Memorial and Trisagion Prayers
08/31/2025
Today we are having a 21-Year Trisagion for Stephen Sgueglia, husband of Elaine and father of Christina, grandfather of Wesley.
May his memory be eternal
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Third Tone
O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, intercede with our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Fourth Tone
A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you forth to your sheep-fold to be a master of temperance. You obtained thus through being lowly, gifts from on high, and riches through poverty. Nicholas, our father and priest of priests, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20
At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."
Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Luke 1: 46-48.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Verse: For he has regarded the humility of his servant.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7.
BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
12th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 19:16-26
At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, "Good Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.
And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Today we are having a 21-Year Trisagion for Stephen Sgueglia, husband of Elaine and father of Christina, grandfather of Wesley.
May his memory be eternal
1. Upcoming Services
September 8 -- Nativity of the Theotokos; Orthros @ 830 am and Divine Liturgy @ 9: 30 am
2. Taste of Greece Workshops
September 3 and 4 -- Breads @ 10 am
September 10 & 11 -- Baklava @ 10 am
Please sign up for the POINT system as soon as you can, as there will no longer be paper sign ups for Taste of Greece slots. You can go to https://pointapp.org/orgs/6737 to Register. Thank you!
3. Please speak to Father if you would like to teach Sunday School.
4. **LOST** - A yellow gold filigree cross with lobster claw clasp in the vicinity of St. Luke’s parking lot around the 1st week in July. Please turn it into church office if found. Thank you.
5. We have about twenty-four people as of this weekend interested in Greek language classes. An email will be sent this week with more information.
6. Philoptochos News
Philoptochos Events:
Sunday, September 7, 2025 – Welcome Back Sunday (ministry table)
Monday, September 8, 2025 – Father’s 18th Anniversary of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood
Sunday, September 14, 2025 – Affirmation of Office with a second basket for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 – Philoptochos Meeting at the Church, 6:30 PM
Thursday, September 25, 2025 – Philoptochos Meet & Greet Wine Event at Worthington Winery in Somers, 5–8 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 – Artoclasia for St. Luke Nameday and Taste of Greece Philoptochos Kefaneio
Sunday, October 26, 2025 – Pumpkins and Pizza Event
Sunday, November 2, 2025 – National Philoptochos Sunday with Artoclasia
Sunday, November 9, 2025 – Veterans Day Soup Cook-Off
Saturday, December 6, 2025 – Artoclasia for St. Nicholas Nameday
The man who follows Christ in solitary mourning is greater than he who praises Christ amid the congregation of men – Saint Isaac the Syrian
Although the historical accounts differ somewhat, the Deposition that is celebrated today took place most likely during the reign of Emperor Arcadius (395-408), when the precious Cincture of the Mother of God was brought from Zela of Cappadocia to Constantinople, and placed in the Church of the Theotokos in the section of Chalcopratia.
Saint Cyprian was born of pagan parents in Carthage of Roman Africa about the year 190. An eloquent teacher of rhetoric, he was converted and baptized late in life, and his conversion from a proud man of learning to a humble servant of Christ was complete; he sold his great possessions and gave them to the poor, and because of his zeal and virtue, was ordained presbyter in 247, then Bishop of Carthage in 248. He was especially steadfast in defending the sanctity and uniqueness of the Baptism of the Church of Christ against the confusion of those who would allow some validity to the ministrations of heretics; his writings continue to guide the Church even in our own day. Having survived the persecution of Decius about the year 250, he was beheaded in confession of the Faith during the persecution of Valerian in 258, on September 14; that day being the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, his feast is kept today.