Saints and Feasts

November 01

Cosmas and Damian the Holy Unmercenaries of Asia, and their mother Theodota

These Saints were from Asia (that is, Asia Minor). After the death of their father, their Christ-loving mother Theodota reared them in piety and in all manner of virtue, and had them instructed in every science, especially that of medicine. This became their vocation, and they went about healing every illness and malady, bestowing healing freely on both men and beasts alike; because of this, they are called "Unmercenaries." And thus, having completed the course of their life, they reposed in peace.

November 07

Bishop Raphael Hawaweeny of Brooklyn

Saint Raphael Hawaweeny was born on November 8, 1860 A.D., in Damascus, Syria, to pious Christian parents. He studied Arabic grammar and mathematics at the Antiochian Patriarchate parochial school where he was tonsured a reader in 1874. His strong academics served him well throughout his life, providing for him numerous opportunities to succeed and grow. He accepted a position in 1877 as an assistant teacher of Arabic and Turkish, which became full time in 1879. In 1879 he was tonsured a monk while working with Patriarch Hierotheos at the patriarchate, traveling with him on pastoral visits and serving as his personal assistant.

Longing to continue his theological studies, Raphael petitioned the Patriarch for permission to study at Halki Theological School, which was the only option for students of the Antiochian Patriarchate as the Balamand Seminary in Lebanon had been closed since 1840. After much persistence, Raphael received the blessing of the Patriarch and enrolled in Halki Seminary where he was ordained a deacon in 1885. After completing his degree at Halki, the young Deacon Raphael studied at the Kiev Theological Academy, working as a liaison between the Moscow and Antiochian patriarchates. Deacon Raphael was ordained to the holy priesthood in 1889 while in Kiev, continuing to serve that community for many years.

The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 led to the subsequent collapse of the silk industry in the Middle East, causing many Syrians and others to immigrate to the United States. These new citizens desired to have their religion present in their new homeland and sent letters to their mother churches for pastoral help. A few priests were sent, but none lasted, and so the people asked for Father Raphael Hawaweeny to come to America and serve. Both the Antiochian and Moscow Patriarchs agreed to this idea, and Father Raphael left for America where the people greeted him with great love. Father Raphael then spent many years serving the Syrians in Brooklyn, New York, but he desired to scan the continent for Syrians and other Orthodox Christians who were without spiritual leadership. He traveled by train and carriage across the nation, finding Orthodox Christians, recording their location, and performing liturgies, baptisms, and weddings. Upon his return to Brooklyn, Father Raphael worked to find clergy to send to these dispersed communities, giving them a full time pastor to minister to their needs.

In 1904, by the hands of Bishops Tikhon and Innocent of the Moscow Patriarchate, he was the first bishop consecrated in the New World. The now Bishop Raphael continued his ministry to the Christians throughout America. Bishop Raphael worked tirelessly in Brooklyn to mediate disputes between the Orthodox Christians from Syria and Maronite Catholic Christians who often fought violently with one another. Despite numerous outbursts and setbacks, Bishop Raphael continued his ministry serving the Orthodox throughout his vast diocese. One such incident was when an influential leader of the Maronite group was killed and many people accused Bishop Raphael of ordering his murder. This led to many people attempting to harm the bishop, but he endured it all willingly. He was arrested under attempted murder charges, but was eventually cleared and let go after much time and money was spent in his defense.

Throughout his time in North America, Bishop Raphael founded 36 parishes to bring the Church to the faithful who were without a priest to guide them. Bishop Raphael truly lived out the Gospel in all aspects of his life, striving tirelessly for the people in his care, even to the point of sacrificing his own physical health in order to maintain the spiritual health of his people. Bishop Raphael died on February 27, 1915, at his home in Brooklyn. His funeral was attended by hundreds of people, including clergy from all ethnic backgrounds, illustrating his love for all of the people of God regardless of where they came from. The sacred relics of Saint Raphael, “the good shepherd of the lost sheep in North America,” were first interred in a crypt beneath the holy table at his Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn on March 7, 1915, before being moved to the Syrian section of Mount Olivet Cemetery in Brooklyn on April 2, 1922. They were finally translated to the Holy Resurrection Cemetery at the Antiochian Village near Ligonier, Pennsylvania, on August 15, 1988. His sanctity was officially proclaimed by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America on March 29, 2000, and his glorification was celebrated on May 29 of that year at the Monastery of Saint Tikhon in Pennsylvania.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.

Apolytikion for Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian in the Third Mode

O Holy Unmercenaries and wonderworkers, visit our infirmities; freely ye received, freely give to us.

