October 26, 2014 6 th Sunday of Luke Commemoration of Great Earthquake of Constantinople St. Demetrios the Myrrh-Streamer ENTRANCE HYMNS Resurrectional Apolytikion - Effrenestho ta Ourania ( Let the Heavens Above Rejoice ) Let the heavens above rejoice, and all those here on the earth, on the earth, be glad. A mighty feat of strength has been wrought by the arm of the Lord. O Death has he trampled down with his own death. Firstborn among the dead has He become, from the womb of Hades has He delivered us and has granted to the world His Great Mercy. Apolytikion Commemorating the Earthquake O epivlepon epi tin ghin ( Who looks upon the earth ) Christ our God, who look upon the earth and make it tremble, deliver us from the dread threat of earthquake; and send down upon us your rich mercies, at the prayers of the Mother of God, O lover of mankind. Apolytikion for St. Demetrios Meghan evrato ( Mighty Champion ) All the world has you, its mighty champion, fortifying us in times of danger, and defeating our foes, O Victorious One. So, as you humbled Lyaios's arrogance by giving courage to Nestor in the stadium, thus, O holy Great Martyr Demetrios, to Christ our God pray fervently, beseeching Him to grant us His great mercy. 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 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. 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. 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.
EPISTLE READING The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10 The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord. Verse: Oh God, hear my cry. TIMOTHY, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing fetters like a criminal. But the word of God is not fettered. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory. Ἀνάγνωσις ἐπιστολῆς Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 2:1-10 Εὐφρανθήσεται δίκαιος ἐν Κυρίῳ. Στίχ. Εἰσάκουσον, ὁ Θεός, τῆς φωνῆς μου. Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, ἐνδυναμοῦ ἐν τῇ χάριτι τῇ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Καὶ ἃ ἤκουσας παρʼ ἐμοῦ διὰ πολλῶν μαρτύρων, ταῦτα παράθου πιστοῖς ἀνθρώποις, οἵτινες ἱκανοὶ ἔσονται καὶ ἑτέρους διδάξαι. Σὺ οὖν κακοπάθησον ὡς καλὸς στρατιώτης Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Οὐδεὶς στρατευόμενος ἐμπλέκεται ταῖς τοῦ βίου πραγματείαις, ἵνα τῷ στρατολογήσαντι ἀρέσῃ. Ἐὰν δὲ καὶ ἀθλῇ τις, οὐ στεφανοῦται ἐὰν μὴ νομίμως ἀθλήσῃ. Τὸν κοπιῶντα γεωργὸν δεῖ πρῶτον τῶν καρπῶν μεταλαμβάνειν. Νόει ἃ λέγω δῴη γάρ σοι ὁ κύριος σύνεσιν ἐν πᾶσιν. Μνημόνευε Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐγηγερμένον ἐκ νεκρῶν, ἐκ σπέρματος Δαυίδ, κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν μου ἐν ᾧ κακοπαθῶ μέχρι δεσμῶν, ὡς κακοῦργος ἀλλʼ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ οὐ δέδεται. Διὰ τοῦτο πάντα ὑπομένω διὰ τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς, ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ σωτηρίας τύχωσιν τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, μετὰ δόξης αἰωνίου.
GOSPEL READING The Reading is from the Gospel of Luke 8:26-39 At that time, as Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me." For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but he sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him. ΕVΑΓΓÉΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 8.26-39 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθόντι τῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς τὴν χώραν τῶν Γαδαρηνῶν, ἥτις ἐστὶν ἀντίπερα τῆς Γαλιλαίας.ἐξελθόντι δὲ αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ ἀνήρ τις ἐκ τῆς πόλεως, ὃς εἶχε δαιμόνια ἐκ χρόνων ἱκανῶν, καὶ ἱμάτιον οὐκ ἐνεδιδύσκετο καὶ ἐν οἰκίᾳ οὐκ ἔμενεν, ἀλλ ἐν τοῖς μνήμασιν.ἰδὼν δὲ τὸν Ιησοῦν καὶ ἀνακράξας προσέπεσεν αὐτῷ καὶ φωνῇ μεγάλῃ εἶπε τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, Ιησοῦ, υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου; δέομαί σου, μή με βασανίσῃς.παρήγγειλε γὰρ τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ ἐξελθεῖν ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. πολλοῖς γὰρ χρόνοις συνηρπάκει αὐτόν, καὶ ἐδεσμεῖτο ἁλύσεσι καὶ πέδαις φυλασσόμενος, καὶ διαρρήσσων τὰ δεσμὰ ἠλαύνετο ὑπὸ τοῦ δαίμονος εἰς τὰς ἐρήμους.ἐπηρώτησε δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ Ιησοῦς λέγων τί σοί ἐστιν ὄνομα; ὁ δὲ εἶπε λεγεών ὅτι δαιμόνια πολλὰ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς αὐτόν καὶ παρεκάλει αὐτὸν ἵνα μὴ ἐπιτάξῃ αὐτοῖς εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον ἀπελθεῖν.ἦν δὲ ἐκεῖ ἀγέλη χοίρων ἱκανῶν βοσκομένων ἐν τῷ ὄρει καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν ἵνα ἐπιτρέψῃ αὐτοῖς εἰς ἐκείνους εἰσελθεῖν καὶ ἐπέτρεψεν αὐτοῖς.ἐξελθόντα δὲ τὰ δαιμόνια ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου εἰσῆλθον εἰς τοὺς χοίρους, καὶ ὥρμησεν ἡ ἀγέλη κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ εἰς τὴν λίμνην καὶ ἀπεπνίγη.ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ βόσκοντες τὸ γεγενημένον ἔφυγον, καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν εἰς τὴν πόλιν καὶ εἰς τοὺς ἀγρούς.ἐξῆλθον δὲ ἰδεῖν τὸ γεγονός, καὶ ἦλθον πρὸς τὸν Ιησοῦν καὶ εὗρον καθήμενον τὸν ἄνθρωπον, ἀφ οὗ τὰ δαιμόνια ἐξεληλύθει, ἱματισμένον καὶ σωφρονοῦντα παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τοῦ Ιησοῦ, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν.ἀπήγγειλαν δὲ αὐτοῖς οἱ ἰδόντες πῶς ἐσώθη ὁ δαιμονισθείς.καὶ ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν ἅπαν τὸ πλῆθος τῆς περιχώρου τῶν Γαδαρηνῶν ἀπελθεῖν ἀπ αὐτῶν, ὅτι φόβῳ μεγάλῳ συνείχοντο. αὐτὸς δὲ ἐμβὰς εἰς τὸ πλοῖον ὑπέστρεψεν.ἐδέετο δὲ αὐτοῦ ὁ ἀνήρ, ἀφ οὗ ἐξεληλύθει τὰ δαιμόνια, εἶναι σὺν αὐτῷ ἀπέλυσε δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ Ιησοῦς λέγων ὑπόστρεφε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου καὶ διηγοῦ ὅσα ἐποίησέ σοι ὁ Θεός. καὶ ἀπῆλθε καθ ὅλην τὴν πόλιν κηρύσσων ὅσα ἐποίησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς.
Building Committee Update October 26, 2014 While many of our stewards and friends have been on vacation, many people vacationing in this area came to St. Sophia over this past summer. Our church is truly a shining beacon of our faith. And we have become a regional landmark as well! She should always remember to give thanks for our beautiful church and how much has been accomplished. Of course, no matter how much has been accomplished, the work to continue our progress goes on. The second phase of our iconography project has been completed. These include the icons of the Icon Screen, the Pulpit, the Bishop s throne, and the large murals on the western wall. Many of the icons and artifact items are still available for sponsorship; please ask any member of the Parish Council or Fr. Peter if you wish to help and/or commemorate a loved one. The installation of the two mosaic medallions in the Narthex (entryway) and on the Solea in front of the altar has been completed, and they are just beautiful. In the Narthex, the floor medallion shows two peacocks drinking from a fountain. Peacocks were symbols of eternal life in the early Church. On the Solea, we installed the double headed eagle, the symbol of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the traditional symbol of the Byzantine Empire. In other exciting news, we recently ordered the new Narthex furnishings which will be carved by S. Kavroulakis Company of Chania, Crete; the same firm that carved our beautiful icon screen and other artifacts. It will take a few months for the artisans to complete their task and so we can expect delivery sometime in early February of 2015. Many of these items are available for sponsorship. On the chart below you can see the progress on our mortgage. If you still have an outstanding balance on your building pledge or can make a new pledge, please pay the amounts due to help your church reduce its debts. St. Sophia Church Mortgage The current mortgage balance as of as of 9/29/2014 is $1,429,598.92
Stewardship Update October 26, 2014 On September 1 st we marked the start the new Ecclesiastical year. Summer is over, kids are back to school and people are returning from their vacations. As we begin the new year, now is a most appropriate time to make sure we return to church (for those we haven t seen during the summer months). Also, as we gear up for the very busy fall, it is important to make sure we keep God in our schedules. Not just holy days and Sundays, but every day of the week To be considered a true steward of our faith, we need to LIVE the faith. True Stewardship begins with giving of our time-especially by attending services regularly as well as volunteering (sharing our talents). God has blessed us all with many talents. We have many ministries that could use yours! There is always much to do. Your service is much appreciated! For those of us with children, we also need to make sure they become active in the faith as well and learn that our faith is even more important than fall sports!! Please register your children for Sunday school if you have not already. We would like to thank everyone who has supported our parish thus far in 2014 with your Time, Talent and Treasure. This has been a record breaking year for our parish based on the number of stewards, involvement in our many ministries and financially. We have many new families this year; it is great to see some many new faces become involved with the spiritual life of our community! If you have not yet become a steward for 2014, there is still time! Cards are available at the Pangari, in the Hall or by calling the Parish office at 610-650-8960. God Bless you! 2013 (Year End) 2014 (10/24/14) Pledge Unit Goal 230 240 Pledge $ Goal $200,000 $210,000 Number of Pledges 223 201 Amount Pledged $210,485 $206,301 Average Pledge $943.88 $1026.37 New Stewards 46 22
October 26, 2014 6 th Sunday of Luke Commemoration of Great Earthquake of Constantinople St. Demetrios the Myrrh-Streamer Coffee Hour: Philoptochos Breakfast Fundraiser Pumpkin Patch Breakfast Bash Today: Fall General Assembly Meeting after Divine Liturgy CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK Monday, Oct 27 th 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Craft Fair Baking Fenikia 9:00 am Orthros; 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Tuesday, Oct 28 th Holy Protection of the Theotokos Wed, Oct 29 th Thurs, Oct 30 th Friday, Oct 31 st SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS Today 5 th Annual Metropolitan Evangelos Ambassador Awards Program Tues, Oct 28 th 9:00 am Orthros; 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Holy Protection of the Theotokos Sat, Nov 1 st 9:00 am Orthros; 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Ss. Cosmas & Damianos Tueday, Nov 4 th 7:00 pm Adult Bible Study Nov. 7 9 Christmas Craft Fair & Food Fest Sat, Nov 8 th 9:00 am Orthros; 10:00 am Divine Liturgy Synaxis of Archangels Sun, Nov 9 th PTO Meeting after Divine Liturgy re: Family Night Bingo Sat, Feb 21 st SAVE THE DATE Family Night Bingo SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Update on Fr. Peter: Fr. Peter has made significant progress over the past several weeks. He even sent out a phone blast to our parish this past Thursday, reaffirming his continued progress and determination to return to our parish as soon as he is able. He misses our parishioners and sends his love to everyone. Fr. Peter and his family would like to thank everyone for their concern and continued prayers. Keep sending cards, emails or best wishes to Fr. Peter in care of the Parish office. 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. 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.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 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 showtimes visit www.movietavern.com. For 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. SHOP-RITE 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 Philadelphia, 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. Children s Choir: Children s choir practices take place on Sundays after Holy Communion. Children s Choir performances will be held on the first Sunday of each month (11/2, 12/7, 1/4, 2/1, 3/1, etc.) Children should arrive at 9:45 am on those Sundays for a quick practice in the Cry/Bride room. Also, the Christmas Pageant will be on Christmas Eve again. Practices will be held during Sunday school. Dress rehearsals will be held after church on 12/7, 12/14 and 12/21. Permission slips will be distributed to the students. All children need to hand in a signed permission slip in order to be permitted to participate in the pageant. AHEPA Basket-of-Cheer Raffle: The Valley Forge Chapter of the Order of AHEPA will be holding a Basket of Cheer raffle on Sunday, November 16, 2014. Tickets are $5 for an arm s length and are being sold in the back of the hall on Sundays. Winners need not be present to win. Proceeds will benefit AHEPA Chapter 432, to help further the chapter s mission to support the St. Sophia Community and promote Greek culture and education. Please see Socratis Tsipras, Tom Novitski or any AHEPA member to purchase tickets. Philoptochos Old Fashioned Bake Sale Our Ladies Philoptochos will be participating in St. Sophia's Craft Show again this year with the theme of "Old Fashioned Bake Sale". This event is a great opportunity for you to help Philoptochos on your schedule. We are looking for baked goods to sell at the craft show on November 7-9. There's one catch...the sweets cannot be any of the delicious pastries that our sisters make each year for our festivals and craft show. So, that means, NO baklava, galaktoboureko, fenikia, kourambiedes, paximadia, koulourakia or tsoureki. Other than these few items, the options are unlimited! Please contact Cathy Zarcone (610-687-2735) to let her know what you are planning to make and drop off. Philoptochos Candle Sale: Looking for a candle that burns for 100 hours? Then search no more. The Ladies Philoptochos is selling candles in 16 oz. mason, 3.5 oz. mini mason and assorted gift packs. They also make great gifts! There are limited quantities of each scent. Please stop by the Philoptochos table on Sundays after church to purchase your candles! Any information or announcements for the Sunday bulletin must be received by 3pm on the Wednesday prior to publication. Please e-mail information to elaine.stsophia@verizon.net. Thank you. Elaine Piligian