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Forefeast of the Nativity of our Lord
Father's Day/Očevi Dan
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Христос Међу Нама! Christ is in our midst! Cristo esta' entra nosotros! | |
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Homily on the Sunday before Nativity
Father Lawrence Farley
Hidden well away in the Greek of the genealogy with which St. Matthew opens his Gospel is a little theological secret—a secret which utterly vanishes in most English translations. Matthew begins his genealogy of Jesus by saying that “Abraham begot Isaac, and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers” and so on and on for about another forty names. The word here rendered “begot” is the Greek ἐγέννησεν/ egennesen, the active mood of the verb γεννάω/ gennao. After so many instances of one man actively begetting someone else, the reader is primed for the concluding climax “and Joseph begot Jesus”. But that is not how the genealogy concludes.
Rather, it concludes “Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary from whom was begotten Jesus”—in Greek not ἐγέννησεν, but ἐγεννήθη/ egennethe, not the active of gennao, but the passive. Reading along in the Greek sets one up to expect yet another active verb, and the presence of the passive offers the reader a kind of psychological and grammatical jolt. The presence of the passive after so many generations of active is unexpected—much as the virgin birth of the Messiah was unexpected.
For the Jews of Second Temple Judaism did not expect their Messiah to be born of a virgin. The Christological insight that St. Matthew had about the Messianic significance of Isaiah 7:14 was given to him by God (doubtless aided by the fact that Jesus was in fact born from a virgin), and the notion of the Messiah’s virgin birth came as something of an unexpected surprise.
The point is this: our God is a God of the unexpected. That is what the Hebrew Scriptures mean when they describe Him as “the living God”—that is, He is a God who freely acts, who chooses what He will do in the earth and how He will respond to us. He is not the God of the Deists who having made the world sits back and simply watches how things will unfold. The living God works in our midst in the realm of history. In the words of the Psalmist, “He does whatever He pleases in heaven or on earth” (Psalm 115:3). And a lot of what He does is unexpected.
We see this abundantly demonstrated in the ministry and life of Christ. Israel expected their Messiah to be a patriot, a hero, a man who would raise His voice and rally the troops and form an army and chase the Romans out of Palestine, spilling as much Roman blood as possible. They expected Him to slay the sinners and banish war and crime and evil from the world. They did not expect that the Kingdom He brought would be one in which good and evil co-existed until the end of the age (see Matthew 13:24-30). They did not expect Him to forego bombastic patriotic speeches and refuse to raise His voice in the street (see Matthew 12:15-21). They expected Him to wage victorious war against the Romans and kill them (preferably in great numbers), not be killed by them on a cross of shame and defeat. And they certainly did not expect Him to completely reconfigure Israel as a Church, transcending its national and racial identity so that Gentiles could become a part of God’s people, making baptism and Eucharist the signs of belonging to Israel rather than circumcision and Sabbath. All of these things that Christ did were scandalous and completely unexpected.
So unexpected, in fact, that many Jews were unprepared and unwilling to accept Him. They expected Messiah to fulfill their desires and hopes and nationalistic dreams, not to do something else so dramatically different. When Christ did the unexpected, they concluded that He could not be the Messiah and they rejected Him. Some Jews of course accepted Him (such as the apostles) and allowed Him to reconfigure their views accordingly. Though what He did was unexpected, they still went along with Him. And what, we may ask, was the difference between those who refused to accept the unexpected and those who accepted it? Humility.
Some Jews listening to Jesus were proud of heart and allowed their pride to harden their hearts and blind them to the glory of Christ. Other Jews were humble of heart and accepted what Christ taught even though it meant completely rethinking all that they had been expecting. In this way the unexpectedness of Christ’s ministry acted as a way of sifting the proud from the humble. It is as Simeon the Righteous prophesied to the Mother of God when he first saw the Christ Child: “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34). Malachi of old proclaimed that Messiah would sit as a smelter (Malachi 3:3) and this smelting was accomplished through our Lord’s unexpected ministry, which separated the proud from the humble.
