Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival 2014

Transcript

1 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h Sunday, February 23, 2014 Judgement Sunday (Meatfare) Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival 2014 Celebrating Cassiane Mavromatis senior year as a Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival participant. This year Cassiane will speak to us about the relevance of Christ s words, One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3). 1

2 One step closer to our New Church Building! Ενα βήμα πιο κοντά στη Νέα μας Εκκλησία! IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!! Our temporary office will soon be demolished. If you need to bring anything to the office or if you need to pick up anything from the office Penny will be available every Sunday after Divine Liturgy at Saint Andrew for 1 hour OR Call the church office at to make an appointment and either Father Michael, Father Jason or Stavros will meet you at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. We are here to meet your every need! ΣΗΜΑΝΤΙΚΗ ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΗ!!!!! To προσωρινό γραφείο σύντομα θα κατεδαφιστεί. Αν χρειαστεί να φέρετε κάτι στο γραφείο ή αν πρέπει να πάρετε κάτι από το γραφείο η Πέννη θα έιναι διαθέσιμη κάθε Κυριακή μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία στον Άγιο Ανδρέα για 1 ώρα ή καλέστε το γραφείο της εκκλησίας στο για να κλείσετε ραντεβού και είτε ο π.μιχαήλ, ο π.ιάσων ή ο Σταύρος θα σας συναντήσει στον καθεδρικό ναό του Αγίου Ανδρέα. Είμαστε εδώ για να καλύψουμε κάθε σας ανάγκη! 2

3 SATURDAY OF SOULS In Memory of Υπέρ αναπαύσεως ΨΥΧΟΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΝ February 22, and March 1,8, Please complete the form with the BAPTISMAL FIRST NAMES ONLY of those to be commemorated at the three Saturday of Souls memorial services. PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY. Please submit names at each Liturgy separately. Σάς παρακαλούμε να συμπληρώσετε την διπλανή σελίδα με τα ονόματα των τεθνεώντων (μόνο το βαπτιστικό όνομα) και να το δώσετε στην εκκλησία. Σας παρακαλούμε να φέρνετε καινούργια κατάσταση κάθε εβδομάδα ΠΑΡΑΚΑΛΟΥΜΕ ΓΡΑΦΕΤΕ ΚΑΘΑΡΑ! 3

4 YMNOI THΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ HYMNS OF THE DAY Αναστάσιμο Aπολυτίκιον - B Ήχος Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι. 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. Κοντάκιον του Τριωδίου - A Ήχος Ὅταν ἔλθῃς ὁ Θεός, ἐπὶ γῆς μετὰ δόξης, καὶ τρέμωσι τὰ σύμπαντα, ποταμὸς δὲ τοῦ πυρὸς πρὸ τοῦ Βήματος ἕλκῃ, καὶ βίβλοι ἀνοίγωνται, καὶ τὰ κρυπτὰ δημοσιεύωνται, τότε ῥῦσαί με, ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς τοῦ ἀσβέστου, καὶ ἀξίωσον, ἐκ δεξιῶν σου μὲ στῆναι, Κριτὰ δικαιότατε. Resurrectional Apolytikion - 2nd Tone When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee. Apolytikion 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. Kontakion from the Triodion - 1st Tone O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just. 4

5 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Ἰσχύς μου καὶ ὕμνησίς μου ὁ Κύριος. Στίχ. Παιδεύων ἐπαίδευσέ με ὁ Κύριος. Πρὸς Κορινθίους Α Επιστολής Παύλου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα (8:8-13;9:1-2) Ἀδελφοί, βρῶμα ἡμᾶς οὐ παρίστησιν τῷ θεῷ οὔτε γὰρ ἐὰν φάγωμεν περισσεύομεν, οὔτε ἐὰν μὴ φάγωμεν ὑστερούμεθα. Βλέπετε δὲ μήπως ἡ ἐξουσία ὑμῶν αὕτη πρόσκομμα γένηται τοῖς ἀσθενοῦσιν. Ἐὰν γάρ τις ἴδῃ σε τὸν ἔχοντα γνῶσιν ἐν εἰδωλείῳ κατακείμενον, οὐχὶ ἡ συνείδησις αὐτοῦ ἀσθενοῦς ὄντος οἰκοδομηθήσεται εἰς τὸ τὰ εἰδωλόθυτα ἐσθίειν; Καὶ ἀπολεῖται ὁ ἀσθενῶν ἀδελφὸς ἐπὶ τῇ σῇ γνώσει, διʼ ὃν Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν; Οὕτως δὲ ἁμαρτάνοντες εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφούς, καὶ τύπτοντες αὐτῶν τὴν συνείδησιν ἀσθενοῦσαν, εἰς Χριστὸν ἁμαρτάνετε. Διόπερ εἰ βρῶμα σκανδαλίζει τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, οὐ μὴ φάγω κρέα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἵνα μὴ τὸν ἀδελφόν μου σκανδαλίσω. Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος; Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος; Οὐχὶ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν ἑώρακα; Οὐ τὸ ἔργον μου ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ; Εἰ ἄλλοις οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος, ἀλλά γε ὑμῖν εἰμι ἡ γὰρ σφραγὶς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ. EPISTLE The Lord is my strength and my song. Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely. St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (8:8-13;9:1-2) Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall. Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. GOSPEL The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46 The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἅγιοι ἄγγελοι μετ αὐτοῦ, τότε καθίσει ἐπὶ θρόνου δόξης αὐτοῦ, καὶ συναχθήσεται ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, καὶ ἀφοριεῖ αὐτοὺς ἀπ ἀλλήλων ὥσπερ ὁ ποιμὴν ἀφορίζει τὰ πρόβατα ἀπὸ τῶν ἐρίφων, καὶ στήσει τὰ μὲν πρόβατα ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ, τὰ 5

