9th Sunday of Matthew -

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1 Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751 Durham NC News & Announcements July 29, th Sunday of Matthew - The Holy Martyr Callinicus 7/29/2018 Pious King Theodosius the New 7/29/2018 Seraphima the Virgin-martyr of Antioch 7/29/2018 Holy Virgin Martyr Theodota 7/29/2018 Constantine III, Patriarch of Constantinople 7/29/2018 Olaf of Norway 7/29/2018 Theodota the Martyr and her Children 7/29/2018 NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am To Our Visitors and Guests We welcome you to worship with us today, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not a sacrament, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning please join us in the Church Hall for fellowship and refreshments. Please complete a Visitor s Card before you leave today and drop it in the offering tray, or give it to one of the parishioners after the service, or mail it to the Church Office. 1

2 The Sunday Epistle Reading Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel. The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (3:9-17) Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are. Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ. Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα (είναι απο 3:9-17) Ἀδελφοί, Θεοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν συνεργοί θεοῦ γεώργιον, θεοῦ οἰκοδομή ἐστε. Κατὰ τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι, ὡς σοφὸς ἀρχιτέκτων θεμέλιον τέθεικα, ἄλλος δὲ ἐποικοδομεῖ. Ἕκαστος δὲ βλεπέτω πῶς ἐποικοδομεῖ. Θεμέλιον γὰρ ἄλλον οὐδεὶς δύναται θεῖναι παρὰ τὸν κείμενον, ὅς ἐστιν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός. Εἰ δέ τις ἐποικοδομεῖ ἐπὶ τὸν θεμέλιον τοῦτον χρυσόν, ἄργυρον, λίθους τιμίους, ξύλα, χόρτον, καλάμην, ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον φανερὸν γενήσεται ἡ γὰρ ἡμέρα δηλώσει, ὅτι ἐν πυρὶ ἀποκαλύπτεται καὶ ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον ὁποῖόν ἐστιν τὸ πῦρ δοκιμάσει. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον μένει ὃ ἐποικοδόμησεν, μισθὸν λήψεται. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον κατακαήσεται, ζημιωθήσεται αὐτὸς δὲ σωθήσεται, οὕτως δὲ ὡς διὰ πυρός. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ναὸς θεοῦ ἐστε, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ οἰκεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν; Εἴ τις τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ φθείρει, φθερεῖ τοῦτον ὁ θεός ὁ γὰρ ναὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἅγιός ἐστιν, οἵτινές ἐστε ὑμεῖς.\ 2

3 The Sunday Gospel Reading The Gospel According to Matthew 14:22-34 At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα (14:22-34) Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠνάγκασεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς μαθητὰς ἐμβῆναι εἰς τὸ πλοῖον καὶ προάγειν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ πέραν, ἕως οὗ ἀπολύσῃ τοὺς ὄχλους. Καὶ ἀπολύσας τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος κατ ἰδίαν προσεύξασθαι. ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης μόνος ἦν ἐκεῖ. Τὸ δὲ πλοῖον ἤδη σταδίους πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἀπεῖχεν, βασανιζόμενον ὑπὸ τῶν κυμάτων, ἦν γὰρ ἐναντίος ὁ ἄνεμος. Τετάρτῃ δὲ φυλακῇ τῆς νυκτὸς ἦλθεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν. Οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης περιπατοῦντα ἐταράχθησαν λέγοντες ὅτι Φάντασμά ἐστιν, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου ἔκραξαν. Εὐθὺς δὲ ἐλάλησεν [ὁ Ιησοῦς] αὐτοῖς λέγων, Θαρσεῖτε, ἐγώ εἰμι μὴ φοβεῖσθε. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν, Κύριε, εἰ σὺ εἶ, κέλευσόν με ἐλθεῖν πρὸς σὲ ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα ὁ δὲ εἶπεν, Ελθέ. καὶ καταβὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ πλοίου ὁ Πέτρος περιεπάτησεν ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα καὶ ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν Ιησοῦν. Βλέπων δὲ τὸν ἄνεμον ἐφοβήθη, καὶ ἀρξάμενος καταποντίζεσθαι ἔκραξεν λέγων, Κύριε, σῶσόν με. Εὐθέως δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς ἐκτείνας τὴν χεῖρα ἐπελάβετο αὐτοῦ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, Ολιγόπιστε, εἰς τί ἐδίστασας; καὶ ἀναβάντων αὐτῶν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον ἐκόπασεν ὁ ἄνεμος. Οἱ δὲ ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες, Αληθῶς Θεοῦ υἱὸς εἶ. Καὶ διαπεράσαντες ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν εἰς Γεννησαρέτ. 3

4 Coffee Hour Celebrations Birthdays: Catherine Mariakakis has brought a sheet cake to celebrate the birthdays of Demi Vlachos and Donna Trohanis. Farewell Celebration to Honor the Kinard Family You will be greatly missed by all of us. Houston is a great place. My family loves it. 101 degrees so get your Sun Screen. My parents always made sacrifices for me so that my childhood could be enriched so that I could have a better future. They had Agape Love - Christ's Love for me - and so do you Andrew and Summer. It is just so fast for all of us, we just have to try and catch our emotional breaths. You will always be in our hearts and prayers - Christ will be our bond. I expect progress reports; dare I say an Epistle or 2... to the Community in Durham. Being in the land of St. Paul to the Philippians has put me in this mind set. + Fr. Stavroforos Date: July 24, 2018 Memorial Service for Fire Victims of Greece THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA AND THE GREEK AMERICAN OMOGENEIA PARTICIPATE IN THE MOURNING AND SUFFERING CAUSED BY THE LATEST FIRES IN ATTICA, GREECE NEW YORK The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America expresses its deep sorrow and agony for the disastrous fires in eastern Attica, Greece, which yesterday, July 23, 2018, destroyed inhabited areas and woodland, caused the loss of life of dozens of our fellow human beings, injured many others, and devastated homes and property. There is currently a significant number of missing persons. I express my sincere condolences to the people of Greece for this unexpected tragedy. As Greek Orthodox in America, we stand by and with our affected brothers and sisters in Greece and we fervently pray to God for the families impacted by this tragic calamity. We hope that favorable conditions will soon be restored for the return of life and progress in the destroyed areas, said His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. The Archbishop sent letters of condolence to the President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, and Metropolitan Kyrillos of Kifissia, Amaroussion and Oropos. In addition, Archbishop Demetrios wrote an Encyclical to the reverend clergy and the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, asking them to hold a prayer service this Sunday, July 29, 2018 for the health, relief and support of the fire victims, and to offer a special memorial service for those who have lost their lives to this tragedy. 4

5 14 th Annual Holiday Greek Pastry Sale Baking Koulourakia for Pastry Sale Saturday, August 18, 2018 Ladies, We hope all of you are enjoying a pleasant summer with your family and friends. It is time for us to start preparing the pastries for the Philoptochos Pastry Sale on November 17 and 18, Our first Baking preparation is scheduled for Saturday, August 18, 2018 starting at 9:30 am at the church. We hope you can assist us with this project. Our schedule times are listed below. Please let us know the times you are available to assist with this project. Looking forward to seeing you on August 18. In Christ, Joan Marinos, Catherine, Mariakakis, and Betsy Xenakis, Co-Chairs Koulourakia Schedule for Saturday, August 18, st Shift 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. Making and Baking the koulourakia 2 nd Shift 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Baking and Packing the koulourakia for the freezer If you can work both shifts, please let us know Any questions, contact Joan Marinos, Catherine Mariakakis. or Betsy Xenakis 5

6 Hello everyone. I know it seems a bit soon to be thinking about the holidays, but believe it or not, we re starting to prepare for the annual Holiday Pastry Sale. Thanks to a packed fall schedule at the church, we re going to have to gather earlier than expected to prepare the small pans of spanakopita. We will be assembling spanakopitas on Saturday, August 4 th, starting at approx. 9:30am at the church hall. We re aiming to make 200 small (8x8) pans, so we could use all the help we can get. I know everyone s schedules are busy, and your time is valuable, but even if you can only spare an hour or two, please come by. And feel free to invite any friends who might be interested in helping. If you can make it, please bring a small bowl or sauce pan to hold melted butter, and a pastry brush. That will help ensure we have enough equipment for all the workers. Finally, if you can please let either Evelyn Panos (mamapan@aol.com), Theky Pappas (tedtheky@aol.com), or me know if you re able to come, so we ll have some idea of how many helpers to expect. Or just drop in, we re flexible, and we ll definitely put you to work. Hope to see you on Saturday August 4 th! Many thanks, Cindy Paliouras cindy.paliouras@gmail.com or cindy.paliouras@progress.com Evelyn Panos mamapan@aol.com Theky Pappas tedtheky@aol.com 6

