SAINT GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH november 22, 2015

9th sunday of luke

The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Philemon and his wife Apphia lived in the city of Colossa in . After they were baptized by the holy Apostle Paul, they converted their house into a house of prayer, where all those who be- lieved in gathered and attended services. They devoted themselves to serving the sick and downcast. St Philemon became bishop of the city of Gaza, and he preached the Word of God throughout Phrygia. The holy Apostle Paul continued to be his guide, and addressed to him his filled with love, and in which he sends bless- ings “to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer, and to our beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house” (Phil 1:1-3). St (February 15), also mentioned in the Epistle, was St Philemon’s former slave. Sts Philemon and Apphia, and also St Archippus (who also lived at Colossa), all received the crown of martyrdom during the persecution of Nero (54-68). During a pagan festival an enraged crowd rushed into the Christian church when services were going on. All fled in terror, and only Sts Philemon, Archippus and Apphia remained. They seized them and led them off to the city prefect. The crowd beat and stabbed St Archippus with knives, and he died on the way to the court. Sts Philemon and Apphia were stoned to death by order of the prefect. The memory of the holy Apostles Archippus, Philemon, and Apphia is celebrated also on February 19. The Holy Right-Believing Prince of was born in the year 1272, already after the death of his father Great Prince Yaroslav Yaroslavich, a brother of holy Prince Nevsky (November 23). On the journey to the Horde, Prince Yaroslav fell ill, and was tonsured a monk with the name Athanasius, then died. Michael’s mother, Xe- nia, raised her son in fervent love for God. Michael was educated and studied under the guidance of the Archbishop (probably Clement) of Novgorod. He took the place of his older brother Svyatoslav in the principality of Tver. In 1285 he built a stone church in honor of the Savior’s Transfiguration in place of the wooden church of Sts Cos- mas and Damian. Upon the death of Great Prince Andrew Alexandrovich (+1305), Michael went to the Horde and received the grant to the great princely throne by right of seniority. But Prince Yurii Danilovich of would not submit to this, because he sought the princely rule for himself. He was often at the of the new Khan Uzbek, who had accepted Mohammedanism and was distinguished by his cruelty and fanaticism. Prince Yurii knew how to please the Khan, and he married his sister Konchaka and became Great Prince. Even then he did not calm down, but instead began an internecine war with Tver. In Yurii’s army was a detachment of Tatars sent by Uzbek, with Kavgadi at the head. But the men of Tver, with holy Prince Michael at the head, on December 22, 1317 defeated Yurii. Many captives were taken, including Kavgadi, whom St Michael released, and the Moscow prince’s wife Konchaka, who unexpectedly died at Tver. Prince Yurii slandered St Michael before the Khan, accusing him of poisoning Konchaka. The Khan became en- raged, threatening to destroy St Michael’s princely holding, and demanded that he appear to give an account. Not

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Ἀπολυτ. τησ εορτης. Ἦχος δ. apolyt. for the feast. mode 4. ήμερον τῆς εὐδοκίας Θεοῦ τὸ προοίμιον, καὶ oday is the prelude of God’s good pleasure, and Στῆς τῶν ἀνθρώπων σωτηρίας ἡ προκήρυξις. Τthe proclamation of humanity’s salvation. In the Ἐν Ναῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ τρανῶς ἡ Παρθένος δείκνυ- temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and ται, καὶ τὸν Χριστὸν τοῖς πᾶσι προκαταγγέλλε- in herself she announces Christ to all. Let us, then, ται. Αὐτῇ καὶ ἡμεῖς μεγαλοφώνως βοήσωμεν· with a great voice cry aloud to her: “Rejoice, you Χαῖρε τῆς οἰκονομίας τοῦ Κτίστου ἡ ἐκπλήρω- are the fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.” σις. Ἀπολυτ. Ἀναστάσιμον Ἦχος πλ. δ. resurrectional apolyt. mode pl. 4. ξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν ou descended from on high, O compassionate Ἐκαταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς ΥOne, and condescended to be buried for three τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε days, so that from the passions You might set us δόξα σοι. free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You. Ἀπολυτ. τησ εορτης. Ἦχος δ. apolyt. for the feast. mode 4. Σήμερον τῆς εὐδοκίας Θεοῦ τὸ προοίμιον… Τoday is the prelude of God’s good pleasure… Ἀπολυτίκιον του ναου. πλ. α. Apolyt. for the Church. Mode 5. ουκάν τον πανύμνητον καὶ ἅγιον ἀπόστολον, he holy Apostle, the All-hymned Luke, * who Λτὸν τῆς Ἐκκλησίας γνωστὸν συνθέτην τῶν Tis acknowledged by the Church of Christ * as Πράξεων τῶν Ἀποστόλων, τόν τε σεμνὸν τοῦ the recorder of the , * and the Εὐαγγελίου Χριστοῦ ὑπομνηματιστήν, ἀξίως splendid author of the of Christ. * Let us τιμήσωμεν ὕμνοις ὁσίοις, ὡς νοσημάτων ἀνθρω- praise with sacred hymns as a physician, * who πίνων καὶ φυσικῶν ἀσθενειῶν θεραπευτήν, τὸν heals the infirmities of man, * and the ailments of καθαίροντα πληγὰς τοῦ πνεύματος, καὶ ἀδιαλεί- nature, * who cleanses spiritual wounds, and prays πτως πρεσβεύοντα ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν. unceasingly for our souls. Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος δ. Kontakion. Mode 4. καθαρώτατος ναὸς τοῦ Σωτῆρος, ἡ πολυτί- he Savior’s most pure and immaculate temple, Ὁμητος παστὰς καὶ Παρθένος, τὸ ἱερὸν θησαύ- Tthe very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, ρισμα τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ, σήμερον εἰσάγεται, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ Κυρίου, τὴν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, τὴν ἐν Πνευματι Θείῳ· ἣν ἀνυμνοῦσιν Ἄγγελοι and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Θεοῦ· Αὕτη ὑπάρχει σκηνὴ ἐπουράνιος. Spirit. She is extolled by the of God. A heav- enly tabernacle is she. THE READINGS OF THE DAY

epistle reading gospel reading The letter of paul Luke (12: 16–21) to the ephesians (4: 1–7) rethren, I, being the prisoner in the Lord, he Lord said this parable: “The ground beg you to walk worthily of the call- of a certain rich man produced in abun- Bing with which you were called. [Walk] Tdance. He thought to himself, ‘What will with complete lowliness and humility, with I do? I do not have room to store my crops!’ patience, bearing with one another in love; be- Then the man said, ‘This is what I will do: I ing eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in will pull down my barns, build bigger ones, and the bond of peace. There is one body and one there I will store all my crops and my goods. Spirit, even as you also were called to one hope Then I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one many goods stored up for many years. Take baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over your ease, eat, drink, and be merry!”’ But God all, and through all, and in us all. But grace has said to him, ‘You fool! Tonight your soul is been granted to each one of us according to the demanded of you. The things which you have measure of Christ’s gift . prepared, to whom will they belong?’ This is how it is when someone amasses treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” As he said this, he exclaimed, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”

Don’t be sad at subduing your flesh for the sake of Christ, because He made it. Don’t be afraid of pain because He has the power to heal any wound. Don’t hold back from offering Him the whole of your being, because He will renew it, will “glorify it in the kingdom of heaven. Suffer for Christ, as He suffered for you. Look around you and see how much pain, how much unhappiness, how much sorrow there is among people. However much you’re hurting, there are others who are worse off. Thank God and praise Him for not sending you even greater tribula- tions. Take courage, make a start and please Him with your spiritual struggle. With a little, fleeting effort, you’ll enjoy eternal and unending benefits. —st. Dimitry of ” announcements Saturday, January 25, Great Vespers, 5pm

upcoming church services: Wednesday, November 25, St. Katherine the Great Martyr, Orth./ Div. Lit., 8:30am Thursday, November 26, Thanksgiving Day, Pre-Communion Prayers and Div. Lit., 9:30am Saturday, November 28, Great Vespers, 5pm

stewardship 2016 The 2016 Stewardship packets have been mailed. PLEASE return your stewardship card as soon as The soul of all peoples always felt possible. If you are not on the mailing list, please that God exists, even though they take a packet from the narthex. Thank you for your didn’t know enough to worship the generosity! true God. PHILOPTOCHOS “ The Holy Spirit, however, taught the Prophets first, then the Apostles, CHRISTMAS CARD: If you would like to be in- cluded in our Community Christmas card, please after them the Holy Fathers and our see Elly Aslanidis to sign up. A minimum $10 do- Bishops and so the true faith has nation is requested. Proceeds benefit Philoptochos come down to us. We knew the Lord for their charitable work. Extra sign-up sheets are through the Holy Spirit. And once we in the narthex. Deadline is December 13. knew Him, our soul became fixed in Him. WREATH: Angel Wreath: Thank you to all who took an angel tag. Please remember to Know, you peoples, that we were bring back the unwrapped item by next Sunday, made in order to glorify God in heav- November 29. en, and don’t attach yourselves to the earth. Because God is our Father and Adopt a Soldier: This year, we are again partici- He loves us as His greatly-desired pating in an Adopt a Soldier Program. Tags with the most wanted items are available in the Nar- children. People who don’t know thex. If you would like to participate, take one or Grace don’t seek it. more tags and bring back the items by December People have become attached to 6. Christmas cards are also available in the Narthex the earth and this is why most of for any one who would like to sign a card. Thank them don’t know that there’s nothing you! earthly which can compare with the bookstore sweetness of the Holy Spirit. —St. Silouan the Athonite We have new titles from St. Herman Press. Visit today! ” wishing to spill Russian blood in an unequal struggle wild animals roamed the steppes, not one of them had with the Khan, St Michael humbly went to the Horde, touched him. In the morning everyone said, “Prince Mi- knowing that this meant death for him. He bid his his chael is a , and was innocently murdered.” From the family and the Tver people farewell, and received a bless- Horde the body of the prince was transferred to Mos- ing for his exploit of martyrdom from his spiritual Fa- cow, where they buried him in the church of the Savior- ther Igumen John. Wood in the Kremlin. “Father,” said the saint, “I was much concerned for Just a year later, in 1318, the people of Tver learned the peace of Christians, but through my sins, I was not the fate of their prince. At the wish of his wife, the right- able to stop internecine war. Now give me your blessing, believing Princess Anna of (October 2), and at so that if my blood is spilled for them, they might have the request of the people of Tver, the relics of St Michael some respite, and that the Lord will forgive my sins.” were transferred to his native city, and on September At the Horde an unjust trial was held, which found 6, 1320 were placed in the church he built in honor of the saint guilty of disobedience to the Khan, and sen- the Transfiguration of the Lord. Local veneration of the tenced him to death. They removed him under guard holy Prince began soon after the transfer of his relics to and put him in a heavy wooden stock. As was his habit, Tver, and the general Church glorification of the saint St Michael constantly read the Psalter in prison and took place at a 1549 Council. blessed the Lord for granting him to suffer for Him. On November 24, 1632 the incorrupt relics of St Mi- He asked not to be abandoned in his present torments. chael were uncovered. The holy Prince has often helped Since the hands of the holy sufferer were secured in the the Russian land. In 1606 the Polish and Lithuanians be- stock, a boy sat before him and turned the pages of the sieging Tver repeatedly saw a wondrous horseman ride Psalter. The holy captive languished at the Horde for out from the city upon a white horse with sword in hand a long time, enduring beatings and ridicule. They sug- , turning them to flight. Later, when they saw an icon gested that he flee, but the saint bravely answered, “In all of holy Prince Michael, they affirmed with an oath to my life I never fled from an enemy. If I save myself and Archbishop Theoctistus of Tver that the horseman was my people remain in peril, what glory is that to me? No, indeed St Michael himself. let it be as the Lord wills.” WE CHRISTIANS ARE NOT OF THIS Through the mercy of God, he was not deprived of WORLD AND SHOULD NOT ADAPT TO IT. Christian solace: Orthodox priests attended to him, the igumens Alexander and Mark. Each week he made his WE HAVE ONE DUTY: Confession and received the Holy Mysteries of Christ, TO BE ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS. thus receiving a Christian preparation for his death. At by Archbishop Mark of Berlin the instigation of Prince Yurii and Kavgadi, who took —Your Eminence, you are the Chairman of the Com- revenge on the holy prince for their defeat, assassins mission of the Inter-Council Presence on Church Law. rushed into the encampment where the captive was Everyone likes to talk about their rights these days, but held. They fiercely beat the martyr and kicked him with they forget about their responsibilities. What duties do their feet, then one of them stabbed St Michael with a we have first of all? knife. —We have one duty, to be Orthodox Christians, every The holy martyr’s naked body was exposed for abuse, day, not only on Saturday and Sunday . Every single and later they covered him with a cloth and placed him hour. We must confess our faith everywhere throughout on a large board attached to a cart. By night two guards the length of our lives. were set to watch the body, but fear seized them and they fled. In the morning, his body was not on the board. —Different periods of time are distinct from each other. On the previous night many, not only Orthodox but What is characteristic of our day? In your opinion, what also Tatars, had seen two radiant clouds shining over the are the most serious challenges facing Christians today? place where the body of the martyr lay. Although many —First of all I would say problems with rearing young Today’s technology make all events instantly accessible, people. Today a great deal of un-Orthodox things invade even the personal lives of others. Each person has a our lives, an anti-Christian spirit, with which every child video camera, mobile phone, and everything that is wit- already comes into contact in his first years of life. The nessed in real life immediately is posted on the internet. Church and parents of course must protect their chil- This involves the Church as well. dren from this. Not only protect them, which is insuf- ficient, they must be given something positive instead. —We see how many videos there are of clergymen, their From the very earliest of years, children must participate behavior, which maybe sometimes inappropriate. As a in the Mysteries of the church, so that they would recog- bishop, what advice would you offer, how do you react? nize their specialness. —What do you do, let us say, when you see something We Christians are not of this world. We must not inappropriate that your priest has done? This has a great adapt to it. Yes we live in this world, but we have one educational aspect for us. This is a reminder, that we duty, to be Orthodox Christians. We live according to must not forget the responsibilities we bear, how life for our customs, our rules. Our children are faced with re- us should be one of constant ministry. We do not dare sisting this world even as school children, especially in to succumb to passions or weaknesses, at every moment the West, where there may be only one Orthodox Chris- of our lives we must do without faith teaches us. Even tian child in school. Naturally he must defend his posi- before, priests were visible to all, so in essence nothing tions. But for this he must understand his exceptional has changed, only the quality and quantity has. quality, is uniqueness. He must know that a Christian If at one time, let’s say, in some village, a less than cannot behave like everyone else, think like everyone exemplary priest was serving, then only his own parish- else, act like everyone else he knows in school. He must ioners knew this, whereas now a wider scope of society understand the value of his faith, he must know that he can see something unpleasant. A priest, and not only a has something special that others do not. For participat- priest, but any Christian, bears the duty for everyone for ing in the Mysteries raises him above the common man. all, for his flock and for his fellow Christian. Not for a Even the schedule of his daily life, beginning with minute do we dare forget the conciliarity of our Church. morning prayers and ending with evening prayers, is dif- And as conciliar Christians, we always have influence on ferent than that of his friends. When a child recognizes everyone else. What one person does will be reflected this, he can live peacefully. If he does not understand on everyone else, both positive and negative. this, if he then he will be constantly under pressure, or Besides that of course we must constantly remind he will the absorbed into the general mass of humanity. ourselves, and others, that individual episodes, events, To do what everyone does, to go with the flow with oth- taken out of context, cannot bear witness to the general er children, in any country, not only in the West. For an attitude. For laypersons we must clearly say this is not a Orthodox Christian to submit to this is very dangerous, picture of our Church, this is one who has strayed. And because it is easy to lose your identity. And only then every person can stray, this is human nature. If some- will you understand what riches you possess, the Ortho- thing happened inappropriate, we do not dare concen- dox faith, the Orthodox Church tradition, and you will trate on this, let alone put him on a pedestal, we must al- live your own life. ways know that this is an error of a single individual. We In the West, this situation is made more complicated shouldn’t make too much of this. This applies to other by the range of choices, to be Russian or not Russian, to facets of life, but especially if you live in the