Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost & Second Sunday of Luke
Venerable Kyriakos the hermit of Palestine
Martyr Petronia and those with her in Palestine; Mother Mary the hermit of Palestine; Martyrs Gudelia, Casdous, Casdoa, Gargalus, Dada and Gobdelaas of Persia
September 29, 2019
“When Mary stood at Thy grave, looking for Thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above Thy revered tomb; and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men. Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted thereby. Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O Thou, Who art risen from the dead, O Lord, glory to Thee.”+ Resurrectional Apolytikion in Tone Six
Synaxarion (?)
On September 29 in the Holy Orthodox Church we commemorate our righteous father Kyriakos the Hermit of Palestine.
Kyriakos was born in Corinth to John and Eudoxia. His father John was a presbyter and Peter, Bishop of Corinth, was his relative. In his early youth, the bishop tonsured Kyriakos as a reader in the cathedral church. Reading the Holy Scripture, Kyriakos marveled at God’s providence: how God glorified all His true servants and how He arranged the salvation of the human race. At age eighteen, Kyriakos began a life of asceticism that eventually took him to the community supervised by St. Chariton at Souka. Kyriakos became a celebrated canonarch, defender of Orthodoxy, ascetic, priest, miracle-worker and comforter. Kyriakos was large and strong in body, even in deep old age, despite strict fasts and vigils. In the wilderness, for years he ate only raw greens called squills. Kyriakos entered the eternal joy of his Lord in 557 at age 109.
On this day, we also commemorate the Martyr Petronia and those with her in Palestine; Mother Mary the hermit of Palestine; and Martyrs Gudelia, Casdous, Casdoa, Gargalus, Dada and Gobdelaas of Persia.
By their intercessions, O Christ God, have mercy upon us. Amen.
Epistle
The Reading from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (4:6-15)
Brethren, it is the God Who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” Who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. While we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that He Who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Gospel
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (6:31-36)
The Lord said: “As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Source: antiochian.org
Weekly Community Bible Study
Thursday’s 6:00PM-7:00PM
New Series: Virtues & Passions
God willing, the class will discuss creation, mankind’s Fall, the purpose of this life, the remedy towards healing and the channels in which we truly become human beings, how to cultivate the virtues, be cleansed of the passions, and more.
This new series is closely related to the online course Fr. Paul is leading through the St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology (www.saaot.edu).
[Fr. Paul is teaching two online classes – middle and high school – on the “Virtues and Passions” (Course Description)].
All are welcome – adults and youth!
Weekly Great Vespers
Every Saturday 6:00-6:45PM
Why is Great Vespers important?
The service leads to the meditation of God’s word and the glorification of his love for men. It instructs and allows us to praise God for the particular events or persons whose memory is celebrated and made present to us in the Church. It prepares us for the sleep of the night and the dawn of the new day to come. On the eves of the Divine Liturgy, it begins the movement into the most perfect communion with God in the sacramental mysteries.
Learn more here
St. Paul Church Iconography (Dome)
As John continues his work, please be watchful of the scaffolding. Naturally, several of the pews are not available for use. Thankfully, the equipment is installed in a safe and convenient manner to allow access to the front of the church and not disrupt our Divine Services.
Make sure to visit our parish Facebook Page for photos – share the beauty with your family and friends.
“Parish Council Corner”
Life at St. Paul continues with ever-increasing activity even during the summer months. It is hard to imagine that we are already on October’s doorstep.
Periodically, you will find various updates here in the “Parish Council Corner” – see below concerning property maintenance:
Two roof leaks were successfully repaired, through the grace of God, and thanks to the generous help of our brother in Christ Nick Stefanis of Gulf Western Roofing.
Due to the heavy rain season year-after-year, a ground-level leak into the kitchen formed from the back exterior wall. This was quickly resolved by our landscapers Bello Paradise.
Back in July, we announced a great need for more efficient and reliable parking lot lights.
Thank you for “answering the call” and stepping forward to ensure your parish could install new LED lights to increase our safety and security.
Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks.
Epistle Intonation Training
Saturday, October 12 at 5:00PM
Dn. Nicholas Reid will hold an “Epistle Intonation Training” session for any Orthodox Christians 14 years or older, in good canonical standing (i.e. leading an active Orthodox Christian life in the Church).
We are blessed to have at least one Reader at St. Paul, who carries the sacred responsibility of delivering the Epistle message to the faithful.
At the same time, there will be opportunities for a lay person, who has been trained and developed their skills, to step-in and read the Epistle at the Divine Liturgy.
The holy order of the Reader upholds the spiritual responsibility for the care of the spoken words or Holy Scripture…In societies where literacy has flooded the human heart and mind with disharmony, noise, and confusion, the sacred responsibilities of the Reader are even more critical, since by the prayerful and holy exercise of his ministerial responsibilities, the Reader offers the Holy Scriptures as a correcting balm, and a healing of the spiritual hearts of the faithful.
This is a critical and sacred responsibility, which cannot be undertaken lightly without being an offense to Christ. Undertaken with humility, care, and love, the order of the Reader is a great blessing to the faithful of the Church, and to the salvation of the soul of the Reader himself.
From A Guide for Readers in the Orthodox Church
Join us immediately after the Divine Worship each Sunday for Fellowship Coffee Hour.
There is great joy in serving, offering hospitality, and “breaking bread” together, which are essential elements of the Christian life.
In order to avoid allowing this “labor of love” to fall upon the same few people week-after-week, please sign-up to sponsor the Fellowship Coffee Hour on any available Sunday.
“Great – what exactly am I signing up for?”
Simply bring 1 1/2 – 2 dozen Bagels sliced in half (or specialty breads, breakfast cake, etc.) to the kitchen, upon arrival to service Sunday morning. After service, set the food out and then clean up at the end – there is help so you’re not alone! We already have the toppers (peanut butter, jam, etc.), paper goods, and coffee at the parish!
“Can I support Fellowship Coffee Hour in a different way?”
No problem – make an offering that would donate towards the bagels and we will handle the rest!
Either way, keep it simple and give it a shot!
Don’t wait – send a note back to this email (info@stpaulnaples.org) or reach out to our Antiochain Women (AW) Chair, Anna Castley (anna@icsamerica.com), to learn which Sunday is available.
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America Newsletter – Fall 2019
[click image below]
The Fall 2019 issue of DIAKONIA, the newsletter of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America, is now available online. This issue features introductions of all the national board leadership, the biography of Metropolitan Joseph, a letter from outgoing President Dianne O’Regan and a greeting from incoming President Kh. Suzanne Murphy, numerous photos, and much more!
