HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

Transcript

1 HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS PHONE (847) Web: SaintHaralambosGOC.org Fr. Constantine P. Botsis, Proistamenos Deacon John G. Suhayda Fr. George Lamberis, Synefemerios Nick Harisiadis, Protopsaltis SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM AS A MODEL FOR OUR LIVES One could speak for many hours or write whole volumes about the Saint of golden speech. There are three points related to this explosive and majestic personality: First, he was a great theologian, but also a true shepherd. As His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos stresses: He shepherded theologians and theologized shepherds. He is characterized by many as social because he dealt with people and social problems. He was indeed social, precisely because he was a neptic and ascetic. He was constantly praying. His discourses and sermons had vibrancy and immediacy about them and are very popular because he truly loved people and cared for them; for their spiritual progress, as well their material needs, since people are psychosomatic beings. He sought, however, to heal them of their physical and psychic passions. For example, when he spoke about avarice he urged the rich not to detain the goods of God only for themselves, but to also help the poor. He does not remain only there, though, but he goes deeper trying to heal the one and the other from this terrible passion, because there are poor people who are also avaricious, just like there are rich people who are not. Second, the center of his life was a life of worship and from this perspective he struggled to integrate the reason of his flock. He attached great importance to worship because he believed that when we participate in the Divine Liturgy and commune, we participate in the a Paschal Dinner with the disciples of Christ, eating of the same bread and drinking of the same cup, together with all those whose hearts, from all time and all places, burn with love for Christ, and know Him as His disciples knew Him from the breaking of bread. The Divine Liturgy he wrote is the most known since it is celebrated almost all year long. Of course, over the centuries it has gone through certain changes and some additions, but the prayers are the same as they were recited by the Archbishop of Constantinople himself. He sought to man the Sacred Altar with worthy Priests, and his discourse On the Priesthood is unique and deserves to be studied by all the faithful, Clergy and Laity. Third, that which occupied him especially was the spiritual progress of his flock, as well as the glorification of the Triune God and His Holy Church. He did not receive glory for himself, because he did not deem himself worthy of honor. Besides, he considered it an apostasy and a sin. And things could not have been differently, since he was most humble and by his behavior he taught and showed to all of us the heights of humility. Grace shining forth from our lips like a beacon has enlightened the universe. It has show to the world the riches of poverty; it has revealed to us the heights of humility (Apolytikion). The tongue and heart of gold Saint John, by his life and words urges us to love prayer and the life of worship, in order that our hearts also burn with love for Christ, that we may be made worthy to know Him in the breaking of bread. By Fr. George Papavarnavas

2 ANNOUNCEMENTS The St. Haralambos Jr. GOYA invites you to our Coffee Fellowship Hour after today s church services. We thank the AHEPA Lake Shore Chapter for sponsoring today s Coffee Hour! PROSPHORA We thank Presvytera Georgia, Mrs. Dina Margaritis and the Ruggerio Family who have offered today s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by Mrs. Tasia Farsalas, Mrs. Lily Kretsos and the Asimacopoulos Family (Sunday, November 20). MEMORIAL SERVICES 40 days Peter Panagopoulos Memorial services are offered for the eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. There are some days when Memorials are not permitted please call the church office before planning. Memorials take place at 40 days, at 6 months, at 1 year and at 3 years. After three years have passed, the departed are more properly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls. Please also remember that we have discontinued the custom of placing candles in the kolyva. ARTOCLASIA is offered today by Neos Skopos for the health and well-being of their members and families, and the entire St. Haralambos Community. ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AND BAKE SALE--Tell your friends! Our St. Haralambos Philoptochos Ladies have been working hard, and invite you to our 2016 CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AND BAKE SALE, to be held Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19 in our Community Center! Christmas Items, Books, and Handicrafts will be sold and you can shop for your favorite home-made Greek pastries. Come for dinner on Friday, and lunch on both days! Visit our Coffee Shop, too! We look forward to seeing you at our Christmas Bazaar! WHO CAN RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION?- Because receiving Holy Communion or any other Sacrament is an expression of our acceptance of the dogmatic and moral teachings of the Orthodox Faith, only Orthodox Christians (by baptism or chrismation) in good standing may participate. For this reason, persons who do not agree with these teachings, or not in good standing (for example, married outside the church, or unmarried but sexually active, or civilly divorced but not ecclesiastically divorced), must return to good standing in order to participate in Orthodox Sacraments such as Holy Communion and Unction. This is also why that Orthodox Christians do not receive sacraments in non-orthodox churches. INTRODUCTION TO THE GREEK ORTHODOX LITURGY Deacon John Suhayda invites you to a special series of presentations to study the Divine Liturgy. The study is based on a small book about the Liturgy, written by Fr. Demetrios Treantafeles, and the sessions will include abundant discussion and Q&A. The series is on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm. Join us! PAN-ORTHODOX THANKSGIVING DAY LITURGY will take place at the Protection of the Holy Theotokos Russian Orthodox Cathedral, 1800 Lee Street in Des Plaines at 9:00 am on THANKSGIVING MORNING, Thursday, November 24. This Divine Liturgy is sponsored by The Orthodox Christian Clergy Association of Chicago and by SYNERGY, giving all of us the opportunity to celebrate an "American" holiday in an Orthodox way, together with fellow Orthodox Christians from different backgrounds. The outstanding Cathedral choir will sing the responses, and we urge you to attend this beautiful service! All are welcomed! COAT DRIVE The St. Haralambos Outreach Program is having a Coat Drive! New and/or gently used kids, women s and men s coats are being collected from now through December 11. A coat in the back of your closet could make a big difference for someone less fortunate facing the cold winter ahead! The goal is for all the donated coats to find their way to those who need them, within and outside our community. ((If you know persons in need of a warm coat, please let us know!

3 VETERANS DAY was observed this week. Let us take a moment to tremember the Veterans, living and fallen, who served our country. We owe them many thanks! STEWARDSHIP 2016! If you have not yet made your 2016 commitments, please do so. There is no minimum, but true stewardship means we set a level of giving in proportion to our resources and income. Our stewardship level should be an amount that reflects our growing love of God and our appreciation for the blessings and benefits we derive from our Church! THE OUTREACH COMMITTEE is organizing a Thanksgiving meal for families who are in need. Please invite neighbors, friends or parishioners who could benefit from this act of love and hospitality!! THE INREACH COMMITTEE Just as we have an Outreach Committee, we are in the process of creating an Inreach Committee. Fr. Dean is looking for people who are interested in researching a plan for the internal, spiritual growth of our families. Have you ever felt that you want to know more about the faith? Are you interested in joining this committee? Please call Fr Dean at the church office! ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHRISTMAS GIFT/TOY DRIVE FOR FOSTER CHIL- DREN--Again this year, the Orthodox Christian parishes of Chicago are collecting new toys and gifts to be given to foster children under the DCFS of Cook County. St. Haralambos has volunteered to provide for 200 children this year! Gift Forms will be available from the church office next Sunday plan to support this worthy cause! SAVE THE DATE! NOV 18 &19 Philoptochos Christmas Bazaar NOV 23 Men s Social Event DEC 3 Parish Christmas Retreat Guest Speaker Dr. Randa Anderson-More info TBA DEC 8 Annual Philoptochos Christmas Party DEC 18 Metropolis Open House ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNUAL MEN'S SOCIAL EVENT--Tickets are now on sale for this year s Men s Event, which will take place on Wednesday evening, November 23 at the Fountain Blue. The donation is only $125, and all proceeds will benefit our Church. See Mr. Jim Karalekas, Angelo Demeros, or any parish council member or the church office for tickets! THANKSGIVING RAFFLE is being sponsored by the St. Haralambos Morning School PTA! Three Thanksgiving Baskets will be raffled! Tickets are only $1 (or 6 for $5), and the drawing will take place after church services on November 22. Please support our PTA! WELCOME to all our friends, parishioners and visitors! We are happy that you have come to worship with us, and hope that you have had a prayerful and uplifting experience. We invite you to join the St. Haralambos family for worship, fellowship after church and other activities any time. ST. HARALAMBOS PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY HOLIDAY BAKE SALE AND MINI-BAZAAR Be Merry! Be Happy! Be Jolly! May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! NOVEMBER 18 & 19, 2016 Friday, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ST. HARALAMBOS CHURCH COMMUNITY CENTER 7373 N. CALDWELL AVE. NILES, ILLINOIS Delicious Home-made Greek Pastries Raffle, Coffee Shop, and a Variety of Vendors LUNCH SERVED BOTH DAYS DINNER SERVED ON FRIDAY ONLY A SPECIAL VISITOR FROM THE NORTH POLE SATURDAY, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

