Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral Sunday, March 13, 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! March 13, 2016 Cheese-fare Sunday Memorials Thekla Fourkas-1 year Trisagion Ioannis Dovras-40 days Kalimorfi Karcasinas-14 years Altar Flowers Altar Flowers are sponsored in loving memory of Thekla Fourkas by her family There will be no memorials nor trisagion services held on Sunday, March 20, 2016 Cheesefare Sunday Today is the last day we can eat dairy products Sunday Services Orthros 8:30 am Divine Liturgy 9:45 am 3rd Saturday of Souls Saturday, March 19, 2016 Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 9:45am Monday, March 14, 2016 Great Compline Service 7:00pm Forgiveness Vespers Tonight! Sunday, March 13,2016 at 7:00pm Salutations Friday, March 18, 2016 at 7:00pm Saints of the Day Removal of the relics of Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople Νικηφόρος Πατριάρχης Κωνσταντινουπόλεως Daylight Savings Time Today!
Entrance Hymns Apolytikion From on high didst Thou descend, O Compassionate One; to burial of three days hast Thou submitted that Thou might free us from our passions. O our Life and Resurrection, Lord, 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. Saint Spyridon O 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. Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι. 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 Master, Prudence, Guide of Wisdom, Instruction to the foolish and Defender of the poor, strengthen my heart and grant it discernment. Give me words, Word of the Father, for behold, I shall not keep my lips from crying out to You, "O Merciful One, have mercy on me who has fallen." Kontakion Τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγέ, φρονήσεως χορηγέ, τῶν ἀφρόνων παιδευτά, καὶ πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστά, στήριξον, συνέτισον τὴν καρδίαν μου Δέσποτα. Σὺ δίδου μοι λόγον, ὁ τοῦ Πατρός Λόγος ἰδοὺ γὰρ τὰ χείλη μου, οὐ μὴ κωλύσω ἐν τῷ κράζειν σοι Ἐλεῆμον, ἐλέησόν με τὸν παραπεσόντα.
PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY NEWS The Philoptochos Society will be selling Loukoumades on Sunday, March 20, 2016 following Divine Liturgy. Please see flier for more info. GOYA The GOYAns will meet on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 6:30pm 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. Everyday Saints and Other Stories - Stories of modern day saints, real people, who lived during the Communist period, persevered and lived to tell their stories. Thirty Steps to Heaven -A must read for any devoted Christian. Easy to read and excellent reading for Lent! WHAT'S NEW AT HOLY TRINITY NURSING & RE- HABILITATION CENTER HOLY TRINITY HOSPICE Holy Trinity Hospice (HTH) offers exceptional care for individuals facing serious illnesses and those at the end of life. HTH provides individualized care for loved ones in their place of residence, whether that be at home, in an assisted living or at a nursing facility. Holy Trinity Hospice would be honored to help you through your difficult time. If you would like further information, please call the office at 508-791-8200 and ask for the Hospice Director, Beth Miller or the Community Liaison, Ursula Hanus. COTSIDAS CULTURAL CENTER Web Site The web site for the rental of the Cultural Center can now be accessed atwww.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. Parish Council Meeting Please take notice-the Parish Council Meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 7:00pm. LITTLE ANGELS Wednesday, March 16, 2016 9:30-11:30 DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE The Daughter s of Penelope will hold their next meeting on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 7:00pm at the AHEPA Home Senior Parishioners Lenten Luncheon Sunday, April 10, 2016 following Divine Liturgy at the AHEPA Home Please submit any news, updates, fliers and photos you would like to see in the Sunday Bulletin to: gvp@spyridoncathedral.org Also if you d like to be added to the email list to receive the bulletin via email please contact Georgia at the above email address. The Sunday Bulletin can also be viewed on the St. Spyridon website
Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Πρὸς Ρωμαίους 13:11-14, 14:1-4 Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν. Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ. Ἀδελφοί, νῦν ἐγγύτερον ἡμῶν ἡ σωτηρία ἢ ὅτε ἐπιστεύσαμεν. Ἡ νὺξ προέκοψεν, ἡ δὲ ἡμέρα ἤγγικεν ἀποθώμεθα οὖν τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους, καί ἐνδυσώμεθα τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτός. Ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ, εὐσχημόνως περιπατήσωμεν, μὴ κώμοις καὶ μέθαις, μὴ κοίταις καὶ ἀσελγείαις, μὴ ἔριδι καὶ ζήλῳ. Ἀλλʼ ἐνδύσασθε τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, καὶ τῆς σαρκὸς πρόνοιαν μὴ ποιεῖσθε, εἰς ἐπιθυμίας. Τὸν δ ὲ ἀ σ θ ε ν ο ῦ ν τ α τ ῇ π ί σ τ ε ι προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν. Ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει. Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο. Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν. ΤΗΕ EPISTLE St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4 Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them. Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel. Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.
Gospel Reading Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 6:14-21 Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος Εὰν γὰρ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, ἀφήσει καὶ ὑμῖν ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν. Οταν δὲ νηστεύητε, μὴ γίνεσθε ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ σκυθρωποί ἀφανίζουσι γὰρ τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν ὅπως φανῶσι τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύοντες ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἀπέχουσι τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν. σὺ δὲ νηστεύων ἄλειψαί σου τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπόν σου νίψαι,ὅπως μὴ φανῇς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις νηστεύων, ἀλλὰ τῷ πατρί σου τῷ ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ, καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ὁ βλέπων ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ ἀποδώσει σοι ἐν τῷ φανερῷ. Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται δ ι ο ρ ύ σ σ ο υ σ ι κ α ὶ κ λ έ π τ ο υ σ ι θησαυρίζετε δὲ ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐν οὐρανῷ, ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται οὐ διορύσσουσιν οὐδὲ κλέπτουσιν ὅπου γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θησαυρὸς ὑμῶν, ἐκεῖ ἔσται καὶ ἡ καρδία ὑμῶν. Forgiveness Sunday The Gospel according to Matthew 6:14-21 The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Fasting / Νηστεία The Great Fast Begin Abstain from meat and dairy everyday, oil is allowed on the Weekend
The Real Purpose of Great Lent As we enter into the period of Great Lent and the Great Fast, we are reminded of the fasting rules that apply. We are to abstain from meat, fish and dairy products for the entire period of Great Lent and Holy Week. Furthermore, oil is only permitted on the weekends of Great Lent with the exception of Holy Saturday. Lastly, fish is allowed on March 25 (the Annunciation) and on the Saturday of Lazarus and Palm Sunday. Because of the fast, and other Lenten restrictions many feel that Great Lent only consists of a number of formal, predominately negative, rules and prescriptions. Yet, nothing can be further from the truth. Great Lent and its guidelines are meant to produce an atmosphere which in the words of the late Fr. Schmemann Might soften our hearts so that we may open ourselves to the realities of the spirit, to experience the hidden thirst and hunger for communion with God. And this desire for communion with Him can be seen through our actions. In the words of St. John Chrysostom: Do you fast? Give me proof by your works. If you see a poor man, take pity on him. If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him. Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye, and the ear and the feet, and the hands, and all the member of our bodies. Let the hands fast by being free from greed. Let the feet fast by ceasing to run after sin. Let the eyes fast by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful. Let the ears fast by not listening to evil talk and gossip. Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism. For what good is it if we abstain from eating fish and meat, but instead bite and devour our brothers and sisters? The real purpose of Great Lent is not to fast from food per se, but to fast from sin, and rededicate our life back to God.
Forgiveness Vespers- Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 7:00pm The Sunday of Forgiveness is the last Sunday prior to the commencement of Great Lent. During the pre-lenten period, the services of the Church include hymns from the Triodion, a liturgical book that contains the services from the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, the tenth before Pascha (Easter), through Great and Holy Saturday. On the Sunday of Forgiveness focus is placed on the exile of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, an event that shows us how far we have fallen in sin and separated ourselves from God. At the onset of Great Lent and a period of intense fasting, this Sunday reminds us of our need for God s forgiveness and guides our hearts, minds, and spiritual efforts on returning to Him in repentance. - See more at: http://lent.goarch.org/forgiveness/learn/ All are welcomed to attend this wonderful service to celebrate the start of Great Lent! Great Compline Service- Monday, March 14, 2016 at 7:00pm Each year during Lent, many of us are blessed with the service of Compline at least on Mondays during the fast, if not also on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Great Compline is comprised of 4 sections and provides a structure to pray the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete during Lent. The service is customary for the end of the day (after Vespers and before the Midnight Office) and is celebrated regularly in the monasteries. The English word compline actually comes from the Latin completorium, which means at the end of the work day. The service focuses around a theme of repentance, entreating the Lord to forgive us of our numerous sins during the course of the day and to protect us from the evil fantasies of the night and the darts of the evil one which are insidiously thrown against us 27
Triumph of Orthodoxy Join us as all the members of the Council of Eastern Orthodox Churches of Central Massachusetts gather at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral to celebrate the Church s victory in restoring the use of Icons Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 6:00 PM 30 Anna St. Worcester MA 01604 We venerate your pure image O Good One, begging forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God. Of Your own will You condescended to ascend upon the Cross in the flesh and delivered those you created from the bondage of the enemy. Wherefore, thankfully we cry out: When You came to save the world You filled all things with joy, O our Savior.
Please go to the St. Spyridon website for more information and applications, spyridoncathedral.org/affiliations tab/ AHEPA
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. 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/lock-in RETREAT on Friday, March 18, 2016 at 8:00pm on the church premises until Saturday, March 19 at 8:00am. 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! 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. Tuesday, March 15, 2016 Introduced in 1983, the St. John Chrysstom Oratorical Festival provides Greek Orthodox teenagers the opportunity to write and talk about their faith. The Oratorical Festival Program includes the various divisions. The district festival will take place at St. George Greek Orthodox church in Springfield On Saturday, April 9, 2016. For further info go to: http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/ religioused/sjcof
The Ladies of the Philoptochos Society will be selling Loukoumades on Sunday, March 20, 2016 immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Proceeds to benefit The Hellenic College of the Holy Cross. Please join us in celebrating the 22nd Annual Greek Independence Day Parade of Boston on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 1:00pm. Transportation will be provided and will leave the St. Spyridon Parking Lot. For more info please contact the church office. Show your support and fundraise for our own Grecian Festival by having your name printed on our beautiful Grecian Festival banner which will be displayed all 3 days during the festivities. $ 20 -$50 donors. Thank you and may God Bless you.
3rd Saturday of Souls Saturday, March 19, 2016 Orthros 8:45am Divine Liturgy 9:45am 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.
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 Stewardship Budget 10 $93,442.50 $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.