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.
Dearest Parishioners & Friends:
I hope you are finding a way to stay cool during these dog days of summer--because this is New England, before long, we'll be complaining about the chilly mornings and having to turn on the heat. This sounds like something I'd welcome at this point.
On a serious note, I was thinking this week about the bitter situation in Afghanistan, specifically how our children might be affected. We often assume that our children--of all ages--don't take in what they hear in the background of our homelife: what's on the news, what we're streaming on our laptops and what we're discussing as parents. They may ask a question about images of machine guns and violence that they are seeing on tv and ask about it. We may respond, "That's nothing. Don't worry about it."
Yet, they do worry about it.
And often, we don't realize how much so. They are absolutely sponges: they take in everything. Their spiritual lives are very real and very profound. They think deeply about things that many of us adults don't dare to contemplate. They may not say much about what they're feeling, but a lot is going on--we have to aware and watchful of signs like withdrawal and asking questions about their personal safety.
With these things in mind, I encourage you not to say "nothing" when you perceive your children are concerned and when they ask about what's happening in the world, especially at times like this. In your own, creative and loving way, share what you're able to share with them. Let them tell you how they are feeling and you, too, can admit if something is making you nervous or upset. When these things can be named and faced, they become less intimidating and stressful to our children, from our youngest to our college students. These moments give you an opportunity to assure them they are safe, protected and loved by you and, of course, God.
Now matter how you do it, keep talking--and, especially, listening!--to your children. And remember, sometimes they may be telling you something without verbalizing.
Looking forward to worshipping with you Sunday, in person or online,
Fr. Alex
EPISTLE READER: John Chani. 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: All servers welcome throughout the summer. Contact Fr. Alex or Tom Moustakis if your son is interested in Altar service--we'd love to grow this ministry.
ANTIDORON SERVER: Kyri Stavros. Servers are welcome to participate in this ministry throughout the summer. To get involved, contact Kyri Stavros: kyri910@icloud.com
FATHER'S HOMILY: "A Change in the Air"
FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Please join us in the hall following Divine Liturgy for friendship and refreshments--all are welcome to join us. Fellowship Hour sponsorships are open to the entire parish family. Please contact the Church Office to schedule your special day, in memory of a loved one, in honor of a special occasion or just to enable wonderful fellowship at Saint Gregory.
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
STREAMING MINISTRY DETAILS/SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS
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 • Instagram photos and videos
SERVICES FOR AUG 29, BEHEADING OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory, whether in person or remotely. Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. While Youth Religious Education classes have concluded until fall, we hope as many of our beloved children as possible will keep attending services or worshipping online. Worship and community never "break" at Saint Gregory!
CALENDAR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY, AUG 29
For parishioners interested in a unique, helpful donation opportunity, we are seeking a sponsor for the 2022 Ecclesiastical Calendar. The approximate cost is $300, and the donor may offer a brief dedication under our church’s information. Our deadline with the publisher is Monday, Aug 30, so time is of the essence. Please contact Cathy Cooper or see Fr. Alex after Divine Liturgy on the 29th.
"WELCOME BACK" Liturgy, BBQ & SUNDAY SCHOOL SIGN UP, SEP 12
The “Welcome Back” BBQ—and Sunday School Meet & Greet—is slated for Sep. 12, following Divine Liturgy. This outdoor event will provide an opportunity to enjoy great company and food (hamburgers, hotdogs, veggie burgers and pulled pork!), as well as a chance to sign up for Sunday School and GOYA for 2021 – 22. There will also be games and activities for our children (and those young at heart). Please bring a side or dessert if you are able, and you can confirm with Karen Guinan:
karenguinan@gmail.com
GARDEN CLUB MINISTRY WORKDAY, SEP 18
Calling at Saint Gregory parish green thumbs! In addition to our regular professional landscaping efforts, we have formed a ministry effort around beautifying and nurturing our expansive campus. Everything from weeding to flower planting is a possibility, and this will be a fantastic way to do something hands-on at our parish going forward. Our first work day for the fall will be the 18th, time TBD. Please contact Lou Zagami for details and to join us: Lzagami@comcast.net.
SUNDAY SCHOOL BLESSING/START OF CLASSES, SEP 19
Parents, please save the date for our first Sunday of classes at Saint Gregory. Before Holy Communion, Fr. Alex will bless our students and teachers for the new year. Our teachers and leaders have been planning and looking forward to another great year of faith, learning and fun with our children! An online registration link for Sunday School will soon be available.
ORTHODOXY 101, BEGINS SEP 19
In addition to Orthodox Life: "Opening the Door" this fall, we'll offer our faithful a straight forward, approachable introduction to Orthodoxy session on select Sundays, following Holy Communion. This will be an ideal opportunity for those interested in coming into the Orthodox Faith or just wanting to learn more about the Church. Lou Zagami will lead each session, and the introductory event will be presented to us all following Holy Communion on the 19th, with subsequent sessions taking place after Communion in our classroom area. We look forward to the start of this ministry effort on the 19th.
EAGLE SCOUT CAR WASH FUNDRAISER, SEP 19
Parishioner Miles Kaufman is pursuing his Eagle Scout project, which will be the creation of a beautiful icon stand and sound barrier within our Memorial Garden. Please help Miles fundraise for this worthy project on the 19th--bring your dirty car to Divine Liturgy, and leave with a sparkling clean car. A flyer and more details to follow, but please save the date!
MEMORIAL GARDEN BRICK ORDERS, DUE SEP 20
If you would like to add a memorial brick to our outdoor walkway this fall, please fill out the form in our Narthex and Church Office. The brick installer will add new inscribed bricks in October, and we need to confirm our order with him by the 20th. With the funds we raise, we would like to refurbish and install the iron fencing from our previous iconostation to frame the walkway, as well as add some outdoor icons and landscape features to update this wonderful area. Contact Cathy Cooper for further details and with questions: ccooper126@verizon.net.
ORTHODOX LIFE: “OPENING THE DOOR,” BEGINS SEP 29
Many of us have encountered the occult and other unconventional spiritual practices—and we may very well wonder what the Orthodox Church believes, have questions and wonder what guidance is before us. In this informal series, we’ll look at everything from the Neo-Pagan and “Teen Witch” movements of the last century, to practices like tarot card reading and channeling, to the “Charlie Charlie Challenge,” Ouija Boards and other phenomena that may lead us to unintentionally open certain spiritual “doors." All are welcome to join us, and no previous experience with Bible study is needed. We’ll plan to enjoy a simple pot luck or take out dinner each evening, if circumstances permit. Weather permitting, we may even be able to enjoy a session or two outdoors! All reading material will be supplied. Our first meeting will be the 29th, 6:30 - 8 pm. Contact Fr. Alex with any questions: alexanderchetsas@gmail.com
OCTOBERFEST COMMUNITY NIGHT, EARLY OCTOBER
In lieu of the originally planned Taverna Night (we will hopefully bring this to fruition in the spring) we are planning an easy, fun Octoberfest evening in early October with refreshments, games and fun for the entire parish. Date, time and specifics will soon be announced. Meantime, please contact Karen Guinan if you'd like to help out: karenguinan@gmail.com
STEWARDSHIP IN 2021--AN IDEAL TIME TO COMMIT AND ENACT GIVING
Many thanks to all of our Saint Gregory parishioners who have already committed for 2021. If you haven't had an opportunity to do so yet, with the "lean" nature of summer giving, now is an ideal time not only to commit for the year but also enact the financial aspect of your Stewardship. 2021 Commitment Cards can be completed online, and we can also give online via our website Stewardship Page: www.saintgregorythetheologian.org/stewardship/. GivePlus is another great option for parish giving: Home | St Gregory The Theologian Church (myvanco.com)
ANTIDORON SERVERS MINISTRY
In addition to reading the Epistle, this ministry is a great way for the girls and young women of our parish to actively engage our worship services. Please contact Kyri Stavros to learn more and/or confirm service dates.
FELLOWSHIP HOUR & SPONSORSHIPS
If you feel comfortable doing so, please join us in the hall for Fellowship Hour following Divine Liturgy after Sunday services. We are grateful for the opportunity to once again enjoy friendship and refreshments in our hall. In addition, all parishioners are invited to pick a special Sunday to sponsor Fellowship Hour this fall. Please sign up this Sunday during Fellowship Hour or simply contact the Church Office.
CONGREGATIONAL SINGING LEADERS
Singing leaders are needed to help our parish get familiar with our new hymnal, as well as lead congregational singing of the Divine Liturgy this summer and fall. Please contact Fr. Alex to learn more about coming practices and how you can be a part of this vital ministry of Saint Gregory.
SAINT GREGORY 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. In addition, we expect our bookstore to open up with wonderful updated stock--and smiling faces--in the fall. We look forward to this wonderful renewal of this important ministry.
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. New entries for May will soon be available.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Fr. Alex: Tue. (9 am – 1 pm), Wed. (11 am – 3 pm) & Thur (9 am – 1 pm); or by appointment when convenient for our faithful. Please note that on occasion, Fr. Alex may be seeing to a pastoral situation, visitingn with another parishioner, attending a Metropolis event or otherwise engaged in Church life during office hours. Cathy Cooper: by Appointment.
8:30AM Orthros (In Person/Online)
9:30AM Divine Liturgy (In Person/Online)
8:30AM Orthros (In Person/Online)
9:30AM Divine Liturgy (In Person/Online)
10:30AM Philoptochos Board Pledge
Nativity of the Theotokos
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
8:30AM Orthros (In Person/Online)
9:30AM Divine Liturgy (In Person/Online)
11:15AM "Welcome Back" BBQ
11:30AM GOYA Sign up
11:30AM Youth Rel Ed Sign Up
Join us for wonderful food, friendship and an opportunity to sign up for our 2021 - 22 Youth Religious Education Ministries.
Come support this Eagle Scout project fundraiser.
Join us for our fall series "Opening the Door," which will focus on our Church's perception and response to unconventional spiritualities like Wicca, Neo-Pagan religions and occult practices.
Recommendations & Guidelines Updated Aug 5, 2021
Recommendations & Guidelines Updated May 2021
Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14
At that time, being raised from the dead, Jesus revealed himself 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; but 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. The 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.
Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 13:25-33
IN THOSE DAYS, as John was finishing his course, he said, "What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie." Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him. Though they could charge him with nothing deserving death, yet they asked Pilate to have him killed. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead; and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus.
Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
The Reading is from Mark 6:14-30
At that time, Herod the King heard about the fame of Jesus, for his name had become known. He said, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him." But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." But when Herod heard of it he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it." And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." And she went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the baptizer." And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.
The divine Baptist, the Prophet born of a Prophet, the seal of all the Prophets and beginning of the Apostles, the mediator between the Old and New Covenants, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, the God-sent Messenger of the incarnate Messiah, the forerunner of Christ's coming into the world (Esaias 40: 3; Mal. 3: 1); who by many miracles was both conceived and born; who was filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb; who came forth like another Elias the Zealot, whose life in the wilderness and divine zeal for God's Law he imitated: this divine Prophet, after he had preached the baptism of repentance according to God's command; had taught men of low rank and high how they must order their lives; had admonished those whom he baptized and had filled them with the fear of God, teaching them that no one is able to escape the wrath to come if he do not works worthy of repentance; had, through such preaching, prepared their hearts to receive the evangelical teachings of the Savior; and finally, after he had pointed out to the people the very Savior, and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, Which taketh away the sin of the world" (Luke 3:2-18; John 1: 29-36), after all this, John sealed with his own blood the truth of his words and was made a sacred victim for the divine Law at the hands of a transgressor.
This was Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee, the son of Herod the Great. This man had a lawful wife, the daughter of Arethas (or Aretas), the King of Arabia (that is, Arabia Petraea, which had the famous Nabatean stone city of Petra as its capital. This is the Aretas mentioned by Saint Paul in II Cor. 11:32). Without any cause, and against every commandment of the Law, he put her away and took to himself Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, to whom Herodias had borne a daughter, Salome. He would not desist from this unlawful union even when John, the preacher of repentance, the bold and austere accuser of the lawless, censured him and told him, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife" (Mark 6: 18). Thus Herod, besides his other unholy acts, added yet this, that he apprehended John and shut him in prison; and perhaps he would have killed him straightway, had he not feared the people, who had extreme reverence for John. Certainly, in the beginning, he himself had great reverence for this just and holy man. But finally, being pierced with the sting of a mad lust for the woman Herodias, he laid his defiled hands on the teacher of purity on the very day he was celebrating his birthday. When Salome, Herodias' daughter, had danced in order to please him and those who were supping with him, he promised her -- with an oath more foolish than any foolishness -- that he would give her anything she asked, even unto the half of his kingdom. And she, consulting with her mother, straightway asked for the head of John the Baptist in a charger. Hence this transgressor of the Law, preferring his lawless oath above the precepts of the Law, fulfilled this godless promise and filled his loathsome banquet with the blood of the Prophet. So it was that that all-venerable head, revered by the Angels, was given as a prize for an abominable dance, and became the plaything of the dissolute daughter of a debauched mother. As for the body of the divine Baptist, it was taken up by his disciples and placed in a tomb (Mark 6: 21 - 29). Concerning the finding of his holy head, see February 24 and May 25.
A Patriarchal Divine Liturgy concelebration took place at the Church of St. George in Imbros for the 60th Anniversary to the Holy Priesthood of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Our faithful are invited to submit the names of the living to be lifted up in prayer by Fr. Alex and our entire parish family. Please contact the Church Office or Father to add or remove names.
Please pray for the servants of God:
Nicole; Alexa; Tony; Amanda; Nicholas; Lea; Irene; Diana; Jeanne; Sam; Michael; Teddy; Annette; Johanna; Joyce; Elaine; Joseph; David; George; Elaine; Gia; Michelle; Kay; Maria; Andreas; Nicholas; Barbara; Timothy; Mark; Bonnie; Andrea; Marissa; Helen; Bessie; Peter; Gina; Christopher; Ginny; Stella; Dorothy; Jack; Dorothy; Ethel; Greg; Vesallie; Helen; Benjamin; Andonea; Diana