Sunday, October 22, 2023

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Averkios the wonderworker, equal-to-the-apostles and bishop of Hierapolis;

   The Seven Holy Youths (“Seven Sleepers”) martyred in Ephesus; Bishop Eulalios 

OCTOBER is YOUTH MONTH!

The youth will be ushering and reading the Epistle throughout the month.

Thought for Today“When you hear someone being accused, even though it may be true, never add more accusations, but always say something positive and be sorry for the person.” -St. George Karslides- 

VARIABLE for CHOIR and PARISH

Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 3

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm. He hath trampled down death by death, and become the first-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.

Apolytikion of St. Averkios – Tone 4

Thy works of justice did reveal thee to thy community as a canon of faith, the likeness of humility and teacher of abstinence, O Father Bishop Averkios. Wherefore, by humility thou hast achieved exaltation, and by thy meekness wealth. Intercede, therefore, with Christ God to save our souls.

Apolytikion of the Seven Ephesian Youth – Tone 4

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee * received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. * For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants * and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. * O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Ordinary Kontakion – Tone 2

O undisputed intercessor of Christians, the Mediatrix, who is unrejected by the Creator. Turn not away from the voice of our petitions, though we be sinners. Come to us with aid in time, who cry unto thee in faith, for thou art good. Hasten to us with intercessions, O Theotokos, who dost ever intercede for those who honor thee.

EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS

The Epistle 

Sing praises to our God, sing praises. Clap your hands, all ye peoples.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (1:11-19)

Brethren, I would have you know that the Gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people; so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when He Who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other Apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 

The Gospel 

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (8:26-39)

At that time, Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.  And as He stepped out on land, there met Him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes, and he lived not in a house but among the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What hast Thou to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beseech Thee, do not torment me.”  For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.  [For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.]  Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?”  And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him.  And they begged Jesus not to command them to depart into the abyss.  Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged Jesus to let them enter these.  So He gave them leave.  Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.  When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country.  Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.  And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed.  Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked Jesus to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so He got into the boat and returned.  The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with Jesus; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare all that God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city all that Jesus had done for him.

Receiving the Eucharist: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.

Festival on Fairfax For all Fall Festival feedback please email Dan Rigsby, the Fall Festival coordinator, at daniel_rigsby@yahoo.com.

THIS WEEK

Today, SundayParish Council will meet during coffee hour.

Monday, October 236th Hour Prayers at 12:00pm.

Tuesday, October 24: Divine Liturgy at 9:00am.

Wednesday, October 256th Hour Prayers at 12:00 noon; Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm (followed by Orthodoxy 101).

Thursday, October 26Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.

FridayOctober 27: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.

Saturday, October 28: Bible Study at the Webb’s home, 9:00 am; Great Vespers at 5:00 pm (followed by Ask Abouna); Jr. SOYO at 3:30 pm; SOYO at 5:00 pm.

Sunday, October 29Matins at9:00 amDivine Liturgy at 10:00 am.  

FAMILY NEWS 

Names Day Celebration: James Finchum, Ezekiel Crandall, James the brother of the Lord (23rd); Dee Haney, Tabitha (25th); Marvin Piercefield Demetrios (26th); Dmitry Kozak, Dmitry of Rostov (28th).

Birthday CelebrationStephen Kozak (23rd); Ezekiel Crandall (27th); Abigail Joy Cowan (28th).

Anniversary CelebrationDon and Dee Haney (23rd); Tyson and Paulina Schulz (23rd); Luke and Rachel Barber (24th).

Memory Eternal: Johnny Sue, Edna, Louis, Carolyn, Timothy (Galegi), Doris. Pat.

Prayer ListMichael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Toni;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the war of Ukraine; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; Earthquake victims and relief efforts in Syria and Turkey; schools: school children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mat. Raisa; Mary Ann; Emma (Mary Ann’s granddaughter); Bob & Bonnie Thelen;  Wes (infant with brittle bone disorder); Wes’s grandfather; Megan (lymphoma); Mark (CHF) and (caregiver) Barbara;Josiah; Vicki;Vicki’s granddaughter; Steve Crandall; Fr. Athanasius; Jack; Christopher; Fr. Jerome; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia; Marvin; Alice; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Dusty; Cari; Betsy; Josh; Allison; Andrew (Texas/military); Isaac (Germany/military); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Lexi, Ross and Vivian; Theo; Doug; Jeremy; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; Megan; John; Stanley; Macrina; Emilia and infant daughter; Amanda with child; Anne; Allen; Linda; Marilyn; Mary Barger; Allison and children; Nino with child, Kip, Taylor with child, Erica with child.

Coffee Hour Host: Nina Rogers with Parishioners H-R.

Next week Host: Rhonda Webb with Parishioners S-Z.

Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S mail.  Many thanks to all who continue supporting All Saint

Giving Opportunities:

Mission Donations: We send monthly support to two missionary units in Albania, the Hoppe family and Hannah Valentine. We welcome and encourage you to contribute to their ongoing support. 

Benevolence FundDonations may be made to this fund throughout the year, and are mainly used to support families in need of help with rent and utilities payments.

In-House Food Pantry: Non-perishable food items are always welcome! The Food Pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the greater Bloomington community. Thank you for your continued support.