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
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.

Τὴν Ῥώμην μὴ λιπών, πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἐπεδήμησας, δι' ὧν ἐφόρεσας

τιμίων Ἀλύσεων, τῶν Ἀποστόλων Πρωτόθρονε· ἃς ἐν πίστει
προσκυνοῦντες δεόμεθα, ταῖς πρὸς Θεὸν πρεσβείαις σου, δώρησαι
ἡμῖν τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Without leaving Rome, thou didst come to us by the precious chains which thou didst wear. O foremost
of the Apostles. And worshipping them with faith, we pray: By thine intercessions with God, grant us
great mercy.

Today’s Kontakion
Ο μήτραν παρθενικήν αγιάσας τώ τόκω σου, καί χείρας τού Συμεών ευλογήσας ως έπρεπε,
προφθάσας καί νύν έσωσας ημάς Χριστέ ο Θεός. Αλλ' ειρήνευσον εν πολέμοις τό πολίτευμα, καί
κραταίωσον Βασιλείς ούς ηγάπησας, ο μόνος φιλάνθρωπος.

Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and
saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in
authority, whom You love, as only Lover of mankind.

12th Sunday of St. Luke

Veneration of the Chains of St. Peter, St. Makarios Kalogeras of Patmos
January 16th, 2011
 TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS

Epistle Reading
St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11

BRETHREN, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in
glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil
desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming
upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now
put them all away; anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie
to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put
on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian,
slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

Gospel Pericope

Luke 17:12-19

At that time, as Jesus entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and
lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When He saw them He said to
them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of
them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on
his face at Jesus's feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten
cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this
foreigner?" And He said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."
 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. 16th: GOYA Outing, snow tubing!
Mon. Jan. 17th: Adult Religious Education, 6pmis
Wed. Jan. 19th: St. Mark of Ephesus Confessor of Orthodoxy, Orthros/ Liturgy 8:30am
Wed. Jan. 19th: Parish Council Meeting, 7pm
Sat. Jan. 22nd: Great Vespers, 6pm

New Parish Council: we have received ratification of the Parish Council elections from the
Metropolis and we are pleased to announce that the following stewards have been elected:
Aaron Biedermann, Dan Jerghiuta, and Andru Peters. They will take the oath of office today
and will attend the first meeting of the new council this Wednesday. We thank them for their
commitment and pray for a fruitful tenure!

2011 Stewardship Update: the Stewardship Committee is excited to announce that as of 1/14/11
we have 43 pledging units for a total of $94,022, which is an average pledge of $2,186! We thank
you all for your quick and generous response and we encourage and invite those families that
have not yet turned in their stewardship forms to do so asap. Thank you for your support!

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. 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 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. SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE (THE CHAINS OF ST. PETER)

Saint Peter is commemorated on this day because of the chains by which he was shackled by the lawless Herod and
which during the appearance of an angel in prison fell from him, "Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a
light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, `Get up quickly.' The chains fell from
his wrists" (Acts of the Apostles 12:7). The chains were preserved by Christians as much for the memory of this great
apostle as well as for their healing power, for many of the sick were healed by touching them as well as with the towel
of the Apostle Paul, "then when the face cloths or aprons that touched his skin were applied to the sick, their diseases
left them and the evil spirits came out of them" (Acts of the Apostles 19:12). St. Juvenal, the Patriarch of Jerusalem
gave these chains as a gift to the Empress Eudocia, the exiled wife of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger. She
divided them into two and sent one half to the Church of the Holy Apostle in Constantinople and the other half to her
daughter Empress Eudoxia in Rome, the wife of Valentian. Eudoxia built the Church of St. Peter and deposited these
chains in it, together with those chains with which Peter was shackled before his death under Emperor Nero.

2. THE HOLY MARTYRS SPEUSIPPUS, ELEUSIPPUS, MELEUSIPPUS AND THEIR GRANDMOTHER

LEONILLA.

The three brothers, triplets, Speusippus, Eleusippus, Meleusippus all suffered for Christ in France during
the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161 A.D. -180A.D.). At first, only Leonilla was a Christian while her
grandsons were heathens. After prolonged counseling on the part of their pious grandmother and of the
local priest, these three brothers received baptism. Having been baptized and with youthful zeal, they
began to live a devoted life for their Faith and with this passion destroyed all the idols in the whole vicinity.
Accused and brought before the tribunal, they acknowledged their act and openly confessed their faith in
Christ. The judge had them thrown into prison and summoned Leonilla, the grandmother, and directed
that she, too, go to the prison and counsel her grandsons to deny Christ and to worship the idols. Without
a word, Leonilla went to the prison, but instead of counseling her grandsons to deny the True Faith, she
began to encourage them not to waver but to endure all torments to the end and to die for Christ. When
the judge, again, questioned them and realized their even stronger steadfastness in the Faith, he
condemned them to death. At first, all three of them were hanged on a tree where they hung "as strings
on a gulsa"* after which, they were flogged and finally burned in fire. A certain woman, Jovilla,
enthusiastic at the courage of these martyrs cried out: "I am a Christian also!" They immediately
apprehended her who, together with the elderly Leonilla, was beheaded.]

3. THE VENERABLE MARTYR DAMASKIN OF GABROVO

Damaskin led a life of asceticism in Hilendar [Mt. Athos] where he became the abbot. When he sought
from some Turks payment of a debt due to the monastery, they persuaded a Muslim woman to enter the
house where Damaskin lived. Then, those same Turks came and, finding this woman, dragged Damaskin
before the Cadi [Muslim Judge] who then proposed to him: either be hanged or convert to Islam. To this
Damaskin decisively responded, "It would be insanity if I for this transient life would purchase eternal
death." He was hanged in the year 1771 A.D. in Svishtov. Thus, Damaskin sacrificed his body in order to
save his soul. God's punishment immediately befell his murderers. While crossing the Danube river, in a
row boat, a storm arose and capsized the boat and drowned them.
 Pearls from the desert…
We shall be blessed with clear vision if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ,
for He, as Paul teaches, is our head, and there is in Him no shadow of
evil. Saint Paul himself and all who have reached the same heights of
sanctity had their eyes fixed on Christ, and so have all who live and move
and have their being in Him. As no darkness can be seen by anyone
surrounded by light, so no trivialities can capture the attention of anyone
who has his eyes on Christ. The man who keeps his eyes upon the head
and origin of the whole universe has them on virtue in all its perfection; he
has them on truth, on justice, on immortality and on everything else that is
good, for Christ is goodness itself. St. Gregory of Nyssa, 4th century

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2011 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
This year our Parish Oratorical Festival will take place during coffee hour on Sunday,
March 13th. All children are asked to participate in this event; registration forms are
available from Presbytera Michelle. The categories include speech, essay, poem, and
iconography. Although all categories are welcome this year we are emphasizing speeches.
Parents and/or Catechetical Teachers can assist children with their projects. There are
several different themes for each division. Divisions include Elementary (preschool-6th
grade), Junior (7th-9th grades), and Senior (10th-12th grades).
 “What does „anathema‟ mean, Father?”
The Greek word "anathema" consists of two words: "ana", which is a preposition indicating movement
upwards and "thema", which means a separate part of something. In military terminology, "thema"
meant a detachment; in civil government "thema" meant a province. We currently use the word
"theme", derived from "thema", to mean a specific topic of a written and intellectual work. "Anathema"
literally means the lifting up of something separate. In the Old Testament this expression was used
both in relation to that which was alienated due to sinfulness and likewise to that which was dedicated
to God. In the New Testament, in the writing of the Apostle Paul it is used once in conjunction with
"maranatha", meaning the coming of the Lord. The combination of these words means separation until
the coming of the Lord; in other words - being handed over to Him (1 Cor 16:22). The Apostle Paul
uses "anathema" in another place without the addition of "maranatha" (Gal 1:8-9). Here "anathema" is
proclaimed against the distortion of the Gospel of Christ as it was preached by the Apostle, no matter
by whom this might be committed, whether by the Apostle himself or an angel from the heavens. In this
same expression there is also implied: "let the Lord Himself pass judgment," for who else can pass
judgment on the angels? St John the Theologian in Revelation (22:3) says that in the New Jerusalem
there will not be any anathema; this can be understood in two ways, giving the word anathema both
meanings: 1) there will not be any lifting up to the judgment of God, for this judgment has already been
accomplished; 2) there will not be any special dedication to God, for all things will be the Holy things
of God, just as the light of God enlightens all (Rev 21:23).

In the acts of the Councils and the further course of the New Testament Church of Christ, the word
"anathema" came to mean complete separation from the Church. "The Catholic and Apostolic Church
anathematizes", "let him be anathema", "let it be anathema", means a complete tearing away from the
church. While in cases of "separation from the communion of the Church" and other epitimia or
penances laid on a person, the person remained a member of the Church, even though his participation
in her grace filled life was limited, those given over to anathema were thus completely torn away from
her until their repentance. Realizing that she is unable to do anything for their salvation, in view of their
stubbornness and hardness of heart, the earthly church lifts them up to the judgment of God. That
judgment is merciful unto repentant sinners, but fearsome for the stubborn enemies of God. "It is a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God ... for our God is a consuming fire" (Heb 10:31 ;
12:29). Anathema is not final damnation: until death repentance is possible. "Anathema" is fearsome
not because the Church wishes anyone evil or God seeks their damnation. They desire that all be saved.
But it is fearsome to stand before the presence of God in the state of hardened evil: nothing is hidden
from Him.
 St. Mark of Ephesus
Pillar of orthodoxy
Our father among the saints Mark of Ephesus,
Archbishop of Ephesus, was famous for his courageous
defense of Orthodoxy at the Council of Florence (1439
A.D.) in spite of the Byzantine emperor John VIII
Palaeologus and the pope of Rome Eugenius IV. He
held Rome to be in schism and heresy for its acceptance
of the Filioque clause added to the Nicene-
Constantinopolitan Creed and for the claims of the
papacy to universal jurisdiction over the Church, and
was thus the only Eastern bishop to refuse to sign the decrees of the council. Sometimes he
is called "the conscience of Orthodoxy."

He died peacefully in the year 1444 A.D. On his deathbed, Mark implored Gregory, his
disciple, and later Patriarch Gennadius II of Constantinople, to be careful of the snares of
the West and to defend Orthodoxy. For his efforts at the Council of Florence and his
defense against: the addition of the Filioque, the primacy of the Pope, and purgatorial fire
purification, the Orthodox Church considers him a saint, calling him a Pillar of Orthodoxy.
His feast day is January 19.

There is an account of a posthumous miracle performed by St. Mark of Ephesus. Doctors

gave up on trying to save the life of the terminally ill sister of Demetrios Zourbaios, after
their efforts had worsened her condition. After losing consciousness for three days she
suddenly woke up to the delight of her brother, who asked her why she woke up drenched
in water. She related that a bishop escorted her to a fountain and washed her and told her,
"Return now; you no longer have any illness." She asked him who he was and he informed
her, "I am the Metropolitan of Ephesus, Mark Eugenikos." After being miraculously healed,
she made an icon of St. Mark and lived devoutly for another 15 years. In 1734 the Holy
Synod of the Church of Constantinople under Patriarch Seraphim I glorified Mark of
Ephesus as a saint.