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.
Parishioners and Friends:
Join us for worship, Sunday School, Fellowship Hour and the HOPE/JOY Prayerful Pumpkin Carving event this Sunday, Oct. 23. The pumpkin event puts a prayerful spin upon the fall season--and this will be a great way for our younger children to connect and interact beyond Sunday School class.
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday and God be with you,
Fr. Alex
HOMILY: “Contemporary Moral Issues Reflection: Sanctity of Life.”
MEMORIAL: Andonea Guilbault, 40 days. May her memory be eternal!
EPISTLE: Miles Kaufman. Parishioners of all ages are invited to read the Epistle. Please contact Fr. Alex to choose a date.
TODAY'S ANTIDORON/MYRHHBEARERS SERVICE: Isabella Caradonna. Servers are welcome to participate in this ministry throughout the summer. To get involved, contact Eleni LaFond or Fr. Alex.
TODAY'S ALTAR TEAM: Archangel Michael (Matt Cromack, AJ and Matthew Georgilas and Mario Salzillo). Altar Captain: Chris Botchis; Spencer Riley: Assistant Captain.
ALTAR FLOWERS: Offered by Mary Kostaras in loving memory of her mother, Romalea Kostaras. 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: Fellowship Hour sponsorships are welcome and needed. Please sign up in the hall this weekend or 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
Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18
At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus has lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni," which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and she told them that He had said these things to her.
James (Iakovos) the Apostle, brother of Our Lord
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19
Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
6th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 8:26-39
At that time, as Jesus arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, there met him a man from the city who had demons; for a long time he had worn no clothes and he lived not in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me." For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him; he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters, but he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the desert.) Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. When the herdsmen saw what happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how he who had been possessed with demons was healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them; for they were seized with great fear; so he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but he sent him away, saying, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
According to some, this Saint was a son of Joseph the Betrothed, born of the wife that the latter had before he was betrothed to the Ever-virgin. Hence he was the brother of the Lord, Who was also thought to be the son of Joseph (Matt. 13: 55). But some say that he was a nephew of Joseph, and the son of his brother Cleopas, who was also called Alphaeus and Mary his wife, who was the first cousin of the Theotokos. But even according to this genealogy, he was still called, according to the idiom of the Scriptures, the Lord's brother because of their kinship.
This Iakovos is called the Less (Mark 15:40) by the Evangelists to distinguish him from Iakovos, the son of Zebedee, who was called the Great. He became the first Bishop of Jerusalem, elevated to this episcopal rank by the Apostles, according to Eusebius (Eccl. Hist., Book II: 23), and was called Obliah, that is, the Just, because of his great holiness and righteousness. Having ascended the crest of the Temple on the day of the Passover at the prompting of all, he bore testimony from there concerning his belief in Jesus, and he proclaimed with a great voice that Jesus sits at the right hand of the great power of God and shall come again upon the clouds of heaven. On hearing this testimony, many of those present cried, "Hosanna to the Son of David." But the Scribes and Pharisees cried, "So, even the just one hath been led astray," and at the command of Ananias the high priest, the Apostle was cast down headlong from thence, then was stoned, and while he prayed for his slayers, his head was crushed by the wooden club wielded by a certain scribe. The first of the Catholic (General) Epistles written to the Jews in the Diaspora who believed in Christ was written by this Iakovos.
SERVICES FOR OCTOBER 23, THE 6TH SUNDAY OF LUKE
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 have begun. If you have not already, please register your children here for another year of learning and growth in the Orthodox Faith.
STREAMING DETAILS/MEDIA CONNECTIONS FOR OCTOBER 23
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
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES CONTINUE, OCT 23
Our school year is off and running and attendance has been strong! If you have not yet had an opportunity to do so, please register your child, or children, for Sunday School at your earliest convenience, and contact Dionne Katinas (dionnekatinas@comcast.net) with questions or to learn more about our ministry.
HOPE (K – 2nd)/JOY (3rd – 5th) PRAYERFUL PUMPKIN CARVING, OCT 23
Join us after Sunday School for this special event. A pizza lunch will be offered, and please bring a pumpkin from home, as well as carving tools, if you have them. Parents, be ready to carve with your children to make sure they stay safe. This seasonal event with a faithful message is one not to miss. Contact Fr. Alex with any questions and to confirm participation soon as possible.
SAINT GREGORY PARISH BOOKSTORE OPEN, OCT 23
We are so happy to have our bookstore open and staffed on Sundays once again. 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…
ORTHODOX LIFE, OCT 30
Join us on the 30th for “Contemporary Moral Issues.” This series explores the Orthodox Church’s perspective and teaching on the most pressing social and moral issues of our time, from the sanctity of life to capital punishment. Join Fr. Alex during Fellowship Hour for an informal, discussion-oriented presentation, utilizing Fr. Stanley Harakas’ Contemporary Moral Issues. Contact Father for further details. This next discussion will engage the topic of the intersection of politics and religion within the Church and throughout our lives.
ST. ANASTASIA PHILOPTOCHOS MEMBERSHIP AND VETERANS' DRIVES, THIS MONTH
***The Philoptochos Membership Drive is “on” this month through the end of the year.
Please consider joining this friendly, energetic group of women—and spreading the news to family and friends. The dues will remain at $35.00, with greater contributions gratefully accepted. Checks can be made out to the St. Anastasia Philoptochos and given to any board member. Payments can also be made through Vanco with the designation “Philoptochos.”
