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The Messenger TheWeekly Worship Guide of MessengerThe Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, Atlanta, Georgia Sunday, September 13, 2020 – Κυριακή, 13 Σεπτεμβρίου 2020 Sunday Before the Elevation of the Cross Κυριακή Προ της Υψώσεως Cornelius the Centurion, the Holy Martyrs Kronidis, Leontios, Serapion, Gordianos, Seleucos, Makrovios, Valerius, Straton, Lucianos, Zotikos, and Elei, The Righteous Monastics Peter of Agrea, Hierotheos of Iveron Monastery Sunday School Dedication Service Thank you to the Sunday School staff and teachers who have volunteered to serve the youth of our Cathedral in this ministry. Saint Cornelius the Centurion Soon after the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, His Resurrection, and His Ascension into Heaven, a centurion by the name of Cornelius settled at Caesarea in Palestine. Although he was a pagan, he distinguished himself by deep piety and good deeds. Once, Cornelius was praying in his home. An angel of God appeared to him and said that his prayer had been heard and accepted by God. The angel commanded him to send people to Joppa to find Simon, also called Peter. Cornelius immediately fulfilled the command. While those people were on their way to Joppa, the Apostle Peter was at prayer, and he had a vision: three times a great sheet was lowered down to him, filled with all kinds of beasts and fowl. He heard a voice from Heaven commanding him to eat everything. When the apostle refused to eat food which Jewish Law regarded as unclean, the voice said: “What God has cleansed, you must not call common” (Acts 10:15). Through this vision the Lord commanded the Apostle Peter to preach the Word of God to the gentiles. When the Apostle Peter arrived at the house of Cornelius in the company of those sent to meet him, he was received with great joy and respect by the host together with his kinsmen and comrades. By the Grace of the Holy Spirit, Cornelius believed in Christ and was baptized with all his family. He was the first pagan to receive Baptism. Soon after his conversion, Cornelius followed the Apostle Peter. When the Apostle Peter, travelled to the city of Ephesus, Saint Cornelius continued his travel all the way to a small town near Ephesus called “Skepsis”, which was a particularly vigorous in idol-worship. Saint Cornelius lived for a long time in this city, converted all the pagan inhabitants to Christ, and made Eunomios a presbyter in service to the Lord. Saint Cornelius died in old age and was buried not far from the pagan temple he destroyed. The Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Cornelius on September 13. (Adopted from the website of the Orthodox Church in America) ORDER OF HYMNS FOLLOWING THE SMALL ENTRANCE Απολυτίκια Apolytikia Ἀναστάσιμον Ἀπολυτίκιον. Ἦχος πλ. α΄ Resurrectional Apolytikion. Mode pl. 1 Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύµατι, τὸν ἐκ Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡµῶν, the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born ἀνυµνήσωµεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωµεν, ὅτι * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, καὶ praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to θάνατον ὑποµεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ. and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection. Ἀπολυτίκιον τό Πρεόρτιον. Ἦχος β' Apolytikion of the Forefeast. Mode 2 Τὸν ζωοποιὸν Σταυρόν, τῆς σῆς ἀγαθότητος, ὃν The life-giving Cross of Your goodness, which we ἐδωρήσω ἡµῖν τοῖς ἀναξίοις Κύριε, σοὶ the unworthy have from You as a gift, we present to προσάγοµεν εἰς πρεσβείαν, σῷζε τοὺς βασιλεῖς καὶ You, O Lord, as an intercessor. Save our leaders and τὴν πόλιν σου, εἰρηνεύοντας διὰ τῆς Θεοτόκου, our nation and keep them in peace, through the µόνε φιλάνθρωπε. Theotokos, O only One who loves humanity. Ἀπολυτίκιον τῶν Έγκαινίων. Ἦχος δ' Apolytikion of the Consecration. Mode 4 Ὡς τοῦ ἄνω στερεώµατος τὴν εὐπρέπειαν, καὶ τὴν You have made the earthly beauty of the holy