Church Bulletin - March 30, 2003 - Third Sunday of Great Lent

THIRD SUNDAY OF GREAT LENT - March 30, 2003
VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
[ Click here for the Bible readings: Heb 4:14-5:6; Mk 8:34-9:1]
[ Click here for the Bible readings in Greek and English ]

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THE PRECIOUS AND LIFE-GIVING CROSS: THE TREE OF IMMORTALITY

All of us begin Great Lent with "high hopes." We vow to pray more, to fast strictly and to attend all of the services that the Church prescribes for this penitential period. Still, "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak," for the Great Fast is a time of considerable length. The Church fully understands that our zeal can quickly turn to discouragement, so at the midpoint of Lent, the Cross is placed before us to strengthen and fortify our efforts.

In the Holy Orthodox Church, the Third Sunday of the Great Fast is referred to as "Cross Veneration Sunday." The Cross reminds us of God's great love for us, for upon it, He suffered for the sake of our salvation. The Cross also addresses the necessity for us to willingly and courageously carry our own daily cross: "IF ANYONE WISHES TO COME AFTER ME, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME." (Luke 9:23) Christ Himself points out the consequences of being unwilling to do so: "WHOSOEVER DOES NOT BEAR HIS CROSS AND COME AFTER ME CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE." (Luke 14:27)

In the Synaxarion of Matins on this Sunday, a beautiful explanation for why we venerate the Cross today is offered: "The Life-giving Cross is presented to us today for refreshment and assurance. We are like those following a long and arduous path, who become tired and see a beautiful tree with many leaves. We sit in its shadow and rest for awhile. Rejuvenated, we continue our journey."

May we begin our Lenten journey anew this morning, guided and inspired by the Holy Cross. Beyond the Cross, may we all se the glory of the Resurrection.

TRITH KURIAKH TWN NHSTEIWN
THS STAUROPROSKUNHSEWS
jIwavnnou Suggrafevw~ th`~ Klivmako~

Anastavsimon jApolutivkion

Katevlusa~ tw`/ Staurw`/ sou tovn qavnaton: h/jnevw/xa~ tw`/ lh/sth`/ tovn paravdeison: tw`n murofovrwn tovn qrh`non metevbale~: kaiv toi`~ soi`~ jApostovloi~ khruvttein ejpevtaxa~: o{ti ajnevsth~, Cristev oJ Qeov~, parevcwn tw`/ kovsmw/ tov mevga e[leo~.

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
John, Author of The Ladder

Resurrection Dismissal Hymn

By Your Cross, O Christ our God, You destroyed death. You opened paradise to the thief. You transformed the lament of the Myrrh-bearing women, and You commanded the Apostles to proclaim You are risen, granting the world Your great mercy.

jApolutivkion tou` Timivou Staurou`

JSw`son Kuvrie tovn laovn sou, kaiv eujlovghson thvn klhronomivan sou, nivka~ toi`~ Basileu`si katav barbavrwn dwrouvmeno~, kaiv tov sovn fulavttwn, diav tou` Staurou` sou polivteuma.

Dismissal Hymn of the Holy Cross

Lord save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.

Qeotokivon

JTou` Gabrihvl fqegxamevnou soi, Parqevne tov cai`re, suvn th`/ fwnh`/ ejsarkou`to, oJ tw`n o{lwn Despovth~, ejn soiv th`/ aJgiva kibwtw`/, wJ~ e[fh oJ divkaio~ Daui?d: ejdeivcqh~ platutevra tw`n oujranw`n, bastavsasa tovn Ktivsthn sou. Dovxa tw`/ ejnoikhvsanti ejn soiv: dovxa tw`/ proelqovnti ejk sou`: dovxa tw`/ ejleuqerwvsanti hJma`~, diav tou` tovkou sou.

Theotokion

At the very sound of Gabriel’s voice bringing you that greeting, O Virgin, the Lord of All became incarnate in you. As David the Just had foretold, you became a Holy Tabernacle. You became greater than the heavens by bearing your Creator. Glory to Him who came forth from you. Glory to Him who set us free, being born of you.

jApolutivkion tou` JAgivou Nikolavou

JJJKanovna 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.

Dismissal Hymn of Saint 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.

Kontavkion

JJJJTh`/ uJpermavcw/ strathgw`/ tav nikhthvria, JW~ lutrwqei`sa tw`n deinw`n, eujcaristhvria, jAnagravfw soi hJ Povli~ sou, Qeotovke. JAll¢ wJ~ e[cousa tov kravto~ ajprosmavchton, jEk pantoivwn me kinduvnwn ejleuqevrwson, {Ina kravzw soi: Cai`re, nuvmfh ajnuvmfeute.

Kontakion

To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!"

jjApovstolo~
Prokeivmenon. \Hco~ pl. b¢ . (Yalmov~ kz¢ ).
Sw`son Kuvrie tovn laovn sou kaiv eujlovghson thvn klhronomivan sou.
Stivc. Prov~ sev, Kuvrie, kekravxomai oJ Qeov~ mou.
Prov~ JEbraivou~ jEpistolh`~ Pauvlou tov jAnavgnwsma.
Kef. D¢ 14<16, E¢ 1<6

JAdelfoiv, e[conte~ ajrciereva mevgan dielhluqovta touv~ oujranouv~, jIhsou`n tovn UiJovn tou` Qeou`, kratw`men th`~ oJmologiva~. Ouj gavr e[comen ajrciereva mhv dunavmenon sumpaqh`sai tai`~ ajsqeneivai~ hJmw`n, pepeirasmevnon dev katav pavnta kaq¢ oJmoiovthta cwriv~ aJmartiva~. Prosercwvmeqa ou\n metav parrhsiva~ tw`/ qrovnw/ th`~ cavrito~, i{na lavbwmen e[leon kaiv cavrin eu{rwmen eij~ eu[kairon bohvqeian. Pa`~ gavr ajrciereuv~ ejx ajnqrwvpwn lambanovmeno~ uJpevr ajnqrwvpwn kaqivstatai tav prov~ tovn Qeovn, i{na prosfevrh/ dw`rav te kaiv qusiva~ uJpevr aJmartiw`n, metriopaqei`n dunavmeno~ toi`~ ajgnoou`si kaiv planwmevnoi~, ejpeiv kaiv aujtov~ perivkeitai ajsqevneian: kaiv diav tauvthn ojfeivlei, kaqwv~ periv tou` laou`, ou{tw kaiv periv eJautou` prosfevrein uJpevr aJmartiw`n. Kaiv oujc¢ eJautw`/ ti~ lambavnei thvn timhvn, ajllav kalouvmeno~ uJpov tou` Qeou`, kaqavper kaiv oJ jAarwvn. Ou{tw kaiv oJ Cristov~ oujc eJautovn ejdovxase genhqh`nai ajrciereva, ajll¢ oJ lalhvsa~ prov~ aujtovn: JUiJov~ mou ei\ suv, ejgwv shvmeron gegevnnhkav se: kaqwv~ kaiv ejn eJtevrw levgei: Suv iJereuv~ eij~ tovn aijw`na katav thvn tavxin Melcisedevk.

Epistle
Prokeimenon. Sixth Tone. Psalm 27. 9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse. To you, O Lord, have I cried, O my God.
The reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.
Chapters 4.14-16; 5.1-6.

Brethren, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.

Eujaggevlion
JEk tou` katav Mavrkon
Kef. H¢ 34<38. Q¢ 1

Ei\pen oJ Kuvrio~: {Osti~ qevlei ojpivsw mou ajkolouqei`n, ajparnhsavsqw eJautovn kaiv ajravtw tovn staurovn aujtou`, kaiv ajkolouqeivtw moi. {O~ gavr a[n qevlh/ thvn yuchvn aujtou` sw`sai, ajpolevsei aujthvn: o{~ d¢ a[n ajpolevsh/ thvn yuchvn aujtou`, e{neken ejmou` kaiv tou` eujaggelivou, ou|to~ swvsei aujthvn. Tiv gavr wjfelhvsei a[nqrwpon ejavn kerdivsh/ tovn kovsmon o{lon, kaiv zhmiwqh`/ thvn yuchvn aujtou`; [H tiv dwvsei a[nqrwpo~ ajntavllagma th`~ yuch`~ aujtou`; {O~ gavr ejavn ejpaiscunqh`/ me, kaiv touv~ ejmouv~ lovgou~ ejn th`/ genea`/ tauvth/ th`/ moicalivdi kaiv aJmartwlw`/, kaiv oJ uiJov~ tou` ajnqrwvpou ejpaiscunqhvsetai aujtovn o{tan e[lqh/ ejn th`/ dovxh/ tou` patrov~ aujtou` metav tw`n ajggevlwn tw`n aJgivwn. Kaiv e[legen aujtoi`~: jAmhvn levgw uJmi`n, o{ti eijsiv tine~ tw`n w\de ejsthkovtwn, oi{tine~ ouj mhv geuvswntai qanavtou e]w~ a[n i[dwsi thvn basileivan tou` Qeou` ejlhluqui`an ejn dunavmei.

Gospel
From the Gospel according to St. Mark
Chapter 8:34-38, 9:1

The Lord said, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?" For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power."

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
1260 Davis Street - Church
986 Chapman Street - Office
San Jose, California 95126