Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h of Washington, DC. Sunday after Theophany January 11, Today!

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1 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h of Washington, DC Sunday after Theophany January 11, 2015 Today! Our Menu: Eggs, Bacon, French Toast, Home Fries & Juice After Divine Liturgy, please support our GOYA Ministry by purchasing breakfast! Adults: $ and under: $7.00 Thank you in advance for your support!!

2 YMNOI THΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιμον./Ἦχος πλ. βʹ. Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Ἀπολυτίκιον. Τῆς Ἑορτῆς./Ἦχος αʹ. Ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε, ἡ τῆς Τριάδος ἐφανερώθη προσκύνησις τοῦ γὰρ Γεννήτορος ἡ φωνὴ προσεμαρτύρει σοι, ἀγαπητόν σε Υἱὸν ὀνομάζουσα καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα ἐν εἴδει περιστερᾶς, ἐβεβαίου τοῦ λόγου τὸ ἀσφαλές. Ὁ ἐπιφανεὶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τὸν κόσμον φωτίσας δόξα σοι. Τοῦ Ὁσίου. Ἦχος πλ. δʹ./ἦχος πλ. δʹ. Ταῖς τῶν δακρύων σου ῥοαῖς, τῆς ἐρήμου τὸ ἄγονον ἐγεώργησας, καὶ τοῖς ἐκ βάθους στεναγμοῖς, εἰς ἑκατὸν τοὺς πόνους ἐκαρποφόρησας, καὶ γέγονας φωστὴρ τῇ οἰκουμένῃ, λάμπων τοῖς θαύμασιν Ὅσιε Πατὴρ ἡμῶν Θεοδόσιε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἠμῶν. 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. Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον τὴ οἰκουμένη, καὶ τὸ φῶς σου Κύριε, ἐσημειώθη ἐφ' ἡμᾶς, ἓν ἐπιγνώσει ὑμνούντάς σε. Ἦλθες ἐφάνης τὸ Φῶς τὸ ἀπρόσιτον. HYMNS OF THE DAY Plagal of the Second Tone. Resurrectional Apolytikion/Plagal/Second Tone Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee. Apolytikion. For the Feast./Mode 1. As You were baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, then the worship of the Trinity became manifest, for the voice of the Father bore witness to You, naming You the Beloved Son; and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ God, who appeared and illumined the world, glory to You. For the Saint. Mode pl. 4./Mode pl. 4. With the rivers of your tears you made the barren desert bloom; and with your sighs from deep within, you made your labors bear their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a star, illuminating the world by your miracles, * O O Theodosios our devout father. our devout father. Intercede with Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls. 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. Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light." 2

3 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 4:7-13 Προκείμενον. Ἦχος βαρύς. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ ,12 Τίμιος ἐναντίον Κυρίου ὁ θάνατος τῶν ὁσίων αὐτοῦ. Στίχ. Τί ἀνταποδώσωμεν τῷ Κυρίῳ περὶ πάντων, ὧν ἀνταπέδωκεν ἡμῖν; Ἀδελφοί, ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ λέγει, Ἀναβὰς εἰς ὕψος ᾐχμαλώτευσεν αἰχμαλωσίαν, καὶ ἔδωκεν δόματα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις. Τὸ δέ, Ἀνέβη, τί ἐστιν εἰ μὴ ὅτι καὶ κατέβη πρῶτον εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς; Ὁ καταβάς, αὐτός ἐστιν καὶ ὁ ἀναβὰς ὑπεράνω πάντων τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἵνα πληρώσῃ τὰ πάντα. Καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν τοὺς μὲν ἀποστόλους, τοὺς δὲ προφήτας, τοὺς δὲ εὐαγγελιστάς, τοὺς δὲ ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους, πρὸς τὸν καταρτισμὸν τῶν ἁγίων, εἰς ἔργον διακονίας, εἰς οἰκοδομὴν τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ μέχρι καταντήσωμεν οἱ πάντες εἰς τὴν ἑνότητα τῆς πίστεως καὶ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον, εἰς μέτρον ἡλικίας τοῦ πληρώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ. EPISTLE St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13 Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm ,12 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all that he has given me? BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 3

