Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Sunday, April 21, 2019 Palm Sunday

Transcript

1 Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Sunday, April 21, 2019 Palm Sunday SAINTS OF THE WEEK Richarius, Abbot in Pacardy, celebrated on April 26 Richarius was born in seventh-century France, at Cellas. During this time, the population there was mostly pagan. Once when two Irish priests landed on the coast trying to cross the country, they would have been seriously mistreated had Richarius not protected them. In gratitude, they instructed him in the Christian faith, after which Richarius was inspired to become a priest. After rigorous preparation, he was ordained to the priesthood and lived for some time in England. When he returned to France, he began to preach with extraordinary zeal and great success. He warned King Dagobert on the dangers and vanities of this world, and his responsibilities as king. He said, He who has to obey will only have to render account to God of himself, but he who commands will also have to answer for all his subjects. As Richarius grew older, he gave up his responsibilities as abbot of the Celles monastery he had founded. He lived as a hermit for the rest of his life with a disciple names Sigobard. Afterward, the monastery of Forest-Montiers was built over his cell. Hieromartyr Symeon, Kinsman of the Lord, celebrated on April 27 Symeon was the son of Cleopas, younger brother of St. Joseph the Betrothed. He believed in Jesus Christ and was one of the Seventy disciples, preaching in Judea. James, the Lord s brother and first bishop of Jerusalem, was martyred when he was thrown from the top of the temple. Symeon succeeded him as bishop and preached in Antioch, Alexandria, and Constantinople. He denounced idol-worship and preached the teachings of Christ. During the reign of Emperor Trajan, it was reported to the governor Atticus that Symeon was descended from the lineage of King David and was confessing the Christian faith. The Romans had exterminated all the descendants of King David. Symeon was asked to deny Jesus Christ or be condemned to death on a cross. Symeon expressed appreciation for being crucified like Jesus. He was one hundred twenty years of age 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, χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ πάντοτε πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε. Τὸ ἐπιεικὲς ὑμῶν γνωσθήτω πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις. Ὁ κύριος ἐγγύς. Μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε, ἀλλʼ ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν. Καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν, φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Τὸ λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ, ὅσα σεμνά, ὅσα δίκαια, ὅσα ἁγνά, ὅσα προσφιλῆ, ὅσα εὔφημα, εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, ταῦτα λογίζεσθε. Ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί, ταῦτα πράσσετε καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθʼ ὑμῶν. BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you. Πρὸ ἓξ ἡμερῶν τοῦ πάσχα ἦλθεν Ὁ Ιησοῦς εἰς Βηθανίαν, ὅπου ἦν Λάζαρος ὁ τεθνηκώς, ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐποίησαν οὖν αὐτῷ δεῖπνον ἐκεῖ, καὶ ἡ Μάρθα διηκόνει ὁ δὲ Λάζαρος εἷς ἦν τῶν ἀνακειμένων σὺν αὐτῷ. ἡ οὖν Μαρία, λαβοῦσα λίτραν μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτίμου, ἤλειψε τοὺς πόδας τοῦ Ιησοῦ καὶ ἐξέμαξε ταῖς θριξὶν αὐτῆς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ ἡ δὲ οἰκία ἐπληρώθη ἐκ τῆς ὀσμῆς τοῦ μύρου. λέγει οὖν εἷς ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, Ιούδας Σίμωνος Ισκαριώτης, ὁ μέλλων αὐτὸν παραδιδόναι διατί τοῦτο τὸ μύρον οὐκ ἐπράθη τριακοσίων δηναρίων καὶ ἐδόθη πτωχοῖς; εἶπε δὲ τοῦτο οὐχ ὅτι περὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ἔμελεν αὐτῷ, ἀλλ ὅτι κλέπτης ἦν, καὶ τὸ γλωσσόκομον εἶχε καὶ τὰ βαλλόμενα ἐβάσταζεν. εἶπεν οὖν ὁ Ιησοῦς ἄφες αὐτήν, εἰς τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνταφιασμοῦ μου τετήρηκεν αὐτό. τοὺς πτωχοὺς γὰρ πάντοτε ἔχετε μεθ ἑαυτῶν, ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε. Εγνω οὖν ὄχλος πολὺς ἐκ τῶν Ιουδαίων ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἐστι, καὶ ἦλθον οὐ διὰ τὸν Ιησοῦν μόνον, ἀλλ ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἴδωσιν ὃν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν. ἐβουλεύσαντο δὲ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἀποκτείνωσιν, ὅτι πολλοὶ δι αὐτὸν ὑπῆγον τῶν Ιουδαίων καὶ ἐπίστευον εἰς τὸν Ιησοῦν. Τῇ ἐπαύριον ὄχλος πολὺς ὁ ἐλθὼν εἰς τὴν ἑορτήν, ἀκούσαντες ὅτι ἔρχεται Ιησοῦς εἰς Ιεροσόλυμα, ἔλαβον τὰ βαΐα τῶν φοινίκων καὶ ἐξῆλθον εἰς ὑπάντησιν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἔκραζον ὡσαννά, εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου, ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ Ισραήλ. εὑρὼν δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς ὀνάριον ἐκάθισεν ἐπ αὐτό, καθώς ἐστι γεγραμμένον μὴ φοβοῦ, θύγατερ Σιών ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς σου ἔρχεται καθήμενος ἐπὶ πῶλον ὄνου. Ταῦτα δὲ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ τὸ πρῶτον, ἀλλ ὅτε ἐδοξάσθη ὁ Ιησοῦς, τότε ἐμνήσθησαν ὅτι ταῦτα ἦν ἐπ αὐτῷ γεγραμμένα, καὶ ταῦτα ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ. Εμαρτύρει οὖν ὁ ὄχλος ὁ ὢν μετ αὐτοῦ ὅτε τὸν Λάζαρον ἐφώνησεν ἐκ τοῦ μνημείου καὶ ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν. διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ ὁ ὄχλος, ὅτι ἤκουσαν τοῦτο αὐτὸν πεποιηκέναι τὸ σημεῖον. Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

