St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Publish Date: 2025-06-01
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
This Week at the Cathedral
Flyers
Saints and Feasts

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St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (860) 956-7586
  • Street Address:

  • 433 Fairfield Avenue

  • Hartford, CT 06114

Contact Information

Rev. Dr. George Zugravu


[email protected]

Services Schedule

Sundays: Orthros (Matins): 8:30 AM | Divine Liturgy: 9:30 AM

 

 

Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 20:16-18, 28-36.

IN THOSE DAYS, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' " And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. Δανιήλ 3.26-27.
Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 20:16-18, 28-36.

Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, ἔκρινεν ὁ Παῦλος παραπλεῦσαι τὴν Ἔφεσον, ὅπως μὴ γένηται αὐτῷ χρονοτριβῆσαι ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ· ἔσπευδεν γάρ, εἰ δυνατὸν ἦν αὐτῷ, τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς Πεντηκοστῆς γενέσθαι εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα. Ἀπὸ δὲ τῆς Μιλήτου πέμψας εἰς Ἔφεσον μετεκαλέσατο τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τῆς ἐκκλησίας. Ὡς δὲ παρεγένοντο πρὸς αὐτόν, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, προσέχετε οὖν ἑαυτοῖς καὶ παντὶ τῷ ποιμνίῳ, ἐν ᾧ ὑμᾶς τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον ἔθετο ἐπισκόπους, ποιμαίνειν τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ κυρίου καὶ θεοῦ, ἣν περιεποιήσατο διὰ τοῦ ἰδίου αἵματος. Ἐγὼ γὰρ οἶδα τοῦτο, ὅτι εἰσελεύσονται μετὰ τὴν ἄφιξίν μου λύκοι βαρεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς, μὴ φειδόμενοι τοῦ ποιμνίου· καὶ ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν ἀναστήσονται ἄνδρες λαλοῦντες διεστραμμένα, τοῦ ἀποσπᾷν τοὺς μαθητὰς ὀπίσω αὐτῶν. Διὸ γρηγορεῖτε, μνημονεύοντες ὅτι τριετίαν νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν οὐκ ἐπαυσάμην μετὰ δακρύων νουθετῶν ἕνα ἕκαστον. Καὶ τὰ νῦν παρατίθεμαι ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, τῷ θεῷ καὶ τῷ λόγῳ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ, τῷ δυναμένῳ ἐποικοδομῆσαι, καὶ δοῦναι ὑμῖν κληρονομίαν ἐν τοῖς ἡγιασμένοις πᾶσιν. Ἀργυρίου ἢ χρυσίου ἢ ἱματισμοῦ οὐδενὸς ἐπεθύμησα. Αὐτοὶ γινώσκετε ὅτι ταῖς χρείαις μου καὶ τοῖς οὖσιν μετʼ ἐμοῦ ὑπηρέτησαν αἱ χεῖρες αὗται. Πάντα ὑπέδειξα ὑμῖν, ὅτι οὕτως κοπιῶντας δεῖ ἀντιλαμβάνεσθαι τῶν ἀσθενούντων, μνημονεύειν τε τῶν λόγων τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ, ὅτι αὐτὸς εἶπεν, Μακάριόν ἐστιν μᾶλλον διδόναι ἢ λαμβάνειν. Καὶ ταῦτα εἰπών, θεὶς τὰ γόνατα αὐτοῦ, σὺν πᾶσιν αὐτοῖς προσηύξατο.

Gospel Reading

Fathers of the 1st Council
The Reading is from John 17:1-13

At that time, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you gave me to do; and now, Father, you glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made.

"I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you; for I have given them the words which you gave me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you did send me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are mine; all mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves."

