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 and Friends:
Last Sunday's worship and "Welcome Home" BBQ event was a true joy. So many of our faithful were present and clearly very happy to be reunited with old friends. I'm grateful, too, for all the hard work done by so many leading up to the event and certainly during it--including the clean up! It was a labor of love for all. If you weren't able to be there with us, you were there in spirit; we'll hope and pray that other opportunities will bring us together in the near future. I hope last Sunday's event is the first of many such moments in 2021 - 22, enabling us to give thanks to God together, enjoy friendship and come together in learning and enrichment.
And to these points, I'm very excited about this coming Sunday's start of Sunday School classes. If you are comfortable joining us at Saint Gregory, this is a wonderful opportunity to help your child fully engage our parish home this fall. There's nothing like experiencing worship, our teachers and friends in person--the smiles, the connection, the presence in our holy space ... again, there's just nothing like it.
I'm grateful for you all and to be starting the new ecclesiastical year with you.
Hoping to see you Sunday (and don't forget that dirty car for the car wash!),
Fr. Alex
TODAY'S MEMORIAL: Irene Poniaros, 7 years. May her memory be eternal!
HOMILY: Offered by Fr. Manny Chris
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.
ANTIDORON SERVER: Ashleigh Cromack. Servers are welcome to participate in this ministry throughout the summer. To get involved, contact Kyri Stavros: kyri910@icloud.com
ALTAR SERVERS: All servers are welcome. We will start with our weekly schedule again soon. Contact Fr. Alex or Tom Moustakis if your son is interested in Altar service--we'd love to grow this ministry.
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
GARDEN CLUB FALL CLEAN UP DAY, SEP 18
We look forward to this hands-on community event. We will begin at 9 am. As there are areas with poison ivy, please wear pants and long-sleeve shirts, gloves, socks and appropriate footwear. Please park in the middle of the back lot to protect your car from any flying debris. Any tools you can bring would be very helpful, such as hedge clippers, branch cutters, weed whackers, wheelbarrows, leaf blowers, rakes, shovels and anything else available. Please contact Lou Zagami for details: Lzagami@comcast.net; 443.519.9420
SERVICES FOR SEP 19, THE SUNDAY AFTER THE CROSS
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 begin today with a special blessing just before Holy Communion.
SUNDAY SCHOOL BLESSING/START OF CLASSES, SEP 19
Welcome back, students and families! Before Holy Communion, Fr. Alex will bless our students and teachers for the new year, and then after Communion class will meet outside, weather permitting. If we must meet in the classrooms, students and teachers are kindly asked to mask for everyone's safety. Our teachers and leaders have been planning all summer and looking forward to another great year of faith, learning and fun with our children! An online registration link for Sunday School has been forwarded within our Weekly eBlast--please register at your earliest convenience.
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 today. Bring your dirty car to Divine Liturgy, and leave with a sparkling clean car. Donation per car is only $10. Thanks in advance for your support.
STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA CONNECTIONS FOR SEP 19
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
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.
ORTHODOXY 101, BEGINS SEP 26
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 26th, with subsequent sessions taking place after Communion in our classroom area. We look forward to the start of this ministry effort!
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
"TEACHING" DIVINE LITURGY, OCT 3
The worship experience can be greatly enhanced when we understand exactly what is happening during our services and for what reason. With these things in mind, we'll offer and education and enriching teaching Divine Liturgy on the 3rd. During key parts of the service, we will pause and listen to thoughtful explanations and reflections on that specific moment in the service. Parents, please make sure to have your children to Saint Gregory right on time for this rare educational faith-building opportunity.
OCTOBERFEST COMMUNITY NIGHT, OCT 16
This fun, festive event is coming our way, with authentic German food, spirits, music, games and more. This is a parish-wide event with something for everyone, including our children. Tickets are $30 each/$100 max for families. Tickets are on sale during Fellowship Hour, or contact the Church Office of Karen Guinan: karenguinan@gmail.com
PARISH YOUTH & FAMILY HIKE, OCT 17
Join us for a beautiful 1 hour hike at Rocky Narrows in Sherborn, which features the picturesque King Philip’s Overlook. Following Divine Liturgy, we can change clothes at Saint Gregory and then head to the Forest St. Parking Lot in Sherborn (space is limited/we can also carpool from Medfield State Hospital—45 Hospital Rd., Medfield). The trail is very doable for all ages. Please bring good hiking shoes, water, lunch (the outlook is a great lunch spot) and whatever your family needs. More details to follow. Questions or planning to join us? Contact Fr. Alex: alexanderchetsas@gmail.com
HOPE & JOY PRAYERFUL PUMPKIN CARVING, OCT 24 (g. K - 2)/JOY (g. 3 - 6)
This fun, faithful event is especiall for our JOY (g. K - 12) and JOY (g. 3 - 6) children (siblings welcome too!). On the 24th, following Divine Liturgy and Sunday School classes, we will host a “Prayerful Pumpkin Carving Event,” full of seasonal fun and with a spiritual message. Pumpkins, candles and limited carving tools will be supplied (parents, please bring some tools from home if you can and plan to help you child(ren) with the carving. If weather permits, we will carve outside. A pizza lunch will be offered! Contact Fr. Alex with your drink or dessert offering—and to reserve your family’s pumpkin: alexanderchetsas@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)
10:30AM Blessing of Students
10:30AM Youth Rel Ed Classes
11:15AM Car Wash Fundraiser
12:00PM Food & Friends
8:30AM Orthros (In Person/Online)
9:30AM Divine Liturgy (In Person/Online)
10:30AM Youth Rel Ed Classes
10:30AM Orthodoxy 101 Intro
11:15AM Altar Server Mtg
1:15PM Liturgical Singing Practice
6:15PM Orthodox Life: Opening the Door
10:30AM Liturgical Singing Practice
8:30AM Orthros (In Person/Online)
9:30AM "Teaching" Divine Liturgy (In Person/Online)
10:30AM Youth Rel Ed Classes
11:30AM Antidoron Servers Mtg.
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.
Our entire parish family--and interested friends--are warmly invited for a night of German food and seasonal fun.
All our children, families and anyone interested are welcome to join us for an energizing fall hike!
Our younger children are invited to join us for faithful seasonal fun.
It's time to bring our furred, feathered and scaled friends for a blessing during this heart-warming event.
Recommendations & Guidelines Updated Aug 5, 2021
Recommendations & Guidelines Updated May 2021
Second Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back, for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.
Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 2:16-20
Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Sunday after Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1
The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."
In 278, during the reign of Probus, Saints Trophimus and Sabbatius came to Antioch, and seeing the city celebrating the festival of Apollo at Daphne lamented the blindness of the people, and presented themselves as Christians to Atticus the Governor. Saint Trophimus was stripped of his clothing, and was stretched out and beaten until the earth was red with his blood. Then he was hung up, scraped on his sides, and imprisoned in torments. Saint Sabbatius was tortured so savagely that he gave up his spirit in his sufferings. Trophimus was sent to Synnada, wearing iron shoes fitted with sharp iron nails within; he was further tormented without mercy, then cast into prison. Dorymedon, a counsellor, and a pagan, came to the prison and cared for Trophimus. When a certain feast came, Dorymedon was asked why he did not sacrifice to the idols; he proclaimed himself a Christian, for which he was imprisoned, pierced with heated spits, frightfully punished, and finally beheaded with Saint Trophimus.
For the first time, the leaders of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Anglican Communion have jointly warned of the urgency of environmental sustainability, its impact on poverty, and the importance of global cooperation.
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; the Victims of the Sep 11, 2001 Attacks