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 EPIPHANY CANDLE COUNTER (Παγκα/ρι) SCHEDULE SUNDAY, January 13 Dionisios Pissios Ted Stephanides Steve Stephanides SUNDAY, January 20 Dimitri Maistrellis Costa Partaledis Martin Scrivener Phyllis Dragonis ALTAR BOY TEAMS & SCHEDULE George O Donnell Head Captain Sunday, January 13 1st Liturgy Team D 2nd Liturgy Team C Sunday, January 20 1st Liturgy Team A 2nd Liturgy Team B 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 Venerable Maximus Kavsokalyvites of Mt Athos January 13,

2 Venerable Maximus Kavsokalyvites of Mt Athos Commemorated on January 13 Saint Maximus Kavsokalyvites was educated at the church of the Most Holy Theotokos at Lampsakos. At seventeen years of age he left his parental home, became a monk, and passed his obedience under Elder Mark, the finest spiritual instructor in Macedonia. After the death of his teacher, the saint pursued asceticism under the guidance of several desert Fathers of extremely strict life. Arriving in Constantinople, Saint Maximus was constantly at the Blachernae church of the Most Holy Theotokos, as though he had taken up his abode at the entrance. From his youth, Saint Maximus had a great love for the Mother of God. He persistently entreated Her to grant him the gift of unceasing mental prayer. One day, as he was venerating her icon, he felt a warmth and a flame enter his heart from the icon. It did not burn him, but he felt a certain sweetness and contrition within. From that time, his heart began to repeat the Jesus Prayer of itself. In this way, the Virgin Theotokos fulfilled his request. Saint Maximus fulfilled his obedience in the Lavra of Saint Athanasius on Mt. Athos. In order to conceal his ascetic deeds of fasting and prayer, and to avoid celebrity, he behaved like a fool. One day, he had a vision of the Mother of God, who told him to ascend the mountain. On the summit of the Holy Mountain, he prayed for three days and nights. Again, the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to him surrounded by angels, and holding Her divine Son in Her arms. Prostrating himself, the saint heard the All-Holy Virgin speak to him, Receive the gift against demons... and settle at the foot of Athos, for this is the will of My Son. She told him that he would ascend the heights of virtue, and become a teacher and guide for many. Then, since he had not eaten for several days, a heavenly bread was given to him. As soon as he put it in his mouth, he was surrounded by divine light, and he saw the Mother of God ascending into Heaven. Saint Maximus told his vision to a certain Elder living by the church of the holy Prophet Elias at Carmel. He was skeptical, but the saint 2

3 turned his disbelief to good. He pretended to be slightly crazy in order to conceal his prodigious ascetic deeds, privations, his hardship and solitude. Saint Maximus did not live in a permanent abode, but wandered from place to place like a lunatic. Whenever he moved, he would burn his hut down. Therefore, he was called Kavsokalyvites, or Hut Burner. Those on the Holy Mountain, knowing of the extreme deprivations and sorrows of Saint Maximus, for a long time regarded him with contempt, even though he had attained the height and perfection of spiritual life. When Saint Gregory of Sinai (August 8) arrived on Athos, he encountered the holy fool. After speaking to him, he began to call him an earthly angel. Saint Gregory persuaded Saint Maximus to stop behaving like a fool and to live in one place so that others might benefit from his spiritual experience. Heeding the words of Saint Gregory and the advice of other Elders, Saint Maximus selected a permanent dwelling in a cave near the renowned Elder Isaiah. Knowing of his gift of clairvoyance, the Byzantine Emperors John Paleologos ( ) and John Kantakouzenos ( ) visited him and were surprised by the fulfillment of his predictions. Theophanes, the igumen of Vatopedi monastery, wrote about Saint Maximus: I invoke God as my witness, that I myself saw several of his miracles. Once, for instance, I saw him travel through the air from one place to another. I listened as he made a prediction concerning me, that first I would be an igumen, and then Metropolitan of Ochrid. He even revealed to me how I would suffer for the Church. Saint Maximus abandoned his solitude only just before his death, and settled near the Lavra of Saint Athanasius, where he surrendered his soul to the Lord at 95 years of age (+ 1354). After his death, as in life, Saint Maximus was glorified by many miracles. 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. SAVE THE DATE Save the Date! St. Vasilios Ski Trip & Retreat Feb 22 nd - 24 th, 2019 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 DONATIONS REQUEST Donations Request We are looking for donations for the Holy Altar as noted below. If you are interested please speak with Father Chris or call the church office at Thank you for your thoughtful consideration! a) The Holy Curtain for the Royal Door for Pascha, cost: $1000 b) The 2 Lavara (processional banners) for Holy Week and other feasts, cost : $850 each c) The gold altar coverings (including chalice covers), cost : $1, d) Refurbishing and re-plating of the censer $750 13

5 WEEKDAY SERVICES 8:00 a.m. Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy St. Anthony Thursday, January 17 Orthros 8am; Liturgy 9am St. Athanasios Friday, January 18 Orthros 8am; Liturgy 9am Vespers of the Feast of the Three Hierachs Tuesday, January 6:00 p.m. Feast of the Three Hierachs Wednesday, January 30 Orthros 8am; Liturgy 9am Presentation of Our Lord Saturday, February 2 Orthros 8am; Liturgy 9am KAQHMERINES IERES AKOLOUQIES 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 13, 2019 Hymns Following the Gospel (Small Entrance) Apolytikion for Holy Epiphany in the Plagal Fourth Mode You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You. Apolytikion for Theophany Afterfeast 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. St. Vasilios 1 st Mode Your message was carried throughout the world. As it received your mighty word, By which you divinely made manifest And clarified the nature of existing things You set in order the customs of men, You who are royal priesthood! Holy Father, intercede with Christ our God To grant us His great mercy. 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 Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. 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. Apoluti/kion tou Agi/ou Basilei/ou Eic pa/san th/n gh/n ejh/lqen o` fqo/ggoc sou, wc dejame/nhn ton logon sou, Di ou= qeoprepw/c edogma/tisac, Th/n fu/sin tw/n o;ntwn etra/nwsac. Ta/ tw/n avqrw/ pwn h;qh kateko/smhsa/c,basi/leion iera/teuma Pa/ter o[sie Xristo/n to/n Qeo/n ike/teue h`mi/n to/ Me/ga e;leoc. dwrh/sasqai Konta/kion Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον τὴ οἰκουμένη, καὶ τὸ φῶς σου Κύριε, ἐσημειώθη ἐφ' ἡμᾶς, ἓν ἐπιγνώσει ὑμνούντάς σε. Ἦλθες ἐφάνης τὸ Φῶς τὸ ἀπρόσιτον. ORTHODOX LIFE Orthodox Life starts on January 15th. SECOND TRAY There will be a second tray offering at the end of both liturgies today Sunday, January 13, to support the work and ministries of Saint Basil Academy. 12 5

6 EPISTLE READINGS Prokeimenon. First Mode. Psalm 32.22,1. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us. Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous. The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 4:7-13. BRETHREN, grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (in saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Προκείμενον. First Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 32.22,1. Γένοιτο, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεός σου ἐφ' ἡμᾶς. Στίχ. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 4:7-13. Ἀδελφοί, ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ ἡμῶν ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τῆς δωρεᾶς τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διὸ λέγει, Ἀναβὰς εἰς ὕψος ᾐχμαλώτευσεν αἰχμαλωσίαν, καὶ ἔδωκεν δόματα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις. Τὸ δέ, Ἀνέβη, τί ἐστιν εἰ μὴ ὅτι καὶ κατέβη πρῶτον εἰς τὰ κατώτερα μέρη τῆς γῆς; Ὁ καταβάς, αὐτός ἐστιν καὶ ὁ ἀναβὰς ὑπεράνω πάντων τῶν οὐρανῶν, ἵνα πληρώσῃ τὰ πάντα. Καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν τοὺς μὲν ἀποστόλους, τοὺς δὲ προφήτας, τοὺς δὲ εὐαγγελιστάς, τοὺς δὲ ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους, πρὸς τὸν καταρτισμὸν τῶν ἁγίων, εἰς ἔργον διακονίας, εἰς οἰκοδομὴν τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ 6 11

7 μέχρι καταντήσωμεν οἱ πάντες εἰς τὴν ἑνότητα τῆς πίστεως καὶ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον, εἰς μέτρον ἡλικίας τοῦ πληρώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Church & School Cancellation Announcement will be posted as follows: St. Vasilios website: stvasilios.org Channel 5 - WCVB-TV Please join us today, Sunday January 13 at the end of the first DIVINE Liturgy for coffee hour and the Vasilopita cutting. You can also sign up for text messages/ s from WCVB at: thebostonchannel.com 10 7

8 GOSPEL READING Sunday after Epiphany The Reading is from Matthew 4:12-17 At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 4:12-17 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς ὅτι Ιωάννης παρεδόθη, ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, καὶ καταλιπὼν τὴν Ναζαρὲτ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς Καπερναοὺμ τὴν παραθαλασσίαν ἐν ὁρίοις Ζαβουλὼν καὶ Νεφθαλείμ, ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ Ησαΐου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος γῆ Ζαβουλὼν καὶ γῆ Νεφθαλείμ, ὁδὸν θαλάσσης, πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου, Γαλιλαία τῶν ἐθνῶν, ὁ λαὸς ὁ καθήμενος ἐν σκότειεἶδε φῶς μέγα, καὶ τοῖς καθημένοις ἐν χώρᾳ καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτουφῶς ἀνέτειλεν αὐτοῖς. Απὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ Ιησοῦς κηρύσσειν καὶ λέγειν μετανοεῖτε ἤγγικε γὰρ ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν. ALTAR DONATIONS LITURGY LIGHTS In loving memory of Michael C. Lignos. TODAY S MEMORIALS We commemorate today the blessed memory of the following members of our parish who have fallen asleep in the Lord: Nikolaos Hantzis 40 day Memorial John Skouras 40 day Memorial Peter Panopoulos 1 yr Memorial George Batsinelas 3 yr Memorial Antonio Syrakos 6 yr Trisagion 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 by the St. Vasilios Parish Council. Thank you to the Philoptochos for volunteering last week! Sunday Upcoming Coffee Hour Schedule Sponsorship 1/20 In Memory Of PENELOPE DECOULOS MIHOS 1/27 Sponsorship Available 2/3 Sponsorship Available The price for a full sponsorship is $175 (partial sponsorship $100). To sponsor a coffee hour, please contact sofya.leras@gmail.com or call/ text: