Great Martyr Panteleimon Nicholas of Novgorod

Transcript

1 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h of Washington, DC July 27, 2014 Great Martyr Panteleimon Nicholas of Novgorod THE FAST OF THE PANAGIA BEGINS AUGUST 1, 2014 ΑΡΧΕΤΑΙ Η ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΔΕΚΑΠΕΝΤΑΥΓΟΥΣΤΟΥ

2 THE MISSION OF THE STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF WASHINGTON DC in Silver Spring, Maryland is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, to teach and spread the Orthodox Christian faith, to energize, cultivate and guide the life of the Church according to the Orthodox Christian faith and Sacred Tradition. The Church sanctifies the faithful through the Divine Worship, especially the Holy Eucharist and other Sacraments, building the spiritual and ethical life of the faithful in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, Sacred Tradition, the doctrines and canons of the Ecumenical and local Synods, the canons of the Holy Apostles and Fathers of the Church and of all other Synods recognized by the Orthodox Church, as interpreted by the Great Church of Christ in Constantinople. The Church serves as a beacon, carrier and witness of the message of Christ to all persons, through Divine Worship, preaching, teaching and living the Orthodox Christian faith. YOUR PRIESTS ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU 24/7. Please use their cell phones for anything you need that pertains to your spiritual journey. Fr. Michael: (301) fm@papouli.net Fr. Jason: (301) Fr. Michael ΟΙ ΙΕΡΕΙΣ ΣΑΣ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΣΤΗ ΔΙΑΘΕΣΗ ΣΑΣ 24/7. Παρακαλείσθε να τους καλείτε στα κινητά τηλέφωνα για οποιαδήποτε ανάγκη σας σχετική με τη πνευματική σας πορεία. Σας ευχαριστούμε! Fr. Jason

3 President s Report Construction Update The Journey To Our New Spiritual Home July

4 YMNOI THΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ Αναστάσιμο Aπολυτίκιον. χοςπλ.βʹ. Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Τοῦ Ἁγίου Αθλοφόρε Άγιε και Ιαματικέ Παντελεήμον, πρέσβευε τω έλεήμονι Θεώ, 'ίνα πταισμάτων άφεσιν, παράσχη ταις ψυχαίς ημών. 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 Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία, πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε, μὴ παρίδῃς, ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε. HYMNS OF THE DAY Resurrectional Apolytikion. Mode pl. 2. When the angelic powers appeared at Your grave, the soldiers guarding it feared and became as dead. And standing by the sepulcher was Mary who was seeking Your immaculate body. You devastated Hades, not afflicted by it. You went to meet the virgin, and granted eternal life. You resurrected from the dead. O Lord, glory to You. Apolytikion for Panteleimon the Great Marytr & Healer Panteleimon, saintly champion and healer, intercede with our merciful God to grant our souls remission of sins. 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 You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father. 4

5 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, ἐνδυναμοῦ ἐν τῇ χάριτι τῇ ἐν Χριστῷ Ιησοῦ, καὶ ἃ ἤκουσας παρ ἐμοῦ διὰ πολλῶν μαρτύρων, ταῦτα παράθου πιστοῖς ἀνθρώποις, οἵτινες ἱκανοὶ ἔσονται καὶ ἑτέρους διδάξαι. Συγκακοπάθησον ὡς καλὸς στρατιώτης Χριστοῦ Ιησοῦ. Οὐδεὶς στρατευόμενος ἐμπλέκεται ταῖς τοῦ βίου πραγματείαις, ἵνα τῷ στρατολογήσαντι ἀρέσῃ ἐὰν δὲ καὶ ἀθλῇ τις, οὐ στεφανοῦται ἐὰν μὴ νομίμως ἀθλήσῃ. Τὸν κοπιῶντα γεωργὸν δεῖ πρῶτον τῶν καρπῶν μεταλαμβάνειν. Νόει ὃ λέγω δώσει γάρ σοι ὁ κύριος σύνεσιν ἐν πᾶσιν. Μνημόνευε Ιησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐγηγερμένον ἐκ νεκρῶν, ἐκ σπέρματος Δαυίδ, κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν μου ἐν ᾧ κακοπαθῶ μέχρι δεσμῶν ὡς κακοῦργος, ἀλλὰ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ οὐ δέδεται. Διὰ τοῦτο πάντα ὑπομένω διὰ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς, ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ σωτηρίας τύχωσιν τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ιησοῦ μετὰ δόξης αἰωνίου. EPISTLE St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10 TIMOTHY, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory. 5

