Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h of Washington, DC. 14th Sunday of Matthew September 6, 2015

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1 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h of Washington, DC 14th Sunday of Matthew September 6, 2015 Is Your Name Here? Theonea, Lambro, Areboia, Diene, Mosho, Thefane, Akribe, Ermeneia, Sapfo, Athena, Troada, Dodone, Polymnia, Melpomene, Elpiniki, Erato, Terpsihode, Evterpe, Kalliroe, Adamantine, Koralia, Theano, Aspasia, Erasmia, Theonymphe, Aphrodite, Chaido, Pandora, Polynike, Antigone, Ourania, Marianthe, Thalia, Harekleia, Kleio, Athena, Penelope, Cleopatra, Kleonike, Margarita, Evantheia, Kalliste If so, Xronia Polla! You celebrate on September 1st Είναι το Ονομά σας Εδώ? Θεονόα, Λαμπρώ, Αρηβοία, Διόνη, Μόσχω, Θεοφανή, Ακριβή, Ερμηνεία, Σαπφώ, Αθηνά, Αδαμαντίνη, Καλλιόπη, Ευτέρπη, Τερψιχόρη, Ερατώ, Ελπινίκη, Μελπομένη, Πολύμνια, Δωδώνη, Τρωάδα, Κοραλία, Θεανώ, Ασπασία, Ερασμία, Θεονύμφη, Αφροδίτη, Χάϊδω, Πανδώρα, Πολυνίκη, Αντιγόνη, Ουρανία, Μαριάνθη, Θάλεια, Χαρίκλεια, Κλειώ, Αθηνά, Πηνελόπη, Κλεοπάτρα, Κλεονίκη, Μαργαρίτα, Ευανθία, Καλλίστη. Εάν ναί, τότε Χρόνια Πολλά! Γιορτάζετε στις 1 Σεπτεμβρίου

2 YMNOI THΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιμον /Ἦχος πλ. αʹ. Αὐτόμελον. Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ. HYMNS OF THE DAY Resurrectional Apolytikion/pl. 1. Automelon Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. For in His goodness He was pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, and to raise up those who had died, by His glorious Resurrection. Τοῦ Ἀρχαγγέλου/Ἦχος ʹδʹ/Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ Τῶν οὐρανίων στρατιῶν Ἀρχιστράτηγε, δυσωποῦμέν σε ἀεὶ ἡμεῖς οἱ ἀνάξιοι, ἵνα ταῖς σαῖς δεήσεσι τειχίσῃς ἡμᾶς, σκέπη τῶν πτερύγων, τῆς ἀΰλου σου δόξης, φρουρῶν ἡμᾶς προσπίπτοντας, ἐκτενῶς καὶ βοῶντας Ἐκ τῶν κινδύνων λύτρωσαι ἡμᾶς, ὡς ταξιάρχης τῶν ἄνω Δυνάμεων. For the Archangel/Mode 4. You were lifted Ο Chief Commander of the heavenly armies, we the unworthy ones entreat you in earnest, that you might with your supplications fortify us, guarding us who run to you and beneath the protection of the pinions of your immaterial glory, and who with fervor shout: Deliver us, from every danger, as Captain of the hosts on high. 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. 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. 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. 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. Κοντάκιον/Ἠχος ʹδʹ Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννα ὀνειδισμοῦ ἀτεκνίας, καὶ Ἀδὰμ καὶ Εὔα, ἐκ τῆς φθορᾶς τοῦ θανάτου, ἠλευθερώθησαν, Ἄχραντε, ἐν τῇ ἁγίᾳ γεννήσει σου αὐτὴν ἑορτάζει καὶ ὁ λαός σου, ἐνοχῆς τῶν πταισμάτων, λυτρωθεὶς ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι Ἡ στεῖρα τίκτει τὴν Θεοτόκον, καὶ τροφὸν τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν. Kontakion/ Μode 4 Both Joachim and Anna from their sterility's stigma, and Adam and Eve from their mortality's ruin have been set free, O immaculate Maid, by your holy nativity. For this do your people hold celebration, redeemed from the guilt of transgression as they cry to you, "The barren one bears the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life." 2

