Sunday, November 24, 2024

Tone 5

22nd Sunday after Pentecost (10th of Luke)

Afterfeast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

Greatmartyr Catherine of Alexandria

The Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple

Commemorated on November 21

(OCA) According to Holy Tradition, the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple took place in the following manner. The parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anna, praying for an end to their childlessness, vowed that if a child were born to them, they would dedicate it to the service of God.

When the Most Holy Virgin reached the age of three, the holy parents decided to fulfill their vow. They gathered together their relatives and acquaintances, and dressed the All-Pure Virgin in Her finest clothes. Singing sacred songs and with lighted candles in their hands, virgins escorted Her to the Temple (Ps. 44/45:14-15). There the High Priest and several priests met the handmaiden of God. In the Temple, fifteen high steps led to the sanctuary, which only the priests and High Priest could enter. (Because they recited a Psalm on each step, Psalms 119/120-133/134 are called “Psalms of Ascent.”) The child Mary, so it seemed, could not make it up this stairway. But just as they placed Her on the first step, strengthened by the power of God, She quickly went up the remaining steps and ascended to the highest one. Then the High Priest, through inspiration from above, led the Most Holy Virgin into the Holy of Holies, where only the High Priest entered once a year to offer a purifying sacrifice of blood. Therefore, all those present in the Temple were astonished at this most unusual occurrence.

After entrusting their child to the Heavenly Father, Joachim and Anna returned home. The All-Holy Virgin remained in the quarters for virgins near the Temple. According to the testimony of Holy Scripture (Exodus 38; 1 Kings 1: 28; Luke 2: 37), and also the historian Josephus Flavius, there were many living quarters around the Temple, in which those who were dedicated to the service of God dwelt.

The earthly life of the Most Holy Theotokos from Her infancy until She was taken up to Heaven is shrouded in deep mystery. Her life at the Jerusalem Temple was also a secret. “If anyone were to ask me,” said Saint Jerome, “how the Most Holy Virgin spent the time of Her youth, I would answer that that is known to God Himself and the Archangel Gabriel, Her constant guardian.”

But there are accounts in Church Tradition, that during the All-Pure Virgin’s stay at the Temple, She grew up in a community of pious virgins, diligently read the Holy Scripture, occupied Herself with handicrafts, prayed constantly, and grew in love for God. From ancient times, the Church has celebrated the Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple. Indications that the Feast was observed in the first centuries of Christianity are found in the traditions of Palestinian Christians, which say that the holy Empress Helen (May 21) built a church in honor of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple.

Saint Gregory of Nyssa, in the fourth century, also mentions this Feast. In the eighth century Saints Germanus and Tarasius, Patriarchs of Constantinople, delivered sermons on the Feast of the Entry.

The Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple foretells God’s blessing for the human race, the preaching of salvation, the promise of the coming of Christ.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

This Thursday (11/21), is the Feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Temple. Vespers the evening before at 6:00 PM, Liturgy on the day at 7:00 AM. Please note the time change.

In Christ,

Fr Gregory

This Week at Ss Cyril & Methodius

Wednesday, November 20

• 2:00-6:00 PM: Office Hours
• 6:00 PM: Vespers

Thursday, November 21 (Presentation of the Mother of God)

• 7:00 AM: Divine Liturgy (please note time change)
• 11:45 AM: URW Meeting (Hillel)
• 6:00-7:30 PM: OCF

Saturday, November 23

• 3:00 PM: Inquirers/Catechumen Class
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, November 24

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

Looking Ahead to Next Week

Wednesday, November 27

• Office Closed

Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving Day)

• Office Closed

Saturday, November 30

• 3:00 PM: Inquirers/Catechumen Class
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, December 1

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

Hymns After the Small Entrance

Tone 5 Troparion (Resurrection)

Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead//by His glorious Resurrection. 

Tone 4 Troparion (Feast)

Today is the prelude of the good will of God, of the preaching of the salvation of mankind. The Virgin appears in the Temple of God, in anticipation proclaiming Christ to all. Let us rejoice and sing to her: “Rejoice, O Fulfillment//of the Creator’s dispensation!“

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. Catherine)

By thy virtues as by rays of the sun thou didst enlighten the unbelieving philosophers, and like the most bright moon thou didst drive away the darkness of disbelief from those walking in the night; thou didst convince the queen, and didst also chastise the tyrant, God-summoned bride, blessed Catherine. Thou didst hasten with desire to the heavenly bridal chamber of the fairest Bridegroom of Christ, and thou wast crowned by Him with a royal crown;//Standing before Him with the Angels, pray for us who keep thy most sacred memory!

Tone 5 Kontakion (Resurrection)

Thou didst descend into hell, O my Savior, shattering its gates as Almighty, resurrecting the dead as Creator, and destroying the sting of death. Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of man,//and we cry to Thee: “O Lord, save us!”

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 2 Kontakion (St. Catherine)

Let all of us who love to honor the martyrs form a great choir in praise of the most wise Catherine, for she preached Christ and trampled the serpent,//despising the knowledge of the orators.

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

Tone 4 Kontakion (Feast)

The most pure Temple of the Savior; the precious Chamber and Virgin; the sacred Treasure of the glory of God, is presented today to the house of the Lord. She brings with her the grace of the Spirit, therefore, the angels of God praise her://“Truly this woman is the abode of Heaven!”

Epistle: Galatians 6:11-18

Brethren, see what large letters I have written to you with my hand! As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Gospel: Luke 13:10-17

Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”

The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

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

Tone 4

The angels beheld the entrance of the Pure One and were amazed.//How has the Virgin entered into the Holy of Holies?

Since she is a living Ark of God let no profane hand touch the Theotokos. But let the lips of believers unceasingly sing to her, praising her in joy with the angel’s song://“Truly, thou art more exalted than all, O pure Virgin!”

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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