Wednesday April 13 PresancNfied Liturgy at Chapel (6:00 pm) Friday April 15 Akathist Hymn at Cathedral (7:00 pm)

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1 ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY BULLETIN 10 April 2016 Our Righteous Father John Climacus Author of the Ladder Tοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ Συγγραφέως τῆς Κλίμακος 4th Sunday of Lent Tone 4 Δ ΤΩΝ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΩΝ Ἦχος δʹ Cathedral: 514 Parker Street, Boston, MA Office/Mailing Address: 162 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA Phone: (617) Fax: (617) Fr. Demetri s cell: (617) Upcoming Events Wednesday April 13 PresancNfied Liturgy at Chapel (6:00 pm) Wednesday April 13 Lenten Meal and Lecture at Center Hall (7:30 pm) Friday April 15 Akathist Hymn at Cathedral (7:00 pm) Wednesday April 20 PresancNfied Liturgy at Watertown, MA (6:00 pm) Saturday April 23 Sat. of Lazarus: Orth./Lit. at Chapel (8:45/10:00 am) Saturday April 23 Pancake Breakfast & Cross Weaving (Brookline) Sunday April 24 Palm Sunday with Youth Procession of Palms Sunday April 24 Palm Sunday Luncheon at the Center in Brookline Sunday April 24 Bridegroom Service at Cathedral (7:00 pm) Monday April 25 PresancNfied Liturgy at Chapel (9:00 am) Monday Aprl 25 Bridegroom Service at Cathedral (7:00 pm)

2 ΚΑΘΕΔΡΙΚΟΣ ΝΑΟΣ ΝΕΑΣ ΑΓΓΛΙΑΣ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF NEW ENGLAND Rev. Fr. Demetrios E. Tonias, Ph.D., Cathedral Dean ι Ἀπριλίου,βις Δ ΤΩΝ ΝΗΣΤΕΙΩΝ 4th Sunday of Lent 10 April 2016 Ἀπολυτίκια Ἦχος δ 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. Ἦχος πλ. δʹ Ταῖς τῶν δακρύων σου ῥοαῖς, τῆς ἐρήμου τὸ ἄγονον ἐγεώργησας, καὶ τοῖς ἐκ βάθους στεναγμοῖς, εἰς ἑκατὸν τοὺς πόνους ἐκαρποφόρησας, καὶ γέγονας φωστὴρ τῇ οἰκουμένῃ, λάμπων τοῖς θαύμασιν Ἰωάννη Πατὴρ ἡμῶν ὅσιε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἠμῶν. Ἦχος δ Σήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν τὸ κεφάλαιον, καὶ τοῦ ἀπ αἰῶνος μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις ὁ Υἷός του Θεοῦ, υἱὸς τῆς Παρθένου γίνεται, καὶ Γαβριὴλ τὴν χάριν εὐαγγελίζεται. Διὸ καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ, τῇ Θεοτόκῳ βοήσωμεν Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Κύριος μετά σοῦ. Κοντάκιον Ἦχος πλ. δʹ. Τῇ ὑπερμάχῳ στρατηγῷ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοι ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε. Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων Dismissal Hymns Mode 4 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. Mode pl. 4 With the rivers of your tears you made the barren desert bloom; and with your sighs from deep within, you made your labors bear their fruits a hundredfold; and you became a star, illuminating the world by your miracles, O John, our devout father. Intercede with Christ our God, for the salvation of our souls. Mode 4 Today mark s the crow ning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace. Wherefore, we also cry out with him, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you. Kontakion Mode pl. 4. O Champion General, I your City now ascribe to you * triumphant anthems as the tokens of my gratitude, * being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos. * Inasmuch as you have power unassailable, * from all

3 με κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοι Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε. kinds of perils free me so that unto you * I may cry aloud: * Rejoice, O unwedded Bride. Ἀπόστολος Ἐβρ ς Hebrews 6:13-20 Epistle Ἀδελφοί, τῷ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπαγγειλάμενος ὁ Θεός, ἐπεὶ κατ' οὐδενὸς εἶχε μείζονος ὀμόσαι, ὤμοσε καθ' ἑαυτοῦ, λέγων ἦ μὴν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω σε καὶ πληθύνων πληθυνῶ σε καὶ οὕτω μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχε τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἄνθρωποι μὲν γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσι, καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν ὁ ὅρκος ἐν ᾧ περισσότερον βουλόμενος ὁ Θεὸς ἐπιδεῖξαι τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τὸ ἀμετάθετον τῆς βουλῆς αὐτοῦ, ἐμεσίτευσεν ὅρκῳ, ἵνα διὰ δύο πραγμάτων ἀμεταθέτων, ἐν οἷς ἀδύνατον ψεύσασθαι Θεόν, ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν ἔχωμεν οἱ καταφυγόντες κρατῆσαι τῆς προκειμένης ἐλπίδος ἣν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος, ὅπου πρόδρομος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδὲκ, Ἀρχιερεὺς γενόμενος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα Brethren, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Εὐαγγέλιον Μᾶρκ. θ Mark 9:17-31 Gospel Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ γονυπετῶν αὐτῷ καὶ λέγων Διδάσκαλε, ἤνεγκα τὸν υἱόν μου πρὸς σέ, ἔχοντα πνεῦμα ἄλαλον. καὶ ὅπου ἂν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃ, ῥήσσει αὐτόν, καὶ ἀφρίζει καὶ τρίζει τοὺς ὀδόντας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ξηραίνεται καὶ εἶπον τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου ἵνα αὐτὸ ἐκβάλωσι, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει Ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος, ἕως πότε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔσομαι; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετε αὐτὸν πρός με. καὶ ἤνεγκαν αὐτὸν πρὸς αὐτόν. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εὐθέως τὸ πνεῦμα ἐσπάραξεν αὐτόν, καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκυλίετο ἀφρίζων. καὶ At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at Continued on next page

4 ἐπηρώτησε τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ Πόσος χρόνος ἐστὶν ὡς τοῦτο γέγονεν αὐτῷ; ὁ δὲ εἶπε Παιδιόθεν. καὶ πολλάκις αὐτὸν καὶ εἰς πῦρ ἔβαλε καὶ εἰς ὕδατα, ἵνα ἀπολέσῃ αὐτόν ἀλλ' εἴ τι δύνασαι, βοήθησον ἡμῖν σπλαγχνισθεὶς ἐφ' ἡμᾶς. ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ Τὸ εἰ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατὰ τῷ πιστεύοντι. καὶ εὐθέως κράξας ὁ πατὴρ τοῦ παιδίου μετὰ δακρύων ἔλεγε Πιστεύω, Κύριε βοήθει μου τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι ἐπισυντρέχει ὄχλος ἐπετίμησε τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ λέγων αὐτῷ Τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄλαλον καὶ κωφὸν, ἐγὼ σοι ἐπιτάσσω, ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ μηκέτι εἰσέλθῃς εἰς αὐτόν. καὶ κράξαν καὶ πολλὰ σπαράξαν αὐτόν ἐξῆλθε, καὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ νεκρός, ὥστε πολλοὺς λέγειν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν. ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς κρατήσας αὐτὸν τῆς χειρὸς ἤγειρεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἰσελθόντα αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτων αὐτόν κατ' ἰδίαν, ὅτι ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Τοῦτο τὸ γένος ἐν οὐδενὶ δύναται ἐξελθεῖν εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. Καὶ ἐκεῖθεν ἐξελθόντες παρεπορεύοντο διὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἵνα τις γνῷ ἐδίδασκε γὰρ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι Ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀποκτανθεὶς τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται. the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise." Seeing that his faith was being driven by the waves of unbelief on the rocks which would cause a fearful shipwreck, he asks of the Lord an aid to his faith, saying Lord, help me in my unbelief. So thoroughly did the apostles and those who live in the gospel realize that everything which is good is brought to completion by the aid of the Lord, and not imagine that they could preserve their faith unharmed by their own strength or free will, that they prayed that it might be helped and granted to them by the Lord. St. John Cassian

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8 STEWARDSHIP REPORT AS OF Stewards pledged this far: 177 Total pledged for 2016 thus far: $115,495 Rev. Dr. Demetrios & Pr. Maryann Tonias & Family Dr. Chris Afendulis & Ms. Claudine Gay Ms. Bessie V. Andersen Ms. Calliope Andreadis Mrs. Fotene Andreadis Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Anton Dr. Marica Arvanites Ms. Krystal E. Babalas Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Badavas Ms. Joanna Bakas Ms. Christine Bakos Ms. Natalie Bassil Ms. Nancy Batsinelas Ms. Tizita Bekele Mr. & Mrs. Costas Belezos Mr. Charles C. Beretsos Mr. & Mrs. Triantafillos Blathras Ms. Stephanie Bond Mr. & Mrs. James G. Boujoukos Mr. & Mrs. James G. Boulogiane Mr. Nicholas Bouritsas Mr. & Mrs. Spiros C. Bourloukas Ms. Christina Bowles Ms. Helen Cakridas Mr. & Mrs. Constintine Calliontzis Mr. & Mrs. Stephen T. Caparell Mrs. Mary A. Carris Mrs. Peter Collatos Ms. Doris S. Conomos Ms. Pauline P. Coutlis Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Critikos Mr. Peter L. Condakes & Dr. Pamela Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Euripides Dalmanieras Mr. & Mrs. George E. Danis Mr. & Mrs. Angelos Davos Ms. Ellen Marie Demeter Mrs. Asemena T. Dodge Mrs. Nuala Doherty Mr. Charles J. Doulos Governor & Mrs. Michael S. Dukakis Mr. & Mrs. Nicolaos Economou Mrs. Maria Efteriades Mr. Jason S. Ellis Mr. & Mrs. William Evangelakos Mr. & Mrs. Constantine D. Felis Mr. Peter N. Foundas Dr. Calliope G. Galatis Mrs. Gerasimos Galatis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas K. Galatis Atty. Cristina Galica Ms. Dimitra Gardikas Mr. & Mrs. Peter M. Gardikas Mrs. Acrive Geanakakis Ms Susan Georgantas Mr. & Mrs. John A. Georgountzos Mr. & Mrs. Vassilios Georgountzos Mr. Iraklis S. Gerogiannis & Mrs. Sheila Borboli Mr. & Mrs. Savvas Gianasmidis Mr. & Mrs. George Glaropoulos Ms. Marianthi Gregoriades Ms. Virginia C. Gregory Mr. & Mrs. Chris Guerriero Dr. Christopher Gussis Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Hanna Ms. Stavroula Hatzios & Mr. Aaron Helfand Ms. Mary Hatzis Ms. Alice H. Haveles Atty. & Mrs. George N. Heos, Jr. Ms. Kyriaki Iatrou Ms. Kaye Jaravinos Mr. & Mrs. George Jeas Mrs. Helen Johnson Mr. Philip S. Kallan Mr. & Mrs. Arthur W. Kanavos Mr. Gary Kanavos Mr. & Mrs. John Karafotis Ms. Elizabeth Karagianis Dr. Miltiades Karamechedis Mr. Christos Karatasakis (Karys) Mr. Christos Karimbakas Mr. & Mrs. James Karimbakas Ms. Pauline Karistianos Mr. George Karniadakis & Dr. Helen Christou Mrs. James Kaselis Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Kavaltzis Mr. & Mrs. Constantine T. Kechris Ms. Lula Kiflit Ms. Chrisanthe Kladitis Mr. & Mrs. George P. Klapes Mr. Louis Kokoros Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Kolovos Mrs. Popy Koshivos Ms. Bessie Kotsakis Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Koumarianos Mr. & Mrs. Pavlos Koutris Mr. Christos Kyriakis Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Kyriakou Mr. Dane Sprague & Ms. Leah Lalos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Lacey Mr. Joseph Lalos Mr. & Mrs. William J. Leahy Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Legelis Mrs. Anna G. Lemonias Mr. Constantine Limberakis Ms. Eugenia M Carris & Mr. John Livingston

9 Mr. Costandine Machakos Mrs. William F. Manley Mr. Alex Mavradis Ms. Sophia P. McBrine Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Messina Ms. Lindsay Moramarco Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Milonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. John Moriarty Mr. & Mrs. George Pagounis Mr. Paul Pagounis Ms. Portia Pantages Mrs. Athanasia Papadakis Mr. Constantine Papademetriou Mr. & Mrs. Alexandros Papadopoulos Ms. Ekaterini Papadopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios K. Papaslis Mr. & Mrs. Eleftherios Papaslis Mrs. Rhoe Papoulias Atty. Catherine A. Pappas Ms. Cynthia Pappas Mr. Peter L. Pappas Ms. Sofia Paraskevas Dr. Lewis J. Patsavos Ms. Andreana Pavlos Mr. Nicholas Phelps & Ms. Elizabeth Kalemos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Philipoppoulos Ms. Katherine A. Phillips Mr. Daniel C. Pipilas Mr. Gregorios N. Plakoudas Mr. & Mrs. Nick Ploumis Mr. & Mrs. Michael Psikarakis Ms. Georgia Racheotes Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas P. Racheotes Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas S. Racheotes Mr. & Mrs. Peter N. Racheotes Ms. Patricia S. Redmond Mr. & Mrs. Michael V. Roussas Mr. & Mrs. Peter G. Salidas Mr. & Mrs. Peter A. Senopoulos Ms. Desi Sideropoulos Ms. Sodira Sideropoulos Ms. Thalia Sideropoulos Ms. Maria Stata Ms. Anne Marie Stathis Mr. Louis C. Stathis Ms. Pauline A. Stathis Dr. & Mrs. Richard T. Strakus Mr. Peter H. Sutton Mr. & Mrs. John Tamvakologos Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Tassiopoulos Ms. Bessie K. Thomas Ms. Maria Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Triantos Thomas Mr. & Mrs. John Torres Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Torski Ms. Aleka Towers Mr. Christopher J. Trakas Mr. & Mrs. Ross N. Triant Ms. Marigoula Troubalos Ms. Theodosia Tzimorangas Mrs. Pauline V. Valavanis Mr. & Mrs. Peter Varitimidis Ms. Georgia Varvitsiotis Mr. Sokrates Vrattos Mr. & Mrs. Charles Williams Ms. Stephanie Woods Dr. & Mrs. Chris Yuskaitis Ms. Maria Zafferes Ms. Mary Zetes Mr. Peter J. Zetes Mr. & Mrs. Vasileios Zikopoulos In saying, When the Son of Man shall come, shall he find faith upon the earth? our Lord spoke of that faith which is fully matured, which is so seldom found on earth. The church s faith is full, for who would come here if there were no fullness of faith? And whose faith when fully matured would not move mountains? Look at the apostles themselves, who would not have left all they had, trodden under foot this world s hope, and followed the Lord, if they had not had proportionally great faith. And yet if they had already experienced a completely matured faith, they would have not said to the Lord, Increase our faith. Rather we find here an emerging faith, which is not yet full faith, in that father who when he had presented to the Lord his son to be cured of an evil spirit and was asked whether he believed, answered, Lord, I be-lieve, help me in my unbelief. Lord, says he, I believe. I believe : therefore there was faith; but help me in my unbelief : therefore there was not full faith. St. Augustine

10 Δʹ Κυριακὴ τῶν Νηστειῶν Ἰωάννου Κλίμακος 10 Απριλίου Ο άγιος Ιωάννης γεννήθηκε στην Παλαιστίνη γύρω στα 523. Μόνασε από νεαρή ηλικία (16 ετών). Παρακολούθησε ανώτερο κύκλο μορφώσεως. Στην ζωή της ερήμου Σινά αξιοποίησε την σοφία του και ανέβηκε σε υψηλές κορυφές αγιότητας. Είχε και το χάρισμα της θαυματουργίας. Σε μεγά η ηλικία έγινε ηγούμενος της μονής του Σινά. Συνέγραψε τριάντα λόγους περί αρετής, όπου ο καθένας λόγος περιλαμβάνει και μια αρετή, ξεκινώντας από τις πιο πρακτικές και ανεβαίνοντας σαν σκαλοπάτια κατέ ηξε στις θεωρητικά υψηλές. Στη πνευματική ζωή έχουμε βαθμίδες χαμηλές και υψηλές, καταστάσεις κατώτερες και ανώτερες. Γι αυτό και το σύγγραμμα ονομάζεται Κ ίμακα των αρετών. Στο έργο του αυτό ο συγγραφέας παρουσιάζει συστηματικά τις ιδέες του για την κοινοβιακή κυρίως, α ά και για την ερημιτική ζωή, ταξινομώντας αυτές κατά τρόπο που δείχνει πορεία προς την ηθική τελείωση. Είναι γραμμένο σε κομψή ε ηνική γλώσσα, καλοδουλεμένη με χάρη και μελωδικότητα. Έχει διαύγεια, γλαφυρότητα, παραστατικότητα και παρουσιάζει πλούτο εκφράσεως, καλαισθησία και ευγένεια. Στη διακόσμηση του λόγου με εικόνες και παρομοιώσεις ο ιερός συγγραφέας είναι απαράμι ος. Πάσης φύσεως σχήματα λόγου αναδύονται καθώς και ωραίες και επιτυχημένες προσωποποιήσεις. Οι διδασκαλίες του είναι ολοκάθαρα νάματα που προέρχονται από αγιασμένη πηγή. Είναι ένα θεόπνευστο κείμενο. Οι σύγχρονοι ψυχολόγοι θαυμάζουν τον συγγραφέα της Κ ίμακας για την βαθύτητα των ψυχολογικών του γνώσεων και παρατηρήσεων, και διαπιστώνουν ότι τα τελευταία αξιό ογα πορίσματα της ψυχολογίας του Βάθους ήταν γνωστά στους Πατέρες της ερήμου. Ο Άγιος Ιωάννης κοιμήθηκε στις 30 Μαρτίου το 603, σε ηλικία ογδόντα ετών. Από την αρχή της Σαρακοστής το σύγγραμμά του διαβάζεται σε ό α τα ορθόδοξα μοναστήρια. Επειδή είναι παγκόσμιο κειμή ιο αναλύσεως ό ων των παθών και των αρετών, η Εκκλησία τιμά ιδιαίτερα σε αυτή τη πνευματική περίοδο τον συγγραφέα άγιο Ιωάννη της Κ ίμακας και το προτείνει για ανάγνωσμα. Ἀπολυτίκιον. Ἦχος γ. Θείας πίστεως. Θείαν κλίμακα, ὑποστηρίξας, τὴν τῶν λόγων σου, μέθοδον Πάτερ, μοναστῶν ὑφηγητὴς ἀναδέδειξε, ἐκ πρακτικῆς Ἰωάννη καθάρσεως, πρὸς θεωρίας ἀνάγων τὴν ἔ αμψιν. Πάτερ Ὅσιε, Χριστὸν τὸν Θεὸν ἱκέτευε, δωρήσασθαι ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔ εος. Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος α. Χορὸς Ἀγγελικός. Καρποὺς ἀειθαλεῖς, ἐκ τῆς βίβ ου προσφέρων, διδάγματα σοφέ, καθηδύνεις καρδίας, τῶν τούτοις μετὰ νήψεως, προσεχόντων μακάριε Κ ῖμαξ γάρ ἐστι, ψυχὰς ἀνάγουσα γῆθεν, πρὸς οὐράνιον, καὶ διαμένουσαν δόξαν, τῶν πίστει τιμώντων σε. Μεγαλυνάριον. Τὴν οὐρανοδρόμον ἣν Ἰακώβ, κλίμακα προεῖδεν, ἐτεχνήσω πνευματικῶς, Πάτερ Ἰωάννη, συνθήκῃ τῶν σῶν λόγων, δι ἧς πρὸς ἀφθαρσίας, βαίνομεν μέθεξιν.

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14 Feast of our Righteous Father John Climacus 10 April Saint John of the Ladder is honored by Holy Church as a great ascetic and author of the renowned spiritual book called THE LADDER, from which he is also called of the Ladder (Climacus). There is almost no information about St John s origins. One tradition suggests that he was born in Constantinople around the year 570, and was the son of Sts Xenophon and Maria (January 26). John went to Sinai when he was sixteen, submitting to Abba Martyrius as his instructor and guide. After four years, St John was tonsured as a monk. Abba Strategios, who was present at St John s tonsure, predicted that he would become a great luminary in the Church of Christ. For nineteen years St John progressed in monasticism in obedience to his spiritual Father. After the death of Abba Martyrius, St John embarked on a solitary life, settling in a wild place called Thola, where he spent forty years laboring in silence, fasting, prayer, and tears of penitence. It is not by chance that in THE LADDER St John speaks about tears of repentance: Just as fire burns and destroys the wood, so pure tears wash away every impurity, both external and internal. His holy prayer was strong and efficacious, as may be seen from an example from the life of the God-pleasing saint. St John had a disciple named Moses. Once, the saint ordered his disciple to bring dung to fertilize the vegetable garden. When he had fulfilled the obedience, Moses lay down to rest under the shade of a large rock, because of the scorching heat of summer. St John was in his cell in a light sleep. Suddenly, a man of remarkable appearance appeared to him and awakened the holy ascetic, reproaching him, John, why do you sleep so heedlessly, when Moses is in danger? St John immediately woke up and began to pray for his disciple. When Moses returned in the evening, St John asked whether any sort of misfortune had befallen him. The monk replied, A large rock would have fallen on me as I slept beneath it at noon, but I left that place because I thought I heard you calling me. St John did not tell his disciple of his vision, but gave thanks to God. St John ate the food which is permitted by the monastic rule, but only in moderation. He did not sleep very much, only enough to keep up his strength, so that he would not ruin his mind by unceasing vigil. I do not fast excessively, he said of himself, nor do I give myself over to intense all-night vigil, nor lay upon the ground, but I restrain myself..., and the Lord soon saved me. The following example of St John s humility is noteworthy. Gifted with discernment, and attaining wisdom through spiritual experience, he lovingly received all who came to him and guided them to salvation. One day some envious monks reproached him for being too talkative, and so St John kept silence for a whole year. The monks realized their error, and they went to the ascetic and begged him not to deprive them of the spiritual profit of his conversation. Concealing his ascetic deeds from others, St John sometimes withdrew into a cave, but reports of his holiness spread far beyond the vicinity. Visitors from all walks of life came to him, desiring to hear his words of edification and salvation. After forty years of solitary asceticism, he was chosen as igumen of Sinai when he was seventy-five. St John governed the holy monastery for four years. Toward the end of his life, the Lord granted him the gifts of clairvoyance and wonderworking. At the request of St John, igumen of the Raithu monastery (Commemorated on Cheesefare Saturday), he wrote the incomparable LADDER, a book of instruction for monks who wished to attain spiritual perfection.

15 Knowing of the wisdom and spiritual gifts of St John of Sinai, the igumen of Raithu requested him to write down whatever was necessary for the salvation of those in the monastic life. Such a book would be a ladder fixed on the earth (Gen. 28:12), leading people to the gates of Heaven. St John felt that such a task was beyond his ability, yet out of obedience he fulfilled the request. The saint called his work THE LADDER, for the book is a fixed ladder leading from earthly things to the Holy of Holies... The thirty steps of spiritual perfection correspond to the thirty years of the Lord s age. When we have completed these thirty steps, we will find ourselves with the righteous and will not stumble. THE LADDER begins with renunciation of the world, and ends with God, Who is love (1 John 4:8). Although the book was written for monks, any Christian living in the world will find it an unerring guide for ascending to God, and a support in the spiritual life. Sts Theodore the Studite (November 11 and January 26), Sergius of Radonezh (September 25 and July 5), Joseph of Volokolamsk (September 9 and October 18), and others relied on THE LADDER as an important guide to salvation. The twenty-second step of THE LADDER deals with various forms of vainglory. St John writes: When I fast, I am vainglorious; and when I permit myself food in order to conceal my fasting from others I am again vainglorious about my prudence. When I dress in fine clothing, I am vanquished by vanity, and if I put on drab clothing, again I am overcome by vanity. If I speak, vainglory defeats me. If I wish to keep silence, I am again given over to it. Wherever this thorn comes up, it stands with its points upright. A vain person seems to honor God, but strives to please men rather than God. People of lofty spirit bear insult placidly and willingly, but only the holy and righteous may hear praise without harm. When you hear that your neighbor or friend has slandered you behind your back, or even to your face, praise and love him. It is not the one who reproaches himself who shows humility, for who will not put up with himself? It is the one who is slandered by another, yet continues to show love for him. Whoever is proud of his natural gifts, intelligence, learning, skill in reading, clear enunciation, and other similar qualities, which are acquired without much labor, will never obtain supernatural gifts. Whoever is not faithful in small things (Luke 16:10), is also unfaithful in large things, and is vainglorous. It often happens that God humbles the vainglorious, sending a sudden misfortune. If prayer does not destroy a proud thought, we bring to mind the departure of the soul from this life. And if this does not help, let us fear the shame which follows dishonor. For whoever humbles himself shall be exalted, and whoever exalts himself shall be humbled (Luke 14:11). When those who praise us, or rather seduce us, start to praise us, let us recall our many sins, then we shall find that we are not worthy of what they say or do to honor us. In THE LADDER St John describes the ascent toward spiritual perfection, which is essential for anyone who wishes to save his soul. It is a written account of his thoughts, based on the collected wisdom of many wise ascetics, and on his own spiritual experience. The book is a great help on the path to truth and virtue. The steps of THE LADDER proceed gradually from strength to strength on the path of perfection. The summit is not reached suddenly, but gradually, as the Savior says: The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force (Mt.11:12).

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22 Announcements WELCOME TO ALL VISITORS: For those visiting an Orthodox Church for the first time, please be aware that Holy Communion is a sign of unity of faith which is only offered to Baptized or Chrismated Orthodox Christians. All present are welcome, however, to partake of the antidoro (blessed bread) which is distributed at the end of the service. Those interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith, please feel free to see Fr. Demetri after the service. This week, to assist you in the Narthex we have at the Pangary: James Karimbakas, Charles Eliopoulos; Greeter: Mary Cleary, George Fountas; Ushers: Mary Hanna, Constantine Kechris, Maria Theodore, Simone Dodge. MEMORIALS: Memorial service is offered today for the repose of the souls of Katina Moutsos (5 years) and Antonios Moutsos (10 years). Memorial prayers are offered for the repose of the souls of Athanasios Gatsoules, George P. Salidas (20 years), Helen P. Salidas (29 years) and Stephen Kallan (47 years). May their memory be eternal! Please join us for fellowship immediately following the Liturgy in the Anastasia and Spiro Davis Hall. The fellowship hour will be offered in memory of Katina and Antonios Moutsos by Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Kechris and Ms. Eleni Moutsos. DONATION: In memory of James Kaselis: Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England Ladies Philoptochos Society CH PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY: On Wednesday, April 13, at 6:00 pm we will celebrate the Presanctified Liturgy at the Cathedral Chapel in Brookline at 6:00 pm followed by a Lenten meal and lecture. SALUTATIONS: The Akathist Hymn will be chanted on Friday, April 15, at 7:00 pm at the Cathedral on Parker Street. Join us as we celebrate the Annunciation on the fifth of five Friday s of Lent. PHILOPTOCHOS BAKE SALE ORDERS: The last day for the bake sale orders is Friday, April 15th. ANNUNCIATION CATHEDRAL AND THE BOSTON HOMELESS VETERANS: The next service day at the Homeless Veterans Shelter is on Monday, April 18 at 4:15 pm. All volunteers are welcome. Donations are needed for the expense of the meal. Please contact Judge Thomas S. and Alison Kaplanes, coordinators of this ministry to become involved with this worthy endeavor. Their number is: SATURDAY OF LAZARUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST: On April 23, the Saturday of Lazarus, we will celebrate the Orthros at 8:45 am followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am at the Chapel in Brookline. All of our families are invited to stay after the liturgy for a Pancake breakfast as we prepare the palm crosses for Palm Sunday. All children should be present as we prepare for the Great and Holy Week. SPECIAL REQUEST: We are looking for benefactors to donate veils for the Holy Table, the sacrament tables, and icon stands. The following remaining colors needed are: green and red.

23 Ανακοινώσεις ΚΑΛΩΣOΡΙΣΜΑ: Για όσους επισκέπτονται την Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία για πρώτη φορά, θα πρέπει να γνωρίζουν ότι η Θεία Κοινωνία είναι το σύμβολο της ενότητας της πίστεως, το οποίο προσφέρεται μόνο σε όσους έχουν βαπτιστεί ή χριστεί Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί. Όλοι οι παρευρισκόμενοι ωστόσο, είναι ευπρόσδεκτοι να λάβουν το Αντίδωρο (ή ευλογημένο ψωμί), το οποίο διανέμεται μετά το τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας. Όσοι ενδιαφέρεστε να μάθετε περισσότερα για την Ορθόδοξη Χριστιανική Πίστη, μη διστάσετε να μιλήσετε στον Πατέρα Δημήτριο μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. Αυτή την εβδομάδα θα βοηθήσουν στο Παγκάρι: James Karimbakas, Charles Eliopoulos, Υποδοχή: Mary Cleary, George Fountas, Δίσκος: Mary Hanna, Constantine Kechris, Maria Theodore, Simone Dodge. ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ: Σήμερα τελούμε επιμνημόσυνη δέηση υπέρ αναπαύσεως των ψυxών των κεκοιμημένων δούλων του Θεού Κατίνας Μούτσου (5 έτη) και Αντωνίου Μούτσου (10 έτη) και Τρισάγιον υπέρ αναπαύσεως των ψυχών των κεκοιμημένων δούλων του Θεού Αθανασίου Γκατσούλη, Γεωργίου Σαλίδα (20 έτη), Ελένης Σαλίδα (29 έτη) και Στεφάνου Καλλιόγλου (47 έτη). Αιωνία αυτών η μνήμη! Παρακαλείσθε όπως παραβρεθείτε μετά το τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας στην Αίθουσα Αναστασίας και Σπυρίδωνος Davis όπου θα προσφερθούν καφές και εδέσματα εις μνήμη των Αντωνίου και Κατίνας Μούτσου από τον Κύριο και την Κυρία Κεχρή και την Κυρία Ελένη Μούτσου. ΔΩΡΕΑ: Εις μνήμη του Δημητρίου Κασέλη: Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England Ladies Philoptochos Society CH ΠΡΟΗΓΙΑΣΜΕΝΗ ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ: Η Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία θα εορταστεί την Τετάρτη, 13 Απριλίου στο Παρεκκλήσι του Καθεδρικού Ναού στο Μπρουκλάϊν, στις 6:00 μμ. Μετά τη Θεία Λειτουργία θα προσφερθεί Νηστίσιμο γεύμα και αμέσως μετά θα ακολουθήσει Διάλεξη σχετική με τη νηστεία. ΧΑΙΡΕΤΙΣΜΟΙ: Η ακολουθία του Ακαθίστου Ύμνου θα γίνει την Παρασκευή, 15 Απριλίου στις 7:00 μμ στον Καθεδρικό Ναό στην Parker Street. Προσευχηθείται μαζί μας την τελευταία Παρασκευή των Χαιρετισμών της Θεοτόκου. ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΚΑΘΕΔΡΙΚΟΥ ΓΙΑ ΤΟΥΣ ΑΣΤΕΓΟΥΣ ΒΕΤΕΡΑΝΟΥΣ ΒΟΣΤΩΝΗΣ: Το επόμενο γεύμα για τους Άστεγους Βετεράνους της Βοστώνης είναι τη Δευτέρα, 18 Απριλίου στις 16:15 μμ. Όλοι οι εθελοντές είναι ευπρόσδεκτοι. Χρειαζόμαστε τη προσφορά σας για τα έξοδα των μηνιαίων γευμάτων Παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήστε με το Δικαστή Thomas S. Kaplanes και την κυρία Alison Kaplanes, στο: ΠΑΡΑΚΛΗΣΗ: Απευθυνόμαστε στη γενναιοδωρία σας για την απόκτηση καλυμάτων για την Αγία Τράπεζα, το τραπέζι για τα Μυστήρια και τις βάσεις των εικόνων. Χρειαζόμαστε τα ακόλουθα χρώματα: πράσινο και κόκκινο.

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