St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church

Pastor Fr. Christopher P. Foustoukos Email: frchris@stvasilios.org Assistant Pastor Fr. Anthony Tandilyan Email: franthony@stvasilios.org Parish President Mrs. Pam Katsiris Email: Pam@stvasilios.org Stewardship Chairman Mrs. Pam Katsiris Email: Steve@stvasilios.org Pastoral Assistant Deacon Michael Fadel Pastor Emeritus Fr. Andrew Demotses Parish Nurse Sophia Grevelis, RN Office Manager Irene Stephanides Secretary Chrissa Pissios 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 SAINT NICHOLAS ARCHBISHOP OF MYRA LYCIA www.facebook.com/stvasiliospeabody WEEKDAY SERVICES KAQHMERINES IERES AKOLOUQIES St. Spyridon Friday, December 11 Vigil @ 8 pm St. Dionysios Thursday, December 17 Orthros 8 am Liturgy 9 am Christmas Eve Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil Thursday, December 24 Divine Liturgy 6pm Christmas Day Liturgy Friday, December 25 Orthros 8 am Liturgy 9 am Feast of St. VasiliosThe Great Friday, January 1 Orthros 9 am Liturgy 10 am \Agioc Spuri/dwn Paraskeuh/, 11 h Dekembri/ou Agrupni/a 8:00 m.m. /Agioc Dionu/sioc Pe/mpth, 17 h Dekembri/ou 8:00 p.m. Orqroc 9:00 p.m. Qei/a Leitourgi/a Paramonh/ Xristouge/nnwn Pe/mpth, 24 h Dekembri/ou Qei/a Leitourgi/a 6:00 m.m. Ge/nnhsic tou Ihsou/ Xrhstou/ Paraskeuh/, 25 h Dekembri/ou 8:00 p.m. Orqroc 9:00 p.m. Qei/a Leitourgi/a Me/gac Basi/leioc Paraskeuh/, 1 h Ianouari/ou 2016 9:00 p.m. Orqroc 10:00 p.m. Qei/a Leitourgi/a December 6, 2015

Sunday, December 6, 2015 Hymns Following the Gospel (Small Entrance) Resurrectional Apolytikion 2 nd Mode When You descended unto death, O Lord who yourself are immortal Life, then did You mortify Hades by the lightning flash of Your Divinity. Also when You raised the dead from the netherworld, all the Powers of the heavens were crying out: O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory be to You. Apolytikion 4 th Mode The truth of your manner of life manifested you to your flock as a rule of faith and an icon of gentleness and a teacher of selfcontrol. By humility, therefore, you acquired the things on high, and riches through poverty. Father Holy Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God, entreating that our souls be saved. 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. Apoluti/kion (Hxoc b / ) 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. Apoluti/kion (Hxoc d / ) 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. Apoluti/kion tou Agi/ou Basilei/ou (Hxoc A/) DATES TO REMEMBER St Vailios PTA Annual Family Christmas Party Saturday, December 12 6-9 pm Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 13 Christmas Concert Friday, December 18 @ 7pm Greek School Christmas Program Wednesday, December 16 Community Breakfast Sunday, December 20 Men s Club Winter Dance Saturday, January 30 Philoptochos Auction Saturday, April 9, 2015 BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Seasonal Kontakion 3 rd Mode 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. Konta/kion (Hxoc G /) 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. 2 15

EPISTLE READING St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 13:17-21 Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 115.15,12 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all that he has given me? 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. Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 13:17-21 Προκείμενον. Ἦχος βαρύς. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 115.15,12 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 14 3

GOSPEL READING - 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. 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 SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT In an initiative by the city of Peabody and Fr Chris to help the homeless in our community, we will be selling soups once a month at coffee hour to help pay for food, clothing, laundry and whatever other needs that they may have. 100% of the proceeds will go to this worthy cause. If you would like to place an order for soup contact Brandon Simpson at 978-223-0317. Vegetable Soup will be the soup for Sunday, December 6. PHILOPTCHOS AUCTION 4 13

