SUNDAY May 27th, 2018 NEW WEB PAGE:

Transcript

1 Ελληνικός Ορθόδοξος Ιερός Ναός Αγίου Γεωργίου St. George Greek Orthodox Church 9426 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL Reverend Fr. Dr. Gregory Edwards, Presbyter Church Office: Alex Limberatos, Youth Director - youth@stgeorgetampabay.org or his cell phone SUNDAY May 27th, 2018 NEW WEB PAGE: At the end of the Divine Liturgy, we will pray the Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost. Before each Kneeling Prayer, the priest will say, "On bended knee let us pray to the Lord." What will we be asking from God in these three prayers? Prayer #1: We ask God to 1) hear us, 2) accept us, 3) forget our sins, 4) purge our sinful thoughts, 5) entrust us to guardian angel, 6) grant us forgiveness; and 7) cleanse us by the Holy Spirit. Prayer #2: We ask God to teach us how to pray, and what to pray for. Prayer #3: For our departed loved ones, in which we ask God to: 1) give rest to their souls, 2) place their names in the Book of Life, and 3) forgive their sins. -Fr Marc Vranes 1

2 ΤΗΕ EPISTLE: Holy Pentecost Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11 WHEN THE DAY of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontos and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ :Κυριακή της Πεντηκοστής, Αποστ. ανάγνωσμα: Πράξεις των Αποστόλων β 1-11 Όταν έφτασε η ημέρα της Πεντηκοστής, ήταν όλοι μαζί συγκεντρωμένοι με ομοψυχία στο ίδιο μέρος. Ξαφνικά ήρθε από τον ουρανό μια βουή σαν να φυσούσε δυνατός άνεμος, και γέμισε όλο το σπίτι όπου έμεναν. Τότε τους παρουσιάστηκαν γλώσσες σαν φλόγες φωτιάς, που μοιράστηκαν και κάθισαν από μία στον καθένα απ αυτούς. Όλοι τότε πλημμύρισαν από Πνεύμα Άγιο και άρχισαν να μιλούν σε άλλες γλώσσες, ανάλογα με την ικανότητα που τους έδινε το Άγιο Πνεύμα. Στην Ιερουσαλήμ βρίσκονταν τότε ευσεβείς Ιουδαίοι από όλα τα μέρη του κόσμου. Όταν ακούστηκε αυτή η βουή, συγκεντρώθηκε πλήθος απ αυτούς και ήταν κατάπληκτοι, γιατί ο καθένας τους άκουγε τους αποστόλους να μιλάνε στη δική του γλώσσα. Έμεναν όλοι εκστατικοί και με απορία έλεγαν μεταξύ τους: «Μα αυτοί όλοι που μιλάνε δεν είναι Γαλιλαίοι; Πώς, λοιπόν, εμείς τους ακούμε να μιλάνε στη δική μας μητρική γλώσσα; Πάρθοι, Μήδοι και Ελαμίτες, κάτοικοι της Μεσοποταμίας, της Ιουδαίας και της Καππαδοκίας, του Πόντου και της Ασίας, της Φρυγίας και της Παμφυλίας, της Αιγύπτου, και από τα μέρη της λιβυκής Κυρήνης, Ρωμαίοι που είναι εγκατεστημένοι εδώ, Κρητικοί και Άραβες, όλοι εμείς, είτε ιουδαϊκής καταγωγής είτε προσήλυτοι, τους ακούμε να μιλούν στις γλώσσες μας για τα θαυμαστά έργα του Θεού». THE GOSPEL Holy Pentecost The Gospel According to John 7:37-52; 8:12 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not 2

