Sunday December 6 Philoptochos St. Nicholas Buffet Brunch. Wednesday December 9 Orthodox Studies (7:00 pm)

Transcript

1 ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY BULLETIN 6 December 2015 Our Father Among the Saints Nicholas the Wonderworker Τοῦ ἐν Ἁγίοις Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Νικολάου τοῦ Θαυματουργοῦ Tenth Sunday of Luke Tone 2 Ι ΛΟΥΚΑ Ἦχος β Cathedral: 514 Parker Street, Boston, MA Office/Mailing Address: 162 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA Phone: (617) Fax: (617) Fr. Demetri s cell: (617) Upcoming Events Sunday December 6 Philoptochos St. Nicholas Buffet Brunch Wednesday December 9 Orthodox Studies (7:00 pm) Saturday December 12 AHEPA Christmas Party (6:00 pm) Sunday December 13 Cathedral Choir A Christmas Sing Sunday December 13 Parish Council ElecZons (A[er Liturgy) Sunday December 20 Christmas Pageant (A[er Liturgy) Sunday December 20 Sunday School Christmas Party Thursday December 24 Christmas Eve: Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil (6:30 pm) Thursday December 31 New Year s Eve Party (8:00 pm) Friday January 1 Feast of St. Basil: Orthros/Liturgy (8:45 am/10:00 am) Tuesday January 5 Theophany Eve: Vesperal Liturgy/Agiasmos (9:00 am)

2 ΚΑΘΕΔΡΙΚΟΣ ΝΑΟΣ ΝΕΑΣ ΑΓΓΛΙΑΣ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL OF NEW ENGLAND Rev. Fr. Demetrios E. Tonias, Ph.D., Cathedral Dean ς Δεκεμβρίου,βιε Ι ΛΟΥΚΑ 10th Sunday of Luke 6 December 2015 Ἀπολυτίκια Ἦχος β Ὅτε κατῆλθες πρὸς τὸν θάνατον, ἡ Ζωὴ ἡ ἀθάνατος, τότε τὸν ᾅδην ἐνέκρωσας τῇ ἀστραπῇ τῆς Θεότητος ὅτε δὲ καὶ τοὺς τεθνεῶτας ἐκ τῶν καταχθονίων ἀνέστησας, πᾶσαι αἱ δυνάμεις τῶν ἐπουρανίων ἐκραύγαζον Ζωοδότα Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν δόξα σοι. Ἦχος δ Κανόνα πίστεως καὶ εἰκόνα πραότητος, ἐγκρατείας διδάσκαλον, ἀνέδειξέ σε τῇ ποίμνῃ σου, ἡ τῶν πραγμάτων ἀλήθεια διὰ τοῦτο ἐκτήσω τῇ ταπεινώσει τὰ ὑψηλά, τῇ πτωχείᾳ τὰ πλούσια, Πάτερ ἱεράρχα Νικόλαε πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Ἦχος δ Σήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν τὸ κεφάλαιον, καὶ τοῦ ἀπ αἰῶνος μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις ὁ Υἷός του Θεοῦ, υἱὸς τῆς Παρθένου γίνεται, καὶ Γαβριὴλ τὴν χάριν εὐαγγελίζεται. Διὸ καὶ ἡμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ, τῇ Θεοτόκῳ βοήσωμεν Χαῖρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Κύριος μετά σοῦ. Κοντάκιον Ἦχος γʹ. Ἡ Παρθένος σήμερον, τὸν προαιώνιον Λόγον, ἐν Σπηλαίῳ ἔρχεται, ἀποτεκεῖν ἀπορρήτως. Χόρευε ἡ οἰκουμένη ἀκουτισθεῖσα, δόξασον μετὰ Ἀγγέλων καὶ τῶν Ποιμένων, βουληθέντα ἐποφθῆναι, Παιδίον νέον, τὸν πρὸ αἰώνων Θεόν. Dismissal Hymns Mode 2 When you descended to death, * O Immortal life, * then Hades You destroyed, * by the light of Your divinity. * And when the dead from the depths of the darkness You did raise, * all of the heavenly powers did cry out to You. * O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You. Mode 4 The actual facts of your life manifested you to your flock as a rule of faith and an icon of gentleness and a teacher of self-control. By humility, therefore, you acquired the things on high, and riches through poverty. Father holy hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, entreating Him to save our souls. Mode 4 Today mark s the crow ning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery before all ages. For the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin, and Gabriel proclaims the grace. Wherefore, we also cry out with him, "Hail, O full of grace, the Lord is with you. Kontakion Mode 3. The Virgin today, for the eternal Logos, to a cave she comes forth, to ineffably give birth. Rejoice and dance, O Universe, to this Ye hearken; being glorified, by the angels and the shepherds. Who willed to be beheld as, a young child who before the ages is God.

