Pastor Assistant Pastor Parish President Stewardship Chairperson Pastoral Assistant Pastor Emeritus Parish Nurse GOYA Advisors Office Manager Secretary CONTACTS Fr. Christopher P. Foustoukos Email: frchris@stvasilios.org Fr. Anthony Tandilyan Email: franthony@stvasilios.org Mr. Steve Stephanides Email: stephanidessteve@gmail.com Mrs. Pam Katsiris Email: pamyianni@comcast.net Deacon Michael Fadel Fr. Andrew Demotses Sophia Grevelis, RN Sofya & James Leras sofya.leras@gmail.com Irene Stephanides Email: irene@stvasilios.org Chrissa Pissios Email: bulletin@stvasilios.org Office: Tel: 978-531-0777 Fax: 978-538-9522 5 Paleologos Street, Peabody, MA 01960 website: www.stvasilios.org St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church WWW.STVASILIOS.ORG 10th Sunday of luke CANDLE COUNTER (Παγκα/ρι) SCHEDULE SUNDAY, December 9 Chuck Antoniou John Pnevmatikos Jim Koumarianos George Glaros SUNDAY, December 16 Dionisios Pissios Ted Stephanides Steve Stephanides John Maihos ALTAR BOY TEAMS & SCHEDULE George O Donnell Head Captain Sunday, December 9 1st Liturgy Team B 2nd Liturgy Team A Sunday, December 16 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 The Conception by Righteous Anna of the Most Holy Mother of God December 9, 2018 20
The Conception by Righteous Anna of the Most Holy Mother of God Saint Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary, was the youngest daughter of the priest Nathan from Bethlehem, descended from the tribe of Levi. She married Saint Joachim (September 9), who was a native of Galilee. For a long time Saint Anna was childless, but after twenty years, through the fervent prayer of both spouses, an angel of the Lord announced to them that they would be the parents of a daughter, Who would bring blessings to the whole human race. The Orthodox Church does not accept the teaching that the Mother of God was exempted from the consequences of ancestral sin (death, corruption, sin, etc.) at the moment of her conception by virtue of the future merits of Her Son. Only Christ was born perfectly holy and sinless, as Saint Ambrose of Milan teaches in Chapter Two of his Commentary on Luke. The Holy Virgin was like everyone else in Her mortality, and in being subject to temptation, although She committed no personal sins. She was not a deified creature removed from the rest of humanity. If this were the case, She would not have been truly human, and the nature that Christ took from Her would not have been truly human either. If Christ does not truly share our human nature, then the possibilty of our salvation is in doubt. The Conception of the Virgin Mary by Saint Anna took place at Jerusalem. The many icons depicting the Conception by Saint Anna show the Most Holy Theotokos trampling the serpent underfoot. 2 19
In the icon Saints Joachim and Anna are usually depicted with hands folded in prayer; their eyes are also directed upward and they contemplate the Mother of God, Who stands in the air with outstretched hands; under Her feet is an orb encircled by a serpent (symbolizing the devil), which strives to conquer all the universe by its power. There are also icons in which Saint Anna holds the Most Holy Virgin on her left arm as an infant. On Saint Anna s face is a look of reverence. A large ancient icon, painted on canvas, is located in the village of Minkovetsa in the Dubensk district of Volhynia diocese. 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/emails from WCVB at: thebostonchannel.com 18 3
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JR. GOYA WEEKLY MEETING Saturday, December 15, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room Youth ages 10 and up are invited to join us baking Christmas cookies! Please note that while the Dance Group meets on Saturdays 4-5 PM, Jr. GOYA will offer alternative activities for kids 10+ who are not dancing. Contact Fr. Anthony for more information: FrAnthony@StVasilios.org KALEE PAREA PLEASANT COMPANY Our next get-together will be at the Educational Center at 10:00. A.M. DECEMBER 14- Beverly Senior Center- Joanne will guide us through a light exercise routine. (wear comfortable clothes and shoes) - Making and enjoying tyropites - Discussion for future events. -Board Games, Christmas Carols. PLEASE JOIN US AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS Contact Tina Manolakos. Anastasia Scangas Maria Collins 978 741 7547 978 745 2765. 978 531 6832 16 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 978-531-0777 to schedule your 40 day blessing thereby ensuring that no one is disappointed. Thank you for your attention and assistance with this matter. 5
Sunday, December 9, 2018 Hymns Following the Gospel (Small Entrance) Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Mode 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 Conception of the Theotokos in the Fourth Mode Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed; for God hearkened to Joachim and Anna. And though it was beyond hope, He clearly promised them that they should bear a divine child, from whom was born the Uncircumscribable One Himself Who became a mortal, and through an Angel commanded them to cry unto her: Rejoice, thou who art full of grace; the Lord is with 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 Fourth Mode Today the world rejoices in the conception of Anna, wrought by God. For she bore the One who beyond comprehension conceived the Logos. Apoluti/kion 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 ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Apoluti/kion Σήμερον τής ατεκνίας δεσμά διαλύονται, τού Ιωακείμ γάρ καί τής Άννης εισακούων Θεός, παρ' ελπίδα τεκείν αυτούς σαφώς, υπισχνείται θεόπαιδα, εξ ής αυτός ετέχθη ο απερίγραπτος, βροτός γεγονώς, δι' Αγγέλου κελεύσας βοήσαι αυτή, Χαίρε Κεχαριτωμένη, ο Κύριος μετά σού. 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 Εορτάζει σήμερον, η οικουμένη, τήν τής Άννης σύλληψιν, γεγενημένην εν Θεώ, καί γάρ αυτή απεκύησε, τήν υπέρ λόγον, τόν Λόγον κυήσασαν. ST. VASILIOS PHILOPTOCHOS FUNDRAISER 6 15
MEN S CLUB UPCOMING EVENTS 12/19 Monthly Dinner Meeting at 6:30 pm, in the St. Vasilios Educational Center. 12/21 Greek Heritage Night at the Celtics at 8:00 pm. 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 Greek School will be dancing. Questions? Email: mensclub@stvasilios.org INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Solicitation for Investment Committee Members To all parishioners in good standing and in accordance with the guidelines and objectives set forth in the St. Vasilios Church Endowment Fund Statement of Investment Policy (the Investment Policy ), solicitations are now being accepted to fill two (2) openings on the Investment Committee in two (2) year terms. The responsibility of the Investment Committee is to administer and oversee the investment of principal and distribution of accrued interest and appreciation, with the Church s professional financial advisor, of all Church endowment funds pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Policy, the Lalikos Scholarship Endowment Fund Statement of Investment Policy and the St. Vasilios Church Scholarship Endowment Fund Statement of Investment Policy. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Investment Committee please contact me by December 31, 2018 at cpartaledis@gmail.com EPISTLE READINGS Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 63.11,1. The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord. Verse: Oh God, hear my cry. The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:22-27. Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married." Προκείμενον. Grave Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 63.11,1. Εὐφρανθήσεται δίκαιος ἐν Κυρίῳ. Στίχ. Εἰσάκουσον, ὁ Θεός, τῆς φωνῆς μου. τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 4:22-27. Ἀδελφοί, Ἀβραὰμ δύο υἱοὺς ἔσχεν ἕνα ἐκ τῆς παιδίσκης, καὶ ἕνα ἐκ τῆς ἐλευθέρας. Ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ἐκ τῆς παιδίσκης κατὰ σάρκα γεγέννηται, ὁ δὲ ἐκ τῆς ἐλευθέρας διὰ τῆς ἐπαγγελίας. Ἅτινά ἐστιν ἀλληγορούμενα αὗται γάρ εἰσιν δύο διαθῆκαι μία μὲν ἀπὸ ὄρους Σινᾶ, εἰς δουλείαν γεννῶσα, ἥτις ἐστὶν Ἅγαρ. Τὸ γὰρ Ἅγαρ Σινᾶ ὄρος ἐστὶν ἐν τῇ Ἀραβίᾳ, συστοιχεῖ δὲ τῇ νῦν Ἱερουσαλήμ, δουλεύει δὲ μετὰ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῆς. Ἡ δὲ ἄνω Ἱερουσαλὴμ ἐλευθέρα ἐστίν, ἥτις ἐστὶν μήτηρ πάντων ἡμῶν γέγραπται γάρ, Εὐφράνθητι, στεῖρα, ἡ οὐ τίκτουσα ῥῆξον καὶ βόησον, ἡ οὐκ ὠδίνουσα ὅτι πολλὰ τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἐρήμου μᾶλλον ἢ τῆς ἐχούσης τὸν ἄνδρα. 14 7