3 Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Στα Νεα Ελληνικα ΤΗΕ EPISTLE Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 1:21-24, 2:1-4 Εκείνος δε ο οποίος δίδει την ακλόνητον και βεβαίαν πεποίθησιν εις ημάς μαζή με σας, ώστε να μένωμεν πιστοί στον Χριστόν και ο οποίος μας έχρισε με το Αγιον Πνεύμα, είναι ο Θεός. Αυτός και έβαλε την σφραγίδα του επάνω μας, δια να δείξη, ότι είμεθα ιδικοί του και έδωσε το Πνεύμα του το Αγιον εις τας καρδίας μας ως προκαταβολήν και εγγύησιν δι' όλα όσα μας έχει υποσχεθή. Πρέπει δε να σας πω τούτο ότι εγώ, επειδή σας λυπούμαι, δεν ήλθα ακόμη εις την Κορινθον, δια να μη σας στενοχωρήσω με τας παρατηρήσεις μου και εις αυτό επικαλούμαι μάρτυρα τον Θεόν, που βλέπει την ψυχήν μου. Δεν σας τα λέγομεν αυτά, διότι έχομεν εξουσίαν επάνω εις σας και εις την πίστιν σας, αλλά διότι είμεθα συνεργάται εις την ιδικήν σας χαράν. Αλλωστε σεις στέκεσθε στερεοί εις την πίστιν. Εσκέφθην δε μόνος μου και απεφάσισα τούτο να μη έλθω προς σας λυπούμενος δια τα σφάλματά σας, λυπών δε και σας με τας παρατηρήσεις, που είμαι αναγκασμένος να σας κάμω. Η λύπη όμως, που θα σας προκαλέσω, αποβλέπει στο καλόν σας, διότι εάν εγώ με τους ελέγχους σας στενοχωρώ, ποιός είναι εκείνος, που με ευφραίνει, παρά αυτός που δέχεται τας παρατηρήσεις μου, λυπείται και μετανοεί δια τα σφάλματά του και προχωρεί εις διόρθωσιν Και σας έγραψα αυτό τούτο ακριβώς εις προηγουμένην επιστολήν και σας έκαμα παρατηρήσεις, δια να διορθωθήτε εν τω μεταξύ, ώστε, όταν θα έλθω, να μη δοκιμάσω λύπην από εκείνους, από τους οποίους έπρεπε μάλλον να δοκιμάζω χαράν. Είμαι δε βέβαιος δι' όλους σας, ότι η ιδική μου χαρά είναι και χαρά όλων σας. Είχα βέβαια λυπηθή και εγώ πολύ, δια τους ελέγχους που σας έκαμα εις την πρώτην επιστολήν βαθύτατα θλιμμένος και με σφιγμένην την καρδιά και με πολλά δάκρυα, όχι δια να καταβληθήτε από λύπην, αλλά δια να γνωρίσετε την εξαιρετικήν αγάπην, την οποίαν έχω προς σας. St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:1-4 BRETHREN, it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me - it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. 3

4 ΤΟ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Στα Νεα Ελληνικα Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 22:2-14 Η βασιλεία των ουρανών είναι ομοία με βασιλέα, ο οποίος έκαμε μεγαλοπρεπείς γάμους στο παιδί του. Και έστειλε τους δούλους του να καλέση τους προσκαλεσμένους του στους γάμους, αλλά εκείνοι δεν ήθελαν να έλθουν. Παλιν έστειλε άλλους δούλους λέγων Ειπέτε στους προσκαλεσμένους ιδού το συμπόσιον το έχω ετοιμάσει, οι ταύροι μου και τα καλοθρεμμένα θρεφτάρια έχουν σφαγή και όλα είναι έτοιμα. Ελάτε στους γάμους. Αλλ' εκείνοι επεριφρόνησαν την πρόσκλησιν, αδιαφόρησαν και επήγαν άλλος με στο κτήμα του, άλλος δε στο εμπόριόν του. Οι υπόλοιποι δε, αφού επιασαν τους δούλους, τους ύβρισαν και τους εφόνευσαν. Ακούσας δε ο βασιλεύς εκείνος ωργίσθη δια την αχαρακτήριστον συμπεριφοράν των προσκαλεσμένων, έστειλε τα στρατεύματά του, εξωλόθρευσε τους φονείς εκείνους και κατέκαυσε την πόλιν των. Τοτε λέγει στους δούλους του Ο μεν γάμος είναι έτοιμος, αλλά οι προσκεκλημένοι δεν ήσαν άξιοι να παρακαθήσουν στο συμπόσιον. Πηγαίνετε λοιπόν εκεί, όπου βγάζουν οι δρόμοι και ξεχύνονται οι άνθρωποι, και όσους αν βρήτε καλέσατέ τους στους γάμους. Εξήλθον οι δούλοι εκείνοι στους δρόμους και συνεκέντρωσαν όλους όσους ευρήκαν καλούς και κακούς και εγέμισε η μεγάλη αίθουσα του γαμηλίου συμποσίου από συνδαιτημόνας. Οταν δε εισήλθεν ο Βασιλεύς να ίδη τους καθισμένους στο συμπόσιον, παρετήρησεν εκεί ένα άνθρωπον, ο όποιος δεν εφορούσε κατάλληλον για γάμον ένδυμα και λέγει εις αυτόν Φιλε, πως εμπήκες εδώ, χωρίς να έχης κατάλληλον ένδυμα γάμου; (Επρεπε να φιλοτιμηθής από την τιμήν που σου έκανα και να προσπαθήσης να βρης ένα τέτοιο ένδυμα). Εκείνος δε έμεινε άφωνος. Τοτε είπε ο βασιλεύς στους υπηρέτας Δεστε του πόδια και χέρια, πέρτε τον και ρίψατέ τον στο πυκνότατον σκότος εκεί θα είναι ο κλαυθμός και ο τριγμός των οδόντων. Διότι πολλοί είναι οι προσκεκλημένοι εις την βασιλείαν του Θεού, αλλά ολίγοι είναι οι εκλεκτοί, που δέχονται με ευγνωμοσύνην την πρόσκλησιν και ετοιμάζονται όπως πρέπει. ΤΗΕ GOSPEL The Gospel of Matthew 22:2-14 The Lord said this parable, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.' But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.' And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen." 4

