2011.07.31 - 7th Sunday of Matthew

Holy anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church

703 W. Center Street, Rochester, MN (507) 282-1529 http://www.holyanargyroi.org [email protected] Rev. Fr. Mark Muoz, Proistamenos
/APOLYTIKIA FOR TODAY , , , . , , , , , . The heavenly powers appeared at Your tomb, and those guarding it became like dead. Mary stood at Your grave seeking Your pure body. You stripped the power of Hades, not touched by its corruption. You met the virgin woman as one who grants life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to You. , , , , , . Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. Grant victory to the faithful against the enemies of the Faith, and protect your commonwealth by the power of Your cross.
/KONTAKION FOR TODAY , , , , , , . , , , , . O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant: despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our aid who in faith cry unto you: Hasten to intercede, and speed to make supplication, you who ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor you.

7th Sunday of st. Matthew

Forefeast of the Precious Cross, St. Joseph of Arimathea, St. Evdokimos of Cappadocia July 31st, 2011
Todays scripture readings

Epistle reading
St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 15:1-7 BRETHREN, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Gospel periscope
Matthew 9:27-35 At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons." And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
COMMUNION PRAYERS
I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You. Have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And make me worthy without condemnation to partake of Your pure Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Amen. Behold, my Maker, I approach Holy Communion. Burn me not as I partake, for You are fire which burns the unworthy, but cleanse me from every stain. Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to You: Lord, remember me in Your kingdom. Seeing the Divine Blood, have fear, O man, for it is coal that burns the unworthy. It is Gods Body that deifies and nourishes me; it deifies the spirit and nourishes the mind mystically. You have smitten me with yearning, O Christ, and with Your divine love You have changed me. Burn away my sins with spiritual fire and make me worthy to be filled with Your joy, that rejoicing in Your goodness, I may magnify Your two Comings. How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your saints? If I dare to enter the bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being bound up, I shall be cast out by the angels. In Your love, Lord, cleanse the vileness of my soul and save me. Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these holy Gifts be to my condemnation because of my unworthiness, but for the cleansing and sanctification of soul and body and the pledge of the future life and kingdom. It is good for me to cling to God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation. Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies. Nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to You: Lord remember me in Your kingdom.
Announcements
Liturgical/Program Schedule: Mon. August 1st: Vacation Church School, 9am, Paraklesis Service, 6pm (names of living only) Tues. August 2nd: Vacation Church School, 9am, Paraklesis, 6pm Wed. August 3rd: Vacation Church School, 9am, Paraklesis, 6pm Thurs. August 4th: Vacation Church School, 9am, Paraklesis, 6pm Fri. August 5th: Vacation Church School 9am, Vespers for Transfiguration, 6pm Sat. August 6th: Feast of the Transfiguration, Orthros/Liturgy 8:30am Greek Fest 11: is quickly approaching! Our festival has grown over the years which translates
into more work and more workers needed. Subcommittee leads will be contacting parishioners to solicit their assistance. Please consider your availability for working shifts on the weekend of Aug. 26th-28th. Thank you to all who are anticipating lending a hand this year! Discounted Festival Tickets: are also now available for advance purchase, please remember to get the word out with your family, friends, and co-workers! 12 tickets for $10, normally a $1 each. Please note that all parishioners and volunteers will be expected to pay for their foodlast year we ate into our profits by providing meals gratis. This is a crucial fundraiser for our parish and our cooperation is necessary to ensure its success.
HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNIONOnly Orthodox Christians 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.
Todays liturgical commemorations

1. SAINT EUDOCIMUS: Eudocimus was born in Cappadocia of devout parents, Basil and Eudocia. At the time of the Emperor Theophilus (829-842 A.D.), Eudocimus was a young officer in the army. Even as an officer, he exerted all effort to live according to the commandments of the Holy Gospel. Preserving his purity undefiled, he avoided conversing with any woman, except his mother; he was merciful toward the misfortunate and needy, conscientious in reading holy books and more conscientious in his prayers to God. He avoided vain gatherings and verbosity. "Among the throngs and worldly vanity, he was a lily among thorns and as gold in the fire." Because of his unusual good works, the emperor appointed him as the commander of Cappadocia. In this high position, Eudocimus strived to be just before God and before men. According to the Providence of God he died at an early age, in his thirty-third year. His relics were found to possess healing properties. An insane man touched his grave and immediately became whole; a child also touched his grave and was made whole. After eighteen months, his mother opened his coffin and found his body as though it were still alive, without any signs of decay or corruption. A wonderful aroma emitted from the body of the saint. His relics were later translated to Constantinople and buried in the new church of the Holy Theotokos which the parents of this righteous Eudocimus built. 2. THE HOLY FEMALE MARTYR JULITA: Julita was from Caesarea in Cappadocia. She had a dispute with her neighbor over some property. The neighbor went to the judge and reported that Julita was a Christian which, at that time, meant the same thing as being outside the protection of the state. St. Julita gladly denied her property rather than her faith. But even after that, the evil pagans did not leave her in peace but tortured her and finally burned her alive in the year 303 A.D. Thus, this follower of Christ sacrificed her estate and her body for the sake of the eternal salvation of her soul. 3. SAINT JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA: The noble Joseph, a wealthy man and member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, was secretly a follower of Christ. "Now when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, Joseph by name, who was himself a disciple of Jesus" (St. Matthew 27:57). "Now after these things Joseph of Arimathea, because he was a disciple of Jesus (although for fear of the Jews a secret one), besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus" (St. John 19:38). Together with Nicodemus, Joseph removed the body of Christ from the cross and placed it in his sepulchre. Because of this, he was shackled by the Jews and thrown into prison. But the resurrected Lord appeared to him and convinced him of His resurrection. After that, the Jews released him from prison and banished him from the fatherland. He went throughout the world to preach the Holy Gospel of Christ, and that "good news" he brought to England where he reposed in the Lord. 4. SAINT JOHN THE EXARCH: John was a distinguished Bulgarian priest and theologian during the time of Emperor Simeon (892-896 A.D.). He translated the "Six Days" by Basil and the "Exposition of the Orthodox Faith" by John Damascene into Slavonic. He died peacefully in the Lord.
Pearls from the desert

When a man partakes of Holy Communion he receives power and is enlightened, his horizons widen, and he feels joy. Each person experiences something different, analogous to his disposition and the flame of his soul. One person feels joy and rest, another peace, another a spirit of devotion and another an inexpressible sympathy towards all things. Personally I have often felt tire, but after Holy Communion I felt myself completely renewed. -Elder Amphilochios of Patmos, +1970 (we are blessed to have a portion of the Elders relics on our holy
altar here at Holy Anargyroi!)
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ETIQUETTE REMINDER: The summer months are now upon us and that means enjoying warm weather and fun in the sun. While shorts, capris, flip-flops, tank tops, spaghetti straps, etc. are practical and acceptable at the pool or the lake front they are not appropriate attire inside the Divine Services of the Church. At every Eucharistic celebration we are spiritually and physically brought in the awesome presence of Jesus Christ Himself, and when we commune He comes to dwell within us in a miraculous way. Therefore the sanctity, solemnity, and dignity of the Divine Liturgy must be preserved for the wellbeing of all. ***If you are inappropriately dressed please take a cover-up/shawl which are now available in the Narthex, and please do not be offended if youre asked to wear one. ***
Important Volunteer Opportunity

A beautiful new hand-carved Byzantine iconostasis is set to be installed the week of Aug. 8th just in time for the Feast of the Dormition and Greek Fest! Before the installation occurs the current iconostasis must be dismantled and removed by Aug. 9th. If you are interested in assisting in this transformative task please see Tim Kelly or Fr. Mark for more information! Persons experienced in carpentry are definitely needed, but not a prerequisite for volunteering. Thank you in advance!!!!!
Vacation Church School

Monday-Friday-August 1st-5th
Kindergarten-6th grade
Beginning at 9:00am through 12:00pm
Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
Sunday School Registration

New this year is registration for children in our Sunday School Program. The purpose of the registration is to ascertain the number of children in each class to ensure that the proper materials are ordered. Presbytera Michelle is in charge of the registration and would like everyone to know that if you have children between the ages of 3-18 she will be contacting you. If you have any questions regarding registration please email Presbytera at [email protected] First day of Sunday School is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 11th.
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Dormition Fast Begins Tomorrow!

The Feast of the Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15 each year. The Feast commemorates the repose (dormition and in the Greek kimisis) or "falling-asleep" of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord. The Feast also commemorates the translation or assumption into heaven of the body of the Theotokos. This great Feast of the Church and the icon celebrates a fundamental teaching of our faiththe Resurrection of the body. In the case of the Theotokos, this has been accomplished by the divine will of God. Thus, this Feast is a feast of hope, hope in Resurrection and life eternal. Like those who gathered around the body of the Virgin Mary, we gather around our departed loved ones and commend their souls into the hands of Christ. As we remember those who have reposed in the faith before us and have passed on into the communion of the Saints, we prepare ourselves to one day be received into the new life of the age to come. The commemoration of the Dormition of the Theotokos and the preparation for the Feast begin on August 1 with a period of fasting. A strict fast is followed on most of the days (no meat, dairy, oil, or wine), with the exceptions of fish on the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) and the day of the Dormition. Oil and Wine are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays. On the weekdays before the Feast, Paraklesis services are held in most parishes. These consist of the Great Paraklesis and the Small Paraklesis, both services of supplication and prayer for the intercessions of the Theotokos.

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Holy anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church

7th Sunday of st. Matthew

Todays scripture readings

Todays liturgical commemorations

Pearls from the desert

Important Volunteer Opportunity

Vacation Church School

Beginning at 9:00am through 12:00pm

Sunday School Registration

Dormition Fast Begins Tomorrow!

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