Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral ~ Proto Cathedral of the Metropolis of Denver ~

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1 SUNDAY BULLETIN January 16, 2011 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral ~ Proto Cathedral of the Metropolis of Denver ~ 3511 Yoakum Boulevard, Houston, Texas Voice Facsimile Website: Rev. Fr. Michael J. Lambakis, Dean Rev. Fr. Demetrios Tagaropulos, Associate Priest Rev. Fr. Nicholas B. Hadzellis, Associate Priest Rev. Fr. Daniel Payne, Associate Priest Sunday Service Schedule Orthros 7:45 AM / Divine Liturgies 9:00 AM & 10:30 AM Wednesdays Paraclesis 6:30 PM 12 th Sunday of Luke

2 HYMNS OF THE DAY Resurrectional Apolytikion First Tone The stone that had been sealed before Your tomb by the Jews and the soldiers guarding did watch over Your pure and sacred body. O Savior the third day You arose, and unto all the world did You give life. Where by all the heavenly powers did proclaim that You are the giver of life. Glory unto our resurrected Christ. Glory unto Your Kingdom. Glory to Your dispensation O You alone who loves all. Τού λίθου σφραγισθέντος υπό τών Ιουδαίων, καί στρατιωτών φυλασσόντων τό άχραντόν σου σώµα, ανέστης τριήµερος Σωτήρ, δωρούµενος τώ κόσµω τήν ζωήν. ιά τούτο αι υνάµεις τών ουρανών, εβόων σοι Ζωοδότα. όξα τή Αναστάσει σου, Χριστέ, δόξα τή βασιλεία σου, δόξα τή οικονοµία σου, µόνε Φιλάνθρωπε. Apolytikion for Veneration of Apostle Peter's Precious Chains Without leaving Rome, thou didst come to us by the precious chains which thou didst wear. O foremost of the Apostles. And worshipping them with faith, we pray: By thine intercessions with God, grant us great mercy. Τὴν Ῥώµην µὴ λιπῶν, πρὸς ἡµᾶς ἐπεδήµησας, δι' ὧν ἐφόρεσας τιµίων Ἀλύσεων, τῶν Ἀποστόλων Πρωτόθρονε, ἃς ἐν πίστει προσκυνοῦντες δεόµεθα, ταὶς πρὸς Θεὸν πρεσβείαις σου, δώρησαι ἡµῖν τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Apolytikion of the Church On this day when out salvation is crowned for eternity and the revelation of the mystery of the ages O the Son of God becomes on this day the Virgin s Son with Gabriel proclaiming the tidings of God s Grace, and we also join in the cry unto the Theotokos singing Hail to You who are filled with Grace the Lord is with You. Σήµερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡµῶν τὸ Κεφάλαιον, καὶ τοῦ ἀπ' αἰῶνος Μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις, ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, Υἱὸς τῆς Παρθένου γίνεται, καὶ Γαβριὴλ τὴν χάριν εὐαγγελίζεται, ιὸ σὺν αὐτῷ τὴ Θεοτόκω βοήσωµεν, Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωµένη, ὁ Κύριος µετὰ σοῦ. Kontakion Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One. 2

3 Ο µήτραν παρθενικήν άγιάσας τώ τόκω σου, καί χείπας τού Συµεών εύλογήσας νς έπρεπε, προφθάσας καί νύν έσωσας ήµάς, Χριστέ ό Θεός. Αλλ είρήνευσον έν πολέµοις τό πολίτευµα, καί κραταίωσον βασιλείς ο θς ήγάπησας, ό µόνος φιλάνθρωπος. EPISTLE: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11 BRETHREN, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all. Πρὸς Κολοσσαεῖς 3:4-11 Ἀδελφοί, ὅταν ὁ χριστὸς φανερωθῇ, ἡ ζωὴ ἡµῶν, τότε καὶ ὑµεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ φανερωθήσεσθε ἐν δόξῃ. Νεκρώσατε οὖν τὰ µέλη ὑµῶν τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, πορνείαν, ἀκαθαρσίαν, πάθος, ἐπιθυµίαν κακήν, καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρεία, δι ἃ ἔρχεται ἡ ὀργὴ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς τῆς ἀπειθείας Ἐν οἷς καὶ ὑµεῖς περιεπατήσατέ ποτε, ὅτε ἐζῆτε ἐν αὐτοῖς. Νυνὶ δὲ ἀπόθεσθε καὶ ὑµεῖς τὰ πάντα, ὀργήν, θυµόν, κακίαν, βλασφηµίαν, αἰσχρολογίαν ἐκ τοῦ στόµατος ὑµῶν µὴ ψεύδεσθε εἰς ἀλλήλους, ἀπεκδυσάµενοι τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον σὺν ταῖς πράξεσιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐνδυσάµενοι τὸν νέον, τὸν ἀνακαινούµενον εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν κατʼ εἰκόνα τοῦ κτίσαντος αὐτόν ὅπου οὐκ ἔνι Ἕλλην καὶ Ἰουδαῖος, περιτοµὴ καὶ ἀκροβυστία, βάρβαρος, Σκύθης, δοῦλος, ἐλεύθερος ἀλλὰ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν χριστός. GOSPEL: The Reading is from Luke 17:12-19 At that time, as Jesus entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When He saw them He said to them, "Go and show 3

4 yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And He said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well." Κατὰ Λουκᾶν Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσερχοµένου αὐτοῦ εἴς τινα κώµην, ἀπήντησαν αὐτῷ δέκα λεπροὶ ἄνδρες, οἳ ἔστησαν πόρρωθεν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἦραν φωνήν, λέγοντες, Ἰησοῦ, ἐπιστάτα, ἐλέησον ἡµᾶς. Καὶ ἰδὼν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, Πορευθέντες ἐπιδείξατε ἑαυτοὺς τοῖς ἱερεῦσιν. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ὑπάγειν αὐτούς, ἐκαθαρίσθησαν. Εἷς δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν, ἰδὼν ὅτι ἰάθη, ὑπέστρεψεν, µετὰ φωνῆς µεγάλης δοξάζων τὸν θεόν καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον παρὰ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, εὐχαριστῶν αὐτῷ καὶ αὐτὸς ἦν Σαµαρείτης. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν, Οὐχὶ οἱ δέκα ἐκαθαρίσθησαν; Οἱ δὲ ἐννέα ποῦ; Οὐχ εὑρέθησαν ὑποστρέψαντες δοῦναι δόξαν τῷ θεῷ, εἰ µὴ ὁ ἀλλογενὴς οὗτος, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, Ἀναστὰς πορεύου ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέν σε. HOLY COMMUNION NOTICE: Holy Communion is reserved for those who have been Baptized and/or Confirmed in the Eastern Orthodox Faith. The Communion Prayers are our final preparation to receive the Sacrament. We also prepare to receive by fasting prior to the Divine Liturgy in the morning. (We, of course, continue to take prescribed medications.) We also prepare ourselves by fasting on Wednesday and Friday each week and through regular confession. An usher will invite you to join the Communion line. Please follow the directions. When you approach the chalice, please give your Baptismal name to the priest. THE ORDER OF COMMUNION IS THE NEWLY BAPTIZED (WITH LIT CANDLES) AND THE CONGREGATION, PEW BY PEW, BEGINNING FROM THE FRONT OF THE NAVE. 4

