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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Let the Heavens rejoice; let earthly things be glad; for the Lord
hath wrought might with His arm, He hath trampled upon death
by death. The first-born of the dead hath He become. From the
belly of Hades hath He delivered us, and hath granted great
mercy to the world.

All illumined by the Holy Spirit, thou didst drink with great and
ardent longing of the waters Christ Saviour gave unto thee; and
with the streams of salvation wast thou refreshed, which thou abundantly gavest to those
athirst. O Great Martyr and true peer of Apostles, Photine, entreat Christ God to grant great
mercy unto us.
/KONTAKION FOR TODAY
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O Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my
heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips
from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen."

FORGIVENESS Sunday
Porphyrius, Bishop of Gaza, The Holy Great Martyr Photine, the Samaritan Woman, Holy Martyr Theocletus,
John Claphas the new Martyr
February 26th, 2017
CHEESEFARE SUNDAY: All meat, dairy, fish, & eggs are now excluded until Pascha
 Todays scripture reading
Epistle reading
St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4
Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 4.
Psalm 75.11,1
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at
hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves
becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in
quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify
its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One
believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him
who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him.
Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or
falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Gospel pericope
Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you;
but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that
their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when
you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by
your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "Do not lay
up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in
and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes
and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also."
 Announcements
Liturgical/Program Schedule:
TONIGHT: Forgiveness Vespers-Beginning of Great Lent- 6pm-ALL are encouraged to attend!
Mon. Feb. 27th, CLEAN MONDAY- Great Compline w/ Penitential Canon, 6pm
Tues. Feb. 28th, Great Compline w/ Penitential Canon, 6pm
Wed. March 1st, Pre-sanctified Liturgy and Lenten Potluck after service, 6pm
Thurs. March 2nd, Great Compline w/ Penitential Canon, 6pm
Fri. March 3rd, 1st SALUTATIONS to the Holy Theotokos, 6pm
Sat. March 4th, 3rd Saturday of Souls-Orthros/Divine Liturgy-8:30am

Todays Memorial Service: Mr. Panagiotis Economou-1 yr Mrs. Anastasia Economou- 1.5 yrs

Coffee Fellowship Openings: We still need volunteers to host Coffee Hour on March 12th and April
2nd. Please consider helping us with this important social time following the Divine Liturgy. The
signup sheet is posted in the hallway leading to the Hall. Keep in mind we are currently in a fasting
period.

Cheesefare Luncheon: please join us after Liturgy for our annual Cheesefare Luncheon hosted by
our Philoptochos Society. This also serves as a fundraiser for Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek
Orthodox School of Theology. We will enjoy Tyropitas, Spanakopitas, Salad, and Dessert. Adults
$10, Children $6, all proceeds to benefit HC/HC. Thank you for supporting this event!

Forgiveness Vespers: will be celebrated TONIGHT at 6pm. This is the actual beginning of Lent
and the Church literally transforms before our eyes from bright and joyful to dark and solemn. At
the conclusion of the service a receiving line of sorts is made and all the faithful embrace one
another asking forgiveness. What an excellent way to inaugurate the period of the Holy Fast!

HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNIONOnly Orthodox Christians (i.e. the Orthodox Church
does not observe open communion) 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.
 Saturday of Souls Notes
Please have in mind the following guidelines as we begin the Saturday of Souls commemorations:
Kollyva(boiled wheat) should be brought to Church before or during the Orthros service. Also, if you
bring names for commemoration please bring kollyva to accompany them just as you would any other
memorial service you might mark throughout the year. Please write the names
of the Orthodox departed in a clear and legible manner especially if the names
are written in Greek. If you have names of non-Orthodox please write those
names at the bottom of your list and designate them as such. These names are
commemorated separately by the priest outside of the official liturgical service.
Kollyva can be as simple or elaborate as you choose; each family has their own
tradition/recipe and creativity is always welcome! In contrast to the Paraklesis
service where I keep the names for all the separate services, the Psychosabbaton names are only read for
that particular Liturgy. If you would like names to be commemorated at all three Psychosabbata Liturgies
please bring the kollyva and names to each service.

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LENTEN POTLUCK
Every Wednesday eve of great lent the liturgy of the Presanctified
Gifts is celebrated. Afterwards we gather in the library for a
simple Lenten meal. Please plan on attending these
compunctionate services and bring a fasting meal to share!
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Pascha flowers: A table will be set up in the Narthex for collections of monetary
donations towards the Pascha flowers on Sundays from March 5th until April 9 th-
Donations can also be made at any time to the Church during Lent, please mark Pascha
flowers with your check or donation. Thank you!
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2017 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
This year our Parish Oratorical Festival will take place during coffee hour on Sunday, March 5th. All children are
asked to participate in this event; registration forms are available. 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).
 Panagias Icon
One of the most beloved Lenten services is the
Salutations to the Holy Theotokos which are
chanted every Friday night during the Fast. It is
customary to honor her by decorating her icon with
flowers which is then placed on the solea. Five
services will be chanted with a decorated icon at
each service. The cost for each icon is $100, any
individuals/families who would like to donate to help defray the cost please see Fr. Mark.
Thank you in advance!
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4th Sunday of the Triodion: Cheesefare Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of
delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple
words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and
destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first
commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received
but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they
lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and
transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers
set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and
what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we
might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and
obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21)
to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God,
then from one another and all creation.
 Confession and the ancient Church
The Early Church clearly taught confession of sins, and in Church!
Indeed, the following citations clearly show that from the very
beginnings of the post-Apostolic Church down to the present day,
confession of sins was understood as holy, necessary and effectual
for the remission of sins. Those who avoid it must necessarily find
themselves outside of Biblical thought on sin, repentance and
confession. Note the dates of these documents! Of special
significance is their recognition that confession and absolution must
be received by a sinner before receiving Holy Communion, for
whoever . . . eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an
unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the
Lord (1 Cor. 11:27).
The Didache - The Earliest Christian Catechism (pre-dating some of
the canonical writings of the New Testament)
Confess your sins in church, and do not go up to your prayer with an
evil conscience. This is the way of life. . . . On the Lords Day gather
together, break bread, and give thanks, after confessing your
transgressions so that your sacrifice may be pure (Didache 4:14, 14:1 [A.D. 70]).
You shall judge righteously. You shall not make a schism, but you shall pacify those that contend by
bringing them together. You shall confess your sins. You shall not go to prayer with an evil conscience.
This is the way of light (Letter of Barnabas 19 [A.D. 74]).

St. Ignatius of Antioch- For as many as are of God and of Jesus Christ are also with the bishop. And as many as
shall, in the exercise of penance, return into the unity of the Church, these, too, shall belong to God, that they may
live according to Jesus Christ (Letter to the Philadelphians 3 [A.D. 106]). For where there is division and wrath,
God does not dwell. To all them that repent, the Lord grants forgiveness, if they turn in penitence to the unity of
God, and to communion with the bishop. (ibid., 8).

Tertullian of Carthage-[Regarding confession, some] flee from this work as being an exposure of themselves, or
they put it off from day to day. I presume they are more mindful of modesty than of salvation, like those who
contract a disease in the more shameful parts of the body and shun making themselves known to the physicians; and
thus they perish along with their own bashfulness (Repentance 10:1 [A.D. 203]).

St. Hippolytus of Rome- [The bishop conducting the ordination of the new bishop shall pray:] God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . Pour forth now that power which comes from you, from your royal Spirit, which you gave
to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, and which he bestowed upon his holy apostles . . . and grant this your servant,
whom you have chosen for the episcopate, [the power] to feed your holy flock and to serve without blame as your
high priest, ministering night and day to propitiate unceasingly before your face and to offer to you the gifts of your
holy Church, and by the Spirit of the high priesthood to have the authority to forgive sins, in accord with your
command (Apostolic Tradition 3 [A.D. 215]).
 Pearls from the desert
Prayer, fasting, vigils, and all other Christian practices, however good they may be in
themselves, certainly do not constitute the aim of our Christian life: they are but the
indispensable means of attaining that aim. For the true aim of the Christian life is the
acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. As for fasts, vigils, prayer and almsgiving, and other good
works done in the name of Christ, they are only the means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God.
Note well that it is only good works done in the name of Christ that bring us the fruits of the
Spirit. St. Seraphim of Sarov

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FAMILY ACTION: FORGIVENESS

This lesson on forgiveness comes the day before Clean Monday, the first day of Great Lent. As Christians,
we must forgive others and seek their forgiveness. We reaffirm this every time we pray in the Lord's
Prayer, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." In His ministry, Jesus
makes it clear that God forgives us only if we forgive others. This Gospel passage additionally draws our
attention to how we should approach the Lenten period and where our focus should be - on laying up
treasures in heaven. On this Sunday, we also commemorate all the saints who excelled in ascetic living
(living a spiritually disciplined life). We look to these holy ascetics as examples to inspire us toward
fasting, praying, and doing acts of mercy. Today is the last day dairy products are permitted before the
fast.

For Consideration: What happens if we do not forgive people who do us wrong? How should we fast?
What are ways we can "lay up" for ourselves treasures in heaven? What does this Gospel passage mean to
our lives?

To Do Together Agape Canister - This Sunday has been designated Orthodox Christian Mission
Center(OCMC) Sunday. Take some time to learn about this ministry and ways you can support it.
Consider participating in the Agape Canister program by collecting spare change during the Lenten
period to further missionary activities. Visit www.ocmc.org for more information. Fast as a Family - Take
some time to talk about fasting as a family. Consider having a family cooking night where everyone helps
to plan and prepare the Lenten meal. Consider making extra and donating it to a shelter or someone in
need. This may be more work for the adults initially, but the fruit will be worth the effort. Forgiveness
Vespers - As tomorrow is Clean Monday, today we seek forgiveness not only from our family members
and friends but from our parish family. Make plans to attend Forgiveness Vespers as a family. In addition,
ask your priest for prayers from the service to read at home as a family. After reading these prayers, have
each family member ask for forgiveness with a prostration and kiss of peace.
Final Thought There once lived a holy archbishop who was sought out by pilgrims because of his great
spiritual insight. As his popularity and the demands on his time grew, he wished to retreat into a life of
noetic prayer - ceaseless prayer of the mind and the heart. He was granted permission to move back to his
native island where he lived more fully a monastic life. One day, a man desperately knocked at the
monastery door; he had committed a murder and was trying to flee from the villagers seeking revenge.
The man confessed his sins to the holy archbishop, now the abbot of the monastery. As he listened, the
abbot realized that the person who the man had murdered was the abbot's own brother. God helped the
abbot see into the heart of this man and see how sorry he was. He forgave the man who murdered his
brother and read the confessional prayer of absolution. The abbot then helped the man to escape the
authorities so that he could live the rest of his life in prayer and repentance at a monastery. This holy
abbot is St. Dionysios of Zakynthos. He exemplifies true forgiveness.

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HYMNOGRAPHY FROM CHEESEFARE SUNDAY

The stadium of virtue is now open; those who wish to compete enter therein, girded for the
good contest of Lent, for those who compete according to the rules shall receive their laurels
rightfully. Taking up the full armor of the Cross, let us do battle against the Enemy. As an
impregnable wall, we have the Faith, prayer as our breastplate, and acts of mercy as our
helmet. Instead of sword, there is fasting, which cuts every evil from the heart. He who does
this shall attain a true crown from Christ, the King of all, on Judgment Day.
Adam was evicted from Paradise as one disobedient, after partaking of its luxury. Moses saw
God, after cleansing the eyes of his soul by fasting. Hence if we desire to become residents of
Paradise, let us divorce ourselves from baleful delights, and desiring to see God, as did Moses
let us fast the Four Times Ten. By sincerely persevering in prayer and supplication, let us
suppress the passions of our souls; let us avert the swellings of the flesh; thus lightened, let us
set off on the journey to things above, where the choirs of angels in unbroken song sing praise
to the undivided Trinity, to see the irresistible beauty of the Master. O Son of God and Giver of
Life, we who set our hope on You entreat: Make us worthy of dancing with the armies of
angels, O Christ, at the intercession of Your Mother, the Apostles, Martyrs and all the Saints.