Epiphany of our Lord January 6 Introduction The Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on January 6. The Feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ and the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. At the Baptism of Christ, all three Persons of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—were made manifest. Thus, the name of the Feast is Epiphany, meaning manifestation, or Theophany, meaning manifestation of God. Biblical Story The Biblical story of the Baptism of Christ is recorded in all four of the Gospels: Matthew 3, Mark 1:1-9, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:31-34. John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus and the one chosen by God to proclaim His coming, was preaching in the wilderness and was baptizing all who would respond to his message calling for repentance. As he was doing this, John was directing the people toward the one who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). The Scriptures tell us that Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. Initially, John would not do this, saying that Jesus should baptize him. Jesus said to John, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness (3:15). John consented and baptized Jesus. When Jesus came up from the water, the heavens opened suddenly, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. The Bible records that the Spirit descended like a dove and alighted on him. When this happened, a voice came from heaven and said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” This was the voice of God the Father.

Christ’s baptism in the Jordan was “theophany,” a manifestation of God to the world, because it was the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry. It was also a “theophany” in that the world was granted a revelation of the Holy Trinity. All three Persons were made manifest together: the Father testified from on high to the divine Sonship of Jesus; the Son received His Father’s testimony; and the Spirit was seen in the form of a dove, descending from the Father and resting upon the Son. The theme of “manifestation” or “revelation” is also expressed in Scripture with the symbolism of light. In the hymn of the Feast we sing, “Christ has appeared and enlightened the world.” Thus, January 6 is also known as the Feast of Lights. The Church celebrates on this day the illumination of the world by the light of Christ. Apolytikion of Holy Epiphany 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 enlightened the world. Kontakion of Holy Epiphany 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."

Αγιασμοί οίκων – Blessing of Houses Κυκλοφορεί το πρόγραμμα Αγιασμών με τις σχετικές ημερομηνίες.  Εάν επιθυμείτε να περάσει ο ιερέας από το σπίτι σας, αφήστε την διεύθυνσή σας στο ειδικό κιβώτιο μπροστά στον ναό.

The schedule for the Epiphany House Blessings has been circulated. If you would like the priest to Bless your home, please fill in the attached PDF form and return it to the church as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss out.

ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2019 1-1 Τρίτη ΠΕΡΙΤΟΜΗ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ Αγίου Βασιλείου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 7.00πμ-10.30πμ 2-1 Τετάρτη Οσίου Σεραφείμ του Σαρώφ Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 7.30πμ - 9.30πμ 4-1 Παρασκευή Προεόρτια των Φώτων Μεγάλαι Ώραι των Θεοφανείων 8.00πμ. -9.30πμ. 5-1 Σάββατο Προ των Φώτων (Νηστεία) Όρθρος, Θεία Λειτουργία, Αγιασμός των Φώτων 7.00πμ. -10.30πμ. Προεόρτια των Φώτων Mέγας Εσπερινός 6.00μμ. – 7.00μμ   6-1 ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία του Αγ. Βασιλείου, Μέγας Αγιασμός 6.45πμ. -10.45πμ. (Στην παραθαλάσσια τοποθεσία YARRA BAY BICENTENNIAL PARK θα γίνει ο κοινός εορτασμός των Θεοφανείων και η τελετή της καταδύσεως του Τιμίου  Σταυρού  - 1.15μ.μ.) 7-1 Δευτέρα Σύναξις του Τιμίου Προδρόμου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 7.30πμ - 9.45πμ 13-1 ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ Κυριακή Μετά των Φώτων Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 7.15πμ - 10.30πμ   17-1 Πέμπτη Οσίου Αντωνίου του Μεγάλου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 7.30πμ - 9.30πμ 18-1 Παρασκευή Αγ. Αθανασίου και Κυρίλλου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 7.30πμ - 9.30πμ 20-1 ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΙΒ’ ΛΟΥΚΑ (Οσ. Ευθυμίου) Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 7.15πμ - 10.30πμ 25-1 Παρασκευή Αγ. Γρηγορίου του Θεολόγου Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 7.30πμ - 9.30πμ 27-1 ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΙΕ’ ΛΟΥΚΑ (Ζακχαίου) Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 7.15πμ - 10.30πμ 30-1 Τετάρτη Των Τριών Ιεραρχών Όρθρος και Θεία Λειτουργία 7.30πμ - 9.30πμ JANUARY 2019 1-1 Tueday   CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST Saint Basil Matins and Divine Liturgy 7.00am - 10.30am 2-1 Wednesday Saint Seraphim of Sarov Matins and Divine Liturgy 7.30am - 9.30am 4-1 Friday Forefeast of Epiphany Holy and Great Hours 8.00am - 9.30am. 5-1 Saturday Eve of Epiphany (Fasting Day) Matins, Divine Liturgy & Blessing of the Waters 7.00am -10.30am Forefeast of Epiphany Vespers 6.00pm - 7.00pm 6-1 SUNDAY     HOLY EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST Matins, Divine Liturgy and Greater Blessing of the Waters 6.45am - 10.45am. (Annual Epiphany Festival at YARRA BAY BICENTENNIAL PARK. Blessing of the Waters and retrieving of the Holy Cross from the sea. A traditional glendi with music and dancing will follow  - 1.15pm onwards) 7-1 Monday   Synaxis of Saint John the Forerunner Matins and Divine Liturgy 7.30am -  9.45am 13-1 SUNDAY Sunday After Epiphany Matins and Divine Liturgy 7.15am - 10.30am 17-1 Thursday Saint Anthony the Great Matins and Divine Liturgy 7.30am - 9.30am   18-1 Friday Sts Athanasius and Cyril Matins and Divine Liturgy 7.30am - 9.30am 20-1 SUNDAY 12th Sunday of Luke (Saint Euthymios the Great) Matins and Divine Liturgy 7.15am - 10.30am 25-1 Friday St Gregory the Theologian Matins and Divine Liturgy 7.30am - 9.30am 27-1 SUNDAY 15th Sunday of Luke (Zacchaeus) Matins and Divine Liturgy 7.30am - 10.30am 30-1 Wednesday The Three Hierarchs Matins and Divine Liturgy 7.30am - 9.30am

Αγιασμοί οίκων – Blessing of Houses Κυκλοφορεί το πρόγραμμα Αγιασμών με τις σχετικές ημερομηνίες.  Εάν επιθυμείτε να περάσει ο ιερέας από το σπίτι σας, αφήστε την διεύθυνσή σας στο ειδικό κιβώτιο μπροστά στον ναό. The schedule for the Epiphany House Blessings has been circulated. If you would like the priest to Bless your home, please fill in the attached PDF form at top of page and return it to the church as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss out.

Κολλέγιο Αγίας Ευφημίας – Saint Euphemia College Όπως κάθε χρόνο, έτσι και το 2018, το Κολλέγιο μας διακρίθηκε για την απόδοση των μαθητών στις πολιτειακές εξετάσεις. Ήταν από τα καλύτερα στην ευρύτερη περιοχή και έδειξε για ακόμα μια φορά το υψηλό επίπεδό του. Υπάρχουν λίγες θέσεις για εγγραφές σε τάξεις από το Νηπιαγωγείο μέχρι την Δευτέρα Λυκείου. Δώστε την ευκαιρία στα παιδιά και τα εγγόνια σας, γράφοντάς τα στο Κολλέγιο της Αγίας Ευφημίας. Για περισσότερες λεπτομέρειες επικοινωνήστε με τους διευθυντές στο 9796 8240. Yet again, our College was one of the High Achieving Schools in New South Wales and one of the best in the local area. Our results in 2018 were again exceptional and highlight the status of our College. There are limited vacancies from Kindergarten to Year 12 for those considering to enrol their children. Give your child the gift of a safe and successful learning journey by enrolling them at Saint Euphemia College. For more information, please contact the Principals on 9796 8240.

ΕΓΓΡΑΦΕΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΩΝ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΩΝ – GREEK SCHOOL ENROLMENTS Τα Απογευματινά και τα Σαββατιανά Σχολεία μας θα λειτουργούν και φέτος για να μεταδίδουν την γλώσσα, τις παραδόσεις μας και την πίστη μας. Οι εγγραφές θα γίνουν την τελευταία εβδομάδα του μηνός. Επικοινωνήστε με τους ιερείς ή τον διευθυντή στο 97096908. Our Afternoon and Saturday Schools will operate again this year in order to pass on our language, our traditions and our faith. Enrolments will take place in the last week of January. For further information, please contact the parish priests of the principal on 9709 6908. YOUTH FELLOWSHIP We would like to start a youth group aimed primarily at youth between 13 and 19 years old. The group will meet every Friday in the Church hall from 7pm till 8pm. Please indicate your interest to one of the priests.