GREAT LENTEN SERVICES

Transcript

1 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h Sunday, March 9, 2014 Sunday of Orthodoxy GREAT LENTEN SERVICES MONDAYS, TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 6:30pm to 7:30pm Great Compline WEDNESDAYS 5:30pm to 7:30pm 9th Hour & Presanctified Liturgy FRIDAYS Mornings 8:00am to 10:00am 9th Hour & Presanctified Liturgy Nights 7:00pm to 8:00pm Salutations to the Theotokos SATURDAYS Evenings 6:00pm to 7:00pm Great Vespers SUNDAYS Mornings 7:00am to 8:15am Orthros 8:15am to 10:00am Divine Liturgy of St. Basil Evenings 5:00pm to 6:15pm Vespers of Forgiveness ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΗΣ ΤΕΣΣΑΡΑΚΟΣΤΗΣ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΕΣ, ΤΡΙΤΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΕΜΠΤΕΣ Μέγα Απόδειπνο: 6:30μμ - 7:30μμ ΤΕΤΑΡΤΕΣ Προηγιασμένη Λειτουργία: 5:30μμ - 7:30μμ ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΕΣ Προηγιασμένη Λειτουργία: 8:00πμ - 10:00πμ Χαιρετισμοί: 7μμ - 8μμ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΑ Μέγας Εσπερινός: 6:00μμ -7:00μμ ΚΥΡΙΑΚΕΣ Εσπερινός της Συγχωρήσεως: 5:00μμ - 6:15μμ 1

2 THE MISSION OF THE STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF WASHINGTON DC IN SILVER SPRING 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 any spiritual need you might have, not for making appointments or scheduling anything. For all appointments and events, please call the church office at (240) Fr. Michael: (301) Fr. Jason: (301) Fr. Michael ΟΙ ΙΕΡΕΙΣ ΣΑΣ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΣΤΗ ΔΙΑΘΕΣΗ ΣΑΣ 24/7. Παρακαλώ να τους καλείτε στα κινητά τηλέφωνα μόνο για πνευματικές ανάγκες. Για οτιδήποτε άλλο, παρακαλούμε να καλείτε το γραφείο στο (240) Σας ευχαριστούμε! 2 Fr. Jason

3 YMNOI THΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ HYMNS OF THE DAY Αναστάσιμο Aπολυτίκιον - Δ Ηχος Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀποῤῥίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Aπολυτίκιον Εορτής - Β Ηχος Τὴν ἄχραντον Εἰκόνα σου, προσκυνοῦμεν ἀγαθέ, αἰτούμενοι συγχώρησιν τῶν πταισμάτων ἡμῶν, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός βουλήσει γὰρ ηὐδόκησας σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, ἵνα ῥύσῃ οὓς ἔπλασας, ἐκ τῆς δουλείας τοῦ ἐχθροῦ ὅθεν εὐχαρίστως βοῶμέν σοι Χαρᾶς ἐπλήρωσας τὰ πάντα ὁ Σωτὴρ ἡμῶν, παραγενόμενος εἰς τὸ σῶσαι τὸν κόσμον. Aπολυτίκιον των Αγίων - Α Ηχος Τὰς ἀλγηδόνας τῶν Ἁγίων, ἃς ὑπὲρ σοῦ ἔπαθον, δυσωπήθητι Κύριε, καὶ πάσας ἡμῶν τὰς ὀδύνας, ἴασαι φιλάνθρωπε δεόμεθα. 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- πλ.δ Ήχος Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε. Resurrectional Apolytikion - 4th Tone When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world. Apolytikion for the Feast- 2nd Tone We venerate Your immaculate icon, O good Lord, and entreat You to forgive our offences, O Christ our God. By Your own choice you were pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, to deliver us, whom You created, from our slavery to the foe. Therefore we cry to You with gratitude: You have filled all things with joy, O our Savior, by coming to save the world. Apolytikion for the Saints - 1st Tone The holy martyrs suffered painful tortures for Your sake, O Lord; be compelled by what they endured, and heal our every pain, we entreat You, as the only One who loves humanity. 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- 8th Tone To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!" 3

