Dec. 21 – 28th Sunday after Pentecost. Tone 3

Ven. Patapius of Thebes (7th c.). Holy Apostles of the Seventy: Sosthenes, Apollos, Cephas, Tychicus, Epaphroditus, Caesar, and Onesiphorus. Holy 362 Martyrs of Africa, martyred by the Arians, and Martyr Anthusa, at Rome (5th c.). Martyr Victoria (477). Martyr Anthusa at Rome (5th C).

Col. 1:12-18; Lk. 17:12-19;

Dec. 28 – 29 Sunday after Pentecost, of the Holy Forefathers. Tone 4

Hieromartyr Eleutherius, bishop of Illyria, and his mother, Martyr Anthia and Martyr Corivus the Eparch (126). Ven. Paul of Mt. Latros (956). Martyr Eleutherius (4th c.). Ven. Pardus, hermit (6th c.). St. Stephen the Confessor, archbishop of Surozh in the Crimea (790).

Col. 3:4-11; Lk. 14:16-24;

Апостол і Євангеліє - Gospel and Epistle of the Day

Дивіться у вказівках - See propers here

Преподобний Патапій Фівський, Константинопольський

Преподобний Патапій народився в Фівах у благочестивих батьків-християн. Досягнувши повноліття, майбутній святий зневажив суєту світу і віддалився в Єгипетську пустелю.

Багато років потому він прославився як суворий аскет. Коли люди стали приходити до нього за порадою, преподобний заради безмовності пішов до Константинополя. Там він влаштував собі келію в міській стіні, поблизу Влахернської церкви.

Але і тут про святого Патапія скоро стало відомо. До нього стали стікатися хворі. Він, маючи від Бога дар зцілення, допомагав усім нужденним.

Зробившись з волі Божої живою настановою для всіх вірних і чудесами утвердивши у вірі багато душ, преподобний Патапій спочив у Господі. Його кончина настала на початку VII століття. За іншими даними, він помер у середині V століття.

На початку ХХ століття мощі преподобного Патапія були знайдені нетлінними. Нині вони спочивають у жіночому монастирі, заснованому на місці їхнього знайдення.

Venerable Patapius of Thebes

Saint Patapios was born at Thebes into a pious Christian family. Reaching the age of maturity, he scorned the vanity of this world, and so he went into the Egyptian desert where he became known for his ascetic deeds. Though he wished to live in silence, people began coming to him for advice.

To every tired pilgrim who visited his cell, he offered rest and hospitality, as well as spiritual instructions and profitable counsel for the salvation of one's soul. The Saint's reputation spread quickly, and every day many arrived at his cell in order to hear these beneficial instructions from his lips.

Later, he went to Constantinople, where he had a cell by the city wall, near the Blachernae church. But even here, he soon became known. The infirm started to gather around Patapios, and because he had been granted the gift of healing, he helped all those in need.

Once a certain woman was afflicted by the terrible disease of cancer, and worms came forth from her breasts. Not only did she suffer a great deal of pain in her chest, but throughout her entire body as well. She was in constant pain, and it reached her heart, so that she was near death. The doctors could not help her, and she felt she was wasting her money without obtaining relief. Therefore, she came to Saint Patapios and fell at his feet, begging him to heal her. The worms were devouring her flesh even before she was in the grave, causing her such pain that she longed for death.

The Saint answered, "If you have faith in the Lord, and have no doubt that you shall be healed, then let it be done according to your faith."

Sighing from the depths of her soul, she said, "I believe, O Lord that You know all things which are hidden and unknown, and that You are all-powerful. Therefore, have mercy on me and heal me."

Then the Saint asked the woman to let him see the effects of her distress. When he saw the ravages of the disease, he was struck with awe, saying, "Your affliction is indeed great, and difficult to cure. Go in peace, for you shall not suffer anymore."

As soon as he said this, the woman was healed and went home rejoicing and glorifying God. She told of this miracle everywhere, and praised Saint Patapios.

After a life adorned with virtue and miracles, Saint Patapios fell asleep in the Lord and was buried in the church of Saint John the Baptist.

Let's Help Ukraine!

St. John's Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund is accepting donations to help Ukrainians during war. Donations will go to provide food and other humanitarian needs.

To make donation online click here

We accept checks as well.

Please make the checks to St. John Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund

Mailing address:

1 Saint John's Parkway
Johnson City NY 13790
 

Cash is accepted in church

Pray for Ukraine!

Prayers for Ukraine are done during each service. To see the schedule click here.

Молитви за Україну проводяться під час кожної служби. За розкладом дивіться тут.

May God bless and protect Ukraine!

Please Note!

• Only Orthodox Christians may receive Holy Communion or other Sacraments.
  
• If you have not been to confession in over a month, please go to confession before receiving the Holy Gifts.
  
• We fast from all food and drink (including water) from bedtime (the previous night) until we receive the Holy Gifts during morning Divine Liturgy. That also means no coffee, no cigarettes, no gum, candies in the morning and during Divine Liturgy.

Happy Birthday

• December 23: Myron Gulachok
  
• December 27: Jean Geresi

* If your or someone else's birthday is missing or incorrect please let Fr. Ivan know right away.

Please Pray for the Servants of God

John, Rose, Solomiia, Bob,
Melodye, Hristos, John, Jane,
Fr. Andre, Mary, Zenna, Douglas, Ivan,
Melanie, William, Marion, Helen,
Mariann, Robert, Jean, Ronald, Brian,
Fr. James, Scott, Andriy, James, William,
Pipinos, Fr. Gabriel and PM Susan, Vasyl

Upcoming Readings