Ecumenical Patriarchate Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey ASCENSION Greek Orthodox Church FAIRVIEW - NEW JERSEY Weekly Bulletin Sunday, December 17, 2017 11 th Sunday of Luke Οικουμενικόν Πατριαρχείον Ιερά Μητρόπολις Νέας Ιερσέης Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία ΘΕΙΑΣ ΑΝΑΛΗΨΕΩΣ ΦΕΡΒΙΟΥ ΝΕΑΣ ΙΕΡΣΕΗΣ ΕΒΔΟΜΑΔΙΑΙΟ ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΕΝΗΜΕΡΩΣΗΣ Rev. Christos L. Pappas, Protopresbyter
ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ & ΕΚΔΗΛΩΣΕΩΝ Κυριακή, 17 Δεκεμβρίου, 2017 ΙΑ Λουκά - 9:00 π.μ. - 12:00 Όρθρος, Θ. Λειτουργία Χριστουγεννιάτικο Πρόγραμμα Κατηχητικού Σχολείου Πρόγευμα με τον Άη Βασίλη - Goya Δευτέρα, 18 Δεκεμβρίου, 2017 Σεβαστιανός και οι συν αυτώ - 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος, Θ.Λ. Τρίτη, 19 Δεκεμβρίου, 2017 Βονιφάτιος και οι συν αυτώ - 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος, Θ. Λ. 6:00 μ.μ. Ιερόν Ευχέλαιον Τετάρτη, 20 Δεκεμβρίου, 2017 Προεόρτια Γεννήσεως Χριστού, Ιγνάτιος ο Θεοφόρος 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία 4:30 μ.μ. 6:15 μ.μ. Ελληνικό Σχολείο 5:00 μ.μ. Ιερό Ευχέλαιο για μαθητές του Ελληνικού Σχολείου Πέμπτη, 21 Δεκεμβρίου, 2017 Προεόρτια Γεννήσεως Χριστού 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος, Θ. Λ. Παρασκευή, 22 Δεκεμβρίου, 2017 Όρθρος Μεγάλαι Ώραι Άνευ Θείας Λειτουργίας 9:00 π.μ. - 11:00 π.μ. 4:30 μ.μ. 6:30 μ.μ. Ελληνικό Σχολείο 5:30 μ.μ. Πρόγραμμα Χριστουγέννων Ελληνικού Σχολείου Σάββατο, 23 Δεκεμβρίου, 2017 Σάββατο προ των Χριστουγέννων 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος, Θ. Λ. Κυριακή, 24 Δεκεμβρίου, 2017 Κυριακή Προ της Χριστού Γεννήσεως Ευγενία Οσιομάρτυς 9:00 π.μ. - 12:00 Όρθρος, Θ. Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. - 8:30 μ.μ. Εσπερινός Χριστουγέννων Άνευ Θείας Λειτουργίας Το Κατηχητικό Σχολείο είναι κλειστό Ο καφές προσφέρεται από το Συμβούλιο SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND EVENTS Sunday, December 17, 2017 11th Sunday of Luke - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Orthros, D. L. Catechism Nativity Program Breakfast with Santa by Goya Monday, December 18, 2017 Sebastian & his Companions - 9:00 a.m. Orthros, D. L. Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Boniface of Tarsus - 9:00 a.m. Orthros, Divine Liturgy 6:00 p.m. Holy Unction Wednesday, December 20, 2017 Forefeast of the Nativity, Ignatius the God-Bearer 9:00 a.m. Orthros, Divine Liturgy 4:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. Greek School 5:00 Holy Unction for Greek School Students Thursday, December 21, 2017 Forefeast of the Nativity - 9:00 a.m. Orthros, D.L. Friday, December 22, 2017 Orthros, Royal Hours, no Liturgy - 9:00 am 11:00 a.m 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Greek School 5:30 p.m. Greek School Christmas Program Presentation Saturday, December 23, 2017 Saturday before Christmas 9:00 a.m. - Orthros, D. L. Sunday, December 24, 2017 Sunday before Nativity - Eugenia the Nun-martyr of Rome 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Orthros, Divine Liturgy 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Christmas Vespers No Liturgy Catechism School is closed Coffee is offered by the Board
St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11 Πρὸς Κολοσσαεῖς 3:4-11 Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Daniel 3.26,27 Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers. Verse: For you are just in all you have done. The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11 Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all. Προκείμενον. Ήχος δ'. Δανιήλ 3.26-27 Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν. Πρὸς Κολοσσαεῖς 3:4-11 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο Ἀδελφοί, ὅταν ὁ Χριστὸς φανερωθῇ, ἡ ζωὴ ἡμῶν, τότε καὶ ὑμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ φανερωθήσεσθε ἐν δόξῃ. Νεκρώσατε οὖν τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, πορνείαν, ἀκαθαρσίαν, πάθος, ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν, καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρεία, διʼ ἃ ἔρχεται ἡ ὀργὴ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς τῆς ἀπειθείας Ἐν οἷς καὶ ὑμεῖς περιεπατήσατέ ποτε, ὅτε ἐζῆτε ἐν αὐτοῖς. Νυνὶ δὲ ἀπόθεσθε καὶ ὑμεῖς τὰ πάντα, ὀργήν, θυμόν, κακίαν, βλασφημίαν, αἰσχρολογίαν ἐκ τοῦ στόματος ὑμῶν μὴ ψεύδεσθε εἰς ἀλλήλους, ἀπεκδυσάμενοι τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον σὺν ταῖς πράξεσιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν νέον, τὸν ἀνακαινούμενον εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν κατʼ εἰκόνα τοῦ κτίσαντος αὐτόν ὅπου οὐκ ἔνι Ἕλλην καὶ Ἰουδαῖος, περιτομὴ καὶ ἀκροβυστία, βάρβαρος, Σκύθης, δοῦλος, ἐλεύθερος ἀλλὰ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν Χριστός.
The Gospel According to Luke 14:16-24 The Lord said this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.'" Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 14:16-24 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ἄνθρωπός τις ἐποίησε δεῖπνον μέγα καὶ ἐκάλεσε πολλούς καὶ ἀπέστειλε τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ τῇ ὥρᾳ τοῦ δείπνου εἰπεῖν τοῖς κεκλημένοις ἔρχεσθε, ὅτι ἤδη ἕτοιμά ἐστι πάντα. καὶ ἤρξαντο ἀπὸ μιᾶς παραιτεῖσθαι πάντες. ὁ πρῶτος εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἀγρὸν ἠγόρασα, καὶ ἔχω ἀνάγκην ἐξελθεῖν καὶ ἰδεῖν αὐτόν ἐρωτῶ σε, ἔχε με παρῃτημένον. καὶ ἕτερος εἶπε ζεύγη βοῶν ἠγόρασα πέντε, καὶ πορεύομαι δοκιμάσαι αὐτά ἐρωτῶ σε, ἔχε με παρῃτημένον. καὶ ἕτερος εἶπε γυναῖκα ἔγημα, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο οὐ δύναμαι ἐλθεῖν. καὶ παραγενόμενος ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος ἀπήγγειλε τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτοῦ ταῦτα. τότε ὀργισθεὶς ὁ οἰκοδεσπότης εἶπε τῷ δούλῳ αὐτοῦ ἔξελθε ταχέως εἰς τὰς πλατείας καὶ ῥύμας τῆς πόλεως, καὶ τοὺς πτωχοὺς καὶ ἀναπήρους καὶ χωλοὺς καὶ τυφλοὺς εἰσάγαγε ὧδε. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ δοῦλος κύριε, γέγονεν ὡς ἐπέταξας, καὶ ἔτι τόπος ἐστί. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ κύριος πρὸς τὸν δοῦλον ἔξελθε εἰς τὰς ὁδοὺς καὶ φραγμοὺς καὶ ἀνάγκασον εἰσελθεῖν, ἵνα γεμισθῇ ὁ οἶκος μου. λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι οὐδεὶς τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκείνων τῶν κεκλημένων γεύσεταί μου τοῦ δείπνου. Πολλοί γὰρ εἰσιν κλητοί, ὀλίγοι δέ ἐκλεκτοί.
Greatmartyr Anastasia the Deliverer from Potions The Great Martyr Anastasia the Deliverer from Potions, a Roman by birth, suffered for Christ at the time of Diocletian s persecution of Christians. Her father was a pagan, but her mother was secretly a Christian. Saint Anastasia s teacher in her youth was an educated and pious Christian named Chrysogonus. After the death of her mother, her father gave Saint Anastasia in marriage to a pagan named Publius, but feigning illness, she preserved her virginity. Clothing herself in the garb of a beggar, and accompanied by only one servant, she visited the prisons. She fed, doctored and often ransomed captives who were suffering for their faith in Christ. When her servant told Publius about everything, he subjected his wife to a beating and locked her up at home. Saint Anastasia then began to correspond secretly with Chrysogonus, who told the saint to be patient, to cleave to the Cross of Christ, and to accept the Lord s will. He also foretold the impending death of Publius in the sea. After a certain while Publius did indeed drown, as he was setting out with a delegation to Persia. After the death of her husband, Saint Anastasia began to distribute her property to the poor and suffering. Diocletian was informed that the Christians who filled the prisons of Rome stoically endured tortures. He gave orders to kill them all in a single night, and for Chrysogonus to be sent to him at Aquileia. Saint Anastasia followed her teacher at a distance. The emperor interrogated Chrysogonus personally, but could not make him renounce his faith. Therefore, he commanded that he be beheaded and thrown into the sea. The body and severed head of the holy martyr were carried to shore by the waves. There by divine Providence, the relics were found by a presbyter named Zoilus who placed them in a coffer, and concealed them at his home. Saint Chrysogonus appeared to Zoilus and informed him that martyrdom was at hand for Agape, Chione and Irene (April 16), three sisters who lived nearby. He told him to send Saint Anastasia to them to encourage them. Saint Chrysogonus foretold that Zoilus would also die on the same day. Nine days later, the words of Saint Chrysogonus were fulfilled. Zoilus fell asleep in the Lord, and Saint Anastasia visited the three maidens before their tortures. When these three martyrs gave up their souls to the Lord, she buried them. Having carried out her teacher s request, the saint went from city to city ministering to Christian prisoners. Proficient in the medical arts of the time, she zealously cared for captives far and wide, healing their wounds and relieving their suffering. Because of her labors, Saint Anastasia received the name Deliverer from Potions (Pharmakolytria), since by her intercessions she has healed many from the effects of potions, poisons, and other harmful substances. She made the acquaintance of the pious young widow Theodota, finding in her a faithful helper. Theodota was taken for questioning when itarned that it was learned that she
was a Christian. Meanwhile, Saint Anastasia was arrested in Illyricum. This occurred just after all the Christian captives there had been murdered in a single night by order of Diocletian. Saint Anastasia had come to one of the prisons, and finding no one there, she began to weep loudly. The jailers realized that she was a Christian and took her to the prefect of the district, who tried to persuade her to deny Christ by threatening her with torture. After his unsuccessful attempts to persuade Saint Anastasia to offer sacrifice to idols, he handed her over to the pagan priest Ulpian in Rome. The cunning pagan offered Saint Anastasia the choice between luxury and riches, or grievous sufferings. He set before her gold, precious stones and fine clothing, and also fearsome instruments of torture. The crafty man was put to shame by the bride of Christ. Saint Anastasia refused the riches and chose the tools of torture. But the Lord prolonged the earthly life of the saint, and Ulpian gave her three days to reconsider. Charmed by Anastasia s beauty, the pagan priest decided to defile her purity. However, when he tried to touch her he suddenly became blind. His head began to ache so severely that he screamed like a madman. He asked to be taken to a pagan temple to appeal to the idols for help, but on the way he fell down and died. Saint Anastasia was set free and she and Theodota again devoted themselves to the care of imprisoned Christians. Before long, Saint Theodota and her three sons accepted a martyrdom. Her eldest son, Evodus, stood bravely before the judge and endured beatings without protest. After lengthy torture, they were all thrown into a red-hot oven. Saint Anastasia was caught again and condemned to death by starvation. She remained in prison without food for sixty days. Saint Theodota appeared to the martyr every night and gave her courage. Seeing that hunger caused Saint Anastasia no harm whatsoever, the judge sentenced her to drowning together with other prisoners. Among them was Eutychianus, who was condemned for his Christian faith. The prisoners were put into a boat which went out into the open sea. The soldiers bored holes in the boat and got into a galley. Saint Theodota appeared to the captives and steered the ship to shore. When they reached dry land, 120 men believed in Christ and were baptized by Saints Anastasia and Eutychianus. All were captured and received a martyr s crown. Saint Anastasia was stretched between four pillars and burned alive. A certain pious woman named Apollinaria buried her body, which was unharmed by the fire, in the garden outside her house. In the fifth century the relics of Saint Anastasia were transferred to Constantinople, where a church was built and dedicated to her. Later the head and a hand of the Great Martyr were transferred to the monastery of Saint Anastasia [Deliverer from Potions], near Mount Athos.
Αγία Αναστασία η Φαρμακολύτρια Ανήκει στους αγίους που μαρτύρησαν κατά τον 3ο αιώνα μ.χ. Είναι γνωστή περισσότερο με την προσωνυμία Φαρμακολύτρια κυρίως για δύο λόγους. Πρώτον, γιατί έδινε φάρμακα και θεράπευε σωματικές αλλά και ψυχικές ασθένειες και, δεύτερον, γιατί «έλυε τις φαρμακείες», δηλαδή τα μάγια. Για αυτό έχει ανακηρυχθεί και επίσημα προστάτιδα των φαρμακοποιών. Η Αγία Αναστασία γεννήθηκε και μεγάλωσε στη Ρώμη και προερχόταν από εύπορη οικογένεια. Ο πατέρας της ήταν ισχυρός προύχοντας κατά τη ρωμαϊκή εποχή και ειδωλολάτρης στο θρήσκευμα. Η μητέρα της, όμως, ήταν χριστιανή. Έτσι, η αγία βαπτίστηκε χριστιανή και ανατράφηκε σύμφωνα με τις αρχές της μητέρας της. Από μικρή ηλικία διδάχθηκε τον χριστιανισμό από τον διδάσκαλο Χρυσόγονο, ο οποίος μετά τον θάνατο της μητέρας της ανέλαβε εξ ολοκλήρου τη διαπαιδαγώγησή της. Γρήγορα η Αναστασία κατάλαβε πως ήθελε να ασπαστεί τον μοναχικό βίο και να εγκαταλείψει τα εγκόσμια. Ο πατέρας της, όμως, είχε διαφορετικά σχέδια για εκείνη. Συγκεκριμένα, την υποχρέωσε να παντρευτεί έναν ειδωλολάτρη αξιωματούχο, τον Πούπλιο. Σύμφωνα με το Ορθόδοξο Συναξάρι, καθ όλη τη διάρκεια του έγγαμου βίου της απέφευγε οποιαδήποτε σαρκική επαφή με τον σύζυγό της, προφασιζόμενη ασθένεια («νοσείν αεί προφασιζομένη»). Ο άντρας της, όμως, μετά από μερικά χρόνια πέθανε ξαφνικά και έτσι η Αναστασία ήταν ελεύθερη να εκπληρώσει τις χριστιανικές της υποχρεώσεις. Αποφάσισε, μάλιστα, να διαθέσει όλα τα πλούτη της για να ενισχύσει τους φυλακισμένους χριστιανούς, τους οποίους επισκεπτόταν συχνά και η ίδια, ώστε να τους δίνει θάρρος μέχρι και το μαρτυρικό τους τέλος. Η δράση της στη Θεσσαλονίκη: Δεν παρέμεινε όμως για πολύ καιρό στη Ρώμη. Μετακινήθηκε προς την Ανατολή και συγκεκριμένα τη Νικομήδεια, το Ιλλυρικό και τη Θεσσαλονίκη. Στην τελευταία, μάλιστα, έγινε διδάσκαλος του χριστιανισμού για τρεις αδερφές, την Αγάπη, τη Χιονία και την Ειρήνη, οι οποίες φυλακίστηκαν και είχαν μαρτυρικό τέλος. Η Αγία Αναστασία φρόντισε για τον ενταφιασμό των τριών αδελφών, η μνήμη των οποίων τιμάται στις 16 Απριλίου. Όταν αποκαλύφθηκε η δράση της στη Θεσσαλονίκη, φυλακίστηκε και αυτή και βασανίστηκε. Μέχρι και την τελευταία στιγμή, η αγία αρνείτο να αλλαξοπιστήσει και τελικά την έδεσαν σε πασσάλους και την έκαψαν στις 22 Δεκεμβρίου του 303 ή 304 μ.χ. Σύμφωνα πάντα με το Συναξάριο, το σώμα της αγίας το παρέλαβε μια ευσεβής αρχόντισσα της περιοχής και το έθαψε στον κήπο του σπιτιού της, όπου αργότερα χτίστηκε ναός. Σύμφωνα όμως με άλλες πηγές, φαίνεται πως ο ίδιος ο άντρας της τη φυλάκισε με σκοπό να την κάνει να ασπαστεί την ειδωλολατρία. Σώζεται μάλιστα η αλληλογραφία της με τον διδάσκαλό της, Χρυσόγονο, ο οποίος ήταν και αυτός φυλακισμένος. Προς τιμήν της Αγίας Αναστασίας έχουν χτιστεί πολλοί ναοί και μονές σε πολλές περιοχές. Στο Χορόσκιοϊ της
Μικράς Ασίας υπήρχε ναός της μέχρι και τη Μικρασιατική Καταστροφή. Οι πρόσφυγες, όμως, μετέφεραν την εικόνα από εκεί και έχτισαν νέα εκκλησία στην περιοχή του Περισσού (Αττική), όπου και την τοποθέτησαν. Η μνήμη της τιμάται ιδιαίτερα στη Θεσσαλονίκη, όπου έχουν χτιστεί τρεις ναοί, όπως φαίνεται και πάλι από Μικρασιάτες πρόσφυγες. Τμήματα των ιερών λειψάνων της αγίας σώζονται σε διάφορες μονές της Ελλάδας αλλά και της Κύπρου. Συγκεκριμένα, μέρος της κάρας βρίσκεται στην Ιερά Μονή Κουτλουμουσίου του Αγίου Όρους. Μέρος της κάρας και ένας εκ των ποδών βρίσκονται στην ομώνυμη μονή Βασιλικών Θεσσαλονίκης. Το δεξί και μέρος του αριστερού ποδός βρίσκονται στην Ιερά Μονή Γρηγορίου Αγίου Όρους. Ένα δάχτυλο χεριού με σάρκα της αγίας βρίσκεται στην Ιερά Μονή Παντοκράτορος του Αγίου Όρους. Μία εκ των χειρών βρίσκεται στη Ιερά Μονή Παναχράντου Άνδρου. Απότμημα της δεξιάς χειρός της αγίας βρίσκεται στην Ιερά Μονή Κύκκου Κύπρου. Η Εκκλησία μας τιμά τη μνήμη της κάθε χρόνο στις 22 Δεκεμβρίου, την ημέρα του μαρτυρίου της. Nun-Martyr Eugenia of Rome The Holy Martyr Eugenia, was a Roman by birth. She lived at Alexandria, where her father Philip was sent by the emperor Commodus (180-192) to be Prefect of Egypt. Eugenia received a fine upbringing and was noted for her beauty and good disposition. Many illustrious youths sought her hand, but she did not wish to marry anyone, for she was determined to preserve her virginity. Providentially, she became acquainted with the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. She yearned with all her soul to become a Christian, but kept this a secret from her