Sept. 19 The Holy Martyrs Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedont

The holy martyrs Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedont suffered for Christ during the reign of the Roman emperor Probus (276-282). A pagan festival was being celebrated in the city of Antioch. The Christians Trophimus and Sabbatius arrived in the city just as the festival was taking place, and were saddened by this loud and indecent spectacle. They prayed that the Lord would guide the errant on the way of salvation. When they were told to renounce Christ, they resolutely refused to do so. St. Sabbatius died under the fierce torment. St. Trophimus was sent to the city of Synnada in Phrygia for even more terrible tortures. The senator Dorymedont, a secret Christian, visited St. Trophimus in prison to wash and bind his wounds. They were beheaded with the sword. 

 

Troparion

God is praised in the Holy Trinity, and He praises the three martyrs, Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedont. By their faith, they conquered the enemy. Through their prayers, have mercy on us, O Christ our God.

 

Kontakion

The Church honors and glorifies your light-bearing passion as a foundation of martyrs and confirmation of piety. O ever-hymned blessed passion-bearer, divinely wise and glorious Trophimus, and those who suffered with you, implore cleansing for those who profess you, for you are invincible. 

 

Epistle

Galatians 4:28 – 5:10

    Brothers and sisters: You are children of the promise, as Isaac was. But just as in those days the son born in nature’s course persecuted the one whose birth was in the realm of the spirit, so do we find it now. What does Scripture say on the point? “Cast out slave girl and son together; for the slave girl’s son shall never be heir on equal terns with the son” of the one born free. 

    Therefore, my brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave girl but of a mother who is free.

    It was for liberty that Christ freed us. So stand firm, and so not take on yourselves the yoke of slavery a second time! Pay close attention to me, Paul, when I tell you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no use to you! I point out once more to all who receive circumcision that they are bound to the law in its entirety. Any of you who seek your justification in the law have severed yourselves from Christ and fallen from God’s favor! It is in the spirit that we eagerly await the justification we hope for, and only faith can yield it. In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor the lack of it counts for anything; only faith, which expresses itself through love. 

You were progressing so very well; who diverted you from the path of truth? Such enticement does not come from him who calls you. “A little yeast can affect the entire dough.” I trust that, in the Lord, you will not adopt a different view. May condemnation fall on whoever it is that is unsettling you.

 

Gospel

Luke 3: 19-22

    At that time, Herod the tetrarch was censured by John on the subject of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all his other crimes. He added to his guilt by shutting John up in prison.

    When all the people were baptized, and Jesus was at prayer after likewise being baptized, the skies opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the visible form like a dove. A voice from heaven was heard to say: “You are my beloved Son. On you my favor rests.”

 

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Sept. 18 Our Venerable Father Eumenius the Wonder-worker, Bishop of Gortyna

Our venerable father Eumenius the Wonder-worker was bishop of Gortyna in Crete in the 7th century. He gave himself with his whole heart to Christ from his youth. He gave all he owned to the poor, and kept a very strict ascetic life of fasting and vigils. Seeing his virtue, the people of Gortyna chose him to be their bishop. He was father to the poor, consolation to the sad, healer to the sick, and a shepherd to his flock. He traveled to visit the desert fathers in the Thebaid, where he died. 

 

Troparion

You enriched your life with fasting, O father Eumenius. You loved the poor and gave them all you had. You were brighter than the sun in virtue, cheering the sad and comforting the mourners. By virtue of these riches and through your prayers, now beg Christ to forgive our sins. 

 

Kontakion

Illumined by the Divine Light, O all-blessed Eumenius, enlighten us who sing of your honorable and glorious and holy death with love. O father and hierarch Eumenius, pray unceasingly for all of us. 

 

Epistle

Galatians 2: 16-20

Brothers and sisters: Knowing that a man is not justified by legal observance but by faith in Jesus Christ, we too have believed in him in order to be justified by faith in Christ, not by observance of the law; for by works of the law no one will be justified. But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we are shown to be sinners, does that mean that Christ is encouraging sin? Unthinkable! If, however, I were to build up the very things I had demolished, I should then indeed be a transgressor. It was through the law that I died to the law, to live for God. I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me. I still live my human life, but it is a life of faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

 

Gospel

Mark 8: 34b-38, 9:1

The Lord said, “If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross and follow in my steps. Whoever would preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will preserve it. What profit does a man show who gains the whole world and destroys himself in the process? What can a man offer in exchange for his life? If anyone in this faithless and corrupt age is ashamed of me and my doctrine, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes with the holy angels in his Father’s glory.”

He also said to them: “I assure you, among those standing here there are some who will not taste death until they see the reign of God established in power.”

 

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Sunday Bulletin 9/18/22

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Saturday, Sept. 17 – Saturday after the Exaltation of the Cross       

5:00 PM          Outreach Divine Liturgy in Santa Paula

6:30 PM           Reader Vespers

Sunday, Sept. 18  – Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross         

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy

Monday, Sept. 19  –  Trophimus & Others, Martyrs        

6:30 PM          Moleben (and a discussion on addiction)

Wednesday, Sept. 21  –  Codratus, Apostle  

6:30 PM          Divine Liturgy            Bridgette Workman

7:45 PM          Firepit Social

Saturday, Sept. 24  –  Thecla, Proto-martyr      

5:00 PM          Outreach Divine Liturgy in Santa Paula

Sunday, Sept. 25  –  16th Sunday after Pentecost     

8:30 AM          Matins

9:30 AM          Divine Liturgy 

PRAYER REQUESTS

(Please resubmit or submit names to admin@ByzantineLA.com)

Michael Hefferon, Lana Zimmerman, Patrick Zimmerman, All the sick and suffering of St. Mary’s

WEEKLY DEPOSIT

Collection: $3,298.13; Candles: $55.75; Online: $1,030.00; Santa Paula: $1,168.00; Special Gift: $220.00; Parish Socials: $220.00; CD Sale: $29.90; Bishop’s Appeal: $5,500.00

Total: $11,301.78 / Attendance- PSM: 68 VCO: 45

Eparchial Appeal Ends Sept. 30

Donations are being accepted through Sept. 30. So far, we have raised $21,380.00 of our $25,544.72 goal.   We need to raise $4,164.72 to meet our goal! You can use the instructions you received from the bishop, or you can visit our parish’s donation page here:  https://ephx.org/st-marys-eparchial-appeal/ It is very important to reach our goal. There are repercussions for several years if we do not.  Thank you for your generosity! 

Thank you to those who have contributed: Anonymous, Bates, Blessum, Chirdon, Clemens, Cook, Crans, Davies, Golya, Haas, Herrera, Hillz, Jimenez, Kieselhorst, Koman-Keogh, Matthews, Michnya, Mina, Niemi, Fr. O’Loughlin, O’Neill Onufrak, Patzwahl, Reichert, C. Roche, Seabright, Skocypec, M. Sumandra, Summe, Tabak, Theisen, Wiggins, P. Zimmerman, and W. Zimmerman

Parish Family Day – October 2

Our Annual Family Day this year will be held on Sunday October 2nd, the Sunday closest to our Patron Feast, the feast of the Protection of the Theotokos (Oct. 1). The festivities begin with Divine Liturgy at its regular 9:30am time, and continues with a coffee social on the patio following liturgy. The Potluck lunch at 12 noon to allow those preparing food enough time for set-up inside the small hall. Sign-up sheets are in the small hall. There will be an inflatable pool and Slip-&-Slide for children, so a bathing suit or a change of clothes is recommended.

Santa Paula Parishioners can sign-up by emailing admin@byzantineLA.com. Please include the number of adults and children attending, and any potluck item you wish to bring in your email.

Project Updates

Father Michael will be giving regular project updates on both the Proto-Cathedral and Santa Paula communities in the weekly email.  If you would like to be added to the email list email Father at froloughlin@ephx.org.

