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said to Thomas, “Bring hither thy finger, and be- hold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, “My Lord and my God.” Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures - human and divine - of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29). This day is called Antipascha (meaning “in the stead of Pascha,” not “in opposition to Pascha”) because with this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sun- day of the year to the commemoration of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection. The Holy and Great Martyr Saint George: This glorious and victorious saint was born in Cappado- cia the son of wealthy and virtuous parents. His father suffered for Christ and his mother then moved to Palestine. When George grew up, he en- tered the military, where in his twentieth year, attained the rank of a Tribune and as such was in the service of the Emperor Diocletian. When Diocle- tian began the terrible persecution against Chris- tians, George came before him and courageously confessed that he is a Christian. The emperor had him thrown into prison and ordered that his feet be placed in a stockade of wooden hobbles and that a heavy stone be placed on his chest. After that, the emperor commanded that George be tied to a wheel under which was a board with large nails and he was to be rotated until his entire body be- came as one bloody wound. After that, they buried him in a pit with only his head showing above the ground and there they left him for three days and three nights. Then George was given a deadly poi- son to drink by some magician. But, through all of these sufferings, George continuously prayed to God and God healed him instantly and saved him from death to the great astonishment of the peo- ple. When he resurrected a dead man through his prayer, many then accepted the Faith of Christ. Among these also was Alexandra, the wife of the Emperor Athanasius, the chief pagan priest and the farmers: Glycerius, Valerius, Donatus and Therinus. Finally the emperor ordered George and his wife Alexandra beheaded. Blessed Alexandra died on the scaffold before being beheaded. St. George was beheaded in the year 303 A.D. The miracles which have occurred over the grave of St. George are without number. Numerous are his ap- pearances, either in dreams or openly, to those who have invoked him and implored his help from that time until today. Enflamed with love for Christ the Lord, it was not difficult for this saintly George to leave all for the sake of this love: rank, wealth, imperial honor, his friends and the entire world. For this love, the Lord rewarded him with the wealth of unfading glory in heaven and on earth and eternal life in His kingdom. In addition, the Lord bestowed upon him the power and authority to assist all those in miseries and difficulties who honor him and call upon his name. You can’t investigate the spiritual world with the same methods as you would the material world. The latter methods are completely un- suitable for any examination of the spiritual world. Saint Luke the Doctor of Crimea Dear Faithful, Remember, we are to be fasted from all food and drink prior to the recepon of Holy Com- munion (usually at midnight the evening be- fore). If we are not receiving when aending Divine Liturgy, we should sll be fasted to receive the andoro and the priest’s blessing. Therefore, I kindly ask that you not bring in travel mugs, water boles, etc. while aend- ing services. If one has a specific need, then it is proper to excuse yourself to the hall. Let us not think the worship of the church is like the theater; also we must set a good example for the youth of our community. —Fr. Dennis Sunday Holy Scripture Reading Apostolic Reading: Acts 1:1-9 Gospel: Acts 12:1-11 Services: Sunday-9 a.m. Orthros and 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy, Weekdays 8 a.m. Orthros and 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy when scheduled. Saints of the Day: Sunday: Sunday of Thom- as. Great-martyr George the trophy-bearer; Martyr Alexandra the Empress; Martyr Glykeri- os of Nicomedia; New-martyrs George of Ptol- emais and Lazarus of Bulgaria. Order of Service Antiphons: From Pascha Small Entrance we chant the Paschal verses and Christ is Risen Instead of Come let us worship we chant: In the congregations • bless God, • the Lord from the well-springs of Israel; • save us O Son of God, • who are risen from the dead, • we sing to You: alleluia. Ἐν Ἐκκλησίαις εὐλογεῖτε τόν Θεόν, Κύριον ἐκ πηγῶν Ἰσραήλ. Σῶσον ἡμᾶς, Υἱέ Θεοῦ, ὁ ἀναστάς ἐκ νεκρῶν, ψάλλοντάς σοι, Ἀλληλούϊα. After the Entrance Apolytikion for St. Thomas Tone 7 While the tomb was sealed, You, O Life, did shine forth from the grave, O Christ God; and while the doors were shut, You did come unto Your disciples, O Resurrection of all, renewing through them an upright Spirit in us according to Your great mercy. Apolytikion: St. George Tone 4 Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved. Instead of Axion Estin Tone 1 You, the brightly shining lantern and the Moth- er of our God,* the conspicuous glory,* you are superior to all creation.* We hymn you and magnify. Communion Hymn Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem. Praise your God, O Zion. Alleluia. Instead of We have seen the true light...Christ is Risen 1x Divine Services No Services Wed., April 19 or Sat. April 22 Paschal Greetings to All! Fr. Dennis and the Parish Council extend their best wishes and prayers to all of the faithful and friends of our community for a joyous celebration of our Lord’s Holy Resurrection. May our Lord bless all who have prepared our church by cleaning, decorating and cooking or donated toward the ongoing work at Archangel Michael. Christ is Risen! During the Paschal Season Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church Bullen 2215 Paseo Road—Colorado Springs, CO 80907—719.634.5678 church Fr. Dennis Schutte—Proistamenos—719.322.4436 cell—email: [email protected] Parish website: www.amgoc.org and FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/amgoc.co April 23, 2017 Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
