Church Bulletin - February 17, 2002 - 17th Sunday of Matthew

17th Sunday of Matthew - February 17, 2002
[ Click here for the Bible readings: 2 Cor 6:16-7:1; Mt 15:21-28]
[ Click here for the Bible readings in Greek ]

"IT IS TRULY MEET TO BLESS YOU..."

One of the best known hymns in the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church is sung in solemn commemoration of the Mother of God: "IT IS TRULY MEET TO BLESS YOU, O THEOTOKOS, EVER-BLESSED AND MOST PURE, AND THE MOTHER OF OUR GOD. MORE HONORABLE THAN THE CHERUBIM, AND MORE GLORIOUS BEYOND COMPARE THAN THE SERAPHIM: WITHOUT DEFILEMENT YOU GAVE BIRTH TO GOD THE WORD: TRUE THEOTOKOS, WE MAGNIFY YOU." This hymn - properly referred to liturgically as the "Megalynarion" - is a wonderful expression of the theology of the Church concerning the Theotokos.

Indeed, it is proper for Orthodox Christians to offer praise to the Mother of God. She is blessed above all other women. Because of her purity, innocence and holiness, she was chosen by God to give birth in a miraculous manner to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Her life was one of total obedience and devotion to God, never questioning or doubting her role in His plan for the salvation of mankind. Her own words to the Archangel Gabriel, when this was all revealed to her at the Annunciation, attest to this: "Behold, the handmaiden of the Lord! Let it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

For this reason, the Orthodox Church honors the Theotokos above all saints, and even ahead of the Cherubim and Seraphim - the angels closest to the Throne of the Almighty. We humbly ask for her guidance, protection and intercession. In doing so, we must always remember that, while we VENERATE the Mother of God, we do not WORSHIP her, for this action is reserved for God alone.

ANASTASIMON APOLUTIKION

Tov faidrovn th`~ ajnastavsew~ khvrugma, ejk tou` ajggevlou maqou`sai, aiJ tou` Kurivou maqhvtriai, kaiv thvn progonikhvn ajpovfasin ajporrivyasqai, toi`~ ajpostov v loi~ kaucwvmenai e[legon: jEskuvleutai oJ qavnato~, hjgevrqh Cristov~ oJ Qeov~, dwrouvmeno~ tw`/ kovsmw/ tov mevga e[leo~.

RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION

From the angel, the women disciples of the Lord heard the joyful news of the Resurrection and the repeal of the sentence imposed upon our forefathers. With pride, they said to the Apostles, "Death is vanquished. Christ our God is risen, bestowing upon the world His great mercy."

APOLUTIKION TOU AGIOU

Megavla tav th`~ pivstew~ katorqwvmata! ejn th`/ phgh`/ th`~ flogov~, wJ~ ejpiv u{dato~ ajnapauvsew~, oJ a{gio~ mavrtu~ Qeovdwro~ hjgavlleto: puriv gavr oJlokauqeiv~, wJ~ a[rto~ hJduv~, th`/ Triavdi proshvnektai. Tai`~ aujtou` iJkesivai~, Cristev oJ Qeov~, sw`son tav~ yucav~ hJmw`n.

APOLYTIKION OF THE SAINT

Great are the accomplishments of faith. In the fountain of flame, the holy martyr Theodore rejoiced as though he was resting by the waters. Consumed by the flames he was offered to the Holy Trinity as sweet bread. Through the prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.

QEOTOKION

Pavnta uJpevr e[nnoian, pavnta uJperevndoxa tav sa,v Qeotovke musthvria: th`/ ajgnoiva/ ejsfragismevnh kaiv parqeniva/ fulattomev-nh, mhvthr ejgnwvsqh~ ajyeudhv~, Qeovn tekou`sa ajlhqinovn. Aujtovn ijkevteue, swqh`nai tav~ yucav~ hJmw`n.

THEOTOKION

Your Mysteries, O Theotokos, are beyond comprehension and glory. You gave birth to the true God, and became a mother indeed, while you remained sealed in purity and in virginity. Beseech Him to save our souls.

APOLUTIKION TOU AGIOU NIKOLAOU

Kanovna pivstew~ , kaiv eijkovna praovthto~, ejgkrateiva~ Didavskalon, ajnevdeixev se th`/ poivmnh/ sou, hJ tw`n pragmavtwn ajlhvqeia: diav tou`to ejkthvsw th`/ tapeinwvsei tav uJyhlav, th`/ ptwceiva/ tav plouvsia, Pavter iJeravrca Nikovlae: prevsbeue Cristw`/ tw`/ Qew`/, swqh`nai tav~ yucav~ hJmw`n.

