Sunday of Saint John Climacus

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751 Durham NC 27713 919-484-1600 fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com www.stbarbarachurchnc.org News & Announcements March 18, 2018 Sunday of Saint John Climacus Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem 3/18/2018 Trophimos & Eukarpion, Monk-martyrs of Nicomedea 3/18/2018 Edward the Martyr, King of England 3/18/2018 NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am To Our Visitors and Guests We welcome you to worship with us today, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not a sacrament, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning please join us in the Church Hall for fellowship and refreshments. Please complete a Visitor s Card before you leave today and drop it in the offering tray, or give it to one of the parishioners after the service, or mail it to the Church Office. 1

The Sunday Epistle Reading Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel. The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews (6:13-20) BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ. Πρὸς Ἑβραίους τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα (είναι απο 6:13-20) Ἀδελφοί, τῷ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπαγγειλάμενος ὁ θεός, ἐπεὶ κατʼ οὐδενὸς εἶχεν μείζονος ὀμόσαι, ὤμοσεν καθʼ ἑαυτοῦ, λέγων, Ἦ μὴν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω σε, καὶ πληθύνων πληθυνῶ σε. Καὶ οὕτως μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχεν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἄνθρωποι μὲν γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσιν, καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν ὁ ὅρκος. Ἐν ᾧ περισσότερον βουλόμενος ὁ θεὸς ἐπιδεῖξαι τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τὸ ἀμετάθετον τῆς βουλῆς αὐτοῦ, ἐμεσίτευσεν ὅρκῳ, ἵνα διὰ δύο πραγμάτων ἀμεταθέτων, ἐν οἷς ἀδύνατον ψεύσασθαι θεόν, ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν ἔχωμεν οἱ καταφυγόντες κρατῆσαι τῆς προκειμένης ἐλπίδος ἣν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν, καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος ὅπου πρόδρομος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδὲκ ἀρχιερεὺς γενόμενος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. The Sunday Gospel Reading The Gospel According to Mark 9:17-31 At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and 2

help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise." Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Μᾶρκον Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα 9:17-31 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ λέγων, διδάσκαλε, ἤνεγκα τὸν υἱόν μου πρός σε, ἔχοντα πνεῦμα ἄλαλον. καὶ ὅπου ἂν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃ, ῥήσσει αὐτόν, καὶ ἀφρίζει καὶ τρίζει τοὺς ὀδόντας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ξηραίνεται καὶ εἶπον τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου ἵνα αὐτὸ ἐκβάλωσι, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος, ἕως πότε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔσομαι; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετε αὐτὸν πρός με. καὶ ἤνεγκαν αὐτὸν πρὸς αὐτόν. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εὐθέως τὸ πνεῦμα ἐσπάραξεν αὐτόν, καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκυλίετο ἀφρίζων. καὶ ἐπηρώτησε τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ πόσος χρόνος ἐστὶν ὡς τοῦτο γέγονεν αὐτῷ; ὁ δὲ εἶπε παιδιόθεν. καὶ πολλάκις αὐτὸν καὶ εἰς πῦρ ἔβαλε καὶ εἰς ὕδατα, ἵνα ἀπολέσῃ αὐτόν ἀλλ εἴ τι δύνασαι, βοήθησον ἡμῖν σπλαγχνισθεὶς ἐφ ἡμᾶς. ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ εἰ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατὰ τῷ πιστεύοντι. καὶ εὐθέως κράξας ὁ πατὴρ τοῦ παιδίου μετὰ δακρύων ἔλεγε πιστεύω, κύριε βοήθει μου τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἐπισυντρέχει ὄχλος, ἐπετίμησε τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ λέγων αὐτῷ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄλαλον καὶ κωφόν, ἐγώ σοι ἐπιτάσσω, ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ μηκέτι εἰσέλθῃς εἰς αὐτόν. καὶ κράξαν καὶ πολλὰ σπαράξαν αὐτὸν ἐξῆλθε, καὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ νεκρός, ὥστε πολλοὺς λέγειν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν. ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς κρατήσας αὐτὸν τῆς χειρὸς ἤγειρεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἰσελθόντα αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν κατ ἰδίαν, ὅτι ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς τοῦτο τὸ γένος ἐν οὐδενὶ δύναται ἐξελθεῖν εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. Καὶ ἐκεῖθεν ἐξελθόντες παρεπορεύοντο διὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἵνα τις γνῷ ἐδίδασκε γὰρ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀποκτανθεὶς τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται. Today s Memorials: 40 days: Irene C. Antonios (mother of Theky Pappas) Anthony C. Antonios (father of Theky Pappas) (Bishop s Throne Side First 3 Front Rows reserved for Antonios Memorial ) 1 year: George Bourbous (son of Nick Bourbous) 1 year: Maria Demon (niece of Nick Bourbous) 19: Sarah Bourbous (wife of Nick Bourbous) (Pulpit Side - First 5 front rows Reserved for Bourbous Memorial) 3

