Great Martyr Marina Veronika & Speratos the Martyrs NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!

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1 Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751, Durham NC News & Announcements July 17, 2016 Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council Great Martyr Marina Veronika & Speratos the Martyrs 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 Titus 3:8-15 Today's Readings: TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful. All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. 1

2 Πρὸς Τίτον 3:8-15 Πιστὸς ὁ λόγος, καὶ περὶ τούτων βούλομαί σε διαβεβαιοῦσθαι, ἵνα φροντίζωσιν καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι οἱ πεπιστευκότες θεῷ. ταῦτά ἐστιν καλὰ καὶ ὠφέλιμα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις μωρὰς δὲ ζητήσεις καὶ γενεαλογίας καὶ ἔριν καὶ μάχας νομικὰς περιΐστασο, εἰσὶν γὰρ ἀνωφελεῖς καὶ μάταιοι. αιῥετικὸν ἄνθρωπον μετὰ μίαν καὶ δευτέραν νουθεσίαν παραιτοῦ, εἰδὼς ὅτι ἐξέστραπται ὁ τοιοῦτος καὶ ἁμαρτάνει, ὢν αὐτοκατάκριτος. Ὅταν πέμψω Ἀρτεμᾶν πρὸς σὲ ἢ Τυχικόν, σπούδασον ἐλθεῖν πρός με εἰς Νικόπολιν, ἐκεῖ γὰρ κέκρικα παραχειμάσαι. Ζηνᾶν τὸν νομικὸν καὶ Ἀπολλῶν σπουδαίως πρόπεμψον, ἵνα μηδὲν αὐτοῖς λείπῃ. μανθανέτωσαν δὲ καὶ οἱ ἡμέτεροι καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας, ἵνα μὴ ὦσιν ἄκαρποι. Ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ μετ ἐμοῦ πάντες. Ἄσπασαι τοὺς φιλοῦντας ἡμᾶς ἐν πίστει. ἡ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν. The Gospel according to Matthew 5:14-19 The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 5:14-19 Εἶπεν ὁ Κὐριος τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ μαθηταῖς Υμεῖς ἐστε τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου. οὐ δύναται πόλις κρυβῆναι ἐπάνω ὄρους κειμένη οὐδὲ καίουσι λύχνον καὶ τιθέασι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τὸν μόδιον, ἀλλ ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν, καὶ λάμπει πᾶσι τοῖς ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ. οὕτω λαμψάτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὅπως ἴδωσιν ὑμῶν τὰ καλὰ ἔργα καὶ δοξάσωσι τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν τὸν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς. Μὴ νομίσητε ὅτι ἦλθον καταλῦσαι τὸν νόμον ἢ τοὺς προφήτας οὐκ ἦλθον καταλῦσαι, ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι. ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ, ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κεραία οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου ἕως ἂν πάντα γένηται. ὃς ἐὰν οὖν λύσῃ μίαν τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων καὶ διδάξῃ οὕτω τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, ἐλάχιστος κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν ὃς δ ἂν ποιήσῃ καὶ διδάξῃ, οὗτος μέγας κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν. Memorial: 1 year - Theodoros Koutsourakis (father of Anna Dalessandro) Trisagion 6 years - Mary Mamaies (mother of Fr. Stavroforos) 2 Today's Events: GENERAL ASSEMBLY TODAY Agenda: - Review of the Results of the Greek Festival - Report of the State of the Parish as of the end of the First Half of 2016

3 2016 Financial Update thru May 31, Stewardship & Offering donations $58, Operations expenses $78,104 Operations shortfall ($19,929) 2016 Building Fund donations $15, Building Fund expenses (Mortgage) $87,330 Building Fund shortfall ($71,841) Total Shortfall ($91,770) Your Stewardship and Building Fund contributions are necessary year round but particularly during the summer months when church attendance is low. The church expenses continue year round. Please consider auto bill pay options through your financial institution. 3

4 ATTENTION SAINT BARBARA PARISH! Celebrate with your Church Family yournext special occasion! Consider sponsoring a coffee hour in the social hall after Liturgy on Sundays to commemorate a birthday, graduation, nameday, anniversary, or even for the pleasure of just hosting for your Parish. Signing up is easy...just place your name on the 'signup coffee hour' sheet located on the table in the hallway nearest the social hall. For details or questions, contact Helen Paliouras at: or elenipali@att.net FUNDRAISING PROJECTS TO DATE: 2015 February 7 June 6-7 July 18 September 12 September 26 October 3 November 6 November December 2 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 Christmas Concert Saint Barbara Celebration Banquet Holiday Greek Pastries January 30 February 20 June 4-5 July 23 September 24 October Evening of Music Spaghetti Event Gyro Event Greek Festival Gyro Event Evening of Jazz Chicken Event January 16 4 WE NEED YOU as a STEWARD! Our Saint Barbara Church needs each and every family to join our Stewardship Program. Our goal is to have 150 Pledged Families in the Stewardship Program. As of May 30th we have 91 Pledged Families in our Stewardship Program. You Will Always Be In our Hearts! Saint Barbara Will Never Leave You! Please help us Reach our Goal.

5 Divine Liturgy this Week Wednesday The Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias Worship Services for July of th Sunday of Matthew - 6th Sunday of Matthew - NEXT SESSION JULY 26TH AT 6:30 IN THE CHURCH For those interested in learning more about the chanting that we do in our Greek Orthodox Churches, we are meeting to go over very basic ways of singing in this tradition. We will begin with humming the isons which anyone can do; and we will go over some of the beautiful chants of our church like the 'Christos Anesti' which is sung at Pascha. We will also discuss how to follow the lead chanter; and a similar concept of 'question and answer' style hymnography. This discussion and sing along will be lead by Tony Thompson, assistant chanter at St. Barbara. If you are interested in participating in this program offering you can Anthony Thompson at tony_man@mac.com For a brief bio see below: Tony Thompson is a professional musician and chanter at St. Barbara GOC. He attended UNCG where he studied both music and business. Recently, Tony earned a playing certificate from the American Guild of Organists(2014). In 2013 he was the official salaried organist for Holy Trinity GOC. He has participated in the Raleigh Convocation Choir performing Sacred Choral Music(classical master works). He has also sung in the Triangle Orthodox Choir. Currently, he sometimes works as a professional interim organist /vocalist for Anglican churches. Other places of service as choir master, chanter and chorister: parishes include The Dormition of the Theotokos, St. George(High Point), All Saints Antiochian, St. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church, St. Gregory the Great Orthodox Church in America. Tony has chanted with the much celebrated Byzantine Choir from New York, Romeiko(2003 season) and chanted regulatory at St Sophia Cathedral in Washington, DC.(2003). 5

6 Menu: GYRO FEAST and GREEK PASTRY SALE Sponsored by Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC Highway 751 Durham, NC Saturday, July 23, :00 am - 8:00 pm GYRO - lamb & beef mix on grilled pita bread $8 with lettuce, tomatoes, onions & tzatziki sauce Greek Salad, with side of pita bread - Large/Small $7/$4 Soda and Bottled Water $2 Eat in or Take Out Bring the family and enjoy the food and music 6

7 7 The Holy Great Martyr Marina CELEBRATED July 17 The holy Great Martyr Marina lived during the reign of Diocletian and hence the great persecution of the Christian people. She was born in Antioch of Pisidia to noble and affluent parents. Her father, Aidesios was a pagan priest and her mother died soon after giving birth to Marina, leaving the saint as an only child. After the death of her mother, her father was forced to give Marina to a certain woman who lived out of the city to feed her and look after her. Marina grew up in a neighborhood, which by divine economy was a Christian one. By the age of 12, Marina began to learn of the faith in Christ and His teachings. Marina had a good soul and she felt great joy and contrition when she heard that Christ is True God, who came to save the world from the devil and from sin and that human beings have an immortal soul and eternal life. The seed of faith had taken root in the depths of this young girl s soul, a seed that would not take long to bring forth the sweet fruits of virtue and of martyrdom. As Marina grew, so too did the flame of enthusiasm and love she had for the Saviour Christ. Her prayer that Christ might make her worthy to martyr for her faith soon turned this flame into a fire. She learned of the martyrdom of Christians and was envious of them. Her pure soul overflowed with the holy desire to dedicate herself entirely to Christ from the moment she was baptised and to give her life in His name. That is why she could not keep what she felt for the Saviour Christ to herself. She began to speak to the people and to preach her faith. She openly