What does all this mean for us today? Simply that the God with whom we have to do is a God of the unexpected. He may answer our prayers as we hope and expect—or He may not. He may choose do something which we did not and could never foresee, but Paul has taught us that whatever He does works together with all things for our good (Romans 8:28). What is required of us is humility, the humility to accept all that comes from God’s hand without rebelling against it.
We often live in the sad and tragic delusion that we are in control. In fact, we are never really in control, but always live under the mercy of God. We cannot control what goes on around us or (most of the time) even control ourselves. The path of wisdom bids us give up this moronic delusion and give thanks to God for whatever His mercy brings our way. He remains the sovereign Lord, the One who does whatever He pleases, the God of the unexpected. Under His hand we can find our peace.
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Commemorating the Forefeast of the Nativity of our Lord, St Nahum of Ochrid, disciple of Sts Cyril & Methodius, Equal of the Apostles, Repose of St Theoctistus Archbishop of Novgorod, St Niphon Bishop of Cyprus, St Paul Bishop of Neocaesarea, 10 Holy Martyrs of Crete
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 3
Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm. He has trampled down death by death. He has become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted to the world great mercy.
HOLY FATHERS TROPARION—TONE 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith, for the three Holy Youths rejoice in the fountain of flames as though in the waters of rest; and the Prophet Daniel appeared a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep. So by their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls!
FOREFEAST TROPARION—TONE 4
Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all! Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave! Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit; if we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam. Christ comes to restore the image which He made in the beginning.
HOLY FATHERS KONTAKION—TONE 1
Rejoice, O Bethlehem! Prepare yourself, O Ephratha! The Lamb is on her way to give birth to the Chief Shepherd she carries in her womb. The God-bearing forefathers will rejoice, beholding Him, and with the shepherds, they will glorify the Virgin nursing Him.
FOREFEAST KONTAKION—TONE 3
Today the Virgin comes to the cave to give birth to the Eternal Word. Hear the glad tidings and rejoice, O universe! Glorify with the Angels and the shepherds the Eternal God, Who is willing to appear as a little child!
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
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READERS:
This Week: Matins: Nicholas Ressetar Epistle: Matthew Hoover
Nativity: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Aleksandra Saran, Genevieve Bare
Next Week: Matins: Nicholas Ressetar Epistle: Lincoln Govelovich
EPISTLE: Hebrews 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Fourth Tone: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name forever!
CHOIR: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name forever!
READER: v: For You are just in all that You have done for us!
CHOIR: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name forever!
READER: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers...
CHOIR: ...and praised and glorified is Your name forever!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Hebrews.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brothers and Sisters, by faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.” By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: We have heard with our ears, O God, for our fathers have told us.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: For You have saved us from them than oppose us, and have put to shame them that hate us.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Јеврејима 11:9-10,17-23,32-40
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 4 Благословен си, Господе Боже отаца наших, и хвално и прослављено је име Твоје у све вјекове.
Хор: Благословен си, Господе Боже отаца наших, и хвално и прослављено је име Твоје у све вјекове.
Читач: Јер си праведан у свему што си учинио за нас.
Хор: Благословен си, Господе Боже отаца наших, и хвално и прослављено је име Твоје у све вјекове.
Читач: Благословен си, Господе Боже отаца наших,
Хор: и хвално и прослављено је име Твоје у све вјекове.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање из посланице Св. Апостола Павла Јеврејима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, вјером се насели он у земљи обећаној као у туђој, и у шаторима становаше са Исаком и Јаковом, сунасљедницима истога обећања. Јер очекиваше Град који има темеље, којему је неимар и творац Бог. Вјером принесе Авраам Исака када је кушан, и јединца приношаше онај који је примио обећања, Коме бјеше казано: У Исаку ће ти се назвати сјеме, Јер је разумио да је Бог кадар и из мртвих васкрсавати; зато га и доби као праслику. Вјером у оно што ће доћи благослови Исак Јакова и Исава. Вјером Јаков умирући благослови свакога сина Јосифова, и поклони се преко врха палице своје. Вјером Јосиф на самрти напомињаше о изласку синова Израиљевих, и заповједи за кости своје. Вјером су Мојсеја, пошто се роди, крили три мјесеца родитељи његови, јер видјеше да је дијете красно, и не побојаше се заповијести цареве. И шта још да кажем? Јер ми не би достало времена кад бих стао казивати о Гедеону, Вараку, Самсону, Јефтају, Давиду, Самуилу и о другим пророцима, Који вјером побиједише царства, чинише правду, добише обећања, затворише уста лавовима, Угасише силу огњену, утекоше од оштрица мача, од немоћних постадоше јаки, бијаху силни у рату, поразише војске туђинске; Неке жене примише своје мртве васкрсењем; други пак бијаху мукама уморени не приставши на избављење, да би добили боље васкрсење; А други искусише поруге и шибања, па још окове и тамнице; Камењем побијени, престругани, измучени, од мача помријеше; потуцаше се у кожусима и козјим кожама у оскудици, у невољама, у патњама; Они којих свијет не бијаше достојан, потуцаху се по пустињама и горама и по пештерама и по јамама земаљским. И сви ови, освједочени у вјери, не добише обећање; Зато што је Бог нешто боље предвидјео за нас, да не би они без нас достигли савршенство.
Свештеник: Мир ти читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Боже, својим ушима слушасмо, оци наши проповједаше дјела која си учинио у њихово вријеме, у старо вријеме.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Избавио си нас од непријатеља наших и ненавиднике наше посрамио
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Matthew 1:1-25
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man,and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Матеј 1:1-25
Родослов Исуса Христа, сина Давидова, Авраамова сина. Авраам роди Исака. А Исак роди Јакова. А Јаков роди Јуду и браћу његову. А Јуда роди Фареса и Зару с Тамаром. А Фарес роди Есрома. А Есром роди Арама. А Арам роди Аминадава. А Аминадав роди Наасона. А Наасон роди Салмона. А Салмон роди Вооза с Рахавом. А Вооз роди Овида с Рутом. А Овид роди Јесеја. А Јесеј роди Давида цара. А Давид цар роди Соломона са Уријиницом. А Соломон роди Ровоама. А Ровоам роди Авију. А Авија роди Асу. А Аса роди Јосафата. А Јосафат роди Јорама. А Јорам роди Озију. А Озија роди Јоатама. А Јоатам роди Ахаза. А Ахаз роди Језекију. А Језекија роди Манасију. А Манасија роди Амона. А Амон роди Јосију. А Јосија роди Јехонију и браћу његову, у сеоби вавилонској. А по сеоби вавилонској, Јехонија роди Салатила. А Салатил роди Зоровавеља. А Зоровавељ роди Авиуда. А Авиуд роди Елиакима. А Елиаким роди Азора. А Азор роди Садока. А Садок роди Ахима. А Ахим роди Елиуда. А Елиуд роди Елеазара. А Елеазар роди Матана. А Матан роди Јакова. А Јаков роди Јосифа, мужа Марије, од које се роди Исус звани Христос. Свега, дакле, кољена од Авраама до Давида, кољена четрнаест, а од Давида до сеобе вавилонске кољена четрнаест, и од сеобе вавилонске до Христа, кољена четрнаест. А рођење Исуса Христа овако би: Кад је мати његова Марија била обручена Јосифу, а прије него што се бјеху састали, нађе се да је затруднила од Духа Светога. А Јосиф муж њезин, будући праведан и не хотећи је јавно изобличити, намисли је тајно отпустити. Но кад он тако помисли, гле, јави му се у сну анђео Господњи говорећи: Јосифе, сине Давидов, не бој се узети Марију жену своју; јер оно што се у њој зачело од Духа јe Светога. Па ће родити сина, и надјени му име Исус: јер ће он спасти народ свој од гријеха њихових. А све се ово догодило да се испуни што је Господ казао преко пророка који говори: Ето, дјевојка ће зачети, и родиће сина, и надјенуће му име Емануил, што ће рећи: С нама Бог. Уставши Јосиф од сна, учини како му заповједи анђео Господњи и узе жену своју. И не знадијаше за њу док не роди сина својега првенца, и надјену му име Исус.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
~Hymnography during the Nativity Liturgy~ | |
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First Antiphon
Verse: I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will make all Your wonders known. In the company of the upright, in the congregation, great are the works of the Lord.
