Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2025-01-19
Bulletin Contents
A Word from Father Alex
Sunday Notes
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates
Calendar: Next Two Weeks
Coming Events & News
Metropolis of Boston News
Archdiocese News

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Saint Gregory the Theologian

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (508)337-9986
  • Fax:
  • (508)337-9987
  • Street Address:

  • 1007 West Street

  • Mansfield, MA 02048
  • Mailing Address:

  • PO Box 293

  • Mansfield, MA 02048

Services Schedule

Sunday & Weekday Services
Orthros/Matins: 8:30 am
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 am

Youth Religious Education Ministry is currently offered Sundays in person and remotely following Holy Communion. Please see weekly updates from our ministry leaders for updates on each class. All are welcome to join us for Fellowship Hour after Divine Liturgy. 

Past Bulletins


A Word from Father Alex

Beloved Fellow Parishioners and Friends:

I hope you will join us this Sunday for worship, Sunday School and friendship at our parish home. Also, read on in this eBulletin for news on upcoming services, youth programs and special events like the February 9th Philoptochos Cookie Walk and February 23rd Godparent Sunday celebration.

In addition, if you come to Saint Gregory this Sunday you will see our two new murals (being installed as I write this note on January 14th): the Baptism of the Lord near the baptismal font and Saint Romanos the Melodist near the bishop’s throne and chanting stand. These murals are gifts of the Guilbault Estate, in loving memory of Joseph and Andonea, tremendous friends and Stewards of our parish. May their memory be eternal!

Looking forward to seeing you and God watch over and protect your families,

Fr. Alex

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Sunday Notes

TODAY'S ALTAR SERVERS: Team Archangel Gabriel.
Parish Altar Team Members
Altar Team Archangel Michael: Matthew Cromack, AJ Georgilas (Asst. Cap.) and Matthew Georgilas
Altar Team Archangel Gabriel: Eliot Hess, Leland Hess, Linus LaFond (Asst. Cap.) and Mark Saad
Cap., Mario Salzillo

TODAY'S MYRRHBEARER: Nomiki Steeves.
Cap., Eleni LaFond

TODAY'S EPISTLE: Ashleigh Cromack. 

HOMILY: "The Other Good Samaritan."

MEMORIAL: Artemisia Douvris, 1 year. May her memory be eternal!

ALTAR FLOWERS: Please consider sponsoring altar flowers for a coming Sunday. The donation for flower sponsorships is $75. Please contact Gina in the church office to learn more or sponsor. 

KOLIVA PREPARATION: Parishioners often ask for help in preparing Koliva and may contact Gina Drugas to order a plate for a memorial ($100 per Koliva).

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: This week's Fellowship Hour is sponsored by the Douvris Family in loving memory of Artemisia Douvris. All are welcome to join us following Divine Liturgy. This month and beyond, Fellowship Hour sponsors are welcome and needed. Please sign up in the hall this weekend or use our SignUpGenius link. 

WORSHIPPING FROM HOME: STREAMING AND INTERNET MINISTRY:

ACCESS SERVICES VIA FACEBOOK:
St. Gregory the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church | Facebook

ACCESS SERVICES VIA YOU TUBE:
St. Gregory The Theologian Live - YouTube

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus has lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Epistle Reading

12th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:4-11

Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

Gospel Reading

12th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 17:12-19

At that time, as Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus's feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus: "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him: "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."

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Saints and Feasts

January 19

12th Sunday of Luke

January 19

Macarius the Great of Egypt

Saint Macarius the Great was from the Thebaid of Egypt, a disciple, as some say, of Saint Anthony the Great. He was born about 331 and struggled in asceticism in the desert at Scete. Although young, he was called "the child elder" because of his great wisdom and austere manner of life. He was ordained presbyter and reposed in 391, at the age of sixty. There are fifty homilies ascribed to him.

It is said of Saint Macarius that he became as a God upon earth, for even as God protects the whole world, so did he cover the faults he saw as if he did not see them. Once he came back to his cell to find a thief taking his things and loading them on a camel. Macarius' non-possessiveness was so great that he helped the thief load the camel. When the camel refused to rise, Macarius returned to his cell and brought a small hoe, said that the camel wanted the hoe also, loaded it on, and kicked the camel telling it to get up. The camel obeyed Macarius' command, but soon lay down again, and would not move until everything had been returned to Macarius. His contemporary, Saint Macarius of Alexandria, was so called because he came from Alexandria and was therefore of that Greek-speaking colony; while Saint Macarius the Great is also called "of Egypt," that is, he belonged to the ancient race native to Egypt, the Copts.

January 19

Makarios of Alexandria

Saint Macarius of Alexandria, was so called because he came from Alexandria and was therefore of that Greek-speaking colony; while Saint Macarius the Great is also called "of Egypt," that is, he belonged to the ancient race native to Egypt, the Copts. Whenever Saint Macarius of Alexandria heard of a virtue practiced by any man, he strove to practice it even more fully himself. When he was already old, he visited the community of Saint Pachomius in Tabennisi and, without revealing who he was, asked admittance. Saint Pachomius, on account of Macarius' age, was reluctant to receive him, but after-wards yielded to his entreaties. Shortly thereafter Great Lent began, and Macarius followed such a severe rule of fasting and prayer that many in the brotherhood complained to Pachomius asking if he had brought this old man to put them to shame. Learning Macarius' identity in a revelation, Saint Pachomius thanked him for breaking the pride of his monks and sent him away in peace.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Having met the Savior, therefore, the lepers earnestly besought Him to free them from their misery, and called Him Master, that is. Teacher. No one pitied them when suffering this malady, but He Who had appeared on earth for this very reason, and had become man that He might show pity to all, He was moved with compassion for them, and had mercy on them.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homilies 113-116. B#42, pp. 465-466, 4th Century

And why did He not rather say, I will, be you cleansed; as He did in the case of another leper, but commanded them rather to show themselves to the priests? It was because the law gave directions to this effect to those who were delivered from leprosy (Lev. 14-2); for it commanded them to show themselves to the priests, and to offer a sacrifice for their cleansing.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Commentary on the Gospel of St. Luke, Homilies 113-116. B#42, pp. 465-466, 4th Century

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Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 12TH SUNDAY OF LUKE
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory: 
Orthros, 8:30 am
Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am
Each week, Sunday School classes begin immediately after Holy Communion. All are warmly invited to join us for refreshments and fellowhip after Divine Liturgy. 

STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA CONNECTIONS FOR THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 19TH
Access Services via You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgvnXFV6xK1Nhm8ID84jFNg

Access services and join our community on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/saintgregorythetheologian

Join our community on Instagram:
@saintgregorythetheologian" 

PARISH FEAST DAY EVENTS: JANUARY 24TH - 26TH
Each year our parish feast day is January 25th. This is a time to give thanks for Saint Gregory the Theologian, to reflect on his importance as a leader of the ancient Church and to learn more about his God-inspired teachings. This is also an occasion to welcome local clergy and parishioners to our parish to celebrate with us. With these things in mind, please save these dates and spread the word to family and friends:
***January 24th, 6 pm: Great Vespers & Reception
***January 25th: Orthros & Divine Liturgy (usual times)
***January 26th: Regular Sunday services and feast-day brunch    

PHILOPTOCHOS COOKIE WALK, FEBRUARY 9TH
The annual Cookie Walk is on for the 9th. We are preparing to fill our table with a wide variety of cookies for purchase; during Fellowship Hour, we will "walk" along the cookie-filled table, selecting a 1/2 dozen, dozen, or more, treats, knowing that the money raised will go directly to local charities and service programs. Philoptochos members are asked to donate home-made cookies—from simple to fancy, classic to gourmet and comfort to unique. Contact Ann Johnson to confirm your donation.                 

“SOUPER” BOWL SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH
This nationwide event gives us an opportunity to reflect on the needs of those in the greater community—and to take action. Led by our GOYAns, we can help in two ways, and thank you for your support:
***Now until February 9th: Bring non-perishable food donations to the Narthex bin (see the needed donations list emailed to us and in the Narthex)
***On February 9th: Bring funds to Divine Liturgy for the donation pot (will be offered for IOCC)

GODPARENT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD
Our Sunday Schoolers are busy writing invitations to their Godparents for this special day, and we can all participate. Please make an effort to bring your Godchild or Godparent to Divine Liturgy. Fr. Alex will lead us in a special prayer for Godparents, and every one will receive a witness pin to remember this day of hope and faith at Saint Gregory.

SAINT GREGORY ORATORICAL FESTIVAL, MARCH 30TH
Plans are being made for our parish festival, and many thanks to Brian Hess for once again serving as chair for this exciting youth event. Topics and materials will be shared with our Sunday School classes this week. Parents, please save the date and encourage your children to participate fully.

STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY 2025 
As we move into the new year, we hope and pray God will help us embrace parish giving with renewed enthusiasm and commitment. With this year’s theme in mind (“Your Own of Your Own”), may we all discover the love and dedication to offer our heartfelt gifts to the Lord’s church. Visit the Stewardship pages of our parish website to learn more about Stewardship and to access our 2025 materials:
Stewardship Program 2025 | Saint Gregory the Theologian

FELLOWSHIP HOUR SIGN-UP RESOURCES
All parishioners are invited to host Fellowship Hour on a coming Sunday. In addition to the sign-up poster in the hall, we can now easily learn more and sign up online. Fellowship Hour is a beloved, significant tradition at our parish that speaks to Christian fellowship and hospitality. Thanks in advance for your support, and contact Fellowship Hour Chair Brian Kaufman with any questions: [email protected]

RIDES TO CHURCH
George Dimitriou, our Driving Ministry chair, would be happy to help you or a loved one make it to Saint Gregory for worship and events. Contact George directly: [email protected]; 781.769.2085.

LOST & FOUND
When parishioners find items about the church, they leave them with the church office. You will find a mail tray labled for lost and found. If you have misplaced a small item, or found one, please stop by the office.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Fr. Alex: Tue. & Thur., 9 am - 1 pm. Wed., 1 - 4 pm; or by appointment when convenient for our parishioners. Please note that on occasion, Fr. Alex may be seeing to a pastoral situation, visiting with another parishioner, attending a Metropolis event, or otherwise engaged in Church life during office hours.

Church Secretary Gina Drugas: Monday, Wednesday, & Thursdays: 1 - 3 pm; Fridays 7 am - 11 am. Gina is also available remotely via email on Tuesdays, 8 am - 2 pm. Contact Gina: [email protected]; 508.337.9986.

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Calendar: Next Two Weeks

  • Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

    January 19 to February 2, 2025

    Sunday, January 19

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School

    Friday, January 24

    Eve of Saint Gregory

    6:00PM Great Vespers & Reception

    Saturday, January 25

    Feast of Saint Gregory

    8:45AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    Sunday, January 26

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School

    11:30AM Parish Name Day Brunch

    Sunday, February 2

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy- Presentation of our Lord

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Sunday School

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Coming Events & News

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Archdiocese News

Delegation from Antioch Visits Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Seeks Support for Rebuilding Efforts After Earthquake Destruction

01/11/2025

https://www.goarch.org/-/delegation-from-antioch-visits-ecumenical-patriarch-bartholomew-seeks-support-for-rebuilding-efforts-after-earthquake-destruction?redirect=%2Fnews%2Frecent-news%2F-%2Fasset_publisher%2Fgt9jYZFyZyFT%2Frss%3F_com_liferay_asset_publisher_web_portlet_AssetPublisherPortlet_INSTANCE_gt9jYZFyZyFT_currentURL%3D%252Fnews%252Frecent-news%26_com_liferay_asset_publisher_web_portlet_AssetPublisherPortlet_INSTANCE_gt9jYZFyZyFT_portletAjaxable%3Dtrue

Istanbul—A delegation representing the Greek Orthodox community of Antioch visited His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew today to convey their heartfelt gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for their unwavering support of earthquake survivors in the region. The delegation also sought further assistance for the reconstruction of the Orthodox churches that were devastated by the disaster.


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