Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Sunday, March 11, 2018 Sunday of the Holy Cross

Transcript

1 Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Sunday, March 11, 2018 Sunday of the Holy Cross St. Ephraim the Syrian on the Holy Cross "The Cross abolished idolatrous adulation, enlightened the whole universe, gathered all the nations into one Church and united them with love. The Cross is the resurrection of the dead. The Cross is the hope of Christians. The Cross is the staff for the lame. The Cross is comfort for the poor. The Cross is the deposing of the proud. The Cross is the hope of those who despair. The Cross is food for the sailors. The Cross is haven for the bestormed. The Cross is the father for orphans. The Cross is comfort for those who mourn. The Cross is the protector of children. The Cross is the glory of men. The Cross is the crown of elders. The Cross is light for those sitting in darkness. The Cross is freedom for slaves, wisdom for the ignorant. The Cross is the preaching of prophets, the fellow-traveler of apostles. The Cross is the chastity of maidens, the joy of priests. The Cross is the foundation of the Church, the establishment of the universe. The Cross is the destruction of idolatrous temples, temptation for Jews. The Cross is the cleansing of the lepers, the rehabilitation of the enfeebled. The Cross is bread for the hungry, a fountain for the thirsty. The Cross is the good hope of monks, clothing for the naked. By this holy armor of the Cross Christ the Lord has terminated the omniconsuming bowels of Hades and blocked the many snares in the mouth of the devil. Having seen the Cross, death trembled and released everyone whom she possessed with the first creature. Armed with the Cross, the God-bearing apostles subdued all the power of the enemy and caught all peoples in their dragnets, and gathered them for the worship of the One Crucified. Clothed in the Cross as in armor, the martyrs of Christ trampled all the plans of torturers and preached with plainness the Divine Cross-bearer. Having taken up the Cross for the sake of Christ, those who renounced everything in the world settled in deserts and on mountains, in caves and became the fasters of the earth. But what language is worthy to praise the Cross, this invincible wall of the Orthodox, this victorious armor of the Heavenly King?! By the cross the Almighty One bestowed unspeakable blessings on humanity!" "Therefore on the forehead, and on the eyes, and on the mouth, and on the breasts let us place the life-giving Cross. Let us arm them with the invincible armor of Christians, with this hope of the faithful, with this gentle light. Let us open paradise with this armor, with this support of the Orthodox faith, with this saving praise of the Church. Neither in one hour, nor in one instant, let us not forget the Cross, nor let us begin to do anything without it. But let us sleep, let us arise, let us work, let us eat, let us drink, let us go on our way, let us sail on the seas, let us go across the river, let us adorn all our members with the life-giving Cross. And let us not be frightened 'by the terror of the night, nor by the arrow that flies by day, nor by anything roaming in darkness, nor by any calamity, nor any noonday demon' (Ps. 90:5, 6). If, O Christian, you will always take up the Cross of Christ on yourself as a help, then 'evil shall not come towards you, nor any scourge come near your habitation': for the opposition power seeing it trembles and leaves." 7560 South Archer Road, Justice, Illinois (708) , fax (708) Web: office@holycrossil.org Rev. Fr. Demetrios Kounavis Parish Priest

2 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ EPISTLE READING FOR THE DAY ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ GOSPEL READING FOR THE DAY Ἀδελφοί, ἔχοντες οὖν ἀρχιερέα μέγαν, διεληλυθότα τοὺς οὐρανούς, Ἰησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ θεοῦ, κρατῶμεν τῆς ὁμολογίας. Οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειραμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθʼ ὁμοιότητα, χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας. Προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος, ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεον, καὶ χάριν εὕρωμεν εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν. Πᾶς γὰρ ἀρχιερεύς, ἐξ ἀνθρώπων λαμβανόμενος, ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπων καθίσταται τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν, ἵνα προσφέρῃ δῶρά τε καὶ θυσίας ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν μετριοπαθεῖν δυνάμενος τοῖς ἀγνοοῦσιν καὶ πλανωμένοις, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς περίκειται ἀσθένειαν καὶ διὰ ταύτην ὀφείλει, καθὼς περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, οὕτως καὶ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ, προσφέρειν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ οὐχ ἑαυτῷ τις λαμβάνει τὴν τιμήν, ἀλλὰ καλούμενος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, καθάπερ καὶ Ἀαρών. Οὕτως καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς οὐχ ἑαυτὸν ἐδόξασεν γενηθῆναι ἀρχιερέα, ἀλλʼ ὁ λαλήσας πρὸς αὐτόν, Υἱός μου εἶ σύ, ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε. Καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει, Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ. BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek." Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν ὃς δ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν δυνάμει. ἐν The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

3 Sunday of the Holy Cross The commemoration and ceremonies of the Third Sunday of Lent are closely parallel to the feasts of the Veneration of the Cross (September 14) and the Procession of the Cross (August 1). Not only does the Sunday of the Holy Cross prepare us for commemoration of the Crucifixion, but it also reminds us that the whole of Lent is a period when we are crucified with Christ. As we have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24), and will have mortified ourselves during these forty days of the Fast, the precious and life-giving Cross is now placed before us to refresh our souls and encourage us who may be filled with a sense of bitterness, resentment, and depression. The Cross reminds us of the Passion of our Lord, and by presenting to us His example, it encourages us to follow Him in struggle and sacrifice, being refreshed, assured, and comforted. In other words, we must experience what the Lord experienced during His Passion - being humiliated in a shameful manner. The Cross teaches us that through pain and suffering we shall see the fulfillment of our hopes: the heavenly inheritance and eternal glory. As they who walk on a long and hard way and are bowed down by fatigue find great relief and strengthening under the cool shade of a leafy tree, so do we find comfort, refreshment, and rejuvenation under the Life-giving Cross, which our Fathers planted on this Sunday. Thus, we are fortified and enabled to continue our Lenten journey with a light step, rested and encouraged. Or, as before the arrival of the king, his royal standards, trophies, and emblems of victory come in procession and then the king himself appears in a triumphant parade, jubilant and rejoicing in his victory and filling those under him with joy, so does the Feast of the Cross precede the coming of our King, Jesus Christ. It warns us that He is about to proclaim His victory over death and appear to us in the glory of the Resurrection. His Life-Giving Cross is His royal scepter, and by venerating it we are filled with joy, rendering Him glory. Therefore, we become ready to welcome our King, who shall manifestly triumph over the powers of darkness. The present feast has been placed in the middle of Great Lent for another reason. The Fast can be likened to the spring of Marah whose waters the children of Israel encountered in the wilderness. This water was undrinkable due to its bitterness but became sweet when the Holy Prophet Moses dipped the wood into its depth. Likewise, the wood of the Cross sweetens the days of the Fast, which are bitter and often grievous because of our tears. Yet Christ comforts us during our course through the desert of the Fast, guiding and leading us by His hand to the spiritual Jerusalem on high by the power of His Resurrection. Moreover, as the Holy Cross is called the Tree of Life, it is placed in the middle of the Fast, as the ancient tree of life was placed in the middle of the garden of Eden. By this, our Holy Fathers wished to remind us of Adam s gluttony as well as the fact that through this Tree has condemnation been abolished. Therefore, if we bind ourselves to the Holy Cross, we shall never encounter death but shall inherit life eternal.

