Wisdom from St John Chrysostom

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1 Archangel Michael Church Η Εκκλησία του Αρχαγγέλου Μιχαήλ 100 Fairway Drive, Port Washington, NY Phone: (516) Web Site: Clergy: Fr John Lardas, Fr Joshua Pappas, Fr Dennis Strouzas November 5, th Sunday of Luke Pl. 1 st Mode - 11 th Morning Gospel Wisdom from St John Chrysostom When you are generous to another person, you are not bestowing a gift, but repaying a debt. Everything you possess comes from God, Who created all things. And every spiritual and moral virtue you possess is a gift through divine grace; thus, you owe everything to God. More than that, God has given you His Son to show you how to live, how to use your material possessions, and how to grow in moral and spiritual virtue. We might say that your material and spiritual possessions cost God nothing, for God created the universe to reveal His own glory. But the gift of His Son was supremely costly, because His Son suffered and died for our sake. The agony of Christ on the Cross is the measure of how much God loves us. For this reason, we should take none of our gifts - material or otherwise - for granted; day by day, we should give thanks to God for what he has bestowed on us. Once this spirit of gratitude infuses us, we shall see generosity for what it is. When we help someone in need, we shall be saved from any temptation to take pride in our actions. On the contrary, we will regard our act as no more than a small token of appreciation for all that we have received from God - or, more precisely, the repayment of a tiny fraction of God s blessings. (*This is an excerpt from On Living Simply, a compilation of St John Chrysostom s sermons) Σοφία από τον Άγιο Ιωάννη Χρυσόστομο «Για ποιο λόγο, άνθρωπέ μου, ο πλούτος σου φαίνεται σπουδαίο πράγμα; Αναμφίβολα γιατί σου αρέσουν οι σπάταλες απολαύσεις, γιατί ευχαριστιέσαι όταν σε θαυμάζουν ή σε ζηλεύουν οι άλλοι, γιατί μπορείς με τα χρήματά σου να κάνεις κακό στους εχθρούς σου και, τέλος, γιατί όλοι σε φοβούνται για τη δύναμη που σου δίνει ο πλούτος. Ναι, γι' αυτές τις τέσσερις αιτίες κυνηγάς τα λεφτά, για την ηδονή, την κολακεία, την εκδίκηση και το φόβο. Άλλη αιτία δεν υπάρχει. Γιατί, συνήθως, ο πλούτος ούτε πιο σοφό κάνει τον άνθρωπο ούτε πιο συνετό ούτε πιο καλό ούτε πιο φιλάνθρωπο. Καμιάν αρετή δεν μπορεί να φυτέψει μέσα στην ψυχή μας ο πλούτος. Απεναντίας μάλιστα, αν βρει μερικές αρετές, τις ξεριζώνει, για να φυτέψει μέσα μας τις αντίστοιχες κακίες. Σου φαίνεται, λοιπόν, ποθητός ο πλούτος και αξιοζήλευτος, επειδή καλλιεργεί τα χειρότερα ελαττώματα στην ψυχή μας, επειδή μεταβάλλει το θυμό σε πράξη, επειδή φουσκώνει τις σαπουνόφουσκες της δοξομανίας, επειδή ξεσηκώνει μέσα μας την αλαζονεία; Ακριβώς γι' αυτά πρέπει να τον αποφεύγεις, μη γυρίζοντας καν το κεφάλι για να τον κοιτάξεις. Αλλιώς, θα εγκαταστήσει στην καρδιά σου μερικά άγρια και φοβερά θηρία, που θα γίνουν αιτία να χάσεις κάθε τιμή.» (*Οι πληροφορίες είναι από:

2 Άγιοι και Εορτές Tῶν ἁγίων Μαρτύρων Γαλακτίωνος καὶ Ἐπιστήµης. Tῶν ἁγίων Ἀποστόλων ἐκ τῶν Ἑβδοµήκοντα Ἑρµᾶ, Πατρόβα, Λίνου, Γαΐου καὶ Φιλολόγου. Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιµον 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. Απολυτίκιον Των Ταξιαρχών Τῶν οὐρανίων στρατιῶν Ἀρχιστράτηγοι, δυσωποῦμεν ὑμᾶς ἡμεῖς οἱ ἀνάξιοι, ἵνα ταῖς ὑμῶν δεήσεσι, τειχίσητε ἡμᾶς, σκέπῃ τῶν πτερύγων, τῆς ἀΰλου ὑμῶν δόξης, φρουροῦντες ἡμᾶς προσπίπτοντας, ἐκτενῶς καὶ βοῶντας Ἐκ τῶν κινδύνων λυτρώσασθε ἡμᾶς, ὡς Ταξιάρχαι τῶν ἄνω Δυνάμεων. Κοντάκιον Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, µεσιτεία, πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀµετάθετε, µὴ παρίδῃς, ἁµαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡµῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιµώντων σε. Saints and Feasts The holy martyrs Galaktion and Epistimi; the holy Apostles of the Seventy, Hermas, Patrovas, Linos, Gaios, and Philologos. Resurrectional Hymn (Pl. 1 st Mode) 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. Hymn of the Archangels (4 th Mode) Supreme Commanders of * the hosts of the Heavens, * we, the unworthy, importune and beseech you, * that by your supplications you encircle us * in the shelter of the wings * of your heavenly glory * guarding us who now fall down * and cry to you with fervor. * Deliver us from dangers of all kinds * as the great marshals * of the heavenly hosts on high. Kontakion (2 nd Mode) A protection of Christians unshamable, * intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering. * Please reject not * the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. * Instead, come to us, for you are good; * your loving help bring unto us, * who are crying in faith to you. * Hasten to intercede, * and speed now to supplicate, * as a protection for all time, * Theotokos, for those who honor you. Today s Scripture Readings Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18 Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. Πρὸς Γαλάτας Ἐπιστολῆς Παύλου 6:11-18 Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑµῖν γράµµασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐµῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑµᾶς περιτέµνεσθαι, µόνον ἵνα µὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ

3 (continued from previous page:) περιτεµνόµενοι αὐτοὶ νόµον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑµᾶς περιτέµνεσθαι ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑµετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐµοὶ δὲ µὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ µὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡµῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, δι' οὗ ἐµοὶ κόσµος ἐσταύρωται κἀγὼ τῷ κόσµῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτοµή τι ἰσχύει οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπ' αὐτοὺς καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ Θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ κόπους µοι µηδεὶς παρεχέτω ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγµατα τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώµατί µου βαστάζω. Η χάρις τοῦ Κυρίου ἡµῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ µετὰ τοῦ πνεύµατος ὑµῶν, ἀδελφοί ἀµήν. Luke 16:19-31 The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead'." Kατὰ Λουκᾶν 16:19-31 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Ἄνθρωπός τις ἦν πλούσιος, καὶ ἐνεδιδύσκετο πορφύραν καὶ βύσσον εὐφραινόµενος καθ' ἡµέραν λαµπρῶς. Πτωχὸς δέ τις ἦν ὀνόµατι Λάζαρος, ὃς ἐβέβλητο πρὸς τὸν πυλῶνα αὐτοῦ ἡλκωµένος καὶ ἐπιθυµῶν χορτασθῆναι ἀπὸ τῶν ψιχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τοῦ πλουσίου ἀλλὰ καὶ οἱ κύνες ἐρχόµενοι ἐπέλειχον τὰ ἕλκη αὐτοῦ. ἐγένετο δὲ ἀποθανεῖν τὸν πτωχὸν καὶ ἀπενεχθῆναι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἰς τὸν κόλπον Ἀβραάµ ἀπέθανε δὲ καὶ ὁ πλούσιος καὶ ἐτάφη. καὶ ἐν τῷ ᾅδῃ ἐπάρας τοὺς ὀφθαλµοὺς αὐτοῦ, ὑπάρχων ἐν βασάνοις, ὁρᾷ Ἀβραὰµ ἀπὸ µακρόθεν καὶ Λάζαρον ἐν τοῖς κόλποις αὐτοῦ. καὶ αὐτὸς φωνήσας εἶπε πάτερ Ἀβραάµ, ἐλέησόν µε καὶ πέµψον Λάζαρον ἵνα βάψῃ τὸ ἄκρον τοῦ δακτύλου αὐτοῦ ὕδατος καὶ καταψύξῃ τὴν γλῶσσάν µου, ὅτι ὀδυνῶµαι ἐν τῇ φλογὶ ταύτῃ. εἶπε δὲ Ἀβραάµ τέκνον, µνήσθητι ὅτι ἀπέλαβες σὺ τὰ ἀγαθά σου ἐν τῇ ζωῇ σου, καὶ Λάζαρος ὁµοίως τὰ κακά νῦν δὲ ὧδε παρακαλεῖται, σὺ δὲ ὀδυνᾶσαι καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσι τούτοις µεταξὺ ἡµῶν καὶ ὑµῶν χάσµα µέγα ἐστήρικται, ὅπως οἱ θέλοντες διαβῆναι ἔνθεν πρὸς ὑµᾶς µὴ δύνωνται, µηδὲ οἱ ἐκεῖθεν πρὸς ἡµᾶς διαπερῶσιν. εἶπε δέ ἐρωτῶ οὖν σε, πάτερ, ἵνα πέµψῃς αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός µου ἔχω γὰρ πέντε ἀδελφούς ὅπως διαµαρτύρηται αὐτοῖς, ἵνα µὴ καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔλθωσιν εἰς τὸν τόπον τοῦτον τῆς βασάνου. λέγει αὐτῷ Ἀβραάµ ἔχουσι Μωϋσέα καὶ τοὺς προφήτας ἀκουσάτωσαν αὐτῶν. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν οὐχί, πάτερ Ἀβραάµ, ἀλλ' ἐάν τις ἀπὸ νεκρῶν πορευθῇ πρὸς αὐτοὺς, µετανοήσουσιν. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ εἰ Μωϋσέως καὶ τῶν προφητῶν οὐκ ἀκούουσιν, οὐδὲ ἐάν τις ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῇ πεισθήσονται.

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7 Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church Ladies Philoptochos Society 100 Fairway Drive Port Washington, NY As we plan for our annual Family Christmas Brunch to be held at The Milleridge Inn on Dec 3 rd, we hope you will once again consider a sponsorship. The sponsorship levels are: ANGEL $500 & above SNOWMEN $250 & above REINDEER $100 & above MISTLETOE $50 & above **If you are making your donation in memory of a loved one, please contact us via to let us know how you would like the person acknowledged in writing. Because our membership consists exclusively of volunteers, 100% of monies raised are dedicated to the causes we support which include but are not limited to local as well as national initiatives such as disaster relief, feeding the hungry, prison outreach ministry, anti-human trafficking initiative, veterans outreach, Make-A-Wish, aid to Greece & Cyprus and much more. For a full list and description of the National Initiatives your donation will help to support please visit This letter may be kept for your records in acknowledgement of which was donated to the Ladies Philoptochos of AMC on This is a tax-deductible donation valued at. We are very thankful for your generosity and state that no goods or services were received in exchange for this donation. Federal tax law requires that you maintain receipts to substantiate this charitable deduction. Your generous donation is sincerely appreciated. Thank you! Chris Ioannou, President

8 Memorials: Eustathios Michelakos ~ 1 year Worship Schedule: Tuesday, Nov. 7 Wednesday, Nov. 8 Wednesday, Nov. 8 ~ Synaxis ( Gathering ) of the Archangels ~ Great Vespers 7:30 pm ~ Synaxis ( Gathering ) of the Archangels ~ Orthros 8:30 am, Divine Liturgy 9:30 am (followed by a meal in the fellowship hall) ~ St Nektarios of Aegina, the Wonderworker ~ Vigil 7:30 pm - 12 am Sunday School: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades will proceed to St Katherine s Chapel after receiving Holy Communion today. Attention Bakers: We consistently need prosfora; anything you can offer would be much appreciated. Upcoming Events: Sunday, Nov. 5 Monday, Nov. 6 Tuesday, Nov. 7 Friday, Nov. 10 Saturday, Nov. 18 Sunday, Nov. 19 ~ Altar Boy Training (immediately following Liturgy) ~ Philoptochos Meeting (7:30 pm) ~ Visit to Sands Point Nursing Home (11:15 am) ~ Archangel Michael Name-day Gala (see flyer inside) ~ GOYA Thanksgiving Food Drive (delivering baskets in Brooklyn & Queens) ~ Veteran s Sunday Philoptochos News: Contact: philoptochos@archangelmichaelchurch.org Please consider supporting Philoptochos at our annual brunch, in our journal. As you know because our membership consists exclusively of volunteers, 100% of monies raised are dedicated to the causes we support which include but are not limited to local as well as national initiatives such as disaster relief, feeding the hungry, prison outreach ministry, anti-human trafficking initiative, veterans outreach, Make-A-Wish, aid to Greece & Cyprus and much more. For a full list and description of the National Initiatives your donation will help to support please visit Please consider supporting us again. If you have any questions please Eleni Raptis at mamarap16@yahoo.com or Androula Xenophontos at andxeno@optonline.net. RAFFLE PRIZES NEEDED for our Annual Family Christmas Brunch. Please consider sponsoring a prize for the Grand Raffle. Can you offer your vacation home, time-share, artwork, restaurant vouchers, pieces of jewelry (any item, large or small will be so welcomed!) toward this effort? This is Philoptochos' major fundraiser which allows us to give generously to many worthwhile and deserving causes throughout the year. Please contact us. Our Philoptochos chapter has started a campaign through Help Feeding America. Our extensive research has shown this organization is the most efficient at maximizing your donation dollars to "Set The Table" for those in need. $1 = 11 meals (It s a no-brainer!). Please donate any amount. Contact us for more information. GET FIT! GREEK ZUMBA FITNESS is back on TUESDAY mornings 9:30 am - 10:30 am in the AMC gym. ($20pp for individual classes, $15pp for a package of 10) Join us and bring your friends! Saturday, November 11, Children's Medical Fund Luncheon at " The Venetian" in Garfield, NJ. The Fund provides grants for innovative research programs to pediatric hospitals throughout the US and to organizations with special programs that care for children with critical and life-threatening illnesses. To reserve for this event, or to give a donation earmarked for the CMF, please contact us. HONOR OUR VETERANS on Sunday, Nov. 19 during coffee hour. Representatives from the VFW will be on hand to enlighten us as to the importance of supporting our vets and to provide an overview of their services.