THE MISSION OF THE ST. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF WASHINGTON DC

Transcript

1 THE MISSION OF THE ST. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF WASHINGTON DC IN SILVER SPRING 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.

2 YOUR PRIESTS ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU 24/7. Please use their cell phones for any spiritual need you might have not for making appointments or scheduling anything. For all appointments and events, please call the church office at (240) Fr. Michael: (301) Fr. Jason: (301) ΟΙ ΙΕΡΕΙΣ ΣΑΣ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΣΤΗ ΔΙΑΘΕΣΗ ΣΑΣ 24/7. Παρακαλώ να τους καλείτε στα κινητά τηλέφωνα μόνο για πνευματικές ανάγκες. Για οτιδήποτε άλλο, παρακαλούμε να καλείτε το γραφείο στο (240) Σας ευχαριστούμε! Fr. Michael Fr. Jason

3 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h Temporary Church Address: St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD Office Address: 701 Norwood Road, Suite A, 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 CHOIR Dr. Theodore Papaloizos ted@greek123.com SUNDAY SCHOOL Tara Kavadias tarakavadias@yahoo.com HOPE & JOY Georgia Ferentinos meyaliyioryia@yahoo.com GREEK SCHOOL Iphigeneia Kambanis agkambanis@msn.com ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Fr. Jason Houck FatherJason@schgocdc.org GOYA Alexandra Pittas pittasa@verizon.net GREEK DANCE Maria Romas mromas3@gmail.com YOUNG AT HEART Helen Thornberg bwt602r@aol.com Kathy Matrakas klukia14@gmail.com YAL Maria Poulakis maria.poulakis7@gmail.com Tommy Karadimas tkaradimas13@aol.com PHILOPTOCHOS Paraskevoula Hays Paraskevoula.Hays@finra.org Nikki Pappas npgreekschool@hotmail.com STEWARDSHIP Sarantos Georgopoulos sarantosg1@gmail.com

4 PRAYER LIST If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the office. 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.

5 December 22, 2013 Sunday before Nativity - Κυριακή προ της Χριστού Γεννήσεως MERRY CHRISTMAS - ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ HYMNS OF THE DAY 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. Tῶν Πατέρων Μεγάλα τὰ τῆς Πίστεως κατορθώματα! ἐν τῇ πηγῇ τῆς φλογός, ὡς ἐπὶ ὕδατος ἀναπαύσεως, οἱ Ἅγιοι τρεῖς Παῖδες ἠγάλλοντο καὶ ὁ Προφήτης Δανιήλ, λεόντων ποιμήν, ὡς προβάτων ἐδείκνυτο. Ταῖς αὐτῶν ἱκεσίαις Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Προεόρτιον Ἐτοιμάζου Βηθλεέμ ἤνοικται πᾶσιν ἡ Ἐδέμ. Εὐτρεπίζου Ἐφραθᾶ, ὅτι τὸ ξύλον τῆς ζωῆς, ἐν τῷ σπηλαίῳ ἐξήνθησεν ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου. Παράδεισος καὶ γάρ, ἡ ἐκείνης γαστήρ, ἐδείχθη νοητός, ἐν ᾧ τὸ θεῖον φυτόν ἐξ οὗ φαγόντες ζήσομεν, οὐχὶ δὲ ὡς ὁ Ἀδὰμ τεθνηξόμεθα. Χριστὸς γεννᾶται, τὴν πρὶν πεσοῦσαν, ἀναστήσων εἰκόνα. 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. Aπολυτίκιον Αγ. Ανδρέα Ὡς τῶν Ἀποστόλων Πρωτόκλητος, καὶ τοῦ Κορυφαίου αὐτάδελφος, τὸν Δεσπότην τῶν ὅλων Ἀνδρέα ἱκέτευε, εἰρήνην τὴ οἰκουμένη δωρήσασθαι, καὶ ταὶς ψυχαὶς ἡ μῶν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Κοντάκιον - Γ Ήχος 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. Resurrectional Apolytikion - 1st Tone When the stone had been sealed by the Jews and the soldiers were guarding Thine immaculate Body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life unto the world. Wherefore, the powers of the Heavens cried out to Thee, O Lifegiver: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ. Glory to Thy Kingdom. Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Friend of man. For the Fathers Magnificent are Faith's accomplishments! The three holy Youths exultingly stood in the fountain of fire as if beside the still waters of rest. And Daniel the Prophet was shown to be a shepherd of lions. At their entreaty, O Christ God, save our souls. Apolytikion for Sunday before Nativity Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, glory be to Thee. 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. Apolytikion of St. Andrew As first of the Apostles to be called, O Andrew, brother of him (Peter) who was foremost, beseech the Master of all to grant the world peace and our souls great mercy. Seasonal Kontakion - 3rd 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.

6 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν. Πρὸς Ἑβραίους Επιστολής Παύλου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα (11:9-10; 32-40) 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. EPISTLE Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers. Verse: For you are just in all you have done. St. Paul's Second Letter to the Hebrews (11:9-10; 32-40) 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, illtreated - 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.

7 GOSPEL The Reading is from 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. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον (1.1-25) 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

8 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. CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS: SUDNAY SCHOOL: The Christmas concert today, will be directly after the Divine Liturgy at the Reception Hall. YOUNG AT HEART: Friday, January 10, Tour of Clara Barton National Historic Site, 11 a.m. Tour, Founder of the Red Cross, 5801 Oxford Road, Glen Echo, MD 20812; Lunch afterwards at Irish Inn on Glen Echo grounds. Dates/times/events subject to change, you will be notified. Check the Sunday Bulletins and Harbinger for updates. Everyone is welcome to attend these activities; however please make reservations with Kathy Matrakas ( ) or Helen Thornberg ( ) for all events. Thanks! Hope to see you there! PHILOPTOCHOS: There will be a mini bake sale today following Divine Liturgy. Some breads are still available. Thank you for taking the time to buy Christmas gifts for Greentree Shelter and Wider Circle. All gifts will be delivered Monday, December 23rd. AHEPA AWARDS: Attention High School Seniors! Student applications are now available for the Washington Metropolitan Area 44th AHEPA Scholarship program. Students eligible for an award will be honored at this year's Awards Program on May

9 18, 2014 held at the Hilton Washington, DC/Rockville Hotel in Rockville, MD. This program has honored 1,508 students and awarded $804,975 in scholarships. Applications are available in the church office and website. Completed applications and materials must be submitted by April 4, For more information, contact Ted Sakkos (202) FUTURE MEMORIALS: January 12, 2014 Nikolaos Antonelos (5 Years) January 19, 2014 Amaryllis Tsonis (1 Year)

10 ALTAR BOYS SCHEDULE MATTHEW : Captain: Nicholas Gerakis, Matthew Green, Steven Green, Alex Tzamaras MARK : Captain: Mike Pittas, Gabriel Psallidas, Andrew Ward, Andrew Nixon LUKE : Captain: Dimitri Lappas, Zack Ferentinos, Alex Mantzouranis, Christopher Mantzouranis JOHN : Captain: Pavlo Tsipianitis, Panagiotis Psallidas, John Koutras, Demetre Koutras, Theodore Sideris, Michael Sideris December 1 - Mark December 8 - Luke December 15 - John December 22 - Matthew December 29 - Mark January 5 - Luke January 12 - John January 19 - Matthew January 26 - Mark PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECTED FOR Dialektakos, Jim 2. Ferentinos, Georgia 3. Ferentinos, Max 4. Georgopoulos, Sarantos 5. Karadimas, Terri 6. Lappas, Paul 7. Mantzouranis, George A 8. Mantzouranis, John 9. Marafatsos, George 10. Mavromatis, Elias 11. Mayes, Joseph IV 12. Michael, Sylvia 13. Nasios, Sotirios 14. Nathenas, Peggy 15. Pantazes, Nick 16. Stathes, Gus 17. Tsioros, Stelios 18. Tsipianitis, Demetri 19. Tzamaras, Bill 20. Vakalopoulos, Avgerinos

