Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-08-03
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:  

JOHN KOURETAS (9 DAYS), husband Sophia, father of Chris and Tom, father-in-law of Carey and Cheryl, grandchildren

May his memory be eternal.

 

SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR

We welcome all to Sunday coffee hour hosted by Georgia Golfinopoulos, Presvytera Vasso Kumarelas, Presvytera Stephanie Pantic, and Eleni Veloudis in the Community Center with support from families with memorial services.  We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our hosts.

Upcoming coffee hour hosts for August 10, 2025:  Linda Belba, Christina Kouvaris, Laurie Sahines, and Julie Sargiannides

 

**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].


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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 YAL (Young Adult League) Conference hosted by the Metropolis of San Francisco is coming up soon!  Join us in Seattle, WA from August 28 – September 1, 2025 for an immersive weekend of Fellowship, Service, Worship and Witness.  Young adults ages 18 – 35 will engage in a wide array of workshops that expand on the Conference theme, “RENEW”, giving them the opportunity to spiritually recharge, re-engage with their Orthodox identity, and recommit to life in the Church.

Visit www.sanfran.goarch.org/YAL2025 to register today!


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Special Events

    80th Anniversary Events - St. Nicholas

    80th Anniversary Events - St. Nicholas

    See the attached flyer! Updated!


    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


    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.


    Expanding Your Volunteer Network: Connecting the Other 80% - Webinar - Mon, Aug 18th, 6:30pm

    Expanding Your Volunteer Network: Connecting the Other 80% - Webinar - Mon, Aug 18th, 6:30pm

    Learn how to effectively recruit, train and retain volunteers. Understand how to find the right service opportunity for a willing volunteer. Explore how to effectively engage those who are currently uninvolved by fostering a culture of active participation and service. Discover how to create meaningful volunteer opportunities that resonate with diverse interests and skill sets, revitalizing your parish and empowering more members to contribute to its vital ministries. Sign up now! Click on the flyer's QR code to register! Free!


    Metropolis Young Adult Conference - Labor Day Weekend - Seattle, Wa

    Metropolis Young Adult Conference - Labor Day Weekend - Seattle, Wa

    The YAL (Young Adult League) Conference hosted by the Metropolis of San Francisco is coming up soon! Join us in Seattle, WA from August 28 – September 1, 2025 for an immersive weekend of Fellowship, Service, Worship and Witness. Young adults ages 18 – 35 will engage in a wide array of workshops that expand on the Conference theme, “RENEW”, giving them the opportunity to spiritually recharge, re-engage with their Orthodox identity, and recommit to life in the Church. Visit www.sanfran.goarch.org/YAL2025 to register today!


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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/   

Friday, August 1 
6:30 p.m. Paraklesis

Sunday, August 3 - 8th Sunday of Matthew
8:15 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Monday, August 4 
6:30 p.m. Great Paraklesis

Tuesday, August 5 
6:00 p.m. Great Vespers

Wednesday, August 6 - Holy Transfiguration of Jesus Christ
8:30 a.m. Orthros
9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Thursday, August 7 
6:30 p.m. Small Paraklesis

Friday, August 8 
5:00 p.m. Small Paraklesis

Sunday, August 10 - 9th 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 31, 2025

Goal: $593,000 (Approved 2025 Budget)
Pledged: $389,870
Pledges Paid: $294,230
Median Pledge $750; Average Pledge: $1,230
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $95,640
Number of Stewards Pledging: 317

Stewardship 2024 on August 1, 2024 for comparison purposes:

Goal: $491,000 (Approved 2024 Budget with tentative stretch goal of $500,000)
Pledged: $385,350
Pledges Paid: $297,717
Average Pledge: $1,212
Outstanding unpaid commitments: $87,633
Number of Stewards Pledging: 318

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

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus has lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Eighth Orthros Gospel
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:11-18

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Μαρία εἱστήκει πρὸς τὸ μνημεῖον κλαίουσα ἔξω· ὡς οὖν ἔκλαιε, παρέκυψεν εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον, καὶ θεωρεῖ δύο ἀγγέλους ἐν λευκοῖς καθεζομένους, ἕνα πρὸς τῇ κεφαλῇ, καὶ ἕνα πρὸς τοῖς ποσίν, ὅπου ἔκειτο τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῇ ἐκεῖνοι· Γύναι, τί κλαίεις; λέγει αὐτοῖς· Ὅτι ᾖραν τὸν Κύριόν μου, καὶ οὐκ οἶδα ποῦ ἔθηκαν αὐτόν· καὶ ταῦτα εἰποῦσα ἐστράφη εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, καὶ θεωρεῖ τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἑστῶτα, καὶ οὐκ ᾒδει ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστι. Λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Γύναι, τί κλαίεις; τίνα ζητεῖς; ἐκείνη δοκοῦσα ὅτι ὁ κηπουρὸς ἐστι, λέγει αὐτῷ· Κύριε, εἰ σὺ ἐβάστασας αὐτόν, εἰπέ μοι ποῦ αὐτὸν ἔθηκας, κᾀγὼ αὐτὸν ἀρῶ· λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Μαρία· στραφεῖσα ἐκείνη λέγει αὐτῷ· Ῥαββουνί· ὃ λέγεται Διδάσκαλε· λέγει αὐτῇ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Μή μου ἃπτου· οὔπω γὰρ ἀναβέβηκα πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου, πορεύου δὲ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφούς μου, καὶ εἰπὲ αὐτοῖς· Ἀναβαίνω πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ πατέρα ὑμῶν, καὶ Θεόν μου καὶ Θεὸν ὑμῶν· ἔρχεται Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνὴ ἀπαγγέλλουσα τοῖς μαθηταῖς ὅτι ἑώρακε τὸν Κύριον· καὶ ταῦτα εἶπεν αὐτῇ.


Epistle Reading

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

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 1:10-17.

Brethren, I appeal to you by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispos and Gaius; lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

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 α' 1:10-17.

Ἀδελφοί, παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, διὰ τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἵνα τὸ αὐτὸ λέγητε πάντες, καὶ μὴ ᾖ ἐν ὑμῖν σχίσματα, ἦτε δὲ κατηρτισμένοι ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ νοῒ καὶ ἐν τῇ αὐτῇ γνώμῃ. Ἐδηλώθη γάρ μοι περὶ ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί μου, ὑπὸ τῶν Χλόης, ὅτι ἔριδες ἐν ὑμῖν εἰσιν. Λέγω δὲ τοῦτο, ὅτι ἕκαστος ὑμῶν λέγει, Ἐγὼ μέν εἰμι Παύλου, Ἐγὼ δὲ Ἀπολλώ, Ἐγὼ δὲ Κηφᾶ, Ἐγὼ δὲ Χριστοῦ. Μεμέρισται ὁ Χριστός; Μὴ Παῦλος ἐσταυρώθη ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, ἢ εἰς τὸ ὄνομα Παύλου ἐβαπτίσθητε; Εὐχαριστῶ τῷ θεῷ ὅτι οὐδένα ὑμῶν ἐβάπτισα, εἰ μὴ Κρίσπον καὶ Γάϊον· ἵνα μή τις εἴπῃ ὅτι εἰς τὸ ἐμὸν ὄνομα ἐβάπτισα. Ἐβάπτισα δὲ καὶ τὸν Στεφανᾶ οἶκον· λοιπὸν οὐκ οἶδα εἴ τινα ἄλλον ἐβάπτισα. Οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλέν με Χριστὸς βαπτίζειν, ἀλλʼ εὐαγγελίζεσθαι· οὐκ ἐν σοφίᾳ λόγου, ἵνα μὴ κενωθῇ ὁ σταυρὸς τοῦ Χριστοῦ.


Gospel Reading

8th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:14-22

At that time, Jesus saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

8th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 14:14-22

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐξελθὼν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶδε πολὺν ὄχλον, καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐθεράπευσε τοὺς ἀρρώστους αὐτῶν. ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης προσῆλθον αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ λέγοντες· ἔρημός ἐστιν ὁ τόπος καὶ ἡ ὥρα ἤδη παρῆλθεν· ἀπόλυσον τοὺς ὄχλους, ἵνα ἀπελθόντες εἰς τὰς κώμας ἀγοράσωσιν ἑαυτοῖς βρώματα. ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν ἀπελθεῖν· δότε αὐτοῖς ὑμεῖς φαγεῖν. οἱ δὲ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· οὐκ ἔχομεν ὧδε εἰ μὴ πέντε ἄρτους καὶ δύο ἰχθύας. ὁ δὲ εἶπε· φέρετέ μοι αὐτοὺς ὧδε. καὶ κελεύσας τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνακλιθῆναι ἐπὶ τοὺς χόρτους, λαβὼν τοὺς πέντε ἄρτους καὶ τοὺς δύο ἰχθύας, ἀναβλέψας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εὐλόγησε, καὶ κλάσας ἔδωκε τοῖς μαθηταῖς τοὺς ἄρτους, οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ τοῖς ὄχλοις. καὶ ἔφαγον πάντες καὶ ἐχορτάσθησαν, καὶ ἦραν τὸ περισσεῦον τῶν κλασμάτων δώδεκα κοφίνους πλήρεις. οἱ δὲ ἐσθίοντες ἦσαν ἄνδρες ὡσεὶ πεντακισχίλιοι χωρὶς γυναικῶν καὶ παιδίων. Καὶ εὐθέως ἠνάγκασεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ ἐμβῆναι εἰς τὸ πλοῖον καὶ προάγειν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ πέραν, ἕως οὗ ἀπολύσῃ τοὺς ὄχλους.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode

By means of Your Cross, O Lord, You abolished death. * To the robber You opened Paradise. * The lamentation of the myrrhbearing women You transformed, * and You gave Your Apostles the order to proclaim to all * that You had risen, O Christ our God, * and granted the world Your great mercy.
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 of Saint Nicholas in the 1st Mode

An example of the faith and a life of humility, as a teacher of self-control you did inspire and lead your flock, and through the truthfulness of your deeds, were exalted by greatness through your humility, uplifting all, and by poverty gaining strength. Father and hierarch Saint Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, that our souls may be saved.

Κανόνα πίστεως καί εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τή ποίμνη σου, η τών πραγμάτων αλήθεια, διά τούτο εκτήσω τή ταπεινώσει τά υψηλά, τή πτωχεία τά πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

You were transfigured upon the mount, O Christ our God, and Your disciples, in so far as they could bear, beheld Your glory. Thus, when they see You crucified, they may understand Your voluntary passion, and proclaim to the world that You are truly the effulgence of the Father.
Επί τού όρους μετεμορφώθης, καί ως εχώρουν οι Μαθηταί σου τήν δόξαν σου, Χριστέ ο Θεός εθεάσαντο, ίνα όταν σε ίδωσι σταυρούμενον, τό μέν πάθος νοήσωσιν εκούσιον, τώ δέ κόσμω κηρύξωσιν, ότι σύ υπάρχεις αληθώς, τού Πατρός τό απαύγασμα.
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Saints and Feasts

August 03

8th Sunday of Matthew


August 03

Isaacius, Dalmatus, & Faustus, Ascetics of the Dalmation Monastery

Of these, Saint Isaacius is celebrated also on May 30. He became a monk at an early age and was a worker of every virtue; a zealot for the Orthodox Faith, he was also deemed worthy of the gift of prophecy. The Saint dwelt in a small hut near Constantinople. When Valens the Arian marched against the Goths, who were at the Danube River, this righteous one went out himself to meet the Emperor and, taking in hand the reins of the Emperor's horse, said to him with boldness that God had incited the barbarians to come against him, since he himself had incited many to speak against God in blasphemy, and had driven God's true worshippers out of the divine houses of prayer. Furthermore, he told him, if he ceased fighting against God by means of heresy and returned the good shepherds (that is, the Orthodox bishops) to the flock of Christ, he would easily gain the victory over his enemies. However, if he did not desist from these things, nor have God as his ally, at the very outset of the battle both he and his army would certainly be destroyed. "Learn from experience," he said, "that it is hard to kick against the pricks. Thou shalt not return, and this expedition will be destroyed." But the Emperor became angry and had the righteous one locked in prison that he might punish him and put him to death on his return after he conquered the barbarians. But he was utterly defeated and was burned alive in a certain village in the year 378 (Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Eccl. Hist., ch. 4: 31-32). When his surviving soldiers returned from the war, wishing to tempt the Saint, they came to him and said, "Prepare to make thy defense before the Emperor, who is coming to fulfil what he spoke against thee." But the Saint answered, "It has already been seven days that I smelled the stink of his bones, which were burned in the fire." Thus the righteous one was released from prison. All marveled because of his prophecy, and he became even more wondrous by means of the zeal he displayed in behalf of Orthodoxy in 381, when the Second Ecumenical Council was convoked. After this, a monastery was built in Constantinople for him, and he piously shepherded those struggling with him in asceticism. Having served as an example of the monastic life for them, he reposed in peace about the end of the fourth century, leaving Dalmatus as his successor.

As for Saint Dalmatus, he was at first a soldier in the second division of the soldiers known as the Scholarii. Later, however, he forsook all things and taking his son Faustus, went to the above-mentioned monastery of Saint Isaacius, where he donned the monastic habit. Through his virtue he became venerable in the sight of all. He was present at the Third Ecumenical Council that was convoked in Ephesus in 431, and there displayed his zeal for Orthodoxy against Nestorius. The Council elected him Archimandrite of the monasteries in Constantinopie. Having lived for more than eighty years, he reposed in the Lord.


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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

And another thing too we learn, the self-restraint of the disciples which they practised in necessary things, and how little they accounted of food.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 49 on Matthew 14, 4th Century

For being twelve, they had five loaves only and two fishes; so secondary to them were the things of the body: so did they cling to the things spiritual only. And not even that little did they hold fast, but gave up even it when asked.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 49 on Matthew 14, 4th Century

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