October 14, 2018

SAINT SOPHIA CATHEDRAL
MIAMI, FLORIDA

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
Sunday, October 14th, 2018

On the Sunday that falls on or immedi-
ately after the eleventh of this month, we
chant the Service to the 350 holy Fa-
thers of the Seventh Ecumenical Coun-
cil, which gathered in Nicaea in 787 un-
der the holy Patriarch Tarasius and dur-
ing the reign of the Empress Irene and
her son, Constantine Porphyrogenitus,
to refute the Iconoclast heresy, which
had received imperial support beginning
with the Edict issued in 726 by Emper-
or Leo the Isaurian. Many of the holy
Fathers who condemned Iconoclasm at
this holy Council later died as Confes-
sors and Martyrs for the holy Icons dur-
ing the second assult of Iconoclasm in
the ninth century, especially during the
reigns of Leo the Armenian and Theophilus.

Rev. Fr. Spiro D. Bobotas

Telephone 305- 854-2922 * Fax: 305-858-1854
Website: stsophiamiami.org
2401 S.W. 3rd Avenue, 33129

Mailing Address: 244 SW 24th Road Miami, Fl. 33129

Liturgical Guide

Resurrectional Apolytikion –Tone 3

Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια,

Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. * For with His Arm
the Lord has worked power. * He trampled death under foot by means of death; *

and He became the firstborn from the dead. * From the maw of Hades He delivered
us; * and He granted the world His great mercy.

Apoltykion for the 7th Ecumenical Council-PL 4

Ὑπερδεδοξασμένος εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν

Most glorified art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast established our Fathers as
luminous stars upon the earth, and through them didst guide us all to the true Faith.

O Most Merciful One, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for St. Sophia Tone 3

Χαίρει ἔχουσα ἡ Ἐκκλησία,

Having you and your three daughters, as a sacred boast the Church rejoices, and
with gladness she praises you, You are to me my pride and joy, as are the most pre-
cious relics of your children; Oh Glorious Martyrs: Sophia, Faith, Hope and Love,

intercede to Christ our God to save our souls.

Kontakion in Tone 4

Προστασία τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀκαταίσχυντε,

O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the creator
most constant: O despise not the voices of those who have sinned; but be quick, O
good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to int, them that

honor thee.

Epistle Reading:

The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15.

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have be-
lieved in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable
to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for
they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice,
have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-
condemned. When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis,
for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apol-
los on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good
deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful. All who are with me send greet-
ing to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Gospel Reading:

The Reading is from the Gospel According to Luke 8:5-15

The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along
the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the
rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns;
and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a
hundredfold." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has
been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so
that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The
seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil
comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And
the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have
no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among
the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares
and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil,
they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth
fruit with patience." As he said these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Sunday School Announcements:

Oratorical Festival

St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Topics - We will begin preparing on October 14
Introduced in 1983, the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival provides Greek Ortho-
dox teenagers the opportunity to write and talk about their faith. The Oratorical Festival
Program begins at the parish level and is divided into three divisions: grades 4–6- Junior
Division for students in grades 7–9, Senior Division for student in grades 10–12
The top speakers in the Junior and Senior Divisions advance to the district level. Two fi-
nalists in each district division represent the district at the Metropolis Oratorical Festival.
The top speaker in each metropolis division is then
selected to participate in the Archdiocese Finals,
which is hosted by a different metropolis each year.
All eighteen finalists at the Archdiocese Finals partic-
ipate in a weekend of activities, the highlight of which
is the delivery of their speeches on Saturday morn-

ing. The Oratorical Festival Scholarship Fund pro-
vides college scholarships to the top speakers. Cur-

rently, the top three speakers of each division re-
ceive college scholarships of $2,000, $1,500 and
$1,000. This year, each Honorable Mention speaker

was awarded $500.

Junior Division (Grades 7–9)

1. Martyrs of the Church and some of the early monastics are both described as
“athletes.” What does it mean to be an athlete for Christ?

2. On January 30th, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Three Hierarchs: St. Basil
the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom. Select one of these
Church Fathers and discuss his contribution to the Church.

3. Discuss the significance of water in the Church – Baptism, Theophany, holy water,
etc. – and what this suggests about our responsibility for the natural world.

4. Discus the new commandment of John 13:34: “Love one another, even as I have
loved you…” What does it mean to love one another as Christ loved us?

5. In 1 Timothy 6:10, St. Paul writes, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of
evil.” How should Orthodox Christians relate to money and wealth?

Senior Division (Grades 10–12)

1. Many of the Church’s services employ objects from the natural world (such as
wheat, wine, oil, or water) in order to confer a blessing upon the faithful. Why
does the Church do this, and what does this suggest about our responsibility
for the natural world?

2. From ancient Greece to the present, politicians have aligned themselves with
religious concepts and constituencies. How is an Orthodox Christian to discern
whether today’s politicians do this out of genuine piety or in order to manipu-
late the electorate?

3. The hymns of the Church contain the whole of its theology. Pick one hymn
from the Lenten or Holy Week period and describe how it speaks to you per-
sonally.

4. Describe how science and technology should always be at the service of hu-
manity and, ultimately, of God, in harmony with His purposes.

5. In view of St. Paul’s exhortation in Colossians 3:16, “Let the Word of Christ
dwell in you richly in all wisdom,” discuss the importance of being biblically lit-
erate today.

MIAMI RESCUE MISSION OUTREACH MINISTRY

As many of you know we have been going to the Miami Rescue
Mission to help those less fortunate. With 3 more trips remaining
in the year it is vital for us to know in advance who will be attending
the next 3 outings .This past week there were 3 of us who attend-
ed. Ideally we need 5 individuals to serve the patrons as a team.

The next dates are set for
October 17th, November 21st, and December 19th.

STEWARDSHIP

On Behalf of the community of Saint Sophia I want to thank the
161 families who have given to the Cathedral thus far. Your gift

to the Cathedral is greatly appreciated.
For those who have yet to give there is still time.
Our 2019 Campaign will begin in just under 2 months.

If you have not yet taken care of our 2018 stewardship
Please prayerfully and sacrificially consider doing so in the near

future.

FESTIVAL 2019

March 1,2 & 3rd

Preparations have begun. If you
would like to find out how you can

get involved with this year’s
Festival please contact

Lynn Christ, Or J.T. Sanders

Save the date December 1, 2018

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 14th, Sunday -3rd 7th Ecumenical Council - Matins: 9:00 AM
- Liturgy: 10:00 AM

October 18th, Thursday -Liturgy for St. Luke - Matins & Liturgy: 8:30 AM

October 21th, Sunday -6th Sunday of Luke - Matins: 9:00 AM

- Liturgy: 10:00 AM

Christmas Pageant

Christmas is around the corner and our students will begin re-

hearsals for our annual pageant.

Sun. Oct.14- Rehearsing Christmas speakers Please see

Nancy Poulos if you have any questions.

THEOLOGY CHEESE & CHAT
October 23, 30th, Nov. 6th 2018

Harvest Bash
October 20th 4-7 PM