SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH April 17, 2016 5th sunday of lent, our venerable mother, st. mary of egypt he memory of St. Mary of Egypt is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy TForty Days is drawing near, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demon- strated in very deed. The Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during a persecution against Christians under the Per- sian emperor Sapor II (310-381). They accused the saint of collaborating with the Roman Empire and of sub- versive activities against the Persian emperor. In the year 344, the emperor issued an edict which imposed a heavy tax upon Christians. When some of them refused to pay it, this was regarded as an act of rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce persecution against Christians. St Simeon was brought to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and Ananias. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered, “Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you ask me to renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow to you.” The emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to eradicate Christianity in his land if he re- fused. But neither urgings nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear of the emperor, now worshipped the sun. The eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out bitterly, “Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut off. Here was Simeon, and he has turned his back on me!” The emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man’s sudden decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers had reverenced. But Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him to death. St Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian. The emperor granted his request. 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 αναστ. Ἀπολυτίκιον. Ἦχος πλ. a. resurr. Apolytikion. Mode pl. 1. ὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύμα- et us worship the Word who is unoriginate * Ττι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν Lwith the Father and the Spirit, and from a Vir- ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, gin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ, καὶ let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ. undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection. Ἀπολυτίκιον του αγιου. Ἦχος πλ. δ. Apolytikion of the saint. Mode 8. ν σοὶ Μῆτερ ἀκριβῶς διεσώθη τὸ κατ’ εἰκόνα, n you, O Mother is preserved * undistorted what Ἐλαβοῦσα γὰρ τὸν Σταυρόν, ἠκολούθησας τῷ Iwas made in the image of God; * for taking up the Χριστῷ, καὶ πράττουσα ἐδίδασκες ὑπερορᾶν μὲν cross you followed Christ and taught by your exam‐ σαρκὸς παρέρχεται γάρ, ἐπιμελεῖσθαι δὲ ψυχῆς, ple, * that we should overlook the flesh, since it πράγματος ἀθανάτου, διὸ καὶ μετὰ Ἀγγέλων συ- passes away, * and instead look after the soul, since ναγάλλεται Ὁσία Μαρία τὸ πνεῦμα σου. it is immortal. * And therefore, O devout Mary, * your spirit rejoices with the angels. Ἀπολυτίκιον του ναου. πλ. α´. Apolyt. for the Church. Mode PL. 1. 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 Acts of the Apostles, * and the Εὐαγγελίου Χριστοῦ ὑπομνηματιστήν, ἀξίως splendid author of the Gospel 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 πλ. Δ´. Kontakion. Mode 8. ῇ ὑπερμάχῳ στρατηγῷ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυ- Champion General, I your City now inscribe to Ττρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν, εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγρά- Oyou * triumphant anthems as the tokens of my φω σοι ἡ Πόλις σου, Θεοτόκε, ἀλλ’ ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ gratitude, * being rescued from the terrors, O The- κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων με κινδύ- otokos. * Inasmuch as you have power unassailable, νων ἐλευθέρωσον ἵνα κράζω σοι, Χαῖρε, Νύμφη * from all kinds of perils free me so that unto you * I ἀνύμφευτε. may cry aloud: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride. THE READINGS OF THE DAY epistle reading us whatever we will ask!” He replied, “What do the Letter of saint paul you want me to do for you?” They answered, to the Hebrews 9:11-14 “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory.” RETHREN, when Christ appeared as a But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what high priest of the good things to come, you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup Bhe entered through the greater and more that I drink, and to be baptized with the bap- perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that tism that I am baptized with?” They replied, is to say, not of this creation. It was not through “We are able!” Jesus said to them, “You shall the blood of goats and calves but through his indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall own blood that he entered into the Holy Place be baptized with the baptism that I am bap- once for all, having obtained eternal redemp- tized with! However, to sit at my right hand tion. Indeed, if the blood of bulls and goats, and at my left hand is not mine to give, but it is and the ashes of a heifer (sprinkling those who for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten have been defiled) could sanctify to restore the heard this, they became upset with James and purity of the flesh, how much more will the John. Jesus called them, and told them, “You blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit know that those who are recognized as rulers offered himself without blemish to God, purify over the nations lord it over them, and their your con- science from dead works to offer di- great ones exercise authority over them. But it vine service to the living God? shall not be so among you! Whoever wants to gospel reading become great among you shall be your servant. mark 10:32-45 Whoever of you wants to become first shall be t that time, Jesus took the Twelve [aside] slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to and began to tell them about the things be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a Athat were going to happen to him. “Be- ransom for many.” hold, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and Just as a healthy eye desires the the scribes. They will condemn him to death light, so, if fasting’s undertaken and deliver him to the Gentiles. They will with discretion, it’s followed by scourge him, mock him, spit on him, and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.” James “a desire for prayer. —St. isaak the syrian and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Je- sus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for ” announcements Saturday, January 25, Great Vespers, 5pm upcoming church services: Monday, April 18, Great Compline, 6pm; Tuesday, April 19, Holy Confession (no appointment necessary), 4pm – 6pm Wednesday, April 20, Presanctified Liturgy, 5pm; Thursday, April 21, Holy Confession (no appointment necessary), 5pm –7pm Saturday, April 23, The Raising of Lazaros, Orthros / Divine Liturgy, 8:30am, Great Vespers, 5pm flower donations needed pascha bread A list of needs for Holy Week and Pascha can be There are only 13 loaves left. Please see Georgia if found on the back page of this Sunday Bulletin. you would like to reserve one for $11 before they Your generosity is greatly appreciated! sell out. bookstore pascha potluck / lamb dinner New books are in stock about Great Lent and Holy Please plan to join us for a lamb dinner and potluck Week.