St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church Diocese of the South, Orthodox Church in America
The Rev. Father Basil Henry, Priest 1415 Woodstock Ave. • Anniston, Alabama • www.stlukeanniston.org/
November 13, 2011 • 22nd Sunday after Pentecost
St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople (407). Martyrs Antoninus, Nicephorus, Germanus, and Manetha, of Caesarea in Palestine (308). St. Bricius, bishop of Tours (444). St. Euphrasius, bishop of Clermont (Gaul) (515). St. Leonien of Vienne (Gaul) (518). St. Quintianus, bishop of Clermont (Gaul) (525). New Monk-martyr Damascene of the Great Lavra (Mt. Athos) and Constantinople (1681).
Announcements
We welcome our Visitors and hope you can join us for coffee hour following Divine Liturgy. Please note the Nativity Fast begins Tuesday, Nov. 15, and continues until the Feast of the Nativity (dispensation is given for Thanksgiving day). God grant Many Years to the newly baptized Eleanor Michelle Brightwell, her parents, Scott and Megan, her brother Coleman, and her godparents, Fr. Theophan and Presvytera Elena Buck. The icon on the front is of St. John Chrysostom, available at http://www.byzarticon.gr/.
Mon, 11/14
This Week’s Fasting, Service and Scripture Schedule Tues, 11/15 Wed, 11/16 Thurs, 11/17 Fri, 11/18 Sat, 11/19 Sun, 11/20 Nativity Fast (no meat or dairy until Feast of the Nativity)
No Services
Matins 8 a.m.
No Bible Study
Matins 8 a.m.
Matins 8 a.m.
1 Thess. 1:1-5
1 Thess. 1:6-10
1 Thess. 2:1-8
1 Thess. 2:9-14
1 Thess. 2:14-19
2 Cor. 8:1-5
Ephes. 2:4-10
Luke 14:12-15
Luke 14:25-35
Luke 15:1-10
Luke 16:1-9
Luke 16:15-18; 17:1-4
Luke 9:57-62
Luke 12:16-21
St. Hilda of Whitby
Election of St. Tikhon to the Patriarchal Throne
St. Philaret of Moscow
St. Edmund, King of England
1 Cor. 4:9-16
1 Cor. 4:9-16
(Apostle Philip)
(Apostle Matthew)
John 1:43-51
Matt. 9:9-13
(Apostle Philip)
Apostle Philip
Great Vespers Divine Liturgy 4 p.m. 10 a.m.
(Apostle Matthew)
St. Paisius Velichkovsky
Apostle Matthew
Service times are subject to change. Please check with Fr. Basil if in any doubt.
“Lord, I Call”
Great Vespers
For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him is plenteous redemption, and He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Sunday (Tone 5)
Let us worthily honor John of golden speech…
Lead forth my soul from prison, that I may confess Thy name!
By Thy precious Cross, O Christ, Thou hast put the devil to shame. By Thy Resurrection, Thou hast blunted the sting of sin and saved us from the gates of death! We glorify Thee, O Only begotten One. The righteous await me, till Thou shalt reward me.
Christ was led as a sheep to the slaughter in order to grant Resurrection to the human race! The princes of hell were frightened by this, for the gates of sorrow were lifted. Christ the King of glory had entered, saying to those in chains: “Go forth!” And to those in darkness: “Come to the light!” Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice!
O, great wonder! The Creator of the invisible suffered in the flesh in His love for man and rose again immortal! Come, O sons of nations, let us worship Him! Delivered from error by His compassion, we have learned to sing of one God in three Persons! Let Thine ears give heed to the voice of my prayer!
We offer Thee our evening worship, O never setting Light, Who came in these last days to the world in the flesh; Who even descended to hell to dispel its darkness. Who hast revealed the light of Resurrection to the nations. Glory to Thee, O Lord and Giver of light!
St. John Chrysostom (Tone 4)
If Thou observest transgression, Lord, O Lord, who shall stand? For with Thee is propitiation.