11 Αγία Αναστασία Φαρμακολύτρια Η αγία μεγαλομάρτυς Αναστασία, η φαρμακολύτρια, ζούσε στη Ρώμη επί Διοκλητιανού και καταγόταν από πλούσια οικογένεια. Η Αναστασία διακρινόταν για την ομορφιά του σώματος, τη μόρφωση, το άμεμπτο ήθος και τη σωφροσύνη της. Ο πατέρας της ήταν ειδωλολάτρης,ρωμαίος πατρίκιος, Πραιτεξτάτος ονομαζόμενος και ή μητέρα της Φούστα.Τη χριστιανική πίστη διδάχτηκε από τη μητέρα της και το θεόπνευστο διδάσκαλό της, το Χρυσογόνο. Παρά τη θέλησή της παντρεύτηκε τον Πούπλιο, άντρα άσωτο και ασεβή.αυτός ήταν φανατικός ειδωλολάτρης και μισούσε θανάσιμα τους χριστιανούς. Η Αναστασία, όμως, όχι.γι αυτό και δεν άργησε να δεχθεί το άγιο Βάπτισμα και να γίνει χριστιανή. Μετά το βάπτισμά της περιερχόταν κρυφά τα σπίτια των φτωχών και παρείχε οικονομική ενίσχυση Εβαζε φτωχά ρούχα και πήγαινε στις φυλακές, οπού έδινε τροφές και χρήματα στους φυλακισμένους χριστιανούς μάρτυρες. Φρόντιζε τις πληγές τους, τους ελευθέρωνε από τα δεσμά τους. «Εντεύθεν, κρυφίως περιερχομένη τας οικίας των πτωχών και τας φυλακάς των του Χριστού μαρτύρων και προσφέρουσα αυτοίς τα επιτήδια, σπογγίζουσα αυτών τας πληγάς, λύουσα αυτούς των δεσμών και τας οδύνας αυτών θεραπεύουσα, επωμάσθη εκ τούτου φαρμακολύτρια». Ο δάσκαλος της Χρυσόγονος της έμαθε τον τρόπο. Μάζευε τα άνθη συγκεκριμένων φυτών, τα έβραζε, τοποθετούσε το απόσταγμα σε φιαλίδια, και με τις κατάλληλες αναλογίες κάθε φορά, κατάφερνε να γιατρεύει αρρώστους. Η πεποίθηση ότι πολλές αρρώστιες και προβλήματα έχουν την αιτία τους στη μαγεία, ξόρκια και μαγγανείες, της έδωσε το προσωνύμιο Φαρμακολύτρια. Αρχικά η λέξη φαρμακός σήμαινε μάγος και όχι φαρμακοποιός. Ιδιαίτερη φροντίδα έδειχνε η Αναστασία στην ενίσχυση του φρονήματος των υποψηφίων μαρτύρων της πίστεως και στην περισυλλογή και ταφή των λειψάνων τους. Αξιώθηκε από το Θεό να εμψυχώσει και ετοιμάσει για το μαρτύριο τις αδελφές Αγάπη, Χιονία και Ειρήνη (μνήμη τους 16 Απριλίου) και τα λείψανά τους τα ενταφίασε με την πρέπουσα ευλάβεια ενώ ευχήθηκε να τις ακολουθήσει στο μαρτύριο. Όταν έμαθε αυτό ο σύζυγός της, εξοργισμένος της είπε ότι, αν δεν αλλάξει το χριστιανικό της φρόνημα, θα γίνει ο χειρότερος εχθρός της. Αρχικά προσπάθησε να την μεταπείσει με συμβουλές. όμως, η Αναστασία παρέμενε ακλόνητη στην πίστη της ακόμα και όταν την κακοποίησε. Η Αναστασία, χωρίς να ταραχτεί, απάντησε στο σύζυγό της ότι αυτά που λέει δεν την εκπλήσσουν, ούτε τη φοβίζουν. Διότι ο ίδιος ο Κύριος Ιησούς Χριστός ενημέρωσε τους αγωνιζόμενους πιστούς Του ότι: «Εχθροί του ανθρώπου οι οικιακοί αυτού» (Ματθ. ι 36). Δηλαδή, εχθροί του πιστού ανθρώπου θα είναι οι άνθρωποι του σπιτιού του, που δε θα δεχθούν το Ευαγγέλιο, το οποίο φέρνει την αληθινή και ουράνια ειρήνη. Το μαρτύριό της πέρασε από πολλά στάδια: ανάκριση, υποσχέσεις, απειλές, αλλά η αγία τα αντιμετώπισε με παρρησία και καρτερία. Ο ιερέας των ειδώλων, που προσπάθησε να την αποσπάσει από την πίστη της, χτυπήθηκε από θεόσταλτη πληγή χάνοντας το φως του. Τότε ο Ποπλίων χωρίς δισταγμό την κατήγγειλε στο Διοκλητιανό. Αυτός τη φυλάκισε και κατόπιν την εξόρισε σε ένα νησί, όπου υπέστη μαρτυρικό θάνατο μέσα στη φωτιά το έτος 290.

12 Το λείψανο της αγίας το πήρε μια γυναίκα αρχόντισσα που λεγόταν Απολλωνία,αφου χρηιμοποίησε τη γνωριμία της με τη σύζυγο του επάρχου.ενεταφίασε το σώμα της στον κήπο της,όπου αργότερα έκτισε και ναό προς τιμή την. Στα χρόνια του βυζαντινού αυτοκράτορα Λέοντος Α τα λείψανά της μετακομίστηκαν στην Κων/πολη, ενώ στη Ρώμη αφιερώθηκε στη μνήμη της ήδη από τον 4ο μ.χ. αιώνα παλαιά βασιλική (ναός). Σημερα μέρη των ιερών λειψάνων της αγίας,η κάρα της αγίας και μέρος απο το δεξιό της πόδι βρίσκονται στην Ιερά Πατριαρχική και Σταυροπηγιακή Μονή της Αγίας Αναστασίας της Φαρμακολύτριας στην Χαλκιδική. Η Εκκλησία τιμά τη μνήμη της στις 22 Δεκεμβρίου. Πηγή: HOW DID THE CONTEMPORARY NATIVITY FAST COME TO BE? The first mention of a preparatory period before Christmas is mentioned in a decree of the Council of Saragossa (380). The Council Fathers stated that every Christian should daily go to church from December 17 until the Theophany (January 6th). At the Synod of Mac (581) in Gaul (present day France) it was decreed that from November 11, the day of St. Martin, until December 24 every Christian should fast three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Our pre-nativity period of preparation developed rather late. Scholars do not agree about the exact time it began. Some hold that it began in the sixth century. Others believe it began in the seventh or eighth century. The present liturgical pre-nativity season was finally established at the Council of Constantinople (1166). The Council decreed that the fast would begin on November 15 and last until December 24 inclusive. Thus, there was created another 40 day fast. The pre-nativity fast is often called Philip s Fast because it begins on the day after the feast of St. Philip. The fast was introduced to prepare the Church for a worthy celebration of the great and holy day of the Birth of Christ. The regulations for the fast were far more lenient than the Great Fast before Pascha. Only Monday, Wednesday, and Friday were days of strict fasting without meat, dairy products or oil (in Slavic countries). On Sundays fish was permitted. Lay people were at first permitted to eat fish on other days, too, until the monastic rigoristic influence prevailed. It is interesting to observe that the famous 12th century Byzantine canonist Balsamon expressed the opinion that it would be enough if the lay people fasted only one week before Christmas. In 1958 a modern Greek author, Christos M. Enislides, welcomes Balsamon s suggestion and believes that the best solution would be for the Church at large to abstain from meat and dairy products for 33 days; during the last seven days of the fast everybody should observe the strict fast. But for now this is a mere proposition and should not be seen as the rule. Source:

