Archangel Michael Church Η Εκκλησία του Αρχαγγέλου Μιχαήλ

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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 November 26, th Sunday of Luke Plagal 4 th Mode - 3 rd Morning Gospel The Entrance of the Theotokos Last Wednesday (Nov. 21st), we celebrated one of Orthodoxy s 12 major feasts: the Entrance of the Theotokos. This event isn t found in the gospels; rather, it s taken from the Protoevangelion of James, an apocryphal text widely read and appreciated in early Christianity but not included in the Biblical canon. What are we celebrating? In 1st century Judaism, certain young women were consecrated - set aside - to devote themselves entirely to God through the function of the Temple in Jerusalem. They left their families and lived in the Temple, assisting with the day-to-day life of the Temple (e.g. sewing / cleaning vestments, worship, prayer, etc.). These Temple virgins were consecrated at a young age and left when they were engaged to be married (at that time, usually years old). The Virgin Mary was one such Temple virgin, the fulfillment of a promise by Joachim and Anna (her parents) to offer their child completely to God in the event that He blessed them with their first child in ripe old age. The Virgin Mary was received into the Temple at 3 years of age by the high priest Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. He brought her into the Holy of Holies - the special dwelling place of God - where only the high priest would enter once a year to offer sacrifice for the sins of the people. Symbolically and truly, this was the beginning of the Virgin Mary becoming the Holy of Holies, the womb that contained the Uncontainable God. We can consider the Entrance of the Theotokos a prelude to the most astonishing event in human history: the Incarnation of God Himself, an act of self-emptying love in which the Son of God leaves behind divine dignity and lowers Himself to join us in the flesh. A challenge accompanies every Liturgical feast in order to rouse our sleepy souls. The challenge is this: to emulate Panagia s devotion, her humble dedication that created an opening in her heart through which God entered. You see, she wasn t aware that she was preparing to receive God s own son into her womb. She was empty of all human plans and ambitions, and this emptiness is precisely her glory. Free from all human trappings, Panagia devoted herself to serving God, visibly in the Temple and invisibly in her secret world of thoughts and emotions. And she became so pure, so open, so beautiful that her womb became a divine dwelling place. Like the Theotokos, we are called to become temples of the living God (2 Cor 6:16). Do you not know that you are God s temple and that God s Spirit dwells in you? For God s temple is holy, and you are that temple (1 Cor 3:16-17). How seldom do we feel like holy dwelling places of God! Being here for Liturgy is a start; it s a real, tangible sacrifice, as we could be doing a number of other things on Sunday mornings. But something more is needed; this something is a humble, deliberate effort to give every minute, every moment, to God. The rest is God s affair. Εισόδια της Θεοτόκου «Η ευσεβής Άννα σύζυγος του Ιωακείμ, πέρασε τη ζωή της χωρίς να μπορέσει να τεκνοποιήσει, καθώς ήταν στείρα. Μαζί με τον Ιωακείμ προσευχόταν θερμά στον Θεό να την αξιώσει να φέρει στον κόσμο ένα παιδί, με την υπόσχεση ότι θα αφιέρωνε το τέκνο της σε Αυτόν. Πράγματι, ο Πανάγαθος Θεός όχι μόνο της χάρισε ένα παιδί, αλλά την αξίωσε να φέρει στον κόσμο τη γυναίκα που θα γεννούσε το Μεσσία, το Σωτήρα μας Ιησού Χριστό. Όταν η Παναγία έγινε τριών χρόνων, σύμφωνα με την παράδοση, η Άννα και ο Ιωακείμ, κρατώντας την υπόσχεσή τους, την οδήγησαν στο Ναό και την παρέδωσαν στον αρχιερέα Ζαχαρία. Ο αρχιερέας παρέλαβε την Παρθένο Μαρία και την οδήγησε στα Άγια των Αγίων, όπου δεν έμπαινε κανείς εκτός από τον ίδιο, επειδή γνώριζε έπειτα από αποκάλυψη του Θεού το μελλοντικό ρόλο της Αγίας κόρης στην ενανθρώπιση του Κυρίου. Στα ενδότερα του Ναού η Παρθένος Μαρία έμεινε δώδεκα χρόνια.» (*Οι πληροφορίες είναι από:

2 Άγιοι και Εορτές Tοῦ ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Ἀλυπίου τοῦ Κιονίτου. Tοῦ ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Στυλιανοῦ τοῦ Παφλαγόνος. Tοῦ ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Ἀκακίου τοῦ ἐν τῇ Κλίµακι. Tοῦ ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Νίκωνος τοῦ Μετανοεῖτε. Ὁ ἅγιος Νεοµάρτυς Γεώργιος, ὁ ἐν Χίῳ ἀθλήσας κατὰ τὸ Saints and Feasts Our devout father Alypios the Stylite; our devout father Stylianos of Paflagonia; our devout father Akakios, who is mentioned in the "Ladder of Divine Ascent"; our devout father Nikon of Repentance; the Holy New-Martyr George, who competed in Chios in 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 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 Ἡ Παρθένος σήµερον, τὸν προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν Σπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀπορρήτως. Χόρευε ἡ οἰκουµένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον µετὰ Ἀγγέλων καὶ τῶν Ποιµένων, βουληθέντα ἐποφθῆναι, Παιδίον νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν. 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 Archangels (4 th Mode) Supreme Commanders of * the hosts of the Heavens, * we, the unworthy, importune 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 (3 rd Mode) On this day the Virgin goes * to the cave to give birth * to the pre-eternal Word, * in a manner beyond understanding. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings. * Glorify, along with Angels and with the shepherds * Him Who willed that He appear as * a newborn Child * the pre-eternal God.

