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St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-06-04
Bulletin Contents
Pentecost
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St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (817) 283-2291
  • Fax:
  • (817) 545-0302
  • Street Address:

  • 303 Cullum Drive

  • Euless, TX 76040


Contact Information





Services Schedule

Small Paraklesis - Wednesday 6:00PM

Great Vespers - Saturday 5:00PM

Matins - Sunday 8:30AM

Divine Liturgy - Sunday 9:30 AM

Confessions - Saturday after Vespers or upon request


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Pentecost in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. O Befriender of man, glory be to Thee.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Once, when He descended and confounded the tongues, the Most High divided the nations; and when He divided the tongues of fire, He called all men into unity; and with one accord we glorify the All-holy Spirit.
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Saints and Feasts

Pentecost
June 04

Holy Pentecost

After the Saviour's Ascension into the Heavens, the eleven Apostles and the rest of His disciples, the God-loving women who followed after Him from the beginning, His Mother, the most holy Virgin Mary, and His brethren-all together about 120 souls returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. Entering into the house where they gathered, they went into the upper room, and there they persevered in prayer and supplication, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit, as their Divine Teacher had promised them. In the meanwhile, they chose Matthias, who was elected to take the place of Judas among the Apostles.

Thus, on this day, the seventh Sunday of Pascha, the tenth day after the Ascension and the fiftieth day after Pascha, at the third hour of the day from the rising of the sun, there suddenly came a sound from Heaven, as when a mighty wind blows, and it filled the whole house where the Apostles and the rest with them were gathered. Immediately after the sound, there appeared tongues of fire that divided and rested upon the head of each one. Filled with the Spirit, all those present began speaking not in their native tongue, but in other tongues and dialects, as the Holy Spirit instructed them.

The multitudes that had come together from various places for the feast, most of whom were Jews by race and religion, were called Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and so forth, according to the places where they dwelt. Though they spoke many different tongues, they were present in Jerusalem by divine dispensation. When they heard that sound that came down from Heaven to the place where the disciples of Christ were gathered, all ran together to learn what had taken place. But they were confounded when they came and heard the Apostles speaking in their own tongues. Marvelling at this, they said one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" But others, because of their foolishness and excess of evil, mocked the wonder and said that the Apostles were drunken.

Then Peter stood up with the eleven, and raising his voice, spoke to all the people, proving that that which had taken place was not drunkenness, but the fulfilment of God's promise that had been spoken by the Prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that I shall pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy" (Joel 2:28), and he preached Jesus of Nazareth unto them, proving in many ways that He is Christ the Lord, Whom the Jews crucified but God raised from the dead. On hearing Peter's teaching, many were smitten with compunction and received the word. Thus, they were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added to the Faith of Christ.

Such, therefore, are the reasons for today's feast: the coming of the All-holy Spirit into the world, the completion of the Lord Jesus Christ's promise, and the fulfilment of the hope of the sacred disciples, which we celebrate today. This is the final feast of the great mystery and dispensation of God's incarnation. On this last, and great, and saving day of Pentecost, the Apostles of the Saviour, who were unlearned fishermen, made wise now of a sudden by the Holy Spirit, clearly and with divine authority spoke the heavenly doctrines. They became heralds of the truth and teachers of the whole world. On this day they were ordained and began their apostleship, of which the salvation of those three thousand souls in one day was the comely and marvellous first fruit.

Some erroneously hold that Pentecost is the "birthday of the Church." But this is not true, for the teaching of the holy Fathers is that the Church existed before all other things. In the second vision of The Shepherd of Hermas we read: "Now brethren, a revelation was made unto me in my sleep by a youth of exceeding fair form, who said to me, 'Whom thinkest thou the aged woman, from whom thou receivedst the book, to be?' I say, 'The Sibyl.' 'Thou art wrong,' saith he, 'she is not.' 'Who then is she?' I say. 'The Church,' saith he. I said unto him, 'Wherefore then is she aged?' 'Because,' saith he, 'she was created before all things; therefore is she aged, and for her sake the world was framed."' Saint Gregory the Theologian also speaks of "the Church of Christ ... both before Christ and after Christ" (PG 35:1108-9). Saint Epiphanius of Cyprus writes, "The Catholic Church, which exists from the ages, is revealed most clearly in the incarnate advent of Christ" (PG 42:640). Saint John Damascene observes, "The Holy Catholic Church of God, therefore, is the assembly of the holy Fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, and Martyrs who have been from the very beginning, to whom were added all the nations who believed with one accord" (PG 96, 1357c). According to Saint Gregory the Theologian, "The Prophets established the Church, the Apostles conjoined it, and the Evangelists set it in order" (PG 35, 589 A). The Church existed from the creation of the Angels, for the Angels came into existence before the creation of the world, and they have always been members of the Church. Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome, says in his second epistle to the Corinthians, the Church "was created before the sun and moon"; and a little further on, "The Church existeth not now for the first time, but hath been from the beginning" (II Cor. 14).

That which came to pass at Pentecost, then, was the ordination of the Apostles, the commencement of the apostolic preaching to the nations, and the inauguration of the priesthood of the new Israel. Saint Cyril of Alexandria says that "Our Lord Jesus Christ herein ordained the instructors and teachers of the world and the stewards of His divine Mysteries ... showing together with the dignity of Apostleship, the incomparable glory of the authority given them ... Revealing them to be splendid with the great dignity of the Apostleship and showing them forth as both stewards and priests of the divine altars . . . they became fit to initiate others through the enlightening guidance of the Holy Spirit" (PG 74, 708-712). Saint Gregory Palamas says, "Now, therefore ... the Holy Spirit descended ... showing the Disciples to be supernal luminaries ... and the distributed grace of the Divine Spirit came through the ordination of the Apostles upon their successors" (Homily 24, 10). And Saint Sophronius, Bishop of Jerusalem, writes, "After the visitation of the Comforter, the Apostles became high priests" (PG 87, 3981B). Therefore, together with the baptism of the Holy Spirit which came upon them who were present in the upper chamber, which the Lord had foretold as recorded in the Acts, "ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence" (Acts 1:5), the Apostles were also appointed and raised to the high priestly rank, according to Saint John Chrysostom (PG 60, 21). On this day commenced the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by which we become "partakers of the Divine Nature" (II Peter 1:4). For before Pentecost, it is said of the Apostles and disciples only that they abode in "prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14); it is only after the coming of the Holy Spirit that they persevered in the "breaking of bread,"that is, the communion of the Holy Mysteries-"and in prayer" (Acts 2:42).

The feast of holy Pentecost, therefore, determined the beginning of the priesthood of grace, not the beginning of the Church. Henceforth, the Apostles proclaimed the good tidings "in country and town," preaching and baptizing and appointing shepherds, imparting the priesthood to them whom they judged were worthy to minister, as Saint Clement writes in his first Epistle to the Corinthians (I Cor. 42).

All foods allowed during the week following Pentecost.


Martha
June 04

Mary & Martha, the sisters of Lazarus

The Holy Myrrh-bearers Mary and Martha, together with their brother Lazarus, were especially devoted to our Savior, as we see from the accounts given in the tenth chapter of Saint Luke, and in the eleventh and twelfth chapters of Saint John. They reposed in Cyprus, where their brother became the first Bishop of Kition after his resurrection from the dead. See also the accounts on Lazarus Saturday and the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women.


Holytrin
June 05

Monday of the Holy Spirit

As it is the custom of the Church, on the day after every great Feast, to honour those through whom it came to pass our Lady on the day after the Lord's Nativity, Joachim and Anna after our Lady's Nativity, the holy Baptist the day after Theophany, and so forth, on this day we honour our God the All-holy Spirit, the Comforter promised by our Saviour to His disciples (John 14:16), Who descended upon them at holy Pentecost and guided them "into all truth" (ibid. 16:13), and through them, us.

Rest from labour.


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Holy Pentecost
The Reading is from John 20:19-23

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were gathered, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 18.4,1.
Their voice has gone out into all the earth.
Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11.

WHEN THE DAY of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontos and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."


Gospel Reading

Holy Pentecost
The Reading is from John 7:37-52; 8:12

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

The officers then went back to the chief priest and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed." Nikodemos, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee." Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Goings up, and advances and progress from glory to glory, the Light of the Trinity might shine upon the more illuminated. For this reason it was, I think, that He gradually came to dwell in the Disciples, measuring Himself out to them according to their capacity to receive Him, at the beginning of the Gospel, after the Passion, after the Ascension, making perfect their powers, being breathed upon them, and appearing in fiery tongues...You see lights breaking upon us, gradually; and the order of Theology, which it is better for us to keep, neither proclaiming things too suddenly, nor yet keeping them hidden to the end...He said that all things should be taught us by the Spirit when He should come to dwell amongst us. Of these things one, I take it, was the Deity of the Spirit Himself, made clear later on when such knowledge should be seasonable and capable of being received after our Saviour's restoration, when it would no longer be received with incredulity because of its marvellous character. For what greater thing than this did either He promise, or the Spirit teach. If indeed anything is to be considered great and worthy of the Majesty of God, which was either promised or taught...Look at these facts:--Christ is born; the Spirit is His Forerunner. He is baptized; the Spirit bears witness. He is tempted; the Spirit leads Him up. He works miracles; the Spirit accompanies them. He ascends; the Spirit takes His place.
St. Gregory the Theologian
5th Theological Oration

For as thirsty men, when they have taken a bowl, eagerly drain it and then desist, so too they who hear the divine oracles if they receive them thirsting, will never be weary until they have drunk them up. For to show that men ought ever to thirst and hunger, "Blessed," It said, "are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness" (Matt.5:6)
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 51 on John 7, 4th Century

For the grace of the Spirit, when it has entered into the mind and has been established, springs up more than any fountain, fails not, becomes not empty, stays not. To signify therefore at once its unfailing supply and unlimited operation, He has called it "a well" and "rivers," not one river but numberless.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 51 on John 7, 4th Century

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Information about Holy Communion

Information about Holy Communion

Orthodox faithful are encouraged to participate regularly in the Eucharist.  Yet, for our spiritual development, we need to examine ourselves responsibly before coming in front of the Holy Chalice (I Cor. 11:28).  Please remember that Holy Communion should be received only by the Orthodox Faithful in good ecclesiastical standing that have prepared as prescribed by the Canons of the Church through fasting, prayer and regular Confession, and attend the entire Divine Liturgy.


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Calendar

  • The Weekly Calendar of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

    June 4 to June 12, 2017

    Sunday, June 4

    8:30AM Hierarchical Orthros 

    9:30AM Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Kneeling Prayers; Tonsure of the Altar Boys

    11:30AM Luncheon in Honor of His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah

    Monday, June 5

    8:00AM Hierarchical Orthros

    9:00AM Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Ordination of Reader George Genovezos to the Holy Deaconate 

    Tuesday, June 6

    9:00AM Vacation Bible School

    Wednesday, June 7

    9:00AM Vacation Bible School

    6:00PM Paraklesis

    7:00PM UMG Sandwich / Lunch bag preparation

    Thursday, June 8

    9:00AM Vacation Bible School

    Friday, June 9

    9:00AM Vacation Bible School

    Saturday, June 10

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, June 11

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Medal Award for Chi-Rho Program - Orthodox Scouts

    11:30AM Greek Hamburgers and Fries Fundraiser

    Monday, June 12

    Apostles Fast

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Parish Activities

Inquirers/ Faith Enrichment Classes

Our catechism / faith enrichment classes came to an end on April 9, 2017. Our New Catechism class will start in September 2017, after Divine Liturgy. The program is open for non-Orthodox as well as for Orthodox Christians. Join us to learn more about the Orthodox Faith and don't forget to bring a friend. See Fr. Vasile if you like to join!


CURRENT FORERUNNER

You can read our current Forerunner here:

http://issuu.com/stjohndfw


TODAY EVENTS

Special services: Kneeling prayers and Tonsure of the Altar Boys

 

This Sunday for Coffee Hour we would like to invite you to the special luncheon offered in honor of His Eminence, Metropolitan Isaiah. Free will offering

 We need volunteers to host coffee hour on:

-          August 13 (Fast; Wine, oil allowed)

PLEASE SIGN UP! Check the sign-up sheet in the hall or call / text Connie Rafailedes at (817) 994 – 7077!

 

STEWARDSHIP 2017 info as of 6/1 /2017:

 - Goal to cover expenses:      $355,337

 - Pledged:                                $282,766

 - Short:                                    $  72,571

 - No. of stewards: 125

 

BOOKSTORE: “The Mountain of Silence” by Kyriacos Markides – $16

 

TODAY, AFTER SERVICE:

-          The Chi-Rho Program : in the 3rd & 4th Grade classroom.

-          Philoptochos Father’s Day Celebration. Please join us in honoring a special man, living or departed, orthodox or non-orthodox!! Please see the flier or fill online form: http://bit.ly/fathersdaycelebration, Due date: June 11

-          Commemoration Lists Renewal.  Please fill out your new commemoration list for 2017 - 2018. Remember to write the date and your family name. You can include the names of your Spiritual Parents, God-Parents, Grand-Parents, Parents, God Children, Children and all the other relatives and friends. Only Baptismal names should be written (or first names if non-Orthodox)!


UPCOMING EVENTS

-          Mon, June 5: Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Ordination of Reader George Genovezos to Holy Diaconate 8:30 am

-          June 6 -9: Vacation Bible School:  2017, from 9 am – 1 pm

-          Wednesday, June 7: UGM lunch sack preparation, 7pm,

-          June 25–30: All Saints Summer Camp:  Ages: 8 – 18.  www.allsaintssummercamp.org .

-          August 4-5: Philoptochos Garage Sale: Please begin thinking about the bike you haven’t get rid of or those suits you won’t wear again! We will be accepting donations after July 4th. This is a big fundraiser for us, so help us raise money and clean out your house at the same time!

-          Sunday, August 6: Festival Dance Practice starts for all groups. All ages 4 and up are welcome to participate.


FEAST ICONS DEDICATIONS

We are starting a small, longer term project to replace the plastic, low quality portable Feasts and Saints icons we use during the ecclesiastical year with proper ones, executed in the traditional high quality egg tempera/burnished gold technique. 

You have probably already seen the first batch of icons that are already in the Church, all icons will be done by the same hands. 

Here are the icons that are available for dedications. Please let the church office know which one you are interested in sponsoring. 

-          Circumcision of the Lord: $400

-          Sunday of Orthodoxy: $350

-          Martyrs of Mt. Sinai and Raithu: $500

The icons will be ordered as the funds become available, we hope to finish this project withn a year or so. Please do not wait until the last minute since the icons will be dedicated on a first come, first served basis.

Thank you all for participating in this beautiful project. 


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From The Metropolis of Denver

News from Denver Metropolis

Support our Metropolis by participating in our Advocates 1000 program. More info at the link below

http://denver.goarch.org/advocates-support-for-the-metropolis-


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Announcements and Forms for Various Activities

    Commemoration List

    Commemoration List

    Please fill out your new commemoration list for 2017 - 2018. Remember to write the date and your family name. You can include the names of your Spiritual Parents, God-Parents, Grand-Parents, Parents, God Children, Children and all the other relatives and friends. Only Baptismal names (or first names if non-Orthodox) are needed.


    FATHER'S DAY CELEBRATION

    FATHER'S DAY CELEBRATION

    - Philoptochos Father’s Day Celebration. Please join us in honoring a special man, living or departed, orthodox or non-orthodox!! Please see the flier or fill online form: http://bit.ly/fathersdaycelebration, Due date: June 11


    2017 STEWARDSHIP CARD

    2017 STEWARDSHIP CARD

    Click on the link bellow or see attached the 2017 Stewardship Form. Right click on the link, save it on your computer, open it, fill in the information and save it on your computer again with your name in the title. For example if your name is John Baptist save it as John_Baptist_2017.pdf. Once done, mail the completed form to us at 


    FEAST ICONS DEDICATIONS

    FEAST ICONS DEDICATIONS

    Here are the icons that are available for dedications. Please let the church office know which one you are interested in sponsoring. - Circumcision of the Lord: $400 - Sunday of Orthodoxy: $350 - Martyrs of Mt. Sinai and Raithu: $500


     FUNDS NEEDED TO RESTORE THE MONASTERY OF ST. NINIAN AND ST. CUTHBERT ON THE ISLE OF MULL, SCOTLAND

    FUNDS NEEDED TO RESTORE THE MONASTERY OF ST. NINIAN AND ST. CUTHBERT ON THE ISLE OF MULL, SCOTLAND

    Fr. Serafim Aldea is a Hieromonk from UK and he is opening a monastery in the Island of Mull, dedicated to All the Celtic Saints. He is currently doing a tour in the USA to gather some necessary construction funds for the monastery. (Please see the attached flier)


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Message from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios

Archbishop-demetrios

Encyclical for AHEPA Sunday (5/21/2017)

05/17/2017

For almost a century this has been the focus of the members of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. Today we honor this legacy of compassion and service by observing AHEPA Sunday and offering our gratitude to the members of the AHEPA family. Throughout our Holy Archdiocese, these faithful servants of God are leaders in their parishes, in the institutions and organizations of the Church, and in using the strength and mission of AHEPA to meet vital needs around the world.
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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Archbishop Demetrios Visits Transfiguration Church in Corona, NY following destructive fire

05/22/2017

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America visited yesterday, Sunday May 21, 2017, the fire-ravaged Greek Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of Christ in Corona, NY

Hellenic College Holy Cross 75th Commencement Honors George Logothetis, Fr. George Poulos

05/21/2017

Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology graduated 52 students at its 75th commencement May 20, which also awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities to entrepreneur and philanthropist George Logothetis and an honorary doctorate of divinity to Fr. George Poulos, a 1948 graduate of Holy Cross Seminary in Pomfret, Conn.

All Saints Greek Orthodox Church Concludes Centennial Celebration with Divine Liturgy

05/15/2017

This Mother’s Day weekend (May 13-14, 2017), the historic parish of All Saints, “a beacon of Orthodoxy in the Ohio valley,” celebrated its 100-year anniversary and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Geron of America together with the local hierarch, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh led this feast of faith, joy and love.

Metropolitan Philotheos of Meloa Laid to Rest

05/16/2017

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Omogeneia accompanied Metropolitan Philotheos of Meloa to his last resting place yesterday, May 15, 2017.
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