3 bring him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed." Nikodemos, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee." Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ΤΟ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ: Κυριακή της Πεντηκοστής, Ευαγγ. Ανάγνωσμα: Ιω. ζ 37-52, η 12 Την τελευταία μέρα της γιορτής, την πιο λαμπρή, στάθηκε ο Ιησούς μπροστά στο πλήθος και φώναξε: «Όποιος διψάει, να ρθει σ εμένα και να πιει. Μέσα από κείνον που πιστεύει σ εμένα, καθώς λέει η Γραφή, ποτάμια ζωντανό νερό θα τρέξουν». Αυτό το είπε ο Ιησούς εννοώντας το Πνεύμα που θα έπαιρναν όσοι θα πίστευαν σ αυτόν. Γιατί τότε ακόμα δεν είχαν το Άγιο Πνεύμα, επειδή ο Ιησούς δεν είχε ακόμα δοξαστεί με την ανάσταση. Πολλοί άνθρωποι από το πλήθος, που άκουσαν αυτά τα λόγια, έλεγαν: «Αυτός είναι πραγματικά ο προφήτης που περιμένουμε». Άλλοι έλεγαν: «Αυτός είναι ο Μεσσίας». Ενώ άλλοι έλεγαν: «Ο Μεσσίας θα ρθει από τη Γαλιλαία; Η Γραφή δεν είπε πως ο Μεσσίας θα προέρχεται από τους απογόνους του Δαβίδ και θα γεννηθεί στη Βηθλεέμ, χωριό καταγωγής του Δαβίδ»; Το πλήθος λοιπόν διχάστηκε εξαιτίας του. Μερικοί απ αυτούς ήθελαν να τον πιάσουν, κανείς όμως δεν άπλωσε χέρι πάνω του. Γύρισαν, λοιπόν, πίσω οι φρουροί στους αρχιερείς και στους Φαρισαίους, κι αυτοί τους ρώτησαν: «Γιατί δεν τον φέρατε;» Οι φρουροί απάντησαν: «Ποτέ δε μίλησε άνθρωπος όπως αυτός». Τους ξαναρώτησαν τότε οι Φαρισαίοι: «Μήπως παρασυρθήκατε κι εσείς; Πίστεψε σ αυτόν κανένα μέλος του συνεδρίου ή κανείς από τους Φαρισαίους; Πιστεύει μόνο αυτός ο όχλος, που δεν ξέρουν το νόμο του Μωϋσή και γι αυτό είναι καταραμένοι». Τότε ο Νικόδημος, που ήταν ένας απ αυτούς, εκείνος που είχε πάει στον Ιησού νύχτα λίγο καιρό πριν, τους ρώτησε: «Μήπως μπορούμε σύμφωνα με το νόμο μας να καταδικάσουμε έναν άνθρωπο, αν πρώτα δεν τον ακούσουμε και δε μάθουμε τι έκανε»; Και αυτοί του είπαν: «Μήπως κατάγεσαι κι εσύ από τη Γαλιλαία; Μελέτησε τις Γραφές και θα δεις πως κανένας προφήτης δεν είναι να ρθει από τη Γαλιλαία». Και έφυγαν καθένας για το σπίτι του. Τότε ο Ιησούς τους μίλησε πάλι και τους είπε: «Εγώ είμαι το φως του κόσμου εκείνος που με ακολουθεί δε θα πλανιέται μέσα στο σκοτάδι, αλλά θα έχει το φως που φέρνει στη ζωή». KOLYVA When planning your memorial service please make sure that you contact the office and give the names of the reposed so that Father has them in advance and we can list them in the bulletin. In addition, if you would like KOLYVA we ask that you contact Katina Kollias or directly as she prepares the Sunday KOLYVA. Volunteers Ushers and Greeters needed Please see a Parish Council member at the Pangari on Sunday or contact the church office LIVESTREAM STEPS 1) Go to Church Website stgeorgenpr.com 2) click Watch Live top of our website page 3) Click on events 9 left side) or published events and begin watching the Sunday service. 3

4 Ύμνοι της Εβδομάδος Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιµον Εύλογητός εἶ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεος ἡμῶν ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἁναδείξας καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ δι αὐτῶν τῆν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας φιλάνθρωπε δόξα Σοι. Αγίου Ανδρέου Ὡς τῶν Ἀποστόλων Πρωτόκλητος Καὶ τοῦ κορυφαίου αὐτάδελφος τῷ Δεσπότῃ τῶν ὅλων, Ἀνδρέα, ἱκέτευε, εἰρήνην τῇ Οἰκουμένη δωρήσασθαι καὶ ταῖς ψνχαῖς ἡμῶν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Ἀπολυτίκιο Άγίου Γεωργίου Ὡς τῶν αἰχμαλώτων ἐλευθερωτής, καὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστής, ἀσθενούντων ἰατρός, βασιλέων ὑπέρμαχος, Τροπαιοφόρε Μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Seasonal Kontakion Ὅτε καταβὰς τὰς γλώσσας συνέχεε, διεμέριζεν ἔθνη ὁ Ὕψιστος ὅτε τοῦ πυρὸς τὰς γλώσσας διένειμεν, εἰς ἑνότητα πάντας ἐκάλεσε, καὶ συμφώνως δοξάζομεν τὸ πανάγιον Πνεῦμα. Hymns of the Week Resurrectional Apolytikion Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. O Befriender of man, glory be to Thee. St. Andrew Dismissal Hymn As first of the Apostles to be called, O Andrew, brother of him (Peter) who was foremost, beseech the Master of all to grant the world peace and our souls great mercy. St. George Dismissal Hymn Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick and a champion of kings. O trophy bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved. Seasonal Kontakion Once, when He descended and confounded the tongues, the Most High divided the nations; and when He divided the tongues of fire, He called all men into unity; and with one accord we glorify the All-holy Spirit. Today s Divine Liturgy offerings are donated by an Anonymous Donor In good health Please contact the Church office and speak with Antonia at if you would like to donate the items for Divine Liturgy. The offerings include: 10 prosfora, the communion wine, the oil, the incense and charcoal. All items used during the prothesis in preparation for the Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion. Thank you for your donations of olive oil for the altar Kandelia The Church always needs oil so please continue to bring your donations. 4

