SS. kosmas & damianos Orthodox Church (goa)
703 W. Center Street, Rochester, MN (507) 282-1529 http://www.rochesterorthodoxchurch.org
[email protected] Rev. Fr. Mark Muoz, Proistamenos
/APOLYTIKIA FOR TODAY
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Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for
the Lord has wrought might with His arm, He has
trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the
dead has He become. From the depths of Hades has
He delivered us, and has granted great mercy to the
world.
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O Holy Apostle Onesimus, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls
forgiveness of sins.
/KONTAKION FOR TODAY
O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will
bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will
become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by
Your right hand, O Judge most just.
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Judgment Sunday (meatfare)
Onesimus the Apostle of the 70, Our Righteous Father Anthimus the Elder of Chios, Eusebius of Syria
February 15th, 2015
*No meat consumptions this week, fish/eggs/dairy permitted*
Todays scripture readings
Epistle reading
St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2
Prokeimenon: The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.
Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we
do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any
one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his
conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed,
the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience
when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never
eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall. Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our
Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for
you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Gospel pericope
Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46
The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit
on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from
another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand,
but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave
me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and
you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous
will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And
when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you
sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one
of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from
me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave
me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me,
naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will
answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did
not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of
these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal
life."
Announcements
Liturgical/Program Schedule:
Mon. Feb. 16th: Mental Illness & Spiritual Healing Class, 6pm
Wed. Feb. 18th: Building Committee Meeting, 5pm
Wed. Feb. 18th: Parish Council Meeting, 6:30pm
Thurs. Feb. 19th: St. Philothei the Martyr, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am
Thurs. Feb. 19th: St. Philothei Project (Womens Shelter), 6pm
Sat. Feb. 21st: 2nd Saturday of Souls, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am
Sun. Feb. 22nd: Cheesefare Luncheon following Divine Liturgy
Sun. Feb. 22nd: Forgiveness Vespers (Beginning of Great & Holy Lent), 6pm
Congratulations to Theoni Kolas: GOA Youth held a nationwide video context Orthodoxy in Motion
inviting teens to submit their reflections on the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at
Ground Zero. The videos were viewed and voted on by the public. The top 5 went through a formal
judging process through GOA Youth. Our very own Theoni took FIRST PLACE!
Forgiveness Vespers: will be celebrated next Sunday eve at 6pm. This is the actual beginning of Lent
and the Church literally transforms before our eyes from bright and joyful to dark and solemn. At the
conclusion of the service a receiving line of sorts is made and all the faithful embrace one another
asking forgiveness. What an excellent way to inaugurate the period of the Holy Fast!
Winter Greek Fest: A HUGE thanks to all those who volunteered their time and talent last week for our
6th Annual Winter Greek Fest! We had another very successful event thanks to the tireless, hard workers
of our parish!
Holy Week Liturgical Books: We have ordered several copies of the official Holy Week Book endorsed
by our Metropolis. This comprehensive book, compiled by Fr. Pappadeas, will be used exclusively for all
the liturgical celebrations from Palm Sunday evening through the Agapi Vespers on Pascha. Each book is
$25, and should be available soon.
HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNIONOnly Orthodox Christians (i.e. the Orthodox Church does not observe open communion) in good standing are encouraged to receive Holy Communion frequently, provided they have prepared themselves spiritually, mentally and physically. They must be on time for the Divine Liturgy, and be in a Christ-like, humble state of mind. They should be in a confession relationship with their priest or spiritual father, have observed the fasts of the Church, and they should have self-examined their conscience. On the day of receiving Holy Communion, it is not proper to eat or drink anything before coming to church. When you approach to receive Holy Communion, state your Christian (baptismal) name clearly, and hold the red communion cloth to your chin. After receiving, wipe your lips on the cloth, step back carefully, hand the cloth to the next person and make the sign of the Cross as you step away. Please do not be in a rush while communing! Please take special care not to bump the Holy Chalice.
Didactic Hymnography: Musicology as Theologythe Triodion Hymns
Adam was banished from Paradise through disobedience and cast out from delight, beguiled by the words of a woman. Naked he sat opposite the place, lamenting Woe is me! Therefore let us
all make haste to accept the season of the Fast and obey the traditions of the Gospel, that through them we may become well-pleasing to Christ and once more receive Paradise as our dwelling.
With great joy, believers, let us welcome the inspired proclamation of the Fast, as the Ninevites did of old and as prostitutes and tax collectors the preaching of repentance by John. Through self-mastery let us prepare for communion of the Masters sacred mystery in Sion. Through tears let us be
cleansed before the divine Washing of the feet there. Let us pray to see there the fulfillment of the Pascha that was a type and revelation of the true. Let us be made ready for the worship of the Cross and the Rising of Christ our God, as we cry out to him, Do not put us to shame and deprive us of our expectation, O Lover of mankind! Of what great blessings, wretch that I am, have I deprived myself! From what a kingship in my misery have I fallen! I have wasted the wealth that I received, I have transgressed the commandment. Alas, unhappy soul ! You are henceforth condemned to the eternal fire. Therefore before the end cry out to Christ our God, Receive me as the Prodigal Son, O God, and have mercy on me. Loving Father, I have gone far from you, but do not forsake me, nor declare me unfitted for your Kingdom. The all-evil enemy has stripped me naked and taken all my wealth. I have squandered like the Profligate the graces given to my soul. But now I have arisen and returned, and I cry aloud to you, Make me as one of your hired servants, you who for my sake stretched
out your spotless hands on the Cross, to snatch me from the fearsome beast and to clothe me once again in the first robe, for you alone art full of mercy. O Christ our God, of your own will you accepted Crucifixion, for the common restoration of mankind. Taking the reed pen of the Cross, out of love for mankind, in the red ink of royalty with bloody fingers you signed our absolution. Do not forsake us, who are in danger once again of being parted from you. Take pity on your people in distress, for you alone are longsuffering. Rise up and fight against our enemies, as you are all- powerful.
Saturday of Souls Notes
Please have in mind the following guidelines as we begin the Saturday of Souls
commemorations: Kollyva(boiled wheat) should be brought to Church before or during the
Orthros service; it is inappropriate to bring kollyva to the solea after the Liturgy has begun.
Also, if you bring names for commemoration please bring kollyva to
accompany them just as you would any other memorial service you
might mark throughout the year. Please write the names of the
Orthodox departed in a clear and legible manner especially if the
names are written in Greek. If you have names of non-Orthodox
please write those names at the bottom of your list and designate
them as such. These names are commemorated separately by the
priest outside of the official liturgical service. Kollyva can be as simple or elaborate as you
choose; each family has their own tradition/recipe and creativity is always welcome! In contrast
to the Paraklesis service where I keep the names for all the separate services, the Psychosabbaton
names are only read for that particular Liturgy. If you would like names to be commemorated at
all three Psychosabbata Liturgies please bring the kollyva and names to each service.
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Pearls from the desert
It is no great thing not to judge and to be sympathetic to
someone who is in trouble and falls down before you, but it is a
great thing not to judge or to strike back when someone, on
account of his own passions, speaks against you. Likewise, it is a
great thing not to disagree when someone else is honored more
than you are.-Dorotheos of Gaza (Palestine, 6th century)
2015 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
This year our Parish Oratorical Festival will take place during coffee hour on Sunday,
March 1st. All children are asked to participate in this event; registration forms are
available from Amy Franquiera. The categories include speech, essay, poem, and
iconography. Although all categories are welcome this year we are emphasizing
speeches. Parents and/or Catechetical Teachers can assist children with their projects.
There are several different themes for each division. Divisions include Elementary
(preschool-6th grade), Junior (7th-9th grades), and Senior (10th-12th grades). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
3rd Sunday of the Triodion: Judgment Sunday It is a strong conviction and belief of the Church that Christ will come a second time into the world, not to save the world, but in "glory" to judge the world. In as much
as God knew in advance the destiny of each man, why did He not prevent the non-believers and wrong-doers from being born and being condemned everlastingly,
someone might ask. The fate of people is wrought on this earth, because after death, there is no opportunity for repentance in order to better one's state. Man's finite mind cannot comprehend God's love for his salvation and judgment for his
condemnation. Yet, here is the center of the belief that there is a Supreme Judge for those who committed iniquities and wrong-doings without punishment or
discovery while on earth. Approaching Lent and Pascha, the Christian is admonished to correct his faults by fasting, praying and almsgiving, as recorded in the Gospel passage of the day. The Last Judgment will be made according to the
good works of each person as a result of his faith in and worship of God. These good works are directed to the "least", those in need, as Christ Himself says, "as
you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me", (v. 45). This Sunday is the last day before Lent that the believer eats meat.
Todays liturgical commemorations
1. THE HOLY APOSTLE ONESIMUS
Onesimus was one of the Seventy Lesser Apostles. He
was a slave of Philemon but transgressed against his
master and fled to Rome where he heard the Gospel
from the Apostle Paul and was baptized. Since the
Apostle Paul earlier converted Philemon to the True
Faith, he reconciled the two of them, Philemon and
Onesimus, master and slave, writing a special epistle
to Philemon. It is one of the most emotional
compositions which exists in Holy Scripture. "I urge
you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I
have become in my imprisonment. Perhaps this is why
he was away from you for a while, that you might
have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more
than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me"
(Philemon 1:10,15,16). Moved by this letter Philemon, indeed, received Onesimus as a brother
freeing him from slavery. Later, Onesimus was consecrated a bishop by the apostles themselves
and accepted the episcopal throne at Ephesus following the Apostle Timothy. This is evident
from the Epistle of Ignatius the God-bearer [Theophorus]. At the time of Trajan's persecution,
Onesimus, already an old man, was arrested and brought to Rome. In Rome, Onesimus gave an
accounting of himself before judge Tertycus, was imprisoned and finally beheaded. A wealthy
woman removed his body, placed it in a silver__arcophagus and buried it honorably in the year
109 A.D.
2. THE VENERABLE EUSEBIUS, A SYRIAN HERMIT
In the beginning Eusebius lived an asectical life under the direction of holy men and later he
withdrew and became a recluse. He fed entirely on plant life. He did not even taste fruit. He
spent all of his time in prayer in the open spaces enduring all conditions of weather. He lived to
be ninety-five years of age and died peacefully in the year 440 A.D.