Publish-header
Saint Gregory the Theologian
Publish Date: 2022-08-28
Bulletin Contents
Allsaint
Organization Icon
Saint Gregory the Theologian

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (508)337-9986
  • Fax:
  • (508)337-9987
  • Street Address:

  • 1007 West Street

  • Mansfield, MA 02048
  • Mailing Address:

  • PO Box 293

  • 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 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. 


Past Bulletins


A Word from Father Alex

Beloved Parishioners and Friends:

I hope this summery weather finds you doing well and enjoying some of our last low-key days before the inherent busyness of fall. 

As many of us may have been away last week when I initially shared some thoughts on a fall theme for our parish, I wanted to reiterate those thoughts below. This Sunday, Aug. 28, I'll highlight them within my homily. Thanks for reading, and I look forward to seeing you at Saint Gregory this weekend: 

During our busy fall season, as we try to stay focused on what's eternal--our dedication to God, the Gospel and relationships--I would like to offer the following parish theme for the ecclesiastical year of 2022 - 23: "Faith and Works." This concept comes right from James 2:26 and reminds us of the importance of not just professing our faith but also bringing it to life through holy action: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

I will ask our ministry and program leaders to keep this theme close to their heart as they plan programs and events; I will focus on the theme within homilies, Orthodox Life series presentations and other endeavors; and I hope you will use it as a kind of compass and reference point as you plan your day and strive to prioritize all of your many responsibilities in life. We can ask ourselves questions like, "How does what I'm focusing on right now speak to my relationship with Jesus Christ--and with His people?"; "Am I merely offering lip service to what happen during Divine Liturgy each week, or can I identify concrete steps I am taking, each day, to bring life to these noble professions of faith?" And as we discern our honest answers, we can do somethig about them, take action and put our faithful findings to work.


This theme will also be integral to revealing the centrality and importance of our parish's philanthropic and social action endeavors throughout the year, from our fall Habitat for Humanity support to the many holy "works" of Philoptochos. From household to household, ministry event to ministry event and outreach effort to outreach effort, this theme can help remind us of why we are doing what we are doing. It can be a helpmeet in keeping us on track. 

I'll share more as the weeks move on toward fall, and please feel free to share ideas or suggestions with me on how we can make this theme a day-to-day, concrete reality at Saint Gregory. 

God be with you and see you soon,

Fr. Alex

BACK TO TOP

Sunday Notes

HOMILY: "Faith & Works": Our 2022 - 23 Parish Theme

EPISTLE:
Parishioners of all ages are invited to read the Epistle. Please contact Fr. Alex to choose a date.

ANTIDORON/MYRHHBEARERS SERVICE: Servers are welcome to participate in this ministry throughout the summer. To get involved, contact Fr. Alex. 

TODAY'S ALTAR TEAM: For the summer, all Altar servers are invited to serve each Sunday (Teams Archangel Gabriel and Michael). Contact Fr. Alex if your son is interested in Altar service--we'd love to grow this ministry. As we look to the fall, congratulations to Chris Botchis and Spencer Riley for being appionted Altar Captain (Chris) and Assistant Captain (Spencer). We know both of these exemplary young men will be a tremendous help to Fr. Alex and positive spiritual mentor for their teammates. 

ALTAR FLOWERS: Please consider sponsoring Altar flowers on a coming Sunday or feast day. The donation for flower sponsorships is $50. Please contact the Church Office to learn more or sponsor. 

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Join us after Divine Liturgy for refreshments and friendship. Fellowship Hour sponsorships are welcome this summer. 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

BACK TO TOP

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 the 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!" The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to 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

11th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:2-12

Brethren, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink? Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.


Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 18:23-35

The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the torturers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."


BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
August 28

Synaxis of the Kiev Cave Fathers

On this day, we celebrate the Synaxis of the Kiev Cave Fathers who were laid to rest in the Far Caves of Saint Theodosius in Kiev (see also Sept. 22-28).


Theway
August 28

11th Sunday of Matthew


Jobpochaev
August 28

Job of Pochaev

Saint Job of Pochaev was born about 1551 in southwest Galicia of a pious Orthodox family. In his tenth year the Saint departed for the Ugornitsky Monastery of our Saviour in the Carpathian Mountains. Tonsured after two years, he was ordained hieromonk about 1580. Renowned for his meekness and humility, Job was invited by the great zealot for Holy Orthodoxy in the Carpatho-Russia, Prince Constantine Ostrozhky, to be Abbot of the Monastery of the Cross in Dubno. In his zeal for the preservation and propagation of the Orthodox Faith, and to counteract the propaganda of the Uniates, he printed and widely disseminated Orthodox spiritual and liturgical books. About 1600 he removed to the Mountain of Pochaev where at insistence of the brethren, he became Abbot of the Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos, which he enlarged and made to flourish. Through his labours, a large printing works was founded at Pochaev and greatly assisted in the nurture of the Orthodox faithful in that region. His monastery became the center of the Orthodox Church in western Ukraine. The Saint reposed, having taken the schema with the name of John, in 1651, at the advanced age of one hundred.


BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Unknown, 18th century

Wherefore then did He not do this, nor forgive the debt before the account? Desiring to teach him, from how many obligations He is delivering him, that in this way at least he might become more mild towards his fellow servant .... He gave more than he asked, remission and forgiveness of the entire debt.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 61 on Matthew 18, 4th Century

BACK TO TOP

Ministries, Programs & Parish Updates

SERVICES FOR AUGUST 28, 11TH SUNDAY OF MATTHEW
We look forward to worshipping with you at Saint Gregory, whether in person or remotely: Orthros, 8:30 am; Divine Liturgy, 9:30 am. Sunday School classes are breaking for the summer and will resume in the fall of 2022. Please continue to bring your children to Saint Gregory throughout the summer--we never go "on vacation" from our Orthodox Faith. 

STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA CONNECTIONS FOR AUGUST 28
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 video
 

PHILOPTOCHOS BACKPACK & SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE, CONTINUTES TO SEPTEMBER 4
Philoptochos is happy to announce our 4th Annual Backpack and School Supply Drive is officially underway. This drive is to benefit children within the Mansfield school district who may otherwise not have access to necessary school supplies. Last fall, thanks to the generosity of the Saint Gregory the Theologian community, we were able to fill 40 backpacks with supplies and still have additional paper, pens and notebooks to donate. We hope to meet that number again this year. There are three ways you can help:
1)  Purchase supplies and drop them off in the collection box in Narthex by the front door. See the supply list within the "Coming Events & News" section of this eBulletin. 
2)  Use the following links to order supplies from our Amazon Wish List or Target Wish List. The supplies will be shipped directly Philoptochos.
Amazon ink: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/149GH64FEWDEH?ref_=wl_share
Target link: https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/stanastasiaschoolsupplydrive
3)  Make a donation payable to St. Anastasia Philoptochos and we will purchase the supplies for you.
We thank you all for your continued generosity! Contact Ann Johnson with any questions: annjohnson0195@gmail.com. 

PARISH POTLUCK AND GAME NIGHT, AUG 27
All parishioners are invited to join us for an evening of friendship and fun on the 27th, 5 – 7:30. All are welcome, and indoor/outdoor games will be provided. Feel free to bring a favorite game from home, too. Please bring a dish to share, and contact Brian Kaufman (bvkaufman@gmail.com) or Phil LaFond (phil@lafonds.net) with questions or for further details. 


WELCOME BACK BBQ & MINISTRY CELEBRATION, SEP 11
Following Divine Liturgy, join us for BBQ (pulled pork, burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs and more) and friendship in celebration of our parish ministries. We will sign up for Sunday School, GOYA (there will also be a GOYA meeting), Myhrrbearers Ministry, Altar Service and other youth ministries; representatives will also be on hand from Philoptochos as part of the fall membership drive. There will also be fun games and activities for our children (and those young at heart). Our younger children, middle and high schoolers are also invited to bring their school backpacks for a special blessing at the close of Divine Liturgy as well (each student will also receive beautiful gift!). Please bring a side or dessert to share with our parish family (no nuts, please). See our flyer or contact Karen Guinan for further details and to confirm your dish: karenguinan@gmail.com. 

SAINT GREGORY PARISH BOOKSTORE FALL RE-OPENING, SEP 11
We look forward to re-opening our newly updated store on the 11th! One of the new udpated includes an expanded children''s section. With fall fast approaching, now is the perfect time for you (and your little ones) to curl up with a good book. Our bookstore is open on Sundays after Divine Liturgy, and we have a variety of titles for readers of all ages. Explore selections in topics ranging from prayer guides to the lives of the saints. There is truly something for everyone! Come and see…

MOUNT ATHOS EXHIBITION, SEP 13
On Sep 13, beginning at 1 pm, there will be a remarkable exhibit about Mount Athos at the Maliotis Cultural Center (Brookline, MA).
Join His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, representatives from Mount Athos and clergy and laity from our Metropolis for an inspiring, educational and thought-provoking afternoon and evening. View the flyer for further details and contact information. 

