Sunday, August 29, 2010

Beheading of St. John the Baptist, Theodora of Thessalonik

Orthros: Tone 5 (Plagal 1)
Gospel: 3 (Mark 16:9-20)
Epistle: Acts 13: 25-33
Gospel: Mark 6:14-30

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist

The details of St. John the Baptist’s beheading are written in today’s Gospel reading (Mark 6:14-30).

After his beheading St. John’s disciples took the body of their teacher by night and honorably buried it, but Herodias pierced John’s tongue with a needle repeatedly and buried his head in an unclean place.  The head of St. John would be found hundreds of years later through divine providence in the fourth century, an event commemorated on the Church calendar on February 24 (Feast Day of the First and Second Finding of the Venerable Head of St. John the Baptist).

God’s punishment quickly befell this group of evildoers responsible for St. John’s beheading: Herod, Herodias his unlawful wife, and her daughter Solome who requested the head of the Baptist on a platter.

Herod through various circumstances was sentenced by the Roman Emperor, Caligula, to exile (at first to Gaul, then later to Spain).  Herod and Herodias lived lives of poverty and humiliation in exile until their death.  Salome died a gruesome death on the frozen Sikaris River in Spain when her head was severed from her body.

St. John’s beheading occurred just before Passover, but its celebration on August 29 was established because a church that had been built over his grave in Sebastia was consecrated on August 29.

The Prologue of Ohrid, Vol. 2, p. 238.

1. RESURRECTION APOLYTIKION (Tone 5)

    To the Word, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit
    born of the Virgin for our salvation,
    let us, the faithful, give praise and worship.
    for he willed to be lifted up on the cross in the flesh,
    to endure death and raise the dead
    by his glorious resurrection.

2. APOLYTIKION OF ST. JOHN The Baptist (Tone 2)

    The just are recalled with songs of praise
    But for you, O Forerunner, the Lord’s testimony is enough.
    For you proved yourself more honored even than the
    Prophets, since you were found worthy to baptize in the
    river the One you had foretold.
    Thus, having more than upheld the truth,
    you had the joy of preaching, even to those in Hades,
    the good news: of God manifested in the flesh,
    who takes away the sin of the world
    and grants us His great mercy.

3. HYMN OF OUR CHURCH (Tone 4)

    Today is the beginning of our salvation,
    and the revelation of the mystery of ages.
    The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin.
    And Gabriel proclaims this gift from God.
    Together with him we cry out to You,
    O Theotokos: “Hail thou full of grace,
    the Lord is with you.

 4. KONTAKION OF THE BIRTH OF THE THEOTOKOS (Tone 4)

    Through your holy birth, O Immaculate One,
    Joachim and Anne were delivered
    from the burden of childlessness,
    and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death.
    Your people, redeemed from the debt of their sins,
    cry out to you to honor your birth:
    “The barren one gives birth to the Mother of God
    the Sustainer of our life!”

 

Philoptochos Dinner Meeting
Tuesday, September 7 at 6:00 PM at Gusto’s Restaurant.

Cost: $25. Meal selection: Tips Bolognese or Linguine with Shrimp (soup, salad, dessert and beverage are included). For reservation please contact Nena Valavanes (394-7319), Helen Hazatones (394-6066) or Artemis Tsoflias (569-3677).

Greek School begins September 8th
Registration form can be found in the July/August Annunciator. Please complete and return to Maria Koursaris. Cost: $180.00 for the 1st child, $160.00 for the 2nd & 3rd. Scholarships are available. Regarding scholarships or questions speak with Fr. Alexander Goussetis or Maria Koursaris.

Sunday School begins September 12th
Please register by September 5. If you have any questions regarding the Sunday School Program please contact Sally Stratigos at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 419-2951.

GOYA Parents/Officers Meeting
Sunday, September 12 at 12:00 noon in Room 7

AHEPA Greek Taverna Night
Saturday, September 11, 6:30 PM—Midnight in Philoptochos Hall. Featuring Greek Dancing by Achilleas and His Trio and special performance by GOYA Dancers.

Holy Protection Monastery Pilgrimage
We will be visiting the monastery on Thursday, September 16. Please call Fr. Alexander Goussetis if you plan to attend and reserve a seat on the church van.

Pan-Orthodox Picnic
Sunday, September 19 at the Serbian Park from 12:00 noon – 5:00 PM. Sponsored by OCCSCP. Our GOYA Dance Group will be performing.

St. Tikhon's Day Pilgrimage
Saturday, September 25

The Young Adult Fellowship of the OCCSCP is coordinating a pilgrimage to St. Tikhon's Monastery. The group plans to meet with Igumen Sergius for a spiritual discussion, visit the bookstore, enjoy the monastery grounds, and attend the evening Vigil service. For more information, please contact Philip Graybill at 717-566-1541.

2010 52nd ANNUAL BAZAAR
Saturday & Sunday, November 6 & 7

TICKETS will be distributed on Sundays September 12, 19 and 26 from a table in the Breezeway. Please sell or buy them for your friends, associates, neighbors and anyone who wishes to try our delicious Greek Platter ($9.00).

Annunciator
To All Parishioners and Parish Organizations In an effort to get our monthly publication out on time to our parishioners, we ask that all submissions to Annunciator be sent for consideration by the 15th of the prior month. (preferably typed and formatted as a word or publisher document.) You can forward all your submissions to Fr. Alex Goussetis at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Maria Koursaris at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Crispus Attucks Dates for 2010
Saturday, October 2

Parish E-mail List Announcement
If you would like to be added or have your existing email address updated on our parish announcements list server please contact Maria Koursaris at the church office with your email address.