WEEKLY BULLETIN 2 nd Sunday of Luke Κυριακή Β Λουκά Όρθρος Κυριακής στις 8:45 π.μ. και Θ. Λειτουργία στις 10:00 π.μ. Sunday Orthros at 8:45 a.m. and D. Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Presiding Priest: Fr. Constantine Matthews 1 Οκτωβρίου 2017 1 October 2017
Ήχος πλ. δ Εωθινόν ΣΤ Tone: plagal 4 th Morning Gospel: 6 th Τῇ Αʹ τοῦ αὐτοῦ μηνὸς ἐπιτελοῦμεν την εορτήν τῆς ἁγίας Σκέπης τῆς Ὑπεραγίας Δεσποίνης ἡμῶν Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας (ως και τη 28 η Οκτωβρίου) και την μνήμη τοῦ ἁγίου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνανίου & τοῦ ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ῥωμανοῦ, τοῦ Ποιητοῦ τῶν Κοντακίων. On October 1, we remember the holy Protection of our allholy Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary (as well as October 28) & we commemorate the holy Apostle Ananias & our devout father Romanos, the Poet of Kontakia.
Altar Flowers THE ALTAR FLOWERS TODAY ARE DONATED TO THE GLORY OF GOD BY: Mrs. Sofia Aprea ΝΕΑ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ/ NEWS OF THE DAY Σαραντισμός της Παρασκευής Tοπαλίδου και της θυγατέρας της Μαρίας Fortieth Day Blessing (Churching) for Voula Topalidis and her daughter Maria
Αναστάσιμον Απολυτίκιον. Ἦχος πλ. δ Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν κατεδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. Ἀπολυτίκιον του Αποστόλου Ανανία, Ἦχος γ' Ἀπόστολε Ἅγιε Ἀνανία, πρέσβευε τῷ ἐλεήμονι Θεῷ, ἵνα πταισμάτων ἄφεσιν, παράσχῃ ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν. Ἀπολυτίκιον Οσίου Ρωμανού, Ἦχος πλ. δ' Ἐν σοὶ Πάτερ ἀκριβῶς διεσώθη τὸ κατ' εἰκόνα λαβὼν γὰρ τὸν σταυρόν, ἠκολούθησας τῶ Χριστῷ καὶ πράττων ἐδίδασκες ὑπερορᾶν μὲν σαρκός, παρέρχεται γάρ, ἐπιμελεῖσθαι δὲ ψυχῆς πράγματος ἀθανάτου. Διὸ καὶ μετὰ Ἀγγέλων συναγάλλεται, Ὅσιε Ρωμανέ, τὸ πνεῦμά σου. Απολυτίκιον Αγίου Γεωργίου, Hχος δ. Ὡς τῶν αἰχμαλώτων ἐλευθερωτὴς καὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστής, ἀσθενούντων ἰατρός, βασιλέων ὑπέρμαχος, Τροπαιοφόρε Μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρεσβεῦε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τάς ψυχὰς ἠμῶν. Κοντάκιο, Ήχος β 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.
Αpolytikion of Resurrection, Plagal 4 th Tone You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You. Αpolytikion of St. Ananias, 3 rd Tone O, holy Apostle Ananias, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls forgiveness of offenses. Αpolytikion of Saint Romanus, Plagal 4 th Tone In you, O Father, is preserved undistorted what was made in the image of God; for taking up the cross, you followed Christ and by example taught, that we should overlook the flesh, since it passes away, and instead look after the soul, since it is immortal. And therefore, O devout Romanos, your spirit rejoices with the angels. Αpolytikion for St. George, Tone 4 th As the one renowned for setting captives free, and for defending those in poverty, the physician of the sick and the champion of kings, do thou, o Victory-bearer and Great Martyr George, intercede to Christ our God for the salvation of our souls. Kontakion, Tone 2 nd O Protection of Christians unshamable, mediation with the Creator immovable, we sinners beg you, do not despise the voices of our prayers, but anticipate, since you are good, and swiftly come unto our aid as we cry out to you with faith: Hurry to intercession, and hasten to supplication, O Theotokos who defend now and ever those who honor you.
Αποστολικόν Ανάγνωσμα: Eκ της προς Κορινθίους Βʹ Ἐπιστολῆς του Αποστόλου Παύλου 6:16-18; 7:1 Ἀδελφοί, ὑμεῖς ἐστε ναὸς Θεοῦ ζῶντος, καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ Θεὸς ὅτι ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω, καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν Θεός, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι λαός. Διὸ ἐξέλθετε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει Κύριος, καὶ ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε, κἀγὼ εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς, καὶἔσομαι ὑμῖν εἰς πατέρα, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔσεσθέ μοι εἰς υἱοὺςκαὶ θυγατέρας, λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ. Ταύτας οὖν ἔχοντες τὰςἐπαγγελίας, ἀγαπητοί, καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύματος, ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ Θεοῦ.
The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1 BROTHERS & SISTERS, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.
Ευαγγελικόν Ανάγνωσμα: Eκ του κατά Λουκάν 6:31-36 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος καθὼς θέλετε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ποιεῖτε αὐτοῖς ὁμοίως. Καὶ εἰ ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστίν; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτοὺς ἀγαπῶσιν. Καὶ [γὰρ] ἐὰν ἀγαθοποιῆτε τοὺς ἀγαθοποιοῦντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστίν; καὶ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσιν. Καὶ ἐὰν δανίσητε παρ ὧν ἐλπίζετε λαβεῖν, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις [ἐστίν]; καὶ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἁμαρτωλοῖς δανείζουσιν ἵνα ἀπολάβωσιν τὰ ἴσα. Πλὴν ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν καὶ ἀγαθοποιεῖτε καὶ δανείζετε μηδὲν ἀπελπίζοντες καὶ ἔσται ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολύς, καὶ ἔσεσθε υἱοὶ ὑψίστου, ὅτι αὐτὸς χρηστός ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀχαρίστους καὶ πονηρούς. Γίνεσθε οἰκτίρμονες καθὼς [καὶ] ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν οἰκτίρμων ἐστίν.
