HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS 60714 -- PHONE (847) 647-8880 Web: SaintHaralambosGOC.org MARTYR CHRISTINA OF TYRE Celebrated July 24 The Martyr Christina lived during the third century. She was born into a rich family, and her father was governor of Tyre. By the age of 11 the girl was exceptionally beautiful, and many wanted to marry her. Christina s father, however, envisioned that his daughter should become a pagan priestess. To this end he placed her in a special dwelling where he had set up many gold and silver idols, and he commanded his daughter to burn incense before them. Two servants attended Christina. In her solitude, Christina began to wonder who had created this beautiful world. From her room she was delighted by the stars of the heavens and she constantly came back to the thought about the Creator of all the world. She was convinced that the voiceless and inanimate idols in her room could not create anything, since they themselves were created by human hands. She began to pray to the One God with tears, entreating Him to reveal Himself. Her soul blazed with love for the Unknown God, and she intensified her prayer all the more, and combined it with fasting. One time Christina was visited by an angel, who instructed her in the true faith in Christ, the Savior of the world. The angel called her a bride of Christ and told her about her future suffering. The holy virgin smashed all the idols standing in her room and threw them out the window. In visiting his daughter Christina s father, Urban, asked her where all the idols had disappeared. Christina was silent. Then, having summoned the servants, Urban learned the truth from them. In a rage the father began to slap his daughter s face. At first, the holy virgin remained quiet, but then she told her father about her faith in the One True God, and that she had destroyed the idols with her own hands. Urban gave orders to kill all the servants in attendance upon his daughter, and he gave Christina a fierce beating and threw her in prison. Having learned about what had happened, St Christina s mother came in tears, imploring her to renounce Christ and to return to her ancestral beliefs. But Christina remained unyielding. On another day, Urban brought his daughter to trial and urged her to offer worship to the gods, and to ask forgiveness for her misdeeds. Instead, he saw her firm and steadfast confession of faith in Christ. The torturers tied her to an iron wheel, beneath which they lit a fire. The body of the martyr, turning round on the wheel, was scorched on all sides. They then threw her into prison. An angel of God appeared at night, healing her wounds and strengthening her with food. Her father, seeing her unharmed, gave orders to drown her in the sea. An angel sustained the saint while the stone sank down, and Christina miraculously came out of the water and reappeared before her father. In terror, the torturer imputed this to sorcery and he decided to execute her in the morning. That night he himself suddenly died. Another governor, Dion, was sent in his place. He summoned the holy martyr and also tried to persuade her to renounce Christ, but seeing her unyielding firmness, he again subjected her to cruel tortures. The holy martyr was for a long while in prison. People began to flock to her, and she converted them to the true faith in Christ. Thus about 300 were converted. In place of Dion, a new governor Julian arrived and resumed the torture of the saint. After various torments, Julian gave orders to throw her into a red-hot furnace and lock her in it. After five days they opened the furnace and found the martyr alive and unharmed. Seeing this miracle take place, many believed in Christ the Savior, and the torturers executed St Christina with a sword. From the Antiochian.org/node/19011

The Philoptochos of St. Haralambos invites you to join us at our Coffee Fellowship Hour after church services. PROSPHORA We thank Mrs. Marianna Koliopoulos and Mrs. Kalitsa Georgatsos, who have offered today s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by Presvytera Georgia (Tues, July 26), Mrs. Anastasia Maroutsos (Thurs, July 28) and by The Tafreshing Family an Mrs. Demetra Tsagalis (Sunday, July 31). MEMORIAL SERVICES 40 days Alex Vickas 1 year Nikolaos Dakas 1 year Vasilios Lygiros Memorial services are offered for the eternal rest of persons who have fallen asleep in the Lord. There are some days when Memorials are not permitted please call the church office before planning. Memorials take place at 40 days, at 6 months, at 1 year and at 3 years. After three years have passed, the departed are more properly remembered on the Saturdays of the Souls. Please also remember that we have discontinued the custom of placing candles in the kolyva. ARTOKLASIA is offered today in honor of St. Markella by the Karyes Chios Society, for the health and well-being of their members and the entire St. Haralambos community. WHO CAN RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION? Because receiving Holy Communion or any other Sacrament is an expression of our acceptance of the dogmatic and moral teachings of the Orthodox Faith, only Orthodox Christians (by baptism or chrismation) in good standing may participate. For this reason, persons who do not agree with these teachings, or not in good standing (for example, married outside the church, or unmarried but sexually active, or civilly divorced but not ecclesiastically divorced), must return to good standing in order to participate in Orthodox Sacraments such as Holy Communion and Unction. This is also the reason that Orthodox Christians do not receive sacraments in non-orthodox churches.f STEWARDSHIP 2016! If you have not yet made your 2016 commitments, please do so. There is no minimum, but true stewardship means we set a level of giving in proportion to our resources and income. Our stewardship level should be an amount that reflects our growing love of God and our appreciation for the blessings and benefits we derive from our Church! ABOUT KNEELING, STANDING and SITTING From earliest times, the Church has taught that the proper position for prayer is to stand. (Until recently, most Orthodox Churches did not even have seating for the faithful! Traditionally, it was irregular to sit in church; seating only existed along the walls for the elderly.) As an expression of awe and respect, however, there are times when it is proper to kneel in church, especially at the time when the holy bread and wine are consecrated (called the Epiclesis ) into the precious Body and Blood of our Lord. At the Epiclesis, all the faithful are expected to kneel during weekday Liturgies; on Sundays, however, some may kneel and others may choose to stand. Those who are unable to kneel for various reasons are asked to remain standing. Sitting (except for health reasons) at the Epiclesis is not respectful. SWEET AND KIND: Please understand that chewing gum in church is considered to be very discourteous and even vulgar. Your attention to this is greatly appreciated. ANNOUNCEMENTS Please teach your children to dress modestly. Shoulders and midriffs should be covered, and discretion used concerning skirt lengths and excessive makeup and jewelry.

THE 2016 BIG GREEK FOOD FEST OF NILES We are happy to announce that our 2016 Food Fest was our most successful of all! Many thanks for your support we appreciate all who donated, volunteered and attended! Congratulations to Ellen Kuksuk, the winner of this year s Grand Raffle! In truth there is only one freedom; the holy freedom of Christ, whereby He freed us from sin, from evil, from the devil. It binds us to God. All other freedoms are illusory, false, that is to say, they are all, in fact, slavery. St. Justin Popovich AREA FESTIVALS Plan to visit and support the Greek Festivals of our sister churches: TODAY: Assumption, Chicago and Assumption, Homer Glen NEXT WEEK: All Saints, Joliet THE ST. HARALAMBOS GREEK SCHOOL REGISTRATION INFOR- MATION Pre-Registration for the 2016-17 Greek school year has begun! THE OUTREACH COMMITTEE has placed a donation box in the narthex to raise money to help people in need. We have been able to help many people THROUGH YOUR GENEROSI- TY! THE OURTREACH COMMITTEE will have their Bessie s Table Outreach tomorrow, Monday, July 25. Bessies Table is a ministry that feeds about 80-90 people in need once per month. We They also are organizing Meals on Wheels for Saturday, July 30. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the church office. WELCOME to all our friends, parishioners and visitors! We are happy that you have come to worship with us, and hope that you have had a prayerful and uplifting experience. We invite you to join the St. Haralambos family for worship and other activities any time! Please turn off cell-phones and video games during Church services. Phone conversations are not allowed in church!

Ἀπόστολος καὶ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἡμέρας AΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Ρωμαίους ι 1-10 Ἀδελφοί, ἡ μὲν εὐδοκία τῆς ἐμῆς καρδίας καὶ ἡ δέησις ἡ πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἰσραήλ ἐστιν εἰς σωτηρίαν. Μαρτυρῶ γὰρ αὐτοῖς ὅτι ζῆλον Θεοῦ ἔχουσιν, ἀλλʼ οὐ κατʼ ἐπίγνωσιν. Ἀγνοοῦντες γὰρ τὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ δικαιοσύνην, καὶ τὴν ἰδίαν δικαιοσύνην ζητοῦντες στῆσαι, τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ τοῦ Θεοῦ οὐχ ὑπετάγησαν. Τέλος γὰρ νόμου Χριστὸς εἰς δικαιοσύνην παντὶ τῷ πιστεύοντι. Μωϋσῆς γὰρ γράφει τὴν δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐκ τοῦ νόμου, ὅτι ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὰ ἄνθρωπος ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς. Ἡ δὲ ἐκ πίστεως δικαιοσύνη οὕτως λέγει, Μὴ εἴπῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου, Τίς ἀναβήσεται εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν; - τοῦτʼ ἔστιν Χριστὸν καταγαγεῖν - ἤ, Τίς καταβήσεται εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον; - τοῦτʼ ἔστιν Χριστὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναγαγεῖν. Ἀλλὰ τί λέγει; Ἐγγύς σου τὸ ῥῆμά ἐστιν, ἐν τῷ στόματί σου καὶ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου τοῦτʼ ἔστιν τὸ ῥῆμα τῆς πίστεως ὃ κηρύσσομεν ὅτι ἐὰν ὁμολογήσῃς ἐν τῷ στόματί σου κύριον Ἰησοῦν, καὶ πιστεύσῃς ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς αὐτὸν ἤγειρεν ἐκ νεκρῶν, σωθήσῃ καρδίᾳ γὰρ πιστεύεται εἰς δικαιοσύνην, στόματι δὲ ὁμολογεῖται εἰς σωτηρίαν. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Ματθαῖον (Ματθ. η 28 θ 1) Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐλθόντι τῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς τὴν χώραν τῶν Γεργεσηνῶν ὑπήντησαν αὐτῷ δύο δαιμονιζόμενοι ἐκ τῶν μνημείων ἐξερχόμενοι, χαλεποὶ λίαν, ὥστε μὴ ἰσχύειν τινὰ παρελθεῖν διὰ τῆς ὁδοῦ ἐκείνης. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἔκραξαν λέγοντες Τί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί, Ἰησοῦ Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ; ἦλθες ὧδε πρὸ καιροῦ βασανίσαι ἡμᾶς; Ἦν δὲ μακρὰν ἀπ αὐτῶν ἀγέλη χοίρων πολλῶν βοσκομένη. Οἱ δὲ δαίμονες παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν λέγοντες Εἰ ἐκβάλλεις ἡμᾶς, ἐπίτρεψον ἡμῖν ἀπελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ἀγέλην τῶν χοίρων. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ὑπάγετε. Οἱ δὲ ἐξελθόντες ἀπῆλθον εἰς τὴν ἀγέλην τῶν χοίρων καὶ ἰδοὺ ὥρμησεν πᾶσα ἡ ἀγέλη τῶν χοίρων κατὰ τοῦ κρημνοῦ εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν, καὶ ἀπέθανον ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν. Οἱ δὲ βόσκοντες ἔφυγον, καὶ ἀπελθόντες εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἀπήγγειλαν πάντα καὶ τὰ τῶν δαιμονιζομένων. Καὶ ἰδοὺ πᾶσα ἡ πόλις ἐξῆλθεν εἰς συνάντησιν τῷ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν παρεκάλεσαν ὅπως μεταβῇ ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων αὐτῶν. Καὶ ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον, διεπέρασεν, καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν.

Epistle and Gospel Readings for Today EPISTLE READING Romans 10: 1-10 Brethren, my heart s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law, that everyone who has faith may be justified. Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on the law shall live by it. But the righteousness based on faith says, Do not say in your heart, Who will ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down) or Who will descend into the abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved. GOSPEL READING Matthew 8: 28-9:1 At that time, when Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one would pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.

