A Word from Father Alex

Greetings Saint Gregory Parish Family:

I’m very much looking forward to this weekend, a kind of festal interlude between Great Lent and Holy Week, as well as the amazing Holy Week journey before us. Holy Week is a time of power, repentance, hope and change, deep within us. With God’s help, let’s push on together toward the brilliant Light of His Resurrection.

Our next liturgical service will be the Saturday of Lazarus, April 24. We’ll have Orthros and Liturgy at the normal times, celebrating the brilliant, faith-building miracle of the raising of Lazarus. Our GOYAns will join us for worship and will remain for palm-folding, cleaning and other important Holy Week preparations. If you would like to take some palms home to fold and then bring them back for Palm Sunday, please contact me anytime. For a faith-building and fun Saturday of Lazarus activity, see the April “For Your Home” activity within the Youth Ministry pages of our website. It has a recipe for making Lazarus Cookies or “Lazarakia.”

And speaking of Palm Sunday, on April 25, this is of course a vital festal day, marking the triumphant entry of our Lord into Jerusalem. Please pre-register as soon as possible to join us in person; the service will also be streamed. If you are not able to join us in person, consider bringing in greens or flowers from your yard before the service. You can raise them high as we bless them at Saint Gregory. In addition, I will remain at the front doors of Saint Gregory after the service until 12:30 pm to give out palms. Come by after you finish remote worship/Youth Religious Ed. Classes (classes will meet after Holy Communion, in person and via Zoom).

I’m happy to announce that we will indeed hold a Zoom Holy Friday Youth Retreat (Preschool – Grade 8) on April 30. To enable our children to attend a full day of school, the retreat will be held from 4:15 – 5 pm, leaving our families able to attend both the Descent from the Cross and Lamentations services. Many thanks to our Youth Religious Education Team for making this event a reality—the Holy Friday Retreat is, each year, a memorable and important part of Holy Week. I hope all of your boys and girls will join us if at all possible.

You can see the Holy Week Service Schedule and Church Calendar within our website for your full guide to the major events of Holy Week. In addition, we will send out several timely emails throughout Holy Week, outlining coming services, volunteer opportunities and other updates for your convenience.

If you have any questions or would like to see how you can be of service to our parish home during this holy time, feel free to contact the Church Office or me.

Good strength to you, and yours, as we journey toward Holy Week!

Fr. Alex

Sunday Notes

EPISTLE READER: Kyri Stavros. 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: TJ Dimitriou & Mario Salzillo. Contact Fr. Alex if your son is interested in Altar service--we'd love to grow this ministry.

FATHER'S SERMON: "Rescue Me"

MEMORIALS: No memorials today.

PALM DISTRIBUTION: After Divine Liturgy and the blessing/distribution of palms, Fr. Alex will continue to give out palms at the front entrance of the church until 12:30 pm for those who have been worshipping and attending Youth Religious Education classes remotely.

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

SATURDAY OF LAZARUS EVENT & "LAZARUS COOKIE" ACTIVITY, APRIL 24
Join us for the festal moment in our approach to Holy Week: the Saturday of Lazarus. Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. Our GOYAns will join us for worship and will remain for palm-folding, cleaning and other important Holy Week preparations. If you would like to take some palms home to fold and then bring them back for Palm Sunday, please contact me anytime. For a faith-building and fun Saturday of Lazarus activity, see the April “For Your Home” activity within the Youth Ministry pages of our website. It has a recipe for making Lazarus Cookies or “Lazarakia":
For Your Home | Saint Gregory the Theologian

ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY OF PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 25
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

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
For our complete listing of Holy Week and Pascha services, see our parish website homepage:
Welcome to Our Parish Website | Saint Gregory the Theologian

HOLY FRIDAY YOUTH ZOOM RETREAT, APRIL 30
Our Youth Religious Education Ministry will hold a Zoom Holy Friday Youth Retreat (Preschool – Grade 8) on April 30. To enable our children to attend a full day of school, the retreat will be held from 4:15 – 5 pm, leaving our families able to attend both the Descent from the Cross and Lamentations services. Many thanks to our Youth Religious Education Team for making this event a reality—the Holy Friday Retreat is, each year, a memorable and important part of Holy Week. We hope all of our boys and girls will join us! Please see the Weekly Bulletin Email for details.

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.

AGAPE SUNDAY READERS
So many of our faithful look forward to the brief but poignant service of Easter Sunday, the Agape Vespers (May 2). Within the service, we proclaim the Holy Gospel in as many languages as possible to show the universality of Christ's life-saving mission. If you, or your child, have reading knowledge of a language beyond English and Greek, please consider participating in the service. Contact Lou Zagami or Fr. Alex.

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.

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.

WHAT'S NEW ON OUR WEBSITE?
Within our Youth Ministry pages, you'll now see two new resources under "Youth and Family Resources": "Saintly Lives" and "For Your Home." Both can be a resources for parents as they strive to bring the life of the Church into their homes. The April "Saintly Lives" entry is about Saint George, and the "For Your Home" entry is a "Lazarus Cookie" activity, just in time for the Sautrday of Lazarus!
Take a look today: Youth and Family Resources | Saint Gregory the Theologian

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

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 21:1-11; 15-17

At that time, when Jesus drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If any one says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and he will send them immediately." This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

"Tell the daughter of Zion,
Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee." But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant; and they said to him, "Do you hear what they are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read,

'Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings,
you have brought perfect praise'?"

And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.

Epistle Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

Saints and Feasts

April 25

Mark the Apostle and Evangelist

Mark was an idolater from Cyrene of Pentapolis, which is near Libya. Having come to the Faith of Christ through the Apostle Peter, he followed him to Rome. While there, at the prompting of Peter himself and at the request of the Christians living there, he wrote his Gospel in Greek, and it is second in order after Matthew's. Afterwards, travelling to Egypt, he preached the Gospel there and was the first to establish the Church in Alexandria. The idolaters, unable to bear his preaching, seized him, bound him with ropes, and dragged him through the streets until he, cut to pieces on rocks, gave up his soul. It is said that he completed his life in martyrdom about the year 68. He is depicted in holy icons with a lion next to him, one of the living creatures mentioned by Ezekiel (1:10), and a symbol of Christ's royal office, as Saint Irenaeus of Lyons writes.

If April 25 falls on or before Great and Holy Pascha, the Feast of St. Mark is translated to Bright Tuesday.

April 25

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

April 26

Basil the Holy Martyr Bishop of Amasea

This Saint was Bishop of Amasia in Pontus, in the days of Licinius (reigned 308-324), fellow Emperor and brother-in-law of Saint Constantine the Great. Licinius' wife Constantia, sister of Saint Constantine, had as handmaid a virgin named Glaphyra. When it became known that Licinius had conceived a sinful desire for her. Constantia secretly sent Glaphyra away to the East. Coming to Amasia, she took refuge with Saint Basileus. When Licinius learned of this, he furiously commanded that both be brought before him. When the soldiers came for them, however, Saint Glaphyra had already departed to the Lord; she is also commemorated this day. Saint Basileus was taken alone to Nicomedia, where he was beheaded. His body was cast into the sea, but through divine revelation was found again and brought back to Amasia.

Wisdom of the Fathers

But observe the wisdom of the Evangelist, how he is not ashamed to parade their former ignorance. That it was written they knew, that it was written of Him they knew not. For it would have offended them if He being a King were about to suffer such things, and be so betrayed.

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

Besides, they could not at once have taken in the knowledge of the Kingdom of which He spake; for another Evangelist saith, that they thought the words were spoken of a kingdom of this world. (Matt. xx. 21.)

St. John Chrysostom

Homily 66 on John 12, 2. B#58, p.245., 4th Century

Archepiscopal Message

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent

04/18/2021

I am so delighted to be with you, in this magnificent Cathedral in Richmond, as we prepare to soon enter into the most sacred and solemn week of our faith. Today, we celebrate one of the greatest Saints of the Church, Mary of Egypt, whose life was completely changed by her experience of Jerusalem and the power of the Holy Cross in the Church of the Anastasis

https://www.goarch.org/-/homily-richmond-lent

Metropolis of Boston News

Pastoral Visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios - St. Philip Church in Nashua, NH

04/20/2021

https://boston.goarch.org/news/metropolis_news/2021/2570.html

On Sunday, April 18th, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios visited the Saint Philip Church of Nashua, NH.

General Information

Services Schedule

Past Bulletins