SAINT GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

october 20, 2013 sixth sunday of luke Holy Great Artemius of was a prominent military leader during the reigns of the emperor (May 21), and his son and successor Constantius (337-361). Artemius received many awards for distinguished service and courage. He was appointed viceroy of Egypt. In this official position he did much for the spreading and strengthening in Egypt. St Artemius was sent by the emperor Constantius to bring the relics of the holy Apostle Andrew from , and the relics of the holy Apostle Luke from Thebes of , to . The holy relics were placed in the Church of the Holy Apostles beneath the table of oblation. The emperor rewarded him by making him ruler of Egypt. The emperor Constantius was succeeded on the throne by the Apostate (361-363). Julian in his desire to restore was extremely antagonistic towards Christians, sending hundreds to their death. At Antioch he ordered the torture of two bishops unwilling to forsake the Christian Faith. During this time, St Artemius arrived in Antioch and publicly denounced Julian for his impiety. The enraged Julian subjected the to terrible tortures and threw the Artemius into prison. While Artemius was praying, Christ, surrounded by angels, appeared to him and said, “Take courage, Artemius! I am with you and will preserve you from every hurt which is inflicted upon you, and I already have prepared your crown of glory. Since you have confessed Me before the people on earth, so shall I confess you before My Heavenly Father. Therefore, take courage and rejoice, you shall be with Me in My Kingdom.” Hearing this, Artemius rejoiced and offered up glory and thanksgiving to Him. On the following day, Julian demanded that St Artemius honor the pagan gods. Meeting with steadfast refusal, the emperor resorted to further tortures. The saint endured all without a single moan. The saint told Julian that he would be justly recompensed for his persecution of Christians. Julian became furious and resorted to even more savage tortures, but they did not break the will of the saint. Finally the Great Martyr Artemius was beheaded. His relics were buried by Christians. After the death of St Artemius, his prophecy about Julian the Apostate’s impending death came true. Julian left Antioch for a war with the Persians. Near the Persian city of Ctesiphon, Julian came upon an elderly Persian, who agreed to betray his countrymen and guide Julian’s army. The old man deceived Julian 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 Ἀπολυτικιον. Ἦχος πλ. δ. apolyτikion. Mode pl. 4. ξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν κα- ou descended from on high, O compassionate Ἐτεδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν YOne, and condescended to be buried for three παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα days, so that from the passions You might set us free. σοι. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You. Ἀπολυτικιον του αγιου. Ἦχος δ. apolyτikion of the saint. Mode 4. άρτυς σου Κύριε, ἐν τῇ ἀθλήσει αὐτοῦ, τὸ our Martyr, O Lord, was worthily awarded by You Mστέφος ἐκομίσατο τῆς ἀφθαρσίας, ἐκ σοῦ Y* the crown of incor- ruption, in that he contested τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν· ἔχων γὰρ τὴν ἰσχύν σου, τοὺς τυ- for You our immortal God. * Since he possessed Your ράννους καθεῖλεν· ἔθραυσε καὶ δαιμόνων, τὰ ἀνί- power, he defeated the tyrants, * dashing the demons’ σχυρα θράση, αὐτοῦ ταῖς ἱκεσίαις Χριστέ, σῶσον powerless dis- plays of defiance. * O Christ God, at τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. his fervent entreaties, save our souls. Ἀπολυτίκιον του ναου. πλ. α´. apolyt. of the church. Mode pl. 1. ουκάν τον πανύμνητον καὶ ἅγιον ἀπόστο- he holy Apostle, the All-hymned Luke, * who Λλον, τὸν τῆς Ἐκκλησίας γνωστὸν συνθέτην Tis acknowledged by the Church of Christ * as τῶν Πράξεων τῶν Ἀποστόλων, τόν τε σεμνὸν τοῦ the recorder of the Acts of the Apostles, * and the Εὐαγγελίου Χριστοῦ ὑπομνηματιστήν, ἀξίως τιμή- splendid author of the Gospel of Christ. * Let us σωμεν ὕμνοις ὁσίοις, ὡς νοσημάτων ἀνθρωπίνων praise with sacred hymns as a physician, * who heals καὶ φυσικῶν ἀσθενειῶν θεραπευτήν, τὸν καθαίρο- the infirmities of man, * and the ailments of nature, * ντα πληγὰς τοῦ πνεύματος, καὶ ἀδιαλείπτως πρε- who cleanses spiritual wounds, and prays unceasingly σβεύοντα ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν. for our souls. Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος β. Kontakion. Mode 2. ροστασία * τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε, Protection of Christians that cannot be put to Π* μεσιτεία * πρὸς τὸν ποιητὴν ἀμετάθετε, * Oshame, mediation unto the creator most con- μὴ παρίδῃς * ἁμαρτωλῶν δεήσεων φωνάς, * ἀλ‐ λὰ stant: O despise not the voices of those who have πρόφθασον ὡς ἀγαθὴ * εἰς τὴν βοήθειαν ἡμῶν, * sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come unto our τῶν πιστῶς κραυγαζόντων σοι· * Τάχυνον εἰς πρε- aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession σβείαν * καὶ σπεῦσον εἰς ἱκεσίαν, * ἡ προστατεύου- and speed thou to make supplication, O thou who σα ἀεί, * Θεοτόκε, τῶν τιμώντων σε. dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Abba Poimen said, ‘Teach your heart to guard that which your tongue teaches.’ “ —sayings of the desert fathers” THE READINGS OF THE DAY epistle reading was driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus The second letter of then asked him, “What is your name?” And he paul to Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1 said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command RETHREN, you are the temple of them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd the living God; as God said, “I will of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and live in them and move among them, they begged him to let them enter these. So he Βand I will be their God, and they shall be my gave them leave. Then the demons came out of people. Therefore come out from them, and be the man and entered the swine, and the herd separate from them, says the Lord, and touch rushed down the steep bank into the lake and nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what I will be a father to you, and you shall be my happened, they fled, and told it in the city and sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” in the country. Then people went out to see Since we have these promises, beloved, let us what had happened, and they came to Jesus, cleanse ourselves from every defilement of and found the man from whom the demons body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed the fear of God. and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he gospel reading who had been possessed with demons was luke 8:26-39 healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; t that time, as Jesus arrived at the country so he got into the boat and returned. The man of the Gadarenes, there met him a man from whom the demons had gone begged that from the city who had demons; for a he might be with him; but he sent him away, Along time he had worn no clothes and he lived saying, “Return to your home, and declare how not in a house but among the tombs. When he much God has done for you.” And he went saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before away, proclaiming throughout the whole city him, and said with a loud voice, “What have how much Jesus had done for him. you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and announcements upcoming church services: Monday, October 21, St. Socrates the Presbyter, 9am Divine Liturgy Saturday, October 26, St. Demetrios the Great Martyr, 8:30am Orthros / Div. Liturgy Saturday, October 26, Great Vespers, 5pm

parish feast day Architechts of instanbul exhibit Thank you to all who donated flowers for the The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago is feastday of St. Luke! Your generosity is always pleased to announce the opening of the exhibition, appreciated! “Greek Architects of Istanbul in the Era of craft club Westernization,” which focuses on the contributions of Greek architects to the modernization of Craft club will meet this tuesday, October 22 at Istanbul (ancient Constantinople), Turkey. A 6pm. Please bring a craft project to work on and special opening reception will take place on join us for fellowship. Sunday, October 27, 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Damen philoptochos Student Center at Loyola University of Chicago GIFT CARDS: The next deadline to order (6511 N Sheridan Road). The exhibit will remain gift cards will be November 3. Check out the list open until November 10, 2013. of available giftcards. These cards make great gifts and also are great for everyday spending. Proceeds benefit the ministries of Philoptochos. One day Abba Isaac the Theban went to a monastery. He saw a parish family night brother committing a sin and he The next Parish Family event will be held on No- condemned him. When he returned vember 10, following Divine Services. Please com- “to the desert, an angel of the Lord plete the enclosed registration form if you would came and stood in front of the door like to attend. of his cell, and said, ‘I will not let give a month towards our future you enter.’ But he persisted saying, ‘What is the matter?’ and the angel A little over one year ago we purchased land for our replied, ‘God has sent me to ask you future growth. As we did last year, we would like where you want to throw the guilty to offer families and individuals the opportunity to brother whom you have condemned.’ help offset our additional mortgage payment with Immediately he repented and said, a donation of $640. If you would like to sponsor ‘I have sinned, forgive me.’ Then the one month for 2013, please contact Fr. Michael. angel said, ‘Get up, God has forgiven Thus far we have received committments for 5 of you. But from now on, be careful not 12 months. As always, your geneorsity is a blessing to judge someone before God has to our community! done so.’ —Sayings of the desert fathers” synaxarion and led his army into the Karmanite wilderness, out on the ground. For his exalted life he was where there was neither food nor water. Tired from granted a miraculous gift: the ability to heal the hunger and thirst, Julian’s army battled against fresh sick and cast out unclean spirits. Persian forces. At 71 years of age, the venerable Gerasimus Divine retribution caught up with Julian the knew that he would soon die. He gave his blessing Apostate. During the battle he was mortally to the nuns and peacefully fell asleep in the Lord wounded by an unseen hand and an unseen on August 15, 1579. Two years later, his grave was weapon. Julian groaned deeply said, “You have opened and his holy relics were found fragrant and conquered, Galilean!” After the death of the incorrupt with a healing power. apostate emperor, the relics of the Great Martyr Since the Feast of the Dormition falls on August Artemius were transferred with honor from 15, St Gerasimus is commemorated on August Antioch to Constantinople. 16th. Today’s Feast celebrates the uncovering of his Saint Gerasimus the New Ascetic of Cephalonia holy relics in 1581. was born in the village of Trikkala in the Saint Matrona was born in the village of Peloponessos. As a young adult, he became a monk Volissos on Chios of wealthy and pious parents, on the island of Zakynthos. On the Holy Mountain Leon and Anna sometime in the fourteenth he became a schemamonk and studied with the century. From her youth she showed an inclination ascetics of Mt Athos. Receiving a blessing from the for monasticism. One day she left her parents and Elders, the monk went to Jerusalem to worship at went to live in an unpopulated area, where she the Life-bearing Tomb of the Savior. After visiting founded a small monastery for women. Soon other many holy places in Jerusalem, Mount Sinai, nuns joined her in her ascetical struggles. Antioch, Damascus, and Egypt, he St Matrona worked many both during returned to Jerusalem where he became a lamp- her life and after her death, and was revered lighter at the Sepulchre of the Lord. throughout Chios for her virtuous life and holiness. The monk was ordained a deacon and then a She showed charity to the poor, and was able to priest by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Germanus heal the sick. (1534-1579). St Gerasimus maintained the The service to St Matrona was composed by discipline of an ascetic. For solitude he withdrew Metropolitan Niketas of Rhodes. It was found in to the Jordan, where he spent forty days without a codex from 1455, which would indicate that she respite. Having received the Patriarch’s blessing died sometime before this date. for a life of silence, St Gerasimus withdrew to Zakynthos in solitude, eating only vegetation. After five years he was inspired to go the island of Cephalonia, where he lived in a cave. He restored a church at Omala, and he founded a women’s monastery where he lived in constant toil and vigil for thirty years. He prayed on bent knees stretched MONASTICISM: THE APOSTOLIC LIFE (final part) by the Very Reverend Abbot of St. Anthony’s Monastery, Archimandrite Paisios

he transfiguration of each soul takes place possesses this prayer, that is who has experience Talso with constant repentance. In beginning of how it acts in the soul of a person. The Jesus His work to save the world, the Lord preached prayer contains a confession of the God-man and repentance. a confession of our sinfulness. In this combination A monk through constant repentance renews of these two truths lies the whole spirit of our his baptism. According to St. John of the Ladder, Orthodoxy. With time, the Jesus prayer guides us the tears of repentance are a second baptism, a towards Christ-like humility, which, according to reconciliation with the Lord, and a purification of St. Maximos, guides us to the two-fold knowledge: the conscience. According to St. Isaac, the fruit of the knowledge of the omnipotence of Christ and the inner man begins with tears. This is why tears the knowledge of our own weakness. The ignorance are a sign of true repentance, and they are required of the omnipotence of Christ and the ignorance of of all Christians. But there are also other kinds our own weakness constitute pride. of tears. According to St. Isaac, there is “an order The Jesus prayer purifies the nous of thoughts of tears which belongs to him who sheds tears and fantasy, an indispensable prerequisite without unceasingly both night and day …. The eyes of such which man does not achieve the knowledge of the a man become like fountains of water for two years’ truth, the knowledge of God, in other words, does time or even more. But afterwards he enters into not fulfill his purpose as a Christian. As St. John peace of thought and purity of heart. And once he Chrysostom says, this prayer illuminates man with enters into it, it shall abide with him till death. And uncreated light. “Prayer done with zeal is light for God raises up the fruit of the Spirit in him. And in the nous and soul… It is an unquenchable and this present life he perceives, dimly somehow, and continuous light.” However, it is not achieved in a figure as it were, the change nature is going to without labor and temptations. In fact, according to receive at the renewal of all things.” This marks the St. Isaac the Syrian, “Reckon every prayer, wherein completion of the heart’s purification process. the body does not toil and the heart is not afflicted The of our Church know that divine Grace to be a miscarriage.” abides in and transfigures our soul with a desire for When prayer, and in particular the Jesus prayer, struggling, with humility – which is the basis and is done with zeal and persistence and under foundation of the virtues – with watchfulness, and obedience, it brings man to “true knowledge of with prayer. God, it is an intercessor between God and men, The prayer which the monk uses above all, more a physician of the passions, and antidote for than all the other prayers of the Church is the so- illnesses, peace of soul, a guide that leads to heaven, called Jesus prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy it is communion and union with God. And man’s on me.” It has tremendous power when it is used soul is directed towards God, enlightened, and is constantly and with zeal, and primarily when it thoroughly brightened by His indescribable light.” is used under the super-vision of an elder who The monk constantly strives to occupy himself with prayer and mainly with the Jesus prayer, lest towards God. This is why today the world needs he be found unworthy of this divine conversation such people more than ever before. and end up spiritually lifeless and dead. For the “Perhaps,” St. Silouan writes, “You will say that Jesus prayer to purify the soul of man, it must be nowadays there are no monks who would pray for said without ceasing. This work is not only for the whole world; but I tell you that when there are monks. Praying without ceasing is for all Christians, no men of prayer on the earth, the world will come according to the Apostle Paul. St. Gregory Palamas to an end and great calamities will befall: they have as Archbishop of Thessaloniki taught the same started already.” thing, that ceaseless prayer, the Jesus prayer, it External stillness must be accompanied with not only for monks, but for all Christians, as well. interior stillness. The beginning of the development But for man to make progress in the Jesus prayer, of the passions and of one’s fall is thoughts, which stillness and seclusion are indispensable aids. proceed from a soul lacking peace. The imagination In the Gospel, the Lord often went out into is also a diseased condition of the soul. Of course, the wilderness to pray. “Why did he ascend the in our Lord the New Adam, and in Adam and mountain?” asks St. John Chrysostom. And he Eve before the Fall, these did not exist. When we answers, “In order to teach us that solitude and initially undertake by the Grace of God to cure of isolation are good things when we want to come soul of its illness, a real struggle is required so that into contact with God. The wilderness is the we do not, according to St. Dorotheos, “remain all mother of hesychia and it keeps us far from all the time rotting in our thoughts.” When a monk noise. joins ceaseless prayer with endless vigilance and All the hours of the day are appropriate for complete spiritual obedience to an experienced prayer, but the nighttime hours are most suitable. elder, then he gradually achieves the purification of The night has darkness and quiet, essential aids his soul, and “the purity of soul,” according to St. for the execution of prayer. This is why monks Isaac the Syrian, “is the first gift of our nature; and prefer the nighttime hours for noetic prayer and without purity of the passions the soul is not healed their communication with God. The wilderness of the illness of sin, nor does it acquire the glory has shown forth tens of thousands of saints of our which it has lost through the Fall.” church. Since we have briefly mentioned the virtues The monk gives priority to the person. Ascesis which we as Christians must work at, it would delivers him from thoughts, the imagination and be good to mention also the virtue which is the the passions and by the grace of God he acquires mother of all virtues, obedience, which without peace and becomes a fountain of peace for all great toil brings all the virtues chained together. the world. “Find peace within yourself,” says St. Obedience is a great mystery of our Church, as St. Seraphim of Sarov “and thousands all around you Silouan has said. “The Holy Fathers,” according will be saved.” He means here not just those who to St. Silouan, “ranked obedience, which is in come into contact face to face with such a person essence humility, above fasting and prayer.” In but also those far away are changed and become a broader sense, we must have more obedience partakers of the grace of such a saint, and turn to Church Tradition and to the visible point of organizational unity, that is, to the bishop and to the canonical structure of the Church. However, more specifically, spiritual obedience to a spiritual It was said of Abba Paphnutius father who has reached the state of illumination that he did not readily drink and theosis renders the disciple, in proportion to wine. One day he found himself the faith and obedience he has towards his elder, a on the road facing a band of recipient of the uncreated energies of God, through “ his spiritual father. robbers who were drinking “He who has cut off his self-will and put wine. The captain of the band himself under obedience in all things to his elder was acquainted with him and and his confessor has an unfettered mind… and knew that he did not drink obedience brings him all the virtues and gifts one by one. He who has true obedience fulfills all the wine. Seeing how weary he was, commandments and becomes like Christ who was he filled him a cup of wine and ‘obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ holding his sword in his hand The Holy Spirit loves the obedient soul,” according he said to him, ‘If you do not to St Silouan, “and quickly comes to know the drink this, I will kill you.’ So the Lord, and obtains prayer of the heart…. And thus God gives His wisdom and anything else the old man, knowing that he was obedient soul asks of Him.” fulfilling the commandment The Church today, the world, is passing through of God and in order to win the a very serious crises, a crisis both moral and confidence of the robber, took spiritual. The problem in the world today is man – the individual. If man by means of ascesis purifies the cup and drank it. Then the his nous from thoughts and fantasies and then his captain asked his forgiveness, heart from the passions, then the Grace of the Holy saying, ‘Forgive me, abba, for I Spirit comes permanently to his soul, and in this have made you unhappy.’ But manner he becomes at peace with himself and with the old man said, ‘I believe that, God. He comes into contact with God and is at peace with his fellow man and with all of creation. thanks to this cup, God will have The achievement of one soul being cured of his mercy on you now and in the passions means a positive change to all of society, age to come.’ Then the robber it is a beginning of the cure of all society. This is captain said, ‘Have confidence primarily what monasticism – the apostolic life – in God that from now on I shall has offered and continues to offer to the Church throughout its history, either by word or through not harm any- one.’ So the old silence, to those who draw near. man converted the whole band by giving up his own will for the Lord’s sake. —sayings of the desert fathers”