SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE SEVEN ECUMENICAL COUNCILS

On the Sunday that falls between July 13 and 19 we chant the Service to the Holy and God-bearing Fathers who came together in the Seven Ecumenical Councils.

The First Council of 318 Fathers assembled in Nicaea in 325 to condemn Arius who denied that the Son of God is consubstantial with the Father. The Fathers of the First Council also ordained that the whole Church should celebrate Pascha according to the same reckoning.

The Second Council of 150 Fathers who assembled in Constantinople in 381 condemned Macedonius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who denied the Divinity of the Holy Spirit.

The Third Council of 200 Fathers assembled in Ephesus in 431 to condemn Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople, who called Christ a mere man and not God incarnate.

The Fourth Council of 630 Fathers who assembled in Chalcedon in 451 condemned Eutyches who taught that there was only one nature, the divine, in Christ after the Incarnation, and Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who illegally received Eutyches back into communion and deposed Saint Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had excommunicated Eutyches.

At the Fifth Council in 535, the 165 Fathers assembled in Constantinople for the second time to condemn Origen and Theodore of Mopsuestia, the teacher of Nestorius.

At the Sixth Council in 680, the 170 Fathers assembled in Constantinople for the third time, and condemned the Monothelite heresy, which taught that there is in Christ but one will, the divine.

At the Seventh Council in 787, the 350 Fathers who assembled in Nicaea for the second time condemned Iconoclasm.

Holy Transfiguration Monastery

 

SAINT BARBARA GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

We are a Greek (Eastern) Orthodox parish, part of the oldest Christian tradition,

dating to 33 A.D., the Day of Pentecost. We trace our roots back to the Apostles and their teachings.

We hold fast to the moral, theological and liturgical traditions of the Early Christian Church.

We are pleased that you have chosen to experience the worship of Early Christianity in a modern setting.

SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS Κυριακή τῶν Ἀγίων Πατέρων

14 July (14 Ιουλίου) 2013 

First Ecumenical Council

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH

TO OUR SAINT BARBARA VISITORS GUIDELINES FOR RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION

Thank you for visiting Saint Barbara Church. We pray your time at worship is encouraging and uplifting. The Orthodox Church has always held the Eucharist as the culmination of our spiritual relationship with Christ. Because of this, if you are not a baptized Orthodox Christian or have not been received by the Church by means of Holy Chrismation, we ask that you observe during communion this morning.

Please feel free to come up at the end of the service and receive some blessed bread from the priest. While this is not considered the Eucharist, it is our way of assuring no one leaves church 'hungry'. Should you desire to learn more about the Orthodox Church, please call the Church office to arrange an appointment with Father Stavroforos.

Note: The Communion Hymn is on page 97 in the Divine Liturgy Hymnal.

CHRISMATION NAMES & NAME DAYS

In Orthodox countries, at Baptism (or Chrismation, if an adult) you are given a Christian Saint’s name. This is the name you give to the priest when receiving communion. The name is a Christian Saint’s name, because God recognizes their names. Each Saint is celebrated on a particular day, the Saint’s Name Day. When you receive your name, your Saint’s Name Day becomes your Name Day. In lieu of birthdays, especially after the age of twelve, Orthodox Christians celebrate their Name Day.

For those celebrating a Name Day this week we wish you Chronia Polla “Many years”

Icons above: Sts. Aquila, Pricilla & Paul, the Manufacturer of Tents, Luisa Pezzaniti, Glikophilousa Workshop, Small Hermitage of Oaks, Santa Maria di Crocuses, Calabria, Italy; St. Joseph by Godong

St. Nicodemus: http://www.christopherklitou.com/icon_14_july_nicodemus_of_athos.htm

ON SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2013, WE COMMEMORATE:

St. Aquila the Apostle among the 70 (left)

Our Holy Father Joseph the Confessor, Archbishop of Thessalonica (right)

St. Nicodemus the Righteous of Mount Athos (left)

St. Justus the Martyr

Apolytikion for the Sunday of the Holy Fathers You are greatly glorified, O Christ our God, who established our Fathers as luminaries upon the earth, and through them led us all to the true Faith. O Most compassionate, glory to You. . - © Narthex Press

Ὑπερδεδοξασμένος εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ φωστῆρας ἐπὶ γῆς τοὺς Πατέρας ἡμῶν θεμελιώσας, καὶ διʹ αὐτῶν πρὸς τὴν 

ἀληθινὴν πίστιν, πάντας ἡμᾶς ὁδηγήσας· πολυεύσπλαγχνε, δόξα σοι. 

SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS

A Note about the Hymns of the Day

Because the beautiful hymns in today’s Divine Liturgy, the Apolytikion and Kontakion of the day and Troparion of the Church, are frequently sung in Greek, we include them in English for your understanding. They are sung as the priest returns to the Sanctuary at the Conclusion of the Small Entrance.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Second Tone

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation to the creator most constant: Do not despise the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O good one, to come to our aid, who in faith cry to You. Hasten to intercede and speed to make supplication, O You who ever protects, O Theotokos, those that honor You. - © Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Tone of the week: Tone Two (Ηχος βʹ) Third Eothinon

Divine Liturgy Hymnal Pages 81—82 ((When You Descended)

Apolytikion for St. Barbara

"Let us honor the Holy Martyr Barbara, for as a bird she es-caped the snares of the enemy, and destroyed them through the help and defense of the Cross." - Antiochian Archdiocese & OCA

Βαρβάραν τὴν Ἁγίαν τιμήσωμεν, ἐχθροῦ γὰρ τὰς παγίδας συνέτριψε,  καὶ  ὡς  στρουθίον  ἐρρύσθη  ἐξ  αὐτῶν, βοηθεία καὶ ὅπλω τοῦ Σταυροῦ ἡ Πάνσεμνος. 

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Second Tone

When You descended to death, O Immortal Life, then, the light of Your divinity de-stroyed Hades. When You raised the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers cried out, "Glory to You our Christ, the Giver of Life." - © Narthex Press

Ὅτε  κατῆλθες  πρὸς  τὸν  θάνατον,  ἡ  Ζωὴ  ἡ  ἀθάνατος,  τότε  τὸν  ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας  τῇ  ἀστραπῇ  τῆς  Θεότητος,  ὅτε  δὲ  καὶ  τοὺς  τεθνεῶτας  ἐκ  τῶν καταχθονίων  ἀνέστησας,  πᾶσαι  αἱ  Δυνάμεις  τῶν  ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον·Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι. ‐ © Greek Standard Text 

St. Barbara, 14th c., Russian, Tver Style, Tver, Russia

http://www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/�mailto:fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com�

 

EPISTLE READING

The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15

Prokeimenon Mode Plagal 2 Psalm 31:11, 1

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous. Verse: Blessed are they whose transgressions have been forgiven.

TITUS, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealo-gies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the law-yer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Πρὸς Τίτον 3:8‐15  

Προκείμενον Ἦχος πλ β΄ ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 31:11, 1 

Εὐφράνθητι ἐπὶ Κύριον, καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι. Στίχ. Μακάριοι, ὧν ἀφέθησαν αἱ ἀνομίαι. 

 

Πιστὸς  ὁ  λόγος,  καὶ  περὶ  τούτων  βούλομαί  σε  διαβεβαιοῦσθαι,  ἵνα φροντίζωσιν  καλῶν  ἔργων  προΐστασθαι  οἱ  πεπιστευκότες  θεῷ.  ταῦτά ἐστιν  καλὰ  καὶ  ὠφέλιμα  τοῖς  ἀνθρώποις  ·  μωρὰς  δὲ  ζητήσεις  καὶ γενεαλογίας  καὶ  ἔριν  καὶ  μάχας  νομικὰς  περιΐστασο,  εἰσὶν  γὰρ ἀνωφελεῖς  καὶ  μάταιοι.  αιῥετικὸν  ἄνθρωπον  μετὰ  μίαν  καὶ  δευτέραν νουθεσίαν  παραιτοῦ,  εἰδὼς  ὅτι  ἐξέστραπται  ὁ  τοιοῦτος  καὶ  ἁμαρτάνει, ὢν  αὐτοκατάκριτος.  Ὅταν  πέμψω  Ἀρτεμᾶν  πρὸς  σὲ  ἢ  Τυχικόν, σπούδασον  ἐλθεῖν  πρός  με  εἰς  Νικόπολιν,  ἐκεῖ  γὰρ  κέκρικα παραχειμάσαι. Ζηνᾶν τὸν νομικὸν καὶ Ἀπολλῶν σπουδαίως πρόπεμψον, ἵνα μηδὲν αὐτοῖς λείπῃ. μανθανέτωσαν δὲ καὶ οἱ ἡμέτεροι καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι  εἰς  τὰς  ἀναγκαίας  χρείας,  ἵνα  μὴ  ὦσιν  ἄκαρποι. Ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ μετ  ᾽ἐμοῦ πάντες. Ἄσπασαι τοὺς φιλοῦντας ἡμᾶς ἐν πίστει. ἡ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν. 

St. Titus, Bishop of Crete, Basilica of St. Titus, Gortys, Crete, Greece

  

GOSPEL READING

The Reading is from the Gospel of Matthew 5:14-19

SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FATHERS

The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 5:14‐19  

Εἶπεν ὁ Κὐριος τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ μαθηταῖς· ῾Υμεῖς ἐστε τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου. οὐ δύναται  πόλις  κρυβῆναι  ἐπάνω  ὄρους  κειμένη·οὐδὲ  καίουσι  λύχνον  καὶ τιθέασι  αὐτὸν  ὑπὸ  τὸν  μόδιον,  ἀλλ᾿  ἐπὶ  τὴν  λυχνίαν,  καὶ  λάμπει  πᾶσι τοῖς ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ.οὕτω λαμψάτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὅπως ἴδωσιν ὑμῶν τὰ καλὰ ἔργα καὶ δοξάσωσι τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν τὸν ἐν τοῖς  οὐρανοῖς.  Μὴ  νομίσητε  ὅτι  ἦλθον  καταλῦσαι  τὸν  νόμον  ἢ  τοὺς προφήτας·  οὐκ ἦλθον καταλῦσαι, ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι.ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ, ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κεραία οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου ἕως ἂν πάντα γένηται.ὃς ἐὰν οὖν λύσῃ μίαν τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων  τῶν  ἐλαχίστων  καὶ  διδάξῃ  οὕτω  τοὺς  ἀνθρώπους,  ἐλάχιστος κληθήσεται  ἐν  τῇ  βασιλείᾳ  τῶν  οὐρανῶν·  ὃς  δ᾿  ἂν  ποιήσῃ  καὶ  διδάξῃ, οὗτος μέγας κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν. 

"You are the light of the world…”

Christ and the Church Fathers

ANONYMOUS Glory to you, O God Glory to you, O God Glory to you, O God

Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let Your Sacred Body be unto me for eternal life and Your Precious Blood for forgiveness of sins. Let this Eucharist be unto me for joy, health, and gladness. And in Your awesome Second Coming make me, a sinner, worthy to stand at the right hand of Your Glory; through the intercession of Your Pure Mother, and of all Your Saints. Amen.

PRAYER OF SAINT BASIL I thank You, Christ and Master our God, King of the ages and Creator of all things, for all the good gifts You have given me, and especially for the participation in Your pure and life-giving mysteries. I pray You, therefore, good and loving Lord, keep me under Your protection and under the shadow of Your wings. Grant that to my last breath I may with a pure conscience partake worthily of Your gifts for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life. For You are the Bread of Life, the Source of Holiness, the Giver of All Good Things, and to You we give glory, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

THANKSGIVING PRAYERS FOLLOWING HOLY COMMUNION

I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body, and that this is truly Your Precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And make me worthy without condemnation to partake of Your Pure Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Amen.

How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your Saints? If I dare to enter into the Bridal Chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being bound up, I shall be cast out by the Angels. In Your love, Lord, cleanse my soul and save me.

Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these Holy Gifts be to my condem-nation because of my unworthiness, but for the cleansing and sanctification of soul and body, and the pledge of the future life and kingdom. It is good for me to cling to God, and to place in Him the hope of my salvation.

Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your Mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your Mystery to Your adversaries. Nor will I give You a kiss, as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to You, “Lord, remember me in Your Kingdom.”

COMMUNION PRAYER OF SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

As a means of preparation for communion, please read the “Communion Prayer of St. John Chrysostom” prior to approaching the chalice. After returning to your seat, it is appropriate to read the “Thanksgiving Prayers Following Holy Communion.”

St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

The Very Reverend Archimandrite Father D. Stavroforos Mamaies

Mobile Phone: 919-491-2565

8306 NC Highway 751 Durham, NC 27713

(919) 484-1600

www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/

Father Stavroforos is available by appointment:

Please e-mail Father at fatherstavroforos2012@gmail.com to schedule your appointment.

ANONYMOUS I thank You, Lord, my God, that You have not rejected me, a sinner, but have made me worthy to partake of Your holy Mysteries. I thank You that You have permitted me, although I am unworthy, to receive Your pure and heav-enly gifts. O loving Master, who died and rose for our sake, and granted to us these awesome and life-giving Mysteries for the wellbeing and sanctification of our souls and bodies, let these gifts be for healing of my own soul and body, the averting of every evil, the illumination of the eyes of my heart, the peace of my spiritual powers, a faith unashamed, a love unfeigned, the fulfilling of wis-dom, the observing of Your commandments, the receiving of Your divine grace, and the inheritance of Your kingdom. Preserved by them in Your Holi-ness, may I always be mindful of Your grace and no longer live for myself, but for You, our Master and Benefactor. May I pass from this life in the hope of eternal life, and attain to the everlasting rest, where the voices of Your saints who feast are unceasing, and their joy, beholding the ineffable beauty of Your countenance, is unending. For You, Christ our God, are the true joy and the inexpressible gladness of those who love You, and all creation praises You forever. Amen.

PRAYER OF SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM I thank You, loving Master, benefactor of my soul, that on this day You have made me worthy once again of Your heavenly and immortal mysteries. Direct my ways on the right path, establish me firmly in Your fear, guard my life, and make my endeavors safe, through the prayers and supplications of the glorious Theotokos and ever virgin Mary and of all Your Saints. Amen.

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