3 Ἀπόστολος Ἑβρ. ιγ Hebrews 13:17-21 Epistle Ἀδελφοί, πείθεσθε τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν, καὶ ὑπείκετε αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀγρυπνοῦσιν ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν, ὡς λόγον ἀποδώσοντες ἵνα μετὰ χαρᾶς τοῦτο ποιῶσιν, καὶ μὴ στενάζοντες ἀλυσιτελὲς γὰρ ὑμῖν τοῦτο. Προσεύχεσθε περὶ ἡμῶν πεποίθαμεν γὰρ ὅτι καλὴν συνείδησιν ἔχομεν, ἐν πᾶσιν καλῶς θέλοντες ἀναστρέφεσθαι. Περισσοτέρως δὲ παρακαλῶ τοῦτο ποιῆσαι, ἵνα τάχιον ἀποκατασταθῶ ὑμῖν. Ὁ δὲ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης, ὁ ἀναγαγὼν ἐκ νεκρῶν τὸν ποιμένα τῶν προβάτων τὸν μέγαν ἐν αἵματι διαθήκης αἰωνίου, τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν, καταρτίσαι ὑμᾶς ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ εἰς τὸ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ, ποιῶν ἐν ὑμῖν τὸ εὐάρεστον ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν. Εὐαγγέλιον Λουκ. ιγ Luke 13:10-17 Gospel Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἦν διδάσκων ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐν μιᾷ τῶν συναγωγῶν ἐν τοῖς σάββασι. καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ ἦν πνεῦμα ἔχουσα ἀσθενείας ἔτη δέκα καὶ ὀκτώ, καὶ ἦν συγκύπτουσα καὶ μὴ δυναμένη ἀνακύψαι εἰς τὸ παντελές. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὴν ὁ Ἰησοῦς προσεφώνησε καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ Γύναι, ἀπολέλυσαι τῆς ἀσθενείας σου καὶ ἐπέθηκεν αὐτῇ τὰς χεῖρας καὶ παραχρῆμα ἀνωρθώθη καὶ ἐδόξαζε τὸν Θεόν. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ ἀρχισυνάγωγος, ἀγανακτῶν ὅτι τῷ σαββάτῳ ἐθεράπευσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ἔλεγε τῷ ὄχλῳ Ἓξ ἡμέραι εἰσὶν ἐν αἷς δεῖ ἐργάζεσθαι ἐν ταύταις οὖν ἐρχόμενοι θεραπεύεσθε, καὶ μὴ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου. ἀπεκρίθη οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ Κύριος καὶ εἶπεν Ὑποκριτά ἕκαστος ὑμῶν τῷ σαββάτῳ οὐ λύει τὸν βοῦν αὐτοῦ ἢ τὸν ὄνον ἀπὸ τῆς φάτνης καὶ ἀπαγαγὼν ποτίζει; ταύτην δὲ, θυγατέρα Ἀβραὰμ οὖσαν, ἣν ἔδησεν ὁ σατανᾶς ἰδοὺ δέκα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη, οὐκ ἔδει λυθῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ Brethren, obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for

4 δεσμοῦ τούτου τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου; καὶ ταῦτα λέγοντος αὐτοῦ κατῃσχύνοντο πάντες οἱ ἀντικείμενοι αὐτῷ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος ἔχαιρεν ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἐνδόξοις τοῖς γινομένοις ὑπ' αὐτοῦ. eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. Ὁ Ἅγιος Νικόλαος ὁ Θαυματουργός Ὁ Κύριος, στὴν ἐπὶ τοῦ Ὄρους ὁμιλία του, εἶπε: «Γίνεσθε οἰκτίρμονες, καθὼς καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν οἰκτίρμων ἐστι» (Λουκᾶ, στ 36). Νὰ γίνεσθε δηλαδή, σπλαγχνικοὶ πρὸς τὸν πλησίον καὶ συμπονετικοὶ στὶς δυστυχίες του καὶ τὶς ἀνάγκες του, καθὼς καὶ ὁ οὐράνιος Πατέρας σας εἶναι εὐσπλαχνικὸς πρὸς ὅ ους. Μιὰ τέτοια προσωποποίηση τῆς χριστιανικῆς εὐσπλαχνίας ὑπῆρξε καὶ ὁ Ἅγιος Νικό αος. Ἔδρασε τὴν ἐποχὴ τῶν αὐτοκρατόρων Διοκλητιανοῦ, Μαξιμιανοῦ καὶ Μεγά ου Κωνσταντίνου. Στὴν ἀρχὴ ἀφιερώθηκε στὸν ἀσκητικὸ βίο, λόγω ὅμως τῆς ξεχωριστῆς ἀρετῆς του τιμήθηκε, χωρὶς νὰ τὸ ἐπιδιώξει, μὲ τὸ ἀξίωμα τοῦ ἀρχιεπισκόπου Μύρων. Ἀπὸ τὴν θέση αὐτὴ καθοδηγοῦσε μὲ ἀγάπη τὸ ποίμνιό του καὶ ὁμολογοῦσε μὲ παρρησία τὴν ἀ ήθεια. Γιὰ τὸν λόγο αὐτὸ συνελήφθη ἀπὸ τοὺς τοπικοὺς ἄρχοντες καὶ ρίχτηκε στὴν φυλακή. Ὅταν ὅμως ἀνῆ θε στὸν αὐτοκρατορικὸ θρόνο ὁ Μέγας Κωνσταντῖνος ἐ ευθερώθηκαν ὅ οι οἱ χριστιανοὶ καὶ ἔτσι ὁ Νικό αος ἐπανῆ θε στὸ ἀρχιεπισκοπικὸ θρόνο. Μά ιστα ἔ αβε μέρος στὴν Α Οἰκουμενικὴ Σύνοδο, ὅπου ξεχώρισε γιὰ τὴν σοφία καὶ τὴν ἠθική του τελειότητα. Προικισμένος μὲ τὸ χάρισμα τῆς θαυματουργίας ἔσωσε πο οὺς ἀνθρώπους καὶ ὅσο ἦταν ἐν ζωῇ ἀ ὰ καὶ μετὰ τὴν κοίμησή του. Γιὰ παράδειγμα ὅταν κάποτε κινδύνευσε κάποιος στὴ θά ασσα λόγω σφοδρῶν ἀνέμων καὶ ἐπικαλέστηκε τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ Ἁγίου σώθηκε καὶ μά ιστα ἐνῶ 6 Δεκεµβρίου βρισκόταν στὴν μέση τοῦ πελάγους βρέθηκε ἀβ αβὴς στὸ σπίτι του. Τὸ θαῦμα ἔγινε ἀμέσως γνωστὸ στὴν Πό η καὶ ὁ λαὸς προσῆ θε ἀμέσως σὲ λιτανεία καὶ ἀγρυπνία προκειμένου νὰ τιμήσει τὸν θαυματουργὸ Ἅγιο. Πέθανε εἰρηνικὰ τὸ ἔτος 330 μ.χ. Ἕτερον Ἀπολυτίκιον. Ἦχος δ. Ὡς κρήνη ἀκένωτος, τῶν θεϊκῶν δωρεῶν, πηγάζεις Νικό αε, τῇ οἰκουμένῃ ἀεί, θαυμάτων τὰ ῥεύματα παύεις τῶν πολυπλόκων, πειρασμῶν τὰς ἐφόδους, σώζεις τοὺς ἐν κινδύνοις, ὡς θερμὸς ἀντιλήπτωρ διό σου τὴν προστασίαν, πάντες κηρύττομεν. Κοντάκιoν. Ἦχος γ. Ἐν τοῖς Μύροις Ἅγιε, ἱερουργὸς ἀνεδείχθης τοῦ Χριστοῦ γὰρ Ὅσιε, τὸ Εὐαγγέ ιον πληρώσας, ἔθηκας, τὴν ψυχήν σου ὑπὲρ λαοῦ σου ἔσωσας, τοὺς ἀθώους ἐκ τοῦ θανάτου διὰ τοῦτο ἡγιάσθης, ὡς μέγας μύστης Θεοῦ τῆς χάριτος. Μεγαλυνάριον. Ὀρφανῶν προστάτην σε καὶ χηρῶν, πεινώντων τροφέα, πενομένων τε πλουτιστήν, αἰχμαλώτων ῥύστην, πλεόντων τε σωτῆρα, κεκτήμεθα παμμάκαρ, σοφέ Νικό αε.

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6 STEWARDSHIP REPORT AS OF Stewards pledged this far: 266 Total pledged for 2015 thus far: $154,906 Rev. Dr. Demetrios & Pr. Maryann Tonias & Family Mr. Chris Afendulis & Ms. Claudine Gay Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios T. Akrivlellis Ms. Bessie Andersen Mrs. Fotene Andreadis Mrs. Calliope Andreadis Mr. & Mrs. Paul Angelopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Anton Dr. Marica Arvanites Mr. Aristides Athanasopoulos & Mrs. Angela Divaris Ms. Krystal Babalas Mr. Peter Badavas Mr. & Mrs. Robert P Badavas Ms. Stephanie Badavas Mr. & Mrs. Damon S. Bakas Ms. Joanna Bakas Mrs. Christine Bakos Ms. Natalie Bassil Ms. Nancy Batsinelas Mrs. Tizita Bekele Mr. & Mrs. Van Benno Mr. Charles C. Beretsos Mr. & Mrs. Triantafillos K Blathras Mr. & Mrs. James Boujoukos Mr. & Mrs. James G. Boulogiane Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Bouritsas Mr. & Mrs. Spiros Bourloukas Ms. Christina Bowles Mrs. Helen Cakridas Mr. & Mrs. Constintine P. Calliontzis Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Caparell Ms. Eugenia M Carris & John Livingston Mrs. Mary A. Carris Mr. & Mrs. William Christina Mrs. Antonia Chronis & Mr. Bill Jennings Ms. Mary Cleary Ms. Maria Clessas Mr. Peter N. Collatos Mr. Peter L. Condakes & Dr. Pamela Pappas Ms. Alexandra Connors Ms. Doris S. Conomos Ms. Pauline P. Coutlis Mr. Robert C. Crisafi Mr. & Mrs. Paul T. Critikos Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Critikos Mr. & Mrs. John Dakoyannis Mr. & Mrs. Euripides Dalmanieras Mr. & Mrs. Angelos Davos Mr. & Mrs. Louis A. Delpidio Ms. Ellen-Marie Demeter Mr. John Demopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Theodoros Dimitriou Ms. Asemena T. Dodge Ms. Emily Dotsias Mr. Charles J. Doulos Mr. Chris C. Dracopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Dragotakes Hon. Michael S. & Mrs. Kitty Dukakis Mr. & Mrs. George C. Dukas Ms. Marie E. Dukas Mr. Nicolaos Economou & Ms. Frederika Tingus Mr. & Mrs. Stefanos Efstratoudakis Mrs. Maria Efteriades Mrs. Alexandra Eliopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Charles P. Eliopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Jason Ellis Mr. John A. Eustis Mr. & Mrs. William Evangelakos Ms. Georgia Flessas Mrs. Penelope Flessas Mr. Polivios P. Flessas Mr. Theodore Flessas Mr. & Mrs. John N. Foundas Atty. & Mrs. Nicholas Foundas Mr. Peter Foundas Ms. Stacey K. Foundas Dr. Calliope Galatis Mrs. Gerasimos Galatis Mr. & Mrs. John K. Galatis Ms. Dimitra Gardikas Ms. Francis Gardikas & Mr. Patrick Sheehan Mrs. Acrive Geanakakis Mr. & Mrs. George W. Georgaklis Ms. Susan Georgantas Ms. Marie Georgelis Mr. Charles Georgenes Mr. & Mrs. John Georgountzos Mr. & Mrs. Vassilios Georgountzos Drs. Iraklis & Sheila Gerogiannis Mr. & Mrs. Lazaros Giannakopoulos Mr. Savvas Gianasmidis & Family Mrs. Marina Gianoukos Mr. & Mrs. George Glaropoulos Ms. Helen Gomez Ms. Faith Gordon Ms. Virginia & Sophia Gregory Mr. Edwin M. Guarin Mr. & Mrs. Chris Guerriero Dr. Christopher Gussis Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Hanna Mrs. Georgia Haramis Ms. Stella X. Harris Mr. & Mrs. Christos Hasiotis Dr. & Mrs. George A. Hasiotis Miss Mary Hatzis Miss Alice Haveles Mr. & Mrs. George-Phidipides Ikonomou Ms. Kaye Jaravinos Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Jeas Mr. & Mrs. George Jeas Mrs. Helen Johnson Ms. Elizabeth Kalemos & Mr. Nicholas Phelps Mr. Philip S. Kallan Ms. Joanne B. Kalliavas Mr. & Mrs. Arthur W. Kanavos Mr. Steven Kandianis Mr. & Mrs. William Kantaros Mrs. Mary Kapsaskis Dr. Miltiades Karamechedis Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Karatzas Mr. Christos Karimbakas Mr. & Mrs. James Karimbakas Ms. Pauline Karistianos Mr. George Karniadakis & Mrs. Helen Christou Mr. Chris Karys