4 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν. Πρὸς Ἑβραίους Επιστολής Παύλου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα 12:1-10 Ἀδελφοί, τοσοῦτον ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν νέφος μαρτύρων, ὄγκον ἀποθέμενοι πάντα καὶ τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν, διʼ ὑπομονῆς τρέχωμεν τὸν προκείμενον ἡμῖν ἀγῶνα, ἀφορῶντες εἰς τὸν τῆς πίστεως ἀρχηγὸν καὶ τελειωτὴν Ἰησοῦν, ὃς, ἀντὶ τῆς προκειμένης αὐτῷ χαρᾶς, ὑπέμεινεν σταυρόν, αἰσχύνης καταφρονήσας, ἐν δεξιᾷ τε τοῦ θρόνου τοῦ θεοῦ κεκάθικεν. Ἀναλογίσασθε γὰρ τὸν τοιαύτην ὑπομεμενηκότα ὑπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν εἰς ἀυτὸν ἀντιλογίαν, ἵνα μὴ κάμητε ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν ἐκλυόμενοι. Οὔπω μέχρι αἵματος ἀντικατέστητε πρὸς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἀνταγωνιζόμενοι καὶ ἐκλέλησθε τῆς παρακλήσεως, ἥτις ὑμῖν ὡς υἱοῖς διαλέγεται, Υἱέ μου, μὴ ὀλιγώρει παιδείας κυρίου, μηδὲ ἐκλύου ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ ἐλεγχόμενος ὃν γὰρ ἀγαπᾷ κύριος παιδεύει μαστιγοῖ δὲ πάντα υἱὸν ὃν παραδέχεται. Εἰς παιδείαν ὑπομένετε, ὡς υἱοῖς ὑμῖν προσφέρεται ὁ θεός τίς γὰρ ἐστιν υἱὸς ὃν οὐ παιδεύει πατήρ; Εἰ δὲ χωρίς ἐστε παιδείας, ἧς μέτοχοι γεγόνασιν πάντες, ἄρα νόθοι ἐστε καὶ οὐχ υἱοί. Εἶτα τοὺς μὲν τῆς σαρκὸς ἡμῶν πατέρας εἴχομεν παιδευτὰς, καὶ ἐνετρεπόμεθα οὐ πολλῷ μᾶλλον ὑποταγησόμεθα τῷ πατρὶ τῶν πνευμάτων, καὶ ζήσομεν; Οἱ μὲν γὰρ πρὸς ὀλίγας ἡμέρας κατὰ τὸ δοκοῦν αὐτοῖς ἐπαίδευον ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὸ συμφέρον, εἰς τὸ μεταλαβεῖν τῆς ἁγιότητος αὐτοῦ. EPISTLE Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers. Verse: For you are just in all you have done. St. Paul's First Letter to the Hebrews 12:1-10 BRETHREN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father. GOSPEL The Reading is from John 1:43-51 At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ Κατὰ Ἰωάννην Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠθέλησεν ὁ Ιησοῦς ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ 4

5 ἀκολούθει μοι. ἦν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἀπὸ Βηθσαϊδά, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως Ανδρέου καὶ Πέτρου.εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὃν ἔγραψε Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται, εὑρήκαμεν, Ιησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναταί τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ Φίλιππος ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε. εἶδεν ὁ Ιησοῦς τὸν Ναθαναὴλ ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει περὶ αὐτοῦ ἴδε ἀληθῶς Ισραηλίτης, ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστι. λέγει αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ πόθεν με γινώσκεις; ἀπεκρίθη Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι, ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν εἶδόν σε. ἀπεκρίθη Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ῥαββί, σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ Ισραήλ. ἀπεκρίθη Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὅτι εἶπόν σοι, εἶδόν σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς, πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψει. καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα, καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. 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 Service this Sunday 5

6 Sunday of Orthodoxy Reading: SAINTS AND FEASTS For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian ( ) and ending in the reign of Theophilus ( ). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This ever-memorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy. March 9 Reading: The Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastia These holy Martyrs, who came from various lands, were all soldiers under the same general. Taken into custody for their faith in Christ, and at first interrogated by cruel means, they were then stripped of their clothing and cast onto the frozen lake which is at Sebastia of Pontus, at a time when the harsh and freezing weather was at its worst. They endured the whole night naked in such circumstances, encouraging one another to be patient until the end. He that guarded them, named Aglaius, who was commanded to receive any of them that might deny Christ, had a vision in which he saw heavenly powers distributing crowns to all of the Martyrs, except one, who soon after abandoned the contest. Seeing this, Aglaius professed himself a Christian and joined the Martyrs on the lake, and the number of forty remained complete. In the morning, when they were almost dead from the cold, they were cast into fire, after which their remains were thrown into the river. Thus they finished the good course of martyrdom in 320, during the reign of Licinius. These are their names: Acacius, Aetius, Aglaius, Alexander, Angus, Athanasius, Candidus, Chudion, Claudius, Cyril, Cyrion, Dometian, Domnus, Ecdicius, Elias, Eunoicus, Eutyches, Eutychius, Flavius, Gaius, Gorgonius, Helianus, Heraclius, Hesychius, John, Lysimachus, Meliton, Nicholas, Philoctemon, Priscus, Sacerdon, Severian, Sisinius, Smaragdus, Theodulus, Theophilus, Valens, Valerius, Vivianus, and Xanthias. 9 Μαρτιου - Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας Η αγία αυτή ημέρα είναι ξεχωριστή, διότι παρά το κατανυκτικό κλίμα της Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής, εορτάζει λαμπρά η Ορθοδοξία μας, η αληθινή Εκκλησία του Χριστού. Ποιούμε ανάμνηση του κορυφαίου γεγονότος της εκκλησιαστικής μας ιστορίας, της αναστηλώσεως των ιερών εικόνων, το οποίο επισυνέβη το 843 μ.χ. στο Βυζάντιο, χάρις στην αποφασιστική συμβολή της βασιλίσσης και 6

7 μετέπειτα αγίας Θεοδώρας, συζύγου του αυτοκράτορα Θεοφίλου ( μ.χ.). Αναφερόμαστε στη μεγάλη εικονομαχική έριδα, η οποία συντάραξε κυριολεκτικά την Εκκλησία μας για περισσότερα από εκατό χρόνια. Το 726 μ.χ. ο αυτοκράτωρ Λέων ο Γ' ο Ίσαυρος ( μ.χ.) αποφάσισε να επιφέρει στο κράτος ριζικές μεταρρυθμίσεις. Μια από αυτές ήταν η απαγόρευση προσκύνησης των ιερών εικόνων, επειδή, παίρνοντας αφορμή από ορισμένα ακραία φαινόμενα εικονολατρίας, πίστευε πως η χριστιανική πίστη παρέκλινε στην ειδωλολατρία. Στην ουσία όμως εξέφραζε δικές του ανεικονικές απόψεις, οι οποίες ήταν βαθύτατα επηρεασμένες από την ανεικονική ιουδαϊκή και ισλαμική πίστη. Η αναταραχή ήταν αφάνταστη. Η αυτοκρατορία χωρίστηκε σε δύο φοβερά αντιμαχόμενες ομάδες, τους εικονομάχους και τους εικονολάτρες. Οι διώξεις φοβερές. Μεγάλες πατερικές μορφές ανάλαβαν να υπερασπίσουν την ορθόδοξη πίστη. Στα 787 μ.χ. συγκλήθηκε η Ζ' Οικουμενική Σύνοδος, η οποία διατύπωσε με ακρίβεια την οφειλόμενη τιμή στις ιερές εικόνες. Σε αυτή επίσης διευκρινίστηκαν και άλλα δυσνόητα σημεία της χριστιανικής πίστεως, έτσι ώστε να έχουμε πλήρη αποκρυστάλλωση του ορθοδόξου δόγματος και να ομιλούμε για θρίαμβο της Ορθοδοξίας μας. Η εικόνα στην Ορθοδοξία μας δεν αποτελεί αντικείμενο λατρείας, αλλά λειτουργεί αποκλειστικά ως μέσον τιμής του εικονιζόμενου προσώπου. Ακόμα και ο Χριστός μπορεί να εικονισθεί, διότι έγινε άνθρωπος. Μάλιστα όποιος αρνείται τον εικονισμό του Χριστού αρνείται ουσιαστικά την ανθρώπινη φύση Του! Οι μεγάλοι Πατέρες και διδάσκαλοι της Εκκλησίας μας, που αναδείχθηκαν μέσα από τη λαίλαπα της εικονομαχίας, διατύπωσαν το ορθόδοξο δόγμα με προσοχή και ευλάβεια. Η προσκύνηση της ιερής εικόνας του Χριστού και των άλλων ιερών προσώπων του Χριστιανισμού δεν είναι ειδωλολατρία, όπως κατηγορούνταν από τους εικονομάχους, διότι η τιμή δεν απευθύνεται στην ύλη, αλλά στο εικονιζόμενο πρόσωπο, καθότι «η της εικόνος τιμή επί το πρωτότυπον διαβαίνει» (Μ.Βασίλειος P. G. 32,149) και «Προσκυνούμεν δε ταις εικόσιν ου τη ύλη προσφέροντες την προσκύνησιν, αλλά δι αυτών τοις εν αυταίς εικονιζομένοις» (Ι. Δαμασκ. P. G ). Η ευλογία και η χάρη που λαμβάνει ο πιστός από την προσκύνηση των ιερών εικόνων δίνεται από το ζωντανό ιερό πρόσωπο και όχι από την ύλη της εικόνας. Η εικόνα έχει τεράστια ποιμαντική χρησιμότητα. Μια εικόνα, σύμφωνα με γλωσσική έκφραση, αξίζει περισσότερο από χίλιες λέξεις. Αυτό σημαίνει ότι μέσω της εκκλησιαστικής εικονογραφίας οι πιστοί βοηθούνται να αναχθούν στις υψηλές πνευματικές θεωρίες και στο θείον. Βεβαίως η ηρεμία δεν αποκαταστάθηκε, διότι εξακολουθούσαν να βασιλεύουν εικονομάχοι αυτοκράτορες. Στα 843 η ευσεβής αυτοκράτειρα Θεοδώρα, επίτροπος του ανήλικου γιου της Μιχαήλ του Γ, έθεσε τέρμα στην εικονομαχική έριδα και συνετέλεσε στο θρίαμβο της Ορθοδοξίας. Οι Πατέρες όρισαν να εορτάζεται ο θρίαμβος του ορθοδόξου δόγματος την πρώτη Κυριακή των Νηστειών για να δείξει στους πιστούς πως ο πνευματικός μας αγώνας θα πρέπει να συνδυάζεται με την ορθή πίστη για να είναι πραγματικά αποτελεσματικός. Νηστεία και ασκητική ζωή έχουν και άλλες αιρέσεις ή θρησκείες, και μάλιστα με πολύ αυστηρότερους κανόνες άσκησης. Όμως αυτό δε σημαίνει ότι μπορούν αυτοί οι άνθρωποι να σωθούν και να ενωθούν με το Θεό. Η σωτηρία είναι συνώνυμη με την αλήθεια, αντίθετα η πλάνη και το ψεύδος οδηγούν σε αδιέξοδα και εν τέλει στην απώλεια. 7

8 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. 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 The first-ever Orthodox mission team to Havana, Cuba will be led by Fr. Costa Pavlakos. The dates are March 10-16, The team has been assembled and they are making their preparations. Please keep them in your prayers. May our Panagia protect you Chris Marafatsos and your fellow travelers on the mission trip to Cuba. Our prayers and love accompany all of you. VESPERS OF FORGIVENESS: Today, Sunday of Orthodoxy Pan Orthodox Vespers with Metropolitan Anthony of Ukrainian Church 5:30pm at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church (3149 Glen Carlyn Rd, Falls Church, VA ) Dear Parishioner: Soon our Community will see the walls of our beautiful House of Worship rising up and not very long after we will gather to celebrate the opening of our new church. On that glorious day, the choir undoubtedly will play a great role in the celebration. We like to have a great choir consisting of many members who can raise their voices in glorifying God for the blessings bestowed upon our community. Dr. Papaloizos is willing to devote individual time with each new member to train him/her. You need nothing more than the desire to sing the beautiful hymnology of our Orthodox faith. It is an incredibly rewarding experience, so please, join us. Each Sunday, there will be a table in the hall of St. Andrew s where interested parishioners can provide their contact information. 8

9 ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY through the eyes of the Church Fathers starting Monday, March 10th, 2014 at St. Andrew s Cathedral Hall 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. 9

10 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 10

11 Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας Θεολογία των εικόνων «Την άχραντων εικόνα σου προσκυνούμεν, αγαθέ, αιτούμενοι συγχώρησιν των πταισμάτων ημών, Χριστέ ό Θεός...». ΥΠΗΡΞΑΝ, αγαπητοί μου, υπάρχουν και θα υπάρχουν μέχρι συντέλειας των αιώνων εχθροί της Εκκλησίας του Χριστού, εχθροί της πίστεως. Ό σατανάς θα πολεμεί πάντοτε το Χριστό, και τα παιδιά του σατανά θα πολεμούν πάντοτε τα παιδιά του Χριστού, τα παιδιά της Εκκλησίας. Άλλ' από τον σφοδρό αυτόν αγώνα τελικώς θα εξέλθει νικήτρια ή αλήθεια, ή εσταυρωμένη Αλήθεια, ή Ορθοδοξία, ή αγία μας Εκκλησία. Αυτό βεβαιώνει ό ίδιος ό Κύριος, πού είπε «Εν τω κοσμώ θλίψιν εξετε άλλά Θαρσείτε, εγώ νενίκηκα τον κόσμον» (Ίωάν. 16,33) και σε άλλο μέρος είπε προφητικός, ότι θα βγουν από τον αδη σκοτεινές δυνάμεις πού θα πολεμήσουν την Εκκλησία, αλλά καμία δέ' θα μπόρεση να την κλονίσει (βλ. Ματθ. 16,18). Το ίδιο βεβαιώνει και ή ιστορία είκοσι αιώνων ή Εκκλησία βγήκε πάντα νικήτρια και έστησε αθάνατα τρόπαια του πνεύματος. Μία από τις πολλές νίκες της Εκκλησίας μας εορτάζουμε σήμερα. Είναι ή νίκη των ιερών εικόνων. Θα προσπαθήσω να μιλήσω άπλα, ώστε να με καταλάβετε. Άλλα σήμερα, τέτοια αγία ήμερα, ας θεολογήσουμε λίγο. Πάνε τώρα χρόνια από τότε πού παρουσιάστηκαν κάποιοι αιρετικοί στην Κωσταντινούπολι με το σύνθημα Έξω από τις εκκλησίες οι εικόνες! Βάρβαροι, βάναυσοι και ανιστόρητοι, έμπαιναν στους ναούς, γκρέμιζαν από τα τέμπλα τις Ιερές εικόνες, τις πετούσαν χάμω, τις πατούσαν, τις έσχιζαν, τις έκαιγαν. Έκαναν έρευνα και στα σπίτια, και αλίμονο σ' όποιον εύρισκαν εικόνες. Τον συνελάμβαναν, τον οδηγούσαν στις φυλακές, τον καταδίκαζαν, του έκοβαν τη μύτη, τον εξόριζαν στα άκρα της αυτοκρατορίας. 150 περίπου χρόνια κράτησε αυτός ό διωγμός. Αν ρωτούσε κανείς τους εικονομάχους, Γιατί καταστρέφετε τις εικόνες; αυτοί απαντούσαν Διότι ή προσκύνηση τους Είναι ειδωλολατρία και σύμφωνα με την εντολή του Θεού στο Δεκάλογο «Ου ποιήσεις σεαυτω ειδώλων...», «ου προσκυνήσεις αυτοίς» (Εξ. 20,4' Δευτ. 5,8), εμείς είδωλα δεν προσκυνούμε. Νόμιζαν, ότι οι εικόνες είναι είδωλα. Άλλα είναι είδωλο ή εικόνα; Όχι, δεν είναι. Άλλο είδωλο, άλλο εικόνα. Τι είναι το είδωλο; είδωλο είναι, να πάρεις μάρμαρο ή ξύλο, να το πελέκησης, να του δώσεις μια μορφή ζώου ή ανθρώπου, κ' έπειτα να πέφτεις να το προσκυνάς με την πίστη ότι αυτό είναι Θεός. Τέτοιο πράγμα εμείς δέ' λέμε. Δέ' λέμε ότι ή εικόνα του Χριστού είναι ό ίδιος ό Χριστός, δέ' λέμε ότι ή εικόνα της Παναγίας είναι ή ίδια ή Παναγία, δέ' λέμε ότι ή εικόνα του αγίου Παντελεήμονος είναι ό ίδιος ό άγιος. Άλλα Τι λέμε; Ότι ή εικόνα παριστάνει το πρόσωπο ή εικόνα του Χριστού παριστάνει το Χριστό, ή εικόνα της Παναγίας παριστάνει την Παναγία, ή εικόνα του αγίου Παντελεήμονος παριστάνει τον άγιο Παντελεήμονα. Κι όπως δεν υπάρχει σπίτι και πορτοφόλι χωρίς φωτογραφίες των προσφιλών προσώπων (του πατέρα, του συζύγου, των παιδιών), έτσι και στην εκκλησία έχουμε τις εικόνες του Χριστού, της Παναγίας και των αγίων και βλέποντας αυτές ενθυμούμεθα τα Ιερά πρόσωπα, και τιμώντας αυτές τιμούμε τα εικονιζόμενα πρόσωπα. «Ή τιμή της εικόνος επί το πρωτότυπον διαβαίνει», λένε οϊ πατέρες. Στην εικόνα ανήκει τιμητική προσκύνησις, όχι λατρεία. Αυτά διδάσκει ή Εκκλησία. Ό Θεός, αγαπητοί μου, δεν είναι ύλη, είναι πνεύμα. Ως αυλός λοιπόν και. βασιλεύς των αύλων αγγέλων και αρχαγγέλων, είναι αόρατος κανείς δεν τον είδε. Για αυτό μέσα στην εκκλησία δεν ζωγραφίζουμε το Θεό. Ως αόρατος όμως είναι και απερίγραπτος κανένα χέρι ζωγράφου δεν μπορεί να τον περιγραφή, να μας δώσει την εικόνα του Θεού. Άλλα το μέγα και ανέκφραστο μυστήριο είναι, ότι ό Υιός του Θεού και Θεός έλαβε σάρκα ανθρώπινη, και τότε ό αόρατος έγινε ορατός εμφανίσθηκε ως άνθρωπος επί της γης, ως Υιός της Παρθένου. Άφ' ότου λοιπόν ό αόρατος Θεός έγινε ορατός στο πρόσωπο του Χριστού και περπάτησε ανάμεσα μας και σταυρώθηκε και αναστήθηκε, από τότε έγινε περιγραπτός και μπορούμε πλέον να τον ζωγραφίζουμε. Συνεχίζεται στη σελ

