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
Τόν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρί καί Πνεύματι, τόν εκ
Παρθένου τεχθέντα εις σωτηρίαν ημών, ανυμνήσωμεν
πιστοί καί προσκυνήσωμεν, ότι ηυδόκησε σαρκί, ανελθείν
εν τώ σταυρώ, καί θάνατον υπομείναι, καί εγείραι τούς
τεθνεώτας, εν τή ενδόξω Αναστάσει αυτού.
Let us worship the Word, O you faithful, praising Him that
with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who
was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was
pleased to ascend the cross in the flesh that He assumed,
accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He
also willed to resurrect the dead.

Τοῦ Προφήτου σου Ἡσαΐου, τὴν μνήμην Κύριε ἑορτάζοντες,

δι' αὐτοῦ σε δυσωποῦμεν. Σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Isaiah, O Lord,

through him we beseech Thee to save our souls.

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 blind man

Isaiah the Prophet, St. Christopher the Martyr
May 9th, 2010

Happy Mother’s Day!

 Today’s scripture readings

Epistle reading
Acts of the Apostles 16:16-34
IN THOSE DAYS, as we apostles were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had
a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul and us,
crying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." And
this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I charge you in the
name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that
their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before
the rulers; and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they
are disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice."
The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to
beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison,
charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison
and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns
to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the
foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one's
fetters were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his
sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a
loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." And he called for lights and rushed in, and
trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, "Men, what must
I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your
household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. And he took
them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his
family. Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his
household that he had believed in God.

Gospel pericope
John 9: 1-38
At that time, as Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked
him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not
that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We must
work the works of him who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work. As long as I am
in the world, I am the light of the world." As he said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the
spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which
means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. The neighbors and those who had seen him
before as a beggar, said, "Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is he"; others said,
"No, but he is like him." He said, "I am the man." They said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?"
He answered, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and
wash'; so I went and washed and received my sight." They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not
know." They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day
when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his
sight. And he said to them, "He put clay on my eyes and I washed, and I see." Some of the Pharisees said,
"This man is not from God, for he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a
sinner do such signs?" There was a division among them. So they again said to the blind man, "What do
you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet." The Jews did not believe
that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had
received his sight, and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he
now see?" His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he
now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for
himself." His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if
anyone should confess him to be Christ he was to be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said,
"He is of age, ask him." So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him,
"Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "Whether he is a sinner, I do not
know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see." They said to him, "What did he do to you?
How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I have told you already and you would not listen.
Why do you want to hear it again? Do you too want to become his disciples?" And they reviled him,
saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but
as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." The man answered, "Why, this is a marvel! You
do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my
eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if
anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens
to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that
anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man
were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered
him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?"
And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him
out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the
Son of man?" He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may
believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and
it is he who speaks to you." He said, "Lord, I believe": and
he worshiped 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:
Wed. May 12th: Apodosis of Pascha/Great Vespers for Ascension- 6pm (fast free day)
Thurs. May 13th: Ascension of the Lord, Orthros/Liturgy- 8:30am
Sat. May 15th: Great Vespers- 6pm

Today’s Memorial Service: Maria Bucevschi (19 yrs)

Liviana Elena Jerghiuta (6 mo)

Today’s Artoclasia: in honor of all the mothers of our parish!

Last day of Sunday School/Graduation: Next Sunday, May 16th, will be the last day of Sunday
School, and we will honor the students/teachers at the end of the Divine Liturgy. Thanks to all
the teachers/parents for their dedication and participation!

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.

Mexican Luncheon to benefit

GOYA Mission
Please join us after the Liturgy for
Pentecost, Sunday May 23rd, for a
Mexican Feast! Food will be prepared by Michael Brekke &
Johnny Mangouras under the expert eye and guidance of Fr.
Mark! All proceeds to benefit Project Mexico!
 Today’s liturgical commemorations
Prophet Isaiah- The Holy Prophet Isaiah lived 700 years before the birth of Christ, and was of royal lineage.
Isaiah's father Amos raised his son in the fear of God and in the law of the Lord. Having attained the age of maturity,
the Prophet Isaiah entered into marriage with a pious prophetess (Is 8:3) and had a son Jashub (Is 8:18). St Isaiah was
called to prophetic service during the reign of Oziah [Uzziah], king of Judea, and he prophesied for 60 years during
the reign of kings Joatham, Achaz [Ahaz], Hezekiah and Manasseh. The start of his service was marked by the
following vision: he beheld the Lord God, sitting in a majestic heavenly temple upon a high throne. Six-winged
Seraphim encircled Him. With two wings they covered their faces, and with two wings they covered their feet, and
with two wings they flew about crying out one to another, "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are
filled with His glory!" The pillars of the heavenly temple shook from their shouts, and in the temple arose the smoke
of incense. The prophet cried out in terror, "Oh, an accursed man am I, granted to behold the Lord Sabaoth, and
having impure lips and living amidst an impure people!" Then was sent him one of the Seraphim, having in hand a
red-hot coal, which he took with tongs from the altar of the Lord. He touched it to the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah
and said, "Lo, this has touched thy lips, and will take away with thine iniquities, and will cleanse thy sins." After this
Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord, directed towards him, "Whom shall I send, and who will go to this people?" Isaiah
answered, "Here am I, send me" (Is 6:1 ff). And the Lord sent him to the Jews to exhort them to turn from the ways of
impiety and idol worship, and to offer repentance. To those that repent and turn to the true God, the Lord promised
mercy and forgiveness, but punishment and the judgment of God are appointed for the unrepentant. Then Isaiah
asked the Lord, how long would the falling away of the Jewish nation from God continue. The Lord answered, "Until
the cities be deserted, by reason of there being no people, and the land shall be made desolate. Just as when a tree be
felled and from the stump come forth new shoots, so also from the destruction of the nation a holy remnant will
remain, from which will emerge a new tribe." Isaiah left behind him a book of prophecy in which he denounces the
Jews for their unfaithfulness to the God of their Fathers. He predicted the captivity of the Jews and their return from
captivity during the time of the emperor Cyrus, the destruction and renewal of Jerusalem and of the Temple.
Together with this he predicts the historical fate also of the other nations bordering the Jews. But what is most
important of all for us, the Prophet Isaiah with particular clarity and detail prophesies about the coming of the
Messiah, Christ the Savior. The prophet names the Messiah as God and Man, teacher of all the nations, founder of the
Kingdom of peace and love. The prophet foretells the birth of the Messiah from a Virgin, and with particular clarity
he describes the Suffering of the Messiah for the sins of the world. He foresees His Resurrection and the universal
spreading of His Church. By his clear foretelling of Christ the Savior, the Prophet Isaiah deserves to be called an Old
Testament Evangelist. To him belong the words, "He beareth our sins and is smitten for us.... He was wounded for
our sins and tortured for our transgressions. The chastisement of our world was upon Him, and by His wounds we
were healed...." (Is 53:4-5. Vide Isaiah: 7:14, 11:1, 9:6, 53:4, 60:13, etc.). The holy Prophet Isaiah had also a gift of
wonderworking. And so, when during the time of a siege of Jerusalem by enemies the besieged had become
exhausted with thirst, he by his prayer drew out from beneath Mount Sion a spring of water, which was called
Siloam, i.e. "sent from God." It was to this spring afterwards that the Savior sent the man blind from birth to wash,
and He restored his sight. By the prayer of the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord prolonged the life of Hezekiah for 15 years.
The Prophet Isaiah died a martyr's death. By order of the Jewish king Manasseh he was sawn through by a wood-
saw. The prophet was buried not far from the Pool of Siloam. The relics of the holy Prophet Isaiah were afterwards
transferred by the emperor Theodosius the Younger to Constantinople and installed in the church of St Laurence at
Blachernae. At the present time part of the head of the Prophet Isaiah is preserved at Athos in the Hilandar
monastery.
 Holy Land &
Constantinople
“Seeing with our eyes that which our heart beholds”
Join us for a unique life changing pilgrimage to the land
of the Prophets, the Apostles, Panagia, and Jesus
Christ Himself.

Fr. Mark will be leading the 13 day pilgrimage in mid-June of 2011. Sites will
include Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Mt. Tabor, Sea of Galilee, Cana,
Nazareth, Capernaum, River Jordan, Dead Sea (Qumran), and several days
in Constantinople with visits scheduled to
Hagia Sofia, Blachernae, Chora
Monastery, and a private audience with
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

More details to follow…

 “Gettin’ out of the Rut!”

What hinders us from growing unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, as
St. Paul says (Eph. 4:13)? It is our egos, our passions, that hinder us.

Many of us get stuck in a rut in our spiritual lives. Usually this comes down to one thing:
we have our central sins, our favorite passions that we just do not want to give up. These
passions have become so much a part of us that we think it is impossible to be rid of them.
But it is not impossible. Christ said, Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John
16:33). With His Grace-filled help, we can overcome the passions—which, as we have
seen, comprise one of the meanings of the term "the world" in Holy Scripture. The
problem lies with us. The problem is that, deep down, we feel that we have a "right" to our
favorite passions. "I have a right to be angry," "I have a right to be resentful," "I have a
right to this sinful little pleasure," or whatever it is. Deep down, we do not want to give up
our passions.

So the question comes down to this: What do we really want? Do we want to stay in our
ruts, so that we can freely indulge our pride, our self-love, our self-righteousness, our
desire to be right, our anger and resentments, our sinful pleasures? Are they so important
to us that for their sake we will abandon the possibility of an authentic life in Christ, as Fr.
Isaaky has so beautifully described?

What do we want? Do we want to be fashioned after the passions of this world, which pass
away, or do we want to have Christ dwelling within us, re-creating us into new beings who
will dwell with Him and in Him forever? To get out of our ruts and get back on the path of
transformation and deification, we must cast off everything that separates us from God.

Spiritual life is like traveling upstream in a rowboat. The world, the flesh and the devil
push against us and against our progress. If our boat is burdened with the weight of our
cherished sins and passions, we will not get anywhere. In fact, we will go backwards, and
we might even sink. So, what we have to do is to jettison the cargo which we cherish so
much but which is holding us back. Then we will be able go forward, toward that which we
were created for: union with God.