SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2020,
THE 10th SUNDAY OF ST. LUKE. OUR FATHER AMONG
THE SAINTS NICHOLS THE WONDERWORKER, BISHOP OF MYRA OF LYCIA,
whose memory we commemorate today and all the saints,
have mercy on us and save us, as a Good and Loving and Merciful God..

Tone 1. Eothinon 4.
HYMNS FOR THE SMALL ENTRANCE.

APOLYTIKION OF THE RESURRECTION, FIRSTT TONE. When the stone had been sealed by the Jews and the soldiers were guarding Thine immaculate Body, Thou didst arise on the third day, 0 Saviour, granting life unto the world. Wherefore, the powers of the Heavens cried out to Thee, 0 Lifegiver: Glory to Thy Resurrection, 0 Christ. Glory to Thy Kingdom. Glory to Thy dispensation, 0 only Friend of man.

APOLYTIKION OF ST. NICHOLAS, FOURTH TONE. The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. 0 Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ God that our souls be save.

APOL YTIKION OF ST. BARBARA, PLAGAL OF FOURTH TONE. CELEBRATED ON DEC. 4.
Let us honour Saint Barbara, for she hath broken the snares of the enemy; and like a sparrow, she, the all-modest maiden, was delivered out of them by the help and weapon of the Cross.

APOL YTIKION ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS, PLAGAL OF FOURTH TONE. CELEBRATED ON DEC. 4. Guide of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and holiness, luminary of the world, God-inspired adornment of monastics, 0 wise John, by thy teachings thou hast enlightened all, 0 harp of the Spirit. Intercede with Christ God that our souls by saved.

APOLYTIKION OF ST. SAVAS, PLAGAL OF FOURTH TONE. CELEBRATED ON DEC. 5. With the streams of thy tears, thou didst cultivate the barrenness of the desert; and by thy sighings from the depths, thou didst bear fruit a hundredfold in labours; and thou becamest a luminary, shining with miracles upon the world, 0 Savas our righteous Father. Intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

APOLYTIKION OF THE DORMITION THEOTOKOS, FIRST TONE. In giving birth, thou didst preserve thy virginity; in thy dormition, thou didst not forsake the world, 0 Theotokos. Thou wast translated unto life, since thou art the Mother of Life; and by thine intercessions dost thou redeem our souls from death.

APOL YTIKION OF THE CHAPEL, STS. RAPHAEL, NICHOLAS AND IRENE, FOURTH TONE. On Lesbos, ye strove in contest for the sake of Christ God; * ye also have hallowed her with the discovery of your relics, 0 blessed ones. * 0 God­bearer Raphael, with thee, we all honor * Nicholas the deacon and Irene the chaste virgin, * as our divine protectors, who now intercede with the Lord.

KONTAKION OF THE FOREFEAST OF CHRISTMAS. THIRD TONE. On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, 0 earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.

MEMORIALS + Stylliani Bouramas
+ Constantinos Doas
TRISAGION + Nicholas Pahountis

IN WRITING TO A YOUNG MAN, A HOLY BISHOP LIVING IN OUR TIMES DEFINES THE ULTIMATE SPIRITUAL CRISIS IN THIS WAY: "WITHIN YOU THERE ARISES THE ENORMOUS QUESTION: 'CHRIST OR THE WORLD?'

SUNDAY,
December 6

Wonderworker Nicholas.

MONDAY,
December 7

Ambrose of Milan, Gerasimos of Euboia.

TUESDAY,
December 8

Righteous Patapios, Apostle Sosthenes.

WEDNESDAY,
December 9

Conception of Theotokos by St. Anna.

THURSDAY,
December 10

Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes, & Eugraphos.

FRIDAY,
December 11

Stylites Daniel & Luke the New.

SATURDAY,
December 12

Saint Spyridon, Wonderworker.

SUNDAY,
December 13

Martyrs Eustratios &Auxenty.

Thank you for all of those participating in the Angel program these last 9 years. This year with COVID-19 everything has changed in all of our lives. The Neighborhood Resilience Project has been able to find enough donors to supply 150 toys to the needy children of the Hill District.

Since this part of the project has already been addressed, I am seeking donors to provide those participating families with a dinner for Christmas. The cost of the dinners has been investigated and it will be approximately $25 per family. The goal is $4,000 which is the total cost for these 150 families. We already have a $1000 donation so we are starting with one quarter of that total already committed.

Basically, if any members of your church wish to participate in the project figure $100 will provide a good Christmas dinner for 4 families. Below is the logistics of how to make a check out and where to send it.

Make out check to: Neighborhood Resilience Project and please put a note on your check for Christmas Food Drive. This will help us track how much is donated and give us the opportunity to provide more dinners if we exceed our goal of $4,000

Mail to: Neighborhood Resilience Project
2038 Bedford Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pa 15219

The checks need to arrive at the Neighborhood Resilience Project because the food must be distributed on 12/12, 12/15 and 12/17 due to covid. Please allow some time in the mail.

Thank you in advance for any donations and may God bless you and fill your hearts with joy for making a family’s Christmas better this year.

Yours in Christ,
Jim Arthur