Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral September 3, 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 - frdimitrim@gmail.com 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! September 3, 2017 13th Sunday of Matthew TRISAGION Spyro Economou-4 years OFFICE CLOSED The office will be closed to observe Labor Day on Monday, September 4, 2017 Sunday, Sept. 10 we return to regular Sunday Services SUNDAY SERVICES Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:45am WEEKDAY SERVICES Birth of the Virgin Mary Friday, September 8 Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am Exaltation of the Holy Cross Thursday, September 14 Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 9:30am Saints of the Day Anthimus, Bishop of Nicomedea Holy Father Theoctistus and his fellow struggler Euthymius the Great νθιμος ερομ ρτυς Θε κτιστος κα Ε θ μιος HAPPY NAME DAY Alexandros, Alexandra

Entrance Hymns Apolytikion Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world. In the manner of the Apostles, and as successor to their thrones, God inspired One, you deemed action above contemplation. Thus, rightly teaching the word of truth, you contended in faith to a bloody end, Priest-Martyr Anthimos. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved. With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have borne fruit a hundredfold. By your miracles you have become a light, shining upon the world. O Theoktistos, our venerable Father, intercede to Christ our God, to save our souls. 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 In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life." Τὸ φαιδρὸν τῆς Ἀναστάσεως κήρυγμα, ἐκ τοῦ Ἀγγέλου μαθοῦσαι αἱ τοῦ Κυρίου Μαθήτριαι, καὶ τὴν προγονικὴν ἀπόφασιν ἀπορρίψασαι, τοῖς Ἀποστόλοις καυχώμεναι ἔλεγον Ἐσκύλευται ὁ θάνατος, ἠγέρθη Χριστὸς ὁ Θεός, δωρούμενος τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. 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 Ιωακείμ καί Άννα όνειδισμού ατεκνίας, καί Αδάμ καί Εύα, εκ τής φθοράς τού θανάτου, ηλευθερώθησαν, Άχραντε, εν τή αγία γεννήσει σου, αυτήν εορτάζει καί ο λαός σου, ενοχής τών πταισμάτων, λυτρωθείς εν τώ κράζειν σοι, Η στείρα τίκτει τήν Θεοτόκον, καί τροφόν τής ζωής ημών.

Ο ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΣ Μέγας ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, καὶ μεγάλη ἡ ἰσχὺς ἀὐτοῦ. Στίχ. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, ὅτι ἀγαθός. Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 16:13-24 τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα Ἀδελφοί, γρηγορεῖτε, στήκετε ἐν τῇ πίστει, ἀνδρίζεσθε, κραταιοῦσθε. Πάντα ὑμῶν ἐν ἀγάπῃ γινέσθω. Παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί - οἴδατε τὴν οἰκίαν Στεφανᾶ, ὅτι ἐστὶν ἀπαρχὴ τῆς Ἀχαΐας, καὶ εἰς διακονίαν τοῖς ἁγίοις ἔταξαν ἑαυτούς - ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς ὑποτάσσησθε τοῖς τοιούτοις, καὶ παντὶ τῷ συνεργοῦντι καὶ κοπιῶντι. Χαίρω δὲ ἐπὶ τῇ παρουσίᾳ Στεφανᾶ καὶ Φουρτουνάτου καὶ Ἀχαϊκοῦ, ὅτι τὸ ὑμῶν ὑστέρημα οὗτοι ἀνεπλήρωσαν. Ἀνέπαυσαν γὰρ τὸ ἐμὸν πνεῦμα καὶ τὸ ὑμῶν ἐπιγινώσκετε οὖν τοὺς τοιούτους. Ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς αἱ ἐκκλησίαι τῆς Ἀσίας ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς ἐν κυρίῳ πολλὰ Ἀκύλας καὶ Πρίσκιλλα, σὺν τῇ κατʼ οἶκον αὐτῶν ἐκκλησίᾳ. Ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς οἱ ἀδελφοὶ πάντες. Ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ. Ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου. Εἴ τις οὐ φιλεῖ τὸν κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, ἤτω ἀνάθεμα. Μαρὰν ἀθά. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μεθʼ ὑμῶν. Ἡ ἀγάπη μου μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Ἀμήν. ΤΗΕ EPISTLE Great is our Lord, and great is his power. Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good. The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 16:13-24 Brethren, be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicos, because they have made up for your absence; for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men. The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

ΤΟ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ Ἐκ τοῦ Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 21:33-42 Εὐαγγελίου τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος τήν παραβολὴν ταύτην Αλλην παραβολὴν ἀκούσατε. ἄνθρωπός τις ἦν οἰκοδεσπότης, ὅστις ἐφύτευσεν ἀμπελῶνα καὶ φραγμὸν αὐτῷ περιέθηκε καὶ ὤρυξεν ἐν αὐτῷ ληνὸν καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε πύργον, καὶ ἐξέδοτο αὐτὸν γεωργοῖς καὶ ἀπεδήμησεν. ὅτε δὲ ἤγγισεν ὁ καιρὸς τῶν καρπῶν, ἀπέστειλε τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ πρὸς τοὺς γεωργοὺς λαβεῖν τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτοῦ. καὶ λαβόντες οἱ γεωργοὶ τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ὃν μὲν ἔδειραν, ὃν δὲ ἀπέκτειναν, ὃν δὲ ἐλιθοβόλησαν. πάλιν ἀπέστειλεν ἄλλους δούλους πλείονας τῶν πρώτων, καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτοῖς ὡσαύτως. ὕστερον δὲ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ λέγων ἐντραπήσονται τὸν υἱόν μου. οἱ δὲ γεωργοὶ ἰδόντες τὸν υἱὸν εἶπον ἐν ἑαυτοῖς οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ κληρονόμος δεῦτε ἀποκτείνωμεν αὐτὸν καὶ κατάσχωμεν τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ. καὶ λαβόντες αὐτὸν ἐξέβαλον ἔξω τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, καὶ ἀπέκτειναν. ὅταν οὖν ἔλθῃ ὁ κύριος τοῦ ἀμπελῶνος, τί ποιήσει τοῖς γεωργοῖς ἐκείνοις; λέγουσιν αὐτῷ κακοὺς κακῶς ἀπολέσει αὐτούς, καὶ τὸν ἀμπελῶνα ἐκδώσεται ἄλλοις γεωργοῖς, οἵτινες ἀποδώσουσιν αὐτῷ τοὺς καρποὺς ἐν τοῖς καιροῖς αὐτῶν. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς οὐδέποτε ἀνέγνωτε ἐν ταῖς γραφαῖς, λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας παρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη, καὶ ἔστι θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν; THE HOLY GOSPEL The Gospel According to Matthew 21:33-42 The Lord said this parable, "There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons." Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?'" Fasting / Νηστεία Regular fasting rules apply.

HELLENIC ARTS The Hellenic Arts Society invites you to an evening of dinner, music and dance with featured musicians, The Orpheus Band with a guest female vocalist. Saturday, October 28, 2017 More info to come. MINISTRY SUNDAY On Sunday September 10, all ministries will present and inform our parish by having information and forms available in the Cotsidas Auditorium. Join us to see why volunteering and giving of your time and talent is so important to the vitality of our cathedral. There is a place for everyone to participate in the Lord s work. PRESCHOOL School starts:tuesday, September 5 GREEK SCHOOL Registration: Wednesday, September 13 4pm-5pm Thursday, September 14 @4pm-5pm School starts: Monday, September 18 with Agiasmo service @4pm HOLY TRINITY The General Assembly for the Eastern Orthodox Management Corp. (EOMC), which operates Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 7:00 pm. at Holy Trinity, 300 Barber Ave., Worcester, MA. This meeting is open to CEOC parish members and all are encouraged to attend. The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to review the organization s financial and operational performance the previous year, progress with new initiatives, results of annual Fundraising efforts, and to provide the supporting community with the opportunity to learn of the organization s strategic direction. In addition, the election for new Board Members, including Clergy, will also be held, and CEOC appointed Directors are also announced at this time. Anyone interested in becoming an EOMC Board Member should feel free to contact Tina Niedbala, President of EOMC at (508) 864-5509, or the Chair of the Nominating Committee, Basil Tolos 978-345- 4036. For more information, please call Serena Shields at (508) 852-1000, ext. 204 or Jerry Shaffer at (508) 852-1000, ext. 205. Hors d oeuvres will be served. SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY! Registration: Sunday, September 3 Classes start Sunday, September 10 Please notify the church office of any change of address when moving in order to curb postage costs. Thank you.

Saturday, September 9, 2017 The Feeding Ministry is continuing to serve our community with a Luncheon to be served to the Poor and Needy on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 11:30am 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 typically be scheduled the 2nd Saturday of each month in conjunction with the Council of Eastern Orthodox Churches of Central Massachusetts and the Food Pantry, and is subject to change if scheduling difficulties should arise. If you would like to volunteer please speak with Fr. Dimitri or contact Maria Kassos. Thank you for participating in the Lord s Work. Το Feeding Ministry συνεχίζει να υπηρετεί την κοινότητά μας με ένα γεύμα που θα σερβιριστεί στους φτωχούς, το Σάββατο 9 2017 στις 11:30 π.μ. στο Αγίου Σπυρίδωνος Κοτσιδάς Το γεύμα αυτό το μήνα δωρίζει και εξυπηρετείται από μέλη του Φιλοπτώχου και εθελοντές ενορίας. Το Feeding Ministry θα προγραμματιστεί το 2ο Σάββατο κάθε μήνα σε συνεργασία με το Συμβούλιο των Ανατολικών Ορθοδόξων Εκκλησιών της Κεντρικής Μασαχουσέτης και το Τροφοθήκη Τροφίμων. Εάν θέλετε να, παρακαλώ μιλήστε με τον Fr. Δημήτρη ή επικοινωνήστε με τη Μαρία Κάσο. Σας ευχαριστώ που συμμετείχατε στο έργο του Κυρίου.

Bible Study The Great Banquet Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 7:00pm in the Tonna Room Please join Fr. Dimitri as he leads an informative Bible Study on the reasons why Jesus used parabols to describe his second coming and our preparation for it.

Orthodoxy 101 Orthodoxy 101 The Establishment of Independent Autocephalous Churches and the Greek Orthodox Church in the United States Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 7:00pm in the Tonna Room Please come and participate in a discussion led by Fr. Dimitri on the topic of how the various Independent Churches were established and how the Greek Orthodox Church evolved..

All those who are interested in converting or wish to find out more about the Orthodox faith, are invited to attend this class which will be taught by Fr. Dimitri. Classes are free and open to new members of our community who are exploring the Orthodox faith. Please contact the church office at 508-791-7326

THE NEW ST. SPYRIDON CHOIR A NEW CHOIR IS BEING FORMED AND WE NEED YOU. COME SEE WHAT THE CHOIR IS ALL ABOUT AND HOW YOU CAN SHARE YOUR GIFT THROUGH MUSIC. We are very happy to announce that Nathan Reich has joined our parish as our choir director. His background with religious music is extensive and should allow us to try some new arrangements in our effort to Praise the Lord. Nathan is able to provide the choir with leadership and direction to enhance our musical experience. It s the time of year to begin exercising our voices by singing God s praises. Mark your calendar for the following practices: Tuesday, September 5 2pm-4pm Thursday, September 7 2pm-4pm Monday, September 11 2pm-4pm Saturday, September 16 2pm-4pm Practices will not be held on the major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Easter. If you are interested and unable to attend afternoon practice sessions please contact the church office, 508-791-7326 Please make every effort to join us, no previous singing experience necessary and all ages are welcomed. Hoping you had a good summer and planning to see you for our next practice. Katherine Peepas

ST. SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL BURN THE MORTGAGE CAMPAIGN Total Cost of Family Center Renovation $4,100,000 Total raised by our community during first fund drive $2,650,000 Burn the Mortgage $1,450,000 Remaining Loan Balance to be paid $1,043,000 $407,000.00 pledged $150,632.00 received Thank You! 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. Cash or checks accepted at this time. Thank you and may God bless you. Proverbs 3.9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.

2017 Stewardship Report * GOAL 2017 Week Total 470 pledges received Stewardship Budget $ 445 average/pledge 35 $208,935.50 $330.000.00 * GOAL amount includes the 2017 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.