Pastor: Fr John Vazquez | (518) 462-0579 |
fatherjohnvazquez@gmail.com
Beloved,
This Sunday after the Divine Liturgy we will have, godwilling, the baptism of Mason Grady—an event to which everyone is invited. Sometimes people want to know why we in the Orthodox Church baptize infants and children, rather than adults or someone "at the age of reason." I would like to speak a little about baptism and its importance in the Church.
Baptism is many things and like in all the Mysteries of the Church, in baptism we find a spiritual reality revealed in a physical way. Baptism signals our entrance into the body of Christ by participation in our Lord’s death and being raised with Him in His Resurrection (Rom 6.3–4, John 3.3, Gal 3.27–28). Baptism is a washing away of sin (Titus 3.5) and it is a declaration of our faith (Mt 28.19, Eph 4.5)—in our baptism we declare that we are not adherents of any other faith, or church or philosophy. We make a choice and we say, “I commit to this faith, this Church and this road to Knowledge and Truth because it is the Way” (Jn 14.6 and Acts 18.25–26). In baptism we are born again (John 3.3) becoming little children and sons by adoption (Lk 18.16 and Rom 8.15, Gal 4.5). In a word, baptism is the beginning of our repentance (our turning toward God), our turning away from what is destructive (life in Egypt) and our turning toward what is life-giving (life with God). After our baptism we are able to metabolize the nourishing divine food from the tree of life (Gen 3.22, John 14.6, John 6.55) so that we can grow in godliness (2 Pet 1.6).
Having described what Baptism is we can now understand more clearly why we baptize infants in the Church. First and foremost, we believe that every person should have the ability to be a member of the community—a member of the Church—so that they have access to the fruit of the Tree of Life—the Body and Blood of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Baptism, and the Chrismation that follow, are what make us members of the Body of Christ (Rom 6.3, 1 Cor 6.15, Eph 5.30) and able to partake of the Eucharist. Food is essential for us to grow and within the context of the Church we grow in virtue and the likeness of God through partaking of His Body and Blood.
Also, we see in the scripture that when the apostles were preaching and baptizing they were baptizing whole households—not just men, not just women, not just those 12 and up, not just free, not just those who intellectually assent—but whole households (Acts 10.24, 47, Acts 16.15, 1 Cor 1.16). Sometimes we might hear that someone has to be able to intellectually assent to the decision for baptism before they get baptized. While it is true that each of us must eventually accept the faith for ourselves it is not true that this intellectual assent is a prerequisite for baptism. Why is this?
Well, one obvious reason is that if this intellectual assent was required, that would exclude those with intellectual disabilities. Every single person is welcome in the Church if they are willing to abide by the teachings of Christ and His Church so that they can be transformed into “sons of God” (Gal 4.5). Another reason intellectual assent is not required for baptism is that the salvation of every person cannot be reduced to simply our personal relationship with Christ. In other words—salvation is not only individual—it is communal. We hear over and over in the gospels that our Lord heals people because OTHER people ask him to (Mt 8.10, 9.2, 15.28, Lk 5.20). In a similar manner we ask for healing and wholeness for the youngest members of our community.
Please joint us for the celebration of this great mystery of entrance in the Church this Sunday.
With love in the risen Lord,
Fr John
Services and Events
Saturday, September 7th—5pm—Great Vespers followed by Bible Study. Join us as we continue to work through the Gospel of Matthew.
Sunday, September 8th—9am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy—BAPTISM OF MASON GRADY TO FOLLOW LITURGY—all are welcome
Monday, September 9th—8:15am—Coffee with the Fathers at Alias Coffee on N. Pearl St in Albany
Tuesday, September 10th—6pm—Dabke Practice for Festival of Nations
Wednesday, September 11th—6pm—Paraklesis of St George
Friday, September 13th—6pm—Great Vespers for the ELEVATION OF THE CROSS
Saturday, September 14th—8am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy for the ELEVATION OF THE CROSS
Saturday, September 14th—5pm—Great Vespers followed by Bible Study. Join us as we continue to work through the Gospel of Matthew.
Sunday, September 15th—9am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy—Memorial for Wahib Barbera to follow Liturgy
Tuesday, September 17th—6pm—Dabke Practice for Festival of Nations
Wednesday, September 18th—6pm—Paraklesis of St George
Friday, September 20th—8am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Saturday, September 21st—9am—U.N.I.T.E. Teen Outing—Hiking in the Adirondacks
Sunday, September 22nd—9am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy—Memorial for Scott and Chris Seavey to follow Liturgy and PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Sunday, September 29th—9am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy—Memorial for Bassir Rezek to follow Liturgy
Education
But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 2 Pet 3.18
READ METROPOLITAN SABA'S WEEKLY TEACHING—GOD AND MAN PART I HERE
Get some caffeine for the soul with Coffee with the Fathers. WE START BACK UP THIS MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9TH at ALIAS COFFEE on Pearl St in Albany when we plan to begin studying Hymns on Paradise by St Ephraim the Syrian.
Study the Scriptures with us—Bible Study Saturday evenings at 6pm after vespers.We plan to continue studying the Gospel of Matthew.
Sunday Education—learn with us about a topic for the week after the dismissal. Talk with me if you are interested in teaching a lesson.
Click HERE for some resources for learning about our Faith
Click HERE for a great article on advice for mothers.
Did You Know...that Christ is Risen!...and...
*That our Antiochian Archdiocese celebrated the Translations of the Relics of St Raphael of Brooklyn in July. I was blessed to venerate the skull of St Raphael when I was at the Clergy Symposium. WATCH THIS VIDEO
*We are looking for those who might be interested in learning to or participating a dabke group as we consider having a group participate in the Festival of Nations held in Albany every year. Please contact Father if you are interested. You can learn more about the Festival of Nations HERE.
*Coming soon! The Archdiocese’s new “Antiochian Orthodox Ecclesiastical Online Music School.” With the enthusiastic blessing of Sayidna Saba, the school will offer virtual classes for Byzantine chant and choral singing for church musicians, new or experienced, starting the week of September 9. The school will also offer a course on the Typicon and how to arrange the divine services. Registration begins August 18!
*Our sister parish—St George in Schenectady—is offering online Greek School. You can register HERE
*Our church is need of some smaller items:
1. Paper towels
2. Olive Oil
3. Screen door to office (approx $200)
...and we would eventually like to take care of some larger items:
1. Windows in the Church (approx $15,000)
2. Kitchen Renovation (approx $10,000—15,000)
3. Chanters stand with stasidia chairs (approx $4000)
4. Royal doors. These are the doors to the Sanctuary and Altar. (approx $4000)
5. Prothesis table in altar. This is the place where the priest prepares the bread and wine that will be consecrated during the Divine Liturgy (approx $2,000).
If you are interested in helping contribute, please let me know. Also, please know that we are not in dire need of any of these larger items. The Church can and will still function without them, so short-term, hold over or bargain solutions are not what is needed here. These larger items will help to beautify the Church, enable us to save some money (windows) or make money (functioning kitchen).
Parish Prayer List
"Remember Me O Lord When You Come Into Your Kingdom." Lk 23.42
Please include in your daily prayers the following. Contact me to have someone added to the list. These are the names that will be remembered during the Divine Liturgy.
Living:
Bishop Alexander, Fr Gregory Potter, Fr Joseph, Dn Jorge, Dn Horia, Leila, Helen, Marsha, Mary, Stephanie, Hassib, Alex, Raymond.
All those suffering from illness, violence and want in this country and throughout the world and especially those in Ukraine, Russia, Gaza and the middle east
Departed:
Fr Gregory DesMarais, Fr Alvian, Anastasia (7.25), Anne (7.30), Agnes (8.14) those who have lost their lives and who have no one to pray for them, those who have passed in the conflict in Ukraine and the middle east.
Divine Liturgy Variables on Sunday, September 08, 2024, Tone 2 / Eothinon 11
Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
THE FIRST ANTIPHON
Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness. Lo, we have heard it at Ephratha. We have found it in the plains of the wood.
Refrain: Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us.
Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be shaken; God shall help her right early in the morning. (Refrain)
Glory… Both now… (Refrain)
THE SECOND ANTIPHON
The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; and He will not annul it. Of the fruit of thy loins will I set upon thy throne.
Refrain: Save us, O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead; who sing to Thee. Alleluia.
There will I make to spring forth a horn for David. I have prepared a lamp for My Christ. (Refrain)
For the Lord hath elected Zion; He hath chosen her to be a habitation for Himself. (Refrain)
Glory… Both now… O, only begotten Son and Word of God…
THE THIRD ANTIPHON
Here will I dwell, for I have chosen her. The Most High hath hallowed His tabernacle. Holy is Thy temple, wonderful in righteousness.
During the Little Entrance, after the verses of the Third Antiphon, chant the Apolytikion of the Nativity of the Theotokos. The Eisodikon (Entrance Hymn) is “O come, let us worship… save us, O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead…” as on ordinary Sundays. After the Little Entrance, sing these hymns in the following order:
RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION IN TONE TWO
When Thou didst submit Thyself unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou didst destroy hades with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of Heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee.
APOLYTIKION OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS IN TONE FOUR
Thy nativity, O Theotokos, hath proclaimed joy to the whole universe; for from thee did shine forth the Sun of justice, Christ our God, annulling the curse, and bestowing the blessing, abolishing death and granting us life everlasting.
Do NOT sing the apolytikion of the patron saint or feast of the temple.
KONTAKION OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS IN TONE FOUR
By thy holy nativity, O pure one, Joachim and Anna were delivered from the reproach of barrenness; and Adam and Eve were delivered from the corruption of death; thy people do celebrate it, having been saved from the stain of iniquity, crying unto thee: The barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, who nourisheth our life.
THE EPISTLE
(For the Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. To Thee, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (6:11-18)
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all, who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
THE GOSPEL
(For the Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross)
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (3:13-17)
The Lord said, “No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
MEGALYNARION OF THE FEAST IN TONE EIGHT
Virginity is alien to mothers, and childbirth is foreign to virgins; in thee, O Theotokos, both were granted. Wherefore, all we the tribes of the earth bless thee unceasingly.
KOINONIKON (COMMUNION HYMN) OF THE FEAST IN TONE EIGHT
I will take the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord. Alleluia.
Post-Communion Hymn: “We have seen the true light.”
THE DISMISSAL
Priest: May He Who rose from the dead, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-immaculate and all-blameless holy Mother—whose Nativity we now celebrate—by the might of the Precious and Life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable Bodiless Powers of Heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints, John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople, whose Divine Liturgy we have now celebrated; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of Saint N., the patron and protector of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna, and of all the saints: have mercy on us and save us, forasmuch as He is good and loveth mankind.
Parish Giving Summary—Fiscal Year 2023/24
Help us Meet our Goal of $120,000 for the Year
Sunday Giving for week of September 1st—$421.5
Online Giving for week of September 1st—$60
Total Giving for fiscal year to date (October 23–September 24)—$81538.05
Families who have contributed for fiscal year to date (October 23–September 24)—87
Families who have contributed over $5,000 for fiscal year to date (October 23–September 24)—3
Families who have contributed over $1,000 for fiscal year to date (October 23–September 24)—22
Check out our parish financial report by clicking HERE.
*You can set up a recurring monthly donation to the Church by clicking HERE
A Note to our Visitors
WELCOME!
We are blessed by your presence! Join us for fellowship after. Please note, in the Orthodox Church only baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared can partake of the Holy Eucharist. All others may come forward for a blessing with the chalice held over their head and receive a piece of blessed bread from the altar servers.
From a Father of the Church
