SAINT LUKE the EVANGELIST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH February 12, 2017

SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH february 12, 2017

the sunday of the prodigal son

The Sunday after the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee is the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. This parable of God’s forgiveness calls us to come to ourselves” as did the prodigal son, to see ourselves as being “in a far country” far from the Father’s house, and to make the journey of return to God. We are given every assurance by the Master that our heavenly Father will receive us with joy and gladness. We must only “arise and go,” confessing our self-inflicted and sinful separation from that “home” where we truly belong (Luke 15:11-24). Saint Meletius, Archbishop of Antioch, was Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia (ca. 357), and afterwards he was summoned to Antioch by the emperor Constantius to help combat the Arian heresy, and was appointed to that See. Saint Meletius struggled zealously against the Arian error, but through the intrigues of the heretics he was thrice deposed from his cathedra. Constantius had become surrounded by the Arians and had accepted their position. In all this Saint Meletius was distinguished by an extraordinary gentleness, and he constantly led his flock by the example of his own virtue and kindly disposition, supposing that the seeds of the true teaching sprout more readily on such soil. Saint Meletius was the one who ordained the future hierarch Saint Basil the Great as deacon. Saint Mele- tius also baptized and encouraged another of the greatest luminaries of Orthodoxy, Saint John Chrysostom, who later eulogized his former archpastor. After Constantius, the throne was occupied by Julian the Apostate, and the saint again was expelled, having to hide himself in secret places for his safety. Returning under the emperor Jovian in the year 363, Saint Meletius wrote his theological treatise, “Exposition of the Faith,” which facilitated the conversion of many of the Arians to Orthodoxy. In the year 381, under the emperor Theodosius the Great (379-395), the Second Ecumenical Coun- cil was convened. In the year 380 the saint had set off on his way to the Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople, and came to preside over it.

1510 audubon drive • columbia, missouri, 65201 • tel. 573.817.0050 / fax 573.449.8452 email: [email protected] • web: www.saintlukecolumbia.org at the small entrance we chant

αναστ. Ἀπολυτίκιον. Ἦχος Α. resurr. apolytikion. Mode 1. οῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ he stone had been secured with a seal by the Ju- Tστρατιωτῶν φυλασσόντων τὸ ἄχραντόν σου Tdeans, * and a guard of soldiers was watching Your Σῶμα, ἀνέστης τριήμερος Σωτήρ, δωρούμενος immaculate body. * You rose on the third day, O Lord τῷ κόσμῳ τὴν ζωήν· διὰ τοῦτο αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν * and Savior, granting life unto the world. * For this οὐρανῶν ἐβόων σοι ζωοδότα. Δόξα τῇ Ἀναστάσει reason were the powers of heaven crying out to You, σου Χριστέ, δόξα τῇ βασιλείᾳ σου, δόξα τῇ οἰκονο- O Life-giver: * Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ; μίᾳ σου, μόνε φιλάνθρωπε. * glory to Your kingdom; * glory to Your dispensa- tion, only One who loves mankind.. Ἀπολυτίκιον του ναου. πλ. α. Apolytikion for the Church. Mode 5. ουκάν τον πανύμνητον καὶ ἅγιον ἀπόστο- he holy Apostle, the All-hymned Luke, * who is Λλον, τὸν τῆς Ἐκκλησίας γνωστὸν συνθέτην Tacknowledged by the Church of Christ * as the re- τῶν Πράξεων τῶν Ἀποστόλων, τόν τε σεμνὸν τοῦ corder of the Acts of the Apostles, * and the splendid Εὐαγγελίου Χριστοῦ ὑπομνηματιστήν, ἀξίως τιμή- author of the Gospel of Christ. * Let us praise with sa- σωμεν ὕμνοις ὁσίοις, ὡς νοσημάτων ἀνθρωπίνων cred hymns as a physician, * who heals the infirmities καὶ φυσικῶν ἀσθενειῶν θεραπευτήν, τὸν καθαίρο- of man, * and the ailments of nature, * who cleanses ντα πληγὰς τοῦ πνεύματος, καὶ ἀδιαλείπτως πρε- spiritual wounds, and prays unceasingly for our souls. σβεύοντα ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν. Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος γ. Kontakion. Mode 3. ῆς πατρῴας, δόξης σου, ἀποσκιρτήσας ἀφρό- revolted senselessly * out of Your fatherly glory; * Tνως, ἐν κακοῖς ἐσκόρπισα, ὅν μοι παρέδωκας I I have squandered sinfully * all of the riches You πλοῦτον· ὅθεν σοι τὴν τοῦ Ἀσώτου, φωνὴν κραυ- gave me.* Hence to You, using the Prodigal’s words, γάζω· Ἥμαρτον ἐνώπιόν σου Πάτερ οἰκτίρμον, I cry out,* I have sinned before You, merciful loving δέξαι με μετανοοῦντα, καὶ ποίησόν με, ὡς ἕνα τῶν Father.* O receive me in repentance, * I pray, and treat μισθίων σου. me * as one of Your hired hands.

hat will you give if you haven’t got and how will you have Wanything unless you ask it of God? Work hard at prayer and study and you’ll be strengthened. “ —Elder Ieronymos, Aegina ” THE READINGS OF THE DAY

epistle reading dered his property, living immorally. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, the first Letter of st. paul to the and he began to be in need. He went and hired himself to corinthians 6:12-20 one of the citizens of that country who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He wanted to feed himself with the rethren, “All things are lawful for me,” but not husks that the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my Bfor me,” but I will not be brought under the father’s hired servants have bread enough to spare, and power of anything. “Food is for the stomach, and I am dying with hunger! I will get up, go to my father, the stomach is for food,” but God will bring to and tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and nothing both of these. However, the body is not for before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son! sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord is Make me as one of your hired servants.”’ So he set off [made] for the body. Now God raised up the Lord, and went to his father. But while he was still at a distance, and he will also raise us up by his power. Do you his father saw him and was moved with compassion. He not know that your bodies are members of Christ? ran, and embraced his son, and kissed him. Then the son Shall I then take the members of Christ and make said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you! I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But them members of a prostitute? May it never be! Or the father said to his slaves, ‘Bring out the first robe and do you not know that whoever is joined to a pros- put it on him! Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his titute is one body? For God says, “The two will be- feet! Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and cel- come one flesh.” But whoever who is joined to the ebrate; for this, my son, was dead, and he is alive again! Lord is one spirit. Flee sexual immorality! “Every He was lost and [now he] is found!’ And they began to sin that a person can do is outside the body,” but celebrate. Now his elder son was in the field. As he came whoever commits sexual immorality sins against near to the house, he heard music and dancing. Calling his own body. Or do you not know that your body one of the servants, he asked what was going on. The is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit which dwells in servant replied, ‘Your brother has returned! Your father you, and which you have from God? You are not has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him your own! You were bought with a price! There- back safe and healthy.’ However, the elder son became fore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, angry and he would not go in. Therefore, his father came out and begged him. But he answered his father, ‘Look, which belong to God. for so many years I have served you, and I have never dis- gospel reading obeyed a commandment of yours. Yet, you never gave me a goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But luke 15: 11–32 when this, your son, arrived, he who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for he Lord said this parable: “A certain man had two him.’ The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Fa- me, and all that is mine is yours! But it was fitting to cel- Tther, give me the share of the estate that will come ebrate and to rejoice, for this, your brother, was dead, to me.’ So the father divided his livelihood between and is alive again. He was lost and is found!’” them. A few days later, the younger son gathered all that he had and traveled to a far country. There, he squan- announcements Saturday, January 25, Great Vespers, 5pm

upcoming church services: Saturday, February 18, Saturday of the Souls, Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 8:30am Great Vespers, 5pm

philoptochos save the dates Souper Bowl of Caring: We collected $388.54 Dinner Dance: February 19, 2017. for IOCC and 116 food items for the Food Bank. saturday of souls Reports are still being tallied, but nationwide $6.3 Saturday of the Souls will be commemorated this million in cash and food items has already been re- year on February 18, 25 and March 4. Commemo- ported! Thanks for participating in the movement ration sheets are available in the Narthex. that continues to #ChangeThe Game volunteers needed Meeting: There will be a general philoptochos Dessert pastries for the Dinner Dance are needed. meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 6pm. It will be pre- If you are able to bake a dessert, please sign your ceded by a board meeting at 5:30pm name on the sign up sheet in the Narthex. All Go RED: Today we encourage all to join in a group pastries need to be in single serving portions and photo after coffee hour to show your support for brought to the church by Sunday morning on Feb Heart Healthy month. 19 or delivered to the PeachTree. Thank you! dinner dance - tickets available lenten prayer partners Tickets for the annual Dinner Dance are on sale. As part of our Lenten journey this year, we are ask- Please plan to join us on February 19 at the ing for those interested in being a prayer partner Peachtree Banquet Center. This is an important to sign the prayer partner sheet available in the fund raiser for our parish and we need everyone’s Narthex. A person will be picked (randomly from participation. Please see the insert in today’s bul- letin for additional ways that you can help. among all participants) for you to pray for during Lent. Please make sure you return the form by Feb Items for the Silent Auction are still needed. 19. If you have any questions, please see Fr Michael Please see John Pardalos or Rebecca Windle if you or Presvytera Jeannie. Names will be distributed by have any questions. Sponsorships are also avail- Clean Monday. able. Please see enclosed flyer for ways that you can support this important fund raiser for our parish. Before the start of the Council, Saint Meletius Alexis, bade the future saint to leave the monastery raised his hand displaying three fingers, and then and manage the ecclesiastical courts. The saint ful- withdrawing two fingers and leaving one extended filled this office for twelve years. Towards the end he blessed the people, proclaiming: “We under- of 1350, Metropolitan Theognostus had Alexis stand three hypostases, and we speak about a single consecrated as Bishop of Vladimir. After the death nature.” With this declaration, a fire surrounded of the metropolitan, he became his successor in the the saint like lightning. During the Council Saint year 1354. Meletius fell asleep in the Lord. Saint Gregory of During this period the Russian Church was torn Nyssa honored the memory of the deceased with a by great rifts and quarrels, in part because of the eulogy. pretensions of Metropolitan Romanus of Lithu- Saint Meletius has left treatises on the consub- ania and Volhynia. In 1356, in order to put an end stantiality of the Son of God with the Father, and to the troubles and disturbances, the saint went to a letter to the emperor Jovian concerning the Holy Constantinople to the Ecumenical Patriarch. Patri- Trinity. The relics of Saint Meletius were trans- arch Callistus gave Saint Alexis the right to both be ferred from Constantinople to Antioch. called and to consider himself Archbishop of Kiev Saint Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow and All and Great Russia with the title, “All-Venerable Met- Russia the Wonderworker (in the world Eleutheri- ropolitan and Exarch.” us), was born in the year 1292 (or according to an- On the return journey, during a storm at sea, other source, 1304) at Moscow into the family of the ship was in danger of shipwreck. Saint Alexis the noble Theodore Byakont, a descendant of the prayed and vowed to build a temple to the saint of Chernigov princely line. that day on which the ship should come to shore. The Lord revealed to the future saint his lofty The storm subsided, and the ship arrived on Au- destiny from early childhood. At twelve years of gust 16. Moscow delightedly came out to meet the age Eleutherius went to a field and set nets to en- saint. snare birds. He dozed off and suddenly he heard a In spite of problems on every side, Saint Alexis voice: “Alexis! Why do you toil in vain? You are to devoted himself to his flock: he appointed bishops, be a catcher of people.” he established cenobitic monasteries (on the mod- From this day on the boy abandoned childish el of the Trinity Lavra, founded by Saint Sergius), games and spent much time in solitude. He fre- and he brought order to Russian relations with the quently visited church, and when he was fifteen he Khans of the Horde. The saint journeyed more decided to become a monk. than once to the Golden Horde. In 1357 the Khan told the Great Prince that the saint should come to In 1320, he entered Moscow’s Theophany mon- him and heal the blindness of Taidulla, his wife. astery, where he spent more than twelve years in strict monastic struggles. The renowned ascetics “This is beyond my powers,” said Saint Alexis, of the monastery, the Elders Gerontius and Saint “but I believe that God, Who gave sight to the Stephen (July 14), brother of Saint Sergius of Ra- blind, will also aid me.” Through his prayer, and af- donezh, were guides for him and his companions. ter being sprinkled with holy water, the wife of the Khan was healed. Metropolitan Theognostus, who had taken no- tice of the virtuous life and spiritual gifts of Saint When Great Prince Ioann died, his young son her ascetical efforts and received from the Lord the Demetrius (the future saint), still a minor, was tak- gift to heal those afflicted by unclean spirits. en under the saint’s guardianship. The holy bishop One time the “monk” Marinus was sent with had much toil in reconciling and appeasing princes other monks to the monastery gardens, and along obstinatly refusing to accept the authority of Mos- the way they had to spend the night at an inn. The cow. Nor did the metropolitan neglect the work of inn-keeper’s daughter, having sinned with one of organizing new monasteries. the lodgers, denounced the Marinus and named In 1361 he founded the Icon of the Savior Not- “him” as the father of her child. The girl’s father Made-by-Hands monastery at the Yauza in Mos- complained to the igumen of the monastery, who cow (Andronikov, the disciple of Saint Sergius, expelled the “sinful brother.” The saint spoke not was the first igumen of the monastery), fulfilling a word in her defense and began to live outside the the vow he had made on his return journey from monastery wall. When the hapless girl gave birth Constantinople, when the ship was in danger. to a boy, the inn-keeper brought it to Marinus. He also founded the Chudov monastery in Without a word he put his grandson down before the Moscow Kremlin. Ancient monasteries were her and left. The saint took the infant and began to restored: the Annunciation monastery at Nizhni- raise him. Novgorod, and Saints Constantine and Helen at After three years the brethren begged the igu- Vladimir. In 1361 a women’s cenobitic monastery men to take back the “monk” Marinus into the was named for him (the Alekseev). monastery. The igumen, who very reluctantly gave Saint Alexis reached the advanced age of sev- in to their requests, began to assign Marinus very enty-eight, having spent twenty-four years upon difficult obediences, which she fulfilled with the the metropolitan cathedra. He reposed on Febru- greatest of zeal, while also raising her foster child. ary 12, 1378 and was buried in accord with his last Three years later the saint peacefully reposed wishes at the Chudov monastery. His relics were in her cell. The brethren saw the deceased “monk” uncovered in a miraculous manner fifty years later, and the boy crying over “him”. As they began to after which the memory of the great holy hierarch dress the saint for burial, her secret was revealed. and man of prayer began to be celebrated. The igumen of the monastery tearfully asked for- Saint Mary and her father Evgenios lived at the giveness of the departed, and the inn-keeper fol- beginning of the sixth century in Bithynia (north- lowed his example. western Asia Minor). After the death of his wife, The body of Saint Mary was reverently buried Evgenios decided to withdraw to a monastery, but in the monastery. The inn-keeper’s daughter came his daughter did not want to be separated from to the grave of the saint and openly confessed her him, and so she accompanied him, dressed as a sin. Immediately, she was freed from the evil spirit man. Together they entered a monastery not far which had been tormenting her. The boy whom from Alexandria, and the daughter received the the saint was raising later became a monk. name Marinus. The relics of the saint were transferred to Marinus became accomplished in virtue, and Constantinople, and were carried off to Venice in distinguished by humility and obedience. After 1113. several years, when her father died, she intensified Saint Anthony, Patriarch of Constantinople, Christos declared that he never said that he was a native of Asia, but lived in Constantinople wished to become a Moslem. His testimony was from his youth. He was born around 829 of rich discounted, however, because he was a Christian, and pious parents. After the death of his mother, and Moslem witnesses had contradicted him. he entered a monastery at the age of twelve, where The saint was beaten and tortured the next day, following the example of the igumen, he spent his but remained steadfast in his confession of Christ. nights in prayer and led a strict monastic life. Kaisarios Dapontes, a well known monk and au- With the passage of time, and against his will, he thor, visited Saint Christos and got him freed from was ordained to the holy priesthood. Later, at the the place where he was chained. He brought food insistence of the Patriarch, he was made an igumen. for him, but he refused to eat. “Why should I eat?” Serving in this rank, he tonsured his own father into he asked. “I do not expect to live, so I may as well monasticism. Saint Anthony was distinguished by die hungering and thirsting for Christ.” his mercy, by his love and concern for the destitute, Since he refused to abandon the Orthodox and he provided generous help to them. Faith, Saint Christos was sentenced to be behead- Elevated to the Patriarchal throne at ed. Before