St. Luke Church
Publish Date: 2025-09-14
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Memorial and Trisagion Prayers
Parish News
Did You Know?
Words from the Saints and our Fathers
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers

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St. Luke Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (413) 525-4551
  • Street Address:

  • 400 Prospect Street

  • East Longmeadow, MA 01028
  • Mailing Address:

  • PO Box 381

  • East Longmeadow, MA 01028

Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion for Elevation of the Holy Cross in the First Mode

Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance, granting our rulers to prevail over adversaries, and protecting Your commonwealth by Your Cross.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press


Dismissal Hymns for Saint Luke and Saint Nicholas in the First Mode

Third Tone

O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, intercede with our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.

Fourth Tone

A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you forth to your sheep-fold to be a master of temperance. You obtained thus through being lowly, gifts from on high, and riches through poverty. Nicholas, our father and priest of priests, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.


Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Lifted up on the Cross by Your free will, Christ God, grant mercies to the new commonwealth that bears Your name. Gladden our faithful rulers by Your power, giving them victories over their adversaries. May Your alliance be for them a weapon for peace, an invincible standard.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
The Reading is from John 12:28-36

The Lord said, "Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd standing by heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the ruler of this world be cast out: and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show by what death he was to die. The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Mode. Psalm 98.9,1.
Exalt the Lord our God.
Verse: The Lord reigns; let the people tremble.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 1:18-24.

Brethren, the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Gospel Reading

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
The Reading is from John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30

At that time, when the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him." The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God."

When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid; he entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin." When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement, and in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.

But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. Then when Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

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Memorial and Trisagion Prayers

Memorial and Trisagion Prayers

09/14/2025

There are no Memorial or Trisagion prayers today

 


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Parish News

Parish News

09/14/2025

We have a dedicated social media account. If you take a picture at a Service or Parish Event that you would like to share on social media, please send it to [email protected]          

1. Upcoming Lessons

Bible Study will resume on Tuesday, September 23 with First Thessalonians.

Modern Greek classes for beginners will begin on Sunday, September 21 after Divine Liturgy.

2.  Taste of Greece Workshops

Due to all the great help we received last week, the baklava workshops scheduled for this week are not needed! 

September 23 & 24 -- Spanakopita @ 10 am

* Please start saving boxes for the Taste of Greece …flats and sturdy small to medium sized cartons. These will be used for take-out orders.

*The Taste of Greece Committee has opened up the sign-up sheets in the POINT system. You will need to register through POINT in order to sign up for a volunteer spot during the Taste of Greece on October 17th and 18th. Beginning today and every Sunday thereafter, one of our POINT administrators will be available during coffee hour to answer any questions and help you register on POINT. Many of you have already registered but we need everyone in the system to build our volunteer list.   

  Thank you,

  Stephanie Bologa, Joanna Strange, Barbara Clay, and Susanne Spargo

3.  **LOST** - A yellow gold filigree cross with lobster claw clasp in the vicinity of St. Luke’s parking lot around the 1st week in July. Please turn it into church office if found. Thank you.

4.  We have about twenty-four people as of this weekend interested in Greek language classes.  An email was sent out with the dates; please call the Office for more information

5.  Philoptochos News

 

Affirmation of Office for Newly Elected Philoptochos Board

We are pleased to announce that the newly elected directors of the Philoptochos Board will be taking the Affirmation of Office for the 2025–2027 term.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these dedicated women for their willingness to serve and lead in this vital ministry of love, compassion, and outreach. May their service be guided by faith and filled with blessings.

Thank you for your continued support of Philoptochos' mission. September National Commitment for Philoptochos – Second Basket This Sunday

This Sunday, in support of the September National Commitment for Philoptochos, a second basket will be passed following the Divine Liturgy.

The funds collected will benefit the HCHC Scholarship Fund, which provides vital financial assistance to dedicated and deserving students—both men and women—at Hellenic College, as well as seminarians at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. These scholarships help offset tuition expenses and support the education and formation of future lay leaders and clergy of our Church.

We thank you for your generosity and continued support of this vital ministry.
 

Upcoming Events:

  • Wednesday, September 17, 2025 – Philoptochos Meeting
    Time: 6:30 PM

  • Thursday, September 25, 2025 – Philoptochos Meet & Greet Wine Event
    Location: Worthington Winery in Somers, 5–8 PM
    A relaxed evening of fellowship. Join us for wine and conversation, while supporting Philoptochos!

  • Sunday, October 12, 2025 – Pumpkins and Pizza Event
    A fun family-friendly event! We’ll have pumpkin carving and pizza, perfect for all ages. Volunteers will be needed for set-up, activities, and clean-up.

  • Saturday, October 18, 2025 – Artoclasia for St. Luke Nameday & Taste of Greece Philoptochos Kefaneio
    A celebration of St. Luke with the traditional artoclasia service.

  • Sunday, November 2, 2025 – National Philoptochos Sunday with Artoclasia
    A national celebration of Philoptochos. The event will include the traditional artoclasia service.

  • Date to be Determined– Veterans Day Soup Cook-Off
    An opportunity to honor our veterans and enjoy a friendly competition! Volunteers needed to cook, serve, and help with event logistics.

  • Saturday, December 6, 2025 – Artoclasia for St. Nicholas Nameday
    Celebrating the Feast of St. Nicholas with the traditional artoclasia service. Volunteers are needed to assist with preparations.

How You Can Help:

We are looking for volunteers for the following areas:

  • Event Coordination: Assist in planning, organizing, and executing events.

  • Set-up/Clean-up: Assist with setting up before events and cleaning up after.

  • Food & Beverage Service: Assist in preparing and serving food and drinks at various events.

  • Marketing & Outreach: Assist in promoting events through social media, bulletin announcements, and word-of-mouth.

  • General Volunteers: Depending on the event, we may need additional hands to help in various roles. 

Tentative Dates:

Please note that some event dates may be subject to change due to scheduling conflicts with other church events. We will let you know if we have any adjustments.

We hope you will join us in making these events a success and help us continue the vital work of Philoptochos. Stay tuned for more details as each event approaches, and don't forget to stop by the Philoptochos table to learn more and sign up!

 
 

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Words from the Saints and our Fathers

Words from the Saints

09/14/2025

This life has been given to you for repentance; do not waste it in vain pursuits – Saint Isaac the Syrian


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Saints and Feasts

September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.

September 14

The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross

Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.

Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.

September 14

Commemoration of the 6th Ecumenical Council

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Wisdom of the Fathers

A MARVELOUS thing is longsuffering; it places the soul as in a quiet harbor, fleeing it from tossings and evil spirits. And this everywhere Christ hath taught us, but especially now, when He is judged, and dragged, and led about ....
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 84 on John 18 and Homily 85 on John 19, 4th Century

But why was it that Pilate made the enquiry not in their presence, but apart, having gone into the judgment hall? He suspected something great respecting Him.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 84 on John 18 and Homily 85 on John 19, 4th Century

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