Saints and Feasts

August 10

Laurence the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Rome

This Saint, who was born in Spain, was the Archdeacon of the Church of Rome, caring for the sacred vessels of the Church and distributing money to the needy. About the year 257, a harsh persecution was raised up against the Christians by Valerian. Pope Sixtus, who was from Athens, was commanded to worship the idols, and refused; before his martyrdom by beheading, he committed to Laurence all the sacred vessels of the Church. When Laurence was arrested and brought before the Prefect, he was questioned concerning the treasures of the Church; he asked for three days' time to prepare them. He then proceeded to gather all the poor and needy, and presented them to the Prefect and said, "Behold the treasures of the Church." The Prefect became enraged at this and gave command that Laurence be racked, then scourged with scorpions (a whip furnished with sharp iron points - compare II Chron. 10:11), then stretched out on a red-hot iron grill. But the courageous athlete of Christ endured without groaning. After he had been burned on one side, he said, "My body is done on one side; turn me over on the other." And when this had taken place, the Martyr said to the tyrants, "My flesh is now well done, you may taste of it." And when he had said this, and had prayed for his slayers in imitation of Christ, he gave up his spirit on August 10, 258.

August 15

The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

Concerning the Dormition of the Theotokos, this is what the Church has received from ancient times from the tradition of the Fathers. When the time drew nigh that our Savior was well-pleased to take His Mother to Himself, He declared unto her through an Angel that three days hence, He would translate her from this temporal life to eternity and bliss. On hearing this, she went up with haste to the Mount of Olives, where she prayed continuously. Giving thanks to God, she returned to her house and prepared whatever was necessary for her burial. While these things were taking place, clouds caught up the Apostles from the ends of the earth, where each one happened to be preaching, and brought them at once to the house of the Mother of God, who informed them of the cause of their sudden gathering. As a mother, she consoled them in their affliction as was meet, and then raised her hands to Heaven and prayed for the peace of the world. She blessed the Apostles, and, reclining upon her bed with seemliness, gave up her all-holy spirit into the hands of her Son and God.

With reverence and many lights, and chanting burial hymns, the Apostles took up that God-receiving body and brought it to the sepulchre, while the Angels from Heaven chanted with them, and sent forth her who is higher than the Cherubim. But one Jew, moved by malice, audaciously stretched forth his hand upon the bed and immediately received from divine judgment the wages of his audacity. Those daring hands were severed by an invisible blow. But when he repented and asked forgiveness, his hands were restored. When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus' Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying "Rejoice" to them. From this they learned concerning the bodily translation of the Theotokos into the Heavens.

These things has the Church received from the traditions of the Fathers, who have composed many hymns out of reverence, to the glory of the Mother of our God (see Oct. 3 and 4).

August 16

Translation of the Image of Our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ

When the fame of our Lord Jesus Christ came to Abgar, the ruler of Edessa, who was suffering from leprosy, Abgar sent a messenger named Ananias, through him asking the Savior to heal him of his disease, while bidding Ananias bring back a depiction of Him. When Ananias came to Jerusalem, and was unable to capture the likeness of our Lord, He, the Knower of hearts, asked for water, and having washed His immaculate and divine face, wiped it dry with a certain cloth, which He gave to Ananias to take to Abgar; the form of the Lord's face had been wondrously printed upon the cloth. As soon as Abgar received the cloth, which is called the Holy Napkin (Mandylion), he reverenced it with joy, and was healed of his leprosy; only his forehead remained afflicted. After the Lord's Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, the Apostle Thaddaeus (see Aug. 21) came to Edessa, and when he had baptized Abgar and all his men, Abgar's remaining leprosy also was healed. Abgar had the holy image of our Savior fixed to a board and placed at the city gate, commanding that all who entered the city reverence it as they passed through. Abgar's grandson, however, returned to the worship of the idols, and the Bishop of Edessa learned of his intention to replace the Holy Napkin with an idol. Since the place where it stood above the city gate was a rounded hollow, he set a burning lamp before the Holy Napkin, put a tile facing it, then bricked up the place and smoothed it over, so that the holy icon made without hands was no longer to be seen, and the ungodly ruler gave no further thought to it.

With the passage of time, the hidden icon was forgotten, until the year 615, when Chosroes II, King of Persia, was assaulting the cities of Asia, and besieged Edessa. The Bishop of Edessa, Eulabius, instructed by a divine revelation, opened the sealed chamber above the city gate and found the Holy Napkin complete and incorrupt, the lamp burning, and the tile bearing upon itself an identical copy of the image that was on the Holy Napkin. The Persians had built a huge fire outside the city wall; when the Bishop approached with the Holy Napkin, a violent wind fell upon the fire, turning it back upon the Persians, who fled in defeat. The Holy Napkin remained in Edessa, even after the Arabs conquered it, until the year 944, when it was brought with honor and triumph to Constantinople in the reign of Romanus I, when Theophylact was Ecumenical Patriarch. The Holy Napkin was enshrined in the Church of the most holy Theotokos called the Pharos. This is the translation that is celebrated today.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

From the heights didst Thou come down, O Compassionate One; And Thou didst submit to three days burial that from the passions Thou might deliver us. O our Life and Resurrection, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Transfiguration in the Grave Mode

Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ our God, showing to Thy disciples Thy glory as each one could endure. Shine forth Thou on us, who are sinners all, Thy light ever-unending, through the prayers of the Theotokos. Light-bestower, glory be to Thee.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

On the mount Thou wast transfigured, and Thy disciples, as much as they could bear, beheld Thy glory, O Christ our God; that when they should see Thee crucified, they would know Thy Passion to be willing, and would preach to the world that Thou, in truth, art the Effulgence of the Father.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and My God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, you may have life in His name.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal Fourth Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17.

Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.

Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34

At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.

Wisdom of the Fathers

The principle and source of the virtues is a good disposition of the will, that is to say, an aspiration for goodness and beauty. God is the source and ground of all supernal goodness. Thus the principle of goodness and beauty is faith or, rather, it is Christ, the rock of faith, who is principle and foundation of all virtues. On this rock we stand and on this foundation we build every good thing (cf. I Cor. 3:11).

St. Gregory of Sinai

On Commandments and Doctrines no. 83, Philokalia Vol. 3 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 228, 14th century

Christ did not command the winds to cease at that time, but Himself stretched forth His hand and took hold of Peter, because here faith was required of him. When we do not do our part, divine (grace) slows and stands still.. . . it was not the wind that did Peter harm; his lack of faith sank him. Where faith is fruitfu, firm and strong, none of the evils that may befall us can do us any harm.

St. John Chrysostom

The Gospel Commentary edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century

And then we shall hear Him calling out and saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. This truth is supported by an understanding that the bad and terrible things of the present time are passing; they come and they go; therefore, fear not what is transient and evanescent. It is I, (He says,) meaning, I am ever-existent; as God I am He Who is. Do not betray your faith and your love for Me for the sake of the temporal things of the present.

St. John Chrysostom

The Gospel Commentary edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century

Let us, then, cry out loudly with Peter's words, "Lord, save us." And if we are willing to receive Christ into our ship; that is, to have Him dwell in our hearts; we shall immediately find ourselves at the land to which we are hastening. What land is that? Clearly, it is the promised land, heaven, the land of the meek, of them that refrain from evil. With them, then, may we also be vouchsafed to enter that land and be heirs of its good things; in Christ Jesus our Lord, to Whom be glory and dominion, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

St. John Chrysostom

The Gospel Commentary, edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century

Parish Activities

Special Events: none

2025 STEWARDSHIP as of 8/10/2025

Goal: $550,000

Pledged: $513,640

Pledges Submitted: 177

Needed to be Pledged: $36,360

2025 SUMMER STOREHOUSES as of 8/10/2025

$ Received: $ 9,065

DOME ICONOGRAPHY financials as of 8/10/2025

Total Project value: $411,000

Balance in the account at the beginning of the campaign: $110,898

Pledged (including grant): $272,037

Number of pledges: 87

Needed: $28,065

TODAY, AFTER SERVICE:

· Coffee Hour (Potluck) - FAST

· Living Word Bookstore: CHILDREN BOOKS FAIR

· Festival Dance Practice – LAST DAY TO SIGN UP!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

· Tuesday, August 12, 10:00 am–3:00 pm: St. Tabitha's Meeting. Come when you can. Bring your project & have fun!

· Wednesday, August 13, 7 pm: Gladsome Light Dialogues. We are reading “Wounded by Love book – On Spiritual Struggle chapter

· Saturday, August 30, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm: – Youth Workers Retreat (for any volunteer working with kids under age18).

· St. John the Baptist Trail Life USA Troop TX- 1313 will start the full operation in September. Stay tuned!

ST. JOHN GREEK FOODFEST - October 3-4-5

· Dance practice sign up will close today! If you have not signed up, please do so asap by emailing [email protected]

· Volunteers Needed for the Festival: All parishioners needed for our church’s annual fundraiser! See volunteer coordinator Michael Strong ([email protected]) to sign up!

· Please consider taking out an ad in the 2025 Festival booklet which is a great place to promote your business, pay tribute to a loved one, or congratulate the church on its 33rd annual festival! Ad prices: $500 for a full-page ad; $250 for half; and $125 for quarter page. If your family would like to be a festival sponsor, which includes your name on the book cover, Table of 8 at Taverna Night and raffle tickets, we have several levels of sponsorship: Platinum sponsor: $1,500, Gold sponsor: $1,000; Silver sponsor: $800. If you know of an area business that would be interested in an ad, please reach out to us. Aug. 15: ad deadline (text and photos). See Harriet Blake, 214-995-4290 or Debbie Manos, 214-507-5324.

· TAVERNA NIGHT – SILENT AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED ! Please consider donating an item (or two) that can be auctioned off. It can be anything from jewelry, gift cards, themed gift baskets, dish ware, cookware, tools, sports items, Christmas items or religious items, etc. The items need to be new or unused. When donating, please make sure that you mark the item value, if you know it. Items MUST be received no later than Sunday, September 28th. Thank you! Chysanthi Andromalos (412) 260-3747

Prayers Request

Prayer Request – August 10, 2025

Members of our parish who are in hospital or rehab:

Name: Baptismal name:

Fr. Vasilios Christ Vasilios, Presbyter

Dylan Paddison *Dylan

Members of our parish who are ill / in recovery:

Name: Baptismal name:

· Susanik, the nun Susanik, the nun

· Leo Alexander Panteleimon

· Gabriel, Rita & Marina Abanoub Gabriel, Rita & Marina

· Norma Aguinaga *Norma

· Wes Albaugh *Wes

· Chrysanthi Andromalos Chrysanthi

· Adrian Antonescu Adrian

· Cassandra Ashford Zenaida

· Elias Bahou Elias

· Michael Bogdos Michael

· Kassandra Bogordos Kassandra

· Robin Boomstra *Robin

· Tami, Olivia & Nathaniel Brugman Dymphna, Theodora & Nathaniel

· John & Darrel Brugman *John & *Darrel

· Andrew Lucas Burlacu *Andrew Lucas

· Jason Caros Jason

· Ashley Choate Maria Magdalena

· Margaret Chokas Maria

· Tim Cline Timothy

· Edward Tex Collins Taxiarchon

· Elizabeth Cronin Elizabeth

· Mariana Cuceu Maria

· Raquel & Rebecca De Souza *Raquel & *Rebecca

· Helen Dieb Helen

· David Dube *David

· Orest & Refije Duka Anesti & Katherine

· Tamara Eftimie Tamara

· Timothy Elder Timothy

· Michael & Kathy Fox Michael & Katherine

· Awni & Maryan Haddad Rafael & Maryan

· Betsy Hayes Isidora

· Susan Heaton *Susan

· Armando Herrera Sr. *Armando

· Jennifer Hock Zenobia

· Joyce Hofland *Joyce

· Steve Howton *Steve

· Samiha Gayed Samiha

· Michael, George, Kelvin Genovezos Michael, *Kelvin, *George, *Mary

· Heather Olivia Gregoire Mary

· Mavra Grimm Mavra

· Dr. Lucille Howton Lucille

· Domnica Iliescu Mihaela

· Filiratos & Alina Ionita Filiratos & Alina

· Petar & Slavica Ivovic Petar & Slavica

· Carlos Johnson Christopher

· Harry & Virginia Karegeannes Haralambos & Catherine

· Constantinos Katsikas Constantinos

· Gregory Kerbow Gregory

· John Koutsoufis Ioannis

· Emilia Lueth Emilia

· Abraham Maayeh Abraham

· George & Victoria Manos George & Victoria

· Themis & Zoe Mavrelli Euthymia & Zoe

· Catherine Macdonald Catherine

· Emily, Tempest & Maire MacLeod Emily, Michael & Maire Barachiel

· Jude, Erzsi & Brigid MacLeod Jude, Erzsi Rafael & Brigid Seraphim

· Michaela Miller Michaela

· George Neville *George

· Laurentiu, Laura & Liliana Nicolescu Laurentiu, Laura & Liliana Gabriela

· Ruby Phillips *Ruby

· Constantinos & Marlen Pachou Constantinos & Marlen

· Velva Johnson Heleni

· Cristina Popa Cristina

· Gail & Nancy Poriotis Evangelia & *Nancy

· Maria Lungu Post Maria

· Ashley Potter *Ashley

· Candice, Ricardo & Annette Reyes *Candice, *Ricardo, *Annette

· Donna Saada *Donna

· Linda Saliba *Linda

· Ted Sarros John

· Marika Shackelford Maria

· Georgia Souris Georgia

· Robert Steffaro Rodion

· Elizabeth Strong Mary-Elizabeth

· Ann, Jason, Anastasia, Ariana Sullivan Ana, Jason, Anastasia, Ariana

· Madalina, Tanase, Marghioala Tache Madalina, Tanase Stefan, *Marghioala

· Rada,Valentin, Olimpiu Teodoreanu Rada,Valentin, Olimpiu-Adrian

· Dave & Shanna Trosko *Dave & *Shanna

· Sarah Varvaris Sara

· George Vittas George, Reader

· Georgia Vratinina Georgia

· Kristy, Ron, Martha, James Warkentin Paraskeva, *Ronald, *Martha, *James

· Jeremy William John

· Gary Winfrey; *Gary

· Hellen Yu *Hellen

· Eleni Eleni

Family who fell asleep in the Lord in the last 40 days: Vladimir

Church Calendar

STJB Calendar

August 10 to August 24, 2025

Sunday, August 10

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Coffee Hour - Potluck

3:00PM Ageless Wonders Meeting

6:00PM Great Paraklesis

Monday, August 11

6:00PM Small Paraklesis

7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday, August 12

10:00AM St. Tabitha's Tuesday Meeting

6:00PM Great Paraklesis

Wednesday, August 13

6:00PM Small Paraklesis Service

7:00PM Gladsome Light Dialogues

Thursday, August 14

6:00PM Vigil for Dormition

Friday, August 15

6:00AM Hours and Divine Liturgy

Saturday, August 16

9:00AM Men's Fellowship Breakfast

11:00AM Baptism Theodore Davis

4:00PM Confessions

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, August 17

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Coffee Hour - Potluck

Tuesday, August 19

7:00PM OCF Meeting

8:30PM GOYA Evening Prayers on Google Meet.

Wednesday, August 20

6:00PM Paraklesis

7:00PM Gladsome Light Dialogues

Saturday, August 23

4:00PM Confessions

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, August 24

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Coffee Hour - Potluck

12:00PM Philoptochos Meeting

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Saints and Feasts

Laurence the Holy Martyr & Archdeacon of Rome

The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

Translation of the Image of Our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Transfiguration in the Grave Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Grave Mode

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Wisdom of the Fathers

Parish Activities

Prayers Request

Church Calendar

STJB Calendar

August 10 to August 24, 2025