Click above to send names of those to be commemorated at Liturgy.

Sunday, February 5, 2023

Tone 1

Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican

After-feast of Presentation (Meeting) of Christ

Beginning of the Lenten Triodion

Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee

Beginning of the Lenten Triodion

Commemorated on February 5

(OCA) The Sunday after the Sunday of Zacchaeus is devoted to the Publican and the Pharisee. At Vespers the night before, the Triodion (the liturgical book used in the services of Great Lent) begins.

Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee who scrupulously observed the requirements of religion: he prayed, fasted, and contributed money to the Temple. These are very good things, and should be imitated by anyone who loves God. We who may not fulfill these requirements as well as the Pharisee did should not feel entitled to criticize him for being faithful. His sin was in looking down on the Publican and feeling justified because of his external religious observances.

The second man was a Publican, a tax-collector who was despised by the people. He, however, displayed humility, and this humility justified him before God (Luke 18:14).

The lesson to be learned is that we possess neither the Pharisee’s religious piety, nor the Publican’s repentance, through which we can be saved. We are called to see ourselves as we really are in the light of Christ’s teaching, asking Him to be merciful to us, deliver us from sin, and to lead us on the path of salvation.

Two weeks before the beginning of the Fast, as part of our preparation for Great Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha, the Church prescribes the reading of Saint Mark's Gospel. From Monday to Friday the focus is on the end times, and the Savior's death and burial.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

A reminder, tomorrow February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord. Vespers will be celebrated Wednesday (2/1) at 5 pm with Liturgy (2/2), Thursday at 7 am.

Great Lent is fast approaching. We will have Liturgy on 9:30 AM Saturday, February 18 for Soul Saturday. Please submit the names of those you wish commemorated here.

High Point Church has invited me to speak on clergy sexual misconduct next month (March 10-11) as part of their conference Made Whole: Joy and Progress in the Whole of Healing. You can find more information about the conference and register here. Please tell your friends and consider attending.

Especially as we move toward the beginning of Great Lent, please invite to Liturgy your Orthodox friends who have drifted away from the Church. On any given Sunday, some 70% of Orthodox Christians who could be present at Liturgy are not. Let's work hard to change this.

In Christ,

Fr Gregory

GREAT LENT IS COMING!

This Week at Ss Cyril & Methodius

Wednesday, February 8

• 1:00 PM-3:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions 

Thursday, February 9

• 1:00 PM-3:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions 

Saturday, February 11

• 3:30-4:30 PM: Inquirers/Catechumen Class
• 4:30 PM: Confessions 
• 5:00 PM: Vespers
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, February 12

• 9:00 AM: Hours/Pre-Communion Prayers
• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, February 15

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

Thursday, February 16

• 12:00 PM-1:30 PM: URW Meeting
• 2:00 PM-5:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions 
• 6:00 PM: OCF Meeting

Saturday, February 18 (Soul Saturday)

• 9:00 AM: Hours/Pre-Communion Prayers
• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy & Memorial Prayers
• 3:30-4:30 PM: Inquirers/Catechumen Class
• 4:30 PM: Confessions 
• 5:00 PM: Vespers
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, February 19 (Meatfare Sunday)

• 9:00 AM: Hours/Pre-Communion Prayers
• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy

Hymns After the Small Entrance

Troparion (Resurrection) 

Tone 1

While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O giver of life. Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ, glory to Thy kingdom, glory to Thy providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind.

Troparion (Presentation of Christ) 

Tone 1

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous elder, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, Who granteth us Resurrection.

Glory…

Kontakion (from the Lenten Triodion)

Tone 4 

Let us flee from the pride of the Pharisee! Let us learn humility from the Publican's tears! Let us cry to our Savior: “Have mercy on us,//O only merciful One!”

Now and ever…

Kontakion (Presentation of Christ) 

Tone 1

Thou, O Christ God, Who by Thy Birth, didst sanctify the Virgin’s womb, and, as is meet, didst bless Simeon’s arms, and didst also come to save us; preserve Thy fold in wars, and confirm them whom Thou didst love, for Thou alone art the Lover of mankind.

Sunday Readings

Epistle: 2 Timothy 3:10-15

Timothy my son, you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Gospel: Luke 18:10-14

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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

Tone 3

O Virgin Theotokos, hope of all Christians, protect, preserve, and save those who hope in thee!

In the shadow and letter of the Law, let us the faithful discern a figure: every male [child] that opens the womb is holy to God.

Therefore we magnify the firstborn Word of the Father Who has no beginning,//the Son firstborn of a Mother who had not known man.

Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest!

 I will receive the cup of salvation and call on the Name of the Lord. 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

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. Help us reach your children and grandchildren with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.