Parish Office: 1621 West Garvey Avenue – Alhambra, California 91803
Telephone: (626) 284-9100 Fax: (626) 281-5045 www.saintstevens.org
Right Reverend Bishop Maxim, PhD, Bishop of Western America
Protopresbyter Stavrophor Nikola Ceko, Dean
Protopresbyter Stavrophor Ilija Daikovich
Presbyter Norman P. KosanovichMy son, do not despise the instruction of the Lord, Neither grow weary under His reproof.
For whom the Lord Loves He instructs, And chastises every son He receives. - Proverbs 3:11-12
HYMNS FOR SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2011 5th Sunday after Pentecost
Saint Andrew, Archbishop of Crete; Hieromartyr Sava of Upper Karlovac
FIRST ANTIPHON
VERSE: It is good to give thanks to the Lord; to sing praises to Your name, O Most High!
REFRAIN: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
VERSE: To proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth by night!
REFRAIN: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
VERSE: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
REFRAIN: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
SECOND ANTIPHON
VERSE: The Lord is King, He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed, He is girded with strength!
REFRAIN: O Son of God who arose from the dead, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
VERSE: For He has established the world so that it shall never be moved!
REFRAIN: O Son of God who arose from the dead, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia!
VERSE: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Only-begotten Son and immortal Word of God...
THIRD ANTIPHON
VERSE: Holiness befits Your house, O Lord, forevermore!
Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm! He has trampled down death by death! He has become the firstborn of the dead! He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted to the world great mercy!
RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION - TONE FOUR:
When the women disciples of the Lord learned from the angel the joyous message of Your Resurrection; they cast away the ancestral curse and elatedly told the apostles: Death is overthrown! Christ God is Risen, granting the world great mercy.
TROPARION TO SAINT ANDREW OF CRETE - TONE FOUR:
In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. O hierarch father Andrew, entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION - TONE FOUR:
My Savior and my Redeemer as God rose from the tomb and delivered the earthborn from their chains. And He has shattered the gates of hell, and as Master, He has risen on the third day!
HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD - TONE SIX:
Steadfast Protectress of Christians and constant advocate before the Creator, do not despise the cry of us sinners; but in your goodness come speedily to help us who call on you in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you!
The Epistle Lesson - Romans 10: 1-10
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, “’Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The Alleluia Verses:
Go forth and prosper and reign, because of truth and meekness and righteousness. You love righteousness and hate iniquity.
Commentary on Romans 10: 1-10
Christ is, and has always been, the Way of Salvation in both testaments. The law prepared people for Him, while His coming was the end of the law and the fulfillment of God’s righteousness. Many times, in our sinfulness, we believe that we can make ourselves righteous before God, and this is the same temptation Israel faced. The way of salvation for all is found only through a transformational, living faith in Jesus Christ.
The Holy Gospel - St. Matthew 8: 28 - 9: 1
At that time, when Jesus had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city.
Commentary on ST. MATTHEW 8: 28 - 9:1
The demons, recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, seem surprised their power is being terminated before the last judgment. Though their malice is great, the demons can do nothing against the will of God. The immediate destruction of the herd shows that the men had been protected by God’s care. This episode further shows the incomparable value of human beings in God’s creation.
A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.
C. S. Lewis
Cathedral Bulletin Board
SAINT ANDREW OF CRETE
Andrew was mute from birth until the age of seven, when his parents brought him to church and he received Holy Communion. At fourteen, he went to Jerusalem and was tonsured a monk, surpassing many of the older monks by his wisdom and asceticism. Eventually, when the Sixth Ecumenical Council was convened in Constantinople in 681, the Patriarch of Jerusalem was unable to attend but sent his Archdeacon Andrew, who displayed his gift of speech, zeal for the Faith and rare prudence. He was later installed as Archbishop of Crete and loved by the people. Andrew worked miracles and wrote books of instruction, hymns and canons. His most renowned work is the Great Canon of repentance, read on the first four evenings of Great Lent. His appearance was such that, “seeing his face and hearing his words flowing like honey, everyone found delight and mended their ways.” Finally, while returning from a sea journey, Andrew foretold that his death would occur before he arrived in Crete. As the ship sailed near the island of Mitylene, this beacon of the Church finished his earthly life in the year 712.
WEDDING BANNS
This is to announce the forthcoming marriage of Alexander Jocovic to Meg Elizabeth Smith on July 29, 2011, here at the Cathedral. If anyone knows of any impediments to this marriage, please contact Fr. Nick as soon as possible.
Serbfest Cheese Burek Sale
The Serbfest Committee is gearing up for this year's Serbfest, September 24 & 25, with a presale of cheese burek this Sunday. Each cheese burek (cheese-filled pastry) is individually frozen and can be kept in your freezer for up to 6 months! At only $6.00 a burek, they won't last long! See Jonnie Savic after liturgy to purchase yours today!
A DELICIOUS RCA FUNDRAISER
To help send our Church school children to summer camp in Jackson, the RCA is selling cevaps for $12.00 a pound. They come pre-made, frozen and vacuum-sealed; perfect for a summertime BBQ. See Carrie Bullard after liturgy to purchase yours today!
BIBLE READINGS FOR THIS WEEK
Monday, July 18
Romans 16:17-24; Matthew 13:10-23
Tuesday, July 19
1 Corinthians 1:1-9; Matthew 13:24-30
Wednesday, July 20
1 Corinthians 2:9-3:8; Matthew 13:31-36
Thursday, July 21
1 Corinthians 3:18-23; Matthew 13:36-43
Friday, July 22
1 Corinthians 4:5-8; Matthew 13:44-54
Saturday, July 23
1 Corinthians 9:1-5; Matthew 9:18-26
Greeting/Ad Instructions for the Commemorative ‘Annual’ at Diocesan Days 2011:
September 3 – 4, 2011

Greeting Book Placement Options:
Full-page Half-page V. Half-page H. Quarter-page
$150 $75 $75 $50
Deadline for submitting ad material: July 31, 2011
3 ways to submit your greeting:
1) Mail–in—Type the text of your greeting on a separate piece of paper and mail it to the Western American Diocese along with your check and any artwork you’d like to include.
2) E-mail the text—Type your greeting in the message portion of your e-mail, and we’ll do the typesetting. You may also compose the greeting in Microsoft Word and attach the document to your email. Please know that font type and size changes may be made when we compose the greeting. Send your greeting (and questions, if any) by e-mail to:westdiocese@earthlink.net Please indicate “2011 Annual” on the subject line.
3) Hand deliver—Bring your greeting to the Diocesan Office, 1621 West Garvey Avenue, Alhambra, down the hallway from the Cathedral office.
Payment: Make checks payable to the Western American Diocese and address mail to:2011 Annual,
1621 West Garvey Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803.