What is God s Will? Wisdom from Elder Thaddeus of Serbia (+2003)

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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 8, rd Sunday of Luke 1 st Mode - 7 th Morning Gospel What is God s Will? Wisdom from Elder Thaddeus of Serbia (+2003) How do we know if we re living according to the will of God? If you are worried or sad about anything, this means you haven t given yourself over to God, though from the outside it may seem you have. The person who lives according to God s will has no worries; he is not sad about anything. When such a person needs something, he simply asks for it in prayer. If he does not receive that which he asked for, he s joyful and at peace as though he received it. A soul that has given itself over to God has no fear of anything - not even robbers, sickness, or death. Whatever happens, such a soul always says, It was the will of God. Even in sickness, the God-pleasing man keeps quiet and thinks about how the illness may help spiritually in some way, how it might be useful, because otherwise God would not have allowed it to happen. This is how we keep calm and peaceful in soul and body. The only way to receive the gift of salvation [here and now] is to transform our mind and heart, to transform our entire orientation into something different than it was before. Our hearts are intended to be upheld by the special energy of the grace of God. Our soul becomes indifferent [to external things beyond our control]; our soul becomes holy. Such a soul continually maintains the remembrance of God. It sees itself in God and God in itself; it feels an unspeakable intimacy with God. When we re living according to God s will, we see Him in everything; we re like fish swimming in water, and the water is God. But the moment our thoughts abandon God, we die spiritually. Τι είναι το θέλημα του Θεού; Σοφία τοῦ Γέροντα Θαδδαίου (+2003) «Πώς θα καταλάβουμε αν ζούμε σύμφωνα με το θέλημα του Θεού ή όχι; Να ορίστε πώς. Αν στενοχωριέσαι για οτιδήποτε, αυτό σημαίνει πώς δεν άφησες τον εαυτό σου ολόκληρο στο θέλημα του Θεού, παρόλο πού εξωτερικά φαίνεται ότι το έκανες. Όποιος ζει σύμφωνα με το θέλημα του Θεού, αυτός δεν στεναχωριέται για τίποτε! Όταν ό τέτοιου είδους άνθρωπος έχει κάποια ανάγκη, παρακαλάει τον Θεό. Αν δεν πάρει αυτό πού ζητάει, μένει ήσυχος, πράος σαν να το πήρε. Ή ψυχή πού αφέθηκε στο θέλημα του Θεού τίποτε δεν φοβάται. Δεν φοβάται ούτε τις απειλές, ούτε τούς ληστές και για όλα όσα του συμβαίνουν λέει: Έτσι ήταν το θέλημα του Θεού. Ακόμη και για την αρρώστια ό ήσυχος άνθρωπος σκέφτεται πώς και αυτή ή αρρώστια θα με βοηθήσει σέ κάτι, μου είναι χρήσιμη για κάτι, αλλιώς δεν θα μου την έστελνε ό Θεός. Έτσι φυλάγουμε την ηρεμία, την γαλήνη και στην ψυχή και στο σώμα μας. Δεν μπορούμε να επιτύχουμε τη σωτηρία με κανέναν τρόπο πέρα από τη μεταμόρφωση του νου μας, τη μεταμόρφωσή του σε κάτι διαφορετικό από αυτό που ήταν. Ο νους μας θεώνεται από μια ιδιάζουσα ενέργεια της χάριτος του Θεού. Γίνεται απαθής και άγιος. Ένας θεωμένος νους ζει ακατάπαυστα με τη μνήμη του Θεού. Γνωρίζοντας ότι ο Θεός είναι μέσα μας κι εμείς εν Αυτώ, ο θεωμένος νους είναι ολότελα οικείος με τον Θεό. Ο Θεός είναι παντού κι εμείς είμαστε σαν ψάρια μέσα στο νερό όταν είμαστε εν Θεώ. Τη στιγμή που οι λογισμοί μας Τον εγκαταλείπουν, αφανιζόμαστε πνευματικά.»

2 Άγιοι και Εορτές Tῆς ὁσίας Μητρὸς ἡµῶν Πελαγίας. Tῆς ἁγίας Πελαγίας τῆς Παρθένου. Tῆς ἁγίας Ταϊσίας τῆς πόρνης. Saints and Feasts Our devout mother Pelagia the Righteous; St. Pelagia the Virgin-martyr of Antioch; St. Taisia the harlot of Egypt. Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιµον Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ στρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου Σῶµα, ἀνέστης τριήµερος Σωτήρ, δωρούµενος τῷ κόσµῳ τὴν ζωήν διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάµεις τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι ζωοδότα. Δόξα τῇ Ἀναστάσει σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονοµίᾳ σου, µόνε φιλάνθρωπε. Απολυτίκιον Τῆς Ὁσίας Ἐν σοὶ Μῆτερ ἀκριβῶς διεσώθη τὸ κατ' εἰκόνα λαβοῦσα γὰρ τὸν σταυρόν, ἠκολούθησας τῷ Χριστῷ, καὶ πράττουσα ἐδίδασκες ὑπερορᾶν µὲν σαρκὸς παρέρχεται γάρ, ἐπιµελεῖσθαι δὲ ψυχῆς, πράγµατος ἀθανάτου διὸ καὶ µετὰ Ἀγγέλων συναγάλλεται Ὁσία Πελαγία, 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 (1 st Mode) The stone had been secured with a seal by the Judeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; * glory to Your kingdom; * glory to Your dispensation, only One who loves mankind. Hymn of the Devout Woman (Pl. 4 th Mode) In you, O Mother, 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 Pelagia, your spirit rejoices with the angels. Hymn of the Archangels (4 th Mode) 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 Today s Scripture Readings Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 9:6-11 Brethren, the point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. Πρὸς Κορινθίους Βʹ Ἐπιστολῆς Παύλου 9:6-11 Ἀδελφοί, ὁ σπείρων φειδοµένως, φειδοµένως καὶ θερίσει, καὶ ὁ σπείρων ἐπ' εὐλογίαις ἐπ' εὐλογίαις καὶ θερίσει. Ἕκαστος καθὼς προαιρεῖται τῇ καρδίᾳ, µὴ ἐκ λύπης ἢ ἐξ ἀνάγκης ἱλαρὸν γὰρ δότην ἀγαπᾷ ὁ Θεός. Δυνατὸς δὲ ὁ Θεὸς πᾶσαν χάριν περισσεῦσαι εἰς ὑµᾶς, ἵνα ἐν παντὶ πάντοτε πᾶσαν αὐτάρκειαν ἔχοντες περισσεύητε εἰς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθόν, καθὼς γέγραπται 'Εσκόρπισεν, ἔδωκε τοῖς πένησιν, ἡ δικαιοσύνη αὐτοῦ µένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. Ὁ δὲ ἐπιχορηγῶν σπέρµα τῷ σπείροντι καὶ ἄρτον εἰς βρῶσιν χορηγήσαι καὶ πληθύναι τὸν σπόρον ὑµῶν καὶ αὐξήσει τὰ γενήµατα τῆς δικαιοσύνης ὑµῶν ἐν παντὶ πλουτιζόµενοι εἰς πᾶσαν ἁπλότητα, ἥτις κατεργάζεται δι' ἡµῶν εὐχαριστίαν τῷ Θεῷ. Luke 7:11-16 At that time, Jesus went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!" Kατὰ Λουκᾶν 7:11-16 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐπορεύετο ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς πόλιν καλουµένην Ναΐν καὶ συνεπορεύοντο αὐτῷ οἱ µαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἱκανοὶ καὶ ὄχλος πολύς. ὡς δὲ ἤγγισε τῇ πύλῃ τῆς πόλεως, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐξεκοµίζετο τεθνηκὼς υἱὸς µονογενὴς τῇ µητρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὕτη ἦν χήρα, καὶ ὄχλος τῆς πόλεως ἱκανὸς ἦν σὺν αὐτῇ. Kαὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὴν ὁ Κύριος ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ' αὐτῇ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ Μὴ κλαῖε καὶ προσελθὼν ἥψατο τῆς σοροῦ, οἱ δὲ βαστάζοντες ἔστησαν, καὶ εἶπε Νεανίσκε, σοὶ λέγω, ἐγέρθητι. καὶ ἀνεκάθισεν ὁ νεκρὸς καὶ ἤρξατο λαλεῖν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὸν τῇ µητρὶ αὐτοῦ. ἔλαβε δὲ φόβος πάντας, καὶ ἐδόξαζον τὸν Θεὸν, λέγοντες ὅτι Προφήτης µέγας ἠγήγερται ἐν ἡµῖν, καὶ ὅτι ἐπεσκέψατο ὁ Θεὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ.

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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: *We are very blessed to have with us today Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria (in Asia Minor) who will be leading us in the celebration of Divine Liturgy. Irene Tsakmakis Nicolaos E. Batas Peter Hatzidakis ~ 1 year ~ 3 years ~ 55 years Upcoming Events: Wednesday, Oct. 11 ~ Book Club (11 am and 7:30 pm; join us even if you haven t reserved the book!) Fri/Sat, Oct ~ Goya Lock-In Retreat at AMC Sunday, Oct. 15 ~ Youth Choir Pumpkin Fundraiser (following Liturgy) Saturday, Oct 21 ~ Philoptochos trip to St. Nektarios Monastery (see flyer on previous page) Sunday, Oct. 22 ~ Goya Pancake Breakfast Sunday, Oct. 22 ~ General Assembly (following Liturgy) Friday, Oct. 27 ~ Festival Thank You Party Saturday, Oct. 28 ~ Tom Zangas Memorial Lung Cancer Foundation 5K Run / Walk (see flyer inside) Saturday, Oct. 28 ~ Joy Halloween Party Sunday, Oct. 29 ~ Pre-School Halloween Fundraiser (following Liturgy) Friday, Nov. 10 ~ Archangel Michael Nameday Gala (Plandome Country Club) Philoptochos News: THE 11 th ANNUAL NYC GREEK FILM FESTIVAL IS COMING TO MANHASSET OCTOBER 9, 10, 11 AT THE BOW-TIE CINEMA IN MANHASSET ( PLANDOME RD) CAN T MAKE IT IN MANHASSET? COME TO MANHATTAN. OCTOBER 13, 14, 15 AT NYIT AUDITORIUM ON BROADWAY (WEST 61 ST STREET) SIX AWARD WINNING FILMS, TW0 EACH NIGHT AT 7:00 PM AND 9:00 PM, WILL BE SCREENED. FILMS NOT IN ENGLISH WILL BE SHOWN WITH ENGLISH TITLES FOR DETAILS AND TICKETS VISIT: Contact: philoptochos@archangelmichaelchurch.org Greek Zumba Fitness continues Tues., Oct 10th. 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). Join us during Coffee Hour on Sunday November 19th to honor our veterans with music, food and good cheer! Representatives from the VFW will be on hand to enlighten us as to the importance of supporting our vets and and provide an overview of the services they offer. We kick off this event immediately with a drive to stock the pantry at the VFW. Please drop off any of these items to the boxes placed outside the church office by November 28th: Box of Dried Pasta, Bag of Rice, Canned Vegetables, Red Sauce, Brown Gravy, Chicken Stock, Beef Stock. Saturday, November 11, 2017 Children s Medical Fund Luncheon at The Venetian in Garfield, NJ. 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 re serve for this event or give a donation earmarked for the CMP please contact us, or you may donate on-line by logging onto RAFFLE PRIZES NEEDED! As we plan for our annual Family Christmas Brunch, we hope you will consider sponsoring a prize for the Grand Raffle. Can you offer your vacation home, time-share, artwork, restaurant vouchers, pieces of jewelry (any item, large or small will be so welcomed!) toward this effort? Please contact us.