January 24
Pastoral Visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios in Somerville, MA
01/19/2021
On Sunday, January 17th, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios visited the Dormition parish of Somerville, MA.
Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2021-01-24
Bulletin Contents
A Word from Father Alex
Sunday Notes
Ministries, Programs & Events
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Metropolis of Boston News
Archepiscopal Message
Ecumenical Patriarchate News
Saint Gregory the Theologian
General Information
- Phone:
- (508)337-9986
- Fax:
- (508)337-9987
- Street Address:
- 1007 West Street
- Mansfield, MA 02048
- Mailing Address:
- 1007 West Street
- 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. Please see weekly updates from our ministry leaders for updates on each class.
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2021-01-31
- Publish Date:
- 2021-01-17
- Publish Date:
- 2021-01-10
- Publish Date:
- 2021-01-03
- Publish Date:
- 2020-12-27
- Publish Date:
- 2020-12-20
A Word from Father Alex
Saint Gregory Parishioners & Friends:
I hope this greeting finds you, and yours, health and well.
This Sunday, Jan. 24, is the 14th Sunday of Saint Luke. It is also the Eve of the Feast of Saint Gregory the Theologian, our patron saint! Because of this vital festal occasion, we’ll not only have Orthros and Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning but also Great Vespers Sunday night, beginning at 7 pm. Fr. Nick Lanzourakis of Annunciation Church in Cranston will offer a homily at the close of Great Vespers—welcome Fr. Nick!
We will also celebrate Orthros and Divine Liturgy on Monday the 25th, Saint Gregory Day (usual times). Please make sure to sign up if you’ll be with us in person for any of our regular Sunday and/or festal services. We’ll be able to stream Sunday morning services and the Great Vespers on Sunday night.
On Sunday morning, Youth Religious Education classes for middle and high school will meet in-person and via Zoom after Holy Communion; our younger grades will meet via Zoom only at 1 pm.
Don’t forget that our Philoptochos 2021 Membership Drive is in full swing. Consider connecting with this dedicated, faithful ministry this year. Want to learn more? Join the Philoptochos Zoom meeting on Jan., 26, 7 pm—joining info is within this bulletin.
Looking ahead, I invite all of our wonderful Altar servers to meet with me for a brief training session after Youth Religious Education classes on Sunday, Jan. 31. I’ll look forward to this time with our servers and the opportunity to reflect on and progress in our ministry.
Finally, I once again ask you to consider a very special annual outreach effort of our parish—the “Souper” Bowl of Caring on Feb. 7! The effort is all about raising awareness of food insecurity and taking action on behalf of those who need our help. Please see the helpful giving links related to this event within your bulletin, which include donating to IOCC (via the IOCC link or GivePlus) and supporting "Our Daily Bread" (via food donations to Saint Gregory or the Amazon Wish List). Thank you in advance for your support. In support of this wonderful outreach effort, our own Lou Zagami (IOCC Development Officer) will offer us some heartfelt words following Divine Liturgy this Sunday.
May the prayers of Saint Gregory be with our parish family!
Fr. Alex
Sunday Notes
EPISTLE READER: 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: Lou Zagami on "Souper" Bowl Sunday
MEMORIALS: No memorials today.
ALTAR SERVERS: Greg Douvris. 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
ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY, Jan 24
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 classes continue this week following Holy Communion (in person and via Zoom) or at 1 pm (via Zoom only); parents, please see this week's emails from your child's teacher for details. If you plan to worship with us in person, make sure to pre-register early in the week
Please note that in accordinace with Gov. Baker's latest COVID-19 restrictions, Saint Gregory's maximum capacity limit is now 50 individuals. We thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
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
FEAST OF SAINT GREGORY SERVICES, JAN 24 & 25
Please join us for the following services, in celebration of Saint Gregory the Theologion, our patron saint:
Sunday, Jan. 24, 7 pm: Great Vespers of Saint Gregory (In person and streamed)
Monday, Jan. 25: Feast of Saint Gregory. Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am (In person only)
***If you'll be attending any of these services in person, please remember to sign up at the pre-registration link above.
PHILOPTOCHOS UPDATES & MTG., JAN 26
***Coat Drive. Thank you to the parish for the wonderful response to the One Warm Coat Drive. Together we collected 55 coats plus some pajamas and assorted children's books to benefit Penelope Place/Health Imperatives in Brockton. This collection will go to good use during these difficult times.
***Membership Drive. Philoptochos has begun our 2021 membership drive. Please let us know if you are interested in joining our group. We meet monthly and members contribute their time and talents as they can.
***Next Meeting. Our next General Meeting is Tuesday, January 26th at 7. Zoom details will be circulated closer to the meeting date.
ALTAR SERVER TRAINING MTG, JAN 31
All servers are invited to join Fr. Alex in the church following Youth Religious Education class on Sunday, the 31st. Our training should take 30 mins. Please make every effort to join us.
"SOUPER BOWL" OF CARING, FEB 7
The effort is all about raising awareness of food insecurity and taking action on behalf of those who need our help. Please see the helpful giving links related to this event within your bulletin, which include donating to IOCC (via the IOCC link or GivePlus) and supporting "Our Daily Bread" (via food donations to Saint Gregory or the Amazon Wish List). Thank you in advance for your support.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2021 PARISH COUNCIL & OFFICER TEAM
Officers:
Pres., Stephan Katinas
Vice P., Phil LaFond
Treas., Stephen Drugas
Asst. Treas., Rich Vinton
Sec., Karen Guinan
Asst. Sec., Tom Moustakis
Members:
Lou Douvris
Sandy Griffin
Brian Kaufman
Maria Sweten
NEW WEBSITE TEMPLATE
Our new website is up and running! If you visit this week, you may note that our parish calendar is updated and active, as well as a host of creative updates and new features. There is still a great deal of content to examine and update; this process will take months, so please be patient with us. Ideas or suggestions? Contact Fr. Alex or Webmaster John Tomarakos
NEW DIVINE LITURGY TEXTS DONATION OPPORTUNITY
As we look forward to a time when we will once again be able to sing together and utilize service books at Saint Gregory, the time has come to consider updated texts, reflecting the latest and official English translation of the Divine Liturgy. The Archdiocesan Dept. of Religious Education has updated hymnals and Divine Liturgy books our parish is interested in utilizing. Fr. Alex is still studying the options before us, but any parishioners interested in learning more about this undertaking and perhaps becoming financial sponsors of the news books are invited to contact Father.
STEWARDSHIP IN 2021
We are all grateful for the moving, inspiring testimonials of both Chris Botches and Kathy Kalogeras (videos soon to be available to our parishioners), as well as the leadership of Stewardship Chair Phil LaFond on Stewardship Sunday in December. Many thanks to all of our Saint Gregory parishioners who have already committed for 2021--we're off to a great start! 2021 Commitment Cards have been mailed to all our Stewards and are available via the Church Office. You can also fill out yours, and give online, via our website Stewardship Page: www.saintgregorythetheologian.org/stewardship/
ADULT EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT IN 2021
After another wonderful session of Orthodox Life on Dec. 9, we are now breaking for the holidays. We'll pick up again with "Eleven Stories" early in the New Year, along with the revisitation of a long-standing Saint Gregory favorite: "Trading Places." This Zoom event (January date TBA) will provide an opportunity for Youth Religious Ed parents to "trade places" with their children and become learners in the faith. We look forward to sharing all the details in the weeks to come.
We are all grateful for the moving, inspiring testimonials of both Chris Botches and Kathy Kalogeras (videos soon to be available to our parishioners), as well as the leadership of Stewardship Chair Phil LaFond on Stewardship Sunday in December. Many thanks to all of our Saint Gregory parishioners who have already committed for 2021--we're off to a great start! 2021 Commitment Cards have been mailed to all our Stewards and are available via the Church Office. You can also fill out yours, and give online, via our website Stewardship Page: www.saintgregorythetheologian.org/stewardship/
ADULT EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT IN 2021
After another wonderful session of Orthodox Life on Dec. 9, we are now breaking for the holidays. We'll pick up again with "Eleven Stories" early in the New Year, along with the revisitation of a long-standing Saint Gregory favorite: "Trading Places." This Zoom event (January date TBA) will provide an opportunity for Youth Religious Ed parents to "trade places" with their children and become learners in the faith. We look forward to sharing all the details in the weeks to come.
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
14th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 1:15-17
Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory to the ages of ages. Amen.
Gospel Reading
14th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:35-43
At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Fourth Mode
O Merciful One, You came from on high, and condescended to Your three day burial to save us from suffering. You are our Life and our Resurrection. Glory to You.
Seasonal Kontakion in the First Mode
Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.
Saints and Feasts
January 24
Xenia, Deaconess of Rome
Our righteous Mother Xenia of Rome was of a distinguished family. While her parents were preparing to wed her, she stole away secretly, taking two handmaids with her, and departed for Mylasa of Karia in Asia Minor, and there she completed her life in asceticism. She was ordained deaconess by Paul, her spiritual father, who became Bishop of Mylasa. Although she was originally named Eusebia, to conceal her identity, she took the name Xenia - which means "stranger" in Greek - because of her estrangement from her country.
January 24
Vavylas the Holy Martyr
Wisdom of the Fathers
We may learn from this that when we ask with faith, God does not give something other than what we ask for, but the very same thing. However, when we ask for one thing and receive something else, it is clear that either we did not make a good request or we did not ask with faith.
The Explanation of the Gospel of St. Luke, 11th Century
Metropolis of Boston News
01/19/2021
Archepiscopal Message
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros MLK Day Message 2021
01/18/2021
The wounds of centuries of slavery have not been fully overcome simply because there was a Civil War, or because there was Reconstruction, or when the Voting Rights Act was signed. Justice takes hard work over generations, and as Christians, we are called to that work. #MLKDay