Holy Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church

703 w. Center St. Rochester, MN 55902 ph. 282-1529 church@holyanargyroi.org

www.holyanargyroi.org Rev. Fr. Mark Muñoz, Proistamenos
Today’s Apolytikia
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν,
ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, καὶ
θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Let us worship the word, O ye 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.

Μεγάλα τὰ τῆς Πίστεως κατορθώματα! ἐν τῇ πηγῇ τῆς φλογός, ὡς ἐπὶ ὕδατος ἀναπαύσεως, οἱ
Ἅγιοι τρεῖς Παῖδες ἠγάλλοντο· καὶ ὁ Προφήτης Δανιήλ, λεόντων ποιμήν, ὡς προβάτων
ἐδείκνυτο. Ταῖς αὐτῶν ἱκεσίαις Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the Three Holy
Children rejoiced. And the Prophet Daniel proved a shepherd of lions as of sheep. By their prayers,
O Christ God, save our souls.

Today’s Kontakion
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν Σπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀποῤῥήτως,
Χόρευε ἡ οἰκουμένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον μετὰ Ἀγγέλων καὶ τῶν Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα
ἐποφθῆναι, Παιδίον νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν.

On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * 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.

Sunday before the Feast of the Nativity

All those who from the ages have been well-pleasing to God beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the
Betrothed including the Prophets and Prophetesses especially Daniel and the Three Holy Children, St.
Boniface the Merciful, St. Eutychios the Martyr of Thessaloniki
December 19th, 2010
**NATIVITY FAST**
 TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS

Epistle Reading
St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40

BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign

land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For
he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is
God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak,
Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith
conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of
lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of
weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received
their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they
might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even
chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were
tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and
goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy -
wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all
these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since
God had foreseen something better for us,that apart from us they should not be
made perfect.
 Gospel Pericope
Matthew 1:1-25

The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah
and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of
Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and
Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the
father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,
and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of
Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and
Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of
Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the
father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and
Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of
Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the
deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of
Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and
Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim,
and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of
Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of
Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham
to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen
generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been
betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy
Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame,
resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your
wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you
shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to
fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a
son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel"(which means, God with us). When Joseph
woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but
knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
 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 mysteries to your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief
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 nota 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 mysteries to your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief
confess to You: Lord, remember me in Your kingdom.
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Liturgical/Program Schedule:

Nativity Liturgical Celebrations:

12/24 Royal Hours followed by Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil, 9am
12/24 Christmas Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 9pm
12/25 NO SERVICES!
12/26 Sunday after the Nativity, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am

Today’s Memorial Service: Mr. George Magaritsidis- 5yrs

Today’s 40 Day Blessing: Mrs. Stephanie Shada-Miller (Baby Sofia)

Una Navidad Mexicana: our Church School children participated again this year as ‚Santa’s
Helpers‛ for the boys of St. Innocent’s Orphanage at Project Mexico. Many thanks to those families
for their generous donations of clothing, toys, electronics, individualized for each of the orphan
boys. ‚He who takes pity on the poor lends to the Lord…‛

Coffee Hour Fellowship Sign-up: we are currently soliciting volunteers to host our fellowship hour
after Sunday Liturgy for New Year, 2011. We specifically need volunteers for the month of January
(Jan. 2nd will be the annual Vasilopita celebration). Please see Jackie Barbes , Denise Mangouras, or
Maria Thomas to signup. Thank you for your hospitality!

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 is TODAY. Fyi, gifts
will be secured in locked office during the week in order to prevent the ‘disappearance’ of some
gifts.

WITH THE FEAR OF GOD, FAITH, AND LOVE DRAW NEAR: Only those Orthodox Christians in
good standing are encouraged to receive Holy Communion frequently, provided they have prepared themselves
spiritually, mentally, and physically. They should 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 fasting regulations, 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 the
holy chalice state your baptismal name, 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 the of the cross
as you step away. Please do not be in a rush while communing.
 Today’s liturgical commemorations
1. The Holy Martyr Boniface: Martyrdom for Christ makes a saint out of a sinner. The example of
St. Boniface shows this. At first, he was a servant in Rome to a wealthy and immoral woman,
Aglaida, and had impure and unlawful relations with her. They were both pagans. Once, Aglaida
desired to have the relics of a martyr in her house as an amulet to protect against evil, so she sent
her servant to Asia to find and purchase what she desired. Boniface took several slaves with him and
a large amount of money. Before parting with Aglaida, he said to her: ``If I cannot find a martyr, but
instead they bring you back my body martyred for Christ, will you receive it with honor, my lady?''
Aglaida laughed and called him a drunkard and a sinner, and then they parted. Coming to the city of
Tarsus, Boniface saw many Christians undergoing torture: some with their legs cut off, others with
their hands severed, others with their eyes plucked out, still others on the gallows, and so forth.
Boniface's heart was changed, and he repented of his sinful life and wept. He cried out among the
Christian martyrs: ``I too am a Christian!'' The judge took him for interrogation and ordered that he be
harshly flogged, then that boiling lead be poured into his mouth, and-since this did him no harm-that
he be beheaded. The slaves then took his body and carried it to Rome. An angel of God appeared to
Aglaida and said: ``Receive the one who was once your slave but now is our brother and fellow
servant; he is the guardian of your soul and the protector of your life.'' The awestruck Aglaida came
out to meet them, received the body of Boniface, built a church for him, and placed the relics of the
martyr in it. She then repented, gave away her goods to the poor, withdrew from the world, and lived
for fifteen more years in bitter repentance. St. Boniface suffered in the year 290.

2. Saint Gregory (Grigentius), Bishop of Omir: At first, Gregory was a deacon in a church in
Mediolanum [Milan] and had many visions. By God's providence he was taken to Alexandria. There
Patriarch Proterius, according to a heavenly revelation, consecrated him bishop of the land of Omir
in southern Arabia, which St. Elesbaan the King (October 24) had just freed from the tyranny of
Dunaan the Jew. He was a good shepherd and great miracle-worker. He organized the Church in
Omir with the help of the Christ-loving King Abramius, built many churches, and baptized many
Jews. By his prayers he performed great and awesome miracles, even bringing about a revelation of
Christ the Lord before the unbelieving Jews, which led to their baptism. He governed the Church for
thirty years and entered peacefully into life eternal in the year 552.

3. Saint Boniface the Merciful, Bishop of Ferentino: From his childhood, Boniface was unusually
kind, so much so that his mother scolded him for this. However, aided by prayer, Boniface received a
hundredfold from the Lord. He died peacefully in Italy in the sixth century.

4. The Venerable Elias of Murom: Elias was a monk of the Monastery of the Kiev Caves. He died
in the year 1188, and his incorrupt relics are miracle-working. Even until now, three fingers on his
right hand remain placed together for prayer, showing that he died at prayer. This is a reproach to
those who do not make the sign of the Cross with three fingers.
 Pearls from the desert…
Behold, O Bethlehem! David the King clothes himself in
fine white linen. The Lord of David and Son of David
hid His glory in swaddling clothes. His swaddling
clothes gave a robe of glory to human beings. On this
day our Lord exchanged radiance for shame, as the
Humble One. For Adam exchanged truth for evil as a
rebel. The Gracious One took pity; His upright deeds
conquered those of the wicked one. On the birth of the
Son, the emperor was enrolling the people in the census,
so that they would be indebted to him. To us the King
came out to cancel our debts, and He wrote in His name
another debt, so that He would be indebted to us. - ‚On
the Nativity‛, St. Ephraim the Syrian 4th. century
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Guidelines for the Nativity Fast

We are well aware that our Holy Church provides the faithful with a period of spiritual
preparation in anticipation of the Lord’s Holy Nativity. This period begins on
November 15th every year with the commencement of the Nativity Fast. As this fast is
a ‘modified’ one I thought it helpful to remind us all exactly what is prescribed:
From Nov. 15th-Dec. 12th (St. Spyridon) the following is observed:

Fish/wine/oil are allowed every day except Wednesdays and Fridays which are
observed as strict fast days (no meat, fish, dairy, wine, oil).
From Dec. 12th-Dec. 25th the following is observed:
A strict fast is observed every day except Saturdays and Sundays.

From. Dec. 25th-Jan. 4th: NO FASTING ON ANY DAY!

 Hymnographical Glimpses…
Undoubtedly we are all familiar with the traditional Western Christmas carols
which elicit timeless memories of this holy and joyful season. Indeed, ‘O Holy
Night’ is my favorite and every time I hear that incredible song it inspires and
moves me deeply. However, more often than not, the divine hymnography of our Orthodox
Church which poetically describes and elucidates both the spiritual and theological aspect of the
Nativity passes us by without our noticing or paying heed. I offer the following hymns from
the Feast which demonstrate the unique and powerful qualities the Spirit-inspired liturgical
hymns offer the faithful. We should not disparage our non-liturgical traditional ‘American’
carols nor exclude them; concurrently we need to return to a deeper liturgical understanding of
our Faith by means of the treasure we posses in our Orthodox hymnography…+FM

“Mary, why are you amazed and awed by what was done in you? And she answers, “For
in time I have brought forth a timeless Son. But I have no understanding of His
conception. Husbandless am I: how can I bear a son? Who has ever seen seedless
childbirth? But where God wills, the order found in nature is overcome, as it is written.”
So Christ was born from the Virgin Maiden, in Bethlehem of Judea.” Orthros of the
Nativity

‚He whom nothing can contain has been contained in a womb. He is in the Father’s
bosom and His Mother’s embrace. How can this be, but as He knows and willed and was
well pleased. Fleshless as He was, He willingly took flesh. And He Who Is became what
He was not, for us. And while departing not from His own nature, He shared in our
nature’s substance. So Christ was born with dual natures, wishing to replenish the world
on high.‛ Orthros of the Nativity

Come, let us extol and praise the Savior’s Mother, who remained a virgin even after
childbirth. Animate City of our King and God, rejoice, for Christ having dwelt in you has
wrought our salvation. Together with Gabriel we sing your praise, together with the
shepherds we glorify you, crying out, O Theotokos, intercede with the Lord, who is
incarnate from you, to save us.‛ Orthros of the Nativity