5 Συμβολον Της Πίστεως Πιστεύω εἰς ἕνα Θεόν, Πατέρα, Παντοκράτορα, ποιητὴν οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς, ὁρατῶν τε πάντων καὶ ἀοράτων. Καὶ εἰς ἕνα Κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ, τὸν ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς γεννηθέντα πρὸ πάντων τῶν αἰώνων φῶς ἐκ φωτός, Θεὸν ἀληθινὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἀληθινοῦ, γεννηθέντα οὐ ποιηθέντα, ὁμοούσιον τῷ Πατρί, δι' οὗ τὰ πάντα ἐγένετο. Τὸν δι' ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀνθρώπους καὶ διὰ τὴν ἡμετέραν σωτηρίαν κατελθόντα ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν καὶ σαρκωθέντα ἐκ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου καὶ Μαρίας τῆς Παρθένου καὶ ἐνανθρωπήσαντα. Σταυρωθέντα τε ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου, καὶ παθόντα καὶ ταφέντα. Καὶ ἀναστάντα τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρα κατὰ τὰς Γραφάς. Καὶ ἀνελθόντα εἰς τοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ καθεζόμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Πατρός. Καὶ πάλιν ἐρχόμενον μετὰ δόξης κρῖναι ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς, οὗ τῆς βασιλείας οὐκ ἔσται τέλος. Καὶ εἰς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον, τὸ Κύριον, τὸ ζωοποιόν, τὸ ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐκπορευόμενον, τὸ σὺν Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ συμπροσκυνούμενον καὶ συνδοξαζόμενον, τὸ λαλῆσαν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν. Εἰς μίαν, Ἁγίαν, Καθολικὴν καὶ Ἀποστολικὴν Ἐκκλησίαν. Ὁμολογῶ ἓν βάπτισμα εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν. Προσδοκῶ ἀνάστασιν νεκρῶν. Καὶ ζωὴν τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος. Ἀμήν. The Nicene Creed I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge the living and dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen. Κυριακή Προσευχή Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου. Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου. Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον. Καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν. Καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ρῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ. The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ΕΥΧΕΣ ΠΡΟ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΙΑΣ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΣ Πιστεύω, Κύριε, και ομολογώ ότι συ ει αληθώς ο Χριστός, ο Υιός του Θεού του ζώντος, ο ελθών εις τον κόσμον αμαρτωλούς σώσαι, ων πρώτος ειμί εγώ. Έτι πιστεύω, ότι τούτο αυτό εστί το αχράντον Σώμα σου και τούτο αυτό εστί το τίμιον Αίμα σου. Δέομαι ουν σου, ελέησόν με και συγχώρησον μοι τα παραπτώματά μου, τα εκούσια και τα ακούσια, τα εν λόγω, τα εν έργω, τα εν γνώσει και αγνοία, και αξίωσόν με ακατακρίτως μετασχείν των αχράντων σου μυστηρίων, εις άφεσιν αμαρτιών, και εις ζωήν αιώνιον. Αμήν. Ιδού βαδίζω προς Θείαν Κοινωνίαν, Πλαστουργέ, μη φλέξης με τη μετουσία, Πυρ γαρ υπάρχεις τους αναξίους φλέγον. Αλλ ουν κάθαρον εκ πάσης με κηλίδος. Του Δείπνου σου του μυστικού, σήμερον, Υιέ Θεού, κοινωνόν με παράλαβε, ου μη γαρ τοις εχθροίς σου το 5

6 μυστήριον είπω, ου φίλημα σοι δώσω, καθάπερ ο Ιούδας, αλλ ως ο Ληστής ομολογώ σοι. Μνήσθητι μου Κύριε, εν τη βασιλεία σου. Θεουργόν Αίμα φρίξον, άνθρωπε βλέπων, Άνθραξ γαρ εστί τους αναξίους φλέγων, Θεού το Σώμα, και θεοί με, και τρέφει, Θεοί το πνεύμα, τον δε νουν τρέφει ξένως. Έθελξας πόθω με Χριστέ, και ηλλοίωσας τω θείω έρωτι, αλλά κατάφλεξον πυρί αϋλω τας αμαρτίας μου, και εμπλησθήναι της εν σοι τρυφής καταξίωσον, ίνα τας δύο σκιρτών μεγαλύνω, Αγαθέ, παρουσίας σου. Εν ταις λαμπρότησι των αγίων σου, πως εισελεύσομαι ο ανάξιος; Εάν γαρ τολμήσω συνεισελθείν εις τον νυμφώνα, ο χιτών με ελέγχει. Ότι ουκ έστι του γάμου, και δέσμιος εκβαλούμαι υπό των Αγγέλων, καθάρισον, Κύριε, τον ρύπον της ψυχής μου, και σώσον με, ως φιλάνθρωπος. Δέσποτα φιλάνθρωπε, Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ, ο Θεός μου, μη εις κρίμα μοι γένοιτο τα Άγια ταύτα, δια το ανάξιον είναι με, αλλ εις κάθαρσιν και αγιασμόν ψυχής τε και σώματος, και εις αρραβώνα μελλούσης ζωής και βασιλείας. Εμοί δε το προσκολλάσθαι τω Θεώ αγαθόν εστί, τίθεσθαι εν τω Κυρίω την ελπίδα της σωτηρίας μου. Του Δείπνου σου του μυστικού, σήμερον, Υιέ Θεού, κοινωνόν με παράλαβε, ου μη γαρ τοις εχθροίς σου το μυστήριον είπω, ου φίλημα σοι δώσω, καθάπερ ο Ιούδας, αλλ ως ο Ληστής ομολογώ σοι. Μνήσθητι μου Κύριε, εν τη βασιλεία σου. PRAYERS BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION I believe, Lord, and I confess, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Moreover, I believe that this is Your immaculate Body, and that this is Your precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray to You: have mercy on me, and forgive me my transgressions, those voluntary and involuntary, those in word, those in deed, those in knowledge and those in ignorance; and make me worthy to partake of Your immaculate Mysteries without condemnation, for the remission of sins and life everlasting. Amen. Behold, I approach for divine Communion; Creator, burn me not as I partake; For You are Fire, which burns the unworthy. But, rather, cleanse me from every impurity. Of Your Mystical Supper, Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Your enemies; nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief I confess You: Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom! Be awe-stricken, O man, beholding the deifying Blood; For it is a lighted Coal that burns the unworthy. The divine Body both deifies and nourishes me; It deifies the spirit, and wondrously nourishes the mind. You have smitten me with yearning, O Christ, and by Your divine zeal You have changed me; but burn away my sins with immaterial Fire, and make me worthy to be filled with delight in You; that, leaping for joy, O good One, I may magnify Your two comings. Into the brilliant company of Your saints, how shall I the unworthy enter? For if I dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my garment betrays me, for it is not a wedding garment, and I shall be bound and cast out by the Angels; Lord, cleanse my soul of pollution, and save me, for You love mankind. Master, Who loves mankind, Lord Jesus Christ my God, do not let these Holy Things be to me for judgment because of my unworthiness, but rather may they be for the purification and sanctification of soul and body, and as a pledge of the life and Kingdom to come. For it is good for me to cleave to God, to put my hope of salvation in the Lord. Of Your Mystical Supper, Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Your enemies; nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief I confess You: Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom! Remember me, Master, when You come into Your Kingdom! Remember me, Holy One, when You come into Your Kingdom! 6