4 Εσύ ήσουν με το σώμα εδώ, αλλά με τον νου ήσουν στα γίδια!... Kάποτε ὁ παπα-νικόλας ὁ Πλανάς, θυμιάτιζε την ώρα τής ενάτης ωδής, όταν έψαλλαν οι ιεροψάλτες «την Τιμιωτέραν των Χερουβείμ...» και πέρασε μπροστά ἀπὸ μία κυρία, πού στεκόταν στα πλαϊνά στασίδια, και δεν την θυμιάτισε. Δεν την θυμιάτισε καθόλου, πέρασε απλώς δίπλα της. Ύστερα ἀπὸ δύο στασίδια ήταν ένα άδειο. Στάθηκε εκεί, το θυμιάτισε πέντε-έξι φορές και έφυγε. Όταν τελείωσε ἡ Θεία Λειτουργία, πήγε αυτή ἡ κυρία και τού είπε: - Παπα-Νικόλα, στην ενάτη δεν με θυμιάτισες και πήγες και θύμιαζες το άδειο στασίδι... -Ἔμ, κυρά Γεωργία, τής είπε, δεν ήσουν εκεί! Το άδειο όμως στασίδι είναι το στασίδι τής κυρά Μαρίας, πού είναι άρρωστη. Εκείνη ήταν άρρωστη στο σπίτι, αλλά με την καρδιά και τον νου της ήταν εδώ. Εσύ ήσουν με το σώμα εδώ, αλλά με τον νου ήσουν στα γίδια!... ******************************************* Η εμπειρία της ησυχίας Σε έναν ερημίτη έφτασαν μια μέρα κάποιοι επισκέπτες. Τον ρώτησαν: Τι νόημα έχει η ζωή σου στην ησυχία; Ο μοναχός εκείνη τη στιγμή μόλις έβγαζε νερό από ένα βαθύ πηγάδι. Είπε: Κοιτάξτε στο πηγάδι! Τι βλέπετε; Εκείνοι κοίταξαν: Τίποτα. Μετά από λίγο ο μοναχός τούς είπε ξανά: Κοιτάξτε στο πηγάδι! Τι βλέπετε; Εκείνοι κοίταξαν πάλι κάτω. Ναι, τώρα βλέπουμε τα πρόσωπά μας. Και ο μοναχός απάντησε: Βλέπετε πριν, όταν έβγαλα νερό, το νερό ήταν ταραγμένο. Τώρα είναι ήρεμο. Αυτή είναι η εμπειρία της ησυχίας. Βλέπεις τον εαυτό σου! Απόσπασμα από το Γεροντικό Τί βαρετό να νοιάζεσαι συνέχεια για το τί θα πούνε οι άλλοι Τί βαρετό να νοιάζεσαι συνέχεια για το τί θα πούνε οι άλλοι. Τί σπατάλη ενέργειας. Τί κούραση. Τι άρρωστη και νοσηρή κατάσταση. Όχι μόνο γι αυτόν που σε σχολιάζει μα και για σένα που όλο νοιάζεσαι. Θα πούνε. Ε,ας πουν. Τί θα πάθω, τί θα πάθεις; Οι πενήντα λένε πως είσαι μία χαρά. Οι δέκα λένε "άγιος". Οι εκατό, πως είσαι αμαρτωλός και επικίνδυνος. Οι δύο, αστέρι σκέτο. Άλλοι δύο τρείς πως είσαι άχρηστος. Tί ισχύει απ όλα αυτά; Ποιος έχει δίκιο; Για ποιόν απ όλους θα νοιαστείς; Τίνος η γνώμη θα σε κάνει να χαλαστείς Ποιος είν αυτός που θα σε κρίνει στην τελική; Λόγια λόγια λόγια. Κρίσεις. Κατακρίσεις. Κουτσομπολιά. Δεν κουράστηκες ακόμα; Είσαι αυτός που είσαι. Ούτε αν πούνε πως είσαι άγιος θα είσαι εξαιτίας αυτής της δήλωσης. Ούτε αν πούνε ό, τι είσαι άχρηστος θα είσαι άχρηστος επειδή αυτοί το είπαν. Είσαι αυτός που είσαι. Είμαι αυτός που είμαι. Το ξέρει ο Θεός απόλυτα το βάθος της ψυχής μου. Ξέρω κι εγώ αρκετά το τί συμβαίνει εντός μου. Οι άλλοι συνήθως καθρεφτίζουν το εγώ τους στη μορφή μου. Και κρίνουν εξ ιδίων. Αφάνταστα κουραστική αυτή η ιστορία. Άσε τον κόσμο να λέει. Με μία αξιοπρεπή αδιαφορία. Και μετά... ξεκούραση. Ειρήνη. Θάλασσα πλατιά κι ακύμαντη. Έτσι γίνεται η ψυχή σου μετά την άγια τούτη αδιαφορία...

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6 HOLY CROSS PHILOPTOCHOS Philoptochos Baking Items Needed: Our Philoptochos needs the following baking items: All Purpose Flour, Sugar, Honey, Powdered Sugar, Walnuts, Corn Oil, and Unsalted Butter. Your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you! 2018 STEWARDSHIP Stewardship pledge cards can be picked up at the church office; we ask that you prayerfully consider what you will offer to our beloved parish of Holy Cross in Our beloved parish requires approximately $753 per day to operate or an annual pledge average of $1375 per family. As always, we remain appreciative for all that you lovingly give. SAVE THE DATE March 18: Philoptochos Loukoumades Sale March 24: Enthronement of Metropolitan- Elect Nathanael at Annunciation Cathedral March 25: March 25th Fish Fry after Church March30-April 1: Philoptochos Easter Bake Sale March 31: Saturday of Lazarus Children s Retreat and the making of the palms April 1: Palm Sunday Plaki Luncheon April 8: PASCHA April 13: Bright Friday Feast April 27-28: Parish Women s Retreat May 6: Celebration of St. Sophia Kleisoura May 6: St. Valentine s Couples Ministry May 19: Parish Retreat, St. Iakovos Retreat Center, Kansasville, Wisconsin May 20: St. Anna Women s Group Lunch May 22: Family Movie Night June 10: Graduate Sunday June 22-24: GREEK FEST 2018 In the difficult circumstances of life, offer your prayers to God more frequently. It is better to resort to prayers than to the empty notions of weak human reason which mostly cannot come to pass. It is better to lean on faith and on the Almighty God through prayer than one s feeble reason through untrustworthy notions and assumptions. -St. Ignatius Brianchaninov

7 Lenten and Holy Week Needs 2018 Flowers for the Panagia Icon (3 Salutations Services) - $ each $100 donated so far Flowers for the Panagia Icon (Akathist Hymn Service) - $ Flowers for the Sunday of the Holy Cross (Iconostasi Icon) - $ Flowers for Sunday of the Holy Cross (Processional Icon) - $ Daffodils for Sunday of the Holy Cross - $ Dikerotrikera Candles for Sunday of the Holy Cross - $50.00 Lambathes for Vespers of the Holy Cross - $ Palms and Bay Leaves for Palm Sunday - $ Flowers for the Palm Sunday Icon - $ $25 donated so far Palm Sunday Arch for Church - $ Flowers for the Nymphios Icon - $ Flowers for the Last Supper Icon - $ Wreath for the Cross of Christ - $ Candles for the 12 Gospels - $ Flowers for the Crucifixion Icon - $ Flowers for the Kouvouklion (Christ s Tomb) - $ $300 donated so far Rose Petals for Myrophores - $ Rose Water - $50.00 Gardenias for the Epitaphio - $ Priest Paschal Candle - $ Flowers for the Lavaron - $ Easter Lilies - $ Altar Candles - $ Anastasi Icon - $ white cups for Anastasi - $ red cups for Good Friday - $ cases of white candles - $50 per case 3 cases donated so far Thank you for helping us bring the proper dignity to our services during this holy season. Ευχαριστούμε δια την υποστήριξή σας και ιερά προσφορά σας ώστε να καλυπτούν οι ανάγκες προς τις Άγιες αυτές ημέρες της Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστής και Άγιον Πάσχα.

8 TODAY Sunday of the Holy Cross Greek School Program Greek School Luncheon Tuesday, March 13 6pm - Great Compline 7pm - Parish Council Meeting Wednesday, March 14 6pm - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Saturday, March 17 10am - Greek School WEEKLY EVENTS Sunday, March 18 Philoptochos Loukoumades Sale ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ Κυριακή της Σταυροπροσκυνήσεως Πρόγραμμα του Ελληνικού Σχολείου Γεύμα του Ελληνικού Σχολείου Τρίτη, 13 Μαρτίου 6.00μ.μ. - Μέγα Απόδειπνον 7.00μ.μ. - Συνεδρίαση Δ. Συμβουλίου Τετάρτη, 14 Μαρτίου 6.00μ.μ. - Προηγιασμένη Θ. Λειτουργία Σάββατο, 17 Μαρτίου 10.00π.μ. - Ελληνικό Σχολείο Κυριακή, 18 Μαρτίου Λουκουμάδες