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Saints RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS, & IRENE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH November 18, 2018 Ninth Sunday of Luke

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Saints RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS, & IRENE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH November 18, 2018 Ninth Sunday of Luke Saints RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS, & IRENE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell, Proistamenos 3074 Bethelview Road, Cumming GA 30040 (770) 781-5250 www.stsrni.org [email protected] facebook.com/Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church Read our daily devotionals at www.FaithEncouraged.org November 18, 2018 Ninth Sunday of Luke Sts Raphael Nicholas & Irene Greek Orthodox Church Cumming, Georgia Fast Day | Fish Allowed My Beloved Ones, For us as Orthodox Christians, the act of fasting is a practice rich with meaning, as we follow our Lord’s example during His forty days in the desert. However, the true Orthodox Christian understands that it is not enough to practice fasting alone. The Church invites us to participate fully in its liturgical life during Fasts by also feeding our prayer life, and by giving charitably to those in need. For this reason, during the forty-day period before Christmas—which began this Thursday, November 15th—there is a Tradition from the ancient Church of celebrating a Divine Liturgy every morning. Of course, today, where communities may one have one priest, this is a rare thing; but our Metropolis is blessed to be able have many clergymen—including the Chancellor, the Very Rev. Fr. George Tsahakis, the Dean and Priest of the Annunciation Cathedral, Fr. Paul Kaplanis and Fr. Christos Mars— who will be able to help us fulfill this important spiritual practice. When His Grace Bishop Sevastianos arrives on December 1st, He and I will also be blessed to liturgize during some of the Holy Feasts that fall during the Nativity Fast. Daily liturgies however, require the presence of the faithful—whether they are with us physically, or only spiritually. We ask therefore, that you please contact Mrs. Ethel Gjerde, the Metropolis Executive Assistant (404-634-9345) submitting to her the names of your loved ones—whether they are in need, or if they have fallen asleep in the Lord—so that we can pray for them daily. One of the Church Fathers, Ignatios Theoforos (“He Who Bears God on His Shoulders) instructs us concerning the Divine Liturgy, that, “Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise. For when you assemble frequently in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and the destruction at which he aims is prevented by the unity of your faith. Nothing is more precious than peace, by which all war, both in heaven and earth, is brought to an end.” Having received this peace of mind and soul, we are better able to consider those acts such as fasting, prayer and charity. We should not assume the power that comes from the Liturgy to be any kind of “magic.” We offer the bread and wine as gifts to our God, who, by the Grace of His Holy Spirit, allows them to become the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior. The power of this Sacred Mystery is really the power of Love: connection with both our God, and with our fellow men— both the living, and those who have fallen asleep (whom we commemorate as we prepare the Gifts). Within the Liturgy, we are taught by our Lord to reflect upon our own weaknesses, and to then forgive our brothers and sisters for trespasses committed against us. We then depart, spiritually strengthened, able to carry out the loving mission of the Gospel. During this Nativity Fast, let us pray for one another, let us help those who are in need—spiritually or physically; and let us forgive one another. May we be blessed to take advantage of these Liturgies: to purify our hearts, to ask for Strength from Above, as well as for good thoughts and good actions. In this way, we may be prepared to receive our Savior, who condescended to take on Flesh for the Salvation of our souls. God be with us all. +ALEXIOS Metropolitan of Atlanta ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ Welcome to all visitors who are worshiping with us this morning. Please join us for Coffee Hour afterwards in the Parish Life Center (“PLC”). Reminder: If there is ever a luncheon prepared for donations to the church and you wish not to participate, the coffee and treats table is always available to everyone without a donation. Fellowship is the main focus of this time together! Visitors Meet & Greet with Father Barnabas ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ TODAY, November 18, 2018 Parish Council Ushers For Today: Sandy Athenson and Len Vanerstrom Ninth Sunday of Luke Coffee Hour: Crosio family 9:00 a.m. Orthos 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Welcome: Parish Council ARTOCLASIA Parish Council of 2018: Kosta Bozzuto, President; Rusty Waldron, Vice President; Len Vanerstrom, Students will go to the Sunday School classes after they Secretary; David Chapman, Treasurer; Sandy are served communion or blessing. Athenson, David Boyd, John Donkar, Tasso Kefalas, Helen McCart, Greg Pappas, Anne Trainor, and Plutarch Vamvakias Appointments with Father Barnabas: Fr. Barnabas will be hearing confessions every Saturday Acolytes: Jacob and Jimmy Atkinson, Zackery from 4 - 5 pm before Great Vespers. He will also hear Bethune, David Druffner, Spiro Kefalas, Aristotle & confessions by appointment. Please contact the church Alexander Theofilis, Alex & Niko Tzevelekos, Christos office to schedule an appointment. Zourzoukis, Senior Acolytes: Johnny Melts Administrative Office Hours: Please say a special prayer for the following Monday – Friday; 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Individuals: *Are you interested in being a part of the Orthodox Ruth, Al, Ana S., Ashley, Ava, Austin Cohen, Bruce, Church? If so, the “Journey to Fullness” classes will Carrie, Elizabeth, Estelle S., Fred, Greg, G. Martin, resume in the Fall at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights. Gus P., Jim, Kallie, Katherine, Kim, Perry, A. Harris, Please call the church office if you are interested in Ingrid, John Havins; D. Jeffrey, Jo, Lockie G., attending. Mariann, Maria, Marilyn, Mary and Bill M., Mr. Moss, Nicole, A. Papandreou, Shawn, Mary S., Visit the Gift Shop at the PLC for Inspiration and Gifts Victor, Patsy, Joanne, Walter, Vann; V. Foxhall, and S. & K. Yalanzon. Friendly Reminder: The Orthodox Church practices “closed” communion. This means only Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared to receive the Eucharist should approach the Chalice at communion. If you have any questions, please see Fr. Barnabas after service. 9th Sunday of Luke On this day we also commemorate: Plato the Great Martyr of Ancyra; Holy Martyr Romanus; Zaccheus the Deacon Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Apolytikion for St. Raphael in the Fourth Tone Singers and Chanters: Richard Bethune, Tabitha Bethune, Anthony Birozes, David Boyd, Lynne Lucher, and Jimmy Because of the finding of your holy relics, wise Smith one, * the Island of Lesvos has been filled fully with the grace, * which God richly gave to you. * Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth You, O devout martyr Raphael, paradoxically * Tone appeared to many people, and you grant cures You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and and healings. * And therefore we the faithful re- condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the joice in all your miracles. passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You. Apolytikion for St. Raphael in the First Tone Apolytikion for the Martyr in the Fourth Tone To the offspring of Ithaca, the pride and joy of Your Martyr, O Lord, was worthily awarded by You the Lesvos, * monastic martyrs’ glory, let us offer to crown of incorruption, in that he contested for You our Raphael our songs of praise; * for lately he immortal God. Since he possessed Your power, he defeated appeared, and pours out cures and healings to us the tyrants, dashing the demons' powerless displays of all. * Inexplicably he appears to believers, both in defiance. O Christ God, at his fervent entreaties, save our dreams and awake, who cry: * Glory to Christ souls. who gave you His might. * Glory to Him who gave you miracles. * Glory to Him who through Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone you fulfills our prayerful requests. The Savior's most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred Apolytikion in honor of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into & Irene the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A Having contended on Lesvos for the sake of heavenly tabernacle is she. Christ God, you have sanctified the island since the discovery of your sacred relics, O blessed Hymns for the Artoclasia ones; wherefore we honor you, O Godbearing O Theotokos and Virgin, rejoice O Mary full of grace, the Raphael, together with Nicholas and virgin Irene, Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and as our divine protectors and intercessors with the blessed is the fruit of your womb; for you have borne the Lord. Savior of our souls. The wealthy have become poor and gone hungry, but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. EPISTLE READING Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 4. Psalm 75.11,1 Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel. The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:1-7 Brethren, I, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
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