7 Ms. Halen J. Karys Mr. & Mrs. James Kaselis Mr. Erotokritos Katsavounidis Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Kavaltzis Ms. Irene Kavas Mr. & Mrs. Constantine Kechris Mrs. Lula Kiflit Miss Chrisanthe Kladitis Mr. & Mrs. George Klapes Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Kleitsas Mr. Martin E. Kolewe & Mrs. Christina Vasalou Mr & Mrs. Demetrios Kolovos Mrs. Angela Korikis Mrs. Popy Koshivos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas P. Koskores Mrs. Athena Kotarides Ms. Bessie Kotsakis Dr. Maria Koulmanda Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Koumarianos Mr. & Mrs. Paul Koutris Ms. Susan Kustich Ms. Christina M. Kyriakides Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Kyriakou Dr. Constantinos Laskarides & Dr. Vasiliki Tsakalelli Ms. Elaine Calliontzis Lacey Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Legelis Mrs. Anna Lemonias Mr. Constantine Limberakis Mr. Costandine Machakos Mr. & Mrs. Konstantine T. Magganaris Mr. James P. Maimonis Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Malatos Mrs. Kostula Makris Mrs. William F. Manley Ms. Elaine Marks Mr. & Mrs. Stephen C. Marks Mr. Alex Mavradis Mr. Theodore S. Mavrikos Mrs. Sophia P. McBrine Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Meletlidis Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Milonopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Gustas S. Misail Drs. Alex Mitsialis & Stella Kourembanas Dr. Vasilios Mourmoutis & Ms. Joanna Chanis Mr. Harry M. Nahatis Ms. Elizabeth Naoum Mr. & Mrs. George J. Niakaros Mr. Dimitri Nionakis & Ms. Maria Nanis Ms. Joanna Orphanos Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas J. Orphanos Mrs. Theone V. Orphanos Mr. Paul Pagounis Mr. Epaminondas E. Pamfilis & Barbara D. Kakoutsis Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Panagopoulos Ms. Portia Pantages Mrs. Athanasia Papadakis Mr. Dean Papademetriou Mrs. Ekaterini Papadopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Evangelos Papadopoulos Mr. Derek Papagionopoulos Ms. Maria Papagianopoulos Mr. William Papagianopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Papagiorgakis Mr. John C. Papajohn Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios K. Papaslis Mr. & Mrs. Eleftherios K. Papaslis Mrs. Rhoe Papoulias Miss Sofia Paraskevas Mrs. Andreana Pavlos & Family Ms. Angelica Perrone & Shown Johanson Mr. & Mrs. Peter Philipoppoulos Ms. Katherine A. Phillips Ms. Cornelia Photopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Demetris S. Photopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Nick Ploumis Mr. & Mrs. Ioakim Protopappas Mr. Michael Psikarakis & Mrs. Alexandra Demeter Psikarakis Ms. Georgia Racheotes Mr. Nicholas S. Racheotes Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas P. Racheotes Mrs. Patricia S. Redmond Mr. & Mrs. Michael Roussas Mr. & Mrs. Peter G. Salidas Ms. Bessie Samiotes Mr. David J. Santino & Ms. Effie Hatzimichael Mr. & Mrs. Tomas Saravelas Ms. Maria Scarlatos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Scarlatos Atty. & Mrs. Peter A. Senopoulos Ms. Desi Sideropoulos Ms. Sodira Sideropoulos Ms. Thalia Sideropoulos Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Smith Ms. Evangeline Spanos Ms. Stephanie Spiliakos Mr. & Mrs. Paul Stamatos Ms. Maria Stata Ms. Anne Marie Stathis Mr. Louis C. Stathis Ms. Pauline A. Stathis Ms. Stela S. Striligas & Mr. Gabriel Almodovar Ms. Victoria Striligas Atty. Peter H. Sutton Mr. & Mrs. John Tamvakologos Mr. & Mrs. Demetrios Tassiopoulos Ms. Maria Tassiopoulos Ms. Angeline D. Theodore Mrs. Maria Theodore Ms. Maria Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Triantos Thomas Ms. Mary V. Thomopoulos Mr. & Mrs. John Torres Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Torski Dr. James P. Toyias Mr. Christopher J. Trakas Mr. & Mrs. Konstantinos Travayiakis Mr. & Mrs. Ross N. Triant Mr. & Mrs. James M. Tringas Ms. Marigoula Troubalos Mr. Sotiris Tsingos & Mrs. Jennifer Capone Ms. Vasilika D. Tsucalas Ms. Aleka Towers Mr. & Mrs. Kostas Tzigizis Mrs. Theodosia Tzimorangas Ms. Pauline V. Valavanis Dr. & Mrs. Vassili Valayannopoulos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Varitimidis Dr. Pantel S. Vokonas Mr. Socrates Vrattos Dawit Woldu & Feven Ghebremichael Mr. & Mrs. Charles Williams Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Woods Mr. Dimitrios Zaferacopoulos Mr. Nikolaos Zaferacopoulos Mrs. Nuala Zaferacopoulos-Doherty Ms Maria Zafferes Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Zedros Ms. Mary Zetes Mr. Peter J. Zetes

