Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Transcript

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2 Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Nativity Hymn Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῶ κόσμω, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως, ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοὶς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο, σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοί. Your birth O Christ our God did shine upon the world and through the light of wisdom illumined the universe and to those who held the stars in worship did through a star learn to worship You, Worship You the Sun of Righteousness and came to know You the Light from on high. Glory to You O Lord. Nativity Antiphon Hymn Save us O Son of God, Who was born of the Virgin, we sing to Thee Alleluia. Nativity Entrance Hymn Out of the womb, before the morning star, I have begotten thee. The Lord hath sworn and will not repent. Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Nativity Kontakion Η Παρθένος σήμερον τον υπερούσιον τίκτει, και η γη το σπήλαιον τω απροσίτω προσάγει. Αγγελοι μετά ποιμένων δοξολογούσι, μάγοι δε μετά αστέρος οδοιπορούσι. Δι' ημάς γαρ εγεννήθη παιδίον νέον, ο προ αιώνων Θεός. On this day the Virgin beareth the Transcendent in Essence; to the Unapproachable, the earth doth offer a small cave; Angels join in choir with shepherds in giving glory; with a star the Magi travel upon their journey; for our sakes is born a young Child, He that existed before the ages is God. Trisagion Hymn Those who have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ for evermore Alleluia. Megalinarion Hymn O my soul, magnify her who is greater in honor and in glory than the armies of Heaven. I see here a strange and marvelous mystery. For behold, the cave is Heaven; the Virgin is a cherubic throne; the manger a grand space in which Christ our God, Whom nothing can contain, is laid as a babe. Him do we praise and greatly magnify. Nativity Communion Hymn The Lord has sent redemption unto His people. Alleluia. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

3 Epistle - St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:4-7 B RETHREN, when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir of God through Christ. Gospel - Matthew 2:1-12 N ow when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'" Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Ἀ δελφοί, ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός, γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον, ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν. Ὅτι δέ ἐστε υἱοί, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν, κρᾶζον, Ἀββᾶ, ὁ πατήρ. Ὥστε οὐκέτι εἶ δοῦλος, ἀλλʼ υἱός εἰ δὲ υἱός, καὶ κληρονόμος θεοῦ διὰ Χριστοῦ Τ οῦ δὲ Ιησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐν Βηθλεὲμ τῆς Ιουδαίας ἐν ἡμέραις Ηρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως, ἰδοὺ μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν παρεγένοντο εἰς Ιεροσόλυμαλέγοντες ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ τεχθεὶς βασιλεὺς τῶν Ιουδαίων; εἴδομεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ καὶ ἤλθομεν προσκυνῆσαι αὐτῷ. Ακούσας δὲ Ηρῴδης ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐταράχθη καὶ πᾶσα Ιεροσόλυμα μετ αὐτοῦ,καὶ συναγαγὼν πάντας τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ γραμματεῖς τοῦ λαοῦ ἐπυνθάνετο παρ αὐτῶν ποῦ ὁ Χριστὸς γεννᾶται.οἱ δὲ εἶπον αὐτῷ ἐν Βηθλεὲμ τῆς Ιουδαίας οὕτω γὰρ γέγραπται διὰ τοῦ προφήτου καὶ σὺ Βηθλεέμ, γῆ Ιούδα,οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη εἶ ἐν τοῖς ἡγεμόσιν Ιούδα ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἐξελεύσεται ἡγούμενος,ὅστις ποιμανεῖ τὸν λαόν μου τὸν Ισραήλ. Τότε Ηρῴδης λάθρα καλέσας τοὺς μάγους ἠκρίβωσε παρ αὐτῶν τὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαινομένου ἀστέρος,καὶ πέμψας αὐτοὺς εἰς Βηθλεὲμ εἶπε πορευθέντες ἀκριβῶς ἐξετάσατε περὶ τοῦ παιδίου, ἐπὰν δὲ εὕρητε, ἀπαγγείλατέ μοι, ὅπως κἀγὼ ἐλθὼν προσκυνήσω αὐτῷ.οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπορεύθησαν καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ ἀστὴρ ὃν εἶδον ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ προῆγεν αὐτούς, ἕως ἐλθὼν ἔστη ἐπάνω οὗ ἦν τὸ παιδίον ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα,καὶ ἐλθόντες εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν εἶδον τὸ παιδίον μετὰ Μαρίας τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ πεσόντες προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀνοίξαντες τοὺς θησαυροὺς αὐτῶν προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ δῶρα, χρυσὸν καὶ λίβανον καὶ σμύρναν καὶ χρηματισθέντες κατ ὄναρ μὴ ἀνακάμψαι πρὸς Ηρῴδην, δι ἄλλης ὁδοῦ ἀνεχώρησαν εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτῶν.

