St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church

Pastor Assistant Pastor Parish President Stewardship Chairperson Pastoral Assistant Pastor Emeritus Parish Nurse Office Manager Secretary Fr. Christopher P. Foustoukos Email: frchris@stvasilios.org Fr. Anthony Tandilyan Email: franthony@stvasilios.org Mr. Steve Stephanides Email: stephanidessteve@gmail.com Mrs. Pam Katsiris Email: pam@stvasilios.org Deacon Michael Fadel Fr. Andrew Demotses Sophia Grevelis, RN Irene Stephanides Email: irene@stvasilios.org Chrissa Pissios Email: bulletin@stvasilios.org Office: Tel: 978-531-0777 Fax: 978-538-9522 5 Paleologos Street, Peabody, MA 01960 website: www.stvasilios.org www.facebook.com/stvasiliospeabody CONTACTS St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church WWW.STVASILIOS.ORG Sunday of the Canaanite Woman NURSING AND WELLNESS MINISTRY Nursing and Wellness Ministry Behavioral Health Talk "Understanding Anxiety Sunday, February 5, 2017" During coffee hour. (Room to be determined) Questions, speak with Andrea O'Donnell CANDLE COUNTER (Παγκα/ρι) SCHEDULE SUNDAY, January 29 Steven Anezis Lane Nordquist Ruth Morfis Victor Fanikos SUNDAY, February 5 John Rogers John Pnevmatikos Michael Ambeliotis Costa Partaledis Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch January 29, 2017

Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch The Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer, was a disciple of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, as was also Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (February 23). Saint Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch, and successor to Bishop Euodius, Apostle of the Seventy (September 7). Tradition suggests that when Saint Ignatius was a little boy, the Savior hugged him and said: Unless you turn and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt. 18:3). The saint was called God-Bearer (Theophoros), because he bore God in his heart and prayed unceasingly to Him. He also had this name because he was held in the arms of Christ, the incarnate Son of God. Saint Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian, together with Saint Polycarp of Smyrna. As Bishop of Antioch, Saint Ignatius was zealous and spared no effort to build up the church of Christ. To him is attributed the practice of antiphonal singing (by two choirs) during church services. He had seen a vision of the angels in heaven alternately singing praises to God, and divided his church choir to follow this example. In the time of persecution he was a source of strength to the souls of his flock, and was eager to suffer for Christ. In the year 106 the emperor Trajan (98-117), after his victory over the Scythians, ordered everyone to give thanks to the pagan gods, and to put to death any Christians who refused to worship the idols. In the year 107, Trajan happened to pass through Antioch. Here they told him that Bishop Ignatius openly confessed Christ, and taught people to scorn riches, to lead a virtuous life, and preserve their virginity. Saint Ignatius came voluntarily before the emperor, so as to avert persecution of the Christians in Antioch. Saint Ignatius rejected the persistent requests of the emperor Trajan to sacrifice to the idols. The emperor then decided to send him to Rome to be thrown to the wild beasts. Saint Ignatius joyfully accepted the sentence imposed upon him. His readiness for martyrdom was attest- 2 19

PTA NEWS ed to by eyewitnesses, who accompanied Saint Ignatius from Antioch to Rome. On the way to Rome, the ship sailed from Seleucia stopped at Smyrna, where Saint Ignatius met with his friend Bishop Polycarp. Clergy and believers from other cities and towns thronged to see Saint Ignatius. He exhorted everyone not to fear death and not to grieve for him. In his Epistle to the Roman Christians, he asked them to assist him with their prayers, and to pray that God would strengthen him in his impending martyrdom for Christ: I seek Him Who died for us; I desire Him Who rose for our salvation... In me, desire has been nailed to the cross, and no flame of material longing is left. Only the living water speaks within me, saying, Hasten to the Father. From Smyrna, Saint Ignatius went to Troas. Here he heard the happy news of the end of the persecution against Christians in Antioch. From Troas, Saint Ignatius sailed to Neapolis (in Macedonia) and then to Philippi. On the way to Rome Saint Ignatius visited several churches, teaching and guiding the Christians there. He also wrote seven epistles: to the churches of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna. He also addressed a letter to Saint Polycarp, who mentions a collection of the letters of Saint Ignatius in his letter to the Philippians (Ch. 13). Saint Irenaeus of Lyons quotes from Saint Ignatius s letter to the Romans (AGAINST HERESIES 5:28:4). All these letters have survived to the present day. The Roman Christians met Saint Ignatius with great joy and profound sorrow. Some of them hoped to prevent his execution, but Saint Ignatius implored them not to do this. Kneeling down, he prayed together with the believers for the Church, for love between the brethren, and for an end to the persecution against Christians. On December 20, the day of a pagan festival, they led Saint Ignatius into the arena, and he turned to the people: Men of Rome, you know that I 18 3

am sentenced to death, not because of any crime, but because of my love for God, by Whose love I am embraced. I long to be with Him, and offer myself to him as a pure loaf, made of fine wheat ground fine by the teeth of wild beasts. After this the lions were released and tore him to pieces, leaving only his heart and a few bones. Tradition says that on his way to execution, Saint Ignatius unceasingly repeated the name of Jesus Christ. When they asked him why he was doing this, Saint Ignatius answered that this Name was written in his heart, and that he confessed with his lips Him Whom he always carried within. When the saint was devoured by the lions, his heart was not touched. When they cut open the heart, the pagans saw an inscription in gold letters: Jesus Christ. After his execution Saint Ignatius appeared to many of the faithful in their sleep to comfort them, and some saw him at prayer for the city of Rome. Hearing of the saint s great courage, Trajan thought well of him and stopped the persecution against the Christians. The relics of Saint Ignatius were transferred to Antioch (January 29), and on February 1, 637 were returned to Rome and placed in the church of San Clemente. ORTHODOXY ON TAP JOIN DCN. MARKOS AFTER LITURGY for AGAPE CIRCLE AGAPE means REAL LOVE. Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches that AGAPE is what life is all about and AGAPE is what GOD is all about. For 5 Sundays in a row after Liturgy starting January 29 until February 26, Deacon Markos will lead a small group called "Agape Circle" in the conference room from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm. We will explore our experiences of real love and consider how we can support one another to increase AGAPE in our lives. If you are interested in being a part of AGAPE CIRCLE please contact Dcn. Markos at 617-501- 1083 or markanickolas@gmail.com and meet with him after Liturgy on Sunday to find out more. 4 17

Sunday, January 29, 2017 Hymns Following the Gospel (Small Entrance) Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Mode By means of Your Cross, O Lord, You abolished death. * To the robber You opened Paradise. * The lamentation of the myrrhbearing women You transformed, * and You gave Your Apostles the order to proclaim to all * that You had risen, O Christ our God, * and granted the world Your great mercy. Apolytikion As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, thou foundest discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, thou didst also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Ignatius. Intercede with Christ our God 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. Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One. Apoluti/kion Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον, ἠνέῳξας τῷ Λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον, τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Apoluti/kion Καί τρόπων μέτοχος, καί θρόνων διάδοχος, τών Αποστόλων γενόμενος, τήν πράξιν εύρες Θεόπνευστε, εις θεωρίας επίβασιν, διά τούτο τόν λόγον τής αληθείας ορθοτομών, καί τή πίστει ενήθλησας μέχρις αίματος, Ιερομάρτυς Ιγνάτιε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών. Apoluti/kion tou Agi/ou Basilei/ou (Hxoc a /) Konta/kion (Hxoc d /) Ὁ μήτραν παρθενικὴν ἁγιάσας τῶ τόκω σου, καὶ χείρας τοῦ Συμεὼν εὐλογήσας ὡς ἔπρεπε, προφθάσας καὶ νὺν ἔσωσας ἡμᾶς Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός. Ἀλλ' εἰρήνευσον ἐν πολέμοις τὸ πολίτευμα, καὶ κραταίωσον Βασιλεῖς οὓς ἠγάπησας, ὁ μόνος φιλάνθρωπος 16 5

EPISTLE READINGS St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1 Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 28.11,1 The Lord will give strength to his people. Verse: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory. BRETHREN, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God. Πρὸς Κορινθίους β' 6:16-18, 7:1 Προκείμενον. Ἦχος βαρύς. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 28.11,1 Κύριος ἰσχὺν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ δώσει. Στίχ. Ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ υἱοὶ Θεοῦ, ἐνέγκατε τῷ Κυρίῳ δόξαν καὶ τιμήν. Ἀδελφοί, ὑμεῖς ἐστε ναὸς Θεοῦ ζῶντος, καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ θεός ὅτι Ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν θεός, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μοι λαός. Διὸ, Ἐξέλθετε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει κύριος, καὶ ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε κἀγὼ εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἔσομαι ὑμῖν εἰς πατέρα, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔσεσθέ μοι εἰς υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, λέγει κύριος παντοκράτωρ. Ταύτας οὖν ἔχοντες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, ἀγαπητοί, καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύματος, ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ θεοῦ. GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY LUNCHEON Saturday, March 25, 2017 St. Vasilios Philoptochos invites you to attend the Independence Day Luncheon on Saturday, March 25, 2017 immediately following the Divine Liturgy. There will be a special hour of coffee and a brunch cocktail from 10:30 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. followed by our Lenten lunch at 11:45 a.m. in the Rev. Andrew J. Demotses Educational Center. The 25th of March represents two very important holidays -- the Annunciation and Greek Independence Day. The menu will be baked haddock, fava beans, cole slaw, feta & olives, rolls, wine and coffee for $15. Children s menu will be pizza, juice and cookies for $5. We are happy to take reservations for both take out as well as dining in. Tables of 10 or more may be reserved. Please use the tear off sheet to make your reservation. Reservations can be made by: Email to tracey.franggos@perkins1.com or mail to Tracey Franggos, 41 Pearson Drive, Byfield, MA 01922. You may also leave a message on 978-463 -8135 with your name and reservation information and how you will be paying for your reservation. Reservation Form: Independence Day Luncheon on Saturday, March 25, 2017 10:30 till 11:30 a.m. Coffee Station/Cocktail Hour 11:45 a.m. Lunch Name Tel Enclosed is my check/cash $ for adults $ for children Please reserve a table for the names listed below: 6 15

BLESSING BAGS Helping those less fortunate in our community Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed. Proverb 19:17 The Church School students are asking for donations to help them fill Blessing Bags. These bags are distributed to the homeless in our area on a monthly basis. We are especially in need of cold weather items. Winter socks Flashlight & batteries Hats First Aid kits Gloves (Men s sizes L & XL) Vitamin C lozenges Scarves Chapstick Hand & feet warmers Antibacterial wipes or gel Tissues (individual packets) Food items: $5.00 Gift cards Granola, Protein & Breakfast bars Dunkin Donuts Peanut butter crackers McDonalds Nuts/Trail mix CVS/Walgreens Please return any donations to boxes set up in the Educational Center foyer or to the Church School office or any classroom. Thank you for your generosity. VOTIVE CANDLE SAFETY Votive Candle Safety We have noticed that increasingly the faithful have been lighting candles and placing them in front of the Iconostasis (icon screen). We have also noticed that more and more of the faithful are having their votive candles brought into the Holy Altar. Because of the number of votive candles, twice we have had wax spills on the chairs in the Altar. Furthermore, we often find that candles have been left burning in the Altar and in front of the Iconostasis and this is a fire hazard. The decision of the Parish Council, along with Father Chris, is that votive candles are to remain in the Narthex of the church where they remain in safety glass in case the plastic insert catches fire and not brought into the Altar or placed in front of the Iconostasis. We thank you for your cooperation. 14 GOSPEL READING Sunday of the Canaanite The Gospel according to Matthew 15:21-28 At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly. Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 15:21-28 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἐξελθὼν ἐκεῖθεν ὁ Ιησοῦς ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη Τύρου καὶ Σιδῶνος. καὶ ἰδοὺ γυνὴ Χαναναία ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων ἐκείνων ἐξελθοῦσα ἐκραύγαζεν αὐτῷ λέγουσα ἐλέησόν με, Κύριε, υἱὲ Δαυΐδ ἡ θυγάτηρ μου κακῶς δαιμονίζεται. ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῇ λόγον. καὶ προσελθόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἠρώτων αὐτὸν λέγοντες ἀπόλυσον αὐτήν, ὅτι κράζει ὄπισθεν ἡμῶν. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν οὐκ ἀπεστάλην εἰ μὴ εἰς τὰ πρόβατα τὰ ἀπολωλότα οἴκου Ισραήλ. ἡ δὲ ἐλθοῦσα προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ λέγουσα Κύριε, βοήθει μοι. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν οὐκ ἔστι καλὸν λαβεῖν τὸν ἄρτον τῶν τέκνων καὶ βαλεῖν τοῖς κυναρίοις. ἡ δὲ εἶπε ναί, Κύριε καὶ γὰρ τὰ κυνάρια ἐσθίει ἀπὸ τῶν ψυχίων τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τῶν κυρίων αὐτῶν. τότε ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὦ γύναι, μεγάλη σου ἡ πίστις! γενηθήτω σοι ὡς θέλεις. καὶ ἰάθη ἡ θυγάτηρ αὐτῆς ἀπὸ τῆς ὥρας ἐκείνης. 7

PLEASE PRAY FOR PLEASE PRAY FOR: Stephanie, Nicholas, Stephanie, Michael, Cyndi, Alexios, Alma, Ray, Alex, Angelike, Kasey, Stephen, Nina, James, Maria, Gus, Irene, Helen, Penelope, Maria, Sophia, Vasiliki, Maria, Flora, Aphrodite, Christos, Angelo, Maria, Ethel, Stacia. If you wish to add or remove a name from the list, please call the Church Office. 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. ALTAR DONATIONS LITURGY LIGHTS In loving memory of Michael C. Lignos. Carrie Speros in memory of husband, father & sister. VIGIL LIGHTS Carrie Speros in memory of husband, father & sister. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ALTAR Improvements to the Altar Father Chris is looking to add two electrical outlets to the Altar along with some additional lighting and to replace the final counter top. The cost of the project is $2,300 and Father is looking for donations in any amount to help complete this project. If you have any question please call or speak with Father Chris. 8 13

TODAY S MEMORIALS We commemorate today the blessed memory of the following member of our parish who has fallen asleep in the Lord: 15 yr. Trisagion Antonetta Pavlo COFFEE FELLOWSHIP HOUR Please join us for Coffee Fellowship Hour today immediately following the first Divine Liturgy in the Educational Center. Today's coffee fellowship is sponsored in loving memory of Mary "Despinis" Emeromistis by the Antonios & Adamantia Loris Family. ST. VASILIOS GOES SKIING WEEKDAY SERVICES Vespers of the Feast of the Three Hierachs Sunday, January 29 6:00 p.m. Feast of the Three Hierachs Monday, January 30 8:00 a.m. Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Presentation of Our Lord Thursday, February 2 8:00 a.m. Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy KAQHMERINES IERES AKOLOUQIES Esperino/c Treic Iera/rxec Kuriakh//, 29 h Ianouari/ou 6:00 m.m. Oi Trei/c Iera/rxec Deute/ra, 30 h Ianouari/ou 8:00 p.m. Orqroc 9:00 p.m. Qei/a Leitourgi/a H Upapanth/ tou Kuri/ou Pe/mpth, 2 h Febrouari/ou 8:00 p.m. Orqroc 9:00 p.m. Qei/a Leitourgi/a SOUP SALE SOUP SALE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017 DURING COFFEE HOUR PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT HAVEN FROM HUNGER 12 9

PHILOPTOCHOS GO RED SUNDAY! Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association s national call to increase awareness about heart disease. In support of this program, National Philoptochos is designating Sunday, February 5th as Philoptochos GO RED SUNDAY. St. Vasilios "Athena" Chapter is dedicated in giving back to our St. Vasilios community. Philoptochos Sisters will be passing out a red carnation to all women at the end of both Divine Liturgies as a symbol to live healthier lives. For more information, go to: http:// www.goredforwomen.org THE SISTERHOOD OF ST. MAKRINA The Sisterhood of St Makrina will start up on Thursday, February 2. We will meet following Liturgy that morning around 10am. The class will gather for 8 weeks from 9:30am-11am and is open to all women. If you would like more information feel free to contact Pres. Claire 617-957- 0175. FAMILY GAME DAY! Family Game Day: Please join us for an afternoon of fun and fellowship!!! Bring your favorite board game, your favorite snack and your family members of all ages for an afternoon of good old fashioned fun! We will meet in the parlor room from 3-5pm on Monday, February 20th (President's Day) and conclude our time together with Vespers in Church led by Fr. Anthony. We hope to see you there! Contact Rita Constantinou at ritaconstantinou@yahoo.com or Presbytera Kellie at katandilyan@gmail.com with any questions. 10 11