Refrain: Molitvami Bogorodici, Spase, spasi nas!
Verse: They are sought out according to His will. Full of honor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever.
Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us!
Verse: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Refrain: Molitvami Bogorodici, Spase, spasi nas!
Second Antiphon
Verse: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Refrain: Spasi ni, Sine Boži, roždjesja ot Djevi, pojuščija Ti: Aliluja!
Verse: Glory and wealth are in His house, and His righteousness endures forever.
Refrain: Save us, O Son of God, born of the Virgin, who sing unto Thee: Alleluia!
Verse: Light rises in the darkness for the upright; the Lord is merciful, compassionate and righteous.
Refrain: Spasi ni, Sine Boži, roždjesja ot Djevi, pojuščija Ti: Aliluja!
Verse: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Choir: Jedinorodni Sine…
Third Antiphon
Verse: The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool!”
NATIVITY TROPARION - TONE 4
Roždestvo tvoje Hriste Bože naš, vozsija mirovi svjet razuma: v nem bo zvjezdam služaščiji zvezdoju učahusja, Tebje klanjatisja solncu pravdi, i Tebje vjedjeti s visoti vostoka, Gospodi slava Tebje.
Verse: The Lord shall send You the scepter of power from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies!”
NATIVITY TROPARION - TONE 4
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, has shown to the world the Light of Wisdom! For by it those who worshipped the stars were taught by a Star to adore Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Orient from on High. O Lord, Glory to Thee!
Verse: Authority shall be with You on the day of Your power, in the splendor of Your saints.
NATIVITY TROPARION - TONE 4
Roždestvo tvoje Hriste Bože naš, vozsija mirovi svjet razuma: v nem bo zvjezdam služaščiji zvezdoju učahusja, Tebje klanjatisja solncu pravdi, i Tebje vjedjeti s visoti vostoka, Gospodi slava Tebje.
Entrance Verse instead of “Pridite…”
“Out of the womb before the morning star have I begotten You.” The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Из материце пре Јутарње звезде ја сам те родио; Господ се заклео и неће променити Његов ум. Ти си свештеник заувек, по наређењу Мелкизадек
NATIVITY TROPARION - TONE 4
Roždestvo tvoje Hriste Bože naš, vozsija mirovi svjet razuma: v nem bo zvjezdam služaščiji zvezdoju učahusja, Tebje klanjatisja solncu pravdi, i Tebje vjedjeti s visoti vostoka, Gospodi slava Tebje.
NATIVITY KONTAKION - TONE 3
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One, and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One! Angels, with shepherds, glorify Him! The wise men journey with the star! Since for our sake the eternal God was born as a little child.
Instead of the Trisagion:
As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia!
Jelici vo Hrista krstitesja, vo Hrista obljekostesja. Aliluja!
HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD—Tone 1
Magnify, O my soul, the Most-Pure Virgin Theotokos, more honorable and more glorious than the heavenly hosts.
I behold a strange, most glorious mystery: Heaven—the cave; the Cherubic Throne—The Virgin; the manger—the place where Christ lay—the Uncontainable God, Whom we magnify in song!
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~Scripture Readings during the Nativity Liturgy~ | |
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EPISTLE: Galatians 4:4-7
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Eighth Tone: Let all the earth worship You and praise You! Let it praise Your Name, O Most High!
CHOIR: Let all the earth worship You and praise You! Let it praise Your Name, O Most High!
READER: v: Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth! Sing of His Name! Give glory to His praise!
CHOIR: Let all the earth worship You and praise You! Let it praise Your Name, O Most High!
