Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h of Washington, DC Sunday before Theophany January 4, 2015 House Blessings Father Michael will be blessing homes beginning at 1pm on January 7th. He will begin at 9am each day after that with the last house blessing being scheduled at 7pm. This is a great opportunity for Father Michael to visit your family and to get to know one another up close and personal. Please call Father Michael at (301) 502-2850 and schedule a day/time that is convenient for you and your family. May the Newborn continue to bless you and your family! O Πάτερ Μιχαήλ θα ευλογήσει τα σπίτια απο τις 1μμ στις 7 Ιανουαρίου. Θα ξεκινήσει στις 9 το πρωί κάθε μέρα με την τελευταία ευλογία σε σπίτι να έχει προγραμματιστεί στις 7μμ. Αυτή είναι μια ευκαιρία για τον Πατέρ Μιχαήλ να επισκεφθεί την οικογένειά σας και να γνωρίσετε ο ένας τον άλλο από κοντά και προσωπικά. Σας παρακαλώ καλέστε τον Πάτερ Μιχαήλ στο (301) 502-2850 για να προγραμματίσετε μια ημέρα / ώρα βολική για την οικογένειά σας. Ας συνεχίσει ο Νεογεννηθείς να ευλογεί εσάς και την οικογένειά σας!
YMNOI THΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ HYMNS OF THE DAY Tone of the week: Ηχος πλ. α' Εωθ. Eothinon Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ. Aπολυτίκιον Αγ. Κωνσταντίνου & Ελένης Τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου τὸν τύπον ἐν οὐρανῷ θεασάμενος, καὶ ὡς ὁ Παῦλος τὴν κλήσιν οὐκ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων δεξάμενος, ὁ ἐν βασιλεύσιν, Ἀπόστολός σου Κύριε, Βασιλεύουσαν πόλιν τὴ χειρί σου παρέθετο ἣν περίσωζε διὰ παντὸς ἐν εἰρήνῃ, πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε. Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone Ἐν τοῖς ῥείθροις σήμερον τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, γεγονῶς ὁ Κύριος, τῶ Ἰωάννη ἐκβοᾷ. Μὴ δειλιάσης βαπτίσαι με, σῶσαι γὰρ ἥκω, Ἀδὰμ τὸν πρωτόπλαστον. Tone of the week: Plagal of the First Tone Eighth Eothinon Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginning less God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead. Apolytikion of Sunday before Epiphany- 4th Tone Make ready O Zebulum; Prepare yourself O Naphthali; Cease to flow O River Jordan; Receive the Master who comes to be baptized, in joy. Adam, rejoice with the first mother. Do not hide in Paradise, as before, for He came to see us, even naked, that He might clothe us as we were before. Christ has appeared to renew all creation. Apolytikion of Sts. Constantine & Helen Having seen the image of Thy Cross in Heaven, and like Paul, having received the call not from men, Thine apostle among kings entrusted the commonwealth to Thy hand, O Lord. Keep us always in peace, by the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Friend of man. 2 Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone In the running waters of the Jordan River, on this day the Lord of all crieth to John: Be not afraid and hesitate not to baptize Me, for I am come to save Adam, the first-formed man.
ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 4:5-8 Προκείμενον. Ἦχος πλ β. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1 Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου. Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου. Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, νῆφε ἐν πᾶσιν, κακοπάθησον, ἔργον ποίησον εὐαγγελιστοῦ, τὴν διακονίαν σου πληροφόρησον. Ἐγὼ γὰρ ἤδη σπένδομαι, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀναλύσεως ἐφέστηκεν. Τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν καλὸν ἠγώνισμαι, τὸν δρόμον τετέλεκα, τὴν πίστιν τετήρηκα λοιπόν, ἀπόκειταί μοι ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος, ὃν ἀποδώσει μοι ὁ κύριος ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, ὁ δίκαιος κριτής οὐ μόνον δὲ ἐμοί, ἀλλὰ καὶ πάσιν τοῖς ἠγαπηκόσιν τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ. EPISTLE St. Paul s Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8 Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 2 Psalm 27.9,1 O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry. For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 3
ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ Sunday before Epiphany Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 1:1-8 Αρχὴ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ως γέγραπται ἐν τοῖς προφήταις, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ,ἐγένετο Ιωάννης βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ ἐξεπορεύετο πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶσα ἡ Ιουδαία χώρα καὶ οἱ Ιεροσολυμῖται, καὶ ἐβαπτίζοντο πάντες ἐν τῷ Ιορδάνῃ ποταμῷ ὑπ αὐτοῦ ἐξομολογούμενοι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν. Ἦν δὲ ὁ Ιωάννης ἐνδεδυμένος τρίχας καμήλου καὶ ζώνην δερματίνην περὶ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐσθίων ἀκρίδας καὶ μέλι ἄγριον. Καὶ ἐκήρυσσε λέγων ἔρχεται ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου ὀπίσω μου, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς κύψας λῦσαι τὸν ἱμάντα τῶν ὑποδημάτων αὐτοῦ ἐγὼ μὲν ἐβάπτισα ὑμᾶς ἐν ὕδατι, αὐτὸς δὲ βαπτίσει ὑμᾶς ἐν Πνεύματι Αγίῳ. Sunday before Epiphany The Gospel of Mark 1:1-8 GOSPEL The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." 4
Συμβολον Της Πίστεως Πιστεύω εἰς ἕνα Θεόν, Πατέρα, Παντοκράτορα, ποιητὴν οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς, ὁρατῶν τε πάντων καὶ ἀοράτων. Καὶ εἰς ἕνα Κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ, τὸν ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς γεννηθέντα πρὸ πάντων τῶν αἰώνων φῶς ἐκ φωτός, Θεὸν ἀληθινὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἀληθινοῦ, γεννηθέντα οὐ ποιηθέντα, ὁμοούσιον τῷ Πατρί, δι' οὗ τὰ πάντα ἐγένετο. Τὸν δι' ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀνθρώπους καὶ διὰ τὴν ἡμετέραν σωτηρίαν κατελθόντα ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν καὶ σαρκωθέντα ἐκ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου καὶ Μαρίας τῆς Παρθένου καὶ ἐνανθρωπήσαντα. Σταυρωθέντα τε ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου, καὶ παθόντα καὶ ταφέντα. Καὶ ἀναστάντα τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρα κατὰ τὰς Γραφάς. Καὶ ἀνελθόντα εἰς τοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ καθεζόμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Πατρός. Καὶ πάλιν ἐρχόμενον μετὰ δόξης κρῖναι ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς, οὗ τῆς βασιλείας οὐκ ἔσται τέλος. Καὶ εἰς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον, τὸ Κύριον, τὸ ζωοποιόν, τὸ ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐκπορευόμενον, τὸ σὺν Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ συμπροσκυνούμενον καὶ συνδοξαζόμενον, τὸ λαλῆσαν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν. Εἰς μίαν, Ἁγίαν, Καθολικὴν καὶ Ἀποστολικὴν Ἐκκλησίαν. Ὁμολογῶ ἓν βάπτισμα εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν. Προσδοκῶ ἀνάστασιν νεκρῶν. Καὶ ζωὴν τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος. Ἀμήν. The Nicene Creed I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge the living and dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen. Κυριακή Προσευχή Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς, ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου. Ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου. Γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. Τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον. Καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν. Καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ρῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ. The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. ΕΥΧΕΣ ΠΡΟ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΙΑΣ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΣ Πιστεύω, Κύριε, και ομολογώ ότι συ ει αληθώς ο Χριστός, ο Υιός του Θεού του ζώντος, ο ελθών εις τον κόσμον αμαρτωλούς σώσαι, ων πρώτος ειμί εγώ. Έτι πιστεύω, ότι τούτο αυτό εστί το αχράντον Σώμα σου και τούτο αυτό εστί το τίμιον Αίμα σου. Δέομαι ουν σου, ελέησόν με και συγχώρησον μοι τα παραπτώματά μου, τα εκούσια και τα ακούσια, τα εν λόγω, τα εν έργω, τα εν γνώσει και αγνοία, και αξίωσόν με ακατακρίτως μετασχείν των αχράντων σου μυστηρίων, εις άφεσιν αμαρτιών, και εις ζωήν αιώνιον. Αμήν. Ιδού βαδίζω προς Θείαν Κοινωνίαν, Πλαστουργέ, μη φλέξης με τη μετουσία, Πυρ γαρ υπάρχεις τους αναξίους φλέγον. Αλλ ουν κάθαρον εκ πάσης με κηλίδος. Του Δείπνου σου του μυστικού, σήμερον, Υιέ Θεού, κοινωνόν με παράλαβε, ου μη γαρ τοις εχθροίς σου το 5
μυστήριον είπω, ου φίλημα σοι δώσω, καθάπερ ο Ιούδας, αλλ ως ο Ληστής ομολογώ σοι. Μνήσθητι μου Κύριε, εν τη βασιλεία σου. Θεουργόν Αίμα φρίξον, άνθρωπε βλέπων, Άνθραξ γαρ εστί τους αναξίους φλέγων, Θεού το Σώμα, και θεοί με, και τρέφει, Θεοί το πνεύμα, τον δε νουν τρέφει ξένως. Έθελξας πόθω με Χριστέ, και ηλλοίωσας τω θείω έρωτι, αλλά κατάφλεξον πυρί αϋλω τας αμαρτίας μου, και εμπλησθήναι της εν σοι τρυφής καταξίωσον, ίνα τας δύο σκιρτών μεγαλύνω, Αγαθέ, παρουσίας σου. Εν ταις λαμπρότησι των αγίων σου, πως εισελεύσομαι ο ανάξιος; Εάν γαρ τολμήσω συνεισελθείν εις τον νυμφώνα, ο χιτών με ελέγχει. Ότι ουκ έστι του γάμου, και δέσμιος εκβαλούμαι υπό των Αγγέλων, καθάρισον, Κύριε, τον ρύπον της ψυχής μου, και σώσον με, ως φιλάνθρωπος. Δέσποτα φιλάνθρωπε, Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ, ο Θεός μου, μη εις κρίμα μοι γένοιτο τα Άγια ταύτα, δια το ανάξιον είναι με, αλλ εις κάθαρσιν και αγιασμόν ψυχής τε και σώματος, και εις αρραβώνα μελλούσης ζωής και βασιλείας. Εμοί δε το προσκολλάσθαι τω Θεώ αγαθόν εστί, τίθεσθαι εν τω Κυρίω την ελπίδα της σωτηρίας μου. Του Δείπνου σου του μυστικού, σήμερον, Υιέ Θεού, κοινωνόν με παράλαβε, ου μη γαρ τοις εχθροίς σου το μυστήριον είπω, ου φίλημα σοι δώσω, καθάπερ ο Ιούδας, αλλ ως ο Ληστής ομολογώ σοι. Μνήσθητι μου Κύριε, εν τη βασιλεία σου. PRAYERS BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION I believe, Lord, and I confess, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Moreover, I believe that this is Your immaculate Body, and that this is Your precious Blood. Wherefore, I pray to You: have mercy on me, and forgive me my transgressions, those voluntary and involuntary, those in word, those in deed, those in knowledge and those in ignorance; and make me worthy to partake of Your immaculate Mysteries without condemnation, for the remission of sins and life everlasting. Amen. Behold, I approach for divine Communion; Creator, burn me not as I partake; For You are Fire, which burns the unworthy. But, rather, cleanse me from every impurity. Of Your Mystical Supper, Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Your enemies; nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief I confess You: Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom! Be awe-stricken, O man, beholding the deifying Blood; For it is a lighted Coal that burns the unworthy. The divine Body both deifies and nourishes me; It deifies the spirit, and wondrously nourishes the mind. You have smitten me with yearning, O Christ, and by Your divine zeal You have changed me; but burn away my sins with immaterial Fire, and make me worthy to be filled with delight in You; that, leaping for joy, O good One, I may magnify Your two comings. Into the brilliant company of Your saints, how shall I the unworthy enter? For if I dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my garment betrays me, for it is not a wedding garment, and I shall be bound and cast out by the Angels; Lord, cleanse my soul of pollution, and save me, for You love mankind. Master, Who loves mankind, Lord Jesus Christ my God, do not let these Holy Things be to me for judgment because of my unworthiness, but rather may they be for the purification and sanctification of soul and body, and as a pledge of the life and Kingdom to come. For it is good for me to cleave to God, to put my hope of salvation in the Lord. Of Your Mystical Supper, Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of the Mystery to Your enemies; nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas, but like the thief I confess You: Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your Kingdom! Remember me, Master, when You come into Your Kingdom! Remember me, Holy One, when You come into Your Kingdom! 6
SAINTS AND FEASTS The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theonas January 5 When the persecution of Diocletian broke out in 290, Saint Theopemptus, a bishop, was taken for his confession of Christ, and convicted Diocletian to his face for his error and ungodliness. Remaining unhurt after cruel tortures, he was given poison to drink, which had been prepared by a sorcerer named Theonas. Protected by divine grace from this also, he drew Theonas to Christ, and after other torments, was beheaded. Saint Theonas was cast into a pit and buried alive. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ January 6 About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Our Saviour according to the flesh, and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvellous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of the Heavens. 7
SAINTS AND FEASTS ΤΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ January 6 Η γιορτή αυτή είναι από τις αρχαιότερες της Εκκλησίας μας και άρχισε το δεύτερο μετά Χριστόν αιώνα. Αναφέρεται στη φανέρωση της Αγίας Τριάδας κατά τη βάπτιση του Κυρίου μας Ιησού Χριστού στον Ιορδάνη ποταμό. Η Ιστορία της βάπτισης αυτής είναι γνωστή, ιδιαίτερα από το κατά Ματθαίον ευαγγέλιο, στο Γ' κεφάλαιο, στους στίχους 13-17. Ό Πρόδρομος Ιωάννης μετά από θεία διαταγή άφησε την ερημική ζωή και ήλθε στον Ιορδάνη ποταμό. Εκεί κήρυττε, εξομολογούσε και βάπτιζε. Ενώ έκανε ο Ιωάννης το έργο αυτό, μια μέρα ήλθε σ' αυτόν ο Ιησούς. Το Πνεύμα το Άγιο πληροφόρησε το γιο της Ελισάβετ ποιος ήταν. Ό Ιησούς ζητάει να βαπτισθεί. Έκπληκτοι οι παρευρισκόμενοι βλέπουν τον αύστηροπρόσωπο και επιβλητικό ασκητή και διδάσκαλο να υποχωρεί με ανέκφραστη ευλάβεια και ταπείνωση μπροστά στον άγνωστο. Στην αρχή αρνείται να Τον βαπτίσει και Του λέει ότι αυτός έχει ανάγκη να βαπτισθεί από Εκείνον. Ό Ιησούς τον πείθει να Τον βαπτίσει, διότι έτσι έπρεπε. Και τότε, στα νερά του Ιορδάνη διαδραματίζεται σκηνή μεγαλειώδης και μοναδική. Με μορφή περιστεριού το Πνεύμα το Άγιο έρχεται και κάθεται πάνω στον βαπτιζόμενο Ιησού. Και συγχρόνως, φωνή από τον ουρανό, του Πατέρα Θεού, ακούγεται να λέει: "Ούτος εστίν ο Υιός μου ο αγαπητός, εν ω ευδόκησα". Έτσι, μ' αυτόν τον τρόπο στη βάπτιση του Ιησού φανερώθηκε ο Θεός ο τρισυπόστατος, ή Τριάδα ή Αγία, και γι' αυτό ή Εκκλησία μας ονόμασε τη γιορτή αύτη Θεοφάνεια. Απολυτίκιο. Ηχος α'. Εν Ιορδάνη βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε, ή της Τριάδος έφανερώθη προσκύνησις του γαρ Γεννήτορας ή φωνή προσεμαρτύρει σοι, άγαπητόν σε Υίόν όνομάζουσα και το Πνεύμα εν είδει περιστεράς, εβεβαίου του λόγου το ασφαλές. ο επιφανείς Χριστέ ο Θεός, και τον κόσμον φωτίσας δόξα σοι. 8
SAINTS AND FEASTS Synaxis of John the Holy Glorious Prophet, Baptist, & Forerunner Σύναξις τοῦ τιμίου Ιωάννου τοῦ Προδρόμου January 7 Today we celebrate the Synaxis in honour of the most sacred Forerunner, since he ministered at the Mystery of the Divine Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rest from labour. Fish allowed. ΣΥΝΑΞΙΣ (Πανήγυρις) ΑΓΙΟΥ ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΠΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΥ Ήταν γιος του ιερέα Ζαχαρία και της Ελισάβετ. Μέχρι τα τριάντα του χρόνια, ζει ασκητική ζωή στην έρημο της Ιουδαίας, αφιερωμένη ολοκληρωτικά στην προσευχή, τη μελέτη και την πνευματική και ηθική τελειοποίηση, πού είναι βασικοί παράγοντες για την εκτέλεση υψηλών και θείων υπουργημάτων. Το ρούχο του ήταν από τρίχες καμήλας, στη μέση του είχε δερμάτινη ζώνη και την τροφή του αποτελούσαν ακρίδες και άγριο μέλι. Με μορφή ηλιοκαμένη, σοβαρός, αξιοπρεπής και δυναμικός, ο Ιωάννης φανέρωνε αμέσως φυσιογνωμία έκτακτη και υπέροχη. Είχε όλα τα προσόντα μεγάλου και επιβλητικού κήρυκα του θείου λόγου. Έτσι, με μεγάλη χάρη κήρυττε "τα πλήθη". Κατακεραύνωνε και κτυπούσε σκληρά τη φαρισαϊκή αλαζονική έπαρση, πού κάτω από το εξωτερικό ένδυμα της ψευτοαγιότητας έκρυβε τις πιο αηδιαστικές πληγές ψυχικής σκληρότητας και ακαθαρσίας. Γενικά, ή διδασκαλία του συνοψίζεται στη χαρακτηριστική φράση του: "Μετανοείτε ήγγικε γαρ ή βασιλεία των ουρανών", προετοιμάζοντας, έτσι, το δρόμο του Κυρίου μας Ιησού Χριστού για το σωτήριο έργο Του. Οταν ο Χριστός άρχισε τη δημόσια δράση του, ο κόσμος άφηνε σιγά-σιγά τον Ιωάννη και ακολουθούσε Αυτόν. Ή αντιστροφή αύτη, βέβαια, θα προκαλούσε μεγάλη πίκρα και θα γεννούσε αγκάθια ζήλειας και φθόνου σ' έναν, εκτός χριστιανικού πνεύματος, διδάσκαλο ή φιλόσοφο. Αντίθετα, στον Ιωάννη προκάλεσε μεγάλη χαρά και ευφροσύνη. Ή γιορτή αυτή του Ιωάννου του Προδρόμου, για τον όποιο ο Κύριος είπε ότι κανείς άνθρωπος δε στάθηκε μεγαλύτερος του, καθιερώθηκε τον 5ο μ.χ. αιώνα. Το δε μαρτυρικό του τέλος γιορτάζουμε σε άλλη ημερομηνία, όπου και θα αναφερθούμε. Απολυτίκιο. Ήχος β'. Μνήμη δικαίου μετ'έγκωμίων σοι δε αρκέσει ή μαρτυρία του Κυρίου Πρόδρομε, ανεδείχθης γαρ όντως και Προφητών σεβασμιώτερος, ότι και εν ρείθροις βαπτίσαι, κατηξιώθης τον κηρυττόμενον, "Οθεν της αληθείας ύπεραθλήσας, χαίρων εύηγγελίοω, και τοις εν Άδει, Θεόν φανερωθέντα εν σαρκί, τον αίροντα την άμαρτίαν του κόσμου, και παρέχοντα ημίν το μέγα έλεος. 9
PRAYER LIST If you would like us to remember you or your loved one in our prayers, please contact the church office. Maria, Simeon, Nikitas, Andreas, Constantine, Maria, Andreas, Pavlos, Elena, Elaine, Presbytera Flora, Harry, Maria, Aspasia, Panagiota, Kostas, Chrisanthi, Louis, Katy, Fr. Peter, Alexi, Kathy, Elias, Kalliope, Georgia PRAYER FOR A SICK PERSON Heavenly Father, physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent Your only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, visit and heal me Your servant from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ. Grant me patience in this sickness, strength of body and spirit, and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed. I pray that You heal me as Your servant and grant me the gift of complete health. For You are the source of healing and to You I give glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FUTURE GOD PARENTS All Orthodox Christians planning to become a God Parent must be able to recite the Creed by memory. You may recite our Symbol of Faith in either English or Greek. 40-DAYS BABY BLESSING For your convenience we are letting you know that you can make an appointment to church your baby on the 40th day after its birth, no matter what day that might be. There is no reason that you have to inconvenience the mom and the baby, waiting in the back of the Narthex until the priest is available on a Sunday ONLY. Make an appointment to come to church when it is convenient for you at a time that will not disrupt the baby's routine. ANY day you would like. 9am through 6pm by appointment. Bring the entire family or come just with your husband and the baby. Whatever you want. No waiting no inconvenience. More private time with the priest to talk about the future baptism if you wish. Call the office for an appointment. 10
CONFESSION Father Michael is available to you for confession at any time. Please call Father Michael on his cell phone, (301) 502-2850 FUTURE MEMORIALS January 11, 2015 Mr. Michael Miltiadou 40 Day January 25, 2015 Mr. Dimitrios Lazaris 3 Years January 25, 2015 Mr. George Pollos 3 Years 11
ANNOUNCEMENTS YAL: There will be a Brunch outing on January 11 th after Liturgy. This meeting is a social outing accompanied with a discussion not a planning meeting. Please join us. We look forward to seeing everyone there!! GOYA: Please join us on January 11, 2015, after the Divine Liturgy, for the GOYA Breakfast Fundraiser. Support our GOYA Ministry by joining us for breakfast with your family! Philoptochos: Our Ladies of Philoptochos of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Washington, DC will sponsor the community Cutting of the Vasilopita during the coffee hour today immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Please join us as all our ministries and societies will be called forward to receive a piece of the Vassilopita! 12
GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA Protocol Number 01/15 January 1, 2015 Feast of Saint Basil and New Year Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14) To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On this blessed Feast of Saint Basil and the beginning of the New Year, our honored tradition is to offer prayers and support for the sacred ministry of our beloved Saint Basil Academy. For seventy years this institution of our Holy Archdiocese has offered the love of Christ, the comfort of His presence, and the healing power of faith to children, youth, and families in need. Serving Orthodox children from throughout the United States, Saint Basil Academy continues to provide a caring and spiritual environment where they are able to grow, learn, and achieve. This vital mission of Saint Basil Academy, carried out by the directors, staff, trustees and benefactors, is in keeping with our Lord s command to let the children come to me. This is accomplished through this ministry by bringing the love of Christ to those in need. Everything that is offered for the children and youth at Saint Basil s is offered in the name and presence of Christ. In daily care, in counseling and teaching, in recreation, and in worship, the students encounter Christ and His abundant and comforting love. Saint Basil Academy is also a place where the lives of the children and youth are guided in Christ. On the beautiful campus, in a nurturing environment of prayer and grace, they are led in the path of truth and love. They are shown the blessings of the life in Christ, how to follow His will and to find strength and assurance in His promises. They see the hope, joy, and power in a life of faith and a lifelong relationship with Him. This sacred work was also the focus of the patron saint of the Academy, Saint Basil. For the sick, orphans, travelers, and many others in need, he offered an encounter with Christ by taking His love to them. For others he guided them in truth and love through teaching and preaching, as a faithful and caring pastor, to their Savior and Redeemer. This is also our calling today. In our support for Saint Basil Academy, we are led by our Ladies Philoptochos Society and our local Philoptochos chapters in collecting an offering and in the celebration of the cutting of the Vasilopeta. We are also led by Christ and by the example of Saint Basil to fulfill the command of our Lord and let the children come to me. In your ministry in the parish and in your daily life in Christ, you are called to offer Him and guide others to an encounter with the Lord that will lead to abundant and eternal life. On this day may we offer our prayers and generous support for Saint Basil Academy. May we strengthen this vital work to children and youth in fulfilling the request of our Lord and in honoring the legacy of all who have established and supported this ministry in the past seventy years. May you also receive the abundant and rich blessings of our Lord at the beginning of this new year as we offer Him glory and honor unto the ages of ages! With paternal love in Christ, DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America 13
ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΗ ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10021 Web: http://www.goarch.org Email: communications@goarch.org ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΙΚΗ ΕΚΓΥΛΙΟΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΟΡΤΗ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΙΕΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΤΟ ΝΕΟ ΕΤΟΣ 1 Ἰανουαρίου 2015 Ἑορτή Ἁγίου Βασιλείου καί Νέον Ἔτος Ἄφετε τά παιδία καί μή κωλύετε αὐτά ἐλθεῖν πρός μέ τῶν γάρ τοιούτων ἐστίν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν. (Ματθ. 19:14) Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Στήν εὐλογημένη αὐτή Ἑορτή τοῦ Ἀγίου Βασιλείου καί τῆς ἐνάρξεως τοῦ Νέου Ἔτους, ἀκολουθοῦμε τήν τιμημένη παράδοσή μας νά προσφέρουμε τήν προσευχή καί ὑποστήριξή μας στήν ἱερή διακονία τῆς προσφιλοῦς μας Ἀκαδημίας τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου. Ἐπί ἑβδομήντα ἔτη τῆς ζωῆς του, αὐτό τό ἵδρυμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς μας ἔχει προσφέρει τήν ἀγάπη τοῦ Χριστοῦ, τήν παρηγοριά τῆς παρουσίας Του καί τήν θεραπευτκή δύναμη τῆς πίστεως σέ παιδιά, νέους καί οἰκογένειες πού ἔχουν ἀνάγκη βοηθείας. Ὑπηρετῶντας Ὀρθόδοξα παιδιά ἀπό ὁλόκληρη τήν ἐπικράτεια τῶν Ἡνωμένων Πολιτειῶν, ἡ Ἀκαδημία τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου συνεχίζει νά τούς προσφέρῃ ἕνα προστατευτικό καί πνευματικό περιβάλλον ὅπου ἔχουν τή δυνατότητα νά μεγαλώνουν, νά μαθαίνουν καί νά προοδεύουν. Τό σημαντικό αὐτό ἔργο τῆς Ἀκαδημίας Ἁγίου Βασιλείου, τό ὁποῖο ἐπιτελοῦν οἱ διευθύνοντες, τό προσωπικό, οἱ ἐπίτροποι καί δωρητές, ἀκολουθεῖ τήν ἐντολή τοῦ Κυρίου ἄφετε τά παιδία καί μή κωλύετε αὐτά ἐλθεῖν πρός μέ (Ματθ. 19:14). Αὐτό ἐπιτυγχάνεται δι αὐτῆς τῆς διακονίας ἡ ὁποία κομίζει τήν ἀγάπη τοῦ Χριστοῦ σ αὐτούς πού ἔχουν ἀνάγκη. Ὁ,τιδήποτε προσφέρεται γιά τά παιδιά καί τούς νέους στόν Ἅγιο Βασίλειο προσφέρεται στό ὄνομα καί ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Στήν καθημερινή φροντίδα, στήν παροχή συμβουλῶν καί διδασκαλίας, στήν ψυχαγωγία καί λατρεία, οἱ μαθητές συναντοῦν τόν Χριστό καί τήν ἄφθονη καί παρηγορητική ἀγάπη Του. Ἡ Ἀκαδημία τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου εἶναι ἐπίσης ἕνας χῶρος ὅπου οἱ ζωές τῶν παιδιῶν καί τῶν νέων καθοδηγοῦνται ἀπό τόν Χριστό. Σ αὐτόν τόν ὑπέροχο χῶρο, σέ ἕνα στοργικό περιβάλλον προσευχῆς καί χάριτος, ὁδηγοῦνται στήν ὁδό τῆς ἀληθείας καί τῆς ἀγάπης. Μαθαίνουν τίς εὐλογίες τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ ζωῆς καί διδάσκονται πῶς νά ἀκολουθοῦν τό θέλημά Του καί νά ἀνακαλύπτουν τήν δύναμη καί τήν βεβαιότητα τῶν ὑποσχέσεών Του. Βιώνουν ἐλπίδα, χαρά καί δύναμη στή ζωή πίστεως καί στήν διά βίου σχέση μαζί Του. Αὐτό τό ἱερό ἔργο ἦταν έπίσης καί τό κέντρο προσοχῆς τοῦ προστάτη ἁγίου τῆς Ἀκαδημίας, τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου. Γιά τούς ἀσθενεῖς, τά ὀρφανά, τούς ταξιδιῶτες καί πολλούς ἄλλους πού εἶχαν ἀνάγκη, προσέφερε τή σύνδεση μέ τόν Χριστό φέρνοντας τήν ἀγάπη Του σ αὐτούς. Ἄλλους τούς ὁδήγησε μέ ἀλήθεια καί ἀγάπη διά τῆς διδασκαλίας καί τοῦ κηρύγματός Του, ὡς πιστός καί εὐσπλαγχνικός ἱερέας, στόν Σωτήρα και Λυτρωτή τους. Αὐτή εἶναι καί ἡ κλήση μας σήμερα. Στήν ὑποστήριξή μας γιά τήν Ἀκαδημία τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου, ὁδηγούμεθα ἀπό τήν Φιλόπτωχο Ἀδελφότητα Κυριῶν καί τά τοπικά παραρτήματά της συγκεντρώνοντας προσφορές καί συμμετέχοντας στόν ἑορτασμό τῆς κοπῆς τῆς Βασιλόπιττας. Ὁδηγούμεθα ἐπίσης ἀπό τόν Χριστό καί τό παράδειγμα τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου νά ἐκπληρώνουμε τήν ἐντολή τοῦ Κυρίου μας καί νά φέρουμε τά παιδιά κοντά Του. Στή διακονία σας στήν ἐνορία καί στήν καθημερινή ἐν Χριστῷ ζωή σας, καλεῖσθε νά προσφέρετε Ἐκεῖνον καί νά ὁδηγήσετε ἄλλους σέ συνάντηση μέ τόν Κύριο πού θά ὁδηγήσῃ σέ περίσσεια καί αἰώνια ζωή. Τήν ἡμέρα αὐτή, εἴθε νά προσευχηθοῦμε καί νά προσφέρουμε τή γενναιόδωρη στήριξή μας γιά τήν Ἀκαδημία τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου. Εἴθε νά ἐνισχύσουμε αὐτό τό σημαντικό ἔργο γιά τά παιδιά καί τούς νέους ἐκπληρώνοντας τό αἴτημα τοῦ Κυρίου μας καί τιμῶντας τήν κληρονομιά ὅλων ἐκείνων οἱ ὁποῖοι ἵδρυσαν καί στήριξαν αὐτή τήν διακονία ἐπί ἑβδομήντα ἔτη. Εἴθε, ἐπίσης, νά λάβετε τίς ἄφθονες καί πλούσιες εὐλογίες τοῦ Κυρίου μας στόν καινούργιο χρόνο πού ἀρχίζει καθώς Τοῦ προσφέρουμε δόξα καί τιμή στούς αἰῶνες τῶν αἰώνων! Μετά πατρικῆς ἀγάπης ἐν Χριστῷ, ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος 14
GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL MINISTRY ΝΕΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ Το ετήσιο Χριστουγεννιάτικο πρόγραμμα του Ελληνικού σχολείου πραγματοποιήθηκε την Δευτέρα 22 Δεκεμβρίου στον Ορθόδοξο Καθεδρικό Ναό του Αγίου Ανδρέα. Οι μαθητές του σχολείου απήγγειλαν χριστουγεννιάτικα ποιήματα και τραγούδησαν χριστουγεννιάτικα τραγούδια. Το πρόγραμμα έκλεισε με τα παιδιά των μεγαλύτερων τάξεων του σχολείου που παρουσίασαν την δραματοποιημένη αφήγηση της Γέννησης, έψαλλαν χριστουγεννιάτικους ύμνους και τραγούδησαν τα κάλαντα. Θερμές ευχαριστήριες στους γονείς που πρόσφεραν χυμούς και σνακ τα οποία απόλαυσαν οι μαθητές μετά τη λέξη του προγράμματος. Η διευθύντρια του ελληνικού σχολείου, η σχολική επιτροπή και το διδακτικό προσωπικό σας στέλνουν τις θερμότερες ευχές τους για ένα ευτυχισμένο και δημιουργικό νέο έτος. Σημαντικές Ημερομηνίες: Κοπή βασιλόπιτας..5 Ιανουαρίου, 2015 Διανομή ελέγχων.12 Ιανουαρίου, 2015 GREEK SCHOOL NEWS The annual Christmas Program of the Greek School took place on Monday, December 22nd at the Orthodox Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew. Our school children up to and including the third grade recited Christmas poems and sang Christmas songs. The celebration ended with the narration and the presentation of the Nativity Scene and continued with the chanting of Christmas hymns and the singing of Christmas carols. A special thanks to the parents for donating light snacks and refreshments to the children at the end of the Program. The director of the Greek school, the school board and the teaching staff send you their warmest wishes for a very Happy and Productive New Year. Important Dates to Remember: Cutting of the vasilopita...january 6, 2015 Interim report card distribution.....january 12, 2015 15
YOUTH MINISTRY Sunday, January 11th After Divine Liturgy Please support the GOYA Ministry by Purchasing breakfast Adults: $10 18 and under: $7 We will be serving eggs, bacon, home fries and juice Thank you in advance for your support. 16
YOUTH MINISTRY HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS!!! Applications are now being accepted for the Next Generation Initiative s new Archimedes Award Scholarship for outstanding high school seniors of Hellenic heritage intending to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) related fields at a university in the United States. To be considered for a 2015-16 scholarship, please apply by March 1, 2015. For more information, and to apply, please go online to www.hellenext.org. This new scholarship, the first such to be offered through the Next Generation Initiative, was founded by Dr. Andrew Economos, who is stepping forward to help young Greek Americans who share his passion for science and learning, and encourage Hellenic American students to excel in these fields. Finalists for the Archimedes Award will be selected by an independent committee of university professors and experts with records of experience in STEM education, from the University of California at Davis, Fairfield University, the Stevens Institute of Technology, Old Dominion University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. More information about the Archimedes Award is online at http:// www.hellenext.org/career-resources/next-generation-scholarships/archimedesaward/ The Next Generation Initiative www.hellenext.org Don t forget to follow us on our NextGen Launchpad on LinkedIn. 17
The Waters Are Made Holy by St. Proclus of Constantinople Our father among the saints, Proclus, was noted for his prayerful life and that he studied the Holy Scripture. He became a reader at an early age. He was a disciple of John Chrysostom and was ordained a deacon and priest by him. From the great saint, Proclus received a profound understanding of Holy Scripture and learned to present his thoughts in a polished form. In 429, he preached his famous sermon on Incarnation and defended the title of the Theotokos before Nestorius, Archbishop of Constantinople, himself. This sermon was later made part of the Acts of the Council of Ephesus, at which Nestorius was deposed. It was during the time of Proclus that the Trisagion prayers came into use. Christ appeared in the world, and, bringing beauty out of disarray, gave it luster and joy. He bore the world s sins and crushed the world s enemy. He sanctified the fountains of waters and enlightened the minds of men. Into the fabric of miracles he interwove ever greater miracles. For on this day land and sea share between them the grace of the Savior, and the whole world is filled with joy. Today s feast of the Theophany manifests even more wonders than the feast of Christmas. On the feast of the Savior s birth, the earth rejoiced because it bore the Lord in a manger; but on today s feast of the Epiphany it is the sea that is glad and leaps for joy; the sea is glad because it receives the blessing of holiness in the river Jordan. At Christmas we saw a weak baby, giving proof of our weakness. In today s feast, we see a perfect man, hinting at the perfect Son who proceeds from the allperfect Father. At Christmas the King puts on the royal robe of his body; at Epiphany the very source enfolds and, as it were, clothes the river. Come then and see new and astounding miracles: the Sun of righteousness washing in the 18
The Waters Are Made Holy (cont.) Jordan, fire immersed in water, God sanctified by the ministry of man. Today every creature shouts in resounding song: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is he who comes in every age, for this is not his first coming. And who is he? Tell us more clearly, I beg you, blessed David: The Lord is God and has shone upon us. David is not alone in prophesying this; the apostle Paul adds his own witness, saying: The grace of God has appeared bringing salvation for all men, and instructing us. Not for some men, but for all. To Jews and Greeks alike God bestows salvation through baptism, offering baptism as a common grace for all. Come, consider this new and wonderful deluge, greater and more important than the flood of Noah s day. Then the water of the flood destroyed the human race, but now the water of Baptism has recalled the dead to life by the power of the one who baptized. In the days of the flood the dove with an olive branch in its beak foreshadowed the fragrance of the good odor of Christ the Lord; now the Holy Spirit, coming in the likeness of a dove reveals the Lord of mercy. 19
On Holy Water At Theophany by St. John Maximovitch Our father among the saints John Maximovitch, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco The Wonderworker (d. 1966), was a diocesan bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) who served widely from China to France to the United States. Countless miracles have been attributed to this holy bishop, both during his lifetime and since his repose. He guided souls in many places across the globe during his earthly sojourn. On Theophany, the Day of the Lord s Baptism, every year a great miracle is performed. The Holy Spirit, coming down upon the water, changes its natural properties. It becomes incorrupt, not spoiling, remaining transparent and fresh for many years. This Holy Water receives the grace to heal illnesses, to drive away demons and every evil power, to preserve people and their dwellings from every danger, to sanctify various objects whether for church or home use. Therefore, Orthodox Christians with reverence drink Holy Water a great Agiasma (holy thing), as the Greeks call it. One should always have at home enough Theophany water to last the whole year, and make use of it at every need: in cases of illness, leaving on a journey, whenever one is upset, students prior to examinations, etc. People who drink a little Holy Water daily, before eating any kind of food, do well. It strengthens the powers of our soul if it is done with prayer and reverence, and one does not merely expect a mechanical result from it. Every priest should take care to bless a sufficient quantity of water for his church, so that it will be on hand for the course of the whole year for every need and to be given out to those who ask for it; and parishioners should provide themselves at Theophany with Holy Water for the whole year and even so that it can be kept for future years. 20
Why Do We Have Our Homes Blessed? by Phyllis Meshel Onest Begin Everything with Prayer Since we are reminded in Scripture to begin whatever we do with prayer, it has been the practice of Orthodox Christians for centuries to have new dwellings blessed either before or just after settling in. This has been extended to one's business or office, and even college dorm rooms. "The service performed by the priest to bless the new dwelling is somewhat similar to the consecration of a church [in the Russian practice] in that holy water, holy oil, and incense are used and a lesson from the holy Gospel is read. All the rooms of the house are sprinkled with holy water and each of the four outer walls are anointed with the sign of the Cross with holy oil, a candle placed before them, and after the censing of the house, the lesson from the Holy Gospel is read [in Greek practice the service of the Small Blessing of Waters is generally done]. At the conclusion of the blessing, the inhabitants are blessed with holy water: the husband first, followed by the wife and then the children - the oldest first. Relatives and friends present are then blessed." (Marriage and the Christian Home, by Rev. Michael B. Henning, p.24.) Back to "The Fall" From Scripture we know that whatever God created was good, but with "the Fall", evil entered the world, corrupting the creation. God the Father sent His Son Jesus to save it by effecting a "new creation". This is celebrated at Theophany, specifically with the Great Blessing of Water. "The consecration of the waters on this feast places the entire world - through its 'prime element' of water - in the perspective of the cosmic creation, sanctification, and glorification of the Kingdom of God in Christ and the Spirit." (The Orthodox Faith, Vol. II, Worship, by Fr. Thomas Hopko, p.127.) All the readings, hymns, prayers, and actions of the day speak of God's presence in our entire world and universe, His creation. Through water all of the creation is once again sanctified by God, becoming good again, the way God had intended. The Feast Of Theophany The Feast of Theophany (or Epiphany) commemorates the Baptism of our Lord in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. We know from the troparion of the day that "the Trinity was made manifest" to us. But there's more to it than this. "When Jesus descends into the depths of the river, there occurs a profound upheaval. It is not the one baptized who is purified, for he is spotless; but it is the water that is transfigured and illumined. This water, which was believed to be transparent and purifying, is in fact polluted, inhabited by evil spirits, servants of the old 21
