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 CANDLE COUNTER (Παγκα/ρι) SCHEDULE SUNDAY, April 23 Steven Anezis Lane Nordquist Ruth Morfis Victor Fanikos Bible Class Every Wednesday @ 10 am & 7pm St. Vasilios PTA/MEN S CLUB Wine/Beer Tasting Saturday, April 29 Greek Parade Sunday, April 30 Greek School Spring Family Dance Saturday, May 13 Parish Assembly Monday, May 15 7pm DATES TO REMEMBER SUNDAY, April 30 John Rogers John Pnevmatikos Michael Ambeliotis Costa Partaledis St. Vasilios OPA Dance Night June 3 Scholarship Banquet Sunday, June 11 St. Vasilios Picnic Sunday, June 25 @ Winter Island St. Val s Men s Club Golf Tournament Monday, July 24 St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church WWW.STVASILIOS.ORG SUNDAY OF THOMAS April 23, 2017

SUNDAY OF THOMAS St. Thomas was born a Jew and was called to be one of the twelve Apostles. His birth and death dates are unknown, but his feast day is celebrated October 6. He is recognized as the patron saint of architects. According to Church Tradition, the holy Apostle Thomas founded Christian churches in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Ethiopia and India. He was a dedicated but impetuous follower of Christ. When Jesus said He was returning to Judea to visit His sick friend Lazarus, Thomas immediately exhorted the other Apostles to accompany Him on the trip which involved certain danger and possible death because of the mounting hostility of the authorities. At the Last Supper, when Christ told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way, Thomas pleaded that they did not understand and received the beautiful assurance that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. St. Thomas is best known for his role in verifying the Resurrection of his Master. Thomas' unwillingness to believe that the other Apostles had seen their risen Lord on the first Easter Sunday earned him the title of "doubting Thomas. When Saint Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts. Eight days later, on Christ's second apparition, Thomas was gently rebuked for his skepticism and furnished with the evidence he had demanded - seeing in Christ's hands the point of the nails. Thomas even put his fingers in the nail holes and his hand into Christ's side. After verifying the wounds were true, St. Thomas became convinced of the reality of the Resurrection and exclaimed, "My Lord and My God," thus making a public Profession of Faith in the Divinity of Jesus. St. Thomas is also mentioned as being present at another Resurrection appearance of Jesus - at Lake Tiberias, when a miraculous catch of fish occurred. This is all that we know about St. Thomas from the New Testament. Tradition says that at the dispersal of the Apostles after Pentecost this saint was sent to evangelize to the Parthians, Medes, and Persians.

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE Solicitation for Investment Committee Members To all parishioners in good standing and in accordance with the guidelines and objectives set forth in the St. Vasilios Church Endowment Fund Statement of Investment Policy (the Investment Policy ), solicitations are now being accepted to fill two (2) openings on the Investment Committee in two (2) year terms. The responsibility of the Investment Committee is to administer and oversee the investment of principal and distribution of accrued interest and appreciation, with the Church s professional financial advisor, of all Church endowment funds pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Policy, the Lalikos Scholarship Endowment Fund Statement of Investment Policy and the St. Vasilios Church Scholarship Endowment Fund Statement of Investment Policy. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Investment Committee please contact me by April 15, 2017 at cpartaledis@gmail.com or at 617-816-3268. FUNDRAISER He ultimately reached India, carrying the Faith to the Malabar coast, which still boasts a large native population calling themselves "Christians of St. Thomas." Preaching the Gospel earned him a martyr s death. For having converted the wife and son of the prefect of the Indian city of Meliapur [Melipur], the holy apostle was locked up in prison, suffered torture, and finally, pierced with five spears, he departed to the Lord. Following his death, some of his relics were taken to Edessa while the rest were kept in what is now known as India. The relics taken to Edessa were moved in 1258 to Italy, where they can be found in the Cathedral of St. Thomas the Apostle in Ortona, Italy. However, it is believed that Saint Thomas' skull rests in the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian on the Greek Island Patmos. Part of the relics of the holy Apostle Thomas are in Hungary and on Mt. Athos. In art, Saint Thomas is commonly depicted as a young man holding a scroll, or as a young adult touching the resurrected Christ's wounds. "Some icons depicting this event are inscribed The Doubting Thomas. This is incorrect. In Greek, the inscription reads, The Touching of Thomas. In Slavonic, it says, The Belief of Thomas. Saint Thomas was mentioned in several texts, including one document called The Passing of Mary, which claims then-apostle Thomas was the only one to witness the Assumption of Mary into heaven, while the other apostles were transported to Jerusalem to witness her death. While the other apostles were with Mary, Thomas was left in India until after her first burial, when he was transported to her tomb and he saw her bodily assumption into heaven, when her girdle was left behind. In versions of the story, the other apostles doubted Thomas' words until Mary's tomb was discovered to be empty with the exception of her girdle. Thomas and the girdle were often depicted in medieval and early Renaissance art. The name of the Apostle Thomas is associated with the Arabian (or Arapet) Icon of the Mother of God (September 6).

Sunday, April 23, 2017 Hymns Following the Gospel (Small Entrance) Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. Apolytikion for Palm Sunday in the Fourth Mode Whilst the tomb was sealed, Thou, O Life, didst shine forth from the grave, O Christ God; and whilst the doors were shut, Thou didst come unto Thy disciples, O Resurrection of all, renewing through them an upright Spirit in us according to Thy great mercy. Apolytikion for Great Martyr George in the Fourth Mode Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved. Apoluti/kion Χριστός ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καί τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι ζωήν χαρισάμενος. Apoluti/kion Ἐσφραγισμένου τοῦ μνήματος ἡ ζωὴ ἐκ τάφου ἀνέτειλας Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, καὶ τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, τοῖς Μαθηταῖς ἐπέστης ἡ πάντων ἀνάστασις, πνεῦμα εὐθὲς δι' αὐτῶν ἐγκαινίζων ἡμῖν, κατὰ τὸ μέγα σου ἔλεος. Apoluti/kion Ως τών αιχμαλώτων ελευθερωτής, καί τών πτωχών υπερασπιστής, ασθενούντων ιατρός, βασιλέων υπέρμαχος, τροπαιοφόρε μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρέσβευε Χριστώ τώ Θεώ, σωθήναι τάς ψυχάς ημών. Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen. Konta/kion Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν.

EPISTLE READINGS Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3. Great is our Lord, and great is his power. Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good. The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11. ABOUT THAT TIME, Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword; and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church. The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, "Wrap your mantle around you and follow me." And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. And Peter came to himself, and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."

Προκείμενον. Fourth Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 146.5;134.3. Μέγας ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, καὶ μεγάλη ἡ ἰσχὺς ἀὐτοῦ. Στίχ. Αἰνεῖτε τὸν Κύριον, ὅτι ἀγαθός. τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων 12:1-11. Κατ ἐκεῖνον τὸν καιρὸν, Κατ ἐκεῖνον δὲ τὸν καιρὸν ἐπέβαλεν Ἡρῴδης ὁ βασιλεὺς τὰς χεῖρας κακῶσαί τινας τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας. Ἀνεῖλεν δὲ Ἰάκωβον τὸν ἀδελφὸν Ἰωάννου μαχαίρᾳ. ΚαὶN ἰδὼν ὅτι ἀρεστόν ἐστιν τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις, προσέθετο συλλαβεῖν καὶ Πέτρον - ἦσαν δὲ αἱ ἡμέραι τῶν ἀζύμων - ὃν καὶ πιάσας ἔθετο εἰς φυλακήν, παραδοὺς τέσσαρσιν τετραδίοις στρατιωτῶν φυλάσσειν αὐτόν, βουλόμενος μετὰ τὸ Πάσχα ἀναγαγεῖν αὐτὸν τῷ λαῷ. Ὁ μὲν οὖν Πέτρος ἐτηρεῖτο ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ προσευχὴ δὲ ἦν ἐκτενὴς γινομένη ὑπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας πρὸς τὸν θεὸν ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ. Ὅτε δὲ ἔμελλεν αὐτὸν προάγειν ὁ Ἡρῴδης, τῇ νυκτὶ ἐκείνῃ ἦν ὁ Πέτρος κοιμώμενος μεταξὺ δύο στρατιωτῶν, δεδεμένος ἁλύσεσιν δυσίν φύλακές τε πρὸ τῆς θύρας ἐτήρουν τὴν φυλακήν. Καὶ ἰδού, ἄγγελος κυρίου ἐπέστη, καὶ φῶς ἔλαμψεν ἐν τῷ οἰκήματι πατάξας δὲ τὴν πλευρὰν τοῦ Πέτρου, ἤγειρεν αὐτὸν λέγων, Ἀνάστα ἐν τάχει. Καὶ ἐξέπεσον αὐτοῦ αἱ ἁλύσεις ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν. Εἶπέν τε ὁ ἄγγελος πρὸς αὐτόν, Περίζωσαι καὶ ὑπόδησαι τὰ σανδάλιά σου. Ἐποίησεν δὲ οὕτως. Καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, Περιβαλοῦ τὸ ἱμάτιόν σου, καὶ ἀκολούθει μοι. Καὶ ἐξελθὼν ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ καὶ οὐκ ᾔδει ὅτι ἀληθές ἐστιν τὸ γινόμενον διὰ τοῦ ἀγγέλου, ἐδόκει δὲ ὅραμα βλέπειν. Διελθόντες δὲ πρώτην φυλακὴν καὶ δευτέραν, ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὴν πύλην τὴν σιδηρᾶν, τὴν φέρουσαν εἰς τὴν πόλιν, ἥτις αὐτομάτη ἠνοίχθη αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐξελθόντες προῆλθον ῥύμην μίαν, καὶ εὐθέως ἀπέστη ὁ ἄγγελος ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ὁ Πέτρος, γενόμενος ἐν ἑαυτῷ, εἶπεν, ῦν οἶδα ἀληθῶς ὅτι ἐξαπέστειλεν κύριος τὸν ἄγγελον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξείλετό με ἐκ χειρὸς Ἡρῴδου καὶ πάσης τῆς προσδοκίας τοῦ λαοῦ τῶν Ἰουδαίων.

GOSPEL READING Thomas Sunday The Reading is from John 20:19-31 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to Him: "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Thomas Sunday Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 20:19-31 Οὔσης οὖν ὀψίας τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων, καὶ τῶν

θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων ὅπου ἦσαν οἱ μαθηταὶ συνηγμένοι διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ιουδαίων, ἦλθεν ὁ Ιησοῦς καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον, καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ. ἐχάρησαν οὖν οἱ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες τὸν Κύριον. εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ιησοῦς πάλιν εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέ με ὁ πατήρ, κἀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς. καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησε καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς λάβετε Πνεῦμα Αγιον ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἀφίενται αὐτοῖς, ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται. Θωμᾶς δὲ εἷς ἐκ τῶν δώδεκα, ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος, οὐκ ἦν μετ αὐτῶν ὅτε ἦλθεν ὁ Ιησοῦς. ἔλεγον οὖν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄλλοι μαθηταί ἑωράκαμεν τὸν Κύριον. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἐὰν μὴ ἴδω ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν μου εἰς τὸν τύπον τῶν ἥλων, καὶ βάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου εἰς τὴν πλευρὰν αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ πιστεύσω. Καὶ μεθ ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ πάλιν ἦσαν ἔσω οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ Θωμᾶς μετ αὐτῶν. ἔρχεται ὁ Ιησοῦς τῶν θυρῶν κεκλεισμένων, καὶ ἔστη εἰς τὸ μέσον καὶ εἶπεν εἰρήνη ὑμῖν. εἶτα λέγει τῷ Θωμᾷ φέρε τὸν δάκτυλόν σου ὧδε καὶ ἴδε τὰς χεῖράς μου, καὶ φέρε τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ βάλε εἰς τὴν πλευράν μου, καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος, ἀλλὰ πιστός. καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Θωμᾶς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς ὅτι ἑώρακάς με, πεπίστευκας μακάριοι οἱ μὴ ἰδόντες καὶ πιστεύσαντες. Πολλὰ μὲν οὖν καὶ ἄλλα σημεῖα ἐποίησεν ὁ Ιησοῦς ἐνώπιον τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ, ἃ οὐκ ἔστι γεγραμμένα ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ ταῦτα δὲ γέγραπται ἵνα πιστεύσητε ὅτι Ιησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ ἵνα πιστεύοντες ζωὴν ἔχητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PLEASE PRAY FOR: Bill, Suzanne, 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. WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS Everyone is welcome in the Orthodox Church and may receive the blessed bread (antidoron) at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. Sadly, the divisions in the church prompt us all to work towards reunited Christianity. The culmination of this reunion will be the ability of all Christians to receive the Eucharist together. Until that blessed day arrives, only Orthodox Christians who are in good sacramental order are permitted to receive Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church. If you have any questions or concerns please speak with Father Chris. ALTAR DONATIONS LITURGY LIGHTS In loving memory of Michael C. Lignos.

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP HOUR Please join us for Coffee Fellowship Hour today immediately following the first Divine Liturgy in the Rev. Andrew J. Demotses Educational Center 4/30 Sponsored/Reserved 5/7 OPEN 5/14 OPEN Upcoming Coffee Hour Schedule 5/21 Sponsored/Reserved **Last coffee hour until Fall 2017 SUMMER HOURS-Qerine/c w/rec Please note that beginning Sunday, May 28, we will celebrate only one Divine Liturgy on Sundays. Orthros - 8:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy - 9:00 a.m. Fe/romev eic gvw/siv umw/v o/ti apo/ thn Kuriakh/ 28 h, Mai/ou qa telei/tai mo/no mi/a Qei/a Leitourgi/a ka/qe Kuriakh/. Orqroc - 8:00 p.m. Qei/a Leitourgi/a - 9:00 p.m. 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.

GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE Please join the Greek School in representing our community in the Greek Independence Day Parade. WEEKDAY SERVICES Thursday, May 25 Holy Ascension 8:00 am Orthros 9:00 am Divine Liturgy KAQHMERINES IERES AKOLOUQIES Pe/mpth 25 Mai/ou Eu/resic Kefalh/c Prodro/mou 8:00 p.m. Orqroc 9:00 p.m. Qei/a Leitourgi/a THANK YOU I would like to personally thank all the young ladies of our church who volunteered to be a Myrrophora on Holy Friday and also thank the parents for their continuing support. I sincerely thank Kiki Chakoutis, Ashley Krezmien, and Stephanie Brown for their valued help in coordinating the girls for both the afternoon and evening services. Xristos Anesti Jan Terzakis PANAGIA S GARDEN VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL CAMP "We will be hosting our 4th annual session of Panagia's Garden Vacation Church School camp at St. Vasilios from Monday, July 31st- Friday August 4th from 9-4. We welcome children ages 4-10. Our program includes arts and crafts, water play, music and movement and of course the opportunity to learn more about our Orthodox faith. Friday the 4th we will head up to the Metropolis of Boston Camp for the day and welcome parents to join us and help carpool. We ask for a donation of $50 per child just to cover our expenses (rental van for Friday, snacks, extra curricular activities in the afternoons, crafts supplies, etc). But. please do not let the cost deter you. We welcome everyone, regardless of your financial situation. Please contact Rita Constantinou atritaconstantinou@yahoo.com or Father Anthony atfranthony@stvasilios.org if you are interested."