7 Beginning at 11:00 AM, this rare and joyous occasion will take the form of a procession with the icon of the Theotokos into our new Panagia Chapel, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, along with the Monks of Vatopaidi, the clergy of the Metropolis of Atlanta, and a parade group created especially for the event! Together, we will all have the opportunity to venerate the miraculous icon of our Lady, offer glory to our God and Creator, thanking those who made this day possible, and enjoying the fellowship of our Metropolis of Atlanta family. His Eminence hopes to see as many parishioners there as possible, and to that end, asks that you please RSVP with this link. You will not want to miss out on what will surely be a momentous and spiritually joyous event! For questions and additional information, please call Ethel Gjerde,

8 2018 Stewards through July 23, 2018 Our 2018 Stewardship Drive continues. At this point we have 121 Stewards for a 77% participation rate. Thank you to all who have pledged and contributed. Are you included as a Steward? Please give thoughtful and prayerful consideration to completing and returning your Stewardship & Building Fund form as soon as possible. Stewardship is the primary funding source of our operating obligations and Church s Ministries. Your Church needs your support. THANK YOU! John & Elly Akerly Fitzherbert Family Kleanthis & Angelika Papanikas Susan Alexander Daniel Florean Matina Papazoglou Alec & Francis Alexiades Crist & Maria Frangakis Katherine Pappaas Matthew and Vickie Amos Peter Gerondelis Dr. Ted & Theky Pappas Alexander & Laurel Arapoglou Socratis & Aliki Gerondelis Kendal Parker Marina Arvanitis Georga and Amy Glekas George Pashales William Athas Jim & Evy Glekas Joseph Podgurski Basile & Mary Bakis Christopher Goodwin Daniel & Lori Przybyl George & Marie Bakis Leonard & Elaine Goodwin Olgha Qaqish Nicholas & Eugenia Balafas James B. Harr, III Angelia Quint Effie Barbee Chris Hermanson Keith & Alexia Rheinhardt Lance & Maria Barton Paul Kacoyanis Monica & Sergey Samoilenko Thalia Becak Ed and Eve Kantner Jr. Matt & Marika Stavrakakis Tamar Beridze Antonios & Claire Karamalegos Epiphany Stephens Agape Blackley Andrew R. Kaufman Hon. Ron & Vicky Stephens Barbara Bonfiglio Dr. Kenneth & Karen Korach Andrea Stoney Nick Bourbous Christ Kleoudis William & Jennifer Sullivan Connie Bush Andrew & Summer Kinard Marian Sunas Katherine M Callahan Dr. Chris & Demetra Kontos Senait K Tesfatsion Manuel & Carole Capsalis Helen D. Koutouzakis Rebecca Theophanous Andrew & Cheryl Christakos Andrew Kuyper Tony Thompson Dr. Arthur Christakos Lee & Pauline Kuyper Olga Thuer Eleni Christakos Father Stavroforos Mamaies Donna Trohanis Lia Christakos Daniel & Hrisavgi Mangum Suzanne & Naki Tryphonos George & Deborah Christie Johnny & Catherine Mariakakis Dr. Dimitrios Varelas Dr. Bessie Chronaki Dr. Peter & Joan Marinos Georgina Varelas Chris & Michele Claypoole Vasilios Maroulas John Varelas Erie Cocolas John F. & MaryJon McWhirter Demetra Vlachos Catherine Constantinou & Wes Platt Rod & Katharine Meadows Helen Vurnakes Lou Constantinou John & Dawn Mehalek James & Frances Vurnakes Dean Costas &Meg Poe Hind Muallem Alexa Waters Sharan Dababnah David & Courtney Napier Preston &Catherine Wilson Anna & Phillip D'alessandro Larry & Hope Odzak Diane Winans Gus & Vanessa Demetriades Richard Oladipo Robert & Roberta Wippich Anne Dennos Cindy Paliouras Grace Witham & Nick Brantley George & Patricia Dennos Jim & Helen Paliouras Jonathan & Maria Wood Dobrinka Dimitrova John & Dena Paliouras Betsy Xenakis Betty Bouchlas Dorton Nicholas Paliouras Dino & Kerri Zaferatos Elena A. Dufault Peter & Evelyn Panos Christina Zehia Laurice Ferris Yuri & Elena Panov Anthony & Evelyn Zehia 8

9 Join us for upcoming events at St. Barbara Church! For details visit or the church Facebook page GENERAL ASSEMBLY Sunday, August 5 th after Sunday Worship GYRO FEAST Sat., August 25, am 7 pm dine in/take out Featuring gyro pita wraps, our most popular Greek Festival item NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY PHOTO TAKING DAYS Thursday, September 13 th 2:00 to 9:00 pm Friday, September 14 th 2:00 to 9:00 pm Saturday, September 15 th 10 am to 5:00 pm GREEK CHICKEN DINNERS Sat., October 6, am 7 pm dine in/take out HOLIDAY GREEK PASTRY SALE & ATHENIAN GRILL Fri, & Sat., November 16 & 17, am 7 pm Fabulous pastries & dine in/take out gyros, spanakopita & Salad August of Wednesday- Small Paraclesis - 6:30 pm 3 - Friday - Small Paraclesis - 6:30 pm 5 Sunday 10 th Sunday of Matthew Orthros & D. Liturgy - 9 am 6 Monday - Feast of the Holy Transfiguration - 9 am 8- Wednesday Small Paraclesis - 6:30 pm 10 Friday - Small Paraclesis - 6:30 pm 12 Sunday 11 th Sunday of Matthew 9 am 13 Monday - Small Paraclesis - 6:30 pm 14 - Tuesday Evenng - Great Vespers for the Dormition at Greensboro 15 Wednesday - Feast of the Dormition - 9 am 9

10 PARACLESIS Explanation of the Paraclesis: The word paraclesis has two different meanings: the first is consolation, from which the Holy Spirit is called the Paraclete, or consoler ; the second is supplication or petition. The Service of the Paraclesis to the Theotokos consists of hymns of supplication to obtains consolation aand courage. It should be recited in times of temptation, discouragement or sickness. It is used more particularly during the two weeks before the Dormition, or Assumption, of the Theotokos, from August 1 to August 14. The theme of these Paracleis Services centers around the petition, Most Holy Mother of God, intercede for us. If you have a problem or if something is burdening your soul, if you feel spiritually uneasy and if you are not at peace with yourself and with those around you, then, you should come to the Church during the first fifteen days of August and ask for the intercessions fo the Mother of God. Even if you are fortunate enough to be one of those very few who are at peace with themselves and with God, then those blessed ones should come to these services and thank God and His Mother for the blessings that they have upon them and their families. Since these Paraclesis Services to the Theotokos are primarily petitioned for the welfare of the living, let the whole Church pray for you during the first fifteen days of August and especially in thw Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15 th. Don t let your laziness and your apathy cause you to miss this great blessing and inspiration that the Church can bestow upon you. Let the peace and holiness that only the Mother of God can give you enter into your life. Let us lay aside all earthly cares, and let us truly, during these fifteen days, participate in the fasting and prayer lifw of the Church so that we can taste and see that the Lord is good and so that we may fully experience the spiritual blesssings of the Church. Names for the Health and Well Being of Loved Ones Are Submitted at the Service: As noted above, the Paracleiss service is a supplication specifically for the well-being of the living. During the services, Father Stavroforos, will commemorate the names of the living faithful for whom prayers have been asked. Accordingly, if you have family members, godparents, godchildren, friends, etc., who you would like to have commemorated at these services, please make a list of their names and provide it to Father. The Reason We Fast for the Feast of the Dormition: So why do we fast before the Dormition? In a close-knit family, word that it s matriarch is on her deathbled brings normal life to a halt. Otherwise important things (parties, TV, luxuries, personal desires) become unimportant; life comes to revolve around the dying matriarch. It is the same with the Orthodox family; word that our matriarch is on her deathbed, could not (or at least should not) have any different effect than the one mentioned. The Church, through the Paraclesis Service, gives you the opportunity to come that deathbed and eulogize and entreat the woman who bore God, the vessel of salvation and our chief advocate at His divine throne. And as, in the earthly family, daily routine and indulgence in personal wants should come to a halt. Fasting, in its full sense (abstaining from food and desires) accomplishes this. Less tiem in leisure or other pursuits leaves more time for prayer and reflection on she who gave us Christ, and became the first and greatest Christian. In reflecting on her and her incomparable life, we see a model Christian life, embodying Christ s retort to the woman who stated that Mary was blessed because she bore Him; blessed rather are those who hear the word and keep it. Mary did this better than anyone. As Fr. Thomas Hopko stated, she heard the workd of God and kept it so well, that she of all women in history was chosen not only to hear His Word but give birth to it (Him). So while we fast in contemplation of her life, we are simultaneously preparing ourselves to live a live in imitation of her. That is the purpose of the Dormtion Fast. 10

11 Names of the Living:

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