they led him away, Christos gave Dapon- Constantinople in 893, Saint Anthony intensified tes a metal file and told him to sell it and use the his care for the destitute, and especially for their money to have memorial services offered for him. spiritual condition. With the assistance of the em- On February 12, 1748 Saint Christos the Gar- peror Leo the Wise, Patriarch Anthony did much dener was beheaded, thereby receiving an imper- good for the Church, and encouraged piety in the ishable crown of glory from Christ. people. He also built a monastery over the relics of Saint Kallia (February 12). Despite being stooped During the reign of Emperor Theophilus (829- over with age, he went around all the churches, ful- 842) the Byzantine Empire raged with the heresy of filling the command of the Savior to be the servant iconoclasm. In accordance with the emperor’s com- of all the brethren. mand, thousands of soldiers pillaged the empire, searching every corner, city, and village for hidden In the year 895, advanced in age, Saint Anthony icons. went peacefully to the Lord. Near the city of Nicaea there lived a certain pi- The holy New Martyr Christos was an Alba- ous widow who had concealed an icon of the Most nian who worked in a vegetable garden. At the age Holy Theotokos. Before long the soldiers discov- of forty, he decided to go to Constantinople to seek ered it, and one of them thrust his spear into the better business opportunities. image. One day he was negotiating with a Turk who But by God’s grace his terrible deed was over- wished to purchase his entire stock of apples, but shadowed by a miracle: blood flowed forth from they were unable to agree on a price. The Turk be- the wound on the face of the Mother of God. came angry and accused Christos of expressing a desire to become a Moslem. Christos was brought The frightened soldiers quickly fled. before the authorities, and false witnesses were The widow spent the whole night in vigil, pray- found to testify that he had indeed stated his inten- ing before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. In tion to convert. the morning, according to God’s will, she took the icon to the sea and cast it upon the water. The holy monks took it down and returned it to the sanctu- icon stood upright on the waves and began to sail ary, but the next day the icon was again found at westward. the monastery gate. This miracle recurred several Time passed, and one evening the monks of the times, until the Most Holy Virgin appeared to Ga- Iveron Monastery on Mt. Athos beheld a pillar of briel, saying, “Announce to the brothers that from light, shining upon the sea like the sun (ca. 1004). this day they should not carry me away. For what The miraculous image lasted several days, while the I desire is not to be protected by you; rather I will fathers of the Holy Mountain gathered together, overshadow you, both in this life and in the age to marveling. Finally they descended to the edge of come. As long as you see my icon in the monastery, the sea, where they beheld the pillar of light stand- the grace and mercy of my Son shall never be lack- ing above the icon of the Theotokos. But when ing!” they approached it, the icon moved farther out to Filled with exceeding joy, the monks erected sea. a small church near the monastery gate to glorify At that time a Georgian monk named Gabriel the Most Holy Theotokos and placed the won- was laboring at the Iveron Monastery. The Theoto- der-working icon inside. The holy icon came to kos appeared to the fathers of the Holy Mountain be known as the “Iveron Mother of God” and, in and told them that Gabriel alone was worthy to re- Greek, Portaitissa. By the grace of the miraculous trieve the holy icon from the sea. At the same time, Iveron Icon of the Theotokos, many miracles have she appeared to Gabriel and told him, “Enter the taken place and continue to take place throughout sea, and walk out upon the waves with faith, and the world. all will witness my love and mercy for your monas- ter y.” The monks of Mt. Athos found Gabriel at the Priests are often accused of various Georgian monastery and led him down to the sea, things. But priests are still people. One chanting hymns, and censing with holy incense. person might make a mistake, but that Gabriel walked out upon the water as though upon doesn’t mean that everybody else is to dry land, took the icon in his arms, and obediently “blame. So, a priest might err, but that carried it back to shore. doesn’t mean that all priests are at fault. This miracle occurred on Bright Tuesday. And Christ says: ‘Don’t judge, or else you’ll be judged.’, because, by the stan- While the monks were celebrating a paraklesis of thanksgiving, a cold, sweet spring miraculously dard by which we judge, we’ll also be gushed forth from the ground where the icon judged one day. Who are we to judge? stood. Afterwards they took the icon to a church We should pray that God will enlighten and set it down in the sanctuary with great rever- each and every one of us. As far as we ence. can, we should forgive. —Elder Iakovos Tsalikis But the next morning one of the monks came to light a lamp and discovered that the icon was no longer where they had left it; now it was hanging on a wall near the entrance gate. The disbelieving ”