6 δὲ ἐρίφια ἐξ εὐωνύμων. τότε ἐρεῖ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ δεῦτε οἱ εὐλογημένοι τοῦ πατρός μου, κληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου. ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ περιεβάλετέ με, ἠσθένησα, καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με, ἐν φυλακῇ ἤμην, καὶ ἤλθετε πρός με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ οἱ δίκαιοι λέγοντες κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα καὶ ἐθρέψαμεν, ἢ διψῶντα καὶ ἐποτίσαμεν;πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ξένον καὶ συνηγάγομεν, ἢ γυμνὸν καὶ περιεβάλομεν; πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ἀσθενῆ ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ ἤλθομεν πρός σε; καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων, ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. τότε ἐρεῖ καὶ τοῖς ἐξ εὐωνύμων πορεύεσθε ἀπ ἐμοῦ οἱ κατηραμένοι εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον τὸ ἡτοιμασμένον τῷ διαβόλῳ καὶ τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ.ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ οὐκ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ οὐκ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ οὐ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ οὐ περιεβάλετέ με, ἀσθενὴς καὶ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ οὐκ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ καὶ αὐτοὶ λέγοντες κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα ἢ διψῶντα ἢ ξένον ἢ γυμνὸν ἢ ἀσθενῆ ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ οὐ διηκονήσαμέν σοι; τότε ἀποκριθήσεται αὐτοῖς λέγων ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ ὅσον οὐκ ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων, οὐδὲ ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. καὶ ἀπελεύσονται οὗτοι εἰς κόλασιν αἰώνιον, οἱ δὲ δίκαιοι εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον. SAINTS AND FEASTS Judgement Sunday Reading: The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds. It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end. All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday. First & Second Finding of the Venerable Head of John the Baptist February 24 The first finding came to pass during the middle years of the fourth century, through a revelation of the holy Forerunner to two monks, who came to Jerusalem to worship our Saviour's Tomb. One of them took the venerable head in a clay jar to Emesa in Syria. After his death it went from the hands of one person to another, until it came into the possession of a certain priest-monk named Eustathius, an Arian. Because he ascribed to his own false belief the miracles wrought through the relic of the holy Baptist, he was driven from the cave in which he dwelt, and by dispensation forsook the holy head, which was again made known through a revelation of Saint John, and was found in a water jar, about the year 430, in the days of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger, when Uranius was Bishop of Emesa. 6

7 Η Α και Β ΕΥΡΕΣΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΤΙΜΙΑΣ ΚΕΦΑΛΗΣ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΥ 24 Φεβρουαρίου Ή πρώτη εύρεση έγινε στη Μαχαιρούντα, γύρω από το χώρο πού ήταν το ανάκτορο του Ηρώδη. Αφού ή Ήρωδιάς πήρε την αποτρόπαια ευχαρίστηση, να δει επί πινάκι την αιμόφυρτη κεφαλή του γενναίου προμάχου της ηθικής και της αλήθειας, διέταξε να την θάψουν σ' ένα μέρος εκεί κοντά, το όποιο πήγαινε και καταπατούσε από καιρό σε καιρό, για να ικανοποιεί το άσβεστο πάντοτε μίσος της. Στον τόπο εκείνο έμεινε θαμμένη, ώσπου την ανακάλυψαν δύο μοναχοί από την Ανατολή, στους οποίους επανειλημμένα φάνηκε σε όνειρο ο Πρόδρομος. Μετά το θάνατο των μοναχών αυτών, από χέρι σε χέρι χάθηκε. Βρέθηκε όμως πάλι, επί αυτοκράτορα Ούαλεντινιανοϋ. Όπως βλέπουμε, των επιφανών ανθρώπων του μηνύματος του Ευαγγελίου, όχι μόνο οι ψυχές δεν χάνονται και πηγαίνουν εκεί πού ή ουράνια δόξα τις καλεί, αλλά ο Κύριος μας, ούτε τα κόκαλα των σωμάτων τους δεν αφήνει να χαθούν. Διότι με την αγία τους ζωή, αγίασαν ακόμα και αυτή την ύλη του σώματος, πού πρέπει να είναι το καθαρότατο δοχείο της ψυχής. EUDOKIA THE MARTYR OF HELIOPOLIS MARCH 1 This Saint, who was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia (Baalbek in present-day Lebanon), was an idolater and led a licentious life. Being beautiful beyond telling, she had many lovers, and had acquired great riches. Yet brought to repentance by a monk named Germanus, and baptized by Bishop Theodotus, she distributed to the poor all her ill-gotten gains, and entered a convent, giving herself up completely to the life of asceticism. Her former lovers, enraged at her conversion, her refusal to return to her old ways, and the withering away of her beauty through the severe mortifications she practiced, betrayed her as a Christian to Vincent the Governor, and she was beheaded, according to some, under Trajan, who reigned from 98 to 117, according to others, under Hadrian, who reigned from 117 to 138. Η ΑΓΙΑ ΕΥΔΟΚΙΑ ή από Σαμαρειτών, Οσιομάρτυς Ήταν από την Ηλιούπολη της Συρίας και έζησε επί Τραϊανού ( μ.χ.). Περνούσε τη ζωή της μέσα στην πορνεία και τις ακολασίες. Ή εκθαμβωτική καλλονή της είλκυε πολλούς εραστές και έτσι συγκέντρωσε πολύ πλούτο. Το θείο έλεος όμως ευδοκεί, ώστε και οι ψυχές πού παρεκτράπησαν ηθικά να μη χάνουν ολότελα την ηθική συναίσθηση, αλλά να μένει κάτι από τον ηθικό πόθο. "Ετσι και ή Ευδοκία. Μετά από μια αρρώστια της, είτε από κορεσμό, είτε από εγωισμό προς τους φίλους της, διότι την περίοδο πού ήταν άρρωστη την είχαν εγκαταλείψει, δε συνέχισε την προηγούμενη ζωή της. Εγκατέλειψε την πόλη και επέστρεψε μετά από ένα χρόνο. Θέλησε να μείνει άγνωστη και γι' αυτό εγκαταστάθηκε στα τελευταία σπίτια της πόλης. Εκεί, γνωρίζει με θαυματουργικό τρόπο τους χριστιανούς της τοπικής Εκκλησίας. Αναπαύεται τόσο πολύ από τη διδασκαλία του Ευαγγελίου (και νουθεσιών κάποιου μοναχού ονόματι Γερμανού), πού αμέσως βαπτίζεται χριστιανή (από τον επίσκοπο Θεόδοτο) και με τη μετάνοια της καθαρίζεται από τα έκτροπα της προηγούμενης ζωής. Από τότε αλλάζει ζωή. Δίνει την περιουσία της στα ορφανά και τους φτωχούς και γίνεται πιστή εργάτης του Ευαγγελίου. Και μάλιστα μέχρι μαρτυρικού θανάτου. Ετσι ή Αγία Ευδοκία έρχεται να μας θυμίσει τα αιώνια λόγια του Κυρίου μας: ότι οι τελώναι και αί πόρναι προάγουσιν υμάς εις την θασιλείαν του θεοϋ"1. ΟΙ τελώνες, δηλαδή, και οι πόρνες, πού στην αρχή έδειξαν απείθεια στο Νόμο του Θεού, αλλά μετά μετενόησαν και πίστεψαν έμπρακτα σ' Αυτόν, θα προλάβουν στη βασιλεία του Θεού εσάς, πού μόνο στα λόγια πιστεύετε στο Θεό, ενώ στην πράξη είστε άπιστοι. 1. Ευαγγέλιο Ματθαίου, κα' 31. 7

8 ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY through the eyes of the Church Fathers starting Monday, February 24th, 2014 at St. Andrew s Cathedral Hall 7 pm to 8:30 pm. 8

9 What Do Your Spiritual Fathers Expect from Their Spiritual Children? To call us ON THE DAY OF BIRTH to come to the hospital to offer prayer. To call us ON THE EIGHTH DAY to come to your home to offer prayer in the NAMING of the baby. To come to the church ON THE COMPLETION OF 40 DAYS to offer prayer for the mom and to CHURCH the baby. To call us to pray with you if there is a MISCARRIAGE. To call us to offer prayer AT THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. To bring your baby for the MYSTERION OF BAPTISM. To come to your clergy for pre-marriage guidance and to BLESS your engagement with the SERVICE of BLESSING THE ENGAGEMENT. (Informal Blessing of Rings) To come to the church to have your MARRIAGE BLESSED IN THE CHURCH. To come to the church often for the MYSTERION OF HOLY CONFESSION. To come to the church often for the MYSTERION OF HOLY EUCHARIST. To invite your clergy to your home for THE OFFICE OF HOLY UNCTION (in the home) To call us to come to visit those who are sick either in the home, hospital or special care facility and to pray the SERVICE OF THE VISITATION OF THE SICK. We want to pray with you prior to an operation and want to give thanks to God after the operation. To pray with you if there is a perceived need to PRAY AGAINST THE EVIL EYE. To call us if there is a need for an EXORCISM. To be called immediately when someone is near death. To be called immediately upon death for the TRISAGION PRAYER. To pray the TRISAGION PRAYER at the funeral home the night before a funeral, FUNERAL SERVICE IN THE CHURCH upon someone FALLING ASLEEP IN THE LORD. To go to the cemetery on the 9th day after someone has FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE LORD for a TRISAGION PRAYER SERVICE. To pray a 40 DAY MEMORIAL SERVICE in the church, preferably on a Saturday, after someone has FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE LORD. Prayers for those who have fallen asleep should be offered up often. To pray an ARTOKLASIA for the health and gratitude of God s blessings on your family. To come to your home to BLESS it (AGIASMO) at least once per year. To come to your business to pray and BLESS THE BEGINNING OF ANY BUSINESS UNDERTAKING. To offer prayer at a WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. To offer prayer for those who are suffering DEPRESSION. To BLESS A VEHICLE, old or new. To invite us to your home to spend time together and get to know each other better. To come to the church to receive what is basically the only thing we as clergy truly have to offer, the BLESSINGS OF OUR LORD and to engage in spiritual direction. To love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. To love your neighbor as yourself. And the final wish that we your clergy ask of you, our spiritual children, is your prayers. This is love. Fathers Michael and Jason 9

10 Το κοιμητήριο... Π. Ευέλθων Χαραλάμπους Ένας χώρος ιερός και σεβάσμιος είναι εκείνος του κοιμητηρίου, όπου αναπαύονται τα σώματα των προσφιλών μας προσώπων μέχρι τη μέρα της κοινής αναστάσεως. Άλλοτε τα κοιμητήρια βρισκόντουσαν στο κέντρο των κοινοτήτων, στον περίβολο των ναών. Έτσι, κατά τις λειτουργικές συνάξεις, θριαμβεύουσα και στρατευόμενη Εκκλησία βρισκόταν στον ίδιο χώρο, δοξολογούσα και προσευχομένη στον Κύριο. Σήμερα τα κοιμητήρια μεταφέρθησαν έξω από τις πόλεις, δεν έχασαν όμως ούτε την Ιερότητα ούτε τη σημασία τους. Και επειδή είναι ένας χώρος που όλοι οι χριστιανοί τον επισκεπτόμαστε, γι' αυτό και σημειούνται τα πιο κάτω. Πρώτα - πρώτα πρέπει το κοιμητήριο να το αναφέρουμε με το όνομά του: Κοιμητήριο. Ο θάνατος για μας τους χριστιανούς λογίζεται σαν ύπνος, οι νεκροί κοιμούνται. Κοιμητήριο, λοιπόν, όχι νεκροταφείο. Με αφετηρία τη χριστιανική θεώρηση ότι το ανθρώπινο σώμα είναι ιερό -αφού βαπτίσθηκε, χρίσθηκε, αγιάσθηκε, τράφηκε με το σώμα και το αίμα του Χριστού- ακόμη και η σκόνη του κοιμητηρίου είναι ιερή. Γιατί στο χώμα του κοιμητηρίου «διαλύονται εις τα εξ ων συνετέθησαν» τα σώματα των νεκρών. Γι' αυτό με προσοχή, ευλάβεια και σεβασμό εισερχόμαστε και βαδίζουμε σ' αυτό... Να πλησιάζουμε τους τάφους με συστολή και ευλάβεια. Παρ' όλο ότι γνωρίζουμε πως στον τάφο βρίσκε ται μονάχα το σώμα, ο δερμάτινος χιτώνας του ανθρώπου, ενώ η ψυχή βρίσκεται στους ουρανούς, στους κόλπους του Αβραάμ, όμως στο κοιμητήριο θα γίνει κάτι πολύ σημαντικό, ανεπανάληπτο: Εδώ θα πραγματοποιηθεί η ανάσταση των νεκρών. Όταν θα ηχήσει η αρχαγγελική σάλπιγγα, τα σώματα, που τώ ρα βρίσκονται σε αναμονή, κοιτάζοντας προς ανατολάς για να δουν ερχόμενο τον Κύριο της δόξας, θα αναστηθούν για την τελική Κρίση. Αυτά τα «εν αναμονή» βρισκόμενα σώματα θυμιατίζουμε με λιβάνι, όπως ακριβώς θυμιατίζουμε τα εικονίσματα του Χριστού και των Αγίων. Αφού λοιπόν μέσα στο κοιμητήριο προσφέρουμε θυμίαμα είναι πολύ λυπηρό να βλέπεις ανθρώπους στον ίδιο χώρο να προσφέρουν λιβάνι στο διάβολο (όπως έχει χαρακτηριστεί το τσιγάρο). Σίγουρα οι άνθρωποι, που συχνάζουν στο κοιμητήριο, είναι άνθρωποι πονεμένοι. Το τσιγάρο, όμως, δεν απαλύνει τον πόνο. Φθορά στην υγεία προκαλεί, ζημιά στο σώμα, που όπως προαναφέρθηκε είναι ιερό, άγιο, ανήκει στο Θεό. Όσο ιερός και σεβάσμιος κι αν είναι ο χώρος του κοιμητηρίου, δεν πρέπει να μας αποπροσανατολίζει από την αλήθεια: Ότι, ο τάφος είναι μία σκάλα που ανεβάζει στον ουρανό. Μετά που θα προσκυνήσουμε τον σταυρό του προσφιλούς μας προσώπου (το σύμβολο της Αναστάσεως), να υψώνουμε στον ουρανό τα μάτια και να προσευχόμαστε στο Θεό για ανάπαυση της ψυχής του νεκρού μας. Ένα λιτό μνημείο, απαραίτητα ένας απέριττος σταυρός, λίγα λουλούδια, ένα καντήλι, ένα κερί και θυμιάτισμα είναι αρκετά για τη γη. Η προσοχή μας και η ένταση να προχωρούν πάρα πέρα, να ανεβαίνουν πιο ψηλά. Να μετουσιώνονται σε προσευχή και ικεσία «υπέρ μακάριας μνήμης και αιωνίου αναπαύσεως της ψυχής του κεκοιμημένου δούλου του Θεού». Πρωτοπρσβύτερος π. Ευέλθων Χαραλάμπους Εκδόσεις "Ορθόδοξος Κυψέλη" 10

