St. Stephen the First Martyr Orthodox Mission
“Bless, O Lord, this vine which You planted with Your right hand, and establish it!”
First Sunday of Lent: Orthodoxy Sunday
3560 Shawnee Rd, Lima OH (419) 303-2467 www.orthodoxlima.org
Fr. Mark Hodges 442 S Charles St Lima OH 45805 fr.mark.hodges@juno.com
Second Sunday of Lent: St Gregory Palamas
3560 Shawnee Rd, Lima OH (419) 303-2467 www.orthodoxlima.org
Fr. Mark Hodges 442 S Charles St Lima OH 45805 fr.mark.hodges@juno.com “O God, draw us closer to You and to each other; form us into a true
worshiping community, unite us into a Body of love
and “preserve this holy house until the end of the world!”
COMMEMORATING the seven hieromartyrs of
cherson Basil, Ephraim, Eugene, Elpidius, Agathodorus, Aetherius and
Capito were all bishops in Cherson at different times, and all suffered from
unbelievers (only Aetherius died peacefully). They had all gone to that savage
land as missionaries, sent by the Patriarch of Jerusalem to bring the light of
the Gospel there. They were all tortured and suffered for the sake of their
Lord. Basil raised the son of a prince of Cherson to life, which embittered the
Jews and they brought charges against him. He was bound by the feet and
dragged through the streets of the town until he died. Ephraim was beheaded.
Eugene, Elpidius and Agathorodus were beaten with rods and stones until
they gave their souls into God's hands. Aetherius lived in the time of
Constantine the Great, and so he governed the Church in freedom and peace,
built a great church in Cherson and died peacefully. When the last of them,
Capito, was sent as bishop, the savage Scythians sought a sign of him, that
they might believe. And they suggested to him that he go into a burning
furnace, and, if he were not burned up, they would believe. With fervent
prayer and hope in God, Capito put on his episcopal pallium and, crossing
himself, entered the burning furnace, holding his heart and thoughts directed
towards God. He stood in the flames for about an hour, and came out
untouched, with no scorch-mark either on his body or his clothing. Then all
cried out: 'There is one God, the great and powerful God of the Christians,
who keeps His servant safe in the burning furnace!', and the whole town was
baptized. Many spoke of this wonder at the Council of Nicaea (325), and all
glorified God and praised the firm faith of St Capito. But jealous Scythian
unbelievers caught Capito by the River Dnieper and drowned him. All 7
suffered around the beginning of the fourth century. Today we honor St
Enilianus, born in Rome, who committed many grave sins in his youth.
When he came to his senses and turned from his sin, he trembled at the
thought of the judgement of God. He went to a monastery and there, by
fasting, vigils and obedience, subdued his body. Often at night he went out of
the monastery to a neighboring cave to pray. Not knowing where he went, the
abbot of the monastery followed him in secret one night. And the abbot saw
Emilianus standing in prayer with awe and tears. All at once a heavenly light,
brighter than the sun, illumined that hill and a voice was heard from heaven:
'Emilianus, your sins are forgiven!' The abbot was amazed and revealed all.
Today we venerate St Laurence, a married man with two sons, who was
righteous and devout. The Mother of God appeared to him in a dream and
commanded him to go to the island of Salamis and to restore a church. He
found ruins there, and built a new church. There he became a monk and
departed this life on March 7th, 1770. Many miracles occurred over his relics.
Before Vespers, the flowered Cross is on the Table of Preparation.
Priest: Blessed is our God always, now and ever, and to ages of ages!
People (sing): Amen!
Reader: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us 3x
Glory... Now and ever and to ages of ages, amen.
O most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our
sins! Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities, for Your Name's sake!
Lord, have mercy! (three times)
Glory... Now and ever and to ages of ages, amen.
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be Your Name...
Priest: For Yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages
of ages! (He then goes to the Table of Preparation.)
People (sing): Amen!
People (while the priest censes the Cross, prostrates before it, and then takes
up the Cross over his head): O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your
inheritance! Grant victory to the Orthodox people over the Adversary,
and by virtue of Your Cross, preserve Your habitation!
Reader: Glory... ...now and ever and to ages of ages amen!
People (while the priest, preceded by candle-bearers, carries the Cross to the
Altar where the Gospel usually lays [the Gospel is stood up]. He then censes
the Cross 3x around the Altar): Now the flaming sword no longer guards
the gates of Paradise; It has been mysteriously quenched by the wood of
the Cross! The sting of death and the victory of hell have been
vanquished! For You, O my Savior, came and cried to those in hell:
"Enter again into Paradise!"
AT GREAT VESPERS:
Lord I Call Tone Six (page 21)
6 Tone Six “Stikhera” Hymns (page 29)
Hymns from the Lenten Triodion (after “From the morning watch...”):
Shine, O Cross of the Lord! Illumine the hearts of those who honor you!
With love inspired by God, we embrace you, for you are the only hope of
the world. Through you our tears are wiped away, the snares of death
are sprung, and we pass over into everlasting joy. Through the Cross
reveal Your beauty to us, O Lord! Help Your servants who ask for
mercy in faith!// Bestow upon us the fruits of abstinence!
Hail, O life-bearing Cross: bright paradise of the Church, the tree
of incorruption! You have obtained for us the joy of everlasting glory.
Through you, the hosts of demons are driven out; the choirs of Angels
are amazed and rejoice; the company of the faithful gathers in
celebration. O unconquerable weapon, unbroken stronghold, triumph of
Orthodox Christians and pride of priests,// by following you may we
witness the Passion and Resurrection of Christ our God!
Hail, O life-bearing Cross: the invincible weapon of godliness, the
gate of Paradise, the protection of the faithful! The Cross is the might of
the Church, through which corruption is abolished, through which the
power of death is crushed. The Cross raises us up from earth to heaven!
The Cross is the enemy of Satan! The Cross is the glory of martyrs! The
Cross is the haven of salvation,// and grants the world great mercy!
Come, O Adam and Eve, our first father and mother, you fell from
divine glory through the envy of the murderer of man! Bitter was the
pleasure of the Tree of old; but see, the honored Tree of the Cross draws
near! Run with haste and embrace it in joy, crying out with faith: “You
are our help, O most-precious Cross! We eat of your fruit and gain
incorruption!// We are restored again to Eden, having received great
mercy!”
GLORY... Hymn from the Lenten Triodion (Tone 3): Wishing to
restore all men to life, You accepted crucifixion, O Christ our God.
Burning with boundless love for man, You took the quill of the Cross in
Your hand; dipping it in ink of royal crimson, You signed our release
with blood-stained fingers. Though temptations assault us, may we never
forsake You again! Have mercy on Your despairing people, O
long-suffering Master!// Arise and fight Your enemies in Your almighty
power!
NOW & EVER... Theotokion “Dogmatic” Tone 6 (pg 35)
At The Apostika: Tone Six Apostikha Hymns (page 53)
GLORY... NOW & EVER... Hymn from the Lenten Triodion (Tone
4): The humble David defeated his enemies by Your help, O Lord. Now
come to the aid of Your Orthodox people; show us Your power as You
did of old, and our adversaries will know that You are God! And we will
be victorious, for we hope in You. Through the constant intercessions of
Your all-pure Mother,// grant us Your great mercy!
Final Troparia: Tone 6 Sunday (Resurrection) Tropar (pg 58, music p95)
Troparion honoring The Cross: O Lord, save Your people, and
bless Your inheritance! Grant victory to the Orthodox Christians over
the Adversary; and by virtue of Your Cross,// preserve Your habitation!
GLORY... Kontakion for The Cross (Tone 7): Now the flaming
sword no longer guards the gates of Eden; it has been mysteriously
quenched by the wood of the Cross. The sting of death and the victory of
hell have been vanquished; for You, O my Savior, have come and cried
to those in hell:// “Enter again into Paradise!”
NOW & EVER... Tone One Dismissal Theotokion (pg 58)
BEFORE LITURGY, the priest censes the Cross three times all around.
Reader (during censing): Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to
men of good will. We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify
You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory! O Lord God, heavenly
King, God the Father almighty! O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ!
And the Holy Spirit! O Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who takes away the
sins of the world, have mercy on us! O Lord who takes away the sins of the
world, receive our prayer! God the Son who sits at the right hand of the
Father, have mercy on us! For You only are holy; You only are the Lord;
You only are most high, to the glory of God the Father, amen! Everyday I
will give thanks to You and praise Your Name forever. Vouchsafe, O Lord,
to keep us this day without sin. Blessed are You, O Lord, God of our Fathers,
and praised and glorified is Your Name forever, amen! Let Your mercy, O
Lord, be upon us, as we have set our hope on You! Blessed are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes! Blessed are You, O Master: Let me understand
Your commandments! Blessed are You, O Holy One: Enlighten me with
Your precepts! Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to
generation. I said: Lord, be merciful to me, heal my soul for I have sinned
against You. I flee to You; Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God!
For with You is the Fountain of Life, and in Your light we see light. O
continue Your loving kindness to those who know You!
People (sing, in a slow and solemn melody): Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy
Immortal, have mercy on us! (slowly and repeatedly)
The priest prostrates thrice, holds the Cross over his head and carries it out
the North Door, preceded by candle bearers and the censer...
He stops in front of the Holy Doors, saying: Wisdom! Let us attend!
