Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h of Washington, DC. December 21, 2014 Sunday before Nativity

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1 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h of Washington, DC December 21, 2014 Sunday before Nativity

2 THE MISSION OF THE STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF WASHINGTON DC in Silver Spring, Maryland is to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, to teach and spread the Orthodox Christian faith, to energize, cultivate and guide the life of the Church according to the Orthodox Christian faith and Sacred Tradition. The Church sanctifies the faithful through the Divine Worship, especially the Holy Eucharist and other Sacraments, building the spiritual and ethical life of the faithful in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, Sacred Tradition, the doctrines and canons of the Ecumenical and local Synods, the canons of the Holy Apostles and Fathers of the Church and of all other Synods recognized by the Orthodox Church, as interpreted by the Great Church of Christ in Constantinople. The Church serves as a beacon, carrier and witness of the message of Christ to all persons, through Divine Worship, preaching, teaching and living the Orthodox Christian faith. YOUR PRIESTS ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU 24/7. Please use their cell phones for anything you need that pertains to your spiritual journey. Fr. Michael Fr. Michael: (301) fm@papouli.net Fr. Jason: (301) ΟΙ ΙΕΡΕΙΣ ΣΑΣ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΣΤΗ ΔΙΑΘΕΣΗ ΣΑΣ 24/7 Παρακαλείσθε να τους καλείτε στα κινητά τηλέφωνα για οποιαδήποτε ανάγκη σας σχετική με τη πνευματική σας πορεία. Fr. Jason

3 YMNOI THΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ HYMNS OF THE DAY Αναστάσιμο Aπολυτίκιο. Ηχος γ' Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Apolytikion of Sunday before Nativity in the Second Tone Μεγάλα τὰ τῆς πίστεως κατορθώματα! ἐν τῇ πηγὴ τῆς φλογός, ὡς ἐπὶ ὕδατος ἀναπαύσεως, οἱ ἅγιοι τρεῖς παϊδες ἠγάλλοντο, καὶ ὁ Προφήτης Δανιήλ, λεόντων ποιμήν, ὡς προβάτων ἐδείκνυτο, Ταὶς αὐτῶν ἱκεσίαις, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world. Apolytikion of Sunday before Nativity in the Second Tone Great are the accomplishments of faith. In the fountain of flame the three Holy Youths rejoiced as though they were resting by the waters. And the Prophet Daniel showed himself to be a shepherd to the lions, as though they were sheep. Through their prayers O Christ our God, save our souls. 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. 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. Κοντάκιον. Ηχος Γ Αὐτόμελον Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν Προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν Σπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀπορρήτως. Χόρευε ἡ οἰκουμένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον μετὰ Ἀγγέλων καὶ τῶν Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα ἐποφθῆναι, παιδίον νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν. Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God. 3

4 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 11:9-10; Προκείμενον. Ἦχος δ. Δανιήλ Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν. Πίστει παρῴκησεν εἰς γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν, ἐν σκηναῖς κατοικήσας μετὰ Ισαὰκ καὶ Ιακὼβ τῶν συγκληρονόμων τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τῆς αὐτῆς ἐξεδέχετο γὰρ τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔχουσαν πόλιν, ἧς τεχνίτης καὶ δημιουργὸς ὁ θεός. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; ἐπιλείψει με γὰρ διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ, Σαμψών, Ιεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν, οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρης, ἐδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρης ἀπέθανον, περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι, ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος, ἐπὶ ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν. St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Daniel 3.26,27 Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers. Verse: For you are just in all you have done. EPISTLE BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us,that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 4

