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

When You did descend unto death, O Life Immortal,

then did You slay Hades with the lightning of Your

Divinity. And when You did also raise the dead out of

the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens

cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be 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.

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/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 7th

ecumenical synod

Philip the Apostle of the 70, one of the 7 Deacons, Theophanes the Confessor, Bishop of Nicaea, Holy

Martyrs Zenais and Philonilla

October 11th, 2015

Todays scripture readings

Epistle reading

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

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.

Daniel 3.26,27

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.

Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

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

Gospel of Luke 8:5-15

The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path,

and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it

grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew

with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." And when his

disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the

kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they

may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are

those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not

believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with

joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what

fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares

and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are

those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with

patience." As he said these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Announcements

Liturgical/Program Schedule:

Tuesday Oct. 13th: Philoptochos Meeting, 6pm

Wednesday Oct. 14th: GOYA Faith Night, 7pm

Todays Memorial Service: Mr. Nicholich Simos- 18yrs Ms. Tamara Woronocow- 3yrs

Philoptochos Fundraiser: During the month of October the Philoptochos will be doing a new and unique fundraiser to help raise funds for our ministries. We are going to be selling soap. Herbaria soap is high quality, all

natural soap. These soaps do not contain any animal products, chemicals, dyes or artificial fragrances, they only use

essential oils to give them a wonderful smell. They make great gifts for Christmas, a hostess gift or for that one

person who has everything. Everyone needs soap, why not make it a special one. We will have samples for people to

see and smell, I promise you will not be disappointed. If this is not something you want to purchase for yourself,

might I suggest a donation to our Philoxenia house for our guests or to the Dorothy Day House which is a temporary

shelter for those who find themselves in crisis and are in need of the basic requirements of food, clothing and

shelter.

Joining Philoptochos: October is our membership enrollment month and our time to recruit new members. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Philoptochos Society, or ever wondered what we do. Please do not

hesitate to contact any member or myself personally. We would love to have you! The next Philoptochos meeting will

be on Tuesday, October 13th 6pm

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.

Pearls from the Desert

Whomever the Lord visits with a grievous trial, with sorrow or with the deprivation of a beloved neighbor, such a person will involuntarily pray with his whole heart, with all his thoughts and with all his mind. Consequently, the

wellspring of prayer is in everyone it is tapped either by gradually delving deeper into oneself in accordance with the teachings of the Fathers, or instantaneously, thunderstruck by Gods piercing to the core of the soul. - Elder

Leonid of Optina (17681841)

TODAYS COMMEMORATIONS

1. The Holy Apostle Philip

Philip was born in Palestinian Caesarea. He was married and had four daughters. All four were endowed

by God with the gift of prophecy, and all four were vowed virgins for the sake of Christ. When the holy

apostles chose deacons, Philip was chosen with Stephen and the others. He served the needy and widows

with great diligence. When the persecution of Christians began in Jerusalem, Apostle Philip found refuge

in Samaria, and there preached the Gospel and gave witness by many miracles: driving out demons,

healing the sick, and so forth. Seeing the miracles of the holy apostle, Simon the Magician was baptized.

St. Philip also baptized the eunuch of Queen Candace. After that, an angel of God suddenly and invisibly

translated him to Azotus, where he taught, preached and converted many to Christ. Philip was appointed

Bishop of Tralles. He reposed peacefully in deep old age, and took up his habitation in the joy of his

Lord.

2. The Commemoration of the Seventh Ecumenical Council

The Seventh Ecumenical Council was held in 787 at Nicaea during the reign of the devout Empress Irene

and her son, Constantine, in the time of Patriarch Tarasius. This Council finally confirmed the veneration

of icons, justifying it by Holy Scripture, by the witness of the Holy Fathers, and by the undeniable

example of miracles manifested through the holy icons. Adding to examples of miracles previously cited,

Bishop Constantine of Cyprus recounted this: One day, a certain shepherd from the town of Constantia

drove his flock to pasture, and there saw an icon of the Most-holy Theotokos, all decorated with flowers

by the faithful. ``Why render so much honor to a rock?'' said the shepherd, who had obviously been

brought up in iconoclasm. He struck the icon with his iron shepherd's cane, and damaged the right eye of

the image of the Mother of God. As soon as he turned away, he stumbled over that same cane and gouged

out his own right eye. Thus injured, he returned to the city, crying out tearfully that the punishment of the

Theotokos had befallen him. This Council also decreed that the holy relics of a martyr be placed, without

fail, in the Antimension. Three hundred and sixty-seven Fathers participated in this Council.

3. The Venerable Theophanes the Branded

Theophanes was a confessor and writer of canons. He was born in Arabia of wealthy and pious parents.

With his brother Theodore (December 27), he was tonsured a monk in the Monastery of St. Sava the

Sanctified. As they were very educated monks, Patriarch Thomas of Jerusalem sent them to Emperor Leo

the Armenian, to justify and defend the veneration of icons. The iniquitous emperor harshly tortured these

holy brothers and cast them into prison. Later, the iconoclastic Emperor Theophilus resumed their torture

and commanded that words of mockery be branded on their faces, to expose them to the ridicule of the

world. When the iconoclastic controversy was resolved, Theophanes was freed, and shortly thereafter was

consecrated a bishop. He died peacefully in the year 847, having suffered for the holy icons for a total of

twenty-five years. He wrote 145 Canons. He entered into the eternal joy of his Lord.