5 PRAYER LIST FOR OUR TROOPS ZOE LEKAKIS, (MARINES), NICHOLAS ARTZNER, (USARMY) LEONIDAS STEFOPOULOS, (USARMY ), ELIAS A. KOSTAKIS, (USARMY)COSTADINO BAETEN, (NAVY), CONSTANTINOS VLAHOCHRISTOS, (NAVY ) If you have a loved one serving in the USA Military please submit their names by calling the Church Office so that we can pray for them. May God Bless you and keep you all safe! Sponsor a Day at St. George s! This year, 2018, it will cost over $480,000 to run St. George s. That means that it costs about $1320 a day to keep the doors of our church open. Following other successful parishes, we have decided to challenge our parishioners to sponsor a day at St. George s. With about 300 families, that means we could come close to sponsoring the whole year if every family would take a single day. Each week in the bulletin, we will acknowledge and thank those families who have stepped up to the challenge. Thank you to: Constantine and Angela Bougas (In memory of Nick and Mary Michael our parents ) Mr. Jack Balahtsis, The Edwards Family, The Tout Family, The Chilimigras Family, The Psetas Family, The St. George Baking Angels, Koulla Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Saravanos, (2) Anonymous, Mr.& Mrs. Peter Pappas, Mancini Family, Anonymous Parish Council Member, Joseph Sima and Dr. Alexandra Penn-Sima MEMORIAL DAY Memorial Day which is held on the last Monday in May is to honor all those that have given their lives in the Service or their Country. Memorial Day is a day that we visit our Cemeteries and honor those who paid the Supreme Sacrifice by placing flags and flowers on their graves. These young men and women were sent into battle expecting to come home but never did. We also say thank you to the families of these brave Veterans. The mothers of these fallen heroes are honored with the title of Gold Star Mothers. The symbol of Memorial Day is the Red Poppy. The following Poem was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae May 3, 1915 during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium. IN FLANDERS FIELD IN FLANDERS FIELD THE POPPIES BLOW BETWEEN THE CROSSES, ROW ON ROW, THAT MARK OUR PLACE: AND IN THE SKY THE LARKS STILL BRAVELY SINGING FLY SCARCE HEARD AMID THE GUNS BELOW. WE ARE THE DEAD: SHORT DAYS AGO, WE LIVED, FELT DAWN, SAW SUNSET GLOW, LOVED AND WERE LOVED: AND NOW WE LIE IN FLANDERS FIELDS! TAKE UP OUR QUARREL WITH THE FOE TO YOU, FROM FALLING HANDS, WE THROW THE TORCH: BE YOURS TO HOLD IT HIGH IF YE BREAK FAITH WITH US THAT DIE, WE SHALL NOT SLEEP, THOUGH POPPIES GROW IN FLANDER S FIELDS. + DON CONE ( In Memory of Don Cone) 5

6 Πενήντα μέρες μετά τη Ανάσταση και δέκα ημέρες μετά την Ανάληψη, εκπληρώνεται η υπόσχεση του Κυρίου προς τους μαθητές του για την κάθοδο του Αγίου Πνεύματος, του «άλλου Παράκλητου». «Ιδού εγώ αποστέλλω την επαγγελίαν του Πατρός μου εφ υμάς υμείς δε καθίσατε εν τη πόλει Ιερουσαλήμ έως ου ενδύσησθε δύναμιν εξ ύψους» (Λουκ.24,49). Έτσι την ημέρα αυτή της Πεντηκοστής τιμούμε την Αγία Τριάδα, ενώ την επόμενη ημέρα τιμούμε ξεχωριστά το Άγιο Πνεύμα. Χαρακτηριστικό είναι ένα τροπάριο που ψάλλεται στη αρχή του Όρθρου της σημερινής ημέρας «Την μεθέορτον πιστοί και τελευταίαν εορτήν εορτάσωμεν φαιδρώς, αύτη εστί Πεντηκοστή, επαγγελίας συμπλήρωσις και προθεσμία» Στην Παλαιά Διαθήκη, η Πεντηκοστή ήταν η δεύτερη από τις τρεις μεγάλες ετήσιες γιορτές του λαού Ισραήλ, που γιορταζόταν πενήντα μέρες μετά το Ιουδαϊκό Πάσχα. Ονομαζόταν και γιορτή των εβδομάδων, επειδή γιορταζόταν εφτά εβδομάδες μετά την πρώτη μέρα των Αζύμων. Επρόκειτο για μια αγροτική γιορτή που συνδέθηκε αργότερα με τα γεγονότα του Σινά και την ανάμνηση της παράδοσης του Νόμου από το Θεό στους Ισραηλίτες δια του Μωϋσή. Σήμερα πραγματοποιείται η μεγάλη υπόσχεση της Καινής Διαθήκης, που είναι ο ερχομός του Αγίου Πνεύματος. Η Παλαιά Διαθήκη ήταν η υπόσχεση για τον ερχομό του Μεσσία στον κόσμο. Ο Παράκλητος αποκάλυψε στους μαθητές του Χριστού ολόκληρη την αλήθεια για το πρόσωπό του. Δυο βασικές λεπτομέρειες στο σημερινό αποστολικό ανάγνωσμα είναι ότι: «Όταν έφθασε η ημέρα της Πεντηκοστής, ήταν όλοι μαζί (οι μαθητές) συγκεντρωμένοι με ομοψυχία στο ίδιο μέρος» καθώς επίσης ότι εκείνη την ημέρα, «στην Ιερουσαλήμ βρίσκονταν ευσεβείς Ιουδαίοι από όλα τα μέρη του κόσμου». Αυτό καταδεικνύει ότι ήταν ένα παγκόσμιο και ιστορικό γεγονός, ένα γιορτινό κάλεσμα μια προσκυνηματική γιορτή θα λέγαμε σήμερα, για Ιουδαίους προσήλυτους οποιασδήποτε καταγωγής στην οικουμένη. Σε αυτήν την γιορτινή ατμόσφαιρα ο Τριαδικός Θεός γέμισε το σπίτι που ήταν συναθροισμένοι οι μαθητές με μια «βίαιη πνοή» και πάνω στους μαθητές διαμοιράσθηκαν «πύρινες γλώσσες», γλώσσες που έμοιαζαν με φωτιά. Το σημείο που σαγήνευσε το πολυεθνικό παρευρισκόμενο πλήθος ήταν ότι «ο καθένας τους άκουγε τους Αποστόλους να μιλάνε στη δική του γλώσσα», οδηγώντας τους με απορία στο συμπέρασμα: «όλοι εμείς, είτε ιουδαϊκής καταγωγής είτε προσήλυτοι, τους ακούμε να μιλούν στις γλώσσες μας για τα θαυμαστά έργα του Θεού». Φυσικά δεν θα έλειψαν και αυτοί που χλεύαζαν και θα έλεγαν: «Αυτοί πρέπει να ναι πολύ μεθυσμένοι». Σε αυτό το πανηγυρικό μεθύσι, το γεγονός των «γλωσσών» αποτελεί και σημείο μια άλλης νέας πραγματικότητας, της επιστροφής στην ενότητα της ανθρωπότητας, που είχε ολοκληρωτικά διασπαστεί με τη σύγχυση των γλωσσών. Κατά την αφήγηση στο βιβλίο της Γενέσεως, ο Πύργος της Βαβέλ ήταν ένα ψηλό κτίριο, προφανώς ένα πολιτικό κέντρο στη Μεσοποταμία, που κτιζόταν με σκοπό την αύξηση της φήμης και της εξουσίας του λαού των κατασκευαστών του, και στόχο να φθάσει «μέχρι τον ουρανό». Όμως λόγω της βλασφημίας αυτής, ο Θεός σύγχυσε τις γλώσσες των κατασκευαστών, με αποτέλεσμα να καταστεί αδύνατη η ολοκλήρωση, του και αυτοί να διασπαρούν σε όλο τον τότε γνωστό κόσμο. Η κάθοδος του Πνεύματος την Πεντηκοστή αντιστρέφει το αποτέλεσμα του πύργου της Βαβέλ. Στην Πεντηκοστή η πολλαπλότητα των γλωσσών δεν καταργήθηκε αλλά έπαψε να είναι η αιτία του χωρισμού όπως προηγουμένως. Ο καθένας μιλούσε στη δική του γλώσσα, αλλά με τη δύναμη του Πνεύματος ο καθένας μπορούσε να καταλάβει τους άλλους. Ο λαός του Θεού πανηγυρίζει σήμερα «το μέγα και σεβάσμιον μυστήριο», γιατί πράγματι το εορταζόμενο γεγονός, η επιφοίτηση του Αγίου Πνεύματος στους αποστόλους του Χριστού, αποτελεί το τέλος και το επιστέγασμα όλου του έργου της σωτηρίας. Όλο το έργο του Χριστού, η έλευση, η διδασκαλία, τα θαύματα, το Πάθος, η Σταύρωση, η Ανάσταση, η Ανάληψη, απέβλεπαν σ αυτό: στην έλευση του Αγίου Πνεύματος 6

