March 12, 2017 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Theophanes the Confessor Symeon the New Theologian Gregory Dialogos, Bishop of Rome

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1 March 12, 2017 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Theophanes the Confessor Symeon the New Theologian Gregory Dialogos, Bishop of Rome ENTRANCE HYMNS Resurrectional Apolytikion Ton Sinanarhon Logon ( The Word Who Always Was ) O, The Word Who always was with the Father and Spirit, who for us and our salvation was born of a Virgin let us faithful believers praise and adore, For it did please Him to ascend the Cross in the flesh and Death to endure. And to raise up the dead with Him through His own glorious Resurrection. Hymn of the Feast Orthodhoxias o foster ( Beacon of Orthodox Belief ) Beacon of Orthodox belief, the strong support of the Church and her teacher inspired by God, you are the ornament of monks, the unassailable champion of theologians, O Gregory the Wonder-worker and the boast of Thessalonica, the messenger of grace. Forever earnestly entreat for the salvation of our souls. Apolytikion of St. Sophia/Ss. Faith, Hope & Agape Greek Oς ελαία κατά καρπος ανεβλάστησας, έν ταίς ανλαίς του Κυρίου, Σοφία μάρτυς σεμνή, καί προσήγαγες Χριστώ καρπόν η δύτατον, τούς τής νηδύος σου βλαστούς, δί α γώνων εύαγων, Αγάπην τε καί `Ελπίδα σύν τη θεόφρονι Πίστει, μεθων δυσώπει υπέρ πάντων ήμων. English Phonetics for Greek Os elea kata karpos anevlastisas, en tes avles tu Kyriou Sofia martys semni, ke prosigages Christo karpon idytaton, tus tis nidyos su vlastus, di agonon evagon, Agapin te ke Elpida, syn ti theofroni Pisti; meth on dysopi yper pandon imon. English As an olive tree laden with fruit you sprouted forth, in the courtyards of the Lord, Sophia martyr dignified, and you brought to Christ a fruit most sweet, Namely your womb s own sprouts, brought up by instructive deeds: your daughters Love and Hope, along with God-minded Faith; together intercede with God for us all. Seasonal Kontakion Ti ipermacho ( O Champion General ) O Champion General, I your City now ascribe to you * triumphant anthems as the tokens of my gratitude, * being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos. * Inasmuch as you have power unassailable, * from all kinds of perils free me so that unto you * I may cry aloud: * Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.

2 March 12, 2017 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Theophanes the Confessor Symeon the New Theologian Gregory Dialogos, Bishop of Rome Today we celebrate the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. The differences between this Liturgy and the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom are found in the priest's prayers of the Anaphora, between pages 19 and 28 of your Divine Liturgy books. The Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated on Christmas Eve, the feast of St. Basil, the Feast of Theophany, Holy Saturday morning, and the Sundays of Great Lent. Memorial: Today s memorial is being chanted for the souls of Constantine Caravoulias (40 days) and Constance Caravoulias (6 months), beloved parents of James (Mary) Caravoulias. and Cheryl (Angelo) Andriulli They were the cherished grandparents of six and great-grandfather of nine. May their memory be eternal. Coffee: Thank you to James and Mary Caravoulias for offering today s coffee hour in memory of their parents, Constantine (Charles) and Constance (Connie) Caravoulias. Thank you to the following individuals/families who signed up to read the prayers during the Salutations to the Theotokos and/or have decorated the icon of the Panagia: Friday, March 10 th The readers were Matushka Angela Sydek, Maria Tsipras, Eleni Trontsios and Irene Tsokas. Maria and Katherine Tsipras decorated the icon of the Panagia. Readers for Salutations to the Theotokos: Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to read the prayers and/or to decorate the icon of the Panagia for all the rest of the Friday Salutations services. St. Nicholas Shrine Vigil Candle: Thank you to an anonymous donor for sponsoring today s vigil candle. Anyone wishing to sponsor a vigil candle should sign up at the Pangari. (Each vigil candle lasts one week). Each week a new vigil candle is placed next to the icon of St. Nicholas until the construction of St. Nicholas Shrine has been completed. The asking donation is $10. St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival: This morning, immediately following the Divine Liturgy, four of our youth will be participating in the Parish Level of the Oratorical Festival. John Cox and Megan Finn are our contestants in the Junior Division, and Nicholas (Cole) Nikas and Nicholas Papadimitriou are our contestants in the Senior Division. EPISTLE READING The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter To The Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3 You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us. Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed. "IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him. Ἀνάγνωσις ἐπιστολῆς Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 1:10-14, 2:1-3 Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς. Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος. Κατʼ ἀρχάς, Κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. Πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε, Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου; Οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶν λειτουργικὰ πνεύματα, εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν; Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως ἡμᾶς προσέχειν τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσιν, μήποτε παραρρυῶμεν. Εἰ γὰρ ὁ διʼ ἀγγέλων λαληθεὶς λόγος ἐγένετο βέβαιος, καὶ πᾶσα παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ ἔλαβεν ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν, πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας; Ἥτις, ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα λαλεῖσθαι διὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐβεβαιώθη.

