Archangel Michael Church Η Εκκλησία του Αρχαγγέλου Μιχαήλ 100 Fairway Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050 Phone: (516) 944-3180 Web Site: www.archangelmichaelchurch.org Clergy: Fr. John Lardas, Fr. Joshua Pappas, Fr. Dennis Strouzas Nov. 13, 2016 8 th Sunday of Luke 4 th Mode 10 th Morning Gospel In Orthodox circles, we love to praise St. John Chrysostom (whose memory we celebrate today), but very few of us are willing or even interested in imitating him. Why? He was a radical figure. He was a man completely consumed by his love for Christ, a love that shook him up, transformed him, and radiated from him like fire. St. John s love for God was so great that in his early years he fled the world and became a hermit in the mountains, where he scarcely slept, scarcely ate, and devoted himself to prayer, communion with God, and Scriptural study. He was so severe with himself that he developed stomach and kidney damage, forcing him to return to the world after just 2 years. After joining the ranks of the clergy, his uncompromising passion once again created trouble; his homilies cut against the grain of comfortable Christianity, as he continually challenged the people to live the implications of the self-emptying and glorious reality of Christ and His Gospel. This character trait landed him in exile not once but twice, both at the hands of the Church. See below for several memorable quotes from our beloved Father among the saints, John Chrysostom. If you can t find God in the beggar in front of you, you won t find Him in the Chalice. Happiness can only be found by looking inward and learning to enjoy whatever life offers. A continual drop of water hollows the rock. Yet what is gentler than water, and what is harder than rock? Even so, persistency conquers what is natural. This is even more true for prevailing over self-will, which rules and destroys our life. Christianity is not child s play, my friends, nor a leisurely activity. Continually we say these things, yet most of the time we don t do them. To be falsely accused yet remain spiritually at peace is the ultimate test of faith. The only way to achieve true justice is to first change people s hearts; then they ll joyfully share their wealth. If we learn to run from all the hidden forms of pride, nothing will prevent us from living on earth as though it were heaven. The service we celebrate in church is a sham unless we put its symbolic meaning into practice outside its walls.
Άγιοι και γιορτές Τῇ ΙΓʹ τοῦ αὐτοῦ µηνὸς µνήµη τοῦ ἐν ἁγίοις Πατρὸς ἡµῶν Ἰωάννου, Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Κωνσταντινουπόλεως, τοῦ Χρυσοστόµου. Tοῦ ἁγίου νέου Ὁσιοµάρτυρος Δαµασκηνοῦ Κωνσταντινουπολίτου. Α πολυτίκιον Α ναστα σιμον 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. Α πολυτίκιον Τῆς Ὁσίας. Ἡ τοῦ στόµατός σου καθάπερ πυρσὸς ἐκλάµψασα χάρις, τὴν οίκουµένην ἐφώτισεν ἀφιλαργυρίας τῷ κόσµῳ θησαυροὺς ἐναπέθετο τὸ ὕψος ἡµῖν τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης ὑπέδειξεν. Ἀλλὰ σοῖς λόγοις παιδεύων, Πάτερ Ἰωάννη Χρυσόστοµε, πρέσβευε τῷ Λόγῳ Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡµῶν. Απολυτίκιov των Ταξιαρχών Τῶν οὐρανίων στρατιὼν Ἀρχιστράτηγε, δυσωπούμέν σε ἀεὶ ἡμεῖς οἱ ἀνάξιοι, ἵνα ταὶς σαὶς δεήσεσι τειχίσης ἡμᾶς, σκέπη τῶν πτερύγων τῆς ἀϋλου σου δόξης, φρουρῶν ἡμᾶς προσπίπτοντας ἐκτενῶς καὶ βοῶντας, ἐκ τῶν κινδύνων λύτρωσαι ἡμᾶς, ὡς Ταξιάρχης τῶν ἄνω δυνάμεων. Κοντα κιοv Ὁ καθαρώτατος ναὸς τοῦ Σωτῆρος, ἡ πολυτίµητος παστὰς καὶ Παρθένος, τὸ ἱερὸν θησαύρισµα τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ, σήµερον εἰσάγεται, ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ Κυρίου, τὴν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, τὴν ἐν Πνευµατι Θείῳ ἣν ἀνυµνοῦσιν Ἄγγελοι Θεοῦ Αὕτη ὑπάρχει σκηνὴ ἐπουράνιος. Saints and Feasts Our father among the saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople; the holy New Monastic Martyr Damaskenos of Constantinople. Resurrectional Apolytikion (4 th Mode) When the women Disciples of the Lord had learned from the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrection and had 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. Apolytikion of the Saint (4 th Mode) The grace that from your mouth shone forth like a torch illumined the universe. It deposited in the world the treasures of the absence of avarice. It showed us the height that is attained by humility. Now you instruct us by your words, Father John Chrysostom. Intercede with Christ God, the Word himself, entreating Him to save our souls. Apolytikion of the Archangels 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 immaterial glory * guarding us who now fall down * and cry to you with fervor * as the great marshals of the heavenly hosts on high. Kontakion (4 th Mode) The Savior's most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A heavenly tabernacle is she.
Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 7:26-28, 8:1-2 Ἀδελφοί, τοιοῦτος γὰρ ἡμῖν ἔπρεπεν ἀρχιερεύς, ὅσιος, ἄκακος, ἀμίαντος, κεχωρισμένος ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν, καὶ ὑψηλότερος τῶν οὐρανῶν γενόμενος ὃς οὐκ ἔχει καθʼ ἡμέραν ἀνάγκην, ὥσπερ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς, πρότερον ὑπὲρ τῶν ἰδίων ἁμαρτιῶν θυσίας ἀναφέρειν, ἔπειτα τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦτο γὰρ ἐποίησεν ἐφάπαξ, ἑαυτὸν ἀνενέγκας. Ὁ νόμος γὰρ ἀνθρώπους καθίστησιν ἀρχιερεῖς, ἔχοντας ἀσθένειαν ὁ λόγος δὲ τῆς ὁρκωμοσίας τῆς μετὰ τὸν νόμον, υἱὸν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τετελειωμένον. Κεφάλαιον δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς λεγομένοις τοιοῦτον ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα, ὃς ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θρόνου τῆς μεγαλωσύνης ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, τῶν ἁγίων λειτουργός, καὶ τῆς σκηνῆς τῆς ἀληθινῆς, ἣν ἔπηξεν ὁ κύριος, καὶ οὐκ ἄνθρωπος. St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2 Brethren, it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. Indeed, the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever. Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the Lord. Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 10:25-37 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, νομικός τις ἀνέστη ἐκπειράζων αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων διδάσκαλε, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; ὁ δὲ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν ἐν τῷ νόμῳ τί γέγραπται; πῶς ἀναγινώσκεις; ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν ἀγαπήσεις Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ἰσχύος σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας σου, καὶ τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὀρθῶς ἀπεκρίθης τοῦτο ποίει καὶ ζήσῃ. ὁ δὲ θέλων δικαιοῦν ἑαυτὸν εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Ιησοῦν καὶ τίς ἐστί μου πλησίον; ὑπολαβὼν δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν ἄνθρωπός τις κατέβαινεν ἀπὸ Ιερουσαλὴμ εἰς Ιεριχώ, καὶ λῃσταῖς περιέπεσεν οἳ καὶ ἐκδύσαντες αὐτὸν καὶ πληγὰς ἐπιθέντες ἀπῆλθον ἀφέντες ἡμιθανῆ τυγχάνοντα. κατὰ συγκυρίαν δὲ ἱερεύς τις κατέβαινεν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ἀντιπαρῆλθεν. ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ Λευΐτης γενόμενος κατὰ τὸν τόπον, ἐλθὼν καὶ ἰδὼν ἀντιπαρῆλθε. Σαμαρείτης δέ τις ὁδεύων ἦλθε κατ αὐτόν, καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ προσελθὼν κατέδησε τὰ τραύματα αὐτοῦ ἐπιχέων ἔλαιον καὶ οἶνον, ἐπιβιβάσας δὲ αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὸ ἴδιον κτῆνος ἤγαγεν αὐτὸν εἰς πανδοχεῖον καὶ ἐπεμελήθη αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν αὔριον ἐξελθών, ἐκβαλὼν δύο δηνάρια ἔδωκε τῷ πανδοχεῖ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἐπιμελήθητι αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὅ τι ἂν προσδαπανήσῃς, ἐγὼ ἐν τῷ ἐπανέρχεσθαί με ἀποδώσω σοι. τίς οὖν τούτων τῶν τριῶν πλησίον δοκεῖ σοι γεγονέναι τοῦ ἐμπεσόντος εἰς τοὺς λῃστάς; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν ὁ ποιήσας τὸ ἔλεος μετ αὐτοῦ. εἶπεν οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς πορεύου καὶ σὺ ποίει ὁμοίως. The Gospel according to Luke 10:25-37 At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live." But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Άγιος Ιωα ννης ο Χρυσόστομος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Κωνσταντινούπολης Βιογραφία Ο μεγάλος αυτός πατέρας και διδάσκαλος της Ανατολικής Ορθόδοξης Εκκλησίας γεννήθηκε στην Αντιόχεια το 347 μ.χ.(κατά άλλους το 354 μ.χ.). Πατέρας του ήταν ο στρατηγός Σεκούνδος και μητέρα του η Ανθούσα. Γρήγορα έμεινε ορφανός από πατέρα, και η μητέρα του - χήρα τότε 20 ετών - τον ανέθρεψε και τον μόρφωσε κατά τον καλύτερο χριστιανικό τρόπο. Ήταν ευφυέστατο μυαλό και σπούδασε πολλές επιστήμες στην Αντιόχεια - κοντά στον τότε διάσημο ρήτορα Λιβάνια - αλλά και στην Αθήνα, μαζί με τον αγαπημένο του φίλο Μέγα Βασίλειο. Όταν αποπεράτωσε τις σπουδές του, επανήλθε στην Αντιόχεια και αποσύρθηκε στην έρημο για πέντε χρόνια, όπου ασκήτευε προσευχόμενος και μελετώντας τις Άγιες Γραφές. Ασθένησε όμως και επέστρεψε στην Αντιόχεια, οπού χειροτονήθηκε διάκονος - το 381 μ.χ., σε ηλικία 34 ετών - από τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αντιοχείας Μελέτιο. Αργότερα δε από τον διάδοχο του Μελετίου Φλαβιανό πρεσβύτερος σε ηλικία 40 ετών. Κατά την Ιερατική του διακονία ανέπτυξε όλα τα ψυχικά του χαρίσματα, πύρινο θείο ζήλο και πρωτοφανή ευγλωττία στα κηρύγματα του. Έσειε και συγκλόνιζε τα πλήθη της Αντιόχειας και συγκινούσε τις ψυχές τους βαθύτατα. Η φήμη του αυτή έφτασε μέχρι τη βασιλεύουσα και έτσι, την 15η Δεκεμβρίου 397 μχ., με κοινή ψήφο βασιλιά Αρκαδίου και Κλήρου, έγινε Πατριάρχης Κωνσταντινούπολης, κάτι που ο ίδιος δεν επεδίωξε ποτέ. Και από την θέση αυτή ο Ιερός Χρυσόστομος, εκτός άλλων, υπήρξε αυστηρός ασκητής και δεινός ερμηνευτής της Αγίας Γραφής, όπως φαίνεται από τα πολλά συγγράμματα του (διασώθηκαν 804, περίπου, ομιλίες του). Έργο επίσης του Χρυσοστόμου είναι και η Θεία Λειτουργία, που τελούμε σχεδόν κάθε Κυριακή, με λίγες μόνο, από τότε μετατροπές. Α πολυτίκιον Ἦχος πλ. δ Ἡ τοῦ στόματός σου καθάπερ πυρσός ἐκλάμψασα χάρις, τὴν οἰκουμένην ἐφώτισεν, ἀφιλαργυρίας τῷ κόσμῳ θησαυροὺς ἐναπέθετο, τὸ ὕψος ἡμῖν τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης ὑπέδειξεν. Ἀλλὰ σοῖς λόγοις παιδεύων, Πάτερ, Ἰωάννη Χρυσόστομε, πρέσβευε τῷ Λόγῳ Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. *Οι πληροφορίες είναι από: http://www.saint.gr/index.aspx
Worship Services Sunday, November 13 ~ We would like to welcome Fr. Chysostom Panos, Assistant to the Chancellor, to our community. He has joined us in worship to celebrate his Nameday. Wednesday, November 16: St. Matthew ~ Divine Liturgy ~ Chapel Orthos 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Saturday, November 19: Challenge Divine Liturgy Orthos 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 21: The Entrance of the Theotokos Orthos 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Friday, November 25: The Feast of St. Katherine ~ Chapel Orthos 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 30: The Feast of St. Andrew ~ Chapel Orthos 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Memorials Sergios Despotis ~ 1 year Anna Orros ~ 1 year Sophie Vasilas ~ 2 years Steven Orros ~ 9 years Everlasting be their memory. Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη Upcoming Events Friday, November 18, 2016 ~ Archangel Michael Church Nameday Gala THANKSGIVING FOODS DRIVE: Philoptochos, together with GOYA, is coordinating the collection and delivery of food baskets for those in need within our own as well as surrounding communities. To sign up please go to: http:// www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4fafaf22a5ff2-amccommunity Saturday, November 19 ~ Delivery of Thanksgiving Meals Thursday, November 24 ~ 1st Annual Altar Boy Turkey Bowl ~ Bar Beach Sunday, December 4, 2016 ~ Community Christmas Luncheon hosted by Philoptochos Sunday, December 18, 2016 ~ A Luncheon in honor of Fr. Dennis Strouzas will be held at The Cottage at Milleridge Inn
In Honor of Veterans Day, the Archangel Michael Community would like to offer prayers of Health for our Veterans. AMC VETERANS Mr. Anthony T. Arlis Mr. Dino Carr Mr. Evans Cyprus Mr. George Condzal Mr. Thomas E. Constance Mr. Peter Dedousis Mr. Norman Glavas Mr. Alex Harisiades Mr. Michael Hatzidakis Mr. Michael LaSorsa Mr. Arthur Manos Mr. Peter Mesologites Mr. Chris Milonas Mr. John Mitsinikos Mr. Andreas Modenos Mr. Andrew J. Pappas Mr. Dean Pappas M.D. Mr. Harold Pappas Mr. George J. Razis Mr. George Scandalios Mr. Peter Stavrinos Mr. Nicos Stylianou Mr. Anthony Vasilas Mr. Leonard Zangas Mr. Harry Zuvekas AMC VETERANS ~ DECEASED +Mr. Andrew Cyprus +Mr. Gus Keen +Mr. Stan Neamonitis * We are in the process of gathering the names of our Veterans. If you do not see your name on this list or know of a Veteran, please contact the church office at (516) 944-3180 or info@archangelmichaelchurch.org.
SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2016 for THE PHILOPTOCHOS ANNUAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON which will be held immediately after the Divine Liturgy right here in our beautiful Archangel Michael Church Complex. Please plan to join us for 'An Old-Fashioned Christmas. To make your reservation or to donate an item for the adult or children s Chinese raffle please visit our table after liturgy or you may contact us via e-mail at philoptochos@archangelmichaelchurch.org or call the church office. This week we were honored to welcome His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Geron of America as well as His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela along with the Chanters of the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir at the vesper services to celebrate the feast day of our church. The Ladies Philoptochos provided a traditional reception in the Fellowship Hall following both services. We will be matching all funds collected by the Greek School and Sunday School Children to benefit Breast Cancer Research and Prevention in honor of National Philoptochos Make A Difference Day. Philoptochos will begin decorating the church complex with Christmas decorations on Saturday, November 26th beginning at 1:00 p.m. We would like to invite all to help with this festive and wonderful start to the Christmas season! No experience necessary, and all are welcome and encouraged to join us!