Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church 8306 NC HWY 751 Durham NC 27713 919-484-1600 [email protected] www.stbarbarachurchnc.org News & Announcements Sept. 10, 2017
Sunday before the Holy Cross
Menodora, Metrodora, & Nymphodora the Martyrs 9/10/2017 Poulcheria the Empress 9/10/2017 Afterfeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos 9/10/2017
NEWCOMERS AND VISITORS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
Sunday Worship Schedule: Matins 9:00 am & Divine Liturgy 10:00 am
To Our Visitors and Guests We welcome you to worship with us today, whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Although Holy Communion and other Sacraments are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The Antidoron is not a sacrament, but it is reminiscent of the agape feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. After the Divine Liturgy this morning please join us in the Church Hall for fellowship and refreshments. Please complete a Visitor’s Card before you leave today and drop it in the offering tray, or give it to one of the parishioners after the service, or mail it to the Church Office.
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Today’s Readings:
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Verse: For he has regarded the humility of his servant.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Μεγαλύνει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον, καὶ ἠγαλλίασε τὸ πνεῦμά μου ἐπὶ τῷ Θεῷ τῷ σωτῆρί μου. Στίχ. Ὅτι ἐπέβλεψεν ἐπὶ τὴν ταπείνωσιν τῆς δούλης αὐτοῦ.
Πρὸς Γαλάτας τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο 6:11-18
Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.
8307 The Gospel According to John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
8308 Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ἰωάννην Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα 3:13-17
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ. 2
ATTENTION SAINT BARBARA PARISH! Celebrate with your Church Family your next special occasion! Consider sponsoring a coffee hour in the social hall after Liturgy on Sundays to commemorate a birthday, graduation, nameday, anniversary, or even for the pleasure of just hosting for your Parish. Signing up is easy....just place your name on the 'signup coffee hour' sheet located on the table in the hallway nearest the social hall. For details or questions, contact Helen Paliouras at: 919942-4229 or [email protected]
September 2017 14 - Thursday - Elevation of the Holy Cross - 9:00 am 17- Sunday after Holy Cross - 9:00 am 24- 1st Sunday of Luke - 9:00 am ------
Youth Registration today in the Hall after Church for:
Sunday School, Youth Choir, Altar Boys,
Goya, Joy, Hope, and Greek Language
13th Annual Holiday Greek Pastry Sale Baking Koulourakia for Pastry Sale Saturday, September 16, 2017
1st Shift 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. Making and Baking the koulourakia
2nd Shift 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Baking and Packing the koulourakia for the freezer
If you can work both shifts, please let us know
If you have questions, contact Catherine Mariakakis at [email protected] or Joan Marinos at [email protected]
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FESTIVAL EQUIPMENT CLEAN UP DAY We are scheduling a Festival equipment clean up date> Saturday, September 23 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
At the conclusion of our last festival we had rolled all the grills, fryers, and related equipment back to the storage room, without having an opportunity to clean them. During the summer the storage room was being used to collect items for the September Yard Sale. The summer was not a good time to schedule a clean-up because the weather is too hot plus many parishioners are on vacation. October our church has the AHEPA Dinner dance and Chicken dinner. November through February will be too cold to work outside. March we have Great Lent, and April we have Easter. Then the Festival is just three weeks away. The ideal time to clean the Festival equipment will be in September. Tasks: Pressure wash grills, fryers, and souvlas, towel dry and polish with stainless steel polish. We will need a minimum of seven volunteers.
Please email Johnny Mariakakis to volunteer [email protected]
PHILOPTOCHOS BULLET POINTS
Commemorating the Elevation of the Cross- September 14 , there will be an additional tray passed to benefit Hellenic College/Holy Cross Seminary -Sunday September10- your generosity is much appreciated. Sunday September 17 the Philoptochos will be providing slices of Fanouropita for a minimum suggested donation of $2/slice during the Coffee Hour. Funds are to benefit Youth Ministry/Programs within the Metropolis of Atlanta. Holiday Pastry Sale 2017- Pastry preparations are underway- Saturday September 16- KOULOURAKIA. Saturday September 30 SPANACOPITA . Both sessions will be in the Church Fellowship Hall beginning @10am. Any time you can contribute is of value and helpful. Mark Your Calendar- Next General Membership Meeting -Sunday September 24 Sunday October 1 the Pappas Family is hosting the Fall Charity BBQ for Philoptochos members and spouses @1pm with Fill the Bag Activity. RSVP Theky Pappas.
Yours in Christ, Catherine 4
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The Kavala Committee of Sister Cities of Durham Celebrating Durham’s newest Sister City in Greece Invites You to a Benefit Reception Proceeds for Exchanges between Durham and Kavala A Greek Port City on the Aegean
Hosted by Duke Homestead Tobacco Museum 2828 Duke Homestead Rd, Durham 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Thursday, September 14 Hors D’oeuvres, Greek Wines & Beers, Sodas Sponsors: Parizade, Mariakakis, Captain John’s Dockside Auction: Baskets of Greek food and beverages Cost: $20 pp, payable to Sister Cities of Durham Mail to PO Box 767; Durham, NC 27702, or Pay at the Door
RSVP by Wed., Sept 6 to [email protected]
Spanakopita Assembly Saturday September 30th @ 10am
As autumn approaches, it's time to begin preparations for the annual Philoptochos Holiday Pastry Sale. We will be assembling spanakopitas on Saturday, September 30th, starting at 10am at the church hall. The quantity required this year is still TBD, but as always, we could use all the help we can get. I know everyone’s schedules are busy, and your time is valuable, but even if you can only spare an hour or two, please come by.
If you can make it, please bring a bowl or sauce pan to hold melted butter, and a pastry brush. That will help ensure we have enough equipment for all the workers.
Finally, if you can please let either Evelyn Panos ([email protected]), Theky Pappas ([email protected]), or Cindy Paliouras ([email protected] or [email protected]) know if you’re able to come, so we’ll have some idea of how many helpers to expect, that would be much appreciated. Or just drop in, we’re flexible, and we’ll definitely put you to work.
Hope to see you on Saturday September 30th!
Many thanks,
Cindy
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ATLANTA METROPOLIS (Sept. 5, 2017) — It was announced this morning that Hurricane Irma has upgraded to a Category 5 storm threatening the state of Florida and the East Coast.
Even not yet knowing the exact path of the storm, it is still not too early to begin preparations and make emergency plans. Those that may be affected should monitor Hurricane Irma through national and local channels. Clergy, along with parish leadership, will make the decision to cancel services for everyone’s safety if need be.
Please see below for a list of storm preparedness tips (please note this is not an all-inclusive checklist): o Purchase and stock one gallon of water per person per day. o Purchase and stock non-perishable foods that you can prepare with whatever resources you have if power is lost. o Get cash since during/after a storm ATMs and credit card machines may not be functional. o Pick up any medications you may need and make sure you have enough to last up to a week after the storm hits. o Gather important papers, documents and photos and place them in plastic containers to protect from water damage. If you are evacuating, consider taking this with you. o If necessary, determine an evacuation route and destination, inform someone of where you are headed. o Fill up on gasoline for your car, especially if you plan to evacuate. o If you have a gas grill, pick up extra propane tanks so you can use it to prepare food. o Find your flashlights and make sure you have enough batteries for them. o Check on the elderly. o If you choose to evacuate, turn off gas to prevent gas leaks. o If you have pets, be sure to find accommodations for them should you choose to evacuate.
While not all of us are in the path of the storm, please continue to pray, offering love and support to our Metropolis family preparing for Hurricane Irma’s landfall at the end of this week.
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Thursday – September 14 The Universal Elevation of the Sacred and Life Giving Cross Matins and Divine Liturgy starting at 9:00 am Procession of the Holy Cross
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HURRICANE IOCC RELIEF COLLECTION BOX IN HALL
Overview South Texas and Louisiana are beginning the recovery process after Hurricane Harvey brought an estimated of 50 inches of rainfall, causing loss of life, extensive property damage, and hardship for the residents of Houston, the United States’ fourth- largest city. Fatalities are estimated to be over 60 people, with tens of thousands more displaced and staying in shelters and government-funded hotel rooms. As the water recedes, assessments have determined that the storm damaged at least 200,000 homes, destroying more than 12,700 others in the area. Multiple news outlets are reporting that Harvey may be the most expensive natural disaster in US history. IOCC Involvement IOCC, the official humanitarian agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, is collaborating with local Orthodox churches, members of national and Texas VOADs (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), and ecumenical partners to assess the situation in Houston and provide relief where it is needed most. IOCC is working with Church World Service (CWS), the American Red Cross, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, NECHAMA Jewish Disaster, All-Hands Disaster, and other partners to understand and respond to immediate needs and relief gaps. Further, IOCC is closely monitoring weather conditions as new storms develop in the Caribbean and Atlantic.
IOCC US Program Response · Pre-storm, IOCC coordinated with the Red Cross, which asked specifically that our Frontliners, highly trained clergy and laity, provide emotional and spiritual care to those affected by the storm in Red Cross run shelters. Twelve Frontliners are now on the ground currently and we will rotate in a second team as the original team members return home. · The Frontliner team was the first group to offer emotional and spiritual care in the “mega-shelter” at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, and they remain a steadfast presence there, collectively offering 12 hours of care daily to both survivors and volunteers, as well as to law-enforcement officers, at the center which at one time had as many as 10,000 displaced people being sheltered and still has about 1,000 people left in it . · Orthodox clergy represented the Orthodox community and IOCC at the interfaith service held at the Convention Center on Sunday 9/3. Other members of the Frontline visited Orthodox parishes beginning at Sunday’s Divine Liturgies to offer emotional and spiritual support to the local clergy and affected parishioners. · The IOCC Emergency Response Van and staff arrived in Houston on 9/1 to conduct a Rapid Needs Assessment of the overall situation and support IOCC muck out team volunteers. IOCC’s first muck-out team took place on Saturday 9/4 with 13 volunteers participating and continued on 9/5 with an additional 15 volunteers. Some 50–75 more houses are slated for assessments and possible muck-outs in the coming weeks. · IOCC has arranged, through partners Church World Service and Good360, for two truckloads of hygiene kits, clean-up buckets, food, and baby products to the Houston area, arriving early the week of 9/4. The Church World Service truck arrived on 9/4 at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church containing 200 clean up buckets and 6,000 hygiene kits. Fr. Luke Palumbis, pastor of St. Basil’s and an IOCC Frontliner, organized the distribution of the clean-up buckets and hygiene kits which began immediately and is continuing · IOCC’s partner Church World Service has informed us that there is a tremendous need for hygiene kits and clean-up buckets to replenish their supply at the warehouse. Instructions on creating and shipping kits here: iocc.org/kits. · Aside from kits made to the specifications at iocc.org/kits, please know that cash donations are most efficient at this time and give IOCC flexibility in crisis response: iocc.org/Harvey.
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Μεγάλη δεσποτική εορτή της Χριστιανοσύνης, με την οποία τιμάται κάθε χρόνο στις 14 Σεπτεμβρίου η διπλή ανεύρεση του Σταυρού πάνω στον οποίο μαρτύρησε ο Ιησούς Χριστός. Στη χώρα μας γιορτάζουν ο Σταύρος και η Σταυρούλα.
Σύμφωνα με την παράδοση, το 326 η γηραιά μητέρα του Μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου, Αυγούστα Ιουλία Φλαβία Ελένη, μετέβη στους Αγίους Τόπους για να φέρει στο φως τα διάφορα μέρη στα οποία έζησε και δίδαξε ο Ιησούς Χριστός. Στα Ιεροσόλυμα πραγματοποίησε μεγάλες ανασκαφές για να βρεθούν οι τόποι της Σταύρωσης και της Ανάστασης στον λόφο του Γολγοθά. Η μετέπειτα Αγία Ελένη οδηγήθηκε στην εύρεση του Τιμίου Σταυρού από ένα αρωματικό φυτό που φύτρωνε στο μέρος εκείνο, τον γνωστό μας βασιλικό. Ύστερα από επίπονες ανασκαφές βρέθηκαν τρεις σταυροί, του Κυρίου και των δύο ληστών.
Οι εκκλησιαστικοί ιστορικοί Φιλοστόργιος και Νικηφόρος αναφέρουν ότι ο Σταυρός του Κυρίου εντοπίσθηκε ύστερα από θαύμα, όταν τοποθετήθηκε πάνω σε νεκρή γυναίκα και αυτή αναστήθηκε. Στη θέση αυτή υπήρχε ο ναός της Αφροδίτης, που είχε ανεγείρει το 135 ο ρωμαίος αυτοκράτορας Αδριανός, μετά τη δεύτερη καταστροφή της Ιερουσαλήμ. Η Ελένη, αφού διέταξε να τον γκρεμίσουν, έχτισε στη θέση του τον περικαλλή Ναό της Αναστάσεως, ο οποίος αποτελεί μέχρι σήμερα ένα από τα σημαντικότερα μνημεία του Χριστιανισμού. Ο Σταυρός του Κυρίου παραδόθηκε στον Πατριάρχη Ιεροσολύμων Μακάριο, ο οποίος τον τοποθέτησε στον ναό της Αναστάσεως στις 14 Σεπτεμβρίου 335.
Η δεύτερη Ύψωση του Τιμίου Σταυρού σχετίζεται με τους Βυζαντινο-Περσικούς Πολέμους (602-628). Το 614 οι Πέρσες κυρίευσαν την Παλαιστίνη και αφού λεηλάτησαν και κατέστρεψαν τα ιερά προσκυνήματα του Χριστιανισμού, πήραν μαζί τους ως λάφυρο τον Τίμιο Σταυρό. Οι πυρολάτρες Πέρσες θεώρησαν τον Σταυρό μαγικό, εξαιτίας κάποιων θαυμάτων που έγιναν και τον προσκυνούσαν. Ο αυτοκράτορας Ηράκλειος, μετά την οριστική νίκη του εναντίον των Περσών το 628, ανέκτησε το ιερό σύμβολο της Χριστιανοσύνης και το μετέφερε αρχικά στην Κωνσταντινούπολη (14 Σεπτεμβρίου 629), όπου αποτέλεσε μέρος του θριάμβου του και στη συνέχεια στα Ιεροσόλυμα.
Η Ύψωση του Τιμίου Σταυρού εορτάζεται με ιδιαίτερη λαμπρότητα κάθε χρόνο στις 14 Σεπτεμβρίου. Στις εκκλησίες ψάλλεται, μεταξύ των άλλων, το πασίγνωστο απολυτίκιο «Σώσον Κύριε τον λαόν σου…» και στους πιστούς μοιράζονται κλώνοι βασιλικού, εκκλησιαστική συνήθεια που πηγάζει από την παράδοση ότι στο μέρος που βρέθηκε ο Τίμιος Σταυρός είχε φυτρώσει το αρωματικό αυτό φυτό. Η Εκκλησία επιτάσσει την ημέρα αυτή αυστηρά νηστεία.
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The Meaning of the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross
The Elevation of the Holy Cross is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, celebrated on September 14. This feast is also referred to as the Exaltation of the Cross. This is also a popular name day for Stavroula/Stavros (from "stavros" meaning cross).
This feast commemorates two events:
The finding of the Cross by the Empress Helen (the mother of St. Constantine the Great) on Golgotha in 326 AD, the place where Christ was crucified.
On the spot where the Cross was discovered, St. Helen had found a hitherto unknown flower of rare beauty and fragrance, which has been named "Vasiliko," or Basil, meaning the flower of royalty. Note that the word "Vasiliko" means "of the King," since the word "Basileus" in Greek means "King"; so, the plant Vasiliko, Basil, is tied to the Precious Cross of the King of Glory, our Lord Jesus Christ. Underneath the Basil, the Cross of Christ was found, but with it were the other two crosses, those used to crucify the two thieves on either side of Christ. The sign with the inscription, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews", also lay among the three crosses. In order to determine which one was the true cross, a sick woman was told to kiss each of the three crosses. The woman kissed the first cross with no result. She kissed the second cross and again nothing happened. However, when the ailing woman kissed the True Cross, she was immediately made well. It so happened that a funeral procession was passing that way, and so the body of the dead man was placed on each of the crosses, and when it was placed on the True Cross, the dead man came to life — thus the name the “Life-Giving” Cross, which gives life not only to that man, but to each person who believes in the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and His all-glorious three day Resurrection. When the true Cross was identified, it was lifted on high for all the people to see, who then continually sang Kyrie eleison, a practice which is still enacted at current celebrations of this feast.
The recovery of the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified from the Persians. The Persians had captured the True Cross as a prize of war when they sacked Jerusalem in 614 AD. It was recovered by the forces of the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) in 627 AD, when Emperor Heraclius decisively defeated the Sassanid Persians at The Battle of Nineveh, surrounding their capital Ctesiphon, recovering the True Cross, and breaking the power of the Sassanid dynasty. The Elevation took place on March 21, 630 AD, when Emperor Heraclius entered Jerusalem amidst great rejoicing, and together with Patriarch Zacharios (609- 632), transferred the Cross of Christ with great solemnity into the temple of the Resurrection, joyously held up for veneration by the Christian faithful.
This is one of the two feast days which is held as a strict fast. The other is the commemoration of the Beheading of St. John the Forerunner on August 29. 12