5 SAINTS OF THE WEEK Veneration of Apostle Peter's Precious Chains January 16 Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great and king of the Jews, grew wroth against the Church of Christ, and slew James, the brother of John the Evangelist. Seeing that this pleased the Jews, he took Peter also into custody and locked him up in prison, intending to keep him there until after the feast of the Passover, so that he could win the favour of the people by presenting him to them as a victim. But the Apostle was saved when he was miraculously set free by an Angel (Acts 12:1-19). The chains wherewith the Apostle was bound received from his most sacred body the grace of sanctification and healing, which is bestowed upon the faithful who draw nigh with faith. That such sacred treasures work wonders and many healings is witnessed by the divine Scripture, where it speaks concerning Paul, saying that the Christians in Ephesus had such reverence for him, that his handkerchiefs and aprons, taken up with much reverence, healed the sick of their maladies: "So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them" (Acts 19:12). But not only the Apostles' clothing (which certainly touched the bodies of the sick), but even their shadow alone performed healings. On beholding this, people put their sick on stretchers and beds and brought them out into the streets that, when Peter passed by, his shadow "might overshadow some of them"(acts 5:15). From this the Orthodox Catholic Church has learned to show reverence and piety not only to the relics of their bodies, but also in the clothing of God's Saints. Anthony the Great January 17 Saint Anthony, the Father of monks, was born in Egypt in 251 of pious parents who departed this life while he was yet young. On hearing the words of the Gospel: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor" (Matt. 19:21), he immediately put it into action. Distributing to the poor all he had, and fleeing from all the turmoil of the world, he departed to the desert. The manifold temptations he endured continually for the span of twenty years are incredible. His ascetic struggles by day and by night, whereby he mortified the uprisings of the passions and attained to the height of dispassion, surpass the bounds of nature; and the report of his deeds of virtue drew such a multitude to follow him that the desert was transformed into a city, while he became, so to speak, the governor, lawgiver, and master-trainer of all the citizens of this newly-formed city. 5

6 Athanasios & Cyril, Patriarchs of Alexandria January 18 In the half-century after the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicea in 325, if there was one man whom the Arians feared and hated more intensely than any other, as being able to lay bare the whole error of their teaching, and to marshal, even from exile or hiding, the beleaguered forces of the Orthodox, it was Saint Athanasius the Great. This blazing lamp of Orthodoxy, which imperial power and heretics' plots could not quench when he shone upon the lampstand, nor find when he was hid by the people and monks of Egypt, was born in Alexandria about the year 296. He received an excellent training in Greek letters and especially in the sacred Scriptures, of which he shows an exceptional knowledge in his writings. Even as a young man he had a remarkable depth of theological understanding; he was only about twenty years old when he wrote his treatise On the Incarnation. Saint Alexander, the Archbishop of Alexandria, brought him up in piety, ordained him his deacon, and after deposing Arius for his blasphemy against the Divinity of the Son of God, took Athanasius to the First Council in Nicea in 325. Saint Athanasius was to spend the remainder of his life laboring in defense of this Holy Council. In 326, before his death, Alexander appointed Athanasius his successor. Mark, Bishop of Ephesus January 19 The great teacher and invincible defender of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, Saint Mark, was the offspring and scion of the imperial city, Constantinople. Reared by most pious parents, and instructed in secular and spiritual wisdom, he became preeminent in both. Saint Mark lived as an ascetic on the Prince's Islands and later in the monastery of Saint George Magana in Constantinople. He passed through all the degrees of the priesthood, and was finally advanced to the dignity of Archbishop and the lofty throne of the Metropolis of Ephesus. At the insistence of Emperor John Paleologos, the Saint was sent to the council of the Latins in Florence, to unite the churches that had been divided for so many years. He astounded the papal teachers with the divine wisdom of his words, and was the only one who did not sign the blasphemous decree of that false council. Because of this, the Holy Church of Christ has ever honored this great man as a benefactor, teacher, sole defender, and invincible champion of the Apostolic Confession. He reposed in

7 Righteous Euthymios the Great January 20 This Saint, who was from Melitene in Armenia, was the son of pious parents named Paul and Dionysia. He was born about 377. Since his mother had been barren, he was named Euthymius-which means "good cheer" or "joy"-for this is what his parents experienced at his birth. He studied under Eutroius, the Bishop of Melitene, by whom he was ordained and entrusted with the care of the monasteries of Melitene. Then, after he had come to Palestine about the year 406, he became the leader of a multitude of monks. Through him, a great tribe of Arabs was turned to piety, when he healed the ailing son of their leader Aspebetos. Aspebetos was baptized with all his people; he took the Christian name of Peter, and was later consecrated Bishop for his tribe, being called "Bishop of the Tents." Saint Euthymius also fought against the Nestorians, Eutychians, and Manichaeans. When Eudocia, the widow of Saint Theodosius the Younger, had made her dwelling in Palestine, and had fallen into the heresy of the Monophysites which was championed in Palestine by a certain Theodosius, she sent envoys to Saint Symeon the Stylite in Syria (see Sept. 1), asking him his opinion of Eutyches and the Council of Chalcedon which had condemned him; Saint Symeon, praising the holiness and Orthodoxy of Saint Euthymius near whom she dwelt, sent her to him to be delivered from her error (the holy Empress Eudocia is commemorated Aug. 13). He became the divine oracle of the Church, or rather, "the vessel of divine utterance," as a certain historian writes. He was the instructor and elder of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified. Having lived for ninety-six years, he reposed in 473, on January 20. Maximos the Confessor January 21 The divine Maximus, who was from Constantinople, sprang from an illustrious family. He was a lover of wisdom and an eminent theologian. At first, he was the chief private secretary of the Emperor Heraclius and his grandson Constans. When the Monothelite heresy became predominant in the royal court, out of hatred for this error the Saint departed for the Monastery at Chrysopolis (Scutari), of which he later became the abbot. When Constans tried to constrain him either to accept the Monothelite teaching, or to stop speaking and writing against it - neither of which the Saint accepted to do - his tongue was uprooted and his right hand was cut off, and he was sent into exile where he reposed in 662. At the time only he and his few disciples were Orthodox in the East (See also April 13). 7

8 Timothy the Apostle of the 70 January 22 The Apostle Timothy, who was from Lystra of Lycaonia, was born of a Greek (that is, pagan) father and a Jewish mother. His mother's name was Eunice, and his grandmother's name was Lois (II Tim. 1:5). He became the disciple of the Apostle Paul when the latter first preached there, and he followed St. Paul during the whole period of the Apostle's preaching. Afterwards, Timothy was consecrated by him as first Bishop of the church in Ephesus. Under the supervision of John the Evangelist, who governed all the churches in Asia, he completed his life as a martyr in the year 97. He was stoned to death by the heathens, because, as some surmise, he opposed the festival held in honor of Artemis (Diana). The Apostle Paul's First and Second Epistles to Timothy were written to him. Sunday, January 16, 2011 ALTAR GROUP SAINT GERASIMOS Alexander McLin (Leader) Maximos Weimmer (Leader) Charles Butta Fote Demeris Dean Kaitson Pantelis Karastamatis Andrew Lambakis George Pappas Plato Pappas Nicholas Payavla Anthony Vais Diamantis Zavitsanos 8

9 PROSFORO The word "prosforo" translates as "an offering to God and is understood as Altar Bread. Prosforo is an offering the faithful of the Church make as part of their participation in the Divine Liturgy. The prosforo is then prepared by the Priest during the service of proskimide for the consecration during Divine Liturgy. On the prosforo is the seal (sfrayitha) containing the letters ΙΣ ΧΣ ΝΙΚΑ (Jesus Christ Conquers), this becomes the sacrificial Lamb, consecrated for Holy Communion. Also on the seal is a large triangle to commemorate the Theotokos and nine smaller triangles for the commemoration of the Archangels Michael & Gabriel and all the heavenly bodiless powers, John the Baptist, the prophets, the three holy Children, the Apostles, the Holy Fathers & Holy Hierarchs, the Martyrs, the Ascetic Fathers, the Wonderworking Unmercenaries, Joachim & Anna, Joseph the Betrothed & Symeon the Theodochos, & the particular saints of the day and either St. John Chrysostom or St. Basil the Great (depending on which liturgy is celebrated). Then finally, particles of the prosforo are removed to commemorate the living and the dead of those who are making the offering. Therefore, when we bake and offer the prosforo to Christ, we offer it as a gift of our love for our Lord God. The preparation of prosforo begins with the preparation of the baker through prayer and fasting. Prayers for the baker and the baker s family are said throughout the preparation. An icon, such as The Bread of Life and a lighted candle may be used on the counter during the preparation. This helps instill utmost reverence. The preparation of the Prosforo is a spiritual event and should not be seen as a chore. We encourage our faithful to make the Prosforo for the Divine Liturgy and bring the names of your family and departed loved ones to be commemorated. When you make your offering, please bring it to the Cathedral office by Friday or Sunday morning at the start of the Orthros service at 7:45am. Please also double wrap the Prosforo (plastic wrap and foil) and date it. Prosforo and names to be commemorated received after the start of the Divine Liturgy will be used on the next day of service. 9

