Sunday of All Saints & Bartholomew the Apostle

Transcript

1 Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751 Durham NC News & Announcements June 11, 2017 Sunday of All Saints & Bartholomew the Apostle Bartholomew the Holy Apostle Revelation of the Hymn Axion Estin to a monk on Mt. Athos by the Archangel Gabriel Barnabas the Holy Apostle NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy 10:00 am To Our Visitors and Guests We welcome you to worship with us today, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not a sacrament, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning please join us in the Church hall for fellowship and refreshments. Please complete a Visitor's Card before you leave today and drop it in the offering tray, or give it to one of the parishioners after the service, or mail it to the church Office. O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God. Today's Readings: The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2 BRETHREN, all the saints 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 armies 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. 1

2 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, 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. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου. Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου. Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:33-40, 12:1-2 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο Ἀδελφοί, οἱ Ἅγιοι πάντες 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, ἐπρίσθησαν, 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. Τοιγαροῦν καὶ ἡμεῖς, τοσοῦτον ἔχοντες περικείμενον ἡμῖν νέφος μαρτύρων, ὄγκον ἀποθέμενοι πάντα καὶ τὴν εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν, διʼ ὑπομονῆς τρέχωμεν τὸν προκείμενον ἡμῖν ἀγῶνα, ἀφορῶντες εἰς τὸν τῆς πίστεως ἀρχηγὸν καὶ τελειωτὴν Ἰησοῦν. The Gospel According to Matthew 10:32-33; 37-38; 19:27-30 The Lord said to his disciples, "Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first." Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Εἶπεν ὁ Κὐριος τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ μαθηταῖς Πᾶς οὖν ὅστις ὁμολογήσει ἐν ἐμοὶ ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὁμολογήσω κἀγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς. ὅστις δ ἂν ἀρνήσηταί με ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἀρνήσομαι αὐτὸν κἀγὼ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς. Ο φιλῶν πατέρα ἢ μητέρα ὑπὲρ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἔστι μου ἄξιος καὶ ὁ φιλῶν υἱὸν ἢ θυγατέρα ὑπὲρ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἔστι μου ἄξιος καὶ ὃς οὐ λαμβάνει τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκολουθεῖ ὀπίσω μου, οὐκ ἔστι μου ἄξιος. Τότε ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν πάντα καὶ ἠκολουθήσαμέν σοι τί ἄρα ἔσται ἡμῖν; ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ὑμεῖς οἱ ἀκολουθήσαντές μοι, ἐν τῇ παλιγγενεσίᾳ, ὅταν καθίσῃ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπὶ θρόνου δόξης αὐτοῦ, καθίσεσθε καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐπὶ δώδεκα θρόνους κρίνοντες τὰς δώδεκα φυλὰς τοῦ Ισραήλ. καὶ πᾶς ὃς ἀφῆκεν οἰκίας ἢ ἀδελφοὺς ἢ ἀδελφὰς ἢ πατέρα ἢ μητέρα ἢ γυναῖκα ἢ τέκνα ἢ ἀγροὺς ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός μου, ἑκατονταπλασίονα λήψεται καὶ ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσει. Πολλοὶ δὲ ἔσονται πρῶτοι ἔσχατοι καὶ ἔσχατοι πρῶτοι. 2

3 Saint Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles, and had Galilee as his homeland; this is all that is known of him for certain according to the history of the Gospels. Concerning his apostolic work, certain say that he preached in Arabia and Persia, and especially in India, bringing to them the Gospel written by Saint Matthew, which had been written originally in Hebrew, and which was found there one hundred years later by Pantaenus, formerly a stoic philosopher and later an illustrious teacher of the Christian school in Alexandria (see Eusebius, Eccl. Hist., 5: 10). Other accounts say that he went to Armenia. According to some, he ended his life by being crucified, or by being flayed alive, in Albanopolis (Urbanopolis) of Armenia. This also confirms an ancient tradition preserved by the Armenians. According to some, Bartholomew and Nathanael are the same person, because the Evangelists who mention Bartholomew do not mention Nathanael; and John, who alone mentions Nathanael as one of the Twelve, says nothing of Bartholomew. Indeed, Bartholomew is a patronymic, "son of Talmai," which means "bold, spirited" (see also Jesus of Navi 15:14; II Kings 3:3), and Nathanael could have had this as a surname. According to the Synaxarion of the Menaion on April 22, however, it is Simon the Zealot and Nathanael who are the same; the Evangelists who mention Simon the Zealot (or "the Canaanite") do not mention Nathanael. This commemoration of All Saints began as the Sunday (Synaxis) of All Martyrs; to them were added all the ranks of Saints who bore witness (the meaning of "Martyr" in Greek) to Christ in manifold ways, even if occasion did not require the shedding of their blood. Therefore, guided by the teaching of the Divine Scriptures and Apostolic Tradition, we the pious honour all the Saints, the friends of God, for they are keepers of God's commandments, shining examples of virtue, and benefactors of mankind. Of course, we honour the known Saints especially on their own day of the year, as is evident in the Menologion. But since many Saints are unknown, and their number has increased with time, and will continue to increase until the end of time, the Church has appointed that once a year a common commemoration be made of all the Saints. This is the feast that we celebrate today. It is the harvest of the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world; it is the "much fruit" brought forth by that "Grain of wheat that fell into the earth and died" (John 12:24); it is the glorification of the Saints as "the foundation of the Church, the perfection of the Gospel, they who fulfilled in deed the sayings of the Saviour" (Sunday of All Saints, Doxasticon of Vespers). In this celebration, then, we reverently honour and call blessed all the Righteous, the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Shepherds, Teachers, and Holy Monastics, both men and women alike, known and unknown, who have been added to the choirs of the Saints and shall be added, from the time of Adam until the end of the world, who have been perfected in piety and have glorified God by their holy lives. All these, as well as the orders of the Angels, and especially our most holy Lady and Queen, the Ever-virgin Theotokos Mary, do we honour today, setting their life before us as an example of virtue, and entreating them to intercede in our behalf with God, Whose grace and boundless mercy be with us all. Amen. Nameday of BARTHOLOMEW, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch [1991-present] The Ecumenical Patriarchate is the foremost ecclesiastical centre of the Orthodox Church throughout the world, tracing its history to the Day of Pentecost and the early Christian communities founded by the Apostles of Jesus Christ. According to tradition, the "First-Called" of these Apostles, Andrew, preached the Gospel around Asia Minor, the Black Sea, Thrace 3

4 and Achaia, where he was martyred. In 36 AD, he founded the Church on the shores of the Bosphorus in the city known then as Byzantium, later Constantinople and today Istanbul. St. Andrew is the Patron Saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; his Patronal Feast is celebrated on November 30. The title "Ecumenical Patriarch" dates to the sixth century and historically belongs to the Archbishop of Constantinople. As Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew occupies the First Throne of the worldwide Orthodox Christian Church, presiding in historical honor and fraternal spirit as "first among equals" of all Orthodox Primates. These include the ancient Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem, as well as the more recent Patriarchates of Moscow, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia. Beyond these, the Ecumenical Patriarch has the historical and theological responsibility to initiate and coordinate common activity among the Orthodox Churches of Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Albania, the Czech Lands and Slovakia, Finland, Estonia, as well as various Archdioceses and numerous Metropolitan dioceses throughout the world, such as in Europe, America and Australia. Moreover, he is responsible for convening pan-orthodox councils or meetings, facilitating inter-church and inter-faith dialogues, while serving as the focal point and primary spokesman for Orthodox Church unity as a whole. Transcending national and ethnic borders, the Ecumenical Patriarch is spiritual leader to 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide. Born Demetrios Archondonis in 1940 on the island of Imvros (today, Gökçeada, Turkey), His All- Holiness Bartholomew was elected in October 1991 as the 270 th Archbishop of the 2000-year-old Church founded by St. Andrew, serving as Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch. The personal experience and theological formation of the Ecumenical Patriarch provide him with a unique perspective on ecumenical relations and environmental issues. His All-Holiness has worked tirelessly for reconciliation among Christian Churches and acquired an international reputation for raising ecological awareness on a global level. He has worked to advance reconciliation with the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, as well as other Christian confessions, through theological dialogues and personal encounters with respective leaders in order to address issues of common concern. Closely involved with the World Council of Churches, he has served on its Executive and Central Committees and Faith and Order Commission. Moreover, he has initiated numerous international meetings and conversations with Muslim and Jewish leaders in an effort to promote mutual respect and religious tolerance worldwide, but especially in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, thereby proving a pioneer in interfaith encounters throughout the world. Finally, the Ecumenical Patriarch has presided over the historic restoration of the Autocephalous Church of Albania and the Autonomous Church of Estonia, also providing spiritual and moral support to many traditional Orthodox countries emerging from decades of wide-scale religious persecution behind the Iron Curtain. A citizen of Turkey, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received his elementary and secondary education in Imvros and Istanbul. After completing undergraduate studies at the Theological School of Halki, Istanbul, His All-Holiness pursued graduate studies at the Pontifical Oriental Institute of the Gregorian University in Rome, the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey (Switzerland) and the University of Munich. His doctoral dissertation was in the field of Canon Law; he was a founding member of the Society of Canon Law of the Oriental Churches. Ordained to the Diaconate in 1961 and to the Priesthood in 1969, he served as Assistant Dean at the Theological School of Halki ( ) before being appointed Personal Secretary to his predecessor, the late Ecumenical Patriarch Demetrios ( ), as well as being elected Metropolitan of Philadelphia (1973) and, later, Metropolitan of Chalcedon (1990). Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew holds numerous honorary doctorates, from prestigious academic institutions such as the universities of Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras and Ioannina (in Greece), Georgetown and Yale (in the USA), Flinders and Manila (in Australasia), London, Edinburgh, Louvain, Moscow, Bologna and Bucharest (in Europe). He speaks Greek, Turkish, Italian, German, French and English; he is also fluent in classical Greek and Latin. 4

5 The role of the Ecumenical Patriarch as the primary spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian world and transnational figure of global significance continues to prove increasingly vital. His All-Holiness has co-sponsored international peace conferences, as well as meetings on the subjects of racism and fundamentalism, bringing together Jews, Christians and Muslims for the purpose of generating greater cooperation and mutual understanding. He has been invited to address the European Parliament, UNESCO, the World Economic Forum, as well as numerous national parliaments. He has organized eight international, inter-faith and inter-disciplinary symposia, as well as numerous seminars and summits, to address ecological problems in the rivers and seas of the world, initiatives earning him the title "Green Patriarch" and the award of several significant environmental awards. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's tenure has been characterized by inter-orthodox cooperation, inter-christian and inter-religious dialogue, as well as by formal trips to Orthodox and Muslim countries seldom previously visited. He has exchanged numerous invitations with Church and State dignitaries. His efforts to promote religious freedom and human rights, his initiatives to advance religious tolerance among the world's religions, together with his work toward international peace and environmental protection have justly placed him at the forefront of global visionaries, peacemakers and bridge-builders as an apostle of love, peace and reconciliation. In 1997, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the United States Congress. Feastday: 11 June Today Sunday, June 11, 2017 is the last day to submit names and donations to Evelyn Panos in the Church Hall for the Panagia Chapel Roof Tile Campaign. ATTENTION SAINT BARBARA PARISH! Celebrate with your Church Family your next special occasion! Consider sponsoring a coffee hour in the social hall after Liturgy on Sundays to commemorate a birthday, graduation, nameday, anniversary, or even for the pleasure of just hosting for your Parish. Signing up is easy...just place your name on the 'signup coffee hour' sheet located on the table in the hallway nearest the social hall. For details or questions, contact Helen Paliouras at: or elenipali@att.net 5

6 PROJECTS TO DATE: January 16 January 30 February 20 June 4-5 July 23 September 24 October 8 November December 2 December Evening of Music Spaghetti Event Gyro Event Greek Festival Gyro Event Evening of Jazz Greek Style Chicken Dinner & Pastry Athenian Grill and Pastry Christmas Concert Holiday Greek Pastries May 6-7 June 17 September 9 October 7 November May Greek Festival Gyro Feast Yard Sale Chicken Dinner Athenian Grill & Pastry Sale Greek Festival 6

7 Clergy-Laity Information: Holy Trinity of Raleigh is hosting a SOCIAL and has extended a warm invitation to St. Barbara's parish for an evening of FELLOWSHIP,FOOD and FUN! When: Friday, June 7pm Where: Holy Trinity of Raleigh- Fellowship Hall Cost: $40/adults $20/children (under 12) Includes: Catered Dinner, Beer/Wine Featuring a min. "clean" routine by Basile the Comedian and a Barbershop Quartet performance To reserve your tickets please see Catherine Mariakakis or Evelyn Zehia following Church services this Sunday or next in the fellowship hall. Deadline is Sunday June 11. I m from Holy Trinity in Raleigh and working on this year s Atlanta Metropolis Clergy/Laity Conference. And I need a favor. We want to let your parish know that although they may not be able to attend the entire conference, single tickets can be purchased for four different events. And since you are so close to us, please ask your parish to support the Conference by attending at least one event. Tickets can be purchased by calling our church office at I ve attached a flyer describing these events. This Sunday could you make an announcement of these events and print the flyer and place on your Candle Stand. I m not sure if you have room in your weekly bulletin but if you do could you put the paragraph below in it? This year s Atlanta Metropolis Clergy/Laity Conference is being hosted by Holy Trinity right here in Raleigh from June 20 24, Single tickets are available for purchase for four different events. Please support the Conference by attending at least one of these events. Attendees from all over our metropolis will be here. This is a great way to connect with old friends and previous clergy. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Holy Trinity church office at See Flyer at the candle stand. Clergy/Laity Metropolis Events Date Cost Evening of Greek Art at the NC Museum of Art Wednesday June 21 at 7:00 $ Philoptochos Luncheon at the Marriott Crabtree 12:00 p.m. - proceeds benefit Homeless Women Veterans. Dee Nicolaou our metropolis president and representative on the national board will be one of the quest speakers. p.m. Thursday June 22 at 12:00 p.m. $50 Grand Banquet at Marriott Crabtree Thursday June 22 at 6:30 p.m. $ Dinner and Social featuring Basil the Comedian at Holy Trinity Fellowship Hall Thank you so much, Kristine Scharf Friday June 23: 6:30 7:30 p.m. Social 7:30 9:30 p.m. Dinner/Show $40.00 (adults) $20.00 (children) 7

8 Seeking to strengthen your faith and parish community? Attend the Faith Forums at Clergy-Laity: Friday, June 23! The Faith Forums are where the 28 specific new programs and ministries developed to aid you and your parish community come to life with guided workshops to teach the content and answer your questions. As a Metropolis family, together we are stronger and more capable. It is in this spirit that your Metropolis invites ALL laity and clergy from EVERY parish (regardless if you are a delegate or not) to join with us to explore exciting and positive best practices to help us on our journey as Christians and to make disciples of ourselves, our families, and our communities. Why should I come? We are excited to announce the following topics for the Inaugural Mini Faith Forums: Parish Strategic Planning Seniors Program Risk Management Council of Ministries Comprehensive Stewardship Orthodox Leadership Training Newly Married Couples Mentoring Spiritual Growth Resources Early Parenting Best Education Materials If any of these apply to you, you will want to attend! If you have any questions or wish to attend, please contact our Communications Director, Zoe Kafkes,at communications@atlmetropolis.org. 8

9 GYRO FEAST *PASTITSO FEATURED THIS YEAR Sponsored by Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church Menu: 8306 NC Highway 751 Durham, NC Saturday, June 17, :00 am - 7:00 pm GYRO - Lamb & beef mix on grilled pita bread $8 with lettuce, tomatoes, onions & tzatziki sauce *Pastitso - Ziti pasta baked with seasoned ground beef and $9 cheese, topped with a Béchamel (cream) sauce. Greek Salad - Large/Small $7/$4 Soda and Bottled Water $2 Pastries / Baked Goods extra charge Eat in or Take Out Bring the family and enjoy the food and music 9

10 June Schedule Worship Services 3 - Saturday of Souls before Pentecost - 9 am 4 - Sunday of Pentecost - 9 am 11 - Sunday of All Saints & Bartholomew the Apostle- 9 am Holy Apostles Fast 18-2nd Sunday of Matthew - 9 am 24 - Saturday - Nativity of St. John - 9 am 25-3rd Sunday of Matthew - 9 am 29 - Thursday - Saints Peter and Paul on Wednesday - 9 am 30 - Friday - Synaxis of the Holy Apostles - 9 am 10