7 40-DAYS BABY BLESSING For your convenience we are letting you know that you can make an appointment to church your baby on the 40th day after its birth, no matter what day that might be. There is no reason that you have to inconvenience the mom and the baby, waiting in the back of the Narthex until the priest is available on a Sunday ONLY. Make an appointment to come to church when it is convenient for you at a time that will not disrupt the baby's routine. ANY day you would like. 9am through 6pm by appointment. Bring the entire family or come just with your husband and the baby. Whatever you want. No waiting no inconvenience. More private time with the priest to talk about the future baptism if you wish. Call the office for an appointment. PRAYER LIST If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the church office. Constantine, Andreas, Pavlos, Elena, Elaine, Presbytera Flora, Louis, Fr. Peter, Kathy, Kalliope, Chris, John, Georgia, Dean, Bill, Sylvia, Zenon, Danielle, Delores, Demetrios, Maria, Harry, Katy, Irini and Gabriel. 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 7 MEMORIALS Ioanna Kaskasian, beloved wife of Bedros Kaskasian. Loving and devoted mother of Izabella Rose, Jacob Khajag and Gabriella Layla. Cherished daughter of Ioannis and Ekaterini Markatatos. Adored sister of Maria (John) Drapas Jr. Loving daughter-in-law of Hagop and Vartouhie Kaskasian. Today s coffee hour is offered in memory of Ioanna Kaskasian, with love from her family. May her memory be eternal! Future Memorials: Mrs. Evangeline Haris September 27, Years

8 SAINTS AND FEASTS The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary/Γενέθλιον τῆς Θεοτόκου September 8 According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife. ''Αποκάλυψαν προς Κύριον την οδόν σου και έλπισον έπ' αυτόν, και αυτός ποιήσει"1. Φανέρωσε στον Κύριο με εμπιστοσύνη το δρόμο και τις επιδιώξεις και τις ανάγκες της ζωής σου και έλπισε σ' Αυτόν και Αυτός θα κάνει εκείνα πού ζητάς και χρειάζεσαι. Μ' αυτή την εμπιστοσύνη και ελπίδα, ό Ιωακείμ και ή Άννα Ικέτευαν προσευχόμενοι το Θεό να τους χαρίσει παιδί, να το έχουν γλυκεία παρηγοριά στα γεράματα τους. Και την ελπίδα τους ό Θεός έκανε πραγματικότητα. Τους χάρισε την Παρθένο Μαριάμ, πού ήταν ορισμένη να γεννήσει το Σωτήρα του κόσμου και να λάμψει σαν ή πιο ευλογημένη μεταξύ των γυναικών. Ήταν εκείνη, από την οποία έμελλε να προέλθει Αυτός πού θα συνέτριβε την κεφαλή του νοητού όφεως. Στην Παλαιά Διαθήκη δόθηκαν πολλές προτυπώσεις της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου. Μία είναι και ή βάτος στο Σινά, την οποία ενώ είχαν περιζώσει φλόγες φωτιάς, αυτή δεν καιγόταν. Ήταν απεικόνιση της Παρθένου, πού θα γεννούσε το Σωτήρα Χριστό και συγχρόνως θα διατηρούσε την παρθενία της. Έτσι, ή Άννα και ό Ιωακείμ, πού ήταν από το γένος του Δαβίδ, με την κραταιά ελπίδα πού είχαν στο Θεό απέκτησαν απ' Αυτόν το επιθυμητό δώρο, πού θα συντροφεύει τον κόσμο μέχρι συντέλειας αιώνων.1. Ψαλμός λστ' στ. 5 Ὅσιος Εὐφρόσυνος Σεπτεμβρίου 11 Ο Άγιος Ευφρόσυνος υπήρξε αγράμματος, αλλά αληθινά ευσεβής και πιστός. Έκανε οικονομίες με στερήσεις του εαυτού του, μόνο και μόνο για να κάνει ελεημοσύνες. Το επάγγελμα του, του επέτρεπε να τρώει πρώτος τα καλύτερα φαγητά. Αυτός όμως, δεν θέλησε να το μεταχειριστεί ποτέ. Έτρωγε με μεγάλη ευχαρίστηση τα χόρτα και τις ελιές του, τη στιγμή που έβραζαν ή έψηναν μπροστά του τα ορεκτικότερα κρέατα και τα προκλητικότερα ψάρια. Κατόπιν ο Ευφρόσυνος πήγε σε μοναστήρι, όπου και εκεί εξασκούσε το έργο του μαγείρου. Αλλά αυτός, αντίθετα από ότι στα κοσμικά ξενοδοχεία, στο μοναστήρι έφτιαχνε μετριότατο φαγητό. Σε μερικούς που τον ειρωνεύονταν γι αυτή του την κατάσταση, ο Ευφρόσυνος με πραότητα απαντούσε: «Η καλή μαγειρική δεν είναι τόσο καλός βοηθός για την βασιλεία των ουρανών. Την πολλή ευφροσύνη που ζητούν τα σώματα, θα τη χάσουν κατ ανάγκην οι ψυχές. Και εγώ δεν έχω εδώ προορισμό να σας κολάσω». Τελικά ο Ευφρόσυνος, πέθανε σ ένα ερημικό ησυχαστήριο. Και η Εκκλησία, που ξέρει ότι στην αιώνια ζωή δεν έχει κανένα ανώτερο δικαίωμα από έναν μάγειρα ένας βασιλιάς ή φιλόσοφος, ανέγραψε μεταξύ των αγίων της τον μάγειρο Ευφρόσυνο, επειδή ήξερε και να πιστεύει και να ζει κατά το θέλημα του Θεού. 8

9 Saint Euphrosynus was a simple-minded peasant who took refuge in a monastery where he was put to work in the kitchen as a scullion doing the most thankless tasks. He became the laughing-stock of everyone but bore it all with unshakeable generosity of spirit. There was a godly priest in the monastery who fervently desired that the Savoir reveal to him the good things he has in store for those who love Him. One night as he slept, he had the sense of being carried to Paradise into a garden full of unutterable delights. Euphrosynus was in the middle of the garden tasting of the good things there and rejoicing with the Angels. The priest went up to him and asked where they were. Euphrosynus answered, This is the dwelling-place of God s elect that you have longed to see for so many years and I am here because, in His good pleasure, God has forgiven my sins. Gazing upon those unutterable good things that EYE HAS NOT SEEN NOR EAR HEARD, NEI- THER HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN (Cor.2:9), the priest observed that they were to some extent, perceptible to those who dwelt there, so he asked Euphrosynus if he might take some of the fruit of the garden away with him. Whereupon Euphrosynus took three apples and put them in the priest s cloak. Just then he was woken up by the sound of the call to Matins. As he came to himself from what he thought was a dream, he was amazed to find three apples in his cloak giving off a scent of unearthly sweetness. He saw Euphrosynus in his usual place in the church and went up to him, begging him to tell him where he had been during the night that had just passed. Forgive me Father, he answered, but I have been here all the time. But as the devout priest pressed him earnestly not to conceal the blessings of God, the humble Euphrosynus at last said, It is true, Father, that I was in the garden where you saw the good things God has in store for his elect and that it was the Lord s wish to show you this mystery through my unworthiness. It was not long before the priest told everyone what he had witnessed and showed the apples by way of proof. The monks were encouraged through this sign to follow all the more zealously the path of virtue, and those who tasted the apples were healed of all kinds of disease. As for the blessed Euphrosynus, he fled from the monastery, for there was nothing he feared more than the praise of men. As we honor Saint Euphrosynos, let us congratulate all the hard work of our Restaurant owners, cooks, waiters and waitresses, as this is their celebration! We come to you seeking food for our body, while we come to church seeking food for our soul! 9

10 Starting October 7:00pm Monthly Meeting Parent s Night w/fr. Michael All about Orthodox Christian Parenting - A Rx for peace of mind". Please call Penny at (240) to host a meeting! Philoptochos News: Please join us! We are collecting back to school supplies (pencils, notebooks, lined paper, pens, rulers, etc.) for the National Center for Children and Families for the entire month of September. Please drop off supplies on Sunday at St. Andrew's Hall. Festival Volunteers: Calling on all ladies and gentlemen of our beloved community of Saints Constantine and Helen! This year's fall festival is fast approaching and your baking skills are needed! Yes guys, you too! The fall festival committee is calling on all bakers and non bakers to get ready to bake! Don't know what to bake?? No problem. Please reach out to Mrs. Harriet Maroules at and or Mrs. Nina Alexiou at They are experts at baking and will be able to help you to help the church!" Communion Wine: If you are interested in purchasing Commandaria Wine only for the church, please contact the church office at (240) for more information. To keep things consistent we use Commandaria wine for Holy Communion. We appreciate your expression of love for Him in providing us with this particular wine. May God continue to bless you always! Confession: Father Michael is available for confession at your convenience. Please call on his cell phone at (301) or fm@papouli.net for an appointment. Save The Date: Taverna Night -"Nikos Nite" on Sunday, October 18, More information to follow. Please mark your calendars! 10

11 What is the Cost of My Sins? ON AUGUST 31, 2015 BY FR.TED IN CONFESSION, CROSS, CRUCIFIXION, UNCATEGORIZED Many feel they don t need to go to confession to ask God for forgiveness and to receive from the Lord the remission of their sins. Some claim to confess their sins to God daily in their hearts and say they know they receive His forgiveness. Is it cheap grace? Does anyone really need to receive forgiveness through the Church? Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. (John 20:21-23) The forgiveness of sins comes through the death of Christ, the Son of God, on the cross. Christ showed in His lifetime that he had the power to heal the sick which in turn proved His claim to have power to forgive sins. And, Christ bestowed through the Holy Spirit the power to forgive sins on His disciples and the Church. If everyone could simply pronounce forgiveness upon themselves in their hearts, why did Christ bestow such power on the Church? We may imagine God easily forgives sins from the safety and quietness of heaven. Poof! and the sins are gone. The New Testament however presents it that the forgiveness of sins happens through the death of Christ on the cross. No cheap grace. A priceless death occurs to forgive our sins. All of our sins, not just the sins of really evil people, is paid for by the death of Christ. We might imagine our sins are not that bad not as bad as others (as the Pharisee said of the Publican and we think of say the evil men of ISIS). Many of us think the sins of others are really bad whether sexual or involving other morality but we tend to think our sins aren t that bad. Yet the price paid for our sins is also the death of God on the cross. We experience the forgiveness of our sins by being united to Christ in baptism and in the Eucharist and through the Body of Christ in confession. Confession is another gift given to us by Christ to maintain our unity with all other believers through asking the Church, His Body, for the forgiveness of our sins. 11

12 Sincerity, simplicity, the ability to live in the present hour The following is an excerpt from The Diary of a Russian Priest, by Father Alexander Elchaninov. Why are childhood impressions so important? Why is it essential to fill a child s mind and soul with light and goodness, starting from the very earliest stages of its life? In childhood we find a natural gift for faith, simplicity, gentleness, a capacity for tenderness, compassion, imagination, an absence of cruelty and hardness. Now this is precisely the kind of soil that yields a harvest thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or an hundredfold. When, later in life, the soul has become hard and dry, a man can be cleansed anew and saved by the continuing presence of his childhood experience. That is why it is so important to keep children close to the Church it will provide them with nourishment for their entire lifetime. Contact with children teaches us sincerity, simplicity, the ability to live in the present hour, the present action an essential element in Orthodoxy. Children are, in a sense, reborn daily: hence their spontaneity, the lack of complexity in their souls, the simplicity of their judgements and actions. Moreover, their intuitive distinctions between good and evil are direct and straightforward, their souls are free of the bonds of sin, they are not continually judging and analysing. All this we possess as a birthright which we wantonly scatter on our way, so that afterwards we must painfully gather up the fragments of our lost fortune. 12

13 13 September 1st: The Ecclesiastical New Year September 1 is the beginning of the Orthodox ecclesiastical year. According to Tradition, it was on September 1 that our Lord and Saviour entered the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth and was given to read a scroll from the prophet Isiah. It was customary at that time for the Jewish male to read in the synagogue once he had reached his thirtieth year. It was not a coincidence that Christ read prophetic words which referred to Him personally. It was the will of God for Him to be revealed in this manner. When He stood to read these were the words He uttered: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Isiah 61:1-2). St. Luke s gospel tells us Christ then closed the book, and gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth (Luke 4:20-22). The Church, in her wisdom, decided the appropriate day to begin the Church year was the very day on which Christ began His ministry, the day He began to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Interestingly, the ecclesiastical year begins and ends with the Theotokos. On September 8 we celebrate her nativity, just one week into the new Church year. We celebrate her dormition, or falling asleep, on August 15, two weeks before the end of the Church year. I don t think we can view this as a coincidence. Our salvation begins with her as she was the long-awaited one; without her Christ would not have been born. So her own nativity is a kind of beginning of our salvation (Troparion of the Nativity of Christ). Her falling asleep and being escorted by her Son to Paradise is the appropriate ending. Taking our cue from the Lady Theotokos an appropriate new year s resolution should be to die with Christ so that we can live with Him, to endure so that we too will reign. For if we have died with him, we will also live with him; and if we endure we shall also reign with him (2 Tim. 2:11).

14 STEWARDSHIP The Thief and St. Peter The 3 C s of True Christian Leaders (What a Difference a Few Days Can Make) By Bill Marianes What a difference a few days can make. The most faithful doubt, and the biggest sinners believe. How can that be and which would you be? Let s review. St. Peter (a/k/a the rock ) walked with our Lord and saw, first-hand, the many miracles Christ performed, and he heard our Lord preach the Word. Imagine having a front row seat next to the Messiah. And after all St. Peter heard, witnessed and saw with his own eyes, our Lord accurately foresaw that St. Peter would deny being a disciple of Christ. (Matthew 26:34) St. Peter proudly protested that he would not abandon and deny his Master (Matthew 26:35) and boldly proclaimed: Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You. Well we all know how that turned out. Just a short while later, St. Peter repeatedly said he didn t even know the Man. (Matthew 26:69-75). In today s vernacular, we might say St. Peter didn t have His back or perhaps we d say he threw Him under the bus? But St. Peter was not alone. St. Matthew, in what must have been a hard reality to confess, tells us clearly, that at the end, when Christ was being arrested and needed his brothers the most: Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. (Matthew 26:56). So much for the Courage of Conviction. The Apostles were great and holy men who redeemed themselves with their faith, preaching and teaching, but this was not one of their finest hours. Now let s fast forward and look at one of the really bad guys in the story of these days. A true thief, a criminal (Luke 23:39) whose crimes were so great that he was sentenced to death. We don t know too much about him, but we would clearly say today: he was a bad guy. He had not walked and worked with Christ. He had not seen our Lord s countless miracles and healing grace. He had not experienced Christ s redeeming love and patient teaching. He just finds himself being put to death, and coincidentally crucified right next to our Lord. What are the chances of that happening? So what does this evil man have to say: Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom. (Luke 23:42) Wait! What was that? The bad actor who has seen nothing of Christ s greatness, publicly acknowledges Him to be the Lord of the Kingdom? And the Apostles who saw everything, instead doubted, denied and abandoned our Lord. What powerful contrasting imagery the Holy Gospel gives us. We know the thief was promised to be with our Lord that day in Paradise (Luke 23:43), and yet look at what the Apostles had to do, and endure, to receive the same great fate. Wow, this must really be an important lesson in Christian faith leadership. 2 So what are we to learn about being a faithful Christian leader and good steward of God s many gifts? I think one message of these powerful Holy Scripture passages is what I call the 3-C model of what it takes to be a true Christian leader and a true steward of Christ s church. My first C stands for Conviction. Conviction is simply defined as a firmly held belief. I also like the definition that says a Conviction is the act of moving a person by argument or evidence to belief. It takes information. It takes reasons and reasoning. And it leads to something you are willing to pronounce as the truth. Not just fantasy or opinion or conjecture. But the real gospel truth (pun intended). Before one can lead themselves or others, they must be Convicted that the direction they are pursuing is righteous, appropriate, the best Choice and just plain right. My second C stands for Courage. We all think we understand Courage. Many think they have demonstrated it. But we clearly know it when we see it in others. We see first responders and soldiers risking their lives to save others whom they do not even know. We see it in leaders of movements who are willing to risk everything, including their freedom, and sometimes even their lives, for the cause to which they are Convicted. There can be no better example than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. After asking those to whom He preached to go all in (as in the young rich man in Matthew 19:16-26), 14

15 he demonstrated His complete Conviction to His faith and calling, by sacrificing His very life on the cross. And when we develop a Conviction, and demonstrate Courage, we are led to the point of my third C a Choice. Indeed, many Choices. What will we Choose to do? Will we demonstrate our Conviction and Courage and make the right and righteous Choice in the beliefs we pronounce and the actions we pursue? Or will we have doubts, and fears, and play it safe by taking the path of least resistance. Will we forsake what we say we believe in, and instead flee as the Apostles did on that faithful night? Or will we have the bold Courage of Conviction of the thief, and publicly declare our humility to Christ and the cause, and ask to be remembered in His kingdom. Now, far be it from me, the first among sinners, to cast any stones in the direction of our glorious and Courageous Apostles. Would that any of us could take the crosses they bore with such grace, love, dignity and power. And a few moments of weakness and doubt do not a person or legacy make. They are merely teachable moments. I heard an inspirational preacher, Andy Stanley, deliver a powerful homily about how the Apostles doubted right after Christ s crucifixion and death, fearing He was just a man. That is, until they became convinced of His resurrection. Indeed in the story of the road to Emmaus, and in what follows (Luke 24:13-49), we see their transformation and Conviction that led to their Courage to inevitably make the very Choices that propelled them on their ministry to overcome all adversity and do as they were commanded in the Great Commission: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19) or if you prefer Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15). So what kind of Christian leader and faithful steward are you? Do you believe and have the Conviction of your faith, or are you merely going through the motions? Do you truly believe in the risen Lord and that you too were called to some service or ministry to His church? Do you truly 3 believe that you were given gifts by your Maker to use for the benefit of others and on your journey toward theosis? Do you have the Courage to step out, and forward, and live the life you were called to live and make disciples, if not yet of all nations, at least in your Parish or community? When challenged by others, including some of those in authority (who would rather maintain their position of power rather than achieve what needs to be done), will you be brave and faithful and not back down or flee? When you truly demonstrate your Conviction and Courage, you can begin to make the right and better Choices. You can acknowledge that you have been given gifts and talents, and then stand up and use them better and more fully. I believe that stewardship is what you do with all of the gifts God gave you. So what are you good at that your Parish or community needs? And how are you, with Conviction and Courage, making the right Choice to offer those gifts and talents to help others on your journey toward the Kingdom. Yeah, I know, you re busy. So are all of us. So were the Apostles when Christ commanded them to leave it all behind and follow Him. Your Conviction and Courage can be, but doesn t have to be, as great as theirs. However, you have to have a Conviction of faith, and demonstrate the Courage in your belief, in order to live, preach and teach it and then make the right Choices. And when you do, you will be a true steward of God s gifts and truly live your stewardship calling. What s stopping you from becoming the true and faithful Christian leader you were destined and called to become? Yes, we must constantly pray that the Lord remembers us in his Kingdom. However, we must also act like we mean it. Discover what you re good at that your Parish or community needs, and then have the Courage and Conviction to make the right Choice to lead by example. God bless you on your journey as you discover and live your stewardship calling. My prayer for you is that you SOTPAETJ (stay on The Path and enjoy the journey). 1 By day, Bill Marianes is a partner in the Atlanta office of a large international law firm. By calling, he is a stewardship evangelist who seeks to inspire people and Parishes to live their stewardship callings. To learn more about how you and your Parish can better live your respective stewardship callings and improve your stewardship ministries, visit his free stewardship resource You can watch his Igniting the Flame of True Christian Stewardship program, learn about strategic planning as an invaluable Parish process and tool, and view other extensive materials that help Parishes reorganize themselves to become ministry-based and stewardship driven, and re-energize the faithful to live their true Christian stewardship callings. You can contact Bill at Bill@stewardshipcalling.com or sotpaetj@gmail.com. Copyright Bill Marianes

16 by Fr. Ted Am I My Possessions? The Gospel lesson of Matthew 19:16-26 At that time someone came to Jesus and said, Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life? And the Lord said to him, Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments. He said to him, Which ones? And Jesus said, You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The young man said to him, I have kept all these; what do I still lack? Jesus said to him, If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me. When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, Then who can be saved? But Jesus looked at them and said, For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible. St. Nikolai Velimirović (d. 1956AD) comments on the Gospel lesson, seeing the rich young man as a prisoner of his own wealth, unable to distinguish himself from his possessions. His worth as an individual, and how he measured others as well, was in terms of what he possessed. Or, as the case was, possessed him. Though the young man approaches Christ with respect, St. Nikolai pardons him for not recognizing Jesus as Christ and Lord. The young man sees Jesus as just another teacher of Israel. Good Master. Thus the young man addressed the Lord. From him, this was enough. He who has spent his whole life in prison with only a candle to give him light is it a great sin in him, when he first sees the sun to call it a candle? What good thing shall I do? This question was obviously in the context of his riches, as is usually the case with the rich, who cannot see a distinction between themselves and their possession, nor think of themselves without thinking of their possessions. What could I do what good work with my wealth, that I may have eternal life? (HOMILIES, pp ) What the rich man cannot imagine is salvation apart from his wealth. This is the thought on which Jesus challenges him. Eternal life is not dependent on how wealthy you or how blessed you are in this world. Eternal life is not open only to the fortunate elite who are blessed with abundance in this world. Even the poor - including those poor in spirit! - can be blessed by God and receive the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who pursue wealth in this world and imagine that will be a sign of their eternal blessings as well, might find themselves disappointed in the Kingdom of God. Poverty is no barrier to eternal life, and wealth is no guarantee of eternal blessings. 16

17 MAY GOD GRANT YOU MANY YEARS!! Reverend Father Alexander Karloutsos was ordained Deacon on September 6, 1970 at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Washington, DC On Orthodoxy with Commitment Posted: 01 Sep :30 PM PDT Hieromonk Seraphim of Platina (+ Sept. 2, 1982) We must not artificially isolate ourselves from the reality of todays world; rather, we must learn to use the best things the world has to offer, for everything good in the world if we are only wise enough to see it points to God, and we must make use of it. Too many people make the mistake of limiting Orthodoxy to church services, set prayers, and the occasional reading of a spiritual book. True Orthodoxy, however, requires a commitment that involves every aspect of our lives. One is Orthodox all the time every day, in every situation of life or one is not really Orthodox at all. For this reason we must develop an Orthodox worldview and live it. (Living an Orthodox Worldview, Lecture Aug. 1980) Blessed Fr. Seraphim, pray for us! 17

18 Mastering Evil with Good The apostle Paul writes to the Romans: "Bless your persecutors; never curse them, bless them.... Never pay back evil with evil.... Never try to get revenge.... If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.... Do not be mastered by evil, but master evil with good" (Romans 12:14-21). These words cut to the heart of the spiritual life. They make it clear what it means to choose life, not death, to choose blessings not curses. But what is asked of us here goes against the grain of our human nature. We will only be able to act according to Paul's words by knowing with our whole beings that what we are asked to do for others is what God has done for us. For further reflection... Let no-one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself cannot be tempted by anyone. - James 1: 13 (NIV) 18

19 The More You Know Visitation Fr. Michael invites himself to visit with you in the comfort and convenience of your own home, To have you share your journey of the past here in our community, To have Father Michael share with your entire family the Nea Zoe/New Life Building Ministry to date and to understand the path that has brought us to where we are, To share opportunities of decorating God s Holy Temple with Iconography and artifacts, To offer opportunities for your family to help further the completion of this holy calling from God. My dearest brothers and sisters, I was told that many of you are asking about pricing. First of all these are not products that we buy. These are opportunities to externally and physically manifest your love for God and to honor/memorialize a loved one. I do not want to reduce such a holy, personal and precious moment in your life by advertising prices for these HOLY things as they do in the marketplace for common goods. The iconography, artifacts and Building Components are all adorning God's Holy Temple. If you are interested in donating an icon, church furniture or part of our building, please call Fr. Michael for a private appointment to discuss and explore the many possibilities of expressing your love. Fr. Michael on his cell phone or Fr. Michael: fm@papouli.net to set-up a home visit. May God continue to bless you and His church community of Saints Constantine and Helen of Washington, DC 19

20 HIGH SCHOOL GOYA MINISTRY Where:?????????? Your house!!!!!!!!!! Call (240) to R.S.V.P. See dates below that you can volunteer to host a Bible Study. Starting when????? Mondays: 7pm to 8pm 2015 September 14, 21, & 28 October 5, 12, 19 & 26 November 7, 16 & 30 December 1, 7 & January 11, 18, & 25, February 8, 15, 22 & 29 March 7, 21 & 28 April 4, 11 & 18 Required Version for all GOYAns Please stop by our bookstore to purchase your own copy!! Regular Bookstore Price: $45.00 GOYAns Only Price: $

21 St. Kosmas Aitolos Bookstore BOOKSTORE HOURS: Monday thru Friday 10am-4pm The Orthodox Study Bible ***Required Version for All GOYAns & Youth Workers*** By: St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology The Orthodox Study Bible is the fruit of over twenty years of labor by many of the best Orthodox Christian theologians of our time. This long-awaited single volume brings together an original translation of the Old Testament from the Septuagint with the classic Orthodox Study Bible: New Testament and Psalms. Here, by the grace of God, you will find the living water of His Word with comprehensive study guides and teachings that bring to our modern world the mind of the ancient Christian Church. The cost for this book is: $

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