SS.

kosmas & damianos Orthodox Church (goa)

703 W. Center Street, Rochester, MN (507) 282-1529 http://www.rochesterorthodoxchurch.org

office@rochesterorthodoxchurch.org Rev. Fr. Mark Muoz, Proistamenos

/APOLYTIKIA FOR TODAY
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When the stone had been sealed by the Jews and the soldiers were guarding
Thine immaculate Body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting
life unto the world. Wherefore, the powers of the Heavens cried out to Thee, O
Lifegiver: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ. Glory to Thy Kingdom. Glory to
Thy dispensation, O only Friend of man.
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Great are the accomplishments of faith. In the fountain of flame the three Holy Youths rejoiced as though they were
resting by the waters. And the Prophet Daniel showed himself to be a shepherd to the lions, as though they were
sheep. Through their prayers O Christ our God, save our souls.
O Sebastian, spurning the assemblies of the wicked, you gathered the wise martyrs who with you cast down the
enemy; and standing worthily before the throne of God, you gladden those who cry to you: Glory to him who has
strengthened you! Glory to him who has granted you a crown! Glory to him who through you works healing for all!

/KONTAKION FOR TODAY

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On this day the Virgin comes to a cave to give birth to God the Word ineffable, 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.

Sunday before the nativity

St. Sebastian the Martyr of Rome
December 18th, 2016
*NATIVITY FAST*

Todays scripture readings

Epistle reading
St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40
Prokeimenon. Mode 4.
Daniel 3.26,27
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.
BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and
Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder
and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of
David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises,
stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness,
became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured,
refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even
chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the
sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not
worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well
attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us,that apart
from us they should not be made perfect.
Gospel pericope

Matthew 1:1-25
The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the
father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the
father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and
Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of
Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the
father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife
of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father
of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of
Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of
Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father
of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of
Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father
of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud,
and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and

Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. So all the
generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to
Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to
Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband
Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he
considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David,
do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a
son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to
fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his
name shall be called Emmanuel"(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as
the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and
he called his name Jesus.

Announcements
Mon. Dec. 19th: Orthodoxy & Heterodoxy Adult Rel Ed. Class, 6pm
Wed. Dec. 21st: Parish Council Meeting, 6:30pm
Fri. Dec. 23rd: Royal Nativity Hours, 9am
Sat. Dec. 24th: Saturday before Christmas, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am (NO EVENING
SERVICES)
Sun. Dec. 25th: Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Orthros/Divine Liturgy 8:30am
Todays Memorial Services: John Cokinos- 3yrs, Katherine Cokinos- 20 yrs, George Kalimanis- 22yrs
Stewardship Materials: We would like to inform all parishioners that this upcoming week will be
sending out all the Stewardship Pledge Cards and follow up emails. Please be on the lookout for these
important documents!
Christmas at the Rochester Womens Shelter: Please help the St. Philothei team provide much needed
gifts to the Womens Shelter for Christmas. Some of the items will be given directly to the guests at the
Shelter, and other items are for the Shelter to provide better care for those in need. Please bring all
donations to the church by Dec. 14th or give your donations to a St. Philothei team member: Erline
Holman or Calli Kelly. Your donations will be delivered along with the weekend meals to the Shelter on
Dec. 15th. Items needed: Hats, mittens/gloves, scarves (guests), pillows twin sized blankets/sheets, size 5
diapers (for the Shelter).

Christmas Toy Drive: Every year our parish will partner with the Salvation Army to provide Christmas
presents for those families in need. Please bring your unwrapped gifts for either teenagers or young
children ages 0-3yrs, clothing or toys are preferred. Place gifts in the large Christmas box located in the
narthex of the church starting today through Sunday. Dec. 18th. FYI, gifts will be secured in locked office
during the week to prevent the disappearance of some gifts. Thank you for participating in this
important drive!
HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNIONOnly

Orthodox 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.

Pearls from the Desert

What, then, O, brethren, is required of us in order that we might avail ourselves of all the grace brought
unto us from on high by the coming to earth of the Son of God? What is necessary, first of all, is faith in the
Son of God, in the Gospel as the salvation-bestowing heavenly teaching; a true repentance of sins and the
correction of life and of heart; communion in prayer and in the mysteries [sacraments]; the knowledge and
fulfillment of Christs commandments. Also necessary are the virtues: Christian humility, alms-giving,
continence, purity and chastity, simplicity and goodness of heart. Let us, then, O brothers and sisters, bring
these virtues as a gift to the One Who was born for the sake of our salvation let us bring them in place of
the gold, frankincense and myrrh which the Magi brought Him, as to One Who is King, God, and Man,
come to die for us. This, from us, shall be the most-pleasing form of sacrifice to God and to the Infant Jesus
Christ. - + St. John of Kronstadt, Sermon on the Nativity of Jesus Christ
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Christmas Toy Drive

This year our parish will partner with the Salvation Army to
provide Christmas presents for those families in need. Please bring
your
unwrapped gifts for either teenagers or young children ages 0-3yrs, clothing or toys are preferred. Place
gifts in the large Christmas box located in the narthex of the church. The last of day for drop off will be
Sunday. Dec. 18th. Fyi, gifts will be secured in locked office during the week in order to prevent the
disappearance of some gifts. Thank you for participating in this important drive!

Are you able to lend a helping hand?: Our parish has a Priest
Discretionary Fund which Father uses to help those individuals that come
to him with legitimate needs both from within and outside the parish
family. Cash is rarely distributed; rather gift cards to local grocery stores,
gas stations, and retail stores are procured based on the circumstances and
the individual need. We rely on private donations from parishioners to
keep this account flush with funds. The Holiday Season is the only time
of the year where a general plea for this cause is made. Please consider
making a donation with checks payable to Holy Anargyroi with
Discretionary Fund in the memo. THANK YOU in advance!

Todays liturgical commemorations

1. The Holy Martyr Sebastian and those with him
This glorious saint was born in Italy and brought up in the city of Milan. While still young, he dedicated himself to
military service. Being educated, handsome and courageous, he received the favor of Emperor Diocletian, who
appointed him captain of his imperial guard. Secretly he confessed the Christian Faith and prayed to the Living God.
As an honorable, just and merciful man, Sebastian was greatly beloved by his soldiers. Whenever he could, he saved
Christians from torture and death, and, when he was unable to do so, he exhorted them to die for Christ the Living
God without turning back. Two brothers, Marcus and Marcellinus, who had been imprisoned for Christ and were
already on the verge of denouncing Him and worshiping idols, were confirmed in the Faith by Sebastian, who
strengthened them for martyrdom. As he spoke with them, encouraging them not to fear death for Christ, his face
was illumined. Everyone saw his shining face, like that of an angel of God. Sebastian also confirmed his words by
miracles: he healed Zoe, the jailer Nicostratus's wife, who had been mute for six years; he brought her, Nicostratus
and his entire household to baptism; he healed the two ailing sons of Claudius the commander and brought him and
his household to baptism; he healed Tranquillinus, the father of Marcus and Marcellinus, of gout and pains in his
legs which had troubled him for eleven years, and brought him to baptism together with his entire household; he
healed the Roman eparch Chromatius of the same illness and brought him and his son Tiburtius to baptism. The first
of them to suffer was St. Zoe, whom they seized at the tomb of the Apostle Peter, where she was praying to God.
After torturing her, they threw her into the Tiber River. They then seized Tiburtius, and the judge placed live coals
before him, telling him to choose between life and death, that is, either to cast incense on the coals and to cense the
idols or to stand barefoot on the hot coals. St. Tiburtius made the sign of the Cross, stood barefoot on the hot coals,
and remained unharmed. After this, he was beheaded. Nicostratus was killed with a stake, Tranquillinus was
drowned, and Marcus and Marcellinus were tortured and pierced with spears. Then Sebastian was brought before
Emperor Diocletian. The emperor rebuked him for his betrayal, but Sebastian said: ``I have always prayed to my
Christ for your health and for the peace of the Roman Empire.'' The emperor ordered that he be stripped naked and
shot through with arrows. The soldiers shot him through with arrows until the martyr was so completely covered
with arrows that his body was not seen because of them. When all thought that he was dead, he appeared alive and
completely healthy. Then the pagans killed him with staves. He suffered gloriously for Christ his Lord and took up
his habitation in the Kingdom of Christ in the year 287 at the time of Diocletian the Emperor and Gaius the Bishop
of Rome.

Guidelines for the

Nativity Fast
We are well aware that our Holy Church provides the
faithful with a period of spiritual preparation in
anticipation of the Lords Holy Nativity. This period
begins on November 15th every year with the
commencement of the Nativity Fast. As this fast is a modified one I thought it
helpful to remind us all exactly what is prescribed:
From Nov. 15th-Dec. 12th (St. Spyridon) the following is observed:
Fish/wine/oil are allowed every day except Wednesdays and Fridays which are
observed as strict fast days (no meat, fish, dairy, wine, oil).
From Dec. 12th-Dec. 25th the following is observed:
A strict fast is observed every day except Saturdays and Sundays.
From. Dec. 25th-Jan. 4th: NO FASTING ON ANY DAY!

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MEMORY ETERNAL!!!

We had to say goodbye this last week

to two individuals who meant a great
deal to our parish family, George
Zahhos and Phyllis (Phylio) Kapenis.
May God grant them rest in the bosom
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob!

Sunday before the Feast of the Nativity

The three youths, wise in God, who shone with joy in the furnace, proclaimed the birth of Christ

on earth; For just as the Lord sent down a precious dew, He preserved from the flame her who
gave birth; He keeps her undefiled and enriches her with divine gifts. Therefore Daniel,
pleasing to God, rejoiced and was glad,For having foreseen the stone from the unquarried
mountain, he now prays in boldness on behalf of our souls.
-From the Lord I Call, Sunday before the Nativity

The New Testament is indeed a fulfillment of the Old, and

nothing can make this clearer than to stand through several of
the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Christian year. The average
Christian reader of the Old Testament would likely only see in
the story of the Three Young Men in the Fiery Furnace, a
lesson in obedience - it is certainly at least that. But in the
writings of the Fathers it is much more. Just as the hymn
quoted above notes, their standing in a fiery furnace and yet
being alive is seen as a type of Virgin Mary, whose womb will
become a fiery furnace, when our God, who is a consuming
fire (Heb. 12:29), is incarnate within her. She is not
consumed, but preserved. So too, she will be seen as the
unquarried mountain (a Virgin), from whom the very Rock of
the Corner will be taken. The images go on and on, one
Testament enlightening the other if you have eyes to see.
Thanks be to God for the liturgical riches of our faith that teach us to see what eye has not seen
and to hear what ear has not heard. What a great mystery we prepare to celebrate!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My family and I wish you all a blessed, joyful, and memorable Christmas Celebration!
May the Christ-Child grant us all peace, genuine love, and His abundant mercies!
-Fr. Mark