Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-07-20
Bulletin Contents

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Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (408) 246-2770
  • Fax:
  • (408) 246-0143
  • Street Address:

  • 1260 Davis Street

  • San Jose, CA 95126
  • Mailing Address:

  • 986 Chapman Street

  • San Jose, CA 95126


Contact Information






Services Schedule

Sundays

Orthros at 8:15am followed by Divine Liturgy 9:30am
Church School 9:30 a.m.

Weekdays: Orthros at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.

Feast Days: see embedded Calendar on website: www.saintnicholas.org

Confessions: Please call Office.


Past Bulletins


Special Services

SUNDAY MEMORIAL SERVICES

Please join in prayer for the souls of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord:  

ALL WHO PERISHED DURING THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS ON JULY 20, 1974 (51 YRS)

May their memory be eternal.

 

July 22, 2025

ARTOKLASIA (Blessing of the Five Loaves) in honor of Saint Markella of Chios is offered by Gust and Marcella Fotis for the health and well-being of their family and all the families of our St. Nicholas Parish.

 

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR

We welcome all to Sunday coffee hour hosted by the Pancretan Association - Ikaros Chapter in the Small Hall with support from families with memorial services.  We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our hosts.

Upcoming coffee hour hosts for July 27, 2025: Joanne Cox, Stephanie Mansfield, Meredith Panayotopoulos, Stacy Panayotopoulos, Mary Perlegos, Dianne Saunders, and Tina Sousa

 

**Please note:  Printed Sunday scripture readings are available in the Narthex**

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Special Announcements

NAMES OF LIVING FOR PARAKLESIS SERVICES

Evening Paraklesis services will begin on Friday, August 1st at 6:30pm and continue daily, Mondays through Fridays until August 13th.  There will be no Paraklesis service on August 6th.  You can pick up a form in the Narthex and write the FIRST NAMES ONLY of the living to be prayed for during these services and bring it up to the solea. 

Then, Vespers and Lamentations will be on Thursday, August 14th at 6:00pm. 

Orthros will be at 8:30am and Liturgy at 9:30am for the feastday of the Dormition of the Theotokos on Friday, August 15th.


BLESSING OF GRAPES

Grapes are traditionally brought to church to be blessed after the Divine Liturgy on the day of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ.  You are welcome to bring grapes on both Tuesday night Vespers on August 5th at 6:30pm or at the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, August 6th with Orthros will begin at 8:30am and the Liturgy at 9:30am.


FESTIVAL FOOD AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

We have frozen, unbaked festival trays of food for sale at $150 per tray.  All proceeds will go to the church to help increase our grand total for the Festival.   To make a purchase, please call the church office at 408-246-2770 or email at [email protected].


CHURCH OFFICE

Please note that the office will have limited hours from Wednesday, July 23rd through Monday, July 28th.  Please call ahead for an appointment. 

However, if you have a pastoral emergency and you need to reach a priest, please call 408-246-2781.


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Upcoming Events

ST. NICHOLAS PANIGYRI - SATURDAY, AUGUST 16TH!

August 15th marks the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary, a major feast day in our Greek Orthodox tradition.  Celebrated much like a ‘Summer Easter,’ it blends deep faith with joyful traditions—pilgrimages, liturgies, and village festivals (πανηγύρια) that reflect the heart of Greek spirituality and community.  

 In addition to church services to honor this feast day, we will be celebrating our own “Panigyri (πανηγύρι)” with all our families, as part of the 80th anniversary events, on Saturday, August 16th in the Community Center at 6pm - 11:00pm.   Please join us for faith, food, live music, dance and fun!  All donations benefit our youth ministries.  Mark your calendar and rsvp today!

You can RSVP here:  https://forms.gle/d7CantYLJQse8Vga8


2025 YAL CONFERENCE - SEATTLE

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Young Adult League (YAL) is pleased to announce the 2025 YAL Conference, taking place over Labor Day Weekend, August 28 – September 1, 2025, in Seattle, Washington at the Seattle Marriott in Bellevue.  

Registration open!  https://linktr.ee/YALConference

To stay informed, follow the Metropolis of San Francisco YAL Conference on Instagram at @yalconference, or contact the planning team at [email protected].

Follow SF YAL onFACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM


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Special Events

    St. Nicholas Church Panigyri - Saturday, August 16th - RSVP Today!

    St. Nicholas Church Panigyri - Saturday, August 16th - RSVP Today!

    August 15th marks the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary, a major feast day in our Greek Orthodox tradition. Celebrated much like a ‘Summer Easter,’ it blends deep faith with joyful traditions—pilgrimages, liturgies, and village festivals (πανηγύρια) that reflect the heart of Greek spirituality and community. Feast day church services are listed on the website and the e-bulletin for Friday, August 15th. We will be celebrating this feast day on Saturday, August 16th, at Saint Nicholas Church. We at Saint Nicholas will be celebrating our own “Panigyri (πανηγύρι)” with all our families. This is the first time we are celebrating the Panigyri (πανηγυρί) as part of our 80th anniversary events. Please join us - details below and you can RSVP here: https://forms.gle/d7CantYLJQse8Vga8


    80th Anniversary Events - St. Nicholas

    80th Anniversary Events - St. Nicholas

    See the attached flyer!


    Annual Commemoration of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus

    Annual Commemoration of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus

    Please read attached flyer.


    Prophet Elias Name Day Celebrations - Santa Cruz - July 19-20th

    Prophet Elias Name Day Celebrations - Santa Cruz - July 19-20th

    You are warmly invited to join us for our Feast Day. This cherished event brings together friends, family, and community members to honor the profound legacy of Prophet Elias in Santa Cruz, and to share in the spirit of unity and faith. May Prophet Elias inspire us all with his courage, and devotion. See the attached flyer.


    Webinar: Nurturing a Healthy Parish: 12 Core Attributes - Mon, July 21st

    Webinar: Nurturing a Healthy Parish: 12 Core Attributes - Mon, July 21st

    Please see the attached flyer.


    Patronal Feast of St. Lawrence - Felton - August 9-10th

    Patronal Feast of St. Lawrence - Felton - August 9-10th

    We are invited to the patronal feast of St. Lawrence, the Deacon Martyr on August 10, 2025 at St. Lawrence Orthodox Church in Felton. Great Vespers with Artoklasia will be held on Saturday, August 9th at 6pm with light refreshments to follow. On Sunday, August 10th, Orthros will begin at 8:45am followed by Divine Liturgy at 10am with a celebratory meal afterwards.


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Schedule of Services

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE BY LIVESTREAM ON YOUTUBE UNDER THE NAME: SAINT NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH SAN JOSE. 

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1x-nHP063YTTMrevkzL21w/   

Sunday, July 20 - 6th Sunday of Matthew
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Tuesday, July 22 - St. Mary Magdalene the Myrrhbearer and St. Markella of Chios
8:30 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Saturday, July 26 - St. Paraskevi of Rome
8:30 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Sunday, July 27 - 7th Sunday of Matthew
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

LIGHT A CANDLE: https://saintnicholas.org/virtual-chapel/light-a-candle

Online Links to the Text of Church Services:

At our parish we use an online tool for all of our Liturgical services called Ages Initiatives. Please know that we always encourage participation through the praying of the services, and this online resource is the primary resource we use at the chant stand and the Altar.  To access services, please check out the daily calendar available on Ages: 

https://dcs.goarch.org/goa/dcs/dcs.html

Also, there is an Application that you can use and download on the Apple platform:  

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/digital-chant-stand/id891132857

Please also note that you can use this resource for the services we have in our church, and that we will be using this resource as well. 

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Education Programs

CENTER OF HELLENIC EDUCATION

We are pleased to announce that the Center of Hellenic Education is now accepting registrations for the 2025-2026 academic year!

How to Register:

  1. Complete the Online Registration Form:  https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/122/responses/new

Important Dates:

  • Classes Begin: Monday (online courses), August 26, 2024

Programs Offered:

We offer a wide range of programs to suit various interests and educational needs, including:

School Age Greek Language Classes (3-18 years old)

1. In-person classes: Offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 pm - 6:45 pm & Saturdays 10:00 am - 11:45 am.

2. On-Line classes: These classes are time flex and are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays.

Adult Greek Language Classes (18 years and older)

New Testament Greek: Tuesdays 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Intermediate Conversational Greek: Thursdays 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Beginner Conversational Greek: Saturdays 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

For more up-to-date information in regards to the adult Greek classes kindly contact: Dr. Peter Nanopoulos at [email protected] 

Community Activities (All students & families):

In addition to the classes, several assemblies occur annually to celebrate the following national holidays: October 28th (OXI Day), March 25th (Greek Independence Day), Christmas, and the Graduation/End-of-the-school-year party. Parents and other family members attend or participate in the gathering, while the students recite poems, skits, songs, and dances.

We look forward to welcoming you to a vibrant and engaging academic year!


DID YOU KNOW?

New from the Department of Religious Education of our Archdiocese!  Take a look:  https://www.goarch.org/departments/religioused/didyouknow


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Stewardship and Donations

KEEP OUR CHURCH AFLOAT

The purpose of the stewardship program is to bring us closer to Christ by giving back from the gifts we have received. Keep our church afloat by donating or making stewardship payments to ensure consistent financial support during the summer and beyond.

Please use this link https://www.saintnicholas.org/donate  to make payments anytime and fulfill your stewardship pledge.  Use this link to become a steward or to re-new your stewardship for this year: https://www.saintnicholas.org/donate#stewardship.

You can also set up recurring, online credit card stewardship payments on https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/index.php.

Thank you and God bless you for embracing stewardship as a way of a Christ-centered life.


ST. NICHOLAS STEWARDSHIP 2025

Stewardship 2025 as of July 17, 2025

Goal: $593,000 (Approved 2025 Budget)
Pledged: $389,185
Pledges Paid: $291,720
Median Pledge $750; Average Pledge: $1,235
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $97,465
Number of Stewards Pledging: 315

Stewardship 2024 on July 19, 2024 for comparison purposes:

Goal: $491,000 (Approved 2024 Budget with tentative stretch goal of $500,000)
Pledged: $382,700
Pledges Paid: $291,592
Average Pledge: $1,218
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $91,108
Number of Stewards Pledging: 314

Dedicate yourself to Christ and His mission here at Saint Nicholas.  Look for opportunities to volunteer your time and talents, and pay toward your 2025 commitment pledge. 

Not a Steward of Saint Nicholas?  Please prayerfully consider becoming a Steward by completing the 2025 Stewardship Commitment Card.  You may also submit your commitment either online or by mailing it to the Church Office.

To give by mail: Stewardship 

                        St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
                        986 Chapman Street
                        San Jose, CA 95126

To make a committment electronically, please visit our online stewardship:  https://www.saintnicholas.org/donate#stewardship

Donation link: https://saintnicholas.org/donate


DOES YOUR EMPLOYER OFFER MATCHING DONATIONS?

Your employer could be offering Matching Gifts Programs as an easy and structured way for them to support good work in the community. Please ASK your employer if they offer some type of philanthropic program in which a company may financially match donations that their employees make to nonprofit organizations. When an employee makes a donation, they will request the matching gift from their employer to the specific nonprofit organization. In order to assist our Saint Nicholas Community, we are kindly asking that you learn more about Company Matching Donations at work by inquiring with your Company's Human Resources Department if it offers a similar program. Please note that Saint Nicholas Church would be identified in a Company Matching Program as "Greek Orthodox Community of Santa Clara County". 

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is a 501©3 Corporation and our tax ID is 94-1578745. 


LIGHT A CANDLE

In our Light A Candle program, vigil candle(s) are lit along with an opportunity to submit names to be prayed for at the Prothesis (Preparation) for forty days. Only Orthodox Christian first names (baptismal names) should be submittedIt is important to separate the names of the living and the reposed.  When lit, the vigil candles last for one week.  Please see the online form on our website or use the link below.  

Donate online here: https://saintnicholas.org/virtual-chapel/light-a-candle 

If you would prefer to mail in your request, please write the name(s) for whom the candle(s) will be lit and send to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Attention: Light a Candle, 986 Chapman Street, San Jose, CA 9126.  For more information, please call the church office.


DONATIONS VIA FACEBOOK

We are a registered non-profit on Facebook and you can donate any time (without any fees for the church) by pressing the donate button in this link:  https://www.facebook.com/SaintNicholasOrg/


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Ministries and Organizations

YOUTH MINISTRIES REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Sunday School 

Register here for the new year: https://www.saintnicholas.org/sunday-school-2   - Register now! Link has been updated!

Greek Folk Dance

Register for the 2025-2026 Dance program here:  https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/123/responses/new

Greek School

Our Greek School has both in-person and online classes for all ages and levels.  The new 2025-2026 registration link for the Greek school is now active: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/122/responses/new

Basketball 

Information and registration here:   https://www.saintnicholas.org/basketball (updated!)

Altar Servers:   

Any young men over the age of 7 and interested in serving the altar are invited to join one of our Altar Groups for the next ecclesiastical year. 

Please register here: https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/112/responses/new (updated!)

GOYA

GOYA is a ministry for children from 6th - 12th grades.  We meet every 2nd Sunday of the month and have social events throughout the year, as well as sessions and retreats.  For more information please visit our site:  https://www.saintnicholas.org/goya

Register here:  https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/66/responses/new

JOY/HOPE

JOY/HOPE is a ministry for children from Kindergarten to 5th Grade and open to all. We meet every 3rd Tuesday of the Month in the evening at 7:00pm.  For more information visit our site:  https://www.saintnicholas.org/joyhope  

Register here:  https://saintnicholas.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/67/responses/new


CANON OF FAITH - JUNE 2025

Please read the Canon of Faith for June 2025 using the online link viewing:

https://indd.adobe.com/view/7aa4bce4-4d20-4c36-b80e-a0bbd7f2418d


GILROY FAMILY FELLOWSHIP

We are embarking on a new ministry opportunity for families living along the 101 corridor, south of San Jose! 

Any families or individuals who would like to join us for a once a month ministry opportunity for fellowship and faith based lessons for the whole family, can contact Fr. Nebojsa for more information at [email protected].  

To RSVP and receive a location address please contact Fr. Nebojsa due to limited space for this first gathering.  We hope to provide new locations and ministry activities every month. 


GREEK PASTRIES, KOLLYVA, ARTOKLASIA & PROSPHORA

If you wish to order kollyva, artoklasia, prosphora, paximadia, koulourakia, melomakarona, kourambiedes, or other Greek pastries, please see the bakers listed below with their phone numbers to call.  Payment is arranged with the bakers and not the church.

For kollyva:   Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124  

For paximadia, koulourakia, melomakarona, kourambiedes, and other Greek pastries:   Maria Tsaboukos  408-723-5175      Antonia Komianos  408-472-3888     Marcella Fotis  408-723-4124.

For artoklasia:  Antonia Komianos 408-472-3888   Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124   

For prosphora:  Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Sixth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:36-53

At that time, having risen from the dead, Jesus went up and stood among His disciples and said to them, "Peace be with you." But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle Me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave Him a piece of broiled fish [and some honeycomb], and He took it and ate before them. Then He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name in all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands, He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the Temple blessing God.

Sixth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 24:36-53

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀναστὰς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐκ νεκρῶν ἔστη ἐν μέσῳ τῶν Μαθητῶν, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς· Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. Πτοηθέντες δὲ καὶ ἔμφοβοι γενόμενοι, ἐδόκουν πνεῦμα θεωρεῖν. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Τί τεταραγμένοι ἐστέ, καὶ διατὶ διαλογισμοὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; ἴδετε τὰς χεῖράς μου καὶ τοὺς πόδας μου, ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐγώ εἰμι, ψηλαφήσατέ με καὶ ἴδετε, ὅτι πνεῦμα σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα οὐκ ἔχει, καθὼς ἐμὲ θεωρεῖτε ἔχοντα. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰπών, ἐπέδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας. Ἒτι δὲ ἀπιστούντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χαρᾶς, καὶ θαυμαζόντων, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ἔχετέ τι βρώσιμον ἐνθάδε; Οἱ δὲ ἐπέδωκαν αὐτῷ ἰχθύος ὀπτοῦ μέρος, καὶ ἀπὸ μελισσίου κηρίου. Καὶ λαβών, ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ἔφαγεν. Εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς· Οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι, οὓς ἐλάλησα πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἔτι ὢν σὺν ὑμῖν, ὅτι δεῖ πληρωθῆναι πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Μωσέως καὶ Προφήταις καὶ Ψαλμοῖς περὶ ἐμοῦ. Τότε διήνοιξεν αὐτῶν τὸν νοῦν, τοῦ συνιέναι τὰς Γραφάς· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ὃτι οὕτω γέγραπται, καὶ οὕτως εἴδει παθεῖν τὸν Χριστόν, καὶ ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ, καὶ κηρυχθῆναι ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ μετάνοιαν καὶ ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἀρξάμενον ἀπὸ Ἱερουσαλήμ. Ὑμεῖς δέ ἐστε μάρτυρες τούτων. Καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρός μου ἐφ' ὑμᾶς· ὑμεῖς δὲ καθίσατε ἐν τῇ πόλει Ἱερουσαλήμ, ἕως οὗ ἐνδύσησθε δύναμιν ἐξ ὕψους. Ἐξήγαγε δὲ αὐτοὺς ἔξω εἰς Βηθανίαν, καὶ ἐπάρας τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ, εὐλόγησεν αὐτούς. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ εὐλογεῖν αὐτόν αὐτούς, διέστη ἀπ' αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀνεφέρετο εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν. Καὶ αὐτοὶ, προσκυνήσαντες αὐτόν, ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ μετὰ χαρᾶς μεγάλης. Καὶ ἦσαν διαπαντός ἐν τῷ Ἱερῷ, αἰνοῦντες καὶ εὐλογοῦντες τὸν Θεόν. Ἀμήν.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 1st Mode. Psalm 109.4,1.
You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Verse: The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies my footstool.

The reading is from St. James' Universal Letter 5:10-20.

BRETHREN, take as an example of suffering and patience the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation. Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit. My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Προκείμενον. 1st Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 109.4,1.
Σὺ ἱερεὺς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα κατὰ τὴν τάξιν Μελχισεδέκ.
Στίχ. Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τῷ Κυρίῳ μου΄ Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθροὺς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Ἰακώβου 5:10-20.

Ἀδελφοί, ὑπόδειγμα λάβετε, ἀδελφοί μου, τῆς κακοπαθείας, καὶ τῆς μακροθυμίας, τοὺς προφήτας οἳ ἐλάλησαν τῷ ὀνόματι κυρίου. Ἰδού, μακαρίζομεν τοὺς ὑπομένοντας· τὴν ὑπομονὴν Ἰὼβ ἠκούσατε, καὶ τὸ τέλος κυρίου ἴδετε, ὅτι πολύσπλαγχνός ἐστιν καὶ οἰκτίρμων. Πρὸ πάντων δέ, ἀδελφοί μου, μὴ ὀμνύετε, μήτε τὸν οὐρανόν, μήτε τὴν γῆν, μήτε ἄλλον τινὰ ὅρκον· ἤτω δὲ ὑμῶν τὸ ναί, ναί, καὶ τὸ οὔ, οὔ· ἵνα μὴ εἴς ὑπὸκρίσιν πέσητε. Κακοπαθεῖ τις ἐν ὑμῖν; Προσευχέσθω. Εὐθυμεῖ τις; Ψαλλέτω. Ἀσθενεῖ τις ἐν ὑμῖν; Προσκαλεσάσθω τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τῆς ἐκκλησίας, καὶ προσευξάσθωσαν ἐπʼ αὐτόν, ἀλείψαντες αὐτὸν ἐλαίῳ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ κυρίου· καὶ ἡ εὐχὴ τῆς πίστεως σώσει τὸν κάμνοντα, καὶ ἐγερεῖ αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος· κἂν ἁμαρτίας ᾖ πεποιηκώς, ἀφεθήσεται αὐτῷ. Ἐξομολογεῖσθε ἀλλήλοις τὰ παραπτώματα, καὶ εὔχεσθε ὑπὲρ ἀλλήλων, ὅπως ἰαθῆτε. Πολὺ ἰσχύει δέησις δικαίου ἐνεργουμένη. Ἠλίας ἄνθρωπος ἦν ὁμοιοπαθὴς ἡμῖν, καὶ προσευχῇ προσηύξατο τοῦ μὴ βρέξαι· καὶ οὐκ ἔβρεξεν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐνιαυτοὺς τρεῖς καὶ μῆνας ἕξ. Καὶ πάλιν προσηύξατο, καὶ ὁ οὐρανὸς ὑετὸν ἔδωκεν, καὶ ἡ γῆ ἐβλάστησεν τὸν καρπὸν αὐτῆς. Ἀδελφοί, ἐάν τις ἐν ὑμῖν πλανηθῇ ἀπὸ τῆς ἀληθείας, καὶ ἐπιστρέψῃ τις αὐτόν, γινωσκέτω ὅτι ὁ ἐπιστρέψας ἁμαρτωλὸν ἐκ πλάνης ὁδοῦ αὐτοῦ σώσει ψυχὴν ἐκ θανάτου, καὶ καλύψει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶν.


Gospel Reading

6th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 9:1-8

At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

6th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 9:1-8

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον διεπέρασε καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν πόλιν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ προσέφερον αὐτῷ παραλυτικὸν ἐπὶ κλίνης βεβλημένον· καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν εἶπε τῷ παραλυτικῷ· θάρσει, τέκνον· ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. καὶ ἰδού τινες τῶν γραμματέων εἶπον ἐν ἑαυτοῖς· οὗτος βλασφημεῖ. καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς τὰς ἐνθυμήσεις αὐτῶν εἶπεν· ἵνα τί ὑμεῖς ἐνθυμεῖσθε πονηρὰ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί γάρ ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας - τότε λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ· ἐγερθεὶς ἆρόν σου τὴν κλίνην καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἐγερθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ. ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ὄχλοι ἐθαύμασαν καὶ ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεὸν τὸν δόντα ἐξουσίαν τοιαύτην τοῖς ἀνθρώποις.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Mode

Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection.
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.

Apolytikion for Prophet Elias in the 4th Mode

The incarnate Angel, and the Prophets' summit and boast, the second forerunner of the coming of Christ our God, Elias, the glorious, from above sent down his grace upon Elisseus; he doth cast out sickness and doth also cleanse lepers; and unto all that honour him, he poureth forth streams of cures.
Ὁ ένσαρκος άγγελος, τών Προφητών η κρηπίς, ο δεύτερος Πρόδρομος τής παρουσίας Χριστού, Ηλίας ο ένδοξος, άνωθεν καταπέμψας, Ελισαίω τήν χάριν, νόσους αποδιώκει, καί λεπρούς καθαρίζει, διό καί τοίς τιμώσιν αυτόν βρύει ιάματα.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 2nd Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.
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.
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Saints and Feasts

July 20

6th Sunday of Matthew


July 20

The Glorious Prophet Elias (Elijah)

Elias of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was likened unto a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness of Ahab and his wife Jezebel. He shut up heaven by means of prayer, and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God's command, he was hiding by the torrent of Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon, who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God before all the people of Israel, that they might know the truth. At the torrent of Kisson, he slew 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food wondrously at the hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He beheld God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for human nature. He foretold the destruction of the house of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias; and as for the two captains of fifty that were sent by the king, he burned them for their punishment, bringing fire down from Heaven. He divided the flow of the Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisseus passed through as it were on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, Elias was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.C., and he ascended as though into heaven, whither God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). But from thence also, after seven years, by means of an epistle he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is written: "And there came a message in writing to him from Elias the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12). According to the opinion of the majority of the interpreters, this came to pass either through his disciple Elisseus, or through another Prophet when Elias appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ (see Aug. 6).


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Kontakion of the Fallen Asleep

Remember, O Lord, as good, your servants, and forgive whatever sins in life they committed, for no one is without sin, except you the Mighty One; and grant rest to them who have been removed from among us.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Through the toil of prayer and the anguish of your heart commune with those who are grieved at heart, and the Source of mercy will be opened up to your petitions.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown, 7th century

The Lord looks with affection on the humble. . .Learn, you who are sick, to gain health through prayer. Should you be diffident because of your grave sins, seek the prayers of others, call upon the Church to pray for you, and in His regard for her, the Lord will give what He could refuse to you.
Saint Ambrose
The Healing of the Paralytic, P. L. 15 (col. 138), Expos., in Toal, IV: 182, 183., Fourth Century

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