Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene

Greek Orthodox Church

Rev. Fr. Barnabas Powell, Proistamenos

Jimmy Smith, Psaltis

3074 Bethelview Road † Cumming GA 30040

(770) 781-5250 cell (770) 861-3544 www.stsrni.org

We are an intentional Orthodox Christian Community for North Georgia!

THE THEOPHANY OF OUR

LORD & SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST

January 6th, 2013

WORSHIP

The Holy Epiphany - Festal

We are so very glad you have joined us today, and we pray you will be inspired

and encouraged by your time with us.

The Orthodox worship service is an ancient and timeless expression of how

people have loved, served and worshipped God for many centuries, but it may be a bit of

a different experience for you. Please feel free to use a service book or not and simply

allow the words of the service to wash over you.

The central act of our worship culminates in people receiving communion.

This is a very special time for us all and we have some specific beliefs about our com-

munion together. This is why we never impose this service on those who are not pre-

pared or are not baptized Orthodox. This service may raise questions in your mind.

Please feel free to ask Fr. Barnabas or Fr. Paul anything you wish after the service.

At the end of the service EVERYONE is invited to come forward and receive a

portion of the “blessed bread” from Fr. Barnabas. No one should leave church

“hungry!”

Know you are welcome and we are glad you are here.

May God bless you and your family.

Apolytikion in honor of Sts. Raphael, Nicholas & Irene

Having contended on Lesvos for the sake of Christ God, you have sanctified the island

since the discovery of your sacred relics, O blessed ones; wherefore we honor you, O

Godbearing Raphael, together with Nicholas and virgin Irene, as our divine protectors

and intercessors with the Lord.

Schedule for the Week

Tuesday, Jan. 8th - 7 p.m. Orthodoxy 101

Wednesday, Jan. 9th - 6:30 p.m. Vespers

Saturday, Jan. 12th – 5 p.m. Great Vesper Service

Parish Council On Duty Today - Sophia Bethune & Costa Bozzuto

Ushering Ministry - Parish Council & Parishioners

Welcoming Ministry - Tina Maheras

ACOLYTES

Zachery Bethune, James Blane, Nathan Frazier, Dean Pryles, Nicholas Pryles, Mike Manos, Gio-

vanni Ray, Tommy Roberts, Luke Sulyma, Mike Trainor, Connor Walters, Roney Walters, Thomas

Miller and Christos Zourzoukis

STS. RNI YOUTH CHOIR

Tabitha Bethune, Jessica Catapano, Maria Hagen, Christina Pryles & Laramie Smith

TODAY WE REMEMBER

The Theophany of Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ

Reading: About the beginning of our Lord's thirtieth year, John the Forerunner,

who was some six months older than Our Saviour according to the flesh, and had

lived in the wilderness since his childhood, received a command from God and

came into the parts of the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto the

remission of sins. Then our Saviour also came from Galilee to the Jordan, and

sought and received baptism though He was the Master and John was but a serv-

ant. Whereupon, there came to pass those marvellous deeds, great and beyond

nature: the Heavens were opened, the Spirit descended in the form of a dove upon

Him that was being baptized and the voice was heard from the Heavens hearing

witness that this was the beloved Son of God, now baptized as a man (Matt. 3:13 -

17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:1-22). From these events the Divinity of the Lord Jesus

Christ and the great mystery of the Trinity were demonstrated. It is also from this

that the present feast is called "Theophany," that is, the divine manifestation,

God's appearance among men. On this venerable day the sacred mystery of Chris-

tian baptism was inaugurated; henceforth also began the saving preaching of the

Kingdom of the Heavens.

Apolytikion in the First Tone: Lord, when You were baptized in the Jordan, the

veneration of the Trinity was revealed. For the voice of the Father gave witness to

You, calling You Beloved, and the Spirit, in the guise of a dove, confirmed the

certainty of His words. Glory to You, Christ our God, who appeared and enlight-

ened the world.

Kontakion in the Fourth Tone: You appeared to the world today, and Your

light, O Lord, has left its mark upon us. With fuller understanding we sing to

You: "You came, You were made manifest, the unapproachable light."

We Also Remember

Holy Epiphany

Theophan the Recluse

Please pray for those faithful who are currently in need of our most fervent interces-

sions: Andrew, Bill, Bill, Carrie, Demetra, Dina, Donna, Efthymios, Elaine, Eliza-

beth, Christina, Gus, Heidi, Igli, James, Jerry, Joe, John, Maria,

Michael, Oni, Paul, Sarah, Staikoula, Taki, Tara and Violeta

Dina Sarandis resides at The Oaks on Post Road and welcomes visits from fellow

parishioners.

John & Sheila Consos are now residing in Dunwoody—4355 Georgetown Sq., Unit

442—and would enjoy phone calls (770/232-5147) &/or visits.

If you know of someone who would like a visit, please contact Helen McCart at 678

-947-4771 or the Church Office.

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from St. Paul's

Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15

The Reading is from St. Paul’s Letter

to Titus

Prokeimenon. Mode 4.

Psalm 117.26,1

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for his good. His mercy endures forever.

TITUS, my son, the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training

us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly

lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great

God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity

and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us,

not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by

the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out

upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his

grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Α Ω

Τέκνον Τίτε, ἐπεφάνη γὰρ ἡ χάρις τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡ σωτήριος πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις, παιδεύουσα ἡμᾶς ἵνα ἀρνησάμενοι τὴν ἀσέβειαν καὶ τὰς κοσμικὰς ἐπιθυμίας σωφρόνως καὶ δικαίως καὶ εὐσεβῶς ζήσωμεν ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι, προσδεχόμενοι τὴν μακαρίαν ἐλπίδα καὶ ἐπιφάνειαν τῆς δόξης τοῦ μεγάλου Θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς ἔδωκεν ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἵνα λυτρώσηται ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀνομίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἑαυτῷ λαὸν περιούσιον, ζηλωτὴν καλῶν ἔργων.

ὅτε δὲ ἡ χρηστότης καὶ ἡ φιλανθρωπία ἐπεφάνη τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ, οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων τῶν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ὧν ἐποιήσαμεν ἡμεῖς, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸν αὐτοῦ ἔλεον ἔσωσεν ἡμᾶς διὰ λουτροῦ παλιγγενεσίας καὶ ἀνακαινώσεως Πνεύματος ῾Αγίου, οὗ ἐξέχεεν ἐφ᾽ ἡμᾶς πλουσίως διὰ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν, ἵνα δικαιωθέντες τῇ ἐκείνου χάριτι κληρονόμοι γενώμεθα κατ᾽ ἐλπίδα ζωῆς αἰωνίου.

Gospel Reading

The Reading is from Matthew 3:13-17

At that time, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be

baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need

to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus an-

swered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill

all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was bap-

tized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the

heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like

a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying,

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Α Ω

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παραγίνεται ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ἐπὶ τὸν ᾿Ιορδάνην πρὸς τὸν ᾿Ιωάννην τοῦ βαπτισθῆναι ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ.ὁ δὲ ᾿Ιωάννης διεκώλυεν αὐτὸν λέγων· ἐγὼ χρείαν ἔχω ὑπὸ σοῦ βαπτισθῆναι, καὶ σὺ ἔρχῃ πρός με;ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν· ἄφες ἄρτι· οὕτω γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην· τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν·καὶ βαπτισθεὶς ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἀνέβη εὐθὺς ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ οὐρανοί, καὶ εἶδε τὸ Πνεῦμα τοῦ Θεοῦ καταβαῖνον ὡσεὶ περιστερὰν καὶ ἐρχόμενον ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν·καὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα· οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα.

http://www.goarch.org/multimedia/clipart/evangelists/evangel2/view

ANNOUNCEMENTS

“Wisdom from the Fathers"

“Do not be surprised if you fall back into your old ways every day. Do

not be disheartened, but resolve to do something positive about it; and,

without question, the angel who stands guard over you will honor your

perseverance."

St. John of the Ladder

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HOUSE BLESSINGS

Father Barnabas is eager to come to your home for the annual blessing

of homes after Epiphany. Please either fill out the request form in the

Narthex & return it to the office or call the church office to schedule

your house blessing with Father. House blessings will be conducted

until the start of Great Lent on March 18th.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Orthodoxy 101 Class will be every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.

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BIBLE STUDY CLASSES

Wednesday, January 9th - 10 a.m. Winter Lent Bible Study

Wednesday, January 9th - following 6:30 p.m. Vespers

“A Step-by-Step Look at the Divine Liturgy”

Thursday, January 10th - 7 p.m. Winter Lent Bible Study

Father Barnabas will be available to hear confession every Wednesday either before or

after Vespers and by appointment. Please call or email the church office to request a

time to meet with Father and avail yourself to this healing divine mystery of the Church.

Please call the Church office for more information (770) 781-5250.

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2013 Parish Council

The 2013 Parish Council will be sworn in on Sunday, January 13th.

The following have been selected to serve the Parish

for 2013:

Sophia Bethune, Costa Bozzuto, Quay Farr, Chris Foxhall, Harald Hagen, Harriet Howell, Dennis

Kostulakos, John Patrick, Vic Pryles, Paul Ray, Eric Smith & Jennifer Tubbs

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BOOK CLUB

Please join us after Saturday Vespers for Food, Fellowship, and

Good Conversation! Are you an Orthodox Christian who wonders how to explain to your Baptist grandmother,

your Buddhist neighbor, or the Jehovah s Witness at your door how your faith differs from

theirs? Or are you a member of another faith who is curious what Orthodoxy is all about?

Look no further. In Orthodoxy & Heterodoxy, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick covers the gamut

of ancient heresies, modern Christian denominations, fringe groups, and major world reli-

gions, highlighting the main points of each faith. This book is an invaluable reference for

anyone who wants to understand the faiths of those they come in contact with as well as

their own.

Schedule

Book club will resume Saturday, January 12th, 2013

Buy the book or EBook at www.amazon.com or at the Sts. RNI Bookstore.

For more information, contact Lisa Boston @ myakunda@yahoo.com or Donna Smith @

missmagnolismoxie@gmail.com

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PHILOPTOCHOS

A Vasilopita Auction will be held on Sunday, January 13th.

Anyone who would like to bake a Vasilopita (cake or bread) is welcome

to do so & bring it on January 13th for the auction.

All proceeds will go to St. Basil’s Academy.

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http://www.amazon.com/http://us.mc1810.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=myakunda@yahoo.comhttp://us.mc1810.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=missmagnolismoxie@gmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sts. RNI Choir Practice—NEW DAY/NEW TIME

Today - SUNDAY - Immediately following Divine Liturgy

in the Chapel

Contact Marie Chapman for more information.

770-205-7220 or mommystargater@comcast.net

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GREEK LANGUAGE

Sts. RNI Hellenic Studies Ministry will be offereing Greek Language . If you are interested in signing up for Greek Language contact Smara Wolff

at 770-889-5419 or email smara.wolff@gmail.com.

2013 2nd Semester classes will begin January 11th, 2013

REGISTRATION FOR 2nd SEMESTER NOW TAKING PLACE

Thursday, 6:45 p.m. - First Grade Saturday, 4:30 p.m. - Second Grade (adding mythology)

5:15 p.m. - First Grade Sunday, 12:30 p.m. - High School &/or Adults Advanced Level (adding

history) *First Grade students who missed their Thursday class may attend the

Saturday class as a make-up day.

A new Adult Beginner Class will be held on Fridays @ 10 a.m. and a Beginner 1st Grade for children 6 or older & parents on Friday

at 6:30 p.m.

Tuition is $80/semester for first child; $120/semester for two children; and $140/semester for 3 children.

Tuition must be paid in full by the first class. 2nd Semester begins

Thursday, January 10th, 2013. Checks made payable to Sts. RNI G.O. Church, memo Greek School

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday School

Sunday School students will be dismissed after receiving the Eucharist.

Please bring in your S.O.S (Support our Seminarian) bottles or any collected donations for the Tsikderdanos family. We want them to

know they're remembered and loved.

All parishioners are invited to donate to the Seminarian Fund. Checks should be

made payable to Sts. RNI with Seminarian Fund on the memo line.

Please contact Lisa Boston at 770-826-1212 or myakunda@yahoo.com

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Prosforo Baking

Tuesday, January 15th, 2013

Contact Stamatia Hagen for more information at mamma2maria@aol.com or 770-315-4530

All hands are welcome!

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Youth Room

Eric Smith and Harald Hagan and several others have undertaken to transform our

storage area in the back of the Chapel into a Youth Room for our teen Sunday

School class. They are asking for volunteers to help with this transformation.

Please consider donating some of your time and abilities to this worthy project.

Contact Eric Smith at ironspirits@me.com. Our teens deserve our best!

VESTRY ROOM REHAB

Our first offering was about $750 and we still need about $800 to get this

project underway. Thank you for your generous gifts.

http://us.mc1810.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=ironspirits@me.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FELLOWSHIP HOUR

Our 2012-2013 Fellowship Hour Donation Campaign has begun.

A suggested donation of $25/family helps cover the cost of the weekly

Fellowship Hour. Checks should be made payable to Sts. RNI G.O.

Church with “Fellowship” on the memo line.

We hope you have enjoyed the refreshments provided over the past year

and will continue to support the Fellowship Committee’s efforts to serve

you each Sunday.

2012-13 Donors

Thank you all for your support of this Ministry.

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Jim & Angie Andropoulos

Kosta & Carolyn Bozzuto

Grace Chihlas

Mariya & Gregory Dunkel

Jean Gwaltney,

Harriet Howell

Eleni Jordan

Vasilios Kaloudis

Jim Kanellos

Dennis & Ginny Kostulakos,

Florence & Archie Lytle

Riley & Elizabeth Marvos

Mary & Bill Milam

Athena & Matt Miller

Nik Moissiades,

Patricia Morris

Nick & Teddie Panos

Gus Pappas

Gigi & Paul Ray

Kathy & Taka Shoji

Nikolaos & Eva Thrasivoulou

Arthur Tsiropoulos

Jim & Angie Andropoulos

Sarante & Julie Athenson

Richard & Sophia Bethune

Anthony & Mary Birozes

Renee Birozes

Katherine Blanos

Joseph & Barbara Bonelli-Selwa

Jordan & Lisa Boston

Kosta & Carolyn Bozzuto

David & Marie Chapman

Grace Chihlas

Dan & Alyssa Douglas

Quay & Trissie Farr

Chris & Liz Foxhall

Robert & Jennifer Guano

Harald & Stamatia Hagen

Christine Hatcher

Harriet Howell

Eleni Jordan Theodoros & Aphrodite Kazazakis-Levendakis

Dennis & Ginny Kostulakos

Archie & Florence Lytle

Bill & Audrey Marianes

Al & Helen McCart

John & Becky Melts

Bill & Mary Milam

Matt & Athena Miller

Nikolaos Moissiadis

Patricia Morris

Nicolas & Teddie Panos

Constantinos & Evelyn Pantazopoulos

Gus Pappas

John & Evon Patrick

Sts. RNI Philoptochos

Gus Plakiotis

Ioanna Plakiotis

Father & Presvytera Powell

Pam Powers

Athan & Cheri Romanczak

Eugenia Smith

Estelle Sofikitis

George & Anna Sofikitis

Dennis & Laura Sparks

Koko & Carol Tadros

Sharon Tyre

Plutarch & Tina Vamvakias

Tim & Diane Walters

Steve & Smara Wolff

To date the 50 families below have returned

Stewardship Commitment Cards for 2013.