Commentary on Today s Epistle Reading

Transcript

1 Archangel Michael Church Η Εκκλησία του Αρχαγγέλου Μιχαήλ 100 Fairway Drive, Port Washington, NY Phone: (516) Web Site: Clergy: Fr. John Lardas, Fr. Joshua Pappas, Fr. Dennis Strouzas Jan. 8, 2017 Sunday after Holy Theophany 4 th Mode 7 th Morning Gospel Commentary on Today s Epistle Reading What does St. Paul say? According to the measure of Christ s gift If a man possesses superiority in any spiritual gift, do not grieve at it, since his labor is also greater. He who had received five talents had five required of him, while he who had received two brought only two, and yet he received no less reward than the other. St. Paul encourages the hearer on the same ground, showing that gifts are bestowed not for the honor of one above another, but for the work of the Church, for the work of ministering to the building up of the Body of Christ. By this he shows that it is not of his own intrinsic merit that one has received more and another less, but that it is for the sake of others, as God Himself has measured it. -St. John Chrysostom A brief glance at the Church reveals hierarchy bishops, priests, theologians, Parish Council members, Sunday School teachers, choir directors, various ministry leaders, the average parishioner. Are bishops above priests, and are priests above the laity? Are active, upstanding members of the Church above those who appear to be on the margins? Who is higher - and who is more gifted - than Jesus Christ, God Himself in the flesh? And yet what is the divine glory we see in the life of Christ? Total powerlessness, self-surrender, and abandonment in the Father s hands, even to the point of voluntary death on the Cross. Christ comes not to be served but to serve (Matt. 20:28), and we re called to do the same. It s easy to serve in a self -reliant sort of way, whether for glory, self-righteousness, expectation of rewards, false humility, or feelings of compulsion. Authentic sacrifice means letting go of private interests and desires so that we offer our God-given freedom back to God. This model of servant leadership levels the playing field, moves us beyond human standards of evaluation, and even grants a special position to those who appear to be on the periphery; the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect (1 Cor. 12:22). What does God want us to do with our various gifts? Nurture and use them for God s glory and for benefit of those around us. Some of us are passionately sensitive, others more levelheaded; some are quietly prayerful, others more visibly active; some are assertive, others passive; some are generous with time, others with financial resources; some are educated, others possess the beauty of childlike simplicity. All our talents and personalities are indispensable in the eyes of God; He takes our offerings, blesses them, sanctifies them, and transforms them into the beauty of His Kingdom. Strength lies not in personal talent but in offering our gifts back to the Gift-Giver.

2 Άγιοι και Εορτές Μεθεόρτια τῶν Φώτων. Tῆς Ὁσίας Μητρὸς ἡµῶν Δοµνίκης. Tοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Γεωργίου τοῦ Χοζεβίτου. Tοῦ ἐν Ἁγίοις Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Κύρου, Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. O Ἅγιος Ἀττικός, Πατριάρχης Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Ἀντίφωνον Βʹ Σῶσον ἡµᾶς Υἱὲ Θεοῦ, ὁ ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ ὑπὸ Ἰωάννου βαπτισθείς, ψάλλοντάς σοι, Ἀλληλούϊα Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστα σιμον Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγµα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου µαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώµεναι ἔλεγον Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούµενος τῷ κόσµῳ τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Ἀπολυτίκιον τῆς Ἑορτῆς Ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτιζοµένου σου Κύριε, ἡ τῆς Τριάδος ἐφανερώθη προσκύνησις τοῦ γὰρ Γεννήτορος ἡ φωνὴ προσεµαρτύρει σοι, ἀγαπητόν σε Υἱὸν ὀνοµάζουσα καὶ τὸ Πνεῦµα ἐν εἴδει περιστερᾶς, ἐβεβαίου τοῦ λόγου τὸ ἀσφαλές. Ὁ ἐπιφανεὶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τὸν κόσµον φωτίσας δόξα σοι. Αpολυtίκιov Των Τaξιaρχών 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. Κοντα κιον Ἐπεφάνης σήµερον τῇ οἰκουµένῃ, καὶ τὸ φῶς σου Κύριε, ἐσηµειώθη ἐφ' ἡµᾶς, ἐν ἐπιγνώσει ὑµνοῦντάς σε. Ἦλθες ἐφάνης τὸ Φῶς τὸ ἀπρόσιτον. Saints and Feasts The After-feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; our devout mother Domnica; our devout father George of Hozeva; our father among the saints Cyril, Archbishop of Constantinople; Saint Attikos, Patriarch of Constantinople. Second Antiphon Save us, O Son of God, who were baptized in the Jordan by John. we sing to You, Alleluia. Resurrectional Hymn (4 th Mode) When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world. Hymn of the Feast (1 st Mode) As You were baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, then the worship of the Trinity became manifest, for the voice of the Father bore witness to You, naming You the Beloved Son; and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ God, who appeared and illumined the world, glory to You. Hymn of the Archangels Supreme Commanders of * the hosts of the Heavens * we, the unworthy, importune and beseech you * that by 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 heavenly hosts on high. Kontakion of the Feast You appeared today to us * on earth, O Master, * and Your light was signed on us * who cry aloud to You and say * with understanding, O Christ our God: You came and shone forth, O Light unapproachable.

3 Today s Scripture Readings St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13 BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 4:7-13 Ἀδελφοί, ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ λέγει, Ἀναβὰς εἰς ὕψος ᾐχμαλώτευσεν αἰχμαλωσίαν, καὶ ἔδωκεν δόματα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις. Τὸ δέ, Ἀνέβη, τί ἐστιν εἰ μὴ ὅτι καὶ κατέβη πρῶτον εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς; Ὁ καταβάς, αὐτός ἐστιν καὶ ὁ ἀναβὰς ὑπεράνω πάντων τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἵνα πληρώσῃ τὰ πάντα. Καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν τοὺς μὲν ἀποστόλους, τοὺς δὲ προφήτας, τοὺς δὲ εὐαγγελιστάς, τοὺς δὲ ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους, πρὸς τὸν καταρτισμὸν τῶν ἁγίων, εἰς ἔργον διακονίας, εἰς οἰκοδομὴν τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ μέχρι καταντήσωμεν οἱ πάντες εἰς τὴν ἑνότητα τῆς πίστεως καὶ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον, εἰς μέτρον ἡλικίας τοῦ πληρώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ. The Gospel according to Matthew 4:12-17 At that time, Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth He went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 4:12-17 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς ὅτι Ιωάννης παρεδόθη, ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, καὶ καταλιπὼν τὴν Ναζαρὲτ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς Καπερναοὺμ τὴν παραθαλασσίαν ἐν ὁρίοις Ζαβουλὼν καὶ Νεφθαλείμ, ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ησαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος γῆ Ζαβουλὼν καὶ γῆ Νεφθαλείμ, ὁδὸν θαλάσσης, πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου, Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν, ὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος ἐν σκότειεἶδε φῶς μέγα, καὶ τοῖς καθημένοις ἐν χώρᾳ καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτουφῶς ἀνέτειλεν αὐτοῖς. Απὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ Ιησοῦς κηρύσσειν καὶ λέγειν μετανοεῖτε ἤγγικε γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.

