Sunday of The Holy Fathers of The First Six Ecumenical Councils

Fathers of the First Council of Nicea

Scripture readings

• Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15
• Gospel: Matthew 5:14-19

Saints and feasts

• Sunday of the Holy Fathers
• Macrina the Righteous, sister of St. Basil
• Dios, Abbot of Antioch

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Kate
• Margareta
• Venelin
• Maria

Otago Combined Christian Group 10^th Anniversary celebration dinner

You are warmly invited to attend this dinner which will celebrate ten years of Otago Combined Christian Group (CCG) ministry together on campus. We are inviting all current students, past and present members and leaders of the CCG committee, University and Polytechnic staff, all Church leaders and the people of Dunedin to celebrate with us.
Everyone is welcome !

The dinner will be held in Herron Hall, behind Knox Presbyterian Church 449 George Street from 6pm on Saturday 1st August.

The speaker will be Rev Richard Dawson

Tickets are $25 for a lovely meal and entertainment.

The dinner is being held at the end of our annual "Jesus Week” on our campuses, and will be a celebration of and highlight of this week

Come along and learn about the history of CCG and what God has been enabling us all to do together over the last ten years, and to find inspiration for the future

Tickets are available ($25) from Greg Hughson in the Upper Room on the University campus, upstairs in the University Union building

E mail Greg via greg.hughson@otago.ac.nz to reserve your ticket as soon as possible.

Cheques can be made out to "Otago Combined Christian Groups" or payment made electronically to 060942 0179032 00 or cheques posted
to Greg Hughson , Chaplaincy, Box 1436, Dunedin.

For further information please contact Greg Hughson (479 8497, 027 212 1048) Tim Muller (Chairperson of CCG) tim.muller@gmail.com or Richard Dawson. rdawson@ihug.co.nz

5th Sunday of Pentecost

St Veronica

Scripture readings

• Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 10:1-10
• Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34; 9:1

Saints and feasts

• Holy Martyrs Proclus and Hilary
• Icon of The Most Holy Theotokos of The Three Hands
• St Veronica Who was Healed by Christ
• Holy Martyr Serapion
• St Michael of Maleinus
  

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Kathleen
• Nicolas
• John
• Elini
  

Fourth Sunday of Pentecost

Scripture readings

St Matthew

• Epistle: St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2



• Gospel: Matthew 8:5-13

Saints and feasts

• St Athanasios, Founder of The Great Lavra of the Holy Mountain, Athos
• St Lampadus the Wonder-Worker
• Recovery of the Relics of St Sergei of Radonezh
• St Fragan and St Gwen
  

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Eleni
• Nina
• Boris

The Third Sunday of Pentecost

Scripture readings

St Matthew

• Epistle: Epistle of St Paul to the Romans, 5:1-11



• Gospel: Gospel of St Matthew, 6:22-33

Saints and feasts

• Translation of the relics of Cyros and John the unmercenary healers
• Martyrs Papios and Paul
• Venerable Moses the anchorite
• Venerable Simeon
• Venerable Sergios and Herman wonderworkers

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• George
• Annis
• Leslie-John
• Eleni

The 2nd Sunday of Pentecost

Scripture readings

St Matthew

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 2:10-16



• Gospel: The Reading is from the Gospel of Matthew 4:18-23

Saints and feasts

• Julian the Martyr of Tarsus
• Terentios, Bishop of Iconium
• Nikitas the New Martyr of Nisyros

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• David
• Jacob

First Sunday after Pentecost - All Saints Sunday

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Epistle of St Paul to the Hebrews, 11:33-40;12:1-2
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from the Gospel of St Matthew, 10:32-33;37-38;19:27-30

Saints and feasts

• Prophet Elisha
  


• Methodios the Confessor, patriarch of Constantinople
  


• Venerable Niphon of Athos
  


• Cyril, bishop of Crete
  


• John, Metropolitan of Euchaita

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Elias
• Yelina
• George
• John

Sunday of Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from the Gospel of John 7:37-52;8:12

Saints and feasts

• Hieromartyr Theodotos, bishop of Ancyra
• Venerable Sebastian the wonder-worker
• Venerable Cedd, bishop of Essex

The living

• June
• Olga
• Luba
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

Preparing for Our Parish Council Elections

The new constitution which was adopted at our last AGM , to keep us in line with all other Antiochian parishes in Australasia, has a much more formal system of election than we have had in the past. Such an election should be held every 2 years and we are now preparing for ours. We need to elect a Chairman, or woman, a Secretary, a Treasurer and 2 or3 ordinary members of the council.

The steps to be followed are

• An electoral roll needs to be prepared of all Parish members.


• Nominations for the Parish Council will be called for at least one month and not more than 6 weeks before an election. These must be in writing and signed by both the Nominee and the proposer, both of whom must be on the electoral roll. There is also a process for objecting to these.


• Elections will then be held by secret ballot as part of an Annual General Meeting.

At present we are preparing the electoral roll. When we feel that we have as complete a roll as can be done, hopefully within the next 2 or 3 weeks, we will set the dates for for nominations and elections.

We have begun to prepare an electoral roll of all those who attend and take communion in St Michaels and who live in the Dunedin Metropolitan area. If you would like to check that you are on this roll or do not want to be included on the roll, please phone Alice Baird (Chairperson) on 03 486 1032. We will also have the draught roll at church over the next few weeks .

