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Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-04-30
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Myrrbear
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Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (201) 652-4774 for emergencies: 201 870 2676
  • Fax:
  • (201) 652-0789
  • Street Address:

  • 467 Grandview Avenue

  • Wyckoff, NJ 07481


Contact Information






Services Schedule

 

Sundays in the fall, winter & spring:

Matins: 9 a.m. &  Divine Liturgy 10a.m. except during the summer

 

Summer hours for Sundays in July and August:

Matins: 8:30a.m.  & Divine Liturgy 9:30a.m.


Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered in to the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7.

IN THOSE DAYS, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.


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News & Upcoming Events

  

 

Orthros:  9:00AM   

Epistle: Acts 6:1-7 (pg. 1266)

Divine Liturgy: 10:00AM

Gospel:  MARK 15:43-47; 16:1-8 (pg. 1199) 

 

Acolytes:  Christopher Gasparis, Chris   Angelis, Alex Angelis, James Gougousis, Demetri Kotrokois, Nick Saros, Connor   O’Neill, Alexandros Christakos

 

Narthex: Evans Agrapidis, Claire Melissas, Jim Coromilas

 

Ushers: Paul Goulet, Shelley   Markoulis, Dimitri Markoulis, Arthur Kominos


 
 Reader: George Gasparis

 

Greeter: Thalia Servidio

 

Fellowship Hour: Philoptochos

 

Prosforon
 
 The Eleftheriou Family and   The Mellides Family

 

Artoclasia: The Eleftheriou Family

 

     

 

April 30, 2017    Third Sunday of the Paschal Season: Sunday   of the Myrrh-Bearers

 



 

Christos Anesti! Cristos Anesth!

 

 Orthodox Christians greet each other with the joyous greeting of “Christ is Risen” and the response is “Truly (indeed) He has Risen”. During the Paschal period, we do not kneel during our worship, as kneeling is a symbol of penitence, whereas, standing is the sign of Christ’s victory and joy in our midst.

 

 

 

 

 

Memorials: A 2 year memorial for Aristides Krias, beloved husband of Eva, father of Lisa and her husband Edward, John and his wife Sarah and Vikki and her husband David. Grandfather of Zachary, Edward and Michael. Brother of Frank.
A 3 year memorial for Connie Mellides, beloved  wife of 42 years to George; beloved daughter to Frank and Labia Zoulia; beloved mother to Stacey Hawley, Evan Mellides and Lauren Venekas; beloved grandmother of Katelyn, Ashley, Stephen, Maura, Alaina, Zachary, Charlie and Lia; beloved sibling to Marina Mairagas, Steve & John Doumanis; beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews.
A 5 year memorial for Anastasis Eleftheriou, beloved husband of Katerina, father of Ted and his wife Raquel and Penny and her husband Demetri. Beloved grandfather of Anastasi, Maria, Katerina and Demetri.
Eternal be their memory. Fellowship Hour is sponsored by the Mellides family.

 

 

 

40 Day Blessing: Today we welcome into the church for the traditional infant and motherhood blessing, Anna Chrysovalantou Nissirios, daughter of  Themistoklis and Maria. Congratulations!

 

 

 

Philoptochos: The Ladies Philoptochos Society will be selling their delicious homemade Koulourakia during Fellowship Hour today.
Please plan on attending the Philoptochos Tricky Tray on May 11th at 6:00pm .  It will be a fun filled evening. Tickets are available for $10 from Irene Moreira. All attendees must be 18 years old or over.

 

 

 

Kali Parea:Will be meeting this Tuesday, May 2nd at 12 noon in the Fellowship Hall.  Please bring your own lunch. If you have any questions please contact May Grammatikos at 201-236-2817.

 

 

 

GOYA: Mother’s Day marks the beginning of the spring planting season. Let’s celebrate Moms and spring by filling our homes and gardens with flowers and plants! Come see our potted annuals, herbs, hanging baskets, and smiling GOYAns! Support the Youth Ministries of the Saint Nicholas GOYA on Sunday, May 7th at fellowship hour. See insert.

