Saints and Feasts

June 11

The Sunday of All Saints

Honouring the friends of God with much reverence, the Prophet-King David says, "But to me, exceedingly honourable are Thy friends, O Lord" (Ps. 138:16). And the divine Apostle, recounting the achievements of the Saints, and setting forth their memorial as an example that we might turn away from earthly things and from sin, and emulate their patience and courage in the struggles for virtue, says, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every burden, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1).

This commemoration began as the Sunday (Synaxis) of All Martyrs; to them were added all the ranks of Saints who bore witness (the meaning of "Martyr" in Greek) to Christ in manifold ways, even if occasion did not require the shedding of their blood.

Therefore, guided by the teaching of the Divine Scriptures and Apostolic Tradition, we the pious honour all the Saints, the friends of God, for they are keepers of God's commandments, shining examples of virtue, and benefactors of mankind. Of course, we honour the known Saints especially on their own day of the year, as is evident in the Menologion. But since many Saints are unknown, and their number has increased with time, and will continue to increase until the end of time, the Church has appointed that once a year a common commemoration be made of all the Saints. This is the feast that we celebrate today. It is the harvest of the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world; it is the "much fruit" brought forth by that "Grain of wheat that fell into the earth and died" (John 12:24); it is the glorification of the Saints as "the foundation of the Church, the perfection of the Gospel, they who fulfilled in deed the sayings of the Saviour" (Sunday of All Saints, Doxasticon of Vespers).

In this celebration, then, we reverently honour and call blessed all the Righteous, the Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Shepherds, Teachers, and Holy Monastics, both men and women alike, known and unknown, who have been added to the choirs of the Saints and shall be added, from the time of Adam until the end of the world, who have been perfected in piety and have glorified God by their holy lives. All these, as well as the orders of the Angels, and especially our most holy Lady and Queen, the Ever-virgin Theotokos Mary, do we honour today, setting their life before us as an example of virtue, and entreating them to intercede in our behalf with God, Whose grace and boundless mercy be with us all. Amen.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.

Apolytikion for All Saints in the Fourth Mode

Adorned in the blood of Thy Martyrs throughout all the world as in purple and fine linen, Thy Church, though them, doth cry unto Thee, O Christ God: Send down Thy compassions upon Thy people; grant peace to Thy commonwealth, and great mercy to our souls.

Apolytikion for Apostle Bartholomew in the Third Mode

O Holy Apostles, intercede with the merciful God that He grant unto our souls forgiveness of offenses.

Apolytikion for St. Anna (Dec. 9) in the Fourth Mode

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed; for God hearkened to Joachim and Anna. And though it was beyond hope, He clearly promised them that they should bear a divine child, from whom was born the Uncircumscribable One Himself Who became a mortal, and through an Angel commanded them to cry unto her: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace, the Lord is with thee."

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

As the first-fruits of our nature to the Planter of created things, the world presenteth the God-bearing martyred Saints in off'ring unto Thee, O Lord. Through their earnest entreaties, keep Thy Church in deep peace and divine tranquillity, through the pure Theotokos, O Thou Who art greatly merciful.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2.

Brethren, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

Gospel Reading

The Sunday of All Saints
The Reading is from Matthew 10:32-33; 37-38; 19:27-30

The Lord said to his disciples, "Every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first."

Wisdom of the Fathers

Peter ... put to Him this question in behalf of all the world ... For He had required of the rich man these two things, to give that he had to the poor, and to follow Him. ... For the forsaking was done for the sake of following, and the following was rendered easier by the forsaking.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 64 on Matthew 19, 4th Century

But He seems to me here to intimate also the persecutions. For since there were many instances both of fathers urging their sons to ungodliness, and wives their husbands; when they command these things, said He, let them be neither wives nor parents, even as Paul likewise said, "But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 64 on Matthew 19, 4th Century

Ministry News

TODAYthere will be 2017-2019 Elections for Philoptochos Board of Directors after Church services for all current and paid members of the Philoptochos.

TODAY Fellowship Hour is sponsored by the Parish Council.

Church Calendar:

Holy Apostles Fast begins on June 12.

Thursday, June 29: Saints Peter and Paul Feastday - Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 9 am

Friday, June 30: Holy Apostles - Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 9 am

Saturday, July 1: Sts. Cosmas and Damianos - Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 9 am

St. Anna will be conducting its “Pave the Way” Fundraiser all summer long. You can become a part of our legacy by purchasing commemorative pavers to line the walkway to our Church. The brochure with all details can be found at the Pangari. Deadline for orders is September 30, so that we can install them before the winter months. Contacts: Evan Sakellos and John Douvris.

Byzantine Music Workshop and Choir: For confirmation of meeting times, please contact our cantor Stathis directly or through email (stathisleon@gmail.com) with subject matter "Byzantine Choir.”

Education Programs: Last week was the end of our school year for both Sunday School and Greek School. We would like to thank our Religious Education teachers and our Greek Language teachers for all of their hard work this past school year. Thank you also to the PTO for all of their support throughout the year, and for throwing 2 very fun end-of-year parties. Registration forms for next school year will be available beginning July 1.

Sunday School: There will be a Sunday School Teachers meeting on Sunday, June 25 following Church services to review the past year and to start planning for the next school year. We are in need of Sunday School teachers for next year - please consider taking part in this very important ministry! Any interested parties are welcome to attend our Teachers’ meeting, or they can contact Father A or Joanne Diver at sjdiver@verizon.net.

Greek School: We are also in need of Greek School teachers for the next school year. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY POTENTIAL GREEK SCHOOL TEACHERS IN THE AREA, PLEASE LET FR. A OR JOANNE DIVER KNOW ASAP. Greek School students who register early (by July 31) will once again be offered a tuition discount this year of $50/student.

Summer Youth Programs: Camp Good Shepherd 2017 at the Linwood MacDonald YMCA Center in Branchville, NJ will take place this summer as follows:

JOY (ages 8-12): July 9-15.

GOYA week #1 (ages 13-18): July 16-22.

GOYA week #2 (ages 13-18): July 23-30. GOYA Campers can register for one or both sessions.

For more information contact the Metropolis Youth Office by phone (908) 301-0500 or by email dnphilotheos@nj.goarch.org.

Philoptochos News: 2017-2019 Elections for Philoptochos Board of Directors TODAY - All current and paid members of Philoptochos have been notified that board elections will be held TODAY Sunday, June 11 in the St. Anna Sunday School grade 3-4 classroom.

Fellowship Hour sponsors needed! Please sign up outside the Church office, or contact Dr. Nikolaos Kritharis at nikolaos.kritharis.dmd@gmail.com or 201-572-3420.

Stewardship

STEWARDSHIP: Stewardship is the sharing of the talents and treasures that God has provided for us. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards.

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins