Why Do We Have Our Homes Blessed? THE THEOPHANY OF OUR LORD From Scripture we know that whatever God created was good, but with "the Fall", evil entered the world, corrupting the crea- AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST tion. God the Father sent His Son Jesus to save it by effecting a "new creation". This is celebrated at Theophany, specifically Ἀγία Θεοφάνεια τοῦ Κυρίου with the Great Blessing of Water. "The consecration of the waters on this feast places the entire world - through its 'prime element' of water - in the perspective of the cosmic creation, 6 JANUARY (6 Ιανουαρίου) 2013 sanctification, and glorification of the Kingdom of God in Christ and the Spirit." (The Orthodox Faith, Vol. II, Worship, by Fr. Thomas Hopko, p.127.) All the readings, hymns, prayers, and actions of the day speak of God's presence in our entire world and universe, His creation.
Through water, all of the creation is once again sanctified by God, becoming good again, the way God had intended.
The Feast of Theophany The Feast of Theophany (or Epiphany) commemorates the Baptism of our Lord in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. We know from the troparion of the day that "the Trinity was made manifest" to us. But there's more to it than this. "When Je- sus descends into the depths of the river, there occurs a profound upheaval. It is not the one baptized who is purified, for he is spotless, but it is the water that is trans- figured and illumined. This water, which was believed to be transparent and purify- ing, is in fact polluted, inhabited by evil spirits, servants of the old gods. … By purifying the elements, by sanctifying matter, Jesus frees the cosmos from the pow- ers of evil." (The Incarnate God, Vol. I, Catherine Aslanoff, French edition editor, translated by Paul Meyendorff, p.163.)
The Great Blessing of Water and the Home The Great Blessing of Water takes place at the end of today's Liturgy. Since our homes cannot be brought to the Church, the Church - through the priest and cantor - goes to the homes. There the service of blessing, which began in the church, is fin- ished with the sprinkling of water in the home. Traditionally, in most Orthodox parishes, the priest personally visits all his parishioners each year to pray with them in the place where they live, and to bless their surroundings with the newly sancti- fied water of Theophany. By sanctifying our living quarters, our private place, we extend the grace of God to our individual dwellings. The Baptism of Christ, Holy Feast of Theophany, Vatopaidi Monastery, Mt. Athos
We also bring the blessed water to our homes to use throughout the year to bless our homes and to drink whether we are ill or as part of our daily prayer life. "There SAINT BARBARA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH are many occasions in family life when a sip of holy water can help to remind us of the blessing that was given 'to bestow sanctification', 'unto healing of soul and We are a Greek (Eastern) Orthodox parish, body', 'to be a fountain welling forth unto life eternal', as the priest prayed in the part of the oldest Christian tradition, litany of Epiphany day." (Little Falcons: Water, Vol. 5, No. 2, 1998, p.33.) dating to 33 A.D., the Day of Pentecost. What does it mean to ask God to bless something? All things in the world have We trace our roots back to the Apostles and their teachings. been spoiled right along with us. God must bless His world again in order for it to be the way that He wants it to be. For this reason, God sent His Son Jesus and the We hold fast to the moral, theological and liturgical Holy Spirit to the world to bless everyone and everything that He made, to make all traditions of the Early Christian Church. things good again. When the priest comes to bless our homes, he asks God to have We are pleased that you have chosen to experience the mercy on the house, to rid it of every evil and to fill it with every blessing. What a wonderful way to begin the New Year! Phyllis Meshel Onest, M.Div. worship of Early Christianity in a modern setting.
WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Tone of the week: Tone One TO OUR SAINT BARBARA VISITORS GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION Festal Eothinon
Thank you for visiting Saint Barbara Church. We pray your time at worship is A Note about the Hymns of the Day encouraging and uplifting. The Orthodox Church has always held the Eucharist as the culmination of our spiritual relationship with Christ. Because of this, if you Because the beautiful hymns in today’s Divine Liturgy, the Apolytikion are not a baptized Orthodox Christian or have not been received by the Church by and Kontakion of the day and Troparion of the Church, are frequently sung means of Holy Chrismation, we ask that you observe during communion this in Greek, we include them in English for your understanding. They are morning. sung as the priest returns to the Sanctuary at the Conclusion of the Small Please feel free to come up at the end of the service and receive some blessed Entrance. bread from the priest. While this is not considered the Eucharist, it is our way of assuring no one leaves church 'hungry'. Should you desire to learn more about the Apolytikion for The Theophany of Our Lord Orthodox Church, please call the Church office to arrange an appointment with and Saviour Jesus Christ (in the First Tone) Father Stavroforos. Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan, the veneration of Note: The Communion Hymn is on page 97 in the Divine Liturgy Hymnal. the Trinity was revealed. For the voice of the Father gave wit- CHRISMATION NAMES & NAME DAYS ness to You, calling You Beloved, and the Spirit, in the guise of a dove, confirmed the certainty of His words. Glory to You, In Orthodox countries, at Baptism (or Chrismation, if an adult) you are given a Christ our God, who appeared and enlightened the world. - © Christian Saint’s name. This is the name you give to the priest when receiving Narthex Press communion. The name is a Christian Saint’s name, because God recognizes their Ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε, ἡ τῆς Τριάδος ἐφανερώθη names. Each Saint is celebrated on a particular day, the Saint’s Name Day. When you receive your name, your Saint’s Name Day becomes your Name Day. In lieu προσκύνησις, τοῦ γὰρ Γεννήτορος ἡ φωνὴ προσεμαρτύρει σοί, ἀγαπητὸν σὲ of birthdays, especially after the age of twelve, Orthodox Christians celebrate their Υἱὸν ὀνομάζουσα, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα ἐν εἴδει περιστεράς, ἐβεβαίου τοῦ λόγου Name Day. τὸ ἀσφαλές. Ὁ ἐπιφανεῖς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τὸν κόσμον φωτίσας δόξα σοί. ‐ © Greek Standard Text For those celebrating a Name Day this week we wish you Chronia Polla “Many years” Apolytikion for Saint Barbara
"Let us honor the Holy Martyr Barbara, for as a bird she es- caped the snares of the enemy, and destroyed them through
the help and defense of the Cross." - Antiochian Archdiocese & OCA ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2013, WE COMMEMORATE: Βαρβάραν τὴν Ἁγίαν τιμήσωμεν, ἐχθροῦ γὰρ τὰς παγίδας συνέτριψε, καὶ ὡς στρουθίον ἐρρύσθη ἐξ St. Theophan the Recluse αὐτῶν, βοηθεία καὶ ὅπλω τοῦ Σταυροῦ ἡ Πάνσεμνος. St. Barbara, early 11th c. mosaic in the Katholikon (Cathedral Church) of Hosios Loukas Monastery near Distomo in Boeotia, Greece
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
You appeared to the world today, and Your light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. A BLESSED With fuller understanding we sing to You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light." - © Narthex Press
THEOPHANY TO ALL! Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον τὴ οἰκουμένη, καὶ τὸ φῶς σου Κύριε, ἐσημειώθη ἐφʹ Glowing Candle by Susan Blackwood ἡμᾶς, ἓν ἐπιγνώσει ὑμνούντάς σε. Ἦλθες ἐφάνης τὸ Φῶς τὸ ἀπρόσιτον.
EPISTLE READING GOSPEL READING
The Reading is from Matthew 3:13-17 The Reading is from Saint Paul's Letter to Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7 The Theophany of Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ St. Paul ordaining St. Titus as the Bishop of Crete
Prokeimenon Mode 4 At that time, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be Psalm 117:26, 1 baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” However, Jesus Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for his good. answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill His mercy endures forever. all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was bap- TITUS, my son, the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, tized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, up- heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like right, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, the glory of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ who gave himself for us to "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 3:13‐17 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παραγίνεται ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ἐπὶ τὸν own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, ᾿Ιορδάνην πρὸς τὸν ᾿Ιωάννην τοῦ βαπτισθῆναι ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ.ὁ δὲ which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. ᾿Ιωάννης διεκώλυεν αὐτὸν λέγων· ἐγὼ χρείαν ἔχω ὑπὸ σοῦ βαπτισθῆναι, καὶ σὺ ἔρχῃ πρός με;ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπε πρὸς Τίτον 2:11‐14; 3:4‐7 αὐτόν· ἄφες ἄρτι· οὕτω γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν
Προκείμενον Ἦχος δ, δικαιοσύνην· τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν·καὶ βαπτισθεὶς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀνέβη ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 117:26, 1 εὐθὺς ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ οὐρανοί, καὶ Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου. εἶδε τὸ Πνεῦμα τοῦ Θεοῦ καταβαῖνον ὡσεὶ περιστερὰν καὶ Στίχ: Ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ Κυρίῳ ὅτι ἀγαθὸς, ἐρχόμενον ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν·καὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα· οὗτός ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ. ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα.
Τέκνον Τίτε, ἐπεφάνη γὰρ ἡ χάρις τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡ σωτήριος πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις, παιδεύουσα ἡμᾶς ἵνα ἀρνησάμενοι τὴν ἀσέβειαν καὶ τὰς κοσμικὰς ἐπιθυμίας σωφρόνως καὶ δικαίως καὶ εὐσεβῶς ζήσωμεν ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι, προσδεχόμενοι τὴν μακαρίαν ἐλπίδα καὶ ἐπιφάνειαν τῆς δόξης τοῦ μεγάλου Θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς ἔδωκεν ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἵνα λυτρώσηται ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀνομίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἑαυτῷ λαὸν περιούσιον, ζηλωτὴν καλῶν ἔργων.
ὅτε δὲ ἡ χρηστότης καὶ ἡ φιλανθρωπία ἐπεφάνη τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ, οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων τῶν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ὧν ἐποιήσαμεν ἡμεῖς, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸν αὐτοῦ ἔλεον ἔσωσεν ἡμᾶς διὰ λουτροῦ παλιγγενεσίας καὶ ἀνακαινώσεως Πνεύματος ῾Αγίου, οὗ ἐξέχεεν ἐφ᾽ ἡμᾶς πλουσίως διὰ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν, ἵνα δικαιωθέντες τῇ ἐκείνου χάριτι St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church behind Jesus’ traditional Baptismal site (at the bottom of the κληρονόμοι γενώμεθα κατ᾽ ἐλπίδα ζωῆς αἰωνίου. picture) of Bethany-beyond-the -Jordan, Wadi Kharrar, Jordan As a means of preparation for communion, please read the “Communion Prayer of ANONYMOUS St. John Chrysostom” prior to approaching the chalice. After returning to your seat, I thank You, Lord, my God, that You have not rejected me, a sinner, but have it is appropriate to read the “Thanksgiving Prayers Following Holy Communion.” made me worthy to partake of Your holy Mysteries. I thank You that You
have permitted me, although I am unworthy, to receive Your pure and heav- COMMUNION PRAYER OF SAINT enly gifts. O loving Master, who died and rose for our sake, and granted to us JOHN CHRYSOSTOM these awesome and life-giving Mysteries for the wellbeing and sanctification of our souls and bodies, let these gifts be for healing of my own soul and body, I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, the averting of every evil, the illumination of the eyes of my heart, the peace of who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this my spiritual powers, a faith unashamed, a love unfeigned, the fulfilling of wis- is truly Your pure Body, and that this is truly Your Precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to dom, the observing of Your commandments, the receiving of Your divine You, have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in grace, and the inheritance of Your kingdom. Preserved by them in Your Holi- word and deed, known and unknown. And make me worthy without condemnation to ness, may I always be mindful of Your grace and no longer live for myself, but partake of Your Pure Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Amen. for You, our Master and Benefactor. May I pass from this life in the hope of
How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your Saints? If I dare to eternal life, and attain to the everlasting rest, where the voices of Your saints enter into the Bridal Chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding who feast are unceasing, and their joy, beholding the ineffable beauty of Your garment; and being bound up, I shall be cast out by the Angels. In Your love, Lord, countenance, is unending. For You, Christ our God, are the true joy and the cleanse my soul and save me. inexpressible gladness of those who love You, and all creation praises You
Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these Holy Gifts be to my condem- forever. Amen. nation 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, PRAYER OF SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM and to place in Him the hope of my salvation. I thank You, loving Master, benefactor of my soul, that on this day You have
Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your Mystical Supper. I will not reveal made me worthy once again of Your heavenly and immortal mysteries. Direct Your Mystery to Your adversaries. Nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas. But as the my ways on the right path, establish me firmly in Your fear, guard my life, and thief I confess to You, “Lord, remember me in Your Kingdom.” make my endeavors safe, through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Theotokos and ever virgin Mary and of all Your Saints. Amen.
THANKSGIVING PRAYERS FOLLOWING
HOLY COMMUNION St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church ANONYMOUS Glory to you, O God The Very Reverend Archimandrite Glory to you, O God Glory to you, O God Father D. Stavroforos Mamaies
Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let Your Sacred Body be unto me for eternal life and Your Mobile Phone: 919-491-2565 Precious Blood for forgiveness of sins. Let this Eucharist be unto me for joy, health, and gladness. And in Your awesome Second Coming make me, a sinner, worthy to 8306 NC Highway 751 stand at the right hand of Your Glory; through the intercession of Your Pure Mother, Durham, NC 27713 and of all Your Saints. Amen.
(919) 484-1600 PRAYER OF SAINT BASIL I thank You, Christ and Master our God, King of the ages and Creator of all things, for all the good gifts You have given me, and especially for the participation in Your pure www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/ and life-giving mysteries. I pray You, therefore, good and loving Lord, keep me under Your protection and under the shadow of Your wings. Grant that to my last breath I Father Stavroforos is available by appointment: may with a pure conscience partake worthily of Your gifts for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life. For You are the Bread of Life, the Source of Holiness, the Giver of Please e-mail Father at [email protected] All Good Things, and to You we give glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now to schedule your appointment. and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.