Special Hymns for the Sunday before Nativity

Todays Resurrection Hymn (Section 1, Page 1) Though the tomb was sealed by a stone and soldiers guarded

Your pure body, You arose, O Savior on the third day, giving life to the world. Therefore, O Giver of life, the heavenly powers praise You: Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ, glory to Your kingdom, glory to Your plan of redemption, O only loving God.

Festal Hymn: Make ready, O Zebulum; prepare yourself, O Naphthali; cease to flow, O River Jordan; receive in joy the Master who comes to be baptized. Adam, rejoice with the first mother. Do not hide in Paradise, as before, for He came to see us, even naked, that He might clothe us as we were before. Christ has appeared to renew all creation.

Dismissal Hymns of the Forefeast: Great are the accomplishments of faith. In the fountain of flame, the three Holy Youths rejoiced as though they were resting by the waters. And the Prophet Daniel showed himself to be a shepherd to the lions, as thought they were sheep. Through their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.

Dismissal Hymn for Sts. Constantine and Helen (Section 2, Page 1)

The form of Your Cross was seen in the sky by Your Apostle among the kings, O Lord. He received his calling, like Paul, not from man, and placed his imperial city in your hands. Ever guard it in peace, O Loving God, through the intercessions of the Theotokos.

Kontakion: On this day the Virgin cometh to a cave to give birth to God the Word ineffable, Who was before all the ages. Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing the gladsome tidings; with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him Who is willing to be gazed on as a young Child Who before the ages is God.

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Weekly Calendar Sunday, December 22, Sunday before Nativity

Epistle: Hebrews 11:9-10 32-40 (Red Bk, Page 118) Gospel: Matthew 1:25 (Red Bk, Page 119) Acolytes: Group 3 (Seraphim): Andrew Lountzis, P. Breit, D. Damore, A. Lountzis, A. Midouhas, A. Marmarou, E. Polyak, N. Lountzis, P. Daglis, J. Radwanski, A. Tilley, A. Lynch, C. Sasaran

Council Members Welcoming: Nick Karetas Artie Fecera Council Members Ushering: Tony Phyrillas Anthony Koumaras

Fellowship Hosts: Mr. & Mrs. Evan Zervanos Mr. & Mrs. Michael S. Zervanos Dr. & Mrs. Stam Zervanos Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Zervanos

A special tray will be passed today to support our Charity Drive for the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) and OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center). The Annual OCCSCP Charity Banquet will be held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 2500 Pine Grove Road, York, PA today beginning with Hors dOeurves at 5:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:00 p.m. The Pan Orthodox Choir will perform a concert: God With Us. The cost is only $20.00 per person.

Our New Years Eve Party that will kick-off our parishes 100

th Year Anniversary beginning at 9:00 p.m. is around

the corner. Buy your tickets today during Fellowship or call the Church Office to make your reservation and for more information. Join your church family in bringing in the new monumental year. The cost is only $30.00 per adult, $15.00 for children ages 10-18, and 9 and under free. Included are: Mezethes, beer, wine, soda, Vasilopita and Continental Breakfast. Live entertainment of Greek and American music will be provided by the newly formed band Enosi. GOYA will be selling candy today during Fellowship. Please support our GOYANS. All parishioners are invited to register today for the AHEPA Family Christmas Party. Please join us next Thursday, December 26 from 5-8:00 p.m. in the Church Hall for dinner, fun entertainment, and fellowship for the entire family. AHEPA collection barrels are now available in the downstairs hallway. Help replenish the Greater Berks Food Bank by donating non-perishable goods for the needy in our community.

Tuesday, December 24, Nativity Eve Orthros at 5:30 p.m. Christmas Divine Liturgy at 6:15 p.m.

(Christmas Pageant will follow services today).

Wednesday, December 25, Holy Nativity Orthros at 9:00a.m. Christmas Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, December 26 The annual AHEPA Family Christmas Party. Christmas holiday party and dinner will be held at 5:00 8:00 p.m. in the church hall.

Next Sunday

Sunday, December 29, Sunday after Nativity Orthros at 8:45 a.m. Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. Divine Liturgy at 9:45 a.m.

Acolytes: Group 4 (Archangels): A. Phyrillas, N. Waligurski, J. Koumaras, J. Phyrillas, V. Phyrillas, A. Futrick, A. Futrick, Jr., G. Koumaras, Y. Patestas, T. Siegel, T. Hunsicker, A. Karetas, J. Wagner

As our Parish is preparing to celebrate our 100 Year Anniversary beginning January, 2014. All members (regardless of age ) who have served as Altar Boys are invited to help commemorate this important and vital ministry by serving one Sunday in the Altar with our youth. Adult black robes will be provided. Please fill in the following information and return it to the Church Office or simply drop in the Stewardship box in the Narthex of our Church. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Name of former Altar boy: _______________________

The year(s) you served: _______________________

Taking Hold

On December 28 the Church celebrates the memory of not one person but a large group of martyrstwenty thousand men, women and children. They gave their lives early in the fourth century.

These Christians are known as the 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia, a city in the northwestern area of what is now Turkey. Because they were living during the reign of the emperor Maximian Hercules, their faith put them in serious danger. The pagan emperor was eager to reduce the growing number of Christians, who seemed a threat to his own authority.

He saw a chance as the Feast of the Nativity approached in the year 302. Nicomedia had an especially large Christian population, and the believers would be gathered in the local church for the feast, beginning their worship in the first hours of the new day.

Sure enough, soon after midnight the church was so full of people that there was hardly room to stand. Candles, incense, chanted prayers and singing added to the festive atmosphere, in anticipation of the service that was about to begin.

But the emperor had made his plans. His soldiers, at the command of his official representative, surrounded the church so that nobody could get out. Then the official pushed his way to the front of the church. He announced that the gathered believers had a choice: they could offer sacrifice to the gods immediately, or be burned to death by the soldiers who were prepared to set the building aflame with everyone inside.

The stunned Christians realized that they had no chance of escape against the armed soldiers surrounding them. Before panic could set in, the courageous archdeacon rose and addressed the crowd with great passion.

"My brothers and sisters!" he called out. "Think of where we are, and remember the reason why we have gathered tonight. We have come to celebrate because Our Lord was born as a Man, to come among us and save us. He is about to be sacrificed for us on the holy altar as we perform the Divine Liturgy. Should we not be ready to sacrifice our lives for Him in this holy place, at this holy time?"

These words inspired the believers. Overcoming fear, they were ready now to submit to the terrible flames, still singing praise to God. The church burned for days, but the smoke didn't put forth the usual stench. Instead it was fragrant, and those who passed the ruined building saw a golden light, caused by something other than fire, emanating from it.

On this day we read the following words from I Timothy: "Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses" (6:12).

That night in Nicomedia, twenty thousand martyrs "took hold of eternal life" in a way they didn't expect. But what better way could there be than singing to the Lord in church, in celebration of His birth for our salvation?

Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church 1001 East Wyomissing Boulevard

Reading, PA 19611

The Weekly Church Bulletin Fr. Thomas Pappalas Fr. Spyridon Papademetriou

Dn. James Elliker

Church Phone: 610-374-7511 FAX: 610-374-5890

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Sunday before Nativity

Great Martyr Anastasia