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
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα
ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν· ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε
δόξα σοι.
You descended from on high, O merciful Lord, and endured the
three day burial to free us from our passions. O Lord, our life and
our resurrection, glory to you.

Ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε, ἡ τῆς Τριάδος

ἐφανερώθη προσκύνησις· τοῦ γὰρ Γεννήτορος ἡ φωνὴ
προσεμαρτύρει σοι, ἀγαπητὸν σὲ Υἱὸν ὀνομάζουσα, καὶ τὸ
Πνεῦμα ἐν εἴδει περιστερᾶς, ἐβεβαίου τοῦ λόγου τὸ ἀσφαλές.
Ὁ ἐπιφανεὶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τὸν κόσμον φωτίσας δόξα σοι.

When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the
Trinity was manifest. For the voice of the Father bore witness to
You, calling You His Beloved Son, and the Spirit, in the form of a
dove, confirmed the certainty of His words. O Christ our God, who
appeared and has enlightened the world, glory be to You.

Today’s Kontakion

You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller
understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light."

Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον τῇ οἰκουμένῃ, καὶ τὸ φῶς σου Κύριε, ἐσημειώθη ἐφ᾽ ἡμᾶς, ἐν ἐπιγνώσει
ὑμνοῦντας σε. Ἦλθες ἐφάνης τὸ Φῶς τὸ ἀπρόσιτον.

Sunday after the Feast of Theophany

St. Eustratios the Wonderworker, Martyr Polyeuctos
January 9th, 2011
 TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS

Epistle Reading
St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13

BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he
gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had
also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also
ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were
that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and
teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of
Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Gospel Pericope
Matthew 4:12-17

At that time, Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee;
and leaving Nazareth He went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory
of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be
fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the
Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great
light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is
at hand."
 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:
Sun. Jan. 9th: Young Adult League (YAL) establishment meeting after Liturgy
Sun. Jan. 9th: St. Nonna’s Outing, Archery
Mon. Jan. 10th: Adult Religious Education, 6pm
Mon. Jan. 10th: Building Committee, 7pm
Tues. Jan. 11th: JOY Faith Night, Theophany/House Blessing @ Jerghiuta residence, 5:30pm
Sat. Jan. 15th: Great Vespers, 6pm
Sun. Jan. 16th: GOYA Outing, snow tubing!

“The seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit…” Today through the grace of God His servant,
Robert Lyttle, will be received into the Holy Orthodox Church through the holy Mystery of
Chrismation. Robert’s wife, Kathy (Anna), was received into the Church last Pascha and we
wish them both of a New Year of happiness, health, and progress in faith and spiritual
understanding. Welcome!
JOY Faith Night: we will gather this Tuesday evening @ the Jerghiuta residence to celebrate
and introduce the tradition of the “Theophany House Blessing”. Please arrive by 5:30pm and
rsvp to Loredana if you plan on attending. Thanks again to the Jerghiuta family for hosting us
two years in a row!
House blessings: If you would like to have your homes/businesses blessed please contact Fr.
Mark immediately to make your appt. Please refer to Jan.’s edition of “Box & Spoon” for
appropriate preparations.

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!

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 POLYEUCTUS The Armenian city of Melitene was drenched with the blood
of Christians as was the entire country of Armenia. The first blood shed for Christ in this city was that
of Saint Polyeuctus in the year 259 A.D. during the reign of Valerian. In this city [Melitene] were two
friends: both Nearchus and Polyeuctus were officers, Nearchus baptized and Polyeuctus unbaptized.
When the command of the emperor was sent out concerning the persecution of the Christians,
Nearchus prepared for death; but he was in great sorrow because he had not succeeded in
converting his friend Polyeuctus to the True Faith. When Polyeuctus learned of the reason for
Nearchus' sorrow, he promised to embrace the Faith. The following day Polyeuctus related his
dream to Nearchus: the Lord Himself appeared to him in light, removed Polyeuctus' old clothes from
him and dressed him in radiant new clothes and sat him in the saddle of a winged horse. After this,
Polyeuctus went to town, shredded the emperor's decree concerning the torturing of Christians, and
destroyed many statues of the idols. He was tortured and was condemned to death. When he was
brought to the place of execution, he looked at Nearchus in the throng of people and joyfully cried
out to him: "Save yourself my dear friend! Remember the vow of love confirmed between the two of
us!" Later, Saint Nearchus died as a martyr for Christ by fire. The commemoration of the feast of St.
Nearchus is April 22.

2. THE VENERABLE EUSTRATIUS Eustratius was a native of Tarsus. He was a great ascetic and
a man of prayer. During the seventy-five years he spent in the monastery, Eustratius never laid down
to sleep on his left side but always on his right side. Throughout the Divine Services, from the
beginning to the end, he repeated to himself: "Lord have mercy!" He died in his ninety-fifth year.

3. SAINT PHILIP, METROPOLITAN OF MOSCOW Philip was born February 11, 1507 A.D. Once,
while standing in church as a young boy, he heard the priest read from the Gospel: "No one can
serve two masters" (St. Matthew 6:24). He became very frightened by these words, as though these
words were exclusively spoken to him and at that same time became enlightened by them. He then
withdrew to the Solovetsk Monastery where he, after a long and
difficult period of probation [Novitiate], was tonsured a monk. In
time, Philip became the abbot and shone as the sun and the
whole of Russia heard of him. Hence, Emperor Ivan the Terrible
summoned Philip to fill the vacant Metropolitan See of Moscow
in the year 1566 A.D. However, this holy man could not endure
with indifference the awful atrocities of the terrible tsar and,
therefore, counseled him and rebuked him without fear. The
tsar found some false witnesses against Philip, ousted him from
office, and ordered that he be dressed in a simple and tattered
monastic cassock and imprisoned him in Tver on December 23,
1569 A.D. Malyuta Skuratov, one of the tsar's confidants, came
to Philip's cell and suffocated him with a pillow. Shortly
afterwards, all those who were opposed to Philip died evil
deaths. After several years, the body of the saint discovered
whole, incorrupt, and fragrant, was translated to the Monastery
of Solovetsk.
 Pearls from the desert…
God is a fire that warms and kindles the heart and inward parts. Hence, if we
feel in our hearts the cold which comes from the devil - for the devil is cold -
let us call on the Lord. He will come to warm our hearts with perfect love, not
only for Him but also for our neighbor, and the cold of him who hates the
good will flee before the heat of His countenance. –St. Seraphim of Sarov

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Inclement Weather & Church Closing:

We are all too aware that in Minnesota we receive a wide variety of weather! If it is
decided that services or events will need to be cancelled due to bad weather the
following protocol will be immediately implemented:
 An announcement will appear on KTTC’s Storm Center and Closing System.
 An email will be sent to the parishioners who have registered their email w/ the office.
 An announcement will be posted on the parish’s Facebook page.
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Festival of Tables
Please join us for our annual fundraising event which will take place on Saturday,
February 19th at 6:00pm. This year the proceeds will be donated to the Hoppe Family
Mission and our own Philoxenia House Ministry. The cost is set at $75 per person and
reservations are required. As always, our in-house chef Johnny Mangouras will be preparing
his culinary magic! Please spread the word and invite for your friends to join us in this
important fellowship event! To make a reservation, host a table, or volunteer please contact
Calli Kelly at callikelly@pitel.com or 356-2203.
 The Fathers on Receiving

Holy Communion

―When the most sacred body of Christ is

received and eaten in a proper manner, it
becomes a weapon against those who war
against us, it returns to God those who had
left Him, it strengthens the weak, it causes the
healthy to be glad, it heals sicknesses, and it preserves health. Through it we become meek and more willing
to accept correction, more longsuffering in our pains, more fervent in our love, more detailed in our
knowledge, more willing to do obedience, and keener in the workings of the charismata of the Spirit. But all
the opposite happens to those who do not receive Communion in a proper manner.‖- St. Gregory the
Theologian

―Brothers, let us practice stillness, fasting, prayer, and tears; gather together in the Church; work with our
hands; speak about the Holy Fathers; be obedient to the truth; and listen to the divine Scriptures; so that our
minds do not become barren (and sprout the thorns of evil thoughts). And let us certainly make ourselves
worthy of partaking of the divine and immaculate Mysteries, so that our soul may be purified from thoughts
of unbelief and impurity, and so that the Lord will dwell within us and deliver us from the evil one.‖- St.
Ephraim the Syrian

―Tears and contrition have great power. But the Communion of the sanctified Gifts, above all, has
especially great power and benefit, and, seeing that you are so indifferent towards it and do not
frequently receive it, I am in wonder and great amazement. I say these things to you, not because I
wish for you simply to commune—haphazardly, without preparation (for it is written: “But let a
man examine himself, and so let him eat of the Bread, and drink of the Cup. For he that eateth and
drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body and
blood” [1 Cor. 11:28–29]). No, I am not saying this. God forbid! I say that we should, out of our
desire for Communion, purify ourselves as much as possible and make ourselves worthy of the
Gift. For the Bread which came down from heaven is participation in life: “If any man eat of this
bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life
of the world‖ (Jn. 6:51). Again He says: ―He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth
in Me, and I in him‖ (Jn. 6:58).‖ – St. Theodore the Studite
 st. nina
equal-to-the-apostles
Born in Cappadocia in the late third century, St. Nina (or Nino,
the Georgian form) was the only daughter of a Roman general,
Zabulon, and his wife, Susanna. On her father's side, she was
related to St. George, and on her mother's, to the Patriarch of
Jerusalem. When Nina was twelve, her family traveled to
Jerusalem, where with the Patriarch's blessing, her father became
a monk; her mother became a church worker; and Nina became
the foster child of Nianfora, a pious elderly woman. Under the
tutelage of her foster mother, Nina quickly learned the rules of
faith and piety. At fourteen, Nina questioned her mentor about
the location of Christ's robe; Nina felt that such an important relic
could not have been lost. Nianfora told her that it was in Iberia
(now Georgia), a land not yet completely illumined. When the
apostles had drawn lots to determine who was to preach where,
the Theotokos had received the lot for Iberia, but she had been
held back from going and was assured that someone would later
enlighten it. In a dream, the Theotokos came to Nina and urged
her to preach the gospel in Georgia. The Mother of God assured Nina that she would protect her and as a
pledge, left a cross of grape vines. The patriarch, her uncle, was delighted with the news of her vision. He
eagerly gave her his blessing.

Nina joined the party of Princess Ripsimia, which was traveling to Georgia to escape the persecution of
Diocletian. All but Nina, who was sheltered in a crevice, were martyred in Armenia after Ripsimia
declined to marry the kitng, Tiridat. Living as pilgrim, by the grace of God and on the bounty of strangers,
Nina once became weary. She wondered briefly where she was going, what she was doing. She fell,
exhausted, asleep and had a vision of a majestic man who handed her a scroll in Greek. Strengthened and
reassured, Nina continued until she arrived in Georgia, where she witnessed the worship of the local gods.
Praying that the idols might be destroyed, she also witnessed a downpour that washed the idols into the
river and out of sight. Nina died in the early fourth century, after she had seen Christianity spread
throughout Georgia and had, through her preaching, converted a neighboring queen, Sophia of Kakhetian
and her kingdom. Nina was buried, near the place where she had died, in Bodbi. The church built by her
grave was dedicated to St. George and became the Bodbi metropolitanate. Her memory is kept by the
Holy Church on January 14th.