Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral December 16, 2018
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 Nicholas Livingston - Associate Priest Reverend Father Dean N. Paleologos - Dean Emeritus Reverend Deacon Andrew Giourelis Georgia Parafestas - Parish Council President Email - frdimitrim@gmail.com 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. 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 a reliquary at the front-left of the Church; please be sure to venerate them. Also, please be reminded that one must be an Orthodox Christian in order to receive Holy Communion. Be sure to tell us if you are visiting or if you are new to our community. If you would like more information about embracing the Orthodox Faith, please see Father Dimitrios or Father Nicholas after the Divine Liturgy concludes. We pray you have a blessed day and that you visit with us again soon. December 16, 2018-11th Sunday of Luke 16 Δεκεμβρίου, 2018 - ΙA Κυριακἠ του Λουκά MEMORIALS Prokopios Economou - 25 years TRISAGION George Hatjopoulos - 12 years 40 DAY BLESSING John & Chrysanthi Flanagan for their daughter Adrianna ALTAR FLOWERS Altar Flowers are donated in loving memory of Prokopios Economou by Fotios, Eleni, Paul, & Lilly Economou SUNDAY SERVICES Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:45am CHRISTMAS SERVICES Christmas Eve Royal Hours 9am Vesperal Divine Liturgy 6-8pm Christmas Day Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:45am COFFEE HOUR Coffee Hour is sponsored in loving memory of George Hatjopoulos by his family SAINTS OF THE DAY Prophet Haggai Modestos, Archbishop of Jerusalem ΑΓΙΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ Αγγαίος Προφήτης Μόδεστος Επισκόπου Ιεροσολύμων HAPPY NAMEDAY Spyridon, Spyridoula Eleutherios, Eleutheria
Εισοδικά Απολυτίκιον Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Των Προπατόρων Ἐν πίστει τοὺς Προπάτορας ἐδικαίωσας, τὴν ἐξ Ἐθνῶν δι' αὐτῶν προμνηστευσάμενος Ἐκκλησίαν. Καυχῶνται ἐν δόξῃ οἱ Ἅγιοι, ὄι ἐκ σπέρματος αὐτῶν, ὑπάρχει καρπός εὐκλεής, ἡ ἀσπόρως τεκοῦσά σε. Ταῖς αὐτῶν ἱκεσίαις, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, σῶσον τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. Για τα Μνυμόσηνα Μνήσθητι Κύριε ος αγαθός των δούλων σου, και όσα εν βίω ήμαρτων, συγχώρησον, ουδείς γαρ αναμάρτητος, ει μή Συ ο δυνάμενος, και τοις μεταστάσι δούναι την ανάπαυσιν. Του 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. Κοντάκιον 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. Entrance Hymns Apolytikion Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spoke to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world. For the Forefathers You justified the forefathers in faith, and through them betrothed yourself, aforetime, to the Church taken from out of the Gentiles. The saints boast in glory. For from their seed, there exists a noble crop, who is she who without seed has given You birth. By their intercessions, O Christ our God, save our souls. For the Memorials Remember, O Lord, as You are good, Your Servants, and forgive every sin they have committed in this life. For no one is sinless except You, Who have power to grant rest to those who have fallen asleep. Saint Spyridon At the First Synod you were manifest as a champion, and a wonder-worker, our God-bearing Father Spyridon. Wherefore, you spoke to one dead in the tomb, and a serpent you changed into gold. And while chanting your sacred services, you had angels celebrating with you, O most holy one. Glory to Him who glorified you! Glory to Him who crowned you! Glory to Him who through you works healings for everyone. Kontakion On this day the Virgin comes 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.
Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Κύριε, ὁ Θεὸς τῶν Πατέρων ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Ὅτι δίκαιος εἶ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν, οἷς ἐποίησας ἡμῖν. Πρὸς Κολοσσαεῖς 3:4-11 Ἀδελφοί, ὅταν ὁ Χριστὸς φανερωθῇ, ἡ ζωὴ ἡμῶν, τότε καὶ ὑμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ φανερωθήσεσθε ἐν δόξῃ. Νεκρώσατε οὖν τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, πορνείαν, ἀκαθαρσίαν, πάθος, ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν, καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρεία, διʼ ἃ ἔρχεται ἡ ὀργὴ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς τῆς ἀπειθείας Ἐν οἷς καὶ ὑμεῖς περιεπατήσατέ ποτε, ὅτε ἐζῆτε ἐν αὐτοῖς. Νυνὶ δὲ ἀπόθεσθε καὶ ὑμεῖς τὰ πάντα, ὀργήν, θυμόν, κακίαν, βλασφημίαν, αἰσχρολογίαν ἐκ τοῦ στόματος ὑμῶν μὴ ψεύδεσθε εἰς ἀλλήλους, ἀπεκδυσάμενοι τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον σὺν ταῖς πράξεσιν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν νέον, τὸν ἀνακαινούμενον εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν κατʼ εἰκόνα τοῦ κτίσαντος αὐτόν ὅπου οὐκ ἔνι Ἕλλην καὶ Ἰουδαῖος, περιτομὴ καὶ ἀκροβυστία, βάρβαρος, Σκύθης, δοῦλος, ἐλεύθερος ἀλλὰ τὰ πάντα καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν Χριστός. ΤΗΕ EPISTLE Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers. Verse: For you are just in all you have done. St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11 Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.
ΤΟ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Λουκἀν 14:16-24 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Ἄνθρωπός τις ἐποίησε δεῖπνον μέγα καὶ ἐκάλεσε πολλούς καὶ ἀπέστειλε τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ τῇ ὥρᾳ τοῦ δείπνου εἰπεῖν τοῖς κεκλημένοις ἔρχεσθε, ὅτι ἤδη ἕτοιμά ἐστι πάντα. καὶ ἤρξαντο ἀπὸ μιᾶς παραιτεῖσθαι πάντες. ὁ πρῶτος εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἀγρὸν ἠγόρασα, καὶ ἔχω ἀνάγκην ἐξελθεῖν καὶ ἰδεῖν αὐτόν ἐρωτῶ σε, ἔχε με παρῃτημένον. καὶ ἕτερος εἶπε ζεύγη βοῶν ἠγόρασα πέντε, καὶ πορεύομαι δοκιμάσαι αὐτά ἐρωτῶ σε, ἔχε με παρῃτημένον. καὶ ἕτερος εἶπε γυναῖκα ἔγημα, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο οὐ δύναμαι ἐλθεῖν. καὶ παραγενόμενος ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος ἀπήγγειλε τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτοῦ ταῦτα. τότε ὀργισθεὶς ὁ οἰκοδεσπότης εἶπε τῷ δούλῳ αὐτοῦ ἔξελθε ταχέως εἰς τὰς πλατείας καὶ ῥύμας τῆς πόλεως, καὶ τοὺς πτωχοὺς καὶ ἀναπήρους καὶ χωλοὺς καὶ τυφλοὺς εἰσάγαγε ὧδε. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ δοῦλος κύριε, γέγονεν ὡς ἐπέταξας, καὶ ἔτι τόπος ἐστί. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ κύριος πρὸς τὸν δοῦλον ἔξελθε εἰς τὰς ὁδοὺς καὶ φραγμοὺς καὶ ἀνάγκασον εἰσελθεῖν, ἵνα γεμισθῇ ὁ οἶκος μου. λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι οὐδεὶς τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκείνων τῶν κεκλημένων γεύσεταί μου τοῦ δείπνου. Πολλοί γὰρ εἰσιν κλητοί, ὀλίγοι δέ ἐκλεκτοί. THE HOLY GOSPEL The Gospel According to Luke 14:16-24 The Lord said this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.'" FASTING / ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ Starting this weekend, the Nativity Fast intensifies. We are to fast from all meat and dairy products every day, including fish. Wine and oil are allowed every day except Wednesday and Friday.
ANNOUNCEMENTS HOLY TRINITY HAPPY 103rd BIRTHDAY TO OUR OWN GRACE H. a Holy Trinity Resident! She was honored by the City of Worcester with the Key to the City. It was presented to her by City Councilor Sean M. Rose. Check out the photos at: www.htnr.net. VOLUNTEER AT HOLY TRINITY. It's great to see all of the Church groups and choirs visiting with and performing for the residents and staff of Holy Trinity, sharing the joy of the Holidays. These same opportunities are present throughout the year. Many women's groups sponsor Coffee Socials. Youth groups have organized community service projects. Individuals set up regular times to come and simply be present to talk to the residents, one-on-one. These moments of giving are what make Holy Trinity a special place. If you'd like to help, and perhaps need an idea, talk to our Activities Director, Dana Spinney, at 508-852-1000 or e-mail her at: dspinney@htnr.net. THE DECEMBER ISSUE of the Holy Trinity Times is available at: www.htnr.net. Check out the latest news. DIVINE LITURGY is celebrated every Wednesday morning at 9:30am. And please always keep Holy Trinity Nursing Home, it s staff, directors, residents, and families in your payers. And remember: you can always visit! NEVER FORGET: Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is an Orthodox Charity and relies on your donations to continue its mission of providing the best care possible. GENERAL ASSEMBLY We will hold our annual General Assembly Meeting TODAY Sunday, December 16th immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Grab some snacks and coffee and please join us in the Founders Court as we discuss important items about the mission, status, and future of our community. All members in good standing are welcome to join us and vote. DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE The Daughters of Penelope, Theano Chapter in Worcester, MA would like to thank everyone who participated in purchasing a Poinsettia plant in memory of their loved ones and to the Health of their loved ones. St. Spyridon Cathedral is beautified with Poinsettia plants thanks to all of you. The Daughters of Penelope are honored to be able to do this project. If you have purchased a plant, after Christmas you may take your plant from church but please be sure to leave the plate. COAT DRIVE The Orthodox Food Pantry is hosting its annual Warm Coats from Warm Hearts coat drive. Please drop of your clean, gently used or new coats through the end of December. Drop off box located at the entrance to the Family Center. Contact Maria Kassos (amkassos@townisp.com) for more information. GOYA BASKETBALL This week our games are as follows: the Girls @ 5pm vs Weston and the Boys have a bye. As always, the games will be played at Hellenic College Holy Cross. LITTLE ANGELS Hello Little Angels! This is to let you know that our next meeting will be held on December 18 th at 1:00 p.m. in the Founders Court. It will be our Christmas Party! Hope to see you all there! If you have any questions, please contact Presvytera Flora.
