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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 December 24, Sunday Before the Nativity of Christ 4 th Mode - 7 th Morning Gospel Today s gospel passage is one of the longest of the year and consists primarily of peculiar names from the Old Testament. Why so much emphasis on the genealogy of Jesus Christ? St Matthew the Evangelist was writing to Jews who believed in Christ as the Messiah. They didn t see themselves outside Judaism but firmly within it. Christ was the fulfillment of Judaism, the embodiment of the Torah Law; He did not represent the beginning of a new religion. First century Jews (like us today) could properly understand Christ as Messiah only in the greater context of Israel s salvation history (i.e. the content of the Old Testament). Expectations about the nature of Christ s messiahship varied, but one thing was clear: the Messiah, or Anointed One, would descend from the line of Abraham and David. Why? God s covenant, or promise, to bring universal salvation began with Abraham, the father of all believers. David was a great king, prophet, and composer of many of the Psalms; the Messiah would introduce a new kingship as a descendent of David. Therefore, Matthew uses the genealogy of Christ to help legitimize Him as Messiah in the hearts and minds of pious first century Jews. Christ wraps up the story of salvation laid out in the Old Testament and introduces a new way of living - the Kingdom of God breaking into this world. While he correctly traced Christ to Abraham and David, Matthew still faced a seemingly insurmountable obstacle with most Jews. They expected a Messiah who would end their suffering, a Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule and re-establish the Israelite nation as a political powerhouse. Essentially, they desired an earthly king, but Christ s kingship - His messiahship - is in line with the suffering servant of Isaiah s prophecy. It s grounded in humility, in submission, in self-emptying love. Elder Aimilianos of Mount Athos explains: Man has difficulty bowing down to God; so God, in His infinite humility, bows down to man. On the night He was betrayed, Christ stooped down to wash the feet of a man who would deny him three times. That s how God was with the people of Israel; that s how He is with everyone. When we look at the history of God s actions from the beginning of the Old Testament to the end of the New, what do we see? God diminishes Himself. Everywhere and at all times, God reduces Himself; He makes Himself small. He humbles Himself and does whatever is necessary so that we might be saved. Την Κυριακή πριν από τη Γέννηση του Κυρίου μας, ο ευαγγελιστής Ματθαίος μας παρουσιάζει όλη την πορεία των κατά σάρκα προπατόρων του Κυρίου μας, οι οποίοι έζησαν και πέθαναν με την προσμονή του Μεσσία. Σύμφωνα με τον γενεαλογικό αυτό κατάλογο οι προπάτορες χωρίζονται σε τρεις περιόδους, που η καθεμιά περιέχει δεκατέσσερις γενιές. Η πρώτη από τον Αβραάμ μέχρι τον Δαβίδ, η δεύτερη από τον Δαβίδ μέχρι την εποχή που οι Ιουδαίοι μεταφέρθηκαν αιχμάλωτοι στη Βαβυλώνα, και η Τρίτη από την αιχμαλωσία αυτή μέχρι την Γέννηση του Χριστού. Στη συνέχεια ο ιερός Ευαγγελιστής μας παρουσιάζει το μέγα μυστήριο της Γεννήσεως του Κυρίου μας. Μας λέει ότι, όταν η Παρθένος Μαρία αρραβωνιάστηκε τον Ιωσήφ, πριν ακόμη συγκατοικήσει στο σπίτι του, βρέθηκε έγκυος με την επενέργεια του Αγίου Πνεύματος. Όταν όμως ο Ιωσήφ αντιλήφθηκε την εγκυμοσύνη της, ταράχθηκε πολύ. Αλλά επειδή ήταν ενάρετος και δεν ήθελε να τη διαπομπεύσει, σκέφθηκε να της δώσει μυστικά διαζύγιο. Καθώς λοιπόν βασανιζόταν απ αυτούς τους φοβερούς λογισμούς, ένας άγγελος του Θεού του εμφανίστηκε σε όνειρο και του είπε: Ιωσήφ απόγονε του Δαβίδ, μη διστάσεις να παραλάβεις στο σπίτι σου τη Μαρία, τη μνηστή σου. Διότι το παιδί που έχει μέσα της προέρχεται από την επενέργεια του Αγίου Πνεύματος. Θα γεννήσει υιό και συ θα Του δώσεις το όνομα «Ιησούς», το οποίο σημαίνει «σωτήρ». (*Οι πληροφορίες είναι από:

2 Άγιοι και Εορτές Τῇ αὐτῇ ἡµέρᾳ, Κυριακῇ πρὸ τῆς Χριστοῦ Γεννήσεως, µνήµη ἄγειν ἐτάχθηµεν παρὰ τῶν ἁγίων καὶ θεοφόρων Πατέρων ἡµῶν, πάντων τῶν ἀπ' αἰῶνος Θεῷ εὐαρεστησάντων, ἀπὸ Ἀδὰµ ἄχρι καὶ Ἰωσὴφ τοῦ µνήστορος τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου, κατὰ γενεαλογίαν, καθὼς ὁ Εὐαγγελιστὴς Λουκᾶς ἱστορικῶς ἠριθµήσατο ὁµοίως καὶ τῶν Προφητῶν καὶ Προφητίδων. Tῆς ἁγίας Ὁσιοπαρθενοµάτυρος Εὐγενίας, καὶ τῶν σὺν αὐτῇ. Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιµον Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγµα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου µαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώµεναι ἔλεγον Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούµενος τῷ κόσµῳ τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Προεόρτιον Ἀπεγράφετο ποτέ, σὺν τῷ πρεσβύτῃ Ἰωσήφ, ὡς ἐκ σπέρµατος Δαυΐδ, ἐν Βηθλεὲµ ἡ Μαριάµ, κυοφοροῦσα τὴν ἄσπορον κυοφορίαν. Ἐπέστη δὲ καιρὸς ὁ τῆς Γεννήσεως, καὶ τόπος ἦν οὐδεὶς τῷ καταλύµατι ἀλλ' ὡς τερπνὸν παλάτιον τὸ Σπήλαιον, τῇ Βασιλίδι ἐδείκνυτο. Χριστὸς γεννᾶται τὴν πρὶν πεσοῦσαν, ἀναστήσων εἰκόνα. Τῶν Πατέρων Μεγάλα τὰ τῆς Πίστεως κατορθώµατα! ἐν τῇ πηγῇ τῆς φλογός, ὡς ἐπὶ ὕδατος ἀναπαύσεως, οἱ Ἅγιοι τρεῖς Παῖδες ἠγάλλοντο καὶ ὁ Προφήτης Δανιήλ, λεόντων ποιµήν, ὡς προβάτων ἐδείκνυτο. Ταῖς αὐτῶν ἱκεσίαις Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡµῶν. 