St. Mary’s Heritage

We have many new members, and we want to introduce everyone to some of the parishioners who came before us.  This will be an ongoing project telling the stories of those who laid the foundation, and then built upon it, of the St. Mary’s we know today.  We will kick off this project by featuring Nancy Sumandra.  If you have any stories or experiences of Nancy, please email Father Michael.  He will have them compiled and will share a parish memoir of Nancy in a Sunday bulletin and online.  Please submit all stories by October 9.  Thank you!

Proto-Martyr Thecla – September 24

Thecla was a disciple of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas.  She left everything, even her fiancé, to follow Christ and help others do the same.  Her dedication to asceticism and evangelization enraged the devil and he incited many, even her own mother, to try to destroy her.  Our Lord had other plans, and she extinguished the flames meant for her execution with a sign of the cross.  She is given the title “equal to the Apostles” because she lived into her 90s leading others to faith and praising our Lord.        

“Whoever will lose his life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will save it.” Our Lord teaches us that following him and his Gospel is both a loss and a gain at the same time. Devoting one’s life to the Church as a monastic, religious, or member of the clergy is a cross and is also an immense blessing. Are you being called to be this blessing to the Church? Reach out to the Vocations Office at 206-329-9219 or email: vocations@ephx.org

Sept. 17 The Holy Martyr Sophia and her three Children, Faith, Hope, and Charity

The holy martyrs St. Sophia [Wisdom], and her daughters Faith [Vera], Hope [Nadežda], and Charity [Luba] were born in Italy. Their mother was a pious Christian widow who named her daughters after the three Christian virtues. Faith was 12, Hope was 10, and Love was 9. St. Sophia raised them inj the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. St. Sophia and her daughters did not hide their faith in Christ, but openly confessed it before everyone. They lived and suffered in Rome in the time of the emperor Hadrian. For refusing to sacrifice to the goddess Artemis, he had them put to death around the year 137.

 

Troparion

The Church solemnly celebrates and rejoices over the newly-born children and their radiant mother. Named for Wisdom and like her name, she gave birth to three children equal to the three theological virtues. In the company of these three wise virgins, she gazes on God the Word and Chaste Groom. We join her in her happiness spiritually and sing: O thrice-blessed martyrs, Faith, Hope, and Charity make us firm in faith, hope, and charity. 

 

Kontakion

The three sacred branches of honorable Sophia, Faith and Hope and Charity, have shown forth. Through grace they outwitted the wisdom of the Greeks. Both through their suffering and through being bearers of victory, Christ, the Master of All, granted to them incorruptible crowns. 

 

Epistle

1 Corinthians 1: 26-29

Brothers and sisters, you are among those called. Consider your situation. Not many of you are wise, as men account wisdom; not many are influential; and surely noy many are well-born. God chose those whom the world considers absurd to shame the wise; he singled out the weak of this world to shame the strong. He chose the world’s lowborn and despised, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who were something; so that mankind can do no boasting before God. 

 

Gospel

John 8: 21-30

The Lord said to the people coming to him: “I am going away. You will look for me but you will die in your sins. Where I am going you cannot come.” At this some of the Jews began to ask, “Does he mean he will kill himself when he claims, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’?”

Jesus went on: “You belong to what is below; I belong to what is above. You belong to this world–a world which cannot hold me. That is why I said you would die in your sins unless you come to believe that I AM.”

“Who are you, then?” they asked him. Jesus answered: “What I have been telling you from the beginning. I could say much about you in condemnation, but no, I only tell the world what I have heard from him, the truthful One who sent me.” They did not grasp that he was speaking of the Father. Jesus continued: “When you have lifted up the Son of Man you will come to realize that I AM and that I do nothing by myself. I say only what the Father has taught me, He has not deserted me since I always do what pleases him.” Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Sept. 16 The Holy Great-Martyr Euphemia the All-Praiseworthy

The holy great-martyr Euphemia was raised by her devout Christian parents. Her father, Philophronus, was a senator. Under the emperor Diocletian, when the Proconsul Priscus held a feast and offered sacrifice to Ares in Chalcedon, forty-nine Christians avoided this sacrificial offering and hid themselves. However, they were discovered and brought before Priscus. Among them was St. Euphemia. For nineteen consecutive days, Priscus imposed various tortures on them. On the twentieth day he separated Euphemia from the others and began to flatter her for her beauty. As his flattery was in vain, he ordered that the virgin be tortured again. First, they tortured her on the wheel, but an angel of God appeared to Euphemia and shattered the wheel. Then they threw her into a fiery furnace, but she was preserved by the power of God. Upon seeing this, two soldiers, Victor and Sosthenes, came to believe in Christ. Euphemia was then thrown into a pit filled with water and every kind of poisonous vermin; but she made the sign of the Cross over the water and remained unharmed. She was finally thrown to the wild beasts and, with a prayer of thanksgiving to God, gave up her spirit in the year 303. She is also commemorated on July 11.

 

Troparion

Your lamb Euphemia, O Jesus, cries out in a loud voice: I love You, my Bridegroom; I seek You with painful longing; I am crucified with You; in your baptism, I am buried with You; I suffer for You that I may reign with You; and I die for You that I may live with You. Receive me as a spotless sacrifice immolated with love for You. By her prayers, O merciful One, save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

You waged a good battle in your embrace of death, and after death you sanctified us with miraculous signs. We sing of your holy dormition, O all-praiseworthy Euphemia, coming to your divine church with faith, seeking to be saved from spiritual ills and to obtain the grace of your miracles. 

 

Epistle

Galatians 4: 8-21

    Brothers and sisters: In the past, when you didn’t not acknowledge God, you served as slaves to gods who are not really divine. Now that you have come to know God–or rather, have been known by him–how can you return to those powerless, worthless, natural elements to which you seem willing to enslave yourselves once more? You even go so far as to keep the ceremonial observance of days and months, seasons and years! I fear for you; all my efforts with you may have been wasted.

    I beg you, brethren, to become like me as I became like you. (Understand, you have not done me any wrong.) You are aware that it was a bodily ailment that first occasioned my bringing you the gospel. My physical condition was a challenge which you did not despise or brush aside in disgust. On the contrary, you took me to yourselves as an angel of God, even as if I had been Christ Jesus! What has happened to your openhearted spirit? I can testify on your behalf that if it were possible you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. Have I become your enemy just because I tell you the truth?

    The people I have referred to are not courting your favor in any generous spirit. What they really want is to exclude you so that you may court their favor. It would be well for you to be courted for the right reasons at all times, and not only when I happen to be with you. You are my children, and you put me back in labor pains until Christ is formed in you. If only I could be with you now and speak to you differently! You have me at a complete loss. You who want to be subject to the law, tell me: do you know what the law has to say?

 

Gospel

Mark 6: 45-53

    At that time Jesus insisted that his disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. When he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. As evening drew on, the boat was far out on the lake while he was alone on the land. Then, seeing them tossed about as they tried to row with the wind against them, he came walking toward them on the water; the time was between three and six in the morning. He meant to pass them by. When they saw him walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost and they began to cry out. They had all seen him and were terrified. He hastened to reassure them: “Got hold of yourselves! It is I. Do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were taken aback by these happenings, for they had not understood about the loaves. On the contrary, their minds were completely closed to the meaning of the events. After making the crossing they came ashore at Gennesaret, and tied up there. 

 

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Sept. 15 The Holy Great Martyr Nicetas

The holy great martyr Nicetas the Goth was a disciple of Theophilus, Bishop of the Goths, who participated in the First Ecumenical Council [Nicaea 325]. When the Gothic prince Athenarik began to torture Christians, St. Nicetas stood before the prince and denounced him for his paganism and inhumanity. Subsequently harshly tortured, Nicetas confessed his faith in Christ even more strongly, and prayed to God with thanksgiving. His mind was unceasingly raised up to God, and on his breast under his robe he bore an icon of the Theotokos with the Pre-eternal Christ Child standing and holding the cross in His hands. Finally, the tortures threw the soldier of Christ into the fire, where the holy martyr breathed his last, but his body remained untouched by the fire. His companion Marian took his body from the land of the Goths (Wallachia and Bessarabia) to the town of Mopsuestia, in Cilicia. There, he built a church dedicated to St. Nicetas. (372)

 

Troparion

You lovingly took up the cross for armor, and you advanced to fight the enemy. You were burnt to death for Christ, and thus you offered up your priestly soul to the Lord. You have been rewarded with the gift of healing, O great-martyr Nicetas; now beg Christ our God to save our souls. 

 

Kontakion

O glorious Nicetas, you crushed the power of deception by your perseverance in the faith and earned the crown of victory by your struggles; therefore, you now enjoy the company of angels in heaven. With them, do not cease to intercede with Christ our God that He many save all of us. 

 

Epistle

Galatians 3:23 – 4:5

    Brothers and sisters: Before the faith came we were under the constraint of the law, locked in until the faith that was coming should be revealed. In other words, the law was our monitor until Christ came to bring about our justification through faith. But now that faith is here, we are no longer in the monitor’s charge. Each one of you is a son of God because of your faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with him. There does not exist among you Jew or Greek, slave or freeman, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus. Furthermore, if you belong to Christ you are the descendants of Abraham, which means you inherit all that was promised. 

    Brothers and sisters: as long as a designated heir is not of age his condition is no different from that of a slave, even though in name he is master of all his possessions; for he is under the supervision of guardians and administrators until the time set by his father. In the same way, while we were not yet of age we were like slaves subordinated to the elements of the world; but when the designated time had come, God sent forth his Son born of a woman, born under the law, to deliver from the law those who were subjected to it, so that we might receive our status as adopted sons. 

 

Gospel

Mark 6: 30-45

    At that time the apostles returned to Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and what they had taught.  He said to them, “Come by yourselves to an out-of-the-way place and rest a little.” People were coming and going in great numbers, making it impossible for them to so much as eat. So Jesus and the apostles went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving, and many got to know about it. People from all the towns hastened on foot to the place, arriving ahead of them. 

    Upon disembarking Jesus saw a vast crowd. He pitied them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them at great length. It was now getting late and his disciples came to him with a suggestion: “This is a deserted place and it is already late. Why do you not dismiss them so that they can go to the crossroads and villages around here and buy themselves something to eat?” “You give them something to eat,” Jesus replied. At that they said, “Are we to go and spend two hundred days’ wages for bread to feed them?” “How many loaves have you?” Jesus asked. “Go and see.” When they learned the number they answered, “Five, and two fish.” He told them to make the people sit down on the green grass in groups or parties. The people took their places in hundreds and fifties, neatly arranged like flower beds. Then, taking the five loaves and two fish, Jesus raised his eyes to heaven, pronounced a blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to distribute. He divided the two fish among all of them and they ate until they had their fill. They gathered up enough leftovers to fill twelve baskets, besides what remained of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men. Immediately afterward Jesus insisted that his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Sept. 14 The Exaltation of the Honorable and Life-giving Cross

The Exaltation of the Precious, Holy, and Life-Creating Cross, which is exalted and honored the day after the dedication of the basilica of the Resurrection built over the tomb of Christ, just as the trophy and sign of his paschal victory would appear in heaven, at last foretelling his second advent to all.

 

Troparion

Save Your people, O Lord, and bless your inheritance. Grant victory to your Church over evil and protect Your people by Your cross.

 

Kontakion

Christ our God, who were willingly raised upon the cross, grant Your mercies to the new people who bear Your name. By Your power grant joy to the Church. Give her victory over evil with Your invincible trophy, the weapon of peace, as an ally. 

 

Epistle

1 Corinthians 1: 18-24

    Brothers and sisters: The message of the cross is complete absurdity to those who are headed for ruin, but to us who are experiencing salvation it is the power of God. Scripture says, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and thwart the cleverness of the clever.” Where is the wise man to be found? Where the scribe? Where is the master of worldly argument? Has not God turned the wisdom of this world into folly? Since in God’s wisdom the world did not come to know him through “wisdom,” it pleased God to save those who believe through the absurdity of the preaching of the gospel. Yes, Jews demand “signs” and Greeks look for “wisdom,” but we preach Christ crucified-a stumbling block to Jews, and an absurdity to Gentiles; but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks like, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

 

Gospel

John 19: 6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30b-35a

    At that time when the chief priests and the temple guards saw Jesus with Pilate they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said, “Take him and crucify him yourselves; I find no case against him.” The Jews responded, “We have our own law, and according to that law he must die because he made himself God’s Son.” When Pilate heard this kind of talk, he was more afraid than ever. Going back into the praetorium, he said to Jesus, “Where do you come from?” Jesus would not give him any answer. “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Then Pilate asked him “Do you not know that I have the power to release you and the power to crucify you?” Jesus answered: “You would have no power over me whatever unless it were given from above.”

    Pilate heard the people shouting so he brought Jesus outside and took a seat on a judges’ bench at the place called the Stone Pavement – Gabbatha in Hebrew. It was the Preparation Day for Passover, and the hour was about noon. Pilate said to the Jews, “Look at your king!” At this they shouted “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” “What!” Pilate exclaimed. “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests replied, “We have no king but Caesar.” In the end, Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified. 

    Jesus was led away, and carrying the cross by himself, went out to what is called the Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they crucified him, and two others with him; one on either side, Jesus in the middle. Pilate had an inscription placed on the cross which read,     JESUS THE NAZOREAN THE KING OF THE JEWS. This inscription, in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, was read by many of the Jews, since the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city. The chief priests of the Jews tried to tell Pilate, “You should not have written, ‘The King of the Jews.’ Write instead, ‘This man claimed to be King of the Jews.’”

    Near the cross of Jesus there stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Seeing his mother there with the disciple whom he loved, Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, there is your son.” In turn he said to the disciple, “There is your mother.” From that hour onward, the disciple took her into his care.

    Then Jesus bowed his head, and delivered over his spirit. Since it was the Preparation Day the Jews did not want to have the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, for that sabbath was a solemn feast day. They asked Pilate that the legs be broken and the bodies be taken away. Accordingly, the soldiers came and broke the legs of the men crucified with Jesus, first of the one, then of the other. When they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. One of the soldiers thrust a lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. This testimony has been given by an eyewitness, and his testimony is true. He tells what he knows is true, so that you may believe. 

 

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

Sept. 13 The Commemoration of the Dedication of the Holy Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord in Jerusalem; Prefestive of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; The Holy Bishop-Martyr Cornelius

The commemoration of the dedication of the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord in Jerusalem: When St. Helen found the Lord’s cross in Jerusalem, she stayed longer in the city and built churches in Gethsemane, in Bethlehem, on the Mount of Olives, and in other places connected to the life and death of the Lord. She began to build a huge church on Golgotha, which would house both the hill of Calvary and the tomb from which the Lord rose. St. Helen died before it was finished, and the church was consecrated on this date in 335. 

The holy bishop-martyr Cornelius the Centurion was an officer in Palestine converted by the Apostle Peter (cf Acts 10). St. Peter also made Cornelius bishop and sent him to the pagan town of Skepseis. There he destroyed the temple of Apollo and baptized the local ruler. He was martyred in that town and buried with reverence by his church. 

 

Troparion – Dedication

Lord, Life, and Resurrection of All, You showed the beauty of the holy dwelling place of Your glory on earth like the splendor of the firmament on high. Make it stand firm forever. Through the Theotokos, accept our prayers which we unceasingly offer to You within it. 

 

Troparion – Cornelius

You shared in the apostles’ way of life and succeeded to their throne, divinely inspired bishop. You found access to contemplation in the active life. Therefore, you rightly taught the word of truth and struggled for the faith to the shedding of your blood. O Priest-Martyr Cornelius, pray to Christ our God to save our souls. 

 

Troparion – Prefeast

Lord, we offer to You in intercession the goodness of Your life-creating cross which You gave to us, Your unworthy people. Save our nation and Your Church which implores You through the Theotokos. For You alone love mankind.

 

Kontakion – Dedication

You have made of the Church a resplendent heaven, enlightening all the faithful. Therefore, we stand in the midst of this holy dwelling place and we cry out to You: Make firm this house, O Lord.

 

Kontakion – Cornelius

O God-wise Cornelius, priest of the Mysteries, the Church, receiving you as the holy first-fruit of the Gentiles, is enlightened by the acts of your good deeds. 

 

Kontakion – Prefeast

Today the saving wood shines forth from the bosom of the earth. It is reverently lifted up in the church by the hands of the bishop. The whole world prostrates and kisses it with awe. Save us through Your cross, O Lord. 

 

Readings for the Dedication

Epistle

Hebrews 3: 1-4

    Holy brethren who share a heavenly calling, fix your eyes on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we acknowledge in faith, who was faithful to him who appointed him. Moses, too, “was faithful in all God’s household,” but Jesus is more worthy of honor than he, as the founder of a house is more honorable than the house itself. Every house is founded by someone, but God is the founder of all. 

 

Gospel

Matthew 16: 13-19

    At that time Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do the people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptizer, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “And you,” he said to them, “who do you say that I am?” “You are the Messiah,” Simon Peter answered, “the Son of the living God!” Jesus replied, “Blest are you, Simon son of Jonah! No mere man has revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. I for my part declare to you, you are ‘Rock,’ and on this rock I will build my church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it. I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you declare bound on earth shall be bound in heaven; whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

 

Readings for the day

Epistle

Galatians 2:21 – 3:7

    Brothers and sisters: I will not treat God’s gracious gift as pointless. If justice is available through the law, then Christ died for no purpose! You senseless Galatians! Who has cast a spell over you – you before whose eyes Jesus Christ was displayed to view upon his cross? I want to learn only one thing from you; how did you receive the Spirit? Was it through observance of the law or through faith in what you heard? How could you be so stupid? After beginning in the spirit, are you now to end in the flesh? Have you had such remarkable experiences all to no purpose – if indeed they were to no purpose? Is it because you observe the law or because you have faith in what you heard that God lavishes the Spirit on you and works wonders in your midst? Consider the case of Abraham: he “believed God, and it was credited to him as justice.” This means that those who believe are sons of Abraham. 

 

Gospel

Mark 6: 1-7

    At that time Jesus returned to his own part of the country followed by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue in a way that kept his large audience amazed. They said: “Where did he get all this? What kind of wisdom is he endowed with? How is it that such miraculous deeds are accomplished by his hands? Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, a brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not his sisters our neighbors here?” They found him too much for them. Jesus replied to all this: “No prophet is without honor except in his natice place, among his own kindred, and in his own house.” He could work no miracle there, apart from curing a few who were sick by laying hands on them, so much did their lack of faith distress him. He made the rounds of the neighboring villages instead, and spent his time teaching. Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits. 

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

Sept. 12 The Holy Priest-Martyr Autonomous

The holy bishop martyr Autonomous fled Italy during the Diocletian persecution and settled in Asian Bithynia at a place called Soreoi. There, he converted many to Christianity, and built a church for them dedicated to the holy Archangel Michael. Autonomous lived in the home of a devout Christian, Cornelius, whom he first ordained as a presbyter, and then consecrated to the episcopacy. Not far from Soreoi there was a place called Limnae, inhabited entirely by pagans. St. Autonomous went to this place and soon enlightened many with the Gospel of Christ. This embittered the pagans, and one day they rushed into the Church of the Holy Archangel Michael in Soreoi during the divine service and slew Autonomous in the sanctuary, and killed many other Christians in the church. 

 

Troparion

The Church calls us to celebrate your holy memory with faith, O splendid and glorious Autonomous, who pleased the Trinity. She rejoices and praises you. Pray for us to God, the only Lover of Mankind. 

 

Kontakion

O most wise one, you worthily offered the Divine Mysteries, You became an acceptable offering, O God-blessed one. You drank from the cup of Christ, O most glorious one, O light of the whole world, pray unceasingly for all of us. 

 

Epistle

Galatians 2: 11-16

    Brothers and sisters: When Cephas came to Antioch I directly withstood him, because he was clearly in the wrong. He had been taking his meals with the Gentiles before others came who were from James. But when they arrived he drew back to avoid trouble with those who were circumcised. The rest of the Jews joined in his dissembling till even Barnabas was swept away by their pretense. As soon as I observed that they were not being straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I had this to say to Cephus in the presence of all: “If you who are a Jew are living according to Gentile ways rather than Jewish, by what logic do you force the Gentiles to adopt Jewish ways?”

    We are Jews by birth, not sinners of Gentile origin. Nevertheless, knowing that a man is not justified by legal observance but by faith in Jesus Christ, we too have believed in him in order to be justified by faith in Christ, not by observance of the law; for by works of the law no one will be justified. 

 

Gospel

Mark 5: 24-34

    At that time a large crowd followed, pushing against Jesus. There was a woman form the area who had been afflicted with a hemorrhage for a dozen years. She had received treatment at the hands of doctors of every sort and exhausted her savings in the process, yet she got no relief; on the contrary, she only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and put her hand on his cloak. “If I just touch his clothing,” she thought, “I shall get well.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up and the feeling that she was cured of her affliction ran through her whole body. Jesus was conscious at once that healing power had gone out from him. Wheeling about in the crowd, he began to ask, “Who touched my clothing?” His disciples said to him, “You can see how this crowd hems you in, yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” Despite this, he kept looking around to see the woman who had done it. Fearful and beginning to tremble now as she realized what had happened, the woman came and fell in front of him and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, it is your faith that has cured you. Go in peace and be free of this illness.”

 

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com

 

 

Sept. 11 Our Venerable Mother Theodora of Alexandria

Our venerable mother Theodora of Alexandria who, as a young woman committed adultery on the advice of a fortune-teller. She was accused by her conscience, and left the world, cutting off her hair and dressing as a man in order to enter the monastery of Octodecatos, assuming the name of Theodore. Falsely accused of having sex with a prostitute, she accepted rebuke as a punishment for her former sin. She ended up in the desert for seven years, until the hegumen took her back. Only at her death in the year 490 did the monks realize that she was a woman. 

 

Troparion

In you, O mother, the divine image was strictly preserved; taking up your cross, you followed Christ. You taught us by example how to spurn the flesh, for it passes away, and how to care for the soul, which is immortal. Therefore, O venerable Theodora, your soul rejoices with the angels.

 

Kontakion

In order to obtain complete forgiveness of your sins, you spent all of your bodily strength in fast and your nights in vigils and prayers to God. Through the way of repentance you obtained forgiveness. 

 

Epistle

Galatians 6: 11-18

    Brothers and sisters: See, I write to you in my own large handwriting! Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised are making a play for human approval–with an eye to escaping persecution for the cross of Christ. The very ones who accept circumcision do not follow the law themselves. They want you to be circumcised only that they may boast about your bodily observance.

    May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through it, the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. It means nothing whether one is circumcised or not. All that matters is that one is created anew. Peace and mercy on all who follow this rule of life, and on the Israel of God. 

    Henceforth, let no man trouble me, for I bear the brand marks of Jesus in my body. Brethren, may the favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. 

 

Gospel

John 3: 13-17

    The Lord said: “No one has gone up to heaven except the One who came down from there – the Son of Man [who is in heaven]. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that all who believe may have eternal life in him. Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him may not die but may have eternal life. God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

 

 

Icon courtesy of Jack Figel, Eastern Christian Publications – ecpubs.com