SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH may 8, 2016

thomas sunday - antipascha The icon depicting this event is called in Greek, “The Touching of Thomas.” The Slavonic inscription is, “The Belief of Thomas.” When St Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts. This day is also known as “Antipascha.” This does not mean “opposed to Pascha,” but “in place of Pascha.” Beginning with this first Sunday after Pascha, the Church dedicates every Sunday of the year to the Lord’s Resurrection. Sunday is called “Resurrection” in Russian, and “the Lord’s Day” in Greek. The Church commemorates St John the Evangelist and Theologian on this day because of the annual pilgrimage to his grave. When St John was more than one hundred years old, he took seven of his disciples and went to a spot outside the city of Ephesus. There he told them to dig a grave in the form of a cross. Then he climbed into the grave and told his disciples to cover him with earth. Later, the grave was opened and the saint’s body was not there. Each year on May 8 a red dust would arise from the grave which the faithful collected in order to be healed of their illnesses. St John’s primary feastday is on September 26. Saint Arsenius the Great was born in the year 354 at into a pious Christian family, which pro- vided him a fine education and upbringing. He studied rhetoric and philosophy, and mastered the Latin and Greek languages. St Arsenius gave up philosophy and the vanity of worldly life, seeking instead the true wisdom praised by St James “pure, peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits” (Jas. 3:17). He entered the ranks of the clergy as a in one of the Roman churches, dedicating himself to the service of God. The emperor Theodosius (379-395), who ruled the eastern half of the Roman Empire, heard about his erudition and piety, and he wished to entrust Arsenius with the education of his sons and Hono- rius. Arsenius, however, protested that he had given up secular studies in order to serve God. Against his will, but in obedience to the will of Pope Damasus (December 11), St Arsenius agreed to teach the imperial children, hoping to teach them Christian piety as well. When he arrived at Constantinople, Arsenius was received with great honor by the emperor Theodo- sius, who charged him to educate his sons not only in wisdom, but also in piety, guarding them from the

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 chant

Ἀπολυτίκιον της εορτης. Ἦχος πλ. α. apolytikion of the feast. Mode 5. ριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, hrist is risen from the dead, by death he has trampled Χκαὶ τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι, ζωὴν χαρισάμενος. Cdown upon death, and on those in the tombs He is be- stowing life. αναστ. Ἀπολυτίκιον. Ἦχος βαρυς. apolytikion of the feast. Mode varys. σφραγισμένου τοῦ μνήματος, ἡ Ζωὴ ἐκ τάφου ἀνέ- Life, You rose from the sepulcher, even though the tomb Ἐτειλας Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, O was secured with a seal, O Christ God. And though the τοῖς Μαθηταῖς ἐπέστης, ἡ πάντων ἀνάστασις· Πνεῦμα doors had been bolted, You came to Your disciples, O Res- εὐθὲς δι’ αὐτῶν ἐγκαινίζων ἡμῖν, κατὰ τὸ μέγα σου ἔλε- urrection of all. Through them You renew a right spirit in ος. us, according to Your great mercy. Ἀπολυτίκιον του αγιου. Ἦχος β. apolytikion for the saint. Mode 2. πόστολε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ ἠγαπημένε, ἐπιτάχυνον, Apostle, the beloved of Christ God, hasten to deliver Ἀῥῦσαι λαὸν ἀναπολόγητον· δέχεταί σε προσπίπτο- O us, a people that has no excuse. He accepts you suppli- ντα, ὁ ἐπιπεσόντα τῷ στήθει καταδεξάμενος, ὃν ἱκέ- cating Him, for He condescended at the Supper to let you τευε, Θεολόγε, καὶ ἐπίμονον νέφος ἐθνῶν διασκεδάσαι, lean on Him. Entreat Him, O Theologian, that He scatter αἰτούμενος ἡμῖν εἰρήνην, καὶ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. the persistent cloud of hostile nations, and pray for us, for peace and great mercy. Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος ΠΛ δ´. Kontakion. Mode 8. ἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου hough You went down into the tomb O Immortal One Εκαθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Tyet You brought down the dominion of Hades and You Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος, rose as the victor O Christ our God and You called out ‘Re- Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος joice,’ to the Myrrh-bearing women and gave peace to Your ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν. Apostles O Lord who to the fallen grant resurrection.

instead of αχιον εστιν… instead of: ‘We have seen the true light,’ & ou, the brightly shining lantern and the Mother of ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord,’ Your God,* the conspicuous glory,* you are supe- hrist is risen from the dead, by death he has trampled rior to all creation.* We hymn you and magnify. Cdown upon death, and on those in the tombs He is be- communion hymn. TONe 1. stowing life. raise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O PZion. Alleluia. THE READINGS OF THE DAY

epistle reading gospel reading 1 john 1: 1-7 John 20: 19–31

hat was from the beginning, what we have n the evening on that [same] day (the first day heard, what we have seen with our eyes, of the week), and as the doors [of the place] Wwhat we looked at and what our hands Iwhere the disciples were assembled were locked touched, [this is our message] concerning the word for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among of life. Life was revealed and we have seen, and tes- them and said, “Peace be with you.” When he had tify, and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was said this, he showed them his hands and his side. At with the Father and which was revealed to us. What this, the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. we have seen and heard, this is what we proclaim to Then again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the you, so that you also may have communion with us. Father has sent me, I also send you.” When he had Truly, our communion is with the Father and with said this, he breathed on them and told them, “Re- his Son Jesus Christ. We write these things to you ceive the Holy Spirit! If you forgive anyone’s sins, so that our joy may be fulfilled! This is the mes- they are forgiven; if you retain anyone’s sins, they sage which we have heard from him and which we are retained.” However, Thomas, called the Twin, now announce to you: that God is light, and in him one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have came. So the other disciples told him, “We have communion with him and yet walk in the darkness, seen the Lord!” But Thomas replied, “Unless I see we lie—we do not practice the truth. But if we walk in his hands the print of the nails and put my hand in the light as he is in the light, then we do have into his side, I will not believe!” After eight days, his communion with one another and the blood of his disciples were inside once again, and Thomas was Son Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them, and he said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands! Place your hand et’s suppose that you can’t be here and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving, Lmerciful through your speech. but believing!” And Thomas answered him, “My What you can do, however, if Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because somebody gets angry with you, is you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are “ those who have not seen, and have believed.” Now to have mercy on them and show them patience at the time when Jesus accomplished many other signs in the pres- they’re upset, because you can see ence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. However, these ones are written, so that you that they’re being bothered by the may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, common enemy, the devil. and that believing, you may have life in his Name. —abba dorotheos” announcements Saturday, January 25, Great Vespers, 5pm

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη! upcoming church services: Saturday, May 14, Great Vespers, 5pm

holy week thanks us! We will have a short meeting and dinner at Ar- ris’ Bistro in Jefferson City on May 10 at 6:00pm. Thank you to all who offered their time and talent There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex. Please sign for the celebrations of Holy Week and Pascha. up so we can give them an accurate count. All are pascha flowers welcome. Today is the last day to sign up so that We are still accepting donations for Pascha flow- we can give them an accurate count. ers. Please place your donation in the designated garage sale box in the Narthex. To those who have already Philoptochos will be having its biennial Yard Sale given, please accept our sincere thanks for your on Saturday, June 4. Please bring all donations to generosity! the church beginning on Sunday, May 22. If you mother’s day require a pick up from your home, please speak to In honor of Mother’s day, Philoptochos will be Karen Sade to make arrangements. passing out a carnation to all women in the parish. give a month towards our future May God bless all mothers, grandmothers, aunts… Help offset our additional mortgage payment with and may the “Mother of the year,” our Lady, the all- a donation of $640. If you would like to sponsor holy Theotokos, continue to intercede on all of our one month for 2016, please contact Fr. Michael. behalf. pascha bread sign of the soul that’s indif- If you have not picked up the Pascha bread that you ferent is that it doesn’t listen ordered, please be sure to see Pardalos as A soon as possible. gladly to Holy Scripture, whereas the soul that’s watchful accepts the philoptochos “divine words in the same way as Join us for our last meeting before the summer and thirsty land welcomes rain. celebrate the end of another successful year with —st. ephrem the syrian” temptations of youth. “Forget that they are the em- Having taken on the struggle of silence he sel- peror’s sons,” said Theodosius, “for I want them to dom left his seclusion. He came to church only submit to you in all things, as to their father and on Sundays and Feast days, observing complete teacher.” silence and conversing with no one. When Abba With fervor the saint devoted himself to the ed- Moses asked him why he hid himself from people, ucation of the youths, but the high esteem in which St Arsenius replied, “God knows that I love you, he was held troubled his spirit, which yearned for but I cannot remain with God and with men at the the quietude of monastic life. St Arsenius entreated same time. The Heavenly Powers all have one will the Lord to show him the way to salvation. The and praise God together. On earth, however, there Lord heard his prayer and one time he heard a voice are many human wills, and each man has his own telling him, “Arsenius, flee from men, and you shall thoughts. I cannot leave God in order to live with be saved.” And then, removing his rich clothing and people.” replacing it with old and tattered garments, he se- Though absorbed in constant prayer, the saint cretly left the palace, boarded a ship for , did not refuse visiting monks with his counsel and and he made his way to Sketis, a monastery in the guidance, giving short, but perceptive answers to midst of the desert. their questions. Once, a monk from Sketis saw the Arriving at the church, he asked the priests to great Elder through a window standing at prayer, accept him into the monastic brotherhood, calling surrounded by a flame. himself a wretched wanderer, though his very man- The handicraft of St Arsenius was to weave bas- ner betrayed him as a cultivated man. The brethren kets, for which he used the fronds of date palms led him to Abba (November 9), soaked in water. For a whole year St Arsenius did famed for his holiness of life. He, wishing to test the not change the water in the container, but merely newcomer’s humility, did not seat Arsenius with added a little water to it from time to time. This the monks for the trapeza meal. He threw him a caused his cell to be permeated with a foul stench. piece of dry bread saying, “Eat if you wish.” St Arse- When asked why he did this, the saint replied that nius got down on his hands and knees, and picked it was fitting for him to humble himself in this way, up the bread with his mouth. Then he crawled off because in the world he had used incense and fra- into a corner and ate it. Seeing this, Elder John said, grant oils. He prayed that after death he would not “He will be a great ascetic!” Then accepting Arse- experience the stench of hell. nius with love, he tonsured him into monasticism. The fame of the great ascetic spread far, and St Arsenius zealously passed through his obedi- many wanted to see him, and they disturbed his ences and soon he surpassed many of the desert Fa- tranquility. As a result, the saint was forced to move thers in . The saint again heard the Voice around from place to place. But those thirsting to while he was praying, “Arsenius, hide from people receive his guidance and blessing still found him. and dwell in silence, this is the root of virtue.” From St Arsenius taught that many take upon them- that moment St Arsenius settled in a solitary cell selves great deeds of repentance, fasting, and vigil, deep in the desert. but it is rare for someone to guard his soul from pride, greed, jealousy, hatred of one’s brother, re- membrance of wrongs, and judgment. In this they resemble graves which are decorated outwardly, The royal court unanimously vowed its allegiance but filled with stinking bones. and service to Tamar, and father and daughter A certain monk once asked St Arsenius what he ruled the country together for five years. After King should do when he read the Holy Scriptures and George’s death in 1184, the nobility recognized the did not comprehend their meaning. The Elder an- young Tamar as the sole ruler of all Georgia. Queen swered, “My child, you must study and learn the Tamar was enthroned as ruler of all Georgia at the Holy Scriptures constantly, even if you do not un- age of eighteen. She is called “King” in the Geor- derstand their power... For when we have the words gian language because her father had no male heir of the Holy Scriptures on our lips, the demons hear and so she ruled as a monarch and not as a consort. them and are terrified. Then they flee from us, At the beginning of her reign, Tamar convened a unable to bear the words of the Holy Spirit Who Church council and addressed the clergy with wis- speaks through His apostles and prophets.” dom and humility: “Judge according to righteous- The monks heard how the saint often urged ness, affirming good and condemning evil,” she himself on in his efforts with the words, “Rouse advised. “Begin with me—if I sin I should be cen- yourself, Arsenius, work! Do not remain idle! You sured, for the royal crown is sent down from above have not come here to rest, but to labor.” He also as a sign of divine service. Allow neither the wealth said, “I have often regretted the words I have spo- of the nobles nor the poverty of the masses to hin- ken, but I have never regretted my silence.” der your work. You by word and I by deed, you by The great ascetic and keeper of silence was given preaching and I by the law, you by upbringing and the gift of tears with which his eyes were constantly I by education will care for those souls whom God filled. He spent fifty-five years at monastic labors has entrusted to us, and together we will abide by and struggles. He spent forty years at Sketis, and the law of God, in order to escape eternal condem- ten years on the mountain of Troe near Memphis. nation.... You as priests and I as ruler, you as stew- Then he spent three years at Canopus, and two ards of good and I as the watchman of that good.” more years at Troe, where he fell asleep in the Lord. The Church and the royal court chose a suitor Our holy, God-bearing Father Arsenius reposed for Tamar: Yuri, the son of Prince Andrei Bogoliub- when he was nearly one hundred years old, in the sky of Vladimir-Suzdal (in Georgia Yuri was known year 449 or 450. as “George the Russian”). The handsome George His only disciples seem to have been Alexander, Rusi was a valiant soldier, and under his command Zoilos, and Daniel (June 7). the Georgians returned victorious from many St. Tamara is commemorated on the Sunday of battles. His marriage to Tamar, however, exposed the Myrrh-bearing Women in addition to her regu- many of the coarser sides of his character. He was lar commemoration on May 1. In 1166 a daughter, often drunk and inclined toward immoral deeds. In Tamar, was born to King George III (1155-1184) the end, Tamar’s court sent him away from Georgia and Queen Burdukhan of Georgia. The king pro- to Constantinople, armed with a generous recom- claimed that he would share the throne with his pense. Many Middle Eastern rulers were drawn to daughter from the day she turned twelve years of Queen Tamar’s beauty and desired to marry her, age. but she rejected them all. Finally at the insistence of her court, she agreed to wed a second time to Georgia’s military successes alarmed the Islamic ensure the preservation of the dynasty. This time, world. Sultan Rukn al-Din was certain that a united however, she asked her aunt and nurse Rusudan Muslim force could definitively decide the issue of (the sister of King George III) to find her a suitor. power in the region, and he marched on Georgia The man she chose, Davit-Soslan Bagrationi, was around the year 1203, commanding an enormous the son of the Ossetian ruler and a descendant of army. King George I (1014-1027). Having encamped near Basiani, Rukn al-Din In 1195 a joint Muslim military campaign sent a messenger to Queen Tamar with an auda- against Georgia was planned under the leadership cious demand: to surrender without a fight. In of Atabeg (a military commander) Abu Bakr of reward for her obedience, the sultan promised to Persian Azerbaijan. At Queen Tamar’s command, a marry her on the condition that she embrace Islam; call to arms was issued. The faithful were instructed if Tamar were to cleave to Christianity, he would by Metropolitan Anton of Chqondidi to celebrate number her among the other unfortunate concu- All-night Vigils and Liturgies and to generously bines in his harem. When the messenger relayed distribute alms so that the poor could rest from the sultan’s demand, a certain nobleman, Zakaria their labors in order to pray. In ten days the army Mkhargrdzelidze, was so outraged that he slapped was prepared, and Queen Tamar addressed the him on the face, knocking him unconscious. Georgian soldiers for the last time before the battle At Queen Tamar’s command, the court gener- began. “My brothers! Do not allow your hearts to ously bestowed gifts upon the ambassador and sent tremble before the multitude of enemies, for God him away with a Georgian envoy and a letter of re- is with us.... Trust God alone, turn your hearts to ply. “Your proposal takes into consideration your Him in righteousness, and place your every hope in wealth and the vastness of your armies, but fails to the Cross of Christ and in the Most Holy Theoto- account for divine judgment,” Tamar wrote, “while kos!” she exhorted them. I place my trust not in any army or worldly thing Having taken off her shoes, Queen Tamar but in the right hand of the Almighty God and the climbed the hill to the Metekhi Church of the The- infinite aid of the Cross, which you curse. The will otokos (in ) and knelt before the icon of the of God—and not your own—shall be fulfilled, and Most Holy Theotokos. She prayed without ceasing the judgment of God—and not your judgment— until the good news arrived: the battle near Sham- shall reign!” kori had ended in the unquestionable victory of the The Georgian soldiers were summoned without Orthodox Georgian army. delay. Queen Tamar prayed for victory before the After this initial victory the Georgian army Icon of the Theotokos, then, barefoot, led launched into a series of triumphs over the Turks, her army to the gates of the city. and neighboring countries began to regard Geor- Hoping in the Lord and the fervent prayers of gia as the protector of the entire Transcaucasus. By Queen Tamar, the Georgian army marched toward the beginning the 13th century, Georgia was com- Basiani. The enemy was routed. The victory at Ba- manding a political authority recognized by both siani was an enormous event not only for Georgia, the Christian West and the Muslim East. but for the entire Christian world. The military victories increased Queen Tamar’s abtakhevi, Betania, and many others were also built faith. In the daytime she shone in all her royal fin- at that time. Holy Queen Tamar generously en- ery and wisely administered the affairs of the gov- dowed the churches and monasteries not only on ernment; during the night, on bended knees, she Georgian territory but also outside her borders: in beseeched the Lord tearfully to strengthen the Palestine, Cyprus, Mt. Sinai, the Black Mountains, Georgian Church. She busied herself with needle- Greece, Mt. Athos, Petritsoni (Bulgaria), Macedo- work and distributed her embroidery to the poor. nia, Thrace, Romania, Isauria and Constantinople. Once, exhausted from her prayers and needle- The divinely guided Queen Tamar abolished the work, Tamar dozed off and saw a vision. Entering a death penalty and all forms of bodily torture. luxuriously furnished home, she saw a gold throne A regular, secret observance of a strict ascetic studded with jewels, and she turned to approach it, regime—fasting, a stone bed, and litanies chanted but was suddenly stopped by an old man crowned in bare feet—finally took its toll on Queen Tamar’s with a halo. “Who is more worthy than I to receive health. For a long time she refrained from speaking such a glorious throne?” Queen Tamar asked him. to anyone about her condition, but when the pain He answered her, saying, “This throne is intend- became unbearable she finally sought help. The ed for your maidservant, who sewed vestments for best physicians of the time were unable to diagnose twelve priests with her own hands. You are already her illness, and all of Georgia was seized with fear the possessor of great treasure in this world.” And of disaster. Everyone from the small to the great he pointed her in a different direction. prayed fervently for Georgia’s ruler and defender. Having awakened, Holy Queen Tamar imme- The people were prepared to offer not only their diately took to her work and with her own hands own lives, but even the lives of their children, for sewed vestments for twelve priests. the sake of their beloved ruler. History has preserved another poignant episode God sent Tamar a sign when He was ready to re- from Queen Tamar’s life: Once she was preparing ceive her into His Kingdom. Then the pious ruler to attend a festal Liturgy in Gelati, and she fastened bade farewell to her court and turned in prayer to precious rubies to the belt around her waist. Soon an icon of Christ and the Life-giving Cross: “Lord after she was told that a beggar outside the monas- Jesus Christ! Omnipotent Master of heaven and tery tower was asking for alms, and she ordered her earth! To Thee I deliver the nation and people that entourage to wait. Having finished dressing, she were entrusted to my care and purchased by Thy went out to the tower but found no one there. Ter- Precious Blood, the children whom Thou didst be- ribly distressed, she reproached herself for having stow upon me, and to Thee I surrender my soul, O denied the poor and thus denying Christ Himself. Lord!” Immediately she removed her belt, the cause of her The burial place of Queen Tamar has remained temptation, and presented it as an offering to the a mystery to this day. Some sources claim that her Gelati Icon of the Theotokos. tomb is in Gelati, in a branch of burial vaults be- During Queen Tamar’s reign a veritable mo- longing to the Bagrationi dynasty, while others ar- nastic city was carved in the rocks of Vardzia, and gue that her holy relics are preserved in a vault at the God-fearing Georgian ruler would labor there the Holy Cross Monastery in Jerusalem. during the Great Fast. The churches of Pitareti, Kv-