Transcript Welcome to The Cathedral Christmas 2016

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Welcome to The Cathedral
Christmas 2016
HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS, GERON OF AMERICA
REV. FR. JOHN VLAHOS, DEAN
REV. DR. ROBERT STEPHANOPOULOS, DEAN EMERITUS
Christmas Readings & Hymns
Epistle Reading: St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians 4:4-7
BRETHREN, when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were
under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir of God through Christ.
Πρὸς Γαλάτας 4:4-7
Ἀδελφοί, ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, γενόμενον ἐκ γυναικός, γενόμενον ὑπὸ
νόμον, ἵνα τοὺς ὑπὸ νόμον ἐξαγοράσῃ, ἵνα τὴν υἱοθεσίαν ἀπολάβωμεν. Ὅτι δέ ἐστε υἱοί, ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ
υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν, κρᾶζον, Αββα ὁ πατήρ. Ὥστε οὐκέτι εἶ δοῦλος ἀλλὰ υἱός· εἰ δὲ υἱός, καὶ κληρονόμος διὰ θεοῦ.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.” When
Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he
inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you,
O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern
my people Israel. Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent
them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come
and worship him.” When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo the star which they had seen in the East went before them,
till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into
the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered
him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country
by another way.
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 2.1-12
Τοῦ ᾽Ιησοῦ γεννηθέντος ἐν Βηθλεὲμ τῆς ᾽Ιουδαίας ἐν ἡμέραις ῾Ηρῴδου τοῦ βασιλέως, ἰδοὺ μάγοι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν παρεγένοντο εἰς
῾Ιεροσόλυμαλέγοντες, Ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ τεχθεὶς βασιλεὺς τῶν ᾽Ιουδαίων; εἴδομεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ καὶ ἤλθομεν
προσκυνῆσαι αὐτῷ. Ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς ῾Ηρῴδης ἐταράχθη καὶ πᾶσα ῾Ιεροσόλυμα μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ,καὶ συναγαγὼν πάντας τοὺς
ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ γραμματεῖς τοῦ λαοῦ ἐπυνθάνετο παρ᾽ αὐτῶν ποῦ ὁ Χριστὸς γεννᾶται. Οἱ δὲ εἶπαν αὐτῷ, ᾽Εν Βηθλεὲμ τῆς ᾽Ιουδαίας·
οὕτως γὰρ γέγραπται διὰ τοῦ προφήτου·Καὶ σύ, Βηθλεὲμ γῆ ᾽Ιούδα, οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη εἶ ἐν τοῖς ἡγεμόσιν ᾽Ιούδα· ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ
ἐξελεύσεται ἡγούμενος, ὅστις ποιμανεῖ τὸν λαόν μου τὸν ᾽Ισραήλ. Τότε ῾Ηρῴδης λάθρᾳ καλέσας τοὺς μάγους ἠκρίβωσεν παρ᾽
αὐτῶν τὸν χρόνον τοῦ φαινομένου ἀστέρος,καὶ πέμψας αὐτοὺς εἰς Βηθλεὲμ εἶπεν, Πορευθέντες ἐξετάσατε ἀκριβῶς περὶ τοῦ
παιδίου· ἐπὰν δὲ εὕρητε ἀπαγγείλατέ μοι, ὅπως κἀγὼ ἐλθὼν προσκυνήσω αὐτῷ. Οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπορεύθησαν,
καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ ἀστὴρ ὃν εἶδον ἐν τῇ ἀνατολῇ προῆγεν αὐτοὺς ἕως ἐλθὼν ἐστάθη ἐπάνω οὗ ἦν τὸ παιδίον. Ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα
ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα. Καὶ ἐλθόντες εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν εἶδον τὸ παιδίον μετὰ Μαρίας τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ πεσόντες
προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀνοίξαντες τοὺς θησαυροὺς αὐτῶν προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ δῶρα, χρυσὸν καὶ λίβανον καὶ σμύρναν. Καὶ
χρηματισθέντες κατ᾽ ὄναρ μὴ ἀνακάμψαι πρὸς ῾Ηρῴδην, δι᾽ ἄλλης ὁδοῦ ἀνεχώρησαν εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτῶν.
Apolytikion for The Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath shined the light of knowledge upon the world; for thereby they that worshipped the stars were
instructed by a star to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Ἡ γέννησίς σου Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ἀνέτειλε τῶ κόσμω, τὸ φῶς τὸ τῆς γνώσεως, ἐν αὐτῇ γὰρ οἱ τοὶς ἄστροις λατρεύοντες, ὑπὸ
ἀστέρος ἐδιδάσκοντο, σὲ προσκυνεῖν, τὸν Ἥλιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ σὲ γινώσκειν ἐξ ὕψους ἀνατολήν, Κύριε δόξα σοί.
Kontakion
Today, the Virgin bears Him who is transcendent, and the earth presents the cave to Him who is beyond reach. Angels, along with
shepherds glorify Him. The Magi make their way to Him by a star. For a new child has been born for us, the God before all ages.
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν ὑπερούσιον τίκτει, καὶ ἡ γῆ τὸ Σπήλαιον, τῶ ἀπροσίτω προσάγει. Ἄγγελοι μετὰ Ποιμένων δοξολογοῦσι.
Μάγοι δὲ μετὰ ἀστέρος ὁδοιποροῦσι. δι’ ἡμᾶς γὰρ ἐγεννήθη, Παιδίον νέον, ὁ πρὸ αἰώνων Θεός.
Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios
The Feast of the Nativity of Christ 2016
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of
the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day,
Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek
Orthodox Family in America
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this glorious Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, we hear from the Holy Scriptures and the beautiful hymns of our services
that sacred story of how Christ was born of the Virgin Mary and as an infant was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a
manger. We contemplate the miraculous and joyous appearance of the angels proclaiming to the shepherds the good news: For
there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11). We marvel at the inspiration of
the wise men as they traveled from distant lands to offer gifts and reverence to the newborn King.
We celebrate this Feast and event filled with grace, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ for our salvation. He was sent for us. He was
sent to reveal the magnitude of God’s love for us, to lead us in the path of righteousness, and to make possible our salvation and
our full reconciliation with God. He came so that we could know Him, and in Him find truth and life.
Today, we know Him as the Christ child, the hope for all humanity, and the fulfillment of divine promises. He is the dayspring
from on high (Luke 1:78), the Anointed One, who has come to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to give
sight to the blind, and to set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18).
We know Him as truth and love. In the Vespers of the Feast we proclaim, “When the Lord Jesus was born of the holy Virgin, all
the world was enlightened.” He reveals truth, and the light of truth shines within our hearts and minds, dispelling the darkness
of sin and death. He reveals that the foundation of truth is God’s love for us, and with this love He became flesh and dwelt
among us, so that we behold His glory, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
Today, we know Him through His power to give life. We know Him because He knows our human condition, our struggles and
limitations, and our temptations. Christ entered our life in a miraculous way, to sanctify our humanity and to restore us to the
image and likeness of God. In so doing He became the way to heaven and eternal communion with God. Through His offering
He defeated death and revealed His power to give abundant and eternal life.
With Christ in our midst we offer a beautiful witness of Him through our worship. We also affirm that the Feast of the Nativity
is a feast of invitation. He assured us that as the Father sent Him, He sends us to invite others to come and know Him (John
20:21). He sends us as His voice into a challenging and changing world. As the shepherds responded to the proclamation of
the angels, we glorify and praise God for all that we have seen and heard, and we are sent by Him to share the good news. As
the wise men came and worshipped him, our hearts are filled with joy and thanksgiving. We are sent into a changing world as
witnesses of His grace proclaiming, For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: And His name is Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
May the blessings of the incarnate God, our Lord Jesus Christ be with each of you and your families during this holy season of
His Nativity, and together may we be the voice of Christ inviting all to come and see and glorify Him.
With paternal love in Him,
†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
On Christmas Eve the Cathedral Choir invites you to join in the singing of traditional carols.
Byzantine Kalanta
1. Άναρχος Θεός καταβέβηκεν και εν τη Παρθένω κατώκησεν
Ερουρέμ Ερουρέμ, ερου, ερου, ερουεμ Χαίρε Άχραντε
2. Βασιλεύς των όλων και Κύριος, ήλθε τον Αδάμ αναπλάσασθαί
Ερουρέμ Ερουρέμ, ερου, ερου, ερουεμ Χαίρε Άχραντε
3. Γηγενείς σκιρτάτε και χαίρεσθε, τάξεις των αγγέλων ευφραίνεσθε
Ερουρέμ Ερουρέμ, ερου, ερου, ερουεμ Χαίρε Άχραντε
4. Δέξαι Βηθλεεμ τον Δεσπότην σου, Βασιλέα πάντω και Κύριον
Ερουρέμ Ερουρέμ, ερου, ερου, ερουεμ Χαίρε Άχραντε
5. Εξ ανατολών Μάγοι έρχονται, δώρα προσκομίζοντες άξια
Ερουρέμ Ερουρέμ, ερου, ερου, ερουεμ Χαίρε Άχραντε
6. Σήμερον η κτίσις αγάλλεται και πανηγύρίζει κι ευφραίνεται
Ερουρέμ Ερουρέμ, ερου, ερου, ερουεμ Χαίρε Άχραντε
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise. Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’ angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!
Εν υψιστοις αγγελοι τον θεανθρωπον Χριστον
Ανυµνουσι παµπληθεις βασιλεα νεογνον
∆οξα, ∆οξα τω Θεω εν υψιστοις κραταιω
νυν ειρηνη επι γης ευδοκια τοις λαοις
νυν ειρηνη επι γης ευδοκια τοις λαοις
O Come All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful, and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels!
O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him: Christ, the Lord.
“O Holy Night”
Elaina Lappalainen, Soprano
ANNOUNCEMENTS & SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Tuesday, December 27th
Wednesday, December 28th
Sunday, January 1st
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Feast of St. Stephanos, Matins, 8am, Divine Liturgy, 9:00am
Paraklesis to the Virgin Mary, 6pm-7pm, Bible Study, 7pm-8pm
Feast of St. Basil, Matins, 8:45am, Divine Liturgy, 10:00am
YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS
Registration for our Youth Ministries is ongoing. For additional information please contact Fr. John at frjohn@thecathedralnyc.
org or visit our website www.thecathedralnyc.org
LITTLE ANGELS: (40 days old-3 years old) Our next get-together will be announced next week.
HOPE (4-6 years old) Our next get-together will be on January 6th from 6pm-7:30pm in the Undercroft
JOY: (7-12 years old) Our next get-together will be on January 6th from 6pm-7:30pm in the Undercroft
GOYA: (13-18 years old) Our next get-together will be on January 6th from 6pm-7:30pm in the Library
THE CATHEDRAL SCHOOL: Grades Nursery-8th Grade. For more info, visit: http://www.cathedralschoolny.org
GREEK AFTERNOON SCHOOL: For more information about this great program and to view the catalogue and schedule of
classes, please visit: http://www.thecathedral.goarch.org/assets/files/GreekAfternoonSchool2016-2017.pdf
SUPPORT YOUR CATHEDRAL…BECOME A 2017 STEWARD!
As we approach the New Year 2017, we need to remind one and all that a giving back of our time, talent and treasure to the
Cathedral is greatly needed and truly appreciated. Anyone who has not yet submitted a 2017 Stewardship Pledge Card and contributed
to the financial needs of our Cathedral by virtue of fulfilling his or her pledge is fervently and prayerfully asked to do so at this time.
Please visit www.thecathedralnyc.org for more info.