12 Συνεχίζεται από την σελ. 11 Ένας από τους μεγαλύτερους πατέρας της Εκκλησίας, ό Ιωάννης ό Δαμασκηνός, στηρίζοντας το δόγμα της προσκυνήσεως των αγίων εικόνων, έλεγε Σάς ερωτώ, εικονομάχοι, ήρθε ή δεν ήρθε ό Χριστός ως άνθρωπος στη γη; Εάν δεν ήρθε, τότε έχετε δίκιο δεν έχουμε το δικαίωμα να ζωγραφίζουμε τον αόρατο. Άλλ' εάν ό Χριστός ήρθε και είναι γεγονός ότι ήρθε, και ως βρέφος και ως τέλειος άνδρας εμφανίσθηκε στον κόσμο, τότε ελάτε ζωγράφοι, μπορείτε πλέον να τον ζωγραφίζετε. Χίλια μάτια τον είδαν, χίλια αυτιά τον άκουσαν, χίλια χέρια τον άγγιξαν. Συνεπώς ό Χριστός ως Θεός είναι απερίγραπτος, ως άνθρωπος όμως είναι ορατός και περιγραπτός εικονίζεται. Πρώτη εικόνα του Χριστού ποια είναι; Αμέτρητες εικόνες υπάρχουν σήμερα στα σπίτια των ορθοδόξων. Ή πρώτη όμως εικόνα, πού ζωγραφίζεται και στις εκκλησίες μας, είναι το άγιο Μανδήλιο. Λέει μία παράδοσης, ή οποία δεν υπάρχει στο Ευαγγέλιο, το έξης. Όταν ό Χριστός τη Μεγάλη Παρασκευή ανέβαινε στο Γολγοθά βαστάζοντας στον ώμο το σταυρό, Ίδρωσε και ό ίδρωτας έτρεχε από το πρόσωπο του. Μία ευσεβής γυναίκα, πού βρέθηκε κοντά, έβγαλε το μαντήλι της, το έδωσε στο Χριστό, εκείνος σκουπίστηκε, και της το έδωσε πάλι. Τότε ή γυναίκα είδε, ότι πάνω στο μαντήλι είχε αποτυπωθεί ή μορφή του Χριστου. Ήταν ή πρώτη εικόνα του Κυρίου. και ή παράδοσης αυτή έχει σημασία δείχνει, ότι ό Χριστός μπορεί να ζωγραφιστή. Έτσι τώρα υπάρχουν μυριάδες εικόνες. Σήμερα δυστυχώς παρουσιάζεται πάλι ή αίρεσις των εικονομάχων. Υπάρχουν και τώρα εχθροί των εικόνων του Χριστού, της Παναγίας, των αγίων. Ποιοι είναι; Δεν είναι Έλληνες. Οι Έλληνες γνωρίζουν Τι αγώνες έκαναν οι προγονοί τους στο Βυζάντιο επί 150 χρόνια για να κρατήσουν την εικόνα. Οι πολέμιοι των εικόνων είναι ξένοι δεν ρέει μέσα τους αίμα ελληνικό, αίμα Ορθοδοξίας. Ήρθαν από μακριά, από το Μπρούκλιν της Αμερικής, με τα δολάρια τους, τα τριάκοντα αργύρια του Ιούδα, να εξαγοράσουν συνειδήσεις. είναι οι χιλιαστές ή μάρτυρες του Ίεχωβά ή «ιεχωβάδες». Αυτοί, το χέρι τους κόβεις, σταυρό δεν κάνουν, σταυρό δεν προσκυνούν, εικόνες δεν προσκυνούν. Σ' ένα χωριό των Γρεβενών συνέβη προ ετών το έξης. Μια φτωχιά νέα πήρε ένα νέο πού είχε έρθει από το εξωτερικό ήταν μετανάστης στην Αμερική. Αφού στεφανώθηκαν στην εκκλησία, πήγαν μετά στο σπίτι. Δεν πρόλαβαν όμως να ζήσουν ως αντρόγυνο. Την πρώτη κιόλας ήμερα του γάμου ό σύζυγος πήρε από το εικονοστάσι τις εικόνες του Χριστού και της Παναγίας, τις έβαλε κάτω, τις πατούσε, και ύβριζε. Ήταν χιλιοστής, και μέχρι να γίνη ό γάμος έκρυβε το πιστεύω του. Όταν ή κοπέλα είδε αυτά τα πράγματα και άκουσε ότι δεν πιστεύει στις εικόνες, δεν δίστασε να διάλυση αμέσως το γάμο της! Τέτοιοι είναι οι χιλιαστές. Κα! πολλές επαρχίες της πατρίδος μας έχουν δυστυχώς μολυνθεί από την πλάνη τους. Υπάρχουν και χωριά εξ ολοκλήρου χιλιαστικά, όπου ή εκκλησία έπαυσε πλέον να λειτουργεί, και λειτουργεί εβραϊκή χάβρα. Διότι εβραϊκής προελεύσεως είναι ό χιλιασμός. Εβραίος υπήρξε ό ιδρυτής της αιρέσεως αυτής, ό Κάρολος Ρώσσελ ( ). είναι εβραϊκό κατασκεύασμα, φρούτο και χολέρα του διαβόλου. Οι οπαδοί της πάνε από σπίτι σε σπίτι, εκμεταλλευόμενοι τους δημοκρατικούς θεσμούς της πατρίδος μας ασκούν προσηλυτισμό, και επιδιώκουν να ξαπλώσουν το μίασμα τους. Άλλ' όχι! Σάς καλώ εις συναγερμό και σας παρακαλώ όλους, άντρες - γυναίκες - παιδιά, όπου παρουσιαστούν αυτοί οι πράκτορες του Μπρούκλιν για να μεταδώσουν τη χολέρα τους, ν' αντιδράσετε καλώντας εις βοήθειαν τους ειδικούς επί των αιρέσεων. Ό τόπος μας να μείνει καθαρός και αμίαντος από την αίρεση του χιλιασμού. Να συνέχιση να λατρεύει Πατέρα Υίόν και άγιον Πνεύμα και να προσκυνεί τις άγιες εικόνες του Χριστού μας της Παναγίας και πάντων των αγίων εις αιώνας αιώνων αμήν. Επίσκοπος Αυγουστίνος. 12

13 Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας Οι Προφήται ως είδον, οι Απόστολοι ως εδίδαξαν, η Εκκλησία ως παρέλαβεν, οι Διδάσκαλοι ως εδογμάτισαν, η Οικουμένη ως συμπεφώνηκεν, η χάρις ως έλαμψεν, η αλήθεια ως αποδέδεικται, τό ψεύδος ως απελήλαται, η σοφία ως επαρρησιάσατο, ο Χριστός ως εβράβευσεν, ούτω φρονούμεν, ούτω λαλούμεν, ούτω κηρύσσομεν Χριστόν τόν αληθινόν Θεόν ημών, καί τούς Αυτού Αγίους εν λόγοις τιμώντες, εν συγγραφαίς, εν νοήμασιν, εν θυσίαις, εν Ναοίς, εν Εικονίσμασι, τόν μέν ως Θεόν καί Δεσπότην προσκυνούντες καί σέβοντες, τούς δέ διό τόν κοινόν Δεσπότην ως Αυτού γνησίους θεράποντας τιμώντες καί τήν κατά σχέσιν προσκύνησιν απονέμονες. Αύτη η πίστις τών Αποστόλων, αύτη η πίστις τών Πατέρων, αύτη η πίστις τών Ορθοδόξων, αύτη η πίστις τήν Οικουμένην εστήριξεν. Επί τούτοις τούς τής ευσεβείας Κήρυκας αδελφικώς τε καί πατροποθήτως εις δόξαν καί τιμήν τής ευσεβείας, υπέρ ής αγωνίσαντο, ανευφημούμεν καί λέγομεν. Τών τής Ορθοδοξίας προμάχων ευσεβών Βασιλέων, αγιωτάτων Πατριαρχών, Αρχιερέων, Διδασκάλων, Μαρτύρων, Ομολογητών, Αιωνία η μνήμη. and honor His saints in words, writings, thoughts, sacrifices, churches, and holy icons - on the one hand, worshiping and reverencing Christ as God and Lord, and on the other, honoring the saints as true servants of the same Lord of all, and offering them proper veneration. This is the faith of the apostles. This is the faith of the fathers. This is the faith of the Orthodox. This is the faith on which the world is established. Therefore, with fraternal and filial love we praise the heralds of the faith, those who with glory and honor have struggled for the faith, and we say: to the champions of Orthodoxy, faithful emperors, mostholy patriarchs, hierarchs, teachers, martyrs, and confessors: May your memory be eternal. Sunday of Orthodoxy As the prophets beheld as the apostles have taught, as the Church has received, as the teachers have declared, as the world has agreed, as grace has shown forth, as truth has been revealed, as falsehood has been dispelled, as wisdom has become manifest, as Christ awarded; thus we declare; thus we affirm; thus we proclaim Christ our true God, 13

