Sunday Bulletin March 01, 2015 Sunday of Orthodoxy Eudokia of Heliopolis & Andonina the New Martyr Transfiguration of our Lord Greek Orthodox Church 414 St. Stephen s School Road Austin, Texas 78746 (512) 329-6363 email - office@transfiguration.org website - www.transfiguration.org Sunday Service Schedule Orthros 8:30am; Divine Liturgy 10:00am Reverend Fr. Vasileios Flegas, Proistamenos 512-574-1972
Hymns for today Resurrection Hymn (4th Tone) 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 the Sunday of Orthodoxy We venerate Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well - pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world. 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 i dynando 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. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Thou Bestower of light, glory to Thee. Kontakion Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε. Ti Ipermacho stratigo ta nikitiria, os litrothisa ton dinon efharistiria, anagrapho si i Polis su Theotoke, al os ehusa to kratos aprosmahiton, ek pandion me kindinon eleftheroson, ina krazo si, Hiere Nimphi a Nimphefte. To you, the champion Commander, I, your city, Inscribe victorious anthems of thanksgiving, For deliverance from sufferings, Theotokos. In as much as you have power unassailable, From all manner of dangers set me free; That I may cry out to you, Rejoice, Bride unwedded.
Epistle - St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40 Brethren, by faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign enemies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated -- of whom the world was not worthy -- wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Gospel John 1:43-51 Ἀδελφοί, πίστει Μωϋσῆς μέγας γενόμενος ἠρνήσατο λέγεσθαι υἱὸς θυγατρὸς Φαραώ, μᾶλλον ἑλόμενος συγκακουχεῖσθαι τῷ λαῷ τοῦ θεοῦ ἢ πρόσκαιρον ἔχειν ἁμαρτίας ἀπόλαυσιν μείζονα πλοῦτον ἡγησάμενος τῶν Αἰγύπτου θησαυρῶν τὸν ὀνειδισμὸν τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἀπέβλεπεν γὰρ εἰς τὴν μισθαποδοσίαν. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω; Ἐπιλείψει γὰρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψών καὶ Ἰεφθάε, Δαυίδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας, εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων. Ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς αὐτῶν ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ φυλακῆς ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον περιῆλθον ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι - ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος - ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσιν καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ οὗτοι πάντες, μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσιν. At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and he said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠθέλησεν ὁ Ιησοῦς ἐξελθεῖν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν καὶ εὑρίσκει Φίλιππον καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ἀκολούθει μοι. ἦν δὲ ὁ Φίλιππος ἀπὸ Βηθσαϊδά, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως Ανδρέου καὶ Πέτρου.εὑρίσκει Φίλιππος τὸν Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὃν ἔγραψε Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ οἱ προφῆται, εὑρήκαμεν, Ιησοῦν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ Ιωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ ἐκ Ναζαρὲτ δύναταί τι ἀγαθὸν εἶναι; λέγει αὐτῷ Φίλιππος ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε. εἶδεν ὁ Ιησοῦς τὸν Ναθαναὴλ ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει περὶ αὐτοῦ ἴδε ἀληθῶς Ισραηλίτης, ἐν ᾧ δόλος οὐκ ἔστι. λέγει αὐτῷ Ναθαναήλ πόθεν με γινώσκεις; ἀπεκρίθη Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ πρὸ τοῦ σε Φίλιππον φωνῆσαι, ὄντα ὑπὸ τὴν συκῆν εἶδόν σε. ἀπεκρίθη Ναθαναὴλ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ῥαββί, σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ Ισραήλ. ἀπεκρίθη Ιησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὅτι εἶπόν σοι, εἶδόν σε ὑποκάτω τῆς συκῆς, πιστεύεις; μείζω τούτων ὄψει. καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν οὐρανὸν ἀνεῳγότα, καὶ τοὺς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀναβαίνοντας καὶ καταβαίνοντας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.
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! 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, Kyle, Katerina, Vasili, Harry, Angie, Francis, Petya, Thomas, Romeo, John, John, Brenda, Georgie, Dale, John, 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, Fred, Gregg, Aphrodite, Fr. Tom Hopko, Carol, Lisa, Johanna, Candace, Kyle, Nicholas, Alex, Boriska, Judith, Dominique, Stephen, Irenaeus, Alexander, Mike, Lori, Annie, Anesti 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, 2nd Lieutenant Lance Shannon 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.
Longsuffering Lord, how wonderful are your works! Who will number your love for humankind? Who, when they see your Priests and Ascetics slain for the sake of your Icon, would not reject deceivers? But you, when insulted, endured. (Synodikon of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, 9 th Ode) Sunday of Orthodoxy 2015 To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Members of Philanthropic Organizations, the Youth and Youth Workers, and the entire Orthodox Christian Family in the United States of America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, At the onset of our journey to Holy Pascha, the Church designates the first Sunday of Holy and Great Lent as the Sunday of Orthodoxy. On this day we celebrate the splendor of the Orthodox Church and her salvific mission in the world, and we call to mind the holy men and women who made great sacrifices in defense of holy icons and the authentic worship of God; we venerate the great champions of Orthodoxy who kept the faith alive. Their enduring love and commitment to Christ has made it possible for future generations to come to know God. And as we are embraced by Christ and become one with Him, our lives are transformed into living icons of our Lord and of His sacrificial love for the world. The dogmas, teachings and traditions that were defended, therefore, are not antiquated theories, philosophies, or broken rubrics. They are tangible guides and spiritual directives for how we ought to live our lives according to the Holy Gospel. Beloved brothers and sisters, perhaps now more than ever before, it is important to declare our Orthodox Christian Faith, for the world is suffering and desperately searching for peace and reconciliation. As the world produces distorted images of the truth, we must share the beauty of the Gospel. As the world resorts to violence and hatred, we must respond with love and forgiveness. And as the world falls deeper into despair, let us ask God to grant us courage to endure and to allow us to serve as icons of hope for our neighbor. Wishing all of you, on behalf of the Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, the abundant blessings of the Lord, I fervently pray that He grant to all of us the courage, the power and the wisdom to proclaim His eternal and saving Orthodox Faith to all people, both those who are far off and those who are near (Eph. 2:17). +Archbishop Demetrios of America Chairman
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Sunday, March 01, 2015 Philoptochos Schedule of Events PHILOPTOCHOS GREAT LENT RETREAT Saturday, March 7 at Mt. Tabor at 2pm "In the beginning was the Word..." (John 1:1) These are the holy words of the gospel, offered on Holy and Great Pascha, the culmination of our Lenten journey. Let us gather together to discuss the great mystery of the Word and how our own words can participate in the life of God Compassionate Friends Ministry The Compassionate Friends Ministry first and foremost offers a connection of loving companionship to people who are bound to their homes, either out of illness or age, so that they remain connected to the grace and love of Jesus Christ through our Church. This outreach is especially crucial and meaningful to these individuals during the busy holiday season. Please prayerfully consider becoming a part of this ministry by signing up to share the precious gift of your time through home visits. The ministry also extends itself to those who may have recently undergone surgery, are in the hospital, are isolated, are in grief, or have given birth to a child. Although part of the greater Philoptochos membership, all are invited to participate. If you are interested please email the church office at office@transfiguration.org or call the church office at 512-329-6363.. OCF After trying the two day system last semester with our meetings alternating biweekly we decided that a better alternative would be to have our meetings on the same day every week. From the consensus gathered from our members it seems like the best day is Thursday. We will still be alternating between structured discussion and the open format settings. Our meetings take place at SAC 3.106 HOPE/JOY Activities for March 2015 Saturday, March 7, 6pm 8pm HOPE/JOY Lenten Activity Following Great Vespers, join us for dinner and a Lenten activity in the parish hall for Preschoolers through 5th graders! Please RSVP at this evite link: http://tinyurl.com/hopejoylenten SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 5 to 6:30 PM HOPE/JOY Family Dinner at Central Market on N. Lamar Join us at the tables by the playground for dinner. Order your food inside and bring it outside to enjoy. Please RSVP at this evite link: http://tinyurl.com/hopejoyfamilydinner SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 6 to 8 PM HOPE/JOY Movie Night Following Great Vespers, join us for a potluck dinner and a family movie in the parish hall. Please RSVP at this evite link: http://tinyurl.com/hopejoymovie
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Sunday, March 01, 2015 2015 Southern Region GOYA Great Lent Retreat Registration closes at midnight in the Mountain Time Zone on March 3 At Sky Ranch March 13 15 The 2015 Southern Region GOYA Lenten Retreat will be held March 13-15, 2015, at the Sky Ranch retreat center in Van, Texas. GOYAns, ages 11-18, are invited to retreat away from every day challenges for a weekend of growth and fellowship. The registration fee is $125. Here is the link for the online registration: http://youth.denver.goarch.org/events/2015- events/2015-southern-region-lenten-retreat 2015 Transfiguration Bible Bowl Gospel of Luke It is time for our annual Bible Bowl once again so mark your calendars for March 29 and start brushing on Luke. Register your team today! All teams include 3 players, plus alternates if you like. TEEN Teams: players aged 13-19 or ADULT Teams: players 20+. Registration forms as well as practice questions are available in Mt. Tabor Hall and online on our site. Please return the form by March 15. For more information, contact Dr. Jacob Angelo at gibboangelo@gmail.com High School Girl discussions with Mary. TODAY!!! If you are a young lady in grades 9 through 12, please join us today for a special outing after church. We'll meet in the church hall directly after Sunday School and then go out for coffee, tea, and snacks while parents participate in coffee hour at the church. The purpose will be to enjoy each other's company as we discuss issues of faith and life as a teenager. Parents and teens, feel free to contact Mary Long with questions about this opportunity. BOOK CLUB FOR GREAT LENT The Art of Salvation by Elder Ephraim Monday evenings at 4:30pm right before the Great Compline. Father Vasileios will lead the group study the spiritual words shaped by the personal experiences of Elder Ephraim. Thirty three homilies that are indeed alive, informative, inspiring, and which outline, with profound simplicity, the means that securely lead to salvation. The book is available for purchase in our bookstore. Orthodoxy 102 The Seven Ecumenical Councils: Their Eternal Truth Speaking to Us Today Dn. George and Father Vasileios will hold the Orthodoxy 102 class on Wednesday evenings at 7pm following the Presanctified Liturgy. There will be a Lenten Pot Luck dinner sponsored by the Philoptochos and the lesson will start right after that. This is a great class for everyone including catechumens as it helps us understand the history, decisions and effects of the seven Ecumenical Councils.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS Sunday, March 01, 2015 Events & Services for this Week Monday, March 2 - Book Club - 5pm Great Compline - 6pm Wednesday, March 4-9th Hour Prayers - 5:30pm Presanctified - 6pm Philoptochos sponsored Lenten Dinner - 7pm Orthodoxy 102-7pm Thursday, March 5 - OCF SAC 3.106-8pm Friday, March 6 - Presanctified - 10am Gospel of Luke - 6pm Salutations of the Theotokos - 7pm Saturday, March 7 - Philoptochos Lenten Retreat - 2-5pm Great Vespers - 5pm HOPE/JOY Lenten Lesson - 6-8pm GOYA Reminders 1. Lenten Retreat: March 13th March 15th The Retreat will be held at Sky Ranch Retreat Center in Van, Texas on the weekend of March 13-15, 2015. Registration is $125 and closes at midnight Mountain Time on March 3rd. The Retreat will be facilitated by the staff of the Archdiocese "IV On The Go" program. Information and registration can be found at: http://youth.denver.goarch.org/events/2015-events/2015- southern-region-lenten-retreat 2. 2015 Camp Emmanuel - June 2015 Registration is open http://www.youth.denver.goarch.org/ events/2015-events/2015-camp-emmanuel-home/. Registration must be completed by May 1 2015. Junior Session: June 7-13, 2015 (Ages 11-14) Middle School; Senior Session: June 14-20, 2015 (Ages 15-18) High School The Regular Registration Fee is $350 ($330 for additional children in the same immediate family). Early registration fees, processed by 11:59 p.m. MDT, on March 31, 2015 will receive a 10% discount. (Does not include air fare) Thank you to last week s Coffee Hour Sponsors: Burks, Burns, Christou, Chronis Melakis, Petty Thank you to this week s Coffee Hour Sponsors Bell, Clay, Clay, Cotham, Courtney, Crenshaw Next week s Coffee Hour Sponsors: Daskalantonakis, Demetriadis, DeRossi, Dietz, Dow, Draina Thank you to last week s ushers: Tom Rigney (PCM) Paul Petrogeorge, Allen Wynn, Maria Justice Thank you to today's ushers: Christa Sewell (PCM) Anita Jones, David Horwedel, Gregory Chronis Next week s ushers are: Allen Wynn (PCM) Kevin Korioth, Tricia Korioth, Stella Rossnagel