Fathers of the 1st Council
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 17:1-13

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, καὶ ἐπῆρε τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ εἶπε· πάτερ, ἐλήλυθεν ἡ ὥρα· δόξασόν σου τὸν υἱόν, ἵνα καὶ ὁ υἱός σου δοξάσῃ σε, καθὼς ἔδωκας αὐτῷ ἐξουσίαν πάσης σαρκός, ἵνα πᾶν ὃ δέδωκας αὐτῷ δώσῃ αὐτοῖς ζωὴν αἰώνιον. αὕτη δέ ἐστιν ἡ αἰώνιος ζωή, ἵνα γινώσκωσί σε τὸν μόνον ἀληθινὸν Θεὸν καὶ ὃν ἀπέστειλας ᾿Ιησοῦν Χριστόν. ἐγώ σε ἐδόξασα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, τὸ ἔργον ἐτελείωσα ὃ δέδωκάς μοι ἵνα ποιήσω· καὶ νῦν δόξασόν με σύ, πάτερ, παρὰ σεαυτῷ τῇ δόξῃ ᾗ εἶχον πρὸ τοῦ τὸν κόσμον εἶναι παρὰ σοί. ᾿Εφανέρωσά σου τὸ ὄνομα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις οὓς δέδωκάς μοι ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου. σοὶ ἦσαν καὶ ἐμοὶ αὐτοὺς δέδωκας, καὶ τὸν λόγον σου τετηρήκασι. νῦν ἔγνωκαν ὅτι πάντα ὅσα δέδωκάς μοι παρὰ σοῦ ἐστιν· ὅτι τὰ ῥήματα ἃ δέδωκάς μοι δέδωκα αὐτοῖς, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔλαβον, καὶ ἔγνωσαν ἀληθῶς ὅτι παρὰ σοῦ ἐξῆλθον, καὶ ἐπίστευσαν ὅτι σύ με ἀπέστειλας. ᾿Εγὼ περὶ αὐτῶν ἐρωτῶ· οὐ περὶ τοῦ κόσμου ἐρωτῶ, ἀλλὰ περὶ ὧν δέδωκάς μοι, ὅτι σοί εἰσι, καὶ τὰ ἐμὰ πάντα σά ἐστι καὶ τὰ σὰ ἐμά, καὶ δεδόξασμαι ἐν αὐτοῖς. καὶ οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, καὶ οὗτοι ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ εἰσί, καὶ ἐγὼ πρὸς σὲ ἔρχομαι. πάτερ ἅγιε, τήρησον αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου ᾧ δέδωκάς μοι, ἵνα ὦσιν ἓν καθὼς ἡμεῖς. ὅτε ἤμην μετ᾽ αὐτῶν ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, ἐγὼ ἐτήρουν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί σου· οὓς δέδωκάς μοι ἐφύλαξα, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀπώλετο εἰ μὴ ὁ υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας, ἵνα ἡ γραφὴ πληρωθῇ. νῦν δὲ πρὸς σὲ ἔρχομαι, καὶ ταῦτα λαλῶ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ἵνα ἔχωσι τὴν χαρὰν τὴν ἐμὴν πεπληρωμένην ἐν αὐτοῖς.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.
Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα. Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ, ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for Holy Ascension in the Fourth Mode

Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened Thy disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit; and they were assured by the blessing that Thou art the Son of God and Redeemer of the world.
Ἀνελήφθης ἐν δόξῃ Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὀς ἡμῶν χαροποιήσας τοὺς μαθητὰς τῇ ἐπαγγελίᾳ τοῦ ἁγίου Πνεύματος βεβαιωθέν των αὐτῶν διὰ τῆς εὐλογίας ὅτι Σὺ εἶ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ ὁ λυτρωτὴς τοῦ κόσμου.

Apolytikion for Fathers of the 1st Council in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, glory be to Thee.
Ὑπερδεδοξασμένος εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ φωστῆρας ἐπὶ γῆς τοὺς Πατέρας ἡμῶν θεμελιώσας, καὶ δι' αὐτῶν πρὸς τὴν ἀληθινὴν πίστιν, πάντας ἡμᾶς ὁδηγήσας· πολυεύσπλαγχνε, δόξα σοι.

Apolytikion for the Church in the Fourth Mode

Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Ως τών αιχμαλώτων ελευθερωτής, καί τών πτωχών υπερασπιστής, ασθενούντων ιατρός, βασιλέων υπέρμαχος, τροπαιοφόρε μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Second Mode

O Christ our God, upon fulfilling Your dispensation for our sake, You ascended in Glory, uniting the earthly with the heavenly. You were never separate but remained inseparable, and cried out to those who love You, "I am with you and no one is against you."
Τὴν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν πληρώσας οἰκονομίαν, καὶ τὰ ἐπὶ γῆς ἑνώσας τοῖς οὐρανίοις, ἀνελήφθης ἐν δόξῃ, Χριστε ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, οὐδαμόθεν χωριζόμενος, ἀλλὰ μένων ἀδιάστατος, καὶ βοῶν τοῖς ἀγαπῶσί σε· Ἐγώ εἰμι μεθ' ὑμῶν, καὶ οὐδεὶς καθ' ὑμῶν.
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This Week at the Cathedral

Today at the Cathedral:

We welcome all newcomers to our Cathedral and are glad you are here!  Please join us after Liturgy in the Social Hall; we would love to get to know you!

We celebrate National Sisterhood of Presvyteres Sunday and recognize our beloved Presvytera Claudia.

No Coffee Hour after Divine Liturgy today due to it being the final day of our Annual Greek Festival.

Memorials:

Stavroula (Stella) Menoutis, 1 year
Zaffiris Venoutsos, 3 months
Hristos Hatjopoulos, 9 years

This week at the Cathedral:

Tuesday, June 3rd
7pm - Archdiocesan District Annual Servant Leadership Awards Banquet at Terrace On the Park in Corona, NY - We greet and recognize our Servant Leadership Award Recipients: George Zugravu, posthumously, for his dedication and love in serving the Lord, His altar, and ministries of our cathedral, Eugene Vardoulakis, posthumously, and Angeliki Vardoulakis for many years of unwavering commitment in serving our cathedral community and the needy.

Wednesday, June 4th
6pm - Paraklesis

Saturday, June 7th
9:30am - Orthros and Divine Liturgy - Saturday of Souls (see flyer and prayer request form)

Announcements:   

The Daughters of Penelope Scholarship Application for high school seniors is available in the office and by contacting Scholarship Chairperson Marilyn Mantziaris at [email protected].  The applicant must be a senior in high school, an undergraduate, or a graduate student of an accredited institution of higher learning.  The scholarship recipient and their immediate family must be a member of St. George and the applicant's mother or grandmother needs to be an active member of the Daughters of Penelope.  This scholarship is awarded based on scholastic ability, character qualities, and civic activities.  The scholarship is awarded for one year, payable to the recipient.  A recipient cannot receive a scholarship more than two times.  Deadline for all application submissions is Monday, June 2nd. (please see attached scholarship application)  

The Nathan Hale Chapter #58 of the Order of AHEPA, located in Hartford, Connecticut, in its efforts to encourage and aid in the pursuit of advanced education, has set apart a sum of money in the form of one or more scholarship grants. The candidate must be a graduate of a high school or be in the senior year of high school and must be in the top 50 percent of the graduating class at the midterm of the senior year. The candidate may also be enrolled in an approved college, university, or technical school. Those enrolled in graduate or professional programs may also apply. The candidate must be an individual of good moral character. The candidate must be enrolled or show evidence of acceptance by an approved college, university or technical school. The candidate must be a member or child or grandchild of a member in good standing of Nathan Hale Chapter #58 of AHEPA or of Daughters of Penelope Chapter 198. The scholarship shall be for one year and shall be payable to the recipient. No recipient may receive the AHEPA scholarship more than 2 times.

Any individual desiring to apply must do so on the application and submit the same by midnight on Sunday, June 8th. All completed applications should be sent by Word document or PDF to [email protected]. Hard copies may also be delivered to the office at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 433 Fairfield Avenue in Hartford. To be considered by the Scholarship Committee, the application must be complete. To ensure that applications are received, all applications will be acknowledged by return email by the committee. Those with questions may call Andrew Walsh at 860-655-2161. Deadline for all application submissions is midnight on Sunday, June 8th. (please see attached scholarship application)

Tuesday, June 10th
6:30pm - AHEPA Family Picnic will be held on the Grounds of the Nathan Hale Center, Wethersfield.  Everyone is welcome to attend!!! (see flyer)

Tuesday, June 17th
6pm - DOP's last meeting will be held at Crystal Ridge Winery (257 Belltown Rd, South Glastonbury) https://www.crystalridgewinery.com/  Please bring a snack to share.  Wine and other beverages are available there for purchase.  We will also be electing new officers that evening.