Today s Chrismation: Griffin Mosher Wilson Griffin is a Senior at UNC- Chapel Hill studying Exercise and Sport Science. He grew up in a Protestant Christian home, going to and participating in youth group, attending a Christian high school, and getting involved with several campus Christian organizations at UNC. Eventually Griffin got acquainted with the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at UNC and that became the organization that eventually led him to the steps of Saint Barbara and to the office of Fr. Stavroforos where he received his catechism which lead him to accept the Orthodox Christian Faith which led him to of his own free will participate in today s sacrament. His encounter with the parishioners of our Church and its liturgical life made him want to make his relationship with the church an official bond with the sacrament. When it comes to what brought him to Orthodoxy he has many authors to thank. He thanks Friedrich Nietzsche for awakening him from his "dogmatic slumber" and then Leo Tolstoy for pointing him in the right direction. He especially likes to thank all of his friends at OCF and most especially his sponsor Paul Kacoyanis. He is also grateful for the love and support of his family, and most especially his parents Carol and Dick Wilson for supporting him in his decision. The saint s name that he has chosen to take the name of is St. Theophan the Recluse. Up to this point he had ready many works of saints from the West, but St. Theophan is someone whom he admired the most and was one of the first Eastern Saints that he read. He chose him when he saw this quote: "a soul untried by sorrows is good for nothing," which goes along with (Eccl 1:18) "with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief, but your job is to work upon yourself: for this you are chosen; the rest is in the hands of God. He who humbles himself shall be exalted." Theophan the Recluse, also known as Theophan Zatvornik or Theophanes the Recluse (Russian: Феофа н Затво рник; January 10, 1815 January 6, 1894) was born on Juanuay 10, 1815 as Georgy Vasilievich Govorov (Георгий Васильевич Говоров), in the village of Chernavsk. His father was a Russian Orthodox priest. He was educated in the seminaries at Livny, Orel and Kiev. In 1841 he was ordained, became a monk, and adopted the name Theophan. He later became the Bishop of Tambov. He is especially well-known today through the many books he wrote concerning the spiritual life, especially on the subjects of the Christian life and the training of youth in the faith. He also played an important role in translating the Philokalia from Church Slavonic into Russian. The Philokalia is a classic of orthodox spirituality, composed of the collected works of a number of church fathers which were edited and placed in a four volume set in the 17th and 18th centuries. A persistent theme is developing an interior life of continuous prayer, [1] learning to "pray without ceasing" as St. Paul teaches in his first letter to the Thessalonians. He died on January 6, 1894 and lay in state for three days in his church. Even after that length of time there was no sign of decay in his unembalmed body. Theophan the Recluse was buried in the Kazan church of the Vysha Monastery. [2] 4

GREAT LENT AND HOLY WEEK 2018 (February 19 April 7) The Lenten fasting discipline commences after Forgiveness Vespers on February 18 and concludes with the breaking of the fast at Pascha on April 8. In general, the fasting rules during Great Lent and Holy Week are as follows: WEEKDAYS (Monday Friday) are observed as Strict Fast Days. On these days we abstain from meat, dairy, fish with backbones, fowl, alcoholic beverages, and oil. WEEKENDS (Saturday and Sunday) are observed as Wine and Oil Days. On these days the fast is relaxed to permit alcoholic beverages and olive and other vegetable oils. In addition, two special feast days that fall during this period Annunciation (March 25) and Palm Sunday (April 1, this year) are kept as Fish, Wine, and Oil Days. On these days the fast is relaxed to permit fish with backbones, in addition to alcoholic beverages and oil. There are certain days of the Holy Week cycle that have special fasting rules. Great and Holy Thursday (April 5, this year) is observed as a Wine and Oil Day due to the commemoration of the institution of the Eucharist. Great and Holy Saturday (April 7, this year) is observed as a Strict Fast Day the only Saturday of the year kept as a strict fast; however, wine (but not oil) is permitted. Additional Notes: 1. Meals for the fast should follow the dietary restrictions and be cooked simply. Portions should be smaller than usual. 2. Fasting on the weekdays of the first week of Great Lent is especially severe. The strictest observance would be to take only two meals during this week one on Wednesday evening and one on Friday evening after the services scheduled for those nights keeping Pure Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday as absolute fasts (i.e., no food whatsoever). For many this is impracticable. A good starting place to work towards the strict observance is to keep the first day of Great Lent, Pure Monday, as an absolute fast and to limit meals on the other days. 3. It is a pious practice to observe Great and Holy Friday as an absolute fast. If one does not have the strength to do this, it is good to abstain from food until after venerating the epitaphios (winding sheet) during Vespers on this day. 4. If you have a medical condition that requires you to relax the fasting guidelines, then do so. 5. Before you attempt to strictly follow the fasting guidelines, consult with Fr. Stavroforos. It is very easy to lose sight of the fact that fasting is merely a means to an end (that is, our salvation) and not an end in itself. 6. Generally speaking, children and elderly people are allowed to relax the fast under the guidance of their spiritual father. 7. 8. 9. Brothers, 10. We would like to invite you and your parish to our Annunciation Vespers on Saturday March 24 th at 7:00 pm. Even though many of you are quite a distance from us, we wanted to include you in on our celebration. 11. We will be wearing blue vestments. 12. Our apologies for the lateness of the invitation. 13. In Christ, 14. Fr. Demetri Kangelaris and Fr. Constantine Shepherd 5

Dear Choristers, Please plan to attend the choir rehearsals scheduled in March where we will be rehearsing the music for Palm Sunday and Pascha. It should be no more than an hour. Plan to come after the coffee hour. Rehearsal: Today after church/coffee hour Have a blessed week, Donna Trohanis, Choir Director Triangle YAL Lenten Visit Wednesday March 28 th Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 6:30 pm Lenten Discussion (Please Consider Contacting Fr. Stavroforos (fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com or Gina Varelas gdvarelas@gmail.com to volunteer to Provide Lenten Bean or Lentil Soup for our Guests.) "Parishioners are asked to visit the Festival Sign up table located in the Fellowship Hall. These sign up forms are specifically focused on Thursday and Friday set up days, table cleaning, parking lot monitors, and Sunday's break down and closing. More recruitment needs are to follow soon." - The Festival Committee Save the Date Saturday May 5 and Sunday May 6 th From 11:00 am to 8:00 pm 6

March 2018 18 - Sunday of Saint John Climacus - 9:00 am 21 - Pre-Sanctified of the 5th Sunday of Lent - 6:30 pm 23 - Friday -The Akathyst Hymn - 6:30 pm 24 - Saturday - Great Vespers of the Annunciation at Winston Salem 25 -Sunday of the Feast of the Annunciation and St. Mary of Egypt- 9:00 am 28 - Pre-Sanctified for the Wednesday before Holy Week - 6:30 pm 31 - Saturday - Saturday of Lazarus - 9:00 am Winston-Salem Save the Dates Saturday of Lazarus Pancake Breakfast Saturday, March 31 st Palm Sunday Luncheon Sunday, April 1 st Spaghetti Dinner & Concert Saturday, April 14 th - Fashion Show Saturday, April 21st 7

Homemade Fasolatha (Bean) & Lentil Soups From Our Kitchen to Yours $8.00 per quart Proceeds to Benefit Saint Barbara Building Fund Save the Date: The Passion an Easter Play: Thursday March, 29 th A Presentation by the Youth of Saint Barbara 8

Dear Families of St. Barbara, Our Greek Youth Dance program kicked off Sunday February 11 with a brief meeting with the parents then our first practice. Our youth dance troupe is growing so we will have three dance groups this year. Last year we had 23 dancers and this year we plan on 29! Most of the growth is in our younger group. We hope that by dividing the younger group into two it will enable the middle group more independence while allowing the youngest of our dancers some quality time with their teacher. The youngest group is intended for those ages 5-7. You may be returning from last year or relatively new to greek dancing. Classes for these dancers will be from 1-2 pm on Saturday's at the church. The middle group is intended for those ages 7-10. You are likely returning for another year of dance from last year. Classes for these dancers will be after church and Sunday school on Sunday's. The oldest group is intended for those ages 11-17. You are likely returning for another year of dance and were in this group last year. Classes for these dancers will also be after church and Sunday school on Sunday's. Have questions about which group you should go to? Just ask Keith or Chrys. The full schedule is below. If you have officially signed up Chrys and I will plan on seeing you there unless we hear otherwise. We have half the planned practices of some other well established programs, so each lesson is important. If you can't make it please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly. Please let me or Chrys Mangum know of any questions. Thanks! Keith Rheinhardt Day / Date Youngest Group Ages 5-7 Grades pk-1 Middle Group Ages 7-10 Grades 2-5 Oldest Group Ages 11-17 Grades 6-12 Sunday, February 11 After Church After Church After Church Saturday, February 17 1-2 pm Sunday, February 18 After Church After Church Saturday, February 24 1-2 pm Sunday, February 25 After Church After Church Saturday, March 3 1-2 pm Sunday, March 4 After Church After Church Saturday, March 10 1-2 pm Sunday, March 11 After Church After Church Saturday, March 17 1-2 pm Sunday, March 18 After Church After Church Sunday, March 25 After Church After Church Saturday, March 31 Sunday, April 1 Saturday, April 7 No Practice - Lazarus Saturday through Easter Sunday, April 8 Saturday, April 14 1-2 pm Sunday, April 15 After Church After Church Saturday, April 21 1-2 pm Sunday, April 22 After Church After Church Saturday, April 28 1-2 pm Sunday, April 29 After Church After Church Saturday, May 5 Sunday, May 6 Festival! Saturday, March 24 1-2 pm 9

AHEPA scholarship applications are available get them at the AHEPA table : The AHEPA DISTRICT SCHOLARSHIPs are awarded to qualified high school graduates entering 1 st year of a college or university, as well as for all undergraduates entering their 2 nd, 3 rd, and last years at colleges and universities located in the USA. Deadline to apply is April 16 th, 2018 The AHEPA NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPs are awarded also to all undergraduates, as well as to graduate students and seminary students. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2018 Applications are also available on-line = <AHEPA district 3> and/or <AHEPA.org> The AHEPA chapter 277 [our own local] scholarship applications will be available at the AHEPA table within the next two weeks. Deadline to apply is April 16 th, 2018. Ladies, We will be baking kourambiethes for the Greek Festival on Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm in the Social Hall of the church. We hope that you can join us. Please let us know if you can assist us with this project. In Christ, Joan Marinos and Betsy Xenakis 10

Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm on Feb. 21, 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21, & 28 As we already have seen, the Eucharistic Divine Liturgy is not celebrated in the Orthodox Church on Lenten weekdays. In order for the faithful to sustain their Lenten effort by participation in Holy Communion, the Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts is served. The service is an ancient one in the Orthodox Church. We officially hear about it in the canons of the seventh century, which obviously indicates its development at a much earlier date. On all days of the holy fast of Lent, except on the Sabbath, the Lord s Day, and the holy day of the Annunciation, the Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified is to be served (Canon 52, Quinisext, 692). The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts is an evening service. It is the solemn Lenten Vespers with the administration of Holy Communion added to it. There is no consecration of the Eucharistic gifts at the pre-sanctified liturgy. Holy Communion is given from the Eucharistic gifts sanctified on the previous Sunday at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, unless, of course, the feast of the Annunciation should intervene; hence its name of pre-sanctified. The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts is served on Wednesday and Friday evenings, although some churches may celebrate it only on one of these days. It comes in the evening after a day of spiritual preparation and total abstinence. The faithful who are unable to make the effort of total fasting because of weakness or work, however, normally eat a light Lenten meal in the early morning. During the psalms of Vespers, the pre-sanctified gifts are prepared for communion. They are transferred from the altar table where they have been reserved since the Divine Liturgy, and are placed on the table of oblation. After the evening hymn, the Old Testament scriptures of Genesis and Proverbs are read, between which the celebrant blesses the kneeling congregation with a lighted candle and the words: The Light of Christ illumines all, indicating that all wisdom is given by Christ in the Church through the scriptures and sacraments. This blessing was originally directed primarily to the catechumens those preparing to be baptized on Easter who attended the service only to the time of the communion of the faithful. After the readings, the evening Psalm 141 is solemnly sung once again with the offering of incense. Then, after the litanies of intercession and those at which the catechumens were dismissed in former days, the pre-sanctified Eucharistic gifts are brought to the altar in a solemn, silent procession. The song of the entrance calls the faithful to communion. Now the heavenly powers [i.e., the angels] do minister invisibly with us. For behold the King of Glory enters. Behold the mystical sacrifice, all fulfilled, is ushered in. Let us with faith and love draw near that we may be partakers of everlasting life. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. After the litany and prayers, the Our Father is sung and the faithful receive Holy Communion to the chanting of the verse from Psalm 34: O taste and see how good is the Lord. Alleluia. The post-communion hymns are sung and the faithful depart with a prayer to God who has brought us to these all-holy days for the cleansing of carnal passions, that he will bless us to fight the good fight, to accomplish the course of the fast, and to attain unto and to adore the holy resurrection of Christ. The Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts is traditionally considered to be the work of the sixth-century pope, Saint Gregory of Rome. The present service, however, is obviously the inspired liturgical creation of Christian Byzantium. 11

The Akathist Hymn at 6:30 pm on Fridays Feb. 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16 and 23. The Akathist Hymn is a profound, devotional poem, which sings the praises of the Holy Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary. It is one of the most beloved services in the Orthodox Church. It was composed in the imperial city of Constantinople, "the city of the Virgin," by St. Romanos the Melodist, who reposed in the year 556. The Akathist Hymn has proven so popular in the liturgical life of the Church that many other hymns have been written following its format. These include Akathists to Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the Cross, and to many Saints. The Akathist hymn consists of praises directed to the Mother of God, beginning with the salutation of the Archangel Gabriel: "Rejoice." As the hymn is chanted all of the events related to our Lord's Incarnation pass before us for our contemplation. The Archangel Gabriel marvels at the Divine self-emptying and the renewal of creation which will occur when Christ comes to dwell in the Virgin's womb. The unborn John the Baptist prophetically rejoices. The shepherds recognize Christ as a blameless Lamb, and rejoice that in the Virgin "the things of earth join chorus with the heavens." The pagan Magi following the light of the star, praise Her for revealing the light of the world. The word "akathistos" means "not sitting," i.e., standing; normally all participants stand while it is being prayed. The hymn is comprised of 24 stanzas, arranged in an acrostic following the Greek alphabet. The stanzas alternate between long and short. Each short stanza is written in prose and ends with the singing of "Alleluia." Each longer stanza ends with the refrain: "Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded." The first part of the hymn is about the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary by the Angel. It describes Mary s surprise at the news, her visit to her mother and Joseph s doubts as to her innocence. The second part is about the birth of Christ, the worship of the Shepherds and Magi, the flight to Egypt and the visit to Saint Simeon in the Temple. In the third part the hymn directs our attention to the renewal of the world by Christ s coming, and the amazement of the Angels and the wise men at the sight of the Incarnation of God s Son. The fourth and the last part is once more a lyric and rhetorical appraisal of Virgin Mary, whom the poet adorns with the most beautiful of adjectives asking her to accept his poetical offering and to intercede for the salvation of human race from the earthly sin. Orthodox Christian Observance of the Akathist Hymn is on the first 4 Fridays of Great Lent. 12

