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Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church
A parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver
Receiving Holy Communion: Only those confessing the Orthodox Christian Faith, having prepared themselves through
prayer, fasting, works of mercy and forgiveness, and confession may approach the chalice for Holy Communion.
The Orthodox Church is not in sacramental communion with any other group outside the Orthodox Christian Faith.
+ PLEASE TURN OFF OR MUTE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES (CELL PHONES, PAGERS) WHILE IN CHURCH. +
FEBRUARY 1, 2015
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF ST LUKE
SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND THE PHARISEE
Saints and Feasts: Forefeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple; Trypho the Martyr;
Perpetua and her Companions; Timothy the Confessor; Bridget of Ireland;
Our Holy Father Basil, Archbishop of Thessolonica; Anastasios the New Martyr of Navplion
First Tone : : First Orthros Gospel
Apostle: St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 8:28-39
Brethren: we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called
according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the
image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he
predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he
also glorified.
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son
but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge
against God’s elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who
was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall
separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are
regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him
who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Holy Gospel: St. Luke 18:10-14
The Lord said this parable: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a
Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus
with himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners,
unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give
tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even
lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me
a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the
other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Resurrection Hymn (First Tone)
When the stone was sealed by the Jews and the soldiers were guarding Thine immaculate body,
Thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life unto the world. For which cause the powers
of heaven cried out to Thee, O Lifegiver: Glory to Thy resurrection, O Christ. Glory to Thy Kingdom.
Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Friend of man.
Hymn for the Forefeast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple (First Tone)
The Heavens’ choir looked down from the vaults of the Heavens, and gazing on the earth, they beheld
with amazement the Firstborn of all creation brought forth as a suckling babe to the Temple by a pure
and virginal mother; and with us, they now do sing a hymn for the Forefeast, astonished and full of
awe.
Hymn for Holy Martyr Trypho (Fourth Tone)
Thy martyr, O Lord, in his courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crown of
incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since he possessed Thy strength, he cast down
the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons’ strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by his prayers,
save our souls, since Thouart merciful.
Hymn for the Transfiguration (Grave Tone)
Metemorfothis en to ori, Christe o Theos, dixas tis
mathites Sou tin doxan Sou, kathos idynando.
Lampson ke imin tis amartolis to fos Sou to aidion,
presvies tis Theotokou Fotodota doxa Si.
You were transfigured upon the mountain O
Christ our God, showing to Your disciples Your
glory as much as they could bear. Do also in us,
sinners though we be, shine Your everlasting
Light. At the intercessions of the Theotokos, O
Giver of Light, glory to You.
Kontakion for the Forefeast of the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple (Fourth Tone)
On this day doth Symeon receive with gladness God, the Giver of the Law; and he doth cry to Him in
fear: Let me depart now, O Master Christ, for I have seen Thee, the Glory of Israel.
We welcome our guests and invite you to join us for a time of fellowship and refreshment downstairs
in the parish hall after the Liturgy. Today’s fellowship is hosted by Philoptochos. A soup luncheon is
being served, at which an offering will be received for the benefit of International Orthodox
Christian Charities. Next week’s hosts: Marandici family, in memory of Nicolae’s mother Valentina.
Father Sava and Presvytera Mary Leida are grateful for the greetings and gifts that Father received
on his name’s day last Tuesday, and for everyone who visited our home on that day. We love you and
we thank God for you always! Glory to God for everything.
Parish Council will meet next Sunday after the fellowship hour. If council members have items for the
agenda, please communicate them to Council President Kosta Theodosopoulos.
Our Parish Council officers for 2015:
Kosta Theodosopoulos, President ([email protected] 605-690-0844)
David Nissen, Vice-President ([email protected] 605-371-1522)
Caitilin Kane, Treasurer ([email protected] 605-428-4119)
Susi Schuchard, Secretary and Bookkeeper ([email protected] 605-886-8008)
THIS WEEK AT TRANSFIGURATION CHURCH
— There is no fasting of any kind this week. —
Today Great Vespers at 5 p.m.
Monday The Meeting of the Lord in the Temple (Feast of the Presentation)
Orthros at 8 a.m. : : Liturgy at 9 a.m. : : Blessing of candles
Wednesday Akathist to Saint Photios the Great at 6:30 p.m., followed by Catechism Class
Saturday Great Vespers at 5 p.m. : : Confessions following, or by appointment.
Sunday 17th Sunday of St. Luke (of the Prodigal Son)
Orthros and Liturgy at 9/10 a.m. : : Sunday School : : Parish Council
Transfiguration
Greek Orthodox Church
1936 S. Summit Avenue
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57105
LOOKING AHEAD
February 11-13 Metropolis of Denver Clergy Retreat
February 14 Saturday of Souls
Aπόκριες (Mardi Gras) Family Fun Night
February 21 Saturday of Souls
February 15 Judgment Sunday (Meatfare) : : Parish Assembly
February 22 Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare)
February 23 Great Lent begins
55 Maxims for Christian Living
by Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko
#50. Be merciful with yourself and others.
THE FEAST OF THE MEETING OF THE LORD IN THE TEMPLE
When the most pure Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary’s forty days of purification had been
fulfilled, she took her first-born Son to Jerusalem on this, the fortieth day after His birth,
that she might present Him in the temple according to the Law of Moses, which teaches
that every first-born male child be dedicated to God, and also that she might offer the
sacrifice of a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons, as required by the Law (Luke 2:2224; Exod. 13:2; Lev. 12:6-8). On this same day, a just and devout man, the greatly aged
Symeon, was also present in the temple, being guided by the Holy Spirit. For a long time,
this man had been awaiting the salvation of God, and he had been informed by divine
revelation that he would not die until he beheld the Lord’s Christ. Thus, when he beheld Him at that time
and took Him up into his aged arms, he gave glory to God, singing: “Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in
peace, O Master. . .” And he confessed that he would close his eyes joyfully, since he had seen the Light of
revelation for the nations and the Glory of Israel (Luke 2:25-32). From ancient times, the Holy Church has
retained this tradition of the churching of the mother and new-born child on the fortieth day and of the
reading of prayers of purification.
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Most Reverend Metropolitan Archbishop Isaiah of Denver, Hierarch
Reverend Presbyter Sava Leida, Pastor
Reverend Protopresbyter Angelo Pappas, Pastor Emeritus
Reverend Archpresbyter Dennis Heifner, Retired
www.transfigurationgoc.org
[email protected]
(605) 334-5301 (church office)
(605) 321-0582 (Fr. Sava)
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SUNDAY OF THE PUBLICAN AND PHARISEE : : FEBRUARY 1, 2015