Monday January 4 Philoptochos MeeUng (7:00 pm) Sunday January 10 Philoptochos Vasilopita Sunday (AZer Liturgy)

ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY BULLETIN 27 December 2015 Filled with joy of heart today is the divine Prophet David, Joseph and Iakovos together offer up praises Εὐφροσύνης σήμερον, Δαυῒδ πληροῦται ὁ θεῖος, Ἰωσήφ τε αἴνεσιν, σὺν Ἰακώβῳ προσφέρει Sunday After the Nativity Tone Pl 1 Μετὰ τὴν Χριστοῦ Γεννήσεως Ἦχος πλ α Cathedral: 514 Parker Street, Boston, MA Office/Mailing Address: 162 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445 Phone: (617) 731-6633 Fax: (617) 730-2978 Fr. Demetri s cell: (617) 955 0126 www.bostoncathedral.org Upcoming Events Friday January 1 Feast of St. Basil: Orthros/Liturgy (8:45 am/10:00 am) Monday January 4 Philoptochos MeeUng (7:00 pm) Tuesday January 5 Theophany Eve: Vesperal Liturgy/Agiasmos (9:00 am) Wednesday January 6 Theophany: Orthros/Liturgy/Agiasmos (8:45/10:00 am) Sunday January 10 Philoptochos Vasilopita Sunday (AZer Liturgy) Sunday January 10 Parish Council AffirmaUon of Office (AZer Liturgy) Monday January 18 Youth Ski Trip to Pats Peak in NH Saturday January 30 Three Hierarchs: Orthros/Liturgy (8:45 am/10:00 am) Sunday January 31 Three Hierarchs Greek School PresentaUon Tuesday February 2 PresentaUon: Orthros/Liturgy (8:45 am/10:00 am) Sunday February 7 Godparent Sunday

ΚΑΘΕΔΡΙΚΟΣ ΝΑΟΣ ΝΕΑΣ ΑΓΓΛΙΑΣ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF NEW ENGLAND Rev. Fr. Demetrios E. Tonias, Ph.D., Cathedral Dean κζ Δεκεμβρίου,βιε Μετὰ τὴν Χριστοῦ Γεννήσεως Sunday After the Nativity 27 December 2015 Ἀπολυτίκια Ἦχος πλ. α Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ. Ἦχος β Εὐαγγελίζου Ἰωσήφ, τῷ Δαυῒδ τὰ θαύματα τῷ Θεοπάτορι Παρθένον εἶδες κυοφορήσασαν, μετὰ Μάγων προσεκύνησας, μετὰ Ποιμένων ἐδοξολόγησας, δι' Ἀγγέλου χρηματισθείς. Ἱκέτευε Χριστὸν τὸν Θεόν, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Ἦχος δ. Ταχὺ προκατάλαβε Βασίλειον διάδημα, ἐστέφθη σὴ κορυφή, ἐξ ἄθλων ὧν ὑπέμεινας, ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ, μαρτύρων Πρωτόαθλε σὺ γὰρ τὴν Ἰουδαίων ἀπελέγξας μανίαν, εἶδές σου τὸν Σωτῆρα, τοῦ Πατρὸς δεξιόθεν. Αὐτὸν οὖν ἐκδυσώπει ἀεί, ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν. Ἦχος δ Σήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν τὸ κεφάλαιον, καὶ τοῦ ἀπ αἰῶνος μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις ὁ Υἷός του Θεοῦ, υἱὸς τῆς Παρθένου γίνεται, καὶ Γαβριὴλ τὴν χάριν εὐαγγελίζεται. Διὸ καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ, τῇ Θεοτόκῳ βοήσωμεν Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Κύριος μετά σοῦ. Dismissal Hymns Mode pl. 1 The Co-Eternal Logos with Father and Spirit, * who from the Virgin was born for the salvation of us, * let us sing a hymn of praise and worship. * For He suffered in the flesh, * being raised upon the Cross and death He endured; * and raising the dead, * in the glory of His Resurrection. Mode 2 Annunciate the miracles to David the ancestor of God, O Joseph. You saw the Virgin pregnant. You glorified with the shepherds. You worshipped with the Magi. And you were warned by an Angel. Entreat Christ God to save our souls. Mode 4. Come quickly tephen, a crown of royalty was laid on your head * for contests you courageously endured for Christ our God, * as first among Martyr saints. * You stood in accusation of the raging Judeans; * and you saw your Savior at the right hand of the Father. * We pray that you will ever entreat Him to save our souls. Mode 4 Today mark s the crow ning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace. Wherefore, we also cry out with him, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Κοντάκιον Ἦχος γʹ. Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν ὑπερούσιον τίκτει, καὶ ἡ γῆ τὸ Σπήλαιον, τῷ ἀπροσίτῳ προσάγει. Ἄγγελοι μετὰ Ποιμένων δοξολογοῦσι. Μάγοι δὲ μετὰ ἀστέρος ὁδοιποροῦσι δι' ἡμᾶς γὰρ ἐγεννήθη, Παιδίον νέον, ὁ πρὸ αἰώνων Θεός. Kontakion Mode 3. The Virgin today gives birth to the Super-essential. To the Unapproachable, earth provides the grotto. Angels sing and with the shepherds offer glory. Following a star the Magi are proceeding. He was born for our salvation, a newborn Child, the pre-eternal God. Ἀπόστολος Πράξ. ς 8-15, ζ 1-5, 47-60 Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-5, 47-60 Epistle Ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις, Στέφανος πλήρης πίστεως καὶ δυνάμεως ἐποίει τέρατα καὶ σημεῖα μεγάλα ἐν τῷ λαῷ. Ἀνέστησαν δέ τινες τῶν ἐκ τῆς συναγωγῆς τῆς λεγομένης Λιβερτίνων καὶ Κυρηναίων καὶ Ἀλεξανδρέων καὶ τῶν ἀπὸ Κιλικίας καὶ Ἀσίας συζητοῦντες τῷ Στεφάνῳ καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυον ἀντιστῆναι τῇ σοφίᾳ καὶ τῷ Πνεύματι ᾧ ἐλάλει. Τότε ὑπέβαλον ἄνδρας λέγοντας ὅτι Ἀκηκόαμεν αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος ῥήματα βλάσφημα εἰς Μωϋσῆν καὶ τὸν Θεόν συνεκίνησάν τε τὸν λαὸν καὶ τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους καὶ τοὺς γραμματεῖς καὶ ἐπιστάντες συνήρπασαν αὐτὸν καὶ ἤγαγον εἰς τὸ συνέδριον ἔστησάν τε μάρτυρας ψευδεῖς λέγοντας Ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος οὐ παύεται ῥήματα βλασφημα λαλῶν κατὰ τοῦ τόπου τοῦ ἁγίου τούτου καὶ τοῦ νόμου ἀκηκόαμεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ λέγοντος ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος οὗτος καταλύσει τὸν τόπον τοῦτον καὶ ἀλλάξει τὰ ἔθη ἃ παρέδωκεν ἡμῖν Μωϋσῆς. Καὶ ἀτενίσαντες εἰς αὐτὸν ἅπαντες οἱ καθεζόμενοι ἐν τῷ συνεδρίῳ εἶδον τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ πρόσωπον ἀγγέλου. Εἶπε δὲ ὁ ἀρχιερεύς εἰ ἄρα ταῦτα οὕτως ἔχει; Ὁ δὲ ἔφη Ἄνδρες ἀδελφοὶ καὶ πατέρες, ἀκούσατε. ὁ Θεὸς τῆς δόξης ὤφθη τῷ πατρὶ ἡμῶν 'Αβραὰμ ὄντι ἐν τῇ Μεσοποταμίᾳ, πρὶν ἢ κατοικῆσαι αὐτὸν ἐν Χαρράν, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν ἔξελθε ἐκ τῆς γῆς σου καὶ ἐκ τῆς συγγενείας σου, καὶ δεῦρο εἰς γῆν In those days, Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated men, who said, " We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us." And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. And the high priest said, "Is this so?" And Stephen said: "Brethren and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, 'Depart from your land and from your kindred and go into the land which I will show you.' Then he departed from the land Continued on next page

ἣν ἄν σοι δείξω. Τότε ἐξελθὼν ἐκ γῆς Χαλδαίων κατῴκησεν ἐν Χαρράν. Κἀκεῖθεν μετὰ τὸ ἀποθανεῖν τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ μετῴκισεν αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν γῆν ταύτην εἰς ἣν ὑμεῖς νῦν κατοικεῖτε καὶ οὐκ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ κληρονομίαν ἐν αὐτῇ οὐδὲ βῆμα ποδός. Σολομὼν δὲ ᾠκοδόμησεν αὐτῷ οἶκον. Ἀλλ' οὐχ ὁ ὕψιστος ἐν χειροποιήτοις ναοῖς κατοικεῖ, καθὼς ὁ Προφήτης λέγει ὁ οὐρανός μοι θρόνος, ἡ δὲ γῆ ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν μου ποῖον οἶκον οἰκοδομήσετέ μοι, λέγει Κύριος, ἢ τίς τόπος τῆς καταπαύσεώς μου; Οὐχὶ ἡ χείρ μου ἐποίησε ταῦτα πάντα; Σκληροτράχηλοι καὶ ἀπερίτμητοι τῇ καρδίᾳ καὶ τοῖς ὠσίν, ὑμεῖς ἀεὶ τῷ Πνεύματι τῷ Αγίῳ ἀντιπίπτετε, ὡς οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν καὶ ὑμεῖς. Τίνα τῶν προφητῶν οὐκ ἐδίωξαν οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν; καὶ ἀπέκτειναν τοὺς προκαταγγείλαντας περὶ τῆς ἐλεύσεως τοῦ δικαίου, οὗ νῦν ὑμεῖς προδόται καὶ φονεῖς γεγένησθε οἵτινες ἐλάβετε τὸν νόμον εἰς διαταγὰς ἀγγέλων, καὶ οὐκ ἐφυλάξατε. 'Ακούοντες δὲ ταῦτα διεπρίοντο ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν καὶ ἔβρυχον ἐπ' αὐτόν τοὺς ὀδόντας. Ὑπάρχων δὲ πλήρης Πνεύματος Αγίου, ἀτενίσας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἶδε δόξαν Θεοῦ καὶ 'Ιησοῦν ἑστῶτα ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ θεωρῶ τοὺς οὐρανοὺς ἀνεῳγμένους καὶ τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἑστῶτα. Κράξαντες δὲ φωνῇ μεγάλῃ συνέσχον τὰ ὦτα αὐτῶν καὶ ὥρμησαν ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐπ' αὐτόν, καὶ ἐκβαλόντες ἔξω τῆς πόλεως ἐλιθοβόλουν. Καὶ οἱ μάρτυρες ἀπέθεντο τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν παρὰ τοὺς πόδας νεανίου καλουμένου Σαύλου, καὶ ἐλιθοβόλουν τὸν Στέφανον, ἐπικαλούμενον καὶ λέγοντα Κύριε 'Ιησοῦ, δέξαι τὸ πνεῦμά μου. Θεὶς δὲ τὰ γόνατα ἔκραξε φωνῇ μεγάλῃ Κύριε, μὴ στήσῃς αὐτοῖς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ταύτην. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐκοιμήθη. of the Chaldeans, and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living; yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised to give it to him in possession and to his posterity after him, though he had no child. But it was Solomon who built a house for him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands; as the prophet says, 'Heaven is my throne, and earth my footstool. What house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?' You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it." Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth against him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together upon him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Εὐαγγέλιον Ματθ. β 13-23 Matthew 2:13-23 Gospel Ἀναχωρησάντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου φαίνεται κατ ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ λέγων ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ φεῦγε εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ ἴσθι ἐκεῖ ἕως ἂν εἴπω σοι μέλλει γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ζητεῖν τὸ παιδίον τοῦ ἀπολέσαι αὐτό. Ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ νυκτὸς καὶ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον,καὶ ἦν ἐκεῖ ἕως τῆς τελευτῆς Ἡρῴδου, ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἐκάλεσα τὸν υἱόν μου. Τότε Ἡρῴδης ἰδὼν ὅτι ἐνεπαίχθη ὑπὸ τῶν μάγων, ἐθυμώθη λίαν, καὶ ἀποστείλας ἀνεῖλε πάντας τοὺς παῖδας τοὺς ἐν Βηθλεὲμ καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτῆς ἀπὸ διετοῦς καὶ κατωτέρω, κατὰ τὸν χρόνον ὃν ἠκρίβωσε παρὰ τῶν μάγων.τότε ἐπληρώθη τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ Ἱερεμίου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος φωνὴ ἐν Ῥαμᾷ ἠκούσθη, θρῆνος καὶ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὀδυρμὸς πολύς Ῥαχὴλ κλαίουσα τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς,καὶ οὐκ ἤθελε παρακληθῆναι, ὅτι οὐκ εἰσίν. Τελευτήσαντος δὲ τοῦ Ηρῴδου ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου κατ ὄναρ φαίνεται τῷ Ἰωσὴφ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳλέγων ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ πορεύου εἰς γῆν Ισραήλ τεθνήκασι γὰρ οἱ ζητοῦντες τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ παιδίου.ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς γῆν Ισραήλ.ἀκούσας δὲ ὅτι Αρχέλαος βασιλεύει ἐπὶ τῆς Ιουδαίας ἀντὶ Ηρῴδου τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, ἐφοβήθη ἐκεῖ ἀπελθεῖν χρηματισθεὶς δὲ κατ ὄναρ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη τῆς Γαλιλαίας,καὶ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς πόλιν λεγομένην Ναζαρέτ, ὅπως πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν ὅτι Ναζωραῖος κληθήσεται. When the Magi had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son." Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more." But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaos reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen The Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen was the eldest of the seven deacons, appointed by the Apostles themselves, and therefore he is called archdeacon. He was the first Christian martyr, and he suffered for Christ when he was about thirty. In the words of Asterias, he was the starting point of the martyrs, the instructor of suffering for Christ, the foundation of righteous confession, since Stephen was the first to shed his blood for the Gospel. Filled with the Holy Spirit, St Stephen preached Christianity and defeated Jewish teachers of the Law in debate. The Jews maligned St Stephen, saying that he had uttered blasphemy against God and against Moses. St Stephen came before the Sanhedrin and the High Priest to answer these charges. He gave a fiery speech, in which he recounted the history of the Jewish nation, and denounced the Jews for persecuting the prophets, and also for executing the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ (Acts ch. 7). 27 December During his speech, St Stephen suddenly saw the heavens opened and Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God. The Jews shouted and covered their ears, and rushed at him. They dragged him out of the city and stoned him, but the holy martyr prayed for his murderers. Far off on the heights stood the Mother of God with the holy Apostle John the Theologian, and She prayed fervently for the martyr. Before his death St Stephen said, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. O Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. Then he joyfully gave up his pure soul to Christ. The body of the holy Protomartyr Stephen, left to be eaten by beasts, was secretly taken up by the Jewish teacher Gamaliel and his son Habib, who buried Stephen on his estate. They both believed in Christ, and later received holy Baptism. St Stephen is also commemorated on August 2 (Translation of his relics) and on September 15 (Uncovering of his relics in the year 415). Ss. Joseph, David, and James Sunday after Christmas The Holy Prophet-King David, St Joseph the Betrothed, and St James the Brother of the Lord are commemorated on the Sunday after the Nativity. If there is no Sunday between December 25 and January 1, their commemoration is moved to December 26. At an early date, some churches in the East began to commemorate certain important figures of the New Testament at the time of Theophany, and later during the Nativity season. In Syria, for example, St Stephen (December 27), Sts James (April 30) and John (September 26), and Sts Peter and Paul ( June 29) were commemorated near the end of December. In Jerusalem, the saints mentioned above were combined with a feast that the Jews of Hebron celebrated on December 25 or 26 in honor of the Old Testament Patriarch Jacob. Later on, the Christians substituted St James (October 23) for Jacob, and then the commemoration of the Brother of the Lord became associated with his ancestor King David. In time, St. Joseph was linked with Sts David and James.

(F) Fas?ng Day

Ὁ Ἅγιος Στέφανος ὁ Πρωτομάρτυρας Ἦταν ἕνας ἀπὸ τοὺς πιὸ διακεκριμένους μεταξὺ τῶν ἑπτὰ διακόνων, ποὺ ἐξέ εξαν οἱ πρῶτοι χριστιανοὶ γιὰ νὰ ἐπιστατοῦν στὶς κοινὲς τράπεζες τῶν ἀδελφῶν, ὥστε νὰ μὴ γίνονται λάθη. Ἂν καὶ κουραστικὴ ἡ εὐθύνη τοῦ ἐπιστάτη γιὰ τόσους ἀδελφούς, παρ ὅ α αὐτὰ ὁ Στέφανος ἔβρισκε καιρὸ καὶ δύναμη γιὰ νὰ κηρύττει τὸ Εὐαγγέ ιο τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Καὶ ὅπως ἀναφέρει ἡ Ἁγία Γραφή, «Στέφανος πλήρης πίστεως καὶ δυνάμεως ἐποίει τέρατα καὶ σημεῖα μεγά α ἐν τῷ λαῷ» (Πράξεις τῶν Ἀποστό ων στ 8 15, ζ 1 60). Δηλαδὴ ὁ Στέφανος, ποὺ ἦταν γεμάτος πίστη καὶ χάρισμα εὐγλωττίας, ἔκανε μεταξὺ τοῦ λαοῦ μεγά α θαύματα, ποὺ προκαλοῦσαν κατάπληξη καὶ ἀποδείκνυαν τὴν ἀ ήθεια τοῦ χριστιανικοῦ κηρύγματος. Οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ὅμως, καθὼς ἦταν προκατειλημμένοι, Ὁ Ἅγιος Θεόδωρος ὁ Γραπτὸς Ἦταν γιὸς τοῦ Ἰωανᾶ, ἀπὸ τὴν Παλαιστίνη, καὶ ὑπῆρξε μαθητὴς μαζὶ μὲ τὸν ἀδελφό του Θεοφάνη, στὴν μονὴ τοῦ Ἁγίου Σάββα. Στὰ χρόνια τοῦ βασιλιὰ Λέοντα τοῦ Ε ἦ θαν στὴν Κωνσταντινούπολη, ἀ ὰ καὶ οἱ δύο γιὰ τὸ ζήτημα τῶν ἁγίων εἰκόνων, περιορίστηκαν σὲ κάποια Μονὴ στὸ Στόμιο τῆς Μαύρης Θά ασσας. Ὁ βασιλιὰς Μιχαὴ ὁ Τραυλὸς τοὺς ἐπανέφερε, ἀ ὰ αὐτοὶ δὲν θέ ησαν νὰ ἐξαγοράσουν τὴν ἡσυχία τους μὲ ἀδιαφορία στὰ ἐκκλησιαστικὰ ζητήματα καὶ νὰ νεκρώσουν τὶς ἱερὲς πεποιθήσεις τους. Γι αὐτὸ ἐκδή ωσαν μὲ θάρρος τὰ φρονήματά τους καὶ ἔτσι πά ι περιορίστηκαν ἀπὸ τὸν βασιλιά, σὲ κάποιο τόπο κοντὰ στὸ Σωσθένιο. Ἀργότερα ἐπὶ Θεοφί ου τοῦ Εἰκονομάχου, στά θηκαν στὴν Ἀφουσία. Ἂν καὶ ἐκεῖ εἶχαν μείνει πο ὰ χρόνια καὶ εἶχαν αὐστηρὴ ἐπιτήρηση, αὐτοὶ ἐξακολουθοῦσαν νὰ 27 Δεκεµβρίου ἐξαπέ υσαν συκοφάντες ἀνάμεσα στὸν λαό, ποὺ διέδιδαν ὅτι ἄκουσαν τὸν Στέφανο νὰ β ασφημεῖ τὸ Μωϋσῆ καὶ τὸν Θεό. Μὲ ἀφορμὴ λοιπὸν αὐτὲς τὶς συκοφαντίες, ποὺ οἱ ἴδιοι εἶχαν ἐνσπείρει, ἅρπαξαν μὲ μίσος τὸν Στέφανο καὶ τὸν ὁδήγησαν μπροστὰ στὸ Συνέδριο, τάχα γιὰ νὰ ἀπολογηθεῖ. Ἡ ἀπολογία τοῦ Στεφάνου ὑπῆρξε πρότυπο τό μης καὶ θάρρους. Χωρὶς νὰ φοβηθεῖ καθό ου, ἐξαπέ υσε λόγια κεραυνοὺς ἐναντίον τῶν Ἰουδαίων. Καὶ ἀπὸ ὑπόδικος, ὀρθώθηκε θυε ώδης ἐ εγκτὴς καὶ κατήγορος. Τότε, ἀκράτητοι ἀπὸ τὸ μίσος οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι, τὸν ἔσυραν ἔξω ἀπὸ τὴν πό η, ὅπου τὸν θανάτωσαν μὲ λιθοβολισμό. Ἐκεῖ φάνηκε καὶ ἡ μεγά η συγχωρητικότητα τοῦ Στεφάνου πρὸς τοὺς ἐχθρούς του μὲ τὴν φράση του, «Κύριε, μὴ στήσης αὐτοῖς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ταύτην». Κύριε, μὴ λογαριάσεις σ αὐτοὺς τὴν ἁμαρτία αὐτή. 27 Δεκεµβρίου φωνάζουν κατὰ τῆς εἰκονομαχίας. Τότε ὁ Θεόφιλος, γεμάτος θυμό, τοὺς ἔφερε στὴν Κωνσταντινούπολη, ὅπου τοὺς μαστίγωσε ἀνελέητα. Καὶ κατόπιν χάραξε στὰ μέτωπά τους μὲ πυρακτωμένο σίδερο, δώδεκα στίχους γιὰ νὰ τοὺς στιγματίσει. Ἀπ αὐτὴ τὴν αἰτία ὀνομάστηκαν καὶ οἱ δυὸ Γραπτοί. Ἐπὶ δὲ τοῦ Πατριάρχου Ἰωάννου Ζ, ἐξορίστηκαν πά ι στὴν Ἀπάμεια τῆς Βιθυνίας, ὅπου ὁ Θεόδωρος πέθανε καὶ τάφηκε ἀπὸ τὸν ἀδελφό του Θεοφάνη. Ἀργότερα τὸ λείψανό του μεταφέρθηκε στὴ Χαλκηδόνα. Ὁ ἑορτασμός του μᾶς ὑπενθυμίζει πόσους ἀγῶνες κίνησαν οἱ πιστοί, γιὰ νὰ διαφυλαχτεῖ ἡ ὀρθόδοξη διδασκαλία καὶ λατρεία. Καὶ γιὰ τ ἀδέ φια δίνει λαμπρὸ μάθημα, γιὰ τὸ ὅτι δὲν ὑπάρχει τίποτα συγκινητικότερο καὶ τιμητικότερο, ἀπὸ τὸ νὰ ζοῦν ἀφοσιωμένοι μέχρι θανάτου γιὰ τὴ νίκη τῆς ὀρθόδοξης Ἐκκλησίας.

STEWARDSHIP REPORT AS OF 12 18-2015 Stewards pledged this far: 270 Total pledged for 2015 thus far: $156,501 Rev. Dr. Demetrios & Pr. Maryann Tonias & Family Mr. Chris Afendulis & Ms. Claudine Gay Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios T. Akrivlellis Ms. Bessie Andersen Mrs. Fotene Andreadis Mrs. Calliope Andreadis Mr. & Mrs. Paul Angelopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Anton Dr. Marica Arvanites Mr. Aristides Athanasopoulos & Mrs. Angela Divaris Ms. Krystal Babalas Mr. Peter Badavas Mr. & Mrs. Robert P Badavas Ms. Stephanie Badavas Mr. & Mrs. Damon S. Bakas Ms. Joanna Bakas Mrs. Christine Bakos Ms. Natalie Bassil Ms. Nancy Batsinelas Mrs. Tizita Bekele Mr. & Mrs. Van Benno Mr. Charles C. Beretsos Mr. & Mrs. Triantafillos K Blathras Mr. & Mrs. James Boujoukos Mr. & Mrs. James G. Boulogiane Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Bouritsas Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Bourloukas Ms. Christina Bowles Mrs. Helen Cakridas Mr. & Mrs. Constintine P. Calliontzis Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Caparell Alexander & Lela Caros Ms. Eugenia M Carris & John Livingston Mrs. Mary A. Carris Mr. & Mrs. William Christina Mrs. Antonia Chronis & Mr. Bill Jennings Ms. Mary Cleary Ms. Maria Clessas Mr. Peter N. Collatos Mr. Peter L. Condakes & Dr. Pamela Pappas Ms. Alexandra Connors Ms. Doris S. Conomos Ms. Pauline P. Coutlis Mr. Robert C. Crisafi Mr. & Mrs. Paul T. Critikos Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Critikos Mr. & Mrs. John Dakoyannis Mr. & Mrs. Euripides Dalmanieras Mr. & Mrs. Angelos Davos Mr. & Mrs. Louis A. Delpidio Ms. Ellen-Marie Demeter Mr. John Demopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Theodoros Dimitriou Ms. Asemena T. Dodge Ms. Emily Dotsias Mr. Charles J. Doulos Mr. Chris C. Dracopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Dragotakes Hon. Michael S. & Mrs. Kitty Dukakis Mr. & Mrs. George C. Dukas Ms. Marie E. Dukas Mr. Nicolaos Economou & Ms. Frederika Tingus Mr. & Mrs. Stefanos Efstratoudakis Mrs. Maria Efteriades Mrs. Alexandra Eliopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Charles P. Eliopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Jason Ellis Mr. John A. Eustis Mr. & Mrs. William Evangelakos Ms. Georgia Flessas Mrs. Penelope Flessas Mr. Polivios P. Flessas Mr. Theodore Flessas Mr. & Mrs. Angelos Fotopoulos Mr. & Mrs. John N. Foundas Atty. & Mrs. Nicholas Foundas Mr. Peter Foundas Ms. Stacey K. Foundas Dr. Calliope Galatis Mrs. Gerasimos Galatis Mr. & Mrs. John K. Galatis Ms. Dimitra Gardikas Ms. Francis Gardikas & Mr. Patrick Sheehan Mrs. Acrive Geanakakis Mr. David C. Geanakakis Mr. & Mrs. George W. Georgaklis Ms. Susan Georgantas Ms. Marie Georgelis Mr. Charles Georgenes Mr. & Mrs. John Georgountzos Mr. & Mrs. Vassilios Georgountzos Drs. Iraklis & Sheila Gerogiannis Mr. & Mrs. Lazaros Giannakopoulos Mr. Savvas Gianasmidis & Family Mrs. Marina Gianoukos Mr. & Mrs. George Glaropoulos Ms. Helen Gomez Ms. Faith Gordon Ms. Virginia & Sophia Gregory Mr. Edwin M. Guarin Mr. & Mrs. Chris Guerriero Dr. Christopher Gussis Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Hanna Mrs. Georgia Haramis Ms. Stella X. Harris Mr. & Mrs. Christos Hasiotis Dr. & Mrs. George A. Hasiotis Miss Mary Hatzis Miss Alice Haveles Mr. & Mrs. George-Phidipides Ikonomou Ms. Kaye Jaravinos Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Jeas Mr. & Mrs. George Jeas Mrs. Helen Johnson Ms. Elizabeth Kalemos & Mr. Nicholas Phelps Mr. Philip S. Kallan Ms. Joanne B. Kalliavas Mr. & Mrs. Arthur W. Kanavos Mr. Steven Kandianis Mr. & Mrs. William Kantaros Mrs. Mary Kapsaskis Dr. Miltiades Karamechedis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Karatzas Mr. Christos Karimbakas Mr. & Mrs. James Karimbakas Ms. Pauline Karistianos

Mr. George Karniadakis & Mrs. Helen Christou Mr. Chris Karys Ms. Halen J. Karys Mr. & Mrs. James Kaselis Mr. Erotokritos Katsavounidis Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Kavaltzis Ms. Irene Kavas Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Kechris Mrs. Lula Kiflit Miss Chrisanthe Kladitis Mr. & Mrs. George Klapes Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Kleitsas Mr. Martin E. Kolewe & Mrs. Christina Vasalou Mr & Mrs. Demetrios Kolovos Mrs. Angela Korikis Mrs. Popy Koshivos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas P. Koskores Mrs. Athena Kotarides Ms. Bessie Kotsakis Dr. Maria Koulmanda Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Koumarianos Mr. & Mrs. Paul Koutris Ms. Susan Kustich Ms. Christina M. Kyriakides Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Kyriakou Dr. Constantinos Laskarides & Dr. Vasiliki Tsakalelli Ms. Elaine Calliontzis Lacey Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Legelis Mrs. Anna Lemonias Mr. Constantine Limberakis Mr. Costandine Machakos Mr. & Mrs. Konstantine T. Magganaris Mr. James P. Maimonis Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Malatos Mrs. Kostula Makris Mrs. William F. Manley Ms. Elaine Marks Mr. & Mrs. Stephen C. Marks Mr. Alex Mavradis Mr. Theodore S. Mavrikos Mrs. Sophia P. McBrine Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Meletlidis Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Milonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Gustas S. Misail Drs. Alex Mitsialis & Stella Kourembanas Mr. & Mrs. Anestis Moulis Dr. Vasilios Mourmoutis & Ms. Joanna Chanis Mr. Harry M. Nahatis Ms. Elizabeth Naoum Mr. & Mrs. George J. Niakaros Mr. Dimitri Nionakis & Ms. Maria Nanis Ms. Joanna Orphanos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas J. Orphanos Mrs. Theone V. Orphanos Mr. Paul Pagounis Mr. Epaminondas E. Pamfilis & Barbara D. Kakoutsis Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Panagopoulos Ms. Portia Pantages Mrs. Athanasia Papadakis Mr. Dean Papademetriou Mrs. Ekaterini Papadopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Papadopoulos Mr. Derek Papagionopoulos Ms. Maria Papagianopoulos Mr. William Papagianopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Papagiorgakis Mr. John C. Papajohn Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios K. Papaslis Mr. & Mrs. Eleftherios K. Papaslis Mrs. Rhoe Papoulias Miss Sofia Paraskevas Mrs. Andreana Pavlos & Family Ms. Angelica Perrone & Shown Johanson Mr. & Mrs. Peter Philipoppoulos Ms. Katherine A. Phillips Ms. Cornelia Photopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Demetris S. Photopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Nick Ploumis Mr. & Mrs. Ioakim Protopappas Mr. Michael Psikarakis & Mrs. Alexandra Demeter Psikarakis Ms. Georgia Racheotes Mr. Nicholas S. Racheotes Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas P. Racheotes Mrs. Patricia S. Redmond Mr. & Mrs. Michael Roussas Mr. & Mrs. Peter G. Salidas Ms. Bessie Samiotes Mr. David J. Santino & Ms. Effie Hatzimichael Mr. & Mrs. Tomas Saravelas Ms. Maria Scarlatos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Scarlatos Atty. & Mrs. Peter A. Senopoulos Ms. Desi Sideropoulos Ms. Sodira Sideropoulos Ms. Thalia Sideropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Smith Ms. Evangeline Spanos Ms. Stephanie Spiliakos Mr. & Mrs. Paul Stamatos Ms. Maria Stata Ms. Anne Marie Stathis Mr. Louis C. Stathis Ms. Pauline A. Stathis Ms. Stela S. Striligas & Mr. Gabriel Almodovar Ms. Victoria Striligas Atty. Peter H. Sutton Mr. & Mrs. John Tamvakologos Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Tassiopoulos Ms. Maria Tassiopoulos Ms. Angeline D. Theodore Mrs. Maria Theodore Ms. Maria Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Triantos Thomas Ms. Mary V. Thomopoulos Mr. & Mrs. John Torres Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Torski Dr. James P. Toyias Mr. Christopher J. Trakas Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Travayiakis Mr. & Mrs. Ross N. Triant Mr. & Mrs. James M. Tringas Ms. Marigoula Troubalos Mr. Sotiris Tsingos & Mrs. Jennifer Capone Ms. Vasilika D. Tsucalas Ms. Aleka Towers Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Tzigizis Mrs. Theodosia Tzimorangas Ms. Pauline V. Valavanis Dr. & Mrs. Vassili Valayannopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Varitimidis Dr. Pantel S. Vokonas Mr. Socrates Vrattos Dawit Woldu & Feven Ghebremichael Mr. & Mrs. Charles Williams Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Woods Mr. Dimitrios Zaferacopoulos Mr. Nikolaos Zaferacopoulos Mrs. Nuala Zaferacopoulos-Doherty Ms Maria Zafferes Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Zedros Ms. Mary Zetes Mr. Peter J. Zetes

Announcements WELCOME TO ALL VISITORS: For those visiting an Orthodox Church for the first time, please be aware that Holy Communion is a sign of unity of faith which is only offered to Baptized or Chrismated Orthodox Christians. All present are welcome, however, to partake of the antidoro (blessed bread) which is distributed at the end of the service. Those interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith, please feel free to see Fr. Demetri after the service. This week, to assist you in the Narthex we have at the Pangary: Marica Arvanites, Mary Hanna; Greeter: Lula Kiflit; Ushers: George Niakaros, Chris Karimbakas, Angela Theodore, Simone Dodge. MEMORIAL PRAYERS: Memorial service is offered today for the repose of the soul of Mary Condakes (1 year). May her memory be eternal! The Altar flowers and candles are offered in memory of Mary Condakes by her family. Please join us for fellowship immediately following the Liturgy in the Anastasia and Spiro Davis Hall. The fellowship hour will be offered in memory of Mary Condakes by her family. DONATION: In memory of James P. Lemonias: Ms. Jeanne McHallam, Ms. Claire Hamm, Mr. Ike Kontrakul (Preeyaboon Kontrakul), Mr. & Mrs. Ramiro J. Ferreira, Jr. FEAST OF THE ST. BASIL: On Friday, January 1, Feast of St. Basil, Orthros will start at 8:45 am followed by the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. THEOPHANY EVE & THEOPHANY: On Tuesday, January 5, the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great will start at 9:00 am followed by the Agiasmos, and on Wednesday, January 6, Orthros will start at 8:45 am followed by the Divine Liturgy and the Agiasmos. PHILOPTOCHOS VASILOPITA SUNDAY: Our Ladies Philoptochos Society will host the Annual Vasilopita on Sunday, January 10. Please join us as we ask God for His blessings in the New Year and honor our Father Among the Saints Basil the Great. ANNUAL NEW YEAR S RAFFLE: Help our Cathedral usher in the New Year by offering a donation toward our Annual New Year s Raffle. Let s make 2016 a year of great success here at the Cathedral! May you and your families have a blessed and fruitful New Year. The drawing will be held on January 10th. PHILOPTOCHOS VASILOPITA SUNDAY: Our Ladies Philoptochos Society will host the Annual Vasilopita on Sunday, January 10. Please join us as we ask God for His blessings in the New Year and honor our Father Among the Saints Basil the Great. LUNCHEON HONORING DEAN LIMBERAKIS: On Sunday, January 17 we will honor our choirmaster Mr. Constantine Limberakis. Please save the date. YOUTH SKI TRIP: Join us on Monday, January 18 for our Cathedral Youth Ski Trip. We will meet at the mountain at noon and we will enjoy an afternoon of skiing, tubing and pizza. For more information please contact the Cathedral office.

Ανακοινώσεις ΚΑΛΩΣOΡΙΣΜΑ: Για όσους επισκέπτονται την Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία για πρώτη φορά, θα πρέπει να γνωρίζουν ότι η Θεία Κοινωνία είναι το σύμβολο της ενότητας της πίστεως, το οποίο προσφέρεται μόνο σε όσους έχουν βαπτιστεί ή χριστεί Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί. Όλοι οι παρευρισκόμενοι ωστόσο, είναι ευπρόσδεκτοι να λάβουν το Αντίδωρο (ή ευλογημένο ψωμί), το οποίο διανέμεται μετά το τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας. Όσοι ενδιαφέρεστε να μάθετε περισσότερα για την Ορθόδοξη Χριστιανική Πίστη, μη διστάσετε να μιλήσετε στον Πατέρα Δημήτριο μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. Αυτή την εβδομάδα θα βοηθήσουν στο Παγκάρι: Angela Theodore, Chris Karimbakas, Υποδοχή: Simone Dodge, Δίσκος: Marica Arvanites, Mary Hanna, Lula Kiflit, George Niakaros. ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ: Σήμερα τελούμε επιμνημόσυνη δέηση υπέρ αναπαύσεως της ψυxής της κεκοιμημένης δούλης του Θεού Μαίρης Κοντάκη (1 έτος). Αιωνία αυτής η μνήμη! Τα λουλούδια και τα κεριά προσφέρονται εις μνήμη της Μαίρης Κοντάκη από την οικογένειά της. Παρακαλείσθε όπως παραβρεθείτε μετά το τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας στη Αίθουσα Αναστασίας και Σπυρίδωνος Davis όπου θα προσφερθούν καφές και εδέσματα εις μνήμη της Μαίρης Κοντάκη από την οικογένειά της. ΔΩΡΕΑ: Εις μνήμη του Δημητρίου Π. Λεμονιά: Ms. Jeanne McHallam, Ms. Claire Hamm, Mr. Ike Kontrakul (Preeyaboon Kontrakul), Mr. & Mrs. Ramiro J. Ferreira, Jr. ΕΟΡΤΗ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΥ: Την Παρασκευή, 1 Ιανουαρίου θα εορτάσουμε την εορτή του Αγίου Βασιλείου του Μεγάλου με την Λειτουργία του Μεγάλου Βασιλείου. Ο Όρθρος θα αρχίσει στις 8:45 π.μ. και θα ακολουθήσει η Θεία Λειτουργία στις 10:00 π.μ. ΕΟΡΤΗ ΤΩΝ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΩΝ: Την Τρίτη, 5 Ιανουαρίου, παραμονή των Θεοφανείων και την Τετάρτη 6 Ιανουαρίου, ημέρα των Θεοφανείων, ο Όρθρος θα αρχίσει στις 8:45 πμ και θα ακολουθήσει η Θεία Λειτουργία και ο Μέγας Αγιασμός των Υδάτων. ΚΟΠΗ ΒΑΣΙΛΟΠΙΤΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΤΩΧΟΥ: Την Κυριακή, 10 Ιανουαρίου θα γίνει η καθιερωμένη ετήσια κοπή της Βασιλόπιτας για το Νέο Έτος 2016 πού προσφέρεται από τις Κυρίες της Φιλοπτώχου. Ευελπιστούμε όπως παραβρεθείτε, για να ζητήσουμε όλοι μαζί από τον Kύριο τις Ευλογίες Του γιά την Καινούργια Χρονιά και να τιμήσουμε την εορτή του Οσίου Πατρός ημών Βασιλείου του Μεγάλου. ΕΤΗΣΙΟ ΠΡΩΤΟΧΡΟΝΙΑΤΙΚΟ ΛΑΧΕΙΟ: Υπολογίζουμε στην αμέριστη βοήθειά σας και ευελπιστούμε στην γενναιοδωρία σας και την προσφορά σας για την Ετήσια Πρωτοχρονιάτικη Λαχειοφόρο, που θα γίνει τη Κυριακή 10 Ιανουαρίου, μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία και που θα βοηθήσει τον Καθεδρικό Ναό μας. Ας κάνουμε το 2016 μια χρονιά μεγάλης επιτυχίας! Ευχόμαστε σε εσάς και τις οικογένειές σας Χρόνια Πολλά, Ευλογημένο και Καρποφόρο το Νέο Έτος. Εάν έχετε ανακοινώσεις για το ενημερωτικό δελτίο, παρακαλούμε να τις υποβάλλετε στο Γραφείο της Εκκλησίας μέχρι και την Τετάρτη.