Rev. Economos Peter J. Thornberg, Proistamenos

July 26, 2015 8 th Sunday of Matthew Holymartyr Hermolaos & his Companions Righteous Virginmartyr Paraskevi of Rome ENTRANCE HYMNS Resurrectional Apolytikion Katelisas to Stavro ( By Thy Cross Destroyed )O Death didst Thou destroy by Thy Cross. Thou opened Paradise to the Thief and the laments of the myrrhbearers didst Thou change and to Thine own Apostles command them to annunce that Thou had risen O Christ our God, Who gives to the World Thy Great Mercy. Apolytikion for St. Paraskevi Tin spoudhin sou ti klisi ( Appropriate to your calling ) Appropriate to your calling, O Champion Paraskevi, you worshipped with the readiness your name bears. For an abode you obtained faith, which is your namesake. Wherefore, you pour forth healing and intercede for our souls. 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 Faith and Hope, along with God-minded Love; together intercede with God for us all. Seasonal Kontakion Prostasia ton Christianon ( O unfailing protection of Christians ) O unfailing protection of Christians, and our faithful advocate before the Creator: though we are sinners, do not ignore our entreaty; but in your goodness, grant your timely help to us who appeal to you in faith. Quickly make intercession; on our behalf make speedy supplication, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you.

Church Mortgage and Beautification Update July 26, 2015 We are pleased to let you know that we recently negotiated a lower mortgage rate, which will allow us to put more money into the principal payment and help speed up the payoff of our mortgage. We are also continuing the process of beautifying the church. God bless the recent anonymous donor for the Bishop s throne. In addition, a non-parishioner has donated $17,000 to sponsor the candle stands! God bless so many stewards and friends who have taken great interest in the beautification of His house!! Many sponsorships are still available for both iconography and the furnishings. Please check out the exhibit next door in the Fr. John A. Limberakis Cultural Center. As you ve probably noticed, we have new Narthex furnishings. They were carved by the world-renowned artisans at S. Kavroulakis Company of Chania, Crete, the same firm that carved our beautiful icon screen and other artifacts. This beautiful furniture now greets everyone who enters our church! Some of these items are still available for sponsorship. We have installed a donor plaque to acknowledge those who have contributed to make our new church and its decoration possible. You can see the framework in the Narthex. Please note that the white color is the primer. Our iconographer, Dr. George Kordis is returning for a brief visit at the end of August to decorate the donor plaque and apply a protective varnish to the icons on the icon screen and other items. A draft of the names that will be listed on the donor plaque has been posted in the Fr. John A. Limberakis Cultural Center. Please double check your name and listing to make sure it is accurate. If you have questions or concerns, please see any Parish Council member. St. Sophia Church Mortgage Mortgage balance as of 6/29/2015 $1,350,032.23. We recently negotiated a lower rate with QNB Bank, which will lower our payment by $1,000/month. EPISTLE READING The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-5 God is wonderful among his saints. Verse: Bless God in the congregations. BRETHREN, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Ἀνάγνωσις ἐπιστολῆς Πρὸς Γαλάτας 3:23-29, 4:1-5 Θαυμαστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἐν τοῖς Ἁγίοις αὐτοῦ. Στίχ. Ἐν Ἐκκλησίαις εὐλογεῖτε τὸν Θεὸν. Ἀδελφοί, πρὸ τοῦ δὲ ἐλθεῖν τὴν πίστιν, ὑπὸ νόμον ἐφρουρούμεθα, συγκεκλεισμένοι εἰς τὴν μέλλουσαν πίστιν ἀποκαλυφθῆναι. Ὥστε ὁ νόμος παιδαγωγὸς ἡμῶν γέγονεν εἰς Χριστόν, ἵνα ἐκ πίστεως δικαιωθῶμεν. Ἐλθούσης δὲ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκέτι ὑπὸ παιδαγωγόν ἐσμεν. Πάντες γὰρ υἱοὶ θεοῦ ἐστε διὰ τῆς πίστεως ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Ὅσοι γὰρ εἰς Χριστὸν ἐβαπτίσθητε, Χριστὸν ἐνεδύσασθε. Οὐκ ἔνι Ἰουδαῖος οὐδὲ Ἕλλην, οὐκ ἔνι δοῦλος οὐδὲ ἐλεύθερος, οὐκ ἔνι ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς εἷς ἐστε ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Εἰ δὲ ὑμεῖς Χριστοῦ, ἄρα τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ σπέρμα ἐστέ, καὶ κατʼ ἐπαγγελίαν κληρονόμοι. Λέγω δέ, ἐφʼ ὅσον χρόνον ὁ κληρονόμος νήπιός ἐστιν, οὐδὲν διαφέρει δούλου, κύριος πάντων ὤν ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ ἐπιτρόπους ἐστὶν καὶ οἰκονόμους, ἄχρι τῆς προθεσμίας τοῦ πατρός. Οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς, ὅτε ἦμεν νήπιοι, ὑπὸ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου ἦμεν δεδουλωμένοι ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός, γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον, ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν.

GOSPEL READING The Reading is from the Gospel of Matthew 14:14-22 At that time, Jesus saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ΕVΑΓΓÉΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 14:14-22 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐξελθὼν ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶδε πολὺν ὄχλον, καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐθεράπευσε τοὺς ἀρρώστους αὐτῶν. ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες ἔρημός ἐστιν ὁ τόπος καὶ ἡ ὥρα ἤδη παρῆλθεν ἀπόλυσον τοὺς ὄχλους, ἵνα ἀπελθόντες εἰς τὰς κώμας ἀγοράσωσιν ἑαυτοῖς βρώματα. ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν ἀπελθεῖν δότε αὐτοῖς ὑμεῖς φαγεῖν. οἱ δὲ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔχομεν ὧδε εἰ μὴ πέντε ἄρτους καὶ δύο ἰχθύας. ὁ δὲ εἶπε φέρετέ μοι αὐτοὺς ὧδε. καὶ κελεύσας τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνακλιθῆναι ἐπὶ τοὺς χόρτους, λαβὼν τοὺς πέντε ἄρτους καὶ τοὺς δύο ἰχθύας, ἀναβλέψας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εὐλόγησε, καὶ κλάσας ἔδωκε τοῖς μαθηταῖς τοὺς ἄρτους, οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ τοῖς ὄχλοις. καὶ ἔφαγον πάντες καὶ ἐχορτάσθησαν, καὶ ἦραν τὸ περισσεῦον τῶν κλασμάτων δώδεκα κοφίνους πλήρεις. οἱ δὲ ἐσθίοντες ἦσαν ἄνδρες ὡσεὶ πεντακισχίλιοι χωρὶς γυναικῶν καὶ παιδίων. Καὶ εὐθέως ἠνάγκασεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ ἐμβῆναι εἰς τὸ πλοῖον καὶ προάγειν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ πέραν, ἕως οὗ ἀπολύσῃ τοὺς ὄχλους. Stewardship Update July 26, 2015 Did you know that our ministries continue throughout the summer? When in town, please join us for Divine Liturgy on Sundays. With our summer hours (Liturgy at 9:30 am), you can worship with us, enjoy coffee hour and fellowship and still have lots of time to enjoy summer activities with family and friends. Although we all like to take vacations, let s please be sure to keep Christ in our summer schedule. After all, we would not want God to take a vacation from us! Worshipping together helps to refresh all of us spiritually each week as we prepare to face the earthly demands of the following week. God is calling each and every one of us! Are you listening?? Orthodox Christian Stewardship is our way of thanking God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us. To be considered good stewards of our parish and the faith, we must give back in gratitude to Him by giving of our time, talent and treasure. Our Parish and His Ministries need all three from each of us! What are you personally doing to show your gratitude to Him for your own blessings? How are you giving to Him to support His ministries here on Earth? Our 2015 Stewardship Program is off to a great start. If you have not yet returned your Pledge Card please do so today. As a busy parish, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved by giving of our time and talents to support His work. Actively participating is not only spiritually rewarding it can be really fun too! God Bless You for your support of His Work and our parish! 2014 (Year End) 2015 (7/24/15) Pledge Unit Goal 240 240 Number of Pledges 215 186 Pledge $ Goal $210,000 $210,000 Amount Pledged $209,857 $198,642 Average Pledge $976.08 $1,067 New Stewards 23 9

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS (continued) Coffee Hour Sponsors Needed!: There are several opportunities to be a coffee sponsor in the next several weeks.. If you are interested in hosting a coffee hour, please put your name on the list at the back of the hall or contact Elaine in the Parish office. Parish E-mail List: If you have not yet given us your e-mail address (or if it has changed recently) please let the Parish office know so that we can update our files. You may either call the Parish office with your information or you may e-mail it directly to stsophia@verizon.net. 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 610-650-8960 so that a visit can be arranged. In Case of Emergency: If you are having an extreme medical emergency and are in need of an Orthodox priest, please call the Parish office at 610-650-8960. Any information or announcements for the Sunday bulletin must be received by 3pm on the Wednesday prior to publication. Please e-mail information to stsophia@verizon.net. Thank you. Elaine Piligian

Movie Tavern Tickets: This is the fabulous movie theater in town that offers first run movies as well as an "in-house" dining experience. The Ladies Philoptochos is selling discounted MOVIE TAVERN movie tickets for $8.50 each. They can be used on any day and even for new releases. For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact Maria or Kathy Tsipras. For show times visit www.movietavern.com. Yiayia's Attic - Just a reminder that our Fall Festival is around the corner. So, start cleaning out that garage, basement, spare room or even that junk drawer today. NO clothing, mattresses, pillows, any type of quilted items, stuffed animals or food products will be accepted. Any items unsold will be donated to a local thrift store. All proceeds benefit the St. Nicholas National Shrine. Any items brought in must be placed directly in the balcony. Volunteers will be needed during the festival hours to sell these treasures. Please call Maria or Kathy Tsipras (610) 539-5413 if you have any questions or to volunteer. Communion wine as a church donation: Communion wine is always needed by the church. If you would like to make a donation of wine, the following wines are preferred: St. John Commandaria (of Cyprus), Mavrodaphne, or Manischewitz Concord Grape. Help us keep the vigil lamps burning bright: Olive oil is a perpetual need for the church in order to keep the vigil lamps or καντήλια (kandilia) burning bright. If you would like to donate olive oil, you may bring it to the Parish office at any time throughout the year.

Paraskeve the Righteous Martyr of Rome (July 26 th ) Saint Paraskeve, who was from a certain village near Rome, was born to pious parents, Agatho and Politia. Since she was born on a Friday (in Greek, Paraskeve), she was given this name, which means "preparation" or "preparedness" (compare Matt. 27:62, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54, and John 19:31, where 'Friday' is called "the day of the preparation"). From childhood she was instructed in the sacred letters and devoted herself to the study of the divine Scriptures, while leading a monastic life and guiding many to the Faith of Christ. During the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius, she was apprehended because she was a Christian and was urged to worship the idols, but she answered with the words of Jeremias: "Let the gods that have not made heaven and the earth perish from off the earth" (Jer. 10:11). Because of this she endured exceedingly painful torments, and was beheaded in the year 140. The faithful pray to her for the healing of eye ailments. GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS (continued) Empties4Cash: We are always accepting empty inkjet printer cartridges for recycling. Undamaged ORIGINAL cartridges with a print head qualify for payment -- that includes most Hewlett Packard, Lexmark, Canon, Dell, Sharp and Epson cartridges. The drop off box is located in the lobby of the Cultural Center. Help us recycle trash for cash! SHOP-RITE or 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. 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 iladelphia, 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. 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. Panteleimon the Great Martyr & Healer (July 27 th ) This Saint, who had Nicomedia as his homeland, was the son of Eustorgius and Eubula. His father was an idolater, but his mother was a Christian from her ancestors. It was through her that he was instructed in piety, and still later, he was catechized in the Faith of Christ by Saint Hermolaus (see July 26) and baptized by him. Being proficient in the physician's vocation, he practiced it in a philanthropic manner, healing every illness more by the grace of Christ than by medicines. Thus, although his parents had named him Pantoleon ("in all things a lion"), because of the compassion he showed for the souls and bodies of all, he was worthily renamed Panteleimon, meaning "all-merciful." On one occasion, when he restored the sight of a certain blind man by calling on the Divine Name, he enlightened also the eyes of this man's soul to the knowledge of the truth. This also became the cause for the martyrdom of him who had been blind, since when he was asked by whom and in what manner his eyes had been opened, in imitation of that blind man of the Gospel he confessed with boldness both who the physician was and the manner of his healing. For this he was put to death immediately. Panteleimon was arrested also, and having endured many wounds, he was finally beheaded in the year 305, during the reign of Maximian. Saint Panteleimon is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is held in special honor among them, even as Saint George is among the Martyrs.

SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS Paraklesis Services: During the first fifteen days of August the Church sets aside time for the Chanting of the Small Paraklesis Service. During the Service we honor the Theotokos and ask for her intercessions for those who are living. If you would like to submit names to be read, please list the BAPTISMAL FIRST NAMES ONLY (for example, Nicholas not Niko) of those living and return them to the Parish Office by August 1 st. FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PANGARI. Mon., July 27 th 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Panteleimon the Great Martyr Sat., Aug. 1 st Dormition fast begins Aug. 1 14 Mon., Aug. 3 rd 6:30 pm Paraklesis to the Theotokos Wed., Aug. 5 th 10:00 am Paraklesis to the Theotokos 6:30 pm Great Vespers Thurs., Aug. 6 th 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Holy Transfiguration The blessing of the grapes & fruit will follow. Please bring your favorite fruit to be blessed and shared! Fri., Aug. 7 th 6:30 pm Paraklesis to the Theotokos Mon., Aug. 10 th 6:30 pm Paraklesis to the Theotokos Wed., Aug. 12 th 10:00 am Paraklesis to the Theotokos Fri., Aug. 14 th 6:30 pm Great Vespers for Falling Asleep of the Theotokos Decoration of the Kouvouklion: On Friday, 8/14, starting at approximately 5:00 pm we will be decorating the kouvouklion with flowers for the Vesper Service and Divine Liturgy for the Falling Asleep of the Theotokos. Everyone is welcome to bring flowers from their gardens and to stay and help decorate the kouvouklion. Sat., Aug. 15h 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Dormition of the Theotokos Sat., Aug. 29 th 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Beheading of St. John the Baptist THIS IS A STRICT FAST DAY Tues., Sept. 1 st 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year Mon., Sept. 7 th Labor Day The Parish Office is Closed Tues., Sept. 8 th 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Nativity of the Theotokos Sept. 10-13 Thursday through Sunday Fall Grecian Festival Mon., Sept. 14 th 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Exaltation of the Holy Cross Wed., Sept. 16 th 6:30 pm Great Vespers for Feast of St. Sophia Thurs., Sept. 17 th 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Feast of St. Sophia Sun., Sept. 20 th WINTER HOURS RESUME 8:45 am Orthros; 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Sunday school begins Luncheon for Fr. Peter celebrating 10 years since his Ordination to the Priesthood. Mon., Sept. 21 st Greek school begins this week. Wed., Oct. 14 th Red Cross Blood Drive 2pm to 7pm July 26, 2015 8 th Sunday of Matthew Holymartyr Hermolaos & his Companions Righteous Virginmartyr Paraskevi of Rome Memorial Service: Today s memorial is being chanted for the souls of Michael Demetris (3 years), beloved brother of Gloria Metropoulos; Christine Demetris (10 years) and Thomas Demetris (25 years), beloved parents of Gloria Metropoulos; and Stavros Metropoulos (11 years), beloved father of Angelo Metropoulos. May their memory be eternal. Coffee Hour: Today s coffee hour is sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Angelo and Gloria Metropoulos in memory of their beloved family members. CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK Mon., July 27 th Tues., July 28 th Wed., July 29 th Thurs., July 30 th Friday, July 31 st GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Panteleimon the Great Martyr 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Festival Baking Spanakopita 6:00 pm Festival Meeting 6:30 pm Parish Council Meeting 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Festival Baking - Spanakopita 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Festival Baking - Spanakopita Fall Festival 2015: Organizational meetings for our fall festival will take place weekly on Mondays at 6:00 pm starting tomorrow, July 27 th. All those interested in participating are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, please call John Papadimitriou (484-620-1695) or the Parish office (610-650- 8960). Senior Citizen Ministry: St. Sophia s Senior Parea is open to all senior citizens of the community. The Senior Parea will be taking a break for the months of July and August and will resume weekly meetings in September. Meetings are held each Thursday in the Cultural Center from 10am to 12 noon. Greek School Registration: The Greek school 2015-16 registration form is available at the Pangari or on our website. For questions regarding the program, please contact Erietta Fotiadis at 484-716-6059 or eriettafotiadis@gmail.com AFTER September 10 th. For questions regarding registration, please contact Roula Matsiras at 484-744-9374 or rmatsiras@hotmail.com, or Christine Bailey at 610-256- 1087 or christinebailey@outlook.com. Please complete form and return along with your payment to St. Sophia Parish Office by August 30, 2015.