Church. speak one another language, etc. So that life sets chal- lenges to the young generation. It is important for him —Many people use telephones, smartphones and tablets to know the correct answers. in church, to read along with interpretations of the Epis- tles, the , or to read prayers before communion. Captivated by Gadgets What is your view of this? —I came to the conclusion that we should not use such prostrations, recite the Prayer 25 times, and then technology as a matter of principle. I used to read the return to work. I know through personal experience that mystical prayers on my smartphone, but another bishop this is very effective. Many fear tearing themselves away once said to me, “You know, I keep thinking that you are from work, they think they will be distracted, and will sending and receiving text messages.” I put my phone in lose their train of thought. In fact it’s the opposite. After my pocket and decided I will no longer do that so as not prayer, you think more clearly, new ideas come to mind. to lead others into temptation. I used this method even while studying in college. Unfortunately even priests use phones in the altar, Every half hour I took a break and a rose to prayer, and they make phone calls. I always ask them to step out of then my work went more smoothly than before. Of the altar when I see this. Of course, in extreme circum- course for this you need inner discipline. Another chal- stances one might need to look at one’s phone. I often lenge that allows our monks face is the need to have travel to parishes, and in the altar the prayers are often more contact with the external world. If a is read after the minor entrance. Sometimes I don’t have not in some remote location, but in a city or a suburb, the slip of paper with the prayer on it, which I usually there are many more temptations that stem from having prepare in advance, or maybe I chose the wrong konda- contact with the world. Going to buy groceries, and tend kion, so I take out my phone. But this is rare. Again from to other matters. If a monk does not learn to properly ad- experience I see that this leads others into temptation. I dress such matters, to prepare himself, to keep prayer, to also know that if you do this often, it becomes habitual, avoid unnecessary distractions, then such contact with and it becomes hard to break the habit. Modern technol- the world can be very problematic. Of course they must ogy certainly broadens our possibilities, but we should be regulated. They must be limited. This is very hard, not rely on it exclusively, to replace our own memory, but isn’t it is necessary. our own thoughts. Also, access to computers and other gadgets must be limited. Under no circumstances should they be kept in The Monastery and the World one’s monastic cell, only in an office. And another thing. People who come to visit bring their own —Your Eminence, the pressure of the world today is felt worldly habits. The most common of these is to follow by everyone, even those who choose the monastic life. the news, current events. But a monk does not need this What challenges are the most serious? at all. The habit has taken such root within people to- —First of all it is the digitalization of the world and day, that it is extremely hard work to root it out. Alas, I of mankind. Of course it makes life easier in many ways, must say that I do not read the news every day. I know if but it also forces people to take upon themselves more something important happens, our parishioners will call responsibilities. They think, “Well, I have a computer, me and tell me. If it is something truly important for us, I can do my work quickly, so here are two more tasks then either I or a relative will relay it to our monks. But I should take up”. A monk in this situation loses his chasing after the latest news, so common in the world, foundation and is left without time for prayer. What must be excluded in the monastery, it hinders the work are monastic obediences? They were always such that of a monk. you could also pray at the same time. They wove bas- Another big problem is posed by relatives. Today it kets, tended to gardens--our monks, for instance, make is much more difficult to resolve than before. Meetings candles. As they make candles, they pray. with relatives must be limited, so that the monk does At the type shop, it is harder to pray. The most dif- not immerse himself in this world, the world already ficult part is to prepare materials for publication, for this easily invades the monastery, and one must be very vigi- you need concentration of the mind, and it is difficult lant not to succumb to it. Thank God there is Mount to pray. More experienced monks keep the prayer in Athos, where one can truly live apart from the world. I their hearts. This is why I demand that monks who do think these are the main challenges that contemporary such work, take breaks of a half hour in order to make 10 monasticism faces. Yes, disciplined obedience are very, very difficult. Before it was easy to submit to discipline, 1950’s-60’s, one American psychologist established that because obedience was commonplace in the family, in- children have already experienced so much before even stilled in children. Today this is not the case, and a per- starting school that even their grandparents had only ex- son who enters a monastery from the world brings with perienced in their entire lives. Children sit in front of the him his own spirit of disobedience and pride--he must television. emancipate himself from a great deal of habits. Much in- When I would return from Mount Athos, after a two ner will must be broken. or three month visit, I would find a pile of newspapers For instance, young monks find it difficult to rise on my desk, I would look at the last one and the first very early for divine services. It was much easier before one, and they all contain the same thing. And none of when young men completed military services, they be- this is necessary in my life. Every person must under- came accustomed to rising early, so monastic life was no stand this clearly. I already spoke of how people are de- different. Now many do not serve in the military, and pendent upon the news today. I know people who watch rising early is a big problem. the news four or five times a day. What is the use? If one All monasteries face the problem of disobedience, goes to pray, for example reading one song, or 20 Jesus this is a contemporary challenge. And self-will is a ter- prayers, there is something useful. Read the prayers. rible thing. Purify your heart for prayer! One of the Read the Psalter. If you are an adult, read the interpreta- problems today is immoderate consumption. In order tions of the Psalms. Of course the Psalms is a very dif- to consume any good, you need money, and if there is ficult book, but it infuses all of our divine services. It is insufficient money, people use credit. Recently it be- useful to know every Psalm, learn it, see what the Holy came known that the people of have borrowed an Fathers wrote about them, and live by them. amount that would equal the entire budget of an average This is the real world, not what is happening today European nation! Living in debt leads to serious spiri- in America or Africa, what business is it of ours? This tual problems. Spiritual peace is disrupted, people think only irritates us and fills us with useless information. All of nothing else but how to pay their interest. What do such useless information then takes on a life of its own you make of this situation? I never used credit cards and in the human heart. It burdens it so that prayer becomes don’t want to. I always feared that I would be caught in a impossible. People come to a priest in tears and say “fa- trap and would not know how to escape. ther, I can’t pray!” The reason for this as a rule, is that Of course our parishes are forced to borrow money, his heart is overburdened and has no place for prayer. If to pay for their church building, or other parish prop- you enter too much information into a computer, it will erty. I think on that level this is alright. In personal life crash, it will cease to work. And the human heart, alas, I cannot accept this because it takes away my indepen- does not crash, but when it is overburdened it simply dence. This is my personal approach, and I can’t speak cannot take it anymore, and this is harmful. I often tell for everyone. people take just five minutes to do one thing and one Returning to the education of children and youth, thing alone. Then move on to something else. The rest recently there has been much on TV and video games of the time, just pray. This is a systematic approach to showing dissolution, perversion, lack of principle, and time management. Time is a talent, a gift we are given. other negative things. And what can we say about such We must work, as the parable of the talents says, we video games? What does this lead to, and what should must exploit the talent. When we sit there and fill our parents think about? This leads to the devil! Those hearts with news that is not needed, then we bury this parents are wrong when they do not forbid such films talent. and games. We cannot base our lives on what is forbid- den. Children must be offered something to replace such shows and games. With such a foundation, they will come to discern what such films are good, good or bad. Such films and games fill the soul with filth. In the