Parish Bulletin – September 30, 2012

17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

TONE 8

HIEROMARTYR GREGORY, BISHOP OF GREATER ARMENIA

2 Corinthians 6:16 – 7:1
Luke 6:31-36

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 – Tone IV

As thou didst share in the ways of the apostles and didst occupy their throne, thou didst find thine activity to be a passage to divine vision, O divinely inspired one. Wherefore, ordering the word of truth, thou didst suffer for the Faith even unto the shedding of thy blood, O hieromartyr Gregory, entreat Christ God, that our souls be saved.

Kontakion – Tone II

O ye faithful, in songs and hymns let us all praise today the right glorious hierarch Gregory as an athlete, a vigilant shepherd and teacher, a universal luminary and champion; for he prayeth to Christ, that we be saved.

Opportunities to give:

➢ Food donations to the Ashland Food Project

➢ Please consider giving a donation toward the legal process of Tatsiana seeking asylum as a refugee in the US. She is in need of our support and prayer.

Announcements:

• Please sign up for coffee fellowship/kitchen cleanup.
• No Adult Education Class this week. Next class will be October 10^th.
• Choir practice on Saturday, 5.00 pm.
• Please stay for the Prayers of Thanksgiving following Liturgy, as the children are having Sunday school in the fellowship hall.
• Parish Council meeting following Liturgy today.
• Mary and Martha Women’s Fellowship moved to October 11^th, 7.00 PM.
• Books for men’s and women’s group available. Talk to Stavroula or Fr. Andreas to purchase a copy.

Service Schedule this Week:

Monday – 7.00 am, Divine Liturgy (Holy Protection)

Wednesday – 6.00 pm, Readers Vespers

Saturday – 6.00 pm, Great Vespers

Sunday – 8.40 am, Hours, Divine Liturgy

Confession after Vespers or by appointment!

Other Activities Next Week:

• Saturday, 5.00 PM – Choir practice

Bulletin Insert (OCA Department of Education):

On October 5th we read from Ephesians 6: 18: “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…”

Saint Paul is urging those who read his words to pray at all times, to persevere and stay alert in prayer, and to remember everyone—”all the saints”—in prayer.

While the words are meant for all of us, there are certain Orthodox Christians who take them as their life’s work—the monastics. In men’s and women’s monasteries, prayer is offered constantly for members of the Church, and for the world beyond the Church. That kind of prayer is a great effort, and it is serious work.

Mother Christophora, of the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, was recently interviewed on the occasion of her 25th anniversary as abbess of the monastery. She addressed some of the questions people often ask about the life of monastics, and spoke about prayer as a central part of that life. She said that though some people may believe that nuns and monks are disconnected from the world, “we are really connected to the world through prayer. The reason that we are here and doing prayers every day is not because it makes us feel good—actually, sometimes it tires us very much—but because the world really needs prayer. People really depend on our prayers.”

Her reply to the question, “Do you have a favorite meal here at the monastery?” might be surprising to many people. She said, “I would have to say the Divine Liturgy…I love food, and I am always thinking about food, so do not think I am that spiritual. But because you asked me for one meal, I would have to say it is the Liturgy, where we all come together and share in that chalice.”

The abbess’ words are a good reminder not to take lightly the privilege of sharing the Eucharist. In speaking about this, she said, “There are some [Liturgies on a weekday morning] when maybe we are coughing or off-key, there is nobody but the priest and the nuns, or maybe it is a rainy, cloudy day—and God comes! He lets us do this. He lets us have the Liturgy, and receive His Body and Blood. Wow. Here we are, some Wednesday morning in Ellwood City, and we just touched heaven.”The monastery has begun a building program. A large part of the nuns’ ministry is hospitality, and they receive all kinds of guests, some who visit for a few hours and others who stay for several days. They need more space to accommodate their guests and also for their own work and worship.

For all of us who would like to visit a monastery, this is good news. The nuns open their doors and their hearts to us, and even when we are not there, they are “making supplication” for us, and for every person in the world.