Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral Sunday, May 8, 2016
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 Georgia Parafestas -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! May 8, 2016 Sunday of St. Thomas HAPPY NAME DAY George, Georgia, Raphael, Raphaela, Irene, Peter, Theologos, Thomas NAME DAY COFFEE HOUR Coffee Hour is sponsored by Thomas Malitas in honor of his name day SUNDAY SERVICES Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 9:45am Saints of the Day John the Apostle, Evangelist, & Theologian Ἰωάννης ὁ Θεολόγος Wishing everyone a Happy Mother s Day
Entrance Hymns Apolytikion Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος. Beloved Apostle of Christ our God, hasten to deliver a people without defense. He who permitted you to recline upon His bosom, accepts you on bended knee before Him. Beseech Him, O Theologian, to dispel the persistent cloud of nations, asking for us peace and great mercy. Apolytikion Whilst the tomb was sealed, Thou, O Life, didst shine forth from the grave, O Christ God; and whilst the doors were shut, Thou didst come unto Thy disciples, O Resurrection of all, renewing through them an upright Spirit in us according to Thy great mercy. Kontakion Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen. Ἀπόστολε Χριστῷ τῶ Θεῷ ἠγαπηπημένε, ἐπιτάχυνον, ῥύσαι λαὸν ἀναπολόγητον, δέχεταί σε προσπίπτοντα, ὁ ἐπιπεσόντα τῶ στήθει καταδεξάμενος, ὃν ἱκέτευε, Θεολόγε, καὶ ἐπίμονον νέφος ἐθνῶν διασκεδάσαι, αἰτούμενος ἡμῖν εἰρήνην, καὶ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Ἐσφραγισμένου τοῦ μνήματος ἡ ζωὴ ἐκ τάφου ἀνέτειλας Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, τοῖς Μαθηταῖς ἐπέστης ἡ πάντων ἀνάστασις, πνεῦμα εὐθὲς δι' αὐτῶν ἐγκαινίζων ἡμῖν, κατὰ τὸ μέγα σου ἔλεος. Kontakion Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν
Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Ἰωάννου α' 1:1-7 Εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἐξῆλθεν ὁ φθόγγος αὐτῶν. Στίχ. Οἱ οὐρανοὶ διηγοῦνται δόξαν Θεοῦ. Ὃ ἦν ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, ὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα, καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς. Καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν, καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν, καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον, ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα, καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν. Ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν, ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθʼ ἡμῶν καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ὑμῖν, ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη. Καὶ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ ἀγγελία ἣν ἀκηκόαμεν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ὁ θεὸς φῶς ἐστίν, καὶ σκοτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδεμία. Ἐὰν εἴπωμεν ὅτι κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν τῷ σκότει περιπατῶμεν, ψευδόμεθα, καὶ οὐ ποιοῦμεν τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἐὰν δὲ ἐν τῷ φωτὶ περιπατῶμεν, ὡς αὐτός ἐστιν ἐν τῷ φωτί, κοινωνίαν ἔχομεν μετʼ ἀλλήλων, καὶ τὸ αἷμα Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ καθαρίζει ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης ἁμαρτίας. ΤΗΕ EPISTLE St. John's First Universal Letter 1:1-7 Their voice has gone out into all the earth. Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God. THAT WHICH WAS from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life - the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us - that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Thomas Sunday Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:19-31 Οὔσης οὖν ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ συνηγμένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ιουδαίων, ἦλθεν ὁ Ιησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ. ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν Κύριον. εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς πάλιν εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέ με ὁ πατήρ, κἀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησε καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς λάβετε Πνεῦμα Αγιον ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφίενται αὐτοῖς, ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται. Θωμᾶς δὲ εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα, ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, οὐκ ἦν μετ αὐτῶν ὅτε ἦλθεν ὁ Ιησοῦς. ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄλλοι μαθηταί ἑωράκαμεν τὸν Κύριον. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἐὰν μὴ ἴδω ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν μου εἰς τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ πιστεύσω. Καὶ μεθ ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ πάλιν ἦσαν ἔσω οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ Θωμᾶς μετ αὐτῶν. ἔρχεται ὁ Ιησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ εἶπεν εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. εἶτα λέγει τῷ Θωμᾷ φέρε τὸν δάκτυλόν σου ὧδε καὶ ἴδε τὰς χεῖράς μου, καὶ φέρε τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ βάλε εἰς τὴν πλευράν μου, καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος, ἀλλὰ πιστός. καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Θωμᾶς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἑώρακάς με, πεπίστευκας μακάριοι οἱ μὴ ἰδόντες καὶ πιστεύσαντες. Πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἄλλα σημεῖα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ιησοῦς ἐνώπιον τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ἃ οὐκ ἔστι γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ ταῦτα δὲ γέγραπται ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅτι Ιησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες ζωὴν ἔχητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ. Gospel Reading Thomas Sunday The Gospel according to John 20:19-31 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to Him: "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Fasting / Νηστεία Regular Fasting Rules Begin Again
Bible Study The Pharisee s Hostility towards Jesus. Wednesday, May 11, 2016 7:00pm in the Tonna Room Fr. Dimitrios Moraitis will be leading a Bible Study. If you wish to learn about the Bible, please come to this informative presentation.
PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY NEWS The Ladies of Philoptochos will help in the Food Pantry on Saturday, May 14, 2016 10am- 12pm.Grecian Festival Baking will commence with Tiropites and Spanakopites on Wednesday-Friday, May 11,12,13 @ 9am followed by koulourakia and kourabiedes Monday-Wednesday, May 23-25, 2016 @ 6pm Filoxenia House-The Philoptochos Society is fundraising for the Filoxenia House. A special basket will be passed today for donations which will support this very worthy charity. Thank you. GOYA Tuesday May 10, 2016 6:30pm LOST & FOUND Please note that a cream colored clutch handbag was found in the church after Easter service. If you are the owner, please come to the office to claim it. Thank you Grecian Festival 2016 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. AHEPA HOLY TRINITY Holy Trinity has employment openings for Full-Time and Part-Time Dietary Aides, and Per Diem Housekeepers. Please contact Michelle Williamson, Director of Human Resources, at (508)852-1000, ext. 218 or email @ mwilliamson@htnr.net The Ahepans will meet on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 @ 7:30pm DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE Meeting Monday, May 9, 2016 @ 7pm The Grecian Festival post cards and posters have been delivered. Please take a few and distribute to everyone you know. Also display the poster at your business and keep the post cards on your counter for those to take. Lawn signs are ready for pick up. Please place them in prominent "high traffic" areas in your neighborhoods. PARISH BOOKSTORE Great New Book Arrivals! A Child s Guide to the Divine Liturgy - beautifully illustrated and annotated, useful for the very young and even adults Prayer guides for teenagers and young adults. Pictures of God -Icons beautifully explained with great pictures! Great for young and all ages. Wonderful for parents to read with their children HOPE & JOY The HOPE and JOY groups will meet on Friday, May 13, 2016 at 5pm
LENTEN AND HOLY WEEK DONATIONS We would like to thank our beloved parishioners for their support and generosity through donations in requested items needed for Holy Week services. Thank you and may you have a Blessed Easter. Argyriadis, Areti Argyriadis, Melpomeni Capsalis, Bessie Christoforou, Anastasia Comitas, Loucas & Ekaterini Economou, Fotios & Eleni Economou, Maria Economou, Paul & Lilly Efstathiou, Bessie & family Engonidis, Nickolas & Anna Fotiadis, Savvas Ganias-Sotirakis, Demetra Genkos. Penelope Germanos, Ann Gertsios, Pam and Fotini Isildakli, Maria Kaouris, Athanasios & Georgia Karamanakis, Anna Karamboulas, Elias & Nina & family Kika, Efrosini Sue Kitsos, Areti Koumanelis, Andigoni Langas, Betsy Lyberopoulos, Athanasia Lyras, Mr. & Mrs. George Makos, Dimitrios Mshooshian, Katherine Nemphos, Ann Panagiotidis, Susan Panagiotopoulos, George Panagiotu, Dr. Matthew Papadopoulos, Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Papou, Eftalia Pappas, Katina and Theodora Parafestas, Georgia Peepas, Kathy Perros, Georgia Rapsomanikis, Joy Stefanakos, Maria Tatsis, Helen Tembenis, Theodore & Toula Vangos, Charles & Athena Vasilescu, Theo & Dora Vasilescu Vasiliadis, Melanthi Voyiatzis, Eleni Voyiatzis, Georgia
The Armed Forces Committee of Worcester County selected Peter G. Leasca as the Veteran of the year. 89 th Annual Dinner Honoring the U.S. Navy and all those who serve or served in the military. Peter Leasca a World War II veteran and resident of Worcester will be presented with the Award of Merit for his exemplary service to his country and community. Keynote speaker is Captain Vernon P. Kemper, U.S. Navy Commanding Officer Holy Cross-Yale Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Consortium The Honor of Your Presence is Requested (all branches of service are invited including civilians) Saturday, 14 May 2016 College of The Holy Cross Hogan Campus Center, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA Cocktails: 5:45PM; Dinner & music: 7 PM. Tickets: $40 per person Please make checks payable to: Armed Forces Committee of Worcester County. We are a 501C3 not-for-profit organization. For tickets To obtain your tickets, please send your check to Jim Griffin, 16 Henderson Ave., Worcester, MA 01603. If you have any questions, please call Jim at Cell # 774-239-6531 and leave a detailed message. His email is: jrgriffin12@hotmail.com A tradition since 1958, the AFCWC has been honoring a branch of service each year to foster patriotism and comradeship. The Committee will present the Award of Merit to a person who has made a significant contribution to the overall welfare of the military, veterans and the civilian community. In addition, the Committee will present an Outstanding Non Commissioned Officer award based upon exemplary performance and contributions to the community. A Key to the City will be presented to each award recipient by the Mayor of Worcester, Honorable Joseph Petty. Citations will be presented by representatives of the State House and Senate. The AFCWC will also honor the Outstanding Cadet of the Army, Navy and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) units at our local colleges and selected Junior ROTC units at our Worcester County High Schools.
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. Meeting will be held Friday, May 13, 2016 @ 5pm 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. 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! AHEPA We are planning to have an initiation of new members, and vote on reinstatement of members. We could also be having election of Delegates for the District Convention to be held in Lynn, MA on June 25, 2016. All our members are encouraged to attend and participate. OPEN TO EVERYONE Please join us for an informative meeting to discuss topics concerning Grecian Festival 2016 All are welcomed to participate in discussing our upcoming festival. Monday, May 9, 2016 at 7pm Senior Center Boston Duck Tours Day Trip Tuesday, June 21, 2016 Departure 9:00am-Return 5:00pm Sign up and information on bulletin board
Stewardship Sunday not only takes place in December but continues throughout the year. Your Stewardship contributions, financial and through volunteerism, helps the mission of our church to humbly serve Christ in order to spread His message. Become involved in one of the many ministries of our Cathedral, and become a leader in representing our Greek Orthodox faith through good works.
2016 Stewardship Report * GOAL Week 2016 Total 360 pledges received Stewardship Budget 18 $133,673.00 $371 average/family $330.000.00 * GOAL amount includes the 2016 Stewardship Budget Receipts of $330,000.00. Funds reflect all monies received in 2016 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.