The Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council
The Fourth Ecumenical Council took place in Chalcedon in 451 AD, and is also known as the Council of Chalcedon. It ruled that Jesus Christ is “in two natures” in opposition to the doctrine of Monophysitism. The council also issued canons dealing mainly with the organization of the Church.
The respective acceptance and rejection of this council led to the break between the Chalcedonian Orthodox (the “Eastern Orthodox Church”) and the Non-Chalcedonians (the “Oriental Orthodox Church”).
Learn more at Orthodoxwiki.
Milan Evanoff — May His Memory Be Eternal
Milan Evanoff, husband of Pat Evanoff, passed away Thursday peacefully in his sleep.
We extend our deepest condolences to the Evanoff family for their loss.
Funeral arrangements are pending. We will announce them as soon as they are available.
May his memory be eternal.
Maria and Despina Diveris to Chant at Sunday Liturgy
Maria and Despina Diveris, daughters of John and Catherine will be chanting liturgy on Sunday. The Diveris’ worship with us when they are in Naples. John is the person who joins the choir when he is in town.
They are both trained chanters in the Byzantine style and we are grateful they have agreed to chant for us.
The Choir gets a week off!
Dormition Period Begins August 1 through August 15
From Orthodoxwiki:
The Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos is one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, celebrated on August 15.
This feast, which is also sometimes called the Assumption, commemorates the death, resurrection and glorification of Christ’s mother. It proclaims that Mary has been “assumed” by God into the heavenly kingdom of Christ in the fullness of her spiritual and bodily existence.
The feast is preceded by 14 days of strict fasting, with the exceptions that fish is eaten on the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6).
On weekdays before the feast, either the Great Paraklesis (service of supplication) or the Small Paraklesis is celebrated. Fr. Hans will post the schedule of the Paraklesis services.
Learn more on the Orthodoxwiki website.
Choir Practice Continues on Tuesday at 6pm
Please consider joining the choir. “He who sings prays twice.”
Bible Study Continues on Tuesday at 7pm
Turn out has been good, even in summer! Come and bring a friend.
Wisdom from St. Paissios of Mt. Athos
What I see around me would drive me insane if I did not know that no matter what happens, God will have the last word.
Konnie Yankopolus is Close to Completing Cross Country Trek
Konnie is biking from San Francisco to Boston to raise $200,000 for stem cell research.
You can learn more and keep up with him on his road trip at his website Cycle for Stem Cells (www.cycleforstemcells.com).
Remember in Your Prayers
Mary Spiropoulos, mother of Joan Simon.
Bob Smith. Bob has been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.
John, the brother of Pauline Poulos who is suffering from cancer.
Tom and Jean, parents of Patty and Jerry.
How should we pray for the sick? Remember them daily. Say their names and ask God to bestow mercy and grace on them.
Sunday Readings
Epistle
For the Holy Fathers
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our Fathers.
For Thou art just in all that Thou hast done for us.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to St. Titus. (3:8-15)
Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed 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 Tychicus 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 Apollos 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 greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Gospel
For the Holy Fathers
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (5:14-19)
The Lord said to His Disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven.
Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.
Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”