6 Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Ματθαῖον 9:27-35 ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παράγοντι ἐκεῖθεν τῷ Ιησοῦ, ἠκολούθησαν [αὐτῷ] δύο τυφλοὶ κράζοντες καὶ λέγοντες, Ελέησον ἡμᾶς, υἱὲ Δαυίδ. Ἐλθόντι δὲ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ τυφλοί, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς, Πιστεύετε ὅτι δύναμαι τοῦτο ποιῆσαι; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ, Ναί, κύριε. Τότε ἥψατο τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν λέγων, Κατὰ τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν γενηθήτω ὑμῖν. Καὶ ἠνεῴχθησαν αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί. καὶ ἐνεβριμήθη αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς λέγων, Ορᾶτε μηδεὶς γινωσκέτω. Οἱ δὲ ἐξελθόντες διεφήμισαν αὐτὸν ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ γῇ ἐκείνῃ. Αὐτῶν δὲ ἐξερχομένων ἰδοὺ προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπον κωφὸν δαιμονιζόμενον καὶ ἐκβληθέντος τοῦ δαιμονίου ἐλάλησεν ὁ κωφός. καὶ ἐθαύμασαν οἱ ὄχλοι λέγοντες, Οὐδέποτε ἐφάνη οὕτως ἐν τῷ Ισραήλ. Οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι ἔλεγον, Εν τῷ ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων ἐκβάλλει τὰ δαιμόνια. Καὶ περιῆγεν ὁ Ιησοῦς τὰς πόλεις πάσας καὶ τὰς κώμας, διδάσκων ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς βασιλείας καὶ θεραπεύων πᾶσαν νόσον καὶ πᾶσαν μαλακίαν ἐν τῷ λαῷ. The Gospel of Matthew 9:27-35 GOSPEL At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons." 6

7 HOW TO FOLLOW THE CHURCH SERVICES ON YOUR SMART PHONE/IPAD Step 1: Open your smart phone/ipad. Step 2: Turn on WiFi. Step 3: Select WiFi name: Greek Orthodox Step 4: Use password: greekwireless Step 5: Launch a browser. Type in Step 6: Tap on Step 7: Select the date of the service. You will see Matins. Tap on GR-EN Text/Music. Step 8: When Matins is completed go back to the Table of Contents and tap on Divine Liturgy. Tap on GR-EN Text/Music. You re done Follow the Divine Liturgy complete in either Greek or English. 7

8 SAINTS AND FEASTS Panteleimon the Great Marytr & Healer-July 27 This Saint, who had Nicomedia as his homeland, was the son of Eustorgius and Eubula. His father was an idolater, but his mother was a Christian from her ancestors. It was through her that he was instructed in piety, and still later, he was catechized in the Faith of Christ by Saint Hermolaus (see July 26) and baptized by him. Being proficient in the physician's vocation, he practiced it in a philanthropic manner, healing every illness more by the grace of Christ than by medicines. Thus, although his parents had named him Pantoleon ("in all things a lion"), because of the compassion he showed for the souls and bodies of all, he was worthily renamed Panteleimon, meaning "all -merciful." On one occasion, when he restored the sight of a certain blind man by calling on the Divine Name, he enlightened also the eyes of this man's soul to the knowledge of the truth. This also became the cause for the martyrdom of him who had been blind, since when he was asked by whom and in what manner his eyes had been opened, in imitation of that blind man of the Gospel he confessed with boldness both who the physician was and the manner of his healing. For this he was put to death immediately. Panteleimon was arrested also, and having endured many wounds, he was finally beheaded in the year 305, during the reign of Maximian. Saint Panteleimon is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is held in special honor among them, even as Saint George is among the Martyrs. Prochoros, Nicanor, Timon, & Parmenas the Apostles of the 70-July 28 These Apostles of the Seventy are mentioned in Acts 6:5. Saint Prochorus became Bishop of Nicomedia and reposed in peace. Saint Nicanor was stoned to death in Jerusalem. Saint Timon became Bishop of Bostra in Arabia and ended his life in martyrdom by fire at the hands of the pagans. Saint Parmenas died in peace in Jerusalem. Irene the Righteous of Chrysovalantou-July 28 Saint Irene, who was from Cappadocia, flourished in the ninth century. Because of her great beauty and virtue, she was brought to Constantinople as a prospective bride for the young Emperor Michael ( ); however, as Saint Joannicius the Great foretold, it was God's will that she assume the monastic habit instead. She shone forth in great ascetical labours, and suffered many attacks from the demons; while yet a novice, she attained to the practice of Saint Arsenius the Great, of praying the whole night long with arms stretched out towards Heaven (see May 8). God showed forth great signs and wonders in her, and she became the Abbess of the Convent of Chrysovalantou. She was granted the gift of clairvoyance and knew the thoughts of all that came to her. She appeared in a vision to the king and rebuked him for unjustly imprisoning a nobleman who had been falsely accused. Through a sailor from Patmos to whom he had appeared, Saint John the Evangelist sent her fragrant and wondrous apples from Paradise. She reposed at the age of 103, still retaining the youthful beauty of her countenance. After her repose, marvelous healings beyond number have been wrought by her to the present day. Kallinikos the Martyr of Asia Minor-July 29 Saint Callinicus was from Cilicia. Because he preached Christ and turned many pagans away from the idols, he was seized by Sacerdon the Governor, who subjected him to many tortures, then had him shod with shoes in which nails had been fixed upright, and compelled him to run to the city of Gangra, where he was burned alive in a furnace. Joseph the Righteous of Arimathea-July 31 The holy and righteous Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy member of the Jewish Sanhedrin and a secret follower of Christ Along with St. Nicodemus, St. Joseph removed Christ's body from the Cross, prepared it for burial, and placed it in his own sepulchre. Jewish spies found out about this and told their authorities, who imprisoned St. Joseph. However, the resurrected Christ appeared to St. Joseph in prison and convinced him of his Resurrection. Some time later the Jews released St. Joseph from prison and banished him from Jerusalem. He then traveled throughout the whole world preaching the Gospel, eventually sowing the seeds of salvation in Britain, where he reposed peacefully in the Lord. Procession of the Precious Cross-August 1 Because of the many diseases that occur in the month of August, the custom prevailed of old in Constantinople to carry the precious Wood of the Cross in procession throughout the city for its sanctification and its deliverance from illnesses. It was brought forth from the imperial treasury on the last day of July and placed upon the Holy Table of the Great Church of the Holy Wisdom; and beginning today, until the Dormition of the Theotokos, it was carried in procession throughout the city and was set forth for veneration before the people. The Holy Seven Maccabees, Eleazar the Martyr-August 1 The names of the Holy Maccabees are Abim, Anthony, Guria, Eleazar, Eusebona, Achim, and Marcellus. They were Jews by race and exact keepers of the Laws of the Fathers. They lived during the reign of Antiochus, who was surnamed Epiphanes ("Illustrious"), the King of Syria and an implacable enemy of the Jews. Having subjugated their whole nation and done many evil things to them, not sparing to assail the most sacred matters of their Faith, he constrained them, among other things, to partake of swine's flesh, which was forbidden by the Law. 8

