Fifth Sunday of Lent - Saint Mary of Egypt

Transcript

1 Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751, Durham NC News & Announcements April 17, 2016 Fifth Sunday of Lent - Saint Mary of Egypt Symeon the Holy Martyr and Bishop of Persia Makarios, Bishop of Corinth Agapetos of Rome NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy 10:00 am To Our Visitors and Guests We welcome you to worship with us today, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not a sacrament, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning please join us in the Church hall for fellowship and refreshments. Please complete a Visitor's Card before you leave today and drop it in the offering tray, or give it to one of the parishioners after the service, or mail it to the church Office. St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14 Today's Readings: BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 1

2 Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 9:11-14 Ἀδελφοί, Χριστὸς δὲ παραγενόμενος ἀρχιερεὺς τῶν μελλόντων ἀγαθῶν, διὰ τῆς μείζονος καὶ τελειοτέρας σκηνῆς, οὐ χειροποιήτου, τοῦτʼ ἔστιν, οὐ ταύτης τῆς κτίσεως, οὐδὲ διʼ αἵματος τράγων καὶ μόσχων, διὰ δὲ τοῦ ἰδίου αἵματος εἰσῆλθεν ἐφάπαξ εἰς τὰ ἅγια, αἰωνίαν λύτρωσιν εὑράμενος. Εἰ γὰρ τὸ αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων, καὶ σποδὸς δαμάλεως ῥαντίζουσα τοὺς κεκοινωμένους, ἁγιάζει πρὸς τὴν τῆς σαρκὸς καθαρότητα, πόσῳ μᾶλλον τὸ αἷμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς διὰ πνεύματος αἰωνίου ἑαυτὸν προσήνεγκεν ἄμωμον τῷ θεῷ, καθαριεῖ τὴν συνείδησιν ὑμῶν ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων, εἰς τὸ λατρεύειν θεῷ ζῶντι; The Gospel according to Mark 10:32-45 At that time, Jesus taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 10:32-45 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παραλαβάνει ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς δώδεκα μαθητάς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἤρξατο αὐτοῖς λέγειν τὰ μέλλοντα αὐτῷ συμβαίνειν, ὅτι ἰδοὺ ἀναβαίνομεν εἰς Ιεροσόλυμα καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθήσεται τοῖς ἀρχιερεῦσι καὶ γραμματεῦσι, καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτὸν θανάτῳ καὶ παραδώσουσιν αὐτὸν τοῖς ἔθνεσι, καὶ ἐμπαίξουσιν αὐτῷ καὶ μαστιγώσουσιν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐμπτύσουσιν αὐτῷ καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται. Καὶ προσπορεύονται αὐτῷ Ιάκωβος καὶ Ιωάννης υἱοὶ Ζεβεδαίου λέγοντες διδάσκαλε, θέλομεν ἵνα ὃ ἐὰν αἰτήσωμεν ποιήσῃς ἡμῖν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς τί θέλετε ποιῆσαί με ὑμῖν; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ δὸς ἡμῖν ἵνα εἷς ἐκ δεξιῶν σου καὶ εἷς ἐξ εὐωνύμων σου καθίσωμεν ἐν τῇ δόξῃ σου. ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς οὐκ οἴδατε τί αἰτεῖσθε. δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω, καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθῆναι; οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ δυνάμεθα. ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς τὸ μὲν ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω πίεσθε, καὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὃ ἐγὼ βαπτίζομαι βαπτισθήσεσθε τὸ δὲ καθίσαι ἐκ δεξιῶν μου καὶ ἐξ εὐωνύμων οὐκ ἔστιν ἐμὸν δοῦναι, ἀλλ οἷς ἡτοίμασται. Καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ δέκα ἤρξαντο ἀγανακτεῖν περὶ Ιακώβου καὶ Ιωάννου. ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς προσκαλεσάμενος αὐτοὺς λέγει αὐτοῖς οἴδατε ὅτι οἱ δοκοῦντες ἄρχειν τῶν ἐθνῶν κατακυριεύουσιν αὐτῶν καὶ οἱ μεγάλοι αὐτῶν κατεξουσιάζουσιν αὐτῶν οὐχ οὕτω δὲ ἔσται ἐν ὑμῖν, ἀλλ ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ γενέσθαι μέγας ἐν ὑμῖν, ἔσται ὑμῶν διάκονος, καὶ ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ ὑμῶν γενέσθαι πρῶτος, ἔσται πάντων δοῦλος καὶ γὰρ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἦλθε διακονηθῆναι, ἀλλὰ διακονῆσαι, καὶ δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν.. Today's Memorials: 40 Days - Ernest C. 'Anastasios' Sunas survived by his devoted and loving wife of 66 years Marian Pantazis Sunas, his children Thea S. (Mark) Blalock of Marietta, GA and Dean (Lesley) Sunas of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; his grandchildren, Stacey Blalock, and Alex, Sarah and Luke Sunas; a brother William (Joanne) Sunas of Chapel Hill; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sisters, Marie Tsantes and Helen Dennos 1 year - Anna Eliseeva mother of Elena (Yuri) Panov. Today's coffee hour will be hosted by both the Sunas and Panov families in memory of their loved ones. 2

3 Today's Events Welcome John Shelton Our Metropolis OCF Regional Chairperson will talk to us about his work for our metropolis, and offer his thanks you on their behalf the Atlanta Metropolis for Saint Barbara's Commitment to the students of Duke, and UNC over the years. Holy Week Church Preparation today Pressure washing exterior of church, underneath porticos, and sidewalks. 1:00 to 4:30 pm Today's Commemoration Where shall I begin to weep for the actions of my wretched life? What first-fruit shall I offer, O Christ, in this my lamentation? But in Thy compassion grant me forgiveness of sins. (The Canon of St. Andrew, Canticle 1, vs. 2.) During Great Lent we remember and venerate Saint Mary of Egypt both on April 1 and the Fifth Sunday of Lent. With the Canon of St. Andrew, read in many churches during the first and fifth weeks of Lent, we uphold her as an icon of repentance, an example for every Orthodox Christian to emulate. Yet for many years, she lived a life of bondage to sexual passions. If St. Mary of Egypt were alive today, would we welcome her into our assembly? I confess to Thee, O Savior, the sins I have committed, the wounds of my soul and body, which murderous thoughts, like thieves, have inflicted inwardly upon me. (The Canon of St. Andrew, Canticle 1, vs. 12.) While we don t know about the very early years of her life, we do know that she lost her virginity at age twelve and ran away from home. For the next seventeen years she was a slave to her insatiable appetite for sexual perversions, including sexual encounters with young men, even against their will. This sounds very much like a victim of pedophilia who recoils and continues in her victimization by taking on the role of a predator herself, victimizing others in the process. Many adults who fall into the bondage of pedophilia are victims of sexual abuse as children. In a futile attempt to reconcile the horror of their own victimization, they try to regain control of their lives through exploitation, continuing to inflict wounds on their own souls and bodies. Like David, I have fallen into lust and I am covered in filth; but wash me clean, O Savior, by my tears. (The Canon of St. Andrew, Canticle 2, vs. 54.) O Lady, thou hast brought forth our Joy: Grant me the spirit of mourning that in the coming Day of Judgment I may be comforted by God. (The Canon of St. Andrew, Canticle 9, vs. 327.) For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:23) For seventeen years, Saint Mary of Egypt lived a lifestyle that isolated her from the community and God. Covered with filth amassed over the years, her heart yet longed for union with God. People in prison feel ostracized too, isolated from God and society, as they sit in shame in prison cells longing for the same tears of repentance that lead to joy and reconciliation. Christ became man, calling to repentance thieves and harlots. Repent, my soul: the door of the kingdom is already open, and Pharisees and publicans and adulterers pass through it before thee, changing their lives. (The Canon of St. Andrew, Canticle 9, Vs. 342) The healing of the venerable Saint Mary of Egypt was not instantaneous but required a rigorous and lengthy spiritual journey. Being led by the Holy Spirit, she retreated to the wilderness where she lived the life of a hermit for seventeen years, seeking freedom from bondage of the passions. She spent a further thirty years in the wilderness having obtained the true gifts of repentance, healing and freedom from the enslavement of sin. During Great Lent, each of us seeks repentance, turning from our own vices and passions and setting our minds and hearts on God. Through the intercessions of the most Holy Theotokos, God grants us the gift of compunction to turn from our wounds and sins to find healing and comfort in Him. Let us remember Saint Mary of Egypt and her wonderful redemption. During the remainder of this Lenten journey, may we pray to be freed from our imprisonment to the passions that enslave us. Let us also pray for strength for all of our brothers and sisters who are imprisoned in penitentiaries, for their struggles and their journeys to repentance. From Patrick Tutella, Chaplain Executive Director, OCPM Having been a sinful woman, You became through repentance a Bride of Christ. Having attained angelic life, You defeated demons with the weapon of the Cross; Therefore, O most glorious Mary you are a Bride of the Kingdom! (Kontakion: Tone 3) 3

4 Holy Worship Services of the Week Wednesday Evening, April 20th Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at 6:30 pm Saturday, April 23rd Saturday of Lazarus - Matins & Divine Liturgy 9 am FUNDRAISING PROJECTS TO DATE: 2015 February 7 June 6-7 July 18 September 12 September 26 October 3 November 6 November December 6 December 12 Gyro Day Greek Festival Gyro Feast Yard Sale Fashion Show Chicken Dinners To-go Evening of Music Joint Philoptochos/PC Fundraiser Saint Barbara Celebration Banquet Holiday Greek Pastries 2016 January 16 January 30 February 20 June 4-5 July 23 October 1 September 24 Evening of Music Spaghetti Event Gyro Event Greek Festival Gyro Event Chicken Event Evening of Jazz Blessings, Donna Looking ahead to Lent and Easter, I wanted to set up some rehearsal times as the church calendar is full with activities. These will be primarily on Saturday mornings. We may have to add/subtract as we get closer to Easter but I will let you know any changes.plan to come to all or as many as you can. Saturday, March 12...Rehearsal from noon to 1:30 This rehearsal will be preparation for the Sunday of Orthodoxy service on March 20. Saturday, April :30-1:00 Saturday, April :30-1:00 Saturday, April :30-1:00 Palm Sunday...April 24, Holy Week...April 25-29, Resurrection Service,...April 30, 4

5 Youth Dance Practice Schedule: The St. Barbara Greek Dance Troupe has completed 6 practices and has 6 remaining in order to prepare for this year s festival. Practices are immediately following church on Sundays. The remaining schedule is as follows: April 10 and 17 (no dance practice from Saturday of Lazarus, April 23 through Easter on May 1) May 8, 15, 22 and 29 (May 29 contingent on everyone s availability due to the holiday weekend) Please make every effort to attend the remaining practices and block your calendars for the festival on June 4 and 5. If you have any questions please contact Alexia and Keith Rheinhardt at keithalexia@gmail.com or DUKE OCF News The Duke Students will meet with Fr. Stavroforos on the First and Third Mondays of the Month at the Mosaic Space, Keohane 4B (4th Floor) Here is a map for you to find it. I recommend taking a few seconds to orient yourselves before the walk. The room is near the walking bridge over Wannamaker Lane. For more information contact Andrew Katsohirakis at andrew.katsohirakis@duke.edu Thursday, April 21 Monday, May 2 Philoptochos News and Updates: April Wednesday 6: Board Mtg 7pm Sunday 10: Autism Collection Sunday 10: General Membership Meeting Saturday 16: Blanket Workshop 1-3 Friday 29: (after am Church service) Decorating the Kouvouklion Wrapping Dyed Easter Eggs May Wednesday 4: Board Meeting 7pm Saturday 14: Blanket Making 1-3 Sunday 15/22: General Membership Mtg (*depends on last day of Sunday School*) Sunday * : Sunday School Award and Recognition Day* June Saturday 18: Blanket Making 1-3 Dues:for the current year are $30.00, checks should be made payable to St. Barbara Philoptochos. 5

6 Saturday of Lazarus - 9:00 am 24 - Palm Sunday Morning - 9:00 am 24-1st Bridegroom Service - 6:30 pm 25 - Holy Monday - 2nd Bridegroom Service - 6:30 pm 26 - Holy Tuesday - 3rd Bridegroom Service - 6:30 pm 27 - Holy Wednesday - Service of Holy Unction - 6:30 pm 28 - Holy Thursday Morning Vespers with Liturgy of St. Basil- 9:00 am 28 - Holy Thursday Evening Passion Service - 6:30 pm 29 - Good Friday Morning Royal Hours - 9:00 am 29 - Good Friday Afternoon Descent from the Cross - 3:00 pm 29 - Good Friday Evening - Lamentation Service - 6:30 pm 30 - Holy Saturday Morning Vespers with Liturgy of St. Basil- 9:00 am 30- Matins and Resurrection Service - 11:00 pm 1 - Easter Agape Service - 11:00 am 6

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8 FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO PARTICIPATE : A Palm Cross Maker After Services for the Saturday of Lazarus Contact Evelyn Zehia ezehia@att.net or Cleo Papanikas cleopatrazp@aol.com A Holy Week Reader Contact Pete Marinos pnm1@yahoo.com An Epitaphio Decorator After the Royal Hours on Good Friday Contact Dina Paliouras via cindy.paliouras@gmail.com A Parent with Child who Receives the Body of Christ from the Cross. In the middle of the 3:00 service of Good Friday Contact Cleo Papanikas cleopatrazp@aol.com Participating in the Choir Contact Donna Trohanis donnatro@bellsouth.net Participating in the Reading of the Gospel in a Language other than English or Greek at the Agape Service Contact Pete Marinos pnm1@yahoo.com or Larry Odzak larryodzak@gmail.com Easter Eggs for Toole Wrapping Should be dyed at home and brought to church on Good Friday to be wrapped on the premises. Contact Catherine Mariakakis at mariakakis@frontier.com Volunteering in the Narthex and Ushering Parishioners Contact Johnny Mariakakis mariakakis@att.net Being a Pall-bearer that carries the Epitaphio Contact Nicholas Paliouras nickpali82@yahoo.com Being a Myrrh-bearer at our Lord's Tomb Contact Cleo Papanikas cleopatrazp@aol.com Being an Altar Boy Contact Burt Keener bkeener@nc.rr.com or Gus Megaloudis gusmegaloudis@hotmail.com Adorning the Church with an Easter Lily that your Purchased Hope Odzak hdodzak@gmail.com Contributing a food item for the International Easter Pot Luck After the Midnight Service Let Helen Paliouras Know What Your Bringing. elenipali.@att.net. All Covered Dishes Should be taken directly to the Church Hall. Everyone is invited to offer a cover dish. Watching your child Enjoy the Easter Egg Hunt Activities on Thomas Sunday May 8 Contact Person Christi Kleoudis ckleoudis@gmail.com 8

9 SATURDAY OF LAZARUS activities: 9:00 Am - matins AND DIVINE LITURGY 11:15 AM - PANCAKE BREAKFAST FOLLOWED BY PALM CROSS MAKING Everyone is asked to join in on the Making of the Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday. We Look Forward to your Easter Pot-Luck Items for our Community Anastasi Midnight Service! As is the tradition at St. Barbara, we will once again be gathering after the midnight Resurrection Service in the wee hours of May 1 for our 'potluck' dinner in the social hall. We kindly ask for any potluck food items to be brought directly to the social hall no later than 11:30 pm. We encourage foods of all types and all ethnicities to be brought in so we can truly celebrate the different cultures of our Orthodox Faith. For any questions, please Helen Paliouras at elenipali@att.net or call

10 Stewardship update We are happy to report that 117 stewardship cards have been distributed by hand by our Stewardship Chairman Dr. Pete Marinos. Our community would like to thank those 68 stewards who returned the completed forms to our treasurer. Those names have been listed on the active stewardship list published every first Sunday of the month in our weekly announcements. Just a gentle reminder to those remaining 49 that picked up cards, please fill out the information card and return it with the envelope provided by our church. Last year in February we had 91 stewards, and we do not want to fall short this year. Thanking you for your unending and continued love and support for our Church. Save the Date: Sunday April 24th Palm Sunday Luncheon after Church Suggested donation $10 per adult 10