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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Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to
the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers' lamentation, and
didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God,
granting great mercy to the world.
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Since Thou hast given us the miracles of Thy holy Martyrs as an invincible battlement, by their
entreaties, scatter the counsels of the heathen, O Christ our God, and strengthen the faith of
Orthodox Christians, since Thou alone art good and the Friend of man.
Through thee the divine likeness was securely preserved, O Mother Genevieve; for thou didst carry the
cross and followed Christ. By example and precept thou didst teach us to ignore the body because it is
perishable, and to attend to the concerns of the undying soul. Therefore, doth thy soul rejoice with the
angels.
/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.

8th Sunday of luke

St. Thomas Archbishop of Constantinople, St. Gurias of Edessa
November 15th, 2015

Todays scripture readings

Epistle reading

St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:14-22

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode.
Psalm 28.11,1
The Lord will give strength to his people.
Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.
BRETHREN, Christ is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of
hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in
himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one
body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you
who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to
the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints
and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ
Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy
temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Gospel pericope

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 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."

Announcements
Liturgical/Program Schedule:
Sun. Nov. 15th-Wed. Nov. 18th: Metropolis of Chicago Clergy/Laity Congress in Madison, WI
Fr. Mark and parish delegation in attendance.
Thurs. Nov. 19th: St. Philothei Project, 6pm
Sat. Nov. 21st: Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am
Sun. Nov. 22nd: GENERAL ASSEMBLY after Divine Liturgy (proposed 2016 Budget available in
narthex)

Sun. Nov. 22nd: Youth serving Thanksgiving Meal in MSP leave church at 2:15pm
PRAYERS FOR PARIS: in response to the horrific terror attacks in Paris, France last Friday
evening the icon of St. Genevieve of Paris (Orthodox Saint) will be displayed in the narthex for
veneration, the Saints apolytikion will also be chanted during the Orthros and Divine Liturgy.
In addition, the Our Father will be recited in French, those of you that have studied French
please pray out loud with Father.
A BIG Thank You! To the entire parish for your generosity last Sunday! We raised $555 for the
Ecumenical Patriarchs Benevolent Fund! A beautiful sign of solidarity with our Christian brethren
in Istanbul.
Holiday Bake sale: Philoptochos is now taking orders for the Annual Holy Anargyroi Bake Sale.
Share order forms with family, friends and co-workers! Please complete and submit your order
forms by November 29th, so the pastries and cookies can be prepared and made ready for delivery
on December 13th after Divine Liturgy.

HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNIONOnly Orthodox Christians (i.e. the Orthodox Church does not
practice open communion) in good standing are encouraged to receive Holy Communion frequently, provided
they have prepared themselves spiritually, mentally and physically. They must be on time for the Divine Liturgy,
and be in a Christ-like, humble state of mind. They should be in a confession relationship with their priest or
spiritual father, have observed the fasts of the Church, and they should have self-examined their conscience. On
the day of receiving Holy Communion, it is not proper to eat or drink anything before coming to church. When you
approach to receive Holy Communion, state your Christian (baptismal) name clearly, and hold the red communion
cloth to your chin. After receiving, wipe your lips on the cloth, step back carefully, hand the cloth to the next
person and make the sign of the Cross as you step away. Please do not be in a rush while communing! Please
take special care not to bump the Holy Chalice.

WINTER COAT
DRIVE
DRIVE: November 8-22
In the narthex

New/gently-used WINTER COATS,

Non-perishable FOOD in cans, boxes,

bags for GOYA to deliver to FOCUS-MN
before Thanksgiving.

Help us to help those less

fortunate. Thank you!!

Todays liturgical commemorations

1. The Holy Martyrs Gurias, Samonas and Abibus
Gurias and Samonas were prominent citizens of Edessa. During one of the persecutions of Christians, they hid
outside the city and lived in fasting and prayer, encouraging true believers who came to them for counsel. However,
they were captured and brought before the judge, who threatened them with death if they did not submit to the
imperial decree demanding idol worship. These holy martyrs of Christ answered him: ``If we submit to the imperial
decree, we will perish, even if you don't kill us.'' After cruel torture, they were thrown into prison, where they
remained from August 1 to November 10, enduring hunger, darkness and pain. They were then led out and again
tortured, but since they remained unwavering in the Christian Faith, they were condemned to death and beheaded in
the year 322, during the reign of the wicked Emperor Licinius. Later Abibus, a deacon in Edessa, suffered tortures
for Christ his Lord and gave his spirit to God while in the flames.His mother took his body, miraculously intact,
from the fire and buried it in a grave with the relics of St. Gurias and St. Samonas. When the persecution ceased,
Christians built a church in honor of the three martyrs, Gurias, Samonas and Abibus, and placed their miracleworking relics in a common reliquary. Of the numerous miracles of these wonderful saints of God, the following is
especially outstanding: A widow in Edessa had a young daughter who was to marry a Gothic soldier serving in the
Greek army. As the mother feared for her daughter's safety if she were to live far away, the Goth swore on the grave
of the holy three martyrs that he would do no evil to the maiden, but would take her as his lawful wife, as he had
already sworn that he was not already married. In reality, he did have a wife, and when he took the young maiden to
his country he kept her, not as his wife but as a slave, until his lawful wife died. He then agreed with his kinsmen to
bury his living slave with his dead wife. The girl tearfully prayed to the three holy martyrs to save her, and they
appeared to her in the grave, and took her in an instant from the land of the Goths to Edessa, to their church. The
following day when the church was opened, they found the young maiden by the tomb of the saints of God, and
learned of her miraculous deliverance.
2. The Holy Martyrs Elpidius, Marcellus and Eustochius
They suffered for Christ at the time of Julian the Apostate. Elpidius was a senator. Witnessing the torture and
miracles of Elpidius, six thousand pagans came to believe in Christ the Lord.
3. The Feast of the Icon of the Holy Theotokos of Kupyatich
This icon first appeared to a maiden named Anna in the village of Kupyatich, in the province of Minsk, in the year
1182. Tending her flock, Anna saw a light in the forest. When she approached this light she beheld a medium-size
cross on a tree, bearing the image of the Most-holy Theotokos. Anna brought this cross home, then returned to her
flock. However, to her great amazement, she saw the same cross on the tree in the same place. She took it, placed it
in her bosom and brought it home. When she tried to show her father the cross, she reached into her bosom, but the
cross was not there. She related everything to her father and went out with him, saw the cross in the forest, and took
it home. The next day, the cross was not in the house. They alerted the whole village, and all the villagers went and
beheld the cross and venerated it. The people soon built a church there, and numerous miracles were manifested by
this cross bearing the image of the Theotokos. This icon is now to be found in the Church of Holy Wisdom in Kiev.

Pearls from the Desert

"Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our
confidence in being heard must be based on God's mercy and His
love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by
mercy that we shall be saved." St. John Chrysostom

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Christmas Toy Drive

This year our parish will partner with the
Salvation Army to provide Christmas presents for
those families in need. Please bring your unwrapped gifts for either
teenagers or young children ages 0-3yrs, clothing or toys are preferred. Place gifts in
the large Christmas box located in the narthex of the church starting next Sunday, Nov.
22nd. The last of day for drop off will be Sunday. Dec. 20th. FYI, gifts will be secured in
locked office during the week in order to prevent the disappearance of some gifts.
Thank you for participating in this important drive!

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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 15 th 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.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT WHILE CONISDERING OUR 2016

STEWARDSHIP!
A rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much. For what he gives away remains
his forever. -St John Chrysostom
A little girl noticed that after the collection was taken in a certain church, the ushers brought it up
to the altar. She whispered to her mother, Mommy, how do they get the money up to heaven?
The mother replied, The church doesnt send the money to heaven, but uses it to bring heaven
down to us. That mother could not have given a better answer. For the purpose of the Church is
to get Gods heaven into each one of us. Jesus said, The Kingdom of God is within you.
When death comes, out giving will be over. For all eternity, God will be doing the giving to us.
So, the time for us to give is now. The time for us to love is now. The time for us to share what
God has given us is now.
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The Lords Prayer in French:

Notre Pre, qui es aux cieux,
Que ton nom soit sanctifi,
Que ton rgne vienne,
Que ta volont soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel.
Donne-nous aujourd'hui notre pain de ce jour.
Pardonne-nous nos offences
Comme nous pardonnons aussi ceux qui nous ont
offenss.
Et ne nous soumets pas la tentation,
mais dlivre-nous du mal.

St. John Chrysostom

On Marriage:
A certain wise man, when enumerating which blessings are the
most important included "a wife and husband who live in
harmony (Sir. 25:1). In another place he emphasized this: "A
friend or a companion never meets one amiss, but a wife with
her husband is better than both." (Sir. 40:23). From the
beginning God in His providence has planned this union of man
and woman, and has spoken of the two as one: male and female
He created them (Gen. 1:27), and there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28).
There is no relationship between human beings so close as that of husband and wife, if they are united as they
ought to be. When blessed David was mourning for Jonathan, who was of one soul with him, what comparison
did he use to describe the loftiness of their love? Your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women (II
Sam. 1:26). The power of this love is truly stronger than any passion; other desires may be strong, but this one
alone never fades. This love (eros) is deeply planted within our inmost being. Unnoticed by us, it attracts the
bodies of men and women to each other, because in the beginning woman came forth from man, and from
man and woman other men and women proceed. Can you see now how close this union is, and how God
providentially created it from a single nature? He permitted Adam to marry Eve, who was more than sister or
daughter; she was his own flesh! God caused the entire human race to proceed from this one point of origin. He
did not, on the one hand, fashion woman independently from man, otherwise man would think of her as
essentially different from himself. Nor did He enable woman to bear children without man; if this were the case
she would be self-sufficient. Instead, just as the branches of a tree proceed from a single trunk, He made the one
man Adam to be the origin of all mankind, both male and female, and made it impossible for men and women to
be self-sufficient. Later, He forbade men to marry their sisters or daughters, so that our love would not be limited
to members of our families, and withdrawn from the rest of the human race. All of this is implied in Christ's
words: He who made them from the beginning made them male and female (Matt. 19:4).
Paul has precisely described for husband and wife what is fitting behavior for each: she should reverence him as
the head and he should love her as his body. But how is this behavior achieved? That it must be is clear; now I
will tell you how. It will be achieved if we are detached from money, if we strive above everything for virtue, if
we keep the fear of God before our eyes. What Paul says to servants in the next chapter applies to us as well,
...knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same again from the Lord (Eph. 6:8). Love her
not so much for her own sake, but for Christ's sake. That is why he says, be subject...as to the Lord. Do
everything for the Lord's sake, in a spirit of obedience to Him. These words should be enough to convince us to
avoid quarrels and disagreements. No husband should believe any accusation he hears from a third party about
his wife, and vice versa; nor should a wife unreasonably monitor her huband's comings and going, provided that
he has always shown himself to be above suspicion. And what if you devote the day to your work and your
friends, and the evening to your wife; but she is still not satisfied, but is jealous for more of your time? Don't be
annoyed by her complaints; she loves you, she is not behaving absurdly--her complaints come from her fervent
affection for you, and from fear.