13 Can Fasting Prevent Dementia? (part C) November 11, 2013 By Fr. John Peck Warning: This Article contains material that may be shocking to non-orthodox Christians. That said, neither Ori nor I advocate starvation combined with rigorous exercise. It s important to be sensible. And you need to consume sufficient amounts of protein in order to prevent muscle wasting. Also, while there s more science in support of calorie restriction than any other diet in the world today, there are side effects to chronic calorie restriction, such as decreased thyroid function and decreased testosterone. In my own personal experimentation, I have definitely fasted too long and lost loads of muscle mass. So now I tend to use fasting if I have consumed foods that caused me to gain a few extra pounds. I will skip my breakfast and exercise fasting. My next meal will be lunch, and then I ll have dinner. This has worked quite well and allows me to easily drop a few pounds and get my body fat into the ideal range. It has worked so well that I am in the process of considering doing this on a permanent basis as it just makes loads of sense to replicate ancestral eating patterns that clearly did not have access to food 24/7, Cut the Correct Calories One important fact that many tend to gloss over or ignore entirely when it comes to calorie restriction is which type of calories to restrict. From a biological standpoint, the important part is not really how many calories you eat per day; it s about getting the right nutrients. It s important to realize that all calories are NOT created equal, and will not have identical effects your weight or health. Their value depends on the types of food (nutrients) they re attached to. In the US, six of the top 10 sources of calories are carbohydrates from sugars and grains, and this is a major reason why so many Americans are overweight. They re simply eating far too many sugars. It s very important to restrict carbs when doing a calorie restrictive diet. Your body does not require sugars for optimal health, but it does require protein and fats. When you cut out the sugars and carbs it is wise to replace them with high quality non-processed fats. Some of my favorites include organic grass-fed raw butter, eggs, coconut oil, avocados, and almonds. There s very compelling evidence showing that calories from fat are far more beneficial for your health than calories from carbohydrates. And fear not It s already been well established that stearic acid (found in cocoa and animal fat) has no effect on distorting your healthy cholesterol ratios at all, and actually gets converted in your liver into the monounsaturated fat called oleic acid. The other two, palmitic and lauric acid, do raise total cholesterol. However, since they raise good cholesterol as much or more than bad cholesterol, you re still actually lowering your risk of heart disease. And there are additional benefits. Lauric acid (as from coconut oil) has shown to boost thyroid hormone activity along with the body s metabolic rate. This is obviously a huge advantage to those interested in weight loss or those who suffer from underactive thyroid. I couldn t encourage you more to implement this program. It has radically improved my personal confidence in using diet choices to achieve high level wellness and optimal body fat. Cutting down on your grains and sugars, replacing them with high quality fats and skipping some meals, especially before exercise, seem to be a powerful combination to help you Take Control of Your Health.

14 We are looking for... House Blessings...someone with artistic capabilities, public relations skills, a love for God to be a steward of our Weekly Bulletin and other flyers/ brochures. Father Michael is available to you for confession at any time. Please call Father Michael at the Church Office, (204) , or on his cell phone at (301) The clergy will be blessing homes beginning at 1pm on January 7th. We will begin at 9am each day with the last house blessing being scheduled at 7pm. This is an opportunity for us 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, Fathers Michael and Jason

