Small Paraklesis - Wednesday 6:00PM
Great Vespers - Saturday 5:00PM
Matins - Sunday 8:30AM
Divine Liturgy - Sunday 9:30 AM
Confessions - Saturday after Vespers or upon request
According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.
Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.
Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.
Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
The Reading is from Luke 1:39-49, 56
In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
Special Service: prayer for the Sunday School students
2024 STEWARDSHIP and financials as of 9/8/2024
Goal: $580,000
Pledged: $470,355
Received To Date of Pledged: $327,608
Pledges Submitted: 183
TODAY, AFTER SERVICE:
COFFEE HOUR: Potluck. Fast Free
BOOKSTORE: American Saints icons. Come and See!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Prayer Request – September 8, 2024
(Please use the baptismal names when commemorating. If it is not available, please use the first name.)
Members of our parish who are in hospital or rehab:
Name: Baptismal name:
Members of our parish who are in assisted living or nursing home:
Name: Baptismal name:
Members of our parish who are ill / in recovery:
Name: Baptismal name:
Members of our parish who have chronic illnesses:
Name: Baptismal name:
Members of our parish with limited mobility:
Name: Baptismal name:
Family members who fell asleep in the Lord in the last 40 days:
As this information is not always easy to find, kindly let us know of anyone else that should be on this list.
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:45AM First day of Sunday School
11:00AM Coffee Hour - Potluck
11:45AM Greek Dance Practice
11:45AM First GOYA meeting
12:15PM Catechism Class
8:00AM Orthros and Divine Liturgy
6:00PM Paraklesis
7:00PM Gladsome Light Dialogues
6:00PM Vespers & Lity
8:00AM Orthros & Divine Liturgy
4:00PM Confession
5:00PM Great Vespers
6:00PM YAL Dance Practice
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:45AM Sunday School
11:00AM 40 days memorial service Tony Pachares
11:15AM THE ANNUAL MINISTRIES FAIR
11:45AM Greek Dance Practice
12:00PM Philoptochos Meeting
12:15PM Catechism Class
6:00PM Paraklesis
7:00PM Gladsome Light Dialogues
11:00AM Homeschool Co-op
10:30AM Parish Town Hall Meeting "GETTING TO KNOW YOUR PARISH beyond the Numbers"-
4:00PM Confession
5:00PM Great Vespers
6:00PM YAL Dance Practice
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:45AM Sunday School
11:30AM SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
11:45AM Greek Dance Practice
12:30PM Explore Orthodoxy Class
6:00AM Hours and Divine Liturgy