Saints and Feasts

December 04

Barbara the Great Martyr

Saint Barbara was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia and lived during the reign of Maximian.

She was the daughter of a certain idolater named Dioscorus. When Barbara came of age, she was enlightened in her pure heart and secretly believed in the Holy Trinity. About this time Dioscorus began building a bath-house; before it was finished he was required to go away to attend to certain matters, and in his absence Barbara directed the workmen to build a third window in addition to the two her Father had commanded. She also inscribed the sign of the Cross with her finger upon the marble of the bath-house, leaving the saving sign cut as deeply into the marble as if it had been done with an iron tool. (When the Synaxarion of Saint Barbara was written, the marble of the bath-house and the cross inscribed by Saint Barbara were still preserved, and many healings were worked there.) When Dioscorus returned, he asked why the third window had been added; Barbara began to declare to him the mystery of the Trinity. Because she refused to renounce her faith, Dioscorus tortured Barbara inhumanely, and after subjecting her to many sufferings he beheaded her with his own hands, in the year 290.

December 05

Sabbas the Sanctified

This Saint was born in 439 in Moutalaska, a small village of Cappadocia. He entered the arena of the monastic life from childhood and was under that master trainer of monastics, Euthymius, the Great, the teacher of the desert. He became the spiritual Father of many monks and an instructor for the monasteries in Palestine, and was appointed leader (archimandrite) of the desert-dwellers of Palestine by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. In his old age he went to Constantinople, to the Emperors Anastasius and Saint Justinian the Great, in behalf of the Orthodox Faith and the dogmas of the Council of Chalcedon. Having lived ninety-four years, he reposed in 533. The Typicon for the ecclesiastical services had its beginning in the monastery established by this righteous one.

December 06

Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra

This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock ... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travellers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.

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.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

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 Letter to the Ephesians 2:14-22.

Brethren, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Gospel Reading

14th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:35-43

At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Wisdom of the Fathers

We may learn from this that when we ask with faith, God does not give something other than what we ask for, but the very same thing. However, when we ask for one thing and receive something else, it is clear that either we did not make a good request or we did not ask with faith.

Blessed Theophylact, Archbishop of Ochrid and Bulgaria

The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Luke, 11th Century

Ministry News

TODAY: Parish Council Elections – don’t forget to vote during Fellowship Hour!

Church Calendar:

40 Days of Liturgy: through Tuesday, December 23, 10 am daily

Wednesday, December 4: St. Barbara - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Thursday, December 5: St. Savvas - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Friday, December 6: St. Nicholas - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Sunday, December 8: Great Vespers of St. Anna – 7 pm

Monday, December 9: St. Anna - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Thursday, December 12: St. Spyridon - Orthros / Liturgy, 9 am

Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Eve Liturgy – St. Basil, 9 am

Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Day Liturgy – 10:30 pm

Christmas 'Concert Choir' for Adults and Youth: The choir is planning for a short program of some beautiful Christmas carols on Sunday Dec 22 during our Christmas program. As in last year, the youth performed Pachelbel's Christmas Canon and also joined with the adults in Ode to Joy. We will do this or something similar, depending on participation. This is a good opportunity for those who like to sing but cannot commit to regular choir participation. If you are interested in singing, please contact Choir director Diana @ dianakg2003@yahoo.comor 908-392-7449. There will be a few rehearsals coordinating with people's schedules.

GOYA: Our GOYA is excited to host this year's Christmas Dance on December 27. This dance is open to GOYAns and advisors from all the churches of north New Jersey. The theme is "Let It Snow" and our decorating committee has great ideas to transform our gym into a winter wonderland. This dance is very popular and we're expecting lots of GOYAns and accompanying advisors. Your GOYA advisors have been working with the Parish Council to prepare for this event. To be successful, we will need your help to setup and assist during the dance. A Sign-up Genius will be emailed shortly. Please respond if you're able to help, especially the night of the dance. Thank you!

BeeTreat: St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Union will host a Pan-Orthodox Retreat, on December 14. Parishes from all canonical Orthodox jurisdictions in the area are invited to this special retreat for youth, young adults, adults and families- based on Y2AM’s “Be the Bee” video series.

The BeeTreat will be led by Stephen Christoforou, the director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, and host of the popular YouTube series “Be the Bee”. Steve and his BeeTreat team will lead the workshops for youth in Grades 6-12, Youth Workers, Sunday School teachers, adults and parents. For children in preschool through fifth grade, there will be a “mini BeeTreat”. Young adults ages 18 and up will have their own Orthodox social at a local restaurant in the evening.

The BeeTreat is a special day of worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth for everyone. It is a FREE event, with the exception of the evening social at the restaurant. As the host Parish, St. Demetrios will provide breakfast and lunch for everyone, in accordance with the fasting guidelines of the Nativity season. Parking is free and available both in their own and neighboring lots. Free will donations are welcome. We must let St Demetrios know of the number and age of our attendees before Friday, December 6.

Philoptochos News: TODAY is the final day to have your family included in the 2019 St. Anna Christmas card. Please let Margaret Panageas or any Philoptochos member know during Fellowship Hour today.

Seminars: The next St. Anna seminars will be Sunday December 15 after coffee hour from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. These seminars are open to all of those who use the internet and those who use the 401k, IRA and others to make donations to the church.

1. Internet Security - How to protect yourself from Scams by Peter Grina

2. Donating to Church - Options available and tax benefits by Chris Kamnitsis

Stewardship

Stewardship is the sharing of the talents and treasures that God has provided for us. An Orthodox Christian Steward is an active participant in the life of the Church. The parish encourages all who accept the Orthodox Faith to become practicing Stewards.

2019 Stewardship Drive: We currently have 153 Pledges totaling $162,554 for an average of $1,062 and $144,208 received to date. We also have 8 families who have contributed $4,300 to date but have not submitted a stewardship card. It is important that all families complete a stewardship card to be considered a steward. Current Stewardship List and other stewardship information is posted in bulletin board by water cooler.

We need everyone’s participation to exceed this year’s stewardship pledge target of $170,000. If the remaining 52, 2018 stewards give at the same level as last year we could exceed our budget and reach a record high number of stewards

If you have not done so already, we ask that you prayerfully consider your stewardship commitment and submit a 2019 pledge card as soon as you can. You can check to see if you are on the Stewards List attached to this bulletin.

…Remember a rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much

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