parents. At that time, Christians were banished from Alexandria by the command of the emperor. Wishing to learn more about Christian teachings, she asked permission to visit one of the family estates outside the city, supposedly to enjoy the countryside. She left in the company of her two servants Protus and Hyacinthus, dressed in men s clothes. She and her companions were baptized at a certain monastery by Bishop Elias (July 14), who learned about her in a vision. He blessed her to pursue asceticism at the monastery disguised as the monk Eugene. By her ascetic labors, Saint Eugenia acquired the gift of healing. Once, a rich young woman named Melanthia turned to her for help. Seeing Eugene, this woman burned with an impure passion, and when she was spurned, she falsely accused the saint of attempted rape. Saint Eugenia came to trial before the Prefect of Egypt (her father), and she was forced to reveal her secret. Her parents and brothers rejoiced to find the one
for whom they had long grieved. After a while they all accepted holy Baptism. But Philip, after being denounced by pagans, was dismissed from his post. The Alexandrian Christians chose him as their bishop. The new Prefect, fearing the wrath of the people, did not dare to execute Philip openly, but sent assassins to kill him. They inflicted wounds upon Saint Philip while he was praying, from which he died three days later. Saint Claudia went to Rome with her sons, daughter, and her servants. There Saint Eugenia continued with monastic life, and brought many young women to Christ. Claudia built a wanderers hostel and aided the poor. After several peaceful years, the emperor Galienus (260-268) intensified the persecution against Christians, and many of them found refuge with Saints Claudia and Eugenia. Basilla, an orphaned Roman girl of imperial lineage, heard about the Christians and Saint Eugenia. She sent a trusted servant to the saint asking her to write her a letter explaining Christian teachings. Saint Eugenia sent her friends and co-ascetics, Protus and Hyacinthus, who enlightened Basilla, and she accepted holy Baptism. Basilla s servant then told her fiancé Pompey that his betrothed had become a Christian. Pompey then complained to the emperor against the Christians for preaching celibacy and denouncing idolatry. Basilla refused to enter into marriage with Pompey, and so they killed her with a sword. They dragged Saints Protus and Hyacinthus into a temple to make them sacrifice to the idols, but just as they entered, the idol fell down and was shattered. The holy Martyrs Protus and Hyacinthus were beheaded. They also brought Saint Eugenia to the temple of Diana by force, but she had not even entered it, when the pagan temple collapsed with its idol. They threw the holy martyr into the Tiber with a stone about her neck, but the stone became untied and she remained unharmed. She also remained unscathed in the fire. Then they cast her into a pit, where she remained for ten days. During this time the Savior Himself appeared to her and said that she would enter into the heavenly Kingdom on the day He was born. When this radiant Feast came, the executioner put her to death with a sword. After her death, Saint Eugenia appeared to her mother to tell her beforehand the day of her own death.
Η Αγία Οσιομάρτυς Ευγενία - Η μνήμη της εοτάζεται στις 24 Δεκεμβρίου Αυτή η Αγία Ευγενία γεννήθηκε από γένος ευγενικό, σαν ένα ευγενές κλωνάρι και μία δόξα του γένους της, καταγόμενη από την παλαιά Ρώμη, στα χρόνια του βασιλιά Κομμόδου, το έτος 270. Οι γονείς της ονομάζονταν Φίλιππος και Ευγενία. Οι οποίοι έλαβαν από τον τότε βασιλιά, ως τιμή και αξίωμα, το να πάνε στην Αλεξάνδρεια και να κατοικήσουν σε αυτήν μαζί με την θυγατέρα τους την Ευγενία. Οι οποίοι έλαβαν από τον τότε βασιλιά, ως τιμή και αξίωμα, το να πάνε στην Αλεξάνδρεια και να κατοικήσουν σε αυτήν μαζί με την θυγατέρα τους την Ευγενία. Αυτή λοιπόν η μακαρία έφυγε κρυφά από τους γονείς και όλους τους συγγενείς της. Και αφού πήρε δύο υπηρέτες, βγήκε την νύχτα έξω από το σπίτι των γονέων της. Και πηγαίνοντας σε έναν Επίσκοπο με ανδρικά ρούχα, έλαβε από εκείνον το Άγιο Βάπτισμα. Έπειτα, αφού έκειρε τις τρίχες της κεφαλής, ώνομάσθηκε Ευγένιος. Έτσι πήγε σε ένα Μοναστήρι κατά τα βαθειά χαράματα και εκεί ασκούσε η μακαρία κάθε αρετή με πόνους και μόχθους. Με ασκητικούς αγώνες και με στάσεις και με αγρυπνίες ολονύχτιες. Τί να πολυλογώ; Τόσο πολύ έλαμψε στις αρετές η Αγία αυτή, σαν άλλος μέγας φωστήρας ήλιος, ώστε με την παράκληση όλων των αδελφών του Μοναστηρίου, δέχθηκε την προστασία τους και την ηγουμενία, αφού πέθανε ο πρωτύτερος Ηγούμενος. Και μολονότι αυτή δεν το ήθελε αυτό στην αρχή, επειδή πιέσθηκε όμως και πτοήθηκε από τα λόγια και από τον πόθο των αδελφών, δέχτηκε αν και δεν ήθελε. Με τέτοιον τρόπο ανέδειξε σε όλους τον Ευγένιο αυτόν μέγα και λαμπρό, όχι με απλά λόγια και ξερή φήμη, αλλά με πράξεις και έργα μεγάλα και θαυμαστά. Γι αυτό και αυτή μονάχα η όψη του προσέλκυε με παράδοξο τρόπο αυτούς που τον έβλεπαν, όπως ο μαγνήτης το σίδερο, προκειμένου να απολαύσουν τα καλά και τις αρετές του. Αλλά όμως μία μοναχή, που ονομαζόταν Μελανθία, η οποία ήταν μελανή και μαύρη στην ψυχή, όπως φανερώνει και το όνομά της, αυτή λέω, βλέποντας τον Ευγένιο, πως ήταν ωραίος φυσικά, κυριεύθηκε από έναν έντονο και σατανικό έρωτα από την όψη του. Έτσι βρίσκοντας μία πρόφαση, ότι είχε μία μακρά ασθένεια, τον παρακαλούσε να πάει να του την φανερώσει κρυφά και ιδιαιτέρως Γιατί έλεγε η μιαρή, ότι με άλλον τρόπο δεν ήταν δυνατό να ελευθερωθεί από εκείνη την ασθένεια. Ο Ευγένιος με συντριβή και λύπη στην καρδιά πείσθηκε από απλότητα στα δόλια λόγια της Μελανθίας και συμφώνησε να πάει σ αυτήν, μη γνωρίζοντας τον κρυμμένο δόλο. Ο δε διαβολικός έρωτας της Μελανθίας, άναψε φλόγα στην καρδιά της προς τον Ευγένιο. Και καθώς αυτός είναι τυφλός, όπως τον ονομάζουν οι σοφοί, έτσι τύφλωσε και τα ψυχικά μάτια της Μελανθίας και της προξένησε μία φλόγα πορνικού πάθους. Επειδή όμως δεν πέτυχε τον διαβολικό σκοπό, που είχε, αλλά απομακρύνθηκε από τον Ευγένιο, γι αυτό από το κακό της μηχανεύθηκε αυτή την συκοφαντία λέγοντας, δηλαδή, ότι ο Ηγούμενος του τάδε Μοναστηριού Ευγένιος, εξαπατώντας με τα λόγια του τις σώφρονες και καθαρές γυναίκες, ζήτησε να εξαπατήσει και εμένα ο πόρνος και ο τολμηρός, αλλά όμως δεν το πέτυχε. Μόλις τα άκουσε αυτά ο πατέρας της Ευγενίας και έπαρχος, αμέσως θύμωσε. Έτσι έστειλε στο Μοναστήρι και έφεραν γρήγορα τον Ηγούμενο Ευγένιο και τους Μοναχούς του Μοναστηριού δεμένους, ως ψευδολάτρες και
κακοποιούς. Και τους παρουσίασε στο δικαστήριο, για να απολογηθούν σχετικά με την υπόθεση αυτή. Όταν λοιπόν παρουσιάσθηκαν και τα δύο μέρη, άρχισε η συκοφάντρια Μελανθία να μιλά εναντίον του Ευγένιου να βρίζει, να περιγελά, να χλευάζει, να φωνάζει με θρασύτητα και να τον δείχνει με το δάχτυλο στους παρευρισκομένους ως εργάτη της αμαρτίας. Ομοίως και τους υποτασσόμενους σ αυτόν Μοναχούς, ονομάζοντάς τους φθορείς. Έλεγε δε και τα εξής η τολμηρή, για να τα ακούσουν όλοι «Ακούστε όλοι εσείς οι παρευρισκόμενοι τα λόγια μου, τα οποία είναι αληθινά και βέβαια». Ω της ανοχής σου Δέσποτα, Κύριε, με την οποία υπέμεινες την συκοφάντρια, και δεν έσχισες την γη, για να την καταπιεί! Μόλις τα άκουσε αυτά η Ευγενία, αμέσως έσχισε το φόρεμά της και έδειξε στους παρόντες θέαμα φρικτό και εξαίσιο. Και στην συνέχεια λέει με παρρησία στους παρευρισκομένους «Έπρεπε εμείς οι Μοναχοί να υποφέρουμε ύβρεις και κοροϊδίες και ξυλοδαρμούς του σώματος και γι αυτά όλα να ευχαριστούμε. Όμως για να μην χλευάζεται το σεμνό και αγγελικό σχήμα των Μοναχών, ακούστε. Εγώ ως προς την φύση είμαι γυναίκα, θυγατέρα του φίλτατου πατέρα μου αυτού και δικαστή, μπροστά στον οποίο κρίνομαι σήμερα. Μητέρα μου είναι η σύζυγός του, ενώ αυτοί οι παριστάμενοι αδελφοί είναι δούλοι μου». Όταν άκουσαν αυτά τα λόγια της καλής Ευγενίας, έμειναν όλοι έκπληκτοι. Με ποιόν όμως τρόπο τιμώρησε η θεία δίκη την Μελανθία, μπορεί βέβαια να θαυμάσει, όποιος θελήσει να τον ακούσει. Παρακινούμενος λοιπόν από αυτή την αιτία ο πατέρας της Αγίας Ευγενίας άφησε αμέσως την δόξα του κόσμου μαζί και τον πλούτο και όλη την φαντασία της ζωής και αναγεννήθηκε μέσω του Αγίου Βαπτίσματος. Και ο πρώην λύκος γίνεται ποιμένας των Χριστιανών της πόλεως Έτσι, αφού έζησε καλώς την ζωή του, στα στερνά του τέλειωσε με μαρτύριο. Διότι, αφού καταπληγώθηκε από τους απίστους για την πίστη στον Χριστό, χαρούμενος ανέβηκε στις ουράνιες Μονές Η μητέρα της Οσίας αφήνοντας την γη της Αλεξάνδρειας επέστρεψε στην πατρίδα της την Ρώμη, μαζί με τις θυγατέρες της και εκεί πάλι κατοικεί συμφωνά με τον πόθο της. Επειδή όμως τότε βγήκε βασιλική διαταγή, ή να θυσιάζουν οι Χριστιανοί στα είδωλα ή να θανατώνονται κακώς εξαιτίας αυτού η Αγία αυτή Ευγενία, αφού έλαμψε σε όλους με τις αρετές της τέλος πάντων καταφλεγόμενη από τον πνευματικό έρωτα του Χριστού, έλαβε θάρρος και κήρυξε την ευσέβεια. Γι αυτό αφού την έδεσαν από μία πέτρα βαρύτατη, την έρριξαν στην θάλασσα. Επειδή όμως έμεινε αβλαβής, γι αυτό αποκεφαλίσθηκε και έτσι χαρούμενη έφυγε η μακάρια προς αυτόν που ποθούσε τον νυμφίο Χριστό. Για να συμβασιλεύει μαζί του αιώνια.
Sunday Before the Nativity of Christ in the Orthodox Church - Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40; St. Matthew 1:1-25 During the season of Christmas, many of us will see family members whom we may not visit often. I hope that most of us truly enjoy our family celebrations, but unfortunately they can be difficult for many people because of strained relationships, old resentments, and the fact that no one is perfect, including those to whom we are related by birth or marriage. In the world as we know it, family can be a struggle. Our gospel reading today does not shy away from such difficulties, even in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, Who had the right heritage to be the Messiah, the anointed One in Whom all God s promises to Abraham are fulfilled for the entire world. What family would not be strained by remembrance of scandalous stories involving figures such as Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, Gentile women who were disreputable in one way or another, precisely the sort of women Jewish men were told time and again not to bring into the family. For example, Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and bore twins by her father-inlaw. and bore twins by her father-in-law. Rahab actually was a prostitute. King David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then murdered her husband. Ruth was King David s great-grandmother and a Moabite woman. The Old Testament is full of warnings to Jewish men against marrying Gentile women like Ruth. Just think for a moment how amazing it is that St. Matthew began his gospel by reminding us of these embarrassing stories. Their presence in the genealogy is a sign that God worked through generations of families not unlike our own to bring salvation to the world. They are a reminder that His blessings are not only for the proper and upstanding with perfect reputations, but for everyone with faith in the Lord, no matter their memorable failings or roles in embarrassing situations that we would rather forget. Through this shockingly honest family tree, St. Matthew prepares us for the unique Messiah we encounter in Jesus Christ Who came to save sinners, to heal the sick, to exalt the humble, and make those who are dead last in the eyes of the world the very first in the Kingdom of God. This family tree does not stop with unlikely characters from the Old Testament, for it culminates in the shocking and unconventional event of the Most Holy Theotokos s conception of Christ. That is the kind of news that would shake up any family even today.when we remember that this is the story of the union in Jesus Christ of God and humanity for the salvation of the world, the story becomes even more shocking. For we like to think that God s ways are like our ways, that He favors those who are living the dream, who appear healthy, wealthy, and wise by our culture s standards. But when we do so, we simply make God in our own image and ultimately let ourselves off the hook as though holiness were not really for us because our lives are not perfect in every way. We forget, however, that many of the Saints we know best were once outrageous
sinners, and that even those who were not faced difficult struggles that were embarrassing, unconventional, or inconvenient. Just think of the suspicions people had about the Theotokos and St. Joseph the Betrothed. Though not many people noticed it at the time, God s promises in the Old Testament extended to all who believed, including Gentiles and sinners. Think for a moment of all the sufferings and struggles of the righteous people of the Hebrews. As our epistle reading states, 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. As astounding as it sounds, the promises to them awaited their fulfillment until the coming of Christ in Whom we may all become part of this family tree. For Jews and Gentiles, for the upright and the scandalous alike, He is the vine and we are the branches. True, we are all unworthy and unlikely members of such a family. Like those who prepared for the coming of Christ and have served Him since, we are also sinners whose lives in many ways fall short and wide of the mark. Perhaps that is why the Son of God chose a human heritage full of imperfect people who often stumbled themselves; perhaps that is why He was born in circumstances that at least outwardly commanded the respect of no one. Yes, the good news that we will celebrate at Christmas is that there is hope for us all in Him. And if we want to have hope in Christ for ourselves, then we must also not give up hope for other people. Whether family members, friends, coworkers, or whoever, our Savior calls everyone to become part of the current generation of this blessed family tree. Perhaps there are those we think are just too broken, who have made such messes of their lives that they appear as better candidates for condemnation than for salvation. When we start thinking that way about particular people, we should immediately turn our thoughts to the humble repentance of the Jesus Prayer, for not one of us deserves a place in the Kingdom on the basis of our accomplishments. The Lord s human ancestors include notorious sinners; tax-collectors and prostitutes were among His first followers; St. Peter denied Him three times; and St. Paul had been a persecutor of Christians. If His healing mercy extended even to them and if we want that same grace for ourselves, we simply cannot write anyone off as a hopeless case. Much less are we ever justified in speaking or acting in self-righteous, judgmental ways toward anyone. Of course, there are broken and severely strained relationships that we do not have the power to heal. But to the extent that it depends on us, we are to be at peace with everyone. That may mean keeping our mouths shut when we would like to remind someone of their failings or otherwise to criticize them or to slander them behind their back. It may mean small gestures to let others know that, despite a painful history, we do not judge or abandon them. It may mean simply praying in silence for God s mercy on those who have lost their way and for strength to treat
others as we would like to be treated. We must show others the same mercy that we have received as undeserving members of His most blessed family. Above all, we must remember that God knows people s hearts including our own in ways that we do not. Christ was born to save sinners, not to condemn them. So as we conclude our preparation for Christmas, let us fast not only from rich food and drink, but also from words, thoughts, and deeds that would discourage anyone from finding their place in the ongoing story of Christ s salvation. Let us ask for forgiveness of those whom we have offended and otherwise take the steps that we can to bring health to strained relationships. Let us refuse to see other people with eyes blinded by our own passions or the conventional standards of our society. Who knows whether God will make great saints out of some whose lives are scandalous? It should not surprise us if He does, of course, for Christ s family tree included many such people. His birth continues to be good news for them, for you and me, and for all who so desperately need the healing and transformation that the Savior was born to bring.
Ascension Greek Orthodox Church 101 Anderson Ave. Fairview New Jersey 201-945-6448, Fax 201-945-6463
Ascension Greek Orthodox Church 101 Anderson Ave. Fairview New Jersey 201-945-6448, Fax 201-945-6463 email: info@ascensionfairview.org website Visit our website: www.ascensionfairview.org Like us on Facebook: "Ascension Greek Orthodox Church" Want to be added to our email list? Contact us: info@ascensionfairview.org THE WEEKLY BULLETIN YEAR 2017 ISSUE 12,3 SUNDAY, December 17, 2017 11th Sunday of Luke ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ, 17 Δεκεμβρίου, 2017 ΙA Λουκά MEMORIAL SERVICES ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ 1 χρόνος: Κωνσταντίνος Κλημέντος 1 year: Constantinos Klimentos 1 χρόνος: Κωνσταντίνος Παπανικολάου 1 year: Constantinos Papanikolaou 3 χρόνια: Παναγιώτης Δρίτσας 3 years: Panagiotis Dritsas 22 χρόνια: Άννα Παππά 22 years: Anna Pappas 52 χρόνια: Δημήτριος Παππάς 52 years: Dimitrios Pappas Ο καφές προσφέρεται από τις οικογένειες Κλημέντου, Παπανικολάου, Δρίτσας & Μπινίκου που τελούν τα μνημόσυνα εις μνήμη των κεκοιμημένων. The coffee is offered by the Klimentos, Papanikolaou, Dritsas & Binikos families that have the Memorial Service.