Parish Bulletin – Sunday, July 15th

6th Sunday after Pentecost

~ Tone 5 ~

Today we commemorate the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir (in holy baptism Basil), Enlightener of the Russian Land. Vladimir was the son of Prince Svyatoslav, and grandson of Igor and Olga, and was at first completely pagan in faith and life. Learning of the existence of various faiths, he began to examine them, to decide which was best. He therefore sent envoys to Constantinople. When they returned, they told the Prince that they had been at a service in the Orthodox Church of St Sophia, and that they had been ‘out of ourselves, not knowing if we were on earth or in heaven’. This inspired Vladimir to be baptized, receiving the name Vasilii, and to baptize his people. The chief idol, Perun, was dragged off the hill of Kiev and thrown into the Dnieper. Embracing the Christian faith, Vladimir utterly changed his way of life and devoted all his labor to the perfect fulfilling of the demands of his faith. He decreed that churches be built throughout the land on the places where the idols had been pulled down, and himself built a beautiful church in Kiev to the most holy Mother of God. This church was built on the selfsame spot where St Theodore and his son John suffered martyrdom for Christ (see July 12th). With the same irresistible force with which Vladimir earlier upheld idolatry, he now spread Christianity. He entered into rest in the Lord in 1015.

Hymns after the Little Entrance

Troparia and Kontakia

Fathers, Tone 8: MOST GLORIOUS ARE YOU, O CHRIST OUR GOD! YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED THE HOLY FATHERS AS LIGHTS ON THE EARTH! THROUGH THEM YOU HAVE GUIDED US TO THE TRUE FAITH!// O GREATLY COMPASSIONATE ONE, GLORY TO YOU!

Saint, Tone 4: HOLY PRINCE VLADIMIR, YOU WERE LIKE A MERCHANT IN SEARCH OF FINE PEARLS. BY SENDING SERVANTS TO CONSTANTINOPLE FOR THE ORTHODOX FAITH, YOU FOUND CHRIST, THE PRICELESS PEARL. HE APPOINTED YOU TO BE ANOTHER PAUL, WASHING AWAY IN BAPTISM YOUR PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS. WE CELEBRATE YOUR MEMORY, ASKING YOU TO PRAY FOR ALL ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS// AND FOR US, YOUR SPIRITUAL CHILDREN. KONTAKIA

Fathers, Tone 8: THE APOSTLES’ PREACHING AND THE FATHERS’ DOCTRINES HAVE ESTABLISHED ONE FAITH FOR THE CHURCH. ADORNED WITH THE ROBE OF TRUTH, WOVEN FROM HEAVENLY THEOLOGY,// IT DEFINES AND GLORIFIES THE GREAT MYSTERY OF PIETY!

Saint, Tone 8: MOST GLORIOUS VLADIMIR. IN YOUR OLD AGE YOU IMITATED THE GREAT APOSTLE PAUL: HE ABANDONED THE THINGS OF A CHILD, WHILE YOU FORSOOK THE IDOLATRY OF YOUR YOUTH. TOGETHER WITH HIM YOU REACHED THE FULLNESS OF DIVINE WISDOM: YOU WERE ADORNED WITH THE PURITY OF HOLY BAPTISM; NOW AS YOU STAND BEFORE CHRIST OUR SAVIOR,// PRAY THAT ALL ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS MAY BE SAVED!

Epistles: Romans 12: 6-14, Hebrews 13: 7-16 (Fathers), and Galatians 1: 11-19 (Saint Vladimir).

Gospels: Matthew 9:1-8, John 17:1-13 (Fathers) and John 10:1-9 (Saint Vladimir).

Choir Director: Veronika Thompson Phillips

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

Opportunities to give:

➢ Food donations to the Ashland Food Project

➢ For the next several weeks, the parish will be accepting donations to give to the Magdalene Home, a resource for homeless pregnant and parenting teens.

Announcements:

• Now that we are back to a regular schedule of Liturgy, please sign up for coffee fellowship/kitchen cleanup.
• Parish council meeting will take place today (July 15th), following the fellowship meal.
• Thank you all who contributed to our Patronal Feast last Thursday night!

Our Regular Scheduled Services:

• Great Vespers – 5:30 pm, Saturday
• Divine Liturgy – 9:00 am, Sunday
• Vespers – 7:00 pm, Wednesday
• Divine Liturgy – 7:00 am, Thursday

Confession after Vespers or by appointment!