8 spoke against the idols and delivered her sermons admirably and with an unshakeable courage. She did not hesitate to confess her faith to her pagan father who was immediately filled with rage. He refused to see her and hear her. Marina s faith, however, remained unyielding and dedicated to the love for Christ. She witnessed the martyrdom of Christians and greatly desired to take their place, to confess Christ and to be sacrificed for Him. Marina was now fifteen years old and the moment of her great battle was imminent. A Roman leader, Olyvrios, a hard and barbaric persecutor of Christians, was travelling through Antioch when he heard of Marina and asked to see her. As soon as he saw her he was blinded by her beauty and immediately thought of taking her for his wife. He ordered that she be brought to court. Marina entered with courage and trust in Divine Help, she prayed ceaselessly and was ready to confess her faith in Christ and to martyr for Him. Olyvrios asked her where she was from and what her name was. Marina answered, "I am from Antioch and my name is Marina. I am a handmaiden of Jesus Christ who is the true God and Creator of the world." All those present heard Marina s confession and admired her courage but simultaneously were sorry for her because they knew what would follow. The trial did not continue. Marina was immediately imprisoned until the following day, a pagan feast day when many people gathered for the sacrifice. Marina was once again brought before the ruler at dawn. The pagan sacrifices to the idols were already in progress. They all believed that once Marina saw the people sacrificing to the idols, that she too would yield and do the same. Olyvrios initially tried to flatter her for her beauty and youth and exclaimed that it was ludicrous for her to believe in Jesus Christ because such beliefs would only bring her torture and a martyr s death. Her faith, however, remained steadfast. "Be aware ruler, that nothing in this world is capable of separating me from the love of Christ. Nothing moves me, not your riches, not your honours, not your glories or your gold and comforts, because they are all temporary and vain. Hunger does not scare me; neither does persecution, prison and tortures not even death. I am ready to give my body to martyrdom and my soul to my Bridegroom Christ, the sinless Redeemer and Savior, who was crucified for our love and for our salvation." "Marina," replied the tyrant, "bow down before the gods and sacrifice so as you can escape the tortures. Think of your youth, your beauty, and your life. I will take you for my wife and make you happy, with glory, grandeur and wealth." The ruler s attempts were in vain and when he saw that he could not make her yield he was filled with rage. He ordered that she be stripped bare and beaten mercilessly. The blood poured from her young body and painted the earth. The Saint bore it patiently. She prayed and raised her eyes towards heaven. 8

9 The tyrant sent Marina back to her prison cell with the hope that she would eventually weaken and yield to his wishes. Her forbearance in all the pain and the blood was admirable. Her young body was covered with wounds. She was soon brought back to court where she would face even harsher tortures. They hanged her, ripped her flesh with iron nails and threw her back in her cell almost dead. The Saint prayed to the Lord and asked Him to give her patience until the end. It was at this point that something incredible occurred. The enemy of man, the devil, seeing the Saint s patience and endurance wanted to visibly scare her with the hope that she would deny Christ. He appeared before her as a black beast ready to attack her, screaming at her and releasing fire from his mouth. The Saint fervently prayed to the Lord to protect her. She made the sign of the cross and it appeared that the beast was divided in two. The devil changed form and appeared as half man and half dog, with a tail and horns. The Saint did not hesitate; she seized him by the horn and hit him across the head with a hammer. Her faith and her prayer defeated the devil, who disappeared in shame. At that moment a bright illumined cross with a dove appeared in the cell and a sweet voice was suddenly heard: "Rejoice faithful handmaiden of the Lord. Rejoice because the time has come for you to receive the crown of eternal glory." Divine dew relieved the Saint s pains and healed her wounds. The Saint rejoiced and glorified the Lord. The following morning, the Saint was once again brought before the ruler where she confessed her faith with even greater courage. Many people, who were present and witnessed the Saint s faith, were moved so much that they too confessed their belief in Jesus Christ and cried that they were ready to martyr in His name! The ruler, enraged, ordered that they all be executed. It was now the turn of Saint Marina. She asked that she be given a few moments to pray and as the sword separated her head from her body her pure soul rose to be united with her Bridegroom Christ, whom she loved so much and for whom she patiently endured all the tortures and a martyr s end. Christians buried her holy relics with prayer and veneration, asking the Saint to intercede to the Lord for His Church and for the salvation of souls. In 1230, crusaders took the relics of the Great Martyr to Venice. Saint Marina is considered to be a protector of children and of the sick but especially of those who are tried and tempted by the devil. That is why Christians call upon her name with reverence and ask for her help during the difficult moments of their life. The Church celebrates the Great - Martyr Marina on July 17 th. Saint Marina intercede for us the sinners! 9