STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL...

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STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF BROOKLYN ΚΑΘΕΔΡΙΚΟΣ ΝΑΟΣ ΑΓΙΩΝ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΕΛΕΝΗΣ 64 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201 Telephone: (718) 624-0595 Fax Telephone: (718) 624-2228 www.stconstantinecathedral.org Dean: Fr. John K. Lardas—[email protected] *** ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH OF THE WTC ΝΑΟΣ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΥ ΤΟΥ WTC Ήχος πλ.Β-Εωθινόν Ευαγγέλιο Δ’ The Conception of the St. John the Baptist The Conception of the Venerable Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John: The holy Prophet Malachi prophesied that before the Messiah's birth His Forerunner would appear, and would indicate His coming. The Jews therefore in awaiting the Messiah also awaited the appearance of His Fore- runner. In a city of the hills of Judea in the land of Palestine lived the right- eous priest St Zachariah and his wife St Elizabeth, zealously observing the commandments of the Lord. The couple, however, had a misfortune: they re- mained childless in their old age, and they prayed unceasingly to God to grant them a child. Once, when St Zachariah took his turn as priest at the Temple of Jerusalem, he went into the Sanctuary to offer incense. Going behind the veil of the Sanctuary, he beheld an angel of God standing at the right side of the altar of incense. St Zachariah was astonished and halted in fear, but the angel said to him, "Fear not, Zachariah, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John." But Zachari- ah did not believe the words of the heavenly messenger, and then the angel said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you the good news. Behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words...." Mean- while, the people were waiting for Zachariah and they were astonished that he had not come out from the Sanctu- ary after so long a time. And when he did come out, he was supposed to pronounce a blessing upon the people, but could not do so because he had been struck speechless. When Zachariah explained by gestures that he was unable to speak, the people then understood that he had experienced a vision. The prophecy of the Archangel was ful- filled, and Righteous Elizabeth was delivered from her barrenness, and gave birth to John, the Forerunner and Bap- tist of the Lord. * * * On this day are celebrated God's mercy, His wondrous act and His wisdom: His mercy towards the devout and righteous parents of St John, the aged Zacharias and Elisabeth, who had all their lives begged a child of God; the wonder of the conception of John in Elisabeth's more-than-aged womb; and the wisdom of the dispensation of man's salvation. For John, God had a specially great plan: that he should be a prophet and the forerunner of Christ the Lord, the Saviour of the world. Through His angels, God revealed the birth of Isaac to the childless Sarah, and of Samson to the childless Manoah and his wife, and of John the Baptist to the childless Zacharias and Elisabeth. Through His angels, God revealed the birth of those for whom He had a special plan. How could children be born of aged parents? If someone is curious to find out, let him not ask men, for men do not know, nor does natural law (it being beyond natural law), but let him turn his gaze to the power of almighty God, who made the whole world from nothing and who, for the creation of Adam, the first man, used no parents, either young or old. Instead of be- ing curious, let us thank God that He often reveals to us His power and mercy and wisdom beyond the natural law, by which we would otherwise be fettered and, without these special wonders of God, would fall into despair and forgetfulness of Him.

Transcript of STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL...

  • STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN

    GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF BROOKLYN

    ΚΑΘΕΔΡΙΚΟΣ ΝΑΟΣ ΑΓΙΩΝ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΕΛΕΝΗΣ

    64 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201

    Telephone: (718) 624-0595 Fax Telephone: (718) 624-2228

    www.stconstantinecathedral.org

    Dean: Fr. John K. Lardas—[email protected]

    ***

    ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH OF THE WTC

    ΝΑΟΣ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΥ ΤΟΥ WTC Ήχος πλ.Β-Εωθινόν Ευαγγέλιο Δ’

    The Conception of the St. John the Baptist

    The Conception of the Venerable Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the

    Lord, John: The holy Prophet Malachi prophesied that before the Messiah's

    birth His Forerunner would appear, and would indicate His coming. The Jews

    therefore in awaiting the Messiah also awaited the appearance of His Fore-

    runner. In a city of the hills of Judea in the land of Palestine lived the right-

    eous priest St Zachariah and his wife St Elizabeth, zealously observing the

    commandments of the Lord. The couple, however, had a misfortune: they re-

    mained childless in their old age, and they prayed unceasingly to God to grant

    them a child. Once, when St Zachariah took his turn as priest at the Temple of

    Jerusalem, he went into the Sanctuary to offer incense. Going behind the veil

    of the Sanctuary, he beheld an angel of God standing at the right side of the

    altar of incense. St Zachariah was astonished and halted in fear, but the angel

    said to him, "Fear not, Zachariah, for your prayer is heard; and your wife

    Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John." But Zachari-

    ah did not believe the words of the heavenly messenger, and then the angel

    said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent

    to speak to you, and to bring you the good news. Behold, you will be silent

    and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words...." Mean-

    while, the people were waiting for Zachariah and they were astonished that he had not come out from the Sanctu-

    ary after so long a time. And when he did come out, he was supposed to pronounce a blessing upon the people, but

    could not do so because he had been struck speechless. When Zachariah explained by gestures that he was unable

    to speak, the people then understood that he had experienced a vision. The prophecy of the Archangel was ful-

    filled, and Righteous Elizabeth was delivered from her barrenness, and gave birth to John, the Forerunner and Bap-

    tist of the Lord.

    * * *

    On this day are celebrated God's mercy, His wondrous act and His wisdom: His mercy towards the devout and

    righteous parents of St John, the aged Zacharias and Elisabeth, who had all their lives begged a child of God; the

    wonder of the conception of John in Elisabeth's more-than-aged womb; and the wisdom of the dispensation of

    man's salvation. For John, God had a specially great plan: that he should be a prophet and the forerunner of Christ

    the Lord, the Saviour of the world. Through His angels, God revealed the birth of Isaac to the childless Sarah, and

    of Samson to the childless Manoah and his wife, and of John the Baptist to the childless Zacharias and Elisabeth.

    Through His angels, God revealed the birth of those for whom He had a special plan. How could children be born

    of aged parents? If someone is curious to find out, let him not ask men, for men do not know, nor does natural law

    (it being beyond natural law), but let him turn his gaze to the power of almighty God, who made the whole world

    from nothing and who, for the creation of Adam, the first man, used no parents, either young or old. Instead of be-

    ing curious, let us thank God that He often reveals to us His power and mercy and wisdom beyond the natural law,

    by which we would otherwise be fettered and, without these special wonders of God, would fall into despair and

    forgetfulness of Him.

  • Κυριακή 21η Σεπτεμβρίου, 2014

    Κυριακή: ΜΕΤΑ ΤΗΝ ΥΨΩΣΙΝ. Ἀπόδοσις

    τῆς Ἑορτῆς τῆς Ὑψώσεως τοῦ Τιμίου

    Σταυροῦ. Τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἀποστόλου Κοδράτου

    τοῦ ἐν τῇ Μαγνησίᾳ καί τοῦ Ἁγίου

    Προφήτου Ἰωνᾶ.

    Αναστάσιμο Απολυτίκιον-Ήχος πλ. Β

    Ἀγγελικαὶ Δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμά σου, καὶ οἱ

    φυλάσσοντες ἀπενεκρώθησαν, καὶ ἵστατο Μαρία

    ἐν τῷ τάφῳ, ζητοῦσα τὸ ἄχραντόν σου σῶμα.

    Ἐσκύλευσας τὸν ᾍδην, μὴ πειρασθεὶς ὑπ' αὐτοῦ,

    ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν, ὁ

    ἀναστὰς ἐκ των νεκρῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.

    Απολυτίκιον του Σταυρού

    Σώσον Κύριε τόν λαόν σου καί ευλόγησον τήν

    κληρονομίαν σου, νίκας τοίς Βασιλεύσι κατά

    βαρβάρων δωρούμενος καί τό σόν φυλάττων διά

    τού Σταυρού σου πολίτευμα.

    Απολύτίκιον Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης

    Τοῦ Σταυροῦ σου τὸν τύπον ἐν οὐρανῷ

    θεασάμενος, καὶ ὡς ὁ Παῦλος τὴν κλῆσιν οὐκ ἐξ

    ἀνθρώπων δεξάμενος, ὁ ἐν βασιλεῦσιν,

    Ἀπόστολός σου Κύριε, Βασιλεύουσαν πόλιν τῇ

    χειρί σου παρέθετο ἣν περίσῳζε διὰ παντὸς ἐν

    εἰρήνῃ, πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, μόνε

    Φιλάνθρωπε.

    Απολυτίκιον Αγίου Νικολάου

    Κανόνα πίστεως καὶ εἰκόνα πραότητος,

    ἐγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ἀνέδειξέ σε τῇ ποίμνῃ

    σου, ἡ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀλήθεια· διὰ τοῦτο

    ἐκτήσω τῇ ταπεινώσει τὰ ὑψηλά, τῇ πτωχείᾳ τὰ

    πλούσια, Πάτερ Ἱεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε

    Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

    Κοντάκιον του Σταυρού

    Ο υψωθείς εν τώ Σταυρώ εκουσίως, τή επωνύμω

    σου καινή πολιτεία, τούς οικτιρμούς σου

    δώρησαι, Χριστέ ο Θεός, Εύφρανον εν τή δυνάμει

    σου, τούς πιστούς Βασιλείς ημών, νίκας χορηγών

    αυτοίς, κατά τών πολεμίων, τήν συμμαχίαν

    έχοιεν τήν σήν, όπλον ειρήνης, αήττητον

    τρόπαιον.

    Sunday September 21st, 2014

    Sunday: After the Exaltation of the

    Cross. Afterfeast of the The Holy

    Cross.The Holy Apostle Kodratos of

    Magnesiaand of the Prophet Jonah.

    Resurrectional Apolytikion

    Angelic powers were above Thy tomb, and they

    that guarded Thee became as dead. And Mary

    stood by the grave seeking Thine immaculate

    Body. Thou hast despoiled Hades and wast not

    tried thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and

    didst grant us life. O Thou Who didst arise from

    the dead, Lord, glory be to Thee.

    Apolytikion in the First Tone

    Lord, save Your people and bless Your inher-

    itance, granting our rulers to prevail over adver-

    saries, and protecting Your commonwealth by

    Your Cross.

    Apolytikion of Sts. Constantine and Helen

    Having seen the image of Thy Cross in Heav-

    en, and like Paul, having received the call not

    from men, Thine apostle among kings entrust-

    ed the commonwealth to Thy hand, O Lord.

    Keep us always in peace, by the intercessions

    of the Theotokos, O only Friend of man.

    Apolytikion of St. Nicholas

    The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy

    flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness,

    and a teacher of temperance; for this cause,

    thou hast achieved the heights by humility,

    riches by poverty. O Father and Hierarch

    Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that our

    souls be saved.

    Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

    Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ

    God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth

    that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers

    by Your power, giving them victories over their

    adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a

    weapon for peace, an invincible standard.

  • Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.

    Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.

    Πρὸς Γαλάτας 2:16-20

    Ἀδελφοί, εἰδότες ὅτι οὐ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ

    Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν, ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ,

    καὶ οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου· διότι οὐ δικαιωθήσεται ἐξ ἔργων νόμου πᾶσα σάρξ. Εἰ δέ, ζητοῦντες

    δικαιωθῆναι ἐν Χριστῷ, εὑρέθημεν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἁμαρτωλοί, ἆρα Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίας διάκονος;

    Μὴ γένοιτο. Εἰ γὰρ ἃ κατέλυσα, ταῦτα πάλιν οἰκοδομῶ, παραβάτην ἐμαυτὸν συνίστημι. Ἐγὼ

    γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον, ἵνα θεῷ ζήσω. Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι· ζῶ δέ, οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ

    δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός· ὃ δὲ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, ἐν πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, τοῦ

    ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ.

    O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.

    Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

    St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20

    BRETHREN, you know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Je-

    sus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ,

    and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in

    our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an

    agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I

    prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I

    have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the

    life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself

    for me.

    Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 8.34-38, 9.1

    Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν

    αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι. ὃς γὰρ ἂν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι, ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ᾿

    ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, οὗτος σώσει αὐτήν. τί γὰρ

    ὠφελήσει ἄνθρωπον ἐὰν κερδήσῃ τὸν κόσμον ὅλον, καὶ ζημιωθῇ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ; ἢ τί δώσει

    ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν ἐπαισχυνθῇ με καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους ἐν

    τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ μοιχαλίδι καὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπαισχυνθήσεται αὐτὸν

    ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων τῶν ἁγίων. Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς·

    ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσί τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστηκότων, οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν

    ἴδωσι τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐληλυθυῖαν ἐν δυνάμει.

    The Gospel of Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

    The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross

    and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my

    sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and

    forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me

    and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be

    ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them,

    "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the

    kingdom of God come with power."

  • Παναγία η Μυρτιδιώτισσα

    Κανένα πρόσωπο, κανένας άγιος, δεν έχει τόσα ονόματα,

    όσα έχει η Μαρία η «Κεχαριτωμένη». Ονόματα, που

    αναφέρονται στην αρετή της: Άσπιλη, Αμόλυντη, Αγνή,

    Αγία, Παναγία. Ονόματα, που αναφέρονται στη θέση,

    που κατέχει τώρα στον ουρανό: Βασίλισσα,

    Παντάνασσα, Πλατυτέρα, Ενδοξότερα των Χερουβίμ.

    Ονόματα, που αναφέρονται στις εικόνες της:

    Πορταΐτισσα, Ρόδον το Αμάραντον, Γαλακτοτροφούσα,

    Δεομένη, Τριχερούσα. Ονόματα, που αναφέρονται στα

    σημεία και τα θαύματά της: Γρηγορούσα, Γοργοεπήκοος,

    Φανερωμένη, Ελεούσα, Γιάτρισσα. Ονόματα, που

    αναφέρονται στους τόπους, που τιμάται ιδιαιτέρως

    κάποια εικόνα της: Παναγία της Τήνου, Προυσώτιοοα,

    Χοζεβίτισσα, Μυρτιδιώτισσα. Το τελευταίο όνομα έχει

    σχέση με τη σημερινή γιορτή. Είναι της Παναγίας της

    Μυρτιδιώτισσας. Η ίδια η Παναγία είναι παντού. Αλλά

    κάθε τόπος της δίνει και ένα όνομα, για να θυμίσει

    κάποιο γεγονός, κάποιο ή κάποια θαύματα της

    Παναγίας. Σήμερα λοιπόν γιορτάζει η Μυρτιδιώτισσα.

    Πρόκειται για γιορτή δεμένη με το νησί των Κυθήρων,

    αλλά που ξαπλώνεται και σ’ ολόκληρο τον ορθόδοξο

    χώρο. Όπως το νερό, που βγαίνει μεν από μία πηγή, αλλά

    μετά γίνεται ρυάκι και ποτάμι και ποτίζει όλο τον κάμπο.

    Δύο τα κυριότερα στοιχεία της γιορτής: Η εικόνα και το

    θαύμα. Μία εικόνα της Παναγία βρέθηκε θαυματουργικά

    στα Κύθηρα, ανάμεσα σε μυρσίνες, που

    μοσχοβολούσαν. Γι’ αυτό και ονομάστηκε

    «Μυρτιδιώτισσα». Και το δεύτερο στοιχείο είναι τα

    θαύματα, που έκανε η εικόνα αυτή. Βεβαίως οι άπιστοι

    δεν τα δέχονται αυτά, όπως επίσης και οι αιρετικοί, όπως

    οι Χιλιοστές και οι Προτεστάντες. Αλλά και από τους

    λεγόμενους ορθοδόξους μερικοί θεωρούν υπερβολές

    ευσέβειας το να τιμάμε μία εικόνα ή τα θαύματα κάποιας

    εικόνας. Υπερβολή υπάρχει, όταν τιμάμε την Παναγία

    περισσότερο από το Χριστό, τον Υιό και Θεό της. Η

    Παναγία είναι άνθρωπος, θεωμένος κατά χάρη. Ο

    Χριστός είναι «κατ’ ουσίαν» Θεός. Εύρεση της εικόνας

    Μία εικόνα λοιπόν τιμάμε, αλλά και το θαύμα της

    εικόνας. Θαύμα! Να κάτι, που αμφισβητούν οι άπιστοι.

    Και όμως, το θαύμα είναι η φυσική κατάσταση για το

    Θεό. Το θαύμα είναι μπροστά μας, αρκεί να έχουμε

    ανοικτά τα μάτια μας. Όπου κι αν στρέψεις τα μάτια σου,

    θα δεις θαύματα. Όλος ο κόσμος είναι ένα θαύμα. Όλος ο

    άνθρωπος είναι ένα θαύμα. Όλη η ιστορία είναι ένα

    θαύμα. Όλη η Εκκλησία είναι ένα θαύμα. Ο κόσμος και η

    ιστορία είναι ένα υφαντό, που κέντησε ο Θεός με τη

    βελόνα, που λέγεται θαύμα! Το ένα θαύμα ακολουθεί το

    άλλο. Και με θαύματα συρράπτεται όλη η ζωή μας. «Και

    θαύμα συνάπτεται θαύματι» (Χρυσόστομος. Ε.Π.Ε.

    9,240).Τρία θαύματα είναι συνδεδεμένα με την εικόνα

    της Μυρτιδιώτισσας.1.Το πρώτο είναι η εύρεσή της.

    Παράξενο πράγμα φαίνεται να βρεθεί κατά

    θαυματουργικό τρόπο μία εικόνα; Αλλά σας ρωτώ; Π ο

    ιό είναι δυσκολότερο, να κατασκευαστεί μία εικόνα ή να

    δοθεί από τον κατασκευαστή της αυτή η εικόνα;

    Ασφαλώς το πρώτο. Ε, λοιπόν, ο Θεός, που έκανε το

    δυσκολότερο, δεν μπορούσε να κάνει το ευκολότερο; Το

    δύσκολο: Ο Θεός κατασκεύασε από ανθρώπινο υλικό

    την εικόνα, την ύπαρξη, που λέγεται Παναγία. Αυτός

    που έκανε το δύσκολο, έκανε και το πολύ εύκολο.

    Έκανε να βρεθεί η εικόνα της Παναγίας της

    Μυρτιδιώτισσας.Θαύμα γίνεται! Έχουμε την εύρεση

    αγίας εικόνας. Και, δόξα τω Θεώ, γίνονται τέτοια

    θαύματα, και είναι αυτά τα μεγαλύτερα και

    σπουδαιότερα. Αφού τέτοιες ευρέσεις γίνονται, η

    εύρεση της Μυρτιδιώτισσας δεν μπορούσε να γίνει;

    2.Τό δεύτερο θαύμα της εικόνας της Μυρτιδιώτισσας

    έχει σχέση μ’ ένα παράλυτο, που θεραπεύτηκε.

    Δύσκολο; Όχι. Ο Χριστός ανέστησε τόσους παραλύτους

    και δεν θα μπορούσε να δώσει στη Μητέρα του τη χάρη

    να θεραπεύσει ένα παράλυτο, όταν ο ίδιος στους

    Μαθητές του είπε, ότι όποιος πιστεύει σ’ Αυτόν «θα

    κάνει πολύ μεγαλύτερα απ’ αυτά»; (Ιωάν. 14,12).Θαύμα

    παραλύτου. Τέτοιο θαύμα ζητάει και η εποχή μας. Ο

    Χριστός θεράπευσε παράλυτα σώματα με το θαύματά

    του. Το σπουδαιότερο, θεράπευσε παράλυτες ψυχές με

    το λόγο του.3. Το τρίτο θαύμα της εικόνας της

    Μυρτιδιώτισσας έχει σχέση με φρούριο των Κυθήρων,

    που το έσωσε η θαυματουργή εικόνα από σεισμό.

    Φρούρια πολλά σείονται σήμερα. Κινδυνεύουν να

    πέσουν τα φρούρια, τα οχυρά της πίστεως, της ελπίδας,

    της αγάπης. Αν μπορούν όλα τα πολυβόλα και όλοι οι

    πύραυλοι του κόσμου να γκρεμίσουν τον ήλιο από τη

    θέση του, άλλο τόσο μπορούν οι βλασφημίες και οι

    ασέβειες να γκρεμίσουν τον Ιησού Χριστό από το θρόνο

    της θεότητας. Αλλά ο Χριστός δεν είναι παραμύθι. Είναι

    το ιστορικό πρόσωπο, που λάμπει μέσα στους αιώνες με

    το θεϊκό του μεγαλείο.Το σπουδαιότερο θαύμα

    Είδαμε ορισμένα από τα θαύματα, που έκανε και κάνει η

    Υπεραγία Θεοτόκος. Οι άνθρωποι επιζητούν θαύματα,

    για να πιστέψουν. Μικρά είναι αυτά που ζητούν. Το

    μεγάλο θαύμα δυστυχώς δεν το ζητούν. Κι όμως αυτό το

    θαύμα έχει γίνει εκατομμύρια φορές μέσα στην ιστορία

    της Εκκλησίας. Είναι η αλλαγή των ανθρώπων. Αν εμείς

    οι χριστιανοί πιστέψουμε δυνατά στον Ιησού Χριστό και

    με τη χάρη του καθαριστούμε, μοσχοβολήσουμε σαν τις

    μυρτιές, θ’ αποτελούμε την καλύτερη διαφήμιση του

    Ευαγγελίου.

  • Μνημόσυνα

    Σοφία Φίλιπς– 40 ημέρες

    Νικόλαος Άθαν—6 μήνες

    Μαρία Δούκα—6 μήνες

    Μαρία Μιρόνη-6 μήνες

    Αναστασία Μπραβάκη-1 χρόνο & Θεόδωρος

    Μπραβάκης—9 χρόνια

    Μαρία Σαποντσίνσκα-3 χρόνια

    Καθημερινές Ακολουθίες

    23 Σεπτεμβρίου– Η Σύλληψης του Αγίου Ιωάννου

    του Προδρόμου

    24 Σεπτεμβρίου– Η Εορτή της Παναγίας της

    Μυρτηδιώτησσας και της Αγίας Θέκλας

    26 Σεπτεμβρίου– Η Μετάστασης του Αγίου Ιωάννου

    του Θεολόγου

    Όρθρος 8:30πμ Θεία Λειτουργία 9:30πμ

    Γάμος-9/26/14

    Λόρεν Πίερσ & Παναγιώτης Βαλσάμης

    Ανακοινώσεις

    23 Σεπτεμβρίου– Συνεδρίαση Διοικητικού

    Συμβουλίου

    8 Οκτωβρίου-Περιήγηση του Σχολείου Αργύριος

    Φάντης για όσους ενδιαφέρονται από τις 9πμ-11πμ

    12 Οκτωβρίου-Φθινοπωρινό Γεύμα της Φιλοπτώχου

    -Η Θεία Λειτουργία θα αρχίσει στις 10πμ.

    19 Οκτωβρίου-Τελετή των Δακτυλιδιών της

    Ογδόης τάξης του Σχολείου Αργύριος Φάντης

    15 Νοεμβρίου- Ετήσια χοροεσπερίδα της

    κοινότητος.

    Ωράριο για τις Κυριακάτικες Λειτουργίες

    Όρθρος 9:15πμ * Θεία Λειτουργία 10:30πμ

    Υποτροφίες από το PanHellenic Affairs

    Μπορείτε να υποβάλετε την αίτηση σας γι τη σχολική

    χρονιά 2014-2015 τηλεφωνώντας στο, 312-357-6432

    ή πηγαίνοντας στην ιστοσελίδα τους στο,

    www.panhellenicscholarships.org

    Memorials

    Sophia Phillips– 40 days

    Nicholas Athan—6 months

    Maria Duke—6 months

    Maria Mirones-6 months

    Anastasia Bravakis—1 year and Theodore Bra-

    vakis– 9 years

    Maria Sapontsinska-3 years

    Weekday Services September 23– The Conception of St. John the

    Baptist Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am

    September 24– The Feast of Panagia Myrtidiot-

    issa and St. Thekla

    September 26– The Falling asleep of St. John

    the Theologian

    Wedding-9/26/14

    Lauren Pierce and Peter Balsamis

    Announcements

    September 23– Meeting of the Board of Trus-

    tees

    October 8-A. Fantis Open School House 9-

    11am

    October 12-Philoptochos Fall Luncheon-the Di-

    vine Liturgy will start at 10a.m.

    October 19-A. Fantis School 8th Grade Ring

    Day

    November 15– Annual Dinner Dance of our

    Community

    Hours for Sunday Liturgy

    Orthros 9:15am * Divine Liturgy 10:30am

    PanHellenic Affairs Scholarships

    2014-2015 Applications now availableFor more

    information Please call: 312-357-6432 or visit

    their website at:

    www.panhellenicscholarships.org

  • Spr

    Ioannis (Yianni) Demenagas

    Life Scout Troop 715

    Soles4Souls Ambassador

    917-626-2382

    I am collecting shoes to help in the fight against global poverty.

    My name is Ioannis (Yianni) Demenagas, I am a Boy Scout in Troop 715 currently working on becoming an Eagle Scout, the

    highest award a scout can attain. In order to do so, I must complete a service project. My project will be to organize a shoe

    drive in collaboration with Soles4Souls, a charity organization dedicated to giving shoes to the needy both here in the US and

    around the world. My goal is to collect 250 pair of shoes. Men’s, women’s and children’s shoes will be collected.

    Soles4Souls is a global not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of pov-

    erty. The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes and clothes from individuals,

    schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributing those shoes to people in need

    and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communi-

    ties. The organization has distributed over 50,000 new pairs of shoes to help Philippine victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Based in

    Nashville, Tennessee, Soles4Souls is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds a four-star

    rating with Charity Navigator.

    The connection between poverty and shoes is well-documented. The World Bank estimates that approximately 400 million

    children worldwide – more than the entire U.S. population – live in pronounced poverty. Millions of these children will grow

    up never having had a pair of shoes, resulting in significant ramifications for their health and well-being. Lacking proper

    footwear, countless children will not be able or permitted to attend school. And tens of millions of these poverty-stricken,

    barefoot boys and girls will be infected with soil-transmitted parasitic diseases like hookworm, causing lasting suffering and

    lifelong debilitation.

    Soles4Souls drop-off locations:

    Between August 26th – September 30th, 2014, bring your used or new shoes of any kind to:

    Monetary donations are gladly accepted.

    Make checks payable to: Boy Scout Troop 715

    Mail to: Ioannis Demenagas, 8634 16th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 1214

    Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 8401 Ridge Blvd., Brooklyn Senator Marty Golden’s office, 7408 5th Ave., Brooklyn

    D & G Kaloidis Parochial School, 8502 Ridge Blvd., Brooklyn Councilman Vincent Gentile’s office, 8018 5th Ave., Brooklyn

    Hellenic Classic Charter School, 646 5th Ave., Brooklyn GPM Pediatrics, 7715 4th Ave., Brooklyn

    St. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 64 Schemerhorn St.,

    Brooklyn Dr. Thomas Planzos, 7815 4th Ave., Brooklyn

    Capitol One Bank, 7120 New Utrecht Ave., Brooklyn Puritan Restaurant, 1454 86th St., Brooklyn

    http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12982

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