5 Κατὰ Ματθαῖον ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ Βίβλος γενέσεως Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ Δαυῒδ υἱοῦ Αβραάμ. Αβραὰμ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ισαάκ, Ισαὰκ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιακώβ, Ιακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιούδαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, Ιούδας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Φαρὲς καὶ τὸν Ζαρὰ ἐκ τῆς Θάμαρ, Φαρὲς δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Εσρώμ, Εσρὼμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αράμ, Αρὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αμιναδάβ, Αμιναδὰβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ναασσών, Ναασσὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλμών,Σαλμὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Βοὸζ ἐκ τῆς Ραχάβ, Βοὸζ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ωβὴδ ἐκ τῆς Ρούθ, Ωβὴδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιεσσαί, Ιεσσαὶ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Δαυῒδ τὸν βασιλέα. Δαυῒδ δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐγέννησε τὸν Σολομῶνα ἐκ τῆς τοῦ Οὐρίου,Σολομὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ροβοάμ, Ροβοὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αβιά, Αβιὰ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ασά, Ασὰ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιωσαφάτ, Ιωσαφὰτ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιωράμ, Ιωρὰμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Οζίαν, Οζίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιωάθαμ, Ιωάθαμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αχαζ, Αχαζ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Εζεκίαν, Εζεκίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Μανασσῆ, Μανασσῆς δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αμών, Αμὼν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιωσίαν, Ιωσίας δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιεχονίαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος. Μετὰ δὲ τὴν μετοικεσίαν Βαβυλῶνος Ιεχονίας ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαλαθιήλ, Σαλαθιὴλ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ζοροβάβελ,Ζοροβάβελ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αβιούδ, Αβιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ελιακείμ, Ελιακεὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αζώρ, Αζὼρ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Σαδώκ, Σαδὼκ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Αχείμ, Αχεὶμ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ελιούδ, Ελιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ελεάζαρ, Ελεάζαρ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ματθάν, Ματθὰν δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιακώβ, Ιακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησε τὸν Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἄνδρα Μαρίας, ἐξ ἧς ἐγεννήθη Ιησοῦς ὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός.Πᾶσαι οὖν αἱ γενεαὶ ἀπὸ Αβραὰμ ἕως Δαυῒδ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ Δαυῒδ ἕως τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς μετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος ἕως τοῦ Χριστοῦ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες. Τοῦ δὲ Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἡ γέννησις οὕτως ἦν. μνηστευθείσης γὰρ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας τῷ Ιωσήφ, πρὶν ἢ συνελθεῖν αὐτοὺς εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα ἐκ Πνεύματος Αγίου. Ιωσὴφ δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, δίκαιος ὢν καὶ μὴ θέλων αὐτὴν παραδειγματίσαι, ἐβουλήθη λάθρα ἀπολῦσαι αὐτήν.ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐνθυμηθέντος ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου κατ ὄναρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ λέγων Ιωσὴφ υἱὸς Δαυΐδ, μὴ φοβηθῇς παραλαβεῖν Μαριὰμ τὴν γυναῖκά σου τὸ γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν ἐκ Πνεύματός ἐστιν Αγίου.τέξεται δὲ υἱὸν καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ιησοῦν αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν.τοῦτο δὲ ὅλον γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος ἰδοὺ ἡ παρθένος ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξει καὶ τέξεται υἱόν,καὶ καλέσουσι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Εμμανουήλ,ὅ ἐστι μεθερμηνευόμενον μεθ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεός. Διεγερθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ιωσὴφ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕπνου ἐποίησεν ὡς προσέταξεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου καὶ παρέλαβε τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ,καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν ἕως οὗ ἔτεκε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον, καὶ ἐκάλεσε τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ιησοῦν. 5

6 GOSPEL Sunday before Nativity The Gospel of Matthew 1:1-25 The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel"(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus. 6

7 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 7

8 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! 8

9 SAINTS AND FEASTS Anastasia the Great Martyr December 22 This Saint, who was from Rome, was a most comely, wealthy, and virtuous maiden, the daughter of Praepextatus and Fausta. It was her mother who instructed her in the Faith of Christ. The Saint was joined to a man named Publius Patricius, who was prodigal in life and impious in disposition, but she was widowed after a short time. Henceforth, she went about secretly to the dwellings of the poor and the prisons where the Martyrs of Christ were, and brought them whatever was needed for their daily subsistence. She washed their wounds and loosed them from their fetters, and consoled them in their anguish. Also, because the Saint, through her intercessions, has healed many from the ill effects of spells, potions, poisons, and other harmful substances, she has received the name "Deliverer from Potions." Since the fame of her deeds had spread about, she was arrested by Diocletian's minions, and after enduring many torments she was put to death by fire in the year 290. Eugenia the Righteous Nun-martyr of Rome December 24 This Martyr was the daughter of most distinguished and noble parents named Philip and Claudia. Philip, a Prefect of Rome, moved to Alexandria with his family. In Alexandria, Eugenia had the occasion to learn the Christian Faith, in particular when she encountered the Epistles of Saint Paul, the reading of which filled her with compunction and showed her clearly the vanity of the world. Secretly taking two of her servants, Protas and Hyacinth, she departed from Alexandria by night. Disguised as a man, she called herself Eugene while pretending to be a eunuch, and departed with her servants and took up the monastic life in a monastery of men. Her parents mourned for her, but could not find her. After Saint Eugenia had laboured for some time in the monastic life, a certain woman named Melanthia, thinking Eugenia to be a monk, conceived lust and constrained Eugenia to comply with her desire; when Eugenia refused, Melanthia slandered Eugenia to the Prefect as having done insult to her honour. Eugenia was brought before the Prefect, her own father Philip, and revealed to him both that she was innocent of the accusations, and that she was his own daughter. Through this, Philip became a Christian; he was afterwards beheaded at Alexandria. Eugenia was taken back to Rome with Protas and Hyacinth. All three of them ended their life in martyrdom in the years of Commodus, who reigned from 180 to

