SS.

kosmas & damianos Orthodox Church (goa)

703 W. Center Street, Rochester, MN (507) 282-1529 http://www.rochesterorthodoxchurch.org

office@rochesterorthodoxchurch.org Rev. Fr. Mark Muoz, Proistamenos

/APOLYTIKIA FOR TODAY

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Though the tomb was sealed by the Judeans and soldiers
guarded Your pure body, You arose, O Savior, on the third
day giving life to the world. Therefore, O Giver of life, the
heavenly powers praise You: Glory to Your resurrection O
Christ, Glory to your Kingdom, Glory to Your
dispensation, O Lover of mankind.
In thee, O wandering stranger, Christ the Lord hath
given us an ardent intercessor for our kind. For having received in thy life sufferings and
grief and served God and men with love, thou didst acquire great boldness. Wherefore, we
fervently hasten to thee in temptations and grief, crying out from the depths of our
hearts: Put not our hope to shame, O Blessed Xenia.
/KONTAKION FOR TODAY

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Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now
come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and
strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only Lover of mankind.

14th Sunday of luke

Xenia, Deaconess of Rome, Vavylas the Martyr, Xenia of St. Petersburg, Fool-for-Christ
January 24th, 2016

Todays scripture readings

Epistle reading

St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 1:15-17

Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 2.
Psalm 27.9,1
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; but I received
mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect
patience for an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life. To the King
of Ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory to the ages of ages.
Amen.

Gospel pericope

Luke 18:35-43

At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside
begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him,
"Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on
me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out
all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded
him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want
me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him,
"Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his
sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave
praise to God.

Announcements
Liturgical/Program Schedule:
TODAY: GOYA Broomball Game
6th Annual Winter Greek Fest: we take place this year on February 11th & 12th at University Square.
We are currently soliciting volunteers for these days as well as a prep/set-up day on Wednesday,
February 10th. If you are interested in volunteering your time for an important fundraiser please see
Calli Kelly, volunteer coordinator asap. Thank you for participation and support!
Greek Fest Update: We are already planning our summer Greek Fest w/ our new facilities and kitchen!
If you would like to be involved in the Greek Fest Committee please email Johnny Mangouras at
johnmangouras@msn.com.
HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNIONOnly Orthodox Christians (i.e. the Orthodox Church
does not observe open communion) in good standing are encouraged to receive Holy Communion frequently,
provided they have prepared themselves spiritually, mentally and physically. They must be on time for the Divine
Liturgy, and be in a Christ-like, humble state of mind. They should be in a confession relationship with their priest
or spiritual father, have observed the fasts of the Church, and they should have self-examined their conscience.
On the day of receiving Holy Communion, it is not proper to eat or drink anything before coming to church. When
you approach to receive Holy Communion, state your Christian (baptismal) name clearly, and hold the red
communion cloth to your chin. After receiving, wipe your lips on the cloth, step back carefully, hand the cloth to
the next person and make the sign of the Cross as you step away. Please do not be in a rush while
communing! Please take special care not to bump the Holy Chalice.

Pearls from the desert

We needed an Incarnate God, a God put to death, that we

might live. We were put to death together with Him, that

we might be cleansed; we rose again with Him because we
were put to death with Him; we were glorified with Him,
because we rose again with Him.
St. Gregory the Theologian

Todays Commemorations
St. Xenia of Moscow, Fool for Christ
Our righteous Mother Xenia of Petersburg was born about the year
1730. She was married to a Colonel named Andrew; when she was
twenty-six years old, her husband died suddenly, having been
drinking with his friends. Left a childless widow, Xenia gave away all
that she had, and vanished from Saint Petersburg for eight years; it is
believed that she spent this time in a hermitage, learning the spiritual
life. When she returned to Saint Petersburg, she wore her h usband's
military clothing, and would answer only to the name Andrew, that
is, the name of her late husband. She took up the life of a homeless
wanderer, and was abused by many as insane; she bore this with great
patience, crucifying the carnal mind through the mockery she endured, and praying for her
husband's soul. She was given great gifts of prayer and prophecy, and often foretold things to
come; in 1796 she foretold the death of Empress Catherine II. Having lived forty -five years after
her husband's death, she reposed in peace at the age of seventy-one, about the year 1800. Her
grave became such a source of miracles, and so many came to take soil from it as a blessing, that it
was often necessary to replace the soil; when a stone slab was placed over her grave, t his too
disappeared over time, piece by piece. Saint Xenia is especially invoked for help in finding
employment, lodging, or a spouse.
2. THE VENERABLE FEMALE XENIA [KSENIA]
Xenia was born in Rome, the only daughter of a prominent senator. Drawn by love for Christ, she refused
to enter into marriage as her parents wished, but rather, to avoid this, she secretly fled from her home
with two of her slaves and arrived at the Island of Cos to a place called Mylassa. There she founded a
convent for virgins where she lived an ascetical life until her death. Even though she was a frail woman,
she possessed a steadfast endurance in fasting, prayer and all-night vigils. She
often stood all night in prayer; she was dressed more poorly than all the other
sisters; and the bread which she ate, she often sprinkled with ashes from the
censer [thurible]. At the time of her death (450 A.D.), a wonderful sign
appeared over the virgin's convent: a wreath of stars with a cross in the
center, brighter than the sun. Many, who were sick, received healing from her
relics. Her female slaves [tonsured nuns] continued in the example of their
abbess and when they died, and according to their wishes, were buried at the
feet of Blessed Xenia [Ksenia].