10 Updated! Hope & Joy Road Trip for the Entire Family Meet us for a Spiritual Journey to St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Monastery Date: Saturday, January 29 th Event Time: 9:30am to 12:00 pm (approx. 1.5 hour drive) Address: 6855 Little York Lane Washington, TX USA Bring your Children to meet with Father Ephraim and Gerondisa Paraskevi. Meal will be provided! Please observe proper monastery etiquette! For more info: Hope & Joy will meet under the pine trees at 9:30 am at the Monastery. This is an opportunity to visit the monastery and have an audience with a Priest Monk and a Gerondisa (Abbess); to ask questions and hear stories about the Orthodox Church and Her saints. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 8:00 am (Attendance Optional) Please consider bringing a donation. Olive Oil, Paper goods and Monetary donations are always welcome. RSVP to smaro@sbcglobal.net Open to the entire family 10

11 PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS ANNUNCIATION CATHEDRAL PARISH COUNCIL Congratulations to the newly elected 2011 Parish Council officers of Annunciation Cathedral: John Zavitsanos, President; Frank N. (Fote) Demeris, Vice President; Christine Papadakes, Secretary; and Nick Pantazis, Treasurer. Many thanks to the outgoing Parish Council members Andy Savas, Andreas Matzakos, Harry Pefanis, and George Postolos for their years of commitment and service to the Annunciation Cathedral Parish. PHILOPTOCHOS MEMBERSHIP MEETING & LUNCH Join us for the Philoptochos Membership Meeting & Lunch to be held on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Martel Hall. We will have a brief meeting and guest speakers from SEARCH (Service of the Emergency & Resource Center for the Homeless), one of our long time ministries. So we may plan for the lunch, please RSVP to Marian Catechis runmom@swbell.net or Titika Liollio liollio@sbcglobal.net. 23 rd ANNUAL PASTICHIO DINNER sponsored by the Marathon Exchange Program January 27, 2011, 7:00 PM, at the S.P. Martel Hall. Please join us in welcoming and honoring the two invited Marathon Runners from Greece, who will run in the Chevron Houston Marathon. For tickets, contact Sophis Stenis at and enjoy the best pastichio you ll ever eat. The Annunciation Cathedral Greek Language and Culture School presents: THREE HIERARCHS DINNER, DANCE & SILENT AUCTION Saturday, January 29 7:00 pm at the Martel Hall. For tickets and information contact Maro Yuanidis / maroyuanidis@agoc.org or Chris Angelides / chrisangelides@yahoo.com. ATTENTION VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS 11

12 Are you a visitor or newcomer to our Parish? Please come to our Fellowship Coffee immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Visit the Welcoming Committee table to meet fellow parishioners and find out more about our community. MEMORIALS: Christina Denise Angelo Peter James Poulos 10 Years 10 Years Please join us for the fellowship coffee in the Martel Hall following each Liturgy. The coffee following the 9:00 am Liturgy is sponsored by the Greek Language & Culture School of Annunciation Cathedral. The coffee following the 10:30 am Liturgy is sponsored by the Families of Christina Denise Angelo and Peter James Poulos. THIS WEEK AT THE CATHEDRAL Wednesday 19 th 1:00 pm Bible Study, Room 219 6:30 pm Paraclesis - St. George Chapel 7:30 pm Bible Study, Room 219 7:30pm Byzantine Music Class, Room 243 Thursday 20 th 6:30 pm Introducing the Orthodox Church, Room 136 7:00 pm OCF at St. George Orthodox Church, 5311 Mercer Saturday 22 nd 11:00 am Philoptochos Membership Meeting & Lunch, Martel Hall Sunday 23 rd 7:45 am Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy / Sunday Church School 10:30 am Divine Liturgy 10:30 am St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival- Grades K, 1 st, and 2 nd, small Martel Hall 12