Saint Demetrios Cathedral Ss. Catherine & George Church 30-11 30th Drive 22-30 33rd Street Astoria, ny 11102 Astoria, NY 11105 Tel: 718-728-1718 Tel: 718-545-4796 Fax: 718-728-0079 ARCHIM. NEKTARIOS PAPAZAFIROPOULOS DEAN Mr. HARRY KALAS Parish Council President www.saintdemetriosastoria.com ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ 2 ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ 2012 Κυριακή ΙΔ' Λουκά Καθώς περνούσε ο Ιησούς Χριστός από την Ιεριχώ ένας τυφλός άρχισε να φωνάζει, "Ιησού Υιέ Δαυίδ, ελέησον με". Ακούγεται παράξενο να φωνάζει κάποιος εις το δρόμο, μάλιστα πολύς κόσμος που βρισκόταν κοντά του του έλεγαν να ησυχάσει. Αυτός όμως συνέχιζε να φωνάζει με τα ίδια λόγια αγνοώντας του υπόλοιπους. Τα λόγια του όμως αποκαλύπτουν μια θερμή πίστη του τυφλού προς τον Χριστό. Ο λαός ακολούθουσε τον Ιησού Χριστό πολλές φορές από θαυμασμό προς αυτόν, ή από περιέργεια, για να δουν κάτι εντυπωσιακό, διότι γνώριζαν ότι έκανε πολλά θαύματα. Δεν σημαίνει πως επειδή τον ακολουθούσαν οι άνθρωποι τον πίστευαν και ως Μεσσία. Ο τυφλός όμως τον αποκαλεί με την Μεσσιανική του ιδιότητα. Το λέω αυτό διότι κατά την Αγία Γραφή της Παλαιάς Διαθήκης ο Μεσσίας ήταν και προγονός του Δαυίδ. Έτσι λοιπόν με να τον φωνάζει Υιέ Δαυίδ σημαίνει πως τον αναγνωρίζει με την ιδιότητα του Μεσσία, και όχι απλώς ως έναν απλό προφήτη, όπως τον νόμιζαν οι ποιο πολλοί Ιουδαίοι. Η στέρηση της όρασης των ματιών του δεν τον επηρέασαν να δει τον Ιησού Χριστό ως Λυτρωτή του και Θεό. Σπουδαία η πίστη του τυφλού!!! Έστω και τυφλός, τα μάτια της ψυχής του ήταν ολοκάθαρα. Η ερώτηση είναι, ποιος ήταν ειλικρινά τυφλός; Ο τυφλός που στερούταν το φώς των ματιών του; ή οι άνθρωποι που ήταν κοντά στον Ιησού και ήταν στερημένη από το φως της ψυχής τους. Τι να κάνουμε με τα μάτια μας όταν στερούμεθα την πραγματική αναγνώριση του Θεού στην ζωή μας. Αυτό είναι πολύ πιο τραγικό από το να ζει κάποιος τυφλός σε αυτή την πρόσκαιρη και προσωρινή ζωή. Πρώτα ζητάει από τον Ιησού Χριστό να τον ελεήσει και μετά ο Χριστός κάνει το θαύμα του.
