Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Tone

Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Eternal with the Father and the Spirit is the Word who of a Virgin was begotten for our salvation. As the faithful we all praise and worship Him for in the flesh did He consent to ascend upon the cross and death did He endure and He raised unto life the dead through His all-glorious resurrection.

Apolytikion for Cyriacus the Anchorite in the 1st Tone

Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O Cyriacus, our God-bearing Father. By fasting, vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him that hath given thee strength. Glory to Him that hath crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.

Τής ερήμου πολίτης, καί εν σώματι Άγγελος, καί θαυματουργός ανεδείχθης, θεοφόρε Πατήρ ημών Κυριακέ, νηστεία, αγρυπνία, προσευχή, ουράνια χαρίσματα λαβών, θεραπεύεις τούς νοσούντας, καί τάς ψυχάς τών πίστει προστρεχόντων σοι, Δόξα τώ δεδωκότι σοι ισχύν, δόξα τώ σέ στεφανώσαντι, δόξα τώ ενεργούντι διά σού πάσιν ιάματα.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Tone

A protection of Christians unshameable, intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, reject not the prayerful cries of those who are in sin; instead, come to us, for you are good; your loving help bring unto us, who are crying in faith to you: Hasten to intercede and speed now to supplicate as a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you.

Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρὸς τὸν Ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε. Μὴ παρίδῃς ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, ἀλλὰ πρόφθασον, ὡς ἀγαθή, εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· Τάχυνον εἰς πρεσβείαν, καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, ἡ προστατεύουσα ἀεί, Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε.

Saints and Feasts

September 29

2nd Sunday of Luke

September 29

Cyriacus the Hermit of Palestine

This Saint was born in Corinth in 448. He went to Palestine to the Lavra of Euthymius the Great, but because of his youth was sent by Saint Euthymius to Saint Gerasimus; after the death of Saint Gerasimus he returned to the Lavra of Saint Euthymius. Later he took on a more rigorous life of asceticism in the wilderness of Natoufa, where there was nothing to eat except the exceedingly bitter wild herb called squills, which, however, through his prayers, God made sweet for him and his disciple. He lived 107 years and reposed in the year 555.

September 30

Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Armenia

This Saint, a Parthian by race, was the son of Anak. He was born about the year 240 and was taught the Faith of Christ in Caesarea of Cappadocia. He entered the service of Tiridates, King of Armenia, but when discovered to be a Christian, he was subjected to many horrible torments at the King's hands, then was cast into a pit of mire with poisonous serpents and left to die. By the power of God, however, he abode there unharmed for fourteen years, his needs provided by a certain widow, until he was made known by revelation and set free. He converted to piety innumerable multitudes of Armenians, including Tiridates himself, and was consecrated bishop by Leontius, Archbishop of Caesarea, to shepherd the vast flock he had gained for Christ. He spent the last part of his life in retirement in the ascetical discipline, and reposed in peace about the year 325. Saint Gregory is honoured as the Illuminator of Armenia.

October 01

Romanos the Melodist

Saint Romanos flourished during the reign of Anastasius (491-518). He was from Emesa of Syria, and apparently was born of Jewish parents, for a hymn written in his honour in Greek says he was "of Hebrew stock," and it has furthermore been noted that he uses many Semitic idioms in his writings. He was baptized an Orthodox Christian, and at some time became a deacon in the Church of Beirut. He was the first composer of the kontakia, the foremost of which is that of the feast of Christ's Nativity, On this day the Virgin .... In composing many of his kontakia. Saint Romanos was inspired by the hymns of Saint Ephraim of Syria.

October 02

Cyprian the Holy Martyr, Justina the Virgin-martyr of Nicomedea

Saint Justina who was from Damascus, lived in virginity for the sake of Christ. Saint Cyprian, who was from Antioch, began as an initiate of magic and worshipper of the demons. A certain foolish young man who had been smitten with Justina's beauty hired Cyprian to draw her to love him; when Cyprian had wed every demonic device he knew, and had failed, being repulsed by the power of Christ Whom Justina invoked, he understood the weakness of the demons and came to know the truth. Delivered from demonic delusion, he came to Christ and burned all his books of magic, was baptized, and later ascended the episcopal throne in his country. Later, he and Justina were arrested by the Count of Damascus, and having endured many torments at his hands, they were sent finally to Diocletian in Nicomedia, where they were beheaded about the year 304.

October 03

Dionysios the Areopagite

This Saint was from Athens, a learned man, and a member of the famous judicial court of Mars Hill (in Greek Aeros Pagos, hence the name Areopagite (see Acts 17:19-34). When Saint Paul preached in Athens, he was one of the first there to believe in Christ, and, according to some, became the first bishop of that city. Others say -- and this may be more probable--that he was the second Bishop of Athens, after Saint Hierotheus, whom Dionysios calls his friend and teacher "after Paul" (On the Divine Names, 3:2). With Saint Hierotheus he was also present at the Dormition of the most holy Theotokos; the Doxasticon of the Aposticha for the service of the Dormition is partly taken from a passage in Chapter III of On the Divine Names. According to ancient tradition, he received a martyr's end (according to some, in Athens itself) about the year 96.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Προκείμενον. Plagal 1st Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 11.7,1.
Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 1:21-24, 2:1-4.

Ἀδελφοί, ὁ βεβαιῶν ἡμᾶς σὺν ὑμῖν εἰς Χριστόν, καὶ χρίσας ἡμᾶς, θεός, ὁ καὶ σφραγισάμενος ἡμᾶς, καὶ δοὺς τὸν ἀρραβῶνα τοῦ πνεύματος ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν. Ἐγὼ δὲ μάρτυρα τὸν θεὸν ἐπικαλοῦμαι ἐπὶ τὴν ἐμὴν ψυχήν, ὅτι φειδόμενος ὑμῶν οὐκέτι ἦλθον εἰς Κόρινθον. Οὐχ ὅτι κυριεύομεν ὑμῶν τῆς πίστεως, ἀλλὰ συνεργοί ἐσμεν τῆς χαρᾶς ὑμῶν· τῇ γὰρ πίστει ἑστήκατε. Ἔκρινα δὲ ἐμαυτῷ τοῦτο, τὸ μὴ πάλιν ἐν λύπῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐλθεῖν. Εἰ γὰρ ἐγὼ λυπῶ ὑμᾶς, καὶ τίς ἐστιν ὁ εὐφραίνων με, εἰ μὴ ὁ λυπούμενος ἐξ ἐμοῦ; Καὶ ἔγραψα ὑμῖν τοῦτο αὐτό, ἵνα μὴ ἐλθὼν λύπην ἔχω ἀφʼ ὧν ἔδει με χαίρειν, πεποιθὼς ἐπὶ πάντας ὑμᾶς, ὅτι ἡ ἐμὴ χαρὰ πάντων ὑμῶν ἐστίν. Ἐκ γὰρ πολλῆς θλίψεως καὶ συνοχῆς καρδίας ἔγραψα ὑμῖν διὰ πολλῶν δακρύων, οὐχ ἵνα λυπηθῆτε, ἀλλὰ τὴν ἀγάπην ἵνα γνῶτε ἣν ἔχω περισσοτέρως εἰς ὑμᾶς.

Prokeimenon. Plagal 1st Tone. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:1-4.

Brethren, it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

But I call God to witness against me - it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

Gospel Reading

2nd Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 6:31-36

Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καθὼς θέλετε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι, ποιεῖτε αὐτοῖς ὁμοίως. καὶ εἰ ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτοὺς ἀγαπῶσι. καὶ ἐὰν ἀγαθοποιῆτε τοὺς ἀγαθοποιοῦντας ὑμᾶς, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσι. καὶ ἐὰν δανείζητε παρ᾿ ὧν ἐλπίζετε ἀπολαβεῖν, ποία ὑμῖν χάρις ἐστί; καὶ γὰρ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἁμαρτωλοῖς δανείζουσιν ἵνα ἀπολάβωσι τὰ ἴσα. πλὴν ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν καὶ ἀγαθοποιεῖτε καὶ δανείζετε μηδὲν ἀπελπίζοντες, καὶ ἔσται ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολύς, καὶ ἔσεσθε υἱοὶ ὑψίστου, ὅτι αὐτὸς χρηστός ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀχαρίστους καὶ πονηρούς. Γίνεσθε οὖν οἰκτίρμονες, καθὼς καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν οἰκτίρμων ἐστί.

2nd Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 6:31-36

The Lord said, "As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

Parish News and Events

Fellowship Hour

If you enjoy spending some time with friends and having something to enjoy together, then sign up on the sheet in the Church Hall! Fellowship Hour does not need to be elaborate or complex. You can certainly share the day with friends or family to help out. Fellowship Hour is important to extend the fellowship of the Liturgy into the rest of our lives.

If you would like to put on a coffee hour (for example, for a memorial) but you are unable to do so, please talk to Presbytera, and we will help you put together a simple Coffee Hour. There are many empty spots till the end of the year. Please check out the schedule and sign up for a Fellowship Hour!

Thank You!

A big Thank You to everyone who came out to work or to support our 22nd annual Taste of Greek Food Festival!

There will be spanakopita for sale this morning, $5 per piece.

In order to improve the Festival for next year, we will have a wrap up working lunch meeting on Saturday, October 5 at noon. Everyone is invited to take part in the discussions.

Silent Auction

Today begins our four week Silent Auction sponsored by the Outreach Ministry. The items for auction will be on display throughout October. You will have many chances to get some great prizes by bidding against your fellow parishioners. The event will end on Sunday, October 27 with a special celebration open for members of the Concord community to join us and bid for prizes as well. Please invite friends and family to join us that day! There will be a special festive Fellowship Hour that day. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by the people the Outreach Ministiry is able to help.

Sunday School Logistics

In order to accommodate the children, the sermon after the Gospel will be the Children's Sermon, so please have your children come up front for that. The adult sermon will be given at the end of the Liturgy to give the classes a little bit more time together.

Parents, please remember that nothing else your child does is as important as coming to church, receiving Communion, and learning about their faith. Please bring them faithfully to church for this. Your child will not be the next sports hero or prima ballerina, but they will one day stand before the awesome judgment seat of Christ and have to answer for their lives. If you do not lead them now to faith in Christ and His Church, you will also have to answer at that same judgment seat, It is a great and awesome responsibility, but very easy to accomplish.

Monthly Paraklesis (Supplication Service)

This month we will pick up again our monthly Paraklesis (Supplicaton Service) to the Theotokos on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm. This monthly service is meant to offer our prayers to the Theotokos to help us in achieving our goals of our Strategic Plan, to help us grow as a parish in love and welcoming, and for us bothy as individuals and a parish family to live a true Orthodox Christian life. Although we will mainly be praying for our parish and our parishioners, if someone is in immediate need of prayer, please submit the names by the first Tuesday of the month. It would be wonderful if some parishioners could join Father in person for the prayer, but if you can't, please pray along with the Facebook video.

Can You Help with a Strategic Plan for our Parish?

The STEM Team (Stewardship and Engagement Ministries) will have their next meeting today, Sunday, October 6 after Fellowship. Make sure to put it on your calendar.

The RESET Team (Religious Education and Spiritual Engagement Team) will have their next meeting on Sunday, October 20, immediately after Liturgy. Please just stay after you receive Antidoron and gather up front for a quick meeting. We will be looking at our surveys to establish our base line in order to proceed.

Need for Socks and Blankets

The Coalition against Homelessness is in dire need of socks. Please bring some socks to help out! We will collect them at the church and take them over to the Coalition.

Our friend, Mary Aranosian, has asked for help collecting blankets for the homeless. She said they do not need to be new. We will collect them and give them to her to distribute to the homeless.

Thank you for your generosity!

Parish Events of the Week

Sunday, September 29

9:00 am--Orthros

10:00 am--Divine Liturgy

September Memorial at the end of Liturgy

Monday, September 30

7:30 pm--Bible Study, Acts of the Apostles, end of chapter 16 and 17

Wednesday, October 2

6:00 pm--Paraklesis (Supplication Service) to the Theotokos for our parish and parishioners

Saturday, October 5

12:00 noon--Festival Wrap Up Meeting (all invited)

Sunday, October 6--2nd Sunday of Luke