Saint Spyridon Weekly E-mail

SAINT SPYRIDON

Hellenic Orthodox Church

Saint Romanos the Melodist

celebrated October 1

Our Holy Father Romanos was from Syria, having as his homeland the city of Emesa, which today is called Homs in Turkish. He was anointed Deacon of the Church of Berytus, which is now called Beirut. From there he went to Constantinople during the reign of Emperor Anastasios in the year 496. There he employed himself at the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, known as that of Kyrou, with every form of reverence and solemnity.

Many times he would keep vigil at the Church of the same Theotokos known as Blachernae, and he would return to the Church of the same Theotokos in Kyrou. There also, namely at the Church in Kyrou, where the Saint was employed, he received the gift of composing and putting into melody the Kontakia of the entire year. For the Lady Theotokos appeared to him in a dream, and gave him a volume of a scroll, which she commanded him to eat. When the Saint opened his mouth, it appeared that he swallowed it. Awakened out of sleep, he went up to the ambon, and began to chant: "Today the Virgin gives birth to Him Who is beyond substance." It happened at that time to be the feast of the Nativity of Christ. Having written such poetry for the rest of the feasts, as well as for the Saints, numbering over a thousand Kontakia, and having passed his life reverently and venerably, he departed to the Lord.

EPISTLE & GOSPEL READING

EPISTLE READING

2 Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:1-4

Brethren, it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

But I call God to witness against me - it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

GOSPEL READING

Luke 6:31-36

The Lord said, "As you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

Worship Service Schedule

Sunday, September 29th - 2nd Sunday of Luke

Orthros & Divine Liturgy—8:00 a.m.—11:15 a.m.

*** Sunday School

Tuesday, October 1st - Saint Romanos the Melodist

1st Hour & Divine Liturgy—8:00 a.m.—9:30 a.m.

Sunday, October 6 - 3rd Sunday of Luke

Orthros & Divine Liturgy—8:00 a.m.—11:15 a.m.

*** Sunday School

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Sunday, September 29th

Sunday School—10:30 a.m. — 11:30 a.m.

Monday, September 30th