10 Stephen, Archdeacon & First Martyr-December 27 Saint Stephen was a Jew, by race, and, as some say, a disciple of Gamaliel, the teacher of the Law mentioned in Acts 5:34 and 22:3. He was the first of the seven deacons whom the Apostles established in Jerusalem to care for the poor, and to distribute alms to them. Being a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, he performed great signs and wonders among the people. While disputing with the Jews concerning Jesus, and wisely refuting their every contradiction, so that no one was able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit whereby he spake, he was slandered as a blasphemer and was dragged off to the Sanhedrin of the elders. There with boldness he proved from the divine Scriptures the coming of the Just One (Jesus), of Whom they had become the betrayers and murderers, and he reproved their faithless and hardheartedness. And finally, gazing into Heaven and beholding the divine glory, he said: "Lo, I see the Heavens opened and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God." But when they heard this, they stopped up their ears, and with anger cast him out of the city and stoned him, while he was calling out and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then, imitating the long-suffering of the Master, he bent his knees and prayed in a loud voice for them that were stoning him, and he said, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," And saying this, he fell asleep (Acts 6, 7), thus becoming the first among the Martyrs of the Church of Christ. ***ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE A DONATION TOWARDS THE SMALL HOLY WATER BOTTLES FOR THEOPHANY, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE AT (240) GREAT BLEASSING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! ***ΟΠΟΙΟΣΔΗΠΟΤΕ ΕΠΙΘΥΜΕΙ ΝΑ ΚΑΝΕΙ ΔΩΡΕΑ ΤΑ ΙΕΡΑ ΜΠΟΥΚΑΛΑΚΙΑ ΝΕΡΟΥ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ, ΕΠΙΚΟΙΝΩΝΗΣΤΕ ΜΕ ΤΟ ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ (240) ΠΟΛΛΕΣ ΕΥΛΟΓΙΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΟΙΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΑ ΣΑΣ! 10

11 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, Harry, Maria, Aspasia, Panagiota, Kostas, Chrisanthi, Louis, Katy, Fr. Peter, and Alexi 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. ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FUTURE GOD PARENTS All Orthodox Christians planning to become a God Parent must be able to recite the Creed by memory. You may recite our Symbol of Faith in either English or Greek. 40-DAYS BABY BLESSING For your convenience we are letting you know that you can make an appointment to church your baby on the 40th day after its birth, no matter what day that might be. There is no reason that you have to inconvenience the mom and the baby, waiting in the back of the Narthex until the priest is available on a Sunday ONLY. Make an appointment to come to church when it is convenient for you at a time that will not disrupt the baby's routine. ANY day you would like. 9am through 6pm by appointment. Bring the entire family or come just with your husband and the baby. Whatever you want. No waiting no inconvenience. More private time with the priest to talk about the future baptism if you wish. Call the office for an appointment. 11

12 CONFESSION Father Michael is available to you for confession at any time. Please call Father Michael on his cell phone, (301) MEMORIAL SERVICE The memorial service today is chanted for the repose of the soul of Mr. Athanasios Karadimas, beloved father of Spiros (Terri) Karadimas, Sandy (John) Piperakis and Chris Karadimas. Cherished grandfather of Anthony (Olga) Hartas, Vicki (George) Stathopoulos, Anna Karadimas, Athanasios Karadimas and Konstantina Piperakis. Adored great-grandfather of Spiros Stathopoulos. FUTURE MEMORIALS December 28, 2014 Mrs. Penelope Xeron 6 month January 25, 2015 Mr. Dimitrios Lazaris 3 Years January 25, 2015 Mr. George Pollos 3 Years 12

