Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral December 2, 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 2, 2018-14th Sunday of Luke 2 Δεκεμβρίου, 2018 - ΙΔ Κυριακἠ του Λουκά TRISAGIA John Langas - 6 months Aris Felis - 7 years Efterpi Peepas - 18 years Theofanis Peepas - 20 years 40 DAY BLESSING Demi and Alex Pirpiris for their daughter Theodora Athans ALTAR FLOWERS Altar Flowers are donated in loving memory of John Langas, Efterpi Peepas, and Theofanis Peepas by the family SUNDAY SERVICES Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:45am WEEKDAY SERVICE Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am Barbara the Great Martyr Tuesday, December 4th Nicholas the Wonderworker Thursday, December 6th SAINTS OF THE DAY Holy Prophet Habbakuk Kyrill of Phyleus ΑΓΙΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ Άγιος Προφήτης Αββακούμ Κύριλλος του Φιλεὠτου HAPPY NAMEDAY Andrew, Andreas, Andrea, Stylianos, Styliana
Εισοδικά Απολυτίκιον 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. 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 σ ο υ ε υ χ ά ς, Αγ γ έ λ ο υ ς ε σ κ ε ς 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 When You descended unto death, O Life Immortal, then You slew Hades with the lightning of Your Divinity. And when You raised the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory to You. Saint Spyridon At the First Synod you were manifest as a champion, and a wonder-worker, our Godbearing 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 Maid goes to the cave to give birth * to the pre-eternal Word, * in an ineffable manner. * Dance for joy, all the inhabited earth on hearing.* Glorify along with Angels and with the shepherds * Him who willed that He appear as * a newborn Child * the pre-eternal God/
Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Ἰσχύς μου καὶ ὕμνησίς μου ὁ Κύριος. Στίχ. Παιδεύων ἐπαίδευσέ με ὁ Κύριος. Πρὸς Ἐφεσίους 6:10-17 Ἀδελφοί, ἐνδυναμοῦσθε ἐν κυρίῳ, καὶ ἐν τῷ κράτει τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ. Ἐνδύσασθε τὴν πανοπλίαν τοῦ θεοῦ, πρὸς τὸ δύνασθαι ὑμᾶς στῆναι πρὸς τὰς μεθοδείας τοῦ διαβόλου. Ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρὸς αἷμα καὶ σάρκα, ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὰς ἀρχάς, πρὸς τὰς ἐξουσίας, πρὸς τοὺς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου, πρὸς τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις. Διὰ τοῦτο ἀναλάβετε τὴν πανοπλίαν τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα δυνηθῆτε ἀντιστῆναι ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ πονηρᾷ, καὶ ἅπαντα κατεργασάμενοι στῆναι. Στῆτε οὖν περιζωσάμενοι τὴν ὀσφὺν ὑμῶν ἐν ἀληθείᾳ, καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν θώρακα τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ ὑποδησάμενοι τοὺς πόδας ἐν ἑτοιμασίᾳ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τῆς εἰρήνης ἐπὶ πᾶσιν ἀναλαβόντες τὸν θυρεὸν τῆς πίστεως, ἐν ᾧ δυνήσεσθε πάντα τὰ βέλη τοῦ πονηροῦ τὰ πεπυρωμένα σβέσαι. Καὶ τὴν περικεφαλαίαν τοῦ σωτηρίου δέξασθαι, καὶ τὴν μάχαιραν τοῦ πνεύματος, ὅ ἐστιν ῥῆμα θεοῦ ΤΗΕ EPISTLE The Lord is my strength and my song. Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely. St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 6:10-17 Brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
ΤΟ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Λουκἀν 18:35-43 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, Εγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ ἐγγίζειν αὐτὸν εἰς Ιεριχὼ τυφλός τις ἐ κ ά θ η τ ο π α ρ ὰ τ ὴ ν ὁ δ ὸ ν προσαιτῶν ἀκούσας δὲ ὄχλου διαπορευομένου ἐπυνθάνετο τί εἴη ταῦτα. ἀπήγγειλαν δὲ αὐτῷ ὅτι Ιησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος παρέρχεται. καὶ ἐβόησε λέγων Ιησοῦ υἱὲ Δαυΐδ, ἐλέησόν με καὶ οἱ προάγοντες ἐπετίμων αὐτῷ ἵνα σιωπήσῃ αὐτὸς δὲ πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἔκραζεν υἱὲ Δαυΐδ, ἐλέησόν με. σταθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ἀχθῆναι πρὸς αὐτόν. ἐγγίσαντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν λέγων τί σοι θέλεις ποιήσω; ὁ δὲ εἶπε Κύριε, ἵνα ἀναβλέψω. καὶ ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἀνάβλεψον ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέ σε. καὶ παραχρῆμα ἀνέβλεψε, καὶ ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ δοξάζων τὸν Θεόν καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἰδὼν ἔδωκεν αἶνον τῷ Θεῷ. THE HOLY GOSPEL The Gospel According to Luke 18:35-43 At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. FASTING / ΝΗΣΤΕΙΑ As we are in the midst of the Nativity Fast, we are called to fast from meat and dairy every day, with fish allowed everyday, except Wednesday and Friday.
ANNOUNCEMENTS HOLY TRINITY MOMENT TO MOMENT: The Alzheimer s Caregiver Journey, is a presentation that Holy Trinity is sponsoring on Tuesday, December 4th from 3:00-4:00 pm at Holy Trinity. Learn new communication skills, how to cope with personality changes, and how to manage the impact upon the family. Contact Christie Sullivan for questions: 508-852-1000 THANKSGIVING DAY AT HOLY TRINITY WAS A REAL EVENT! Listen to some of the comments we heard from residents and families: One resident said: "The kitchen outdid themselves. She said pure perfection from the decorations to the dinner she said the tables were done beautifully." Another resident said that, "Her daughter and son-in-law enjoyed the dinner, especially the green bean casserole and the squash." was delicious. Reporting on her husband, "who is a hard man to please," one resident said that "he said he regretted not paying for one more meal to take home." She said, "It was the best meal I have had since I have been a resident here." A $5,000 FOUNDATION GRANT was recently received to Holy Trinity through the efforts of a resident family member and our staff! Holy Trinity is regularly seeking such grants. If you know of grants for which Holy Trinity may be eligible, please contact our Administrator: Jerry Shaffer at 508-852-1000. WISH-LIST ITEM: Holy Trinity is looking for donations of large print word search books. Cash donations are also welcomed. If you re able and willing to help, please contact: Dana Spinney, Activities Director, at 508-852-1000 or e-mail: dspinney@htnr.net 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. FR DIMITRI OFFICE HOURS Fr. Dimitri is in the office every day. However, due to his hectic schedule and the needs of the community that may keep him out of the office, Fr. Dimitri would like to announce dedicated specific office hours where you will be able to find him: Mondays 10a.m. 2 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. -12p.m., most evenings and whenever you are available by appointment. GENERAL ASSEMBLY We will hold our annual General Assembly Meeting on 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. If you have any questions about your standing, please contact Alexandra in the Office. BOOKSTORE Born to Hate, Reborn to Love, by Klaus Kenneth A great story about a child whose mother, a famous actress, dislikes him{hates?] almost to the point of being "possessed". She turns her child over to a priest to care for who in turn abuses him sexually. This person grows to hate Christianity, becomes a rock musician, leads a debased life and finally seeks redemption in the religions of India and China and in passing meets Mother Theresa. This book reads at times like a tawdry novel, but it is not..it is a true story and will not disappoint you. The last chapter will blow you away! PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD We are in the final stages of arranging our annual Parish Christmas Card. All donations for this card are directed to the Poor and Needy Fund. The deadline to be included is December 3rd, so please contact the office tomorrow to make arrangements! 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS GOYA BASKETBALL The Metropolis Basketball League is resuming games today after the Holiday Break! First up are the Boys @ 5pm vs Woburn, followed by the Girls @ 6pm vs Peabody. As always, the games will be played at Hellenic College Holy Cross. GOYA Our next GOYA event will be on Tuesday, December 4th. We will be having our annual Christmas Party with Yankee Swap Gift Exchange ($15 max). Make sure to wear your Santa Hats and (ugly) Christmas sweaters! Look ahead for Christmas Caroling in Greek and English for the residents of Holy Trinity on Tuesday, December 18th! ALTAR BOY TRAINING We would like to invite all altar boys to join us for Great Vespers with Metropolitan Methodios for our feast day on December 11th. All altar boys who wish to serve with us must attend a mandatory training. We are offering two trainings (you only have to come to one): today, Dec 2nd or next Sunday, Dec 9th. Both will be held at 12pm after Divine Liturgy. JUNIOR CHOIR The next Junior Choir practice will be held on December 9th. SUNDAY SCHOOL Thank you Sunday School families for your support of the Donuts with Daddy and Muffins with Mommy program! We hope you have enjoyed this time with your children in their class. As we are entering a Lenten Period, this program will be on hold and resume again on January 6 th. POINSETTIA DONATIONS Today is the last day to buy poinsettias from the Daughters of Penelope to decorate the church during the Nativity Season. Please contact Lili Respass to place an order (508-304-7266).
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
December s Breakfast with Santa (Saturday the 8 th ), is being sponsored by George and Diane Tonna, in honor of their mother, Florica Tonna. 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 anonymous donor. 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
Stewardship of Work: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossisans 3:23). Stewardship Sunday is December 16th! 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 Demetrios 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 $355,419.00 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 $863,042 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 48 $ 252,917.01 575 $439 $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.