Sunday, August 11, 2024

 Tone 6

Sunday after Pentecost

Afterfeast of the Transfiguration

Holy Martyr and Archdeacon Euplus of Catania

Martyrs Basil and Theodore of the Kiev Caves

Commemorated on August 11

(OCA) The Hieromartyrs Basil and Theodore of the Caves pursued asceticism in the eleventh century in the Near Caves of Kiev. Saint Theodore distributed his riches to the poor, went to the monastery and settled into the Varangian Cave, adjoining the Caves of Saint Theodosius. He dwelt here many years in strict temperance.

When the enemy aroused sorrow in him for giving away his possessions, Saint Basil comforted him: “I implore you, brother Theodore, do not forget the reward. If you want to have possessions, take everything that is mine.” Saint Theodore repented and dearly loved Saint Basil, with whom he lived in the cell.

Once, Saint Basil was on an errand outside the monastery for three months. The devil, having assumed his form, appeared to Saint Theodore and indicated that there was a treasure hidden somewhere in the cave by robbers. The monk still wanted to leave the monastery to buy possessions to live in the world. When Saint Basil returned, the demonic illusion disappeared. From that time, Saint Theodore started to be more attentive to himself. In order not to be distracted by idle thoughts during moments of inactivity, he set up a millstone, and by night he ground grain. Thus, by long and zealous ascetic action he freed himself from the passion of avarice.

A report reached Prince Mstislav Svyatopolkovich that Saint Theodore had found much treasure in the cave. He summoned the monk to him and commanded him to show him the spot where the valuables were hidden. Saint Theodore told the prince that indeed he had once seen gold and precious vessels in the cave, but fearing temptation, he and Saint Basil had buried the treasure, and God took from him the memory of where it was hidden.

Not believing the saint, the prince gave orders to torture him to death. They beat Saint Theodore so much, that his hair-shirt was wet with blood, and then they hung him head-downwards, lighting a fire beneath him. In a drunken condition the prince commanded them to torture Saint Basil also, and then to kill him with an arrow. Dying, the martyr Basil threw the arrow at the feet of Prince Mstislav and predicted that he himself would soon be mortally wounded by it. The prophecy was fulfilled on July 15, 1099 during an internecine war with David Igorevich. On the wall of the Vladimir fortress, Prince Mstislav was suddenly struck in the chest by an arrow through an opening in the timbers, and on the following night he died. Recognizing his own arrow, the prince said: “I die because of the monastic martyrs Basil and Theodore.”

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Ride the Drive. Because of Madison's Ride the Dive Regent St will be closed from Randall Ave to West Washington Ave from 9-11 am, Sunday, August 11, 2024. We will be able to access the church parking lot by taking University Ave to N Mills or University, to N Park St to Fahrenbrook Ct to Mill St. 

Because of street closures we will start Hours at 8:30 AM and Divine Liturgy at 8:45. We will also have a table outside to pass out flyers and to invite people to stop in and see the church. If you want to take a 10 minute shift at the table during Liturgy please contact Jenya.

Next Thursday, August 15 is the patronal feast for Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. If you are able to do so, please plan to attend Vespers and/or Liturgy with our brothers and sisters at Assumption.

In Christ,

Fr Gregory

This Week at Ss Cyril & Methodius

Monday, August 5

• 5:30 PM: Great Vespers & blessing of grapes

Tuesday, August 6

• 7:00 AM: Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, August 7

• 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions

Thursday, August 8

• 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions

Saturday, August 10

• 4:00 PM: Confessions
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers 
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, August 11

• 8:30 AM: Hours
• 8:45 AM: Divine Liturgy

Looking Ahead to Next Week

Wednesday, August 14

• 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions
• 6:00 PM: Great Vespers & Laminations for the Mother of God (Assumption)

Thursday, August 15 (Feast of the Dormition)

• 8:30 AM: Matins/Divine Liturgy (Assumption)

Saturday, August 17

• 4:00 PM: Confessions
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers 
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, August 18

• 9:00 AM: Hours
• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy

Hymns After the Small Entrance

Tone 6 Troparion (Resurrection)

The Angelic Powers were at Thy tomb; the guards became as dead men. Mary stood by Thy grave, seeking Thy most pure body. Thou didst capture hell not being tempted by it. Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life. O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead,//glory to Thee.  

Tone 7 Troparion (Feast)

Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ God, revealing Thy glory to Thy Disciples as far as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting Light also shine upon us sinners, through the prayers of the Theotokos!//O Giver of Light, glory to Thee!

Tone 4 Troparion (Sts. Cyril & Methodius)

Divinely-wise Cyril and Methodius, / equals-to-the-apostles and teachers of the Slavs, / entreat the Master of all / to strengthen all nations in Orthodoxy and unity of mind, / to grant peace to the world and to save our souls.

Tone 4 Troparion (St. Euplus)

Thy holy martyr Euplus, O Lord, through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from Thee, our God. For having Thy strength, he laid low his adversaries,

and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.//Through his intercession, save our souls!

Tone 6 Kontakion (Resurrection)

When Christ God, the Giver of Life, raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand, He bestowed resurrection on the human race.//He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.

Tone 3 Kontakion (Sts. Cyril & Methodius)

Let us honor the sacred pair, who translated divine scripture / pouring forth a fountain of divine knowledge from which we still draw today. / Now as you stand before the throne of the Most-high / we call you blessed, Cyril and Methodius, / as you fervently pray for our souls.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

Tone 1 Kontakion (St. Euplus)

With the love of Christ as thine only defense, thou didst stand in the midst of thy fight and didst say: “I endure this struggle willingly and with confidence!” Thou didst rejoice, O Euplus, to offer thy head to the sword// and so thou didst complete thy course.

now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Tone 7 Kontakion (Feast)

On the mountain Thou wast transfigured, O Christ God, and Thy Disciples beheld Thy glory as far as they could see it; so that when they would behold Thee crucified, they would understand that Thy suffering was voluntary, and would proclaim to the world// that Thou art truly the Radiance of the Father.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

(Instead of “It is truly meet…,” we sing:)

Tone 4

Magnify, O my soul, the Lord Who was transfigured on Mount Tabor! Thy childbearing was without corruption; God came forth from thy body clothed in flesh, and appeared on earth and dwelt among men.//Therefore we all magnify thee, O Theotokos.

Epistle: Romans 15:1-7

Brethren, we then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

Gospel:  Matthew 9:27-35

When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”

Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.

As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!”

But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

By the age of 25, about 60% of those baptized as infants will no longer consider themselves members of the Orthodox Church. A parish on a university campus is an important witness not only to the surrounding community but also to high school age and younger parishioner. Establishing a parish on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison helps remind young people that graduating high school doesn't mean "graduating" from the Church. Please consider joining those who have committed their time, treasure and talent in establishing an Orthodox community on the Isthmus.

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