Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h. May 4, 2014 Sunday of the Myrrh Bearers

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1 Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h May 4, 2014 Sunday of the Myrrh Bearers 1

2 THE MISSION OF THE STS. 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. 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) Fr. Michael 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! 2 Fr. Jason

3 YMNOI THΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ HYMNS OF THE DAY Ἀπολυτίκια τῶν Μυροφόρων. Ἦχος β Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾍδην ἐνέκρωσας, τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος. ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον. Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, δόξα σοι. Ὁ εὐσχήμων Ἰωσήφ, ἀπὸ τοῦ ξύλου καθελὼν τὸ ἄχραντόν σου Σῶμα, σινδόνι καθαρᾷ, εἱλήσας καὶ ἀρώμασιν, ἐν μνήματι καινῷ κηδεύσας ἀπέθετο. Ταῖς Μυροφόροις Γυναιξί, παρὰ τὸ μνῆμα ἐπιστάς, ὁ Ἄγγελος ἐβόα. Τὰ μύρα τοῖς θνητοῖς ὑπάρχει ἁρμόδια, Χριστὸς δὲ διαφθορᾶς ἐδείχθη ἀλλότριος. 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. Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος πλ. δʹ Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ Ἄδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος, Χαίρετε, καὶ τοὶς σοὶς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοὶς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν. Apolytikia of the Myrrh-bearers. Mode 2 When You descended to death, O Immortal Life, then, the light of Your divinity destroyed Hades. When You raised the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers cried out, "Glory to You our Christ, the Giver of Life." Lowering Your pure body from the Cross, Joseph wrapped it in clean muslin with fragrant spices and laid it in a new tomb. Standing by the tomb the angel said to the Myrrh-bearing women: "Myrrh is for the dead; but Christ has shown Himself stranger to death." 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. Kontakion. Mode 8 Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrhbearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen. 3

4 Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 6:1-7 ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Στο μεταξύ, εκείνες τις μέρες, καθώς ο αριθμός των μαθητών μεγάλωνε, εκφράστηκαν παράπονα από τους Eλληνόγλωσσους Iουδαίους πιστούς κατά των Eβραιόγλωσσων πιστών, ότι στην καθημερινή διανομή τροφίμων παραμελούνταν οι δικές τους χήρες. Tότε οι δώδεκα, αφού προσκάλεσαν το σύνολο των μαθητών, τους είπαν: Δεν είναι σωστό να εγκαταλείψουμε εμείς το Λόγο του Θεού και να καταγινόμαστε με το στρώσιμο τραπεζιών. Γι αυτό, αδελφοί, ξεχωρίστε από ανάμεσά σας προσεκτικά εφτά άντρες με καλή μαρτυρία από τους άλλους, γεμάτους με το γιο Πνεύμα και με σοφία, στους οποίους και θα αναθέσουμε το έργο αυτό. Έτσι, εμείς θα ασχολούμαστε απερίσπαστα με την προσευχή και το έργο του κηρύγματος. H πρόταση αυτή άρεσε σε όλους τους πιστούς και διάλεξαν το Στέφανο, έναν άντρα γεμάτο με πίστη και με το Πνεύμα το γιο, κι επίσης το Φίλιππο, τον Πρόχωρο, το Nικάνωρα, τον Tίμωνα, τον Παρμενά και το Nικόλαο, που ήταν προσήλυτος από την Aντιόχεια. Tους παρουσίασαν κατόπιν στους αποστόλους, οι οποίοι, αφού προσευχήθηκαν, έβαλαν πάνω τους τα χέρια τους. Kι ο Λόγος του Θεού απλωνόταν και ο αριθμός των μαθητών στην Iερουσαλήμ μεγάλωνε πάρα πολύ. Aκόμα κι από τους ιερείς ένας μεγάλος αριθμός αποδέχονταν την πίστη. EPISTLE Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7 IN THOSE DAYS, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ Μᾶρκον ιε 43-47, ιστ 1-8 ήρθε ο Iωσήφ, μέλος ευυπόληπτο του συνεδρίου, που καταγόταν από την Aριμαθαία, ο οποίος προσδοκούσε επίσης τη βασιλεία του Θεού, και παίρνοντας το θάρρος παρουσιάστηκε στον Πιλάτο και ζήτησε το σώμα του Iησού. 44Kι ο Πιλάτος απόρησε που είχε κιόλας πεθάνει. Έτσι, φώναξε τον εκατόνταρχο και τον ρώτησε αν είχε πολλή ώρα που πέθανε. 45Kι αφού το διαπίστωσε από τον εκατόνταρχο, χάρισε το σώμα στον Iωσήφ. 46Tότε εκείνος, αφού αγόρασε ένα σεντόνι, κατέβασε τον Iησού, τον τύλιξε στο σεντόνι και τον τοποθέτησε σε μνήμα που ήταν λαξεμένο σε βράχο. Kύλισε έπειτα μια πέτρα στο στόμιο του μνήματος. 47Στο μεταξύ, η Mαρία η Mαγδαληνή και η Mαρία, η μητέρα του Iωσή παρακολουθούσαν σε ποιο μέρος τον τοποθετούσαν. Kι αφού είχε περάσει πια το Σάββατο, η Mαρία η Mαγδαληνή, η Mαρία η μητέρα του Iάκωβου και η Σαλώμη αγόρασαν αρώματα για να πάνε και να τον αλείψουν. Έτσι, πολύ νωρίς το πρωί της πρώτης ημέρας της εβδομάδας, έρχονται στο μνήμα, την ώρα που είχε ανατείλει ο ήλιος, κι έλεγαν μεταξύ τους: Ποιος θα κυλίσει για μας την πέτρα από το στόμιο του μνήματος; Mα όταν κοίταξαν, βλέπουν ότι η πέτρα είχε κυλιστεί μακριά από τη θέση της! Kαι ήταν η πέτρα αυτή πάρα πολύ μεγάλη. Kι όταν μπήκαν στο μνήμα, είδαν 4

5 έναν νέο που καθόταν στα δεξιά, ντυμένο με λευκή στολή? και καταλήφθηκαν από ένα ανάμεικτο αίσθημα έκπληξης και φόβου. Aλλ εκείνος είπε σ αυτές: Mη φοβάστε. Tον Iησού ζητάτε, τον Nαζωραίο, που έχει σταυρωθεί. Aναστήθηκε! Δεν είναι εδώ! Nα, κοιτάξτε τον τόπο που τον είχαν βάλει! Πηγαίνετε, λοιπόν, να πείτε στους μαθητές του και στον Πέτρο ότι ο Iησούς πηγαίνει πριν από σας στη Γαλιλαία. Eκεί θα τον δείτε, όπως σας το είπε. Bγήκαν τότε από το μνήμα κι έφυγαν γρήγορα, ενώ τις είχε κυριεύσει τρόμος και κατάπληξη. Kαι σε κανέναν δεν είπαν τίποτε, γιατί φοβόνταν. GOSPEL Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8 At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. PRAYER LIST If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the office. Eleni, Maria, Simeon, Nikitas, Andreas, Demetra 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. 5

6 May 4 - Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women SAINTS AND FEASTS About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step - mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15: Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, John 19:25; 20: Acts 1:14). Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60). 5 Μαϊου - Αγία Ειρήνη Η Αγία Μεγαλομάρτυς Ειρήνη άθλησε κατά τον 4ο αιώνα μ.χ. Ήταν θυγατέρα του Λικινίου, που ήταν βασιλιάς κάποιου μικρού βασιλείου, και της Λικινίας. Καταγόταν από την πόλη Μαγεδών και αρχικά ονομαζόταν Πηνελόπη. Όταν η Αγία έγινε έξι ετών, ο πατέρας της Λικίνιος την έκλεισε σε ένα πύργο και ανέθεσε την διαπαιδαγώγησή της σε κάποιον γέροντα, ονόματι Απελλιανό, ο οποίος και έγραψε τα υπομνήματα του μαρτυρίου αυτής. Μια νύχτα η Ειρήνη είδε το εξής όραμα: μπήκε στον πύργο ένα περιστέρι κρατώντας με το ράμφος του κλαδί ελιάς, το οποίο και άφησε επάνω στο τραπέζι. Επίσης, μπήκε και ένας αετός μεταφέροντας στεφάνι από άνθη, το οποίο τοποθέτησε και αυτός επάνω στο τραπέζι. Έπειτα μπήκε από άλλο παράθυρο ένας κόρακας, ο οποίος έβαλε επάνω στο τραπέζι ένα φίδι. Το πρωί που ξύπνησε απορούσε και 6