13 ANNOUNCEMENTS HOPE/JOY: Today after Divine Liturgy Hope/Joy will meet in St. Andrew's hall to go Christmas Caroling at an assisted living home in Silver Spring. PHILOPTOCHOS: The Philoptochos Christmas Bake Sale is today until NOON! Please stop by and purchase all of your Christmas goodies!!!! ALL gifts will be delivered or picked up today. Thank you so much for your donations! Please note that there will be a Philoptochos Meeting on JANUARY 4, 2015, in Saint Andrew hall, after coffee hour in a room next to stage GREEK SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: The Greek School Christmas Program will take place on December 22 nd at St. Andrews Cathedral church. The program will start at 4:30 p.m. You are all invited to come and enjoy our students as they perform traditional Christmas songs and carols. Greek school will be selling trays of spanakopita and tyropita with all proceeds will go to our Greek School. The trays of 48 each will be selling for $30.00 each. They come in a ready to bake tray perfect for holiday entertaining. We will deliver them at the church hall Monday December 22 at between hours of 5 to 6 please let Maria Mantzouranis know if you would like to place an order. Maria or Mai29@aol.com To Χριστουγεννιάτικο πρόγραμμα του ελληνικού σχολείου των Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης θα πραγματοποιηθεί στις 22 Δεκεμβρίου στον Ιερό Ναό του Αγίου Αντρέα. Το πρόγραμμα θα ξεκινήσει στις 4:30 μ.μ. Ελάτε να απολαύσετε τους μικρούς και τους μεγαλύτερους μαθητές του σχολείου που θα τραγουδήσουν παραδοσιακά Χριστουγεννιάτικα τραγούδια και Χριστουγεννιάτικα κάλαντα. 13

14 House Blessings Father Michael will be blessing homes beginning at 1pm on January 7th. He will begin at 9am each day with the last house blessing being scheduled at 7pm. This is an opportunity for Father Michael to visit your family and to get to know one another up close and personal. Please call the office at (240) and schedule a day/time convenient for you and your family. May the Newborn continue to bless you and your family! O Πατέρ Μιχαήλ θα ευλογήσει τα σπίτια απο τις 1μμ στις 7 Ιανουαρίου. Θα ξεκινήσει στις 9 το πρωί κάθε μέρα με την τελευταία ευλογία σε σπίτι να έχει προγραμματιστεί 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. Παρακαλώ καλέστε το γραφείο στο (240) για να προγραμματίσετε μια ημέρα / ώρα βολική για εσάς και την οικογένειά σας. Ας συνεχίσει ο Νεογεννηθείς να ευλογεί εσάς και την οικογένειά σας! 14