FAITH Endowment Scholarships for Academic Excellence are now available.  This scholarship program aims to support the best and brightest graduating high-school seniors in the Hellenic-American Greek Orthodox community planning to attend a 4-year accredited U.S. university this fall.  Scholarships are awarded on a merit basis with applicants given the option to be considered for additional financial need-based allocations.  The FAITH Scholar network includes over 950 members from across the U.S.  Apply now to connect, network, and build lasting friendships with other young and talented leaders within the Hellenic-American community.  For full application details and to apply now, visit thefaithendowment.org/scholarships (see flyer)

Ongoing Can Drive
There are many food insecure children and families who struggle for a meal.  Please think of them as you grocery shop or have extra in your cabinets to share and bring them to the designated box in the first floor hallway.  Your generosity will help to nourish many needy families (please, no expired items). (see flyer)

SAVE THE DATE: The Nathan Hale Chapter #58 of the Order of AHEPA will be holding their Centennial Gala on October 18th, 2025, celebrating 100 years of promoting Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.  More information to come... (see flyer)

Donate in Memory of George Zugravu
As many of you know, George Zugravu, beloved son of Fr. George recently fell asleep in the Lord following a courageous battle with cancer. Fr. George and his family have been deeply touched and grateful for the many prayers, understanding and kindness shown to them by our parishioners over the past two years and especially at this most difficult time. Community members have reached out asking how to help as the family is facing the journey ahead: the Go Fund Me originally created to help with medical expenses is still currently open and anyone wishing to assist in this way may do so at https://gofund.me/c8d14f47. Please continue to keep George and the family in your prayers as they face the arduous journey ahead.

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Flyers

    Saturday of Souls (Psychosavvato)

    Saturday of Souls (Psychosavvato)

    These are the days the church sets aside to remember family members and beloved ones who have passed with prayers and kollyva. Pre-order kollyva ($10 including candle) by calling the church office at (860) 956-7586.

    Psychosavvato Prayer Submission Form

    Psychosavvato Prayer Submission Form

    Use this form to submit the names of those you would like to commemorate at the June 7th Psychosavvato service.

    Daughters of Penelope 2025 Scholarship Application

    Daughters of Penelope 2025 Scholarship Application

    The Daughters of Penelope Scholarship Application for high school seniors is available in the office and by contacting Scholarship Chairperson Marilyn Mantziaris at [email protected]. The applicant must be a senior in high school, an undergraduate, or a graduate student of an accredited institution of higher learning. The scholarship recipient and their immediate family must be a member of St. George and the applicant's mother or grandmother needs to be an active member of the Daughters of Penelope. This scholarship is awarded based on scholastic ability, character qualities, and civic activities. The scholarship is awarded for one year, payable to the recipient. A recipient cannot receive a scholarship more than two times. Deadline for all application submissions is Monday, June 2nd.

    AHEPA Scholarship Application 2025

    AHEPA Scholarship Application 2025

    The Nathan Hale Chapter #58 of the Order of AHEPA, located in Hartford, Connecticut, in its efforts to encourage and aid in the pursuit of advanced education, has set apart a sum of money in the form of one or more scholarship grants. The candidate must be a graduate of a high school or be in the senior year of high school and must be in the top 50 percent of the graduating class at the midterm of the senior year. The candidate may also be enrolled in an approved college, university, or technical school. Those enrolled in graduate or professional programs may also apply. The candidate must be an individual of good moral character. The candidate must be enrolled or show evidence of acceptance by an approved college, university or technical school. The candidate must be a member or child or grandchild of a member in good standing of Nathan Hale Chapter #58 of AHEPA or of Daughters of Penelope Chapter 198. The scholarship shall be for one year and shall be payable to the recipient. No recipient may receive the AHEPA scholarship more than 2 times. Any individual desiring to apply must do so on the form, linked below, and submit the same by midnight on Sunday, June 8th. All completed applications should be sent by Word document or PDF to [email protected]. Hard copies may also be delivered to the office at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 433 Fairfield Avenue in Hartford. To be considered by the Scholarship Committee, the application must be complete. To ensure that applications are received, all applications will be acknowledged by return email by the committee. Those with questions may call Andrew Walsh at 860-655-2161. Deadline for all application submissions is midnight on Sunday, June 8th.

    AHEPA Family Picnic

    AHEPA Family Picnic

    Tuesday, June 10th at 6:30pm - held on the Grounds of the Nathan Hale Center, Wethersfield. Everyone is welcome to attend!!!

    FAITH Endowment Scholarships

    FAITH Endowment Scholarships

    FAITH Endowment Scholarships for Academic Excellence are now available. This scholarship program aims to support the best and brightest graduating high-school seniors in the Hellenic-American Greek Orthodox community planning to attend a 4-year accredited U.S. university this fall. Scholarships are awarded on a merit basis with applicants given the option to be considered for additional financial need-based allocations. The FAITH Scholar network includes over 950 members from across the U.S. Apply now to connect, network, and build lasting friendships with other young and talented leaders within the Hellenic-American community. For full application details and to apply now, visit thefaithendowment.org/scholarships

    Ongoing Can Drive

    Ongoing Can Drive

    There are many food insecure children and families who struggle for a meal.  Please think of them as you grocery shop or have extra in your cabinets to share and bring them to the designated box in the first floor hallway.  Your generosity will help to nourish many needy families (please, no expired items).

    AHEPA Centennial Gala Save the Date

    AHEPA Centennial Gala Save the Date

    The Nathan Hale Chapter #58 of the Order of AHEPA will be holding their Centennial Gala on October 18th, 2025, celebrating 100 years of promoting Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism. More information to come...

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Saints and Feasts

June 01

Fathers of the 1st Council

The heresiarch Arius was a Libyan by race and a protopresbyter of the Church of Alexandria. In 315, he began to blaspheme against the Son and Word of God, saying that He is not true God, consubstantial with the Father, but is rather a work and creation, alien to the essence and glory of the Father, and that there was a time when He was not. This frightful blasphemy shook the faithful of Alexandria. Alexander, his Archbishop, after trying in vain to correct him through admonitions, cut him off from communion and finally in a local council deposed him in the year 321. Yet neither did the blasphemer wish to be corrected, nor did he cease sowing the deadly tares of his heretical teachings; but writing to the bishops of other cities, Arius and his followers requested that his doctrine be examined, and if it were unsound, that the correct teaching be declared to him. By this means, his heresy became universally known and won many supporters, so that the whole Church was soon in an uproar.

Therefore, moved by divine zeal, the first Christian Sovereign, Saint Constantine the Great, the equal to the Apostles, summoned the renowned First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, a city of Bithynia. It was there that the shepherds and teachers of the Church of Christ gathered from all regions in the year 325. All of them, with one mouth and one voice, declared that the Son and Word of God is one in essence with the Father, true God of true God, and they composed the holy Symbol of Faith up to the seventh article (since the remainder, beginning with "And in the Holy Spirit," was completed by the Second Ecumenical Council). Thus they anathematized the impious Arius of evil belief and those of like mind with him, and cut them off as rotten members from the whole body of the faithful.

Therefore, recognizing the divine Fathers as heralds of the Faith after the divine Apostles, the Church of Christ has appointed this present Sunday for their annual commemoration, in thanksgiving and unto the glory of God, unto their praise and honour, and unto the strengthening of the true Faith.

June 01

Justin the Philosopher and Martyr and his Companions

This Saint, who was from Neapolis of Palestine, was a follower of Plato the philosopher. Born in 103, he came to the Faith of Christ when he was already a mature man, seeking to find God through philosophy and human reasoning. A venerable elder appeared to him and spoke to him about the Prophets who had taught of God not through their own wisdom, but by revelation; and he led him to knowledge of Christ, Who is the fulfillment of what the Prophets taught. Saint Justin soon became a fervent follower of Christ, and an illustrious apologist of the Evangelical teachings. To the end of his life, while preaching Christ in all parts, he never put off his philosopher's garb. In Rome, he gave the Emperor Antoninus Pius (reigned 138-161) an apology wherein he proved the innocence and holiness of the Christian Faith, persuading him to relieve the persecution of Christians. Through the machinations of Crescens, a Cynic philosopher who envied him, Saint Justin was beheaded in Rome in 167 under Antoninus' successor, Marcus Aurelius (reigned 161-180). Besides his defense of Christianity (First and Second Apologies), Saint Justin wrote against paganism (Discourse to the Greeks, Hortatory Address to the Greeks), and refuted Jewish objections against Christ (Dialogue with Trypho).

June 01

Pyrros the Hieromartyr

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