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. Saints and Feasts On the Sunday before the Nativity of Christ, we have been enjoined by our holy and God-bearing Fathers to commemorate all those who from the beginning of time were well-pleasing to God, from Adam to Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to the genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke enumerated in historical order, along with the Prophets and Prophetesses; the holy, virgin Martyr Eugenia, and those with her. Resurrectional Hymn (4 th Mode) When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and rejected the ancestral decision, they cried aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been despoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy to the world. Hymn of the Forefeast (4 th Mode) As she carried in her womb * what she conceived without seed, * Mary went to Bethlehem * with elder Joseph to enroll, * for they were of the house and lineage of David. * The time arrived for her * to give birth to her Child; * but then there was no place * in the inn for them. * Therefore the grotto served as a luxurious * royal palace for the Queen. * And Christ the Lord is born, to raise the image * which was formerly fallen. Hymn of the Fathers (2 nd Mode) Magnificent are Faith's accomplishments! The three holy Youths exultingly stood in the fountain of fire as if beside the still waters of rest. And Daniel the Prophet was shown to be a shepherd of lions. At their entreaty, O Christ God, save our souls. 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 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 Hebrews 11:9-10, Brethren, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated of whom the world was not worthy wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Πρὸς Ἑβραίους Ἐπιστολῆς Παύλου 11:9-10, Πίστει παρῴκησεν εἰς γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν, ἐν σκηναῖς κατοικήσας µετὰ ' Ισαὰκ καὶ ' Ιακὼβ τῶν συγκληρονόµων τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τῆς αὐτῆς ἐξεδέχετο γὰρ τὴν τοὺς θεµελίους ἔχουσαν πόλιν, ἧς τεχνίτης καὶ δηµιουργὸς ὁ θεός. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; ἐπιλείψει µε γὰρ διηγούµενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ, Σαµψών, ' Ιεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαµουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν, οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόµατα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναµιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόµατα µαχαίρης, ἐδυναµώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέµῳ, παρεµβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυµπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάµενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν ἕτεροι δὲ ἐµπαιγµῶν καὶ µαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσµῶν καὶ φυλακῆς ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ µαχαίρης ἀπέθανον, περιῆλθον ἐν µηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρµασιν, ὑστερούµενοι, θλιβόµενοι, κακουχούµενοι, ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσµος, ἐπὶ ἐρηµίαις πλανώµενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες µαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως οὐκ ἐκοµίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡµῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαµένου, ἵνα µὴ χωρὶς ἡµῶν τελειωθῶσιν. Matthew 1:1-25 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Ammin adab, and Ammin adab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Bo az by Rahab, and Bo az the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uri ah, and Solomon the father of Rehobo am, and Rehobo am the father of Abi jah, and Abi jah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehosh aphat, and Jehosh aphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzzi ah, and Uzzi ah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezeki ah, and Hezeki ah the father of Manas seh, and Manas seh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josi ah, and Josi ah the father of Jechoni ah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoni ah was the father of Sheal tiel, and Sheal tiel the father of Zerub babel, and Zerub babel the father of Abi ud, and Abi ud the father of Eli akim, and Eli akim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eli ud, and Eli ud the father of Elea zar, and Elea zar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emman uel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus. Kατὰ Ματθαῖον 1:1-25 Βίβλος γενέσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ υἱοῦ Ἀβραάµ. Ἀβραὰµ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰσαάκ, Ἰσαὰκ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰακώβ, Ἰακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰούδαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, Ἰούδας δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Φάρες καὶ τὸν Ζάρα ἐκ τῆς Θαµάρ, Φάρες δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἑσρώµ, Ἑσρὼµ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἀράµ, Ἀρὰµ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἀµιναδάβ, Ἀµιναδὰβ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ναασσών, Ναασσὼν δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Σαλµών, Σαλµὼν δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Βοὸζ ἐκ τῆς Ῥαχάβ, Βοὸζ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰωβὴδ ἐκ τῆς Ῥούθ, Ἰωβὴδ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰεσσαί, Ἰεσσαὶ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Δαυὶδ τὸν βασιλέα. Δαυὶδ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Σολοµῶνα ἐκ τῆς τοῦ Οὐρίου, Σολοµὼν δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ῥοβοάµ, Ῥοβοὰµ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἀβιά, Ἀσὰφ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰωσαφάτ, Ἰωσαφὰτ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰωράµ, Ἰωρὰµ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ὁζίαν, Ὁζίας δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν

4 Ἰωαθάµ, ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰωσαφάτ, Ἰωσαφὰτ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰωράµ, Ἰωρὰµ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ὁζίαν, Ὁζίας δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰωαθάµ, Ἰωαθὰµ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἀχάζ, Ἀχὰζ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἑζεκίαν, Ἑζεκίας δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Μανασσῆ, Μανασσῆς δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἀµώς, Ἀµὼς δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰωσίαν, Ἰωσίας δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰεχονίαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς µετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος. Μετὰ δὲ τὴν µετοικεσίαν Βαβυλῶνος Ἰεχονίας ἐγέννησεν τὸν Σαλαθιήλ, Σαλαθιὴλ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ζοροβαβέλ, Ζοροβαβὲλ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἀβιούδ, Ἀβιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἐλιακίµ, Ἐλιακὶµ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἀζώρ, Ἀζὼρ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Σαδώκ, Σαδὼκ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἀχίµ, Ἀχὶµ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἐλιούδ, Ἐλιοὺδ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἐλεάζαρ, Ἐλεάζαρ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ματθάν, Ματθὰν δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰακώβ, Ἰακὼβ δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ἰωσὴφ τὸν ἄνδρα Μαρίας, ἐξ ἣς ἐγεννήθη Ἰησοῦς ὁ λεγόµενος Χριστός. Πᾶσαι οὖν αἱ γενεαὶ ἀπὸ Ἀβραὰµ ἕως Δαυὶδ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ Δαυὶδ ἕως τῆς µετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς µετοικεσίας Βαβυλῶνος ἕως τοῦ Χριστοῦ γενεαὶ δεκατέσσαρες. Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἡ γένεσις οὕτως ἦν. Μνηστευθείσης τῆς µητρὸς αὐτοῦ Μαρίας τῷ Ἰωσήφ, πρὶν ἢ συνελθεῖν αὐτοὺς εὑρέθη ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα ἐκ πνεύµατος ἁγίου. Ἰωσὴφ δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, δίκαιος ὢν καὶ µὴ θέλων αὐτὴν δειγµατίσαι, ἐβουλήθη λάθρᾳ ἀπολῦσαι αὐτήν. Ταῦτα δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐνθυµηθέντος ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος κυρίου κατ' ὄναρ ἐφάνη αὐτῷ λέγων Ἰωσὴφ υἱὸς Δαυίδ, µὴ φοβηθῇς παραλαβεῖν Μαριὰµ τὴν γυναῖκά σου, τὸ γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ γεννηθὲν ἐκ πνεύµατός ἐστιν ἁγίου τέξεται δὲ υἱὸν καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνοµα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν, αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἁµαρτιῶν αὐτῶν. Τοῦτο δὲ ὅλον γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος, Ἰδοὺ ἡ παρθένος ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξει καὶ τέξεται υἱόν, καὶ καλέσουσιν τὸ ὄνοµα αὐτοῦ Ἐµµανουήλ, ὅ ἐστιν µεθερµηνευόµενον Μεθ' ἡµῶν ὁ Θεός. Διεγερθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰωσὴφ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕπνου ἐποίησεν ὡς προσέταξεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος κυρίου καὶ παρέλαβε τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκεν αὐτὴν ἕως οὗ ἔτεκεν υἱόν καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνοµα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν.

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8 Memorials: There are no memorials scheduled for today. Worship Schedule: Sunday, Dec. 24 ~ The Nativity of our Lord: Great Vespers 5 pm, Orthros 6:15 pm, Liturgy, 7:30 pm Monday, Dec. 25 ~ The Nativity of our Lord: Orthros 8:15 am, Liturgy 9:30 am Wednesday, Dec. 27 ~ St Stephen the First Martyr and Archdeacon: Orthros 8:15 am, Liturgy 9:30 am Monday, Jan. 1 ~ Circumcision of our Lord & St Basil the Great: Orthros 8:30 am, Liturgy, 9:30 am Attention Bakers: We consistently need prosfora; anything you can offer is much appreciated. Volunteers Needed: If you are interested in volunteering in the office, please us your contact info and availability to: info@archangelmichaelchurch.org. We periodically need assistance and will reach out when there is a need. Upcoming Events: Tuesday, Dec. 26 Tuesday, Dec. 26 Thursday, Jan. 4 Sunday, Jan. 7 Sunday, Jan. 7 Sunday, Jan. 7 Saturday, Jan. 27 Sunday, Jan. 28 Sunday, Jan. 28 Sunday, Feb. 11 Friday, Feb. 16 ~ Philoptochos Serving the Homeless (outside Madison Square Garden) ~ Goya 5-Boro Christmas Party (at Central Bar & Lounge in Astoria) ~ AMC Networking Group (ages 17-35) Inaugural Event (7 pm) ~ Youth Worship Sunday (and Coffee Hour sponsorship at Bar Beach) ~ Blessing of the Waters (at Bar Beach following Liturgy) ~ Vasilopita Cutting by Philoptochos ~ Parathosi Dance Competition (see flyer) ~ Greek School Letters and Coffee Hour Sponsorship ~ Greek School Glendi ~ Godparent Sunday & Brunch ~ Midnight Run Philoptochos News: Contact us at: philoptochos@archangelmichaelchurch.org FEEDING THE HOMELESS Tues, Dec. 26th Our Chapter is called upon to feed the homeless at Penn Station. We are busy coordinating the effort in that we must provide not only hot food and snack bags, but also under garments, hygiene kits, outerwear and more. If you would like to assist with offsetting the cost of this effort, please send your donation to Philoptochos with Feeding the Homeless 12/26 in the subject line. Any amount is helpful and appreciated, as no one should ever go hungry, much less at Christmastime. Our Philoptochos chapter is continuing its campaign through Help Feeding America. Our extensive research has shown that this organization is the most efficient at maximizing your donation dollars to "Set The Table" for those most in need. $1 = 11 meals!!...it s a no-brainer! Contact us to see how you can help. GET FIT! GREEK ZUMBA FITNESS is back on TUESDAY mornings 9:30 am - 10:30 am in the AMC gym. ($20pp for individual classes, $150 for a package of 10) This class is being offered as part of Philoptochos' "Get fit, Get healthy" initiatiative to promote women's health. All net proceeds from Zumba will be donated to the American Heart Association. Please support our cause and get fit!! Walk-ins welcome. For more info call Marina Vlahos Join us and bring your friends! *Please note there will be no Zumba on Tuesday, Dec. 26th, nor on Tuesday, Jan. 2nd. Zumba will resume on Tuesday, January 9th.