11 As a grain of wheat Memorial Prayers in the Greek Orthodox Church For Christians, the act of gathering to pray for those who have died goes back to the earliest days of the Church. In particular, martyrs were honored (for example, placing the Altar Table of a church upon the site where the relics of a martyr were buried); however, gathering at the burial place of a friend or family member was also a common practice among Christians. When we gather today in the Church for a memorial, we are continuing a centuries-old practice. So, why do we use kollyva? In John 12:24, Jesus says: Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. The boiled wheat is used in the Orthodox Church as a symbol of our hope in the Resurrection. From the grain that died comes the fruit of eternal life. Why, then, do we call the wheat kollyva? This name comes from a term commonly used during the fourth century, particularly where the following miracle occurred. The Emperor Julian the Apostate tried to have the fruits and vegetables, for use by Christians who were fasting during Great Lent, contaminated! In a dream, Saint Theodore the Tyron appeared to Patriarch Evdoxios and told him to instruct the faithful to consume only boiled wheat ( kollyva ). The faithful responded accordingly and were able to continue the fast! This miracle is commemorated annually on the third Saturday of Souls. When should we hold memorials? The practice of the Church is to hold them on Saturdays (since the souls are traditionally commemorated on Saturdays); however, the common practice has become Sundays, since we gather on Sundays for Liturgy. Regarding the usual times for memorials, besides the Saturdays of the Souls (the psychosavata ), it should be noted that, according to ancient sources, memorials were held on the third, sixth, ninth, and fortieth day, as well as one year, after someone died. Currently, memorials are held around the fortieth day and the first anniversary of one s death (although they may also take place at other times as well). To arrange a memorial, one calls the church to schedule the service with the priest. If they would also like to hold a service at the gravesite, they discuss that with the priest as well. The name of the one for whom the memorial was arranged should be given to the priest (additional names may also be given for commemoration during the Preparation of the Gifts [the Proskomidi ] and the Liturgy). It is traditional though not required to bring other items as well: Prosforon and wine, for use during the Liturgy, and olive oil, for the vigil light on the Altar. As we pray, not only for the living (the Church Militant) but for the souls (the Church Triumphant) as well, we are drawn together with our Lord and Savior. Let us come together at all possible opportunities, seeking His blessings and His salvation. 11

12 PRAYER LIST If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the office. Eleni, Maria, Simeon, Nikitas, Andreas 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. MEMORIAL SERVICE No memorial services this Sunday 12

13 CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS: HOPE/JOY: We would like to thank all who participated in making cards for the children at Children's Hospital. We look forward to seeing everyone at our March Lent Event. GOYA: Girls B Team Champions of the Holy Trinity, Wilmington Tournament February 16th. ORATORICAL FESTIVAL: The St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be held immediately after services today. AHEPA AWARDS: Attention High School Seniors! Student applications are now available for the Washington Metropolitan Area 44th AHEPA Scholarship program. Students eligible for an award will be honored at this year's Awards Program on May 18th, 2014 held at the Hilton Washington, DC / Rockville Hotel in Rockville, MD. This program has honored 1,508 students and awarded $804,975 in scholarships. Applications are available in the church office and website. Completed applications and materials must be submitted by April 4th, For more information, contact Ted Sakkos (tedsakkos@yahoo.com) (202) CUBA MISSION TRIP: MARCH 10-16, 2014 Fr. Costa Pavlakos will lead a local group of 15 people to Havana, Cuba to evangelize, teach and support those who seek Orthodoxy and are "alive in Christ". The five clergy within the Havana Greek Orthodox-trained community seek assistance. The missionaries will stay in bed & breakfast facilities; airfare and housing cost is approximately $1,800. If interested, please call Fr.Costa Pavlakos directly at to reserve your seat. METROPOLITAN KALLISTOS: Metropolitan KALLISTOS (Ware) will be at St. George's in Bethesda on Friday evening, the 27th, and at Ss. Peter & Paul in Potomac on Sunday, June 29th. 13

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15 Did you know.that you can make your stewardship payment or fulfill your capital campaign pledge via a stock transfer? It may behoove you to look through your investment and stock portfolio before you write a check. If you will be making a donation to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Washington, D.C. (which is a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization) and your donations can be deducted on your federal income tax return as an itemized deduction, you should consider donating appreciated stock from your investment portfolio instead of cash. The tax benefits -- which include deducting the amount of the charitable donation AND escaping the unrealized gains on the donated stock - come from the fact that the deduction one can take for a donation of property to charity is equal to the property's current fair market value. And when the donated property is an investment, the donor does not have to recognize the capital gain. These rules create a "double play" of tax benefits: a charitable deduction AND avoiding tax on the unrealized capital gains of the donated property. This works best for folks whose marginal tax bracket is 15 percent or higher and who claim itemized deductions. For example, let's say you bought stock for $10,000 last year and today it is worth $20,000. You should consider donating the entire toward your capital campaign pledge (assuming you had pledged that much). If you sold the $20,000 stock instead of donating it, you would pay capital gains tax on the $10,000 gain in value. The tax rate for long-term capital gains is 15 percent. Therefore, the tax savings for donating rather than selling the stock would be $1,500 (10,000 x 15%). In addition, you can claim a charitable deduction of the market value of the donated shares -- the full $20, as a charitable donation deduction. If you are in the 25 percent federal tax bracket, this could generate another $5,000 (20,000 x 25%) in tax savings. This brings your total tax savings to $6,500. If you are in a higher tax bracket, your donation deduction will be even more. Also consider this: you are giving a gift of $20,000 which is two times what it originally cost you. So as you can see your tax benefits from making a donation of appreciated stock versus cutting a check can be substantial. But be careful here: this will not work if the stock has NOT been held for more than a year. So, if you are considering the donation of appreciated stock, you need to make sure that the shares have been held for more than one year. In order to gift stock to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Washington, D.C. please provide the Church's brokerage information listed below to your broker/bank. Morgan Stanley: SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Acct: Morgan Stanley: DTC# 0015 If you decide to take this avenue in giving to your church, please know that it is truly appreciated and we are grateful to you for your kindness and support The information in this article is provided as general information and not as specific tax advice as in all matters concerning your own personal tax situation, please consult with your tax advisor. 15

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18 Ψυχοσάββατο Πόσα χρόνια είχε ν' ακούσει αυτή τή λέξη! Από τότε που ήταν μικρό παιδί. Ταράχθηκε, όταν τήν άκουσε σήμερα. Λείπει από τό χωριό του περισσότερο από πενήντα χρόνια. Σήμερα ήρθε για πρώτη φορά. Κι έτυχε να 'ναι Ψυχοσάββατο. Στη Μεγάλη Πόλη, όπου ζήτησε πλούτη και κοινωνική καταξίωση, δεν έχουν χρόνο να θυμηθούν τους πεθαμένους. Δεν θυμούνται τις ψυχές όσων έφυγαν. Δεν κάνουν μνημόσυνα. Στη Μεγάλη Πόλη φοβούνται και τη ζωή και το θάνατο. Γι' αυτό είχε λησμονήσει τη λέξη Ψυχοσάββατο. "Λείπουν όλοι" του είπαν. "Σήμερα είναι Ψυχοσάββατο και έχουν πάει στο Κοιμητήριο. Κάνουν Μνημόσυνο. Είναι Ψυχοσάββατο σήμερα". Πήρε τό δρόμο κι αυτός γιά τόν 'Αγιο Κωνσταντίνο. Σέ λίγο έφτασε. Τά πόδια του λύγισαν. 'Ολα έχουν αλλάξει. Οι τάφοι μαρμάρινοι, μέ πολυτέλειες, όπως καί στίς μεγάλες πόλεις. Θυμήθηκε τούς παλιούς τάφους. 'Ενα κιβούρι χωρίς όνομα, λίγο χώμα ανασηκωμένο καί γύρω γύρω μώβ κρίνα. Μέ τά άνθη αυτά στόλιζαν τόν Επιτάφιο τή Μ. Παρασκευή. Καί πάνω από τούς τάφους τά κυπαρίσσια, θεόρατα τώρα, ήσυχη κατοικία τών πουλιών. Μέ δέος μπήκε στήν Εκκλησία. Μύριζε λιβάνι καί κερί. Μαυροντυμένες γυναίκες, γριές καί νέες, δακρυσμένες, σάν χορός αρχαίας τραγωδίας, ακούν τόν Παπα-Χάρη, που διαβάζει τά Ψυχοχάρτια. Μερικά ονόματα φέρνουν αναφιλητά. Μνήμες νωπές καί φλεγμαίνουσες. Κάτω στό δάπεδο, μπροστά στό Τέπλο, τά κόλλυβα. Σέ κάθε δίσκο η φλόγα ενός κεριού τρεμοσβήνει. Η ανάγνωση τών ονομάτων συνεχίζεται. Πως νά συγκρατήσει η ανθρώπινη μνήμη του ονόματα! Σέ λίγο θά λησμονηθούν καί οι μνημονευόμενοι καί οι μνημονεύοντες. Θά μείνουμε, άραγε, ζωντανοί στή "Μνήμη τού Θεού"; Αυτές τίς σκέψεις κάνει καθώς ακούει τόν παπά τούς ψάλτες νά ψέλνουν δεητικά τό "Αιωνία η Μνήμη". Ο ψάλτης διαβάζει κάτι πολύ συγκινητικό από τό Τριώδιο: "Επειδή τινές άωρον πολλάκις υπέστησαν επί ξένης θάνατον, εν θαλάσση τε καί αβάτοις όρεσι... 'Ισως δε καί πένητες όντες καί άποροι καί τών νενομισμένων μνημοσύνων ουκ έτυχον... φλανθρώπως οι θείοι πατέρες κινούμενοι εθέσπισαν ποιείσθαι τούτων απάντων κοινώς μνείαν..." Τί τρυφερή σκέψη! Τί ευγένεια! Τά καντήλια στούς τάφους είναι όλα αναμμένο. Σέ μερικούς έχουν σκορπίσει λουλούδια. "Εδώ θυμούνται τούς πεθαμένους" είπε. Ανάβει ένα κεράκι στόν τάφο τών γονέων του καί γονατίζει. "Ο Θεός νά σάς αναπαύει" είπε. Καί συνέχισε: "'Ησαστε πλούσιοι μέσα στή φτώχεια σας... Τό φτωχοκάλυβό σας τό κάνατε παλάτι... Από που αντλούσατε τόσο θάρρος..."; Σηκώθηκε πιό δυνατός. 'Αρχισε νά ανάβει κερί σ' όλους τούς τάφους. 'Ολοι γνωστοί, φίλοι, συγγενείς. Ο παπάς που η φωνή του ήταν ακόμη ζωντανή μέσα του, ο δάσκαλος που τόν έμαθε γράμματα, γεροντάκια καί γριούλες, που έπιαναν τότε τά στασίδια μέσα στή μισοσκότεινη εκκλησία, φίλοι μέ τούς οποίους έπαιζε, συγγενείς κοντινοί καί μακρινοί, όλοι εκεί, ένας κόσμος ολόκληρος. Κάτι είχε νά πεί στόν καθένα. Τό Μνημόσυνο τελείωσε. 'Ολοι βγήκαν από τήν Εκκλησία. "'Ελα νά πάρεις στάρι, νά συχωρέσεις" τού είπαν. "'Ωρα νά φύγουμε" πρόσθεσαν. "Οι πεθαμένοι μέ τούς πεθαμένους καί οι ζωντανοί μέ τούς ζωντανούς. Αποκρεύουμε σήμερα. Θά φάμε μακαρόνια φτιαχτιά. Θά πιούμε κρασί από τό βαρέλι μας..." "'Εμειναν δυνατοί εδώ" σκέφθηκε. "Δέ φοβούνται τό θάνατο". Εδώ τό μεσότοιχο που χωρίζει τή ζωή καί τό θάνατο έχει γκρεμιστεί. 'Εζησαν κοντά στή φύση, κοντά στήν εκκλησία, κοντά στήν πραγματικότητα καί έμειναν δυνατοί. Τούς ζηλεύω. Μακάρι νά μήν είχα φύγει κι εγώ. Θά φάω μαζί τους. Θά πιώ μαζί τους. Θά νιώσω, όπως καί τότε, έστω γιά μιά μέρα, έστω γιά λίγο... περιοδικό "Πρόσβαση", Μάρτιος

19 The Liturgical Cycle of the Great Lenten Period Rev. Pavlos Koumarianos, Ph.D. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This week, we began the journey of Prayer of the most beautiful period of the Liturgical year: Great Lent. Thus, with prayer and fasting, the bride the Church began the uphill way to follow the beloved bridegroom Christ - on the steep slope of Golgotha. This could be, in few words, the meaning and the purpose of the liturgical setting of Great Lent: through the divine services and ascetic practices, the Church taking by the hand each and every faithful guides them to an existential participation in the sacred passion of the Lord, carrying with Him the cross and sharing its weight and burden. If the Cross of Christ was an act of absolute self-denial, an act of thorough eradication of every seed of selfishness and absolute dedication to the mystery of otherness, then, the Church guides the faithful to the same experience through the various liturgical and ascetic practices of the Lenten period. Certainly, the theme of this homily is the liturgical aspects of Lent; however, we cannot separate the liturgical from the ascetic aspects, because in the Orthodox Tradition they are so interwoven that any separation would mutilate both! Liturgy and Ascesis go together, hand in hand, in the Orthodox Tradition! In this context, let us see the basic elements of the Liturgical practices of Great Lent. What are those peculiarities that make this period unique and distinct from the rest of the Liturgical year? The peculiarities of this period could be listed as follows: 1. The celebration of the Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great every Sunday instead of the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. 2. The singing of the Akathist every Friday evening. 3. The celebration of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts every Wednesday and Friday evening with Vespers. 4. The celebration of Great Compline instead of the usual, Small Compline celebrated during the rest of the year. 5. Additional Psalter Readings in the liturgy of the Hours. 6. Enriched Hymnology with a particularly penitential character. 7. Particular Scriptural readings on the Saturday and Sunday Eucharistic celebrations. 8. Furthermore, on top of the original connections of every Sunday to a Scriptural theme, later events in the history of the Church gave her the opportunity to connect every Sunday of Lent with some additional theological or historical themes. 9. A further liturgical characteristic of Lent is the exchange of mutual forgiveness in the place of the dismissal blessing of every vespers. 10. And last but not least, we could say the most impressive characteristic of this period is the strict fast observed every weekday of Lent, leaving out Saturdays and Sundays, when a non-absolute fast is observed. The Liturgy of Saint Basil and the Akathist. From the above list of the peculiarities of the liturgical life of Great Lent, we need to say that the first two, namely the Liturgy of Saint Basil and the Akathist are not purely Lenten idioms. In the Byzantine Church the liturgy of St. Basil was celebrated every Sunday and feast day of the whole year. It was the official Eucharistic Liturgy to be celebrated on a regular basis throughout the year. It is not clearly known why towards the end of the first quarter of the second millennium the Liturgy of Saint Basil was replaced by a liturgy attributed to Saint John Chrysostom. For the survival of celebrating Saint Basil s liturgy during Lent, Baumstark says that it happened because of the conservative liturgical character of Lent. I would insist that two more reasons lead the Church to keep the Liturgy of Saint Basil during Lent: the intention of the Church to dedicate more time to prayer during Lent, as well as, the expressively doctrinal and educational character of the Liturgy of Saint Basil. The Church found the Lenten atmosphere of more dedicated devotion as a good opportunity to teach the faithful the dogma by making them listen to the profound and all-embracing theological elucidations of the Basilian Liturgy, especially the Anaphora. As far as the Akathist is concerned, this is rather a interval in the compunctional and penitential character of Lent. The singing of the Akathist is not a part of the particular devotional atmosphere of Lent. It is rather related to the feast of the Annunciation, which always falls in the midst of Lent. Let us explain it having made an observation first: in the present day we celebrate Akathistos every Friday evening together with the service of Compline. Originally though, the Church sung the Akathistos in the Orthros of every Saturday of Lent. Thus the real question is why the Church established this practice to celebrate Akathistos every Saturday morning? The answer is the following: The period of Lent has a basic penitential and mournful character. Annunciation, though, is a great feast with a profoundly joyful character, and according to the Orthodox Liturgical Tradition, it should have its own pre-festal and postfestal joyful period. However, the establishment of a joyful pre-festal and post-festal period for the feast of the Annunciation in the midst of Lent, would cause a certain disorder in the constant flow of the penitential attitude through the weeks of Lent. Nonetheless, it would neither be fair, nor pastorally good to leave the feast of the Annunciation without a pre-festal period of preparation and a post-festal period of celebration. How then could a pre and post festal period be established without damaging the penitential character of Lent? The solution was found in relationship to the fact that Saturdays and Sundays were already excluded from the penitential Lenten routine. Thus the Church used the celebration of the Saturday Orthros of Lent, in order to remind the faithful of the upcoming or just passed joyful feast of the Annunciation. 19

