Sunday Bulletin July 12, 2015 6th Sunday of Matthew Proklos & Hilarios of Ancyra ; Michael Maleinus Transfiguration of our Lord Greek Orthodox Church 414 St. Stephens School Road Austin, Texas 78746 (512) 329-6363 email - office@transfiguration.org website - www.transfiguration.org Sunday Service Schedule Orthros 8:15am; Divine Liturgy 9:30am Reverend Fr. Vasileios Flegas, Proistamenos 512-574-1972
Hymns Resurrection Hymn 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. Ton sinanarhon Logon Patri ke Pnevmati, ton ek Parthenu tekthenta is sotirian imon, animnisomen pisti ke proskinisomen, oti ivthokese sarki, anelthin en to stavro, ke thanaton ipomine, ke egire tus tethneotas, en ti enthoxo Anastasi aftu. Eternal with the Father and the Spirit is the Word, Who of a Virgin was begotten for our salvation. As the faithful we both praise and worship Him, for in the flesh did He consent to ascend unto the Cross, and death did He endure and He raised unto life the dead through His all glorious resurrection. Hymn for St. Paisios Τῶν Φαράσων τὸν γόνον, καὶ τοῦ Ἄθωνος κλέϊσμα, καὶ τῶν ἀπ αἰῶνος ὁσίων, μιμητὴν καὶ ἰσότιμον, Παΐσιον τιμήσωμεν πιστοί, τὸ σκεῦος χαρισμάτων τὸ μεστόν, ὡς φυλάσσοντα ἐκ πάντων τῶν λυπηρῶν, τοὺς πίστει ἀνακράζοντας Δόξα τῷ δεδωκότι σοι ἰσχύν, δόξα τῷ σὲ στεφανώσαντι, δόξα τῷ ἐνεργοῦντι διὰ σοῦ, πᾶσιν ἰάματα. O believers, let us honor that offspring of Farasa, the pride and joy of Athos, and a vessel full of gifts of grace, Paisios, the peer of the devout monastic saints for imitating them. He protects from all distress and from worldly grief the people who cry out with faith: "Glory to Christ who gave you His might; glory to Him who put a crown on you; glory to Him who through you is working cures for all." Hymn for the Transfiguration of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Μετεμορθώθης εν τώ όρει Χριστέ ο Θεός, δείξας τοίς Μαθηταίς σου τήν δόξαν σου, καθώς ήδυναντο, Λάμψον καί ημίν τοίς αμαρτωλοίς, τό φώς σου τό αϊδιον, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, φωτοδότα δόξα σοι. Metemorfothis en to ori, Christe o Theos, dixas tis mathites Sou tin doxan Sou, kathos idynando Lampson ke imin tis amartolis to fos Sou to aidion, presvies tis Theotokou Fotodota doxa Si. When O Christ our God Thou wast Transfigured on the mountain Thou didst reveal Thy glory to Thy disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners. By the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Thou Bestower of light, glory to Thee Kontakion 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. Prostasia ton Xristianon akatesxinte, mesiteia pros ton Poiitin ametathete, me paridis amartolon deiseon fonas, alla profthason os agathi, is tin voithian imon, ton pistos kravgazonton si; Taxinon is presveian, kai spefson is ikesian, I prostatevousa ai, Theotoke ton timonton se. A protection of Christians unshamable, Intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, 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,
Epistle - St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 12:6-14 BRETHREN, having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Gospel - Matthew 9:1-8 At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic - - "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. Ἀδελφοί, ἔοντες δὲ χαρίσματα κατὰ τὴν χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσαν ἡμῖν διάφορα, εἴτε προφητείαν, κατὰ τὴν ἀναλογίαν τῆς πίστεως εἴτε διακονίαν, ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ εἴτε ὁ διδάσκων, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ εἴτε ὁ παρακαλῶν, ἐν τῇ παρακλήσει ὁ μεταδιδούς, ἐν ἁπλότητι ὁ προϊστάμενος, ἐν σπουδῇ ὁ ἐλεῶν, ἐν ἱλαρότητι. Ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος. Ἀποστυγοῦντες τὸ πονηρόν, κολλώμενοι τῷ ἀγαθῷ. Τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ εἰς ἀλλήλους φιλόστοργοι τῇ τιμῇ ἀλλήλους προηγούμενοι τῇ σπουδῇ μὴ ὀκνηροί τῷ πνεύματι ζέοντες τῷ κυρίῳ δουλεύοντες τῇ ἐλπίδι χαίροντες τῇ θλίψει ὑπομένοντες τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτεροῦντες ταῖς χρείαις τῶν ἁγίων κοινωνοῦντες τὴν φιλοξενίαν διώκοντες. Εὐλογεῖτε τοὺς διώκοντας ὑμᾶς εὐλογεῖτε, καὶ μὴ καταρᾶσθε Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον διεπέρασε καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ προσέφερον αὐτῷ παραλυτικὸν ἐπὶ κλίνης βεβλημένον καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν εἶπε τῷ παραλυτικῷ θάρσει, τέκνον ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. καὶ ἰδού τινες τῶν γραμματέων εἶπον ἐν ἑαυτοῖς οὗτος βλασφημεῖ. καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ Ιησοῦς τὰς ἐνθυμήσεις αὐτῶν εἶπεν ἵνα τί ὑμεῖς ἐνθυμεῖσθε πονηρὰ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί γάρ ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας - τότε λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ ἐγερθεὶς ἆρόν σου τὴν κλίνην καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἐγερθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ. ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ὄχλοι ἐθαύμασαν καὶ ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεὸν τὸν δόντα ἐξουσίαν τοιαύτην τοῖς ἀνθρώποις. Philoptochos sponsored Mini Parish Wide Women s Retreat Saturday, July 18 8:30am - 1pm Our previous mini retreats have had such a positive response and after many requests for making it a monthly event, Fr. Vasileios and Presvytera Vasiliki have set a date for the next one for July 18. Philoptochos will be sponsoring the breakfast and lunch for this retreat and the topic will be a build up on the previous discussion of As we Prepare for the Consecration of our Church by Consecrating our Heart. The schedule right now is: 8:30 am Continental Breakfast 9:00 am Retreat begins with Introductions 12:30 pm Lunch 1:00 pm Concluding Remarks and Final Prayer Please RSVP with the office at: office@transfiguration.org or at 512-329-6363
Welcome Visitors! We welcome all new visitors who worshipped with us this morning. We are pleased to have you with us! Please join us next door after service for coffee and fellowship. There is material in the entrance of the church regarding ministries and events of Transfiguration. We hope that you will return often to worship with us and grow in Christ! Receiving Holy Communion The sacrament of Holy Communion is reserved for only baptized and/or Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared by fasting, prayer and confession. The Orthodox Church is not in sacramental communion with any other church outside the Orthodox Christian Faith. If you are not Orthodox, you are invited with everyone to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) at the end of service. If you would like information about the Orthodox Church, please see Fr. Vasileios after services. he is always wrestling in prayer for you (Colossians 4:12) Prayers for those in our Armed Forces SGT Jennifer D. Atkinson, SSG John Atkinson, COL Dave Romine, CPT James Alfaro, SSG Deane Anderson, CPT William Willett, MAJ Timothy Ullman, MAJ Chris Chase, SPC Mindy Keys, SPC Andrew Bentzel, MAJ Scot Thornhill, CPT Christopher Gilbert, CPT. Alexander Stathos, 1st LT Angela Bahlatzis, MIDN 1/C Joseph Barone, SGT Walter Hurbert ( Nikolaos ) Willoughby IV, LCDR Thomas Uhl, The Prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16) Prayers for Health JoGeo, Konstantinos, Shelly, Ruthie, Barbara, Samantha, Maria, Efstathia, Tony, Rouba, Sarah, Emily, Kynlee, Wesley, Afrodite, Nick, Nicholas Wyatt, Cameren, Helen, Chrissy, Nancy, MaryAnn, Marian, Tina, Salin, George-Panagiotis, Raphael, Marta, Guadalupe, Caroline, John, Lili, Archie, Kelsey, Eva, Virginia, Makena, Dolly, Afrodite, Alexandros, Lou, Thomas, Greg, Bill, Kathryn, John, Kathy, Nakis, Maggie, Rosemary, Mindy, Pat, Louella, Steve, Marie, Clifford, Tina, Cynthia, Chad, Douglas, Mat. Sissy Yerger, Fr. Paul, Katerina, Vasili, Harry, Angie, Francis, Petya, Thomas, Romeo, John, John, Brenda, Georgie, Dale, Dale, Anna, Brenda, Carol, Jan, Nick, Damon, Afrodite, Nick, Alex,, John, Fr. Jason and family, Presv. Tiffany, Maria, David, Boyd, Chris, Jennifer, Jay, Dede, Michael, Jason, Ling, Josh, Chrissy, Bradley, Jim, Patricia, Argyre-Lisa, Rick, Milton, Gregg, Aphrodite, Carol, Lisa, Johanna, Candace, Kyle, Nicholas, Alex, Boriska, Judith, Dominique, Stephen, Irenaeus, Alexander, Mike, Lori, Annie, Anesti, Efstathia, Hannah, Papoulas, Anna, Cecelia, James, Celie, Sheila, Kathi, Paul, Marie, Robert (Raphael), Bill, Zlatko, Jelica, Christians of Quaragosh, Brenda Baker, Fred Cantu, Brandon, Raphael, Fr. George, Judi, Marilyn,
GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF DENVER 2015 Protocol 15-13 All Clergy, Monastics, and Laity of the Holy Metropolis of Denver Beloved in the Lord, June 26, This morning, on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States of America declared, in a five to four decision, that same-sex marriage in our country is now legal in all fifty states. This decision was based on the freedom and equal rights of all citizens. There was no mention of God in any part of the decision. This is one more ramification in the evolving laws of our nation which stresses the paramount rights and freedoms of our citizens. However, we know from our ancient, holy and cultural teachings and traditions that rights and freedoms cannot exist without the necessary responsibilities and accountability which should accompany them. Otherwise, such rights and freedoms would lead to anarchy, the next lower step from democracy. This slippery slope which we as a nation have continued to travel, from the Roe v. Wade decision over forty years ago, has ignored the basic teaching of the science of sociology which states that the very first society in this world is the human family. Unfortunately, our Supreme Court began to attack this primary society by legalizing the deaths of unborn infants, who as children contribute to the concept of the primary family. Although there is the question of morality in putting to death helpless, unborn human infants almost sixty million by now we, as Americans, have been conditioned not to feel any guilt or remorse because this genocide is legal. Aside from these thoughts which have to do with human behavior, we as members of the Church of the New Covenant, which history records as the Orthodox Christian Church, continue to preserve our Judeo- Christian principles which place Almighty God as the supra-intellectual Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. This is the teaching of the Church that was clearly recognized by the first Ecumenical Council in Nicea in A.D. 325. Returning to this morning s Supreme Court decision pertaining to same-sex marriage, we know that as members of the Church we have no right to criticize or to condemn any human person regarding his or her lifestyle. The Apostle Paul says it best when he states, Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? (Romans 14:4). We, of course, are not speaking of persons per se, but of human lifestyles which are contrary to the moral behavior exercised by one s free will in harmony with Holy Scripture. Practically speaking, the question will arise from some in our canonical Orthodox Christian parishes regarding the sacrament of holy matrimony, for persons of the same gender. There is no confusion in this matter because our holy services of matrimony are not contracts as in all other religious bodies, but they are sacraments or mysteria. This means that we the clergy are not the celebrants of our sacraments, but the Holy Spirit is. This is why, for all of the sacraments of the Church, they are celebrated by the clergy in the third
person. We never use the pronoun I because it is the Holy Spirit Who is the celebrant, through the priest or bishop. In our sacrament of holy matrimony, one of the prayers states, Blessed are You, O Lord, Who are the celebrant of mystic and hallowed marriage... In all of the sacraments, we, the clergy, say, the servant of God is baptized in baptism, or the servant of God is crowned in holy matrimony. Another prayer said by the celebrant in the marriage ceremony is O Master, send down now Your hand from Your holy dwelling place and unite Your servants... None of the holy sacraments of the Church are considered contracts which can be broken; but, in all of them, it is our Triune God Who, through the canonical priest or bishop, gives a lasting blessing to the participants in the holy sacrament. The fact that the First Amendment of our United States Constitution prohibits our government from interfering with the free exercise of religion means that no human law on the part of any of the three branches of government can negate or nullify or rise above the teachings and dogmas of our Judeo-Christian history of more than two thousand years. Any attempt by our government to do this would totally fail, as it did in Communist Russia and in Nazi Germany. Consequently, my hierarchical instructions to all the clergy who belong to this Metropolis, and to the military chaplains under my oversight, are to react pastorally in denying any and all who may seek the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony for a same-sex marriage. You are to inform them that by doing so you would be betraying the holy priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who established the Church through His death and resurrection; and that, if you were to do so, you would be defrocked from the holy priesthood by an ecclesiastical tribunal. I am confident that all of our holy clergy in this Metropolis will continue to honor our holy vocation and will remain faithful to the teachings of the Church. In this way, all of us clergy, monastics, and laity will continue to live our lives as best as we can, in harmony with the life-giving teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ which will lead us into His everlasting Kingdom. With Paternal Blessings, Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver TO BE PRINTED IN ALL PARISH BULLETINS AND NEWS LETTERS
SAVE THE DATE!!! St. Nicholas Vacation Church Camp August 3-7 Registration is now open! https://transfiguration.org/ministries/religious-education/vacation-churchcamp-registration/ Camp St. Nicholas is for all children from 2 years old to those entering 5th grade in the Fall, and children from all over the Austin area are welcome to attend! Camp runs from Monday, August 3 - Thursday, August 7, from 9:00-12:00 at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 414 St. Stephens School Road, every day. On Saturday, August 8, we hope you'll join us for a Family Field Trip to Holy Archangel's Monastery in Kendalia, Texas HOPE/JOY Pool Party Saturday, August 1, 10am 12pm Hope/Joy invites all Pre-schoolers thru 5th grade (entering 5th grade) to a pool party at the Parkside at Mayfield Ranch Amenity Center at: 325 Parkside Pkwy., Georgetown 78628. More details to follow soon. Highschoolers Outing August 9, 2015 Highschool Boys: Breakfast with Michael Highschool Girls: Coffee with Mary Right after Liturgy, the boys can enjoy some boy time under the guidance of Michael Mankarious and the girls some girl time again with Mary Long. Everyone will be back by the end of coffee hour. Arabian Nights at St. Elias to benefit IOCC has been rescheduled for sometime in September Arabian Nights is coming back to St. Elias but it had to be rescheduled for September. The exact date will be announced later. Once again we will have the opportunity to help IOCC help the less fortunate around the globe. Live music, DJ, mezzes, and chilling under the stars, Arabian style! The cost will be $40, which includes mezzes and drink. The Retreat at Balcones Springs September 18 - September 20 A Parish wide retreat! Our first Parish wide camp for all members, where we can all relax and put behind us our everyday troubles and worries while we grow our faith and understanding of Orthodoxy.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS Sunday, July 12, 2015 Services for this Week There are no services this week and NO VESPERS Thank you Father Theodore Bita for being with us today. Our Condolences to the families of : Shelley and Michael Ebeling on the loss of her beloved mother Anastasia (Anne) Cariotis who fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, July 3, Joanne and Chris Johnson on the loss of her beloved mother Bessie Stavropoulos who fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, July 5, and to the family of Aphrodite Tsaparis who fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, July 7 Memory Eternal Memorial Service The memorial service today is for: Dan Bjeletich (1 yr) survived by his daughter Cheryl and her husband Les; his grandchildren Philip and Sarah; her husband Jason with great-grandchildren Charlotte and Jack.; and his great-nephew Marko. Memory Eternal Thank you to last week s Coffee Hour Sponsors Phocas, Skevofilax Thank you to this Monthly Luncheon Sponsors: The Bjeletich family Next week s Coffee Hour Sponsors: O Brien, Orthmann, Osowski, Ousaklidou, Papanikolaou, Pappas Thank you to last week s ushers: Jim Norman (PCM) Chrissie Spiropoulos, David Horwedel, Allen Wynn Thank you to today's ushers: Tom Rigney (PCM) Stella Rosengal, Maria Justice, Paul Petrogeorge Next week s ushers are: Christa Sewell (PCM) Harry Stamatis, MaryBeth Gradziel