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
You did abolish death by Your Cross; You did open
Paradise to the thief; You transformed the myrrhbearers' lamentation, and didst bid Your Apostles to
preach that You art risen, O Christ God, granting great
mercy to the world.
,
,
,
,
.
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.
, ,
, , , ,
, .
/KONTAKION FOR TODAY

O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will
bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will
become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by
Your right hand, O Judge most just.
, , ,
, , , ,
, , , .

Judgment Sunday (meatfare)

42 Martyrs of Amorion in Phrygia, Finding the Precious Cross by St. Helen,Hesychios the Wonderworker

March 6th, 2016

*No meat consumptions this week, fish/eggs/dairy permitted*

Todays scripture readings

Epistle reading

St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2

Prokeimenon: The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.
Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we
do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any
one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his
conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed,
the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience
when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never
eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall. Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our
Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for
you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Gospel pericope

Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit
on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from
another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand,
but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave
me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and
you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous
will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And
when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you
sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one
of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from
me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave
me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me,
naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will
answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did
not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of
these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal
life."

Announcements
Liturgical/Program Schedule:
Wed. March 9th: GOYA Faith Night, 7pm
Sat. March 12th: 2nd Saturday of Souls, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am
Sun. March 13th: Cheesefare Luncheon following Divine Liturgy
Sun. March 13th: Forgiveness Vespers (Beginning of Great & Holy Lent), 6pm

Cheesefare Luncheon: please join us next Sunday 3/13/16 after Liturgy for our annual Cheesefare
Luncheon hosted by our Philoptochos Society. This also serves as a fundraiser for Hellenic
College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. We will enjoy Tyropitas, Spanakopitas,
Salad, and Dessert. Adults $10, Children $6, all proceeds to benefit HC/HC. Thank you for
supporting this event!
Forgiveness Vespers: will be celebrated next Sunday eve at 6pm. This is the actual beginning of
Lent and the Church literally transforms before our eyes from bright and joyful to dark and solemn.
At the conclusion of the service a receiving line of sorts is made and all the faithful embrace one
another asking forgiveness. What an excellent way to inaugurate the period of the Holy Fast!

Holy Week Liturgical Books: We have ordered several copies of the official Holy Week Book
endorsed by our Metropolis. This comprehensive book, compiled by Fr. Pappadeas, will be used
exclusively for all the liturgical celebrations from Palm Sunday evening through the Agapi Vespers
on Pascha. Each book is $25, and should be available soon.
HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNIONOnly Orthodox Christians (i.e. the Orthodox Church
does not observe 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.

Didactic Hymnography:
Musicology as Theologythe Triodion Hymns
Adam was banished from Paradise through disobedience and cast out from delight, beguiled by
the words of a woman. Naked he sat opposite the place, lamenting Woe is me! Therefore let us
all make haste to accept the season of the Fast and obey the traditions of the Gospel, that
through them we may become well-pleasing to Christ and once more receive Paradise as our
dwelling.
With great joy, believers, let us welcome the inspired
proclamation of the Fast, as the Ninevites did of old and as
prostitutes and tax collectors the preaching of repentance by
John. Through self-mastery let us prepare for communion of the
Masters sacred mystery in Sion. Through tears let us be
cleansed before the divine Washing of the feet there. Let us pray
to see there the fulfillment of the Pascha that was a type and
revelation of the true. Let us be made ready for the worship of
the Cross and the Rising of Christ our God, as we cry out to him,
Do not put us to shame and deprive us of our expectation, O Lover of mankind!
Of what great blessings, wretch that I am, have I deprived myself! From what a kingship in my
misery have I fallen! I have wasted the wealth that I received, I have transgressed the
commandment. Alas, unhappy soul ! You are henceforth condemned to the eternal fire.
Therefore before the end cry out to Christ our God, Receive me as the Prodigal Son, O God, and
have mercy on me.
Loving Father, I have gone far from you, but do not forsake me, nor declare me unfitted for
your Kingdom. The all-evil enemy has stripped me naked and taken all my wealth. I have
squandered like the Profligate the graces given to my soul. But now I have arisen and returned,
and I cry aloud to you, Make me as one of your hired servants, you who for my sake stretched
out your spotless hands on the Cross, to snatch me from the fearsome beast and to clothe me
once again in the first robe, for you alone art full of mercy. O Christ our God, of your own will
you accepted Crucifixion, for the common restoration of mankind. Taking the reed pen of the
Cross, out of love for mankind, in the red ink of royalty with bloody fingers you signed our
absolution. Do not forsake us, who are in danger once again of being parted from you. Take pity
on your people in distress, for you alone are longsuffering. Rise up and fight against our
enemies, as you are all- powerful.

