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
Ότε κατήλθες πρός τόν θάνατον, η Ζωή η αθάνατος, τότε τόν Άδην ενέκρωσας τή αστραπή
τής θεότητος, ότε δέ καί τούς τεθνεώτας εκ τών καταχθονίων ανέστησας, πάσαι αι
Δυνάμεις τών επουρανίων εκραύγαζον, Ζωοδότα Χριστέ ο Θεός ημών δόξα σοι.
O life immortal, when you descended unto death, you destroyed Hades with the splendor of
your divinity, and when you raised the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly
powers shouted: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to you.
Ἀσκητικῶς προγυμνασθεὶς ἐν τῷ ὄρει, τὰς νοητὰς τῶν δυσμενῶν παρατάξεις, τῇ πανοπλίᾳ
ὤλεσας παμμάκαρ τοῦ Σταυροῦ· αὖθις δὲ πρὸς ἄθλησιν, ἀνδρικῶς ἀπεδύσω, κτείνας τὸν
Κοπρώνυμον, τῷ τῆς Πίστεως ξίφει, καὶ δι' ἀμφοῖν ἐστέφθης ἐκ Θεοῦ, Ὁσιομάρτυς ἀοίδιμε
Στέφανε.
Trained on the mountain in ascetical labours, with the whole armour of the Cross thou didst
vanquish the spiritual arrays of unseen enemies; and when thou hadst stripped thyself with
great courage for contest, thou didst slay Copronymus with the sword of the true Faith. For
both these things hast thou been crowned by God, O righteous Martyr, blest Stephen of great
renown.

ΚΟΝΤΑΚΙΟΝ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ/KONTAKION FOR TODAY

Η Παρθένος σήμερον, τόν προαιώνιον Λόγον, εν Σπηλαίω έρχεται, αποτεκείν απορρήτως,

Χόρευε η οικουμένη ακουτισθείσα, δόξασον μετά Αγγέλων καί τών Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα
εποφθήναι, Παιδίον νέον, τόν πρό αιώνων Θεόν.
On this day the Virgin cometh to a cave to give birth to God the Word ineffable, Who was
before all the ages. Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing the gladsome tidings; with the Angels and
the shepherds now glorify Him Who is willing to be gazed on as a young Child Who before the
ages is God.

13th Sunday of st. Luke

St. Stephen the New Martyr, St. Irenarchos the Martyr and those with him
November 28th, 2010
**NATIVITY FAST**
 Today’s scripture readings
Epistle reading

St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 6:10-17

Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against
flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of
this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put
on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel
of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming
darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God.

Gospel pericope
Luke 18:18-27

At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to
inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good
but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do
not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All
these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One
thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he
was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to
enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who
can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
 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:
Today: Brief Sunday School Meeting after Liturgy in Hall.
Mon. Nov. 29th: Philoxenia Meeting, 5:00pm
Mon. Nov. 29th: Adult Religious Ed. 6:00pm
Tues. Nov. 30th: St. Andrew the First-Called, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am
Sat. Dec. 4th: Great Vespers, 6:00pm
Sat. Dec. 4th: St. Nonna’s Women’s Group, after Vespers at Katherine Weiler’s residence.
Sun. Dec. 5th: Parish Council Elections

St. Nonna’s Women’s Group: invites all the ladies of the parish to come to
Katherine Weiler’s home this Saturday evening (12/4) to join a new
spiritual/fellowship group for women. In this upcoming gathering we will be
discussing the life of St. Nonna.

Parish Council Elections: will be held next Sunday 12/5 after the Divine Liturgy. The
following stewards in good standing will be on the ballot to fill three vacancies: Aaron
Biedermann , Mike Brekke, Dan Jerghiuta, and Andru Peters.

Christmas Toy Drive: This year our parish will partner with the Salvation Army to provide
Christmas presents for those families in need. Please bring your unwrapped gifts for either
teenagers or young children ages 0-3yrs, clothing or toys are preferred. Place gifts in the large
Christmas box located in the narthex of the church . The last of day for drop off will be Sunday.
Dec. 12th. Fyi, gifts will be secured in locked office during the week in order to prevent their
‘disappearance’.

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.