The Reading is from Luke 6:31-36 The Lord said, "And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."
Αποστολικό Ανάγνωσμα: Eκ της προς Κορινθίους Β Επιστολής του Αποστόλου Παύλου 6:16-18; 7:1 Αδελφοί μου, μπορεί να υπάρχουν στον ίδιο τόπο ο ναός του Θεού και ο ναός των ειδώλων; Εσείς είστε ναός του αληθινού Θεού, όπως ο ίδιος είπε: Θα κατοικήσω ανάμεσά τους και θα πορεύομαι μαζί τους. Θα είμαι Θεός τους, κι αυτοί θα είναι λαός μου. Γι αυτό λέει ο Κύριος: Φύγετε μακριά απ αυτούς και ξεχωρίστε. Μην αγγίζετε ακάθαρτο πράγμα, κι εγώ θα σας δεχτώ. Θα είμαι για σας ο Πατέρας, κι εσείς θα είστε γιοι και θυγατέρες μου, λέει ακόμα ο παντοκράτορας Κύριος. Αφού λοιπόν, αγαπητοί μου, έχουμε αυτές τις υποσχέσεις, ας καθαρίσουμε τους εαυτούς μας από καθετί που μολύνει το σώμα και την ψυχή. Ας ζήσουμε μια άγια ζωή με φόβο Θεού.
Ευαγγελικό Ανάγνωσμα: Eκ του κατά Λουκάν 6:31-36 Είπε ο Κύριος: Όπως θέλετε να σας συμπεριφέρονται οι άνθρωποι, έτσι ακριβώς να συμπεριφέρεστε κι εσείς σ αυτούς. Γιατί, αν αγαπάτε αυτούς που σας αγαπούν, ποια εύνοια περιμένετε από το Θεό; Αφού και οι αμαρτωλοί αγαπούν αυτούς που τους αγαπούν. Κι αν κάνετε καλό σ αυτούς που σας κάνουν καλό, ποια εύνοια περιμένετε από το Θεό; Και οι αμαρτωλοί το ίδιο κάνουν. Αν δανείζετε σ όσους ελπίζετε να σας τα επιστρέψουν, ποια εύνοια περιμένετε από το Θεό; Και οι αμαρτωλοί δανείζουν στους ομοίους τους για να τα πάρουν πίσω. Αντίθετα, εσείς ν αγαπάτε τους εχθρούς σας, να κάνετε το καλό και να δανείζετε, χωρίς να περιμένετε να πάρετε πίσω τίποτα. Έτσι, ο Θεός, που είναι καλός ακόμα και με τους αχάριστους και τους κακούς, θα σας ανταμείψει με το παραπάνω και θα σας κάνει παιδιά του. Να είστε λοιπόν σπλαχνικοί, όπως σπλαχνικός είναι κι ο Θεός Πατέρας σας».
The Golden Rule In today s Gospel reading from the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord says to us: And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. And He continues: But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. We see here that the Lord is merciful and compassionate. Yes He loves enemies, loves sinners, loves everyone, regardless of who each person is. And when you receive the love of God, you change. You become as God is. If at the end of the day certain people are not saved, it does not mean that God did not love them. Rather, they would not receive the love which God offered.
Love makes you transcend yourself. When you put yourself and your self-love at the center of your life, you can t love your neighbor. And if you offer him something, you do it with ulterior motives so that you ll receive something in return. The status-quo of self-worship lives and reigns within us. Say whatever you want about needing to love your neighbor or even your enemies, or about needing to sacrifice for others. Whatever you might say, your ego still lives and rules within you. In fact, your actions will be self-centered and self-interested. If this fortress where the ego rules supreme is not torn down, along with the entire rebellion of a person against God, then he cannot truly love. It is not for nothing that the Apostle Paul says: Ιt is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20). A man feels, a man lives, a man experiences Christ reigning within him. He does not rule himself, and his ego does not dominate him. This is exactly what the Lord says: If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself (Matt. 16:24). If we are honest and truthful, if we desire to see and speak the truth, then none of us should have difficulty saying: Even the best things I do always begin from self-interest and from a self-centeredness. By Fr. Symeon Kragiopoulos
FOR VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS Welcome to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church Welcome to Saint George. We welcome you to worship with us this morning and we are thankful for your presence amongst us! If you are visiting for the first time an Orthodox Church, please be aware that Holy Communion is only offered to Orthodox Christians. All present are welcome to receive the Blessed Bread (Anti-doron) at the end of the service. Come connect with us: Introduce yourself to our Priest, Fr. Nicholas Visit with fellow worshippers over coffee and small bites after all Sunday services. Please add your voice and heart to our prayers and worship. Please help others find a place near you, and greet the person next to you at the end of the Service. If you would like to learn more about our Church, or how you can become a member of Saint George, please visit our website or speak, at the end of the service, with Fr. Nicholas.
As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them... SAINT GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Office/Mailing Address: 238 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT 06851 Phone: (203)849-0611 Email: Fr.Nick@stgeorgect.org www.stgeorgect.org