Let us praise in song the golden trumpet, the divinelyinspired instrument, the inexhaustible sea of doctrines, the pillar of the Church, the heavenly mind, the abyss of wisdom, the golden chalice, pouring forth rivers of teachings flowing with honey and refreshing the creation! For Thy name’s sake have I waited upon Thee, O Lord; my soul hath waited upon Thy word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
Let us praise in song the golden trumpet… From the morning watch even to the night, let Israel hope in the Lord!
Let us worthily honor John of golden speech, the evershining star illumining the whole earth with the rays of its teachings; the preacher of repentance; the golden sponge absorbing the wetness of deep despair, and moistening hearts that are killed by sins!
O praise the Lord, all ye nations, praise Him, all ye people!
Let us magnify with hymns the Golden-mouth, an earthly angel and a heavenly man; a sweet-speaking swallow of many notes; a treasure-house of virtues; an unbreakable rock; an example for the faithful; a rival of martyrs; a peer of the holy Angels; an equal of the Apostles! For His mercy hath been confirmed upon us and the truth of the Lord remaineth forever.
Let us magnify with hymns the Golden-mouth…
St. John Chrysostom (Tone 6)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…
O thrice-blessed Saint, most holy Father, good shepherd and disciple of Christ, the Chief Shepherd: thou didst lay down thy life for the sheep; and now, O John Chrysostom, worthy of all praise, by thine intercessions ask that we be granted great mercy!
Dogmatikon (Tone 5)
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
In the Red Sea of old, a type of the Virgin Bride was prefigured. There Moses divided the waters. Here Gabriel assisted in the miracle. There Israel crossed the sea without getting wet. Here the Virgin gave birth to Christ without seed. After Israel’s passage, the sea remained impassable. After Emmanuel’s birth, the Virgin remained a Virgin. O ever-existing God, Who appeared as Man, O Lord, have mercy on us!
Old Testament Readings
St. John Chrysostom
The Proverbs of Solomon (Selection from 10,3,8)
The memory of the righteous is with praise and the blessing of the Lord is upon his head. Blessed is the man who has found wisdom and the mortal who has understanding. For it is better to purchase her than treasuries of gold and silver. She is more precious than precious stones and all that is precious is unworthy of her. For length of days and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left hand are riches and glory. Out of her mouth proceeds righteousness and she bears law and mercy upon her tongue. Hear me, O child, for I will speak noble things. Blessed is the man who keeps my ways, for my ways are the way of life, and in them is prepared favor from the Lord. There-
~3~
fore, I pray you, and utter my voice to the sons of men: For I, wisdom, have dwelt with counsel and knowledge and I have called upon understanding. Counsel and safety are mine, understanding and strength are mine. I love those who love me and those seeking me shall find grace. Understand craftiness, O you who are simple, and imbibe knowledge, you who are untaught. Hear me again, for I will speak noble things: I will open my mouth and from my lips shall come what is right. For my throat shall meditate truth; false lips are an abomination before me. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing in them that is twisted or perverse. They are all straight to him who understands and right to those who find knowledge. I shall instruct you in truth, so that your hope will be in the Lord and you shall be filled with the Spirit.