3 GOSPEL READING The Reading is from the Gospel according to Mark 2:1-12 At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"i say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" EVΑΓΓÉΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 2:1-12 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς εἰς Καπερναοὺμ δι ἡμερῶν καὶ ἠκούσθη ὅτι εἰς οἶκόν ἐστι. καὶ εὐθέως συνήχθησαν πολλοί, ὥστε μηκέτι χωρεῖν μηδὲ τὰ πρὸς τὴν θύραν καὶ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον. καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς αὐτὸν παραλυτικὸν φέροντες, αἰρόμενον ὑπὸ τεσσάρων καὶ μὴ δυνάμενοι προσεγγίσαι αὐτῷ διὰ τὸν ὄχλον, ἀπεστέγασαν τὴν στέγην ὅπου ἦν, καὶ ἐξορύξαντες χαλῶσι τὸν κράβαττον, ἐφ ᾧ ὁ παραλυτικὸς κατέκειτο. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ τέκνον, ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. ἦσαν δέ τινες τῶν γραμματέων ἐκεῖ καθήμενοι καὶ διαλογιζόμενοι ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν τί οὗτος οὕτω λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός; καὶ εὐθέως ἐπιγνοὺς ὁ Ιησοῦς τῷ πνεύματι αὐτοῦ ὅτι οὕτως αὐτοὶ διαλογίζονται ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς τί ταῦτα διαλογίζεσθε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν τῷ παραλυτικῷ, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀφιέναι ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἁμαρτίας - λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ σοὶ λέγω, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἠγέρθη εὐθέως, καὶ ἄρας τὸν κράβαττον ἐξῆλθεν ἐναντίον πάντων, ὥστε ἐξίστασθαι πάντας καὶ δοξάζειν τὸν Θεὸν λέγοντας ὅτι οὐδέποτε οὕτως εἴδομεν.

4 St. Sophia/SS. Faith, Hope & Agape Greek Orthodox Church of Valley Forge Bulletin Companion for Sunday, March 12, 2017 Family Dinner Night: As we have done the past few years, we will be having a Lenten Pot Luck dinner each Friday evening during Lent (before the Salutations). The next dinner is on Friday, March 17 th, at 6:00 pm. We ask that the families of the parish bring a Lenten covered dish to the church so that we may gather for fellowship prior to the Salutations to the Theotokos, which begin at 7:00 pm. Many Lenten recipes can be found online just Google Orthodox Lenten Recipes and you will have many resources at your fingertips. These recipes should NOT include meat or dairy products. Senior Citizen Ministry: St. Sophia s Senior Parea will meet on Thursday, March 16 th in the Cultural Center from 10am to 12 noon. Festival Committee Meeting: The next festival committee meeting will take place on Monday evening, March 20 th, at 6 pm. All those interested in participating in the organization of the festival are welcome to attend. Lenten Food Drive: Once again our GOYA is collecting food for those less fortunate. As always, unexpired food donations can be dropped off on the table inside the front door of the Cultural center. These donations will be delivered to Manna on Main Street in Lansdale. Yiayia's Attic Planning to do some household clean up? Need to make room in the garage or basement? Then bring your treasures NOW to the church balcony for sale during the Spring Grecian Festival. NO clothing, mattresses, pillows, any type of quilted items, stuffed animals or food products will be accepted. Any unsold items will be donated to a local thrift store. The proceeds benefit The Ladies Philoptochos for all their charitable contributions. Any items brought in must be placed directly in the balcony. Save the Date! On April 30, 2017, the PTO will be hosting our annual BINGO Party after church. Parents, we are in need of gift cards, cash donations and new toys. Please see Kristen Shuler, Cathy Cox or Joanna Kalathas-Peoples if you have something to donate. We appreciate your help.