4 ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ Sunday after Epiphany Κατὰ Ματθαῖον Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς ὅτι Ιωάννης παρεδόθη, ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν,καὶ καταλιπὼν τὴν Ναζαρὲτ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς Καπερναοὺμ τὴν παραθαλασσίαν ἐν ὁρίοις Ζαβουλὼν καὶ Νεφθαλείμ,ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ησαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος γῆ Ζαβουλὼν καὶ γῆ Νεφθαλείμ,ὁδὸν θαλάσσης, πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου,Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν,ὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος ἐν σκότειεἶδε φῶς μέγα,καὶ τοῖς καθημένοις ἐν χώρᾳ καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτουφῶς ἀνέτειλεν αὐτοῖς. Απὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ Ιησοῦς κηρύσσειν καὶ λέγειν μετανοεῖτε ἤγγικε γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν. Sunday after Epiphany The Gospel of Matthew 4:12-17 GOSPEL At that time, Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth He went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 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 evil. 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 SAINTS AND FEASTS Tatiana the Martyr of Rome January 12 Saint Tatiana was the daughter of a most distinguished consul of Rome. She became a deaconess of the Church, and for her confession of the Faith of Christ, she endured many torments. As she was suffering, angels punished her tormentors with the same torments they inflicted on her, until they cried out that they could no longer endure the scourges invisibly brought upon them. She was beheaded during the reign of Alexander Severus ( ). The Holy Fathers Slain at Sinai and Raitho January 14 As for the holy Martyrs of Sinai and Raithu, those of Sinai contested during the reign of Diocletian, about the year 296; those of Raithu were slain about the middle of the fifth century. On both occasions, the perpetrators of these massacres were a barbarian tribe called Blemmyes, from parts of Arabia and Egypt. Paul of Thebes-January 15 Saint Paul, first among hermits, was born about 227 in the Thebaid of Egypt. In 250 he fled into the wilderness because of the persecution raging at that time under Decius. Having lived a solitary life in a certain cave for ninety-one years, he reposed in 341, at the age of 114, and was buried by Anthony the Great, who had been directed thither by God several days before the Saint's repose. John the Cave Dweller-January 15 Saint John, who was from Constantinople, was the son of illustrious parents -- Eutropius the Senator and Theodora. At twelve years of age he departed secretly from his home and went to the Monastery of the Unsleeping (see Dec. 29). Aflame with longing for his parents, he returned after six years to his father's home in the guise of a pauper and beggar. Living in a small hut at the gates of his parents' house (wherefrom he is called "hut-dweller"), he remained unknown therein for many years, and suffered mockery at the hands of those who had been his own servants. Foreknowing his death, he revealed himself to his parents, and within a few moments reposed, about the year

8 SAINTS AND FEASTS Veneration of Apostle Peter's Precious Chains January 16 Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great and king of the Jews, grew wroth against the Church of Christ, and slew James, the brother of John the Evangelist. Seeing that this pleased the Jews, he took Peter also into custody and locked him up in prison, intending to keep him there until after the feast of the Passover, so that he could win the favour of the people by presenting him to them as a victim. But the Apostle was saved when he was miraculously set free by an Angel (Acts 12:1-19). The chains wherewith the Apostle was bound received from his most sacred body the grace of sanctification and healing, which is bestowed upon the faithful who draw nigh with faith. That such sacred treasures work wonders and many healings is witnessed by the divine Scripture, where it speaks concerning Paul, saying that the Christians in Ephesus had such reverence for him, that his handkerchiefs and aprons, taken up with much reverence, healed the sick of their maladies: "So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them" (Acts 19:12). But not only the Apostles' clothing (which certainly touched the bodies of the sick), but even their shadow alone performed healings. On beholding this, people put their sick on stretchers and beds and brought them out into the streets that, when Peter passed by, his shadow "might overshadow some of them"(acts 5:15). From this the Orthodox Catholic Church has learned to show reverence and piety not only to the relics of their bodies, but also in the clothing of God's Saints. Anthony the Great-January 17 One day after a teaching on Jesus saying to the people, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, follow Me" (Matthew 19:21), St. Anthony sold everything he owned, gave the proceeds to the poor, and left the city behind to live in the desert. Although he held no titles or position, his holiness marked him as one whose wisdom commanded respect. When the Synod of Nicea was convened, he was invited to participate. His eloquent defense of the Orthodox doctrine concerning the person of Jesus Christ was instrumental in weakening the position of Arianism. His witness led to the eventual and complete elimination of Arianism. He instructed his followers to bury his body in an unmarked, secret grave, lest his body become an object of veneration. The monastic rules of Saint Anthony, the "patriarch" of monastic life, have served as the basis for countless monasteries. 8

9 SAINTS AND FEASTS Η ΑΓΙΑ ΤΑΤΙΑΝΗ 12 Ιανουαρίου Όπως είναι γνωστό, ή αρχαία Εκκλησία είχε και γυναίκες διακόνους. Βέβαια, δε μετείχαν σε κανένα βαθμό ίερωσύνης. Ή αποστολή τους ήταν κυρίως φιλανθρωπική ή και κατηχητική, δίπλα στις γυναίκες πού είχαν ανάγκη διδασκαλίας. Το ήθος αυτών των διακονισσών, να πώς το θέλει ο θεόπνευστος Απ. Παύλος: "Οι γυναίκες διάκονοι πρέπει και αυτές να είναι σεμνές, ελεύθερες από το αμάρτημα της κακολογίας και διαβολής, εγκρατείς και προσεκτικές, αξιόπιστες σε όλα Μια τέτοια διακόνισσα ήταν και ή Άγια Τατιανή. Ή ευγενής καταγωγή της και ο πολύς ζήλος με τον όποιο εκτελούσε τα διακονικά της καθήκοντα, καθώς επίσης και ή αποστροφή των κοσμικών βλέψεων, έδωσαν στην Τατιανή ξεχωριστή θέση μεταξύ των χριστιανών, προκάλεσαν, όμως, και το φθόνο των ειδωλολατρών. Και όταν το 202 ο Σεπτίμιος Σεβήρος (κατ άλλους Αλέξανδρος Σεβήρος, μ.χ.) εξαπέλυσε ανελέητο διωγμό κατά των χριστιανών, ή Τατιανή συλλαμβάνεται. Ξυρίζουν το κεφάλι της, αφαιρώντας τα θαυμάσια μαλλιά της, με την ελπίδα ότι θα πτοηθεί. "Ομως, δεν πτοείται, στέκεται στο ύψος του χριστιανικού της ήθους και το πρόσωπο της ομορφαίνει και ακτινοβολεί περισσότερο από πρώτα. Τότε, βασανίζεται σκληρά με πολλούς τρόπους. Όμως, δε λυγίζει και τελικά αποκεφαλίζεται, παίρνοντας το αμάραντο και αθάνατο στεφάνι του μαρτυρίου. ΟΙ ΑΓΙΟΙ 38 ΠΑΤΕΡΕΣ ΕΝ ΣΙΝΑ ΑΝΑΙΡΕΘΕΝΤΕΣ & ΑΠΟΔΟΣΙΣ ΕΟΡΤΗΣ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ 14 Ιανουαρίου Αυτοί ζούσαν μέσα στις σπηλιές του όρους Σινά την αγία μοναχική ζωή (κατά τον 5ο αιώνα μ.χ.). Άλλ' ή ευσεβής ζωή τους ταράζεται ξαφνικά μια μέρα, με τρόπο άγριο και αιματηρό. Στίφη βαρβάρων, πού λυσσούσαν κατά της χριστιανικής πίστης, φάνηκαν στις κατοικίες των χριστιανών αναχωρητών. Στην εμφάνιση αυτή οι Άγιοι ταράζονται στην αρχή. Συνέρχονται, όμως, αμέσως και μπροστά στη σφαγή και το θάνατο δείχνουν θαυμαστή ανδρεία και αφοβία. Δεν αρνείται κανένας την πίστη του. Οι βάρβαροι τους σφάζουν μέσα στις καλύβες και τους κήπους τους και αυτοί πεθαίνουν προσευχόμενοι, ψάλλοντας ύμνους, δοξολογίες και ευχαριστίες στο θεό. Και όπως θα έλεγε ο θεοκίνητος Απ. Παύλος, "τον καλό αγώνα της πίστης αγωνίστηκαν, το δρόμο τους τελείωσαν και την πίστη τους μέχρι θανάτου έτήρησαν" Άπ' όλους τους αδελφούς λίγοι σώθηκαν. Αυτοί, αφού οι βάρβαροι έφυγαν, μάζεψαν τα λείψανα των σφαγιασθέντων και τα έθαψαν με μεγάλη σεμνότητα. 9

10 SAINTS AND FEASTS Ο ΟΣΙΟΣ ΠΑΥΛΟΣ ο Θηβαίος 15 Ιανουαρίου Ό ερημικός και ήουχος τόπος είναι από τους βασικούς παράγοντες ανάπτυξης της αυτοσυγκέντρωσης και προσευχής προς το Θεό. Αυτό φαίνεται καθαρά στη ζωή του Αγίου Παύλου του Θηβαίου. Άνηκε σε πλούσια οικογένεια της Κάτω Θηβαίδας της Αιγύπτου. Όταν ο Δέκιος ( ) κήρυξε τον τρομερό διωγμό κατά των χριστιανών, ο Παύλος, μόλις 15 χρονών, χάνει τους γονείς του. Με εσωτερική παρακίνηση του Άγιου Πνεύματος (κατ' άλλους φοβούμενος μη παραδοθεί στους διώκτες των χριστιανών από τον έπ' αδελφή γαμπρό του, πού του ζητούσε την περιουσία) φεύγει και ζητά καταφυγή σωτηρίας στην έρημο. Εκεί, μέσα στην ησυχία της φύσης, βρήκε καιρό για συστηματική μελέτη και προσευχή. Όταν πέρασε ο διωγμός του Δεκίου και επανήλθε ή γαλήνη, ο Παύλος εξακολουθεί να μένει στην έρημο και, μάλιστα, αποφασίζει να μείνει μόνιμα. Τόσο δε ολοφάνερη είχε γίνει μέσα στην έρημο ή πνευματική υπεροχή του και ή ταπεινοφροσύνη του, ώστε, όπως κάποτε στον Κύριο μας, έρχονταν πλήθη λαού να Τον ακούσουν έτσι και στον Παύλο έρχονταν πολλοί αναχωρητές να τον ακούσουν και να τον συμβουλευθούν. Ή φήμη του είχε φθάσει και στην ακοή του μεγάλου Αντωνίου, πού κίνησε και τον συνάντησε μέσα σε ατμόσφαιρα ανέκφραστης χαράς. Οταν μετά από λίγους μήνες επανήλθε ο Άγιος Αντώνιος, βρήκε τον όσιο Παύλο πεθαμένο, και δύο λιοντάρια έστεκαν κοντά στον τάφο του, τον όποιο είχαν σκάψει με τα νύχια τους. ο μεγάλος ερημίτης ήταν τότε 113χρονών. Ο ΟΣΙΟΣ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ ο Καλυβίτης 15 Ιανουαρίου Έζησε στα μέσα του 5ου μ.χ. αιώνα (κατ' άλλους γεννήθηκε στην Κων/πολη στίς αρχές του 5ου μ.χ. αιώνα) και ήταν γιος του Εύτροπίου, συγκλητικού στο αξίωμα, και της Θεοδώρας. ο Ιωάννης δεν θέλησε ν' ακολουθήσει το δρόμο των δύο μεγαλυτέρων αδελφών του, πού κατέλαβαν λαμπρά αξιώματα. Άλλα προτιμούσε να αφιερωθεί στην υπηρεσία της πίστης. Επειδή όμως οι γονείς του επέμεναν, έφυγε από το πατρικό του σπίτι στη Μονή των Ακοίμητων, όπου και έγινε μοναχός. Άλλα, μετά από καιρό, ή αγάπη για τους γονείς του άναψε θερμή στην καρδιά του. Οταν μάλιστα πληροφορήθηκε, ότι ή μητέρα του ήταν απαρηγόρητη για την εξαφάνιση του, και ο πατέρας του ακολουθούσε ζωή εντελώς κοσμική. Αποφάσισε λοιπόν να αναχωρήσει από τη Μονή Ακοίμητων με τη συγκατάθεση του ηγουμένου. Παρουσιάσθηκε στους γονείς του ως ένας άγνωστος μοναχός. Αυτοί δεν τον γνώρισαν. Άλλ' ήταν τόση μεγάλη ή ευγένεια της φυσιογνωμίας και των λόγων του, πού τον παρακάλεσαν να έρχεται καθημερινά στο σπίτι. Δέχθηκε με τη συμφωνία να του κατασκευάσουν μια καλύβα στο βάθος του περιβολιού της πατρικής του οικίας. Εκεί ο Ιωάννης έστησε την κατοικία του, και μέσα σε τρία χρόνια κατάφερε, με τη χάρη του Θεού, να φέρει στο σωστό δρόμο τους γονείς του. Την ήμερα όμως πού αποκάλυψε πώς ήταν γιος τους, ο Θεός παρέλαβε τη μακάρια ψυχή του. 10

11 SAINTS AND FEASTS ΠΡΟΣΚΥΝΗΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΤΙΜΙΑΣ ΑΛΥΣΙΔΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΕΝΔΟΞΟΥ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΥ ΠΕΤΡΟΥ 16 Ιανουαρίου Την ημέρα αυτή προσκυνείται ή τίμια άλυσίδα, πού ο απόστολος Πέτρος δέχτηκε για τη δόξα του Χριστού με προσταγή του τετράρχη Ηρώδη, καθώς ο ευαγγελιστής Λουκάς ιστορεί στο 12ο κεφάλαιο των Πράξεων. Ή αλυσίδα αυτή λοιπόν, πού έπεσε με την Ι εμφάνιση θείου αγγέλου, πήρε άγιαστική και "θαυματουργική χάρη, ώστε να θεραπεύει αυτούς πού την προσκυνούσαν με πίστη, από τα δεσμά κάθε κακής ασθένειας. Κατόπιν οί χριστιανοί πού την πήραν, την παρέδιδε ο ένας στον άλλο διαδοχικά για να μη χαθεί. Ύστερα από χρόνια οι ευσεβείς βασιλείς την έφεραν στην Κωνσταντινούπολη, όπου και την τοποθέτησαν στο ναό του αποστόλου Πέτρου. Ο ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΟΣ 17 Ιανουαρίου Γεννήθηκε το 251 στην Ανω Αίγυπτο από γονείς χριστιανούς, πού κατείχαν μεγάλη περιουσία. Από την παιδική του ηλικία ο Αντώνιος έδειχνε με όλη του τη διαγωγή έκτακτη ανθρώπινη ύπαρξη. Σε ηλικία χρόνων, χάνει τους δύο γονείς του και δοκιμάζει πολύ θλίψη και οδύνη. Όμως, συνέρχεται γρήγορα και συγκεντρώνει όλη την προσοχή του στη θεία θεωρία και στη φροντίδα της μικρής του αδελφής. Το βέλος του θείου έρωτα δεν αργεί να χτυπήσει την καρδιά του Αντωνίου. Καθώς μια Κυριακή άκουγε από το Ευαγγέλιο την περικοπή σχετικά με τον πλούσιο νεανίσκο, στον όποίο ο Κύριος μας είπε: Αν θέλεις να γίνεις τέλειος, πήγαινε, πώλησε τα υπάρχοντα σου και μοίρασε τα στους φτωχούς, και θα έχεις θησαυρό στον ουρανό. Και έλα να με ακολουθήσεις"1, τόση εντύπωση του δημιούργησε, πού την εξέλαβε αμέσως σαν θεία υπόδειξη και πρόσκληση. Άφοϋ πρώτα τακτοποίησε τη μικρότερη αδελφή του, έπειτα μοίρασε στους φτωχότερους οικογενειάρχες όλη τη μεγάλη πατρική του περιουσία και αναχώρησε στην έρημο για μεγαλύτερη πνευματική και ηθική τελειότητα. Πράγματι, ο αγώνας του μέσα στην έρημο αποδίδει πλούσιους πνευματικούς καρπούς. Γίνεται ο ασκητής των ασκητών και άπ' όλα τα μήκη και πλάτη της χριστιανικής γης έρχονται να τον ακούσουν και να τον συμβουλευθούν. Μεταξύ αυτών και δύο πολύφωτοι αστέρες της Εκκλησίας μας, ο Μ. Βασίλειος και ο Μ. Αθανάσιος. Σέ ηλικία περίπου 105 χρόνων, ο Μέγας Αντώνιος παραδίδει προς το Θεό την ψυχή του. 11

12 PRAYER LIST If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the church office. Maria, Simeon, Nikitas, Andreas, Constantine, Maria, Andreas, Pavlos, Elena, Elaine, Presbytera Flora, Maria, Panagiota, Kostas, Chrisanthi, Louis, Katy, Fr. Peter, Kathy, Elias, Kalliope and Georgia. 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 to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. CONFESSION ANNOUNCEMENT Confession will be held on Sunday, January 25th for all Youth, Youth Workers and 8:15am, in Father V s office at St. Andrew Ukrainian Church. Please make every effort to attend. Father Michael will stay until the last person has been seen! 12

13 MEMORIAL SERVICE Mr. Michael Miltiadou, beloved husband of the late Anna Miltiadou. Loving father of Donna (Panikos) Georgallas and Dino (Myroulla) Miltiadou. Cherished grandfather of Lambros (Katerina), Michael (Grisel), Anna, Kyriacos and Christos. Adored greatgrandfather of Panayiotis Georgallas. Mr. Pete Bergeris, beloved husband of Pauline Bergeris. Devoted father of Stephanie (William) Stamos, George (Debra) Bergeris, Steven (Annice) Bergeris and Nick (Sue) Bergeris. Adored grandfather of Maria, Jennifer, Niko and Andrew. Today s coffee hour is offered in memory of Mr. Michael Miltiadou and Mr. Pete Bergeris with love from their families. May their memory be eternal! FUTURE MEMORIALS January 18, 2015 Mr. Michael Papadimitrios 10 Years Mrs. Mary Papadimitrios 11 Years January 25, 2015 Mr. Dimitrios Lazaris 3 Years January 25, 2015 Mr. George Pollos 3 Years February 15, 2015 Mr. John W. Cheakalos 2 Years 13

14 House Blessings Father Michael has begun blessing homes. He begins at 9am each day, with the last house blessing scheduled at 7pm. This is a great opportunity for Father Michael to visit your family and to get to know one another up close and personal. Please call Father Michael at (301) and schedule a day/time that is convenient for you and your family. O Πάτερ Μιχαήλ άρχισε να ευλογεί τα σπίτια στην κοινότητα μας. Ξεκινά στις 9:00 π.μ. το πρωί κάθε μέρα, με το τελευταίο σπίτι ευλογίας στις 7μμ. Αυτή είναι μια ευκαιρία για τον Πατέρ Μιχαήλ να επισκεφθεί την οικογένειά σας και να γνωρίσετε ο ένας τον άλλο από κοντά και προσωπικά. Σας παρακαλώ, καλέστε το Πάτερ Μιχαήλ στο (301) για να προγραμματίσετε μια ημέρα / ώρα βολική για την οικογένειά σας. 14

15 AGIASMOS The Agiasmos, Blessing of the Waters, is a most special way of bringing Christ into our lives. Why does the Church bless water? Water is the fundamental element of life. All living things need water to live. In the beginning, God brought life from the water that covered the earth. Each of us had his beginning in the water of his mother s womb. A human being s body consists to a great extent of water. Every human being, animal, and plant on earth needs water to survive. Water is the beginning of spiritual life, as well. In Genesis we read how God saved Noah and his family from the evil surrounding them by sending the Flood through which He destroyed the old world and from which He brought forth life once again. In Exodus we read how God saved the Chosen People by leading them through the Red Sea and drowning the Egyptians who pursued them. In the Gospel we read that St. John the Forerunner prepared the people for the coming of Christ by baptizing them in water. Jesus Christ Himself was baptized by immersion in the water of the Jordan River. Jesus likewise commanded that everyone who believed in the Apostles preaching be baptized. To this day we begin our life in the Church through water baptism. Since the Church sanctifies every aspect of our life, it is only natural that through prayer she should sanctify water for us to be baptized in, as well as water to drink and to be blessed with. When does the Church bless water? There are three kinds of blessing of water: the blessing of water for the Mystery of Baptism, the Great Sanctification (Megas Agiasmos) which is performed at the Feast of the Theophany, and the Lesser Sanctification (Mikros Agiasmos) which is performed throughout the year in the Church, in homes, businesses, fields, and gardens, to sanctify the daily activities of our lives. 15

16 Holy Baptism is a whole subject unto itself. In this short article, we wish to talk about the Great and Lesser Agiasmos, and how we incorporate holy water into our daily lives. What is the Great Agiasmos and how do we receive it? The Great Agiasmos is the service of blessing water on the Feast of Christ s Baptism (Theophany) on 6 January Old Style (January 19th). We perform this service twice, once on the eve of the Feast and once on the Feast itself. We take the water blessed on January 5th to sanctify the homes of the faithful through sprinkling, and we drink the water blessed on January 6th after keeping a strict fast on January 5th. The Great Agiasmos is reserved in the Church, not normally in people s homes, and it should always be taken fasting. The Holy Canons prescribe that the Great Agiasmos water be given in lieu of Holy Communion, after fasting and confession, to those who are under a canonical epitimion (penance, kanona ) and therefore deprived of Holy Communion for a period of time; therefore obviously it is regarded as something very holy and possessed of spiritual power for the healing of soul and body. What is the role of the Lesser Agiasmos? The lesser Agiasmos can be performed and is sanctified water drunk throughout the year. This service may be performed in Church, at home, or at places of work, schools, government offices, farms, fishing boats everywhere that the activities of life go on! The purpose of the ongoing celebration of the Lesser Water Blessing throughout the year is to sanctify ourselves and our daily activities for the sake of our spiritual and bodily health and salvation. There are various forms of the Lesser Agiasmos: the standard form which we do once a month in Church and perform often in homes and businesses, and the special forms for the beginning of the school year, the beginning of every good work, the beginning of a governmental or parish council term, etc. When do we invite the priest to perform the Lesser Agiasmos? On a regular basis, to our homes and businesses throughout the year, preferably once a month. When we are beginning something new, like starting a new business or moving into a new home. When there are troubles in the home: fighting, sickness, unfortunate events, etc. 16

17 What do we do with the blessed water of the Lesser Agiasmos? On the day we receive it in Church, we drink it after taking antidoron, and then we take it home and sprinkle our homes, cars, etc. Or, of course, the priest will sprinkle our home if he does the service in our house. Then we keep the Agiasmos in a clean, covered container with our icons and other holy things, and we take some every day before breakfast, after taking antidoron. Let us begin these holy practices today, for the health and true spiritual happiness of our family members, and for greater peace, order, and holiness in our homes! Information taken from St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church. 17

18 ARTICLE OF THE WEEK Οι Υπερασπιστές Όταν ήτανε αρχάριος ακόμη στη μοναχική ζωή ο Μωυσής ο Αιθίοψ, πολεμήθηκε από σαρκική επιθυμία.εκείνος πήγε τότε, ταραγμένος, να εξομολογηθή στον Αββά Ισίδωρο. Ο Γέροντας τον άκουσε με συμπάθειαν και αφού τον συμβουλέψε κατάλληλα, του είπε να γυρίσει πίσω στο κελί του...επειδή όμως εκείνος δίσταζε, μήπως επιστρέφοντας του ανάψει πάλι η φλόγα της κακής επιθυμίας, ο Αββάς Ισίδωρος τον επήρε από το χέρι και τον ανέβασε σ ένα μικρό δωμάτιο, που είχε πάνω από το κελί του. -Κοίταξε εδώ, του είπε, δείχνοντάς του προς τη δύση (..) Και τότε είδε ο Μωυσής ένα ολόκληρο στράτευμα από πονηρά πνεύματα με τεντωμένα τόξα, έτοιμα για πόλεμο και τρόμαξε. -Κοίταξε τώρα προς την ανατολή, είπε πάλι ο Γέροντας.. Μυριάδες Αγγέλων σε στρατιωτική παράταξη ήταν έτοιμοι ν αντιμετωπίσουν τον εχθρό. Όλοι αυτοί, του είπε ο Αββάς Ισίδωρος, είναι σταλμένοι από τον Θεό να βοηθήσουν τον αγωνιστή. Βλέπεις πως οι υπερασπιστές μας είναι πολύ περισσότεροι και ασυγκρίτως ισχυρότεροι από τους εχθρούς μας ; Ο Μωυσής ο Αιθίοψ ευχαρίστησε με την καρδιά του τον Θεό γι αυτή την αποκάλυψη και παίρνοντας θάρρος, επέστρεψε στο κελί του να συνεχίσει τον αγώνα του. 18

19 STEWARDSHIP Bags of old, tattered bills were being returned to the United States Treasury. A ONE DOLLAR BILL and a FIFTY DOLLAR BILL struck up a conversation FIFTY DOLLAR BILL: I went to many places -- nice stores, good restaurants, clubs and exotic places. How about you? Where have you been? ONE DOLLAR BILL: All I ever did was go to church! FIFTY DOLLAR BILL: What s a church? 19

20 OUTREACH MINISTRY INCLUSION: Invite and Welcome The first level of creating an inclusive ministry is to assure that people with disabilities feel invited and welcome. As you welcome one person with a disability, you are in essence welcoming the rich diversity of the people of God. In a sense, when you welcome a child or a person with a disability, this is evangelism, for the word spreads to others, to their families and extended families, that all are welcome. Word of inclusiveness spreads! The Gift of Friendship Friendship is one of the greatest gifts a human being can receive. It is a bond beyond common goals, common interests, or common histories. It is a bond stronger than sexual union can create, deeper than a shared fate can solidify, and even more intimate than the bonds of marriage or community. Friendship is being with the other in joy and sorrow, even when we cannot increase the joy or decrease the sorrow. It is a unity of souls that gives nobility and sincerity to love. Friendship makes all of life shine brightly. Blessed are those who lay down their lives for their friends. 20

21 Where are you/we going? "Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take." - Nehemiah 9:19 (NIV) Enough Light for the Next Step Often we want to be able to see into the future. We say, How will next year be for me? Where will I be five or ten years from now? There are no answers to these questions. Mostly we have just enough light to see the next step: what we have to do in the coming hour or the following day. The are of living is to enjoy what we can see and not complain about what remains in the dark. When we are able to take the next step with the trust that we will have enough light for the step that follows, we can walk through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go. Let us rejoice in the little light we carry and not ask for the great beam that would take all shadows away. 21

22 YOUTH MINISTRY GOYA Holiday Gathering 2015 THANK YOU!! Kathlyn Kavadias & Family 22

23 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY Tel: (212) Fax: (212) Protocol Number 01/15 January 1, 2015 Feast of Saint Basil and New Year Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14) To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On this blessed Feast of Saint Basil and the beginning of the New Year, our honored tradition is to offer prayers and support for the sacred ministry of our beloved Saint Basil Academy. For seventy years this institution of our Holy Archdiocese has offered the love of Christ, the comfort of His presence, and the healing power of faith to children, youth, Archimedes and families in need. Serving Award Orthodox children Scholarship from throughout the United States, Saint Basil Academy continues to provide a caring and spiritual environment where they are able to grow, learn, and achieve. This for vital outstanding mission of Saint high Basil school Academy, seniors carried out of by Hellenic the directors, heritage staff, trustees intending and benefactors, pursue is in keeping with our Lord s command to let the children come to me. This is accomplished through this ministry studies in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) related fields at a by bringing the love of Christ to those in need. Everything that is offered for the children and youth at Saint Basil s is offered university in the name in and the presence United of Christ. States. In To daily be care, considered in counseling for and teaching, a in recreation, and scholarship, in worship, the please students apply encounter by Christ March and His 1, abundant For and comforting more information, love. and to apply, Saint Basil Academy is also a place where the lives of the children and youth are guided in Christ. On the beautiful campus, in a nurturing please environment go online of prayer to and grace, they are led in the path of truth and love. This They new are shown scholarship, the blessings the of first the life such in Christ, to be how offered to follow through His will and the to find Next strength Generation and assurance in His promises. They see the hope, joy, and power in a life of faith and a lifelong relationship with Him. Initiative, was founded by Dr. Andrew Economos, who is stepping forward to This sacred work was also the focus of the patron saint of the Academy, Saint Basil. For the sick, orphans, help travelers, young and many Greek others Americans in need, he offered who an share encounter his with passion Christ by for taking science His love and to them. learning, For others and he encourage guided them in Hellenic truth and love American through teaching students and preaching, to excel as in a faithful these and fields. caring pastor, Finalists to their for Savior the and Redeemer. This is also our calling today. In our support for Saint Basil Academy, we are led by our Ladies Philoptochos Archimedes Society Award and our will local Philoptochos be selected chapters by an in independent collecting an offering committee and in the celebration of university of the cutting professors the Vasilopeta. and experts We are with also led records by Christ of and experience by the example in of STEM Saint Basil education, to fulfill the command from the of our Lord and let the children come to me. In your ministry in the parish and in your daily life in Christ, you are University of California at Davis, Fairfield University, the Stevens Institute of called to offer Him and guide others to an encounter with the Lord that will lead to abundant and eternal life. On this Technology, day may we offer Old our Dominion prayers and generous University support and for Saint the Basil Massachusetts Academy. May we Institute strengthen of this vital work to children and youth in fulfilling the Technology. request of our Lord and in honoring the legacy of all who have established and supported this ministry in the past seventy years. May you also receive the abundant and rich blessings of More our Lord information the beginning about of this the new Archimedes year as we offer Him Award glory and is online honor unto at the ages of ages! With paternal love in Christ, DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America YOUTH MINISTRY HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS!!! Applications are now being accepted for the Next Generation Initiative s new The Next Generation Initiative GREEK Don t forget to LANGUAGE follow us on our NextGen SCHOOL Launchpad MINISTRY on LinkedIn. 23

24 GREEK LANGUAGE MINISTRY GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY Tel: (212) Fax: (212) Protocol Number 01/15 January 1, 2015 Feast of Saint Basil and New Year Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew NEA ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΥ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟΥ 19:14) To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Kοπή βασιλόπιτας Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Τη Δευτέρα 5 Ιανουαρίου στις 5:30 μ.μ. πραγματοποιήθηκε η κοπή της βασιλόπιτας του Ελληνικού σχολείου στην καφετέρια του σχολείου. Στην κοπή, την οποία τέλεσε ο Πατήρ Michael, παρευρέθησαν οι μαθητές όλων των τάξεων του σχολείου, κάποιοι γονείς και το Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On this blessed Feast of Saint Basil and the beginning of the New Year, our honored tradition is to offer prayers διδακτικό προσωπικό του σχολείου. Σάς ευχαριστούμε Πατήρ Μηχαίλ! and support for the sacred ministry of our beloved Saint Basil Academy. For seventy years this institution of our Holy Archdiocese has offered the love of Christ, the comfort of His presence, and the healing power of faith to children, youth, and families in need. Serving Orthodox children from throughout the United States, Saint Basil Academy continues to provide a caring and spiritual environment where they are able to grow, learn, and achieve. This vital mission of Saint Basil Academy, carried out by the directors, staff, trustees and benefactors, is in keeping with our Lord s command to let the children come to me. This is accomplished through this ministry by bringing the love of Christ to those in need. Everything that is offered for the children and youth at Saint Basil s is offered in the name and presence of Christ. In daily care, in counseling and teaching, in recreation, and in worship, the students encounter Christ and His abundant and comforting love. Saint Basil Academy is also a place where the lives of the children and youth are guided in Christ. On the beautiful campus, in a nurturing environment of prayer and grace, they are led in the path of truth and love. They are shown the blessings of the life in Christ, how to follow His will and to find strength and assurance in His promises. They see the hope, joy, and power in a life of faith and a lifelong relationship with Him. This sacred work was also the focus of the patron saint of the Academy, Saint Basil. For the sick, orphans, travelers, and many others in need, he offered an encounter with Christ by taking His love to them. For others he guided them in truth and love through teaching and preaching, as a faithful and caring pastor, to their Savior Fr Michael reads the prayer for the vasilopita Maria Garbis, one of the lucky winners and Redeemer. This is also our calling today. In our support for Saint Basil Academy, we are led by our Ladies Philoptochos Society and our local Philoptochos chapters in collecting an offering and in the celebration of the cutting of the Vasilopeta. We are also led by Christ and by the example of Saint Basil to fulfill the command of our Lord and let the children GREEK come to me. In your SCHOOL ministry in the parish NEWS and in your daily life in Christ, you are called to offer Him and guide others to an encounter with the Lord that will lead to abundant and eternal life. On this day may we offer our prayers and generous support for Saint Basil Academy. May we strengthen this vital work to children and youth in fulfilling Vasilopita the request of our cutting Lord and in honoring the legacy of all who have established and supported this ministry in the past seventy years. May you also receive the abundant and rich blessings of our Lord at the beginning of this new year as we offer Him glory and honor unto the ages of ages! The Greek School of the Sts Constantine and Helen cut the vasilopita on Monday January 5th at 5:30 pm in the cafeteria. Father Michael cut the vasilopita in the presence of all our students, With paternal love in Christ, some DEMETRIOS of our parents and our entire school faculty. Thank you Father Michael for joining us on such Archbishop a special of America occasion! GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL MINISTRY

25 The National Hellenic Society (NHS) College Students!! The National Hellenic Society (NHS) is a non-profit foundation comprised of leaders of the Greek American community desiring to preserve Hellenic heritage in America. The NHS signature program is the Heritage Greece Program. Last year, NHS sponsored 50 Greek American college students, most of them from interfaith families that spent two weeks in Greece with a peer group of students from the American College of Greece, (ACG), an incredible 65 acre, state-of-art campus in Aghia Paraskevi on a hillside of an Athens suburb. The students have described this two-week cultural immersion program as a life-changing experience with lasting impact and permanent friendships. Last summer, one of our non- Orthodox students converted to Orthodoxy as a result of attending services at a small Church on an Isle in Greece! The students went to Church early in the morning on the morning, the Priest was overcome with emotion and several of the boys served in the altar the other parishioners faith was renewed to see so many young people in Church and the Priest was beside himself to see the seasoned altar boys know exactly what to do traditions lost in Greece that we maintain in our parishes in America. As the son of a Greek Orthodox Priest and Halki grad you can imagine how heartwarming this was for me to observe firsthand. This is example of why it is so important that we inspire the next generation through programs like the Heritage Greece Program. Students receive credit and upon their return from Greece become part of the Heritage Greece Alumni network NHS continues to play an active role in their lives keeping them engaged and involved in the NHS and other NHS Programs. We mentor and help guide the students in their respective career paths. This year s Heritage Greece Program takes place from June 11-28, Participants receive credit and activities range from Greek language, cooking, dance classes to learning about Greece s cultural treasures from an insider s perspective with expert professors as their guides. The educational program includes: A once in a lifetime first-hand experience of Greek heritage, traditions and culture An experiential customized one-credit language and culture course Field trips and on-site teaching & Recreational and educational excursions Modern, spacious housing at ACG Classroom Materials, tuition, meals, transportation and related expenses in Greece Students bear a portion of the airfare costs to and from Athens ($1,000). They gather in Washington DC on June 11, 2015 for Orientation and attend meetings with members of Congress, staff, Embassy of Greece and Cyprus diplomatic corps and given an insider s Washington DC tour. The students depart as a group for Greece on June 12 accompanied by ACG staff. The grant from the NHS to the students covers all other expenses including Orientation costs, tuition, transportation, meals and related expenses in Greece. ACG is accepting online applications through March 27, Eligible candidates must be of Greek-American descent, enrolled in college, with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Candidates that have never or seldom been to Greece are given priority. We invite prospective applicants to visit the ACG website for more information about the HG Program at: Additional information is also available by ing ACG at: heritagegreece@acg.edu or calling ACG s representative in the U.S., Mara Nisdeo at (617)