grant me the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. FUTURE MEMORIALS Mr. George Kartsakalis July 26, Year Mr. Nicholas Stamos July 26, Year Mr. Peter Stamos July 26, Years Mr. Demetrios Zibragos July 26, months 8

9 COMING SOON: The Raising of the Dome to our New Spiritual Home. Stay Tuned More Information to Come!! Philoptochos News: There is a collection box in the back of the hall for The Montgomery County Family Center. We are collecting non-perishable items. Please place your donations in the box in the back of the church hall. Thank you for your support for those in need!!! Legally Blond Theater Production: Matinée: July 26th at 12:30pm...There are (3) tickets available! Please contact Helen Thornberg at (301) if you are interested. Ticket price: $49.99 each. Save The Date: Taverna Night -"Nikos Nite" on Sunday, October 18, More information to follow. Please mark your calendars! Communion Wine: If you are interested in purchasing Commandaria Wine only for the church, please contact the church office at (240) for more information. To keep things consistent we use Commandaria wine for Holy Communion. We appreciate your expression of love for Him in providing us with this particular wine. May God continue to bless you always! Confession: Father Michael is available for confession at your convenience. Please call on his cell phone at (301) or fm@papouli.net for an appointment. 9

10 STEWARDSHIP Every Christian Is to Minister in the Church Posted on July 11, 2015 by Fr. Ted St. Paul in his Epistle to the Romans (12:6-9) reminds us that all Christians have an active role in the life of the Church. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Scripture Scholar James D.G. Dunn reminds us of the significance of this teaching. We don t come to church to be served, but to serve others as Christ Himself came to serve. We all are called to love one another as Christ loves us. We need the Holy Spirit to give us the eyes to see who we are to serve and how we are to serve them. It follows that each member of the Christian community has some function within the community; to each is given some charisma or other (1 Cor. 7:7; 12:7, 11). All, strictly speaking, are charismatics. No member lacks some manifestation of grace (= charisma). Each is a member of the body only in so far as the Spirit knits him into the corporate unity by the manifestation of grace through him. At no time did Paul conceive of two kinds of Christian whose who have the Spirit and those who do not, those who minister to others, and those who are ministered to, those who manifest charismata and those who do not. To be Christian in Paul s view was to be charismatic. One cannot be a member of the body without being a vehicle of the Spirit s ministry to the body. (Unity and Diversity in the New Testament, p 119) 10

11 STEWARDSHIP The Value of Gratitude By Kelly McFadden Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4 The movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was released in 2005 and starred Johnny Depp as the famous Willy Wonka. In the movie, five lucky children were exclusively invited inside the chocolate factory. Veruca Salt, Augustus Gloop, Mike Teavee, Violet Beauregarde and Charlie Bucket were the lucky five who found the golden tickets. If you have seen the movie, you are probably aware that each of the children who entered had character flaws. Veruca was selfish and self absorbed; she thought that she deserved everything. Augustus was a glutton; he could not seem to stop overindulging, no matter what warnings were thrown his way. Mike had no respect for authority and a quick temper. He bullied his parents and anyone else who was around. Violet was highly competitive and would do anything to win, even if it meant being blue for the rest of her life. And then there was Charlie. What was he? Grateful. People who are grateful are the people who you see walking around life with joy written on their hearts and shining through their eyes. These are the people who have learned to appreciate what they have been given and normally, are not focused only on stuff or things. They are thinking about friends, family, loved ones. Take a look at what the Bible, in the book of Romans, says about the ungrateful. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21) The Bible tells us that we come into the Lord s presence when we are grateful and give thanks. It is gratefulness that softens each person s heart, helping him or her to be aware of the blessings each has been given. Charlie understood. He did not need all the money or all the chocolate in the world to be happy. He had a life overflowing with the love of those who were around him. He did not dwell on what he did not have, but focused on all he did have. He was grateful. Truly, it is those who are grateful, no matter their circumstances, which end up with uncountable blessings for eternity. GOING DEEPER: 1. Make a list of five things that you are thankful for in your life. 2. Why does it sometimes get hard to be happy with what you have or your circumstances? FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 25:37-40; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Philippians 4:19 11

