Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral February 19, 2017

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! February 19th, 2017 Meatfare Sunday MEMORIAL Donatos Vangos-1 year COFFEE HOUR Coffee hour is sponsored in loving memory of Donatos Vangos by his family. ALTAR FLOWERS Altar flowers are sponsored in loving memory of Donatos Vangos by his family. Presidents Day In order to observe Presidents Day the office will be closed and there will be NO Greek school nor Preschool classes on Monday, February 20, 2017 SUNDAY SERVICES Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:45am WEEKDAY SERVICES 2nd Saturday of Souls Saturday, February 25, 2017 Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 9:30am Saints of the Day The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and Onesimus Philothei the Righteous Martyr of Athens Ἄρχιππος, Φιλήμων καὶ Ἀπφίας Ἀπόστολοι Φιλοθέη ἡ Ἀθηναία SUNDAY SCHOOL FAMILY WORSHIP TODAY

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. 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. 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. Saint Spyridon 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. Απολυτίκιον 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. Kontakion O God, when You come upon the earth in glory, the whole world will tremble. A river of fire will bring all before Your Judgment Seat and the books will be opened, and everything in secret will become public. At that time, deliver me from the fire which never dies, and enable me to stand by Your right hand, O Judge most just. Κοντακιον Ὅταν ἔλθῃς ὁ Θεός, ἐπὶ γῆς μετὰ δόξης, καὶ τρέμωσι τὰ σύμπαντα, ποταμὸς δὲ τοῦ πυρὸς πρὸ τοῦ Βήματος ἕλκῃ, καὶ βίβλοι ἀνοίγωνται, καὶ τὰ κρυπτὰ δημοσιεύωνται, τότε ῥῦσαί με, ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς τοῦ ἀσβέστου, καὶ ἀξίωσον, ἐκ δεξιῶν σου μὲ στῆναι, Κριτὰ δικαιότατε.

Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 8:8-13, 9:1-2 Μέγας ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, καὶ μεγάλη ἡ ἰσχὺς ἀὐτοῦ. Στίχ. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, ὅτι ἀγαθός. Ἀδελφοί, βρῶμα ἡμᾶς οὐ παρίστησιν τῷ θεῷ οὔτε γὰρ ἐὰν φάγωμεν περισσεύομεν, οὔτε ἐὰν μὴ φάγωμεν ὑστερούμεθα. Βλέπετε δὲ μήπως ἡ ἐξουσία ὑμῶν αὕτη πρόσκομμα γένηται τοῖς ἀσθενοῦσιν. Ἐὰν γάρ τις ἴδῃ σε τὸν ἔχοντα γνῶσιν ἐν εἰδωλείῳ κατακείμενον, οὐχὶ ἡ συνείδησις αὐτοῦ ἀσθενοῦς ὄντος οἰκοδομηθήσεται εἰς τὸ τὰ εἰδωλόθυτα ἐσθίειν; Καὶ ἀπολεῖται ὁ ἀσθενῶν ἀδελφὸς ἐπὶ τῇ σῇ γνώσει, διʼ ὃν Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν; Οὕτως δὲ ἁμαρτάνοντες εἰς τοὺς ἀδελφούς, καὶ τύπτοντες αὐτῶν τὴν συνείδησιν ἀσθενοῦσαν, εἰς Χριστὸν ἁμαρτάνετε. Διόπερ εἰ βρῶμα σκανδαλίζει τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, οὐ μὴ φάγω κρέα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἵνα μὴ τὸν ἀδελφόν μου σκανδαλίσω. Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος; Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος; Οὐχὶ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν ἑώρακα; Οὐ τὸ ἔργον μου ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ; Εἰ ἄλλοις οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος, ἀλλά γε ὑμῖν εἰμι ἡ γὰρ σφραγὶς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ. ΤΗΕ EPISTLE St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2 Great is our Lord, and great is his power. Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good. Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall. Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

ΤΟ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 25:31-46 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἅγιοι ἄγγελοι μετ αὐτοῦ, τότε καθίσει ἐπὶ θρόνου δόξης αὐτοῦ, καὶ συναχθήσεται ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, καὶ ἀφοριεῖ αὐτοὺς ἀπ ἀλλήλων ὥσπερ ὁ ποιμὴν ἀφορίζει τὰ πρόβατα ἀπὸ τῶν ἐρίφων, καὶ στήσει τὰ μὲν πρόβατα ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ, τὰ δὲ ἐρίφια ἐξ εὐωνύμων. τότε ἐρεῖ ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ δεῦτε οἱ εὐλογημένοι τοῦ πατρός μου, κληρονομήσατε τὴν ἡτοιμασμένην ὑμῖν βασιλείαν ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου. ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ περιεβάλετέ με, ἠσθένησα, καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με, ἐν φυλακῇ ἤμην, καὶ ἤλθετε πρός με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ οἱ δίκαιοι λέγοντες κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα καὶ ἐθρέψαμεν, ἢ διψῶντα καὶ ἐποτίσαμεν; πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ξένον καὶ συνηγάγομεν, ἢ γυμνὸν καὶ περιεβάλομεν; πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ἀσθενῆ ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ ἤλθομεν πρός σε; καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων, ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. τότε ἐρεῖ καὶ τοῖς ἐξ εὐωνύμων πορεύεσθε ἀπ ἐμοῦ οἱ κατηραμένοι εἰς τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον τὸ ἡτοιμασμένον τῷ διαβόλῳ καὶ τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ. ἐπείνασα γάρ, καὶ οὐκ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, ἐδίψησα, καὶ οὐκ ἐποτίσατέ με, ξένος ἤμην, καὶ οὐ συνηγάγετέ με, γυμνός, καὶ οὐ περιεβάλετέ με, ἀσθενὴς καὶ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ οὐκ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με. τότε ἀποκριθήσονται αὐτῷ καὶ αὐτοὶ λέγοντες κύριε, πότε σε εἴδομεν πεινῶντα ἢ διψῶντα ἢ ξένον ἢ γυμνὸν ἢ ἀσθενῆ ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, καὶ οὐ διηκονήσαμέν σοι; τότε ἀποκριθήσεται αὐτοῖς λέγων ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐφ ὅσον οὐκ ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων, οὐδὲ ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε. καὶ ἀπελεύσονται οὗτοι εἰς κόλασιν αἰώνιον, οἱ δὲ δίκαιοι εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον. THE HOLY GOSPEL Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday) The Gospel according to Matthew 25:31-46 The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Fasting / Νηστεία Cheese-fare week. No meat any day this week. But you may eat dairy products everyday.

St. Spyridon Seniors The Seniors are planning 2 trips: Majestic Maine Cruise, Tuesday, June 27 Essex Valley Steam Train and CT Riverboat, Friday, September 15 Cost $95/pp each trip Sign up sheet on church bulletin board Please see fliers ST. SPYRIDON PRESCHOOL Registration opens for Preschool Monday, February 6th for the 2017-2018 school year. www..stspyridonpreschool.com Little Angels 2016-2017 Tuesday afternoons 2:30 to 4:00 February 21st, March, 7th & 21st, April 4th & 18th, May 2nd & 16th, June 6th HOLY TRINITY The Anna Maria College Music Therapy Department held a concert on Friday, February 10 th to benefit Holy Trinity s Music and Memory Program. Holy Trinity is a training site for Anna Maria College s music therapy students, and currently has two students working weekly with Music therapist, Megan Goddu. The Music Therapy and Music and Memory program at Holy Trinity has expanded greatly over the last year thanks to the wonderful partnership we have with Anna Maria College. To find out more about our Music Therapy program or to find out how you can get involved, please contact Gina Metras, activity director- 508-852-1000, gmetras@htnr.net NOTRE DAME ACADEMY AHEPA NOTICE Due to inclement weather the AHEPA Valentine Dance, originally scheduled for Saturday, February 11, is postponed to Saturday, February 25th. Things all Church Members Should Think About The task ahead of us is never as Great as the Power behind us The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you

PRESANCTIFIED LITURGIES 2017 Wednesday, March 1 st Pre-sanctified Liturgy 6:00pm at St. Spyridon Cathedral, Worcester, MA. Father Paul Bebis from Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Fitchburg, MA will serve and speak. Pot Luck Lenten meal will follow. People are encouraged to bring something to share with others. Wednesday, March 8 th Pre-sanctified Liturgy 6:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity, Fitchburg, MA. Father Dimitri will serve at Holy Trinity, Fitchburg, MA and he will speak about Addiction & Patient. Pot Luck Lenten meal will follow. People are encouraged to bring something to share with others. Wednesday, March 15 th Pre-sanctified Liturgy at St. Spyridon Cathedral, Worcester, MA. Father Dimitri will speak about the Journey through Great Lent. Pot Luck Lenten meal will follow. People are encouraged to bring something to share with others. March 22 nd Pre-sanctified Liturgy 6:00 p.m. at St. Nicholas Church, Clinton, MA. Father Greg and Father Dimitri will serve. Pot Luck Lenten meal will follow. People are encouraged to bring something to share with others. March 29 th, Pre-sanctified Liturgy 6:00 p.m.at St. Spyridon Cathedral, Worcester, MA. Father Luke Veronis, from Sts. Constantine & Helen Church, Webster, MA will serve and speak about Orthodox Missions. Pot Luck Lenten meal will follow. People are encouraged to bring something to share with others. April 5 th Pre-sanctified Liturgy 6:00pm. St. Spyridon Cathedral, Worcester, MA. Father Dimitri will speak about the Meaning of Holy Week. Pot Luck Lenten meal will follow. People are encouraged to bring something to share with others.

The blessing of our homes with the Holy Water of Epiphany is a meaningful way to begin the New Year. This beautiful tradition of our Orthodox Church allows us to start the year off in a most holy way by sanctifying our homes -the place where we spend most of our time. Please have an icon, a list of the living members of your family, a bowl as well as a spring of Basil or some other plant. We will bring the holy water, the cross and a copy of the service so you can follow along. The following days and times are available for house blessings. We ask that you please contact your neighbors to find a day and a block of time that satisfies all of you. For instance, you should contact your neighbors that live on your block, as well as other parishioners who live within a mile of your home, and schedule them either before or after your blessing. This will help us tremendously, especially since there are so many families, and we are still getting to know the neighborhoods around the Church. Please remember to allow at least 30 minutes for each house blessing. These dates are on a first come first serve basis. Contact the Church office to book your time. The available dates and times are as follows: Call the Church office to make your appointment! 508-791-7326

ST. SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL BURN THE MORTGAGE CAMPAIGN Total Cost of Family Center Renovation $4,100,000.00 Total raised by our community during first fund drive $2,650,000.00 Burn the Mortgage $1,450,000,000 Remaining Loan Balance to be paid $1,411,000.00 $229,000.00 pledged $39,300.00 3 Year Pledge Amount Annually Monthly $15,000 $5,000 $416 $3,000 $1,000 $83 $1,000 $333 $28 How Much Should I Give? This is a question every one of us must answer individually and with our heart. A goal of this magnitude cannot be realized without your generosity and unity. We are asking everyone from our parish and community to participate at any level. No donation is too small nor too large. Little by little we will achieve this daunting task and be rid of this financial burden. Please consider a tax deductible pledge today. Thank you and may God bless you. Proverbs 3.9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.

Saturday, March 11, 2017, 11:30pm-1:00pm The Feeding Ministry is continuing to serve our community with a Luncheon to be served to the Poor and Needy on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 11:30pm in the St. Spyridon Cotsidas Cultural Center. This month s meal is donated by and served by members of the Philoptochos and parish volunteers. The Feeding Ministry will be scheduled the 2nd Saturday of each month in conjunction with the Council of Eastern Orthodox Churches of Central Massachusetts and the Food Pantry. If you would like to volunteer please speak with Fr. Dimitri or contact Maria Kassos. Thank you for participating in the Lord s Work.

JOY The Junior Orthodox Youth (JOY) group of our Cathedral is open to children between 3rd - 6 th grades. The group is based on four characteristics of Orthodox Christianity: Worship, Fellowship, Witness, and Service. JOY is an Orthodox Christian youth group that helps our children experience and explore the orthodox faith. Is a group, to enjoy fellowship, and to have FUN! The events are geared to not only bring the youth of Saint Spyridon together in a fun and educational way, but also to start to plant the seeds of giving back to the community through charity projects. We look forward to seeing your child in our youth group and helping them to grow closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. HOPE The Hellenic Orthodox Primary Education group (HOPE) is a ministry for children from Kindergarten through second grade. Some of the activities include meetings with Fr. Dimitri; faith-learning crafts and snack time; field trips; and seasonal activities. Parents with children in K-6 th grades are encouraged to become active in these ministries Please check our Weekly Bulletin for upcoming parish and regional HOPE & JOY events. For further information please welcome, and contact our new JOY/HOPE ministry leader Anna Coulouras @508-887-1828 JOY and HOPE will meet on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 5:30pm

2nd Saturday of Souls Saturday, February 25, 2017 Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 9:45am 3rd Saturday of Souls Saturday, March 4, 2017 Orthros 8:45 Divine Liturgy 9:45 Please bring in the names of your deceased loved ones to be read in prayer by Fr. Dimitri. You may also bring in koliva to memorialize and honor your loved ones.

St. Spyridon Seniors The St. Spyridon Senior Parishioners are offering 2 trips The Majestic Maine Cruise on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 and the Essex Valley Steam Train and Connecticut Riverboat on Friday, September 15, 2017. Cost: $95/pp each trip The Majestic Maine Cruise includes: Sightseeing Lunch at Cook s Lobster House on Bailey Island Freeport Shopping (L.L. Bean) Transportation on Luxury Silver Fox Coach Essex Valley Steamtrain and Ct Riverboat Lunch at Go Fish Restaurant Scenic Steam Train ride Connecticut River valley sightseeing Connecticut Riverboat cruise

Transportation will be provided by Foxy Bus Tours, $25pp to cover costs. We will meet at the St. Spyridon parking lot at 5:00 pm. Please contact the office for more information, 508-791-7326.

What is Christian Stewardship?

2017 Stewardship Report * GOAL 2017 Week Total 151 pledges received Stewardship Budget 7 $66,765.00 $442 average/pledge $330.000.00 * GOAL amount includes the 2016 Stewardship Budget Receipts of $330,000.00. Funds reflect all monies received in 2017 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.