SS.

kosmas & Damianos Orthodox Church (goa)

703 W. Center Street, Rochester, MN (507) 282-1529 http://www.holyanargyroi.org church@holyanargyroi.org Rev. Fr. Mark Muoz, Proistamenos
/APOLYTIKIA FOR TODAY

, , , . You descended from on high, O merciful Lord, and endured the three day burial to free us from our passions. O Lord, our life and our resurrection, glory to you. , , , , , , . , . As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Ignatius . Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.
/KONTAKION FOR TODAY

, , . ' , , . Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only Lover of mankind.

Sunday of the Canaanite woman

Removal of the relics of St. Ignatius of Antioch January 29, 2012

TODAYS SCRIPTURE READINGS

EPISTLE READING

St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1 BRETHREN, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

GOSPEL READING

Matthew 15:21-28

At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.

COMMUNION PRAYERS
I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure body and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You. Have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And make me worthy without condemnation to partake of Your pure Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Amen. Behold, my Maker, I approach Holy Communion. Burn me not as I partake, for You are fire which burns the unworthy, but cleanse me from every stain. Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mysteries to your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief confess to You: Lord, remember me in Your kingdom. Seeing the Divine Blood, have fear, O man, for it is coal that burns the unworthy. It is Gods Body that deifies and nourishes me; it deifies the spirit and nourishes the mind mystically. You have smitten me with yearning, O Christ, and with Your divine love You have changed me. Burn away my sins with spiritual fire and make me worthy to be filled with Your joy, that rejoicing in Your goodness, I may magnify Your two Comings. How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your saints? If I dare to enter the bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is nota wedding garment; and being bound up, I shall be cast out by the angels. In Your love, Lord, cleanse the vileness of my soul and save me. Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these holy Gifts be to my condemnation because of my unworthiness, but for the cleansing and sanctification of soul and body and the pledge of the future life and Kingdom. It is good for me to cling to God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation. Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mysteries to your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief confess to You: Lord, remember me in Your kingdom.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
TODAY: Youth Basketball Practice for Tourney in MSP. Mon. Jan. 30th: Three Hierarchs, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am Thurs. Feb. 2nd: Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am
Philoptochos Reminder: January is time to renew your membership to the Philoptochos Society. (The Philoptochos Society is the churchs womens mission group.) All Orthodox Christian women are encouraged to join as Society members. Men and non-Orthodox Christians married to Orthodox Christians can join as Associate Members. We are asking for a 25 dollar minimum fee. Please contact Calli Kelly or Penny Kolas for joining or renewals. To those of you who joined in October; you are all set for 2012. Thank you! Building Committee Update: Several families have come forth with their support for the Burn the Mortgage Drive, and we thank them wholeheartedly! We ask that you prayerfully consider a sacrificial gift in order for our parish to retire the current debt which will allow us to begin planning for future desperately needed projects! Stewardship 2012: Have you and your family become Stewards of Holy Anargyroi for the new year?! If not, not to worrythere are complete Stewardship packets located in the Narthex of the Church, please return your completed forms to the Church office or place in Stewardship Box in the Narthex. Thank you for your commitment to our parish and her ministry! Inclement Weather & Church Closing: We are all too aware that in Minnesota we receive a wide variety of weather! If it is decided that services or events will need to be cancelled due to bad weather the following protocol will be immediately implemented: An announcement will appear on KTTCs Storm Center and Closing System.
An email will be sent to the parishioners who have registered their email w/ the office.

An announcement will be posted on the parishs Facebook page.

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.

Todays liturgical commemorations

1. THE HOLY PRIESTLY-MARTYR IGNATIUS THE GOD-BEARER, [THEOPHORUS] The principal feast of St. Ignatius is celebrated in winter on December 20. On this date is commemorated the translation of his relics from Rome, where he suffered martyrdom, to Antioch where earlier he was a bishop. When St. Ignatius was summoned to Rome before Emperor Trajan to account for his faith, he was accompanied on this long journey by several citizens from Antioch who were motivated in this by a great love toward their wonderful Arch-shepherd. Since he would never deny his faith in Christ, this saint of God who abhorred all adulation and promises of Emperor Trajan, was condemned to death and was thrown into the Circus Maximus before wild beasts. The wild beasts tore him apart, and he gave up his soul to God. His companions then gathered his exposed bones and took them to Antioch and honorably buried them. But when the Persians captured Antioch in the sixth century, the relics of St. Ignatius were again translated from Antioch to Rome. 2. THE HOLY MARTYRS ROMANUS, JAMES, PHILOTHEUS, HYPERECHIUS, ABIBUS, JULIAN AND PARAGORIUS They all suffered martyrdom for the Lord Jesus Christ in Samosata during the reign of Emperor Maximilian in the year 297 A.D. Philotheus and Hyperechius were aristocrats and the others were young men of noble birth. The pagans inflicted a terrible death upon them, hammering nails into the heads of each of them,. They suffered martyrdom honorably and entered into eternal joy. 3. VENERABLE LAWRENCE OF THE CAVES IN KIEV Lawrence voluntarily chose the life of a recluse following the examples of earlier recluses Isaac and Nicetas. However, he guarded against diabolical temptations which, in the beginning, befell the other two. With great restraint, prayer and godly-thoughts, Lawrence attained a high state of perfection. He learned from a terrified demon that of one-hundred eighteen monks in the Monastery of the Caves, thirty of them were given by God the authority over evil spirits. Lawrence presented himself to the Lord in the year 1194 A.D. REFLECTION The more a man advances in spiritual knowledge and in purification of the heart, the more it appears to him that the depth in which he finds himself is even lower and that the height to which he strives is even higher. When one spiritual giant on his death bed heard that his companions were praising him because of his great asceticism, he began to weep and said, "My children, I have not even begun my spiritual life." When St. Ignatius, that God-bearer, lay chained in the dungeon, he wrote to the Ephesians: "I do not command you as though I stand for something. Even though I am in chains for the Name of Jesus Christ; nevertheless, I still have not perfected myself in Him. Now I am beginning to be His disciple, and I speak to you as a collegium of my teachers."

Roscoes 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off to Benefit the Alzheimers Association

Come, enjoy mouthwatering Chili made by some of the finest chefs in Southern Minnesota on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Roscoes Fifth Annual Chili Cook-Off to benefit the Alzheimers Association will be held at Goonies Comedy Club in downtown Rochester from 11am- 1:30pm. Come hungry as there will be over 20 alluring chilis to taste! Dont worry, Tums are included! Purchase your tickets in advance for $10 by calling the Alzheimers Association at 507.289.3950 or karla.snider@alz.org. Tickets are $15 at the door, discount tickets available if purchased in groups of 5 or more in advance. See you at the Cook-off!

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Pearls from the desert

A handful of sand, thrown into the sea, is what sinning is, when compared to Gods Providence and mercy. Just as an abundant source of water is not impeded by a handful of dust, so also the Creators mercy is not defeated by the sins of His creations. -St. Isaac the Syrian (of Nineveh)

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2012 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival

This year our Parish Oratorical Festival will take place during coffee hour on Sunday, March 4th. All children are asked to participate in this event; registration forms are available from Presbytera Michelle. The categories include speech, essay, poem, and iconography. Although all categories are welcome this year we are emphasizing speeches. Parents and/or Catechetical Teachers can assist children with their projects. There are several different themes for each division. Divisions include Elementary (preschool-6th grade), Junior (7th-9th grades), and Senior (10th-12th grades).

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Western Region Family Basketball Tournament February 10-12, 2012
This year St. George Greek Orthodox Church of St. Paul will be hosting the diocese annual basketball tournament. It will be held at the Hilton Minneapolis/St Paul Airport Mall of America Hotel In Bloomington. Orthodox churches from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas travel near and far to participate. Its a fun family weekend that allows us to play and watch some basketball, attend a Friday casual night of food and fun, and a Saturday semi-formal banquet night of a nice dinner and dancing. Vespers will be held in the hotel Saturday night and the majority of priests and His Grace, Bishop Demetrios, will attend St George for Orthos and Liturgy Sunday Morning. If you are interested in playing basketball, please contact Aaron Biedermann at Biedermann.aaron@mayo.edu. There are adult men and women teams, 7th-12th grade boys and girls teams, and a younger JOY team. Players need to be registered by Jan. 27th. If you are only interested in attending the February 11th, Saturday night banquet, please contact Denise Mangouras (denise@chefmango.com) or Penny Kolas (pankol5@hotmail.com). The cost is $45.00 for adults and $30.00 for children. You can pay us directly or go on the website www.greekbball.org, print out a form and mail it in. All information is on the website. Please have sales to Penny or Denise by Jan. 29th.

Proceeds go to Philoxenia House and St. Iakovos Retreat Center

Latin America: Peoples in search of Orthodoxy

by His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Mexico (continued from last Sundays bulletin) As in the eras of persecutions, when Christians used to live in catacombs in anticipation of the day they could freely worship the Triadic God, so it is with us here, in all of the countries of Central and South America; for entire decades, innumerable groups of people - who had abandoned the Roman Catholic church - were waiting for the embrace of Orthodoxy. One such large group in Guatemala knocked on the door of our Metropolis several months ago, asking us to accept them in the bosom of the true Church. I didn't know them. I didn't even know they existed. And indeed, in this vast region of the twenty states under the jurisdiction of the Holy Metropolis of Mexico it is impossible to know everyone. However, twenty years ago, they had established their own (anticanonical) Orthodox Church, naturally without knowing full well what they had done, and had endeavoured to survive. They lived incorrectly, in their own particular manner, an "orthodox" worshipping life. They knew and they desired Orthodoxy. They knew that our Church has the true faith - that they had a right to Orthodox teaching and its way of life. They believed that only there would they find the Saviour and Redeemer Christ. So, for twenty years. they walked along a path with the hope that they would eventually reach the truth. Knowing also that it was imperative to commemorate a Bishop in all of their liturgies, during the last ten years they would commemorate our Ecumenical Patriarch. Twenty years later came the "fullness of time". After searching, they learnt a few months ago that in Mexico there is a canonical Metropolitan and a Metropolis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. They found me, and they knocked on my door, asking me to receive them. I sent two priests to go and meet them so that we could determine who they are and if their request is serious and valid. I was stunned. It was a "group" of more than 500.000 people, with 338 churches and chapels, most of whom were natives of Guatemala - and in fact of the ancient race of Mayans! They live in the mountains and the vast plains of the land and even in the southern cities of Mexico. I crossed myself and gave thanks to the Holy Mother for that miracle. I fully understood now what the great byzantinologist and historian of the previous century - Steven Runciman - meant, when he wrote that "the third millennium belongs to Orthodoxy". Now I also understand the words of a noble Mexican, a University Professor and a faithful member of our Church, when he said to me: "Your Eminence, Orthodoxy is like a shoe that fits us Latin Americans, provided you know how to put it on us." So I accepted that group and as a first step, I ordained the two leaders of the group. Now begins the long road of catechism for the hundreds of thousands of those people. It will require several years and a lot of hard work - but a blessed work - to teach those new faithful of ours what the Orthodox way of life involves, and how each of us experiences his own path towards Calgary, which leads to one's personal Resurrection.