Saturday of Souls Notes

Please have in mind the following guidelines as we begin the Saturday of Souls
commemorations: Kollyva(boiled wheat) should be brought to Church before or during the
Orthros service. Also, if you bring names for commemoration please bring kollyva to
accompany them just as you would any other memorial service you
might mark throughout the year. Please write the names of the
Orthodox departed in a clear and legible manner especially if the
names are written in Greek. If you have names of non-Orthodox
please write those names at the bottom of your list and designate
them as such. These names are commemorated separately by the
priest outside of the official liturgical service. Kollyva can be as
simple or elaborate as you choose; each family has their own tradition/recipe and creativity is
always welcome! In contrast to the Paraklesis service where I keep the names for all the separate
services, the Psychosabbaton names are only read for that particular Liturgy. If you would like
names to be commemorated at all three Psychosabbata Liturgies please bring the kollyva and
names to each service.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Pearls from the desert

It is no great thing not to judge and to be sympathetic to
someone who is in trouble and falls down before you, but it is a
great thing not to judge or to strike back when someone, on
account of his own passions, speaks against you. Likewise, it is a
great thing not to disagree when someone else is honored more
than you are.-Dorotheos of Gaza (Palestine, 6th century)

2016 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival

This year our Parish Oratorical Festival will take place during coffee hour on Sunday,
March 20th. All children are asked to participate in this event; registration forms are
available from Amy Franquiera. The categories include speech, essay, poem, and
iconography. Although all categories are welcome this year we are emphasizing
speeches. Parents and/or Catechetical Teachers can assist children with their projects.
There are several different themes for each division. Divisions include Elementary
(preschool-6th grade), Junior (7th-9th grades), and Senior (10th-12th grades).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

3rd Sunday of the Triodion: Judgment Sunday

It is a strong conviction and belief of the Church that Christ will come a second time
into the world, not to save the world, but in "glory" to judge the world. In as much
as God knew in advance the destiny of each man, why did He not prevent the nonbelievers and wrong-doers from being born and being condemned everlastingly,
someone might ask. The fate of people is wrought on this earth, because after
death, there is no opportunity for repentance in order to better one's state. Man's
finite mind cannot comprehend God's love for his salvation and judgment for his
condemnation. Yet, here is the center of the belief that there is a Supreme Judge
for those who committed iniquities and wrong-doings without punishment or
discovery while on earth. Approaching Lent and Pascha, the Christian is
admonished to correct his faults by fasting, praying and almsgiving, as recorded in
the Gospel passage of the day. The Last Judgment will be made according to the
good works of each person as a result of his faith in and worship of God. These
good works are directed to the "least", those in need, as Christ Himself says, "as
you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me", (v. 45). This
Sunday is the last day before Lent that the believer eats meat.

Todays liturgical commemorations

1. THE HOLY FORTY-TWO MARTYRS FROM AMMORIA
They were all commanders of the Byzantine Emperor Theophilus. When the Emperor Theophilus lost the battle
against the Saracens at the city of Ammoria, the Saracens captured the city, enslaved many Christians and among
them these commanders. The remaining Christians were either killed or sold into slavery. The commanders were
thrown into prison where they remained for seven years. Many times the Muslim leaders came to them. They
counseled and advised the commanders to embrace the Islamic Faith, but the commanders did not want to hear about
it. When the Saracens spoke to the commanders, saying, "Mohammed is the true prophet and not Christ," the
commanders asked them, "If there were two men debating about a field and the one said, `This field is mine,' and the
other, `It is not, it is mine,' and near by, one of them had many witnesses saying it is his field and the other had no
witnesses, but only himself, what would you say, `Whose field is it?'" The Saracens answered, "Indeed, to him who
had many witnesses!" "You have judged correctly," the commanders answered. That is the way with Christ and
Mohammed. Christ has many witnesses: the Prophets of old, from Moses to John the Forerunner, whom you also
recognize and who witness to and about Him [Christ], but Mohammed witnesses only to himself that he is a prophet
and does not have even one witness. The Saracens were ashamed and again they tried to defend their faith in this
manner: "Our faith is better than the Christian Faith as proved by this: God gave us the victory over you and gave us
the best land in the world and a kingdom much greater than Christianity." To that the commanders replied, "If it
were so, then the idolatry of the Egyptians, Babylonians, Hellenes, Romans, and the fire-worship of the Persians
would be the true faith for, at one time, all of these people conquered the others and ruled over them. It is evident
that your victory, power and wealth do not prove the truth of your faith. We know that God, at times, gives victory
to Christians and, at other times, allows torture and suffering so as to correct them and to bring them to repentance
and purification of their sins." After seven years, they were beheaded in the year 845 A.D. Their bodies were then
thrown into the Euphrates river, but they floated to the other side of the shore where they were gathered and
honorably buried by Christians.
2. THE BLESSED JOB
Job was born in Moscow in the year 1635 A.D. Church singing and liturgical services drew him to the Church. He
became the spiritual father to Emperor Peter the Great but, because of intrigue, he withdrew into the Slovecki
Monastery, where he underwent a difficult life of asceticism. In the year 1720 A.D., in his eighty fifth year, he died
in the Lord. Before his death he cried out, "Blessed is the God of our Fathers and as He is thus, I am not afraid but,
with joy, I leave this world."
3. THE HOLY MARTYRS CONON THE FATHER AND CONON THE SON
When the father was already an old man, the son was a youngster of seventeen years. During the reign of
Domentian, they were sawed in half for their faith in Christ and were glorified and honored in the Church on earth
and in heaven. They honorably suffered in the year 275 A.D.