SS. kosmas & damianos Orthodox Church (goa)

703 W. Center Street, Rochester, MN (507) 282-1529 http://www.rochesterorthodoxchurch.org

office@rochesterorthodoxchurch.org Rev. Fr. Mark Muoz, Proistamenos

/APOLYTIKIA FOR TODAY

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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.

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Most glorified are You, O Christ our God, Who has established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the

earth, and through them did guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, glory be to You.

Thou didst love Christ from thy youth, O blessed one, and ardently desiring to work for Him alone, thou

didst struggle in the wilderness with constant prayer and labour; and having acquired love for Christ

with compunction of heart, thou didst prove to be the beloved favourite of the Mother of God. Wherefore,

we cry to thee: Save us by thy prayers, O Seraphim, our holy Father.

/KONTAKION FOR TODAY

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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.

Sunday of the holy fathers

St. Macrina sister of St. Basil, St. Dios of Antioch, Translation of the Holy Relics of Righteous

Seraphim of Sarov

July 19TH 2015

Todays scripture readings

Epistle reading

St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15

Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 2.

Psalm 31.11,1

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous.

Verse: Blessed are they whose transgressions have been forgiven.

TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed

in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But

avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable

and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do

with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned. When I send

Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the

winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack

nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need,

and not to be unfruitful. All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all. Amen.

Gospel pericope

Matthew 5:14-19

The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.

Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the

house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to

your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I

have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth

pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then

relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the

kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the

kingdom of heaven."

Announcements

Liturgical/Program Schedule:

Mon. July 20th: Prophet Elias, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am

Thurs. July 23rd: Thursdays on First, volunteers needed!

Coffee Hour: The Parish Council has been sponsoring the outdoor coffee fellowships on Sunday since

we lost use of the Fellowship Hall. Some people have asked if they could contribute so we are opening it

up for anyone to volunteer. We will try to continue them through the end of September, weather and

construction permitting. Volunteers are needed for the following dates: Aug 2 (fasting), Aug 16, Aug 23,

Sept 6, Sept 20, and Sept 27.There is a signup sheet on the bulletin board next to the office door. You

should bring finger-food only and beverages for non-coffee drinkers. The church will provide plates,

cups, and napkins. Please keep it simple.

Greek Fest Baking days: Please mark your calendars for the following dates: August 18th Cookies at

9:00am at Johnny's event center, August 19th Cookies at 9:00am at Johnny's event center, August 26th

Baklava at 10:00am at the Calvary Episcopal Church; The church is located on 3rd Ave and 2nd St. SW

downtown. ALL are encouraged to pitch in and help make on our most profitable product a success!

HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNIONOrthodox 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.

ETIQUETTE REMINDER:

For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to

the Lord.

The summer months will soon be upon us and that means enjoying warm weather and fun in the sun. While shorts (for males & females), capris, flip-flops, tank tops, spaghetti straps, short skirts well above the knees, etc. are practical and may be acceptable at the pool or the lake front they are not appropriate attire at church, and must not be worn during 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. ******Parents, your assistance and guidance are most

especially helpful and appreciated.******

Todays liturgical commemorations

1. THE VENERABLE FEMALE MACRINA

Macrina was the eldest sister of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory of Nyssa. As a young virgin,

Macrina was bethrothed to a nobleman. When her betrothed died, Macrina vowed never to enter

into marriage saying: "It is not right for a maiden once betrothed to a young man to seek another:

according to the law of nature there must be only one marriage as there is but one birth and one

death." She further justified this by her faith in the resurrection considering her bridegroom, not

dead but alive in God. "It is a sin and a shame," says Macrina, "for a wife not to safeguard her

faithfulness when her husband travels to a distant land." After this, together with her mother,

Emilia, she received the monastic tonsure in a convent, where they lived a life of asceticism with

other nuns. They lived from the labors of their hands devoting a greater part of their time to

godly thoughts, prayer and the constant uplifting of their minds to God. In time her mother died

and, afterward her brother Basil. Nine months after the death of St. Basil, Gregory came to visit

with his sister and found her on her death bed. Before her death, Macrina lifted up her prayers to

God: "You, O Lord, Who gives rest to our bodies in the sleep of death for a time, will again

awaken them [the bodies] at the last trump. Forgive me and when my soul divests itself of its

bodily attire and presents itself before You, pure and without sin, grant that it may be as incense

before You." After that she traced the sign of the cross on the forehead, eyes, face and on her

heart and gave up her soul. She found rest in the Lord in the year 379 A.D.

2. THE VENERABLE DIUS

Dius was born of Christian parents in Antioch, Syria. From his youth, he was taught by godly-inspired

men in the monastic life and in asceticism. Since he persevered in a lengthy and laborious battle with the

devil and passions of the flesh, God endowed Dius with the great gift of working miracles. In his prayers

he, most often, turned to the Holy Trinity. He performed great and awesome miracles through the power

of his prayers: he caused a withered staff to blossom, a dry well to be replenished with water and an

unbelieving man he struck dead and then resurrected him again. After two brief heavenly visions, Dius

departed from Antioch and settled in Constantinople where, in the proximity of the city, he continued his

life of asceticism. His fame spread rapidly and even Emperor Theodosius the Younger visited him to

receive counsel from him and Patriarch Atticus persuaded and ordained him a presbyter. Having lived for

many years, Dius began to prepare for death, received Holy Communion, instructed the brethren, lay

down on his bed and died before the eyes of all. The news of his death drew many people; even Patriarch

Atticus came with Alexander, the Patriarch of Antioch. When they were about to bury him, he suddenly

arose as though awakening from sleep and said: "God has given me fifteen more years of this life." St.

Dius lived for exactly fifteen years and led many to the path of salvation, healed many, helped many in

various misfortunes and needs and finally gave up his soul to the Lord, Whom he faithfully served all his

life. He died in the year 430 A.D. in extreme old age.