St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2025-08-31
Bulletin Contents

Organization Icon
St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (860) 956-7586
  • Street Address:

  • 433 Fairfield Avenue

  • Hartford, CT 06114


Contact Information




Services Schedule

Sundays: Orthros (Matins): 8:30 AM | Divine Liturgy: 9:30 AM

 

 


Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

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.

Προκείμενον. Third Mode. Λουκάν 1:46-48.
Μεγαλύνει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον, καὶ ἠγαλλίασε τὸ πνεῦμά μου ἐπὶ τῷ Θεῷ τῷ σωτῆρί μου.
Στίχ. Ὅτι ἐπέβλεψεν ἐπὶ τὴν ταπείνωσιν τῆς δούλης αὐτοῦ.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 9:1-7.

Ἀδελφοί, εἶχεν ἡ πρώτη σκηνὴ δικαιώματα λατρείας, τό τε ἅγιον κοσμικόν. Σκηνὴ γὰρ κατεσκευάσθη ἡ πρώτη, ἐν ᾗ ἥ τε λυχνία καὶ ἡ τράπεζα καὶ ἡ πρόθεσις τῶν ἄρτων, ἥτις λέγεται ἅγια. Μετὰ δὲ τὸ δεύτερον καταπέτασμα σκηνὴ ἡ λεγομένη ἅγια ἁγίων, χρυσοῦν ἔχουσα θυμιατήριον, καὶ τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης περικεκαλυμμένην πάντοθεν χρυσίῳ, ἐν ᾗ στάμνος χρυσῆ ἔχουσα τὸ μάννα, καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος Ἀαρὼν ἡ βλαστήσασα, καὶ αἱ πλάκες τῆς διαθήκης· ὑπεράνω δὲ αὐτῆς Χερουβὶμ δόξης κατασκιάζοντα τὸ ἱλαστήριον· περὶ ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν νῦν λέγειν κατὰ μέρος. Τούτων δὲ οὕτως κατεσκευασμένων, εἰς μὲν τὴν πρώτην σκηνὴν διὰ παντὸς εἰσίασιν οἱ ἱερεῖς, τὰς λατρείας ἐπιτελοῦντες· εἰς δὲ τὴν δευτέραν ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ μόνος ὁ ἀρχιερεύς, οὐ χωρὶς αἵματος, ὃ προσφέρει ὑπὲρ ἑαυτοῦ καὶ τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ ἀγνοημάτων·


Gospel Reading

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."

12th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 19:16-26

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, νεανίσκος τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ, γονυπετῶν αὐτόν, καὶ λέγων· Διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ἀγαθὸν ποιήσω ἵνα ἔχω ζωὴν αἰώνιον; ‘O δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. εἰ δὲ θέλεις εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωήν, τήρησον τὰς ἐντολάς. λέγει αὐτῷ· ποίας; ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπε· τὸ οὐ φονεύσεις, οὐ μοιχεύσεις, οὐ κλέψεις, οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις, τίμα τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα, καὶ ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ νεανίσκος· πάντα ταῦτα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου· τί ἔτι ὑστερῶ; ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ ῾Ιησοῦς· εἰ θέλεις τέλειος εἶναι, ὕπαγε πώλησόν σου τὰ ὑπάρχοντα καὶ δὸς πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ νεανίσκος τὸν λόγον ἀπῆλθε λυπούμενος· ἦν γὰρ ἔχων κτήματα πολλά. ῾Ο δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπε τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι δυσκόλως πλούσιος εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν. πάλιν δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν, εὐκοπώτερόν ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυπήματος ῥαφίδος διελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. ἀκούσαντες δὲ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐξεπλήσσοντο σφόδρα λέγοντες· τίς ἄρα δύναται σωθῆναι; ἐμβλέψας δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· παρὰ ἀνθρώποις τοῦτο ἀδύνατόν ἐστι, παρὰ δὲ Θεῷ πάντα δυνατά ἐστι.


BACK TO TOP

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode

Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great mercy to the world.
Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Venerable Sash of the Theotokos in the Plagal Fourth Mode

O Ever-Virgin Theotokos, shelter of mankind, thou hast bestowed upon thy people a mighty investure, even thine immaculate body's raiment and sash, which by thy seedless childbirth have remained incorrupt; for in thee nature and time are made new. Wherefore, we implore thee to grant peace to the world, and great mercy to our souls.
Θεοτόκε Αειπάρθενε, τών ανθρώπων η σκέπη, Εσθήτα καί Zώνην τού αχράντου σου σώματος, κραταιάν τή πόλει σου περιβολήν εδωρήσω, τώ ασπόρω τόκω σου άφθαρτα διαμείναντα, επί σοί γάρ καί φύσις καινοτομείται καί χρόνος, διό δυσωπούμέν σε, ειρήνην τή πολιτεία σου δώρησαι, καί ταίς ψυχαίς ημών τό μέγα έλεος.

Apolytikion for the Church in the Fourth Mode

Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Ως τών αιχμαλώτων ελευθερωτής, καί τών πτωχών υπερασπιστής, ασθενούντων ιατρός, βασιλέων υπέρμαχος, τροπαιοφόρε μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

Thy precious sash, O Theotokos, which encompassed thy God-receiving womb, is an invincible force for thy flock, and an unfailing treasury of every good, O only Ever-virgin Mother.
Τήν θεοδόχον γαστέρα σου Θεοτόκε, περιλαβούσα η Zώνη σου η τιμία, κράτος τή πόλει σου απροσμάχητον, καί θησαυρός υπάρχει, τών αγαθών ανέκλειπτος, η μόνη τεκούσα αειπάρθενος.
BACK TO TOP

This Week at the Cathedral

Today at the Cathedral:

We welcome all newcomers to our Cathedral and are glad you are here!  Please join us after Liturgy in the Social Hall; we would love to get to know you!

Today we welcome His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane who is celebrating the Divine Liturgy with us.

This Week at the Cathedral:

Monday, August 25th - Thursday, September 11th
Fr. George Out of Town

Monday, September 1st
Labor Day - Office Closed

Sunday, September 7th
Youth Signup Day following Divine Liturgy in Matthew's Hall!  We invite all families to come to church together as we begin the new Ecclesiastical Year and all the youth programs of our Cathedral.  Representatives of all ministries will give a brief presentation about each of their ministries and what they do.  They will then be available afterwards with registration forms and information and will happily speak with those interested in their various programs.  We hope to see everyone there! (see flyer)

Announcements:     

Frozen, delicious Festival Moussaka trays are available for sale after services on Sundays - $50 plus the pan deposit - to order please call Dot Barry at 860-280-7750.

Canned Goods Drive
Please help us to help those in need!  It is our belief that food is a basic human right and that everyone should have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.  To this goal, we have marked receptacles in the lower entrance area for anyone who wishes to donate and help support the health and well-being of our local individuals and communities in need. (see flyer)

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, we are pleased to announce the upcoming Young Adult League (YAL) Conference, taking place Thursday, September 18 – Sunday, September 21, 2025. This gathering will bring together Orthodox young adults from across the country for faith, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. Some highlights include the St Nicholas Beacon of Hope Dinner after party (9:30pm-12am), a boat cruise, and the opportunity to meet young people from around the country.  This conference also holds a truly historic blessing because His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will personally host a Young Adult Event on Friday, September 19, as part of the conference program. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our young adults to meet and engage with the spiritual leader of our Church worldwide. Tickets can be purchased here (see flyer)

SAVE THE DATE: St. George Philoptochos invites you to their membership luncheon at Hartford Golf Club (134 Norwood Rd, West Hartford, CT) on Sunday, September 21st at 1pm.  New members are welcome! (see flyer)

Saturday, October 18th
6-11pm - Join the Nathan Hale Chapter #58 of the Order of AHEPA as we celebrate our Centennial Gala on Saturday, October 18th, at the Courtyard Marriott in Cromwell, CT. Enjoy an unforgettable evening featuring live music by ENOSIS, fine dining, and lively dancing, as we honor 100 years!

Tickets are $100! No physical tickets will be sent out, so it's important to send your information as soon as possible so we have you on the list.  Reach out to [email protected] with any questions!  (see flyer)

Stewardship Update
Thank you St. George parishioners for your generous 2025 Stewardship contributions of $154,860 as of 8/27/25. We are on our way to meeting our goal of $275,000!

In order to acknowledge our Stewardship contributors, we have been listing all Stewards who have made their 2025 contribution (partial or total) and we will update the listing every other week in the bulletin. Please note that stewardship contributions will need to be submitted by September 10th in order to be acknowledged in that week’s bulletin. If you have any questions, please contact Sooty Montanari at 860-402-5467 (text or call) or [email protected].

2025 Stewardship Contributors

Michelle Adamidis Eleni Kavros David Paul
Irene Alexis Anastasia Kavroudakis Hrisanthi Paul
John Alexopoulos Manousos Kavroudakis Dimitri Perdikis
Neke Alexopoulos Pandelis Kavroudakis Theodora Perdikis
Nancy Anastasiades Stavros Kavroudakis Thalia Pergantis
Andrew Andrews Waseem Khoury Peter Perrotta
Nicole Andrews Constance King Thomas Peters
Louis Antonio Lora Klementon Arthur Poly
Paraskeve Apostolidis Marie Klementon Athena Psaras
Tsampika Apostolidis Peter Klementon Effie Pseftoudis-Tsagdis
William Apostolidis John Kokinis Savvas Psellas
Virginia Argiros Peter Kokinis Anna Rafti
Angie Augustinos Priscilla Kokinis Ektor Rafti
Theodore Augustinos Priscilla Kokinis Chrisoula Raptelis-Mack
Dorothy Barry Martha Konefal Dream Roldan
Hope Battistine Helena Kono Dr. James Rouman
Micah Baxter Esmeralda Kore Marie Rozanitis
Kristina Beasley Mimoza Kore Elena Russo
Evangelia Bikakis Dorian Koruni Jack Russo
Jason Bikakis Fotiona Koruni John Sakoulos
Kostas Bikakis Maria Kostellis Maria Sakoulos
Michael Bikakis Dimitra Kostopoulos Panagiotis Samiotis
Stella Bikakis Mary Kotiadis Savva Savvides
Voula Bikakis Alexander Koutmos Maria Scanlon
Kassiani Bisbikos Alexia Krionidou- Wing Gabriela Schumacher
Matina Bolger Debra Kurker Rita Scuris
Craig Bond Richard Kurker John Sembrakis
Cynthia Bond Anastasia Kyprillis Cynthia Lou Serbegis
Jim Bradley Giannis Kyprillis Peter Serbegis
George Calos Andrew Kyriacou Tolis Serbegis
Therese Calos Elias Lake Ferdinant & Esmeralda Shamo
Patricia Caratasios Marguerite Lake Eleni Skouloudis
Leonidas Charalambides Apostol Laske Maria Skouloudis
Jerry Copsinis Patricia Lazos Hood Christina Skouloudis-Marques
Georgia D'Agoustino Annemarie Leaska Christina Smith
Nicholas Demetriadis Joanne Lemnios-Knotts Peter Smith
Catherine Deros Dimitrios Lergos Alexandra Spaniotis
Jennifer Deros John Lergos Harry Spaniotis
Paula DeTuccio Stergos Lergos Nicholas Spaniotis
Emmanuel Diacosavvas Triantafylla Lergos Tara Spaniotis
Socrates Diacosavvas Marcia Letourneau Despina Spyros
Zoi Dikegoros Costas Liakopoulos George Spyros
Christos Dimitrakopoulos Helen Limnios Nicholas Stamboulis
Poly Dimitrakopoulos Kristiana E. Litts Chockey Tsambika Stamos
Panagitois Emmanouilidis Maria Litzendorf Marianthi Statoulas
Rhea Emmanuel Athena Loukellis Nektaria Statoulas
Stella Emmanuel Costas Loukellis Nicholas Statoulas
Mica Ensign Pat Loulakis-Paradis Eleftheria Stavropoulos
Michael J. Esposito Staci Lynch (Antonio) Emmanuil Stergakis
Sandra Esposito Marie Machado Edana Sullivan
Constantina Fas Dustin Mack Kelsey Sullivan
Constantinos Fas Penny Makris Maria Synodi
Emmanuel Fas Perry K. Makris Maria (Kottas) Tackett
Joseph Fazzino Michael Malesta Maria K. Tougas
Georgia Feigel Pauline Mantzaris Demetrios Triantafylidis
Eleni Filintarakis Chris Mantziaris Penelope Triantafylidis
Mary Filintarakis Marilyn Mantziaris James Triarhos
Georgia Fleming Sophia Marangoudakis George Troullas
Alexa Fleury -Melonopoulos Maria Matarangas Maria Troullas
Patricia Fluet Ariana McClean Maria Tsiknis Gemme
Scott Fluet Dorothy Meggie Nitsa Tsipouras
Efrosini Gavrilis Mary Meggie Panagiotis Tsipouras
Cornelia Georgantas Sofia Melabianakis Vasilios Tsipouras
Dina Giannakopoulos Emmannuel Meleounis John Tyropolis
Evangelos Giannakopoulos Konstantinos Meleounis Sideroula Tyropolis
Margaret Giannakopoulos Michael Meleounis Stephanie Uccello
Prokopios Giannakopoulos Stella Meleounis Anthia Vardoulakis
Elizabeth Giannaros Helen Melonopoulos Paul Vardoulakis
Elliot Giese John K. Menoutis Angie Varlas
Dorothy Graham Rania Menoutis Elaina Varunes
Aleni Hagi James Mermegas Melitsa Vasilakis
Maria Haldezos Argereos Mermegas Jr Kaliopi Venoutsos
Panagiotis Haldezos Maria Mintatos Nicholas Ververis
Margarita Haldous Galey Sotoria Montanari Brianna Violano
Peter Hantzos Olga Nako George Vlahopoulos
Nikolla & Mirela Haxhi Vera Nako Joanna Vlahopoulos
Vangjel Hoda Tina Newman Diane Vounatso
Zoja Hoda Tony Newman Andrew Walsh
Sean Howard Terry Nezames Catherine Walsh
Anna Illescas John Nisyrios Kevin Ward
Alexandra Ingrassia Pandelis Nisyrios Christine White
George Johns Themalina Nisyrios Pandora Wohler
Pamela Johnson Anastasia Nisyrios-Clark Paige Wolfe
Ioanna Kalas Constantina Nisyrios-Colt Stephen Wolfe
Christina Kaliff Anesti Nova Parthena Yaakob
Alexia R Kalogianes Julia Tsaoussis Odell Gregory Yatrousis
Anna Kanaras Antonios Orsaris Lazaros Yiannos
John Kanaras Erini Orsaris Georgia Zafiris
Stillani ( Stella) Kanaris Katholiki Orsaris James Zafiris
Andreas Kapetanopoulos David Pagan Mary Zafiris
Sophie Kapetanopoulos Nicholas Paindiris Theodora Zafiris
Helen Karabetsos Dorothy Paleologos Theodore Zafiris
Joanne Karabetsos Martha Pangakis Damien Zaharis
Kostas Karabetsos Denise Panos Stephanie Zaharis
William Karabetsos Paul Panos Vasilios Zaharis
Dennis Karageanis Anita Papadimitrakopoulos Stephanie Zapatka
George Karageorge Helen Papadogiannis Dr. Constantine Zariphes
Maria Karagiannis Marguerita Papageorge Emmanuel Zervos
Mercourios Karagiannis Savas Papageorge Kathryn Zervos
Savas Karagiannis Asimina Papageorgiou Eugenia Zessos
Vasilia Karagiannis Clarence Papanic Mary Zocco
Anastasia Karayanis Maria Papapanos Fr George Zugravu
Phyllis Karayanis Paraskevi Papastamatious Presbytera Claudia Zugravu
Stacy Kardos Katherine Papathanasis Josh Zup
Evangelos Karelas Dr. Tania Papayannopoulou Yasmi Zup
Konstantinos Kasolis Katie Patterson Erica Zup- Baloga
Persefone Kasolis Russell Patterson  

 

BACK TO TOP

Flyers

    Canned Goods Drive

    Canned Goods Drive

    Please help us to help those in need! It is our belief that food is a basic human right and that everyone should have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. To this goal, we have marked receptacles in the lower entrance area for anyone who wishes to donate and help support the health and well-being of our local individuals and communities in need.


    Youth Sign-Up Day

    Youth Sign-Up Day

    On Sunday, September 7th, we invite all families to come to church together as we begin the new Ecclesiastical Year and all the youth programs of our Cathedral. Following Divine Liturgy, we will hold our annual Youth Sign-up Day in Matthews Hall! Representatives of all ministries will be available with registration forms and information and will happily speak with those interested in their various programs. We hope to see everyone there!


    YAL Conference 2025

    YAL Conference 2025

    With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, we are pleased to announce the upcoming Young Adult League (YAL) Conference, taking place Thursday, September 18 – Sunday, September 21, 2025. This gathering will bring together Orthodox young adults from across the country for faith, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. This conference holds a truly historic blessing because His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will personally host a Young Adult Event on Friday, September 19, as part of the conference program. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our young adults to meet and engage with the spiritual leader of our Church worldwide.


    Philoptochos Membership Luncheon

    Philoptochos Membership Luncheon

    St. George Philoptochos invites you to their membership luncheon at Hartford Golf Club (134 Norwood Rd, West Hartford, CT) on Sunday, September 21st at 1pm. New members are welcome!


    AHEPA Centennial Gala

    AHEPA Centennial Gala

    Join the Nathan Hale Chapter #58 of the Order of AHEPA as we celebrate our Centennial Gala on Saturday, October 18th, from 6–11pm at the Courtyard Marriott in Cromwell, CT. Enjoy an unforgettable evening featuring live music by ENOSIS, fine dining, and lively dancing, as we honor 100 years! Tickets are $100! No physical tickets will be sent out, so it's important to send your information as soon as possible so we have you on the list. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions!


BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

August 31

12th Sunday of Matthew


August 31

The Placing of the Honorable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos

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.


August 31

Cyprian the Hieromartyr & Bishop of Carthage

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.


August 31

Gennadius Scholarus, Patriarch of Constantinople


August 31

Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne


August 31

Eanswythe, Abbess of Folkestone


August 31

Cuthburga the Queen, Abbess of Wimborne


September 01

Ecclesiastical New Year

For the maintenance of their armed forces, the Roman emperors decreed that their subjects in every district should be taxed every year. This same decree was reissued every fifteen years, since the Roman soldiers were obliged to serve for fifteen years. At the end of each fifteen-year period, an assessment was made of what economic changes had taken place, and a new tax was decreed, which was to be paid over the span of the fifteen years. This imperial decree, which was issued before the season of winter, was named Indictio, that is, Definiton, or Order. This name was adopted by the emperors in Constantinople also. At other times, the latter also used the term Epinemisis, that is, Distribution (Dianome). It is commonly held that Saint Constantine the Great introduced the Indiction decrees in A.D. 312, after he beheld the sign of the Cross in heaven and vanquished Maxentius and was proclaimed Emperor in the West. Some, however (and this seems more likely), ascribe the institution of the Indiction to Augustus Caesar, three years before the birth of Christ. Those who hold this view offer as proof the papal bull issued in A.D. 781 which is dated thus: Anno IV, Indictionis LIII -that is, the fourth year of the fifty-third Indiction. From this, we can deduce the aforementioned year (3 B.C.) by multiplying the fifty-two complete Indictions by the number of years in each (15), and adding the three years of the fifty-third Indiction. There are three types of Indictions: 1) That which was introduced in the West, and which is called Imperial, or Caesarean, or Constantinian, and which begins on the 24th of September; 2) The so-called Papal Indiction, which begins on the 1st of January; and 3) The Constantinopolitan, which was adopted by the Patriarchs of that city after the fall of the Eastern Empire in 1453. This Indiction is indicated in their own hand on the decrees they issue, without the numeration of the fifteen years. This Indiction begins on the 1st of September and is observed with special ceremony in the Church. Since the completion of each year takes place, as it were, with the harvest and gathering of the crops into storehouses, and we begin anew from henceforth the sowing of seed in the earth for the production of future crops, September is considered the beginning of the New Year. The Church also keeps festival this day, beseeching God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth. The Holy Scriptures (Lev. 23:24-5 and Num. 29:1-2) also testify that the people of Israel celebrated the feast of the Blowing of the Trumpets on this day, offering hymns of thanksgiving. In addition to all the aforesaid, on this feast we also commemorate our Saviour's entry into the synagogue in Nazareth, where He was given the book of the Prophet Esaias to read, and He opened it and found the place where it is written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for which cause He hath anointed Me..." (Luke 4:16-30).

It should be noted that to the present day, the Church has always celebrated the beginning of the New Year on September 1. This was the custom in Constantinople until its fall in 1453 and in Russia until the reign of Peter I. September 1 is still festively celebrated as the New Year at the Patriarchate of Constantinople; among the Jews also the New Year, although reckoned according to a moveable calendar, usually falls in September. The service of the Menaion for January 1 is for our Lord's Circumcision and for the memorial of Saint Basil the Great, without any mention of its being the beginning of a new year.


September 01

Symeon the Stylite

Our righteous Father Symeon was born about the year 390 in a certain village named Sis, in the mountain region of Cilicia and Syria. Having first been a shepherd, he entered the monastic discipline at a young age. After trying various kinds of ascetical practices, both in the monastery and then in the wilderness, he began standing on pillars of progressively greater height, and heroically persevered in this for more than forty years; the greater part of this time he spent standing upright, even when one of his feet became gangrenous, and other parts of his body gave way under the strain. He did not adopt this strange way of life out of vainglory, a charge that some of his contemporaries made against him at the first: because he was already famous for his asceticism and holiness before ascending his first pillar (in Greek, style, whence he is called "Stylite"), many pious people came to him wishing to touch his garments, either for healing or for a blessing; to escape the continual vexation they caused, he made a pillar about ten feet high, and then higher and higher, until the fourth and last was about fifty feet high. The Church historian Theodoret of Cyrrhus, an eyewitness of his exploits who wrote of him while Symeon was yet alive, called him "the great wonder of the world." God gave him the grace to persevere in such an astonishing form of asceticism that multitudes came to see him from Persia, Armenia, South Arabia, Georgia, Thrace, Spain, Italy, Gaul, and the British Isles. Theodoret says that he became so famous in Rome that the Nomadic Arabs by the thousands believed in Christ and were baptized because of him; the King of Persia sent envoys to inquire into his way of life, and the Queen asked to be sent oil that he had blessed. He also was a great defender of sound doctrine, and confirmed the Orthodoxy of the Holy Council of Chalcedon for many who had been beguiled by the teachings of the Monophysites, including the Empress Eudocia, widow of Theodosius the Younger. After a life of unheard-of achievements and struggles, he reposed in peace at the age of sixty-nine, in the year 459.


September 01

Synaxis of the Recovery of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos

The Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos of Miasenae is celebrated today because of the wonder that was wrought when her holy icon, which was cast into the lake call Zaguru in order to prevent it from being desecrated by the Iconoclast, miraculously arose intact from the depths of the lake after many years.

September 01

The 40 Holy Ascetic Virgin Martyrs of Thrace and their Teacher Ammon the Deacon


September 01

Jesus (Joshua) of Navi

Jesus (Joshua) of Navi was born of the tribe of Ephraim in Egypt, in the seventeenth century before Christ. When he was eighty-five years of age, he became Moses' successor. He restrained the River Jordan's flow and allowed the Israelites to cross on foot. He caused the sun to stop in its course when he was waging war against the Amorites. He divided the Promised Land among the Twelve Tribes of Israel and governed them for twenty-five years. He wrote the Old Testament book that bears his name, and having lived 110 years in all, he reposed in the sixteenth century before Christ. His name means "God saves."


September 02

Mammas the Martyr

Saint Mammas was from Gangra of Paphlagonia. He was born in prison, where his parents were suffering for Christ's sake and ended their lives. He was named Mammas because, after he had long remained without speaking, he addressed his foster mother Ammia as "mamma." He contested for Christ about the year 275.


September 02

John the Abstainer, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint John became Patriarch during the reign of Tiberius, in the year 582, governed the Church for thirteen years and five months, and reposed in peace in 595. It was during this Patriarch's reign, in the year 586, that the title "Ecumenical Patriarch," not used before this, came to be instituted.


September 03

Anthimos, Bishop of Nicomedea

After the death of the 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia, their Bishop Anthimus fled to a certain village to care for his remaining flock. The Emperor Maximian sent men in search of him. When they found him, he promised to show Anthimus to them, but first took them in as guests, fed them, and only then made himself known to them. Amazed at his kindness, the soldiers promised him to tell Maximian that they had not found him. But Anthimus went willingly with them, and converting them by his admonitions, baptized them on the way. He boldly confessed his Faith before Maximian, and after frightful tortures was beheaded in the year 303 or 304.


September 03

Holy Father Theoctistus and his fellow struggler Euthymius the Great

Saint Theoctistus, a monk at the Palestinian lavra of Pharan, embraced a more severe life in the wilderness with his friend Saint Euthymius the Great. They founded a monastery, of which Theoctistus was the abbot. He reposed in deep old age in 451.


September 03

Translation of the relics of St. Nectarius the Wonderworker, Bishop of Pentopolis


September 03

Phoebe the Deaconess


September 04

Babylas the Holy Martyr

Saint Babylas was the twelfth Bishop of Antioch, being the successor of Zebinus (or Zebinas); he was beheaded during the reign of Decius, in the year 250, and at his own request was buried in the chains with which he was bound. The Emperor Gallus (reigned 351-354) built a church in his honour at Daphne, a suburb of Antioch, to put an end to the demonic oracles at the nearby temple of Apollo. When Julian the Apostate came in 362 to consult the oracle about his campaign against the Persians, the oracle (that is, the demon within it) remained dumb until at last, answering Julian's many sacrifices and supplications, it told him, "The dead prevent me from speaking." It told Julian to dig up the bones and move them. Julian, then, in the words of Saint John Chrysostom, "leaving all the other dead, moved only that Martyr." He commanded the Christians to take away Saint Babylas' bones, which they did with great solemnity and triumph. When this had been done, a thunderbolt fell from heaven destroying with fire the shrine of Apollo, which Julian did not dare rebuild. Saint John Chrysostom preached a sermon on this within a generation after.


September 04

Moses the Prophet & Godseer

The Prophet Moses-whose name means "one who draws forth," or "is drawn from," that is, from the water-was the pinnacle of the lovers of wisdom, the supremely wise lawgiver, the most ancient historian of all. He was of the tribe of Levi, the son of Amram and Jochabed (Num. 26:59). He was born in Egypt in the seventeenth century before Christ. While yet a babe of three months, he was placed in a basket made of papyrus and covered with pitch, and cast into the streams of the Nile for fear of Pharaoh's decree to the mid-wives of the Hebrews, that all the male children of the Hebrews be put to death. He was taken up from the river by Pharaoh's daughter, became her adopted son, and was reared and dwelt in the King's palace for forty years. Afterward, when he was some sixty years old, he fled to Madian, where, on Mount Horeb, he saw the vision of the burning bush. Thus he was ordained by God to lead Israel and bring it out of the land of Egypt. He led Israel through the Red Sea as it were dry land and governed the people for forty years. He wrought many signs and wonders, and wrote the first five books of the Old Testament, which are called the Pentateuch. When he reached the land of Moab, he ascended Mount Nabau, on the peak called Phasga, and there, by divine command, he reposed in the sixteenth century before Christ, having lived for some 120 years. The first two Odes of the Old Testament, "Let us sing to the Lord" and "Attend, O heaven, and I will speak," were written by him. Of these hymns, the first was chanted by the shore of the Red Sea as soon as the Israelites had crossed it; the second, in the land of Moab, a few days before his repose. The Holy High Priest Aaron was the elder brother of the Holy Prophet Moses. He was appointed by God to serve as the spokesman of Moses before the people, and also before Pharaoh, in Egypt. Afterwards, in the wilderness, he was called to the ministry of the high priesthood, as narrated in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers in the Old Testament. The name Aaron means "enlightened."


September 04

Hermione the Martyr, daughter of St. Philip the Deacon


September 05

Zacharias the Prophet & Righteous Elizabeth, parents of St. John the Baptist

According to the opinion of many Fathers of the Church, based on an ancient tradition, this is the Zacharias whom, as our Lord said, the Jews slew between the temple and the altar (Matt. 23:35), first, because even after the Virgin Mary gave birth, he continued to refer to her as virgin and number her among the virgins; second, because Zacharias' son John was not found during the slaughter of the Innocents, since the elderly Elizabeth had taken him and carefully hid him while he was yet an infant, in an unnamed place somewhere in the desert, where, according to the Evangelist, "the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel" (Luke 1:80). When the child was not found, his father was slain by Herod's command.


September 05

Elizabeth, Mother of the Forerunner


September 06

The Miracle at Colassai of Archangel Michael

The feast today in honour of the Archangel Michael commemorates the great miracle he wrought when he delivered from destruction a church and holy spring named for him. The pagans, moved by malice, sought to destroy the aforesaid church and holy spring by turning the course of two rivers against them. But the Archangel appeared and, by means of the Cross and a great earthquake that shook the entire area, diverted the waters into an underground course. Henceforth, the name of that place changed from Colossae to Chonae, which means "funnels" in Greek.


BACK TO TOP