Pastor: Fr John Vazquez | (518) 462-0579 |
fatherjohnvazquez@gmail.com

Beloved,

...and was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and suffered and was buried 

It says in Deuteronomy 21.23 tells us that anyone hung on a tree is cursed by God…Paul tells us Jesus was made a curse for us (Gal 3.13). He became a curse that He could redeem us from the curse of the law (Deut 27.26, Dan 9.11, Gal 3.10-13). The death that our Lord died for us was at the hands of gentiles (under Pontius Pilate) and the most despicable death. 

Crucifixion was saved by the romans for the worst criminals because of its brutality, intense suffering and public humiliation. The person was stripped, had nails driven through their wrists where the greatest number of nerves could be tortured with pain (right above the palm where the forearm meets the hand), and then suffocated (try hanging from a pull-up bar for as long as you can and see how quickly you run out of breath and then imagine that you are being held up because you hands are nailed to the bar…). Why did our Lord choose to suffer this kind of death? 

There are many reasons, of which I will mention three: first it is important that His death be public and while he was still a young man so everyone could agree and understand that He died (and not of “natural casues”); second, being lifted up on the cross, in the air, showed that he conquered the demons of the air (Eph 6.12 and Jn 3.14); third, it was important that the curse of the tree (Gen 3.23) be reversed and that the fruit of the tree of life (Gen 3.22) be made available to all. 

Another important feature of this line in the creed is that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate—the Roman governor of the province at that time. This detail sets the event of the crucifixion in a context outside of the small world of Judea and into the larger context of the Roman Empire—one of the largest, well administered, powerful and longest lasting empires the world has ever seen. This historical detail is important to again affirm that this event was public and well-attested. To go along with this element of the crucifixion happening at the hands of the Romans—the fact that when Jesus was buried a Roman guard was set at the tomb (Mt 27.62–66) is another detail that helps to affirm the death and subsequent resurrection…as it would be laughable to assert that the fearful disciples (Jn 20.19) would fight off Roman soldiers and then steal the body of Jesus.

The fact that our Lord was crucified, suffered and was buried in His love for us should move us to return that divine Love. How do you show our Lord Jesus Christ that you love Him in return? 

With love in the risen Lord,

Fr John

Services and Events

Friday, September 20th—8am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy

Saturday, September 21st—9am—U.N.I.T.E. Teen Outing—Hiking in the Adirondacks 

Saturday, September 21st—5pm—Great Vespers followed by Bible Study. Join us as we continue to work through the Gospel of Matthew. 

Sunday, September 22nd—9amOrthros and Divine Liturgy—Memorial for Scott and Chris Seavey to follow Liturgy and PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, September 23rd—8:15am—Coffee with the Fathers at Alias Coffee Shop on N. Pearl St in Albany

Wednesday, September 25th—8am— Divine Liturgy

Wednesday, September 25th—6pm—Paraklesis of St George followed by Orthodox Christian Fellowship for local College Students. 

Friday, September 27th—8am—Orthros 

Saturday, September 28th—5pm—Great Vespers followed by Bible Study. Join us as we continue to work through the Gospel of Matthew. 

Sunday, September 29th—9am—Orthros and Divine Liturgy—Memorial for Bassir Rezek  to follow Liturgy

Church Calendar

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—THIS IS HOW GOD'S PURE ONES THINK HERE

Get some caffeine for the soul with Coffee with the Fathers. Join us at ALIAS COFFEE on N. Pearl St in Albany as we study Hymns on Paradise by St Ephraim the Syrian. 

Study the Scriptures with us—Bible Study Saturday evenings at 6pm after vespers as we continue to study 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...

*We are participating in the festival of nations this year. It is Sunday October 27th at the Empire State Plaza. We are selling tickets for the event. Talk to Fr John or Ranya Palmer if you are interested in helping out. 

*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).

*Ancient Faith Kids launched a new podcast, "A Joyful Noise: Exploring Byzantine Chant." Children are taught in an age-appropriate manner about the eight modes used in Orthodox Christian Byzantine chant, learn about the parallagi scale, and sing hymns along with the host. Tune in!
 
*On Sunday, Sept. 29, with Metropolitan Saba's blessing, the North American Antiochian Orthodox Medical Professionals Fellowship will host its second lecture with Daniel B. Hinshaw, M.D. He will speak via Zoom about "Orthodoxy Christianity and Medical Practice: Understanding the Basics, Part Two." Click on the HERE for more information.
 
*The Diocesan Fall Retreat is coming up October 25–27. This is a great opportunity to enjoy fellowship and grow in your spiritual life. It will take place in Ottawa and the speaker will be Fr Silviu Bunta—a wonderful teacher. You can visit his website HERE. Set aside some time to join us for some spiritual refreshment. 

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, The Seavey Family, Leila, Helen, Marsha, Mary, Anastasia, 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, Agnes (8.14) those who have lost their lives and who have no one to pray for them, those who have passed in the conflicts in Ukraine and the middle east.

Why do we pray for the dead?

Divine Liturgy Variables on Sunday, September 22, 2024 Tone 4 / Eothinon 2

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost  & First Sunday of Luke

Hieromartyr Phocas, bishop of Sinope; Apostle Quadratos of the Seventy; Martyr Phocas the Gardener

During the Little Entrance, chant the Resurrectional Apolytikion. The Eisodikon (Entrance Hymn) is “O come, let us worship… save us, O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead…” After the Little Entrance, chant these hymns in the following order:

RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION IN TONE FOUR

Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation. And proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying: Death hath been spoiled; Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.

APOLYTIKION FOR ST. PHOCAS OF SINOPE IN TONE FOUR

By choosing the Apostles’ way of life, thou hast succeeded to their throne. Inspired by God, thou didst find the way to divine contemplation through the practice of virtue. After teaching the Word of Truth without error, thou didst defend the Faith to the very shedding of thy blood, O Holy Martyr among bishops Phocas. Entreat the Lord our God to save our souls.

 Now sing the apolytikion of the patron saint or feast of the temple.

ORDINARY KONTAKION IN TONE TWO

O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O despise not the suppliant voices of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee: Hasten to intercession, and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honor thee.

THE EPISTLE

(For the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

O Lord, how marvelous are Thy works. In wisdom hast Thou made them all.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (16:13-24)

Brethren, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, and be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed.  Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

THE GOSPEL

(For the First Sunday of Luke)

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (5:1-11)

At that time, Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.  And He saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.  Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, Jesus asked him to put out a little from the land.  And He sat down and taught the people from the boat.  And when Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”  And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!  But at Thy word I will let down the nets.”  And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them.  And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.  But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”  For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish, which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.  And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.”  And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

 The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom continues as usual.

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; 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; of the Hieromartyr Phocas, bishop of Sinope, whose memory we celebrate today, 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 15th—$826

Online Giving for week of September 15th—$0

Total Giving for fiscal year to date (October 23–September 24)—$83362.05

Families who have contributed for fiscal year to date (October 23–September 24)—88

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)—23

Check out our parish financial report by clicking HERE.

*You can set up a recurring monthly donation to the Church by clicking HERE 

Give to St. George

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

St Cyril of Alexandria on Luke 5.1–11

For many have taken part with the holy Apostles in their labors, and still do so, especially such as search into the meaning of what is written in the holy Gospels; and others besides them, even the pastors and teachers and rulers of the people, who are skilled in the doctrines of truth. For still is the net drawn, while Christ fills it, and summons unto conversion those in the depths of the sea, according to the Scripture phrase; those, that is to say, who live in the surge and waves of worldly things.

 
Why should I care about the church fathers?