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St. Nicholas Church
Publish Date: 2017-01-29
Bulletin Contents
Saints and Feasts
Today
This Week
General Announcements
Contemplations
Additional Information
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News
Healcanaanitedaughter
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St. Nicholas Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (708) 636-5460
  • Fax:
  • (708) 636-3883
  • Street Address:

  • 10301 S. Kolmar Avenue

  • Oak Lawn, IL 60453

Contact Information

Webmaster Ethel Angelos


Services Schedule

Sunday Orthros: 8:00 a.m. Sunday Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m. Weekday Orthros: 8:30 a.m. Weekday Divine Liturgy: 9:15 a.m. Evening Services: 7:00 p.m. For all other questions regarding worship services, please contact the church office.

Past Bulletins


Saints and Feasts

Healcanaanitedaughter
January 29

Sunday of the Canaanite

Today’s Gospel teaches us the power of prayer. The Canaanite woman, despise her ethnic background and relationship with the Jewish tradition, teaches us indeed how to pray and more importantly how to make our prayer heard by God. We see that the Lord does not answer her, not because He disdains her, but because He is fulfilling the Law; moreover, He thus shows that He was come especially for the Jews. He thereby prevented them from making the slanderous accusation that He did good for the Gentiles and violated the Law. At the same time He wished to demonstrate the woman’s constant and persevering faith and her great patience.
Prayer is a medicine; however, if we do not know how to apply the medicine, we shall never derive any benefit from it. I beseech all the faithful who wish to be saved: Never neglect the rule of prayer. Whether, therefore, you eat, or drink, or work, or travel, or stand, or sit, or whatsoever you do let each of you unceasingly call out: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me. As the Apostle says, Pray without ceasing. And our Lord says, Watch and pray at all times.
Saint John Chrysostom speaks about seven things that can hinder our prayer from being heard and fulfilled.
He says:
1) When we pray, our prayers will be answered if, first of all, we are fit to receive (our object);
2) if the prayer is in accordance with divine laws;
3) if we pray frequently;
4) if we do not ask for anything worldly;
5) if we offer up all that is ours
6) if we ask for what is beneficial
7) prayer while remaining in sin
Those who pray in such a way are heard, whereas without these things even the prayers of the holy and righteous are not heard. (Saint John Chrysostom)

Ignatiosgodbearer
January 29

Removal of the Relics of Ignatius the God-bearer

Saint Ignatius was a disciple of Saint John the Theologian, and a successor of the Apostles, and he became the second Bishop of Antioch, after Evodus. He wrote many epistles to the faithful, strengthening them in their confession, and preserving for us the teachings of the holy Apostles. Brought to Rome under Trajan, he was surrendered to lions to be eaten, and so finished the course of martyrdom about the year 107. The remnants of his bones were carefully gathered by the faithful and brought to Antioch. He is called God-bearer, as one who bare God within himself and was aflame in heart with love for Him. Therefore, in his Epistle to the Romans (ch. 4), imploring their love not to attempt to deliver him from his longed-for martyrdom, he said, "I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found to be the pure bread of God."

Saint John Chrysostom has a homily in honour of the translation of the Saint's relics (PG 50:587).

30_hierarchs1
January 30

Synaxis of The Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, & John Chrysostom

This common feast of these three teachers was instituted a little before the year 1100, during the reign of the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, because of a dispute and strife that arose among the notable and virtuous men of that time. Some of them preferred Basil, while others preferred Gregory, and yet others preferred John Chrysostom, quarreling among themselves over which of the three was the greatest. Furthermore, each party, in order to distinguish itself from the others, assumed the name of its preferred Saint; hence, they called themselves Basilians, Gregorians, or Johannites. Desiring to bring an end to the contention, the three Saints appeared together to the saintly John Mavropous, a monk who had been ordained Bishop of Euchaita, a city of Asia Minor, they revealed to him that the glory they have at the throne of God is equal, and told him to compose a common service for the three of them, which he did with great skill and beauty. Saint John of Euchaita (celebrated Oct. 5) is also the composer of the Canon to the Guardian Angel, the Protector of a Man's Life. In his old age, he retired from his episcopal see and again took up the monastic life in a monastery in Constantinople. He reposed during the reign of the aforementioned Emperor Alexis Comnenus (1081-1118).

Unmercenaries
January 31

Cyrus & John the Unmercenaries

These Saints lived during the years of Diocletian. Saint Cyrus was from Alexandria, and Saint John was from Edessa of Mesopotamia. Because of the persecution of that time, Cyrus fled to the Gulf of Arabia, where there was a small community of monks. John, who was a soldier, heard of Cyrus' fame and came to join him. Henceforth, they passed their life working every virtue, and healing every illness and disease freely by the grace of Christ; hence their title of "Unmercenaries." They heard that a certain woman, named Athanasia, had been apprehended together with her three daughters, Theodora, Theoctiste, and Eudoxia, and taken to the tribunal for their confession of the Faith. Fearing lest the tender young maidens be terrified by the torments and renounce Christ, they went to strengthen them in their contest in martyrdom; therefore they too were seized. After Cyrus and John and those sacred women had been greatly tormented, all were beheaded in the year 292. Their tomb became a renowned shrine in Egypt, and a place of universal pilgrimage. It was found in the area of the modern day resort near Alexandria named Abu Kyr.

Triphon
February 01

Trypho the Martyr

The Holy Martyr Trypho was from Lampsacus in Phrygia, and as a young man he tended geese. Being filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, he also healed sufferings and cast out demons. During the reign of the Emperor Decius, about the year 250, he was betrayed as a Christian and taken to Nicaea, where he was beaten, bound to horses and dragged over rough ground, then dragged naked over nails; his sides were burned with torches; finally he was sentenced to beheading, but gave up his holy soul in his torments before the stroke of the sword. Saint Trypho is one of the Holy Unmercenaries, and is also invoked for the protection of gardens from insects and pests.

Allsaint
February 01

Bridget of Ireland

When Ireland was newly converted to the Christian Faith, the Holy Abbess Bridget devoted herself to the establishment of the monastic life among the women of her country, and founded the renowned convent of Kildare-Kil "Cell (or Church)" Dara "of the Oak." She was especially renowned for her great mercifulness, manifested in her lavish almsgiving and in miracles wrought for those in need. The Book of Armaugh, an ancient Irish chronicle, calls Saint Patrick and Saint Bridget "the pillars of the Irish" and says that through them both, "Christ performed many miracles." She reposed in peace about the year 525.

Preslord
February 02

The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple

When the most pure Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary's forty days of purification had been fulfilled, she took her first-born Son to Jerusalem on this, the fortieth day after His birth, that she might present Him in the temple according to the Law of Moses, which teaches that every first-born male child be dedicated to God, and also that she might offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons, as required by the Law (Luke 2:22-24; Exod. 13:2; Lev. 12:6-8). On this same day, a just and devout man, the greatly aged Symeon, was also present in the temple, being guided by the Holy Spirit. For a long time, this man had been awaiting the salvation of God, and he had been informed by divine revelation that he would not die until he beheld the Lord's Christ. Thus, when he beheld Him at that time and took Him up into his aged arms, he gave glory to God, singing: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master. . ." And he confessed that he would close his eyes joyfully, since he had seen the Light of revelation for the nations and the Glory of Israel (Luke 2:25-32). From ancient times, the Holy Church has retained this tradition of the churching of the mother and new-born child on the fortieth day and of the reading of prayers of purification.

The Apodosis of the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple is usually on the 9th of February. This, however, may vary if the Feast falls within the period of the Triodion. Should this occur, the Typicon should be consulted for specific information concerning the Apodosis of the Feast.

Symeongodreceiver
February 03

The Synaxis of the Holy and Righteous Symeon the God-Receiver and the Holy Prophetess Anna

Yesterday we celebrated the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple; today we honor the righteous Elder Symeon and Prophetess Anna, who prophesied concerning Him by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and were the first in Jerusalem to receive Him as the Messiah.

Stamatiosnew
February 03

Stamatios, John, & Nicholas, New Martyrs of Spetses

The Saints were from Spetses, and were brothers*** and worked as importers. It was a chaotic time because the Greek revolution had been declared in 1821.
[***Note: some accounts hold that only Sts. John and Stamatios were blood brothers, and that St. Nicholas was only a friend and co-worker.]
The three brothers along with a group of another four people traveled the Aegean with their load of olive oil. Because of bad weather their boat was stranded on Asia Minor across from Chios, in the area of Tsesme. They went out where they met a Christian to whom they revealed their situation and they gave him money to buy them food and whatever they needed for the return of their small boat. He, however, as another Judas, betrayed them to the aga of the area, and after a short time the aga's men appeared. They killed two from their group as they tried to flee, another two fell into the sea, and the three brothers were seized and led to the pasha of Chios. He, after questioning them, ordered the two younger brothers, Stamatios (18) and John (22), to be locked in the darkest prison on the castle, the oldest, Nicholas, would be taken out of the castle and be beheaded.
Along the whole road they were incentivising Nicholas to convert to islam and to save his life. That blessed one responded to them: “Will I begin a new life? No, I was born a Christian and a Christian I will die, I don't deny my faith.”
And he was beheaded.
The pasha hoped to be able to get the two younger brothers to convert. He ordered two trusted men, one from Chios and one from Lazo, evil and very cunning, to go to the prison to try to get them to convert, enticing them with a lot of money.
These men tried many different methods for a week, sometimes with promises and sometimes with threats, but it did not have any effect. Finally they went to the pasha and sought permission to torture them, as their words were not having any effect, and with great courage the Saints disputed with them. The pasha, having thought for a while, told them, “these heathen are stubborn, it's easier to cut off their heads that defiance. Tomorrow they'll finally get the point.”
The Saints, locked in the prison, understood through divine revelation, that the good fight was coming to an end, called for paper and ink secretly. They wrote their confessions, and sent them with a woman named Fragisa, whose husband was also in prison and who was free to visit him, to the Bishop of Chios, and sought him to commune them. The Bishop advised them through this woman to remain steadfast in their faith, to prepare with prayer, and to not be dismayed at all before death, because Paradise was remaining for them, where they will rejoice eternally with the other martyrs.
The blessed youth heard the teachings of the Bishop from the woman's mouth, and thanked the Lord with tears, and remained in vigil all night, chanting paraklesis services to the Theotokos, to grant them strength to not be dismayed by death.
Towards dawn they slept a little, and after waking up they said to the other Christians: “O brothers, today we complete the journey of our life. We ask you to pray for the Lord to strengthen us.”
When it was day, the Bishop, through the same woman (because the priest or other Christian were unable to enter the prison), sent to them Holy Communion and with tears communed the Spotless Mysteries. They gave their fellow prisoners whatever money they had and whatever clothes of theirs that they didn't need. With this woman they send their thanks to the Bishop and some money for charity and for them to chant services for them after their death.
They were taken out of the prison with their arms bound behind them, and they were brought below the sarai. They were questioned one last time if they would convert. The Saints with a great voice responded: “We were born Christians and we will die Christians. We will never deny Christ, even if you cut us into pieces. Whatever you have to do, do it an hour sooner, don't waste your time. We will not deny our faith.”
So they were ordered to be executed.

 

 
Allsaint
February 04

Isidore of Pelusium

This Saint was from Alexandria and was a disciple of Saint John Chrysostom. He struggled in asceticism in a monastery at Mount Pelusium, and became abbot of the monks struggling in that monastery. He wrote a great many epistles replete with divine grace, wisdom, and much profit. Over 2,000 of them are preserved in Volume 78 of Migne's Patrologia Graeca (PG 78:177-1646); according to some, he wrote over 3,000 epistles, according to others, 10,000. He reposed on February 4, 440.

Abramius
February 04

Hieromartyr Abramius

The Hieromartyr Abramius, Bishop of Arbela, suffered during a persecution against Christians in Persia under the emperor Sapor II. When they demanded that the saint renounce Christ and worship the sun, he answered, “How foolish to forsake the Creator and instead worship creatures! Isn’t the sun just a creation of my God?”

After this, they fiercely beat and tortured him. Saint Abramius prayed during torture, echoing the words of the Savior: “Lord, do not count this sin against us, for they know not what they do!” The hieromartyr was beheaded by the sword in the village of Felman

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Today

Epistle Reader: Dorothy Pavlick

Coffee Fellowship Hour immediately follows the Divine Liturgy and Is sponsored today by the Ladies Philoptochos in the
Dr. Mary Dochios Kamberos Com 

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This Week

Monday, January 30th, 2017

Three Hierarchs

8:30 a.m. Orthros followed by Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Ss. Constantine & Helen, Palos Hills

4:30 p.m. Greek School

 

Wednesday, February 1st, 2017

Strict Fast

4:30 p.m. Greek School

7:30 p.m. High School Boy’s Basketball practice

 

 

Thursday, February 2nd, 2017

Presentation of our Lord to the Temple

Orthros 8:30 a.m. Followed by Divine Liturgy

 

Friday, February 3rd, 2017

Strict Fast

6:30 p.m. Grade School Boys Basketball Practice at Saint Spyridon’s

 

Saturday, February 4th, 2017

5:00 p.m. Great Vespers

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General Announcements

FEASTDAY OF THE THREE HIERARCHS: At the request of His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago. We will be co-celebrating the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Saints Constantine & Helen in Palos Hills. Immediately following the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy the there will be a Greek Letters program. Everyone is encouraged to join us. Orthros begin at 8:30 a.m. with Hierarchical Divine Liturgy to follow.

SAVE THE DATE: Our annual Apokriatiko will be taking place on Saturday, February 18th, 2017 here at Saint Nicholas in the Multi-Purpose Room. This is a wonderful event that we do in anticipation of the coming of Great Lent. A time we can eat, enjoy fellowship, Dance and have an all around Great Time. More details coming soon, but also see the enclosed flier. God Bless

ATTENTION PARISHIONERS: Before making any firm plans for baptisms, weddings, funerals, or memorial services, please check with the parish priest to see if dates and times are permissible. Also, please refrain from scheduling a baby, bridal shower or any other type of party celebration during the Lenten Fast period.

YOUR COOPERATION IS NEEDED: We remind our faithful that the Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Please be prompt and on time! Please turn off cell phones before entering church. No conversation should take place during worship. During the reading of the Gospel people in the narthex should not be purchasing or lighting candles but standing reverently and listen to the reading. If possible avoid using center aisle during high points of Divine Liturgy. Lipstick and lip-gloss should be removed before kissing icons, receiving Holy Communion and kissing the hand of the priest. When receiving antidoron, please use both hands and do not allow the crumbs to fall to the floor.

FESTIVAL DONATIONS-AN EARLY START: Please watch for Greek Fest 2017 Alerts. We will again begin collecting donations early. You all made it such a great success last year! Every donation in any amount helps the Church to make more money on the Fest. February is Paper Month!

PLEASE don’t leave your weekly bulletin in the pew. Take it home with you and share the message and announcements, written here, with your family and friends. Thank You

SAVE THE DATE: 90th Anniversary of Saint Nicholas Parish: St. Nicholas’ 90th Anniversary Dinner Dance is September 24th, 2017 at Tuscany Falls in Mokena. It is easily located right off of I-80 and LaGrange. Very accessible from I-355, 294 and I-57. Mark the date down and prepare for a great night of great memories and even better fellowship.

WE NEED YOUR HELP: St. Nicholas’ parish is blessed with so many creative individuals with so many talents. We are searching for volunteers to bring their creativity to the table. The only way we can make the 90th Anniversary event memorable and successful is with the help of everyone. We are also searching for old photos and memories to share with everyone. If you have any photos could you please email them to George Danos at gpd81@comcast.com. Or bring them into church and we can scan them. If you would like to contribute your talents to this event we are having a meeting February, 8 at 6 o’clock in the library. Any questions please call Dorothy Mezilson Pavlick @ 708-203-6402. Saint Nicholas parishioners can move mountains when they work together doing work for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

SUPER BOWL PARTY: Saint Nicholas will be having their annual Super Bowl Party on Sunday February 5th, 2017. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., about 30 minutes before kickoff, in our Community Center. Invite your family and friends and come and enjoy fellowship, family fun , food and the excitement of the Super Bowl! More details to come. See enclosed flier

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES: The next six-week session of Father’s Adult Religious Education Classes will begin Wednesday, February 8th . The morning class will begin at 11:00 a.m. and the evening class will begin at 6:00 p.m. The classes will be held every Wednesday with the last class being held on Wednesday, March 15th. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about our faith; something that all Orthodox Christians should strive for in their lives. During this session, we will be reading the book “Saint Nektarios: Saint of our Century”. This book gives us a glimpse into the life of one of the most beloved saints of our Church. Copies of the book are now available in the Bookstore at a discounted cost of $22. Please join us for a very interesting and moving spiritual journey.

SACRAMENT OF HOLY CONFESSION: As we move ever closer to Great Lent, we should all prepare for the Resurrection of Lord by partaking of the Sacrament of Holy Confession. Make an appointment with your Spiritual Father. For details, see Fr. Christodoulos.

COMMUNION ANNOUNCEMENT: While we pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all the world's Christians, the reality remains that there is still no intercommunion between our Orthodox Churches and the Churches of the West. This means that only baptized, chrismated and observant Orthodox faithful receive Communion in our churches. At the same time, we warmly welcome all non-Orthodox to join us in prayer and celebration, and humbly offer to all present the Antidoro bread of fellowship at the end of the service. We offer this important symbol 'instead of the Gifts', in the words of the Apostle Paul, 'Till we all come to the unity of the Faith' (Eph. 4.13)

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Contemplations

FROM GOD'S WORD: " O woman, great is your faith!" Jesus said to the Canaanite woman in today's Gospel. But the woman who had approached Jesus was not a Jew devoted to her religion. She had not been brought up by pious Jewish parents to practice the customs of the Jews and to believe in the living God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. She was a Gentile of Canaanite stock. Canaanites were old enemies of the Jews. Yet she was not afraid to approach Jesus but rather strongly believed that He could help her. She exercised her gift of faith. This Canaanite woman thus became one of the first of countless Gentiles who later believed in the Gospel and joined the Christian Church. She became an excellent example of the fact that the Christine faith is for everyone. We know that true faith in Jesus Christ is a gift of the Holy Spirit. But the example of the Canaanite woman shows that faith is also a matter of human resolve that each person can exercise. Faith builds up a person, a friendship, a marriage, a home, a ministry, a parish, a society. Faith also unlocks the treasures of God's wisdom and releases His power into our lives with often astonishing results. From a human perspective faith is a decision of free will, a conscious choice, a deliberate commitment to all things that are "true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable" (Phil. 4:8), as St. Paul put it. I can choose to reach out to another person in act of trust – again and again. I can choose to accept the Good News of God's love in Jesus Christ – again and again. I can choose to live by Jesus' teachings and to commit my life to Christ – again and again. As St. Symeon the New Theologian has said: "No one and nothing can stop us from believing, if we desire it. We can decide to believe and immediately we believe." From God's perspective faith is an empowerment by the Holy Spirit. God sees our hearts and knows which way our free will inclines. As we exercise the gift of faith, however feeble our resolve may be, God honors our sincere decision, He lifts up our faith, strengthens, sanctifies, and perfects it. The warmth, joy, and love of God become clearer and clearer, stronger and stronger in us. A prayer in the Liturgy refer to "the warmth of faith, full of the Holy Spirit." The possibilities are immense as long as we remain Christ-centered rather than self-centered. As we respond to God through daily prayer and seek to serve Him joyfully in all things, God gives us through His Holy Spirit living faith, miracle faith, and mountain moving faith. The example of the Canaanite woman teaches us about persistence in faith. Too often a person makes a commitment of faith but it is too soon put off by difficulties or forgetfulness. Discerning her strong faith, Jesus decided to test the Canaanite woman. Chrysostom puts it this way: "Not in insult or abuse were Christ's word's spoken, but for the purpose of calling forth her virtue and revealing the treasure in her."

FROM THE FATHERS: Let us charge into the good fight with joy and love without being afraid of our enemies. Though unseen themselves, they can look at the face of our soul, and if they see it altered by fear, they take up arms against us all the more fiercely. For the cunning creatures have observed that we are scared. So let us take up arms against them courageously. No one will fight with a resolute fighter. — St. John Climacus

 

 

 

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Additional Information

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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 Relics of Ignatius the Godbearer in the Fourth Mode

As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Ignatius . Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.
Καί τρόπων μέτοχος, καί θρόνων διάδοχος, τών Αποστόλων γενόμενος, τήν πράξιν εύρες Θεόπνευστε, εις θεωρίας επίβασιν, διά τούτο τόν λόγον τής αληθείας ορθοτομών, καί τή πίστει ενήθλησας μέχρις αίματος, Ιερομάρτυς Ιγνάτιε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου, καὶ χείρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νὺν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Tenth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 21:1-14

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐφανέρωσεν ἑαυτὸν πάλιν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς Τιβεριάδος· ἐφανέρωσε δὲ οὕτως. ἦσαν ὁμοῦ Σίμων Πέτρος, καὶ Θωμᾶς ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, καὶ Ναθαναὴλ ὁ ἀπὸ Κανᾶ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ οἱ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου, καὶ ἄλλοι ἐκ τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ δύο. λέγει αὐτοῖς Σίμων Πέτρος· ὑπάγω ἁλιεύειν. λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· ἐρχόμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν σοί. ἐξῆλθον καὶ ἐνέβησαν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον εὐθύς, καὶ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ νυκτὶ ἐπίασαν οὐδέν. πρωΐας δὲ ἤδη γενομένης ἔστη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἰς τὸν αἰγιαλόν· οὐ μέντοι ᾔδεισαν οἱ μαθηταὶ ὅτι ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐστι. λέγει οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· παιδία, μή τι προσφάγιον ἔχετε; ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ· οὔ. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· βάλετε εἰς τὰ δεξιὰ μέρη τοῦ πλοίου τὸ δίκτυον, καὶ εὑρήσετε. ἔβαλον οὖν, καὶ οὐκέτι αὐτὸ ἑλκύσαι ἴσχυσαν ἀπὸ τοῦ πλήθους τῶν ἰχθύων. λέγει οὖν ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος, ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, τῷ Πέτρῳ· ὁ Κύριός ἐστι. Σίμων οὖν Πέτρος ἀκούσας ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστι, τὸν ἐπενδύτην διεζώσατο· ἦν γὰρ γυμνός· καὶ ἔβαλεν ἑαυτὸν εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν· οἱ δὲ ἄλλοι μαθηταὶ τῷ πλοιαρίῳ ἦλθον· οὐ γὰρ ἦσαν μακρὰν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, ἀλλ᾽ ὡς ἀπὸ πηχῶν διακοσίων, σύροντες τὸ δίκτυον τῶν ἰχθύων. ὡς οὖν ἀπέβησαν εἰς τὴν γῆν, βλέπουσιν ἀνθρακιὰν κειμένην καὶ ὀψάριον ἐπικείμενον καὶ ἄρτον. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· ἐνέγκατε ἀπὸ τῶν ὀψαρίων ὧν ἐπιάσατε νῦν. ἀνέβη Σίμων Πέτρος καὶ εἵλκυσε τὸ δίκτυον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, μεστὸν ἰχθύων μεγάλων ἑκατὸν πεντήκοντα τριῶν· καὶ τοσούτων ὄντων οὐκ ἐσχίσθη τὸ δίκτυον. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· δεῦτε ἀριστήσατε. οὐδεὶς δὲ ἐτόλμα τῶν μαθητῶν ἐξετάσαι αὐτὸν σὺ τίς εἶ, εἰδότες ὅτι ὁ Κύριός ἐστιν. ἔρχεται οὖν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς καὶ λαμβάνει τὸν ἄρτον καὶ δίδωσιν αὐτοῖς, καὶ τὸ ὀψάριον ὁμοίως. Τοῦτο ἤδη τρίτον ἐφανερώθη ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ἐγερθεὶς ἐκ νεκρῶν.

Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Epistle Reading

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 Κορινθίους β' 6:16-18, 7:1.

Ἀδελφοί, ὑμεῖς ἐστε ναὸς Θεοῦ ζῶντος, καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ θεός ὅτι Ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω· καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν θεός, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι λαός. Διὸ, Ἐξέλθετε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει κύριος, καὶ ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε· κἀγὼ εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἔσομαι ὑμῖν εἰς πατέρα, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔσεσθέ μοι εἰς υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, λέγει κύριος παντοκράτωρ. Ταύτας οὖν ἔχοντες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, ἀγαπητοί, καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύματος, ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ θεοῦ.

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 Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1.

BRETHREN, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Canaanite
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 15:21-28

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐξελθὼν ἐκεῖθεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη Τύρου καὶ Σιδῶνος. καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ Χαναναία ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων ἐκείνων ἐξελθοῦσα ἐκραύγαζεν αὐτῷ λέγουσα· ἐλέησόν με, Κύριε, υἱὲ Δαυΐδ· ἡ θυγάτηρ μου κακῶς δαιμονίζεται. ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῇ λόγον. καὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἠρώτων αὐτὸν λέγοντες· ἀπόλυσον αὐτήν, ὅτι κράζει ὄπισθεν ἡμῶν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· οὐκ ἀπεστάλην εἰ μὴ εἰς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου ᾿Ισραήλ. ἡ δὲ ἐλθοῦσα προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ λέγουσα· Κύριε, βοήθει μοι. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· οὐκ ἔστι καλὸν λαβεῖν τὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων καὶ βαλεῖν τοῖς κυναρίοις. ἡ δὲ εἶπε· ναί, Κύριε· καὶ γὰρ τὰ κυνάρια ἐσθίει ἀπὸ τῶν ψυχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τῶν κυρίων αὐτῶν. τότε ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῇ· ὦ γύναι, μεγάλη σου ἡ πίστις! γενηθήτω σοι ὡς θέλεις. καὶ ἰάθη ἡ θυγάτηρ αὐτῆς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης.

Sunday of the Canaanite
The Reading is from Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

She had a great perfection of faith. She had no uncertainty about His divine majesty. She had no small measure of the virtue of patience. Yet the pitying Physician of the pitiful disdained her petitions. He kept her waiting for answer in order to demonstrate to us the perseverence of this woman that we can always imitate. She had the characteristics of constancy and humility. She willingly embraced the indignity she received, and even confirmed the Lord`s statement. This woman rightly signifies the faith and devotion of the Church gathered from the nations
Saint Bede
Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216, 217.

He kept her waiting for an answer in order to declare that the minds of His disciples should also be merciful. As human beings they were ashamed of the clamor of the woman as she pursued them publicly, but He Himself knew the character of His mercy.
St. Bede
Hom. I. 22, In Lent, Homilies on the Gospels, Bk. One, 216

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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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Archbishop Demetrios of America at Presidential Inauguration

01/20/2017

http://www.goarch.org/news/archbishop-at-2017inauguration-01202017
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America invited by the Presidential Inauguration Committee and representing the Greek Orthodox Church in America, attended early this morning the special Inauguration Day Prayer Service at St John’s Episcopal Church in Washington’s Lafayette Square. President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, together with their families and a select group of guests were in attendance.

Archbishop Demetrios Awards the Medal of St Paul to Reince Priebus, Gus Bilirakis and George Gigicos

01/20/2017

http://www.goarch.org/news/inaugural-stpaulmedal-01202017
Archbishop Demetrios of America bestowed yesterday evening during a Greek-American inaugural reception, the Medal of Saint Paul, the highest honor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, to Reince Priebus, the new Chief of Staff of the White House, to Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and to George Gigicos, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Advance. All three are Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, of the Order of St Andrew the Apostle.

Archbishop Demetrios to Attend Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies

01/18/2017

http://www.goarch.org/news/inaugurationannouncmnt2017-01182017
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America has been invited and will attend the 58th Presidential Inauguration, Friday January 20th, 2017, in the Nation’s Capital.
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