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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Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for

the Lord has wrought might with His arm, He has

trampled upon death by death. The first-born of the

dead has He become. From the depths of Hades has

He delivered us, and has granted great mercy to the

world.

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O Holy Apostle Onesimus, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls

forgiveness of sins.

/KONTAKION FOR TODAY

O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will

bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will

become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by

Your right hand, O Judge most just.

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Judgment Sunday (meatfare)

Onesimus the Apostle of the 70, Our Righteous Father Anthimus the Elder of Chios, Eusebius of Syria

February 15th, 2015

*No meat consumptions this week, fish/eggs/dairy permitted*

Todays scripture readings

Epistle reading

St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2

Prokeimenon: The Lord is my strength and my song.

Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we

do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any

one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his

conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed,

the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience

when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never

eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall. Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our

Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for

you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Gospel pericope

Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit

on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from

another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand,

but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father,

inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave

me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and

you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous

will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And

when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you

sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one

of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from

me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave

me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me,

naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will

answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did

not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of

these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal

life."

Announcements

Liturgical/Program Schedule:

Mon. Feb. 16th: Mental Illness & Spiritual Healing Class, 6pm

Wed. Feb. 18th: Building Committee Meeting, 5pm

Wed. Feb. 18th: Parish Council Meeting, 6:30pm

Thurs. Feb. 19th: St. Philothei the Martyr, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am

Thurs. Feb. 19th: St. Philothei Project (Womens Shelter), 6pm

Sat. Feb. 21st: 2nd Saturday of Souls, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am

Sun. Feb. 22nd: Cheesefare Luncheon following Divine Liturgy

Sun. Feb. 22nd: Forgiveness Vespers (Beginning of Great & Holy Lent), 6pm

Congratulations to Theoni Kolas: GOA Youth held a nationwide video context Orthodoxy in Motion

inviting teens to submit their reflections on the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at

Ground Zero. The videos were viewed and voted on by the public. The top 5 went through a formal

judging process through GOA Youth. Our very own Theoni took FIRST PLACE!

Forgiveness Vespers: will be celebrated next Sunday eve at 6pm. This is the actual beginning of Lent

and the Church literally transforms before our eyes from bright and joyful to dark and solemn. At the

conclusion of the service a receiving line of sorts is made and all the faithful embrace one another

asking forgiveness. What an excellent way to inaugurate the period of the Holy Fast!

Winter Greek Fest: A HUGE thanks to all those who volunteered their time and talent last week for our

6th Annual Winter Greek Fest! We had another very successful event thanks to the tireless, hard workers

of our parish!

Holy Week Liturgical Books: We have ordered several copies of the official Holy Week Book endorsed

by our Metropolis. This comprehensive book, compiled by Fr. Pappadeas, will be used exclusively for all

the liturgical celebrations from Palm Sunday evening through the Agapi Vespers on Pascha. Each book is

$25, and should be available soon.

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.

Didactic Hymnography: Musicology as Theologythe Triodion Hymns

Adam was banished from Paradise through disobedience and cast out from delight, beguiled by the words of a woman. Naked he sat opposite the place, lamenting Woe is me! Therefore let us

all make haste to accept the season of the Fast and obey the traditions of the Gospel, that through them we may become well-pleasing to Christ and once more receive Paradise as our dwelling.

With great joy, believers, let us welcome the inspired proclamation of the Fast, as the Ninevites did of old and as prostitutes and tax collectors the preaching of repentance by John. Through self-mastery let us prepare for communion of the Masters sacred mystery in Sion. Through tears let us be

cleansed before the divine Washing of the feet there. Let us pray to see there the fulfillment of the Pascha that was a type and revelation of the true. Let us be made ready for the worship of the Cross and the Rising of Christ our God, as we cry out to him, Do not put us to shame and deprive us of our expectation, O Lover of mankind! Of what great blessings, wretch that I am, have I deprived myself! From what a kingship in my misery have I fallen! I have wasted the wealth that I received, I have transgressed the commandment. Alas, unhappy soul ! You are henceforth condemned to the eternal fire. Therefore before the end cry out to Christ our God, Receive me as the Prodigal Son, O God, and have mercy on me. Loving Father, I have gone far from you, but do not forsake me, nor declare me unfitted for your Kingdom. The all-evil enemy has stripped me naked and taken all my wealth. I have squandered like the Profligate the graces given to my soul. But now I have arisen and returned, and I cry aloud to you, Make me as one of your hired servants, you who for my sake stretched

out your spotless hands on the Cross, to snatch me from the fearsome beast and to clothe me once again in the first robe, for you alone art full of mercy. O Christ our God, of your own will you accepted Crucifixion, for the common restoration of mankind. Taking the reed pen of the Cross, out of love for mankind, in the red ink of royalty with bloody fingers you signed our absolution. Do not forsake us, who are in danger once again of being parted from you. Take pity on your people in distress, for you alone are longsuffering. Rise up and fight against our enemies, as you are all- powerful.

Saturday of Souls Notes

Please have in mind the following guidelines as we begin the Saturday of Souls

commemorations: Kollyva(boiled wheat) should be brought to Church before or during the

Orthros service; it is inappropriate to bring kollyva to the solea after the Liturgy has begun.

Also, if you bring names for commemoration please bring kollyva to

accompany them just as you would any other memorial service you

might mark throughout the year. Please write the names of the

Orthodox departed in a clear and legible manner especially if the

names are written in Greek. If you have names of non-Orthodox

please write those names at the bottom of your list and designate

them as such. These names are commemorated separately by the

priest outside of the official liturgical service. Kollyva can be as simple or elaborate as you

choose; each family has their own tradition/recipe and creativity is always welcome! In contrast

to the Paraklesis service where I keep the names for all the separate services, the Psychosabbaton

names are only read for that particular Liturgy. If you would like names to be commemorated at

all three Psychosabbata Liturgies please bring the kollyva and names to each service.

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Pearls from the desert

It is no great thing not to judge and to be sympathetic to

someone who is in trouble and falls down before you, but it is a

great thing not to judge or to strike back when someone, on

account of his own passions, speaks against you. Likewise, it is a

great thing not to disagree when someone else is honored more

than you are.-Dorotheos of Gaza (Palestine, 6th century)

2015 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival

This year our Parish Oratorical Festival will take place during coffee hour on Sunday,

March 1st. All children are asked to participate in this event; registration forms are

available from Amy Franquiera. The categories include speech, essay, poem, and

iconography. Although all categories are welcome this year we are emphasizing

speeches. Parents and/or Catechetical Teachers can assist children with their projects.

There are several different themes for each division. Divisions include Elementary

(preschool-6th grade), Junior (7th-9th grades), and Senior (10th-12th grades). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

3rd Sunday of the Triodion: Judgment Sunday It is a strong conviction and belief of the Church that Christ will come a second time into the world, not to save the world, but in "glory" to judge the world. In as much

as God knew in advance the destiny of each man, why did He not prevent the non-believers and wrong-doers from being born and being condemned everlastingly,

someone might ask. The fate of people is wrought on this earth, because after death, there is no opportunity for repentance in order to better one's state. Man's finite mind cannot comprehend God's love for his salvation and judgment for his

condemnation. Yet, here is the center of the belief that there is a Supreme Judge for those who committed iniquities and wrong-doings without punishment or

discovery while on earth. Approaching Lent and Pascha, the Christian is admonished to correct his faults by fasting, praying and almsgiving, as recorded in the Gospel passage of the day. The Last Judgment will be made according to the

good works of each person as a result of his faith in and worship of God. These good works are directed to the "least", those in need, as Christ Himself says, "as

you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me", (v. 45). This Sunday is the last day before Lent that the believer eats meat.

Todays liturgical commemorations

1. THE HOLY APOSTLE ONESIMUS

Onesimus was one of the Seventy Lesser Apostles. He

was a slave of Philemon but transgressed against his

master and fled to Rome where he heard the Gospel

from the Apostle Paul and was baptized. Since the

Apostle Paul earlier converted Philemon to the True

Faith, he reconciled the two of them, Philemon and

Onesimus, master and slave, writing a special epistle

to Philemon. It is one of the most emotional

compositions which exists in Holy Scripture. "I urge

you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I

have become in my imprisonment. Perhaps this is why

he was away from you for a while, that you might

have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more

than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me"

(Philemon 1:10,15,16). Moved by this letter Philemon, indeed, received Onesimus as a brother

freeing him from slavery. Later, Onesimus was consecrated a bishop by the apostles themselves

and accepted the episcopal throne at Ephesus following the Apostle Timothy. This is evident

from the Epistle of Ignatius the God-bearer [Theophorus]. At the time of Trajan's persecution,

Onesimus, already an old man, was arrested and brought to Rome. In Rome, Onesimus gave an

accounting of himself before judge Tertycus, was imprisoned and finally beheaded. A wealthy

woman removed his body, placed it in a silver__arcophagus and buried it honorably in the year

109 A.D.

2. THE VENERABLE EUSEBIUS, A SYRIAN HERMIT

In the beginning Eusebius lived an asectical life under the direction of holy men and later he

withdrew and became a recluse. He fed entirely on plant life. He did not even taste fruit. He

spent all of his time in prayer in the open spaces enduring all conditions of weather. He lived to

be ninety-five years of age and died peacefully in the year 440 A.D.