Saints and Feasts

August 30

Alexander, John, and Paul the New, Patriarchs of Constantinople

Saint Alexander was sent to the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea as the delegate of Saint Metrophanes, Bishop of Constantinople (see June 4), to whose throne he succeeded in the year 325. When Arius had deceitfully professed allegiance to the Council of Nicaea, Saint Alexander, knowing his guile, refused to receive him into communion; Arius' powerful partisans threatened that they would use force to bring Arius into the communion of the Church the following day. Saint Alexander prayed fervently that God might spare the Church; and as Arius was in a privy place relieving nature, his bowels gushed forth with an effusion of blood, and the arch-heresiarch died the death of Judas. Saint Alexander was Bishop from 325 until 337, when he was succeeded by Saint Paul the Confessor, who died a martyr's death at the hands of the Arians (see Nov. 6). The Saint John commemorated here appears to be the one who was Patriarch during the years 562-577, surnamed Scholasticus, who is also commemorated on February 21. He was from Antioch, where he had been a lawyer (scholasticus); he was made presbyter, then was sent to Constantinople as representative (apocrisiarius) of the Patriarch of Antioch, and was appointed Patriarch of Constantinople by the Emperor Justinian. Saint Paul was Bishop of Constantinople during the years 687 - 693, in the reign of Emperor Justinian II, and presided over the Quinisext Council in 692.

September 01

Ecclesiastical New Year

For the maintenance of their armed forces, the Roman emperors decreed that their subjects in every district should be taxed every year. This same decree was reissued every fifteen years, since the Roman soldiers were obliged to serve for fifteen years. At the end of each fifteen-year period, an assessment was made of what economic changes had taken place, and a new tax was decreed, which was to be paid over the span of the fifteen years. This imperial decree, which was issued before the season of winter, was named Indictio, that is, Definiton, or Order. This name was adopted by the emperors in Constantinople also. At other times, the latter also used the term Epinemisis, that is, Distribution (Dianome). It is commonly held that Saint Constantine the Great introduced the Indiction decrees in A.D. 312, after he beheld the sign of the Cross in heaven and vanquished Maxentius and was proclaimed Emperor in the West. Some, however (and this seems more likely), ascribe the institution of the Indiction to Augustus Caesar, three years before the birth of Christ. Those who hold this view offer as proof the papal bull issued in A.D. 781 which is dated thus: Anno IV, Indictionis LIII -that is, the fourth year of the fifty-third Indiction. From this, we can deduce the aforementioned year (3 B.C.) by multiplying the fifty-two complete Indictions by the number of years in each (15), and adding the three years of the fifty-third Indiction. There are three types of Indictions: 1) That which was introduced in the West, and which is called Imperial, or Caesarean, or Constantinian, and which begins on the 24th of September; 2) The so-called Papal Indiction, which begins on the 1st of January; and 3) The Constantinopolitan, which was adopted by the Patriarchs of that city after the fall of the Eastern Empire in 1453. This Indiction is indicated in their own hand on the decrees they issue, without the numeration of the fifteen years. This Indiction begins on the 1st of September and is observed with special ceremony in the Church. Since the completion of each year takes place, as it were, with the harvest and gathering of the crops into storehouses, and we begin anew from henceforth the sowing of seed in the earth for the production of future crops, September is considered the beginning of the New Year. The Church also keeps festival this day, beseeching God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth. The Holy Scriptures (Lev. 23:24-5 and Num. 29:1-2) also testify that the people of Israel celebrated the feast of the Blowing of the Trumpets on this day, offering hymns of thanksgiving. In addition to all the aforesaid, on this feast we also commemorate our Saviour's entry into the synagogue in Nazareth, where He was given the book of the Prophet Esaias to read, and He opened it and found the place where it is written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for which cause He hath anointed Me..." (Luke 4:16-30).