4 Ἀπόστολος καὶ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἡμέρας ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Εβραίους ζ 26-28, η 1-2 Ἀδελφοί, τοιοῦτος ἡμῖν καὶ ἔπρεπεν ἀρχιερεύς, ὅσιος, ἄκακος, ἀμίαντος, κεχωρισμένος ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν, καὶ ὑψηλότερος τῶν οὐρανῶν γενόμενος ὃς οὐκ ἔχει καθ ἡμέραν ἀνάγκην, ὥσπερ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς, πρότερον ὑπὲρ τῶν ἰδίων ἁμαρτιῶν θυσίας ἀναφέρειν, ἔπειτα τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦτο γὰρ ἐποίησεν ἐφάπαξ ἑαυτὸν ἀνενέγκας. Ὁ νόμος γὰρ ἀνθρώπους καθίστησιν ἀρχιερεῖς ἔχοντας ἀσθένειαν, ὁ λόγος δὲ τῆς ὁρκωμοσίας τῆς μετὰ τὸν νόμον υἱὸν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τετελειωμένον. Κεφάλαιον δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς λεγομένοις, τοιοῦτον ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα, ὃς ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θρόνου τῆς μεγαλωσύνης ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, τῶν Ἁγίων λειτουργὸς καὶ τῆς σκηνῆς τῆς ἀληθινῆς, «ἣν ἔπηξεν ὁ Κύριος», καὶ οὐκ ἄνθρωπος. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Λουκᾶν I Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, νομικός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ πειράζων αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων Διδάσκαλε, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; ὁ δὲ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν Ἐν τῷ νόμῳ τί γέγραπται; πῶς ἀναγινώσκεις; ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν Ἀγαπήσεις Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ἰσχύος σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας σου, καὶ τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ Ὀρθῶς ἀπεκρίθης τοῦτο ποίει καὶ ζήσῃ. ὁ δὲ θέλων δικαιοῦν ἑαυτὸν εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Ἰησοῦν Καὶ τίς ἐστί μου πλησίον; ὑπολαβὼν δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν Ἄνθρωπός τις κατέβαινεν ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλὴμ εἰς Ἰεριχὼ, καὶ λῃσταῖς περιέπεσεν οἳ καὶ ἐκδύσαντες αὐτὸν καὶ πληγὰς ἐπιθέντες ἀπῆλθον ἀφέντες ἡμιθανῆ τυγχάνοντα. κατὰ συγκυρίαν δὲ ἱερεύς τις κατέβαινεν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ἀντιπαρῆλθεν. ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ Λευῒτης γενόμενος κατὰ τὸν τόπον, ἐλθὼν καὶ ἰδὼν ἀντιπαρῆλθε. Σαμαρείτης δέ τις ὁδεύων ἦλθε κατ' αὐτὸν, καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ προσελθὼν κατέδησε τὰ τραύματα αὐτοῦ ἐπιχέων ἔλαιον καὶ οἶνον, ἐπιβιβάσας δὲ αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὸ ἴδιον κτῆνος ἤγαγεν αὐτὸν εἰς πανδοχεῖον καὶ ἐπεμελήθη αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν αὔριον ἐξελθὼν, ἐκβαλὼν δύο δηνάρια ἔδωκε τῷ πανδοχεῖ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἐπιμελήθητι αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὅ,τι ἂν προσδαπανήσῃς, ἐγὼ ἐν τῷ ἐπανέρχεσθαί με ἀποδώσω σοι. τίς οὖν τούτων τῶν τριῶν πλησίον δοκεῖ σοι γεγονέναι τοῦ ἐμπεσόντος εἰς τοὺς λῃστάς; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν Ὁ ποιήσας τὸ ἔλεος μετ' αὐτοῦ. εἶπεν οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς Πορεύου καὶ σὺ ποίει ὁμοίως.