3 Please don t forget to fill out your 2019 Stewardship pledge card before you leave today. Thank you!

4 Εμπόδια για την επίσκεψη της Θείας Χάριτος στον άνθρωπο... Κάθε αμαρτία ως επανάσταση εναντίον του Θεού αντιστρατεύεται το έργο της Θείας Χάριτος. Ο άγιος Συμεών ο Νέος Θεολόγος επισημαίνει πως υ- πάρχουν και μερικές αδυναμίες που αποτελούν φράγματα και παρεμποδίζουν την έλευση της Θείας Χάριτος. Και αυτά είναι: - Η αμέλεια για την μετάνοιά μας. Θα καταδικαστούμε όχι γιατί αμαρτήσαμε, αλλά γιατί δεν μετανοήσαμε, δεν ζητήσαμε το έλεος του Θεού για να λυτρωθούμε από την ψυχική μας ασθένεια. - Η ραθυμία (=τεμπελιά) που παραλύει τις ψυχικές μας δυνάμεις και τις ακινητοποιεί. Χωρίς σκληρούς αγώνες δεν ενεργοποιείται η Χάρη του Θεού. Όχι γιατί ο Θεός χρειάζεται τους κόπους του μετανοούντος ανθρώπου, αλλά για να μην λάβει ο άνθρωπος τη Χάρη του Θεού χωρίς κόπο και την καταφρονήσει όπως παλαιότερα. - Η υπερηφάνεια. Αν δέχθηκες, λέγει ο ιερός πατέρας, τη Χάρη του Αγ. Πνεύματος και φωτίσθηκες, πρόσεξε μην νομίσεις πως είναι δικός σου φωτισμός, γιατί αν το νομίσεις αυτό, τότε θα αναχωρήσει και θα πάθεις χειρότερα από πρώτα. - Η ασπλαχνία προς τον συνάνθρωπο. Αυτή σβήνει τον φωτισμό της ψυχής. Γιατί εκείνος που θα βρει τη σωτηρία του με την ευσπλαχνία του προς τους αδελφούς του, πάλι με το δικό του έλεος προς τους αδελφούς του θα μπορέσει να φανεί άξιος της χάριτος του Θεού και να πετύχει τη σωτηρία του. CALLING ALL READERS! Any parishioners who are able to read a foreign language and would enjoy reading the Gospel at the AGAPE Vespers on Pascha, April 28th, please contact the Church office.