8 St Nicholas the Wonderworker 6 December Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia is famed as a great saint pleasing unto God. He was born in the city of Patara in the region of Lycia (on the south coast of the Asia Minor peninsula), and was the only son of pious parents Theophanes and Nonna, who had vowed to dedicate him to God. As the fruit of the prayer of his childless parents, the infant Nicholas from the very day of his birth revealed to people the light of his future glory as a wonderworker. His mother, Nonna, after giving birth was immediately healed from illness. The newborn infant, while still in the baptismal font, stood on his feet three hours, without support from anyone, thereby honoring the Most Holy Trinity. St Nicholas from his infancy began a life of fasting, and on Wednesdays and Fridays he would not accept milk from his mother until after his parents had finished their evening prayers. From his childhood Nicholas thrived on the study of Divine Scripture; by day he would not leave church, and by night he prayed and read books, making himself a worthy dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Bishop Nicholas of Patara rejoiced at the spiritual success and deep piety of his nephew. He ordained him a reader, and then elevated Nicholas to the priesthood, making him his assistant and entrusting him to instruct the flock. In serving the Lord the youth was fervent of spirit, and in his proficiency with questions of faith he was like an Elder, who aroused the wonder and deep respect of believers. Constantly at work and vivacious, in unceasing prayer, the priest Nicholas displayed great kind-heartedness towards the flock, and towards the afflicted who came to him for help, and he distributed all his inheritance to the poor. There was a certain formerly rich inhabitant of Patara, whom St Nicholas saved from great sin. The man had three grown daughters, and in desparation he planned to sell their bodies so they would have money for food. The saint, learning of the man s poverty and of his wicked intention, secretly visited him one night and threw a sack of gold through the window. With the money the man arranged an honorable marriage for his daughter. St Nicholas also provided gold for the other daughters, thereby saving the family from falling into spiritual destruction. In bestowing charity, St Nicholas always strove to do this secretly and to conceal his good deeds. The Bishop of Patara decided to go on pilgrimage to the holy places at Jerusalem, and entrusted the guidance of his flock to St Nicholas, who fulfilled this obedience carefully and with love. When the bishop returned, Nicholas asked his blessing for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Along the way the saint predicted a storm would arise and threaten the ship. St Nicholas saw the devil get on the ship, intending to sink it and kill all the passengers. At the entreaty of the despairing pilgrims, he calmed the waves of the sea by his prayers. Through his prayer a certain sailor of the ship, who had fallen from the mast and was mortally injured was also restored to health. When he reached the ancient city of Jerusalem and came to Golgotha, St Nicholas gave thanks to the Savior. He went to all the holy places, worshiping at each one. One night on Mount Sion, the

9 closed doors of the church opened by themselves for the great pilgrim. Going round the holy places connected with the earthly service of the Son of God, St Nicholas decided to withdraw into the desert, but he was stopped by a divine voice urging him to return to his native country. He returned to Lycia, and yearning for a life of quietude, the saint entered into the brotherhood of a monastery named Holy Sion, which had been founded by his uncle. But the Lord again indicated another path for him, Nicholas, this is not the vineyard where you shall bear fruit for Me. Return to the world, and glorify My Name there. So he left Patara and went to Myra in Lycia. Upon the death of Archbishop John, Nicholas was chosen as Bishop of Myra after one of the bishops of the Council said that a new archbishop should be revealed by God, not chosen by men. One of the elder bishops had a vision of a radiant Man, Who told him that the one who came to the church that night and was first to enter should be made archbishop. He would be named Nicholas. The bishop went to the church at night to await Nicholas. The saint, always the first to arrive at church, was stopped by the bishop. What is your name, child? he asked. God s chosen one replied, My name is Nicholas, Master, and I am your servant. After his consecration as archbishop, St Nicholas remained a great ascetic, appearing to his flock as an image of gentleness, kindness and love for people. This was particularly precious for the Lycian Church during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian ( ). Bishop Nicholas, locked up in prison together with other Christians for refusing to worship idols, sustained them and exhorted them to endure the fetters, punishment and torture. The Lord preserved him unharmed. Upon the accession of St Constantine (May 21) as emperor, St Nicholas was restored to his flock, which joyfully received their guide and intercessor. Despite his great gentleness of spirit and purity of heart, St Nicholas was a zealous and ardent warrior of the Church of Christ. Fighting evil spirits, the saint made the rounds of the pagan temples and shrines in the city of Myra and its surroundings, shattering the idols and turning the temples to dust. In the year 325 St Nicholas was a participant in the First Ecumenical Council. This Council proclaimed the Nicean Symbol of Faith, and he stood up against the heretic Arius with the likes of Sts Sylvester the Bishop of Rome (January 2), Alexander of Alexandria (May 29), Spyridon of Trimythontos (December 12) and other Fathers of the Council. St Nicholas, fired with zeal for the Lord, assailed the heretic Arius with his words, and also struck him upon the face. For this reason, he was deprived of the emblems of his episcopal rank and placed under guard. But several of the holy Fathers had the same vision, seeing the Lord Himself and the Mother of God returning to him the Gospel and omophorion. The Fathers of the Council agreed that the audacity of the saint was pleasing to God, and restored the saint to the office of bishop. Having returned to his own diocese, the saint brought it peace and blessings, sowing the word of Truth, uprooting heresy, nourishing his flock with sound doctrine, and also providing food for their bodies. Continued on page 12