READER: Let all the earth worship You and praise You!
CHOIR: Let it praise Your Name, O Most High!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Galatians.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brothers and Sisters, when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Брачо, a кад се наврши време, посла Бог Сина свог Јединородног, који је рођен од жене и покорен закону, да искупи оне који су под законом, да примимо посинаштво. И будући да сте синови, посла Бог Духа Сина свог у срца ваша, који виче: Ава, Оче! Тако већ ниси роб, него син; а ако си син, и наследник си Божји кроз Исуса Христа.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declare knowledge.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
LITURGY GOSPEL: Matthew 2: 1-12
At that time, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
А кад се роди Исус у Витлејему јудејском, за времена цара Ирода, а то дођу мудраци с истока у Јерусалим, и кажу: Где је цар јудејски што се родио? Јер смо видели Његову звезду на истоку и дошли смо да Му се поклонимо. Кад то чује цар Ирод, уплаши се, и сав Јерусалим с њим. И сабравши све главаре свештеничке и књижевнике народне, питаше их: Где ће се родити Христос? А они му рекоше: У Витлејему јудејском; јер је тако пророк написао: И ти Витлејеме, земљо Јудина! Ни по чем ниси најмањи у држави Јудиној; јер ће из тебе изићи человођа који ће пасти народ мој Израиља. Онда Ирод тајно дозва мудраце, и испитиваше их кад се појавила звезда. И пославши их у Витлејем, рече: Идите и распитајте добро за дете, па кад га нађете, јавите ми, да и ја идем да му се поклоним.
И они саслушавши цара, пођоше: а то и звезда коју су видели на истоку, иђаше пред њима док не дође и стаде одозго где беше дете. А кад видеше звезду где је стала, обрадоваше се веома великом радости. И ушавши у кућу, видеше дете с Маријом матером Његовом, и падоше и поклонише Му се; па отворише даре своје и дариваше Га: златом, и тамјаном, и смирном. И примивши у сну заповест да се не враћају к Ироду, другим путем отидоше у своју земљу.
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The Nativity of Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ
St. Nikolai--Prologue of Ochrid
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son” (Galatians 4:4) to save the human race. And when nine months were fulfilled from the Annunciation, when the Archangel Gabriel had appeared to the Most-Holy Virgin in Nazareth, saying, “Rejoice, you that are highly favored...behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a Son” (Luke 1:28-31), at that time there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the people of the Roman Empire should be taxed. In accordance with this decree, everyone had to go to his own town and be registered. That is why the righteous Joseph came with the Most-Holy Virgin to Bethlehem, the city of David, for they were both of the royal lineage of David. Since many people descended on this small town for the census, Joseph and Mary were unable to find lodging in any house, and they sought shelter in a cave which shepherds used as a sheepfold. In this cave-on the night between Saturday and Sunday, on the 25th of December, the Most-Holy Virgin gave birth to the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ. Giving birth to Him without pain just as He was conceived without sin by the Holy Spirit and not by man, she herself wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, worshipped Him as God, and laid Him in a manger. Then the righteous Joseph drew near and worshiped Him as the Divine Fruit of the Virgin’s womb. Then the shepherds came in from the fields, directed by an angel of God, and worshiped Him as the Messiah and Savior. The shepherds heard a multitude of God’s angels singing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). “At that time three wise men arrived from the east, led by a wondrous star, bearing their gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. They worshiped Him as the King of kings, and offered Him their gifts” (Matthew 2). Thus entered the world He Whose coming was foretold by the prophets, and Who was born in the same manner in which it had been prophesied: of a Most-Holy Virgin, in the town of Bethlehem, of the lineage of David according to the flesh, at the time when there was no king in Jerusalem of the lineage of Judah, but rather when Herod, a foreigner, was reigning. After many types and prefigurings, messengers and heralds, prophets and righteous men, wise men and kings, finally He appeared, the Lord of the world and King of kings, to perform the work of the salvation of mankind, which could not be performed by His servants. To Him be eternal glory and praise! Amen.
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~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, Popadija Sara Golic, Matushka Barbara Ealy, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and Michael Repasky, the child Metodija and his parents Fr. Dn. Milan and Mira Damljanovic, the child Louise Bare and her parents Zachary & Elizabeth, the child Penelope and her parents, Alex and Michelle Dowd, Kaitlyn Hook and the newborn Bowen William, Catherine Lewis and the newborn Caleb Ereno, Mara Bebeau and the newborn Jacob, Emma Howell and the child to be born of her, Bethany Peterson and the child to be born of her, Lousi, Tony & infant of God Zayne, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Lori Bare, Elijah Barnett, Christina Berchock, Dori & Doug Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Walter “Bud” Brown, Guiliana & Aleksandar Carricato, Maria Chigrintseva, Susan & Jim Cibort, Leann Cox, Victoria Cox, Tommy & Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Edward Dry, JoAnn Filepas, Anaya Garvin, Eric Garvin, Christian & Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Nick & Terry Govelovich, Kata Gruich, George Gutshall, Dan Hazlett, Travis Heilman, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Kay Himes, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Tony Kepp, Myong Sook Kim, Caryn Kiraly, Dorothy Krnjaich, Dragica Kuzmanovic, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Sue Leis, Jovan Lemajic, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Boro Lojpur, John Luksic, Stephen Lundingrin, Penny MacDonald, Dianne & Jim Martin, Jean & Paul Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, George Milakovic, Marija Miljkovic, Daria Milletics, Rosanda Mitrovic, Diane & Slobodan Momic, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Jenny Moore Oliver, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Duke & Sue Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Milena Pilipovic, Christopher Radanovic, Logan Roszkowski, Chloe Ruff, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Greg Selman, Donald Semic, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Milan Shumkaroff, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Tim Stefan, Michael Stepanovich, Stevan & Mary Stojic, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Michael Vishnesky, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Beverly Yanich, Tosh Yanich, Dewey Yetter, Mila “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Jason Zeigler, Ashley Ziobrowski, Eleni Ziogas, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski
Those Who Need Special Care
ECUMENICAL (COUNTRY MEADOWS) Jane Rush, HOMELAND: Draga Donato; MASONIC HOME: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic
Those Who Are Currently Deployed
Christopher Baker
Those to be Baptized
Bowen William Hook, Caleb Ereno Lewis, Barrett Scott, Nora & Maeve Van Huysen, Sloane & Šeren York
Our College Students
Sophia Adams, Cameron Barber, Kyle Barber, Michael Geppert, Anastasija Gligorevic, Natalija Gligorevic, Cayden Healy, Matthew Hoover, Kalei Howard, Faith Kingsbury, Sophia Mummert, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Luis Antonio Radanovic, Madison Vorkapich, Anastasija Vukalo
Our Seminary Students
Elizabeth Bare
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Demetrios Ziogas, Peter Mrgich, Katherine Radoicich, Vladimir Djordjic, Vasil Mihailoff, Fyodor Kochnev
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~Vigils Offered~
KRISTINA ZORA CARRICATO Offered in celebration of our Kristina’s birthday (Jan 3). May God bless you with many years in good health, happiness, and success and keep you safe in the city that you love. Mnogaja Ljeta! Offered with love by your mom, Babi and the entire family.
CHRIS KRNJAIC Offered in joyous celebration of her birthday (Jan 5). Given by the Gruich family. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
VONI GRUICH BROWN Offered in joyous celebration of her birthday (Jan 6). Given by Kat and family. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
JODY ATTY Offered in celebration of her birthday, January 7th. Many Years! With love from her husband Ferris ‘Jake’ Atty.
SONORA VIOLA MAE CRUZ Offered on the 2nd day of Christ’s Nativity and the Synaxis of the Theotokos, we give glory to God for the gift of Sonora who was baptized 14 years ago on the day we honor and glorify the Holy Theotokos. We pray for the health and well-being of Sonora, her family & Godparents Emily Yanich & Dr Danilo Yanich. Hristos se Rodi! Christ is Born!
BRANDON MUMMA Offered on Stefandan (Jan 9) as we celebrate the anniversary of his baptism and honor his Godparents, Joyce Matich & Tosh Yanich. Given with love by the family. Hristos se Rodi ! Christ is Born!
CHRISTOPHER BAKER Offered by Chris & Jevi Radanovic during his deployment. Praying for all of our Christ loving soldiers, families and their service to our country.
TOOTSIE KRNJAICH Offering vigils and prayers for our Kuma Tootsie. May God’s blessings be with her during her rehab period. From her Godchildren, Kat and families.
MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health and God’s blessings and loving care during his recovery.
†SIMO & †VERONICA KRNJAICH Offered for my parents on the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray for their peaceful repose and eternal life with our Lord. Hristos Se Rodi! With love in Christ, daughter Tootsie. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†RADE, †ANA, †MILAN, †EVELYN, †PETAR, †JELENA, †STEVO, †LUJBICA, †NIKOLA, †MILKA, †DRAGAN, †MARIJA, †DANILO, †DANICA, †ZARKO, †PETAR, †BRANKO, †DARINKA, †NEVENKA, †NIKOLA, †DAVID, †MICHAEL, & †LINDA Offered on the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we cherish memories of our departed family members and pray the Christ Child shelters them tenderly in a place of brightness, verdure, peace and everlasting life. Given with love by the Yanich, Matich, Wenner, Mumma, Hook, Wolf & Cruz families. Hristos se Rodi! Christ is Born!
†MILE, †ANDJELIJA, & †PAVLE MRAOVIC Offered as we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we pray for the peaceful repose of our grandparents and uncle in a place of Everlasting Life. Given by Beba, Steph, Bobbi, Bill, Greg, Wendy, Brandon, Jazmin, Curran, Kaitlyn, Tim, Sonora, Ashtyn, Baylor, Endora and Bowen. Hristos se Rodi! Christ is Born!
†STEVO STEVE YANICH Offered on the feast day of Sveti Stefan we remember “Pop” on his birthday anniversary and name day. We cherish our memories of him and pray for his peaceful repose and everlasting life. Given with deep love and abiding respect by the family. Hristos se Rodi! Christ is Born!
†REPOSED STARCEVICH, VUJASINOVICH, DJACIC, SREMAC & KOTUR FAMILIES Offered as we celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (BOZIC). We lovingly remember and pray for our dear Milos (Mico), Milan (Braco) and all reposed members of our families, by Zorka and the whole family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal! Hristos se Rodi! Christ is Born!
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Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Egypt, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for all of those suffering from the pandemic, for those who minister, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no race.
We also pray for the Orthodox clergy in Alaska, that the Lord might grant them more than enough to feed their families.
LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!
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Stewardship Offering Information
Date 12/29/2024
Collection: $6,699.00
Date 12/22/2024
Collection: $2,182.00
Date 12/15/2024
Collection: $5,797.00
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January Birthdays
Kristina Carricato (Jan 3), Brad Livingston (Jan 4), Betty Matovich (Jan 5), Chris Krnjaic (Jan 5), Voni Brown (Jan 6), Jody Atty (Jan 7), Fred Book (Jan 7), Ellen Long (Jan 8), Lauren Spangler (Jan 9), Jason Milletics (Jan 11), William Hernjak (Jan 12), JoAnn Filepas (Jan 13), Tracy Petrovich (Jan 13), Bill Wenner (Jan 15), Nicole Stefan Imschweiler (Jan 15), Christina Radanovic (Jan 15), Tatyana Reznitchenko (Jan 16), Sylvia Stefan (Jan 18), Nina Radanovic (Jan 19), Makrina Rocknage (Jan 19), Kristina Vukalo (Jan 20), Rita Vorkapich (Jan 22), Protinica Andreja (Jan 24), Kobe Petrovich (Jan 24), Andjelija Lojpur (Jan 27), Sophia Mummert (Jan 28), Jane Svitchan (Jan 29), Maxim Reznitchenko (Jan 29), Susan Vorkapich (Jan 30), Ashtyn Isadora Cruz (Jan 30)
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ST NICHOLAS SENIORS
The next 50+ Seniors Meeting is Tuesday, January 14th at 11:45, at Ruby Tuesday’s (3991 Paxton Street, Harrisburg). Please advise Terry (717.561.1590). Kindly leave a message if you plan to attend.
SOTAYA GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER
Thinking of a gift for someone, a special occasion, birthday or a reward for yourself? Gift cards are a good choice! And there is no need to go to the store, SOTAYA is selling Texas Roadhouse and Darden Restaurant Group cards (which includes Olive Garden, Longhorn, Cheddar’s, Yard House, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52) at a face value of $50. Just see any SOTAYA member or Sladjana for a purchase. Thanks for your support!
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Our Annual Assembly will be gathered on Sunday, February 2, 2025. If you would like to serve on the Parish Council, please see any of our nominating committee members: Yovanka Hoover, Nikki Lewis, or Paula Werner. Successful nominees regularly receive the Holy Mysteries of Confession and Communion, attend services frequently, offer their time, talents, treasure, and have a willingness to work for the good of Christ’s Holy Church.
BADNJACARI
Thanks to God for our Badnjacari this year, Milodrag and his grandson Stefan Gligorevic.
ST. STEPHEN’S DAY SLAVA CELEBRATIONS
As Father Christopher will be having surgery the next day (January 10), please bring your kolach and koljevo to church to be blessed during the Holy Liturgy at 9am. Slava service will happen at the end of the Liturgy.
SPECIAL THANKS TO GOD
Special Thank You to my church family for the beautiful Christmas arrangement I received. Just to know that you are thinking of me brings tears to my eyes. With God’s Blessings and my love ~ Tootsie. Christ is Born! Hristos se Rodi! Happy New Year!
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PLEASE HELP - BETHESDA MISSION WOMEN’S SHELTER OUTREACH
On the second Saturday of every month (the next one is this Saturday, January 11th), volunteers from our four Orthodox churches prepare and serve lunch for shelter residents. We also help with various projects and activities that assist with shelter operations. If anyone would like to volunteer or learn more about this important program, please contact Andrea Gunther.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9 am until noon. You may call the office during these hours at (717) 939-3872 or come by the office in person. Office hours will be adjusted when services are occurring during those hours.
BULLETIN DEADLINE
Please send all Bulletin Requests to the Church Office at office@stnicholassteelton.org
You may also call (717) 939-3872
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January Charity
The International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
IOCC is a humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians. Established in 1992 by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), it works in cooperation with the Orthodox Church and on behalf of Orthodox Christians. In carrying out its mission, offering emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthening the capacity of the Orthodox Church to so respond, IOCC applies the highest profession standards and renders itself fully accountable to the public and its donors. Since its inception, IOCC has administered more than $580 million in humanitarian relief, sustainable development and self-help programs worldwide.
Approximately 92% of all money donated directly helps those facing dire situations and every dollar given helps secure $7 in support from various sources. All assistance is provided solely on the basis of need and benefits orphans, refugees and displaced persons, the elderly, school children, families and people with disabilities. Over the course of their history, IOCC has been able to assist people in 50 countries with priority currently in the Balkans (Bosnia, Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro), Cameroon, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Iraq, Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Romania, Syria, Uganda, and the United States. Since the need for help is great, IOCC continually works to expand its programs to other areas. Visit www.iocc.org for additional information.
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KSS-MOTHER’S CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!
On Sunday, January 12th, the newly joined KSS-Mothers Club will have their annual Christmas Party and gift exchange at Gilligan’s Restaurant after Liturgy.
All Sisters and Mothers are encouraged to attend, as we will have the appointment of officers. And don’t forget to bring a gift to be exchanged in the White Elephant game (max cost $15-$20).
Please contact Protinica Andreja to let her know if you will be attending.
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