Sunday after Epiphany
St. Theodosios the Great; Venerable Theodosios of Philotheou Monastery on Athos;
Venerable Agapios of Apamea in Syria; Venerable Michael of Klops, Food-for-Christ
Visitors, we are blessed by your joining us in worship and for fellowship.
Let us pray to the Lord: “For the suffering Christians of Syria, Palestine, Iraq, & all of the Middle East, and for those suffering in the Ukraine.”
Nourishment of the Soul: “All the stars in the heavens could be more easily counted than all the miracles worked on earth by prayer.” — St. Nicholai of Zica
FOOD PANTRY: Last year 562 pounds of food came into our food pantry for distribution. $11, 474 was given to those who needed financial support in 2014. Thank you for heeding the teaching of our Lord.
Communion: We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession. If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.
Communion Line: The choir goes first in both lines so members may continue ministering through music during communion. Little Lambs Sunday School follows. The ushers then assist each row from front to back. Those in the overflow behind the choir may follow adjacent rows.
Sunday School for those in Grades One through 12 meets after Divine Liturgy.
Boxes for Knitted Caps and Mittens/Gloves will be available throughout the winter to collect your donations for local school children.
Pledge Envelopes, Calendars, and Phone Directories are in the hallway.
January 16-18: SOYO Basketball Weekend at Canton, Ohio – Parental Permission is needed prior to travel as well as other paperwork.
House Blessings until Great Lent: Choose a time on the sign-up sheet in the hall or contact Father Peter Jon.
THIS WEEK
Did you date your check for 2015?
Tuesday, January 13: Kh. Marilyn resumes the Women’s Bible Study at 7pm at her home.
Wednesday, January 14: Divine Liturgy at 6:00 — St. Nina, Enlightener of Georgia
Thursday, January15: Evening Liturgy at 6:00 –St. Peter’s Chains
Saturday, January 17: Great Vespers at 5:00
Sunday, January 18: Matins at 8:50; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 — Parish Council meets.
LOOKING AHEAD
…Sunday, January 18: Right to Life Rally on the Court house square at 2:00
…Tuesday, January 20: Skating with All Saints skaters at Western Skateland on West 17th Street, 6:30 to 8:30: Admission cost is for skaters and watchers! Stephanie is the contact person.
…Wednesday, February 4: Orthodoxy 101 resumes
Happy Birthday: Hal’s mother Waded on her 106th birthday.
Blessed Name Day: Nina Rogers (14th); Nina Gillquist (14th); Bishop ANTHONY (17th); Toni Ban (17th-St. Anthony the Great)
Eternal: Jolee (Dec. 10th); Priscilla (15th); Nick (18th); Kh. Chinnu (Dec.19th); Marianne Dye (26th); Anthony (28th)
Prayer List: Fr. Athanasius Wilson-shoulder surgery, January 15; Ioana; Patricia; Dee Haney; Galina; John G; Nicetas; Barb; Shirley; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John; Kh. Loretta; Fr. John Koen; Archpriests Roman, George & Stephen; Krystal & Jason; Adrian, Catherine & Marah; Heather (Charles’ daughter); Susan; Gabriella & Matt; Sara; Shelley; Fr. Moses Berry; Geni; Frank & Becky Hrisomalos; Those with child: Kh. Kristina, Mary, Kathleen; Brooke; Kh. Marilyn; Noah; Emily D; Emma; Kim; Nancy; Neal; Lyuda; Bob R; Alex; John; Leanne; Beth; Lillian; Julie; Roger; Virginia McCallister; Marilyn; Eric; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Michael & Shelley: Gabriel; Mary; Doug; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; John C; Marty; Charles; Eileen; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Deborah; Ruth; Steve; Kevin; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Caleb; Korene; Dennis & Joyce; Ethan; Lena, Dean; Gayle; Thomas; Amy; Heidi; Gene & Connie; Cathi
Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings
Prokeimenon: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”
Verse: “What shall we render unto the Lord, for all that He has given us?” Psalm 115:6,3
Epistle: The Reading is from Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews. (13: 7-16)
BRETHREN, remember those who preside over you, who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the outcome of their life, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by diverse and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing for the heart to be confirmed by grace, not by foods which have not profited those who occupied themselves with them.
We have an altar from which those serving the tabernacle have no authority to eat. For the animals whose blood ‘is brought into the sanctuary’ by the high priest ‘as an offering for sin,’ their bodies are burned outside the camp. For this reason Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood.
Let us therefore go forth to Him ‘outside the camp,’ bearing His reproach; for here we do not have a lasting city in here, but we seek the one which is to come. Through Him therefore ‘let us offer up a sacrifice of praise’ to God always, that is, the ‘fruit of lips’ that confess His Name. do not forget to do good and to share, for God is well pleased with such sacrifices.
Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (4:12-17)
AT THAT TIME, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth He went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulon and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulon and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles–the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Divine Liturgy Variables
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 6
When Mary stood at Thy grave, looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb; and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the word, O Thou, Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion of the Theophany of Christ – Tone 1
When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, worship of the Trinity wast made manifest; for the voice of the Father bore witness unto Thee, calling Thee, His Beloved Son. and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of His word. O Christ our God, Who hath appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee.
Apolytikion of St. Theodosios – Tone 8
The barren wilderness thou didst make fertile with the streams of thy tears; and by thy deep sighing thou hast given fruit through thy struggles a hundredfold. Accordingly, thou hast become a star for the universe, sparkling with miracles. Therefore, O righteous Father Theodosios, intercede with Christ God to save our souls.
Kontakion of the Theophany of Christ- Tone 4
Today Thou hast appeared to the universe, O Lord, and Thy light hath been shed upon us, who praise Thee with knowledge, saying, Thou hast come and appeared, O