20 We are looking for......someone with artistic capabilities, public relations skills, a love for God to be a steward of our Weekly Bulletin and other flyers/ brochures. Father Michael is available to you for confession at any time. Please call Father Michael at the Church Office, at (240) , or on his cell phone at (301)

21 PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS ΠΑΡΑΚΛΗΣΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟ 6:30 PM WEDNESDAY EVENINGS 6:30 MM ΤΕΤΑΡΤΕΣ ΑΠΟΓΕΥΜΑ Most Holy Theotokos save us. With many temptations surrounding me, Searching for salvation, I have hastened unto you; O Mother of the Word, and ever-virgin, From all distress and dangers deliver me. Υπεραγια Θεοτοκε σωσον ημας. Πολλοῖς συνεχόμενος πειρασμοῖς, πρὸς σὲ καταφεύγω, σωτηρίαν ἐπιζητῶν Ὦ Μῆτερ τοῦ Λόγου καὶ Παρθένε, τῶν δυσχερῶν καὶ δεινῶν με διάσωσον. Icon: End of 13th Century. Triglia, M. Asia. Smisthonian Museum, Gallery of Art (Exhibition). OLIVE OIL, PROSPHORO, COMMANDARIA WINE If you would like to donate any of the these when submitting names for Commemoration at the Prothesis, or for a Trisagion/Memorial it would be greatly appreciated. ΛΑΔΙ, ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΟ, ΚΡΑΣΙ ΚΟΜΜΑΝΤΑΡΙΑ Θα το εκτιμούσαμε πολύ εάν θα μπορούσατε να προσφέρετε λάδι, πρόσφορο ή κρασί κομμανταρία όταν φέρνετε ονόματα για την Προσκομιδή, ή για Τρισάγιο/Μνημόσυνο. 21

22 My dearest and most beloved children in Christ, This Sunday we will hear; Turn not away Thy face from Thy servant, for I am in trouble; hear me speedily: hearken unto my soul, and deliver it. This Sunday at 6pm we will celebrate the Vespers of Forgiveness in the Cathedral. It is an opportunity of healing both privately and corporately. At the end of the Vespers after we have changed the colors inside the church from gold and white to sorrowful purple, the rubrics read as follows; The priest stands on the solea and the faithful come up one by one and each makes a bow before the priest and the priest a bow before the person saying, Forgive me, THE sinner. The kiss of peace is exchanged and the person receives the blessing of the priest, kissing his right hand. After receiving the blessing of the priest the person proceeds to the next person in line asking for forgiveness of one another. This is the therapy towards wellness that the Church offers its children (patients). Without asking for forgiveness from one another the door to Great Lent will remain closed and any attempts at fasting or coming to church services will be futile and empty. There will be no Journey to Pascha without first asking for forgiveness. As your spiritual father I encourage if not beg you to come so we can embrace one another and receive Christ s peace. Your priest, Father Michael INTRODUCTION TO ORTHODOXY CLASS The Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles on the Sea of Galilee If you are interested in becoming an Orthodox Christian, please join us for this class. We will learn about the Orthodox Church s basic beliefs and history. If you know someone who is thinking of joining the Orthodox Church, please encourage him/her to attend. We will meet for 35 minutes after Liturgy on Sundays during the second half of coffee hour, approximately 10:30-11:05am. The dates for the class are: February 9th, 23rd; March 9th, 23rd; April 27th; May 11th, 25th. An alternate time could be offered based on interest. Please contact Fr. Jason for more information: fatherjason@schgocdc.org 22

23 Forgive Me! Forgive Me! Dear loved ones, On Sunday, March 2nd, we begin our Great Lenten Journey Our entire daily routine is set to change. A road lies before us and in the distance is the bright light of Pascha, the Resurrection of our Lord. But first we must prepare ourselves for the Great Feast. Come join all of your brothers and sisters in the Church at 6:00pm on March 2nd for the Vespers of Forgiveness. Let us join in an embrace filled with tears as we ask one another for forgiveness for those things that have created a chasm between each one of us and which has lead us to separate ourselves from our God. Let us reunite as one community without distinctions or separations. We are one family! With all of our love and prayers and asking your forgiveness in anticipation of this most sacred moment, We remain your loving priests, FM & FJ Αγαπημένοι μας, Την Κυριακή, 2 Μαρτίου, αρχίζουμε τη Σαρακοστιανή μας πορεία Η καθημερινή μας ρουτίνα θα αλλάξει εξ ολοκλήρου. Ένας δρόμος ανοίγεται μπροστά μας και στο τέλος του είναι το λαμπρό φως του Πάσχα, η Ανάσταση του Κυρίου μας. Αλλά πρώτα θα πρέπει να προετοιμαστούμε για τη μεγάλη γιορτή. Ελάτε και ενωθείτε με τους αδελφούς σας στον Ναό στις 6:00 μ.μ. στις 2 Μαρτίου για τον Εσπερινό της Συγχώρεσης. Ας αγκαλιαστούμε με δάκρυα στα μάτια, και να ζητήσουμε συγνώμη ο ένας από τον άλλον γιά όλα αυτά που δημιούργησαν το χάσμα μεταξύ μας και μας οδήγησε να χωριστούμε από τον Θεό μας. Ας συγκεντρωθούμε σαν μία Κοινότητα χωρίς διακρίσεις ή διαχωρισμούς. Είμαστε μία οικογένεια! Με όλη μας την αγάπη και τις προσευχές και ζητώντας την συγγνώμη σας εν αναμονή αυτής της πιο ιερής στιγμής, παραμένουμε οι στοργικοί σας ιερείς, Π. Μιχαήλ & Π. Ιάσων Συγχώρησέ Με! Συγχώρησέ Με! 23

24 by Jim Burns HOLD THAT CRITICISM Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 Here is a huge challenge: Go on a fast today from criticism. Today, your assignment is not to criticize anybody about anything. Just for 24 hours, even if you have a legitimate criticism, don t offer it. Most of us are far too critical. We offer lots of grumbling and complaining about issues that frankly don t make much difference. All of the criticism has a very negative result. Critical people are often unhappy people. The act of criticizing drains positive energy from our lives. I ve heard it put this way: A critical spirit focuses us on ourselves and makes us unhappy. We lose perspective and humor. A critical spirit blocks the positive creative thoughts God longs to give us. A critical spirit can prevent good relationships between individuals and often produces retaliatory criticalness. Criticalness blocks the work of the Spirit of God: love, goodwill, and mercy. Whenever we see something genuinely wrong in another person s behavior, rather than criticize him or her directly, or far worse, grip about him behind his back, we should ask the spirit of God to do the correction needed. Do everything without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:14). This means that if you re driving today and someone cuts you off do not complain. If you get disconnected from your cell-phone call do not complain. If someone spills split-pea soup on your best shirt do not complain. Understand and accept, rather than fume and whine. A wise friend once told me that we never know enough about a situation to be truly angry. Think about it. I have the feeling that you are going to have a very good day! GOING DEEPER: 1. Read and memorize Philippians 2: What specific areas of a critical spirit can you work on today and this week? FURTHER READING: Psalm 34:

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26 Youth Ministry THE SPIRITUAL WORKOUT (Source: The Ladder - The official blog of the Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America) ( Theology is like weight training Deeper search into the Bible, like Bible Study or regular Theological discussion with others or participation in seminars and lectures makes us spiritually strong and allows us to put the stories from the Bible into proper context, historically and for the applicable use for today s challenges. And, it will make us stronger opponents to those who either misunderstand the Faith or deliberately twist words, teachings, meanings, and truth. Confession is like having a spotter, personal trainer, or a friend to work out with Confession is like seeing a trainer when we tweak our shoulders or when it feels as if our workouts have plateaued. Similarly, speaking to a priest when we are having trouble with a particular sin helps us overcome obstacles that keep us from fully experiencing the relationship with Christ and overcome our spiritual plateaus. We can sometimes hit spiritual funks and feel like even the smallest task is impossible. Developing a relationship with a spiritual mentor can encourage us and help keep us accountable so that we don t fall deeper into bad habits. Having a close confidant to talk to between confessions can be very helpful, too. St. Paul advised us to Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2). We shouldn t be alone as we live our lives in Christ. Divine Services work to create a healthy routine It seems pointless to hit the gym once and expect lasting physical results. We need a routine, a time period each day or several times a week that is devoted entirely to a workout. The Divine Services help give us that same structure in our spiritual lives. We should build our lives around the Divine Liturgy. We can even try to attend Vespers or Matins services during the week for an extra boost. Finding a Church that allows us to focus on God without distractions is critical. The Services give us a time and place to gather as Church and celebrate our communion with God and others. When we ve seemed to have fallen off the wagon with our spiritual health, we can go back to Church and participate. Soaking in the blessings that come from praise to the Lord, community, quiet reflection, and listening to a sermon refuels our spiritual work out for the week ahead and prepares us for its challenges. And of course, there s no greater blessing than being able to receive Christ s Body and Blood and grow closer to Him. (To be continued) 26

27 To all Members and Friends of our Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Parish Community of Washington, DC. A special Thank You Very Much for all of your support, love, dedication and hard work for all of our philanthropic endeavors during my six years as Philoptochos president. In addition, Thank You Very Much for the beautiful Past Presidents' Luncheon, the Past Presidents' Pin, and the Gift Certificate to the Salon and Day Spa. Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated. May God Bless you and your families now and always. With Love, Your Sister in Christ, Nikki Pappas 27

28 Stewards as of February 21, Stewardship cards 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! Mr & Mrs Nikolaos Aggelis Miss Alenxandra Aiken Mr. & Mrs. John Alexiou Anonymous Mrs Iris Aravanis Mr. Emmanuel Atsalinos Mr. Costas Avrakotos Mr. Achilles Basiliko Ms. Marie Bedard Mr. & Mrs George Bergeris Mr & Mrs Lambros Bisbikis Mrs Effie Bourdosis Mr. & Mrs. George Bourzikos Mr. Steve Callas Mrs. Helen Calles Mr Anthony J Calomeris Mrs Maria Calomeris Mr. & Mrs. James Campbell Mr & Mrs George A Caperones Mr. Nick Caviris Mr & Mrs George Chahalis Mr & Mrs Peter Chapin Mrs. Demetra Chakalos Mr & Mrs James P. Cheakalos Mrs. John W. Cheakalos Mr. & Mrs. Charles Clifton Mr. Christy G. Cokas Ms. Mary Cokas Mr. & Mrs. Pete Dakoulas Mr. & Mrs. James Deligianis Miss Georgia Dialektakos Mr & Mrs James Dialektakos Mr. George D. Dimopoulos Fr. & Mrs. Michael Eaccarino Ms. Georgia Ferentinos Mr & Mrs Max Ferentinos Mrs Sophia Ferentinos Mr. & Mrs. George Galiachatos Mr. & Mrs. David Gamzon Mr. & Mrs. Pete Georgallas Mr & Mrs George Georgiou Ms Demetra Georgopoulos Mr & Mrs Demetrios Georgopoulos Mr & Mrs Sarantos Georgopoulos Mr & Mrs George Gillespie Ms. Xenia Hajicosti Mr & Mrs George Haramis Mr. George Haris Mrs. Esther Heras Mrs. Maria Kafarakis Mr. Chris Kalabokes Mr. & Mrs. Elias Kalamoutsos Mr. Panagiotis Kalamoutsos Mr & Mrs Anastasios Kaldis Mr. Spriro A Kaldis Mrs Coula Kaleyias Mr. Athanasios Karadimas Mr & Mrs Spiro Karadimas Mr. & Mrs. John Karagiannis Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel G. Kavadias Mr. & Mrs Jerry Kavadias Ms. Theodora Kavadias Mrs. Kalliopi Kavoures Mr. John Kintzios Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kontos Mrs. Maria Koskinas Miss Olympia Koskinas Mr. & Mrs. John Koustenis Mr. & Mrs. Demetre Koutras Mr & Mrs Demetre Koutras Jr Mr & Mrs George A. Koutras Mrs. Voula Koutris Ms. Anastasia Kyritsopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Apostolos Lappas Miss Maria Lappas Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Levantis Ms. Paula Magoulas Mr Constantine G Mantzouranis Mr. George A. Mantzouranis Mr & Mrs George C. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. John G. Mantzouranis Mrs. Theano Mantzouranis Mr. Christos Marafatsos Mr. Dimitrios P. Marafatsos 28