Sunday, August 20 2023

Tone 2

101h Sunday after Pentecost

 Afterfeast of the Dormition; Prophet Samuel

Prophet Samuel

(OCA) The Prophet Samuel was the fifteenth and last of the Judges of Israel, living more than 1146 years before the Birth of Christ. He was descended from the Tribe of Levi, and was the son of Elkanah from Ramathaim-Zophim of Mount Ephraim. He was born, having been besought from the Lord through the prayers of his mother Hannah (therefore he received the name Samuel, which means “besought from God”). Even before birth, he was dedicated to God. Her song, “My heart exults in the Lord,” is the third Old Testament ode of the Canon (1 Sam/1 Kings 2:1-10).

When the boy reached the age of three, his mother went with him to Shiloh and in accord with her vow dedicated him to the worship of God. She gave him into the care of the High Priest Eli, who at this time was a judge over Israel. The prophet grew in the fear of God, and at twelve years of age he had a revelation that God would punish the house of the High Priest Eli, because he did not restrain the impiety of his sons. Eli’s whole family was wiped out in a single day.

The prophecy was fulfilled when the Philistines, having slain in battle 30,000 Israelites (among them Hophni and Phinees, the sons of Eli the High Priest), gained victory and captured the Ark of the Covenant. Hearing this, the High Priest Eli fell backwards from his seat at the gate, and breaking his back, he died. The wife of Phinees, upon hearing what had happened in this very hour, gave birth to a son (Ichabod) and died with the words: “The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God is taken away” (1 Sam/1 Kgs 4: 22).

Upon the death of Eli, Samuel became the judge of the nation of Israel. The Ark of God was returned by the Philistines on their own initiative. After returning to God, the Israelites returned to all the cities that the Philistines had taken. In his old age, the Prophet Samuel made his sons Joel and Abiah judges over Israel, but they did not follow the integrity and righteous judgment of their father, since they were motivated by greed.

Then the elders of Israel, wanting the nation of God to be “like other nations” (1 Sam/1 Kgs 8: 20), demanded of the Prophet Samuel that they have a king. The Prophet Samuel anointed Saul as king, but saw in this a downfall of the people, whom God Himself had governed until this time, announcing His will through “judges,” His chosen saints. Resigning the position of judge, the Prophet Samuel asked the people if they consented to his continued governance, but no one stepped forward for him.

After denouncing the first king, Saul, for his disobedience to God, the Prophet Samuel anointed David as king. He had offered David asylum, saving him from the pursuit of King Saul. The Prophet Samuel died in extreme old age. His life is recorded in the Bible (1 Sam/1 Kgs; Sirach 46:13-20).

In the year 406 A.D. the relics of the Prophet Samuel were transferred from Judea to Constantinople.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Everyone is invited to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day, this Saturday, August 19, 2:00-6:00 PM at Garner Park (see below).

Our friends at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church need help with Greek Fest (Saturday, 9/9 12 PM - 7 PM; Sunday, 9/10 12 PM- 6 PM). If you are interested in volunteering you can sign up here.

Catechumen/Inquirer class, 3:30 PM this Saturday. Please consider encouraging your friends who might be curious about the Orthodox Church to attend either in person or online. We meet, Saturday afternoons at 3:30 PM and are reading Essential Orthodox Christian Beliefs: A Manual for Adult Instruction. You can download our text here and live stream the class here.

In Christ,

Fr Gregory

This Week at Ss Cyril & Methodius

Monday, August 14

• 6:00 PM: Great Vespers (Assumption GOC)

Tuesday, August 15 (Dormition of the Mother of God)

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

Wednesday, August 16

• 12:00-4:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions

Thursday, August 17

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

Saturday, August 19

• 3:30 PM: Catechumen Class
• 4:30 PM: Confessions
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, August 20

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

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, August 23

• 12:00-4:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions

Thursday, August 24

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

Saturday, August 26

• 3:30 PM: Catechumen Class
• 4:30 PM: Confessions
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, August 27

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

Hymns After the Small Entrance

Tone 2 Troparion (Resurrection)

When Thou didst descend to death, O Life immortal, Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead. And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead, all the powers of heaven cried out://“O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!” 

Tone 1 Troparion (Feast)

In giving birth thou didst preserve thy virginity. In falling asleep thou didst not forsake the world, O Theotokos. Thou wast translated to life, O Mother of Life,//and by thy prayers thou dost deliver our souls from death.

Tone 2 Troparion (Prophet Samuel)

We celebrate the memory of Thy prophet Samuel, O Lord; through him we beseech Thee://“Save our souls!”

Tone 2 Kontakion (Resurrection)

Hell became afraid, O almighty Savior, seeing the miracle of Thy Resurrection from the tomb! The dead arose! Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoiced with Thee,// and the world, my Savior, praises Thee forever.

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

Tone 8 Kontakion (Prophet Samuel)

Thou wast a precious gift given to God before thy conception. Thou didst serve Him like an angel from thine infancy, O blessed one. Thou wast granted the charism to announce beforehand future things.//Therefore, we cry to thee: “Rejoice, Samuel, Prophet of God and great high priest.”

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

Tone 2 Kontakion (Feast)

Neither the tomb, nor death, could hold the Theotokos, who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions. For being the Mother of Life,//she was translated to life by the One Who dwelt in her virginal womb.

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

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

The Angels, as they looked upon the Dormition of the Virgin,

were struck with wonder,

seeing how the Virgin went up from earth to heaven.

The limits of nature are overcome in thee, O Pure Virgin:

for birthgiving remains virginal, and life is united to death;

a virgin after childbearing and alive after death,

thou dost ever save thine inheritance, O Theotokos.

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!

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 9:2-12

Brethren, if I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we have no right to eat and drink? Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?

Nevertheless, we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

Gospel:  Matthew 18:23-35

Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

(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.

Communion Hymn

O Lord, we will walk in the light of Thy countenance, and will exult in Thy Name forever. 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.