mediator of good things for all, for immortality is in her, and glory in the company of her words. Therefore I appealed to the Lord and prayed to Him, and said to Him with all my heart: “O God of my fathers and Lord of mercy, Who hast made all things by Thy word, and by Thy wisdom hast fashioned man that he should have dominion over the creatures made by Thee, that he should rule the world in holiness and righteusness: Give me wisdom that sits by Thy throne, and cast me not away from among Thy children, for I am Thy servant and the son of Thy handmaid. Send her forth from the heavens, from Thy holy abode, and from the throne of Thy glory, that she may be with me, in understanding, and preserve me in her glory. For the thoughts of mortals are miserable, and their intentions likely to fail.�
The Wisdom of Solomon (Selection from Prov. 10; Wis. 6, 7, 8, 9)
The Wisdom of Solomon (Selection from 4, 6, 7, 2)
When the righteous is praised, the people rejoice: For his The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom; the lips memory is immortality, since it is known both by the of the wise man know grace. The mouth of the wise speaks Lord and by men, for his soul was pleasing to the Lord. wisdom, and the truth delivers them from death. If a righTherefore love wisdom, O men, and live. Desire her and teous man dies, hope is not, for the son of the righteous is be instructed: For her beginning is love and the keeping born to life, and in his own good things he acquires the of her laws. Honor wisdom that you may reign forever. fruit of righteousness. There is always light for the righteous and they obtain grace and glory from the Lord. The I will tell you and not hide the mysteries of God from tongue of the wise is a good sister-in-law, and in their you. For He is the Guide of wisdom, the Corrector of the hearts rests wisdom. The Lord loves the hearts of the holy, wise and the Artisan of all thoughts and deeds. Wisdom will teach with all understanding: For in her is a Spirit, and acceptable to Him are all the undefiled in the way. intelligent and holy, the Radiance of the Everlasting The wisdom of the Lord illumines the faces of the wise. Light and the Image of the Grace of God. For she takes hold of those desiring her by making herself first known to them. She is easily seen by those who love She fashions friends of God and prophets. For she is her. He who rises early to seek her shall have no difficulty, more beautiful than the sun and above all the order of and those keeping vigil for the sake of her shall quickly be the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be first. without sorrows. For she goes about seeking those worthy She delivered from infirmities those pleasing her and of her, and graciously reveals herself in the pathways. guided them on the paths of righteousness. She gave to them understanding to be holy and to preserve them Against wisdom evil does not prevail. from those who would ensnare them, and she granted Therefore I was a lover of her beauty; I loved her and them strength in struggles, so that all might understand sought her out from my youth. I desired to make her my that the most powerful of all is piety, and that evil might bride, and even the Master of All loved her. For she is an not prevail against wisdom, nor judgment pass away initiate in the knowledge of God, and a discoverer of His without convicting the wicked. works. Her labors are virtues, for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice and courage; nothing in life is more Having reasoned unrighteously, they said to themselves, necessary for men than these. And if anyone desires much “Let us oppress the righteous man and not spare his venknowledge, she knows the things of old, and beholds erableness, nor let us be ashamed of the gray hairs of the things to come; she understands turns of speech and the old man of many years. But let our might be our law and solution of riddles; she has foreknowledge of signs and let us seize the righteous, because he is inconvenient to us wonders and the outcome of times and seasons. She is a and is opposed to our deeds; he reproaches us for apos~4~
tasy against the law and divulges the sins of our training. “He declares to us to have knowledge of God and calls himself a child of the Lord. He became to us a reproof of our thoughts; the very sight of him is a burden to us, because his life is unlike that of others, and his ways are very different. We are considered by him to be an insult, and he avoids our ways as unclean; he calls the end of the righteous blessed. “Let us see if his words are true; let us test him to see what will happen to him. Let us torment him with revilement and tortures, that we may understand his meekness and test his guilelessness. Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for, according to his own words, he shall be respected.”
Holiness belongeth to Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days!
For our sake, Thou didst accept death in the flesh, to rise from the dead on the third day! Heal us from our earthly passions, and restore us from our evil transgressions; and save us, O Lover of man!
St. John Chrysostom (Tone 6)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…
Thou wast revealed as a golden-voiced trumpet, O golden-speaking Chrysostom, gilding the hearts of the faithful with thy teachings fashioned in gold; for, in accord with the prophecy, the proclamation of thy doctrines went forth, O venerable Father, and thou didst enlighten the ends of all the world.
Theotokion (Tone 6)
Thus they reasoned, but were deceived, for their wickedness blinded them. They did not know the mysteries of God, nor did they discern that Thou alone art God, having the power of life and death: Who savest in times of affliction and delivereth from every evil; Who art compassionate and merciful, granting Grace to His venerable ones, and opposing the proud with His arm.
My Maker and Redeemer, Christ the Lord, was born of thee, O most pure Virgin. By accepting my nature, He freed Adam from his ancient curse. Unceasingly we magnify thee as the Mother of God! Rejoice, O celestial Joy! Rejoice, O Lady: the Protection, Intercession and Salvation of our souls!
Aposticha
Troparia
Sunday (Tone 5)
We magnify Thee in songs of praise, O Incarnate Christ and Savior. By accepting the Cross and death for our sake, as the Lord and Lover of man, Thou didst overthrow the gates of hell, and didst arise on the third day, saving our souls.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Sunday (Tone 5)
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection!
The Lord hath become King; with beauty hath He clothed Himself.
St. John Chrysostom (Tone 8)
By being pierced in the side, O Lover of man, Thou hast poured out drops of life and salvation for all. By accepting death in the flesh, Thou hast granted us immortality. Thou hast freed us by being placed in the tomb, and hast resurrected us with Thyself in glory, as God! Glory to Thee, O Lord and Lover of man! For He hath established the world, which shall not be moved.
Thy crucifixion and descent into hell are awesome, O Lover of man! Thou hast captured it, releasing the ancient prisoners. Thou hast opened Paradise and given it to us! Grant us purification of sins, who glorify Thy Resurrection on the third day! Make us worthy of Paradise and save us, O Lover of man!
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…
Grace shining forth from your lips like a beacon has enlightened the universe. It has shown to the world the riches of poverty. It has revealed to us the heights of humility. Teaching us by your words O Father John Chrysostom, intercede before the Word Christ our God, to save our souls!
Resurrectional Dismissal Theotokion (Tone 8) Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
For our sake Thou wast born of the Virgin and endured crucifixion, O Good One, destroying death by death and revealing the Resurrection as God. Do not despise the work of Thy hand! Reveal Thy love for mankind, O Merciful One! Accept the Theotokos who is praying for us, and save the despairing people, O our Savior!
~5~
Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom Beatitude Verses
sunday
Troparia
Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
Sunday (Tone 5)
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, coThe thief on the cross believing Thee to be God con- eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvafessed Thee earnestly from his heart, crying aloud: ‘O tion from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Lord, remember me in Thy kingdom.’ Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection! Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Let us with one accord praise as Savior and Creator Him St. Luke the Evangelist (Tone 5) Who made life flower for our kind by the wood of the The Holy Apostle, the all-hymned Luke, who is acknowlcross and Who withered the curse coming from the tree. edged by the Church of Christ as the recorder of the Acts Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. of the Apostles and the splendid author of the Gospel of By Thy death, O Christ, Thou hast destroyed the might Christ, let us praise with sacred hymns as a Physician of death and hast raised with Thyself those dead from the who healeth the infirmities of man and the ailments of ages praising Thee as our true God and Savior. nature, who cleanseth spiritual wounds and prayeth unBlessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, ceasingly for our souls. for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
St. John Chrysostom (Tone 8)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…
St. John Chrysostom (Tone 8)
The holy women having come to the tomb, O Christ, Grace shining forth from your lips like a beacon has ensought to anoint Thee, giver of life, with myrrh, and an lightened the universe. It has shown to the world the angel appeared to them crying aloud: ‘The Lord is risen.’ riches of poverty. It has revealed to us the heights of humility. Teaching us by your words O Father John ChrysSt. John Chrysostom Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, ostom, intercede before the Word Christ our God, to save and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. our souls! With spiritual wisdom you enriched the whole world, becoming a rich bestower of the word; for rich grace from Kontakia on high was poured out on your lips, O Hierarch. sunday (Tone 5) Thou didst descend into hell, O my Savior, shattering its Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. Your sound has gone out into all the earth like lightning, gates as Almighty, resurrecting the dead as Creator, and while the power of your words, O Chrysostom, like a destroying the sting of death. Thou hast delivered Adam well-sounding trumpet, has echoed throughout all the from the curse, O Lover of Man, and we cry to Thee: O Lord, save us! ends of the inhabited world. Clothed in a tunic of the virtues woven from on high, all- Having received divine grace from heaven, with your blessed one, and adorned with the splendour of words, mouth you teach all men to worship the Triune God. Allyou appeared as a skilled support of the truth. blessed and venerable John Chrysostom, we worthily praise you, for you are our teacher, revealing things diBoth now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. The Lover of mankind who carries the universe by his vine. almighty power, clothed himself in the weakness of flesh St. Luke the Evangelist (Tone 4) from you, all-blameless Virgin, for the benefit of man- Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,… kind. Thou becamest a disciple of God the Word, with Paul thou didst enlighten all the world, casting out its darkness by composing the Holy Gospel of Christ. ~6~
Steadfast protectress (Tone 6)
which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which has since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Steadfast Protectress of Christians, constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the entreating cries of us Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: sinners, but in thy goodness come speedily to help us We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand who call on thee in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for thou dost always the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord protect those who honor thee! pitched, and not man.
Prokeimenon
Alleluia Verses
Sunday (Tone 5)
Sunday (Tone 5)
Thou, O Lord, shalt protect us and preserve us from this generation forever.
Vs: I will sing of Thy mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Thy Truth from generation to genVs: My mouth shall speak wisdom, the meditation of my eration. heart shall be understanding. Vs: Thou hast said: Mercy will be established forever; Thy truth will be prepared in the heavens. St. John Chrysostom (Tone 1) My mouth shall speak wisdom, the meditation of my St. John Chrysostom (Tone 2) heart shall be understanding. Vs: The mouth of the righteous shall proclaim wisdom, and his tongue shall speak of judgment. Epistle Reading
Sunday
Gospel Reading
The Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Galatians (6:11-18)
Brethren, ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumscribed; only lest they should suffer persucation for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumsed, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
St. John Chrysostom
St. John Chrysostom
The Gospel according to St. John (10:9-16)
The Lord said: I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.
Sunday
The Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Hebrews (7:26-8:2)
Brethren, such an high priest because us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, seperate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests
The Gospel according to St. Luke (10:25-37)
At that time: a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with
~7~
all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Continued from page 8
St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople
his greatest and most beloved of all Christian orators was born in Antioch the Great in the year 344 or 347; his pious parents were called Secundus and Anthusa. After his mother was widowed at the age of twenty, she devoted herself to bringing up John and his elder sister in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. John received his literary training under Anthragathius the philosopher, and Libanius the sophist, who was the greatest Greek scholar and rhetorician of his day. Libanius was a pagan, and when asked before his death whom he wished to have for his successor, he said, “John, had not the Christians stolen him from us.” With such a training, and with such gifts as he had during which he fell asleep in the Lord. In 386 Bishby nature, John had before him a brilliant career as a op Flavian ordained John presbyter of the Church of rhetorician. But through the good example of his Antioch. Upon his elevation to the priesthood his godly mother Anthusa and of the holy Bishop Mele- career as a public preacher began, and his exceptiontius of Antioch (see Feb. 12), by whom he was or- al oratorical gifts were made manifest through his dained reader about the year 370, he chose instead to many sermons and commentaries. They are distindedicate himself to God. From the years 374 to 381 guished by their eloquence and the remarkable ease he lived the monastic life in the hermitages that were with which rich imagery and scriptural allusions are near Antioch. multiplied; by their depth of insight into the meaning of Scripture and the workings of God’s proviHis extreme asceticism undermined his health, comdence; and, not least of all, by their earnestness and pelling him to return to Antioch, where Saint Melemoral force, which issue from the heart of a blametius ordained him deacon about the year 381. Saint less and guileless man who lived first what he Meletius was called to Constantinople later that year preached to others. to preside over the Second Ecumenical Council, ~8~
Because of his fame, he was chosen to succeed Saint Nectarius as Patriarch of Constantinople. He was taken away by stealth, to avoid the opposition of the people, and consecrated Patriarch of Constantinople on February 28, 398, by Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who was to prove his mortal enemy. At that time the Emperor of the East was Arcadius, who had had Saint Arsenius the Great as his tutor (see May 8); Arcadius was a man of weak character, and much under the influence of his wife Eudoxia. The zealous and upright Chrysostom’s unsparing censures of the lax morals in the imperial city stung the vain Eudoxia; through Theophilus’ plottings and her collaboration, Saint John was banished to Pontus in 403. The people were in an uproar, and the following night an earthquake shook the city; this so frightened the Empress Eudoxia that she begged Arcadius to call Chrysostom back. While his return was triumphant, his reconciliation with the Empress did not last long. When she had a silver statue of herself erected in the forum before the Church of the Holy Wisdom (Saint Sophia) in September of 403, and had it dedicated with much unseemly revelry, Saint John thundered against her, and she could not forgive him. In June of 404 he was exiled to Cucusus, on the borders of Cilicia and Armenia. From here he exchanged letters with Pope Innocent of Rome, who sent bishops and priests to Constantinople requesting that a council be held.
this, and had John taken to a more remote place of banishment called Pityus near the Caucasus. The journey was filled with bitter sufferings for the aged bishop, both because of the harshness of the elements and the cruelty of one of his 310 guards. He did not reach Pityus, but gave up his soul to the Lord near Comana in Pontus, at the chapel of the Martyr Basiliscus (see May 22), who had appeared to him shortly before, foretelling the day of his death, which came to pass on September 14, 407. His last words were “Glory be to God for all things.” His holy relics were brought from Comana to Constantinople thirtyone years later by the Emperor Theodosius the Younger and Saint Pulcheria his sister, the children of Arcadius and Eudoxia, with fervent supplications that the sin of their parents against him be forgiven; this return of his holy relics is celebrated on January 27.
Saint John’s enemies, dreading his return, prevailed upon the Emperor to see an insult in ~9~
Saint John was surnamed Chrysostom (“Goldenmouth”) because of his eloquence. He made exhaustive commentaries on the divine Scriptures and was the author of more works than any other Church Father, leaving us complete commentaries on the Book of Genesis, the Gospels of Saints Matthew and John, the Acts, and all the Epistles of Saint Paul. His extant works are 1,447 sermons and 240 epistles. Twenty-two teachers of the Church have written homilies of praise in his honour. Besides his feasts today and on January 27, he is celebrated as one of the Three Hierarchs on January 30, together with Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory the Theologian.
The Nativity Fast By Fr. Lawrence Barriger
Source: American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A
In recent years there has been a renewed emphasis on the cycle of the liturgical year. The traditions of an earlier age are being presented to the contemporary membership of our churches in an attempt to bring a spiritual element to the cycle of daily life, which has become so secularized.
One of the most important seasons to be rediscovered has been the season of Advent, the fast before the celebration of Christmas. Advent, the Western name of this fast period, comes from the Latin verb “advenire” meaning “to reach” or “to arrive at.” Advent is the preparation for the arrival of the Messiah in the birth of the Christ Child.
a popular custom not necessarily associated with Christmas, it is more likely that the forty day fast grew out of an attempt to imitate the fast of Great Lent preceding Pascha. Although it was only in the fourth century that the Feast of the Nativity of Christ was celebrated by itself on December 25th, from its inception it was seen as a feast only rivaled by the Resurrection. The celebration of the Incarnation of Among Western Christians the Advent season the Word of God provided an excellent forum for begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and the Churchmen of the late fourth and early fifth ends on Christmas Eve. The four candles of the centuries to attack the then rampant heresies of Advent wreath represent the four Sundays of Advent. Arianism (denial that Jesus, as the “Word” of God, was of Advent also marks, for Western Christians, the one essence with God the Father) and Monophysitism beginning of the Church year. (denial of the effective presence of the human nature in The season of Advent, or as it is most often referred Christ). to in the Orthodox Liturgical books, the Nativity The Advent Fast, just as with the Lenten fast, Fast, begins in the Orthodox Church on the day developed from popular piety reflecting on the after the Feast of the Apostle Philip, November 15th Scriptural fasts. However, unlike the Lenten fast, (November 28th). In fact, it was popularly referred which was soon regulated by the Church in terms to by Carpatho-Rusins as Philipovka, that is “Philip’s of its severity and duration, the Advent fast’s severity Fast.” and duration were for many centuries governed by According to legend, St. Philip the Apostle called local custom and tradition. It was not until 1166 down the wrath of God upon those who were that a church council meeting in Constantinople torturing him to death. As a penance for presuming fixed the length of the fast at forty days. However, the on the vengeance of God, it was revealed to him famous Canonist and Patriarch, Theodore Balsamon by an angel that he would not enter paradise until of the Great Church of Constantinople (1185-1204), forty days after his death. Philip then sent word to noted in interpreting this council that only monastics the other living Apostles and begged them to fast were obligated to keep the forty days and that lay for forty days after his death. The Canons attributed people might shorten it to only seven days. to St. John the Faster, the sixth century Patriarch of It is interesting to note that unlike Great Lent, with Constantinople, do in fact refer to this fast as the fast its Canon of St. Andrew of Crete, Presanctified of St. Philip. Liturgies and Lenten Triodion, the liturgical life of While it is entirely possible that this fast began as the Church scarcely notices the existence of Advent.
The Sundays are observed as “Sundays after Pentecost” and there are no special services prescribed. The approach of Christmas is mentioned only on the two Sundays directly preceding it, although the Christmas Canon (Christ is Born, glorify him...) is sung as a refrain at the Matins for the Presentation of the Mother of God on November 21st (December 4th) and also on St. Nicholas Day on December 6th (December 19th). One of the perpetual questions that is always asked at this time of year is, “when is it proper to sing Christmas Carols or decorate for Christmas.” Unlike the Fast of Lent, which is really a preparation for Holy Week, the Nativity Fast is one of joyful expectation. As mentioned above, the Church begins to sing “Christ is born, glorify Him!” already on November 21st (December 4th). There is nothing wrong or inappropriate about decorating or singing the traditional Kol’jady after the fourth of December (or November 21st on the New Calendar). Unfortunately, since Matins has been discontinued in many of our churches, this refrain is no longer heard. This fact, coupled with the feeling in many “Old Calendar” parishes that to decorate the Church or to sing the Kol’jady before Christmas Eve will somehow mean that the Calendar is being changed, often leads to the
“
practice of refusing to do anything that pertains to the Nativity until after December 25th. Besides singing the Christmas Canon at Matins, the Kontakion of the Preparation for the Nativity is to be sung on the Sunday after the Feast of the Presentation of the Mother of God and to continue through the Advent season until the Nativity. In some parishes the custom still exists of having either Paraklis’ or other devotions to the Mother of God during the Advent season. However, these are considered “paraliturgical” services that are celebrated out of piety. They are not formally prescribed by the Church. The tremendous influence of monasticism after the fall of Constantinople in 1204, certainly contributed to the observance of the forty-day Nativity Fast by all Orthodox Christians, whether they were monastics or not. In light of the gross materialism of the secular Advent—the Christmas shopping season—the season of Advent has a valuable place in our spiritual lives. Through this season’s emphasis on prayer, fasting and charity, the spiritual reality of Christ’s Incarnation is brought to bear on our daily lives, thereby preparing us to welcome the Messiah into our hearts at time of His Advent.
Be as kind, meek, humble, and simple as possible in your intercourse with all, considering yourself not hypocritically inferior to all in respect to your spiritual condition, that is, more sinful and weaker than all. Say to yourself, ‘Of all sinners I am the first.’ From pride proceeds self-sufficiency, coldness, and insincerity in our behaviour to our inferiors, or to those from whom we do not expect to obtain any advantage.
”
~St. John of Kronstadt (1829-1908)
A Romanian monastery (Barsana) in the morning mist. St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church 1415 Woodstock Ave. Anniston, AL 36207