SAINT GREGORY 27TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC, SEP 16
Looking to the fall, please save the date of the Saint Gregory 27th Annual Charity Golf Classic—Sep. 16, 2022. Our committee invites you to join us in support of Saint Gregory’s primary fundraising event of the year, helping us advance the holy mission of our parish. Visit our website to learn more, register and sponsor:  Please contact Stephan Katinas with any questions: skatinas@comcast.net.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SUPPORT AND BUILD EVENT, THIS FALL
In other outreach news, Saint Gregory will be participating in the Old Colony Habitat for Humanity Build on Pike Ave. in Attleboro. In connection to a parish “build day” in the fall, we have a fundraising sponsorship goal of $2,500—this donation will actually help pay for the materials of the building project. If you would like to donate and/or express interest in joining us for the build day, please contact Fr. Alex at your earliest convenience.  

2023 ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR SPONSORSHIP
It is time to begin preparing for 2023 ecclesiastical calendars, which so many parishioners enjoy and utilize each year. If you would care to sponsor the calendar, the bottom flap can be personalized with your greeting. The sponsorship donation is $300, and please contact Cathy Cooper for further details. 

USHERING AND "RIDES TO CHURCH" MINISTRIES
This spring and summer, those interested in our Ushering Ministry are invited to contact George Dimitriou: 781-769-2085; Gdimitriou@yahoo.com. Offering yourself as an usher is a wonderful way to meet new people and helps create a welcoming environment at Saint Gregory. Throughout the coming months, we will also reinvigorate our efforts to provide rides to church for anyone who needs one. Once again, contact George Dimitriou if you could use a “lift” or would like to help drive. 

LITURGICAL SINGING 
This ministry engages musical leadership not only for Sunday liturgy but all the liturgical needs of the year, from Vespers services to Great Lent and Holy Week. Your time and talent is most welcome within our Liturgical Singing Ministry. Please contact Kathy Kalogeras to learn more: kalogeras1@earthlink.net. 

STEWARDSHIP 2022
Many thanks to all our 2022 Stewards for standing behind Saint Gregory. Your support of our church—through your time, talent and treasure—is vital to the pursuit of our divine mission: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you have not yet had an opportunity to complete your 2022 Commitment Card yet, please visit our Stewardship page.

MYRHHBEARERS/ANTIDORON SERVERS MINISTRY
Within the context of our fledling Myrrhbearers Ministry, our girls and young women are invited to hold Antidoro during Divine Liturgy, reading the Epislte and otherwise participate in the entire life of the Church. Please contact Fr. Alex to plan a date for an Epistle reading and/or Antidoro service. 

FELLOWSHIP HOUR & SPONSORSHIPS
Join us in the hall for Fellowship Hour following Divine Liturgy after Sunday services. We are also welcoming sponsors for Sundays this summer. Please sign up this Sunday during Fellowship Hour or simply contact the Church Office. 

WHAT'S NEW ON OUR WEBSITE?
Within our Youth Ministry pages, you'll soon see two new June 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. 

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. 

BACK TO TOP

Calendar: Next Two Weeks

  • Saint Gregory Parish Calendar

    August 28 to September 11, 2022

    Sunday, August 28

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Backpack & School Supply donations for Philoptochos

    Sunday, September 4

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Philoptochos Membership Drive begins

    11:30AM Backpack & School Supply donations for Philoptochos

    Sunday, September 11

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Blessing of School Backpacks--bring your child's school backpack to Saint Gregory

    11:30AM Welcome Back BBQ/Ministry Celebration

    11:30AM GOYA Mtg

BACK TO TOP

Coming Events & News

BACK TO TOP

BACK TO TOP

Archdiocese News

The Falling Asleep in the Lord of Rev. Father Elias Velonis

08/23/2022

It is with sadness yet with hope in the Resurrection that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces the passing of Rev. Father Elias Velonis, who reposed in the Lord on August 17, 2022. Father Elias was a dedicated priest in the Archdiocese, who came to the west coast upon his retirement in 2011.
BACK TO TOP