12 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY * Tel: (212) Fax: (212) Date: July 2, 2015 NEW YORK The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, responding to the Supreme Court decision of June 26, Obergefell v. Hodges issued today the following release: Response of to Obergefell v Hodges The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America strongly disagrees with the United States Supreme Court decision of June 26, Obergefell v. Hodges, in which the Court invents a constitutional right for two members of the same sex to marry, and imposes upon all States the responsibility to license and recognize such marriages. The Supreme Court, in the narrowest majority possible, has overstepped its purview by essentially re-defining marriage itself. It has attempted to settle a polarizing social and moral question through legislative fiat. It is immoral and unjust for our government to establish in law a right for two members of the same sex to wed. Such legislation harms society and especially threatens children who, where possible, deserve the loving care of both a father and a mother. As Orthodox Christian bishops, charged by our Savior Jesus Christ to shepherd His flock, we will continue to uphold and proclaim the teaching of our Lord that marriage, from its inception, is the lifelong sacramental union of a man and a woman. We call upon all Orthodox Christians in our nation to remain firm in their Orthodox faith, and to renew their deep reverence for and commitment to marriage as taught by the Church. We also call upon our nation s civic leaders to respect the law of Almighty God and uphold the deeply-rooted beliefs of millions of Americans. 12

13 Elder Paisios Canonized by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople Elder Paisios has been canonized on Tuesday by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople as he was unanimously accepted by the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church. As reported by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, he is now Saint Paisios and is added in the Greek Orthodox Church Hagiology. Saint Paisios the Athonite was born Arsenios Eznepidis in July 1924, in Farasa Cappadocia and passed away in July He was a Greek monk who became widely known for his life and prophecies. His father was called Prodromos and his mother Evlampia. He had eight siblings. On August 7, 1924, a week before the Greeks of Farasa returned to the homeland, he was baptized by the parish priest, Arsenios, whom the Orthodox Church recognized as a saint. Arsenios insisted and gave him his name to leave a monk in his place, as he said. Five weeks after the boy s christening, on September 14, 1924, the Eznepidis family, along with other refugees, arrived in Piraeus and then went to Corfu, where they stayed for eighteen months. The family then moved to Igoumenitsa and then to Konitsa where Arsenios finished elementary school and got his diploma with excellent conduct. Ever since he was a child, he was writing down the miracles of Saint Arsenios. He had an inclination towards monasticism and wanted to become a monk. Arsenios went to Mount Athos to become a monk in 1949, right after his discharge from the army. He stayed for one night at the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian in Karyes and then slept in the hermitage of Saint Panteleimon, in the cell of the Virgin Mary, where he met father Cyril, abbot of the monastery, and followed him faithfully. After spending time in various retreats of Mount Athos and Sinai, he moved to Koutloumousio monastery until he became seriously ill and passed away in the summer of He was buried in the Holy Monastery of Saint John the Theologian in Souroti, Thessaloniki. Since then, every year on July 11 to July 12, the anniversary of his death, there is a vigil in the Sanctuary Retreat, with thousands of believers attending. Elder Paisios wrote four books, published by the Holy Monastery Saint John the Theologian: Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian (1991), Elder Hadji- Georgis the Athonite, (1986), Athonite Fathers and Athonite Matters (1993) and Letters (1994). Elder Paisios became known for a number of controversial political statements and prophecies. These include the prediction that a war with Turkey will lead to a restoration of a Greater Greece that includes Albania, Macedonia and Byzantium (Istanbul), and the mass conversion of Turks from Islam to Orthodox Christianity. Many Greeks have compared Paisios to Nostradamus. -See more at: -bartholomew-of-constantinople/#sthash.6ypry6q8.zy7lprsl.dpuf 13

