Blessed is he who comes in the name of the

Lord

The entire parish family welcomes his eminence on the

occasion of our patronal feast day!

SS. kosmas & damianos Orthodox Church (goa)

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

[email protected] Rev. Fr. Mark Muoz, Proistamenos

/APOLYTIKIA FOR TODAY

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Let us worship the Word, O you faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the
Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for
He was pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to
endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.
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Sainted Unmercenaries and Wonder Workers, regard our infirmities; freely you have
received, freely share with us.
/KONTAKION FOR TODAY

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O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator
most constant: despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be quick,
O good one, to come unto our aid who in faith cry unto you: Hasten to intercede, and
speed to make supplication, you who ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor you.
5th Sunday of luke
SS. Kosmas & Damianos the Healing Unmercenaries
November 1st, 2015

Todays scripture readings

Epistle reading

St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 12:27-31; 13:1-8

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.
Psalm 15.3,8
Among the saints who are in his land, the Lord has been wondrous.
Verse: I see the Lord before me continually.
Brethren, you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the
church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers,
administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all
teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all
interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak
in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I
have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to
remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to
be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is
not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not
rejoice at wrong but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. Love never ends.
Gospel pericope

Luke 16:19-31
The Lord said, "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously
every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazaros, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from
the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the
angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up
his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazaros in his bosom. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy
upon me, and send Lazaros to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this
flame.' But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazaros in like
manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and
you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none
may cross from there to us.' And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, for I have five
brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have
Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them.' And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from
the dead, they will repent.' He said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be
convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

Announcements
Liturgical/Program Schedule:
TODAY: Feast Day Luncheon immediately following Liturgy @ Johnny Mangos
Tues.-Fri. Nov. 3rd- 6th: Fr Mark away, Archdiocesan Presbyters Retreat
Tues. Nov. 3rd: Philoptochos Meeting, 6pm
Todays Memorial Services:

all past Philoptochos Members of Holy Anargyroi

Special Collection Next Sunday: every year our Philoptochos Chapter passes a tray for the
philanthropic endeavors of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Christian population in Istanbul
has dwindled to a few thousand, a majority of which look towards His All Holiness for succor,
guidance, and shelter. Our alms are united with the National Philoptochos and sent to the
Ecumenical Patriarchate for the sole use of caring for the needs of the local Christian
population.
Special Thanks: The Philoptochos would like to thank everyone for supporting the Fall
fundraiser! The support from our parish is greatly appreciated. Many of you came back several
times to purchase more soap. Thank you! We still have a few bars of soap left, so if you missed
your chance or need more please contact Kris Brekke with any inquiries.
IOCC Benefit Gathering: Please join us on Tues. Nov. 10th 6pm @ Ari and Penny Kolas
residence to learn about and support the ongoing humanitarian work of IOCC on the global
scale, and especially in Syria where IOCC is currently the 2nd largest NGO in the entire country!
HOW TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNIONOnly Orthodox Christians (i.e. the Orthodox Church does not
practice 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.

TODAYS COMMEMORATIONS
1. Saints Cosmas and Damian
Cosmas and Damian were unmercenaries and miracle-workers. They were brothers both in the flesh and in the spirit,
born somewhere in Asia Minor of a pagan father and a Christian mother. After their father's death, their mother
Theodotia devoted all her time and effort to educating her sons and raising them as true Christians. God helped her,
and her sons matured as sweet fruit and luminaries of the world. They were learned in the art of medicine and
ministered to the sick without payment, not so much with medicine as by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They
were called ``unmercenary physicians,'' that is, unpaid physicians, for they healed freely and thus fulfilled the
commandment of Christ: Freely ye have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8). So careful were they in healing men
free of charge that Cosmas became very angry with his brother Damian because he accepted three eggs from a
woman, Palladia, and ordered that he not be buried alongside his brother Damian after his death. In fact, St. Damian
did not accept these three eggs as a reward for healing the ailing Palladia, but rather because she adjured him in the
name of the Most-holy Trinity to accept these three eggs. Nevertheless, after their death in the town of Fereman,
they were buried together according to a revelation from God. The holy brothers were great miracle-workers both
during their life and after their death. A snake crawled through the mouth and into the stomach of a certain farm
laborer during his sleep, and the unfortunate man would have died in the greatest pain had he not, in the last
moment, invoked the help of Saints Cosmas and Damian. Thus, the Lord glorified forever the miracle-working of
those who glorified Him on earth by their faith, purity and mercy.

2. The Holy Martyr Hermenegild the Heir

Hermenegild was the son of the Gothic King Leovigild who adhered to the Arian heresy. However, Hermenegild did
not turn away from Orthodoxy in spite of all the flatteries and threats of his cruel heretical father. His father cast him
into prison and, early on Pascha, sent a heretical bishop to administer Communion to him. But the God-pleaser
refused to receive Communion at the hands of a heretic, and the heretical bishop informed the king about this. The
king became angry and ordered the executioner to behead Hermenegild in the year 586. Leovigild later repented that
he had killed his son; he renounced his heresy and returned to Orthodoxy.

3. The Venerable Martyr James with his disciples James and Dionysius
James was born in the Diocese of Castoria of parents named Martin and Parasceva. Working as a shepherd James
became wealthy, and by this incurred the envy of his brother, who maligned him to the Turks as having found some
treasure in the ground. James fled to Constantinople where he again became very wealthy. Once, James was the
guest of a Turkish Bey. The Turks ate meat and James fasted. Then the Bey said: ``Great is your Christian Faith!''
And he related how his wife had been mentally ill and how he, after all the physicians and cures had failed, took her
to the patriarch for prayers to be read over her. As soon as the patriarch opened the book to read, a heavenly light
shone forth in the church. After the completion of the prayer, his wife was made whole. Hearing how the Turk
extolled the Christian Faith, James distributed all his goods and went to the Holy Mountain, where he was tonsured a
monk in the Monastery of Iveron. He lived a life of asceticism on the Holy Mountain and suffered for the Faith at
the hands of the Turks in Jedrene on November 1, 1520. His miracle-working relics and those of his disciples, James
and Dionysius, repose in the Monastery of St. Anastasia in Galakistou near Thessalonica.

COMMUNION PRAYERS
I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of
the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I
am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that
this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You. Have
mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and
involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And make me
worthy without condemnation to partake of Your pure Mysteries for
the forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Amen.
Behold, my Maker, I approach Holy Communion. Burn me not as I partake, for You are fire
which burns the unworthy, but cleanse me from every stain.
Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your
mystery to Your enemies, nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to
You: Lord, remember me in Your kingdom.
Seeing the Divine Blood, have fear, O man, for it is coal that burns the unworthy. It is Gods
Body that deifies and nourishes me; it deifies the spirit and nourishes the mind mystically.
You have smitten me with yearning, O Christ, and with Your divine love You have changed me.
Burn away my sins with spiritual fire and make me worthy to be filled with Your joy, that
rejoicing in Your goodness, I may magnify Your two Comings.
How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your saints? If I dare to enter the
bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being bound
up, I shall be cast out by the angels. In Your love, Lord, cleanse the vileness of my soul and save
me.
Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these holy Gifts be to my condemnation
because of my unworthiness, but for the cleansing and sanctification of soul and body and the
pledge of the future life and kingdom. It is good for me to cling to God and to place in Him the
hope of my salvation.
Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your
mystery to Your enemies. Nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to
You:
Lord
remember
me
in
Your
kingdom.

November 1, 2015
Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries
Saints Cosmas and Damian
When you give a feast invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Luke 14:13-14
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Saints Cosmas and Damian, we are reminded by their faithful witness of
the priority of serving those in great need, especially the sick, the poor, the elderly, and the orphaned. These two
selfless and holy men gave their lives and abilities to helping any who had need of healing and comfort. They were
true stewards of the power of Christ and the hope, restoration, and eternal life He offers. Saints Cosmas and Damian
affirmed the teachings of our Lord who said, he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:11). They did not
seek great earthly reward or recognition for what they did. In knowing and seeing the mighty and miraculous work
of God in healing those in need, they offered glory, honor, and praise to Him. Through compassionate care, artful
healing, and miraculous cures, they guided each person into the presence of Christ. Their lives were a constant
invitation to others, especially those burdened by the struggles of life, to come to the great feast of love and hope
offered to them by God. As Orthodox Christians we are led by the example of the Holy Unmercenaries and called
by Christ to go out into the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in that the masters house may be
filled (Luke 14:23). As we come together to celebrate the great feast in the Holy Eucharist, we are guided and
inspired to go out and invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind (Luke 14:13-14) through service to
anyone in need and in loving concern for their well-being and salvation. Through our lives, generosity, and care,
and in the healing and renewal found in Christ, we give honor and glory to God. In humility we acknowledge that
these great gifts come from above, from the Creator and Sustainer of life. This exaltation of the power of God to
heal and to save is the witness of the philanthropic ministries of our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate. On this feast
each year, we recognize this vital work of the faithful in Constantinople by offering our prayers and support for
these ministries. Led by our National Ladies Philoptochos Society and local parish chapters, we are asked to give
generously to help with the ongoing care of the sick, elderly, and orphans. This support is also essential for the
broader humanitarian work of the Ecumenical Patriarchate under the leadership of His All Holiness Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew. Many are suffering and experiencing tremendous needs due to crises in the region.
Through the compassionate and humble service offered by Orthodox Christians, the power of fear is being overcome
by the power of hope, and real threats to life and well-being are met with grace and faith. Knowing that our gifts
and prayers provide strength and resources to our beloved brothers and sisters in Constantinople, let us continue to
support this work as we have done so faithfully in previous years; and as we help them may we also continue to
offer to anyone in need an invitation to the great feast of love, healing and life.
With paternal love in Him,
DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of America

WINTER COAT
DRIVE
DRIVE: November 8-22
In the narthex

New/gently-used WINTER COATS,

Non-perishable FOOD in cans, boxes,

bags for GOYA to deliver to FOCUS-MN
before Thanksgiving.

Help us to help those less

fortunate. Thank you!!