15 Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Washington D.C. Capital Fundraising Campaign and Nea Zoe Total Funding Progress November 2013 Phase I Capital Campaign Goal Nea Zoe Total Funding Progress $4,500,000 $14,000,000 $4,250,000 $4,000,000 $3,750,000 $3,500,000 $3,250,000 $3,000,000 $2,750,000 $2,500,000 $2,250,000 $13,000,000 $12,000,000 $11,000,000 $10,000,000 $9,000,000 $8,000,000 $7,000,000 Nea Zoe Collection Trays/Investment Earnings Estate Bequests Memorial Donations and other Fundraisers Nea Zoe Project Milestones Estimated Costs to Date Costs to Complete Purchase of Land (incl. closing costs) $ 2,610,000 $ 2,610,000 $ Architectural/Engineering 1,500,000 1,302, ,400 $2,000,000 $1,750,000 $1,500,000 $1,250,000 $1,000,000 $750,000 $500,000 $250,000 $ Pledged Collected $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $ 77% Capital Campaign Pledges Bel Pre Funds Sale of 16th Street (net of $1MM endowment) Other Costs (Permits, Fees, etc.) 250, , ,264 Site Costs (Sewer, Water, Grading) 1,700,000 76,484 1,623,516 Phase I (Church, Admin, Sm. Hall, Classes) 8,440,000 25,036 8,414,964 $ 14,500,000 $ 4,125,856 $ 10,374,144 FUTURE PHASES Phase 2 Large Hall / Large Kitchen $ 2,300,000 $ $ 2,300,000 Phase 3 Chapel/Iconography 3,100,000 3,100,000 $ 5,400,000 $ $ 5,400,000 The challenge we face as we move closer to the start of the construction of our new facility in Silver Spring, MD is that we are only limited by the amount of money we have available to expend on this project. The Capital Fundraising Campaign which was introduced to the Parish early in 2013 is aimed at raising $4.7MM (or more) to enable the completion of Phase I of the project (Church, administrative wing, small hall, small kitchen and classrooms). Although final cost estimates are still subject to final bidding and have not yet been firmly established, it is anticipated that total required funding for completion of Phase I may be as high as $14.5MM, of which $4.126MM has been spent to date. As of the end of November, estimated costs to complete approximate $10.374MM, while cash on hand is $7.257MM leaving a gap in excess of $3.0MM to be raised. As you can see by the graphs above, significant progress has been made via various endeavors and efforts toward achieving this goal and we appreciate and thank those of you that have already made your pledges. It is through your love for our wonderful community of Sts. Constantine and Helen that this dream and vision will become a reality. If you have not yet pledged to the Capital Fundraising Campaign, please consider doing so. It is only through your generosity that we will achieve this goal. "Fasouli, Fasouli, gemizi to sakouli." Faith Makes It Possible, But It Doesn't Make It Easy

16 November Financial Report During November, once again our cash flows did not provide enough money to cover the Church's monthly expenditures. The shortfall was covered by using moneys that had been put aside in a savings account over the past several years (from cash that had been generated by the Charter School lease at the 16 th Street property). The details for the month follow: Cash Collections Collection Plates, Candles, Memorials $ 2, Stew ardship Income 9, Greek School Kollyva Interest Income Miscellaneous Ionian Village Christmas Cards , Total Cash Collections 15, Cash Spent Payroll Costs and Benefits 29, Archdiocese Stew ardship 6, St. Andrew s Rent 6, Religious Services Supplies Travel & Automobile Office Operations 6, Utilities & Maintenance Total Cash Spent 49, Net Loss $ (34,265.08) Additionally, during November $935 from collection trays designated for Nea Zoe was deposited into the Nea Zoe Building fund for the relocation effort and is not reflected above (because those moneys are unavailable for operations expenses). Memorial contributions to the Nea Zoe Building fund, also not reflected above, amounted to $9,782 dollars in November. Bill Tzamaras, Treasurer

17 PARISH LIFE Sunday Κυριακή 12/22 Wine and oil Allowed Sunday before Nativity 7:30-8:30am Orthros / Ορθρος 8:30-10:15am Divine Liturgy / Θ. Λειτουργία Monday Δευτέρα 12/23 Strict Fast Tuesday Τρίτη 12/24 Strict Fast Eve of the Nativity / Παραμονή Χριστουγέννων 9:00-11:00am Royal Hours / Μεγάλαι Ωραι των Χριστουγέννων 7:00-9:30pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy / Εσπερινός και Θ. Λειτρουργία Wednesday Τετάρτη 12/25 Fast Free Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ / Η ΓΕΝΝΗΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ 8:30-10:30am Orthros and Divine Liturgy / Ορθρος και Θ. Λειτουργία Thursday Πέμτη 12/26 Fast Free Synaxis of the Theotokos / Σύναξις της Θεοτόκου 8:30-10:30am Orthros and Divine Liturgy / Ορθρος και Θ. Λειτουργία Friday Παρασκευή 12/27 Fast Free Stephen the First Martyr / Στέφανος Πρωτομάρτυς 8:30-10:30am Orthros and Divine Liturgy / Ορθρος και Θ. Λειτουργία Saturday Σάββατον 12/28 Fast Free

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