14 QUOTES OF THE WEEK That we should always blame ourselves (Part 4 of 5)- by Geronta Ephraim of Arizona When a person comes to grip with this theoretically, he must make an effort to apply it internally. He must locate the evil within the heart and wage war against the associated passion the bitterness, the difficulty, and the pressure of the devil, who relentlessly argues: Don t back down! Don t humble yourself! Don t do it! At that moment, we must beseech God for the strength to trample on our ego and to respond with determination: Be quiet! Get out of my way. I must fulfill my obligation. We must go to the other person and ask for forgiveness. We monks, for example, will prostrate ourselves before another monk. A person living in the world, however, will conduct himself differently. He will say: Good morning! Happy name day! Forgive me and so on. In this manner, love is restored. Being Blessed - from Henri Nouwen's Bread for the Journey Jesus is the Blessed One. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan river a voice came from heaven saying: "You are my Son, the Beloved; my favor rests on you" (Mark 1:11). This was the blessing that sustained Jesus during his life. Whatever happened to him - praise or blame - he clung to his blessing; he always remembered that he was the favorite child of God. Jesus came into the world to share that blessing with us. He came to open our ears to the voice that also says to us, "You are my beloved son, you are my beloved daughter, my favor rests on you." When we can hear that voice, trust in it, and always remember it, especially during dark times, we can live our lives as God's blessed children and find the strength to share that blessing with others. Beyond Jealousy - from Henri Nouwen's Bread for the Journey Jealousy arises easily in our hearts. In the parable of the prodigal son, the elder son is jealous that his younger brother gets such a royal welcome even though he and his loose women swallowed up his father's property (Luke 15:30). And in the parable of the labourers in the vineyard, the workers who worked the whole day are jealous that those who came at the eleventh hour receive the same pay as they did (see Matthew 20:1-16). But the Father says to the older son: "You are with me always and all I have is yours" (Luke 15:31). And the landowner says: "Why should you be envious because I am generous?" (Matthew 20:15). When we truly enjoy God's unlimited generosity, we will be grateful for what our brothers and sisters receive. Jealousy will simply have no place in our hearts. For further reflection..."a tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot." - Proverbs 14:30 Being Broken - from Henri Nouwen's Bread for the Journey Jesus was broken on the cross. He lived his suffering and death not as an evil to avoid at all costs, but as a mission to embrace. We too are broken. We live with broken bodies, broken hearts, broken minds or broken spirits. We suffer from broken relationships. How can we live our brokenness? Jesus invites us to embrace our brokenness as he embraced the cross and live it as part of our mission. He asks us not to reject our brokenness as a curse from God that reminds us of our sinfulness but to accept it and put it under God's blessing for our purification and sanctification. Thus our brokenness can become a gateway to new life. 14

15 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY Tel: (212) Fax: (212) Protocol Number 01/15 January 1, 2015 Feast of Saint Basil and New Year Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14) To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On this blessed Feast of Saint Basil and the beginning of the New Year, our honored tradition is to offer prayers and support for the sacred ministry of our beloved Saint Basil Academy. For seventy years this institution of our Holy Archdiocese has offered the love of Christ, the comfort of His presence, and the healing power of faith to children, youth, and families in need. Serving Orthodox children from throughout the United States, Saint Basil Academy continues to provide a caring and spiritual environment where they are able to grow, learn, and achieve. This vital mission of Saint Basil Academy, carried out by the directors, staff, trustees and benefactors, is in keeping with our Lord s command to let the children come to me. This is accomplished through this ministry by bringing the love of Christ to those in need. Everything that is offered for the children and youth at Saint Basil s is offered in the name and presence of Christ. In daily care, in counseling and teaching, in recreation, and in worship, the students encounter Christ and His abundant and comforting love. Saint Basil Academy is also a place where the lives of the children and youth are guided in Christ. On the beautiful campus, in a nurturing environment of prayer and grace, they are led in the path of truth and love. They are shown the blessings of the life in Christ, how to follow His will and to find strength and assurance in His promises. They see the hope, joy, and power in a life of faith and a lifelong relationship with Him. This sacred work was also the focus of the patron saint of the Academy, Saint Basil. For the sick, orphans, travelers, and many others in need, he offered an encounter with Christ by taking His love to them. For others he guided them in truth and love through teaching and preaching, as a faithful and caring pastor, to their Savior and Redeemer. This is also our calling today. In our support for Saint Basil Academy, we are led by our Ladies Philoptochos Society and our local Philoptochos chapters in collecting an offering and in the celebration of the cutting of the Vasilopeta. We are also led by Christ and by the example of Saint Basil to fulfill the command of our Lord and let the children come to me. In your ministry in the parish and in your daily life in Christ, you are called to offer Him and guide others to an encounter with the Lord that will lead to abundant and eternal life. On this day may we offer our prayers and generous support for Saint Basil Academy. May we strengthen this vital work to children and youth in fulfilling the request of our Lord and in honoring the legacy of all who have established and supported this ministry in the past seventy years. May you also receive the abundant and rich blessings of our Lord at the beginning of this new year as we offer Him glory and honor unto the ages of ages! With paternal love in Christ, DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL MINISTRY 15

