ENTRANCE HYMNS. Apolytikion of St. Sophia/Ss. Faith, Hope & Agape

Transcript

1 January 1, 2017 Circumcision of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia Gregory, Bishop of Nanzianzos, Father of Gregory the Theologian Peter the New Martyr of the Peloponnesos ENTRANCE HYMNS Resurrectional Apolytikion - Effrenestho ta Ourania ( Let the Heavens Above Rejoice ) Let the heavens above rejoice, and all those here on the earth, on the earth, be glad. A mighty feat of strength has been wrought by the arm of the Lord. O Death has he trampled down with his own death. First-born among the dead has He become, from the womb of Hades has He delivered us and has granted to the world His Great Mercy. Apolytikion for the Feast Morfin analliotos ( In essence being God ) In essence being God, most-compassionate Master, * You assumed human nature without transmutation. * Fulfilling the Law, of Your own will * You accepted circumcision in the flesh, * to bring an end to the shadow, and to remove the passions that cover us. * Glory to Your benevolence, O Lord; * glory to Your compassion; * glory to Your inexpressible condescension, O Word. Apolytikion for Saint Basil the Great Is pasan tin ghin ( Your proclamation went forth ) Your proclamation went forth into all the earth, for it accepted your word, through which you taught the dogmas befitting God, you expounded on the nature of all that is, and you arranged the morals of society. A royal priesthood! Devout father Basil, intercede with Christ our God, to grant us His great mercy. Apolytikion of St. Sophia/Ss. Faith, Hope & Agape Greek Oς ελαία κατά καρπος ανεβλάστησας, έν ταίς ανλαίς του Κυρίου, Σοφία μάρτυς σεμνή, καί προσήγαγες Χριστώ καρπόν η δύτατον, τούς τής νηδύος σου βλαστούς, δί α γώνων εύαγων, Αγάπην τε καί `Ελπίδα σύν τη θεόφρονι Πίστει, μεθων δυσώπει υπέρ πάντων ήμων. English Phonetics for Greek Os elea kata karpos anevlastisas, en tes avles tu Kyriou Sofia martys semni, ke prosigages Christo karpon idytaton, tus tis nidyos su vlastus, di agonon evagon, Agapin te ke Elpida, syn ti theofroni Pisti; meth on dysopi yper pandon imon. English As an olive tree laden with fruit you sprouted forth, in the courtyards of the Lord, Sophia martyr dignified, and you brought to Christ a fruit most sweet, Namely your womb s own sprouts, brought up by instructive deeds: your daughters Love and Hope, along with God-minded Faith; together intercede with God for us all. Seasonal Kontakion O ton olon Kyrios ( As the Master over all ) As the Master over all * has undergone circumcision, * so He cuts away the sins * of humankind in His goodness. * On this day, upon the world He bestows salvation. * And on high * does the Creator's hierarch Basil * now rejoice, for he is known as * a most divine and light-bearing mystic of Christ.

2 EPISTLE READING The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 2:8-12 My mouth shall speak wisdom and the meditation of my heart shall bring forth understanding. Verse: Hear this all you nations. BRETHREN, see to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fulness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Ἀνάγνωσις ἐπιστολῆς Πρὸς Κολοσσαεῖς 2:8-12 Τὸ στόμα μου λαλήσει σοφίαν καὶ ἡ μελέτη τῆς καρδίας μου σύνεσιν. Στίχ. Ἀκούσατε ταῦτα, πάντα τὰ ἔθνη. Ἀδελφοί, βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς ἔσται ὁ συλαγωγῶν διὰ τῆς φιλοσοφίας καὶ κενῆς ἀπάτης, κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, κατὰ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου, καὶ οὐ κατὰ Χριστόν ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ κατοικεῖ πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τῆς θεότητος σωματικῶς, καί ἐστε ἐν αὐτῷ πεπληρωμένοι, ὅς ἐστιν ἡ κεφαλὴ πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας ἐν ᾧ καὶ περιετμήθητε περιτομῇ ἀχειροποιήτῳ, ἐν τῇ ἀπεκδύσει τοῦ σώματος τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τῆς σαρκός, ἐν τῇ περιτομῇ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, συνταφέντες αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ βαπτίσματι, ἐν ᾧ καὶ συνηγέρθητε διὰ τῆς πίστεως τῆς ἐνεργείας τοῦ θεοῦ, τοῦ ἐγείραντος αὐτὸν ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν.