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6 Register Tapes: Don t forget to save your Shop-Rite register tapes. We can only use receipts from any of the ten Brown s stores located in: Bensalem PA, East Norriton, PA, Fairless Hills PA, Cheltenham, PA and in Philadelphia, PA, on Island Ave., Oregon Ave., 52 nd & Parkside, Haverford Ave., and Ridge Ave. in the Roxborough section. They also have one store in Brooklawn, NJ. The drop off box is located in the lobby of the Cultural Center. Please submit receipts timely, only tapes from within 4 months of the transaction date are accepted. GIANT shoppers: We have enrolled in their Gift Card Program and the gift cards are on sale during coffee hour. If you are interested, please see Alexis Witt. REDNER S Register Tapes: We are now collecting Redner s Market register tapes. Remember to use your Pump Perks card when making purchases. The drop off box is located in the lobby of the Cultural Center. Pastoral Visits - A Request to All Parishioners: If you desire a pastoral visit in case of a hospitalization, or for someone who is homebound, in a nursing facility, or in prison, please have an immediate family member notify the Parish office at so that a visit can be arranged. Office Angels Volunteer Opportunities: The Parish office occasionally needs volunteers to help stuff and label mailing envelopes, assemble bulletins before special holidays, etc. Office Angels may be called upon to help once a month or seasonally (before Christmas, during Holy Week, and before our festival mailings are sent out.) If you would like to be an Office Angel, please call the Parish office at We will take down your name, number and availability and you will be called the next time we need help. Bulletin Announcements: Any church organization requesting that their announcement or flyer be placed in the bulletin must submit their material by 12 noon Wednesday for the upcoming Sunday s bulletin. Please information to elaine.stsophia@verizon.net. Thank you. Elaine Piligian In Case of Emergency: If you are having an extreme medical emergency ONLY and are in need of an Orthodox priest, please call the Parish office at Do you shop at Amazon.com? Instead, go to select St. Sophia/Ss. Faith Hope & Agape Greek Orthodox Church as your charity, then shop as you normally do. One-half of a percent of your purchase amount will automatically go to St. Sophia! Change one small habit today to help your church.

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9 Hellenic News of America, Hermes Expo International & Mid-Atlantic Greek-American Foundation presents ELEFTHERIA Scholarship Opportunities. To be eligible, each contestant must be a full-time student in high school or an undergraduate student at an accredited college/university in the Mid-Atlantic States (DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, and VA). To enter, an application and essay must be written; the due date is March 28, Scholarship awards will be presented at the 25th Hermes Expo Awards Dinner at the Concordville Inn, in Concordville, PA on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at 6 PM. Click on the following link for more information about the application and essay: ******************************************************** The Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia Scholarships are being offered to students of Greek descent or those pursuing studies in Greek disciplines, Classics, Archaeology, and Ancient History/Greek Studies. The eligibility rules and descriptions of the undergraduate scholarships and graduate scholarships for law, dental, medical and other disciplines are available on the web site; applications can be downloaded and/or completed electronically. Click on the following link to reach the website: The application and all supporting documents must be received by Monday, April 3, ******************************************************** Hellenic Hearts is focusing on the youth through its Educational Guidance Program With mentoring, networking, admissions counseling, and professionalism programs, Hellenic Hearts' Educational Guidance Program (EGP) provides education-to-career guidance to Hellenic-American Youth. Through this program, we aim to promote higher education and increasing participants' professional success. + Educational Guidance Program Overview + FREE SAT Tutoring Scholarship Program + Online Application for the SAT Prep Program + Register for EGP Inaugural Mentoring Event on April 22, 2017 Is your child a rising Junior or Senior in High School? Is your child becoming overwhelmed and concerned about taking their upcoming SAT test in preparation for college? Well, Hellenic Hearts Educational Guidance Program ( EGP ) has the answer for you! EGP is providing FREE SAT tutoring through one of the premier tutoring services in the Greater Philadelphia Area, Princeton Review. To benefit from this program, your child must apply at the link below. As space in this course is extremely limited, your child must apply as soon as possible to be considered. Click on the following link for more information:

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