7 σκεπτόταν τι άραγε να σημαίνουν αυτά που είδε. Τα διηγήθηκε λοιπόν στον γέροντα Απελλιανό και εκείνος τα ερμήνευσε ως προάγγελμα των στεφάνων της δόξας και του μαρτυρικού τέλους αυτής μετά τη βάπτισή της. Στο Χριστιανισμό ελκύσθηκε από κάποια κρυπτοχριστιανή νέα, η οποία, λόγω της τιμιότητας και των αρετών της, έχαιρε μεγάλης εκτιμήσεως από τους γονείς της Πηνελόπης και είχε τοποθετηθεί από αυτούς ως θεραπαίνιδα της θυγατέρας τους. Ένας ιερεύς, ονόματι Τιμόθεος, βάπτισε κρυφά τη νεαρή ηγεμονίδα και τη μετονόμασε Ειρήνη. Το γεγονός δεν άργησε να πληροφορηθεί ο πατέρας της Λικίνιος, όταν μάλιστα η Αγία Ειρήνη συνέτριψε τα είδωλα της πατρικής της οικίας ομολογώντας με αυτό τον τρόπο την πίστη της στον Χριστό. Για τον λόγο αυτό διέταξε να τη δέσουν στα πόδια ενός άγριου αλόγου, να τη σκοτώσει με κλοτσιές. Αλλά από θαύμα το άλογο στράφηκε εναντίον του και σκότωσε αυτόν. Τότε επικράτησε μεγάλη σύγχυση μεταξύ των εκεί παρεβρισκομένων ανθρώπων. Αλλά η Ειρήνη τους καθησύχασε με τα λόγια του Χριστού: «Παντα δυνατα τω πιστευοντι» (Μαρκ. θ 23). Δηλαδή όλα είναι δυνατά σ εκείνον που πιστεύει. Και πράγματι, με θαυμαστή πίστη προσευχήθηκε και ο πατέρας της σηκώθηκε ζωντανός. Τότε, οικογενειακώς όλοι βαπτίστηκαν χριστιανοί. Στη συνέχεια έπαθε πολλά από τους Πέρσες και τους βασιλείς αυτών Σεδεκία και Σαπώριο Α'. Έπειτα η Αγία Ειρήνη πήγε στην Καλλίπολη του Ελλησπόντου, όπου βασίλευε ο Νουμεριανός. Εκεί παρουσιάσθηκε σε αυτόν και ομολόγησε με παρρησία την πίστη της στον Χριστό. Οι ειδωλολάτρες την έκλεισαν διαδοχικά σε τρία πυρακτωμένα χάλκινα βόδια. Το τρίτο όμως βόδι, τη στιγμή που βρισκόταν εντός του η Μεγαλομάρτυς, όλως παραδόξως κινήθηκε, ενώ ήταν άψυχο ανθρώπινο κατασκεύασμα. Στη συνέχεια αυτό σχίσθηκε και βγήκε από μέσα του η Αγία εντελώς αβλαβής από την κόλαση της πυράς. Το γεγονός αυτό είχε ως αποτέλεσμα να προσέλθουν στην πίστη του Χριστού χιλιάδες ψυχές. Στην πόλη Μεσημβρία της Θράκης η Αγία Ειρήνη θανατώθηκε, αλλά με τη δύναμη του Θεού αναστήθηκε και είλκυσε στην πίστη το διοικητή και ολόκληρο το λαό. Τέλος, η Αγία κατέφυγε μαζί με το δάσκαλό της Απελλιανό στην Έφεσο της Μικράς Ασίας, όπου διέμεινε επιτελώντας πολλά θαύματα και τιμώμενη ως αληθινή ισαπόστολος. Εκεί ανέπτυξε μεγάλη δράση μέχρι την ημέρα της κοιμήσεως αυτής, το 315 μ.χ. Στο Συναξάρι της αναφέρεται ότι στην Έφεσο η Αγία βρήκε μία λάρνακα, στην οποία δεν είχε ως τότε ενταφιασθεί κανένας, μπήκε μέσα σε αυτήν και κοιμήθηκε με ειρήνη. Πριν δε από την κοίμησή της η Αγία Ειρήνη είχε δώσει εντολή να μην μετακινήσει κανένας την ταφόπετρα, με την οποία θα σκέπαζε τη λάρνακα ο δάσκαλός της Απελλιανός, προτού περάσουν τέσσερις ημέρες. Μετά όμως από δύο ημέρες επισκέφθηκαν τον τάφο ο Απελλιανός και οι άλλοι, οι οποίοι είδαν ότι η ταφόπετρα ήταν σηκωμένη και η λάρνακα κενή. Κατά τα δυτικά Μαρτυρολόγια η Αγία Ειρήνη μαρτύρησε στη Θεσσαλονίκη, αφού ρίχθηκε στην πυρά ενώ κατά το Μηνολόγιον του αυτοκράτορα Βασιλείου Β', η Αγία Ειρήνη τελειώθηκε μαρτυρικά δι' αποκεφαλισμού. 7

