Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Ninth Orthros Gospel
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.

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:11-14

BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
The Reading is from Mark 10:32-45

At that time, Jesus taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant of James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Saints and Feasts

March 29

Mark, Bishop of Arethusa

Saint Mark was Bishop of Arethusa in Syria. In the days of Saint Constantine the Great, Saint Mark, moved with divine zeal, destroyed a temple of the idols and raised up a church in its stead. When Julian the Apostate reigned, in 361, as the pagans were now able to avenge the destruction of their temple, Saint Mark, giving way to wrath, hid himself; but when he saw that others were being taken on his account, he gave himself up. Having no regard to his old age, they stripped him and beat his whole body, cast him into filthy sewers, and pulling him out, had children prick him with their iron writing-pens. Then they put him into a basket, smeared him with honey and a kind of relish of pickled fish, and hung him up under the burning sun to be devoured by bees and wasps. But because he bore this so nobly, his enemies repented, and unloosed him.

March 29

Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

The memory of this Saint is celebrated on April 1, where her life is recorded. Since the end of the holy Forty Days is drawing nigh, it has been appointed for this day also, so that if we think it hard to practice a little abstinence forty days, we might be roused by the heroism of her who fasted in the wilderness forty-seven years; and also that the great loving-kindness of God, and His readiness to receive the repentant, might be demonstrated in very deed.

March 29

Martyr Cyril the Deacon and Those with him

Saint Cyril was a deacon from Heliopolis in Phoenicia. During the reign of the Emperor Constantius, son of Saint Constantine, he had also broken the idols in pieces. When Julian came to power, Saint Cyril was seized by the idolaters and his belly was ripped open. The other holy Martyrs celebrated today, martyred in Gaza and Ascalon during the reign of Julian, were men of priestly rank and consecrated virgins; they were disemboweled, filled with barley, and set before swine to be eaten. The account of all the above Saints is given in Book III, ch. 3, of Theodoret of Cyrrhus' "Ecclesiastical History."

March 29

The Holy Martyrs Jonas and Barachesius

As for the holy Martyrs Jonas and Barachesius, they were monks from Persia who lived in the reign of Sapor II, King of Persia from 325 to 379. These Saints found nine Christians in prison suffering for their faith, and comforted them, encouraging them to stand fast till the end, which they did, and received the crown of martyrdom. Because of this, Saints Jonas and Barachesius also were seized, and commanded to worship the fire, the sun, and the water. When they refused, Jonas, among other tortures, had his hands and feet cut off, was crushed in a device that broke his bones, and was sawn asunder. Barachesius was dragged naked over thorns, his whole body was pierced with sharp reeds and then broken in the same device employed upon Jonas, and when boiling pitch was poured down his throat, he gave up his soul into the hands of God.

March 29

Eustathios the Confessor, Bishop of Bithynia

April 04

Lazarus Saturday

Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary, the friends of the Lord Jesus, had given Him hospitality and served Him many times (Luke 10:38-4z; John 12:2-3). They were from Bethany, a village of Judea. This village is situated in the eastern parts by the foothills of the Mount of Olives, about two Roman miles from Jerusalem. When Lazarus - whose name is a Hellenized form of "Eleazar," which means "God has helped," became ill some days before the saving Passion, his sisters had this report taken to our Saviour, Who was then in Galilee. Nonetheless, He tarried yet two more days until Lazarus died; then He said to His disciples, "Let us go into Judea that I might awake My friend who sleepeth." By this, of course, He meant the deep sleep of death. On arriving at Bethany, He consoled the sisters of Lazarus, who was already four days dead. Jesus groaned in spirit and was troubled at the death of His beloved friend. He asked, "Where have ye laid his body?" and He wept over him. When He drew nigh to the tomb, He commanded that they remove the stone, and He lifted up His eyes, and giving thanks to God the Father, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth." And he that had been dead four days came forth immediately, bound hand and foot with the grave clothes, and Jesus said to those standing there, "Loose him, and let him go." This is the supernatural wonder wrought by the Saviour that we celebrate on this day.

According to an ancient tradition, it is said that Lazarus was thirty years old when the Lord raised him; then he lived another thirty years on Cyprus and there reposed in the Lord. It is furthermore related that after he was raised from the dead, he never laughed till the end of his life, but that once only, when he saw someone stealing a clay vessel, he smiled and said, "Clay stealing clay." His grave is situated in the city of Kition, having the inscription: "Lazarus the four days dead and friend of Christ." In 890 his sacred relics were transferred to Constantinople by Emperor Leo the Wise, at which time undoubtedly the Emperor composed his stichera for Vespers, "Wishing to behold the tomb of Lazarus . . ."

More News

Trisagia: A Trisagion for Charles and Harry Argeson, Sylvia amd Chris Keritches, Thomas and Stewart Fotinis, beloved members of the Argeson and Fotinis families.

A 9 month Trisagion for Bill Fullam, beloved husband and soulmate of Dr. Aretoula Fullam. Beloved brother of Phil and uncle of Jennifer and Alex. Godfather of Nayia-Sophia.

A 9 month Trisagion for Nondas Gikas, beloved father of Katherine and Georgia, father-in-law of George, and grandfather of Christo.

Eternal be their memory. Fellowship hour is sponsored by the Argeson-Fotinis family.

Lenten Outreach Program: Each year during Great Lent our parish family supports various ministries and charities through a special tray. Today, we will pass a collection tray for the Paradise4Kids.org for the establishment of an orphanage in Sierra Leone in Africa under the auspices of Fr. Themis Adamopoulos of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Orthros: 9:00AM

Epistle: Hebrews 9:11-14 (pg. 1364)

Divine Liturgy of St. Basil: 10:00AM

Gospel: Mark 10:32-45 (pg. 1191)

Acolytes: Athan Katsantonis, Gerry Stamatelatos, Demetri Phili, Niko Konstantellis, Aidan Gnospelius,

Andrew Skoufis

Narthex: Nick Karras, Angelo Lefer,

Steve Limperopulos

Ushers: Peggy Goulet, Nick Karras,

Nick Pirsos

Reader: Jim Coromilas

Greeter: Presvytera Sophia

Fellowship Hour: AHEPA

Prosforon: The Argeson-Fotinis Family,

Aretoula Fullam

The Gikas Family

Greek Independence Day Parade: Today, members of our Parish Council, Goya,Greek School and AHEPA Family will be marching in the annual parade on 5^th Avenue in New York City.

Men’s Reading Fellowship (MRF) is Organized! If you are interested in reading spiritual texts and discussing such with other men in an informal small group setting, contact John Suppe at john.suppe.@gmail.com or Dino Aletras at daletras@aol.com . MRF is reading “Beginning to Pray” by Anthony Bloom.

The Daughters of Penelope, Agape #336: Our chapter is holding its annual Tsoureki Sale! We will also be selling Red ‘Easter Egg’ Dye. Please support this fund-raiser … pre-paid orders will be accepted until March 29^th (look for the flyer/order form set out during Fellowship Hour). The tsourekia and dye will be distributed after Liturgy on Palm Sunday, April 5^th.

Saint Nicholas Benevolent Fund: Giving alms is an act of faith through good works especially during Lent. If you want to assist a family in need from our own community, you can donate anonymously to the Saint Nicholas Benevolent Fund. Mail your check in or drop it in the collection plate in our Narthex. “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Ladies Philoptochos News: We will be selling our delicious Koulourakia and lovely Cookbooks in the Fellowship Hall so please visit our table. On Palm Sunday, we will be selling Graveside Palm Crosses for $5.00. Please join us in one or all of the following - making Palm crosses on Friday, April 3^rd at 10:00am in the Conference room, decorating the Kouvouklion on Friday, April 10^th at 9:00am and decorating Easter eggs immediately after we are done decorating the Kouvouklion both taking place in the Fellowship Hall. Many hands make light work!

Our Offerings: Stewardship is composed of our personal offering of our “first fruits” according to Scripture. Stewardship is not dues. Because time and talent offerings are more difficult to measure, one measurement of our response to God is our average “treasure” pledge per steward household. To date, towards 2015, we have 261 steward households pledging a total of $248,329. It takes approximately $1200/household per year to cover the parish’s annual operating expenses or $100/month per household, estimating 500 steward households. Thank you for your love, your labor and your response to our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

AHEPA Ramapo 453 is hosting the 12th ANNUAL CIGAR EXTRAVAGANZA DINNER to benefit the EDUCATION, FACILITY and COMMUNITY OUTREACH programs of AHEPA and SAINT NICHOLAS. Join us on May 20, 2015 at SEASON’S in Washington Twp. NJ. Event starts at 6:30pm till? Dress is “Smart Casual”. Non-smokers welcome to enjoy the fabulous dinner and music. Smoking is segregated outdoors only. Donation $160/person. Contact Angelo Lefer at 201-638-5498/angelo5763@msn.com or Nick Pirsos at 201-268-1830 / pirsos100@verizon.net or John Tsadilas at 201-707-2657 / jtsadilas@verizon.net. Please visit our web page at : www.ahepa453.org for further information.

Saint Nicholas Charity Golf Classic: The “19^th Annual Saint Nicholas Charity Golf Classic" will be held on Monday, June 22, 2015 at the Haworth Country Club in Haworth, NJ.

Save the Dates: Vacation Church School (August 3-7) Saint Nicholas VCS returns this year, for five days! We are excited for another fun and educational week! Stay tuned for registration information. If you have any questions, contact Sam Williams at youth@stnicholasnj.org or at 201 652 4774 ext. 15
Summer at Camp Good Shepherd CGS (linwood macdonald ymca) Branchville, NJ: CGS is an overnight Orthodox Christian summer camp experience that features faith, fellowship and fun! 3 sessions- ages 8-12 (JOY) July 12-18; ages 12-18 GOYA week 1: July 19-25 and GOYA week 2: July 26-Aug. 1. For more information, contact Sam Williams at youth@stnicholasnj.org.

Metropolis of NJ Honorees: Once again at the Annual Clergy Laity Assembly of the Metropolis of NJ May 11^th -12^th, Metropolitan Evangelos of NJ will honor the oldest parishioner (by date of birth) of our community. If you have a candidate who qualifies and who has not been honored at this event in the past, please contact Fr. Bill at frbill@sstnicholasnj.org or 201 652 4774. The honoree will be recognized at the Grand Banquet on Monday evening May 11^th, 2015 at the Venetian in Garfield, NJ.

Faith & Grief Workshop: A special workshop for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one will be offered at the Christian Health Care Auditorium 700 Mountain Ave. Wyckoff, NJ on Saturday April 25^th, 2015 9am to 3pm. Come and experience comfort through scripture, interaction with a community of men and women who understand the heartache of loss. Light lunch provided. Donations accepted. Register at FaithandGrief.org or call 201 848 4264 or email faithandgrief@chccnj.org.

The Annual Greek Festival is Returning September 11-13, 2015 !

Saint Nicholas Church needs your time and talents! Can you cook, wash, clean, bus tables, set up, take down, donate, sell, meet, greet, etc.? Whatever your talents, there is a place for you! Tell us what you can offer. Contact Fr. Bill at frbill@stnicholasnj.org or Evans Agrapidis at ecagrapidis@aol.com or call the parish office at 201 652 4474 ext. 12

Prayers for our Loved Ones

We are going to begin an ongoing community prayer chain that people can sign up for and join simply by providing their email contact information. This will put them in an expanded group email that will go out only when urgent prayer requests are received by the church or our group. When a need arises, a brief and simple email will go out asking everyone on the list to simply whisper a pray for that person or family the moment they receive the email and as the Lord leads them to in the days ahead. In this day and age when practically everyone is on either email and/or text we can reach so many, so quickly, and could they not spare a moment to pray? The prayer of the righteous person avails much. Contact Irene Ayvas at iayvas@yahoo.com to be added to the prayer chain.

Are You from Constantinople (Istanbul)? If you were born in Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) send a reply with your name and address to Fr Bill at frbill@stnicholasnj.org. His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarchate Bartholomew seeks to reach out to you

Wisdom of the Fathers

But let no man be troubled at the apostles being in such an imperfect state. For not yet was the cross accomplished, not yet the grace of the Spirit given. But if thou wouldest learn their virtue, notice them after these things, and thou wilt see them superior to every passion.

St. John Chrysostom