Archangel Michael Church Η Εκκλησία του Αρχαγγέλου Μιχαήλ

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1 Archangel Michael Church Η Εκκλησία του Αρχαγγέλου Μιχαήλ 100 Fairway Drive, Port Washington, NY (516) ~ Clergy: Fr. John Lardas, Fr. Joshua Pappas, Fr. Dennis Strouzas Pl. 1 st Mode ~ 3 rd Morning Gospel September 22, 2019 ~ 1 st Sunday of Luke St. Phokas the Gardener (whom we celebrate today) The Holy Martyr Phokas the Gardener came from the city of Sinope on the southern shore of the Black Sea. Having a small garden, he lived modestly. He sold what he grew, and supported himself on the proceeds. He helped the needy and paid for the housing of vagrants. The Christian piety of the saint had a great influence on other people. Even pagans deferred to him with deep respect. Under his influence they often abandoned their error and accepted the Christian Faith. The governor of the district, aware that Saint Phokas was spreading Christian teachings, gave orders to find and kill him. The saint himself accidentally came upon those sent after him, and without revealing his name, he courteously received them, fed them, and prepared a place for them to spend the night. At night he went into the garden, then prepared a grave and a place for his burial. He even made arrangements for all his possessions to be distributed to the poor after his death. In the morning Saint Phokas declared to the strangers that it was he for whom they were searching, and told them to fulfill the duty entrusted to them. The visitors were distressed, not wanting to kill the kindly saint. They felt honor bound to spare Saint Phokas, but he would not hear of it, and humbly bent his head beneath the sword. They buried the holy Martyr Phokas in the grave that he himself had prepared in the garden. The place of his burial was glorified by miracles, and later a church was built there. An accurate account of the martyr s death was collected by Asterius of Amasea (+410). The holy Martyr Phokas is especially venerated by seafarers, and he is called upon by those traveling by sea. (*Adapted from Άγιος Φωκάς ο κηπουρός: Ο Άγιος Φωκάς καταγόταν από την Σινώπη και τα μοναδικά υπάρχοντα του ήταν ένας κήπος που καλλιεργούσε με μεγάλη επιμέλεια. Το εισόδημα του από τον κήπο, ήταν πολύ μικρό. Καθώς όμως ήταν πολύ οικονόμος και ολιγαρκής στις ανάγκες του, μπορούσε πάντοτε να διαθέτει κάτι για τους φτωχούς. Ο Άγιος Φωκάς μελετούσε με ευχαρίστηση τα Ιερά βιβλία. Έλεγε μάλιστα σ' εκείνους, που τον έβλεπαν να μελετάει, ότι και η ψυχή μας είναι κήπος, που χρειάζεται την περιποίηση της, για να μη βγάζει αγκάθια και τριβόλια. Αλλά ο κηπουρός Φωκάς, ήθελε και όλες οι ψυχές να είναι κήποι πνευματικοί. Γι' αυτό λοιπόν, όπου μπορούσε, συντελούσε στον καθαρισμό και την καλλιέργεια τους. Και ενώ πουλούσε τα λαχανικά και τα φρούτα, έλεγε συγχρόνως και λόγια μεγάλου πνευματικού κέρδους. Έτσι δεν ωφελούσε μόνο τους χριστιανούς, αλλά πολλές φορές κέρδιζε και τους απίστους. Εκείνη την εποχή είχαν κηρύξει, οι ειδωλολάτρες διωγμό κατά των Χριστιανών. Μαθεύτηκε, λοιπόν ότι και ο Φωκάς ο κηπουρός ήταν Χριστιανός και αμέσως οι άρχοντες έστειλαν στρατιώτες για να τον συλλάβουν. Επειδή το σπίτι του Αγίου ήταν κοντά στην πύλη του κάστρου που επικοινωνούσε με το λιμάνι, είχε αρκετά συχνά φιλοξενούμενους, άλλοτε ξένους ταξιδιώτες, άλλοτε φτωχούς. Έτσι δεν γνώρισε τους στρατιώτες και τους περιποιήθηκε σαν ξένους. Αφού πέρασαν μερικές ημέρες τους ρώτησε τι σκοπό είχε το ταξίδι τους. Εκείνοι υποχρεωμένοι από την φιλοξενία του φανέρωσαν το μυστικό, ότι ζητούν τον Φωκά τον Χριστιανό για να τον αποκεφαλίσουν. Του είπαν μάλιστα ότι θα του χρωστούσαν μεγάλη χάρη αν τους τον φανέρωνε. Χωρίς να χάσει καθόλου το θάρρος του, ο Άγιος Φωκάς, βγήκε από το σπίτι του για να σκάψει και να ετοιμάσει τον τάφο του και την επόμενη μέρα φανέρωσε στους στρατιώτες ποιος είναι. Οι στρατιώτες, έμειναν κατάπληκτοι και ντροπιάστηκαν, γιατί με τόση αγάπη είχαν φιλοξενηθεί από τον Άγιο Φωκά. Ο Άγιος κατάλαβε την δυσκολία τους και τους είπε να μην διστάσουν και να εκτελέσουν τις διαταγές που είχαν διότι δεν ήταν αυτοί υπεύθυνοι για τον φόνο αλλά εκείνοι που τους έστειλαν. Με τέτοια λόγια έπεισε τους στρατιώτες να τον αποκεφαλίσουν. (*Οι πληροφορίες είναι από:

2 Άγιοι και Εορτές Tοῦ ἁγίου Ἱεροµάρτυρος Φωκᾶ τοῦ θαυµατουργοῦ. Tοῦ ἁγίου Φωκᾶ τοῦ κηπουροῦ. Tοῦ ἁγίου Μάρτυρος Ἰσαάκ, καὶ τοῦ Ἁγίου Μαρτίνου. Saints and Feasts The holy Hieromartyr Phokas the Wonderworker; Saint Phokas the Gardener; the holy Martyr Isaac; Saint Martin. Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιµον Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύµατι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡµῶν, ἀνυµνήσωµεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωµεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑποµεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ. Απολυτίκιον Τοῦ Ἱεροµάρτυρος Καὶ τρόπων µέτοχος, καὶ θρόνων διάδοχος, τῶν Ἀποστόλων γενόµενος, τὴν πρᾶξιν εὗρες Θεόπνευστε, εἰς θεωρίας ἐπίβασιν διὰ τοῦτο τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας ὀρθοτοµῶν, καὶ τῇ πίστει ἐνήθλησας µέχρις αἵµατος, Ἱεροµάρτυς Φωκᾶ, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡµῶν. Απολυτίκιον Των Ταξιαρχών Τῶν οὐρανίων στρατιῶν Ἀρχιστράτηγοι, δυσωποῦμεν ὑμᾶς ἡμεῖς οἱ ἀνάξιοι, ἵνα ταῖς ὑμῶν δεήσεσι, τειχίσητε ἡμᾶς, σκέπῃ τῶν πτερύγων, τῆς ἀΰλου ὑμῶν δόξης, φρουροῦντες ἡμᾶς προσπίπτοντας, ἐκτενῶς καὶ βοῶντας Ἐκ τῶν κινδύνων λυτρώσασθε ἡμᾶς, ὡς Ταξιάρχαι τῶν ἄνω Δυνάμεων. Κοντάκιον Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, µεσιτεία, πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀµετάθετε, µὴ παρίδῃς, ἁµαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡµῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιµώντων σε. Hymn of the Resurrection (Pl. 1 st Mode) Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection. Hymn of the Hieromartyr Becoming a partner with the Apostles in way of life and successor to their thrones, O Godinspired Saint, in the active life you found an entrance to contemplation. Hence you rightly expounded the word of truth, and you shed your blood in struggling for the faith, O Hieromartyr Phocas. Intercede with Christ our God, beseeching Him to save our souls. Hymn of the Archangels (4 th Mode) Supreme Commanders of * the armies of Heaven, * we, the unworthy ones, entreat you in earnest, * that with your supplications you encircle us * in the shelter of the wings * of your heavenly glory * guarding us who now fall down * and cry to you with fervor. * Deliver us from dangers of all kinds, * as the Great Marshals of the hosts on high. Kontakion (2 nd Mode) O Protection of Christians unshamable, * mediation with the Creator immovable: * we sinners beg you, do not despise the voices of our prayers. * But anticipate, since you are good, * and swiftly come unto our aid * as we cry out to you with faith: * Hurry to intercession, * and hasten to supplication, * O Theotokos who defend now * and ever those who honor you.

3 Today s Scripture Readings 2 Cor. 1:21-24; 2:1-4 Brethren, it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. 2 Κορ 1:21-24; 2:1-4 Ἀδελφοί, ὁ βεβαιῶν ἡµᾶς σὺν ὑµῖν εἰς Χριστὸν καὶ χρίσας ἡµᾶς Θεός, ὁ καί σφραγισάµενος ἡµᾶς καὶ δοὺς τὸν ἀῤῥαβῶνα τοῦ Πνεύµατος ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡµῶν. Εγὼ δὲ µάρτυρα τὸν Θεὸν ἐπικαλοῦµαι ἐπὶ τὴν ἐµὴν ψυχήν, ὅτι φειδόµενος ὑµῶν οὐκέτι ἦλθον εἰς Κόρινθον. Οὐχ ὅτι κυριεύοµεν ὑµῶν τῆς πίστεως, ἀλλὰ συνεργοί ἐσµεν τῆς χαρᾶς ὑµῶν τῇ γὰρ πίστει ἑστήκατε. Εκρινα δὲ ἑµαυτῷ τοῦτο, τὸ µὴ πάλιν ἐν λύπῃ ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑµᾶς. Εἰ γὰρ ἐγὼ λυπῶ ὑµᾶς, καὶ τίς ἐστιν ὁ εὐφραίνων µε εἰ µὴ ὁ λυπούµενος ἐξ ἐµοῦ; καὶ ἔγραψα ὑµῖν τοῦτο αὐτό, ἵνα µὴ ἐλθὼν λύπην ἔχω, ἀφ ὧν ἔδει µε χαίρειν, πεποιθὼς ἐπὶ πάντας ὑµᾶς, ὅτι ἡ ἐµὴ χαρὰ πάντων ὑµῶν ἐστιν. Ἐκ γὰρ πολλῆς θλίψεως καὶ συνοχῆς καρδίας ἔγραψα ὑµῖν διὰ πολλῶν δακρύων, οὐχ ἵνα λυπηθῆτε, ἀλλὰ τὴν ἀγάπην ἵνα γνῶτε ἣν ἔχω περισσοτέρως εἰς ὑµᾶς. Lk. 5:1-11 At that time, Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. Λου εʹ 1-11 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἑστὼς ὁ Ἰησοῦς παρὰ τὴν λίµνην Γεννησαρέτ, εἶδε δύο πλοῖα ἑστῶτα παρὰ τὴν λίµνην οἱ δὲ ἁλιεῖς ἀποβάντες ἀπ αὐτῶν ἀπέπλυνον τὰ δίκτυα. ἐµβὰς δὲ εἰς ἓν τῶν πλοίων, ὃ ἦν Σίµωνος, ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἐπαναγαγεῖν ὀλίγον καὶ καθίσας ἐδίδασκεν ἐκ τοῦ πλοίου τοὺς ὄχλους. ὡς δὲ ἐπαύσατο λαλῶν, εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Σίµωνα Ἐπανάγαγε εἰς τὸ βάθος καὶ χαλάσατε τὰ δίκτυα ὑµῶν εἰς ἄγραν. καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς Σίµων εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ἐπιστάτα, δι' ὅλης νυκτὸς κοπιάσαντες οὐδὲν ἐλάβοµεν ἐπὶ δὲ τῷ ῥήµατί σου χαλάσω τὸ δίκτυον. καὶ τοῦτο ποιήσαντες συνέκλεισαν πλῆθος ἰχθύων πολύ διεῤῥήγνυτο δὲ τὸ δίκτυον αὐτῶν. καὶ κατένευσαν τοῖς µετόχοις τοῖς ἐν τῷ ἑτέρῳ πλοίῳ τοῦ ἐλθόντας συλλαβέσθαι αὐτοῖς καὶ ἦλθον, καὶ ἔπλησαν ἀµφότερα τὰ πλοῖα, ὥστε βυθίζεσθαι αὐτά. ἰδὼν δὲ Σίµων Πέτρος προσέπεσε τοῖς γόνασιν Ἰησοῦ λέγων Ἔξελθε ἀπ' ἐµοῦ, ὅτι ἀνὴρ ἁµαρτωλός εἰµι, Κύριε θάµβος γὰρ περιέσχεν αὐτὸν καὶ πάντας τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τῇ ἄγρᾳ τῶν ἰχθύων ᾗ συνέλαβον, ὁµοίως δὲ καὶ Ἰάκωβον καὶ Ἰωάννην, υἱοὺς Ζεβεδαίου, οἳ ἦσαν κοινωνοὶ τῷ Σίµωνι. καὶ εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Σίµωνα ὁ Ἰησοῦς Μὴ φοβοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν ἀνθρώπους ἔσῃ ζωγρῶν. καὶ καταγαγόντες τὰ πλοῖα ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, ἀφέντες ἅπαντα ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ.

4 Bible Study will begin on Wednesday October 2nd, at 11am, and on Thursday October 3rd at 7:30pm Please join us!

5 Book Club will begin on Wednesday October 16th, at 11am, and on Thursday October 17th at 7:30pm Please join us!

6 Save the Date: October 26th, 2019!

7 Please join us today for a Farewell Reception in honor of Fr. Joshua, Presvytera Joanna, and their Family Worship Schedule: Mon, Sept 23rd Thurs, Sept 26th ~ Conception of St. John the Baptist: Orthros 8:30 am, Liturgy 9:30 am ~ Falling Asleep of St. John the Theologian: Orthros 8:30 am, Liturgy 9:30 am Saints of the Week: Mon, Sept 23rd ~ Conception of St. John the Baptist Tues, Sept 24th ~ St. Thelka, Equal-to-the-Apostle Wed, Sept 25th ~ St. Euphronsyne of Alexandria Thurs, Sept 26th ~ St. John the Theologian Fri, Sept 27th ~ St. Kallistratos & his 49 Companions Sat, Sept 28th ~ St. Chariton the Confessor Memorials: Savas Zinon ~ 3 months Stavros (Voulis) Argitakos ~ 15 years & Aikaterini (Rena) Stergiopoulou ~ 6 years (If you would like to schedule a memorial for your loved one, please call the Church office no later than the Wednesday before.) 40 Day Churching: Today we welcome for the first time the following newest members into our community: Stefanos, son of Christos & Danae Zisimatos Loukia (Lucy), daughter of Angelo & Maria Maragos Katherine Athena, daughter of Michael & Vanessa Malesa May God bless! Sunday School News: Today, September 22nd, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades will attend Chapel Service beginning at 9:30 am Upcoming Events: ~ Greek Festival on the Harbor: Sept (see flyer) ~ Sun., Oct. 6th - Church Musicians Sunday ~ Mon., Oct. 7th - Philoptochos Meeting ~ Tues., Oct. 8th - PC Meeting ~ Tues/Wed., Oct. 8th & 9th - GOYA overnight trip to St. Basil s Academy ~ Tues., Oct. 8th - HOPE / JOY day trip ~ Sun., Oct. 20th - General Assembly and Annual Flu Shots will be available ~ Sat., Oct. 26th - Save the Date: 5K Walk / Run (Divine Liturgy for St. Demetrios will begin at 8:30am) ~ Sun., Oct. 27th - GOYA Pancake Breakfast ~ Thurs/Fri., Nov. 7th / 8th - Feastday of the Archangel Michael ~ Fri., Nov. 8th - Nameday Gala AMC Library & Bookstore News: Please join us for our first AMC Library & Bookstore committee meeting on Monday, October 21st, at 10am. We will be discussing the mission, goals, and future activities of the Library and Bookstore and begin to color code all the library books by category. Please call Elena Vases at or Connie Parsons at to let us know that you are interested in joining us or for more information on how you can get involved. Philoptochos News: Save the Date - Wednesday, October 16th from 4:30-6:30 pm - The cooking club will be making Baklava. Please reserve your spot with Vicky: vgiouroukakis@molloy.edu $20 donation to Philoptochos. Save the Date - We will be hosting our 3rd Annual Coffee Hour honoring our Adult and Junior Choir Members on Sunday, October 20th. Please join us to pay tribute to our church musicians who enhance the spiritual experience of our Liturgy.

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