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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

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When Thou didst descend unto death, O
Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou
didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out:
O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

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In giving birth, thou didst preserve thy virginity; in thy dormition, thou didst not
forsake the world, O Theotokos. Thou wast translated unto life, since thou art the
Mother of Life; and by thine intercessions dost thou redeem our souls from death.
/KONTAKION FOR TODAY

Neither the grave nor death could contain the Theotokos, the unshakable hope, ever vigilant in
intercession and protection. As Mother of life, He who dwelt in the ever-virginal womb
transposed her to life.
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11th Sunday of matthew


Holy Apostle Matthias, Anthony the Martyr of Alexandria, Afterfeast of the Transfiguration
Sunday, August 16th 2015

Todays scripture readings


Epistle reading

St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12


Prokeimenon. Mode 2.
Psalm 117.14,18
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.
BRETHREN, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would
examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be
accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only
Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own
expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some
of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law
of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is
concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman
should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual
good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon
you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything
rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
Gospel pericope

Matthew 18:23-35
The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with
his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he
could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be
made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'
And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he
went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he
said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay
you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had
taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his
lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and
should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him
to the jailors, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to everyone of you, if you do not
forgive your brother from your heart."

Announcements
Liturgical/Program Schedule:
TODAY: Sunday School Teachers Meeting after Liturgy!
Wed. August 19th: Parish Council Meeting 6:30pm
Thurs. August 20th: Thursdays on First, volunteers needed!
Sun. August 23rd: NO SERVICES @ Holy Anargyroi!
Todays Memorial Service: V. Rev. Fr. Jerome
NO SERVICES SUNDAY, AUGUST 23rd!!! Please take note and plan on attending one of
sister parishes in MSP/STP.
Greek Festival Volunteers: Please join us all in working together for the benefit of our parish by
being a volunteer for our Greek Festival: August 28, 29, and 30. Sign up your times by going to
this website: http://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10c0945a4ab29a6f49-holy2/17693561
HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNIONOrthodox Christians 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.

SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, SEPT. 13TH!


A parish-wide BBQ is planned for after Liturgy on Sunday, Sept. 13th @
Slatterly Park (10th ST & 11th Ave SE). Come enjoy Johnnys Chicken,
Fr. Marks BBQ Ribs, Hamburgers, and Hotdogs! Please bring a side dish
or dessert to share; beverages will be provided! Lets celebrate Backto-School and the end of summer together!

TODAYS COMMEMORATIONS
1. THE ICON OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,
"NOT MADE WITH HANDS"
At the time when our Lord preached the Good News and healed every
illness and infirmity of men, there lived in the city of Edessa on the
shore of the Euphrates Prince Abgar who was completely infected with
leprosy. He heard of Christ, the Healer of every pain and disease and
sent an artist, Ananias, to Palestine with a letter to Christ in which he
begged the Lord to come to Edessa and to cure him of leprosy. In the
event that the Lord was unable to come, the prince ordered Ananias to
portray His likeness and to bring it to him, believing that this likeness
would be able to restore his health. The Lord answered that He was unable to come, for the time of His
passion was approaching took a towel, wiped His face and, on the towel, His All-pure face was perfectly
pictured. The Lord gave this towel to Ananias with the message that the prince will be healed by it, but
not entirely, and later on, He would send him a messenger who would erase the remainder of his disease.
Receiving the towel, Prince Abgar kissed it and the leprosy completely fell from his body but a little of it
remained on his face. Later, the Apostle Thaddaeus, preaching the Gospel, came to Abgar and secretly
healed and baptized him. The prince then destroyed the idols which stood before the gates of the city and
above the gates he placed the towel with the likeness of Christ attached to wood, framed in a gold frame
and adorned with pearls. Also, the prince wrote beneath the icon on the gates: "O Christ God, no one will
be ashamed who hopes in You." Later, one of Abgar's great grandsons restored idolatry and the bishop of
Edessa came by night and walled up that icon over the gates. Centuries have passed since then. During the
reign of Emperor Justinian, the Persian King Chozroes attacked Edessa and the city was in great hardship.
It happened that Eulabius, the Bishop of Edessa, had a vision of the All-Holy Theotokos who revealed to
him the mystery of the sealed wall and the forgotten icon. The icon was discovered and, by its power, the
Persian army was defeated.

2. THE HOLY MARTYR DIOMEDES [DIOMIDIUS]


Diomedes was of prominent birth and a physician from Tarsus. Healing the people, Diomedes taught
them about the Faith of Christ. Emperor Diocletian ordered him beheaded in Nicaea in the year 298 A.D.
Those who beheaded him and brought his head to the emperor were blinded and when they returned the
head to the body and prayed, they were made whole again.

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