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
Τού λίθου σφραγισθέντος υπό τών Ιουδαίων, καί στρατιωτών φυλασσόντων
τό άχραντόν σου σώμα, ανέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος τώ κόσμω
τήν ζωήν. Διά τούτο αι Δυνάμεις τών ουρανών, εβόων σοι Ζωοδότα. Δόξα
τή Αναστάσει σου, Χριστέ, δόξα τή βασιλεία σου, δόξα τή οικονομία
σου, μόνε Φιλάνθρωπε.

Though the tomb was sealed by the Judeans and soldiers guarded Your
pure body, You arose, O Savior, on the third day giving life to the world.
Therefore, O Giver of life, the heavenly powers praise You: Glory to
Your resurrection O Christ, Glory to your Kingdom, Glory to Your
dispensation, O Lover of mankind.

Ἀπόστολε, Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ ἠγαπημένε, ἐπιτάχυνον, ῥῦσαι λαὸν

ἀναπολόγητον· δέχεταί σε προσπίπτοντα, ὁ ἐπιπεσόντα τῷ στήθει
καταδεξάμενος, ὃν ἱκέτευε θεολόγε, καὶ ἐπίμονον νέφος ἐθνῶν
διασκεδάσαι, αἰτούμενος ἡμῖν εἰρήνην, καὶ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Beloved Apostle of Christ our God, hasten to deliver a people without defense. He
who permitted you to recline upon His bosom, accepts you on bended knee before Him. Beseech Him, O
Theologian, to dispel the persistent cloud of nations, asking for us peace and great mercy.

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.

Falling asleep of st john the theologian

September 26th, 2010
 Today’s scripture readings
Epistle reading

St. John's First Universal Letter 4:12-19

NO MAN has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected
in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his own
Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know
and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and
God abides in him. In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of
judgment, because as he is so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts
out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love. We love,
because he first loved us.

Gospel pericope
John 19:25-27; 21:24-25

At that time, standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the
wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he
loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the
disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. This
is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we
know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were
every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that
would be written.
 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. Sept. 26th: GOYA Flag Football Game, after coffee hour
Mon. Sept. 27th: Adult Religious Education, **5:45pm** note time change
Mon. Sept. 27th St. Iakovos Retreat Center Fundraiser, @ 331 Restaurant 7:30pm
Sat. Oct. 2nd: Great Vespers, 6pm

Get ready to ruuuuuuumble!: After today’s Liturgy we will have our annual GOYA welcome
back flag football game. We need GOYANS and their parents to participate. We’ll meet after
coffee hour at our traditional meeting place for the game.

Monday Night Football St. Iakovos Retreat Center Fundraiser: Please join us at 331 Bar and
Grill (next to Rochester airport) tomorrow Sept. 27th at 7:30pm for a clash of ancient and
currently undefeated rivals: the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers! Please bring a
donation to benefit our newly acquired Metropolis Camp/retreat center, and 10% of all food and
drink sales will go towards the cause! Thanks to our host Tom Karabatsos!

Apple Orchard Outing: Sunday, October 3rd 1:30 PM - JOY outing at Northwoods Apple
orchard (everyone else is welcome, too!) They have something for everyone; whether you want
to stock your kitchen with garden goodies, meet friendly barnyard animals, explore a corn
maze, apple picking or pick your own pumpkin for fall carving.

St. Mary’s Family Camp: the annual Orthodox Family Camp will take place the weekend of
Oct. 7th. Please log onto www.stmaryscamp.com for all related information!

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.
 Today’s liturgical commemorations
St John the Theologian, Apostle and Evangelist.
John was the son of Zebedee the fisherman and Salome the daughter of Joseph, the betrothed
of the holy Mother of God. Called by the Lord Jesus, John immediately left his father and the
fishing nets and followed Christ with his brother James. From that time, he was not parted from
his Lord until the end. With Peter and James, he was present at the raising of Jairus's daughter
and at the Lord's Transfiguration, and laid his head on Jesus' breast at the Last Supper. When
ail the others had forsaken the crucified Lord, John staved beneath the Cross with the holy
Mother of God. In obedience to the Lord's wish, he was as a son to the holy Virgin Mary, caring
for her and serving her, looking after her right up to her falling-asleep. After her Dormition, John
went off with his disciple Prochorus to preach the Gospel in Asia Minor, and mainly lived and
worked in Ephesus. By his inspired preaching and miracles, he brought many to Christianity and
undermined the foundations of paganism. The vexed pagans bound him and sent him to Rome
to the Emperor Domitian. He was tortured and flogged before the Emperor, but, when he was
unharmed either by the strong poison that he was given to drink or the boiling oil into which he
was put, the Emperor was afraid and, thinking he was immortal, sent him into exile on the island
of Patmos. On this island, St John brought many to Christianity by his words and miracles, and
strengthened the Church of God. He wrote his Gospel and the Revelation there. In the time of
the Emperor Nerva, who gave liberty to all the captives, John returned to Ephesus, where he
lived for some time, confirming the work that he had earlier begun. He was over a hundred
years old when he went to the Lord. When his disciples later opened his grave, they found that
his body was not there. Every year, on May 8th, a fine, fragrant dust, endowed with healing
power rose from his grave. After a long and fruitful life of labour upon earth, this beloved disciple
of Christ and pillar of the Church entered into the joy of his Lord, to peace and eternal rejoicing.

Our Holy Father Nilus of Calabria.

A great ascetic among the Greeks of Calabria, the founder of
several monasteries, a wonderworker and defender of the purity
of Orthodoxy, he undertook long journeys simply in order to
save another man trouble. He had a burning love for his
neighbour, and entered into rest in 1005, leaving many
disciples of real worth. The best-known among these is St
Bartholomew, the writer of several Canons, who died in 1044.
 You are invited to the main event!
Old vs. Young
Former vs. Present
Bald vs. Hairy
Fat vs. Buff
(Good vs. Evil)
Fr. Mark’s Chicago Bears
vs.
Nick’s Green Bay Packers
Monday, Sept. 27th 7:30pm
331 Bar and Grill
7386 Airport View Drive SW
Rochester, MN 55902
(Next to the Rochester Airport)
It is a fundraiser for the
St. Iakovos Retreat Center
Bring a meaningful (check) donation for the Retreat
Center…and
10% of your food and drink will also go towards the cause!
Thanks to our host, Tom Karabatsos.

Hope to see you all there!!!

 Elder Cleopa of Romania (+1998)
on “Holy Tradition”
Inquirer: What is the Holy Tradition that the Orthodox consider to
be the second source of Holy Revelation and coequal with Holy
Scripture?
Elder Cleopa: Holy Tradition is the teaching of the Church, God-given
with a living voice, from which a portion was later written down. As
with Holy Scripture, so, too, Holy Tradition contains Holy Revelation,
and is, therefore, fundamental for our salvation. Holy Tradition is the
life of the Church in the Holy Spirit and, consonant with the enduring life of the Church, is thus a
wellspring of Holy Revelation, such that, consequently, it possesses the same authority as Holy
Scripture. From the time of Adam until that of Abraham, according to the old chronologies, 3,678
years passed, and if we add 430 years when the Israelites remained in Egypt, we have 4,108
years. Throughout this period of time Holy Scripture neither existed nor was the Sabbath
considered as a feast among the people. During this period of many thousands of years the
faithful and chosen people were guided to the path of salvation only by Holy Tradition, namely,
from the teachings about God which they received from a living voice. Only for the duration of
1400 years - from the time of Moses until the advent of Christ - were they guided by the Holy
Scriptures of the Old Testament.
Just as before the books of the Old Testament were written the people were guided in the
knowledge of God and on the path of salvation only by Holy Tradition (Tradition with a living
voice, orally), so too were they precisely before the writing of the books of the New Testament.
The Holy Tradition was the guide by which the first Christians were directed to the path of
salvation. The first to impart the teachings of the New Testament with a living voice to the ears
of the people was our Saviour Jesus Christ Himself, who for three and a half years continually
taught the people, distributing His Gospel without, however, writing anything. Inasmuch as He
was carrying out obedience to His Father, He didn’t send His Apostles to write but to preach the
Gospel to the whole world, saying to them: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto
the end of the world. Amen (Mat. 28:19-20)
From the day of its establishment (33 AD) until the year 44 AD, when the Holy Apostle Matthew
wrote the first Gospel, the Church was governed without the Scriptures of the New Testament,
but only with the Holy Tradition of which only a part was later recorded. Although there were
many other writers for whom it was claimed that they were inspired and faithful scribes of the
Apostles, the Church is She who did or did not recognize them, for She is unerring. The Church
lived the truth of the Gospel even before anything was committed to writing, having lived with
the Holy Tradition from the outset.
So then, this is the Holy Tradition: The source and the root of the two Testaments - the Old and
the New - and thus the reason why we call it a source of Holy Revelation, since it carries the
same weight as Holy Scripture.

Inq.: Yes, but it is said that Holy Scripture as God's word is not permitted to be
substituted or exchanged with Tradition, which is man's word, as is written in the
Gospel: Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? ... ye
made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did
Isaiah prophesy of you, saying: This people ... in vain do they worship me, teaching for
doctrine the commandments of men (Mat. 15:3, 6-9; Mk. 7:13). Thus, it is not necessary
for us to replace or add the tradition of men to the law of God, which is contained in Holy
Scripture.

EC: What your friends have told you is not at all true, since the law of God is not only contained
in Holy Scripture. Listen to what the divine Evangelist John says: And there are also many other
things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the
world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen (Jn. 21:25). Again the
same Evangelist declares in one of his epistles: Having many things to write unto you, I would
not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy
may be full (2 Jn. 1:12). So, you see that the holy evangelist, when he had the ability, taught his
disciples more with the living voice of Tradition than by sending them epistles. While your
friends keep at all costs only so much as is written, they dont take into account that both the
Saviour and the majority of His Apostles did not leave anything written, but rather taught orally,
with the living voice of Tradition.