9 SAINTS AND FEASTS The Holy Seven Maccabees, Eleazar the Martyr-August 1 Then these pious youths, on being apprehended together with their mother and their teacher, were constrained to set at nought the Law, and were subjected to unspeakable tortures: wrackings, the breaking of their bones, the flaying of their flesh, fire, dismemberment, and such things as only a tyrant's mind and a bestial soul is able to contrive. But when they had endured all things courageously and showed in deed that the mind is sovereign over the passions and is able to conquer them if it so desires, they gloriously ended their lives in torments, surrendering their life for the sake of the observance of the divine Law. The first to die was their teacher Eleazar, then all the brethren in the order of their age. As for their wondrous mother Solomone, "filled with a courageous spirit, and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly wrath" (II Macc. 7:21), she was present at her children's triumph over the tyrant, strengthening them in their struggle for the sake of their Faith, and enduring stout-heartedly their sufferings for the sake of their hope in the Lord. After her last and youngest son had been perfected in martyrdom, when she was about to be seized to be put to death, she cast herself into the fire that they might not touch her, and was thus deemed worthy of a blessed end together with her sons, in the year 168 before Christ. Ο ΑΓΙΟΣ ΠΑΝΤΕΛΕΗΜΩΝ ο Μεγαλομάρτυς και Ιαματικός-27 Ιουλίου Έζησε στα χρόνια του αυτοκράτορα Διοκλητιανού και καταγόταν από τη Νικομήδεια. Τον πατέρα του έλεγαν Εύστόργιο και τη μητέρα του, πού ήταν ευσεβέστατη χριστιανή, Εύβούλη. ο Παντελεήμων γρήγορα στερήθηκε τίς φροντίδες της μητέρας του, διότι πέθανε πρόωρα. Άλλα ο Θεός τον αξίωσε να διδαχθεί τη χριστιανική πίστη από ένα διακεκριμένο λειτουργό της Εκκλησίας, τον Ιερέα Έρμόλαο. Τότε ο Παντελεήμων είχε τελειώσει τις ιατρικές του σπουδές, κοντά στο φημισμένο γιατρό Ευφρόσυνο. Την επιστήμη του χρησιμοποίησε ιδιαίτερα για τους απόρους ασθενείς και έτρεχε με μοναδική προθυμία στις καλύβες τους, βοηθώντας τους όχι μόνο ιατρικά, αλλά και χρηματικά. Σέ κάθε σπίτι πού έμπαινε δίδασκε το Ευαγγέλιο και έφερνε σ' αυτό πολλές ψυχές. Ήταν εύσπλαγχνικός σε ακρότατο βαθμό για όλους τους πάσχοντες, γι' αυτό και ο Θεός του δώρησε το χάρισμα να θεραπεύει ασθενείς με μόνη την προσευχή του. Έτσι θεράπευσε πολλούς, μεταξύ αυτών και ένα τυφλό, πού έγινε αφορμή να συλλάβει ο Διοκλητιανός και τον Άγιο. Τον τυφλό τον θανάτωσε διότι πίστεψε στο Χριστό και τον Παντελεήμονα υπέβαλε σε φρικτά βασανιστήρια, ώσπου στο τέλος τον αποκεφάλισε. ο Παντελεήμων, όμως, ανήκει σ' αυτούς, για τους οποίους ο Κύριος είπε: "μακάριοι οι ελεήμονες, ότι αυτοί έλεηθήσονται"1. Μακάριοι, δηλαδή, είναι, οι ευσπλαχνικοί πού συμπονούν στη δυστυχία του πλησίον, διότι αυτοί θα ελεηθούν από το Θεό την ήμερα της Κρίσεως. 