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.