Divine Liturgy: Sensing God s Presence in Worship and in Everyday Life

Transcript

1 Archangel Michael Church Η Εκκλησία του Αρχαγγέλου Μιχαήλ 100 Fairway Drive, Port Washington, NY Phone: (516) Web Site: Clergy: Fr John Lardas, Fr Joshua Pappas, Fr Dennis Strouzas October 1, nd Sunday of Luke Pl. 4 th Mode - 6 th Morning Gospel Divine Liturgy: Sensing God s Presence in Worship and in Everyday Life The saints are very clear about our single purpose: to know Christ. We should continually ask ourselves: Who is this Christ? Do I experience Him in a real, tangible way? Do I awake looking for Him? Can I relate at all to St Paul when he says, It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (Gal. 2:20)? Christ should ultimately become my only thought, my only concern, my only desire. We can see that Orthodoxy is highly mystical. We don t compartmentalize our lives: religion, family, work, entertainment, and so on. Rather, we seek Christ in everything; every moment is an opportunity to commune with Christ, the God-man who became human for our sake and united Heaven and earth. Heaven - Paradise - is what God wants us to experience here and now: How often do we think of Heaven, living as we do amidst so many pleasures, and absorbed by so many trivial things? Our various preoccupations, like magnets, pull on our hearts, and make Heaven appear too lofty for us to reach. If a person is lacking spiritual experiences, if he has not turned his heart to Heaven, if he has not visited there from time to time, then the danger is even greater If only we could turn our gaze toward Heaven, even for a moment, and catch a glimpse of its breadth, its beauty, its joy, its grandeur! It would be very difficult for our soul to forget such a thing. (Elder Aimilianos of Mount Athos) But how can we see Heaven? In many ways, but above all we glimpse Heaven here in church and, more specifically, in Divine Liturgy. Everything in church reveals God and awakens our consciousness. Under the high dome, it feels as though we re no longer confined to a restricted space; this reflects the boundlessness of the Heavens. Icons surround us, communicating spiritual depth and reinforcing our fundamental vocation: holiness. Especially in Divine Liturgy, everything points to Christ: Liturgy doesn t simply mean having the memory of Christ in our thoughts, but having Him truly and concretely present before us. Everything we see - the lights, the clergy, the altar table, the Gospel book, the Bread and Wine, the Small and Great Entrance - are signs of the presence of Christ. (Elder Aimilianos) We even taste and consume Christ in Holy Communion; God Himself runs through our veins. However, the power and grace of Liturgy is not imparted magically or automatically. God respects human freedom and looks for our humility, our longing, our thirst. Liturgy is brought alive - it becomes a dynamic source of new life - only when conscientiously connected with the rest of life: Are we to abandon our family, our work, and our children to constantly rush off to Liturgy? No, my dear friends. See how great the love and wisdom of God is. All the daily events of our life can enter into the Kingdom of God. Everything can express our love for God: the love for your wife, the sacrifices you make for your children, your daily toil, your pain, your worries, your tears, your secret bitterness - all of these you must cast into the Kingdom. In turn, God will sanctify them, render them holy for you, and give you strength to carry on for the whole week. (Elder Aimilianos)

2 Άγιοι και Εορτές Tοῦ ἁγίου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνανίου. Tοῦ ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Ῥωµανοῦ, τοῦ Ποιητοῦ τῶν Κοντακίων. Ὁ ὅσιος Ἰωάννης ὁ Κουκουζέλης, ὁ ἡδύµολπος, ὁ ἐν τοῖς ὁρίοις τῆς ἐν τῷ Ἄθῳ µεγίστης Λαύρας ἀσκήσας. Saints and Feasts The holy Apostle Ananias; our devout father Romanos the Melodist, poet of Kontakia; St. John Koukouzelis, the sweet voice, who lived an ascetic life in the surroundings of Great Lavra Monastery on Mount Athos. Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιµον Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν κατεδέξω τριήµερον, ἵνα ἡµᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡµῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Απολυτίκιον Τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Ἀπόστολε Ἅγιε Ἀνανία, πρέσβευε τῷ ἐλεήµονι Θεῷ, ἵνα πταισµάτων ἄφεσιν, παράσχῃ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡµῶν. Απολυτίκιον Τοῦ Ὁσίου Ἐν σοὶ Πάτερ ἀκριβῶς διεσώθη τὸ κατ' εἰκόνα λαβὼν γὰρ τὸν σταυρόν, ἠκολούθησας τῶ Χριστῷ καὶ πράττων ἐδίδασκες ὑπερορᾶν µὲν σαρκός, παρέρχεται γάρ, ἐπιµελεῖσθαι δὲ ψυχῆς πράγµατος ἀθανάτου. Διὸ καὶ µετὰ Ἀγγέλων συναγάλλεται, Ὅσιε Ρωµανέ, τὸ πνεῦµά σου. Απολυτίκιον Των Ταξιαρχών Τῶν οὐρανίων στρατιῶν Ἀρχιστράτηγοι, δυσωποῦμεν ὑμᾶς ἡμεῖς οἱ ἀνάξιοι, ἵνα ταῖς ὑμῶν δεήσεσι, τειχίσητε ἡμᾶς, σκέπῃ τῶν πτερύγων, τῆς ἀΰλου ὑμῶν δόξης, φρουροῦντες ἡμᾶς προσπίπτοντας, ἐκτενῶς καὶ βοῶντας Ἐκ τῶν κινδύνων λυτρώσασθε ἡμᾶς, ὡς Ταξιάρχαι τῶν ἄνω Δυνάμεων. Κοντάκιον Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, µεσιτεία, πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀµετάθετε, µὴ παρίδῃς, ἁµαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡµῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιµώντων σε. Resurrectional Hymn (Pl. 4 th Mode) You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You. Hymn of the Apostle (3 rd Mode) Holy Apostle Ananias, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls forgiveness of offenses. Hymn of the Devout Man (Pl. 4 th Mode) In you, O Father, is preserved undistorted what was made in the image of God; for taking up the cross, you followed Christ and by example taught, that we should overlook the flesh, since it passes away, and instead look after the soul, since it is immortal. And therefore, O devout Romanos, your spirit rejoices with the angels. Hymn of the Archangels Supreme Commanders of * the hosts of the Heavens * we, the unworthy, seek and beseech you * that by your supplications you encircle us * in the shelter of the wings * of your heavenly glory * guarding us who now fall down * and cry to you with fervor. * Deliver us from dangers of all kinds * as the great marshals * of the heavenly hosts on high. Kontakion (2 nd Mode) A protection of Christians unshamable, * intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering. * Please reject not * the prayerful cries of those who are in sin. * Instead, come to us, for you are good; * your loving help bring unto us, * who are crying in faith to you. * Hasten to intercede, * and speed now to supplicate, * as a protection for all time, * Theotokos, for those who honor you.

3 Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1 Brethren, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God. Πρὸς Κορινθίους Βʹ Ἐπιστολῆς Παύλου 6:16-18; 7:1 Ἀδελφοί, ὑµεῖς ἐστε ναὸς Θεοῦ ζῶντος, καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς ὅτι ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐµπεριπατήσω, καὶ ἔσοµαι αὐτῶν Θεός, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί µοι λαός. Διὸ ἐξέλθετε ἐκ µέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει Κύριος, καὶ ἀκαθάρτου µὴ ἅπτεσθε, κἀγὼ εἰσδέξοµαι ὑµᾶς, καὶἔσοµαι ὑµῖν εἰς πατέρα, καὶ ὑµεῖς ἔσεσθέ µοι εἰς υἱοὺςκαὶ θυγατέρας, λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ. Ταύτας οὖν ἔχοντες τὰςἐπαγγελίας, ἀγαπητοί, καθαρίσωµεν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς µολυσµοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύµατος, ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ Θεοῦ. Luke 6:31-36 The Lord said, "And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." Kατὰ Λουκᾶν 6:31-36 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος καθὼς θέλετε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑµῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, καὶ ὑµεῖς ποιεῖτε αὐτοῖς ὁµοίως. καὶ εἰ ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑµᾶς, ποία ὑµῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁµαρτωλοὶ τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτοὺς ἀγαπῶσι. καὶ ἐὰν ἀγαθοποιῆτε τοὺς ἀγαθοποιοῦντας ὑµᾶς, ποία ὑµῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁµαρτωλοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσι. καὶ ἐὰν δανείζητε παρ' ὧν ἐλπίζετε ἀπολαβεῖν, ποία ὑµῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ ἁµαρτωλοὶ ἁµαρτωλοῖς δανείζουσιν ἵνα ἀπολάβωσι τὰ ἴσα. πλὴν ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑµῶν καὶ ἀγαθοποιεῖτε καὶ δανείζετε µηδὲν ἀπελπίζοντες, καὶ ἔσται ὁ µισθὸς ὑµῶν πολύς, καὶ ἔσεσθε υἱοὶ ὑψίστου, ὅτι αὐτὸς χρηστός ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀχαρίστους καὶ πονηρούς. Γίνεσθε οὖν οἰκτίρµονες καθὼς καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ὑµῶν οἰκτίρµων ἐστίν. Εξήγηση τῆς θείας Λειτουργίας (Από τον Άγιο Νικόλαο Καβάσιλα +1392) ΕΡΓΟ τῆς θείας Λειτουργίας εἶναι ἡ μεταβολὴ τῶν δώρων ποὺ προσφέρουν οἱ πιστοί τοῦ ἄρτου καὶ τοῦ οἴνου σὲ σῶμα καὶ αἷμα Χριστοῦ. Καὶ σκοπὸς τῆς εἶναι ὁ ἁγιασμὸς τῶν πιστῶν, οἱ ὁποῖοι μὲ τὴ θεία μετάληψη ἀποκομίζουν τὴν ἄφεση τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τους, τὴν κληρονομία τῆς βασιλείας τῶν οὐρανῶν καὶ κάθε πνευματικὸ ἀγαθό. Σ αὐτὸ τὸ ἔργο καὶ τὸ σκοπὸ συμβάλλουν οἱ προσευχές, οἱ ψαλμῳδίες, τὰ ἁγιογραφικὰ ἀναγνώσματα καὶ ὅλα ἐκεῖνα ποὺ τελοῦνται καὶ λέγονται στὴ διάρκεια τῆς Λειτουργίας. Μέσα σε αὐτὰ εἶναι σὰν νὰ βλέπουμε σὲ ἕνα πίνακα ζωγραφισμένη ὁλόκληρή τη ζωὴ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἀπὸ τὴν ἀρχὴ ὡς τὸ τέλος της. Γιατὶ ὁ καθαγιασμὸς τῶν δώρων, ἡ ἴδια δηλαδὴ ἡ θυσία, διακηρύσσει τὸν θάνατο, τὴν ἀνάσταση καὶ τὴν ἀνάληψή Του, καθὼς τὰ δῶρα αὐτὰ μεταβάλλονται στὸ ἴδιο τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Κυρίου, δηλαδὴ τὴν ἔλευσή Του στὸν κόσμο, τὴ δημόσια ἐμφάνισή Του, τὰ θαύματα καὶ τὴ διδασκαλία Του. Κι ἐκεῖνα ποὺ ἕπονται τῆς θυσίας, συμβολίζουν τὴν κάθοδο τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος στοὺς Ἀποστόλους, τὴν ἐπιστροφὴ τῶν ἀνθρώπων στὸ Θεὸ καὶ τὴν κοινωνία τους μαζί Του. Οἱ πιστοὶ ποὺ ἐκκλησιάζονται καὶ συμμετέχουν σὲ ὅλα αὐτὰ μὲ προσηλωμένο τὸ νοῦ, γίνονται πιὸ σταθεροὶ στὴν πίστη, πιὸ θερμοὶ στὴν εὐλάβεια καὶ τὴν ἀγάπη τους πρὸς τὸν Θεό. Μὲ τέτοιες λοιπὸν διαθέσεις ἀξιώνονται νὰ πλησιάσουν καὶ τὴ φωτιὰ τῶν μυστηρίων καὶ νὰ μεταλάβουν μὲ κάθε ἀσφάλεια καὶ οἰκειότητα. Αὐτὸ εἶναι συνοπτικὰ τὸ νόημα τῆς Θείας Λειτουργίας. (*Οι πληροφορίες είναι από:

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7 In conjunction with the Church of the Holy Resurrection s Philoptochos, the Archangel Michael s Philoptochos is offering the following pilgrimage to St. Nektarios Monastery (open to all!):

8 Memorials: Nicholas J. Maglaras ~ 40 days Helen Gabriel ~ 3 years Eleni Rapanakis ~ 12 years Nikolaos Karras ~ 13 years Worship Schedule: Tuesday, Oct. 3 Wednesday Oct. 4 Upcoming Events: ~ St Dionysios the Areopagite ~ Orthros 8:30 am, Divine Liturgy 9:30 am ~ Paraklesis to the Most-Holy Theotokos 10:00 am ~ Small Vespers 7:00 pm Sunday, Oct. 1 ~ Flu vaccines after Liturgy (ages 18+; higher dose for seniors; all insurance welcome) Sunday, Oct. 1 ~ Goya Meeting (following Liturgy) Tuesday, Oct. 3 ~ Special Needs Family Support Ministry (10:30 am) Wednesday, Oct. 4 ~ Bible Study (11 am and 7:30 pm) Thursday. Oct. 5 ~ JOY Mandatory Parent Meeting for Athletics (7:30 pm) Friday, Oct. 6 ~ Goya Fellowship Night (7:30 pm) Wednesday, Oct. 11 ~ Book Club (11 am and 7:30 pm) Fri/Sat, Oct ~ Goya Lock-In Retreat at AMC Sunday, Oct. 15 ~ General Assembly (following Liturgy) Sunday, Oct. 15 ~ Youth Choir Pumpkin Fundraiser (following Liturgy) Saturday, Oct 21 ~ Philoptochos trip to St. Nektarios Monastery (Please see attached flyer) Sunday, Oct. 22 ~ Goya Pancake Breakfast Friday, Oct. 27 ~ Festival Thank You Party Saturday, Oct. 28 ~ Annual 5K Run / Walk-A-Thon & Joy Halloween Party Sunday, Oct. 29 ~ Pre-School Halloween Fundraiser (following Liturgy) Friday, Nov. 10 ~ Archangel Michael Nameday Gala (Plandome Country Club) Philoptochos News: Contact: philoptochos@archangelmichaelchurch.org Philoptochos is hosting coffee hour today to honor our choirs for National Church Music Sunday. Today is the feast day of St Romanos the Melodist, one of the patron saints of church musicians. Greek Zumba Fitness continues Tuesday, Oct. 3rd. Classes held every Tuesday morning in the gym 9:30-10:30 am. Come and bring your friends! ($20pp for individual classes, $15pp for a package of 10) Children s Medical Fund Luncheon at The Venetian in Garfield, NJ on Saturday, November 11, The Fund provides grants for innovative research programs to pediatric hospitals throughout the US and to organizations with special programs that care for children with critical and life threatening illnesses. To reserve for this event or give a donation earmarked for the CMP, please contact us, or you may donate on line by logging into Cakeless Bake Sale: Please donate $10 or any amount of your choosing towards our outreach efforts. This is a calorie free event! Please mail your donation to: Presvytera Paula Strouzas, 10 Briarcliff Lane, Glen Cove, NY This drive is ongoing. Please contact us via if you are unsure of your membership status for In addition to our national obligations for the month of September, our chapter has been fortunate to have the opportunity (thanks to your stewardship of Philoptochos) to send $500 in hurricane Harvey assistance to the IOCC. We are preparing an additional donation earmarked for hurricane Irma relief. We urge you to update your memberships so that we may have the opportunity to give generously.