Apolytikion of the Synaxis of John 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 wast proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets * since thou wast granted to baptize in the running waters * Him Whom they proclaim. * Wherefore having contested for the Truth, * thou didst rejoice to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades * that God has appeared in the flesh * taking away the sin of the world * and granting us great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Mode

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eleventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:14-25

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. And he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me." Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 15.3,8.
Among the saints who are in his land, the Lord has been wondrous.
Verse: I see the Lord before me continually.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 12:27-31; 13:1-8.

Brethren, you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

Gospel Reading

5th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 16:19-31

The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

Wisdom of the Fathers

The things that have come into being have received from the Creator their proper place, their beginning and, in some cases, their end. But there is no boundary to virtue. The psalmist says, 'I have seen the end the end of all perfection, but Your commandment is very broad and is without limit' (Ps. 118:96). Now if it is true...that love never fails (I Cor. 13:8),... then love has no boundary, and both in the present age and in the future age we will never cease to progress in it, as we add light to light.

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 26: On Discernment; Paulist Press pgs. 250-251, 6th century

...every tree is known by its own fruit. So also is love known by its own fruit and the love of which Christianity speaks is known by its own fruit - revealing that it has in itself the truth of the eternal. All other love, whether humanly speaking it withers early and is altered or lovingly preserves itself for a round of time - such love is still transient; it merely blossoms. This is precisely its weakness and tragedy, whether it blossoms for an hour or for seventy years - it merely blossoms; but Christian love is eternal.

Soren Kierkegaard

Works of Love, Chapter 1; Harper Torchbooks pg. 25, 19th century

By these words it is surely shown that in his [the rich man] daily feasting he had frequently sinned by his tongue, seeing that, while burning all over, he demanded to be cooled especially in his tongue. Again, that levity of conduct follows closely upon gluttony sacred authority testifies ... For the most part also edacity leads us even to lechery, because, when the belly is distended by repletion, the stings of lust are excited.

St. Gregory the Dialogist

The Book of Pastoral Rule, Chapter XIX, 6th century

The man who has once chosen pleasure in this life, and has not cured his inconsiderateness by repentance, places the land of the good beyond his own reach; for he has dug against himself the yawning impassable abyss of a necessity that nothing can break through.

St. Gregory of Nyssa

Parish Activities

Special Service: none

2026 STEWARDSHIP & STOREHOUSE as of 10/30/2026

Goal: $570,000

Pledged: $560,826

Pledges Submitted: 206

Needed to be Pledged: $9,174

PAID: $416,801

REMANING TO BE PAID: $144,025

TODAY, AFTER SERVICE:

· 2^nd tray collection for Philoptochos in honor of the Holy mercenaries “Cosmas and Damian, their National Chapter patron saints. The collection today will benefit the ministries of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

· Coffee Hour: FoodFest Volunteers Celebration

· Bookstore – Paterikon for children book sale - $4/each

· Sunday School: We study about Saints! Everyone is welcome to join us, Preschool - 12^th grade. Lesson: Holy Communities (Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers)

· 4:00 pm Adults Sunday School Zoom Class. Zoom Link in Forerunner or text (972)821-6161. Holy Communities

· 6:30 pm - Trail Life Men Meeting

UPCOMING EVENTS:

· Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 pm: Explore Orthodoxy Class. Open to anyone curious about the Orthodox Christian Faith, whether new to Orthodoxy, considering conversion, or a longtime member. Reading Assignment: Chapter 1.4 “Divine Economy”

· Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5:00 pm – Feed the Hungry. Packing lunch bags for Union Gospel Mission.

· Friday, Nov. 6, 10 am: Homeschool Co-op. We have classes for 4-year-old to High school. Contact Jennifer Hock for questions. [email protected]

· Saturday, Nov. 7, 8:00 am: Let’s play pickleball (all ages)

· Sunday, Nov. 8: Fr. Vasile's Final Talk on his Renewal Journey will take place after the Divine Liturgy in the Parish Hall. Looking forward to seeing all of you!

· Friday. Nov. 13 to Sunday Nov. 15: Byzantine Chant Workshop at our church. More information on the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver website. Registration $150 for adults and $125 for students. Scholarship provided.

· Sunday, Nov. 15: NATIVITY LENT STARTS.

· PSALTER READING GROUPS. The Psalter is the Book of Psalms divided into 20 chapters (kathismata). During the 40-day Lent period, we are making groups of 20 people who can read one kathisma/day. We will have a reading schedule, and each person will read the whole Psalter twice during Lent.

We will read from November 15 until December 24.

