A Word from Father Alex

Fellow Parishioners and Friends:

I hope and pray this note finds you, and yours, healthy and well. And I look forward to seeing you this weekend at our parish home.

Following services this Sunday I’ll offer the first session of Orthodox Life: “The Miracles of Christ.” Please join me in the library during Fellowship Hour for this approachable study. If you are interested in coming into the Orthodox Faith or just learning more, this series if for you. All are welcome.

Looking ahead, don’t forget that the Saint Gregory Golf Tournament is coming our way Nov. 1, once again at Canton’s Top Golf. See the details within this eBulletin. If we all play, sponsor or otherwise support this will be another successful tournament in the books.

Read on within your eBulletin for a host of other updates on Saint Gregory happenings, including the GOYA Flint Farm outing on Oct 18 and the HOPE/JOY Prayerful Pumpkin Carving on Oct 25.

Hoping to see you this weekend,

Fr. Alex

Sunday Notes

TODAY'S ALTAR SERVERS: All servers welcome
Altar Team Archangels Michael and Gabriel: Eliot Hess, Leland Hess, Linus LaFond (Asst. Cap.) and Mark Saad
Cap., Mario Salzillo

TODAY'S MYRRHBEARER: Sydney LaFond.
Caps., Elena Salzillo and Sydney LaFond

TODAY'S NARTHEX TEAM:
Parish Council Member: Brian Kaufman and Kristin Lewis.
Usher Member: Margarita Campbell.

HOMILY: “Parable of the Sower: Holding It Fast” (Luke 8:5-15).

EPISTLE: Michael Lukas.

ALTAR FLOWERS: Altar flower sponsorships are a wonderful way to remember a loved one or celebrate a family event. Contact the Church Office for details (sponsorships are $125).

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Following Divine Liturgy, please join us in the hall for refreshments and friendship. All are welcome.

KOLIVA PREPARATION: Parishioners often ask for help in preparing Koliva and may contact Gina Drugas to order a plate for a memorial ($125 per Koliva).

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

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

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to Titus 3:8-15

Titus, my son, the saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicos to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greeting to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council
The Reading is from Luke 8:5-15

The Lord said this parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience." As he said these things, he cried out "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Saints and Feasts

October 11

Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we chant the Service to the 350 holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, which gathered in Nicaea in 787 under the holy Patriarch Tarasius and during the reign of the Empress Irene and her son, Constantine Porphyrogenitus, to refute the Iconoclast heresy, which had received imperial support beginning with the Edict issued in 726 by Emperor Leo the Isaurian. Many of the holy Fathers who condemned Iconoclasm at this holy Council later died as Confessors and Martyrs for the holy Icons during the second assult of Iconoclasm in the ninth century, especially during the reigns of Leo the Armenian and Theophilus.

October 11

Philip the Apostle of the 70, one of the 7 Deacons

Saint Philip, who had four daughters that prophesied, was from Caesarea of Palestine. He preached throughout Samaria; it was he also who met the eunuch of Candace, the Queen of the Ethiopians, as the eunuch was reading the Prophet Esaias, and he instructed and baptized him (Acts 8:26-39). He reposed in Tralles of Asia Minor while preaching the Gospel.

October 11

Theophanes the Confessor, Bishop of Nicaea

Saint Theophanes, the brother of Saint Theodore the Branded, was a Palestinian by race. Both were monks at the Monastery of Saint Sabbas. They were called "the Branded" because Theophilus, the last of the Iconoclast emperors, had twelve iambic verses branded by hot irons on their foreheads and then sent them into exile, where Theodore died in the year 838. After the death of Theophilus in 842, Theophanes was elected Bishop of Nicaea. Both brothers composed many canons and hymns, thereby adorning the services of the Church.

Wisdom of the Fathers

When you see life's pleasures, beware that they might not distract you, for they conceal death's snares. Likewise a fisherman casts not his hook to no purpose. As bait for his hook, the enemy uses the delusion of sensuality to arouse desire, that he might thereby catch men's souls and subject them to himself. A soul which has been caught to serve the enemy's will then serves as a snare for other souls, for it conceals the grief of sin with its apparent delight.

St. Ephraim the Syrian

A Spiritual Psalter no 43, pg. 74, 4th century

Since there are certain people who find great fault with us for adoring and honoring both the image of the Savior and that of our Lady, as well as those of the rest of the saints and servants of Christ, let them hear how from the beginning God made man to His own image. For what reason, then, do we adore one another, except because we have been made to the image of God? As the inspired Basil, who is deeply learned in theology, says: "the honor paid to the image conveys to the original.," and the original is the thing imaged from which the copy is made.

St. John of Damascus

The Orthodox Faith, 4.16. Catholic University of America Press in Washington D.C. Translated by Frederic H. Chase, Jr. volume 37, page 370., 8th Century

Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, SUNDAY OF THE 7TH COUNCIL
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory:
Orthros, 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy, 9:30 AM
(Sunday School begins immediately following Holy Communion; all parishioners, visitors and friends are welcome to join us for Fellowship Hour in the hall following the service)

STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA FOR THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11
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

ORTHODOX LIFE: MIRACLES OF CHRIST, TODAY
In connection to this year’s parish-wide theme focusing on the miracles of the Lord, our fall/winter series will focus on the miracles of Jesus Christ—and His active presence in our lives today. All are welcome; no prior experience with Bible study is needed. Please meet Father in the Library during Fellowship Hour. Today’s topic will be the Miracle at Cana in Galilee.

PARISH OUTDOOR/INDOOR CLEAN-UP DAY, OCT. 17
All parishioners are invited to help with this clean-up effort aimed at our parish “yard” and indoor spaces as well. Specifically outside, we will focus on the removal of vines climbing up the back brick wall of the church. Inside the building, we need help cleaning and organizing spaces within our kitchen. Contact Lou Zagami to learn more and join the effort: 443.519.9420.

GOYA FLINT FARM OUTING, OCT. 18
With last weekend’s rainy weather, we postponed our planned trip to Flint Farm. Instead, Father led an Orthodox Life session with our GOYAns last Sunday after Sunday School classes. Now we are looking forward to Oct. 18 for our second try at Flint Farm. A fun corn maze, ice cream and friendship are on the agenda. Contact Yvette Politis to confirm and with any questions: [email protected].

HOPE/JOY PRAYERFUL PUMPKIN CARVING, OCT. 25
Following Sunday School on the 25^th, our HOPE/JOY children (grades 1 – 5) are invited to join us for messy, prayerful fun in the parish hall. We will carve our pumpkins, say the special pumpkin prayer together and get to take our creations home. Parents, please let Father know how many of your children are coming by Oct. 21, so we can have pumpkins for everyone.

ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC, NOV. 1
This year's tournament will once again be at Canton's Top Golf. Casual golfing, a Tex-Mex dinner, friendship, watching the Pats game (Dolphins) and more are on the agenda. Come join us and spend time, even if you will not be golfing. Our tournament website is now live and has been emailed to our parishioners. Visit the site to learn more, register and support.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER WORKSHOP REFLECTIONS
Last Sunday, our teachers joined Fr. Alex after Sunday School for a brief workshop. Together, we reflected on the first several weeks of class, exchanged ideas, went over youth safety protocols from the Archdiocese and brainstormed ways we could integrate our parish “Miracles of Christ” theme into our curriculum. It was wonderful to connect and spend time together. Many thanks to all our teachers for their dedication and faithful service.

PROSFORA
Baking Prosfora is a great way to connect to the liturgical life of our parish, and we always need new bakers to support this ministry. Would you like to try and bake several for a coming Sunday or even lead a small group interested in learning about the process? Please contact Fr. Alex.

STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY 2026
Many thanks to all those Stewards who have already committed for 2026. If you have not yet had the opportunity, now would be a wonderful time. 2026 Stewardship materials are in the Narthex and available on our parish website's Stewardship page.

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 Margarita Campbell 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., 1 - 4 pm; Wed., 9 am - 1 pm; Thur., 9 am - 1 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 OFFICE ADMINSTRATOR
Mirna Zelic: Mon. - Fri. - 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Contact Mirna: [email protected]; 508.337.9986.

Calendar: Next Two Weeks

Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

October 11 to October 25, 2026

Sunday, October 11

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:45AM Sunday School

Tuesday, October 13

6:30PM Parish Council

Saturday, October 17

9:00AM Parish Grounds Clean-Up Day

Sunday, October 18

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:45AM Sunday School

11:30AM GOYA Flint Farm Outing

Wednesday, October 21

6:30PM Safety Committee mtg

Sunday, October 25

8:30AM Orthros

9:30AM Divine Liturgy

10:45AM Sunday School

11:15AM Knitting Ministry

11:30AM HOPE/JOY Prayerful Pumpkin event