People (sing Troparion thrice): O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your
inheritance! Grant victory to the Orthodox people over the Adversary,
and by virtue of Your Cross, preserve Your habitation! (3x)
The priest proceeds to the center of the Church and places the Cross on a
table. He censes the Cross all around, three times. He then sings: Before
Your Cross, we bow down in worship, O Master! And Your holy
Resurrection, we magnify!
People (3x, while the priest prostrates 2x, kisses the Cross, and prostrates):
Before Your Cross, we bow down in worship, O Master! And Your holy
Resurrection, we magnify!
Each of the faithful, in order, +prostrate twice, kiss the Cross, then
+prostrate a third time, while the people sing "Having Beheld."
AT THE DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT
After the Entrance:
Tone Six Sunday (Resurrection) Troparion (Basil Lit. bk pg 23)
Troparion honoring The Cross (see above at Vespers)
Kontakion from the Lenten Triodion (see above at Vespers)
GLORY... Kontakion honoring The Cross (see above at Vespers)
NOW and EVER... Steadfast Protectress (Basil Lit. bk. pg. 26)
The Liturgy continues on page 28.
Instead of the Trisagion, we sing: Before Your Cross, we bow down and
worship, O Master! And Your holy resurrection, we magnify! (3x)
Prokeimenon (Tone 6): O Lord, save Your people and bless Your
inheritance! verse: To You, O Lord, will I call. O my God, be
not silent to me!
Epistle: Hebrews 4:14-5:6 Since we have a great 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, "You are my Son, today I
have begotten You"; as He says also in another place, "You are a priest for
ever, after the order of Melchizedek."
Alleluia: 1) Remember Your congregation, which You have
purchased of old! 2) God is our King before the ages; He has worked
salvation in the midst of the earth!
Gospel: Mark 8:34-9:1 Jesus called to him the multitude with his disciples,
and said to them, "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."
Addition to our Litany of Fervent Supplication, by direction of our
Chancellor: Again we pray, O merciful Lord, that You will call forth for
us an archpastor of wisdom and strength, blessing us with a bishop to
care for the well-being of this diocese, to unite us in loving service to all,
and to be a witness to the glory of Your holy Name, we pray, hear us and
have mercy!
Communion Hymn: Praise the Lord from the Heavens, and, The light of
Your countenance has shone on us, O Lord! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
WE ARE PRAYING FOR:
David Hodges, ill health, and house in foreclosure
Mary Sue Walker, may need abdomen surgery
priest Joseph Gibson and travelers to the Hogar in Guatemala
Lonnie Beery, still in hospital, had surgery last Wednesday the 17th
Subdeacon Joshua, to have surgery soon to remove his gallbladder
Our catechumens: Andrew, Tisha, Jayden & Madison Kill, NateFrawley,
Deborah Ioaniddis, Lonnie & Robert Beery
BIRTH/NAMEDAYS: Tikhon Bradford 4th; Scott Grew 5th; Lois 7th;
Jonathan Wey 8th; Lada Fanning 9th;
THOSE FALLEN ASLEEP: the archpriests Jack Sparks & Richard Ballew
Jean Miriam Card Walker, Fr Gordon’s mother
Charles Card’s daughter (relative of Fr Gordon), died in heart surgery
March 7th - 13th, the 2010th year of our Lord
Tuesday 11am - Shawnee/Cridersville Min Assoc HERE
Tuesday 7pm - Mission Council meeting
Wed. 6:00pm - Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts w/potluck
Thursday 1:00pm - Seekers Group at Church (note time!)
Saturday 6pm - Memorial Saturday Panikhida
Saturday 6:30pm - Lenten Vespers w/General Confession
LENTEN SERVICES
Beloved, our service schedule at St Stephen’s is minimal. Make
certain you attend every one of these times of essential prayer. (This
is also an opportunity to visit other Orthodox parishes, most will have
Presanctifieds every Friday, and other Lenten services when we don’t.)
Wednesday, March 10th, 6:00pm - Presanctified Liturgy w/potluck
Sat. 13th 6:00pm - Mem. Saturday Panikhida, Vespers, Gen. Confession
Wednesday, March 17th, 6:00pm - Presanctified Liturgy w/potluck
Thursday, March 18th, 6:30pm - Canon of St Andrew for MidFast
Friday, March 19th, 6:30pm - Akathist to the Theotokos
Saturday. 20th 6:30pm - Lenten Vespers w/General Confession
Wednesday, March 24th, 6:00pm - Presanctified Liturgy w/potluck
Thursday, March 25th, 10:30am - Feast of the Annunciation
Holy Monday, March 29th, 6:30pm - Bridegroom Matins
Holy Tuesday, March 30th, 6:30pm - Bridegroom Matins
Holy Wednesday, March 31st, 6:30pm - Holy Unction
Holy Thursday, April 1st, 6:30pm - The Twelve Passion Gospels
Holy Friday, April 2nd, 6:30pm - The Entombment of God w/S-C Min.
Holy Saturday, April 3rd, 11:00pm - Great and Holy Pascha
...and don’t forget to set aside Bright Week for celebrations!
St Thomas Sunday, April 11th, after Liturgy - Blessing of Graves
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lois Hodges: King Ahaziah was taught to do wickedly by his mother
Athaliah. When he died, Athaliah killed all of his children (her grandchildren)
so she could reign. She didn't know that the children's aunt hid 2 year old
Joash in the Temple. Those in the Temple taught Joash to love God. When
Joash was 7, the high priest brought him out and crowned him king. Little
Joash was thankful he was saved and he wanted to repair the temple. He had a
chest made and asked people to put their valuables and money in it for God's
house. The people responded generously and the chest of Joash was filled
quickly. Joash said, "Let it be filled again." When all the bills were paid,
there was still money left over for vessels for the priest to use. As I was
reading this story, the thought came to me that our church could do this too.
We have made our own "Chest of Joash," and we challenge every member
and friend of Saint Stephen’s to fill it up! There’s a list of our needs above
the “Chest of Joash” in our social area. Help our church as King Joash did!
SPAGHETTI DINNER served by Saint Stephen’s Youth Group (as a
fundraiser), FRIDAY, MARCH 12th, AT 5:00 p.m. AT CHURCH!!!
From intercessor Pat Blischak: “Our sincere prayers are with you for the
success of your church and its growth in the Lima area. You are aware how
small St. Greg’s was for some time. You must believe and have faith that God
will be with you. Growth is very slow, just a small child, in the early years.
However, with food and nourishment and of course, God's blessings, it will
grow and succeed. I wish we were in a better financial situation so that we
could not only offer prayers but send resources as well. Pray for God to send
you a guardian angel or let us say a flock of angels. Do not become
discouraged my friends, hold to the faith. Is it possible to stretch to an
adjacent area. How many of us are driving 40 miles or more just to attend
services. We now have a famlly that travels from time to time from
Parkersburg, WV, to attend services. So seek your neighbors!”
Confession of sin is an essential aspect of genuine Christian life, and a
requirement for receiving holy Communion. It is especially important during
Great and Holy Lent that every member come to confession. Father Mark is
available anytime, by appointment, for confession.
Several Saturdays during Lent are special, "Memorial Saturday"s, when we
commemorate those we love who have fallen asleep in the Lord. If you have
a loved one you wish prayed for, tell Father Mark and he will add your loved
one to our mission’s list (name, relationship to you, and the date of death).
If you’ve borrowed a book from our bookstore and it is in perfect condition,
please return it; if it is no longer in perfect condition, please pay for it.
Contribute to our candle box! If those who can gave $1 for every candle they
used, we would come closer to recouping the cost of our tapers.
Because we have so few services during Great Lent, members are encouraged
to come to Church any/every day to pray the Canon of Repentance (below).
CANON OF REPENTANCE Tone 6
Ode 1 Eirmos: When Israel walked on foot in the deep as on dry land,
on seeing their pursuer Pharaoh drowned, they cried: Let us sing to God a
song of victory.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Now I, a burdened sinner, have approached You, my Lord and God.
But I dare not raise my eyes to heaven. I only pray, saying: Give me, O Lord,
understanding, that I may weep bitterly over my deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
O woe is me, a sinner! Wretched am I above all men. There is no
repentance in me. Give me, O Lord, tears, that I may weep bitterly over my
deeds. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit...
Foolish, wretched man, you are wasting your time in idleness! Think
of your life and turn to the Lord God, and weep bitterly over your deeds.
...now and ever and to ages of ages, amen.
Theotokion: O most pure Mother of God, look on me a sinner, and
deliver me from the snares of the devil, and guide me to the way of
repentance, that I may weep bitterly over my deeds.
Ode 3 Eirmos: There is none holy as You, O Lord my God, Who has
exalted the horn of Your faithful, O Good One, and has established us upon
the rock of Your confession.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
When the thrones will be set at the dread judgement, then the deeds of
all men shall be laid bare. There will be woe for sinners being sent to
torment! And knowing that, my soul, repent of your evil deeds.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
The righteous shall rejoice, but the sinners will weep. Then no one will
be able to help us, but our deeds will condemn us. Therefore, before the end,
repent of your evil deeds.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit...
Alas for me, a great sinner, who has defiled myself by my deeds and
thoughts. Not a teardrop do I have, because of my hardheartedness. But now,
rise from the earth, my soul, and repent of your evil deeds.
...now and ever and to ages of ages, amen.
Theotokion: Behold, your Son calls, O Lady, and directs us to what is
good, yet I a sinner always flee from the good. But You, O merciful One,
have mercy on me, that I may repent of my evil deeds.
Lord, have mercy (3x)
Sessional Hymn, 6th Tone:: I think of the terrible Day and weep over
my evil deeds. How shall I answer the Immortal King? With what boldness
shall I, a prodigal, look at the Judge? O compassionate Father, O Only-
begotten Son, and Holy Spirit, have mercy on me!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and
ever and to ages of ages, amen.
Theotokion: Bound now with many fetters of sins, and held fast by
cruel passions, I flee you, my salvation, and cry aloud: Help me, O Virgin,
Mother of God.
Ode 4 Eirmos: Christ is my power, my God and my Lord, the August
Church sings in godly fashion, and she cries out with a pure mind, keeping
festival in the Lord.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Broad is the way here and convenient for indulging in pleasures, but
how bitter it will be on the last Day when the soul is separated from the body!
Beware of these things, O man, for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Why do you wrong the poor man? Why do you withhold the wage of
the hired servant? Why do you not love your brother? Why do you pursue
lust and pride? Therefore, abandon these things, my soul, and repent for the
sake of the Kingdom of God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit...
O mindless man! How long will you busy yourself like a bee,
collecting your wealth? For it will soon perish like dust and ashes. But seek
rather the Kingdom of God. ...now and ever and to ages of ages, amen.
Theotokion: O Lady Theotokos, have mercy on me, a sinner, and
strengthen and keep me in virtue, lest sudden death snatch me away
unprepared; and lead me, O Virgin, to the Kingdom of God.
Ode 5 Eirmos: With Your divine light, O Good One, illumine the
souls of those who rise early to pray to You with love, I pray, that they may
know You, O Word of God, as the true God, Who recalls us from the
darkness of sin. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Remember, wretched man, how you are enslaved to lies, slander, theft,
infirmities, wild beasts, on account of sins. O my sinful soul, is this what you
have desired? Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
My members tremble, for with all of them I have done wrong: with my
eyes in looking, with my ears in hearing, with my tongue in speaking evil, and
by surrendering the whole of myself to Gehenna. O my sinful soul, is this
what you have desired?
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit...
You received the prodigal and the thief who repented, O Savior, and I
alone have succumbed to sinful sloth and have become enslaved to evil deeds.
O my sinful soul, is this what you have desired?
...now and ever and to ages of ages, amen.
Theotokion: Wonderful and speedy helper of all men, help me, O
Mother of God, unworthy as I am, for my sinful soul has desired this.
Ode 6 Eirmos: Beholding the sea of life surging with the tempest of
temptations, I run to Your calm haven and cry to You: Raise up my life from
corruption, O Greatly-merciful One!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
I have lived my life wantonly on earth and have given my soul over to
darkness. But now I implore You, O merciful Master, free me from this work
of the enemy and give me the knowledge to do Your will.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Who does such things as I do? For like a swine lying in the mud, so do
I serve sin. But You, O Lord, pull me out of this vileness and give me the
heart to do Your commandments.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit...
Rise, wretched man, to God and, remembering your sins, fall down
before the Creator, weeping and groaning, for He is merciful and will grant
you to know His will. ...now and ever and to ages of ages, amen.
Theotokion: O Virgin Theotokos, protect me from evil visible and
invisible, O immaculate one, and accept my prayers and present them to your
Son, that He may grant me the mind to do His will.
Lord, have mercy (3x)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and
ever and to ages of ages, amen.
Kontakion: O my soul, why do you become rich in sins? Why do you
do the will of the devil? On what do you set your hope? Cease from these
things and turn to God with weeping, and cry out: O kindhearted Lord, have
mercy on me a sinner!
Ekos: Think, my soul, of the bitter hour of death and the judgement
Day of your God and Creator. For terrible angels will seize you, my soul, and
will lead you into the eternal fire. And so, before your death, repent and cry:
O Lord, have mercy on me a sinner!
Ode 7 Eirmos: An angel made the furnace sprinkle dew on the
righteous youths. But the command of God consumed the Chaldeans and
prevailed upon the tyrant to cry: Blessed are You, O God of our fathers!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Put not your hope, my soul, in corruptible wealth, and in what is
unjustly collected. For you do not know to whom you will leave it all. But
cry aloud: Have mercy, O Christ God, on me the unworthy!
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Do not trust, my soul, in health of body and quickly-passing beauty.
For you see that the strong and the young die. But cry aloud: Have mercy, O
Christ God, on me the unworthy!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit...
Remember, my soul, eternal life and the heavenly kingdom prepared
for the saints, and the outer darkness and the wrath of God for evil, and cry:
Have mercy, O Christ God, on me the unworthy!
...now and ever and to ages of ages, amen.
Theotokion: Fall down, my soul, before the Mother of God, and pray
to her; for she is the quick helper of those that repent. She entreats the Son,
Christ God, and has mercy on me the unworthy.
Ode 8 Eirmos: From the flame You sprinkled dew on the Saints, and
burned the sacrifice of a righteous man which was sprinkled with water. For
You alone, O Christ, do all as You will. You we exalt to all ages.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
How shall I not weep when I think of death? For I have seen my
brother in his coffin, without glory or comeliness. What, then, am I to
expect? And what do I hope for? Only grant me, O Lord, repentance before
the end. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
How shall I not weep when I think of death? For I have seen my
brother in his coffin, without glory or comeliness. What, then, am I to
expect? And what do I hope for? Only grant me, O Lord, repentance before
the end. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit...
I believe that You will come to judge the living and the dead, and that
all will stand in order, old and young, lords and princes, priests and virgins.
Where shall I find myself? Therefore, I cry: Grant me, O Lord, repentance
before the end. ...now and ever and to ages of ages, amen.
Theotokion: O most pure Theotokos, accept my unworthy prayer and
preserve me from sudden death, and grant me repentance before the end.
Ode 9 Eirmos: It is not possible for men to see God, on Whom the
ranks of angels dare not gaze; but through you, O all-pure one, appeared to
men the Word incarnate, Whom magnifying, with the heavenly hosts we call
you blessed.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Now I flee to you, O Angels, Archangels, and all the heavenly hosts
who stand at the throne of God: pray to your Creator that He may deliver my
soul from eternal torment! Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me!
Now I turn to you with tears, holy patriarchs, kings and prophets,
apostles and holy hierarchs, and all the elect of Christ: help me at the
judgement, that He may save my soul from the power of the enemy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit...
Now I lift up my hands to you, holy martyrs, hermits, virgins, righteous
ones and all the saints, who pray to the Lord for the whole world, that He may
have mercy on me at the hour of my death.
...now and ever and to ages of ages, amen.
Theotokion: O Mother of God, help me who have strong hope in you;
implore your Son that He may place me the unworthy on His right hand,
when He sits to judge the living and the dead. Amen.
(Prayer after the Canon:) O Master Christ God, who has healed my
passions through Your Passion, and has cured my wounds through Your
wounds: Grant me, who have sinned greatly against You, tears of
compunction. Transform my body with the fragrance of Your life-giving
Body, and sweeten my soul with Your precious Blood from the bitterness
with which the foe has fed me. Lift up my downcast mind to You, and take it
out of the abyss of perdition, for I have no repentance, I have no
compunction, I have no consoling tears which uplift children to their heritage.
My mind has been darkened through earthly passions, I cannot look up to You
in pain, I cannot warm myself with tears of love for You. But, O Sovereign
Lord Jesus Christ, Treasury of good things, give me thorough repentance and
a diligent heart to seek You; grant me Your grace, and renew in me the
likeness of Your image. I have forsaken You –do not forsake me! Come out
to seek me; lead me up to Your pasturage and number me among the sheep of
Your chosen flock. Nourish me with them on the grass of Your holy
Mysteries, throught the intercessions of Your most pure Mother and all Your
saints. Amen.
a sense of humor...
Actual signs: TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW
In a Laundromat: AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL
YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT
In a Memphis department store: BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS
In an office: WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER
YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN
In an office: AFTER COFFEE BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE COFFEE POT
AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD
Outside a secondhand shop: WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES,
WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET
A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?
Notice in health food shop window: CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS
Spotted in a safari park: ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR
Notice in a farmer's field: THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE
FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.
Message on a leaflet: IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU
HOW TO GET LESSONS
On a repair shop door: WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD
ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)
CATCH THE VISION
RC Archbishop Caput of Denver: "God calls us to make disciples of all nations. That
means we have a duty to preach Jesus Christ. We have a mandate to share his
Gospel of truth, mercy, justice and love. These are mission words; action words.
They’re not optional. And they have practical consequences for the way we think,
speak, make choices and live our lives, not just at home but in the public square. Real
Christian faith is always personal, but it’s never private... Fifty years ago this fall, in
September 1960, Sen. John F. Kennedy, the Democratic candidate for president,
spoke to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association. He had one purpose. He
needed to convince 300 uneasy Protestant ministers, and the country at large, that a
Catholic like himself could serve loyally as our nation’s chief executive. Kennedy
convinced the country, if not the ministers, and went on to be elected. And his speech
left a lasting mark on American politics. It was sincere, compelling, articulate – and
wrong. Not wrong about the patriotism of Catholics, but wrong about American history
and very wrong about the role of religious faith in our nation’s life. And he wasn’t
merely “wrong.” His Houston remarks profoundly undermined the place not just of
Catholics, but of all religious believers, in America’s public life and political
conversation. Today, half a century later, we’re paying for the damage. Kennedy said:
'I believe in an America where the separation of Church and state is absolute.' Given
the distrust historically shown to Catholics in this country, his words were shrewdly
chosen. The trouble is, the Constitution doesn’t say that. The Founders and Framers
didn’t believe that. And the history of the United States contradicts that... In fact, one of
the main reasons for writing the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause – the clause
that bars any federally-endorsed Church – was that several of the Constitution’s
Framers wanted to protect the publicly funded Protestant Churches they already had
in their own states... America’s Founders encouraged mutual support between
religion and government. The modern, extremist sense of the 'separation of Church
and state' had little force in American consciousness until 1947, when Justice Hugo
Black excavated it from a private letter President Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1802 to
the Danbury Baptist Association... America’s Catholic bishops wrote a wonderful
pastoral letter...strongly challenging Justice Black’s logic. The bishops wrote that 'it
would be an utter distortion of American history and law' to force the nation’s public
institutions into an 'indifference to religion and the exclusion of cooperation between
religion and government.' Kennedy referenced the 1948 bishops’ letter in his Houston
comments. He wanted to prove the deep Catholic support for American democracy.
But he neglected to mention that the same bishops, in the same letter, repudiated the
new and radical kind of separation doctrine he was preaching. Kennedy said that he
would not 'disavow my views or my church in order to win this election.' But in its
effect, the Houston speech did exactly that. It began the project of walling religion
away from the process of governance in a new and aggressive way. It also divided a
person’s private beliefs from his or her public duties... Fifty years after Kennedy’s
Houston speech, we have more Catholics in national public office than ever before.
But I wonder if we’ve ever had fewer of them who can coherently explain how their
faith informs their work, or who even feel obligated to try. We need to live and prove
our love by our actions, not just in our personal and family lives, but also in the public
square. Therefore Christians individually and the Church as a believing community
engage the political order as an obligation of the Word of God... The Christian cannot
ignore and still remain faithful to his vocation as a light to the world (Mt 5:14-16). No
political order, no matter how seemingly good, can ever constitute a just society.
Errors in moral judgment can't be avoided. These errors also grow exponentially in
their complexity as they move from lower to higher levels of society and governance.
Therefore the Christian needs to be loyal to her nation and obedient to its legitimate
rulers. But he also needs to cultivate a critical vigilance about both. Christians have a
duty to take part in public life according to their God-given abilities, even when their
faith brings them into conflict with public authority. We can’t simply ignore or withdraw
from civic affairs... Political engagement is a worthy Christian task, and public office is
an honorable Christian vocation. The skills of the Christian citizen are finally very
simple: a zeal for Jesus Christ and his Church; a conscience formed in humility and
rooted in Scripture and the believing community; the prudence to see which issues in
public life are vital and foundational to human dignity, and which ones are not; and the
courage to work for what's right. We don't cultivate these skills alone. We develop
them together as Christians, in prayer, on our knees, in the presence of Jesus
Christ... I believe abortion is the foundational human rights issue of our lifetime. We
need to do everything we can to support women in their pregnancies and to end the
legal killing of preborn children. We may want to remember that the Romans had a
visceral hatred for Carthage not because Carthage was a commercial rival, or
because its people had a different language and customs. The Romans hated
Carthage above all because its people sacrificed their infants to Ba’al. For the
Romans, who themselves were a hard people, that was a unique kind of wickedness
and barbarism. As a nation, we might profitably ask ourselves whom and what we’ve
really been worshiping in our 50 million 'legal' abortions since 1973... Our job is to
love God, preach Jesus Christ, serve and defend God’s people, and sanctify the world
as his agents. To do that work, we need to be one. Not 'one' in pious words or good
intentions, but really one, perfectly one, in mind and heart and action, as Christ
intended. This is what Jesus meant when He said: 'I do not pray for these only, but
also those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as
You, Father, are in me and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may
believe that You sent me' (Jn 17:20-21). We live in a country that was once – despite
its sins and flaws – deeply shaped by Christian faith. It can be so again. But we will
do that together, or we won’t do it at all. We need to remember the words of St. Hilary
from so long ago: 'Unum sunt, qui invicem sunt': They are one, who are wholly for
each other. May God grant us the grace to love each other, support each other and
live wholly for each other in Jesus Christ, so that we might work together in renewing
the nation that has served human freedom so well."
NEWS FROM THE ORTHODOX WORLD...
St Innocent on confession:
“What does a true and correct confession consist of?
1) Before everything else it is necessary to believe in the Lord
Jesus Christ and firmly hope that He is ready to forgive all
sins, no matter of what magnitude, if only the sinner repents
open-heartedly; it is necessary to believe and hope that the God
of all wants and seeks our return. Of this He assures us through
the prophet: ‘As I live, saith the Lord, I do not desire the
death of a sinner, but entirely desire his conversion.’