Alice Baird
Parish Chairwoman

After-feast of The Ascension

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 20:16-18, 28-36
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from the Gospel of John 17:1-13

Saints and feasts

• Fathers of the 1st Council
   
• Hermias the Martyr at Comana
   
• Eusebius and Haralambos the Monk-martyrs

The living

• June
• Olga
• Luba
• Kathleen
• Carole
• Rachael
• David
• Dellis
• Fennella and Family
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• John
• Reginald
• Joan
• Annis
• Leslie-John

Sixth Sunday of Pascha - theSunday of the Blind Man

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 16:16-34
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from the Gospel of John 9:1-38

Saints and feasts

• St.Symeon Stylites of The Wondrous Mountain
• St.Nicetas The Stylite , Wonderworker of Peryaslavl
• St.Vincent of Lerins

The living

• Priest George of Auckland
• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Innokenty
• Helen
• Nicolas
• Carole

Fifth Sunday of Pascha: The Samaritan Woman

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 11:19-30
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from the Gospel of John 4:5-42

Saints and feasts

• Holy New Martyr Peter the Aleut
• Holy Apostle Andronicos of The Seventy with His Companion Junia
• St.Madern, the Hermit

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Sadie
• Annis
• Lydia
• Tony
• Vassili
• Theodosia
• Archimandrite Nicholas
• Matushka Anna
• Natalia

Fourth Sunday of Pascha: The Paralytic

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from The Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from the Gospel: John 5:1-15

Saints and feasts

• Basil the Holy Martyr Bishop of Amasea
• Glaphyra the Righteous

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Ingraham – Ernest
• Argeo
• James

Sunday of Myrrh-bearing Women

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from The Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from the Gospel of Mark 15:43–16:8

Saints and feasts

• Timothy & Mavra the Martyrs
• Peter the Wonderworker
  

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Havronia
• Olga

Todays Hymns

Troparion (Tone 2)

The noble Joseph, taking down thy most pure Body from the Tree,
Wrapped it in clean linen and sweet spices and laid it in a new tomb.
But on the third day thou didst rise,
O Lord, granting the world great mercy.

Troparion (Tone 2)

Verily, the angel came to the tomb and said to the ointment-bearing women,
"the ointment is meet for the dead,
but Christ is shown to be remote from corruption.
But cry ye, 'The Lord is risen, granting the world the Great Mercy.'"

Kontakion - Tone 2

You did command the myrrh-bearers to rejoice, O Christ!
By Your Resurrection, You did stop the lamentation of Eve, O God!
You did command Your apostles to preach: The Savior is Risen!

Sunday of St Thomas

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from The Acts of the Apostles 5:12-20
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from the Gospel: John 20:19-31

Saints and feasts

• Basil the Holy Martyr Bishop of Amasea
• Glaphyra the Righteous

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

Todays Hymns

Troparion (Tone 7)

From the sealed tomb, You did shine forth, O Life!
Through closed doors You did come to Your disciples, O Christ God!
Renew in us, through them, an upright spirit,
By the greatness of Your mercy, O Resurrection of all!

Kontakion (Tone 8)

Thomas touched Your life-giving side with an eager hand, O Christ God,
When You did come to Your apostles through closed doors.
He cried out with all: You are my Lord and my God!

No Divine Liturgy today

There will be no Divine Liturgy this morning due to Fr Ilyan's illness.

Fr Ilyan underwent radio therapy on Friday and his health continues to be a matter of great concern.

Please remember him in your prayers.

Christ is Risen

Truly he has risen!



Wishing all the parishioners and friends of St Michael's a joyful and glorious Pascha.

The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from the Gospel: John 12:1-18

Saints and feasts

• Basil the Confessor, Bishop of Parios
• Anthoussa the Righteous of Constantinople

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Nancy
• Seraphine

Holy Week Services at St Michael's

The Schedule of Holy week services can be found in detail here: Holy Week Services at St Michael's

The Great Feast of the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Palm Sunday or the Triumphal Entry marks the end of the Great Lent and the beginning of Holy Week falling on the Sunday immediately preceding Pascha.

This feast recalls our Lords entry into Jerusalem on a donkey and the joyful reaction of the crowds to this event.

But we also remember the sadness to come as we prepare ourselves for Holy week which will culminate in Our Lord's Crucifiction on Good Friday.

The Churches are decorated with branches Palms or similar trees if Palms are not available.

Fish is permitted on the day, the second relaxation of the Fast which will last until Pascha since the beginning of Lent since this is a joyful day.

The events surrounding Christs Triumphal entry into Jerusalem are recounted in all four gospels

Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-11
Luke 19:28-44 and
John 12:12-19

12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,

15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

Troparion (Tone 1)

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, You did confirm the universal Resurrection, O Christ God! Like the children with the palms of victory, We cry out to You, O Vanquisher of death; Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!

Troparion (Tone 4)

When we were buried with You in Baptism, O Christ God, We were made worthy of eternal life by Your Resurrection! Now we praise You and sing: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!

Kontakion (Tone 6)

Sitting on Your throne in heaven, Carried on a foal on earth, O Christ God! Accept the praise of angels and the songs of children who sing: Blessed is He that comes to recall Adam!

Sunday of St Mary The Righteous of Egypt

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Gospel of Mark 10:32-45

Saints and feasts

• The Holy Martyrs Claudius, Diodorus, Victor, Victorinus, Pappius, Necephorus and Serapion
  
  
• St Ethelburga, the Abbess of Kent
  
  
• St Mark The Anchorite of Athens
  
  
• St Theodora of Thessalonika

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Sheryl
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• George
• Sadie
• Kristen-Elizabeth

Sunday of Saint John of the ladder

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 6:13-20
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Gospel of Mark 9:17-31
  

Saints and feasts

• Memorial to St John Climacus of The Ladder of Divine Virtues
   
• St Mark, Bishop of Arethusa, St Cyril His Deacon and The Others Martyred With Him. Who Suffered under Julian the Apostate. 
   
• St Gladys and Her Husband St Gywnllyn
   
• St Diadochus Bishop of Photice

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Maria
• Natalia
• Lotifi
• Nicola

Adoration of The Precious Cross

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Gospel of Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
  

Saints and feasts

• Basil the Holy Martyr of Ancyra
• Kalliniki & Vassilisa the Martyrs
• Euthemios the New Martyr
  

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Archpriest Alexey
• Fanka
• Ankitsa
• Alexandros
• Alexander

Sunday of St Gregory Palamas of Thessalonika

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Gospel of Mark 2:1-12
  

Saints and feasts

• Holy Martyrs Agapios
• Publius and their Companions at Caesarea in Palestine
• St Theophylactos The Confessor, Bishop of Nicomedia
• Holy Apostle Aristobulus of The Seventy
  

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• George
• Elias
• Peter
• Semion
• Natalia Grigori
• Paracseva
• Athena

Sunday of Orthodoxy

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Gospel of John 1:43-51
  

Saints and feasts

• St Theophylactos The Confessor, Bishop of Nicomedia
• St Senan, the Monk of Inniscarra
• Holy Apostle Hermas of The Seventy
• St Theodoret, The Hieromartyr of Antioch
• St Felix of Burgundy, Bishop of Dunwich & Enlightener of East Anglia
  
  

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Archpriest Ilyan
• Priest Theodoros in Australia

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Nushka
• Maria
• Christophoros
• Vera

Forgiveness Sunday

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Gospel of Matthew 6:14-21
  

Saints and feasts

• Eudokia the Martyr of Heliopolis
• Andonina the New Martyr

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Dorothea
• Ludmilla

Sunday of The Last Judgement

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46
  

Saints and feasts

• Finding of the Relics of the Holy Martyrs of Eugenios
• Our Righteous Fathers Thalassius and Baradatus

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Zaheeyee

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12-20
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Gospel of St Luke 15:11-32
  

Saints and feasts

• Holy Apostle Onesimos of The Seventy
   
• St Berach, the Monk
   
• St Oswy, King of Northumbria
   
• St Anthimus of Chios

The living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Nicolas
• Theodoros

Beginning of The Triodion

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Gospel of St Luke 18:10-14
  

Sainst and Feasts

• Afterfeast of The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in The Temple
• Sunday of The Publican & The PhariseeHoly Prophet Zachariah
• Holy Great Martyr Theodore The Commander
• St Oncho the Poet
• Holy New Martys & Confessors of Russia
• St Sava ll Archbishop of Serbia 1271

The Living

• June
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Priest Antoun
• Swapna
• Sergei
• Antigoni
• Ioannis
• Theofanis
• Athena

Notices

Flowers for Praise
The Charity is the Hospice.

Our Text is:

"He, Himself, took on our infirmities and bore our sickness"

Matthew Chapter 8: 17 (Quoting Isaiah.)

Set up is Friday 13th afternoon -- if possible --- Saturday between 9.00am and mid-day if not. Clearing away 4.30p.m on Tuesday 17th.

World Day of Prayer coming up in the calendar soon.

The Sunday of The Publican & the Pharisee Is a fast- Free from today

Sunday of The Canaanite Woman

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 8:28-39
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 15:21-28
  

Saints and Feasts

• Forefeast of The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ
• Holy Martyr Tryphon
• St Brigid of Kildare
• Holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas of Carthage
• St Seiriol Abbot of Penmon, Anglesey

The Living

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia Olga Soroka
• Luba
• Kathleen
• June
• the Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Slavka
• Alexander
• Mikhail
• Polina
• Vera

No Liturgy today

Fr Ilyan is serving the Divine Liturgy in Invercargill today. There will therefore be no Divine Liturgy served at St Michaels this morning.

