2nd Sunday of Great Lent

(Commemoration of St. Gregory Palamas)

March 23, 2008 Saintly Notes St. Gregory Palamas (March 23)

aint Gregory Palamas (Γρηγόριος Παλαμάς) (1296 - 1359) was a of Mount Athos in Greece and later Sthe Archbishop of Thessalonica known as a preeminent theologian of . He is venerated as a Saint in the , as well as the Roman Catholic Churche. Some of his writings are collected in the Philokalia. He is commemorated on the second Sunday of Great Lent and on his feast day (November 14th).

Gregory's father was an eminent official at the court of Emperor Andronicus II Palaeologus. The gifted Gregory, completing his secular studies, did not want to enter the service of the imperial court, but withdrew to the Holy Mountain and was tonsured a monk. He lived a life of asceticism in the Monastery of Vatopedi and the Great Lavra. He led the struggle against the heretic Barlaam and finally defeated him. He was consecrated as Metropolitan of Thessalonica in the year 1347. He is glorified as an ascetic, a theologian, a hierarch and a miracle-worker. The Most-holy Theotokos, St. John the Theologian, St. Demetrius, St. Anthony the Great, St. John Chrysostom and angels of God appeared to him at different times. He governed the Church in Thessalonica for thirteen years, of which he spent one year in slavery under the Saracens in Asia. He entered peacefully into rest in the year 1360, and took up his habitation in the Kingdom of Christ. His relics repose in Thessalonica, where a beautiful church is dedicated to him.

St. Gregory Palamas Troparion Parish Notes 2nd Sunday of Great Lent for All Saints–Tone 4 (Commemoration of St. Gregory Palamas) As with fine porphyry and royal purple Thy Altar Servers Today Church has been adorned with Thy martyr’s Steven Wynne, Matthew Wynne, Del Dillard, Noah Keim, Micah Keim, Johannes All Saints Orthodox Church, Raleigh NC blood shed throughout all the world. She cries to Thee, O Christ God, send down Thy Kibret. (www.allsaintsnc.org) bounties on Thy people, grant peace to Thy 919-859-1332 habitation and great mercy to our souls. Special Attention The V. Rev. Nicholas R. A. Sorensen, Archpriest • Please Note: The Divine Liturgy for The Rev. Philip Pelikan, Priest Kontakion the Annunciation will not be served The Rev. David Keim, Deacon March 23, 2008 on Monday evening but on Tuesday for the Annunciation–Tone 8 evening. This is by instruction from To thee, our captain, Queen of war, the our Metropolitan. The Saints Whom We Remember battle trophies won, thy people rescued by • Visit Our Parish Life Conference Venerable-Martyr Nikon of Sicily and with him 199 Disciples; thine aid from peril, dedicate as our offering Website at allsaintsnc.org and please register Now for the Parish Venerable-Martyr Luke of St. Anne Skete on Athos. of thanksgiving, O Theotokos. As thou hast Life Conference June 18-22. Also might which none by war can overcome from all forms of danger hast thou delivered consider booking a room at the This Week’s Schedule me, that I may cry unto thee: O Virgin conference hotel for a night or two (www.allsaintsnc.org) unwedded bride. during the conference. You may register for the hotel either on line Today: 8:00a Orthros; 9:00a Church School; 10:00a Typika with or by calling them at 919-941-5050 Distribution of the Reserved Sacrament The Trisagion (please request Parish Life Monday: Church Office Closed Conference rates $94/night up to 4 Tuesday: 6:30p Eve. Div. Liturgy for the Annunciation “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal occupants) have mercy on us . . .” Wednesday: 9:15a Third Hour Prayer; 6:30p Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts; • Food for the Hungry Collection 8:00p Lenten Soup Supper Boxes in the Narthex. When you Friday: 6:30p Akathist do a charitable deed, do not let your Epistle and left hand know what your right hand Saturday: 1:00p Evancho Baptism/Chrismation; 5:30p Great Vespers Gospel Readings is doing. That your charitable deed Sunday: 8:00a Orthros; 9:00a Church School; 10:00a Divine Liturgy may be in secret; and your Father Today: (See insert) who sees in secret will Himself Next Sunday: reward you openly. (Matt. 6:3–4) Third Antiphon: Troparion Epistle: Heb. 4:14—5:6 • Thank You to Ann Zimmerman. Troparion of the for the Resurrection–Tone 2 Gospel: Mark 8:34—9:1 Once again we want to thank our Resurrection—Tone 2 former choir director Ann See above. Zimmerman for her work with our When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, Megalynarion All Saints choir. Ann has asked to be relieved of her position but also O Thou deathless and immortal One, then In thee rejoiceth, O full of grace, all Troparion assures us that she will stand ready Thou didst destroy hell with Thy Godly creation: . . . power. And when Thou didst raise the dead for St. Gregory Palamas–Tone 8 to substitute when needed. May from beneath the earth, all the powers of God grant Ann many, many, many O Star of Orthodoxy, support of the Church heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, years. and its teacher, O comeliness of ascetics, Communion Hymn Thou giver of life, glory to Thee. • SDn David Ward to Return as and incontestable champion of those who Tone 8 Choir Director. Our Subdeacon speak in theology, Gregory the wonder- Praise ye the Lord from the heavens . . . David will again lead our choir. He Entrance Hymn worker, the pride of Thessalonica and has been given permission to preacher of grace, implore thou constantly Alleluia. reposition the choir to the front by O come, let us worship and bow down . . . for the salvation of our souls. the chanters stand on a trial basis Alleluia. to see if this helps to unify our congregational singing.

Epistle and Gospel Readings Epistle and Gospel Readings

Prokeimenion: they came, bringing to Jesus a Prokeimenion: they came, bringing to Jesus a O Lord, Thou wilt preserve us and paralytic carried by four men. And O Lord, Thou wilt preserve us and paralytic carried by four men. And keep us from this generation. when they could not get near Jesus keep us from this generation. when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they removed because of the crowd, they removed Save me, O Lord, for the godly man Save me, O Lord, for the godly man the roof above Him; and when they the roof above Him; and when they hath disappeared. hath disappeared. had made an opening, they let down had made an opening, they let down †Epistle: Heb. 1:10—2:3 (RSV) the pallet on which the paralytic lay. †Epistle: Heb. 1:10—2:3 (RSV) the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, He And when Jesus saw their faith, He “In the beginning, Thou, O Lord, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins “In the beginning, Thou, O Lord, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins didst found the earth, and the heavens are forgiven.” Now, some of the didst found the earth, and the heavens are forgiven.” Now, some of the are the work of Thy hands; they will scribes were sitting there, reasoning in are the work of Thy hands; they will scribes were sitting there, reasoning in perish, but Thou remainest; they will their hearts, “Why does this man perish, but Thou remainest; they will their hearts, “Why does this man all grow old like a garment, like a speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who all grow old like a garment, like a speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who mantle Thou wilt roll them up, and can forgive sins but God alone?” And mantle Thou wilt roll them up, and can forgive sins but God alone?” And they will be changed. But Thou art immediately Jesus, perceiving in His they will be changed. But Thou art immediately Jesus, perceiving in His the same, and Thy years will never spirit that they thus reasoned within the same, and Thy years will never spirit that they thus reasoned within end.” But to what angel has He ever themselves, said to them, “Why do end.” But to what angel has He ever themselves, said to them, “Why do said, “Sit at My right hand, until I you reason thus in your hearts? said, “Sit at My right hand, until I you reason thus in your hearts? make Thine enemies a stool for thy Which is easier, to say to the make Thine enemies a stool for thy Which is easier, to say to the feet”? Are they not all ministering paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or feet”? Are they not all ministering paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and of those who are to obtain salvation? walk’? But that you may know that of those who are to obtain salvation? walk’? But that you may know that Therefore, we must pay closer the Son of Man has authority on earth Therefore, we must pay closer the Son of Man has authority on earth attention to what we have heard, lest to forgive sins” – He said to the attention to what we have heard, lest to forgive sins” – He said to the we drift away from it. For if the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up we drift away from it. For if the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, take up message, declared by angels, was your pallet and go home.” And he message, declared by angels, was your pallet and go home.” And he valid and every transgression or rose, and immediately took up the valid and every transgression or rose, and immediately took up the disobedience received a just pallet and went out before them all. disobedience received a just pallet and went out before them all. retribution, how shall we escape if we So that they were all amazed and retribution, how shall we escape if we So that they were all amazed and neglect such a great salvation? It was glorified God, saying, “We never saw neglect such a great salvation? It was glorified God, saying, “We never saw declared at first by the Lord, and it anything like this!” declared at first by the Lord, and it anything like this!” was attested to us by those who heard was attested to us by those who heard Him. Him. †Gospel: Mark 2:1–12 (RSV) †Gospel: Mark 2:1–12 (RSV) At that time, when Jesus returned to At that time, when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was Capernaum after some days, it was reported that He was at home. And reported that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and He was not even about the door; and He was preaching the Word to them. And preaching the Word to them. And

A Word A Word from Our Fathers from Our Fathers

“Before God, a repentant sinner is more “Before God, a repentant sinner is more beloved than a conceited righteous beloved than a conceited righteous person. And therefore beware of judging.” person. And therefore beware of judging.” (St. Anatoly of Optina) (St. Anatoly of Optina)

“As soon as condemnation comes into “As soon as condemnation comes into your head, immediately say with your head, immediately say with attention: ‘Lord, grant me to see my sins attention: ‘Lord, grant me to see my sins and not condemn my brother.’ ” and not condemn my brother.’ ” (St. Nektary of Optina) (St. Nektary of Optina)

“If you do good, you must do it only for “If you do good, you must do it only for God. For this reason you must pay no God. For this reason you must pay no attention to the ingratitude of people. attention to the ingratitude of people. Expect a reward not here, Expect a reward not here, but from the Lord in heaven. If you expect but from the Lord in heaven. If you expect it here—it will be in vain and it here—it will be in vain and you will endure deprivation.” you will endure deprivation.” (St. of Optina) (St. Ambrose of Optina