HOLY TAXIARHAI AND SAINT HARALAMBOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 7373 CALDWELL AVENUE, NILES, ILLINOIS 60714 -- PHONE (847) 647-8880 Web: SaintHaralambosGOC.org Fr. Constantine P. Botsis, Proistamenos Deacon John G. Suhayda Fr. George Lamberis, Synefemerios Nick Harisiadis, Protopsaltis SAINT BARBARA AS A MODEL FOR OUR LIVES St. Barbara came from the East and was raised in a pagan family. Her father was a rich pagan, and his daughter was a virtuous person catechized in the faith by a pious woman. After her baptism she lived in an enclosed tower where she lived in asceticism and prayer. She learned to entrust to God all her problems and difficulties. Her father learned that she became a Christian. He had a bath house built and ordered for it to have two windows. The Saint told the craftsmen to make three windows. When her father asked about this she replied that she had three windows opened in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Then, full of anger, he came against her with a sword and she fled into the forest. He chased her, arrested her and led her to the pagan ruler who tried to persuade her to deny Christ. She remained steadfast in her faith, and he wanted to humiliate her for this. He ordered the removal of her clothing and to parade her this way through the city. This, however, failed because God protected her. At the moment when they tried to unclothe her, she would be dressed immediately with new clothes, better and more brilliant than the previous. Then the ruler ordered her decapitation, and her father, full of hatred and blind fanaticism, decapitated her with his own hands, and in this way she received the crown of martyrdom. The life and times of Saint Barbara gives us the opportunity to emphasize the following: First, the offering of one s self to God and to entrust to Him, with unwavering confidence, the various problems that concern us, is a way of life that helps us balance our lives and not despair, not to feel down as we often say. For it is not a small thing to be hated by your own father, for him to give you over to tortures and finally for him to bring on your death with his own hands. That is, from the place where you expect to experience love, the essence of life, you encounter hatred and death; from the place where you seek support and comfort in the difficulties of your life, you face hostility even for having not committed any offense. The only offense was because you have chosen a different faith from what he had, even though he should love you sacrificially. Do you think such similar events do not happen nowadays? For someone to want to impose one s views on another, when they feel like they have the ability to do so, with flattering and promises of a better life, or even with various extortions when the other is in a disadvantaged position? Many times poverty and misery lead people to the decision to leave their homeland and submit to the trial of searching for better and more humane living conditions. And then, unfortunately, several tragic events occur, many of which the protagonists are certain parents. Second, the fall of man into sin and apostasy from God, led them to create substitutes of the true God. This led to the establishment of various religions, in which they essentially worship created things and nonexistent gods. Christ became man to free humanity from the tyranny of the devil and created things. Orthodoxy is not a human construct, it is not a discovery of man and in this sense it is not a religion, but a Church. In other words, it is a revelation of God Himself and, as it is stressed by the ever-memorable Fr. John Romanides, it is the treatment of religion, or superstition. Unfortunately, today we are becoming witnesses of sick events, such as the hatred of blind fanaticism, which is derived from various human constructs. (Continued on page 6)
ANNOUNCEMENTS The St. Haralambos Outreach Committee invites you to our Coffee Fellowship Hour after today s church services. PROSPHORA We thank Mrs. Helen Kontos, Mrs. Niki Maglaris and Mrs. Sophia Paschos, who have offered today s prosphora. Next week, the prosphora will be offered by Mrs. Voula Andrews (Tues, Dec 6), and by the Sikoral Family, the Kereakes Family and Mrs. Athena Demeros (Sunday, December 11). MEMORIAL SERVICES 40 days Katerina Papapanayiotou 6 months Maria Sarantopoulos 3 years Petros Siakavelis 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. SACRAMENTAL REGISTRY Congratulations to:..mr. and Mrs. Haralambos Alexopoulos on the Baptism of their daughter today at St. Haralambos. ΝΑ ΖΗΣH! OUR SISTER COMMUNITY of St. Nicholas in Oak Lawn invites you to Great Vespers Monday evening at 7:00 pm and to Liturgy Tuesday morning in honor of the Feast of St. Nicholas. (Divine Liturgy WILL celebrated at St. Haralambos on Dec 6th.) 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 why Orthodox Christians do not receive sacraments in non-orthodox churches. COAT DRIVE The St. Haralambos Outreach Program is having a Coat Drive! New and/or gently used kids, women s and men s coats are being collected from now through December 11. A coat in the back of your closet could make a big difference for someone less fortunate facing the cold winter ahead! The goal is for all the donated coats to find their way to those who need them, within and outside our community. ((If you know persons in need of a warm coat, please let us know! PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS PARTY The ladies of our St. Haralambos Philoptochos will have their annual Christmas Dinner on Thursday evening, December 8 at the Chateau Ritz. The reception hour will begin at 6:00 and Dinner will be at 7:00, and the donation is only $35. Bring a friend! For reservations, call Pam Papakanelou (847-509-8241) or the church office (847-647-8880). Please make your reservations before December 1st! OUR 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 GENEROSITY, and we thank you! IN ORDER to maintain the dignity of the service and not to distract others, you are kindly asked to turn off your cell-phone during all Church services.
PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS will take place on December 18, and nomination forms have been mailed. Please give consideration to becoming a member of the Parish Council! NOMINATIONS CLOSE ON THURS- DAY, DECEMBER 8 AT 3:00 PM! 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! THE INREACH COMMITTEE Just as we have an Outreach Committee, we are in the process of creating an Inreach Committee. Fr. Dean is looking for people who are interested in researching a plan for the internal, spiritual growth of our families. Have you ever felt that you want to know more about the faith? Are you interested in joining this committee? Please call Fr Dean at the church office! SAVE THE DATE! DEC 4 General Assembly TODAY DEC 8 Deadline for Parish Council Nominations DEC 8 Annual Philoptochos Christmas Party DEC 18 Parish Council Elections DEC 18 Metropolis Open House FEB 12 St. Haralambos 67th Anniversary Celebration BASKETBALL NEWS Congratulations to the Girls Basketball Team on their First Place finish in the Thanksgiving Tournament! We also congratulate the High School boys for finishing in 2nd place! 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, fellowship after church and other activities any time. ANNOUNCEMENTS ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN TOY DRIVE FOR FOSTER CHILDREN We would like to thank everyone who participated in this year s Gift/Toy Drive for your generosity and thoughtfulness. GET IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT! Come to the Pan-Orthodox Christmas Concert, Come Let Us Adore Him, at 6:30 pm on Saturday, December 10 (following Vespers) at St. John the Baptist in Des Plaines. All are welcomed! THE CHRISTMAS FAST HAS BEGUN From November 15 through December 24 is a period of fasting for Orthodox Christians, in preparation for the Great Feast of Christmas. Fasting is a way of self-katharsis, self-discipline and anticipation for this great Holiday, in imitation of Christ who fasted in the desert before he began His public ministry. It is a light Fast (fish is allowed) until December 17. For the final week, a strict fast is prescribed. NOTICE! BIBLE STUDY Our weekly Bible Study group has moved to 7:30 pm on Thursdays! Everyone is welcome to join! Bring your Bible, and plan to study the Gospel of Luke with us! 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. In consideration of others, please remove lipstick when reverencing the holy icons or receiving Holy Communion. Please be careful when you receive Holy Communion that you do not bump the Holy Chalice and cause it to spill! If your child is distracting to others, do not be embarrassed; they are only children. If they continue to disturb, however, you are requested to take your child to our cry room. It is proper to remain standing while people are receiving Holy Communion. It is a sacred moment for our brothers and sisters; a time we should be praying for one another, rather than relaxing.