10 (F) Fas?ng Day

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12 Continued from page 9 Even during his life the saint worked many miracles. One of the greatest was the deliverance from death of three men unjustly condemned by the Governor, who had been bribed. The saint boldly went up to the executioner and took his sword, already suspended over the heads of the condemned. The Governor, denounced by St Nicholas for his wrong doing, repented and begged for forgiveness. Witnessing this remarkable event were three military officers, who were sent to Phrygia by the emperor Constantine to put down a rebellion. They did not suspect that soon they would also be compelled to seek the intercession of St Nicholas. Evil men slandered them before the emperor, and the officers were sentenced to death. Appearing to St Constantine in a dream, St Nicholas called on him to overturn the unjust sentence of the military officers. He worked many other miracles, and struggled many long years at his labor. Through the prayers of the saint, the city of Myra was rescued from a terrible famine. He appeared to a certain Italian merchant and left him three gold pieces as a pledge of payment. He requested him to sail to Myra and deliver grain there. More than once, the saint saved those drowning in the sea, and provided release from captivity and imprisonment. Having reached old age, St Nicholas peacefully fell asleep in the Lord. His venerable relics were preserved incorrupt in the local cathedral church and flowed with curative myrrh, from which many received healing. In the year 1087, his relics were transferred to the Italian city of Bari, where they rest even now (See May 9). The name of the great saint of God, the hierarch and wonderworker Nicholas, a speedy helper and suppliant for all hastening to him, is famed in every corner of the earth, in many lands and among many peoples. In Russia there are a multitude of cathedrals, monasteries and churches consecrated in his name. There is, perhaps, not a single city without a church dedicated to him. The first Russian Christian prince Askold (+ 882) was baptized in 866 by Patriarch Photius (February 6) with the name Nicholas. Over the grave of Askold, St Olga (July 11) built the first temple of St Nicholas in the Russian Church at Kiev. Primary cathedrals were dedicated to St Nicholas at Izborsk, Ostrov, Mozhaisk, and Zaraisk. At Novgorod the Great, one of the main churches of the city, the Nikolo-Dvorischensk church, later became a cathedral. Famed and venerable churches and monasteries dedicated to St Nicholas are found at Kiev, Smolensk, Pskov, Toropetsa, Galich, Archangelsk, Great Ustiug, Tobolsk. Moscow had dozens of churches named for the saint, and also three monasteries in the Moscow diocese: the Nikolo- Greek (Staryi) in the Chinese-quarter, the Nikolo- Perervinsk and the Nikolo-Ugreshsk. One of the chief towers of the Kremlin was named the Nikolsk. Many of the churches devoted to the saint were those established at market squares by Russian merchants, sea-farers and those who traveled by land, venerating the wonderworker Nicholas as a protector of all those journeying on dry land and sea. They sometimes received the name among the people of Nicholas soaked. Many village churches in Russia were dedicated to the wonderworker Nicholas, venerated by

13 peasants as a merciful intercessor before the Lord for all the people in their work. And in the Russian land St Nicholas did not cease his intercession. Ancient Kiev preserves the memory about the miraculous rescue of a drowning infant by the saint. The great wonderworker, hearing the grieffilled prayers of the parents for the loss of their only child, took the infant from the waters, revived him and placed him in the choir-loft of the church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) before his wonderworking icon. In the morning the infant was found safe by his thrilled parents, praising St Nicholas the Wonderworker. Many wonderworking icons of St Nicholas appeared in Russia and came also from other lands. There is the ancient Byzantine embordered image of the saint, brought to Moscow from Novgorod, and the large icon painted in the thirteenth century by a Novgorod master. Two depictions of the wonderworker are especially numerous in the Russian Church: St Nicholas of Zaraisk, portrayed in full-length, with his right hand raised in blessing and with a Gospel (this image was brought to Ryazan in 1225 by the Byzantine Princess Eupraxia, the future wife of Prince Theodore. She perished in 1237 with her husband and infant son during the incursion of Batu); and St Nicholas of Mozhaisk, also in full stature, with a sword in his right hand and a city in his left. This recalls the miraculous rescue of the city of Mozhaisk from an invasion of enemies, through the prayers of the saint. It is impossible to list all the grace-filled icons of St Nicholas, or to enumerate all his miracles. St Nicholas is the patron of travelers, and we pray to him for deliverance from floods, poverty, or any misfortunes. He has promised to help those who remember his parents, Theophanes and Nonna. The incarnation of the Word and his assumption of human nature took place for the overthrow of death, destruction and the envy harbored against us by the wicked Serpent, who was the first cause of evil. This plainly is proved to us by facts themselves. He set free the daughter of Abraham from her protracted sickness, calling out and saying, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity. A speech most worthy of God, and full of supernatural power! With the royal inclination of his will, he drives away the disease. He also lays his hands upon her. It says that she immediately was made straight. It is now also possible to see that his holy flesh bore in it the power and activity of God. It was his own flesh, and not that of some other Son beside him, distinct and separate from him, as some most impiously imagine. St. Cyril of Alexandria

