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Sunday, January 15, 2023

Tone 6

 31st Sunday after Pentecost; Ven. Paul of Thebes; Ven. John Calabytes (the Hut-Dweller)

Venerable Paul of Thebes

Commemorated on January 15

(OCA) Saint Paul of Thebes was born in Egypt around 227 in the Thebaid of Egypt. Left orphaned, he suffered many things from a greedy relative over his inheritance. During the persecution against Christians under the emperor Decius (249-251), Saint Paul learned of his brother-in-law’s insidious plan to deliver him into the hands of the persecutors, and so he fled the city and fled into the wilderness.

Settling into a mountain cave, Saint Paul dwelt there for ninety-one years, praying incessantly to God both day and night. He sustained himself on dates and bread, which a raven brought him, and he clothed himself with palm leaves.

Saint Anthony the Great (January 17), who also lived as an ascetic in the Thebaid desert, had a revelation from God concerning Saint Paul. Saint Anthony thought that there was no other desert dweller such as he. Then God said to him, “Anthony, there is a servant of God more excellent than you, and you should go and see him.”

Saint Anthony went into the desert and came to Saint Paul’s cave. Falling to the ground before the entrance to the cave, he asked to be admitted. The Elders introduced themselves, and then embraced one another. They conversed through the night, and Saint Anthony revealed how he had been led there by God. Saint Paul disclosed to Saint Anthony that for sixty years a bird had brought him half a loaf of bread each day. Now the Lord had sent a double portion in honor of Saint Anthony’s visit. The next morning, Saint Paul spoke to Anthony of his approaching death, and instructed him to bury him. He also asked Saint Anthony to return to his monastery and bring back the cloak he had received from Saint Athanasius. He did not really need a garment, but wished to depart from his body while Saint Anthony was absent.

As he was returning with the cloak, Saint Anthony beheld the soul of Saint Paul surrounded by angels, prophets, and apostles, shining like the sun and ascending to God. He entered the cave and found Abba Paul on his knees with his arms outstretched. Saint Anthony mourned for him, and wrapped him in the cloak. He wondered how he would bury the body, for he had not remembered to bring a shovel. Two lions came running from the wilderness and dug a grave with their claws.

Saint Anthony buried the holy Elder, and took his garment of palm leaves, then he returned to his own monastery. Saint Anthony kept this garb as a precious inheritance, and wore it only twice a year, on Pascha and Pentecost.

Saint Paul of Thebes died in the year 341, when he was 113 years old. He did not establish a single monastery, but soon after his end there were many imitators of his life, and they filled the desert with monasteries. Saint Paul is honored as the first desert-dweller and hermit.

In the twelfth century Saint Paul’s relics were transferred to Constantinople and placed in the Peribleptos monastery of the Mother of God, on orders of the emperor Manuel (1143-1180). Later, they were taken to Venice, and finally to Hungary, at Ofa. Part of his head is in Rome.

Saint Paul of Thebes, whose Life was written by Saint Jerome, is not to be confused with Saint Paul the Simple (October 4).

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Mtka Mary and I will be on vacation from January 10-17. In case of an emergency please call Fr Christopher (his cell number is on the calendar).

If you have done so, please pick up a church calendar. They are on the table next to the holy water.

You can download this month's issue of the Ukrainian Orthodox Word here or by clicking on the cover below.

We received a request for volunteers who would be willing to teach English to Ukrainian refugees. If you are interested, you can read more about the opportunity below.

Finally, thank you to everyone who braved the cold this past Sunday to bless the waters of Lake Mendota. Thank you as well to Katie and Mtka Mary for taking pictures of the event. You can see photos of the lake blessing as well as Ryan's baptism on our parish website. Ryan's Baptism & Lake Blessing

In Christ,

Fr Gregory

This Week at Ss Cyril & Methodius

Wednesday, January 11

• 11 AM-3 PM: Office Hours/Confessions [canceled]

Thursday, January 12

• 1:00 PM-5:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions [canceled]

Saturday, January 14

• 4:00 PM: Confessions 
• 5:00 PM: Vespers
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, January 15

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

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, January 18

• 11 AM-3 PM: Office Hours/Confessions 

Thursday, January 19

• 1:00 PM-5:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions 

Saturday, January 21

• 4:00 PM: Confessions 
• 5:00 PM: Vespers
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, January 22

• 9:00 AM: Hours/Pre-Communion Prayers
• 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 (Ss 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 (Sts. Paul and John)

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 the venerable Paul and John!

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 2 Kontakion (St. John)

Longing for poverty in imitation of Christ, thou didst abandon thy parents’ wealth, O wise Father John; grasping the Gospel in thy hands, thou didst follow Christ God,//unceasingly praying for us all.

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

Tone 3 Kontakion (St. Paul)

Today we gather and praise thee with hymns as an unwaning ray of the spiritual Sun;

for thou dost shine on those in the darkness of ignorance, leading all ^mankind to the heights,//venerable Paul, adornment of Thebes and firm foundation of the fathers and ascetics.

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

Tone 6 Theotokion

O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

Sunday Readings

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: Luke 18:18-27

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

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Communion Hymn

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

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.