1. Ευαγγέλιο Ματθαίου, ε' 7. Απολυτίκιο. Ήχος γ'. Αθλοφόρε Άγιε και Ιαματικέ Παντελεήμον, πρέσβευε τω έλεήμονι Θεώ, 'ίνα πταισμάτων άφεσιν, παράσχη ταις ψυχαίς ημών. ΟΙ ΑΓΙΟΙ ΠΡΟΧΟΡΟΣ, ΝΙΚΑΝΩΡ, ΤΙΜΩΝ και ΠΑΡΜΕΝΑΣ οι Απόστολοι και Διάκονοι- 28 Ιουλίου Ος εάν θέλη εν ημίν μέγας γενέσθαι, έσται υμών διάκονος"1. Όποιος, δηλαδή, θέλει να γίνει μέγας μεταξύ σας, είπε ο Κύριος, ας είναι υπηρέτης σας και ας μαθαίνει να γίνεται εξυπηρετικός στους άλλους. Σ' αυτή την κατηγορία ανθρώπων άνηκαν και οι απόστολοι - από τους 70 μαθητές του Κυρίου - Πρόχορος, Νικάνωρ, Τίμων και Παρμένος. Αυτοί ήταν μεταξύ των επτά εκλεγμένων διακόνων της πρώτης χριστιανικής Εκκλησίας των Ιεροσολύμων (Πράξ. στ' 5). Το έργο τους ήταν να υπηρετούν και να επιστατούν στη διατροφή των απόρων μελών της Εκκλησίας, ιδιαίτερα των ορφανών και των χηρών. 'Αλλά υπηρετούσαν και στη διάδοση του θείου λόγου. Έτσι αργότερα, ο μεν Πρόχορος ακολούθησε τον ευαγγελιστή Ιωάννη στη Μικρά 'Ασία, όπου έγινε επίσκοπος Νικομήδειας και αναδείχθηκε τέλειος διάκονος του επισκοπικού καθήκοντος. ο δε Τίμων υπέστη μαρτυρικό θάνατο στη Βόστρα της 'Αραβίας, όπου είχε σταλεί να υπηρετήσει το Ευαγγέλιο. ΟΙ άλλοι δύο, ο Νικάνωρ και ο Παρμένος, πέθαναν στην Ιερουσαλήμ, εκτελώντας το διακονικό τους έργο. Κηδεύθηκαν από τους 'ίδιους τους 'Αποστόλους, κάτω από το πένθος όλης της Εκκλησίας, την οποία υπηρέτησαν με τόσο ζήλο και επιτυχία. Έτσι, ο καθένας χωριστά, αναδείχθηκε "πιστός διάκονος εν Κυρίω"2. Δηλαδή πιστός διάκονος στο έργο του Κυρίου. 1, Ευαγγέλιο Ματθαίου, κ' Επιστολή προς Έφεσίους, στ' 21 Η ΟΣΙΑ ΕΙΡΗΝΗ η Χρυσοβαλάντου-28 Ιουλίου Υπήρξε στα χρόνια της βασίλισσας Θεοδώρας, πού αναστήλωσε τις άγιες εικόνες. Ή Ειρήνη καταγόταν από την Καππαδοκία και διακρινόταν όχι μόνο για την ευσέβεια της, αλλά και για την σωματική ωραιότητα της και για την ευγενή ανατροφή της. Είχε ζητηθεί λοιπόν σε γάμο, από διακεκριμένο άνδρα του παλατιού και ξεκίνησε για το Βυζάντιο. Στη διαδρομή όμως, πέρασε από τη Μονή του Χρυσοβαλάντου και τόσο ελκύστηκε από τη συναναστροφή των καλογριών, ώστε πήρε τη μεγάλη απόφαση να παραμείνει μαζί τους. Έτσι απέρριψε τις κοσμικές δόξες, γύρισε στην πατρίδα της, πούλησε τα υπάρχοντα της, βοηθώντας πολλούς φτωχούς και τα υπόλοιπα χρήματα τα εναπόθεσε στη Μονή. Έγινε μοναχή και η ζωή της μέσα στο μοναστήρι υπήρξε πολύ ασκητική και αγία. Όταν πέθανε η ηγουμένη, η Ειρήνη, παρά την άρνηση της, ορίστηκε διάδοχος της. Από τη νέα της θέση, επετέλεσε τα καθήκοντα της άριστα. ο Θεός μάλιστα, την προίκισε με το προφητικό και θαυματουργικό χάρισμα. Έτσι δια της προσευχής της, απάλλαξε πολλούς από τα δαιμόνια. Προαισθάνθηκε τον θάνατο της και απεβίωσε ειρηνικά, γεμάτη χαρά για το ευχάριστο ουράνιο ταξίδι της. Απολυτίκιο. 'Ηχος πλ. α'. Τον συνάναρχον Λόγον. Βασιλείας γήινους πάλαι ουκ έτυχες, αλλ' άφθαρτων στεφάνων νυν σε ήξίωσεν, ο Νυμφίος σου Χριστός ο ωραιότατος ω καθιέρωσας σαύτήν, όλη καρδία και ψυχή, Ειρήνη Όσία Μήτερ, Χρυσοβαλάντου η δόξα, ημών δε προσφυγή και βοήθεια. 9

