St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2025-03-30
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
This Week at the Cathedral
Flyers
Saints and Feasts

Organization Icon
St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral

General Information

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

  • 433 Fairfield Avenue

  • Hartford, CT 06114

Contact Information

Rev. Dr. George Zugravu


[email protected]

Services Schedule

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

 

 

Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1.
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20.

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Προκείμενον. Grave Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 28.11,1.
Κύριος ἰσχὺν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ δώσει.
Στίχ. Ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ υἱοὶ Θεοῦ, ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ δόξαν καὶ τιμήν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 6:13-20.

Ἀδελφοί, τῷ Ἀβραὰμ ἐπαγγειλάμενος ὁ θεός, ἐπεὶ κατʼ οὐδενὸς εἶχεν μείζονος ὀμόσαι, ὤμοσεν καθʼ ἑαυτοῦ, λέγων, Ἦ μὴν εὐλογῶν εὐλογήσω σε, καὶ πληθύνων πληθυνῶ σε. Καὶ οὕτως μακροθυμήσας ἐπέτυχεν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἄνθρωποι μὲν γὰρ κατὰ τοῦ μείζονος ὀμνύουσιν, καὶ πάσης αὐτοῖς ἀντιλογίας πέρας εἰς βεβαίωσιν ὁ ὅρκος. Ἐν ᾧ περισσότερον βουλόμενος ὁ θεὸς ἐπιδεῖξαι τοῖς κληρονόμοις τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τὸ ἀμετάθετον τῆς βουλῆς αὐτοῦ, ἐμεσίτευσεν ὅρκῳ, ἵνα διὰ δύο πραγμάτων ἀμεταθέτων, ἐν οἷς ἀδύνατον ψεύσασθαι θεόν, ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν ἔχωμεν οἱ καταφυγόντες κρατῆσαι τῆς προκειμένης ἐλπίδος· ἣν ὡς ἄγκυραν ἔχομεν τῆς ψυχῆς ἀσφαλῆ τε καὶ βεβαίαν, καὶ εἰσερχομένην εἰς τὸ ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος· ὅπου πρόδρομος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς, κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδὲκ ἀρχιερεὺς γενόμενος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. John Climacus
The Reading is from Mark 9:17-31

At that time, a man came to Jesus kneeling and saying: "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise."

Sunday of St. John Climacus
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 9:17-31

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄνθρωπός τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ λέγων, διδάσκαλε, ἤνεγκα τὸν υἱόν μου πρός σε, ἔχοντα πνεῦμα ἄλαλον. καὶ ὅπου ἂν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃ, ῥήσσει αὐτόν, καὶ ἀφρίζει καὶ τρίζει τοὺς ὀδόντας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ξηραίνεται· καὶ εἶπον τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου ἵνα αὐτὸ ἐκβάλωσι, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει· ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος, ἕως πότε πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔσομαι; ἕως πότε ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν; φέρετε αὐτὸν πρός με. καὶ ἤνεγκαν αὐτὸν πρὸς αὐτόν. καὶ ἰδὼν αὐτὸν εὐθέως τὸ πνεῦμα ἐσπάραξεν αὐτόν, καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκυλίετο ἀφρίζων. καὶ ἐπηρώτησε τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ· πόσος χρόνος ἐστὶν ὡς τοῦτο γέγονεν αὐτῷ; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· παιδιόθεν. καὶ πολλάκις αὐτὸν καὶ εἰς πῦρ ἔβαλε καὶ εἰς ὕδατα, ἵνα ἀπολέσῃ αὐτόν· ἀλλ᾿ εἴ τι δύνασαι, βοήθησον ἡμῖν σπλαγχνισθεὶς ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ εἰ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατὰ τῷ πιστεύοντι. καὶ εὐθέως κράξας ὁ πατὴρ τοῦ παιδίου μετὰ δακρύων ἔλεγε· πιστεύω, κύριε· βοήθει μου τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἐπισυντρέχει ὄχλος, ἐπετίμησε τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἀκαθάρτῳ λέγων αὐτῷ· τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἄλαλον καὶ κωφόν, ἐγώ σοι ἐπιτάσσω, ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτοῦ καὶ μηκέτι εἰσέλθῃς εἰς αὐτόν. καὶ κράξαν καὶ πολλὰ σπαράξαν αὐτὸν ἐξῆλθε, καὶ ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ νεκρός, ὥστε πολλοὺς λέγειν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς κρατήσας αὐτὸν τῆς χειρὸς ἤγειρεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἰσελθόντα αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν κατ᾿ ἰδίαν, ὅτι ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τοῦτο τὸ γένος ἐν οὐδενὶ δύναται ἐξελθεῖν εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ. Καὶ ἐκεῖθεν ἐξελθόντες παρεπορεύοντο διὰ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἵνα τις γνῷ· ἐδίδασκε γὰρ τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀποκτανθεὶς τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστήσεται.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers' lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.
Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέῳξας τῷ Λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Sun. of St. John Climacus in the Plagal Fourth Mode