5 LIGHTING UPGRADES We will save huge amounts of money with light efficiency upgrades to our church and facilities. A great deal was presented for us to do so. A generous donor has covered half the cost of the church s light replacement project. We will need another $3000 to go. Please help us cover the cost of these much needed upgrades to high-efficiency lights and illuminate the works of our church. See a parish council member or the church office for details. Any donation is appreciated. Thank you and have a bright day! SAVE THE DATE Today s coffee fellowship is hosted by the ladies of our Philoptochos. Everyone is invited to our community hall to enjoy fellowship. April 28: Easter Egg Hunt after Agape Vespers May 2: Christianiki Philoxenia at St. Nicholas Church May 3: Bright Friday Feast May 5: 2:00pm - Greek Parade on Halsted Street May 11: Parish Trip to the St. Iakovos Retreat Center, WI May 12: Mother s Day Breakfast May 18: Spring Food Festival May 19: Couples Outing (Location TBD) May 24-26: Metropolis of Chicago Jr. Olympics June 1: Greek School Graduation June 4: Christianiki Philoxenia at St. Spyridon Church, Palos Heights June 8: Church Cleaning and Garage/Storage room cleaning June 9: Graduate Sunday June 9: Women s Outing (Location TBD) June 15: Saturday of the Souls June 15: Parish trip to Great America JUNE 21-23: 2019 GREEK FESTIVAL August 10: Feed My Starving Children, Schaumburg August 24: Sunday School Teacher Workshop at St. George, Chicago September 25-29: Metropolis Clergy Laity, Minneapolis, MN

6 Palm Sunday On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today. The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel. St. Epiphanios of Salamis on the Lord's Descent into Hades Something strange is happening - there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and He has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear. He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, He has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, He who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the Cross, the weapon that had won Him the victory. At the sight of Him Adam, the first man He had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: "My Lord be with you all." Christ answered him: "And with your spirit." He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: "'Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.' I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by My own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of My hands, you who were created in My image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in Me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden. See on My face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in My image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See My hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree. I slept on the Cross and a sword pierced My side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced Me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you. Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them venerate you as a god. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

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8 WEEKLY EVENTS TODAY Palm Sunday Plaki Luncheon 11:00am - 2:00pm - Philoptochos Easter Bake Sale 7:00pm - Nymphios Service Monday, April 22 7:00pm - Nymphios Service Tuesday, April 23 7:00pm - Nymphios Service Wednesday, April 24 3:00pm - Holy Unction 7:00pm - Matins of Holy Thursday Thursday, April 25 9:00am - D. Liturgy of the Mystical Supper 7:00pm - The Twelve Gospel Readings Friday, April 26 9:00am - Royal Hours 3:00pm - Unnailing from the Cross 7:00pm - Service of the Lamentations Saturday, April 27 9:00am - First Resurrection 10:45pm - Vigil for the Holy Resurrection Sunday, April 28 Easter Sunday 12am - Resurrection Service 12:30 a.m. - Τhe Paschal Liturgy - Paschal Meal following Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. - Αgape Vespers Service and Easter Egg Hunt ΗΜΕΡΟΛΟΓΙΟ ΣΗΜΕΡΑ Γεύμα Κυριακής των Βαΐων 11.00π.μ μ.μ. - Philoptochos Easter Bake Sale 7.00μ.μ. - Ακολουθία του Νυμφίου Δευτέρα, 22 Απριλίου 7.00μ.μ. - Ακολουθία του Νυμφίου Τρίτη, 23 Απριλίου 7.00μ.μ. - Ακολουθία του Νυμφίου Τετάρτη, 24 Απριλίου 3.00μ.μ. - Το Μυστήριον του Αγ. Ευχελαίου 7.00μ.μ. - Όρθρος Μεγάλης Πέμπτης Πέμπτη, 25 Απριλίου 9.00π.μ. - Θ. Λειτουργία: Μυστικός Δείπνος 7.00μ.μ. - Τα Δώδεκα Ευαγγέλια Παρασκευή, 26 Απριλίου 9.00π.μ. - Ακολουθία των Βασιλικών Ώρων 3.00μ.μ. - Η Αποκαθήλωσις 7.00μ.μ. - Ο Επιτάφιος Θρήνος Σάββατο, 27 Απριλίου 9.00π.μ. - Θ. Λειτουργία του Μ. Βασιλείου 10.45μ.μ. - Μέγα Σάββατον Εσπέρας Κυριακή, 28 Απριλίου Άγιον Πάσχα 12π.μ. - Η Ανάστασις 12.30π.μ. - Θ. Λειτουργία, Κατηχητικός Λόγος Αγ. Χρυσοστόμου, Πασχαλινό Γεύμα 10.30π.μ. - Ο Εσπερινός της Αγάπης και Easter Egg Hunt