ACTIVITIES FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY: A Palm Cross Maker After Services for the Saturday of Lazarus Contact: Michelle Claypoole A Holy Week Reader Contact: Pete Marinos pnm1@yahoo.com An Epitaphio Decorator After the Royal Hours on Good Friday Contact: Dina Paliouras via cindy.paliouras@gmail.com A Parent with Child who Receives the Body of Christ from the Cross. In the middle of the 3:00 service of Good Friday Contact: Michelle Claypoole Participating in the Choir Contact: Donna Trohanis donnatro@bellsouth.net Participating in the Reading of the Gospel in a Language other than English or Greek at the Agape Service Contact: Larry Odzak larryodzak@gmail.com Narthex Scheduling Contact: John Varelas Being a Pall-bearer that carries the Epitaphio Contact: John Varelas Being a Myrrh-bearer at our Lord's Tomb Contact: Michelle Claypoole Being an Altar Boy Contact: Johnny Mariakakis Adorning the Church with an Easter Lily that your Purchased Contact: TBA Contributing a food item for the International Easter Pot Luck After the Midnight Service Let Helen Paliouras know what you are bringing. elenipali.@att.net. All Covered Dishes Should be taken directly to the Church Hall. Everyone is invited to bring a covered dish. Watching your child Enjoy the Easter Egg Hunt Activities on Thomas Sunday Contact Person: Michelle Claypoole 13

Hello everyone! The youth of St. Barbara Sunday School are sponsoring an Easter card. For $20/ per family, your family will be listed in the card which will be mailed to the St. Barbara community and friends. This is convenient and an inexpensive way to send Easter Love to your church family. We will have a sign up table located outside the sanctuary near the bookstore after Divine Liturgy February 25, March 4, 11, 18, and 25th. The last day to sign up will be Sunday, March 25th. If you are not able to sign up in person, checks can be mailed to the following address before March 25th: St. Barbara Sunday School 8306 NC Hwy 751 Durham, NC 27713 Attn: Michelle Claypoole Please make you check out to St. Barbara. In His service, Michelle Claypoole Spring Designs Fashion Show Luncheon Fashions by Smitten Boutique and featuring children s clothing from Tiny, both of Durham Saturday, April 21, 2018 11:30 am until 2:30 pm Hope Valley Country Club 3803 Dover Road Durham, North Carolina Sponsored by Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church Outreach Program All proceeds to benefit Saint Barbara Building Fund and Women s and Children s Shelter of the Durham Rescue Mission Donation: $50 For tickets contact: Lou Constantinou 9 1 9-8 1 2-1 6 7 6 or Georgina Varelas gdvarelas@gmail.com Please notify regarding any dietary restrictions. 14

The following schedule is the proposed rehearsal schedule for the upcoming Easter pageant: March 18 3-5 music rehearsal - all soloists/choir March 24 10-12 Putting it all together. All placements - everyone. March 25 2-4p Dress Rehearsal - Full run through. Thank you, Michelle Claypoole The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast. 15

Philoptochos Easter Lilies Order Form To Decorate Our Church $15.00 x = Name: Phone #: Please return forms to Lia Christakos Make payment to: Saint Barbara Philoptochos Society Please Print Names In Memory of: For the Health of: 16