Holy anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church

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

church@holyanargyroi.org Rev. Fr. Mark Muñoz, Proistamenos
ΑΠΟΛΤΣΙΚΙΑ ΣΗ΢ ΗΜΕΡΑ΢/APOLYTIKIA FOR TODAY

Ευφραινέσθω τά ουράνια, αγαλλιάσθω τά επίγεια, ότι

εποίησε κράτος, εν βραχίονι αυτού, ο Κύριος, επάτησε
τώ θανάτω τόν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τών νεκρών
εγένετο, εκ κοιλίας άδου ερρύσατο ημάς, καί παρέσχε
κόσμω τό μέγα έλεος.
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.
Ἀπόστολε Ἅγιε, καὶ Εὐαγγελιστὰ Μᾶρκε, πρέσβευε τῷ
ἐλεήμονι Θεῷ, ἵνα πταισμάτων ἄφεσιν παράσχῃ ταῖς
ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν.

O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, intercede to our

merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of
sins.

ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ/KONTAKION FOR TODAY

Ει καί εν τάφω κατήλθες αθάνατε, αλλά τού Άδου καθείλες τήν δύναμιν, καί
ανέστης ως νικητής, Χριστέ ο Θεός, γυναιξί Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος, Χαίρετε,
καί τοίς σοίς Αποστόλοις ειρήνην δωρούμενος ο τοίς πεσούσι παρέχων ανάστασιν.
Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the
victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Rejoice!" and granting peace
to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

Sunday of the paralytic

St. Mark the Apostle and Evangelist
April 25th, 2010
 Today’s scripture readings

Epistle reading
Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42
IN THOSE DAYS, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that
lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was
paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And
immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and
acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an
upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to
him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he
had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing
tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside
and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes,
and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints
and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in
the Lord.

Gospel pericope
John 5:1-5
At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in
Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind,
lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at
certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the
troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had
been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a
long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have
no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps
down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man
was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked. Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews
said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet."
But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.'
"They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the
man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a
crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are
well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it
was Jesus who had healed him.
 COMMUNION PRAYERS
I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of
the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I
am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that
this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You. Have
mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and
involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And make me
worthy without condemnation to partake of Your pure Mysteries for
the forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Amen.

Behold, my Maker, I approach Holy Communion. Burn me not as I partake, for You are fire
which burns the unworthy, but cleanse me from every stain.

Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your
mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to
You: Lord, remember me in Your kingdom.

Seeing the Divine Blood, have fear, O man, for it is coal that burns the unworthy. It is God’s
Body that deifies and nourishes me; it deifies the spirit and nourishes the mind mystically.

You have smitten me with yearning, O Christ, and with Your divine love You have changed me.
Burn away my sins with spiritual fire and make me worthy to be filled with Your joy, that
rejoicing in Your goodness, I may magnify Your two Comings.

How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your saints? If I dare to enter the
bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being bound
up, I shall be cast out by the angels. In Your love, Lord, cleanse the vileness of my soul and save
me.

Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these holy Gifts be to my condemnation
because of my unworthiness, but for the cleansing and sanctification of soul and body and the
pledge of the future life and kingdom. It is good for me to cling to God and to place in Him the
hope of my salvation.

Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your
mystery to Your enemies. Nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to
You: Lord remember me in Your kingdom.
 Announcements
Liturgical/Program Schedule:
Sun. April 25th: GOYA Outing to Eagle Bluff in Lanesboro, 1-4pm.
Sat. May 1st: Great Vespers, 6pm

Today’s Memorial Service: Mrs. Theoni Lecakis- 6mo

Today’s Artoclasia: is being offered by Mrs. Manolia Evaggelatos in honor of the Feast day of
St. George the Great Martyr (celebrated last Friday).

HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION—Orthodox 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, 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.******
 Today’s liturgical commemorations
1. The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark.
Mark was a companion and helper of the Apostle Peter in his journeys. Peter, in his first
Epistle, calls him his son, not after the flesh but after the spirit (I Pet. 5:13). When Mark was
with Peter in Rome, the faithful begged him to write down for them the saving knowledge of
the Lord Jesus, His miracles and His life. So Mark wrote his Gospel, which the Apostle Peter
himself saw and testified to as true. Mark was chosen by the Apostle Peter to be bishop, and
sent to Egypt to preach. And so Mark was the first preacher of the Gospel and the first bishop
in Egypt. Egypt was oppressed by a thick darkness of paganism, idolatry, divination and
malice. But, with the help of God, St Mark succeeded in sowing the seed of the knowledge of
God in Libya, Ammonicia and Pentapolis. From Pentapolis, he went to Alexandria, whither the
Spirit of God led him. In Alexandria, he succeeded in establishing the Church of God, in giving
her bishops, priests and deacons and in rooting everything firmly in faithfulness and devotion.
Mark confirmed his preaching with many great miracles. When the pagans brought
accusations against Mark as a destroyer of their idolatrous faith, and when the governor of the
city began to search for Mark, he fled again to Pentapolis, where he continued his earlier
work. After two years, Mark again returned to Alexandria, to the great joy of his faithful, whose
number had already increased very greatly. The pagans took the opportunity to seize Mark,
and they bound him firmly and began to drag him over the cobblestones, crying: 'We're taking
the ox to the stall!' They threw him into prison all injured and bloodstained, where there
appeared to him first an angel from heaven, who encouraged and strengthened him, and then
the Lord Himself. Jesus said to him: 'Peace to thee, Mark My Evangelist!', to which Mark
replied: 'And peace to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ!' On the next day, the wicked people
hauled Mark from prison and again dragged him through the streets with the same cry: 'We're
taking the ox to the stall!' Utterly spent and enfeebled, Mark said: 'Into Thy hands, 0 Lord, I
commend my spirit', and thus breathed his last and went to the better world. His holy relics
were given burial by Christians, and through the ages they gave healing to people from every
pain and ill.
2. St Aninanus, Second Bishop of Alexandria.
When St Mark stepped from the boat onto dry land in Alexandria, one of his shoes was torn,
and he took it to a cobbler. While the cobbler was sewing it, he drove the awl through his left
hand and the blood began to flow, the man screaming with the pain. Then the Apostle of God
mixed dust with his spittle and anointed the injured hand, and it at once became whole and
healthy. The cobbler marvelled at this miracle, and invited Mark to his house. Hearing Mark's
preaching, Anianus, for that was his name, was baptised, he and his whole household.
Anianus showed such devotion and zeal for the work of God that St Mark consecrated him
bishop, and this holy man was the second Bishop of Alexandria.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gems From the Desert…
Saint Athanasios, when he found himself on the patriarchal throne of
Alexandria, called Abba Pambo to go to the city on an ecclesiastical
matter. The first person that the holy man met, on passing through
the walls of the large city, was a woman dressed up so as to ensnare
her victims. Seeing her, the elder became tearful. "Why are you
crying, Father?" the brother who was accompanying him asked. "For
two reasons," the elder answered, sighing. "First of all, for the loss of
her soul, and then because I do not take as much care to please my Lord as she does to
please licentious men."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GOYA OUTING TODAY!

Where: Eagle Bluffs, Lanesboro, MN

When: Sunday, April 21st, 1-4pm
Cost: $10 per person
What: Treetops Ropes Course

Please see Halina for more info, and to sign medical release forms!

Save the Date:

Vacation Church School
Monday-Friday Aug. 2-6
 Unique Project Mexico Fundraiser:
Need an odd job completed around the house, farm, or business? Your
deck need work? Some spring cleaning projects you just can't find
the time for. WELL... Get your project done and HELP the
GOYANS go on their Mexico Missions Trip with one awesome deal.

Call Trevor Hamlen @ 507-358-4521 to set up appointments and

see if your project is right for us.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hoppe Mission
Update
Today we are honored to have Nathan Hoppe
offer the homily and share his family’s
experiences with us from the missionary field of
Albania. The Hoppes are planning on returning
to Albania this July to continue their
catechetical labors. They have learned from
OCMC that they need to raise an additional $2,500 in monthly
pledges in order to continue their work. Please consider making a
monthly contribution to the Hoppe Missionary fund to ensure their
continued success in Albania.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 The Sunday of
the Paralytic
Close to the Sheep's in
Jerusalem, there was a pool,
which was called the Sheep's
Pool. It had round about it
five porches, that is, five sets
of pillars supporting a
domed roof. Under this roof
there lay very many sick
people with various
maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the
water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of
thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?"
And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is
troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and
walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the
presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of
the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when
He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles.
According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.

I am grievously paralyzed in a multitude of sins and wrongful deeds. As

You raised up the paralytic of old, also raise up my soul by Your divine
guidance, that I may cry out, "Glory to Your Power O Compassionate
Christ."