Sunday, January 26, 2025

Tone 6

 31st Sunday after Pentecost; Ven. Xenophon, his wife, Mary, and their two sons, Arcadius and John, of Constantinople

Venerable Xenophon, his wife, Mary, and their two sons, Arcadius and John, of Constantinople

Commemorated on January 26

(OCA) Saint Xenophon, his wife Maria, and their sons Arcadius and John, were noted citizens of Constantinople and lived in the fifth century. Despite their riches and position, they distinguished themselves by their simplicity of soul and goodness of heart. Wishing to give their sons John and Arcadius a more complete education, they sent them off to the Phoenician city of Beirut.

By divine Providence, the ship on which both brothers sailed was wrecked. The waves tossed the brothers ashore at different places. Grieved at being separated, the brothers dedicated themselves to God and became monks. For a long time, the parents had no news of their children and presumed them to be dead.

Xenophon, however, already quite old, maintained a firm hope in the Lord and consoled his wife Maria, telling her not to be sad but to believe that the Lord watched over their children. After several years, the couple made a pilgrimage to the holy places, and at Jerusalem, they met their sons, living in asceticism at different monasteries. The joyful parents gave thanks to the Lord for reuniting the family.

Saints Xenophon and Maria went to separate monasteries and dedicated themselves to God. The monks Arcadius and John, having taken leave of their parents, went out into the wilderness, where after long ascetic toil they were glorified by gifts of wonderworking and discernment. Saints Xenophon and Maria, laboring in silence and strict fasting, also received from God the gift of wonderworking.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

We will have a BRIEF parish general assembly during coffee hour THIS Sunday (1/26). Please plan on attending.

Inquirers/Catechumen classes have started. We will be reading Catechism: A Short Guide to Orthodox Christianity by Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev). If someone you know (or you!) is interested in learning more about the Gospel, the faith of the Church, and what it means to be a disciple of Christ, this is the class.

Please get in touch with me if you would like your home blessed for Theophany.

In Christ,

Fr Gregory

This Week at Ss Cyril & Methodius

Wednesday, January 22

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

Thursday, January 23

• 11:45 AM: URW Meeting (Pres House)
• 1:00 PM-5:00 PM: Office Hours

Saturday, January 25

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

Sunday, January 26

• 9:00 AM: Hours
• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy
• 10:45 AM: Parish Assembly

Looking Ahead to Next Week

Wednesday, January 29

• 1:00 PM- 5:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions
• 5:30 PM: Vespers (Three Holy Hierarchs)

Thursday, January 30

• TBA: Divine Liturgy
• 1:00 PM-5:00 PM: Office Hours

Saturday, February 1

• 3:00 PM: Inquirers/Catechumen Class 
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers & Blessing of Candles
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, February 2 (Presentation of Our Lord)

• 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 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 (Ven. Xenophon)

O God of our Fathers, always act with kindness towards us; take not Thy mercy from us, but guide our lives in peace//through the prayers of Venerable Xenophon and his family!

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 4 Kontakion (Ven. Xenophon)

Thou didst keep vigil in the courts of the Lord with thy wife and two children, blessed Xenophon, and thou didst gladly lavish thy wealth on the poor.//Therefore, thou hast inherited divine joy.

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 Timothy 1:15-17

Timothy my son, this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”

But He answered her not a word.

And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”

But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”

But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”

And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

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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