SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH december 20, 2015

the sunday before the nativity The Sunday before the Nativity of the Lord (December 18-24) is known as the Sunday of the Holy Fathers. On this day the Church commemorates all those who were well-pleasing to God from all ages, from Adam to St Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, those who are mentioned in the geneology of Luke 3:23-38. The holy prophets and prophetesses are also remembered today, especially the Prophet Daniel and the three holy youths (December 17). The to the Prophet Daniel and the three holy youths (“Great are the accomplish- ments of faith...) is quite similar to the Troparion for St Theodore the Recruit (February 17, and the first Saturday of ). The to St Theodore, who suffered martyrdom by fire, reminds us that he also had faith as his breastplate (see I Thessalonians 5:8). The Forefeast of the Nativity of the Lord begins on December 20. From now on, most of the liturgical hymns will be concerned with the birth of the Savior. The Hieromartyr Ignatios the God-Bearer, was a disciple of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, as was also St Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (February 23). St Ignatios was the second bishop of Antioch, and successor to Bishop Euodius, Apostle of the Seventy (September 7). Tradition suggests that when St Ignatios was a little boy, the Savior hugged him and said: “Un- less you turn and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt. 18:3). The saint was called “God-Bearer” (Theophoros), because he bore God in his heart and prayed unceasingly to Him. He also had this name because he was held in the arms of Christ, the incarnate Son of God. St Ignatios was a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian, together with St Polycarp of Smyrna. As Bishop of Antioch, St Ignatios was zealous and spared no effort to build up the church of Christ. To him is attributed the practice of antiphonal singing (by two choirs) during church services. He had seen a vision of the angels in heaven alternately singing praises to God, and divid- ed his church choir to follow this example. In the time of persecution he was a source of strength to the souls of his flock, and was eager to suffer for Christ.

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 sing

Ἀπολυτ. Ἀναστάσιμον Ἦχος δ. resurrectional apolyt. mode 4. ὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγ- hen the women Disciples of the Lord had learned Tγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν Wfrom the Angel the joyful message of the Resurrec- προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις tion and had rejected the ancestral decision, they cried καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη aloud to the Apostles triumphantly: Death has been de- Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλε- spoiled, Christ God has risen, granting His great mercy ος. to the world. Ἀπολυτ. Τῶν πατόρων. Ἦχος b. apolyt. of the forefathers. mode 2. εγάλα τὰ τῆς Πίστεως κατορθώματα! ἐν τῇ πηγῇ agnificent are Faith’s accomplishments! The three Mτῆς φλογός, ὡς ἐπὶ ὕδατος ἀναπαύσεως, οἱ Ἅγιοι Mholy Youths exultingly stood in the fountain of fire τρεῖς Παῖδες ἠγάλλοντο· καὶ ὁ Προφήτης Δανιήλ, as if beside the still waters of rest. And Daniel the Proph- λεόντων ποιμήν, ὡς προβάτων ἐδείκνυτο. Ταῖς αὐτῶν et was shown to be a shepherd of lions. At their entreaty, ἱκεσίαις Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. O Christ God, save our souls. Ἀπολυτ. Προεόρτιον. Ἦχος δ. apolyt. of the forefeast. mode 4. τοιμάζου Βηθλεέμ, ἤνοικται πᾶσιν ἡ Ἐδέμ. Εὐτρε- Bethlehem, prepare, Eden is opened unto all. * And Ἑπίζου Ἐφραθᾶ, ὅτι τὸ ξύλον τῆς ζωῆς, ἐν τῷ Σπη- Obe ready, Ephrata, for the Tree of life * has in the λαίῳ ἐξήνθησεν ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου. Παράδεισος καὶ grotto blossomed forth from the Virgin. * Indeed her γάρ, ἡ ἐκείνης γαστήρ, ἐδείχθη νοητός, ἐν ᾧ τὸ θεῖον womb is shown to be spiritually * a Paradise, in which is φυτόν, ἐξ οὗ φαγόντες ζήσομεν, οὐχὶ δὲ ὡς ὁ Ἀδὰμ found the God-planted Tree. * And if we eat from it we τεθνηξόμεθα. Χριστὸς γεννᾶται, τὴν πρὶν πεσοῦσαν, shall live, and shall not die, as did Adam of old. * Christ ἀναστήσων εἰκόνα. is born, so that He might raise up * the formerly fallen image. Ἀπολυτίκιον του ναου. πλ. α. Apolyt. for the Church. Mode 5. ουκάν τον πανύμνητον καὶ ἅγιον ἀπόστολον, τὸν he holy Apostle, the All-hymned Luke, * who is ac- Λτῆς Ἐκκλησίας γνωστὸν συνθέτην τῶν Πράξε- Tknowledged by the Church of Christ * as the recorder ων τῶν Ἀποστόλων, τόν τε σεμνὸν τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου of the Acts of the Apostles, * and the splendid author of Χριστοῦ ὑπομνηματιστήν, ἀξίως τιμήσωμεν ὕμνοις the of Christ. * Let us praise with sacred hymns ὁσίοις, ὡς νοσημάτων ἀνθρωπίνων καὶ φυσικῶν as a physician, * who heals the infirmities of man, * and ἀσθενειῶν θεραπευτήν, τὸν καθαίροντα πληγὰς τοῦ the ailments of nature, * who cleanses spiritual wounds, πνεύματος, καὶ ἀδιαλείπτως πρεσβεύοντα ὑπὲρ τῶν and prays unceasingly for our souls. ψυχῶν ἡμῶν. Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος γ. Kontakion. Mode 3. Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν n this day the Virgin Maid * goes to the cave to give ἩΣπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀπορρήτως. Χόρευε Obirth * to the pre-eternal Word * in an ineffable man- ἡ οἰκουμένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον μετὰ Ἀγγέλων ner. * Dance for joy, all the inhabited earth, on hearing. καὶ τῶν Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα ἐποφθῆναι, Παιδίον * Glorify along with Angels and with the shepherds * νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν. Him who willed that He appear as * a newborn Child, * the pre-eternal God. THE READINGS OF THE DAY

reading ah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of The letter of paul Asa. Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat to Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40 became the father of Joram. Joram became the father of Uz- ziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah. He- BIsaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. zekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah. whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Sam- the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon, son, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel became through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, re- the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel became the father of ceived promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim. Eliakim be- raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out came the father of Azor. Azor became the father of Sadoc. of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to Sadoc became the father of Achim. Achim became the fa- flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some ther of Eliud. Eliud became the father of Eleazar. Eleazar were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourg- became the father of Matthan. Matthan became the father ing, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. And with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and so, all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world generations; from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, generations; and from the exile to Babylon until the Christ, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ hap- well attested by their faith, did not receive what was prom- pened like this: after his mother, Mary, was promised in ised, since God had foreseen something better for us,that marriage to Joseph but before they came together, she was apart from us they should not be made perfect. found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her betrothed, who was a righteous man did not want to make her a public gospel reading spectacle and so intended to put her away quietly. But as Matthew 1:1-25 he was thinking about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of he book of the origins of Jesus Christ, the son of Da- David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife home, for vid, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father what is conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. She will give Tof Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob be- birth to a son and you shall give him the name Jesus be- came the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became cause he will be the one to save his people from their sins.” the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the Now all this happened so that what had been spoken by the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram. Ram Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: Behold, the became the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the virgin shall be with child and bring forth a son. They shall father of Nahshon. Nahshon became the father of Salmon. call his name Emmanuel; which means, ‘with us [is] God.’ Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became Joseph arose from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of had commanded him: he took his wife to [live with] him, Jesse. Jesse became the father of King David. David became and had no relations with her before she had brought forth the father of Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uri- her firstborn son; and he named him Jesus. announcements Saturday, January 25, Great Vespers, 5pm

upcoming church services: See below for the schedule of Nativity Services Saturday, December 26, Great Vespers, 5pm

nativity services rection. Thus far, ten have been donated. We Thursday, December 24, 9am still need a donation for 1 . Each icon costs $600, and can be donated in memory of a loved Great Hours and Vesperal one. Note that the inscription will be written on for the Eve of the Nativity the back of the icon. If you are interested, please Friday, December 25, 9am see Fr. Michael Orthros and Divine Liturgy for the PHILOPTOCHOS the Nativity of our Lord SAVE THE DATE! The Philoptochos New Year Nativity flowers Party will be held on January 12 at 6pm at D. We still need 1 x $100 donations in order to deco- Rowe’s. rate the icon of the Nativity of our Lord. NOTE: Philoptochos will no longer be collecting Confession butter for St Francis House. In 2016 there will be a There will be open times for Holy Confession on supplly drive for most needed items. Monday and Tuesday evening from 5 – 7pm. In dinner dance–save the date addition, an individual appointment can always be Dinner Dance will be held on February 28, 2016. made with Fr. Michael. Silent auction items are now being accepted. A bookstore BBQ buffet dinner menu is planned for $20 per Don’t forget to visit the Bookstore for any last min- person. See Rebecca Windle or Karen Sade to pre- ute shopping. We stock many books and CDs that pay. would make great gifts! 2016 ecclesiastical calendars stewardship 2016 The 2016 Liturgical Calendars are now available The 2016 Stewardship packets have been mailed. in the Narthex. Please find the envelope with your PLEASE return your stewardship card as soon as name. There are extra unlabeled envelopes if you possible. If you are not on the mailing list, please cannot find an envelope with your name. take a packet from the narthex. Thank you for your generosity! icon donation program We are collecting donations to have hand painted icons of the Twelve Great Feasts and the Resur- In the year 106 the emperor Trajan (98- the persecution against Christians in Antioch. 117), after his victory over the Scythians, or- From Troas, St Ignatios sailed to Neapolis (in dered everyone to give thanks to the pagan Macedonia) and then to Philippi. gods, and to put to death any Christians who On the way to Rome St Ignatios visited sev- refused to worship the idols. In the year 107, eral churches, teaching and guiding the Chris- Trajan happened to pass through Antioch. tians there. He also wrote seven : to the Here they told him that Bishop Ignatios open- churches of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, ly confessed Christ, and taught people to scorn Philadelphia, and Smyrna. He also addressed riches, to lead a virtuous life, and preserve a letter to St Polycarp, who mentions a collec- their virginity. St Ignatios came voluntarily be- tion of the letters of St Ignatios in his letter to fore the emperor, so as to avert persecution of the Philippians (Ch. 13). St Irenaeus of Lyons the Christians in Antioch. St Ignatios rejected quotes from St Ignatios’s letter to the Romans the persistent requests of the emperor Trajan (AGAINST HERESIES 5:28:4). All these let- to sacrifice to the idols. The emperor then de- ters have survived to the present day. cided to send him to Rome to be thrown to the The Roman Christians met St Ignatios with wild beasts. St Ignatios joyfully accepted the great joy and profound sorrow. Some of them sentence imposed upon him. His readiness for hoped to prevent his execution, but St Ignatios martyrdom was attested to by eyewitnesses, implored them not to do this. Kneeling down, who accompanied St Ignatios from Antioch to he prayed together with the believers for the Rome. Church, for love between the brethren, and for On the way to Rome, the ship sailed from an end to the persecution against Christians. Seleucia stopped at Smyrna, where St Ignatios On December 20, the day of a pagan fes- met with his friend Bishop Polycarp. Clergy tival, they led St Ignatios into the arena, and and believers from other cities and towns he turned to the people: “Men of Rome, you thronged to see St Ignatios. He exhorted ev- know that I am sentenced to death, not be- eryone not to fear death and not to grieve for cause of any crime, but because of my love for him. In his Epistle to the Roman Christians, God, by Whose love I am embraced. I long to he asked them to assist him with their prayers, be with Him, and offer myself to him as a pure and to pray that God would strengthen him in loaf, made of fine wheat ground fine by the his impending martyrdom for Christ: “I seek teeth of wild beasts.” Him Who died for us; I desire Him Who rose After this the lions were released and tore for our salvation... In me, desire has been nailed him to pieces, leaving only his heart and a few to the cross, and no flame of material longing bones. Tradition says that on his way to execu- is left. Only the living water speaks within me, tion, St Ignatios unceasingly repeated the name saying, ‘Hasten to the Father.’” of Jesus Christ. When they asked him why he From Smyrna, St Ignatios went to Troas. was doing this, St Ignatios answered that this Here he heard the happy news of the end of Name was written in his heart, and that he confessed with his lips Him Whom he always and began to pray. I don’t know whether I had carried within. When the saint was devoured spent a long time in that position or not, but by the lions, his heart was not touched. When suddenly something shook my whole being. they cut open the heart, the pagans saw an in- It was as if a veil had fallen from my eyes, and scription in gold letters: “Jesus Christ.” After my mind had been opened, and I remembered his execution St Ignatios appeared to many of clearly my teacher of that day and his lesson. the faithful in their sleep to comfort them, and I also recalled the topic and the examples he some saw him at prayer for the city of Rome. had given. I felt so light and joyous inside.” Af- Hearing of the saint’s great courage, Trajan ter this experience he did so well he became thought well of him and stopped the perse- one of the first in his class to be chosen to go to cution against the Christians. The relics of St seminary, and after seminary to the Theologi- Ignatios were transferred to Antioch (January cal Academy in St Petersburg (a great honor at 29), and on February 1, 637 were returned to that time). Rome and placed in the church of San Clem- Throughout his studies, John thought about ente. the importance of forgiveness, meekness, and St John of Kronstadt was born in the village love, and came to believe that these were the of Sura in Archangel province on October 19, very center and power of Christianity, and that 1829, and was called John in honor of St John only one path—the path of humble love— of Rila (August 18). His parents were very leads to God and the triumph of His righteous- poor but were very devoted to the Church. ness. He also thought a great deal about the Even though he was poor, as a young boy John Savior’s death on the Cross at Golgotha, and learned to feel compassion for others in their pitied those who did not know Jesus Christ. He misfortune. His neighbors frequently asked wished to preach to them about His death and him to pray for them, as they noticed this spe- Resurrection. He dreamed about becoming a cial grace-endowed gift in him. When John was missionary to distant China, but saw that there ten, his parents were able to raise some money was a great deal of work for a genuine pastor of and send him to the local school which was at- Christ’s flock both in his own city and the sur- tached to the church. At first, the boy had an rounding towns. extremely difficult time with his studies. He worked for days on end, but still failed to keep When John graduated from the Academy up. he met Elizabeth Nesvitsky who lived in the town of Kronstadt. They dated, he proposed, Writing about his life he once recalled an and they were married. After his studies, John evening when everyone had already gone still desired to learn more about his faith and to bed. “I could not sleep, and I still failed to his Church. understand anything I was taught. I still read poorly and could not remember anything I was It was in this frame of mind that he prepared told. I became so depressed I fell to my knees to be a and to enter public ministry. He was ordained a on December 10, 1885, and then priest on December 12. He was as- ing, comforting, crying, and rejoicing together signed to St Andrew’s Cathedral in the city of with them. Kronstadt. He said, “I made myself a rule to be From the beginning he also concerned as sincere as possible in my work, and of strict- himself with the material needs of the poor. ly watching myself and my inner life.” He would shop for food, go to the pharmacy Fr John wanted most of all to earn the love for prescriptions, to the doctor for help, many of the people in his care, because only a loving times giving the poor his last few coins. The in- attitude could provide the firm support and habitants of Kronstadt would see him returning help he needed as he faced the difficult work home barefoot and without his cassock. Often of the priesthood. His constant thought was parishioners would bring shoes to his wife, how he would come before the Last Judgment saying to her, “Your husband has given away and have to give an account, not only for his his shoes to someone, and will come home own deeds, but also the deeds of his flock, for barefoot.” He would also write articles for the whose education and salvation he was respon- newspaper exhorting the people of Kronstadt sible. To him no one was a stranger; everyone to “support the poor morally and materially.” who came to him for help became a friend and These appeals touched the hearts of many relative. He would tell people “The Church is and Fr John organized many charitable efforts. the best heavenly friend of every sincere Chris- Realizing that his individual charity was insuf- tian.” He conducted divine services daily and ficient for aiding the needy, he founded the Or- offered the prayers of the faithful. He called all thodox Christian House Parish Trusteeship of who rarely receive Holy Communion to pre- St Andrew the First-Called. This brotherhood pare themselves and live their lives in a Chris- coordinated many charitable efforts through- tian way so that they could receive more often. out the city and helped many needy people. Listening to Fr John, many people changed In 1857, he began teaching in the local city their lifestyle, repented sincerely, and joyfully schools. He would tell people, “If children received Holy Communion on a regular basis. cannot listen to the Gospel, it is only because At that time the government exiled murder- it is taught like any other subject, with bore- ers, thieves and other criminals to Kronstadt. dom and indifference. Such teaching defeats Life was horrible for the exiles. Even children of the purpose of the Gospel. It fails because it exiles would become thieves and criminals. He forces students only to read words and memo- would go to their dugouts, hovels and shacks rize them instead of making them live in their to visit with them. Not satisfied with staying lives.” To Fr John there were no incapable stu- for five or ten minutes to administer some rite dents. He taught in such a way that poor pupils and then leave, Fr John believed he was coming as well as good ones were able to understand. to visit a priceless soul, his brothers and sisters. His attention was aimed not so much at forcing He would stay for hours, talking, encourag- students to memorize as to fill their souls with the joy of living according to Christian values, sharing with them the holy thoughts which beheaded at the age of eighteen in the year filled his soul. 1652. When speaking to other about their Before becoming a bishop, Saint Philogonius vocation he would say, “You are a representa- was a laywer who defended the poor, the wid- tive of the faith of the Church, O priest; you owed and the orphaned. When his wife died, are a representative of Christ the Lord Him- he was chosen as Bishop of Antioch. self. You should be a model of meekness, pu- Distinguished by profound theological rity, courage, perseverance, patience, and lofty knowledge, St Philogonius successfully de- spirit. You are doing the work of God and must fended Orthodoxy against the Arian heresy not let anything discourage you.” and by this prevented unrest in the Church. St John has performed more miracles than During the persecution against Christians almost any other saint, with the possible ex- under the emperors Maximian (284-305)and ception of St Nicholas. Through his prayers he Licinius (311-324), St Philogonius proved healed the sick, gave hope to the hopeless, and himself a confessor of the Orthodox Faith. He brought sinners to repentance. died peacefully in about the year 323. St John Fr John labored endlessly in his work for the Chrysostom wrote a eulogy for St Philogonius Lord preaching, teaching, and helping those in in 386. need. Having spent his entire life serving God The Novgorod Icon of the Mother of God and His people, Fr John fell ill and died on De- was painted by St Peter, Metropolitan of Mos- cember 20, 1908. Almost immediately, people cow (December 21), during his stay as igumen from near and far began to make pilgrimages to of a on the River Rata at the bound- the monastery where he was buried. Even to- ary of the Malyi Dvorets. During a time of per- day millions of Orthodox Christians in Russia secution, the Uniates plundered the Novgorod and around the world pray to him to intercede monastery, and the icon was transferred by for them as he had always done from his child- the hieromonk James to the Eletsk Chernigov hood. monastery. Bishop Anthony (Stakovsky) of St John was glorified by the Russian Ortho- Chernigov later blessed Simeon, the organizer dox Church on June 8, 1990. of the Surozh monastery (Chernigov diocese) The New Martyr John of Thasos was from with this icon. On August 14, 1677, during a the village of Marias on the island of Thasos. church procession from the old church to a In his youth he was brought to Constantinople new one, the icon manifested miraculous signs. and apprenticed to a tailor. One day he was seized by the Turks and accused of insulting the Moslem religion. They tried to force him to accept Islam, but he would not agree to re- nounce the Christian Faith, for which he was