Greek Orthodoxy

“Just as God, above all, is free of every need and self-interest, the spiritual man who has the Spirit struggles and becomes perfected in the love according to Christ, love that is delivered of all need and self-interest.” - Protopresbyter John S. Romanides (†)

O Ever-Virgin Mother of God, shelter of mankind, thou hast given a powerful legacy to thy people, thine immaculate body's tunic and girdle which remain incorrupt through thy pure childbirth. For in thee time and nature are renewed, and we implore thee to obtain peace for the world and great mercy for our souls.

Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28 (Theotokos) Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!" But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

At that time, a lawyer came up to Jesus and asked Him a question, to test Him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, "What do you think of the Christ? Whose Son is He?" They said to Him, "The Son of David." He said to them, "How is it then that David, inspired by the Spirit, calls Him Lord, saying, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, till I put Your enemies under Your feet'? If David thus calls Him Lord, how is He his Son?" And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask Him any more questions.

Luke 24:1-12 (4th Matins Gospel) Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

The Holy Belt (Zoni) of the Theotokos youtu.be/IAJzyo_ZpaM

Thou didst settle in the wilderness from thy youth eager to follow Christ's footsteps, O Alexander. The Angels were amazed when they beheld thee struggling in the flesh and conquering onslaughts of passions. Dwelling on earth thou wast equal to the Angels. Pray to Christ out God to save our souls.

St. Vryaini of Mandria "With the wings of the virtues wast thou lifted up, to be like-minded with the Angels through thy way of life, and thou didst destroy the counsels of the enemy, wherefore thou didst show thyself to be a communicant of the glory of Christ, Venerable Mother Vryaini, cease not to entreat Him, to have mercy on our souls."

St. Phantinos the Younger of Calabria, Wonderworker of Thessaloniki (1000) "The boast of Calabria and great sun of monastics, and protector of Thessaloniki, thou wast seen to be divinely-wise Father, taking up as a child the cross, thou didst seek God O Phantinos, and by withdrawing thou didst become marvelously enriched, with the gift of wonderworking: Glory to Christ Who sealed thee, glory to Him Who made thee wondrous, glory to Him Who gave thee to us as a mediator and teacher." - August 30 (O.S.)

Sts. Alexander (337) John (1075) and Paul the New (784) Patriarchs of Constantinople "Initiates of heaven and teachers of divine Truth, you faithfully tended Christ's Church, holy Alexander champion of the Trinity, John son of grace and Paul the crown of bishops. Together we all praise you." August 30/September 12

Matthew 24:1-13 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My Name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My Name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved."

1 Corinthians 4:17-5:5 (Saturday) For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles-that a man has his father's wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

O Lord of Hosts, immortal King of glory, who alone hast power over life and death, look down in Thy mercy upon the souls of those who perished on that fateful day of September 11. Grant rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants, who have departed from the sorrows and trials of this world. As they were taken from us in the midst of their days, receive them into the shelter of Thy heavenly mansions, where sorrow and sighing are no more, but life everlasting reigneth. Remember, O compassionate Lord, the innocent, the brave, and the fallen; the workers, the first responders, and all who laid down their lives in service to others. Cleanse their sins in the fountain of Thy mercy, and grant them peace in the light of Thy countenance. Be Thou the refuge of those who yet mourn, and the strength of those who bear the scars of this tragedy. We pray thee, O merciful Saviour, that Thou wouldst heal the brokenhearted, comfort the afflicted, and guide us all into paths of peace. Make Thy peace reign over the nations, turning the hearts of all away from hatred and destruction, that Thy holy Name may be glorified in all the earth. For Thou art the Resurrection and the Life, O Christ our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Mark 6:14-30 (Forerunner) Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." Others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets." But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!" For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!" Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb. Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.

Sts. Theodora the Wonderworker of Thessaloniki (892) and Her Daughter Theopisti "Thou didst deny thyself, O Theodora, and take up thy cross as an ascetic. Wherefore thou didst find rest in the light and joy of heaven. Pray to Christ our God for those who honour thee." August 29/September 11

Greek immigrants founded the congregation of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in 1916. Parishioners initially worshiped in the dining room of a hotel on Morris Street owned by Stamatis Kalamarides. In 1919, five families raised $25,000 to purchase a new location for the church, a three-story tavern on 155 Cedar Street that was originally built in the 1830s as a private home. The modest structure was converted into a church and given a fourth story, holding worship services by 1922. St. Nicholas was originally an Old Calendar church. It was only 22 feet wide, 56 feet long, and 35 feet tall, easily dwarfed by the 110-story Twin Towers, which were completed in 1972 and 1973. On Wednesdays, the building was opened to the public and many people, including office workers from the towers and non-Greek Orthodox, would enter the quiet worship space for contemplation and prayer. In addition to local residents and Greek immigrants, St. Nicholas attracted Greek shipping magnates passing through New York City. The building was completely destroyed when the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed, after being struck by United Airlines Flight 175 during the September 11 attacks. No one was inside when the church was destroyed; the church sexton and an electrician were able to escape only minutes before. Very little of the church's contents were recovered. Among the most valuable physical possessions lost were some relics of St. Nicholas, St. Catherine, and St. Sava, which had been donated to the church by the holy and right-believing Emperor St. Nicholas II, the last tsar of Imperial Russia. Among the items eventually found were the damaged icons of St. Dionysios of Zakynthos, the Life-giving Spring, and a handful of other miscellaneous items.

The glorious beheading of the Forerunner was a certain Divine dispensation, that the coming of the Saviour might also be preached to those in hades. Lament then, Herodias, that thou hast demanded a wicked murder, for thou didst love neither the law of God nor eternal life, but one false and fleeting.

Acts 13:25-32(Forerunner) And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.' Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead. He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. And we declare to you glad tidings-that promise which was made to the fathers.

Matthew 14:1-13 (Matins Gospel) At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter." And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.

On The Beheading of The Forerunner of the Lord, John the Baptist youtu.be/dnq5JeiA-ks