7 στον κόσμο, στη νέα δημιουργία. Όλα αυτά στάθηκαν εφαλτήριο, σημαντικά στάδια της προετοιμασίας των Μαθητών για να καταστούν Απόστολοι της Εκκλησίας. Η Εκκλησία γιορτάζει κατά την Πεντηκοστή τη γέννηση της εν τω κόσμω. Τιμά την γενέθλιο ημέρα της για τον κόσμο, αλλά και αυτό το μυστήριο της ιδίας της ζωής της, απ το οποίο πηγάζουν οι υπερφυσικές ενέργειες όλων των μυστηρίων στη Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία που ζωογονούν, τροφοδοτούν και αγιάζουν το σώμα της. Ο ιερός υμνογράφος δανείζεται φράσεις, από το λόγο του αγίου Γρηγορίου του Θεολόγου και λέγει: «Πεντηκοστήν εορτάζομεν και πνεύματος επιδημίαν και προθεσμίαν επαγγελίας και ελπίδος συμπλήρωσιν. Και το μυστήριον όσον ως μέγα τε και σεβάσμιον διο βοώμεν Σοι δημιουργέ του παντός Κύριε δόξα Σοι» (Στιχηρό Εσπερινού Πεντηκοστής). «τούτο το Πνεύμα συνδημιουργεί μεν Υιώ, και την κτίση και την ανάστασιν» (Αγίου Γρηγορίου, Λόγος μα εις την Πεντηκοστή, PG ). Ασύλληπτα στον ανθρώπινο νου τα τριαδολογικά και κυρίως πνευματικά νοήματα των λειτουργικών ύμνων. Στο εξαίσιο εσπερινό (της γονυκλισίας) που ακολουθεί τη Θεία Λειτουργία, ας κλίνωμε τα γόνατά μας και με πίστη να προσκυνήσουμε την αήττητη δυναμή, να δοξολογήσουμε την Αγία Τριάδα, και να την παρακαλέσουμε να φωτίζει και ν αγιάζει τις ψυχές μας. Και στη στάση αυτή της ταπεινώσεως, της κλίσεως των γονάτων και του αυχένος, να αξιωθούμε να υποδεχθούμε την χάρη του Παρακλήτου, συνψάλλωντας. «Βασιλεύ ουράνιε, Παράκλητε, το Πνεύμα της αληθείας ο πανταχού παρών και τα πάντα πληρών ο θησαυρός των αγαθών και ζωής χορηγός ελθέ και σκήνωσον εν ημίν και καθάρισον ημάς από πάσης κηλίδος και σώσον αγαθέ τας ψυχάς ημών». Αμήν. Prayers at Church Prayer Upon Entering a Church I will come into Your house in the greatness of Your mercy: and in fear I will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me, that with a clear mind I may glorify You forever, One Divine Power worshiped in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. Prayer upon Leaving a Church Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all people; a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. Prayer at the Icon of Christ We reverence Your spotless icon, O gracious Lord, and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ our God. Because of Your own good will You ascended the Cross in the flesh, that You might deliver those who You had created from the bondage of the enemy. We cry aloud unto You: You have filled all things with joy, O our Savior, for You came to save the world. Amen. PRAYER CORNER: If you wish your name to be placed on the St. George Prayer List, please contact our Church office. Do not call for others because some people do not want their names to be published. Prayer List for: Calliope Scumas, MaryAnne Kranidis, Elias Kranidis, Kaliope Potawsky, Daniel Scherr, Maria Stolis, Phil and Marie Sherman, Evelyn Leufen, Ferd Leufen, Stamatia Matia Vamvounakis, Maria Stolis, Charlie, Laurie Fleischer, Joann Myers, 7

8 8 Eleventh Orthros Gospel Reading After the Saviour's Ascension into the Heavens, the eleven Apostles and the rest of His disciples, the God-loving women who followed after Him from the beginning, His Mother, the most holy Virgin Mary, and His brethren-all together about 120 souls returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. Entering into the house where they gathered, they went into the upper room, and there they persevered in prayer and supplication, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, as their Divine Teacher had promised them. In the meanwhile, they chose Matthias, who was elected to take the place of Judas among the Apostles. Thus, on this day, the seventh Sunday of Pascha, the tenth day after the Ascension and the fiftieth day after Pascha, at the third hour of the day from the rising of the sun, there suddenly came a sound from Heaven, as when a mighty wind blows, and it filled the whole house where the Apostles and the rest with them were gathered. Immediately after the sound, there appeared tongues of fire that divided and rested upon the head of each one. Filled with the Spirit, all those present began speaking not in their native tongue, but in other tongues and dialects, as the Holy Spirit instructed them. The multitudes that had come together from various places for the feast, most of whom were Jews by race and religion, were called Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and so forth, according to the places where they dwelt. Though they spoke many different tongues, they were present in Jerusalem by divine dispensation. When they heard that sound that came down from Heaven to the place where the disciples of Christ were gathered, all ran together to learn what had taken place. But they were confounded when they came and heard the Apostles speaking in their own tongues. Marvelling at this, they said one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" But others, because of their foolishness and excess of evil, mocked the wonder and said that the Apostles were drunken. Then Peter stood up with the eleven, and raising his voice, spoke to all the people, proving that that which had taken place was not drunkenness, but the fulfilment of God's promise that had been spoken by the Prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that I shall pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy" (Joel 2:28), and he preached Jesus of Nazareth unto them, proving in many ways that He is Christ the Lord, Whom the Jews crucified but God raised from the dead. On hearing Peter's teaching, many were smitten with compunction and received the word. Thus, they were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added to the Faith of Christ. Such, therefore, are the reasons for today's feast: the coming of the All-holy Spirit into the world, the completion of the Lord Jesus Christ's promise, and the fulfilment of the hope of the sacred disciples, which we celebrate today. This is the final feast of the great mystery and dispensation of God's incarnation. On this last, and great, and saving day of Pentecost, the Apostles of the Saviour, who were unlearned fishermen, made wise now of a sudden by the Holy Spirit, clearly and with divine authority spoke the heavenly doctrines. They became heralds of the truth and teachers of the whole world. On this day they were ordained and began their apostleship, of which the salvation of those three thousand souls in one day was the comely and marvellous first fruit. Some erroneously hold that Pentecost is the "birthday of the Church." But this is not true, for the teaching of the holy Fathers is that the Church existed before all other things. In the second vision of The Shepherd of Hermas we read: "Now brethren, a revelation was made unto me in my sleep by a youth of exceeding fair form, who said to me, 'Whom thinkest thou the aged woman, from whom thou receivedst the book, to be?' I

9 say, 'The Sibyl.' 'Thou art wrong,' saith he, 'she is not.' 'Who then is she?' I say. 'The Church,' saith he. I said unto him, 'Wherefore then is she aged?' 'Because,' saith he, 'she was created before all things; therefore is she aged, and for her sake the world was framed."' Saint Gregory the Theologian also speaks of "the Church of Christ... both before Christ and after Christ" (PG 35:1108-9). Saint Epiphanius of Cyprus writes, "The Catholic Church, which exists from the ages, is revealed most clearly in the incarnate advent of Christ" (PG 42:640). Saint John Damascene observes, "The Holy Catholic Church of God, therefore, is the assembly of the holy Fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, and Martyrs who have been from the very beginning, to whom were added all the nations who believed with one accord" (PG 96, 1357c). According to Saint Gregory the Theologian, "The Prophets established the Church, the Apostles conjoined it, and the Evangelists set it in order" (PG 35, 589 A). The Church existed from the creation of the Angels, for the Angels came into existence before the creation of the world, and they have always been members of the Church. Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome, says in his second epistle to the Corinthians, the Church "was created before the sun and moon"; and a little further on, "The Church existeth not now for the first time, but hath been from the beginning" (II Cor. 14). That which came to pass at Pentecost, then, was the ordination of the Apostles, the commencement of the apostolic preaching to the nations, and the inauguration of the priesthood of the new Israel. Saint Cyril of Alexandria says that "Our Lord Jesus Christ herein ordained the instructors and teachers of the world and the stewards of His divine Mysteries... showing together with the dignity of Apostleship, the incomparable glory of the authority given them... Revealing them to be splendid with the great dignity of the Apostleship and showing them forth as both stewards and priests of the divine altars... they became fit to initiate others through the enlightening guidance of the Holy Spirit" (PG 74, ). Saint Gregory Palamas says, "Now, therefore... the Holy Spirit descended... showing the Disciples to be supernal luminaries... and the distributed grace of the Divine Spirit came through the ordination of the Apostles upon their successors" (Homily 24, 10). And Saint Sophronius, Bishop of Jerusalem, writes, "After the visitation of the Comforter, the Apostles became high priests" (PG 87, 3981B). Therefore, together with the baptism of the Holy Spirit which came upon them who were present in the upper chamber, which the Lord had foretold as recorded in the Acts, "ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence" (Acts 1:5), the Apostles were also appointed and raised to the high priestly rank, according to Saint John Chrysostom (PG 60, 21). On this day commenced the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by which we become "partakers of the Divine Nature" (II Peter 1:4). For before Pentecost, it is said of the Apostles and disciples only that they abode in "prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14); it is only after the coming of the Holy Spirit that they persevered in the "breaking of bread,"that is, the communion of the Holy Mysteries-"and in prayer" (Acts 2:42). The feast of holy Pentecost, therefore, determined the beginning of the priesthood of grace, not the beginning of the Church. Henceforth, the Apostles proclaimed the good tidings "in country and town," preaching and baptizing and appointing shepherds, imparting the priesthood to them whom they judged were worthy to minister, as Saint Clement writes in his first Epistle to the Corinthians (I Cor. 42). All foods allowed during the week following Pentecost Registration June 3rd 9

10 CONTINUE YOUR OFFERINGS THROUGH THE SUMMER Message from Parish Council Treasurer Toula Mancini We wait all year for summer. Then we fill them with vacations at the beach, camping trips in the woods and flying to Greece or far-off places. It s no wonder that church attendance dips in the summer. But while you are relaxing, your church continues to be busy with regular worship, social activities, caring for sick and the homebound members, planning weddings, baptisms and funerals, and ministering to the hungry and homeless in your community. And your clergy and church staff still need to be paid, as does the electric company. So, here s the problem: The bills continue to roll in even when you re away, and many stewards have not planned to keep their offerings current when they are on vacation. That s why so many churches face a cash crunch in the summer months. But here are some ideas for how to help Your church Saint George maintain its finances in the summer months. Pay it forward Your church would love to receive your summer offerings or part of them in advance. If you know you re going to be away, plan ahead by offering more in the weeks in advance of your time away from church. Make it up Alternatively, when you get back from your time away, give a little more in the weeks that follow in order to make up for the lost weeks. Use your envelopes Are you a check-writing person? Then simply fill in advance your offering envelopes with your weekly gift. If you have a check in every envelope, then on any given Sunday you need only to bring that day s envelope and whatever earlier Sunday envelopes are there. Also, envelopes can be mailed directly to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church 9426 Little Road New Port Richey, FL Use banking bill pay Lots of people find online banking services a convenient way to pay their monthly car loan, mortgage, light bill and other routine expenses. Why not your church offering, too? Many online banking services will cut a check and send it to the church for you. 10

11 Enroll in electronic giving You can help by enrolling in electronic giving. Your offerings will go right to the church in the amount and according to the timeframe you specify. You can sign up for Saint George electronic giving just contact the financial office today. Speak with Denise our bookkeeper. This is an average of a typical summer month revenue and expense. (The average was calculated from summer 2017 with few adjustments) Please remember your church Saint George while vacationing this summer by submitting your contributions. A board in the foyer of hall will have a copy of bills needed to be paid. Please consider taking one and paying one of the bills. Sponsor a Day is another option to help our church get through the summer. Thank you, In His Service Toula 11

12 SCHEDULE OF ECCLESIASTICAL SERVICES FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2018 Πρόγραμμα Εκκλησιαστικών ακολουθιών μηνός Ιουνίου 2018 June 2, Saturday, Great Vespers with Blessing of the Waters, 6:00-7:00 PM 2 Ιουνίου, Σάββατο, Μέγας Εσπερινός με Αγιασμό Πρωτομηνιάς, μμ. June 3, Sunday of All Saints. YOUTH SUNDAY. 8:15AM Matins, 9:30AM Divine Liturgy. 3 Ιουνίου, Κυριακή Αγ. Πάντων. Όρθρος 8:15πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30πμ. June 4, Monday. Beginning of the Apostles Fast. 4 Ιουνίου, Δευτέρα, Αρχή της Νηστείας των Αγ. Αποστόλων June 6, Wednesday, 6:00-6:45 PM Paraklesis 6 Ιουνίου, Τετάρτη, μμ Παράκληση June 7, Thursday, Vespers for St. Kalliope, 6:00-6:45 PM 7 Ιουνίου, Πέμπτη, Εσπερινός Αγ. Καλλιόπης, μμ. June 8, Friday, St. Kalliope, 8:30 am Matins 9:30am Divine Liturgy 8 Ιουνίου, Παρασκευή, Αγ. Καλλιόπης, Όρθρος 8:30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30πμ. June 9, Saturday, Great Vespers, 6:00-6:45 PM 9 Ιουνίου, Σάββατο, Μέγας Εσπερινός, μμ. June 10, Second Sunday of Matthew. 8:15AM Matins, 9:30AM Divine Liturgy. 10 Ιουνίου, Β Κυριακή Ματθαίου. Όρθρος 8:15πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30πμ. June 16, Saturday, Great Vespers, 6:00-6:45 PM 16 Ιουνίου, Σάββατο, Μέγας Εσπερινός, μμ. June 17, Third Sunday of Matthew. 8:15AM Matins, 9:30AM Divine Liturgy. FATHERS DAY. 17 Ιουνίου, Γ Κυριακή Ματθαίου. Όρθρος 8:15πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30πμ. June 20, Wednesday, Holy Unction (Healing Service), 6:30-7:30 PM 20 Ιουνίου, Τετάρτη, Ιερόν Ευχέλαιον, μμ. June 23, Saturday, Great Vespers, 6:00-6:45 PM 23 Ιουνίου, Σάββατο, Μέγας Εσπερινός, μμ. June 24, Sunday, Nativity of the Forerunner John the Baptist. 8:15AM Matins, 9:30AM Divine Liturgy. 24 Ιουνίου, Κυριακή, Γενέθλιον του Ιωάννου Προδρόμου. Όρθρος 8:15πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30πμ. June 28, Thursday, Great Vespers for the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 6:00-7:00 PM 28 Ιουνίου, Πέμπτη, Μέγας Εσπερινός Αγ. Αποστόλων Πέτρου και Παύλου, 6:00-7:00μμ. June 29, Friday, Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 8:30am Matins 9:30am Divine Liturgy 29 Ιουνίου, Παρασκευή, Αγ. Αποστόλων Πέτρου και Παύλου, Όρθρος 8:30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30πμ. 12

13 June 30, Saturday, Great Vespers, 6:00-6:45 PM 30 Ιουνίου, Σάββατο, Μέγας Εσπερινός, μμ. OFFICE AND CHURCH WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY MAY 28th IN OBSERVANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ Θα παραμείνει κλειστό ΔΕΥΤΕΡΑ ΜΑΙΟΣ 28 για την ημέρα των μνημών St. George Weekly Church Services & Church Ministries Schedule The Church & the Church Office are open daily from 9:00AM to 4:00PM Feel free to come to Pray and light a candle at the Church Monday 05/28 Tuesday 05/29 Office Closed Tuesdays from 7-8 Greek Dance (younger kids) NO Ministries Wednesday 05/30 Greek Bible Study 1PM Gr 6:00-6:45 PM Paraklesis, followed by the evening Bible Study in English Ελληνική μελέτη της Βίβλου-1πμ μμ Παράκληση, Thursday 05/31 10:30am Women s bible study Friday 06/01 Saturday 06/02 Great Vespers with Blessing of the Waters, 6:00-7:00 PM Μέγας Εσπερινός με Αγιασμό Πρωτομηνιάς, μμ. Sunday 06/03 Sunday of All Saints. YOUTH SUNDAY 8:15AM Matins/Orthros 9:30AM Divine Liturgy. Community BBQ 8.15πμ Όρθρος 9:30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία. 13

14 Community News and Events JUNE 2nd, VOLUNTEERS NEEDED YOUTH and ADULTS St. George is in need of maintenance volunteers and volunteers for Clean Up Day June 2nd. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Roula Tom or June 3rd: St. George community barbecue & family Fun day after the Divine Liturgy /School Graduation Register your kids for VBS and next year ministries June 4th June 8th - Vacation bible school June 4th 8th from 9am-12pm Sign up for vacation bible school! SATURDAY JUNE 9th, YOUNG AT HEART SEASON-ENDING PICNIC Location : Safety Town at 12 NOON. Its important that you RSVP no later than JUNE 3rd to Jim so that the correct amount of food is ordered. Safety Town is located on the north side of SR52, between Hayes Road and the Suncoast Parkway. There is a large sign at the entrance. Just follow the reaodway. Park behind the shlter located next to the Home Depot building. LOVE AND LOSS GROUP: Meets Monday evening 6:30pm 8:00pm Next dates are JUNE 4, 11, 18 (off 5/28) At the Kontos Community center, St. George Greek orthodox Church 9426 Little Road New Port Richey, Florida Questions: (352) ITEMS NEEDED FOR CHURCH: WE ARE IN NEED OF WINE for THE HOLY COMMUNIOMN Roussos wine is best but any kind of Mavrodaphne will do! You may drop your donation off at the Pangari on Sunday or the church office. Ένα μεγάλο ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ σε όλους τους εθελοντές και Δωροθέτες μας του Αγίου Γεωργίου! Ο Θεός να σας έχει πάντοτε καλά! A big THANK YOU to all our Volunteers and Donors! May our God bless you and your Families always! 14

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16 Η ΘΕΙΑ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ Η Θεία Κοινωνία προσφέρεται στην Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία μόνο στα άτομα που βαφτίστηκαν στην Ορθόδοξη Πίστη. Για να συμμετάσχεις στην Θεία Κοινωνία, πρέπει να είσαι σε καλή κατάσταση με την Εκκλησία πνευματικά (για παράδειγμα, οι παντρεμένοι άνθρωποι πρέπει να έχει ευλογηθεί ο γάμος τους στην Εκκλησία και όλοι πρέπει να είναι χωρίς σοβαρή αμαρτία στις καρδιές τους). Για όλους τους Ορθόδοξους Χριστιανούς πρέπει να τηρείται η σωστή προετοιμασία για τη Θεία Κοινωνία: δηλαδή, εξέταση της συνείδησης, εξομολόγηση, ανάγνωση των προσευχών για ιερή Κοινωνία και σωστή νηστεία. Αν έχετε περαιτέρω απορίες σχετικά με αυτό, παρακαλείται να μιλήσετε με τον Ιερέα. Οι γυναίκες πρέπει να αφαιρέσουν όλο το κραγιόν όταν πλησιάζουν για τη Θεία Κοινωνία. Παρακαλείται να αφήσετε τους γονείς με τα μωρά τους και τους ηλικιωμένους να προσεγγίσουν πρώτα. Σας ευχαριστούμε! GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION Holy Communion is offered in the Orthodox Church only to those individuals baptized and Chrismated (confirmed) in the Orthodox Faith. To participate in Holy Communion one must be in good standing with the Church spiritually (for example, married people must have had their marriage blessed in the Church and all must be without grave sin on their hearts). For all Orthodox Christians, the proper preparation for Holy Communion must be observed: examination of conscience, confession, reading the prayers for Holy Communion, and the proper fasting. If you have any further questions about this, please speak with the clergy. Women should remove all lipstick when approaching for Holy Communion. Please let parents with their babies and the elderly approach first. We Thank you Father Gregory Edwards contact information is Cell: Office: address: If you would like to schedule a meeting, an appointments or confession please contact the church office and speak with Antonia or you may contact Fr. Gregory at Church is open daily for your spiritual needs from 9:00am - 4:00pm and on Sundays 8:15am-1:00pm Αγαπητοί μου εκ Κυρίω αδελφοί, είμαστε στην ευχάριστη θέση να σας ανακοινώσουμε ότι ο Ελληνορθόδοξος Ιερός Ναός του Αγίου Μεγαλομάρτυρος και Θαυματουργού Γεωργίου θα είναι ανοικτός καθημερινά από 9:00πμ έως και τις 4:00μμ και Κυριακές από 8:15πμ έως 1:00μμ για τις Λατρευτικές σας ανάγκες. Για την εξομολόγησή σας ή για οποιαδήποτε άλλη Λατρευτική ανάγκη παρακαλούμε να τηλεφωνήσετε το γραφείο του Αγίου Γεωργίου η τον +π. Γρηγόριος στο

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