Schedule for Friday, July 16th through Tuesday, July 27th
- Friday, July 16th: 6pm Akathist to Sts. Peter and Paul
- Saturday, July 17th: 5pm Great Vespers, confessions heard following
- Sunday, July 18th: 8:30am Orthros & Divine Liturgy
- Wednesday, July 21st: 6pm Akathist to The Theotokos, The Inexhaustible Cup
- Saturday, July 24th: 5pm Great Vespers, confessions heard following
- Sunday, July 25th: 8:30am Orthros & Divine Liturgy
- Monday, July 26th: 6pm Great Vespers for St. Panteleimon
- Tuesday, July 27th: 8:30am Divine Liturgy for St. Panteleimon
Commemorations This Week
On Sunday, July 18th we commemorate the 630 Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council
On the Sunday that falls from the 13th to the 19th of the present month, we chant the Service to the 630 Holy and God-bearing Fathers who came together for the 4th Ecumenical Council who assembled in Chalcedon in 451, to condemn Eutyches, who taught that there was only one nature, the divine, in Christ after the Incarnation, and Dioscorus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who illegally received Eutyches back into communion and deposed Saint Flavian, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had excommunicated Eutyches. The 630 Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council decreed that “the One Christ, the Son of God... must be glorified in two natures.”
The Orthodox Church acknowledges Seven Holy Ecumenical Councils:
- The First Ecumenical Council (Nicea I) (May 29, and also on seventh Sunday after Pascha) was convened in the year 325 against the heresy of Arius, in the city of Nicea in Bithynia under Saint Constantine the Great, Equal of the Apostles.
- The Second Ecumenical Council (Constantinople I) (May 22) was convened in the year 381 against the heresy of Macedonias, by the emperor Theodosius the Great.
- The Third Ecumenical Council (Ephesus) (September 9) was convened in the year 431 against the heresy of Nestorius, in the city of Ephesus by the emperor Theodosius the Younger.
- The Fourth Ecumenical Council (Chalcedon) (July 16) was convened in the year 451, against the Monophysite heresy, in the city of Chalcedon under the emperor Marcian.
- The Fifth Ecumenical Council (Constnatinople II) (July 25) “Concerning the Three Chapters,” was convened in the year 553, under the emperor Justinian the Great.
- The Sixth Ecumenical Council (Constantinople III) (January 23) met during the years 680-681, to fight the Monothelite heresy, under the emperor Constantine Pogonatos.
- The Seventh Ecumenical Council, commemorated on the Sunday nearest to October 11, was convened at Nicea in the year 787 against the Iconoclast heresy, under the emperor Constantine and his mother Irene.
The Ecumenical Councils were always convened for a specific reason: to combat false opinions and heresies, and to clarify the Orthodox Church’s teaching. But the Holy Spirit has thus seen fit, that the dogmas, the truths of faith, immutable in their content and scope, constantly and consequently are revealed by the conciliar mind of the Church, and are given precision by the holy Fathers within theological concepts and terms in exactly such measure as is needed by the Church itself for its economy of salvation. The Church, in expounding its dogmas, is dealing with the concerns of a given historical moment, “not revealing everything in haste and thoughtlessly, nor indeed, ultimately hiding something” (Saint Gregory the Theologian).
In the Slavic tradition, on this Sunday, the Fathers of the first six Ecumenical Councils are all commemorated.
Apolytikion for the Sunday of The Holy Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council
Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our Fathers as luminous stars upon the earth, and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith. O Most Merciful One, glory be to Thee.
On Thursday, July 22nd we commemorate St. Mary Magdalene,
Equal to the Apostles
Saint Mary was from Magdala in Galilee on the Sea of Tiberias, and for this was named Magdalene. When the Lord Jesus cast out seven demons from her, from which she had been suffering, she became His faithful and inseparable disciple, following Him and ministering unto Him even to the time of His crucifixion and burial. Then, returning to Jerusalem together with the rest of the Myrrh-bearers, she prepared the fragrant spices for anointing the body of the Lord. And on the Lord's day they came very early to the tomb, even before the Angels appeared declaring the Resurrection of the Lord. When Mary Magdalene saw the stone taken away from the tomb, she ran and proclaimed it to Peter and John. And returning immediately to the tomb and weeping outside, she was deemed worthy to be the first of the Myrrh-bearers to behold the Lord arisen from the dead, and when she fell at His feet, she heard Him say, "Touch Me not." After the Lord's Ascension, nothing certain is known concerning her. Some accounts say that she went to Rome and later returned to Jerusalem, and from there proceeded to Ephesus, where she ended her life, preaching Christ. Although it is sometimes said that Saint Mary Magdalene was the "sinful woman" of the Gospel, this is nowhere stated in the tradition of the Church, in the sacred hymnology, or in the Holy Gospels themselves, which say only that our Lord cast seven demons out of her, not that she was a fallen woman. "Madeleine" is a form of Magdalene.
