The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.

Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.

All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.

The Apodosis of the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple is usually on the 9th of February. This, however, may vary if the Feast falls within the period of the Triodion. Should this occur, the Typicon should be consulted for specific information concerning the Apodosis of the Feast.

Apolytikion of the Feast

Mode 1.

Lady full of grace, rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, for Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness has risen from you and He illumined those in darkness. And you, righteous Elder, be glad in heart, receiving in your embraces the One who liberates our souls and bestows on us the Resurrection.

Χαῖρε κεχαριτωμένη Θεοτόκε Παρθένε· ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἀνέτειλεν ὁ Ἥλιος τῆς δικαιοσύνης, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, φωτίζων τοὺς ἐν σκότει. Εὐφραίνου καὶ σὺ Πρεσβύτα δίκαιε, δεξάμενος ἐν ἀγκάλαις τὸν ἐλευθερωτὴν τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν, χαριζόμενον ἡμῖν καὶ τὴν Ἀνάστασιν.

Kontakion of the Feast.

Fourth Tone

Let us flee from the boasting of the Pharisee and learn through our own sighs of sorrow the humil-ity of the Publican. Let us cry out to the Savior, "Have mercy on us, for through You alone are we reconciled."

Φαρισαίου φύγωμεν ὑψηγορίαν, καὶ Τελώνου μάθωμεν, τὸ ταπεινὸν ἐν στεναγμοῖς, πρὸς τὸν Σωτῆρα κραυγάζοντες· Ἵλαθι μόνε ἡμῖν εὐδιάλλακτε.

Special Announcement:

· If someone wants to sponsor the coffee hour, there is a sign-up sheet in the Hall. Please write legibly your name next to the date you want to sponsor.

· We need oil (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) for the Church, please donate.

· Please notify us if someone in the member of the family or yourself is sick, so that we may offer healing prayer.

About Us

St. Nectarios is a parish of Metropolis of San Francisco of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Click Here to

Contact Us

Email Address:

stnectarioschurch@gmail.com

Regular Schedule

of

Administrative Services:

o Office Hours – Monday through Friday

§ 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

o Church is open - Monday through Friday

§ 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

o Saturday – Church is open from:

§ 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

WeShare

Secure SSL/TLS Connection

Text Box:

METROPOLIS OF SAN FRANCISCO PHILOPTOCHOS

Saint Nectarios Local Chapter Number 4030

A MESSAGE FROM PHILOPTOCHOS

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We would like to reiterate about “The House of Ruth”. The House of Ruth is a non-profit women's shelter providing critical, life-saving, and supportive services to victims of domestic violence. They are committed to the fight of ending domestic violence and making every home a safe home.

This initiative started last December of 2019, we again would like to continue to assist this wonderful organization by joining them through our donations in the struggle of protecting these women and children from their abusers. In addition to the provision of safe shelter, your donations would also provide these victims of abuse with the opportunity to begin new lives of productivity within a peaceful and safe environment.

It is the goal of Philoptochos, along with the assistance provided by the community to be able to continue this program of philanthropy throughout the year. Let us be reminded by the words of our Savior, "for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me...I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren you did it to Me (Mt. 25: 35-36, 40)."

Our Lord Jesus Christ through our beloved Saint Nectarios, has blessed all of us so that we in turn may be a blessing to others. As a community, if all of us can give just one item a month from the wish list, we will truly be a blessing to these vulnerable women and children.

Please prayerfully consider your involvement in this much needed charitable endeavor through your generous donations. There will be an area set up in the hall for donations. We thank all the wonderful and caring parishioners of St. Nectarios for their generosity and expression of love for the least of these.

Yours in Christ,

Ladies of the Saint Nectarios Philoptochos Society

HOUSE OF RUTH WISH LIST:

Personal Care: Liquid soap, toothpaste, feminine care products, lotion/body cream, facial tissue, liquid body wash, shampoo/conditioner

Food: Canned goods, non-perishable items dry food (rice beans etc.), snack items: goldfish crackers, fruit roll ups, juice boxes, pretzels, animal crackers etc.

Miscellaneous: Journal books, inspirational books, night lights, alarm clocks (small), slipper socks, note pads, writing pens, gardening gloves, garden aprons for children and adults, non-violent DVD movies, over the counter medications (OTC): Tylenol (adult and children), aspirin, cold and cough medication, ibuprofen etc.