Ἀπόστολος καὶ Εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἡμέρας ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Γαλ. γ 23-22; δ 1-5 Ἀδελφοί, πρὸ τοῦ δὲ ἐλθεῖν τὴν πίστιν, ὑπὸ νόμον ἐφρουρούμεθα, συγκεκλεισμένοι εἰς τὴν μέλλουσαν πίστιν ἀποκαλυφθῆναι. Ὥστε ὁ νόμος παιδαγωγὸς ἡμῶν γέγονεν εἰς Χριστόν, ἵνα ἐκ πίστεως δικαιωθῶμεν. Ἐλθούσης δὲ τῆς πίστεως, οὐκέτι ὑπὸ παιδαγωγόν ἐσμεν. Πάντες γὰρ υἱοὶ Θεοῦ ἐστε διὰ τῆς πίστεως ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Ὅσοι γὰρ εἰς Χριστὸν ἐβαπτίσθητε, Χριστὸν ἐνεδύσασθε. Οὐκ ἔνι Ἰουδαῖος οὐδὲ Ἕλλην, οὐκ ἔνι δοῦλος οὐδὲ ἐλεύθερος, οὐκ ἔνι ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς εἷς ἐστε ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Εἰ δὲ ὑμεῖς Χριστοῦ, ἄρα τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ σπέρμα ἐστέ, καὶ κατʼ ἐπαγγελίαν κληρονόμοι. Λέγω δέ, ἐφʼ ὅσον χρόνον ὁ κληρονόμος νήπιός ἐστιν, οὐδὲν διαφέρει δούλου, κύριος πάντων ὤν ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ ἐπιτρόπους ἐστὶν καὶ οἰκονόμους, ἄχρι τῆς προθεσμίας τοῦ πατρός. Οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς, ὅτε ἦμεν νήπιοι, ὑπὸ τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου ἦμεν δεδουλωμένοι ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν Υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός, γενόμενον ὑπὸ νόμον, ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ Λουκᾶν ιγ 10-17 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Ην δὲ διδάσκων ἐν μιᾷ τῶν συναγωγῶν ἐν τοῖς σάββασι. Καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ ἦν πνεῦμα ἔχουσα ἀσθενείας ἔτη δέκα καὶ ὀκτώ, καὶ ἦν συγκύπτουσα καὶ μὴ δυναμένη ἀνακῦψαι εἰς τὸ παντελές. Ίδὼν δὲ αὐτὴν ὁ Ιησοῦς προσεφώνησε καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ γύναι, ἀπολέλυσαι τῆς ἀσθενείας σου καὶ ἐπέθηκεν αὐτῇ τὰς χεῖρας καὶ παραχρῆμα ἀνωρθώθη καὶ ἐδόξαζε τὸν Θεόν. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ἀρχισυνάγωγος, ἀγανακτῶν ὅτι τῷ σαββάτῳ ἐθεράπευσεν ὁ Ιησοῦς, ἔλεγε τῷ ὄχλῳ ἓξ ἡμέραι εἰσὶν ἐν αἷς δεῖ ἐργάζεσθαι ἐν ταύταις οὖν ἐρχόμενοι θεραπεύεσθε, καὶ μὴ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου. Ἀπεκρίθη οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ Κύριος καὶ εἶπεν ὑποκριτά, ἕκαστος ὑμῶν τῷ σαββάτῳ οὐ λύει τὸν βοῦν αὐτοῦ ἢ τὸν ὄνον ἀπὸ τῆς φάτνης καὶ ἀπαγαγὼν ποτίζει; ταύτην δέ, θυγατέρα Αβραὰμ οὖσαν, ἣν ἔδησεν ὁ σατανᾶς ἰδοὺ δέκα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη, οὐκ ἔδει λυθῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ δεσμοῦ τούτου τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου; καὶ ταῦτα λέγοντος αὐτοῦ κατῃσχύνοντο πάντες οἱ ἀντικείμενοι αὐτῷ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος ἔχαιρεν ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἐνδόξοις τοῖς γινομένοις ὑπ αὐτοῦ.
Epistle and Gospel Readings for Today EPISTLE READING Galatians 3:23-29;4-1:5 BRETHREN, before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate; but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. GOSPEL READING Luke 13:10-17 At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.
UPCOMING YOUTH MINISTRY DATES Please fill out a registration form in the Church Office. Little Angels (Ages 4 and under) Tues, December 6-11:30am 1 pm Family Night (Families & youth in Pre-k 5th grade) Next gathering Mon., December 19 Bowling Details TBD Jr. GOYA (6th 8th grades) Next Activity: Mon, Dec. 12 6:30 pm 8 pm Sr. GOYA (High School) Mon, Dec 5 Lazer Quest (644 E Rand Rd, Arlington Heights 6:30 pm 8:45 pm (includes pizza & 3 games) CHURCH BASKETBALL Come support our Church Basketball Teams! Sunday, Dec 4 St. Haralambos @ St Demetrios (Elmhurst) 1:45 pm Biddy 3rd-4th grade 2:30 pm Biddy 5th & 6th grade 3:30 pm Grade School 4:30 pm Girls 5:30 pm High School Boys COLLEGE CONFERENCE MIDWEST 2016 Who: OCF (ages 18-25) When: Dec: 27-30 Where: St. Iakovos Retreat Center Speaker: Rev. Fr. Panagiotis Boznos Visit OCF.net for more information and to register today! (Continued from pg 1)There are nowadays many who argue, apparently out of ignorance, that God is one and that we all worship the same God. There is certainly no greater error than this. For what relation is there between Holy Triune God of the Orthodox Church, who is a Person and develops a personal communion of love with humanity and even teaches love towards our enemies, and the gods of the idols or with the dynastic gods of other religions, that are without mercy for unbelievers and inspire revenge, intolerance and fanaticism? A person is free to believe whatever they want, but we can t bulldoze over everything. The experience of Orthodox ecclesiastical life humanizes people and elevates them to such a point so as to love, not only our children in the flesh which is self-evident, or friends and those who are like-minded, bet even enemies, and they respect their differences and their faiths. A personal communion with the personal God of the Church generates an unwavering trust in His love, which frees man from all complexities and deadlocks, and elevates their humanity. By Protopresbyter Father George Papavarnavas
Ανακοινώσεις STEWARDSHIP 2016 Εχετε ακόμα γίνει Steward δια το 2016; Πέρασαν κιόλας οι πρώτοι ενδέκα μήνες του έτους, και έρχεται ο καιρός να προγραμματίζουμε τον προϋπολογισμό μας δια το 2017! Η συμμετοχή σας στο Stewardship παίζει σπουδαίο ρόλο, καθόσον από αυτό εξαρτάται η επιτυχής ύπαρξη της εκκλησίας μας. Είναι η μεγαλύτερη πηγή εισοδήματος δια την οικονομική μας υποστήριξη! Καλό Stewardship σημαίνει αναλογική προσφορά, δηλαδή προσφορά ανάλογα με τα εισοδήματά μας. Γνωρίζετε ότι το Big Greek Food Fest απλώς μας έβγαλε από το «κόκκινο;» Παρότι υπάρχει κόσμος που πιστεύει ότι η εκκλησία μας έχει πληθώρα χρημάτων, αγωνιζόμεθα και με μεγάλη προσπάθεια καταφέρνουμε να ανταπαξέλθουμε στις υποχρεώσεις μας. Αυτό εξηγεί γιατί το Stewardship μας έχει τόσο πολλή σημασία κάθε χρόνο! Είμεθα ευγνώμονες που υποστηρίζετε την εκκλησία μας και τις ιερατικές λειτουργίες της και εκτιμάμε όλως ιδιαιτέρως τους stewards που αύξησαν το επίπεδο προσφοράς των την χρονιά αυτή. ΠΟΙΟΙ ΔΥΝΑΝΤΑΙ ΝΑ ΛΑΒΟΥΝ ΘΕΙΑΝ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΝ - Όταν λαμβάνομεν Θείαν Κοινωνίαν η οποιοδήποτε από τα άλλα Μυστήρια εκφράζομεν 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 λαμβάνουμε 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. 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. ΔΩΡΑ ΓΙΑ ΘΕΤΑ ΠΑΙΔΙΑ Ενα μεγάλο ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ σε όλους που προσήλθατε να πάρουν Χριστουγεννιάτικα δὠρα διά 215 θετά παιδιά υπό την αιγίδα του DCFS. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΟ ΠΑΡΤΥ ΤΗΣ ΦΙΛΟ- ΠΤΩΧΟΥ-Το ετήσιο Χριστουγεννιάτικο πάρτυ της Φιλοπτώχου του Αγ. Χαραλάμπους θα λάβη χώραν την Πέμπτη το βράδυ, 8 Δεκεμβρίου εις το CHA- TEAU RITZ. H φιλική ώρα στις 6:00 μ.μ. και Δείπνο στις 7:00 μ.μ. Η δωρεά είναι μόνον $35 το άτομο. Διά κρατήσεις θέσεων, παρακαλείσθε όπως επικοινωνείτε με την Pam Papakanelou (847-509- 8241) ή το γραφείο της εκκλησίας (847-647-8880). SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS THIS WEEK: Mon, Dec 5 Sr. GOYA at Lazer Quest (Arlington Heights).. 6:40 pm Tues. Dec 6 Orthros and Liturgy (St Nicholas the Miracle Worker). 8:30 am Little Angels 11:30 am Afternoon Greek School 4:30 pm PTA Monthly Meeting. 5:45 pm Wed. Dec 7 Philoptochos Monthly Meeting. 7:30 pm Thur, Dec 8 Philoptochos Christmas Party 6:00 pm Bible Study. 7:30 pm Fri, Dec 9 Afternoon Greek School. 4:30 pm Sat, Dec 10 Saturday Greek School. 9:00 am Pan-Orthodox Christmas Concert (at St. John, Des Plaines) 6:30 pm Σας παρακαλούμε όπως κρατάτε κλειστά τα κινητά σας τηλέφωνα.
TODAY S ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR Sunday, December 4, 2016 10th Sunday of Luke - Κυριακὴ Ι Λουκᾶ The Holy Great Martyr Barbara. Our Holy Father John of Damascus. Tῆς Ἁγίας Μεγαλομάρτυρος Βαρβάρας. Tοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἰωάννου τοῦ Δαμασκηνοῦ. ΑΠΟΛΥΤΙΚΙA ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ DISMISSAL HYMNS OF THE DAY Apolytikion of the Grave Tone Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέωξας τῷ Ληστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. You destroyed death by Your Cross; You opened Paradise to the thief. The Myrrh-bearers lamentation You transformed, and You commanded the Apostles to proclaim that You are risen, O Christ God, granting the world the Great Mercy. Apolytikion of St. Barbara Βαρβάραν τὴν Ἁγίαν τιμήσωμεν, ἐχθροῦ γὰρ τὰς παγίδας συνέτριψε, καὶ ὡς στρουθίον ἐῤῥύσθη ἐξ αὐτῶν, βοηθείᾳ καὶ ὅπλῳ τοῦ Σταυροῦ ἡ πάνσεμνος. Let us honor the all-revered Saint Barbara; for she did demolish the traps of the adversary and escaped from them like a bird, by the help of the Cross as with a weapon. Apolytikion of St. John of Damascus Ὀρθοδοξίας ὁδηγέ, εὐσεβείας διδάσκαλε καὶ σεμνότητος, τῆς οἰκουμένης ὁ φωστήρ, τῶν μοναζόντων θεόπνευστον ἐγκαλλώπισμα, Ἰωάννη σοφέ, ταῖς διδαχαῖς σου πάντας ἐφώτισας, λύρα τοῦ Πνεύματος. Πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. You are a guide of Orthodoxy, a teacher of piety and modesty, a luminary of the world, the God inspired pride of monastics, O wise John; you have enlightened everyone by your teachings. You are the harp of the Spirit. Intercede to Christ our God for the salvation of our souls. 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 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: Deliver us from dangers, as Leaders of the Powers above. Apolytikion of St. Haralambos As a pillar unshakable of the Church of Christ, and an everradiant 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 Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν Σπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀποῤῥήτως. Χόρευε ἡ οἰκουμένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον μετὰ Ἀγγέλων καὶ τῶν Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα ἐποφθῆναι, Παιδίον νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν.