March 28
Patriarchal Catechetical Homily at the Opening of Holy and Great Lent
03/12/2021
Read the Patriarchal Catechetical Homily at the Opening of Holy and Great Lent here in both Greek and English
Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2021-03-28
Bulletin Contents
A Word from Father Alex
Sunday Notes
Ministries, Programs & Events
Gospel and Epistle Readings
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:
- 2021-03-14
- Publish Date:
- 2021-02-28
- Publish Date:
- 2021-02-21
- Publish Date:
- 2021-02-14
- Publish Date:
- 2021-02-07
- Publish Date:
- 2021-01-31
A Word from Father Alex
Saint Gregory Parishioners & Friends:
I hope and pray your Lenten journey has been energizing and encouraging thus far—though I haven’t been with you in a while, you’ve been in my prayers and I’ve been thinking about you and yours through it all.
As some of you may know, I’ve been quite sick for the last two and a half weeks. Brandy, the children and I appreciate, so much, your countless prayers, quiet kindneses and loving enquiries during this time. In the end, following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, my situation spiraled into double pneumonia with some challenging complications connected to the nature of COVID-19. This led to several frantic day visits to local ERs, as well as a four night stay in the hospital. I hesitate to share these things with you, as I know many of you, and your families, have endured and continue to endure worse things, but I know you care, and it’s important for spiritual families to lean on one another.
In short, I felt your spiritual presence during nerve-wracking times, and I’m grateful for you all. I also appreciated the ongoing friendship, support and help of our Parish Council and all our ministry leaders during this time. You put my mind at ease while I was feeling out of control and unable to focus on anything but what was directly in front of me.
With all these things in mind and as I have a host of recovery restrictions I need to observe, we’ll need to take things a bit “day to day” for the time being. Thank you for your patience with this updated weekly service schedule:
*March 24: PreSanctified Liturgy and March 25 Annunciation Orthros/Liturgy, canceled.
*March 26: 2nd Salutations Service, 6 pm (in-person and streaming)
*March 28, Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas: Orthros, 8:30 am & Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am (in-person and streaming). Parents, our Youth Religious Education classes will continue this Sunday—please wait for an email from your child’s teacher (great job with the Sunday of Orthodoxy last week!)
***We will have a substitute priest for March 26 and March 28. Based on my physician’s direction, I’m planning to resume my liturgical responsibilities as of the March 31 PreSanctified Liturgy.
Please read on throughout your Weekly Bulletin for information on everything else coming our way at Saint Gregory, including the “Dignity Matters” Philoptochos collection, Lenten and Holy donation opportunities and the PreSanctified Liturgy and presentation with Fr. Tony Vrame on March 31.
Again, thank you all so much, and I can’t wait to see you again. Meantime, I’ll keep you in my prayers and contemplate the gift of your Christian friendship: “A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.” --Proverbs 17:17
Yours in the Lord,
Fr. Alex
Sunday Notes
***PLEASE NOTE SUNDAY SERVICES ARE CANCELED FOR MARCH 14
EPISTLE READERS: 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.
ALTAR SERVERS: Mario Salzillo. 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
2ND SALUTATIONS TO THE THEOTOKOS, MARCH 26
Join us for this beautiful service celebraging the mystery of the Incarnation during this most holy time of year. The service begins at 6 pm, in person (see pre-registration linke below) and streaming.
ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY, MARCH 28
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); 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 up to 50%. 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
WORSHIP & ORTHODOX LIFE W/FR. TONY VRAME, MARCH 31
Fr. Vrame will join us for PreSanctified Liturgy, and then will offer us a reflection on journeying through Great Lent in light of the COVID-19 situation. Father is a parishioner and dear friend of our parish--we look forward to welcoming him "home." The service and presentation will be live-streamed and recorded for the benefit of our parish family.
ORATORICAL FESTIVAL, APRIL 11 (Updated from April 4)
Plans are being made for this year's festival, which will be conducted via Zoom. Details will follow, and we wish our Middle and High School classes good strength as they begin this spiritual endeavor.
MYRRHBEARING GIRLS FOR HOLY WEEK
Parents with girls (up to about age 10) interested in participating in our liturgical services as myrrhbearers on Holy Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and, of course, Friday are asked to contact Fr. Alex. This is a wonderful way to involve our children in the services of Holy Week.
SAINT GREOGORY PARISH BOOKSTORE
Parishioners are invited to visit our bookstore by appointment or otherwise receive assistance by contacting the Church Office. Cathy or Fr. Alex would be happy to help you find that encouraging book or meaningful gift for a loved one during these unique times.
LENTEN AND HOLY WEEK FLOWER DONATIONS
As we do indeed look toward Great Lent and Holy Week, donations are welcome and needed for the decoration of our sacred space during this Holy time. A host of icons will be decorated with flowers (Virgin and Child for the Salutations, the “Great Humility,” the Resurrection, etc.); other needs include the wreath for the Lord’s Cross, palms, laurel leaves, lilies and, of course, the adornment of the Kouvouklion (the wooden structure that houses the Epitaphios icon). Please contact Cathy Cooper to support these worthy efforts.
CANDLESTICK DONATION
Several weeks ago, our parish received a generous donation of two new candlesticks for our Holy Altar from an anonymous donor. Some time ago, the same donor presented us with the brilliant Tabernacle that also rests upon the Altar; the Tabernacle and candlesticks are a perfect match! We are so grateful to this donor for these thoughtful and prayerful gifts—they were given from the heart and for the glory of God!
WHAT'S NEW ON OUR WEBSITE?
Have you seen our excellent Stewardship Parishioner Testimonials page yet? If you haven't, it's right within our Stewardship page, and it is a reminder of just how important our Saint Gregory home is to us all. Check it out the first testimonial today:
Parishioner Testimonials | St. Gregory the Theologian (saintgregorythetheologian.org)
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/. GivePlus is another great option for giving--see the GivePlus app within our weekly parish email.
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.
General Office Hours/Cathy Cooper
By appointment: stgregorytheologian@earthlink.net
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Matins Gospel Reading
Ninth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:19-31
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."
Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
Epistle Reading
Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 1:10-14; 2:1-3
"IN THE BEGINNING, Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they will perish, but thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years will never end." But to what angel has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet?" Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?
Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For 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.
Gospel Reading
Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12
At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he said to the paralytic-"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
Saints and Feasts
March 28
Herodion the Apostle of the 70
March 28
Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas
This divine Father, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.
His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.
Wisdom of the Fathers
Now Matthew indeed saith, that "they brought him," but the others, that they also broke up the roof, and let him down. And they put the sick man before Christ, saying nothing, but committing the whole to Him.
Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century
For though in the beginning He Himself went about, and did not require so much faith of them that came unto Him; yet in this case they both approached Him, and had faith required on their part. For, "Seeing," it is said, "their faith;" that is, the faith of them that had let the man down.
Homily 29 on Matthew 9, 1. B#54, pp. 195, 196, 4th Century
Metropolis of Boston News
03/12/2021
Archepiscopal Message
#WomensHistoryMonth Message from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros
03/01/2021
In gratitude for women’s contribution to the good of our world, on this #WomensHistoryMonth let's educate ourselves: women are the backbone of our parishes and deserve much more credit than they receive. Ι urge women of our Church to get more involved by taking leadership roles.
Ecumenical Patriarchate News
Catechetical Homily at the Opening of Holy and Great Lent
03/10/2021
"By God’s mercy Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome And Ecumenical Patriarch to the plenitude of the Church, May the grace and peace of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, together with our prayer, blessing and forgiveness be with you all"