15 ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ & Θ. ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ By Thavor «Δέν ὑπάρχει Ἱ.Κανόνας!» (Ἀπό τό βιβλίο τοῦ ἀρχιμ. Βασιλείου Μπακογιάννη, Ναός, Ἱερέας, Θ.Λειτουργία, Θ. Κοινωνία, σελ ) Ἄν καθίσεις στό τραπέζι καί εἰπεῖς στούς συνδιαιτημόνες σου, ὀρθόδοξους χριστιανούς, «τρώω λαχανικά, γιατί μοῦ τό εἶπε ὁ διαιτολόγος μου», θά σοῦ εἰποῦν «σεβαστό!». Μπορεῖ καί νά σέ ζηλεύουν, πού ἐγκρατεύεσαι! Ἄν ὅμως τούς εἰπεῖς, «νηστεύω, γιατί θά κοινωνήσω», θά σοῦ εἰποῦν: «Δέν κάνεις καλά! Δέν χρειάζεται νηστεία πρό τῆς Θ. Κοινωνίας, γιατί δέν ὑπάρχει Κανόνας!». (Ἐνῶ γιά τή δίαιτα ὑπάρχει...!). Πρῶτο: Οἱ Ἱ. Κανόνες θεσπίζονταν, ὅταν προέκυπτε πρόβλημα, γιά νά λυθεῖ τό πρόβλημα. Ὅμως στήν Ἐκκλησία δέν προέκυψε πρόβλημα, ἄν οἱ χριστιανοί θά πρέπει ἤ ὄχι νά νηστεύουν, γιατί ἤδη νήστευαν. Γιά ποιό λόγο λοιπόν νά θεσπιζόταν Ἱ. Κανόνας; Καί δεύτερο: Ἡ Ἐκκλησία δέν στηρίζεται μόνο στούς Ἱ. Κανόνες, ἀλλά καί στήν ἄγραφη Παράδοση, πού ἔχει ἰσχύ Ἱ. Κανόνος! Ἐπί τῇ εὐκαιρίᾳ: Ποιός Ἱ. Κανόνας Ἁγίας Συνόδου δεσμεύει τόν Ἱερέα, νά τηρεῖ τό «ἀπόρρητον τῆς ἐξομολογήσεως;». Κανένας! Ἰσχύει ἤ ὄχι «τό ἀπόρρητον;». «Ναί!», θά εἰπεῖς. Μά δέν ὑπάρχει Ἱ. Κανόνας...! Ὁ Ἅγιος Ἰ. μᾶς εἶπε, γιά ποιό λόγο καθιερώθηκε ἡ νηστεία τῆς Μ. Τεσσαρακοστῆς, (προετοιμασία γιά τή Θ. Κοινωνία). Καί ἀπό τότε λοιπόν καί μετά «βασική προϋπόθεση γιά τήν Θ. Κοινωνία, ἦταν ἡ ἐν μετανοίᾳ καί νηστεία πνευματική περισυλλογή καί ἡ Ἐξομολόγηση» (Βλασίου Φειδᾶ, Ἐκκλησιαστική ἱστορία, τ. Α Ἀθῆναι 1992, σελ. 910). Τό ἴδιο ἀκριβῶς ἐπανέλαβε μετά ἀπό δεκατρεῖς αἰῶνες στήν «Ὁμολογία» του ὁ Μητροπολίτης Κιέβου Πέτρος ὁ Μογίλας (17ος αἰ): «Ἡ ἑτοιμασία πρός τήν Μετάληψιν τῶν φρικτῶν τούτων μυστηρίων, πρέπει νά γίνεται κατά τήν τάξιν τῆς Ἐκκλησίας ἡμῶν τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου, ἤγουν μέ καθαράν ἐξομολόγησιν νηστείαν τε καί κατάνυξιν», (Ἰω. Καρμίρη. Τά Δογματικά καί Συμ βο λικά μνημεῖα τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας, τ. Β σελ ). Καί ἐπειδή ἡ Θ. Κοινωνία εἶχε πιά συνδυασθεῖ μέ τή νηστεία, γι αὐτό, σύν τῷ χρόνῳ (691 μ.χ) καθιερώθηκαν τή Μ. Τεσσαρακοστή οἱ «Προηγιασμένες» (ΝΒ τῆς ΣΤ )[1]. «Ἐφόσον νηστεύουμε, γιατί νά μήν κοινωνοῦμε;», ἦταν τό σκεπτικό τους, καί ὄχι «ἐφόσον γίνονται Προηγιασμένες, γιατί νά μήν κοινωνοῦμε;». Καί γι αὐτό (ἐπειδή ἡ νηστεία εἶχε συνδυασθεῖ μέ τή Θ. Κοινωνία) ἐπικράτησε, ὥστε οἱ περισσότεροι χριστιανοί νά κοινωνοῦν σέ περιόδους νηστειῶν, Χριστούγεννα, Πάσχα, τῶν Ἁγίων Ἀποστόλων καί τῆς Παναγίας. 15

16 ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ & Θ. ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ (cont.) By Thavor Παράδοση & Κανόνας Κατά τόν Μ. Βασίλειο τά ἄγραφα ἤθη στήν Ἐκκλησία ἔχουν ἰσχύ Νόμου (Κανόνας ΠΖ). Καί στήν Ἐκκλησία λοιπόν ὑπῆρχε ἄγραφη συνήθεια, πού ὅριζε νηστεία πρό τῆς Θ. Κοινωνίας, ὁπότε αὐτή ἡ συνήθεια ἔχει ἰσχύ Ἱ. Κανόνος! «Τά ἀρχαῖα ἤθη κρατείτω» διατάσσει ἡ Ἁγία Πρώτη Οἰκουμενική Σύνοδος (Κανόνας ΣΤ). Ἔστω, ὅτι δέν ὑπάρχει Παράδοση πού νά λέει γιά νηστεία πρό τῆς Θ. Κοινωνίας. Ἄρα ἔχουμε τό ἐλεύθερο ἤ νά νηστεύουμε ἤ νά μήν νηστεύουμε. Ὅμως ἐμεῖς προτιμᾶμε νά μήν νηστεύουμε. Ἡ ἐπιλογή μας αὐτή θά πρέπει νά μᾶς προβληματίσει, γιατί τό κίνητρό της εἶναι ἡ ἀγάπη στήν κοιλία, καί ὄχι στό Χριστό. Πού σημαίνει, καί Κανόνας Ἁγίας Συνόδου νά ὑπῆρχε, ἡ «κοιλία» μας θά «ἀπαγόρευε» τήν τήρησή της! Ντοκουμέντο: Τηροῦμε τούς Κανόνες τῶν Ἁγίων Συνόδων πού μιλᾶνε γιά νηστεία; Τηροῦμε τόν Ν Κανόνα τῆς Λαοδικείας, πού μᾶς ὑποχρεώνει νά ξηροφαγοῦμε καθόλη τήν Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή; Τηροῦμε τόν ΞΔ Κανόνα τῶν Ἁγίων Ἀποστόλων πού μᾶς ὑποχρεώνει νά νηστεύουμε (ξηροφαγοῦμε) κάθε Τετάρτη καί Παρασκευή καί καθόλη τήν Ἁγία καί Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή; Τηροῦμε τόν ΠΘ Κανόνα τῆς Ἁγίας Ἕκτης Οἰκουμενικῆς Συνόδου πού μᾶς ἀπαγορεύει νά φᾶμε «κάτι» ἀπό τό βράδυ τῆς Μ. Πέμπτης μέχρι καί τά ξημερώματα τῆς Κυριακῆς τοῦ Πάσχα; Τό θέμα λοιπόν δέν εἶναι ὅτι δέν ὑπ ά ρ χει Ἱ. Κανόνας, ἀλλά ἄν ἐμεῖς ἔχουμε διάθεση γιά νηστεία πρό τῆς Θ. Κοινωνίας. «Μπορεῖς νά νηστέψεις τό κρέας καί τά γαλακτερά;». Εἶπα ( ) σέ μιά 60χρονη, κυρία (κ. Ν.Λ), πού ζήτησε νά κοινωνήσει. «Πάτερ μου, τί μοῦ λές;! Γιά τήν ψυχή μου καί τό λάδι νά νηστέψω!». Αὐτό τό φρόνημα, τό φιλότιμο, αὐτή ἡ ἀρχοντική ἀγάπη πρός τό Χριστό (ὅπως ἔλεγε ὁ Γέροντας Παϊσιος (+1994) ἐκλείπει σήμερα ἀπό τίς ψυχές μας, γι αὐτό καί ὑπάρχει αὐτή ἡ ἀντίδραση γιά νηστεία πρό τῆς Θ. Κοινωνίας! 16

17 STEWARDSHIP LL Cool J Talks the Importance of Tithing by Vincent Funaro Rapper and actor LL Cool J appeared on Hot 97 in New York City for an interview last week where he discussed elements of his personal faith including his tithing. When asked about his over 20 years career in the world of hip-hop and how he s been able to maintain relevance all these years with his music and acting in shows such as NCIS, he credited God and also discussed the importance of giving, more specifically tithing. I mentioned earlier longevity, versatility and originality, LL Cool J said. What I didn t mention was spirituality and believing in God. Every dime I get, no matter what it is, I give 10 percent to the church. I m a life-long tither. I believe strongly in giving. I believe you got to have that faith. And I ve seen it work in my life, because as much as people in the world like to take credit and claim to be geniuses, at the end of the day there s a higher power than you, and you got to answer to that power. The interview also revealed that the hip-hop pioneer and legend attends Greater Allen African Methodist Episcopal Cathedral in Jamaica, Queen, New York, which is pastored by former Democratic congressman Floyd Flake. LL Cool J further commented that he s unique and an anomaly in the hip-hop industry because he s been able to maintain his career while others are no longer in the business. I ve been blessed to be able to transcend eras, he said. That s like a blessing. I m kind of an anomaly. I m unique in that way. Sometimes the stars line-up. God gives people favor in different areas, and in that particular area he s just blessed me to be able to relate consistently to all different generations. LL Cool J will be joining another self-proclaimed anomaly as he will be performing alongside Lecrae at this year s Christmas in Brooklyn event in Brooklyn, New York, on Dec. 19. The show will feature other hip-hop legends, including LL Cool J s former Def Jam label mates Run DMC. 17

18 STEWARDSHIP The God who came to us at Bethlehem continues to come to us today. He comes through the Sacrament of Baptism to bestow upon us His love, to call us His very own. He comes through the Sacrament of Chrismation to fill us with His presence, to make our bodies temples of His Holy Spirit. He comes through repentance and the Sacrament of Confession to cleanse us of sin, to restore in our souls "the peace of God that passes all understanding. In every liturgy He comes to us as the Word of God, bringing words of eternal life through the Scripture readings and the sermon. Through the Sacrament of Communion He comes to be born again and again in the shabby stables of our hearts. He comes constantly through prayer. He blesses our marriages as He did that in Cana of Galilee. He stands by our sick bed, laying His healing hand upon us through the prayers of the priest. He comes again and again in so many, many ways through the many ministries of His Church. He comes with healing and forgiveness; He comes with strength and guidance. He comes and when He comes, as the Bible says, the blind see, the lame walk, and the prisoners are set free." It is by offering our blessings back to God that He will be able to continue His forgiving, healing, liberating, empowering, transfiguring, loving ministry through the Church. For God, Infinite though He be, has chosen to work through us, through our gifts, to continue His saving work in the world today. Fr. Anthony M. Coniaris 18

19 OUTREACH MINISTRY Centering the Season on Christ What can we do? Let us remember that the season celebrates the love of God revealed in the coming of Christ. For those with faith, the colored lights, the green trees, the wreaths and the flowers are the symbols of the joy of Christmas. Let us celebrate the joy of Christ s coming! Let us share the love of God with others. Christ has come to bear witness to the Father s love for us. We too can share this love with others, especially with the poor and less fortunate among us. We can be sensitive to those who cannot easily celebrate because of a loss in their lives. Let us be the ambassadors of God who share His care and philanthropy. Father Thomas FitzGerald YOUTH MINISTRY The #1 Reason Teens Keep The Faith Parents set a kind of glass ceiling of religious commitment, above which their children rarely rise. In other words, it is the parents who need to be trained better. The holy grail for helping youth remain religiously active as young adults has been at home all along: parents. Mothers and fathers who practice what they preach and preach what they practice are far and away the major influence related to adolescents keeping the faith into their 20s, according to new findings from a landmark study of youth and religion. 19

20 Just 1 percent of teens ages 15 to 17 raised by parents who attached little importance to religion were highly religious in their mid-to-late 20s. In contrast, 82 percent of children raised by parents who talked about faith at home, attached great importance to their beliefs and were active in their congregations were themselves religiously active as young adults, according to data from the latest wave of the National Study of Youth and Religion. The connection is nearly deterministic, said University of Notre Dame Sociologist Christian Smith, lead researcher for the study. Other factors such as youth ministry or clergy or service projects or religious schools pale in comparison. No other conceivable causal influence comes remotely close to matching the influence of parents on the religious faith and practices of youth, Smith said in a recent talk sharing the findings at Yale Divinity School. Parents just dominate. Parent Power Several studies have shown that the religious behaviors and attitudes of parents are related to those of their children. In research using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, sociologists Christopher Bader and Scott Desmond found that children of parents who believe that religion is very important and display their commitment by attending services are most likely to transmit religiosity to their children. This is the fourth wave of the NSYR, a comprehensive national study first conducted in among teens ages 13 to 17 and their parents. These early findings add powerful evidence of the importance of mothers and fathers as the study traces the path of young respondents, who are now ages 24 to 29. One of the strongest factors associated with older teens keeping their faith as young adults was having parents who talked about religion and spirituality at home, Smith said. Other key factors included having parents for whom personal faith is important and who demonstrate that faith through attending services. Teens whose parents attended worship with them were especially likely to be religiously active as young adults. 20

21 Among related findings, parents from religious traditions that in general promote greater commitment and encourage discussing faith outside the sanctuary also were more likely to have children who remained active in their faith as young adults. For example, two-thirds of teens raised by black Protestant parents and half of adolescents with conservative Protestant parents had high or moderate levels of religiousness as young adults. On the other end, 70 percent of teens raised by mainline Protestant parents had minimal or lower levels of religiousness as young adults. In interviews, many Mainline Protestant parents said they feel guilty if they think they are doing anything to direct their children toward their religion as opposed to any other possibility. There s a sense of like should you tell your child that what I believe is right, Smith said. Yet if parents and faith communities are not able to communicate their beliefs, Smith said later, The game s over, already. Empowering parents The role of parents is even more critical today as trust in institutions decline and many children with more demanding schedules are spending less time in congregations, Smith noted. Yet, he said, there are some powerful cultural scripts that discourage parents from taking an active role in the spiritual lives of their teens. Among those scripts: After age 12, the role of parents recedes, and the influence of peers, the media, music and social media take over. Cultural messages that encourage parents to turn their children over to experts. In the case of faith formation, many parents consider that to be the responsibility of clergy, Sunday schools and youth groups, Smith said. Religious groups can help parents realize their key role in transmitting faith to the next generation by working with them from the births of their children to empower them to take on that responsibility, Smith said. That includes involving them in congregational activities, making sure pastors and youth ministers work cooperatively with parents and encouraging parents and children to worship together, Smith said. For their part, parents need to realize a hands-off approach to religion has consequences. Parents, for better or worse, are actually the most influential pastors of their children, Smith said. Parents set a kind of glass ceiling of religious commitment, above which their children rarely rise. 21

