September 8, 2019 Sunday Before Holy Cross. The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary Sophronios, Bishop of Iberia

Transcript

1 September 8, 2019 Sunday Before Holy Cross The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary Sophronios, Bishop of Iberia Epistle: Galatians 6:11-18 Gospel: John 3:13-17 The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos & Ever-Virgin Mary 937 Chase Parkway Waterbury, CT Phone: (203) Fax: (203) Fr. Nikolaos Cell: Office Monday Sept 9 Parish Council Meeting 7:00pm Tuesday Sept 10 Greek School - 5:00pm youth, 6:30pm adults; GOYA Meeting 6:30pm Thursday Sept 12 DOP Designer Handbag Bingo 5:45pm in Banquet Hall; Office Closed Friday Sept 13 Office Closed Saturday Sept 14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:45am; GOYA Car Show 11am-3pm Sunday Sept 15 Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:45am; Philoptochos Meeting Monday Sept 16 Office Closed

2 ΙΕΡΟΣ ΝΑΟΣ ΑΓΙΑΣ ΤΡΙΑΔΟΣ Sundays: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:45am Holy Confession: By appointment Office hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm; Closed Tuesdays Rev. Nikolaos Mataragas, Proistamenos Rev. Demetri Belsito, Ph.D., Deacon Welcome to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church! We hope that you will make this your spiritual home. We have ministries and organizations for all ages and all walks of life. Connect with us on Facebook and our list to stay up to date on upcoming events. APOLYTIKION Resurrectional Apolytikion Let the heavens sing for joy, and let everything on earth be glad. For with His Arm the Lord has worked power. He trampled death under foot by means of death; and He became the firstborn from the dead. From the maw of Hades He delivered us; and He granted the world His great mercy. Apolytikion for the Feast Your Nativity, O Theotokos, imparted joy to the entire earth, for out of you has risen the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God. He nullified the curse and instead gave His blessing; and causing death to be neutralized, He granted us eternal life. Kontakion Both Joachim and Anna from their sterility's stigma, and Adam and Eve from their mortality's ruin have been set free, O immaculate Maid, by your holy nativity. For this do your people hold celebration, redeemed from the guilt of transgression as they cry to you, "The barren one bears the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life." ἈΠΟΛΥΤΊΚΙΟΝ Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιμον Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐῤῥύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Ἀπολυτίκιον Τῆς Ἑορτῆς Ἡ γέννησίς σου Θεοτόκε, χαρὰν ἐμήνυσε πάσῃ τῇ οἰκουμένῃ ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἀνέτειλεν ὁ ἥλιος τῆς δικαιοσύνης, Χριστὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, καὶ λύσας τὴν κατάραν, ἔδωκε τὴν εὐλογίαν καὶ καταργήσας τὸν θάνατον, ἐδωρήσατο ἡμῖν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον. Κοντάκιον Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννα ὀνειδισμοῦ ἀτεκνίας, καὶ Ἀδὰμ καὶ Εὔα, ἐκ τῆς φθορᾶς τοῦ θανάτου, ἠλευθερώθησαν, Ἄχραντε, ἐν τῇ ἁγίᾳ γεννήσει σου αὐτὴν ἑορτάζει καὶ ὁ λαός σου, ἐνοχῆς τῶν πταισμάτων, λυτρωθεὶς ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι Ἡ στεῖρα τίκτει τὴν Θεοτόκον, καὶ τροφὸν τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν. 2

3 EPISTLE - GALATIANS 6:11-18 ΠΡῸΣ ΓΑΛΑΤΑΣ 6:11-18 Reader- O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God. The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6: Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. Κυττάξτε μὲ πόσον μεγάλα γράμματα σᾶς ἔγραψα μὲ τὸ χέρι μου. Ὅσοι θέλουν νὰ φανοῦν εὐάρεστοι μὲ μέσα ἐξωτερικά, αὐτοὶ σᾶς ἀναγκάζουν νὰ περιτέμνεσθε, ἁπλῶς καὶ μόνον διὰ νὰ μὴ καταδιώκονται διὰ τὸ κήρυγμα περὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Διότι οὔτε α ὐ τοὶ π ο ὺ π ε ρ ι τ έ μ ν ο ν τ α ι, φυλάττουν τὸν νόμον, ἀλλὰ θέλουν νὰ περιτέμνεσθε σεῖς, διὰ νὰ καυχηθοῦν διὰ τὴν συμμόρφωσίν σας εἰς ἕνα ἐξωτερικὸν τύπον. Εἰς ἐμὲ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο νὰ καυχηθῶ διὰ τίποτε ἄλλο παρὰ διὰ τὸν σταυρὸν τοῦ Κυρίου μας Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, διὰ τοῦ ὁποίου ὁ κόσμος εἶναι σταυρωμένος ὡς πρὸς ἐμέ, καὶ ἐγὼ εἶμαι σταυρωμένος ὡς πρὸς τὸν κόσμον. Διότι ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε ἡ περιτομὴ οὔτε ἡ ἀκροβυστία ἔχουν ἀξίαν, ἀλλὰ ἡ νέα δημιουργία. Καὶ ὅσοι βαδίσουν σύμφωνα μὲ τὸν κανόνα τοῦτον, εἰρήνη ἂς ἔλθῃ εἰς αὐτοὺς καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ εἰς τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ Θεοῦ. Εἰς τὸ ἑξῆς ἂς μὴ μὲ ἐνοχλῇ κανείς, διότι ἐγὼ βαστάζω εἰς τὸ σῶμά μου τὰ σημάδια τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ Κυρίου μας Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ νὰ εἶναι μὲ τὸ πνεῦμά σας, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν....For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.." 3

4 GOSPEL - JOHN 3:13-17 ΚΑΤᾺ ἸΩΑΝΝΗΝ 3:13-17 The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." GOSPEL - GJONI 3:13-17 Κανεὶς δὲν ἀνέβηκε εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν, παρὰ ἐκεῖνος ποὺ κατέβηκε ἀπὸ τὸν οὐρανόν, ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ὁ ὁποῖος εἶναι εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν. Ὅπως ὁ Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸ φίδι εἰς τὴν ἔρημον, ἔτσι πρέπει νὰ ὑψωθῇ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ὥστε καθένας ποὺ πιστεύει εἰς αὐτὸν νὰ μὴ χαθῇ, ἀλλὰ νὰ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Διότι τόσον πολὺ ἀγάπησε ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε ἔδωκε τὸν Υἱόν του τὸν μονογενῆ, διὰ νὰ μὴ χαθῇ ὅποιος πιστεύει εἰς αὐτόν, ἀλλὰ νὰ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Διότι δὲν ἔστειλε ὁ Θεὸς τὸν Υἱόν του εἰς τὸν κόσμον, διὰ νὰ καταδικάσῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλὰ διὰ νὰ σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι αὐτοῦ. Askush nuk është ngjitur në qiell, përveç Birit të njeriut që ka zbritur prej qiellit. Ashtu si Moisiu lartësoi gjarprin prej bronzi në shkretëtirë, kështu duhet të ngrihet lart edhe Biri i njeriut, që kushdo që beson në të, të ketë jetën e amshuar. Perëndia e deshi aq shumë botën, sa dha Birin e tij të vetëmlindur, që kushdo që beson në të, të mos humbasë, por të ketë jetën e amshuar. Perëndia nuk e dërgoi Birin në botë për ta gjykuar botën, por që bota të shpëtohet nëpërmjet tij. Memorial today: 1 Year for Athena Ulozas. We pray that God may grant her rest where all the saints repose. Αιωνία η Μνήμη αυτή, May her memory be eternal! The Coffee Hour today is given by the DeMatteis Family. We thank them and cordially invite everyone to the Coffee Hour Room, up the ramp, following Divine Liturgy. 4