8 CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS PHILOPTOCHOS: Sts. Constantine and Helen, Washington, DC Church Fundraiser: Sts. Constantine and Helen, Washington, DC Invites you to Brunch, Lunch, and / or Dinner Sunday through Sunday, April 27th - May 4th, Greek Islands Grill, New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland. Please mention our Church and Sts. Constantine & Helen, Washington, DC will benefit 20% from each check! THANK YOU GREEK ISLANDS GRILL for your Generosity! There will be a Philoptochos General meeting today after Divine Liturgy. Please try to attend. Thank you to everyone that made our Easter Bake sale a success! GOYA: Senior Sunday will be on Sunday, May 11th. The GOYAns will be hosting their annual Mother's Day reception on Sunday, May 11th. Dear Parishioner: CHOIR CALL Soon our Community will see the walls of our beautiful House of Worship rising up and not very long after we will gather to celebrate the opening of our new church. On that glorious day, the choir undoubtedly will play a great role in the celebration. We like to have a great choir consisting of many members who can raise their voices in glorifying God for the blessings bestowed upon our community. Dr. Papaloizos is willing to devote individual time with each new member to train him/her. You need nothing more than the desire to sing the beautiful hymnology of our Orthodox faith. It is an incredibly rewarding experience, so please, join us. Each Sunday, there will be a table in the hall of St. Andrew s where interested parishioners can provide their contact information. 8

9 ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY How to Read Genesis Bible Study will resume on May 5th at St. Andrew s Cathedral Hall 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm. Come to the Church for Healing The Holy Mysterion of Anointing with Oil will be administered Monday, May 5 at 6:30pm. Το Μυστήριο του Αγίου Ευχελαίου Θα γίνει την Δευτέρα, 5 Μαϊου στις 6:30μμ 9

10 Father Michael is available to you for confession at any time. Please call Father Michael at the Church Office, at (240) , or on his cell phone at (301) MEMORIAL SERVICE The memorial service is chanted for the repose of the soul of Stanley Santorios (40 Days). Mr. Stanley Santorios, beloved husband of Demetra Santorios. Devoted father of Demetre (Becky), William and Andrew (Barbara) Santorios. Cherished grandfather of Stelio and Demetra. May his memory be eternal! The Coffee Hour today is offered by the Family. FUTURE MEMORIALS: June 1, 2014 Emilia Nikitakis (1 Year) 10

11 PARAKLESIS TO THE THEOTOKOS ΠΑΡΑΚΛΗΣΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟ 6:30 PM WEDNESDAY EVENINGS 6:30 MM ΤΕΤΑΡΤΕΣ ΑΠΟΓΕΥΜΑ Most Holy Theotokos save us. With many temptations surrounding me, Searching for salvation, I have hastened unto you; O Mother of the Word, and ever-virgin, From all distress and dangers deliver me. Υπεραγια Θεοτοκε σωσον ημας. Πολλοῖς συνεχόμενος πειρασμοῖς, πρὸς σὲ καταφεύγω, σωτηρίαν ἐπιζητῶν Ὦ Μῆτερ τοῦ Λόγου καὶ Παρθένε, τῶν δυσχερῶν καὶ δεινῶν με διάσωσον. Icon: End of 13th Century. Triglia, M. Asia. Smisthonian Museum, Gallery of Art (Exhibition). PROSPHORO & COMMANDARIA WINE If you would like to donate any of the these when submitting names for Commemoration at the Prothesis, or for a Trisagion/Memorial it would be greatly appreciated. ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΟ & ΚΡΑΣΙ ΚΟΜΜΑΝΤΑΡΙΑ Θα το εκτιμούσαμε πολύ εάν θα μπορούσατε να προσφέρετε πρόσφορο ή κρασί κομμανταρία όταν φέρνετε ονόματα για την Προσκομιδή, ή για Τρισάγιο/ Μνημόσυνο. 11

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16 What Do Your Spiritual Fathers Expect from Their Spiritual Children? To call us ON THE DAY OF BIRTH to come to the hospital to offer prayer. To call us ON THE EIGHTH DAY to come to your home to offer prayer in the NAMING of the baby. To come to the church ON THE COMPLETION OF 40 DAYS to offer prayer for the mom and to CHURCH the baby. To call us to pray with you if there is a MISCARRIAGE. To call us to offer prayer AT THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. To bring your baby for the MYSTERION OF BAPTISM. To come to your clergy for pre-marriage guidance and to BLESS your engagement with the SERVICE of BLESSING THE ENGAGEMENT. (Informal Blessing of Rings) To come to the church to have your MARRIAGE BLESSED IN THE CHURCH. To come to the church often for the MYSTERION OF HOLY CONFESSION. To come to the church often for the MYSTERION OF HOLY EUCHARIST. To invite your clergy to your home for THE OFFICE OF HOLY UNCTION (in the home) To call us to come to visit those who are sick either in the home, hospital or special care facility and to pray the SERVICE OF THE VISITATION OF THE SICK. We want to pray with you prior to an operation and want to give thanks to God after the operation. To pray with you if there is a perceived need to PRAY AGAINST THE EVIL EYE. To call us if there is a need for an EXORCISM. To be called immediately when someone is near death. To be called immediately upon death for the TRISAGION PRAYER. To pray the TRISAGION PRAYER at the funeral home the night before a funeral, FUNERAL SERVICE IN THE CHURCH upon someone FALLING ASLEEP IN THE LORD. To go to the cemetery on the 9th day after someone has FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE LORD for a TRISAGION PRAYER SERVICE. To pray a 40 DAY MEMORIAL SERVICE in the church, preferably on a Saturday, after someone has FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE LORD. Prayers for those who have fallen asleep should be offered up often. To pray an ARTOKLASIA for the health and gratitude of God s blessings on your family. To come to your home to BLESS it (AGIASMO) at least once per year. To come to your business to pray and BLESS THE BEGINNING OF ANY BUSINESS UNDERTAKING. To offer prayer at a WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. To offer prayer for those who are suffering DEPRESSION. To BLESS A VEHICLE, old or new. To invite us to your home to spend time together and get to know each other better. To come to the church to receive what is basically the only thing we as clergy truly have to offer, the BLESSINGS OF OUR LORD and to engage in spiritual direction. To love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. To love your neighbor as yourself. And the final wish that we your clergy ask of you, our spiritual children, is your prayers. This is love. Fathers Michael and Jason 16

17 Definition of PARISHIONER IN GOOD STANDING ARTICLE 18 (UPR 2007) PARISHIONERS Section 1: Every person who is baptized and chrismated according to the rites of the Orthodox Church is a parishioner. The religious, moral and social duties of a parishioner are to apply the tenets of the Orthodox Faith to his/her life and to: adhere to and live according to the tenets of the Orthodox faith; faithfully attend the Divine Liturgy and other worship services; participate regularly in the holy sacraments; respect all ecclesiastical authority and all governing bodies of the Church; be obedient in matters of the Faith, practice and ecclesiastical order; contribute towards the progress of the Church's sacred mission; and be an effective witness and example of the Orthodox Faith and Traditions to all people. A parishioner in good standing practices all the religious and moral duties as described in this Section 1. At a minimum, a parishioner in good standing must: be eighteen years of age or over; be current in his or her stewardship and other financial obligations to the Parish, abide by all the regulations herein stated and the Parish Bylaws; and cooperate in every way towards the welfare and well being of the Parish. (Stewardship is recommended to be ten percent (10%) of one s annual income as stated in Holy Scripture to help meet the financial obligations of the Parish, the Metropolis and the Archdiocese.) Section 2: Any person wishing to be a parishioner in good standing in more than one Parish must remit his or her Stewardship financial obligation to each Parish as stated in Section 1 of this Article. A parishioner wishing to move from one Parish to another must present a letter of transfer from the Priest of the Parish from which he or she is moving stating that he or she is in good standing. Section 3: No person shall be deemed a parishioner in good standing while: not adhering to the standards outlined in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article; retaining affiliation in an Orthodox Parish which defies the jurisdiction or the ecclesiastical authority of the Archdiocese; being a 17

18 member of or practicing a non-orthodox faith or other religion; and deliberately disregarding and transgressing the moral law of the Church. Section 4: The Priest shall judge any cases of special circumstances justifying the waiver of a parishioner's stewardship financial obligations. Section 5: A parishioner in good standing has the right to attend, participate and vote at Parish Assemblies, as well as to vote in Parish Council elections. Each such parishioner may also be nominated for election to the Parish Council or to represent the Parish at a Local Assembly or the Congress. Section 6: An Orthodox Christian parishioner in good standing at his or her canonical Orthodox Parish may serve as a sponsor in another Parish without being obliged to become a member in good standing at the Parish where the sacrament will take place. A parishioner may serve as a sponsor in another Parish by presenting a letter of good standing from his or her home Parish Priest. Section 7: Each Parish shall maintain a Parish Record which shall include, at a minimum, the following information concerning each parishioner: baptismal and family name, occupation (optional), dates of baptism and/or chrismation and marriage, complete family record of spouse and children, date of entry into the Parish indicating if transferred from another Parish, date of death, and such other information that shall be deemed appropriate. 18

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24 GOYA RETREAT Dear Parishioners and Goyans of St.Constantine and Helen, This past weekend of April 5th-6th our Goya held our annual Goya Lenten Retreat at SkyCroft Conference Center in Middletown, Md. This year we were gladly joined by our Priests Father Jason, Father Michael and other Goyans from St.Sophia, St.George and Sts. Peter and Paul. We also gladly had Father Evagoras join us as well. This year s theme was "Be Yourself". It was truly a great theme that got many of us thinking about who and what we would like to become. During the day we broke up into three different groups and with those groups we each attended different activities. One activity was Arts & Crafts where we made collages that represented ourselves. Another was Athletics, where we got to play around in the gym. Then we had an Orthodox Life conversation where we talked about how we define ourselves. During the day we had freetime where we were able to hangout with our friends and went on a hike, which was beautiful. We ended the night with devotionals and prayer, where we were able to talk more about defining ourselves. Then Sunday morning we had church service and soon after we said thank you and goodbye to Father Evagoras and the counselors he brought along that have been staff member at Ionian Village. Everyone who attended had a wonderful time! The weekend was filled with prayer and good memories. It was a great experience! AnnaMaria Psallidas GOYA President

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26 YOUNG AT HEART INVITES YOU TO JOIN US FOR THE FOLLOWING EVENTS: THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014 (12 Noon)- GUIDED TOUR OF TUDOR PLACE, HISTORIC HOUSE & GARDEN ($10 adults, $8 seniors) ST STREET, NW WASHINGTON, D.C AND WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 (11 am)- TOUR OF WHITE OAK LAVENDER (FARM) ($8 pp) 5060 NEWCOMER LANE HARRISONBURG, VA EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND! PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CONTACTING: KATHY MATRAKAS or or HELEN THORNBERG or TRANSPORTATION VIA CARPOOL 26

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28 Stewards as of May 2, Stewardship cards are available in the Narthex of the Church, or you may contact the Church office, and we will gladly send one to you by mail! Mr. & Mrs. Harry C. Adams Mr. & Mrs. Nikolaos Aggelis Miss Alenxandra Aiken Mr. & Mrs. John Alexiou Mrs. Pauline Andrakakos Anonymous Mrs. Iris Aravanis Mr. Emmanuel Atsalinos Mr. Costas Avrakotos Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Banks Mr. Achilles Basiliko Ms. Marie Bedard Mr. & Mrs. George Bergeris Mr. Nicholas Bergeris Mrs. Pauline Bergeris Mrs. Louis Bezantakos Mr. & Mrs. John Binford Miss Victoria Binford Mr. & Mrs. Lambros Bisbikis Mrs. Effie Bourdosis Mr. & Mrs. George Bourzikos Mr. Steve Callas Mrs. Helen Calles Mr. Anthony J. Calomeris Mrs. Maria Calomeris Mr. Thomas J. Calomiris Mr. & Mrs. James Campbell Mr. & Mrs. George A. Caperones Mr. & Mrs. George W. Caperones Mr. Nick Caviris Mr. & Mrs. George Chahalis Mrs. Demetra Chakalos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Chapin Mr. & Mrs. James P. Cheakalos Mr. & Mrs. John T. Cheakalos Mrs. John W. Cheakalos Mr. & Mrs. Charles Clifton Mr. Christy G. Cokas Ms. Mary Cokas Mr. & Mrs. Spero Courtis Mr. & Mrs. Pete Dakoulas Mr. & Mrs. James Deligianis Miss Georgia Dialektakos Mr. & Mrs. James Dialektakos Mr. George D. Dimopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Doulaveris Fr. & Mrs. Michael Eaccarino Ms. Georgia Ferentinos Mr. & Mrs. Max Ferentinos Mrs. Sophia Ferentinos Ms. Geneva Foster Mr. Christos Foundas Mrs. Barbara Frangou Mr. & Mrs. George Galiachatos Mr. & Mrs. David Gamzon Mr. & Mrs. Richard Garcia Mr. & Mrs. Pete Georgallas Mr. & Mrs. George Georgiou Ms. Demetra Georgopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Georgopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Sarantos Georgopoulos Miss Anastasia Gerohristodoulos Mr. George Gerohristodoulos Mr. & Mrs. Hrisostomos Gerohristodoulos Miss Sophia Gerohristodoulos Mr. & Mrs. George Gillespie Mr. Demetrius Govotsos Ms. Xenia Hajicosti Mr. & Mrs. George Haramis Mr. George Haris Mrs. Angelique Harris Ms. Eleni Harlepas Mrs. Esther Heras Fr. & Mrs. Jason Houck Mrs. Maria Kafarakis Mr. Chris Kalabokes Mr. & Mrs. Elias Kalamoutsos Mr. Panagiotis Kalamoutsos Mr. & Mrs. Anastasios Kaldis Mr. Spiros A. Kaldis Mrs. Coula Kaleyias Mr. Athanasios Karadimas Mr. & Mrs. Spiro Karadimas 28 Mr. & Mrs. John Karagiannis Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Kartsakalis Mr. & Mrs. George Katsafanas Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel G. Kavadias Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Kavadias Ms. Theodora Kavadias Mrs. Vaso G. Kavadias Mrs. Kalliopi Kavoures Mr. John Kintzios Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kiriakou Mr. & Mrs. Nick P. Kokonis Mr. & Mrs. Nick Kontos Mrs. Maria Koskinas Miss Olympia Koskinas Mr. & Mrs. John Koustenis Mr. & Mrs. Demetre Koutras Mr. & Mrs. Demetre Koutras, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Ernie Koutras Mr. & Mrs. George A. Koutras Mrs. Voula Koutris Mr. Yiannos Kyriakides Ms. Anastasia Kyritsopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Apostolos Lappas Miss Maria Lappas Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Levantis Ms. Georgia Lindroth Mr. Paul Lyngas Ms. Paula Magoulas Ms. Athanasia J. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. Athanasios P. Mantzouranis Mr. Constantine G. Mantzouranis Mr. George A. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. George C. Mantzouranis Mr. George J. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. John A. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. John G. Mantzouranis Mr. & Mrs. Michael G. Mantzouranis Mrs. Theano Mantzouranis Mrs. Mary Mantzouris Ms. Sophie Manus Ms. Stella Manus Mr. Christos Marafatsos

