2019_SUNDAY BULLETIN DEC 22 _SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVTY

Σήμερα γιορτάζουμε την επίσκεψη του Θεού στους ανθρώπους και η γέννησή Του έρχεται Saint George Greek Orthodox Church
να μας θέσει ισχυρά ερωτήματα και να μας εμπνεύσει δυνατές απαντήσεις.
Η γέννησή Του μας βρίσκει και πάλι σε απερίγραπτη δυσκολία, σε πρωτοφανή δοκιμασία. Ἑλληνική Ὀρθόδοξος Ἐκκλησία Ἁγίου Γεωργίου
Σε θλίψη, πτώχεια, πείνα, δίψα, σε πόνο, ανασφάλεια, σε κρίση… μας βρίσκει κενούς, 425 North 58 Avenue, Hollywood, FL 33021
th
άδειους, εστερημένους από νόημα. Η γέννηση του Χριστού, μας προκαλεί να πάψουμε να
υποκρινόμαστε τους χαρούμενους και τους αισιόδοξους, να αποθέσουμε τα παλαιά μας Tel.: (954) 966-1898 • Fax: (954) 966-1906
προσωπεία και να ενδυθούμε τον Χριστό και να αναζητήσουμε την προσωπική μας γέννηση, η www.StGeorgeHollywood.org • [email protected]
οποία μπορεί πράγματι να μας δώσει χαρά και αισιοδοξία. Facebook & Instagram: @StGeorgeHollywoodFL
Τα Χριστούγεννα δεν είναι ένα από τα πολλά παυσίπονα που θα μαλακώσουν τον πόνο Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Ioannis Vernikos Tel.: (334) 652-2564
μας, ούτε ένας πανηγυρικός θόρυβος, ούτε πολύ περισσότερο μία ευκαιρία απλώς για
εξωτερικές φιλανθρωπικές δράσεις και τυπικές εκδηλώσεις που προσφέρουν εφήμερη December 22, 2019
συναισθηματική ικανοποίηση. Ο Χριστός γεννάται και μας προκαλεί και μας προσκαλεί σε † ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΠΡΟ ΤΗΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ ΓΕΝΝΗΣΕΩΣ. «Μνήμη πάντων τῶν ἀπ᾿ αἰῶνος Θεῷ
εσωτερική αλλαγή, σε αληθινή γέννηση και αναγέννηση. Η αληθινή μας γέννηση δεν θα εὐαρεστησάντων ἀπὸ ᾿Αδὰμ ἄχρις ᾿Ιωσὴφ τοῦ μνήστορος τῆς ὑπεραγίας Θεοτό­κου· ὁμοίως καὶ τῶν
προφητῶν καὶ προφητίδων, ἐξαιρέτως δὲ τοῦ προφήτου Δανιὴλ (560 π.Χ.) καὶ τῶν ἁγίων τριῶν
συντελεστεί στον κρότο και στη λάμψη των εξωτερικών μας εκδηλώσεων, αλλά στη σιωπηλή παίδων». ᾿Αναστασίας μεγαλομάρτυρος τῆς φαρμακολυτρίας (†304). Χρυσογόνου καὶ Θεοδότης
φάτνη της καρδιάς μας. μαρτύρων.
Πρέπει να αναζητήσουμε το πρόσωπο του Χριστού στα πρόσωπα των αδελφών μας και † Sunday Before Christ’s Nativity. A memorial has been appointed for our holy, Godbearing Fathers,
στον εσωτερικό χώρο της καρδιάς μας. Ας ανοίξουμε χώρο στην καρδιά μας, με ειλικρίνεια, all those who from this age have been found pleasing to God, from Adam to Joseph, the betrothed of the
exceedingly holy Theotokos, according to the genealogy enumerated historically by Luke the Evangelist,
πραότητα, καταλλαγή για να γεννηθεί ο Χριστός μέσα μας και εμείς μαζί Του. as well as the Prophets and Prophetesses. Especially of the Prophet Daniel (560 B.C.) and the holy three
Σας εύχομαι ευλογημένα Χριστούγεννα και ο νηπιάσας Θεός να ευλογεί και αγιάζει Youths. The Holy Great Martyr Anastasia the deliverer from potions († 304). Holy Martyr Chrysogonos.
όλοκληρο τον κόσμο και τις οικογένειές σας.
Weekly Readings
Today we celebrate God's visitation to mankind and His comes to introduce powerful ques-
tions and to inspire us with possible answers. Mon: II Timothy 2:20-26; Mk. 10:46-52
His birth finds us again, in an indescribable difficulty, in an unprecedented challenge. In Tues: Hebrews 1:1-12; Lk. 2:1-20
grief, poverty, hunger, thirst, in pain, insecurity, in crisis ...it finds us empty, inane, devoid of Wed: Galatians 4:4-7; Mt. 2:1-12
meaning. The birth of Christ challenges us to stop pretending being cheerful and optimistic, to Thurs: Hebrews 2:11-18; Mt. 2:13-23
put away the old masks and put on Christ and to seek our own birth, which can really give us joy Fri: Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-5, 47-60; Mt. 21:33-42
and optimism. Sat: I Timothy 6:11-16; Mt. 12:15-21
Christmas is not one of the many painkillers that will soften our pain, or a festive noise, or
more simply an opportunity for external charities and formal events that offer fleeting emotional Visitors
satisfaction. Christ arises and challenges us and invites us to an inner change, a real birth and Welcome to our parish! Whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this your first visit to an Orthodox
rebirth. Our true birth is not going to be achieved in the click and shine of our external events, but Church, we are pleased you have joined us today! Members of our welcome committee can be found in
in the silent manger of our hearts. the Narthex (by the candles) to answer any questions, to assist you in signing up for our mail list, and
We need to seek the face of Christ in the faces of our brethren and in the inner abode of our to provide you with information regarding our faith. Please join us for coffee and conversation in our
hearts. Let's open space in our heart, with honesty, gentleness, reconciliation for Christ to be born hall after service.
within us and we with Him. Please join us for prayer and fellowship.
I wish you a blessed Christmas and the God babe-born, may He bless and sanctify the entire Divine Liturgies are held every Sunday at 9:45 am. Vespers held every Saturday evening 7 pm.
world and your families.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
ADDITIONAL HYMNS
Ἀναστάσιμο Ἀπολυτίκιον Today’s Resurrectional Hymn (2nd tone)
Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς
θεότητος, ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ Δυνάμεις τῶν
ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον, Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι.

