Sunday, March 5, 2017 Sunday of Orthodoxy

Transcript

1 Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church 7560 South Archer Road, Justice, Illinois (708) , fax (708) Rev. Fr. Demetrios Kounavis Parish Priest Sunday, March 5, 2017 Sunday of Orthodoxy 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.

2 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ EPISTLE READING FOR THE DAY ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ GOSPEL READING FOR THE DAY Ἀδελφοί, πίστει Μωϋσῆς μέγας γενόμενος ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι υἱὸς θυγατρὸς Φαραώ, μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συγκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ λαῷ τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ πρόσκαιρον ἔχειν ἁμαρτίας ἀπόλαυσιν μείζονα πλοῦτον ἡγησάμενος τῶν Αἰγύπτου θησαυρῶν τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἀπέβλεπεν γὰρ εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γὰρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψών καὶ Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων. Ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς ἐλιθάσθησαν, πρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι - ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος - ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες, μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν. Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share illtreatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠθέλησεν ὁ Ιησοῦς ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ 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. 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."

3 MEMORIALS Elizabeth Zacharias 3 years, Right 1-3 May her memory be eternal! FELLOWSHIP Today s coffee fellowship is hosted by our Philoptochos Society. Everyone is invited to our community hall to enjoy fellowship. Please join us on a pilgrimage to Holy Transfiguration Monastery on Saturday, March 11th. We will have a discussion with the abbot, Geronda Akakios. We will leave from the church at 1:00pm. RSVP to the Church Office for car pooling arrangements. HOLY LAND TRIP 2017 Έχουν ξεκινήσει προετοιμασίες για Προσκυνηματικό Ταξίδι στα Ιεροσόλυμα και στο Σινά μαζί με την ενορία του Αγ. Νικολάου και τον π. Χριστόδουλο. Θα αναχωρήσουμε Οκτωβρίου 29-9 Νοεμβρίου Εάν θέλετε να ταξιδέψετε σε αυτά τα άγια μέρη, να μιλήσετε με τον π. Δημήτριο. In conjunction with St. Nicholas Church and Fr. Christodoulos, we are planning a trip to the Holy Land and Mt. Sinai. The trip will be from October 29 - November 9th. Details will be coming soon. This is a once in an lifetime experience! DATES TO REMEMBER March 19: Stavroproskinisis Luncheon April 8: Lenten Children s Retreat April 7-9: Philoptochos Bake Sale April 21: Bright Friday Feast April 28-29: Women s Overnight Retreat May 6: Spring Food Fest May 7: Women s Outing June 23-25: GREEK FEST 2017

4 Σκαλοπάτια σαρακοστιανά Αν νηστεύεις, κάνε το με ταπείνωση. Αν τρως, μην προκαλείς. Αν εσύ θες ταχινόσουπα, καν του παιδιού σου μια κοτόσουπα. Και δως του ένα φιλί σοκολατένιο. Αν πας εκκλησία, κάνε ησυχία. Εγώ κοιμάμαι. Αν προσεύχεσαι, δείξε μου τη γαλήνη σου. Αν είσαι του Χριστού, άσε να μυρίσω τη γλύκα των χνώτων Του στα χείλη σου. Αν μετάνιωσες, πάρε ρίσκα και τόλμησε καινούργια πράγματα. Αν αγαπάς το Θεό, χαιδεψε τον άνθρωπό σου στο λαιμό. Αν διαβάζεις πνευματικά, δείξε ένθεη ανθρωπιά. Αν είσαι δυνατός, πες συγγνώμη. Αν είσαι άγιος, αγκάλιασε τους αμαρτωλούς. Αν σηκώνεις Σταυρό, κάνε τον πόνο σου τραγούδιστο Χριστό. Και σταμάτα την κλάψα. Αν σε λίγες βδομάδες περιμένεις Ανάσταση, χαμογέλα. Από σήμερα! π.ανδρέας Κονάνος Το κουκούλι της πεταλούδας (διδακτική ιστορία) Κάποιος, κάποτε, βρήκε το κουκούλι μιας πεταλούδας. Μια μέρα, παρουσιάστηκε ένα μικρό άνοιγμα στο κουκούλι. Ο άνθρωπος κάθισε και παρατηρούσε την πεταλούδα για αρκετές ώρες καθώς εκείνη αγωνιζόταν να περάσει το σώμα της μέσα από την μικρή τρύπα. Κάποια στιγμή φάνηκε ανήμπορη να προχωρήσει άλλο. Έτσι ο άνθρωπος αποφάσισε να βοηθήσει την πεταλούδα. Με ένα ψαλίδι, έκοψε το υπόλοιπο κομμάτι του κουκουλιού. Η πεταλούδα πρόβαλε εύκολα, αλλά είχε πρησμένο σώμα και μαραμένα φτερά. Ο άνθρωπος συνέχισε να παρατηρεί την πεταλούδα, γιατί περίμενε ότι τα φτερά της θα μεγάλωναν και θα άπλωναν για να στηρίξουν το σώμα της, το οποίο θα ξεπρηζόταν σιγά - σιγά. Κάτι τέτοιο, όμως, δεν έγινε. Αντίθετα, η πεταλούδα πέρασε την υπόλοιπη ζωή της σέρνοντας το πρησμένο της σώμα και έχοντας μαραμένα φτερά. Ποτέ δεν μπόρεσε να πετάξει. Αυτό που ο άνθρωπος, με την καλοσύνη και την βιασύνη του, δεν κατάλαβε ήταν πως ο αγώνας για να βγει η πεταλούδα από το άνοιγμα, ήταν ο τρόπος με τον οποίο ο Θεός διοχέτευε υγρό από το σώμα της προς τα φτερά, ούτως ώστε να είναι έτοιμη να πετάξει μόλις ελευθερωθεί από το κουκούλι. Μερικές φορές, οι δυσκολίες είναι ακριβώς αυτό που έχουμε ανάγκη στη ζωή μας. Αν ο Θεός μας επέτρεπε να διασχίσουμε τη ζωή χωρίς εμπόδια, δεν θα αποκτούσαμε τη δύναμη που δικαιούμαστε. Δεν θα πετούσαμε ποτέ dkaravasilis.gr

5 The Sunday of Orthodoxy (Monk Moses the Athonite) By Monk Moses the Athonite The Sunday of Orthodoxy, the festive celebration of the prevalence of truth, is the victory against heresies and delusions, schisms and conflicts. For two thousand years Orthodoxy remains true, steadfast, beloved, authentic, just, honorable, integral, genuine and inspiring. It cannot cease, cannot bend, cannot wilt, cannot fear, cannot be defeated, cannot be opposed, and cannot be conquered. Orthodoxy is faithful to the Gospel, to the requirements of the Holy Apostles, to canonical apostolic succession. We need to proclaim to our neighbor the true ecclesiastical tradition, not only with words but by a powerful example. Orthodoxy is not sterile knowledge, but life and experience. The personal taste of faith is a sublime wealth, inexhaustible treasure, a source of joy and hope. The uniqueness of Orthodoxy in times of confusion, anxiety, darkness and crisis raises a bright star to illuminate the mind and heart. Holy Orthodoxy does not lose its foundation easily when confronted by progressive nihilists. Its base is strong and the faithful people have felt well its great power. Orthodoxy is a living meeting between people and God. It is not extremism, fanaticism, jealousy, hatred and obstinacy. It is the middle way, frank, measured, balanced, free and graceful. It unites, brings rest, animates and sanctifies. It is beyond natural, beyond logic, transformative, light -giving, meaningful and substantial. It is incorrupt, ancient and new, perfect, sacred, comprehensive, ecumenical, but not ecumenistic. Orthodoxy is not a museum exhibit, a nebula, an abstract habit, a statue, a worn out idol, or a rotting swamp. It is not ancestor obsession, folklorism, a beautiful religion among others, but a new way of life. It is not a human construct, a witticism, an eloquence, a formality or externality. It is not a window display, a picture frame, egotistical and belonging to the past. It is a cross and resurrection, a crowned martyrdom, manly and brave. Its symbol is a cross. Its throne is modesty, humility and simplicity. It does not coerce, blackmail, enslave or revolt. An Orthodox is not born but made, is baptized and re-baptized. It is a stadium of struggle, repentance, freedom, fearlessness, security and hope. Joy, peace and refuge are elements of Orthodoxy. Hopefully we experience these comfortably. Let us not be spectators in the stands, but athletes in the arena - beginning today - the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos. Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation of cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness. ~ St. John Chrysostom

6 2017 STEWARDSHIP Stewardship pledge cards can be picked up at the church office; we ask that you prayerfully consider what you will offer to our beloved parish of Holy Cross in Our beloved parish requires approximately $930 per day to operate. As always, we remain appreciative for all that you lovingly give. HOLY COMMUNION While we pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all the world s Christians, the reality remains that there is still no intercommunion between our Orthodox Churches and the Churches of the West. This means that only baptized, chrismated and observant Orthodox faithful receive communion in our churches. At the same time, we warmly welcome all nonorthodox to join us in prayer and celebration, and humbly offer to all present the Antidoro bread of fellowship at the end of the service. We offer this important symbol instead of the Gifts, in the words of the Apostle Paul, Till we all come to the unity of the Faith (Eph. 4.13).

