Fast of the Apostles Begins TOMORROW through June 28 th

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1 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h of Washington, DC The Sunday of All Saints June 7, 2015 Fast of the Apostles Begins TOMORROW through June 28 th ΑΥΡΙΟ Αρχίζει η Νηστεία των Αγίων Αποστόλων

2 YMNOI THΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιμον /Ἦχος πλ. δʹ Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. HYMNS OF THE DAY Resurrectional Apolytikion/Mode pl 4 You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You. Τῶν Ἁγίων/Ἠχος δʹ Τῶν ἐν ὅλῳ τῷ κόσμῳ Μαρτύρων σου, ὡς πορφύραν καὶ βύσσον τὰ αἵματα, ἡ Ἐκκλησία σου στολισαμένη, δι' αὐτῶν βοᾷ σοι Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, τῷ λαῷ σου τοὺς οἰκτιρμούς σου κατάπεμψον, εἰρήνην τῇ πολιτείᾳ σου δώρησαι, καὶ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. For the Saints/Mode 4 Your Church is arrayed in the holy blood of Your Martyrs who witnessed throughout the world, as though in purple and fine linen. Through them she cries to You, Christ our God, "Send down to Your people Your tender love, grant peace from above to Your commonwealth, and to our souls Your great mercy." 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. 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. 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. 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. Κοντάκιον/Ἦχος πλ. δʹ. Αὐτόμελον Ὡς ἀπαρχὰς τῆς φύσεως, τῷ φυτουργῷ τῆς κτίσεως, ἡ οἰκουμένη προσφέρει σοι Κύριε, τοὺς θεοφόρους Μάρτυρας ταῖς αὐτῶν ἱκεσίαις, ἐν εἰρήνῃ βαθείᾳ, τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν σου, διὰ τῆς Θεοτόκου συντήρησον, πολυέλεε. Kontakion/ Mode pl 4 O Planter of creation, Lord, to You does the entire world bring as an offering the Godbearing martyr Saints, as being nature's first fruits. At their earnest entreaties, keep Your Church in a state of profoundest peace, through the Theotokos, O Lord abundantly merciful. 2

3 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Στα Νεα Ελληνικα Αυρτοί, χάρις εις την πίστιν των, ηγωνίσθησαν και κατενίκησαν βασίλεια, ήσκησαν δικαιοσύνην, επέτυχαν την πραγματοποίησιν των υποσχέσεων του Θεού, έφραξαν τα στόματα των αγρίων λεόντων, όπως ο Δανιήλ, έσβησαν την φοβεράν δύναμιν της φωτιάς, όπως οι τρεις παίδες, διέφυγαν τον κίνδυνον να σφαγούν με μαχαίρια, όπως ο Ηλίας, εδυναμώθησαν και έγιναν καλά από αρρώστιες, ανεδείχθησαν κραταιοί και δυνατοί στον πόλεμον, έκαμψαν και έτρεψαν εις φυγήν πολυάριθμα στρατεύματα ξένων εχθρών. Μερικές γυναίκες, χάρις εις αυτήν την πίστιν, επήραν πάλιν ζωντανούς, δια της αναστάσεως τους νεκρούς των. Αλλοι δε εδέθησαν στο τύμπανον, στο φοβερά βασανιστικόν εκείνον όργανον, χωρίς να δεχθούν την απελευθέρωσιν, που τους επρότειναν οι βασανισταί των, εάν ηρνούντο την πίστιν των, και υπέμειναν το φοβερόν μαρτύριον μέχρι θανάτου, δια να επιτύχουν και πάρουν ανάστασιν ασυγκρίτως καλυτέραν από την παρούσαν ζωήν. Αλλοι δε εδοκίμασαν εμπαιγμούς και μαστιγώσεις, ακόμη δε δεσμά και φυλακήν. Ελιθοβολήθησαν, επριονίσθησαν, επέρασαν μέσα από πολλούς πειρασμούς, απέθαναν σφαγέντες με μάχαιραν, περιήρχοντο εδώ και εκεί φορούντες, αντί για ενδύματα, προβιές και δέρματα γιδιών, στερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, υποβαλλόμενοι εις πολλάς κακουχίας. Τετοιους αγίους δεν ήτο άξιος να τους έχη ο αμαρτωλός κόσμος. Επεριπλανώντο εις τις ερημίες, εις τα όρη, εις τα σπήλαια, εις τις τρύπες της γης. Και όλοι αυτοί, μολονότι έλαβαν την καλήν και τιμίαν μαρτυρίαν, ότι ευηρέστησαν στον Θεόν χάρις εις την πίστιν των, δεν απήλαυσαν πλήρως την υπόσχεσιν της λυτρώσεως και της ουρανίου βασιλείας. Διότι ο Θεός επρόβλεψε δι' ημάς κάτι καλύτερον δηλαδή να μη απολαύσουν αυτοί πλήρη την τελείωσιν και την μακαριότητα χωρίς ημάς (αλλ' όλοι μαζή σαν ένα πνευματικόν σώμα να απολαύσωμεν κατά την δευτέραν παρυσίαν την μακαριότητα της βασιλείας των ουρανών). Δια τούτο, λοιπόν, και ημείς, αφού έχομεν ολόγυρά μας τόσον μεγάλο νέφος αναριθμήτων αγίων, που εμαρτύρησαν και εμαρτυρήθησαν δια την πίστιν των, ας πετάξωμεν μακρυά από επάνω μας κάθε βάρος από τας καταθλιπτικάς μερίμνας του βίου και προπαντός την αμαρτίαν, η οποία από όλα τα σημεία κατά τρόπον δελεαστικόν και προκλητικόν εύκολα μας περιβάλλει, και ας τρέχωμεν με επιμονήν και υπομονήν τον αγώνα, που ευρίσκεται ενώπιον μας. Δια να αντλούμεν δε θάρρος και δύναμιν, ας έχωμεν προσηλωμένα με πίστιν τα βλέμματά μας στον Χριστόν, τον αρχηγόν και ιδρυτήν της πίστεώς μας, ο οποίος με την χάριν του μας χειραγωγεί στον δρόμον της τελειότητος. Αυτός αντί της μακαριότητος, την οποίαν είχε πάντοτε εμπρός του ως Θεός και αντί της χαράς την οποίαν εδικαιούτο να απολαμβάνη και ως άνθρωπος αναμάρτητος ευαρεστήσας κατά πάντα στον Πατέρα, επροτίμησε και υπέμεινε τον σταυρικόν θάνατον και κατεφρόνησε την εντροπήν και τον εξευτελισμόν προς χάριν ημών. Και δια τούτο έχει καθίσει τώρα εις τα δεξιά του θρόνου του Θεού St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2 EPISTLE BRETHREN, all the saints 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. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfection of our faith. 3