2) It is necessary to have a broken heart. Who is God? and who
are we? God is the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth; He is
the awful and righteous Judge. And we? We are weak and
insignificant mortals. All people, even the greatest people, are
less than dust before God, and we can never imagine how
disgusting to God is any sin and how any transgression offends
Him. And we, insignificant and weak, we mortals endlessly
benefitted by our God, dare to offend Him the All-Good One? Oh!
This is so horrible! We are such debtors before God, such
transgressors, that not only should we not dare to call
ourselves His children, but are not even worthy of being His
lowliest servants. Therefore, picturing all this, you see what
contriteness, what lamentation it is necessary to have then,
when we want to purge ourselves of sins. And such a feeling must
be had not only before confession and during confession, but
also after confession. And even more important, do you want to
offer a sacrifice to God such as will be acceptable to Him?
Naturally we all gladly want this and as far as possible we
offer it. But what can we offer Him really acceptable? A broken
heart. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is
broken and humbled, here is an offering to God more priceless
than all offerings and oblations!
3) It is necessary to forgive all our enemies and offenders all
the harmful and offensive things they have done to us.
Forgiveness – what does it mean to forgive? To forgive means
never to avenge, neither secretly nor openly; never to recall
wrongs but rather to forget them and, above all, to love your
enemy as a friend, a brother, as a comrade; to protect his honor
and to treat him right-mindedly in all things. This is what it
means to forgive. And who agrees that this is difficult? So, it
is a hard matter to forgive wrongs, but he who can forgive
wrongs is for this reason great, truly great, both before God
and before man, Yes, it is a hard matter to forgive your
enemies; but it is necessary to forgive, otherwise God Himself
will not forgive you. Jesus Christ said: ‘If you forgive men
their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you also
your trespasses. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses,
neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses.’
On the contrary to this, though you pray to God every hour,
though you have such faith that you can move mountains, even
though you give away all of your belongings to the needy, and
give your body to be burned, if you do not practice forgiveness
and do not forgive your enemy, then all is in vain, for in such
circumstances neither prayer, nor faith, nor charity, will save
you. In short, nothing will save you. But if it is needful to
forgive our enemies, so likewise it is indispensable to ask also
forgiveness of those people whom we have offended. Thus, if you
have offended anyone by word, ask forgiveness of him, come and
bow down at his feet and say, “Forgive me.” Have you offended by
deed? Endeavor to expiate your guilt and offenses and recompense
his damage, then be certain that all of your sins, no matter how
heavy they be, will be forgiven you.
4) It is necessary to reveal your sins properly and without any
concealment. Some say, “For what reason should I reveal my sins
to Him Who knows all of our secrets?” Certainly God knows all of
our sins, but the Church, which has the power from God to
forgive and absolve sins, cannot know them, and for this reason
She cannot, without confession, pronounce Her absolution.
5) Finally, it is necessary to set forth a firm intention to
live prudently in the future. If you want to be in the kingdom
of heaven, if you want God to forgive your sins, then stop
sinning! Only on this condition does the Church absolve the
penitent of his sins. He who does not think at all about
correcting himself confesses in vain, labors in vain, for even
if the priest says, “I forgive and absolve,” the Holy Spirit
does not forgive and absolve him!
From the Church Fathers...
St Silouan the Athonite: “If all men would repent and keep God’s
commandments, there would be paradise on earth, for the ‘Kingdom of
Heaven is within us’… To the man who repents, the Lord grants paradise and
the Kingdom eternal with Himself. In His great mercy He remembers not our
sins, just as He overlooked the sins of the thief on the cross.”
St. Maximus the Confessor: “He who busies himself with the sins of
others, or judges his brother on suspicion, has not yet even begun to repent or
to examine himself so as to discover his own sins.”
Orthodox???
“Orthodox” means “right teaching,” or, “true worship.” Ours is the
Church founded by Jesus Christ, which wrote and compiled the Bible. We
follow the rich Tradition of the Apostles and the early Church, down through
the centuries. There are over 255 million Orthodox Christians worldwide.
Believing Holy Communion to be the most sacred and intimate mystery, only
those who affirm all of the following may receive the Holy Eucharist:
✠ I believe Jesus Christ is God and I confess Him as my Master.
✠ I have been Baptized in the Name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit,
and Chrismated in the Orthodox Church.
✠ I profess the Nicene Creed and the entire Orthodox Christian Faith,
the Ecumenical Councils and Holy Tradition of the Church.
✠ I have soberly confessed my sins and repented of them.
✠ I am at peace with all, holding absolutely no grudge or malice
toward anyone (Church members, spouse, parents, children, employer,
employee, neighbor, priest, friend, enemy, anyone)
Father Mark Hodges
St Stephen the First Martyr Orthodox Mission
3560 Shawnee Rd, Lima OH 45806 (419) 224-8600
Saturday Vespers 6:30pm; Sunday Liturgy 10:30am
www.orthodoxlima.org
http://stores.lulu.com/elijahpublications
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