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17 CHRISTMAS 2015 We greet you with much love during this most holy season. We strongly encourage and invite all Orthodox ChrisZans to make a sincere effort to agend most of the church services during the Christmas and Epiphany season and to partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Please refer to the enclosed schedule of services to assist you in planning your church agendance. All who are planning to receive Holy Communion on Christmas Eve should abstain from food or drink a[er 12 noon on that day children should abstain beginning at 3 PM. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ 2015 Ὀσοι εκ των χριστιανωuν μας προuκειται να κοινωνηuσουν το βραuδυ στην Λειτουργιuα των Χριστουγεuννων, θα πρεuπει να μην φαuγουν τιuποτε μεταu αποu τις 12 το αποuγευμα οι μεγαuλοι, τα μικραu παιδιαu μεταu αποu τις 3 μ.μ. Schedule of Services Christmas through Epiphany Προsγραμμα Εορτωsν December January 2016 Χριστουγεsννων και Νεsου Εsτους Sunday, Dec. 20: SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS Κυριακηs, 20 Δεκ.: ΠΡΟ ΤΩΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΩΝ Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:30 AM Ορθρος και Θειuα Λειτουργιuα, 8:30 π.μ. Children s Christmas Pageant Χριστουγεννιαuτικο Προuγραμμα των παιδιωuν Thursday, Dec. 24: CHRISTMAS EVE Πέμπτη, 24 Δεκ.: ΠΑΡΑΜΟΝΗ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΩΝ Vesperal Liturgy, 6:30 PM Εσπερινοuς, Θειuα Λειτουργιuα, 6:30 μ.μ. Friday, Dec. 25: CHRISTMAS DAY Παρασκευή, 25 Δεκ.: ΗΜΕΡΑ ΤΩΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΩΝ Orthros & Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, 8:45 AM Ορθρος και Αρχιερατική Θεία Λειτουργία, 8.45 π.μ. Sunday, Dec. 27: SUNDAY AFTER NATIVITY Κυριακηs, 27 Δεκ.: ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΠΡΙΝ ΤΑ ΦΩΤΑ Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:30 AM Ορθρος και Θειuα Λειτουργιuα, 8:30 π.μ. Friday, Jan. 1: NEW YEAR S DAY ST.BASIL Παρασκευή, 1 Ιαν. ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΥ Orthros and Divine Liturgy, 8:45 AM Ορθρος και Θειuα Λειτουργιuα, 8.45 π.μ. Tuesday, Jan. 5: EVE OF EPIPHANY Τρίτη, 5 Ιαν.: ΠΑΡΑΜΟΝΗ ΤΩΝ ΦΩΤΩΝ Vesperal Liturgy, 9:00 AM Great Blessing of Εσπερινοuς, Θειuα Λειτουργιuα the Waters (Agiasmos) Service at Cathedral ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟΣ, 9.00 π.μ. Wednesday, Jan. 6: EPIPHANY Τετάρτη, 6 Ιαν.: ΤΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ Orthros & Divine Liturgy, 8:45 AM Great Blessing of Ορθρος, Θ. Λειτουργιuα the Waters (Agiasmos) Service ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟΣ, 8.:45 π.μ.

18 Announcements WELCOME TO ALL VISITORS: For those visiting an Orthodox Church for the first time, please be aware that Holy Communion is a sign of unity of faith which is only offered to Baptized or Chrismated Orthodox Christians. All present are welcome, however, to partake of the antidoro (blessed bread) which is distributed at the end of the service. Those interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian faith, please feel free to see Fr. Demetri after the service. This week, to assist you in the Narthex we have at the Pangary: Lula Kiflit, George Niakaros; Greeter: Simone Dodge; Ushers: Angela Theodore, Mary Hanna, Marica Arvanites, Chris Karimbakas. MEMORIALS: Memorial services is offered today for the repose of the soul of Nicholas Kotarides (6 months). May his memory be eternal! Altar candles are offered in memory of Nicholas Kotarides by his family. Please join us for fellowship immediately following the Liturgy in the Anastasia and Spiro Davis Hall. The fellowship hour will be offered in memory of Nicholas Kotarides by his family. DONATIONS: In memory of James P. Lemonias: Ms. Maryanne Ajemian. THANK YOU: We would like to thank Mr. Teddy Papaslis and his family for donating the beautiful Christmas decorations and the wreaths for the Cathedral and the church offices. PHILOPTOCHOS ST. NICHOLAS BRUNCH: The Cathedral Ladies Philoptochos Society warmly invites you today to attend its Annual St. Nicholas Brunch, following Divine Liturgy at the Davis Hall. Adult tickets are $25.00 and for children under 12 are $ Tickets will be sold following the Divine Liturgy in the Davis Hall. We look forward to welcome all together the joyous Christmas season. A CHRISTMAS SING: On Sunday, December 13 the Cathedral Choir with the direction of the Choirmaster Constantine (Dean) Limberakis will present the Christmas Sing after the Liturgy. ANNUAL NEW YEAR S RAFFLE: Help our Cathedral usher in the New Year by offering a donation toward our Annual New Year s Raffle. Let s make 2016 a year of great success here at the Cathedral! May you and your families have a blessed and fruitful New Year. The drawing will be held on January 10th. GIVE BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS: Books from our church bookstore make wonderful gifts. Our bookstore has a wide variety of books for all ages. Consider giving books as Christmas Gifts. Gift wrapping is complimentary. ST. NICHOLAS SHRINE AT GROUND ZERO: The St. Nicholas Shrine now under construction at Ground Zero in New York represents the living embodiment of our Greek Orthodox Christian Faith. Please join our Metropolis Family by contributing a minimum of $100 or more to demonstrate the unity of our church and our commitment to our faith. On your check please note in the memo section that you are a steward of the Annunciation Cathedral in Boston, MA. This program ends today on December 6, the Feast of St. Nicholas.

19 ΚΑΛΩΣOΡΙΣΜΑ: Για όσους επισκέπτονται την Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία για πρώτη φορά, θα πρέπει να γνωρίζουν ότι η Θεία Κοινωνία είναι το σύμβολο της ενότητας της πίστεως, το οποίο προσφέρεται μόνο σε όσους έχουν βαπτιστεί ή χριστεί Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί. Όλοι οι παρευρισκόμενοι ωστόσο, είναι ευπρόσδεκτοι να λάβουν το Αντίδωρο (ή ευλογημένο ψωμί), το οποίο διανέμεται μετά το τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας. Όσοι ενδιαφέρεστε να μάθετε περισσότερα για την Ορθόδοξη Χριστιανική Πίστη, μη διστάσετε να μιλήσετε στον Πατέρα Δημήτριο μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία. Αυτή την εβδομάδα θα βοηθήσουν στο Παγκάρι: Lula Kiflit, George Niakaros, Υποδοχή: Simone Dodge, Δίσκος: Angela Theodore, Mary Hanna, Marica Arvanites, Chris Karimbakas. ΜΝΗΜΟΣΥΝΑ: Σήμερα τελούμε επιμνημόσυνη δέηση υπέρ αναπαύσεως της ψυxής του κεκοιμημένου δούλου του Θεού Νικολάου Κοταρίδη (6 μήνες). Αιωνία αυτού η μνήμη! Τα κεριά προσφέρονται εις μνήμη του Νικολάου Κοταρίδη από την οικογένειά του. Παρακαλείσθε όπως παραβρεθείτε μετά το τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας στη Αίθουσα Αναστασίας και Σπυρίδωνος Davis όπου θα προσφερθούν καφές και εδέσματα εις μνήμη του Νικολάου Κοταρίδη από την οικογένειά του. ΔΩΡΕΕΣ: Εις μνήμη του Δημητρίου Π. Λεμονιά: Ms. Maryanne Ajemian. Ανακοινώσεις ΓΕΥΜΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΥ ΑΠΟ ΤΗ ΦΙΛΟΠΤΩΧΟ: Οι κυρίες της Φιλοπτώχου του Καθεδρικού Ναού σας προσκαλούν στο ετήσιο Γεύμα του Αγίου Νικολάου το οποίο θα λάβει χώρα σήμερα αμέσως μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία στο Davis Hall. Τα εισητήρια για τους μεγάλους είναι $25.00 και για τα παιδιά κάτω των 12 είναι $ Μπορείτε να προμηθευτείτe εισητήρια μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία στο Davis Hall. Σας περιμένουμε, έτσι ώστε όλοι μαζί να υποδεχτούμε τις Εορτές που πλησιάζουν. ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΙΕΣ: Θα θέλαμε να ευχαριστήσουμε ιδιαίτερα τον Mr. Teddy Papaslis και την οικογένειά του για την δωρεά της Χριστουγεννιάτικης διακόσμησης και των στεφανιών του Καθεδρικού Ναού και των γραφείων μας. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΟΙ ΥΜΝΟΙ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑΓΟΥΔΙΑ: Την Κυριακή, 13 Δεκεμβρίου αμέσως μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία η χορωδία του Καθεδρικού υπό την διεύθυνση του Κυρίου Κωνσταντίνου Λυμπεράκη θα παρουσιάσει Χριστουγεννιάτικους ύμνους και τραγούδια. ΕΤΗΣΙΟ ΠΡΩΤΟΧΡΟΝΙΑΤΙΚΟ ΛΑΧΕΙΟ: Υπολογίζουμε στην αμέριστη βοήθειά σας και ευελπιστούμε στην γενναιοδωρία σας και την προσφορά σας για την Ετήσια Πρωτοχρονιάτικη Λαχειοφόρο, που θα γίνει τη Κυριακή 10 Ιανουαρίου, μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία και που θα βοηθήσει τον Καθεδρικό Ναό μας. Ας κάνουμε το 2016 μια χρονιά μεγάλης επιτυχίας! Ευχόμαστε σε εσάς και τις οικογένειές σας Χρόνια Πολλά και Ευλογημένο και Καρποφόρο το Νέο Έτος. ΔΩΡΙΣΤΕ ΒΙΒΛΙA: Τα βιβλία είναι ένα θαυμάσιο δώρο. Το βιβλιοπωλείο μας διαθέτει μεγάλη ποικιλία βιβλίων για όλες τις ηλικίες. Δόστε φέτος ένα βιβλίο για Χριστουγεννιάτικο δώρο. Θα σας το τυλίξουμε δωρεάν.

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