Archangel Michael Church Η Εκκλησία του Αρχαγγέλου Μιχαήλ

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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 January 28, Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee 1 st Mode - 1 st Morning Gospel Triodion and Repentance Today marks the beginning of the Triodion period, a momentous occasion for all Orthodox Christians. The Triodion is a liturgical book containing all festal hymns for three distinct periods: the three weeks prior to Great Lent, Lent itself, and Holy Week. Triodion, therefore, refers to both the book and the liturgical period, and it literally means three odes (in reference to the number of odes, or sections, contained in the canon chanted during Orthros). Outside the Triodion, canons contain nine odes based on Biblical canticles (i.e. prayers of praise connected with major events of salvation history). The theme of repentance dominates Triodion, but what is repentance? The notion of feeling bad for specific sins is a rather childish approach to repentance. To help us enter a deeper understanding, the Church presents us with the Parable of the Publican and Pharisee on the first day of Triodion: The Pharisee thought he and God were friends but was mistaken. The Pharisee thought he knew God, but he didn t. It s not that easy to know God. But because he faithfully observed the outward rules of religion, he was under the false impression that God was somehow in his debt, that God owed him something. The moment he said, I m not like those other people, he cut himself off from God. Why? Because God is humble, and since the Pharisee felt no need for humility, it follows that he felt no need for God. He knew and observed the traditions of his faith, but he did not know God. (Elder Aimilianos of Mount Athos) The publican, or tax collector, doesn t feel worthy to even approach the Temple where the Pharisee is praying. He stands far off, falls to his knees, and beats his chest, saying, Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. That is, Lord, I need you; break the laws of justice, and in Your great love come down and visit my lowliness. Can we identify with this at all, or do we feel very comfortable here in Church, comfortable before our icons, comfortable when we reach out to God in prayer? The parable doesn t tell us what kind of man the publican is. His character is irrelevant because repentance has nothing to do with surface-level observations. True repentance means glimpsing God s greatness and beauty, followed by the sting of seeing our separation from Him. We say we re sinners, but do we feel our sinfulness? Have we shed tears not just for specific difficulties - for wounded pride and frustrated self-will - but for our very nature, our nothingness? This is the secret. Have we fallen from our pedestal, from an idealized view of ourselves? Have we allowed God to shake us out of self-satisfied complacency? Αρχή Τριωδίου Τριώδιο ονομάζεται το Λειτουργικό Βιβλίο της Εκκλησίας μας το οποίο περιλαμβάνει τους Ύμνους των Κυριακών, απο την Κυριακή του Τελώνου και του Φαρισαίου μέχρι και το Μεγάλο Σάββατο πρίν την Τελετή της Αναστάσεως. Ονομάζεται έτσι διότι οι περισσότεροι Κανόνες του Όρθρου (πρωινή Ακολουθία) περιέχουν τρείς Ωδές ενώ συνήθως περιέχουν εννέα Ωδές - την 8η και την 9η πάντοτε, ύστερα δε διαδοχικά μία από τις πέντε πρώτες. Το τριώδιο περισσότερο από όλα τα εκκλησιαστικά βιβλία που περιέχουν ιερές ακολουθίες οδηγεί τις ψυχές των πιστών τέκνων της ορθοδόξου εκκλησίας στην περισυλλογή και στην κατάνυξη. Για τον λόγο αυτό ονομάζεται και κατανυκτικό τριώδιο. Με τον κύκλο των εορτών του τριωδίου ανανεώνονται τα βιώματα της νηστείας, της εγκράτειας, της μετάνοιας, και της χαρμολύπης. (*Οι πληροφορίες είναι από:

2 Άγιοι και Εορτές Tῆς τοῦ Τελώνου καὶ τοῦ Φαρισαίου. Tοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Ἐφραὶµ τοῦ Σύρου. Tοῦ Ὁσίου Ἰσαάκ τοῦ Σύρου. Tοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Παλλαδίου. Tοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Ἰακώβου τοῦ Ἀσκητοῦ. Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιµον Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου Σῶµα, ἀνέστης τριήµερος Σωτήρ, δωρούµενος τῷ κόσµῳ τὴν ζωήν διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάµεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι ζωοδότα. Δόξα τῇ Ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονοµίᾳ σου, µόνε φιλάνθρωπε. 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 Ὁ µήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῷ τόκῳ σου, καὶ χεῖρας τοῦ Συµεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νῦν ἔσωσας ἡµᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέµοις τὸ πολίτευµα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ µόνος φιλάνθρωπος. Saints and Feasts Today we remember the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee; our devout father Ephraim the Syrian; Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Ninevah; our devout father Palladios; our devout father Iakovos the ascetic. Resurrectional Hymn (1 st Mode) The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your kingdom; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind. 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 (1 st Mode) You Who sanctified the Virgin s womb by Your birth, * and Who blessed Symeon s hands as was proper, * by anticipation has even now saved us, O Christ God. * Now, grant peace in the midst of wars unto Your commonwealth, * and strengthen our leaders, whom You have loved, * O only Friend of man. Today s Scripture Readings Paul's First Letter to Timothy 3:10-15 Timothy, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Πρὸς Τιµόθεον Αʹ Ἐπιστολῆς Παύλου 3:10-15 Τέκνον Τιµόθεε, παρηκολούθηκάς µου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ µακροθυµίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑποµονῇ, τοῖς διωγµοῖς, τοῖς παθήµασιν, οἷά µοι ἐγένοντο ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ, ἐν Ἰκονίῳ, ἐν Λύστροις οἵους διωγµοὺς ὑπήνεγκα καὶ ἐκ πάντων µε ἐρρύσατο ὁ Κύριος. Καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ θέλοντες εὐσεβῶς ζῆν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ διωχθήσονται πονηροὶ δὲ ἄνθρωποι καὶ γόητες προκόψουσιν ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον, πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώµενοι. Σὺ δὲ µένε ἐν οἷς ἔµαθες καὶ ἐπιστώθης, εἰδὼς παρὰ τίνος ἔµαθες, καὶ ὅτι ἀπὸ βρέφους τὰ ἱερὰ γράµµατα οἶδας, τὰ δυνάµενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ Κυρίῳ ἡµῶν.

3 Luke 18:10-14 The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." Kατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:10-14 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ἄνθρωποι δύο ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν προσεύξασθαι, ὁ εἷς Φαρισαῖος καὶ ὁ ἕτερος τελώνης. ὁ Φαρισαῖος σταθεὶς πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ταῦτα προσηύχετο ὁ Θεός, εὐχαριστῶ σοι ὅτι οὐκ εἰµὶ ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἅρπαγες, ἄδικοι, µοιχοί, ἢ καὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης νηστεύω δὶς τοῦ σαββάτου, ἀποδεκατῶ πάντα ὅσα κτῶµαι. καὶ ὁ τελώνης µακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλµοὺς εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν ἐπᾶραι, ἀλλ' ἔτυπτεν εἰς τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ λέγων ὁ Θεός, ἱλάσθητί µοι τῷ ἁµαρτωλῷ. λέγω ὑµῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωµένος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἢ γὰρ ἐκεῖνος ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται.

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6 Deadline now extended to February 2, 2018 to submit your deposits! AMC congratulates the following Greek School students on their achievement! Comprehensive Exam 2017 Students to be honored on January 28, 2018 Maria Doulis - Μαρία Ντούλη Christina Efstathiadis - Χριστίνα Ευσταθιάδη Demetrios Kaparos - Δημήτριος Κάπαρος George Lamangis - Γιώργος Λαμαντζής Ariana Matarangas - Αριάνα Ματαράγκας Penelope Pavlounis - Πηνελόπη Παυλούνη Efthimios Tzavelis - Ευθύμιος Τζαβέλης Spyridoula Xenophontos - Σπυριδούλα Ξενοφώντος Tsismenakis Myrianthy - Μυριάνθη Τσισμενάκης 6 th Graders presentation about Three Hierarchs Xrusoula Ladopoulou - Χρυσούλα Λαδοπούλου Ariana Kanes - Αριάνα Κέηνς Melina Apostolatou - Μελίνα Αποστολάτου

7 Memorials: Aristidis Krimizis Kalliopi Bakopoulos Aglaia Bistakis ~ 40 days ~ 1 year ~ 1 year The Coffee Hour today is being sponsored by the family of Kalliopi Bakopoulos. Worship Schedule: Monday, Jan. 29 Tuesday, Jan. 30 Friday, Feb. 2 ~ Feast of the Three Hierarchs: Great Vespers 7 pm (in Brooklyn) ~ Feast of the Three Hierarchs: Orthros 8:30 am, Divine Liturgy 9:30 am ~ The Presentation of Christ in the Temple: Orthros 8:30 am, Divine Liturgy 9:30 am Pastoral Visits: If you have an elderly family member who is homebound or in a nursing home, or a family member suffering from an illness who is in need of a visit by a priest, please call the office to schedule a pastoral visit. House Blessings: Please call the Church office to schedule a blessing of your home or business. Fr. John and Fr. Joshua are available and would love to come and visit with you during this season of the Epiphany! Upcoming Events: Sunday, Jan. 28 Sunday, Jan. 28 Wednesday, Feb. 7 Sunday, Feb. 11 Wednesday, Feb. 14 Friday, Feb. 16 Monday, Feb. 19 Monday, Feb. 26 Friday, March 2 Saturday, March 3 Wednesday, March 7 Tuesday, March 13 Thursday, March 15 March (FSS) Friday, May 18 ~ Greek School Letters and Coffee Hour Sponsorship ~ Greek School Glendi at the Cottage and Milleridge Inn (1 pm) ~ Bible Study (11 am and 7:30 pm) ~ Godparent Sunday & Brunch; Fairy Godmother Project (see more info below) ~ AMC Boodclub (11 am and 7:30 pm ~ GOYA Midnight Run (Delivering food & clothing to the homeless in Manhattan) ~ Great Compline to begin Great Lent (7 pm) ~ Registration for Session 2 of Adult Greek Language classes (Classes begin March 5th) ~ Parish Oratorical Festival ~ DAD Clergy-Laity Conference hosted by AMC ~ Session 2 of Mommy & Me begins ~ AMC Blood Drive ~ Pre-School Open House (Please call to RSVP) ~ Annunciation Weekend (see flyer for details) ~ Save the Date" for the Preschool Annual Dance at Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club. Philoptochos News: Contact us at: philoptochos@archangelmichaelchurch.org Our 3rd Annaul Godparents Brunch will be held on Sunday Feb 11th ($20 Adults ~ $10 Children) All proceeds for Make-A-Wish Courtesy of our Fairy Nouna Project. Reservations Appreciated. Please RSVP via . The Nouna Project was initiated by National Philoptochos as a challenge for individual chapters to support the Fairy Godmother Foundation, which grants wishes to terminally ill adults. This foundation helps patients and their families create important memories that will ease the pain of their loss. The Fairy Godmother Foundation accepts monetary donations, as well as in-kind donations of goods and services, (ie, air miles). As a tie-in to Godparents Sunday, our chapter has expanded the outreach, choosing to dedicate all proceeds to grant wishes to terminally ill children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Please Save the Date for the Archangel Michael Church Annual Blood Drive, Tuesday, March 13th, 2018 at 2:30 pm - 8:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. 1 in 3 adults will require a blood transfusion at some point in their lives. To be eligible to donate, you must be between the ages of 16 and 75, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Marina Vlahos at Our COAT DRIVE has begun in earnest toward the goal of collecting at least 150 sets for distribution during GOYA's Midnight Run on Feb 16th, Please place the coats in the boxes at the church's main office. As our community comes together to show our love and gratitude by helping those who are without a bed to sleep in and warm clothes to wear during the winter months, please remember to never hesitate to bring to the attention of Philoptochos any person or family in need that you would like for us to try to " adopt and know that we will always do our best to make a difference for them. GET FIT! GREEK ZUMBA FITNESS continues on TUESDAY mornings 9:30 am - 10:30 am in the AMC gym. All net proceeds from Zumba will be donated to the American Heart Association. Please support our cause and get fit!

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