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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-04-30
Bulletin Contents
Myrrbear
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Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (502)425-7775
  • Street Address:

  • 930 Ormsby Lane

  • Louisville, KY 40242


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Great Vespers - Saturday 5:00pm

Orthros - Sunday 9:00am

Divine Liturgy- Sunday 10:00am


Past Bulletins


Saints and Feasts

Myrrbear
April 30

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14).

Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60).


Jameszebedee
April 30

James the Apostle and brother of St. John the Theologian

James was one of the Twelve, like his brother John (celebrated on Sept. 26), whom the Lord called "Sons of Thunder," because they became great preachers and because of their profound theology. It was the Saint's boldness in preaching the Gospel that Herod Agrippa, the son of Aristobulus and grandson of Herod the Great, could not endure, and so he took him into custody during the days of the Passover, and slew him with the sword (Acts 12: 1-2); and thus he drank the cup of which the Saviour had spoken to him prophetically (Matt. 20:23). As for Herod, the following year he went down to Caesarea, and, as the Acts of the Apostles records: "Upon a set day, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration" to the elders of Tyre and Sidon; and the flatterers that surrounded him "gave a shout, saying, 'it is the voice of a god, and not of a man.' And immediately an Angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory; and like his grandfather (see Dec. 29) "he was eaten of worms and gave up the spirit" (Acts 12:21-23)


Allsaint
April 30

Erconwald, Bishop of London


Allsaint
April 30

Argyra the New Martyr


Allsaint
April 30

Clement the Hymnographer


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 2nd Tone. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7.

IN THOSE DAYS, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal 1st Tone

Christ is risen from the dead, by death hath He trampled down death, and on those in the graves hath He bestowed life.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the 2nd Tone

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the 2nd Tone

The noble Joseph, taking Thine immaculate Body down from the Tree, and having wrapped It in pure linen and spices, laid It for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day Thou didst arise, O Lord, granting great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the 2nd Tone

Unto the myrrh-bearing women did the Angel cry out as he stood by the grave: Myrrh oils are meet for the dead, but Christ hath proved to be a stranger to corruption. But cry out: The Lord is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal 4th Tone

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
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Wisdom of the Fathers

They [the women] had followed Him ministering to Him, and were present even unto the time of the dangers. Wherefore also they saw all; how He cried, how He gave up the ghost, how the rocks were rent, and all the rest.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

And these [the women] first see Jesus; and the sex that was most condemned, this first enjoys the sight of the blessings, this most shows its courage. And when the disciples had fled, these were present.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 88 on Matthew 27, 4th Century

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Message from Fr. Jon

Fr._jon

Parish Council Message from the April Beacon

04/01/2017

Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption,

Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Our relationship with the Lord, more specifically—toward the Lord, is ideally one of humility and love. We become less to ourselves as He becomes more to us; we offer to Him in thanksgiving for what He has given to us, as good stewards of His heavenly blessings; we understand that we must set our own will aside that we may abide in His will.  All of this is extremely difficult if we view ourselves apart from Him and define ourselves as being “autonomous.” To fully understand, we must realize that our humility and love is nothing compared to His humility and love.

The Lord loves us so much, that He “gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. “ (John 3:16)  In becoming a creature, the Logos set aside His divine “prerogatives” to exist as a creature, which He in fact created.  He became as a man, while still divine, but lived in complete humility as one so much less than He is.  He accepted to be imprisoned on “death row” and be put to death as a criminal in the worst way possible.  He experienced extreme humility in His passion and crucifixion at the hands of His creatures—to whom He had come to save.  At any time, He could have walked away—but He remained in order to give us the potential for eternal life.  All of this was preordained by the Father, who offered His Son for this purpose.  Do we really understand? Have we internalized His offering to us?

In humility He was incarnate and crucified—yet we are too proud to go to Holy Confession or even say I’m sorry to someone we’ve wronged.  He forgives us our every sin—when we ask, yet we don’t forgive readily.  We even will often rationalize to ourselves why we won’t forgive.

In love, He gives us every good thing that we have ever or will ever receive—yet some can’t even find a few hours on Sunday mornings for Him, let alone a “Holy” Week.

When we truly understand/internalize—love, humility and obedience come easily...

In His Service,

Rev. Father Jon Boukis

Proistamenos

“Attract, Serve, Illuminate”


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Message from the Parish Council

Church

Parish Council Message from the March Beacon

03/01/2017

Dear Parishioners,

Last week, at the parish council meeting, we discussed the past year and the future year; and although we are doing quite well, we cannot afford being complacent.

Even though we are stable financially, we are not strong enough to depend on our stewardship alone, which should be our goal as a community. We are still dependent on fundraising activities, which as you know are controlled by many unforeseen factors. I urge all to at least keep your present level of commitment, and if possible, try to increase it - even by 5%. 

We are embarking on a most exciting time with our fundraising for the new building. Please be as generous as you have all been in the past.

I am more confident today than ever before, that we will succeed in building our new educational and community building, and that we will continue to be beacon of our faith.

In Christ 

Ramsey

“Attract, Serve, Illuminate”


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Upcoming Events

Orthodox Bible Study

Bible Study is an opportunity for us to apply the Scriptures to our everyday lives. The Bible is the “Good News” that enriches our faith and deepens our understanding of every issue that we face. This can only be done through obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!!

The Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Wednesday Evenings from 6:00pm-7:30pm and on Thursday Mornings from 10:00am-11:30am to studythe Gospel According to St. John. Make a commitment to learning His Word!


Kroger Community Rewards®

Are you already Kroger shopper?
Your current shopping could be benefitting the Assumption!

Kroger Community Rewards® makes fund-raising easy...all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!

______________________________________________________

TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

· Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and register your Kroger Plus Card (if you are already registered, click “Sign In” instead of “Create an Account.”)

· Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions

· You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.

· Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.

· Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number. If you use your phone number at the register instead of a card, call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.

· Update or confirm your information.

· Enter “Assumption” or our NPO number of 10779 and select us from the list and click on confirm.

· If enrollment is complete, you will see Assumption’s name on the right side of your information page.

· That’s it!!! Use your registered Kroger Plus card or phone number at the register and our parish benefits!!!

By registering online, coupons can be electronically attached to your Plus Card. Not only do you help the Church, but you save money. Talk to everyone you know about registering to benefit our parish!!!


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Assumption Parish Calendar

  • Assumption Calendar

    April 30 to May 14, 2017

    Sunday, April 30

    Sunday School

    8:45AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    5:00PM Adult Dance Practice

    5:00PM Greek Dance Practice (Division I)

    6:00PM Greek Dance Practice (Division II)

    Wednesday, May 3

    6:00PM Orthodox Bible Study

    6:30PM Greek Festival Meeting

    Thursday, May 4

    10:00AM No Orthodox Bible Study

    Saturday, May 6

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, May 7

    Sunday School

    8:45AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    5:00PM Adult Dance Practice

    5:00PM Greek Dance Practice (Division I)

    6:00PM Greek Dance Practice (Division II)

    Tuesday, May 9

    6:30PM Greek Festival Meeting

    Wednesday, May 10

    6:00PM Orthodox Bible Study

    Thursday, May 11

    10:00AM Orthodox Bible Study

    Saturday, May 13

    12:00PM YAL Grounds Clean-Up

    5:00PM No Great Vespers

    Sunday, May 14

    Sunday School

    8:45AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    5:00PM Adult Dance Practice

    5:00PM Greek Dance Practice (Division I)

    6:00PM Greek Dance Practice (Division II)

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