Στην ζωή μας αδελφοί μου πρέπει να ζητούμε πρώτα το έλεος από τον Θεό και Θεός θα δώσει εις τον κάθε άνθρωπο αυτό που του αξίζει ή αυτό που του πρέπει. Όταν έχουμε πίστη εις τον Θεό τίποτες δεν μπορεί να μας σταματήσει από την Χάρη Του. Ο τυφλός ας είναι το παράδειγμά μας, που ενώ όλοι οι άλλοι του φώναζαν να σιωπήσει αυτός ποιο ένθερμα και με ποιο πολύ δύναμη της ψυχής του φώναζε και παρακαλώντας τον Κύριο να τον ελεήσει. Και όμως η κραυγή του πιστού ανθρώπου υπερίσχυσε από τις φωνές όλων των άλλων. Ο Θεός φροντίζει για όλους που έχουν πίστη και αφοσίωση εις Αυτόν. Ας ζητήσουμε και εμείς έλεος από τον Θεό για να έλθει και ο Ιησούς Χριστός εν ημέρα κρίσεως να πει και σε μας, "η πίστη σου σε έσωσε". ΑΜΗΝ Αρχιμ. Νεκτάριος Παπαζαφειρόπουλος Ιερατικώς Προϊστάμενος Ι Ε Ρ Α Ε Ξ Ο Μ Ο Λ Ο Γ Η Σ Ι Σ Το Μυστήριον της Ιεράς Εξομολογήσεως θα τελείται από τον πατέρα Νεκτάριο εις 1. Στον Ιερόν Ναόν της Αγίας Αικατερίνης Κάθε Τετάρτη απόγευμα στις 5:00μ.μ. και 2. Στον Ιερόν Καθεδρικόν Ναόν του Αγίου Δημητρίου Κάθε Πέμτη πρωΐ, μετά τις 10:30π.μ. H O L Y C O N F E S S I O N Holy Confession with Fr. Nektarios starting 1. every Wednesday afternoon, at 5:00p.m. at SS. Catherine & George Church and 2. every Thursday morning, from 10:30a.m. at Saint Demetrios Cathedral
ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΙΔ ΛΟΥΚΑ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν IH 35-43 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Εγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ ἐγγίζειν αὐτὸν εἰς Ιεριχὼ τυφλός τις ἐκάθητο παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν προσαιτῶν ἀκούσας δὲ ὄχλου διαπορευομένου ἐπυνθάνετο τί εἴη ταῦτα. ἀπήγγειλαν δὲ αὐτῷ ὅτι Ιησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος παρέρχεται. καὶ ἐβόησε λέγων Ιησοῦ υἱὲ Δαυΐδ, ἐλέησόν με καὶ οἱ προάγοντες ἐπετίμων αὐτῷ ἵνα σιωπήσῃ αὐτὸς δὲ πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἔκραζεν υἱὲ Δαυΐδ, ἐλέησόν με. σταθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ἀχθῆναι πρὸς αὐτόν. ἐγγίσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν λέγων τί σοι θέλεις ποιήσω; ὁ δὲ εἶπε Κύριε, ἵνα ἀναβλέψω. καὶ ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἀνάβλεψον ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέ σε. καὶ παραχρῆμα ἀνέβλεψε, καὶ ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ δοξάζων τὸν Θεόν καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἰδὼν ἔδωκεν αἶνον τῷ Θεῷ. The Reading is from Luke 18:35-43 At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. Από την Επιστολή Αποστόλου Παύλου Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 5:8-19 Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς. Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ Ἀδελφοί, ὡς τέκνα φωτὸς περιπατεῖτε - ὁ γὰρ καρπὸς τοῦ πνεύματος ἐν πάσῃ ἀγαθωσύνῃ καὶ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀληθείᾳ - δοκιμάζοντες τί ἐστιν εὐάρεστον τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ μὴ συγκοινωνεῖτε τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς ἀκάρποις τοῦ σκότους, μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ ἐλέγχετε τὰ γὰρ κρυφῆ γινόμενα ὑπ αὐτῶν αἰσχρόν ἐστιν καὶ λέγειν. Τὰ δὲ πάντα ἐλεγχόμενα ὑπὸ τοῦ φωτὸς φανεροῦται πᾶν γὰρ τὸ φανερούμενον φῶς ἐστίν. Διὸ λέγει, Ἔγειρε ὁ καθεύδων καὶ ἀνάστα ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν, καὶ ἐπιφαύσει σοι ὁ Χριστός. Βλέπετε οὖν πῶς ἀκριβῶς περιπατεῖτε, μὴ ὡς ἄσοφοι, ἀλλ ὡς σοφοί, ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιρόν, ὅτι αἱ ἡμέραι πονηραί εἰσιν. Διὰ τοῦτο μὴ γίνεσθε ἄφρονες, ἀλλὰ συνιέντες τί τὸ θέλημα τοῦ κυρίου. Καὶ μὴ μεθύσκεσθε οἴνῳ, ἐν ᾧ ἐστὶν ἀσωτία, ἀλλὰ πληροῦσθε ἐν πνεύματι, λαλοῦντες ἑαυτοῖς ψαλμοῖς καὶ ὕμνοις καὶ ᾠδαῖς πνευματικαῖς, ᾄδοντες καὶ ψάλλοντες ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν τῷ κυρίῳ. St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 5:8-19 Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as
wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart. Ὑπενθυμίζουμε τούς εὐσεβεῖς παροίκους μας ὅτι, ὁ Κύκλος μελέτης Ἁγίας Γραφῆς τῆς Πέμπτης καί ὥρα 1:00μ.μ. συνεχίζεται, μέ τόν π. Ἰωάννη, στόν Ἱερό Καθεδρικό Ναό τοῡ Ἁγίου Δημητρίου. Ευχαριστούμε θερμώς! Όλους τους ευσεβείς ενορίτες μας οι οποίοι και εφέτος μέσω του δώρου τους για τους αστέγους του Τυφώνα Sandy, αποδείξαν εμπράκτως την ειλικρινή αγάπη τους προς αυτούς. Είθε ο πανάγαθος Θεός να έχει πάντα καλά τις οικογένειες τους. Thank you to our Parishioners! For our food and coat drive. We collected over 2.000 pounds of non perishable food for the homeless of the hurricane Sandy. Your love and generosity are always overwhelming. Please continue to pray and help those who are less fortunate than us. God bless you and your families. Welcome to Hellenic Orthodox Community of St. Demetrios: We welcome all our visitors this morning and thank you for praying with us during the Divine Liturgy. While Holy Communion may only be received by prepared Orthodox Christians, our non-orthodox guests are welcome to join us in receiving blessed bread (Antidoron) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. Ο Κύκλος της Νεολαίας Ανακοινώνουμε στους ευσεβείς μας χριστιανούς ότι η επόμενη συνάντηση του κύκλου νεολαίας θα είναι αυτή την Πέμπτη και ώρα 7:00μ.μ. στην αίθουσα της εκκλησίας του Αγίου Δημητρίου, με τον πατέρα Βασίλειο. Young Adults Discussion Group We are pleased to announce to our Community s Young Adults that we will meet at 7:00p.m. this Thursday in the St. Demetrios Church Hall to discuss topics that concern us as Orthodox Christians. The discussion group will be led by Fr. Vasilios.
ΤΕΛΕΤΟΥΡΓIΚΟΝ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ Κυριακή, 2 Δεκεμβρίου, 2012 Ορθόδοξος Μαρτυρία 6:00μ.μ. Δευτέρα, 3 Δεκεμβρίου, 2012 Σοφονίου Προφήτου ΑΓΙΑ ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΗ Σαρανταλείτουργον 8:00-10:00π.μ. Τρίτη, 4 Δεκεμβρίου, 2012 Βαρβάρας Μεγαλομάρτυρος ΑΓΙΟΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ- ΑΓΙΑ ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΗ Όρθρος καί Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00-10:00π.μ. Τετάρτη, 5 Δεκεμβρίου, 2012 Σάββα του Ηγιασμένου ΑΓΙΟΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ -ΑΓΙΑ ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΗ Όρθρος καί Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00-10:00π.μ Πέμπτη, 6 Δεκεμβρίου, 2012 Νικολάου Αρχιεπ. Μύρων της Λυκίας ΑΓΙΟΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ -ΑΓΙΑ ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΗ Όρθρος καί Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00-10:00π.μ Παρασκευή, 7 Δεκεμβρίου, 2012 Αμβροσίου Μεδιολάνων ΑΓΙΑ ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΗ Σαρανταλείτουργον 8:00-10:00 π.μ. Σαββάτο, 8 Δεκεμβρίου, 2012 Παταπίου Οσίου ΑΓΙΟΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ Όρθρος καί Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00-10:00π.μ. Έσπερινός 6:00-7:00μ.μ. ΑΓΙΑ ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΗ Όρθρος καί Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00-10:00 π.μ. Κυριακή, 9 Δεκεμβρίου, 2012 ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ Ι ΛΟΥΚΑ, Σύλληψις Θεοτόκου υπό Αγίας Άννης ΑΓΙΟΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ 1.Όρθρος καί Θεία Λειτουργία 7:30-10:30π.μ. 2.Θεία Λειτουργία & Εκκλησιασμός νεολαίας 10:45-12:30μ.μ. ΑΓΙΑ ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΗ Όρθρος καί Θεία Λειτουργία 8:00-11:00π.μ. Ορθόδοξος Μαρτυρία 6:00μ.μ. LITURGICAL SCHEDULE OF DIVINE SERVICES Sunday, December 2, 2012 Οrthodox Martyria 6:00p.m. Monday, December 3, 2012 Sophonios the Prophet SAINT CATHERINE Sarantalitourgon 8:00-10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 4, 2012 Barbara the Great Martyr SAINT DEMETRIOS - SAINT CATHERINE Οrthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00-10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2012 Savvas the Sanctified SAINT DEMETRIOS - SAINT CATHERINE Οrthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00-10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 6, 2012 Νicholas Archbishop of Myra SAINT DEMETRIOS - SAINT CATHERINE Οrthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00-10:00 a.m. Friday, December 7, 2012 Ambrosios of Milan SAINT CATHERINE Sarantalitourgon 8:00-10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 8, 2012 Patapios the Righteous SAINT DEMETRIOS Οrthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00-10:00a.m. Vespers 6:00-7:00 p.m. SAINT CATHERINE Οrthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00-10:00 a.m. Sunday, December 9, 2012 10 TH SUNDAY OF LUKE Conception of the Theotokos, ANNA the Prophetess SAINT DEMETRIOS 1.Οrthros & Divine Liturgy 7:30-10:30 a.m 2.Divine Liturgy & Youth Liturgy 10:45-12:30 p.m. SAINT CATHERINE Οrthros & Divine Liturgy 8:00-11:00 a.m. Οrthodox Martyria 6:00p.m.
PHILOPTOCHOS Let s get together for some Holiday Cheer; For Christmas Day is very near! Please join us on Saturday, December 15, 2012 Our Annual Christmas Party St. Demetrios Cathedral Philoptochos St. Catherine Christmas Party 12 noon S/S Catherine and George Church Hall 22-30 33 Street Astoria, New York FOR RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL: DONATION: $25.00 Demi Brountzas and Nikie Panagiotakis: 718 274 4255 Maroula Froussios: 718 721 8453 PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS EARLY, SPACE IS LIMITED On Saturday November 17th, 75 members of our Joy/Biddy Basketball Program attended our 1st ever Religious Retreat. The Retreat was lead by our own Seminarian Mr. Steven Christoforou assisted by other students from Hellenic College and Holy Cross Seminary. There were two sessions where we talked about the theology of giving and "thanksgiving, some recreation time in our gymnasium and also a small break for lunch. We are hoping to have another Retreat during the Spring during the Great and Holy Lent. Check out mgobl.com to see when our Goya basketball teams are playing, we have two home games today starting at 2 pm. Come support our youth.
December 4th - St. Barbara - Saint Barbara was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia and lived during the reign of Maximian. She was the daughter of a certain idolater named Dioscorus. When Barbara came of age, she was enlightened in her pure heart and secretly believed in the Holy Trinity. About this time Dioscorus began building a bath-house; before it was finished he was required to go away to attend to certain matters, and in his absence Barbara directed the workmen to build a third window in addition to the two her Father had commanded. She also inscribed the sign of the Cross with her finger upon the marble of the bath-house, leaving the saving sign cut as deeply into the marble as if it had been done with an iron too. (When the Synaxarion of Saint Barbara was written, the marble of the bath-house and the cross inscribed by Saint Barbara were still preserved, and many healings were worked there.) When Dioscorus returned, he asked why the third window had been added; Barbara began to declare to him the mystery of the Trinity. Because she refused to renounce her faith, Dioscorus tortured Barbara inhumanely, and after subjecting her to many sufferings he beheaded her with his own hands, in the year 290. - December 6 - Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330. As a young man, he desired to live the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325. Upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius the heretic said against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron Saint of all travelers, and of sea-farers in particular. He is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time. December 9. The Conception by St. Anna of the Most Holy Theotokos According to the ancient tradition of the Church, since Saint Anna, the Ancestor of God, was barren, she and her husband Joachim remained without children until old age. Therefore, sorrowing over their childlessness, they prayed to God unceasingly with a promise that, if He were to grant them the fruit of the womb, they would offer their offspring to Him as a gift. And God, hearkening to their supplication, informed them through an Angel concerning the birth of the Virgin. And thus, through God's promise, Anna conceived according to the laws of nature, (as opposed to an Immaculate conception) and was deemed worthy to become the mother of the Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary. We celebrate the birth of the Theotokos on September 8th and her parents Joachim and Anna the following day on September 9th.