Sunday Bulletin July 3, 2016 Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation

4121 O'Hara Drive Vestal, NY 13850 Phone: (607) 797-0824 Fax: (607) 797-0824 http://www.annunciationvestal.ny.goarch.org

Rev. Dr. Michael Bahlatzis, Presiding Priest-Proistamenos

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Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 2:10-16

Brethren, glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading

Matthew 4:18-23

At that time, as Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left their boat and their father, and followed him. And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

Message from Fr. Michael......

Dearly Beloved Faithful Followers of the Lord:

Now that the summer has begun, we begin to enter into a vacation mind frame.

The warmth of the sun, the beauty of the green landscaping about, the picturesque colorful flowers, the birds chirping, and the parks overflowing with laughter and fun remind us of the simple pleasures in life. These are the comforts given to us by God. Our creator loves us and created us for Himself. We often forget that we were placed on earth to do His will. We are here to serve the Master! We were placed here to follow Him.

In today's Gospel lesson, we read "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." These were the words of our Lord when he approached Andrew and his brother Simon (Peter) as they casted their fishing nets into the sea. I recognize the awe that they must have experienced. For they left everything to follow God.

The question remains, would we leave everything to follow God? The Lord stated in the Gospel of St. Matthew, which we read last week," he who loves father or mother [or husband or wife or brother or sister or] more than me is not worthy of me." We must forsake all that is in this world to love God with our whole heart and our whole being. Without love for God, we are less than dust. Although God's love for us is unconditional, we recognize that He created us and placed us here on earth to serve and worship Him and no other. Let us leave darkness to enter into the light of His glory! Let us follow Him! Let us put aside our own personal agenda and place the Lord in a place of priority in our lives. For Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! Following an un Godly self-centered life will give us a finite mortal life where the end result is death for all eternity. Following the Lord, a life rich in God, will give us life....everlasting life!

Following Him I remain, In His service,

+Fr. Michael

2nd Sunday of Matthew

Hyacinth the Martyr of Caesarea & Theodotos and Theodota the Martyrs

The Martyr Hyacinth, who was from Caesarea of Cappadocia, was the chamberlain of the Emperor Trajan. On being constrained by the Emperor to partake of the sacrifices offered to idols and not wishing to do so, he was shut up in prison without food, where he gave up his spirit to God in the year 108.

Translation of the Holy Relics of our Father Among the Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow

Today we also commemorate the translation of the holy and incorrupt relics of Philip from the Monastery of Solovki, where he was Abbot, to the Cathedral of the Dormition in Moscow, his Metropolitan throne. This came to pass in 1652, some eighty years after his martyric death in Tver. (See also Jan. 9 and Oct. 5.)

Anatolius, Patriarch of Constantinople

Saint Anatolius was a priest from Alexandria, who had been ordained deacon and perhaps also priest by Saint Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria. In 449, at the Robber Council of Ephesus, Saint Cyril's infamous successor, the violent Dioscorus, unlawfully deposed Flavian, the Patriarch of Constantinople and opponent of the Monophysite Eutyches; Flavian, from the beatings which he received, died soon after. Dioscorus, thinking that the priest Anatolius would support him, consecrated him Patriarch of Constantinople in Saint Flavian's stead. After he had been consecrated by Dioscorus-who at that time had not yet been deposed-Anatolius united with the Orthodox; before the Council of Chalcedon in 451, he held a council of the Bishops in Constantinople, at which the Orthodox "Tome" of Pope Leo (see Feb. 18), which Dioscorus had not allowed to be read at the Robber Council, was read and approved; and at the Council of Chalcedon in 451, he condemned Nestorius, Eutyches, and, for his unlawful actions, Dioscorus. Saint Anatolius reposed in the year 458. Some ascribe to this Anatolius the hymns of Vespers and the Praises in the that are labeled Anatolian Stichera; but others (which may be more correct), to another with the same name, who was from the Monastery of Studium, and a disciple of Saint , whose to this Anatolius is still extant.

FATHER MICHAEL REQUESTS…that we, as a faithful community keep the following individuals in our prayers: Michalena (Skiadas) Sukenik, Suzanne Vaishnani, daughter of Ted Simon, Presbytera Magdalena Michalopulos, Helen Economides, Henry Nussbaum, and Sam Kashou. Please notify Fr. Michael if you have anyone else who should be included for special prayers. May they be under the grace and tender watch of our Lord.

Summer is here! Please be advised that the air conditioners in our church will be on during the church services. The two units in the front are to remain on during the Divine Liturgy as per necessity in the altar area, such being the vestments worn by the priest and altar servers, candles and lights. The two units in the rear of the church may be turned on and off as necessary.

Parish Council members are reminded that your dues should have been paid by March 31; for all other members, dues are strongly encouraged to be paid no later than June 30. Please submit your payment to Sophia Papastratis or Steve Anastos. Single rate is $200/year, which is for one member; family rate is $400 which means more than one member of a family, such as husband and wife. Children under the age of 18 are not included in these rates. Anyone with financial concerns regarding their dues is encouraged to speak with Fr. Michael or Steve Anastos.

STEWARDSHIP:

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 20:45-21:4

Whether you are an Orthodox Christian, or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy is reserved for baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians, all are invited to receive the "ANTIDORON" (blessed bread) which is not a sacrament, but is a reminder of the "agape feast" that followed worship in the early Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning, please join us in the Church Hall for fellowship and refreshments. We hope that you will return often to worship with us, to grow in Christ and in our Orthodox Faith. For any spiritual, religious, or sacramental matters, please contact Fr. Michael (607) 795-1474. For any building, facility or church property issues, please contact Parish Council President Steve Anastos, (607) 296-9799. Deadline for suggestions for the bulletin is 12:00 noon on Thursday.