5 A Coffee Hour Sponsor is still needed for October 13 and 20. The church provides all the paper goods - you just need to bring coffee, milk, juice & whatever pastries you like. Please sign up on the board. Greek School Registration continues today. Please see Pantelis TInios for more info. Sunday School classes begin today. GOYA s first meeting of the year (with Elections!) is set for Tuesday, Sept. 10th at 6:30pm. House Blessings: Fr. Niko will be doing House/Business Blessings beginning in September - please contact the office to schedule yours. Vacation: The office will be closed Thurs, Sept. 12th through Mon, Sept. 16th as Carrie will be out of town. GOYA s 12th Annual Car Show is Saturday, Sept. 14th. Please invite your friends & family! Flyers are available in the office on top of the black cabinet. Ladies Philoptochos: Our first meeting of the year is Sunday, Sept. 15th following Divine Liturgy. AHEPA s Dinner of the Month is Monday, Sept. 23rd at 7:00pm. This event is open to the public and features hors d oeuvres, beer & wine and a family-style meal. Proceeds help support AHEPA Chapter 48 s generous scholarship fund. Please contact Carrie in the office for more info or see the flyer below. Koulourakia Baking for the Mini Greek Food Fest will take place Sunday, Sept. 29th following Divine Liturgy. All are welcome - no experience necessary! Please see Anthony or Cassandra Rinaldi for more info. 5

6 Do you like singing? Do you like Greek Music? We are looking to get a music group/choir started focused on singing a variety of Greek songs. People interested should have a passion for music and be willing to learn! No previous experience required, just the willingness to learn! Open to those 16 and up to apply. Please contact Jim T z e n o s a t o r b y e m a i l a t jtzenos@gmail.com for more information. UCONN President Welcome The Center for Hellenic Studies PAIDEIA and the Greek-American Community of CT cordially invite everyone to a WELCOME RECEPTION for the 16th President of The University of Connecticut, Dr. Thomas C. Katsouleas, on Saturday, Sept. 29th, 4:00pm at the Paideia Center at on the UCONN Storrs Campus (28 Dog Lane). Please RSVP to the church office so we can give a headcount to Paideia. Everyone is invited to the Annual FORCC Banquet on Sunday, Oct 6th at Holy Trinity in Bridgeport, 1:00pm. No tickets sold at the door - advanced tickets can be purchased by contacting Nina Kosowsky at There is a flier with more info on the bulletin board. 6

7 Attention Parishioners! Join the $5 more per week Stewardship Club * Membership Has Its Privileges... Membership includes: -weekly church services with a direct line to God -spiritual counseling -education: Sunday School, bible study... -youth groups: GOYA, HOPE & JOY, Mommy and Me -sports: volleyball & basketball -peer bonding activities -group outings, coffee hour... -cultural enrichment - Greek School, Greek Dancing... AND the satisfaction of knowing you are engaged and growing in your support of the church! A steward is typically considered an adult who is 18 years of age or older and making their own income. Our children are introduced to stewardship through our Sunday School program by donating to the soup kitchen and the mission boxes that support international church missionary work. *Not a real club, but you can join! 7

8 OUR 2019 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN IS ONGOING! Stewardship is a free-will offering of our time, talent and treasure to the church. Contributions are taxdeductible. Participating in our Stewardship Program is how individuals/ families become active stewards of our church. Your contributions give the church the resources needed to fulfill its mission. We thank God for every good gift that comes from above and we thank you for your support of the work of the church! Names for the Proskomedi (preparation service): Please submit names of the living or deceased to the church office to be commemorated during the preparation of the holy gifts before Divine Liturgy. Names of those who have fallen asleep should be marked with a +cross. Prayer cards are available at the candle stand in the narthex to be filled out and submitted. If you are interested in volunteering your time or talents, please see Fr. Nikolaos to find out how you can make a difference in the various ministries & organizations of our community. 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 offered to Baptized and/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. All people, of any background, are welcome to join the Orthodox Church! Those interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian Faith or becoming a member or our church, please see Fr. Nikolaos. 8