4 Οσία Δομνίκη Βιογραφία: Η Οσία Δομνίκη γεννήθηκε στην Καρθαγένη της Αφρικής. Το 384, όταν έφτασε σε νεαρή ηλικία, για προσωπικούς λόγους έρχεται στην Κωνσταντινούπολη μαζί με άλλες σαράντα συνομήλικες της. Τότε αυτοκράτορας ήταν ο Μέγας Θεοδόσιος και Πατριάρχης ο Νεκτάριος. Μόλις γνωρίζει τη Δομνίκη ο Πατριάρχης, διακρίνει τις αγνές της προθέσεις και αμέσως τη βαπτίζει και μετά την κάνει μοναχή. Στη χριστιανική μοναχική ζωή διακρίνεται νωρίς η Αγία για την πίστη της, το ζήλο, την αφοσίωση της στη φιλανθρωπία και, προπάντων, για την αγνότητα της ψυχής της, αποδεικνύοντας και αυτή με τη ζωή της τα λόγια του Κυρίου μας στους μαθητές Του και, κατ' επέκταση, σε όσους Τον ακολουθούν: «Σεις τώρα είσθε καθαροί. Και σας έχει καθαρίσει ο λόγος της αληθείας, πού σας έχω πει και διδάξει» (Ιωάννου ιε 3). Η ηθική καθαρότητα της Αγίας Δομνίκης, συνδυασμένη με την αξιοθαύμαστη ταπεινοφροσύνη της, είχε τέτοια απήχηση στη συνείδηση της Εκκλησίας μας, ώστε να την κατατάξει στο χορό των Αγίων της. Ἀπολυτίκιον Ήχος δ'. Ταχύ προκατάλαβε. Αγάπη τή κρείττονι, καταυγασθείσα τον νουν, ασκήσει εξέλαμψας, ώσπερ λαμπάς φαεινή, Δομνίκα πανεύφημε όθεν Μοναζουοών σε, όδηγόν φωτοφόρον, έδειξεν ο Δεσπότης, δια βίου και λόγου. Ω πρέσβευε θεοφόρε, σώζεσθαι άπαντας. Κοντα κιον Ἦχος α. Χορείαν ευκλεή, σεμνοτάτων παρθένων, δι' έργων καί σοφών διδαγμάτων, ενθέως ωδήγησας, πρός παστάδα ακήρατον, ένθα πέφυκε, ζωής τό ξύλον Δομνίκα, δι' ού ζώωσον, τήν νεκρωθείσαν ψυγήν μου, Οσία θεόληπτε. *Οι πληροφορίες είναι από:

5 This Week's Worship Schedule Sunday, January 8 8:15 a.m. ~ Orthros, 9:30 a.m ~ Divine Liturgy 12:30 pm - Epiphany Celebration at North Hempstead Beach Park. The Archangel Michael Church and The Holy Resurrection Church of Brookville ~ Blessings of the Waters and Diving for the Cross. House Blessings Fr. John and Fr. Joshua would love to visit your home after the Feast of Theophany to offer a House Blessing. This is a reminder that the Blessing of the Waters extends in a very real and concrete way to each of us; God s Kingdom is breaking into this world, sanctifying all of creation, and we are called to further this sanctification within our personal circumstances. Please call the church office at (516) to schedule a House Blessing. Memorials Peter Alexopoulos ~ 1 year Anastasia Rarys ~ 1 year Costas Maratheftis ~ 8 years Costantinos Rarys ~ 10 years Everlasting be their memory. Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Upcoming Events Friday, January 27, 2017 ~ AMC Greek School Glendi ~ Westbury Manor Sunday, January 29, 2017 ~ Greek Letters Celebration in honor of the Feast of the Three Hierarchs Saturday, February 11 - Comedy Night at AMC. April 21-25, Pilgrimage to Havana, Cuba. Fr. John will be leading a group for an educational tour of Cuba. For more information, see the last two pages of the bulletin. Philoptochos TOY & DIAPER DRIVE to benefit "The Smile of the Child" charity in Greece Deadline EX- TENDED to JANUARY 30TH. Please drop off your items at the Church and thank you for your support! See web site for complete list of items needed (emphasis on school supplies). Next Philoptochos meeting rescheduled for Monday, January 9 th at 7:30pm instead of Sunday, January 8 th in order to not interfere with the Vasilopita and Epiphany celebrations. There will be a presentation on nutrition and New Year's Resolutions. Please see the following page for more information.

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8 GREEK ORTHODOX PILGRIMAGE TO HAVANA, CUBA Led by Protopresbyter Reverend Father John Lardas of Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church (Port Washington, NY) Under the Auspices of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Central America April 21-25, Days/4 Nights I am requesting services for people. The exact name on the passport (s) is/are: Address: Daytime Tel: Evening Tel: Cell: Special Requests: Meals (Diabetic, vegetarian, etc): Select either double or single occupancy inclusive of air from JFK/Havana/JFK Per person double occupancy $3500* x 2 $ Single occupancy $3850* x 1 $ ALL OPTIONS: Please add: Gratuities per person $ 115 x $ Delivery of documents $ 25 x 1 $ 25.00_ TOTAL DUE $ OPTIONAL TRAVEL PROTECTION: Premium is based on the value of your trip & is recommended. For trip value: $3001- $4000 $ 248 x $ TOTAL CHARGES: $ *Rates reflect a 4% check discount which does not apply if payment is made in any other way. DUE TO THE STRICT TERMS, CONDITIONS & CANCELLATION PENATLTIES, TRAVEL PROTECTION INSURANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Please mail this res form, a clear copy of your passport & a deposit of $900 per person payable to Cloud Tours and send to the address indicated below. SPACE IS LIMITED! DEADLINE: January 16 th, 2017 or late booking fee, $100 applies. TOUR INCLUDES: *Round trip air from JFK to Havana nonstop on Delta Airlines including US departure tax *Four nights at the Melia Habana Hotel (5*) in sea view rooms including daily breakfast tax & service fees *Three & a half days of sightseeing in A/C motorcoach with English speaking guide with visits to religious & cultural sights. Entrance fees included per itinerary. * Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Old Havana *Three dinners & four lunches at historic and special venues. Drink at the Hall of Fame Bar. *Processing assistance for general license and other required documents to travel to Cuba. *Medical Insurance in Cuba and processing of Cuban Visa. * Private arrival and departure transfer with English speaking escort in a deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach. Not included is Cuban departure tax of approximately $30 per person payable in Havana, optional trip cancellation insurance and baggage fees for combined weight (checked and all carry-on bags combined) in excess of 44lbs. CONDITIONS: Confirmation is subject to receipt of deposit with reservation form no later than Jan. 16, Deposits received Jan. 17, 2017 and later are subject to an additional $100 late booking fee and applicable air surcharges. Final balance due by Feb. 10, Cancellation fees: Once deposit is received, an administrative fee of $750 is non-refundable. For cancellations Feb. 17 th until departure or no show, no refund. No refund for unused portions of tour or an event you select not to participate in. Additional cancellation fees may be imposed by suppliers subject to date of cancellation. The right is reserved to cancel this program at any time prior to departure if it is deemed necessary or if the registration numbers prove insufficient by 45 days or more before departure, in this case a full refund of your payment will be made. We reserve the right to deny service to any person based upon its discretion and/or the particular needs or circumstances of a given group. Should the group cancel for any reason, including political strife, Cloud Tours reserves the right to charge an additional $100 per person administration fee. A minimum of 25 people required or additional fees will apply. Travel insurance is recommended & must be paid with deposit to waive the pre-existing medical conditions exclusion. Travel protection is nonrefundable. You may r equest a copy of the Description of Coverage, prior to purchase, which includes the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions. This plan provides insurance coverage for your trip that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker. The purchase of this plan is not required in order to purchase any other travel product or service offered to you by your travel retailer. Cloud Tours reserves the right to deny service to any person based upon its discretion and/or the particular needs or circumstances of a given group. This pilgrimage will operate under the United States Department of Treasury Office Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) under 31 C.F.R (a) general license provision for religious activities. Our visit includes a full schedule of religious activities consistent with U.S Regulations. PLEASE NOTE: Our religious visit will be arranged through a legally licensed TSP or Travel Service Provider Licensee: Miramar Travel & Tours (CU ) authorized by OFAC, CST FAC: FOR MORE INFORMATION: PLEASE CONTACT: CLOUD TOURS at Newtown Ave. Suite 311, Long Island City, NY Tel: (718) / (800) or Stephen, Tour Coordinator at: Stephen@cloudtours.com