My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. Ο ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΕΝ ΤΩ ΜΕΣΩ ΗΜΩΝ! ΚΑΙ ΗΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΙ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΑΙ.
FROM THE DIVINE SERVICE OF THE AKATHIST
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Plagal Tone
Having secretly received the command, the Archangel hastened unto Joseph's abode and spoke to the Holy Virgin. He Who bowed the Heavens with His descending, is wholly contained, yet unchanged in You. And seeing Him taking the likeness of a servant in Your womb, I stand in amazement and cry unto You: "Hail! O Bride Ever-Virgin."
THE CANON
I shall open my mouth, and filled with Sprit, I shall speak to the Queen Mother; and I shall be seen gladly rejoicing, and shall sing with delight all Her marvels.
TROPARIA
Most Holy Mother of God intercede for us. When the great Archangel saw You O Pure One, the living Bible of Christ, sealed by the Spirit, he cried unto You: Hail! O Vessel of gladness, through whom the curse of the first mother is loosed.
Most Holy Mother of God intercede for us.
Hail! O Virgin-Bride of God, the restorer of Adam and the death of Hades. Hail! O Blameless one, the Palace of the only King. Hail! O fiery Throne of the Almighty.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Hail! You who alone blossomed the unwilting Rose; Hail! You, who did bear the fragrant apple so pleasing to the King of all. Hail! O unwedded Maiden, the salvation of the world.
Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen
Hail! O Treasure of purity, through whom we rose from our fall. Hail! O Lady, sweet-scented lily pleasing all the faith. Hail! O fragrant incense, and priceless myrrh.
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1st FRIDAY IN LENT
1st STANZA
Priest: The Archangel was sent from Heaven to say "Hail" ("Rejoice") to the Theotokos. And with his Celestial Voice, envisioning You O Lord embodied, he was wonder-rapt and stood crying unto Her:
Hail! To You through Whom joy shall shine forth. Hail! To You through Whom the curse will vanish.
Hail! The recalling of the fallen Adam. Hail! the redemption of Eve's tears.
Hail! O Height beyond human logic. Hail! O Depth invisible even to the eyes of Angels.
Hail! For You are the King's throne. Hail! That bear Him, Who bears the Universe.
Hail! O Star revealing the Sun. Hail! O Womb of Divine Incarnation.
Hail! To You through Whom Creation is re-made. Hail! To You through Whom the Creator is born a Babe.
HAIL! O BRIDE UNWEDDED
Beholding herself in purity, the Holy One courageously said to Gabriel: "Your strange voice seems almost in-believable to my soul; for how do you speak of birth giving without seed? Crying": "ALLELUIA".
Yearning to know the incomprehensible knowledge, the Virgin cried to the Liturgists: "How may a Son be born from a Virginal womb? Tell me".
To her he answered in fear, yet crying thus: Hail! O Seer of the ineffable Will.
Hail! O Surety of those praying in silence.
Hail! To You the Preface of Christ's miracles.
Hail! To You the Heading of His Commandments.
Hail! O Heavenly Ladder, by which God descended.
Hail! O Bridge, conveying those from earth to Heaven.
Hail! O Miracle, much marveled of Angels.
Hail! O trauma, much dirged of Demons
Hail! To You, Who ineffably bore the Light.
Hail! To You, Who revealed the Mystery to none.
Hail! O Knowledge, superceding the wise.
Hail! To You, Who enlightens the minds of believers.
HAIL! O BRIDE UNWEDDED
FROM THE DIVINE SERVICE OF THE PARAKLESIS (SUPPLICATION)
Most Holy Theotokos save us.
With many temptations surrounding me, Searching for salvation, I have hastened unto you; O Mother of the Logos/Word, and Ever-Virgin, From all distresses and dangers deliver me.
Most Holy Theotokos saves us.
Assaults of the passions have shaken me, My soul to its limits Has been filled with much despair; Bring peace, O Maiden, in the calmness, Of you own Son and your God, All-Blameless One.
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To God and the Savior you've given birth; I ask you, O Virgin, From the dangers deliver me; For now I run to you for refuge, With both my soul and my reasoning.
Now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen
Diseased is the body and the soul; Deem me truly worthy Of divine guidance and your care; For you alone are God's Mother, As the good and the birthgiver of the Good...
Deliver us, All of your servants, from danger, O Theotokos; After God, we all flee to you, For shelter and covering, As an unshakable wall and our protection.
Turn to me, In your good favor, all praise-worthy Theotokos; Look upon my grave illnesses, Which painfully sting my flesh and heal the cause of my soul's pain and suffering...
A protection of Christians unshamable, Intercessor to our Holy Maker, unwavering, Please reject not The prayerful cries of those who are in sin. Instead, come to us, for you are good; Your loving help bring unto us, Who are crying in faith to you: Hasten to intercede And speed now to supplicate, As a protection for all time, Theotokos, for those who honor you...
Put me not into the hands Of any human protections, O our Lady, Most Holy, But do now receive the prayers of your supplicant; Sorrow has taken me, And I am unable To withstand and bear the demon's darts; Shelter I do not have, Nor a place to go, worthless that I am; Lady of humanity, The shelter of the faithful and their hope, Do not reject my prayers to you, Do the things that profit me.
EXAPOSTILARIA:
O You Apostles from far off, Being gathered together in the village of Gethsemane, Lay my body in burial, And You, my Son, and my God, Receive now my spirit from me.
You are the sweetness of Angels, The gladness of the afflicted ones, A protection of all Christians, O Virgin Mother of our Lord; Grant me now help and save me From the eternal torments.
I have you as Mediator Before God Who loves mankind; May He not question my action Before the hosts of Angels, I ask of you, O Virgin, Hasten now quickly to my aid. You are a tower adorned with gold, A city surrounded by twelve walls, A shining throne touched by the sun, A royal seat for the King, O unexplained wonder, How do you nurse the Master?
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MONDAY, AUGUST 14TH
Divine Services will be conducted at the Holy Dormition Chapel in New Carlisle at:
Great Vespers 7:00 p.m.
The Blessing of the Five Loaves
The Epitaphion and Lamentation service (procession around the Chapel)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15TH
Orthros (Matins) 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20TH
Orthros (Matins) 9:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy 10:30 a.m.
Immediately following: ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC - ALL PARISH FAMILIES ARE INVITED!
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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