16 The More You Know Visitation Fr. Michael invites himself to visit with you in the comfort and convenience of your own home, To have you share your journey of the past here in our community, To have Father Michael share with your entire family the Nea Zoe/New Life Building Ministry to date and to understand the path that has brought us to where we are, To share opportunities of decorating God s Holy Temple with Iconography and artifacts, To offer opportunities for your family to help further the completion of this holy calling from God. My dearest brothers and sisters, I was told that many of you are asking about pricing. First of all these are not products that we buy. These are opportunities to externally and physically manifest your love for God and to honor/memorialize a loved one. I do not want to reduce such a holy, personal and precious moment in your life by advertising prices for these HOLY things as they do in the marketplace for common goods. The iconography, artifacts and Building Components are all adorning God's Holy Temple. If you are interested in donating an icon, church furniture or part of our building, please call Fr. Michael for a private appointment to discuss and explore the many possibilities of expressing your love. Fr. Michael on his cell phone or Fr. Michael: fm@papouli.net to set-up a home visit. May God continue to bless you and His church community of Saints Constantine and Helen of Washington, DC 16

17 Traditional Icon Screen #1 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY Tel: (212) Fax: (212) Protocol Number 01/15 January 1, 2015 Feast of Saint Basil and New Year Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14) To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On this blessed Feast of Saint Basil and the beginning of the New Year, our honored tradition is to offer prayers and support for the sacred ministry of our beloved Saint Basil Academy. For seventy years this institution of our Holy Archdiocese has offered the love of Christ, the comfort of His presence, and the healing power of faith to children, youth, and families in need. Serving Orthodox children from throughout the United States, Saint Basil Academy continues to provide a caring and spiritual environment where they are able to grow, learn, and achieve. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Please help build your church. Share with us which This vital mission of Saint Basil Academy, carried out by the directors, staff, trustees and benefactors, is in keeping of these with two our proposals Lord s command for an to let icon the screen children you come prefer. to me. This is accomplished admin@schgocdc.org through this ministry or by bringing call the love of Christ to those let us in know! need. Everything Αγαπητοί that αδελφοί is offered και for the αδελφές children and εν Χριστώ, youth at Saint Basil s Παρακαλούμε is offered in the βοηθείστε name and presence στην οικοδόμηση of Christ. In daily της care, εκκλησίας in counseling σας. and Γνωστοποιείστε teaching, in recreation, μας and in ποια worship, από the τις students δύο προτάσεις encounter Christ για εικονοστάσι and His abundant προτιμάτε. and comforting Στείλτε love. μας στο Saint Basil Academy is also a place where the lives of the children and youth are guided in Christ. On the admin@schgocdc.org ή καλέστε στο για να μας ενημερώσετε! beautiful campus, in a nurturing environment of prayer and grace, they are led in the path of truth and love. They are shown the blessings of the life in Christ, how to follow His will and to find strength and assurance in His promises. They see Marble the hope, joy, and Icon power Screen #2 in a life of faith and a lifelong relationship with Him. This sacred work was also the focus of the patron saint of the Academy, Saint Basil. For the sick, orphans, travelers, and many others in need, he offered an encounter with Christ by taking His love to them. For others he guided them in truth and love through teaching and preaching, as a faithful and caring pastor, to their Savior and Redeemer. This is also our calling today. In our support for Saint Basil Academy, we are led by our Ladies Philoptochos Society and our local Philoptochos chapters in collecting an offering and in the celebration of the cutting of the Vasilopeta. We are also led by Christ and by the example of Saint Basil to fulfill the command of our Lord and let the children come to me. In your ministry in the parish and in your daily life in Christ, you are called to offer Him and guide others to an encounter with the Lord that will lead to abundant and eternal life. On this day may we offer our prayers and generous support for Saint Basil Academy. May we strengthen this vital work to children and youth in fulfilling the request of our Lord and in honoring the legacy of all who have established and supported this ministry in the past seventy years. May you also receive the abundant and rich blessings of our Lord at the beginning of this new year as we offer Him glory and honor unto the ages of ages! With paternal love in Christ, DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL MINISTRY 17

