Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral March 12, 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! March 12th, 2017 Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas MEMORIALS Theodore Tembenis-40 days Kalimorfi Karcasinas-15 years TRISAGION Kaliopi Gilantzis-9 years Ioannis Gilantzis-32 years Zachary Kassos-20 years COFFEE HOUR Coffee Hour is sponsored in loving memory of Theodore Tembenis, Kaliopi Gilantzis, Ioannis Gilantzis, and Zachary Kassos by their loving families ALTAR FLOWERS Altar flowers are sponsored in loving memory of Theodore Tembenis by his family SUNDAY SERVICES Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:45am WEEKDAY SERVICES Wednesday, March 15 Pre-sanctified Liturgy 6:00pm St. Spyridon Cathedral Fr. Dimitri will serve and speak Friday, March 17 3rd Stanza Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm BABY BLESSING Konstantinos & Ekaterina Tsandakis 40 day Blessing for their son,theofilos Antonios Saints of the Day THEOPHANES THE CONFESSOR SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN ΘΕΟΦΑΝΗΣ ὉΜΟΛΟΓΗΤΗΣ ΣΥΜΕΩΝ Ὁ ΝΕΟΣ ΘΕΟΛΟΓΟΣ

Entrance Hymns Apolytikion Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co -beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead. O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, comeliness of Monastics, invincible defender of theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede forever that our souls may be saved. 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 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. Kontakion To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thank offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!" Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ. Ὀρθοδοξίας ὁ φωστὴρ, Ἐκκλησίας τὸ στήριγμα καὶ διδάσκαλε, τῶν μοναστῶν ἡ καλλονὴ, τῶν θεολόγων ὑπέρμαχος ἀπροσμάχητος Γρηγόριε θαυματουργὲ Θεσσαλονίκης τὸ καύχημα κήρυξ τῆς χάριτος ἱκέτευε διὰ παντός, σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν. 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. Τὴ ὑπερμάχω στρατηγῶ τὰ νικητήρια, ὡς λυτρωθεῖσα τῶν δεινῶν εὐχαριστήρια, ἀναγράφω σοὶ ἡ Πόλις σου Θεοτόκε, Ἀλλ' ὡς ἔχουσα τὸ κράτος ἀπροσμάχητον, ἐκ παντοίων μὲ κινδύνων ἐλευθέρωσον, ἵνα κράζω σοί, Χαῖρε νύμφη ἀνύμφευτε.

Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς. Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος. ΤΗΕ EPISTLE You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us. Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed. Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 1:10-14, 2:1-3 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα είναι απο The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3 Κατʼ ἀρχάς, Κύριε, τὴν γῆν ἐθεμελίωσας, καὶ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν σού εἰσιν οἱ οὐρανοί αὐτοὶ ἀπολοῦνται, σὺ δὲ διαμένεις καὶ πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσονται, καὶ ὡσεὶ περιβόλαιον ἑλίξεις αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀλλαγήσονται σὺ δὲ ὁ αὐτὸς εἶ, καὶ τὰ ἔτη σου οὐκ ἐκλείψουσιν. Πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε, Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου; Οὐχὶ πάντες εἰσὶν λειτουργικὰ πνεύματα, εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διὰ τοὺς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν; Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως ἡμᾶς προσέχειν τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσιν, μήποτε παραρρυῶμεν. Εἰ γὰρ ὁ διʼ ἀγγέλων λαληθεὶς λόγος ἐγένετο βέβαιος, καὶ πᾶσα παράβασις καὶ παρακοὴ ἔλαβεν ἔνδικον μισθαποδοσίαν, πῶς ἡμεῖς ἐκφευξόμεθα τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας; Ἥτις, ἀρχὴν λαβοῦσα λαλεῖσθαι διὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ὑπὸ τῶν ἀκουσάντων εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐβεβαιώθη. "IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him.

ΤΟ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 2:1-12 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς εἰς Καπερναοὺμ δι ἡμερῶν καὶ ἠκούσθη ὅτι εἰς οἶκόν ἐστι. καὶ εὐθέως συνήχθησαν πολλοί, ὥστε μηκέτι χωρεῖν μηδὲ τὰ πρὸς τὴν θύραν καὶ ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς τὸν λόγον. καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς αὐτὸν παραλυτικὸν φέροντες, αἰρόμενον ὑπὸ τεσσάρων καὶ μὴ δυνάμενοι προσεγγίσαι αὐτῷ διὰ τὸν ὄχλον, ἀπεστέγασαν τὴν στέγην ὅπου ἦν, καὶ ἐξορύξαντες χαλῶσι τὸν κράβαττον, ἐφ ᾧ ὁ παραλυτικὸς κατέκειτο. ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ τέκνον, ἀφέωνταί σοι αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου. ἦσαν δέ τινες τῶν γραμματέων ἐκεῖ καθήμενοι καὶ διαλογιζόμενοι ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν τί οὗτος οὕτω λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός; καὶ εὐθέως ἐπιγνοὺς ὁ Ιησοῦς τῷ πνεύματι αὐτοῦ ὅτι οὕτως αὐτοὶ διαλογίζονται ἐν ἑαυτοῖς, εἶπεν αὐτοῖς τί ταῦτα διαλογίζεσθε ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν; τί ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν τῷ παραλυτικῷ, ἀφέωνταί σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀφιέναι ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἁμαρτίας - λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ σοὶ λέγω, ἔγειρε καὶ ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ ὕπαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου. καὶ ἠγέρθη εὐθέως, καὶ ἄρας τὸν κράβαττον ἐξῆλθεν ἐναντίον πάντων, ὥστε ἐξίστασθαι πάντας καὶ δοξάζειν τὸν Θεὸν λέγοντας ὅτι οὐδέποτε οὕτως εἴδομεν. THE HOLY GOSPEL The Gospel According to Mark 2:1-12 At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"i say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" Fasting / Νηστεία The fast for Great Lent has begun. Please abstain from meat, dairy, and fish. Oil and wine are allowed on the weekend.

St. John Chrysostom Oratorical 2017 Today the participants of the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be speaking on various topics. They will be judged on various points and the winner will continue on to the 34th National Oratorical Festival which will be hosted by the Metropolis of Boston and the Parish of Annunciation Woburn, MA on June 9-11, 2017. ST. SPYRIDON PRESCHOOL Summer Registration 2017 is now open. Registration forms are now available. www..stspyridonpreschool.com St. Nicholas Shrine His Eminence, Metropolitan Methodios, asks that every parish has a special offering collection on the 4rth Sunday of Lent, March 26, designated for rebuilding St. Nicholas National Shrine. HOLY TRINITY Holy Trinity has a job opening for a Director of Finance and also a job opening in Nursing for a Unit Manager. Contact Michelle Williamson, Director of Human Resources, 508-852-1000, mwilliamson@htnr.net Volunteering at Holy Trinity is a rewarding way you can make a difference in the lives of the residents by donating your time and talent. To inquire about volunteer opportunities, contact Gina Metras, Director of Activities, 508-852- 1000, gmetras@htnr.net,or Serena Shields, Director of NOT TO BE MISSED! Thursday, March 30,2017 at 7:00pm PSALTIKON- The Song of Chant An ensemble of nine male voices performing Byzantine chant from all periods and presented in the St. Spyridon Cathedral. The director will give a description of each performance piece. Hellenic Arts Society members and their guests also invited to a members reception. Dance Group In two weeks our community will be hosting a Northern Epirotic dance group from Athens Greece. They will be traveling to showcase their achievements and teach us from their experiences. This is why we, the Saint Spyridons Dance Group are organizing a dance workshop Sunday March 19, at 4:00pm at the Cotsidas hall, and are inviting the entire community to learn a variety of regional dances from experienced and talented instructors. The workshop will include a three hour classes rotating through specific regions of Greece, with live music. Classes are designed for participants 10 or older all skill levels. There will be sandwiches and refreshments. Fee per person $20. To register please reply on this email or call Evelyn @ 508-450-2365 Olga @ 508-728-6983

PRESANCTIFIED LITURGIES 2017 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. Free Bus Transportation will be provided to St. Nicholas in Clinton Meet at St. Spyridon parking lot at 5:00pm 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.

Wednesday, March 15 6:00pm Pre-Sanctified Liturgy @ St. Spyridon Friday, March 17 7:00pm 3rd Stanza of Salutations to the Theotokos Sunday, March 19-8:45am Orthros, 9:30am Div. Lit. Sunday of the Holy Cross Wednesday, March 22-6:00pm Pre-Sanctified Liturgy @ St. Nicholas Church in Clinton Friday, March 24-7:00pm Salutations to the Theotokos Saturday, March 25 8:45am Orthros, 9:30 Div. Lit. Anunciation Sunday, March 26-8:45am Orthros, 9:30am Div. Lit. Sunday of St. John Climacus Wednesday, March 29-7:00pm Pre-Sanctified @ St. Spyridon with Fr. Luke Veronis

Saturday, April 8, 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, April 8, 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.

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 $1,400,000.00 $269,500.00 pledged $50,500.00 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.

Free bus transportation will be provided by Foxy Bus Tours, donations accepted. We will meet at the St. Spyridon parking lot at 5:00 pm. Please contact the office for more information, 508-791-7326.

We have entered the period of Great Lent and we pray that you will have a wonderful and Holy Easter season. The decoration of the Cathedral and Holy Icons is a wonderful way to give back to our church. Thank you for your donations.

Notice: Philoptochos scheduled date for Loukoumades has been cancelled.

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, April 28, 2017 at 5:30pm

2017 Stewardship Report * GOAL 2017 Week Total 191 pledges received $430 average/pledge 10 $82,121.00 Stewardship Budget $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.