κάτω συναπέδειξας ὡραιότητα, τοῦ ἁγίου tabernacle of Your glory to be like the majesty of the σκηνώµατος τῆς δόξης σου Κύριε. Κραταίωσον firmament on high, O Lord. Make it strong forever αὐτὸ εἰς αἰῶνα αἰῶνος, καὶ πρόσδεξαι ἡµῶν, τὰς ἐν and ever, and accept our supplications that we αὐτῷ ἀπαύστως προσαγοµένας σοι δεήσεις, unceasingly bring to You there, at the intercession of πρεσβείαις τῆς Θεοτόκου, ἡ πάντων ζωὴ καὶ the Theotokos. For You are the life and resurrection ἀνάστασις. of all. Ἀπολυτίκιον τοῦ Ναοῦ. Ἦχος δ' Apolytikion of the Church. Mode 4 Σήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν τὸ Κεφάλαιον, καὶ τοῦ Today is the beginning of our salvation, and the ἀπ' αἰῶνος Μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις, ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ revelation of the mystery which was hidden from Θεοῦ, Υἱὸς τῆς Παρθένου γίνεται, καὶ Γαβριὴλ τὴν eternity. The Son of God becomes the Virgin’s Son, χάριν εὐαγγελίζεται. Διὸ καὶ ἡμεὶς σὺν αὐτῷ τῇ and Gabriel announces the grace of this Good News. Θεοτόκῳ βοήσωμεν· Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Let us also join with him, calling to the Theotokos: Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ. Rejoice, O Woman full of grace; the Lord is with you. Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος δ΄. Kontakion. Mode 4 Οὐρανὸς πολύφωτος ἡ Ἐκκλησία, ἀνεδείχθη Lord, Your Church appears to us * to be like heaven ἅπαντας, φωταγωγοῦσα τοὺς πιστούς· ἐν ᾧ ἑστῶτες * full of light, and guides with light * all who believe κραυγάζοµεν· Τοῦτον τὸν οἶκον, στερέωσον Κύριε. in You, O Christ. * And we who stand in it cry to You: * Savior, establish forever this holy house. DIVINE LITURGY CONTINUES ON PAGE 39 OF THE DIVINE LITURGY BOOK Sunday Before the Elevation of the Cross Κυριακή Προ της Υψώσεως TODAY’S EPISTLE READING IS FROM: ST. PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THE GALATIANS 6:11-18 EPISTLE READER: ELENA KARAS PROKEIMENON: O LORD, SAVE YOUR PEOPLE AND BLESS YOUR INHERITANCE. VERSE: TO YOU, O LORD, I HAVE CRIED, O MY GOD. rethren, 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 B 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. TODAY’S GOSPEL READING: JOHN 3:13-17 he 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 T 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." “Take up and read, take up and read.” St. Augustine, Confessions 8:12 DIVINE LITURGY CONTINUES ON PAGE 51 OF THE DIVINE LITURGY BOOK GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION Holy Communion is offered in the Orthodox Church only to those individuals baptized and chrismated (confirmed) in the Orthodox Faith. To participate in Holy Communion one must be in good standing with the Church spiritually (for example, married people must have had their marriage blessed in the Church; and, all must be without grave sin on their hearts). For all Orthodox Christians, the proper preparation for Holy Communion must be observed: that is, examination of conscience, confession, reading the prayers for Holy Communion, and the proper fasting. If you have any further questions about this, please speak with the clergy. Women should remove all lipstick when approaching for Holy Communion. Please let parents with their babies and the elderly approach first. Thank you. Nick Grivas Christina Callesis Ted Kipreos Al Galloway Jerry Odenwelder Costa Panos WELCOME EVERYONE! Welcome everyone! We extend a warm welcome to our visitors worshiping with us today in our Cathedral. Thank you for your visit! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL There are two ways to subscribe: Go to: www.youtube.com/c/ATLGOC or www.atlgoc.org and click the “Watch Live” button and then hit the red “subscribe” button. Rev. Fr. Paul A. Kaplanis, Dean Rev. Fr. Christos P. Mars, Presbyter Rev. Dn. Andrew T. Wythe, Pastoral Assistant Elias Lampropoulos, Pastoral Assistant 2500 Clairmont Road N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30329 404-633-5870 .
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