5 Epistle and Gospel Readings for Today EPISTLE READING Hebrews 7:26-28, 8:1-2 Brethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord. GOSPEL READING Luke At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live." But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

6 UPCOMING YOUTH MINISTRY DATES Please fill out a registration form in the Church Office. Little Angels (Ages 4 and under) Tues, November 15-11:30am 1 pm (6th 8th grades) Mon, Nov 14 6:30 pm 8 pm Thanksgiving Basket Outreach Family Night (Families & youth in Pre-k 5th grade) Next gathering Mon., November 14 5:30 pm to 7 pm Jr. GOYA CHRISTMAS RETREAT We will have our annual Christmas Retreat on Saturday, December 3. Save the Date!!! Sr. GOYA (High School) Mon, Nov 14 7:30 pm 9 pm Thanksgiving Basket Outreach CHURCH BASKETBALL Come support our Church Basketball Teams! Sat, Nov 19 St. Haralambos at St. Nectarios Sun, Nov 20 St. St Demetrios (Chi) 1:45 pm 3rd-4th grade 2:30 pm Biddy 3:30 pm Grade School 4:30 pm Girls 5:30 pm High School Boy s COLLEGE CONFERENCE MIDWEST 2016 Who: OCF (ages 18-25) When: Dec: Where: St. Iakovos Retreat Center Speaker: Rev. Fr. Panagiotis Boznos Visit OCF.net for more information and to register today!

7 Ανακοινώσεις STEWARDSHIP 2016 Εαν δεν έχετε συμπληρώσει την κάρτα προσφοράς σας για το 2016, παρακαλούμε όπως επιληφθείτε το συντομότερο. Δεν έχουμε θέσει όρια, αλλά αληθινό stewardship σημαί -νει να δίνoυμε ανάλογα των εισοδημάτων μας. Το επίπεδο προσφοράς του stewardship θα πρέπει να είναι ένα ποσό που θα αντιπροσωπεύει την αυξανόμενη αγάπη μας προς τον Θεό και την εκτίμησή μας δια τις ευλογίες και όλα τα καλά που μας προσφέρει η εκκλησία μας! ΠΟΙΟΙ ΔΥΝΑΝΤΑΙ ΝΑ ΛΑΒΟΥΝ ΘΕΙΑΝ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΝ - Όταν λαμβάνομεν Θείαν Κοινωνίαν η οποιοδήποτε από τα άλλα Μυστήρια εκφράζομεν την αποδοχήν μας εις τα δογματικά και ηθικά διδάγματα της Ορθοδόξου μας Εκκλησίας. Διά τούτο, μόνον Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί οι οποίοι είναι εντάξει απέναντι της Εκκλησίας δύνανται να λάβουν μέρος εις τα Μυστήρια, όπως Θεία Κοινωνία και Ευχέλαιο, και δεν πρέπει να λαμβάνουμε μέρος σε Μυστήρια σε μη Ορθόδοξες εκκλησίες. Διά οποιεσδήποτε απορίες σας, παρακαλούμε να συζητήσετε με τον ιερέα σας. Mon, Nov 14 Tues. Nov 15 Wed, Nov 16 Thurs, Nov 17 Fri, Nov 18 Sat, Nov 19 PRAYER TO OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL ΠΟΤΕ ΝΑ ΓΟΝΑΤΙΖΟΥΜΕ, ΝΑ ΣΤΕΚΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΚΑΘΟΜΑΣΤΕ Από τα πρώτα χρόνια, η Εκκλησία μας δίδαξε ότι η αρμόζουσα θέση για να προσευχόμεθα είναι να στεκόμεθα όρθιοι. (Μέχρι πρόσφατα, οι περισσότερες Ορθόδοξες εκκλησίες δεν είχαν καθόλου καθίσματα δια τους πιστούς! Tα καθίσματα υπήρχαν μόνον κατά μήκος των τοίχων δια τους ηλικιωμένους.) Ως έκφραση δέους και σεβασμού, υπάρχουν φορές που είθισται όμως να γονατίζουμε στην εκκλησία, ιδιαιτέρως κατά την ώρα της Επικλήσεως, όταν ο ιερός άρτος και οίνος μεταβάλλονται εις το τίμιο Σώμα και Αίμα του Χρηστού μας. Κατά την Επίκλησιν (Σε Υμνοῦμεν), στις καθημερινές λειτουργίες, αναμένεται να γονατίζουν όλοι οι πιστοί. Κάθε Κυριακή όμως, μερικοί διαλέγουν να γονατίζουν και άλλοι παραμένουν όρθιοι. Αυτοί που για διάφορες αιτίες δεν δύνανται να γονατίσουν, παρακαλούνται να παραμένουν όρθιοι εις ένδειξιν σεβασμού. Εκτός για λόγους υγείας, δεν είναι αρμόζον να κάθεται κανείς την ώρα της Επικλήσεως. O Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me all wherein I have sinned this day, and deliver me from all opposing evil of mine enemy, lest I anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, that you may show me forth worthy of the kindness and mercy of the All Holy Trinity, and of the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, and of all the Saints. Amen. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: Jr. GOYA 7:00 pm Sr. GOYA 7:30 pm Little Angels 11:30 am Afternoon Greek School 4:30 pm Introduction to the Divine Liturgy Class 7:30 pm Parish Council Meeting. 7:30 pm SYNERGY Meeting... 7:30 pm Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale 9:00 am (No Greek School) Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale 9:00 am (No Saturday Greek School) Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.

8 TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, November 13, th Sunday of Luke - Κυριακὴ Η Λουκᾶ Our Father among the saints, John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople. Τοῦ ἐν Ἁγίοις Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἰωάννου, Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Κωνσταντινουπόλεως τοῦ Χρυσοστόμου. ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY Apolytikion of the Fourth Tone 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. When they had learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and that the ancestral condemnation was cast away, the women disciples of the Lord spoke to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting to the world the great mercy. Apolytikion of St John Chrysostom Ἡ τοῦ στόματός σου καθάπερ πυρσὸς ἐκλάμψασα χάρις, τὴν οἰκουμένην ἐφώτισεν, ἀφιλαργυρίας τῷ κόσμῳ θησαυροὺς ἐναπέθετο, τὸ ὕψος ἡμῖν τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης ὑπέδειξεν. Ἀλλὰ σοῖς λόγοις παιδεύων, Πάτερ Ἰωάννη Χρυσόστομε, πρέσβευε τῷ Λόγῳ Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Apolytikion of the Holy Taxiarchs Τῶν οὐρανίων στρατιῶν Ἀρχιστράτηγοι, δυσωποῦμεν ὑμᾶς ἡμεῖς οἱ ἀνάξιοι, ἵνα ταῖς ὑμῶν δεήσεσι, τειχίσητε ἡμᾶς, σκέπῃ τῶν πτερύγων, τῆς ἀΰλου ὑμῶν δόξης, φρουροῦντες ἡμᾶς προσπίπτοντας, ἐκτενῶς καὶ βοῶντας Ἐκ τῶν κινδύνων λυτρώσασθε ἡμᾶς, ὡς Ταξιάρχαι τῶν ἄνω Δυνάμεων. Supreme Commanders of the heavenly armies, we the unworthy implore you, that by your supplications you encircle us under the cover of the wings of your ineffable glory; guarding us who bow down with fervor crying: Deliver us from dangers, as Leaders of the Powers above. Apolytikion of St. Haralambos Ὡς στῦλος ἀκλόνητος, τῆς Ἐκκλησίας Χριστοῦ, καὶ λύχνος ἀείφωτος τῆς οἰκουμένης σοφέ, ἐδείχθης Χαράλαμπες, ἔλαμψας ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, διὰ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, ἔλυσας τῶν εἰδώλων, τὴν σκοτόμαιναν μάκαρ, διὸ ἐν παῤῥησίᾳ Χριστῷ, πρέσβευε σωθῆναι ἡμᾶς. As a pillar unshakable of the Church of Christ, and an ever-radiant lamp to the universe, were you, O wise Haralambos; you illumined the world through martyrdom; you dispelled the moonless night of the idols, o blessed one. Therefore with boldness before Christ, intercede that we may be saved. ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ KONTAKION OF THE DAY Ὁ καθαρώτατος ναὸς τοῦ Σωτῆρος, ἡ πολυτίμητος παστὰς καὶ Παρθένος, τὸ Ἱερὸν θησαύρισμα τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ, αὕτη γάρ εἰσάγεται, ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ Κυρίου, τὴν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, τὴν ἐν Πνευματι θείῳ, ἣν ἀνυμνοῦσιν Ἄγγελοι Θεοῦ Αὕτη ὑπάρχει σκηνὴ ἐπουράνιος. The most pure Temple of our Savior, the precious Bridal Chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasury of the glory of God, today is brought in to the Temple of the Lord, bringing with her divine grace in the Holy Spirit; to her the angels of God sing, Truly this is the heavenly Tabernacle.