SR. GOYA (HIGH SCHOOL) The Senior G.O.Y.A. will be going to Papagalino s for coffee and dessert on Monday, July 25 at 7:00 pm. Come & catch up with your friends and reconnect with one another! FAMILY SYNAXIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2016 RETREAT For the second time, our Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis Labor Day Retreat will be held at the new Saint Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, Wisconsin! The facilities are beautiful as are the gorgeous views from both the front AND the back of the building! It s a short drive over the Wisconsin border, so it will be much easier for families to travel there. This weekend retreat for Orthodox Christians will include worship, workshops & discussion groups for both adults and children, fun outdoor activities including nature walks, hayrides, farm animals, athletics, and fellowship with other families. DATES: Friday September 2 at 7 pm to Sunday, September 4 at 4 pm THEME: Sacred Space, Sacred Time: Cultivating Orthodox Families Workshop Leader: Fr. Andrew Kearns, Priest, Chaplain, Pastoral Care Specialist and Father of Four Please register by August 17 for a reduced registration cost. August 24 is the last day to register for the retreat. You can register at www.gocfamilysynaxis.org Questions? Contact Eleni Anast at 708.250.0034 ST HARALAMBOS GOLF OUTING! THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 OLD ORCHARD COUNTRY CLUB 7000 W. Rand Rd, Mount Prospect, IL Hole and Pin Sponsorships are welcomed! MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Shotgun start at 11am! $125 per golfer Golf with Cart Lunch Dinner For more information, please contact the church office at nilesgoc@aol.com

STEWARDSHIP 2016 To Stewardship είναι το οξυγόνο της εκκλησίας μας, και πρέπει να είναι μια έκφραση της αξάπης και υποστήριξης δια την Εκκλησία μας και τον Θεόν. Σας παροτρύνουμε όπως η εφετεινή προσφορά σας είναι μία προσφορά πίστεως, αγάπης και θάρρους! Προς το παρόν, μόνον το 45% του εισοδήματος της ενορίας μας προέρχεται από το Stewardship. Αυτό σημαίνει ότι δια να καλύψουμε το υπόλοιπο 55% των αναγκών της εκκλησίας μας πρέπει να βασιστούμε σε ξένες πηγές. Η εκκλησία μας δεν ανήκει σε ξένους ανθρώπους! Μπορείτε να μας βοηθήσετε να καταφέρουμε να συντηρήσουμε το 100% των αναγκών μας μέσω του Stewardship ; ΠΟΙΟΙ ΔΥΝΑΝΤΑΙ ΝΑ ΛΑΒΟΥΝ ΘΕΙΑΝ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΝ - Όταν λαμβάνομεν Θείαν Κοινω -νίαν η οποιοδήποτε από τα άλλα Μυστήρια εκφρά-ζομεν την αποδοχήν μας εις τα δογματικά και ηθικά διδάγματα της Ορθοδόξου μας Εκκλησίας. Διά τούτο, μόνον Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί οι οποίοι είναι εντάξει απέναντι της Εκκλησίας δύνανται να λάβουν μέρος εις τα Μυστήρια, όπως Θεία Κοινωνία και Ευχέλαιο, και δεν πρέπει να λαμβάνουν μέρος σε Μυστήρια σε μη Ορθόδοξες εκκλησίες. Διά οποιεσδήποτε απορίες σας, παρακαλούμε να συζητήσετε με τον ιερέα σας. ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ Επιμνημόσυνες δεήσεις γίνονται για την αιώνιον ανάπαυση των τεθνεώντων. Mon, July 25 Tues, July 26 Thurs, July 28 Sat, July 30 Ανακοινώσεις Συνήθως, αυτές οι δεήσεις γίνονται κατά τις 40 ημέρες, τους 6 μήνες, τον 1 ον χρόνο και τον 3 ον χρόνο. Όταν έχουν περάσει τρία χρόνια, είναι πιο αρμόζον να μνημονεύουμε τους αποθανόντας κατά τα Ψυχοσάββατα. ΠΟΤΕ ΝΑ ΓΟΝΑΤΙΖΟΥΜΕ, ΝΑ ΣΤΕΚΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΚΑΘΟΜΑΣΤΕ Από τα πρώτα χρόνια, η Εκκλησία μας δίδαξε ότι η αρμόζουσα θέση για να προσευχόμεθα είναι να στεκόμεθα όρθιοι. (Μέχρι πρόσφατα, οι περισσότερες Ορθόδοξες εκκλησίες δεν είχαν καθόλου καθίσματα δια τους πιστούς! Tα καθίσματα υπήρχαν μόνον κατά μήκος των τοίχων δια τους ηλικιωμένους.) Ως έκφραση δέους και σεβασμού, υπάρχουν φορές που είθισται όμως να γονατίζουμε στην εκκλησία, ιδιαιτέρως κατά την ώρα της Επικλήσεως, όταν ο ιερός άρτος και οίνος μεταβάλλονται εις το τίμιο Σώμα και Αίμα του Χρηστού μας. Κατά την Επίκλησιν (Σε Υμνοῦμεν), στις καθημερινές λειτουργίες, αναμένεται να γονατίζουν όλοι οι πιστοί. Κάθε Κυριακή όμως, μερικοί διαλέγουν να γονατίζουν και άλλοι παραμένουν όρθιοι. Αυτοί που για διάφορες αιτίες δεν δύνανται να γονατίσουν, παρακαλούνται να παραμένουν όρθιοι εις ένδειξιν σεβασμού. Εκτός για λόγους υγείας, δεν είναι αρμόζον να κάθεται κανείς την ώρα της Επικλήσεως. SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: Bessie s Table Outreach. 4:30 pm Sr. GOYA @ Papagalino 7:00 pm Orthros and Divine Liturgy (St. Paraskevi).. 8:30 am Orthros and Divine Liturgy (St. Irene Chrysovalantou)... 8:30 am Meals on Wheels......11:00 am UPCOMING LITURGICAL SERVICES Paraklesis Services to the Theotokos 1st, 3rd, 8th, 10th & 12 of August -7 pm Vespers for the Holy Transfiguration of our Lord Friday, August 5-7 pm Orthros & Divine Liturgy (Feast of the Transfiguration) Saturday, Aug 6-8:30 am Orthos & Divine Liturgy for the Koimisis of the Theotokos Mon, Aug 15-8:30am Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.

TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, July 24, 2016 Fifth Sunday of Matthew -- Κυριακὴ E Ματθαίου The Holy Great Martyr Christina. Hermogenes the Martyr. Athenagoras the Apologist. Ἁγίας Μεγαλομάρτυρος Χριστίνης. Τοῦ Ἁγ Μάρτ. Ἑρμογένους. Ἀθηναγόρα Ἀπολογητοῦ ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY Apolytikion of the Fourth Tone Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀποῤῥίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον, Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. When they had learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and that the ancestral condemnation was cast away, the women disciples of the Lord spoke to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting to the world the great mercy. Apolytikion of St. Christina Ἡ ἀμνάς σου Ἰησοῦ κράζει μεγάλῃ τῇ φωνή Σὲ Νυμφίε μου ποθῶ, καὶ σὲ ζητοῦσα ἀθλῶ, καὶ συσταυροῦμαι καὶ συνθάπτομαι τῷ βαπτισμῷ σου καὶ πάσχω διὰ σέ, ὡς βασιλεύσω σὺν σοί, καὶ θνῄσκω ὑπὲρ σοῦ, ἵνα καὶ ζήσω ἐν σοί, ἀλλ' ὡς θυσίαν ἄμωμον, προσδέχου τὴν μετὰ πόθου τυθεῖσάν σοι. Αὐτῆς πρεσβείαις, ὡς ἐλεήμων, σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Apolytikion of the Holy Taxiarchs Τῶν οὐρανίων στρατιῶν Ἀρχιστράτηγοι, δυσωποῦμεν ὑμᾶς ἡμεῖς οἱ ἀνάξιοι, ἵνα ταῖς ὑμῶν δεήσεσι, τειχίσητε ἡμᾶς, σκέπῃ τῶν πτερύγων, τῆς ἀΰλου ὑμῶν δόξης, φρουροῦντες ἡμᾶς προσπίπτοντας, ἐκτενῶς καὶ βοῶντας Ἐκ τῶν κινδύνων λυτρώσασθε ἡμᾶς, ὡς Ταξιάρχαι τῶν ἄνω Δυνάμεων. Supreme Commanders of the heavenly armies, we the unworthy beseech and implore you, that by your supplications you encircle us under the cover of the wings of your ineffable glory; guarding us who bow down with fervor crying: From dangers deliver us, as Leaders of the Powers above. Apolytikion of St. Haralambos Ὡς στῦλος ἀκλόνητος, τῆς Ἐκκλησίας Χριστοῦ, καὶ λύχνος ἀείφωτος τῆς οἰκουμένης σοφέ, ἐδείχθης Χαράλαμπες, ἔλαμψας ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, διὰ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, ἔλυσας τῶν εἰδώλων, τὴν σκοτόμαιναν μάκαρ, διὸ ἐν παῤῥησίᾳ Χριστῷ, πρέσβευε σωθῆναι ἡμᾶς. As a pillar unshakable of the Church of Christ, and an ever-radiant lamp to the universe, were you, O wise Haralambos; you illumined the world through martyrdom; you dispelled the moonless night of the idols, o blessed one. Therefore with boldness before Christ, intercede that we may be saved. ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ KONTAKION OF THE DAY 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.