124 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033 
Tel: (212) 795 - 5870 | www.saintspyridon.net
Rev. Fr. George Kazoulis, Parish Priest
Sunday, December 5, 2021

10th Sunday of Luke
Orthros 9 AM | Divine Liturgy 10 AM
COMPLIMENTARY VALET PARKING AVAILABLE
Fast Day (Fish Allowed) | Fish, oil and wine are allowed. Refrain from meat, dairy and eggs.

Today we commemorate
Healing, Faith, and Renewal

In today's Gospel narrative, we see a woman with an infirmity attending worship, and it was by going to the house of worship that the sick woman met Jesus. She was afflicted by a spiritual malady with a physical manifestation, a deformity in her back; we are not told what caused it, but we see important lessons.

First, she continued to put her hope in God even after many years of struggle, so she endured suffering with grace. Second, she was rewarded for her perseverance and faith when she met the Lord Jesus, who had compassion on her and healed her. For eighteen years, the woman was bound in humiliation, social degradation, and physical pain. Nonetheless, every week she went to the place of worship to give praise to God. The fact that she was afflicted with this debilitating condition for so many years, and still worshipped at the synagogue, shows her unwavering faith and resilience. God’s love allows suffering in our lives as a means for our spiritual healing as we draw closer to Him in repentance and with the recognition of our complete dependence upon Him. This is what it means to be united to Christ’s sufferings. The woman went to the synagogue to worship God, and God the Son met her there. Notice that she does not say anything to Him or ask for anything, but Christ sees her, has compassion on her, calls her, and heals her. God the Logos speaks, and it is done: “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity;” as He laid His hands upon her, she was immediately made straight. The laying of the hands on her shows us a pattern by which God’s grace is imparted onto us – we are persons created in body and soul, and the Lord unites us to Him through both. We receive God’s grace through visible signs of created things, such as the water in baptism, the oil in the Chrism, and the laying of hands for confession (with the epitrachelion or stole), ordination, and artoklasia (breaking of bread). Most notably, we receive Christ Himself through the bread and the wine, which become His Body and Blood.

Jesus Christ restores us as humans made in His image and likeness, so we can “lift up our hearts” to the Lord (The Divine Liturgy). The woman’s response is immediate as she praises God. She is moved from weakness to strength, from the ground to the heavens, and her response is one of joy and thankfulness for the God who reaches out 2 to raise us up to Him. As we pray in the Divine Liturgy, “You brought us out of nothing into being, and when we had fallen away, You raised us up again. You left nothing undone until You had led us up to heaven and granted us Your Kingdom, which is to come. For all these things, we thank You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit.” Our lives will inevitably face pain, sorrow, and affliction, whether due to our sins and failures, the sins of others, sickness, or the myriad of other obstacles arising from life in a fallen world. Despite that, like the woman, as we come to worship God with our hearts looking for His help, He frees us from the chains that bind us, from the infirmities of soul, from captivity to sin, and sometimes even from physical sickness.

Christ came to show us that the most important commandment is the commandment of love. We see then the contrasting reactions – Jesus’ adversaries, bound by unbelief are shamed, and the ruler was unable to rejoice or praise God. While the woman who had persevered with faith rejoiced, praising Christ who healed her by the laying of the hands in the power of the Spirit. We ought always to persevere in seeking God, putting our hope in Him, and worshiping Him weekly in His Church, where we are healed – by the Sacraments, prayer, hymns, fellowship, and faith. It is there that we encounter Christ and receive Him, who frees us from the bondage of sin and the oppression of death.
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode
Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers' lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.

Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέῳξας τῷ Λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Apolytikion for Sabbas the Sanctified in the Plagal Fourth Mode
With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths,thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, O Savas our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Ταίς τών δακρύων σου ροαίς, τής ερήμου τό άγονον εγεώργησας, καί τοίς εκ βάθους στεναγμοίς, εις εκατόν τούς πόνους εκαρποφόρησας, καί γέγονας φωστήρ, τή οικουμένη λάμπων τοίς θαύμασι, Σάββα Πατήρ ημών, Όσιε, Πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών.

Apolytikion for the Church in the First Mode
O Father, God-bearer, Spyridon, you were proven a champion and Wonder Worker of the First Ecumenical Council. You spoke to the girl in the grave and turned the serpent to gold. And, when chanting your prayers, most sacred One, angels ministered with you. Glory to Him who glorified you; glory to Him who crowned you; glory to Him who, through you, works healing for all.
 
Τῆς Συνόδου τῆς πρώτης ἀνεδείχθης ὑπέρμαχος, καὶ θαυματουργὸς θεοφόρε, Σπυρίδων Πατὴρ ἠιμῶν, διὸ νεκρὰ σὺ ἐν τάφῳ προσφωνεῖς, καὶ ὄφιν εἷς χρυσοῦν μετέβαλες, καὶ ἐν τῷ μέλπειν τὰς ἁγίας σου εὐχάς, Ἀγγέλους ἔσχες συλλειτουργούντάς σοὶ Ἱερώτατε, Δόξα τῶ σὲ δοξάσαντι, δόξα τῶ σὲ στεφανώσαντι, δόξα τῶ ἐνεργοῦντι διὰ σοῦ πάσιν ἰάματα.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode
On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.

Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν Προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν Σπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀπορρήτως. Χόρευε ἡ οἰκουμένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον μετὰ Ἀγγέλων καὶ τῶν Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα ἐποφθῆναι, παιδίον νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 149.5,1.
The saints shall rejoice in glory.
Verse: Sing to the Lord a new song.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2.
Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Προκείμενον. Grave Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 149.5,1.
Καυχήσονται ὅσιοι ἐν δόξῃ
Στίχ. Ἄσατε τῷ Κυρίῳ ᾆσμα καινόν.
Πρὸς Γαλάτας 5:22-26, 6:1-2.
Ἀδελφοί, ὁ καρπὸς τοῦ πνεύματός ἐστιν ἀγάπη, χαρά, εἰρήνη, μακροθυμία, χρηστότης, ἀγαθωσύνη, πίστις, πρᾳότης, ἐγκράτεια· κατὰ τῶν τοιούτων οὐκ ἔστιν νόμος. Οἱ δὲ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, τὴν σάρκα ἐσταύρωσαν σὺν τοῖς παθήμασιν καὶ ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις. Εἰ ζῶμεν πνεύματι, πνεύματι καὶ στοιχῶμεν. Μὴ γινώμεθα κενόδοξοι, ἀλλήλους προκαλούμενοι, ἀλλήλοις φθονοῦντες. Ἀδελφοί, ἐὰν καὶ προληφθῇ ἄνθρωπος ἔν τινι παραπτώματι, ὑμεῖς οἱ πνευματικοὶ καταρτίζετε τὸν τοιοῦτον ἐν πνεύματι πρᾳότητος, σκοπῶν σεαυτόν μὴ καὶ σὺ πειρασθῇς. Ἀλλήλων τὰ βάρη βαστάζετε, καὶ οὕτως ἀναπληρώσατε τὸν νόμον τοῦ Χριστοῦ.


Gospel Reading

The Reading is from Luke 13:10-17
At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 13:10-17
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ῏Ην δὲ διδάσκων ἐν μιᾷ τῶν συναγωγῶν ἐν τοῖς σάββασι. καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ ἦν πνεῦμα ἔχουσα ἀσθενείας ἔτη δέκα καὶ ὀκτώ, καὶ ἦν συγκύπτουσα καὶ μὴ δυναμένη ἀνακῦψαι εἰς τὸ παντελές. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὴν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς προσεφώνησε καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· γύναι, ἀπολέλυσαι τῆς ἀσθενείας σου· καὶ ἐπέθηκεν αὐτῇ τὰς χεῖρας· καὶ παραχρῆμα ἀνωρθώθη καὶ ἐδόξαζε τὸν Θεόν. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ἀρχισυνάγωγος, ἀγανακτῶν ὅτι τῷ σαββάτῳ ἐθεράπευσεν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς, ἔλεγε τῷ ὄχλῳ· ἓξ ἡμέραι εἰσὶν ἐν αἷς δεῖ ἐργάζεσθαι· ἐν ταύταις οὖν ἐρχόμενοι θεραπεύεσθε, καὶ μὴ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου. ἀπεκρίθη οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ Κύριος καὶ εἶπεν· ὑποκριτά, ἕκαστος ὑμῶν τῷ σαββάτῳ οὐ λύει τὸν βοῦν αὐτοῦ ἢ τὸν ὄνον ἀπὸ τῆς φάτνης καὶ ἀπαγαγὼν ποτίζει; ταύτην δέ, θυγατέρα ᾿Αβραὰμ οὖσαν, ἣν ἔδησεν ὁ σατανᾶς ἰδοὺ δέκα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη, οὐκ ἔδει λυθῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ δεσμοῦ τούτου τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου; καὶ ταῦτα λέγοντος αὐτοῦ κατῃσχύνοντο πάντες οἱ ἀντικείμενοι αὐτῷ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος ἔχαιρεν ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἐνδόξοις τοῖς γινομένοις ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We prayerfully request your support for the purchase of a new Bell System so the ringing of our bells can resound once again in the Washington Heights area


COMMUNITY NEWS
Sunday, December 5, 2021
Parish Council Elections
12 noon-3 pm
The George Papaleas Chapter No. 367 of Ahepa was founded in 1950 and has been a part of the St. Spyridon Church community for over 70 years. Ahepa is a global organization, founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 1922 with Chapters in Canada, Greece, and Europe. As the largest organization of Greek Americans in the country, its membership is comprised of both Hellenes and Philhellenes.

Its mission is to promote Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family, and individual excellence.

Please join us as we promote worthwhile projects and endeavors.

Contact: George Patsalos, membership chair at george@jamaica.net
MINISTRIES
ORDER KOLIVA OR ARTOKLASIA
If you wish to order Koliva or Artoklasia

you may contact the Church Office:

Phone: (212) 795-5870 or Email: office@saintspyridon.net

COVID-19 GUIDELINES
AND PROTOCOLS
Orthodox Christian Stewardship Program

Stewardship means the giving of time, talent AND treasure. It is a commitment one makes after prayerful consideration and in gratitude for all the blessings that our Lord and Savior has freely given us.

Would you consider offering the cost of a single day? That translates to just $21 per week. Setting-up a monthly online contribution of just $92 is easy…just click here.


We ask you to support the worthy ministries of St. Spyridon and seek your participation in helping us realize the vision of our community. We are to give, St. Paul says, “as God has prospered you” (I Cor. 16:2).

Giving to His Church is a way to thank God for His grace and generosity and to show our gratitude. Your contribution is most meaningful when accompanied by your presence, your willingness to serve, your prayers, and your commitment. Giving is not a substitute for commitment – it is an expression of commitment and an expression of thanks for the many blessings in your life.
Saint Spyridon Parish Council 2021
You can reach Fr. George Kazoulis at:
Email: frgeorgekazoulis@saintspyridon.net
Cell: 347-837-6712