32nd Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from St Luke 19:1-10

Saints and Feasts

• St Gregory the Theologian
• St.Felicitas and Her Seven Martyred Sons
• St Eochod
• St Mares the Singer of Syria
• St Moses Archbishop of Novgorod
• Hieromartyr Alexander Hotovitsky (USA Russia 1937)

The Living

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• June
• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga
• Andrew Price
• Jenny
• the Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Bishop Gibran
• Archbishop Dionysios
• Nicolas
• George
• Vasily
• Paun

Sunday of The Ten Lepers

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 13:7-16
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Gospel of St Luke 17:12-19
  

Saints and Feasts

• St Athanasius the Great and St Cyril, Archbishops of Alexandria
• St Cyril and St.Maria, parents of St Sergius of Radonezh

The living in need of our prayers

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• June
• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga Soroka
• Andrew Price
• Jenny Green
• the Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Stavros
• Stefan
• Margaritis
• Sophia
• Despina

Sunday After Epiphany

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 13:7-16


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 4:12-17

Saints Commemorated today

• St Theodosios the Great
• St Michael of Klops Monastery
• St Ethenia, St Fidelmia the Nuns

The Living

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• June
• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga Soroka
• The Archpriest Ilyan
• Jenny Green
• Andrew Price

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Anastasios
• Ekaterine
• Basilis
• Louiza
• Dimitrios
• Georgios
• Maria
• Eleni

Accommodation required

Adele Evans has contacted us with seeking help with accommodation for Magda Hagos an Ethiopian student. If you can help please phone her on 4798950.

Sunday before The Holy Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from Second Epistle of St Paul to Timothy, 4:5-8
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Gospel of St Mark, 1:1-8
  

Saints and Feasts Commemorated today

• The Synaxis of The Holy Seventy Apostles
• St Theoctistos, Abbot of Cucomo in Sicily
• St.Eustathius the 1^st Archbishop of Serbia

The Living

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• Priest George Bousader of Auckand
• June
• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga
• the Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Dimitar
• Keriake
• Jelica
• Laura
• Wadier

Old calander Christmas

New Wednesday is Christmas according to the old Calendar. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated from 10am followed by a pot luck lunch to celebrate this feast.

The feast of the Epiphany

This feast will be celebrated next Tuesday according to the new calendar.
From the Archdiocese site

Theophany - 6th January
Theophany is celebrated on January the 6th.

The name is derived from the Greek theophania, translating as "appearance of God" and on this day we recall the Baptism of Our Lord, Jesus Christ in the river Jordan by John the Baptist and the appearance of the Holy Spirit descending upon him in the form of a dove.

Luke 3: 21-22

21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.


The Great blessing of the water is performed on the day before this feast or after Divine Liturgy on the day of the feast.

Often the Parish will go to a nearby lake or river to perform this ceremony.

The faithful will take bring containers to take some of the holy water home with them.

This Feast reminds us not only of of Our Lord Jesus Christ's Baptism but by our own baptism we are Baptised into Christ.

Troparion

When You, O Lord were baptized in the Jordan
The worship of the Trinity was made manifest
For the voice of the Father bore witness to You And called You His beloved Son.
And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, Confirmed the truthfulness of His word.
O Christ, our God, You have revealed Yourself And have enlightened the world, glory to You!

Kontakion

Today You have shown forth to the world, O Lord, and the light of Your countenance has been marked on us.
Knowing You, we sing Your praises.
You have come and revealed Yourself, O unapproachable Light.

Sunday after the Holy Nativity of Christ

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 2:13-23
  

Saints and feasts

• The 20,000 Martyrs burned in Nicomedia
• Holy Martyr Glycerus
• Simon the Myrrhbearer, Founder of Simonopetra, Monastery of Mount Athos

The Living

• June
• Luba
• Olga (Soroka)
• Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Sofia
• Theodore
• Maria

Old Calendar Christmas

The Divine Liturgy for this feast will be celebrated on Wednesday the 7th of January at 10 AM, followed by a pot luck lunch at the Presbytery.

Fore-feast of The Nativity of Christ

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25
  

Saints Commemorated Today

• Juliana of Nicomedia and her 630 Companion Martyrs
• Themistocles the Martyr of Myra
• Saint Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow

The Living

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• June
• Luba
• Olga (Soroka)

The Departed we Commemorated today

• priest John
• Angelique
• Dusanka

Sunday of The Holy Forefathers

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11


• Gospel: The Reading is from Luke 14:16-24 and Matthew 22:14
  

Saints Commemorated Today

• Holy Martyrs and Callinicus of Asia Minor
• Athenodoros the Martyr of Mesopotamia
  
• Appollonius, Philemon, and Arrian of Alexandria.
  
• St.Fingar & St. Phiala the Martyrs
  

The living we are praying for

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• the Hieromonk Ambrose in Wellington
• Olga (Soroka)
• Luba
• Kathleen
• June
• The Archpriest Ilyan
• Anita
• Alison
  

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Jacob

^{Christmas Services at St Micheal's Orthodox church 2008}

24th December (NS)	Christmas vigil from 8 pm
7th of January (NS) 25th December (OS)	Divine Liturgy of St John Chyrstostom at 10 am

Sunday of The Holy Forefathers

Today is the second Sunday before the Nativity and we remember the forefathers of Christ according to the flesh, from Adam through to the Theotokos, all of whom came before the Law but some of whom lived to see the giving of the Law.

In particular we take note of the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 and " And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." and again in Genesis 22:18, "And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice". A promise

We also remember Joachim and Anna, the father and mother of the Theotokos.

10th Sunday of Luke

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:1-7
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Luke 13:10-17
  

Saints Commemorated Today

• Ambrose, Bishop of Milan
  
• Athenodoros the Martyr of Mesopotamia
  
• Righteous Father Gerasimus, Ascetic of Euboia
  
• Holy Father John of Kronstadt
  

The living we are praying for

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• the Hieromonk Ambrose in Wellington
• Olga (Soroka)
• Luba
• Kathleen
• June
• The Archpriest Ilyan
• Amelia

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow
• Milena
• Maurice
• John & Christina
• George

Memory Eternal, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow

Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow reposed last Friday, the 5^th of December.

Patriarch Alexy was born on February the 23^rd 1929 and ordained to the priesthood in 1950. He succeeded Patriarch Pimen as Patriarch of Moscow in 1990.

^{Christmas Services at St Micheal's Orthodox church 2008}

24th December (NS)	Christmas vigil from 8 pm
7th of January (NS) 25th December (OS)	Divine Liturgy of St John Chyrstostom at 10 am

Orthodox Study Bibles and Liturgical Calendars

Reminder if you wish to purchase an Orthodox study bible see Fr Ilyan - these cost $55 each plus postage.

Fr Ilyan also has the Archdiocesan Liturgical Calendar for 2009 available. This is a wonderful wall calendar suitable for the faithful, to remind us of feast days and fast days throughout the year. These cost $15 each and are available from Fr Ilyan.

Father of the Church, Ambrose, Bishop of Milan

St Ambrose was born in the middle of the fourth century AD at time when the Arian controversy was splitting the Church.

Highly educated in literature, the law and rhetoric Ambrose became consular prefect with headquarters in Milan. He showed himself to be a capable and excellant administrator.

In 374 the Bishop of Milan, the Arian Auxentius died; leaving the see vacant and civil disorder arose between the Orthodox and Arians over the choice of his successor.

Called on to restore order Ambrose delivered a speech of such eloquence that the people called for him to succeed Auxentius as Bishop, although at that time Ambrose was still only a catechumen. St Ambrose was initially reluctant to take on the position but after settling his affairs, selling his property and distributing it to the poor he was baptized, ordained and elevated to the rank of Bishop.

As a Bishop, Ambrose was was an eloquent and valiant defender of the Faith, influencing another of Western Fathers, St Augustine.

St Ambrose reposed on the 4^th of April 397 - the night of Pascha.

Twenty-fourth Sunday of Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from John 1:35-52
  

Saints Commemorated Today

• The Holy Apostle St Andrew, the First-Called
• St Tudwal, Bishop of Wales & Brittany
• St Frumentius Archbishop of Abyssinia

The living we are praying for

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• Olga (Soroka)
• Luba
• Kathleen
• June
• The Archpriest Ilyan
• Amelia

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Oksana
• Nikolai
• Grigory
• Yevdokia
• Eugenia
• Sergei
• Maria
• Stephan
• Irina

Orthodox Study Bibles and Liturgical Calendars

Reminder if you wish to purchase an Orthodox study bible see Fr Ilyan - these cost $55 each plus postage.

Fr Ilyan also has the Archdiocesan Liturgical Calendar for 2009 available. This is a wonderful wall calendar suitable for the faithful, to remind us of feast days and fast days throughout the year. These cost $15 each and are available from Fr Ilyan.

The Holy Apostle Andrew

Today we remember St Andrew, the first called.

St Andrew was the brother of St Peter and a fisherman by trade.

After Pentecost he planted Churches in Greece, Georgia and the Russian lands.

In Particular he appointed St Stachys as the first Bishop of Byzantium.

He also planted a cross in Kiev prophesying that a city of Churches would grow there and a Christian future for the region.

St Andrew was martyred in 62 AD in the city of Patras a city of the Peloponnese.

The After-Feast of The Presentation of Our Lady The Theotokos in The Temple

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:4-10
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Luke 12:16-21
  

Saints commemorated today

• Amphilochios, Bishop of Iconium
• Gregory, Bishop of Agrigentum
• Ischyrion, Bishop of Egypt
• St Metrophan, Bishop of Voronezh
• St Polin, the Ascetic
• St Columbanus of Ireland, Abbot of Luxeuil & Bobbio
• St Alexander Nevsky

The living we are praying for

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• Olga (Soroka)
• Luba
• Kathleen
• June
• The Archpriest Ilyan
• Amelia

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Costandino
• Elias
• Pavlos
• Laskaritsa
• Nikki
• Georgos
• Stelyos
• Theothora
• Reginald
  

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 9:9-13
  

Saints commemorated today

• Holy Apostle and Evangelist St Matthew
• St Afan, the Hierarch
• 
  St Fulvianus, Prince of Ethiopia (in Baptism Matthew)
• St Eucherius, Bishop of Lyons

The Living

• the Ordination of the priest Rafic Al-Baba in Sydney today
• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• Olga (Soroka)
• Kathleen
• Luba
• June
• the Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Noura
• Gordana
• Milos
• Nenad
• Katica
• Slavko
• Marjorie

The Nativity Fast

Advent - The Nativity fast began yesterday, the 15^th of November.

Reminder

Fr Ilyan has:

• Orthodox Study Bibles @ $55.00 each plus postage
• The Archdiocesan Orthodox Calendar for 2009 @ $15.00 each
• Christmas cards, religious, available @ $2.50 a pack of 5

 

Presentation of the Theotokos - 21st of November

Next Friday is the celebration of the Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple, one of the 12 Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church.