With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O John our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.
Ταίς τών δακρύων σου ροαίς, τής ερήμου τό άγονον εγεώργησας, καί τοίς εκ βάθους στεναγμοίς, εις εκατόν τούς πόνους εκαρποφόρησας, καί γέγονας φωστήρ, τή οικουμένη λάμπων τοίς θαύμασι, Ιωάννη Πατήρ ημών, Όσιε, Πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

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 Plagal Fourth Mode

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"
Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.
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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!

Memorials:

Eftichios (Gene) Vardoulakis, 6 months
Savvas Meleounis, 3 years
Dionisios Malapetsa, 3 years

Coffee and sweets today are being offered in memory of all who are being commemorated today by their families.

This week at the Cathedral:  

Tuesday, April 1st
6:30pm - AHEPA and DOP Meetings at the Nathan Hale Center

Wednesday, April 2nd
6pm - Presanctified Liturgy

Thursday, April 3rd
10am - Festival Baking - Baklava

Friday, April 4th
10am - Festival Baking - Baklava/Kataifi
7pm - Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos

Saturday, April 5th
9am - Greek School

Sunday, April 6th
GOYA Meeting Following Divine Liturgy
Last day for purchasing tickets for the Philoptochos Palm Sunday Luncheon

Announcements:  

Out of respect for the 40-day period following the passing of George Zugravu, the advisors have decided to postpone Little Angels/Hope/Joy meetings until after his 40-day memorial at the end of April.  We continue to hold Father George, Presvytera, and Maria in prayer and pray fervently for George's repose where the righteous dwell, where there is no pain, sorrow, or suffering but only life everlasting.

Honor the Panagia by Decorating her Icon for the Upcoming Services of the Salutations
The Salutations to the Theotokos will be held on the following Fridays of Lent at 7pm: March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, March 28th, and full Akathist Hymn on April 4th.  During these days we pray to the Mother of God and ask for her intercession with Christ.  We also ask that she pray for us to be strengthened in our journey to salvation.  The Virgin Mary is also called the "bridge" between earth and heaven.  She helps provide the way to Christ to save us and to open the gatway to Paradise.  We invite you to come join us in honoring the Theotokos on these special Fridays during Lent.  May the Panagia always be with us!  If you wish to order a wreath to decorate her icon, please call Elaine at the church office 860-956-7586 Option 1 - Tuesday through Friday 9am-4pm. (see flyer)

Baking Workshops for our 2025 Annual Greek Festival continue this week.  All are welcome and we need your help!  Please see the attached flyer for all the baking dates and times and please come and lend a hand whenever you can. With everyone's help, we can help make our St. George Annual Greek Festival a great success!  

Heritage Greece Program
The National Hellenic Society's Heritage Greece Program is a transformative, two-week cultural immersion experience designed for accomplished Greek American college students. This exceptional program offers participants the opportunity to engage with peers from the American College of Greece (ACG) in Athens, Greece, the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) in Thessaloniki, Greece and College Year in Athens in Athens, Greece (CYA). The goal of the Heritage Greece® Program is to deeply connect students with their faith, Greek heritage, language, culture, roots and identity.  Participants are responsible for their own airfare, transportation to and from the airport, personal expenses, and for out-of-pocket expenses.  For more information, visit: www.nationalhellenicsociety.org

Sunday, April 13th
St. George Ladies' Philoptochos Society invites one and all to their Palm Sunday Luncheon immediately following Divine Liturgy!  Come and enjoy appetizers, baked fish, rice, Greek-style green beans, wine, soda, dessert and coffee prepared by The Ladies of Philoptochos.  Tickets are $25 for Baked Fish Dinner and $10 for Macaroni and Cheese (Children under 5 free).  Tickets are by advance sale only (no tickets sold at the door) and will be on sale every Sunday or you may contact Marie Klementon: (860) 667-2301 or [email protected] The deadline to purchase tickets is Sunday, April 6th. (see flyer)

Holy Friday Luminaria
Join St. George Cathedral this year as we continue the prayerful tradition of Holy Friday Luminaria.  Each parishioner who is able to participate is given the opportunity to place the name of a loved one, living or deceased, on a Luminaria that will be lit on Holy Friday evening.  These Luminaria will be placed outside on the pathway of the procession on Holy Friday evening.  Luminaria consist of a crisp white bag with a votive candle lit inside; each bag will be inscribed with the name of the person you would like to honor, remember, or pray for and all will be displayed outside in a grouping as a reflection and remembrance of those whom we love and cherish.  The price of each Luminaria is $5 or 5 may be purchased for $20.  To order, please submit the accompanying order form to Elaine at the church office.  Each of us, created in the image and likeness of God, is reflected in the Light of Christ:  "The Light of Christ illumines all."  May this Pascha bring you God's Joy and New Life in His Holy Resurrection!  Thank you for your participation in our Holy Friday Luminaria.  May God be with you! (see flyer and order form)

DOP Easter Lambada Fundraiser
Candles are one of the most significant parts of the Orthodox Easter Service.  Godparents buy for their godchildren a decorated Easter candle, called the Lambada.  Lambadas are $25 each and will be sold during Lent at Sunday Coffee Hour and at Greek School. (see flyer)

We are excited to invite everyone to our Sunday School End-of-Year Celebration!  Join us for a special program showcasing our students' achievements!  Our children have been working hard to prepare for this special day, and we can't wait for you to see them proudly present their work.  It will be held on Sunday, May 4 following Divine Liturgy in Matthews Hall and there will be food for everyone to enjoy!  To help us plan for food and seating, please click here and let us know how many from your family will attend.  We look forward to celebrating together! (see flyer) 

Ladies Philoptochos 2025 Scholarship application is now available.  Scholarships are for High School Seniors and College or Graduate Students. To qualify, at least one parent must be a Philoptochos and St. George Cathedral steward for at least the past two (2) years.  Only complete applications will be considered and must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2025.  Questions may be directed to Marie Klementon at (860) 667-2301 or [email protected]. (please see attached scholarship application)

The Daughters of Penelope Scholarship Application for high school seniors is available in the office and by contacting Scholarship Chairperson Marilyn Mantziaris at [email protected].  The applicant must be a senior in high school, an undergraduate, or a graduate student of an accredited institution of higher learning.  The scholarship recipient and their immediate family must be a member of St. George and the applicant's mother or grandmother needs to be an active member of the Daughters of Penelope.  This scholarship is awarded based on scholastic ability, character qualities, and civic activities.  The scholarship is awarded for one year, payable to the recipient.  A recipient cannot receive a scholarship more than two times.  Deadline for all application submissions is Monday, June 2nd.  

Donate in Memory of George Zugravu
As many of you know, George Zugravu, Fr. George’s son, recently fell asleep in the Lord following a courageous battle with cancer.  Many community members have reached out to us asking how to help as we are facing this difficult journey ahead. We are thankful for all your prayers and kind thoughts. Any financial support would be greatly appreciated to help cover the medical expenses. https://gofund.me/c8d14f47 

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Flyers

    Honor the Panagia by Decorating her Icon for the Upcoming Services of the Salutations

    Honor the Panagia by Decorating her Icon for the Upcoming Services of the Salutations

    The Salutations to the Theotokos will be held on the following Fridays of Lent at 7pm: March 7th, March 14th, March 21st, March 28th, and full Akathist Hymn on April 4th. During these days we pray to the Mother of God and ask for her intercession with Christ. We also ask that she pray for us to be strengthened in our journey to salvation. The Virgin Mary is also called the "bridge" between earth and heaven. She helps provide the way to Christ to save us and to open the gatway to Paradise. We invite you to come join us in honoring the Theotokos on these special Fridays during Lent. May the Panagia always be with us! If you wish to order a wreath to decorate her icon, please call Elaine at the church office 860-956-7586 Option 1 - Tuesday through Friday 9am-4pm.

    Festival Baking Workshops Schedule

    Festival Baking Workshops Schedule

    Baking Workshops for our 2025 Annual Greek Festival are starting soon. All are welcome and we need your help! Please come and lend a hand whenever you can. With everyone's help, we can help make our St. George Annual Greek Festival a great success!

    Philoptochos Palm Sunday Luncheon

    Philoptochos Palm Sunday Luncheon

    St. George Ladies' Philoptochos Society invites one and all to their Palm Sunday Luncheon immediately following Divine Liturgy! Come and enjoy appetizers, baked fish, rice, Greek-style green beans, wine, soda, dessert and coffee prepared by The Ladies of Philoptochos. Tickets are $25 for Baked Fish Dinner and $10 for Macaroni and Cheese (Children under 5 free). Tickets are by advance sale only (no tickets sold at the door) and will be on sale every Sunday or you may contact Marie Klementon: (860) 667-2301 or [email protected]

    Holy Friday Luminaria

    Holy Friday Luminaria

    Join St. George Cathedral this year as we continue the prayerful tradition of Holy Friday Luminaria. Each parishioner who is able to participate is given the opportunity to place the name of a loved one, living or deceased, on a Luminaria that will be lit on Holy Friday evening. These Luminaria will be placed outside on the pathway of the procession on Holy Friday evening. Luminaria consist of a crisp white bag with a votive candle lit inside; each bag will be inscribed with the name of the person you would like to honor, remember, or pray for and all will be displayed outside in a grouping as a reflection and remembrance of those whom we love and cherish. Each of us, created in the image and likeness of God, is reflected in the Light of Christ: "The Light of Christ illumines all." May this Pascha bring you God's Joy and New Life in His Holy Resurrection! Thank you for your participation in our Holy Friday Luminaria. May God be with you!

    Holy Friday Luminaria Order Form

    Holy Friday Luminaria Order Form

    The price of each Luminaria is $5 or 5 may be purchased for $20. To order, please submit this order form to Elaine at the church office.

    DOP Easter Lambada Fundraiser

    DOP Easter Lambada Fundraiser

    Candles are one of the most significant parts of the Orthodox Easter Service. Godparents buy for their godchildren a decorated Easter candle, called the Lambada. Lambadas are $25 each and will be sold during Lent at Sunday Coffee Hour and at Greek School.

    Sunday School End-of-Year Celebration

    Sunday School End-of-Year Celebration

    We are excited to invite everyone to our Sunday School End-of-Year Celebration! Join us for a special program showcasing our students' achievements! Our children have been working hard to prepare for this special day, and we can't wait for you to see them proudly present their work. It will be held on Sunday, May 4 following Divine Liturgy in Matthews Hall and there will be food for everyone to enjoy! We look forward to celebrating together!

    Ladies Philoptochos 2025 Scholarship Application

    Ladies Philoptochos 2025 Scholarship Application

    Scholarships are for High School Seniors and College or Graduate Students. To qualify, at least one parent must be a Philoptochos and St. George Cathedral steward for at least the past two (2) years. Only complete applications will be considered and must be postmarked no later than May 31, 2025. Questions may be directed to Marie Klementon at (860) 667-2301 or [email protected].

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Saints and Feasts

March 30

Sunday of St. John Climacus

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.

March 30

John Climacus the Righteous, author of The Divine Ladder of Ascent

This Saint gave himself over to the ascetical life from his early youth. Experienced both in the solitary life of the hermit and in the communal life of cenobitic monasticism, he was appointed Abbot of the Monastery at Mount Sinai and wrote a book containing thirty homilies on virtue. Each homily deals with one virtue, and progressing from those that deal with holy and righteous activity (praxis) unto those that deal with divine vision (theoria), they raise a man up as though by means of steps unto the height of Heaven. For this cause his work is called "The Ladder of Divine Ascent." The day he was made Abbot of Sinai, the Prophet Moses was seen giving commands to those who served at table. Saint John reposed in 603, at eighty years of age. See also the Fourth Sunday of the Fast.

March 30

Sosthenes, Apollos, Cephas, Caesar, & Epaphroditos, the Apostles of the 70

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