4 Christmas and Epiphany Schedule of Services Friday, December 25, Merry Christmas!!! Feast of the Nativity of Christ 9am Matins 10am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom for the 25th Saturday, December 26 Synaxis of the Theotokos 9am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy Sunday, December 27 Feast of St. Stephen 8:45am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy Friday, January 1, Happy New Year!!! The Circumcision of our Lord and the Feast of St. Basil the Great 9am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy Tuesday, January 5 The Proeortia (Forefeast) of the Theophany of Christ 9am Orthros & Imperial Hours of the 5th 5pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil for the 5th Wednesday, January 6 The Holy Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ 9am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy of St. John the Chrysostom followed by the Service of the Greater Blessing of Waters Thursday, January 7 The Synaxis Feast of St. John the Baptist 9am Orthros 10am Divine Liturgy

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6 Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Nativity 2015 Protocol Number 229/15 December 18, 2015 The Nativity of Christ Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, For unto us a Child is born, and His name will be called Prince of Peace! (Isaiah 9:6) On this blessed Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I greet you in the grace, joy and peace that accompany this unique event. We celebrate our Lord s holy Incarnation as a miraculous revelation of God s grace, and through faith we see the path to redemption, restoration, and life without end. Our hearts are filled with joy, for our hope is renewed in the fulfillment of His divine promise to save us and be with us. We also experience the peace of God, which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), as our hearts and minds are filled with the transforming presence of Christ. He has come to us as the Prince of Peace, offering a divine peace that is much greater than any comfort or security offered in this world. It is a peace that is available to all humanity, regardless of current challenges, threats, living conditions or stage of life. It is a peace that cannot be disturbed by the violence and insecurities of this broken world, for its origin is the God of peace, and it is sustained by His abundant grace. In our celebration of the Feast of the Nativity, we acknowledge the power of the peace of God in several ways. In our Great Vespers service we read the prophecies of Isaiah regarding the Incarnation of Christ, affirming the biblical revelation that His peace restores a created order that has been burdened by sin, violence and death. The Prophet states that He comes with wisdom, understanding, and righteousness, bringing a peace by which the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them (Isaiah 11:6). These images reveal that the presence and peace of our Lord restores the relationships of creation to what God intended them to be. Through the power of the Incarnation, we are given a glimpse of life to come and how it will be when the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord (Isaiah 11:9). As the Prince of Peace our Lord also brings to us peace through justice. In the same passage from Isaiah we read with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and reprove with equity the meek of the earth (Isaiah 11:4). Those who struggle without security the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, the refugee, the orphan, the sick they can find peace in the midst of their challenges and afflictions. In Christ, we have peace through justice and justice through peace, as He offers salvation to all. His Incarnation is the seal of that promise. Justice and righteousness as a foundation of divine and enduring peace shows a clear distinction between the spiritual peace granted by God and the temporal peace we often experience. In the world around us, peace is maintained through the use of force or the ability to use it when necessary. The priority of the rule of law is affirmed, with an emphasis on punishment or consequences for disrupting public order. Peace is also linked to economic stability and thwarting the chaos that could ensue if systems failed. All of these concepts of peace are important in our lives, but they are very limited. The peace of God that is revealed by Christ is a peace that we can have no matter the conditions of life, society, or level of security. It is a peace that comes through faith as we trust in the promises of God. As we see in Christ and in the lives of many Saints, it is a peace that stands in the face of great adversity, that is not dependent on any temporal security of life, status or property, but is strengthened by the hope we have in the grace of God. As we celebrate this Feast of the Nativity in the presence of our Incarnate Lord, and we reflect on the significance of His birth and the revelation of God s grace, may your hearts and minds be filled with His peace. Let this peace surround us as we deepen our faith in Christ, seek transformation by His grace, and commit all of our life to Him. In addition, as we proclaim Christ is born, Glorify Him, may we offer a witness of the peace that comes from above, revealing the love of God through our Lord s Incarnation to all the world. With paternal love in Christ, DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America

7 G O D P A R E N T S U N D A Y J A N U A R Y 3 1, P l e d g e n o w a n d b e c o m e a g o d p a r e n t t o o!

8 Prayers for Health List With the new year we will start a new Prayers for Health list. Please call the office at: or at: office@transfiguration.org to give the names of your loved ones that you would like to add to our prayers list. 40 Days Blessing for Christos Poulos Son of John and Nina Poulos to all our volunteers, helpers, ministry leaders, parish council members, Philoptochos ladies, AHEPA members, Sunday School teachers, Greek School teachers, coffee hour sponsors, luncheon sponsors, ushers, alter boys, and everyone in our Parish for their immeasurable and invaluable work and help throughout the past year. May everyone have a blessed Merry Christmas and may God give you the desire or your heart and make all your plans succeed (Psalm 20:4) in the new year Nativity Talent Show DVDs DVDs of the 2015 Nativity Talent Show are available. The cost is $20, with the proceeds going to next year s Christmas pageant. To place your order, process payment, and pick up your DVD, please contact Ralph Jones at ralph.d.jones@austin.rr.com. You can also watch MaryKathrine s video at:

9 House Blessings right after the Feast of Theophany on January 6 This year again, we will do a progressive house blessing in your neighborhood. Please get together with your neighbors and arrange for a day that Father Vasileios can come and bless the houses in your neighborhood. To set an appointment please return the form below to the office. Please make sure you mark a couple of available dates and times. EPIPHANY HOUSE BLESSING FORM To schedule a progressive house blessing, please return this form to the Church Office as soon as possible. Please indicate your preferred days of the week and time of day: Names of families: Addresses: Phone Number of Coordinating Family: If you have any questions please call the Church Office at Items needed: list of names of living members of the family; a crystal bowl with water; a bunch of fresh basil; a candle; an icon; incense; charcoal; incense burner

10 ! Mark your 2016 Calendars! Saturday, January 2: Orthodox Young Professionals Mobile Loaves & Fishes Sunday, January 3: Philoptochos Vasilopita Auction Saturday, January 9: Orthodox Young Professionals White Elephant Party Tuesday, January 12: Orthodox Young Professionals Orthodoxy on Tap Friday, January 15 - Monday, January 17: GOYA Basketball Tournament in Dallas Saturday, January 16: Parish Wide Women s Retreat Saturday, January 30: GOYA Post Basketball Tournament Party Sunday, January 31: Godparent Sunday Pledge Now and Become a Godparent, too! Saturday, February 13: Parish Wide Women s Retreat Saturday, February 13: 30th Anniversary Gala Friday, February 26 - Sunday, February 28: YES in Austin T h a n k y o u t o e v e r y o n e w h o h a s c o m m i t t e d t o b e a S t e w a r d s o f a r! Fr. Vasileios & Presv. Stella Flegas Ambrose, Rod & Effie Appling, Dan & Gigi Athanasiou, Vaios & Madeleine Ayers, Robert & Magdalene Bakiris, Michalis & Mary Katherine Bakiris, Tsambika Benson, Kiki Bita, Teodor & Aspazia Bithos, George & Ria Bjeletich, Marko & Elissa Bourgeois, Lynne Boyer, Russell & Christine Burns, Michael & Evanthia Carter, Despina Christou, Christos & Christina Colovas, William & Betty D. Demetriadis, Alex & Joan DeRossi, Joseph & Koula Dimarhos, Theoharis Dow, Stephen & Diann Dudley, Drew & Ana Eckley, David & Vasiliki Esper, John & Jessica Falkowski, Chris & Olga Gatlin, Jack & Pat Georgantonis, Mary Georgantonis-Keah, Demetra Geranios, Peter & Lillian Gianakopoulos, George & Crissi C. Gianopoulos, Demetrios Glarakis, Christina Glaros, Michael & Nyda Gouris, Tom & Allison Gradziel, MaryBeth Graf, Iulia Harris, Christopher & Vicki Hrissikopoulos, Eleni Jones, Jerry & Julie Jones, Ralph & Anita Justice, Johnny & Argiro Kalenterides, Theodore Kalogirou, Nici Kenyon, Scott & Katina Khan, Tahseen & Sophia Klaras, Patricia Knisley, Lisa Lambros, Despina Landon, James & Karen Leara, William & Michelle Leatherwood, Lee & Elaine Levendakes, Steve Lindsey, Robert & Susan Maziasz, David McFalls, David & Mariam Meador, Archie & Dina Miller, Maria Mitchell, Pat Osowski, David & Elaine Perez, Irene Petty, Ioanna Phillips, John & Cynthia Phocas, Dionissios & Sonia Pon, Ken & Mary-Ellen Price, Peter & Cynthia Colovas Qatato, Jamal & Angele Randol, Mark & Jackey Romine, David Rossnagel, Stella Sarkis, J.P. & Mara Shotwell, Pat Skevofilax, George & Teresa Skevofilax, Ioannis & Cristina Smith, Alexander & Sandra Spiropoulos, Nicholaos & Christiana Stateson, Theone Streeman, Kyle & Sophie Streetman Suehs, Brandon & Jennifer Suehs, Thomas & Christine P. Tannous, Mays Uritu, Daniel Webber, Danny & Anna Willoughby, Walter & Triantafillia Wynn, Allen & Julie Yoder, Stuart & Kori Zotis, Stathis & Vicki

11 Fr. Vasileios & Presv. Stella Flegas Dn. George & Presv. Ria Bithos Fr. David & Presv. Vasiliki Eckley Fr. Theodor & Presv. Aspasia Bita Mr. & Ms. Dennis Ackerman Mr. & Ms. Rod Ambrose Dr. & Ms. Jacob Angelo Dr. & Ms. Louis Apostolakis Dr. & Mrs. Vaios Athanasiou Mr. & Ms. Robert Ayers Mr. & Ms. Michael Bakiris Mr. & Ms. Gregg Bell Ms. Kiki Benson Ms. Roxanne Bita Ms. Andja Bjeletich Mr. & Ms. Marko Bjeletich Mr. & Ms. Paul Boutte Mrs. Lynne Bourgeois Ms. Maria Burke Mr. & Ms. Michael Burns Ms. Despina Carter Ms. Catherine Christ Mr. & Ms. Demetrios Christie Mr. & Ms. Christakis Christou Mr. & Ms. Gregory Chronis Mr. & Ms. John Chronis Ms. Marianne Clay Mr. & Ms. Bill Colovas Mr. & Ms. Michael Courtney Mr. & Ms. Alex Demetriadis Mr. & Ms. Peter Demopoulos Mr. & Ms. Jo DeRossi Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Dow Mr. & Ms. Joseph Draina Mr. & Ms. Robert Dudley Ms. Judith Eagle Mr. & Ms. Michael Ebeling Mr. & Mrs. Rich Edwards Mr. & Ms. Fred Ekery Ms. Heathyr Ellington Mr. & Ms. John Esper Mr. & Ms. Costas Evgenides Mr. & Ms. Chris Falkowski Mr. Alexandros Frangopoulos Mr. & Ms. Jason Garwood T h a n k y o u t o a l l o f o u r Mr. & Ms. Jack Gatlin Mr. Ilias Georgakopoulos Ms. Demetra Georgantonis-Keah Ms. Mary Georgantonis Mr. & Ms. Anthony George Mr. & Ms. Peter Geranios Mr. & Ms. George Gianakopoulos Ms. Stella Gianas Mr. Demetri Giannopoulos Ms. Christina Glarakis Mr. & Mrs. Michael Glaros Mr. & Ms. Tom Gouris Ms. Mary Beth Gradziel Ms. Diandra Gressel Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Harris Mr. Anastasios Hatzigiannidis Ms. Vickie Hicks & Kaliopi Gialusis Mr. James Hitt Mr. & Ms. Brian Holland Ms. Gretchen Holtsinger Mr. & Mrs. David Horwedel Mrs. Eleni Hrissikopoulos Ms. Gwen Elisabeth Jerome Mr. & Ms. Jerry Jones Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Jones Mr. & Ms. Johnny Justice Mr. Theodore Kalenterides Ms. Nici Kalogirou Dr. James Kalpaxis Mr. & Ms. George Karides Ms. Mia Karides Ms. Elsie Karvelas Khouria Anne Kenna Mr. & Ms. Scott Kenyon Mr. & Ms. Andrew Keys Mr. & Ms. Tahseen Khan Ms. Panagiota Klaras Mr. & Ms. Kevin Korioth Mr. Stephan Kounelias Ms. Despina Lambros Mr. & Mrs. James Landon Mr. & Ms. Emilio Lara Mr. & Ms. William Leara Mr. & Ms. Lee Leatherwood Mr. Steve Levendakes S t e w a r d s! Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lindsey Ms. J. Fotini Margos Ms. Casandra Mariano Mr. David Maziasz Mr. & Ms. David McFalls Mr. & Ms. Archie Meador Mr. Alexander Milan Ms. Maria Miller Ms. Patricia Mitchell Ms. Nina Morris Mr. & Ms. Steven Mowad Mr. Blair Mulholland Mr. & Ms. John Nicholas Ms. Maria Nikas Mr. & Ms. Jim Norman Mr. & Ms. Shawn O Brien Mr. & Ms. Chris Orthman Ms. Valli Papas Mr. & Ms. Pete Pavlos Drs. Nicholas & Lisa Peppas Ms. Irene Perez Mr. & Mrs. Paul Petrogeorge Mr. & Ms. Antonios Petropoulos Mr. & Ms. Chris Petropoulos Mrs. Ioanna Petty Ms. Irene Phelps Ms. Cynthia Tassos Phililps Mr. & Ms. Denis Phocas Mr. & Mrs. Ken Pon Mr. & Ms. Gabe Poulos Mr. & Ms. George Poulos Mr. & Ms. Greg Prasifka Mr. & Ms. Peter Price Mr. & Ms. Jamal Qatato Mr. & Ms. Mark Randol Mr & Ms. Bruce Read Mr. Tom Rigney Mr. & Ms. William Robertson Mr. Peter Romell Dr. David Romine Mr. & Ms. Mihalis Salmatanis Ms. Maria Sarinaki Mr. & Ms. J.P. Sarkis Mr. & Ms. John Sasaridis Ms. Leonie Sewell Mr. & Ms. Shane Sewell Mr. & Ms. Michael Shannon Ms. Patrice Shotwell Mr. & Ms. Alexander Smith Ms. Georgia Spiropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Nicolaos Spiropoulos Mr. & Ms. Karl Stahlke Mr. & Mrs. Harry Stamatis Ms. Theone Stateson Ms. Judith Stathos Mr. & Ms. George Strategakos Mr. & Ms. Steven Streetman Mr. & Ms. Brandon Suehs Ms. Michelle Suehs Mr. & Ms. Thomas Suehs Ms. Mia Tannous Mr. Mishko Teodorovich Ms. Debbie Tindle Mr. & Ms. Steve Tracey Mr. & Ms. Stephen Tsihlas Dr. & Ms. Steve Vacalis Mr. & Ms. Gregory Vrentas Mr. & Ms. Danny Webber Mr. & Ms. Jason Welch Mr. Mark Werner Mr. & Ms. Judd Willmann Mr. & Ms. Walter Willoughby Mr. & Mrs. Allen Wynn Mr. Drew Xanthopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Yoder Mr. & Ms. Elias Zachos Mr. & Ms. Stathis Zotis

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