14 "The Passion of the Christ": An Orthodox Perspective By His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos On occasion films are created that display the Cross and Passion of Christ as their content, in order to move Christians in regards to these great events. We see this also in our days with the new movie about the Passion of Christ titled The Passion of the Christ, directed by Mel Gibson. The Orthodox Church does not give much importance to such screenings for serious theological reasons. We will identify primarily three reasons. The first reason is that the Passion and the Cross of Christ are integrally tied together with the Resurrection of Christ. When the Passion and the Cross are disconnected from the Resurrection of Christ, then they do not express the crucified-resurrection experience of the Church. The second reason is that the Cross and Resurrection of Christ are historical events that took place at some point in historical time, but it is ultimately a mysterious and lived experience within the heart of man, which is transformed with repentance, Orthodox asceticism, and the sacramental and liturgical life. Therefore, it is not an aesthetic issue, but ascetical, mystical and devotional. The third reason is that the Church, by reminding us each year of the Passion, the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ, doesn't urge us towards an emotional feeling, a vision or to hear these events, but towards a personal co-crucifixion and co-resurrection with Christ. That is, it is not intended to emotionally charge us or to bring remembrance, but to transform our passions and to psychosomatically transform us. It is precisely for these reasons that the Church invites us to experience the mystery of the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ in worship, but most certainly within the context of Orthodox asceticism. With worship, asceticism and the sacraments, especially the Mystery of the Divine Eucharist, everyone can experience mystically and spiritually, as well as psychosomatically, the mystery of the Cross and Resurrection of Christ. Of course we live in an era of emotions and sensations, which is why people prefer to see Christ through films and not experience Christ with the conditions recommended by the Orthodox Church. They would rather experience Christ in the flesh and not in the spirit. But such aesthetic approaches to the Cross and Resurrection of Christ, besides diverting us from the mystery of the crucifixion-resurrection, it simultaneously leads us to heretical deviations, because the presentation of the human element of Christ in films leads straight to Nestorianism. We must realize the great importance of Orthodox asceticism, ecclesiastical worship, and the sacramental life. Every human approach to Christ increases existential frustration. 14

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 Youth Ministry Fasting from Technology: A Lenten Discipline and Much Harder than Giving Up Cheeseburgers! By Dr. Tony Vrame Fasting during Great Lent is one of the oldest practices of the Christian Church. Of course, fasting predates Christianity and virtually all religions practice some form of fasting from food. Originally, fasting meant just that no eating or drinking of any kind, the way you might fast for 12 hours before a blood test or surgery. You will notice that in the early Church, these fasts were typically short in duration, usually a day or two, because to fast longer would lead to severe bodily harm. The Bible has many references to fasting from food. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the prophets often fasted. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord commented on the fasts of his hearers: And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18). Christians continued the practice of fasting as you can read in Acts of the Apostles 13:2-4. In the lives of the Saints of the Church, the biographer will usually describe and praise the fasts of that particular saint. While we use the term fast to describe our Lenten discipline, apart from some kind of pre-communion fast (no food or drink for at least a few hours before receiving Holy Communion), Christians today actually only abstain from certain foods. Eastern Christians will typically abstain from meat, dairy products, eggs, and oil during their fast but other foods are eaten, mainly vegetables. We could say that the Lord Himself initiated the practice. In the Book of Genesis we read, The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die. (Genesis 2:15-17). Today, fasting (and I will use the more popular term) is still practiced widely during Great Lent. In the Eastern Church, Great Lent is also called the Great Fast. There are references to fasting itself in the hymns of the East during this time, emphasizing how integral this fast is to Great Lent. The point of the fast is not the food, it s the discipline involved in abstaining from them. There is nothing inherently spiritually wrong with the food we eat. Abstaining from them is meant to raise our consciousness about our lives and our relationship to God, others, and the world. Abstaining from certain foods can provide the opportunity to focus our attention on heavenly things, not just our earthly and bodily concerns. As one priest I know said, If you can say no to a food item, you can learn to say no to the many other temptations that lead us away from God. However, giving up meat or dairy products seems to have become easier and easier for many of us. With our health consciousness, we are increasingly avoiding these foods. Meatless Mondays have grown in popularity and eating fish on Fridays is now being encouraged once again for Roman Catholics. Giving up bacon cheeseburgers during Lent then is hardly a difficult discipline to observe when we don t eat them any other time of the year! 18

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22 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)

23 GREAT COMPLINE ΜΕΓΑ ΑΠΟΔΕΙΠΝΟ 6:30 PM MONDAY-TUESDAY THURSDAY 6:30 MM ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ-ΤΡΙΤΗ-ΠΕΜΤΗ 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. 23

24 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: March 2nd, 9th; April 27th; May 11th, 25th. An alternate time could be offered based on interest. Please contact Fr. Jason for more information: fatherjason@schgocdc.org 24

25 PRAYER OF SAINT EPHRAIM O Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition or vain talking. 3 great Prostrations But rather a spirit of purity, humility, patience and love, bestow on me Thy servant 3 great Prostrations Yes, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou to the ages of ages. Amen. 3 great Prostrations O God, cleanse me, a sinner. 12 small bows Then the entire prayer: O Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition or vain talking. with one prostration made at the end. «Κύριε καί Δέσποτα τῆς ζωῆς μου, πνεῦμα ἀργίας, περιεργίας, φιλαρχίας, καί ἀργολογίας μή μοι δῷς. Πνεῦμα δέ σωφροσύνης, ταπεινοφροσύνης, ὑπομονής καί ἀγάπης χάρισαί μοι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ. Ναί, Κύριε Βασιλεῦ, δώρησαί μοι τοῦ ὁράν τά ἐμά πταίσματα, καί μή κατακρίνειν τόν ἀδελφόν μου, ὅτι εὐλογητός εἶ εἰς τούς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Αμήν». 25

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28 Stewards as of March 7, 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 Anonymous Mrs. Iris Aravanis Mr. Emmanuel Atsalinos Mr. Costas Avrakotos Mr. Achilles Basiliko Ms. Marie Bedard Mr. & Mrs. George Bergeris Mrs. Louis Bezantakos Mr. & Mrs. John Binford Miss Victoria Binford 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. & Mrs. George W. 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. Vaso G. 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 28

29 Stewards as of March 7, 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. George A. Mantzouranis Mr.& Mrs..George C. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. John A. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. John G. Mantzouranis Mrs. Theano Mantzouranis Ms. Sophie Manus Ms. Stella Manus 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 Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Mathis Mr. & Mrs. Theodore G Matrakas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Matthews Miss Cornelia Mavromatis Mr. Elias Mavromatis Mr. Jacob Mavromatis Mr. & Mrs. Louis Mavromatis Ms. Sylvia Michael Mr. & Mrs. John Mihailidis Mr. & Mrs. James Moshovitis Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Moshogianis Miss Maria Nasios Mr. & Mrs. Sotirios Nasios Mr. & Mrs. Costas Nathenas Ms. Pelagia Nathenas Mr. & Mrs. David Gamzon 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 Mr. & Mrs. James Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas P. Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Charles Papuchis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Paschalidis Mr. & Mrs. Harry Perrus Miss Chrystyna Pittas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Pittas Ms. Stella Marafatsos-Prokopic Mr. & Mrs. Charilaos Psallidas Mr. & Mrs. Andrew A. Recachinas Mr. & Mrs. Andrew J. Recachinas Mr. & Mrs. George Recachinas Mrs. Eleni Retzos Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Retzos Mr. & Mrs. George Romas Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Sakkos Miss Elizabeth Scott Mrs. Litsa Sekas Miss Anastasia Georgia Sideris Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Siegel Mr. & Mrs. Harry Solomos Mr. & Mrs. George Sourvinos Mr. & Mrs. Pete T. Spiropoulos Mr. Sokratis Stassinos Mr. & Mrs. John P. Stathes Mr. & Mrs. Paul Stathes Mrs. Athena Strates Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Straub Ms. Victoria Taroudaki Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Thornberg Mrs. Louis J. Tiches Mr. & Mrs. Evan Triandafilou Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Triantis Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Tripoulas 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. Avgerinos Vakalopoulos Miss Alexandra Ward Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Ward Mr. & Mrs. Anton Wasef Mr. & Mrs. George Xeron Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Yeonas Mr. & Mrs. George Yfantis Mr. & Mrs. Roberto Zayas-Ginorio 29