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP HOUR Please join us for the Coffee Fellowship Hour immediately following Divine Liturgy in the Educational Center. This week's Coffee Fellowship Hour is sponsored by James, Alan & Peter Maravelias and Joan Tsapatsaris in memory of their beloved wife and mother, Dora Nekolopoulos Maravelias. All of the Coffee Fellowship Hour supplies for December have been donated by Niki Nikolouzos is loving memory of her husband Demetrios Nikolouzos. PLEASE NOTE: In observance of the fast periods during Advent and Great Lent, coffee hour food and refreshments will be free of dairy, egg and meat. Please see Fr. Chris should you have any questions. The PTA is looking for volunteers to help serve during the Coffee Fellowship Hour following the first Divine Liturgy in the Educational Center. If you are interested in helping out, please see a PTA member during Coffee Hour or email Rita Constantinou at ritaconstantinou@yahoo.com." BLANKET DRIVE The Philoptochos will be collecting new blankets from now until December 20, 2015. We would like to make a difference to those less fortunate by keeping them warm this winter. If you can help us, please drop off your new blanket at the church office or in the hall entrance next to the Christmas tree. Thank you for supporting our mission of giving. ST. VASILIOS ICON BOOK $15.00 Great Christmas gift. Read about the icons that adorn the walls of our church. It s a great gift for family and friends, and a great learning tool for our children. A sample copy is available in the narthex of the church. To order a copy contact Sophia Grevelis at SKGrevelis@comcast.net or call the church office. Please make checks payable to St. Vasilios Church. 12 THE LIFE OF SAINT NICHOLAS ARCHBISHOP OF MYRA LYCIA Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia is famed as a great saint pleasing unto God. He was born in the city of Patara in the region of Lycia (on the south coast of the Asia Minor peninsula), and was the only son of pious parents Theophanes and Nonna, who had vowed to dedicate him to God As the fruit of the prayer of his childless parents, the infant Nicholas from the very day of his birth revealed to people the light of his future glory as a wonderworker. His mother, Nonna, after giving birth was immediately healed from illness. The newborn infant, while still in the baptismal font, stood on his feet three hours, without support from anyone, thereby honoring the Most Holy Trinity. St Nicholas from his infancy began a life of fasting, and on Wednesdays and Fridays he would not accept milk from his mother until after his parents had finished their evening prayers. From his childhood Nicholas thrived on the study of Divine Scripture; by day he would not leave church, and by night he prayed and read books, making himself a worthy dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Bishop Nicholas of Patara rejoiced at the spiritual success and deep piety of his nephew. He ordained him a reader, and then elevated Nicholas to the priesthood, making him his assistant and entrusting him to instruct the flock. In serving the Lord the youth was fervent of spirit, and in his proficiency with questions of faith he was like an Elder, who aroused the wonder and deep respect of believers. Constantly at work and vivacious, in unceasing prayer, the priest Nicholas displayed great kind-heartedness towards the flock, and towards the afflicted who came to him for help, and he distributed all his inheritance to the poor. There was a certain formerly rich inhabitant of Patara, whom St Nicholas saved from great sin. The man had three grown daughters, and in desperation he planned to sell their bodies so they would have money for food. The saint, learning of the man's poverty and of his wicked intention, secretly visited him one night and threw a sack of gold through the window. With the money the man arranged an honorable marriage for his daughter. St Nicholas also provided gold for the other daughters, thereby saving the family from falling into spiritual destruction. In bestowing charity, St Nicholas always strove to do this secretly and to conceal his good deeds. 5

The Bishop of Patara decided to go on pilgrimage to the holy places at Jerusalem, and entrusted the guidance of his flock to St Nicholas, who fulfilled this obedience carefully and with love. When the bishop returned, Nicholas asked his blessing for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Along the way the saint predicted a storm would arise and threaten the ship. St Nicholas saw the devil get on the ship, intending to sink it and kill all the passengers. At the entreaty of the despairing pilgrims, he calmed the waves of the sea by his prayers. Through his prayer a certain sailor of the ship, who had fallen from the mast and was mortally injured was also restored to health. When he reached the ancient city of Jerusalem and came to Golgotha, St Nicholas gave thanks to the Savior. He went to all the holy places, worshiping at each one. One night on Mount Sion, the closed doors of the church opened by themselves for the great pilgrim. Going round the holy places connected with the earthly service of the Son of God, St Nicholas decided to withdraw into the desert, but he was stopped by a divine voice urging him to return to his native country. He returned to Lycia, and yearning for a life of quietude, the saint entered into the brotherhood of a monastery named Holy Sion, which had been founded by his uncle. But the Lord again indicated another path for him, "Nicholas, this is not the vineyard where you shall bear fruit for Me. Return to the world, and glorify My Name there." So he left Patara and went to Myra in Lycia. Upon the death of Archbishop John, Nicholas was chosen as Bishop of Myra after one of the bishops of the Council said that a new archbishop should be revealed by God, not chosen by men. One of the elder bishops had a vision of a radiant Man, Who told him that the one who came to the church that night and was first to enter should be made archbishop. He would be named Nicholas. The bishop went to the church at night to await Nicholas. The saint, always the first to arrive at church, was stopped by the bishop. "What is your name, child?" he asked. God's chosen one replied, "My name is Nicholas, Master, and I am your servant." After his consecration as archbishop, St Nicholas remained a great ascetic, appearing to his flock as an image of gentleness, kindness and love for people. This was particularly precious for the Lycian Church during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305). Bishop Nicholas, locked up in prison together with other Christians for refusing to worship idols, sustained them and exhorted them to endure the fetters, punishment and torture. The Lord preserved him unharmed. Upon the accession of St Constantine (May 21) as emperor, 6 11

ALTAR DONATIONS VIGIL LIGHTS Nicholas Chakoutis & family in memory of parents, Peter & Esther Chakoutis, Elias & Alcnimi Malikouzakis. LITURGY LIGHTS Nicholas Chakoutis & family in memory of parents, Peter & Esther Chakoutis, Elias & Alcnimi Malikouzakis. ARTOCLASIA An Artoclasia will be offered today at the end of the First Divine Liturgy in honor of St. Nicholas by Mr. & Mrs. Vasilios Roumeliotis and Mrs. Niki Michael for good health of family. BIBLE STUDY Please note that Fr. Anthony s bible study class for this week only will be on Thursday, December 10 going forward it will be on Wednesday mornings at 10am. and on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON Philoptochos Christmas luncheon will be held on December 12, 2015 at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, MA at Noon. Please call Fran Katsulis at 978-535-0469 to make your reservation or if you have any questions. THE BLESSING OF ANIMALS BY THE ORTHODOX St. Modestos is a third-century Eastern Orthodox Christian saint. St. Modestos viewed animals as sublime and mysterious gifts from God, and would often bless the livestock of the faithful - praying for their health and survival and glorifying in the vastness and beauty of all that God made. The Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes St. Modestos on December 16 th of each year. In fact St. Vasilios (Basil) the Great writes: "O God, enlarge within us the sense of fellowship with all living things, our little brothers to whom You have given this earth as their home in common with us. May we realize that they live not for us alone, but for themselves and for You, and that they love the sweetness of life even as we do, and serve You better in their place than we in ours." So in keeping with this tradition our parish will conduct a blessing of animals on December 16 th at 3:30 p.m. in the small parking lot next to the church. 10 St Nicholas was restored to his flock, which joyfully received their guide and intercessor. Despite his great gentleness of spirit and purity of heart, St Nicholas was a zealous and ardent warrior of the Church of Christ. Fighting evil spirits, the saint made the rounds of the pagan temples and shrines in the city of Myra and its surroundings, shattering the idols and turning the temples to dust. In the year 325 St Nicholas was a participant in the First Ecumenical Council. This Council proclaimed the Nicean Symbol of Faith, and he stood up against the heretic Arius with the likes of Sts Sylvester the Bishop of Rome (January 2), Alexander of Alexandria (May 29), Spyridon of Trimythontos (December 12) and other Fathers of the Council. St Nicholas, fired with zeal for the Lord, assailed the heretic Arius with his words, and also struck him upon the face. For this reason, he was deprived of the emblems of his episcopal rank and placed under guard. But several of the holy Fathers had the same vision, seeing the Lord Himself and the Mother of God returning to him the Gospel and omophorion. The Fathers of the Council agreed that the audacity of the saint was pleasing to God, and restored the saint to the office of bishop. Having returned to his own diocese, the saint brought it peace and blessings, sowing the word of Truth, uprooting heresy, nourishing his flock with sound doctrine, and also providing food for their bodies. Even during his life the saint worked many miracles. One of the greatest was the deliverance from death of three men unjustly condemned by the Governor, who had been bribed. The saint boldly went up to the executioner and took his sword, already suspended over the heads of the condemned. The Governor, denounced by St Nicholas for his wrong doing, repented and begged for forgiveness. Witnessing this remarkable event were three military officers, who were sent to Phrygia by the emperor Constantine to put down a rebellion. They did not suspect that soon they would also be compelled to seek the intercession of St Nicholas. Evil men slandered them before the emperor, and the officers were sentenced to death. Appearing to St Constantine in a dream, St Nicholas called on him to overturn the unjust sentence of the military officers. He worked many other miracles, and struggled many long years at his labor. Through the prayers of the saint, the city of Myra was rescued from a terrible famine. He appeared to a certain Italian merchant and left him three gold pieces as a pledge of payment. He requested him to sail to Myra and deliver grain there. More than once, the saint saved those drowning in the sea, and provided release from captivity and imprisonment. 7

Having reached old age, St Nicholas peacefully fell asleep in the Lord. His venerable relics were preserved incorrupt in the local cathedral church and flowed with curative myrrh, from which many received healing. In the year 1087, his relics were transferred to the Italian city of Bari, where they rest even now (See May 9). The name of the great saint of God, the hierarch and wonderworker Nicholas, a speedy helper and suppliant for all hastening to him, is famed in every corner of the earth, in many lands and among many peoples. In Russia there are a multitude of cathedrals, monasteries and churches consecrated in his name. There is, perhaps, not a single city without a church dedicated to him. St Nicholas is the patron of travelers, and we pray to him for deliverance from floods, poverty, or any misfortunes. He has promised to help those who remember his parents, Theophanes and Nonna. St Nicholas is also commemorated on May 9 (The transfer of his relics) and on July 29 (his nativity). CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY BREAKFAST PLEASE PRAY FOR Maria, Christos, Penelope, Irene, Helen, Sophia, Vasiliki, Stacia, Nicholas, Stephen, Jimmy, Nina, David, James, Christopher, Denton, Christine, Steven, Ariana, Hannah, Alex If you wish to add or remove a name from the 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. 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. 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. TODAY S MEMORIALS We commemorate today the blessed memory of the following Members of our parish who have fallen asleep in the Lord: 8 7 yr. memorial Nicholas Pangakis 10 yr. memorial Charles G. Collias 60 yr. memorial Penelope Kotsovolas 18 month Trisagion Larry Lekos 13 yr. Trisagion Evgenia Tsionis 30 yr. Trisagion James Lekos 9