3 Today s Scripture Readings Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:1-7 Brethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους Ἐπιστολῆς Παύλου 4:1-7 Ἀδελφοί, παρακαλῶ ὑµᾶς ἐγὼ ὁ δέσµιος ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀξίως περιπατῆσαι τῆς κλήσεως ἧς ἐκλήθητε, µετὰ πάσης ταπεινοφροσύνης καὶ πραΰτητος, µετὰ µακροθυµίας, ἀνεχόµενοι ἀλλήλων ἐν ἀγάπῃ, σπουδάζοντες τηρεῖν τὴν ἑνότητα τοῦ πνεύµατος ἐν τῷ συνδέσµῳ τῆς εἰρήνης ἓν σῶµα καὶ ἓν Πνεῦµα, καθὼς καὶ ἐκλήθητε ἐν µιᾷ ἐλπίδι τῆς κλήσεως ὑµῶν εἷς Κύριος, µία πίστις, ἓν βάπτισµα εἷς Θεὸς καὶ Πατὴρ πάντων, ὁ ἐπὶ πάντων καὶ διὰ πάντων καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν ὑµῖν. Ἑνὶ δὲ ἑκάστῳ ἡµῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ µέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Luke 18:18-27 At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Kατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:18-27 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ πειράζων αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων Διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονοµήσω; εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς Τί µε λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ µὴ εἷς, ὁ Θεός. τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας µὴ µοιχεύσῃς, µὴ φονεύσῃς, µὴ κλέψῃς, µὴ ψευδοµαρτυρήσῃς, τίµα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν µητέρα σου. ὁ δὲ εἶπε Ταῦτα πάντα ἐφυλαξάµην ἐκ νεότητός µου. ἀκούσας δὲ ταῦτα ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ἔτι ἕν σοι λείπει πάντα ὅσα ἔχεις πώλησον καὶ διάδος πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει µοι. ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ταῦτα περίλυπος ἐγένετο ἦν γὰρ πλούσιος σφόδρα. Ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ Ἰησοῦς περίλυπον γενόµενον εἶπε Πῶς δυσκόλως οἱ τὰ χρήµατα ἔχοντες εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ! εὐκοπώτερον γάρ ἐστι κάµηλον διὰ τρυµαλιᾶς ραφίδος εἰσελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. εἶπον δὲ οἱ ἀκούσαντες Καὶ τίς δύναται σωθῆναι; ὁ δὲ εἶπε Τὰ ἀδύνατα παρὰ ἀνθρώποις δυνατὰ παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ ἐστιν.

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8 Memorials: Paula Roussos Sophie Vasilas Anthony Theoharis Georgia Theoharis Worship Schedule: Thursday, Nov. 30 Friday, Dec. 1 ~ 1 year ~ 3 years ~ 5 years ~ 5 years ~ St Andrew, the First-Called Apostle: Orthros 8:30 am, Divine Liturgy 9:30 am ~ Small Blessing of the Waters: 11:00 am Sunday School: Nursery - 1st grade will proceed to the Chapel of St Katherine after receiving Holy Communion. Attention Bakers: We consistently need prosfora; anything you can offer is much appreciated. Upcoming Events: Saturday, Dec. 2 Sunday, Dec. 3 Sunday, Dec. 10 Sunday, Dec. 17 Sunday, Jan. 7 ~ A Byzantine Christmas concert (see flyer for details) ~ Philoptochos Annual Family Christmas Brunch (see flyer for details) ~ Parish Council Elections ~ Sunday School Christmas Pageant ~ Blessing of the Waters (Bar Beach) Philoptochos News: Contact us at philoptochos@archangelmichaelchurch.org Philoptochos Family Brunch Journal Please consider supporting us again! The Annual Family Christmas Brunch is Philoptochos major fundraiser for the year. Please support us to help us support others! For any questions, please contact Eleni Raptis at mamarap16@yahoo.com or Androula Xenophontos at andxeno@optonline.net. RAFFLE PRIZES NEEDED for our Annual FamilyChristmas Brunch. Please 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!) towards this effort? Please contact us. Our Philoptochos chapter has started a campaign through Help Feed America. Our extensive research has show that this organization is the most effective at maximizing your donation dollars to Set the Table for those most in need. $1 = 11 meals!. It s a no brainer! Please contact us to see how you can help. GET FIT! GREEK ZUMBA FITNESS is back on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-10:30am in the AMC gym. ($20pp for individual classes, $15 for a package of 10). This class is being offered as part of Philoptochos Get fit, Get healthy initiative to promote women s health. All net proceeds from Zumba will be donated to the American Heart Association. Let s work off those Thanksgiving calories! Please support our cause and get fit! For more info please call Marina Vlahos at Join us and bring your friends!