 

 

 

 

 

Metropolis of New Jersey 2017 Clergy Laity Assembly: The Annual Metropolis of NJ Clergy Laity Assembly will convene at the Venetian in Garfield, NJ on Monday, May 8th; at the Grand Banquet, on Monday night, beginning at 6:30p.m., His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos will honor several of our stewards/parishioners for their service to our Metropolis and/or our parish. If you wish to attend, contact Fr Bill at frbill@stnicholasnj.org

 

Congratulations to the following honorees: Claire Melissas, our Philoptochos honoree; Chris Pappas, our community honoree; Plato Eliades our parish elder honoree; Evans Agrapidis, our parish council honoree; Andrew Bacalakis, our senior choir member honoree;  Chris Gasparis, our GOYA honoree and Angela Rokkos Bachardy, our PTO honoree.  May the Lord grant each of them many more years to serve His Church.

 

 

 

 

 


AHEPA:  
 The Ramapo Ahepa Chapter is proud to announce that the  14th Annual Cigar Night Extravaganza will be held on Wednesday, May 24th, 2017 at Seasons in Washington Township, NJ.  We deeply appreciate your previous support for this event.  Your continued support is greatly appreciated. For Reservations contact John Tsadilas at 201-707-2657 or email, jtsadilas@verizon.net

Saint Nicholas Charity Golf Classic: On Monday, June 19th, Saint Nicholas will sponsor its 21st Charity Golf Classic at Haworth Country Club in Haworth, NJ. The proceeds from this event will support the Church sponsored charities, ministries and activities. How can you assist our church’s efforts? In addition to golfer registration, there are a variety of sponsorship opportunities available. Please remember you do not have to be a golfer to show your support. You can help by making a monetary donation or purchasing a sponsorship. As part of our prize selections we will be preparing Gift Baskets. We are in need of donations of wine, dry goods (i.e. crackers, fruits) to include in these baskets. Also restaurant gift certificates, sporting event and concert tickets would be very much appreciated. Drop off donations to the office or our table set up in the Parish Center during Fellowship Hour on Sundays.  Your generosity will be appreciated! For additional information contact Claire Melissas at 201-742-5521 happyfaceyiayia@aol.com 

Wyckoff Day: Our Saint Nicholas Parish Council is once again preparing for the annual Wyckoff Day on June 3rd at the Wyckoff YMCA. Event is 11:00am until 6:00 pm.  We are proud to announce that our Saint Nicholas Juniors/GOYA dancers will be performing at 1:45 pm. Please come and promote our Faith, promote our Festival, support our youth and our Wyckoff community.  Questions?  Please contact Claire Melissas 201-742-5521 or Nick Karras 201-848-9361.

“EX-O”- Excursions Orthodoxy: Only 3 seats available!  Please join us for our second annual Saint Nicholas trip on Thursday, June 8th to the Culinary Institute of America (three course lunch at The Bocuse French Restaurant) and a tour of The Franklin D.  Roosevelt National Historic Site, also known as Springwood in Hyde Park, NY. Contact John Peters at 201- 920-3265 for more information.

Vacation Church School: Save the Date: July 31- August 4, 2017 9am-12:30pm for children 5-11 years of age. More information will follow.

Daughters of Penelope: The Daughters of Penelope are holding their final fund-raiser before the summer. If you go to the Blue Moon Cafe in Wyckoff on Tuesday, May 23rd for lunch or dinner, a percentage of your bill will be donated to our Agape Chapter.  (Can't get there that day?) Take-out, gift certificates or E-Gift Cards are an option. As always, your support will assist in funding our charities. Please present the special coupon with each purchase. Coupons will be available during the Sunday Fellowship Hour after the Liturgy or through e-blasts sent through the Saint Nicholas Office.

The Orthodox Ladies Prayer Group:  Welcomes anyone interested in attending prayer meetings held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evening of each month at 7:30pm in the Theotokos chapel.  We spend a dedicated time of informal prayer lifting up our nation, church community and our families and friends.  All prayer requests are kept confidential.  Please feel free to call either the church office or Irene Ayvas 201-803-2307, with any urgent or ongoing prayer requests you would like added to our list or submitted through the “Email Prayer Chain”.

 

“Email Prayer Chain” Sign-Ups: This may be one of the easiest things you can do to serve your community. With today’s technology the majority of people read emails on a daily basis.  We are simply asking for members of our congregation to sign up for our “Email Prayer Chain”, and they will receive occasional urgent prayer requests when a need arises for someone in immediate crisis. We ask only that you take a moment and pray for that person.  It’s that simple, yet so powerful.  If you are interested in being a part of this ministry, please email Irene Ayvas at iayvas@yahoo.com with your email contact info or call at 201-803-2307.   

 

 

 

Readers & Greeters: We are always looking for volunteers to greet parishioners on Sunday and to read the Epistle during the Divine Liturgy.  If you are interested in this ministry, contact Katherine Corniotes at 201-327-3645.

 

 

 

Saint Nicholas Benevolent Fund: In his Epistle, Saint James teaches that “faith without works is dead.” Giving alms (charity) is an act of faith through good works. Great Lent is an opportunity when we can assist a family or a person in need. Anyone can donate anonymously to the Saint Nicholas Benevolent Fund. Mail your donation check or drop it in the collection plate in our Narthex.   “God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7). God bless you always for your open heart! You have made a difference! Contact Fr Bill for info frbill@stnicholasnj.org

 

 

 

Mortgage Burning Campaign:  Participate in making Saint Nicholas debt free! Pledge your contribution towards our goal of debt freedom. Contact Nick Pirsos at pirsos@verizon.net

 

 

 

“Candle Money”! The Parish Council authorized a pilot program that will provide a tax deduction record for your candle donations. Thanks to a parishioner, booklets of different denominations have been printed. These are available for purchase at the office or narthex on Sundays. The candle money comes in a $2 booklet of 25 for a cost of $50; a $5 booklet of 10 for a cost of $50; a $10 booklet of 5 for a cost of $50 and a $20 booklet of 5 for a cost of $100. The candle money can only be used for candle donations. It is non-refundable, must be used for its full value and cannot be used in exchange for cash.  We hope this will prove a convenience for all who make use of it.

 

 

 

Parish Stewardship by the Numbers:  Stewardship is composed of our personal offering of time, talent and treasure. Stewardship is not dues. Stewardship is based on Holy Scripture. Since time and talent offerings are more difficult to measure, one measurement of our response to God is our average “treasure” pledge per steward household. In 2016, we had 430 steward households that donated a total of $347,301 or 51% of our budgetary needs. To date in 2017, we have 225 steward households that have pledged a total of $216,960.

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

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Saints and Feasts

Myrrbear
April 30

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14).

Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60).


Jameszebedee
April 30

James the Apostle and brother of St. John the Theologian

James was one of the Twelve, like his brother John (celebrated on Sept. 26), whom the Lord called "Sons of Thunder," because they became great preachers and because of their profound theology. It was the Saint's boldness in preaching the Gospel that Herod Agrippa, the son of Aristobulus and grandson of Herod the Great, could not endure, and so he took him into custody during the days of the Passover, and slew him with the sword (Acts 12: 1-2); and thus he drank the cup of which the Saviour had spoken to him prophetically (Matt. 20:23). As for Herod, the following year he went down to Caesarea, and, as the Acts of the Apostles records: "Upon a set day, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration" to the elders of Tyre and Sidon; and the flatterers that surrounded him "gave a shout, saying, 'it is the voice of a god, and not of a man.' And immediately an Angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory; and like his grandfather (see Dec. 29) "he was eaten of worms and gave up the spirit" (Acts 12:21-23)


Allsaint
April 30

Argyra the New Martyr


Allsaint
April 30

Clement the Hymnographer


Allsaint
April 30

Erconwald, Bishop of London


Allsaint
May 01

3rd Monday after Pascha


Jeremiah
May 01

Jeremias the Prophet

This great Prophet of God, Jeremias, who loved his brethren and lamented for them greatly, who prayed much for the people and the Holy City, was the son of Helkias of the tribe of Levi, from the city of Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. He was sanctified from his mother's womb, as the Lord Himself said concerning him: "Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth from the womb, I sanctified thee; I appointed thee a prophet to the nations" (Jer. 1:5). He prophesied for thirty years, from 613 to 583 B.C. During the last captivity of the people in the reign of Sedekias, when only a few were left behind to cultivate the land, this Prophet remained with them by the permission of Nabuzardan, the captain of the guard under Nabuchodonosor. He wept and lamented inconsolably over the desolation of Jerusalem and the enslavement of his people. But even the few that remained behind transgressed again, and fearing the vengeance of the Chaldeans, they fled into Egypt, forcibly taking with them Jeremias and Baruch his disciple and scribe. There he prophesied concerning Egypt and other nations, and he was stoned to death in Taphnas by his own people about the year 583 B.C., since they would not endure to hear the truth of his words and his just rebukes. His book of prophecy is divided into fifty-one chapters, and his book of lamentation into five; he is ranked second among the greater Prophets. His name means "Yah is exalted."


Allsaint
May 01

New Martyr Maria of Fourna, Mirabella in Crete


Allsaint
May 01

Tamara (Tamar), Queen of Georgia

Saint Tamara was the only child of King George III. Upon his death in 1184, she became Queen at the age of twenty-four. Despite her youth, she ruled the country with such wisdom and godliness - leading it to unprecedented military triumphs over the neighbouring Moslem countries in defence of her kingdom, fostering arts and letters, and zealously strengthening Orthodoxy - that her reign is known as the Golden Age of Georgia. After her coronation, she convoked a local council to correct disorders in church life. When the bishops had assembled from all parts of her kingdom, she, like Saint Constantine at the First Ecumenical Council, honoured them as if she were a commoner, and they Angels of God; exhorting them to establish righteousness and redress abuses, she said in her humility, "Do away with every wickedness, beginning with me, for the prerogative of the throne is in no wise that of making war against God." Saint Tamara called herself "the father of orphans and the judge of widows," and her contemporaries called her "King" instead of "Queen." She herself led her army against the Moslems and fearlessly defeated them; because of the reverence that even the enemies of Georgia had for her, entire mountain tribes renounced Islam and were baptized. She built countless churches and monasteries throughout her kingdom, and was benefactress also to the Holy Land, Mount Athos, and holy places in Greece and Cyprus. She has always been much beloved by her people, who have memorialized her meekness, wisdom, piety, and obedience, and peace loving nature in innumerable legends, ballads, and songs; the poem written in her honour by Shota Rustaveli, "The Knight in the Panther Skin," is the masterpiece of Georgian literature. The great Queen Tamara departed the earthly kingdom for the heavenly in the year 1212.


Allsaint
May 01

Nikiforos the Monk of Chios


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Assembly of Bishops News

Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes

04/24/2017

The first ever, national study on evangelization and outreach in Orthodox parishes in the United States has been released by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. The report 'Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes' explores the practices and strategies developed by some Orthodox parishes that can be viewed as 'exemplary' in their missionary and outreach efforts.

Assembly Chairman's Message for Holy Pascha 2017

04/12/2017

Pascha 2017 - To the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Members of Philanthropic Organizations, the Youth and Youth Workers, and the entire Orthodox Christian Family in the United States of America
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Hymns of the Day

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 Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode

When Thou didst descend unto death, O Life Immortal, then didst Thou slay Hades with the lightning of Thy Divinity. And when Thou didst also raise the dead out of the nethermost depths, all the powers in the Heavens cried out: O Life-giver, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode

The noble Joseph, taking Thine immaculate Body down from the Tree, and having wrapped It in pure linen and spices, laid It for burial in a new tomb. But on the third day Thou didst arise, O Lord, granting great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday in the Second Mode

Unto the myrrh-bearing women did the Angel cry out as he stood by the grave: Myrrh oils are meet for the dead, but Christ hath proved to be a stranger to corruption. But cry out: The Lord is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

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.
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