Christmas Services Tuesday, Dec 4th Wednesday, Dec 5th Thursday, Dec 6th Sunday, Dec 9th Tuesday, Dec 11th Wednesday, Dec 12th Sunday, Dec 16th Sunday, Dec 23rd Monday, Dec 24th Tuesday, Dec 25th St. Barbara: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am St. Nicholas: Vespers @ 6:30pm in Clinton, MA St. Nicholas: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am 10th Sunday of Luke: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:45am Great Vespers for St. Spyridon w/ His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios @ 7pm St. Spyridon: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am 11th Sunday of Luke: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:45am Sunday Before Christmas: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:45am, Sunday School Christmas Pageant Christmas Eve Royal Hours 9am Christmas Eve Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 6pm-8pm Christmas Day: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:45am New Year 2019 Services Tuesday, Jan 1st Saturday, Jan 5th Sunday, Jan 6th Monday, Jan 7th Sunday, Jan 13th Thursday, Jan 17th Friday, Jan 18th Sunday, Jan 20th Friday, Jan 25th Sunday, Jan 27th Wednesday, Jan 30th New Year s Day - Circumcision of Christ & St. Basil the Great: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am Eve of Theophany: Vesperal Liturgy 8:30am w/ Small Blessing of the Waters Holy Theophany: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am w/ Great Blessing of the Waters Synaxis of St. John the Baptist: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am Sunday After Theophany: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:45am St. Anthony the Great: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am St. Athanasios the Great: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am 15th Sunday of Luke: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:45am St. Gregory the Theologian: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am 16th Sunday of Luke: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:45am w/ Three Hierarchs Greek School Celebration & Artoklasia Three Hierarchs: Orthros 8:30am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am
St. Spyridon Feeding Ministry Our Mission: To provide nourishment that feeds one s physical, spiritual and emotional hunger through healthy fellowship. The Feeding Ministry, with the help of our parish volunteers, is continuing to serve a luncheon meal for those in need on the second Saturday of every month from 11:30am-1pm in the Cotsidas Cultural Center. January s luncheon (Saturday the 12 th ), is being donated anonymously. We d like to thank them in advance for their participation in the Lord s Work. We would also like to thank last month s donators, George and Diane Tonna, who sponsored our Breakfast with Santa in honor of their mother, Florica Tonna. We are currently looking for sponsors for next year. If you would like to volunteer, sponsor a luncheon or make a donation (in honor or in memory of a loved one), please contact: Savvas Fotiadis 508.873.9836 or Maria Kassos- amkassos@townisp.com St. Spyridon Greek School P.T.A Once again, this year we will be having our Annual Bake Sale on Sunday, December 16, 2018 after the Liturgy. For our Traditional goodies (Melomakarona, Kourambiedes, Karidopita, Koulourakia, etc.) please stop by our table or you can pre-order by calling Mrs. Athena at 508-579-0506. Thank you for your support & MERRY CHRISTMAS
*The last day to drop off your gifts is Sunday, December 16th, 2018 as they are being picked up on Monday morning!
TODAY is Stewardship Sunday! Be sure to pick up your 2019 Stewardship Packet and prayerfully pledge to support our community.
ST. SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL BURN THE MORTGAGE CAMPAIGN Burn the Mortgage Committee Rev. Dr. Dimitrios Moraitis, Dean Demitrios Moschos, Chairman Georgia Parafestas, Parish Council President & Co-Chair Dr. Matthew Panagiotu, Co-Chair Janice Dionis Michael Dionis George Fotiades George Gourousis Celeste Moschos Nicholas Paleologos $1,450,000 $518,930.00 Pledged $360,036.00 Received Thank You! 3 Year Pledge Amount Annually Monthly $15,000 $5,000 $416 $3,000 $1,000 $83 $1,000 $333 $28 Total Cost of Family Center Renovation $4,100,000 Total raised by our community during first fund drive $2,650,000 Remaining Loan Balance to be paid $860,042 It s not too late to donate to the Burn the Mortgage Campaign! The Angel Board construction honoring those who have contributed to these efforts is in process and will be in place soon!
WEEK 2018 TOTAL 2018 STEWARDSHIP REPORT PLEDGES RECEIVED AVERAGE $ PER PLEDGE *GOAL STEWARDSHIP BUDGET 50 $ 263,410.35 593 $444 $310,000.00 *Goal amount includes the 2018 Stewardship Budget Receipts of $310,000.00. Funds reflect all monies received in 2018. We suggest budgeting your Stewardship contribution as you would your monthly home expenses. Our Cathedral must meet the financial needs of its ministries and annual operating budget by way of our Christian Stewardship Program. It is everyone s responsibility to accept this honor and support our role as a Contributing Steward. Please pledge the Required Stewardship Contribution now, if you have not done so. May God continue to bless the work of your hands.