The reading is done at home, at your convenience, and takes about 15-30 min. Call/text Cristina Korzun (972) 821-6161 if you would like to participate or have questions about it.

Prayers Request

Prayer Request – November 1, 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

· Joseph Averitt *Joseph

· Grayson Beauvais *Grayson

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

· Pat Ballas Panayiota

· Harriet Blake Hariklea

· Joanne Bishop Joanna

· Michael, Tera Bogdos Michael, Sotiria

· Robin, Jeraldo Boomstra *Robin. *Jeraldo

· Luis Octavio Carrillo *Luis

· Jason Caros Jason

· Tim Cline Timothy

· David, Scott Cole *David, *Scott

· Elizabeth Cronin Elizabeth

· Rildo DeSouza *Rildo

· Helen Dieb Helen

· David Dube *David

· Kathy Fox Katherine

· Margareta, Adela, Gloria Fratila Maria Margareta, Adela, Gloria

· Talita Geffen *Talita

· Samiha Gayed, Beverly Hallett Samiha, *Beverly

· Andrew Hollinger Micah

· Donald Ivanov Donald*

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

· Gus Kamis Constantinos

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

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

· George & Victoria Manos George, Victoria

· Michael & Mary Mavias Michael, Mary

· Michaela, Nicholas, Miller Michaela, Jeremiah,

· Maria, Raphael, Mariana Morcovescu Maria, Raphael, Mariana

· George, Katherine Neville *George, Katherine

· Ian, Jamison Pope *Ian, *Jamison

· Riley & Sharon Richardson *Riley, *Sharon

· Donna, Michael Saada *Donna, *Michael

· Shallon Salem, Linda Saliba *Shallon, *Linda

· Ted Sarros John

· Robert, Karen Steffaro Rodion, Karen Ann

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

· Katherine Sullivan *Katherine

· Oleg Tiganiuc Oleg

· Rhiannon, John Voicu Anastasia, John

· Mary Wilson *Mary

Members & Family of our parish who have chronic illnesses:

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

· Ian Fullerton Maximus

· Michael Genovezos Michael

· Mavra Grimm Mavra

· Armando Herrera Sr., Orfelina *Armando, *Orfelina

· 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, Boris Michael Warkentin Paraskeva, *Ronald, Boris Michael

· 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

· Gabriel Corlew *Mathew Gabriel

· Awni, Maryan Haddad Awni, Moufidah

· Dr. Lucille Howton Lucille

· Constantinos Katsikas Constantinos

· Themis, Zoe Mavrelli Euthymia, Zoe

· Eleni Mavromichalis Eleni

· Gail Poriotis Evangelia

· Marika Shackelford Maria

Departed in the last 40 days: Mihai

Church Calendar

STJB CAL

November 1 to November 16, 2026

Sunday, November 1

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM 11:0 AM FoodFest Volunteers Celebration

4:00PM Zoom Sunday School for Adults

6:30PM Trail Life Meeting

Tuesday, November 3

7:00PM Explore Orthodoxy Class

Wednesday, November 4

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

5:00PM Confessions

6:00PM Paraklesis

Friday, November 6

10:00AM Homeschool Co-op Meeting

Saturday, November 7

8:00AM Let's play Pickleball - all ages (church parking lot)

10:00AM Baptism Esther Ashford

4:00PM Confessions

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, November 8

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Coffee Hour - Fr. Vasile's Final Talk on his Renewal Journey

4:00PM Zoom Sunday School for Adults

6:30PM Trail Life Meeting

Monday, November 9

5:30AM Orthros, Divine Liturgy and Memorial Service

6:00PM Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday, November 10

7:00PM Explore Orthodoxy Class

Wednesday, November 11

5:00PM Confessions

6:00PM Paraklesis

Thursday, November 12

6:00PM Vigil

Friday, November 13

6:00AM Hours and Divine Liturgy

10:00AM Homeschool Co-op Meeting

12:00PM Byzantine Chant Workshop

Saturday, November 14

10:00AM Byzantine Chant Workshop

3:00PM Wedding Tyler Bethke & Katherine

4:00PM Confessions

5:00PM Great Vespers

Sunday, November 15

8:15AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

11:00AM Coffee Hour

12:15PM Philoptochos Meeting

4:00PM Zoom Sunday School for Adults

6:30PM Trail Life Meeting

Monday, November 16

5:30AM Orthros, Divine Liturgy

Diakonia Newsletter

Read the latest Diakonia Newsletter for this Sunday

https://bulletinbuilder.org/diakonia-newsletter/2026-11-01?source=bulletin_web

November 1, 2026

General Information

Contact Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins