Sunday, September 22, 2024

Tone 4

13th Sunday after Pentecost (1st of Luke)

Hieromartyr Phocas, Bishop of Sinope

Apostle Quadratus of the Seventy 

Martyr Phokas the Gardener of Sinope

Commemorated September 22

(OCA) Saint Phokas (Phokás) came from Sinope (Sinópē) and his only possessions were a garden which he cultivated with great diligence. His income from the garden was very small. But since he was a good steward and frugal in his needs, he would always have something for the poor. Saint Phokas studied the Holy Scriptures with pleasure. He even told those who saw him studying that our soul is also a garden, which requires care, so that it does not produce thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:19). The gardener Phokas also desired that everyone's souls should become spiritual gardens. So wherever he could, he contributed to their purification and cultivation. While he was selling vegetables and fruits, he spoke words of great spiritual profit at the same time. Not only did he benefit Christians, but he also converted many pagans.

At that time, the idolaters were persecuting Christians. Therefore, when it became known that the gardener Phokas was a Christian, the rulers sent soldiers to arrest him.

Since the Saint's home was near the castle gate which communicated with the port, he often had many visitors; sometimes foreign travelers, and sometimes the poor. So when the soldiers came he welcomed them as guests. After some time had passed, he asked them the purpose of their visit. Obliged by his hospitality they disclosed their secret, that they were seeking the Christian Phokas in order to behead him. They even told him that he would be doing them a great favor if he would help them.

Unperturbed, Saint Phokas came out of his house to dig and prepare his own grave, and the next day he told the soldiers who he was. They were astonished and ashamed, because they had been received by Saint Phokas with so much love that they did not want to kill him. The Saint understood their difficulty and told them not to hesitate, but to carry out their orders since it was not they who would be responsible for his murder, but rather those who sent them. By speaking in this way he persuaded the soldiers to behead him.

An accurate account of the Martyr’s death was written by Asterios (Astérios) of Amasea (+ 410).

Christians built a magnificent church on the site of his beheading, and they placed the honorable relics of the Holy Martyr in it. This became a source of comfort for the afflicted, and healing for the sick. A fragment of the Holy Relics of Saint Phokas is located in the Monastery of Proussos in Evritania.

When his homeland, Sinope, was in danger of famine, wheat was found, thanks to the Saint's protection. He appeared several times to sailors who were in danger of sinking in the sea, and saved them from drowning. At other times he would awaken the helmsman, telling him to be ready, for a storm was coming. Other times he was seen by the sailors in rough seas helping sometimes on the ropes, sometimes on the sails, or sometimes protecting the ship, so that it would not be wrecked on a reef, or be caught in heavy rain.

Here is how the custom of having Saint Phokas as a guest at their table was begun among sailors. When they were sitting at the table, one of the sailors bought the Saint's share; the next day another sailor bought it, and so they collected the money. When the ship reached its destination, they distributed the money to the poor.

The Saint worked many miracles of healing. He appeared to some people in their sleep, but he was not visible to others. Thus, the insignificant and humble gardener Phokas is honored by Christians because of his gift of working miracles.

The Holy Martyr Phokas is especially venerated by sailors, and he is also invoked by those who travel by sea.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

This Thursday, September 19 at 5:30 PM, we will celebrate the Akathist to the Mother of God Pantanassa‚ the Healer of Cancer and all other diseases. We remember all those who are in need so please feel free to submit the names of Orthodox as well as non-Orthodox Christians here.

The inquirers/Catechumen class will meet 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 21. If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning what it means to be an Orthodox Christian, this is the class!

Finally, thank you everyone for remembering my birthday!

In Christ,

Fr Gregory

This Week at Ss Cyril & Methodius

Wednesday, September 17

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

Thursday, September 18

• 11:45 AM- 1:15 PM: URW Meeting (Pres House)
• 2:00-5:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions
• 5:30 PM: Akathist to the Queen of All (submit names here)

Saturday, September 21

• 10:00 AM: OCF Picnic
• 3:00 PM: Inquirers/Catechumen Class
• 4:30 PM: Confessions
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, September 22

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

Looking Ahead to Next Week

Wednesday, September 24

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

Thursday, September 25

• 1:00 PM-5:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions
• 6:00-7:30 PM: OCF Bible Study

Saturday, September 28 (home game)

• 3:00 PM: Inquirers/Catechumen Class [canceled]
• 4:30 PM: Confessions [canceled]
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers [canceled]
• 6:00 PM: Confessions [canceled]

Sunday, September 29

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

Hymns After the Small Entrance

Tone 4 Troparion (Resurrection)

When the women disciples of the Lord learned from the angel the joyous message of Thy Resurrection, they cast away the ancestral curse and elatedly told the apostles: “Death is overthrown! Christ God is risen,//granting the world great mercy!”

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 3 Troparion (St. Quadratus)

Holy Apostle Quadratus, entreat the merciful God// to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions!

Tone 4 Troparion (St. Phocas)

By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, thou didst become a successor to their throne. Through the practice of virtue, thou didst find the way to divine contemplation, O inspired one of God; by teaching the word of truth without error, thou didst defend the Faith, even to the shedding of thy blood.// O Hieromartyr Phocas, entreat Christ God to save our souls!

Tone 4 Kontakion (Resurrection)

My Savior and Redeemer as God rose from the tomb and delivered the earth-born from their chains. He has shattered the gates of hell, and as Master,// He has risen on the third day!

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.

Tone 8 Kontakion (St. Quadratus)

The universe offers Thee, O Lord, the Apostle Quadratus as a most honored hierarch and athlete of great strength; with hymns it honors his all-venerable memory//and asks that through him Thou grant forgiveness of transgressions to those who sing his praise.

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

Tone 2 Kontakion (St. Phocas)

The Master established thee as a brilliant sun shining on all the faithful, glorious Hieromartyr Phocas. He has accepted thy life, faith and contest as myrrh,// for He is rich in mercy.

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

Tone 6 Theotokion

O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, / O mediation unto the Creator unfailing, / disdain not the suppliant voices of sinners, / but be thou quick, O good one, to help us who in faith cry unto thee; / hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, // thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honour thee.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 16:13-24

Brethren, watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.

I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints— that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.

If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Gospel:  Luke 5:1-11

At that time as the multitude pressed about Jesus to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

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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