3 GOSPEL READING The Reading is from the Gospel according to Luke 2:20-21, At that time, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man. EVΑΓΓÉΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 2:20-21, Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὑπέστρεψαν οἱ ποιμένες δοξάζοντες καὶ αἰνοῦντες τὸν Θεὸν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἤκουσαν καὶ εἶδον καθὼς ἐλαλήθη πρὸς αὐτούς. Καὶ ὅτε ἐπλήσθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι ὀκτὼ τοῦ περιτεμεῖν τὸ παιδίον, καὶ ἐκλήθη τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ιησοῦς, τὸ κληθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀγγέλου πρὸ τοῦ συλληφθῆναι αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ. Τὸ δὲ παιδίον ηὔξανε καὶ ἐκραταιοῦτο πνεύματι πληρούμενον σοφίας, καὶ χάρις Θεοῦ ἦν ἐπ αὐτό. Καὶ ἐπορεύοντο οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ κατ ἔτος εἰς Ιερουσαλὴμ τῇ ἑορτῇ τοῦ πάσχα. καὶ ὅτε ἐγένετο ἐτῶν δώδεκα, ἀναβάντων αὐτῶν εἰς Ιεροσόλυμα κατὰ τὸ ἔθος τῆς ἑορτῆςκαὶ τελειωσάντων τὰς ἡμέρας, ἐν τῷ ὑποστρέφειν αὐτοὺς ὑπέμεινεν Ιησοῦς ὁ παῖς ἐν Ιερουσαλήμ, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνω Ιωσὴφ καὶ ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ. νομίσαντες δὲ αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ συνοδίᾳ εἶναι ἦλθον ἡμέρας ὁδὸν καὶ ἀνεζήτουν αὐτὸν ἐν τοῖς συγγενέσι καὶ ἐν τοῖς γνωστοῖς καὶ μὴ εὑρόντες αὐτὸν ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ιερουσαλὴμ ζητοῦντες αὐτόν. καὶ ἐγένετο μεθ ἡμέρας τρεῖς εὗρον αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ καθεζόμενον ἐν μέσῳ τῶν διδασκάλων καὶ ἀκούοντα αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπερωτῶντα αὐτούς ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες οἱ ἀκούοντες αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῇ συνέσει καὶ ταῖς ἀποκρίσεσιν αὐτοῦ. καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐξεπλάγησαν, καὶ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ εἶπε τέκνον, τί ἐποίησας ἡμῖν οὕτως; ἰδοὺ ὁ πατήρ σου κἀγὼ ὀδυνώμενοι ἐζητοῦμέν σε. καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς τί ὅτι ἐζητεῖτέ με; οὐκ ᾔδειτε ὅτι ἐν τοῖς τοῦ πατρός μου δεῖ εἶναί με; καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐ συνῆκαν τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς. καὶ κατέβη μετ αὐτῶν καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς Ναζαρέτ, καὶ ἦν ὑποτασσόμενος αὐτοῖς. καὶ ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ διετήρει πάντα τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς. Καὶ Ιησοῦς προέκοπτε σοφίᾳ καὶ ἡλικίᾳ καὶ χάριτι παρὰ Θεῷ καὶ ἀνθρώποις.

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5 January 1, 2017 Circumcision of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia Gregory, Bishop of Nanzianzos, Father of Gregory the Theologian Peter the New Martyr of the Peloponnesos Today we celebrate the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. The differences between this Liturgy and the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom are found in the priest's prayers of the Anaphora, between pages 19 and 28 of your Divine Liturgy books. The Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated on Christmas Eve, the feast of St. Basil, the Feast of Theophany, Holy Saturday morning, and the Sundays of Great Lent. St. Nicholas Shrine Vigil Candle: Thank you to the Swope Family for sponsoring the 12/25/16 vigil candle for St. Nicholas Shrine, and to the Richie Family for sponsoring today s vigil candle. Anyone wishing to sponsor a vigil candle should sign up at the Pangari. (Each vigil candle lasts one week). Each week a new vigil candle is placed next to the icon of St. Nicholas until the construction of St. Nicholas Shrine has been completed. The asking donation is $10. Thanksgiving/Christmas/Theophany Food Drive: Once again, thank you to all those who have donated food for the food drive. We are happy to announce that approximately 1000 lbs. of food was collected for the Christmas stage of our food drive and was delivered to the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry in Schwenksville last week. The food drive will continue through Theophany. House Blessings: If you wish to have your homes and/or businesses blessed after the Feast of Theophany, please call the Parish office beginning January 9 th to schedule a visitation. Senior Citizen Ministry: St. Sophia s Senior Parea is open to all senior citizens of the community. The Senior Parea is taking a break for Christmas and New Year s. Meetings will resume on Thursday, January 12, 2017, in the Cultural Center from 10am to 12 noon Ecclesiastical Calendars: In an effort to save the Parish resources, 2017 Church calendars are available for pickup on the table outside of the Parish office on a first come, first serve basis. We respectfully request that each stewarding family take only 1 calendar per household. Thank you! SAVE THE DATE! January 8, 2017 St. Basil Academy Breakfast Fundraiser sponsored by the Ladies Philoptochos Society. SAVE THE DATE! January 22, 2017 Stewardship Appreciation Sunday Complimentary Breakfast.

6 SAVE THE DATE! January 22, 2017 Stewardship Appreciation Sunday In appreciation for the tremendous support of our stewards, the Parish Council would like to invite you to a complimentary breakfast on Sunday, January 22, 2017, immediately following Divine Liturgy. We hope that you can join us in fellowship. Mortgage Update January 1, 2017 The current balance as of 11/28/2016 is $1,239, GOYA Service Project: On January 21 st at 2:30 pm we will meet in the Cultural Center to assemble Health Kits for delivery to the IOCC, who will then further deliver those kits to families in need in Syria. These small assistance packages can make a big difference and the need is great. Below is a list of items needed. Individuals interested in helping should purchase those supplies and bring them to the St. Sophia Cultural Center where we will pack them up. Each package will consist of: *One Hand Towel *One wash cloth *One comb *One bar of soap (bath size) *One metal nail file or nail clipper *One tooth brush (NO TOOTHPASTE) *Six Band-Aids

7 Stewardship Update January 1, 2017 Register Tapes: Don t forget to save your Shop-Rite register tapes. We can only use receipts from any of the ten Brown s stores located in: Bensalem PA, East Norriton, PA, Fairless Hills PA, Cheltenham, PA and in Philadelphia, PA, on Island Ave., Oregon Ave., 52 nd & Parkside, Haverford Ave., and Ridge Ave. in the Roxborough section. They also have one store in Brooklawn, NJ. The drop off box is located in the lobby of the Cultural Center. Please submit receipts timely, only tapes from within 4 months of the transaction date are accepted. GIANT shoppers: We have enrolled in their Gift Card Program and the gift cards are on sale during coffee hour. If you are interested, please see Alexis Witt. REDNER S Register Tapes: We are now collecting Redner s Market register tapes. Remember to use your Pump Perks card when making purchases. The drop off box is located in the lobby of the Cultural Center. Representative Needed: The Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley is the umbrella organization of over 45 Hellenic-American associations, representing over thousands of individuals in the Greek community. St. Sophia is looking for someone to act as our representative at the Federation meetings and then report back to our Parish Council (either in writing or in person) regarding the activities of the Federation. The meetings take place every 2 months or so; they rotate their meetings at the different churches in the area. If you are interested in being St. Sophia s representative or if you would like more information, please speak to Fr. Peter. Xronia Polla! Happy New Year! As we usher in the new calendar year, now is a wonderful time for renewal and new beginnings. Many make resolutions such as losing weight, eating better, exercising more, etc. But have you considered what the year ahead should hold for your spiritual life? Now is a most appropriate time to consider our many personal blessings from God-- family, friends, a warm home, food on the table, etc. What about your life itself? Stewardship is our way of thanking God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. What are you personally doing to show your gratitude to Him for your own blessings? Are you giving back to Him and the Church of your Time, Treasure and Talents? Our parish needs all three from us! We are a very active parish. With so much going on, we really need all of our Stewards to contribute their time, talents and treasure, to help this community serve Christ and the Orthodox faithful in the region. Thank you to everyone who has supported our 2016 Stewardship Program. The 2017 campaign will be starting shortly so it is imperative that we are able to finalize our stewardship roles for this year. Thank you! If you have not yet paid up your 2016 Stewardship Pledge, please do so today! Please be sure to indicate 2016 on the memo line of your check to receive proper credit. Pastoral Visits - A Request to All Parishioners: If you desire a pastoral visit in case of a hospitalization, or for someone who is homebound, in a nursing facility, or in prison, please have an immediate family member notify the Parish office at so that a visit can be arranged. Bulletin Announcements: Any church organization requesting that their announcement or flyer be placed in the bulletin must submit their material by 12 noon Wednesday for the upcoming Sunday s bulletin. Please information to elaine.stsophia@verizon.net. Thank you. Elaine Piligian In Case of Emergency: If you are having an extreme medical emergency ONLY and are in need of an Orthodox priest, please call the Parish office at