10 SAINTS AND FEASTS Ο ΑΓΙΟΣ ΚΑΛΛΙΝΙΚΟΣ-29 Ιουλίου Καταγόταν από την Κιλικία. Με ιδιαίτερη ευφράδεια λόγου, αλλά και με πολύ ζήλο, δίδασκε το Ευαγγέλιο. Όταν έφθασε στην Αίγυπτο, φανατικοί ειδωλολάτρες εξεγέρθηκαν εναντίον του, τον συνέλαβαν και τον οδήγησαν στον ηγεμόνα Σακέρδωνα. Αυτός, ύποκρινόμενος, έδειξε ότι λυπάται, και για να κάμψει το φρόνημα του Καλλινίκου, ανέφερε δήθεν περιστατικά πρώην γενναίων χριστιανών, πού όταν αντίκρισαν τα σκληρά βάσανα, αρνήθηκαν την πίστη τους. Ό Καλλίνικος, αντιλαμβανόμενος την υποκρισία του ηγεμόνα, μειδίασε και του είπε: "Μην αναβάλλεις, έπαρχε, να λάβεις πείρα της δύναμης με την οποία ό Χριστός οπλίζει τους γνήσιους πιστούς Του. Γρήγορα ετοίμασε όλα σου τα κολαστήρια όργανα, φωτιά, ξίφη, τροχούς, μαχαίρια, μαστίγια και ό,τι άλλο σκληρό μαρτύριο έχεις. Όλα αυτά και άλλα περισσότερα και σκληρότερα βασανιστήρια ποθώ για την αγάπη του Χριστού". Πράγματι, ό έπαρχος τον μαστίγωσε σκληρά. Έσκισε τις σάρκες του με σιδερένια νύχια και όπως ήταν μισοπεθαμένος, τον έδεσε πίσω από ένα άγριο άλογο, πού τον έσυρε για πολλά χιλιόμετρα. Τόση ήταν ή λύσσα του έπαρχου, πού πρίν ό Καλλίνικος αφήσει την τελευταία του πνοή, τον έριξε μέσα στη φωτιά. Έτσι ένδοξα πήρε το στεφάνι του μαρτυρίου. Απολυτίκιο. Ήχος γ'. Θείας πίστεως. Κλήσιν σύνδρομον, έχων τω βίω, νίκος καλλίστον, ήρας εν άθλοις, καταλλήλως γεγονώς ο προκέκλησαι συ γαρ καλώς τον αγώνα τελέσας σου, ως νικητής έδοξάσθης Καλλίνικε. Μάρτυς ένδοξε, Χριστόν τον Θεόν ικέτευε, δωρήσασθαι ημίν το μέγα έλεος. Ο ΑΓΙΟΣ ΙΩΣΗΦ ο από Αριμαθαίας- 31Ιουλίου Κηδευτής του Δεσπότη Χριστού. Απεβίωσε ειρηνικά. Η ΠΡΟΟΔΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΤΙΜΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΖΩΟΠΟΙΟΥ ΣΤΑΥΡΟΥ -1 Αυγούστου Δηλαδή ή έξοδος του Τιμίου Σταυρού από το παλάτι (ή κατ' άλλους από το σκευοφυλάκιο της μεγάλης εκκλησίας) στην Πόλη. Βλέπε σχετικά και προεόρτια την 31η Ιουλίου. Όμως, ό Πατμιακός Κώδικας 266, αναγράφει ότι κατά την 1η Αυγούστου στη Μεγάλη εκκλησία ετελείτο "ή Βάπτισις των τιμίων Ξύλων". ΟΙ ΑΓΙΟΙ ΕΠΤΑ ΜΑΚΑΒΑΙΟΙ, ΑΒΕΙΜ (ή ΑΒΙΒΟΣ). ΑΝΤΩΝΙΟΣ (ή ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟΣ),ΓΟΥΡΙΑΣ, ΕΛΕΑΖΑΡΟΣ, ΕΥΣΕΒΩΝΑΣ, ΑΧΕΙΜ, ΜΑΡΚΕΛΛΟΣ (ή ΣΑΜΩΝΑΣ, ή ΕΥΛΑΛΟΣ ή ΜΑΡΚΟΣ) ή μητέρα τους ΣΟΛΟΜΟΝΗ και ό διδάσκαλος τους ΕΛΕΑΖΑΡΟΣ-1 Αυγούστου "Αυτοκράτωρ εστί των παθών ό ευσεβής λογισμός"1. Ό ευσεβής λογισμός είναι κυρίαρχος και εξουσιαστής επί των παθών. Αυτό με περίσσια ανδρεία απέδειξαν οι επτά αδελφοί Μακκαβαίοι με τη στάση τους απέναντι στο βασιλιά της Συρίας Άντίοχο, όταν αυτός τους έταξε δόξες, τιμές και επίγειες απολαύσεις, αν αυτοί καταπατούσαν το Μωσαϊκό νόμο και έτρωγαν από τα απαγορευμένα φαγητά πού τους πρόσφερε. Προηγήθηκε ό ένενηκονταετής διδάσκαλος τους, Έλεάζαρος, πού εφάρμοσε στο έπακρο το νόμο πού τους δίδασκε, με αποτέλεσμα ό Άντίοχος να τον ρίξει στη φωτιά. Εμπνεόμενα από τη θυσία του γέροντα διδασκάλου τους, τα επτά αδέλφια κράτησαν την 'ίδια γενναία στάση απέναντι στο βασιλιά, όταν τους κάλεσε μπροστά του. Στην αρχή ό Αντίοχος προσπάθησε να τους κολακεύσει με διάφορα εγκώμια για τη νιότη τους. Τους είπε ότι αν έτρωγαν από τα ειδωλόθυτα πού τους πρόσφερε, θα απολάμβαναν μεγάλες τιμές, και φυσικά θα τους έσωζε από το θάνατο. Τότε οι επτά αδελφοί απάντησαν στον Άντίοχο: "χαλεπώτερον γαρ αυτού του θανάτου νομίζομεν είναι σου τον επί τη παρανομώ σωτηρία ημών έλεον". Δηλαδή, είναι περισσότερο επιβλαβής και απ' αυτόν το θάνατο, νομίζουμε, ή συμπάθεια σου για την παράνομη σωτηρία μας. Εξοργισμένος τότε ό Άντίοχος, με τροχούς, φωτιά και ακόντια, έναν-έναν τους σκότωσε όλους. Όταν είδε αυτό ή μητέρα τους Σολομονή, ρίχτηκε μόνη της στη φωτιά και έτσι όλοι μαζί πήραν το στεφάνι του μαρτυρίου. 1. Δ. Μακκαβαίων, α' 7, θ'4. Απολυτίκιο. Ήχος δ'. Ό υψωθείς εν τω Σταυρώ. Των Μακκαβαίων τον έπτάριθμον δήμον, συν τη μητρί Σολομονή τη αγία, και Ελεάζαρ άμα εύφημήσωμεν ούτοι γαρ ήρίστευσαν, δι' αγώνων νομίμων, ως φρουροί και φύλακες, των του Νόμου δογμάτων και νυν ως καλλιμάρτυρες Χριστού, υπέρ του κόσμου, άπαύστως πρεσβεύουσι. 10

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14 CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS CHURCH OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Please note that our church office will be closed to parishioners/visitors this week due to the paving of our new church parking lot!! Please call the office telephone at (240) , should you have any question or need further assistance. Philoptochos Fall Festival Volunteer Registration: Our Annual Greek Festival is made possible by the combined efforts of many volunteers, just like you! The success of our festival depends on the support of all our parishioners, friends and guests. Proceeds from our festival will assist our Church in continuing its programs and ministries. Please set aside some time to help the church during this major fund-raiser. Contact Nikki Pappas during Coffee Hour after the Divine Liturgy today, or call her at , on her cell or by npgreekschool@hotmail.com to volunteer. She will also have sign-up sheets available today for your convenience. Please also check with Olympia Koskinas for sign-up sheets as well. GOYA: Sunday, August 24th GOYA Board Elections and Meeting. GOYA will be hosting a " Breakfast Items" food drive to support a local food pantry from August 1st- 31st. Please donate non perishable items such as boxed cereal, juice boxes, breakfast bars, oatmeal, individual apple sauce/ fruit cup, peanut butter, jelly. Please do not buy Costco size items as space is limited. Please place in the box in the church hall. Thank you! SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, November 8th, Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, presents 'Rockin' through the Ages' Dance. Featuring the band 'Soul-Easy' at "The Ballroom" 3701 Rossmoor Boulevard in Silver Spring, MD. VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL: Our Vacation Church School (pre-k through 12th grade) will be held 9 am to 12 noon on Monday Thursday August 18-21st. Please don t hesitate to contact Fr. Jason for any questions or suggestions you may have at (301) or at fatherjason@schgocdc.org. We are still looking for volunteers - please let Fr. Jason know if you can help. 14

