The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
January 6
About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner, who was some six months older than Our Saviour according to the flesh, and had lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the remission of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a servant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvellous deeds, great and beyond nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation, God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Christian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the Kingdom of the Heavens.
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2025 STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY - JANUARY 12th.
If you are on our current mailing list, then you will be receiving the 2025 St. John Chrysostom Stewardship Commitment Letter and form in the mail.
Please remember to fill out the form and return it to our church in the return envelop by mail or in person. We are holding our Stewardship Sunday on January 12th and all Stewardship pledges will be presented to and blessed by Father Andrew. 2025 Stewardship forms will also be available at the church by the candle stand for those not on our mailing list but wish to join our church family. Sunday, January 12th, we will also be cutting the Vasilopeta for our Church Community and the Parish Council will be sponsoring a Stewardship Luncheon after church services.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on January 12th, 2025.
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Our future church of St. John Chrysostom.
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Help us build our future St. John Chrysostom church.
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To place an order in the Festival booklet, please indicate the amount, provide your content and give your form and your payment to Steve Pappas. Forms will be available at the Candles stand. | |
Hymns of the Day
Apolytikion of the Feast. Mode 1.
When You were baptized in the River Jordan, O Lord, it was revealed that God is worshiped in Trinity. For the voice of the Father, who had begotten You, also bore witness to You, calling You “beloved Son,” and the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed that what was said is true. In Your epiphany, O Christ God, You appeared and illumined the world. Glory to You!
Resurrectional Apolytikion. Mode 4.
When the women disciples of the Lord heard the Angel joyously proclaim the resurrection, they cast aside the ancestral verdict, and boasting in glory they said to the Apostles, “Death has been despoiled! Christ God has risen, granting the great mercy to the world!”
Apolytikion for the Church, St. John Chrysostom, Mode pl. 4.
The grace that from your mouth shone forth like a torch illumined the universe. It deposited in the world the treasures of the absence of avarice. It showed us the height that is attained by humility. Now you instruct us by your words, Father John Chrysostom. Intercede with Christ God, the Word Himself, entreating Him to save our souls.
Kontakion. Mode 4.
You revealed yourself today on earth, O Master, * and Your light was stamped on us, who in the knowledge of the truth, * O Lord, extol Your epiphany. * You came; You revealed yourself, O unapproachable Light.
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The reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians.
Brethren, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Gospel Reading
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The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
At that time, Jesus when heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles — the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
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"Your Own from Your Own"
The theme for this year's Stewardship is “Your Own from Your Own,” from the Divine Liturgy as we offer back to God that which He has given us. He receives our humble offering of bread and wine and returns them to us as His Body and Blood in Holy Communion.
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We are stewards of the Gospel and the stewards of our parish. We see our church, not as it is, but as it could be. We offer our treasure and ourselves sacrificially, so that, as members of the Body of Christ, we may reach our full potential in Him. | |
January 2025 Services and Meetings
Jan. 11th Saturday, Philoptochos Meeting at church at 10AM
Epiphany celebration in West Palm Beach (St. Katherine’s)
Divine Liturgy 10am followed by a luncheon in the hall. There is a charge for the luncheon.
Jan. 12th, Sunday after Epiphany, Orthros & Div. Liturgy 9-11:30AM
Collection of the Stewardship Commitments (Pledges) for 2025 and
A special blessing over these commitments made by you.
ALSO, the Oath of Office for the new Parish Council IF the Metropolis has approved the election.
Cutting and distribution of the VASILOPITA AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SERVICE.
*ANYONE INTERESTED IT BAKING A VASILOPITA FOR THE SERVICE SHOULD CONTACT FATHER ANDREW AT 561-818-6215 OR by email at frdrew1947@gmail.com
Jan. 17th Feast of Saint Anthony HAPPY NAMEDAY to those celebrating the
Feastday. Chronia Polla
Jan. 19th SUNDAY, Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 9 – 11:15AM
40 day Memorial for Kleanthis Miniotis
2 year Trisagion for George Zaimes, (Husband of Dena Zaimes)
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St. John Chrysostom CHURCH PRAYER CIRCLE
Please include the following names of our brothers and sisters in our parish and families, along with others who are in need of our prayers. If you have or know of someone who needs to be included in our regular prayers, please let us know. If you know of someone whose name should be on our list, (a relative, friend or an acquaintance), please feel free to submit their name (s) to Father Andrew.
Katerina, Helen, Deborah, Vie, Sophie, Kathy, Dimitri, Voula, Helen, Mary, Joel, Connie, Mary, Alfred, William, Maryanne, Elizabeth, Yanni, Pauline, Diana, Dionysios, Saadia, Peter, Pauline, John, Nikki, Rachael, Judy Arbeznik, Michele Davis, Andrew, Despina, Jesse, Nicholas, Nicole, Eleni (Lela), Jill, Nikita.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you
trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
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