St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church

Transcript

1 Pastor Assistant Pastor Parish President Stewardship Chairperson Pastoral Assistant Pastor Emeritus Parish Nurse GOYA Advisors Office Manager Secretary CONTACTS Fr. Christopher P. Foustoukos Fr. Anthony Tandilyan Mr. Steve Stephanides Mrs. Pam Katsiris Deacon Michael Fadel Fr. Andrew Demotses Sophia Grevelis, RN Sofya & James Leras Irene Stephanides Chrissa Pissios Office: Tel: Fax: Paleologos Street, Peabody, MA website: St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church Sunday After Nativity CANDLE COUNTER (Παγκα/ρι) SCHEDULE SUNDAY, January 6 Chuck Antoniou John Pnevmatikos Jim Koumarianos George Glaros SUNDAY, January 13 Dionisios Pissios Ted Stephanides Steve Stephanides John Maihos ALTAR BOY TEAMS & SCHEDULE George O Donnell Head Captain Sunday, January 6 1st Liturgy Team B 2nd Liturgy Team C Sunday, January 13 1st Liturgy Team D 2nd Liturgy Team C Team A Peter Coufos CC Nikolas Leras Michael Tandilyan Nicholas Park Team B Alex Vlachos CC Leo Vorrias Ioanis Nako Zachary Vlachos Team C Michael Katsiris CC Valantis Christoforos Connor Anezis Daniel Vatousios Team D James Vounessa CC Niko Collins Nikolas Deftos Andony Konstantilakis Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ January 6,

2 Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ January 6, 2018 Theophany is the Feast which reveals the Most Holy Trinity to the world through the Baptism of the Lord (Mt.3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). God the Father spoke from Heaven about the Son, the Son was baptized by Saint John the Forerunner, and the Holy Spirit descended upon the Son in the form of a dove. From ancient times this Feast was called the Day of Illumination and the Feast of Lights, since God is Light and has appeared to illumine those who sat in darkness, and in the region of the shadow of death (Mt.4:16), and to save the fallen race of mankind by grace. In the ancient Church it was the custom to baptize catechumens at the Vespers of Theophany, so that Baptism also is revealed as the spiritual illumination of mankind. The origin of the Feast of Theophany goes back to Apostolic times, and it is mentioned in The Apostolic Constitutions (Book V:13). From the second century we have the testimony of Saint Clement of Alexandria concerning the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, and the night vigil before this Feast. There is a third century dialogue about the services for Theophany between the holy martyr Hippolytus and Saint Gregory the Wonderworker. In the following centuries, from the fourth to ninth century, all the great Fathers of the Church: Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom, Ambrose of Milan, John of Damascus, commented on the Feast of Theophany. The monks Joseph the Studite, Theophanes and Byzantios composed much liturgical music for this Feast, which is sung at Orthodox services even today. Saint John of Damascus said that the 2

3 Lord was baptized, not because He Himself had need for cleansing, but to bury human sin by water, to fulfill the Law, to reveal the mystery of the Holy Trinity, and finally, to sanctify the nature of water and to offer us the form and example of Baptism. On the Feast of the Baptism of Christ, the Holy Church proclaims our faith in the most sublime mystery, incomprehensible to human intellect, of one God in three Persons. It teaches us to confess and glorify the Holy Trinity, one in Essence and Undivided. It exposes and overthrows the errors of ancient teachings which attempted to explain the Creator of the world by reason, and in human terms. The Church shows the necessity of Baptism for believers in Christ, and it inspires us with a sense of deep gratitude for the illumination and purification of our sinful nature. The Church teaches that our salvation and cleansing from sin is possible only by the power of the grace of the Holy Spirit, therefore it is necessary to preserve worthily these gifts of the grace of holy Baptism, keeping clean this priceless garb, for As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ (Gal 3:27). On the day of Theophany, all foods are permitted, even if the Feast falls on a Wednesday or Friday. 14 3

4 WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS Everyone is welcome in the Orthodox Church and may receive the blessed bread (antidoron) at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. Sadly, the divisions in the church prompt us all to work towards reunited Christianity. The culmination of this reunion will be the ability of all Christians to receive the Eucharist together. Until that blessed day arrives, only Orthodox Christians who are in good sacramental order are permitted to receive Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church. If you have any questions or concerns please speak with Father Chris. HOSPITAL VISITS Due to HIPAA privacy rules, hospitals no longer provide a list of Orthodox patients to us. Therefore, if you or a loved one are, or will be, in the hospital, please contact the church office for a pastoral visit. Also, please notify the office if a friend or family member is in a rehab center, nursing home, assisted living facility or under hospice care. CEMETERY VISITS Due to the number of sacraments, 40 day blessings and memorials on Sundays it is difficult to make cemetery visits on Sundays after liturgy. If you would like a Trisagion at the graveside during the week you are kindly asked to make an appointment by calling the church office. PLEASE PRAY FOR PLEASE PRAY FOR: Tristan, Elena, Kathy, Michael, Cindy, Daniel, Michael, Elaine, Gus, Peter, Theodora, James, Nina, Maria, Delores, William, Amya, Maria, Irene, Stacia, Georgia, Ethel, Maria, Christo, Flora, Yianoula, Dimitri. If you wish to add or remove a name from the list, please call the Church Office. 40 DAY BABY BLESSING 40 Day Baby Blessing We are very happy to do the 40 blessing of infants after the 2 nd Divine Liturgy or week days! Often the clergy have family or sacrament commitments after the liturgy. So in order to ensure that you don t leave disappointed by not having the prayers read please call the church office at to schedule your 40 day blessing thereby ensuring that no one is disappointed. Thank you for your attention and assistance with this matter. 4 JR. GOYA WEEKLY MEETING Saturdays from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room Youth ages are invited to join us! Please note that while the Dance Group meets on Saturdays 4-5 PM, Jr. GOYA will offer separate activities for kids 10+ who are not dancing. Contact Fr. Anthony for more information: FrAnthony@StVasilios.org or Sofya Leras with questions/suggestions: Sofya.Leras@gmail.com Save the Date! St. Vasilios Ski Trip & Retreat Feb 22 nd - 24 th,

5 WEEKDAY SERVICES 8:00 a.m. Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Synaxis of John The Baptist Monday, January 7 St. Anthony Thursday, January 17 St. Athanasios Friday, January 18 Vespers of the Feast of the Three Hierachs Tuesday, January 6:00 p.m. Feast of the Three Hierachs Wednesday, January 30 Presentation of Our Lord Saturday, February 2 KAQHMERINES IERES AKOLOUQIES Su/najic tou Timi/ou Iwa/nnou Tou Prodro/mou Deute/ra, 7 h Ianouari/ou Agioc Antw/nioc Pe/mpth, 17 h Ianouari/ou Agioc Aqana/sioc Paraskeuh/, 18 h Ianouari/ou Esperino/c Treic Iera/rxec Tri/th, 29 h Ianouari/ou 6:00 m.m. Oi Trei/c Iera/rxec Teta/rth, 30 h Ianouari/ou H Upapanth/ tou Kuri/ou Sabba/to, 2 h Febrouari/ou Sunday, January 6, 2019 Hymns Following the Gospel (Small Entrance) Apolytikion for Holy Epiphany in the First Mode When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the certainty of the word. O Christ our God, Who hast appeared and hast enlightened the world, glory be to Thee. Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode 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." Apoluti/kion Ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε, ἡ τῆς Τριάδος ἐφανερώθη προσκύνησις, τοῦ γὰρ Γεννήτορος ἡ φωνὴ προσεμαρτύρει σοί, ἀγαπητὸν σὲ Υἱὸν ὀνομάζουσα, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα ἐν εἴδει περιστεράς, ἐβεβαίου τοῦ λόγου τὸ ἀσφαλές. Ὁ ἐπιφανεῖς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τὸν κόσμον φωτίσας δόξα σοί. Konta/kion Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον τὴ οἰκουμένη, καὶ τὸ φῶς σου Κύριε, ἐσημειώθη ἐφ' ἡμᾶς, ἓν ἐπιγνώσει ὑμνούντάς σε. Ἦλθες ἐφάνης τὸ Φῶς τὸ ἀπρόσιτον. Church & School Cancellation Announcement will be posted as follows: St. Vasilios website: stvasilios.org Channel 5 - WCVB-TV You can also sign up for text messages/ s from WCVB at: thebostonchannel.com ORTHODOX LIFE Orthodox Life starts on January 15th. SECOND TRAY There will be a second tray offering at the end of both liturgies on Sunday, January 13, to support the work and ministries of Saint Basil Academy. 12 5

6 EPISTLE READINGS Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm ,1. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever. The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7. TITUS, my son, the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ ,1. Εὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου. Στίχ. Στίχ. Ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ Κυρίῳ ὅτι ἀγαθὸς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ. τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Τίτον 2:11-14, 3:4-7. Τέκνον Τίτε, ἐπεφάνη γὰρ ἡ χάρις τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡ σωτήριος πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις, παιδεύουσα ἡμᾶς ἵνα ἀρνησάμενοι τὴν ἀσέβειαν καὶ τὰς κοσμικὰς ἐπιθυμίας σωφρόνως καὶ δικαίως καὶ εὐσεβῶς ζήσωμεν ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι, προσδεχόμενοι τὴν μακαρίαν ἐλπίδα καὶ ἐπιφάνειαν τῆς δόξης τοῦ μεγάλου Θεοῦ καὶ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς ἔδωκεν ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν, ἵνα λυτρώσηται ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἀνομίας καὶ καθαρίσῃ ἑαυτῷ λαὸν περιούσιον, ζηλωτὴν καλῶν ἔργων. 6 11

7 ὅτε δὲ ἡ χρηστότης καὶ ἡ φιλανθρωπία ἐπεφάνη τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ, οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων τῶν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ὧν ἐποιήσαμεν ἡμεῖς, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸν αὐτοῦ ἔλεον ἔσωσεν ἡμᾶς διὰ λουτροῦ παλιγγενεσίας καὶ ἀνακαινώσεως Πνεύματος Αγίου, οὗ ἐξέχεεν ἐφ ἡμᾶς πλουσίως διὰ Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ σωτῆρος ἡμῶν, ἵνα δικαιωθέντες τῇ ἐκείνου χάριτι κληρονόμοι γενώμεθα κατ ἐλπίδα ζωῆς αἰωνίου. Please join us on Sunday January 13 for the first DIVINE Liturgy and come to coffee hour for the Vasilopita cutting. 10 7

8 GOSPEL READING The Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ The Reading is from Matthew 3:13-17 At that time, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 3:13-17 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, παραγίνεται ὁ Ιησοῦς ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ἐπὶ τὸν Ιορδάνην πρὸς τὸν Ιωάννην τοῦ βαπτισθῆναι ὑπ αὐτοῦ. ὁ δὲ Ιωάννης διεκώλυεν αὐτὸν λέγων ἐγὼ χρείαν ἔχω ὑπὸ σοῦ βαπτισθῆναι, καὶ σὺ ἔρχῃ πρός με; ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπε πρὸς αὐτόν ἄφες ἄρτι οὕτω γὰρ πρέπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν πληρῶσαι πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην τότε ἀφίησιν αὐτόν καὶ βαπτισθεὶς ὁ Ιησοῦς ἀνέβη εὐθὺς ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνεῴχθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ οὐρανοί, καὶ εἶδε τὸ Πνεῦμα τοῦ Θεοῦ καταβαῖνον ὡσεὶ περιστερὰν καὶ ἐρχόμενον ἐπ αὐτόν καὶ ἰδοὺ φωνὴ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός, ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα. ALTAR DONATIONS LITURGY LIGHTS In loving memory of Michael C. Lignos. VIGIL LIGHTS James Maravelias in memory of wife Dora maravelias. COFFEE FELLOWSHIP HOUR Please join us for Coffee Fellowship Hour today, immediately following the first Divine Liturgy, in the Rev. Andrew J. Demotses Educational Center. Today's coffee fellowship is sponsored in loving memory of Basil Yankopoulos by the Yankopoulos Family. MEN S CLUB UPCOMING EVENTS 1/26 Winter Dance - In the St. Vasilios Educational Center 6:30 PM Appetizers ~ 7:30 PM Live Music 2/27 Monthly Dinner Meeting Gyro Night at 6:30 pm, St. Vasilios Educational Center. 3/27 Monthly Dinner Meeting The Greek School will be dancing. Questions? mensclub@stvasilios.org 8 9