APOLYTIKION OF ST. NICHOLAS

An example of the Faith and a life of humility, as a teacher of abstinence you did inspire and lead your flock and through your truthfulness of your deeds were exalted by greatness through your humility uplifting all and by poverty gaining wealth. Father and hierarch Nicholas intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

KONTAKION

Prostasiva, tw`n cristianw`n ajkataivscu-nte, mesiteiva, prov~ tovn poihthvn ajmetavqete, mhv parivdh/~, aJmartwlw`n dehvsewn fwnav~, ajllav provfqason, wJ~ ajgaqhv, eij~ thvn bohvqeian hJmw`n, tw`n pistw`~ kraugazovntwn soi: Tavcunon eij~ presbeivan, kaiv speu`son eij~ iJkesivan, hJ prostateuvousa ajeiv, Qeotovke, tw``n timwvntwn se.

KONTAKION

Champion of Christians not put to shame, advocate before the Maker always steadfast, do not spurn sinners’ voices raised in prayer. In your goodness respond to bring help to us who devoutly petition you. Hasten your intercession and urgently make entreaty; for you unfailingly defend, Theotokos, those who honor you.

APOSTOLOS
(B j Kor. ~ j 16<18, z j 1)

jAdelfoiv, uJmei``~ ejste naov~ Qeou` zw`nto~, kaqwv~ ei\pen oJ Qeov~ ®o{ti ejnoikhvsw ejn aujtoi`~ kaiv ejmperipathvsw, kaiv e[somai aujtw`n Qeov~, kaiv aujtoiv e[sontaiv moi laov~. Diov ejxevlqete ejk mevsou aujtw`n kaiv ajforivsqhte, levgei Kuvrio~, kaiv ajkaqavr-tou mhv a{ptesqe, kajgwv eijsdevxomai uJma`~, kaiv e[somai uJmi`n eij~ patevra, kaiv uJmei`~ e[sesqev moi eij~ uiJou~ kaiv qugatevra~, levgei Kuvrio~ pantokravtwr®. Tau`ta~ ou\n e[conte~ tav~ ejpaggeliva~, ajgaphtoiv, kaqarivswmen eJautouv~ ajpov pantov~ molusmou` sarkov~ kaiv pneuvmato~, ejpitelou`nte~ aJgiwsuvnhn ejn fovbw/ Qeou`.

EPISTLE
(II Corinthians 6: 16-18, 7:1)

BRETHREN, we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

EUAGGELION
JEk tou` katav Matqai`on
Kef. ie j 21<28

Tw`/ kairw`/ ejkeivnw/, ejxh`lqen oJ jIhsou`~ eij~ tav mevrh Tuvrou kaiv Sidw`no~. Kaiv ijdouv, gunhv Cananaiva ajpov tw`n oJrivwn ejkeivnwn ejxelqou`sa, ejkrauvgasen aujtw`/, levgousa: jElevhsovn me, Kuvrie, UiJev Daui?d, hJ qugav-thr mou kakw`~ daimonivzetai. JO dev oujk ajpekrivqh aujth`/ lovgon. Kaiv proselqovnte~ oiJ Maqhtaiv aujtou`, hjrwvtwn aujtovn, levgonte~: jApovluson aujthvn, o{ti kravzei o{pisqen hJmw`n. JO dev ajpokriqeiv~, ei\pen: Oujk ajpestavlhn eijmhv eij~ tav provbata tav ajpolwlovta oi[kou jIsrahvl. JH dev ejlqou`sa prosekuvnei aujtw`/ levgousa: Kuvrie, bohvqei moi. JO dev ajpokriqeiv~, ei\pen: Oujk e[sti kalovn labei`n tovn a[rton tw`n tevknwn, kaiv balei`n toi`~ kunarivoi~. JH dev ei\pe: Naiv, Kuvrie: kaiv gavr tav kunavria ejsqivei ajpov tw`n yucivwn tw`n piptovntwn ajpov th`~ trapevzh~ tw`n kurivwn aujtw`n. Tovte ajpokriqeiv~ oJ jIhsou`~, ei\pen aujth`/: \W guvnai, megavlh sou hj pivsti~: genhqhvtw soi wJ~ qevlei~. Kaiv ijavqh hJ qugavthr auth`~ ajpov th`~ w{ra~ ejkeivnh~.

GOSPEL
From the Gospel according to St. Matthew Chapter 15: 21-28

At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
1260 Davis Street, San Jose, California 95126