4 ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ Στα Νεα Ελληνικα Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30 Καθένας, λοιπόν, που με πίστιν και θάρρος και χωρίς να φοβήται τους διωγμούς, θα με ομολογήση σωτήρα του και Θεόν του εμπρός στους ανθρώπους, θα τον ομολογήσω και εγώ έμπροσθεν του ουρανίου πατρός μου ως ιδικόν μου. Οποιος όμως με αρνηθή εμπρός στους ανθρώπους, θα αρνηθώ και εγώ να τον παραδεχθώ ως ιδικόν μου εμπρός στον ουράνιον Πατέρα μου. Εκείνος που αγαπά τον πατέρα η την μητέρα του παραπάνω από εμέ, δεν είναι άξιος να λέγεται οπαδός μου. Και εκείνος που αγαπά τον υιόν του η την κόρην του παραπάνω από εμέ, δεν είναι άξιος να λέγεται οπαδός μου. Και όποιος δεν παίρνει σταθεράν την απόφασιν να υποστή κάθε ταλαιπωρίαν και σταυρικόν ακόμη θάνατον δια την πίστιν του εις εμέ και δεν με ακολουθεί ως αρχηγόν και υπόδειγμά του, δεν είναι άξιος για μένα. Τοτε απεκρίθη ο Πετρος και του είπε ιδού ημείς αφήσαμεν όλα και σε ηκολουθήσαμεν. Ποία τάχα θα είναι η αμοιβή μας; Ο δε Ιησούς απήντησεν εις αυτούς σας διαβεβαιώνω ότι σεις που με έχετε ακολουθήσει εδώ εις την γην, όταν εις την συντέλεια των αιώνων αναδημιουργηθή νέος κόσμος και αναστηθούν οι νεκροί και ο υιός του ανθρώπου καθίση επάνω στον ένδοξον θρόνον του, τότε και σεις θα καθίσετε επάνω εις δώδεκα θρόνους, δια να κρίνετε τας δώδεκα φυλάς του Ισραήλ. Και κάθε ένας, ο οποίος προς χάριν μου αφήκε οικίας η αδελφούς η αδελφάς η πατέρα η μητέρα η γυναίκα η χωράφια, θα λάβη εδώ εις την γην εκατό φορές περισσότερα και, το σπουδαιότερον, θα κληρονομήση την αιωνίαν ζωήν. Πολλοί δε που στον κόσμον αυτόν, ένεκα των αξιωμάτων τα οποία κατέχουν και όχι δια την αρετήν των, είναι πρώτοι, εις την βασιλείαν των ουρανών θα είναι τελευταίοι και πολλοί που στον κόσμον αυτόν θεωρούνται τελευταίοι, θα είναι εκεί πρώτοι. 4

5 GOSPEL The Gospel of Matthew 10:32-33; 37-38; 19:27-30 The Lord said to his disciples, "Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first." 5

6 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 6

7 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! 7

8 SAINTS AND FEASTS Bartholomew the Holy Apostle June 11 Saint Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles, and had Galilee as his homeland; this is all that is known of him for certain according to the history of the Gospels. Concerning his apostolic work, certain say that he preached in Arabia and Persia, and especially in India, bringing to them the Gospel written by Saint Matthew, which had been written originally in Hebrew, and which was found there one hundred years later by Pantaenus, formerly a stoic philosopher and later an illustrious teacher of the Christian school in Alexandria (see Eusebius, Eccl. Hist., 5: 10). Other accounts say that he went to Armenia. According to some, he ended his life by being crucified, or by being flayed alive, in Albanopolis (Urbanopolis) of Armenia. This also confirms an ancient tradition preserved by the Armenians. According to some, Bartholomew and Nathanael are the same person, because the Evangelists who mention Bartholomew do not mention Nathanael; and John, who alone mentions Nathanael as one of the Twelve, says nothing of Bartholomew. Indeed, Bartholomew is a patronymic, "son of Talmai," which means "bold, spirited" (see also Jesus of Navi 15:14; II Kings 3:3), and Nathanael could have had this as a surname. According to the Synaxarion of the Menaion on April 22, however, it is Simon the Zealot and Nathanael who are the same; the Evangelists who mention Simon the Zealot (or "the Canaanite") do not mention Nathanael. Barnabas the Holy Apostle June 11 Saint Barnabas, one of the Seventy, was from Cyprus, of the tribe of Levi, and a fellow disciple with Paul under Gamaliel. He was called Joses, but was renamed Barnabas, which means "son of consolation," perhaps to distinguish him from the Joses called Barsabas and surnamed Justus (Acts 1:23). Saint Barnabas had a field, which he sold and brought the money to the Apostles (Acts 4:36-37). Before the conversion of Saul to Paul, it was Barnabas who was the leader of the Seventy Apostles, the first in preaching and chief spokesman. After Saul's vision on the road to Damascus, it was Barnabas who joined him to the Apostles when the others, because of Saul's reputation as a persecutor of the Church, still feared him (Acts 9:26-27); again it was Saint Barnabas who conscripted Paul as a preacher, bringing him from Tarsus to Antioch after the stoning of Stephen, to assist in spreading the Gospel (Acts 11:25-26). Saint Barnabas preached the Gospel in many places, traveled together with Paul, and finally was stoned to death by the Jews in his native Cyprus. During the reign of Zeno, in the year 478, his sacred relics were found, having on his chest the Gospel according to Matthew written in Greek by Barnabas' own hand. This Gospel was brought to Zeno. Because of this the Church of Cyprus received the right of autonomy, and its archbishop was given the privilege, like the emperor, of signing his decrees and encyclicals in vermilion. 8

9 40-DAYS BABY BLESSING For your convenience we are letting you know that you can make an appointment to church your baby on the 40th day after its birth, no matter what day that might be. There is no reason that you have to inconvenience the mom and the baby, waiting in the back of the Narthex until the priest is available on a Sunday ONLY. Make an appointment to come to church when it is convenient for you at a time that will not disrupt the baby's routine. ANY day you would like. 9am through 6pm by appointment. Bring the entire family or come just with your husband and the baby. Whatever you want. No waiting no inconvenience. More private time with the priest to talk about the future baptism if you wish. Call the office for an appointment. 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 and Maria. 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 Mrs. Pauline Fotos June 14, Day Memorial Mrs. Catherine Karadimos June 14, Day Memorial 9

10 GOYA: Our GOYA pool party will be held on Monday, June 15th from 4:00pm 8:000pm. Please join us at the Tanterra Swim Club, Tanterra Way, Brookeville, MD If you know someone who would like to join our GOYA, please bring them to our pool party! For more information, please contact Mrs. Alexandra Pittas at Philoptochos News: Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund Ministry Fundraiser. Help us build our dream, by dining out June 13 to June 21, Dine out at the Greek Islands Grill, New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD The Greek Islands Grill will donate 20% of your check to our Building Fund Ministry (Remember to tell your server that you are with Sts. Constantine & Helen Church)!! Bring your family and friends! The more you eat, the more money Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church will receive! The best part of this fundraiser is, Someone else cleans the dishes after the meal! All summer we will be collecting flip flops for the Rainbow Place Shelter for Women in Rockville. We would like to collect at least 50 pairs of flip flops! Any color, any size. Most dollar stores are carrying them now! Thank you for your continued support in our endeavors to reach out and help those in need. Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCM): The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) is currently seeking 20+ volunteers to fill two teams that will be offering youth retreats in Alaska this July. These teams are vital as the Church strives to teach Alaskan youth about the Faith and to help them live it in their daily lives. The cost to participate on the team serving from July 6th to the 13th is $1,320 plus airfare. Participation cost for the July 22nd to 30th team is $1,530 plus airfare. For more information, or to apply, visit or call Pres. Renee Ritsi at ext 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 for an appointment. 10

11 STEWARDS STEWARDSHIP AS OF JUNE 7, 2015 The following names are of families who love their God and have renewed their Commitment to the Church Ministries of Sts. Constantine & Helen: Mrs. Barbara Frangou Mr. & Mrs. Demetre Koutras, Jr. Ms. Marianthy Mendez Miss Christina Romas Mr. & Mrs. George Romas Miss Maria Romas Mr. & Mrs. Paulos Siskos Mr. & Mrs. George Sourvinos Mrs. Soula Zavras Stewardship pamphlets are available in the Narthex of the Church, or you may contact the Church office, and we will gladly send one to you by mail! 11

12 OUR GREEK LANGUAGE MINISTRY GRADUATES 2015 Alexandros Docuto Sophia Fankowski Nikolaos Garbis Sophia Georgopoulos Eleni Mantzouranis Sarantis Markaris Emma Maroules Hailey McIlvaine Maria Petersen Maria Pizanias Ava Sakkos Nicoletta Sideris Penelope Xeron 12

13 New Beginnings By Jim Burns If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 At a conference of governors several years ago, an interesting question was raised: What is the greatest thing in the world? It was absolutely quiet. None of the governors had an answer. Finally a young aide took the microphone and said, The greatest thing in the world is that we can walk away from yesterday. I m not even sure if that young aide knew that she had just summarized the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The good news of the Christian faith is we can walk away from yesterday. The Apostle Paul could walk away from his persecution of the Christians and answer the call to Christ (see Acts 9). The adulterous woman could walk away from her destructive lifestyle into a new journey with Jesus Christ (see John 8). Matthew could walk away from his job as a crooked tax collector and follow Christ into a new life (see Mark 2). The prodigal son could walk away from his life of moral failures in the far country and walk into the loving, forgiving arms of his father (see Luke 15). To walk away from the failures and guilt of yesterday lies at the very heart of forgiveness. This is no call to cop out, drop out, or otherwise escape responsibility or the consequences of our choices. But it is a liberating message that no one, absolutely no one, is tied to a past from which there is no release. The gospel gladly sings of the possibility of new beginnings. Aren t you glad you have been released from your past? GOING DEEPER: 1. Read David s psalm of forgiveness: Psalm 51. What are the results of his confession of sin? 2. In what areas of your life do you need a new beginning? List these areas and pray for forgiveness according to 1 John 1: QUOTE OF THE WEEK That we should always blame ourselves... Part 2 of 5 Sometimes we find ourselves at odds with another person, and we stubbornly insist: He is at fault. He s the one who became angry. He s the one who spoke to me rudely. He must humble himself. If he had spoken to me calmly and addressed me with respect, I would have been patient and not have been offended. Hence, He is to blame! We must oppose such thoughts by responding: No, no! If I did not have egotism, I would not be bothered. Hence, I am to blame. My brother is not at fault. 13

14 What is True Love? In today's active worldly life we tend to experience a life filled with anxiety and concern. We all want to be loved but deep down we feel something is lacking. Subconsciously we are tormented and seek through external actions to eliminate this source of anxiety. Not experiencing true love based on the Gospel, we seek substitutes in self-help programs, yoga, eastern meditation, various philosophical, political or economic teachings, place our faith and hope in a particular leader or in an ideal like democracy. We may seek friendship by aligning ourselves with a particular political party that proclaims our current political views. We seek to be accepted, filling an inner void. But none of our external actions will give us what we seek. What we truly seek is spiritual, it is the Gospel love. The whole essence of the Gospel is a teaching about love that was brought to us through the Incarnation Son of God. It is about God's love for us, our need to return this love to Him and to love our fellow man. When we accept His love and then act like Him, we find that no matter what is happening externally we find peace in a heart filled with love. Unfortunately, today we see too many whose heart is filled with what appears to be hatred. We only have to look as far as the current political dialogue that is amplified by TV commentators and other media. How do we acquire this true Gospel love? Archbishop Averky writes, In order to acquire the Gospel love in one's heart, it is necessary to ardently and wholeheartedly come to believe in God as our Creator and Benefactor, to contemplate God's magnificent works, to envision and be profoundly amazed by God's majesty and wisdom as reflected in His creation, and by His inexpressible love towards His creation. If we become aware of how God cares for us like an all-loving Father, and even more gently, like an adoring mother, then our hearts will be filled to overflowing with ardent and reverent love for Him. Further if we reflect that God is not only our Creator and Benefactor, but also our Savior; that He did not reject fallen Man who in return for all of God's beneficence, repaid Him with base ingratitude, but for our sake did not spare His Only-Begotten Son, delivering Him to shameful sufferings and painful death, so that He can reunite us to Himself, we would have to be as insensitive as stones if we did not answer God's love with love. But it seems all to prevalent that many people only love their own desires. It appears that they love themselves more than anything. This includes people who even say they love God. Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov says, "Love God as He commanded you to love Him, and not as the self-deluded daydreamers think they love Him." Self-love will not lead us to the peace that comes with accepting and returning God's love. It will not fill this deep inner void we subconsciously seek to fill. This true love must be spiritual. It must be free from our self-centered wants and desires. To love God we must be humble. We cannot express our love when we act like we are god, the center of everything. The criterion for authentic and spiritual love is given in a few passages of Scripture. Jesus says, If you love Me, keep my commandments (John 14:15). He who does not love Me does not keep My words (John 14:24). To love God therefore means we must struggle with our whole being to live what He has taught and shown us. What does this imply? That we must study the Gospel. Studying with an open heart, taking His words as our most important teacher, we can learn how to love God. As we begin to put what He has taught into practice, we will begin to overcome our self-centeredness. He leads us to a state of Love. Not just love of God, but of love of others, including our perceived enemies. We will all become beacons of His light and preachers of the Gospel. Archbishop Averky writes, The basis of everything is pure and genuine love for God, which is proved by sincere desire and earnest effort to fulfill the commandments of the Lord. This love for God naturally generates in us feelings of love towards our neighbor. Love for others is so closely connected with love for God that Scripture considers it as a measure of our love for God. "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar" (1John 4:20), claims the Apostle. This is the purpose of an Orthodox Christian way of life. Following the Gospel and nurtured in the Church, we seek to get rid of all our egoism and fill our hearts with love of God and others. All self-love, our selfish desires and wants, our external efforts to find acceptance by others, all such ways that most commonly dominate our heart must be purged. When our hearts are filled with true love, our world changes. We will then find the peace that we in error seek through external actions. Archbishop Averky says, Without Christ, peace is inconceivable, for only Christ's Gospel love can give reliable and enduring peace. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives do I give to you," said Christ Himself to His disciples during the Mystical Supper (John 14:27). Whoever wants to achieve true peace on earth must approach it not through world peace conferences, where everything is based on lies and dishonesty, but through the peace of Christ, through implanting Christ's Gospel love in human hearts. 14

15 Η νηστεία των Αγίων Αποστόλων Πέτρου και Παύλου 21 Ιουνίου, 2011 VatopaidiFriend Η νηστεία των Αγίων Αποστόλων (Πέτρου και Παύλου) δεν έχει συγκεκριμένη χρονική διάρκεια, καθώς η έναρξή της εξαρτάται από την κινητή εορτή του Πάσχα. Αρχίζει από τη Δευτέρα μετά την Κυριακή των Αγίων Πάντων και λήγει στις 28 Ιουνίου, δηλ. την παραμονή της εορτής των Αγ. Αποστόλων Πέτρου και Παύλου. Κατά την περίοδο αυτή νηστεύουμε από το κρέας και τα γαλακτοκομικά, το ψάρι επιτρέπεται κάθε μέρα εκτός από Τετάρτη και Παρασκευή. ναφέρουν για την αξία και τη σημασία της νηστείας: 1) ο Άγιος Κοσμάς ο Αιτωλός: «Πρέπει και ημείς, αδελφοί μου, οι ευσεβείς χριστιανοί, να νηστεύωμεν πάντοτε, μα περισσότερον την Τετράδη, διατί επουλήθηκε ο Κύριος και την Παρασκευή διατί εσταυρώθη. Ομοίως έχομε χρέος να νηστεύωμεν και τες άλλες Τεσσαρακοστές, καθώς εφώτισε το Άγιον Πνεύμα τους αγίους Πατέρας της Εκκλησίας μας και μας έγραψαν δια να νηστεύωμεν, να νεκρώνωμεν τα πάθη, να ταπεινώνωμεν τη σάρκα, το σώμα.» 2) ο Άγιος Βασίλειος : «MΗΝ ΠΕΡΙΟΡΙΖΕΙΣ όμως το καλό της νηστείας μόνο στην αποχή από το φαγητό. Γιατί πραγματική νηστεία είναι μόνο να μην κάνεις τίποτε άδικο. Να Λύνεις κάθε δεσμό αδικίας. Συγχώρησε τον πλησίον σου για το κακό που σού έκανε και ξέχασε αυτά πού σού χρωστάει». «Η νηστεία σας να είναι καθαρή απο δικαστικές πράξεις και προστριβές. Κρέας δέν τρως, αλλά κατασπαράζεις τον αδελφό σου. Νηστεύεις το κρασί, αλλα είσαι σπάταλος στις αδικίες. Περιμένεις να έρθει το βράδυ για να φάς αλλά ξοδεύεις ολη την ημέρα σου στα δικαστήρια. Αλοίμονο σε κείνους που δεν μεθάνε απο κρασί, αλλά απο τις αδικίες.» Ή νηστεία τών άγίων Αποστόλων 1. Μία ακόμη μακρά περίοδος νηστείας είναι ή λεγόμενη νηστεία τών άγίων Αποστό λων. 'Ονομάζεται έτσι διότι προηγείται τών δυο αποστολικών εορτών: τής εορτής τών άγίων πρωτοκορυφαίων αποστόλων Πέτρου καί Παύλου, 29 'Ιουνίου, καί τής «Συνάξεως τών Δώδεκα 'Αποστόλων», 30 'Ιοννίον. Σύνα ξη τών άγίων Αποστόλων όταν λέμε, έννοον με τή συνάθροιση τών πιστών γιά τήν προσ φορά τής θείας Ευχαριστίας πρός τιμήν όλων γενικά τών Δώδεκα 'Αποστόλων, τών όποίων τή μνήμη έορτάζει καί ξεχωριστά γιά τόν κα θένα ή 'Εκκλησία μας. 2. `Η χρονική διάρκεια αυτής τής περιό 2. `Η χρονική διάρκεια αυτής τής περιό δου είναι ακαθόριστη έπειδή ή έναρξή της έξαρτάται άπό τήν κινητή έορτή τον Πάσχα. Πότε άρχίζει; 'Αρχίζει τή Δευτέρα μετά τήν Κυριακή τών άγίων Πάντων καί λήγει σταθε ρά τήν 28η 'Ιοννίον, παραμονή τής έορτής τών άγίων αποστόλων Πέτρου καί Παύλου. 'Ετσι είναι δυνατόν νά διαρκέσει κατά τό πα λαιό ημερολόγιο μέχρι καί σαράντα δυο ήμέ ρες, άν τό Πάσχα συμπέσει στις 22 Μαρτίου. 'Ενώ κατά τό νέο ημερολόγιο που Ισχύει σή μερα, δέν υπερβαίνει ποτέ τις τριάντα ήμέ ρες. Μερικές φορές μάλιστα, όταν ή Κυριακή τών άγίων Πάντων συμπέσει μετά τις 27 'Ιον νίον -όπως συμβαίνει όταν τό Πάσχα έορ τάζεται άπό τίς 5 ώς τίς 8 Μαϊου- τότε δέν έχουμε καθόλου νηστεία. Τώρα, άν λέγεται καί ή περίοδος αυτή Τεσσαρακοστή, όνομάζεται καταχρηστικά, άφον ποτέ δέν φτάνει τίς σαράντα ήμέρες τουλάχιστον μέ τό νέο ημερολόγιο. `Η σημα σία, έπομένως, που γιά τήν περίοδο αυτή προσλαμβάνει ό όρος Τεσσαρακοστή, είναι τής έγκράτειας καί τής νηστείας. 3. `Η ύπαρξη αυτής τής νηστείας μαρτυρεί 3. `Η ύπαρξη αυτής τής νηστείας μαρτυρεί ται άπό πολύ παλαιά, άπό τον άγιο καί Μέγα 'Αθανάσιο καί τίς Αποστολικές Διαταγές. Οί τελευταίες συνιστούν σχετικά: «Μετά ουν τό εορτάσαι νμάς τήν Πεντηκο «Μετά ουν τό εορτάσαι νμάς τήν Πεντηκο στήν εορτάσατε μίαν εβδομάδα, καί μετ' εκείνην νησεεύσατε μίαν' δίκαιον γάρ καί ενφρανθήναι επί τή εκ Θεού δωρεα καί νη στευσαι μετά τήν άνεσιν» 80. Κατά τήν εβδομάδα μετά τήν Πεντηκοστή τοποθετεί τή νηστεία καί ό Μέγας 'Αθανά σιος 8 ι 'Από τίς μαρτυρίες αυτές συνάγουμε ότι'από τίς μαρτυρίες αυτές συνάγουμε ότι πολύ πρίν ορισθεί ή εορτή τών άγίων αποστό λων Πέτρου καί Παύλου στίς 29 'Ιουνίου -ή εορτή εϊσήχθη στήν Κωνσταντινούπολη άπό τή Ρώμη κατά τον Ε αίώνα-, ή νηστεία ήταν επταήμερη καί συνδεόταν μέ τήν Πεντηκοστή επειδή μετά άπό αυτήν οί 'Απόστολοι «νη σιεύσαντες καί προσευξάμενοι» (Πράξ. 13, 3) άρχισαν τό κηρνκτικό τους έργο. Γιά τον λόγο αυτό καί ονομάσιηκε νηστεία τών άγίων Απο στόλων. 'Αργότερα δέ, όταν καθιερώθηκε ή άποοτολιχή εορτή, ή νηστεία παρατάθηκε μέ χρι τήν 29η 'Ιουνίου καί Θεωρήθηκε ώς περίο δος προετοιμασίας γιά τήν εορτή. Μέ αυτό τό πνεύμα αντιλαμβάνεται τίς παραπάνω μαρτυ ρίες καί ο άγιος Νικόδημος ο `Αγιορείτης, ερ μηνεύοντας τον 69ο 'Αποστολικό Κανόνα82. Στή νηστεία τών άγίων 'Αποστόλων ανα φέρονται αργότερα ό 'Αναστάσιος Σιναΐτης, ό άγιος Θεόδωρος ό Στουδίτης, ό άγιος Νι κηφόρος ό `Ομολογητής, πατριάρχης Κων σταντινουπόλεως, καί ό Θεόδωρος Βαλ σαμών. 4. Πώς πρέπει νά νηστεύουμε κατά τή νη στεία αύτη; "Οπως είναι γνωστό, καί σέ αυτή τή νηστεία επιτρέπεται νά καταλύουμε ψ ά ρ ι, ενώ απέχουμε ϋ.πό κρέας, γαλακτερά καί αυ γά. Ψάρι τρώμε, άν θέλουμε, όλες τις ήμέρες, έκτός φυσικά τής Τετάρτης καί τής Παρα σκευής κατά τίς όποίες έχουμε αυστηρή νη στεία. Τό ίδιο ϊσχνει -δηλαδή νηστεύουμε αυ στηρά- καί γιά τήν παραμονή τής εορτής, έκτός κι άν συμπέσει Σάββατο ή Κυριακή. Ψάρι καταλύουμε καί κατά τήν εορτή τον Γενεσίου τον Τιμίού Προδρόμου (24 'Ιου νίου), όποιαδήποτε ήμέρα κι άν πέσει. Αν ή εορτή τών άγ. 'Αποστόλων Πέτρου καί Παύλου (29 'Ιουνίου) πέσει ήμέρα Τε τάρτη ή Παρασκευή, καταλύουμε μόνο ψάρι. 15

16 A History of the Apostle s Fast Patristic Testimony Concerning the Fast The fast of the holy Apostles is very ancient, dating back to the first centuries of Christianity. We have the testimony of St. Athanasius the Great, St. Ambrose of Milan, St. Leo the Great and Theodoret of Cyrrhus regarding it. The oldest testimony regarding the Apostles Fast is given to us by St. Athanasius the Great ( 373). In his letter to Emperor Constance, in speaking of the persecution by the Arians, he writes: During the week following Pentecost, the people who observed the fast went out to the cemetery to pray. The Lord so ordained it, says St. Ambrose ( 397), that as we have participated in his sufferings during the Forty Days, so we should also rejoice in his Resurrection during the season of Pentecost. We do not fast during the season of Pentecost, since our Lord Himself was present amongst us during those days Christ s presence was like nourishing food for the Christians. So too, during Pentecost, we feed on the Lord who is present among us. On the days following his ascension into heaven, however, we again fast (Sermon 61). St. Ambrose basis this practice on the words of Jesus concerning his disciples in the Gospel of Matthew 9:14, 15: Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridgeroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. St. Leo the Great ( 461) says: After the long feast of Pentecost, fasting is especially necessary to purify our thoughts and render us worthy to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Therefore, the salutary custom was established of fasting after the joyful days during which we celebrated the resurrection and ascension of our Lord, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The pilgrim Egeria in her Diary (fourth century) records that on the day following the feast of Pentecost, a period of fasting began. The Apostolic Constitutions, a work no later than the fourth century, prescribes: After the feast of Pentecost, celebrate one week, then observe a fast, for justice demands rejoicing after the reception of the gifts of God and lasting after the body has been refreshed. From the testimonies of the fourth century we ascertain that in Alexandria, Jerusalem and Antioch the fast of the holy Apostles was connected with Pentecost and not with the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul on June 29. In the first centuries, after Pentecost there was one week of rejoicing, that is Privileged Days, followed by about one week of fasting. The canons of Nicephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople ( ), mention the Apostle s Fast. The Typicon of St. Theodore the Studite for the Monastery of Studios in Constantinople speaks of the Forty Days Fast of the holy Apostles. St. Symeon of Thessalonica ( 1429) explains the purpose of this fast in this manner: The Fast of the Apostles is justly established in their honor, for through them we have received numerous benefits and for us they are exemplars and teachers of the fast For one week after the descent of the Holy Spirit, in accordance with the Apostolic Constitution composed by Clement, we celebrate, and then during the following week, we fast in honor of the Apostles. The Fast of the Apostles came into practice in the Church through custom rather than law. For this reason there was no uniformity for a long time, either in its observance or its duration. Some fasted twelve days, others six, still others four, and others only one day. Theodore Balsamon, Patriarch of Antioch ( 1204), regarding the Apostle s Fast, said: All the faithful, that is the laity and the monks, are obliged to fast seven days and more, and whoever refuses to do so, let him be excommunicated from the Christian community. From the work On Three Forty Days Fasts, which is credited to a monk of the monastic community of St. Anastasios the Sinaite (6th or 7th century), we learn that the Fast of the holy Apostles lasted from the first Sunday after Pentecost to the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God on August 15. Later, however, the Fast of the Dormition was separated from it and the month of July was excluded from the Fast of the Apostles. St. Symeon of Thessalonica speaks of the Apostle s Fast as of one week s duration. In the Orthodox Church the Fast of the holy Apostles lasts from the day after the Sunday of All Saints to the 29th of June, the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul. This fast may be of longer or shorter duration depending upon which day Pascha is celebrated. According to the Old Calendar it could last from as little as 8 days to as many as 42 days depending on the date of Pascha, but this is shortened by the New Calendar which sometimes obliterates the Fast altogether. If the feast of Pascha occurs sooner, then the Apostle s Fast is longer; if Pascha comes later, then the Apostle s Fast is shorter. jthe Fast of the Apostles is somewhat more lenient than the Great Fast before Holy Week and Pascha. The Kievan Metropolitan George ( ) approved the Rule for the Kiev Caves Monastery which does not allow meat or dairy products to be eaten during the Apostle s Fast. On Wednesday and Friday, they prescribed dry food, that is, bread and water or dry fruits. On Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday they permited fish, wine and oil. In addition to this, they directed that one hundred prostrations (profound bows to the ground) be made daily, excepting Saturdays, Sundays and holy days (the Feast of the Birth of John the Baptist falls on June 23rd and fish, oil and wine is permitted no matter the day). This rule was transferred to Russia via the Kiev Caves Monastery who based their rule on that of the Monastery of Studios in Constantinople. We can thus assume this was the rule for the Fast practiced by both the Roman Empire and the Russian Empire. This is the rule still practiced today with possible minor variations among jurisdictions. 16

17 PEW Study-Critical Decline in Orthodox Religious Membership An extensive, highly-cited study of religious trends and affiliation of Americans published on May 12 by the wellregarded Pew Research Center found that the Christian share of the U.S. religious population is declining, while the number of U.S. adults who do not identify with any organized religion is growing. The findings from interviews with more than 35,000 Americans in 2014 concludes that the percentage of adults (ages 18 and older) who describe themselves as Christian has dropped by nearly eight percentage points from 78.4% to 70.6% since Pew s last survey just seven years ago. The fastest growing religious affiliation are the nones as Pew s findings call them those who do not affiliate or self-identify with any organized church or religion. Not surprisingly, more and more young adults identify themselves in this none category. The study s results provided some interesting insight on the state of Orthodox Christianity in the U.S., as compared to other Christian and non-christian faiths, including: Orthodox Christians have the most wealth, on a per capita basis, compared to other Christian denominations. 29% of Orthodox Christians have a household income of more than $100,000 per year, as compared to 19% of Catholic households and 14% of Evangelicals. When including non-christian groups, 44% of Jewish households have an income of more than $100,000 and 36% of Hindu families. Marriage rates were down 6% overall, but Orthodox Christians marriage rates are down more significantly than other religious groups. In 2007, 58% of Orthodox Christians identified themselves as married, compared to 48% in In comparison, marriage rates for Catholics were down 6%, for Protestants down 4% and Jews down 1%. Marriage rates for those who identified themselves as Atheist were down 3%. The Orthodox Church seems to be more impacted by interfaith marriage than other religions. Hindus are more likely than any other religious group to have a spouse or partner with the same religion (91%). 82% of Mormons, 79% of and Muslims and 75% of Catholics and Evangelical Protestants are married or living with a partner have a mate who shares their religion. For Orthodox Christians, that number is only about half at just 53%. Orthodox Christians have the highest concentration of first-generation born Americans at 40%, significantly more than other Christian groups, compared to 27% of Catholics and 8% of Protestants. Muslims have the highest concentration of first-generation Americans at 61%, and 26% of Buddhists are first-generation immigrants. Orthodox Christians have one of the lowest rates of retention across Christian and non-christian denominations. Only 53% of adults who were raised in the Orthodox Church still identify themselves as Orthodox Christians. Compare that to Hindus (80%), Jewish (75%), Mormon (64%) and Catholic (59%). While some like to believe that the Orthodox Church was the first Christian denomination, and others boast that we are the true Christian faith, it is abundantly clear we are not the only one. And we are also not the most vibrant, indeed, to the contrary. As Greek Orthodox church leaders chart the institution s path in an American society that looks to be growing increasingly secular, diverse and pluralistic, I hope that using broader societal trends as benchmarks will give our leaders the facts, strength and guidance to ask the tough questions and make the necessary decisions to guide the church s future. For example: Given the relative wealth and household income of Orthodox Christians, why do so many parishes struggle to meet their financial needs? Communities in even the most affluent parts of the country are struggling to repair roofs, pay bills and keep the parishes fully staffed. How do we as a community find a way to bridge the gap between the rather high concentration of immigrants with the large number of interfaith marriages and non-greek spouses and families with declining ties to the language and traditional customs of our culture and heritage? Where ARE those tens of thousands of former Orthodox people who have left the church over the past decade? Do we have tools and training in place to get them back or even ask them why they have dropped out? The Pew research identifies a loss of nearly half of all Orthodox Christians once they become adults. In truth, the recent trends of Greek Orthodox paid membership is even more startling. Credible sources report that just in the past five years, stewardship membership nationwide has fallen from 250,000 families in 2009 to 159,000 families in That is a decline of 38%in just five years. Long term survival of any modern institution bearing such drastic decreases in the ranks of its adherents, stewards and members becomes questionable. What does this all mean for the pipeline of future generations of Greek Orthodox clergy? Not just for recruiting purposes, but how do we train them to better serve a diverse, bifurcated church population with competing needs and expectations? The statistics and conclusions of this study raise questions for the Greek Orthodox Church leadership. These questions are only the start of the rehabilitative process. Just like to any patient in trouble seeking spiritual or mental health therapy, the answers are potentially frightening, disruptive and emotionally charged. But if we continue to espouse the leadership s mantra that the Greek Orthodox Church is on track to succeed in the changing religious landscape of today s America, the reality could indeed be more than we can bear. 17

18 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 roberto.zayas81@gmail.com STEWARDSHIP Sotirios Nasios snasios@yahoo.com CHOIR Dr. Theodore Papaloizos ted@greek123.com YOUTH MINISTRY Elias Mavromatis eblackeye@hotmail.com CATECHETICAL MINISTRY Tara Kavadias tarakavadias@yahoo.com Assisted By: Voula Vithoulkas voulavithoulkas@gmail.com YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY (YAL) Viktoria Taroudaki Victoria.taroudaki@gmail.com GREEK LANGUAGE MINISTRY Ifigenia Kambanis agkambanis@msn.com & Erini Iatrou eirini.iatrou@gmail.com OUTREACH MINISTRY Ms. Anastasia Kyritsopoulos (301) a.kyritsopoulos2@gmail.com GREEK DANCE MINISTRY Elaine Romas eromas@verizon.net Kristina Maria Paspalis kmpaspalis@gmail.com YOUNG AT HEART Helen Thornberg bwt602r@aol.com & Christina Clifton Christina.Clifton@verizon.net 18 PHILOPTOCHOS Paraskevoula Hays voulaphilo@landmark.org HOPE & JOY Athanasia Raptis (301) & Maria Poulakis maria.poulakis7@gmail.com

19 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 19

20 PARISH LIFE - Dates to Remember Monday Δευτέρα 6/08/15 Fish Allowed Tuesday Τρίτη 6/09/15 Fish Allowed Wednesday Τετάρτη 6/10/15 Strict Fast Thursday Πέμτη 06/11/15 Fish Allowed 6:00pm Paraklesis to the Theotokos-Παράκληση At Sts. Constantine & Helen Chapel - Norwood Property Bartholomew the Holy Apostle/ Βαρθολομαῖος Ἀπὀστολος & Barnabas the Holy Apostle/Βαρνάβας Ἀπὀστολος 8:30am-Orthros -Ορθρος 9:30am-Divine Liturgy-Θεία Λειτουργία At Sts. Constantine & Helen Chapel - Norwood Property Friday Παρασκευή 6/12/15 Strict Fast Saturday Σάββατον 6/13/15 Fish Allowed 6:00pm-Great Vespers - Μέγας Εσπερινός At Sts. Constantine & Helen Chapel - Norwood Property Sunday Κυριακή 6/14/15 Fish Allowed 2nd Sunday of Matthew/Β Ματθαῖου 7:00am-Orthros - Oρθρος 8:15-Divine Liturgy-Θ. Λειτουργία At St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral 20