Epistle and Gospel Readings for Sunday, July 18th
Matins Gospel: The Gospel according to Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.
St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15
Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.
When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
The Gospel According to Matthew 5:14-19
The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Click below to access recent homilies
from Father Jeffrey
Community News
St. George Sisterhood Kickoff Meeting & Luncheon
When: Saturday July 24th, 12pm-2pm
Where: Church Fellowship Hall
Upon arrival: A "Meet & Greet", new visitor(s) introduction and welcome, followed by a wonderful buffet lunch.
After lunch is a brief but important meeting to discuss the agenda items (which will be sent in a separate Flocknote email).
We have so much to catch up on, please make every effort to join us!
Please RSVP to Ellen Winn by Thursday July 22nd
It's Evangelism Season!
During the Evangelism Season (June 20th to November 15th) we ask our parishioners to consider how they might engage in evangelism. Each week will be providing some quotes to consider on what the church teaches about evangelism as well as a challenge. The challenge is meant to encourage you to take chances and step out of your comfort zone a bit as well as prepare for an encounter with someone who asks you about your faith.
I pray that you will take advantage of this time and look forward to hearing your stories about how you are sharing with others what was given to you.
In Christ,
Kenny Scott
I pray that you will take advantage of this time and look forward to hearing your stories about how you are sharing with others what was given to you.
In Christ,
Kenny Scott
Akathist for Evangelism
Once every two months, we have an Akathist to Sts Peter and Paul dealing with the subject of evangelism. This week it is on Friday, July 16th. During the service, there will be a time where we will pray by name for everyone that we would like to see become Orthodox. Please attend the service and bring your prayer cards for Father to read the names you have listed. This is a special opportunity to pray for your loved ones as one Orthodox community. Please do not miss this service. If you cannot attend, please send your names in an email to Father Jeffrey at jeffreyfrate@gmail.com or post them on the St. George Orthodox Church of Prescott Community Facebook group page under the "Akathist for Evangelism" post.
Metropolis & Archdiocese News
A Missions and Evangelism Ministry update from Director Thomaida Hudanish
Dear Rev. Fathers and friends,
We raised over $13,000 together during our online Missions to American campaign! Thank you for generously supporting our work and the projects organized by each of our six mission parishes.
You can continue to send donations for the "Metropolis Missions & Evangelism Ministry" to our ministry address: 14485 SW Walker Rd, Beaverton OR 97006, with "Mission to America" in the memo line.
We raised over $13,000 together during our online Missions to American campaign! Thank you for generously supporting our work and the projects organized by each of our six mission parishes.
You can continue to send donations for the "Metropolis Missions & Evangelism Ministry" to our ministry address: 14485 SW Walker Rd, Beaverton OR 97006, with "Mission to America" in the memo line.
Questions Inquirers Ask
This past month I had the joy of meeting a number of people from various Christian traditions. With surprising regularity, our casual conversations turned to Faith. My friends--Anglicans, Lutherans, Wesleyans, and reformed Baptists--expressed genuine curiosity in their questions:
- Who founded the Orthodox Church?
- Is the Virgin Mary a deity?
- Do you believe in purgatory?
- Are the Christians in Palestine Orthodox?
- Is Orthodoxy a Protestant denomination?
- Would I be welcome at a Greek Orthodox Church?
The final question was the most heart-breaking and, in a way, it's the hardest to answer with any certainty. I can only hope that their local parishes will be as eager to embrace them as they are to learn.
Are you ready to Exclaim your faith? Then the Young Adult League (YAL) Conference over Labor Day Weekend 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona is where you need to be! This will be the third YAL Conference since 2019 hosted by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco and promises to bigger and better than ever!
Location
Conference attendees will enjoy a weekend of events, workshops, worship and relaxation from September 2 – 6, 2021 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, AZ, a luxury property with a therapeutic spa, five pools, a lazy river, two golf courses, 17 pickleball courts, and much more! There will be plenty of free time to enjoy these amenities with your new YAL friends, and explore the beauty of the Sonoran desert.
Weekend Highlights
Highlights of the weekend include engaging workshops, daily worship, dances, a Grand Banquet, and a special western-themed event “YeeHaw YAL” on Sunday evening. Diakonia is also an important part of the YAL ministry and will include a Rise Against Hunger challenge to package meals for undernourished people throughout the world.
Keynote Presenters
This year’s Keynote presenters are going to take you on a journey that promises to bring you spiritual, social and professional fulfillment. Friday afternoon’s presentation will be offered by Bill Marianes who will speak on “Why Love Light – Being a Disciple in Your Jerusalem and Beyond.” Bill will guide the participants on a discovery of their personal “Why” and how they, as agents of change, can impact their parish, the civic community, and our entire country as disciples and exclaimers of our faith. Bill lives in Gainesville, GA but he is a good friend to our Metropolis, and brings with him a wealth of experience as a sought-after guest speaker who engages his audiences, identifies practical ways for parish involvement, and provides important guidance and insight for emerging professionals as they chart their course through higher education and entering the job market.
On Saturday, the YAL Conference will welcome Rev. Dr. Nicholas and Presvytera Roxanne Louh, Ph.D., all the way from Jacksonville, FL. Participants will be inspired by their presentation on “Exclaiming By Renewing You, Your Relationship with Christ and Each Other”. The Louh’s are a power-couple who bring with them years of experience serving the church, as well as their professional backgrounds in ministry and counseling. They cohost “Healthy Minds Healthy Souls” on Ancient Faith Radio. The Louh’s are also the co-authors of Renewing You which combines principles of spiritual growth with psychological tools to help you become your best self, fully connected with God’s purpose for you. A special book signing will also be held at the YAL Conference.
Help Our Graduates Stay Connected to the Church
Thousands of our Orthodox youth graduate from High School and go away to schools across our country. While blessed with unprecedented educational opportunities, at the same time, many face difficult challenges in the environment of the college campus. The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco wants to help maintain their connection to the Church! Complete the Online Form or visit www.gosfyouth.org. The Metropolis will make sure that an Orthodox Priest and community near your student's college connects with your loved one.
Church Music Scholarships
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Church Music Federation Ministry is pleased to once again offer eight (8) Frank Desby and Xenia Anton Desby Memorial Music Scholarships of up to $500 each for Metropolis church musicians in 2021. Funds can be used to obtain education and training in singing, chanting, and conducting. Applications and information can be found online at www.sfchurchmusic.org. Deadline: August 15, 2021. For more information, please contact: sfchurchmusic@sanfran.goarch.org.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
From the Assembly of Bishops
Encyclical for Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday 2021
Prison Ministry Awareness 2021
“Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name.” (Psalm 142:7)
To the Reverend Clergy, Monastics, and Pious Faithful of our Holy Orthodox Church in the United States:
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings and blessings to you all!
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States has blessed us to observe the Sunday before the feast of St. Silas, the patron saint of prison ministry, as Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday. This year we remember this sacred ministry on July 25, 2021.
After a year of isolation, we are experiencing the full joy of our freedom this summer. Many of us are making up for lost time: taking trips, seeing our friends, and most importantly, returning to our churches in person.
For our brothers and sisters in prison, it has been a hard year as well. Lockdowns meant many of the 2.3 million men and women incarcerated in the United States were in truly deep isolation without visitations from family, friends, and clergy. As restrictions now ease, we are called more than ever to exercise our own freedoms to serve those who have suffered emotionally, physically, and spiritually over these last months. Now is the moment to cherish our blessings by sharing them with those who our Lord has commanded us to see Himself in.
Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ (Matthew 25).
Along with those in prison right now, we can find the Lord in the faces of those who have been released from prison and are seeking to find community in our parishes and rebuild their lives through the Orthodox way of life. We can also visit the Lord in caring for the family members of prisoners. Indeed, the staggering rates of incarceration in the US make it is difficult to find an Orthodox parish in our country that does not have a parishioner deeply affected by the incarceration of an immediate family member.
As the Episcopal Moderator of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, I respectfully request you observe this day of awareness. The Holy Orthodox Church, through Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, brings the mercy, forgiveness, and love of Christ to those people who need hope and healing living in the darkness of prison.
We humbly ask that after passing a tray for the ongoing work of your parish, you please pass a second tray on Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday for the work of the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry.
As Saint Isaac the Syrian says, “A cruel and merciless heart is never purified. A merciful man is the doctor of his own soul because as a strong wind from his heart, he drives out the darkness of the passions.” Please show mercy to our brothers and sisters in jails and prisons across the United States on July 25th.
With much love and thanks in our risen Lord,
†Archbishop Mark