When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal one, then Thou didst de­
stroy Hell with Thy Godly pow’r, and when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the
pow’rs of heaven didst dry aloud unto Thee: O Christ Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.
τὸ Προεόρτιον / Of the Forefeast
Ἑτοιμάζου Βηθλεέμ, ἤνοικται πᾶσιν ἡ Ἐδέμ, Εὐτρεπίζου Ἐφραθᾶ, ὅτι τὸ ξύλον τῆς ζωῆς, ἐν τῷ
Σπηλαίῳ ἐξήνθησεν ἐκ τῆς Παρθένου, Παράδεισος καὶ γάρ, ἡ ἐκείνης γαστήρ, ἐδείχθη νοητός, ἐν ᾧ τὸ
θεῖον φυτόν, ἐξ οὗ φαγόντες ζήσομεν, οὐχὶ δὲ ὡς ὁ Ἀδὰμ τεθνηξόμεθα. Χριστὸς γεννᾶται, τὴν πρὶν
πεσοῦσαν, ἀναστήσων εἰκόνα.

O Bethlehem, prepare, Eden is opened unto all. And be ready, Ephratà, for the Tree of life has in the
grotto blossomed forth from the Virgin. Indeed her womb is shown to be spiritually a Paradise, in which
is found the God-planted Tree. And if we eat from it we shall live, and shall not die, as did Adam of old.
Christ is born, so that He might raise up the formerly fallen image.

Τῶν Πατέρων / of the Fathers
Μεγάλα τὰ τῆς Πίστεως κατορθώματα! ἐν τῇ πηγὴ τῆς φλογός, ὡς ἐπὶ ὕδατος ἀναπαύσεως, οἱ Ἅγιοι
τρεῖς Παῖδες ἠγάλλοντο, καὶ ὁ Προφήτης Δανιήλ, λεόντων ποιμήν, ὡς προβάτων ἐδείκνυτο. Ταῖς αὐτῶν
ἱκεσίαις Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.

Great are the accomplishments of faith. In the fountain of flame the three Holy Youths rejoiced as Home Blessings
though they were resting by the waters. And the Prophet Daniel showed himself to be a shepherd to the
lions, as though they were sheep. Through their prayers O Christ our God, save our souls. As the New Year begins, holy water is brought into the home to renew its dedi-

Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἁγίου Γεωργίου (Apolytikion of St. George, Church Hymn) cation in Christ. It is customary to invite the priest to your home in order to
Ὡς τῶν αἰχμαλώτων ἐλευθερωτὴς καὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστής, ἀσθενούντων ἰατρός, have it blessed with the sanctified waters of Epiphany. You can call Fr. Ioannis
βασιλέων ὑπέρμαχος, Τροπαιοφόρε Μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, at the Church office (954-966-1898) to schedule your home to be blessed. Please
σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.
choose a time when as many as possible of the family members will be present.
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. The blessing of the home is also an opportunity for the priest to get to know
Κοντάκιον / Kontakion our families. Allow some time for visiting following the blessing. In regards to
Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν Σπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀποῤῥήτως. showing hospitality to the priest, please keep in mind that he might bless as
Χόρευε ἡ οἰκουμένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον μετὰ Ἀγγέλων καὶ τῶν Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα
ἐποφθῆναι, Παιδίον νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν. many homes as possible in one day.

On this day the Virgin cometh to a cave to give birth to God the Word ineffable, Who was be­ Kala Xristougenna! Blessed Christmas!
fore all the ages. Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing the gladsome tidings; with the Angels and Please join us for worship services on Christmas Eve and Christmas
the shepherds now glorify Him Who is willing to be gazed on as a young Child Who before the Day. If you will be out-of-town, we wish you safe travels and a most
ages is God.
blessed celebration of our Savior’s Nativity!

ANNOUNCEMENTS Ὁ Ἀπόστολος
MEMORIAL Προκείμενον. Ἦχος πλ. δ΄[ Ὕμνος Τριῶν Παίδων. Δαν. γ΄]
Στίχος: Εὐλογητός εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεός ἡμῶν. Στίχος: Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπί πᾶσαν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν.
 12 years for the servant of God George Rousakis , son of &Dr. Emmanuel & Sophia
Rousakis & 28 years for Mary Hartofilax, mother of Sophia Rousakis. Πρὸς Ἑβραίους Ἐπιστολῆς Παύλου Κεφ.11: 9-10, 32-40
Ἀδελφοί, πίστει παρῴκησεν Ἀβραὰμ εἰς τὴν γῆν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίαν, ἐν σκηναῖς
κατοικήσας μετὰ ᾿Ισαὰκ καὶ ᾿Ιακὼβ τῶν συγκληρονόμων τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τῆς αὐτῆς· ἐξεδέχετο
Up-Coming Memorial Sunday, December 29 γὰρ τὴν τοὺς θεμελίους ἔχουσαν πόλιν, ἧς τεχνίτης καὶ δημιουργὸς ὁ Θεός. Καὶ τί ἔτι λέγω;
 10 years for the servant of God Nicholas Monioudis Ἐπιλείψει γάρ με διηγούμενον ὁ χρόνος περὶ Γεδεών, Βαράκ τε καὶ Σαμψὼν καὶ ᾿Ιεφθάε,
Δαυΐδ τε καὶ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν προφητῶν, οἳ διὰ πίστεως κατηγωνίσαντο βασιλείας,
εἰργάσαντο δικαιοσύνην, ἐπέτυχον ἐπαγγελιῶν, ἔφραξαν στόματα λεόντων, ἔσβεσαν δύναμιν
 Χριστουγεννιάτικη γιορτή-Nativity Program is directly after Church Services
πυρός, ἔφυγον στόματα μαχαίρας, ἐνεδυναμώθησαν ἀπὸ ἀσθενείας, ἐγενήθησαν ἰσχυροὶ ἐν
at the Community Hall. Kindly, join our Church and Greek School to celebrate πολέμῳ, παρεμβολὰς ἔκλιναν ἀλλοτρίων· ἔλαβον γυναῖκες ἐξ ἀναστάσεως τοὺς νεκροὺς

God’s Incarnation. αὐτῶν· ἄλλοι δὲ ἐτυμπανίσθησαν, οὐ προσδεξάμενοι τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν, ἵνα κρείττονος
ἀναστάσεως τύχωσιν· ἕτεροι δὲ ἐμπαιγμῶν καὶ μαστίγων πεῖραν ἔλαβον, ἔτι δὲ δεσμῶν καὶ
PHILOPTOCHOS φυλακῆς· ἐλιθάσθησαν, ἐπρίσθησαν, ἐπειράσθησαν, ἐν φόνῳ μαχαίρας ἀπέθανον, περιῆλθον
• The philoptochos is thanking everyone for their year round support. Once again, we ἐν μηλωταῖς, ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι, ὧν οὐκ ἦν
ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος, ἐν ἐρημίαις πλανώμενοι καὶ ὄρεσι καὶ σπηλαίοις καὶ ταῖς ὀπαῖς τῆς γῆς. Καὶ
are asking you, our patrons, to buy the delicious pastries prepared for your families οὗτοι πάντες μαρτυρηθέντες διὰ τῆς πίστεως οὐκ ἐκομίσαντο τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, τοῦ Θεοῦ περὶ
and friends, some of the pastries are: Vasilopites, melomakarona & kourabiedes. ἡμῶν κρεῖττόν τι προβλεψαμένου, ἵνα μὴ χωρὶς ἡμῶν τελειωθῶσι.
We thank you for your invaluable support! May you all have a blessed Christmas! Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers.
• This Sunday we have an Organizational Festival Meeting after the Nativity Pro- Vs: For thou art righteous in all the things that thou hast done to us.
gram. You are all welcome to the open Festival Meeting!
• Συνάντηση τῆς επιτροπῆς τοῦ φεστιβάλ μετά τὴν λήξη τῆς ἑορτῆς τῶν The reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews.
Χριστουγέννων. Ὅλοι εἶστε εὐπρόσδεκτοι να συμμετάσχετε! Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40
Brethren, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in
tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the

city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God. And what more shall I say? For
time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the
prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises,

stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won
strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women re-
ceived their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they

might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and
imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were
killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-
treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in
dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive
what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they
should not be made perfect.

Sunday before Nativity PLEASE JOIN US FOR A
The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25

ROARING ’20s
The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of
Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez
the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Am­
minadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon,
and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and
Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of WITH MUSIC PROVIDED BY
Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa
the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father DJ JIMMY D ENTERTAINMENT
of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz
the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father APPETIZERS, SALAD, DINNER,
of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his
brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. DESSERT AND A
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and CHAMPAGNE TOAST INCLUDED
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the
father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and BY ACCLAIMED CHEF ARGIRI
Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of OF KEFI KATERING
Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob
the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called THERE WILL ALSO BE A SPECIAL
Christ. VASILOPITA CUTTING AFTER MIDNIGHT!
So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from
David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019
Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been DOORS OPEN AT 9 P.M.
betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the TICKET DONATIONS
Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to
shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of $50 Adults
the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to
take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will $25.00 STUDENTS – CHILDREN UNDER 12 FREE
bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their
sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold,
a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanu­ FOR RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL:
el" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of TIM TSIOTSIAS 954-547-9077
the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a
son; and he called his name Jesus. CHURCH OFFICE 954-966-1898