15 CONFESSION Father Michael is available to you for confession at any time. Please call Father Michael on his cell phone, (301) FUTURE MEMORIAL SERVICE August 10, 2014 Penelope Xeron (40 Days) August 17, 2014 Nicholas Stamos (40 Days) 15

16 PRAYER LIST If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the church office. Eleni, Maria, Simeon, Nikitas, Andreas, Constantine, Maria, Andreas, Pavlos, Elena, Elaine, Presbytera Flora, Harry, Maria, Aspasia, Panagiota, Kostas, Hariklia and Chrisanthi 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 ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FUTURE GOD PARENTS All Orthodox Christians planning to become a God Parent must be able to recite the Creed by memory. You may recite our Symbol of Faith in either English or Greek. 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. 16

17 Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, W a s h i n g t o n D. C. Reverend Father Michael Eaccarino, Protopresbyter Reverend Father Jason Houck, Presbyter Dear Parishioners of Saints Constantine and Helen, With the blessings of our spiritual father, Father Michael Eaccarino, we are writing to inform you of a new addition to the weekly Sunday Church Bulletin. To promote awareness and enthusiasm for our Nea Zoe project, every week we would like to include some trivia questions about the wonderful history of our parish, orthodoxy, and the progress of our church s construction. This way we not only educate ourselves about our faith, but we also learn what a Greek Orthodox church is. For example, some questions may include: Why does the altar face east? What is site work? What was the first street address of our church? In addition to gaining this valuable knowledge, by participating and answering the questions, there will be monthly prizes and rewards, such as an ice cream social after church. The answers to the trivia questions will be posted in the bulletin the following week. This activity is open to all ages and is a way for all of us to get together and connect as a community while eagerly moving forward as a parish. Sincerely, Georgia Dialektakos & Maria Lappas 17

18 Stewards as of June 27, 2014 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. Harry C. Adams Mr. & Mrs. Nikolaos Aggelis Miss Alenxandra Aiken Mr. & Mrs. John Alexiou Mrs. Pauline Andrakakos Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Antonios Antonelos Mrs. Iris Aravanis Mr. Emmanuel Atsalinos Mr. Costas Avrakotos Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Banks Mr. Achilles Basiliko Ms. Marie Bedard Mr. & Mrs. George Bergeris Mr. Nicholas Bergeris Mrs. Pauline Bergeris Mrs. Louis Bezantakos Mr. & Mrs. John Binford Miss Victoria Binford Mr. & Mrs. Lambros Bisbikis Mrs. Anna Bouboulis Mrs. Effie Bourdosis Mr. & Mrs. George Bourzikos Mrs. Helen Chanakas Mr. Steve Callas Mrs. Helen Calles Mr. Anthony J. Calomeris Mrs. Maria Calomeris Mrs. Pauline Calomiris Mr. Thomas J. Calomiris Mr. & Mrs. James Campbell Mr. & Mrs. George A. Caperones Mr. & Mrs. George W. Caperones Mr. Nick Caviris Mr. & Mrs. George Chahalis Mrs. Demetra Chakalos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Chapin Mr. & Mrs. James P. Cheakalos Mr. & Mrs. John T. Cheakalos Mrs. John W. Cheakalos Mr. & Mrs. Paul T. Cheakalos Mr. & Mrs. Michael Christian Miss Alexia Christian Ms. Katherine Chronopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Charles Clifton Mr. Christy G. Cokas Ms. Mary Cokas Mr. & Mrs. Spero Courtis Mr. & Mrs. Pete Dakoulas Mr. & Mrs. James Deligianis Miss Georgia Dialektakos Mr. & Mrs. James Dialektakos Mr. George D. Dimopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Doulaveris Fr. & Mrs. Michael Eaccarino Ms. Georgia Ferentinos Mr. & Mrs. Max Ferentinos Mrs. Sophia Ferentinos Ms. Geneva Foster Mr. Christos Foundas Mrs. Barbara Frangou Mr. & Mrs. George Galiachatos Mr. & Mrs. David Gamzon Mr. & Mrs. Richard Garcia Mr. & Mrs. Christos Georgakopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Pete Georgallas Mr. & Mrs. George Georgiou Ms. Demetra Georgopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Georgopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Sarantos Georgopoulos Miss Anastasia Gerohristodoulos Mr. George Gerohristodoulos Mr. & Mrs. Hrisostomos Gerohristodoulos Miss Sophia Gerohristodoulos Mr. & Mrs. George Gillespie Mr. Demetrius Govotsos Ms. Xenia Hajicosti Mr. Antonios Halasohoris Mr. & Mrs. George Haramis Mr. George Haris Mrs. Angelique Harris Ms. Eleni Harlepas Ms. Paraskevoula Hays Mrs. Esther Heras Mr. & Mrs. Chris Hondros Fr. & Mrs. Jason Houck Mr. & Mrs. Gus Ioakim Mrs. Maria Kafarakis Mr. Chris Kalabokes Mr. & Mrs. Elias Kalamoutsos Mr. Panagiotis Kalamoutsos Mr. & Mrs. Anastasios Kaldis Mr. Spiros A. Kaldis Mrs. Coula Kaleyias Mr. Athanasios Karadimas Mr. & Mrs. Spiro Karadimas Mr. & Mrs. John Karagiannis Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Kartsakalis Mr. & Mrs. George Katsafanas Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel G. Kavadias Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Kavadias Ms. Theodora Kavadias Mrs. Vaso G. Kavadias Mrs. Kalliopi Kavoures Mr. John Kintzios Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kiriakou Mr. & Mrs. Nick P. Kokonis 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. Ernie Koutras Mr. & Mrs. George A. Koutras Mrs. Voula Koutris Mr. Yiannos Kyriakides Ms. Anastasia Kyritsopoulos Mrs. Diana S. Laco Mr. & Mrs. Apostolos Lappas Miss Maria Lappas Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Levantis Ms. Georgia Lindroth Mr. Paul Lyngas Ms. Paula Magoulas Ms. Athanasia J. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios P. Mantzouranis Mr. Constantine G. Mantzouranis Mr. George A. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. George C. Mantzouranis Mr. George J. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. John A. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. John G. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. Michael G. Mantzouranis Mrs. Theano Mantzouranis Mrs. Mary Mantzouris Ms. Sophie Manus Ms. Stella Manus 18

19 Stewards as of June 27, 2014 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. Christos Marafatsos Mr. Dimitrios P. Marafatsos Mr. & Mrs. George Marafatsos Mr. & Mrs. Petros Marafatsos Mr. & Mrs. Petros G. Marafatsos Ms. Rebecca Marianos Mr. Alex & Dr. Despina Markogiannakis Mr. & Mrs. John Markos Mr. & Mrs. Cleon Marlas Mr. & Mrs. Efrem Maroules Mrs. Harriet Maroules Mrs. Aspasia Martinis Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Mathis Mrs. Terpsie Matrakas Mr. & Mrs. Theodore G. Matrakas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Matthews Miss Cornelia Mavromatis Mr. Elias Mavromatis Mr. Jacob Mavromatis Mr. & Mrs. Louis Mavromatis Miss Eleni Mayes Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Mayes, III Mr. Joseph C. Mayes, IV Miss Stamatia Mayes Ms. Eleni McIlvaine Ms. Sylvia Michael Mrs. Voula Michael Ms. Alexandra Michaels Mr. & Mrs. John Mihailidis Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Moshogianis Mr. & Mrs. James Moshovitis Mr. & Mrs. Roni Murshed Miss Maria Nasios Mr. & Mrs. Sotirios Nasios Mr. & Mrs. Costas Nathenas Ms. Pelagia Nathenas Mr. & Mrs. Adam Nixon Mr. & Mrs. Michael O Donnell Mr. Patrick O Donnell Mr. & Mrs. Demetri Paidas Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Panagoulias Mr. & Mrs. Nickolas Pantazes Mrs. Irene Papas Mrs. Konstadina Papoulias Mr. & Mrs. James Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas P. Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Charles Papuchis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Paschalidis Mr. & Mrs. Constantinos Paspalis Mr. & Mrs. John Passas Mr. & Mrs. Harry Perrus Miss Chrystyna Pittas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Pittas Mrs. Barbara Pollos Ms. Stella Marafatsos-Prokopic Mr. & Mrs. Charilaos Psallidas Mr. & Mrs. Nick Rakis Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios Raptis Mr. & Mrs. Andrew A. Recachinas Mr. & Mrs. Andrew J. Recachinas Mr. & Mrs. George Recachinas Miss Eleni Retzos Mrs. Eleni Retzos Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Retzos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Retzos Mr. & Mrs. George Romas Mr. & Mrs. Spyros Rozakis Mr. & Mrs. Chris Sakkos Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Sakkos Mr. & Mrs. Stanley J. Santorios Mr. & Mrs. Max Schindler Miss Elizabeth Scott Mrs. Litsa Sekas Mr. & Mrs. Vasilis Skaltsas Miss Georgia Sideris Mrs. Angeliki Sideris Mr. & Mrs. George Sideris Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Siegel Mr. Demetrios Siskos Mr. Pavlos Siskos Mr. & Mrs. Harry Solomos Mr. & Mrs. George Sourvinos Mr. & Mrs. Pete T. Spiropoulos Miss Maria Stamos Mr. & Mrs. William Stamos Mr. Sokratis Stassinos Mr. & Mrs. Gus Stathes Mr. & Mrs. John P. Stathes Mr. & Mrs. Nick Stathes Mr. & Mrs. Paul Stathes Mr. & Mrs. George Stathopoulos Ms. Patricia Stathopoulos Mrs. Athena Strates Ms. Panagiota Strats 19 Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Straub Ms. Victoria Taroudaki Mr. & Mrs. George Tatakis Mr. Demetris Themistokleous Mr. & Mrs. Peter Themistokleous Mrs. Elizabaeth M.P. Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Thornberg Mr. Alexander Tiches Mrs. Louis J. Tiches Mr. Louis J. Tiches, II Miss Maria Tiches Mr. & Mrs. Stamatios Tiches Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Tompros Mr. & Mrs. Evan Triandafilou Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Triantis Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Tripoulas Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Trischuk Ms. Maria Tsigas Mrs. Helen D. Tsintolas Mr. & Mrs. George Tsioros Mr. Stelios Tsioros Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios P. Tsipianitis Mr. Panayioti Tsipianitis Mr. Konstantinos D. Tsonis Mr. & Mrs. Bill Tzamaras Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Tzavelis Mr. & Mrs. Avgerinos Vakalopoulos Mr. Xenofon Vakalopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Vithoulkas Miss Alexandra Ward Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Ward Mr. & Mrs. Anton Wasef Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Wells Mr. & Mrs. George Xeron Mr. Peter E. Yakas Mrs. Antigoni Yakoumatos Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Yeonas Mr. Chris Yfantis Mr. & Mrs. George Yfantis Ms. Vasso Yfantis Mrs. Soula Zavras Mr. & Mrs. Paul R. Zayas-Ginorio Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Zibragos Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Zuras Ms. Matina Zuras Mrs. Voula Zuras

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