St. Luke Church
Publish Date: 2025-06-01
Bulletin Contents

Organization Icon
St. Luke Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (413) 525-4551
  • Fax:
  • (413) 525-4552
  • Street Address:

  • 400 Prospect Street

  • East Longmeadow, MA 01028
  • Mailing Address:

  • 400 Prospect Street

  • East Longmeadow, MA 01028


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Mode

O Christ, the angelic powers appeared at Your tomb, the guards were as dead, and Mary stood by the sepulcher, seeking Your sacred body. You destroyed Hades yet remained untouched by it. You encountered the Virgin and through her, bestowed Life. Glory to You who has risen from the dead!

Apolytikion for Holy Ascension in the Fourth Mode

O Christ our God, You ascended in Glory and gladdened Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Your blessing assured them that You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.

Apolytikion for Fathers of the 1st Council in the Plagal Fourth Mode

You are greatly glorified, O Christ our God, who established our Fathers as luminaries upon the earth, and through them led us all to the true Faith. O Most compassionate, glory to You.

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 Plagal Second Mode

O Christ our God, upon fulfilling Your dispensation for our sake, You ascended in Glory, uniting the earthly with the heavenly. You were never separate but remained inseparable, and cried out to those who love You, "I am with you and no one is against you."
BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14

At that time, Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and He revealed Himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas, called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after He was raised from the dead. .


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 20:16-18, 28-36.

IN THOSE DAYS, Paul had decided to sail past Ephesos, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletos he sent to Ephesos and called to him the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them: "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive.' " And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.


Gospel Reading

Fathers of the 1st Council
The Reading is from John 17:1-13

At that time, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you gave me to do; and now, Father, you glorify me in your own presence with the glory which I had with you before the world was made.

"I have manifested your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world; yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you; for I have given them the words which you gave me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you did send me. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are mine; all mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves."


BACK TO TOP

Memorial and Trisagion Prayers

Memorial and Trisagion Prayers

06/01/2025

TODAY, 40 day Memorial will be chanted for Gus Pappas, husband of  Margaret, father of Gus, Theodore, and Penelope, and grandfather of Alexandra, Gillis, Delainey, and Makenzie.

 

Also, a 1 year Memorial will be chanted for Michael K. Tartsinis, husband of Aspasia, father of  Phil (Kelley), Stella, and Anna; grandfather of Penelope, Michael, Alexandra, Vicki, Michael, Niko, and Michael.

 

May their memory be eternal!

 

 

 


BACK TO TOP

Parish News

Parish News

06/01/2025

A Blessed Paschal Season to all!

1.  Upcoming Events

June 1st – Graduation Sunday

June 7th -- Saturday of Souls (Orthros @ 8: 30 am/Divine Liturgy @ 9:30 am)

June 8th – Pentecost Sunday and Laity Award Dinner (Gillette Stadium)

June 13th – Taste of Greece Kick-Off Event – please see flyer in printed Vestal

2. Philoptochos News

Honoring Our Graduates

Today, our church family gathers in celebration to honor the high school and college graduates of our community. We recognize and applaud each student's hard-earned achievements, commending their dedication and perseverance in pursuing their dreams and aspirations for the future.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the graduates and to their families who have supported them throughout this critical journey. May God continue to guide and bless them in all their future endeavors.

The Philoptochos ministry also offers sincere gratitude to the parishioners of the St. Luke community. Your continued generosity and support of Philoptochos' philanthropic efforts make scholarships like these possible, and we thank you for your enduring commitment to our shared mission.
 
Today is a Special Day to Honor Our Presvytera Eleni

On Sunday, June 6, 2021, the Holy Archdiocese of America officially established a special day to honor the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres—the dedicated wives of Orthodox priests who serve the Church with deep faith, strength, and love. This day will be celebrated every year on the Sunday closest to June 4th, which is the feast day of Saints Mary and Martha—the two sisters from the Bible known for their prayerful spirit and active service. These saints were chosen as the heavenly patrons of our Presvyteres because they represent both contemplation and action—just like the women we honor on this day.

This special Sunday reminds us of the incredible work Presvyteres do—not just supporting their husbands in ministry, but also nurturing their families and helping to care for the wider Church community. Their role is not limited to one day a year, but this Sunday gives us a chance to publicly thank and celebrate them.

In our own parish, we take this opportunity to especially honor Presvytera Eleni, whose dedication and love for our Church family inspire us all. Let us use this day to show our appreciation for her and for all Presvyteres across the country, and remember their everyday contributions to the life of the Church.
 

Philoptochos Board Announcement 

We are pleased to announce that the Philoptochos Elections were held on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Please join us in warmly welcoming the newly elected Philoptochos Board Directors for the upcoming 2025–2027 term, which will officially begin in September 2025:

Elaine Berardi, Judy Lelas-George, Lynne Georgeopolus, Eleni Gouzounis, Maria Kaitis, Melissa Kaitis, Sophia Kaitis, Thia Ploubides, Tera Tamashaitis, Evangelia Tsikrikis, Kathy Valaziotis, and Bess Zaharis.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these dedicated women for stepping forward to uphold and preserve the mission of the Philoptochos Ministry. Your commitment and service are deeply appreciated.

A sincere thank you as well to the Nomination Committee and Election Committee for their work in organizing and overseeing a successful 2025 election process.
 

BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

Words from the Saints and our Fathers

Words from the Saints

06/01/2025

O Christ our God, You ascended in Glory and gladdened Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Your blessing assured them that You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. 

Hymn of the Ascension


BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

June 01

Fathers of the 1st Council

The heresiarch Arius was a Libyan by race and a protopresbyter of the Church of Alexandria. In 315, he began to blaspheme against the Son and Word of God, saying that He is not true God, consubstantial with the Father, but is rather a work and creation, alien to the essence and glory of the Father, and that there was a time when He was not. This frightful blasphemy shook the faithful of Alexandria. Alexander, his Archbishop, after trying in vain to correct him through admonitions, cut him off from communion and finally in a local council deposed him in the year 321. Yet neither did the blasphemer wish to be corrected, nor did he cease sowing the deadly tares of his heretical teachings; but writing to the bishops of other cities, Arius and his followers requested that his doctrine be examined, and if it were unsound, that the correct teaching be declared to him. By this means, his heresy became universally known and won many supporters, so that the whole Church was soon in an uproar.

Therefore, moved by divine zeal, the first Christian Sovereign, Saint Constantine the Great, the equal to the Apostles, summoned the renowned First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, a city of Bithynia. It was there that the shepherds and teachers of the Church of Christ gathered from all regions in the year 325. All of them, with one mouth and one voice, declared that the Son and Word of God is one in essence with the Father, true God of true God, and they composed the holy Symbol of Faith up to the seventh article (since the remainder, beginning with "And in the Holy Spirit," was completed by the Second Ecumenical Council). Thus they anathematized the impious Arius of evil belief and those of like mind with him, and cut them off as rotten members from the whole body of the faithful.

Therefore, recognizing the divine Fathers as heralds of the Faith after the divine Apostles, the Church of Christ has appointed this present Sunday for their annual commemoration, in thanksgiving and unto the glory of God, unto their praise and honour, and unto the strengthening of the true Faith.


June 01

Justin the Philosopher and Martyr and his Companions

This Saint, who was from Neapolis of Palestine, was a follower of Plato the philosopher. Born in 103, he came to the Faith of Christ when he was already a mature man, seeking to find God through philosophy and human reasoning. A venerable elder appeared to him and spoke to him about the Prophets who had taught of God not through their own wisdom, but by revelation; and he led him to knowledge of Christ, Who is the fulfillment of what the Prophets taught. Saint Justin soon became a fervent follower of Christ, and an illustrious apologist of the Evangelical teachings. To the end of his life, while preaching Christ in all parts, he never put off his philosopher's garb. In Rome, he gave the Emperor Antoninus Pius (reigned 138-161) an apology wherein he proved the innocence and holiness of the Christian Faith, persuading him to relieve the persecution of Christians. Through the machinations of Crescens, a Cynic philosopher who envied him, Saint Justin was beheaded in Rome in 167 under Antoninus' successor, Marcus Aurelius (reigned 161-180). Besides his defense of Christianity (First and Second Apologies), Saint Justin wrote against paganism (Discourse to the Greeks, Hortatory Address to the Greeks), and refuted Jewish objections against Christ (Dialogue with Trypho).


June 01

Pyrros the Hieromartyr


BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

For there is One God, and One Mediator between God and Man, the Man Christ Jesus. For He still pleads even now as Man for my salvation; ...
St. Gregory the Theologian
4th Theological Oration, 4th Century

BACK TO TOP