gods. By purifying the elements, by sanctifying matter, Jesus frees the cosmos from the powers of evil." (The Incarnate God, Vol. I, Catherine Aslanoff, French edition editor, translated by Paul Meyendorff, p.163.) The Great Blessing of Water and the Home The Great Blessing of Water takes place at the end of that day's Liturgy. Since our homes cannot be brought to the Church, the Church - through the priest and cantor - go to the homes. There the service of blessing, which began in the church, is finished with the sprinkling of water in the home. Traditionally, in most Orthodox parishes, the priest personally visits all his parishioners each year to pray with them in the place where they live, and to bless their surroundings with the newly sanctified water of Theophany (January 6/13). By sanctifying our living quarters, our private place, we extend the grace of God to our individual dwellings. (In very large parishes a yearly visit may not be possible. In areas of the country where the winter is harsh, I know of at least one parish where houses are blessed at the beginning of the ecclesiastical year in September.)We also bring the blessed water to our homes to use throughout the year to bless our homes and to drink whether we are ill or as part of our daily prayer life. "There are many occasions in family life when a sip of holy water can help to remind us of the blessing that was given 'to bestow sanctification', 'unto healing of soul and body', 'to be a fountain welling forth unto life eternal', as the priest prayed in the litany of Epiphany day." (Little Falcons: Water, Vol. 5, No. 2, 1998, p.33.) Weaving Christ into Our Lives" The blessing of homes by these holy waters maintains the spiritual association between the 'family church' and the parish, as well as again providing for the sharing of God's spiritual gifts. This annual blessing is not as elaborate as the blessing of the new dwelling, but because of this it should not be overlooked, for it is in this way that the grace of God is extended to individual dwellings." (Marriage and the Christian Home, p.25.) If the priest comes to bless the home when the children are present, they have the opportunity to see the parish priest in a different and personal situation. If the priest permits, they can lead the way through the house, or hold a candle. They can show him their rooms or pets or favorite toys. They receive a blessing with water. For children, the house blessing shows the connection of the Church to the home. In Summary What does it mean to ask God to bless something? All things in the world have been spoiled right along with us. God must bless His world again in order for it to be the way that He wants it to be. For this reason God sent His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit to the world: to bless everyone and everything that He made, to make all things good again. When the priest comes to bless our homes, he asks God to have mercy on the house, to rid it of every evil and to fill it with every blessing. What a wonderful way to begin the New Year!. 22
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Churc h Of Washington, DC Temporary Church Address: St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral 15100 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20905 Office Address: 701 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905 Phone: (240) 389-1366 Email: office@schgocdc.org Website: www.schgoc.org Rev. Michael Eaccarino, Protopresbyter Email: fm@papouli.net Rev. Jason Houck, Presbyter Email: FatherJason@schgocdc.org We welcome all visitors among us always! We hope you find our worship true and reverent and our people here friendly and cordial. If you are seeking a spiritual home, we would be honored by your presence in our family. We are glad you chose to worship with us today. ALTAR BOYS Joe Mayes joem1222@gmail.com STEWARDSHIP Sotirios Nasios snasios@yahoo.com Kathy Matrakas 301-439-6958 klukia14@gmail.com GREEK LANGUAGE MINISTRY Ifigenia Kambanis agkambanis@msn.com Erini Iatrou eirini.iatrou@gmail.com OUTREACH MINISTRY Ms. Anastasia Kyritsopoulos (301) 467-8873 a.kyritsopoulos2@gmail.com CHOIR Dr. Theodore Papaloizos 301-681-5648 ted@greek123.com Jr. GOYA/Sr. GOYA Alexandra Pittas 301-704-0687 pittasa@verizon.net GREEK DANCE MINISTRY Elaine Romas eromas@verizon.net Kristina Maria Paspalis kmpaspalis@gmail.com YOUNG AT HEART Helen Thornberg 301-949-1788 bwt602r@aol.com Christina Clifton 301-530-5478 Christina.Clifton@verizon.net 23 CATECHETICAL MINISTRY Tara Kavadias 240-476-6715 tarakavadias@yahoo.com Voula Vithoulkas voulavithoulkas@gmail.com YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY (YAL) Viktoria Taroudaki Victoria.taroudaki@gmail.com PHILOPTOCHOS Paraskevoula Hays 301-530-0209 voulaphilo@landmark.org HOPE & JOY Father Jason Houck (301) 502-3762 fatherjason@schgocdc.org
PARISH LIFE - Dates to Remember Monday Δευτέρα 1/5/15 Strict Fast Αυστηρή Νηστεία Tuesday Τρίτη 1/6/15 Fast Free Wednesday Τετάρτη 1/7/15 Fish Allowed Eve of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Προεόρτια τῶν Φώτων 8:30am Orthros -Ορθρος 9:30am-Divine Liturgy Θεία Λειτουργία At St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Ἀγία Θεοφάνεια τοῦ Κυρίου 6:30am Orthros Ορθρος 7:30am Divine Liturgy-Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30am Great Blessing of the Waters- Αγιασμός των Υδάτων At St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Synaxis of John the Baptist Σύναξις Τιμίου Προδρόμου 8:30am Orthros -Ορθρος 9:30am-Divine Liturgy-Θεία Λειτουργία At Sts. Constantine & Helen Chapel - Norwood Property +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 6:00-7:30pm Holy Unction - Ευχέλαιον At St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Thursday Πέμτη 1/8/15 Friday Παρασκευή 1/9/15 Strict Fast Αυστηρή Νηστεία Saturday Σάββατον 1/10/15 6:00-7:00pm Great Vespers - Μέγας Εσπερινός At Sts. Constantine & Helen Chapel - Norwood Property Sunday Κυριακή 1/11/15 Sunday after Epiphany Κυριακή μετά τῶν Φώτων7:00-8:15am-Orthros - Ορθρος 8:15-10:00am Divine Liturgy-Θεία Λειτουργία At St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral 24