A Word from Father Alex

Fellow Parishioners & Friends:

This has been, and continues to be, quite an interesting week for our country, for our sense of leadership and direction. As I mentioned last Sunday after Divine Liturgy, no matter where we hang our hats politically, no matter how passionately we feel about candidates, leaders and issues, may God grant us all the wisdom, compassion, patience and, of course, love to carry on with hope and enthusiasm for our beautiful country. Please pray for all our leaders. God is with us all; His love strengthens and guides us.

Speaking of love, there is no greater expression of love within our Orthodox Faith than the celebration of Divine Liturgy. With this in mind, if possible I hope you’ll join us this Sunday, Nov. 8, the 7^th Sunday of Saint Luke, whether on campus or from home. Before Holy Communion, I’ll offer our youth the third part of my homily series on clergy vestments. Our Youth Religious Education Ministry will continue following Holy Communion; please see specific announcements within this Sunday Bulletin and from your child’s teachers for details on in-person and/or virtual class.

Looking ahead, we’ll begin Orthodox Life “Eleven Stories” on Wed, Nov. 11, 7 pm via Zoom. I’ll announce a Zoom link next week and would ask participants to read the 1^st Orthros Gospel ahead of time if possible:
goarch.org/chapel/lectionary?type=MG&code=411&event=1897

Further, Food & Friends will be in action on Nov. 17, and the Philoptochos Thanksgiving Dinner Drive for the Middlesex Sheriff’s Association continues until Nov. 22. A food donation box is in the Narthex, as well as an envelope for donated funds for the purchase of food. I’m also happy to meet with you to discuss donations for this effort to assist local veterans, and their families, this Thanksgiving.

Finally, for our younger JOY children, over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing a few little fall activities via social media and our emails that might be of interest to our families—the first one is about helping with our Thanksgiving outreach efforts. I also invite our children, and all parishioners for that matter, to read the Epistle during Sunday worship. Parents, please get in touch with me, and we’ll find a date for your child to read. This is a great way to engage Divine Liturgy. For children not currently attending services in person, we can arrange a remote reading to share with our community. There’s always a way!

There’s much more to see within your Weekly Bulletin. Please read on and stay close to your Saint Gregory family this and every week.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alex

Sunday Notes

EPISTLE READER: Lou Zagami. Our youth are especially encouraged to contact Fr. Alex to read on a coming Sunday, in person or remotely. Parents, please let Father know if your daughter or son might like to read.

HOMILY: Fr. Alex will again discuss clergy vestments as "costume" and identity.

MEMORIALS: No memorials today.

ALTAR SERVERS: Mario Salzillo and TJ Dimitriou. Contact Fr. Alex if your son is interested in Altar service--we'd love to grow this ministry.

PRE-REGISTRATION: Thank you for your continued cooperation and patience with the pre-registration process. We will continue with this practice, for the well-being of our parish family, this month. Please register as space is limited.
Pre-register each week right here:
https://signup.com/group/52966497203

ACCESS SERVICES VIA FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/saintgregorythetheologian

ACCES SERVICES VIA YOU TUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgvnXFV6xK1Nhm8ID84jFNg

Ministries, Programs & Events

PHILOPTOCHOS THANKSGIVING DINNER DRIVE
Philoptochos is happy to announce its food drive benefiting the Middlesex Sheriff’s Association’s Thanksgiving meals project, providing fixings for a Thanksgiving meal for needy individuals. Fr Alex serves as chaplain to the Middlesex Sheriffs and we are happy to help support this ministry. We have set up a collection box next to the food pantry box in the coat room. We are looking specifically for Thanksgiving sides (cans of peas, cans of corn, bags of stuffing, cranberry sauce, boxes of instant mashed potatoes, cans of Pillsbury or other rolls) and monetary donations for frozen turkeys and pies. There will be a collection envelope in the box, you can use gift plus or please see a Philoptochos member with any monetary donation. We will be collecting food and donations until Sunday November 22. As always, thank you so much for your support of all of our projects.

ORTHROS, DIVINE LITURGY & SUNDAY SCHOOL, NOV 8
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory, whether in person or remotely. Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. Youth Religious Education--in person/remote/or both--begins after Holy Communion or later in the afternoon; please see weekly announcement from your child's teacher. If you plan to worship with us in person, make sure to pre-register early in the week:
Pre-register each week right here:
https://signup.com/group/52966497203

Access Services via Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/saintgregorythetheologian

Access Services via You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgvnXFV6xK1Nhm8ID84jFNg

SPECIAL JOY ACTIVITY FOR THIS WEEK: "A PURPOSEFUL THANKSGIVING ACTION"
With the COVID situation, it certainly has been a challenge to bring our Saint Gregory JOY Ministry together for activities and outings. We all miss getting together. To help us stay connected during this time, we offer this simple Thanksgiving-oriented activity especially for our parish's younger children and their families. We can all do this activity within our families and stay connected to one another through our concern for others. Please share your stories--and even photos of your family at work on this project--with Fr. Alex. The activity description and steps to follow are right on our parish Facebook page. View it here anytime:
https://www.facebook.com/saintgregorythetheologian/posts/4055750134439204

ORTHODOX LIFE "ELEVEN STORIES," NOV 11, 7 PM
Join us for this special offering for adult parishioners and friends, for our education and inspiration. This and successive sessions will focus on the eleven Resurrectional Gospel readings of Orthros, which explore the glory of Christ's resurrection, as well as the faith, courage and steadfastness exemplified by figures like the Apostles and the Myrrh-bearers. In relation to the unique times we live in, we'll give special attention to the concept of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances--and how the presence of Christ in our lives makes all the different during moments of fear and anxiety. All are welcome to join us. A Zoom link and brief pre-reading activity will be announced soon.

FOOD & FRIENDS, NOV 17
Whether the effort will involve indoor service or "to go" meals, Saint Gregory will be engaged. Each meal our parish prepares and serves feeds about 50 people, and the total cost per event is about $150. Times TBA. Please contact Cathy Cooper to help out or make a donation: ccooper126@verizon.net

ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS, NOV 21
Join us for Orthros & Divine Liturgy in celebration of the Entrance of the Theotokos. Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am.

SHOPPING LIST FOR THE PHILOPTOCHOS THANKSGIVING DINNER DRIVE
*Frozen turkeys (15 lbs or more)
*Boxes/cans of instant stuffing
*Boxes of instant mashed potatoes
*Packets/jars of instant gravy or gravy
*Pillsbury rolls or similar bread product
*Cans of cranberry sauce
*Cans of peas
*Cans of corn
*Frozen pie

SUNSHINE COMMITTEE MINISTRY: WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
In coordination and support of the pastoral efforts of Fr. Alex, this ministry has been formed to communicate with parishioners who may be homebound, hospitalized, nursing facilities or otherwise unable to regularly make it to Saint Gregory. If you are aware of a parishioner who would welcome such communication and support, or if you would like to connect yourself, please contact the Church Office.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Fr. Alex
Tue (9 am - 1 pm), Wed (11 am - 3 pm) & Thur (9 am - 1 pm); or by appointment anytime.
In person or via Zoom. With the COVID situation please contact Father ahead of time to help keep our campus safe.
Cathy Cooper
By appointment: stgregorytheologian@earthlink.net

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eleventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:14-25

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after he was raised from the dead, and he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me."

Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So, the word went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die; but Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

Epistle Reading

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 2:2-10

Brethren, if the message declared by angels was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his own will. For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, "What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou carest for him? Thou didst make him for a little while lower than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Gospel Reading

7th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 8:41-56

At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

O Faithful, let us sing a hymn of praise and worship to the Logos, coeternal with the Father and the Spirit, who was born of the Virgin for our salvation. Of His own will He went upon the Cross in the flesh and suffered death, to raise the dead through His glorious Resurrection.

Apolytikion for Synaxis of the Archangels in the Fourth Mode

O Commanders of the Heavenly Host, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before you crying: "Deliver us from all danger, as Commanders of the Powers on high! "

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Mode

Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.

Saints and Feasts

November 08

7th Sunday of Luke

November 08

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, & Barachiel

All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, - sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation - (Heb. 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deut. 32:8); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw nigh to their dwelling (Ps. 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the thrice-holy hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Esaias 6:2-3; Matt. 18:10; Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reasons that the Orthodox Catholic Church, wisely honouring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Scriptures by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty." The number of Angels is not defined in the divine Scriptures, where Daniel says that thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him -(Dan. 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.

November 09

Onesiphorus and Porphyrius of Ephesus

During the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian, about the year 290, Saints Onesiphorus and Porphyrius were betrayed as Christians to the persecutors. After many torments through which they stood fast in confessing their faith, they were bound by the feet to wild horses and dragged to death.

Wisdom of the Fathers

He puts an end to the woman's fear ... He sets her right, in respect of her thinking to be hid ... He exhibits her faith to all, so as to provoke the rest also to emulation ...

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 31 on Matthew 9, 4th Century

At the same time both signifying that it is easy for Him to raise the dead ... and also teaching us not to fear death; for that it is not death, but is henceforth become a sleep.