SS.

kosmas & damianos Orthodox Church (goa)

703 W. Center Street, Rochester, MN (507) 282-1529 http://www.rochesterorthodoxchurch.org

office@rochesterorthodoxchurch.org Rev. Fr. Mark Muoz, Proistamenos

/APOLYTIKIA FOR TODAY

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The heavenly powers appeared at Your tomb, and those
guarding it became like dead. Mary stood at Your grave
seeking Your pure body. You stripped the power of Hades, not
touched by its corruption. You met the virgin woman as one
who grants life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to You.
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O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, intercede to our merciful God, that He may
grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
/KONTAKION FOR TODAY

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Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the
sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine
Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.
St Matthew the apostle and evangelist
November 16th, 2014

**NATIVITY FAST**

Todays scripture readings

Epistle reading

St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 10:11-21; 11:1-2

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.
Psalm 18.4,1
Their voice has gone out into all the earth.
Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God.
BRETHREN, the scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." For there is no
distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call
upon him. For, "everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." But how are men to call
upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never
heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As
it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!" But they have not all obeyed
the gospel; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from
what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed
they have; for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world." Again I
ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, "I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;
with a foolish nation I will make you angry." Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, "I have been found by those
who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me." But of Israel he says, "All
day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people." I ask, then, has God rejected his
people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of
Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.
Gospel pericope

Matthew 9:9-13
At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax
office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. And as he sat at table in
the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his
disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher
eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no
need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and
not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Announcements
Liturgical/Program Schedule:
TODAY: Stewardship Kickoff Luncheon today after Liturgy!
Mon. Nov. 17th: Adult Choir Practice for Christmas Concert, 7pm
Wed. Nov. 19th: Building Committee, 5pm
Wed. Nov. 19th: Parish Council Meeting, 6:30pm
Thurs. Nov. 20th: JOY Faith Night, 5:30pm
Thurs. Nov. 20th: St. Philothei Project sponsored by GOYA, 6pm
Fri. Nov. 21st: Entrance of the Holy Theotokos into the Temple, Orthros/Liturgy 8:30am
Are you able to lend a helping hand?: Our parish has a Priest Discretionary Fund which Father uses
to help those individuals that come to him with legitimate needs both from within and outside the parish
family. Cash is rarely, if ever, distributed; rather gift cards to local grocery stores, gas stations, and retail
stores are procured based on the circumstances and the individual need. We rely on private donations
from parishioners to keep this account flush with funds. The Holiday Season is the only time of the year
where a general plea for this cause is made. Please consider making a donation with checks payable to
Holy Anargyroi with Discretionary Fund in the memo. THANK YOU in advance!
Blanket Sale for Philoxenia House: On Sunday, Nov 23rd, at coffee hour following the Divine Liturgy,
there will be childrens blankets made by the Metropolis Philoptochos Quilt A Thon for sale. The blankets
come in different prices ranges from $10 to $25 and all proceeds will go towards the operational cost of
the Philoxenia House. It is a great way to purchase gifts for the children in your life and benefit the
House. If you have any questions; please see Anna Ryabova.
Thank you for your generosity to Father Neophytos: your donations from a second tray passing for a
Priest in need, Father Neophytos Kongai of Kenya, totaled $505. Thank you very much for your
generosity.
IOCC Hygiene Kits Donation: Thank you to all parishioners who contributed to the IOCC hygiene kits.
We collected 45 kits for displaced people in the Middle East in addition to a $100 monetary gift to IOCC.
We also donated, through your donations and contributions from Dr Nick Psimos, toothpastes and
toothbrushes, to the Dorothy Day House. Thank you!
Canned Food Drive Nov. 2nd- Nov. 23rd: Please join our GOYA as we strive to provide for the needy
during this upcoming Holiday Season! All non-perishable canned foods are welcome in our narthex bins
from 11/2-11/23. We will deliver the donations when we travel to the Cities to help serve the
Thanksgiving meal at a local Shelter.
Holiday Bake sale: Philoptochos is now taking orders for the Annual Holy Anargyroi Bake Sale. Please
complete and submit your order forms by November 30th, so the pastries and cookies can be prepared
and made ready for delivery on December 14th after Divine Liturgy.

Todays Commemorations:
The Holy Apostle Matthew the Evangelist: Matthew, son of Alphaeus, was a tax collector when the Lord
saw him in Capernaum and said: Follow Me. And he arose, and followed Him (Matthew 9:9). After that, Matthew
prepared a reception for the Lord in his home and thus provided the occasion for the Lord to express several great
truths about His coming to earth. After receiving the Holy Spirit, Matthew preached the Gospel to the Parthians,
Medes and Ethiopians. In Ethiopia he appointed his follower Plato as bishop, and withdrew to prayerful solitude on
a mountain, where the Lord appeared to him. Matthew baptized the wife and the son of the prince of Ethiopia, at
which the prince became greatly enraged and dispatched a guard to bring Matthew to him for trial. The soldiers
returned to the prince saying that they had heard Matthew's voice, but could not see him with their eyes. The prince
then sent a second guard. When this guard approached the apostle, he shone with a heavenly light so powerful that
the soldiers could not look at him; filled with fear, they threw down their weapons and returned. The prince then
went himself. Matthew radiated such light that the prince was instantly blinded. However, the holy apostle had a
compassionate heart; he prayed to God, and the prince was given back his sight. Unfortunately, he saw only with
physical eyes and not spiritual eyes. He arrested Matthew and subjected him to cruel tortures. Twice, a large fire was
lighted on his chest, but the power of God preserved him alive and unharmed. Then the apostle prayed to God and
gave up his spirit. The prince commanded that the martyr's body be placed in a lead coffin and thrown into the sea.
The saint appeared to Bishop Plato and told him where the coffin bearing his body could be found. The bishop
retrieved the coffin with Matthew's body from the sea. Witnessing this new miracle, the prince was baptized and
received the name Matthew. After that, the prince left all the vanity of the world and became a presbyter and served
the Church in a God-pleasing way. When Plato died, the Apostle Matthew appeared to the presbyter Matthew and
counseled him to accept the episcopacy. He accepted the bishopric and, for many years, was a good shepherd until
the Lord called him to His Immortal Kingdom. St. Matthew the Apostle wrote his Gospel in the Aramaic language.
It was soon after translated into Greek and the Greek text has come down to us, while the Aramaic text has been
lost.

Guidelines for the Nativity Fast

We are well aware that our Holy Church provides the faithful with a
period of spiritual preparation in anticipation of the Lords Holy
Nativity. This period begins on November 15th every year with the
commencement of the Nativity Fast. As this fast is a modified one I thought it helpful to remind
us all exactly what is prescribed:
From Nov. 15th-Dec. 12th (St. Spyridon) the following is observed:
Fish/wine/oil are allowed every day except Wednesdays and Fridays which are observed as strict
fast days (no meat, fish, dairy, wine, oil).
From Dec. 12th-Dec. 25th the following is observed:
A strict fast is observed every day except Saturdays and Sundays.