ON NOVEMBER 14TH OUR HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE HOLY FEAST-DAY OF SAINT PHILIP THE HOLY APOSTLE AND SAINT GREGORY PALAMAS
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Saint Philip the Apostle
This Holy Apostle, one of the Twelve, was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was a compatriot of Saint Andrew and Peter. He was instructed in the teachings of the Law, and devoted himself to the study of the prophetic books. Therefore, when the Lord Jesus called him to the dignity of apostleship, he immediately sought out and found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of Whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (St. John 1:45). Having preached Jesus the God-man throughout many parts of Asia Minor, and having suffered many things for His Name's sake, he was finally crucified upside down in Hierapolis of Phrygia.
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn in Third Mode
O Holy Apostle Philip, intercede to our Merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Kontakion Hymn in Plagal Fourth Mode
Your disciple and friend, emulator of Your passion, the divinely eloquent Philip, proclaimed You to the world as God. By his entreaties, and through the Theotokos, keep Your Church from lawless enemies, O Most Merciful.
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Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki
This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Veroea. He spent some time in Thessaloniki being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 A.D. against Acindunos, who was of like mind with Varlaam; Varlaam and Acindinos claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the Uncreated Energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the Uncreated God. In 1347 A.D. he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessaloniki. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Orthodox Christian Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord 1359 A.D. His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessaloniki.
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn in Plagal Fourth Mode
You are a guide of Orthodoxy, a teacher of piety and modesty, a luminary of the world, the God inspired pride of monastics. O wise Gregory, you have enlightened everyone by your teachings. You are the harp of the Spirit. Intercede to Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.
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Kontakion Hymn in Plagal Fourth Mode
With one accord, we praise thee as the sacred and divine vessel of wisdom and clear trumpet of theology, O our righteous Father Gregory of divine speech. As a mind that standeth now before the Primal Mind, do thou ever guide aright and lead out mind to Him, that we may cry: Rejoice, O herald of grace divine.
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DIVINE SERVICES FOR November 14th
Orthros at 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Saint Nektarios Chapel
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MY BLESSING TO ALL OF YOU
The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!"--Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George