29 Stewards as of May 2, Stewardship cards are available in the Narthex of the Church, or you may contact the Church office, and we will gladly send one to you by mail! Mr. Dimitrios P. Marafatsos Mr. & Mrs. George Marafatsos Mr. & Mrs. Petros Marafatsos Mr. & Mrs. Petros G. Marafatsos Ms. Rebecca Marianos Mr. Alex & Dr. Despina Markogiannakis Mr. & Mrs. John Markos Mr. & Mrs. Cleon Marlas Mr. & Mrs. Efrem Maroules Mrs. Harriet Maroules Mrs. Aspasia Martinis Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Mathis Mrs. Terpsie Matrakas Mr. & Mrs. Theodore G. Matrakas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Matthews Miss Cornelia Mavromatis Mr. Elias Mavromatis Mr. Jacob Mavromatis Mr. & Mrs. Louis Mavromatis Miss Eleni Mayes Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Mayes, III Mr. Joseph C. Mayes, IV Miss Stamatia Mayes Ms. Sylvia Michael Mrs. Voula Michael Ms. Alexandra Michaels Mr. & Mrs. John Mihailidis Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Moshogianis Mr. & Mrs. James Moshovitis Mr. & Mrs. Roni Murshed Miss Maria Nasios Mr. & Mrs. Sotirios Nasios Mr. & Mrs. Costas Nathenas Ms. Pelagia Nathenas Mr. & Mrs. Adam Nixon Mr. & Mrs. Michael O Donnell Mr. Patrick O Donnell Mr. & Mrs. Demetri Paidas Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Panagoulias Mr. & Mrs. Nickolas Pantazes Mr. & Mrs. James Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas P. Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Charles Papuchis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Paschalidis Mr. & Mrs. Constantinos Paspalis Mr. & Mrs. Harry Perrus Miss Chrystyna Pittas Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Pittas Mrs. Barbara Pollos Ms. Stella Marafatsos-Prokopic Mr. & Mrs. Charilaos Psallidas Mr. & Mrs. Andrew A. Recachinas Mr. & Mrs. Andrew J. Recachinas Mr. & Mrs. George Recachinas Mrs. Eleni Retzos Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Retzos Mr. & Mrs. Chris Retzos Mr. & Mrs. George Romas Mr. & Mrs. Spyros Rozakis Mr. & Mrs. Chris Sakkos Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Sakkos Mr. & Mrs. Stanley J. Santorios Miss Elizabeth Scott Mrs. Litsa Sekas Mr. & Mrs. Vasilis Skaltsas Miss Georgia Sideris Mrs. Angeliki Sideris Mr. & Mrs. George Sideris Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Siegel Mr. Pavlos Siskos Mr. & Mrs. Harry Solomos Mr. & Mrs. George Sourvinos Mr. & Mrs. Pete T. Spiropoulos Miss Maria Stamos Mr. & Mrs. William Stamos Mr. Sokratis Stassinos Mr. & Mrs. John P. Stathes Mr. & Mrs. Paul Stathes Mr. & Mrs. George Stathopoulos Mrs. Athena Strates Ms. Panagiota Strats Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Straub Ms. Victoria Taroudaki Mr. Demetris Themistokleous 29 Mr. & Mrs. Peter Themistokleous Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Thornberg Mr. Alexander Tiches Mrs. Louis J. Tiches Mr. Louis J. Tiches, II Miss Maria Tiches Mr. & Mrs. Stamatios Tiches Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Tompros Mr. & Mrs. Evan Triandafilou Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Triantis Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Tripoulas Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Trischuk Ms. Maria Tsigas Mrs. Helen D. Tsintolas Mr. & Mrs. George Tsioros Mr. Stelios Tsioros Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios P. Tsipianitis Mr. Panayioti Tsipianitis Mr. Konstantinos D. Tsonis Mr. & Mrs. Bill Tzamaras Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Tzavelis Mr. & Mrs. Avgerinos Vakalopoulos Mr. Xenofon Vakalopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Vithoulkas Miss Alexandra Ward Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Ward Mr. & Mrs. Anton Wasef Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Wells Mr. & Mrs. George Xeron Mr. Peter E. Yakas Mrs. Antigoni Yakoumatos Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Yeonas Mr. & Mrs. George Yfantis Ms. Vasso Yfantis Mr. & Mrs. Paul R. Zayas-Ginorio Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Zibragos Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Zuras Ms. Matina Zuras Mrs. Voula Zuras

30 ALTAR BOYS SCHEDULE MATTHEW : Captain: Nicholas Gerakis, Matthew Green, Steven Green, Alexi 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 May 4 - John May 11 - Matthew May 18 - Mark May 25 - Luke June 1 - John June 8 - Matthew June 15 - Mark June 22 - Luke June 29 - John 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. 30

31 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 FatherMichael@schgocdc.org 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 HOPE & JOY Chrystyna Pittas cpittas1@gmail.com Elizabeth Scott escott2253@gmail.com GREEK SCHOOL Iphigeneia Kambanis agkambanis@msn.com ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Fr. Jason Houck FatherJason@schgocdc.org CHOIR Dr. Theodore Papaloizos ted@greek123.com 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 31 SUNDAY SCHOOL Tara Kavadias tarakavadias@yahoo.com YAL Tommy Karadimas tkaradimas13@aol.com PHILOPTOCHOS Paraskevoula Hays voulaphilo@landmark.org STEWARDSHIP Sotirios Nasios snasios@yahoo.com Kathy Matrakas klukia@gmail.com

32 PARISH LIFE Monday Δευτέρα 5/5/14 St. Irene of Thessaloniki 8:30-10:30am Orthros & Divine Liturgy 6:30-7:30pm Holy Unction Service Tuesday Τρίτη 5/6/14 Job the Prophet 8:30-10:30am Orthros & Divine Liturgy Wednesday Τετάρτη 5/7/14 Wine & Oil Allowed 6:30-7:30pm Paraklesis to the Theotokos Thursday Πέμτη 5/8/14 Friday Παρασκευή 5/9/14 Wine & Oil Allowed Saturday Σάββατον 5/10/14 6:00-7:00pm Great Vespers / Μέγας Εσπερινός Sunday Κυριακή 5/11/14 Sunday of the Paralytic 7:00-8:15am Orthros / Ορθρος 8:15-10:00am Divine Liturgy / Θ. Λειτουργία 32