GOSPEL READING -10th Sunday of Luke The Reading is from Luke 13:10-17 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 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. Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 13:10-17 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Ην δὲ διδάσκων ἐν μιᾷ τῶν συναγωγῶν ἐν τοῖς σάββασι. καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ ἦν πνεῦμα ἔχουσα ἀσθενείας ἔτη δέκα καὶ ὀκτώ, καὶ ἦν συγκύπτουσα καὶ μὴ δυναμένη ἀνακῦψαι εἰς τὸ παντελές. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὴν ὁ Ιησοῦς 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 Ιησοῦς, 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, 8 13
ἕκαστος ὑμῶν τῷ σαββάτῳ οὐ λύει τὸν βοῦν αὐτοῦ ἢ τὸν ὄνον ἀπὸ τῆς φάτνης καὶ ἀπαγαγὼν ποτίζει; ταύτην δέ, θυγατέρα Αβραὰμ οὖσαν, ἣν ἔδησεν ὁ σατανᾶς ἰδοὺ δέκα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη, οὐκ ἔδει λυθῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ 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. PLEASE HELP HAGAR S SISTERS Hagar s Sisters is a Christian Ministry dedicated to ending the cycle of abuse through the transforming power of God. As a Christian Ministry, Hagar s Sisters uniquely provides domestic violence education and support within the context of a woman s spiritual beliefs. It is a safe place to explore the tough spiritual questions every woman asks in the midst and the aftermath of abuse. Sadly, this past year Hagar s Sisters has seen an 82% increase in new women requesting services. A Sister Service Center is set to launch In January with a Prayer Room as well as Sister Meeting Spaces. Monetary donations of any denomination would be greatly appreciated to help with this great need. Envelopes shall be located in the Narthex as well as in the Educational Center. Envelopes can be returned to the Church Office by Wednesday, December 19, 2018. Thank you for your support! 12 9
ALTAR DONATIONS LITURGY LIGHTS In loving memory of Michael C. Lignos. Tina Manolakos & family in loving memory of Peter Scangas. VIGIL LIGHTS Tina Manolakos & family in memory of parents; George & Martha Yokas and brother; Sotirios. TODAY S MEMORIALS We commemorate today the blessed memory of the following members of our parish who have fallen asleep in the Lord: Basil Katsulis 40 day memorial Anna Tournas 40 day Memorial Charles P. Franggos 1 yr Memorial APARTMENT WANTED "Linda Zakas's niece Leah Brundige lost everything in the fire last Sunday in Salem. But luckily, she was able to escape the fire. Leah, who was baptized at St. Vasilios, is currently staying at the Hawthorne Hotel until Friday. After that, she will be in temporary housing. Due to a lot of people's generosity, she has been able to get clothing, kitchen items and furniture. Right now her biggest need is a place to live for herself and her small dog. If you know anyone on the North Shore that might be able to help her find a new apartment in the Salem-Peabody-Danvers-Beverly area, it would be greatly appreciated. Leah is a Salem State student. People can contact Speros at 978-605-0044. Thank you for your help." WEEKDAY SERVICES 8:00 a.m. Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 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 beloved Mother & Yiayia, Evgenia Tsionis by the Tsionis Family; and in loving memory of Peter Scangas by Tessie Scangas and family. YOCAMA MEETING There will be a meeting for YOCAMA 2019 today, Sunday, December 9th at 11:00 in the Parlor Room. St. Spyridon Wednesdsay, December 12 Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil Monday, December 24 Divine Liturgy 6pm Christmas Day Liturgy Tuesday, December 25 Orthros 8 am Liturgy 9 am Feast of St. VasiliosThe Great Tuesdasy, January 1 Orthros 9 am Liturgy 10 am KAQHMERINES IERES AKOLOUQIES 8:00 p.m. Orqroc 9:00 p.m. Qei/a Leitourgi/a Agioc Spuri/dwn Teta/rth 12 h Dekembri/ou Paramonh/ Xristouge/nnwn Deute/ra, 24 h Dekembri/ou Qei/a Leitourgi/a 6:00 m.m. Ge/nnhsic tou Ihsou/ Xrhstou/ Tri/th, 25 h Dekembri/ou 8:00 p.m. Orqroc 9:00 p.m. Qei/a Leitourgi/a Me/gac Basi/leioc Tri/th, 1 h Ianouari/ou 2018 9:00 p.m. Orqroc 10:00 p.m. Qei/a Leitourgi/a 10 11