St. Stephen Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-04-13
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St. Stephen Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (707)235-0316
  • Street Address:

  • 11055 Hirschfeld Way

  • Rancho Cordova, CA 95670


Contact Information




Services Schedule

 

Saturday

Vespers: 3:00 pm

Sunday

Matins: 8:15 am

Liturgy: 9:30 am


Past Bulletins


Saints and Feasts

April 13

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.


April 13

Hypatios the Wonderworker

This Saint, who was from Cilicia of Asia Minor, became Bishop of Gangra, the capital of Paphlagonia. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council. Because of his confession of the Orthodox Faith, he was put to death by the Novatians, a sect which denied that sins committed after Baptism could be forgiven.


April 13

Theophilos the Martyr and those with him


April 13

Innocent, Enlightener of Siberia & Alaska


April 13

Akakios the Confessor


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 21:1-11; 15-17

At that time, when Jesus drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If any one says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and he will send them immediately." This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

"Tell the daughter of Zion,
Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee." But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant; and they said to him, "Do you hear what they are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read,

'Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings,
you have brought perfect praise'?"

And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.

Palm Sunday
متى 21: 1-11، 15-17

1 في ذلك الزمان َلَمَّا قَرُبُ يسوع مِنْ أُورُشَلِيمَ وَجَاءُ إِلَى بَيْتِ فَاجِي عِنْدَ جَبَلِ الزَّيْتُونِ ، حِينَئِذٍ أَرْسَلَ تِلْمِيذَيْنِ 2قَائِلاً لَهُمَا: ((اِذْهَبَا إِلَى الْقَرْيَةِ الَّتِي أَمَامَكُمَا ، فَلِلْوَقْتِ تَجِدَانِ أَتَاناً مَرْبُوطَةً وَجَحْشاً مَعَهَا ، فَحُلَّاهُمَا وَأْتِيَانِي بِهِمَا. 3وَإِنْ قَالَ لَكُمَا أَحَدٌ شَيْئاً ، فَقُولاَ: الرَّبُّ مُحْتَاجٌ إِلَيْهِمَا. فَلِلْوَقْتِ يُرْسِلُهُمَا)).4فَكَانَ هَذَا كُلُّهُ لِكَيْ يَتِمَّ مَا قِيلَ بِالنَّبِيِّ الْقَائِلِ : 5((قُولُوا لاِبْنَةِ صِهْيَوْنَ: هُوَذَا مَلِكُكِ يَأْتِيكِ وَدِيعاً ، رَاكِباً عَلَى أَتَانٍ وَجَحْشٍ ابْنِ أَتَانٍ)). 6فَذَهَبَ التِّلْمِيذَانِ وَفَعَلاَ كَمَا أَمَرَهُمَا يَسُوعُ، 7وَأَتَيَا بِالأَتَانِ وَالْجَحْشِ ، وَوَضَعَا عَلَيْهِمَا ثِيَابَهُمَا فَجَلَسَ عَلَيْهِمَا. 8وَالْجَمْعُ الأَكْثَرُ فَرَشُوا ثِيَابَهُمْ فِي الطَّرِيقِ. وَآخَرُونَ قَطَعُوا أَغْصَاناً مِنَ الشَّجَرِ وَفَرَشُوهَا فِي الطَّرِيقِ. 9وَالْجُمُوعُ الَّذِينَ تَقَدَّمُوا وَالَّذِينَ تَبِعُوا كَانُوا يَصْرَخُونَ قَائِليِنَ : ((أُوصَنَّا لاِبْنِ دَاوُدَ! مُبَارَكٌ الآتِي بِاسْمِ الرَّبِّ! أُوصَنَّا فِي الأَعَالِي!)). 10وَلَمَّا دَخَلَ أُورُشَلِيمَ ارْتَجَّتِ الْمَدِينَةُ كُلُّهَا قَائِلَةً: ((مَنْ هَذَا؟)) 11فَقَالَتِ الْجُمُوعُ: ((هَذَا يَسُوعُ النَّبِيُّ الَّذِي مِنْ نَاصِرَةِ الْجَلِيلِ)). 15فَلَمَّا رَأَى رُؤَسَاءُ الْكَهَنَةِ وَالْكَتَبَةِ الْعَجَائِبَ الَّتِي صَنَعَ ، وَالأَوْلاَدَ يَصْرَخُونَ فِي الْهَيْكَلِ وَيَقُولُونَ: ((أُوصَنَّا لاِبْنِ دَاوُدَ ! )) ، غَضِبُوا 16وَقَالُوا لَهُ: ((أَتَسْمَعُ مَا يَقُولُ هَؤُلاَءِ؟)) فَقَالَ لَهُمْ يَسُوعُ: ((نَعَمْ! أَمَا قَرَأْتُمْ قَطُّ: مِنْ أَفْوَاهِ الأَطْفَالِ وَالرُّضَّعِ هَيَّأْتَ تَسْبِيحاً؟)). 17ثُمَّ تَرَكَهُمْ وَخَرَجَ خَارِجَ الْمَدِينَةِ إِلَى بَيْتِ عَنْيَا وَبَاتَ هُنَاكَ. 

 

 


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. 4th Tone. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

البروكيمنون. 4th Tone. مزمور 117: 26، 1.
مبارك الآتي باسم الرب
Verse: احمدوا الرب لأنه صالح لأن إلى الأبد رحمته

فصل من رسالة بولس الى اهل فِيلِبِّي 4: 4-9.

يَُّا إِخْوَة، اِفْرَحُوا فِي الرَّبِّ كُلَّ حِينٍ وَأَقُولُ أَيْضاً افْرَحُوا. لِيَكُنْ حِلْمُكُمْ مَعْرُوفاً عِنْدَ جَمِيعِ النَّاسِ. الرَّبُّ قَرِيبٌ. لاَ تَهْتَمُّوا بِشَيْءٍ، بَلْ فِي كُلِّ شَيْءٍ بِالصَّلاَةِ وَالدُّعَاءِ مَعَ الشُّكْرِ، لِتُعْلَمْ طِلْبَاتُكُمْ لَدَى اللهِ. وَسَلاَمُ اللهِ الَّذِي يَفُوقُ كُلَّ عَقْلٍ يَحْفَظُ قُلُوبَكُمْ وَأَفْكَارَكُمْ فِي الْمَسِيحِ يَسُوعَ. أَخِيراً أَيُّهَا الإِخْوَةُ كُلُّ مَا هُوَ حَقٌّ، كُلُّ مَا هُوَ جَلِيلٌ، كُلُّ مَا هُوَ عَادِلٌ، كُلُّ مَا هُوَ طَاهِرٌ، كُلُّ مَا هُوَ مُسِرٌّ، كُلُّ مَا صِيتُهُ حَسَنٌ إِنْ كَانَتْ فَضِيلَةٌ وَإِنْ كَانَ مَدْحٌ، فَفِي هَذِهِ افْتَكِرُوا. وَمَا تَعَلَّمْتُمُوهُ، وَتَسَلَّمْتُمُوهُ، وَسَمِعْتُمُوهُ، وَرَأَيْتُمُوهُ فِيَّ، فَهَذَا افْعَلُوا، وَإِلَهُ السَّلاَمِ يَكُونُ مَعَكُمْ.


Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

Palm Sunday
يوحنا 12: 1-18

1 قَبْلَ الْفِصْحِ بِسِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ أَتَى يَسُوعُ إِلَى بَيْتِ عَنْيَا، حَيْثُ كَانَ لِعَازَرُ الْمَيْتُ الَّذِي أَقَامَهُ مِنَ الأَمْوَاتِ. 2فَصَنَعُوا لَهُ هُنَاكَ عَشَاءً. وَكَانَتْ مَرْثَا تَخْدِمُ، وَأَمَّا لِعَازَرُ فَكَانَ أَحَدَ الْمُتَّكِئِينَ مَعَهُ.3فَأَخَذَتْ مَرْيَمُ مَناً مِنْ طِيبِ نَارِدِينٍ خَالِصٍ كَثِيرِ الثَّمَنِ، وَدَهَنَتْ قَدَمَيْ يَسُوعَ، وَمَسَحَتْ قَدَمَيْهِ بِشَعْرِهَا، فَامْتَلأَ الْبَيْتُ مِنْ رَائِحَةِ الطِّيبِ. 4فَقَالَ وَاحِدٌ مِنْ تلاَمِيذِهِ، وَهُوَ يَهُوذَا سِمْعَانُ الإِسْخَرْيُوطِيُّ، الْمُزْمِعُ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَهُ: 5((لِمَاذَا لَمْ يُبَعْ هَذَا الطِّيبُ بِثَلاَثَمِئَةِ دِينَارٍ وَيُعْطَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ؟)) 6قَالَ هَذَا لَيْسَ لأَنَّهُ كَانَ يُبَالِي بِالْفُقَرَاءِ، بَلْ لأَنَّهُ كَانَ سَارِقاً، وَكَانَ الصُّنْدُوقُ عِنْدَهُ، وَكَانَ يَحْمِلُ مَا يُلْقَى فِيهِ. 7فَقَالَ يَسُوعُ: ((اتْرُكُوهَا! إِنَّهَا لِيَوْمِ تَكْفِينِي قَدْ حَفِظَتْهُ، 8لأَنَّ الْفُقَرَاءَ مَعَكُمْ فِي كُلِّ حِينٍ، وَأَمَّا أَنَا فَلَسْتُ مَعَكُمْ فِي كُلِّ حِينٍ)). 9فَعَلِمَ جَمْعٌ كَثِيرٌ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ أَنَّهُ هُنَاكَ، فَجَاءُوا لَيْسَ لأَجْلِ يَسُوعَ فَقَطْ، بَلْ لِيَنْظُرُوا أَيْضاً لِعَازَرَ الَّذِي أَقَامَهُ مِنَ الأَمْوَاتِ. 10فَتَشَاوَرَ رُؤَسَاءُ الْكَهَنَةِ لِيَقْتُلُوا لِعَازَرَ أَيْضاً، 11لأَنَّ كَثِيرِينَ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ كَانُوا بِسَبَبِهِ يَذْهَبُونَ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِيَسُوعَ.12وَفِي الْغَدِ سَمِعَ الْجَمْعُ الْكَثِيرُ الَّذِي جَاءَ إِلَى الْعِيدِ أَنَّ يَسُوعَ آتٍ إِلَى أُورُشَلِيمَ، 13فَأَخَذُوا سُعُوفَ النَّخْلِ وَخَرَجُوا لِلِقَائِهِ، وَكَانُوا يَصْرُخُونَ: ((أُوصَنَّا! مُبَارَكٌ الآتِي بِاسْمِ الرَّبِّ! مَلِكُ إِسْرَائِيلَ!)) 14وَوَجَدَ يَسُوعُ جَحْشاً فَجَلَسَ عَلَيْهِ كَمَا هُوَ مَكْتُوبٌ: 15((لاَ تَخَافِي يَا ابْنَةَ صَهْيَوْنَ. هُوَذَا مَلِكُكِ يَأْتِي جَالِساً عَلَى جَحْشِ أَتَانٍ)). 16وَهَذِهِ الأُمُورُ لَمْ يَفْهَمْهَا تَلاَمِيذُهُ أَوَّلاً، وَلَكِنْ لَمَّا تَمَجَّدَ يَسُوعُ، حِينَئِذٍ تَذَكَّرُوا أَنَّ هَذِهِ كَانَتْ مَكْتُوبَةً عَنْهُ، وَأَنَّهُمْ صَنَعُوا هَذِهِ لَهُ. 17وَكَانَ الْجَمْعُ الَّذِي مَعَهُ يَشْهَدُ أَنَّهُ دَعَا لِعَازَرَ مِنَ الْقَبْرِ وَأَقَامَهُ مِنَ الأَمْوَاتِ. 18لِهَذَا أَيْضاً لاَقَاهُ الْجَمْعُ، لأَنَّهُمْ سَمِعُوا أَنَّهُ كَانَ قَدْ صَنَعَ هَذِهِ الآيَةَ.

 

 


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Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the 1st Tone

In confirming the common Resurrection, O Christ God, Thou didst raise up Lazarus from the dead before Thy Passion. Wherefore, we also, like the children, bearing the symbols of victory, cry to Thee, the Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

أيها المسيح الإله، لما أقمت لعازر من بين الأموات قبل آلامك ، حققت القيامة العامة، لأجل ذلك ونحن كالأطفال، نحمل علامات الغلبة والظفر صارخين نحوك ياغالب الموت: أوصنا في الأعالي، مبارك الآتي باسم الرب!

Apolytikion of Hieromartyr Hypatius in the First Tone

Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh, and a wonderworker, O Hypatius, our God-bearing Father. By fasting, vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him that hath given thee strength. Glory to Him that hath crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.

Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the 4th Tone

As by baptism we were buried with Thee, O Christ our God, so by Thy Resurrection we were deemed worthy of immortal life; and praising Thee, we cry: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

أيها المسيح الإله ، لما أقمت لعازر من بين الأموات قبل آلامك ، حققت القيامة العامة ، لأجل ذلك ونحن كالأطفال ، نحمل علامات الغلبة والظفر صارخين نحوك ياغالب الموت : أوصنا في الأعالي ، مبارك الآتي باسم الرب!

Seasonal Kontakion in the 6th Tone

In Heaven, He is seated upon a Throne and on earth He rides upon a foal. O Christ our God, accept the praise of the Angels and the hymn of the Children who cry out to You, "Blessed are You who comes to recall Adam."

Kontakion of Hieromartyr Hypatius in the Third Tone

Celebrating blamelessly the sacred rites, O Hypatius, thou didst greatly multiply the talent that thou wast given; and when thou didst strive in contest, thou wast presented as a godly sacrifice and holy first-fruits unto Him that glorified thee with signs and wonders that tongue of man cannot tell.
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Forms & Flyers

    Lent Services

    Lent Services

    Saturday April 12th: Lazarus Saturday Matins 9:00 am Liturgy 10:00 am. Vespers 1:00 pm Sunday April 13th: Palm Sunday Matins 8:15 am Liturgy 9:30 am. Holy Week Schedule is attached.


    Fundraiser

    Fundraiser

    Palm Sunday Luncheon


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    Bier of Christ


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    Bier of Christ - QR code


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Support St. Stephens

It is our hope that you will support our church so that we can continue to support our community, with the Good Lord’s blessings. Please note that no amount of help is too small, as every bit helps. We thank you in advance and may our Lord keep you in His care.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

But observe the wisdom of the Evangelist, how he is not ashamed to parade their former ignorance. That it was written they knew, that it was written of Him they knew not. For it would have offended them if He being a King were about to suffer such things, and be so betrayed.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

Besides, they could not at once have taken in the knowledge of the Kingdom of which He spake; for another Evangelist saith, that they thought the words were spoken of a kingdom of this world. (Matt. xx. 21.)
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

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