Parish Bulletin – November 25, 2012

25TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

TONE 8

HIEROMARTYR CLEMENT OF ROME

Ephesians 4:1-6, Hebrews 9:1-7
Luke 13:10-17, Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28

Choir Director: Veronika

Welcome

We welcome you to the Orthodox Church. Please feel at ease and free to participate in the singing. As a visitor you are welcome to come forward at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy and venerate the Cross offered by the priest. Additionally you may receive the blessed bread (Antidoron) that is offered at that time. If you have questions or would like further information, the priest or one of the members of the parish will be pleased to help.

A word to our visitors on Holy Communion

The Orthodox Church does not practice open Communion. Therefore, only members of Canonical Orthodox Churches exercising jurisdiction in America may approach the Chalice for Holy Communion. The Orthodox do not regard Holy Communion solely as an act of personal piety, but also as an expression of union with the Orthodox Church’s faith, doctrine, and discipline. Orthodox visitors wishing to receive Holy Communion should make their intention known to the priest in advance — ask any member of the parish for help in relaying your intention to the priest. Orthodox Christians should prepare themselves to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion through recent Confession, prayers of preparation for Holy Communion, and fasting (at minimum, from midnight before receiving).

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.” – I Corinthians 11:27

TROPARIA AND KONTAKIA

Troparion of the Feast – Tone 4

Today is the preview of the good will of God, of the preaching of the salvation of mankind. The Virgin appears in the Temple of God, in anticipation proclaiming Christ to all. Let us rejoice and sing to her: “Rejoice, O Fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation!”

Troparion of the Saint – Tone 4

All-gloriously amazing all the ends of the world with miracles of God, O sacred athlete, in manner transcending nature thou didst cause the substance of the waters of the sea to withdraw on the day of thine honored memorial, for those who ever earnestly had recourse to the church erected for thee by God to shelter thy precious relics; and after the people had returned, thou didst miraculously cause the sea to return to the shore. O all-wondrous Clement, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.

Kontakion of the Feast – Tone 4

The most pure Temple of the Savior; the precious Chamber and Virgin; the sacred Treasure of the glory of God, is presented today to the house of the Lord. She brings with her the grace of the Spirit, therefore, the Angels of God praise her: “Truly this woman is the abode of Heaven!”

Kontakion of the Saint – Tone 4

O ye divine and immovable towers of the Church, godly pillars of piety truly strong, most lauded Clement and Peter: by your supplications preserve us all.

Opportunities to give:

➢ Food donations to the Ashland Food Project

➢ It is time for “Toys for Tots.” See Stavroula if you have any questions!

Announcements:

• Please sign up for coffee fellowship/kitchen cleanup.
• Choir practice on Saturday, 4.30 pm.
• Please be aware that children downstairs need to be monitored and cleaned up after.
• St. Nicholas celebration will be on the Eve of St. Nicholas (Dec 5^th), following an earlier Vespers (which will be held at 5.00 pm.) Bring a desert to share!
• The Nativity Fast is going on. For your own spiritual benefit, and for the glory of God, please observe it to the best of your ability!

Service Schedule this Week:

Wednesday – 6.00 pm, Vespers

Thursday – 6.40 am, Hours, Divine Liturgy; 6.00 pm Great Vespers (St. Andrew)

Friday – 6.40 am, Hours, Divine Liturgy (St. Andrew)

Saturday – 5.30 pm, Panikhida (for Agafia Prince); 6.00 pm, Great Vespers

Sunday – 8.40 am, Hours, Divine Liturgy

Confession after Vespers or by appointment!

Other Activities Next Week:

• Tuesday, 6.00 PM – Ss. Peter and Paul Men’s Fellowship (meeting  downstairs in church lounge)
• Wednesday, following Vespers – Adult Education Class
• Saturday, 4.30 PM – Choir practice

Bulletin Insert (OCA Department of Education):

On November 25th we remember Saint Clement of Rome. He was a contemporary of the apostles and one of Rome’s earliest bishops.

Born into a wealthy and well-known Roman family, Clement was highly educated and raised in luxury. But he lost his family when his mother and brothers were caught in a roaring gale at sea and were flung by the storm to different places. His grieving father went off to look for his wife and sons, and somehow also was lost.

Clement wanted desperately to find his family, and decided to travel east in his search. He went to Alexandria, where he met the apostle Barnabas. Later, in Palestine, he was introduced to the apostle Peter, and the two men struck up a friendship. After many spiritual conversations, Clement agreed to be baptized by Peter, and became his follower. In the next years he accompanied the great apostle on his travels, helping in his efforts to bring people to Christ, and enduring with him his sufferings and imprisonments.

As they traveled, Clement and Peter shared an extraordinary personal experience. They found Clement’s mother, reduced to begging in an obscure town. Later they found his father. Reunion with his parents was like a release from prison for Clement, freeing him from the worry of not knowing what had happened to them.

Peter knew that enemies of Christ were determined to kill him. He wanted to leave the Church, and Rome, in good hands. He and the other apostles made Clement a bishop. After Peter’s death as a martyr, two men served briefly as Bishop of Rome, and then came Clement’s tenure. He served brilliantly, convincing unbelievers to follow Christ and fearlessly proclaiming the faith. As bishop, he urged his flock in a letter to be willingly “imprisoned” or “bound” for Christ: “Let the one truly possessed by the love of Christ keep His commandments. What can express the binding power of divine love?”

The emperor Trajan exiled Clement to Cherson, a place in the Crimea. There he met several thousand prisoners for the faith, Christians who had also been exiled and put to the arduous work of stonecutting at a quarry in the hot, dry land where water was scarce. They welcomed Clement and took strength from his encouragement and unshakable faith. So strong were his prayers that God revealed a hidden spring from which they could all take physical refreshment as well.

Clement was put to death by drowning in the year 101. It would be centuries before his relics were rescued from the sea, but their wonderworking power has healed and saved many other prisoners of unbelief and despair, leading them to certainty that the Kingdom is the place where all those in prison will be set free.Once again, Clement brought unbelievers to the faith—pagans who lived in the area. The stonecutting work led to the building of a church right in the quarry, and more were built in the following years.