Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral Sunday, December 6, 2015
St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral Church Office 508-791-7326 Mon.-Fri.: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. www.spyridoncathedral.org Reverend Doctor Dimitrios Moraitis Dean Reverend Father Dean N. Paleologos Dean Emeritus Reverend Deacon Andrew Giourelis Mr. Vasilios Vasiliadis -Parish Council President Email - frdimitri@spyridoncathedral.org Metropolis of Boston WELCOME Welcome to the Saint Spyridon Cathedral in Worcester, Massachusetts. We are honored that you have chosen to worship with us today. It is our hope that your visit here will bring you many blessings from God. Please be sure to tell us if you are visiting or if you are new to our community. Our Church Family worships the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and every Sunday, the Lord s Day, we commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to live the Holy Gospel in accordance with the Orthodox Faith; towards sanctification through God s grace in worship, the Divine Liturgy and the Sacraments: glorifying God through all joys and struggles; and as a Church Community, in Christian love, we seek to do His will so that through His mercy, we may attain His Kingdom. We are blessed to have the slippers of St. Spyridon, which are located in the narthex of the Church, please be sure to venerate them. We pray you have a blessed day and that you visit with us again soon. Also, please remember that one must be an Orthodox Christian in order to receive Holy Communion. If you would like to embrace the Orthodox Faith, please see Father Dimitrios Moraitis. May God Bless you! December 6, 2015 Tenth Sunday of Saint Luke Memorials Thomas Tsetsos-40 days Dionissios Drakodaidis-1 year Trisagion Constantinos Michalakeas- 6 months Coffee Hour Coffee hour is sponsored in loving memory of Thomas Tsetsos by his loving family and by Nicholas Bazoukas in honor of his Name Day. Altar Flowers Altar Flowers are sponsored in loving memory of Thomas Tsetsos by his family Flowers are sponsored for the month of December by Barbara Efstathiou for her NameDay. Sunday Services Orthros 8:30 am Divine Liturgy 9:45 am St. Nicholas today! Weekday Liturgy St. Spyridon Vespers Friday, December 11, 7:00pm Liturgy Saturday, December 12 Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 9:45am St. Spyridon Seniors Luncheon Today! Immediately following Divine Liturgy at the AHEPA home. Please see flier in bulletin Saints of the Day Our Father Among the Saints, Nicholas, Archbishop of Myron, the Wonderworker THANK YOU Happy Name Day Andreas, Andrew, Barbara, Nicholas, Nicoletta and Savas THANK YOU On behalf of the Sakellarides family, we wish to thank all parishioners for the overwhelming outpouring of support we received to honor Fr. Emmanuel s memory during this time of mourning.
Entrance Hymns Apolytikion When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee. A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you forth to your sheep-fold to be a master of temperance. You obtained thus through being lowly, gifts from on high, and riches through poverty. Nicholas, our father and priest of priests, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls. For The Memorials Keep Thy servants in remembrance, O Lord, since Thou art good; and do Thou forgive every sin in this life; for no man is without sin, except for Thee Who art able to grant rest even unto him who has departed hence. Saint Spyridon O Father, God-bearer, Spyridon, you were proven a champion and Wonder Worker of the First Ecumenical Council. You spoke to the girl in the grave and turned the serpent to gold. And, when chanting your prayers, most sacred One, angels ministered with you. Glory to Him who glorified you; glory to Him who crowned you; glory to Him who, through you, works healing for all. Kontakion On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God. 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. Κανόνα πίστεως καί εικόνα πραότητος, εγκρατείας Διδάσκαλον, ανέδειξέ σε τή ποίμνη σου, η τών πραγμάτων αλήθεια, διά τούτο εκτήσω τή ταπεινώσει τά υψηλά, τή πτωχεία τά πλούσια, Πάτερ Ιεράρχα Νικόλαε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών. Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος Της Συνόδου της πρώτης ανεδείχθης υπέρμαχος, και θαυματουργός Θεοφόρε, Σπυρίδων Πατήρ ημών, διο νεκρά συ εν τάφω προσφωνείς, και όφιν εις χρυσούν μετέβαλες, και εν τω μέλπειν τας αγίας σου ευχάς, Αγγέλους εσκες συλλειτουργούντας σοι Ιερώτατε, Δοξα τω σε δοξάσαντι, δόξα τω σε στεφανώσαντι, δόξα τω ενεργούντι διά σου πάσιν ιάματα. Kontakion 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.
PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY NEWS Philoptochos Christmas Senior Outreach Program The Christmas Senior Outreach Program is underway! Members of the Philoptochos will spread Christmas cheer by visiting homebound seniors of our Parish family and provide gifts to the residents of Holy Trinity Nursing Home. If you would like to donate please see Helen Stamoulis or Helen Panagiotopoulos or send in your donation to the church address c/o Helen Stamoulis or Helen Panagiotopoulos. Please contact the church to give the name of your homeboundloved one. Thank You Greek School PTA Volunteers needed! Please join the Greek School PTA on Tuesday Dec. 8and Wednesday Dec. 9 at 4pm to help bake the delicious pastries for our annual Christmas bake sale. Proceeds to fund activities, fieldtrip and Greek school needs. Thank you. THANK YOU On behalf of the Sakellarides family, we wish to thank all parishioners for the overwhelming outpouring support we received to honor Fr. Emmanuel s memory during this time of mourning. WHAT'S NEW AT HOLY TRINITY NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER Holy Trinity staff and residents are preparing for a fun-filled season of Christmas festivities. This week starts off with decorating the building and Christmas tree. On Tuesday, December 8th at 6:30pm, residents will have visits from the St. Spyridon Youth Group (GOYA). On Saturday, December 12, 2:00pm - 4:00pm, Holy Trinity is hosting a HOLIDAY FAMILY OPEN HOUSE, with entertainment by the WPI Chorus in the Main Dining Room. All are welcome - Please join us for refreshments, music and fellowship! COTSIDAS CULTURAL CENTER Web Site The web site for the rental of the Cultural Center can now be accessed at www.cotsidasculturalcenter.com Note that Parishioner rental rates are priced considerably lower to those advertised to the General Public, (Hall $850, Founders Court $300). Rental rates for Cathedral Affiliates (AHEPA, Epirotic Society, Union Hristohorafiton, etc) are half of the Parishioner rate. There is no charge for rentals to Cathedral Ministries (Philoptochos, GOYA, Holy Trinity etc.). For more information contact Mike Dionis or Jim Voyiatzis through the Cathedral office. Hope Cemetery Plot Hearing The City of Worcester has scheduled two public hearings to deal with the cemetery master plan to expand the Orthodox section of Hope Cemetery as it completely full. The Council of Eastern Orthodox Churches of Central Massachusetts is urging everyone to attend 1 of 2 public hearings. Monday, December 14, 2015 at 6:30pm in the Esther Howland Chamber in Worcester City Hall. CEOC website: CEOC.US GOYA Christmas Wreaths will be on sale immediately following Divine Liturgy today! GOYA will be meeting on Tues., Dec. 7 2015 THE GIVING TREE Please consider sponsoring a child in need this Holiday Season by selecting an ornament from the Giving Tree located in the Founders Court and making a child s wishes come true. Thank you for your generosity.. Please submit any news, updates, fliers and photos you would like to see in the Sunday Bulletin to: gvp@spyridoncathedral.org Also if you d like to be added to the email list to receive the bulletin via email please contact Georgia at the above email address. The Sunday Bulletin can also be viewed on the St. Spyridon website www.spyridoncathedral.org by clicking on the About tab, Weekly Bulletin.
Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 13:17-21 Τίμιος ἐναντίον Κυρίου ὁ θάνατος τῶν ὁσίων αὐτοῦ. Στίχ. Τί ἀνταποδώσωμεν τῷ Κυρίῳ περὶ πάντων, ὧν ἀνταπέδωκεν ἡμῖν; 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. ΤΗΕ EPISTLE St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 13:17-21 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Verse: What shall I render to the Lord 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.
T 10th Sunday of Luke 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, 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. The Gospel 10th Sunday of Luke The Gospel according to 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. Fasting / Νηστεία The Christmas or Advent Fast has started. Please abstain from meat and dairy, but fish is allowed.
Bible Study The Power of Jesus to Heal Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at 7:00pm in the Tonna Room Fr. Dimitrios Moraitis will be leading a Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew. If you wish to learn about the Bible, please come to this informative presentation. Orthodoxy 101 Iconoclasm: When We Almost Lost Icons Forever Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at 7:00pm in the Tonna Room Fr. Dimitrios Moraitis will be leading a presentation on the Iconoclastic Controversy and the Seventh Ecumenical Council. If you wish to learn about this topic and the development of the Church, come to this informative presentation.
Weekday Liturgy St. Spyridon Vespers Friday, December 11, 7:00pm Liturgy Saturday, December 12 Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 9:45am
Junior Orthodox Youth- JOY JOY is a wonderful program for children in grades 3-6 (ages 7-12). The group s name is very appropriate to describe the spirit that radiates from the children who attend the gatherings. It has proven to be both popular and very successful in achieving the goals of church ministry for children and lead children to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The JOY ministry program provides wholesome and fun activities to its participants while supporting the efforts of the family to impart a positive value system on its children. JOY meetings are an opportunity to participate in wholesome fellowship with peers and adult advisors who offer friendship and emotional support. Meetings are conducted in an informal, relaxed atmosphere that provides balance to the more formal experience of worship services and religious educational classes. The discussion segments of the teachings, songs, games, craft projects and other activities reflect and enhance the spoken message in a developmentally appropriate manner for the children of this age. JOY meets once a month, typically a Friday evening, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Usually snacks and refreshments are offered, a topic for discussion, and a craft that coordinates with the theme of the night. We begin and end each meeting with a prayer. Please join the JOY group at the next meeting December 11, 2015 at 5:00pm on the church premises. Simply come in, introduce yourself and sit in with the rest of the children to share some joy and fellowship. If you would like more information, please contact Olga Fotos at 508-728-6983. Hope to see you at the next meeting! JOIN US FOR OUR POPULAR SUNDAY BRUNCH/MUSICALE AN EXCITING MEMBERS ONLY EVENT!
TODAY!
Please join us to celebrate the New Year in the Cotsidas Cultural Center 7:30pm-2:00am $100.00/adult $25.00/child 12 and under Contact Leka Velentzas at 508-887-0399 to reserve your table
2015 Stewardship Report * GOAL Week 2015 Total Stewardship Budget 48 $271,250.86 $270.000.00 * GOAL amount includes the 2015 Stewardship Budget Receipts of $270,000.00 We suggest you budget your Stewardship contribution as you do your monthly home expenses Our Cathedral must meet the Financial needs of its ministries and annual operating budget by way of its Christian Stewardship Program. It is each and everyone's responsibility to accept honor and support your role as a Contributing Steward. Please pledge your Required Stewardship Contribution now, if you have not done so. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.