Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2025-06-01
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

Fellow Parishioners and Friends: 

A blessed Ascension to you and yours. This great feast of the Lord occurs each year forty days after Pascha and always on a Thursday. It helps remind us of the divine nature of Christ’s rescue mission, that this was not a mere man who hung on the Cross but God Himself. His divinity—and the potential for humanity to achieve theosis (union with our Lord)—is reasserted. 

This Sunday, I’ll share some words on this topic with our children—our last “1st Sunday of the month” youth homily before we walk into the summer. I always look forward to our youth homilies with the children, whether Fr. Manny, Lee Morest or I are addressing them. 

Following Holy Communion, our children will enjoy Sunday School class and celebrate the end of the year with an ice cream party during Fellowship Hour. We are grateful to our teachers, mentors and Sunday School families for another year of learning and growth in the faith.

We will also recognize our high school graduates and scholarship recipients during a special program in the church. We are so proud of all our graduates and are excited for the next steps of their life journey.

In short, this will be a wonderful day of worship, celebration and thanksgiving at Saint Gregory. Please come nice and early for the youth homily and bring family and friends.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alex


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Sunday Notes

TODAY'S ALTAR SERVERS: Team Archangel Michael.
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: Ashleigh Cromack.
Cap., Eleni LaFond. 

TODAY'S EPISTLE: Phil LaFond.

Youth Homily: “Don't Cling to Me.”

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Sponsored by Greta and Kostas Loukos. Join us for friendship and refreshments, immediately following Divine Liturgy in the church hall. This month and beyond, Fellowship Hour sponsors are welcome and needed. Please sign up in the hall this weekend or use our SignUpGenius link. 

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).

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

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

Fathers of the 1st Council
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."

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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

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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

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Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR SUNDAY JUNE 1ST, FATHERS OF THE FIRST COUNCIL
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory: 
Orthros, 8:30 AM
Divine Liturgy, 9:30 AM
Sunday School classes begin immediately following Holy Communion. All are warmly invited to join us for refreshments and fellowhip after Divine Liturgy. 

STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA FOR THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 1ST
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

GRADUATION & SCHOLARSHIP SUNDAY, THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 1ST
We look forward to honoring our high school graduates during thie Sunday's program—and celebrating our Parasco Family Academic and Enrichment/Service Program Scholarship recipients. This occasion presents us with an opportunity to reflect upon our precious young adults: they are a true blessing and treasure here at Saint Gregory. Congratulations to them all!

LAST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL CELEBRATION, THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 1ST
This Sunday, following a special youth sermon and Holy Communion, our Sunday School leaders and teachers will present our children with end-of-the-year gifts during class time. Then all our children are invited to an ice cream social during Fellowship Hour. Many thanks to all of our teachers and students for a great year. While this is the last day of “class” per se, we hope all our Sunday School families will continue to join us throughout the summer for worship and friendship. Even when classes are not in session, the enrichment and learning continues during each and every Divine Liturgy. Congratulations to all of our students and teachers!

METROPOLIS AWARDS, JUNE 8TH
This year’s Metropolis Awards will once again be held at Gillette Stadium, and our honorees are, of course, Brian and Anastasia Kaufman! We are grateful to Brian and Anastasia for their tireless, dedicated and loving service to our parish and look forward to celebrating with them on the 8th. Reservations are now closed. For those joining us on the 8th, please forward your reservation donation of $125 to the church office at your earlier convenience (payable to Saint Gregory the Theologian). 

NOURISH TO FLOURISH DRIVE, NOW - JUNE 22ND 
As over the last few years, West Side Benevolent Circle has invited us to support local children and families this summer. As school lets out in the weeks to come, West Side provides nutritious free breakfast and lunch options for the greater Mansfield area. Please see the donation bin in the Narthex, and give generously until June 22nd. Our collection assignment is pasta, pasta sauce and mac ‘n’ cheese. Thank you in advance for your caring donations.

SAVE THE DATE OF OUR PARISH FESTIVAL, AUGUST 23RD
We look forward to this fundraiser and community-building event. Our festival committee has been working hard for months, organizing and planning, and we are very excited to welcome the greater community to our campus for delicious food, church tours, entertainment and friendship. We need enthusiastic volunteers and we can help in two ways:
***Help with set up and other preparations in the days leading up to the festival
***Working shifts during the festival
If you can help with either or both needs, please contact the Church Office. Thanks in advance for your support of this important community event!

ON THE ASCENSION: JESUS AND MARY MAGDALENE 
[Jesus] asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”  –John 20:15 - 17

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., 9 am - 1 pm; Wed., 1 - 4 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 Secretary Gina Drugas: Monday, Wed., Thursday, & Friday: 1 - 3 pm; Tue.: 12:30 - 2 pm. Contact Gina: [email protected]; 508.337.9986.

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Calendar: Next Two Weeks

  • Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

    June 1 to June 15, 2025

    Sunday, June 1

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Last Day of Sunday School classes

    11:15AM High School Graduation

    Sunday, June 8

    Holy Pentecost

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Philoptochos Mtg

    Tuesday, June 10

    6:30PM Parish Council

    Sunday, June 15

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

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Coming Events & News

    Nourish to Flourish Drive

    Nourish to Flourish Drive

    Please drop off boxes of pasta, jars of sauce, and boxed mac & cheese in the bin located in the Narthex

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Archdiocese News

Fr. Nicolas Kazarian: "Bridges of Reconciliation: Pope Francis and the Orthodox"

05/13/2025

https://www.goarch.org/-/kazarian-pope-francis?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

The casket is closed. Pope Francis reposes at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in accordance with his will. The Pope wanted his funeral to be a reflection of his tenure: simple and close to the most vulnerable.


Celebrate the Liturgical New Year with Archbishop Elpidophoros: Pilgrimage to Constantinople and Armenia

05/13/2025

https://www.goarch.org/-/armenia-pilgrimage?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

The Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are delighted to announce their first joint pilgrimage to Constantinople-Nicaea and Armenia in 2025.


Maliotis Cultural Center Continues 11th International Summer University

05/27/2025

https://www.goarch.org/-/mcc-isu-4?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

The third day of the 11th International Summer University at the Maliotis Cultural Center unfolded as a celebration of intellectual brilliance, cultural dialogue, and forward-thinking ideas.


Maliotis Cultural Center Hosts Event on Greek Cartooning

05/27/2025

https://www.goarch.org/-/mcc-isu-25-3?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

As part of the 11th International Summer University, the Maliotis Cultural Center hosted a truly exceptional evening dedicated to the powerful legacy of Greek cartooning and its vital role in public discourse.


Maliotis Cultural Center Honors Journalists at 11th International Summer University

05/27/2025

https://www.goarch.org/-/mcc-isu-25-1-1?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

With hearts full of excitement and minds ready to explore, on May 25, 2025 the Maliotis Cultural Center joyfully welcomed the first official day of the 11th International Summer University: Greek Language, Culture, and Media at the Maliotis Cultural Center of Hellenic College–Holy Cross!


Maliotis Cultural Center Begins 11th International Summer University

05/25/2025

https://www.goarch.org/-/mcc-isu-25-1?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

The halls of the Maliotis Cultural Center came alive last night as they proudly hosted the Welcoming Dinner for the participants of the 11th International Summer University—a truly global initiative that celebrates the Greek language, culture, and media.


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