This Feast marks the replacement of the Temple in Jerusalem as the dwelling place of God and reminds us that Mary becomes the Ark of the New Covenant, since she her womb will carry Christ, our God.

You can learn about more this feast at the Archdiocesan site

21st Sunday of Pentecost

Scripture Readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Luke 8:41-56
  

Saints remembered today

• St.Nektarios Kephalas
• Metropolitan of Pentapolis
• Holy Martyrs Onesiphorus & Porphyrius
• St.Matrona the Righteous
• St.Benen
• St.Pabo
  

The Living in need of our prayers

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• Olga (Soroka)
• Kathleen
• Luba
• June
• the Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Caliopi
• Dimitri
• Yevgyeni
• Georgios Tisbena
• Tagie

Notices

Fr Ilyan has copies of the Orthodox Study Bible at $55, Archdiocese wall calendars at $15 and religious themed Christmas cards in packs of 5 at $2.50.

Please see him if you wish to purchase any of these items.

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Luke 16:19-31
  

Todays Saints and Martyrs

• Holy Martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, Apthonius, Elpidephorus and Anempodistus of Persia
• Domnina, Domna, & Kyriaki, the Martyrs
• St Erc the Hierarch

The Living in need of our prayers

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• Luba
• Olga
• Kathleen
• June
• the Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Kostas
• Eleni
• Kyriaki
• Loukas
• Leo
• Anna
• Paraskeva
• Alla

Orthodox study Bibles and Calendars

Copies of the Orthodox Study Bible are available at $55.
The Archdiocesan Calendar for 2009 has arrived and sells for $15.

See Fr Ilyan if you wish to purchase either of these items.

Both come highly recommended for the faithful of our parish.


Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Nineteenth Sunday of Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 2:1-10


• Gospel: The Reading is from Luke 8:26-39
  

Commemorated Saints

• Glorious Great Martyr St Demetrios, the Myrrh-flowing of Thessalonika
   
• Commemoration of the Great Earthquake at Constantinople in 740 AD
   
• St Eata, Bishop of Hexham and Abbot of Lindisfarne
   
• St Theophilus of the Kievan Caves, Bishop of Novgorod
   

The Living in need of our prayers

• Patriarch Pavle of Serbia
• the Archpriest Ilyan
• Olga (Soroka)
• Kathleen
• Luba
• June
• the newly Baptised Alexander Emil , Romeo , Cristina & Family, Lučiana and Dragoş

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Nicholas
• Irina
• Sarandos
• Julia

Patriarch Pavle

Patriarch Pavle of Serbia has asked the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church to be released from his duties due to ill health.

The Patriarch, who has served as head of the Serbian Orthodox Church since 1990 was hospitalized for several months ago, suffering from heart and lung problems.

The Holy Synod next meets on November the 11^th.

Orthodox Study Bibles and next years wall calendar

A new shipment of the Orthodox Study Bible has arrived. It is recommended for all Orthodox Christians and those interested in Orthodoxy.

Next years Archdiocesan Calendar will soon be available, price to be announced. They will be available from Fr Ilyan once they arrive.

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Eighteenth Sunday of Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 9:6-11
  
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Luke 7:11-16
  

Saints and Martyrs

• St John of Kronstadt
  
• Holy Prophet Joel
  
• Holy Martyr Varus
  
• St Ethbin, the Monk
  
• St Frideswide of Oxford, the Abbess
  
• Translation of the Relics of St John, Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria

The Living in need of our Prayers

• Olga (Soroka)
• Kathleen
• Luba
• June
• the newly Baptized child of God Alexander, Romeo, Christina and family, Lučiana and Dragoş
  
• the Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Aspasia
• Yevgyeni
• Demetrios
• Ingraham-Mervyn

St John of Kronstadt

Born October 19, 1829, in Sura, reposed December 20, 1908, in Kronstadt.

"Do not be despondent when fighting against the incorporeal enemy,
but even in the midst of your afflictions and oppression praise the Lord,
Who has found you worthy to suffer for Him,
by struggling against the subtlety of the serpent,
and to be wounded for Him at every hour; for had you not lived piously,
and endeavored to become united to God,
the enemy would not have attacked and tormented you."

Troparion

With the apostles your message has gone out to the ends of the world,
And with the confessors you suffered for Christ!
You are like the hierarchs through your preaching of the word;
With the righteous you are radiant with the grace of God.
The Lord has exalted your humility above the heavens
And given us your name as a source of miracles.
O wonder-worker, living in Christ for ever,
Have mercy on those beset by troubles;
And hear us when we cry out in faith, O our beloved shepherd John!

Kontakion

This day the pastor of Kronstadt
Appears before the throne of God
Praying fervently on behalf of the faithful
To the chief pastor Christ, who has promised:
"I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it!"

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sunday of the Holy Fathers of The Seventh Ecumenical Council

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Luke 8:5-15

Saints and Martyrs

• Holy Martyrs Probus, Tarachus & Andronicus of Tarsus in Cilicia
• St Fiace, the Hierarch
• St Edwin, King & Martyr
• St Wilfrid, Bishop of York
• St Symeon, the New Theologian
• St John of Riga (Latvia 1934)

The Living in our prayers

• Olga (Soroka)
• Kathleen
• Luba
• June
• the newly Baptized child of God Alexander, Romeo, Christina and family, Lučiana and Dragoş
  
• the Archpriest Ilyan

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Caliopi
• Athanasios
• Stanojko
• Anastasia
• Romulus
• Savdelina

Welcome the family of the Church, Alexander

Alexander Emil, son of Romeo and Christina - Baptized at St Michael's on the 11^th of October 2008

Alexander's Godparents are Lučiana and Dragoş.

The Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council

About 726 AD a dispute arose in the Church about the place of Icons in Christian worship.

In 787 AD the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council resolved that it the use of Icons in Christian worship was appropriate and today we recall this.

The issue was not fully resolved until the time of Empress Theodora in 843 AD.

In truth it has continued through until today although not within the Orthodox Church, which laid this matter to rest well over a millenia ago.


St John of Damascus had this to say on the matter

Concerning the charge of idolatry: Icons are not idols but symbols, therefore when an Orthodox venerates an icon, he is not guilty of idolatry. He is not worshipping the symbol, but merely venerating it. Such veneration is not directed toward wood, or paint or stone, but towards the person depicted. Therefore relative honor is shown to material objects, but worship is due to God alone.

We do not make obeisance to the nature of wood, but we revere and do obeisance to Him who was crucified on the Cross... When the two beams of the Cross are joined together I adore the figure because of Christ who was crucified on the Cross, but if the beams are separated, I throw them away and burn them

Troparion (Tone 8)

Most glorious are You, O Christ our God!
You have established the Holy Fathers as lights on the earth!
Through them you have guided us to the true faith!
O greatly Compassionate One, glory to You!

Kontakion (Tone 6)

The Son who shone forth from the Father
Was ineffably born, two-fold in nature, of a woman.
Having beheld Him, we do not deny the image of His form,
But depict it piously and revere it faithfully.
Thus, keeping the True Faith,
The Church venerates the icon of Christ Incarnate.

Sixteenth Sunday of Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:1-10


• Gospel: The Reading is from Luke 6:31-36

Saints remembered today

• St Peter
• St Alexis
• Jonas
• St Philip
• St Hermogenes (Germogen) and St Tikhon, for the Synaxis of the Hierarchs of Moscow
• Martyr Charitina of Amisus
• Martyr Mamelta (Mamelchtha) of Persia
• Hieromartyr Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria
• St Damian the Healer and Saints Jeremiah and Matthew, clairvoyants of the Kiev Caves
• St Charitina, princess of Lithuania
• St Cosmas, Abbot in Bithynia
• St Gregory of Chandzoe in Georgia
• St Eudocimus the Unknown, monk of Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos
• St Methodia the Righteous of Kimolos;

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Anastasi
• Irini
• Itsa
• May
• Sarah
• Irina

Reminder

There will be no Divine Liturgy this morning as Fr Ilyan is still on vacation. He returns next Thursday.

Dn Andrei will be conducting a Typika service beginning a 10 am


Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15



• Gospel: The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11

Saints and Martyrs remembered today

• Venerable Chariton the confessor, abbot of Palestine
• Venerable Neophytos and Auxentios
• Martyr Heliodoros
• Prophet Baruch
• Martyr Wenceslaus

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Valentina
• Ekaterini
• Yelana
• Vasily

The 25^th anniversary of Fr Ilyan's elevation to the priesthood

Yesterday marked the 21^st anniversary of Fr Ilyan's ordination to the priesthood by Bishop Gibran on the 27^th of September 1987.

Fr Ilyan first served the parish of St Ignatius in Auckland before coming to serve at St Micheal's, Dunedin in October 1992, sixteen years ago next month.

I am sure all parishioners past and present join us in congratulating Fr Ilyan on this occasion and thanking him for his service to our parish .

Reminder

There will be no Divine Liturgy at St Michael's this morning or next Sunday since Fr Ilyan is taking a well earned vacation.

Dn Andrei will be conducting the typika service in it place starting at 10 am.




Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Sunday after The Elevation of The Precious and Life-Giving Cross

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
  

Today is the leave-taking of The Elevation of The Precious and Life-Giving Cross and we remember

• The Holy Prophet Jonah
  


• St Quadratus, Apostle of The Seventy & Apologist
  


• St Mabyn
  


• St Jonah the Presbyter, father of St Theophanes the Hymnographer & St.Theodore Graptus
  

 

The living in need of our prayers

• the Archpriest Ilyan
• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga
• June

The Departed we Commemorated today

• John
• Stavroula
• Ivan
• Vulla
• Uriy

Fr Ilyan's trip to Australia

Fr ilyan and Matushka Mary are taking a well earned vacation in Australia, leaving on the 25^th of September and returning on October the 7^th. This means that divine Liturgy will not be celebrated at St Micheal's again until the 12^th of October.

Fr Dn Andrei will be conducting a Typika service for the two Sundays of Fr Ilyan's absence.

Elevation of the Life Giving Cross

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 1:18-24
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30

Today is the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost and we remember

• The Elevation of The Precious & Life-Giving Cross
• The repose of St John Chrysostom
• Commemoration of The Sixth Ecumenical Council

The living in need of our prayers

• Archpriest Ilyan
• Luba
• June
• Kathleen
• Olga

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Peter
• Nikolai
• Grigori
• Ivan
• Eleni

Elevation of the holy Cross

We remember two specific historic events on today, the first being the finding of the Cross upon which Christ was crucified by the Empress Helena at Golgotha during her journeys in Palestine in 327-328 AD.

During this journey she built Churches and provided for the poor.

Upon reaching Golgotha she ordered a pagan temple constructed on the site destroyed and when this was done three crosses were discovered. They were placed in turn upon a dying woman and when she was touched by the third she miraculously recovered. Thus was the True Cross identified.

It was held up high for the Faithful to see who sang Kyrie eleison.

The True Cross was captured by the Persians in 614 but recovered thirteen years later, the second historical event remembered on this day.

This Feast is a day of fasting and repentance. The Cross is laid in the center of the church surrounded by flowers and branched of basil. We prostrate ourselves before the feet of Our Lord and pledge our faithfulness to him.

Today are we reminded of Christ's sufferings for our salvation and that following him may seem foolish to the world but it is the path to our gaining reunification with God (Theosis).

Forefeast of The Nativity of The Theotokos

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from John 3:13-17
  

Saints Commemorated today

• Holy Martyr Sozon , the Shepherd
• St John, Archbishop of Novgorod
• Holy Apostles Euodias & Onesiphorus of The Seventy
• St Clodoald, Abbot – Founder of Nogent-sur – Seine near Paris

The living in need of our Prayers

• Archpriest Ilyan
• Luba
• June
• Kathleen
• Olga Soroka

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Khaliel
• Bogdan
• Kleianthei
• Michael
• Gabriela
• Milivoye

The Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

Tomorrow. the 8^th of September, we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, one of the twelve great feasts of the Church.

According to Church tradition the Virgin Mary's parents were Joachim and Anna who were childless, a source of great grief to them but they retained their faith in God despite their prayers to God remaining unanswered.

One day Joachim went to the Temple to make an offering but was turned away by the High Priest who rebuked him for his lack of children.

Joachim feeling shame went to to live amongst the shepherds and their sheep in the hills away from Jerusalem.

As he was praying one day an angel appeared to him promising him a daughter whose name would be known throughout the ages. Simultaneously an angel appeared to Anna, at home in Jerusalem, who gave her the same message. Joachim returned to his wife in Jerusalem and In due course Mary was born.

Anna promised to dedicate her child to God.

In time Mary became the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ and is given the title Theotokos (literally God Bearer) in recognition of the Divinity of Christ.

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 18:23-35
  

Todays commemorated saints

• Holy Hieromartyr Cyprian Bishop of Carthage
• St. Gennadius, Patriarch of Constantinople
• St. Eanswythe, Virgin of Folkestone
• St.Aidan , Bishop of Lindisfarne

The living in need of our prayers

• Archpriest Ilyan
• Luba
• June
• Kathleen
• Olga Soroka

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Frederick
• Evdokiya
• Zorona
• Nicholas

Congratulations

Fr Ilyan and Matushka Mary's 38^th wedding anniversary, celebrated last week

Bon voyage

Liliana Gamenov departed for Bulgaria last Wednesday. She will be away for nine weeks.

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

Tenth Sunday of Pentecost

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 17:14-23
  

The Saints Commemorated today

• Holy Hieromartyr Eutyches , Disciple of St. John the Theologian
• St.Ychard
• St. Ouen, Bishop of Rouen
• Translation of the Relics of St. Peter , Metropolitan of Moscow & All Russia
• Translation to Zante , the Relics of St.Dionysios Bishop of Aegina , the Wonderworker
• St.Kosmas of Berat , Evangelizer of Southern Albania

The living in need of our prayers

• Archpriest Ilyan
• Luba
• June
• Kathleen
• Olga Soroka

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Priest Nikolai
• Alexander
• Iliana
• Eugene
• Olga
• Madelina
• Julian
• Cosmin
• Alexander
• Walter
• Millie

Garage Sale

The garage sale held yesterday was very successful. Many thanks to all involved and contributed, particularly Matushka Mary, Fr Andrei, Carol Taurua, Gloria Billington from the IHC, June and Zita.

Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand

After-Feast of The Holy Dormition of our Most Blessed and Glorious Lady

Scripture readings

• Epistle: The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17
  


• Gospel: The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34
  

The Saints we commemorate today

• Holy Hieromartyr Myron
• St.Alypios the Iconographer

The Living in need of our prayers

• the Archpriest Ilyan
• Kathleen
• Luba
• Olga
• June

The Departed we Commemorated today

• Mary
• Alexander
• George
• Pilip
• Sadie
• Laura

Garage Sale next Saturday

Don't forget the garage sale to raise funds for the Church is happening next Saturday.

Any gifts for this will be appreciated.

After Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos

Last Friday the Church celebrated the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, one of the twelve great feasts of the Church.

Church tradition tells us that when Mary died, as all humans must, all of the Apostles were present excepting Thomas.

When he arrived a few days later he asked to see her and thus her tomb was opened and it was found her body was no longer present but had been assumed into Heaven, a foretaste of our own resurrection at Christ's second coming.



Tagged: Saint Michaels Orthodox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand