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.
Ὀρθοδοξίας ὁδηγέ, εὐσεβείας διδάσκαλε καὶ σεμνότητος, τῆς οἰκουμένης ὁ φωστήρ,
Ἀρχιερέων θεόπνευστον ἐγκαλλώπισμα, Ἀνδρέα σοφέ, ταῖς διδαχαῖς σου πάντας
ἐφώτισας, λύρα τοῦ Πνεύματος. Πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

Guide of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and holiness, luminary of the world, God-inspired
adornment of hierarchs, wise Andrew, through your teachings you have enlightened all, harp of
the Spirit. Intercede with Christ our God that He will save our souls.
ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ/KONTAKION FOR TODAY

Προστασία τών Χριστιανών ακαταίσχυντε, μεσιτεία πρός τόν Ποιητήν αμετάθετε, Μή

παρίδης αμαρτωλών δεήσεων φωνάς, αλλά πρόφθασον, ώς αγαθή, εις τήν βοήθειαν ημών,
τών πιστώς κραυγαζόντων σοι. Τάχυνον εις πρεσβείαν, καί σπεύσον εις ικεσίαν, η
προστατεύουσα αεί, Θεοτόκε, τών τιμώντων σε.
O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most
constant: despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one,
to come unto our aid who in faith cry unto you: Hasten to intercede, and speed to make
supplication, you who ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor you.

6th Sunday of matthew

St. Andrew of Crete (author of the Great Canon), Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia
July 4th, 2010
 Today’s scripture readings

Epistle reading
St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans 12:6-14

BRETHREN, having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his
teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who
gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine;
hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection;
outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve
the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute
you; bless and do not curse them.

Gospel pericope

St. Matthew 9:1-8

At that time, getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And
behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith
he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." And behold, some
of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, knowing their
thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say 'Your
sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Rise and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of man
has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your
bed and go home." And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were
afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
 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:
***Fr. Mark at Clergy-Laity Congress in Atlanta through Friday, ***

Sat. July 10th: Festival Baking, Galaktobouriko (preparation) 10am

***No Saturday Eve Vespers for the entire month of July***

Fellowship/Coffee Hour: We still have some open Sunday’s and are asking for volunteers to host the
fellowship hour. Please see Jackie or Denise to sign up! Thank you to those who have hosted in the past!

Greek Fest ’10: is quickly approaching! Our festival has grown over the years which translates into
more work and more workers needed. Presbytera Michelle is the volunteer coordinator and will be
contacting parishioners to solicit assistance. Please consider your availability for working shifts on the
weekend of Aug. 27th-29th. Thank you to all who are anticipating lending a hand this year!

Special Benefit Tray for Fr. Jerome: An OCA retired priest, who has many ties with our parish,
finds himself in a very difficult stage of his life. He is suffering from a terminal illness and needs special
medical attention and care. We will be passing a tray at the end of Liturgy to support Fr. Jerome and his
family as they move him into a facility that will be able to meet his needs. Thank you for supporting a
dedicated and pious priest in need!

HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION—Only 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: The summer months are now upon us and that means enjoying warm
weather and “fun in the sun”. While shorts, capris, flip-flops, tank tops, „spaghetti‟ straps, etc. are
practical and acceptable at the pool or the lake front they are not appropriate attire inside 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.
 Today’s liturgical commemorations

1. St Andrew, Archbishop of Crete.

Born in Damascus of Christian parents, he was dumb until the age of seven. When his parents took him to church for
Communion, the power of speech was given to him. Such is the divine power of Communion. He went to Jerusalem
at the age of fourteen and was tonsured in the monastery of St Sava the Sanctified. In his understanding and ascesis,
he surpassed many of the older monks and was an example to all. The Patriarch took him as his secretary. When the
Monothelite heresy, which taught that the Lord had no human will but only a divine one, began to rage, the Sixth
Ecumenical Council met in Constantinople in 681, in the reign of Constantine IV. Theodore, Patriarch of Jerusalem,
was not able to be present at the Council, and sent Andrew, then a deacon, as his representative. At the Council,
Andrew showed his great gifts: his articulateness, his zeal for the Faith and his rare prudence. Being instrumental in
confirming the Orthodox faith, Andrew returned to his work in Jerusalem. He was later chosen and enthroned as
archbishop of the island of Crete. As archbishop, he was greatly beloved by the people. He was filled with zeal for
Orthodoxy and strongly withstood all heresy. He worked miracles through his prayers, driving the Saracens from the
island of Crete by means of them. He wrote many learned books, poems and canons, of which the best-known is the
Great Canon of Repentance which is read in full on the Thursday of the Fifth Week of the Great Fast. Such was his
outward appearance that, 'looking at his face and listening to the words that flowed like honey from his lips, each
man was touched and renewed'. Returning from Constantinople on one occasion, he foretold his death before
reaching Crete. And so it happened. As the ship approached the island of Mitylene, this light of the Church finished
his earthly course and his soul went to the Kingdom of Christ, in about the year 740.

2. St Martha.

She was the mother of St Simeon of the Wonderful Mountain (see May 24th). Utterly consecrated in her soul, she
had no thought of marriage. When her parents betrothed her to a young man, she planned to leave their home and
retire from the world, but St John the Baptist appeared to her and counselled her to fulfill the desire of her parents
and marry, which she did. From this marriage was born the great St Simeon, the ascetic of the Wonderful Mountain.
She followed the practice of rising at midnight for prayer; she gave help to the needy with great compassion, visiting
the poor and serving the sick. A year before her death, she saw a host of angels with candles in their hands, and
learned from them the hour of her death. Learning this, Martha gave herself yet more fervently to prayer and good
works. She entered peacefully into rest in 551, and was buried near the pillar of her son Simeon. She appeared a
number of times after her death, to teach people and to heal the sick, and appeared in the following way to the
superior of Simeon's community: after her funeral, the abbot kept the lamp burning on her grave, intending never to
let it go out. But, after a certain time, the monks became lazy and the lamp went out. Then the superior was taken ill,
and the saint appeared to him and said: 'Why are you not lighting the lamp on my grave? Know that the light of your
candles is not needful to me, because God has made me worthy of His eternal, heavenly light, but it is needful for
you. When you burn a light on my grave, you urge me to pray to the Lord for you.' From this it is clear that the goal
of our veneration of the saints is to remind them, who are worthier than we, to pray to God for us and for our
salvation.
 Vacation Church School
Monday-Friday-August 2nd-6th
Kindergarten-6th grade

Beginning at 9:00am through 12:00pm

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such
is the kingdom of God.”
 Orthdoxy and Cremation
By Protopresbyter George Grabbe

The mode of burial which alone has been established and manifested as lawful is clearly evident
from the funeral service. Therein it is plainly indicated that, after the conclusion of the funeral
service, the body is committed to the earth: "And thus, taking up the remains, we go forth to the
grave, all the people following, preceded by the priest. And the relics are placed in the grave. The
hierarch, or priest, taking up dirt with a spade, spreads it above the relics in a cross-wise
fashion, saying: 'The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and all that dwell
therein. . .' (Ps. 23:1). And thus, they cover the grave as usual."
In regard to the burial of the bodies of departed Christians in the earth, the custom has
indisputably been preserved in the Church without change from the first days of her existence,
and therefore the Roman law, cited by Zonaras and later by Bishop Nikodim in his
interpretation of the 87th canon of St. Basil the Great, is applicable: "When there does not exist
a written law, one ought to preserve the customs and usages", and "one must keep the ancient
customs as law." The custom of burying the dead came to the New Testament Church from the
time of the Old Testament and was preserved by Christians who lived among peoples that widely
practiced cremation of their dead. Thus, the holy canons which guard all the customs of the
Church command that the ancient custom of burying the dead in the earth be preserved.
But apart from the canonical, there is yet another side to the question. In our rite of burial there
is manifested internally a humble submission to the decision of God: "Dust thou art, and unto
dust thou shalt return" (Gen. 3:19). It is completely understandable that some, who have a
pantheistic ideology, take exception to this law of God. Deifying mankind, they wish to cover up
the law of corruption which bears witness to the downfall of human nature, when man beholds
"our beauty, fashioned after the image of God ... disfigured, dishonored, bereft of form." On the
contrary, the entire ecclesiastical rite of burial was fashioned with the burial of the departed
Christian in mind, in fulfillment of the judgment God pronounced over Adam: "For out of earth
were we mortals made, and unto the earth shall we return again." "Come ye, therefore, let us
kiss him who was but lately with us; for he is committed to the grave; he is covered with a stone;
he taketh up his abode in the gloom, and is interred among the dead." The appearance of the
dead body and its burial should be for our instruction: "As we gaze upon the dead lying before
us, let us all discern the image of our own final hour. For he vanisheth ... like the grass he is cut
down; swathed in sackcloth, he is covered with earth." These verses (stikhiri) speak of decay in
detail, calling upon us to pray for the dead and reminding us at the same time that "Vanity and
corruption, of a truth, are all ... the things of life ... They that once were alive are now cast down
into the grave."
But the full decay of the body—"all comeliness stripped off, dissolved in the grave by decay, by
worms in darkness consumed"—is the normal appearance of sinful people. In general,
Christians are called to a spiritual perfection which should sanctify their very bodies. The
promise has been given to the faithful children of the Church: "But as many as received Him, to them He
gave power to become the children of God" (Jn. 1:12). To the faithful it is said that they are "heirs of God"
(Gal. 4:7), "joint heirs with Christ" (Rom. 8:17). Calling to mind in connection with these sayings that the
Lord is called "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Rev. 19:16) and "God of gods" (Ps. 49:1), St. John of
Damascus writes that "surely also the saints are gods, and lords and kings ... Now, I mean gods, and lords
and kings not in nature, but as rulers and masters of their passions, and as preserving a true likeness to
the divine image according to which they were made". According to the same holy Father, "death is rather
the sleep of the saints than their death. ’For they have labored forever and shall live to the end' (Ps. 48:8-
9)." And the very remains of the saints, who are the children of God and joint heirs with Christ, remain
sources of grace, at times being preserved incorrupt and even giving forth myrrh. Even in the Old
Testament miracles were worked through the relics veneration of the saints, an example of which is the
prophet Elisha, of whom it is said that "after his death his body prophesied" (Eccles. 48:13), and through
whose relics life was restored to a dead man (IV Kings 13:20-21). Even more numerous are the signs of
grace from the relics of New Testament saints. In burying the bodies of the departed, the Church leaves it
to the will of God either to commit them to natural decay in accordance with the judgment pronounced
upon Adam, or to set aside the order of nature and preserve the bodies of the saints incorrupt, as a clear
sign that the righteous souls that inhabited them "are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment
touch them" (Wis. Sol. 3:1). To cremate bodies would mean to reject so precious a sign of grace, which
serves as a fountain of salvation "pouring forth manifold blessings."
Thus the order of burial which we have at present has been sanctified by ancient custom and, as such, is
protected by the sacred canons; it is consonant with the whole spirit of the Orthodox teaching concerning
man, and is deeply edifying. On the contrary, cremation of bodies is unacceptable from the Church's point
of view, as an innovation which has come from an infected source, which, in the case of its
implementation, would deprive us of the incorrupt bodies of the holy saints of God.

The incorrupt relics of St. John Maximovitch

Archbishop of San Francisco (+1966)