22 PHILOPTOCHOS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE Sunday, December 21st Following the Divine Liturgy Until Noon BAKLAVA FINIKIA GALATOBOULEKO KARITHOPITA KOULOURAKIA KOURAMBIETHES PAXIMATHIA RAVANI CHRISTMAS SWEET BREAD (Limited number of breads available) $3.00 each $1.25 each $3.00 each $2.00 each $6.00 dozen $1.25 each $6.00 dozen $2.00 each $15.00 each ******PASTRY AND BREAD-AVAILABLE ON FIRST COME BASIS 22

23 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h Of Washington, DC Temporary Church Address: St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD Office Address: 701 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD Phone: (240) office@schgocdc.org Website: Rev. Michael Eaccarino, Protopresbyter fm@papouli.net Rev. Jason Houck, Presbyter FatherJason@schgocdc.org We welcome all visitors among us always! We hope you find our worship true and reverent and our people here friendly and cordial. If you are seeking a spiritual home, we would be honored by your presence in our family. We are glad you chose to worship with us today. ALTAR BOYS Joe Mayes joem1222@gmail.com STEWARDSHIP Sotirios Nasios snasios@yahoo.com Kathy Matrakas klukia14@gmail.com GREEK LANGUAGE/ MINISTRY Ifigenia Kambanis agkambanis@msn.com Irene Iatrou eirini.iatrou@gmail.com OUTREACH MINISTRY Ms. Anastasia Kyritsopoulos (301) a.kyritsopoulos2@gmail.com CHOIR Dr. Theodore Papaloizos ted@greek123.com Jr. GOYA/Sr. GOYA Alexandra Pittas pittasa@verizon.net GREEK DANCE MINISTRY Elaine Romas eromas@verizon.net Kristina Maria Paspalis kmpaspalis@gmail.com YOUNG AT HEART Helen Thornberg bwt602r@aol.com Christina Clifton Christina.Clifton@verizon.net 23 CATECHETICAL MINISTRY Tara Kavadias tarakavadias@yahoo.com Voula Vithoulkas voulavithoulkas@gmail.com YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY (YAL) Viktoria Taroudaki Victoria.taroudaki@gmail.com PHILOPTOCHOS Paraskevoula Hays voulaphilo@landmark.org HOPE & JOY Father Jason Houck (301) fatherjason@schgocdc.org

24 PARISH LIFE - Dates to Remember Monday Δευτέρα 12/22/14 Strict Fast Νηστεία Tuesday Τρίτη 12/23/14 Strict Fast Νηστεία Wednesday Τετάρτη 12/24/14 Strict Fast Νηστεία Thursday Πέμτη 12/25/14 Fast Free Friday Παρασκευή 12/26/14 Fast Free Anastasia the Great Martyr Ἀναστασία Μεγαλομάρτυς 8:30am - Orthros - Ορθρος 9:30am-Divine Liturgy - Θεία Λειτουργία At Sts. Constantine & Helen Chapel - Norwood Property Eugenia the Righteous Nun-martyr of Rome Εὐγενία Ὁσιομάρτης 8:00am-Royal Hours 9:00am-Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil-Θεία Λειτουργία At Sts. Constantine & Helen Chapel - Norwood Property The Eve of Christmas 6:00pm - Orthros - Ορθρος 7:00pm-Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom-Θεία Λειτουργία At St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Ἡ Γέννησις τοῦ Σωτήρος ημων Iησοῦ Χριστοῦ 8:30am Orthros -Ορθρος 9:30am-Divine Liturgy Θεία Λειτουργία At St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Synaxis of the Holy Theotokos Σύναξις τῆς Θεοτόκου 8:30am-Orthros - Ορθρος 9:30am-Divine Liturgy - Θεία Λειτουργία At Sts. Constantine & Helen Chapel - Norwood Property Saturday Σάββατον 12/27/14 Fast Free Sunday Κυριακή 12/28/14 Fast Free Stephen, Archdeacon & First Martyr Στέφανος Πρωτομάρτυς 8:30am-Orthros - Ορθρος 9:30am-Divine Liturgy-Θεία Λειτουργία At Sts. Constantine & Helen Chapel - Norwood Property Sunday before Nativity Κυριακή πρό τῆς Χριστοῦ Γεννήσεως 7:00-8:15am-Orthros - ρθρος 8:15-10:00am Divine Liturgy-Θ. Λειτουργία At St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral 24