SS. kosmas & damianos Orthodox Church (goa) : Απολυτικια Τησ Ημερασ/Apolytikia For Today

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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When the stone had been sealed by the Judeans and the soldiers were guarding Thine
immaculate Body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life unto the world.
Wherefore, the powers of the Heavens cried out to Thee, O Lifegiver: Glory to Thy Resurrection,
O Christ. Glory to Thy Kingdom. Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Friend of man.
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Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of
incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they
cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ
God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.
/KONTAKION FOR TODAY
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On this day the Virgin comes * to a cave to give birth * to God the Word ineffable, * Who was
before all the ages.* Dance for joy,* O earth, on hearing* the gladsome tidings;* with the Angels
and the shepherds now glorify Him* Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child* Who
before the ages is God.
13th Sunday of luke

Paramonus, Philumenus, and their 370 Companion Martyrs in Bithynia, Our Righteous Father
Nicholas, Archbishop of Thessolonica, Dionysios, Bishop of Corinth
November 29th, 2015

**NATIVITY FAST**
Todays scripture readings

Epistle reading
St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 5:8-19

Prokeimenon. Mode 1.
Psalm 32.22,1
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.
Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),
and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness,
but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but
when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is
light. Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you
light." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of
the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of
the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody
to the Lord with all your heart.
Gospel pericope
Gospel of Luke 18:18-27

At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the
commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor
your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus
heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and
you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he
was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom
of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible
with men is possible with God."
Announcements
Liturgical/Program Schedule:
Mon. Nov. 30th: St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am
Thurs. Dec. 3rd: JOY Faith Night, 5:30pm
Sat. Dec. 5th: Great Vespers Feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, 5pm
Sun. Dec. 6th: Parish Council Elections
Parish Council Elections to take place Dec. 6th: Please be advised that the following stewards in
good standing are candidates for the Parish Council elections to take place on Sunday, Dec. 6th after
the Divine Liturgy: Amy Franquiera, John Maragos, Renee Steggerda, and Halina Woroncow.
Three (3) of these parishioners will be elected to the Council.
Holiday Bake sale: Philoptochos is now taking orders for the Annual Holy Anargyroi Bake Sale.
Share order forms with family, friends and co-workers! Please complete and submit your order
forms immediately, so the ladies can prepare the pastries and cookies for delivery on December 13th
after Divine Liturgy.
Communion Wine: We recently ordered a case of nama/communion wine and are asking for
donations to offset the $150 expenditure to the parish. Either one donor or a combination of gifts
would be greatly appreciated! Please see Fr. Mark if you would like to provide this offering. Thank
you in advance!
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.
Todays commemorations
1. The Holy Martyr Paramon and 370 others with him
In Asian Bithynia, Governor Aquilinus fiercely persecuted Christians. Once, he captured 370 Christians,
brought them with him, and bound them at a place where there was an idolatrous temple of the god
Poseidon. Here, the wicked governor tried to force them to worship and offer sacrifice to the idol. Even
though the governor threatened death for anyone who did not obey his order, not a single Christian
submitted. Just then, a respected man by the name of Paramon passed along the road beside the temple.
He stopped beside the masses of shackled people and learned what was happening. Then he cried out:
`Òh, how many innocent righteous ones does this foul governor desire to slaughter, because they will not
worship his dead and mute idols?'' Paramon then continued on his way, and the infuriated governor sent
his servants to slay him. The servants caught up to Paramon, seized him and pierced his tongue with a
thorn, then stripped him naked and stabbed his entire body. Holy Paramon, with prayer in his heart, gave
up his soul to God. After that, the 370 martyrs, great as sons of God and innocent as lambs, were
beheaded and thus entered into the Immortal Kingdom of Christ the Lord. They suffered in the year 250.
2. The Venerable Acacius of Sinai
In his famous book, The Ladder, St. John Climacus relates the life of this saint. The young Acacius was a
novice under an evil elder in the monastery on Sinai. The irascible elder daily reproached and insulted
Acacius and often beat, tormented and maltreated him in every possible way. However, Acacius did not
complain but endured this all patiently, with the assurance that it was beneficial for his salvation.
Whenever anyone asked him how he was doing, he replied: ``Well, as before the Lord God!'' After nine
years of obedience and torment, Acacius died. The elder buried him and then expressed sorrow to another
elder saying: `Àcacius, my disciple died.'' `Ì do not believe it,'' replied the holy elder, `Àcacius did not
die.'' Then both of them went to the grave of the dead man and that holy elder cried out: ``Brother
Acacius, did you die?'' Acacius, obedient even after death replied: ``Father, I have not died, for it is
impossible for an obedient one to die.'' Then, the evil elder repented and shut himself in a cell near
Acacius's grave where, in repentance and prayer, he spent the remainder of his life.
3. The Holy Martyr Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth
He was an eminent pastor and teacher. He was beheaded for Christ in the year 182.
4. Saint Tiridates, King of Armenia
Tiridates was a contemporary of Diocletian. At first, he furiously persecuted Christians, but God's
punishment befell him and he went insane and became like a beast, as had happened to King
Nebuchadnezzar. Tiridates was miraculously healed of his insanity by St. Gregory of Armenia
(September 30). From then until his death, Tiridates spent his life in repentance and devotion. He died
peacefully in the fourth century.
Guidelines for the

Nativity Fast
We are well aware that our Holy Church provides the
faithful with a period of spiritual preparation in
anticipation of the Lords Holy Nativity. This period
begins on November 15th every year with the commencement of the Nativity Fast. As
this fast is a modified one I thought it helpful to remind us all exactly what is
prescribed:
From Nov. 15th-Dec. 12th (St. Spyridon) the following is observed:
Fish/wine/oil are allowed every day except Wednesdays and Fridays which are
observed as strict fast days (no meat, fish, dairy, wine, oil).
From Dec. 12th-Dec. 25th the following is observed:
A strict fast is observed every day except Saturdays and Sundays.
From. Dec. 25th-Jan. 4th: NO FASTING ON ANY DAY!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Pearls from the Desert

In order for one to understand the Saints and Fathers of the [Orthodox] Church, it is not sufficient to
merely read them. The Saints spoke and wrote after having lived the mysteries of God. They
personally experienced the mysteries. In order for one to understand them, he too must have
progressed to a certain degree of initiation into the mysteries of God by personally tasting, smelling,
and seeing. You can read the books of the Saints and become very well versed in them with a
cerebral knowledge without even minutely tasting that which the Saints tasted who wrote these
books
through
their
personal
experience.
In order to understand the Saints essentially, not intellectually, you must have the proper experience
for all that they say; you must have tasted, at least in part, of the same things as they. You must
have lived in the fervent environment of Orthodoxy; you must grow in it -Alexandar Kalomiros
Are you able to lend a helping hand?

Our parish has a Priest Discretionary Fund which Father uses
to help those individuals that come to him with legitimate needs
both from within and outside the parish family. Cash is rarely,
if ever, distributed; rather gift cards to local grocery stores, gas
stations, and retail stores are procured based on the circumstances and the individual
need. We rely on private donations from parishioners to keep this account flush with
funds. The Christmas season is the only time of the year where a general plea for this
cause is made. Please consider making a donation with checks payable to Holy
Anargyroi with Discretionary Fund in the memo. THANK YOU in advance!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Christmas Home-Bound Pastoral Visits

If you have a loved one who is unable to come to Church and feel they would like a visit from Father
during this holy season please call him asap to make the necessary arrangements. Please do not
procrastinate as his schedule is filling in quickly!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reasons to Fast
By Fr. Alexander Lebedeff
God Himself established fasting. In the Old Testament, preparation for a special holy occasion
included fasting and prayer. The New Testament often mentions fasting. Our Lord fasted
Himself for 40 days before going out to preach. Fasting is clearly not optional inasmuch as Our
Lord said, regarding fasting When you fast (Matt. 6:16), rather than If you fast. Our Lord,
speaking of His disciples, said that after His departure, they would fast: when the bridegroom
shall be taken from them, and then they shall fast. Our Lord also said that we can overcome the
devil only through prayer and fasting. When His disciples reported to Him that they had been
unable to cast out a demon, Our Lord explained to them that this kind [the devil and his foul
spirits] goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. If we are given but two weapons--prayer and
fasting-- in our battle against the demonic powers, we should not cast one of these weapons
aside and ignore it. What soldier who knows only two weapons work against a particular enemy
would throw one away?
Christmas Toy Drive

This year our parish will partner with the
Salvation Army to provide Christmas presents for those families in need.
Please bring your unwrapped gifts for teenagers or children newborn
through 4yrs, clothing or toys are preferred. Place gifts in the large
Christmas box located in the narthex of the church. The last of day for
drop off will be Sunday. Dec. 20th. FYI, gifts will be secured in locked
office during the week in order to prevent the disappearance of some
gifts. Thank you for participating in this important drive!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A Dog is better than I because he

loves and does not judge.- Abba
Xanthios
The dog is not gifted with a share of
reason; but with him instinct has the
power of reason. The dog has learnt by
nature the secret of elaborate inferences,
which sages of the world, after long years
of study, have hardly been able to
disentangle. When the dog is on the track
of game, if he sees it divide in different directions, he examines these different paths, and
speech alone fails him to announce his reasoning. The creature, he says, is gone here or there
or in another direction. It is neither here nor there; it is therefore in the third direction. And
thus, neglecting the false tracks, he discovers the true one. What more is done by those who,
gravely occupied in demonstrating theories, trace lines upon the dust and reject two
propositions to show that the third is the true one? But the dog is said to smell the first, the
second, and the third. If he started off on the third without smelling, he would reason. As it
is, there is no syllogism.- St. Basil the Great
STEWARDSHIP CORNER
One day, a person complained
to his priest that the Church
and Christianity is one
continual give, give, give.
To which the priest replied,
Thank you very much for the
finest definition of Christianity
I have ever heard. Youre
right, Christianity is all about a constant give, give, give.
God giving His only Son to the world to show His
unconditional love. His Son Jesus giving His life on the cross
to forgive our sins and destroy
death. Then our Lords disciples
giving all they had to make sure
Gods Good News of love was
preached
to
all
people
everywhere. They not only gave
away
their
homes
and
businesses, but even gave up
their lives as martyrs in
gratitude to God!

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SS.

kosmas & damianos Orthodox Church (goa)

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

13th Sunday of luke

November 29th, 2015

Todays scripture readings

St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 5:8-19

Gospel of Luke 18:18-27

Guidelines for the

Pearls from the Desert

Are you able to lend a helping hand?

Christmas Home-Bound Pastoral Visits

Christmas Toy Drive

A Dog is better than I because he

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