It should be noted that to the present day, the Church has always celebrated the beginning of the New Year on September 1. This was the custom in Constantinople until its fall in 1453 and in Russia until the reign of Peter I. September 1 is still festively celebrated as the New Year at the Patriarchate of Constantinople; among the Jews also the New Year, although reckoned according to a moveable calendar, usually falls in September. The service of the Menaion for January 1 is for our Lord's Circumcision and for the memorial of Saint Basil the Great, without any mention of its being the beginning of a new year.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Apodosis of the Forerunner in the Second Mode

The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for thee, O Forerunner; for thou hast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since thou was granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God hath appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back - it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 16:13-24.

Brethren, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicos, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Gospel Reading

13th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 21:33-42

The Lord said this parable, "There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?'"

Wisdom of the Fathers

Many things does He intimate by this parable, God's providence, which had been exercised towards them from the first; their murderous disposition from the beginning; that nothing had been omitted of whatever pertained to a heedful care of them;...

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 68 on Matthew 21, 4th Century

And observe also both His great care, and the excessive idleness of these men for what pertained to the husbandmen, He Himself did ... and He left little for them to do; to take care of what was there, and to preserve what was given to them.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 68 on Matthew 21, 4th Century

And where do they take counsel to kill Him? "Out of the vineyard." Do you see how He prophesies even the place where He was to be slain. "And they cast Him out, and slew Him."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 68 on Matthew 21, 4th Century

... that even when prophets had been slain, He had not turned away from them, but had sent His very Son; that the God both of the New and of the Old Testament was one and the same; that His death should effect great blessings; that they were to endure extreme punishment for the crucifixion.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 68 on Matthew 21, 4th Century

Parish Activities

Sunday, August 30, 2026

13^th Sunday of Matthew

Epistle: I Corinthians 16:13-24;

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-42

Regular Hours of Services

Great Vespers Saturdays at 5:00 PM. Sundays Orthros at 8:30 AM and Divine Liturgy at 9:30 AM. Confessions are heard on Saturday before Vespers or by appointment.

Information about Holy Communion

Holy Communion, the partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, is a Sacrament of the Orthodox Church and reserved for Orthodox Christians only, who have prepared through prayer, fasting, confession, and participation in the Divine Liturgy (1 Cor. 11:28).

Those who are not Orthodox, or who have not prepared, are warmly invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) at the end of the service as a sign of fellowship and blessing.

Explore Orthodoxy (aka Catechism) Class.

Our class for inquirers, Explore Orthodoxy, will start on September 13. If you are interested, please contact our office staff: Betsy Hayes or Cristina Korzun.

NOTE:

The side doors of the Church are NOT to be used during services. Please do not park in the driveway on the south side of the Church; it is a fire lane and must be kept open. HEARING AIDs are available. Please see an usher!

TODAY

Fr. Florin Craioveanu is serving during Fr. Vasile’s sabbatical leave

Special Service: none

2026 STEWARDSHIP & STOREHOUSE as of 8/30/2026

Goal: $570,000

Pledged: $558,399

Pledges Submitted: 198

Needed to be Pledged: $11,601

TODAY, AFTER SERVICE:

· Coffee Hour: potluck (Fast Free)

· Bookstore: Orthodox Study Bibles - $50

· Greek Dance practice.

· 5:00 pm - Homeschool Families Potluck. Bring a dish to share!

· 6:30 pm - Trail Life Meeting

UPCOMING EVENTS:

· Sunday, Sept. 6: Welcome Back Fr. Vasile Party!

· Sunday, Sept. 13: Explore Orthodoxy class starts.

· Sunday, Sept. 13: Sunday School starts! We are looking forward to studying about Saints! Everyone is welcome to join us and we offer classes for Preschool - 12th grade on Sundays after Holy Communion. Father will provide us with a brief children’s sermon, those who are Orthodox will receive Holy Communion, and our children will go to the hall to have class for 30 - 45 minutes depending on the age group. Please register your child on Realm! Call church office for help!

· Sunday, Sept. 13: Seminarian Collection –As we approach the Feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, our entire Metropolis of Denver will offer a special collection in support of our students preparing for the Holy Priesthood at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. All funds collected will be forwarded to the Metropolis and distributed directly to our seminarians.

2026 Mid-Cities Greek FoodFest October 2-3-4!

FESTIVAL BAKING DATES:

· Saturday, Sept. 26, starting with 9 am – Baklava baking

· Sunday, Sept. 27, after the liturgy – Pastries Packaging

· Thursday, Oct. 1: TAVERNA NIGHT FOR CHARITY: Outdoor Dinner with Live Greek Music and Dance. $55/person or $440 for a table of 8. Partial proceeds benefit the NET Fort Worth charity. RSVP to Liz Strong 512-569-0903. Reservation required. Payment is due at the time of reservation. We will also sale tickets in the hall!

· TAVERNA NIGHT AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED. The item should be new/unused. We accept any type of items such as dishware, sports items, jewelry, gift baskets, gift certificates. All items must be received NLT Sunday, 27 Sept. Contact Chrysanthi Andromalos at 412-260-3747 for details.

Prayers Request

Prayer Request – August 30, 2026

Please use Baptismal Names for commemoration

Names: Baptismal names:

Members & Family of our parish who are in hospital or rehab:

Members & Family of our parish who are in assisted living or nursing home:

· Leo Alexander Panteleimon

· Joyce Bishop *Joyce

· Rada, Valentin Teodoreanu Rada, Valentin

Members & Family of our parish who are ill / in recovery:

· Rev. Fr. Florin, Rev. Fr. Vasilios Florin & Vasilios, Presbyters

· Theodora, Haralambia the nuns Theodora & Haralambia the nuns

· Chrysanthi Andromalos Chrysanthi

· Constantin & Mindi Armeanu Constantin, Ruth

· Sorin, Ovidiu, John Berca Ovidiu, Mihai, John

· Pat Ballas Panayiota

· Harriet Blake Hariklea

· Michael, Tera Bogdos Michael, Sotiria

· Robin, Jeraldo Boomstra *Robin. *Jeraldo

· Luis Octavio Carrillo *Luis

· Jason Caros Jason

· Tim Cline Timothy

· David Cole *David

· Elizabeth Cronin Elizabeth

· Mariana Cuceu Maria

· Rildo DeSouza *Rildo

· Helen Dieb Helen

· David Dube *David

· Pavlina Feichtinger Pavlina

· Kathy Fox Katherine

· Margareta, Fabian Fratila Maria Margareta, Fabian

· Talita Geffen *Talita

· Samiha Gayed, Beverly Hallett Samiha, *Beverly

· Betsy Hayes Isidora

· John, Rita Hines *John, *Rita

· Andrew Hollinger Micah

· Donald Ivanov Donald*

· Petar, Slavica, Theodora Ivovic Petar, Slavica, Theodora

· Gus Kamis Constantinos

· Cyrick & Linda King *Cyrick, *Linda

· John Kohl John

· Vasile, Walther, Madalina, Alina Korzun *Vasile, *Walter, Madalina, Alina

· Filiratos, Constantinos, Valentina Korzun Filiratos, Constantin, Valentina

· George & Victoria Manos George, Victoria

· Michael & Mary Mavias Michael, Mary

· Michaela, Nicholas, Miller Michaela, Jeremiah,

· Maria Morcovescu Maria

· George, Katherine Neville *George, Katherine

· Ian Pope *Ian

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

· Riley & Sharon Richardson *Riley, *Sharon

· Donna, Michael Saada *Donna, *Michael

· Shallon Salem *Shallon

· Linda Saliba *Linda

· Ted Sarros John

· Robert, Karen Steffaro Rodion, Karen Ann

· Elizabeth, John, Catherine Strong Mary-Elizabeth, John, Catherine

· Rhiannon Voicu Anastasia

· Katherine Sullivan *Katherine

· Oleg Tiganiuc Oleg

· Georgia Vratinina Georgia

· Mary Wilson *Mary

Members & Family of our parish who have chronic illnesses:

· Tami, Olivia, Nathaniel Brugman Dymphna, Teodora, Nathaniel

· Tamara Eftimie Tamara

· Ian Fullerton Maximus

· Michael Genovezos Michael

· Mavra Grimm Mavra

· Armando Herrera Sr. *Armando

· Jennifer Hock Zenobia

· Gregory Kerbow Gregory

· John Koutsoufis Ioannis

· Norma Aguinaga Londot, Emilia Lueth *Norma, Emilia

· Abraham Maayeh Abraham

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

· Cristina Popa Cristina

· Maria Lungu Post, Magdalena Maria, Maria Magdalena

· Emily, Tempest, Maire Manyai Emily, Michael, Maire Barachiel

· Jude, Erzsi, Brigid Manyai Jude, Erzsi Rafael, Brigid Serafim

· Valeriu Adrian, Sebastian George Silea Valeriu Adrian, Sebastian George

· Ann, Jason, Anthony Sullivan Ana, Jason, Anthony

· Jude Thadeus Villalobos Jude Thaddeus

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

· Eleni; Raphael; Miranda; Eston Eleni; Raphael; Miranda; *Eston

Members & Family of our parish with limited mobility:

· John Brugman & Darrel Behring *John, *Darrel

· Kassandra Bogordos Kassandra

· Awni, Maryan Haddad Awni, Moufidah

· Dr. Lucille Howton Lucille

· Constantinos Katsikas Constantinos

· Themis, Zoe Mavrelli Euthymia, Zoe

· Gail Poriotis Evangelia

· Marika Shackelford Maria

· Connie Yahn, Radmila, Zarko, Constantina, Radmila, Zarko

Members who fell asleep in the Lord in the last 40 days:

Eleni, *Gail, Noel, John Presbyter, *Angie Renee, Alexander, *Harold, John, Georgia, Elefteria, Jamil, Kathleen*, Georgia, Georgia

Church Calendar

STJB CAL

August 30 to September 14, 2026

Sunday, August 30

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Coffee Hour

12:00PM Greek Fest Dance Practice

5:00PM Homeschool Potluck

6:30PM Trail Life Meeting

Wednesday, September 2

5:00PM Feed the Hungry - packing lunch bags for UGM

6:00PM Paraklesis (Reader Service)

6:30PM Gladsome Light Dialogues

Saturday, September 5

4:00PM Confessions

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, September 6

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Summer Storehouse and Welcome Back Fr. Vasile Party

12:00PM Greek Fest Dance Practice

6:30PM Trail Life Meeting

Monday, September 7

6:00PM Vigil for The Nativity of the Theotokos

Tuesday, September 8

6:00AM Hours and Divine Liturgy

6:00PM Parish Council Meeting

Wednesday, September 9

6:00PM Paraklesis

7:00PM Gladsome Light Dialogues

Thursday, September 10

11:00AM Ageless Wonders September Lunch

Saturday, September 12

4:00PM Confessions

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, September 13

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Coffee Hour

11:00AM Sunday School Starts

12:00PM Greek Fest Dance Practice

6:00PM Great Vespers

6:30PM Trail Life Meeting

Monday, September 14

5:15AM Orthros and Divine Liturgy

Diakonia Newsletter

Read the latest Diakonia Newsletter for this Sunday

https://bulletinbuilder.org/diakonia-newsletter/2026-08-30?source=bulletin_web

August 30, 2026

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins

Saints and Feasts

Alexander, John, and Paul the New, Patriarchs of Constantinople

Ecclesiastical New Year

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

Apolytikion for Apodosis of the Forerunner in the Second Mode

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Epistle Reading

Gospel Reading

Wisdom of the Fathers

Parish Activities

Prayers Request

Church Calendar

STJB CAL

August 30 to September 14, 2026

Diakonia Newsletter