7 Lenten and Holy Week Needs 2017 Flowers for the Panagia Icon (4 Salutations Services) - $ each -$50 donated so far Flowers for the Panagia Icon (Akathist Hymn Service) - $ Flowers for the Sunday of the Holy Cross (Iconostasi Icon) - $ Flowers for Sunday of the Holy Cross (Processional Icon) - $ Daffodils for Sunday of the Holy Cross - $ Bouquet of Daffodils - $80.00 Dikerotrikera Candles for Sunday of the Holy Cross - $50.00 Lambathes for Vespers of the Holy Cross - $ Palms & Bay Leaves for Palm Sunday - $ Flowers for Palm Sunday Icon - $ Wreath for the Cross of Christ - $ Candles for the 12 Gospels - $ Rose Water - $50.00 Gardenias for the Epitaphio - $ Priest Paschal Candle - $ Flowers for the Crucifixion Icon - $ Flowers for the Kouvouklion (Christ s Tomb) - $ $500 donated so far Rose Petals for Myrophores - $ Flowers for the Lavaron - $ Easter Lilies - $ Altar Candles - $ Anastasi Icon - $ red cups for Good Friday - $ white cups for Anastasi - $250 Flowers for the Nymphios Icon - $ cases of white candles - $50 per case Flowers for the Last Supper Icon - $ Thank you for helping us bring the proper dignity to our services during this holy season.

8 WEEKLY EVENTS TODAY 6:30pm: Pan Orthodox Vespers at St. George Antiochian Church, Cicero Tuesday, March 7 6pm: Great Compline 7pm: Philoptochos Meeting Wednesday, March 8 8:30am: 9th Hour 9am: Presanctified Liturgy 7pm: Last Orthodox Life Study in English Thursday, March 9 10:30am: Orthodox Life in Greek 6pm: Great Compline Friday, March 10 8:30am: 9th Hour 9am: Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm: 2nd Salutations to the Theotokos Saturday, March 11 10am: Greek School 1pm: Leave for our Pilgrimage 2pm: 7-10 year-olds Basketball Sunday, March 12 6:30pm: Solemn Vespers at Holy Apostles Church, Westchester ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ 6.30μ.μ.: Πανορθόδοξος Εσπερινός στον Αντιοχειανό Ι.Ν. Αγ. Γεωργίου, Cicero Τρίτη, 7 Μαρτίου 6.00μ.μ.: Μέγα Απόδειπνον 7.00μ.μ.: Συνεδρίαση Φιλοπτώχου Τετάρτη, 8 Μαρτίου 8.30π.μ.: 9η Ώρα 9.00π.μ.: Προηγιασμένη Θ. Λειτουργία 7.00μ.μ.: Μάθημα στα αγγλικά Πέμπτη, 9 Μαρτίου 10.30π.μ.: Μάθημα στα ελληνικά 6.00μ.μ.: Μέγα Απόδειπνον Παρασκευή, 10 Μαρτίου 8.30π.μ.: 9η Ώρα 9.00π.μ.: Προηγιασμένη Θ. Λειτουργία 6.30μ.μ.: Β Χαιρετισμοί Σάββατο, 11 Μαρτίου 10.00π.μ.: Ελληνικό Σχολείο 1.00μ.μ.: Προσκύνημα στο Μοναστήρι 2.00μ.μ.: Μπάσκετ για παιδιά 7-10 χρονών Κυριακή, 12 Μαρτίου 6.30μ.μ.: Κατανυκτικός Εσπερινός στον Ι.Ν. Αγ. Αποστόλων, Westchester The St. Anna Women s Group is selling Orthodox greeting cards for any occasion. Special requests are accepted as well. Please see Presvytera Katerina for details. All proceeds benefit Christ s ministries through our beloved parish. Please support this worthy effort!