***In addition, the Philoptochos Veterans' Coat and Gift Card Drive to benefit the local Mansfield Veterans' Affairs Office has begun and will run through Oct. 30. Monetary donations will be accepted through the end of October and will be used to purchase winter coats and gift cards for the Veterans' Office. As with the Membership Drive above, checks or Vanco payments are gratefully accepted. Many thanks for your support. Contact Ann Johnson for further details about Philoptochos and any coming events: annjohnson0195@gmail.com.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY, NOV 6
Looking further ahead, please save the date of Nov. 6 for our fall Parish General Assembly. These gatherings of our Steward Parishioners represent important moments to reflect on parish life and further the ministries and programs of our parish (a formal announcement and agenda are forthcoming).
METROPOLIS OF BOSTON PHILOPTOCHOS EVENTS, NOV 12 AND 20
***Author Event, Nov. 12
Our Metropolis Philoptochos is hosting a luncheon with best selling author Yvette Manessis Corporon, where she will discuss her latest book, Where the Wandering Ends. Yvette visited our Metropolis four years ago and was very well received. We look forward to hearing about her new book that was recently featured on Good Morning America! This event is open to everyone: you need not be a member of Philoptochos. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos website: https://boston.goarch.org/ministries/philoptochos/yvettemanessis.html
***Cookbook Deadline, Nov. 20
On the suggestion of His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, the Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos is compiling a new cookbook with recipes from each Chapter in the Metropolis for a new fundraiser. A very successful lenten Metropolis cookbook was published in 1996 by the Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos.The deadline for submission of recipes has been extended to Sunday, November 20, 2022. Please submit your favorite, original Greek family recipe here: https://forms.gle/AmgrTMxY6i959XFL6
PARISH COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORMS, DUE NOV 13
Our Parish Elections Day, for Parish Council and Board of Auditors, is slated for Dec. 4. Candidate Forms for Parish Council are now available in the Narthex, and Fr. Alex can also email you one. The due date for the completed Candidate Form is Nov. 13; they can be dropped off in the Church Office or emailed to Father. Regarding the Board of Elections, please let Fr. Alex know if you would be willing to serve (three Parishioner Stewards will be elected for this committee at the General Assembly).
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SUPPORT AND BUILD EVENT, LATE FALL/NOV
We are awaiting news on our Habitat for Humanity build day, which will likely be in October or November. The build site is on Pike Ave. in Attleboro and represents a life-changing opportunity for a local family. Donations in support of the event, which are part of our build-day commitment, are needed; likewise, we welcome volunteers to work on site during the build day. Please contact Fr. Alex to donate and/or express interest in the build day.
IMPORTANT 2022 STEWARDSHIP UPDATE AND REMINDER
Our Stewardship Ministry Committee is grateful for the support and generosity expressed thus far in 2022. As we look toward the end of this year’s campaign and begin planning for 2023, this would be a wonderful time to complete a 2022 Commitment Card and/or fulfill your existing commitment. Commitment Cards are in the Narthex, and they can also be filled out electronically within the Stewardship pages of our website. Online giving options are also available there for convenient and instant commitment fulfillment.
NEW PLASTIC BOTTLE AND CAN FUNDRAISER
This fall, we launched a fund-raising effort utilizing the new drop-off bin in the parking lot. As of now, you can bring your deposit-stamped plastic bottles and cans to drop off at the shed, and our parish will trade them in for donations on a monthly basis. No glass, please—and do make sure to rinse your donations before dropping them through the window in the bin.
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.
MYRHHBEARERS MINISTRY
Within the context of our fledling Myrrhbearers Ministry, our girls and young women are invited to hold Antidoro during Divine Liturgy, read the Epislte and otherwise participate in the entire life of the Church. Please contact Eleni LaFond to pick a date for Antidoro service and Fr. Alex to plan a date for an Epistle reading.
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. (1 pm – 5 pm), Wed. (9 am – 1 pm) & Thur (9 am – 1 pm); or by appointment when convenient for our parishioners. 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: Tue. (9 am - 1 pm) and
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM JOY Prayerful Pumpkin Carving
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM Orthodox Life: Contemporary Moral Issues
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
10:30AM Sunday School classes
11:30AM Parish General Assembly
11:30AM GOYA Giving Tree begins
Join us for seasonal fun with a spiritual meaning at this excellent family event.
This monthly graph story serves as a top-level indicator concerning the financial trends of our parish. This month's graph utilizes data from August 2022.
This graph indicates significant trends in Stewardship participation and financial giving, highlighting some of the profound difficulties of the last two years but also reminding us of the dedication of our Stewards.
Enjoy this encouraging, inviting fall greeting from Parish Council President Karen Guinan.
View the list of needed school supplies in support of the Philoptochos Backpack & School Supply Drive in support of Mansfield children and families.
The Town of Mansfield's Mandate Announcement and Supplemental Package
Recommendations & Guidelines Updated Aug 2021
Throughout the Archdiocese there are parishes in need of liturgical items such as censers, chalice sets, baptismal fonts, kouvouklia, altar boy robes, liturgy books, icons and more. There are also many established parishes that have more of these items than they need.