HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE HOLY APOSTLES IN ICONS THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW St. John the Beloved, Evangelist, and Theologian Ε΄ Ματθαῖου There are four common depictions of the Apostle John in icons: as the “Beloved Disciple”, as the JESUS HEALS THE GADARENES DEMONIACS “Evangelist & Theologian”, in scenes where he is writing at his desk, and on the island of Patmos 8 July ‐ 8 Ιουλίου 2012 with his disciple, Deacon Prochorus. 2012 In icons showing scenes from the life of Christ, such as the Transfiguration, the Crucifixion, or those illustrated in the Acts of the Apostles, such as the Ascension and Pentecost, St. John is shown as a beardless, brown-haired youth, little more than sixteen years old. In the icon, above left, young John is represented as Jesus’, “Beloved Disciple”, resting upon His breast during the Last Supper. Many icons of the Crucifixion portray the young, beardless John standing on the right side of Jesus’ cross looking downward in despair and sadness, his right hand holding his face or head in mourning. The sorrowing Theotokos, whose care was entrusted to St. John by Jesus from the cross, stands at its left. This scene is con- veyed in the icon, above right. When John is depicted in a “portrait”, rather than as part of a Biblical scene, he usually is shown as the elderly John, “the Evangelist and Theologian”, with a white (or grey), curly or wavy, long beard and similar hair. He has a high forehead (or is balding) with a tuft of hair in the middle. A Gospel book, either closed, or opened to reveal some verses from his writings, is usually in his hands and a small pot of ink, or inkhorn, and a pen are nearby. Oftentimes, a small angel is perched on his shoulder, or fluttering about whispering in his ear, or he may be portrayed with an Eagle, the symbol of both John and his Gospel. To be continued…John as “the writer” at his desk and John on Patmos with his disciple, Deacon Prochorus From “A Reader’s Guide to Orthodox Icons” St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church Jesus Heals the Gadarene Demoniacs, Byzantine Art Icons The Very Reverend Archimandrite Father D. Stavroforos Mamaies SAINT BARBARA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH [email protected] We are a Greek (Eastern) Orthodox parish, Cell Phone Number: 919-491-2565 part of the oldest Christian tradition, dating to 33 A.D., the Day of Pentecost. 8306 NC Highway 751, Durham, NC 27713 We trace our roots back to the Apostles and their teachings. (919) 484-1600 We hold fast to the moral, theological and liturgical www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/ traditions of the Early Christian Church. Father Stavroforos’ Office Hours: We are pleased that you have chosen to experience the Tuesday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. worship of Early Christianity in a modern setting. WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW We welcome you to worship with us today. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian or Tone of the week: Tone Four (Ηχος δʹ) this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Al- Fifth Eothinon though Holy Communion and other Sacraments (called Mysteries in the Orthodox Church) are offered only to baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians, Divine Liturgy Hymnal Pages 84 - 85 all are invited to receive the antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The antidoron is not sacramental, but is reminiscent of the agape Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. The women disciples of the Lord heard from the angel, the joyful news of the Resurrec- ON RECEIVING COMMUNION tion and the repeal of the sentence imposed upon our forefathers. With pride they said to the Apostles, "Death is vanquished, Christ our God is risen bestowing upon the world When approaching the chalice, it is proper to state your baptized or chrismated name, His great mercy." - © Narthex Press and with head tilted slightly back, open your mouth sufficiently so that the priest may place the body and blood of Christ on your tongue. Prior to stepping up, in order that Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ you do not “bump” the chalice, you may do your stavros (cross yourself). Prior to that Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς while at your seat, it is customary to read the prayers of preparation found in the Divine Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον· Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Liturgy Hymnal and on page 6 of this bulletin. Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. - Greek Standard Text Note: The hymn the choir sings during Communion is on page 97 in the Divine Liturgy Hymnal. APOLYTIKION FOR ST. BARBARA CHRISMATION NAMES & NAME DAYS “Let us honor the holy Barbara for, with the aid of the Cross as her weapon, she crushed the snares of the enemy, and In Orthodox countries, at Baptism (or Chrismation, if an adult) you are given a Chris- was rescued from them like a bird.” - © Narthex Press tian Saint’s name. This is the name you give to the priest when receiving communion. The name is a Christian Saint’s name, because God recognizes their names. Each Saint “Βαρβάραν τὴν Ἁγίαν τιμήσωμεν, ἐχθροῦ γὰρ τὰς is celebrated on a particular day, the Saint’s Name Day. When you receive your name, παγίδας συνέτριψε, καὶ ὡς στρουθίον ἐρρύσθη ἐξ αὐτῶν, your Saint’s Name Day becomes your Name Day. In lieu of birthdays, especially after βοηθεία καὶ ὅπλω τοῦ Σταυροῦ ἡ Πάνσεμνος.” the age of twelve, Orthodox Christians celebrate their Name Day. KONTAKION FOR ST. BARBARA For those celebrating a Name Day this week we wish you O noble Champion, following God who is reverently praised in Trinity, you Chronia Polla - “Many years” abandoned the temples of idols. Struggling amid suffering, O Barbara, you A NOTE ABOUT THE HYMNS OF THE DAY were not overwhelmed by the threats of the tyrants, O brave One, even singing aloud, "I worship the Trinity, the one Godhead." - © Narthex Press On the following page, you will find the Apolytikion of the day, Troparion of the Church, and Kontakion of the day. Because these beautiful hymns are frequently sung in Greek, we include them in English for your understanding. They are sung as the Resurrectional Kontakion in the Fourth Tone priest returns to the Sanctuary at the Conclusion of the Small Entrance. Savior and Deliverer is He who raised up from the tomb and from the bonds those born on earth, for He is God; and He destroyed Hades' bars and gates, and on the third day arose, as the Master of all. - © Fr. Seraphim Dedes ON SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2012, WE COMMEMORATE: Ο Σωτήρ καί ρύστης μου, από τού τάφου, ως Θεός ανέστησεν, εκ τών The Holy Great Martyr Procopius (far left) δεσμών τούς γηγενείς, καί πύλας άδου συνέτριψε, καί ως Δεσπότης ανέστη τριήμερος. - Greek Standard Text St. Theophilios, the Myrrhbearer Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone of Pantokrator Monastery (near left) O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator most Appearance of the Icon of the constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned, but be quick, O good one, Most Holy Theotokos of Kazan to come to our aid, who in faith cry unto you. Hasten to intercession and speed to make supplication, O you who does ever protect, O Theotokos, those that honor you. - © Holy (right) Transfiguration Monastery EPISTLE READING GOSPEL READING The Reading is from St. Paul's The Reading is from Letter to the Romans 10:1-10 Matthew 8:28-34, 9:1 “Jesus is Lord”, Christ Enthroned, Manuel Panselinos, c. 1300, Protaton Church, Mt. Athos THE GADARENES DEMONIACS BRETHREN, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may At that time, when Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but it is not Gergesenes, two demoniacs met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, that no one would pass that way. And behold, they cried out, "What and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteous- have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment ness. For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be us before the time?" Now a herd of many swine was feeding at some justified. Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which distance from them. And the demons begged him, "If you cast us out, is based on the law shall live by it. But the righteousness based on faith send us away into the herd of swine." And he said to them, "Go." So says, Do not say in your heart, "Who will ascend into heaven?" (that is, to they came out and went into the swine; and behold, the whole herd bring Christ down) or "Who will descend into the abyss?" (that is, to bring rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and perished in the waters. Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? The word is near you, on The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, and your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); be- what had happened to the demoniacs.