8 Thank you to the following families who have donated poinsettia plants in honor of or in memory of loved ones, or just to beautify our church at Christmastime Patrick and Christine Bailey In memory of Christos and Eleni Kokolis, and Regina Elliott Annina Baker and David Kreiser In memory of George Tripolitis Matthew, Joann and Nicholas Bannon In memory of Nick Moukoulis, and Bill and Judi Bannon Calliope Bavelas In memory of Andrew T. Bavelas Frieda Bell Family In memory of William Bell, Peter and Anastasia Bell, and Christopher and Olga Anastos Marie Del Viscio In memory of Frank Del Viscio Vicky and Steve Dowzicky In memory of Harry Papastrat and James Miras Eleni Evangelopoulos In memory of Nicholas Papageorge George Evangelopoulos & Family In memory of Andreas Evangelopoulos and Nick Papageorge The Good Family In memory of Stergios Dikos, and Effie and Mary Doukas Chris and Maggie Gross In memory of Veronica Livadaru, and in honor of the Popesco and Gross Families Mr. and Mrs. Leonidas N. Koletas In memory of all our deceased relatives Evangelia Klapakis In memory of Eleni and Michael Klapakis Dean, Nina and Leo Laskaris In memory of Leon and Helen Laskaris Effie R. Liacouras Drs. Anthony and Maria Limberakis In memory of our beloved fathers, Fr. John A. Limberakis and Dr. Anthony G. Borden Alexis and Cary Limberakis In memory of Fr. John A. Limberakis, and Jack and Dolly Demetris Peter and Francine Lowry & Family In memory of Mary and Thomas Stathopulos Irene Malagari In memory of John and Helen Christopher James McIlhenney and Annemarie Nicholas In honor of our families Bill and Effie Neatherly & Family In memory of our Yiayia, Vasiliki Raikos Louis and Marie Nemphos In memory of Remy Nemphos George and Bessie Neofotistos In memory of our beloved son Steven Bill and Boo Nicholas In memory of Mr. and Mrs. James Nicholas & Mr. and Mrs. Paul Demetris Alexander and Marianne Nikas & Family In memory of G. William and Carolyn Ruhl, Alexandros and Despina Tsinikas, & Ralph and Alberta Andrews In honor of Nicholas and Ruth Nikas Serafim and Despina Notaras In memory of Kiriaki Stogiannidou and Parthena Kapsimalis Elias and Athanasia Papachristos In memory of Athanasia Alexopoulou over

9 The Papadimitriou Family Peter Patukas Chris Pavlou & Family The Peoples Family Elaine Piligian John, Lynn, Liz and Steph Pogas David, Flora, Aris and Alex Poloway Jeff, Georgia and Marlena Ruser Anne Sabia Constantine and Effie Samios Bill and Elaine Sandilos Margaret Callipolites Scandalios Martha Scigliano Anna Skylakon The Solomides Family Sofia Sprayberry Vasilios and Sofia Tatsis Fr. Peter, Presv. Katherine and Sophia Thornberg Mr. and Mrs. Bernard and Helen Thornberg Shirley Tripolitis Maria and Katherine Tsipras Irene Tsokas The Tsouros Family Anastasios and Sofia Tzivekis Matt, Maria and Anastasia Williams Charles and Catherine Zarcone Peter and Alice Zavitsanos In memory of my sister Theodora In memory of Demetrios and Kyriaki Pavlou In memory of Susan M. Peoples In memory of my brother Steven In memory of Romeo Karalis In memory of Aris Podotas & Mr. and Mrs. Michael Poloway In memory of George Tripolitis In memory of Nick and Anne Scandalios, Christian Ciammetti & Nicholas and Anthoula Scandalios In honor of Margaret Scandalios In memory of George and Fotini Samiou In memory of George and Kris Sandilos In memory of Theofanis and Anna In memory of Peter and Alexander Skylakon In memory of Mary Sprayberry, Stelios Athineos and Cloie Arata, and in honor of Katina Athineos In memory of our parents In memory of our family and friends In memory of George Tripolitis In memory of Speros and Olga Tsipras In memory of my husband Chris Tsokas and my sister Niki In memory of Isidoros N. Tsouros, Phokion C. Lacas & Fr. Stephen Theophilos In memory of our parents, brothers and sisters In memory of our parents In memory of our parents