18 St. Kosmas Aitolos Bookstore BOOKSTORE HOURS: Monday thru Friday 10am-4pm I Know a Man in Christ Elder Sophrony: The Basics of the Divine Liturgy By: Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos $32.00 The Priesthood is not given to man as a reward for virtues, but as a gift for the edification of the Church. Someone becomes a Priest in order to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and to sanctify the people. Also, the Priesthood has a social significance, since he will deal with the construction of the church and the suffering of the Christians. So he also needs these qualifications, besides the spirituality. The Divine Liturgy occurred one time forever. It has eternality. Every time the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, we rise up to its height. If we live some aspects of the Divine Liturgy, then we will understand its greatness, as happened with St. Seraphim of Sarov who saw angels coming to the church during the Small Entrance. We follow the Divine Liturgy, because we do not live it, or until we live it. The Divine Liturgy teaches us to live with the heart. By celebrating the Divine Liturgy we keep the command of Christ: Drink this in remembrance of Me (Lk. 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24). That s why we say: Remembering this saving command. This is not a psychological fact, but spiritual. Thus, every time we celebrate the Divine Liturgy, we are obedient to the word of Christ, and we penetrate the Divine Mystagogy in the Liturgy of Christ. What God did once, remains now forever. This happens with the Divine Liturgy. One time Christ celebrated it in the Upper Room with the Mystical Supper, and this remains forever. The Christian, depending on the sacrifice he makes and his infiltration of Grace with this spirit of the Divine Liturgy, receives Grace from God, and is purified of the passions. The Divine Liturgy in its perfection is the supplication and prayer for the entire world. This is the so-called royal officiation-priesthood. Thus, man reaches the end of the age. He does not wait for the day of the Lord, but this day of the Lord comes to him. So by Grace he becomes timeless. From I Knew A Man In Christ: The Life and Times of Elder Sophrony, the Hesychast and Theologian (Οἶδα ἄνθρωπον ἐν Χριστῶ: Βίος καὶ πολιτεία τοῦ Γέροντος Σωφρονίου τοῦ ἡσυχαστοῦ καὶ θεολόγου) by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou Μαρτυρίες Προσκυνητών. Γέροντας Παΐσιος ο Αγιορείτης (Τόμος Β') - $35.00 Το βιβλίο είναι ο 2ος τόμος στον οποίον καταγράφεται πλήθος μαρτυριών για τον μεγάλο σύγχρονο Άγιο της εποχής μας, τον Γέροντα Παΐσιο, από κληρικούς, μοναχούς και λαϊκούς, που τον γνώρισαν και ευεργετήθηκαν ποικιλοτρόπως από τις σοφές συμβουλές και την προσευχή του. Στο βιβλίο περιέχονται επίσης πολλές μαρτυρίες σχετικά με το διορατικό και προορατικό χάρισμα του Γέροντα, νουθεσίες, λόγοι σοφίας και χάριτος και πολλά θαυμαστά γεγονότα. Σπουδαίο μέρος του βιβλίου αποτελούν οι μαρτυρίες σχετικά με τα εθνικά μας θέματα τα οποία τον τελευταίο καιρό βρίσκονται σε επικαιρότητα μερικές από τις οποίες έχουν κατατεθεί επωνύμως από αξιωματικούς των ενόπλων μας δυνάμεων. Η πολύ επιμελημένη αυτή έκδοση συμπληρώνεται από ωραιότατες έγχρωμες φωτογραφίες, ευρετήρια εννοιών, πραγμάτων και φωτογραφιών. Το οπισθόφυλλο, τέλος, του βιβλίου κοσμείται από τη βαρύνουσα μαρτυρία του Μητροπολίτου Αιτωλίας και Ακαρνανίας κ.κ. Κοσμά. 18

19 CELEBRATIONS, BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES Baptism of Zoe Georgiana Harrison June 11, 2015 Congratulations to Stella & Michael Harrison on the Baptism of their daughter, Zoe Georgiana. Πάντα Αξια Νουνά, Ms. Stephanie Gouskos! Να Σας Ζήσει!! May God grant Zoe Georgiana all the blessings of His gentle love and may she enjoy a lifetime of good health and happiness. 19

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21 SEE YOUR AD HERE!!! OUR Parishioners Business is OUR Business!! We want to help your business, the business of our Stewards, to thrive. At NO CHARGE we will advertise your business in our bulletin and on our website. Submit a digital copy of your ad to admin@schgocdc.org. 21

22 OLI MAZI! Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h of Washington, DC Temporary Church Address: St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD Office Address: 701 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD Phone: (240) office@schgocdc.org Website: Reverend Father Michael J. Eaccarino, Presiding Priest Cell Phone: (301) & fm@papouli.net We welcome all visitors among us always! We hope you find our worship true and reverent and our people here friendly and cordial. If you are seeking a spiritual home, we would be honored by your presence in our family. We are glad you chose to worship with us today. ALTAR BOYS Paul R. Zayas CHOIR Dr. Theodore Papaloizos ted@greek123.com CATECHETICAL MINISTRY Tara Kavadias Director & Voula Vithoulkas Director STEWARDSHIP Sotirios Nasios snasios@yahoo.com YOUTH MINISTRY Elias Mavromatis HOPE & JOY Athanasia Raptis (301) & Maria Poulakis (301) GREEK LANGUAGE MINISTRY Ifigenia Kambanis & Erini Iatrou GREEK DANCE MINISTRY Elaine Romas eromas@verizon.net & Kristina Maria Paspalis PHILOPTOCHOS Paraskevoula Hays YOUNG AT HEART Helen Thornberg & Christina Clifton

23 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY Tel: (212) Fax: (212) YOUR PRIEST IS AVAILABLE TO YOU Protocol Number 24/7! 01/15 January 1, 2015 Feast of Saint Basil and New Year Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14) Please call or text FM s cell phone ( ) or (fm@papouli.net) for anything you might need, including To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, appointments, the Day, Afternoon, questions and Church Schools, or any the Philoptochos special Sisterhoods, events. the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Fr. Michael: (301) Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On this blessed Feast of Saint Basil and the beginning of the New Year, our honored tradition is to offer prayers and support for the sacred ministry of our beloved Saint Basil Academy. For seventy years this institution of our Holy Archdiocese has offered the love of Christ, the comfort of His presence, and the healing power of faith to children, Ο ΙΕΡΕΥΣ youth, and families ΣΑΣ in need. ΕΙΝΑΙ Serving Orthodox ΣΤΗ children ΔΙΑΘΕΣΗ from throughout ΣΑΣ the United 24/7. States, Saint Basil Academy continues to provide a caring and spiritual environment where they are able to grow, learn, and achieve. Παρακαλώ να τον καλείτε στο κινητό τηλέφωνο για οτι This vital mission of Saint Basil Academy, carried out by the directors, staff, trustees and benefactors, is in keeping with our Lord s command θελετε. to let the Σας children ευχαριστούμε! come to me. This is accomplished through this ministry by bringing the love of Christ to those in need. Everything that is offered for the children and youth at Saint Basil s is offered in the name and presence of Christ. In daily care, in counseling and teaching, in recreation, and in worship, the students encounter Christ and His abundant and comforting love. Saint Basil Academy is also a place where the lives of the children and youth are guided in Christ. On the beautiful campus, in a nurturing environment of prayer and grace, they are led in the path of truth and love. They are shown the blessings of the life in Christ, how to follow His will and to find strength and assurance in His promises. They see the hope, joy, and power in a life of faith and a lifelong relationship with Him. This sacred work was also the focus of the patron saint of the Academy, Saint Basil. For the sick, orphans, travelers, and many others in need, he offered an encounter with Christ by taking His love to them. For others he guided them in truth and love through teaching and preaching, as a faithful and caring pastor, to their Savior and Redeemer. This is also our calling today. In our support for Saint Basil Academy, we are led by our Ladies Philoptochos Society and our local Philoptochos chapters in collecting an offering and in the celebration of the cutting of the Vasilopeta. We are also led by Christ and by the example of Saint Basil to fulfill the command of our Lord and let the children come to me. In your ministry in the parish and in your daily life in Christ, you are called to offer Him and guide others to an encounter with the Lord that will lead to abundant and eternal life. On this day may we offer our prayers and generous support for Saint Basil Academy. May we strengthen this vital work to children and youth in fulfilling the request of our Lord and in honoring the legacy of all who have established and supported this ministry in the past seventy years. May you also receive the abundant and rich blessings of our Lord at the beginning of this new year as we offer Him glory and honor unto the ages of ages! With paternal love in Christ, DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL MINISTRY 23